God promises through the prophet Ezekiel (chapter 36) to give you a new heart and a new spirit. A new heart brings you passion for the things of God rather than the world. A new spirit provides you empowerment to do the mission of God that you never envisioned yourself doing.
God is not interested in bandaids. He opts, instead, for a heart transplant that leads to life and, not just any life, but life abundant. So what is holding you back? The promises of God are there for the taking.
Most of you know exactly the "something-holding-you-back" list that lingers in your heart. The list probably includes pain, regrets, destructive habits, doubts, insecurities, hopelessness, confusion, fatigue, unrealized dreams, inconsistencies, and many other tactics of the one who seeks to kill, steal, and destroy your life.
But God, who is the originator of the heart transplant, is bigger than anyone or anything holding you back. He miraculously and graciously specializes in the worst of cases - shattered hearts that everyone else, including yourself, have given up hope.
Tonight at Celebration (ccomrva.org) people will receive a new heart and a new spirit. It is time for you to allow God to remove whatever is holding you back and replace it with the life you were created to live. Come join us at 6pm or watch on our YouTube channel (or FB Live).
Ex nihilo,
R.J. Rhoden
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Saturday, January 21, 2017
God Can
God can heal the deepest wounds of your heart. The wounds that seem untouchable and untreatable; that you woke up with this morning and will go to bed with tonight; that have robbed you of your innocence and kept you in the grips of fear; those wounds can be mended by the Spirit of the Living God.
God can heal your broken relationships. He can bring prodigals home, turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, supernaturally intervene in broken marriages, establish peace and trust among different ethnicities, and bring an end to raw hatred. He is the God that brings the lion and the lamb together.
God can heal your anger. He doesn't change what happened to trigger your anger; instead, He heals the way you think about it. He gives you peace like a healing balm which produces forgiveness where anger previously existed. You are no longer a prisoner of anger when the healing presence of God invades your life.
God can heal your physical pain and infirmities. He can bring strength where there is weakness; freedom where there is bondage; health where there is sickness; joy where there is depression; and light where there is darkness. God cares so much about the body that He raised it on the third day.
God can heal your distrust and cynicism. He has the ability to prevent the past from destroying your present. He fixes that place in your heart that allows you to trust and believe again. He wants to write the ultimate come-back story in your life.
And finally, God, not time, heals all things. God works in time and space, but it is His work. God can establish your feet on solid ground, give birth to new dreams, and change who you are. God can do this and immeasurably more. God can Today.
Ex nihilo,
R.J. Rhoden
God can heal your broken relationships. He can bring prodigals home, turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, supernaturally intervene in broken marriages, establish peace and trust among different ethnicities, and bring an end to raw hatred. He is the God that brings the lion and the lamb together.
God can heal your anger. He doesn't change what happened to trigger your anger; instead, He heals the way you think about it. He gives you peace like a healing balm which produces forgiveness where anger previously existed. You are no longer a prisoner of anger when the healing presence of God invades your life.
God can heal your physical pain and infirmities. He can bring strength where there is weakness; freedom where there is bondage; health where there is sickness; joy where there is depression; and light where there is darkness. God cares so much about the body that He raised it on the third day.
God can heal your distrust and cynicism. He has the ability to prevent the past from destroying your present. He fixes that place in your heart that allows you to trust and believe again. He wants to write the ultimate come-back story in your life.
And finally, God, not time, heals all things. God works in time and space, but it is His work. God can establish your feet on solid ground, give birth to new dreams, and change who you are. God can do this and immeasurably more. God can Today.
Ex nihilo,
R.J. Rhoden
Saturday, December 17, 2016
He Gives Freely
Mary is not the only person who writes a song in Luke. Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, does so as well. One portion of his song describes two game-changers we get in God - gift giving and guidance.
God's heart is full of gift-giving and guidance that can fill you forever. He won't force them on you. Many respond with a resounding "NO." Others, hands and heart open, receive with gratitude. The former continue in emptiness while the latter walk in contentment.
According to my count, Zechariah's song (Luke 1:76-79) describes five gifts we get in God: A Prophet, Salvation, Forgiveness, Mercy, and Jesus. On any given day I need all five. God's gifts are not for a designated day of the year. He gives freely year round and from generation to generation. He is the Ultimate Gift-Giver.
Tonight at 6pm at Celebration we will be worshipping the God who is full of gifts and guidance. He has something special in store for us. I personally invite you to join us. Bring a friend. Bring your heart ready to receive gifts and guidance from the God who is with us.
He wants to shine light into your darkness and place your feet on a path of peace. Come and see.
Ex nihilo,
R.J. Rhoden
God's heart is full of gift-giving and guidance that can fill you forever. He won't force them on you. Many respond with a resounding "NO." Others, hands and heart open, receive with gratitude. The former continue in emptiness while the latter walk in contentment.
