WHAT I WANT Part 1

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, {23} Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

If we are to walk in the Spirit it will take a decision of whether we want to be what God wants us to be or whether we want to let our fleshly desires direct us. I just want to share some thoughts about what I want.

Part 1

I WANT TO BE MORE LOVING:
Help me to love those who need loving the most.
Help me to love those who do not love me.
Help me to love unconditionally.

I WANT TO BE MORE JOYFUL:
TO FIND JOY IN THE SIMPLE THINGS.
TO PROJECT THAT JOY IN SUCH A WAY THAT OTHERS WILL

ALSO BE JOYFUL.

I WANT TO ENJOY MORE PEACE:
BY THINKING MORE ON THE SPIRITUAL AND LESS ON THE CARNAL
BY TRUSTING GOD MORE EACH DAY AND REALIZING THAT :

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that[love God], to them who are the called according to purpose.

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.

ONE DAY AT A TIME

James 4:13-14 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such acity, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: (14)Whereas ye know not what on the morrow. For what your life? It is even a [vapour], that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Life is not difficult if we take it one day at a time. Jesus taught us to take one day at a time.

Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day the evil thereof.

It can be overwhelming to try to plan a lifetime. What we need to do is make the best of each day that God has given us.

TODAY I WILL:

1. WORK ON MY LITTLE PROBLEMS AND NOT TRY TO SOLVE EVERYTHING AT ONCE

2. MAKE UP MY MIND TO BE AS HAPPY AS I POSSIBLY CAN
Abraham Lincoln said, "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

3. TODAY I WILL DEAL WITH THINGS REALISTICLY
There is a little prayer that you see on a lot of plaques and pictures that simply says, "Lord help me to be reasonable. There are things in the world that need to be different. Help me to change the things I can and accept the things I cannot change."

4. TODAY I WILL SPEND SOME QUIET TIME WITH GOD
TODAY I WILL PRAY:
TODAY I WILL READ AND STUDY GOD'S WORD
TODAY I WILL MEDITATE AND THINK FOR AWHILE ON SPIRITUAL THINGS
5. TODAY I WILL TRY TO FINISH SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN PUTTING OFF.

6. TODAY I WILL WORK ON SOME AREA OF MY LIFE AND TRY TO IMPROVE.
I WILL ESPECIALLY TRY TO GROW SPIRITUALLY TODAY.

7. TODAY I WILL BE EASY TO GET ALONG WITH

8. TODAY I WILL TRY DO MY BEST TO WITNESS TO SOMEONE WHO IS LOST.



Escape 1

Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;


INTRODUCTION:
Jewish Christians were in danger of trying to leave off the doctrine of grace and revert back to the Law of Moses. They were trying to mix works and grace. The writer of the book of Hebrews was warning them of the danger of neglecting Grace and the the true source of our salvation.

There are many today who are still trying to work for, or earn their salvation. They are trying to insert themselves into the equation and it just will not work. Salvation is a gift of God through Jesus Christ. Jesus and only Jesus was worthy to pay for the penalty of sin and He offers us that salvation by grace through faith.

Many will not escape because of their own unbelief. God has made the plan of salvation so simple that even a child can be saved. Many will not escape because their pride will not let them believe that it is so simple.

If you need to know more about what the Bible says about how to be saved I will be more than glad to share the scripture with 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.

UNLIMITED CALLING 2

Psalms 4:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

God Hears Us When We call

When we call upon God we don't have to worry about not having enough minutes in our plan. When the think about it the more minutes we use talking to God the better our plan gets.

We don't have to worry about dropped calls. God never drops our call and we never get a busy signal. God always hears our call. The main problem we have is that we are way to hesitant to make that call sometimes. It is not like the 911 number that we should only use in an emergency. It is a number that welcomes our call.

We need to make the call to God for many different reasons. We can call in times of distress. Sometimes we need to send up a prayer for relief or help in time of trouble. Sometimes we need to call out to God for direction and advice.

I think since we have an unlimited calling plan it would be good if we just call up sometimes to talk.

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.

UNLIMITED CALLING 1

Psalms 4:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

Communication has come a long way in my lifetime. I don't quiet go all the way back to smoke signals and drums but I can remember being on an 8 party line. That meant that there were 7 other homes on the same line as we were. Needless to say, nothing could be considered private. It was great when we finally got a private line with no one else on it.

Recently we have had the introduction of mobile phones, the internet, skype (whatever that is) and now ipads and iphones. We are definitely connected. Every time you watch TV you see commercials advertising plans with unlimited minutes. You can call and talk all you want.

