The Responsibility of Self-Protection

The Responsibility of Self-Protection

Sometimes God just pulls things together in ways that make clear what I need to write for these weekend Freedom Fighter emails. (I want to thank Bill Welte for giving me the privilege of writing the weekend editions. It's a blessing!) So, on to pulling things together.

Last Tuesday during my morning readings I ran across this verse in Proverbs 27:12. "A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished." Then, I read from "The Seeking Heart" by Fenelon. (If you haven't used this book as part of your quiet time, you ought to think about it!) Fenelon says "Hold true to what is right so that no one will drag you back to sin. You will have an easier time of it when people know that you cannot be swayed from your commitment to God. If you leave yourself open to go astray, you probably will."

Then, last Wednesday, Bill Welte wrote in the FF that we must beware the tricky and deadly deceptions of the devil. His comments took me back to what I'd read the previous day, and I knew what I needed to write for today's FF.

All of us who pursue freedom in Christ know that we are completely dependent upon the triune God for all we need to live life as He has designed it. That does not free us from responsibility. We can and must make wise choices in protecting ourselves. To do less is foolish.

The Proverbs verse assures us that we can be sensible and aware enough of what's going on around us to see evil coming. Seeing it approach gives us time to run to God for protection through His Word, prayer, the armor of God (Ephesians 6), and the help of others who love God. To ignore incoming evil is foolish and leads to punishment. It's that simple.

The key to this is understanding that we prepare for evil BEFORE it arrives. That's where the line from Fenelon comes into play. "If you leave yourself open to go astray, you probably will." Leaving ourselves open is the opposite of practicing prudent awareness of what's going on around us. Allowing God to build prudence into our lives protects us from those openings to go astray. If we wait until evil arrives, we don't have a chance!

You and I can pursue prudence and know protection from evil. We have the responsibility to protect ourselves so we leave no opening to go astray. May God help us! - Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor at First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: 2 Chronicles 13-14; John 12:1-26

Think about this: Sometimes you have asked, "Lord, make me like Your Son." And He took you at your word and began the process and you said, "Lord, what happened? Why did You allow this to come into my life? What are You doing with this drying brook?" He answers, "Nothing, except answering your prayer." For never forget, Jesus Christ, "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered" (Heb. 5:8). --Howard G. Hendricks

Expect Accusation from Within

EXPECT ACCUSATION FROM WITHIN

" ... the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night." Revelation 12:10

Growing up I hated tattle-tales! I got in enough trouble as it was, but there was always one in the bunch who had to tattle. A tattle-tale is a finger pointer and that is precisely one of the items on Satan's job description.

Pastor and writer, Kenny Luck, reminds us that, "emotionally, he is like a category five tornado swirling with anger, making large sucking sounds, yanking people up by the roots, displacing them without mercy, tossing them around, and dumping them in some distant emotional cornfield. That's what the Devil purposes to do every day to God's people whenever and wherever the opportunities present themselves ...

The good news is that because we have THE ADVOCATE (1 John 2:1) nothing he says sticks in God's courtroom! However he likes to put on trial with other men and that is where he loves to play. Pastor Kenny reminds us that "a lot of us have a past, some of us have regrets, and EVERYBODY owns hidden self-doubts, insecurities, frailties, wounds, defects and fears. These accessories of the fallen nature act like adhesive for the Accuser to pin accusations on our spirits and discourage us. When a man gets a healthy dose of self-pity, self-despair, or self-condemnation, he arrives to MAGNIFY those thoughts and views to feel fatal and final. He loves to exaggerate the NORMAL and elevate it to extremes:

"I made a mistake" becomes "I ALWAYS blow it!"

"I need to work on that" becomes "I'll NEVER change!"

"Well, that didn't go well" becomes "Well, what did I expect?"

"I may need some support in this" becomes "I could never talk about THAT!"

"This is making feel overwhelmed at the moment" becomes "Life is falling apart!"

"This isn't easy" becomes "How does this always happen to me?"

"I need to figure this out" becomes "This is just like God to do this to me!"

Pastor Kenny goes on to say: "Misery loves company, and Satan is happy to oblige. He magnifies misery to obscure God, isolate you, and get you to medicate your despair with substitute pleasures. Satan says, "Get angry, get high, get nasty, get drunk, get on the Net, get even, just get busy!" Whenever emotions, words, and conclusions begin to be EXAGGERATED, take a deep breath, take a break, and take inventory of reality ... If you don't deal with how you FEEL inside, Satan will use what you leave to manipulate, exaggerate, and motivate you to find 'solutions' that will harm you.' (from FIGHT - coming this summer from Waterbrook Press).

That's why it is so important for you to be connected daily in the Word, in prayer, and with a local church!!! We cannot do this on our own, guys! Stay connected! - Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: 2 Chronicles 10-12; John 11:30-57

Great Quote: Let us give ourselves to God without any reserve, and let us fear nothing. He will love us, and we shall love Him. His love, increasing every day, will take the place of everything else to us. He will fill our whole hearts; He will deprive us only of those things that make us unhappy. He will cause us to do in general, what we have been doing already, but which we have done in an unsatisfactory manner; whereas, hereafter, we shall do them well, because they will be done for His sake. Even the smallest actions of a simple and common life will be turned to consolation and recompense. We shall meet the approach of death in peace; it will be changed for us into the beginning of the immortal life. -- Francois Fenelon

A Pebble in the Pathway

A Pebble in the Pathway

"What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel." James 4: 1-2

Ah...to work in the secular world. I wake up to this statement pretty regularly these days. It's the "busy season" for me and praise God that it truly is busy. Or I would be saying "Ah...to be unemployed."

I drive to work listening to preachers or teachers (Dr. Jamie Mitchell's in the disk player...don't ask why) and arrive with a message. Until I walk in the door. Then in some unforeseen turn of events there is chaos and disorder. This would have not been too much to deal with in my youth but the times have changed...and so have I.

The battle for position and favor can be immense. The way I hear some folks speak of others has really become too much to bear. And you know what? Sometimes I'm catching myself with a slip or two. What a wretched man I can be. And then I stumble upon these verses in James. Gut check time, again.

Every once in a while I hit a pebble in my walk. The world can rub you until you get a skid mark or two but as a doer of the Word I should be more aware of my surroundings. I know James wrote these verses to those believers outside of Jerusalem at the time but they are just as useful now. People are going to want what they do not have and they will make others look bad to get it. Even if it kills them.

Brothers are you driving to this scene everyday like me? Was there a message you had or a glow you wanted to share with the "world" and it did not even take notice? You are not alone. Jesus walked this earth and had trials with the same kind of folks you and I deal with on a daily basis. He remained steadfast and they killed Him on the cross. A price you or I could not pay. I think I need to remember that before I walk through the door at work. I think you should too.

Here's a good quote,

"Those who let God be God get off the conveyer belt of emotion and desire when it first starts to move toward the buzz saw of sin. They do not wait until it is moving so fast they cannot get off of it. Their aim is not to avoid sin, but temptation-the inclination to sin. They plan their path accordingly." From "Renovation of the Heart" By Dallas Willard - Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy.

God's WORD for YOU: 2 Chronicles 7-9; John 11:1-29

Think About This: Is it a small thing in your eyes to be loved by God - to be the son, the spouse, the love, the delight of the King of glory? Christian, believe this, and think about it: you will be eternally embraced in the arms of the love which was from everlasting, and will extend to everlasting - of the love which brought the Son of God's love from heaven to earth, from earth to the cross, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to glory - that love which was weary, hungry, tempted, scorned, scourged, buffeted, spat upon, crucified, pierced - which fasted, prayed, taught, healed, wept, sweated, bled, died. That love will eternally embrace you. -- Richard Baxter

Beware

BEWARE

" ... in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." 2 Corinthians 2:11

The older I get and the more deeply entrenched I become in the ministry of America's KESWICK, the more I am understanding that we need to be aware that there is an enemy that is on the rampage. Men: we need to be aware of his schemes. It isn't about looking under every rock to see him lurking there ... but we need to be aware that he is alive and well and is "seeking to steal, kill and destroy." (John 10:10)

In his powerful book, FIGHT (Waterbrook Press), author, speaker and pastor, Kenny Luck, outlines what Jesus has said about this enemy of our
souls:

1. He has a murderous intent. (John 8:39-41)

2. He lies and deceives to justify evil actions. (John 8:44)

3. He practices self-interest and self-gratification at other's expense.
(John 10:10-13)

4. He uses mental diversion and distraction to eliminate spiritual transformation. (Luke 8:11-12)

5. He uses many words to mask his lack of integrity. (Matthew 5:34-37)

6. He hijacks God's plan through man's passions and self-interests.
(Matthew 16:21-23)

7. He opposes the advance of the gospel in one's life. (Acts 13:7-11)

8. He is synonymous with pride!

9. He is synonymous with death (homicide, suicide, abortion - but also kills relationships, marriages, families, and yes, he is even trying to kill churches!)