According to my count, Zechariah's song (Luke 1:76-79) describes five gifts we get in God: A Prophet, Salvation, Forgiveness, Mercy, and Jesus. On any given day I need all five. God's gifts are not for a designated day of the year. He gives freely year round and from generation to generation. He is the Ultimate Gift-Giver.
Tonight at 6pm at Celebration we will be worshipping the God who is full of gifts and guidance. He has something special in store for us. I personally invite you to join us. Bring a friend. Bring your heart ready to receive gifts and guidance from the God who is with us.
He wants to shine light into your darkness and place your feet on a path of peace. Come and see.
Ex nihilo,
R.J. Rhoden
Saturday, December 10, 2016
4 Phrases That Permanently Change Your Life
In the first chapter of Luke young Mary hears startling, life-changing words from an angel. All were important but three stand out: The Lord is with you; His Kingdom will never end; and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Responding to the angel Mary provides the fourth phrase of importance: I am the Lord's servant.
Phrases change us permanently for better or worse.
Tonight at 6 o'clock Celebration 4 powerful phrases will be spoken over every life: The Lord is with you; His Kingdom will never end; the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and I am the Lord's servant. These are phrases that can permanently change your life if you receive them. Though spoken to Mary in a timely way, they hold timeless application for all.
My heart this week has been particularly drawn to the lonely. Loneliness can be known in isolation or in the midst of a crowd. "Even in laughter the heart may ache," Proverbs reminds us. Perplexity of heart fosters loneliness not proximity of people.
To the lonely I will say tonight: The Lord is with you. The Lord is with you in your prayers, in your thoughts, in your fears, in your relationships, in your hopes, in the hidden places of your heart, and in low and high places. The Lord, Jesus, is the King who left His throne to be with you - Emmanuel. His presence and His words of life are intended to replace the empty words and experiences of years gone by, to which, you are still clinging. Let go and let the One who specializes in speaking new words do so into your lost heart.
Ex nihilo,
R.J. Rhoden
Phrases change us permanently for better or worse.
- Will you marry me?
- Just try it this once
- It's stage 4 and inoperable
- Congratulations on your acceptance to ______________
- I want a divorce
- You are pregnant
- He died this morning
Tonight at 6 o'clock Celebration 4 powerful phrases will be spoken over every life: The Lord is with you; His Kingdom will never end; the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and I am the Lord's servant. These are phrases that can permanently change your life if you receive them. Though spoken to Mary in a timely way, they hold timeless application for all.
My heart this week has been particularly drawn to the lonely. Loneliness can be known in isolation or in the midst of a crowd. "Even in laughter the heart may ache," Proverbs reminds us. Perplexity of heart fosters loneliness not proximity of people.
To the lonely I will say tonight: The Lord is with you. The Lord is with you in your prayers, in your thoughts, in your fears, in your relationships, in your hopes, in the hidden places of your heart, and in low and high places. The Lord, Jesus, is the King who left His throne to be with you - Emmanuel. His presence and His words of life are intended to replace the empty words and experiences of years gone by, to which, you are still clinging. Let go and let the One who specializes in speaking new words do so into your lost heart.
Ex nihilo,
R.J. Rhoden
Saturday, December 3, 2016
See
Through a generous donation I am excited to give everyone tonight at Celebration Church & Outreach Ministry a free copy of my first published book entitled See. It's been a few years in the making but finally available. I am writing short Bible studies for busy people (80-90 pages) that blend scholarship, imagination, and pastoral application.
For now I'm writing about Jesus. My life is devoted to His teachings and beliefs, He was and is controversial, and He has personally changed my life forever. Jesus is the opposite of boring or indifference. He is intriguing, courageous, maddening to some, divisive, creative, and iconic in so many ways. Even in my greatest debates with someone over the authenticity of Jesus' claims there is an engaging energy of interest present - like the doubter isn't convinced but wishes He was.
I hold to the conviction that followers of Jesus (I am guilty) and not Jesus Himself are the biggest barriers to doubters believing in the real Jesus. The real Jesus' life was the greatest story ever to be played out on the stage of life. The themes included a King becoming a commoner, love triumphing over evil, life breathed into lifelessness, betrayal, forgiveness, and the conquering of death. Even more it's a story that continues. The real Jesus is still carrying out His mission.
One of the things He is still doing is helping us to see as He did with a blind man in the small village of Bethsaida. Jesus is not content to merely restore our sight. He wants to recalibrate our seeing in a way that is exceptional and life changing. The healer in Bethsaida 2000 years ago is still at work in you and me.
I invite you to join us tonight at 6pm at CCOM or watch online. You can also go to Amazon or Barnes and Noble (See by R.J. Rhoden) and purchase the study. Jesus is teaching me to see, and He wants to do the same for you.