David was already aware of a plan with unlimited minutes. He knew that he could call on God any time and talk as much as he wanted to or needed to. Isn't it great to know that those who know Jesus can go boldly before God's throne of Grace anytime and talk to him.

I love that unlimited plan.



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.

GROWING UP

1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I [spake as a child], I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Childishness is marked by a desire to play. Many people are playing at life. They play at making a home, they play at being married and some even play at church. When we play at these things we only want the parts that are fun and benefit us. We don't want to make a commitment or make any sacrifices.

Childishness is marked by selfishness. Selfishness is about self, it is about what I want. If I don't get what I want I will not be pleasant to be around. Sadly we have developed several generations of people who think they are entitled. I really think we have developed the greatest crop of cry babies in the history of the world. When we start realizing that we are responsible for our actions and we are also responsible to and for others it is a mark of maturity.

Childishness is characterized by self pity. They like him better than me. No one likes me. No one wants to play with me. These are childish remarks but if we examine ourselves we might just find that there are times that we begin to have our own little pity party. We can overcome this by trying to be the very best person we can be.

Childishness is failure to recognize obligation and responsibility. Remember, we are obligated to our church family and we are responsible for the ministry that the Lord left for us. As we mature we are more than happy to take on this responsibility.

Childishness is also a lack of gratitude. Children seldom say thank you for their food and clothes and the hard work their parents do to provide for them. Aren't we too childish when we fail to be thankful to God for His love and provision?

I think it is a great time to put away childish things and grow up.

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.

LOVE LIFTED ME

Psalm 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the MIRY CLAY, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

When we are in church we talk a lot about Heaven and where we are going. Sometimes as we look at others and the way they are living we fear for where they are going. Sadly sometimes we forget where we were headed and and where we came from.

We forget the horrible pit of sin and the miry clay of our lost condition. We need to be concerned about people going to hell but we also should be concerned about them remaining in sin. I would never, ever want to go back to being in my lost condition.

I am glad I am on my way to heaven but I am also glad that I was lifted out of sin and out of my lost condition by God's marvelous grace and the undeserved love that He showed me by sending His Son to die for my sins.

When He sets us on that solid rock our goings are established.

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.

WISDOM 6

WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING COME FROM GOD

Prov. 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Wisdom first comes in recognizing that there is a God. We then must realize that we are sinners.

Once we realize that we are sinners we recognize that we can not save ourselves. We need a Savior.

Wisdom recognizes that the only one worthy to save us is the Son of God, Jesus who died in our place to save us from our sins.

True wisdom comes when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Wisdom grows as we learn to obey the Lord in our everyday lives. Understanding comes as we begin to trust God and walk according to His Word. Wisdom increases as we grow in spirit and in submission to God.

Seek wisdom. That is greater than honor and riches and even long 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.

WISDOM 5

WISDOM IS IMPORTANT

Prov. 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding.

It is important that we get wisdom. This verse tells us that wisdom is the principal thing. It is important.

WISDOM IS GOOD FOR YOU
Prov. 19:8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

Understanding the Word of God helps you to understand the will of God and that will lead you to good things. Sometimes we have trouble knowing what is really good. All good things come from God and it takes wisdom and understanding to know this.

If you are to seek wisdom you must first seek a right relationship with God. He did create you for good works and you were created for His pleasure. It is not wise to leave Him out of our lives.


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.

WISDOM 4

WISDOM IS PRICELESS;
Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver.

Wisdom comes from God. Solomon asked for wisdom and God granted it. There are many today who have wealth, fame, popularity but have absolutely no wisdom.

I am not talking about education or even knowledge. Wisdom is knowing what to do with the knowledge that we have. We must have a knowledge of God and we must be willing to act upon that knowledge in a way that we know is pleasing to God.

Many things we might ask for can be worthless but wisdom is priceless.


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.

WISDOM 3

1 Kings- 3:13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

Solomon could have chosen Honor and Fame but he did not. There are many stories of men who were honored by men but were rejected by God.

Belshazzar was a great leader but he saw the handwriting on the wall that said, "Thou has been weighed in the balance and found wanting." He was so scared the Bible says that "his knees smote one against the other." He did not see another sun rise because he died that night.

The scribes and pharisees sought recognition and honor but Jesus called them "Vipers and hypocrites." Solomon desired the recognition of God more than men.

If we seek wisdom we too will seek to please God instead of man.


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.

WISDOM 2

1 Kings- 3:13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

God has much to offer to each one of his children. It is important that we choose the right gifts that will bring Glory to His name.

Solomon could have chosen riches but we see so many instances in the Bible where riches did not bring happiness, fulfillment, or satisfaction to their owners.

