SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH KOSCIUSKO, MISSISSIPPI

SIT BY THE STUFF 2

2012-02-14T06:18:00.003-08:00

1 Samuel 25:13 And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.

1Samuel 30:24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.

Sometimes we feel that those who are at the forefront of and in the limelight in the ministry have a greater responsibility and will get the greater rewards. I have often heard someone say, I wish I could play the piano, or I wish I could sing like that. I have probably said or thought it myself a few times. I am sure I have heard great sermons and wished that I could preach like that.

What we must remember is to be faithful where God has placed us and use the gifts and talents He has blessed us with. When someone plays it would be awful tiring for them if there was no one to sing along. When someone sings it encourages them to know that others are listening and receiving a blessing. When it comes to music I think God called me to be a good listener.

I think I will just sit by the stuff and listen and encourage those who are on the front lines of the music ministry.

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.

SIT BY THE STUFF 1

2012-02-13T04:46:00.001-08:00

1 Samuel 30:24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.

We are surrounded by stuff these days. It seems like some people spend their whole life trying to acquire stuff. We protect our stuff. There are bars on windows, guard dogs, burglar alarms and all sorts of methods people use to protect their stuff.

Stuff was important to David and his army too. They had to carry their food, supplies, and all the things they needed to live on, probably including livestock for meat. It would have been impossible to carry these things into battle and fight while you watched them so they had to leave them behind.

You couldn't leave your stuff behind unless you had people to protect it and guard it. David felt that those who protected their supplies were as important as those who went into battle. I kind of like that concept.

The next few devotionals will deal with sitting by the stuff and your importance in doing that.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

THE RIGHT CHOICE 5

2012-02-10T00:30:00.000-08:00

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, CHOOSE you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

When we make a decision to serve the Lord it will help us greatly in making our daily decisions and choices.

I am in Church on Sunday because I know that is where God wants me to be and I choose to be there. Actually I can't think of anywhere I would rather be.

I am faithful to my wife, because God's Word has taught me to love her the way Christ loves the Church. This is a conscious choice that we make, these things don't just happen by accident.

People have asked me about tithing. They want to know should we tithe on our net income or on our gross income. I usually just ask them if they want net blessings or gross blessings. It is your choice.

I have known of people who had many terrible things to happen to them in their life but their faith did not waver and their spirit was not broken. They chose to trust God in spite of their present circumstances and not because of them.

If you choose to serve God, it will help you with your everyday choices. It will make a great difference in the quality of your life.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

THE RIGHT CHOICE 4

2012-02-09T00:30:00.000-08:00

Regular Coke or diet coke? Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi? Salad or pizza? Paper or Plastic?

These are all trivial decisions we make each day but making the wrong choices can lead to drastic results later. After I step on the scales I realize way too late that I should have just had water and the salad.

Sometimes the really big things that happen in our lives come from the really small decisions we make. I think I have more plastic bags at home than the supermarket has and no one seems to be offering paper anymore.

When I was younger and I was offered a cigarette I made a choice to take it, started smoking, got hooked and had a very tough time trying to quit. I still have health problems based on that one choice even though I made a choice to quit long ago. We do make wiser choices as we gain experience but some of the consequences of the bad decisions will not go away. Oh, and that tattoo of an eagle you put on your arm is going to look a lot like a sick buzzard in about 30 years. What were you thinking?

If small decisions make a big difference later on in life then think of what the big decisions and choices will make. There is no greater choice you can make than whether you will serve the Lord or not.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

THE RIGHT CHOICE 3

2012-02-08T00:30:00.000-08:00

The attack upon the Christian faith is increasing more and more. All you have to do is look at the media and see that we are under an all out assault.

It seems as if any culture in the world is acceptable as long as it is not Christian based.

We are accused of being narrow minded because we believe the Bible and what it says about salvation, morality, and all the basic foundations of a true civilization. Okay, I'll admit that I am narrow minded. Jesus said that the way to destruction is broad but the way to life is narrow.

Actually it is so narrow that there is only one way to eternal life and to abundant life. That is through Jesus Christ as our Lord. Many people choose the broad path to destruction and wander ignorantly along it each day. They can attack, ridicule, or even persecute me all they want. I am still glad I chose the narrow path to Life.

The path you take is your choice.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

THE RIGHT CHOICE 2

2012-02-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

We are in the midst of an election year. The candidates are all trying to convince us that they are the best choice while at the same time trying to show us how awful the other choices are.

We make the decision in this country who will govern us. Many vote for the politician that promises that he can do the most for them. Actually we should see what his stand is on moral issues and vote for him based on that. Remember the one that can do the most for you can also do the most to you.

I hear people attacking the conservative right in this country. Just for the record I choose to be conservative and I hope I am right. I don't trust the government to take care of my every need. I choose to Trust God to care for me and my family. He has done a real good job of it so far.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

THE RIGHT CHOICE 1

2012-02-06T07:23:00.000-08:00

Each day we are faced with many decisions. We might not even realize it but choices greatly determine the course of our lives.

Many people suffered in the real estate crash because they chose to live in a house that they could not afford. The inflated prices of the houses crashed and they wound up owing more on the house than it was worth. Thankfully I have chosen to live a more simple and affordable life and I don't have the stress of having to make payments on a lot of things that I don't really have to have.

My wife and I were in a waiting room at the hospital not long ago and she commented on the new flat screen TV, "That doesn't really look much better than our old TV does it?", she asked. I had to admit it didn't. Our current television is so old that we still have to have a converter box to get a signal. (We choose to not spend money on cable.) Not long ago I thought I really needed one of the new flat screen TVs but the cost made me choose not to buy it. Simple choices make a difference in our lives and our lifestyle.

Important choices make an even bigger difference. I am so glad that I have chosen to Trust God and follow Him. It has made a vast difference in my life and will make a vast difference in yours too.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

I SAT WHERE THEY SAT 4

2012-02-03T00:30:00.000-08:00

EZEKIEL 3:14-17

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

MAKING CHOICES

I mentioned in an earlier devotional in this series that we are where we are in our life mostly because of the choices we have made. Sometimes the choices are not bad because they are sinful, they just might be wrong for a particular person.

It is great if a young person has a mentor to work with them, encourage them and guide them in the things they are really meant to do. It is sad if a young adult is pushed, convinced and manipulated into doing something that they are not going to find fulfilling.

Sometimes we concentrate on security only to find out that the most successful people were willing to take risk. We sometimes concentrate on the amount of money a person can make and fail to realize that there are rewards to be had that are much more than financial gain.

The greatest thing we can teach a young adult about seeking a path in life is that God has a plan. Get to know God. Let God lead you and you will be on the right path.

I hope you have been blessed by these devotionals. There were many more things to be said but these short devotionals are not meant to give you all the answers. They are meant to make you ask questions and then seek God for your answers.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

I SAT WHERE THEY SAT 3

2012-02-02T00:30:00.000-08:00

EZEKIEL 3:14-17

WHAT I KNOW NOW

How many times have you heard it said that I wish I had known then what I know now? I have said it a lot and thought it even more often.

I preached a Sermon to a group of High School Seniors and I decided to share with them what I know now that I didn't realize then. I thought some of it might sink in. Here are the points to that sermon.

I. GOD IS NOT MOCKED

Ga 6:7 Be not deceived; GOD IS NOT MOCKED: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

II. SATAN IS YOUR ENEMY

1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a ROARING LION, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

III. YOU SHOULD HONOR YOUR PARENTS

Deuteronomy 5:16 HONOUR THY FATHER and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

IV. JESUS WANTS YOU TO HAVE A GOOD LIFE

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

These things are still true today and you can expand on each point in any way you see fit. If you know someone who is about to enter into young adulthood you might want to sit down and have a conversation using these points. Don't you wish you had realized all these things?

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

I SAT WHERE THEY SAT 2

2012-02-01T00:30:00.000-08:00

EZEKIEL 3:14-17

WE WERE ALL YOUNG ONCE

It is easy for older people to criticize the young people of today. Sometimes we forget the follies of our own youth.

