Digging Deeper

1 John 5:16

  If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life.

  I think it is so sad when we say things like, ”there’s nothing I can do except pray.”  Praying is “the thing” we should automatically do because it is the only real power we have. Why do we put so little emphesis on prayer? I think that is Satan’s sneakiest way of defeating us.  When he convinces us to act on our own strength, or tricks us into believing our prayers are not heard or answered he has won a huge battle.

  In the book “Don’t Just Stand There, Pray Something,” by Ronald Dunn, He writes this, I discovered that prayer is the secret weapon of the Kingdom of God. It is like a missile that can be fired toward any spot on earth, travel undetected at the speed of thought, and hit its target every time.

   There’s more. Satan has no defense against this weapon; he does not have an anti-prayer missile.

  There are people in our lives that the only way they can be reached is by way of the throne of grace. Why do we discount what God tells us in the book of James that the fervant prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.

  Don’t let Satan convince you, your prayers do nothing because they do. Our God says so and what He says is TRUE! Remember the prayer Jesus prayed for all who would believe through the word of His deciples ( John 17:20 ) well every time someone turns to Christ His prayer is answered a prayer that has spanned two thousand years and is still powerful.

   We have the same power because we pray to the same God who answers still today. Our prayers affect the here and now and the future  generations.

   So don’t just stand there pray!!

   Luke 18:1-8

Father God we come in the name of Jesus  asking forgiveness for our doubt.  Lord, grow us and show us Your power, as we learn to be prayer warriors in Your holy name. Amen

  Becky Hutzel

 1John 5:10

Anyone who believes in the Son has this testimony in his heart.

     Can you hear me now? This famous one liner in verizons’ cell phone add always makes me smile. Today I got to thinking about it differently. What if we changed the wording and asked “can you see It now?” 

  You probably are wondering what I’m driving at. Well in this chapter we learned that others need to feel God’s presence but I ask shouldn’t they also be able to see Him?  

   There is a phenomenon in Christ followers that I call Jesus eyes. A type of kindness that goes deeper then just kind, a softness, a something that words can’t quite capture, but, which draws my spirit to them. I believe it is the presence of God’s Holy Spirit the testimony of Him that draws one Christ follower to another. I also believe He is that something non-believers are drawn to, that something we have that they crave.

  The testimony we have, the Holy Spirit living in us, also translates into our countenance. The more we surrender to Him the more He shines through us. The more we obey Him the more others experience Gods’ love through us and the greater our testimony becomes. We are the conduit God uses to draw others to Himself, but we must be connected to Him in a real way. We need to be in His word, practicing His will, and living in obedience to be a carrier of His power and love. Just as an electrical current cannot flow without being properly connected to the light switch we cannot be a light unless we stay connected to Christ daily.

  So maybe we should start asking each other “can you see “It”, (His love, His Spirit) in me now? It’s something to think about.

Galation 5:25                 

Dear Heavenly Father use me today to bring your presence into the lives of others. Make me a conduit of your power and love and shine Jesus shine in me. Amen

Becky Hutzel

1John 5:21

Dear children keep yourselves from idols.

    Have you given much thought to what things you give power or authority to? Have you ever considered them to be idols?    I find it uncomfortable to think about this because the truth has a way of  illuminating the shadowlands of my life.

    An idol is anything that takes the place of God in our lives. The more I consider this the more I realize there are many idols that pop up. I also realize the idols in my life change. For instance, it may be a movie that comes before my time with God, or there is the money problem. I know God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, yet I fear the lack of resources in our lives as work  hours are sliced in half. I have invested to much power in an inanimate object and suddenly I dwell on it more then on the power and goodness of my Lord and Savior. The truth is I never saw these thing as idols until this weeks lesson. I am not comfortable with what I am finding.

  Realizing I have idols in my life has shaken me up. I was clueless at how quickly I give authority to other things and take my eyes off of Jesus Christ. I have given much thought to this double agent concept and must admit I am one.

  How often do we put the mantle of togetherness on when we are with others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Reality is, our world is messy, even cofusing, and our hearts are crying for help. I know someone who ate only squash every day for months because they were so poor. Yet their pride kept them quiet allowing family to believe they were losing weight on purpose. What a diservice we do to others and ourselves when we allow idols of self- sufficiency get in the way of allowing others to help carry our burdens.

  Are you living as a double agent? Take heart, Gods’ grace is sufficient for you.

1John 5:18-21

Father God forgive me the idols in my life. Keep me aware of them and be my strength against them. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Amen.

Becky Hutzel

1John 5:4

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.

