Tuesday, May 31, 2011

THE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH

2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. {7} I have fought a good fight, I have finished course, I have kept the faith: {8} Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

There are many types of followers of Jesus but I believe the ones that bring Him the most honor are the ones who are faithful unto death.

I have sat by the deathbed of some saintly old senior citizens and have even been in the room as some of the passed on to be with the Lord. There was no struggle, there was no fighting it. There was just a peace that passes all understanding.

I have heard many who were nearing their departure talk of going home as if it was a place they knew well and that they longed for.

One day will come when we have done all that God placed us here to do and then too it will be time for us to go. It will be wonderful if we can say I am now ready to be offered. I have fought a good fight and I have followed Jesus to the very end.

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.

Monday, May 30, 2011

PRAYER AND OUR NATION

Prayer in 1620 safely guided the Mayflower with the Pilgrims to a new world.
Prayer in 1623 saved the Pilgrim fathers from starvation.
Prayer in 1777 at Valley Forge saved the Continental Army and won the war for American Independence.
Prayer at Philadelphia saved the Constitutional Convention and gave birth to the American way of life.
Prayer in 1857 saved America from economic destruction.
Prayer in 1918 ended World War I and lack of prayer started World War II.
Prayer saved England at Dunkirk. Myriads of fliers and service men of all nations lost at sea were saved through prayer.
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Note: Prayer is the only hope the United States of America has today. Let us each one pray fervently for God's guidance and blessings on this great nation.

We prayed during the first Gulf War in the 90's and won a speedy victory.

We prayed after Sept 11, 2001 and God's people looked to Him for comfort.

Have we prayed for those involved in the two wars that we are now involved in? (Three counting Libya)

This spring has been one of great tragedy around the world. The earthquake and tsunami in Japan, made worse by the nuclear accident was horrible.

The South and Midwest have been battered by the worst tornadoes that are on record. Many have died and many others have lost all their belongings.

By the time this is posted the Mississippi River will be cresting somewhere and the water will be the highest on record and I am sure there will be record damage because of it.

We need to become a praying America again. It is way past time for America to humble themselves and fall on our knees.

Friday, May 27, 2011

THE SACRIFICIAL FOLLOWERS

2 Corinthians 8:5 And , not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

There are millions around the world (many right here in our own country and area) who need to hear about Jesus. Thankfully there are thousands of missionaries to carry the gospel to them.

Many times missionaries can not be added to the field because there are not enough funds to send them.

There are other needs that must be met and they are met by the people in the pew who are willing to make sacrifices. It might surprise you to know that many people don't realize why the church needs to take offerings. They do not realize that the church has the same types of bills as anyone else. Besides the salaries of the pastor and staff there are things like building payments, utilities, insurance, educational materials, maintenance and upkeep and , well you get the idea.

I have always been humbled by the fact that my living came from those who were willing to sacrifice and give to the Lord. Just like Paul, they first gave themselves to the Lord and then gave to me by the will of the Lord. (It makes you want to make sure you are a good steward over what they do give you.)

One of the lessons I learned as a pastor was that I never needed to ask the people for anything. All I had to do was ask Him and He dealt with the hearts of the people and so far I have not had a need that has not been met. Praise God and I thank Him for His followers who were willing to give themselves to Him first.

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.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

THE FEARFUL FOLLOWERS

Matthew 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

So often we are afraid to really trust God. If we can trust Him with our souls can't we trust Him with everything else. Can't we give Him more of our time, our talents, and our substance.

I have known many who were truly talented who would not use their talents regularly because they were afraid. Some could sing beautifully but would hesitate to sing specials because it made them nervous. Whenever they could be persuaded to sing usually you could see that their music helped others to worship and draw closer to God.

Many are afraid to speak out in class or answer a question because they are afraid that they may not know enough. Just to make you feel better you probably know about as much as anyone in the class and if you don't, remember, that is why you are there --- to learn.

