C.m.a. Trinity Riders
Christian Motorcylists Association of Canada
Weekly Devotion
Time to Kill the Oxen and Burn the Plow
John Ogden Sr
October 28, 2025
“So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen's equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant” (I Kings 19:21, NKJV).
What has God stirred your heart to do? What is His calling? What is His desire? What hinders you from saying yes? Elisha wanted a double portion of Elijah’s anointing. As Elijah passed by Elisha, he laid his mantle on him. Elisha then turned and ran to the prophet, only to remember his team of oxen with which he was plowing. This team represented Elisha’s former lifestyle. Realizing that he must separate where he had been from where God was calling him to, because the distractions of his former life would rob him of his destiny in God if he held on to them, he made a commitment of faith; he had a barbecue for the entire city.
He slaughtered and cooked his oxen, burned his plows, bid everyone goodbye, and left to follow Elijah. At this point, he had destroyed his old life and all that would draw him back. He made a bold statement of faith to his friends and family with a farewell feast, a tribute to his past, while looking to the future in faith to what God would do in his life.
What oxen do you need to kill? What plows do you need to burn? What is keeping you from accomplishing God’s will? What part of your old life is drawing you back so that you cannot fulfill God’s destiny in your life? I challenge you to put your faith in Him to fulfill His destiny in you.
Weekly Devotion
God Seekers
John Ogden Sr
October 9, 2025
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (I John 5:14-15, NKJV).
This scripture on prayer is interesting because it addresses praying in accordance with God’s will. What exactly is God’s will for my life? How can I know God’s will for my life, and how do I pray according to God’s will? The answers to these questions are found in the Bible and are developed through our relationship with Him.
God’s will is revealed as we put Him at the center of our lives. Life is not about us, but about our finding God’s will in us. We were not placed on earth for God to serve us, but rather for us to serve Him. When we put God first in our lives and seek Him, we will know His will. This only comes when we say “no” to our selfish desires and say “yes” to God.
The life of a Christian should be focused on seeking God and being part of what He is doing. For some, this would require a mind shift from living their own life and asking God to bless it, to allowing God to lead their life and seeking to be a part of His blessing. A God-directed life will give us confidence and faith in our prayers.
I believe that God has challenged us to be seekers of Him!
Weekly Devotion
Walking in Victory
John Ogden Sr
September 30, 2025
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world – our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:4-5, NKJV)?
You may have noticed that we referenced these scriptures in last week's devotion. I would like to share some additional thoughts from these scriptures.
These two verses are two of the greatest scriptures and should be memorized and lived out by every believer. The point that these scriptures lead us to understand is that we who are born of God can overcome the world. This victory that overcomes the world is faith. This raises a question: Who is born of God? It is the person who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Victory can only be gained over the world by faith in Jesus Christ. The one thing that everyone needs above all else is victory over the world (corruption and death).
Is it possible for us to walk in victory and overcome the world? The answer is yes – by believing that Jesus is the Son of God. This belief gives us a new heart, and then we are born of God (spiritually born of God). It is this faith, God's faith, that overcomes the world. It means God gives the believer victory over all of the trials and temptations of life.
"These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NKJV).
Be of good cheer, we have victory in Jesus, for He has overcome the world.
Weekly Devotion
Victory in Jesus
John Ogden Sr
September 17, 2025
Weekly Devotion
What Does it Mean to Be A Child of God – Part 2
John Ogden Sr
September 9, 2025
Many of you have seen the bumper sticker: “God is our copilot.” While I like the bumper sticker, God must not be our copilot. He must be our pilot, our leader, and the one that we follow. The Spirit of God that dwells within us is greater than all the powers of darkness. It is greater than the power of disease. It is greater than we are. It is greater than anything else reigning in this world. To grasp the depth and the breadth of God’s love with the awesome thought that the same Spirit that moved across nothing and created this world is the same Spirit that redeemed us and made us into sons and daughters.
God takes the ordinary and makes us extraordinary in thought, deed, power, and responsibility. What would our churches be like if they were filled with people who grasped the idea of who they are in Christ Jesus? If just 10% of the people in any of our churches come to realize who they are in Jesus Christ, our churches would be different. Jesus Christ came in the flesh, the Son of God, but He walked in the fullness of God. He conquered death, hell, and the grave. He commissioned the church to continue the work that He had started. He did not go back to the Father, leaving the church weak, lame, or cripple, for He said that greater works will we do because He goes unto the Father.In the normality of life, we tend to rationalize the power of the Scriptures. I do not believe that that is God’s will for us. God’s will is that we look in a mirror and see who we are and then look in the Word of God and see if the man or woman we saw in the mirror lines up with the Word of God.
