FALSE WITNESS

THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOR
by Jeremy Burkes

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Exodus 20:17

Words are the one thing that cannot be taken back once they are out. Whether it is to our family or our friends when we say something to hurt them it takes a long time to repair the damage. Damage to anything can take a lot of time and patience to replace or rebuild. The one thing we need to realize is that the only one who can replace or repair any damage is God. But we need to go to the person or persons that we have hurt and apologize.. After we make it right with them then we take it before the throne of God. There we can leave the damage with him and forget about it and never bring it up again.

Good Questions 3

Ge 3:9-13 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? (10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. (11) And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? (12) And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. (13) And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

What Have you Done?

Sometimes we need to ask ourselves this question when we have gone astray. What have I done? When we think about it we will sometimes understand where we strayed and why we find ourselves in certain circumstances. We can then get back on the right path.

The question is also appropriate for the things we should do. Have I done that which is right? Have done all I can? Have d really given my best effort in serving Him?

Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

Good Questions 2

Ge 3:9-13 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? (10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. (11) And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? (12) And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. (13) And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Who Told You?

If your think about it they never thought about their nakedness until they sinned, before that they were innocent and being naked meant no more to them than it would a baby.

Adam listened to Eve who was deceived by the serpent and they lost their innocence and the Garden of Eden also. Many today are losing out because they are not listening to God.

God always wants what's best for you. He loves you with a greater love than you can imagine. Listen to Him. He will never guide you wrong.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

Good Questions 1

Ge 3:9-13 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? (10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. (11) And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? (12) And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. (13) And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Where Are you?

Adam had sinned and was hiding from God. We know that was foolish because God sees everything, yet sometimes we allow sin to enter into our lives and separate us from God. We find ourselves trying to hide from Him. Did you ever notice that when you are doing something you shouldn't be doing you don't want someone to mention God. It makes us uncomfortable. We would rather not think of Him.

The point is that whether we think of Him or not, He is thinking of us. Sometimes it is good just to ask ourselves where we really. are in our daily walk with the Lord. We might be trying to hide and not even realize it.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

Thanksgiving

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known unto God.

Today is a day that is set aside for us to reflect on what we are thankful for. I really think it is a good way to start your day everyday. There are so many things to thank God for each day that it is really hard to count all your blessings. We should be thankful for our families, friends, church, our food and shelter and most of all for God's love and salvation through his Son, Jesus.

Take time today to say thank you to God and also to those around you who have blessed you so much.

Happy Thanksgiving!

MAKING A SERMON COME ALIVE

Ezekial 37:1-10 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, (2) And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. (3) And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. (4) Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. (5) Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: (6) And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. (7) So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. (8) And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. (9) Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. (10) So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

SCRIPTURE AND FACTS
Random scripture and facts are solid. They are as bones, the very structure for a firm foundation of a message. Used randomly and alone they can be very dry.

Put them together and arrange them in a skeleton outline and they serve as the basic form which to build on.

Sinews are facts, the flesh is the application. These need to be a part of the message before it is ready to deliver. Have a point to it. Have a practical application for the message. Preach with the intent of someone making a decision.

A skeleton no matter how well secured by sinew (facts) or however much flesh (practicality) is still not an attractive thing.

You must have a message with skin. The skin consists of illustrations, comparisons, something to make it interesting and attractive to the listener. The shape of our skin makes every person a little different. The skin (illustrations etc.) of the message make every sermon unique.

With all of these you are prepared and ready to step into the pulpit. With these alone you can deliver an attractive address to an attentive congregation. There is still something very much missing.

For the sermon to come alive, for it to inspire, instruct, and convict, God must breath His life into it.

Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you prepare. Let him pick you up and set you down in the valley of the bones. Allow Him to cause them to come together into a skeleton outline. Ask Him to put flesh on the skeleton to achieve His purpose and His will. He will cover the message with skin and make it beautiful if you will allow Him.

All of these things must be done in the power of the spirit but as you stand before a congregation, prepared, ready, even anxious to deliver a message from God and His Word, that is when you must step aside and let Him breath life into the message and use you to deliver His Word. It is His message, only He can make it come alive.

