Digging Deeper

Top Ten Reasons

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” I Peter 3:15 (NIV)

Top Ten Reasons to Share your faith

#10 Practice makes Eternal

#9 Pastor Rollie says it’s fun! (what?)

#8 It is better than a poke in the eye.

#7 Beats all your friends, relatives, and neighbors going to Hell

#6 It could make you younger

#5 You don’t really know what you believe until you give it away.

#4 Helps you clean up your act

#3 It will help us fill the new building that we haven’t built yet.

#2 It will help people from losing hope.

#1 Jesus has commanded that we are His witnesses…everywhere!

Have a great Monday! Just remember the Holy Spirit has already prepared the person for you. Share what Christ has done in your life and it will take care of itself.

Prayer; Father give me the guts to do this today. I know we can do this together.

“…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
The Great Commission – Matthew 28:19-20

Quite often when we think of missions work we envision people going overseas to needy countries and spreading the Word to these poor people that don’t know Jesus and probably don’t even speak English. Did you know that there are now foreign countries sending Christian missionaries to the United States to reach the lost. Now, if you feel called to go into the mission field and travel to foreign lands I would encourage that and I will pray for you but there is a vast mission field right here in our own backyard. Statistics show that there are over 20,000 people within a 15 minute drive of the Ridge that are not going to church.

Do you know someone who doesn’t know Jesus? I’ll bet you do. so, here’s your mission. Get a pen and a piece of paper, go on I’ll wait….. Ok, tear the paper into four pieces, cut it if tearing bothers you. Now, think of five people that you know that don’t don’t know Jesus Christ. Write there names on each of the four pieces of paper. Take those pieces of paper and put them where you will see them constantly, on the mirror in your bathroom, in the car, next to your computer screen at home or work, where ever they will be in your face and therefore on your mind. Each time you see these names I want you to pray for them and ask God to give you courage and strength to speak boldly to them. Ask Him to set up Divine appointments between you and them and for the Holy Spirit to be there too too guide your words and to soften their hearts. Also you need to be in Gods Word. He will reveal to you during his time certain passages in scripture that will be helpful when these Divine appointments occur. When God presents you with these opportunities don’t just pound them with the Bible though. Invest yourself in their lives. Love them, care for them, help them.  Then begin to invite them, not only to church on the weekends but into your life. Let them see Jesus in you and your life. Let them seeHis light in you and to want that for themselves. It may take a whole lot of no’s before you start to reach a yes but hang in there. They matter and they need to know that.

This is something that you can do indefinitely. Each time you get to remove a name from the list, because Jesus saved them, add another to it. The Great Commission was not just for the disciples it was for all of us as believers so let’s GO!!!

Heavenly Father, guide us, lead us, use us Lord to carry out Your Great Commission. Give us strength and courage through Your Word to reach out to those around us that don’t know Your son Jesus Christ. Keep us all strong and united in faith across the world as we carry out this most important mission. In Jesus Holy name we pray. Amen.

by Rick Phillips

Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.-1 Peter 4:10 CEV

I love serving others. Being used by God in a way that benefits others and serves Him is one of the things we were created for. When a person finds that sweet spot, that place where they seem to fit in serving you just know it. I think this is one of the many qualities in us that is so obvious even if we don’t know Christ. Many people understand what it is to serve others. You see it all the time when disasters strike or friends get down on their luck and need some help. God has wired us all have this desire and passion to serve. We are also all wired differently when it comes to serving.

Some people are in front of the scenes, the people person. Some are behind the scenes. I like to float around. Sometimes I’m behind some times in front. I try to listen to God to know where I should be. I find it fascinating sometimes when people don’t realize what an important part they are in the body of Christ. Every part serves a purpose. If a person loses a toe it effects the entire body. To compensate they walk differently which affects other parts of the leg and can lead the problems and injuries through-out the entire body. It can take years to recover from injury or loss of parts that might be considered by many to be minor or even useless.

At the Ridge it takes well over a hundred people each week to make the four weekend services happen. If someone walked in and no one said hello to them or the restrooms weren’t clean or the coffee wasn’t made or the praise band didn’t show up or the pastors mic didn’t work or the RidgeKids teachers didn’t show up or the facilities team didn’t keep up with the heat or air what would that experience feel like? My wife, Jenni, likes to say “they have to know how they matter to us before they hear how much they matter to God.” What that means is with out all of the amazing servants at the Ridge we would not be able to create the warm, comfortable atmosphere we strive for so that a guest can relax listen to the message God has given the pastor to give to us.

If you are not serving in some capacity I would challenge you to give it a try. Trust me, when you find that sweet spot, that place where God wants you, and you allow Him to use the gifts and skills He has given you in service to Him and His people it brings you closer to Him and helps complete the purpose that He has for you. 

