Youth 150

Youth 150 Welcome to the Prairie Grove Church of God Youth Group Page

04/15/2024

Pastor's Monday Morning Bread at the Table

‭Proverbs 1:4-5 NLT‬
[4] These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. [5] Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance

They say the best teacher is experience through triumphs and failures and I believe this to be true. However, many times hard lessons could be avoided by just quietly thinking and gleaning from common sense.

My wife says, I'm one of the most book smart people she knows, but I sure don't have a lick of common sense. Well, the thing is, I do have some common sense. The problem is I'm a doer and not a thinker. You tell me what needs to be done and I just do it. I've always been a self-motivator. Get er done type person. While it may seem to be a good thing in our world of hurry up and produce now, it can be a negative in the light that without thinking before doing, a lot can go wrong. Most of the time for me, it means the time to completely undo everything I already did and even then what if I've damaged the resources to where I can't reuse them? It cost both time, money, and a waste of materials.

Luke 14:28-29 talks about intentions on building but not having sufficient funds or resources to finish it. What good is a foundation if nothing is built on it for an intended use? Or what if you build without a foundation? All the resources you put into it will become damaged and then you will have to start all over again.

Being a doer without stopping first and thinking about it and applying common sense and wisdom will cost more in the long term. While our society teaches us the early bird gets the worm, I think I'd rather enjoy being the 2nd mouse, because cheese taste better than a worm to me.

In wisdom lies great treasure. While it may not feel natural to just sit and think about what needs done, taking the time to calculate everything may save you in the long term.

Today I pray you take the time to just stop, listen, and glean from what will make sense to apply to your life. I pray the Lord pours into you insights of instruction for your life and that you will follow the blueprints He has mapped out for you. Jesus can and will lead you to a better way of doing things. You just have to surrender to Him, trust Him, and follow Him. In that, you'll come to understand true wisdom.

~Pastor Ron

04/08/2024

Pastor's Monday Morning Bread at the Table
‭Matthew 24:6-14 KJV‬
[6] And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. [8] All these are the beginning of sorrows. [9] Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. [10] And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. [11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. [12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [13] But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. [14] And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

As we embrace Solar Eclispe day, I'm dwelling upon so many spoken words and prophecies being declared over this day. While I believe many have some valid points to them, I feel led to remind us of what Jesus spoke concerning such events. I believe today will be another sign unto us of end days being fulfilled. I believe warnings through these signs are being given as an act of grace and mercy from the One and Only True and Living God. I believe we as the church must recognize that time to work while day is beginning to dim more and more each passing day and at each passing event is critical to what will really matter on the other side of this event.

Today many will have their attention looking up into the sky to admire and witness an event occurring that doesn't seem rare. I wonder if besides just looking and admiring if we will be listening and watching for the sign that is taking place right in front of us. Things are being shaken in the spiritual atmosphere today. I know all these things can sound troubling, but it's in this that I am reminded by another Word from our Lord given in John 14:1-3

[1] Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

As things are being shaken in the spiritual atmosphere, there's still preparations being made for us. For those who believe and trust their lives to the care of Christ. Even though I don't believe today to mark the end of the world or the rapture to take place, we must continue to be ready, for He will come in a time unexpected. Have your focus toward the Lord even during the eclispe today. To them who shall endure til the end, they shall be saved.

Be safe out there today, watch and pray.

~Pastor Ron

04/01/2024

Pastor's Monday Morning Bread at the Table

After Easter Special

‭Acts 1:4-5, 7-9, 12-14 KJV‬
[4] and, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. [5] For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
[7] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. [8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. [9] And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
[12] Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. [13] And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. [14] These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

The miracle of Christ raising victoriously from death was not to be the end of the story. He put an end to every limitation, every lie, every trap, every reason we could or would give for not being able to walk and live holy lives for the Lord.

But His resurrection wouldn't be all it took. No, that was the start of it. Now He must prepare to ascend back to the Heavenly Father and then send another in His place called the Comforter (Holy Ghost/Spirit). This Comforter would lead and guide us into all truths along the remainder of our journey here on earth.

The key here was to get off and alone away from distractions and noise of the world. Find a place to just focus on the Lord. Tarry or stay there until something happens. I heard an acrostic once for the word push. Pray Until Something Happens.
When we get so hungry and focused for God, He responds. Faith pleases Him. He responds to our faith. It all comes down to how desperate are you for God to move in your life or in your situation? If He could payoff atonement for sin and if He could raise up from the grave, how much difficult could your situation be?

