CAN YOU BE TRUSTED?

CAN YOU BE TRUSTED?

A man walked by a pet store and saw a sign that read, Talking Dog for
Sale." Intrigued, he entered the store and asked the store owner if he
could see this alleged canine communicator. The owner led the man back
to the exercise yard behind the store, where a dog was lying on a lounge
chair, soaking up the sun.

Feeling foolish, the prospective buyer asked the dog, "Can you really
talk?"
The dog replied, "Yes, I can."
Amazed, the buyer said, "Tell me all about it! This is fascinating!"
The dog explained. "Well, I found out when I was a puppy that I could
talk. My owner at the time immediately put me in show business, and for
several years I toured the world - entertaining every kind of audience.
Later, I went to work for the government spying on all sorts of
dangerous people who had no idea that I could understand human speech
and reporting back on their schemes. Finally, I got tired of all that.
Now I'm retired. I wouldn't mind working a little, but I really just
want to take it easy."
The buyer went back in to the store owner and asked him how much he
wanted for the phenomenal dog. The man replied, "Ah, I'll give him to
you for $10 bucks."
The buyer was astonished. "How can you practically GIVE away a valuable
dog like that?"
"Because he's a terrible liar," said the store owner, "who never did any
of those things." (from The Manager's Intelligence Report)

Bottom line question? Does your life back up your words and actions? Do
you say what you do and do what you say? Do you say what mean and mean
what you say?

Solomon said: "The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but
the mouth of the fool spouts folly." (Proverbs 15:2)

So can you be trusted? Good words to ponder today.

Great quote: Wherever thou goest, whatever thou dost at home, or abroad,
in the field, or at church, do all in a desire of union with Christ, in
imitation of His tempers and inclinations, and look upon all as nothing,
but that which exercises, and increases the spirit and life of Christ in
thy soul. From morning to night keep Jesus in thy heart, long for
nothing, desire nothing, hope for nothing but to have all that is within
thee changed into the spirit and temper of the holy Jesus. This new
birth in Christ, thus firmly believed and continually desired, will do
everything that thou wantest to have done in thee, it will dry up all
the springs of vice, stop all the workings of evil in thy nature, it
will bring all that is good into thee, it will open all the gospel
within thee, and thou wilt know what it is to be taught of God. --
William Law

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?

Many of my Freedom Fighter entries come right from my own personal quiet
time and what God is showing me in my own walk and relationship with
Him. This week I have been reading in my daily devotional Bible, from
the book of Job.

I came across this verse which I have read numerous times, but in The
Message, the clarity of the message hit me "right between the eyes."
Job, a man whom God described as one of the most righteous and blameless
men who walked the earth, penned these words: "I have made a solemn pack
with myself never to undress a girl with my eyes." (Job 31:1)

Now some of you will have a hard time with the bluntness of this
statement from the pen of Job, but it almost seems like he has stepped
foot into the 21st century and with great accuracy described where many
of us find ourselves in our world. The media and advertising gurus have
spent billions of dollars to entice and encourage us to look at women in
a perverted and lustful way. Forget about spending a buck on porn - we
just have to drive down the highway to see gigantic billboards that show
scantily-clad women sprawled across the billboard. Or you can turn on
the TV, open a newspaper, magazine, or store advertisement, and find
yourself with an eyeful of temptation.

The advertising philosophy is to get you and me to look so that we will
desire and act on our desires. I think that they have learned the truth
of advertising right from the Word. Remember the verse I shared with you
the other day from James 1:14: "But each one is tempted and enticed when
he is carried away by his own lust ..." King David understands the
concept - it all started with a look! The lust of the eyes is a powerful
thing and must be brought under the Spirit's control.

Imagine yourself standing in an art gallery and observing one of the
world's most magnificent paintings of one of the most beautiful gardens
in the world. You are all alone and your eyes are taking it all in. You
even find yourself stepping into that garden so that you can feel the
grass beneath your feet, smell the lush pine-scented air, feel the
warmth of the sun beating on your skin.

Without you even knowing it, someone walks up alongside of you and after
several minutes says: "What are you looking at? A penny for your
thoughts!" What would you tell him? Most of us would flip him off with a
comment like, "just looking at the picture." Come on now, be honest!
Would you describe in detail what you are seeing, thinking, or doing?"

Now let's go to the verse I shared at the beginning of the email. What
are you looking at when you see that beautiful women on the billboard,
on the TV, in the magazine? Or what about when you are at the Mall or
the grocery store and that women walks by not appropriately attired? Are
we looking at her with Superman's x-ray eyes? We THINK know what knows
what we are really doing - except Job drives the nail in the lid of our
coffin by making this statement: "Isn't God looking, observing how I
live? Doesn't He mark every step I take?"

Next time you are tempted to look, think about this: HE'S STANDING THERE
RIGHT BESIDE YOU LOOKING WITH YOU - and even more, KNOWING what you are
thinking. Allow the Holy Spirit to ask the question: "What are you
looking at?"

Good words to consider.

Great quote: "The Spirit of God works through the Word of God in the
life of the child of God for the glory of God."
Pastor Mike Woods

I'VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU

I'VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU

Christian Comedian, Mark Lowry, shares with his audiences that his mom
had the greatest set of eyes. She was the church pianist and had the
ability to play and scan the audience at the same time. Mark shares that
he would sit in the balcony trying to evade her look, but somehow, some
way, she had the ability to zero in on him with precision and accuracy.
Despite his attempt to hide, she could find him within seconds.

Growing up in our church, we had a lady who was also a pianist with
supersonic vision. She would often be playing the piano which was facing
the front way, and with great accuracy, she'd say, "Tommy, stop fooling
around and sing." We were convinced that she had eyes in the back of her
head.

I will often announce to a Colony man: "I've got my eye on you!" It is a
good reminder that someone is always watching us.

We often forget that the One who created us, has the ability to see
where we are any given second. With precision and accuracy, He sees
where we are and what we are doing. His eyes are piercing and
discerning. And as the old saying goes, "We can't pull the wool over His
eyes."

While you and I may THINK He doesn't see us - He does! All the time!
Today be reminded of this: "The eyes of the Lord move to and fro
throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is
completely His." (2 Chronicles 16:9)

What are His eyes seeing in YOU today? Good thoughts to ponder.

THE POWER OF A THOUGHT

THE POWER OF A THOUGHT

I am sitting here outside our cabin overlooking the most gorgeous view
of trees beginning to transform from green to brilliant yellows, oranges
and reds over the back drop of a beautiful blue sky and lake. It is a
wonderful spot to be still and allow God to speak to your heart and
transform your life.

I just finished reading John C. Maxwell's book The Difference Maker and
wanted to share some things I learned from it. The premise of the book
is that our attitudes affect every part of our lives. What we THINK
certainly has a profound effect on our behavior.

Temptation begins with our thoughts. James says: "But each one is
tempted and carried away and enticed by his own lust." It doesn't take a
rocket scientist to prove that point to you. Think about it for a
moment. When you finally commit sin it wasn't just something you did
without thinking about it ahead of time. Much of our life-dominating
issues with lust, drugs, alcohol, food - you name it - begin with the
thoughts we allow to fester and dominate our minds.

