Week Of 7/16

CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL

07-16-2013/TUESDAY

Howdy hey, thanks for reading and I hope the following words will have meaning and use for you. I mean what good are words that can’t be put into action, or a witness that will not testify or a sword that is never used to defend. A friend the other day asked about “sermons”. He said that he was a believer but sometimes he had a hard time walking away fully understanding what the preacher was talking about. He said that there were a lot of ten dollar “preacher” words that he wasn’t sure what they meant. “It was like getting shot at with a shotgun rather then a bullet, first here with a story than there, just all over the place.” The way he said it made me smile, just his hand gestures and the tone of his voice was pure frustration. It reminded me of an old barn cat caught up in a tornado. 

Now, I’m not a wise man and am careful of those who claim or pretend to be, here is what come to mind and I told him like this. “It’s not hard, God does not want it to be, and man has muddied the water some. When it comes to the good book look at it this way, admit, submit, commit and transmit. Admit its truth; submit to its teachings; commit to learning and understanding all you can; then transmit it to others. If the Christian life is a good thing for you, share it with someone else.” He said “I can understand, but what’s the best way to share it with people?” 

“It’s the way you walk, the way you talk, it is the respect you have for others. A body can pretend to care, but they can’t pretend to be there. Be humble and thankful in all that you do, there is beauty all around you, which God has created. He has blessed you with the gift of life and the abundant promise it holds every single day. Make something of it.” I told him. 

I asked if he has ever heard of the “Four Spiritual Laws”. He said that he had not and that surprised me, being a regular in attendance at church since but a kid, I would have thought for sure he had heard of it. Then I got thinking most Christians know it but not presented in the simple form of the title. I want all who fight the good fight to know the “Four Spiritual Laws” it’s a great weapon to explain and defend your faith in Jesus Christ. So… here they are;

Law one:

God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life”. (John 3:16). Part of God’s plan; (Christ speaking) “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.” (John 10:10). Why is it that most are not experiencing life in abundance? Because…

Law Two:

Man is sinful and separated from God. Thus he cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for his life. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Man was created to have fellowship with God but due to his poor choices the fellowship with God was broken. “The wages of sin is death” [Spiritual separation from God] (Romans 6:23). 

Law Three: 

Jesus Christ is God’s only Provision for mans sin. Through him you can know and experience God’s love and plan for your life. Jesus Christ died in your place (Romans 5:8). He rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-6). Jesus Christ is the only way to God (John 14:6). It is not enough to know these three laws…here is the big one. 

Law four:

We must individually receive Jesus Christ as savior and Lord; We must receive Christ (John 1:12), we receive Christ through faith, very important, look it up (Ephesians 2:8-9). 

After I told him of the four laws he said “how come I’ve been going to church for some thirty years now and it took the likes of you not to take the long way around the barn?” I said to him “maybe ya needed those thirty years of church’in.”

We had a good laugh, as good friends should. 

The “Four Spiritual Laws” you can find it more in depth at your local Christian bookstore or Newlife publications. It is estimated that over one-and-a-half-billion “four spiritual Laws” booklets have been printed and distributed in all major languages of the world. 

I pray that we all grow in wisdom of the Lord and will be the light and the salt of his holy word. 

I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ of the Nazarene. 

Cowboy Pastor Ty 

PastorTy@CrusadersEquestrian.org

Week of 7/8

CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL

07-09-2013/ Tuesday

Hello all, and thank you so much for taking time and reading what God is teaching me as I share it with you. Wow! This week, or should I say this one incident, brought the fruit that the Crusaders have been working toward for the last two years. It was not trophies, ribbons, or the cheering of a large crowd at a parade, or the applause of a charity event. It was in a hot, dusty, practice arena with no one around but the team. 

As popularity would have it, it seems we have be come a barrel racing team for all the girls. Now the trainers have not lost sight of horsemanship skills in place of speed, so we thought a good thing to work on would be the use of riding using the rider’s legs and lead changes for the horses. We were working on riding through the pole pattern. That’s when it all started. A young rider’s horse reared and flipped over. Now, if you have not seen such a thing, you do not want to. For those that have, you know how bad this can be for the rider and the horse. As God would have it that day; we had two parents who have worked in emergency rooms at hospitals. They went right to work checking the young girl for injuries. Long story short, they did not like what they saw. “Flight for Life” was called in and the girl was taken out by helicopter. 

