Canelo Cowboy Church

Words from the Pastor
Here it is, May 2019 already. Praise the Lord that we are that much closer to His return! We were studying the other day in Men’s Bible Study Hebrew’s 1:1-2, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” Did you read verse 2? It says “but in these last days…” Now scholars believe that the Book of Hebrews was written before the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70 or the author probably would have mentioned the temple. But none-the-less if it was or was not written before or after, it was written around 2,000 years ago, and the author stills says, “in these last days…” Have you ever wondered why the author wrote the words, “in these last days…?” I think it was because the author was looking forward to Christ return. It was in the forefront of his mind and he was hoping it would be that day, that moment or at least in his life time! But here it is 2,000 years later and Christ hasn’t yet returned and caught His bride away. But it is closer brothers and sisters! “Duh pastor” I can hear some of you saying.
Or have we, like some people think, “Is He really coming back? Are we believing a lie?” Seems to me that He should have come back a long time ago. I mean, just look around. The whole world seems to have gone completely mad! What is right is now considered wrong and what is wrong is now considered right. Every where we turn it seems that God has turned His back on the world and left us to fend for ourselves. But has He? Not in the least my brothers and sisters. Not in the least! He is working just like He always has!
Remember what Philippians 1:6 tells us? “ Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ:” He started this whole thing and He knows when it is going to end. He’s got the whole world in His hand! He’s got you and me brother and sister in His hand! And do you know how I know this? Because I have the great privilege of watching each of you grow in the Lord. I see changes in your lives. I see the things that you are going through and yet you keep on keeping on because you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christ is going to work all things together for your good. I am so encouraged by all of you and how you allow God to work in your lives. It is amazing to me.
So, let’s all keep it going. Let’s all pull together and shoulder each other’s burdens. God is so good to us brothers and sisters! And we are in the last days. It may go on for a long, long time, but it is still the last days. And I can’t wait to hear these words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Please let me know if you need anything. You pray for me and I’ll pray for you. Naomi and I love you all. -Pastor Steve

There seems to be some confusion about church services and time for this weekend, May 5th. So let me clarify. We will be having our normal church services this weekend at Canelo Cowboy Church. 9 am Sunday School followed by 10:30 Church Service. Pastor Steve is back this week and will be preaching.

Also, at the Fairgrounds, Chaplin Tom Day will be hosting a church service for the races. It will be at Pioneer hall at 10:30 am as well. You can contact Tom Day at (915) 588-9281 if you have questions about that service.

Hopefully, this clarifies any confusion. We’ll see you guys on Sunday!

Words from the Pastor
Isn’t it great to know that we serve a risen Savior and that He loves us unconditionally? What does that mean? It means that if we mess up, which we will, He still loves us and still desires a relationship with us. We as humans aren’t like that usually are we? At least I’m not. When someone offends me, I hold them at arm’s length and don’t let them into my life again until I say it’s okay. And at times I have done that with our children. They aren’t doing what I want them to do so I am going to be sore at them and upset that they aren’t! Praise the Lord that He isn’t that way! He loves us no matter what. But I am getting better at not doing that, by God’s grace.
You see, when we are offended, that’s all we can see. All we can feel is the pain of the offense and we can’t see the big picture. We can’t see the fact that everything is working for our good like it says in Romans 8:28. God is going to use these things in our lives to help us mature in Jesus. Paul even goes so far as to say that our afflictions are light and momentary! Read what Paul tells us in II Corinthians 4:17: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” I know what you’re thinking I bet! “Light and momentary troubles! For crying out loud I just buried my son!” Or, “Do you realize that I was just diagnosed with cancer?” Or, “I hurt my back and I can’t work. How am I going to provide for my family?” All of these things are real in so many of our lives and they hurt and worry us so much, but Paul calls them “light and momentary troubles.” And here on Earth they aren’t. Our struggles are real and they hurt. They take a toll on us. But Paul wants us to look at it from an eternal stand point. Everything that goes on down here, even if we live to be 100 years old, is just a small blip when you compare it to eternity. It is just a blink of an eye and it is causing you to become better or bitter. It is causing you to become more like Jesus or more like the world that has no hope. It’s your choice.
Okay pastor, how do we get over it? Well, Paul tells us in the next verse, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Don’t be looking at what’s around you, look up and ask God to show you what He wants you to learn from this. Ask Him how He wants to you to grow and become more like Jesus!
This is what Paul told the church in Colossae to do in Colossians 3:1-3, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” It is all about our attitudes brothers and sisters. Where is your heart set? If it’s set on things that are around us, we are not going to have peace. But if it is set on Heavenly things God can do wonderful things through us. Look up!
Please let me know if you need anything. You pray for me and I’ll pray for you. Naomi and I love you all. -Pastor Steve