IMPOSSIBILITIES
"For with God nothing will be impossible." (Luke 1:37)
What is your impossibility? Job, family, a personal relationship? Did you ever think God designs impossibilities with you in mind?
Read John chapter 6 and you will discover the disciple's perception of circumstances. This perception can either be horizontal (human) or vertical (divine). As you read the chapter, be reminded that nothing is too heavy when God holds the lever! God's power is unlimited. God's promises are unconditional - nothing stands in His way. These ordinary men, following Jesus, were facing an impossible situation. They were tired; exhausted, in fact - "peopled" to death!
And here were 5,000 (as stated in Matthew 14:21), plus the women and children. The disciples and Jesus were in a barren place, without food, and this huge gathering of people was hungry!
Look at the various reactions to this seeming impossibility. Philip looked around and saw the enormity of the problem. Now, Jesus had explained to these disciples that He was the Son of God. But when He asked, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" Philip's response was statistical, calculating only the bare minimum (200 denari or a day's wages). Philip should have said, "You can do this, Master. With You it's no problem." Philip dwells on the situation, not the solution.
Then there is Andrew in this story. In verses 8 and 9, he points out the young lad with the 5 loaves and 2 fish, which appears to be resourceful. But he doesn't think to look to the Lord, either - the same Lord that had just turned water into wine to feed the wedding guests (John 2). Philip looked at the budget. Andrew checked the pantry. Neither anticipated the miracle!
In verse 10, Jesus, in simple fashion, had the disciples seat the crowd and then He multiplied that small lunch to feed thousands. It was even enough to have a basket left over for each disciple! These faithless disciples who figured on the minimum got a smorgasbord! Jesus provided more than what was needed and only quietly rebukes their lack of faith.
Did you learn anything from this special part of God's Word? When you face impossibilities, leave it in the hands of the Specialist! Read the Manual. Get your directions and strength from God. Refuse to worry or calculate. Just give Jesus all you have - even as small as the little boy's lunch - and He will give you back more than you can contain! -- Rev. John Hibbard
Pastor John is a member of the Board of Trustees of America's KESWICK and a contributor of our daily devotional, REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE. You can purchase a copy today by calling 732-350-1187 ext. 31.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
THINK VICTORY! "Yes -- But ..."
“Yes – But …!”
“Lord, I will follow You, but …” (Luke 9:61)
Several years after we were married, we jokingly told the Lord we only wanted three kids, would never homeschool, and please, we’d never live in New Jersey. Well you guessed it – we have four wonderful kids, have homeschooled all four of them, and yes, we live in New Jersey. I am glad they were the only three things we said we didn’t want to do!
We have all been there if we are willing to be honest. There are the times that we are seeking HIS will for our lives, and He steps in to ask us to do something that requires a action step of faith and we find ourselves saying: “Lord, I will follow You, but …!”
You’ve been there, right? Be honest! Sometimes the things He tells us to do just don’t make common sense. Take comfort in this – as you read through Scripture, that seems to be the way it has been for all the men that God has used for His glory.Abraham is listed in the “Hall of Fame” (Hebrews 11) as a men who believed God and took him at his word. He was promised a son, and finally in the tenth decade of his life, he becomes a Dad of the promised son, and God comes along and says, “Ok, Abraham – now that you have him – I want him! I want you to sacrifice Him. You heard me – put him on the altar and sacrifice him!” (That is my translation … so don’t panic!)
I love what Oswald Chambers said about this: “Suppose God tells you to do something that is an enormous test of your common sense, totally going against it. What will you do? Will you hold back? If you get into the habit of doing something physically, you will do it every time you are tested until you break the habit through sheer determination. And the same is true spiritually. Again and again you will come right up to what Jesus wants, but every time you will turn back at the true point of testing, until you are determined to abandon yourself to God in total surrender. Yet we tend to say, ‘Yes, but – suppose I do obey God in this matter, what about …?’ Or we say, ‘Yes, I will obey God if what He asks of me doesn’t go against my common sense, but don’t ask me to take a step in the dark.”
He goes on to say: “Jesus Christ demands the same unrestrained, adventurous spirit in those who have placed their trust in Him that the natural man exhibits. If a person is ever going to do anything worthwhile, there will be times when he must risk everything by his leap in the dark. In the spiritual realm, Jesus Christ demands that you risk EVERYTHING you hold on to or believe through common sense, and leap by faith into what He says. Once you obey, you will immediately find that what He says is as solidly consistent as common sense.
By the test of COMMON SENSE, Jesus Christ’s statements may seem mad, but when you test them by the trial of faith, your findings will fill your spirit with the awesome fact that they are the very words of God. Trust completely in God, and when He brings you to a new opportunity of adventure, offering it to you, see that you take it!” (My Utmost for His Highest – Oswald Chambers)
WOW! I will share tomorrow about how timely this was in the life of our ministry at America’s KESWICK! It is exciting.
Great Quote: The character of God is today, and always will be, exactly what it was in Bible times...God is forever what at that moment, three thousand years ago, He told Moses that He was. James I (J. I.) Packer
“Lord, I will follow You, but …” (Luke 9:61)
Several years after we were married, we jokingly told the Lord we only wanted three kids, would never homeschool, and please, we’d never live in New Jersey. Well you guessed it – we have four wonderful kids, have homeschooled all four of them, and yes, we live in New Jersey. I am glad they were the only three things we said we didn’t want to do!
We have all been there if we are willing to be honest. There are the times that we are seeking HIS will for our lives, and He steps in to ask us to do something that requires a action step of faith and we find ourselves saying: “Lord, I will follow You, but …!”
You’ve been there, right? Be honest! Sometimes the things He tells us to do just don’t make common sense. Take comfort in this – as you read through Scripture, that seems to be the way it has been for all the men that God has used for His glory.Abraham is listed in the “Hall of Fame” (Hebrews 11) as a men who believed God and took him at his word. He was promised a son, and finally in the tenth decade of his life, he becomes a Dad of the promised son, and God comes along and says, “Ok, Abraham – now that you have him – I want him! I want you to sacrifice Him. You heard me – put him on the altar and sacrifice him!” (That is my translation … so don’t panic!)
I love what Oswald Chambers said about this: “Suppose God tells you to do something that is an enormous test of your common sense, totally going against it. What will you do? Will you hold back? If you get into the habit of doing something physically, you will do it every time you are tested until you break the habit through sheer determination. And the same is true spiritually. Again and again you will come right up to what Jesus wants, but every time you will turn back at the true point of testing, until you are determined to abandon yourself to God in total surrender. Yet we tend to say, ‘Yes, but – suppose I do obey God in this matter, what about …?’ Or we say, ‘Yes, I will obey God if what He asks of me doesn’t go against my common sense, but don’t ask me to take a step in the dark.”
He goes on to say: “Jesus Christ demands the same unrestrained, adventurous spirit in those who have placed their trust in Him that the natural man exhibits. If a person is ever going to do anything worthwhile, there will be times when he must risk everything by his leap in the dark. In the spiritual realm, Jesus Christ demands that you risk EVERYTHING you hold on to or believe through common sense, and leap by faith into what He says. Once you obey, you will immediately find that what He says is as solidly consistent as common sense.
By the test of COMMON SENSE, Jesus Christ’s statements may seem mad, but when you test them by the trial of faith, your findings will fill your spirit with the awesome fact that they are the very words of God. Trust completely in God, and when He brings you to a new opportunity of adventure, offering it to you, see that you take it!” (My Utmost for His Highest – Oswald Chambers)
WOW! I will share tomorrow about how timely this was in the life of our ministry at America’s KESWICK! It is exciting.
Great Quote: The character of God is today, and always will be, exactly what it was in Bible times...God is forever what at that moment, three thousand years ago, He told Moses that He was. James I (J. I.) Packer
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
THINK VICTORY! HIS LOVE KNOWS NO LIMITS
HIS LOVE KNOWS NO LIMITS
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), Jesus describes the relationship between a father and his son. The boy is selfish, egotistical, and boldly asks for his share of his father's inheritance. The boy spent his entire inheritance on sinful pleasures in just a short period of time. Then Jesus says the prodigal son ended up feeding hogs.
Why did Jesus describe this young man in such a terrible fashion? It's because He was trying to show that there was nothing left that this boy had to offer his father to move him to forgive and accept him. The son had completely blown it.
But when all hope seemed to be gone, Jesus put a surprise ending on this story that shocked the Pharisees. He says, while the prodigal son is sitting in the pigpen and starving to death, he thinks about his father and decides to return home. He doesn't attempt to clean himself up. He comes to his father dirty, ashamed, embarrassed, knowing that he has no right to be there.
The Pharisees would have thought it right for the father not to pay any attention to this wayward, rebellious son. He had gone his own way and blown it. Now he deserved to be kicked out of the family and punished. But Jesus surprised them and taught that our heavenly Father's love has no limits.
Jesus' point is clear. A man or a woman cannot go so far that God's love and forgiveness are no longer offered. You must realize that regardless of what you have done, you have not stretched God beyond His limits. His love for you knows no boundaries. He has already dealt with your sin 2,000 years ago when Jesus Christ died on the cross. If you will come to God and receive His forgiveness, He will love you, forgive you and embrace you.
The Apostle Paul firmly declares, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Dr. John Ankerberg
Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 19-21; John 8:1-27
Today's devotional is from REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE and is available from the KESWICK BOOK & GIFT SHOP. You can order a copy today by calling
732-350-1187 ext. 31. Dr. John Ankerberg will be our keynote speaker Labor Day Weekend 2007.
Missed the Memorial Day Weekend conference? Then I have a special offer for our Freedom Fighter family. I'd like to send you the three messages Dr. Richard Allen Farmer shared on the subject of VICTORY! I will make these available to you for a gift of any size. The messages will be a challenge to you as you look at the life of David and Goliath. To order, just respond to this email blog.
Great quote: It makes a great difference in our feeling towards others if their needs and their joys are on our lips in prayer; as also it makes a vast difference in their feelings towards us if they know that we are in the habit of praying for them. There is no chasm in society that cannot be firmly and permanently bridged by intercession; there is no feud or dislike that cannot be healed by the same exercise of love. Charles H. Brent
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), Jesus describes the relationship between a father and his son. The boy is selfish, egotistical, and boldly asks for his share of his father's inheritance. The boy spent his entire inheritance on sinful pleasures in just a short period of time. Then Jesus says the prodigal son ended up feeding hogs.
Why did Jesus describe this young man in such a terrible fashion? It's because He was trying to show that there was nothing left that this boy had to offer his father to move him to forgive and accept him. The son had completely blown it.
