Howdy folks,
The moment you trusted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you started up the trail on lifelong spiritual journey. When you ride for the brand, God directs your life. With each new trail day, God will build upon the work of the past with a view toward work in the future. As you go up the trail, He will not lead you down a blind trail or have you follow a cold trail. You can be sure He has an orderly plan in place and a divine purpose in mind for your life. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).” Spiritual growth does not just happen. It develops as God matures you in your relationship with Him.
The process of growing spiritually, often referred to in the Bible as walking with God, occurs one step at a time. Colossians 2:6 says, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” God has not promised you that your trail days will be easy; rather, that He will be with you each step of the way. Psalm 23:4 says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” What a comfort to know that God will always stand by His trail hands.
As you go up the trail, you will leave trail markers along your back-trail. These are milestones or benchmarks in your Christian experience that will let you see how God has been faithfully working in your life. Over time, a review of these trail markers will serve to confirm His on-going presence, as well as how He has guided you. Take a-hold of what you have been taught. “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our guide (2 Thessalonians 2:15).” They will also be a ready source of comfort and encouragement as you put into practice the spiritual truths you have learned. Every trail marker on your back-trail is a testimonial to your growth in understanding God’s ways and to your trust in Him. As you go up the trail, you can be sure that God will lead you step by step. He has many truths for you to discover and you have a lot more growing to do.
More like the Master I would live and grow;
More of His love to others I would show;
More self-denial, like His in Galilee,
More like the Master I long to ever be. ---Gabriel
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
DELIVER THE MESSAGE
Howdy Folks,
George Sweeting, in his book The No-Guilt Guide for Witnessing, tells of a man by the name of John Currier who in 1949 was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Later he was transferred and paroled to work on a farm near Nashville, Tennessee. In 1968, Currier’s sentence was terminated and a letter bearing the good news was sent to him. But John never saw the letter, nor was he told anything about it. Ten years went by. Then a state parole officer learned about Currier’s plight, found him, and told him that his sentence had been terminated. He had been a free man all those years.
How would you feel if, like John Currier, someone sent you an important message and year after year is was never delivered? For those of us who have heard the good news and experienced freedom through Christ, the story of John Currier is a reminder of our responsibility to share the love and forgiveness Jesus has given us with those who have never received Him as their Savior and Lord. Romans 10:13-14 says, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Lost men, women and children are waiting for someone to tell them the most important message they will ever hear in their life and the message is never delivered.
Are we doing all we can to make sure that people get the message? Mark 16:15 says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” As you remember what life was like for you without Christ, the love of Jesus Christ for you, and your love for Him, should compel you to share Him with others. Ask yourself, “If everybody did as much as I am doing to reach the lost, how many people would be coming to know Christ?” This is a hard question, but each of us must evaluate what we are doing to reach the world for Christ. If you really believe that unless a person has a born again, personal relationship with Christ, they are on the way to hell, there is an urgency about delivering the message.
We have heard the joyful sound; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land, Climb the steeps and cross the waves;
Onward! – ‘tis our Lord’s command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves! ---Owens
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
George Sweeting, in his book The No-Guilt Guide for Witnessing, tells of a man by the name of John Currier who in 1949 was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Later he was transferred and paroled to work on a farm near Nashville, Tennessee. In 1968, Currier’s sentence was terminated and a letter bearing the good news was sent to him. But John never saw the letter, nor was he told anything about it. Ten years went by. Then a state parole officer learned about Currier’s plight, found him, and told him that his sentence had been terminated. He had been a free man all those years.
How would you feel if, like John Currier, someone sent you an important message and year after year is was never delivered? For those of us who have heard the good news and experienced freedom through Christ, the story of John Currier is a reminder of our responsibility to share the love and forgiveness Jesus has given us with those who have never received Him as their Savior and Lord. Romans 10:13-14 says, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Lost men, women and children are waiting for someone to tell them the most important message they will ever hear in their life and the message is never delivered.
