Asking in Confidence

Asking in Confidence (Psalm 18:6)

Does asking God for direction and guidance do any good? Some who read this may think it doesn't. Some will assure us that it does. Many who read these Freedom Fighters live somewhere in the middle. They want to believe asking is worthwhile, but they're just not sure.

If you remember from yesterday's edition, David asked God to "make Your way straight before my face." He made the request in the context of pressure from his enemies. He needed God's direction in a difficult, maybe dangerous, situation. The tone of his prayer displays no lack of confidence toward God.

Reading through the Psalms helps us understand David's confidence when asking for God's help and direction through the twists and turns of life. Hear his words in Psalm 18:6: "In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple. And my cry came before Him, even to His ears."

Do you doubt God's willingness or interest in hearing when you ask for direction? Do you pray with something less than confidence? Perhaps you are one of the many who lives in the middle between confidence and doubt. May I suggest that you memorize Psalm 18:6?

With unflinching confidence, David declares that God heard his cry for help. This isn't "wishy-washy" language. It's the language of certainty and assurance. David had no doubts. He didn't live in the middle ground. His experience in asking for help and direction allowed him to live in unreserved confidence.

I don't know where you live today. I wish I could tell you that I always live in the land of confidence, but I can't. Sometimes I doubt, even though I know I shouldn't. Like many of you, I live in need of direction. To my knowledge I have no enemies lurking in the shadows, but I still need direction. During the depth of that need, I sometimes wonder if God hears or if He'll answer.

David, with his certainty and confident trust, gives me hope. He lets me know that when I pray "Make Your way straight before my face," I can do so without doubt. David assures me-and you-that God hears our voice. Our cries come right to his ears. God's Word lets us know that we don't have to live in the valley of doubt or the quagmire of that middle ground. We can live on the solid ground of unwavering confidence. God can be trusted! -- John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 132-134; Proverbs 31; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (By reading these daily Scriptures, you will read through the Bible in a year.)

Great Quote: Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things! -- Andrew Murray

Don't miss our final services. Join us by live webcast today at 10:30 AM and 7:00 PM -- www.americaskeswick.org

Praying for Direction

Praying for Direction (Psalm 5:7&8)

All of us read Pastor Bob Alderman's series of Freedom Fighter articles last week. His wisdom is helpful and pointed, and we can all benefit from his thinking. Pastor Bob has preached several times at First Baptist/Toms River, and I'm glad to say that he has become my friend.

His children gave him a GPS unit as a gift recently (It's a Garmin unit), and Pastor Bob speaks of the directions "Miss Garmin" gives him to get him from where he is to where he wants to be. Many of us have GPS now, and we know how helpful and convenient it can be. I don't know about you, but I've wished that discerning God's direction could happen as easily as punching in an address in "Miss Garmin."

It's not that easy to know God's direction, but we're not without help. A few years ago, while reading through the Scriptures, one line in these two verses jumped off the page at me. I'm sure I'd read them before, but they had never captured my attention like they did that day. Listen to David's words: "But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; in fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple. Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; MAKE YOUR WAY STRAIGHT BEFORE MY FACE."

David teaches us to pray in very specific terms; "Make Your way straight before my face." All of us have experienced those times when we desperately needed direction. We've looked for it, talked with others about the situation, and hoped we finally made a good decision. Many of us who need that direction can look back and remember times when our decisions weren't so good.

We have the freedom to pray, "Lord, make Your way straight before my face." But notice the context in which David voices this prayer. He has come into the Lord's house. He worships God as he faces the temple. He qualifies his praying by asking God to lead him in His righteousness. We have the freedom to ask God for clear direction when we live in His presence, worship Him in the fear of the Lord and pursue His righteousness.

Do you have situations that need God's direction? What decisions demand more wisdom and direction than you have? You and I have the privilege of coming into the Lord's presence with a simple request: "Make Your way straight before my face." I need that direction. You need that direction. Let's follow David's example and ask boldly. -- John Strain is Senior Pastor First Baptist of Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 129-131; Proverbs 30; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Great Quote: Decisions can take you out of God's will but never out of His reach. -- Anonymous

Songs in the Night

SONGS IN THE NIGHT

"But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives us songs in the night.'" (Job 35:10)

There are many people who dread the night. For them, the night amplifies the silence of loneliness, separation and despair. Fear seems to rear its ugly head at night. Problems that appeared to be little blips on the radar screen of life during the day seem to increase in magnitude and appear out of control.

Sleep seems to evade us and the silence of night actually becomes deafening. It is often during these dark times of the night that our great God invades our spirits with "songs in the night."David the shepherd played on his harp during the night watch while tending his sheep. Maybe his "songs in the night were the ones that he played for King Saul when his soul was troubled and tormented. When we hear the songs that the Father gives during the night they may not be discernable by our human ears, but we know deep down in our souls He is giving us His special songs.

It is interesting that we us singing to worship and praise Him. The God of the universe who longs for our worship, praise and adoration receives our sacrifices of praise with joy. But it is an amazing thought that when those dreadful, lonely, dark nights, that are filled with despair, fear and anxiousness, He will draw near to you and me to "give us songs in the night."

God, the Father, the Creator of music, sings His love song to you. Before we know it, we are overwhelmed with His presence and once again filled with awe and wonder. As the dawn approached, you discover that sometime during the night God replaced fear with His peace. Your loneliness is replaced with the awareness that He has been there right beside you. Your anxious spirit has been calmed and quieted with His love. And amazingly, the problems that seemed to be insurmountable have not only been reduced and put into perspective, but you find that He has provided the solutions and answers with clarity.

Open your ears to Him - listen for your special SONG IN THE NIGHT. Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Psalms 126-128; Proverbs 29; 1 Corinthians 10:19-33

Great Quote: The discovery of God lies in the daily and the ordinary, not in the spectacular and the heroic. If we cannot find God in the routines of home and shop, then we will not find Him at all.-- Richard J. Foster

Join us by webcast for the final sessions of the summer season. Drs. Jim Leary and Johnny Miller will be our speakers: Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM; Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning at 9:30 AM. To watch the webcast, visit our website: www.americaskeswick.org.

Taste and See That the Lord is Good

TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD

"O, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him." Psalm 34:8-9

Each Wednesday night at the Colony Chapel there is a service called TNT -- Text and Testimony. It is one of the most amazing services you will ever attend. This is the time when the men of the Colony of Mercy share what God has been doing in their lives.

At last night's TNT, a young man stood to testify about the victories he has experienced this week. He shared that several weeks ago that he had found a Bible while cleaning that most likely belonged to one of our guests. He turned the Bible in at the front desk, but weeks later it reappeared on a coat rack in our main building.

He fell in love with this Bible and decided to "borrow" it since no one seemed to claim it. At first he didn't see any name in the Bible, just a phone number. Because he is on orientation, he's not allowed to make phone calls, but purposed in his heart that he would call the owner as soon as he was able to make a call.

God was at working his man's life convicting him of issues that needed to be addressed. In fact, Ken was convicted about his need to go and get things right between him and another man of the Colony. In the process, he shared his Bible story with another resident of the program. They were looking at the Bible together and discovered that there was a name in the Bible. The other man started laughing because the Bible belonged to his Uncle who is a friend of the ministry. Now what are the odds of that happening!!!