Parents can lose patience with small children because they forget how important certain things were to them when they were that age. Sometimes we need to just sit down and remember the things that disappointed us or the things that we pleasantly remember. It might help us understand the way small children act and react to things.

The teenage years can be very hard. There is so much competition between peers and even the parents get in on the act. We see bumper stickers that brag "My Child is and Honor Student at ______ School."

I always wanted to see a sticker that said "My Child is Just an Average Student But He is an Awesome Son and I Love Him."

Every child can't be at the head of their class. If all the children make A's on their report cards then it is not an A any more because then it is average. Average is a C and I think that no matter what the transcripts say that there are a lot more average students in schools than educators want to admit.

Every child is special and everyone of them need love, acceptance and encouragement. I sat where some of the have sat. I could have used a little more encouragement and a little less criticism.

When you are dealing with teenagers try to remember how hard it was on you when you were their age.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

I SAT WHERE THEY SAT

2012-01-31T05:08:00.000-08:00

EZEKIEL 3:14-17

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

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

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

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

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

THINGS TO HELP US GROW 5

2012-01-30T00:30:00.000-08:00

BUILD ACCORDING TO GOD'S BLUEPRINT

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

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

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

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

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

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

THINGS TO HELP US GROW 4

2012-01-27T00:30:00.000-08:00

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

LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND

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

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

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

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

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

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

THINGS TO HELP US GROW 3

2012-01-26T00:30:00.000-08:00

WE MUST HAVE A REALIZATION THAT GOD IS ADEQUATE

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

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

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

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

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

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

THINGS TO HELP US GROW 2

2012-01-25T00:30:00.000-08:00

WE MUST HAVE A VISION FOR SOULS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

THINGS TO HELP US GROW 1

2012-01-24T00:30:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

A NEW YEAR 10

2012-01-23T00:30:00.000-08:00

TIME
TAKE TIME

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

A NEW YEAR 9

2012-01-20T00:30:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

A NEW YEAR 8

2012-01-19T00:30:00.000-08:00

TIME
TAKE TIME

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

A NEW YEAR 7

2012-01-18T00:30:00.000-08:00

TIME
TAKE TIME

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

A NEW YEAR 6

2012-01-17T04:44:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

A NEW YEAR 5

2012-01-16T00:30:00.000-08:00

TIME

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

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

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

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

End your day with prayer.

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

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

A NEW YEAR 4

2012-01-12T00:30:00.000-08:00

TIME

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

LET GOD'S WORD WORK IN YOU

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

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

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

Take time to read and study God's Word.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

A NEW YEAR 3

2012-01-11T00:30:00.000-08:00

TIME

TAKE TIME

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

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

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

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

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

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

A NEW YEAR 2

2012-01-10T00:30:00.000-08:00

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

TIME

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

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

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

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

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

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

A NEW YEAR 1

2012-01-09T04:51:00.000-08:00

TIME

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

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

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

The Great Commission: I am with you

2012-01-06T00:30:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

THE Great Commission: Train

2012-01-05T00:30:00.000-08:00

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

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

The Great Commission: Baptize

2012-01-04T00:30:00.000-08:00

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

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

The Great Commission: TEACH

2012-01-03T04:54:00.000-08:00

By Jeremy Burkes

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

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

Go teach them what you know.

The Great commission: GO

2012-01-02T04:59:00.000-08:00

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

We come in contact with people everyday, whether it is at Walmart or at the gas pump. We are to get up and go tell them about Jesus. Where ever our Christian walk takes us there is only one thing we have got to do. Get up and go.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-20T04:51:00.000-08:00

There will be a short break in the devotionals. We will begin posting them again January 2nd. We hope you all have a very
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS 5

2011-12-17T00:30:00.000-08:00

1 Thessolonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

CHRISTMAS MAKES US LOOK FOR THE RETURN OF CHRIST

When we celebrate Christmas and the humble birth of Christ I can't help but to think of the difference in that first coming and what it will be like when He comes again to take the believers Home with Him.
As we go about our Christmas activities we need to be aware that the time is right for Him to come again and take us out of this sinful world. He has promised and He will keep that promise.

Celebrate His birth. Celebrate His Life. Remember His death and resurrection but be aware that He is coming again.
Look up. Our redemption is drawing nearer than most people think.
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.

LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS 4

2011-12-15T00:30:00.000-08:00

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead,

CHRISTMAS MAKES US LOOK AT THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

I can't celebrate Christmas and the birth Christ without also thinking about the death of our Lord. I can't picture Him in the manger without picturing Him also on the cross.

His birth was the greatest gift man has ever received but it was not paid for until He made the ultimate sacrifice on that cross over thirty years later.

Still, on a more pleasant note, I can't think about the death of Jesus without knowing in my heart that death could not keep Him. He was resurrected and is alive. He is alive now, never to die again. In His death and resurrection He gained victory over the grave, over death, and over hell for all who will believe in Him.

He is alive now, and forever more.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS 3

2011-12-14T00:30:00.000-08:00

John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

CHRISTMAS MAKES US LOOK AT THE LIFE OF CHRIST

Christmas to me is not just about the birth of Jesus. It is about His life. A life when God became flesh and dwelt among men. He overcame the world by living in the world.

Everywhere He went, He did the work of His Heavenly Father, doing miracles and good works and resisting temptation. Living in this sinful world without being tainted by it. His was a life of example. His was a life of teaching others how they might truly live.

The life of Jesus was a life of light that shone in the darkness of a sinfilled world. In Him was life!

Many today wonder what is missing in their life when actually it is life itself that is missing if they don't know Jesus. Jesus does not just give us life. He is that life.

Christmas is not just about the birth of Jesus but about the life He gives us.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS 2

2011-12-13T00:30:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS MAKES US LOOK AT THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, LYING IN A MANGER. What a joyous announcement it was that the Angels made to the shepherds that night. They would find Jesus, a newborn lying in a manger.

There was much more than just a baby wrapped in those swaddling clothes. He was the hope of all sinners. He was the fulfillment of the law and of the prophets.

In that manger was the center of all civilization. Immanuel...God with us. Jesus the Son of the Living God. A savior, the fulfillment of God's promises to mankind.

Wrapped in the clothes of a newborn, lying in a lowly manger was the hope and salvation of all who would accept Him and believe in Him.

No wonder the Angels rejoiced!

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS 1

2011-12-12T04:35:00.000-08:00

Galatians 4:4
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

CHRISTMAS MAKES US LOOK AT THE PROPHECY OF CHRIST

Christmas is a very exciting time. It is busy, even sometimes hectic. It seems that someone is always complaining about the commercialization of Christmas and they certainly have a valid point.

One great thing about Christmas is that it is a time when everyone has to give some thought to the coming of Christ to be born among men. Many will try to avoid offending people by saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas but even in doing that they are acknowledging that Christmas is about something more than just a holiday.

Christmas is about God fulfilling His promise to send us a Savior. The birth of Jesus was prophesied hundreds of years before His actual birth. The holiday we celebrate is the fulfilling of that prophecy that God would come and deliver us from our sin.
I am so thankful for God's promises, especially the ones that He has already kept.

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.

Christmas List 5

2011-12-09T00:30:00.000-08:00

James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

It is easy for us to talk about our faith or at least it should be. Sometimes we need to just take a step back and ask ourselves if our works are showing our faith to the world.

Do we pray for the hungry and fail to help feed them? Do we pray for the lost and never take the time to witness? Do we pray for our church but fail to support it and the many ministries of our church? Do we pray for our families and fail to set the proper example before them.

Maybe this year we can give a great gift by putting our faith to work. We can conduct ourselves in such a way that people know that we really believe what we say we believe. Make out your Christmas list for others again and be sure that you are willing to give them what is most important, yourself.

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

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

Christmas List 4

2011-12-08T00:30:00.000-08:00

Pr 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Time seems to fly by faster as we get older. When we are young we think we have all the time in the world and will be able to spend more quality time with our families as we get older. If we are not careful before we know it something unexpected happens, the children are all grown up and out of the house.

