Ridgell's Originals

This is the New Year's Resolution for all of us.  

Read your Bible this year.

I am not telling you to even study it.  Just read it.  You will be amazed how much more you know about God, Jesus, and life if you just read your Bible.

Stop reading it to prove your point.  It is not a legalistic document to be twisted -- or changed -- to fit your particular life choices.  It is God speaking to you.

It is the living word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit.

You need to treasure it.  Love it.  Store it in your heart.  That happens by reading it.

Read Scripture more than you read about Scripture.  More than you do devotional readings.

How do you find a good reading plan?

You don't have to, just start.  One chapter a day.  Start anywhere.  Just start.

If you have to have a reading plan, check out timothyarcher.com.  He also has a YouTube video he posts everyday.  Short and goes along with the daily reading.  It's good. 

Or search the internet.  Lots of plans.

Some of you teach Bible class or preach and you spend much time studying Scripture.  I appreciate that but read for you  -- to learn, not just for your lesson.

Some of you would like to be elders some day.  You have to know Scripture so start reading.

Your spiritual growth will be amazing this next year if you will just read your Bible. 

Read your Bible.

# posted by Steve @ 6:30 AM 0 comments

Churches have fought and split for years.  I grew up in a fellowship that split over music in worship.  Other fellowships fought with us over baptism.  Now my fellowship is fighting over the role of woman and men in church leadership.  As did almost every other group I know.  We were just a little behind everyone else.  Now the fight is over same sex marriage.  I know, most groups have already split over that issue, but it is just now being talked about in our fellowship.  Churches fight and split and decide fellowship over all sorts of issues.

But the issues are not really the issue.

The Bible is the issue.  What you beleive about the Bible and how you interpret the Bible is really what most churches fight and split over.  Not how you read the Bible.  I rarely hear anyone argue about what it says.  But how you interpret the Bible.  What it means when you read it.

So I am encouraging all Chritians to think through what you believe about the Bible.  That will be very helpful when you talk about issues.  And when you have to decide about what your church teaches about the issues.  

It is really easy to decide the issues on feelings, culture, tradition, or popular opinion.  Then go to the Bible to try and defend your position.  Then you end up using the Bible as a proof text to support -- or negate -- your view on any given issue.  

You can read the Bible.  Maybe that should be your first guide to deciding what you believe.  Not what a preacher tells you.  Or even what a church tells you.  But what God tells you.  

But don't people have to interpret Scripture?  Of course.  Some things are not spelled out in the Bible, so leaders have to teach Biblical principles and make informed decisions.  Leaders should be able to explain the Bible principles for those decisions.

I would be very careful of two approaches.  One is the decision about an issue that insists it is what God says.  Even when there is not a Scripture that says it.  Kind of a "God didn't say it but I know He meant it" view of some issues.  Almost as if you were adding to the Scriptures to clear up what the Holy Spirit missed.

I would also be very careful about decisions that directly contradict what God says in the Bible.  Kind of a "God said it but He didn't really mean it" approach.  As if the Holy Spirit couldn't quite get it right.  Almost as if you were taking away some Scripture to better explain what the Holy Spirit got wrong.

Revelation 22:18-19

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 

Most people I know don't actually edit the Bible.  And this passage may just mean not to mess with the Revelation of John.  But everytime I read this, it reminds me to be very careful about how I use Scripture.

So what is my point and what am I trying to prove?

Your church is going to make a lot of decisions about a lot of issues.  I want to remind leaders to start with Scripture first.  

And I want each of us to react to those by first reading Scripture.  

I believe it matters.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

Christmas presents are so great.  When I was little it was a time of anticipation and ... well, let's be honest.  It was much more about what I was getting than what I gave.  But as I got older, and I hope more mature, I realized I enjoyed watching others get gifts.  I don't really much care about whether I get anything or not.  But I really love watching my grands, and even still my kids, open their presents.  

Lots of love in giving and recieving gifts.  Joy, hugs, thank-you's.  Even tears sometimes.  

I wish I could do Christmas presents all year long.

And of course I can.

The greatest gift I have ever gotten was that God sent His only Son to die for my sins.  I didn't deserve it.  Even after all the years of enjoying that gift, I still do not deserve it.  Never will.  I am in awe that God loved/loves me so much that He would let His Son do that.  Greatest gift ever.  

And it is not just for me.  It is a gift for anyone that wants it.  To not recieve the gift of Jesus is to leave the greatest gift of your life wrapped and under the tree.

I get to share in the giving of that gift.

There are so many people in our world who do not know that God gave the greatest gift ever.  Or they do not think it is for them.  They don't really understand the gift.  So God let's me -- and the rest of His people -- share in the amazing priviledge of announceing that gift.

Then convince them to open it.  To recieve it.  Gifts are funny that way.  You can't make people open them.  They can refuse them.  They can leave them unopened.

How selfish of us to not share the good news of the greatest gift ever given.

How heartbreaking to see people ignore that gift.

