A MIND TO WORK

Nehemiah 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.

Israel had gone into captivity and the walls and gates of Jerusalem were in a very bad shape.  When Nehemiah learned of this he received permission from the King to go and rebuild the walls.

 

Whenever we have a strong burden to do the work of God He will supply us with the materials and all the resources that we need to get the job done.  Where we fail most of the time is when we don't have that last ingredient.  "for the people had a mind to work."

 

Many projects never get done because we don't have a mind to work.  Many resources are wasted because we don't have a mind to work.

 

Can you imagine what a great revival we could have in America if God's people would humble themselves and ask God to give them a mind to work.

 

Lord, give us a mind to work in Sunday School. Give us a mind to work on new projects to improve our church.  Give us a mind to work in our communities to witness and share the message of Christ.

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.

Heart's Desire

Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

 

Paul was writing to the Jews in Rome and in this verse he shows his concern for all Israel, both those who were still in Israel and those who had scattered.

 

I must confess that when someone asks me what my hearts desire is that I might think of a lot of answers before I finally came to realize that my hearts desire should be the salvation of America.

Yes I pray for my family and for those that I know individually.  I pray for my town and my community but sometimes I find it hard to pray for the souls of all Americans.

 

I see the advertisements (because I don't care to watch the shows) for some of the reality shows and I ask myself how people can live like that. I will confess that I watch Duck Dynasty and I fully understand their way of life but some of the commercials for other regions seem completely foreign.

 

We should pray that God will give us a burden for all our countrymen.  What this whole nation needs is a great revival with souls being saved in the North, in the East and in the West as well as the South. My hearts desire for America should be that they would be saved.

 

Jesus is still in the saving business, we just need to get serious about 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.

HIS STRETCHED OUT HANDS

Romans 10:21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

 

So many people today seem to be seeking and searching for something.  They wander in darkness stumbling and falling and continuously searching for something to give meaning to their lives.

 

The bars are full, drug pushers do booming businesses and their customers are people who are trying to fill the great emptiness in their lives.  Sadly just like Israel they are rejecting the outstretched hands of The One who can give meaning and direction to their lives.

 

They are disobedient because Satan has blinded them to the fact that God wants the very best for us and is willing to give that to all who will trust and obey Him.

 

The world and the liberal media spend much time trying to make people of faith seem like they are the ones living in darkness when in reality we are the ones who have truly seen the Light through Jesus Christ.

 

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.

More Than Conquerors

Roman 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

 

We hear so much today about tragedy and the victims of it.  If you watch TV and see all the advertisements for lawyers you would think that most of us are victims of one sort or another.  If we are not careful we will fall into the victim mentality.  We begin to think of ourselves as being victims of our environment, victims of poverty, victims of circumstances, etc.

 

We are not supposed to be victims but victors.  There is victory in Jesus and he expects us not only to be conquerors but to be more.

 

If we allow Jesus to rule in our lives and realize that His love and care for us is above all else we will stop being victims and start being victorious.

 

Are you winning the victory over the circumstances in your life?  Trust Jesus, follow Him and believe Him and victory will begin to come your 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.

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US

Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,(39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Death can not separate me from the love of God because I have eternal life through Christ.

 

Life can not separate me from the love of God because my life is in His hands.

 

Angels can not separate me from the love of God because they are the ministers of God and some day we will judge the angels.

 

Principalities nor powers can not separate me from the love of God because God's law is stronger and higher than man's law.

 

The present and the future can not separate me from the love of God because God is eternal and He knows all things.

 

Height nor depth can not separate me from the love of God because because no matter where I go my God is with me.

 

Nor any other creature can not separate me from the love of God because God has promised me that He will never leave me nor forsake me.

 

Yes, I am persuaded that nothing can separate me from the love of God.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

 

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

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

FOR YOUR GOOD

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 his purpose.

 

This is one of my favorite scriptures.  It sounds good on the surface but if you look at it closely you will see that there are some difficult lessons here. 

 

This verse does not tell us that we are going to enjoy everything that happens to us or that we will see the good in them while they are happening.  I can think of some of the lowest times in my life that I thought definitely could not be for my good.

 

Looking back on those things I can see that they helped to bring me to where I am in my life today.  Some were growing experiences and some were things that completely changed the course of my life.  While they were happening I could never see the good but looking back I can see God's hand in a lot of them.

 

Look to God even in the rough times.  You might not understand now why you are experiencing trouble but it could be very clear later in your 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.

Help In Prayer

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

 

I don't know about you but sometimes I want to pray and I know that I need to pray but I just don't know how to pray.  I am not sure myself what I need and I certainly don't know how to express that to a Holy God.

 

If we are not careful when we are like this we will fail to pray.  Times like these are when we need to pray the most.  We must acknowledge God and His care for us

. 

Many times when I have found it hard to pray but knew that it was especially important at that time to pray were some of the best prayer times in my life.  God knows the very thoughts and intents of our hearts.  He has sent His Spirit to comfort us and to help us when we struggle.

