Saturday, April 20, 2013

Is Your Sin Too Big For God To Forgive?

Is Your Sin Too Big For God To Forgive? By Joan Cook

"Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17

As human beings we seem to put different degrees on sin. For instance, telling a lie might be classified as a very small sin, while, stealing might be thought of as a much bigger sin.

Jesus Christ had to pay the price for each and every sin we commit or will ever commit. You know, just one of our sins would have sent Jesus to the cross, no matter how big or small we think it might be.

Have you ever been to the beach? At the beach there is sand everywhere. In the sand you might see tiny little crabs burrowing themselves in very small holes. You might see children playing and digging much larger holes in the sand with their shovels. You might even see a bulldozer digging gigantic holes in the sand. When the ocean tide comes in, all of the holes will be covered up with water, no matter how large or small they are.

God's forgiveness is the same! No matter how great we might think our sin is, He can and will forgive, if only we'll ask Him.

Daily Prayer Focus:  Ask God to search your heart and show you the sin that is in your life. Repent from your sin and recommit to serve the Lord with all of your heart.

On The Go Prayer Focus: The Development Ministries of On The Go. This ministry team helps On The Go stay on the go! Many individuals want to make an investment in eternity through On The Go Ministries. Through their wills, trusts, monthly electronic funds transfers, donations of stocks, and planned giving they do just that. If you are interested in helping On The Go take the Gospel around the world through your giving and financial support please let them know. Visit OnTheGo.org for details.

Thank you for taking the time to pray for this important division of On The Go Ministries. For more information on any our ministries here at On The Go, you may send your questions to info@onthego.org.

On The Go Daily Devotion for APRIL 20, 2013
Brought to you each day by On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team

Copyright (c) 2007, 2013 On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
Permission is granted to "forward" this devotional to friends and acquaintances. All other rights reserved.

On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
P.O. Box 963, Springfield, TN 37172, (615) 299-0222, www.onthego.org
E-zine Editor, Laurie McTier, laurie@onthego.org
Send E-zine questions or comments to: ezines@onthego.org
______________________________________________

Subscribing - If you're reading a pass-along copy of this "On The Go" devotional e-zine and want to receive your own subscription, free of charge, simply fill out the online form at http://onthego.org/ezine_newsletters.php .

After registering online you will receive an e-mail asking you to confirm your subscription request, and you simply reply to that e-mail. Thank you and God bless.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Called Out and Secure

Called Out and Secure by Laurie McTier

"I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house." Isaiah 42:6,7

As Christians, God has given to each of us the command of the Great Commission, to share His love and truths with those who we come in contact with. The Bible says in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Every man is in need of a Savior; our sin debt has been paid in full. The price of eternal freedom has been covered, all we must do is place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ and believe in Him so that we might know Him and spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

During my quiet time God showed me the following truths out of Isaiah 42:6,7.

1) God has called each of us to live holy, pure lives, beyond reproach.

2) God is omnipresent. He has called us, and is also with us every step of the way as we are obedient to His will and His command.

3) God wants to give us a covenant, a promise, and a burden for those to whom we must minister. He has called us to be a Light in the darkness, we must let His love flow through us.

4) God wants us to be active in the fight for freedom. God wants to give us a heart of compassion for those who are in bondage to sin and darkness. We must stand in the gap and seek opportunities to share His love and His truths which alone can yield eternal light and freedom to those in bondage.

God asks not for our abilities, but our availability to carry out His tasks. God can use each of us to impact this world for Him, one individual at a time.

Daily Prayer Focus: Pray that God will give you a renewed burden to be active in the fight for freedom from sin and bondage!

On The Go Prayer Focus: The "On The Go Daily Internet Devotions". This devotional series is read by hundreds around the World via the internet. "On The Go Daily Internet Devotions" are used to encourage, challenge, and motivate Christians in their daily walk. Pray for Keith, Joan, the On The Go Staff, and special guests as they share daily through these devotional thoughts. You can subscribe to these daily devotions via our website if you are not already a subscriber.

Thank you for taking the time to pray for this important division of On The Go Ministries. For more information on any our ministries here at On The Go, you may send your questions to info@onthego.org.

