FAILING TO ACHIEVE VICTORY 4

PEOPLE FAIL TO HAVE VICTORY BECAUSE THEY YIELD TO THE WORLD

1 John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. {16} For all that in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

I am not getting political here but I am merely stating a spiritual fact. Our nation and I believe the entire world is in a heap of trouble. I am amazed at the attacks on Christianity that come from the media and from society in general.

It is frightening that people want to be tolerant of every type of lifestyle except that of a Spirit filled Christian. It is sad but this same attitude is creeping into our churches. I hear people saying things like, "We want to keep our Christianity low key so that we don't turn people off by it." Even Christian's also say things like, "We have to get rid of some of the old fashioned ways and ideas so that we will appeal more to outsiders."

The Bible does not teach us to make the church attractive to the world. It teaches us to "Go out into the hedges and the highways and compel them to come in." We are not to bring the world into the church. We are to take the Church into the world.

Many churches have a large attendance but they have no substance because they have strayed from God and become like so many other civic organizations.

If we are going to be successful in living a victorious life and having a victorious church we are going to do it by loving God and His Son. We are going to do it by conforming to the Word and not conforming to the World.

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.

FAILING TO ACHIEVE VICTORY 3

PEOPLE FAIL TO ACHIEVE VICTORY BECAUSE THEY FAIL TO CONSIDER GOD

Isaiah 1:3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

I once read a story that illustrates this verse much better than I could ever hope to. There was a group of bandits in Central America who would raid the villages destroy and steal the property of the already impoverished residents. One night the people of one village were fortunate enough to capture two of the bandits and their horses as they were fleeing the village.

The bandits were not at all helpful in helping the authorities find the hideout of the bandits. They would confess nothing and they would give no information. An officer said that he knew how to find the home of the bandits. He was given a chance to prove it. He separated the horses from the village horses and kept them in a corral with no food and very little water for two days. At the end of two days he let the horses go and followed them. They led the army directly to the place where the bandits were hiding out and the whole gang was surprised and captured. The horses knew their masters.

How well do you know your Master? He has fed you, He has clothed you, He has loved and cared for you. Consider how much God has done for you and you too will always return to Him. If you always return to your Master you will live a victorious life on a day to day basis.

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.

FAILING TO ACHIEVE VICTORY 2

PEOPLE FAIL BECAUSE THEY ARE FORGETFUL HEARERS

James 1:24-25 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. (25)But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth , he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Often people believe that they do God is not speaking because they do not hear Him. This could not be further from the truth. We do not hear Him because we are not listening to Him and listening for Him.

A young man I have known since he was about 12 years old sent me an email asking if I would read some material he had written and give him my opinion. I love to encourage people and I agreed to read his writing. I was amazed at the quality of the writing he sent to me. He loves to hunt and he loves the outdoors and he wrote several articles about communing with God in nature. I sat glued to his manuscripts and marveled at his writing skills. He actually made me feel that I was right there with Him. I was even more amazed at his deep spiritual relationship with God. I knew he was a Christian but I had never known the depths of his relationship until I read his writings.
The thought that I had was, "Here is a young man that knows how to listen to God."

I could not help but compare him to many who come into church on Sunday and never feel the presence of God or hear His voice. One thing I know is that a poor listener very seldom hears a good sermon. A good listener will get something from even a pitiful delivery of a sermon.

I usually give people an example of Fact and Faith on church services. I tell them, "That you are sitting here in this church is fact. That I am standing before you to preach is faith, but it is only faith that makes me believe that anyone is listening to the sermons.

You will fail to have victory in your daily life if you fail to listen for God's message to you. It may come in the form of a sermon or a book. It may even come in one of these or an other's devotionals. It my come to you in a still small voice as you enjoy the outdoors, but you must listen, and after hearing you must not forget.

Live victoriously by listening and taking heed to 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.

FAILING TO ACHIEVE VICTORY 1

1 Corinthians 15:50-54 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (51) Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

INTRODUCTION: Once we are saved we are to become Spiritual beings, striving to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Some day we will be completely victorious when we receive our glorified bodies and become incorruptible. Even death will be defeated by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Saved people have the benefit of the Holy Spirit dwelling within them from the moment of salvation. The Holy Spirit will guide us in Truth and keep us walking close to Jesus if we will let Him. Sadly though, many Christians today are failing to live a life of Victory. In the next few devotionals I will discuss our reasons for failure.

