CAMPFIRE MESSAGES from Pastors & Ministers of ICCAN

Comment

Comment by Shane and Denise Jeter on June 8, 2012 at 8:43am

Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme

June 8
Psalms 3:6
"I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about."

If God is with you
He can keep you from fear
If thousands gather against you
From far and near

For as Jesus told Pilate
Against me you could have no power
Were it not given to you by my father
For this very hour

 

Comment by Don Adkisson on June 7, 2012 at 8:20pm

The Drop of a Hat

June 7, 2012 -- Thursday

"Maybe I would never have very much in the way of money, but I'd have the memories of this land when it was fresh and open, the memories of one of the grandest pieces of country a man could even see."

--Louis L'Amour

"I don't know how to figure city boys... It's like tryin' to read a book in another language."

--Elmer Kelton

I went yesterday morning to have a simple task done--a new key made. My, my, my it took two hours and over $200 to get a key. Yes, indeed, we have come a long way baby. Sure I know I'm pushing the years but I can remember a key in ten minutes and for under $2. The faster we go the slower we get.

Well, while I was a sitting and waiting for my key I picked up one of those men's magazines, the outdoor type. Now, don't get me wrong, these modern folk who work in the outdoors and are involved with outdoor sports are good, but they have all sorts of gadgets and fancy do-hickeys. Seems to me that I still enjoy the times when I laid down a blanket. Threw in a small frying pan, some pancake batter, a couple of pieces of bacon, some coffee and a little pan. Then rolled the blanket up and secured it with a pipeline hitch. Now it was in circular form and a person simply slung it over their head and one shoulder. It looked sort of like an inner tube (oh, my most of you don't know what an inner tube is either.)

In that same magazine there was some of that fancy cooking for men. Not saying that tofu, and toofa, and hoopla might not be good for you, but how can you beat good old fashioned biscuits and gravy for breakfast. Or an apple pie fresh out of the oven. We seem to live in a yuppie world: fast, new, imaginative, bizarre, built of luxury, thrills, frivolity, and money. With that in mind, I remembered a poem that is one of my favorites and will include it here, now, with all its aroma and simpleness.

Here's to that steak

Thick and juicy and sizzlin'

Cooked in the camp tent

When the weather was drizzlin'

With scaldin' black coffee

Ate that steak with my knife

Now . . . what's better in life?

--Vance Wampler

The think I see is that all of this hoopla is moving into the church as well. Powerpoints, movies, loudness, and all that other stuff, is there place any more for the small, still, quiet voice of God to speak?

D. Adkisson

"Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ."

--Colossians 2:8 (HCSB)

Comment by Keven King on June 7, 2012 at 10:34am

1 Corinthians 13:2
If I have all faith, so that I can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

Loving God and others is what life is really about. No matter who you are of what you do, it comes down to whether you'll live a life of love or not. And there is a vast difference between the two.
One is priceless...and one meaningless.
Love is the most important ingredient to any meaningful relationship. It is fundamental to true significance. Your quality of life is directly tied to the amount of love flowing in you and through you to others. Though it's often overlooked, love is infinitely more valuable than riches, fame, or honor. They will pass away, but love remains.
You can be fulfilled without these, but not without love.
The absence of love leaves a devasting void. When it is not present, your spirituality becomes superficial, your benevolent deeds self-centered, and your sacrifices insincere. In any relationship where love is not your motivation, you can expect it to feel bland and unfulfilling-if not meaningless. When asked to identify life's greatest command, Jesus summed it up this way: to love God with all you are and to love your neighbor as yourself. Will you embrace a life of love!

Begin praying today: "Lord, teach me what real love is and make me a loving person."

Comment by Shane and Denise Jeter on June 7, 2012 at 10:28am

Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme

June 7
Revelation 2:11
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."

Listen to the Lord
If He's speaking to you
And then the second death
You will not have to go through

The second death consists
Of eternal separation
From all light and love
Into a horrible destination

 

Comment by Don Adkisson on June 6, 2012 at 10:19am

The Drop of a Hat

June 6, 2012 -- Wednesday

"I never really hope in God till I have passed through the rough waters."