On The Go Daily Devotion for APRIL 19, 2013
Brought to you each day by On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team

Copyright (c) 2003, 2013 On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
Permission is granted to "forward" this devotional to friends and acquaintances. All other rights reserved.

On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
P.O. Box 963, Springfield, TN 37172, (615) 299-0222, www.onthego.org
E-zine Editor, Laurie McTier, laurie@onthego.org
Send E-zine questions or comments to: ezines@onthego.org
______________________________________________

Subscribing - If you're reading a pass-along copy of this "On The Go" devotional e-zine and want to receive your own subscription, free of charge, simply fill out the online form at http://onthego.org/ezine_newsletters.php .

After registering online you will receive an e-mail asking you to confirm your subscription request, and you simply reply to that e-mail. Thank you and God bless.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Living On The Edge Of Eternity

Living On The Edge Of Eternity by Keith Cook

"Whoever speaks, let him speak as it were the utterances of God. Whoever serves let him do so by the strength that God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11

As you think about this passage, you must remember that these scriptures were written by Peter hundreds of years ago. He had a message from God, a fresh word for his generation. I believe that every generation needs men and women who live their lives as if they are living on the edge of eternity. They are men and women of passion - real champions for God! They boldly share God's message of salvation as if today was their last day on this earth.

I have come to the following conclusions about those who are living on the edge of eternity. Every person that I have met who has an "on the edge" mentality has, to a varying degree, most of the following spiritual and motivational attributes.

1. Those living on the edge of eternity know the lessons of past history and have learned from them.

2. They also demonstrate the life-changing power of God to their present culture.

3. When they face the future they do so with hope and expectation.

4. Their focus in life is to have a clear and urgent message to share in their daily lives.

5. Those living on the edge of eternity are galvanized by the ever-present supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.

6. Their attitude is permeated with the "mind of Christ" and they know what God wants them to do because they are communicating with Him in a regular time of personal Bible study and prayer.

7. Most importantly, those living on the edge of eternity are proactive in their service to God's kingdom. (Proactive is defined as "acting in advance to deal with an expected difficulty". Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
   
Instead of reacting to circumstances, public opinion, or crisis, these men and women deliberately choose to act on what Jesus told them to do in their quiet time. Their quiet time with the Lord empowers them to act with purpose and confidence.
   
Decide today to "live life on the edge"!

Daily Prayer Focus: Pray that God will empower your quiet time with Him and will enable you to respond obediently with purpose and confidence.

On The Go Prayer Focus: The 30 Minute Radio & Podcast Program "On The Go with Keith Cook". This is a weekly program airing over the internet, short wave, and radio stations. Each week Keith relates creative ways to share Christ. Pray for Keith, Joan, the On The Go Staff, and special guests as they minister on these broadcasts. You can hear these programs via our website if it is not available in your area.

Thank you for taking the time to pray for this important division of On The Go Ministries. For more information on any our ministries here at On The Go, you may send your questions to info@onthego.org.

On The Go Daily Devotion for APRIL 18, 2013
Brought to you each day by On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team

Copyright (c) 2003, 2013 On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
Permission is granted to "forward" this devotional to friends and acquaintances. All other rights reserved.

On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
P.O. Box 963, Springfield, TN 37172, (615) 299-0222, www.onthego.org
E-zine Editor, Laurie McTier, laurie@onthego.org
Send E-zine questions or comments to: ezines@onthego.org
______________________________________________

Subscribing - If you're reading a pass-along copy of this "On The Go" devotional e-zine and want to receive your own subscription, free of charge, simply fill out the online form at http://onthego.org/ezine_newsletters.php .

After registering online you will receive an e-mail asking you to confirm your subscription request, and you simply reply to that e-mail. Thank you and God bless.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

God Will Give You the Desires of Your Heart

God Will Give You the Desires of Your Heart by Dr. Ken Mattox, DDS

"May He grant you according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions." Psalm 20:4,5

My wife Bettye and I had the privilege of serving in Zimbabwe on several occasions as we treated patients with dental needs at the hospital in Sanyati. On our last visit, we had the opportunity to renew acquaintances with our dear friends Gene and Jean Phillips. They have served for over 42 years as missionaries, and we just love to hear testimonies of how God has graciously blessed them and provided for their ministry over the years.