Many people will not trust God with their substance. I am not just talking about tithing. I want to make something very clear. God does not need your money. He created everything. We do need to learn to trust God with everything we have. Not just a tenth but it all belongs to Him.

Let us not be fearful but let us be bold and trust God as we follow 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.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

THE GLORY SEEKERS

3 John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

In my thirty something years since I surrendered to the ministry I have met a lot of different types people. I suppose I am more perplexed by those who seem to have no spiritual inclinations but have a desire to run the Lord's church as if they were left in charge of it.

They seem bound and determined to have things their way even if the majority is against it and even if it goes against the teachings of the Bible. I suppose they feel like if they have the preeminence that the Glory will be theirs.

We should never seek our own glory. If we glorify the Lord and we are humble and submissive, God will be Glorified and He will in turn
Glorify us.

I once heard a story of a church janitor who did an extraordinary job of keeping the church clean. A visiting preacher commented to the pastor that he certainly should make sure the man was well paid because he did such a terrific job.

The pastor then informed him, "We don't pay him a cent. He is one of the richest men in this community and he is retired and he does it for free. He came to me one day and said he saw a need for someone to do a good job of cleaning the church and he would like the job. He said that he didn't feel he could teach or do some of the other things but he knew he could do a good job of keeping the Lord's house clean. He has been cleaning it ever since and he does a terrific job because he is doing it out of love for Jesus. Most of the people in the church aren't even aware it is him that cleans it."

We should do whatever we do for God's glory, now our own.

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.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

FOLLOWERS OF JESUS

INTRODUCTION:
There are many types of followers of Jesus. Some are not really following Him at all but are just trying to associate with Him for their own gain. The next few devotionals will deal with some of the types of people who want to associate themselves with Him and the church.

THE BREAD SEEKERS

John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

Many people follow Jesus not for the Bread of Life but out of hopes that He will satisfy the flesh. They seek Him for healing, for answered prayers, for their daily needs, and they use Him more for some kind of good luck charm than as the Son of the Living God who should be their Lord.

Many want to associate with the church because it is good public relations. It helps their business and it helps their standing in the community. They are the type that seeks God's hand but never seeks His face.

We should want to have a close relationship, one that changes our lives, with Jesus. We should want to follow Him because it is right and it will help us conform to His will. We must crucify our own flesh and our own desires and submit ourselves 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.

Monday, May 23, 2011

WE MUST STRIVE TO REACH OUR SPIRITUAL GOALS

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

We often do not reach spiritual goals simply because we don't set any. The first step to spiritual victory is trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You must become a Christian. Secondly you should publicly profess Him and identify with His death burial and resurrection in baptism.

When you are saved and baptised that is not the end of our spiritual quest, it is the beginning. You should be united with a Bible believing and Bible teaching church that is not willing to stray from God's teachings.

Once these things have been done you can then be working on your spiritual goals. You need to learn, you need to grow spiritually, you need to bear fruit and be a soul winner yourself. There might be many other goals you want to set spiritually and work toward them. Pray and study and seek God's guidance as you do so.

What are you doing about setting spiritual goals so that you might be better able to glorify God?
If you are doing nothing, when do you plan to start?

If you have no goals, you are not truly being victorious the way you should.




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.

Friday, May 20, 2011

VICTORY IS OURS FOR THE ASKING

James 4:2-3 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. {3} Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Lust is that carnal desire for physical satisfaction. Sometimes we want more than we have and we make ourselves miserable trying to get it. We live in a generation that has not learned the difference in what we want and what we really need and sadly many will go to extremes to get what they want to satisfy the desires of the flesh. Sadly this does not satisfy what they really need.

We should be seeking a close fellowship with God. A relationship in which we seek to please Him with our actions and we seek to know and feel His presence in our lives. We were created to serve and worship Him and we are saved to Glorify Him in our daily walk.

So often we are seeking His hand when we should be seeking His face. The greatest things we can desire are the spiritual things and not the carnal things of this life. We might not be possessing God's best because we are trying to grab a hold of the wrong things to begin with.