Last night at TNT, the wife of the owner of the Bible "just happened" to be attending TNT, and as Ken shared his story, he gave the Bible back to her. It was one of those moments where God showed up in a special way. I saw the lady leave the service and I knew in my heart what was happening. Minutes later she came back into the Auditorium and presented Ken with the Bible. Ken experienced in that moment the goodness of our God in a very special way. And so did all of us. Thank You, Lord! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 123-125; Proverbs 28; 1 Corinthians 10:1-18

Great Quote: There will be no "knights in shining armor" in God's kingdom; our armor will have many dings and dents. No, no perfect Hollywood heroes will ride to save the day; just wearied saints to look to God and, in weakness, find Christ's strength. This, indeed, is the essence of God's kingdom: divine greatness manifest in common people. Francis Frangipane

Living Your Theology

LIVING YOUR THEOLOGY

"Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you ..." John 12:35

Today's devotional is from the pen of Oswald Chambers, August 27th reading MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST ...

"Beware of not acting upon what you see in your moment on the mountaintop with God. If you do not obey the light, it will turn into darkness. 'If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:23) The moment you forsake the matter of sanctification or neglect anything else on which God has given His light, your spiritual life begins to disintegrate within you.
CONTINUALLY BRINGING THE TRUTH OUT INTO YOUR REAL LIFE, WORKING IT OUT INTO EVERY AREA, OR ELSE EVEN THE LIGHT THAT YOU POSSESS WILL ITSELF PROVE TO BE A CURSE.

The most difficult person to deal with is the one who has the prideful, self-satisfaction of a past experience, but it is not working that experience out in his every day life. If you say you are sanctified, SHOW IT! The experience must be so genuine that it shows in your life.

BEWARE OF BELIEF THAT MAKES YOU SELF-INDULGENT or SELF-GRATIFYING; that believe came from the pit of hell itself, regardless of how beautiful it may sound.

Your theology must work itself out, exhibiting itself in your most common everyday relationships. Our Lord said, " ... unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20) In other words, you must be more moral than the most moral person you know. You may know all ABOUT the doctrine of sanctification, but are you working it out in the everyday issue of your life?

Every detail of your life, whether physical, moral, or spiritual, is to be judged and measured by the standard of the atonement by the Cross of Christ."

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 120-122; Proverbs 27; 1 Corinthians 9

Great Quote: Beloved, the cross is not made of feathers, or lined with velvet, it is heavy and galling to disobedient shoulders; but it is not an iron cross, though your fears have painted it with iron colours, it is a wooden cross, and a man can carry it, for the Man of sorrows tried the load. Take up your cross, and by the power of the Spirit of God you will soon be so in love with it, that like Moses, you would not exchange the reproach of Christ for all the treasures of Egypt. Remember that Jesus carried it, and it will smell sweetly; remember that it will soon be followed by the crown, and the thought of the coming weight of glory will greatly lighten the present heaviness of trouble.-- Charles Haddon Spurgeon

God's Speed

God's Speed
"And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

I write this to the Brethren from the lobby of America's Keswick. Where God speaks to hearts and Bill Welte keeps a close eye on things. Sometimes I get the feeling he is looking at me. But at least he has a smile so I remain encouraged...for the both of us. Just as a side note to you Freedom Fighters, let's keep Brother Bill lifted up in prayer.

You know I wanted to get here is the worst way. My everyday in "Secularland" has really taken a toll on me and I needed a break from it. Things at work for me have really taken some whoop-de-do's. I went from being "Rookie of the Year" to the "Sophomore Slump". Nothing had been going well and quite frankly I was contemplating going back into something easier and familiar.

I have gone from blue jeans and t-shirts to collared shirts and khaki's. And even though I still think in a blue collar framework, I have had to integrate the white collar ideals. Basically meaning I manage the swinging of a hammer. Go figure. Needless to say the adjustment has not been easy and it frustrates me at times. Even on the home front money was getting tight. Gas, milk, bread, and sometimes I think even the very air I breathe costs more.

But just when things are at the point of crying "Abba, Father" He shows up.

Before I got here I was informed that I am being considered for a slight promotion. My bosses would like to see me come off the production floor and into a role that comes along the sales side of things. As far as personal finances are concerned, Jehovah-jireh (the Lord will provide) showed up. And not a moment too soon, I was getting ready to pump gas as a second job.

One of the first things I said when the smoke cleared and all as well was "Santo Padre, we serve a God of the eleventh hour"!! But as my wife pointed out it is us who live in the eleventh hour, God's time is perfect. So on the drive to Keswick I looked backed and said, "It's about the getting through." That was reinforced by two different speakers this week. Yep ...things do happen at Gods speed. Do you wish He would hurry up and get you through this morning? Remember Gods timing is not our timing and that should be enough to get you through whatever it is. -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. Thanks, Chris. I needed this today.

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 119:89-176; Proverbs 26; 1 Corinthians 8

Great Quote: "We must remember that God will never drag us along the path of true-hearted discipleship. This would greatly lack the moral excellency which characterizes all the ways of God. He does not drag, but draws us along the path which leads to ineffable blessedness in Himself; and if we do see that it is for our real advantage to break through all the barriers of nature, in order to respond to Gods' call, we forsake our own mercies. But alas! our hearts little enter into this. We begin to calculate about the sacrifices, the hindrances, and the difficulties, instead of bounding along the path, in eagerness of soul, as knowing and loving the One whose call has sounded in our ears". C H Macintosh, Notes on Deuteronomy

Faith Building for a Child

Faith Building for a Child

"I love the Lord because He HEARS my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live." Psalm 116:1-2

On Saturday I had my grandson, Tanner, all to myself. We had a blast, but he wore me out! I took Tanner, Zach, Jesslyn and Julia to see the new kids movie, FLY ME TO THE MOON in the morning, and then ran some errands. After emptying my trunk, I reached me my cell phone and it was gone!

I retraced my steps and couldn't find the phone. Tanner and I hopped back in the car and went to the two stores we had gone to after the movie. No phone. I came home and called the movie theater and they had not found the phone and suggested that I call later on in the evening.

Now when I lose something, it will drive me crazy until I find it. I looked at Tanner and said, "We've got to pray and ask the Lord to help us find Pop's phone. I know He hears even these prayers." I fired up a quick prayer for His help and shortly afterwards, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting us to go to the movie theater. As we were driving to the theater, I reminded Tanner of several times when God helped us find things that his Mom had lost -- like a hamster!

We arrived at the theater and after trying to persuade the ticket-taker to let us quickly check the room we were in, she let me go in. Thankfully no one was sitting where we had been seating and the previews were just starting. There I was crawling on my hands and knees, feeling around under the seats ... yuk! Seconds later, my cell phone lit up as a call was coming in. The phone had fallen out of my pocket and dropped two seats away.

Tanner yelled, "Pop, there it is!" What an amazing answer to prayer. Some would say coincidence? What are the "odds" of a cell phone call coming in at that precise moment? I don't think it was coincidence at all. I think it was an awesome God answering the prayers of two of His kids at precisely the right time to build faith into both of our lives. Thank You, Lord, for teaching me again through the eyes of a three-year-old, that you HEAR and ANSWER our prayers. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 119:1-88; Proverbs 25; 1 Corinthians 7:20-40

Great Quote: If He calls you to a kind of service which is according to His will but not according to your taste, you must not go to it with less, rather with more courage and energy than if your taste coincided with His will. The less of self and self-will there is in anything we do, the better. You must not amuse yourself with going from side to side, when duty calls you straight on; nor make difficulties, when the real thing is to get over them. Let your heart be full of courage, and then say, "I shall succeed. Not I, but the grace of God which is with me." -- Francis de Sales

Join us tonight for our live-stream webcast at 7:00 PM. Pastor John Hibbard will be sharing the Word at our Senior's Conference. To watch, visit www.americaskeswick.org.

