GOD'S SUPPLY AND OUR NEED 3

GOD'S SUPPLY IS SUFFICIENT

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Remember that God is the creator of all things, therefore all things belong to Him. If you look at it from this point of view then you know that every need you have is met by God. He has enough of everything to supply our every need and He could always make more of whatever it is.
Once a congregation was getting ready to start a new building project. The pastor felt it was important for the members to depend on God to supply their needs and he led them to build the new building on faith. They were just to build as God supplied the funds for the building. Someone on the building committee said, "Don't you think it would be practical to go to the bank and get a line of credit just as a back-up plan."The pastor smiled and said, "I have never known of God to need a back-up plan of any kind."
Sometimes we are a lot like that man. We are afraid to completely trust God and we want a back-up plan. That is why the insurance business is so successful. Don't misunderstand me, I believe we should take precautions but I believe ultimately that it is God's health care plan that is best and not the governments. God can supply my needs.
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.

FAITH MAKES THE BELIEVER COURAGEOUS

2 Samuel 22:30 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I remember as a child watching the TV show about Superman. It started out with "It's a bird, it's a plane...no it's Superman. Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings at a single bound." That might not be exact but you get the idea. As a boy I wished that I could be a Superman. As I have grown older I realize that we can't be like the fictional character who fought for "Truth, Justice, and the American Way," but I do believe that with faith we can be more than we are sometimes.
Whenever we know we are led by God to do something we should never say, "I can't," or "I don't think I can." If God is leading us to do something, we CAN do all things. When we are saved we receive the Holy Spirit into our lives and that makes us no longer natural creatures but it makes us supernatural.
When we are saved we are changed into something with a new nature. It is like the caterpillar when it becomes a butterfly. If the butterfly continued to crawl around everywhere like a caterpillar it would not be fulfilling it's purpose. Faith should cause us to soar and spread beauty like the butterfly.
Be courageous. There is no glory for God in our fear.

FAITH MAKES THE BELIEVER FARSIGHTED 2

John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw , and was glad.

FAITH MAKES ETERNAL THINGS BECOME AS REAL AS PRESENT THINGS TO THE BELIEVER.

When we really have faith we believe the promises of God. We believe what the Bible says about eternal life and about Heaven. If we really believe we will begin to live as if the promises have already come to pass.
Faith makes Heaven so real that we can imagine not only the beauty of the gates of pearl and the streets of Gold but of a place where there is no more sickness, pain, death or sin of any sort.
Faith makes it easier to handle the death of a loved one because in our faith is the assurance that we will see them again. Faith and fear do not mix well. When we truly have faith we know that we have nothing to fear from this world because Jesus as overcome the world. Too often we become nearsighted and can only see the now, and see the things that are right before us. Faith helps us to see eternal things and those things that are yet to come.

REDEEMING THE TIME

Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Time is a gift that God has given us. We can have no more of it than God allows us to have. The important thing is how we use this time.
We must use some of the time to work and provide for our families the things necessary to live. I am afraid that I am like many others who have confused luxury with necessity.
We must have times of rest and times of relaxation but I think sometimes we carry some of those to extremes. How much time do we really give to the Lord? A few hours a week out of 168.
All of our time is a gift from God. Let us be mindful of how we are using it. We don't have an unlimited supply.

HOMESICK

Philippians 1:23-24 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:(24) Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

From the tone of Paul's letter you can tell that he is a little weary and a little homesick to go on and be with the Lord. I know that I feel that way sometimes, especially when I'm not feeling well are things are not going so great.
It is wonderful to know that the Lord is really the only one who knows whether we are really needful for those around us.
Once when I was very sick and thought that I might not pull through I was very concerned about dying. I wasn't afraid for me. I was afraid for my wife and children. I could not imagine how they could get along without me. God touched my heart and let me know in no uncertain terms that He really could take care of my family with or without me. The choice was His.
He let me remain to see my children grow up and to get to know my grandchildren but it was not because He could not take care of them without me. It was because He had a needful purpose for me to remain here. I'm not real sure sometimes what the purpose is but I have learned that it is His business and not mine.

SHOW THE LIGHTED PATH

By Jeremy Burkes
Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Have you ever been caught out in the woods after dark?I have and it is not a very comforting situation. What is easy in the daylight becomes much harder after dark.If you get off the right path you can run into a lot of trouble.
There is a lot of darkness in this world too and it is important to have something to light our path as we travel through life. That is why it is important for all of us to know God's word. It helps light the way.
Sometimes new Christians are not familiar enough with the Bible to avoid the dangers and pitfalls in the dark. It is import more mature Christians to help guide them along the right path.
Be sure and lend young Christians a hand and help lead them through the darkness safely.