So to my Christian community:  enjoy the greatest gift ever.  Enjoy it all year long.  Forever.  But please share it.  We have to.

And to my non-Christian friends.  It really is the greatest gift you will ever get.  Please let me share it with you.  Please accept it.  

It changes everything.

Christmas all year long.  Forever.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 Boy do we eat a lot around Christmas.  Maybe that's one reason I love this time of year.  And it helps that my wife Marsha is a great cook.  We have big family meals.  We have lots of snacks.  More sweets than the whole rest of the year combined.  Neighbors get food.  Friends get food.  Shut-ins get food.  Older friends get food.  So does family.  So do I.  My wife even organized some kind of drive-by with her friends to get homemade soup.

I wish I could have Christmas all year round.  I might gain 50 pounds every year but I love to eat.

Though truth be told... it is the people more than the food.  Eating is our excuse to hang out together.  It is talking about life over hambugers or pie.  It is expressing love.  It is sharing life.  Doing life.  It is inviting people to our table that are family and friends.  And those that are becoming family and friends.  There is always room for more.  Even when our kids were growing up, it always seemed like one -- or ten -- of their friends were there.  

So I got to thinking ...

I do have Christmas food all year long.

My church community eats all the time.  Every Sunday we gather together and eat at a meal hosted by Jesus.  His body and blood.  We reflect on God's love.  We express our love for each other.  We remember the great love Jesus showed when he died for us.  

It is a family tradition.  There is always room for one more.  In fact, we make it a point to invite outsiders to join our family and share in our meal.

Love and life.  Gathered at a supper hosted by Jesus.  

Family time.  

And you are invited.

Just let me know and I will help you into our family.

steveridgellministry@gmail.com

See you around the dinner table.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 So I want to upfront here.  I am blessed by the family I have.  My Mom is still with us at 90.  I get along with all my kids.  Grands are fantastic.  We even talk to all our siblings.  So I know I am blessed.

But I also know this is not true for everyone.  Broken marriages.  Strained relationships.  Lonliness.  Pain.

Christmas is a time for family.  So is every time of the year.  We need family.  Those people who you love unconditionally.  Those people who love you.  Family that has your back.

So I think it is amazing that God would provide us with family.  All year round.

Not suprising because, after all, He made us and knows what we need.  But still amazing.

Church really is family.  Not a building.  Not an organization.  Not a business.  Or at least that is not how God designed it.  God made church to be a community where we do life together.

Church has father figures that teach the younger men how to be faithful followers, husbands, Dads, and friends.  Spiritual Moms who teach the younger women to be faithful followers, wives, and Moms.  

Brothers and sisters.

Family, not by blood DNA, but by Jesus blood.

People who love you unconditionally.  And that you love.  People who have your back.  Family that wants the best for you.  

I love the holiday season with my natural family.  Games, food, laughter, love.  I can count on them and they can count on me.  I thank God for them every day.

But I also love every day with my spiritual family.  A family defined by faith in Jesus, not by location or even "placing membership."  But the family I was born again into.

Some of the closest relationships I have are with those blood brothers.  

So thank you God for making it possible for anyone to have a real family.  Not just at Christmas, but all year round.

You can have that blessing too.  Let me help.  steveridgellministry@gmail.com.

So I love you Ridgell clan.

And I love you Jesus family. 

Happy Christmas all year long. 

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 1 comments

 It is probably the most famous Bible verse.  John 3:16

God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. 

If you believe in Jesus you get to live forever with God.

If not, you perish.

That is the essence of the baby Jesus story so many tell at Christmas.  

Good news of eternal life.  Saved from our sins.  God's love.

One of the things I do like about Christmas is all the talk about love.  Love seen in the amazing truth that God's own son came into this world.  A Savior was born.

And no matter how many times I hear about it, I am always overwhelmed by the fact that God could love me that much.  

O holy night.  It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.  My soul does feel worthy because of the love of God.

The amazing and wonderful story of love.

It is not just a Christmas story.  It is an every day story.  Every day until Jesus returns to claim his own.

God loved you enough to send His Son to live among us.

His son Jesus loved us enough to die for our sins.

If you believe, you will live forever.

That is the Christmas message.  And the day after Christmas message.  

Live that love if you are a believer.

Share the good news of that love with those who do not believe.

That love leads to hope, joy, and peace.

Forever.

What a great time of year to make the Jesus decision.

I would be honored to help you.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 Prince of Peace.

It is in the prophecy (Isaiah 9) of the coming of Jesus into this world.  Unto us a child is born.  Among other things, he is called Prince of Peace. 

Followers of Jesus are told that he is our peace, that we are to surrender our worries to Jesus in order to experience peace, and that we are blessed if we work as peacemakers.

And it starts because God sent his Son to be the ultimate peacemaker.

Jesus brings peace between us and God by paying for our sins.

Following Jesus draws people together in spite of the things that our world would use to incite strife.  All races, nationalities, and economic groups are one in Jesus.

We are at peace within ourselves because of Jesus.  He does take our burdens.  