How long will you fail to live the victorious life because you desire the wrong things?



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.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

HOW LONG WILL YOU WAIT FOR VICTORY

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

VICTORY HAS ALREADY BEEN WON FOR ALL WHO WILL BELIEVE

When Jesus took the punishment for our sins on the cross and was buried with them and rose up victorious over death, He won that victory for all believers.

We have victory over death. If someone tells you that I have died don't believe a word of it. I will then be more alive than I have ever been because for a Christian to die means to be absent from this body but to be present with the Lord. There are a lot of churches that spend more time bickering over their cemetery and who can be buried there than they do trying to reach lost souls. That cemetery is just a patch of dirt and the spirit of those saved people who are buried there has already gone on to be with the Lord.

I am kind of afraid that at my funeral someone will say what one young preacher said, "This is not him, it is just the shell, the nut has already gone on." We have victory over death and the grave through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We don't even have to fear hell, Jesus overcame that for us to. If death can't keep us dead, the grave can't hold us and Hell can't reach us, I would say that is Victory.

We also have victory over the trials that will come our way in life. Regardless of the hardships we might face in this life, we know that something awesome is coming in the future. Eternal life with King Jesus. Live victorious. Jesus won the victory for 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.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

HOW LONG WILL YOU WAIT? 1

Joshua 18:1-3 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them. (2) And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance. (3) And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?

INTRODUCTION:
Joshua and the Israelites had already driven out the enemies and subdued the promised land. Joshua's question was, "How long will you wait before you go and take what is already yours?"
Many of God's people have never entered into the promise of the abundant life and the same question can be posed to you today. What are you waiting for. You need to start living the victorious abundant life that God wants for you.
In the next few devotionals we will be looking at some of the Victories that Jesus has already won for believers.
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.

Monday, May 16, 2011

SORRY FOR THE MIXUP

I have the devotionals ready for upload but I left them on my other computer. I will not be able to post them until Wednesday May 18th because I will not have an internet connection.

Friday, May 13, 2011

FAITH 7

FAITH BRINGS SALVATION

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: the gift of God:

Grace is unmerited favor. In simpler terms it means that God loves us because He wants to and not because we deserve it.

I read a story of a preacher who was on his way to visit someone and he was hit in the ear with a very hard snowball. The preacher saw the boy who had hit him and recognized him as one from his Sunday School class. At first he was angry and thought about reporting him to his parents, then he remembered that their last lesson had been about grace.

The boy's birthday was coming up and spring was just around the corner so the preacher stopped by the store and bought the boy a new fishing pole for his birthday and took it to him.

When the boy answered the door the preacher handed him the pole and said, "I know it's a little early but I also know you really wanted a fishing pole for your birthday so I brought you one."

The little boy looked sad and said, "I can't take it preacher. I don't guess you know but it was me that hit you in the ear with that snowball."

The preacher smiled and said, "I knew it was you but I am glad you admitted it. I still want you to have the fishing pole."

"But why would you do that," the boy puzzled, "I deserve to be punished not to be rewarded."

"Remember our lesson on grace this past Sunday?" the preacher asked him.

The boy's face lit up. "I understand it now. Grace is a fishing pole when you really deserve to get a whipping."

That is a simple illustration of grace. God's grace is salvation when we really deserve to be punished in Hell. We must have faith that God doesn't want to give us what we deserve but what we will accept from Him. His grace came to us through His Son Jesus.

Have faith and accept the Gift of 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.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

FAITH 6

FAITH GIVES THE BELIEVER PEACE

Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Anxiety and depression are two very common problems in our society. Let me make it clear that I realize that many people have true medical problems that cause them to have these symptoms. Sometimes chemical imbalances have to be treated with medication and it is foolish to tell someone who truly has a medical problem to just get over it.

There are many though who do not have peace because they do not have faith. They worry about what bad things may happen, even when they have no reason to expect that they will. This type of worry is nothing but negative fantasy. Instead of living in a fantasy world where they can have anything they want, they live in a fantasy world where anything bad can happen to them.