We should look into the Word of God and ask God to remake us and mold us into who He says we can be. God has truly handed the responsibility of reclaiming what satan has stolen into the hands of the church. We must ask ourselves if we are taking back the ground and reclaiming what is rightfully ours, or if we feel like we are being kicked around and tossed about like a boat without a rudder.So many people believe that because they are in the flesh, they will always be in a place of weakness.
The power of God must overcome the weakness in our lives.One scripture sums it up by stating in John 10:10 (KJV), “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Jesus Christ came that we might have a victorious life. That is our right and privilege as His sons and daughters. We cannot walk in this victory on our own. We must allow Him to consume us and be willing to lay aside everything but Him. As the Scriptures say, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33, KJV).Are you living in a place of victory and power? If not, reexamine yourself, put God first, submit everything to Him, ask Him to remove everything in you that is not like Him, and give Him the right to do so.
Weekly Devotion
What Does it Mean to Be A Child of God – Part 1
John Ogden Sr
September 3, 2025
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him” (1 John 3:1, NKJV).
What does it mean to be called a son of God? What is sonship, or what does it mean to be a son or daughter of God? What are our responsibilities, rights, and privileges?
I have two sons, and nothing can separate them from my love. But there is a difference between my love and my blessing. I will bless them when their lives align with the principles in which I raised them. I will always love them, but I will not bless them when they are out of the right relationship with God. This can be referred to as tough love. It is our responsibility, as parents, to raise our kids in the principles of God. When they are rebellious, they should know that it is unacceptable, regardless of their age.
As parents, we have a responsibility to love and provide for our children, ensuring proper training and education. One cannot be done without the other. Jesus Christ refers to us in His Word as sons. We know that we have an inheritance as children of God and that we all become brothers and sisters in the Kingdom of God. Scripture states, “I pray not that thou shouldeth take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I sent them into the world” (John 17:15-18, KJV). As sons and daughters of God, Jesus prayed not for us to be taken out of the world, but rather that His Word would sanctify us. As God sent Him into the world, He sends us. What an excellent place to be! To be a son or daughter sent to the world, as God sent Jesus.
In recent times, this weekly devotion has explored the concept of normality. God’s desire for us is never to be normal. How can a person be normal when the Spirit of God dwells within them? We may be normal from the perspective that we are human and flesh. But we are from a higher calling when the natural man has received the Spirit of God, thus making us sons and daughters. I often hear people quoting scriptures – it is one thing to quote scripture; it is something else to be possessed by the scripture. It is one thing to have the power of God; it is another thing to say that His power has us. It is one thing to say that we have Jesus; it is another thing to say that He has us.
Weekly Devotion
Heart Check
John Ogden Sr
August 26, 2025
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17, NKJV).
This setting of scriptures allows us to have a spiritual heart check. We live in a time when we are being stretched in many directions, and the things of life beg for our time. Verse 15 takes us to a very serious question: “Where is our love?” We know that we are not to love the world or the things of the world, which is a constant battle between our flesh and spirit. We are like a garden; what we plant is what grows. We need to constantly guard against the things of this world and the influences of satan that would come in and rob us of a right relationship with our Father. If we love the world, the love of the Father is not in us. In Hebrews 11, Abraham had the promise of God, but he dwelt in the land as a foreigner. We too have the promise of the Father for our lives, but we must be as foreigners, therefore ensuring that our allegiance and citizenship is in Heaven, maintaining the love of the Father, not the world.
To ensure a right spiritual heart requires that we make the things of God our priority. In verse 16, there are some key indicators of the condition of our heart: “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” These are things that we must constantly be aware of. These areas cannot be dealt with except by the Spirit of God. We must be diligent in our prayer, our dedication, and our reading of the Word to ensure that we have the proper balance of life.
This is a time to examine our lives and identify areas that are out of balance. Ask the Spirit of God to come in and change those areas.
Weekly Devotion
In the World, but Not Part of the World
John Ogden Sr
August 19, 2025
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:15-16, NKJV).
Many scriptures deal with not being part of this world or coming out of the world. How could we possibly do this? Scripture sets the scale by allowing the Spirit of God to lead us, as we strive to crucify or overcome fleshly desire. Romans 12:1-3 (NKJV) says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” These scriptures set the guidelines for being separate from the world.
There are three basic truths in these scriptures. First, it is our responsibility to have our flesh-nature under control as a sacrifice. Second, it is our responsibility to renew our minds with God’s Word so that we may know the will of God. Third, our thought process should be according to the measure of faith given to us. In essence, I am to reprogram the natural with the supernatural of Christ’s Spirit. It is when we accept Jesus Christ as our savior that this process begins. It is our job to progress through the leading of the Spirit from babes in Christ to mature Christians. In this process, we will go through testing and trials, while growing in faith and being molded and made into the image He’s called us to be.