The Apostle Paul says that our thoughts need to be brought "into
captivity": "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing that
raises itself up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking captive
EVERY THOUGHT captive to the obedience to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Sowing a thought results in developing a habit. Habits affect our
character that ultimately leads to our destiny.
So what are the thoughts today that are dominating your life? Today
would be a good time for you to make a conscious decision to take those
thoughts captive!
Look at these words that John C. Maxwell shared about the power of our
thoughts:
I can make you rise or fall. I can work for you or against you.
I can make you a success or a failure.
I control what you feel and the way that you act.
I can make you laugh . . . Work ... love. I can make your heart sing
with joy ... excitement ... elation.
Or I can make you wretched ... dejected ... morbid.
I can make you sick ... listless.
I can be as a shackle ... heavy ... attached ... burdensome.
Or I can be as the prism's hue ... dancing ... bright ... fleeing ...
lost forever unless captured by pen or purpose.
I can be nurtured and grown to be great and beautiful ... seen by the
eyes of others through actions in you.
I can never be removed ... only replaced.
I am a THOUGHT.
Why not know me better.
Bob Conklin

Think on these things today.

COME APART BEFORE COMING APART

COME APART BEFORE COMING APART

Years ago I heard the late Vance Havner say, "If you don't take time to
come apart, you will come apart!" For weeks now I felt like life has
been one roller coaster ride. It started with our summer season and all
the stress comes with ministering to guests and staff.

If you have followed Freedom Fighters with me, you know that in the
middle of our summer season, our Director of Development, Dave Shoppy,
went home to be with Jesus. And then this month has had seven
anniversary banquets and two new grandbabies, both coming early and with
emergency c-sections, in addition to the "normal" routine.

I knew there was light at the end of the tunnel coming this week. We
planned to get away for a break. I knew that I needed it as I was
starting to get "short" (not size wise) with Jan and the kids, as well
as with my staff. I felt like I was starting to "come apart" at the
seams.

We drove on Saturday to the Lake Wallenpaupak to a timeshare place and
guess what . . . We are on top of a mountain overlooking a beautiful
section of the lake. But God has blessed us with something we didn't
plan - we have no cell or internet access! I have to drive 5 miles into
town to get internet access and cell phone coverage.

In fact, I am writing this Freedom Fighter while we are driving back
from Walmart. (Relax ... Jan is driving.)

Jesus told his disciples that they needed to "come apart and rest
awhile." It's easy to talk about it ... but as you know, in our world,
it is not always easy to do. We continue to live life on the treadmill
thinking we are "Superman!" Well guess what - if Jesus rested, then I
need to do the same.

I may begin to twitch by the end of week from technology withdrawal, but
somehow, I know it will be worth it.

Great Quote: Our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry and
crowds. If he can keep us engaged in "muchness" and "manyness," he will
rest satisfied. -- Richard J. Foster

THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF A CHANGED LIFE

THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF A CHANGED LIFE
September 25, 1897

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians
5:17)

Someone once said to Dwight L. Moody "that the world has yet to see what
God will do with and for, through and around the man who is fully and
wholly consecrated to Him." That statement is certainly true of the
life of William Raws, founder of the Colony of Mercy.
William Raws' life was radically changed on February 17, 1886 when he
trusted Christ as his personal Savior in the Germantown section of
Philadelphia. His bondage to alcohol was broken and Raws was gloriously
saved. In his own words William Raws said, "One day, fairly dying from
the effects of rum, unable even to keep hot rum brandy on my stomach, I
staggered penniless too my room and fell against an old arm
chair...Although under the influence of drink, a poor dying drunkard, a
swearing, lustful, sinful man, I cried unto God. He heard my cry and
save me. For days and nights thereafter I could neither eat nor sleep. I
was on the verge of delirium tremens...But peace came at last and
victory through our Lord and Savior."
Raws went on to begin the Whosoever Gospel Rescue Mission in
Philadelphia but was burdened years later to begin a work in the country
for men to escape city life and get alone with God. On September 25,
1897, the family and some friends met around an old pump organ and sang
ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS' NAME. The crowd pooled their resources of
$1.87 and claimed the promise from Philippians 4:19 -- But my God shall
supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
God birthed the ministry of THE COLONY OF MERCY. And the rest is
history.
Thousands of lives have been transformed by the power of the gospel of
the Lord Jesus Christ because of the transformed life of William Raws.
The ministry continues over a hundred years later with the good news
that Christ can set men and women in bondage to sinful addictions and
through Christ, can live victoriously.
God used the ordinary life of William Raws to impact thousands. He wants
to take your ordinary life and doing extraordinary things. Are you
willing to allow your life to have a ripple effect on others? Surrender
you ALL to Him today.

Today's devotional was taken from REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE -365 Daily
Devotionals published by CLC and America's KESWICK. Order a copy today
from the KESWICK BOOKSTORE.

MEAN WHAT YOU SING

MEAN WHAT YOU SING

"Nothing touches the human heart deeper than music. This is never more
true than when a group of Christians sings heartily unto their Lord.
Many a cold heart on skid row has melted as the strains of some old hymn
lingered steamy streets and sleazy alleys surrounding a gospel rescue
mission.

When congregations sing the praise of the King, even demonic hosts stand
at attention. "The powers of darkness fear when this sweet chant they
hear: May Jesus Christ be praised!"

Such moving melodies hold out warm welcome to strangers, comfort to the
broken, refreshment to the lonely, and affirmation to the discouraged.
Great music from God's people instructs, reproves, blesses and relieves.

Who hasn't nodded in agreement while singing, "Prone to wander, Lord, I
feel it, prone to leave the God I love"? Who hasn't stood taller or felt
more confident after all the stanzas of "And Can It Be" or "Am I a
Soldier of the Cross?" or "A Mighty Fortress is Our God?" And who hasn't
found himself lost in wonder, love, and praise while declaring, "My Hope
is in the Lord'? Or received fresh strength from "It Is Well with My
Soul?"

Charles Wesley, perhaps the most prolific hymnist of all times, realized
the value of corporate singing as he wrote, "Oh for a thousand tongues
to sing my great Redeemer's praise." There is nothing to compare to that
sound. Nothing.

But have you noticed the fly in our melodic ointment? It is not a lack
of beauty or harmony, nor is it insufficient volume or intensity. It is,
plain and simple, the presence of WORDS with an absence of MEANING. We
sing well, but we fail to heed the message hidden behind the bars.

Stop and think. There's a line in "Take My Life and Let it Be" that
always makes me pause as the words stick in my throat: 'Take my silver
and my gold, not a mite would I withhold.' Imagine! Not even a mite! We
all sing that with such ease, yet I have known few who wouldn't withhold
something. Including me.

And how about this one:

Have Thine own way Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou are the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Really? Truly yielded? Genuinely still? Absolutely willing to be molded
after His will?

Think of the songs you will sing today as you gather with God's people
to praise and worship Him. Think of each song or hymn as a promise to
God, a binding statement of your commitment. Picture the results of this
commitment as you sing it with gusto. Then, after the song has ended,
apply it with the same gusto.