RIGHT NOW

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

I am one of the world's biggest procastinators. It seems that I usually put off things until I absolutely have to do them (unless it is something really fun and exciting).
There are some things we should not put off. We should do them right now.
If you are not saved, there is no better time than right now to ask Jesus to save you. Why would you want to stay lost even one more second?
There are other things we should not put off even if we are already saved.
We should make up our mind to be obedient. What good does it do us to say I will obey the Lord later? God wants to bless us right now if we will only be obedient.
If we have sin in our lives we should put it away right now. Why would we want to have something destructive hanging around to bring suffering into our lives?
If you have strayed or gotten away from your spiritual walk there is no better time to turn around than right now. The prodigal son didn't have to go all the way to the pig pen. He could have turned around at his father's gate and been welcomed back home.
Tell others about Jesus. Why wait? It could be too late for them when you have another opportunity.
I am sure there are many other things you can think of that you realize should be done right now. Make a list and start to work on it- Right Now!

I LIE NOT

Galations 1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

Paul was emphasising the truth of his message to the Galations. He was stating with God as his witness that he was telling them the truth. What was this message that was so important for him to place this emphasis on telling the truth. Read the rest of this chapter from the beginning when you have the chance.
Paul was a messenger sent by God. It was a message to all who would hear him. It was a message of grace through Jesus Christ.
The message was a message of salvation. It was a message of peace. Not world peace that people are clamoring for in the world today but an inner peace that can only come from God and His marvelous grace.
Paul's message was delivered according to God's will. He spoke what God wanted him to speak, to whom God wanted him to speak. How could he lie? It was a message to glorify God.
How tragic it would have been if Paul had not spoken the truth. How tragic it is when we fail to spread this truth. How selfish and destructive it would have been if he had not spoken at all and had kept the message to himself. How selfish and destructive it is if we fail to continue to share the message.

REAL FREEDOM

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Much is said about freedom today. I am very thankful that I live in a country with more freedom than any other.
As a young person is growing up, too often they think that freedom is being able to do any thing that you want to do. Every choice has it's own consequences. Every decision leads to certain outcome.
Many people think they are exercising their freedom when what they are doing is actually putting themselves in bondage to some sin. True freedom is being able to do the right thing. When we do that which we know that God wants us to do we are then free. "Ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.

CLEAN THE INSIDE

Matthew 23:25-26 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. (26) Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
The late Lewis Grizzard once wrote an article about buying a pair of Gucci shoes. One of his friends commented that Lewis in a pair of Gucci shoes was kind of like putting perfume on a hog. I have always liked that analogy.
So many times people will clean up, dress up, and pretty up the outside when the inside is still the same of sinful mess.
The only way we can clean up the inside our ourself is by asking Jesus to come in and be our Lord and Savior. He will take care of the filthy sin if we just let Him have control.

CHILDREN OF GOD

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

I once heard someone say, "A man should live his life in such a way that if they tell his son he looks like his daddy that he will stick out his chest instead of his tongue."
Watch a child with a good and loving parent and you will see that the child begins to imitate the things the parent does. I guess this is true of parents who do the wrong thing too. This could explain a lot about why the world seems to be falling apart.
We have God as a perfect Heavenly Father. Don't you think that it would be wonderful if people could see that we are following His ways and trying to imitate Him. There is definitely no reason for us to be ashamed of our Heavenly Father. He gave us Jesus to set the perfect example and we should be striving to follow that example.

WHERE IS THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH?

2Kings 2:14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
We should be more like Elisha. He knew that he was to take Elijah's place and that God had worked great miracles through Elijah. When he came to the water he called upon God to part the waters where he could cross.
We too often instead of asking God to part the waters wander up and down the bank looking for a log or a shallow spot. We act as if God used up all his miracles when the new testament was finished. I can speak from personal experience that I have been on the receiving end of several major miracles. The Lord God of Elijah can still part the waters.
The book of James says, James 4:2-3 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.(3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
One reason we don't witness as many miracles is because we pray selfishly. When we ask for things to glorify God we can witness some pretty spectacular miracles in our life. Where is the Lord God of Elijah? He is just one prayer away for those who wish to glorify God.

WHERE IS THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH?

2Kings 2:14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
We should be more like Elisha. He knew that he was to take Elijah's place and that God had worked great miracles through Elijah. When he came to the water he called upon God to part the waters where he could cross.
We too often instead of asking God to part the waters wander up and down the bank looking for a log or a shallow spot. We act as if God used up all his miracles when the new testament was finsihed. I can speak from personal experience that I have been on the receiving end of several major miracles. The Lord God of Elijah can still part the waters.
The book of James says, James 4:2-3 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.(3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
One reason we don't witness as many miracles is because we pray selfishly. When we ask for things to glorify God we can witness some pretty spectacular miracles in our life. Where is the Lord God of Elijah? He is just one prayer away for those who wish to glorify God.

THE BEST THINGS

Lu 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. (39) And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. (40) But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. (41) And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: (42) But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Haven't you known the Marthas who are always busy and fussing about trying to make sure everything is just right? Most of us at some time or another has been like Martha. We get so busy planning, preparing, and serving that we forget that there is a needful thing that we must do.
We must at times just sit, adore Jesus and worship Him and enjoy being in His presence. Sometimes we are so busy doing good things that we lose out on that which is best. No time spent in sweet fellowship with Jesus is wasted.

