LIFE STORIES 4

Psalms 90:9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

AN EMOTIONAL STORY

Our lives are filled with emotion.  Sometimes they are an emotional roller coaster.  I have heard people who say, "I'm really not an emotional person."  We are all emotional people unless we are sociopaths (This is what serial killers are.  They don't feel anything.)  Some people may not show their emotions as much as other people.

I did a comic strip once where one character said that some people were easily overcome by emotion.  The other responded by saying, "That's not so bad as long as they don't overcome everyone else with them."  You all know the type I am talking about, those who are Drama Queens and Kings who overplay everything.  In all honesty I don't know which is worse.

As a pastor I have had to be strong as I preached the funeral of some beloved saint that we would all miss but I confess,  I have preached some teary eyed funerals.  I am not ashamed for someone to see me cry with them or for them.

I am not ashamed to rejoice with them either.  I just try to control my emotions as much as possible but I certainly don't want to stifle them completely.

Emotions are a part of our lives.  What would life be without sadness, joy, happiness, excitement, and yes even fear sometimes.  All of these things let you know that you are still very much alive.

LIFE STORIES 3

Psalms 90:9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

SOME LIVES ARE SAD STORIES INDEED

I am sometimes amazed at how many people go through their life searching for something to fill the void in their life and never find it.  I see celebrities on the news (that I would not even know otherwise) that are continually in and out of rehab or some other trouble.

You would think someone who has been given such great opportunity would also know how to find fulfillment in their lives but I guess they are all looking in the wrong places.  They are always searching for the ultimate experience but they wind up with the same disappointing results.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The saddest life story is one in which the person never finds The Way.  He never learns The Truth, and he never learns knows The Life.

One of the saddest verses in the Bible to me is,

Jeremiah 8:20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.

LIFE STORIES 2

Psalms 90:9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

SOME LIVES ARE TRAGEDIES

So many lives these days seem to be filled with tragedy and sad situations.  I know that many people bring things upon themselves but sometimes bad things also happen to good people.

Even in times of difficulty there is good to be found.  We see in the lives of people dealing with disease and life changing accidents some great incidences of courage that can be a great inspiration to us all.

My brother had muscular dystrophy and his brief life lasted only 23 years.  His life was not a tragedy though.  I was devastated when he died.  I was only 20 and it took me a long time to come to grips with losing him. As time passed and the pain became less I was able to remember many of the lessons I learned from having him in my life.

I learned that it is not all about me.  You have to be there for other people who need you.  I learned that you can laugh and enjoy life and be there for others even though you might not have all the abilities that everyone else has. I learned that when someone dies you never really lose them because part of them always remains in your heart and in your mind.  Since then I have also come to believe that there is somewhere that is better than here and those who know Jesus are there waiting for the rest of us who know Jesus to come home.

 

Now that is not so tragic is it?

LIFE STORIES 1

Psalms 90:9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

WRITING YOUR LIFE STORY

In my years in the ministry I have preached more funerals than I can remember.  More important, I doubt very seriously if very many people that heard me preach them remember anything I said at the funeral.

One thing I do try to stress at each funeral is that what I have to say is not all that important.  What the person did while they were alive is what really matters. I think we actually preach our own funeral as we are still alive.  It is not the songs, the poems or the nice words of the sermon that people remember.

It is the memories that we put in people's minds and hearts while we are still with them that will last until we to go on to our final destination.

Here is some food for thought this week.  How will people remember you?  How are you affecting those around you?  After you are gone and someone perchance mentions you in a conversation will it make them smile, laugh, grimace and frown or cause them to miss you and make them thankful that were a part of their life?

LET'S GO DOWN TO THE POTTER'S HOUSE 5

Jeremiah 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

THE WILL

We must exercise our wills about the individual decisions of life, but when it comes to DESTINIES it has been determined by what we do as individuals with JESUS CHRIST.

