Thorns????????

Good morning friends. It has been a very busy week so far and I have to work the whole weekend. But, what can you say momma needs a new pair of shoes (flip flops too!). I would like to share with you a little from my sermon Wednesday night. We have all heard the parable of the four soils. If not check it out in Mark 4. Well, I truly believe that the majority of churchgoers are the thorny soil. I know that is hard to hear and you are probably thinking about not reading the rest but, read on and I will explain. Let's dig into the good stuff......

Bible Verse: Mark 4:3-9 "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

When I say we are like the thorny soil. I don't say the with a lite heart. I say it with a heavy heart because I worries me. I used to have thorns all around me and I still have thorn bushes sprout up overnight. So, what are the thorns in our lives. Maybe money, sin, our favorite ball team, possible commitments that we make, or maybe activities. See, we want a relationship with Christ and then we want to pile all the other stuff on top. And we wonder why our relationship with God doesn't grow. Duh! it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. Someone asked me "Tony, can the devil use good things to distract us from God?" Boy, he sure can. I think he is becoming very good at it too!

I must ask you a question. Was there a time in your life that you were more in love with Jesus than right now? You prayed more? You went to church more? You felt God more? You read your Bible more? So, what has changed? Know this, God has not changed. He is the same now and always will. He loves you! Examine yourself and see what has changed. Now, let's get to work to fix it. Let's get rid of the thorns. I pray you have a blessed day, I love you, and God bless.

A bridge out ahead..........

Good morning everyone! I had a great night last night. One of the youth was sharing his first message. This young man is feeling a calling on his life and is in much prayer to what it is but, he did know that he must share the gospel with others. So, with an invite from his friend Damarcus to use his house. The ball was rolling. A group of youth met last night and TJ Laws shared his first message. He shared on the 10 virgins in Matthew 25:13. If you are not familiar with the story read it if you are and haven't read it in a while check it out. Look at the trimming of the wick. We explored that last night. Over all it was a great night. I am proud of TJ and of the youth that supported him. There were three different churches their.

On another note, I had someone ask me about my devotions yesterday. First, I must tell you that I do not have an original thought in my mind. They have all came from life, books, past sermons, devotions, mentors, situations, or just plain ole' pain that I have gone through. I try to share a devotion/blog that is short, sweet, and relevant to the stuff we are dealing with. I hope they touch your life as they do mine while I collect info, write, or borrow something I have read. This took me back to a sermon that I preached last year. Let's dig into the scripture...

Bible Verse: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Just as the people that wrote the Bible were inspired by God to write the different books or I like the term "Divinely Inspired". We as men sometimes try to dissect it and miss the value of the Bible. We sometimes don't see it's purpose. The purpose is to equip us to do good work and to strengthen our faith through studying God's Word. The same for my devotions/blog. They are to help us with everyday troubles, hardships, and maybe prepare us for an upcoming battle. If I know the bridge is out ahead and I fail to tell you. Is it partly my fault you drive off? I feel it is. So, I just wanted to share that Tony Ruff is a pretty normal person that has had a lot of different life experiences and a ton of hardships. It really helps me to share them and above all, these devotionals help me to be in the Word even more and that it what is most important. I hope they bless you as they have me to write them. Have a great day, I love you, and God bless.

"The Gates"...........

Good morning everyone! A day off.....Hopefully, I get caught up on some much needed studying and house work. I have a good question for ya. What is up with all the craze about vampires and werewolves? Have you seen "The Gates"? Let's talk about this subject for a bit and dig into the good stuff.

Bible Verse: Matthew 16:13-18 When Jesus came into the region of Caeserea, Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

This is the view of "The Gates" It is Nestled inside a private mountain community. It kind of shows the image of suburban bliss, each street is lined with perfectly manicured homes protected by the massive iron gates, but there is a dark and delicious secret that is buried just beneath the surface of this "perfect" neighborhood.

So, what is the secret behind The Gates? There are vampires and werewolves...where could they get an original idea like that??? And there are other creatures too! And based on what I've seen so far, this shows title probably should have been Desperate House Witches at Twilight .

Aannnnywaaayyy... The Gates is really an interesting journey into the 'things are not what they seem' category, and I'm sure most of us can relate to the theory that behind those big fences of the super-rich gated communities are beastly creatures and unruly behavior like people that let their grass grow too long or leave their massive boats parked in front of their McMansions.

I can definitely see why there is an interest in The Gates and Twilight not only for people who can't get enough fang and fur fixes during the week, but also for those interested in drama and battles in the supernatural.

Personally, I don't need a television series for that, because I live it every day. No, I'm not surrounded by vampires and werewolves. But there are very real and very dangerous conditions that exist just beyond my ability to physically see. But I witness the results every day. I may not live in The Gates, but I am fighting against 'the gates'. Which is why things in my life and yours are definitely not what they seem.

