In the early 19th century, ministers traveled on horseback throughout the frontier, preaching to settlers. These men of the cloth were called "circuit riders." Carrying only the barest of neccesities, these men braved the elements on horseback to reach out to the lost souls of the old west.
Many is the time that these men were caught in the rain or snow while on their way to another settlement to spread God's Word. Cold, wet, shivering and miles from shelter, these men perservered until they reached their goal, relying only upon God's grace as their protection.
What was it that drove these men to do this? Pure, yet simple, faith. A faith born out of God's Holy Word:
Matthew 6: 26 - 34
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Just for one moment let's "Behold the fowls of the air" and "Consider the lilies of the field." Does God not provide for them? Yes, He does, but it is so easy to overlook this simple fact. If we would only take time each and every day to look around us, we'd see more than enough examples of God's handiwork in providing for us as well.
The circuit rider was aware of this, and showed that through simple faith even the worst of circumstances could be overcome.
I'm sure you've heard the motto attributed to the postman, "Neither snow nor rain not heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." This could more be applied to the circuit rider, this "courier" of God's message. Regardless of the circumstances, these men completed "their appointed rounds."
Now, just a take a few moments to let all of this sink in. Could you be a circuit rider? The answer is yes.
And all it takes is a little faith.
Many is the time that these men were caught in the rain or snow while on their way to another settlement to spread God's Word. Cold, wet, shivering and miles from shelter, these men perservered until they reached their goal, relying only upon God's grace as their protection.
What was it that drove these men to do this? Pure, yet simple, faith. A faith born out of God's Holy Word:
Matthew 6: 26 - 34
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Just for one moment let's "Behold the fowls of the air" and "Consider the lilies of the field." Does God not provide for them? Yes, He does, but it is so easy to overlook this simple fact. If we would only take time each and every day to look around us, we'd see more than enough examples of God's handiwork in providing for us as well.
The circuit rider was aware of this, and showed that through simple faith even the worst of circumstances could be overcome.
I'm sure you've heard the motto attributed to the postman, "Neither snow nor rain not heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." This could more be applied to the circuit rider, this "courier" of God's message. Regardless of the circumstances, these men completed "their appointed rounds."
Now, just a take a few moments to let all of this sink in. Could you be a circuit rider? The answer is yes.
And all it takes is a little faith.