There is the story of the Rich Young Ruler who wanted to follow Jesus but turned and went away sad when Jesus told him to sell all his belongings and give the proceeds to the poor.

The prodigal son got his inheritance and wasted it on riotous living and did not find peace until he came to himself and returned to his father's house.

There was the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus and the rich man did not have enough riches to keep him from the fires of hell. No one else does either.

I always liked the story of the rich man with the overflowing barns who wanted to pull them down and build bigger barns but who was to die that day.

God did grant Solomon great riches but only after he asked for wisdom. Maybe as we pray for God's blessings we should ask for the wisdom to use them wisely.


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.

WISDOM 1

1 Kings 3:5-14 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. (6) And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.(7) And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. (8) And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
1ki 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? (10) And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. (11) And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; (12) Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. (13) And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. (14) And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

Can you imagine God appearing to you and telling you He would give you whatever you asked of Him. I am afraid that many of us would not make the best choice. Solomon chose wisdom. The next few devotionals will deal with Solomon's choice which makes me think he must have had some wisdom in the first place. It was a wise choice to choose wisdom.

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.

HOW TO HAVE SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY 6

TO HAVE SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY PRAY PROPERLY


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 upon your lusts.

We fail to prosper because we fail to pray. If we really examine our prayer life we will see how little time we really spend in "effectual fervent prayer". One of the things I have noticed when I have read biographies of men who have been greatly blessed and used of God is that they have a very strong and active prayer life.

Sometimes when we do pray we ask amiss. We ask for what we want and what we think we would like instead of seeking what would Glorify God. Even when we pray for someone to be saved or move closer to the Lord sometimes we pray selfishly because we love them or it would make life easier on us. We should pray for these things because God is glorified in these actions. If we seek things for God's Glory instead of our desires we will begin to spiritually prosper.

If we are to have power we must pray for God's direction, God's leadership, and seek God's will in all things.

May you prosper in your spiritual life. If you don't know Jesus as your Savior please invite Him into your heart. If you are saved and not growing ask God to give you a desire to become spiritually strong for His Glory.



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.

HOW TO HAVE SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY 5

TO HAVE SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY BE ZEALOUS

Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; (14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

We should have a zeal to know God and a Zeal to serve Him. He created us and He created us for a purpose. When we are fulfilling that purpose He is fulfilling us. He is prospering us so that we may be better able to do His will.

We should have a zeal to encourage and help our brothers and sisters in Christ and not only in our own church but other Christians we know as well. I sometimes have sweet fellowship and become more zealous just from talking to strangers that love the same Jesus I do.

We should have a zeal to lead the lost to Christ. Our lives here on this Earth are temporary and as James says, "Our life is but a vapour that appeareth for a little while and then vanisheth away." We will be dead a whole lot longer than we will be alive. That is something to think about when you are sharing the plan of salvation with someone.

If you have a spiritual zeal to please God you will prosper spiritually.



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.

HOW TO HAVE SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY 4

TO PROSPER WE MUST BE GROWING AND LEARNING

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

We should crave spiritual nourishment. Instead of worrying how long the preacher is going to preach you should have a sense of anticipation about what God is going to say especially to you in the message. You should always listen to sermons with a pen and paper to take notes. A hungry heart will always be fed. When you study your Bible jot things down. Write down questions to discuss in Bible Study and Sunday School. Be an active student who really wants to learn God's word.

If a baby never grows physically we rush them to the doctor to find out what is wrong. We certainly know that if they do not develop at all that something is wrong. Why then do we accept that people who are born again remain spiritual babes until the Lord calls them home.
Instead of really getting into the meat of God's word and growing strong in the Lord too many people want to be spoon fed by the preacher and Sunday School teacher, and then they only want to eat the fruit and sweet stuff, not the vegetables and meat they need to mature.

Develop a hunger for the Word of God. Ask God to give you a hungry heart that you might desire to know Him better.


Please feel free to contact me by email at

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


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

HOW TO PROSPER AS A CHRISTIAN 3

WE MUST FOCUS ON SPIRITUAL THINGS

Romans 8:6 For to be [carnally minded] death; but to be spiritually minded life and peace.

The apostle Paul said:
Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

In a sort of way these two verses say the same thing. If you whole focus in life is making money or having possessions then when you die it will be a loss. Have you ever seen a U-haul trailer behind a hearse? Of course not because no one takes it with Him when he goes.

Some people are completely focused on their families. Families are wonderful but without Christ every loss of a family member is a tragedy. When a family is Christ centered there is hope of a reunion even after death.

