Spreading the love of Jesus...the Cowboy Way!
CAMPFIRE MESSAGES from Pastors & Ministers of ICCAN
Come sit around the campfire and
let the Word of God speak to your heart.
Comment
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Comment by Shane and Denise Jeter on May 19, 2012 at 11:13am
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Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme
May 19
Jonah 2:7
"When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple."
When my soul had fainted
And there was no hope for me
It was then that you picked me up
And placed me on your knee
You told me that you loved me
No matter what I had done
And that because of your victory
I now had won
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Comment by Don Adkisson on May 18, 2012 at 9:09am
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"The shadows sway and seem to say
Tonight we'll pray for water,
Cool, water.
And way up there He'll hear our prayer,
And show us where there's water,
Cool, clear water."
--Bob Nolan
"Sometimes the narrow way is like a lonesome valley
Few there be who follow and we must walk alone
Though the path grows weary, my faith has been renewed
Knowing for my sake, Jesus walked this valley too."
--Stan Roberson
Wipe your face, your brow, and the water dripping from you chin, you've quenched your thirst. You feel revived, but now trepidation comes your way. It's time to pack up and leave the oasis behind. Even though you're refreshed, you hesitate as you remember those awful days and nights without water. You remember the burning throat and the cracked lips. You remember the times you prayed for direction and for just a drop of water; and the times you almost gave up in despair.
However, the journey must continue. Move on, and travel the trail that is out there. Perhaps it may lead you out of the wilderness. The distance? Only God knows: a day, a week, a month, forty years. Stretch the legs, and begin to walk. Don't worry about the morrow, you have experience, faith, and hope to help you with the problems that may arise.
Hesitantly, still, you take the step away from the water, and look back. The resolutely look to the new horizon. Notice the lightness? The burden is no longer there. The feet are not dragging, stumbling in the dirt. Leaving, with a canteen full of water, the smile of grim determination and trust is on your face. The realization that you're still in the wasteland; that you are still a wanderer in the wilderness is not as daunting as it once was. There is the possibility that you might thirst again, that your canteen might be empty in a few days, that you might yearn and desire the cool water of yesterday's oasis. But the deeper reality of never having that spiritual thirst again brings you to understand that in the spiritual wilderness that may come your way, the thirst has already been quenched for you have drunk of that Eternal Water offered by Jesus Christ. The bitter waters ofl ife are not more; they have become satisfying because of Christ.
So off, pilgrim, to face the trail again. You have the knowledge that your Redeemer is leading the way and He knows the way through the wilderness. He knows where the springs are. Walk and trust.
D. Adkisson
"I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water."
--Isaiah 41:18 (NKJV)
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Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme
May 18
Jonah 1:9
"And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land."
The fear of the Lord
Is what we need
In these last days
It's wisdom indeed
For He is the God of heaven
The one who made the sea
And then turned His attention
To making you and me
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Comment by Lynn D. Walker on May 17, 2012 at 3:56pm
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Please visit us at COWBOY COUNTRY CHURCH
FROM THE PASTOR'S PORCH: Consider the lilies... Consider the lilies of the field, how they GROW: they neither toil nor spin”-they simply ARE!! Think of the sea, the air, the sun, the stars, and moon-all of these simply ARE as well-yet what a ministry and service they render on our behalf!! So often we impair God's designed influence, which he desires to exhibit through us, because of our own conscious efforts to be consistent and useful. Jesus said there is only one way to develop and grow spiritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on God. In essence Jesus was saying, “Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me.” In other words, pay attention to the source, and out of you “will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38) ~Oswald Chambers The people that influence and touch the lives of other people are not the ones that are continually trying to pin us down with their talk, but those who live their lives like the stars in the sky and “lilies of the field”- simply and unaffected. These are the people who mold and shape us because they have something we want. If we really want to be of use to God, we must maintain our relationship with Jesus Christ by staying focused on HIM. Jesus is the one doing the work in and through us, and He will make use of us every minute we are alive. What is truly amazing about this process is that we are many times not even aware on a conscious level of how many people we influence!! I once was the music minister at a small church in Oklahoma city. All the time Casey and I were there, there was one particular man that came to that church with his family who never seemed to smile, he had never spoken a word to me the whole time we ministered at that church. The last service we were there, that man walked up to me after church with his little three year old daughter in his arms. Tears were streaming down his face as he told me his little girl wanted to say good-bye to me. She told me good-bye and that she Loved me. Then this man looked at me and told me how much Casey and I had been a blessing to him and his family and how much we had influenced their lives. Now this was the first time this man had ever said anything to me, and I didn't even know that he ever even paid attention to anything we had ever done or said!! If you really want to be used by God, you must maintain a right relationship with Jesus Christ, and you do that by staying focused on Him. When you are focused on Him, He will make use of you every minute and every hour of your life. When we live like this, someday someone will walk the isle up to some preacher and turn to point at you and say with tears running down their face, “I want what He's got!!” Have a peaceful and blessed day. ~Pastor Lynn
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"The challenge of the wilderness is to stand alone and to walk with God."
