I heard yesterday that 19 people have died of the Corona Virus so far in Duval County (Jacksonville, Florida). That is sad, especially for the families involved and I hate it,  I also heard that last week in our city alone, 75 unborn babies were aborted. No notice given to that by the people in political office or by the health professionals, all who want us to believe they care about human life and who are willing to shut down the economy and suspend our constitutional freedoms to avoid the needless loss of American lives. If you could find the statistics on how many babies were aborted since the Covid-19 pandemic has been going on world wide, I am sure the totals would far exceed the number of pandemic deaths.

If anyone bothers to do the math, it is clear that something is really wrong with modern man. He can justify destroying a thriving economy and trashing our freedoms to save a few lives from a virus, while at the same time forcing taxpayers to fund abortions at alarming rates. Could these seemingly unrelated events be somehow connected? How long can we play our self deceived games of pretending to care about lives and ignore the fact that we have departed from the living God to go after the god Molech (who demands that we sacrifice our children)? Millions serve this cruel god unwittingly, but adhere to his philosophy of death and genocide. In Scripture, God allowed pestilences (pandemics) to ravage populations because of their pagan practices. He even allowed the Canaanites (who worshipped Molech) to be destroyed or driven out of the land by the Israelites. He later sent plagues to turn the Israelites away from the same practices. I don't believe God's attitude toward those who murder innocent children has changed. When are we going to do the math and connect the evil that is happening in the world to our own unrepentant ways? God said He would heal our land if we who are called by His Name repent and turn from our wicked ways.
(2 Chronicles 7:14).

Just saying we are against this and other wicked practices is not enough. By remaining silent, we give consent. Christians must rise up and speak out against this evil.  By all means necessary, we MUST go to the polls and vote for those who support the unborn's right to live and vote out those who support abortion. If Christians do not vote on God's side of this issue, then we can only expect the obvious consequences. DO THE MATH!

MOLECH 

I was told again recently that my sermons would be a lot shorter if I would not use so much Scripture. Well, first of all, I LOVE the Scriptures! It is the Word of God that the Wise Man  said was more precious than gold or silver.(Proverbs 3:13-16). This is the Word that produces faith in us (Romans 10:17) which is important since we cannot please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6).  Secondly, my sermons are not long (25-45 minutes on average). If anything, I should increase the amount of Scripture in my sermons because so many people are woefully lacking in faith and truly ignorant of the Word of God. In fact, the great preachers (Jesus included) preached and taught for hours at a time. Once the Apostle Paul preached all night, stopping only briefly to raise a youth from the dead who fell asleep and fell out a window. He went on to preach until the sunrise the next morning. And lastly, in all humility, I don't really know much apart from the Word of God. I have made it my life's purpose to study the scriptures for in them I learn more about Jesus (John 5:39) and to preach the Word of God because that is what I was called of God to do way back when I was 16 years old. (2 Tim 4:2). I know that in order for people to be saved, they have to hear the Word preached (Romans 10:8) for faith to be present in them to be saved. Apart from the Holy Scripture, I am as ignorant as the rest of the lost world. (Romans 1;18)

Someone once asked me, "Don't you know anything apart from the Bible?" My answer is this, "since Jesus Christ is the source of all wisdom and knowledge, does it not make sense to start and finish with Him in all pursuit of truth?" (Colossians 2:3)

I just don't understand why anyone would think that I use too many Scriptures in my sermons!

Greg Davis, my friend of many years and a Pastor in the Florida Panhandle, passed to his eternal reward on Tuesday evening from a long time condition. He was a great man who loved life to the full. A wonderful family man and loving Pastor, he preached with power and energy in true Holy Ghost anointing. He was fun to watch! I can see him now shouting and dancing in Glory! Greg blessed me on many occasions with an encouraging word from the Lord. I will miss him but I am so happy that his struggle is over. Please keep his wife Tammy, children and church family in your prayers.

April 21, 2020 marks Cornerstone Church's 25th Anniversary (April 21, 1996) The picture above is from our 2020 Easter Service conducted outside in the parking lot due to the Covid-19 situation. Robert Fellows (who has been with us since our Broken Bow, Nebraska days ushered, and Don Fleming who has been with us since 1998 set up our sound system to play through car fm radio. We had a great time, though unusual and a little awkward. 

My family and I moved to Jacksonville in July 1995 from Broken Bow, Nebraska to assist Pastor Larry Easton and International Christian Center who were going through one of the worst situations a church can endure. After almost a year, the burden fell to me entirely and we formed Cornerstone Church with a remnant of 84 people who became our charter members. We started in a 3,000 seat auditorium and have moved 5 times since to this location we are about to occupy on Atlantic Blvd.

We have seen most of the original people and many others come and go as people do through death, job transfers, being sent out to mission fields and other ministries, and of course, the occasional falling away. It has been challenging to my faith to say the least, but through it all God has sustained us, blessed us, and continued to use us for His Glory. I cannot say how many have been saved, baptized in the Holy Spirit, healed, delivered, discipled etc. I am not great at keeping statistics. I know it has been many here and abroad. I appreciate those few who are still working by my side to this day more than they will ever know. I can truly say, I have not been abandoned by God or my friends! There are many in the city (and worldwide) who still call me "Pastor" and for that I am thankful.

I never expected to celebrate our 25th anniversary this way. I will be making a special anniversary YouTube video for Sunday April 19th. (youtube.com/ronnydthomason) and God willing we will meet soon to have a proper celebration. 

Though I am tempted to be nostalgic about the past and remember those who have passed through our lives, I am determined to be forward minded and ever hopeful that God will reveal His purposes for all that has happened and also bring about the long awaited spiritual renewal that we know is coming. I am hanging on, and hanging in, determined to reap the harvest we have been promised!

Thank you all who have been a part of this journey! God bless you for allowing us to come along side you and your families for the Glory of God and the expansion of His Kingdom in your hearts.

Pastor Ronny D. Thomason

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARLEE!

My Grand Daughter is now 12 years old as of  April 2nd.  She is a wonderful young lady who loves Jesus, Family, Horses, Dogs, Cats etc. The most wonderful thing is that she loves me! She found her way into my heart the day she was born and has grown up there. I am very pleased with the person she became.. I am also proud of Aaron and Stephanie for the job they are doing with both Ethan and Marlee. I am so excited about the next 10 years of their lives. I know they are going to make some good, wise decisions and they have the boldness to go for the destiny God has placed before them.
Marlee's birth came at a time in my life when I needed a forward outlook. Something happened in me to cause me to want to live a long time!