Merry Christmas

There will be a short break in the devotionals.  We will begin posting them again January 2nd.  We hope you all have a very
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS 5

1 Thessolonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

CHRISTMAS MAKES US LOOK FOR THE RETURN OF CHRIST

 When we celebrate Christmas and the humble birth of Christ I can't help but to think of the difference in that first coming and what it will be like when He comes again to take the believers Home with Him.
 As we go about our Christmas activities we need to be aware that the time is right for Him to come again and take us out of this sinful world. He has promised and He will keep that promise. 

Celebrate His birth.  Celebrate His Life.  Remember His death and resurrection but be aware that He is coming again.
 Look up.  Our redemption is drawing nearer than most people think.
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 AT CHRISTMAS 4

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead,  

CHRISTMAS MAKES US LOOK AT THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

 I can't celebrate Christmas and the birth Christ without also thinking about the death of our Lord.  I can't picture Him in the manger without picturing Him also on the cross.  

 His birth was the greatest gift man has ever received but it was not paid for until He made the ultimate sacrifice on that cross over thirty years later.

 Still, on a more pleasant note, I can't think about the death of Jesus without knowing in my heart that death could not keep Him.  He was resurrected and is alive.  He is alive now, never to die again.  In His death and resurrection He gained victory over the grave, over death, and over hell for all who will believe in Him.

 He is alive now, and forever more. 

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 AT CHRISTMAS 3

John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

CHRISTMAS MAKES US LOOK AT THE LIFE OF CHRIST 

Christmas to me is not just about the birth of Jesus.  It is about His life.  A life when God became flesh and dwelt among men.  He overcame the world by living in the world.
 

Everywhere He went, He did the work of His Heavenly Father, doing miracles and good works and resisting temptation.  Living in this sinful world without being tainted by it.  His was a life of example.  His was a life of teaching others how they might truly live.

 The life of Jesus was a life of light that shone in the darkness of a sinfilled world.  In Him was life!

 Many today wonder what is missing in their life when actually it is life itself that is missing if they don't know Jesus.  Jesus does not just give us life.  He is that life.

 Christmas is not just about the birth of Jesus but about the life He gives us. 

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 AT CHRISTMAS 2

CHRISTMAS MAKES US LOOK AT THE BIRTH OF  CHRIST

 Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, LYING IN A MANGER.  What a joyous announcement it was that the Angels made to the shepherds that night.  They would find Jesus, a newborn lying in a manger.

There was much more than just a baby wrapped in those swaddling clothes.  He was the hope of all sinners.  He was the fulfillment of the law and of the prophets. 

In that manger was the center of all civilization.  Immanuel...God with us.  Jesus the Son of the Living God.  A savior, the fulfillment of God's promises to mankind.

Wrapped in the clothes of a newborn, lying in a lowly manger was the hope and salvation of all who would accept Him and believe in Him.
 

No wonder the Angels rejoiced!

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 AT CHRISTMAS 1

Galatians 4:4
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

CHRISTMAS MAKES US LOOK AT THE PROPHECY OF CHRIST

 Christmas is a very exciting time.  It is busy, even sometimes hectic.  It seems that someone is always complaining about the commercialization of Christmas and they certainly have a valid point.

One great thing about Christmas is that it is a time when everyone has to give some thought to the coming of Christ to be born among men. Many will try to avoid offending people by saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas but even in doing that they are acknowledging that Christmas is about something more than just a holiday.

Christmas is about God fulfilling His promise to send us a Savior.  The birth of Jesus was prophesied hundreds of years before His actual birth.  The holiday we celebrate is the fulfilling of that prophecy that God would come and deliver us from our sin.
 I am so thankful for God's promises, especially the ones that He has already kept.

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.

Christmas List 5

James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?


It is easy for us to talk about our faith or at least it should be. Sometimes we need to just take a step back and ask ourselves if our works are showing our faith to the world.