--George Matheson

"Anyone who moved as silently as this unknown one would also listen well for the two are one, to listen and to be conscious of others listening."

--Louis L'Amour

It is the rivers that we cross that try our faith and hope. It is in the river of despair that we look heavenward. It is in the river of destruction that we look to tomorrow.

One of the most meaningful statements of the Old West was when a man told another, "you'll do to ride the river with." But how did they come to that knowledge? They could not make such a statement of hope without going through danger or hardships with the individual.

One of the most important lessons for us to learn is that there are times when we cannot see with the eyes. We trust in friendship; we trust in family; we trust in our character; and most of all we trust in God. These things have been proven, and therefore, we have hope.

This trust, this hope, is not silent, in fact it is very loud. Whenever there is silence we should not be anxious, we should not question the peace, but it should make us realize that God is working.

You may have heard the saying, there is a "song in the night." Think that through for a moment. A song in the night has to be silent, or it could wake others up, disturb their sleep. The song in the nigh is one without words for it is singing within oneself. This is a song that comes despite the facts, in spite of reason, in defiance of circumstances. This song is one that comes from hope, faith, and trust in God.

The words of George Matheson ring forth: "We see nothing; the sky is dark; yet we are not dismayed. There is no ray of light upon our path that we can discern, no opening in the cloud, no rent in the gloom. Yet somehow the heart sings--sings in the shadow, sings in the silence."

D. Adkisson

"Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near. . . ."

--Zephaniah 1:7 (HCSB)

Comment by Shane and Denise Jeter on June 6, 2012 at 2:37am

Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme

June 6
1 Peter 4:17
"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?"

Judgment is coming
For sinner and saint
But if we know Jesus
It will not make us faint

We have a refuge
The sinner does not know
And on that dreadful day
We have a safe place to go

 

Comment by Don Adkisson on June 5, 2012 at 8:16pm

The Drop of a Hat

"The entire ball of wax often seemed marked in a cacophonous, chilling cloak draped across the narrow shoulders of that insatiable, bony-fingered, skull-faced Thief of Souls."

--J. Lee Butts

"If after a catastrophe you find yourself alive, were you then ready for it?"

--Tom Clancy

I was passing the time in the truck, driving along and listening to Red Steagall. He was singing a song about Charlie Siringo and in it the words popped into my head--use this for the summer, [he would fight at] "the drop of a hat." True, most of the time when we hear that term it is associated with fighting. Grandpa, Dad, and my Uncle Ted were that way in their youth, especially Ted. But, say, what do you expect growing up in coal camps. However, if you knew those three men later in life you would not believe that they were scrappers.

Listen, this road we travel has no guarantees. Around the bend, that "Thief of Souls" could have one of his aids waiting for you. At the drop of a hat you had better be ready! There may be no second chance. Your very soul or the soul of others may be at stake. Peter and Paul many times tell us to be prepared, be ready, be vigilant, be ready at the drop of a hat to face the devil.

But it does not have to deal with fighting. You may be moving along that road and notice something laying over on the edge, kind of down in the gutter. Moving over it is clear that it a man, beaten and battered, torn and cut. At the drop of the hat you are there to help him. To cleanse his wounds, physical or spiritual, and take him to a place of comfort.

Along the road you may meet someone who challenges your right to travel this road. At the drop of a hat you must be prepared to meet the challenge and give him an answer. Do not let scorn, ridicule, or a mocker get the best of you, but be prepared to give an answer to those along the way. Or think of Abraham, sitting comfortably in Ur and at the drop of the hat he had to pack up and move.

The idea is clear. Be ready, at the drop of a hat, along the road of life.

D. Adkisson

"But set aside the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you."