In my life, I use a simple rule as to what is important and right. If it comes from Heaven, then it becomes the priority of my life. The things that come from this world, the natural, will always be in opposition to the things settled in Heaven. The closer I grow in my relationship with the Lord, the less important fleshly desires become. I desire that the old man die and that I become what God has called me to be. I can only do this by turning my heart towards Heaven and away from this world. God does not call us out of the world physically, but He calls us to have a mindset of Heaven, which is different from the world. In this world, we are ambassadors from Heaven.
What are you pursuing? Is it the things of this world or what God has called you to be in this world?
Weekly Devotion
We Are Called to Be Soul Winners
John Ogden Sr
August 13, 2025
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:1-4, NKJV).
Bearing fruit is fun. The most fruitful place in life is to be in the will of God. As we seek to be in His will, then all of the issues of life flow peacefully. Jesus taught His disciples to be fruitful so that their joy may be full (John 15:11). He also taught that the joy of their spirit was in producing fruit, which is fun. There can be no greater joy than gaining the results God has planned for us.
Jesus chose us and appointed us to bear fruit (John 15:16). As servants of God and members of CMA, our goal is not only to bear fruit, but to help others do the same. We must be more than faithful; we must be fruit-producing servants. We have great potential to bear fruit as our source is Jesus Christ, the True Vine. When we stay connected to Him, we will naturally bear fruit. Our Heavenly Father cares about us, and He is the vinedresser. He desires to bring the pruning that would remove any hindrances that would keep us from being useful and fruit-bearing. He trims our weaknesses and has provided a partnership so that we produce fruit. This fruit isn't artificially produced or worked at, but is to come through the Spirit with peacefulness as we stay connected to the vine. Our promise is that if we allow His Word to dwell in us, He will fulfill what we ask. In this, our asking will be in accordance with His will and produce fruit. Our purpose is to glorify God in fruit-bearing. This brings us to a walk of obedience where Jesus is our focus. As we obey Him and remain in Him, we will receive from Him and produce much fruit.
Remaining in Christ is an attitude and a heart's desire. For me, it starts each morning with a prayer and a commitment that if He will guide my footsteps, I will follow. I ask that He set up the divine appointments. As we go to motorcycle events and rallies, be mindful that the source of the fruit comes from the vine.
Weekly Devotion
An Overflow
John Ogden Sr
August 5, 2025
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of His heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37-38, NKJV).
There are three points in this setting of scripture; first, we must realize the need. Christ says, "If we thirst, then come." Second, He makes a commitment to us that there is water in the house for those who are thirsty. Third, He says not just water is available, but a river that will flow from our heart. The choice is ours. We can have a sip, or we can have the freshness of the power of God with a never-ending flow from the throne room through our hearts to not only minister to our needs, but to the needs of those around us. Why would we want anything less than the flood of God?
As with all of God's principles, we have a responsibility in seeking Him first and dying to self. This puts us in the position of having the floodgates open. Viewing the flow of the Spirit of God as a river, we can sit on the bank and die of thirst when there is a river of plenty at our fingertips. To experience the river of plenty, we must choose to move from the bank to the river. It is like having the Word of God in our hands, but not allowing the Spirit of God to quicken it for our use. The Bible is only words until the Spirit of God makes them alive and fresh in our lives. There is a stream that brings life to all who find it. There must be a hunger and thirst for the fullness of God and the experiences of an overflowing river in our lives. We must be found in Christ. We must move and live and have our being and desire in Him.
Are you in the river or sitting on the bank? I encourage you to make a fresh commitment today and allow the Spirit of God to wash away all that would restrict the flow so that God may take us to the next level.
Weekly Devotion
Does Jesus Expect Us To Do What He Did?
John Ogden Sr
July 30, 2025
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12, NKJV).
There have been many debates over what this scripture means. I believe that it simply means what it says. I want to focus your attention on one area: are we doing what Jesus did? When we look at the life of Christ and the lives of the disciples, we see them taking the message of hope to people who were hurting. I believe that Jesus Christ has called us to do the same. Our job is to go, to plant, to water, and bring the message of hope. Jesus Christ will honor our going in His name.
Jesus declared that He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith. He wrote the book and walked through the pages as an example for us to follow. He came and died that men might be set free and satan would be defeated. He chose to pass that work on to the church, which you and I are a part of. He has given us His power, His anointing, and His name to see that men and women everywhere are brought to a saving knowledge in Him. He has equipped us, called us, and gone before us to ensure that we would be victorious in this calling. Why would we not expect God to move when we go in His name?