A dear friend of mine was preaching a sermon on the will one night and he gave the best definition of the will that I have ever heard.  He explained that the will is your want to.  God has given us a will that He will not violate. He will not make us be saved.  He will send conviction and hope that we want to be saved. 

God wants us to want the same things that He wants.  If we are to know the things that God wants we will have to read His Word and spend some time in prayer.  Circumstances will sometimes come into play but in the end we become useful vessels when we learn to want what God wants.

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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.

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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’S GO DOWN TO THE POTTER'S HOUSE 4

Jeremiah 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

 THE WASTE   vs.4

            You will notice that the waste material was reused.  God throws nothing away.     You may not be in God's perfect will but if you will submit and give Him what is left he will still make you a useable vessel.  "A vessel unto honor".

Many lives are broken by things most of us cannot even imagine.  God can take that broken vessel and remake it into something beautiful.

It is wonderful to hear the testimony of someone whose parents raised them in church and taught them to love God from their early childhood who have not strayed far from the path of God.  On the other hand the testimony of those with broken lives who have been surrendered to God are just as beautiful.

It doesn't matter where you are in your walk with God.  God is still molding you into a more perfect vessel for His use.

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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'S GO DOWN TO THE POTTER'S HOUSE 3

Jeremiah 18:3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.

THE WORK  

The potter wrought a work, not the clay but the potter.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: the gift of God:{9} Not of works, lest any man should boast. {10} For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

There are so many that are trying to work their way into Heaven.  That is where humility also comes into play, you are not now nor will you ever be worthy of Heaven.  That is why God saves us by grace.

Don't struggle with spiritual matters and try to become something God has not called you to be.  Just surrender yourself to His will and let Him mold you as He sees fit.  Some He places in positions that might seem more attractive than others.  There were times when I sort of envied the pastors of big fine churches and wished that I could be more like them.  In looking back I realized that God always moved me where I could be used by Him.  That is true even now and I must confess that If God hadn't done some remolding I would not have been serving Him where I am.  That would be a shame because I have enjoyed 10 of my happiest years in the ministry.  God always knows what the vessel should be.  The clay does not.

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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'S GO DOWN TO THE POTTER'S HOUSE 2

Jeremiah 18:2 Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.

THE WAY

In this verse we see that if we are to be remade by the potter the way is down.. "go down".  Humility is always a key ingredient in regeneration. We must recognize that we need a vast improvement.  It is the same with salvation;   a person cannot be saved until they realize that they are lost.  If a person never realizes the terribleness of sin it is hard for them to accept the fact that they need a Savior.

Even in the life of the believer there are times we need to examine ourselves and humble ourselves before a Holy God as he shapes us into vessels for His service.

Just accept the fact that He is God.  We are not.  He knows what is best for us that we might Glorify Him.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

We must let God speak to us to show us the way.

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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'S GO DOWN TO THE POTTER'S HOUSE 1

Jeremiah 18:1-6 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, (2) Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. (3) Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. (4) And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.(5) Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, (6) O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

Introduction:

            I have always loved this passage of the bible.  I once had the opportunity to see someone shaping a pot on the wheel and I really learned a lot from it.  Just like people clay can be difficult to work with at times.  It can be stubborn, too dry, not stiff enough, or it can have air bubbles in it that can cause it to fall apart just as it is beginning to look like the perfect shape.

            One of the things I learned was that when the vessel was marred and the potter had to start over one of the things that had to be done was that the clay had to be pounded and worked until it became the right texture for the potter to mold.  Whenever you are going through something difficult it might be good to ask yourself if you are being prepared to be molded into a vessel of service.

 

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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.

 

 

We Need Vision

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

 

Do you have a vision of God's purpose in your life?  Does your church have a vision or are you just meeting and going through the motions.

 

People are falling away from God and many churches seem to be losing Ground and I believe that it is because they have no vision.  We must get our vision from the Word of God, the Bible.

