http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:45:42 GMT http://bandzoogle.com http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1173434 Ephesians 3:20-21 New International Version (NIV) 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Sometimes there is nothing left for us to do except praise God! While we may sometimes dream of doing great things for God, the dreams aren't as big as God's plans. While we may be extremely talented, influential, powerful, or rich, these are merely tools in God's hands, not symbols of our sufficiency. God is able to do much more than we imagine to work through and in us. Dear God, Please help me better know and live your will. I want to be your vessel of ministry, healing, blessing, and hope to those around me. Please use me to your glory today, and always. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. . Faithfully, Ron Ephesians 3:20-21 New International Version (NIV)

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Sometimes there is nothing left for us to do except praise God! While we may sometimes dream of doing great things for God, the dreams aren't as big as God's plans. While we may be extremely talented, influential, powerful, or rich, these are merely tools in God's hands, not symbols of our sufficiency. God is able to do much more than we imagine to work through and in us.

Dear God,

Please help me better know and live your will. I want to be your vessel of ministry, healing, blessing, and hope to those around me. Please use me to your glory today, and always. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
.

Faithfully,

Ron

]]> Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:45:42 GMT A9D5DC553466D0ADB08A24C34B871EFF http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1133904 Acts 4:32 New International Version (NIV) 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. We often make resolutions concerning change and growth in our lives. But what if, instead of resolving to change something about ourselves, we decided to submit who we are to our friends (the community of people around us), and allow them to speak into our lives about our strengths and weaknesses striving to be more like Jesus? The community around us can have a profound effect on our understanding of who God is, and who we are. While many of us have folks we'd call friends, perhaps our definition of community isn't quite what God had in mind when he called us into relationship with one another. Community means your lives are intertwined. There's someone who knows who you are, and who cares enough about you to challenge you, to encourage you, to celebrate your success and mourn when you're in pain. And in the context of following Jesus, your community is there to speak into your life, pointing out what doesn't look like him. What is your definition of friendship? What are the traits of a good friend? Do the people you most closely associate with reflect those traits? Ask God to open your heart to new ways of experiencing friendship with others, and expanding your idea of friendship with him. Faithfully, Ron
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.

We often make resolutions concerning change and growth in our lives. But what if, instead of resolving to change something about ourselves, we decided to submit who we are to our friends (the community of people around us), and allow them to speak into our lives about our strengths and weaknesses striving to be more like Jesus?

The community around us can have a profound effect on our understanding of who God is, and who we are. While many of us have folks we'd call friends, perhaps our definition of community isn't quite what God had in mind when he called us into relationship with one another.
Community means your lives are intertwined. There's someone who knows who you are, and who cares enough about you to challenge you, to encourage you, to celebrate your success and mourn when you're in pain. And in the context of following Jesus, your community is there to speak into your life, pointing out what doesn't look like him.

What is your definition of friendship? What are the traits of a good friend? Do the people you most closely associate with reflect those traits? Ask God to open your heart to new ways of experiencing friendship with others, and expanding your idea of friendship with him.


Faithfully,

Ron

]]> Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:23:03 GMT 02AF28072F7A30C6A0A104D224162CEB http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1122828 James 5:7-10 New International Version (NIV) 7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We must never confuse faith that we will prevail in the end-which you can never afford to lose-with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be." This kind of intense awareness and unwavering faith is what James calls his readers to. This was a time in history where followers of Jesus were being persecuted both by their Jewish brothers and their Roman oppressors. James doesn't sugarcoat the truth for them. Rather, he speaks with a sense of urgency, encouraging them to stay faithful and to patiently wait for God to complete the work he had begun in them. If you were writing a letter to a group of close friends who follow Jesus, what would you say to them? How would you encourage them? What advice would you give? Faithfully, Ron
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

We must never confuse faith that we will prevail in the end-which you can never afford to lose-with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be."

This kind of intense awareness and unwavering faith is what James calls his readers to. This was a time in history where followers of Jesus were being persecuted both by their Jewish brothers and their Roman oppressors. James doesn't sugarcoat the truth for them. Rather, he speaks with a sense of urgency, encouraging them to stay faithful and to patiently wait for God to complete the work he had begun in them.

If you were writing a letter to a group of close friends who follow Jesus, what would you say to them? How would you encourage them? What advice would you give?

