Thursday, November 28, 2013

Thanksgiving 2013

AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL


Hey everyone! Hope your journey has been a blessed one since last time and that we all have grown closer to Jesus and learned something about him, ourselves and others along the way. I’ve seen so much over the last couple of weeks, I’ve had a hard time deciding on the topic that most touched my heart. I prayed on it and meditated on it before the Holy Spirit came forth within me to share what he wanted taught. 


So, now if I may share it with you , it seems as if we have become a people of easily disposing of things that no longer serve us, despite a vow, a promise, or just plain the right or wrong of it. 


My wife and I saw our only son, Nick, sent off to war at the age of eighteen. He served two tours in the Middle East. When he returned he was not the same man who left us. Let’s just say that his faith in God was in doubt. The government did not care if he lost his soul over there nor seemingly did the people he fought for. But, due to his faithful young wife, Jessica, his relationship with Jesus was restored. Thank God for the strength provided her. As a matter of fact, Nick along with Jessica and their son were all baptized last Sunday. Praise God, Jessica kept her wedding vow allowing her to keep her husband and son intact. 


Why, I can think of people who get rid of a horse because the horse is getting a little older and slower and might need a little extra care, but is still a faithful and trustful beast of burden. Not interested in what the animal has done for them in the past or even caring what may become of the horse, they just go out and get a “new” one to succumb to the same fate. Where is the promise of love that was given when the horse was “new”?


Then people who get out of a vow of marriage, a promise before God and man, because it has become difficult; where is your faith in yourself, your spouse and in your God? I understand the hardship, that is why we must think before we act or speak. Pray first always, knowledge will shortly follow. No reason to head south when you live north. 


My fellow brethren, I don’t like to get up in people’s grill, especially when I fight the battle of being a sinner myself, but this we must fix. Our vows, our promises must be of substance. We cannot take the sacraments on Sunday and then jump into the deep end of the world’s secular pool on Monday. We must be people of the word, studying it, and living by it, most of all by representing it. Watch your words, for they watch you as you stumble then laugh when you fall. 


The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”(Ps 32:8). That’s a vow and promise I know is true and will remain unbroken. Say what you mean but mean what you say. Oh Christian, you represent so much more than you know of. Make sure your heart is full of love and compassion before your mouth is full of insincere words that fall upon a trusting ear. 


“The words you say now reflect your fate then; either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned.” (Mt 12:37). We all bear responsibility for the words we speak. Hold fast to the words you speak, the promises and vows we commit to will be judged by others as the content of our character. And by the utterance of such things the Lord will judge our hearts. Remember He promises we will be victorious when we do the things that bring glory to his name. 


I guess all I can say is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mk 12:30). Then and only then, coming from a true heart will your words have truth in them. 


Making them tested by the fires of dependability, sowing the seeds of trust. Showing if your words can be trusted so can the Lord whom created you, to an unbelieving world. And that is not disposable. 


Love ya all. 


Cowboy wisdom: Remember even a kick in the caboose is a step forward. 



May the Lord care for and bless you well. 

Cowboy Pastor Ty 


PastorTy@CrusadersEquestrian.org

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