Learning from the Leaders -- Daniel's Friends

Learning from the Leaders-Daniel's Friends

Daniel didn't train alone for service in the King's palace. Three of his Hebrew friends joined him and shared his commitment to the God of Israel. They, too, chose not to defile themselves with the king's food. Also like Daniel, these three young men experienced God's blessing and rose to high levels in the king's government.

They had something else in common with Daniel. Some of the king's wise men were out to get them. Even though they were of sterling character, their rise to prominence made others in the king's court jealous. And, jealousy can bring out the worst in any of us.

Instead of a lion's den, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego faced the fiery furnace. The king built an image of himself-a BIG image-and declared that everyone had to bow down to it when the music began playing. Almost everyone did. Three guys from Israel chose not to bow down. It could have cost them their lives.

So, now it is time to pay attention. Here is where we can learn from their experience. Take time to read Daniel 3:9-18. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego show us how to face difficult circumstances. They can lead us through the hard times. We will do well to learn the lessons.

Like Daniel, their "colleagues" tattled on them to the king. When the king found out they were not bowing down to his image, he was angry . . . really angry! Even in his anger, he gave them one more chance to bow down to the image. In their response to that one more chance, we learn the first lesson. That lesson is one for the ages. Simply put, they teach us that the crisis reveals our character, not the other way around.

These three young men did not even have to think about their response. Character forged in their ongoing commitment to God prepared them for this moment. Look at vs. 16. Their answer to a second chance to bow down went something like this. "O King, we really don't have to think about this one. No matter what happens, we won't worship the image."

There is another lesson we can learn from the three Hebrews. It's pretty simple, too. Courage flows out of character. These men were willing to risk their lives. The moment did not produce that kind of courage. It just revealed it. Their continuing commitment to and knowledge of the true and living God developed that kind of courage in each of their hearts.

An old Christian song says, "Dare to Be a Daniel." I suggest that we could dare to be anyone of these four men. Each of them and all of them have lessons to teach us about godly living in difficult situations.

May God help us learn them! One other lesson makes that learning urgent. You almost never learn those kinds of lessons in "the moment." Daniel and the three young Hebrews prepared for their most difficult lessons for years before they arrived. If you and I haven't already prepared, we can begin today! -- John Strain is Senior Pastor First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 113-115; Proverbs 24; 1 Corinthians 6

Great Quote: Temptations and occasions put nothing into a man, but only draw out what was in him before. -- John Owen

Learning from the Leaders -- Daniel

Learning from the Leaders--Daniel

Daniel went to Babylon as an exile from Israel. He anticipated being nothing more than a slave. God had other plans for him. He was selected early on to serve in the king's palace. Almost from the beginning, he faced challenges. His keepers wanted him to eat the same thing all the other trainees ate-the "king's delicacies." In the words of Scripture, he "purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself . . . ." (Dan. 1:8)

COMMITMENT stands out as part of Daniel's life. We can learn from Him. On any given day, we will experience challenges that will enhance or detract from our walk with the Lord. Daniel's commitment to the God of Israel took precedence in all his decisions. Commitment made hard decisions easier; he already knew the boundaries.

Daniel's success in Babylon is huge. He kept "climbing the ladder," even though that was not his goal or intent. His goal remained steady throughout his life. He wanted to honor God in everything he did. Some of the king's advisors (natives of Babylon) got jealous and wanted to get rid of him. It is interesting to note that they knew only one area of vulnerability-his walk with God. (See Daniel 6:3-5) They fooled the king into making a foolish decree that required all the inhabitants of the kingdom to pray only to him for thirty days.

Daniel's COURAGE prompted him to honor his ongoing COMMITMENT to the God of Israel. As was his custom, he went to his room and knelt in front of open window to pray while facing Israel. He knew his enemies were watching. He knew he would pay the price. As soon as the king's advisors tattled on Daniel, the king knew he had been duped. Try as he might to get out of it, he had no choice but to put Daniel in the lion's den. (Daniel 6:10-23)

Daniel did not know what would happen, but his CONVICTION that the God of Israel warranted the best he had to offer left him no choice. He had to go to that window and pray, even though he knew the consequences. He lived out his CONVICTION with COURAGE and COMMITMENT. God honored all of that and spared his life. He went on to higher levels of authority in the kingdom, and many turned to the true and living God through his witness.

Every Freedom Fighter faces challenges to our convictions about our Lord and His Word. If our convictions are valid and rest on a biblical foundation, then a life-long commitment to them is only reasonable. Choosing to live out those commitments requires courage that only comes from God's Spirit at work in us. Each of us can learn from Daniel, a leader of leaders. -- John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 113-115; Proverbs 23; 1 Corinthians 6

Great Quote: It is a common temptation of Satan to make us give up the reading of the Word and prayer when our enjoyment is gone; as if it were of no use to read the Scriptures when we do not enjoy them, and as if it were no use to pray when we have no spirit of prayer. The truth is that in order to enjoy the Word, we ought to continue to read it, and the way to obtain a spirit of prayer is to continue praying. The less we read the Word of God, the less we desire to read it, and the less we pray, the less we desire to pray. -- George Muller

The Sand Pile of An Unjudged Life (Part Four)

THE SAND PILE OF AN UNJUDGED LIFE Part Four

"...then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:5)

Perhaps it would be good to remind ourselves that that this series of devotional thoughts on "The Sand Pile of An Unjudged Life" is based upon our Lord's statement that whoever hears His sayings and avoids a proper response to them is like a man who builds his house upon sand. Among His sayings is this very clear teaching about the two-fold value of a judged life. Our Lord not only accents the significant value of a properly judged life, He states explicit the process and purpose of having such. (Mt. 7:5)

In our previous thought we looked at the proper standard by which we are to judge ourselves if we are to be of benefit in assisting others with proper judgment. Now we should look at the proper sequence of such judgment.

Proper sequence begins with personal observation.
Effective Judgment must first be personal. I must first deal with myself in the act of judgment.
"Why do you behold the mote (the withered twig) that is in your brother's eye, but you do not consider the beam that is in your own eye?" (Mt. 7:3)

Proper sequence continues with timely recommendation.
Our Lord makes it clear that we are not to proceed with our judgment recommendations to another until we have properly dealt with the verdict of our self-judgment.
"How will you say to your brother, let me pull the mote out of your eye;...?" (Mt. 7:4)

Proper sequence concludes with effective preparation.
We are not ready to render proper service to others until we have completed the responsibility of proper action concerning ourselves. The effective surgeon always washes before operating.
"...first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." (Mt. 7:5)

The unjudged life is a double danger. It not only allows dangerous situations to remain within our lives but it also eliminates any proper and effective service we may have in assisting others. Our friends and our enemies deserve better from us. -- Dr. Robert L. Alderman is Minister-at-large at Shenandoah Baptist Church, Roanoke, VA

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 110-112; Proverbs 22; 1 Corinthians 5

Great Quote: "The man who has been born again, and who has the divine nature within him, is a man who is righteous and his righteousness does exceed that of the ...Pharisees. He is no longer living for self and his own attainments, he is no longer self-righteous and self satisfied. He has become poor in spirit, meek and merciful. He hungers and thirsts after righteousness...He loves God, yes, unworthily, alas, but he loves Him and longs for His glory...(this) is a righteousness that far exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees." D. Martin Lloyd-Jones

The Sand Pile of an Unjudged Life

Be sure and join us today via the internet for our concluding services of this week. 9:30 AM -- Dr. Roger Willmore, and please note 6:30 PM with Dr. Bob Alderman -- www.americaskeswick.org

THE SAND PILE OF AN UNJUDGED LIFE Part Three

"...then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:5)

If we are going to be the faithful Christian servant and friend that sees clearly how to assist a friend in removing problems from his or her life, we must first be the open and honest person who has understood the value and process of a self-judged life. We must also value the benefit of being properly judged by others. Little wonder our Lord was so explicit about this matter in that helpful and well-known "Sermon On The Mount."