My father-in-law was really fond of saying "eveything will be allright."  He believed it and we did too.  Because of Jesus.  

Worry about your everyday needs?  Jesus will provide.  Always has.  Always will.

Worried about relationships?  Follow Jesus and love you neighbor (which includes those around you).

Worried about your sins?  Forgiven in Jesus.

Worried about your future?  Heaven forever with Jesus.

Peace, peace, and peace.

Prince of peace indeed.

You can have this peace.  

So can the other people in your world.  But you may need to tell them of the Prince of Peace.

Hope.  Joy to the World.  Prince of Peace.

The real Christmas message.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 Joy to the world.  

It Is that time of year when lots of us are thinking about baby Jesus.  Christians around the world will be talking about joy.  

So in a time of serious health crisis, and for many hard economic times, how can there really be any joy?  Relationships in trouble.  Uncertain future for our world, our country, even our cities.  How can you really find and live in joy.

In fact, Christians are commanded to rejoice.  

And it all starts for us with the good news of Jesus.

When Mary, the mother of Jesus, visited her cousin Elizabeth, mother of John, an amazing thing happened.  Baby John leaped for joy inside of Elizabeth.

When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, it was good news of great joy.  A Savior had been born.

Jesus who will save us from our sins.

That is the good news of great joy.

Immanuel.  God with us.

God loved you so much that he sent baby Jesus into this world to grow up and die on a cross for our sins.  That is how much God wants you to live with him.  He let His Son pay for your sins.

Good news indeed.

No matter what happens in this world, I know that I will be with God forever.  That is not just a wish.  That is a certainty.  

Joy to the world.

You can have this joy.  A joy not dependant on the things of this world.  A joy because God will take care of you.  A joy because you know your real future.

I can help you find this joy.

And if you have this joy, think about those who are desperately unhappy and let them know there is a joy available to them if they want it.

Let's flood the world with hope and joy.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 Hope.

Everyone has things they hope for, not wish for, but hope for.  Things that there is some basis of expectation of in the reality of life.

Lots of people at this time of year "hope" things will be different.  Better relationships.  More financial stability.  Better health.  More standing up to the demons in your life.  Freedom from addictions.

Things are tough this year.  Almost every person I know has a trial/stuggle/battle that they hope is better next year.  For some, it is just wishful thinking and they know it.  Truth is... they feel hopeless, not hopeful.

For others, there is a real sense that they will make it thru the darkness, that things will be better, and that they will overcome.

So what about us Christians?

We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  We are happy because we expect to live in the glory of God.

But what about all the trials/tribulations/struggles?  Christians rejoice in those because they are teaching us -- reminding us -- of our hope.

Because tough times teach us to keep clinging to Jesus, to get up every day and try to honor God, and to put one foot in front of the other in following Jesus.

That determination builds character.  Christian character.  We are becoming more like Jesus.

That character gives up hope.  A hope that will never disappoint us.  

Because we have the Holy Spirit and God uses the Holy Spirit to pour his love into our hearts.

You may be thinking that is the stupidest thing you ever heard and how in the world did I ever think up something like this.

Well, I didn't.  I found it in Romans 5. 

Real hope because of a real God who came into a real world.

So if you feel hopeless this year, I can tell you where hope is found.

If you know someone who cannot see hope anywhere, ask if you can share the source of your hope.

Our hope in the glory of God does not take away the hard times.  But it does redeem our battles.  Remakes the struggle into real hope.

That is one of the real messages of the Christmas season that reminds us Jesus came into this world so we can have hope.

Let's spead hope everywher.  

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 I have often said that I think we are on the verge of the next big evangelistic revival.  Here are the five things that need to happen. 

Revival happens when culture is increasingly against and hostile to Christianity.  That is happening.  The incredible amount of public hate and anger in our culture.  Taking of life not only allowed but approved.  Lack of respect for God's plan for marriage.  

Revival happens when there is a cataclysmic event that shakes up the normal status quo.  Something that makes people question/hunger/want something bigger and better.  Hello Covid.

Revival happens when the church as it is will not be up to the challenge.  Far too many churches/Christians have put their trust in politics.  Churches are aligned with, and seeking approval from, culture.  Churches are very inward focused.  And the bigger the church, the more important it becomes for them to focus on their own viability.  Protect the organization.

Revival starts from the ground up, not the top down.  It will not happen with a program, committee, or organization.  It starts with individuals who catch fire and it multiplies from there.  Sometimes you cannot even figure out where it started.

It will be Bible based.  That is the only way it can be a grassroots movement.  Not led by professionals. Not highly educatied in theology.  Just a Bible based movement.

It will much more about Jesus than church.  Church identity will not play a major role.  Jesus will.

I think the Holy Spirit is working.

I think the atmosphere is right.

Established churches are not getting it done, at least not most of them.

People are hungry and in need.

The Bible actually really is pretty easy to understand.

Are you one of those that God is about to unleash on a lost world?

Praying.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments