The Meaning of the Stones – 1

The Meaning of the Stones – 1

Subject – God’s Faithfulness

By Rick Welborne

Joshua 4:1-7 (NKJV) ¹  And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying:
²  "Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe,
³  and command them, saying, 'Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests' feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.' "
⁴  Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe;
⁵  and Joshua said to them: "Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel,
⁶  that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?'
⁷  Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever." 

--The children of Israel came to the Jordan which had overflowed its banks and God said He was about to do wonders in the sight of Israel.

--The Lord also told Joshua that He would exalt him before the people as He had promised.

Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." 

--Today, I want to start a series of reminiscing, not about me, but about God and His faithfulness. Hopefully, we will see what these stones mean for Life Church and its future.

--To set up memorials in you and your kids’ lives, you will have to tell the stories over again and again. Remind them when they were saved, baptized, filled with Holy Spirit…get it in their spirit.

--I do apologize in advance to many of you who have heard these stories so many times but I believe it is important for our new folks to know how we got here.

1. Salvation.

--I was not raised in a Christian home and we only heard God’s name used in a cursing manner. There was much verbal and physical abuse. Not much love.

--Because of the situation at home, I began searching for fulfillment in other places. Insecurity was built into my DNA because of not feeling loved or wanted.

--I began to hang out with the wrong people and began to do things that had me in trouble with the law. I was introduced to drugs which almost took my life.

--I did go to church. I would break into a local church and use their telephone to call my girlfriend in another city. Of course, I had to use the pastor’s office. Felt cool and powerful.

--But something happened, God brought a man into my life who was a real Christian. Real Christians don’t let real sinners go to hell. Ronnie Chunn was filled with grace and truth.

Romans 5:20-21 (NLT2) ²⁰  God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
²¹  So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

--I was Ronnie’s assignment. Poor guy. He took much abuse. He had his whole church praying for me. His words were like a dagger to my heart. Such conviction.

John 16:7-8 (NKJV) ⁷  Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
⁸  And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

--Finally, I agreed to go to a revival service with him but only if he promised to leave me alone. I wanted to live for God but knew I couldn’t. The evangelist came after me.

Gal. 2:20 (NKJV) ²⁰  I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

--I was born again. My addictions were broken and I was totally set free. Three months later I was baptized with Holy Spirit power. I was witnessing to everyone. Oh, what freedom!

--Stones were being set up in my life, all of which I could go back and remember with thankfulness.

2. The Calling

--Growing up with a horrible speech impediment, the desire to preach or pastor was never on my radar. All I knew was that I loved God with everything inside of me.

--About three months after being baptized with Holy Spirit I was at work (Paper Mill) and I was worshiping God. I remember where I was and what I was doing.

--Heading to the water fountain, I felt a tap on my shoulder. No one there. Then, again. No one there. After the third time, I said Lord, if it is you, I am listening. Remembered Samuel.

1 Corinthians 9:16 (NKJV) ¹⁶ … woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

--I broke down and began to weep because I knew God had called me to preach. Like Moses, I told Him He could do much better. I knew I had to do God’s will.

--When things get difficult in ministry, I go back to this memorial boulder and remind God of His calling and remind myself to trust God because of it.

--A confirmation. After God called me (I had only told a few people) I was sitting on the front pew praying and asking God what these stones mean and a man approached me.

--I was sitting on the back pew praying and God spoke to me and told me to tell you, if you want to go to Bible School, I will pay your way. He walked away. What? Another stone.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV) ⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight.

--I quit the paper mill, left my house with $37, while my dad was cussing at me and hitting me through my car window. I heard someone say:

--“Being right in the center of God’s will is the safest place to be.” No, ask the martyrs. Being right in the center of God’s will is the best place to be. Not necessarily the safest.

--By the way, the Christian life is not always easy. The man died before he sent any money to the school.

Isaiah 43:15-16 (NKJV) ¹⁵ I am the LORD, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King."
¹⁶  Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea And a path through the mighty waters, 

--God will make a way where there seems to be no way. Again, though it was difficult, I went to work and the school helped with scholarships. What do these stones mean?

3. A Heart for Missions.

--Bastrop First Assembly of God was the church I was saved in and where I was introduced to missions. Our pastor and his wife often went on mission’s trips and we had guest missionaries.

--It made sense to me that if God cared enough to save me, I should care about seeing others saved. No one had to tell me to witness to my friends & co-workers. I had to tell them.

--The pastor kept talking about Faith Promises and the Great Commission. I remember my first FP. It was for $5 a month. That was above my tithe. To this day I have never questioned tithing and missions.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV) ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
²⁰  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Romans 10:13-15 (NKJV) ¹³ For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
¹⁴  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
¹⁵  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? 

--These were memorial stones set up early in my Christian journey. Obviously, they are still there. Fast forward and now I am the youth pastor for the pastor who planted missions in my heart. 

--We started going on mission’s trips. Preparing for the night service I am praying, seeking God, and begging Him to let me be a missionary. The atmosphere changed. Another memorial stone.

--God spoke to me, “You will go back to the states and you will eventually become a lead pastor. Your job will be to make that church a great mission’s church.” Just be faithful.

--In 1988 we come to Fruitland Park to help Tricia’s brother move into his house. When we were leaving to go home, we were crossing over the Picciola bridge…God spoke again.

--I knew we were coming here to be the YPs. Six months later we were here. Two years later, Milton Dykes resigns to become a District official. Shortly after, we are voted in as lead pastors.

--I will be the first to admit that I had no idea how to pastor a church. One thing a did know, one of my memorial stones given to me by God was to make this a great mission’s church.

--The first big event we planned with Margaret Belew (Mission’s Director) was a mission’s convention. We started adding more and more missionaries every year. God was in it.

--Nine missionaries became 237 and a ten thousand dollars a year budget became close to a half million dollars. 

Matthew 16:18 (NLT2) ¹⁸ Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

--Jesus is the greatest memorial stone and He has become our chief cornerstone. What do these stones mean? Souls for God’s Kingdom.

Fasting for 2026

Fasting for 2026

Subject – Believing God for Miracles

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV)
¹  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
²  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
³  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 

--In just a few days we will be starting our 21 days of fasting and prayer. How many of you want a better year than 2025? A year of miracles.

--You can fast however the Lord leads you but I want all of us to fast and pray to see the great things God has planned for us. How many of you need for God to come through for you?

--January 4 we will be starting our Annual Week of Prayer. 6:00 PM Sunday night and 7:00 PM Monday thru Friday. Plan to meet with us and pray.

--Our kids are here today and I want to challenge them to fast too. Not like my Stephanie. What are you going to fast? Chocolate ice cream. Good. Yes, I like strawberry.

--Pray and ask God what He wants you to do. Maybe a complete fast for three days and then, the Daniel Fast the rest of the time. A Daniel Fast is no meat, no sweets, and no bread. Fruits and veggies. 

--When we fast I hope we are not just looking at fasting as a way to lose some weight even though that can be one of the benefits. My friend in Lakeland fasted three days every month. Was not a believer.

--Please understand that our purpose in praying and fasting is mainly about drawing as close to Jesus as we can and learning to crucify our flesh. Pray and fast for others.

Romans 14:7 (NLT2) ⁷ For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves.

--If you will have a good year in 2026 it will happen because you make certain choices. The first is to obey the Word of God. We must be disciples. We must be disciplined. What does that look like?

1. Look to Jesus

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) ²  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…

--I particularly like NIV with this verse because there is the implication that something isn’t right with where we are looking for our help.

--I have said many times through the years that your job or your family is not your source, Jesus is.

--If 2026 is going to be a better year and if you are going to lay aside some bad habits, get rid of sin, or, see miracles, the first place you should look is to Jesus. He is your source. 

--Here is a novel idea for all of us when we are facing adversity, bad habits, or just blatant sin, why not take it to Jesus because He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith? One of my life verses:

Philippians 1:6 (NIV) ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

--Why not…why not make a true resolution before God that you will make it your aim for 2026 to always go to Jesus in prayer with your needs and problems. He is Lord.

Resolution – a settled determination.

--How simple yet profound is that? You make a settled determination in 2026 that whatever you are facing, that you look to Jesus. You fix your eyes on Jesus.