Do we pray for the hungry and fail to help feed them? Do we pray for the lost and never take the time to witness? Do we pray for our church but fail to support it and the many ministries of our church? Do we pray for our families and fail to set the proper example before them.

Maybe this year we can give a great gift by putting our faith to work. We can conduct ourselves in such a way that people know that we really believe what we say we believe. Make out your Christmas list for others again and be sure that you are willing to give them what is most important, yourself.

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.

Christmas List 4

Pr 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Time seems to fly by faster as we get older. When we are young we think we have all the time in the world and will be able to spend more quality time with our families as we get older. If we are not careful before we know it something unexpected happens, the children are all grown up and out of the house.

We can't get that time back to teach them the things we always meant to teach them. We can't go back and share the experiences with them once they are grown and gone. It is important for us to make time for them when they need us most.

No matter what we give them materially it will never be as great a gift as the time we spend training them up to be good Christians and good citizens. Give your whole family the gift of your time and attention. Don't just give it around Christmas but give it all year long.

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.

Christmas List 3

Ephesians 6:2 HONOUR THY FATHER and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

Sometimes the greatest gifts are not just given during the Christmas season. You can make an effort to give them all year long. There are many ways to honor our parents. Of course we know that we are to treat them with respect, we are to be attentive to them but even when they are not around we should conduct ourselves in a way as not to bring reproach upon them.

I am sure that many of you who are reading these devotionals have parents that are already gone on to be with the Lord. You can still honor them by walking in the Spirit and following Jesus daily.

Sometimes my heart breaks for so many parents who seldom ever see or hear from their children. There are many in retirement homes who seldom get a visit. Maybe it would be a great gift we could give all year if we made a decision not only to honor our own parents but all those that are elderly.

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.

Christmas List 2

2 Corinthians 8:5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but FIRST GAVE their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

One of the greatest gifts a person can give to his family and loved ones is to give himself to the Lord. When a person is saved it is not only a gift to him from God but to all those who are in his life.

Being saved should make such a difference that everyone around a person should notice a difference. A famous evangelist once said that when a man gets saved even the family dog should notice a difference.

There are people around the world praying for their spouses, their children, their friends and acquaintences and yes even their parents. Their greatest desire is to see them saved. What a wonderful gift it is when someone first gives himself to the Lord.

If you are already saved one of the greatest gifts you can give is to share the plan of salvation with someone who isn't. Salvation is the greatest gift of all. It comes from God and it is guaranteed to last for all eternity.

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.

Christmas List 1

Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

During this time of year the shops and stores are full of people filling the "wish lists" of their loved ones. Giving gifts at Christmas has been a tradition ever since the wise men followed the star to find Jesus.

Their gifts were very meaningful. The Gold was representative of his royalty as King of Kings. The frankincense was representative of his Deity, Immanuel, God with us. The myrrh was to represent his impending death for our sins.

How meaningful are the gifts that you will be giving this year. I want to use the next few devotionals discussing meaningful gifts that we as believers can give. I hope you receive a blessing from 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.



THANKSGIVING 4

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.

Reinforce What You Are Thankful For

Sometimes I sit down and look around me and just make a mental note of all the things I have to be thankful for. Sometimes I am thankful that I didn't get something that I thought I wanted.

If we look at what others have that we don't have it can cause us to be envious and cause us to be unthankful. We need to take a closer look at what God has blessed us with. Sometimes I think it might be wise to make a written list and not just a mental note.

I am most thankful for Jesus and my salvation. That is a gift He gave me even though I am so undeserving of it. If you really think of it, if you know Jesus and have eternal life and forgiveness of your sins, everything else is just a bonus.

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 3

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.

REPLACE WORRY WITH THANKSGIVING

We worry about a lot of things. The Bible tells us that:

Luke 21:26 Men's hearts FAILING THEM FOR FEAR, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

That sounds a lot like worry to me.