Today I want to share with you one of their stories from the field. In their first years of ministry, they served in an area that was well irrigated, and God blessed them with many flowers, a garden, and fruit trees. It brought joy to their heart to be blessed with some luxuries that they treasured back home!

Soon, they were asked to go to a more remote arid (dry) area to serve. Jean knew that the possibility of having a garden, flowers, or even a fruit tree would be very difficult in this area. Although this caused her sadness, she knew that they must go. One day in her quiet time, God brought her to Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Jean began to pray that God would give her the desires of her heart, or else, take the desires away. The first week after the Phillips' moved to their new area of ministry, a volunteer team from Louisiana came to the area. God sent them a team of drillers, and they were drilling water wells for people just above them. The Phillips' not only got water, they began to receive water from an artesian well. God blessed them with a steady stream of water flowing through their yard only a few feet from where they wanted their garden. Gene dug a small ditch, and Jean had all the water she could have ever wanted. God blessed them with a beautiful garden, and within nine months, they began to get fruit from a fruit tree they had planted.

Remain faithful to the Lord today. Give thanks to God and make your petitions known to Him. Let Him know the desires of your heart, and as you faithfully serve Him, He will shower you with His blessings.

Daily Prayer Focus: Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

On The Go Prayer Focus: On The Go's Outreach Training Schools (OTS). In our OTS, young people and adults are trained to go to the next level in their service to God. Pray for On The Go as we train believers to make a difference in their generation.

(This devotion was taken as an excerpt with permission from Dr. Mattox's book entitled "A Light in the Darkness". This book contains scripture references that have impacted Dr. Mattox's life and illustrations from some of experiences on the mission field. To receive your own personal copy of his book, please contact On The Go Ministries.)

Thank you for taking the time to pray for this important division of On The Go Ministries. For more information on any our ministries here at On The Go, you may send your questions to info@onthego.org.

On The Go Daily Devotion for APRIL 17, 2013
Brought to you each day by On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team

Copyright (c) 2003, 2013 On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
Permission is granted to "forward" this devotional to friends and acquaintances. All other rights reserved.

On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
P.O. Box 963, Springfield, TN 37172, (615) 299-0222, www.onthego.org
E-zine Editor, Laurie McTier, laurie@onthego.org
Send E-zine questions or comments to: ezines@onthego.org
______________________________________________

Subscribing - If you're reading a pass-along copy of this "On The Go" devotional e-zine and want to receive your own subscription, free of charge, simply fill out the online form at http://onthego.org/ezine_newsletters.php .

After registering online you will receive an e-mail asking you to confirm your subscription request, and you simply reply to that e-mail. Thank you and God bless.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Being Alone

Being Alone by Keith Cook

Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers. 1 Samuel 12:7

Recently, I had a really strange weekend. I was all alone. It is really quite hard to suddenly find yourself alone when you are use to having people all in your life. Usually I have all kinds of people and things in my life - all kinds of activity. But not so that weekend.

Joan, my wife, was visiting family miles away. My son, Keith and his wife Megan, were away ministering in a local church revival on the Gulf Coast. My pastor, who I usually connect with on the weekend, was away. My local friends all had plans for the weekend. All my staff were out ministering all over the world and I was home alone. Friends from out of town did stop in earlier in the week to visit for one night but they now had moved on down the road. To make things even worse - it was cloudy and raining outside.

I had tried to fill my life with activity. I had plenty of places I could go eat at or shop or look at. But they all had no appeal.

I had rented several movies I had been wanting to see, that my wife would not want to see, but they some how seem uninteresting.

I had turned on my internet buddy list and internet phone service but no one was chatting or calling.

Every dish was clean, all the laundry was in the basket, the normal manly clutter was out of sight. Nothing left to do - nothing! I mean nothing!

My house was suddenly very quiet and very lonely.

Does this sound like something you have ever been through?

While my predicament sounds dire it was not really life threatening. It was not very serious but it was very emotional. My wife, son, friends, co-workers, peers, are all great and will be back in my world very soon. This is not a real problem. I am just spoiled with a wonderful life that is filled with wonderful people, activities, and blessings from God.

