Week of 11/19

                                                       Crusader’s Devotional

                                                           11-19-12/Monday

Have you ever wondered why one man walks with Christ and another does not? Why one man is sad and another man happy? One man may be prosperous and yet another poor and miserable. The answer is pretty fundamental. It’s the way we think, our thoughts and even more so the way we believe. My Grandfather, a man of few words but many sayings once said “When pigs fly.” See I was trying to ride this gentle but unbroken filly with just a lead rope. I hit the ground faster than I could say, “Wished I hadn’t done that.”

 I do not known why this one saying stuck in my head but it has been there for about forty years now. In researching this saying, I found that it is called an idiom. Idioms are used to indicate that something is highly unlikely ever to happen or that it will never happen. It is a Scottish proverb. In fact, I have been so taken by these words that there is a flying pig in my kitchen, sadly only made of plaster but still a symbol to the thought that my whole live has been a pig in flight.  

I have been told what was possible for me and what was well out of my reach. I was considered by some as the black sheep of the family, the rebel, the one that was more bad than good. All this went in one ear and straight out the other. Do you know why? I believed in God, I knew that he believed in me even more. I had dreams that I knew were somehow going to come into being and when they did they were even more than I had dreamed, but in a totally different way than I had planed. Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lords purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21).

Throughout the bible we have instructions on our thoughts. Meditate on God’s word (read your bible), Give thanks in all circumstances. Take your thoughts captive (Control your thoughts). Always remind yourself of God’s promises and faithfulness when we meditate and pray.

Never listen to the hateful, frustrated, distorted and twisted person who’s spirit is out of tune with God’s will. He resents those who are peaceful, happy and loving. Most the time he will criticize, condemn those that have been kind to him. Sounds like the devil himself, the deceiver of truth.

There is nothing wrong with positive thinking as long as your thinking is on the positive power and promise of the Lord. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).

 

Your pigs can fly to if only your courage is stronger than your fears. Have faith in the holy spirit and not in yourself. Give thanks for everything you have and forgiveness to everyone you know.

 

Remember: A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the lord. (Proverbs 21:31)

 

                                            Grace to you and peace from God.

                                    In the name of Jesus Christ of the Nazarene.

                                              Cowboy Pastor Ty Nazarenus

Week Of 11/12

                                                      CRUSADERS DEVOTIONAL

                                                              11-12-12/MONDAY

Last Tuesday night a small group of Crusaders and I went up north to Weld County at Spicer’s arena to watch a few Crusaders participate in a barrel racing event. What an event it was, there was about seventy competitors in all. The Crusaders competing were either fairly new to the sport or on a horse that was. But you never would have known it. The courage and grit they rode with, I couldn’t have been more proud even if they were running in the Pro Rodeo National Finals. I tell ya, I watched all the girls run since they were kids. I was lucky enough to once again watch the next up and coming group start their memories. They lead the charge with no fear, no apprehension and left no doubt horse and rider teamed as one. Telling the truth it put a lump in my throat. I feel as if all the girls are mine, there is nothing I wouldn’t do for them, or anything that could stop me from helping them achieve their goals. To see them take on the challenge of the things that surly will confront them later in life was the true winning. To not bat an eye while the Devil himself tries to lie, filling heads with doubt and fear not knowing what will happen showed their faith in the good Lord above. All the time they thought it was just a barrel race. The Devil loves deception and God loves disguises. I saw God that night.

Seeing the new riders reminded me of “baby Christians”. In the sense of birth and development the spirit is no different than the physical. We have to be born spiritually just as we are born physically. We can see all around us in nature that things grow, develop and mature in God’s purpose, they have purpose.

Christian Infants often fuss over fairness and the excepted apologies of another. Wrongs they may have suffered, their own personal wants and desires. Paul compares spiritual infancy to worldly behavior .A infant is more concerned with argument than action. Jealously, strife and backstabbing are the occupations of the spiritual baby.

Have you ever watched a baby? They whine and cry over what they can not have, what they must do or not do, or worst yet whine over what they must have. Sometimes Christians act in this matter. It’s easier to pry than pray, accuse than lose, grumble then go and much easier to argue then to act.

A Christian “baby” will only grow as much as he purposefully reads and obeys, then applies the word of God to his or her life. Growth is completely up to the believer. There are Christians who have been saved many years but are still spiritually babies. Like a fat cat in the house, who has to be hand feed the word of God, would not last one week as a barn cat. These fat cat Christians can not understand the deeper truths of the word or the actions and demands of the heavenly Father. What does a “baby Christian” need for growth? The word of God and the truths of the bible. Having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is not a religion, its pure freedom.

                    Remember the rodeo saying “Pain is guaranteed, suffering is up to you.” So, dust yourself off, grow up and get back in the saddle. It’s the only way to get there from here and its one heck of a ride.

                                     We pray with courage and faith that his will be done.

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

                                                        Cowboy Pastor Ty Nazarenus 

                                       

 

                       

Week of 11-05-12

CRUSADERS DEVOTIONAL

11-05-12/MONDAY

I have an eighteen year old Ford pick-up. I’m starting to hear thumps and clanks here and there. It’s time to take her into the shop for some T.L.C. See this truck has dents, rust and the paints bad. You have to roll down the driver’s window in order to get out because there is no inside door handle. The passenger door must be unlocked from inside because the outside key lock does not work.