HONOR PARENTS

by Jeremy Burkes

Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Parents are a gift from God. We are to honor our parents regardless of whether they are really good parents or not. We are to still treat them with respect.
Paul wrote -

Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Parents deserve respect because they gave us life. If you are blessed enough to still have your parents you should make sure to devote some time to them. Give them a call just to say you love them. Make a special effort to spend holidays with them and sometimes just visit with them. Let them know you love them.

Thank God, your Heavenly Father, for giving you your parents and tell Him how much you love Him too.

Keep Sunday About God

by Jeremy Burkes

Exodus 20: 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.


God set aside the seventh day as a day of rest from work and as a time to worship Him. The early church met on the first day of the week and referred to it as the Lord's day. As the early church did, we meet together on the first day of the week to have church services. We worship God in Sunday School, in our singing and with preaching.

Meeting together is a way to fellowship and to strengthen and encourage reach other. It is good to visit and talk over the events of the week but we don't need to forget what we are meeting for.

Before church services we should take time to thank God for the week, for our church family, can families, and the freedom and opportunity to worship Him. We mostly need to thank God for our salvation through Jesus.

Remember to keep the Lord's day about God.

Spiritual Examination 4

(2 Cor 13:5) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

AN EYE AND EAR EXAMINATION
(Mark 8:18) Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

Some people just seem to be blind to the spiritual truth in the Bible. They have trouble seeing things from a spiritual perspective. It is like the old saying;" They cant see the forest for the trees". They have eyes but they only see what suits their purpose.

I am amazed at how many times people will listen to something without ever really hearing it. I have had people tell me after a sermon many times that they have never heard something before. Sometimes I know better because I know they have been there when I said the exact same thing. I guess they are telling the truth in away. Just because something is said in your presence doesn't mean you actually hear it. Most people hear what they want to hear.

Have you examined your eyes and ears lately? Are seeing and hearing what God would have gear to?



Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

Spiritual Examination 3

(2 Cor 13:5) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

CHECK OUR TEMPERATURE

(Rev 3:16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

We all know people who are selfish and self centered and we refer to them as cold and indifferent. No one wants to be thought of that way, yet we don't mind being thought of as warm and friendly. Jesus said it is better to be cold than merely warm.

When d hear someone refer to their church as a warm and friendly church I usually get an uneasy feeling. I know that Jesus doesn't want us to be cold but he doesn't want us to be just warm either. He wants us to serve Him with a burning passion and a heart on fire for him.

Have you taken your spiritual temperature lately?



Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

Spiritual Examination 2

(2 Cor 13:5) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

SOMETIMES WE NEED A STRESS TEST

If a cardiologist thinks there may be something wrong with a patient's heart he will sometimes give them a stress test. When the heart is put under stress if there is a problem it will usually show up.

The same is true spiritually as well. When things are going well and we don't seem to be facing any great difficulties it is easy to say we have faith. It is easy to trust God in the good times. It is during the times of extreme stress that any problems with our heart ( spiritually speaking ) will make themselves known.

How do you react to problems? Do you get all upset and panic? Do you become angry, resentful or bitter? This could be a warning that you are not as spiritually healthy as you should be.
Remember, no matter what you are facing, you have God on your side. Whatever it is will be better handled by trusting Him. Having a heart filled with faith is the way to beat the stress test.



Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

Spiritual Examination 1

(2 Cor 13:5) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Introduction: We all know that occasionally we need to get a physical examination to see what condition our body is in. Shouldn't we also take time for a Spiritual examination to check our relationship with our Savior.


A HEART EXAMINATION

(Psa 26:2) Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
We need to have regular heart examinations.

(Mat 5:8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
When we fill our hearts with love for the Lord Jesus Christ it drives the impurities from our heart. Once in a science class the teacher placed an empty jar on a table and asked the class how he could get all the air out of the jar.
Some suggested using a vacuum. Some thought to try other ways but there didn't seem to be a solution. When everyone had given up the teacher took a pitcher of water and slowly poured it into the jar until it was full. All the air was gone.