10. He is synonymous with out-of-control appetites!

11. He is synonymous with relational separation!

12. He is synonymous with the magnification of negative emotions!

13. He is synonymous with a hurried pace of life!

It's high time we stopped burying our heads in the sand, men! We need to wake up! Get out your Bible and check it out for yourself. We need to be aware of his influence in our lives. I share more on this tomorrow.
Remember this: Satan thinks he is a winner - but he has already been defeated at the Cross! Praise God! - Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK.

God's WORD for YOU: 2 Chronicles 4-6; John 10:24-42

Think about this: "We need the knowledge about the enemy, his character, presence and power in order to arouse men to action. This knowledge is vital to victory." E. M. Bounds

The Sifting Process

The Sifting Process

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have all of you, to sift you like wheat. But I (Jesus) have pleaded for you in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up your brothers." Luke 22:25-33 (NLT)

I am working through a new book written by Pastor Kenny Luck, and the book is coming up this summer. The title is FIGHT - Are You Willing to Pick a Fight with Evil?, and is a part of the EVERYMAN'S BATTLE series. I highly recommend the book to you, and will let you know when it is available because I believe it is a must read for every man who wants to be a FREEDOM FIGHTER!

Listen to what Kenny Luck says about the sifting process: "Sifting is synonymous with elimination. What Peter could not recognize in himself, God eliminated. He allowed Peter to be selected and exposed to a trial and testing that would separate and eliminate his ego from his service for Christ, deconstruct Peter, and raise up a new man with a new CHARACTER. There is no longer a place for darkness to dwell in his life. It has been replaced with the light of the character of CHRIST HIMSELF - an impenetrable source."

Kenny suggests that we are in a battle. A FREEDOM FIGHTER is a warrior who is cognizant of the strategy of the enemy, but we need to be aware of the "dark footholds of sin, pride, or fear we have trouble letting go:

*an arrogant or self-centered spirit

* a growing materialistic tendency

* overconcern with titles, status, or position

* an addiction to approval

* a secret sexual sin

* emotional reliance upon past successes

* close-mindedness or an unteachable spirit

* an unwillingness to be accountable to others

* a disregard for spiritual disciplines

* a disconnectedness from your spouse

* behaviours that isolate you from other Christians

* harbored resentments or unforgiveness

* a critical spirit

* discontentment, jealousy or envy

* defensiveness

* disrespect of others

* an attitude of entitlement and lack of humility

* permitting questionable behaviors

All of these are examples of that one thing with one common denominator:
dangerous darkness of character. They're all connected to your morality, dragging it down when you are friendly with darkness. But watch out. If you've made a commitment to Christ, Satan will be allowed to come against you in an area of weakness until you realize that God desires the dark corners in your character are to be eliminated. HE wants you proactive in your battle against pride to shut the door on all dark attitudes. It's when God's man assimilates the character of CHRIST in a dark area, that the devil withdraws. Only then will Satan know that you know all circumstances, trials, and sifting only work to perfect and complete you as God's man." From FIGHT (Waterbrook Press)

Men: Can you identify with an area from the above list this morning? If so, purpose today to deal with it. Get alone with the Lord and surrender that area to Him. - Bill Welte - President and CEO of America's KESWICK.

God's WORD for YOU: 2 Chronicles 1-3; John 10:1-23

Think about this: An active faith can give thanks for a promise, though it be not as yet performed; knowing that God's bonds are as good as ready money. --
Matthew Henry

Memorial Day 2008

A PRAYER FOR AMERICA

While driving in the car one day, I heard this powerful song by the Christian artist, Carman. I blew me away. I thought I’d share it with you on this 2008 Memorial Day:

AMERICA AGAIN
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, first Chief Justice John Jay.Names synonymous with the spirit of our country. The Founding Fathers of the USA. Over Two Hundred years ago, they shook of the chains of tyranny from Great Britain by Divine call.

Citing 27 biblical violations, they wrote the Declaration of Independence, with Liberty, justice for all. But something happened since Jefferson call the Bible the cornerstone for American liberty, then put in our schools for a light. Or since "Give me liberty or give me death" Patrick Henry said,"our country was founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "We eliminated God from the equation from American Life. Thus eliminating the reason why this nation first began.

From beyond the grave I hear the voices of our founding fathers plead,"You need God in America again"Of the 55 men who formed the constitution, 52 were active members of their church. Founding fathers like Noah Webster, who wrote the first dictionary, could literally quote the Bible, Chapter and Verse. James Madison said, "we've staked our future on our ability to follow the 10 commandments with all our heart"

These men believed that you could not even call yourself an Americanif you subvert the word of God.In his farewell address, Washington said "you can't have national morality apart from religious principle," and it’s true. Because now we have nearly 150,000 kids carrying guns through these war zones that we call public schools.

In the 40's and 50's student problems were chewing gum and talking.In the 90's rape and murder are the trend. The only way this nation can even hope to last this decadeis put God in America again.Chorus:The only hope for America is Jesus. The only hope for our country is Him.If we repent of our ways, stand firm and say, We need God in America again.

Abe Lincoln said, "The philosophy of the school room in one generation, will be the philosophy of government in the next." So when you eliminate the word of God from the classroom and politics,you eliminate the nation that Word protects. America is now number 1 in teen pregnancy and violent crime. Number 1 in illiteracy, drug use and divorce.Every day a new holocaust of 5,000 unborn die,while pornography floods our streets like open sewers. Americas dead and dying hand is on the threshold of the church, while the spirit of Sodom and Gomorra vex us all. When it gets to the point the people would rather come out of the closet than clean it,it is the sign that the judgment of God is going to fall.

If there has ever been a time to rise up Church, it’s now. And as the blood bought saints of the living God proclaim,that its time to sound the alarm from the church house to the White House and say, "WE WANT GOD IN AMERICA AGAIN." I believe its time America, to stand up and proclaim,"that one nation under God is our demand." And send this evil lifestyle back to Satan where it came from. And let the Word of God revive our dying land! For Jesus Christ is coming back again in all his glory. And every eye shall see him on that day. That’s why a new anointing of Gods power is coming on us to boldly tell the world you must be saved!

Because astrology wont save you. Your horoscope won’t save you.The bible says these things are all a farce. If your born again, you don't need to look to the stars for your answers,cause you can look to the very one that made those stars. History tells us, time and time again,to live like there is no God makes you a fool. If you want to see kids live right, stop handing out condoms and start handing out the word of God in schools.

Chorus:The only hope for America is Jesus.The only hope for our country is Him. If we repent of our ways, stand firm and say, We need God in America again.©Carmen

Hear our prayer, O, Lord! Hear our prayer! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s Word for YOU: 1 Chronicles 28-29; John 9:24-41

Think about this: Christ is like a river. A river is continually flowing, there are fresh supplies of water coming from the fountain-head continually so that man may live by it, and be supplied with water all his life. So Christ is an ever-flowing fountain; he is continually supplying his people, and the fountain is not spent. They who live upon Christ, may have fresh supplies from him to all eternity; they may have an increase of blessedness that is new, and new still, and which never will come to an end. Jonathan Edwards

The Freedom to Love

The Freedom to Love

The salvation we have in Christ frees us from a lot of stuff-bondage, judgment and the wrath of God. Those things are gone. Paul tells us to "reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin." (Romans 6:11) We often think of freedom in terms of those things from which we've been made free.

I want to ask you think about the freedom we've been given to do what we could not do in our lostness. We have the freedom to walk with Jesus in the yoke, to abide with Him in the vine, to live with Him day by day. We have the freedom to pursue wholeness and power and holiness.

We also have the freedom to love. I sat around a table with 12 other guys this morning in Bible study. As I looked at the men who were there, knowing many of their stories, it occurred to me that each of them needs love. We need to know that there are people who care about us. It also crossed my mind that I have the freedom in Christ to love those men. They, too, have the freedom to love me.

Our world is a hard place. It's marked by the brokenness and evil of sin. People do bad things to other people. People say bad things about other people. We've done it, and we've had it done to us. Some of us struggle with addictions, in part, because of bad things done to us in our past.

