In the Word

Posted on by josiahkagin

On January 1st each year, I like to begin a Bible reading plan. We all understand, what we schedule and plan is more likely to get done. Here are a couple ideas for getting into the Word every single day this year.

  1. Read the New Testament. Get Plan
  2. Read the whole Bible in one year with daily readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. Get Plan
  3. Read the M’Cheyne Plan taking you through the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice. Get Plan
  4. Read the Bible chronologically in one year. Get Plan
  5. Read the Bible in 90 days. Get Plan

There are many ways to read the Bible, the most important thing is that you read the Bible everyday.

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:8‬

May this be a year marked by an increase in your knowledge of God and in your relationship with Him through his Word.

Merry Christmas!

Posted on by josiahkagin

More than the presents we give and receive, the presence of Jesus ought bring the greatest joy and satisfaction. This Christmas morning before opening gifts, we enjoyed opening the Bible to Luke 2 and Matthew 2 and reading of the events surrounding Christ’s birth. We prayed and thanked God for His gift to us as well as each other. One big lesson our family has learned this year is not to take each other for granted. Life is such a gift to be cherished everyday and especially on holidays like Christmas. May God give you a truly wonderful Christmas as you celebrate Jesus with your family.

Only One Life

Posted on by josiahkagin

CT STUDD

 

Two little lines I heard one day,

Traveling along life’s busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart,

And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 

Only one life, yes only one,

Soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,

And stand before His Judgement seat;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 

Only one life, the still small voice,

Gently pleads for a better choice

Bidding me selfish aims to leave,

And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 

Only one life, a few brief years,

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;

Each with its clays I must fulfill,

living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 

When this bright world would tempt me sore,

When Satan would a victory score;

When self would seek to have its way,

Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 

Give me Father, a purpose deep,

In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e’er the strife,

Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 

Oh let my love with fervor burn,

And from the world now let me turn;

Living for Thee, and Thee alone,

Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, “twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 

Only one life, yes only one,

Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;

And when at last I’ll hear the call,

I know I’ll say “t’was worth it all”;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Never a Waste

Posted on by josiahkagin

Not A Waste

The recent news about the death of Charles Wesco, missionary to Cameroon, has gripped the hearts of hundreds of thousands across the world. We are all deeply impacted by the life of one who was fully committed to Christ. Charles and his wife, Stephanie, had spent years of praying, planning and preparing to move to Cameroon. They had raised prayer and financial support from many churches. Charles and his family were just settling into missionary work. He had only enjoyed only one Sunday with the Cameroonian believers. Seemingly, he had yet to do a great work for God. In an instant, his call, dream and vision were cut short. One of the questions I have heard from honest, wondering observers is, “Was it a waste?”

So, was his dying a waste? From a human, temporal perspective, it does seem like a waste of all that preparation, potential and passion. However, from a divine, eternal perspective, no life fully surrendered to God and His service is a waste. The life that is engaged in Christ’s mission is never a waste. The life that brings glory to God by making Him known is never a waste. The life that serves God with no reserves is never a waste. In fact, we have Jesus’ word on it.

Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

Those who desperately try to rescue their lives from every distress, danger and discomfort will surely lose it. While the person who willing gives up their life to follow Christ and His mission will certainly save it. Truthfully, living life as a fully committed follower of Christ saves us from the tragedy of a wasted life. I have been deeply touched by the death of Charles Wesco. I am thankful to have known a man in this generation that has so clearly demonstrated this truth. Charles’ life is not a loss, but a grand success. He died in the center of God’s will doing what God had called him to do. Because of that, God will see to it, that both his life and death impact hearts for eternity now and for years to come.

Related Messages Preached

Not A Waste Sermon Graphic
Not A Waste
What is Your Life-Sermon Graphic
What Is Your Life
Living for eternity
Living for Eternity by Charles Wesco

He is the Antithesis

Posted on by josiahkagin
Untitled design.pngDeuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them:  for  the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Thoseare some very reassuring words! God wanted Israel to stop being fearful of their enemies and to  depend and act upon His promises. He wanted them to wholeheartedly trust that He would always be present, He would never let them down and that He would never abandon them. While people have the potential of forsaking us and letting us down, our God does not. God has not changed since He made this promise.  Do you remember that Jesus is always the same? Always. Always! ALWAYS!
What are you fearing today? Did you know that God knew  we would struggle with fear? As the loving Heavenly Father, He tells us how to deal with our fears.  He does not merely tell us to stop fearing, but promises that He is the antithesis to all our fears.
We fear:
  • To embrace the will of God for our life…God is the One Who is going to go with you.
  • That our employer, our national leaders, our health, our retirement may fail us…God has never and will never fail you.
  • That those we love or invest in might forsake us…God will never forsake you.
May God give you strength and courage as you trust in Him today!

What If…

Posted on by josiahkagin

Prayer.jpg

Everywhere we turn there are people who are in need of the Savior—Jesus Christ. For certain, there are people who have rejected Him completely. People like Stephen Hawkings who completely denied the existence of God. However, that is not the average condition of the people we pass day after day. In fact, atheists only make up about 3% +/-  of the American population. More than 96% of the unchurched have admitted that they would attend church if they were invited. The overwhelming majority of people are simply wandering aimlessly through life oblivious to the severity of their need. In reality, they are simply blind. They do not see their own sinfulness. They do not see the pending judgement that is only a breath away. They do not see their need for Jesus even though they will dutifully go to church to celebrate His birth and resurrection. They are blind!

2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Christ commissioned us to be lights to those who walk in darkness around us. We live to illuminate Jesus for those whom the devil desires to keep in darkness. He does not want them to see their need. He does not want them to see that they are dangerously close to an eternity of fiery consequence for their sin against a holy God.

I find that many believers are very content to be assured of their own salvation from hell, but paralyzed in fear to witness of it to others. Even more, I find that believers can produce only a few names that they are regularly praying for to be saved. One thing is sure, those who neglect to pray for the lost are not likely to witness to the lost.

I have a WHAT IF question for you today. A question that came crashing into my mind and caused me to think. What if God only saved the people that are on your prayer list and for whom you are praying daily? How many people would be in heaven with you?

May God enlarge our vision for the lost all around us.