HOW TO ENJOY INTIMACY AND FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WIFE OF YOUR YOUTH

Be willing to talk to your wife often. Tell her what's important to you.
Be willing to listen to your wife daily. Look in her eyes. Hold her hand.
Gaze into her eyes even if you aren't talking.
Stroke her face.
Give her a massage with no sexual touching.
Dedicate one night a week to holding your wife in bed without sexual touching.
Smile at your wife for no reason.
Applaud her accomplishments.
Turn off the TV and tune into your wife as intensely as you would lose the latest game.
Turn the kitchen into an oasis of emotional bonding. Join her in the kitchen and help cook dinner or clean up.
If your relationship with your parents was emotionally distant, realize that you are most likely projecting that relationship onto your marriage. Also, understand that your wife probably will feel about you the way you felt about your parents when you left home.
Ask your wife to make a list of the top seven things that would make her feel emotionally intimate with you. Commit to doing one day for a week.
Then start over the next week.
Tell your wife she's the most important person in your life.
Make a list of ways your wife has positively impacted your life and thank her for what's on the list.
Share your dreams with your wife.
Ask your wife to sit down. Kneel before her, take her hand, look in her eyes, and say, 'I would give my life for you.'"


Romancing Your Wife ... A Little Effort Can Spice Up Your Marriage by Debra White Smith and Daniel W. Smith published by Harvest House
Good words for you to ponder and put into practice. Have a great day.

FOUR INTOLERABLES

Proverbs 30:21-23 "Three things are too much for even the earth to bear, yes, four things shake its foundations --
when a janitor becomes the boss
when a fool gets rich,
when a whore is voted 'woman of the year'
when a 'girlfriend' replaces a faithful wife." (from THE MESSAGE)
Interesting verses this morning from the book of Proverbs. Over the years I have joked about writing a book entitled "I THOUGHT I HEARD IT ALL UNTIL ..." There have been things that I have seen and experienced that were absolutely absurd. Mind boggling. Situations that rocked the foundation of my life.Things people have said or done that just baffled me. Often these absurd things have caused me to step back and think through their implications or to take inventory of my own life.
Solomon gives us some interesting "thought food" in these verses. I want to zero in this morning on that last phrase -- "when a 'girlfriend'
replaces a faithful wife. In my 50 years of life I have seen a number of couples that I loved and respected end their marriages. Most have gone through very painful divorces. I have watched the way divorce has destroyed the kids. I even witnessed how one divorce of a prominent couple in the church, actually destroyed the church. I have looked at some of these situations and scratched my head saying, "How can this be?
What were they thinking? How could they throw all this away?"
You might be reading this today and say, "Bill, I have never cheated on my spouse. I have been faithful and I am committed to my marriage." If we are not careful, we can be so pious and proud that we miss what is going on in our lives. I don't think I am stretching the text here -- but if I am, hear me out anyway. You may be right -- you are not replacing your wife with a physical or emotional relationship with another woman (or a man, if you are one of the ladies who read Freedom Fighters). But it could be that there is some other "girlfriend" or "mistress" in your life. Has your job/ministry become your mistress? Are you so consumed with what you are doing that you are neglecting your spouse? Could it be sports, money, possessions, or even cars?
Unfortunately, for too many men, the computer is sucking the life out of you. You avoid spending time with your spouse because you have become ensnared with "air-brushed" porn pictures or you are spending time in chat rooms where you will end up talking with someone for hours rather than having conversation with your spouse.
Is there a girlfriend or mistress in your life that you need to deal with today? Your spouse is a God-given blessing and responsibility. My guess is that your spouse is longing for fellowship and companionship with YOU. Why not purpose in your heart to replace that "mistress" with the wife of your youth! It could be one of the greatest decisions you make in your life apart from your salvation! If you need help in this area, please write.

GOD'S JOY VERSUS SIN'S WEARINESS

"Lord, I must be very careful not to be sin conscious lest I become weak and exhausted. The burden of the Lord may be a conviction of my sin and is therefore necessary; but as soon as I am conscious of my sin, I must rid myself of it by confession (Psalm 32:5; 1 John 1:9). And once confessed, I must have nothing more to do with it.

Nehemiah had the correct solution for the sin-conscious people: eat and drink, share with others, and praise God, 'for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'(Nehemiah 8:10)

Conviction of sin, while necessary, is weakening and must be turned into conviction and praise in order to save your sanity. The inward look is depressing and discouraging, and I must avoid, at all costs, people who are continually turning me inward. Many people are turned from Christ
because they see morbidity in Christians who have not gotten beyond sin's conviction to sin's confession.