Jesus says, though, that we can change the world when we love others like He has loved us. Hear His words: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:12) And again, "These things I command you, that you love one another." (John 15:17) And then again, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)

I know too many angry Christians. You probably do, too. You and I can choose to reject anger and pursue love. We've received freedom to do that. We can choose to prove our walk with Jesus by loving people as He loved them. He gave us His Spirit to empower us for that calling. Join me in choosing to be a lover. Join me in making a difference in our churches by loving people-even if they're not lovable.

Jesus made us free to love. Let's just do it! - Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River http://www.fbctomsriver.com/

God's WORD for YOU: 1 Chronicles 25-27; John 9:1-23

Think about this: When the devil, the foe and the tyrant, sees a man bearing this weapon [fasting], he is straight-away frightened and he recollects and considers that defeat which he suffered in the wilderness at the hands of the Savior; at once his strength is shattered and the very sight of this weapon, given us by our Commander-in-chief, burns him. Isaac of Syria

Join us this afternoon for a southern Gospel concert with The Duffields.
The concert begins at 3:00 PM in the Activity Center at America's KESWICK. There will be a love offering for the ministry of The Duffields.

Unruined

UNRUINED

I have the privilege right now to teach a class on spiritual formation in the Keswick Institute of Biblical Studies. Last evening during the class several of the guys who are either Colony grads or residents right now talked about what a mess their lives were when they entered the Colony.

During the discussion, we ran across a line in our textbook, "Renovation of the Heart," by Dallas Willard. He talks about the fact that all of us were "ruined" in the Fall, but that we have been "unruined" in Christ. As we talked about the concept of being "unruined," I reminded the guys of what all of us were before Christ; we were all a mess, whether we entered the Colony or not.

Last Sunday morning Robert Hayes had some of our people at First Baptist/Toms River do a really unique reading of 2 Corinthians 5:17.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." We are "unruined!"

Freedom Fighters need to understand that concept. Even on the bad days after coming to Christ, we're still "unruined." We won't get it right all the time. When we don't, Satan will try to make us think we're still what we used to be. We're not! We've been "unruined" by the reconciling work of Jesus Christ on the cross. (See 2 Corinthians 5:19&21)

Rejoice this weekend in the fact that you've been "unruined." Ask God to help you live out that condition day by day. Practice being "unruined" by drawing near to God and resisting the devil (James 4:7&8) Spend more time pursuing who you are now and less time regretting who you used to be.

"Unruined" is much better than "ruined." Being alive in Christ is much better than being dead in trespasses and sins. Believe what God says to you. Reject the lies the devil throws at you. You and I are "unruined!" Praise be to God! - Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist of Toms River
http://www.fbctomsriver.com/

God's Word for YOU today: 1 Chronicles 22-24; John 8:28-59

Think About This: If you trust yourself to walk in the light of your own conscience, uninstructed or little instructed by the Word of God, you will end up doing things that you are deeply and sincerely convinced are right. But they may be terribly hurtful and destructive within the Church. R. C. Stedman

Bearing The Cross

Bearing the Cross

"Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His OWN blood, suffered outside the gate. Hence, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach." Hebrews 13:12-13

Today's reading is from one of my favorite devotionals, DAILY WITH THE KING by W. Glyn Evans. It is published by Moody Press and is available in the Keswick Book and Gift Shop (732-350-1187 ext. 31)

"Lord, I will not make a fetish about bearing my cross. The purpose of the cross is to release me from myself in order to become useful to the world. But if I am constantly occupied with my cross, I am of no use to myself or anyone else. Oswald Chambers once said, 'Self-sacrifice may be a disease.' I cannot afford to make my cross an object of adoration; I must make it an instrument of crucifixion.

My cross is ANYTHING that competes with the claims of Christ on me. My cross becomes my cross only when I am confronted with an to when Christ says, 'Leave all that would compete with ME, and follow ME!'

I cannot manufacture my cross, for that is the worst kind of hypocrisy.
It is either there or not. Simply denying myself a tiny pleasure, then being proud about it, is certainly not the cross Jesus Christ was talking about.

The cross is continual. I cannot die to self once and for all. I must DIE DAILY as Paul did (1 Corinthians 15:31). Today the point of crucifixion may be one thing, tomorrow something else. As long as I live, and as long as my FLESH craves preeminence, I will be confronted by the continual alternative: not my will or Christ's. Thus I am never free from the pain of being scarred by my cross.

Now I see why Paul said, 'I fill up ... what is still lacking in regards to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of ... the church.' (Colossians
1:24 NIV). The pain of my cross is Christ's pain that He endured for others; only as I suffer the pain of dying to self can I live (as Christ
did) for others. That is the 'glory' life Paul exultantly proclaimed:
'God forbid that I should glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.'
Galatians 6:14 (NSRB)

Is there an area of your life where you need to take up HIS CROSS and follow HIM? Purpose in your heart to do it today. - Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK.

God's WORD for YOU Today: 1 Chronicles 19-21; John 8:1-27

Think About It: Pride is the dandelion of the soul. Its root goes deep; only a little left behind sprouts again. Its seeds lodge in the tiniest encouraging cracks. And it flourishes in good soil: The danger of pride is that it feeds on goodness. David Rhodes

This Needs No Title ... Just Surrender

This Needs No Title...just surrender.

"Remember my affliction and roaming, the wormwood and the gall, My soul still remembers and sinks within me. This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; GREAT is Your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!"
Lamentations 3:19-24

I'm writing this on the morning of May 9th. I have taken the day off from work so I can pack the family for our trip to the Colony reunion this weekend. My wife, Kathy and my children, Kevin and Karen always look forward to this reunion. Keswick is a beautiful place and the friends we have made there always uplift and encourage. But I am taking a different approach to this day.

I am taking one of my quick glances back. On this day five years ago I was in quite difficult place. I was beginning my morning loathing in self pity somewhere in the woods of South Jersey. I was trying real hard to drink my breakfast. My body, just like my soul, couldn't take it no more and I hear "Chris, this has to stop." What? I heard it one more time and got spooked. I went back into civilization and tried to sober up.

I hadn't been home in awhile (Kathy tossed me) and I needed to act on what I just heard. That evening Kathy was allowing me to see our children and she told me this has to stop. That evening I seriously prayed. "Jesus, I don't care what I have to do, please take this from me." He heard me and this rest is history. A "gooder" history than I deserve.

Since that moment in time my life has become something I cannot put into words. I have been blessed. All I had to do was give up. Yeah that's right, I gave up. I had to decrease. I wasn't doing a good job of being a person anyway so I fired myself. I surrendered what I was to Christ and He is doing the work. Do I get in the way? Yeah once in awhile but I have been listening to the renewed mind and getting back in line.

What about you brother? Are you listening to the renewed mind? Are you surrendered enough to get back in line? The Word of God and the truths there in is a powerful tool to thwart off our adversary. Do yourself a favor this morning...listen to the Word of God. - Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy.

God's Word for YOU: 1 Chronicles 16-18; John 7:28-53

Think about this: His will is our hiding place. Corrie Ten Boom

Faith

FAITH
Matthew 17:20 “He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Why do we encounter so much difficulty when trying to enter into the doorway of faith? Have we forgotten the One who has pulled us from the pit of hell and given us eternal life? The One who has plucked us from eternal damnation!

How many times have we exhausted every avenue and every ounce of our strength to no avail and utter dismay, and without warning God intervenes and once again delivers us. Even in our unbelief He diligently pursued us and showed His faithfulness in times when we could not love Him or fall into His yoke, He kept us there. He made us lie down in green pastures. He led us beside still waters (Psalm 23), not because of our great faith, but because of His immeasurable faithfulness.

He relentlessly sought and pursued us because we are His children, the beloved of the Most High God. He loved us when we were incapable of loving ourselves. He loved us, despite us.

Faith is not something seen or taught, it is something experienced through God’s mighty works. As soon as we begin to see past ourselves and put aside our pride, and finally realize that we are not self-sufficient we can come to see God for who He is, the sustainer of our lives.

His faithfulness is never-ending, never-failing, and always full of grace. It wasn’t luck or our superb ability to conquer all. It had nothing at all to do with our strength or perseverance. It was because of the desire and faithfulness of Jesus Christ to pursue fellowship with His people. He is our all in all, our strong tower, our fortress, our gracious, merciful, and faithful Father in heaven.

