PSALM 125:1-2 says, “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.”
I was reminded yesterday in my reading of the book of Psalms that God will protect and establish those who put their trust in Him. It is my job to trust God in everything, and it is God’s job (if you will allow me to say) to protect and to establish us. God desires to do these things. It is not because I am worthy of it, but that He is gracious enough to give these two blessings to all that trust in Him.
No matter what you are going through today, you can trust God. He is trustworthy. He will protect you from the hand of the enemy and will establish you by His mighty power. Take courage today, you can trust God.
Father, help me to put away all fear and worry from my life. May it be overwhelmed with the trust that I put in you. My faith is in you, Oh God, the rock of my salvation. Amen!
Rev. Scott Coghill
Judges 7:2 says, “And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.”
I was reading in the book of Judges the other day and came across a story that I heard about in Sunday School as a kid. The story of Gideon has many truths that apply to my daily life and it goes something like this:
Gideon and the armies of Israel were going against impossible odds as they faced the Midianite army. God speaks to his servant and addresses the size of Gideon’s army. Notice that statement that God made in Judges 7:2. He said that the army of Israel was too big. It is good to remember that they were already out numbered more than 4 to 1, and yet God told them that the army was too big. God never wants us to get into a place when we can take the credit for what rightfully belongs to Him. God wanted to get them to a point that when the victory was won, they knew the only explanation could be God. Gideon went into the battle against the Midianites with three hundred men, and of course, the God of heaven. The battle ended with the enemy defeated and God getting the credit. This victory was the Lord’s.
May today your prayer be that God would take away anything in your life that would hinder Him from receiving all the glory and honor from every victory in your life.
Lord, I am yours completely. I surrender anything in my life that would steal your glory. Amen!
Rev. Scott Coghill
Exodus 20:3-5 says, “3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”
God demands preeminence in the lives of his children. The Bible is clear that we are to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, but I say that the principle of preeminence goes even further than this one verse. There is a biblical mandate for every Christians are to give their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength to God. This is the proof of preeminence.
Did you know that God is jealous over you? He wants all of you. He desires to see nothing less than all given to Him. He desires the throne of your heart. That is preeminence; first and only place. We can get so distracted by this world that we forget to fix our souls upon the preeminent one.
John Henry Jowett, the great English preacher, liked to tell about the time he attended the coronation of Edward VII. Westminster Abbey was filled with royalty. Jowett said, “Much bowing and respect was shown as nobility of high rank entered the cathedral.” When the king arrived, however, a hush came over the audience. Every eye was on him, and no longer did the dignitaries of lower status receive the gaze and interest of the people. All the subjects fixed their attention on their royal leader, the KING.
O that we would set our affections on things above and not things below. Focus on giving God the spot he demands, that is the position of preeminence. Is there anything that you have place before God? Is there other things that have gathered in the worship of your heart. Decide today to let God be God in your life.
Father, Your Word declares that my heart will be found where my treasure is. Lord, I want you to be my treasure. You are the one God, the Father of all, and you are my Father. You are above all and through all, and in all believers. Help me, Father, to keep you first in my life, and to keep all the priorities of my life in line with yours.
Pastor Scott Coghill
Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Everyday we are faced with so many decisions. Some are small and trivial and others are big and life altering. These decisions include: business decisions, family decisions, church decisions, and spiritual decisions. It seems that everyone has their own method in decision making. Many rely on emotions and feelings to make their choice; while others use logic and practicality to be the determining factor of every move.
I love the story of the woman driving through the mountains west of Denver when she ran into a snowstorm. She was completely lost and then peered ahead and saw a snowplow. She decided to follow it and kept as close to the machine as she could while it removed snow from the road. At times the blowing snow almost cut off her view, but her faithful guide kept on leading the way. After some time, the plow stopped. Its driver got out and walked over to her car. “Lady, where are you going?” he asked. “I’m on my way to Denver,” she replied. “Well, you’ll never get there following me! I’m plowing a parking lot!”
In order to get to our destinations, we must make sure we’re on the right road. And we need to follow the One who longs to give direction to our life. I would like to submit to you this morning a biblical filter by which every decision should process through before any choice is made. These principles can serve as a guide. We call this “THE BLUEPRINT FOR MAKING GODLY DECISIONS.”
1. WHAT DOES GOD’S WORD SAY ABOUT THE MATTER?
Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
2. WHAT IS THE SPIRIT OF GOD TELLING YOU WHEN YOU PRAY?
Psalm 143:10 says, “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.”
3. WHAT DIRECTION ARE YOUR GODLY COUNSELLORS POINTING YOU IN?
Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
There have been many times when I have been on the verge of making a really bad decision, and God reminded me of the blue print to making godly decisions. It has made all the difference for me.
