Canelo Cowboy Church

Words from the Pastor
Who do you think of when you read the Scripture verse, “And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:24)?” My mind always goes to the very wealthy living right here in the Good Ole U.S. of A! You know, Bezos, Gates, Buffet and blah, blah, blah. But then someone reminded me the other day that in most countries and people of the world, you and I would be considered the very rich. We would be considered that rich man that would have trouble getting into Heaven because of our riches. Now I have never- ever considered myself rich by any stretch of the imagination. Well, spiritually I am rich, my marriage is a rich blessing as are my friends. And I am rich that I have the most amazing job on the planet as pastor here at Canelo Cowboy Church! But as far as monetary wealth, not so much. But, as I stated, in other countries, I am a wealthy man! With that being said, do you feel a desire to get ahead in this life? Or are you willing to give up what you have here for the Kingdom of God?
If you look at the heroes in the Bible, a great many of them didn’t have a thing in this world. Even Jesus said that, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head (Matthew 18:20).” All of us have a place to come home to at night, so we could be considered rich. And please, don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with having riches. There is nothing wrong with having this world goods. We have worked for them and we are blessed to be born in America, the land of opportunity. But what are we doing with them? Are we making them our identity? Are we satisfied with what we have or are we always wanting more?
Paul writes to Timothy in I Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” It isn’t money that causes the break down in our faith, it is the love of money. That word translated love in this Scripture means avarice, or not being content with what God has given you. Wanting more riches and always striving to get ahead by obtaining this world’s goods. As Paul writes, some people have wandered from the faith and are a sad lot because of it. So, the lesson here, at least for me, is to be content with what God has given me. Be content with my everyday life. Be content with myself and allow God to show me where and how to use what I do have.
Where are you at? Has God been dealing with you to maybe step out on faith and allow Him to use your contentment with your finances? What are you doing with your riches that shows God that He is the most important thing in your life? Are you storing up treasures on earth where moths and vermin can destroy them, or are you storing up treasures in heaven where they are there for eternity (Matthew 7:19-21)? Because where yours and my treasure is that is where our heart is going to be also. I want to challenge you to think about it. And remember, if you know Jesus, you are a rich, rich person! Now let’s go share the wealth.
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

Words from the Pastor
Here it is, the last week of September. I just turned 61 years old two days ago. As someone once said, “Youth is wasted on the young!” my daddy always says, “After 40 it’s patch, patch, patch!” I am starting to agree with him. But by God’s grace I just keep moving forward trying to do what He gives me to do on a daily basis. Someone said that living this long is better than the alternative, but I know it’s not! What is the alternative? Well if you’re a Christian it’s spending eternity in Heaven with Him! So please, don’t threaten me with death. Although the thought of getting dead sometimes isn’t so pleasant. When I die, I want to go like my grandfather did, peacefully his sleep. Not yelling and screaming like the rest of the people in his car.
But what if it doesn’t happen that way? What if God decides that I need to suffer for a while? What if I have a debilitating disease that causes me to suffer before I die. I was visiting with a man who has been battling cancer for 15 years. Before he got cancer, he was very active and talented. But for the last 15 years he has been pretty much tied to his home. I thought, “What if this were me? What would I do?” I would like to think I would start searching my heart for what God wanted to show me. I hope I would be humble enough to know to listen to what God was trying to tell me. And, even though I was sick, I hope I would still be sharing His love with the world.
In the 2nd epistle to Timothy the Apostle Paul wrote his swan song. In the 4th chapter the 6th through the 8th verses Paul writes, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” I want to live that kind of life. I want to be used by God to touch everyone that comes around me. I want to lay down my life and put His life on. I want to be able to say, “Lord, whatever you need to do to work out your will in my life, please do it.” Can you pray that? Can I pray that? I hope I can pray that prayer and really mean it. That way, when we get to the end of this life we can truly say, like the Apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” A poet once penned these words, “Only one life, will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” How is your faith? Paul penned these words from a prison cell not to long before Nero had him executed by decapitation. Would I be able to keep the faith if I knew that I was going to lose my life anytime for my belief in Jesus? I hope so.
So please take heart brothers and sisters knowing that no matter what you are going through God is right there. Jesus understands your pain because He has been there and done that. Hebrews tells us that He isn’t a high priest that can’t understand our pain. He has lived it and wants to walk beside us no matter what it is. Only trust Him, He’s a wonderful Savior.
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

Men’s 3G Event

Friday – Saturday October 4- 5

This is an overnight camping trip.

3G is, “Grandfather-Son-Grandson.”

The idea behind 3G is to get fathers, grandfathers and grandsons
together to spend quality time together and do some manly-things where
the older generation teaches the younger generation.

We are going to be camping off of Highway 83 at mile marker 6, to the
east side of the road. I am planning on being there before anyone else
so that everyone knows where to go. If you plan on attending you can
arrive anytime in the afternoon. We will have a dinner on Friday night
at about 5- 5:30 then a brief Bible study. Both Friday afternoon and
Saturday morning there will be events that all of you can participate
in.

This is a camping trip so you need to plan accordingly. Either bring a
tent or plan on sleeping in a vehicle; or on the ground if you prefer
that. Friday evening’s dinner and Saturday mornings breakfast we will
provide. If you want anything beyond that like various snacks or
whatever please feel free to bring whatever you want. Also bring
water. I will try to have some water and juice is there but you can
never have too much water to drink.

Please contact me with your RSVP or any questions you might have.
Call or Text,

David Stiffey
520-403-0970