It was in our greatest weakness that His power was perfected. It was in our moment of hopelessness, that He showed up and showered us with His grace (II Corinthians 12:9) Allow Him to open your spiritual eyes all you saints, and continue in your faith and grow in it, because He has already been so faithful. Let us have the faith that can move mountains and change the world, for we serve a God through whom all things are possible. (Luke 1:37)

Prayer: Lord, we are sorry for our lack of faith. You have already been so faithful. You have brought us thus far!! Let us ever be mindful; open our eyes and hearts to see how great is Thy faithfulness. Amen – Ed Mayo – Ed is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is now in the Discipleship program.

God’s WORD for You: 1 Chronicles 13-15; John 7:1-27

Think About This: If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine!
Elisabeth Elliot

A Tribute to Lindsay

You can listen to Linday's Memorial Service online tonight at 7:30 PM by visiting: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/lindsaybear

A TRIBUTE TO LINDSAY
“We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” Romans 8:28

Jan and I want to thank our Freedom Fighter family for walking with us during this past six weeks with our precious little granddaughter, Lindsay Alice Groen. We have been overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of love and support from around the world.

This evening we will gather together as a family and friends to remember and reflect on Lindsay’s life. During the past six weeks there have been so many lessons learned because of what Lindsay has taught us. Some people question why we as a family are not pounding the walls crying, “Why?” Well, I’d be lying to you if I told you we haven’t. It doesn’t make sense, quite honestly. But that is our finite-short-sighted-couldn’t-it-have-been-someone-else perspective.

There have been many of us that have asked, “Why couldn’t have been me?” I know that right now I would gladly have taken her place so that Laura and Jon could escape this pain and suffering.

Were it not for our trust and confidence in a sovereign Lord who is in control of ALL things, this would cause us to give up in despair. Be we are assured that somehow, in His plan, He knows what He is doing – that this is fitting in His Master plan. Right now we can’t understand it, or even see the purpose. But we hold onto and cling to Him. Some of you have tracked along with us through Lindsay’s blog (www.americaskeswick.org and then click on her picture). Through the ministry of the blog, we have been able to capture from so many lessons that God has taught them about prayer, trust, faith, courage, and a greater love for the Lord. Hearing those stories don’t take away the pain and hurt, but they help us know that somehow God is at work, accomplishing His purpose.

I do know this – while this all stinks for us down here, Lindsay is enjoying the Savior in all of His glory. She’s the winner in all of this! We love you, Lindsay Bear. Thank You, Lord for sharing her with us. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: 1 Chronicles 10-12; John 6:45-71Think about this: “You’ll never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have; when Jesus is all you have, you’ll know that Jesus is all you need.” – Dr. Mark Corts

Today you can hear a little bit about Lindsay’s impact on Dr. John DeBrine’s broadcast today: http://www.oneplace.com/Ministries/Songtime/

On Being A Slave

"On Being a Slave"

"Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?"

Many Freedom Fighters know about slavery. We've experienced the slavery of addictions. Some of you have come close to death from that slavery.
Many of us know people who lost their lives to the slavery to sin.

My experience as a pastor tells me that too many of us never discover the transition from "sin slavery" to "obedience slavery." Somehow, we see God deliver us from the old slavery, but we have an unwillingness to accept the new slavery. That's not acceptable to God, and it shouldn't be acceptable to us.

The Apostle Paul assumes that we have to make a choice. He doesn't leave us room to live in the middle between negative and positive slavery. Paul declares that we're going to experience slavery one way or another. If I understand his insight, if we don't choose slavery to righteousness, we set ourselves up for slavery to sin. The key is obedience.

Obedience to righteousness will make us slaves of our true Master, Jesus Christ. A lack of obedience to righteousness will take us down a path to "sin slavery." Ultimately, Freedom Fighters must understand that "obedience slavery" is the path to true freedom.

The Apostle wraps it up for us in Romans 6:18: "And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." The normal thing for someone set free from sin is to become a slave of righteousness.

How are you doing at practicing slavery today? I'm working on it, and I hope you are, too! - Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River (http://www.fbctomsriver.com/)

God's WORD for YOU: 1 Chronicles 7-9; John 6:22-24 Think About This: There is a toleration which is treachery. There is a peace which issues in paralysis. There are hours when the Church must say NO to those who should ask communion with her, in the doing of her work, upon the basis of compromise. Such standing aloof may produce ostracism and persecution; but it will maintain power and influence...The reason why men do not look to the Church today is that she has destroyed her own influence by compromise. G. Campbell Morgan

Have you made your plans for Memorial Day Weekend? If not, we'd love to have you join as at America's KESWICK. There is limited availability, so call today for your reservation. If you are local, plan to come for the day. Check out the website for details: www.americaskeswick.org. On Saturday night we will be having a patriotic concert featuring the Keswick Celebration Choir singing John W. Peterson's I LOVE AMERICA. This is a free event, however, we will be taking an offering for the ministry of the COLONY OF MERCY. For more information, call 732-453-7942

Yet Will I Trust Him

"Yet Will I Trust Him"

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. (Job 13:15)

The entire Keswick and Freedom Fighter family grieves with the Groen and Welte families today. Little Lindsay Groen went to heaven Friday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. She fought valiantly for almost six weeks, coming back again and again. Ultimately, God decided it was time for her to come to Him.

Life often doesn't play out like we want or expect it to. We wonder why things happen like they do, especially when so many people (in Lindsay's case, thousands) pray for a particular outcome. Sometimes life just doesn't make sense to us.

One of the earliest God-followers knew our questions and frustrations.
Job was absolutely right with God when his whole world caved in. He didn't see it coming; he had no reason to expect it. It still came.
His friends didn't help. They gave him all kinds of reasons for his difficulty. All their collective wisdom was wrong. His wife was no help either. She told Job to just curse God and die.

Job's response is both amazing and challenging. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." Life sometimes comes fast and hard, and we have no control over it. We don't begin to understand why God allows some things to happen. When those days come our ways we can learn from Job.

I don't know where I read it or heard it, but I've never forgotten this little saying: "Don't doubt in the dark what you know to be true in the light." Job chose to believe what he knew to be true in the light during the darkest days of his life. We can do the same thing.

We pray for the Groen and Welte families, and we grieve their loss.
None of us has clear understanding why God allowed Lindsay's death. For these two families and for ourselves we can echo Job's words. Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. We can pray its truth to take root in the hearts of these grieving parents and grandparents. We can pray its truth for our lives because sooner or later we'll need it, too. - Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River and our weekend Freedom Fighter contributor. He is also Bill and Jan Weltes' pastor.

God's WORD for YOU: 1 Chronicles 4-6; John 6:1-21

Think about this: Let us not be content to pray morning and evening, but let us live in prayer all day long. Let this prayer, this life of love, which means death to self, spread out from our seasons of prayer, as from a centre, over all that we have to do. All should become prayer, that is, a loving consciousness of God's presence, whether it be social intercourse or business. Such a course as this will ensure you a profound peace. Francois Fenelon

His Word is True

HIS WORD IS TRUE

Yesterday will probably be remembered as one of the most difficult but precious days of my life. When Jan and I arrived at Lindsay's room early yesterday morning, it was apparent that her journey was coming to an end. My heart ached for what I knew Laura and Jon would have to face apart from the miracle that we had all been fervently praying for.

Throughout our lives, we have gone to the Word for direction, comfort, answers, questions. God has never failed us and His Word is true. But could we believe it for this situation? On Thursday, God spoke to both Laura and Jan's hearts with verse from John 4:46-47 And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.
47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. 48 "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." 49 The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies." 50 Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour." 53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed. 54 This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee.

The Lord spoke peace to their hearts and used His Word to comfort them knowing that Lindsay was facing surgery at 1:00 PM.

Did God's Word fail? Is it wrong to claim the promises He speaks to you from His Word? We can tell you His Word is true and can be trusted. For you see while we were counting on a physical earthly healing, God's perfect plan for Lindsay was far different! When Jan and Laura read this passage, they thought God was showing them that Lindsay's surgery at 1:00 PM would be the means to heal her. The ultimate healing came yesterday at 1:00 PM when God tenderly and lovingly picked her up and took her to His house.

To tell you that we are dancing around and jumping for joy would be such a lie. It hurts! It stinks for all of us. But we have the hope and confidence in our great God that Lindsay is "absent from the body and present with the Lord."

Lindsay Bear has taught us all so much. The pain and hurt is very real, but we know that the God who has seen us through thus far, will continue to see us through "until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

If you'd like to share a verse of comfort with our kids, you can leave them a note on Lindsay's blog. Let them know that you are a Freedom Fighter. - Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK.