--Zeb Bradford Long
"Look to the hills. They are quiet. The stones sweep over them, and are gone, and most of man's troubles pass the same way. Whenever you feel that things are getting too much for you, go to the mountains or the desert--it smoothes out the wrinkles in your mind."
--Louis L'Amour
How many times did I wake up and look to the hills? There is something majestic about the mountains, the desert. Perhaps they show the quietness of God's power. There is so much wonder there; it is as if I could actually feel the awesomeness of the Creator of the universe. There is a ruggedness, a danger, a wildness, but also a serenity, a calmness of sitting on a ridge overlooking a high country lake or a rushing stream from under a snow bank.
The wilderness was vital in developing our nation. It helped develop the character of the nation just as it does the individual. Many did not survive the wilderness, but those who did usually came out better people. Today, few even talk about going to the wilderness, or if they do they want all of the modern conveniences. That alone shows that they do not understand the purpose of the wilderness.
Jesus, after His baptism, was sent immediately to the wilderness. Moses spent forty years learning of the wilderness, and remember, it was on a mountain where he met with God, and another forty years taking the Hebrews through the wilderness. Jesus took His three disciples to the mountain where they received a glimpse of the glory of God.
When times are rough, stop, look around you may see that God has allowed you to enter a special experience with Him. When the pressures of life seem to be demanding more and more of you, stop, look to the hills, breathe deeply of His presence. When the clouds have darkened and you can't seem to find your way, stop, above the dark clouds are the mountain summits.
D. Adkisson
"I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth."
--Psalm 121:1-2 (HCSB)
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Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme
May 17
Amos 8:17
"Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord;"
There's coming a famine
Of that I am sure
When it will be hard to find
Words that are holy and pure
So store them up now
Hide them in your heart
So when the famine comes
From Him you'll not depar
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Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme
May 16
Amos 5:4
"For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live."
The hour is getting late
It's time to seek His face
For soon and very soon
Sound doctrine will have no place
Seek the Lord
While He may be found
Or you will find yourself
On very shaky ground
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Please visit us at COWBOY COUNTRY CHURCH
JUST FOR TODAY: "Do not neglect the gift that is in you......" God blesses each and every believer with Spiritual Gifts, and there is no doubt that these gifts were given to minister and encourage the whole Body of Christ. If you neglect what God has invested in you, you are robbing the congregation of His ministry that was intended to be given by YOU. It is wrong to say, "Oh, I don't have any talent or special gifts". That would be calling God a liar!! You may not have discovered what your gifts are, but they are surely there. You will find out what they are when you are willing to use them instead of using not knowing what they are as an excuse to do nothing. (1 Timothy 4:14-15) ~Walker
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"No human creature ever entered a desert oasis without joy, nor left it without regret."
--Zane Grey
"Dan can you see, that big green tree,
Where the waters runnin' free
And it's waiting there for me and you?
Water!
Cool, clear water."
--Bob Nolan
How many bones lie just a hillside away from the oasis, the spring of life? How many, with just a little more effort, would have made it over the rise to see the refreshing water below? How many, if they would have just endured a little longer, and not given in to the struggle of life would have made it to the reviving waters? How many, how many, if they would not have parted from the way, would not have become disoriented would have made it from one water tank to another? Oh, there are countless stories of bones lying bleached in the wilderness. Stories that will never be told unless a person happens to come across their dry bones.
The struggle, the heat, the dryness, and then over the rise--look. No, it can't be, it must be a mirage. But you look again and the heat waves seem to still for a moment. Hope rises in your heart and you move a little faster. Because of your weariness you stumble, but only for a moment, for in view is the refreshing water. The soul is craving water; the body is tembling at the thought, to soothe the parched lips. Soon, the cool, refreshing water will trickle down our throats. There is plenty. Throw yourself in, refresh in its freshness.
Ah, as you sit there, on the edge of the pool, now splashing those tired, hot feet in the coolness of the oasis. Sweet relief, wonderful relief. Water, to reinvigorate the body and soul. But remember it is only a stopping point. The purpose is to have water, relief from the blast and dryness of the wilderness, to continue the quest onward. No matter have you came to the wilderness, whether it was trying to escape a situation of life (which you can never do), or you were driven by the wind of God you now seek to survive and you need water. Water is essential. It may the natural water of a desert oasis, or one of those tanks hidden in the cleft of the rocks in the rugged plateau, it may be the spiritual water given by the One who said "I AM, the living water." It was needed, it was provided, refresh yourself for the continuing of the journey.
D. Adkisson
"Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
--John 4:13-14 (KJV)
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Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme
May 15
Amos 3:7
"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."
What kind of a God
Would whisper in our ear
Allow us to see
Allow us to hear
The wonders of His miracles
The works of His hands
And reveal such things
To simple mortal man
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Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme
May 14
Ezekiel 17:24
"And all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish; I the Lord have spoken and have done it."
