Week of 6/11

CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL

June 11, 2013/ Tuesday

Hello all! , First things first, I would like to thank every one to has signed up to receive the “Crusader’s Devotional”. I’m told by our I.T. person it now is requested by 170 people weekly. Praise the good Lord. I’m blessed to be in service of the Lord in any way I can. Now, I would like to share something I recently read with every one. “Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God’s handwriting- a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing. Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

That kind of leads me into what I’d like to bring up this week. The blessing of friendship and the ability to detect the enemy in disguise.

Years ago I helped the “Colorado Horse Rescue” with a few of their horses. I would evaluate the horse to see where it was in temperament and training. That’s where I met “Moe”. Now Moe is unlike any horse I have ever worked. Moe is Buckskin, gentle in nature and good in size. Moe is completely blind. Our friendship was given when we first met. Trust in each other was intentional. A gift from God, as is every thing. Long story short, I adopted Moe and I can say for sure that I’m the only person to ride him to this day. He trusts in what he can not see and I trust in his gentle heart. We make each other better, I’m his eyes and his legs are lent to me. A friendship, I’d guess you would call it. One that comes along but once in a lifetime. God’s blessings can be spiritual not biological, truly “God’s handwriting” is Mine and Moe’s friendship. Friendship is meant for all of us.

It is written “There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” (Pro. 18:24). Friends we are to have and to be. What an honor it is to be called “friend”. You have heard it said, “There are people who are a blessing when they come, others are a blessing when they leave.” Which are you? Do you bring honor from God’s kingdom to others or shame to the kingdom.

As you might remember in 1 Samuel 18:3, Jonathan made a special vow to be David’s friend.” One that would eventually lead to a division in Jonathan’s own family. Faithful, dependable and loyal. Rare are such things as these. Yet, these things we must be and to so shall our friends. It is better to be slapped by a friend then kissed by an enemy. It takes courage to be a friend, to tell the truth when the truth hurts most. Faithful are the wounds of a friend. 

We must pray to know who our friends truly are. The devil loves deceit, and what a better deception then friendship. Back biters, quarrels, rumors and lies these are all troublesome. A man can be judged well by the enemies he keeps. There are some people out there that once behind you, they will hit ya so hard you’ll be wearing your ears as wings. Stay away from them, but speak to them as you would to a Christian who needs help. 

Remember: Don’t walk behind strange mares; her first kick might be your last.

May the Lord be riding with you on this long trail.

In the name of Jesus Christ of the Nazarene. 

Cowboy Pastor Ty

Week of 6/4

                                                CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL

                                                TUESDAY, JUNE 4^TH

Hey everyone! I’m glad you’re reading the devotional and even though it’s been some time since I’ve seen some of you, you all are on my mind and in my prayers. I’m working graveyard shift right now and it is sometimes strange what comes to a man’s mind at 3:15 in the morning. Ya see last week, I was cleaning out my study room when I came across a box, long forgotten. Now, in this box was a letter dated 05-01-1981. It was written from an old horse trainer I knew growing up in southern Wyoming. His name was Tom Steel. We just called him “Dusty” because it seemed like he was always covered in a layer of dust and mud. Never did I see him in him in church, and there was only one in town, but I remember him saying, “I know where God is and he knows where I can be found. He knows what’s in my heart; I’m right where he wants me to be and I’m just what he made me to be.” I remember he could name all sixty –six books of the bible in order, this always amazed me. He was a man that just felt more at ease with the mountains and open pastures than in town. He was a man that always gave respect to all he came in contact with whether it be land, animal, or fellow man. He deserved respect. The letter had these final thoughts written “Watch your thoughts, they become your words; Watch your words they become your actions; Watch your actions, they become your habits; Watch your habits, they become your character.” Tom must have in his mid-sixties and I was seventeen. I was, and to this day, proud to call him my friend. Tom is gone now, but to “friends”, we know where he is and so does God. He is right where God wants him to be.

Thinking of friends-- my best friend is Jesus. “Since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life.” (Romans 5:10). We were to live in God’s presence, but due to sin, fear of God, not friendship was more common in the Old Testament. Only a few people in the Old Testament were called “friends of God” -- Moses, Abraham, Job, Enoch and Noah. David was called “a man after God’s own heart.”

Jesus changed all that. Sins were paid for. The veil in the temple that symbolized our separation from God was split from top to bottom, meaning that direct access to God was once again available. Unlike the Old Testament priests who spent hours preparing to meet him, we can approach God any time. Friendship with God is possible only because of the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus. “All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends.” (2 Cor. 5:18). 