I must never treat sin lightly; neither must I give it so much time, attention, and place in me that I am actually enslaved by it. Many Christians seem to enjoy looking within and relish seeing themselves corrupt and sinful. I must never give sin any more of my time than it takes to let it do a redemptive work in me -- to drive me to my God and His cleansing, and then to praise, strength, and growth! For God wants me alive and well, not caught in the octopus arms of sin. 'Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven whose sin is covered!' (Psalm 32:1)"
from DAILY WITH THE KING published by Moody Press

"Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love." (Micah 7:18)

Good words to ponder today!

DON'T WHITEWASH YOUR SINS

Proverbs 28:13 "You can't whitewash your sins and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting them and leaving them." (Proverbs 28:13 THE MESSAGE)

A good friend of mine thought he could do just that -- whitewash his sins. He was in over his head with internet porn. He was not only visiting internet porn sites, but adult bookstores and even massage parlors. They were having work done on their house and his wife came home from the grocery store one afternoon only to discover copies of two porn pictures on his printer.

The thought never crossed her mind that they could be her husband's. She was furious that the construction workers would have used their computer and violated them by printing out such filth. Later in the day, she showed my friend the raunchy pictures, and for my friend, it was now a "moment of truth!" He had a choice -- he could easily blame the construction workers and buy himself some additional time for his life-dominating sin, or as Solomon said, he could try and "whitewash" his sin. Or he could come clean with her and tell the truth.

I am happy to say, he did the right thing. The initial response was painful, and for several weeks, their marriage teetered on the edge of disaster. But in the end, God honored his bringing his sin into the light.

King David is a great example of this truth. He thought he could get away with the sin of adultery. He did away with Urriah, the husband of Bathsheba. Everyone else was away in battle the night he took Bathsheba. He was free and clear. His sins were whitewashed! Except for one
problem. Nathan the prophet! God sent Nathan to David and in a matter of moments, David faced the same choice my friend faced. When confronted with the truth, David didn't whitewash his sins -- he admitted then and repented! (Read 2 Samuel 11-12)

Psalm 51 is the prayer of David after Nathan confronted him. Take some time to read it today. Is there an area of your life that you are whitewashing? My friend, make it right! Confess your sin(s) to Him and repent! Walk in the light today!

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)

Will We Forget?

The problem with us is we quickly forget. Many of us attended Good Friday services yesterday and focused our attention for an hour or more on all that Jesus did for us the day He died. But let's be honest . . . how many of us actually spent the rest of the day reflecting on the events of the crucifixion? Within minutes of concluding the service, we immersed ourselves back into our routines, or for some of us, took the time to enjoy the rest of our "holiday." How quickly it is for us to forget significant events in our lives.

Good Friday was a MAJOR event. The September 11 of Christianity. War was declared on the terror and reign of sin. And once and for all, sin was taken care of, not partially, not until next year -- but FOREVER! The words of Jesus from the cross are ones that we ponder once a year. But let these words burn into the fabric of your being . . . IT IS FINISHED! He took care of our sins ONCE AND FOR ALL! Praise God! But not only were your sins crucified . . . You were crucified with Christ. And He now wants to be your life!

Tomorrow we celebrate the glorious resurrection. In between Friday and Sunday is Saturday. Can I suggest that today you get alone and take a few moment to reflect on the fact that YOU WERE CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST! Paul wrote these powerful words in Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Hallelujah, What a Savior!

"Man of Sorrows!" what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood --
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilt, vile and helpless we,
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement! can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die,
"It is finished," was His cry;
Now in heav'n exalted high!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Good words to ponder on this Saturday, March 25, 2005

WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most --
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small:
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ -- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." Philippians 3:7-9

THE SUBTLE POWER OF SIN

From DAILY WITH THE KING published by our good friends at Moody Press

"I must realize that the closer I walk with God, the more subtle sin will become. The natural man does not hate sin; he only hates the mess he has gotten himself into. But the disciple soon discovers that sin has great undoing power, the power not only to neutralize the present, but
also to cancel the past.

Israel made a calf of gold and said, 'This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.' (Exodus 32:4) This was a direct contradiction to what Israel said earlier, 'Thou has led the people whom Thou hast redeemed.' (Exodus 15:13)

Sin is always a contradiction. It is the great no to every manifestation of God's truth and power. Even more, it destroys the PRESENT benefit that past blessings have brought us. The great strength occasioned by the song of Moses was wiped out by the creation of the golden calf.

God answered prayer for me yesterday, and I found that it still nourished me today -- until I made a calf of gold. Yesterday's blessing is dissolved by today's idolatry. The subtle power of sin is that it prevents me from relying on my spiritual savings account. Sin not only defeats me but it also strips me of my armor.

