BASIC TRAINING FOR CHRISTIANS 5

Galatians 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

 I believe that this means that we are to keep a constant watch on our own actions and not on others.

 A long time ago all of my bosses happened to be out of town at one time.  Even though I was several people down on the totem pole it left me in charge.  I was amazed at how often someone would come to me and complain about what another worker was doing or was not doing.  My answer to them was, "You are only responsible for your job.  They are responsible for theirs." I am not sure that it sunk in but I was certainly glad when the bosses all made it back in.  I'm not sure I could have lasted more than that week.

 We should take a self examination on a regular basis.  How is my prayer life?  How is my Bible study?  How am I ministering to others and How am I being a witness.

 If we all do that, everything else will fall into place.  We are only capable of doing what we can do.  If we are spiritual leaders we do have an obligation to teach and exhort others but it is important that we get our own lives in order first.

Feel free to email me 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.

BASIC TRAINING FOR CHRISTIANS 4

Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

 There are a lot of people fooling themselves if this is the case.  Some people seem to forget where they came from.  I remember a story by Jerry Clower about a man that had done well and was as he said, "puttin' on airs" and someone said about him, "I don't know what he's so proud of.  I knew him growin' up and they were so poor they had to eat so many turnip greens that you had to tie a kerosene rag around his ankles to keep the cut worms from getting him."

 I can't vouch for the validity of that story but I have known many people who seemed to have forgotten where they came from.  As a matter of fact they have forgotten it so much that they have no compassion on those who are now where they used to be.

 I know where I came from.  I came from the depths of sin.  I was saved by God's grace and even then I ran from God's calling until I was completely out of fellowship with Him.  I have no right to ever think of myself as anything special.  None of us do.  If we are special it is because of having Jesus influence in our lives.  Jesus is special.

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.

BASIC TRAINING FOR CHRISTIANS 3

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

 Jesus bore the burden of our sins on the Cross when He died in our place.  While we can not bear the burden of others sins we can help them with the burdens in life.

 We can share their sorrow and share their grief.  We can pray for them during trying times and difficult situations.  We can offer all sorts of support when they are burdened.

 An encouraging word goes a long way when someone is discouraged.  Knowing that people are praying for them gets many people through a long and terrible illness.  Mainly, knowing that someone really cares makes life much better.

 We all go through rough spots and hard times but it is much easier going through them if you know you are not going through them alone. We we are to walk with Jesus and we know that Jesus will never leave or forsake us, then we should never leave or forsake one another.
  

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

BASIC TRAINING FOR CHRISTIANS 2

INTRODUCTION:

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

 Temptation seems to be stronger in the world today than it has ever been before.  Maybe it is because we don't have a Christian society or a Christian government to help fight against the destructiveness of sin.  Temptation can be found everywhere, even in our own homes by way of television and other media.

 One has to be very strong to resist every temptation and sometimes we need others to hold us accountable and to call things to our attention that could be distracting us from our Christian walk.  Sometimes one of our Christian brothers or sisters will stumble and if we are not careful we will be critical of them.  It is important for us to be there to help them, to encourage them and to pray for them...not to criticize and gossip about them.

 There have been many times that I have seen Christians being overly critical of someone who has fallen to temptation give in later to the same temptations themselves.

 Living with the temptations of this world is hard.  We need each other.  We need forgiveness and we need to forgive.  We need encouragement and prayer much more than we need to be criticising one another.

  

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

BASIC TRAINING FOR CHRISTIANS 1

INTRODUCTION:
Galatians 5:25-26 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.(26) Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

 As I was preparing to write my devotionals for the week I was studying and Galatians Chapter 6 sort of jumped out at me.  As I read it over again I thought that these are just some basic truths that we need to know as we strive to serve Jesus.

 I went back a few verses and realized that the last two verses of chapter 5 actually were a good introduction.  Usually I plan my devotionals so that I can write 5, one for each weekday that I post devotionals.  These might take a few days longer.

 Sometimes we need to just go back through some of the basic steps in our Christian life an reinforce what we already know.  The main thing for us to understand is we should not walk in the flesh but in the Spirit.  It is not about us or about how others feel about us...it is about Jesus Christ and how we represent Him.

 I hope you receive a blessing from this series of devotionals and I ask that you pray for me as I prepare them 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.