Our culture has taught us to avoid judgment, not only of others but also of ourselves. Our culture is wrong. Jesus taught the opposite. Our culture has abused the process. Jesus accented clearly the proper process and the proper purpose.

A part of the process of such proper judgment, whether of ourselves or of another, is the use of a proper standard. As our Lord prepared us for the exercise of proper judgment, He warned us about the matter of a proper standard.
"For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged..." (Matthew 7:2)

Nobody likes to be judged by an incorrect and improper standard. Neither should we presume to judge others or ourselves by such inferiority. To that point Christ puts a very clear warning. Before I ask others to judge me I would like to make sure that they have applied the same standard of judgment to themselves. Only then can I find confidence, security and compassion in their willingness to assist in my needs.

So we must set a high standard for ourselves before we can effectively assist others. A society that sets a low standard of judgment will produce a low-standard culture. The same is true of friends - and parents and pastors and politicians and professors.

Perhaps the problem we have had in the twentieth century is not that we have failed to judge but rather that we have failed to adopt our Lord's standard for proper self-judgment. In doing so we have become destructively judgmental. That is not what our Lord had in mind when He set the guidelines for corrective and protective judgment. Dr. Robert L. Alderman is minister-at-large of Shenandoah Baptist Church, Roanoke, VA.

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 107-109; Proverbs 21; 1 Corinthians 4

Great Quote: When He lays hold of us, He comes like the angel that came to Peter in prison in the dark and awoke him out of his sleep and said, "Rise! And follow me." It is only when we get out into the street, and have been with Him for awhile, and the daylight begins to stream in, that we see clearly the face of our Deliverer, and know Him for all that He is... It is the knowledge of experience. It is the knowledge of love, it is the knowledge of union, and it is in order that we may know Christ that He lays His hand upon us. -- Alexander MacLaren

The Sand Pile of an Unjudged Life (Part 2)

THE SAND PILE OF AN UNJUDGED LIFE (Part Two)

"...then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:5)

The mistaken idea that "we are not to judge" comes from a misunderstanding and a misapplication of the teaching of Christ in Matthew 7:1 - "Judge not that you be not judged."

Understood in its proper context Christ tells me not to judge if I desire not to be judged, for with what judgment I do judge I shall be judged. In another part of this brief series on "The Sand Pile of An Unjudged Life" we shall look at the proper way to judge, but for now we take another look at the value of the judged life.

And here is a major question. Who among us does not desire to be judged? To repeat my own testimony from Part One, I desire, need and cherish such proper judgment from others. When I am so judged by others they are showing an incredible love for my life.

Not to be under such scrutiny by my family and friends would be far worse than swimming in a sea of destructive germs without the protection of scientific and medical assistance. When I see my doctor I want him to observe, judge and help me eliminate every threat to my physical well-being. How much more should I desire the judgment of those germs that will destroy my spiritual life, my witness, and my effectiveness as a servant of my Lord?

I shall forever be thankful for my Mother's constant judgment of my improper use of the English language, and of my Father's constant judgment of my use of indecent language. They faithfully judged me and I am better prepared for life because of it.

We admire the athlete who employs the finest coach to judge the weaknesses and the strengths that hinder or help the athlete become the champion.

May I ask why we Christians have such disdain for being properly judged in our spiritual journey, or why we are so cruel to each other in refusing to assist those whose life is being damaged because we did not "see clearly" and cast out the mote that was destroying them? Dr. Robert L. Alderman is minister-at-large at Shenandoah Baptist Church and is our evening speaker this week at America's KESWICK.

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 105 -- 106; Proverbs 20; 1 Corinthians 3

Great Quote: Those who have left the deepest impression on this sin-cursed earth have been men and women of prayer.-- Dwight L Moody

The Sand Pile of an Unjudged Life (Part1)

The Sand Pile of an Unjudged Life (Part 1)

One of my spiritual heroes is Pastor Bob Alderman, our speaker for this week. For the next four mornings I will share his devotionals on the topic of The Sand Pile of An Unjudged Life. You can hear Pastor Bob live each evening (Tuesday - Thursday) from America's KESWICK by visiting the website: www.americaskeswick.org. The service airs at 7:00 PM

THE SAND PILE OF AN UNJUDGED LIFE (Part One)

"...then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother's eye."
(Matthew 7:5)

In the conclusion of His "Sermon On The Mount" our Lord said that those who heard His sayings and did not do them would be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. (Mt. 7:26)

Yet "doing" the "Sermon On The Mount" is a demanding and often unpopular exercise. Let me illustrate with one of our major failures.

The church of our present day has fallen for the mistaken idea that we are not to judge others. The "Biblical" reasoning for such is the out of context quotation "Judge not" of Matthew 7:1. In our abuse of such an erroneous interpretation the church has forfeited one of its most valuable and privileged protections. The idea of an unexamined and unjudged life is neither consistent with our Biblical protection nor with the love which should be shown to us by others and the love we should show to others.

At the outset of this brief series on "The Sand Pile of an Unjudged Life" let me illustrate the point with this personal testimony. I desire and need for others to judge me. And I pray for those who will do me the great favor of such personal judgment.

At the time of writing this testimony I have been the son of two parents, the husband of one wife, the father of four children and the grandfather of nine. I have served over forty-two years in pastoral ministries and therefore have been the friend and pastor of several thousand. In the privilege of such relationships I have both received and begged for the judgment of my life. It is one of my best protections against a life of improper offense to those I love. Such judgment also provides keen insight into those aspects of my life that would be offensive to my Lord and destructive of the ministry to which He has assigned me.

I pray that others shall see clearly to cast out the mote that is in my eye for I fear the sand pile of an unjudged life.-- Dr. Robert L. Alderman

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 103-104; Proverbs 19; 1 Corinthians 2

Great Quote: Even a coward can praise Christ, but it takes a man of courage to follow him. -- Anonymous

Put It To the Test

PUT IT TO THE TEST

There is much confusion in the church today regarding Christian liberty and that confusion is causing many to drift into areas of sinful behavior that is causing them to struggle with addictions as well as causing others to stumble and be offended.

I grew up in a very legalistic church, but the older I get and the more involved I am in the day-to-day ministry of America's KESWICK, I praise God for the foundational truths that I learned as a child. We are free in Christ and not bound to so much of the legalism that many of us have grown up with. The grace of God is a huge thing for us to grasp. However, we need to be certain that what we do lines up with the Word of God.

Many years ago, Bible teacher Gabriel Otero, presented a message at America's KESWICK on this topic. Ken Brown, our former Director of Maintenance, would often share this message with the men of the Colony when he taught on our freedom's in Christ. The title of the message was "WHAT I WANT, I DO!" Pastor Otero suggests that we put everything in question to the following five tests. Check out the references:

1. Maturity Test -- 1 Corinthians 6:12 -- All things are lawful to me BUT do you control it or does it control you? (TV/Computer/Overeating/smoking/coffee ... just a few examples)

2. Temple Test -- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 -- What it this thing I'm going to do "going to do" to the temple of God?

3. Brotherly Test -- 1 Corinthians 8:13 -- What effect does this thing I do have on my brother's life?

4. Gospel Test -- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 -- How will it affect the furtherance of the Gospel whatever it is I want to do?