What is my defense against the insidious thing? Only my bedrock relationship with God. That is one thing sin cannot change, remove, or dissolve. God has vowed my salvation, not on the basis of what I experience, but on what His Son has experienced for me. While sin can eliminate a day or a year's growth in my soul, it cannot eliminate the thing that makes growth possible -- the vibrant, pulsating life of God."

"For the law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and Death!" (Romans 8:2)

Good words for us to ponder today!

DON'T PLAY WITH SIN

This is one of those reminders that as men (and women) we need to hear often -- "Don't play with sin." One of the things that we see happening as a ministry that counseling people, is the tragedy that we think we can get as close to the edge and yet not get burned.

God's Word makes the issues quite clear, and yet for some reason, we try to figure how close we can get before crossing the line. We may pride ourselves that we wouldn't dare go to an adult bookstore to view or purchase pornography, but we will watch an R-rated movie that contains sexually-explicit material. We might pride ourselves that we are faithful to our spouses, but get close to the edge with flirtatious remarks to a co-worker or friend.

Recently, our Director of Marketing and Technology was running a job on our company copier which was going to tie up the copier for most of the day. Due to the wonders of technology, he was able to run the job from his office in the basement of the Raws building. There would be moments were it would appear the copier was ok to use, but doing so would interrupt and foul up the job. So he placed a sign on the copier that said, "Please do not touch!" It was funny to watch the reaction of the staff throughout the day, as many of us had the same reaction -- we wanted to go up and touch it just for spite! Childish?

Well think about it. God has given you and me some pretty specific, detailed instructions about what we can and cannot do. He says, "Do not touch" and yet from the very beginning, starting with Adam and Eve, we have struggled with this.

Here are some reminders from the Word of God for you and me this morning . . . "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Remember Lot's wife. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with
lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? Therefore, 'Come out from among them and separate,' says the Lord. "Do not touch what is unclean.' Do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light... finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have NO fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." (Galatians 6:7; Luke 17:32; 2 Corinthians 6:14,17; Ephesians 5:7-8; 10-11)

What about you this morning? Are there areas in your life where you are playing with sin? Is there an area where you are deceiving yourself? Purpose in your heart today to say "NO!" -- stop playing with sin.

REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE.

WATCH WHAT YOU SAY

I have watched the life of one of a mentor and friend for over 35 years. I have watched him in numerous circumstances in life, but there was a time that I actually worked for him for seven years. He was the President of a major para-church organization. There were many things that he taught me with his life, but there is one thing that stands out -- He was very careful with his words.

I sat in on several meetings where he had to say some very difficult things to staff that were not performing. From a human perspective, he could have been very upset and angry. But in these situations, he was very calm and careful with his words. Later on I asked him how he was able to do that. He shared with me that in his younger years he was not as careful with his words. In fact, he was quite a hot-head. After having to go to people time and time again to apologize for his unkind words, he began to allow the Holy Spirit to control his tongue, and began to watch what he said. He said that by doing this, it saved him much grief.

Proverbs 21:23 says, "Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief." Jesus emphasized the importance of our words in Matthew 12:34-35 . . . . "It's your heart, not the dictionary that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deed and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: every one of your careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can be your damnation." (The Message)

Wow -- isn't that a power reminder! Think about your words today. Think about what you will say to your spouse, your kids, your boss, your employees. Purpose in your heart to "watch way you say." It might save you a lot of grief!

Good words to ponder on this March 21, 2005. Have a great day.

OLDER SAINTS AND YOUTH

"Youth may be admired for vigor, but gray hair gives prestige to the old." -- Proverbs 20:29

Turning 50 is traumatic. Well at least it is for some of us. I hate being gray, but at this point in my life I am grateful for two things ... 1.) Half of my relatives had little hair at this age, and 2) the other half were pure white in their 20's.

One of the things that concerns me in our society is that we have such a huge emphasis of separating the ages. The seniors don't want to be around the younger people, and vice versa. We live in the fifth largest senior area of the country, and our you can't even buy a home in a village unless you are 55. If we wanted to buy a home in five years, we wouldn't be able to do that because we would have a 13 year old living with us!

There is great value for younger people in rubbing shoulders with seniors. I know that there are some that are crabby and opinionated. But over the course of my life, some of my greatest mentors and friends have been senior saints who have walked with the Lord. They have become my greatest prayer partners, and I grieve every time one of them goes home to be with the Lord.

Unfortunately this separation of the ages even impacts the church. We have services for the young and services for the old. I think the body of Christ is missing out by not having all ages worshipping the Lord together. I have not been able to find any illustrations in the Scriptures where the Israelites or the New Testament church had a separation of the ages. There is much written in the epistles of older men and younger men working together, as well as how older women and younger women can benefit from a mentoring relationship.

