Comments for West Ridge Daily Journey

Comment on 1 Timothy 1: Hold tightly by TJ Bloom

TJ Bloom — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:04:50 +0000

Such an awesome gift we were given as it says in verse 14 “Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.” and yet we don’t cling to Him as we should. In Timothy’s case Paul was sending his young student into a church of older “wiser” men who needed correction through the Holy Spirit. Sounds like a great time to cling tightly when you are about to enter or already in a difficult situation. But what happens when that situation or season passes? How is your grip on the Solid Rock of our faith? I, along with others I’m sure, find myself loosening my grip and lose hold sometime. In a life full of change people often look for something that doesn’t change. There is only one answer and its found in verse 17, “Deep honor and bright glory to the King of All Time,One God, Immortal, Invisible, ever and always. Oh, yes!”
Dear Lord, help us all to get a grip and keep it !! Amen

Comment on Above All Else by TJ Bloom

TJ Bloom — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:17:22 +0000

This reminds me of a season in my life when I took a challenge to shut out any and all form of media other than reading my bible, listening to Christian music and bible studies. I was part of a men’s small study that was attending a Promise Keepers rally and we did this for 40 days prior to the event.
Those that know me well understand I am a huge sports nut and rarely does a day go by when I don’t check in with Sportscenter, etc. The challenge seemed tough but one I felt the Spirit calling me to answer. Well, the short version is that those were 40 powerful days. God used that time to really speak to my heart and mind without me putting anything in its way. The rest of the group shared similar testimonies and we extended the challenge as long as possible. I’m not sure when I finally broke down for some sports but that wasn’t the point. Flashing forward to present day I feel a noticeable difference when my heart isn’t guarded well. When I’m to busy, distracted, lazy and bored I let my guard down. When I don’t correct it quickly it leads to another day, another and sometimes many. The next thing I know, I’ve gone through the motions of several days. How many opportunities did I miss to share Jesus with someone? How much of my limited memory did I clog with useless things? I feel cleansed and renewed when I get back to basics and live each day with my heart guarded and my eyes focused on Abba Father !!! Forgive me Lord for my shortcomings and strengthen me to guard my heart every moment of every day.

Comment on Surprise! by Andrew Mack

Andrew Mack — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 02:12:47 +0000

There is a great proverb to go along with this this nice study by Pastor Chris.

Commit your work to the Lord,and your plans will be established (Prov. 16:3)

We need to commit our lives to the Lord and watch Him create unseen paths and open doors in our lives that will lead us into great accomplishments and success. It is by the Graceful, Merciful,Hand of the Lord that our lives will be shaped and molded to do great things

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10).”

Comment on Peer pressure? by Bethany Mossburg

Bethany Mossburg — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:31:30 +0000

The fact of the matter is, we will always have within us the choice. We choose to follow along; we choose to give in to the direction that others are going. Samuel was an amazing guy, and we’re going to read more tomorrow regarding the plans that God had laid before his feet.

I do wonder though, regarding the specific matter of peer pressure and devotion to God’s path over the path of our own choosing (or in this case, the path of others), whether or not his mom’s devotion to God-her understanding of stewardship and her commitment to the words she spoke to the LORD regarding that…if they had any sway over the way Samuel viewed his purpose in that temple. If indeed she went back each year, would she have reminded him that he was called to a higher purpose, that God had made a way for him to come into being in the world and that wasting time away from Truth wasn’t his destiny?

It does make one wonder…hmm… Good post, Chris.

Comment on Long Distance Relationships by Karen Mack

Karen Mack — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:53:02 +0000

Thank you for reminding us that Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to come along side to strengthen and help us. It was necessary for Jesus to return to the Father to send the Spirit of Promise to take Jesus’ place. In order to birth the Church Jesus needed seasoned leaders and the Holy Spirit to lead and guide the leaders to birth the household of Faith. The Holy Spirit was also needed to equip the early believers.

Comment on Discipleship: A common word that might not be so common by TJ Bloom

TJ Bloom — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 01:52:57 +0000

Thankful for our new Faith Family here at the Ridge and what a challenge to allow God to use our lives to reach the “unclean” …

Comment on The Commander of Victories by TJ Bloom

TJ Bloom — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 01:48:44 +0000

amazing love, how can it be? that you My King would die for me…… Jesus You Are My King !!
thank you for the ultimate victory we have ONLY in You !!

Comment on Sin in the Camp by TJ Bloom

TJ Bloom — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:41:05 +0000

I struggled for a long time with issue as new believer. Until the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and showed me that what I was doing was the equivalent of charging things to a credit card. I saw it as a convenient way to pay off those debts of sin whenever the balance got to high and my guilt was overwhelming. I didn’t see the full benefit of God’s Grace Card for what it is. It is truly a gift and one that should be cherished. We should praise God daily and hourly for his Grace. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound !!! My chains are gone, I’ve been set free. My God my savior has ransomed me !!! Praise God, praise God, praise God, praise God !!!

Comment on The Source by TJ Bloom

TJ Bloom — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:40:35 +0000

It’s so easy to disconnect from God when we are in the “good” and comfortable times in life. I’ve been guilty of this in my own life and God finally spoke to me through the work I do. I talk with people all the time about continuous improvement and we encourage them to sustain their efforts and not just use our training to fix situations. One time after speaking about this it occurred to me that I was using God the same way. If we stay connected and deepen our fellowship with Him during the smooth parts of life, He can continue to work out our faith through the Holy Spirit. This is how we mature and grow in our understanding. It took me a while to figure this out but I’m learning and I still press on (Philippians 3:14). Be blessed today!

Comment on High Cost by Fern Williams

Fern Williams — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:01:21 +0000

I read a book recently and I will steal a quote from it and paraphrase in response to what Pastor wrote about abandonment…
The real underlying flaw in our lives is that we don’t really think that God is good and that everything – that means, the ends, and all the processes of our individual lives – is all covered by God’s goodness, because if we did then while we might not understand what He is doing or asking we would trust Him and abandon everything for Him. And that trust only comes as a fruit of a relationship with Him in which we know we are loved by Him. He is not a self centered diety insisting on His own way. He is good and desires only what is best for us. And we do not realize that through guilt, condemnation, or coercion, only through a relationship of love.