I used to use it to harrow the arena before I owned a tractor. It has never not started rather it be in the dead of winter or overheat on the hottest summers days. It’s strange to think of a machine in this was but it has been loyal to me. Years ago I would have simply went out and bought a new truck. Yet, something about this truck has endured itself to me. Flawed but always willing to do the next job. I’m content with the flaws keeping in mind its dependability. 

Maybe, I’m thinking that how the Lord looks at us. Love is not blind but love sees more than the flaws. True contentment is grateful for the blessings that God has given us not worrying about your worldly desires. The Devil loves distractions. The commercials we see on the television ads telling us how happy and complete are lives would be if we only had this latest product. Spending our hard earned money on “keeping up with the Jones”, spending our time at work to get ahead for our families that we never see. Washing the car instead of throwing the ball with our kids. Are we all totally missing the target?

We, right now need to enjoy the good things not looking to the future good things or longing for the past good things but enjoy what lies right in front of us. The state of happiness and satisfaction is the art of living in the now. Thankful for the often overlooked blessings of each day.

The Lord promises to give us anything we want, provided it is of his will and contentment definitely something that is in his will. That is were we must place our trust, “Of his will”. Anything other than that is simply other than that. Only a fool would endlessly pursue pleasure, when it ultimately is unsatisfying. Be content with yourself and all that God has given you. Find that peace and so much more will be given.

Remember: Contentment is the realization that life in itself  is a gift not a right.

                          May God your heavenly father bless and hold you well.

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

                                           Cowboy pastor Ty Nazarenus

CRUSADERS DEVOTIONAL

10-29-12/ MONDAY

A few years back we had a filly that one of my daughters was going to train for barrel racing. As with many young uneducated horses, this one had a few corks. The one I found most bothersome was her not willing to be tied out. I feel there is nothing more crazed than to tie your horse to a hitching post only to have it throw a fit. Not only is it a danger to itself and you, but its pretty hard on the tack and hitching post as well. So, I had a friend show me a “for sure and certain way” of tying the filly out that would brake her of this terrible habit.

The very next day I put theory to the test. I tied the filly to the hitching post just as I was shown to do. I stepped back and looked at the filly and the way she was tied and thought this just might work. She raised her head a little bit and stepped back, only to realize that the new pressure she found was not much to her liking so she stepped forward to where she should be. The filly did this about three times and then just stood in place and looked at me as if to say “uncle”. Proud of myself and the newly educated horse, I thought I would let her stand there for a while till she learned respect and I would go into the house for some lunch. I let my guard down, thinking I had one this battle.

When I returned I found not only the filly missing but the hitching post had hightailed it as well. I went and found her on the other side of the property, grazing with the hitching post in tow about ten feet behind her (humbled once again). My Grandfather used to tell me “If ya want to hear God laugh just tell him your plans.” And  it is the same with spiritual warfare. Just as soon as ya think ya got her tied down, she’s up and running again.

We must all understand that spiritual warfare is a war between two kingdoms and that God gave us free will. You and I have to choose whom we serve. The evidence of what kingdom we serve is heard in our words (Mat.15:1). “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12). High places? Your thinking, high places are the minds and thoughts of man. One of the strong holds of the enemy is the inability to access forgiveness.

We all will face hatred, resentment; fear, bitterness, rejection, jealousy and envy just to name a few. Our enemies are not other people, but in Satan and he will test us to find our weak walls. There are those of us that want the profit but do not want to pay the bills. We surly want forgiveness when it comes to our actions but will not forgive the actions or words of another. We feel that their injustices are far greater then ours. All warfare is based on deception. A smart warrior can defeat a strong one. The Lord’s wisdom is our greatest weapon. God tells us to love. Love begets forgiveness. We must give away the very thing we want.

Remember: When cowboys are too old to set bad examples, they start handin out good advice.

                                      May God our heavenly father bless and hold you well.

                                      In the name of our savior Jesus Christ of the Nazarene

                                                      Cowboy Pastor Ty Nazarenus

Week of 10-22-12 MONDAY

I was out lunging the big gray gelding, when through the dust rising up I could see the faint outline of “Wyoming” standing at the rail as if he was evaluating every step of the gray and every movement of mine. Then Wyoming would turn, in a flurry of tail and dust, as if to say we did not meet his approval and ran and bucked his way to the other side of the property. Then with a loud snort, turns and looks at the gray and I to make sure that the two of us observed the proper way a horse of such spirit gets it done.

As the cool air if mid October blew across my face and hands, I could feel the change of season approaching. As I continued to work the gray, I thought back to the many years I spent working Wyoming. This past spring he turned twenty years old. I still ride Wyoming but I do not work him. He has a health issue that I must take care of. (Like Me a little slower, a little stiffer and now we enjoy taking a nap when the day and time is right.)  Wy, as family calls him is a champion; ribbons, trophies and a belt buckle all his, plus racing champion bloodlines. Riding him makes me feel like the man I always wanted to be. It makes me feel like the champion that he is. As we both age the spirit is willing but the flesh grows weak. The finger prints of God are all over Wy. What a blessing that God should lend me such a horse.

