Larger Than Life

What can one encounter with Jesus do? If someone truly believes in Him and comes to Him, what can happen in a moment? Today, Pastor Ron calls to mind two amazing examples of Jesus’s power – and His compassion. One man came to Jesus very publicly. One woman believed she could be healed by Jesus secretly. And yet, in both cases, Jesus acknowledged their faith–imperfect though it was–and showed them...

People come to Christ for many reasons. Some come because they’ve gone through a long process of searching. Others come because they’ve heard and believed the love and grace that God has for them. But as Pastor Ron reminds us today, many come because they’re desperate. They’ve tried everything else, and now they’re coming to God. Yet it’s the humility of God that He accepts them even in this situa...

Have you ever sensed God’s presence so strongly that it humbled you? Today, Pastor Ron discusses when the disciples were terrified for their lives as a storm raged around them in their boat, and then Jesus calmed the wind and waves. Mark 4 tells us the disciples were even more afraid, not of the storm, but of the One in their boat. Are you more afraid of life’s storms or of standing before a holy...

Are there habits in your life that sometimes feel like they’re taking over? In today’s message, Pastor Ron asks if demons still possess people today. The answer is yes! Sin can erode control, making you vulnerable to demonic influence. It’s like leaving a gate unguarded, inviting chaos in. The enemy aims to distort God’s image. Enslaving as many as they can. Jesus holds the power to break those ch...

Maybe you’ve never said it aloud, but in a struggle, have you ever thought, “God, do you even care about me?” In today’s message, Pastor Ron explains that it’s easy to question God in a storm. Even the disciples did! They asked Jesus, “Don’t you care?” and He does; His love never falters. How you respond to a trial matters deeply; Just as Jesus taught His disciples, He’s teaching you too, shaping...

Imagine your unsaved family or friends joining you in faith; wouldn’t that thrill you? However, in today’s message, Pastor Ron reminds you that you have to fish for them first! It’s easy to be keepers of the aquarium, cozying up with just the believers. But fishing for men? That’s tough, casting nets into the unknown. God’s calling you to step out, to carry a burden for the lost. Are you content j...

The condition of a person's heart influences his or her response to the gospel. Jesus illustrated this by describing the different types of soil on which a sower casts his seed, comparing it to our receptiveness to the message of the gospel. Today, Pastor Ron cautions against having a hard heart, a shallow heart, or a heart consumed by distractions. Jesus teaches that the seed that falls on fertil...

The truths of God are like seeds sown in a harvest. Today, Pastor Ron describes the casting process and the types of soil it falls upon. He reminds us that the gospel may fall on places unintended or unfruitful. Our responsibility is to prepare the soil, cast the seed, and then trust God with the results. Some of the seed will fall on hard waysides, some on rocks, some among weeds, and some on goo...

A person’s greatest need is forgiveness. Today, Pastor Ron reminds us that God has placed an eternal desire in our hearts that can only be fulfilled through a right relationship with Him. When we live in habitual sin, we are forced to constantly suppress our guilt. This guilt, or awareness of our sin, arises from our deep need for fellowship with God. There is a void in our spirit that only God ca...

A critical spirit is not from God. Often, we self-righteously judge the sins of others while failing to recognize our own sins. In today’s message, Pastor Ron warns us about the dangers of this behavior. He points out three flaws in the Pharisees’ criticism of the woman who washed Jesus' feet: misjudgment of the woman, questioning Jesus' authority, and a lack of self-awareness. We often diminish o...

If we’re giving something up or taking something on to honor God, it must cost us something. It cost Jesus a LOT to make a way for us to be saved and be with Him, and it should cost us something to live in that freedom! God gave His only Son, and Jesus gave His life; it is the least we can do to go a few days without…say, TV. In today’s message, Pastor Ron will encourage you to give up something t...

Doubt is inevitable… at some point in everyone’s lives, we will have a bout of doubt. Now, that doesn’t mean it’s always going to be in God. Maybe you doubt that your car will start, or that you’ll get that promotion, or that you can get the kids to bed at a certain time. No matter what it is, we all have doubts. In today’s message, Pastor Ron will share that doubting God can be normal to our limi...