But now, in order for you to fulfill the good work He has now begun in you through acceptance of full salvation, it's time to receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will give you boldness and cause you to stand courageous in the midst of all adversity. But we must be mindful and respectful to the Holy Spirit. When we begin to choose to ignore our Comforter, eventually we will lose our sense of direction spiritually speaking but this also leads to our physical direction in our lives as well.

The time is and now has come in a world embracing dark sins to stand full of light and truth and boldly declaring the Word of the Lord. We don't have to remain sinners, or continue to stumble. We can do better, we can get better. We just have to learn to yield ourselves to the Comforter once we have surrendered our lives to the saving grace and power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let me leave you with one last thought. You may get labeled a holy roller, or over the top radical Christian, or they may even call you a bigot, but let the truth be known that you are willing to love all as Christ loved all. That you will speak the truth in love so that noone has to perish in their sins. The biggest lie we've ever come to believe is, "this is who I am and I'll never be able to change." If you believe that, you've already accepted defeat as your moral compass. But if you'll choose hope that can help you overcome yourself, Jesus can and will walk beside you and the Comforter will lead you to life changing truths that bring total liberation.

I will choose to walk with you too, because you're worth it. Jesus deemed you and me worth it by giving up Himself, so that we may truly know what it is to experience life and life more abundantly.

~Pastor Ron

UMatter and WeCare

03/29/2024

A Good Friday Thought

On Mission- Isaiah 53:4-5

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Any good soldier would say in the midst of all adversity and impossibility, that the focus has to stay on the mission. Things got really tough and nearly impossible for Jesus going through what all He went through on this day we call and celebrate as Good Friday. At any moment, He could've brought it all to an end, but as any good soldier and He certainly was the very best, He stayed on mission.

He was able to do this, because He was the only One and still today is the only One who can.

When I think about Jesus and what He did, it reminds me of tag team wrestling. When the wrestler whose in the rink is getting tired, in trouble, worn out, and needs to tag out, the partner is waiting but also stretching as far as possible to be tagged in. Sometimes it takes longer, and more effort, but as soon as they get tagged in, they come rushing in ready with all this energy to come and fight.

Friend, today Jesus is just waiting for you to tag Him in. He already won the fight, He's just waiting for you to quit wrestling with and stumbling over yourself. When you do this, you can get on mission.

Church, now that Jesus has paid it all and then rose victoriously and conquered all things, we must now stay on mission with the message we carry to assure others He's ready to tag into their lives, their mess, their impossibilities and turn it all around. He's already experienced every impossibility in this life, and He's ready for you to experience He victorious life and power for yourself.

Come on good soldiers, stand your ground and stay on mission for Christ.

~Pastor Ron

03/25/2024

Pastor's Monday Morning Bread at the Table

Where Our Priorities Lie

‭Mark 10:17-27 KJV‬
[17] And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? [18] And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. [19] Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. [20] And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. [21] Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. [22] And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. [23] And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! [24] And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! [25] It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. [26] And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? [27] And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

The biggest problem for the rich young ruler was that his priorities were out of order. The one thing he really lacked goes back to the first few commandments with God being number one and having no other gods before Him. His riches were too important to him. For many, this would be a struggle.

To see and feel the security you have with plenty can bring good comfort. However, what kept him up at night was worry that it still wasn't enough to make him feel secure. You have to remember in this story, the young man approached Jesus, because he was still concerned with the possibility of his life still not being good enough to inherit eternal life.

Jesus loved him so much to tell him the truth, knowing that he wouldn't like, nor accept the answer. I believe if that young man caught a glimpse of what eternal life looked like, he might've re-prioritized to make God number one.

God wants us to depend on Him which leads to further trust in Him. I know in the natural, it can get worrisome because we see what we have and what's pulling at our resources. Jesus was conveying a message that the rich young ruler lacked total trust and dependence upon the Lord.

But with this priority out of order, even though he was fulfilling other commandments that dealt with treatment of others, he still lacked in those areas, because he refused to sell all he had and then turn around and give that to others. The cross for him to bear was too much that he refused to accept that truth.

Many times in our lives, we will cry out to the Lord for help, guidance, advice, and even find solace in His written Word (The Bible). Yet we still lack things because we refuse to do exactly what we know we ought to do. Friends, if God is not priority number one, everything else will always be out of order and we will never do the right thing as we should.

Paul preached about this in Romans 7 when he talked about the good he would do, he does it not because of the evil he allows to rule in his life. And the evil that he wouldn't do, he finds himself doing. Therefore, the one solution was to die and put off the carnel nature of this flesh. Repent and turn to God. Trust Him with your life. I can attest, He will never let you down.