God not only loves a cheerful giver, he honors a sincere singer."
Adapted from A FINISHING TOUCH - BECOMING GOD'S MASTERPIECE by Charles
R. Swindoll - Word Publishing

Great quote: We are so utterly ordinary, so commonplace, while we
profess to know a Power the Twentieth Century does not reckon with. But
we are "harmless," and therefore unharmed. We are spiritual pacifists,
non-militants, conscientious objectors in this battle-to-the-death with
principalities and powers in high places. Meekness must be had for
contact with men, but brass, outspoken boldness is required to take part
in the comradeship of the Cross. We are "sideliners" -- coaching and
criticizing the real wrestlers while content to sit by and leave the
enemies of God unchallenged. The world cannot hate us, we are too much
like its own. Oh that God would make us dangerous! Jim Elliot

JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY

JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY

Another one of my great heroes has gone home to be with Jesus. For over
years I have been involved with church music, and one of the great
composers and arrangers of the past several decades was John W.
Peterson. Much like Martin Luther did during his lifetime, John Peterson
brought music back to the church through his choruses and Christmas and
Easter cantatas. John loved to get people together to sing and worship
the Lord, and many of his songs have made it into our modern hymnals,
including: Jesus is Coming Again, Heaven Came Down, Over the Sunset
Mountain, and Shepherd of Love.

John worked with many wonderful composers/arrangers like Don Wrtyzen, Al
Smith, Roger Strader, Don Marsh, and if you listen to Christian radio,
many of his songs and arrangements have been recorded by your favorite
gospel musicians.

John's signature song was JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY which has been one of
my all-time favorites. This song truly reflects the leading of Jesus in
our lives from the moment we place our faith and trust in Him as Savior,
until we see Him face to face:

Someday life's journey will be o'er,
And I shall reach that distant shore;
I'll sing while ent'ring heaven's door,
JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY .

If God should let me there review,
The winding paths of earth I knew,
It would be proven clear and true
JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY .

And hither to my Lord hath led,
Today He guides each step I tread ;
And soon in heav'n it will be said ,
JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY .

chorus:
Jesus led me all the way ,
Led me step by step each day ;
I will tell the saints and angels
As I lay my burdens down ,
"JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY."

Thanks, John, for teaching us to sing again. Thanks for teaching us how
to worship. I wouldn't be surprised that the heavenly choir isn't
already singing your songs!

John W. Peterson (1921-2006)

MAKE LOVE YOUR GOAL - Part 2

MAKE LOVE YOUR GOAL - Part 2

"We know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere
within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts
with love." Romans 5:5 (Living Bible)

"The Lord wants us to reproduce His love in your life and mine. Let us
consider more characteristics of that love.

Love "is not touchy" (1 Corinthians 13:5). Love is not irritable,
bad-tempered, resentful or sensitive. A woman apologized to a friend for
something at which her friend could have taken offense. The friend just
laughed it off. 'I am honest,' she said. 'I never pick up things that
don't belong to me - not even slights.'

Love "does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of
other people" (v.5). Love doesn't keep a record of wrongs done against
it but will keep a record of kindness. It is never glad when others
fail.

"On the contrary, it is glad with all good men when truth prevails" (vs.
5). Love will look for and be delighted with what it sees of good in
others. It does not expose the weaknesses of other people.

Love "knows no limit to its endurance" (vs. 7.). Love endures patiently.
It bears its load to the limit. It bears slights and wrongs - even from
friends and relatives - without retaliation.

Love knows "no end to its trust" (vs. 7). Love is not suspicious but
believes the best in people as long as it can. It always looks for the
good.

Love knows "no fading of its hope" (vs. 7). Love never despairs of
anyone. The Lord never gives up on anyone.

Love "can outlast anything (vs.7). When all else is gone, love endures
to the very end. Love is permanent, for God is love.

Does this type of love seem impossible? Can anyone live that way all the
time? There was ONE of whom this love-filled life was completely true:
Jesus Christ Himself. Perhaps you are saying, 'If only this were true of
me. But I am impatient. I say things I am later sorry for. Can I love as
Paul has described? Can it be real in my life?"

We cannot do it in our own strength. It is not the result of our own
effort. We can only love in this way by submitting to the work of the
Spirit of God in us. "The fruit of the Spirit IS love!" (Galatians 5:22)
- from HE IS REAL - 365 Daily Devotions - Millie Stamm - published by
our good friends at Zondervan.

Check out the courses that you can be a part of beginning next week by
joining us this semester at the Keswick Institute of Biblical Studies @
www.americaskeswick.org.

MAKE LOVE YOUR GOALMAKE LOVE YOUR GOAL

MAKE LOVE YOUR GOAL

"In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion
and attains perfection with us." (1 John 4:17 Amplified)

"Paul paints a picture of a love-filled life in 1 Corinthians 13. It is
the picture of Jesus Christ's inner character. He is the ORIGINAL, but
her desires many reprints.

"This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience." (1 Corinthians
13:4 - Phillips) In the rush of life today, we see little patience
exhibited. We are impatient if an appointment is delayed, impatient to
be waited on in a shop, impatient with our families. Genuine love,
however, is slow to lose its patience. Even though treated unjustly, it
doesn't strike back. It refuses to be resentful even though it may have
a reason. Peter writes of Jesus, our example, 'Who, when he was reviled,
reviled not again.' (1 Peter 2:23)

"Love is kind" (vs.4). The Phillips paraphrase reads, 'It looks for a
way to be constructive.' This is not just being kind to those who are
kind to us. It is being kind to those who are unkind. This love is quick
to return good for evil - being kind to someone who has wronged us. It
does not retaliate. Love not only takes the wrong but shows kindness to
the person responsible.

"Love never is envious or boils over with jealousy (vs. 4). Love does
not begrudge another what they HAVE or what they are DOING. It rejoices
in their success and advance. It is not possessive. Love is content with
God's will.

Love "is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas
of its own importance" (vs. 4). It does not parade or display self. It
doesn't boast or brag. If self is prominent, love is lacking. Love is
not arrogant or proud, but humble. Love cannot coexist with a
superiority complex.

Love "does not pursue selfish advantage" (vs. 5) Such love is
self-forgetful. It is not rude but courteous. It lives to serve others.

Love "does not demand its own way" (vs. 5) or seek its own rights. Love
has good manners. It is always thinking of what is best for others. And
love is more important that knowledge. "While knowledge may make a man
look big, it is only love that can make him grow to his full stature."
(1 Corinthians 8:1) Bottom line: make love your goal.

How's your love level today? With your spouse? Kids? Employees?

Great quote: Life is the journey. It isn't always the destination. As we
walk this path of life, we will make mistakes, stumble many times, fall
once in a while. But a hand will reach down and pull us back up, perhaps
a friend's hand, perhaps the hand of God. But always there is hope, and
as long as there is a single breath left in you, there is the chance for
success, not defeat. Anonymous

SIN

SIN

"The chief of sinners." "And the grace of our Lord was exceeding
abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy
1:14-15

"Never forget for a moment, as you enter the secret chamber, that your
whole relation to God depends on what you think of sin, and of yourself
as a redeemed sinner. It is sin that makes God's holiness so awful. It
is sin that makes God's holiness so glorious, because He has said: "Be
holy. I am holy."

