CAMPFIRE MESSAGES from Pastors & Ministers of ICCAN

Comment

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on June 8, 2011 at 2:08pm

 

JUST FOR TODAY: To see means to understand. We don't "See" spiritual concepts because we are not afraid to open our eyes. We don't "See" spiritual concepts because we are looking for them. Our Spiritual eyes are opened by what we know and do. If you know more, then you should do more because if you do more you will "see" more. If you will repeat this process over and over, it's called "Spiritual Growth".  John 13:17~"If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them"

 

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on June 8, 2011 at 9:57am

 

If you yourself do not cut the lines that tie you to the dock, God will have to use a storm to sever them and to send you out to sea. Put everything in your life afloat upon God, going out to sea on the great swelling tide of His purpose, and your eyes will be opened. If you believe in Jesus, your are not to spend all your time in the calm waters just inside the harbor, full of joy, but always tied to the dock. ~OSWALT CHAMBERS

 

JUST FOR TODAY: God may well put someone or some circumstance in your life today that pushes you way out of your comfort zone. This will be an opportunity for you to grow spiritually. Just remember that it is better to obey than to sacrifice. Obey God and do what you know he would want you to do. Don't waste this opportunity by sacrificing yourself to some pet project of your own choosing. ~Pastor Lynn

 

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on June 7, 2011 at 11:28am

JUST FOR TODAY: Worry is not an inescapable fact of life. It is a form of unbelief and God hates it. Who's in charge of your life anyway? If it's you, you have good reason to worry! If it's Jesus Christ, then worry is unnecessary and can be blocking His light from your life. In this world we will have problems, but we do not have to lose sight of our Saviour. ~Pastor Lynn

Comment by Don Adkisson on June 6, 2011 at 6:03pm

"Our culture would have us put our faith in a Jesus who is a mere bed of carnations."  (Mark Galli)

 

     Those of you who spent time in the military may remember that dear sould you first met when he smiled and cordially greeted you--the Drill Instructor.  He was not there to coddle you; he was there to change you.  This change was not only in the way of "doing" things, but also a change of "being" from civilian to soldier.  Not only was there to be a change in thinking, but a change in attitude, a change in outlook, and a change in the way you viewed the world.  There was a need to learn the way of the military.  Take these next few thoughts and transfer them to learning the way of Jesus;

     1)  Learn the way of thinking--remember inward character reflects outward behavior;

     2)  Learn the way of relating --these must be internalized;

     3)  Learn the values--the code, the protocol, the training, the virtue;

     4)  Learn to prioritize;

     5)  Learn the life principles of your calling!

 

     James S. Stewart said, "If you want to learn anything about worship and its relevance to life; try to overhear the worship of the saints in heaven.  The church military on earth must capture for itself the essential notes of the worship of the church triumphant."  In this life we do not tip-toe through the tulips, nor do we lay down in a bed of carnations.  Most of the time it is quite the contrary.

     It is about time for the person who calls himself a Christian to start "being" one.  There has to be a change of thinking, of attitude, of lifestyle.  It is impossible to remain the same if there is truly a relationship with Christ.  In fact, when Jesus ministered to someone He always expected change.  Not once did He say, follow Me, but stay the way you are.  Old things are gone, there is a new way of living.

                                          D. Adkisson

"After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, 'Follow Me.'   And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him."  (Lk 5:27-28, NASB)

Comment by Songs of Faith Ministries on June 6, 2011 at 1:56pm

The Least of These

by Mike Burns

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

 

 

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on June 6, 2011 at 6:57am

 

JUST FOR TODAY: Do you every wonder why we seek perfection when we live in such an imperfect world? It's because God gave us the desire for perfection and the only perfect one in this life is Jesus Christ. That's why a Love relationship with him is so fulfilling and we should never put ANYTHING before Him. No idols. We cannot have an absolutely perfect day, but we can walk with the one that is absolutely perfect. Sure is a nice day for a walk. ~Pastor Lynn

 

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on June 3, 2011 at 10:05am

JUST FOR TODAY: Some days are diamonds and some days are stone. Mine is a little rocky today; how about you? BUT, "Blessed be the Lord, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications. The Lord is my strenth and my shield......and with my song will I praise Him." The Lord is the "saving strength" that you need today. ~Pastor Lynn Psalms 28:6-9

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on June 2, 2011 at 5:56pm

JUST FOR TODAY: FEAR THE LORD!! It means to reverently RESPECT and TRUST God completely. Psalm 25:12 ask the question "Who is the man that fears the Lord?" Verse 13 replies that He is the man that shall dwell in prospeirity. Have you disrespected God and not trusted Him today? Have you committed the sin of WORRY?? Respect and Trust are the only effective barricade against the assault of the Enemy. And we wonder what has happened to our prosperity???? ~Pastor Lynn

Comment by Toyah Taylor on June 2, 2011 at 11:28am

I you want to follow the progress more closely you can email me and I will send you the progressions by email. I have a long way to go with this project. The painting will detailed with very dynamic clouds colors. Arabian horse style with accented roman saddle and headset. Again a long way to go. "No one knows the day or the hour" it will be finished.