Heavenly Father, reveal to each one of us the purpose You have for us right now. Help us Lord to open our hearts and minds to what You are calling us to. Give us the strength and courage to step up and take the role You have for us in this world so that we can be better prepared for Your Kingdom. Amen

by Rick Phillips

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow -1 Corinthians 3:6

Whether it is spiritually, physically or mentally we all need to grow. Many people, animals and plants grow in different ways. Our spiritual health is a lot like our physical health. If we take in the wrong foods we will not be healthy. If you ingest too much of the potato chips of television or the chocolate cake of novels and not enough of the healthy vegetables of God’s Word and the fruit of Life Groups we will grow weak spiritually and fat in worldly ways. You need to feed yourself with that which will nourish your body not poison and pollute it.

Look at this way, if you only ate one good meal a day on Sunday morning and then ate junk food the rest of the week until the next Sunday you would grow weak, unhealthy and maybe even die of malnourishment or from any number of issues that would arise from the unhealthy foods you have put in your body. The same holds true for your spiritual health. If you show up to church some, most or even every Sunday and listen to the message and then go out and pollute your mind and body with the unhealthy things of this world such as pornography, or even R rated movies, trash on TV, romance novels and other such things that are not good for you and not from God’s word you will grow weak and vulnerable. You could even die from the poison this world can inject into your life.

Now, I’m not saying you have to be imersed in only the Bible, although that might be pretty cool, but God should be at the top of your dietary intake. Remember,as Christains we are called to be in this world not of this world. And how can others see the light of Jesus if it doesn’t shine through us? I’m no doctor but I would highly recommend at least a daily dose of the Word of God to get you through the day whether it’s from a Bible study group, daily devotionals, Life Groups or simply reading your Bible.

Heavenly Father I’m asking right now for Your guidance in a healthier spiritual life. Reveal to me how You want me to pursue that and help me Lord to open my mind and heart to the possibilities that nourishment can bring to me and those around me. Amen

by Rick Phillips

“…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
The Great Commission – Matthew 28:19-20

Not long after Jesus saved me in June of 2006 He ignited in me a passion for reaching others that did not yet know Him. I soon became aware of a soft spot in my heart for those that were so much like I had recently been. Confused, mislead, lost, call it what you will. I spent almost 36 years of my life running and ducking from Christ and anything that had to do with Him. I also spent that 36 years building relationships with others just like me. I shut out or mocked those “church people” when they got too close. Even my own wife and daughter. I wanted nothing to do with those crazy people at that church.

I am who I have always been minus a lot of foul language, alcohol and negative attitude and multiplied by Christ and His love, caring and forgiveness. Now, I don’t always get those things right but through Him I get better at it each time I fail. Since Jesus saved me from the life I was destoying my relationship with my wife and daughter are stronger and more enjoyable than ever. I have gained many new friends and have become closer to people than I have ever been. There are many friends and family members from my old life that don’t understand what has happened to me. I pray everyday that they will come to understand and be rescued too. I also pray everyday that God show me how I can be a part of that for them and Him. I love to be used by my creator in anyway He calls me to be.

I have spent most of my life right here in this community. I want to see these people, my friends and family, understand and accept what Jesus has done for us all. I want to be a part bringing up there down here, right here in Brookville, Ohio. I want spend an eternity with them all.

Over the next three weeks we will be exploring what, how and why we do what we do at the Ridge. Above is just a small part of why I do what I do (maybe some day I’ll explain what I do). What about you? Please post a comment or two about your passion or drive and why you do what you do. 

Father we praise You and thank You for the passions You ignite in us. Lord please use us as your messengers and give us the courage to not only speak our fiath but to live it in a way that others just cannot miss or deny any longer. Amen.

by Rick Phillips

                       Dwell

Psalm 23:6

“Surely goodness and merc will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

    Dwell:Abide,Remain:Reside, Exist: to keep the attention directed.

  Reading and writing this verse over and over the word dwell kept rolling around in my head. So I looked up its definition for more clarity and found two truths within this verse.

First we can begin our eternal dwelling in the Lords house the moment we become a Christ follower. We have looked at the importance of being God focused so we can hear His Truth rather than the lie, we have seen the important things of life come from our obedience to God, walking in His footsteps, rather than accumulating things, we know His goodness follows us everywhere we go, and we have learned to count our many blessing daily.  Therefore we are dwelling in His house as we keep our attention focused on Christ alone.

 Second point… we will abide, remain, reside in eternity forever, without end amen and amen. There is no moth or rust to corrupt the perfection of our dwelling place. We will see Him everyday and worship Him in all truth, there will be no more tears, no more sorrow, no more goodbyes. All the good and perfect gifts we experience here barely whisper at the perfection that is ours there.