   Small improvements can make a big difference. Think of your home.  The kitchen  has dirty dishes stacked in  the sink. making the whole room look messy.  All it takes is a little time to wash and voila a new kitchen. The living room looks dingy, a coat of fresh paint and it looks brand new. Little improvements along the waycan make big differences.

   It’s the same with our spiritual life. We don’t have lots of huge victory moments instead there are many small improvements along the way. We choose not to get angry when the driver cuts us off, instead we pray for his safety, victory. We count to ten when we find ink  on our walls before we correct our child, victory. We choose a walk instead of compulsive eating, victory. We read our Bible, victory. We pray with a friend, victory.

Each time we choose to do anything in our life that is God honoring we have had a victory. Life is a smorgusboard of choices, good and bad. The world says sample it all. Gods word says not everything is good for us. We make hundreds of choices each day. Some will bring improvement some won’t. Lets not become discouraged with the mess, instead, focus on the victories. It’s in these we see the power of God at work in our lives. The Devil wants to keep us down, so he will try to keep us focused on our failures in hopes we lose heart and give up. Choose to see your kindness toward a grumpy clerk for what it is, a victory in Jesus. Your decision to forgive a friends hurtful words, victory in Jesus.  Your choice not to rent that questionable moive, victory in Jesus. Step by baby step we overcome the world.

  One small improvement after another adds up to big differences in our lives. Little by little, steady and sure our God moves us forward and works His beauty into our lives. Almost without our noticing it, we change into a person we weren’t before. I know this is true, it’s happened in my life. I look back at the Becky of twelve years ago and I am not who I used to be, all because of Jesus in me.

  I challenge you to think of who you used to be, even a year ago and see Gods’ remodeling work in your life.

1Corinthians 10:23&24  & 3John 1:11

  Father God thank you for small improvements adding up to big changes. I thank you for working in me making me more like Jesus than I was before. Help me keep my eyes on my victories in you instead of my failures remembering, Your grace is sufficient! Amen.

Becky Hutzel

                                                                                                                Baby Steps

1John 5:4&5

 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Have you ever considered the word victory? A simple word that brings high fives, laughter, cheering and Champaign showers, it is the exclamation point to great accomplishments. But wait can it also mark the baby steps of faith?

  Sometimes I feel such failure because I haven’t overcome my weakness of impatience, or judgmental attitude. I look at myself and wonder what I have done wrong that I haven’t been victorious. Why can’t I walk away from them? I believe God is bigger than any failing I have, I pray continually and yet I still fall into these sins.

 Where is my victory? Have I missed it along the way, does God not hear my prayers, am I doing something wrong?

  This verse became clear to me during service, my victory is my faith. My faith is in a perfect Christ whose grace is sufficient. He is leading me on a journey that is filled to overflowing with daily victories. Every time I choose to take a deep breath and be patient, or take time to see someone’s heart, I have victory.  Victory comes each time a decision to do right is made.

  Life is made up of baby step victories that lead us closer to Jesus, and every baby step is worthy of celebration. Next time you are feeling a failure remember Jesus is cheering you on and there will come a day when all our little victories add up to a final, “Well done good and faithful servant welcome home.”

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Father God, thank you for a grace that covers all of me. Help me see the victories in my baby steps and to rejoice with You in each one for they are worthy of celebration. Amen

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16

I am at Granger Community Church for a conference for the next few days. Yesterday while in worship the band played a song that God used to really speak to me about how He is love. I thought it was a perfect song explaining how God is love what He is calling us to. Here is a video link to a performance they did of it. Enjoy!

Thank You Father for speaking to us in so many different ways and at just the right times. Amen

by Rick Phillips

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. -1John 4:11

I have seen so many examples of this love for others at The Ridge but one of the most memorable ones for me is the single parents car winterization that occurs each year. We just had one this past week and WOW! it was amazing. We had well over 100 volunteers helping at 7 garages and at the church to care for these people that, for the most part we don’t even know. After the day was done, we had serviced 86 cars, used 25 gallons of wiper fluid, 450 quarts of oil and gave 50 haircuts. Three Ridge people even gave up their own cars in order to allow time for some extra time and effort to be put into a few cars. All this for free just do we can show people the love of Jesus.

Over the years some of these single parents have come to call The Ridge their church home. One person in particular was an old friend of mine and a few years ago she came to have her car serviced. Her youngest daughter said she wanted to come back the next day for church. She reluctantly agreed and they returned. When she came in that day a person she did not know, working “First Impressions”, welcomed her with a hug and a smile. That love touched her so much it gave her the courage to stay and return the next week and the next. Not long after that she gave her to Christ, got baptized and has become a very active member at The Ridge. Some of you may know her. She is Sallie Moran.