If you are a "younger" person, take some time today at church to meet a senior saint. Ask them to pray for you and your family. And then do the same for them. If you are a senior saint with gray hair . . . step out of your comfort zone and meet a younger family. Let them know that you
will be praying for them. Who knows what might happen with vigor is combined with prestige! Enjoy your day of worship.

GOOD REMINDER FROM HIS WORD

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY words will by no means pass away. You know it all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has
failed."

"Fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!" So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, "Let me lord speak, for you have strengthened me." '"Be strong ... and work; for I am with you," says the Lord of hosts. "Not by might nor by power, but by MY spirit," says the Lord of hosts.

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (Luke 21:33; Joshua 23:14; Daniel 10:19; Haggia 2:4; Zechariah 4:6; Ephesians 6:10)

I needed those verses this morning, and my guess is that one of you did too. May God's Word encourage you on this Saturday, March 19, 2005. If these verses touched your heart, I would love to hear from you!

WORTH PASSING ON ...

Like many of you, I receive many forwards from friends with things they want me to read. I am not one to pass them on, but this one was worth your consideration. I cannot give the proper credit for it since it was forwarded without information.

Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever! There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I'm going to celebrate! Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger.

I will go through this day with my head held high and a happy heart. I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds.

Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice. Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know. Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell
someone I love just how deeply I care for them and how much they mean to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!

Good words for you to ponder on this Friday, March 18, 2005.

Special Edition of Freedom Fighter for Thursday, March 17, 2005

This morning I was trying to find the hymn that is based on St. Patrick's Prayer. I commend you to think through it today and even sing it! The tune is MORNING HAS BROKEN.

Christ beside me, Christ before me,
Christ behind -- king of my heart.
Christ within me, Christ below me,
Christ above -- never to part.

Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand,
Christ all around me -- shield in my strife;
Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting,
Christ in my rising -- light of my life.

Christ be in all hearts thinking about me,
Christ be on all tongues telling of me;
Christ be the vision in eyes that see me,
In ears that hear me Christ ever be.

Christ beside me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me -- king of my heart;
Christ within me, Christ below me,
Christ above me -- never to part.

from THE WORSHIPPING CHURCH -- A HYMNAL

Have a great day!

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

My wife tells me that when men are sick we are really a bunch of wimps.
I think she is right! Talk to just about any wife and they will confirm that they would much rather be sick than have us sick. All of a sudden we become whiny. complain, and think that the simplest cold is terminal.

Our minds are powerful tools. Doctors have proven that we can make ourselves sick by thinking wrong thoughts. Proverbs 14:29 confirms their research -- "A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones." (The Message) Solomon confirms this in Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinks within himself, so he is."

Today I go to the dentist to have a cavity filled. I have known about this cavity for at least six months. But knowing that today it was going to be fixed, my mind was focusing in on that little crater that is going to come under the scrutiny of the dentist drill. By the time I went to bed last night, it was hurting like crazy. My mind was out of control.

What are you thinking about today? How do we handle those inappropriate thoughts? Paul gives us a prescription for right thinking in Philippians 4:8 (The Message) "Summing it all up friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things that are TRUE, NOBLE, REPUTABLE, AUTHENTIC, COMPELLING, GRACIOUS -- the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse."

Hey, that is a great prescription for us today. Rather than focus on the negative things, or as Zig Ziglar says, "stinkin' thinking" think on the BEST things. Thinking on the right things has a profound impact on us physically. Take some time today to think on the right stuff. What are you thinking about today? Turn those thoughts over to Him!
Good words to ponder today!

We receive such encouraging notes from many of our Freedom Fighter family. You can help another brother by sharing how God is working in your life. Why not visit the Freedom Fighter site and leave your comments. Let your friends know what God is teaching you in your life -- www.americaskeswick.org.

PUNCHING HOLES IN THE DARKNESS

Proverbs 13:9 "The lives of good people are brightly lit streets; the lives of the wicked are dark alleys." (The Message) I remember hearing a story about the famous Robert Louis Stevenson's childhood. When he went to bed each night he was afraid of the dark. One night his nanny had a difficult time getting him to got to bed and young Robert was looking out the bedroom window. He was fascinated by the lamp-lighter who was walking the streets of his town. All of a sudden he shouted to his nanny, "Look, the lamp-lighter is punching holes in the darkness."

Men and women who are living victoriously in this ever-changing, crazy world do just that -- they punch holes in the darkness with the light of their lives. People see that there is something different about you. You shine in the darkness and make an impact for the kingdom. Eugene Peterson in The Message, paraphrases Matthew 5:14-16 this way . . .

"You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand -- SHINE! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."

How about you this morning? Are you "punching holes in the darkness?"
Have a great Lord's day.