I challenge you to go in the name of Jesus and believe Him to do the impossible. I believe that He will honor your faithfulness, and He will redeem mankind as you and I go forth. Are we doing what Jesus did? If not, why not?
Weekly Devotion
Transforming the New Man
John Ogden Sr
July 14, 2025
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38, NKJV).
There are four steps involved in transforming the new man. We must first realize that we are not our own and that we have been bought and paid for with a price that we could not pay. With that in mind, we should be slaves to our Lord and Savior. The only rights and privileges we have are those in Him, which gives us access to an abundant life as described in John 10:10. In John 6:38, we see that Jesus did not come to do His own will, but to do the will of the Father. Our first stage in the transformation and growth process is to realize that we are not to do our own will, but only God’s will. Our will must decrease, and His will and plans must increase. We should seek Him and His Kingdom first, and then everything else will be added.
“I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner” (John 5:19b, NKJV)
The second step in the transformation process requires us to be in a relationship with our Lord, where we not only know what He is doing and where He is heading, but also understand that our actions are based on His direction for our lives and for what He has called us to do. In this phase, we begin to reach a place where we hear His voice and move in harmony with Him.
“I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him” (John 8:26, NKJV).
The third step in the transformation process is to be a vessel of honor, taking the true Word of God to the world, to those who are hurting and those who need the Good Message. In this verse, we see Jesus proclaiming the Father as the one true God. We see Him as a witness to the world.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (John 12:24, NKJV).
The fourth step in the transformation process is when we come to the place that we are willing for everything about us to die off so that everything about Him can be perfected in us. The scriptures have much to say about the war between the flesh man and the spiritual man. Even though we accept Christ as our Savior, the battle rages on. The only way to conquer the flesh is to reach a place where we say with our hearts, “Lord, I unconditionally give my life to You to be used according to Your will. I only have one desire, and that is for You to accomplish Your will in me. Lord, I ask that by Your Spirit, You mold me according to Your will. Break me in the areas that need to be broken and remold me as the potter would mold a new vessel. I truly want Your perfected will in my life and nothing else.”
I realize that this process is not an easy one, for I, like you, am going through the breaking process. But, oh, how I thank God for finding me worthy to be broken! Are you willing to be broken and perfected for the cause of Christ so that others may know the life-changing power and the blessings of being a child of the King?
John and Becky Ogden,
John is the CMA CEO/Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Weekly Devotion
Freedom
John Ogden Sr
July 8, 2025
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV).
As I travel throughout the world and the United States, I find that this is the best place to live, offering the most freedom of any country. We are a blessed people living in a blessed country. We have the privilege to live in a free country, and we have the freedom to worship God, but the freedom we have is not free. Those who have lived before us have paid for this freedom. Our forefathers have made great sacrifices for us to have this freedom, and many have given the ultimate price with their lives for this gift called freedom.
Jesus has given us the free gift of salvation. We have His gift that provides us with freedom from sin. While salvation is free, it requires the sacrifice of Jesus for us to experience this life-changing gift. I am very thankful for the freedoms we have and grateful for the men and women who have given us this freedom. As we celebrate our independence, we must ask ourselves, what are we willing to give so that others may be free?
Weekly Devotion
Who is Greatest?
John Ogden Sr
June 26, 2025
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4, NKJV).
I would like you to stop right where you are, close your eyes, and allow the essence of John 4:4 to sink into your spirit. We are God’s children, and His Spirit is greater than anything we face. We gain confidence in knowing that He will not only take care of us but also the issues of life. This is a place of power and victory, knowing that it is not about us but it is about the life-changing power of Jesus Christ that dwells within us. Through Him, we will be more than conquerors. This does not make us prideful or arrogant but allows us to walk in humility in the authority of the Son of God.
What an awesome thought to realize that for a born-again believer, greater is the Spirit of God that dwells within him than anything that this world or satan can throw at him. There is a condition upon receiving the overcoming power of Jesus Christ. Simply put, we must allow Him to be the Lord and Savior of our life.
We live in a time when much is said about Christians, but little is said about what it takes to become one. Can you name a place and a time when you knelt on your knees, asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins, and repented of them? If you have difficulty remembering a place and time, I would ask that you take this time in the quietness of your heart to invite Jesus to come in, take control of your life, forgive you of your sins, and be the Lord of the rest of your life.
All of us face problems and issues in life, but what a great place to know that we will be victorious. There is no need to worry or try to make things happen. We need to walk in the anointing and the power of God; after all, Jesus died on the cross, not only that we might be sons of God, but also that we could take back what satan had stolen. What has satan stolen from you?