--1 Peter 3:15 (HCSB)

Comment by Shane and Denise Jeter on June 5, 2012 at 9:58am

Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme

June 5
2 Thessalonians 1:6
"Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you:"

We are not to repay
Our enemies here below
But rest assured my brothers
Their payment, God will bestow

At the perfect time
At the perfect hour
The Lord wil recompense
Through His great power

 

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on June 4, 2012 at 12:50pm

Please visit us at COWBOY COUNTRY CHURCH
JUST FOR TODAY: It does not matter how worry-prone you are, you CAN conquer and overcome worry. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled; Neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27). If you really Trust these precious words of Jesus, you do not have to accept anything that causes you to stumble, fall, fail, or WORRY!! He can replace ALL worry and fear with Patience and Peace. "For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait on the LORD, they shall inherit the earth" (Psalm 37:9). When the smoke clears, Jesus will still be standing with you no matter what. Cling to Him and His Word and He will Faithfully deliver you from worry. ~Walker

Comment by Shane and Denise Jeter on June 4, 2012 at 9:46am

Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme

June 4
Galatians 1:9
"As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have receivved let him be accursed."

There is another gospel
Being preached throughout the land
That says, with other religions
We should walk hand in hand

But Jesus says, of a truth
There is but one way
To enter into the kingdom
And found not guilty on that day

 

Comment by Shane and Denise Jeter on June 3, 2012 at 7:55am

Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme

June 3
Romans 12:3
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

If you belong to Jesus
Have given Him your life
Then serve Him with gladness
While avoiding this world's strife

It is your reasonable service
To give your very best
And once you have done this
On His promises you can rest

 

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on June 2, 2012 at 4:09pm

Please visit us at COWBOY COUNTRY CHURCH

JUST FOR TODAY: What are you obsessed about?  Most of us are obsessed with ourselves.  We should be obsessed with God because in Him we "live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).  If we really become obsessed with the Lord, nothing else can inter into our lives; not concerns, not problems, not worries.  Do you understand why worry is a sin?  Worry is a sin because it is a slap in the face to God.   How can we be so unbelieving when God is always with us?  To be obsessed with God is the most effective tool to block all the nasty attacks of Satan.  Nothing can break through the shelter of God Almighty if our "life is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3).  ~Walker

Comment by Shane and Denise Jeter on June 2, 2012 at 1:49am

Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme

June 2
Romans 10:13
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Whosoever shall call
On the name of the Lord
Shall find their place in heaven
And receive their reward

But those who turn away
From the grace of God
Shall never see His glory
And never with Him trod

 

Comment by Pastor Mike and Karen Shinn on June 1, 2012 at 9:42pm

THE BEAUTY OF FORGIVENESS: From the WABASH VALLEY COWBOY CHURCH

The reason we struggle so much with forgiveness is that it runs contrary to our human nature.  When someone offends us there is a natural tendency to resent it...and often retaliate!  That's the sin nature taking over; and forgiveness is contrary to the sin nature.

It takes the love and power of the Holy Spirit working within you to make forgiveness possible.  Think of it this way:

You can't get saved without god's intervention.

You can't get healed without His power.

You can't manifest the fruit of the Spirit without the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said: "Without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Just as you cannot be saved, healed or manifest the fruit of the Spirit without God's power, you cannot forgive without Him.  It takes the Holy Spirit to enact each of God's commands -- including forgiveness.

Seek God's power daily and seek the gift of forgiveness.  Remember, it is the jewel of your faith and it reflects the genuine work of the grace of Jesus in your life.

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on June 1, 2012 at 11:54am

Please visit us at COWBOY COUNTRY CHURCH

JUST FOR TODAY: Which days of the week can you expect to have some sort of problem or difficulty in your life? Just about all of them! But listen to what your God has to say about that in His Word, Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." If you will always remember this scripture and beleive it with all of your heart, your Peace and Joy can never be touched by any circumstance. Offer your right hand to the Lord in Faith, and He will lift you up. Fear not and have a blessed day, even if it's a tough one~Walker

Comment by Shane and Denise Jeter on June 1, 2012 at 11:24am

Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme

June 1
Romans 10:9
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

Confess and believe
Jesus was raised from the dead
And the blessings of God
Shall ever rest upon thine head