Like any friendship, we need to speak and listen. What hinders us from doing these things is our attention to other things. Not being devoted in the right areas. A cloud, a tree, or a servant of God may convey a message from God. As a child of God, our attitude should be “Speak, for your servant hears.” Place all your love in him. Trust him more than you trust yourself. God is the father to all believers. Jesus Christ is our most important relationship, not a religion. As for me, you can place “religion” on the fastest horse in town, point her straight down Main Street, slap her on the rump and say “let her buck.”

Jesus said, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15).

Remember: When you give a lesson in meanness to a critter or a person, don’t be surprised if they return the lesson well learned.

                   Lord our Father, bless the poor in spirit, the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

                   May your hand of blessing and grace touch the people of Oklahoma.

                   There, but for the grace of God go I.

                   In the name of Jesus Christ of the Nazarene.

                   Cowboy Pastor: Ty

                 

Week of 5/28

                                            CRUSDAER’S DEVOTIONAL

                                                  MAY 28^th / TUESDAY

I sure hope everyone had a great Memorial Day, being with family and friends and enjoying the freedom that allows doing so. The dictionary puts it this way, “A legal holiday in the U.S. (the last Monday in most states) in memory of members of the Armed forces killed in war.” That’s every member of the Armed forces, from today (Sadly) to the very first American solider. Some we don’t even know their names, but God does. He knows all of them. There is no greater love then too lay your life down for your fellow man. May all the respect and gratitude they deserve be theirs, and to the greatest spiritual solider, Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice saved all who believe. We will never forget and thank you.

A little ways back, I went with a friend who just got interested in horses to pick up a gelding he had purchased. Climbing into his truck we joked about his needing to buy a new truck not a horse. His excitement was more than obvious. The barn, stall, water and hay all in place. He even went as far as getting a saddle and all the tack that a world champion would be just in having. You could say he took to it like a bear to a honey tree.

Once at the place of his new found love, he picked out a nice one. A two year old buckskin that was already close to sixteen hands. I asked had he ridden him (named “The Scout”). “Nope, but ain’t he something? I figure I’ll have plenty of time to ride once we get him home.” When we got “The Scout” to his new home, it must have taken us 30 minutes to get him under saddle (that didn’t fit). The head stall was too small and it was the wrong bit for a young green horse. My buddy looked at me and said, “I guess I got ahead of myself, now what?” This incident comes to mind when I’m asked, “I am a new Christian, What do I do now?”

 First thing I say is congratulations. You have just began your new eternal life (John 3:16). Your sins have been forgiven and you now have a clean slate to start on. Start by reading the Bible Find one that speaks to your heart. There are many translations but no perfect one. Find one that is faithful to the original text. Maybe start with the Gospel (or book) of John or any of the other three Gospels in the New Testament. This will help you understand what Jesus taught and did during his time in earth. Do not be afraid to ask questions to better your understanding. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”(2 Timothy 2: 15).

Next begin praying. Prayer is just talking to God. Pray without ceasing. If you desire to know God, you must speak to him. Then as you begin to sprout get baptized. Baptism symbolizes your new life in Christ and shows the world that you are now committed to Jesus. Even Jesus was baptized. Jesus calls his followers to be baptized. Then build friendships with other Christians. We all need the encouragement and prayers of others. Help others. The Spirit will call you to show God’s love (1 John 3:17-18). I’m thinking then tell others about your faith. Being a Christian should not be a secret. Christians are still called to share the hope within us with others.

You have been saved by grace through faith, apart from any works of your own. God started the work in you and he promises to finish it (Philippians 1:6).

May God bless you all and have courage to do what is right.

In the name of Jesus Christ of the Nazarene.

Cowboy Pastor Ty

  

Week of 5/14

CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL 

MAY 14TH, TUESDAY 

I hope that all is well and that the glory of the Lord has shined upon you and those you hold dear. Let me be straight out and say there was no devotional for the last two weeks. See I’ve been on vacation last week for the Kentucky Derby. Oh, I didn’t go to Kentucky, but I’ve been. I guess you could say its “hallowed ground” for me. I followed every minute of it on HRTV and TVG. The coverage is outstanding. You could say that I find it beautiful to watch something do what God created it to do. No sir, no gambling, no parting, why no foolishness at all. To watch the pageantry, the power of the horse and the skill of the men who ride them, what excitement. To me it all has the finger prints of God all over it. God’s blessings are seen through many different eyes. Only the eyes of the blind and lied too are never given the gift of witnessing. Taking time off to breathe my pony is just what was needed. It seems that we all get so busy with the day to day stuff and all the lists of things that must be done that we some times forget to just be still. Like tryin to scratch my ear with my elbow, I find myself getting wrapped up in the follies of this world. Conversation of little or no importance, paying great attention to matters of no significance. I have written it before and I do it again. 