Are we doing all we can to make sure that people get the message? Mark 16:15 says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” As you remember what life was like for you without Christ, the love of Jesus Christ for you, and your love for Him, should compel you to share Him with others. Ask yourself, “If everybody did as much as I am doing to reach the lost, how many people would be coming to know Christ?” This is a hard question, but each of us must evaluate what we are doing to reach the world for Christ. If you really believe that unless a person has a born again, personal relationship with Christ, they are on the way to hell, there is an urgency about delivering the message.
We have heard the joyful sound; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land, Climb the steeps and cross the waves;
Onward! – ‘tis our Lord’s command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves! ---Owens
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
Friday, May 13, 2011
GET TUIT
Howdy Folks,
The other day I decided to clean out my desk drawer. Actually, my wife told me it was time to get rid of some of my junk. When I opened the drawer, I found the usual collection of pens, pencils and paper clips, along with a few elastic bands, and colored push pins. My desk drawer is also the repository for all the treasures that I have collected during our ministry tours -- church bulletins, programs from cowboy poetry gatherings, business cards and a variety of lapel pins. Among this collection of memorabilia was a small wooden disc that had TUIT printed on the face side. The message was clear. Just like cleaning out a desk drawer, nothing will get done unless we get “to it!” The writer of Hebrews puts it this way, “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run, with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Many Christians, however, find it easier or, perhaps, more comfortable to procrastinate when it comes to getting TUIT. We drag our feet when it comes to reading and studying the Bible, talking to God, sharing our faith with a neighbor or friend, teaching Sunday school, helping with vacation Bible school, or leading a small group. It’s not that we don’t want to do these things or feel they are important; it’s just that we never seem to get TUIT. The Gospel of Matthew records that when Jesus encountered Peter and Andrew by the Sea of Galilee, they were busy fishing. But, when He said to them, “Follow Me,” the Bible says, “They immediately left their nets and followed Him (4:20).” Likewise, the brothers James and John, who were busy mending their nets, immediately left their boat and their father to follow Him (4:22). Folks, they just got TUIT!
Over the years, it has been my observation that you can always count on a dedicated few when it comes to doing Kingdom work. No matter their age, experience, or circumstance they are ready to answer the call to serve. What about you? Are you ready to get TUIT? You can’t be a spectator ridin’ the fence and watchin’ others ride broncs in the main corral.
To the work! To the work! Let the hungry be fed;
To the fountain of life let the weary be led;
In the cross and its banner our glory shall be,
While we herald the tidings, “Salvation is free!” ---Crosby
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
The other day I decided to clean out my desk drawer. Actually, my wife told me it was time to get rid of some of my junk. When I opened the drawer, I found the usual collection of pens, pencils and paper clips, along with a few elastic bands, and colored push pins. My desk drawer is also the repository for all the treasures that I have collected during our ministry tours -- church bulletins, programs from cowboy poetry gatherings, business cards and a variety of lapel pins. Among this collection of memorabilia was a small wooden disc that had TUIT printed on the face side. The message was clear. Just like cleaning out a desk drawer, nothing will get done unless we get “to it!” The writer of Hebrews puts it this way, “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run, with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Many Christians, however, find it easier or, perhaps, more comfortable to procrastinate when it comes to getting TUIT. We drag our feet when it comes to reading and studying the Bible, talking to God, sharing our faith with a neighbor or friend, teaching Sunday school, helping with vacation Bible school, or leading a small group. It’s not that we don’t want to do these things or feel they are important; it’s just that we never seem to get TUIT. The Gospel of Matthew records that when Jesus encountered Peter and Andrew by the Sea of Galilee, they were busy fishing. But, when He said to them, “Follow Me,” the Bible says, “They immediately left their nets and followed Him (4:20).” Likewise, the brothers James and John, who were busy mending their nets, immediately left their boat and their father to follow Him (4:22). Folks, they just got TUIT!
