Devotionals
June 11, 2020 – Pastor Robert: It’s time to reflect and relax…
It's time to reflect and relax…
Posted by Packsaddle Fellowship on Thursday, June 11, 2020
June 5, 2020 – Pastor Robert: God is our river…
God is our river…
Posted by Packsaddle Fellowship on Friday, June 5, 2020
June 4, 2020 – Pastor Robert: God is our refuge and strength…
God is our refuge and strength…
Posted by Packsaddle Fellowship on Thursday, June 4, 2020
May 30, 2020 – Pastor Robert: An acquired taste…
An acquired taste…
Posted by Packsaddle Fellowship on Saturday, May 30, 2020
May 29, 2020 – Pastor Robert: Abraham’s trial helps me with my mine…
Abraham's trial helps me with my mine…
Posted by Packsaddle Fellowship on Friday, May 29, 2020
May 22, 2020 – Pastor Robert: How does God respond when our frailty is front and center?
How does God respond when our frailty is front and center?
Posted by Packsaddle Fellowship on Friday, May 22, 2020
May 21, 2020 – Pastor Robert: Like walking barefoot on hot pavement…
Like walking barefoot on hot pavement…
Posted by Packsaddle Fellowship on Thursday, May 21, 2020
May 14, 2020 – Pastor Robert: Sometimes He picks the long way…
Sometimes He picks the long way…
Posted by Packsaddle Fellowship on Thursday, May 14, 2020
May 13, 2020 – Brian & Marilyn Hochstetler, Youth Coordinator & Administrator:
We're not trying to do this thing alone…
Posted by Packsaddle Fellowship on Wednesday, May 13, 2020
May 8, 2020 – Pastor Robert:
The makings of Moses' great faith…
Posted by Packsaddle Fellowship on Friday, May 8, 2020
May 6, 2020 – Pastor Robert: Can you really trust the Lord?
"Can you really trust the Lord?"
Posted by Packsaddle Fellowship on Wednesday, May 6, 2020
April 29, 2020 – Gordon Schrank, Elder: He’s still working on me!
He's still working on me!
Posted by Packsaddle Fellowship on Wednesday, April 29, 2020
April 23, 2020 – Pastor Robert: Our Hope is Well Placed…
Our hope is well placed…
Posted by Packsaddle Fellowship on Thursday, April 23, 2020
April 22, 2020 – Pastor Robert: Maybe you’re not feeling so hot about your future…
April 17, 2020 – Pastor Robert: God’s response to our frailty…
April 16, 2020 – Pastor Robert: The joy of reading someone else’s mail…
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April 15, 2020 – Pastor Robert: Got Milk?
The popular advertisement asked, “Got Milk?” The question was usually accompanied with a photo of a famous person sporting the proverbial “milk mustache.” It’s true that milk is important to our physical health but I find another question more pressing… “Got Deliverance?”
The demand for deliverance seems to be a fundamental part of life’s economy. Most of us hear the question being whispered our first day of Kindergarten. We sense it when we try out for the team, when we take the chemistry exam, and when we stare at the phone with a first date in mind. The question is there and it’s quietly raising it’s hand in the back of our mind. At other times the question is front and center. Seizing the microphone without permission, it interrupts our thoughts and prayers night and day. The bank account is shrinking or has become a memory. The career is in jeopardy. The marriage is broken. The political or economic forecast is dismal.
I remember picking up my seven year old girl from the table of an MRI machine. A list of doctors hadn’t been able to diagnose an unusual spot on her hip. She was sound asleep from the sedative. The deliverance question was wide awake in my mind.
How shall we answer when the question is raised? Whether it is being whispered or screamed, I bet the question is being asked in your heart. Where will you look today? Psalm 33:16-17 says,
No king is saved by the multitude of an army;
A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for safety;
Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.
While I don’t possess an army or horse, I have earthly sources of deliverance nonetheless. Accomplishments, abilities, education. Connections, bank accounts, insurance policies. These are all good to have in the climb of life but the psalmist says they are a “vain hope for safety.” Earthly sources of deliverance inevitably prove themselves empty. They can only do so much.
In Psalm 33:18-19, we’re invited to realize our better source for deliverance.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.
The Lord is watching over those who fear Him! The One who made the heavens by the breath of His mouth (Psalm 33:6) has His eye on those who hope in His mercy! He is no vain source of deliverance!
Why is He watching? What is He looking to do? His purpose is “to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” Is your bank account thinking about you? Are your past accomplishments keeping your future in mind? Are your skills and abilities mindful of you? Your Heavenly Father is!