But when all hope seemed to be gone, Jesus put a surprise ending on this story that shocked the Pharisees. He says, while the prodigal son is sitting in the pigpen and starving to death, he thinks about his father and decides to return home. He doesn't attempt to clean himself up. He comes to his father dirty, ashamed, embarrassed, knowing that he has no right to be there.
The Pharisees would have thought it right for the father not to pay any attention to this wayward, rebellious son. He had gone his own way and blown it. Now he deserved to be kicked out of the family and punished. But Jesus surprised them and taught that our heavenly Father's love has no limits.
Jesus' point is clear. A man or a woman cannot go so far that God's love and forgiveness are no longer offered. You must realize that regardless of what you have done, you have not stretched God beyond His limits. His love for you knows no boundaries. He has already dealt with your sin 2,000 years ago when Jesus Christ died on the cross. If you will come to God and receive His forgiveness, He will love you, forgive you and embrace you.
The Apostle Paul firmly declares, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Dr. John Ankerberg
Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 19-21; John 8:1-27
Today's devotional is from REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE and is available from the KESWICK BOOK & GIFT SHOP. You can order a copy today by calling
732-350-1187 ext. 31. Dr. John Ankerberg will be our keynote speaker Labor Day Weekend 2007.
Missed the Memorial Day Weekend conference? Then I have a special offer for our Freedom Fighter family. I'd like to send you the three messages Dr. Richard Allen Farmer shared on the subject of VICTORY! I will make these available to you for a gift of any size. The messages will be a challenge to you as you look at the life of David and Goliath. To order, just respond to this email blog.
Great quote: It makes a great difference in our feeling towards others if their needs and their joys are on our lips in prayer; as also it makes a vast difference in their feelings towards us if they know that we are in the habit of praying for them. There is no chasm in society that cannot be firmly and permanently bridged by intercession; there is no feud or dislike that cannot be healed by the same exercise of love. Charles H. Brent
Monday, May 28, 2007
Think Victory! Instant Obedience
I LOVE AMERICA
I am proud to be an American and to live in this country. We are far from perfect and have strayed from God in so many ways as a nation. But in comparison to other countries throughout the world, we are so blessed as a nation.
I have been reading a powerful book by the new pastor of the late Adrian Rodgers church in Memphis, Tennessee. The chapter I read earlier this week highlights the revivals that broke our around the world that started in this great country. Revival came because God's people prayed, turned from their sin and repented, and then the refreshing rains of revival broke out. And the ripple effect of those rivals were felt around the world.
Today we need revival in our land. Some have given up and said, "Impossible!" But I believe that we can experience it again if we follow the words from Scripture: "If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek MY face and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land!" (2 Chronicles 7:14) God goes on to say in the next verse: "Now MY eyes shall be open and MY ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place."
Thousands of men and women were willing to pay the cost of laying down their lives, shedding their blood to preserve and protect our freedom. Thousands of men and women are this day serving around the globe to protect, guard and defend us. We must never forget these precious patriots. They were and are willing to pay the cost to protect and defend America. But are we as men of the Cross willing to do due diligence with God and be on our knees to pray for revival to break out in our land? It can happen again today! It's not too late for America! We can take God at His Word. Most of the revivals started out with one or two men who were willing to get on their faces before God - to cry out to Him for revival.
Maybe the man of the hour is you and me. Are you willing to pay the cost? Think about it!
My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing.
Land where my father's died,
Land of the pilgrim's pride,
From every mountain side
Let freedom ring.
My native country, thee,
Land of the noble, free,
Thy name I love;
I love Thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.
Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom's song:
Let mortal tongues awake,
Let all that breathe partake,
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.
Our father's God to thee,
Author of liberty,
To thee we sing:
Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light;
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King!
Happy Memorial Day!
I am proud to be an American and to live in this country. We are far from perfect and have strayed from God in so many ways as a nation. But in comparison to other countries throughout the world, we are so blessed as a nation.
I have been reading a powerful book by the new pastor of the late Adrian Rodgers church in Memphis, Tennessee. The chapter I read earlier this week highlights the revivals that broke our around the world that started in this great country. Revival came because God's people prayed, turned from their sin and repented, and then the refreshing rains of revival broke out. And the ripple effect of those rivals were felt around the world.
Today we need revival in our land. Some have given up and said, "Impossible!" But I believe that we can experience it again if we follow the words from Scripture: "If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek MY face and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land!" (2 Chronicles 7:14) God goes on to say in the next verse: "Now MY eyes shall be open and MY ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place."
Thousands of men and women were willing to pay the cost of laying down their lives, shedding their blood to preserve and protect our freedom. Thousands of men and women are this day serving around the globe to protect, guard and defend us. We must never forget these precious patriots. They were and are willing to pay the cost to protect and defend America. But are we as men of the Cross willing to do due diligence with God and be on our knees to pray for revival to break out in our land? It can happen again today! It's not too late for America! We can take God at His Word. Most of the revivals started out with one or two men who were willing to get on their faces before God - to cry out to Him for revival.
Maybe the man of the hour is you and me. Are you willing to pay the cost? Think about it!
My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing.
Land where my father's died,
Land of the pilgrim's pride,
From every mountain side
Let freedom ring.
My native country, thee,
Land of the noble, free,
Thy name I love;
I love Thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.
Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom's song:
Let mortal tongues awake,
Let all that breathe partake,
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.
Our father's God to thee,
Author of liberty,
To thee we sing:
Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light;
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King!
Happy Memorial Day!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
THINK VICTORY! I KNOW YOU
I KNOW YOU!
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7; Jeremiah 33:11
I was at a viewing this week and when walking towards the door, a man stuck out his hand and said, “I know you. I slopped gravy on your picture today at the restaurant.” The next day I was meeting with a realtor and the owner of the property said after I told him I was from America’s KESWICK, “I know you – your picture was on the placemat in the restaurant I was eating at today!”
Now both of these individuals don’t KNOW me – the recognized my face from a placemat advertising our 2007 Community Open House. But GOD really KNOWS us – He is intimately acquainted with everything about me. He knows my name, my thoughts, where I am at any given moment. He knows the number of hairs on my head!
In my reading this morning, the passages of Scripture from the Daily Light reminded me that even in the midst of difficult times, HE KNOWS ME! He has NOT forgotten me. I love what Paul wrote to Timothy: “The solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS!”
Well, this knowing thing works two ways. Have you ever looked at a baby and then at his parents and an amazing resemblance? Our granddaughter, Emma Grace, looks so much like her Dad, you can’t give her away. People are always saying, “She looks like Garrett in a dress.” The cool thing is that you KNOW she is Garrett’s daughter just by looking at her.
The point? Do people KNOW you are HIS just by looking at you? Are you so in tune with Jesus and so deeply in love with Him, that you reflect HIS image in your life? When they rub shoulders with you do they want to KNOW what you are all about? Think about it today as you have opportunity to worship HIM today.
Great Quote: The people of the Lord in humility are to lay themselves and their prayers, and all that they have, at the foot of their God, to be disposed of by him as he in his heavenly wisdom seeth best. Yet not doubting but God will answer the desire of his people that way that shall be most for their advantage and his glory. When the saints therefore do pray with submission to the will of God, it doth not argue that they are to doubt or question God's love and kindness to them. But because they at all times are not so wise, but that sometimes Satan may get that advantage of them, as to tempt them to pray for that which, if they had it, would neither prove to God's glory nor his people's good. John Bunyan
Join us today for our Sunday afternoon concert with SIMPLE GRACE. The program starts at 2:30 AM in the Activity Center. See the website for details: http://www.americaskeswick.org/.
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7; Jeremiah 33:11
I was at a viewing this week and when walking towards the door, a man stuck out his hand and said, “I know you. I slopped gravy on your picture today at the restaurant.” The next day I was meeting with a realtor and the owner of the property said after I told him I was from America’s KESWICK, “I know you – your picture was on the placemat in the restaurant I was eating at today!”
Now both of these individuals don’t KNOW me – the recognized my face from a placemat advertising our 2007 Community Open House. But GOD really KNOWS us – He is intimately acquainted with everything about me. He knows my name, my thoughts, where I am at any given moment. He knows the number of hairs on my head!
In my reading this morning, the passages of Scripture from the Daily Light reminded me that even in the midst of difficult times, HE KNOWS ME! He has NOT forgotten me. I love what Paul wrote to Timothy: “The solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS!”
Well, this knowing thing works two ways. Have you ever looked at a baby and then at his parents and an amazing resemblance? Our granddaughter, Emma Grace, looks so much like her Dad, you can’t give her away. People are always saying, “She looks like Garrett in a dress.” The cool thing is that you KNOW she is Garrett’s daughter just by looking at her.
The point? Do people KNOW you are HIS just by looking at you? Are you so in tune with Jesus and so deeply in love with Him, that you reflect HIS image in your life? When they rub shoulders with you do they want to KNOW what you are all about? Think about it today as you have opportunity to worship HIM today.
Great Quote: The people of the Lord in humility are to lay themselves and their prayers, and all that they have, at the foot of their God, to be disposed of by him as he in his heavenly wisdom seeth best. Yet not doubting but God will answer the desire of his people that way that shall be most for their advantage and his glory. When the saints therefore do pray with submission to the will of God, it doth not argue that they are to doubt or question God's love and kindness to them. But because they at all times are not so wise, but that sometimes Satan may get that advantage of them, as to tempt them to pray for that which, if they had it, would neither prove to God's glory nor his people's good. John Bunyan
Join us today for our Sunday afternoon concert with SIMPLE GRACE. The program starts at 2:30 AM in the Activity Center. See the website for details: http://www.americaskeswick.org/.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
THINK VICTORY! THE OTHER SIDE OF GOD
THE OTHER SIDE OF GOD
I am thankful this morning for the mercy and grace bestowed on me by a loving, gracious Heavenly Father. But today in my devotional reading, I was reminded that there the other side of God that I must remember. The writer refers to this as “the north side of God.” We need to be balanced in our view of God.“I will make no progress in my discipleship if I limit God to one side. He has two sides. One shows His infinite kindness and patience, the other His firmness and resolution, which the Puritans called ‘the stormy north side of Jesus Christ.’ Most of the teaching about God I have heard refers to His grace, love and kindness. I am seriously deficient in learning that He has a north side as well.
Too many people feel that God’s patience is limitless, His love is inured to pain, His discipline is soft and delayed, and anyway, Calvary, ‘covers it all!’ Such a distorted view of God leads us into all kinds of looseness, laxness, and sloppiness in discipleship. But God is no pushover. If I do not yield to His love, I must yield to His pressure.
