THE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH

2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. {7} I have fought a good fight, I have finished course, I have kept the faith: {8} Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

There are many types of followers of Jesus but I believe the ones that bring Him the most honor are the ones who are faithful unto death.

I have sat by the deathbed of some saintly old senior citizens and have even been in the room as some of the passed on to be with the Lord. There was no struggle, there was no fighting it. There was just a peace that passes all understanding.

I have heard many who were nearing their departure talk of going home as if it was a place they knew well and that they longed for.

One day will come when we have done all that God placed us here to do and then too it will be time for us to go. It will be wonderful if we can say I am now ready to be offered. I have fought a good fight and I have followed Jesus to the very end.

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.

PRAYER AND OUR NATION

Prayer in 1620 safely guided the Mayflower with the Pilgrims to a new world.
Prayer in 1623 saved the Pilgrim fathers from starvation.
Prayer in 1777 at Valley Forge saved the Continental Army and won the war for American Independence.
Prayer at Philadelphia saved the Constitutional Convention and gave birth to the American way of life.
Prayer in 1857 saved America from economic destruction.
Prayer in 1918 ended World War I and lack of prayer started World War II.
Prayer saved England at Dunkirk. Myriads of fliers and service men of all nations lost at sea were saved through prayer.
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Note: Prayer is the only hope the United States of America has today. Let us each one pray fervently for God's guidance and blessings on this great nation.

We prayed during the first Gulf War in the 90's and won a speedy victory.

We prayed after Sept 11, 2001 and God's people looked to Him for comfort.

Have we prayed for those involved in the two wars that we are now involved in? (Three counting Libya)

This spring has been one of great tragedy around the world. The earthquake and tsunami in Japan, made worse by the nuclear accident was horrible.

The South and Midwest have been battered by the worst tornadoes that are on record. Many have died and many others have lost all their belongings.

By the time this is posted the Mississippi River will be cresting somewhere and the water will be the highest on record and I am sure there will be record damage because of it.

We need to become a praying America again. It is way past time for America to humble themselves and fall on our knees.

THE SACRIFICIAL FOLLOWERS

2 Corinthians 8:5 And , not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

There are millions around the world (many right here in our own country and area) who need to hear about Jesus. Thankfully there are thousands of missionaries to carry the gospel to them.

Many times missionaries can not be added to the field because there are not enough funds to send them.

There are other needs that must be met and they are met by the people in the pew who are willing to make sacrifices. It might surprise you to know that many people don't realize why the church needs to take offerings. They do not realize that the church has the same types of bills as anyone else. Besides the salaries of the pastor and staff there are things like building payments, utilities, insurance, educational materials, maintenance and upkeep and , well you get the idea.

I have always been humbled by the fact that my living came from those who were willing to sacrifice and give to the Lord. Just like Paul, they first gave themselves to the Lord and then gave to me by the will of the Lord. (It makes you want to make sure you are a good steward over what they do give you.)

One of the lessons I learned as a pastor was that I never needed to ask the people for anything. All I had to do was ask Him and He dealt with the hearts of the people and so far I have not had a need that has not been met. Praise God and I thank Him for His followers who were willing to give themselves to Him 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.

THE FEARFUL FOLLOWERS

Matthew 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

So often we are afraid to really trust God. If we can trust Him with our souls can't we trust Him with everything else. Can't we give Him more of our time, our talents, and our substance.

I have known many who were truly talented who would not use their talents regularly because they were afraid. Some could sing beautifully but would hesitate to sing specials because it made them nervous. Whenever they could be persuaded to sing usually you could see that their music helped others to worship and draw closer to God.

Many are afraid to speak out in class or answer a question because they are afraid that they may not know enough. Just to make you feel better you probably know about as much as anyone in the class and if you don't, remember, that is why you are there --- to learn.

Many people will not trust God with their substance. I am not just talking about tithing. I want to make something very clear. God does not need your money. He created everything. We do need to learn to trust God with everything we have. Not just a tenth but it all belongs to Him.

Let us not be fearful but let us be bold and trust God as we follow Him.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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


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

THE GLORY SEEKERS

3 John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

In my thirty something years since I surrendered to the ministry I have met a lot of different types people. I suppose I am more perplexed by those who seem to have no spiritual inclinations but have a desire to run the Lord's church as if they were left in charge of it.

They seem bound and determined to have things their way even if the majority is against it and even if it goes against the teachings of the Bible. I suppose they feel like if they have the preeminence that the Glory will be theirs.

We should never seek our own glory. If we glorify the Lord and we are humble and submissive, God will be Glorified and He will in turn
Glorify us.

I once heard a story of a church janitor who did an extraordinary job of keeping the church clean. A visiting preacher commented to the pastor that he certainly should make sure the man was well paid because he did such a terrific job.

The pastor then informed him, "We don't pay him a cent. He is one of the richest men in this community and he is retired and he does it for free. He came to me one day and said he saw a need for someone to do a good job of cleaning the church and he would like the job. He said that he didn't feel he could teach or do some of the other things but he knew he could do a good job of keeping the Lord's house clean. He has been cleaning it ever since and he does a terrific job because he is doing it out of love for Jesus. Most of the people in the church aren't even aware it is him that cleans it."

We should do whatever we do for God's glory, now our own.

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.

FOLLOWERS OF JESUS

INTRODUCTION:
There are many types of followers of Jesus. Some are not really following Him at all but are just trying to associate with Him for their own gain. The next few devotionals will deal with some of the types of people who want to associate themselves with Him and the church.

THE BREAD SEEKERS

John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

Many people follow Jesus not for the Bread of Life but out of hopes that He will satisfy the flesh. They seek Him for healing, for answered prayers, for their daily needs, and they use Him more for some kind of good luck charm than as the Son of the Living God who should be their Lord.

Many want to associate with the church because it is good public relations. It helps their business and it helps their standing in the community. They are the type that seeks God's hand but never seeks His face.

We should want to have a close relationship, one that changes our lives, with Jesus. We should want to follow Him because it is right and it will help us conform to His will. We must crucify our own flesh and our own desires and submit ourselves to Him.

Please feel free to contact me by email at

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


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

WE MUST STRIVE TO REACH OUR SPIRITUAL GOALS

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

We often do not reach spiritual goals simply because we don't set any. The first step to spiritual victory is trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You must become a Christian. Secondly you should publicly profess Him and identify with His death burial and resurrection in baptism.

When you are saved and baptised that is not the end of our spiritual quest, it is the beginning. You should be united with a Bible believing and Bible teaching church that is not willing to stray from God's teachings.

Once these things have been done you can then be working on your spiritual goals. You need to learn, you need to grow spiritually, you need to bear fruit and be a soul winner yourself. There might be many other goals you want to set spiritually and work toward them. Pray and study and seek God's guidance as you do so.

What are you doing about setting spiritual goals so that you might be better able to glorify God?
If you are doing nothing, when do you plan to start?

If you have no goals, you are not truly being victorious the way you should.




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.