I would say, if you told me He did let you down, I would ask, how long did you give Him or trust Him to lift you up? Jesus loves you, just as He loved that rich young ruler, but the choice was still that young man's decision to throw off everything that got him feeling insecure about himself and running to Jesus, or to reject the instructions because it wasn't what he wanted to hear.

The choice is yours today and I believe the Lord has spoken to you concerning your priorities. What will you choose? Choose you wisely this day, whom you will serve and trust who you choose not only with your life, but your eternity.

~Pastor Ron

03/18/2024

Pastor's Monday Morning Bread at the Table

Our hearts are where our problems lie, yet also where the solution can be found. God always longed for deeper relationships with us, His creation, His children. The problem is, He can't dwell in a place where wickedness resides. He can cast it out and make room for Him to dwell, but when it comes to the heart of man, He will only do it by our desire to welcome Him in and allow Him to make sweeping changes to our hearts.

When I got saved and started chasing after and pursuing the Lord, He began changing desires in my heart. There is a guarantee that things will change, but this change is not for bad but rather for good. Jesus said in John 12:50, I know that His commandment is life everlasting. The psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:36-40, (36) give me an eagerness for Your laws rather than a love for money! (37) turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through Your Word. (38) reassure me of Your promise, made to those who fear You. (39) help me abandon my shameful ways; for Your regulations are good. (40) I long to obey Your commandments! Renew my life with Your goodness.

It's forever a moment-by-moment choice to follow God, to walk with God, and to surrender these hearts unto Him. He knows we won't choose to do good on our own. He knows we can't measure up to His commands which brings life and blessings without Him. Yet still He chooses to be to the solution for us because He loves us and desires us. Always remember, He chose to make a way for you. He did that because He is good.

~Pastor Ron

‭‭Ezekiel 36:24-28 KJV‬‬
[24] For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. [25] Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. [26] A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. [28] And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

02/05/2024

Pastor's Monday Morning Bread at the Table

‭‭Acts‬ ‭15:36‭-‬40‬ ‭KJV‬‬
[36] And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. [37] And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. [38] But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. [39] And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; [40] and Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

We as people don't like tension. We definitely don't handle it very well when people don't agree with us or us them. We tend to take things personally. Tension can be both negative and positive. For Paul and Barnabus, it allowed them to branch off with new apprentices to train up and prepare for ministry. They both went on to extraordinary things for the kingdom.

Later on, things were made right between them. Paul later on admitted that Mark was beneficial to his ministry. Don't give up on people too quickly and definitely don't take separation personally. Not everyone is meant to go along with you on your journey. Some are meant to only go so far, while very few will remain with you throughout the entire trip. Learn to value and appreciate each category. Be okay with releasing those who have their own paths set out for them.

If you don't, it will impact and hinder both you and them. If Paul could look back through everything, he would've likely been Barnabus and Mark's biggest cheer leader. In ministry we all need to be that for one another. Because there are too many nay sayers and discouragers that hinder our missions and it becomes harder to encourage ourselves. Either way, don't let that stop you from doing what you know you were called and chosen to do for the Lord.

Be determined as Paul was about ministry. Be determined as Barnabus was about ministry. Let all things come back full circle in due time. Be thankful for the times and experiences you have together, then continue to keep moving on. We're gonna win and get there if we keep our focus on the main thing.

Jesus still saves and uses us to preach this good news to others. Through that lives are changed and transformed including ourselves throughout the journey.

~Pastor Ron

01/29/2024

Pastor's Monday Morning Bread at the Table

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭61:2‭-‬4‬ ‭KJV‬‬
[2] From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, When my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. [3] For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. [4] I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

We need help from time to time and God uses us to help one another. But, too many times we get caught in the cycle of here we go again. What am I going to do this time? Who do I look for to help me this time? Why do I keep having this battle over and over again? Perhaps the problem is not the problem, but the source of the solution. When we begin to recognize not only the problem but acknowledge the Solution, then and only then will we begin to react with the correct course of action.

I have had to look at my vocabulary recently. Too many times, it's easy to say I have to go to work, I have to go to church, I have to pay the bills, I have to put gas in the car, I have to go to the store. It all sounds like a drudgery when we say it like that. How about putting a positive spin on it? I get to go to work. I get to provide for my household. I get to pay my bills, I get to go to church, I get to access the Throne Room of Almighty God, my Father who loves me, desires me, wants to bless me, and wants to walk with me.

Here's another one. I get to experience an opportunity of growth through opposition that stands before me today. You know what, I don't have to fight that opposition. I just get to go to the Rock that is higher than I and trust Him with my situation. It's actually harder when I react in a manner of negativity, but when I consider that God trust me with this assignment and opposition, it's so much easier to keep my joy full as I walk through it.