 

We need a vision of the Glory of God and that can only come through prayer and Bible study.  If we are to get a vision of our Purpose we must first learn what God's purpose is and try and conform our lives to that purpose.

 

We need a vision of the Power of Salvation through Jesus Christ.  Instead of looking at the sinners in the world with disgust we should be looking at them with compassion and a willingness to share the love of Jesus with them.

 

We need a vision of the return of Jesus.  He told us that He is coming as a thief in the night and it will be a surprise but that we should be ready for Him to come at any time.  He is coming and most of us will admit that but if we really had a vision of His coming we would be sharing the gospel with everyone so that they would not be left behind.

 

Do you have a vision.  If you don't then you are part of the perishing.
 

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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.

Stranger In The Land 3

Jeremiah 14:8 O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

 

Tolerance!!  Everyone is saying that we should be tolerant of every culture and every custom and that we should rejoice in diversity.  Oh, wait, that is every culture except the Christian culture that has made this nation the greatest nation ever.

 

We are told to accept the beliefs of people who don't act like us, talk like us and dress like us and many of them openly admit that they want us all dead.  It seems like the only culture that is not acceptable is the one that has prevailed in this country for more than two centuries.

 

People are trying to change the culture and customs of the country to make God a stranger in our Land.  Sadly it is only when tragedy occurs that our leaders mention that we need to pray.  It seems that they want God to be a stranger and just want Him to stop by for a night when we need  Him.

 

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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.

Stranger In The Land 2

Jeremiah 14:8 O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

 

If you read yesterday's devotional you remember that I said that we have made God a stranger in our land.  Today I want to give you my reasons for saying that.

 

Prayer and Bible reading are no longer allowed in our public school system.  That is sort of ironic considering that the education system in this country owes it's origins to the early Churches.  Many of the oldest Universities that are now churning out atheistic liberals were founded for the purpose of training men for the ministry.  Now God is hardly acknowledged at these institutions, much less welcome.

 

The Churches and places of worship on Sunday many times were used during the week as school rooms for the community schools. Thankfully there are still some private schools that are affiliated with Bible believing churches but displays of Christianity are greatly frowned upon in most public school systems. 

 

Why do we wonder at the bullying and some of the terrible things that happen in schools.  If God is a stranger in the school then the school is a dangerous place to be.

 

Not a week goes by without someone in government saying we need more money for education.  Money will not help anything if we make God a stranger.

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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.

Stranger In The Land 1

Jeremiah 14:8 O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

 

As I study my Bible I am more and more convinced that we are in the later days that the Bible speaks of.  When I read a scripture concerning what things will be like during the last days all I need to do is look around to see the very events taking place that the scripture speaks of.

 

I believe that America has been one of the greatest most blessed nations in the history of the world and but I believe we are quickly losing our greatness.

 

Our founding Fathers used Christianity and the Bible as a Basis for forming our government and our Country.  Many of them were quoted mentioning the Bible and the importance of trusting God in directing our government. 

 

I believe God and His Word, the Bible have played a very important part in shaping the laws and the customs of our great land.  That greatness is quickly sliding on a downward trend and I believe that it is because we have made God a Stranger in  our land.

 

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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 THAT MAKE US SAD

Matthew 19:21-22 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (22) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

 

Most of us are familiar with the rich young man who wanted to follow Him.  He had lived a good moral life, keeping the commandments, but he was unwilling to give up his material wealth to follow Jesus.

 

Many people today are living sad and sorrowful lives because they are unwilling to let go of something in the world that they are putting before Jesus.  The most ironic thing about it is that we think those things are what make us happy when in truth they are the very things that keep us from finding the true joy that comes only when we are willing to give it all to Jesus.

 

I love the words in the song," Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe".  I don't just owe part of what I have to Jesus, I owe it all to Him.  He gave His all for me on Calvary and in return I owe everything to Him.

 

I have learned one thing that is for sure.  Jesus has asked me to give up many things in my life but He has never failed to replace them with something better.
 