Are you in the middle of a big decision in your life? Whether the choice is big or small, dedicate yourself to making good, godly decisions. Every choice has a consequence, whether they are good or bad. Make the right DECISION TODAY!!!
Father, you are my guide and my friend. I trust in you to guide me in every thing that I do. Help me to make godly decisions today, so that I can remain in the center of your perfect will. Amen!
Pastor Scott Coghill
Romans 3:23-25 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
Let the following example serve as a reminder of the great truth of redemption:
You can redeem (purchase) 10 pennies with 1 dime. Why? Because the government who has the authority to set the standard has made it so. You don’t argue about the standard; you just believe it and submit to it and reap the benefits. You can redeem (purchase) 10 dimes with 1 dollar. Why? Because the government who has the authority to set this standard has made it so. You don’t argue with the standard that was set by those who had the authority to set it. You simply believe the standard ,submit to it and reap the benefits.
God has the authority to set the standard for forgiveness of sins. God declared the wages of sin, any sin, is death (Rom. 3:23). God set the standard for redeeming sinners destined for eternal damnation. God determined that if there should ever be a man that lived a perfect life in thought, word and deed, His life, (and thus his blood Lev. 17:11, 14), would be so valuable that He could literally redeem the life of every human being that ever lived! He could redeem every one because His redemptive value would be so high. But we must believe the standard that God has set.
Today, if you are a Christian, you are redeemed. You have been purchased by the precious blood of Christ. This is God’s standard, so rejoice Christian. Praise Him who hath sacrificed it all, so that our souls could be redeemed. Worship Him who was rich and became poor, so that we who were poor could become rich.
Father, thank you for giving your son Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. I am your purchased possession, so today I worship you and am willing to serve you completely. Thank you for redemption. Amen!
Pastor Scott Coghill
Exodus 15:23-26 says, “And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.”
Here we have another instance where the children of Israel found reason to murmur and complain against God. They came to a place of water, and they found that it was contaminated. They were so upset that they began to accuse God. He had promised to provide for them, but now there was no drinkable water. How could He be God if He can’t even provide water when we are thirsty?
Just as the Israelites went from the thrill of victory at the Red Sea to the bitter waters of Marah just 3 days later, our rejoicing can quickly turn into anguish. Life can sometimes be the same way. We can be on the mountain top one day and the valley the next. Life is so up and down. Good then bad, happy then sad, healthy then sick, etc.
We need to understand that even though God allows these seasons in our life, He always does it with a divine purpose in mind. He knows what is best for us, thus He knows what will ultimately draw us closer to Him. Are the waters of your life bitter? Are you struggling? Have you begun to question God because of your circumstances? Remember this my friend, our Lord has permitted it. We may not understand why, yet it is the will of our Father and Friend, whose wisdom and love are infinite.
Maybe you are in a season of life where your victory has turned to bitterness. Please understand that God has a plan. In the mean time, no matter what you are going through, be determined to do what is right. It is still always right to do what is right. God expects his children to do what is right even when things are not going there way.
No matter what is happening in your life, do what is right. No matter how hard life is, do what is right. No matter how good sin looks, always do what is right. Those that do right are prepared to receive God’s best. Obedience is always rewarded by God.
Father, help me be committed to doing what is right even when the waters of my life are bitter. Help me not to murmur, complain, or question you. You are God. You are worthy to be praised. I commit my works to your hands with confidence. I will do what is right. Amen!!
Pastor Scott Coghill
Titus 2:11-14 says, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Christians have a hope that the world does not have. We have something and someone to look forward to. The something we speak of is the rapture, and the someone is the Christ. Hope defined by the world represents a wishing for something that may never take place. It is wishful thinking. O how different this is from the Christians hope. This hope is faith about things that are certain; confidence in things that are real. This hope is the expectation of what will most certainly happen.
Paul here encourages Titus to look for this most blessed hope. Here rest a charge for all believers as we wait for coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. As I wait from Christ coming, I am to deny all ungodliness and worldly lust. I am to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. This passage is not just to encourage us about what is to come, but it also serves as a command about how we should live while we wait.
We would all agree that the Lord is coming soon, maybe even today. I encourage you to look and long for that coming of the Lord not as much with your eyes, but with your life. A Christian who lives godly and righteously, is one who believes that our blessed hope could be fulfilled today. I would say as did John, “Even so Lord Jesus come quickly.” May I say to you, “Even so good Christian, live godly so that you may be ready for the coming of our Lord.”