It is sin that called forth the wonderful love of God in not sparing His
Son. It was sin that nailed Jesus to the cross, and revealed the depth
and the power of the love with which He loved. Through all eternity in
the glory of heaven, it is our being redeemed sinners that will tune our
praise.

Never forget for a moment that it is sin that has led to the great
transaction between you and Christ Jesus; and that each day in your
fellowship with God His one aim is to deliver and keep you fully from
its power, and lift you up into His likeness and infinite love.

It is the THOUGHT of sin that will keep you low at His feet, and give
the deep undertone to all your adoration.

It is the THOUGHT of sin, ever surrounding you and seeking to attempt
you, that will give fervency to your prayer, and urgency to the faith
that hides itself in Christ.

It is the THOUGHT of sin that makes Christ so unspeakably precious, that
keeps you every moment dependent on His grace, and gives you the claim
to be more than conqueror through Him that loves us.

It is the THOUGHT of sin that calls us to thank God with the broken and
contrite heart, which God will not despise, that works in us that
contrite and humble spirit in which He delights to dwell.

It is the inner chamber, in secret with the Father, that sin can be
CONQUERED, the holiness of Christ can be IMPARTED, and the Spirit of
holiness take possession of our lives.

It is the inner chamber that we shall learn to know and fully experience
fully Divine power of precious words of promise: 'The blood of Jesus
Christ cleanses us from all sin.' 'He that abides in Him sins not.' (1
John 1:7; 3:6)

Good words from the pen of Andrew Murray - GOD'S BEST SECRETS

Great Quote:
"Our proper guilt is God's methodology of bringing us to himself. Just
as sickness sends us to a physician, guilt sends us to God-and keeps us
there. In fact, it is that guilt (and here I use the word guilt in it
broadest possible understanding of 'helplessness', 'discomfort',
'emptiness', 'disunity', 'fear', 'shame', and 'embarrassment') that is
the impetus of prayer. It is guilt that builds a fire of love in our
hearts. It is guilt that makes us more like Christ. It is guilt that
becomes our greatest blessing, because something happens when we come to
God for his grace and mercy-something that is so radical and so amazing
that it can only be described as death to our old selves. It is the
overwhelming desire to please the One who has loved us with such amazing
and unconditional love." Steve Brown, Approaching God

GOD INCOMPREHENSIBLE

GOD INCOMPREHENSIBLE

"Behold God is great, and we know Him not. The Almighty, we cannot find
Him out: He is excellent in power." - Job 36:37

"This attribute of God as a Spirit whose being and glory are entirely
beyond our power of apprehension is one that we ponder all too little.
And yet in the spiritual life it is of the utmost importance to feel
deeply that, as the heavens are high about the earth, so God's thoughts
and ways are infinitely exalted beyond all our thought.

With what deep humility and holy reverence it becomes us to look upon
God, and then with childlike simplicity to yield ourselves to the
teaching of His Holy Spirit.

"Oh the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out."
Romans 10:33

Let your heart respond, "Oh Lord, God of gods, how wonderful You are in
all Your thoughts, and Your purposes how deep." The study of what God
is, ought to ever full us with holy awe, and the sacred longing to know
and honor Him aright.

Just think ...

His greatness . . . . . INCOMPREHENSIBLE

His might . . . . . . . .INCOMPREHENSIBLE

His omnipotence . . . IN COMPREHENSIBLE

His wisdom . . . . . . .IN COMPREHENSIBLE

His holiness . . . . . . INCOMPREHENSIBLE

His mercy . . . . . . . .INCOMPREHENSIBLE

His love . . . . . . . . . INCOMPREHENSIBLE

As we worship, let us cry out: What an inconceivable glory is this Great
Being who is MY God and Father! Confess with shame how little you have
desired to know Him, or to wait on Him to reveal Himself. Begin in faith
to trust that in a way passing all understanding, the INCOMPREHENSIBLE
and ALL-GLORIOUS God will work in your heart and life, and give you in
ever-growing measure to know Him aright." From the pen of the great
devotional writings of Andrew Murray - GOD'S BEST SECRETS

Great quote: "Walking in faith brings you to the Word of God. There you
will be healed, cleansed, fed, nurtured, equipped, and matured." Kay
Arthur

STAND AT THE BOW

STAND AT THE BOW

"Forgetting those things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal." (Philippians 3:13-14)

"Always stand at the bow! Leave the stern with its backward look and make for the bow. To spend time in sad review of past sins and failures is not to put them to the best account. Confess them, and believe that for Christ's dear sake they are absolutely forgiven! Failure often provides the material for success, and our dead selves may become the stepping-stones to better things. Did not our Lord say to His disciples: 'Sleep on now and take your rest' -- the past is irreparable -- but immediately added: 'Arise, let us be going!' -- the future is available. Therefore, leave the stern with its backward look, and make for the bow.

True, the sky before us may be dark with storm-clouds. The weather forecasters say that the world is shedding its old sanctions without replacing them with better ones; the seven civilizations have already passed, and we are to see the death of the eight. Be it so, but they forget that God holds the stormy waters in the hollow of His hand; that Jesus walked the threatening billows to aid His friends. They forget that when the earth was without form and void, the Spirit of God brooded in the chaos and darkness, creating the heavens and the earth. They cannot detect the voice of the Creator saying, 'Behold, I make all things new!' Out of chaos is born the cosmos. Each age ends in travail, out of which a new age is born.

Look to the vast circle of the horizon, and prepare for the new lands to be explored, the wonderful discoveries that await us, the great missions hidden in the future which are waiting to be fulfilled. Never doubt that the clouds will break. Never dream that wrong will triumph. Never count yourself God-forsaken or forgotten. The Master may SEEM to be asleep on His pillow, oblivious and uncaring, but His hand is on the helm. He guides your course. He rules the waves and they obey Him." from the pen of the great devotional writer, Dr. F. B. Meyer -- OUR DAILY WALK

Great quote: Character is not made in a crisis - it is only exhibited. Anonymous

Someone needs to hear this today. I trust that it will encourage your heart. And if you are blessed with the ministry of FREEDOM FIGHTER, why not share it with a friend. They can sign up today by visiting our website: www.americaskeswick.org.

IS THERE SOMETHING GOOD IN TEMPTATION?

IS THERE SOMETHING GOOD IN TEMPTATION?

"The word TEMPTATION has come to mean something bad to us today, but we tend to use the word in the wrong way. Temptation itself is not sin; it is something we are bound to face simply by virtue of being human. Not to be tempted would mean that we were already so shameful that we would be beneath contempt. Yet many of us suffer from temptations we should never have to suffer, simply because we have refused to allow God to lift us to a higher level where we would face temptations of another kind.

A person's inner nature, what he possesses in the inner, spiritual part of his being, determines what he is tempted by on the outside. The temptation fits the true nature of the person's being tempted and reveals the possibilities of his nature. Every person actually determines or sets the level if his own temptation, because temptations will come to him in accordance with the level of his controlling inner nature.