Some of you missed a great Men's Day at America's KESWICK yesterday. The tapes and CD's are available from the sessions. Three powerful messages by Dr. Fred Hartley. Call to order the messages -- 800-453-7942. You can join us this Thursday evening for our monthly Men's Night. Pastor Greg Comfort, Senior Pastor of Lincroft Bible Church, will be our speaker.
Dinner is at 6:15 PM followed by the program. Call for reservations -- 800-453-7942.

INSIGHTS ON TEMPTATION

"Lord, keep me from making the mistakes I'm most prone to when temptation comes. I confess that what I think is necessary, smart, or personally beneficial is so often the beautiful wrapping on sin. So please, keep evil far from me." -- Bruce Wilkinson THE PRAYER OF JABEZ

Bruce took quite a hit when he wrote this powerful book based on the prayer found in the middle of the genealogies in 1 Chronicles 4. Despite the criticism, Bruce's book his the New York Best-seller's list for months and the book impacted hundreds of thousands of people.

In a society where the average person spends less than 5 minutes in daily prayer, I appreciated Bruce's passion to get people praying daily and journaling what the Lord would teach them. I frequently pray the prayer of Jabez and continue to see God work in my life as I apply the
principles of this prayer.

One of the principles of the prayer in 1 Chronicles 4:10 is praying that "God would keep me from evil (temptation) so that I will not cause pain." Temptation comes in many forms. I'm not telling you anything new. You could write your own story to validate this principle. We need to be
aware that there are seasons of our lives when temptation is stronger than others.

Bruce Wilkinson reminds us in his new book, BEYOND JABEZ that "praying from protection is most critical when we are serving God! Keep in mind that God never promised to keep all temptation away from you. In particular, watch carefully for temptation at two specific times: (1) just before a significant effort in God's service and (2) just after such an effort, when you're physically and spiritually exhausted. During these times, keep your heart especially close to God and frequently ask for protection from temptation.

A wise course of action is to preempt temptation before it has a chance to strike, by implementing practical safeguards against the sins you have the hardest times resisting. Set up an accountability phone call. Travel a route that avoids moral snares. Remove from your life any temptations that you know are likely to lead you into stronger temptation."

.

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speaks to hearts and transforms lives."

St. Patrick's Day

Year's ago listening to one of Chuck Swindoll's broadcasts, I wrote this prayer in the back of my Bible. The prayer is one of the prayers of St. Patrick. It echoes the words from Psalm 139 -- there is no place that we can escape the presence of God. I encourage you to read Psalm 139 and then make this your prayer.

As I arise today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me. May the eye of God look before me, the ear of God hear me, the word of God speak for me. May the hand of God protect me, the way of God lie before me, the shield of God
defend me, the host of God save me. May Christ shield me today...Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit, Christ when I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Amen. -- The Prayer of St. Patrick

SHORT FUSES

Our words can really get us in trouble. Well maybe you haven't figuredthat out as quickly as us loud-mouthed sanguines. Sanguines are people who speak first then think about what they say. We tend to react, blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, and then have to do major cleanup because of the "mouth bombs" we have detonated.If we are not careful, we injure our spouses, our kids, our co-workers,and friends.

Solomon cuts right to the chase and cautions that "fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly." (Proverbs 12:16) Ouch! Do you have ashort fuse? Do you think before you speak or do you speak out tooquickly?

Our good friend and conference speaker. Bob Turnbull shares a storyabout getting ready to leave for a conference and giving his teenage son strict directions of what chores he needed to do while they were away.His son was diligent in following Dad's orders, but was unable to accomplish the major assignment on his Dad's list. He was determined to please his Dad, so he did above and beyond what his Dad expected --cleaning up the garage, trimming the bushes, and mowing the lawn.

Bob and Yvonne returned from the weekend and noticed right away that the lawn and bushes were meticulously cared for, was amazed that the garage was so clean, but was quickly angered when he walked in the house and noticed that the one assignment that he gave to his son wasunaccomplished. Before asking questions, he exploded with, "Can't you do anything right? I gave you one thing to do and you didn't do it. Don'tyou ever listen?" Immediately Bob saw the look of hurt on his son'sface. With tears in his eyes, his boy quietly responded, "Dad, I wanted to do the job you gave me -- but the tools for the job were in the trunkof YOUR car!"

Bob shared that at that moment he was humbled and broken. His short fuseand anger had spilled out, and in the process, destroyed and damaged his son's spirit.

James says, "Post this at all the intersections, dear friends. Lead with your ears, follow-up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along inthe rear. God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger." The King James says it this way -- "So then, my beloved brothers (and sisters),let every man (woman) be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."(James 1:19) Do you have a short fuse? Explode too quickly? Purpose in your heart today to be wise -- Stop . . . listen . . . think . . . and then speak! Choose to be a wise man, not a fool.