THE DEVIL LOVES DISTRACTIONS. 

Misdirected attention can cost us dearly in spiritual warfare. There is 1440 minutes in a day, how many of them do who spend in prayer? Prayer opens the heart to God and it is the means by which the soul, though empty, is filled by God. I, for one don’t care much for talking about myself, but if the story can help one person I will do it. In the last passing weeks I was involved in spiritual warfare. With a demon that is very strong not only in the Old Testament but today as well. As in any warfare casualties are inherent. I lost two dear friends in acting upon the answering of my prayers. Doing the right thing is not always the easy thing. On the up side my allies proved to be courageous, loyal and loving. I’m humbled by their brave acts done in a loving way. The point is that I received my orders through prayer. When go to your knees in prayer, we stand tall; when we close our eyes, our vision improves; when we speak soft words they echo throughout heaven. Prayer is the steering wheel not the spare tire. Many wonder if there is “intelligent life out there”, Christians know there is and we should talk to Him everyday. My heart has heard you say “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord I am coming.” (Psalm 27:8) “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, Who is unseen. Then your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6). Remember that it is God to whom you speak. Be respectful and open. “And when you pray, do not keep babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” (Matthew 6:7). God knows what is in your heart, most of all be honest. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16). There may come a time when we are not sure of how to ask for what we need. The wholly Spirit will make intercession (speak for us), this is good. Remember: Prayer is love in need appealing to love in power. 

I ask Father, that we honor your answers to your prayer and that your will be done not ours. 

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

Cowboy Pastor Ty

Week of 4/23

CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL

04-23-2013/ Tuesday

Well how do? Hope every one had a safe a blessed week. Must be a whole lot of praying going on cause there sure has been a lot of spring snowin’ going on. That’s great, what a blessing to all, what a wonderful Lord we have. 

Hey, I wanted to write about what I’ve been hearing. I’ve had both ears full of way to much talking. People talking about what they can or can’t do. What someone else should or not should be doing. The conversation usually is pulling some poor, not even around, person down or worst yet boasting of themselves in half truths. The fact of the matter is the tongue is capable of causing great harm, not only to the listener, but also to the one doing the rambling on. The tongue reminds of a good Colt six shooter. In the right hands it is a great tool, in the wrong hands it brings nothing but hardship. My friendly advice is just to keep your tongue holstered.

We have all been around that one person that could talk the hide right off a cow. Most of the time it’s just wind of no use. Now that I actually think about, it it’s worse then the wind coming from a horse with a case of bad gas colic. Their talking so much and so fast it would spin your spurs. Cussin’or complaining spreading rumors or out right lying. Then there is the fella that can talk so polished yuh could skate on it. It’s called deceit. This is what ya really need to keep your back to the wall for. The Devil loves deception, and why not? We fall for it all the time. The “Sliver tongue”, yes folks that is what we need to keep a good watch on is the man or women with a sliver tongue. Now God has a lot to say on the topic, let’s look at what is written.

God spoke the world into being by the power of his words (Heb. 11:3). “So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” (Jam. 3:5) “Some people make cutting remarks but the words of the wise bring healing.” (Pro.12:18)

Are we using words to build up people or destroy them? Are the words from our tongues filled with hate or love? Bitterness or blessing? Complaining or compliments? Lust or love? Victory or defeat? The tongue reveals what is in the heart. A tongue under control is a mark of the spirit’s power.

Lurking within each of us are varying degrees of discontent and other destructive tendencies. The tongue takes hold of these things and strikes out, often with a push from the devil. This happens every day among strangers, friends, siblings and worst of all among husbands and wives, the very people who next to the love for the Lord Jesus, we should have the most love and kind words for each other. Paul describes those who are dead in sin “Their throats are open graves.” (Rom.3:13)

We need to be “set apart” from the world. We need to be living by God’s standard. No one can tame the tongue, as with so many things in this life with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. (Matt:19:26) Let your words be used to manifest the power of our faith. 

Remember: After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you’re full of bull, keep your mouth shut.

I pray that as we all grow we learn self-control and let it start with me.

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

Cowboy Pastor Ty 

Week of 4/16

CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL

04-16-2013/ Hope

Have ya ever seen that person walking around look’n as helpless as a cow in quicksand, or like a gun fighter with one bullet? Or maybe some one feeling like the ugliest mare ever foaled? You can see it in their face and feel it in the air around them. God gets us in deep water not to drown us but to cleanse us.