I have known tragedy. I have known sickness. I have lost people I love and I am sure that I will experience some more of these things but I choose not to live my life as if they had already happened. It is my opinion that we should, "Rejoice always" and live each day to the fullest, knowing that God is present and that He cares very much for us. Faith is believing that God can handle anything that comes your way and He can get you through it. When we have that faith it certainly brings peace.

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.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

FAITH 5

FAITH MAKES THE BELIEVER CONTENTED

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content.

In the news we hear of celebrities who once had millions being on the verge of bankruptcy. We hear of those who are adored and even worshiped by millions dying from drugs while they live secluded lives on their vast estates. It seems to me that they may be anything but contented. Some people seem never to be able to have enough.

As Paul writes here he says that he has learned to be contented regardless of his circumstances. A person who is grateful for what they have is one of the most contented people in the world.

You have probably heard the quote, "I complained because I had no shoes until I saw a man that had no feet." Most of us in this great country live in luxury compared to a large percentage of the world. We have come to consider luxuries to be necessities.

My air conditioner quit working and it got up to 85 degrees in the house and my wife and I were miserable, and yes we complained about the heat and grumbled because it was hard to sleep. If we think about it comparatively, we are truly spoiled. There are many who don't even have shelter, many who are constantly hot, cold, wet, or hungry and yet we complain and whine when we don't have our luxuries.

We must have faith that God loves us even through difficulties. We have Jesus as Savior and we have a promise of eternal life through faith in Him. What reason could we possibly have not to rejoice in Him and be contented regardless of the 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.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

FAITH 4

FAITH GIVES THE BELIEVER A WISE HEART

Daniel 1:17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Faith is essentially trusting God's word and his promises. When we truly believe God and His promises it helps us make wise decisions in our life. Faith causes us to seek God's guidance before we make important decisions in our lives.

We live in a society where one in two marriages end in divorce. Many say that it is because divorce is too easy. I think maybe it is because too many enter into marriage without ever seeking God's counsel. Many people spend more time making a decision about buying an automobile than they do in picking a person to spend the rest of their lives with.

We should exercise our faith in God when we make any important decision. Will the outcome glorify God? Is what we want to do in harmony with God's Word? How will what I do effect my testimony? Will my decision draw me closer to God or lead me farther away?

Those are all questions we need to ask, having faith that the decisions God would have us make are the wisest ones. Make wise decisions by having faith in a God who loves you and wants the very best for 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.

Monday, May 9, 2011

FAITH 3

FAITH MAKES THE BELIEVER COURAGEOUS

2 Samuel 22:30 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I remember as a child watching the TV show about Superman. It started out with "It's a bird, it's a plane...no it's Superman. Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings at a single bound." That might not be exact but you get the idea. As a boy I wished that I could be a Superman. As I have grown older I realize that we can't be like the fictional character who fought for "Truth, Justice, and the American Way," but I do believe that with faith we can be more than we are sometimes.

Whenever we know we are led by God to do something we should never say, "I can't," or "I don't think I can." If God is leading us to do something, we CAN do all things. When we are saved we receive the Holy Spirit into our lives and that makes us no longer natural creatures but it makes us supernatural.

When we are saved we are changed into something with a new nature. It is like the caterpillar when it becomes a butterfly. If the butterfly continued to crawl around everywhere like a caterpillar it would not be fulfilling it's purpose. Faith should cause us to soar and spread beauty like the butterfly.

Be courageous. There is no glory for God in our fear.

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.

Friday, May 6, 2011

FAITH 2

FAITH MAKES THE BELIEVER FARSIGHTED

John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw , and was glad.

FAITH MAKES ETERNAL THINGS BECOME AS REAL AS PRESENT THINGS TO THE BELIEVER.

When we really have faith we believe the promises of God. We believe what the Bible says about eternal life and about Heaven. If we really believe we will begin to live as if the promises have already come to pass.

