Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Free Fall


Do you feel as though your life is caught in a free fall?   Don't be discouraged! These are the times that build your faith. Take a look at the video below from Tauren Wells on how these moments in your life are the best time to trust God.







Tauren Wells is the lead singer of the band, Royal Tailor. He serves as the Creative Director for Royalwood and is also on the youth staff. He loves interacting with students and building relationships. Follow Tauren on Twitter.

Friday, January 18, 2013

What Does God Want From Us?




I tweeted the other day that the fig tree was cursed because it did not produce and that we needed to be productive in this new year of 2013 for His kingdom!  This really got me wondering what God really expects from us.  I think we all struggle with what is good and acceptable, what is our reasonable service, what we are doing with our talents, and to whom much is given, much is required. 

So, what is required from us in our walk with God?

The first rendering of Jesus cursing the fig tree is in Matthew.  He is walking along hungry and sees a fig tree with no fruit on it and curses it by saying, “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever.”  And then the fig tree withers away right before the disciple’s eyes.  The fig tree looked good because the scripture said that it had leaves on it.  It looked alive and healthy but it was not doing what it was made to do and that was to reproduce the fig.

The second rendering of the fig tree being cursed, Jesus is speaking in a parable and the dresser of the vineyard has looked for fruit on the fig tree for 3 years and he finds none.  He says, “Cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground?”  In other words, why are we letting this take up space and use good soil?   This is pretty hard hitting to us as born-again Christians!

I don’t think we have to expound on this!  It seems to me to be pretty plainly spoken.  We may look like a Christ-follower but we cannot only be a hearer of the Word, we must be a doer! 

How can I be a doer?  We can be fruitful by telling people about the goodness of the Lord and compelling them to come in but also by using our talents in our churches.  Is there a Sunday school class that needs a teacher?  Does our church have enough greeters to give a smile and welcome new guests into the house of God?  Does the media team have enough people to help make our webcast the best it can be and minister to people that may never walk through our church doors?  Does the children’s ministry need help to make sure our children grow up to live for the Lord?  Does the choir and praise team need others to help create an atmosphere for guests to receive the Lord?  What about ushers, connect team, sound team, youth workers, bus ministry, hospital visitation, teaching Bible studies, mentoring and counseling, or the follow-up team who continues to call the people who have visited the church?  I could go on and on about things that need to be done.  All of these things work together to help bring people to God. 

Jesus really does not give us a choice in this!  We must reproduce!  I will leave you with this scripture.   In Col. 1:10 it says, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”  I challenge you to find a place in your church that you can work for His Kingdom that “ye might walk worthy of the Lord and please Him.”









Jeanna Macey is married to Pastor Ron Macey. She is the Chorale Director for Royalwood and serves as Advisor to Royalwood's various ladies ministries. Follow Jeanna Macey  on Twitter 

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Royalwood in the Community: Tauren Wells






On  December 21st, Family Christian Academy in Houston invited Royalwood’s own Tauren Wells to sing at their Christmas Assembly. 

Tauren, who is the lead singer of Royal Tailor, performed acoustic versions of their Grammy nominated album, “Black and White.”  His wife and Royalwood’s Praise & Worship leader, Brittany also joined Tauren on stage to perform a Christmas carol as the duo “Hearts and Crafts.”

Tauren & Brittany Wells
“Royalwood has several students that attend Family Christian Academy so it was a special treat to be able to perform for them as well as their classmates.” said Tauren. He was also able to share about his own experiences in both private and public school. “I wanted them to know that we have to always be aware of the fact that as Christians, we are making an impact on our peers whether we realize it or not.”

When asked why Student Ministry has a special place in his heart, Tauren said, “It’s simple. I enjoy getting out into the community and sharing hope with others.” Get to know Tauren by following him on Twitter. Make sure to check out Royal Tailor and Hearts and Crafts on Twitter as well!


www.royalwood.cc

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Royalwood Welcomes The Parkers






Royalwood is excited to have Chad & Angela Parker as the Anthem Student Ministers!

Chad and Angela are both from East Texas. Chad has a Bachelor of Social Work from Stephen F. Austin State University and Master of Science in Social Work with a clinical focus from the University of Tennessee. He also currently holds a Texas license as a Licensed Master Social Worker. Angela is currently pursuing Business degree and is looking forward to the completion of that goal in the future.

The Parkers served several years as the Christian Education Directors for Pastor Nathan Scoggins at Cornerstone UPC in Lufkin, TX, then moved to Tupelo, MS to begin their tenure at Tupelo Children’s Mansion. While at TCM, God blessed the Parker’s with 3 boys. Their oldest son, Chris (21), currently lives in Arkansas; Ben (20) is a member of the Mississippi National Guard and currently lives in Mississippi; and Kaedon (7) is busy being the “cutest kid ever”.

The Parkers are more than excited about their new roles with The Pentecostals at Royalwood, and are already convinced that they serve the greatest students on earth.

Get to know the Parkers more! Click here to follow Chad on Twitter and here to follow Angela. Visit Anthem Student Ministries to learn more about the great things we have going on!


www.royalwood.cc


Wednesday, January 9, 2013

The Snare of Shallowness


And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand
                                                                                     Mathew 7:26

When you hear the sayings of the Lord and you “do” them, you are like a man who built his house on the rock.

The reason people build their life on the sand instead of the rock is because they “consult appearance instead of reality.”  A house on the sand looks like a house on the rock, but it’s not the same.  The house on the sand will not stand in a storm.