I hope you receive a blessing and enjoy this series of devotionals. It is my desire that you, as well as I, have a closer walk with our Lord because of them.



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.

Some "I Wills"

Some "I Wills"
Psalms 9:1
I will praise , O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show
forth all thy marvellous works.

Psalms 34:1
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise continually
in my mouth.

Psalms 89:1
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth
will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

1 Corinthians 14:15
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with
the understanding also.

1 Samuel 7:5
...I will pray for you unto the LORD.

Psalms 26:11
But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be
merciful unto me.

Psalms 116:9
I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

Psalms 119:15
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

Psalms 71:16
I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy
righteousness, of thine only.

These "I wills" are in perfect accord with the will of Him to whom
we say: "Thy will, not mine, be done!"

BELIEVING GOD-5

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

INTRODUCTION: Our relationship with God is built on our faith

Hebrews 11:1 Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

BELIEVE HIS GRACE
Ephesians 2:8 For BY GRACE are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Grace is unmerited or undeserved favor.

Many people are struggling in their spiritual lives because they are constantly trying to find some ground where they can make themselves acceptable to God. They are unsure in their salvation because they are depending on their own works. I am sure that is a frustrating feeling because we can never be acceptable on our own merit.

It is only by Gods grace that we are acceptable to Him. It is only through us accepting the death of Jesus on the cross as a substitution for our own punishment that we can approach God. Jesus had to suffer for sin in our place. When we accept Jesus' atoning death in our place, we then receive the grace of God.

None of it is of ourselves. We can never be good enough to be accepted by Him. We can just be eternally thankful for His grace and show our thanks for that grace by being obedient to 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.

BELIEVING GOD-4

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

INTRODUCTION: Our relationship with God is built on our faith

Hebrews 11:1 Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

BELIEVE HIS WORD
2 Timothy 3:16 ALL SCRIPTURE is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

We must believe that the whole Bible is the Word of God or believe that none of it is. How could it be Holy and true if it were not all Holy and True. How would you know which parts to believe and which parts to reject.

Too many people want to pick and choose out of the Bible which parts they want to call true and real. It can not possibly work that way. Either it is the Word of God completely, which by the way is what I believe, or it is the biggest fraud ever perpetrated upon man.

Some say that the Bible contradicts itself but what they really mean is that it contradicts what they want to believe. It is not a book of contradictions when studied with prayer, guided by the Holy Spirit, and taken in context. If you are going to please God you are going to do it by conforming to His Word, the Bible.


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.

BELIEVING GOD-3

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

INTRODUCTION: Our relationship with God is built on our faith

Hebrews 11:1 Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

BELIEVE HIS MIRACLES

We find all through the Bible the stories and records of God's great miracles. Many have tried to use science and speculation to explain them away but if there is an explanation then it is not a miracle. God can do all things and if we call out to Him, He will show us great and mighty things.

God's miracles are not restricted to the Bible. I have seen Him work miracles in my life and others. Some were on a smaller scale and some were magnificent even to the point of life changing miracles.

If you really think about it salvation is the greatest miracle of all. God can take a sinner and make a saint out of Him. I sincerely believe in the power of God to work miracles and I do not believe that He quit working them when the New Testament was complete.



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.

BELIEVING GOD 2

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

INTRODUCTION: Our relationship with God is built on our faith

Hebrews 11:1 Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

WE MUST BELIEVE IN HIS SOVEREIGNTY
Pr 8:32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep MY WAYS.
Definition
sovereign: with complete power: having supreme authority or power

We must recognize that God has complete power and supreme authority over us. The Bible teaches us that we are partners with God but we must always remember that He is the senior partner and sometimes He reserves the right to make some decisions without our approval.

The best scripture to illustrate how this is to our advantage is
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things WORK TOGETHER for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I have used this verse many times when trying to explain to people why bad things happen to good people. When my daughter had a terrible car wreck and was still in the hospital, with us not knowing how badly she was hurt, I felt compelled to preach from this passage of scripture. I felt that if I didn't really believe it then that I had no business using it to minister to others.