5. Glorification Test -- 1 Corinthians 10:31 -- Would people be able to say good things about God because of what I'm doing?

Good test to take when you are considering those areas of Christian liberty. Take the test and see if that area passes the test. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 100-102; Proverbs 18; 1 Corinthians 1

Great Quote: In what can I hope, then, or in whom ought I trust, save only in the great mercy of God and the hope of heavenly grace? For though I have with me good people, devout brethren, faithful friends, holy books, beautiful treatises, sweet songs and hymns, all these help and please but little when I am abandoned by grace and left to my poverty. At such times there is no better remedy than patience and resignation of self to the will of God. -- Thomas a Kempis

Join us by way of the internet today for our 9:30 AM session with Dr. Roger Willmore and 7:00 PM with Dr Bob Alderman. To join the webcast, visit www.americaskeswick.org.

Attacking Anxiety Part 2

Attacking Anxiety-Part 2 (Philippians 4:8-9)

We thought about anxiety yesterday. We considered how we attack it to keep it from doing damage to our lives. The attack is a simple one: we take everything to God. Anything that might cause anxiety goes directly to God. He promises us His very own peace that will stand sentinel over our hearts and minds. God gives us the information we need to proactively attack and defeat anxiety.

The Apostle Paul doesn't stop with vs. seven, however. He gives us another weapon in our arsenal against anxiety. Weapon number one is prayer. Weapon number two is our mind. The Apostle says this: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praise worthy-meditate on these things. The things which you have learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."

When anxiety shows up, we pray! We tell God what we are feeling and (if we know) why we're feeling the way we do. We give the issue to God with the assurance that His very own peace will guard our hearts and minds. Then, while God's peace stands sentinel, we choose to think in new ways.

Our enemy, the devil, wants us anxious. He wants us to focus on the problem that produces the anxiety. He wants problems to dominate our thinking. As long as we think only of the problem and the anxiety, we can't see God at work in our lives. We will forget that His peace is guarding us. The Apostle gives us instruction and responsibility.

We're to think on those things that are true, virtuous and worthy of praise. We choose to think in ways that are consistent with God's work in our lives. We choose NOT to think about those things that have no value, no virtue, and no truth to them. The Scriptures do not tell us to think like that if we feel good and everything is going well. He tells us to think that way when anxiety is lurking at our door.

The Apostle Paul also tells us to hear all that he has taught by word and example and do the same things. In another of his writings, he says it like this. "Follow me as I follow Christ." Notice what happens when we pay attention and do what he teaches. "And the God of peace will be with you."

How can anxiety have its way in our lives when we have the PEACE OF GOD standing guard over our hearts and minds and the GOD OF PEACE present with us as we obey His word? It can't! In just a few short verses, God gives us the arsenal we need to attack anxiety when it lurks around our hearts and minds. Take the offensive. Learn these verses and learn them well. The next time anxiety shows up, attack with the Word of God in the power of God! -- John Strain is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist of Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 97-99; Proverbs 17; Romans 16

Great Quote: Deny your weakness, and you will never realize God's strength in you. -- Joni Eareckson Tada

Be sure and watch tonight's service at America's KESWICK via the web. Pastor Robert Alderman will be sharing God's Word. There will be five graduations from the Colony of Mercy! To watch, go to: www.americaskeswick.org.

Attacking Anxiety

Attacking Anxiety (Philippians 4:6&7)

No one is immune to anxiety. It is an equal opportunity troubler. It will knock on all our doors sometime during our lives. Guys who ride motorcycles tell me there is an old saying about falling. "It's not a question of 'if' you'll fall but 'when' you'll fall." So it is with anxiety. If it hasn't come to visit, it will.

Like many things in life, each of us can choose how we experience anxiety. Our society has become what many call a "victim" culture. That mindset has invaded the Christian culture. All of us know people who live life anxiously and see themselves as victims of the circumstances that create the turbulence they feel. Too many of us do not realize we can proactively attack anxiety and send it on down the street.

Consider the Apostle Paul's words in today's text. He instructs us to choose a proactive stance against anxiety. The Apostle assumes anxiety will come, but he tells us it does not have to live with us. He gives us an alternative that assures us we can know the absence of anxiety.

In simple words, we attack anxiety by taking every issue to God. If financial worries produce anxiety, take them to God. If you struggle with temptation and feel anxiety, take it to God. If you see some crisis hanging out there on the horizon of your life, take it to God. The Apostle tells us that nothing is off limits. Rather, "in everything" go to God "in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving."

We can't stop with the instruction, however. Paul gives a powerful promise to go with the instruction. When we take to God the issues in our lives that feed anxiety, the Apostle promises us a solution. The simple solution to anxiety is God's peace. This peace is the very same peace that God lives with every day. It is so powerful and beyond our normal experience, that Paul says it "surpasses all understanding."

This very same peace that God knows every day "guards our hearts and minds." It doesn't allow anxiety to live in our lives! The word "guard" means to "stand sentinel." God's very own peace stands sentinel at the door of our lives and refuses to allow anxiety access! We're not strong enough to ward off anxiety. That is why we need God's peace to stand sentinel.

So, when anxiety comes knocking at your door, remember that you can attack it before it settles in for a long stay. You have an open invitation. Take everything to God. Talk to Him about the issues and claim the promise of His peace. Expect that peace to stand sentinel. Trust me when I tell you. Anxiety cannot get near you when God's peace stands sentinel over your life. -- John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for TODAY: Psalm 94-96; Proverbs 16; Romans 15:14-33

Great Quote: Forgiveness is our command. Judgment is not. -- Neil Strait

Rivers of Living Water

RIVERS OF LIVING WATER

"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." (John 7:38)

This passage and this promise thrill me beyond description. With all my heart I want to be a Christian from whom flows rivers of living water. I believe you have the same desire.

Have you noticed that all the promises in the Bible are conditional. Before there can be mighty flowing rivers of living water there first has to be desire...and insatiable desire for Christ. Jesus said, "If anyone thirsts, let him come unto Me and drink." (v.37)

At a Keswick Christian Life Convention many years ago I heard Stuart Briscoe make a statement that I have never forgotten. He said, "We have as much of God as we want. God meets man on the level of his desire." That thought continues to echo in my mind. Think about it, "We can have as much of God as we want. God meets man on the level of his desire." I believe this was what Jesus meant when he said, "If anyone thirsts..."

Lack of thirst will eventually reveal itself. A Christian who does not thirst for God will be dry, barren, lifeless, and defeated.

Thirst for Christ will manifest itself. To use the words of Jesus, "out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

We cultivate our thirst for God by spending time with Him and His word. Once we have tasted Him nothing else will satisfy.

Many people thirsts for things, for money, for power and for position. Such pursuits only lead to the brackish water of the world which can never satisfy. When Saint Augustine said, "My soul finds no peace until it finds its peace in thee O God," he spoke from experience. He had attempted to satisfy his thirsts with worldly substitutes. It was not until he came to Christ and believed in Him that his soul was truly satisfied. The same will be true for you and me.

How much of God do you want today? Roger D. Willmore is our speaker for this coming week's conference. Come and hear him or watch via the website: www.americaskeswick.org

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 91-93; Proverbs 15; Romans 15:1-13

Great Quote: Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.-- Corrie Ten Boom

What's Your Sercret?

WHAT'S YOUR SECRET

"Thou hast placed our iniquities before Thee, Our secret sins in the light of Thy Presence." Psalm 90:8

I have been having fun play the game with my little granddaughter, Emma. The game? Pop's got a secret. She runs over and smashes her ear up against my lips and I will either whisper something to her our talk loudly in her ear.