I believe the Lord would remind us it is time for us to reclaim what is rightfully ours through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. As I think about who we are in Christ, my spirit jumps within me, not because of me, but because the same Spirit of God that moved across the earth and took nothing and made it into something is the very same Spirit that took the nothing in my life and made something according to God’s plan. God has commissioned us to take this message of Jesus with a lost and dying world, and He desires for us to operate in victory through Him. We are victorious in Jesus.
John and Becky Ogden,
John is the CMA CEO/Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Weekly Devotion
A Blueprint for Reaching the Lost
John Ogden Sr
June 17, 2025
In John 4:1-26, we find the story of the Samaritan woman. The Scriptures do not even record her name, but after an encounter with Jesus Christ, not only was her life transformed, but an entire city was changed as well. The story unfolds as the Samaritan woman goes to the well to draw water. Jesus’ disciples had gone to town to attend to the material things in life, while Jesus, led by the Spirit, had other plans. The Jews of that day would not even speak to the Samaritan woman –she was of a despised race. Because Jesus was different, her life was changed forever.
Jesus used eight principles when witnessing to this lady.
First, He made contact with her. She was not looking for Him, but He was looking for her. He did not isolate Himself, even from the undesirable. He realized to reach the lost, He must be where the lost were.
Second, He used the well and her thirst as a common ground. He related to her about her interests.
Third, He allowed her to speak, and He listened. He knew that people liked to hear their own voices. We should listen not only to what a person is saying but to what the Spirit of God is saying. This will give us insight.
Fourth, He aroused her interest with the thought of never being thirsty again.
Fifth, He took His time and did not push her to where she was not ready to go. He only communicated with her enough to make her hungry.
Sixth, He accepted her as she was. He knew her lifestyle but never condemned her for it.
Seventh, He stayed with the key issue of seeing her life changed. He did not allow His attention to be diverted from the real issue.
Eighth, He communicated directly and simply. He operated from a position of love and did not use elaborate language or confuse issues.
Are you willing to be a witness? For some, this is a scary thought, but it is not difficult. Ask God to set up divine appointments and share Jesus as doors open. Our responsibility is to lead others; it is Christ’s responsibility to save the lost.
Weekly Devotion
Experiencing God’s Plan for Our Life
John Ogden Sr
June 10, 2025
“He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all” (John 3:30-31, NKJV).
This setting of scriptures deals with John the Baptist exalting Christ. He is dealing with the subject of him decreasing and Jesus increasing. While this was an event for John, it is a life experience for us today. When we experience the new birth, we first submit our will, repent, give our life to Christ, and, in essence, make Him the Lord of our lives. For us to reach our potential and grow in Him, we must come to a place of total surrender. Our life must be a life of surrender, every day. Everything about our flesh must continually decrease, allowing the Spirit of Christ to increase in us.
Within all of us we have a desire to be recognized and to be seen. It is our flesh nature. We like attention, and fame is appealing to the natural man. However, as Christians, we must be cautious, for our central theme is not about us being seen, but about Christ being seen. I believe that true ministry begins with the breaking of our spirit, allowing the release of the Spirit of God within us. Just as a seed cannot yield forth a plant until it is broken and dies, we cannot reach or yield forth the destiny of Christ in us until we become totally broken as a newly planted seed.
We must come to a place where we are not concerned about what man thinks or says, whether positive or negative, but we are focused on what the Spirit of God is calling us to do and the direction He would send us. Just as Jesus, when He walked on the face of this earth, had to die to the flesh to accomplish His purpose in coming to earth, we must surrender the wants and desires of our natural man to the plans of God. When this is accomplished, we will sense the greatest joy and fulfillment because we are truly walking in God’s plan. Let us today determine not to live for ourselves but for Christ alone. Let us decide that in all that we do, we would see God’s will perfected in our lives so we might decrease so that Christ may increase.
Weekly Devotion
Christ Magnified
John Ogden Sr
June 3, 2025
“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30, NKJV).
We all desire to be recognized and to be seen. It is a part of being human. It is part of our being broken. We want that attention. Fame is appealing to the natural man. But as Christians, we should be very careful. We should be cautious that our ministry to a lost and dying world is never about our being seen.
True ministry, the kind that begins and ends with the Spirit working, is not about us. It's not about us at all. It is about the Holy Spirit working through us. If we cannot get over ourselves, then the Holy Spirit will not be able to get over us. If we cannot surrender and die to ourselves, then the Holy Spirit cannot truly come alive in us. For true ministry to take place, the kind that changes lives and worlds, we must decrease, and Christ must increase in us. We must not be concerned about what man thinks of us, either positively or negatively. We must be wholly consumed with the desire to be a pure vessel for the Holy Spirit to work through.