Am I so hard of heart that it takes a blow to wake me up? Must I be slave-driven in order to appreciate the loveliness of His person? Or am I so tuned in to Him that the slightest movement of His finger will make me yield? Am I clay in His hands, soft and responsive, or a mass of hard, brittle parts?God reserves His stormy north side for the callously indifferent, but He is never unfeeling toward those who cry for mercy and help. What kind of God is He? ‘He delights in mercy.’ What will He do for us who come suppliant and contrite? ‘He will turn again, he will have compassion on us.” (Micah 7:18-19) Such a God is our God forever!” from DAILY WITH THE KING – Moody Press
Is your view of God balanced? Is there an area of your life that you are toying or playing with sin thinking you can bank on His mercy and grace? Then maybe today you need to be reminded of the “north side” of God.
Great quote: Sin is cosmic treason. R. C. Sproul
I am thankful this morning for the mercy and grace bestowed on me by a loving, gracious Heavenly Father. But today in my devotional reading, I was reminded that there the other side of God that I must remember. The writer refers to this as “the north side of God.” We need to be balanced in our view of God.“I will make no progress in my discipleship if I limit God to one side. He has two sides. One shows His infinite kindness and patience, the other His firmness and resolution, which the Puritans called ‘the stormy north side of Jesus Christ.’ Most of the teaching about God I have heard refers to His grace, love and kindness. I am seriously deficient in learning that He has a north side as well.
Too many people feel that God’s patience is limitless, His love is inured to pain, His discipline is soft and delayed, and anyway, Calvary, ‘covers it all!’ Such a distorted view of God leads us into all kinds of looseness, laxness, and sloppiness in discipleship. But God is no pushover. If I do not yield to His love, I must yield to His pressure.
Am I so hard of heart that it takes a blow to wake me up? Must I be slave-driven in order to appreciate the loveliness of His person? Or am I so tuned in to Him that the slightest movement of His finger will make me yield? Am I clay in His hands, soft and responsive, or a mass of hard, brittle parts?God reserves His stormy north side for the callously indifferent, but He is never unfeeling toward those who cry for mercy and help. What kind of God is He? ‘He delights in mercy.’ What will He do for us who come suppliant and contrite? ‘He will turn again, he will have compassion on us.” (Micah 7:18-19) Such a God is our God forever!” from DAILY WITH THE KING – Moody Press
Is your view of God balanced? Is there an area of your life that you are toying or playing with sin thinking you can bank on His mercy and grace? Then maybe today you need to be reminded of the “north side” of God.
Great quote: Sin is cosmic treason. R. C. Sproul
Friday, May 25, 2007
THINK VICTORY! ENGAGE IN GOOD DEEDS -- PRESSING NEEDS
ENGAGE IN GOOD DEEDS – PRESSING NEEDS
“And let our people also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” Titus 3:14
I can’t quite figure it out – but it seems that just when we think we can’t handle another thing, those interruptions and out-of-the-box situations seem to pop up. You know those situations when you might not say it, but you think it – or maybe mutter under your breath – “Oh no! You’ve got to be kidding. I don’t need this right now.”
Sometimes those “pressing needs” can become those opportunities for minister to people in ways that we can’t even imagine. God might very well be sending those interruptions as “divine appointments” that we could miss if we weren’t committed to engaging in good deeds.Yesterday morning right before our staff prayer time there was an accident on the highway outside our property.
It couldn’t have happened on a worse day as our staff were busy preparing for our Community Open House on Saturday.Traffic was backed up for miles and people obviously were frayed with the delay. The easiest thing would be to ignore the problem and say, “it isn’t our problem.” The interruption for our staff was dropping what they were doing to open our road to allow traffic to be diverted through our property.An interruption – absolutely! But who knows – one of those cars could have been a divine appointment in disguise. Brian Bitler, our Director of Marketing and IT used this interruption as an opportunity by handing out our Open House flyers to every car that came through. My guess is that there are some people who drove through our property who didn’t have a clue what we were.
My staff engaged in a good deed that I believe spoke volumes to many people yesterday. I was very proud of Al, Bill, Brian, Steve, Rob, Garrett, and Zach for jumping in to help us serve our community. We didn’t get to share the gospel one-on-one with anyone – but my guess is that somehow God will use that as an open door someday to do that. And they might just say – “I remember when you guys opened your road for me …”
Don’t miss an opportunity today to serve someone who has a pressing need. Do as Paul said – “Engage in good deeds.” God may just use that interruption in ways that you can’t even imagine!
GREAT QUOTE: “What do you believe when you say, 'I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?' That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them, and who still upholds and rules them by His eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father. I trust Him so much that I do not doubt that He will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and will also turn to my good whatever adversity He sends me in this sad world. He is able to do this because He is almighty God and desires to do this because He is a faithful Father." Heidelberg Catechism, # 26
“And let our people also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” Titus 3:14
I can’t quite figure it out – but it seems that just when we think we can’t handle another thing, those interruptions and out-of-the-box situations seem to pop up. You know those situations when you might not say it, but you think it – or maybe mutter under your breath – “Oh no! You’ve got to be kidding. I don’t need this right now.”
Sometimes those “pressing needs” can become those opportunities for minister to people in ways that we can’t even imagine. God might very well be sending those interruptions as “divine appointments” that we could miss if we weren’t committed to engaging in good deeds.Yesterday morning right before our staff prayer time there was an accident on the highway outside our property.
It couldn’t have happened on a worse day as our staff were busy preparing for our Community Open House on Saturday.Traffic was backed up for miles and people obviously were frayed with the delay. The easiest thing would be to ignore the problem and say, “it isn’t our problem.” The interruption for our staff was dropping what they were doing to open our road to allow traffic to be diverted through our property.An interruption – absolutely! But who knows – one of those cars could have been a divine appointment in disguise. Brian Bitler, our Director of Marketing and IT used this interruption as an opportunity by handing out our Open House flyers to every car that came through. My guess is that there are some people who drove through our property who didn’t have a clue what we were.
My staff engaged in a good deed that I believe spoke volumes to many people yesterday. I was very proud of Al, Bill, Brian, Steve, Rob, Garrett, and Zach for jumping in to help us serve our community. We didn’t get to share the gospel one-on-one with anyone – but my guess is that somehow God will use that as an open door someday to do that. And they might just say – “I remember when you guys opened your road for me …”
Don’t miss an opportunity today to serve someone who has a pressing need. Do as Paul said – “Engage in good deeds.” God may just use that interruption in ways that you can’t even imagine!
GREAT QUOTE: “What do you believe when you say, 'I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?' That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them, and who still upholds and rules them by His eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father. I trust Him so much that I do not doubt that He will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and will also turn to my good whatever adversity He sends me in this sad world. He is able to do this because He is almighty God and desires to do this because He is a faithful Father." Heidelberg Catechism, # 26
Thursday, May 24, 2007
THINK VICTORY! GUIDANCE FROM BEHIND
GUIDANCE FROM BEHIND
“And I will lead the blind by a way that they do not know in paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains.” Isaiah 42:16
Everyone of us faces times when we are trying to discern God’s will and need HIS guidance. I have several friends right now who are in the midst of trying to determine God’s will for their lives. One is looking for direction concerning a relationship he is in. He is trying to determine if this is the right girl for him. Another friend is trying to determine which college to attend. He is facing a tough decision because both colleges have offered him full scholarships. Another friend is trying to determine God’s will about some financial matters. As a ministry, we are seeking God’s will for the future residential women’s ministry.
In my quiet time this morning, this issues was addressed in the devotional, DAILY WITH THE KING: “I must get used to the idea that God is not always in FRONT of me, but sometimes He guides me from BEHIND! ‘Your ears will hear a word BEHIND you, ‘This is the way, walk in it!’ (Isaiah 30:21) Strange guidance, indeed, from behind!
In Argentina I watched a shepherd girl lead her flock of sheep. How did she do it? Sometimes in front, sometimes on the side, and sometimes from behind. The psalmist says, “He LEADETH me” (Psalm 23:2); that is guidance from the front. But verse 3 says, “He DRIVETH me in the paths” – That is guidance from behind.
Guidance from behind means one of two things: either there is trouble ahead and I need to be forced through it; or my resolve is getting weak and God has to use a little muscle persuasion to get me moving along the road.
God has led me more with “behind guidance” than with “before guidance.” When God is in front He is easily seen and I slack my trust a little. But when He is behind I have got to rely on His commands without seeing Him; therefore, I am more vulnerable to failure and mistakes unless my faith is strong. My very vulnerability is the school in which God teaches my faith to be strong.
If I am trusting God, He will never let me make a wrong move. But all the same, He will allow me to suffer the anxiety of a POSSIBLE wrong move, just to keep my faith in fighting trim. That anxiety is painful, but not half as painful as reaping the results of a REAL wrong move. God carefully monitors my anxiety level and will not allow it to overflow. “I will tell the next generation that this God IS my God, He will be my guide, even unto death.” (Psalm 48:13-14).” (from Daily with the King – Moody Press)
How about you? Are you facing a decision? Trying to determine God’s will? He might be leading you from behind! Watch and wait for Him.
GREAT QUOTE: I have cried, says the Psalmist, because thou hast heard me. One would think he should have said contrariwise; thou hast heard me because I have cried; yet, he says, I have cried because thou hast heard me; to show that crying doth not always go before hearing with God, as it doth with us; but that God will not only hear our cry, but also hear us before we cry, and will help us. Thomas Playfere
“And I will lead the blind by a way that they do not know in paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains.” Isaiah 42:16
Everyone of us faces times when we are trying to discern God’s will and need HIS guidance. I have several friends right now who are in the midst of trying to determine God’s will for their lives. One is looking for direction concerning a relationship he is in. He is trying to determine if this is the right girl for him. Another friend is trying to determine which college to attend. He is facing a tough decision because both colleges have offered him full scholarships. Another friend is trying to determine God’s will about some financial matters. As a ministry, we are seeking God’s will for the future residential women’s ministry.
In my quiet time this morning, this issues was addressed in the devotional, DAILY WITH THE KING: “I must get used to the idea that God is not always in FRONT of me, but sometimes He guides me from BEHIND! ‘Your ears will hear a word BEHIND you, ‘This is the way, walk in it!’ (Isaiah 30:21) Strange guidance, indeed, from behind!
In Argentina I watched a shepherd girl lead her flock of sheep. How did she do it? Sometimes in front, sometimes on the side, and sometimes from behind. The psalmist says, “He LEADETH me” (Psalm 23:2); that is guidance from the front. But verse 3 says, “He DRIVETH me in the paths” – That is guidance from behind.
Guidance from behind means one of two things: either there is trouble ahead and I need to be forced through it; or my resolve is getting weak and God has to use a little muscle persuasion to get me moving along the road.
God has led me more with “behind guidance” than with “before guidance.” When God is in front He is easily seen and I slack my trust a little. But when He is behind I have got to rely on His commands without seeing Him; therefore, I am more vulnerable to failure and mistakes unless my faith is strong. My very vulnerability is the school in which God teaches my faith to be strong.
