LIFE LESSONS FROM MY FATHER
MY DAD (DR. RON PHILLIPS) WHEN HE WAS AROUND 32 YEARS OLD SHORTLY AFTER HE CAME TO CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH.
Father's Day is such a special time for so many of us. It is a time when we stop, pause, and give Honor to our Fathers. My Dad has been a mentor, friend, and pastor to me, but most of all he is my Dad. He is someone who I love and respect and will fight you over. Make no mistake about it. I love my parents. We have our differences, but they are the most giving and loving people I have ever met. Although I walk in my own anointing and have my own voice, my Dad will always be at my core.
I have seen my Dad preach to four major Christian denominations (SBC, AOG, COG, IPHC) at their largest conventions or Pastor's conferences. He has been around the world and blessed to see so much. I was with him when he met President Bush and preached at the Southern Baptist Convention. He has preached for John Hagee, Rod Parsley, Jentezen Franklin, Jerry Vines, Joel Osteen, Rodney Howard Browne, Jerry Falwell, Adrian Rogers, Perry Stone, and so many other great men and women of God around the world. I have been with him for most of his big moments. I've pretty much gotten to ride shotgun for most of his journey. It has been a tough road at times, but a blessed one nonetheless. I want to quickly give you the top 4 things my Dad has taught me. He has taught me hundreds of lessons, but I want to list the top 4 on this Father's Day weekend;
1) Faithfulness
He has taught me to be FAITHFUL. He has modeled faithfulness. He has challenged me to be Faithful in my love for Jesus Christ, his BODY (the local church), and his word. He has taught me to be Faithful to my Family, and in the little things that people don’t see everyday. My Father has withstood lies, attacks, threats, and every kind of religious junk you could ever face, but he just keeps being FAITHFUL to God and us. He has taught me that perseverance pays off when you go with God. I admire that!
2) Boldness
My Father will stand when it is time to stand. Dad has a short fuse and I have a long fuse, but mine is more explosive. Whenever I want to cower back and get concerned about the opinions of others, I think of him. He has never wavered from what he believed. He will not back down from God's word. He has stood for the Bible, the local church, and his family. He is a true scholar of God's word and knows how to stand against the demonic spirits that come after us. He taught me to stand for what I believe in and to not look back. I admire that!
3) Humility
Some people think my Dad is this arrogant and angry man. The people that think that don't know him personally. Maybe that is the way he has been portrayed at times, but nothing could be further from the truth. I mentioned earlier about some of the larger venues that he has preached in, but my Father preaches the same way to 15 people as he does to 15,000. He treats everyone the same. He loves helping churches and size/position has never been a big deal to him. My Dad has given his name and his life to the local church as a seed for it to grow. You won't find many pastors that would do that. For all that he has accomplished and that God has done through him in 50 years of ministry, he still has a child-like spirit. He still loves his sheep the best he can. He still gets excited when people get saved, baptized, and filled with the Spirit. He still cares about what is going on in the life of our church and God's kingdom. I admire that!
4) Loyalty
One of my Dad's friends once told me, "The great thing about Ron is he is loyal. The bad thing about Ron is he is loyal." I would have to agree. My Dad believes in everyone and has always tried to be loyal to his friends and our church. He would rather err on the side of Grace and Love, than to be quick to write someone off too soon. Sometimes loyalty will get us in trouble, but friendship, faithfulness, family, and faith are still things that matter to him. I admire that!
Father's Day is a tough time for many who have lost their fathers or didn't have one. I am praying for those of you who have lost your fathers or have never known the love of an earthly father. The Bible teaches us that God is our Father (Matthew 6 and Luke 6, 12, John 15:1-2).
He is the Father of the Fatherless and protector of widows (Psalms 68:5). He is a God that always welcomes his children home no matter what they've done (Luke 15). He is a God that loves us enough to chasten us and discipline us. He is a God that loves us (John 3:16, John 15) in our mess. He is truly our Abba Father this Father's Day and we are blessed to have access to him through his son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. (JN 14:7-11)
Nothing will fill the void in your life like a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you would like to begin your relationship with the Father, click on this link below to learn how. Please email me if you have questions.
http://www.ronniephillips.org/headlines-and-news/
Pray for us as we are leaving to Nicaragua with a team of 52 people tomorrow. We believe many souls will be saved and lives will be transformed this week. Consider going on a mission trip with me someday. The dream is real and there are churches to build and things to do in the USA and around the world! RPMI needs your help! Partner with us as God leads during these summer months!