Oh may He find us locked on to His mercy early in morning, in the heat of the day, and in the dark of night, for His mercy is beyond compare. Psalm 103:11 tells us,
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
His mercy is greater than all our monumental mistakes… Take a moment and read it aloud:
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As I write these words I can assure you I don’t have a “milk mustache.” This morning, I have a “revelation mustache!” This morning God has given me a drink of truth concerning His care and deliverance. My insatiable appetite for relief has been calmed again.
I hope I’ve put the glass before you. I hope you drink deeply! May your soul embrace His rest.
Robert Billingslea
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April 9, 2020 – Pastor Robert: When things get worse…
April 8, 2020 – Pastor Robert: Waiting for God to deliver…
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April 2, 2020 – Jimmy Peebles: Are your waves getting kind of big?
“Are your waves getting kind of big?”
A devotional by Jimmy Peebles
Matthew 8: 24-25
Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
He replied, “You of little faith,why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
This is my first foray into interpreting and transferring scripture into my own words. I chose this verse, in part, because it was easy. I believe we can all relate to the disciples’ lack of faith and/or failure to instinctively trust (and turn to) in the Lord. I routinely neglect to involve the Lord when crisis arises. All too often, I choose instead to rely on my own strength. You’d think I’d know better, given the many times He’s calmed the storms I’ve faced. Given that, I’d like to believe when I next face crisis, turning to God will be the first thing I do. However, I’d be surprised if that were to happen. So, perhaps this is equal parts “sharing an interpretation of scripture”, and “confession”…
I find comfort in this story. It tells me I’m not that far off the path. These disciples are men who walked with Jesus. They witnessed His work and heard His words. Yet they fell short, just as we all do. It illustrates that God knows us. He anticipates our shortcomings and makes allowances for them. Never running short of forgiveness, grace and mercy. He’s shown this time and again!
These verses tell a great story about what Christ expects of us, and the lengths He’ll go to bring us to where He needs us. For me, they bring 3 thoughts/questions to mind. 1) I don’t believe the storm was random. Does anything surprise God? And was Jesus really sleeping? 2) Do we really understand God’s awesome power? 3) Where are our eyes?
1) Was the storm random?
Was Jesus surprised by this storm? I mean, c’mon! How sound a sleeper must he have been to be able to sleep through a storm that would cause all those around him for fear for their lives? I’m imagining this was a relatively small and open boat in a big storm. By the very description, waves were coming over the sides. He’s gotta be getting wet… So I’m just gonna say it. I’m thinking He might have been faking… but one thing is certain, He wasn’t surprised by the storm.
No, I think this storm was anticipated by Jesus. I’m believing that, in the same way that he could calm it, He could orchestrate it. And He did this all to point out something He knew, but the disciples didn’t. Something He felt was essential for them to know. Their faith wasn’t where He needed it to be in order for them to be successful in carrying His message. He needed to create fear and panic to bring this to light.
2) Do we really understand God’s awesome power?
Were the disciples convinced? Did they comprehend Christ’s awesome power? Who He was? Sure, they’d seen healing and other acts indicating He was special. Clearly though, He believed they needed further convincing. And convincing in a big way! What better way than to show his power over something none of them could ever imagine could be controlled. The sea and the elements. Has there ever been a time where you have needed further convincing? I’ve been there. But whenever I’ve experienced doubt, He’s done things (BIG THINGS) to put those doubts to rest. Further and personal testimony is available upon request… LOL!
3) Where are your eyes?
Are our eyes focused on the waves? Or on Jesus? The disciples’ eyes were clearly on the waves, when they should have been on Christ, all along. Raise your hand (for the person next to you, of course) if you believe their eyes may have wandered from Jesus in a time of crisis. If I had a nickel… These verses clearly show us our need to trust in God. First, last, and always! The greater the crisis, the greater the need for this discipline.
Given the current state of world affairs, it isn’t hard to see how this verse applies today. We are certainly facing a storm and seas that could capsize us. This virus threatens our lives, livelihoods, and our way of life. Fear and panic are natural responses. However, we have, in Jesus, all we need. Unlike the disciples, we don’t need to wake him. He’s watching. We just need to keep our eyes on Him. Are we relying on him as much as we should? Have we put our trust in Him, completely? That’s where we need to be. He absolutely will come through. We WILL be restored!
Jimmy Peebles
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April 1, 2020 – James Smith & Pastor Robert: Take the time to do a little counting…
March 30, 2020 – Mike Benedict, Elder: Hebrews 4:12-13 Warnings & Encouragement…
March 28, 2020 – Pastor Robert
God’s not merely faithful…
Posted by Packsaddle Fellowship on Saturday, March 28, 2020
March 27, 2020 – Pastor Robert (and Doodlebug): Something else that God is trying to show us in Exodus…
March 26, 2020 – Pastor Robert: God shows us something about Himself in Exodus…