Ex nihilo,
R.J. Rhoden
For now I'm writing about Jesus. My life is devoted to His teachings and beliefs, He was and is controversial, and He has personally changed my life forever. Jesus is the opposite of boring or indifference. He is intriguing, courageous, maddening to some, divisive, creative, and iconic in so many ways. Even in my greatest debates with someone over the authenticity of Jesus' claims there is an engaging energy of interest present - like the doubter isn't convinced but wishes He was.
I hold to the conviction that followers of Jesus (I am guilty) and not Jesus Himself are the biggest barriers to doubters believing in the real Jesus. The real Jesus' life was the greatest story ever to be played out on the stage of life. The themes included a King becoming a commoner, love triumphing over evil, life breathed into lifelessness, betrayal, forgiveness, and the conquering of death. Even more it's a story that continues. The real Jesus is still carrying out His mission.
One of the things He is still doing is helping us to see as He did with a blind man in the small village of Bethsaida. Jesus is not content to merely restore our sight. He wants to recalibrate our seeing in a way that is exceptional and life changing. The healer in Bethsaida 2000 years ago is still at work in you and me.
I invite you to join us tonight at 6pm at CCOM or watch online. You can also go to Amazon or Barnes and Noble (See by R.J. Rhoden) and purchase the study. Jesus is teaching me to see, and He wants to do the same for you.
Ex nihilo,
R.J. Rhoden
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Don't Fight Your Battles Alone
One day the Amalekites attacked the Israelites (Exodus 17) from behind, targeting the tired and weary ones that lagged in the back. Though the cowardice strategy of our Enemy is to attack us at our weakest points, we need not fight our battles alone.
Moses, modeling this for us, immediately sprung into action gathering a team around him to deal with the attack. Joshua selected warriors to hit the battle field. Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up the hill overlooking the battlefield to pray - symbolized by the lifting of Moses' hands to God. The collective result was victory.
There is no battle that you can fight alone. Though tempted to do so by prideful and lonely thinking, victory is found with others around you. Isolation, lack of trust, and loneliness are one of the best ways to ensure defeat after defeat in your life. You were not created to fight alone so quit trying to do it.
Many a stubborn person are stuck today in the misery of their defeats because of a continual refusal to seek help. The true tragedy is not found in their defeat but rather in their refusal to embrace the key to victory. They would rather lose alone than win with others - and that is pure tragedy.
Don't fight your battles alone. God is your banner of victory - Jehovah-Nissi. He wants to use people in your life who will lift your hands when you are tired, fight alongside you, and worship Him with you when victory comes.
Fight together.
Ex nihilo,
R.J. Rhoden
Moses, modeling this for us, immediately sprung into action gathering a team around him to deal with the attack. Joshua selected warriors to hit the battle field. Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up the hill overlooking the battlefield to pray - symbolized by the lifting of Moses' hands to God. The collective result was victory.
There is no battle that you can fight alone. Though tempted to do so by prideful and lonely thinking, victory is found with others around you. Isolation, lack of trust, and loneliness are one of the best ways to ensure defeat after defeat in your life. You were not created to fight alone so quit trying to do it.
Many a stubborn person are stuck today in the misery of their defeats because of a continual refusal to seek help. The true tragedy is not found in their defeat but rather in their refusal to embrace the key to victory. They would rather lose alone than win with others - and that is pure tragedy.
Don't fight your battles alone. God is your banner of victory - Jehovah-Nissi. He wants to use people in your life who will lift your hands when you are tired, fight alongside you, and worship Him with you when victory comes.
Fight together.
Ex nihilo,
R.J. Rhoden
Saturday, October 8, 2016
In Need Of Something New
And the name of the city from that time on will be: The Lord is there! - Ezekiel 48:35
God's heart is wired for restoration, renewal, and hope. He saw the brokenness of Jerusalem and envisioned, through the Prophet Ezekiel, a coming, new day. No longer would the beloved city be identified with ruin, isolation, and desertion but with the mighty presence of God - Jehovah-Shammah.
How grateful are we for a God that not only knows we are in need of something new but desires to provide it? He kindly and gently, yet with a quality of unresistible force, gives us the opportunity to walk in a new life that is full of His presence and power. One day we are known for misery and hopelessness; the next day and all the days that follow, we are described as The Lord is There!
I love the phrase "from that time on" in Ezekiel's vision. Everyone needs a miracle moment named "from that time on." It represents the end of the old and the beginning of something new. It's a doorway. It's a change that ushers in a whole new life of hope, peace, and provision. Sometimes the transition is dramatic but other times it's gradual. Either way is life-altering.
God gave Jerusalem a new name, a new city, a new time period, and a new faith. He will do the same for you because His heart is wired for such an act of kindness. His nature is eternally oriented to doing something new for those in need of something new.
Ex nihilo,
R.J. Rhoden
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)