We can't get that time back to teach them the things we always meant to teach them. We can't go back and share the experiences with them once they are grown and gone. It is important for us to make time for them when they need us most.

No matter what we give them materially it will never be as great a gift as the time we spend training them up to be good Christians and good citizens. Give your whole family the gift of your time and attention. Don't just give it around Christmas but give it all year long.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

Christmas List 3

2011-12-07T00:30:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 6:2 HONOUR THY FATHER and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

Sometimes the greatest gifts are not just given during the Christmas season. You can make an effort to give them all year long. There are many ways to honor our parents. Of course we know that we are to treat them with respect, we are to be attentive to them but even when they are not around we should conduct ourselves in a way as not to bring reproach upon them.

I am sure that many of you who are reading these devotionals have parents that are already gone on to be with the Lord. You can still honor them by walking in the Spirit and following Jesus daily.

Sometimes my heart breaks for so many parents who seldom ever see or hear from their children. There are many in retirement homes who seldom get a visit. Maybe it would be a great gift we could give all year if we made a decision not only to honor our own parents but all those that are elderly.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

Christmas List 2

2011-12-06T00:30:00.000-08:00

2 Corinthians 8:5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but FIRST GAVE their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

One of the greatest gifts a person can give to his family and loved ones is to give himself to the Lord. When a person is saved it is not only a gift to him from God but to all those who are in his life.

Being saved should make such a difference that everyone around a person should notice a difference. A famous evangelist once said that when a man gets saved even the family dog should notice a difference.

There are people around the world praying for their spouses, their children, their friends and acquaintences and yes even their parents. Their greatest desire is to see them saved. What a wonderful gift it is when someone first gives himself to the Lord.

If you are already saved one of the greatest gifts you can give is to share the plan of salvation with someone who isn't. Salvation is the greatest gift of all. It comes from God and it is guaranteed to last for all eternity.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

Christmas List 1

2011-12-05T07:38:00.001-08:00

Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

During this time of year the shops and stores are full of people filling the "wish lists" of their loved ones. Giving gifts at Christmas has been a tradition ever since the wise men followed the star to find Jesus.

Their gifts were very meaningful. The Gold was representative of his royalty as King of Kings. The frankincense was representative of his Deity, Immanuel, God with us. The myrrh was to represent his impending death for our sins.

How meaningful are the gifts that you will be giving this year. I want to use the next few devotionals discussing meaningful gifts that we as believers can give. I hope you receive a blessing from them.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

THANKSGIVING 4

2011-12-02T00:30:00.000-08:00

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known unto God.

Reinforce What You Are Thankful For

Sometimes I sit down and look around me and just make a mental note of all the things I have to be thankful for. Sometimes I am thankful that I didn't get something that I thought I wanted.

If we look at what others have that we don't have it can cause us to be envious and cause us to be unthankful. We need to take a closer look at what God has blessed us with. Sometimes I think it might be wise to make a written list and not just a mental note.

I am most thankful for Jesus and my salvation. That is a gift He gave me even though I am so undeserving of it. If you really think of it, if you know Jesus and have eternal life and forgiveness of your sins, everything else is just a bonus.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

THANKSGIVING 3

2011-12-01T00:30:00.000-08:00

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known unto God.

REPLACE WORRY WITH THANKSGIVING

We worry about a lot of things. The Bible tells us that:

Luke 21:26 Men's hearts FAILING THEM FOR FEAR, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

That sounds a lot like worry to me.

We worry about our health and worry is probably the worst thing we can do for our health. We worry about finances while at the same time we fail to do what needs to be done to get them under control. People worry about all sorts of things when the best we can do is to trust God.

This does not mean that we are not to do the things we should do to handle problems. After we have done all we can do we need to turn them over to God and thank him for all he has done for us. When we replace worry with Thanksgiving it relieves a lot of stress from our lives.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

THANKSGIVING 2

2011-11-30T05:01:00.001-08:00

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known unto God.

Some people seem to always look at the dark side of things. They never seem to be thankful. I am reminded of an old story of a woman who had a fantastic potato harvest with all her potatoes being almost perfect. One of her neighbors commented on the fact that she should be very thankful for such a beautiful crop of potatoes. She responded, "That's good all right enough but what am I supposed to do for the bad ones to feed the pigs?"

If we concentrate on what we don't have and fail to see all the things we do have it causes us to complain and have a negative attitude. It happens to all of us at times. Not long ago I was having a little pity party and my son took me to task over it. He began to point out how blessed I was and I felt a little ashamed over it.

Many people in the world go to bed hungry each night not knowing where their next meal will come from. One of the biggest problems in our country is people being overweight. Our homes would be considered mansions in many countries. Let's stop and give thanks to God for the way he has blessed us. He is so Good to us all.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

THANKSGIVING 1

2011-11-29T04:52:00.001-08:00

2 Corinthians 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us THANKSGIVING to God

When we think of Thanksgiving we often think of the Holiday. We gather with our families, eat way too much and watch football. This year with all the TV hype it seemed that they are going to change Thanksgiving to Black Thursday and try to make a major shopping day out of it.

Thanksgiving is not just a one day Holiday. Thanksgiving is a state of mind. Without a thankful heart it is hard to find joy, or peace and especially happiness.

God has blessed us so tremendously but we often take his blessings for granted and fail to show how thankful we are. When we really stop and think of how much we have it should make us stop and praise God with Thanksgiving.

The next few devotionals will be devoted to being thankful. I hope you get a blessing from them.

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 HIS SAKE 5

2011-11-18T00:30:00.000-08:00

Psalms 25:11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask IN MY NAME, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Sometimes we think if we had more resources, more time, more talent, or more of something else that we would be able to do more for the Lord.

The fact is that anything that we do to Glorify God, without any thought of self, of reward, or any other motivation than a love for Jesus Christ gives us access to all the resources of Heaven.

I think one of our biggest problems is that we think too much of our own selves when it comes to doing things in Jesus name. Doing something in Jesus name does not just mean using His name... it means doing so that God will be Glorified.

Remember, God wants to bless you. He wants to do it for His name's sake.

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

FOR HIS SAKE 4

2011-11-17T00:30:00.000-08:00

Psalms 25:11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

GOD IS GLORIFIED BY WHAT WE DO IN HIS NAME

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together IN MY NAME, there am I in the midst of them.

God is glorified in the things that He endorses. We know that when we sign a check that we are putting our approval on it. That is what it means to do something in God's name. If it is truly in His name it will have His approval. Many claim to do things in His name when they are truly against His will and teachings.

God's authority is not something to take lightly. He authorizes those things which will bring Glory to Him and to His name. He is Holy. He is God. Reverence Him and Honor Him for His name's sake.

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

FOR HIS SAKE 3

2011-11-16T00:30:00.000-08:00

Psalms 25:11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast CREATED all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were CREATED

MAN IS TRANSFORMED FOR HIS SAKE

Romans 12:2 And be not CONFORMED to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Something is considered transformed when it is one thing and then becomes something else completely. That is the way it should be when a person becomes a Christian. He should become a new creature.

Man in His original condition is guided by the flesh and his own desires. When He is saved he should become an entirely new creature who is guided by God's Holy Spirit dwelling within Him.

We should be transformed for His Sake. God is glorified when people can see the wonderful difference that being saved can make in your life.

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

FOR HIS SAKE 2

2011-11-15T00:30:00.000-08:00

Psalms 25:11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast CREATED all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were CREATED

SALVATION GLORIFIES GOD

When we are saved it is not just so that we don't have to go to hell. God is glorified in the salvation of souls and in the pardoning of sin.

Only God can pardon our sins. We can not receive pardon from a human priest, from an organization, a church, or a religious sect. Pardon can only come from God through the blood of Jesus Christ.

No one else has the power or the authority to forgive our sins. When Jesus died for our sins the veil that separated the holiest place in the temple from the common man was torn in half. We are now able to "go boldly before the throne of grace." He is glorified in forgiving our sins and in that I am sure He takes pleasure in that forgiveness.

There is no other plan for our salvation that is viable except the one that God has shown us in His Word. You are saved for His sake.