We all have secrets, and if we are honest we like to hear secrets about other people. But most likely, if we are really honest, we'd rather not have our secrets revealed, especially in the areas of secret sin.

Secret sin is really only secret in terms of others. Let me explain. Remember when Adam and Eve ate the fruit in the garden of Eden? Immediately following their sin, what did they do? They hid! They thought that they could hide from God. You know the rest of the story -- God knew exactly what they had done and where they were hiding.

We need to remember that our secret sins may be secret to others, but they are not secret to God. He knows, weighs and sees everyone of our thoughts, deeds, words and actions. Today's verse says that God has placed our iniquities before Him, and our secret sins are brought into the light of His presence. Wow.

There is great freedom when we bring secret sin into the light. Secret sin will eat us alive like a cancer. You will be living in bondage to that sin because you will always live in fear that someone will find out. It will cause you to become paranoid and always thinking, "Does he know? Does she know?"

Secret sin causes us to live a double-minded life. We are one way in front of the "right" people, but deep down we know that living a double live causes us to be in turmoil. James says a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.

On Tuesday evening, a dear lady who has served the Lord for 40 years as a missionary, came forward at the end of the service because the Holy Spirit put His finger on an area of secret sin in her life. She testified that her secret sin had her in bondage for 40 years! She came clean and confessed her sin, and you should see the joy on her face. She has walked around America's KESWICK ready to burst with joy!

What about you? Is there an area of secret sin in your life? God knows about it. He longs for you to bring it into the light. Confess it. Repent of it. And move from the bondage of Egypt into the joy of the Promised Land. You will enjoy life on the highest plane -- life the way God intended it to be. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 89-90; Proverbs 14; Romans 14

Great Quote: God will not turn away from doing you good. He will keep on doing good. He doesn't do good to His children sometimes and bad to them other times. He keeps on doing good and He never will stop doing good for ten thousand ages of ages. When things are going bad that does not mean God has stopped doing good. It means He is shifting things around to get them in place for more good, if you will go on loving Him. -- John Piper

Can't attend the services this week at KESWICK? Well you can now watch the webcast each evening at 7:00 PM. Visit our website and be blessed by our speakers. Tonight's speaker is Dr. Chris Hodges. Don't miss it: www.americaskeswick.org

Are You Listening?

ARE YOU LISTENING?

"Speak, Lord, for Thy Servant is listening." 1 Samuel 3:10

This morning when I was reading through my devotionals, I was reminded of a time in 2001 when God spoke to my heart about a particular issue that I needed to yield to His control. His voice was very plain and discernable. There was no question in my mind that He was speaking to my heart.

Boy Samuel was ministering in the temple with Eli, the priest. 1 Samuel 3:1 says "And word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent." Eli, the one who should have been in tune with the voice of God, couldn't discern His voice -- it was the boy Samuel who heard the voice and knew it was God.

I believe that God still speaks to our hearts today. Now I am not about to say that I have heard the AUDIBLE voice of God nor am I willing to say He can't still speak like that today -- He's God. He can choose to do whatever He chooses, how and when He chooses.

But I am willing to tell you that if you are willing to listen, You can discern and hear His voice. He speaks through His Word as well as the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts as we pray. We can hear, know and discern His voice if we are willing to listen.

In the movie, THE MARCH OF THE PENGUINS, the mother penguin leaves the Dad and his baby to make a treacherous and long journey to get food. Thousands of Dad penguins huddled together in the bitter cold, sit on the eggs waiting for them to hatch. When Mom finally returns months later, she has to be able to find her man and baby. Remember there are thousands of other penguins who all look alike. Yet Dad is so tuned into his wife's voice and she to his, they can find each other even in the midst of thousands of other penguin look-alikes. And the baby has the same ability. With all the other squawking penguins, he can pick out his mom's voice in that sea of other calls.

Jesus said, "My sheep hear MY voice, and they know me and they follow me!" (John 10: 27) Are you willing to get still enough to hear HIS voice today? Are you able to pick out His voice in the sea of other voices that might be calling you today? He wants to speak to your heart and transform you life. Are you listening? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 87-88; Proverbs 13; Romans 13

Great Quote: You can also offer your prayers, obedience, and endurance of dryness to Our Lord, for the good of other souls, and then you have practiced intercession. Never mind if it all seems for the time very second-hand.
The less you get out of it, the nearer it approaches to being something worth offering; and the humiliation of not being able to feel as devout as we want to be, is excellent for most of us. Use vocal prayer...very slowly, trying to realize the meaning with which it is charged and remember that...you are only a unit in the Chorus of the Church, so that the others will make good the shortcomings you cannot help. Evelyn Underhill

This Experience Must Come

THIS EXPERIENCE MUST COME

"Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha ... saw him no more." 2 Kings 2:11-12

It has been several weeks now that Pastor Bill went home to be with the Lord. There have been numerous moments where I have found myself saying -- "I am all alone ... what am I going to do about this or that?" For 83 of our 110 year history, Pastor Bill has been at America's KESWICK. That is pretty amazing.

Even though I have been the President and CEO for 12 years, and Pastor Bill was technically "retired," he was still here and very much a part of my life. He was able to give me historical perspective and he helped me stay the course in terms of the mission and vision of America's KESWICK. But he is gone.

I was feeling a wee bit overwhelmed on Sunday. Not at the enormity of my role, but at how much I depended on having Pastor Bill around -- just to be here. When I opened up Oswald Chambers, God spoke to my point of need through his writing in MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST ...

"It is not wrong for you to depend on your "Elijah" (Pastor Bill) for as long as God gives him to you. But remember that the time will come when he must leave and will no longer be your guide and leader, because God does not intend for him to stay. Even the thought of that causes you to say, 'I cannot continue without by 'Elijah' (Pastor Bill). Yet God says you must continue.

ALONE AT YOUR JORDAN (2:14) The Jordan river represents the type of separation where you have no fellowship with anyone else, and where no one else can take your responsibility from you. You now have to put to the test what you learned when you were with your "Elijah" (Pastor Bill). You have been to the Jordan over and over again with your Elijah, but now you are facing it alone. There is no use in saying that you cannot go -- the experience is here, and you must go. If you truly want to know whether or not God is the God your faith believes Him to be, then go through your "Jordan" alone.

ALONE AT YOUR JERICHO (2:15) Jericho represents the place where you have seen your "Elijah" (Pastor Bill) do great things. Yet when you come to your "Jericho," you have a strong reluctance to take the initiative and trust in God, wanting, instead, for someone else to take it for you. But if you remain true to what you learned while with your "Elijah" (Pastor Bill), you will receive a sign, as Elisha did that God is with YOU.

ALONE AT YOUR BETHEL (2:23) At your "Bethel" you will find yourself at your wit's end but at the beginning of God's wisdom. When you come to your wit's end and feel inclined to panic -- don't! Stand true to God and HE will bring out HIS truth in a way that will make your life an expression of worship. Put into practice what you learned while with your "Elijah" (Pastor Bill) -- use his mantle and pray (see 2:13-14). Make your determination to trust in God, and do not even look for Elijah anymore."