The Bible is SO relatable, even the places in the Bible are relatable! In today’s message, Pastor Ron will talk about a place called Naan and how they felt abandoned by God. Maybe you feel that way, maybe God has been silent, and you feel alone. Remember this when you feel abandoned, draw near to God, and He will draw near to you! If you feel God is silent, maybe you can’t hear Him because you nee...

Good actions alone cannot save you, your family’s faith cannot save you, the place you live surely cannot save you, there is one thing and one thing alone that can save you…that is putting your faith and trust into Jesus Christ!!! In today’s message, Pastor Ron will remind you that good works don’t get you into heaven. Jesus’ good work on the cross is the only saving grace, and your belief in Him...

“Don’t miss the plank in your own eye while noticing the specks in the eyes of others!” We are all sinners and make mistakes, but if we allow judgmentalism to take over, we can start focusing too much on the flaws in others, so that we miss the bigger issues in our own lives. In today’s message, Pastor Ron will explain why it’s so important for you to focus on your own sins and avoid being overly...

“Please don’t judge me.” We've all heard it, or maybe even said it ourselves. The truth is, we can quickly fall into the trap of being overly critical and judgmental when it comes to the sins committed by others. In today’s message, Pastor Ron takes a deeper look at what Jesus really meant when He said, “Judge not.” Spoiler alert: it’s not about ignoring right and wrong, but more about checking ou...

Most of us have heard of “The Golden Rule, and we often think it means, “do unto others as they do unto you.” But unfortunately, this phrase is commonly misquoted, and the real version is a bit different and much more meaningful. Today, Pastor Ron explains how “The Golden Rule” is meant to be proactive, and how we as Christians are called to take our “love up another notch,” to be a blessing to ot...

“You Only Live Once,” or YOLO, is a common phrase in today’s culture. It’s often used to justify doing something that may be considered risky or dangerous. But sometimes taking those chances can have long-term consequences. Many of us get so focused on living for the “now” and taking chances that we may lose sight of what matters, our eternal salvation. In today’s message, Pastor Ron reminds us th...

Working together as a team to accomplish a shared goal is better than trying to do it yourself. It's true in many aspects of life. For the good news of the Gospels to reach more people, there needs to be a team sharing it. Today, Pastor Ron will note that those people are called Christians! Jesus chose you for His team! Do you work together with other believers to encourage each other in your walk...

Jesus knew how important it was to have a good group of people around Him. His disciples would tell the world about Him after He was gone. Today, Pastor Ron will encourage you to work together with other believers to tell others about Christ. You're not meant to live the Christian life alone. More can be accomplished not just in ministry, but in every area of life when you have a team working toge...

Jesus will meet you where you are. It doesn't take a lifetime of religious practice or going to church in nice clothes to be saved. It's simply through faith in Him for the forgiveness of your sins. As you'll get to see today with Pastor Ron, legalism can be harmful in the church. While it's important to follow what God's Word says, you shouldn't judge others for what they do or don't do. You're c...

Your actions should back up your faith. It should be clear by how you live that you follow Jesus. However, it's important to remember that being overly religious about doing or not doing certain things to the point of condemning others is wrong, as Pastor Ron will point out in today's message. The Pharisees did many things they considered righteous, but they meant nothing. There wasn't a change in...

Salvation can only be obtained through faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins. Nothing you do or say will make you worthy of eternity in Heaven. Today, Pastor Ron will explain the errors of the Pharisees' way of thinking. They thought they were righteous men, doing God's will. They focused more on performing religious duties than on a relationship with God. They didn't realize their own n...

Jesus only sees the best in you. When others have a low opinion of who you are, and even when you don't even think well of yourself, Jesus sees what you can be. He sees you living a life full of joy and purpose, with your sins forgiven and an eternal home waiting for you in Heaven. Today, Pastor Ron is going to show you how Jesus looked at a tax collector, one of the most hated people during His t...

Do you have a passion to bring the hope of salvation to others? Once you're saved and your sins have been forgiven, your focus should be on two things: growing deeper in your relationship with Christ and telling others about Him and what He did on the cross. Today, Pastor Ron will show you the perfect example of that love for others when three men did the unexpected to give their paralyzed friend...