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

FOR HIS SAKE 1

2011-11-14T04:43:00.001-08:00

Psalms 25:11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast CREATED all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were CREATED

Sometimes we act as if God withholds blessings from us and only grudgingly blesses us. That could not be farther from the truth. God is glorified in our lives. He created us for His pleasure and He takes pleasure in a strong relationship with us.

Many of us are not living up to our purpose of creation because we are so busy living life our own way that we fail to allow God to bless us in a way that brings glory to Him.

For His sake, keep a close enough fellowship with Him that the world might watch as He blesses you.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

WE MUST HAVE A VISION 5

2011-11-12T00:30:00.000-08:00

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

SHARING THE VISION

Churches are perishing today because they have no vision. In the previous devotionals I discussed several things we should have a vision for. This was by no means a complete list but we must have a vision for the awfulness of sin, for the destructiveness of sin, and for the remedy of sin. I am afraid we have become complacent and are not worried about the souls of me.

Once in a church service they were singing, "Rescue The Perishing". One of the members was convicted by the Holy Spirit that we were failing to do that. He jumped up and shouted, "That is exactly what we are supposed to be doing, we are supposed to be rescuing the perishing." Someone told him to calm down, after all, "It is just a song!"

It might be just a song but the message is one that should pierce the hearts of all believers. We need to be about the business of warning others of the penalty of sin and telling them about the pardon of sinners by Jesus.

I ask you to pray for me that I will have a greater burden to share the gospel with the lost. Pray that I will have a vision for "souls".

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

WE MUST HAVE A VISION 4

2011-11-11T00:30:00.000-08:00

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

WE MUST HAVE A VISION FOR THE REMEDY OF SIN

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus is the only remedy for sin. He paid our sin debt by suffering our punishment of us. He offers us salvation as a gift. We must swallow our pride and realize that there is nothing we can do but accept the gift of salvation from Him.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Don't try to complicate it and don't ever deceive yourself into to thinking that there is anything you can do to deserve to be saved. A gift is not something you can deserve. It is something you humbly accept.

Have a vision of your Savior and share that vision with others.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

WE MUST HAVE A VISION 3

2011-11-09T00:30:00.000-08:00

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

PEOPLE ARE PERISHING FROM SIN

We need to have a vision of the destructiveness of sin. I am a firm believer in the security of a believer. I believe that we are saved by God's grace and kept by God's grace and no one can pry us out of the Savior's hand. Some people mistakenly believe that people who believe in the security of believers take that as a license to sin. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Sin will not cause me to lose my salvation but it will have a destructive effect on me.

I will give you an example. Suppose I were to get drunk and wind up in an automobile accident and cut off one of my arms. God would forgive me but he would not grow me a new arm. That is an extreme situation maybe but we need a vision of the extreme destructiveness of sin. Many individuals, families and even churches are perishing because they disregard the destructiveness of sin.

Remember, sin will take you farther than you want to go. It will keep you longer than you want to stay and it will cost you more than you want to pay.

God forbids us to do certain things because in His infinite wisdom He knows they are destructive. We need to have a vision of the destructiveness of sin.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

WE MUST HAVE A VISION 2

2011-11-08T00:30:00.000-08:00

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

PEOPLE ARE PERISHING FROM SIN

As Christians we need to have a vision for the awfulness of sin. I am afraid that we have lost our understanding of the awfulness of sin. We are quick to look at sinners and after seeing the effects of sin upon them we label them as awful but we still tolerate the same sin in moderation.

I can not understand how anyone can see the destructiveness of alcohol upon society and still think that it is alright to drink socially. I have known a lot of people whose lives were effected or destroyed by liquor and not one of them set that as a goal for their life. Sin sneaks in and then it just takes a little more each time.

We need to have a vision of destructiveness of sin on our families. Remember all our actions effect those we are close too. Parents need to protect their children from sinful situations. It is much more important for us to keep our young people pure than to make them popular. We would never dream of sending them to school with filthy hands and faces yet many are sent out each day with unclean souls.

We feed them, clothe them, pack their lunches and rush them to the bus or to school without taking time to pray for them. It is important that they see and hear you praying for God to protect them from sin. It has a strengthening effect when they are tempted.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

WE MUST HAVE A VISION 1

2011-11-07T04:51:00.000-08:00

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

SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS

In an earlier devotional I mentioned the fact that many people are just going through the motions of living. They work, they eat, they sleep and then when they are off work they spend their time trying to forget that they have to start it all over again. Instead of making the most of their lives they are just flowing with the currents of life hoping some day to drift into the port of some dream paradise.

Someone once said that Christopher Columbus was just lucky. He started out not knowing where he was going, when he got there he didn't know where he was and when he got back he didn't know where he had been. To add to all that he did it all on borrowed money. Maybe Columbus had something that did make it all happen, he had a vision. He had a vision of new routes to an old world but wound up discovering a new one.

Many today are doing the same as Christopher Columbus only they lack the vision. Do you have a vision? Are you working toward specific goals in your life or are you just floating on the currents of circumstances hoping to make a happy landing at some port some day. It is your life. You should decide where you want to steer it.

I hope you receive a blessing from the next few devotionals concerning having a vision.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

HELP FOR THE HEART 5

2011-11-04T00:30:00.000-07:00

Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;(26) Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

PEOPLE'S HEARTS ARE FAILING FOR FEAR

We certainly live in perilous times. We need only turn on the news or read a paper and it seems that there is something new that should scare us.

Terrorism seems to continue in spite of the War being raged against it. Our government is enough to make us all be a little fearful when we look at the massive failures of the last several years.

Experts keep telling us of the terrible economy. (Personally I can't tell that I am much worse off than I have been all along.)

The News is constantly showing us how dangerous our food supply, medicine, and water is.

Crime is on the rise. We are constantly at war. I could go on and on with the list of things that cause us to be fearful but the one thing we must remember is that all this is temporary.

This world and this life will pass away but there is peace and victory in Jesus Christ who is eternal. I have nothing in the world to fear because this world is not my home, I am just passing through on my way to my eternal home.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

HELP FOR THE HEART 4

2011-11-03T00:30:00.000-07:00

PEOPLE'S HEARTS ARE BROKEN BECAUSE THEY FEEL TRAPPED

Many people are snared by their circumstances and locked in by their own actions or as one preacher said "they are hemmed in by their habits."

It is sad to see so many people who are just going through the motions of life. They are depressed or anxious and they feel trapped with no way out.

There are many people who are truly in some bad situations that we can not imagine but there are many who could change everything around them if they would just change the way they react to what goes on around them. We must understand that Jesus is the only one who can give us true liberty.

The apostle Paul spoke much about his liberty in Christ even though he spent much of his later years imprisoned. If Jesus reigns supreme in your heart you will not be trapped, you will be free.

Sometimes I hesitate to write devotionals like these because it seems like they are trivializing serious situations and making the solution sound simple. Allowing Jesus to be the Lord of all of your life is anything but simple. It takes a lot of work and you must be willing to swallow some pride and show some humility. Believe me, that can take a lot of effort but it will be well worth it if you become free from your circumstances.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

HELP FOR THE HEART 3

2011-11-02T00:30:00.000-07:00

PEOPLE'S HEARTS ARE BROKEN FROM LONELINESS

Loneliness is a lot different from being alone. We all need time to be alone with God but that does not mean being lonely. We can be in a crowd of people and still feel lonely.

From the small child who feels he has no friends and the teenager who doesn't fit in, to the adult who feels isolated from those around him, there are many who are lonely.

The Bible tells us that Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He is there for us when the whole world deserts us. When we are close to Him we will be serving Him which means ministering to others. When we minister to others the loneliness seems to disappear.

Our hearts are lonely when we are consumed with ourselves. When our hearts are filled with a love for Jesus we will seldom feel lonely.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

HELP FOR THE HEART 2

2011-11-01T00:30:00.000-07:00

PEOPLE FEAR FAILURE

It seems that people sometimes try so hard and still fail. The work of their hands turns to clay instead of Gold. The American dream seems to have turned into a nightmare for many. Streets are filled with people who are protesting because things haven't turned out the way they thought they would.