Here's the last point of all this. We are not alone, but most of the time we isolate ourselves as to feel alone. Stop doing that! We're better together as community and not as individuals. Because then we are able to encourage each other in the Lord. I love you, and I'm proud to say, I get to serve you today. I may not have the money to help fix your problems. A lot of times, I may not have the exact answer, but I know the One who does.

When you're overwhelmed today, let your heart find rest in the Father in whom you may find rest, comfort, and peace.

~Pastor Ron





01/03/2024

Joshua 24:15

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

I chose to start following the Lord in April 2006. But once again, this morning I had to renew my right standing relationship with Him. Because each and every day and even every moment of everyday has choices. I choose to follow Christ, or I choose to follow my own way which leads to destruction. I choose to let my life be built upon a solid foundation in Christ or I choose to keep building on my shaky, soft, sandy, unstable self in which will fall and crumble.

So I declare today January 3rd, 2024 I have chosen to receive Christs' full pardon for my sins and choose to follow Him and His plan for my life. I have been saved once again today, because I confessed once again to Him that I need Him and want Him. I am openly declaring my salvation which is built on what Christ did and not what I have done.

Who's with me today? Will you confess and receive Christ today? Even if you already have, have you chosen a new start with Him again today?

~Pastor Ron

11/04/2023

Thank you Prairie Grove and community for our most successful yard sale yet. It would not be possible without your donations. We appreciate you all. God bless you all for blessing our children.

10/16/2023

Pastor's Monday Morning Bread at the Table

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17:7‭-‬8‬ ‭NLT‬‬
[7] “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. [8] They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

In all things, we must remain consistent. Whatever we strive to be or do for the Lord, we must have consistency. We live in a busy world, which has always been busy. Jesus did many works in His 3.5 years of ministry while here on this earth. He understood busy. But He also knew the importance of staying consistent with much needed time in prayer with the Father.

I have a crazy schedule everyday that fills up quickly and any time I can squeeze something else in, I tend to do so. However, I've also learned to stop and take time of rest in Him and He gives me strength, wisdom, and time to do what I need to do. Not what I want to do, but what I need to do.

It will be by our consistency with Him that we will make it through and overcome the troubles and cares of this life. Because at the end of the day, everything must begin and end with Him. That's how we flourish in a busy, chaotic world. So take some time with Him today, and just know He knows the clutter of stuff you need to do today. In fact, He wants to be with you through all of it. In the heat of all that is going on, He will keep you strong and prosper you in times when everything else is drying up. When everything else is dying, He will keep you thriving.

~Pastor Ron

10/10/2023

Pastor's Monday Morning Bread at the Table

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:14‭-‬15‬ ‭NLT‬‬
[14] This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. [15] For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’

The amazing thing is, God wants us to hear, see, and understand His Word(s). But Jesus clearly defines the root of the problem in the lack of all three areas. His said, their hearts are hardened so that they will not listen. How can you see clearly what you will not hear? How can you understand without listening to the matter? We are too hardened by the focus, cares, and riches of things in this life, that it's impossible for us to stop, wait, and listen to the Father speaking.

Jesus clearly states, that the Father desires to heal us all, if we choose to spend time and listen to the Father who will open our eyes, ears, and hearts to understand. Only He can heal us from what truly ails our world and society today.

We make time for everything else we chase after in this life. We will neglect God, church, devotion, and our prayer life to worry about and tend to other things when God all along will take care of for us if we put Him first.

Matthew 6:33 states again as Jesus's Words, seek first the kingdom of God and for His righteousness and everything else will be added unto you.

My friends, I can tell you that when I place everything of who I am, what I do, and all my dreams and plans into the Lord's Hands by spending time with Him, He has come through for me over and over again. He has healed my heart, relationships with others, my finances. He really is a miracle working God, but we tie His Hands because we allow our hearts to be too hardened toward Him as we chase after everything else ourselves.

Are you not tired yet? Have you not reached the point of total exhaustion? You've been circling around the same problems and issues long enough?

Jesus gives an invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke for yourself and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Today, Jesus is still offering that same invitation, because He knows the state of our world today. We are so fast-paced with very little time for Him. But if we don't slow down and make time for Him, we will never hear His response to our cries. We will never see and acknowledge the miracles He is still performing right in front of our eyes. We will never comprehend truly His heart which is all good toward us.

Won't you let Him heal you today? All it takes is turning over everything to Him. All your problems, cares, and worries. He will heal everything if you let Him.

~Pastor Ron

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304 W Cleveland Street
Prairie Grove, AR
72753

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