Just as Christ had to die in the flesh so the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit could come alive in Him, so you and I must be like Christ and die in the flesh. We must surrender the wants and desires of our natural man. We must give up our insecurities and cling to God's certainties.
Let us today determine to live not for ourselves but for Christ alone. Let us determine today that in all that we are and do, we would decrease so that Christ can increase!
Weekly Devotion
What Does Jesus Care About?
John Ogden Sr
May 28, 2025
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, NKJV).
Over the past few days, I have been considering what Jesus really cares about. As I reflect on my own life, I realize that I can sometimes be somewhat self-centered and focused on my own needs. As I consider what Jesus cares about, I realize He cares about the lost. The very essence of His life here on earth was to pay the redemptive price through His shed blood so that we may all come into the saving knowledge of His grace. I know He came to bind up the brokenhearted and to set free the captive. I know He came to give us life and give it more abundantly. I know He has called all of us to be part of His plan of changing the world, one heart at a time.
As I pondered the things that God cares about and then examined the things that I care about, I found that my priorities are not always focused on Him. When was the last time we fell on our knees and, in earnest, said, “Jesus, what do You care about? Make my heart to care for the things that You care about. Make Your priorities the priorities of my life. I truly seek to do only Your will.”
If you, like I have this week, sense that it is time to refocus and allow Jesus to be at the center of everything we do, I invite you to join me in praying and seeking His face. Jesus has called all of us to reach the lost, and He has commissioned CMA to reach the bikers of this world. May we commit ourselves to and focus on His calling.
Weekly Devotion
The Abundant Life
John Ogden Sr
July 24, 2025
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10, NKJV).
This is one of my favorite scriptures. While the first part deals with the destructive nature of satan, the thief, the second part reveals that hope and abundance are available when we rest in Jesus. One can take a casual look at current events and realize that satan is alive and well. We can see that there are efforts on every hand to take away the meaning and essence of the Christian way of life, but I find great hope and confidence in Jesus Christ.
Jesus declared that He came not just to give us life, but that we might have it more abundantly. The abundant life begins when we surrender our rights to our lives and ask Him to take total charge. As we become slaves to our new Master, we enter into the family of God. We have a right to the provisions of Heaven because we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. It is no longer we that live, but Jesus Christ through us. We come under the covering of God: children, sons, and daughters. We come to a place where, once, things were stolen, but now, provisions are made. We are no longer subject to the old way of life, but we live in the peace and confidence of the family of God. All that we need is provided through Christ Himself. What a blessed place this is, for we know that God will provide and accomplish His will through us.
I believe that God would remind us to take inventory and firmly pitch our tent in His Kingdom.
Weekly Devotion
The Race of Faith
John Ogden Sr
May 6, 2025
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2, KJV).
This scripture setting serves as a reminder and a compass for the race of faith that lies before each of us. In it, there are four key elements. The first element is the people of faith who have run the race and are a cloud of witnesses. This is a reminder that men and women of faith have overcome every obstacle, every test, and every trial to lay hold of the provisions of God.
The second element is the things in this life that would beset us or cause us to stumble. Here, we are encouraged to lay aside every weight and sin that would easily keep us from running the race. As runners would prepare for a great race, they would ensure they are not carrying any excess weight or baggage. We are to lay aside the things of this world that would hinder our race of faith.
We are further encouraged to run the race with patience. When I think of patience, I think of one who tills the ground and plants. One that works a garden must be one of patience. When seeds are planted, they will sprout based on the soil conditions, the temperature, and the ingredients. We can become anxious, but it will not cause the garden to grow faster. The harvest will come based on God’s natural laws and must be worked with patience. So it is with our spiritual life that our responsibility is to be like the seeds planted and allow God, through patience, to bring forth His divine harvest in us.
The fourth element is looking to Jesus. He is described in these scriptures as the Author and the Finisher of our faith. He not only wrote the words in the Book on faith, but He walked through the pages of the Book. He became both the Author and the Character of our faith. We all go through difficult times. These scriptures remind us to place our confidence and trust in Jesus Christ. Many who have gone on before us have completed the race. Running the race with patience is necessary, always keeping our eyes focused on our Savior. We all find ourselves somewhere along the race of life from the beginning to the end. May we be reminded that, as with life itself, the race belongs to Jesus Christ, and our responsibility is to allow Him to be the guidepost along this race.
Weekly Devotion
You Can Make A Difference
John Ogden Sr
May 1, 2025
We often ask ourselves, “Can I make a difference?” Can one man or one woman make a difference? History records many who have made a difference. You and I, in God’s will, can always make a difference. Noah made a difference. In Genesis 6, we see the story of Noah and the building of the ark unfolding. Noah is considered one of the giants of the faith listed in Hebrews 11:7 (NKJV):
“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
We know that Noah, through obedience, saved humanity from extinction. I believe if we could talk with Noah, he would say, “Yes, you can make a difference.” Through God, you can make a difference in your family, church, the ministry of CMA, and future generations. You may feel like you are all alone and that you cannot make a difference. You may feel like there is no hope, but through God’s Word, we are reminded that we can make a difference through our obedience to God’s call. As a reminder, we are making a difference in changing the world, one heart at a time.
