Week of 2/26

CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL

02/26/2013-TUESDAY

Thanks for reading this week and I pray that not only did you teach someone about Christ, I pray that you also were taught something from Christ, which would make it a well lived week.

The Crusaders this week visited the kids at Mt. Saint Vincent (a therapeutic residential home for abused children). Twenty-four Crusaders’ in all attended. Twelve adults and twelve kids, many coming from different denominations of Christianity, showing their obedience to their common Lord by living their lives as instructed by Jesus, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden…let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.” (Matt. 5: 14-16). A couple of the Princesses wrote on their blog how blessed they were to see the strength of the housed children. I’m always reminded of things so much greater than myself. I’m so humbled, honored and proud of the kids of the Crusaders. I thank God for the simple truths they teach me constantly. They all played games, put puzzles together, did beading, and made paper airplanes. The Crusaders are the only organization with children as members allowed to visit. All glory to God. Amen.

Sometimes in this world there is not much we can do, but the least we can do is show that we care. Worship is giving God the best that He has given, and give it back to him as a gift of love. Service is the overflow from a life filled with love and devotion. Service is an action that shows the relationship that we have with God. We are not sent to do battle for God, but to be used for God in his battles. To have the courage to answer that call is faith and love in action. The actions of these twenty -four people brought softness to my heart after a very difficult week at work. Praise be to God and the people who he works through. 

Jesus calls us to his service and places great responsibilities on us. He wants no whining and offers no explanation on his part. God wants to use us as he used his own Son. 

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get back up again and keep going. (2 Cor. 4: 8-9).

I pray for all of us, especially the children of Mt. Saint Vincent, that God’s peace comes to our hearts. We all are more victor than victim. Set our course as guided by the Holy Spirit, have the courage of faith and give us the strength to keep getting up. Thank you for your sometimes blessings in disguise. All the glory in your name. Amen. 

Remember: You must do the one thing you think you can not do. If we do not, we know who we are but we do not know who we could have been. 

May we all learn to listen to God, he is talking to us. May our answers be pleasing to Him. 

In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ of the Nazarene.

Cowboy Pastor, Ty 

Week of 2/19

CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL

02-19-2013/ TUE

Hello! to all the readers and I hope this week is filled with blessings and laughs as well as lessons taught by the spirit received in our hearts and may we become better believers due to those well learned lessons. I believe that everyday we can see God at work and the devil attempting to destroy that which is good and holly. Let me explain the lesson I learned last week. Now as usual, I learn from reading God’s word then when I see it in the secular world. Then it sinks in what was read. May I say the truths in the book I have yet to be found false, no matter how complicated or simple the lesson.

Annie, my dog, and I were taking a ride into town (about fifteen miles) when about four miles into our trip; I saw a dog in the middle of the road. See, road 152 is a road that some people drive way to fast on. I pulled over, got out of the truck and tried calling the dog to come to me. Of course the dog not knowing me was afraid of me. He looked friendly and I could see he was wearing a collier with a tag on it. I knew if he would just be calm and trust me, I could get him back home safe and out of the road. The dog not knowing me would have nothing to due with it and ran off. The good thing was he ran away from the busy road but I wanted to try and get him home safely. As I drove following the dog it came to me, he just might come if I were to send Annie after him. After all, he being a male, he would probably not fight with Annie. So I let Annie out of the truck and sure enough, he took right to her. As I got close enough to grab a hold of his collier, he ran off scared and barking leaving Annie and I just standing there hoping he would find his own way home.  

Now this incident reminded me of the two worlds of the believer and unbeliever. The dog in the road (the unbeliever) was full of fear and doubt. In his mind he was better off on his own wondering the world on his own terms. Now, Annie (the believer)  knowing who  I was and that I was there to help and not harm him didn’t run off with him but stood by my side were she knew it was safe and in our sharing love know she would return home were she belonged.

To the unbeliever his fear is that the very things our Lord stood for- love, justice, forgiveness and kindness among men- will not win out in the end and is nothing but an unattainable goal for man. Then there is the believer who answers the call to spiritual perseverance. A call not to just hang on and do nothing, but to work deliberately, knowing without doubt that God will never be defeated. “Because you have kept My command to persevere…” (Rev. 3:10).

We must get to know God And his Grace with no fear. He sent his son to save and tech us. He has sent the spirit to guide us if we are calm enough to listen to him. We must get into the habit of seeking his counsel on everything, not just rushing ahead based on our own commonsense decisions and than asking Him to bless them. We are not told to “walk in the light” of your own understanding or in the light of a sense of duty, but to walk in the light as He is in the light…” (1 John 1:7).

I long to spend time with you every day. If you will only call to me, I will answer you and will show you great and mighty things that I can do for you, things that you do not know. My ears are continually open to hear you call me. The enemy wants to cause you to be powerless and hopeless in this present day. But I am your helper, and I will not despise your prayer or turn away from you. (Jeremiah 33:3 / Psalms 18:3 ; 66:20).