Just is in the change of seasons, Life itself is temporary. “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered and that my life is fleeing away” (Psalm 39:4) I hear tell that most people’s greatest fear is death. I would have to humbly disagree. I would say the greatest fear of people is to live. To live in the faith of your lord Jesus Christ. To love and to forgive. To live with no greed, no judgment, no boasting but in the Lord. To live in the light and chase the darkness while having no fear of the devil. “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Now that is the way to go out with your boots on, if you ask me that’s living.

What amazes me most about the good Lord is the price he paid for an old broken down race horse like me. He gave something perfect in exchange for something that is complete imperfection. Bowed tendons, Roman nose, swaybacked and lame at the run but he still promises to stable me in the same barn as his unflawed champions. Imagine that! A wretch like me running with a heard like that. What a loving father we have.

Remember: No time of life is wasted while in the saddle, laughing with a friend until it hurts or thanking the Lord for his many blessings.

                                              May God our heavenly father hold you well.

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

                                              Cowboy Pastor Ty Nazarenus

Week of October 15, 2012

                                           CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL

                                               October 15, 2012 / Monday

 At the beginning of last week, I was blessed to be able to enjoy watching children and adults participate in a gymkhana. Now, to the casual observer this may look like just another horseback competition, but if you were to observe what was really happening you would see the lesson being taught and learned. The kids would do their very best to maneuver a half ton animal through different courses as fast as they could possibly go while still maintaining control. Sometimes the horse was more than willing and other times not so much. Some of the faces would show pure happiness and yet other faces would show pure uncertainty. It was clear who had practiced their new found skills and equally obvious who may have let distractions interfere with their performance that given week.

Ya see, the lesson was in the challenge of adversity and all the children were learning not only what adversity was, but how to deal with it in the proper way. Some learned to become faster riders; some learned better horsemanship and some came back from coming off the horse and landing in the dirt only to win. I was very proud of all of them. I must admit my favorite part was at the end of the competition. All the competitors would stand in the arena and await to hear their times and placing. A much deserved ribbon would be awarded to those who meet the challenge and stayed focused on the matter at hand. The anticipation on each face was priceless. Then the smiles and joy came with hearing their names called out and receiving their just reward. This moment softened my heart.

It reminded me of the day each of us will face. When we all shall stand in the final arena waiting to hear our name be called out. Wondering if we did it right. Did we live the life that was pleasing to God? Was Jesus Christ our Lord and savior? Did we invite Jesus into our lives? Did we live a life in service to him or to ourselves? Did we bring glory to his name or shame? Did we seek his wisdom or wallow in our own ignorance and pride.

I guess I’d ask everyone did you “practice your event” or did the distractions interfere with your performance? Will you hear your name called out or will you hit the dirt? We must be able to say with a strong heart” I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7).In that final arena, the blue ribbon will be to hear the words of our heavenly father say “well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matt.25:21) 

Remember:  Don’t take it for granted, take it with a grin and make sure to say “Amen”.

                                      

                                       May God our heavenly father bless and hold you well

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

                                       Cowboy Pastor Ty Nazarenus

Week of October 7th

CRUSADERS

Weekly Devotional

10-07-12/ Sunday

I apologize for last week’s devotional not getting done, but my job got in the way. Well,
it’s started. The presidential election debates. The elephants and the donkeys are at it
again. Attack ads on the television, the mudslinging and character defamation all part of
the carnage. Both men, with their own self interests, want us to feel that those interests
must be ours as well. Taxes, war, the environment, the “middle class” and those that have
(and worked for it) must share it with those that have not. The list goes on and on. One
man claims one thing while the other claims something else. The only thing they can
agree on is that the other’s to blame for the crazy on goings of the nation and the rest of
the world. It always seems that there is a lot of childishness (me, me, and me) involved.
For if they truly cared about the same thing, us, how could they not agree and work
together for the common good. For such is the world of man.

In spiritual warfare, a selection must be made as well. So who is it that we are to select?
As in this country there are two choices. The first has already and still to this day and
minute serves us. The other will have you serving him. The first is full of truth and
nothing but and the second is full of deception and nothing but.

Ya see, in this selection your group is either a sheep or you’re a goat (Matthew 25: 31-34)
Trust me on this, there is a far greater consequence than four years of bad policies. Your
eternity and earthly well being rests upon your selection. Now, if you join the goats your
existence is in a culture that glorifies materialism and self-gratification and the ignorance
of self-reliance. If you select to be a sheep you glorify a kingdom of love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentles and self control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Which horse do you have saddled? Hope it is the right one, because you’re going to be
riding it for a long, long, long time.

Remember: There ain’t no horse that can’t be rode, there ain’t a cowboy that can’t be
throwed. Be humble but take courage in the Lord.

May God our Heavenly Father bless and hold you well.
In the name of our Savior Jesus Christ of the Nazarene.

Cowboy Pastor; Ty Nazarenus