Temptation comes to me, suggesting a possible shortcut to the realization of my highest goal -- it does not direct me toward what I understand to be evil, but toward what I understand to be good. Temptation is something that confuses me for a while, and I don't know whether something is right or wrong. When I yield to it, I have made a lust god, and the temptation itself becomes the proof that it was only my own fear that prevented me from falling into sin earlier.

Temptation is not something we can escape; in fact, it is essential to the well-rounded life of a person. Beware of thinking that you are tempted as no one else -- what you go through is the common inheritance of the human race, not something that no one has ever before endured. God does not save us FROM temptations -- He sustains us IN THE MIDST of them (See Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15-16)." from MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST

"NO temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man ..." 1 Corinthians 10:13

Powerful words from the pen of Oswald Chambers. Someone needed to hear this today!

Great Quote: Every evening I turn my troubles over to God - He's going to be up all night anyway. Donald J. Morgan

Arguments or Obedience

Arguments or Obedience

"Simplicity is the secret of seeing things clearly. A saint does not THINK clearly until a long time passes, but a saint ought to SEE clearly without any difficulty. You cannot THINK through spiritual confusion to make things clear; to make things clear, you must first OBEY.

In intellectual matters you can THINK things out, but I spiritual matters you will only THINK yourself into further wandering thoughts and more confusion. If there is something in your life upon which God has put HIS PRESSURE, they obey Him in that matter. Bring all your "arguments ... and every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" regarding the matter, and everything will become as clear as daylight to you (2 Corinthians 10:5). Your REASONING CAPACITY will come later, but reasoning is how we see. We see like CHILDREN, and when we try to be wise we see nothing (Matthew 11:25).

Even the very SMALLEST thing that we allow in our lives that is not under the control of the Holy Spirit is completely sufficient to account for SPIRITUAL CONFUSION, and spending all of our time thinking about it will still never make it clear. Spiritual confusion can only be conquered through obedience. As soon as we obey, we have discernment. This is humiliating, because when we are confused we know that the reason lies in the state of our mind.

When our NATURAL power of sight is devoted and submitted in obedience to the Holy Spirit, it becomes the very power by which we perceive God's will, and our entire like is kept in simplicity." from the pen of Oswald Chambers -- My Utmost for His Highest

Great quote: Some say if only my fears and doubts will leave then I will get to work. But instead you should get to work and then your fears and doubts will leave. Dwight L. Moody
Our fall semester of the KESWICK INSTITUTE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES is about to begin. We'd love to have you join us for an 8 week course that is certified through Lancaster Bible College. For information, visit our website at www.americaskeswick.org.

FOR THIS BOY I HAVE PRAYED

FOR THIS BOY I HAVE PRAYED

"For this boy I have prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord." -- 1 Samuel 1:28

This has certainly been a week to remember in our house. Yesterday morning our son Josh called to tell is that his wife had been to the doctor for her check-up and was being sent to the hospital to induce their child. Initially when the call came, it didn't seem like a crisis situation, but when Jenny arrived at the hospital, she was immediately assessed and it was determined that she needed to have an emergency C-section. Jenny had a dangerous form of toxemia which was not endangering the life of the baby, but her own life was in grace danger.

We packed up the car and headed down to Delaware and while doing so, mobilized people from all over the country to cry out to God on behalf of Josh, Jenny, and the baby. During the long ride when we didn't have a clue what was happening, I was reminded of verses from Psalm 107:13-15: "Then they cried out to the Lord in all their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bands apart. Let them give thanks for His lovingkindness, and for HIS wonders to the sons of men!"

A little after 1:00 PM, God blessed us with grandson number #2 -- Samuel Cade Welte (5 lbs 13 ozs. 13") We praise the Lord that in His mercy and lovingkindness, he spared Jenny's life! When we heard the "what-could-of-happened" we were thankful for His grace in our lives.

Hannah prayed for many years for a child and when he was finally born, she named him SAMUEL which means "asked of" or "appointed by God." (1 Samuel 1:20). In response to her gift from God, Hannah dedicated her son to the Lord for as long as he lived. While we only prayed for nine months for this precious gift from God, our desire is that Samuel Cade Welte will be used of God in the days ahead to impact the world for His glory and honor. The Scriptures say this about Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:19: "This Samuel grew and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fail." That is my prayer for our Samuel.

AN UNEXPECTED BLESSING

AN UNEXPECTED BLESSING

Last week I shared with you a little bit about my Dad. At our banquet on Tuesday night the former Director of the Boardwalk Chapel shared a story with me about my Dad that blessed my socks off ...

The Boardwalk Chapel has been holding nightly outreach services on the Boardwalk in Wildwood for over 60 years. Thousands of people pass by each evening and many stop in for 10, 15, or twenty minutes and are exposed to the gospel through music, drama and the proclamation of the word of God.

One night while my Dad was sharing his testimony of God's grace in delivering him from a life of alcohol abuse, a young man entered the chapel. He was annoyed at what Dad was sharing so he stomped out. The next day he went to the beach and sat down next to a couple who engaged him in conversation. They were Christians and began to share Christ with him. This made him mad, so he picked up his stuff, walked several blocks down the beach where he dropped his stuff to walk the water's edge. While standing there, a young woman came out of the water and began a conversation with him. She too was a Christian. Now really frustrated, he walked up to the Boardwalk and went into a coffee shop and found the only seat which was at the counter.

Sitting next to him was a man who also shared Christ with him, and at the counter, my Dad lead this young man to Christ! Following their discussion, my Dad walked him back to the Chapel and the Director placed a call to a ministry called THE COLONY OF MERCY and later in the day they drove him to America's KESWICK.

Thirty years ago, I really didn't know about the ministry of the Colony of Mercy -- but obviously my Dad did -- little did I know then that I would one day become the President/CEO of this ministry which will celebrate 109 years of ministry to the addicted next week.

God has an interesting way of blessing us.

Great quote: No soul can be really at rest until it has given up all dependence on everything else and has been forced to depend on the Lord alone. As long as our expectation is from other things, nothing but disappointment awaits us. Feelings may change, and will change with our changing circumstances; doctrines and dogmas may be upset; Christian work may come to naught; prayers may seem to lose their fervency; promises may seem to fail; everything that we have believed in or depended upon may seem to be swept away, and only God is left, just God, the bare God, if I may be allowed the expression; simply and only God. -- Hannah Whitall Smith

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

There are some of us that get hung up in the performance game. You might understand -- we perform in order to get the approval and acceptance of others. It can be at work or even with our friends and family. We find ourselves in the trap of "If I do this or that, they will accept me." This kind of behavior can be life-dominating bondage just like an addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography and tobacco. The cycle of trying to gain the acceptance of others can be physically and emotionally exhausting.

Some one us even try to DO for God so that we can gain His approval and acceptance. We fall into the trap of serving HIM to GET rather than because we LOVE Him. I love the words of this wonderful hymn. It puts acceptance in the right perspective. Allow the truth to sink into your heart this morning. Acceptance is not about what YOU can do for Him -- it is what HE did for you.

"In the Beloved" accepted am I,
Risen, ascended, and seated on high;
Saved from all sin thro' His infinite grace,
With the redeemed ones accorded a place.

Refrain:
"In the Beloved," God's marvelous grace
Calls me to dwell in this wonderful place;
God sees my Saviour and then He sees me
"In the Beloved," accepted and free.