  To dwell forever in the uninterrupted light of His love is something worth focusing on. Just writing this I am getting excited for that day, but until then by the grace working in us may we strive to live more surrendered, more trusting, more faithful to the One who made it all possible. Unto Him be all the glory!!

Isaiah 25:8,  Revelation 21:4,  John 10:27-28             

     Thank you Heavenly Father for the home I have with You now and forever. May all glory and honor be Yours without end. Amen   

The Important Things

Psalm23:6

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

    When Crystal was a little girl she had this sweet, plush gray, pink nosed mouse named Mandy Mouse. She loved that mouse and it went with her everywhere. There was nothing so important to her as that mouse.

  As I sit here thinking about eternally dwelling in my Fathers house, I sadly begin to realize I’m not as devoted to this hope as I should be. And that is when Crystals childlike devotion to her mouse came to mind. All her other toys were meaningless if Mandy wasn’t there to share it all with her. All my toys should be just as meaningless unless Jesus is center stage!

  How do we think the things of this world will fulfill the God sized hole in our hearts? And why do we think things in and of themselves are the sum total of our lives when there are children needing familys to love them and the hungry needing fed. Do we really believe a seventy thousand dollar car is were God is or is He at the homeless shelter with those handing out warm blankets and Bibles? Why is it we are trying so hard to accumulate things here when here is going to be destroyed. Where is the real enjoyment, the lasting kind? It is in the center of Gods’ will. Nothing should mean much to us unless Jesus is there sharing in it, being the center of it.

  Maybe this view makes me sound like a Jesus freak, I hope I am! I have a home not made with hands waiting for me yet I’m looking, focusing on something bigger and better here. The important things of life are not bought with money but are experienced through our obedience to Him.

2 Corinthians 5:1       John 14:1-4

1 Peter 2:11

Father God forgive me for losing sight of the important things, the things closest to your heart, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, and offering our service willingly in Jesus name. Amen

The Focus

Psalm 23:6

“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

    I come from a very large family, a hundred and some strong including my great great niece. When we get together we are loud. There are dozens of conversations going at once but you can only hear the one you focus all you attention on. If you don’t learn to focus you find yourself hearing bits and pieces of all these conversations yet not really know the full truth of any of them.

This applys to our lives in Christ. We cannot focus on the future with confidence if we are tuning in to bits and pieces of the TRUTH and the lie. We soon get lost in a mass of noise, and cofusion sets our course. It takes discipline and training to block out all the falsehoods and hear only Truth. But just as an athlete trains daily to run the Ironman, a Christ follower must do the same. We believe what we focus on the most, because it becomes the common fact. If we focus on the worlds beliefs, our actions will be that of fear and doubt, if instead we focus all ourselves on Jesus and His truths our actions will reflect His peace and joy.

In Psalm 103:2-11 we are given a list of truths worthy to hang on our refrigerators. A reminder everyday of the grace working in us. The power in Truth to set us free, yes free indeed.

  We hear often the importance of Bible study, life groups, regular Church attendance, and service. Well we can’t hear it often enough. The more we hear it the more we begin to focus on it the less the lie holds sway in our lives. Being involved in all these things helps discipline us,and teaches us to recognize our Fathers voice. We must focus on one thing and it is Jesus Christ alone!!

Psalm 25:15

Psalm 46:10

Confident No Matter What

Psalm 23:6

“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

  June 1996 I came face to face with a personal protecting God. Facing heart problems at 29 is difficult made more so with three children 12 and under and a little boy not yet a year old. On my knees in the bathroom struggling to breath I cried out to God with all my being, He answered with Psalm 91, do not fear the terror, I got you.

  Sadly over the years doubt and fear have helped to dim and erode the wonder of that moment, until now. Surely goodness will follow me all the days of my life, the Psalmist declares. I can agree. This verse  made me take time to really re-evaluate my life. What I am seeing is an incredibly faithful God. One who has taken difficult health issues and drawn me closer to Him. He has worked on my compassion through finacial struggles, brought healing to my broken heart, protected my family from near tragedy, and brought us out stronger. Life has been a series of tests and trials with mountain top moments mixed in,but God has worked out His will through it all. Surely goodness has followed me all the days of my life. I can be confident no matter what, God is in control and He does hold us in His hands. He is watching all the time and He has been trustworthy every step of the way. He alone is God and I want to take this moment to thank Him for being Him!!

  I encourage each of you to take time and look closely at your life, see the hand of God protecting you as He hems you in behind and before.   Psalm 139  . 

 We may not know the how or why of our circumstances but we have the loving guidance of the One with all the answers!! Surely goodness will follow us all the days of our lives.

Psalm 91                    

Romans 8:28

Thank you Lord Jesus for being our strength and hope, breathe your confidence into us each day so we might live boldly and unafraid. In your name we pray, Amen