God's WORD for YOU: 1 Chronicles 1-3; John 5:25-47

Think about it: God gives us memories so we might have roses in December. - Sir James Barrie (Thanks, Marilyn Heavilin - your book will now have even greater meaning to our family!)

A New Heart

A NEW HEART

And I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. - Ezekiel 36:36

Today is going to be one of those defining moments for our family. Today Lindsay is going to finally receive the long-awaited Berlin Heart. After six weeks of struggling with our "old" heart, her loving surgeons are going to attach an artificial heart to her heart, which is a precursor to receiving a heart transplant in the future.

There have been many lessons learned by all of us during Lindsay's days of hanging between earth and heaven. A beautiful, blonde-haired little girl who is attached to a ventilator and a heart and lung machine, and who has no ability to communicate, has taught us all volumes with her life.

This weekend, Dr. Jamie Mitchell reminded us that with a trial like Lindsay is facing, she really is in the greatest position to be - healing or heaven! If God in His mercy sees fit to allow the Berlin Heart to be successful - Lindsay wins! If He chooses to call her home to heaven - she wins!

Lindsay has accomplished so much in her 23 months of life. One of the things that she has done is connected people from around the globe to the Lord and to each other. She has taught us to pray with boldness and fervency. She has taught us to know what really matters - not the junk and garbage that we think life is all about. She has taught us that family really matter - stuff that seemed important to us becomes insignificant in light of eternal matters.

She has reminded us that God's WORD is what brings comfort, strength, encouragement and guidance when life doesn't seem to make any sense. She has taught us that God's promises are true and dependable even in the midst of hearts that seem to be breaking.

And she has taught us that God will be God - just when the doctors think they have figured her out - she allows her suffering to remind them that they really are just PRACTICING. One of her doctors yesterday said that he has been amazed how she has overcome every obstacle that has been thrown at her - obstacles that could have been fatal.

Lindsay Bear - you need to know how very much we all love you today! As we have done so many times, we are placing you back in your Heavenly Father's hands, surrendering you to Him. You have taught us so much about life, and most of all, our great God. Thank you, Lindsay, for being the catalyst that God has used to touch literally thousands of people around the globe. And know that Pop-Pop Welte loves you "a bushel and a peck, and a barrel and a heap ..." - but that love is so minute in comparison to your Heavenly Father who has lavished His love on you! - Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK, the proud father of four wonderful kids, and five precious grandkids!

Track Lindsay's progress today by visiting www.americaskeswick.org <http://www.americaskeswick.org/> .

God's WORD for YOU: 2 Kings 24-25; John 5:1-24
Think About This: No sin is worse that 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

The Man God Uses

The Man God Uses

"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those blog who love Him." James 1:12

I apologize for the lateness of Freedom Fighters this week. I am sending them from Children's Hospital in Boston and having problems getting connected each morning. Our granddaughter, Lindsay, is still hanging between death and life, and will be evaluated today to see if they can proceed with the Berlin Heart tomorrow. We would appreciate your prayers. You can visit her blog at www.americaskeswick.org. If you leave a comment, let the kids know you are a Freedom Fighter.

This past weekend was our Colony of Mercy Reunion. Hundreds of grads came back to share what God has been doing in their lives. Dr. Jamie Mitchell shared a series on trials and concluded his message with this powerful poem to illustrate James 1:12

When God wants to drill a man
And thrill a man
And skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all HIS heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch HIS methods, watch HIS ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses
And with every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendor out --
God knows what He's about! - Oswald Sawnders - Spiritual Leadership

That is a great illustration of James 1:12. Are you willing to persevere under trial today? You can't do it alone - but Christ can do it through you! - Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK.

For a gift of any size, I'd love to send you Jamie's four-part message on trials. To order, reply to this email with you snail address.

God's WORD for YOU: 2 Kings 22-23; John 4:31-54

Think about it: Hell works the hardest on God's saints. The most worthy souls will be tested with the most pressure and the highest heat, but heaven will not desert them. - William L. Watkinson

Full Coverage

Full Coverage

"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him." (Romans 4:7-8)

Most of the time when the Lord shows me something that I need to share, He does it through an experience. About a month ago, I had taken a trip into New York to meet my brother, whom I have not seen in about four years, at the airport. My wife was at a woman's retreat and I was home alone. So I decided to meet my brother, spend some time with the family, and then come back to New Jersey because I had a commitment at my church the next morning.

Needless to say the time went well. I spent time with my family and we shared a meal together. By the time that was all done it was about 10:30 pm and I had been going all day. Now I had a full stomach and I had to make my way back to the pinelands.

My drive is about an hour and thirty minutes or so... I have to admit that I was not really up to the drive and I was tired. My sister asked me to call as soon as I got back because she knew I was tired.

Fast forward...

I was falling asleep behind the wheel when I was awakened by a loud "crack", I didn't know what it was but I dosed no more. I came to find out the next day that my windshield was cracked. I never noticed it until I picked my wife up later that afternoon. Past experienced told me that this was going to be an expense I could not afford. I made several phone calls to inquire about windshield replacement and spoke to several people. I could not afford to get it replaced, be it needed replacing.

But GOD!!! The Lord used one of my colleagues to ask me a simple question, " Did you call your insurance?" Of course, not! The deductible is more than the glass was my reply, based on past experience. But it would not leave my mind. I came home and called my insurance and found out that I was fully covered with no deductible.

Then God said, "That is just how you are, fully covered and most times unaware."

Beloved, if you are a child of the most High God, know that your sins are covered and the Lord will never count it against you. -- Chaplain Robert is a graduate of the colony of mercy. He serves as Chaplain, Director of Aftercare, and Discipleship coordinator at America's Keswick. He is a husband, father, and friend.

God's Word for YOU: 2 Kings 19-21; John 4:1-30

Think About This: "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." - Streams in the Desert

Rest

REST

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Rest for a while your toilsome business. Fact: God is here! A great sin unto the Lord is that God's eternal presence is here and we refuse to or cannot feel Him. In today's day and age, we move quickly. This is the 21st century. We have e-mail, text and instant messaging and split second access to almost anything we can think of. We won't wait for much. Satan must be reveling in our haste. We can justify ourselves by claiming "not enough time in a day," or "who could possibly make time for everything?" But this deception is one of Satan's most useful schemes. To take our eyes off Jesus and place them on the things of this world is a victory for Satan. God gave us free will. But why do we so freely take our eyes off Him? Of course we rush to Him in times of trouble. Are you like me? Do you beg for His help when things get too difficult? Can you honestly admit in any practical way the discipline of waiting on God? Have you sat quietly seeking His face? Reaching for His all sufficient hand to guide you or listening for His voice to quietly whisper to you?

Fact: The whole universe is alive with God! He is the Creator of heaven and earth, things seen and unseen. Do you treat Him as a stranger in your life? I know I do. He made it possible for me to have communion with Him and I insist on ignoring Him. The Bible teaches me that: if I draw near to God, He will draw near to me. But who really has that much time? If I was to look at what I really do with my time I know I do. I want to think that He is hiding from me, but the truth is He is never far away, He has many wonderful ways of drawing us to Himself, we just need to be still and allow His presence to surround us. "Indeed it would seem as though the deepest truths come only in moments of profound devotional silence and contemplation." - Charles H. Brent. When we pursue a relationship with Jesus, He will reveal Himself to us. Our responsibility is to stand firmly in our faith. To cling tightly to Him. To loosen our grip on the things of this world and tighten our grip on the things of God. The material things of this world and our busy lives should be a distant second to seeking out the Source of our soul. It is high time to heed the psalmist's words and "Be still and know that He is God." -- Chris Connors is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. Chris, and his wife Donna, serve at America's KESWICK

God's Word for You: 2 Kings 17-18; John 3:19-36

Daily Quote: If you would judge of the lawfulness or the unlawfulness of pleasure, then take this simple rule: Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, and takes off the relish of spiritual things - that to you is sin. Susannah Wesley

Shrewd and Innocent

Shrewd and Innocent

"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16

I am in the process of reviewing a manuscript for a new book that will be released this summer. The book is entitled FIGHT by Kenny Luck (Waterbrook Press). The book is designed to help men understand the seriousness of evil in our lives and how to use the weapons God has given us to fight it.