We are not doing our youth any favors by promising them a good education will insure that they have a good job and a promising future. What we need to is teach our children to live their lives for Jesus. This world is temporary and it promises us nothing.

Jesus is eternal and He promises us eternal life and if we abide in Him we are promised abundant life.

No life lived for the cause of Christ is a failure. If we live for Jesus there are eternal rewards that we can not even imagine. That is far from failure.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

HELP FOR THE HEART 1

2011-10-31T04:41:00.000-07:00

One of the signs that Jesus gave us concerning the end times was that men's hearts will be failing them because of fear and worrying about things that are happening on the Earth.

We hear much about heart disease and heart failure each year. Maybe people need to begin to trust Jesus more because:

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Jesus still has help for the aching heart. I am going to discuss some of the things that make our hearts ache and how Jesus can help with them in the next few devotionals. I hope you receive a blessing from them and If you have an aching heart I hope you find some comfort in them.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

RESPONSIBLE 33

2011-10-28T00:30:00.000-07:00

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION IN YOUR CHURCH

The first sermon preached each Sunday is not by the preacher, but by you. You preach a message of good cheer when you say "good morning" to those you meet as you are parking your car, or in the hallway and classrooms.

You preach a message of welcome! We have room for you when you slide over in the pew instead of forcing others to squeeze in front of you. You preach a message of hope and joy when you enthusiastically sing during the song service.

You preach a message about the power of prayer when you fervently enter our time of prayer together. You preach a message about respect when you listen attentively while the special music is being presented.

You preach a message of love when you smile, say hello and introduce yourself to visitors. You preach a message about faith when you give your tithes and offerings. You preach a message about the importance of the Scriptures when you open your Bible to the sermon text.

Many messages are preached before the minister stands up to bring his message. If your message is positive and consistent, then the message given from the pulpit will be much better received.

This Sunday morning be prepared to preach your best sermon.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

RESPONSIBLE 32

2011-10-27T00:30:00.000-07:00

WE SHOULD BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE TO GOD:

1 COR. 16:1-3

(Luke 6:38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

INTRODUCTION: GOD GIVES TO US FREELY AND WANTS US TO GIVE ALSO SO THAT WE WILL KNOW THE JOY THAT COMES FROM GIVING.

We are responsible to provide for our own household. God intends for all of us to do useful work to take care of ourselves. It is also our Christian duty to help those who are less fortunate than we are.

We are to give to the Lord's work so that the gospel can be preached throughout the world. God has told us that the first ten percent of what we have belongs to Him. This by no means restricts us to ten per cent. God blesses richly those who give willingly from a cheerful heart.

One of the things that I have learned over the years is that I can not out give God.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

RESPONSIBLE 31

2011-10-26T07:25:00.000-07:00

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may EDIFY another.

STRONG'S CONCORDANCE defines the word edify as the act of one who promotes another's growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness.

Someone once said that in society there are two types of people, the builders and the wreckers. That is also true in the Church and the Christian community. The wreckers are the ones who criticize, complain, and become barriers to those who are trying to accomplish something.

Wouldn't it be much better to be a builder. One critical or insulting remark can wreck a persons day, disrupt a meeting, break up a friendship, and alienate people. It is certainly true that everyone doesn't always do things the way we would like them too. Without a doubt most of us can stand a lot of improvement. It is hard to improve something by tearing it down.

If you are looking for ways to build up yourself and to grow in your Christian life why not start by building up someone else. Share a blessing with a friend. Compliment someone who is not expecting one from you. Let someone know how much you admire something about them. Encourage someone who is trying something new or difficult.

You will be surprised how much difference it will make in your own life. You will be more positive. You will gain strength from those you strengthen. You will feel better when you build someone else up. Let us edify one another.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

RESPONSIBLE TO GOD 30

2011-10-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO LIVE IN THE WORLD AND STILL REPRESENT CHRIST

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

When we are saved the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts to dwell forever. He is our guide. He is our teacher.

The Holy Spirit will teach us, convict us, help us pray, witness and live for Jesus in the world. We must strive to allow the Holy Spirit to have control of our life.

It is the only way that we can live in the world and not be of the World. This is not something that comes easily. It comes from denying the flesh and the desires of the flesh and yielding to His leadership.

We have a responsibility to represent Jesus in this world. We do that by walking in the Spirit and allowing Him to control our lives.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

RESPONSIBLE TO GOD 29

2011-10-24T04:55:00.000-07:00

RESPONSIBILITY OF PRAYER

(Luke 11:1) And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

EXPECT GOD TO ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS

Sometimes God says no to our prayers. Sometimes we pray for things that would not be best for us. There is a country song that says "I thank God for unanswered prayers." Actually the prayers are not unanswered, God just says no sometimes.

Sometimes God says wait. We may ask for things sometimes when we are not yet ready to receive them or to handle them. When I first surrendered to the ministry I prayed hard for a church to pastor. It was four years before God answered my prayer but as I look back I now know that I was not ready before then. I am thankful that God had me wait because if I had started pastoring sooner I would have probably became discouraged and quit.

Sometimes God answers yes and we are very sure that it is an answer to prayer. In my life I have seen many things that God did and I knew that it could only come from Him. That is what a miracle is.

In closing this section on prayer I want to finish with one story. Early in my ministry my car was about to fall apart and I desperately needed a car but it seems like there was no way for me to get one. I was a little disturbed that God would not provide me a way to visit hospitals, to witness and to do His work. I was really having a pity party. When I finally realized that my attitude was in the way I prayed, "Lord, I intend to serve you. I will witness if I have to walk. I will visit the hospitals if I have to ride a bicycle. Me having a car is not what is important. Doing your work is what is important."

The next day I was able to get a car financed at a price that I could afford and I don't think I have ever been without a vehicle since.

We serve a great God who wants us to pray. How is your prayer life?

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

RESPONSIBLE TO GOD 28

2011-10-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

RESPONSIBILITY OF PRAYER

James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

WE NEED FOR GOD TO BE THE FOCUS OF OUR PRAYER LIFE

Solomon could have asked for greatness and riches but instead he asked for wisdom to rule God's people. God gave Him all of them because he did not ask selfishly.

We are much like the little boy who was praying for certain gifts for his birthday in a very loud voice. His brother told him, "You don't have to pray so loudly, God is not hard of hearing."

"No," his brother said, "But grandma is."

Another little boy, when asked if he prayed every day said, "No, I don't want something every day."

We should not pray selfishly, even though it is alright to ask God for things. Just remember that God knows what is good for you and He knows your heart better than you do.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

RESPONSIBLE TO GOD 27

2011-10-18T04:47:00.000-07:00

RESPONSIBILITY OF PRAYER

(James 5:16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

WE MUST PRAY WITH DILIGENCE

Too often when someone ask us to pray for them we will mumble a hurried prayer and then forget the request. This should not be the case. We should try to remember that person and their problem or situation and hold them up before the Lord on a regular basis until they receive an answer from God or we receive an answer from God.

I remember a time in my life when I was really burdened for one of my wife's nieces who was very sick. I prayed for her daily and each worship service I would go to the altar and pray during the invitation. (I strongly believe in altar prayer.) One Sunday night as I was praying a peace came over me as if God was saying, "I have heard your prayer and answered your request."

I had been praying fervently and God did grant my request. She got over the terrible disease and was healed. Believe what God's Word says about prayer...it is all true.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

RESPONSIBLE TO GOD 26

2011-10-17T04:56:00.000-07:00

RESPONSIBILITY OF PRAYER

Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

PRAISE IS IMPORTANT IN OUR PRAYERS

We should praise God with our lips. Praise is an important part of worship. We should praise the Lord continually with our lips and with our actions.

The happiest people in the world are those who are filled with thanksgiving for all that God has done for them. If we are truly filled with thanksgiving then it will overflow and turn into praise.