Remember: Life is fragile. Handle with prayer.

Heavenly Father, draw me close to you and your ways, so we can jump in the truck and go home                               together.

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

Cowboy Pastor Ty                                       

Week of 2/11

CRUSADERS DEVOTIONAL

02-11-2013/ Monday

It never ceases to amaze me of the things taught to be by the word of God and then shown to me by the actions of the animals in my life. Nature has so much to say but we rarely are still and quit long enough to look and listen. Annie, my Australian Shepherd, who goes to bed when I go to bed. Gets up when I get up. Will go for a walk whenever I want, Helps me bring in the horses for feeding time, usually by running the horses directly at me at a dead run, but she is trying and that’s what counts. She’s the first at the door when I come home, shows her love in her way. Or the horses, as one stands guard over the rest as they lay asleep in the late morning sun. Ya go for an afternoon ride and the stall mate of your horse is worried and upset, running the fence line when you’ve taken away their buddy. Then, as you return the horse left behind runs around with joy that their friend is finally back safe and sound. All this is love. An unspoken joy of just being in the presence and comfort of the one like no other.

Much is written about love in the book. When I say “book” I mean the bible (I ‘am a man of but one book).God knew about you and planned your creation before he laid the foundations of the earth. There is a place in God’s heart that only you can satisfy. Love is one of the most used words but here is the irony; it is misunderstood and is impossible to define, and yet we all know it when we see it and feel it. 

When we are in love with someone, love becomes empowering. It weakens the spine and easies the heart. It gives us courage and strengthens us like no other and yet can bring us to our knees in pain and tears. It can give us all we ever wanted and it can take away all we ever had. 

Doing something out of love for someone is doing something for God. Love is Gods greatest tool and gift to all believers. Love is what God wants most from us and at the same time it is the great blessing he gave to all of us. It’s the little piece of himself inside of each of us. Love is the seed that must be watered and acknowledged. Ignore it and you will suffer beyond imagination. Receive it and release it you will be blessed beyond imagination. 

“Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15: 12). These words were not spoken in idle talk but it is a great commandment from your savior. Love casts out all anxiety, fear and doubt. Love God before all others then love others above yourself. Have you ever loved and not been loved back? Hurts don’t it? That’s what God feels whenever we do an unkind or uncaring act. We are doing something that we were not made for and the creator feels it.

All efforts of worth and excellence are difficult. Sometimes it is hard love. Sometimes it is hard to love us, but God does. We as Christians must live outside our selves and trust in what the Lord has told us to do and most of the time it is not easy. That is why he chose you and believes in you because you can absolutely live your life without fear of harm, because that is what he promised and that is what we lean on. 

Remember: Opportunity knocks once; temptation bangs on your door forever

May you receive the blessing of God’s love today and everyday.

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

Cowboy Pastor Ty

week of 2-4

CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL

I was out cleaning horse stalls the other day when something happened that reminded me of some thing so simple yet so very important. It made me think if I was doing enough of it, could it be seen in me or was it not apparent to those around me that I even possessed it.

I was in Moe’s stall cleaning and moving his feed tank, when Moe came up behind me and gently touched my shoulder with his nose. I turned and looked at him and said “Moe, I have no cookies right now.” Moe then took a step even closer to me put his nose on my chest and just stood there not moving at all. There are things that are shared only between a horse and his rider. Ya see, Moe was talking to me. I looked into his big brown beautiful blind eyes I could hear every thing he was saying. Through his blind eyes, I could see and hear it clearly. Moe was saying “thank you, I can’t see you but I trust you and know your presence, I know I’m safe when you’re here and I hear your familiar voice.

I thought I’m the one who should be thankful. Full grown horse, full of all his God given power and strength lacking only in sight, allowing me into his world of darkness and instinct. An animal that’s first thought is flight, to run, accepting me to be near him, let alone pet and ride him. I can freely move around Moe in complete trust of him not hurting me. Moe is a true friend and at that moment a teacher, giving me a lesson in reminding me of authentic thankfulness.

We must all give thanks to the Lord for all the blessings of this worldly life. Can you image your life or for that matter what this word would be like without the presence of the Wholly Spirit. Just as Moe, we can’t see are care taker but we know who he is, when he is near and that we are safe when he is with us. We all should be thankful because the Lord is good. Thankful for answered prayer. Thankful for salvation. We should give thanks in all circumstances. It is written that our life should be characterized by thankfulness to God (Colossians 3: 15-17).

I give thanks to all those in my live who encourage me to keep reaching beyond my grasp. To those who have forgiven me for my wrongs. I give thanks to all the people in my live because if it were not for them this life would not have purpose. I’m thankful for my family. I ‘m most thankful to God for his grace and this wonderful life he has blessed me with. I am humbled by it all.

Remember: Care and not fine stables, makes a good horse. 

May our lord God be with you and care for you.

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

Cowboy Pastor Ty