I SAT WHERE THEY SAT

EZEKIEL 3:14-17

Eze 3:14-17 So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me. (15) Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. (16) And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, (17) Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 

 Ezekiel was bitter and angry, so the Lord sat him in the midst of the people he was to preach too.  He sat where they sat and that caused him not only to have more compassion but to have a sincere desire to warn them.

 It has been my experience that people are very quick to judge and criticize others if they have never been in the same situation themselves.  While it might be true that most of us are where we are in life because of the decisions we made our self.

 There are certainly situations that are completely outside of a persons control and we are quick to have compassion on people who suffer through these.  We usually are a little less understanding of others if we know they are in bad situations because of their own bad decisions.  It is hard to have compassion on them...unless, we have sat where they sat.

 The next few devotionals will deal with sharing our experiences with those who can benefit from them.  People will listen to you more if they realize that you have been there yourself at some time or another.  If they see that you have changed it will give them hope that they too can change.

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.

THINGS TO HELP US GROW 5

BUILD ACCORDING TO GOD'S BLUEPRINT

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

 We need to spend time in the Word getting to know God.  We need to become intimate with Him through study and prayer and get to know His nature.

 It is only through the Bible that we can ever know God's overall plan.  Too often we want to know God's plan for our individual lives when we should study and learn God's plan and get in on it.  When we conform to His will, we will know and understand His will for our lives.

 Know God's purpose for your life by getting to know Him and then conforming to and fulfilling that 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.

THINGS TO HELP US GROW 4

WE MUST CONCENTRATE ON OUR PURPOSEPhilippians 3:13 14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, {14} I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND

 Many people have a hard time letting go of the past.  Good or bad it is over.  Tomorrow will never get here.  All we have is today to do the work of the Lord.

LIVE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 Make living for God a priority in your life.  That is exactly what Jesus meant when He said that we were to take up the cross and follow Him daily.  We are supposed to lay down our own life and commit our self to living for His glory.

 LET GOD FULFILL HIS PURPOSE IN YOU
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

 Whether you realize it or not, God has a purpose for your life.  We are not saved by works but we are saved to work for Him.  Have you found your purpose yet?

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.

THINGS TO HELP US GROW 3

WE MUST HAVE A REALIZATION THAT GOD IS ADEQUATE

2 Timothy 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

 As sinful and bad as circumstances in this world might seem we need to understand that God is all powerful and there is nothing He can't do and there is no one He can't save.

 God can save the vilest sinner. "The blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse us from all sin".  Not only can God save the worst sinner He wants to save them.  He is not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

 God also can save those who aren't so bad in the sight of the world.  They just need to come to the realization that we have all sinned and need a Savior.

 God saves to the uttermost and He wants us to share that with others.  We grow by sharing Jesus with those we come into contact with.

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.

THINGS TO HELP US GROW 2

WE MUST HAVE A VISION FOR SOULS

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

 When we think of having a vision we often think of our goals for the future.  That is something that we surely should do but there are some other things we need to have a vision of besides our goals.

 We need to have a vision of the awfulness of sin.  Sin has become so common place that we have grown to accept many things that would never have been tolerated even several decades ago.

 Sin is destructive.  It damages the one who sins as well as those who are sinned against.  God did not call sin bad because it was sin.  He called it sin because it was bad and harmful to us.

 No matter how customs, cultures, and times change, sin is still sin and no matter how acceptable it becomes to society we must still have a vision of its awfulness and destructiveness.

 Thankfully those of us who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior have a vision of the remedy for sin.  There is no other remedy than the one found in Jesus.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

THINGS TO HELP US GROW 1

Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

We should be growing, mentally and spiritually as individuals, families and churches.  In the next few devotionals I will discuss some things that will help us grow if we apply them to our lives.  I hope you receive a blessing from them.

 If we are to really grow in our service to the Lord we have to remember that He is with us every step of the way and there is really nothing that we should fear.

 Sometimes we fail to accomplish things for the Lord because we are afraid to try.  God never asks us to do anything that He will not equip us to do.

 One of the main things we need to do to be victorious in the Lord's work is to trust Him to be with us every step of the way.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

A NEW YEAR 10

TIME
TAKE TIME

John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Take time to Work--It is the price of success.

 Works are not essential to salvation. They are, however, essential to living the abundant life that Jesus promised. 

 As we get started in this New Year I hope you will plan to do good works for the Lord.  It doesn't have to be complicated.  It can be a simple ministry.

 In our church we had a young couple who wanted to start a food ministry for those in need.  We started donating canned goods and other staples to the food ministry and everyone in our small church participates.  Sometimes we have a family that we know is in need and we donate the items to them.  There are times when we don't have anyone specifically and then we donate them to larger ministries who are always in need of more food donations.  Either way it is a ministry that helps someone and we might not even know the extent of what we are doing.