Everything in this life will pass away some day. Only Jesus is eternal. Invest your time, your thoughts, and your efforts in the right relationship with Him and everything else will take care of itself.


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.

HOW TO PROSPER AS A CHRISTIAN 2

BUILD ON THE RIGHT FOUNDATION

Mt 16:16-18 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.


Whatever else we might do in our Christian lives as individuals or as churches we must build on the right foundation. In these verses He is not saying He will build his church upon Peter but upon the fact that Peter just proclaimed, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Psalms 118:21-22 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. {22} The stone the builders refused is become the head of the corner.

One can not possibly prosper spiritually without accepting Jesus as his Lord and Savior. A church can not prosper if it is trying to build upon any other foundation. Jesus did not say He would build His church upon programs, fellowships, special meetings or anything that man might put together. He said He would build it upon the gospel. The "Good News"that Jesus is the Christ. He is the way of Salvation and there is no other.

Focus your life on Jesus and build on that relationship with Him and you will experience spiritual prosperity.


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.

HOW TO PROSPER AS A CHRISTIAN 1

INTRODUCTION TO PROSPERITY

Psalms 118:20-25 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. (21) I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. (22) The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.(23) This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.(24) This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (25) Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

As the psalmist calls out to God here, so should we as Christians individually and collectively in our churches. Salvation is a wonderful thing but we should seek spiritual prosperity.

There are many was we can spiritually prosper and the next few devotionals will be devoted to that subject.

As citizens of the United States we live in absolute luxury in comparison to most of the people in the world yet many are living in spiritual poverty simply because they are trying to build on the wrong foundation. Still there are many who have the foundation and never start to build.

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.

LIVING BY THE RULES 7

LISTEN TO THE ONE IN CHARGE

II Timothy 2:1-5 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2) And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (3) Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (5) And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

In sporting events the athletes must listen to the coach. No coach is going to let a player play who refuses to follow his instructions and is determined to run his own plays each time.

In the church we must follow the leadership of our Lord Jesus Christ and the leadership of His Holy Spirit. We must be sensitive to God's direction and sometimes we must just sit still and listen to God as He gives us our directions in a still small voice.

Always remember that God is in Charge. He is in control and He is the one to call the plays in life.

Live by the rules and find joy in it.

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

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

LIVING BY THE RULES 6

DISCIPLINE AND SELF CONTROL

II Timothy 2:1-5 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2) And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (3) Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (5) And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

The Athlete must practice discipline and self control both on and off the playing field. They diet, exercise, and avoid activities that will harm their bodies.

Spiritually we too must practice discipline both in our church families and out in the world. Remember that you are the only Bible that some people ever read. If you are not in control of yourself what are they going to think of the relationship you have with Christ? People watch us. I know as a pastor that they watch me closely and I realize that I am usually held to a higher standard than the average church member. That's okay but I firmly believe that every Christian should not compare himself with the pastor but should strive to be more like Christ.

If you can control yourself to act Christ like in church as well as in the world you will definitely be a benefit to the spiritual team.


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.

LIVING BY THE RULES 5

TEAMWORK

II Timothy 2:1-5 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2) And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (3) Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (5) And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

Teamwork is important to the athlete. It is also important to us in our spiritual life. You might feel that you are being part of the team just by attending church, and I hope you are, but sometimes you could be just being a spectator. Pick up a hymnbook and sing, become a part of a small group ministry, support and help with all the church ministries.

Teamwork is important away from the church services as well. I have always prayed daily but I found that once my wife and I began starting our day together with prayer as a team that it really made a difference in our lives. If your children are still at home, make them part of the team. Find someone and team up to study the Bible. Get a partner to go out into the hedges and highways to seek the lost. Start a regular prayer group for a particular cause and watch as the Lord blesses your prayer team.

We are all in this together. Let's do it as a team.

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.

LIVING BY THE RULES 4

TRAINING

II Timothy 2:1-5 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2) And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (3) Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (5) And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.


Great athletes have to train hard. They have to prepare themselves for the competition and stay mentally and physically in shape. Having natural talent is not enough. You have to build on the gifts that God has given you, in sports and in your Christian life.

Many people are not ready to serve God when the chance comes because they are not properly trained. We must study, we must pray, and we must exercise spiritually. By exercising spiritually I mean that we must put the things we have learned into action.

Many people start training and teaching their children about spiritual things when they are born. Sadly some of the same ones stop training and teaching in their teen years when they face the most trials and some never start back training on their own. If all the spiritual training you are getting is at church then you are under trained. You must strive to grow on your own by study and prayer. If you have trouble understanding the Bible there are many good books and there are devotionals such as this. This is the information age. How much information and learning are you receiving to help physically train 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.