The passage I read last night was based on the passage in Matthew 10 where Jesus is sending out His disciples. Kenny Luck says, "According to Jesus, wisdom and carefulness (shrewdness) combined with virtue and integrity (innocence) would give them the ability to know what to do next and the right stuff to pull it off:

A shrewd God's man will
* take the ax to personal sin
* fiercely guard and preserve his spiritual gains
* exercise discernment in all situations impacting his relationships with God and people
* not allow negative emotions to fester and play into the enemy's plans
* possess good intelligence on his enemy
* pick his battles carefully so as not to waste energy
* cleverly de-escalate internal conflicts to bring peace
* root out diversions, distractions, and doubts that cloud issues
* act quickly and decisively when needed

An innocent God's man will
* seek to keep his heart clean before God so that he can hear HIS voice
* openly examine himself before God and man - no secrets
* hate evil and run from it if necessary to preserve his integrity
* control himself to keep polluting influences out of his relationship with God
* become increasingly unsullied by his old ways of living
* put strong boundaries in his life to prompt evil assaults
* control his thoughts and not allow any outside the will of God
* soak his mind in God's thoughts and desires
* seek aggressive accountability and use it to win his battles with evil

Brothers, this is good stuff. Print this one out and stick it in your Bible. Refer to it often. Be shrewd and innocent! It will help to finish well. - Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: 2 Kings 15-16; John 3:1-18 Think About This: Personal purity of mind, body, and devotion add up to our assurance of battlefield acuity and ability. - Kenny Luck

Life in the Spirit

"Life in the Spirit"
(Acts 2:1-47)

Today is Pentecost Sunday. It is the day in the church year when Christians remember the Holy Spirit coming on those early Christians in Jerusalem. It was an incredible day that none of the disciples could have anticipated.

That same Spirit who came on Pentecost Sunday dwells in the life of every follower of Jesus; that includes you and me! That's truth from God's Word. The question for us to consider this morning is this: how much influence does His Spirit have in our lives? Let me suggest some ways the Holy Spirit should manifest Himself in us.

With His presence in our lives, we should see His power demonstrated in us. His power offers us the assurance of victory over sin and victory to live a life marked by holiness. Too many of us have believed the lie of the wicked one who convinces us that His power is not sufficient. It is!

His presence also brings boldness to our lives that overcomes our fears.
Remember that these men who preached with such power on Pentecost Sunday were hiding from the religious leaders just days before. Nothing else explains the transformation in their lives but the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The transformation that marked this first group of believers developed in community. Both before and after Pentecost, those who followed Jesus shared their lives with each other and lived in "one accord." They drew strength from each other. God's Spirit at work in them marked them as men and women who loved Jesus and each other.

Finally, notice in Acts 2 that the Holy Spirit in their lives gave them influence beyond anything they could have expected. Three thousand people came to Christ that first Pentecost Sunday. In the days following Pentecost the disciples had great favor with the people around them. Radical transformation by the power of the Holy Spirit gave them incredible influence.

Freedom Fighters like you and me can know the presence, power and work of God's Holy Spirit in our lives. It comes as we yield more and more of our lives to make more and more room for Him. That yielding is the path to freedom and power that each of us so desperately needs.

May God help us to know God's Spirit like our brothers and sisters in the early church knew Him! - Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist of Toms River -- http://www.fbctomsriver.com/

God's WORD for YOU: 2 Kings 13-14; John 2

Think About This: "If you are reading this because you count yourself a good person and good people read religious books, let me give you a warning; You are dancing on the edge of a cliff. One day, maybe soon, you're going to fall off. Not only that, but when you fall off, its going to hurt really bad. I just wanted you know, and I didn't want you to say that nobody ever told you. I just told you....Feeling ashamed and knowing Christ far surpasses begin good and never thirsting for mercy and forgiveness." Steve Brown, A Scandalous Freedom

On the Mind of God

"On the Mind of God"

"For I know the thoughts that think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

I read this verse during my Bible reading yesterday morning. It's a familiar verse, but I needed it yesterday. You may need it today. It reminds us that we are on God's mind; He actually thinks about us! We don't always feel as though God thinks of us, but He does. Jeremiah recorded God's words for us so we could know that He thinks of us.

I'm glad God had Jeremiah give us these words. At one time or another all of us need the reminder that God has each of us on His mind. Life isn't always easy. Sometimes it's just hard. Knowing that God thinks of us in ways that bring blessing to our lives puts life in perspective. Those thoughts help us every day and especially on the hard days. Even in the worst of times, when pressure comes from every side, God is thinking about us!

When we're in turmoil, Gods' thoughts toward us are thoughts of peace.
When we sense the plague of failure, Gods' thoughts of us are filled with hope. When our past haunts us, God reminds us that He's already thought of our future. Our good and gracious God strengthens us with this one-sentence well of encouragement.

The world around us offers its own enticements and attractions. Without a clear understanding of Gods' thoughts for us, those things of the world will draw us away from the hope and future God has for us. As we fight for freedom, we can't afford to lose sight of His thoughts for us and His plans for us.

When we know how God thinks of us we face each day with hope. We live those days in peace. We finish the day anticipating God's future for us. Don't forget that you-every day-are on Gods' mind.

"For I know the thoughts that think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11) - Pastor John Strain is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River http://www.fbctomsriver.com/

God's WORD for YOU: 2 Kings 10-12; John 1:29-51

In truth, people can generally make time for what they choose to do; it is not really the time but the will that is lacking. John Lubbock

What are You Doing to Further the Kingdom?

Luke 8:35, 39 – “Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid….. Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.”

From the day I had accepted Jesus into my heart as my Lord and Savior I started planning. I know I had said “I do” to the Creator of heaven and earth. I was confident He had a wonderful plan for my life, but what? How could I be used by God? Who did I most resemble? This new life would require much thought and preparation on my part. So I did what any new believer who felt God pulling on his heart would do, I started the work of predicting God. I wasn’t quite sure which saint in the Bible He was going to mold me after, but it was probably one of the greats. Maybe I would be the next Paul. We both had been misguided zealots before Jesus intervened on our behalf. I’m sure I could bring His gospel to all four corners of the earth – just like Paul. It didn’t take long before I knew that wasn’t His plan for me. That’s ok, I was probably more like David the shepherd-king anyway. We were both capable of unspeakable sin in our hearts. But David wasn’t the man either. Then Jacob, or how about Jonah? I am just like Jonah – I too will run to the end of the earth to escape God’s perfect and pleasing will. But God made quick work of that one too, He told me I wasn’t worthy of the deluxe accommodations in a fish’s belly. Then who? Oh no, not Job! Anybody but Job.

But God, who is rich in mercy revealed His plan. A simple command for a simple guy; “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” (Luke 8:39) That was me, a demon-possessed homeless man. Completely controlled by my sinful lifestyle dwelling in the darkness. When Jesus brought me out of the darkness into His marvelous light – it became clear, Go and tell my friends what Jesus did for me and what great compassion He had on me. Stop concerning myself with what the ‘Pauls’ and the ‘King Davids’ and the ‘Jonahs’ were doing for His Kingdom, but what I am doing to further His Kingdom here on earth.

For me; it is to tell everyone what a Wonderful Savior I serve, to let everybody see what great compassion He had on a miserable demon-possessed wretch like me.

What are you doing today to further His Kingdom here on earth? Or are you still waiting to find out who you’re going to be?

Take Me Out to His Ball Game (Part 2)

Take Me Out to His Ballgame. Part Two

"For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end." Hebrews 3:14

Now I have resolved myself to the fact the God wants' me to go behind the plate and call the game. That's right brothers there was no rain falling and no rain coming. Oh well, Jesus this wouldn't be the first time you have taken me out of my comfort zone to bring me through something. Just as a side note...I do not like to umpire but that's a different Freedom Fighter.

Anyway the phone rings fifteen minutes before I have to leave and it is the team's heads coach and he is relieving me of my umpiring duties.
"Chris, I know you're uncomfortable with it." he says. "Your right." I say. And then we both talk about the night before. He was more than willing to dish out what we got the night before. "C'mon, you don't want to comprise your integrity" was what I said in response. He agreed and I went to Wal-mart with my wife and daughter. Just another side note...I am no fan of Wal-mart.

Before I can get into Wal-mart I run into a brother from the Colony. We are both hopeful about the upcoming reunion and we have just figured out we have someone in common. The head coach of the baseball team. And later on in the week I run into this brother again. And in this same week someone who I work with, who I would have never thought would come to Christ, has asked me to get him on the road to find the peace I have with our risen Savior.

Here is what I am trying to convey Brother's. Do not waiver from the truth that you have in Jesus. Do what is just and righteous even if you are out of your comfort zone and don't like it. There will come a time when you are face to face to the Creator and he will ask you "What did you do with Jesus?" It could happen at Wal-mart or on the baseball diamond but when God puts His purpose for you in front of you, Be Steadfast...Do not waiver!!