Faithfully,

Ron

]]> Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:14:29 GMT 6B9A4A629D1CBF262890D8574EC737EE http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1114415 James 4:13-17 New International Version (NIV) 13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. Life can change in an instant. A single phone call or a downturn in stock prices can shatter our illusions of control and security. Often times we learn the hard way that many of the things we have come to count on will not always be there. Our perceived security, whether it lies in our relationships, our Investment portfolio or even our talents, is a myth. They, like us, are "mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." While this is a sobering reality, James doesn't tell us this to build fear; he's telling us the reality of our world and how "boastful" plans aren’t lasting. As long as we rely on the things that we can buy, plan or possess for security, we will never come to rest on the only foundation capable of bearing that weight-the foundation of God. Ask God to show you areas in your life that make claims of your trust other than him. Pray the dangerous prayer of asking God to increase your trust and faith in him. Faithfully, Ron
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Life can change in an instant. A single phone call or a downturn in stock prices can shatter our illusions of control and security. Often times we learn the hard way that many of the things we have come to count on will not always be there.

Our perceived security, whether it lies in our relationships, our Investment portfolio or even our talents, is a myth. They, like us, are "mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." While this is a sobering reality, James doesn't tell us this to build fear; he's telling us the reality of our world and how "boastful" plans aren’t lasting. As long as we rely on the things that we can buy, plan or possess for security, we will never come to rest on the only foundation capable of bearing that weight-the foundation of God.

Ask God to show you areas in your life that make claims of your trust other than him. Pray the dangerous prayer of asking God to increase your trust and faith in him.

Faithfully,

Ron

]]> Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:27:25 GMT C39D415412300C642A4968A9D72862DF http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1111930 1 John 4:18 New International Version (NIV) 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. While I approach God with reverence and awe, I don't have to fear his presence. Because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I know God is my Father. He longs for me to draw near him. He has shown me his love by sending Jesus. If he loves me that much, then I can trust that his desire is to save and bless me. I don't have to fear his presence or his judgment. As his child, his love drives fear from my heart and replaces it with love from his abiding presence, the Holy Spirit. Dear God, Thank you for your love. thank you for adopting me into your family. Father, please cast all fear from my heart and help me walk confidently with you and for you, with character and purpose. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Faithfully, Ron
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

While I approach God with reverence and awe, I don't have to fear his presence. Because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I know God is my Father. He longs for me to draw near him. He has shown me his love by sending Jesus. If he loves me that much, then I can trust that his desire is to save and bless me. I don't have to fear his presence or his judgment. As his child, his love drives fear from my heart and replaces it with love from his abiding presence, the Holy Spirit.

Dear God,

Thank you for your love. thank you for adopting me into your family.
Father, please cast all fear from my heart and help me walk confidently with you and for you, with character and purpose. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Faithfully,

Ron

]]> Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:55:50 GMT 1043DF0062DBFFD348E855A77487EF45 http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1107217 James 4:1-3 New International Version (NIV) 1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. It is clearly evident that we are all running around with our own banners held high, like one-man armies constantly warring for control over what we think is rightly ours. Each day in countless ways, we try to assert ourselves, our needs, desires, and preferences over those of the folks around us. It’s so commonplace we usually don’t notice. But the effect is typically stress and dissatisfaction. If our motives are to further our personal agenda, and if they aren't rooted in God and advancing his love, then we'll continue warring for personal control, and we won't be able to rest and find joy in his abundance. Think of one person in your life with whom you have conflict. Ask God to reveal to you both his heart for reconciliation and his heart for the other person. Faithfully, Ron We are obeying God and he continues to Bless us.
1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

It is clearly evident that we are all running around with our own banners held high, like one-man armies constantly warring for control over what we think is rightly ours. Each day in countless ways, we try to assert ourselves, our needs, desires, and preferences over those of the folks around us. It’s so commonplace we usually don’t notice. But the effect is typically stress and dissatisfaction.

If our motives are to further our personal agenda, and if they aren't rooted in God and advancing his love, then we'll continue warring for personal control, and we won't be able to rest and find joy in his abundance.

Think of one person in your life with whom you have conflict. Ask God to reveal to you both his heart for reconciliation and his heart for the other person.

Faithfully,

Ron


We are obeying God and he continues to Bless us.

]]> Fri, 15 Jul 2011 22:33:29 GMT AC83B0D97E08E500862CCEB363D50C10 http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1104002 Hebrews 10:39 New International Version (NIV) “ 39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. “ When you look at God's people over the centuries, they are not a bunch of wimps, crybabies, and cowards. They do have their bad moments. But all in all, they are not those who quit. They are those whose faith has endured and found God's great victory of salvation. This verse excites me because God’s Word does not say "we CAN be those who don't shrink back." Instead, he is confident in us, our endurance and our faithfulness and says we ARE not "shrinkers," but we ARE believers who will be saved! Dear God, Thank you for your confidence in me. With your help, I won't be a "shrinker." I will stand for your truth even if those around me do not. I believe you have great things ahead for your people, so I refuse to shrink back. Please empower me with your Spirit so that I fully serve you with confidence and integrity. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Faithfully, Ron
“ 39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. “

When you look at God's people over the centuries, they are not a bunch of wimps, crybabies, and cowards. They do have their bad moments. But all in all, they are not those who quit. They are those whose faith has endured and found God's great victory of salvation.