Good words to ponder today!

ARE YOU TRYING TO BE THE CREATOR?

"Don't think God has ordained you to carry the entire space-time universe on your own back. God created it, God sustains it, and God intends that the government will be upon His shoulders." -- Carl F. H. Henry, Theologian

"Limits were God's intention from the beginning. He decided early on that limits were not only good, but also necessary. It was His way of preempting any ambiguity about who is God and who is not. He is the Creator -- the One without limits. We are the created -- the ones with
limits.

Because God is the author and creator of my limits, then it is probably okay with Him that I have them. He probably doesn't expect me to be infinite and is a little surprised when I try. It is okay with Him if I am not all things to all people all the time all by myself. As a matter of fact, it is probably not okay with Him if I assume otherwise.

We often get into all kinds of trouble by inflating our role in the drama of life. Perhaps this is one of the main reasons God created limits. He knew that without limits we would overreach, swell with pride, and become independent. We would get priorities all messed up, and life balance would be neglected. He would have been right. So to address that problem preemptively, He created limits.

WE ARE NOT INFINITE. None of us has more than twenty-four hours in a day. We do not have an inexhaustible source of human energy. We cannot keep running on empty. Limits are real, and despite what some stoics may think, limits are not our enemy. Overload is our enemy.

As the author of limits, God put them within us for our protection. We violate them at our own peril. God is under no moral obligation to bail us out of our pain if we attempt to do more than He asks. It is okay for me to have limits -- God doesn't. It is okay to get a good night's sleep
-- God doesn't sleep! It is okay for me to rest -- God doesn't need to.

We don't know a lot about what heaven looks like, but this much we know: God is not pacing the throne room anxious and depressed because of the condition of the world. He knows, He is not surprised, and He is sovereign. It is okay if we have limits -- HE IS ABLE. So relax. He's
got it covered!

from A MINUTE MARGIN by Dr. Richard A. Swenson Navpress

Good words to ponder today!

WORDS

Proverbs 10 is filled with little nuggets of truth about our words. There are two verses that address the mouth using the same phrase. Whenever that happens, the Lord is trying to get our attention.

Proverbs 10:6 "Blessings accrue on a good and honest life, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse." Proverbs 10:11"The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse."

The older I get it seems the more I am getting tuned in to how important my words are. Words can build up and encourage, or words tear down and destroy. Words can bring life -- words can bring death. Sometimes after I have spoken words, I cringe at what I have said. I realize that something I have said in jest has really hurt and broken the spirit of my wife, my kids, or a staff member.

I know someone whose words have destroyed so many people. When this person's name comes up in conversation, what people remember about them is the many horrible things that have come from the mouth of this person. Their mouth rather than being a "deep, life-giving well -- has been a "dark cave of abuse."

How are you using your mouth? Maybe you need to step back today and pray David's prayer in Psalm 19:14 "These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-my-Altar. (The Message)

Ponder your words today! Are they life-giving or life destroying? It's not too late for you to register for our Men's Day this Saturday with Dr. Fred Hartley. Three powerful sessions, great worship and plenty of food. See the website for details or call 800-453-7942.

HE IS ABLE

This is one of my favorite readings from the daily devotional DAILY LIGHT which is all Scripture.

"I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that HE IS ABLE . . ."

Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)
Able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Able to aid those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)
Able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always live to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
Able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. (Jude 24)
Able to keep what I have committed to him until that Day. (2 Timothy 1:12)

Do you believe that I am able to do this? 'According to you faith, let it be to you.'" (Matthew 9:28-29)

Rejoice this morning in the God WHO IS ABLE!!!

If you have enjoyed today's Freedom Fighter, why not forward to a friend. To unsubscribe, visit our website www.americaskeswick.org and click "unsubscribe." Freedom Fighters is a daily e-mail ministry of America's KESWICK, "where God speaks to hearts and transforms lives."

WINNING GOD'S WAY

"The Christian is he who is righteous in his conduct, uncompromising in his principles, passionate in his devoton to His Savior, sacrificial in his service, and transparent in his life. He has no life behind the scenes to which he retreats to indulge his appetite for things that he would be ashamed to do in the company of Christian people. His life will bear the closest scrutiny of his strongest critics, from which he will come out unscathed, a holy man of God continually.

In light of His Word, it is God's plan that His people should always be on the offensive, never on the defensive. Too often we retreat, run away, hide from the devil, instead of launching a full scale offensive in the name of Jesus. There will be no victory in the name of Jesus Christ until you declare war against everything in your life that is sinful. Fancy you and me having our feet on the neck of jealousy, pride, a critical spirit, of a harsh tongue! Fancy our having our feet on the neck of every crippling thing in our Christian testimony!