We worry about our health and worry is probably the worst thing we can do for our health. We worry about finances while at the same time we fail to do what needs to be done to get them under control. People worry about all sorts of things when the best we can do is to trust God.

This does not mean that we are not to do the things we should do to handle problems. After we have done all we can do we need to turn them over to God and thank him for all he has done for us. When we replace worry with Thanksgiving it relieves a lot of stress from our lives.

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 2

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.



Some people seem to always look at the dark side of things. They never seem to be thankful. I am reminded of an old story of a woman who had a fantastic potato harvest with all her potatoes being almost perfect. One of her neighbors commented on the fact that she should be very thankful for such a beautiful crop of potatoes. She responded, "That's good all right enough but what am I supposed to do for the bad ones to feed the pigs?"


If we concentrate on what we don't have and fail to see all the things we do have it causes us to complain and have a negative attitude. It happens to all of us at times. Not long ago I was having a little pity party and my son took me to task over it. He began to point out how blessed I was and I felt a little ashamed over it.


Many people in the world go to bed hungry each night not knowing where their next meal will come from. One of the biggest problems in our country is people being overweight. Our homes would be considered mansions in many countries. Let's stop and give thanks to God for the way he has blessed us. He is so Good to us all.


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 1

2 Corinthians 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us THANKSGIVING to God


When we think of Thanksgiving we often think of the Holiday. We gather with our families, eat way too much and watch football. This year with all the TV hype it seemed that they are going to change Thanksgiving to Black Thursday and try to make a major shopping day out of it.

Thanksgiving is not just a one day Holiday. Thanksgiving is a state of mind. Without a thankful heart it is hard to find joy, or peace and especially happiness.

God has blessed us so tremendously but we often take his blessings for granted and fail to show how thankful we are. When we really stop and think of how much we have it should make us stop and praise God with Thanksgiving.

The next few devotionals will be devoted to being thankful. I hope you get a blessing from 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.

FOR HIS SAKE 5

Psalms 25:11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask IN MY NAME, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Sometimes we think if we had more resources, more time, more talent, or more of something else that we would be able to do more for the Lord.

 

The fact is that anything that we do to Glorify God, without any thought of self, of reward, or any other motivation than a love for Jesus Christ gives us access to all the resources of Heaven.

 

I think one of our biggest problems is that we think too much of our own selves when it comes to doing things in Jesus name. Doing something in Jesus name does not just mean using His name... it means doing so that God will be Glorified.

 

Remember, God wants to bless you. He wants to do it for His name's sake.

 

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.

FOR HIS SAKE 4

Psalms 25:11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

GOD IS GLORIFIED BY WHAT WE DO IN HIS NAME

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together IN MY NAME, there am I in the midst of them.

God is glorified in the things that He endorses. We know that when we sign a check that we are putting our approval on it. That is what it means to do something in God's name. If it is truly in His name it will have His approval. Many claim to do things in His name when they are truly against His will and teachings.

God's authority is not something to take lightly. He authorizes those things which will bring Glory to Him and to His name. He is Holy. He is God. Reverence Him and Honor Him for His name's sake.

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.

FOR HIS SAKE 3

Psalms 25:11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast CREATED all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were CREATED

MAN IS TRANSFORMED FOR HIS SAKE

Romans 12:2 And be not CONFORMED to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Something is considered transformed when it is one thing and then becomes something else completely. That is the way it should be when a person becomes a Christian. He should become a new creature.

Man in His original condition is guided by the flesh and his own desires. When He is saved he should become an entirely new creature who is guided by God's Holy Spirit dwelling within Him.

We should be transformed for His Sake. God is glorified when people can see the wonderful difference that being saved can make in your life.

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.

FOR HIS SAKE 2

Psalms 25:11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast CREATED all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were CREATED

SALVATION GLORIFIES GOD

When we are saved it is not just so that we don't have to go to hell. God is glorified in the salvation of souls and in the pardoning of sin.