 

God helps our infirmities, even in time of prayer.

 

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.

CARNALLY MINDED

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

 

Have you ever been involved in a conversation about someone with a terminal disease?  Somewhere during the conversation someone is certain to say, "They are dying."  This is a fact.  If we think about it though it is also true about each one of us.

 

From the moment we are conceived as frightening as it might sound, this fleshly body is on a journey toward the grave.  That journey might be much longer for some than it is for others but actually we never know.

 

Due to my heart problems I have been given the prognosis a couple of times that I was dying.  The first time was over 17 years ago.  The last time was recently.  They were right 17 years ago and they were right recently.  I am dying but actually we all are.

 

I have peace and I enjoy life because I realize that this body and the carnal life we know is only temporary.  My spirit will never die, however, because Jesus has promised me eternal life through Him.  The Word teaches me that for a Christian, "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."

 

Just remember, that all the carnal pleasures of this life will someday die along with your physical bodies.  Thankfully we can lay up spiritual treasures in Heaven that will never perish.  We just have to be motivated to do the works of Jesus because of our love for Him.

 

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

WHAT WE DESERVE-WHAT WE CAN HAVE

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

When a person works hard all week and opens his pay envelope he expects to find the wages he has earned.  He has put in his time, energy, effort and skills and he should get what is coming to him.  They are his wages and he has earned them.

 

What do you think he would do if instead of his wages he found a note that said, "If you will come to the office we would like to give you a large bonus, unlimited benefits, and a key to the company with a guarantee of lifetime benefits, salary and bonuses.  This will all be yours if you will just trust us and come to the office and collect it."

 

I doubt very seriously if he would stand there ranting and raving about not getting the wages that he deserved.  He would be much better off accepting the generous gift that was offered and any man with common sense would know this.

 

Because we have all sinned we deserve death and separation from God forever.  He offers us the bonus of eternal life with more benefits than we can even imagine if we will only trust Him and come to Jesus.  The amazing thing is that this is an offer that is made to all men.

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.

Servants

Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

 

We hear a lot today about freedom and a lot more about how our freedoms are eroding.  Many people only have the illusion of freedom.  They think that freedom means being able to do whatever they want to do.  Actually that attitude leads many people into a type of slavery.

 

Many are enslaved to the very habits that are destroying their lives and robbing them of any true happiness they could have.  Many are so dependent upon someone or something that they have become their servants and give in to them completely.

 

True freedom means that we have the freedom to do that which is right and which is righteous.  We should then become the servants of the Lord Jesus Christ because all righteousness is in Him and in Him alone.

 

Be free.  Serve Christ.  Be a servant of righteousness and realize the true meaning of freedom.

 

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.

Just As I Am

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

I once knew a teenage boy who had a lot of bad habits in his life.  Actually he was filled with sin and there was nothing at much at all in him that you could have called good.  He felt pretty sure he was about as good as most of the people he knew, maybe not all, but most.

 

At times it bothered him and he tried to change his ways but it seemed like he would always fall right back into the same old habits.  One night he was in church and something was said in the sermon that caught his attention.  He felt like he was about the worst person he knew and that there was nothing he could do about it.

 

Something else was said and it made him realize that he couldn't do anything to change.  He had to trust the only one who could change him.  It was at that point he confessed the fact hat he was a sinner and asked Jesus to come into his heart. 

 

I am so thankful that God loved us while we were still sinners because I was that teenage boy.  Jesus did for me what no man can do for himself.

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.

Patience Comes from Trouble

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

 

I always warn people not to pray for patience.  If you pray for patience you will get enough trouble in your life to teach you patience. If you will notice the most impatient people in the world are the ones who get upset over little things.  Only after you have dealt with some serious tribulation or trouble in our life can you look at the little things and shrug them off.

 

People blow their horns and lose their tempers when someone fails to start off fast enough in front of them at a red-light.  If they were dealing with a loss in their family or a terminal illness in their own life waiting at a red light might not bother them so much.

 

The little troubles in our life are not near as bad as our reaction to them some time, especially when we compare them to some of the more serious things people are having to deal with.

 

Don't pray for patience.  Just learn to be patient.  It comes from depending on God to get you through the little troubles in life as well as the great tragedies in 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.

ACCESS BY FAITH

Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 

Prayer is not only an obligation but it is a wonderful privilege.  We have the opportunity to take everything directly to the Creator of the universe and know that He listens to us.

 

Many people try their best to get access to leaders and politicians so that they can have their petitions heard.  Isn't it wonderful that we can go boldly before God's throne of grace through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Isn't it a shame that so many people have the opportunity to talk directly with God themselves but they seldom do.

 

When is the last time you went aside and spent time alone just to talk to God.  Who knows, you might wind up rejoicing in the hope of 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.