There are many songs, psalms, and prayers of praise in the Bible. There should also be many songs, psalms, and prayers of praise in our hearts which should then spill out from our lips.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

RESPONSIBLE TO GOD 25

2011-10-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PRAY WITH A FORGIVING HEART

Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

We have all been wronged at some time or the other but we must learn to forgive. So many times we will hold a grudge and it eats away at our spirit like a cancer eats away at the flesh.

No one has wronged us the way that we have wronged God. Jesus doesn't mince words here. He doesn't just suggest that we should be forgiving of others. He lets us know that it is absolutely imperative that we forgive others.

If you have an unforgiving spirit it will hinder your prayer life. Search your heart and remember how much you have been forgiven by God and allow Him to work that same forgiveness 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.

RESPONSIBLE TO GOD 24

2011-10-13T01:00:00.000-07:00

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PRAY

Mt 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily bread. (12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Many people feel that the proper way to pray is to repeat this prayer and that is all that is necessary. If you read correctly you will see that this is a model prayer, and example. We are to use this as an example not just recite it word for word.

We are to address God in a reverent manner, praising Him because He is Holy. We are to pray for His will to be done in our lives here on Earth. We are to pray for His provision on a daily basis and to trust Him for it. Many of us are not satisfied with our daily bread but we want a full pantry and freezer too.

We all need forgiveness but we also need to forgive others. I am amazed at how some people hold grudges and then ask for forgiveness for their own wrongdoings. God is aware of the temptations of the world and we need to ask His help in avoiding them.

Evil is everywhere and we certainly should ask for deliverance from it. We need to recognize that it is God's Kingdom and the glory belongs to Him.

Amen

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

RESPONSIBLE TO GOD 23

2011-10-12T01:07:00.000-07:00

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PRAY

Mt 6:7-8 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (8) Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Sometimes we pray like God has no idea what is going on in the world or in our individual lives. Don't make the mistake of thinking you have any secrets from God. He knows your very thoughts and the intentions of every action. You might fool the world but God knows what is going on inside you even if you don't want to admit it.

Sometimes we get angry at God because we don't get our way and we pout and we dodge the issue. Many times we even direct our anger at others and especially His church. When we do this we are not hiding it from God so we might as well go ahead and confess our feelings to Him.

One of the shortest and most sincere prayers I can think of is "Lord help me." It is appropriate in so many different situations yet it is very brief. The length of our prayer is not all that important. God knows our hearts, he knows our needs. Pray honestly. It will make a great difference in your prayer life.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

RESPONSIBLE TO GOD 22

2011-10-11T01:00:00.000-07:00

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PRAY

Mt 6:5-6 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (6) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

PRAYER IS PERSONAL

Over the years I have struggled with praying out loud in public. If I am called on I will pray in public. I pray out loud when my wife and I eat, yes even in restaurants, and I pray out loud when we have our morning prayers together but even at these times I am a little self conscious about it because I am not talking to those around me. I am talking to God.

It is much like the little boy who was saying his prayers in a very quiet voice. His mother said, "I can't hear you." The little boy responded, "That's alright, I wasn't talking to you." It is extremely important when we pray to remember that we are talking to our Heavenly Father and not to the people who might be listening. By the way, God can understand modern English and every other language so you don't have to speak to Him in old English.

One more note, there are some who try to complicate prayer. There were three preachers arguing about what the best posture for prayer was and a telephone repairman was listening. One said you should stand with your arms raised toward heaven, another said that you should kneel when you pray, the last said that you should lie on your face in humility and that was the best position. The telephone repairman said, "I don't know about you guys but some of the best praying I ever did was when I was hanging upside down from a telephone pole."

The point I am trying to make is prayer is not complicated, it is not for the people around you, it is a communication between you and God. Talk to Him, He is your heavenly father.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

RESPONSIBLE TO GOD 21

2011-10-10T04:50:00.000-07:00

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO KNOW HOW TO PRAY: PRAYER IS TALKING WITH GOD.

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

I have always thought it interesting that the disciples didn't ask Jesus to teach them to preach, to teach or to perform miracles. While following Him they realized the importance of prayer and they asked Him to teach them to pray.

Many of us today want to find answers to spiritual questions without first learning the fundamentals of prayer. Our power comes from prayer. Our faith is increased by prayer. Our relationship with the Lord is strengthened by prayer. If Christians today are lacking in any area I believe that it is in the area of prayer.

When we pray we are talking, and should be listening to God. I personally believe that spiritual growth can never come until we have a strong prayer life.

You are responsible to learn how to 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.

Our Responsibility 20

2011-10-07T01:14:00.000-07:00

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO KNOW ABOUT SOWING AND REAPING

FINAL NOTE ON SOWING AND REAPING

You will reap what you sow. Once a neighbor of mine knocked on my door and wanted to show me the watermelons he had grown. I went outside and saw the two largest cucumbers that I had ever seen. It seems that the watermelon seeds he had bought were not watermelons at all but were cucumbers. We both had a good laugh but needless to say he was a little disappointed over not having any watermelons.

You will reap what you sow. Make sure you sow the right seeds that you might reap the fruit of the Spirit in your lives. It is so much sweeter than the corruption of the flesh.

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

Our Responsibility 19

2011-10-06T01:11:00.000-07:00

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO KNOW ABOUT SOWING AND REAPING
Ga 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

GOD DISCIPLINES US TO CORRECT US, NOT TO PENALIZE US

God is preparing us to help as as well as to Glorify Him in our lives. We learn from our mistakes and other learn from them as well.

We need to help others escape from the entrapment of sin by showing them how good it is to live free from such entrapment.

We learn to trust God through his discipline and guidance. God's purposes are eternal and we live too much for right now.

God want us to conform to the image of Christ so that the world can see Christ in 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.

Our Responsibility 18

2011-10-05T01:05:00.000-07:00

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO KNOW ABOUT SOWING AND REAPING

WE WILL ALWAYS SEE GOOD COME FROM OUR OBEDIENCE TO GOD

Joseph and Daniel are good examples of good coming from obedience. Even though their circumstances were at best bad, they were still obedient unto God and it was not only good for them as individuals but for their people.

If we are obedient Christ will be evident in our lives and others can see Him and we will be able to influence them for good.

If we are obedient God will bless us in more ways than we can imagine and we will find peace and confidence. We will have understanding and faith during trying situations.

Sow the seeds of obedience. You will like what you reap.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

Our Responsibility 16

2011-10-04T04:45:00.000-07:00

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO KNOW ABOUT SOWING AND REAPING

Ga 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

AS WE GROW OLDER WE EXPERIENCE THE RESULTS OF WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST

I sometimes say that "If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself when I was younger." I say this as a joke but there is a lot of truth to it. Many of us have physical problems because of the foolish choices we made when we were young.

It saddens me to see young people today who are making choices that we know they will regret some day. They have not learned the lessons of sowing and reaping.

Physical problems are not the only seeds that produce trouble later in our lives. Sowing the seeds of sin can cause truly serious emotional and spiritual problems as we grow older. It is true that God is faithful to forgive us from our sins but sometimes the wounds of sin leave terrible scars that we have to live with all of our 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.

Our Responsibility 15

2011-10-03T05:26:00.000-07:00

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO KNOW ABOUT SOWING AND REAPING

Ga 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

(James 3:18) And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

GOD IS PREPARING US FOR TOMORROW AND FOR ETERNITY

Life as a Christian should be a growing and learning experience. The habits we form and the lifestyle we have is important to God. We all have different abilities and talents. We have different likes and dislikes and we really need to realize the principles of sowing and reaping.

The devotionals next week will deal more in depth with sowing and reaping. Just remember "What you sow, so shall you reap."

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.

Our Responsibility 15

2011-09-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO KNOW ABOUT SOWING AND REAPING

Ga 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

(James 3:18) And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

GOD IS PREPARING US FOR TOMORROW AND FOR ETERNITY

Life as a Christian should be a growing and learning experience. The habits we form and the lifestyle we have is important to God. We all have different abilities and talents. We have different likes and dislikes and we really need to realize the principles of sowing and reaping.

The devotionals next week will deal more in depth with sowing and reaping. Just remember "What you sow, so shall you reap."

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.