Only God can pardon our sins. We can not receive pardon from a human priest, from an organization, a church, or a religious sect. Pardon can only come from God through the blood of Jesus Christ.

No one else has the power or the authority to forgive our sins. When Jesus died for our sins the veil that separated the holiest place in the temple from the common man was torn in half. We are now able to "go boldly before the throne of grace." He is glorified in forgiving our sins and in that I am sure He takes pleasure in that forgiveness.

There is no other plan for our salvation that is viable except the one that God has shown us in His Word. You are saved for His sake.

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.

FOR HIS SAKE 1

Psalms 25:11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast CREATED all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were CREATED

Sometimes we act as if God withholds blessings from us and only grudgingly blesses us. That could not be farther from the truth. God is glorified in our lives. He created us for His pleasure and He takes pleasure in a strong relationship with us.

Many of us are not living up to our purpose of creation because we are so busy living life our own way that we fail to allow God to bless us in a way that brings glory to Him.

For His sake, keep a close enough fellowship with Him that the world might watch as He blesses 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.

WE MUST HAVE A VISION 5

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

SHARING THE VISION

Churches are perishing today because they have no vision. In the previous devotionals I discussed several things we should have a vision for. This was by no means a complete list but we must have a vision for the awfulness of sin, for the destructiveness of sin, and for the remedy of sin. I am afraid we have become complacent and are not worried about the souls of me.

Once in a church service they were singing, "Rescue The Perishing". One of the members was convicted by the Holy Spirit that we were failing to do that. He jumped up and shouted, "That is exactly what we are supposed to be doing, we are supposed to be rescuing the perishing." Someone told him to calm down, after all, "It is just a song!"

 

It might be just a song but the message is one that should pierce the hearts of all believers. We need to be about the business of warning others of the penalty of sin and telling them about the pardon of sinners by Jesus.

I ask you to pray for me that I will have a greater burden to share the gospel with the lost. Pray that I will have a vision for "souls".

 

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.

WE MUST HAVE A VISION 4

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

WE MUST HAVE A VISION FOR THE REMEDY OF SIN

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus is the only remedy for sin. He paid our sin debt by suffering our punishment of us. He offers us salvation as a gift. We must swallow our pride and realize that there is nothing we can do but accept the gift of salvation from Him.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Don't try to complicate it and don't ever deceive yourself into to thinking that there is anything you can do to deserve to be saved. A gift is not something you can deserve. It is something you humbly accept.

Have a vision of your Savior and share that vision with others.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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.

WE MUST HAVE A VISION 3

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

PEOPLE ARE PERISHING FROM SIN

We need to have a vision of the destructiveness of sin. I am a firm believer in the security of a believer. I believe that we are saved by God's grace and kept by God's grace and no one can pry us out of the Savior's hand. Some people mistakenly believe that people who believe in the security of believers take that as a license to sin. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Sin will not cause me to lose my salvation but it will have a destructive effect on me.

I will give you an example. Suppose I were to get drunk and wind up in an automobile accident and cut off one of my arms. God would forgive me but he would not grow me a new arm. That is an extreme situation maybe but we need a vision of the extreme destructiveness of sin. Many individuals, families and even churches are perishing because they disregard the destructiveness of sin.

Remember, sin will take you farther than you want to go. It will keep you longer than you want to stay and it will cost you more than you want to pay.

God forbids us to do certain things because in His infinite wisdom He knows they are destructive. We need to have a vision of the destructiveness of sin.

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.

WE MUST HAVE A VISION 2

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

PEOPLE ARE PERISHING FROM SIN

As Christians we need to have a vision for the awfulness of sin. I am afraid that we have lost our understanding of the awfulness of sin. We are quick to look at sinners and after seeing the effects of sin upon them we label them as awful but we still tolerate the same sin in moderation.

