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

Week of 1/28

                                          CRUSADERS’S  DEVOTIONAL

                                                 01-28-13/MONAY

Here at the “Second chance ranch” we have down sized to seven horses. We have “Lady” a thirty-two year old paint mare that will probably out live us all. There’s “Joker” a 27 year old gelding that has arthritis in his left front knee from years of roping. The buck skin “Moe” that is blind but still some how seems to know everything that goes on around here. We have “Ally” a bay mare who is the youngest horse at eight years old and would do anything asked of her. This year she won a barrel racing championship while setting an arena record time. Then there is “Virgil”. I truly think the breeders were afraid of him. Virgil has a gentle way about him, but as a colt he just kept growing and growing. He’s over 16.2 hands and weights over 1,325 pounds. We have “Wyoming”, my beloved Wyoming. He comes from racing royalty (Jet Deck, Go Man Go and Bold ruler, meaning he has the blood if Secretariat running through his veins.) Problem is, Wyoming is now twenty-one years old and he still thinks he is a colt. Last, but far from least, is “Nic”. Smart and gentle with the ladies but has no use for men. Sometimes he looks at me like, come on let’s go for a ride, but I’m on to him. I would be bucked somewhere into the middle of Weld county and Nic would be thinking, Thanks for the ride cowboy, lets do it again sometime. We Love all of them the same. They are all special in their own right and deserve it that way. God made them to have their own way about them, that’s the way they are and that’s the way we take them.

 

I got to thinking that as Christians are we loving as we should or are we setting limitations on our love. God might see these limitations as obstructions. Are we overlooking our imperfect selves and focusing on the imperfection of others? Are we withholding what we are to give away? Shame on us. This lesson is kindergarten of our faith. Love is the first thing taught in our relationship with the Lord. Surely we, being of mankind, are the last to deserve love. However, we are God’s greatest love. The Lord overlooks all are flaws, our imperfections and loves us still. Be thankful for his grace.

 

Loving God is the most important command. We are to love in marriage, love our enemies and our fellow Christians. It is written that we can not be separated from Jesus’ love. Love helps us look past offenses (forgiveness). We must love ourselves allowing us to know how to love. We must be known for our love. I believe love must be genuine.

 

Remember: To talk without thinking is to shot without aiming.

 

                    May we receive God’s blessings this week with a heart of gratitude.  

                                   In the name of our Savior Jesus Christ.

                                                    Pastor Ty.

Week of 1-21

CRUSADERS’S DEVOTIONAL

01-21-2013/ MONDAY

Where do you keep your joy? Do you leave it out where people can easily see it or do you keep it hidden? Is your joy on your face, your heart and in your words? Or do you keep it hidden safely from the world or place it in your pocket and just pull it out when it is appropriate or excepted. Maybe yet, do you even have true joy?

Sunday, my wife and I gave a 27 year old horse that nobody wanted and was going to be put down to our five year old grandson. Once I placed him on the horse I asked if he knew whose horse he was sitting on. He shook his head no. I told him he was sitting on his horse. Immediately a smile came to his face that was as big and bright as a sunny open sky. The delight on his face was worth every dollar I’ve ever had in my life time. He and the horse took to each other right off the bat. I think they both knew they needed each other and both were ok with that. The old horse would take care of the boy and keep him from harm; in exchange the boy would forever love that old horse. The old horse with the young boy mounted bareback on him walked around with a gleam and glow like a newly married man and woman. Then came the time to take a picture, and the old horse proudly held his head up high and ya couldn’t have wiped the smile of the face of the young rider. You would have thought the two had just won the Kentucky Derby. This was truly one of those moments that you live for. I praise God for that gift he gave me, true joy in giving. It was a lesson I’ll never forget.

Joy comes from finding the specific reason for which we were created and born again and fulfilling that reason. The joy Jesus experienced came from doing what the Father sent him to do. Jesus says to us “As the Father has sent me, I also send you” (John 20:21). Consider your life worthy only to complete that reason. Joy can be hard to find, and for sure the journey for it can bring much pain, “I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” (Acts 9:16). Joy is in the giving, not in the receiving and for the pardon we received from God through Jesus; we received much we should in return give much. It is there that joy can be found.

When we think of being freed from the price of sin, being “filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) and walking in the light it is impossible to doubt he is among us always.

I pray that we all find our joy, and may that joy be the kind that can not be taken from us by thieves or fall into rust. For where our treasure is so shall be our hearts. May, in the name of the Father, your reason and joy ride along side you in complete familiarity and understanding.