I did believe it then and I still do. God is in charge. He knows what is best. Believe that He has all power and authority.


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.

BELIEVING GOD 1

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

INTRODUCTION: Our relationship with God is built on our faith

Hebrews 11:1 Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

WE MUST BELIEVE IN HIS EXISTENCE
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Many today foolishly deny the existence of God, our Creator. It amazes me how they can look around and see God's marvelous creation and the intricacies of nature and doubt that there is a great God behind it all.
The Bible says that we must have faith in Him to please Him. Truly He is not pleased with those who deny His very existence.
That brings to mind another question. If we truly believe that He is God and He is creator of all things, shouldn't we diligently seek Him and His will for our lives.

Believe that He is God, and then seek to allow Him to mold your life into someone who can truly serve Him and point others toward 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.

CHOOSE

Christian psychiatrists Drs. Frank B. Minirth and Paul D.
Meier insist that any patient of theirs who is a Christian
must be honest and use language that expresses the reality
of the situation. In their book "Happiness is a Choice",
the authors state, "...we cringe whenever patients use the
word 'can't'. They say, for example, 'I just can't get along
with my husband.' 'I can't give up the affair I'm having.'
'I can't stop overeating.' 'I can't love my wife...' If an
individual changes all his can'ts to wont's, he stops
avoiding the truth, quits deceiving himself, and starts
living in reality."

Copied

THE ATHLETES SUBMISSION

Day after day athletes submit themselves to their coaches to put them through sometimes grueling exercise and training. They realize that if they are ever going to be on the team that they must
submit to him. He is the boss. He is the one who decides who gets
to play and who sits on the bench. They understand that he has the
best interest of the team at heart. It is from him they must learn
and it is from him they must receive the training that will take
them to victory.

How wonderful it would be if people, young and old alike would
submit themselves to Jesus in the same way. He is the one who will
teach us. He is the one who must help us to grow into the type of
person that he can use. He has our best interest at heart. He has
given his all for us on Calvary. How foolish it is to submit our-
selves to a man to win a game or even a championship when we fail
to submit ourselves to Christ that we might gain victory in life.

Maybe you are sitting on the bench of life because you haven't
been willing to submit yourself to the one who can build you into
the type person who can be used at crucial times. We are on the
right team for victory but we must listen to the Coach, Jesus, if
are going to be used very much.

Copied

SITTING AND WATCHING 5

Matthew 27:35-36 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots (36) And sitting down they watched him there;

ARE YOU ACTIVE OR ARE YOU SITTING AND WATCHING

The last few devotionals have been about the people who were present at the death of Christ. The Bible says , "And sitting down, they watched Him there;"

I must confess that too often I am guilty of sitting and watching when I should be actively telling the world about what really happened on that hill that day. I have found that it is easy to sit and discuss the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, our Savior when we are in the company of other Christians. It is much harder to share that message with a world who doesn't know about it.

It is a beautiful and wonderful story. It is heart rending and it is moving even to those of us who have heard it many times. It can be that way to some who hear it for the first time too. Even many who have heard it before but did not believe will find it beautiful when they too see that Jesus died for them and offers them eternal life if they believe.

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.

SITTING AND WATCHING 4

Matthew 27:35-36 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots (36) And sitting down they watched him there;

WHAT WERE THEY REALLY WATCHING?

They were watching as the Lamb of God, without spot or blemish was being sacrificed for our sins. Every sacrifice in the Old Testament was pointing to this specific event where the perfect would become the sacrifice for the imperfect, the Holy would take the punishment for the unholy. It was where God would pay the penalty for the sins of man and settle man's sin debt once for all who would believe and accept His Son.

The Son of God was demonstrating His love for mankind in the greatest way possible, by dying in man's place.

My sin debt and the sin debt of mankind was being satisfied by the sacrifice that Jesus made.

They were watching the work of Redemption in the process.


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.

SITTING AND WATCHING 3

Matthew 27:35-36 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots (36) And sitting down they watched him there;

WHAT WAS THEIR REACTIONS

Many mocked Jesus as He died for their sins. Today many are still mocking and making fun of Him. It is sad that so many when they mention the name of Jesus do it in a derogatory fashion. They are no different than the mockers of that day who sat and watched Him suffer in their place, and they still mocked Him.