Have you identified yourselves by declaring war on pride, on self, on tongue, on criticism, by determining to attack and conquer them in the name of Jesus? You have a constant attitude to maintain, and a victory to claim."

from VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING by Dr. Alan Redpath

Good words to ponder as we begin a new week.

THE DIVINE STRATEGY

"The trouble with so many of us Christians is that we fail to apply divine strategy to our daily living. If our Christian lives are hit-or-miss, it is not to be wondered at that we miss more than we hit! Very seldom does the Christian apply himself to daily disciplined action or to planned war against the enemy. The result is that many of us are completely outmaneuvered by Satan, who, if I may say so, is a master strategist. Remember, Satan is not only a roaring lion, he is also a subtle snake, and the roar of the lion is far less dangerous that the hiss of the snake.

Every victory that Christian wins in his own personal life is an invitation for a full-scale attack by the enemy of his soul. Every time a child of God steps into an experience of blessing he is on the verge of another assault by the enemy. Our blessings and battles go side by side. If you are being pressed on every front are in the thick of the fight, praise God! If you are finding temptation almost too much to bear and the struggle almost too hard to carry on, I want you to know that I am tremendously glad. You may be feeling miserable, but I am most thoroughly happy on your account. It is a good sign! IF YOU ARE BEING TEMPTED RIGHT AND LEFT IT IS BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING RIGHT THROUGH WITH THE WILL OF GOD IN BLESSING. However, if you are saying to yourself, 'I don't know what he is talking about; I haven't been tempted in years; I don't know anything about this kind of thing;' do get before the Lord and ask Him to show you what is wrong with your life!" from Dr. Alan Redpath VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING published by Revell.

Have a blessed Lord's Day!

If you have enjoyed today's Freedom Fighter, why not forward to a friend. To unsubscribe, visit our website www.americaskeswick.org and click "unsubscribe." Freedom Fighters is a daily e-mail ministry of America's KESWICK, "where God speaks to hearts and transforms lives."

VICTORY AND PRAYER

"You can count on defeat in your life if you neglect prayer. Failure to pray always makes us insensitive to sin. If you pray in the time of victory you will never have to plead in a time of defeat. One of the greatest temptations that can come to you after you have proved that God
is able to give you victory, is to neglect to pray. When you think that you are strong and don't need to pray any more, then you will have dulled your sensitiveness to sin. It is only prayer in the hour of victory that makes a man of God realize that he will face defeat again unless he maintains contact with the Lord Jesus Christ.

The moment of victory is the moment for humiliation. When one experiences the excitement and thrill of God giving him a new deliverance from sin, that should be the moment, not for ride, but for humility. I wonder how many of us as Christian people have gone out into defeat and disillusionment in Christian life because we didn't pray -- when our senses were dulled, and we were no longer acutely conscious of the fact that sin was still there, and that Satan would gain the upper hand unless we clung to the Lord Jesus." from VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING by Dr. Alan Redpath Revell Publishing.

My friend, Jesus said in Matthew 26:41 "Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire."

NEXT SATURDAY IS OUR ANNUAL MEN'S DAY with Dr. Fred Hartley. Fred is an effective communicator and will be sharing three sessions with us. Come and bring a friend. For reservations and information, call 800-453-7942!!! Great music, fellowship, food -- but FOOD FOR THE SOUL!

If you have enjoyed today's Freedom Fighter, why not forward to a friend. To unsubscribe, visit our website www.americaskeswick.org and click "unsubscribe." Freedom Fighters is a daily e-mail ministry of America's KESWICK, "where God speaks to hearts and transforms lives."

VICTORY AND OUR CONFIDENCE?

"There is no experience in Christian living so full of danger as the flush of victory. There is no moment so perilous as when, for the first time in his Christian life. the man of God experienced deliverance from sin. At such times we begin to take pride in ourselves, and to boast that our own arm has saved us. We so easily imagine that because we have achieved victory once, God has imparted to us some new strength which will see us through all our earthly journey.

How utterly contradictory to the truth that is! The fact is that, apart from the grace of God and the blood of Jesus, the smallest temptations will be too powerful for us. The victories we win in fellowship with a Risen Christ impart no strength to us. THE VICTORY YOU WON YESTERDAY WILL NOT BRING YOU POWER TODAY!"

Remember that in the story of Joshua and the battle of Jericho, it was not Israel who captured Jericho. The Israelites walked around the city and shouted -- but it was GOD WHO HAD TAKEN THE CITY! "The silence which reigned over the ruins of Jericho was not a testimony of the strength of the people of God, but a testimony to the power of Jehovah Himself.