If I am trusting God, He will never let me make a wrong move. But all the same, He will allow me to suffer the anxiety of a POSSIBLE wrong move, just to keep my faith in fighting trim. That anxiety is painful, but not half as painful as reaping the results of a REAL wrong move. God carefully monitors my anxiety level and will not allow it to overflow. “I will tell the next generation that this God IS my God, He will be my guide, even unto death.” (Psalm 48:13-14).” (from Daily with the King – Moody Press)
How about you? Are you facing a decision? Trying to determine God’s will? He might be leading you from behind! Watch and wait for Him.
GREAT QUOTE: I have cried, says the Psalmist, because thou hast heard me. One would think he should have said contrariwise; thou hast heard me because I have cried; yet, he says, I have cried because thou hast heard me; to show that crying doth not always go before hearing with God, as it doth with us; but that God will not only hear our cry, but also hear us before we cry, and will help us. Thomas Playfere
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
THINK VICTORY! DEALING WITH TEMPTATION BIBLICALLY Part 3
DEALING WITH TEMPTATION BIBLICALLY - Part 3
"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but WITH the temptation will provide a WAY OF ESCAPE also, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
During my ten years of ministry at America's KESWICK, I have talked with hundreds of men who have graduated from the Colony of Mercy and have left and within hours, days or weeks, fallen back into their patterns of addiction. When I have an opportunity to talk with them I always ask the question, "What happened?" They will tell their story and somehow in the conversation I will ask the question, "Was God faithful to you?" They will look at me with that puzzled look and then I probe with this question. "When you faced your temptation did God provide a way of escape for you?"
The answer is always, "YES!" My friend, God will always provide an escape route strategically planned just for you. You can count on it because He IS faithful to His Word!
A number of years ago I struggled with panic attacks. I had difficulties driving, going in an elevator, or being in large crowds. One of the things I found myself doing was looking for an escape route. If driving, I always had a plan where I knew I could stop someplace and get help (this was before cell phones). When having to be in a room that I knew there would be lots of people, I always checked for the exit doors so I could escape.
The word escape means "to walk out, as to walk out of a difficult place; to walk out of a trap; to walk out of a place that isn't good for you."
Think about the last time you encountered temptation. Did God not provide a way of escape?
Here are several escape routes that God makes possible that really are quite simple. In fact, they may be so simple that you've missed them:
1. When facing temptation - FLEE!!! Run!!! Get out there!!! Remember Joseph and the encounter with Potipher's wife? (Genesis 39:12) Someone has said, "Negotiating with sin usually leads to falling into it rather than conquering it, so it's better for us to just get up and get away from the situation as quickly as we can!" The very next verse after 1 Corinthians 10:13 says - FLEE!!! Check out 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22. When you find yourself someplace you KNOW is wrong - don't linger - get out of there!
2. When facing temptation - JUST SAY NO! Titus 2:11-12 tells us that God's grace is teaching us to "say no!" Don't play with it. Don't touch it. Say no. Martin Luther said that "playing with temptation is like thinking you can play with and handle fire and not expect to be burned.
3. When facing temptation - RUN TO GOD'S WORD. Jesus encountered temptation in Matthew 4. How did he handle it? He used Scripture: IT IS WRITTEN. That's why hiding God's Word in our hearts is so important.
4. When facing temptation, CRY OUT TO GOD! We can cry out to the One who is "Able to aid those who are tempted." (Hebrews 2:18) Check out Psalm 107.
5. When facing temptation, reach out for help from another brother. Let him come alongside and help you by praying for you, quoting Scripture to you, and being there for you.
Speaker and author Rick Jenner says, "If you say "Yes" to the Lord, He will show you how to deal with temptation biblically. You can evade, dodge, elude, get out of it, and break away from every temptation. You have the power to make the choice!" So what about it? Are you willing to deal with temptation biblically? You have the "HOW TO" from the Word of God in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Start today by committing that verse to memory. Then apply the truth of God's Word to whatever temptation you are facing - and in the words of NIKE ... "Just do it!"
GREAT QUOTE: God walks with us. He scoops us up in His arms or simply sits with us in silent strength until we cannot avoid the awesome recognition that yes, even now, He is there. Gloria Gaither
"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but WITH the temptation will provide a WAY OF ESCAPE also, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
During my ten years of ministry at America's KESWICK, I have talked with hundreds of men who have graduated from the Colony of Mercy and have left and within hours, days or weeks, fallen back into their patterns of addiction. When I have an opportunity to talk with them I always ask the question, "What happened?" They will tell their story and somehow in the conversation I will ask the question, "Was God faithful to you?" They will look at me with that puzzled look and then I probe with this question. "When you faced your temptation did God provide a way of escape for you?"
The answer is always, "YES!" My friend, God will always provide an escape route strategically planned just for you. You can count on it because He IS faithful to His Word!
A number of years ago I struggled with panic attacks. I had difficulties driving, going in an elevator, or being in large crowds. One of the things I found myself doing was looking for an escape route. If driving, I always had a plan where I knew I could stop someplace and get help (this was before cell phones). When having to be in a room that I knew there would be lots of people, I always checked for the exit doors so I could escape.
The word escape means "to walk out, as to walk out of a difficult place; to walk out of a trap; to walk out of a place that isn't good for you."
Think about the last time you encountered temptation. Did God not provide a way of escape?
Here are several escape routes that God makes possible that really are quite simple. In fact, they may be so simple that you've missed them:
1. When facing temptation - FLEE!!! Run!!! Get out there!!! Remember Joseph and the encounter with Potipher's wife? (Genesis 39:12) Someone has said, "Negotiating with sin usually leads to falling into it rather than conquering it, so it's better for us to just get up and get away from the situation as quickly as we can!" The very next verse after 1 Corinthians 10:13 says - FLEE!!! Check out 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22. When you find yourself someplace you KNOW is wrong - don't linger - get out of there!
2. When facing temptation - JUST SAY NO! Titus 2:11-12 tells us that God's grace is teaching us to "say no!" Don't play with it. Don't touch it. Say no. Martin Luther said that "playing with temptation is like thinking you can play with and handle fire and not expect to be burned.
3. When facing temptation - RUN TO GOD'S WORD. Jesus encountered temptation in Matthew 4. How did he handle it? He used Scripture: IT IS WRITTEN. That's why hiding God's Word in our hearts is so important.
4. When facing temptation, CRY OUT TO GOD! We can cry out to the One who is "Able to aid those who are tempted." (Hebrews 2:18) Check out Psalm 107.
5. When facing temptation, reach out for help from another brother. Let him come alongside and help you by praying for you, quoting Scripture to you, and being there for you.
Speaker and author Rick Jenner says, "If you say "Yes" to the Lord, He will show you how to deal with temptation biblically. You can evade, dodge, elude, get out of it, and break away from every temptation. You have the power to make the choice!" So what about it? Are you willing to deal with temptation biblically? You have the "HOW TO" from the Word of God in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Start today by committing that verse to memory. Then apply the truth of God's Word to whatever temptation you are facing - and in the words of NIKE ... "Just do it!"
GREAT QUOTE: God walks with us. He scoops us up in His arms or simply sits with us in silent strength until we cannot avoid the awesome recognition that yes, even now, He is there. Gloria Gaither
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
THINK VICTORY! DEALING WITH TEMPTATION BIBLICALLY Part 2
DEALING WITH TEMPTATION BIBLICALLY Part 2
"No temptation has overtaken you, but such as is common to man; and God IS faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted BEYOND what you are able, but with the temptation will provide a way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
When we are facing temptation, we need to remind ourselves that we have a God who is faithful. I like the fact that Paul in his letter to the church at Corinth doesn't say "He was faithful." That is true. We can recall in our minds that times that God has proven Himself to be faithful in our lives. But we need to remind ourselves that today if/when we face temptation He is faithful for this moment as well.
Our faithful God knows exactly what you and I can handle and will not allow us to be tempted BEYOND what we are able to bear. I am thankful for that promise, aren't you? This morning I read these words: "He knows our frame; He remembers we are dust. A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoking flax He will not quench." (Psalm 103:14; Isaiah 42:3)
The enemy of your soul is a deceiver, conniver, and is on a mission to rob, kill, and destroy (John 10:10) He isn't all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present, but he and his creepy helpers are very much mindful of our weakness. We need to identify in our lives the times when temptation is the greatest so that we can be keyed into the enemy's plan. Be aware - He watches for the right timing:
1. Times of temptation can come in cycles. If you track it, you will notice that it tends to happen at certain times of the year or after major events in our lives. For many years I have been recording in my devotionals dates, situations, issues I am facing, staff issues and have now noticed a pattern. There are certain times of the year that I seem to be more vulnerable. I shared this in a message I preached on Sunday, and today in my quiet time, I noted in my Chambers devotional that for three years in a row I was having a pity-party at this time of the year.
We have been working hard to raise some funds from several foundations and each one has turned us down. The most promising one met on Saturday and we were very optimistic about the grant. Yesterday I received word that our gift was deferred to the fall due to the lack of funds. I found myself having a pity-party! Then I read the Word this morning and my devotional literature and was whacked on the side of the head!
2. We often face our greatest temptations after an emotional high or mountaintop experience. I find that my greatest times of temptation occur right after a weekend or conference where we have seen God at work in people's hearts. Some of you have been on a retreat and God worked in your hearts. You made a commitment to obey God or follow Him in an area of your life, and even on the way home, you experienced temptation.
3. The enemy will often wait to hit us when we are tired, weary exasperated. This is when we need to be on our guard!!!
4. He will wait until our guard is down. The preceding verse says, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." Our spiritual pride can be a time to drop our guard. We need to be on our toes at all times.
Are you facing a time of temptation in your life? Don't yield to it. Get on your knees today and thank God that He IS faithful. He won't let you be tempted BEYOND what you are able to bear. Can you identify your greatest times of temptation? Think about it.
Great Quote: The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way. The things that happen either make us evil, or they make us more saintly, depending entirely on our relationship with God and its level of intimacy ... When we understand God's purpose, we will not become small-minded and cynical." Oswald Chambers
"No temptation has overtaken you, but such as is common to man; and God IS faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted BEYOND what you are able, but with the temptation will provide a way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
When we are facing temptation, we need to remind ourselves that we have a God who is faithful. I like the fact that Paul in his letter to the church at Corinth doesn't say "He was faithful." That is true. We can recall in our minds that times that God has proven Himself to be faithful in our lives. But we need to remind ourselves that today if/when we face temptation He is faithful for this moment as well.
