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An Open Door

4/29/2013

Writing to the Corinthians from Ephesus, Paul informed them of his travel itinerary in the closing chapter of 1 Corinthians. He planned on visiting the city of Corinth, but everything was put on hold because a great door for effective work had opened to him in Ephesus. Some great opportunity for ministry had presented itself to Paul in Ephesus. He sensed the energy of the Spirit. Doors were opening and things were happening. So he stayed on.

Paul recognized an open door when he saw one. Do we? I hope so, because God has opened a door for effective ministry for River of Life.

For the last several Sundays we have been privileged to have children and teenagers from the New Horizons ministry join us in the Legacy service. Some great things have already happened in the lives of these children as a result of being here. Many of them have connected with members of the RLA family. More are waiting. All we need is…YOU!

Last Sunday we were blessed to have many families from a neighboring church visit the Legacy service. This church which is located in Fort Myers is going through a time of transition with the passing of the pastor. How great it was to see our church family join with their church family in worship, prayer, and fellowship. Truly, in Christ we are one. Following the service many of these brothers and sisters in Christ expressed their appreciation for the Legacy service and their plan to return.

In a few weeks we are walking through another open door God has provided at Stoneybrook. The 2013 Bash is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, May 30-31. The outreach will be held each morning from 9:00am – 12:00pm, and will conclude with a very special Legacy service under the tent on Friday evening. We are going after unreached families. Again, all we need is…YOU!

Paul understood that when God opens a door for effective ministry you don’t ignore it, you walk through it. Maybe the open door isn’t what you expected. Maybe it doesn’t look like what you anticipated. But God chooses which doors to open. Our job is to walk through the doors He opens.

Is this an appeal? Most certainly! If we ignore the open door, God will simply find another church that is willing. But if we will seize the opportunity God has set before us, He will use RLA to do amazing things.

With Paul we can truly say, “A great door for effective work has opened to me.” Like Paul, let’s walk through the open door.

Pastor Todd Weston

Good or Great?

7/23/2012

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Sheri and I are reading again Jim Collin’s book, Good to Great. The book opens with this statement, “Good is the enemy of great.” According to Collins, there are many companies and organizations that have not achieved greatness because they are satisfied with being good. The book begs the question – Why settle for good when you can strive for greatness?

Let me put it another way – Why settle for being an average Christian when God has given you the potential to be an outstanding Christian?

In 1 Cor. 14:12 the apostle Paul did not challenge the Christians in Corinth to seek to be average. He didn’t call them to set mediocrity as their goal. He challenged them to seek to excel! He challenged them to spiritual greatness.

And why not? There’s nothing average about our faith and the ministry we are called to. The God we serve is not average. The blood that washed away our sins is not average. The power the enables us is not average. The book we read is not average. The message we preach is not average. And the eternal home to which we are going is anything but average!

Everything about Christianity has the mark of greatness stamped on it. It’s not the average commandment; it’s the Great Commandment! It’s not the average commission; it’s the Great Commission! Jesus is not an average savior; He’s a Great Savior!

As you seek to excel in other areas of life, do not overlook the most important. Be passionate in all areas of life, but especially in your walk with God and service to the Lord. Seek to excel as a man or woman of God. Seek to excel in your knowledge of the Bible. Seek to excel in prayer. Seek to excel in godliness. Seek to excel in your passion for the Lord and His work.

Don’t settle for being just a good Christian. Strive to be a great Christian!

Pastor Todd Weston

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Kissing and Clinging

6/12/2012

Kissing and clinging? That’s what the Bible says! “Orpah kissed her mother in law, but Ruth clung to her” (Ruth 1:14). Clinging. It’s the same word used in Genesis 2:24 in the law of marriage, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife.” The word is found again in Joshua 23:8 where the people were commanded to cleave to the Lord their God. And it occurs again in Psalm 63:8 where David cried out to God, “My soul follows close behind You.”

The Hebrew word (dabaq) means to cling to, hold fast, follow close behind, be joined to, to catch by pursuit, or to stick to.

Orpah and Ruth are examples of two types of Christians.

·        kissers and clingers
·        professors and possessors
·        hearers and doers
·        starters and finishers

Ruth and Orpah both made a profession of sorts. They said to Naomi, “Surely we will return with you to your people” (Ruth 1:10). But when the critical moment of truth arrived, Orpah’s profession failed. She went back on her promise. She kissed her mother-in-law and went back to her old life (Ruth 1:14-15). But Ruth clung to Naomi. She possessed genuine faith that proved itself by works.

Read Ruth 1:14 again and ask yourself –

·        Am I a kisser or a clinger?
·        Am I a flirt or a faithful follower?

The example of Ruth tells us to lay hold of Jesus and never let go. For that is what Jesus has done for us. He is the Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Pastor Todd Weston

A Willing Heart

4/3/2012

In Exodus 35 preparations were being made to build and furnish the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. For the Tabernacle to become a reality, workers and supplies were needed. We read about men who were filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship (vv31-35). These men were gifted by God in architecture, design, construction, and so on. We also read about women who were gifted by God in spinning and sewing (vv25-26). Others who were not gifted in those particular areas participated through their giving. All these worked under the leadership of Moses to erect and furnish the Tabernacle for ministry.

Ministry is a very practical thing. It utilizes both spiritual and natural gifts. Sometimes we think of ministry only in terms of spiritual giftings like teaching and preaching, singing, evangelism, operating in the Spiritual Gifts, and so on. Obviously, those are all very important and needed ministries. But so are the ministries that require our natural giftings.

For example, several women have worked alongside Sandy Klug using their natural gift for sewing to make 250 pillow case dresses and shorts for the children of the Dominican Republic. What a wonderful use of a natural gift! For the last few weeks Lynda Van Bibber, Karen Droke, Diane Reed, and other ladies have used their natural gift for cleaning and organizing to work at the Church Ministry Center (formerly known as the Church House), preparing it for the Water Baptismal service conducted there last Sunday night, and for our future ministry plans. Kevin and Rebecca Murphy are using their natural gift of pool service to clean and maintain the pool at the CMC. John Baker used his natural gift in painting to refresh the church walls, and Steve Reed used his natural gift to power wash and repaint the walkways in front of the church. Thanks to these and the many others who are using their spiritual and natural gifts to serve the Lord through the context of this His church.

In a few weeks we will have the opportunity to do what the children of Israel did in Exodus 35. The Church House was recently vacated to make room for increased ministry activity (thus the new name – Church Ministry Center). On Sunday night, April 15th, at 6:00, we are having a shower/reception/dedication service at the CMC. The purpose of the shower is to stock and furnish the CMC with needed items for ministry. We are registered at Target and at Bed, Bath, & Beyond. You can also pick up information at the church concerning items that are needed.

In Exodus the people were so enthusiastic in the giving they had to be restrained. Imagine that! They gave more than enough. I pray that like the Children of Israel (v29), we will be compelled by a willing heart to give and serve. We have some exciting plans for the future of the CMC. I look forward to seeing you there Sunday night, April 15th, at this beautiful property the Lord gave to our church for the work of the ministry and the glory of God.

Pastor Todd Weston

RLA Pastor's blog

An Open Door

Good or Great?

Kissing and Clinging

A Willing Heart

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