Wow! I needed that encouragement "for such a time as this." Maybe you did too! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 84-86; Proverbs 12; Romans 12

Great Quote: When we are living in entire dependence on Christ we are strongest when we are weakest, for at our weakest point the strength of Christ has fullest opportunity (2 Cor. 12:9); but when we are living the self-sufficient life we are weakest where we are strongest, for there we are most liable to surprise attack (1 Corinthians 10:12) Christian, mark well this double paradox: in ourselves we are weak even where we are strong; in Christ we are strong even when we are weak. -- J. Sidlow Baxter

Put Away Evil

Put Away Evil
"So you shall put away the evil from among you." Deuteronomy 22:21b

One of the dangers of the current church growth movements is that the word SIN appears to be removed from the language of preacher and teachers. In an effort to not offend, we have come up with all sorts of names to call sin so that it doesn't appear to be as bad as it really is. But the Bible, which IS ABSOLUTE TRUTH (not I hope so or think so but KNOW so) calls sin what it is and encourages us to deal with it from God's point of view.

Some men are not willing to put away evil but think that they can play with it. Martin Luther said that it is like playing with fire hoping that we will not be burned. One of my favorite authors, Dr. Henry Blackaby, wrote about this in his daily devotional EXPERIENCING GOD, The Devotional:

"It is dangerous and costly not to take temptation seriously. The sad testimony of many who have succumbed to sin's enticements is that they thought they were strong enough to remain in the midst of temptation and resist it. God requires that His people remove evil from their midst (Deut. 21:21) One way to do this is to remove anything in your environment that may tempt you to sin. When wickedness surrounds you, you are in danger of becoming anesthetized to its destructive potential.

God does not tolerate evil, for evil cost the death of His Son. Sin causes untold pain and destruction to everyone it touches. Treating evil lightly shows foolish disregard for God's redemptive work. An honest evaluation of your life will reveal temptations that you should remove, such as some forms of entertainment or ungodly relationships. When God convicts you of evil in your midst, remove it immediately!

There are times, however, when YOU are powerless to remove ungodly influences, so you must remove yourself from the temptation. Paul urges us to avoid every kind of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). When Joseph was enticed to commit adultery by his master's wife, he fled immediately! (Genesis 39:12)

Do not lose your abhorrence of sin. Be diligent to keep any form of temptation out of your home, out of your relationships, out of your mind. You can do this only by maintaining your love relationship with God, recognizing that you are powerless to resist temptation in YOUR OWN STRENGTH. You will not be able to walk closely with God unless you see sin as HE sees it. Darkness and light CANNOT co-exist. Run from the darkness to the light."

My guess is that the Holy Spirit touched you this morning with an area of your life that needs to be fully yielded and surrender to His control. You have two choices -- ignore it or surrender. Men, what will it be? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 81-83; Proverbs 11; Romans 11:19-36
Great Quote: The best prayer comes from a strong inward need of necessity. When are lives are serene and placid, our prayers are apt to be dull and listless. When we reach a crisis, a moment of danger, a serious illness, or a heavy bereavement, then our prayers are fervent and vital. Someone has wisely said, "The arrow that it to enter heaven must be launched from a bow fully bent." A sense of urgency, of helplessness, of conscious need is the womb from which the best prayers are born. -- William MacDonald

Another Look at Simplicity

Another Look at Simplicity (Micah 6:8)

I enjoy being around people who can keep things simple. So many of us make all of life so complicated, so those who know how to simplify help us. Just as that is true in everyday life, it is also true in our Christian lives. Simplicity is a good thing!

We talked about the basics yesterday as recorded in Jesus' words to love God and love people. I'd like to think about those basics again today. But instead of Jesus' words, let's look at one of the Old Testament prophets.

God's Spirit has drawn my mind to Micah, an Old Testament prophet who knew how to simplify things. He listened to God's Spirit at work in His life and gave us simple instruction. Here is what he said: He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?

Do justly. Simplicity begins with always trying to do the right thing-the just thing. That's not complicated, especially for those of us who know the indwelling Spirit of God. It may sometimes be hard, but it is not complicated.

Love mercy. It is an interesting little word that means compassion or forbearance. It isn't complicated. Even when offended, God leads us to show mercy. That is not unlike His treatment of us. Where would we be without God's mercy in our lives? Loving to show mercy may not be easy, but it is not complicated.

Walk humbly with your God. Simplicity perfected is living with God in a big "G" and little "i" relationship. He's God; we are not. He is worthy of our complete devotion. We offer that devotion in humble gratitude because we understand the big "G" and little "i" character of our walk with God. It is not always easy, but it is not complicated.

Perhaps you and I need to take a step back from all the complications of life and pursue the simplicity of Micah 6:8. Sometimes we want to solve all the big problems before we manage the simple things. I wonder if all the big problems would exist if we lived out the simple things. -- John Strain is our weekend Freedom Fighter contributor and is Senior Pastor at First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 79-80; Proverbs 10; Romans 11:1-18

Great Quote: My greatest help in Christ is that moment by moment I can pass my distress over to him. -- George Verwer

Working on the Basics

Working on the Basics (Matthew 22:34-40)

Christianity is not nearly as complicated as so many of us make it. I am reminded of something Luke says about the Christians of the early church in Acts 2:46&47. "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

Those early disciples learned the value of some simple things like loving God and loving one another. Perhaps some of them had heard Jesus' words in Matthew 22:37-40: "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' "This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Living like Jesus and seeing His life grow in us doesn't have to go beyond simplicity. He wrapped it all up for us with these words recorded by Matthew. Love God and love people. It is that simple. We too often try to figure out all the intricacies of doctrine and look for some new teaching. Let's forego all the "deep" things and go back to the basics. Love God and love people. God has reminded me this week that I need to do that. Perhaps you need the reminder, too.
Loving God is not as complicated as it sounds. We prove that we love God by obeying His instructions. We have power to obey those instructions because God's Spirit lives in us to help us obey. It is that simple. We may struggle with obedience because of the residue of the flesh. That is why God gives us others to walk the journey with us. We live in communities of faith that put us shoulder to shoulder with others who are trying to get the basics down . . . just as we try. We encourage each other and learn from each other.

Loving people is not all that complicated either. God's Spirit empowers us to love as we are loved. The more we learn how much God loves us, the better we can love even those who might not be so lovely. Jesus showed us how to do it in His life. As we walk with Him, abide in Him, and learn from Him, we learn to love as He loved.

Love God and love people. Do it with "simplicity of heart." Keep working on the basics, and the complicated stuff will fall into place. -- John Strain is Senior Pastor First Baptist of Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 77-78; Proverbs 9; Romans 10

Great Quote: "...Jesus showed us what God really wants to cleanse and purify-our hearts. Christ's transforming work on the cross helps us to break free from desires that hold us in bondage. As we submit to God, we become like Christ, no longer wanting to offend God. Out of gratitude we obey Him from the inside out." Tremper Longman, Reading the Bible with Heart and Mind

Putting Sin to Death

PUTTING SIN TO DEATH

"Turn (depart) from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." (Psalm 34:14)

How can you put to death the ruling power of sin in the deeds of your body? Both negative and positive ways: "turn/depart" = negative; "do good" = positive. You need to TURN "from" and TURN "to" in putting sin to death.

From TEMPTATION: (1 Corinthians 10:13) there is no temptation beyond your ability to overcome. God makes a way to escape every time. Temptation is not sin - you have a choice to turn from temptation.

To TRUST: (Proverbs 3:5-6) it is necessary to turn to trust in Christ. You yield to temptation when you don't really trust God that He will provide for the need that leads you into sin: drugs - what for? Steal - what for? Illicit sex - what for? Cheat - what for? Gossip - what for? Doing for yourself means God won't do for you. So, turn to trust.

From UNRIGHTEOUSNESS: (Zephaniah 3:5) God does no unrighteousness. He brings justice to light through His Word. The unjust knows no shame. Unrighteousness is the lack of right in every area of your daily life: work ethics, entertainment, relationships, money, worship. Turn...

