The Open Gate

04/10/2024

11/14/2023

Just thinkin…

The biggest mistake that we can ever make is accepting hardships we face as a “punishment” from God which is actually nothing more than a false self condemnation to ensure in our own mind a justification of our inner declared guilty verdict of sins committed against Him. And in doing so committing the sin of pride, which erases the ability to accept the actual punishment for sin that Jesus already took in full on the cross. Satan would have you believe yer sufferings in the flesh justify yer sin. God wants you to know suffering comes from satan, you are justified by the blood of Christ. The punishment has already been dealt. The humble acceptance of His love and grace is the antidote for the sin of pride (which by the way…He died for too).

Today know that God loves you more than you can ever understand and there is now NO condemnation for those IN Christ Jesus…only life and freedom!

That’s all don’t weaken!!

09/24/2023

09/05/2023

Just thinkin…

She’s wild and crazy. Full of energy. Don’t know how to speak the words she wishes she could. Jittery, confused, disappointed, happy, joyful. Yeah she was jacked up for a good 24 hours before we took this little trip. I let her ride shotgun (no judging) and she’d reach for the radio and try to get more comfortable strapped in with that seatbelt. Pushing buttons and flipping switches, on the dashboard and in her mind. So I reached out my hand and said “grab ahold”. Calmness and peace covered her as she felt the love of her dad. Not completely understanding but knowing full well what it was when she put her little paw in mine.

It don’t matter if it’s wild and crazy. If yer happy, confused, dissatisfied or excited! You don’t know which way to turn or even the words to describe what yer brain is thinkin..good or bad. There’s a Father reaching out to you and He’s sayin “grab ahold”. Don’t matter if you think yer deserving or not He’s got a seat for you right up front. You might not understand the fullness of His love but He gives us chances everyday to know it! So go on feel peace and calmness and grab ahold

That’s all don’t weaken

05/15/2023

Just thinkin…

You were made for such a time as this. Not what yer planning for tomorrow or next week or next year. Not what it was yesterday or last week or last year. NOW. This moment! So live this snapshot as if yer ridin for the Lord not for other men…and you know what…? He’ll be ridin right there with ya!!

That’s all don’t weaken!

05/15/2023

Hey!! We’re gonna skip Open Gate devotional tonight…have a great rest of yer Mothers Day and we’ll hammer down next Sunday!

05/15/2023

Just thinkin…

A “helper”… what He meant was a personal home restaurant manager, doctor, hog feed unloader, traffic director, janitor, parts runner, tear and rear wiper, teacher, spilled milk cleaner upper, hugger, child lover, backpack checker, cuddler, correcter, hair cutter, dirty launderer, clothes folder, mud rinser offer, bandaid putter onner, busy schedule adjuster, figure out how to make it funner, everything’s gonna be alrighter…mother!

Happy Mothers Day to the one God blessed me with, and also the one who is to my 2 buckaroos and buckarette! And all you others out there!!

That’s all don’t weaken!!

05/12/2023

Just thinkin…

Lessons I’ve learned from this drought part 5

It’ll rain

Old timers around here say with a twinkle and wisdom in their eye “it always rains after a dry spell!” And it did! Yesterday we did some things we had to do and then sat on our rears and listened to the rain beat in the roof. Watched the crik build as it ran through the corrals we were supposed to brand in today. And I sure ain’t mad about it!

It felt like God was tying me down for a little while as it rained. My heart has the course planned but He determines my steps. And sometimes the steps he determines for me is to stop my feet from moving at all while He blesses me in abundance. So I can listen to His voice. Man oh man what a feeling!! This means grass, wheat, hay! It means life on earth! Not to forget the blessing of the assurance of eternal life with Him not on this Earth! I praise you in this storm (even if the storm is a drought) Thank you Jesus!

That’s all don’t weaken

05/08/2023

Just thinkin…

Lessons I’ve learned from this drought part 4

Even if it don’t rain and I gotta sell everything I still have Jesus.

The “what ifs” kill us don’t they? Anxiety creeps in over the possibilities of not having enough grass, not making enough hay, sprinklers breaking down when you need em the most, ultimately selling out cause the bank needs paid…yikes. The life I know and love, the way I provide for my family could all go down the drain in a slow burning up cloud of smoke. It’s happened to others…it is reality that it could happen to me.

But I’ve realized God has given me talents and gifts and a desire to do what I do everyday. The only thing I can control…is what I can control! We’ve had some tough years but I’m still doin it. Not because of the things I control but because of the things only He can control! He’s not let us fail yet, and I don’t believe He will. His timing is perfect. He never shows up late. And ultimately I am on this chunk of dirt for a pretty short time then I go to be with Him, in that amazing place He has prepared for me. Scary? Only if you don’t know Him! Keep yer eyes fixed on the things above. And keep movin yer feet on the ground. It’s for His glory not mine! It’ll rain again I’m confident. But if I’m wrong I’ve got Jesus!

That’s all don’t weaken

05/08/2023

Packin Yer Cross

Devotional Week 1

05/07/2023

Join Tucker and Andrea TONIGHT for a 20 minute devotional as we dive into how God has revealed himself to us!
You don’t have to be a couple to join us!