Most of the ones present rejected the fact that He could save others. They said that He couldn't even save Himself. We know that He could have but He chose to suffer death for all men and then to overcome it for them too.

Some actually believed. One of the thieves on the other crosses believed and Jesus promised to see Him in paradise. The Centurion in charge of the soldiers said "Surely this is the Son of God."

Hopefully many today who are just sitting and watching will realize who Jesus really is and they will be saved. I hope if you have just been sitting and watching that you will want to know more about how what Jesus did there means to 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.

SITTING AND WATCHING 2

Matthew 27:35-36 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots (36) And sitting down they watched him there;

WHO WAS WATCHING?

We know that some of the disciples were there watching. It might seem strange to us that those who walked daily with Jesus just sat there and watched as He was crucified, yet we who have a written account of all the details (including His resurrection) still remain silent and wait for others to witness.

The Roman soldiers were there. Jesus seemed to them to be a threat to their way of governing. Today the government still is trying to silence the voice of God when their own agenda is contrary to what God's word says.

The Jewish leaders were there. They were religious but they had missed all the scriptures that pointed to Jesus as their Messiah. In modern times when religious people claim to be religious but do not recognize the Bible as the Word of God they are missing the truth of true religion too.

There were curious onlookers there. They just wanted to be in on the excitement. They were curious and wanted to be entertained.
That is a picture of a large portion of our society today. They are looking for excitement and entertainment and they do not understand what they are watching.

These people were watching the Son of God dying for the sins of man. They were watching the process of redemption for all who would believe and they didn't even know 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.

SITTING AND WATCHING 1

Matthew 27:35-36 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots (36) And sitting down they watched him there;

Introduction: There have been many events that have been watched throughout history. There have been larger crowds.

Even in ancient days multitudes would watch the games in the Roman coliseum.

Today there are stadiums that hold over 100,000 people at concerts and sporting events.

Millions watch events on television.

Twice in most of our own lives we have witnessed wars as we watched simultaneously with the rest of the world.

We sat and watched in horror as our nation was attacked on September 11, 2001 in such a terrible act of terrorism that it has become a defining moment in our lives.

The event that took place that day was even greater than any moment that has ever been witnessed before or since. The sad thing is many are still sitting and watching.

Are you just sitting and watching the work of our Lord or are you sharing it with others?


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.

RESCUING THE FLOCK

A friend once told D.L. Moody just how the sheep in the Highlands of Scotland are rescued when they wander off and become stranded on a rocky crag. He said, "The vegetation on those mountains is so sweet that the sheep will jump down 10 or 12 feet to get it. Soon their bleating can be heard as they try unsuccessfully to return to higher ground. The shepherd does not rush to the rescue, but leaves them where they are until there's
no more grass to be eaten. After several days they become so faint they can't stand up. At that point the herdsman will lower himself to the dangerous ledge below and bring them to the fold."
Mr. Moody asked, "Why doesn't he go down as soon as the sheep get into trouble?" "Ah," said his friend, "if he did, those animals are so stupid they would dash right over the edge of the cliff and be killed!"
Copied

It kind of explains why God doesn't help us sometimes until we reach rock-bottom doesn't it?

HIS NAME IS JESUS 7

Luke 1:30-33 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

WE ARE TO BELIEVE
1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

We are commanded to believe on the name of Jesus. It is as simple as that. It is a commandment from almighty God that we do so. If anyone tries to convince you that Jesus is not necessary for salvation then they are misleading you.

THERE IS NO GREATER NAME
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

It is not in the name of your church.
It is not in the name of religion.
It is not in the name of your own works.
Salvation is only in the name of 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.

HIS NAME IS JESUS 6

Luke 1:30-33 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

THE NAME OF JESUS LEADS MEN TO WORSHIP
Phil 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

These verses tell me that Jesus is worthy of our worship. We should bow before Him, confess that He is "King of Kings", "Lord of Lords" and He is our Lord.

That means He is to have complete control over our hearts, our lives and our minds. We are to humble ourselves before Him and pour out our love to Him in worship. Just the name itself should be so special to us that it cause us to worship 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.