Do not misunderstand this devotion. We are at war with the devil and his army of demons. Don't be afraid to draw the line in the sand. Realize that you are at war with an unseen enemy sometimes. Stand on The Rock and the enemy will not prevail against you. That is a promise from Jesus Himself. Armor up! Have a great day, I love you, and God bless.

Puzzle pieces.........

Hello everyone! I hope you are ready for the weekend. We are taking 52 on a Youth Purity Retreat this weekend. Please keep us in your prayers. My daughter Joslyn and I were putting a puzzle together the other day and it reminded me of a story. But, I must ask you this one question first. How do you figure all the pieces of life out? Do they all fit together? Let's dig into the good stuff and find out........

Bible Verse: Psalm 139:23 "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts."

OK see there was this little boy and he had a jigsaw puzzle that had a map of the world on one side and a picture of a man on the other. His mom asked him to try to put it together, and before long he had put the puzzle together. The mother was super surprised to see that the little dude knew so much about geography. "How in the world did you do that?" she said to the little dude.
"Mom," he said, "I worked the other side first. When I got the man right, the world was right." Wow, how true that is! We will never fix this world until we get the man right. The Man Jesus Christ, that is. When we get our relationships right with the Lord. It seems like everything else will start falling into place. All the pieces start to fit. Have you looked around lately? I have always heard the statement "The world is going to hell in a hand basket". Well, I think it is on the express train and the next stop is the fiery furnace. Let's get the pieces together but, start with The Man first! Listen, I know there are things in this world confusing you these days? Turn to the Lord and trust Him to make sense of what you don't understand. I pray you have a blessed day, I love you, and God bless.

A ducks back.......

Good morning everyone! Well, I worked my last midnight shift this week and I am off for a few days. I know I have been talking about the church lately and I want you to know that times will not always be easy at any church. Not mine, not yours, not any church. Every church will have storms it goes through. I have seen it at every church that I have attended and have heard so many talk about it. But, here is the thing. What do we do about it? We must first realize that God has a plan and makes a way. Let's dig into the good stuff.

Bible Verse: Psalms 18:2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

This is a poem that I read and I want to share it with you. If something is ever perfect I would probably question it. We must hunker down and ride it out!

I think that I shall never see
A church that's all it ought to be.
A church whose members never stray
Beyond the straight and narrow way.

A church that has no empty pews
Whose pastor never has the blues.
A church whose deacons always deak
And none are proud and all are meek.

Where gossips never peddle lies
Or make complaints or criticize
Where all are always sweet and kind
And all to others' faults are blind.

Such perfect churches there may be
But none of them are known to me.
But still I'll work and pray and plan
To make our church the best I can.

I guess I would ask you if you do the last to lines of this poem. Do you? Or are you sitting and soaking. Maybe complaining when someone doesn't treat you like you think they should. Are you in the middle of a storm? Put on God's armor and become battle tested. We should remember the story of water on a ducks back. We are making a difference for eternity. We must not forget that. We must push through and on with God's business. I pray you have a blessed day, I love you, and God bless.

Soldier Up......

Hello friends! Well, I just got home from work and am trying to get my devotion done before I crash. I was asked by a good friend of mine last week to go see a national geographic documentary about the war in Afghanistan. The name of the movie was "Restrpeo" and it is playing only at Downtown West in Knoxville. Well, I was thinking the soldiers were taking orders from their commanding officer. They didn't know the whole plan of the battle or what was ahead at times but, their commanding officer did. That brings me to digging into some of the good stuff today!

Bible Verse: Psalms 18:39 For You have armed me with strength for battle: You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

Listen, Jesus found it necessary to have defined and sometimes long periods of fellowship or time alone with His Father. Who could be busier than Jesus? His day was filled from morning to night, speaking to crowds, healing, traveling and training His boy's (The Disciples). Yet He found it necessary and very important to have time alone with God...

I know you have heard people say the Christian life is compared to a soldier in battle. He is out on the front lines but is connected with his commanding officer by radio. He calls and tells of the conditions, problems, and what he is he is facing. Then his commanding officer, who from his vantage point can see the entire battle area and has the battle plan relays instructions. The same way we Christian's share our joys and sorrows, our victories and defeats, and our needs, as God instructs and guides us through His Word.

It is our heavenly Father who directs our battle of life. He knows the steps we should take. We must take the time to go to Him for guidance." We must be humble and willing to listen. If we go it alone or without orders. We might just fall flat on our faces. So, let's be good soldier's and solider up! Have a great day, I love you, and God bless.

Just like you........

Good morning! I just got off work and I am fixing to crash for a while. Trying to tie up some loose ends for the Doe River Youth Retreat. I have been thinking about something and I would like to share it with you. Remember, I usually don't sugar coat things! Do you go to church? What kind of a member are you? Are you a member? If not, Why? Let's dig into some good stuff and get a little deeper.

Bible Verse: Ezekiel 36:27-28 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.