Our faithful God knows exactly what you and I can handle and will not allow us to be tempted BEYOND what we are able to bear. I am thankful for that promise, aren't you? This morning I read these words: "He knows our frame; He remembers we are dust. A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoking flax He will not quench." (Psalm 103:14; Isaiah 42:3)
The enemy of your soul is a deceiver, conniver, and is on a mission to rob, kill, and destroy (John 10:10) He isn't all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present, but he and his creepy helpers are very much mindful of our weakness. We need to identify in our lives the times when temptation is the greatest so that we can be keyed into the enemy's plan. Be aware - He watches for the right timing:
1. Times of temptation can come in cycles. If you track it, you will notice that it tends to happen at certain times of the year or after major events in our lives. For many years I have been recording in my devotionals dates, situations, issues I am facing, staff issues and have now noticed a pattern. There are certain times of the year that I seem to be more vulnerable. I shared this in a message I preached on Sunday, and today in my quiet time, I noted in my Chambers devotional that for three years in a row I was having a pity-party at this time of the year.
We have been working hard to raise some funds from several foundations and each one has turned us down. The most promising one met on Saturday and we were very optimistic about the grant. Yesterday I received word that our gift was deferred to the fall due to the lack of funds. I found myself having a pity-party! Then I read the Word this morning and my devotional literature and was whacked on the side of the head!
2. We often face our greatest temptations after an emotional high or mountaintop experience. I find that my greatest times of temptation occur right after a weekend or conference where we have seen God at work in people's hearts. Some of you have been on a retreat and God worked in your hearts. You made a commitment to obey God or follow Him in an area of your life, and even on the way home, you experienced temptation.
3. The enemy will often wait to hit us when we are tired, weary exasperated. This is when we need to be on our guard!!!
4. He will wait until our guard is down. The preceding verse says, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." Our spiritual pride can be a time to drop our guard. We need to be on our toes at all times.
Are you facing a time of temptation in your life? Don't yield to it. Get on your knees today and thank God that He IS faithful. He won't let you be tempted BEYOND what you are able to bear. Can you identify your greatest times of temptation? Think about it.
Great Quote: The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way. The things that happen either make us evil, or they make us more saintly, depending entirely on our relationship with God and its level of intimacy ... When we understand God's purpose, we will not become small-minded and cynical." Oswald Chambers
Monday, May 21, 2007
THINK VICTORY! DEALING WITH TEMPTATION BIBLICALLY
DEALING WITH TEMPTATION BIBLICALLY
“No temptation has OVERTAKEN you but such as is common to man; and God is FAITHFUL, who will not allow you to be tempted BEYOND what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of ESCAPE also, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
I’d like to unpack this verse over the next several days because everyone of us faces temptation. But for men who want to THINK VICTORY! – we can have victory over temptation.Working with men who are bound in addiction, we see the power of temptation sometimes on a grander scale. They are being pulled by the enemy of a daily basis to go back into their sinful lifestyles that brought them to the Colony of Mercy. But every one of us faces temptations. No one is exempt.
What is temptation? Rick Jenner in his book on word studies, Sparkling Gems, says that temptation is “any outside source that appeals to a weakness in your flesh. The appel pulls us like a magnet; it lures us mentally, emotionally, and sensually; it fascinates the imagination; it entices the flesh to take a closer peek. If you don’t stop this process, it will set it’s hook in your soul and haul you right smack in the middle of some kind of sin.”
Temptation is a trick of the enemy that goes right back to the beginning in Genesis 3:6 “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food (the lust of the flesh), and that is was a delight to the eyes (the lust of the eyes), and that the tree was desirable to make one wise (the pride of life) …
I knew a godly man in his 90’s whose life was so immersed by his walk with Christ that you felt like you were in God’s presence when you were with him. He helped a good friend of mine in ministry through a difficult separation that resulted in a divorce. The day after my friend resigned from his church, the three of us were having breakfast. Pastor Conant asked this young preacher if he had faced sexual tempation during the separation. My friend shared that he never faced those issues during the three year period. Pastor smiled and said, “Matt, I prayed such a hedge of protection around you that you couldn’t have gotten your pants down if you tried!”But I will never forget the next comments. Matt said, “Pastor, it must be nice to be at this age when you no longer face these temptations in your life.” This godly man, in his late 80’s responded, “Matthew, I maybe old, but I am not dead!”
Friend, everyone faces temptation. Even Jesus faced it (see Matthew 4)! In fact, that is why He is there, ready to help you live victoriously so that you can overcome temptation. He knows. He understands. He’s been there – done that! – “For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18)We all face it. Tomorrow we will look at how to overcome it and live in victory.
Great Quote: Just as worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience. If worship does not propel us into greater obedience, it has not been worship. To stand before the Holy One of eternity is to change. Resentments cannot be held with the same tenacity when we enter his gracious light. As Jesus says, we need to leave our gift at the altar and go set the matter straight (Matthew 5:23, 24). In worship an increased power steals its way into the heart sanctuary, an increased compassion grows in the soul. To worship is to change. Richard J. Foster
Join us this weekend for our Memorial Day Weekend conference which begins on Friday evening. Dr. Richard Allen Farmer will be speaking in the evenings, and Dr. Jim Jeffrey, will speak in the mornings. JAARS will be on campus to talk about mission opportunities as well as offering helicopter rides for our guests on Friday, Saturday and Monday. Check out the website for details: www.americaskeswick.org For information, call 732-350-1187.
“No temptation has OVERTAKEN you but such as is common to man; and God is FAITHFUL, who will not allow you to be tempted BEYOND what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of ESCAPE also, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
I’d like to unpack this verse over the next several days because everyone of us faces temptation. But for men who want to THINK VICTORY! – we can have victory over temptation.Working with men who are bound in addiction, we see the power of temptation sometimes on a grander scale. They are being pulled by the enemy of a daily basis to go back into their sinful lifestyles that brought them to the Colony of Mercy. But every one of us faces temptations. No one is exempt.
What is temptation? Rick Jenner in his book on word studies, Sparkling Gems, says that temptation is “any outside source that appeals to a weakness in your flesh. The appel pulls us like a magnet; it lures us mentally, emotionally, and sensually; it fascinates the imagination; it entices the flesh to take a closer peek. If you don’t stop this process, it will set it’s hook in your soul and haul you right smack in the middle of some kind of sin.”
Temptation is a trick of the enemy that goes right back to the beginning in Genesis 3:6 “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food (the lust of the flesh), and that is was a delight to the eyes (the lust of the eyes), and that the tree was desirable to make one wise (the pride of life) …
I knew a godly man in his 90’s whose life was so immersed by his walk with Christ that you felt like you were in God’s presence when you were with him. He helped a good friend of mine in ministry through a difficult separation that resulted in a divorce. The day after my friend resigned from his church, the three of us were having breakfast. Pastor Conant asked this young preacher if he had faced sexual tempation during the separation. My friend shared that he never faced those issues during the three year period. Pastor smiled and said, “Matt, I prayed such a hedge of protection around you that you couldn’t have gotten your pants down if you tried!”But I will never forget the next comments. Matt said, “Pastor, it must be nice to be at this age when you no longer face these temptations in your life.” This godly man, in his late 80’s responded, “Matthew, I maybe old, but I am not dead!”
Friend, everyone faces temptation. Even Jesus faced it (see Matthew 4)! In fact, that is why He is there, ready to help you live victoriously so that you can overcome temptation. He knows. He understands. He’s been there – done that! – “For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18)We all face it. Tomorrow we will look at how to overcome it and live in victory.
Great Quote: Just as worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience. If worship does not propel us into greater obedience, it has not been worship. To stand before the Holy One of eternity is to change. Resentments cannot be held with the same tenacity when we enter his gracious light. As Jesus says, we need to leave our gift at the altar and go set the matter straight (Matthew 5:23, 24). In worship an increased power steals its way into the heart sanctuary, an increased compassion grows in the soul. To worship is to change. Richard J. Foster
Join us this weekend for our Memorial Day Weekend conference which begins on Friday evening. Dr. Richard Allen Farmer will be speaking in the evenings, and Dr. Jim Jeffrey, will speak in the mornings. JAARS will be on campus to talk about mission opportunities as well as offering helicopter rides for our guests on Friday, Saturday and Monday. Check out the website for details: www.americaskeswick.org For information, call 732-350-1187.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
THINK VICTORY! LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF PETER
LESSON'S FROM THE LIFE OF PETER
"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" 1 Corinthians 10:12
Our pride, even spiritual pride, can get us into trouble if we are not careful. We see someone stumble, fall, and make a stupid mistake, and while we may not say it out loud, have you found yourself saying, "I'd never do anything that stupid!"
I was serving at a large church in Bucks County when the Jimmy Swaggart saga hit the Christian world. I was getting ready to begin a choir rehearsal when one of the men in the choir started to criticize and attack Swaggart. He made the statement, "How could anyone be so stupid?" I remember making this statement: "What he did was wrong. Dead wrong.
But there go I but by the grace of God. Rather than criticize him we should be praying for him.
Peter was the disciple that Jesus renamed, "the Rock." He is the one that made a critical error after he made the bold statement to the Lord, "Everyone else, Lord, but not me." And you know the rest of the story.
Peter ends up denying Christ in the garden. Ray Pritchard, in his new book, STEALTH ATTACK - PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST SATAN'S PLAN TO DESTORY YOUR LIFE (MOODY), suggests that Peter made a number of mistakes that night:
1. He talked when he should have been listening. At the Last Supper, when Jesus said that all His disciples would desert Him, Peter impulsively blurted out, "Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you." Within six hours Peter would come to regret those brave words.
2. He didn't appreciate HIS own weakness.
3. He ignored Jesus' warning.
4. He followed afar off. He followed Jesus, but at a distance, when he should have been His elbow. In this case, following Jesus afar off only got him into more trouble.
5. He warmed himself by the wrong fire. Peter had no business warming himself in the company of the enemies of the Lord. By consorting with those who arrested Jesus, Peter was placing himself in a position where he would almost certainly be exposed. Peter warmed himself by the wrong fire until things got too hot for him.
6. He was unprepared when the attack came.
7. He compounded his sin by first deceiving, then denying, and finally swearing. But this was inevitable. Peter set himself up for a fall, and when it came, it was a big one. 'O what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.' It is interesting to note that Peter fooled only himself. The others never really believed him. They sensed he was lying. Something in his face and the tone of his voice gave him away."
How about you? Is there an area of spiritual pride in your heart? Are you really listening to what HE wants to say to you when you read His WORD? Are you warming yourself by the wrong fire? Is so, today is the day to make it right. Don't ignore it - DEAL WITH IT! Learn from the life of Peter.
Great quote: "Keeping the joy of heaven always before you will help you run the race with patience. It will help you endure your scuffles with temptation and affliction. What is more, it will make you reckon also that these afflictions 'are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.'" (Romans 8:18) - William Gurnall
"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" 1 Corinthians 10:12
Our pride, even spiritual pride, can get us into trouble if we are not careful. We see someone stumble, fall, and make a stupid mistake, and while we may not say it out loud, have you found yourself saying, "I'd never do anything that stupid!"