Weekly Devotion
Man’s Faith or God’s Faith
John Ogden Sr
April 22, 2025
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV).
There are two kinds of faith: natural faith, which is man’s faith, and supernatural faith, which is God’s faith working through man. God’s faith picks up where man’s faith ends. We can see many things in the natural and have faith that they will happen. This is not a bad faith, but God’s faith goes beyond this.
We need to know the mindset of God and the Word of God, for these two will stretch our faith and reveal to us God’s faith, making way for God to triumph through us to accomplish His purpose. This faith will always stretch us. It will move us, but it is a moving force that will cause us to look at the impossible and know that we are in the realm and the possibilities of God. In many situations, I looked at the impossible and laughed within my spirit because I knew that God would move mountains. I did not know how, and it seemed impossible in the natural, but God revealed His way in the supernatural. The way of faith is always the right way.
We must come to grips with many issues of life before we encounter them. We can only come to grips with the impossible through a God kind of faith. We often look at the life of Christ, and we say that Jesus died on the cross. In fact, He did. But Jesus had to come to grips with dying on the cross before He reached the cross. I believe that Jesus came to grips with His crucifixion in the garden of Gethsemane. That was His moment of decision, the place where He settled the debt. Gethsemane was between Him and the cross and was His challenging moment. It is where He came to grips with not His will, but God’s will.
In our lives, we also come to Gethsemane, a place where decisions are made, where God’s faith is released, and where our decisions are settled forever for the cause of Christ. We cannot pass through the Gethsemane experience without the faith of God. We come to a place where nothing matters but God’s calling and purpose for our lives. Many of us have not crossed through Gethsemane. God has brought us there many times, but we have not laid down our lives so that we may fulfill our destiny in Jesus. This place is a place of laying down all that we have and grabbing hold of God’s faith, not only for this life, but for eternity. We can never fulfill our rightful place without allowing God’s faith to consume and operate through us.
Where are you in your walk of faith? Are you continually visiting Gethsemane, or have you already passed through?
Weekly Devotion
Impossible with Man, Possible with God
John Ogden Sr
April 16, 2025
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This scripture is both interesting and the definition of faith. We can look at faith in two ways: man’s faith and God’s faith. Interestingly, this scripture setting talks about faith as a substance. I believe the substance in this verse deals with the Spirit of God speaking on the day of creation to a world that was void and without form, creating something out of nothing, an eternal substance above man’s substance. Evidence in this scripture can be looked at in many forms, but the evidence that I like best is knowing that the blood of the Lamb redeems me. This evidence is what Christ did for all of us at Calvary.
When I think of faith from this standpoint, it makes it easy for me to put my whole confidence and trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for where my faith stops, He holds me up. When I realize that I owed a debt that I could not pay and He paid a debt that He did not owe, I then begin to understand the evidence for our faith. Jesus Christ is the author and the finisher of our faith, which to me means He not only wrote the blueprint, but He completed it. He is all we need in any situation; for any question we might have, He is the answer. May I encourage you to look to Him for the faith that you need in your life.
Weekly Devotion
But God
John Ogden Sr
May 20, 2025
“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1, NKJV).
“Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys” (Job 42:12, NKJV).
Job went through many tests and trials. He was attacked in every area, from his family to his health and finances. There would be no hope for Job.
BUT GOD
God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. What is interesting is that Sarah was beyond the age of childbearing. In the natural, there was no hope of Abraham being the father of many nations as he was childless and advanced in years.
BUT GOD
Three Hebrew children, who refused to bow down to the king, were sentenced to be thrown into the fiery furnace. This surely would have meant death for them.
BUT GOD
In the story of Daniel, King Darius signed a decree that whoever petitioned any god or man in the next thirty days other than the king was to be cast into a den of lions. Daniel, refusing to obey the king’s decree, continued to openly pray to God. Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den and would have been eaten by the hungry lions.
BUT GOD
Peter, a disciple of Jesus Christ with a hot temper, denied Christ three times. He would appear to be unfit as a leader in the Christian faith.
BUT GOD
Lazarus was a man who had been dead for four days and had started to decay.
BUT GOD
There are untold numbers of people in desperate and hopeless situations, people that the world has given up on, people the doctors have sent home with no hope, Christians who have backslidden on God, men and women who were greatly used by God at one time, who may find themselves in hopeless situations. May I remind you to take the hopelessness of your situation and place it in God’s hands. He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ask or think.