Our Responsibility 14

2011-09-29T01:08:00.000-07:00

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO KNOW WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

When we are saved we are indwelt and inhabited by the Holy Spirit. We belong to God. God views every believer as being dead to self and alive in His Son, Jesus Christ.

As far as God is concerned every evil and sinful act was crucified with Christ. When we display sinful acts in our life we are going against the very nature that we have when we receive Christ and become new creatures.

The true meaning of our life is found only in Christ. A Christian not only carries the name of Christ but also His life, His Holy Spirit, within us.

True Christian living should be evident in our actions. We should be loving, forgiving, helpful, sharing, enduring and most of all obedient to the will of God.

You are a child of God. Act like your Father.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

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.

Our Responsibility 13

2011-09-28T01:40:00.000-07:00

IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO SHARE THE PLAN OF SALVATION WITH OTHERS

(John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(Rom 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

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

(Rom 10:9 10) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. {10} For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(Rom 10:13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Jesus died for us so that all who believe might be saved. We are responsible to share the message of salvation with everyone we know.

People must first come to realize that they are lost, Romans 3:23. It is our responsibility to tell them.

A person must want to be saved and we must help them know they need to be saved, Romans 6:23.

God is ready to freely give salvation to those who realize they need it. He will save anyone who will believe that Jesus has already suffered the punishment for sin in their place.

We must share God's Word and lead them to ask for Salvation.

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.

Our Responsibility 12

2011-09-27T01:36:00.000-07:00

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO KNOW HOW TO BE SAVED

Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

A person must come to know that he or she is lost. Everyone was born with sin in them and every has sinned on their own.

Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

A person comes to know that he or she is in need of a Savior
1. By hearing God's Word

1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

2. The need for salvation is revealed by the Holy Spirit.

John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

A person must either receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior or reject Him. To not decide is a decision. To put off the decision could have an eternal effect if you never get another chance.

A person must believe, receive and make a commitment.

It is by Grace through Faith and not of works.

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.

Our Responsibility 11

2011-09-26T05:26:00.000-07:00

OUR CHURCHES ARE RESPONSIBLE TO TEACH THE WORD OF GOD

(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: {17} That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

GOD'S WORD IS NOT TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS ANY MORE

When I was young we started each day in school with a prayer, Bible reading and the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag. These things don't happen any more. Students and teachers sometimes get in trouble for their Christian witness.

Most of the early colleges and Universities in America were founded for training ministers of the gospel. It is now hard to find professors (even in many so called Christian schools) that believe that the Bible is the Word of God.

We can't depend on anyone other than ourselves and Bible believing churches to teach the Word of God.
The world does not conform to the Word of God or teach it. The news and information media are biased against it.

It is our responsibility to see that the Word of God is taught. We must study God's Word, trust God's Word and apply God's Word to our lives.

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.

Our Responsibility 10

2011-09-23T01:09:00.000-07:00

OUR GOVERNMENT WAS BASED UPON GOD'S WORD

(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: {17} That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

IN GOD WE TRUST

This is our nation's motto even if a number of people have a problem with it. Our founding father's knew the Bible and because we were a nation that trusted God we were blessed.

It doesn't surprise me in the least that we have had so many disasters, wars, and a financial crisis that almost rivals the great depression. Our nation has expelled God from our schools, and almost from our government completely.

We can have millions of laws on our books and it will not help us to prosper as a nation if we neglect the true lawgiver:

(James 4:12) There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

When a nation's laws conform to God's Word He blesses it, but when they do not the nation will fall into ruin. This has proven to be true throughout history.

God's Word has stood the test of time, both by individuals and by nations. It will stand forever.

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.

Our Responsibility 9

2011-09-22T01:07:00.000-07:00

THE BIBLE IS GOD'S WORD- GIVEN TO MEN BY DIVINE INSPIRATION

(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: {17} That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

Last week I wrote some about these things in the devotionals. If you missed them scroll back down and read them. God gives us the guidelines for marriage and family.

OTHER RELATIONSHIPS AND FRIENDSHIPS

The Bible has much to say about the friends we should have, the company we should keep and about our associations in general. We can learn much from the Book of Proverbs as well as Paul's writings to churches in the New Testament.

We can also learn much from studying the people in the Bible. They were people of all types and personalities. We can learn from their defeats as well as their victories. If we learn how God has used people in the Bible it will teach us much about how He can use us today.

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.

Our Responsibility 8

2011-09-21T01:06:00.000-07:00

THE BIBLE IS GOD'S WORD- GIVEN TO MEN BY DIVINE INSPIRATION

(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: {17} That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The Bible is God's inspired Word, all of it. The prophecy and revelations of the Bible have been proven to be true for over 3400 years. It took over 1400 years to write and was written by many different men in their own styles but was completely inspired by God.

There are no contradictions in the Bible when you take it in context. You must learn who is speaking, to who are they speaking, and what the context is. We don't get nearly as much out of the Bible if we try to read it as we would read any other Book.

The Bible will never change. It is not adaptable to conform to worldly customs and cultures. We must, by faith, accept it to be God's complete Word to us. It has stood the test of time and even now we can see some of the prophecy concerning the latter days coming to pass.

Look up. Your redemption might be nearer than you realize.

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.

Our Responsibility 7

2011-09-20T01:24:00.000-07:00

(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: {17} That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

SALVATION COMES FROM GOD'S MESSAGE TO US

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

It is important for us to share God's Word with the lost. People hear God's Word and the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth to them and convict them of their sinful condition. It is then their responsibility to respond by accepting Jesus as their Savior.

The Bible reveals Jesus Christ and His work of salvation to the world. It is our responsibility to study the Word that we might be able to accurately and willingly share His Word with a world that so desperately needs it.

Learn the Romans Road to salvation. Memorize other scriptures to use when you have the opportunity to share them with someone who does not know Jesus. It is important to live you life in such a way to influence people but you need to know the scripture to be able to give people a reason for the hope you have in Christ.

The Bible is like food for the soul. If you neglect your Bible then you are neglecting your spiritual health. You have a responsibility to study the Word 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.

Our Responsibility 6

2011-09-19T04:48:00.000-07:00

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO TRUST GOD'S WORD : THE ONLY TRUTH

(John 17:17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: {17} That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

GOD'S WORD IS REALITY

As much as some people would like to disagree the Holy Bible is the inspired (God Breathed) Word of God. It is settled in eternity and no amount of argument or debate will change one bit of it.

It doesn't change and adapt with the customs and culture of the day. Someone once said, "God said, I believe it, and that settles it." Honestly though it doesn't matter if you believe it or not. It is already settled and God will not change it.

If we are going to live up to our Christian responsibility we must try to conform our lives to His Word instead of trying to change His Word to fit our way of 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.

Our Responsibility 5

2011-09-16T01:11:00.000-07:00

WITHOUT EXCUSE

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

The previous devotionals come from a study written by a friend of mine over 20 years ago. I used some of his outlines and added a few comments and took the first two out of order. My reason for doing this was to first get across the point that we are all without excuse.

We are all responsible to God for our own actions and our own attitudes toward Him and toward others. I hope to continue using my friends outline for the next several devotions. I hope you receive a blessing from this series on our responsibility to 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.

Our Responsibility 4

2011-09-15T01:09:00.000-07:00

PARENT CHILD RELATIONSHIPS PART 2

INTRODUCTION: In God's Natural Order there is a definite order in the relationship of children and parents. It is the responsibility of the parent to maintain this order.

(Prov 22:6) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

TO DISOBEY PARENTS IS TO REBEL AGAINST GOD.

1. Parents are responsible to God for their children.

2. Children must learn that they never get away with doing something wrong- even though their parents may not be there or learn about it. (God is present all the time and He knows all things.)

3. We must teach the children that they are dealing with God and He makes no mistakes.

4. Every human makes mistakes. God will forgive and parents must learn to forgive also. We must express the love of God in the lives of both parents and children.

5. God is patient. Just because children get away with something at the present doesn't mean that they will get away with it completely. Sin sets a trap for all those who are involved in it and it always has it's own built in penalty.