I was serving at a large church in Bucks County when the Jimmy Swaggart saga hit the Christian world. I was getting ready to begin a choir rehearsal when one of the men in the choir started to criticize and attack Swaggart. He made the statement, "How could anyone be so stupid?" I remember making this statement: "What he did was wrong. Dead wrong.
But there go I but by the grace of God. Rather than criticize him we should be praying for him.
Peter was the disciple that Jesus renamed, "the Rock." He is the one that made a critical error after he made the bold statement to the Lord, "Everyone else, Lord, but not me." And you know the rest of the story.
Peter ends up denying Christ in the garden. Ray Pritchard, in his new book, STEALTH ATTACK - PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST SATAN'S PLAN TO DESTORY YOUR LIFE (MOODY), suggests that Peter made a number of mistakes that night:
1. He talked when he should have been listening. At the Last Supper, when Jesus said that all His disciples would desert Him, Peter impulsively blurted out, "Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you." Within six hours Peter would come to regret those brave words.
2. He didn't appreciate HIS own weakness.
3. He ignored Jesus' warning.
4. He followed afar off. He followed Jesus, but at a distance, when he should have been His elbow. In this case, following Jesus afar off only got him into more trouble.
5. He warmed himself by the wrong fire. Peter had no business warming himself in the company of the enemies of the Lord. By consorting with those who arrested Jesus, Peter was placing himself in a position where he would almost certainly be exposed. Peter warmed himself by the wrong fire until things got too hot for him.
6. He was unprepared when the attack came.
7. He compounded his sin by first deceiving, then denying, and finally swearing. But this was inevitable. Peter set himself up for a fall, and when it came, it was a big one. 'O what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.' It is interesting to note that Peter fooled only himself. The others never really believed him. They sensed he was lying. Something in his face and the tone of his voice gave him away."
How about you? Is there an area of spiritual pride in your heart? Are you really listening to what HE wants to say to you when you read His WORD? Are you warming yourself by the wrong fire? Is so, today is the day to make it right. Don't ignore it - DEAL WITH IT! Learn from the life of Peter.
Great quote: "Keeping the joy of heaven always before you will help you run the race with patience. It will help you endure your scuffles with temptation and affliction. What is more, it will make you reckon also that these afflictions 'are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.'" (Romans 8:18) - William Gurnall
Saturday, May 19, 2007
THINK VICTORY! OUT OF THE WRECK I RISE
OUT OF THE WRECK I RISE ...
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Romans 8:35
This morning as you turn on your computer to read Freedom Fighters, I am aware of several men and their families that are facing enormous trials and difficulties in their lives. These words are for you this morning, not just from the pen of one of Christianity's godly devotional writers, but a message from God Himself. May these words of comfort burn into your hearts and minds today:
"God does not keep His child immune from trouble; He promises, 'I will be with him IN trouble ...' (Psalm 91:15) It doesn't matter how real or intense the adversities may be; NOTHING can ever separate him from his relationship to God. 'In all these things we are more than conquerors ...' (Romans 8:37)
Paul was not referring here to IMAGINARY things, but to things that are dangerously REAL. And he said we are 'super-victors' in the midst of then, not because of our own ingenuity, nor because of OUR courage, but because none of them affects our essential relationship with God in Jesus Christ. I feel sorry for the Christian who doesn't have something in the circumstances of his life that he wishes was not there.
'Shall TRIBULATION ...?' Tribulation is never a grand, highly welcomed event; but whatever it may be - whether exhausting, irritating, or simply causing some weakness - it is not able to 'separate us from the love of Christ.' Never allow tribulations or the 'cares of this world'
to separate you from remembering that God loves you (Matthew 13:22).
'Shall DISTRESS ...?' Can God's love continue to hold fast, even when everyone and everything around us seems to be saying that His love is a lie, and that there is no such thing as justice?
"Shall FAMINE ...?' Can we not only believe in the love of God but also be 'MORE THAN conquerors,' even while we are being starved?
Either Jesus Christ is a deceiver, having deceived even Paul, or else some extraordinary thing happens to someone who holds on to the love of God when the odds are totally against him. Logic is silenced in the face of each of these things which come against him. Only one thing can account for it - the LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS. 'Out of the wreck I rise' every time." Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest
I trust these words this morning will bring comfort to your heart if you are in the midst "of the wreck." May bring peace and comfort to your hurting hearts.
Great quote: "For your eternal comfort, Christian, you can look forward to a day when there will be a full and final decision in the quarrel between you and Satan. You will see your enemy's camp completely scattered, with not a weapon left in his hand to use against you. You will tread upon every fortress from which he fired so many shots. You will see them dismantled and demolished until there is not one corruption left standing in your heart for the devil to hide himself in. On that glorious day, the enemy who has made you tremble will be trampled under your feet." William Gurnall
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Romans 8:35
This morning as you turn on your computer to read Freedom Fighters, I am aware of several men and their families that are facing enormous trials and difficulties in their lives. These words are for you this morning, not just from the pen of one of Christianity's godly devotional writers, but a message from God Himself. May these words of comfort burn into your hearts and minds today:
"God does not keep His child immune from trouble; He promises, 'I will be with him IN trouble ...' (Psalm 91:15) It doesn't matter how real or intense the adversities may be; NOTHING can ever separate him from his relationship to God. 'In all these things we are more than conquerors ...' (Romans 8:37)
Paul was not referring here to IMAGINARY things, but to things that are dangerously REAL. And he said we are 'super-victors' in the midst of then, not because of our own ingenuity, nor because of OUR courage, but because none of them affects our essential relationship with God in Jesus Christ. I feel sorry for the Christian who doesn't have something in the circumstances of his life that he wishes was not there.
'Shall TRIBULATION ...?' Tribulation is never a grand, highly welcomed event; but whatever it may be - whether exhausting, irritating, or simply causing some weakness - it is not able to 'separate us from the love of Christ.' Never allow tribulations or the 'cares of this world'
to separate you from remembering that God loves you (Matthew 13:22).
'Shall DISTRESS ...?' Can God's love continue to hold fast, even when everyone and everything around us seems to be saying that His love is a lie, and that there is no such thing as justice?
"Shall FAMINE ...?' Can we not only believe in the love of God but also be 'MORE THAN conquerors,' even while we are being starved?
Either Jesus Christ is a deceiver, having deceived even Paul, or else some extraordinary thing happens to someone who holds on to the love of God when the odds are totally against him. Logic is silenced in the face of each of these things which come against him. Only one thing can account for it - the LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS. 'Out of the wreck I rise' every time." Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest
I trust these words this morning will bring comfort to your heart if you are in the midst "of the wreck." May bring peace and comfort to your hurting hearts.
Great quote: "For your eternal comfort, Christian, you can look forward to a day when there will be a full and final decision in the quarrel between you and Satan. You will see your enemy's camp completely scattered, with not a weapon left in his hand to use against you. You will tread upon every fortress from which he fired so many shots. You will see them dismantled and demolished until there is not one corruption left standing in your heart for the devil to hide himself in. On that glorious day, the enemy who has made you tremble will be trampled under your feet." William Gurnall
Friday, May 18, 2007
THINK VICTORY! Simple Obedience
SIMPLE OBEDIENCE
“ … and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5One of the resources that I use in my quiet time with the Lord is a little devotional book written by Fenelon. It was written over 400 years ago, but his insights are so timely and right on. As I have been meditating on the subject of “taking every thought captive,” his words today were right on:
“Encourage peace. Become deaf to your over-active imagination. Your spinning imagination will harm your health and make your spiritual life very dry. Don’t worry yourself sick for no good reason. Inner peace, and the sweet presence of God, are chased away by RESTLESSNESS. How can you hear God speak, in His soft and tender way, when your hurried thoughts create a whirlwind within? Be quiet, and He will soon be heard. Allow yourself one excess: to be excessively obedient.
You ask for comfort, but you do not see that you have been led to the edge of the fountain and refuse to drink. Peace and comfort are to be found only in simple obedience. Be obedient without a lot of talk about how obedient you are. Your will soon find rivers of living water flowing within you. If you believe much, you will receive much. If you believe nothing, you will receive nothing, and continue to listen only to the stories your empty imagination tells you.
You dishonor true love by supposing that it is concerned about the INSIGNIFICANT things that continually occupy your attention. Satan is transformed into an angel of light. He assumes the form of a legalistic love, and an overly-sensitive conscience. You should know by now the troubles he will lead you into if he convinces you to be a Pharisee. REJECT HIS ADVANCES.If you allow yourself to have only simple and uncomplicated desires, you will be more pleasing to God than if you died the death of a hundred martyrs. Turn your anxieties to the fact that you have delayed in offering this sacrifice of simplicity to God. Can true love hesitate when the Well-Beloved asks?”
Adapted from THE SEEKING HEART – by Fenelon
Are you practicing SIMPLE OBEDIENCE today? That mind of ours can do dangerous things. Today is the day to start taking EVERY THOUGHT captive to the obedience of Christ.
Great quote: “God means what He says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it – no matter what.” Hebrews 4:12 from THE MESSAGE
“ … and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5One of the resources that I use in my quiet time with the Lord is a little devotional book written by Fenelon. It was written over 400 years ago, but his insights are so timely and right on. As I have been meditating on the subject of “taking every thought captive,” his words today were right on:
“Encourage peace. Become deaf to your over-active imagination. Your spinning imagination will harm your health and make your spiritual life very dry. Don’t worry yourself sick for no good reason. Inner peace, and the sweet presence of God, are chased away by RESTLESSNESS. How can you hear God speak, in His soft and tender way, when your hurried thoughts create a whirlwind within? Be quiet, and He will soon be heard. Allow yourself one excess: to be excessively obedient.
You ask for comfort, but you do not see that you have been led to the edge of the fountain and refuse to drink. Peace and comfort are to be found only in simple obedience. Be obedient without a lot of talk about how obedient you are. Your will soon find rivers of living water flowing within you. If you believe much, you will receive much. If you believe nothing, you will receive nothing, and continue to listen only to the stories your empty imagination tells you.
You dishonor true love by supposing that it is concerned about the INSIGNIFICANT things that continually occupy your attention. Satan is transformed into an angel of light. He assumes the form of a legalistic love, and an overly-sensitive conscience. You should know by now the troubles he will lead you into if he convinces you to be a Pharisee. REJECT HIS ADVANCES.If you allow yourself to have only simple and uncomplicated desires, you will be more pleasing to God than if you died the death of a hundred martyrs. Turn your anxieties to the fact that you have delayed in offering this sacrifice of simplicity to God. Can true love hesitate when the Well-Beloved asks?”
