OVERCOME THE WORLD

1 John 5:5 Who is he that OVERCOMEth the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

 

Sometimes a verse will cause you to just stop what you are doing and do some serious evaluation of your Christian walk. That is what this verse did to me.

 

Overcome the world?  How can I overcome the world when I can't even overcome the restless nights sleep I had today.  How can I overcome the world when the news shows me that the world is becoming a dangerous and frightening place.

 

Overcome the world?  I can't even get my checkbook to balance.  My boss is making my life miserable and the government is going broke so fast I can't even depend on them anymore.

 

Overcome the world?  My spouse ignores me and my kids won't mind.  I am on so many committees at church I can't even keep track of when they meet and what they are supposed to be doing.  I feel more like the world is overcoming me.

 

These are just some of the thoughts that people might have when they think about overcoming the world.  All these things seem overwhelming until we realize that none of this will last.  We can only overcome the world when we realize that Jesus' kingdom is eternal and it is not of this world.

 

When we put things in the proper perspective all the problems of the world are not so big when we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

 

You can email us 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.

You Can't Straighten A Curve

Ecclesiastes 1:15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

I am constantly amazed at the political correctness of the News Media and many special interest groups today.  As I was studying this verse made me think of so many today that want to try to do that which is impossible.

They want every group to respect and accept the actions of every other group.  They want to rationalize every action no matter how harmful or destructive it is.

Each day on a network news program two women (one of which confesses to being a Christian) sit and drink wine and go on and on about how good it is. Most of the network people seem to have some severe problems with alcohol and possibly because of the advertising revenue they seem to promote it.  I personally find it very disturbing since I know how many lives are ruined by beer, wine and liquor.

That is just one instance out of hundreds. They are constantly announcing the pregnancy of some engaged actress...whatever happened to purity until marriage.

Sadly I'm afraid that the rest of society are following the examples they see on the media thinking if everyone else is following this line it must be straight.

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad IS THE WAY, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow IS THE WAY, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

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 Emptiness of This Life

Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.(3) What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

These verses are sometimes hard for us to really identify with.  How could Solomon, the Wisest, the Wealthiest, the most powerful King in History really say these words.  How could such a man feel that all of these accomplishments were mere vanity. 

If Solomon and all his accomplishments were vanity, then what of our meager contributions to history and mankind.  We have worked hard, learned and been educated, we own our own homes and have multiple vehicles in our driveways.  Surely that means something.  We are living in a time and a culture where even those who are considered in poverty live above the standards of royalty in some countries and some times in History.  Surely this means something.  Or does it?

What will we have when we die?  All our possessions will go to our heirs, at least the parts that don't go to our creditors or the government.  We can take none of it with us.  Jesus said:

Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves TREASURES in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Maybe we should concentrate more on the riches of eternity and less on the vain possessions of this life.  Solomon was pretty wise after all.

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.

BE A PROMOTER

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. 

 

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.

BE A BLESSING

Ephesians 1:3 BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath BLESSED us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

 

God has truly blessed us with all spiritual blessings as well as many material blessings and we should truly be thankful.  God blesses us in many ways and through many channels.

 

I like the hymn "Channels of Blessings" and we should pray daily for God to make us a channel of  blessings to those we come in contact with.  There have been times that i would pray that God would bless me and He usually does.

 

As I grow older and hopefully a little wiser I have learned that one of the greatest blessings that I receive is being used as a channel of blessings to someone else.  Think about it for a moment, don't you just love the blessing you get from knowing that God has used you to be a blessing to someone else.

 

Now I pray for God you use me to be a blessing to someone else and then I deliberately try to see that He answers that prayer.

 

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.

Exalting God

Nehemiah 6:15-16 So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.(16) And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.

 

Nehemiah faced much opposition while he was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.  None of his enemies wanted him to succeed.  The same is true today for those who are trying to build something for God.  The enemies of the church and believe me there are many will do anything they can to discourage God's people from continuing the work. We are actually at enmity with the world and the world will try to stop the work of God.

 

They pass zoning laws, they try to restrict prayer in school, government and public places.  They try call evil good and good evil and try to paint a picture of those who oppose sin as haters . If we listen to them we could get discouraged but we must remember that God wants us to be victorious.  He is exalted and magnified by the spiritual victories in our lives.

 

God is on our side and when we realize that we can build things for God that really make a difference.

 

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.

Taking out The Garbage

Nehemiah 4:10 And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.

 

As they prepared to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem they ran into a problem.  There was so much garbage that they couldn't work until they removed it.

 

Sometimes we can come to a point in our lives and decide it is time to mend some things.  Rebuilding relationships, spiritual growth, or fellowship with God can be a task that we need to tackle.  Even when we decide to begin the task of rebuilding our lives it can be a problem if we fail to remove the garbage first.

 

Many people can't begin to rebuild relationships until they remove some of the garbage in their lives.  That might mean destructive habits, destructive sin in their lives, it might be a spirit of unforgiveness or just a plain stubborn attitude.

 

Before you begin to rebuild, make sure you are starting to build on a foundation that is solid, which is Jesus Christ and make sure you remove the rubbish first.

 

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.