Remember: Jesus always answers his knee mail.

May peace of mind and joy always be part of your posse.

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

Cowboy Pastor Ty

Week of 1/14

                                             CRUSADERS DEVOTIONAL

                                                  01-14-2013/MONDAY

As I start to take down the Christmas tree, I do so with some reservations. The tree was beautiful this year and the ornaments each have their own story and each one acquired over many years. I’ll miss the happy ending Christmas movies, the music and saying “Merry Christmas” to everyone. Along with these feelings, comes hope. Hope that we as Crusaders continue to grow in our relationship and wisdom of God and his word, and not only all Crusaders but every single Christian. Hope that we stop letting them take our American rights away little by little and that we stand up and are heard and say “no more”. We are American Christians and we have rights and need to fight for those rights. I support all religious groups to stand for their beliefs. Religious freedom and expression is one of the basic ideas this country was founded on.

Now, some 80% of Americans claim to be Christians. Maybe their two day a year Christians, Easter and Christmas, but where are they the other 363 days a year. We must stop being a people that claim one thing and then turn around say and do another. I’m not saying God loves one more then the other, God loves every one of us. God does however want his children to be obedient to his word and seek his lessons of wisdom.

So here is my wish list for 2013 for all Christians. I hope this list would please Christ Jesus.

1)      Knowing how to die with out fear is faith, knowing how to live without fear is even greater faith, “The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” ( 1 Corinthians 15:26)

2)      Look for God he is everywhere, you are not obscure to God. He is with you always. “I have called you back from the ends of the earth so you can serve me. For I have chosen you and will not throw you away.” (Isaiah 41:9).

3)      For some, Christianity is about trying to be more like Jesus. I believe it is of more importantace to know how Jesus became like us. Jesus did not come because we are worthy but because we needed someone who was worthy. “The word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14).

4)      The Holy Spirit is part of every activity of Jesus. His Conception, His baptism His temptations and His ministry. Invisible does not mean nonexistent. “People who aren’t Christians can’t understand these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means.” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

These are but a few, I guess what I want is all of us to mature as believers and our understanding of God and His wisdom for us.

Remember; Always pet the horse you just rode, a gentle hand is the sign of a gentle heart.  

                                          In the name of our lord and savior

                                             Jesus Christ of the Nazarene

                                          Cowboy Pastor Ty Nazarenus

       

Week of 1-7/2013

                                               CRUSADES   DEVITIONAL

                                                     01-07-13/MONDAY

As I stood in about an inch of snow wearing leather boots, my thoughts were on how cold my feet were becoming. I was talking with a friend and his passion of cows and roping was easy to see and hear. The sun was going down, and we all know what that means this time of year, I believe we could have been there till midnight talking about cows. I know “Casey” is very much a Christian, I could feel his blessing in him finding his purpose. See “Casey” is one of the lucky ones, being a spiritual being in a human word he was given a passion that he received and followed. See, “Casey” was very much a man of God, family and full of purpose. Not only would you know his stance when it came to his faith, his loyalty to his wife and family but he fully embraced his purpose.

 That purpose is happiness, something that brought him great joy and pleasure.

 

 God created us for all these things, yet I see and talk with people all the time that can’t find that purpose or don’t even know about it, where to find it, or that they were born to have it. What I find bothersome is that all this time it lies within us all. God planted in it our hearts like a seed. He watches to see if we nurture it, seek it and most of all ask for it.

 

When we are born again, if we are spiritual at all we have visions of what Jesus wants us to be and have no doubt that it should be attained if we tend to it. Sometimes when he ask God for our purpose we might wait for a visual or audible response, and who’s to say the answer, may come these ways. Often we are answered with silence. Absolute silence of God is not a silence of despair, but of pleasure so get ready for a revelation. God is preparing you for his purpose. May God’s will be done.

 

Two things; simplicity and purity. If you look after nothing but the pleasure of God you will enjoy freedom then receive your purpose. We all are but the arrow And Jesus is the archer. Trust his aim. Go where you are pointed. For it is there you shall find your purpose.

 

God does not want us to fail. The more we listen the better able we will be at distinguishing his voice from other noises in our heads. Read (John 10:4)

 

Post script: I told ya all about “Joker” and the challenge that faced him. I prayed on it and thought on it along while. Now, I’m going outside to build a stall for him. Because I was told to do so from that seed in my heart. Praise and glory to the King.

 

Remember: First learn the meaning of what you say, then and only then speak.

 

                       May God and peace embrace and guide you too your purpose.

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

                                                Cowboy Pastor: Ty Nazarenus