I have watched, first hand, as Sallie has grown and strengthened her faith muscles. God has and continues to soften her heart and now she is one of those people serving at the annual single parents car winterization and greeting others with a hug and smile at “First Impressions”. She also serves on the communications team during the week helping to get the message handouts ready and the Powerpoint you see on the big screen. And she has committed to serving at the Greenville campus each week to help get it started. All this because of one simple act of love she received from another.

So, don’t ever think it’s not worth it. You never know when or where Gods love, through us, can touch another’s life.

Father God, we praise You for your love and we pray that You will use us to reflect that love on others. Lord, thank You for using us as a conduit for that love and for multiplying that love in others, like Sallie, to build Your kingdom and create new servants to continue that outpouring of love. Amen

by Rick Phillps

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; -1 Corinthians 13:4

We’ve all heard about God’s love and it is my hope and prayer that we all have experienced it at some level. But, what about the love that we show others? Do we return His love to those around us? Do we return it to Him too?

Here is a little test taken from the Crazy Love book that may help answer that for you. I must warn you it is a bit convicting. Most of us have heard the “love chapter” from 1 Corinthians 13.  Read it below but instead of the word love substitute your own name.

___________ is patient and kind; ___________ does not envy or boast; ___________ is not arrogant or rude. ___________ does not insist on ___________’s own way; ___________ is not irritable or resentful; ___________ does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. ___________ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ___________ never ends.

How’d you do? Me? Not so good. I can make it through a lot of them but, honestly, I get stuck the most on the first three words. However, this is the model that has been given to us. Read it again and place God or Jesus in the blanks. Fits pretty well doesn’t it? Some might say it’s a little iffy on the “does not insist on His own way” but that would not be be true. He never insists. God has shown us His way through Jesus and we have the choice to accept or deny it.

Do you meet God’s standard? I don’t know about you but according to this test, I have some stuff to work on.

God, we praise You for Your amazing Love and for the example You have given us to model our own lives around. Lord, forgive us for failing at this. Father, use us to love and influence each other to build up Your kingdom and reach those around us with Your kind of love. Amen

by Rick Phillips

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

Over the past few weeks I have been taking a Life Group through a study of a book by Francis Chan called Crazy Love. Here’s a brief description of the book:

God is Love. Crazy, relentless, all-powerful love.

Have you ever wondered if we’re missing it?

It’s crazy if you think about. The God of the universe–the creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor–loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs and try not to cuss.

Whether you’ve verbalized it or not…we all know something’s wrong.

Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn’t working harder at a list of do’s and don’ts–it’s falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, you will never be the same.

Because when you’re wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.

This study and this book have really made me to re-examine my relationship with God. There have been some very difficult and challenging things in these chapters. But through it I see and feel a closer, more passionate love with the Creator. I have also witnessed that growth in the others in our group.

If you feel that you are not madly, crazy, in love with God I challenge you to read this book. And strive for that love, and strive for that God.

God is love…

Please join me in this prayer:

Heavenly Father, I love You. I love that you have shown me what love really is and that even though I am who I am. Even though I fail to show love toward others and You at times, You continue to love me unconditionally with  that crazy, radical love. Lord help me to walk and talk in that love and to reflect that love on others each and every day. Amen

by Rick Phillips

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. -1 John 4:1 (NIV)

I have spoken to many people over the years that seem to have gathered their “Biblical knowledge” from things other than actually reading the Bible and seeking answers from God Himself.

I too have fallen into this trap at times. I love to read but sometimes I get caught up in what others are telling me about God’s word and I forget to go straight to the source. I’m certainly not saying reading things other than the Bible is a bad thing. I’m just saying when you are reading about scripture remember to compare what it is saying to actual scripture. Does it measure up?

The same should apply to what we hear on the radio, TV or even from the pulpit. We are all fallible people. Sometimes we get things wrong. Sometimes others, meaning well or not, misquote or misinterpret things. The Bible is the word of God. If what you are being told by a human being does not line up with it then there is something wrong. Even if that person is trusted and well educated they could be mistaken or misled.

I think sometimes we try to twist or warp the Word to fit our world so that it makes better sense or suits our needs and desires. I once had someone very close to me say “well, the Bible could be interpreted many different ways”. The Bible can only be interpreted one way. That would be Gods way. However, it can be misinterpreted many different ways. That would be mans way.

Through prayer, ask God to reveal to you what He means about certain things. Seek His guidance in sifting through what is right or wrong, good and bad.

Father, forgive us for just following along with others when Your word is right there for us to read for ourselves. Lord, guide us in Your word and how to apply it in our lives all for Your glory. We pray this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen

by Rick Phillips