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