This quote is from chapter four in "Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice" by Dallas Willard & Jan Johnson. "This weight of trying to be good is an unnecessary load because the way to God is the way of all-encompassing inner transformation. God will work in us (see Phil 1:6). We have a part in cooperating with God, which is what we'll explore in this book. But even then, we must not make it our project. We need to ask God to show us the next small steps and how to take them." - Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy.

God's WORD for YOU: 2 Kings 4-6; Luke 24:36-53

Think about this: Man still retains within himself the need to love a perfect object that will never disappoint him and to be himself loved totally and unconditionally. These needs can be met only in a relationship with God Himself. Otherwise, we go on demanding unattainable absolutes from human beings. Tom Marshall

Take Me Out to His Ballgame

Take Me Out to His Ballgame. Part One

"For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end" Hebrews 3:14

The baseball diamond can cause many men to toss dignity and integrity out the window. It is the third game of our little league season and we have an umpire who has been calling low pitched balls, strikes. The umpire serves as a Eucharist Minister at St. Vincent de Paul, the local Catholic Church here in downtown Mays Landing, New Jersey. He is also a friend of mine.

In the dugout there are three bewildered coaches. One of us is just doing the score card with a sign once in a while. And no brothers this one is not me. One of us is a cussin' and a fussin'... Well brothers this used to be me but not for quite some time. No, I'm the one who between innings is just trying to encourage a team who has become just as bewildered as the coaches. This was not turning out to be a good night. Low Ball...strike, again. What?

Long story short, our head coach (the one cussin' and fussin') reamed these young men out. "Ya gotta swing at the ball guys. The ump is gonna call anything a strike if you don't swing at the ball." "Don't you guys wanna win?"No words of encouragement. And prior to the game I have just been told that I may have to umpire behind the plate the next game which is on a Saturday morning. T'was a long night brothers.

"Heavenly Father I only ask for rain...please?" was my prayer before going to sleep. I stilled heard my wife's words as I fell to sleep..."He didn't have to yell at those boys on the field, he could have done that at practice and not in front of everyone." She was right. Now for my moment to sigh. But fear not and neither be dismayed for the next morning The Lord showed up in a big way. I'll share more tomorrow. - Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

God's WORD for YOU: 2 Kings 1-3; Luke 24:1-35

Think About This: The light of heaven is the face of Jesus Christ; the joy of heaven is the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ; the melody of heaven is the name of Jesus Christ. The theme of heaven is the work of Jesus Christ. The employment of heaven is the work of Jesus Christ. The fullness of heaven is the Lord Jesus Christ, himself. Anonymous

What Will Flow Out of Your Heart

What Will Flow From Your Heart

Matthew 12:34b "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."

"In the world ye shall have tribulation." (John 16:33) What shall flow from the abundance of your heart then? Will you still praise His Holy Name? Will you shout to the Lord of heaven and earth and proclaim His majesty? Will He still be the King of Kings and Lord of your life? In your greatest struggles will you still find peace in the God of Comfort?
Many of us become self-reliant in these situations. We become so consumed in the moment, we forget to acknowledge the One who sustains us, Jesus Christ!

Unfortunately, it is during these exact times that our true characters are revealed, that our mouths speak what our hearts feel. God does not only hear what we say during Sunday morning church service or during our times in the green pastures. He listens during our most agonizing trials and tribulations. What will your heart say then? What unspeakable evil will precede out of your mouth?

During the scorching of the refining fire will you bring Him glory and speak of His goodness. Will you proclaim His Lordship then? In our own strength it is impossible, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil 4:13). God is our refuge and strength an ever present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). Look upward to your Heavenly Father and recognize His purity and Holiness. He is the sustainer of your life! Then amidst the turmoil of life you will recognize Him for who is, and your soul will yearn and longeth after Him (Psalm 42:1). Your mouth will sing His praises because your heart will be filled with the abundance of His love and grace and His never ending faithfulness. - Ed Mayo recently graduated from the Colony of Mercy and is now in the Discipleship program. His counselor, Chris Connor's (Director of Housekeeping) submitted this devotional from Ed's journal and thought it would be an encouragement to the Freedom Fighter men!

God's WORD for YOU: 1 Kings 21-22; Luke 23:26-56

Think About This: Bitterness is a habit that can seriously hinder our spiritual journey.

When life becomes difficult, when it doesn't seem as if God is providing for our needs, when we're not getting what we want when we want it, we have a decision to make. We can hold onto our faith and trust that God has an answer in mind, or we can gripe and moan and complain and let our souls become embittered. Expecting an oasis, but finding a bitter stream? Don't lose sight of the grace of God. - (Beside A Quiet Stream) Penelope J. Stokes

Don't Let the Song Go Out of Your Heart

DON'T LET THE SONG GO OUT OF YOUR HEART

"As they began to sing praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men ..
who were invading Judah, and they were defeated." 2 Chronicles 20:22

If you want to do a fascinating study sometime, take your concordance and trace the word sing throughout the Scriptures. You will be amazed at how singing is used in a variety of singing. In the Old Testament singing is often used before the men of Israel went out into battle - certainly a non-conventional method in warfare!

A FREEDOM FIGHTER is one who has a new song in his heart (Psalm 40:3), and the song we have in our hearts is tied in with our being thankful (Colossians 3:16).

We knew a dear man who served the Lord for many years. As he was approaching 100, he would have difficulty sleeping at night. When he couldn't sleep, rather than worry and fret, he would sing hymns and choruses that he had committed to memory over the years.

I read this today in STREAMS IN THE DESERT: "Of, if only we would worry less about our problems and sing and praise more! There are thousands of things that shackle us that could be turned into instruments of music, if we just knew how to do it.

Think of those people who ponder, meditate, and weigh the affairs of life, and who continually study the mysterious inner workings of God's providence wondering why they suffer burdens and are opposed and battled on every front. How different their lives would be, and how much more joyful, if they would stop indulging in self-centered and inward thinking and instead would daily lift their experiences to God, praising Him for them.

It is easier to sing your worries away then to reason them away. Why not sing in the morning? Think of the birds - they are the first to sing each day, and they have fewer worries than anything else in creation.
And don't forget to sing in the evening, which is what the robins do when they have finished their daily work. Once they have flown their last flight of the day and gathered the last bite of food, they find a treetop from which to sing a song of praise.

Oh, that we might sing morning and evening, offering up song after song of continual praise throughout our day!"

So guys - how's your singing today? Don't just sing in the shower. Let the music flow and don't let the song go out of your heart today because real men sing! - Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: 1 Kings 19-20; Luke 23:1-25

Think about this: Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and His will for us. Billy Graham

Perspective -- One Day at a Time

"Perspective-One Step at a Time"

"I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart."
(Psalm 40:8)

Last weekend I wrote about perspective and seeing the big picture. We thought about the danger of "living in the moment" without thinking of the "big picture" consequences. Today, I want to ask you to "live in the moment-one step at a time."

The church I am privileged to serve, First Baptist of Toms River, supports a young couple who are Christian workers in a restricted access country. Their goal is simple: they want to take the Gospel to Muslims who have so little chance to know Jesus.

During one of their visits to First Baptist this young wife said something that so caught my attention that I wrote it down in the flyleaf of my Bible. Actually, other than my name, it's the only thing I have written down in the flyleaf. I don't remember the context in which she made this statement, but after several years of thinking about it, I still think it's quite profound.

"The important thing is to say 'yes,' one step at a time." That's what she said. When challenged to go live in a hard place, the important thing is to say "yes." When asked to raise their children far from their grandparents, the important thing is to say "yes." When asked in a particular situation to live in obedience to Jesus' teaching, the important thing is to say "yes."

We really do need perspective. It helps us live out the marathon that is our Christian journey. We need to understand that every "yes" and every "no" have consequences. Perspective helps us know about and live with a "big picture" mindset.

But, "one step at a time" is how we live out the "big picture" calling that God places on our lives. We live one step at a time, and we often don't know where the next step might take us. Choosing to say "yes" to God one step at a time becomes the order of our lives. Every "yes" to God's will makes the next "yes" easier. Obedience and a willingness to follow God becomes the norm of our lives. That can only happen when we "delight to do [His] will" one step at a time.

The words to a song we've sung at First Baptist have rattled around in my head this week. I think they go with the statement from my Christian worker friend.

Yes, Lord, yes, to Your will and to Your way,
Yes, Lord, yes, I will trust You and obey.
When Your Spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart I'll agree,
And my answer will be yes, Lord.