There are those who seek the heights of godliness but shun the depths of self-denial.  Whatever is not built upon God and His foundation will not stand the test of time.  Don’t be satisfied with appearing to be right…..you must be right!

The second reason why some build on the sand instead of the rock is ”a focus on speed instead of thoroughness.”  A sower of seed can lose his crop if he fails at planting at the right depth.  Anything worth having will require a digging down for a sure foundation.

In 2013, we must make sure that we are building on a firm foundation.  Don’t be led away by quick success and easy beliefism - you must be born again.

Let’s dig to bedrock during our sunshine days so that we “might make our calling and elections sure.”



Pastor Ron Macey has served as Pastor of Royalwood Pentecostal Church for 29 years. He has served in various capacities such as Sectional Youth Director of the United Pentecostal Church, Bible college instructor, and as a member on the Board of Directors for Texas Bible College. Pastor Macey is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Pentecom, a world-wide radio evangelism commission and  as Presbyter of Houston Metro East South Texas District. Pastor Macey has applied himself to in-depth Biblical study, committing 1600 scriptures to memory.


Saturday, January 5, 2013

A Strong Man


As men, from the early days of boyhood we have been fascinated, some even obsessed, with a singular achievement: strength. We will work all of our lives be strong. Whether it’s mentally, intellectually, physically, on the court or on the job, we want to be the best. The truth of the matter is, we can’t help it. It’s in our DNA. It’s the way God fashioned us. It’s why we like to wrestle and why we played games like “King of the Mountain”, “Cowboys and Indians” and “Cops & Robbers.” All of these are geared toward showing off our strengths, agility and ultimately our prowess.  It helps us measure and prove ourselves as men.

So the question is, do these traits of manhood translate to the spiritual man? Or better yet, should they?

I believe the answer is a resounding yes! Luke 11:21 says, "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:” Verse 22 says “But when a stronger man than he attacks and defeats him, the stronger man strips off that man's armor in which he trusted and then divides his plunder. So as men, we naturally are aware that we need to be as strong as possible, on guard at all times, so that one stronger does not defeat us. God in all of His wisdom made us perfect and in His own image. He designed us to strive to be the best, to naturally assume the role of Protector, Defender, Provider, and Hunter….ultimately a Leader. It’s why some of our favorite bible stories are of David, Sampson and even Goliath.

Up to this point, it all sounds good doesn't it? “Strong, mighty, protector and defender.”  It has a certain ring that appeals to us men. However, there is a stark reality that we all know and face. None of us are truly, completely and perfectly strong. Just like David, Sampson and Goliath we all have weaknesses. Areas in our lives we know we need to strengthen or work on. Inwardly, this knowledge constantly frustrates and hinders us in our walk with God. Outwardly, we just deny it or refuse to acknowledge it. We pretend we are strong and work hard to maintain the façade that all is okay simply because we don’t know how to handle our weakness.

We’ve been taught, straight out of the Handbook for Men, that you never show or admit weakness…right? WRONG! Paul said “for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”. Knowing and acknowledging where we need help is the first step towards a perfect strength. A physically strong man is a person who knows where he is weak and compensates for that weakness.

The best athletes in the world constantly work on and adjust their game, their approach. They’re not content or fooled by their own abilities. You’ll see it in the football player taping a bad ankle, a basketball player staying after practice to shoot free throws or a boxer working on his footwork in preparation for an opponent with a longer reach. Strong men do this every day. It’s what makes them champions.

A spiritually strong man does no less! He never ceases to work and challenge himself in the areas that he struggles in. He tells someone of his weakness and is accountable in those areas. He is wise enough to know that he needs help and humble enough to ask for it. He knows that if he falls, “the stronger man will strip off his armor”. The cost of losing is too great, too tragic for him to let pride get in the way or to worry about what someone may think. He understands the words of Proverbs 24:6 “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is safety.” Another interpretation says this - For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory.

 A very wise man once told me “true accountability strips the enemy of all his power.” This does not line up to our manly vision of victory that would show us standing on the battlefield, the enemy at our feet, with our sword raised for all the world to see. The reality is this only applies to books or daydreams. True victory over sin, over weakness, over darkness, is won together.

I’ll leave you with a favorite passage of mine, Hebrews 11:32-3:

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

These all were strong men, faithful men, whose weakness was turned to strength. My favorite part: "they became powerful IN the battle."  Not before the battle, not as a result of the battle but during the battle God gave them power. Keep fighting!




PJ Dial is a husband, father and servant of Christ. He grew up in Royalwood and is involved in several aspects of ministry including Praise & Worship, Anthem Student Ministries and currently serves on Royalwood's Board.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

A New Year's Promise For You




There are many people are making resolutions today. It seems as though it is what we do this time of year. A chance to examine the past year and plan to make positive changes in the new year. 

Unfortunately, we usually find that these resolutions don't last. Whether it's a broken promise to exercise more, be more positive, live better or pray more, we oftentimes find ourselves lacking and filled with disappointment.

We are  definitely not a perfect people and will always have struggles. But here's the good news: in 2 Corinthians 5:17, it says if we are in Christ, we are a new creature! And get this, all of the old things are passed away, forgotten, and gone because in Christ, "all things are new." That includes you. Now that is a New Year's Promise we can hold on to!

If you have endured disappointments and trials in 2012 and are anxious about what lies ahead, remember that God makes all things new!  Trust in Him and His promises for you. Not sure where to begin?  We want to invite you to Royalwood where you will find a church people who await to welcome you with love. May 2013 be filled with God's blessings!