"In the Beloved"- how safe my retreat,
In the Beloved accounted complete;
"Who can condemn me?" In Him I am free,
Saviour and Keeper forever is He.

"In the Beloved" I went to the tree,
There, in His Person, by faith I may see
Infinite wrath rolling over His head,
Infinite grace, for He died in my stead."

Rejoice today, my friend, that you are ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED.

GRACE IN THE NICK OF TIME

GRACE IN THE NICK OF TIME

It has happened in my life on so many occasions, but yesterday was on those days where I saw God show up right "in the nick of time." On Sunday morning, our daughter Julie's water broke which meant that the birth of our granddaughter, Emma Grace, was imminent . . . Well at least that's what we thought. For over 24 hours, Julie had a very slow labor with minimal pain but much frustration as it seemed like she would never progress even with the large doses of medications that were supposed to speed up the process of labor.

At one point during the night, Emma's heart rate was dropping and caused concern. The medical team suggested that we might be facing an emergency C-section. My son-in-law, Garrett is wired much like. Sometimes I think he is really my son and not just a son-in-law because we are so much alike in so many ways. Garrett doesn't do well at hospitals and was quite emotionally wrecked at the thoughts of Julie facing and surgery and the threat to Emma's life.

Finally at 8:30 AM after what seemed like the longest night in history, the team decided that it was necessary to do the C-section. I could relate to where Garrett was in his emotional state -- all the fears and "what if's" racing through his mind. All of his "support team" encouraged him that he could do it and that God would give him the grace to get through it. Before he went back into the room, I told him that while I couldn't explain it, that God's amazing grace would show up right in the nick of time.

This young man is like me -- queasy at the thoughts of blood let alone having to see it. But nothing is too difficult for God and I knew that in response to the many prayers being offered up on behalf of Julie, Garrett, and Emma, God would show up in the nick of time.

And HE DID! I wish you could have seen the look on Garrett's face as he and the doctor came through the door and announced that Emma Grace had been born on 9/11 at 9:11 AM. Garrett proceeded to announce that he watched them putting Julie back together! You should have seen the look on his Mom's face as she replied, "That can't be my son!"

I don't know what difficulties you are facing today. But I do remind you of what the writer to Hebrews said: "Let us there draw near with CONFIDENCE to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help IN TIME OF NEED." (Hebrews 4:12) ... or as one commentator said ... "IN THE NICK OF TIME." Thank You, Lord, for proving your faithfulness to Garrett, Julie and Emma!

You can see Emma by visiting http://www.americaskeswick.org/conf/WelteFamilyPictures.htm

My Words will be no means pass away

Heaven and earth may pass away, but My Words will be no means pass away.
(Luke 21:33, NKJV)

Our nation will never forget the day that changed our lives forever. And
little did we realize how personal September 11th would be for the ministry
of America's KESWICK. Like many ministries, we were getting ready to begin
a service of remembrance for our community, staff, and the men of the Colony
of Mercy. As I was preparing to walk to the Auditorium, I received word
that this tragedy had impacted our ministry.

Don and Jean Peterson were actively involved with the ministry. In addition
to being conference attendees, both were burdened for the Colony ministry.
Don served for a number a years as a volunteer counselor and Jean became a
faithful prayer warrior. Seeing Don's passion and vision for the ministry,
we invited Don to serve on the Board of Trustees. He was a man of purpose,
determination, integrity, and commitment.

The Peterson's were scheduled to leave for California for a family reunion
on the morning of September 11. Arriving early at the Newark International
Airport, they were bumped to an earlier flight. They were assigned to
Flight 93 that crashed on a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Several months after the tragedy we heard that a Bible had been found at the
crash site. Selfishly we were hoping that it belonged to Don or Jean. When
the rescue teams arrived at the crash site, there were only two things
visible - a tire and Don Peterson's Bible. Tucked inside Don's Bible was a
list of the men from the Colony of Mercy the he would be praying for during
the trip.

Don loved the Word of God. He believed that the Word was true and that it
could change and transform lives. How about you? Do you love the Word of
God? Are you spending time each day reading, meditating, and memorizing the
Word? It will change and transform your life.

Bill Welte

(from the book REAL VICTORY for REAL LIFE - 365 Devotional Thoughts in the
Spirit of America's KESWICK)

To order your copy of this timely devotional, call the KESWICK Book & Gift
Shop at 1 (800) 453-7942 x. 31.

ANTICIPATION

ANTICIPATION

This has been a very exciting time in our house this past few months. Some of you know that this has been the "year of the babies" in our family. Our daughter Laura gave birth to our second grand child in June (Lindsay Alice) and our daughter Julie and daughter-in-law, Jenny, is pregnant. I get three grandchildren in the span of several months.

We have been anticipating the birth of Julie's daughter, Emma Grace for nine months and it looks like today is the day! Her water broke early this morning and today could be the day that Emma Grace makes her appearance. There have been many weeks and months of preparation to get ready for her arrival. Our son Zach has been so excited about her appearance. Every day he says, "Today could be today!" There has been a sense on anticipation on his part that is really cool.

As I have been reflecting on the anticipation of Emma's birth, it has reminded me that this is the anticipation that should be a part of our lives as we think about the return of the Savior. Listen to the words of Paul from Romans 8:18-25:

"For I consider that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the ANXIOUS LONGING of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will also be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, WAITING EAGERLY (on tippy-toes!) for our adoption as sons, the redemption of the body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, for why does one also hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait EAGERLY for it."

1 Thessalonians 2:13 -- "Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ ..."

Are you filled with anticipation of the Lord's return? We ought to live our lives as if He was coming back today. Emma Grace, we are looking forward with ANTICIPATION to meeting you today.

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST ...

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST ...

"Someone said that it couldn't be done,
But he, with a chuckle, replied:
'That maybe it couldn't, but he would be one
Who wouldn't say no till he tried.'
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it!
Somebody scoffed, 'Oh you'll never do that,
At least no one ever has done it.'
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.
With the lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it!
There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure,
There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That 'cannot be done,' and you'll do it."

Is there something in your life that you think cannot be done? Has God called you to step out by faith to do something extraordinary? Then remember these two truths this morning:

1. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." -- Philippians 4:13
2. "Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also bring it to pass." 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Good things to consider on this beautiful Saturday.

TEN LITTLE CHRISTIANS

TEN LITTLE CHRISTIANS

10 little Christians came to church all the time;
one fell out with the preacher; then there were nine.
9 little Christians stayed up late;
one overslept on Sunday, then there were eight.
8 little Christians on their way to heaven;
one took the low road, then there were seven.
7 little Christians, chirping like chicks;
one didn't like singing, then there were six.
6 little Christians seemed very much alive;
one took a vacation, then there were five.
5 little Christians pulling for heaven's shore;
one stopped to rest awhile, then there were four.
4 little Christians each busy as a bee;
one got his feelings hurt, then there were three.
3 little Christians couldn't decide what to do;
one couldn't have his way, then there were two.
2 little Christians each won one more;
now don't you see, two and two make four.
4 little Christians worked early and late,
each brought one, now there were eight.
8 little Christians, if they double as before ....
in just seven Sundays we'd have thousand twenty-four.
In this little jingle there is a lesson true --
you belong either to the building or to the wrecking crew!