I can not understand how anyone can see the destructiveness of alcohol upon society and still think that it is alright to drink socially. I have known a lot of people whose lives were effected or destroyed by liquor and not one of them set that as a goal for their life. Sin sneaks in and then it just takes a little more each time.

We need to have a vision of destructiveness of sin on our families. Remember all our actions effect those we are close too. Parents need to protect their children from sinful situations. It is much more important for us to keep our young people pure than to make them popular. We would never dream of sending them to school with filthy hands and faces yet many are sent out each day with unclean souls.

We feed them, clothe them, pack their lunches and rush them to the bus or to school without taking time to pray for them. It is important that they see and hear you praying for God to protect them from sin. It has a strengthening effect when they are tempted.

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.

WE MUST HAVE A VISION 1

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS

In an earlier devotional I mentioned the fact that many people are just going through the motions of living. They work, they eat, they sleep and then when they are off work they spend their time trying to forget that they have to start it all over again. Instead of making the most of their lives they are just flowing with the currents of life hoping some day to drift into the port of some dream paradise.

Someone once said that Christopher Columbus was just lucky. He started out not knowing where he was going, when he got there he didn't know where he was and when he got back he didn't know where he had been. To add to all that he did it all on borrowed money. Maybe Columbus had something that did make it all happen, he had a vision. He had a vision of new routes to an old world but wound up discovering a new one.

Many today are doing the same as Christopher Columbus only they lack the vision. Do you have a vision? Are you working toward specific goals in your life or are you just floating on the currents of circumstances hoping to make a happy landing at some port some day. It is your life. You should decide where you want to steer it.

I hope you receive a blessing from the next few devotionals concerning having a vision.

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.

HELP FOR THE HEART 5

Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;(26) Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

PEOPLE'S HEARTS ARE FAILING FOR FEAR

We certainly live in perilous times. We need only turn on the news or read a paper and it seems that there is something new that should scare us.

Terrorism seems to continue in spite of the War being raged against it. Our government is enough to make us all be a little fearful when we look at the massive failures of the last several years.

Experts keep telling us of the terrible economy. (Personally I can't tell that I am much worse off than I have been all along.)

The News is constantly showing us how dangerous our food supply, medicine, and water is.

Crime is on the rise. We are constantly at war. I could go on and on with the list of things that cause us to be fearful but the one thing we must remember is that all this is temporary.

This world and this life will pass away but there is peace and victory in Jesus Christ who is eternal. I have nothing in the world to fear because this world is not my home, I am just passing through on my way to my eternal home.

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.

HELP FOR THE HEART 4

Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;(26) Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

PEOPLE'S HEARTS ARE BROKEN BECAUSE THEY FEEL TRAPPED

Many people are snared by their circumstances and locked in by their own actions or as one preacher said "they are hemmed in by their habits."

It is sad to see so many people who are just going through the motions of life. They are depressed or anxious and they feel trapped with no way out.

There are many people who are truly in some bad situations that we can not imagine but there are many who could change everything around them if they would just change the way they react to what goes on around them. We must understand that Jesus is the only one who can give us true liberty.

The apostle Paul spoke much about his liberty in Christ even though he spent much of his later years imprisoned. If Jesus reigns supreme in your heart you will not be trapped, you will be free.

Sometimes I hesitate to write devotionals like these because it seems like they are trivializing serious situations and making the solution sound simple. Allowing Jesus to be the Lord of all of your life is anything but simple. It takes a lot of work and you must be willing to swallow some pride and show some humility. Believe me, that can take a lot of effort but it will be well worth it if you become free from your circumstances.

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.

HELP FOR THE HEART 3

Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;(26) Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

PEOPLE'S HEARTS ARE BROKEN FROM LONELINESS

Loneliness is a lot different from being alone. We all need time to be alone with God but that does not mean being lonely. We can be in a crowd of people and still feel lonely.

From the small child who feels he has no friends and the teenager who doesn't fit in, to the adult who feels isolated from those around him, there are many who are lonely.