In a similar fashion the same is true of our hearts. The way to keep the heart pure is to keep it full of love for our Savior.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

Manna From Heaven 4

Exodus 16:19-20 And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. {20} Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.

When it comes to maintaining spiritual nourishment we can not gather enough to carry us over.

Many people want to get enough in a revival to last till the next one. In one church I pastored there were some people who only came to church for revivals. I was there for six and a half years and they never, not one time, came to a regular church service. It couldn't have been because they didn't like my preaching because they had never heard me preach.

They did come to every Revival meeting we had and they were always saying what a great revival it was. It must not have been good enough to get them back to church on Sunday.

To me that would be like eating only at Thanksgiving and Christmas and hoping to stay alive all year long.

We must feed on Gods Word daily. It is important to gather with others for regular church services also. It helps to strengthen and nourish us.


Have you had your spiritual manna today?

Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

Manna From Heaven 3

John 6:31-35 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. {32} Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. {33} For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. {34} Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. {35} And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

I already stated in the first of these devotionals that many of us are like those wandering in the wilderness. We have not yet reached that point where we are being the abundant life God would have us to live.

While we wander in this Spiritual wilderness we must look to God to sustain us. Jesus is the Bread of Life. There is an old saying, "you are what you eat." That is true spiritually as well as physically, The more of Jesus we incorporate into our lives, the more like Him we become. We feed upon Jesus by learning of Him through His Word and becoming more like Him each day. The closer we walk with Him and like Him, the stronger we become.

Have you had your spiritual manna today?

Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

Manna From Heaven 2

John 6:31-35 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. {32} Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. {33} For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. {34} Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. {35} And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

THE BREAD OF LIFE IS SUFFICIENT FOR ALL THOSE WHO GATHER IT

Exodus 16:18And when they did mete with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.

Jesus is sufficient to save all who will call upon Him and believe. There is no one so good that he doesn't need to be saved. No one can keep the entire law himself. Everyone needs a Savior and Jesus is the only one who qualifies.

Jesus is sufficient to save even the vilest sinner. No one is such a sinner that Jesus can not save him. There are many who will not be saved because they refuse to believe but it is not because Jesus lacks the power to save them. "God is not willing that any should perish!"

Jesus can and will save those who call upon Him.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

Manna From Heaven 1

Exodus 16:4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

As the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness they were afraid they would starve there. If you remember the story you know they were there because they failed to obey God and enter into the promised land. He caused them then to wander in the wilderness for forty years.

Even when God metes out punishment to His people He tempers his judgment with mercy. It was a vast multitude of people and God showered them with bread from Heaven which was called manna. They ate this manna and it sustained them.

Many today are wandering in a type of wilderness because they are fearful of entering into the promised land of the abundant life God would have us experience. In the next few devotionals I want to talk about the Spiritual manna God has provided for us.

I hope you receive a blessing from these devotionals.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

SPIRITUAL OBJECTIVES 6

To Receive The Greatest Reward

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul explains his reason for wanting to be more like Christ. There is a great prize or reward for those who run this race. We really can not imagine how great and wonderful this reward will by but I know it will be outstanding!

When we do God's work we always receive God's pay. It might not seem like we are doing all that well by the world's standards but the worlds standards are temporary. Gods rewards are eternal.

I hope these devotionals have helped you evaluate where you are, and where you want to be in your relationship with Christ. Set your goals and objectives and get ready to run that race.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

SPIRITUAL OBJECTIVES 5

To Receive The Greatest Realization

Philippians 3:12-13 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. {13} Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Paul makes an honest statement here. He admits that he has not yet attained the Christ-likeness that he desires. To me the greatest realization is to know that even though we may have a long way to go, we will never get there unless we have a strong desire to.

Many people never reach spiritual maturity because they are satisfied to remain babes in Christ, being spoon fed their spiritual nourishment from the pulpit. We must have a desire to walk closer to the Lord or we will never set goals and if we never set them we will never reach them.