Adapted from THE SEEKING HEART – by Fenelon
Are you practicing SIMPLE OBEDIENCE today? That mind of ours can do dangerous things. Today is the day to start taking EVERY THOUGHT captive to the obedience of Christ.
Great quote: “God means what He says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it – no matter what.” Hebrews 4:12 from THE MESSAGE
Thursday, May 17, 2007
THINK VICTORY! SOONER OR LATER
(The rainbow picture was taken by Bill Pruitt at America's KESWICK. The rainbow appears to end right at the Colony Chapel.)Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow” – when you now have it with you. Proverbs: 3:28
Often we put off till tomorrow what we could do today, including helping others. Proverbs 3:28 tells us that we should give to our neighbors now. There should be no delay in doing good whether the request is large or small. We are called to give in various ways. It could be money, time or food. The food we share may be the bread of life – God’s Word. When we give to someone in need God will bless us. In Acts 20:35 Paul tells us – In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” God reminds me of this over and over again.
America’s Keswick asked me to prepare a written testimony of the work the Lord Jesus had done to save me from a life of addiction. I was honored by the request; however, I never expected the inner turmoil that was to come while trying to write my testimony. I struggled with the lies of Satan for two weeks. I questioned God’s strength in my life, the sincerity of my heart to do whatever was necessary to follow Jesus, how others would react and so on. No matter how hard I tried or prayed I could not write the testimony. I had not slept the night before my deadline. I was frustrated and full of doubt. While struggling to get the first paragraph on paper I was interrupted by a man asking me to spend time talking with a new guy coming into The Colony of Mercy. I was irritated and tempted to rush through a quick “Hi, nice to meet you.” Besides, it was my day off. I could talk with the new guy tomorrow.
When I stopped to look up I realized how broken and scared this man was. I laid down my pen to share with him about the love and hope of the new life he could have through Jesus Christ. After we prayed together he had calmed down (so had I). He was called into the building to meet with a staff member. While reflecting on the conversation I began to write my testimony. The words flowed onto the paper with ease and confidence. I knew that God was in control. All of the doubt and lies had vanished. What appeared to me to be an interruption turned out to be a divine appointment with God where he allowed me to join in his work. He allowed me to give and then blessed me with answered prayers. He lifted my faith and gave me the strength I needed to stand firm and glorify him. I praise God for not waiting another day to put the stranger in my life.
Earlier today, a friend stopped by while I was preparing to write this devotional. He asked if I had change for a ten dollar bill. I told him that I did not. He asked if he could borrow a dollar. Without thinking, I told him that I only had one dollar left, but would be getting paid tomorrow. I reached for the bible to read him the verse I had been moved to write about and realized what had just happened. I forgot God’s word that quickly. Before I read the verse out loud I handed him the dollar. He said “I don’t want to take your last dollar.” I assured him I wanted him to have it and I read the verse to him: Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow”- when you now have it with you. My friend said “aaaaaahhhh – practice what you preach, I like it!” He put the dollar in his pocket and we smiled at each other. Later that night someone else read this and gave me a dollar, my friend paid me back as well. God blessed us all through his word.
James 2:14-17 reminds us …”faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Today, will you immediately give to others when they are in need? Will you show up for your appointment with God? Will you allow God to bless you “Sooner or Later?”
Today’s Freedom Fighter was written by Bill Pruitt, a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and the Discipleship Program. Bill is now serving in our internship program working at the Raws Front Desk and in the Dining Room. We praise the Lord for the transformation that is taking place in his life.
GREAT QUOTE: There is nothing that pleases the Lord so much as praise. There is no test of faith so true as the grace of thanksgiving. Are you praising God enough? Are you thanking Him for your actual blessings that are more than can be numbered, and are you daring to praise Him even for those trials which are but blessings in disguise? Have you learned to praise Him in advance for the things that have not yet come?
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Think Victory! TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE
TAKING EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but DIVINELY POWERFUL for the DESTRUCTION of strongholds. We are destroy speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are TAKING every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians
10:4-5
The battle is being waged in our minds. The thoughts that enter are used by the Enemy to lead us into temptation which left unchecked will result in the carrying out of whatever the mind has been dwelling on.
We need to be taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Notice in the text that the word is an active verb - taking. It isn't a once and for all act - it is a continuous process.
Several weeks ago a staff member brought us to baby ducks to raise that someone had been given as an Easter present. Softies that we are for God's creatures, we took them. We set them in a cage inside our larger pen where they lived until they were old enough to mingle with the others.
On Sunday night I decided to let them free so that they could go into the outer pen. We have three other ducks and to my amazement, as soon as they stepped out of the cage the larger Peking duck walked right over, put his webbed foot on the body of the duckling and began to try and break its neck.
As I have pondered this, I think this is a good picture of what Paul admonished us to do in these verses. The world, the flesh, and the devil come at us with thoughts that want to destroy our lives. God's desire is give us ABUNDANT life. Satan's desire is to steal, kill and destroy. And one of his ways is to use our thoughts.
A man who THINKS VICTORY knows that every thought that raises up against the knowledge of God, every thought that seeks to rob me of living life the way God intended me to live, every thought that is meant to lead me into sin, needs to be aggressively dealt with. We can't play or toy with it - destroy it! Take it captive. When they are released in our minds, use the weapons has given - they are DIVINELY POWERFUL FOR THE DESTRUCTION of strongholds.
Don't let those thoughts out of the cage! But when they do, remember the duck - don't play with it! Destroy it with the weapons he has given you.
Great Quote: "No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity, because it removes God from the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self-interests. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges - always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied. And there is nothing lovely or generous about our lives." Oswald Chambers
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but DIVINELY POWERFUL for the DESTRUCTION of strongholds. We are destroy speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are TAKING every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians
10:4-5
The battle is being waged in our minds. The thoughts that enter are used by the Enemy to lead us into temptation which left unchecked will result in the carrying out of whatever the mind has been dwelling on.
We need to be taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Notice in the text that the word is an active verb - taking. It isn't a once and for all act - it is a continuous process.
Several weeks ago a staff member brought us to baby ducks to raise that someone had been given as an Easter present. Softies that we are for God's creatures, we took them. We set them in a cage inside our larger pen where they lived until they were old enough to mingle with the others.
On Sunday night I decided to let them free so that they could go into the outer pen. We have three other ducks and to my amazement, as soon as they stepped out of the cage the larger Peking duck walked right over, put his webbed foot on the body of the duckling and began to try and break its neck.
As I have pondered this, I think this is a good picture of what Paul admonished us to do in these verses. The world, the flesh, and the devil come at us with thoughts that want to destroy our lives. God's desire is give us ABUNDANT life. Satan's desire is to steal, kill and destroy. And one of his ways is to use our thoughts.
A man who THINKS VICTORY knows that every thought that raises up against the knowledge of God, every thought that seeks to rob me of living life the way God intended me to live, every thought that is meant to lead me into sin, needs to be aggressively dealt with. We can't play or toy with it - destroy it! Take it captive. When they are released in our minds, use the weapons has given - they are DIVINELY POWERFUL FOR THE DESTRUCTION of strongholds.
Don't let those thoughts out of the cage! But when they do, remember the duck - don't play with it! Destroy it with the weapons he has given you.
Great Quote: "No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity, because it removes God from the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self-interests. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges - always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied. And there is nothing lovely or generous about our lives." Oswald Chambers
Think Victory! TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE
TAKING EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but DIVINELY POWERFUL for the DESTRUCTION of strongholds. We are destroy speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are TAKING every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians
10:4-5
The battle is being waged in our minds. The thoughts that enter are used by the Enemy to lead us into temptation which left unchecked will result in the carrying out of whatever the mind has been dwelling on.
We need to be taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Notice in the text that the word is an active verb - taking. It isn't a once and for all act - it is a continuous process.
Several weeks ago a staff member brought us to baby ducks to raise that someone had been given as an Easter present. Softies that we are for God's creatures, we took them. We set them in a cage inside our larger pen where they lived until they were old enough to mingle with the others.
On Sunday night I decided to let them free so that they could go into the outer pen. We have three other ducks and to my amazement, as soon as they stepped out of the cage the larger Peking duck walked right over, put his webbed foot on the body of the duckling and began to try and break its neck.
As I have pondered this, I think this is a good picture of what Paul admonished us to do in these verses. The world, the flesh, and the devil come at us with thoughts that want to destroy our lives. God's desire is give us ABUNDANT life. Satan's desire is to steal, kill and destroy. And one of his ways is to use our thoughts.
A man who THINKS VICTORY knows that every thought that raises up against the knowledge of God, every thought that seeks to rob me of living life the way God intended me to live, every thought that is meant to lead me into sin, needs to be aggressively dealt with. We can't play or toy with it - destroy it! Take it captive. When they are released in our minds, use the weapons has given - they are DIVINELY POWERFUL FOR THE DESTRUCTION of strongholds.
Don't let those thoughts out of the cage! But when they do, remember the duck - don't play with it! Destroy it with the weapons he has given you.
Great Quote: "No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity, because it removes God from the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self-interests. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges - always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied. And there is nothing lovely or generous about our lives." Oswald Chambers
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but DIVINELY POWERFUL for the DESTRUCTION of strongholds. We are destroy speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are TAKING every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians
10:4-5
The battle is being waged in our minds. The thoughts that enter are used by the Enemy to lead us into temptation which left unchecked will result in the carrying out of whatever the mind has been dwelling on.
We need to be taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Notice in the text that the word is an active verb - taking. It isn't a once and for all act - it is a continuous process.
Several weeks ago a staff member brought us to baby ducks to raise that someone had been given as an Easter present. Softies that we are for God's creatures, we took them. We set them in a cage inside our larger pen where they lived until they were old enough to mingle with the others.
On Sunday night I decided to let them free so that they could go into the outer pen. We have three other ducks and to my amazement, as soon as they stepped out of the cage the larger Peking duck walked right over, put his webbed foot on the body of the duckling and began to try and break its neck.
As I have pondered this, I think this is a good picture of what Paul admonished us to do in these verses. The world, the flesh, and the devil come at us with thoughts that want to destroy our lives. God's desire is give us ABUNDANT life. Satan's desire is to steal, kill and destroy. And one of his ways is to use our thoughts.
A man who THINKS VICTORY knows that every thought that raises up against the knowledge of God, every thought that seeks to rob me of living life the way God intended me to live, every thought that is meant to lead me into sin, needs to be aggressively dealt with. We can't play or toy with it - destroy it! Take it captive. When they are released in our minds, use the weapons has given - they are DIVINELY POWERFUL FOR THE DESTRUCTION of strongholds.