Over the years, it has been my observation that you can always count on a dedicated few when it comes to doing Kingdom work. No matter their age, experience, or circumstance they are ready to answer the call to serve. What about you? Are you ready to get TUIT? You can’t be a spectator ridin’ the fence and watchin’ others ride broncs in the main corral.
To the work! To the work! Let the hungry be fed;
To the fountain of life let the weary be led;
In the cross and its banner our glory shall be,
While we herald the tidings, “Salvation is free!” ---Crosby
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Saturday, May 7, 2011
MR. FACING-BOTH-WAYS
Howdy Folks,
In his famous Christian allegory The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan provides a riveting account of Christian’s pilgrimage from earth to heaven. Now, if you’ve ever read The Pilgrim’s Progress, you may remember being introduced to Mr. Facing-Both-Ways who attempts the difficult task of facing in both directions at the same time. Many Christians, like Mr. Facing-Both-Ways, have set themselves an impossible task. They want some of Christ and some of the world. They are trying to face both ways.
Let me elaborate further. George Barna, a Christian researcher in the U.S., has identified a significant group of individuals in Evangelical churches today that he labeled “notional Christians.” According to Barna, at least 39% of the church population may fall into this category. While these individuals may in fact be saved, their own ideas and opinions and not the Word of God shape their Christian experience. They want Christ in their life but are not willing to live in obedience to Him. They want to face both ways.
Folks, I believe Jesus admonished believers against this destructive behavior. In Luke 6:46 He says, “But why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and not do the things which I say?” It raises the question: “Can you follow Him and not do the things He says?” The question is equivalent to a positive declaration In other words; you cannot call me Lord if you do not do the things I say. Such words as these make it very clear that Jesus intended to be taken seriously. His words continue to echo through the ages to all those who claim to be His true followers. There is going to be a sad day of disillusionment for those Christians who make a glib profession of His Name. Profession of faith is one thing but what identifies a true follower of Jesus is really doing the will of God. As James cautions believers, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only deceiving yourself (James 1:22).” We need to continue doing what Jesus says over and over again, until it becomes our everyday practice. This is the only way we will become more consistent, confident, and competent as a Christian.
O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee,
That where Thou art in glory, there shall Thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend. ---Bode
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
In his famous Christian allegory The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan provides a riveting account of Christian’s pilgrimage from earth to heaven. Now, if you’ve ever read The Pilgrim’s Progress, you may remember being introduced to Mr. Facing-Both-Ways who attempts the difficult task of facing in both directions at the same time. Many Christians, like Mr. Facing-Both-Ways, have set themselves an impossible task. They want some of Christ and some of the world. They are trying to face both ways.
Let me elaborate further. George Barna, a Christian researcher in the U.S., has identified a significant group of individuals in Evangelical churches today that he labeled “notional Christians.” According to Barna, at least 39% of the church population may fall into this category. While these individuals may in fact be saved, their own ideas and opinions and not the Word of God shape their Christian experience. They want Christ in their life but are not willing to live in obedience to Him. They want to face both ways.
Folks, I believe Jesus admonished believers against this destructive behavior. In Luke 6:46 He says, “But why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and not do the things which I say?” It raises the question: “Can you follow Him and not do the things He says?” The question is equivalent to a positive declaration In other words; you cannot call me Lord if you do not do the things I say. Such words as these make it very clear that Jesus intended to be taken seriously. His words continue to echo through the ages to all those who claim to be His true followers. There is going to be a sad day of disillusionment for those Christians who make a glib profession of His Name. Profession of faith is one thing but what identifies a true follower of Jesus is really doing the will of God. As James cautions believers, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only deceiving yourself (James 1:22).” We need to continue doing what Jesus says over and over again, until it becomes our everyday practice. This is the only way we will become more consistent, confident, and competent as a Christian.
O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee,
That where Thou art in glory, there shall Thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend. ---Bode
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
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