--Jesus taught us to pray and He even gave us a pattern of how to pray…just as a reminder:

 Matthew 6:9-15 (NKJV) ⁹  In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
¹⁰  Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹  Give us this day our daily bread.
¹²  And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
¹³  And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
¹⁴  "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
¹⁵  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 

--Brief summary when you pray…worship God, pray for His will to be done, ask for what you need, ask for forgiveness, ask for deliverance from the enemy, and simply forgive others.

--Until you realize Jesus is your source and that you need to look to Him, you will always be struggling. Jesus wants to be first. God always wants the first and the best from us. First 21 days.

2. Look to His Word.

--We all say that we believe the Bible is God’s Word. We say it is relevant for whatever we are facing. We say every need I have is answered in the Word of God. Yet we do not go to it very often.

--I was talking to someone not very long ago about working out and about losing or maintaining their weight and I told them I weigh myself every morning and every evening.

--They quickly said to me that I could never do that because some days I would be happy with myself and some days I would be disgusted. I said to them, “Isn’t that the point of looking at the scales?”

--They said, I am confused. I said to them if I weigh myself in the morning and see that I am up a pound or two more than I was the previous day, I can manage or plan my day to do better.

--I said, if I do not look at the scale day after day, I may be getting further and further away from what my intended goal is. Sometimes looking hurts. Truth hurts but also truth sets you on the right path.

--If we are looking to the Author of our faith we must assume that He has written something. The Word of God. That can help us and we must look at it every day.

James 1:22-25 (NKJV)
²²  But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
²³  For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
²⁴  for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
²⁵  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

--James says so much here about our lives and our capability in laying aside the weight and the sin which so easily entangles us. He definitely ties it to the Word of God.

--He says coming to church and hearing a sermon will never be enough. He gives a warning to us. Just hearing occasionally may bring deception instead of freedom. Wow that is crazy.

--If we just hear and do not do what it says it is like looking in a mirror and forgetting what we look like. Hear James… he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 

--It is like looking at that scale in the morning and saying, you know what I am up a few pounds but I am having pizza for lunch and ice cream for dinner…yummy! I can’t say this better than James:

James 1:25 (NKJV) ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

--If God instructs us in His Word to fast and pray. We should fast and pray with purpose.

Isaiah 58:6-9 (NIV) ⁶ "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
⁷  Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
⁸  Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
⁹  Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. 

3. Be Disciplined.

--Let’s face reality…we don’t lose weight or get in shape because we are not disciplined. We want the easy way. Take a pill and chill. Sadly, it does not happen like that. Maybe temporary help.

--Also, you will not lay aside the weight or the sin that entangles you unless you are disciplined enough to go to Jesus in prayer and fasting. Also, to His Word that brings freedom.

--We hate the word discipline when all of us know that we are called to be disciples. Go into the world and make disciples. Instead we have raised up a lot of baby Christians.

Hebrews 12:5-8 (NLT2)
⁵  And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you.
⁶  For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
⁷  As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?
⁸  If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 

--I truly believe God is more than willing to do His part, He is just waiting on our obedience.

--In 2026 we are facing transition and change. How can we not fast and pray? If you want God’s will to be done and for miracles to happen, join with us in 21 days of fasting and prayer.

Isaiah 58:9-11 (NIV) ⁹ Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
¹⁰  and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
¹¹  The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. 

Poem…What’s Up!

What’s Up?

Pastor Rick Welborne

The world says “Give up!”

Your friends say “Break up!”

God says there is coming a “Shake up!”

Paul says we better “Wake up!”

Preachers are saying to the church “Grow up!”

If you can’t speak life and revival “Shut up!”

Those who believe are “Going up!”

You stay like you are and God is going to “Throw up!”

My message to you is to “Look up!”

You need to grow in the Lord and “Stay up!”

He’s not going to take the “Fake up!”

So please get rid of your spiritual “Make up!”

Get your heart right and get ready to be “Caught up!”

Because all of us who love God are “Headed up!”

So as your pastor, I thought I would let you know 

“What’s up!”

This Is Christmas

This Is Christmas

Subject – God’s Indescribable Gift to Us

By Rick Welborne

2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV) ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

--What gift is the Apostle Paul talking about here?  Keep in mind the Bible was not written in chapters…translators did that hoping it would help us understand better. Go back to chp.8.