6. When one continues to rebel against their parents or against God, He will eventually deal with the person and sometimes He punishes someone severely.

1. Parents are responsible to God for themselves as well as for their children.

2. Parents have difficulties and weakness also. It is important to let our children know that we are not always right.

3. Anxiety, frustration, worry, fear, and lack of joy accompany rebellion whether it is of the parents or of the children.

4. Children should pray for parents and parents should pray for their children.

5. Parents must prepare children to trust God and to learn to depend on Him when they are no longer around.

CONCLUSION:
We never get to old or outgrow the responsibility to HONOR AND OBEY our Godly parents. Even then we must honor them.

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.

Our Responsibility 3

2011-09-14T01:06:00.000-07:00

PARENT CHILD RELATIONSHIPS PART 1

INTRODUCTION: In God's Natural Order there is a definite order in the relationship of children and parents. It is the responsibility of the parent to maintain this order.
(Prov 22:6) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

CHILDREN ARE TO HONOR AND OBEY THEIR PARENTS
(Eph 6:1-3) Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. {2} Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; {3} That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

(Col 3:20) Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

A. Parents are given by God to represent and teach children about God.

1. Parent's make mistakes, but when they strive to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit they usually know what is best. -God is on our side.

2. Children must be able to face their parents when they mess up. They must understand that parents are understanding and forgiving. (Never discipline in anger.)

3. Children will make mistakes. It is the responsibility of the parents to help them make the right choices and to set boundaries. (Boundaries are very important to young people.)

4. We must depend on the grace of God in parenting and teaching children. They need to know and understand that we are following God- and are trying to teach them to do so. We should pray daily for wisdom from God in raising our children.

5. There will be disagreements but parents must love the children enough to let them make some decisions - even when we don't approve. We can explain why we don't approve and if it is not a matter of sin or outright rebellion let them learn on their own sometimes.
Only when parents are asking children to do something against God's principles should they ever refuse to obey.

Obedience should be immediate and without question. Not only is it the scriptural relationship between parents and children but it is a way of teaching them to be obedient to 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.

Our Responsibility 2

2011-09-13T04:56:00.000-07:00

THE FAMILY:
HUSBAND AND WIFE
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

We have a responsibility to submit to God's will and His natural order of things. This means that we are to conform to His image and His word and not try to reform Him to be what we want Him to be.

God created Adam and Eve, male and female. God created Adam first and then created Eve as a help mate for him.

Many are trying to change the truths of the Bible and have been for some time. The fact is that man is to be the head of the household and the spiritual leader in the family. It is a shame, and a sin, when this is not the case. Many men over the years have failed to be responsible in this area. In modern times it seems that women have tried to usurp that position. Now it seems there are some who are trying to re-define marriage completely to justify their sinful lifestyles.

Marriage is truly a partnership but scripturally the husband has an obligation to be the spiritual leader and senior partner. That makes it even more important for the husband to fulfill his responsibilities as a Christian.

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.

Our Responsibility 1

2011-09-12T05:12:00.000-07:00

Introduction: Everyone of us has been created to glorify and to serve God. He has given us an opportunity and a command to serve Him. We must understand our responsibility is to serve Him in His way according to His plan and not try to have Him conform to our plan.

Our first responsibility is to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. There is no other way to please God. It is imperative that we realize that there is no other way to please God than accepting Jesus as our Savior. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and God offered us salvation and reconciliation through Him. There is no alternate plan of salvation.

It is every individuals responsibility to believe and accept Him. No one can force you and no one can do it for you. You have that responsibility to make that decision yourself. God gave you a will and you must exercise it.

While we have a responsibility to share the message of Jesus with others and to live our lives in such a way that we point others to Jesus, the decision to be saved belongs to each person.
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.

VICTORIOUS LIVING 4

2011-09-09T01:48:00.000-07:00

1ST Corinthinan 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Many people are not victorious because they are afraid they will offend someone by living the Christian lifestyle. Several times lately someone has come up to us in a restaurant and commended my wife and me for asking God's blessings on our food in public. I don't know if others might be offended by this but if they are I am of the opinion that I would rather offend them than to offend God. Victory comes when we stand up for God in all situations.

Many people are easily discouraged and give up to quickly. Victory is not always automatic and immediate. Sometimes we have to stick with a task to really become victorious. If you are one to give up easily you can be sure that Satan will attack you to try to make you give up. Once Satan learns that you are going to stand with God no matter what happens he will not waste his time on you.

Stand fast and be steadfast. There is victory in Jesus.
Please feel free to contact me by email at

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

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

VICTORIOUS LIVING 3

2011-09-08T01:45:00.000-07:00

1ST Corinthinan 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Many are unstable because of doubt. It is okay to doubt yourself but you must learn to never doubt God. After all He has a perfect record. You might fail on your own but God will never fail you.

Many waver, they shift their allegiances from God to the World. One day they are trusting God and the next day they are trusting in themselves or are worrying about what might happen. While all else may fail, God never fails.

Many turn aside from God when they encounter trouble and become bitter or angry. Many will get out of fellowship with the church after getting their feelings hurt or not getting their way. I always say that they are not just mad at the church they are mad at God. If they were not mad at God they would find a place somewhere to worship Him.

You must be steadfast in following God if you are going to be victorious on a day by day basis.

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.

VICTORIOUS LIVING 2

2011-09-07T01:43:00.000-07:00

1ST Corinthinan 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Many are not living victoriously today because they are building on the wrong foundations. I get tired of hearing people try to figure out why we are in such a mess in the United States when the answer is very simple. Our Nation has forgotten God. He has been thrown out of our schools, our courtrooms and many homes as well.

If we were to start teaching children about Jesus instead of alternate lifestyles and failed cultures our Nation would again become strong. One of the problems with that is that there are so many who can not teach because they do not know Him or His teachings.

When we try to build on government promises, education, our own abilities or any thing besides the teachings of Jesus we are building on a shifting foundation and there is no way to be stable and live the victorious 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.

VICTORIOUS LIVING 1

2011-09-06T04:42:00.000-07:00

1ST Corinthinan 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Although we have victory through Jesus Christ we would not know it by the attitudes of some Christians. It is sad to see Christians living lives of despair, depression and sometimes utter defeat when it is all not necessary.

Unlike some preachers I am not going to claim that you will never have problems if you trust God. The sad truth is that bad things happen to good people and we are all going to face our share of trials and hardships.

Thankfully we can always be victorious because we have to Book, the Bible to tell us how things are going to come out. We will be victorious in the end, therefore we should try our best to have a victorious attitude every day. The next few devotionals will deal with why we sometimes fail to live victoriously. I hope you receive a blessing from them.

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 POWER OF GOD'S WORD

2011-09-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

P- PENETRATING POWER
(TEXT)
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is 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 is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

O- OVERCOMING POWER
Luke 4:8
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

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

W- WONDER WORKING
Luke 5:5
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

John 15:7
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

E- EVERLASTING POWER
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Psalms 119:89
LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

R- REVEALING POWER

John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

WHAT I WANT Part 2

2011-09-01T01:40:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

PART 2

I WANT TO BE MORE PATIENT:
WITH EVERYONE: MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS,
WITH THOSE I DON'T AGREE WITH AS WELL AS THOSE I DO AGREE WITH
I WANT TO BE MORE PATIENT BECAUSE GOD HAS BEEN MORE PATIENT WITH
ME.

I WANT TO BE MORE GENTLE:
MORE CARING, MORE TENDER AND MORE SYMPATHETIC

I WANT TO BE BETTER:
BY ALLOWING GOD TO HAVE MORE OF ME THAN HE ALREADY HAS

I WANT TO BE MEEK:
MEEKNESS IS POWER IN CONTROL AND TO KNOW THE POWER OF GOD IS IN US AND TO ALLOW HIM TO CONTROL OUR PASSIONS IS MEEKNESS.

I WANT TO BE MORE TEMPERENT:
MORE RESTRAINED AND IN CONTROL, BY ALLOWING GOD TO HAVE CONTROL.

WHAT I WANT TO IS A SPIRIT FILLED, SPIRIT LED CHRISTIAN.

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