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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.

MARKS OF A CHRISTIAN 5

A CITY SET ON A HILL

Mt 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

 

This is a beautiful picture of what we as Christians and the church as a whole should be like. The sinful world would love it if the Church would just hide itself and remain silent. If we did not want to pray in public.  If we did not want a voice in government then they might just be able to tolerate us.

 

We should be a landmark. A landmark is something that is permanently set in place and can be used for direction and guidance.  If churches keep changing and keep moving in a different direction they will cause many to lose their way.  We should be set in place for all the world to see.

 

We should serve as a fortress for protection for all who would come in to seek refuge.  The world is harsh.  It is hard on adults, teens, and children and they should be able to come into the church and feel that they are safe from the dangers of the world.

 

We should be as a lighthouse that is used to guide people safely to God.

 

You are the light of the world.  Unless you let your light shine the world will become darker and darker.

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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.

MARKS OF A CHRISTIAN 4

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 1

 

Mt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

How bright is your Christian light shining?  Are your good works enough to guide some lost soul to  Jesus, the source of your light?

 

Our good works should be done to glorify our Father in Heaven.  If we only light the path enough to draw people to us we are using the wrong approach.  Our good works should light the way to our Heavenly Father.

 

We need to illuminate the world with His Word and with a knowledge of Him.  We need to make it clear that the good we are able to do is only because He has blessed us so that we are able to do them for Him.

 

We need to let our lights shine so that we expose the dangers of evil and sin.  Too often we sit and say nothing when we know just how wrong something is.  We don't want to offend anyone.  We don't want people to think we are being judgmental.  Our light burns much brighter and glorifies God so much more when we light the way to God's righteousness with love.  Love does not mean tolerance.  To tolerate sin and not speak out is not love at all.  It is like watching someone take poison and not warning them that it could be deadly to them.

 

Let your light shine so that it will glorify God.

 

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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.

MARKS OF A CHRISTIAN 3

SALT OF THE EARTH

Mt 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

 

SALT SHOULD CAUSE THIRST

 

You have probably heard it said that you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.  That is an erroneous statement.  You can make him drink if you feed him enough salt.

 

We live in a country where pure drinking water is readily available.  That is not the case in much of the world.  Once a science teacher asked her class about the qualities of salt and she received many answers, most of them correct. A young girl who was from another country raised her hand and said that salt would also make you thirsty and that could be a problem where there was no water.

 

The science teacher thought of the above verse and asked herself, "Have I ever made anyone thirsty for the Living Water of Jesus?"

 

We should live our lives in such a way that it will create a thirst in the souls of those who do not know Jesus.  When they ask us what it is that  makes them want to be like us we should be willing and able to share the message of Jesus and His salvation with them.

 

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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.

MARKS OF A CHRISTIAN 2

SALT OF THE EARTH

Mt 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

 

SALT SEASONS

Just as salt ads flavor to food, we as Christians should make the quality of life better for those we come into contact with.

 

Our family should be better off because of our relationship with Jesus.  I wonder how many people dread their spouse coming home.  How many children dread their parents coming home?  This should not be the way it is in a Christian home.  When a Christian enters it should always be a blessing to those around you.

 

I have actually known people in churches who were so disagreeable that people actually breathed a sigh of relief when they missed services.  There is something seriously wrong with this.  Thankfully those people have been few and far between and it has been many years since I had to deal with anyone like that.

 

Even our workplace should be made better because we are there.  Our Christian attitude and influence should ad a better flavor to the world in which we live.

 

Are you improving the life of those around you?

 

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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.

MARKS OF A CHRISTIAN 1

SALT OF THE EARTH

Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

 

SALT PRESERVES

Salt is a preservative.  It keeps food from spoiling so fast and allows it to be stored to be used later.  Salt keeps out the impurities and keeps the bad stuff from getting and ruining the food.