Oh, how things can change
When the Lord moves things around
He puts down the high and lifts up the low
Without even making a sound
He can dry up the green tree
And make the dry to flourish
Set down the high and mighty
And the lowly He will nourish
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Please visit us at COWBOY COUNTRY CHURCH
JUST FOR TODAY: Make sure that you speak "right things" today. Right things are the words you speak that reflect honor, dignity, and grace; and most of all, when you share the life-giving message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Wonderful things will begin to happen. Old Satan begins to lose his grip on your loved ones, friends, and family, and God Himself will rejoice in His inner-most being!! ...God rejoices because He knows that what is in the abundance of your heart, your mouth will speak. Remember that the "right things" coming from your lips will reveal the right character of your life to God and all those around you. What are the words that you're speaking revealing about you today?? (Proverbs 23:15-16) ~Walker
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Another couple of weeks and another month will be gone, summer is almost here and that means that half the year has passed, and where are you? Have you found yourself wandering in the wastelands of life; are you in the wilderness? Maybe you have found that your soul is seeming lost in the wasteland. It may be thirsty and weary, but you must travel on seeking that special place with God. Are you ready to despair and quit? Are you ready to just lie down and wish to die? You must realize that even though you may weaken physically the spirit and soul will grow stronger if you look up and do not quit. Do not depair--seek what the wilderness has to offer; what it is waiting to teach you. Seek to enter that special place with God even though the way may seem desolate and dreary.
One of my favorite books is the Wanderer of the Wasteland by Zane Grey. Perhaps, in some sense, you can relate to the struggles that he brings through Wansfell, the Wanderer.
"When the desert claims men it makes most of them beasts. They sink to that fierce level in order to live. They are trained by the eternal strife that surrounds them. A man of evil nature surivivn' in the desert becomes more than a beast. He is a vulture.... On the other hand, there are men whom the desert makes like it. Yes--fierce an' elemental an' terrible, like the heat an' the storm an' the avalanche, but greater in another sense--greater through that eternal strife to live--beyond any words of mine to tell. What such men have lived--the patience, the endurance, the toil--the fights with men an' all that makes the desert--the wanderin's an' perils an' tortures--the horrible loneliness that must be fought hardest, by mind as well as action--all these struggles are beyond ordinary comprehension an' belief . . .that in the development by the desert, in case of these few men who did not retrograde, the spiritual kept pace with the physical. It means these men never forget, never reverted to mere unthinking instinct; never let the hard, fierce, brutal action of survival kill their souls. Spirit was stronger than body."
Moses saw the burning bush in the wilderness. Jacob was touched by God. Abraham travel to a land by means of the wilderness and while on the mount saw the future of the Messiah's sacrifice. Job, in despair of life, knew that his Redeemer lived. David became a man after God's own heart, and Elijah was fed by the hand of God. John became the one who prepared the way for the Master. Paul was taught by God and became the dynamic apostle. How will you face your wilderness? How will you let it touch you? Will you retrograde into your baser, evil life or will you come forth shining as these other men?
D. Adkisson
"So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong."
--Hebrews 12:12-13 (NLT)
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Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme
May 13
1 Timothy 6:10
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
Oh, the love of money
What sorrows that can bring
When we put our trust
In such a fleeting thing
So if we err from the faith
While coveting after money
We may never see the land
That flows with milk and honey
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Please visit us at COWBOY COUNTRY CHURCH
JUST FOR TODAY: Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. (Acts 3:6-7) Never apologize for not being able to give people what they expect. The truth is, what most people expect is not their greatest need. The man in this scripture didn't need silver and gold near as much as he needed a touch from Jesus. There is no need that Jesus cannot meet, so live in the light of His name and touch all those around you with His goodness and Power. Jesus can STILL heal the sick and deliver people out of bondage. As we walk in HIS Victory, let's ask Him if we may also join Him in His Ministry!! ~Walker
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Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme
May 12
1 Timothy 4:1
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."
All that glitters
Surely is not gold
For devils can do miracles
In Exodus we're told
For when Moses and Aaron
Threw down their rod
The magicians did the same
When Pharoah gave the nod
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Please visit us at COWBOY COUNTRY CHURCH
JUST FOR TODAY: This day is a gift to you from God. It is just one of many blessings He has given you today. God is a giver and his examples of giving should inspire you to also be a giver. Do you have a heart of gratitude and a hand of generousity? Seeds in a basket will never produce a harvest. If you don't sow much, guess what?? You won't reap much either. Those who sow bountifully are the ones who will harvest much. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide on giving, and give what He puts on your heart. And remember, don't give grudgingly or because you think you have to out of necessity. We serve a God who is a cheerful giver and he expects you to be one, too!! (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) ~Walker
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Apples of Gold, a devotional in Rhyme
May 11
Colossians 2:8
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
Oh, the wise philosophers
They think themselves quite smart
And would that they could deceive you
Make you, from your Savior depart
So hold fast to the scriptures
That against Him, you might not sin
And follow not they way of the world
Nor the traditions of men
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