Week of 12/24

CRUSADERS DEVOTIONAL

First Merry Christmas! What a very special day, I hope that you all enjoy it and are blessed by its reasoning. May you have as much laughter as you do faith.

I’ve got a story that’s really all of our stories but yet may very in different realities, yet its common occurrence is very often over looked by those who see by physical sight only.

This tale starts with a phone call. The caller tells of an old horse that is free to a good home. So, I phone the owner or should I say the owner’s soon to be ex-wife. She knows not much of the horse and refers me to “John”. The horses name is “Joker” he is twenty-seven years old and suffers from arthritis on his front end, has few teeth and needs a special diet. As most of us know, along with age in a horse comes gentleness. A kind of wisdom or maybe its acceptance of the “some where down the road” becoming the “Here and Now”. I hear tell at one time Joker was unbeatable in kid’s 4-H events. The belt buckles, trophies and ribbons won all most value as much as the smiles, memories and lessons in over coming advertise that Joker gave away as a teacher and always loyal companion. This once prized horse is free for who would ever look after him. Joker comes with all his tack and cash money for feed. I was told that if a home could not be found, Joker would be put down. “In these times, I can understand people just not wanting a horse like this.” I was told, he can be walked short distances but that’s all. Due to the decision of divorce, Joker was left homeless and no takers on a horse thought of as an old has been. So much loyalty given, so little returned. Joker just needs a second chance.

We all age. Grow a little slower; move a little bit stiffer and our diets change with age. We get asked less of our option, thought of as old fashion and are not as “cool” to be seen with. As our outward shows of worldly time, our insides grow with “gentleness.”  In a world were gadgets and gizmos change by the day, tradition and loyalty hold no value.

Selfishness is being concerned with one’s own interest.” do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not  merely look out for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4). There is more to spirituality then human to human, there’s a bond to all living things. To disrespect live is to disrespect its creator.

This Christmas let’s start thinking about others more importantly than yourselves and how our selfish actions affect other beings. Think of the responsibility as an act of love. Get rid of the self love as the Lord gave us the hope of love and loyalty show it in your actions. Think of yourself last and all others first. Christmas should come from the heart and not the wallet just as life should come from wisdom and not self-interest. Christmas is a time to be humble and thankful for receiving something that we could never acquire on your own. Shouldn’t we have learned from God’s greatest act of kindness? His son, Jesus, taking our place of guilt just to be closer to us. What a day to be a Christian but it’s now time to act as Christians. Kindness and mercy even for those that can’t understand it. Then and only then will true joy come to you.

May Lord’s hand touch and bless you this day.

In the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ of the Nazarene.

Cowboy Pastor Ty Nazarenus