BEING BOLD 4

WE SHOULD PRAY FOR BOLDNESS TO WITNESS

Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

 Most of us are a little timid about sharing the plan of salvation with others.  Possibly we are afraid of being rejected.  Just remember that it is not us they are rejecting but it is Jesus.  It is their decision whether to accept Him or to reject Him.  It is our obligation to present that choice to them.

 Spreading the gospel is not something Jesus gives us as an option.  It is a command to all believers.  We might not be as bold as we should be because we have neglected this command so much.

 The more we tell others about Jesus, the easier it becomes.  The easier it is, the more bold we will be in spreading the good news that Jesus saves.

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.

BEING BOLD 3

WE MUST BE BOLD IN OUR PRAYER LIFE

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 I think too many of us have a timid prayer life.  We mumble and mutter like a child asking for something we are afraid we might not receive.  We sometimes act as if we are afraid that God might be too busy to listen to our prayers.

 This verse tells us that we are to go boldly to God's throne of grace.  Not because we are deserving of His blessings but because we have access through His Son Jesus, and that makes us joint heirs with Him.  He wants us to come as a child would come to a father.

 He knows our hearts and the thoughts and intents of our hearts anyway so we might as well go ahead and talk to Him about it.  I don't mean that we should be disrespectful.  Far from it.  Boldness does not mean that we shouldn't be humble before Him.  We do need to go often, and we need to go openly to Him.

 Every blessing we have is a result of God's marvelous grace.  That grace should enable us to go boldly to His throne and make our petitions as well as offer our praise and thanksgiving.

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.

BEING BOLD 2

THERE IS A REWARD FOR THOSE WHO SERVE GOD WITH BOLDNESS
Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

 Once a farmer who never went to church on Sunday but kept on working his fields confronted a Christian who refused to work on Sunday and who gave a large portion of his profits to the Lord's work.  The farmer who had no regard for God seemed to be making plenty of money and by the standards of the world was very successful.

 He poked fun of the devout farmer, "You go to church, you give your money, you never work on Sunday and you don't have near as much as I do."

 The Christian farmer just nodded and sadly shook his head and said, "You might be right but I know something you don't realize.  I know that God doesn't always settle up in the fall like farmers do.  If I do God's work.  I will receive God's pay in due time."

 That is a good lesson for all of us.  We are to be bold in serving God and we will be laying up treasures in heaven.  They will be safe there.

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.

BEING BOLD 1

BEING BOLD MAKES AN IMPRESSION ON THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING US

Acts 4:13 now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Peter and John were bold to stand and proclaim the gospel as the rulers questioned them.  They gave a powerful answer.  They told the truth and they made no apology about it.  The evidence of the healed man was in their midst and the people saw first hand what they could do in the name of Jesus.

You might not be able to perform such a miraculous work as a witness to people but if you are bold in your walk with Jesus people will take notice of you and your boldness.  I once told someone I had just met about an upcoming medical procedure and I asked him to pray for me.  We were in the parking lot right outside the door of a local Dollar Store.  He took me by the hand and said, "Let's pray together right now."  With no timidness and no fear we bowed our head and prayed together.  I was impressed by his boldness.

My wife and I always bow our heads and pray together when we eat in restaurants.  Many times people have walked over and told us it was a blessing to see people who were not embarrassed to pray in public places.

If we are going to have any influence on others we must display boldness in our relationship with 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.

THE TOUCH OF JESUS 5

THE HEALING TOUCH

Luke 22:50-51  And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. (51) And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

Sometimes we forget that God promised us that He does not change.  He still has the ability to perform miracles and to heal the body as well as to heal the spirit.

There are many on our prayer lists each week that we know will not be healed without a miracle.  Sometimes we act as if God is no longer in the miracle business.

I realize that it is not God's will to heal all those we pray for but I also believe that many are not healed because we do not pray fully believing that God still works miracles.

I have personally seen some recoveries and cures that could only be attributed to a miracle.  I have even experienced a few in my own life.  Just remember Jesus still can heal the body just as he can heal the soul.

When you pray, believe in miracles.  A miracle is something that only God can do and only God should receive the Glory from 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.

THE TOUCH OF JESUS 4

THE TOUCH UPON CHILDREN

Mark 10:13-16 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. (14) But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

I am amazed at the desire of children to learn about Jesus and get to know him.  They love to hear stories about Him and to sing songs about Him.  I think neglecting to take children to church and Sunday School is to deny them of one of the greatest experiences of their lives.