Many people live their lives in a kind of permanent aloneness. They never get beyond being just with themselves.

The Bible tells us, if we have a relationship in Christ, that we are never really alone. We have the presence of Christ in our life at all times. Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear you not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness."

The Bible actually admonishes us to "be still and know that I am God." Psalms 46:10

Here are some insight about being alone.

1. Being temporarily alone is not a bad thing. You will survive. Use the time to reflect, catch up, clean up, relax, enjoy.

2. Take time to actually plan to get alone for a time or season. I am not talking about great amounts of time - simply - take the time, make the time, to get alone for some quality time of reflection and meditation on what God is doing in your life and what He may want to be doing in the future. This is something you may want to do on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis.

3. Plan a daily time to get alone with God. During this time you need to pray, read the Word (Bible), and have some time to reflect and wait on God to speak to your mind and heart.

4. If you have been through a crisis or suffered a loss due to death make sure you are allowing God, your church, your friends and family to minister to you.

5. If you do not have family, friends, or a church home now would be a great time to seek out a local church to help you in your time of need. We all need support and encouragement and the local church is a great - best - place to start.

6. If you do not know the Lord - now is a good time to come to Him. He loves you and will help you - not just through this situation - but with your whole life.

7. Do not retreat into perpetual aloneness. Allow time during times of grief and sorrow - but also allow Christ to heal your heart and mind. Seek Christian professional help if you do not seem to be handling your grief and situations in a way that you know is healthy and right.

So being alone is not really a bad thing. It may be boring. It may be unusual and seldom experienced but Christ can speak and lead even in times of aloneness.

You can probably tell what God has called me to do during my time alone - away for all my normal activity. He has led me to write this devotion! I hope it has been time well spent. I certainly do not feel all alone any more. I feel like you have joined me in this very moment. May God bless you as you live on for Christ. Never alone - always - in Christ.

Daily Prayer Focus: Pray that God will give you time this week to literally get alone with Him in prayer and Bible study. Pray that He will prepare your heart for the truths He will reveal to you!

On The Go Prayer Focus: On The Go's USA Outreach Effort. God has placed a United States effort on the heart and mind of the On The Go Team. Three key objectives are sharing, praying, and training in every county in the USA using On The Go Advance Teams, Training Teams, Planning Teams, Prayer Teams, GoTeams, and Outreach Efforts.

Thank you for taking the time to pray for this important division of On The Go Ministries. For more information on any our ministries here at On The Go, you may send your questions to info@onthego.org.

On The Go Daily Devotion for April 16, 2013
Brought to you each day by On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team

Copyright (c) 2008, 2013 On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
Permission is granted to "forward" this devotional to friends and acquaintances. All other rights reserved.

On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
P.O. Box 963, Springfield, TN 37172, (615) 299-0222, www.onthego.org
E-zine Editor, Laurie McTier, laurie@onthego.org
Send E-zine questions or comments to: ezines@onthego.org
______________________________________________

Subscribing - If you're reading a pass-along copy of this "On The Go" devotional e-zine and want to receive your own subscription, free of charge, simply fill out the online form at http://onthego.org/ezine_newsletters.php .

Monday, April 15, 2013

Ambassadors or Terrorists

Ambassadors or Terrorists by Keith Cook

"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ..." 2 Corinthians 5:20

As you allow God to begin directing your thoughts, He will begin showing you people who need to hear about Jesus and giving you the words you need to say.
   
Recently, I have come to a rather profound conclusion. It has changed my life and the lives of many with whom I have shared this with. The conclusion is a simple understanding that the opposite of an ambassador is a terrorist! Some of us are acting like spiritual terrorists.

While we would never bomb a building or take another person's life, we justly believe that these actions are ungodly and horrible.

Yet, because we are not thinking like God wants us to think, and are not doing what God wants us to do - we are, in a spiritual sense, causing just as much spiritual damage as the ungodly crazed physical terrorist. We are sending people into a Christ-less eternity because we choose not to think or listen to God's leadings to share our faith with someone!