When the psalmist said "I delight to do Your will, O Lord," he might have been thinking "the important thing is to say "yes," one step at a time." - Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor First Baptist of Toms River and is our weekend Freedom Fighter contributor.

God's WORD for YOU: 1 Kings 16-18; Luke 22:47-71

Think About This: If you knew that only a few would care that you came, would you still come? If you knew that those you loved would laugh in your face, would you still care? If you knew that the tongues you made would mock you, the mouths you made would spit at you, the hands you made would crucify you, would you still make them? Christ did. Max Lucado

Hope for the Helpless

"Hope for the Helpless"

"But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless." (Psalm 10:14)

Have you ever felt helpless? Perhaps you've experienced the helplessness that comes after giving in to temptation. Or, maybe you've known helplessness in just trying to live consistently for Jesus. All of us have gone through those times when helplessness and hopelessness pervade our souls.

The psalmist knew those same kinds of feelings. He understood that those who love God will experience times of helplessness that come from trouble and grief. He also knew that God takes notice of those times.
That knowledge puts hope in our hearts.

Too many of us who fight for freedom fail to anticipate the hard times.
We think all the hard times happened prior to coming to Christ. It only makes sense to us that coming to Christ should make everything better.
That kind of thinking sets us up for failure.

Reality sets in pretty quickly. While the salvation "event" brings hope and assurance, salvation as "the journey" gets difficult and complicated. When we hit the sharp curves and the pot holes, we wonder what happened to the joy and peace we knew when we first came to faith. We discover the "trouble and grief" of which the psalmist wrote. With the "trouble and grief" comes the sense of helplessness.

This verse from Psalm 10 isn't about the helplessness, though. Rather, it's about our gracious God who knows about trouble, grief and helplessness. He notices! He helps! Everything we need to combat the helplessness that invades our souls is found in God and His grace.

Freedom Fighters hear these words and respond like the helpless of the psalmist day responded. We commit ourselves to God. Doing that assures us of His help when trouble, grief and helplessness assault us. All of us who love freedom in Christ need to understand the realities of walking with Jesus. Trouble grief and helplessness will come. How we respond determines the level of freedom we'll know during those times.

"But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless." (Psalm 10:14) - Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: 1 Kings 14-15; Luke 22: 31-46

Think About This: He does not need to transplant us into a different field, but right where we are, with just the circumstances that surround us, he makes his sun to shine and his dew to fall upon us, and transforms the very things that were before our greatest hindrances into the chiefest and most blessed means of our growth. No difficulties in your case can baffle him, no dwarfing of your growth in years that are past, no apparent dryness of your inward springs of life, no crookedness or deformity in any of your past development, can in the least mar the perfect work that he will accomplish, if you will only put yourselves absolutely into his hands and let him have his own way with you. -
Hannah Whitall Smith

God the All Sufficient One

GOD THE ALL SUFFICIENT ONE

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew
6:21

Several years ago a friend of mine gave me a book that I have treasured in my devotional library. It is called THE VALLEY OF VISION and it is a collection of Puritan prayers. I am rereading it this month and have been blessed again at the depth at which these men talked to God.

I read this one this morning and it spoke volumes to my heart:

O God whose will conquers all,

There is no comfort in ANYTHING apart from enjoying You, and being engaged in Your service; You are ALL in all, and all enjoyments are what to me You make them, and no more. I am well pleased with Your will, whatever it is, or should be in all respects. And if You bid me decide for myself in any affair, I would choose to refer ALL to You, for you are infinitely wise and cannot do amiss, as I am in danger of doing.

I rejoice to think that ALL things are at YOUR disposal, and it delights me to leave them there. Then prayer turns wholly into praise, and all I can do is to adore and bless YOU!

What shall I give YOU for all Your benefits? I am in a strait betwixt go, knowing not what to do; I long to make some return, but have nothing to offer, and can only rejoice that You do all, that none in heaven or on earth shares Your honor. I can of myself do nothing to glorify Your blessed name, but I can through grace cheerfully surrender soul and body You.

I know that You are the author and finisher of faith, that the whole work of redemption is Yours alone, that every good work or thought found in me is the effect of Your power and grace, that Your sole motive in working in me to will and to do if for Your good pleasure.

O God, it is amazing that men can talk so much about man's creaturely power and goodness, when, if You did not hold back every moment, we should be devils incarnate. This, by bitter experience, You have taught me concerning myself." Amen

Powerful prayer! THE VALLEY OF VISION is available from the KESWICK BOOK AND GIFT SHOP. Call today and order a copy. It will bless your heart.
(732-350-1187 ext. 31) - Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: 2 Kings 12-13; Luke 22:1-30

Think about this: "Oh, see God's lovely rainbow!" said Daddy to his tiny daughter. "Yes, Daddy, He must have done it with His left hand."
"Whatever do you mean?" asked Daddy. "Well, Daddy, Jesus is on His right hand!" Amusing? Yet how true! - it is indeed because Jesus is THERE that the rainbow is HERE! - J. Sidlow Baxter

The National Day of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped.” Psalm 28:7

Today is the National Day of Prayer and this year’s theme is “PRAYER! AMERICA’S STRENGTH AND SHIELD.” At 10:00 AM today, 560 of our Community Hymnsing guests will gather in the Activity Center to worship and pray for President Bush, Vice-President Cheney, Congress, the Senate, our troops and our nation.

Why pray for America? I was driving in the car a number of weeks ago and heard a powerful song by Carman. I think it captures why we as brothers in Christ need to pray for our nation, not just today, but every day:

AMERICA AGAIN
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, first Chief Justice John Jay.Names synonymous with the spirit of our country.The Founding Fathers of the USA.Over Two Hundred years ago, they shook of the chains of tyranny from Great Britain by Divine call.Citing 27 biblical violations, they wrote the Declaration of Independence, with Liberty, justice for all.But something happened since Jefferson call the Bible the cornerstone for American liberty, then put in our schools for a light.Or since "Give me liberty or give me death" Patrick Henry said,"our country was founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ."We eliminated God from the equation from American Life. Thus eliminating the reason why this nation first began.

From beyond the grave I hear the voices of our founding fathers plead,"You need God in America again"Of the 55 men who formed the constitution, 52 were active members of their church.Founding fathers like Noah Webster, who wrote the first dictionary,could literally quote the Bible, Chapter and Verse.James Madison said, "we've staked our future on our ability to follow the 10 commandments with all our heart"

These men believed that you could not even call yourself an Americanif you subvert the word of God.In his farewell address, Washington said "you can't have national morality apart from religious principle," and its true.
Because now we have nearly 150,000 kids carrying guns through these war zones that we call public schools.In the 40's and 50's student problems were chewing gum and talking.In the 90's rape and murder are the trend.The only way this nation can even hope to last this decadeis put God in America again.

Chorus:The only hope for America is Jesus. The only hope for our country is Him. If we repent of our ways, stand firm and say, We need God in America againAbe Lincoln said, "The philosophy of the school room in one generation, will be the philosophy of government in the next."

So when you eliminate the word of God from the classroom and politics,you eliminate the nation that Word protects.America is now number 1 in teen pregnancy and violent crime.Number 1 in illiteracy, drug use and divorce.Every day a new holocaust of 5,000 unborn die,while pornography floods our streets like open sewers. Americas dead and dying hand is on the threshold of the church.While the spirit of Sodom and Gomorra vex us all.When it gets to the point the people would rather come out of the closet than clean it,it is the sign that the judgment of God is going to fall.

If there has ever been a time to rise up Church, its now. And as the blood bought saints of the living God proclaim,that its time to sound the alarm from the church house to the White House and say, "WE WANT GOD IN AMERICA AGAIN."I believe its time America, to stand up and proclaim,"that one nation under God is our demand." And send this evil lifestyle back to Satan where it came from. And let the Word of God revive our dying land! For Jesus Christ is coming back again in all his glory. And every eye shall see him on that day. That’s why a new anointing of Gods power is coming on us to boldly tell the world you must be saved!

Because astrology won’t save you.Your horoscope won’t save you.The Bible says these things are all a farce.If your born again, you don't need to look to the stars for your answers,cause you can look to the very one that made those stars.History tells us, time and time again,to live like there is no God makes you a fool.If you want to see kids live right, stop handing out condoms and start handing out the word of God in schools.

Chorus:The only hope for America is Jesus.The only hope for our country is Him.If we repent of our ways, stand firm and say, We need God in America again.©Carmen

It’s time to pray for America, my brothers! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU today: 1 Kings 10-11; Luke 21:2038

Think about this: Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person. Neil Strait