Faith makes Heaven so real that we can imagine not only the beauty of the gates of pearl and the streets of Gold but of a place where there is no more sickness, pain, death or sin of any sort.

Faith makes it easier to handle the death of a loved one because in our faith is the assurance that we will see them again. Faith and fear do not mix well. When we truly have faith we know that we have nothing to fear from this world because Jesus has overcome the world. Too often we become nearsighted and can only see the now, and see the things that are right before us. Faith helps us to see eternal things and those things that are yet to come.


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.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

WHAT FAITH DOES FOR THE BELIEVER INTRODUCTI0N

Matthew 9:27-28 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. (28) And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

So many times we ask the Lord for something and then go on our way never really expecting Him to grant it. They had a specific need just as we have many specific needs. Many times I have suffered through some malady simply because I did not have enough faith to ask Jesus to heal me or remove the difficulty.

You may have a spiritual problem or a problem in your personal life that you want to pray about and ask God to take care of. If you were asked point blank if you believe that Jesus is able to handle your problem could you answer, "Yes, Lord." and really mean it?

In the next few devotionals we will look at what faith can do in the believer's life. Remember it is not great faith that matters. It is faith in a Great God that really counts.

Note: Some of these devotionals have been previously posted. I am editing them and re posting them. I am at the present time compiling an Ebook of devotionals for those with eReaders or who might want them to put on their computers. As I do this I will probably be using and re posting some devotionals from the past.

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.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

WAYS TO RESIST THE DEVIL 7

YIELD TO THE SPIRIT

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Never let Satan fool you into thinking that he has anything good to offer you. He will tempt you with enticing things but they will eventually become ugly and hateful. No one will argue that sin is not attractive. If it weren't preachers wouldn't have to be preaching about it all the time. It looks enticing because Satan always just paints a picture of the brief pleasure sin brings and never shows the destruction it causes.

On the other hand God wants what is best for you. When you are saved He sends His Holy Spirit to dwell in your heart to guide you into close fellowship with Him. The closer you are to God, the easier it is to resist the devil.

Yielding to the spirit helps us in several ways. Yielding brings us Joy. Yielding gives us power. Yielding brings glory to God. All these things help us to resist the devil.


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.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

WAYS TO RESIST THE DEVIL 6

SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM THE WORLD

Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove .

I heard someone say recently that they did not know whether the church was getting worldly or the world was getting churchy but it sure was hard to tell the difference now days. I hate to say it but in many instances they are right about telling the difference but you and I know that for sure the world isn't getting churchy. That leaves only one choice.

The church can not get worldly unless the members who make her up become worldly. I read a lot of quotes and sayings and one thing I keep reading that I think might be a mistake is that everyone says that we need to build more bridges than walls. If you will check your concordance in your Bible you will find that it says a whole lot more about building walls than it does about building bridges.

When we do what the world does, talk like the world does and dress and act like the world does we are not resisting the devil but we are taking him by his hand as if he were our companion.

We are supposed to be not a little different but a lot different. We are supposed to be downright peculiar according to scriptures. If you are peculiar it will cause you to separate from the world. It will help you resist the devil.

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.

Monday, May 2, 2011

WAYS TO RESIST THE DEVIL 5

THE MORE WE TRUST GOD THE MORE WE RESIST THE DEVIL

Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Job had more troubles than I have room to mention in this short devotional but he still had complete trust in God. He was determined to do the right things because he knew that God was trustworthy.

We shall never perish if we are saved. This infuriates Satan and frustrates him. If Satan can't keep you from being saved he wants to make you doubt. He wants you do doubt God's grace and your own salvation. When we learn to trust completely in God and in His grace, that doesn't leave much for Satan to work on.

I love the song "Victory in Jesus" because it says so much. How can we be defeated? Jesus has already won the victory for us.

Remember, distrust is a wound in the heart of God and Satan rejoices in it. Trust God completely and you are surely resisting the devil.


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.