(From WHO AM I IN CHRIST by Dr. Neil Anderson)

"And He gave some . . . For the equipping of the saints for the work of the service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we ALL attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature of which belongs to the fullness of Christ."

Now to which crew do YOU belong?

THE DUTY OF SELF TESTING

THE DUTY OF SELF TESTING

Tom Paschke, our Director of Housekeeping, has been sharing his story this week on our KESWICK TODAY radio ministry. He shared this poem with our conference guests on Monday:

Present Tense

it was spring...but it was summer I wanted...
the warm days and the great outdoors.

it was summer...but it was fall I wanted...
the colorful leaves and the cool dry air.

it was fall...but it was winter I wanted...
the beautiful snow and the joy of the holiday season.

it was winter...but it was spring I wanted...
the warmth and the blossoming of nature.

I was a child...but it was adulthood I wanted...
the freedom and the respect.

I was 20...but it was 30 I wanted...
to be mature and sophisticated.

I was middle-aged...but it was 20 I wanted ...
the youth and the free spirit.

I was retired...but it was middle age I wanted...
the presence of mind, without limitations.

my life was over... but I never got what I wanted.

Guarding our hearts is an on-going process to help us protect the way we view life. It helps us to think about our dreams, goals and desires in light of God's purposes for our lives. One of the ways we guard our hearts is to do what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:5 -- "Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves."

Dr. Henrietta Mears, author of WHAT THE BIBLE IS ALL ABOUT reminds us that in Paul's second letter to the church at Corinth, he emphasizes that the Corinthians should test themselves to make sure of their faith. "He was anxious that none of them should be deceived. Use every means to KNOW where you really stand spiritually.

Do not depend on a mere profession of religion.
Do not rely on church membership. Joining the church saves no one. Joining CHRIST saves us. Examine your standing.
Do not trust on a past experience.
Live only for today.
Trust only in a present love, a present faith, and a present service.
Do not rest upon mere approved methods of conduct. One may god through the FORMS of religious worship and not be religious. Wax museum figures wink and blind and seem to breathe, but there is no particle of life in them.
Examine yourself about the MOTIVES that move your life. Is it to please GOD or people?
What do you love?
Do I love to think of Christ?
Do I love to pray?
Do I love to study God's Word?
Do I love Christian friends?
Do I love the church?
Do I love to serve Christ?

Good things to ponder as we go through the process of self-testing.

THE RIVERS OF LIFE

THE RIVERS OF LIFE

"He who believes in Me . . . Out of HEART will flow rivers of living water." (John 7:38)

From the pen of Oswald Chambers in MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST:

"A river reaches places which its source never knows. And Jesus said that, if we have received HIS fullness, 'rivers of living water' will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even 'to the end of the earth' (Acts 1:8) regardless of how small the VISIBLE effects of our lives may appear to be. We have nothing to do with the OUTFLOW -- 'This is the work of God that you BELIEVE ...' (John 6:29) God rarely allows a person to see how great a blessing he is to others.

A river is VICTORIOUSLY persistent, overcoming all barriers. For a while it goes steadily on its course, but then comes to an obstacle. And for a while it is blocked, yet it soon makes a pathway around the obstacle. Or a river will drop out of sight for miles, only later to emerge again even broader and greater than ever. Do you see God using the lives of others, but an obstacle has come into your life and you do not SEEM to be of any use to God? Then keep paying attention to the Source, and God will either take you around the obstacle or remove it. The river of the Spirit of God overcomes ALL obstacles. The obstacle will be a matter of total indifference to the river that will flow steadily through you if you will simply remember to stay focused on the Source. Never allow ANYTHING to come between you and Jesus Christ -- not emotion nor experience -- nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.

Think of healing ad far-reaching rivers developing and nourishing themselves in our souls! God has been opening up wonderful truths to our minds, and every point He has opened up is another indication of the wider power of the river that He will flow through us. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has developed and nourished in you mighty, rushing rivers of blessing for other."

Great quote: If all be a gift, see the odious ingratitude of men who sin against their giver! God feeds them, and they fight against him; he gives them bread, and they give him affronts. How unworthy is this! Should we not cry shame of him who had a friend always feeding him with money, and yet he should betray and injure him? Thus ungratefully do sinners deal with God; they not only forget his mercies, but abuse them. 'When I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery [Jer. 5:7].' Oh, how horrid is it to sin against a bountiful God!--to strike the hands that relieve us! Thomas Watson

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE YOU

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE YOU

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Romans 8:35

"Nothing you could ever experience, no matter how terrible or frightening, could EVER separate you from the love of God. No tribulation and distress you might suffer could be so intense that God's love for you is not even more fervent. No persecution could be so painful that God's love cannot bring comfort. Famine might starve you of food, but you will never hunger for the Father's love. Poverty cannot strip you of God's compassion, just as even death itself is incapable of robbing you of your heavenly Father's infinite love.

If you base YOUR view of God's love on YOUR circumstances, you will become confused. There may be times when you will ask, "How could a loving God allow this to happen to me?" You may begin to question what you find CLEARLY stated in the Word of God. God promised that you would NEVER be separated from His love; He did not say that you would never face hardship, persecution, poverty, or danger. IF YOU DOUBT GOD COULD LOVE YOU AND STILL ALLOW YOU TO EXPERIENCE DIFFICULT EXPERIENCES, consider the life of Jesus.

If you allow the death of Jesus on the cross to forever settle any questions you might have about God's love, you will approach difficult circumstances with CONFIDENCE. Knowing that there will never be ANYTHING that could separate you from God's PERFECT love, you will watch to see how God expresses His love in each circumstance. Don't ever judge God's love based on your circumstances. Instead, evaluate your circumstances from the perspective of God's love." from the pen of Dr. Henry Blackaby -- EXPERIENCING GOD DAY BY DAY, published by our good friend at Broadman & Holman.

Great Quote: "Jesus shines the light of the gospel on us both to expose our brokenness and to bring us to brokenness. I guess we should call this gospel brokenness, because only the gospel of God's grace can enable us to be completely honest about our stuff without falling into toxic shame or self-contempt. And only the Gospel can humble us, soften us, and give us the power to repent-or at least, not run away or rant. When followers of Jesus walk openly in this kind of brokenness-gospel brokenness-angels in heaven rejoice, and people without faith, or those with much cynicism about Christians, are likely to reconsider who Jesus is. Write this down: no greater beauty can be found at any point or any place in God's story than the times when God's people manifest this gospel brokenness-for that is where God's glory is revealed most clearly." Scotty Smith, Restoring Broken Things

MY GREATEST HERO

MY GREATEST HERO

It is truly hard to believe how quickly time flies. Twenty years ago today at around 7:00 PM, my greatest hero slipped into eternity and went home to be with Jesus. There are times that I must admit that I really feel cheated. Cheated because Zach, Tanner, Lindsay, Emma Grace (soon to be born) and Baby Welte (soon to be born) will never know their "Pop-Pop" Welte on this side of heaven.