 

We as Christians should also serve as a preservative in the world.  Satan is throwing everything he can into the world and his goal is to destroy it.  I am saddened and frightened at the amount of worldliness that is being accepted by many Christians.  In today's world we too often hear that we are not to judge others.  That is true when we are talking about salvation. We have no way of knowing who is saved and who is not.  That is something personal between them and God.

 

We are however supposed to recognize sin and worldliness when we see it and I feel that we are obligated to take a stand without it.  If we fail to take a stand against sin then we are as salt with no preservative quality.  I personally would rather believe what the Bible says about something than believe what popular opinion says.

 

Are you doing your part to preserve yourself and the Lord's Church from the influence of sin and the world?

 Email us atshilohkosciusko@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 LOVE OF GOD SHOULD CAUSE US TO HAVE

(1 John 3:17)  But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

 

Sometimes I look around and see things that others have or can afford to do and then I have myself a brief pity party.  The party usually doesn't last too long because I learned long ago that most of those you invite really don't want to attend and would rather not be around you.  It is also brief because it doesn't take long for God to convict me and remind me of how much He has blessed me.

 

Many times when I wasn't sure how I would make ends meet God miraculously provided exactly what I needed to see me through.  Actually those times have been rather rare when I think about it because I might not be rich by the world's standards but most of my life I have had more than enough.  I suppose this puts me in the category of those who have the worlds good.  I have more than I need.

 

Some of the greatest blessings that I have ever received have not been when God performed a miracle to provide for me.  It was when I was moved by the Spirit to help someone else who had a need at the time.  When we have the love of God in our hearts, we will be compelled to share that love in many fashions with others.

 

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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.

GOD'S LOVE SPREAD BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

(Romans 5:5)  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 

We have recently been studying about witnessing in our Sunday School classes and they give us a lot of examples from the new testament.

 

There are classes, programs, training sessions and all sorts of things that try to teach witnessing.  There is nothing wrong with any of these.  Some can be very productive and some can bring great results but we must be aware of one thing.  It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to witness.

 

It is also the Holy Spirit that guides us and directs us to those we are to share the Gospel with.  It is important first that we are saved. We must have a first hand experience to qualify us as a witness.  We need at least a general knowledge of the new testament and what a person needs to know to be saved.  It is not a matter of doing, but a matter of believing and trusting in what Jesus did for us.

 

Regardless of what we know of the Bible, how well we are prepared to share that knowledge, or how willing we are to witness, we must be empowered and guided by God's Holy Spirit if we are to be successful witnesses.

 

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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.

GOD'S LOVE PERCEIVED BY THE SAINTS

(1 John 3:16)  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

 

When we really spend time in the Bible and we spend time alone in prayer we gain a greater understanding of God and His dealing with man, His creation.  We come to a better realization that we are the creation and He is the Creator. When we reach this level of knowledge we then begin to realize just how much He loves us. 

 

Jesus lay down His life for us.  Not only did He die in our place, He left the Glory He had always known and deserved to humble Himself to come to this world and walk among men as one of us. He laid down His life, to live a life among us to show us how it should be done.

 

Sometimes we need to lay aside our regular lives to minister to our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Missionaries lay down the lives they are used to and go to strange places to minister to other people of other cultures.

 

Many will lay aside their family life to go and sit in a waiting room while someone has surgery or to sit and comfort a family that has lost a loved one.  Knowing that Jesus lay down His life for us, and understanding it better, makes ministering to others so much easier.

 

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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.

GOD'S LOVE BESTOWED IN OUR ADOPTION

(1 John 3:1)  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

 

I have known several people who have adopted children.  They take a child that belonged to someone else and bring them into their family and treat them as one of their own.  Their adopted child becomes a real part of their family with the same benefits as those who are born into the family.

 

Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 

When we accept Jesus as our Savior we become God's adopted sons and therefore we are joint heirs with Jesus in all things the Father has for Him.

 

I really like the thought of being adopted by God.

 

Email us atshilohkosciusko@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.