We must reach forward to goals that we want to meet. We must make up our mind that it is what we really want to do, and then put forth every effort to reach our goals.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

SPIRITUAL OBJECTIVES 4

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

To Receive The Greatest Revelation

Paul wanted to intimately know Jesus. He wanted to experience the power of His resurrection. I believe we need to all experience that and realize that we are to become new creatures in Christ. All things are to become new. Through Christ we have overcome death, hell, and the grave. There is truly great power in the resurrection and we should set a goal to experience it.

We need to be reminded of His suffering and how great a price was paid for our salvation. As Paul did, we need to die to the world and live for Christ.

What are you doing to set new spiritual goals?

Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

SPIRITUAL OBJECTIVES 3

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

To Receive The Greatest Righteousness

As Paul we can not be satisfied with our own righteousness. It can never he enough. Man's righteousness will never measure up,

We need the righteousness of Jesus, the obedient Son. It is the righteousness of perfection that only he can achieve.

We might be just as good as someone else but we are also just as bad. None of us are just as good as Jesus. That is why we should set our goal as trying to be as much like Him as possible.

Make your objective to achieve the righteousness of Christ, through faith in God.


Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

SPIRITUAL OBJECTIVES 2

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

To Receive The Greatest Relationship

"and be found in Him "

Salvation is positional. When we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior He is in us and we are in Him. Nothing can change that.

Our fellowship is relational however. I guess the best way to explain that is that when you are born again into God's family you can not be unborn. Just as my children will always be my children no matter what.

Their actions do have a bearing on our relationship. I will always love them and hope they will always love me. I have always had a close relationship with both my children. I would be less than honest if I didn't admit that sometimes that relationship was a bit strained. I still loved them but there is a love that is pleasant and a love that sometimes hurts. I think sometimes Jesus loves us with a love that hurts Him because we have put a strain on our relationship with Him.

Set as on objective having a relationship that brings pleasure to both you and Jesus.



Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

SPIRITUAL OBJECTIVES 1

Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

To Receive The Greatest Riches

Jesus asks the question, "what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"

Satan is like someone at an auction trying to outbid everyone for something. The something he is bidding on is the souls of men. He offers pleasure and there are multitudes that are selling out for pleasures that are short lived and will soon pass away. Some of the things, actually most of the things, that I found pleasure in as a young man don't mean a thing to me today. Still there are some who live completely for those same pleasures

Power in something the Satan uses to bid for the souls of men. I never really understood the desire for power.it is able can do to control myself. I certainly don't want to control anyone else.

Frame and riches are like pleasure They are temporary at best. The will pass away. Jesus always offers something worth much more. He offers us eternal life in Glory.

Oar main spiritual objective should he to obtain eternal if through Jesus Christ.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

A PATTERN FOR PRAYER 7

Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Longing

"When I awake". This makes me realize that David had a longing for the resurrection.
I believe a strong prayer life will cause us to look forward to the return of Jesus. The more we communicate with on Heavenly Father, the more prepared we will be to go Home to be with Him.
If your started these devotionals in the middle I encourage you to go back to the beginning of this series and read them all in order. It might even help you if you print them out and glance at them from time to time during the day. Our nation is in Crisis! Prayer is the only hope we have and we all need to get better at it.

Please feel free to contact me by email at
shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.
If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

A PATTERN FOR PRAYER 6

Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Satisfaction

When we follow the right paths to a fruitful prayer life we will certainly find satisfaction. We hear a lot about the Bible being food for the soul. I agree that it is. It satisfies a hunger that only the Word of God can fill.
If the Bible is like food to the soul, then prayer is like oxygen. Many people are suffocating spiritually because they do not have a strong prayer life.
Increase your prayer life. When you do you will certainly find more satisfaction.
Please feel free to contact me by email at
shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.
If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

A PATTERN FOR PRAYER 5

Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Expectation

We should pray with great Expectation. In the beginning of these devotionals I mentioned God's awesomeness. to me one of the most wonderful things about God is that even though He is all powerful and His greatness exceeds anything we can even in aging, He still cares for me enough to hear my prayers.
God's attention is not diminished one bit by the number of people praying. He still listens as if are were the only one talking to Him. We should pray with expectation, and anticipation knowing that wen though we talk to Him in prayer now, some day we will meet Him face to face.
Pray with expectation. God wants to bless you.
Please feel free to contact me by email at
shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.
If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