From the world's perspective, he was really a nobody. Yet at his Memorial service over 450 people stood in line for hours to greet our family. The local funeral director told us later that in all his years of doing funerals, he never saw one like this.

His childhood was a difficult one. He was raised in an abusive family with a Dad that beat him and sexually abused his kid sister for many years. He was sent to live with an Aunt and Uncle for survival. He became an alcoholic and lived a life of sin. Somehow in God's sovereignty, he met my Mom. They fell and love, and by her the example of her life, Dad wanted what she had. Pastor Walter J. Dick, former Executive Director of Montrose Bible Conference and now with the Lord, had the joy of leading my Dad to Christ and then married them. Under his ministry my Dad grew in his Christian walk and began to use his God-given gifts for the Lord.

He loved to sing and was encouraged to develop his gift. Throughout his lifetime he sang in various churches in the Philadelphia area as well as ministering in the prisons with the Salvation Army.

Back when we were young kids, Dad and Mom took us to Wildwood, New Jersey for a week. Walking down the Boardwalk we discovered the BOARDWALK CHAPEL. We stepped inside while a service was going on and the rest is history. Before we knew it, Dad was asked to share his testimony and sing, and that began an over 35 year involvement with that ministry.

Despite two heart attacks, strokes, colon cancer, and other physical challenges, Mom and Dad spent several summers as house parents at the Boardwalk Chapel. The week before Dad went to heaven, he was asked to give his testimony and sing. The song he chose was WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS. The last line of that great hymn reads: "Love so amazing, so divine! Demands my soul, my life, my all." After finishing the hymn, Dad sat down on the front row and had a massive stroke that affected the brain stem and never regained consciousness.

My Dad wasn't perfect, but he sure left us a wonderful legacy about the joy of serving Jesus. In the world's eyes, he was a nobody -- but because of what Jesus Christ did in his life, my Dad was a SOMEBODY. Dad, you are still my greatest hero! I love you.

THIS WEEK ON KESWICK TODAY, Colony of Mercy graduate, Tom Paschke, shares how God has been at work in his life. Listen on-line at www.americaskeswick.org.

GOD'S PROTECTIVE HAND

GOD'S PROTECTIVE HAND

I need to praise the Lord for his protection of America's KESWICK during the storms that impacted our area the past 48 hours. It was pouring when we left the Activity Center on Friday night after the evening service. Rather than park our car in its normal spot at our house, we parked it right by the back door so that we could avoid getting drenched.

It rained right on through the night and when I got up Saturday morning, I decided that I wasn't going to chance walking to work in the rain, and it certainly was raining hard enough that riding in my golf cart would result in being totally drenched. So I was prompted to take the car and would come home for Jan and Zach to get them at lunchtime. Little did I know that this prompting was a part of God's protective hand.

Thirty minutes later, Jan was in the shower and heard the odd sound of electric sizzle. She thought she was about to be electrocuted. A large tree near our house fell ripping the electric wires right off the side of the house. The amazing thing is that three landed right where we had parked our car on Friday night. Had I not taken the car, it would have been crunched. Thank You, Lord, for your protective hand in the midst of the storm.

I was reminded of these words from the old hymn, A SHELTER IN THE TIME OF STORM

The Lord's our Rock, in Him we hide,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
A shade by day, defense by night,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes afright,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
The raging storms may round us beat,
A Shelter in the time of storm
We'll never leave our safe retreat,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our Helper ever near,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
GREAT QUOTE: The more you praise God, the more you become God-conscious and absorbed in His greatness, wisdom, faithfulness, and love. Praise reminds you of all that God is able to do and of great things He has already done. Faith comes through God's Word and through praise. Faith grows as you praise the Lord. Wesley L. Duewel

FROM "WITHOUT HOPE" TO "A LIVING HOPE"

FROM "WITHOUT HOPE" TO "A LIVING HOPE"

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy as begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Almost all of the New Testament was written to people who were in trouble in one way or another, who were unhappy for various reasons, who were tempted to look back to the live out of which they had been saved. They were unhappy and troubled even though they were Christians. They didn't know what to do or believe, and they needed help. In other words, the apostles were writing to real people just like us and giving them God's answers to the same kinds of problems we face.
What did they tell them? One of the primary questions they answered over and over had to do with God's forgiveness. Apparently, these people had committed so much sin so many different times, they were worried and wondered if God would still love them, forgive them, and let them into heaven.
Like these people, maybe there is some sin in your life that makes you think God couldn't love you and He just wouldn't forgive you: "God couldn't love me. After all, I stole something. I had an abortion. I've told a lot of lies. I've had premarital sex. I've committed adultery or been involved in homosexuality."
Well, the Bible says you are wrong about God! He knows all about your sins and still loves you. He wants you to come to Him for complete forgiveness and for His help and guidance.
In Ephesians 2:11-12 we read that we were sinners "without hope and without God in the world," totally undeserving and unworthy of God's favor and forgiveness. But He extended His kindness to us and instructed us to gladly and humbly accept it and believe that He loves us.
The Apostle Peter writes, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Dr. John Ankerberg Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 21-22; Luke 18:24-43

Today's devotional is taken from our daily devotional REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE now in its second printing. You can purchase a copy from the KESWICK BOOKSTORE by calling 800-453-7942. Dr. John Ankerberg is speaking at America's KESWICK on Saturday and Sunday evening as a part of our Labor Day Weekend conference.

Great Quote: We must know the power of the Blood if we are to know the power of God. Our knowing experimentally the power of the Word, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the power of prayer is dependant upon our knowing the power of the Blood of Christ. (Reuben Archer) R. A. Torrey

AT THE THRESHOLD OF TEMPTATION

AT THE THRESHOLD OF TEMPTATION

"The grace of God has appeared to all men instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age." Titus 2:11,12

"Yielding to temptation is another step toward a stronghold being established in your mind. Whenever you are stimulated to conform to PLAN B instead of God's PLAN A for your life, you are experiencing temptation. The essence of all temptation is the invitation to live independently of God and fulfill legitimate needs in the world, the flesh, or the devil instead of Christ. That's the great contest. And Satan knows just what buttons to push to tempt you away from dependency on Christ.

The moment you are tempted to get your need met in the world instead of Christ, you are at the threshold of a decision. If you don't immediately chose to take that thought "captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5), you will begin to consider it as an option. And if you begin to mull it over in your mind, immediately your emotions will be affected and the likelihood of yielding to that temptation is increased.

The Scriptures teach us that God has provided a way of escape from every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). But the escape is right at the threshold of the temptation. If you don't control the temptation at the threshold, you run the risk of allowing the temptation to control you. Rare is the Christian who can turn around after directing his will toward Plan B.

For example, a man sees a pornographic picture and is tempted toward lust. He has the opportunity to respond by saying something like, 'My relationship with sin has ended. I chose to take this thought captive to the obedience of Christ. I'm not going to look at it or think about it.' And he separates himself from the picture immediately and escapes the lust.

But if he hesitates at the threshold, stares at the picture, and begins to fantasize about it, he will trigger and emotional landslide producing a physical response which will be difficult to stop. He must capture the tempting thought in the threshold or it will probably capture him." from Dr. Neil Anderson DAILY IN CHRIST published by Harvest House.

Good principle to apply to your life today.