Don't let those thoughts out of the cage! But when they do, remember the duck - don't play with it! Destroy it with the weapons he has given you.
Great Quote: "No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity, because it removes God from the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self-interests. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges - always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied. And there is nothing lovely or generous about our lives." Oswald Chambers
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Think Victory! Cheerful or Miserable?
CHEERFUL OR MISERABLE?
“A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day. A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song.” (Proverbs 15:13, 15 from The Message)
You’ve met them, haven’t you? There are people who look at life with the glass half-empty. Everything is doom and gloom. They immediately see all the negative things about life. Then there are the people who see life with the glass half full. They can see the positive in just about any situation. Which do you like to be around.
I have a core group of staff that meet with me for prayer every morning. One morning I shared with them how depressing it was to meet with them. My personality is far different than theirs, which is not saying it is better than theirs. I would come in excited to face the new challenges of the day and they were either tired, sick, depressed, overwhelmed, and dreading the stuff they had to do. Instead of walking away from this time of prayer energized, it would suck the life out of me.
Miserable people do that – they can drain you and suck the life right out of you. Last week we served 1000 ladies for our Spring Ladies’ Day and we decided to cancel our daily fitness program activities for the seniors in the community who come to use our weight room, pool and gym. One of the men who didn’t see the many signs that had been posted for over a week canceling the program, showed up to swim and he was not a happy camper. In fact, he went off on everybody about how “Keswick is going to the dogs.” When I inquired about him, the team that serve there said, “That’s so-and-so. He’s never happy about anything.”
Several moments later the “herds” of women began to arrive and two ladies pushed their way to the front and demanded that I open the doors. We were planning to open the doors at 7:30 AM which was a half hour earlier than the published time to open them. For ten minutes they whined and complained to wear me out. Finally the one said, “Can you give me your name. I am going to report you to your supervisor.” I showed her my name badge, and calmly stood my ground. I walked through the Auditorium before the program started and these two complainers were on the front row. When they saw me – they came over and apologized profusely. “We opened the Keswick Today and there was your picture. We had no clue you were the President & CEO.” I cracked up!
Whining and complaining will set the whole tone of your day. As you evaluate your heart today are you a whiner? Complainer? Or does the radiance of Christ and what He has done for you permeate your life so that when people encounter you they say, “What’s up with him? How come you are always happy? How come you are always smiling?” Are you miserable or cheerful today? A man who THINKS VICTORY! will be a man filled with joy that is overflowing and joy that will be contagious.
Great Quote: “When your basic belief system about God and yourself is shaky, your day-to-day behavior system will be shaky. But when your belief system is intact and your relationship with God is based on truth, you’ll have very little trouble working out the practical aspects of daily Christianity. Show me someone who knows who they are in Christ and who is filled with the Holy Spirit, as is taught in the first half of the Epistles, and I will show you someone who will instinctively live according to the second half of the Epistles. It will be the ‘natural’ thing to do.” Neil T. Anderson
“A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day. A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song.” (Proverbs 15:13, 15 from The Message)
You’ve met them, haven’t you? There are people who look at life with the glass half-empty. Everything is doom and gloom. They immediately see all the negative things about life. Then there are the people who see life with the glass half full. They can see the positive in just about any situation. Which do you like to be around.
I have a core group of staff that meet with me for prayer every morning. One morning I shared with them how depressing it was to meet with them. My personality is far different than theirs, which is not saying it is better than theirs. I would come in excited to face the new challenges of the day and they were either tired, sick, depressed, overwhelmed, and dreading the stuff they had to do. Instead of walking away from this time of prayer energized, it would suck the life out of me.
Miserable people do that – they can drain you and suck the life right out of you. Last week we served 1000 ladies for our Spring Ladies’ Day and we decided to cancel our daily fitness program activities for the seniors in the community who come to use our weight room, pool and gym. One of the men who didn’t see the many signs that had been posted for over a week canceling the program, showed up to swim and he was not a happy camper. In fact, he went off on everybody about how “Keswick is going to the dogs.” When I inquired about him, the team that serve there said, “That’s so-and-so. He’s never happy about anything.”
Several moments later the “herds” of women began to arrive and two ladies pushed their way to the front and demanded that I open the doors. We were planning to open the doors at 7:30 AM which was a half hour earlier than the published time to open them. For ten minutes they whined and complained to wear me out. Finally the one said, “Can you give me your name. I am going to report you to your supervisor.” I showed her my name badge, and calmly stood my ground. I walked through the Auditorium before the program started and these two complainers were on the front row. When they saw me – they came over and apologized profusely. “We opened the Keswick Today and there was your picture. We had no clue you were the President & CEO.” I cracked up!
Whining and complaining will set the whole tone of your day. As you evaluate your heart today are you a whiner? Complainer? Or does the radiance of Christ and what He has done for you permeate your life so that when people encounter you they say, “What’s up with him? How come you are always happy? How come you are always smiling?” Are you miserable or cheerful today? A man who THINKS VICTORY! will be a man filled with joy that is overflowing and joy that will be contagious.
Great Quote: “When your basic belief system about God and yourself is shaky, your day-to-day behavior system will be shaky. But when your belief system is intact and your relationship with God is based on truth, you’ll have very little trouble working out the practical aspects of daily Christianity. Show me someone who knows who they are in Christ and who is filled with the Holy Spirit, as is taught in the first half of the Epistles, and I will show you someone who will instinctively live according to the second half of the Epistles. It will be the ‘natural’ thing to do.” Neil T. Anderson
Monday, May 14, 2007
Think Victory! Instant Obedience
INSTANT OBEDIENCE
“On that very day Abraham did … as God told him.” Genesis 17:23
One of our Keswick speakers shared this definition of obedience. Let it fasten itself to your heart and mind: "Obedience is doing everything you are told to do IN THE RIGHT WAY (with the right heart attitude inwardly), RIGHT AWAY (immediately) and ALL THE WAY (do a complete job.) -- Pastor Tim Shorey -- Senior Pastor Trinity Fellowship Toms River
This is an issue that we are working on with our son, Zach. He is a really good kid, but one of the battles we face is in asking him to do something and then having him come back with alternatives rather than doing was he was asked to do. For example, “Zach, take out the trash.” Instead of say, “Yes, I will do that,” we will sometimes get this response, “I have to do this first,” or “Mom told me to do this instead.”
Has God instructed you to do something and you are holding back from being obedient? Are you giving Him alternatives rather than obey? The writer of Streams in the Desert (Mrs. Cowman/Zondervan) writes that “instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is, for DELAYED obedience is disobedience. Each time God calls upon us to do something, He is offering to make a covenant with us. Our part is to obey, and then He will do His part to send a special blessing.
The only way to be obedient is to obey INSTANTLY – “On that very day,” as Abraham did. I know we often postpone doing what we know to do, and then later do it as well as we can. Certainly this is better than not doing it at all. By then, however, it is at best only a crippled, disfigured, and partial attempt toward obedience.
POSTPONED OBEDIENCE CAN NEVER BRING US THE FULL BLESSING GOD INTENDED OR WHAT IT WOULD HAVE BROUGHT HAD WE OBEYED AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE MOMENT.
What a pity it is how we rob ourselves, as well as God and others, by our procrastination! Remember, ‘On that very day’ is the Genesis way of saying, ‘Do it now!’Martin Luther once said, ‘A true believer will crucify, or put to death, the question, ‘Why?’ He will simply obey without questioning.’” And I refuse to be one of those who ‘unless … I see miraculous signs and wonders … will never believe’ (John 4:48) I will obey without questioning. Obedience is the fruit of faith; patience is the early blossom on the tree of faith.”
How about you this morning? Are you an obedient child of God? Are you obedient to your employer? Good stuff to ponder as we begin this new week.
Great quote: “Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to ‘supply all your need.’ (Philippians 4:19)” – Oswald Chambers
FATHER DAUGHTER NIGHT – Sign up today for our annual Father Daughter Nite at America’s KESWICK. Comedian Gordon Douglas will be our special guest for a fun-filled evening of praise and a time to honor daughters of all ages. Thursday, May 17th at 6:15 PM. Call today to make your reservation for dinner and the program. 732-350-1187.
“On that very day Abraham did … as God told him.” Genesis 17:23
One of our Keswick speakers shared this definition of obedience. Let it fasten itself to your heart and mind: "Obedience is doing everything you are told to do IN THE RIGHT WAY (with the right heart attitude inwardly), RIGHT AWAY (immediately) and ALL THE WAY (do a complete job.) -- Pastor Tim Shorey -- Senior Pastor Trinity Fellowship Toms River
This is an issue that we are working on with our son, Zach. He is a really good kid, but one of the battles we face is in asking him to do something and then having him come back with alternatives rather than doing was he was asked to do. For example, “Zach, take out the trash.” Instead of say, “Yes, I will do that,” we will sometimes get this response, “I have to do this first,” or “Mom told me to do this instead.”
Has God instructed you to do something and you are holding back from being obedient? Are you giving Him alternatives rather than obey? The writer of Streams in the Desert (Mrs. Cowman/Zondervan) writes that “instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is, for DELAYED obedience is disobedience. Each time God calls upon us to do something, He is offering to make a covenant with us. Our part is to obey, and then He will do His part to send a special blessing.
The only way to be obedient is to obey INSTANTLY – “On that very day,” as Abraham did. I know we often postpone doing what we know to do, and then later do it as well as we can. Certainly this is better than not doing it at all. By then, however, it is at best only a crippled, disfigured, and partial attempt toward obedience.
POSTPONED OBEDIENCE CAN NEVER BRING US THE FULL BLESSING GOD INTENDED OR WHAT IT WOULD HAVE BROUGHT HAD WE OBEYED AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE MOMENT.
What a pity it is how we rob ourselves, as well as God and others, by our procrastination! Remember, ‘On that very day’ is the Genesis way of saying, ‘Do it now!’Martin Luther once said, ‘A true believer will crucify, or put to death, the question, ‘Why?’ He will simply obey without questioning.’” And I refuse to be one of those who ‘unless … I see miraculous signs and wonders … will never believe’ (John 4:48) I will obey without questioning. Obedience is the fruit of faith; patience is the early blossom on the tree of faith.”
How about you this morning? Are you an obedient child of God? Are you obedient to your employer? Good stuff to ponder as we begin this new week.
Great quote: “Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to ‘supply all your need.’ (Philippians 4:19)” – Oswald Chambers
FATHER DAUGHTER NIGHT – Sign up today for our annual Father Daughter Nite at America’s KESWICK. Comedian Gordon Douglas will be our special guest for a fun-filled evening of praise and a time to honor daughters of all ages. Thursday, May 17th at 6:15 PM. Call today to make your reservation for dinner and the program. 732-350-1187.
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