We ourselves ought to follow their example. They sought to be near Him and desired his company. The parents wanted Him to touch their children. We should seek for our children to be able to sit at the feet of Jesus and have Him touch their lives. 

They trusted Him and He blessed them.  I believe He still blesses those who trust Him as a child and He will touch our lives and bless us.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

THE TOUCH OF JESUS 3

THE ILLUMINATING TOUCH

Matthew 9:29-30 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. (30) And their eyes were opened; ...

Spiritual blindness seems to be commonplace in our fast paced society today.  All of us are spiritually blind until we are touched by Jesus. I am still constantly amazed as I watch the news and read the papers that there are so many who just will not recognize sin as sin.  It seems that they are spiritually blinded to God's truth.

It seems that those who accuse Christians of being hateful are so filled with hate and anger that they can't see that because we don't agree with them and embrace their destructive lifestyles doesn't mean we hate them.

I pray daily that our leaders and lawmakers will be given wisdom...actually I have asked lately that God just grant them a little common sense.  I think maybe we should all be praying for Jesus to touch them and let them see things through spiritually open eyes.

Please join me in my prayers as I pray for spiritual sight and light in my own life and in the life of our elected leaders.

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 TOUCH OF JESUS 2

THE STRENGTHENING TOUCH

Matthew 8:14-15 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. (15) And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

Jesus had gone to the home of his mother in law. He had brought with him a special guest.  I am sure Peter was proud to bring Jesus to meet his wife's family.  I am not sure if Peter brought Jesus to the home because his mother in law was sick or if he found out she was sick when he got there but he couldn't have come visiting at a better time.  Jesus touched the ailing woman and her fever left and she was healed.

Many today need to have a visit from Jesus.  They have become spiritually sick and have become too weak to serve or fellowship with Him.

I love the last part of verse 15, " and she arose, and ministered unto them."

Some of us need to ask for Jesus healing touch.  Not just so that we might feel better and be able to get on with our daily lives but so that we might have the strength to be about the business of ministering.  When we truly are touched by the hand of Jesus we should want to minister to Him, for Him, and be empowered by Him to minister to others.
 

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

THE TOUCH OF JESUS 1

Mt 8:1-3 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. Mt (2) And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. (3) And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

THE CLEANSING TOUCH

Most of us can not even imagine the effects of the disease of leprosy.  It was so devastating that the people were cast out of the communities and lived miserable lives of desolation.  The faith of this man was enough to cure him and make him clean and whole. The effects of the disease cleansed him and restored his physical health.

The effects of sin on us spiritually are no less horrible than than the effects of leprosy was on the body.  Many are living today with decaying spirits, cast out of their families and polite society because of the devastation of sin in their lives.

A touch of the hand of Jesus can cleanse and restore the spirit and soul so that it is clean. His forgiveness will cleanse us from all sin and forgive all unrighteousness.

I hope you have been touched by the hand of Jesus.

 

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

MY LOVE AND A BABY'S LOVE

 A Christian man was seriously ill.  He became bothered because he did not feel the love in his heart for God that he should have and he spoke of this feeling to a Christian friend.

    The friend gave him great comfort when he explained," When I go home from here, I expect to take my little baby in my arms, look into her eyes and play with her.  As tired as I am, her presence will rest me, because I love her more than anything.  She is just a baby and she really loves me little.  If my heart were breaking  it would not disturb her.  If I was in terrible pain she would think nothing of it and would not even stop playing.  If I were dead she would soon forget me.

    Besides this, she has never contributed one cent to our household and is in fact herself a great expense.  I am not rich but there is not enough money in the world to buy her.  Is it because she loves me, or because I love her?  Do I withhold my love from her until she feels this same great love for me?  Do I wait for her to do something worthy of my love before I extend it?"

    This illustration of the Love of God for his children caused the tears to roll down the sick man's cheeks as he exclaimed,"Oh I see, it is not my love for God but his love for me that I should think of.  And I do love him now more than I have ever loved him before."

COPIED

WHY HE CAME 3

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

HE CAME TO PROVIDE ASSURANCE

Luke 7:48-50 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.  (49) And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? (50) And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace

No matter what those around us might say or what we might even fear at times.  Jesus forgives us when whe trust Him.

He wants us to have the assurance that we belong to Him and no one, not satan, not the world, and not even our self can take us out of His hand.

Trust Him.  When we are certain of Him we are free to serve Him out of love, devotion, and thankfulness for what He has already done for us.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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