2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 

--This is Christmas…this story…this message… this act of love…this is Christmas!

--Jesus was in heaven with the Father, He came to earth and was born as a baby in a manger (in a feeding trough). Anyone remember these homemade feeding troughs?

--One of my many jobs as a kid was “slopping the hogs”. We didn’t have fancy feeds like they have now. We kept a bucket in the kitchen for the leftovers. Nasty!

--The hogs were quiet anxious to eat the slop. I have a scar on the back of my leg where one of the hogs bit me. This was the kind of thing God’s indescribable gift was born in. What humility.

--He was rich but He became poor so that He could reach us with this wonderful gift. We try to use the gospel as a means of becoming rich. Where is our humility.

--Wait a minute, Preacher, are you saying that God sent His Son, His only Son to this earth to be born, to suffer, and to die as a gift for us…was Jesus ok with this plan?

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
¹  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
²  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
³  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

1. This is Christmas – God with Us.

--The Angel speaking to Joseph in a dream:

Matthew 1:20-23 (NIV) ²⁰  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
²¹  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
²²  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
²³  "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." 

--This is Christmas and this blows our minds…God the Father in His great love sent Jesus His only Son to come to this earth for us so we can be saved. This is Christmas!

--So many think that Christmas is all about getting the latest greatest gift. The latest I-phone. We are sad when the next new one comes out. 

--Our new car is new only one year. Until the next new style or model comes out. When will we learn that Christmas is and should be about Jesus. This is Christmas.

--My heart was so empty until I met Jesus and received Him as Lord and Savior. He brought life to a dead man.

John 10:10 (NKJV) ¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

--Jesus came to save us but was rejected by many but as many as received Him, He gave them the power to become the sons of God!  This is Christmas!

--Hebrews said, for the joy set before Jesus He endured the cross with all its brutality, shame, and even died a criminal’s death. He must love us so much!  This is Christmas. So when we say:

2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV) ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

--We are talking about God the Father giving you the most indescribable gift ever…This is Christmas!

--You know what would be sad…even rude…is today to tell God I do not want your gift. He has given the best gift ever known to mankind…salvation thru His Son Jesus Christ!

--Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

--Today is your day and now is your time! Please, do not walk out the doors of this church while God is dealing with your heart. This is Christmas! Accepting His indescribable gift.

--Imagine God with us. More important for you…God with you. What an indescribable gift. This is Christmas. The greatest gift ever.

2. This is Christmas – The Light Has Come.

--This is definitely Christmas that the light has come. None of us like when the electricity goes out during a storm. How excited we get when the lights come back on.

John 1:1-14 (NKJV)
¹  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
²  He was in the beginning with God.
³  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
⁴  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
⁵  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
⁹  That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
¹⁰  He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
¹¹  He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
¹²  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
¹³  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
¹⁴  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 

--What greater gift could any of us receive? God’s only Son came to give us light and life. Jesus is the Light and the life of man.

--I love verse 12. The Light Jesus came into the world and as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

--What an indescribable gift! We were walking in darkness with no hope until the Light of Jesus love came into our lives.

--Preacher, I was raised in a Christmas home so I have always been good. It does not matter if you were raised on the streets or were raised in Billy Graham’s home: You need Jesus.

Romans 3:23-24 (NKJV) ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
²⁴  being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

3. This is Christmas – No More Darkness

Isaiah 9:2&6 (NKJV) ² The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
⁶  For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

--A.W.Milne sailed to the New Hebrides in the South Pacific knowing that the missionaries before him were martyred by the headhunters there.

--Imagine loving the light of God’s love so much and loving this indescribable gift that you would be willing to go to a foreign land where the missionaries before you were martyred. 

--Milne had already found the indescribable gift and he was content with knowing this is Christmas, not only receiving the indescribable gift but sharing it with others.

--Milne did not fear for his life because he had already died to himself. He lived among the people there for 35 years and loved them. They buried him in the middle of their village.

Milne’s Tombstone – When he came there was no light. When he left there was no darkness.

--Wouldn’t it be great if we were known as a church that pushes back the darkness and shares God’s indescribable gift.

--This would truly be Christmas.