The Bible tells us that Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He is there for us when the whole world deserts us. When we are close to Him we will be serving Him which means ministering to others. When we minister to others the loneliness seems to disappear.

Our hearts are lonely when we are consumed with ourselves. When our hearts are filled with a love for Jesus we will seldom feel lonely.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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.

HELP FOR THE HEART 2

Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;(26) Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

PEOPLE FEAR FAILURE

It seems that people sometimes try so hard and still fail. The work of their hands turns to clay instead of Gold. The American dream seems to have turned into a nightmare for many. Streets are filled with people who are protesting because things haven't turned out the way they thought they would.

We are not doing our youth any favors by promising them a good education will insure that they have a good job and a promising future. What we need to is teach our children to live their lives for Jesus. This world is temporary and it promises us nothing.

Jesus is eternal and He promises us eternal life and if we abide in Him we are promised abundant life.

No life lived for the cause of Christ is a failure. If we live for Jesus there are eternal rewards that we can not even imagine. That is far from failure.

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.

HELP FOR THE HEART 1

Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;(26) Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

One of the signs that Jesus gave us concerning the end times was that men's hearts will be failing them because of fear and worrying about things that are happening on the Earth.

We hear much about heart disease and heart failure each year. Maybe people need to begin to trust Jesus more because:

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Jesus still has help for the aching heart. I am going to discuss some of the things that make our hearts ache and how Jesus can help with them in the next few devotionals. I hope you receive a blessing from them and If you have an aching heart I hope you find some comfort in them.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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.

RESPONSIBLE 33

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION IN YOUR CHURCH

The first sermon preached each Sunday is not by the preacher, but by you. You preach a message of good cheer when you say "good morning" to those you meet as you are parking your car, or in the hallway and classrooms.

You preach a message of welcome! We have room for you when you slide over in the pew instead of forcing others to squeeze in front of you. You preach a message of hope and joy when you enthusiastically sing during the song service.

You preach a message about the power of prayer when you fervently enter our time of prayer together. You preach a message about respect when you listen attentively while the special music is being presented.

You preach a message of love when you smile, say hello and introduce yourself to visitors. You preach a message about faith when you give your tithes and offerings. You preach a message about the importance of the Scriptures when you open your Bible to the sermon text.

Many messages are preached before the minister stands up to bring his message. If your message is positive and consistent, then the message given from the pulpit will be much better received.

This Sunday morning be prepared to preach your best sermon.

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.

RESPONSIBLE 32

WE SHOULD BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE TO GOD:

1 COR. 16:1-3

(Luke 6:38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

INTRODUCTION: GOD GIVES TO US FREELY AND WANTS US TO GIVE ALSO SO THAT WE WILL KNOW THE JOY THAT COMES FROM GIVING.

We are responsible to provide for our own household. God intends for all of us to do useful work to take care of ourselves. It is also our Christian duty to help those who are less fortunate than we are.

We are to give to the Lord's work so that the gospel can be preached throughout the world. God has told us that the first ten percent of what we have belongs to Him. This by no means restricts us to ten per cent. God blesses richly those who give willingly from a cheerful heart.

One of the things that I have learned over the years is that I can not out give 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.

RESPONSIBLE 31

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may EDIFY another.

STRONG'S CONCORDANCE defines the word edify as the act of one who promotes another's growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness.

Someone once said that in society there are two types of people, the builders and the wreckers. That is also true in the Church and the Christian community. The wreckers are the ones who criticize, complain, and become barriers to those who are trying to accomplish something.

Wouldn't it be much better to be a builder. One critical or insulting remark can wreck a persons day, disrupt a meeting, break up a friendship, and alienate people. It is certainly true that everyone doesn't always do things the way we would like them too. Without a doubt most of us can stand a lot of improvement. It is hard to improve something by tearing it down.

If you are looking for ways to build up yourself and to grow in your Christian life why not start by building up someone else. Share a blessing with a friend. Compliment someone who is not expecting one from you. Let someone know how much you admire something about them. Encourage someone who is trying something new or difficult.