I have heard people say I don't believe in organized religion. Well, I agree I don't like religion myself. But, I love being a part of a body of believers. A small part of that is making a difference for God. Let me ask you this. What if there was a congregation in which every member was just like you. Each one helped and supported every church program just the way you have been doing. Everyone worked as hard and attended the same services and church stuff as you do. The leaders, helpers, and the preachers were all as interested in the church as you are at this time. They put the same emphasis on their recreation, business, and other material stuff that you do. Each member gave to the church as you are giving. Within a year or so, what would this congregation look like....

Guy's, I have to be real with ya. This scares me for the future of the world. There are so many out there that are on the fast track to hell. We are the church. We are the body of believers. Let's take the church to a new level. Let's be difference makers. I pray you have a great day, I love you, and God bless.

Don't see so good.........

Good morning guys and gals! I hope everyone is having a fabulous week. I was behind a weed eater for over 4 hours yesterday and I am burnt! But, got all the week eating done. Yea!!! Last night at church our pastor preached about Gods voice to Elijah in 1 Kings 19 and do we listen to it. Do we see God? Let's dig into some of the good stuff and see what it shows us.

Bible verse: 1 Kings 19:11-13 Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

A lot of you may already know but, I spent all of my teenage years on a farm in Oakdale, TN. We had horses, cows, goats, chickens, turkeys, and rabbits. Well, I have to tell you a great story. A man came by the house looking for a horse for his daughter's birthday gift when he saw beautiful white mare standing in the top pasture. This man said that he would give us $500 for the horse. My dad replied, "I don't know partner, it don't look so good," and walked away.

The next day that same man came back and offered us $1000 for the mare. My dad said, "I don't know mister, it don't look so good." On the third day that man came back and offered us $2000 for the horse, and said he wouldn't take no for an answer. My dad said alrighty then, and the man took the horse home.

The man's daughter loved her present. She climbed onto the horse, then galloped right into a tree. That man was mad and rushed back over to our house, demanding an explanation for the horse's blindness. My dad replied, "I told you it don't look so good." Now, I must tell you before you read on that this story is totally fictional and if you are reading this send me a message. But, in reality. Often times as Christians we also don't look so Good. We have trouble seeing God in the events of our lives. We often look at things through a worldly personal perspective, through eyes of flesh rather that trying to see things as God sees them. When we fail to see things through God's eyes the results can often be worse than running into a tree, yet we still insist. Just like Elijah was listening to the earthquake, wind, and fire. And he went back to the cave to hide. Even after God told him to go! We must listen and see God and get to work. Have a great day, I love you, and God bless.

Christianity-Lite?????????

Good morning friends. We have had a real busy last few days with a lot going on. I have so much on my mind that I want to share with you guys. I wonder sometimes if I am too strong with my words or if I don't polish them enough. Then, I realize that God lays things on my heart for a reason. If you know Tony Ruff at all you know that I have never been one to keep my mouth shut. It used to get me in trouble with people. But, my heart is different know and the stuff is not of this world. The things I try to talk about now are of a more eternal nature. Let's talk about some hard things that have been on my mind. Put your seat belt on and let us dig into some of the good stuff.

Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Do you go to church? Why? Do you go to hear God's Word? Do you go because your just supposed to? Do you go because the rest of your family goes? Do you dread going on Sunday mornings? Do you find reasons to miss on Wednesday nights? What is church to you? I think that church has become just one avenue to help keep me accountable to God. I have lived too long in my life doing work and things for MYSELF! Being very selfish. Now, I feel I have some making up to do. There are lots of churches all over whatever area you live in. So, how do you pick one? First, you should pray that God leads you to a church that you can be fed at through Gods Word. Then, a church that you can grow and serve in. A church of love. Love not just for its members but, for sharing the gospel with a lost and dying world. A church of love. Then, when you find this church. You must serve God in some fashion. God has given you a gift of some sort. Use it or lose it! Listen, don't get discouraged when you start to serve and don't see any results. Do the work know that it WILL have eternal results.

Now, let's go back to the church. Let's examine ourselves and our place of worship. Is it a place where the worship is a time to be entertained. Where the tithe is whatever change you have in your pocket. Where the message is something to make you feel good about yourself. Where the hymn of commitment is "I Surrender Some." Where Instead of "Standing on the Promises" we are merely sitting in the pew or on the chair. Do you have Christianity? Or Christianity-Lite?

I know today's devotion is a non-polished one and I will not apologize for what God has laid on my heart. Let's not play church. Let's set our feet on solid ground and get to work. There are 150,000 people that die every 24 hours. How many of those are lost and now spending eternity in that place of torment called "hell"? Charles Spurgeon once said "If they are going to go to hell, let them have to step over me and pull away from me while I am pleading with them to come to Christ"! Find your place of worship, get to work, have some eternal results! Even one person that accepts Christ as their Savior causes the angels to sing! Have a great day, I love you, and God bless!