A PATTERN FOR PRAYER 4

Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

Protection

Our prayer life should be one that offers any protection. One only has to watch the News and pay a little attention to what is going on around us to realize that it is a dangerous world.
The Bible tells us that in the latter days perilous times will come. I believe we are in those days and perilous times have certainly come. Temptation is everywhere. Sin abounds at every turn and we are not very far away from being persecuted for our Christian beliefs.
David asks God to keep him. We should also pray for God's protection and care during these perilous times.
Have you prayed for God to keep you safe from sin and it's dangers?
Please feel free to contact me by email at
shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.
If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

A PATTERN FOR PRAYER 3

Psalm 17:4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

InspirationWhen we pray we need to also listen to God. It is hard to know what God says if we never study His Word, the Bible. It is with scripture we know that he speaks to us and answers our prayers.

Prayer should be an inspiring experience. After we pray we should be inspired to live better, serve better and do better in general. We hear a lot about inspirational music, inspirational reading and such things. These are all great and d highly recommend them. What we so often lack is an inspirational prayer time.

Some of the most inspirational times in my life were in prayer meetings. Sometimes it would be with a group who gathered to pour out their hearts to God and sometimes I was alone with God.

Is your prayer life inspiring you and others around you to have a closer walk with God?

Please feel free to contact me by email at
shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.

If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

A PATTERN FOR PRAYER 2

Psalm 17:3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

Resolution

As David prayed he acknowledged that God knew him completely. Sometimes we pray as if we think God doesn't really understand the situation. David was full of resolution to serve God. He said he was purposed.

I believe that when we pray we should be purposed. We should have a burning desire to do and say the right things when we talk to God. Our prayers. should be with a purpose to commune and fellowship with our Heavenly Father.

I really love for my grown kids to call and talk to me. I have always tried to be open enough that they could come to me with anything. I hope they always will, but I also am overjoyed when they call just because they love me and want to talk.

Have you sat down and had a real purposeful heartfelt talk with your Heavenly Father lately?

Please feel free to contact me by email at
shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.
If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

A PATTERN FOR PRAYER 1

Psalm 17

INTRODUCTION: Sometimes we downplay emotions. We certainly should not let emotions alone rule us and guide us but emotions are a very real part of us. When we look at any portion of the word of God some particular emotions should be brought about.

If you get the opportunity to read the entire 17th Psalm please do so. During the next few devotionals I will be using some of the verses to make some points about prayer.

Ps 17:1 A prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

When we pray we should have a sincere desire to be heard by God. We need to recognize that He is the only God and go before him with the proper attitude. That attitude must be one of humility coupled by faith. Humility because what other way could we possibly stand before an awesome God? We go before Him with faith because that is the only way to approach Him.
God does not want us to just memorize words or recite some prayer we have learned. He wants us to talk to Him. Just as we desire to communicate with our children and our loved ones, God wants us to communicate with Him.
When we pray we are not praying to be heard by others, but we are talking to Almighty God.
Please feel free to contact me by email at
shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.
If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.

Looking the Right Way 4

Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We Need To Look Forward To His Return

Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

I have a confession to make. I am sometimes too comfortable in this world. I enjoy life and actually look forward to what each day has to offer. I really can not identify with people who get bored because there are so many things I would like to do. I have to be very aware that this world is not what I should be focusing on I need to be thinking of Jesus return and be looking for His return.

Everything in this world is going to pass away and all we will have left are the things we did motivated out of love for Him. Are you lazing up treasures in Heaven?" Look up! your redemption dearth nigh".

When you book around and become discouraged it is time to remember that this is all temporary and what his ahead for believers is so much better.


Please feel free to contact me by email at

shilohkosciusko@gmail.com with questions, comments or even suggestions for further devotional studies.


If you know of someone new to the Kosciusko area and would like for our church to visit them please let us know. Our prayers are that this devotional ministry will be an outreach to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus. I do appreciate you taking the time to read these devotionals and please keep us in your prayers.