Comment by Toyah Taylor on June 2, 2011 at 11:17am

June 2, 2011 What's on the Easel, "Christ's Return" 48"x36" Oil on Canvas. What you see is work in progress. Many more stages must be completed. I though you would be interested in seeing the development of the painting. Beginning the basic Horse layout.  All you see on the horse is under painting and drawings. I will take everything to the same level now. When that is completed I will start over on the entire painting to take it to the next level.

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on June 1, 2011 at 6:01pm

FROM THE PASTOR'S PORCH: Walkin' the line!

"I keep a close watch on this heart of mine; I keep my eyes wide open all the time; I keep the ends out for the tie that binds; because your mine, I walk the line."

These are the opening lyrics to a song Johnny Cash wrote and recorded in 1956. "I WALK THE LINE" was not only a legendary country hit, it was one of the first country songs to "cross over" to the pop charts as well. It stayed on the charts for 43 straight weeks and sold over 2 million copies!! Why was this simple little Love song so popular? Because it was all about a romantic relationship between a man and a woman and one of the key principles of any relationship, and that's "Walkin' the Line". Walkin' the line means to have balance in your life. Not too much of something and not too little either. The Bible calls this trait "Temperance".

In 2 Peter, chapter one, Peter writes of the things only God can give us: Faith, Grace, Peace, and Precious Promises. These are the things that God brings to the table for a Loving relationship with us. But then Peter writes about the things we must "add" to our God given Faith. "Add" means we must take the initiative to do something. The first thing we have to add to our Faith is Virtue(goodness) and then to that we are to add Knowledge (about God-read the manual) and then to that we are to add Temperance (Balance).

Seems to me that many modern day Christians have never read 2 Peter, chapter 1:6, or if they have, they certainly haven't complied with it. How many Christians do you know that "Walk the Line"? Too many of us are like the old dry bones that Ezekiel writes about in chapter 37. Just old dry bones with no life in them! They don't go to church anymore, they don't read their bible, they don't pray......they don't do much of anything. I have had people tell me, "I feel so dry". That's because you don't walk the line and you've let your relationship with Jesus dry up.

Then we have those that don't walk the line and they are "all wet". They're there everytime the church is open, they read their bible every day, the pray long and loud, and they do everything they can to look religious. They are tryin' real hard to bear fruit but they are religious nuts!! Don't misunderstand this. Goin' to church, readin' your Bible, and Prayin' are very "virtuous" habits. What makes you all wet is when you get to Worshiping the habit instead of who the habit represents. When Pride sneaks in and you get all "Holier than thou" you drown out your relationship with Jesus and all you have left is "religion".

My prayer for you today is that you will keep a close watch on that heart of yours. Keep your eyes wide open and focused on Jesus. Stay tied in a Loving, personal relationship with your Lord and Savior. And always remember, because you're His......WALK THE LINE.

Thank you for readin' FROM THE PASTOR'S PORCH and may God bless you richly with His Faith, Grace, Peace, and Precious Promises, ~Pastor Lynn

Pastor Lynn Walker

www.cowboycountrychurch.com

pastorlynn@itlnet.net

405-779-6665 church

405-320-0055 cell

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on June 1, 2011 at 3:31pm

JUST FOR TODAY: What would you be today without the Grace of God? You would be just old dry bones, and there would be no life in you! Can these bones Live? When God asked Ezekiel this question he gave the correct answer-"O Lord God, You know". Religious activities won't get the job done; A personal relationship with the Lord Jesus is our only hope! Can that old sinner, drunk, drug addict, worthless person have eternal life? Is there any hope for that person?? Well...... the Lord saved you didn't HE?? Hmmmmm???? ~Pastor Lynn