Actual terrorists cause people to die because of anger and demonic reasoning; some Christians, who are not serving as our Lord's ambassadors, allow people to die without a relationship with Christ. I do not want to be any form of a terrorist. I want to be an ambassador of Christ. What about you?

Live for Jesus this week. Be an ambassador for Jesus.

Daily Prayer Focus: Pray that you will be a faithful ambassador for Christ, directing people to Him, and not a terrorist by failing to share your faith.

On The Go Prayer Focus: On The Go's Performing Arts Team. Pray for our team as we minister through drama, puppets, interpretive dance, and music. Our Performing Arts Teams are made up of volunteers and On The Go staffers who travel around the USA to local churches and events sharing the Good News.

Thank you for taking the time to pray for this important division of On The Go Ministries. For more information on any our ministries here at On The Go, you may send your questions to info@onthego.org.

On The Go Daily Devotion for APRIL 15, 2013
Brought to you each day by On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team

Copyright (c) 2003, 2013 On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
Permission is granted to "forward" this devotional to friends and acquaintances. All other rights reserved.

On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
P.O. Box 963, Springfield, TN 37172, (615) 299-0222, www.onthego.org
E-zine Editor, Laurie McTier, laurie@onthego.org
Send E-zine questions or comments to: ezines@onthego.org
______________________________________________

Subscribing - If you're reading a pass-along copy of this "On The Go" devotional e-zine and want to receive your own subscription, free of charge, simply fill out the online form at http://onthego.org/ezine_newsletters.php .

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Refuel Your Tank

Refuel Your Tank by Laurie McTier

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Recently as I was driving down the road, my car began to hesitate and it appeared to be out of gas. As I looked down at the fuel gauge, I noticed that according to the gauge, I still had a quarter of a tank of gas. I delayed going to the gas station, thinking I could get to my next destination and then refuel. Embarrassingly enough, I ran out of gas sitting in my director's driveway.

I learned the hard way that my car responds differently when it is cold outside. I have to put fuel in the tank more often, and the gage is not quite as accurate.

How does that apply to our Christian walk? God wants us to spend time with Him in His word and in prayer each and every day. Only then, can we refuel our tanks and experience the joy of the Lord and be prepared for the tests that come our way. God wants us to apply 1 Corinthians 15:58 in our daily walk with Him.

1) Beloved Brethren. We are loved. God is our Father and we are His Children. He desires an intimate relationship with each of us.

2) Steadfast. Set your focus. Do not allow detours in your walk with the Lord. Take heed to warnings that the Holy Spirit gives you, do not try to take short cuts.

3) Unmoveable. Stand your Ground. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. You will not always understand the trials and difficulties you experience, but stand your ground. Place your trust in God, He will never fail you.

4) Abound in the work of the Lord. Seek God's will and allow Him to direct your every step. God does not ask for your abilities, but for your availability.

5) Your Labor is not in Vain. The prayers of a righteous man are effective and productive. God will reward you for your faithful service. God's word promises that if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart.

There is no substitute for spending time with God. We must have fuel in our tanks in order to be effective for Christ and glorify Him.

Daily Prayer Focus: Pray that you will be steadfast, unmovable, abounding in the work of the Lord, and that your labor will be rewarded.

On The Go Prayer Focus: Keith Cook's Hands-On-Training Events. This is our Outreach Training School on the road. Keith and the On The Go Team share all across the USA and Worldwide in fun and creative ways that people can serve Jesus and make an impact in this generation!

Thank you for taking the time to pray for this important division of On The Go Ministries. For more information on any our ministries here at On The Go, you may send your questions to info@onthego.org.

On The Go Daily Devotion for April 14, 2013
Brought to you each day by On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team

Copyright (c) 2004, 2013 On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
Permission is granted to "forward" this devotional to friends and acquaintances. All other rights reserved.

On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
P.O. Box 963, Springfield, TN 37172, (615) 299-0222, www.onthego.org
E-zine Editor, Laurie McTier, laurie@onthego.org
Send E-zine questions or comments to: ezines@onthego.org
______________________________________________

Subscribing - If you're reading a pass-along copy of this "On The Go" devotional e-zine and want to receive your own subscription, free of charge, simply fill out the online form at http://onthego.org/ezine_newsletters.php .