This verse excites me because God’s Word does not say "we CAN be those who don't shrink back." Instead, he is confident in us, our endurance and our faithfulness and says we ARE not "shrinkers," but we ARE believers who will be saved!

Dear God,

Thank you for your confidence in me. With your help, I won't be a "shrinker." I will stand for your truth even if those around me do not. I believe you have great things ahead for your people, so I refuse to shrink back. Please empower me with your Spirit so that I fully serve you with confidence and integrity. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Faithfully,

Ron

]]> Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:26:25 GMT F910511E68959029B562EE82B978703A http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1101439 Isaiah 32:3 New International Version (NIV) 3 Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. Dear God, I may be the only "Bible" someone ever reads. Help me be a living testament that is worth reading. Work through me. Help me be a light and a shelter for my non-believing friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Help me yield to your will. Use me to open the eyes of someone who has been blind his or her whole life. What an incredible blessing it would be to know I am the instrument you used to bring a person into the Kingdom of God. Lord place your Word in my heart so that the Holy Spirit can bring it to remembrance at all the right times, that the words that come forth from my mouth would honor you and point other people to you. In Jesus' name. Amen. Faithfully, Ron
3 Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,
and the ears of those who hear will listen.

Dear God,

I may be the only "Bible" someone ever reads. Help me be a living testament that is worth reading. Work through me. Help me be a light and a shelter for my non-believing friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Help me yield to your will. Use me to open the eyes of someone who has been blind his or her whole life. What an incredible blessing it would be to know I am the instrument you used to bring a person into the Kingdom of God. Lord place your Word in my heart so that the Holy Spirit can bring it to remembrance at all the right times, that the words that come forth from my mouth would honor you and point other people to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Faithfully,

Ron

]]> Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:24:57 GMT 7AFBF80CE965A3FF1CF25A16FADDBAAC http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1098656 James 3:13-18 New International Version (NIV) 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. It can feel like we're caught between two worlds, because in a very real way, we are. We live with physical bodies in a broken world, with souls longing for the divine. As C.S. Lewis said, "You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body." God has given us the gift of his wisdom to act as a kind of bridge between the two worlds we live in. Only in God's wisdom can we reconcile the physical with the spiritual, our hearts with our actions, our thoughts with our deeds. When we rely on worldly wisdom that encourages things like, "Look out for Number One," or "You've got to keep up with the Joneses," we won't find the true freedom that God offers. And we'll continue to feel conflicted, because our souls long for God's wisdom. God's wisdom looks like love, sounds like patience and feels like mercy. What is one area where you need God's wisdom to replace your own-or a "worldly wisdom" that you've just grown to accept? Mentally circle that area of your life and take action to change it. Faithfully, Ron
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

It can feel like we're caught between two worlds, because in a very real way, we are. We live with physical bodies in a broken world, with souls longing for the divine. As C.S. Lewis said, "You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body."

God has given us the gift of his wisdom to act as a kind of bridge between the two worlds we live in. Only in God's wisdom can we reconcile the physical with the spiritual, our hearts with our actions, our thoughts with our deeds. When we rely on worldly wisdom that encourages things like, "Look out for Number One," or "You've got to keep up with the Joneses," we won't find the true freedom that God offers. And we'll continue to feel conflicted, because our souls long for God's wisdom.

God's wisdom looks like love, sounds like patience and feels like mercy. What is one area where you need God's wisdom to replace your own-or a "worldly wisdom" that you've just grown to accept? Mentally circle that area of your life and take action to change it.