Lord, I long for your coming. My heart cries out for the fulfillment of our hope. I commit to live soberly, righteously, and godly today. Help me to live in light of the promise of the blessed hope. Amen.
Pastor Scott Coghill
John 14:5-9 says, “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me,”
I wonder, how well do you now the Lord Jesus? What kind of knowledge do we have of the Holy One? I have met so many people who have been in church for such a long time, and yet I fear that they do not know the Lord in an intimate way. They know Him to be their Savior, but they know nothing of Him being their Lord. They know Him to be the creator of this world, but they know nothing of Him being the Sustainer of their soul.
Our passage paints for us a picture of Christ and His disciples. They are hearing the Lord talking about the place that he is preparing for them and the fulfillment of the promise of His return for the saints. Thomas asked the question, “How can we know the way?” Jesus then said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Philip then shows his ignorance of his knowledge of who Christ truly was by asking to see the Father. Then Jesus expresses his frustration with them by reproving them with these words, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me.”
Can I ask you a question today? Does the Lord have this same frustration with us? Are we guilty of going to church, wearing the name, and getting involved in the ministry without really knowing the precious Lord Jesus in an intimate way?
May there be created in us a fresh desire to know the Lord in a greater way than we did yesterday. This kind of knowledge only comes through walking with God, reading your Bible, fervently praying, and faithfully serving the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. DO YOU REALLY KNOW HIM TODAY LIKE YOU SHOULD?
God, forgive me for not knowing you like I should. I desire you, your presense, your glory, and your approval. Grant me knowledge of the Holy One only as I seek you with all my heart. Amen!!!
Pastor Scott Coghill
Luke 17:12-16 says, “And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks:”
In biblical times leprosy was a word that was often used to describe a variety of skin diseases, but doctors believed most of the people suffered with what we now call Hansen’s Disease. It starts with a white patch of skin that becomes numb, so much so, that the victims cannot even feel a needle piercing the spot. The skin continues to deteriorate. The patch begins to spread all over the body and often manifests itself on the face which makes the disease impossible to hide. It then begins to form spongy tumors on the face and, simultaneously, attacks the internal organs as well. The nerve endings become numb so the victim cannot differentiate between normal feelings and pain. The leprosy itself was not fatal, but more lepers died from other diseases they contracted because of their weakened condition.
We would all admit that this would be a devastating sickness to have. How much more devastating is the disease of sin. Leprosy can only affect the body, but sin seeks to damn the soul. We are all infected with this sin disease from birth. We all have Adam’s nature, and daily we fight against the desires of our wicked flesh. Our sin nature separated us from God. We were aliens and outcast ourselves. Then Jesus arrives on the scene of our life, just like in the story. He extended His mercy to us, and we were reconciled to God. Those who have confessed their sins and committed their lives to Him have been made the children of God through the salvation of Jesus Christ.
Don’t live today without reflecting on the cleansing work of Christ in our lives. Don’t be like the nine who were cleansed, and never returned thanks. Be like the one. Praise God for the fact that we are clean, and it is all because of Jesus.
Father, I give you thanks for cleansing me from all unrighteousness. I thank you for reconciling me to yourself through your son, Jesus Christ. Keep me mindful of this powerful truth. I give you praise today. AMEN!!!
Pastor Scott Coghill
Jonah 1:1-3 says, “Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.”
The more I study God’s word I am convinced that God has a plan for my life. If I desire to have any measure of success for the glory of God, I better stick by His plans for my life. We would consider God’s plan for us His “master blueprint.” Anytime that we attempt to do anything other than what is in accordance to the master blueprint of God, we are setting ourselves up for failure. This principle holds true for every area of our Christian life. Whether it is in our family life, at work, in the ministry, etc. we are to follow the will of God in every area if we desire true success.
This truth is so amplified in the life of Jonah. God gave Jonah a command, and Jonah disobeyed. His unwillingness to follow God’s blueprint turned out to be disastrous for him. It was only when He went the direction that the Lord was leading did He see God do some marvelous things through his life. The same is true for us today.
Now some may ask the question, “Where do I find the blueprint?” I submit to you today, just like in the days of Jonah, the Word of God is still the blue print that we must follow in all matters(Jonah 1:1). This is God’s written plan for our lives, and it has been proven to work from generation to generation.
Are you following God’s blue print for every area of your life? Have you submitted yourself to the leadership of the Lord and His word? I encourage you today to follow the masterful blueprint that God has given us so that we can build a life of true success. Have a great day!
Lord, may I discipline myself to get in your word today. Help me to mortify my selfish desires and ambitions, so that I may yield myself to the leadership of your spirit. I will follow your blueprint for my life today. Amen!
Pastor Scott Coghill
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