Howdy folks,
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it (1 Corinthians 9:24).”
In the Bible an athletic contest is often used as an illustration for the Christian life. Most often it is portrayed as race. Runners train with self-discipline so that they can compete with staying power. Likewise, cowboys and cowgirls, who compete in rodeo rough stock and timed events, train hard to be the best in their sport. No matter the personal sacrifice or physical pain that must be overcome, their goal is to have the best time, or ride to the whistle and, in so doing, win the coveted prize for their event.
Once on the trail, you’ll need the same self-discipline to continue growing spiritually and living victoriously. You must be willing to chuck everything that will trip you up. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 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.” Remember, that you make it to the short-go, not by how well you perform, but by how well you let Christ perform through you. 2 Timothy 4:7 says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
For the faithful servant, there’s a trophy buckle when you finish the work God has called you to do. Philippians 3:14 says, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Just as every successful athlete keeps looking toward the goal, so you must keep looking to Jesus. The real test of the Christian life as in an athletic contest is steady progress, not spasms of effort or emotion, toward the goal to win the prize.
O I want to be like Jesus
As I walk along this pilgrim way;
O I want to live like Jesus,
Showing forth His beauty ev’ry day.
This my prayer and deepest longing ---
To be pure without, within;
O I want to be like Jesus,
Cleansed from dross and free from self and sin. ---Peterson
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
YOUR SIDEKICK
Howdy folks;
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God (1 Corinthians 2:12).”
One of the most serious problems facing the plains pioneer was that of obtaining an adequate supply of water. Without such a supply, he couldn’t exist. Those who lived in the valleys along streams were fortunate as they could get water from springs or from the streams themselves. The mechanical windmill, therefore, was crucial to settling the West. They permitted ranchers and farmers to bring water up from deep below the surface and, thereby, live and work on land where there was no reliable water supply.
By using the wind power readily available to them, ranchers and farmers were able to get the water they needed. By using the power of the Holy Spirit available to us as Christians we have the ability to live as we should and as God intended. One of the most profound and noteworthy promises Jesus made during His earthly ministry was His promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Before He left them, Jesus promised His disciples that God would send the Holy Spirit to guide them in their lives. John 14:26 says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I have said.” His last commandment was for them to wait in Jerusalem until that promise was fulfilled. Acts 2:1-4 is the account of the disciples receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Since that day, when people believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and are saved, they receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who will be their sidekick forever.
When you are saved, the Holy Spirit lives within you and gives you a “new nature,” which is the nature of God. This new nature helps you to understand spiritual things because the Holy Spirit is riding with you. Knowing this should be of great comfort. God is always with you and no matter what comes your way you’ll know that God, working through the Holy Spirit, will guide you through it.
Holy Spirit, faithful Guide,
Ever near the Christian’s side,
Gently lead us by the hand,
Pilgrims in a desert land;
Weary souls fore’er rejoice,
While they hear that sweetest voice
Whispering softly, “Wand’rer come!
Follow Me, I’ll guide you home.” ---Wells
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God (1 Corinthians 2:12).”
One of the most serious problems facing the plains pioneer was that of obtaining an adequate supply of water. Without such a supply, he couldn’t exist. Those who lived in the valleys along streams were fortunate as they could get water from springs or from the streams themselves. The mechanical windmill, therefore, was crucial to settling the West. They permitted ranchers and farmers to bring water up from deep below the surface and, thereby, live and work on land where there was no reliable water supply.
By using the wind power readily available to them, ranchers and farmers were able to get the water they needed. By using the power of the Holy Spirit available to us as Christians we have the ability to live as we should and as God intended. One of the most profound and noteworthy promises Jesus made during His earthly ministry was His promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Before He left them, Jesus promised His disciples that God would send the Holy Spirit to guide them in their lives. John 14:26 says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I have said.” His last commandment was for them to wait in Jerusalem until that promise was fulfilled. Acts 2:1-4 is the account of the disciples receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Since that day, when people believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and are saved, they receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who will be their sidekick forever.