Faithfully,

Ron

]]> Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:22:20 GMT 0430B143E914BD12C83A5FFB5EC3C6A8 http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1097477 Faith is Something We Do Joshua 1:14-15 New International Version 1984 (NIV1984) 14 ….You are to help your brothers 15 until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.” It is so easy to think of my needs and my safety first. I don't want to be selfish, but when it comes to making decisions about the investment of my time, it's so easy for me to see things only from MY perspective. But with God's people, it's a "we" and "us" thing that is important, not a "me" and "mine" perspective. The Eastern tribes of Israel had reached their Promised Land. But they were not to quit the fight and settle there until all God's people were safely in their homeland. The same is true for us in God's Kingdom today. We are to look not only to our needs, but also to those of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul said that Jesus' followers should consider the needs of others above our own needs (Rom. 12:10; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:3). Dear God, Give me the gracious heart express your love to a struggling brother or sister in Christ today, and at every opportunity that you give me throughout my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Faithfully, Ron Joshua 1:14-15 New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

14 ….You are to help your brothers 15 until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”

It is so easy to think of my needs and my safety first. I don't want to be selfish, but when it comes to making decisions about the investment of my time, it's so easy for me to see things only from MY perspective. But with God's people, it's a "we" and "us" thing that is important, not a "me" and "mine" perspective. The Eastern tribes of Israel had reached their Promised Land. But they were not to quit the fight and settle there until all God's people were safely in their homeland. The same is true for us in God's Kingdom today. We are to look not only to our needs, but also to those of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul said that Jesus' followers should consider the needs of others above our own needs (Rom. 12:10; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:3).

Dear God,

Give me the gracious heart express your love to a struggling brother or sister in Christ today, and at every opportunity that you give me throughout my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Faithfully,

Ron




]]> Tue, 12 Jul 2011 04:33:10 GMT 597A98E87849187DABBAB9108E063350 http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1092986 Dear God, Opportunities are all around. Please help me to discern when an opportunity is something that You have placed before me and when it is something that would be contrary to Your will. Stir my conscience. Bring Scripture to my mind that will guide me in this process. Help me to consider biblical values; ethics; the gifts, skills, and abilities You have given me; my family and other commitments; and anything else that may open my eyes to the truth. Encourage me to grasp the opportunities You give and to turn from the opportunities that I should not touch. Thank You, God, for Your guiding hand. In Jesus' name, amen. Faithfully, Ron
Opportunities are all around. Please help me to discern when an opportunity is something that You have placed before me and when it is something that would be contrary to Your will. Stir my conscience. Bring Scripture to my mind that will guide me in this process. Help me to consider biblical values; ethics; the gifts, skills, and abilities You have given me; my family and other commitments; and anything else that may open my eyes to the truth. Encourage me to grasp the opportunities You give and to turn from the opportunities that I should not touch. Thank You, God, for Your guiding hand. In Jesus' name, amen.


Faithfully,

Ron

]]> Sat, 09 Jul 2011 19:28:04 GMT B51C92BD90919F94E9F8EB4E4FB22407 http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1090824 Psalm 56:4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? There really isn't a whole lot we can trust. Most of us have been hurt by a friend who has betrayed our trust. The world economy is volatile and things can turn sour in just a few days. The weather changes by the hour. In our world of change, there is one constant. We can trust God. We don't have to fear change. He is our anchor that holds in the strongest storms. He is our strength in our worst battles. His word and his promises speak of good things for us. We don't have to be afraid; we can trust in him. Dear God, With your help I will not fear the days ahead. I praise you and will not be afraid because my future is in your hands. Amen.
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

There really isn't a whole lot we can trust. Most of us have been hurt by a friend who has betrayed our trust. The world economy is volatile and things can turn sour in just a few days. The weather changes by the hour. In our world of change, there is one constant. We can trust God. We don't have to fear change. He is our anchor that holds in the strongest storms. He is our strength in our worst battles. His word and his promises speak of good things for us. We don't have to be afraid; we can trust in him.

Dear God,

With your help I will not fear the days ahead. I praise you and will not be afraid because my future is in your hands. Amen.
]]> Fri, 08 Jul 2011 20:04:46 GMT 4A3E2B8780F84E0A8F2C4AB925071EB4 http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1046433 James 4:7-8 New International Version (NIV) 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you……. Dear God, Help me to submit fully to You, resist the devil, draw near to you, cleanse my hands, purify my heart, and repent of sin. I want to be humble before You, my God. My worth comes from You alone, not from what the world has to offer. All glory and honor to You, for You alone are worthy of praise. You alone can lift me up and give me abundant life and joy beyond comparison. Thank You. Amen. Faithfully, Ron We are obeying God and he continues to Bless us. www.ronallenministry.com RON ALLEN MINISTRIES, INC. is a nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) corporation. All Gifts are tax deductible.
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you…….

Dear God,

Help me to submit fully to You, resist the devil, draw near to you, cleanse my hands, purify my heart, and repent of sin. I want to be humble before You, my God. My worth comes from You alone, not from what the world has to offer. All glory and honor to You, for You alone are worthy of praise. You alone can lift me up and give me abundant life and joy beyond comparison. Thank You. Amen.