HIS NAME IS JESUS 5

Luke 1:30-33 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

THERE IS SPIRITUAL HEALING IN JESUS NAME

There is healing for those who's lives are crippled by hardships. The sad fact is that many times bad things happen to good people. We don't really understand why but what we do understand is that God loves us through it all. We never have to go through any hardship alone because "Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us."

There are many who are blinded to the righteousness of God and the seriousness of Sin. It is sad today that so many want to try to make sinful things acceptable to society and claim that it is also acceptable to God. I am afraid that they need to study the word and realize that though God will forgive sin, He will never condone sin.

`There are many whose lives are filthy with sin, but they can be cleaned up if they will only allow God to have His way with them. Sin will eat away at the spirit just as leprosy will eat away at the flesh. Many people are being eaten up spiritually by sin and do not even realize the damage that is being done to them. Trust in Jesus Christ and you too can receive spiritual healing.


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.

HIS NAME IS JESUS 4

Luke 1:30-33 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

THERE IS HEALING IN THE NAME OF JESUS
Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

The power in Jesus name healed the lame and helped them to walk. Can you imagine the joy in their lives when they were healed. The power of God has not diminished one bit and the power in Jesus name is as powerful today as it was 2000 years ago. I have personally been witness to many acts of miraculous healing. I am aware that everyone is not going to be healed, everyone was not healed in those days either but I do believe that God still can and God still does work miracles through Jesus name.

The blind were given their sight in Jesus name. Sight is a wonderful gift. I can not even imagine not being able to see. There are some today though "who have eyes but see not." They seem to be spiritually blinded to the truths of God's Word.

The lepers were made clean. Leprosy was a terrible disease that ate away at the flesh and caused people to be outcast from their own communities. I know it was a joy for them to be cleansed from that disease. Jesus is still in the healing and cleansing business. Great things can be done in Jesus name.

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.

HIS NAME IS JESUS 3

Luke 1:30-33 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

THERE IS LIFE IN JESUS NAME
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

ETERNAL LIFE

His name is the only name that will give you eternal life. Eternal life is not in the name of your church, it is not in your family name, or in the name religion. Eternal life means forever. From the time you are saved you have life from then on and forever more. He is the Christ, the Son of God.

Abundant Life
There is abundant life in the name of Jesus. I know this because I have been a partaker of that abundant life for many years. There have been times when I did not enjoy the full benefits of that life because of my own disobedience but that is not God's fault. He has given us His plan in His Word and if we will conform our lives to it then we will have the full life that God intends for us. Many are not living a fulfilled life because they refuse to conform their life to God's Word.

Are you living the abundant life that God wants for your?
Are you sure of having eternal life and know that you are bound for Heaven to share in the inheritance of 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.

HIS NAME IS JESUS 2

Luke 1:30-33 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Immanuel-God with us, Almighty God
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

God chose to become flesh and dwell among men in the person of Jesus Christ. He came from glory to fulfill all of the law in His perfection and then to go to the Cross and take the punishment for all the sins of mankind.

This is a demonstration of God's love and grace that is so hard for us to comprehend. Someone said, "Jesus would have come and taken the punishment for sin if only one person would believe."
Actually he would have done it if not one person believed. His love and His grace are so strong that He wanted to give us a chance.

When I say give us a chance I guess I should be saying give us the chance because there is no other name given among men whereby you must be saved. There is only one way for man to be reconciled to God and that is through Jesus and His payment for our sins at Calvary.

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.

HIS NAME IS JESUS 1

Luke 1:30-33 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

It troubles me greatly to hear someone taking the name of Jesus in vain. He is holy, he is Lord and I believe we should speak his name with reverence.

Over 200 biblical prophecies were fulfilled by the birth and life of Jesus, the Son of the Living God. Israel had long awaited the fulfilling of the prophecy of the Messiah or Deliverer. This was to come to pass with the birth of Jesus.

In the next few devotionals I want to share some thoughts on the name of Jesus. I hope you receive a blessing from these.

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.

TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN 5

Acts 17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain
brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the
world upside down are come hither also;

A TRUE REVIVAL AMONG CHRISTIANS WILL TURN OUR NATION UPSIDE DOWN

It seems that in our Country today we are admonished to embrace every type of lifestyle except the Christian lifestyle. Everyone is to be tolerated except for those of us who take the Bible seriously. I said seriously because you have to take it literally to take it seriously but there are many who say they take it literally who do not take it seriously.

Many are claiming the name of Christ without accepting the teachings of Christ. Many want sin to be made acceptable by the church and that is not possible if we are to remain true to Christ and to His word.

Let me go on record as saying that we are not to hate anyone, even the vilest sinner. We are to love them enough to want to see them saved and changed into new creatures. Just because we love them does not mean that we have to accept their lifestyles and their cultures. We can not accept theirs and hold on to ours at the same time.

When the churches get revived it will turn this nation and maybe the world upside down.


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.

TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN 4

Acts 17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

A REVIVED CHURCH CAN CHANGE IT'S SURROUNDINGS

When one church gets truly revived it can turn the community around it upside down. Other churches begin to see the Holy Spirit at work and then it begins to change them also. When the churches begin to be more concerned about glorifying God and reaching lost souls than about their own agenda then it will change their whole community.

Through history we have seen revivals cause saloons to be shut down, gambling establishments to close and other sinful practices to cease. I think we would be amazed if we were to really witness a real revival in our community in this day and age. If we did we would also see it not only in our community but in the communities around us.

Several times the Bible asks, "Why do the heathen rage?".
They rage because they are lost, they are empty and they need salvation. Jesus Christ is the only thing that will fill the void and we are the ones with the message to spread. To spread it we have to embrace it and live like we really believe it.

A revived church will turn the community and region it is in upside down.

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.

TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN 3

Acts 17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

REVIVAL WILL TURN A CHURCH UPSIDE DOWN

Revival usually starts in the heart of one person, it then spreads to others and eventually it can spread to the whole church. Much is written in Christian History about churches that have a sweeping Revival and their lives are changed.

I hear many people say their church just had a revival when actually they just had a series of meetings. If your church is the same after those meetings as it was before those meetings, you have not had revival.

Revival will drastically change a church. It will change the works from being dead to dedicated. It will change the attitude of worship from being apathetic to one of overflowing adoration of Almighty God. It will change a stagnant group of hangers on into a sanctified army that wants to Glorify their Lord.

Revival will turn your church upside down.

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.

TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN 2

Acts 17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

SALVATION WILL TURN YOUR WORLD UPSIDE DOWN

Some people might try to mislead you into thinking that salvation will not make much difference in your life. Some will even tell you that if you get saved then all your troubles will be over. The truth is that Jesus is the answer to your problems but that doesn't mean that Satan will stop trying to tempt you. It does mean that you will have the power through Christ to change.

Your world should change when you get saved. It should change from the secular to the sacred, from the vulgar to the virtuous, from the victim to the victorious, from the carnal person to the Christlike person, and mostly from hell bound to bound for Heaven.

If you are not a Christian your world might need to be turned upside down.

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.

TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN 1

Acts 17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

What a wonderful way to be referred to. "These that have turned the world upside down..." They were referring to early Christians preaching the gospel of Christ to a lost and dying world. There have been many throughout history who could be referred to as turning the world upside down.

Certainly the early church, because what they were teaching was brand new and it was so radically different from what many already believed. The Christians who were persecuted during the dark ages because they were true to their faith even though it cost them their lives.
Gutenberg must surely have turned the world upside down by inventing the printing press where the Bible could easily be spread to the common man.

Men such as Whitfield, Spurgeon, Moody and many others who were instrumental in bringing revival on two continents could be said to turn the world upside down. Would anyone ever refer to you or to your church as turning the world upside down for the cause of 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.

KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT LOVE IS NOTHING

by Jeremy Burkes

I Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Preaching and teaching are gifts from God. The best preacher can know the Bible cover to cover and give the best sermons to his congregation but without showing love to them it is just empty words. A preacher shows his love by praying for his church, caring about their problems and allowing God to have control of his sermons.

Teachers can have large Sunday school classes but if they teach the class only what they want to hear then it means nothing. A preacher should show love the same as the preacher by allowing God to be in control. Whatever you do in the service of the Lord be sure you do it with love and allow God to be in control.

Please feel free to contact us 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.