The greatest lesson that the child of God has to learn is the lesson learned by Paul, that 'in my flesh dwelleth no good thing,' that 'when I am weak, then I am strong.'; for the greatest cause of failure in Christian living is just this: imagining the victory God has given us has imparted strength to us to win every battle, when it has done nothing of the kind."
from VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING by Dr. Alan Redpath published by Revell

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabbaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.
FROM LUTHER'S HYMN -- A MIGHTY FORTRESS

Good words to ponder on this Friday, March 4, 2005
If you have enjoyed today's Freedom Fighter, why not forward to a friend. To unsubscribe, visit our website www.americaskeswick.org and click "unsubscribe." Freedom Fighters is a daily e-mail ministry of America's KESWICK, "where God speaks to hearts and transforms lives."

THE EXCHANGED LIFE IS NOT JUST FOR YOU!

"The ultimate benefit in allowing Christ to express His life through us is not what happens in us personally. Personal fulfillment is a wonderful by-product of His life within, but His great goal is to express His life to a needy world through loving ministry.

Legalistic religion promises freedom, but actually causes those drawn into its snare to become prisoners of rules. Grace causes the Christian to simply rest in Christ, allowing Him to reveal Himself to others in the course of living each day naturally. Religion makes performance its priority. Grace chooses people as its priority. It frees us to take our eyes off ourselves and allows us to invest ourselves in others. It is a freedom which activates ministry motivated by life, not laws. Law insists on ministry. Grace INSPIRES it.

When people are consumed with desire, they can't be stopped. Grace inflames the desire to share Christ. It ignites compassion toward the lost and motivates Christians to naturally witness with supernatural power. Grace-based evangelism is nothing less than an excitement about Jesus that is contagious to others. Grace will motivate you to share a PERSON, not a plan." from GRACE WALK -- Dr. Steve McVey Harvest House

Take some time to visit our website and log on to the official FREEDOM FIGHTER site. You will now be able to add your comments and questions to the daily emails. We'd love to hear from you -- www.americaskeswick.org.

POINT OF GRACE in concert this coming Monday night at America's KESWICK. Tickets are still available. Call today for your reservations. 800-453-7942.

If you have enjoyed today's Freedom Fighter, why not forward to a
friend. To unsubscribe, visit our website www.americaskeswick.org and click "unsubscribe." Freedom Fighters is a daily e-mail ministry of America's KESWICK, "where God
speaks to hearts and transforms lives."

I AM FULLY ACCEPTED!

"Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am not longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants . . . But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fattened calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry." (Luke 18-19; 22-23)

"If Satan can cause you to feel that God doesn't accept you because of bad behavior. he can keep you in the far country for a long time. However, when you KNOW that your Father loves you and FULLY ACCEPTS you at all times, you feel an inward motivation to see the foolishness of your sins and to come running home, back into His arms.

Is there a place for confession in the Christian's life? Yes, if confession means acknowledging the foolishness and disobedience to the Father and then praising Him that we are ALREADY FORGIVEN AND ACCEPTED by Him. We don't need to beg for forgiveness. The Father relates to us from a forgiving heart because He loves us UNCONDITIONALLY! Do you FEEL unaccepted by God? If so, your feelings are tell you a lie! In Christ you are totally accepted by God! It's hard to passionately love someone you believe doesn't accept you. Failure to understand God's acceptance will create a barrier to intimacy."

from GRACE WALK -- Dr. Steve McVey Harvest House Publishers

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If you have enjoyed today's Freedom Fighter, why not forward to a friend. To unsubscribe, visit our website www.americaskeswick.org and click "unsubscribe." Freedom Fighters is a daily e-mail ministry of America's KESWICK, "where God speaks to hearts and transforms lives."

THE MAN GOD USES -- Read Joshua 1:9

"God said, [to Joshua] 'Be strong,' and when God said that it meant that the man to whom He spoke felt weak. God said, 'Be not afraid,' which meant that the man to whom He spoke was frightened. God said, 'Neither be dismayed,' which meant that the man to whom God spoke would easily quit the job altogether. But when men feel like that, God comes and lifts them up to leadership and into responsibility.

Most of us, God forgive us, are too big for God to use. We are too full of our own schemes and of our own way of doing things. God has to humble us and break us and empty us. So low, indeed, must God make us that we need every word of encouragement from heaven to enable us to take on the job and dare to go forward in the will of God. The world speaks about the survival of the fittest, but God gives power to the faint and He gives might to those who have no strength. He perfects His strength in weakness; He uses the things that are not to bring to naught the things that are. If Paul had been as eloquent as he confessed himself to be contemptible in speech, he could never have become the great apostle."

From VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING -- Studies on the Life of Joshua by Dr.
Alan Redpath. This book is published by our friends at Revell.