Faithfully,

Ron


We are obeying God and he continues to Bless us.

www.ronallenministry.com

RON ALLEN MINISTRIES, INC. is a nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) corporation. All Gifts are tax deductible.
]]> Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:40:40 GMT A75A90B7B27477C3AD73FEFFD3C4CC72 http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1044504 Dear God, I come to You seeking Your face, searching for answers so I can do something about the problems in my life. I know that You sometimes allow pressures in my life to bring attention to an issue You want me to take care of. O God, make known anything that stands in the way of our fellowship. I want to turn from any wrongdoing, and do the right thing, no matter how great or how simple it may seem. I praise You for Who You are, for all You do, and for the fellowship we share through prayer. Amen. Faithfully, Ron We are obeying God and he continues to Bless us. www.ronallenministry.com RON ALLEN MINISTRIES, INC. is a nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) corporation. All Gifts are tax deductible.
I come to You seeking Your face, searching for answers so I can do something about the problems in my life. I know that You sometimes allow pressures in my life to bring attention to an issue You want me to take care of. O God, make known anything that stands in the way of our fellowship. I want to turn from any wrongdoing, and do the right thing, no matter how great or how simple it may seem. I praise You for Who You are, for all You do, and for the fellowship we share through prayer. Amen.

Faithfully,

Ron


We are obeying God and he continues to Bless us.
www.ronallenministry.com

RON ALLEN MINISTRIES, INC. is a nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) corporation. All Gifts are tax deductible.
]]> Sun, 19 Jun 2011 19:30:00 GMT C7CAF7352591F0B3C1ED2A244F5146BD http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1043464 Dear God, Sometimes I'm frustrated by the personalities and actions of others; other times I am blessed; still other times I am amused. Though we were made in your image, you gave us each a will of our own and gave each of us different gifts, personalities, and potential. How boring it would be if we were all just alike! The "spice" of life is made up of all those different people, with different ideas, and contributions. Thank you for caring enough that we are not your puppets, but are unique individuals, each called to fill special places in your great plan. I pray that you will keep my eyes open, my mind alert, and my will in tune so that I will use all you have given me--gifts, personality, skills, desires--to the best of my ability, for the edification of the saints, reaching the lost, and glorifying you. Please forgive my past failures and empower me today for all you want to do through me. Amen. .
Sometimes I'm frustrated by the personalities and actions of others; other times I am blessed; still other times I am amused. Though we were made in your image, you gave us each a will of our own and gave each of us different gifts, personalities, and potential. How boring it would be if we were all just alike! The "spice" of life is made up of all those different people, with different ideas, and contributions. Thank you for caring enough that we are not your puppets, but are unique individuals, each called to fill special places in your great plan. I pray that you will keep my eyes open, my mind alert, and my will in tune so that I will use all you have given me--gifts, personality, skills, desires--to the best of my ability, for the edification of the saints, reaching the lost, and glorifying you. Please forgive my past failures and empower me today for all you want to do through me. Amen.



.]]> Sun, 19 Jun 2011 02:53:15 GMT 875448034C7A7CC9E2A0F0AD2EBDA4B9 http://ronallenministry.com/blog.cfm?feature=2500786&postid=1040408 James 1:5-8 New International Version (NIV) 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. The book of James is like a beginner's guide for Christians God's wisdom is an available gift to us. It not only says God is wise; it says, "He loves to help." If you've lost your job and don't know how to handle the next step: "Pray to God. He loves to help." If you're marriage is struggling: "Pray to God. He loves to help." If you're dealing with a bad diagnosis: "Pray to God. He loves to help." God might not answer us in the way we'd expect or plan on our own, but he does answer in all his wisdom, and he does love to help. What's one area in your life where you "don't know what you are doing"? Ask God to replace your plans, insecurities or fears with his perfect wisdom. Faithfully, Ron We are obeying God and he continues to Bless us. RON ALLEN MINISTRIES, INC. is a nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) corporation. All Gifts are tax deductible.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

The book of James is like a beginner's guide for Christians

God's wisdom is an available gift to us. It not only says God is wise; it says, "He loves to help." If you've lost your job and don't know how to handle the next step: "Pray to God. He loves to help." If you're marriage is struggling: "Pray to God. He loves to help." If you're dealing with a bad diagnosis: "Pray to God. He loves to help." God might not answer us in the way we'd expect or plan on our own, but he does answer in all his wisdom, and he does love to help.

What's one area in your life where you "don't know what you are doing"? Ask God to replace your plans, insecurities or fears with his perfect wisdom.


Faithfully,

Ron


We are obeying God and he continues to Bless us.

RON ALLEN MINISTRIES, INC. is a nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) corporation. All Gifts are tax deductible.
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