I was standin and lookin at a colt that a friend was making plans for. “If I could just teach him to move off this leg. One day I’ll move him to this bit. He will be rein’n off the neck in no time.” I turned and looked at her, and she says “least I’m hopin for that anyway. A little hard work and dust mixed with sweaty saddle blankets anything is possible right? Least that’s what I’m plan’n for.” I said to her “if any one can do it you can”.

What came to me most was not her plans or her enthusiasm, but that her heart felt hope. Hope for her, hope for her horse and hope in their bringing it together. It is hope that changes us; it is hope that changes the world. Most people think of hope as wishful thinking. That is not what the bible means by hope.

The biblical definition of hope is “confident expectations”. Hope is firm assurance regarding things that are unclear and unknown. Without hope, life loses its meaning. (Lam.3:18). As expectant as a sparrow watchin’ a worm hole, that’s what makes for a believer not thinking if but when. Hope in the return of Christ is the basis for believers to purify themselves in this life. As we have hope in God, he has hope in us. “Now in this hope we are saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.”(Rom. 24-25).

Certainty of this blessed future is found in trustworthy promises from God gives us hope. We may boast in this hope and boldness in our faith. “Those who do not place their trust in God are said to be without hope.”(Eph.2:12). A virtue of the Christian life, love comes from hope. “Hope produces joy and peace in believers through the power of the spirit.” (Rom. 15:13)

Part of showing love is hoping and part of hoping is seeing potential in others and ourselves.If you ever had a person believe in you and share a hopeful attitude for your future the you have experienced some of what (1 Cor. 13:7) teaches. As long as there is love there will be hope.

Remember: it don’t take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep. 

May God Comfort you with all the hope that has been promised.

In the name of Jesus Christ of the Nazarene.

Cowboy Pastor, Ty

week of 4/9

Crusader’s Devotional

04/09/2013/ Tuesday

How do? May be ya had the chance to watch the movie “The Bible” on the History Channel. WOW! What can I say? If you did not see it you can now rent it or buy it, or better yet read it. It’s a book titled coincidentally, by the same name, the Bible. The movie is touching, the book is moving. If a person gets into the book the book gets into the person. Trust me on that.

So much happened this week there is a lot that comes to mind that I should write about, but one thing keeps pulling on my rope. Now, you all know I love you and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for any of you. It is written that it is better to be slapped by a friend then kissed by an enemy, I feel as if we got the wrong horse saddled. Maybe I should explain at the best place to start and that’s the beginning. 

Last year at the “Miles for Hope” walk, a walk that raises money for the war on brain cancer, the Crusaders met Dalton. He was the spokesperson that year for the cause. All seemed at that time that the young and strong was going to win the battle. Dalton died on March 29, 2013. Good Friday. He was laid to rest April 5, 2013. The very next day his mother and family were there at the walk in support of those still fighting the fight and for all those who know not yet that the battle could be theirs. The Crusaders were putting on temporary “Superman” logo tattoos on themselves and Dalton’s family and who ever else wanted one. See, Dalton wanted to get that logo along with a silver ribbon behind it that represents the brain cancer cause as a real tattoo. 

A lot of people were at the walk, but we told a lot of “Christian people” about the walk. We told a lot of our Christian brethren, “Church” people, even secular friends about the walk and that it meant so much to so many. I heard it all, “We have plans that weekend for a trip to the mountains”, “Just so busy with the kids and all”, I even heard “It’s not my ministry; I’ve got a motorcycle ride this week.” What good is your faith if we so easley shame the name of Christ Jesus? Ask yourself were would Jesus be? Christians where are you? Is it all symbolism over substance? When there is war, why are we not reaching for the sword? Jesus is with us and promises victory but first we must obey and show up. We must not back up or slow down when the enemy calls us out. Rebuke and fight. My brethren, I love you and need you. In the mist of battle, I cried out for you and you were gone. Excuses are nothing more than the devil’s laughter. 

At the beginning of the walk, the very next day after the burying of her son, Dalton’s mother, Cassandra, released a balloon. In the distance were a clump of bare branched trees. The wind carried the balloon straight for the sharp balloon popping branches when all of a sudden the balloon got caught up in the branches momentarily. The people grew quiet. Then the wind of God took the balloon straight up. The crowd of people cheered. Experience God in person-- don’t just hear about him while in the pews. I know it’s easy to be mad at the man who talks of such things straight as a rifle barrel from the heart, but is that not our job? 

REMEMBER--why is it the last place some men fall is to their knees?

May our loving Father be with you and his hand bless you in all ways.

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

Cowboy Pastor Ty