 The young couple who started this ministry had to move away(and we miss them greatly) but the ministry they started has survived even without them.

 Who knows what ministry you could start if you are just willing to do good works.  Isn't it great to know that sometimes you can start good works that continue even after you have gone.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

A NEW YEAR 9

TIME
TAKE TIMETake time to Give--It is too short a day to be selfish.

2Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

 Yes, all of us preachers eventually get around to the subject of giving.  I just want to make sure that you know that when you are giving to others it is a way of giving to God.  Be sure that God doesn't need anything you have.  It all belongs to Him and He can take it away at anytime.

 We do not give because God needs it.  We give because we need too.  When we learn this valuable lesson, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." we will live much fuller lives.

 Giving does not always mean money.  It can be your time, your talents, hope, or sharing our faith.  Giving is sharing.  God has blessed us in many ways and even if you don't have very much materially to share you might just have a very valuable talent or spiritual gift that someone really needs you to share with them.

 Don't give until it hurts...give until it brings you Joy.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

A NEW YEAR 8

TIME
TAKE TIME

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Take time to Laugh--It is music to the soul.

 Sometimes I think maybe I carry on too much foolishness and maybe laugh a little more than some think I should.  It is not that I don't realize that there are problems in the world.  I would just rather enjoy the things that God has blessed me with and trust Him to take care of the problems, after all I haven't been too successful with fixing the problems of the world in the past.

 I personally believe that everything will come out great in the end for all those that know Jesus as their Lord and Savior so I don't spend a lot of time worrying.

 I have actually been able to reach people and minister to people with problems because I do have a good sense of humor.  When you are going through trouble would you rather have someone with a merry heart to cheer you up or someone with a dry spirit to drag you down?

 Cheer up.  It helps you enjoy God's blessings. 

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

A NEW YEAR 7

TIME
TAKE TIME

Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Take time to be Friendly--It is the road to happiness. 

Being friendly means more than smiling and shaking hands with those we come in contact with. (That is a good start.)  A friend is someone who really cares about you.

 A friend will listen and even though they might not always agree with you, they will still love you. 

 I have known people who were not very friendly at all and wondered why they did not have many friends.  They are the only ones who are puzzled by it.

 I try my best to be polite and friendly to everyone I meet.  Sometimes in a business where the clerk seems surly and unconcerned and acts like they are doing you a favor I go out of my way to be cheerful and friendly to them.  It usually gets a positive response and sometimes even a smile.
 

I once heard it said that we all make people happy.  People are either happy to see us coming or they are happy to see us going.  I would rather be one of the ones that people are happy to see coming.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

A NEW YEAR 6

TIME
TAKE TIME1John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
 Take time to Love and be Loved--It is a God-given privilege.

We all want to feel loved.  We all at some time or another express love for others but if we read the above verse closely we will find that God does not merely want us to feel and express love...He wants us to live in love.

 I think this actually means that love should be a way of life for us.  We should wake up each day and know that we will spend it in God's love and even when we close our eyes at night and fall asleep we are embraced and protected by God's love.  If we are to live in love we are supposed to convey that love to others.

 Some people are easier to love than others because they love you back.  I love the saying that we should love those who deserve it the least because they need it the most.  Of all the gifts that God gave us, Love is the greatest of 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.

A NEW YEAR 5

TIME

TAKE TIME
Take time to Pray-- It is the greatest power on earth.
I Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

I keep hearing today that it seems that the Church has lost her power.  I even hear individuals saying, "I try to do my best but sometimes I am weak."

I can't help but wonder if our weakness does not come from a lack of prayer.  If our Nation ever needed God's people to pray it is now.

Set a time to pray for your family.  Pray before each meal.  Take frequent prayer breaks during your day.  Talk to God, He is always listening.

End your day with prayer.

Before long you will realize that you have become a stronger Christian because you have increased your prayer life.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

A NEW YEAR 4

TIME

TAKE TIME
Take time to Read-- It is the fountain of wisdom.

LET GOD'S WORD WORK IN YOU

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We learn much from reading.  I have heard it said that a person who does not read is no better off than a person who can not read.  I think there is a lot of truth in that.  Personally I love to read and have for most of my life.  I have been busier this last year and have not spent as much time reading and I do miss it.  The important thing is that we not neglect to read and Study God's Word.

The study of God's Word is important to our spiritual growth.  It is by studying that we get to know God and discover His will.  We are cleansed and empowered for service by studying His Word.