Justified By Faith

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Many people are busy trying to work their way, or earn their way into heaven.  That is bound to be very stressful because how in the world would you know when you reached the right point.  If you ever came to the point to where you felt like you had earned your way into heaven you would then lose it because Pride is a sin.

 

Salvation is by God's grace through faith.  We are saved by believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.  He died in our place and paid our sin debt and then rose again victorious over death hell and the grave.  It is through faith in Him an the acceptance of a gift that I do not deserve that I am saved.  I am justified by my faith, which was also a gift from God.

 

Knowing that Jesus paid it all and I owe it all to Him gives me peace.  He promised me, an I believed Him.  That is all I can ever do.

 

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.

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the LIGHT OF THE WORLD: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

 

As I sit here writing this devotional I can look out my back door and see the cloudy sky.  Sometimes it stays cloudy for so many days that when the sunshine finally breaks through it is almost a shock.

The world is gradually slipping into darkness.  The news media makes Christians out to be nuts while extolling the virtues of immoral public figures.

 

Rarely do we see reports of the true Christianity that is at work everyday in the world.  When these bright rays of light do show up we seem to be surprised yet if we really look we will see them everyday.  They just don't get much public recognition.

 

If it were not for the light that is shining through the Christians of the world today this would truly be a dark place.

 

Do your part by letting your light shine for Jesus where you are.  The world is getting darker and you can be a light for 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 DARK SIDE

Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and GOOD EVIL; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

 

It is confession time.  I was a big Star Wars fan, at least through the first three movies. Darth Vader was evil and had gone over to the dark side.  Big news Darth Vader, the dark side has been enticing people for years and many have gone to the dark side.

 

There was a time in this country when there were great debates about the existence of God.  The atheist would debate the Bible believers.  I have never thought that debating accomplished much.

While there are still those who deny the existence of God there are those who would try to recreate God in their own image.  By this I mean they have tried to deny the Word of God and have decided that God would agree with them about their sinful lifestyles.

 

As far as I am concerned they have gone over to the dark side.  If Satan can make someone doubt the validity of God's Word, he can cause them to great work for his cause of destruction.

 

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the LIGHT OF THE WORLD: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

 

We must follow the light of Jesus and allow that light to shine through 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.

WAKE UP AND WATCH 3

I Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. A young private was on guard duty one night and he had leaned against a tree and had dropped his head and dozed off.  When the company commander came to check his guard post he woke suddenly and saw the feet of the officer just in front of him.  The quick thinking private then said, "Amen" out loud and raised his head.

 

That young private kind of reminds me of many Christians today.  We say we are watching and praying while we are really asleep.  Now is a good time to examine your prayer life. 

 

Almost every day I see people on Facebook requesting prayer and many people comment promising to pray.  When I say I will pray for someone I stop what I am doing right then and talk to the Lord about the prayer request.  I wonder how many people substitute the comment for actually praying.

 

Over the years while pastoring I have had people become upset over someones name not being in the bulletin on the prayer list.  The prayer list in your church bulletin is not magic.  If people aren't really praying for the person it means nothing and if our prayer list becomes too long I am afraid that it begins to mean less to us.

 

Don't sleep on duty.  Watch and pray.

 

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.

WAKE UP AND WATCH 2

I Thessalonians 5:3-6 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them,as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

 

Many of the reports on the News are exceptionally disturbing.  We see the senseless attacks on schools, theatres, shopping malls, and any other public place and we become distraught and we seek for ways to stop them.

 

Sadly there are no rational solutions to irrational acts.  We can enact laws, check backgrounds, increase security, and take all sorts of precautions but as long as there is sin in the world terrible things will happen.

 

The government seems to think that passing more laws will eventually bring peace and safety for our land.  Those who commit such horrendous acts have no regard for the laws that are already on the books. What makes them think that the new laws will be obeyed any better.

 

Now, I'm going to start preaching.  It seems that the very people who want to regulate every aspect of other people's lives are the same ones who cry out for their own individual rights.  The people who want to save our environment, save our animals, have no qualms with the butchering of unborn babies.

 

The very people who want acceptance of sinful lifestyles spew forth filth and hatred to those of us who want to live our lives by biblical standards.

 

The night is  closing in.  Don't get used to the darkness.

 

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.

WAKE UP AND WATCH 1

I Thessalonians 5:1-6 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.(2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

 

It happened again. Another prediction that the world was coming to an end was wrong.  I have to be honest with you, I wasn't really very worried that the Mayan calendar didn't have any more dates on it.  My faith in Jesus Christ and my trust in the Bible as the Word of God has pretty much made me immune to the doomsday predictions of those who look in obscure places for the answers.

 

These scriptures are not the only ones that tell us that there is no way for man to predict the end.  The Bible lets us know that we should be looking for the return of Jesus at all times. We should be excited about His coming and we should live our lives as if He were coming today.

 

I believe that it will not be that long before He comes but it might not be that long before I go on to be with Him.  Either way I think it is better for us to be prepared but to continue to live for Him and serve Him every day.

 

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.