NO TRESSPASSING

Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
These versus are refering to end time events and the return of Jesus. People have tried to predict and fortell when Jesus will return for years. This verse tells me that it is God's business to know when the end will come and it is my business to be ready when it does.
I've noticed throughout the years that people try very hard to second guess God and try to figure out things that God never intended for us to know. One of the lessons I have learned over the years is that I can understand the parts of the Bible that I need to be saved, to serve God, and to fellowship with other Christians. I will be the first to admit I don't understand a some parts of the Bible. I personally believe that if I pray and study diligently that God will reveal to me everything He wants me to know and everything I need to know to live for Him.
As for certain things like exactly when Jesus will return. I think that is His business and His territory and I don't need to trespass. What I need to do is obey Jesus and be ready as if He were coming today.

THANKS FOR YOU ALL

I Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

One of the best lessons I have learned in my ministry is to be thankful. I am sure you have noticed if you read these devotionals regularly that I have a lot of them on thanksgiving. I guess that is because I believe the most blessed people in the world are those who are thankful.
Learning about thankfulness comes in stages. We all know we should be thankful for the material things God has blessed us with and for the great spiritual blessings we receive from Him and through others. It was not hard to learn to be thankful for those who have ministered to me through the years.
One of the hardest lessons to learn is to be thankful for those you have the opportunity to minister too. It is in the ministering that you depend so much on God and it is in the ministering that you allow Him to work through you.
I do thank God for the readers of these devotionals and I want to thank you for allowing me to minister to you. It is my prayer that through my ministry you might grow and share this work and be a blessing to others. In doing so you too will receive a blessing.

SHOWING OUR CHRISTIAN WORKS

James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his WORKS with meekness of wisdom.

In the home show kindness and caring.In business show honesty and industry.In society show courtesy.Toward the unfortunate show compassion.Toward the weak offer a helping hand.Toward the wicked show resistance.Toward the fortunate express your congratulations.Toward the penitent show forgiveness.But mostly toward God show your love and your reverence.
If we really want to show the world that Jesus makes a difference in our life sometimes we have to work at it. We need to pray about how we act and mostly how we react to those around us.
We need to make our homes a pleasant place to be. We can help make our workplace have a better atmosphere. We should act and react in such a way that people are glad to see us coming.

HOLDING MY HAND

Psalms 73:23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

When he was younger my grandson was always perfectly willing to hold his mama's hand or mine when we were in a store or just about anywhere. As he got older and more independent he began to pull away so that he could go more his own way.
Occasionally now (even at the grownup age of eight) when I reach down to take his hand he will grasp mine and walk with me. I don't know if he is just doing this to humor an old man or not but it surely does my heart good.
Sometimes I feel that maybe I get a little too independent and fail to hold onto God's hand. How much better it would be if I would just take hold of His hand, let Him guide me, and keep me safe, and just trust Him to care for me. I know He is my loving Heavenly Father and all He wants is for me to trust Him and walk closely with Him daily.

NEARLY SLIPPED

Psalms 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.(3) For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

As I read this verse it really made me think of the times that I have looked enviously at the lives of others and almost slipped. Most of us can well remember the times that we not only almost slipped but did slide down the slippery slopes into the depths of sin. It is really a little encouraging to think of the times we almost slipped but didn't.
What is it that holds us back when we are envious of the foolish and we almost slip? It could be experience, remembering the last time we did something similar. It could be that we have gained some wisdom with years, I hope so. It could be that maybe we have allowed Jesus to have a firmer grip on our hand and we are holding much tighter to Him as we walk.
Remember the closer we walk with Jesus, the less likely we are to slip.

AIR

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
1st Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. (18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
I noticed the sign by a gas station. Now you have to pay for air for your tires from these stations. There was a time when places that sold gas were called service stations and they lived up to the name. You could pull up to the gas pumps, and at least one person and sometimes several would come out to your car and pump your gas, clean your windshield and check the air pressure in your tires. If you needed air it was free.
It is still a little hard for me to accept the fact that people charge you for air. I know that air is precious. Without air we would suffocate and die.
This is not news to you. It is something that everyone knows. You have to breathe to stay alive. Did you ever think about what it takes to stay alive spiritually. Prayer to the spirit is like air to the body. When we fail to pray we fail begin to suffocate spiritually.
One of the worst memories I have is of having congestive heart failure and having to struggle to breath. Even though I was pretty well sedated I can remember the struggle and having to fight for every breath. It was a truly miserable feeling. I have also had times in my spiritual life where I had to struggle to pray. They were times when I had let my prayer life falter and was not as close to God as I should have been. I wanted to pray, I needed to pray, but I had to force myself to pray. It was even a more terrible experience than the congestive heart failure.
Prayer is something that comes much easier if we do it continuously. Sometimes we might not know how to pray or what to pray for but I think it is important for us to pray. We certainly want to breathe without ceasing, so we should want to pray without ceasing. And God doesn't charge us for either the air, or the prayer.