Take time to read and study God's Word.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

A NEW YEAR 3

TIME

TAKE TIME

Take Time To Rest- It is the secret of staying young.
Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

Sometimes in this fast paced world where things run 7 days a week 24 hours a day we get caught up and forget to rest.  God did not rest on the seventh day because He was tired.  I believe He took a break to enjoy the work that He had done.

We too should take a break and enjoy the things we have accomplished.  We should rest and take time to give thanks to God for all the things He has done for us and we should take a break and look back at the things we have done.

It seems sometimes that we are driven to stay so busy doing, going, accomplishing, etc. that we don't take time to rest and appreciate those things.

Take a break.  Spend time with God and with family.  Sometimes it is good to just relax.
Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

A NEW YEAR 2

James 4:13-15 Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: {14} Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. {15} For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

TIME

TAKE TIME
Take time to Think--It is the source of power.
MEDITATE ON THE GOODNESS OF GOD

Some people have never learned to meditate.  Meditation is when you clear your mind of distractions and focus on one important thought. We all think...but sometimes it is just a jumble of thoughts that run through our mind and seem to get tangled up with each other.  Meditation is consciously pushing aside the distractions and focusing.

It is important for a close Christian walk for us to focus our attention on God and clear everything else out of our minds.  When we are able to do this God truly reveals Himself to us and we grow closer to Him as we bask in His goodness.

If we fail to spend time meditating on God, we are robbing our self of much of our power as a Christian.

Set a time to meditate upon the Lord and allow Him to reveal His goodness to you.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

A NEW YEAR 1

TIME

TAKE TIME
Take time to Think--It is the source of power.
Take time to Rest--It is the secret of staying young.
Take time to Read-- It is the fountain of wisdom.
Take time to Pray-- It is the greatest power on earth.
Take time to Love and be Loved--It is a God-given privilege.

Take time to be Friendly--It is the road to happiness.
Take time to Laugh--It is music to the soul.
Take time to Give--It is too short a day to be selfish.
Take time to Work--It is the price of success.

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.

The Great Commission: I am with you

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 The last thing Jesus told his disciples was that I am with you. Even though he told them to go, teach, and baptize, they would not be alone. He promised them that he would be with them,no matter where they went.

 He offers that same promise to us. As we get up and go, teach and baptize we should always remember that God and Jesus is with us no matter where we go.

THE Great Commission: Train

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

After we go, teach, and Baptize, we must teach new Christians what we know. Once a new christian joins the church or accepts Jesus gift of salvation it is then up to the others in the church to guide them. The Sunday school teacher shares the lesson in the Sunday school books. There are those that work with the children of the church. There are many who teach new Christians. Then there is the preacher. His jobs is to instruct us on how to teach the new Christians.  We are all responsible for teaching new converts.

 The song "Rescue The Perishing" sums up the message of the Great Commission.

The Great Commission: Baptize

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Third thing Jesus told his disciples was to baptize. Baptism is a symbol of letting go of the old life and beginning a new life with God. Salvation is of grace, a gift from God. Baptism is a show of obedience to follow God.  It shows the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Once you are saved you follow the example of Jesus in baptism.  It shows the death of your old self, the burial of it, and being raised up to follow Jesus.

 Baptism does not save you. Only giving your heart to Jesus can save you.

The Great Commission: TEACH

By Jeremy Burkes

 Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The second thing Jesus told the disciples was to teach all nations. Teachers are the bread and butter of education. The same can be said of the Christian. We learn knowledge of the scripture from the Sunday school teacher, the preacher when he preaches his sermon. We gather it when we study the Bible and say our prayers at night. But you may say "Who do I teach?" If you look in any town you are going to see people from different nations. That can be said of your town or any college town. We are to share the Gospel of Jesus with any and everybody we meet.

 I heard a story once that took place during the Civil War. One night a soldier went out and captured some of the enemy soldiers. The next morning his commanding officer asked how he had caught so many. The soldier responded The woods are full of them sir. The world
is full of people that need Jesus.

 Go teach them what you know.

The Great commission: GO

by Jeremy Burkes
 Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
 The first thing that Jesus said to the remaining eleven disciples was go. Go and share the message of his Father, God. Go means get up and move. We are lazy by nature. We as a society like to pass it on to someone else. Most of us would like to stay out of sight. Hide in the background. We think to ourselves that our opinions don't matter, so we keep our mouths closed. We would rather turn and run the other way much like Jonah tried to do. Like Jonah, God puts obstacles in our way. Much like the disciples God is telling us to go.
   
 We come in contact with people everyday, whether it is at Walmart or at the gas pump. We are to get up and go tell them about Jesus. Where ever our Christian walk takes us there is only one thing we have got to do. Get up and go.