During all of this, the rest of the team was told to dismount, untack, and quickly put their horses in their stalls due the helicopter coming. They and all the parents did so with out hesitation. After the rider was loaded into the helicopter, I watched it take off and fly away. My heart sank clear down to my boots. I said a prayer and turned around and what I saw, even at a time like this brought me great joy. The team had formed prayer circles. Some were on their knees- others bowed their heads in humility as the words were spoken. They have learned where the tall grass grows and cool water can be found. They leaned not on their own understanding but in God’s. The team showed courage and obedience to their worldly leaders as well as to the Lord. They showed the love of one of their own and then praise God, I, as one of the leaders and a teacher, was reminded once again that I am the student.

“Then what shall we say to these things? If God is with us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). As it turned out, the rider suffered no serious bodily harm. Some say it was the helmet that saved her, others say it was the way she feels about God. I believe “Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24). I believe she was under the protection of God’s promise, “…The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.” (Deuteronomy 33:12). I say it is because she and her family gave glory to God before darkness came. Every hope of the human mind will be fulfilled if it is noble and of God. But what is stressing is waiting for God. He will bring fulfillment, “because you have kept My command to persevere…” (Revelation 3:10).

Sometimes in life bad things happen to good people, it’s not Gods doing but it is written he will always be there. “Take courage I am here.” (Mark 6:50).

“Keep yourselves in the love of God.”

I pray this for all. In the Name of Jesus Christ of the Nazarene 

Cowboy Pastor Ty

Pastor Ty@CrusdaersEquestrian.org

Week of 7/3

CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL

07-03-2013/ Tuesday

I hope and pray that all of us have had our eyes open, our ears listening along your hearts softened enough to witness the truth and love of God’s written word shown to us in every day events. If we can only be still long enough to receive such blessing and astute enough to focus on what lesson is being taught to us at that moment. I’ve heard it said that people learn more by example than advice. A lesson that reminded of my bible study was taught to me by a single ant. It happened like this. 

Richard and I were working on my wife’s car that broke down. Richard had to go to his house and get a tool that was needed. I sat on the front bumper talking with Carmen about horse stuff. Just then, Carmen took notice of this red army ant carrying this large piece of cheet grass, as large as he was, through all the obstacles of dirt drive way. Carmen commented on how strong ants must be. The more I watched the more intrigued I became. Here was this ant that if it came to a stick or rock that seemed impassable he would simply turn around build up speed and try again. If that didn’t work after about the second or third try he undoubtedly went around what ever was the obstacle at that time. I moved all the tools and tool box out of his course and watched with admiration and gratitude as he went on his way doing what he was meant to do without the slightest sign of fear or surrendering. In this high tech world of all sorts of gizmos and gadgets I was reminded of a very powerful lesson by an ant. How humbled and thankful I was for the Holy Spirit to take time and show me an “example”.

“If you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more” (Matt. 21:21). The Bible is filled with people, whom just like that ant, did what they were to do despite obstacles. Think of Ester, Noah, Joshua, Daniel, Ruth, Job and the apostle Paul to name just a few. The most profound thing in a person is his will, not sin. With attention and care you have to work out what God works in you. Exhibit the evidence of a life based on unshakeable faith of the perfect redemption of the Lord. Do not bring an opposing will against God’s will-God’s will is your will. Follow it without fear or the thought of surrender.

Now there will be people who have nothing under their hat but hair. They live in doubt, fear and uncertainty. Why they have no more determination than a snake has hips. Do not walk with these people. Don’t let so much “reality” into your head that there’s no room left for dreaming. Believe

That God is the source of your will and that God not only expects you to do his will, but he is in you to do it.

“Be strong and have courage, all you who put your hope in the Lord. (Psalm 31:24). It reminds me of one of my favorite Gospel songs, “Stand by me”, there’s a verse that sings “I’ve never lost a battle stand by me.”

Grace to you and peace from our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Cowboy Pastor: Ty

Pastor Ty@CrusadersEquestrian.org