August 25th 2020
David_Orr • August 25, 2020
Standing God’s Ground
STAND IN THE GAP!
They say “all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing” and it is true. It is also true that good people turning into evil people to fight evil just turns the world into evil.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. ' Proverbs 26:4-5 Satan’s OCD
God’s “OMNI’S”
God uses none of those ways but is always Rock Solid in His WAY. In Satan’s trying to twist and turn everything the wrong way God never is surprised or panics.
God is Omniscient
God’s plan has mapped every twist and turn that Satan could throw. It’s like a book already written where God already knows every sentence. Satan sees that he accomplished a victory against God but actually God has it mapped for Satan’s greater defeat. Remember I said Satan and his evil are like water that can flow only where it is possible. While I do not have the mentality or capability to handle that stress it is no stress to God. While I know next to nothing of what is going on around me; my God knows everything. Spiritual rationality then concedes I should just stand where God says because He KNOWS. God is Omnipresent
So – the Seraph Serpent Satan took advantage of Eve when Adam wasn’t looking and deceived her. Adam wasn’t there but God was because the universe cannot contain God: He is everywhere and knows all. So old “Adversary” got Eve to do what God did not want? Remember Satan is like water and God made the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
We panic because things seem to go contrary to our plans and we think our plan has to be God’s. Satan had easy work with me as a young Christian musician because everything had to be perfect. I once broke a string on my 12 string before a special and I put my guitar in the case. We think when things deviate that God is somehow no longer there: He promised to never leave nor forsake us. So we have to grab hold of that verse and understand that God’s plan is right on schedule – Keep Standing! God is Omnipotent
Satan looks at all the people he has destroyed and has yet to understand he has accomplished nothing. I know Satan saw God create most of creation because God does everything in perfect order. Satan was one of the three Archangels so he was created before the rest of everything. He saw all that and cannot allow the thought that God could have created him. He cannot give life to anything. When he tries to make it look like he did a creation will be indwelt by another creation to appear so. There has never been a deviation from God’s flow chart since before anything was.
If love is not a choice it really isn’t love – it’s programming a machine. For there to be a choice there has to be an adversary or an opposite choice. God created Satan good but allowed him the choice so every creation would have the choice to choose to Love.
So did God deceive Satan? No, Satan deceived Satan just as we deceive ourselves many times. Our faith takes a hit when plans don’t work or bring about what we didn’t expect: but God is still God. God is still El Shaddai – GOD ALMIGHTY! Be still and stand where He leads and watch and see the Salvation of the LORD!
Ridgecrest Blog
There’s a difference between walking near someone and walking with them. It's a difference you can feel. I don’t just want to walk beside my wife—I want to hold her hand, to wrap my arm around her, to stay close. And in the same way, God doesn't just want us to stroll behind Him at a safe distance. He wants us right next to Him. Closer than close. The Bible makes that clear—again and again. In fact, one of the most beautiful things is when the same truth is spoken in both the Old and New Testaments. That’s when we know God is driving a point home. Take James in the New Testament. He gives us four practical, life-changing steps that can draw us closer to God: Depend on the Savior Deny the devil Desire to sin less Delight in selflessness These aren’t just catchy phrases—they’re daily actions. They’re reminders that we’re not strong enough to live this life on our own. We need help. We need a Savior. And when we lean on Him, He promises to draw near to us. That message isn’t new. It echoes through Proverbs 3:5-7: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” This ancient wisdom from Solomon aligns perfectly with James. Why? Because truth doesn’t change. God's Word is living, consistent, and always calling us to take that next step closer to Him. Maybe you’re reading this and you feel distant from God. Maybe you’ve been walking on autopilot—doing the right things, going to church, saying the prayers—but deep down, you know there’s a gap. Here's the good news: If you’re not close to God right now, it’s not because He moved. He’s still there. Still waiting. Still inviting. “Draw near to me,” God says, “and I will draw near to you.” That word “draw” isn’t passive. It’s personal. In the original language, it carries the idea of reaching out and hugging someone. That’s the kind of closeness God wants. Not cold religion, but a warm relationship. An embrace. An arm around your shoulder. And if you’ve never experienced that before—if you’ve never known what it’s like to walk hand-in-hand with Jesus—it’s not too late. All you have to do is ask. Ask Him to forgive your sins. Admit you can’t save yourself. Believe that only Jesus can. He will meet you there. Every time. And if you’re already a believer? There’s still room to grow. Every single one of us could walk a little closer to Jesus than we did yesterday. None of us have arrived. And the beautiful part is—He’s not asking for perfection. He’s just asking for your heart. So today, let’s take those steps. Let’s depend. Deny. Desire. Delight. Let’s walk a little closer. Let’s hold His hand. And let’s never let go. Closing Thought: Wouldn’t it feel good to be hugged tight by Jesus? That’s not just poetic. That’s possible. Because He’s reaching out right now—waiting for you to reach back.
We are proud to share that Ridgecrest Baptist Church has been a part of the efforts supporting Together We Foster, an organization dedicated to serving the foster care community of Northeast Arkansas.
Welcome to Ridgecrest Baptist Church! We're thrilled to have you join us today for a time of worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth. Whether you're a long-time member or visiting for the first time, your presence enriches our community. Let's open our hearts to receive God's word and blessings together. Thank you for joining us at our VBS closing celebration! Today, our kids will receive certificates, perform a special song for parents, and enjoy a slideshow/video highlighting this week's exciting activities. Stick around after the service for a celebration meal with all families. Blessings,
Happy Father's Day! Welcome to Ridgecrest Baptist Church as we celebrate and honor all fathers today. Whether you're a father, a father figure, or celebrating with a father, we're delighted to have you join us for worship and fellowship. Let's take this opportunity to reflect on the blessings of fatherhood and the love of our Heavenly Father. May today's service uplift and inspire you! "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed." - Psalm 112:1-2 (ESV) Blessings,