When you are saved, the Holy Spirit lives within you and gives you a “new nature,” which is the nature of God. This new nature helps you to understand spiritual things because the Holy Spirit is riding with you. Knowing this should be of great comfort. God is always with you and no matter what comes your way you’ll know that God, working through the Holy Spirit, will guide you through it.
Holy Spirit, faithful Guide,
Ever near the Christian’s side,
Gently lead us by the hand,
Pilgrims in a desert land;
Weary souls fore’er rejoice,
While they hear that sweetest voice
Whispering softly, “Wand’rer come!
Follow Me, I’ll guide you home.” ---Wells
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
Monday, June 6, 2011
THE LEAST OF THESE
Howdy folks,
And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you inasmuch as you did it to one the least of these My brethren you did it to Me (Matthew 25:40).”
Over the years, as a cowboy gospel ministry, we’ve been asked to minister in many non-traditional venues (barns, rodeo grounds, saloon patios, dance halls, outdoor stages, hotels, etc.); however, our audiences have usually been folks who love the western way of life and enjoy our cowboy style of ministry. Consequently, we expected to find a friendly and receptive audience wherever we were asked to minister.
All that changed several years ago. Our last stop on the Songs of Faith Ministries tour was supposed to be at a church in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It so happened, however, that the pastor had double booked on that particular Sunday morning and he asked if we would mind taking the service at the Union Gospel Mission in downtown Winnipeg. I still remember his words: “There’s about 120 homeless people who attend the service and they will love your cowboy gospel music.” After agreeing to his request, I realized that this was going to be out of our comfort zone and began to worry about our safety and how are ministry would really be received,
When we arrived at the Mission on Sunday morning, we found it was exactly as the pastor had described. As I looked around, I could see the despair on their faces that comes from living on the street. In spite of my original misgivings, the Lord really blessed our ministry. From their smiles as they sang along, you could see that the old hymns and gospel songs touched many hearts.
I learned a valuable lesson that morning. We can’t always expect to minister in our comfort zone. When you tell God you’ll preach His Word, you don’t get to choose the place or the audience, He does! I’m reminded of Jesus’ words: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick (Matthew 9:12).”
So send I you to blind the bruised and broken,
O’er wand’ring souls to work, to weep, to wake.
To bear the burdens of a world aweary
So send I you to suffer for My sake. ---Clarkson
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you inasmuch as you did it to one the least of these My brethren you did it to Me (Matthew 25:40).”
Over the years, as a cowboy gospel ministry, we’ve been asked to minister in many non-traditional venues (barns, rodeo grounds, saloon patios, dance halls, outdoor stages, hotels, etc.); however, our audiences have usually been folks who love the western way of life and enjoy our cowboy style of ministry. Consequently, we expected to find a friendly and receptive audience wherever we were asked to minister.
All that changed several years ago. Our last stop on the Songs of Faith Ministries tour was supposed to be at a church in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It so happened, however, that the pastor had double booked on that particular Sunday morning and he asked if we would mind taking the service at the Union Gospel Mission in downtown Winnipeg. I still remember his words: “There’s about 120 homeless people who attend the service and they will love your cowboy gospel music.” After agreeing to his request, I realized that this was going to be out of our comfort zone and began to worry about our safety and how are ministry would really be received,
When we arrived at the Mission on Sunday morning, we found it was exactly as the pastor had described. As I looked around, I could see the despair on their faces that comes from living on the street. In spite of my original misgivings, the Lord really blessed our ministry. From their smiles as they sang along, you could see that the old hymns and gospel songs touched many hearts.
I learned a valuable lesson that morning. We can’t always expect to minister in our comfort zone. When you tell God you’ll preach His Word, you don’t get to choose the place or the audience, He does! I’m reminded of Jesus’ words: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick (Matthew 9:12).”
So send I you to blind the bruised and broken,
O’er wand’ring souls to work, to weep, to wake.
To bear the burdens of a world aweary
So send I you to suffer for My sake. ---Clarkson
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
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