For with the mouth we make confession
And with the heart we believe
Therefore our sins are forgiven
And all our guilt is relieved

 

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on May 31, 2012 at 8:28am

Please visit us at COWBOY COUNTRY CHURCH

FROM THE PASTOR'S PORCH: The Trinity of First Place

   Most of us, at one time or another, have experienced loss of hope, bitterness or deeply hurt by putting our trust in someone who let us down.  These things happen to us because we don't have our priorities set in the right order.  All we have to do is look at our example, Jesus Christ, and see how He prioritized His life.  We find there is a Trinity, or three things that must be in first place in order for us live life to the fullest and abundantly.  ~Walker

   Put Trust in God first.  “Jesus did not commit Himself to them.....for He knew what was in man” (John 2:24-25).  It's not that Jesus didn't Trust people, He just Trusted in God FIRST.  That is why He never became bitter, suspicious, or lost hope in anyone.  He trusted absolutely in what God's grace could do for mankind.  If we put our trust first in other people instead of God, we are expecting them to be absolutely perfect and right all the time.  This is a wrong priority and will put us on the road to bitterness.  We should never put our Trust in ourselves or in anyone else first; We should put our Trust in nothing except the grace of God.

    Put God's Will first.  “Behold, I have come to do your Will, O God” (Hebrews 10:9).  As humans, we tend to be obedient to what WE see as a need.  Jesus was obedient to only one thing, and that was the Will of His Father.  We run around crying out, “We better get busy!! There are people in our community dying without knowing God.  We must go tell them about Him!!”.  But before we can meet the “needs” of others, we must meet the “needs” of God and His Will in our own life first.  Jesus said, “....tarry.....until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).  We must wait until we have the right relationship to the “needs” of God and His Will in our personal life before we can help others.  When God's “needs” (a Loving Relationship with Him) have been met in us, then He will open the door for us to accomplish His Will and His “needs” in others.

   Put God's Son first.  “Whosoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me” (Matthew 18:5).  God came as a baby, giving and entrusting Himself to all of mankind.  Are we His “Bethlehem”? Are we allowing His Spirit to come into our personal life the way He expects?  Then , and only then, can we allow our natural life to be slowly transformed by the indwelling life of the Son of God. ~Oswald Chambers

      We must always remember that God's ultimate purpose is that His Son may be seen and exhibited in all of us.  My prayer for you today is that you will get your priorities straight: Put your Trust in God First; Put God's Will first; Put God's Son first.  All other things in your life will fall into place much better if you remember the Trinity of first place.  Have a blessed day.   ~Walker

Comment by Shane and Denise Jeter on May 31, 2012 at 12:24am

Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme

May 31
Romans 8:31
"What shall we then say to these things?  If God be for us, who can be against us?"

If we are in the ark
Covered in the blood
Our enemies will surely fall
Just like those in the flood

God will not suffer,
Us to be wronged forever
But will repay justly
For He is Oh, so clever

 

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on May 30, 2012 at 2:40pm

Please visit us at COWBOY COUNTRY CHURCH

JUST FOR TODAY: Jesus is not looking for fans, He is looking for followers; Those that will be obedient when He speaks to them through His Word, prayer, circumstances, or the church. I don't know about you, but when I told my kids to do something, I didn't mean sometime next week or whenever they got ready. Too many of us are like the man in Matthew 9:61; He said,Yes!! "I will follow you Lord,... BUT first......". The real question here is do you really want Jesus or do you just want what He can give or do for you?? The next time Jesus speaks to your heart, just say "Yes" and make no "buts" about it. If you don't, He will reply, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God." (Matthew 9:62) ~Walker

Comment by Shane and Denise Jeter on May 30, 2012 at 10:14am

Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme

May 30
Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

All have missed the mark
And fallen short of God's glory
We're all in this together
And all have similar stories

But the good news is
We can all be forgiven
If we look to the Lord
The maker of earth and heaven

 

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