Comment by lisa slavin on June 1, 2011 at 11:43am

 2 KINGS 4:8-36,There was a shunammite woman who fixed dinner for Elisha ,then she had a room made for him so he could stay and have a place .He asked what he could do for her and she told him she needed nothing(Gehazi(his servant) He said well sir she dosent have a son and her husband is old." Elisha told her this time next year you will hold a son in your arms. She told him not to trick her. She had a son just like she was told.Well the son grew and went with his dad ,then he started complaining his head hurt,so his dad told one of the servants to take him back to his mom.the boy sat in her lap and died. She took him and laid him on Elisha's bed and shut the door.Then she called her husband and told him to send her a servant and a donkey so she could go see the man of God and get back quickly.He told her why it's not a holy day? she said "it's all right."So she took off and when Elisha saw her he told his servant go ask her if they are all okay.She said "Everything is okay." When she got to the man of God she ran and threw herself at his feet and held on.His servant went to pull her off but the man of God said leave her alone cant you see she is in bitter distress and God has not told me why.She told him "I TOLD YOU DONT RAISE MY HOPES." So he told his servant tuck up your robe take my staff and dont talk to anyone,lay my staff on hisface." The woman said I wont go without you." On there way his servant met them and said he wont wake up. So when he got there he saw the dead boy he went in closed the door and started praying-then he laid down on the boy face to face-soon he started warming up-Elisha got up and paced the roomthen he streched himself out on him again,the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.He had his servant go get the woman and she took her son. SHE NEVER GAVE UP ! GOD'S grace and favor didnt stop there- FAITHFULLNESS IS ALLWAYS REWARDED(the rest of the story later)

Comment by Jan Harbuck, Network Manager on May 31, 2011 at 7:50pm

Pray for the PEACE OF JERUSALEM...one day those who accepted the Lord as their Lord & Savior will go to that city that John saw! Listen to this song as my granddaughter, Cassey, worships and worship along with her....JERUSALEM!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLr4mNJtTZM

 

Comment by Greg McDougal on May 31, 2011 at 7:06pm

'Those that put their trust in Him,

He will deliver them out of their trouble'

Stop and think about the last time you got in trouble and you didn't necessarily feel like you were in good shape with Him...but by faith you cried out in full dependence upon Him (trusted him)  and then you watched in awe and gladness as He took it (what the enemy meant for evil) and made it for good...in fact... turned it into one of His finest hours in your life!

 

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on May 31, 2011 at 4:45pm

JUST FOR TODAY: Say this out loud, "I Trust you, Jesus". Think about what you just said, and realize that Jesus not only has control over you, but also the whole Universe! Knowing this, no matter what circumstances arise in your life, what do you say? "I TRUST YOU JESUS!" At this point Strength and Blessings begin to flow. "Surely, goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life." ~Pastor Lynn 

Comment by lisa slavin on May 30, 2011 at 9:19pm

  You know how ya feel after a "long" weekend ? what if there was a way to get rid of that feeling that you just wasted more time,money and effert ,than you had to invest? You arent alone- the truth is you can get out of the ditch your in without just waiting for the weekend to fall in another one . His name is Jesus , this is not for cowards or thoose who tend to think only of themselves - to do this you might loose people who you thought would never desert you - Jesus said whatever you give up for him ,He will give you back double.Now like I said you have to have more courage than anything you have ever till now.If this sounds like something you want and you want to amp up to a whole other level Then you ask Jesus to come into your life and you dedicate your's to him,ask him to forgive the past and ask the Holy Spirit to dwell in you and guide you and dont look back. Now you are a spoter for God - just like most of ya have done for your buddies when you are the only thing that can keep them from being sucked down in that chute 'cause that critter he's on wants to stomp him - God has now accepted you to go save others and build up your own posse to hunt down the enemy and destroy him.  GOD SPEED

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on May 30, 2011 at 6:10pm

 

JUST FOR TODAY: Make a wise investment. I'm not talking about money, stocks, or bonds. I'm talking about something more precious and costly; your TIME! If you will only sacrifice some of your precious time to the Lord, He will use that time to Bless you, strengthen you, and equip you to face whatever comes your way. Do you think His Presence and Peace is worth the investment?? ~Pastor Lynn

 

Comment by Lynn D. Walker on May 29, 2011 at 5:06am

JUST FOR TODAY: Many of you have had a mixture of Trials and Blessings this week. Your reasonable response should be one of Thankfulness for all of them. Accept all of God's gifts and if you will seek Him, you will find Him in ALL of your situations. Stop diggin' through the mess this morning; take time out to Worship, Praise, and be Thankful. ~Pastor Lynn

Comment by Songs of Faith Ministries on May 28, 2011 at 12:26pm

Up the Trail

by Mike Burns, Ph.

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away (Hebrews 2:1).”

 

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

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