WHERE WOULD WE BE, BUT GOD?
John and Becky Ogden,
John is the CMA CEO/Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Weekly Devotion
Hope Built on Faith
John Ogden Sr
April 9, 2025
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV).
There are many things in life that we look for, think about, and, from a natural standpoint, hope for. But that is man’s hope, not one tied to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The hope described in the above verse is the hope that is built on the principles and foundations of God’s Word. It is a hope that is planted in our spirit based on God’s faithfulness.
Hope built on faith in God and His Word will produce optimism and confidence that cannot be acquired any other way. It stands on the foundation and the faithfulness of God. This kind of hope in God and His promises produces faith. Even though, at times, we may find ourselves in what would appear to be hopeless conditions, God would remind us that, in Him, there are no hopeless conditions, only hope. He is faithful, and He knows what we need. With this in mind, hope becomes faith, which, in the Christian life, is the opening to God’s promises, moving us towards the confidence of Heaven itself.
He declared that we would have tribulations in this world, but He said, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b, NKJV). I challenge you to lay hold of a hope based on God that produces confidence beyond the natural and takes us from victory to victory in every situation.
Going Above and Beyond
John Ogden Sr
April 1, 2025
“Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’ – let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.” And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder” (Genesis 24:12-15, NKJV).
This scripture setting deals with the story of Abraham sending his servant to find a wife for Isaac. The servant petitioned God in order to know God's will; he planned to ask a lady for a drink at the well. If she responded that she would give him a drink and also his camels, he asked that she be the one God had appointed. When the servant asked Rebekah for a drink, she not only provided water for the servant, but as he had prayed, she went the extra mile to give water to the camels.
To water the camels was a great task, as it would generally take 20 gallons of water to fill up one camel. In Rebekah's case, she simply said that she would do what was asked, but then she was going to do something more. Her generosity allowed her to fulfill God's destiny for her life. Rebekah could have very easily said, 'I don't do water for camels,' and she would have missed God's destiny for her life.
Where would we be if Noah had said, “I don't do boats,” or if Moses had said, “I don't do rivers,” or if David had said, “I don't do giants,” or if Paul had said, “I don't do letters”? God calls us to be servants and go beyond what is expected in the natural to fulfill His will in our lives. I believe that God would challenge us to do our best and, as we serve, perform every task as unto the Lord, for only God knows the specific tasks that will open the door for our destiny in Him.
WEEKLY DEVOTIONS
Controlling Our Thought Life
John Ogden Sr
March 24, 2025
“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NKJV).
Our thought processes determine who we are. God declares that from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The things that we hear, watch, and see are the things that are planted in our spirit. They will mold our thoughts, speech, integrity, and character. This scripture tells us to take control of our imaginations and everything that would place itself above God's knowledge.
God's knowledge is revealed to us through His Word. One only has to pick up the newspaper or converse with a well-meaning person to realize that people's thoughts give them direction in life. As Christians, our thoughts should line up with the Word of God. In every area that does not, we are responsible for taking control of our thought patterns. We are in a spiritual war, requiring us to bring every thought in line with God's Word. Failure to do so will lead to immorality and spiritual death.
I am amazed at Christians that say they know what God's Word says, but think it is okay to do something different. This leaves a big question mark in my mind. I realize we are all an unfinished product, but we should strive to allow God's Word to be lived through us. God knows the thoughts and intents of the heart, but only when we turn those thoughts and intents over to Him can we begin to bring our thought life into subjection. It is our responsibility to stand steadfast, resist, and reject evil and unwholesome thoughts in the name of Jesus. We, as Christians, overcome our enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. There is a popular saying, "Just say no." But, in many cases, we must continually say no and stand steadfast on God's Word. God reminds us that with every temptation, He will make a way of escape. He also tells us that when we have done all that we can do but stand, we are to stand. We are to set our minds on spiritual life and peace. We are to fill our minds with God's Word. As Philippians 4:8 states, meditate on the things that are noble, excellent, and praiseworthy. At all times, we must be careful what we allow our eyes to see and our ears to hear. We can train our minds to think according to God's Word, producing a godly thought pattern. This will, in turn, allow us to prove what is good and acceptable according to God for our lives.
In my life, I use a simple method – the first step is knowing what God's Word says. The second step is simply saying out loud, "I take authority over (the thought) and rebuke it in Jesus' name." In this way, I have brought the thought in subjection to God's Word. I then say out loud what the thought should have been according to God's Word. As you practice and take control of your thought life, by the power of God, your outlook will change, and you will find that you will immediately begin to quote God's Word.