You will be surprised how much difference it will make in your own life. You will be more positive. You will gain strength from those you strengthen. You will feel better when you build someone else up. Let us edify one another.

 

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.

RESPONSIBLE TO GOD 30

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO LIVE IN THE WORLD AND STILL REPRESENT CHRIST

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

When we are saved the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts to dwell forever. He is our guide. He is our teacher.

The Holy Spirit will teach us, convict us, help us pray, witness and live for Jesus in the world. We must strive to allow the Holy Spirit to have control of our life.

It is the only way that we can live in the world and not be of the World. This is not something that comes easily. It comes from denying the flesh and the desires of the flesh and yielding to His leadership.

We have a responsibility to represent Jesus in this world. We do that by walking in the Spirit and allowing Him to control our lives.

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.

RESPONSIBLE TO GOD 29

RESPONSIBILITY OF PRAYER

(Luke 11:1) And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

EXPECT GOD TO ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS

Sometimes God says no to our prayers. Sometimes we pray for things that would not be best for us. There is a country song that says "I thank God for unanswered prayers." Actually the prayers are not unanswered, God just says no sometimes.

Sometimes God says wait. We may ask for things sometimes when we are not yet ready to receive them or to handle them. When I first surrendered to the ministry I prayed hard for a church to pastor. It was four years before God answered my prayer but as I look back I now know that I was not ready before then. I am thankful that God had me wait because if I had started pastoring sooner I would have probably became discouraged and quit.

Sometimes God answers yes and we are very sure that it is an answer to prayer. In my life I have seen many things that God did and I knew that it could only come from Him. That is what a miracle is.

In closing this section on prayer I want to finish with one story. Early in my ministry my car was about to fall apart and I desperately needed a car but it seems like there was no way for me to get one. I was a little disturbed that God would not provide me a way to visit hospitals, to witness and to do His work. I was really having a pity party. When I finally realized that my attitude was in the way I prayed, "Lord, I intend to serve you. I will witness if I have to walk. I will visit the hospitals if I have to ride a bicycle. Me having a car is not what is important. Doing your work is what is important."

The next day I was able to get a car financed at a price that I could afford and I don't think I have ever been without a vehicle since.

We serve a great God who wants us to pray. How is your prayer life?

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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.

RESPONSIBLE TO GOD 28

RESPONSIBILITY OF PRAYER

James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

WE NEED FOR GOD TO BE THE FOCUS OF OUR PRAYER LIFE

Solomon could have asked for greatness and riches but instead he asked for wisdom to rule God's people. God gave Him all of them because he did not ask selfishly.

We are much like the little boy who was praying for certain gifts for his birthday in a very loud voice. His brother told him, "You don't have to pray so loudly, God is not hard of hearing."

"No," his brother said, "But grandma is."

Another little boy, when asked if he prayed every day said, "No, I don't want something every day."

We should not pray selfishly, even though it is alright to ask God for things. Just remember that God knows what is good for you and He knows your heart better than you do.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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.

RESPONSIBLE TO GOD 27

RESPONSIBILITY OF PRAYER

 

(James 5:16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

WE MUST PRAY WITH DILIGENCE

Too often when someone ask us to pray for them we will mumble a hurried prayer and then forget the request. This should not be the case. We should try to remember that person and their problem or situation and hold them up before the Lord on a regular basis until they receive an answer from God or we receive an answer from God.

I remember a time in my life when I was really burdened for one of my wife's nieces who was very sick. I prayed for her daily and each worship service I would go to the altar and pray during the invitation. (I strongly believe in altar prayer.) One Sunday night as I was praying a peace came over me as if God was saying, "I have heard your prayer and answered your request."

I had been praying fervently and God did grant my request. She got over the terrible disease and was healed. Believe what God's Word says about prayer...it is all true.

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.