To UNDERSTANDING: (1 John 5:20) Jesus gives you understanding to know right - in order to know Him who is true. You are IN Him! Turn to understand that.

From RAGS: (Isaiah 64:6) all your self-righteous acts are like filthy rags, and you will shrivel up life a leaf and be blown away by your unrighteousness. Do you wonder why everything is messed up? Turn from your rags!

To RICHES: (Ephesians 2:6-7) you are rich! You are already raised up in God's mind to sit in the heavens. You have the riches of His grace and kindness. Why chase the world to gain rags? Turn to riches!

From NATURAL: (Romans 6:19) in human terms, you are a member of a body. In your flesh, you are weak and you fall. You are a slave to uncleanness in your habits. In wickedness there are no laws, rules, regulations or restrictions. Turn from the natural man.

To NEW: (Ephesians 4:23-24) be renewed in your attitudes which begin in your mind. Put on (which involves the action of choices) the new man (created to be like God) in righteousness and holiness. Turn to the new!

Put sin to death today: TURN - from temptation to trust; from unrighteousness to understanding; from rags to riches; from the natural to the new. Have a victorious day! Jack Noel serves at the Colony of Mercy as a Chaplain.

God's WORD for YOU: Psalms 79-80; Proverbs 8; Romans 11:1-18

Great Quote: A Methodist (Christian) is one who loves the Lord his God with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his mind, and with all his strength. God is the joy of his heart, and the desire of his soul, which is continually crying, 'Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth whom I desire besides thee.' My God and my all! 'Thou art the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.' He is therefore happy in God; yea, always happy, as having in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life, and over-flowing his soul with peace and joy. Perfect love living now cast out fear, he rejoices evermore. Yea, his joy is full, and all his bones cry out, 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten me again unto a living hope of an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, reserved in heaven for me. -- John Wesley

Signs? What Signs?

Signs? What Signs?

Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe". John 4:48

When I was a kid growing up around an Italian household some everyday occurrences were taken as a "sign". A fork would fall to the floor and my grandmother would say "Companies coming and they will hungry. I better get something cooking." Well, who could it be? I had some pretty cool aunt's and uncle's at one time so like a puppy dog my ears would perk up and I would start to look out the window. And wait. And wait. Then dinner would be ready and my grandmother would try and have us eat everything in one shot. The only problem with this was the company. Where were they to help us eat all this food? Oh well. More for us I guess?

I also could never understand the meaning of when the right hand would itch. It was taken as a sign that you would be receiving money. Well my hand still itches and I am no Donald Trump. Praise the Lord!!

My point here is that there were signs that had been interrupted to mean something but nothing would happen. But I believed they would happen. Not too long ago I ignored the sign that said 25mph. But when I got pulled over I had to believe that I was travelling well beyond what the sign said. It was a little sign surrounded by branches but I, well, just disobeyed. Oops. Lost some money but earn some points for that. (Just for the record, my wife was not as visibly angry at me as I was at me.)

Now how many of you Brothers reading this are looking for a sign so you can believe? You're in a spot in your life where you have been praying for Jesus to give you a sign or some sort of signal that He acknowledges you. I have been there saying my occasional "foxhole prayer" as well. You know what...the only sign to see is The Cross. And at times I fail to see it...or dare I say...just not look to it. It's not a little sign hidden by branches so what's my excuse. There is none.

As I travel through the everyday I am bombarded by signs. None of them have the depth or the power of The Cross. The Cross does not encourage me to buy something nor does it tell me how fast to go. It does not blink or change its color. It does however give me direction and wisdom. But most importantly it tells me to yield. Just like He yielded. That's the sign. For me. What about you? What does it say to you? -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 72-73; Proverbs 7; Romans 9:1-15

Great Quote: Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace. -- Anonymous

PLEASE NOTE: If for some reason you stop receiving Freedom Fighters, please contact us immediately.

The Cross in Prayer

THE CROSS IN PRAYER
"In that day you will ask in my name ..." John 16:26

Today's Freedom Fighter comes from the pen of Oswald Chambers -- My Utmost for His Highest:

"We often think of the Cross of Christ as something we have to get THROUGH, yet we get THROUGH for purpose of getting INTO it. The Cross represents only one thing for us -- complete, entire, absolute identification with the Lord Jesus Christ -- and there is NOTHING in which this identification is more real to us than in prayer.

'Your Father knows the things you had need of BEFORE you ask Him' (Matthew 6:8). Then why should we ask? The point of prayer is not to get answers from God, but to have perfect and complete oneness with Him. If we pray only because we want answers, we will become irritated and angry with God. We receive an answer every time we pray, but it does not always come in the way WE expect, and our spiritual irritation shows our refusal to identify ourselves truly with our Lord in prayer. We are not here to PROVE that God answers prayer, but to be living trophies of His grace.

' ... I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you ..." (John 16:26-27) Have you reached such a level of intimacy with God that the only thing that can account for your prayer life is that it has become one with the prayer life of Jesus Christ? Has our Lord exchanged your life with His vital life? If so, then 'in that day' you will be also so closely identified with Jesus that there will be no distinction.

When prayer seems to be unanswered, beware of trying to place the blame of someone else. That is always a trap of Satan. When you seem to have no answer, there is always a reason -- for God uses these times to give you deep personal instruction, and it is not for anyone else but you."

Good word for today. I needed to hear that today. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 70-71; Proverbs 6; Romans 8:22-39

Great Quote: God is more anxious to bless us than we are to be blessed. More anxious to give us wisdom, strength and peace than we are to take them. We are the ones who are reluctant not God. -- Richard C. Halverson

The Eyes of the Lord

THE EYES OF THE LORD

"For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He watches all his paths." Proverbs 5:21

This week at the Colony of Mercy, the theme of the week is "Man's Greatest Temptation" which covers the area of sexual sin. The men work through four weeks of teaching by Bruce Wilkinson from his book, "Personal Holiness in Times of Temptation." If you never have read Bruce's book, it is a must read for every Christian man.

In preparation for sharing God's Word at the Colony Chapel on Sunday morning, I did a study on temptation which is a topic we had addressed on many occasions in our Freedom Fighter emails. I reminded the man that no matter what age we might be, what status in life, it isn't a question of IF we will face temptation, but when.

We will face temptation from the world, the flesh and the devil. We will be tempted just like the first Adam was tempted as well as the second Adam, Jesus Christ. Remember that the devil tempted both through the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life.

This morning in daily reading from Proverbs I was in chapter 5 (I read a chapter a day!) which is the passage that warns about lust and adultery. At the end of the chapter, Solomon puts the whole issue into perspective with these words: "For the ways of a man are BEFORE the eyes of the Lord, and HE watches ALL his paths." (Proverbs 5:21)

One of the ways the enemy tries to trip us up is to believe the omniscient God does not really know what is going on. He tried to get Adam and Eve to believe that, and in fact, if you remember when they finally ate the apple they hid thinking God wouldn't find them. The reality is that God knew exactly where they were.

The big disconnect in our lives is that we too think that God doesn't know what we are up to. He does. He knows, weighs and sees every one of our thoughts, deeds, words and actions. NOTHING escapes His eye. If you don't believe me -- read Psalm 139 -- you will see how INTIMATELY He is acquainted with you.

Next time you face temptation, remember these words from Ecclesiastes 12:13-14: The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to EVERY person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil."

If we keep Proverbs 5:21 and Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 written on the hard drive of our minds, we are going to be victorious when we face temptation. That in itself could be one of the "ways of escape" that God has promised us in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Think about it! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's Word for YOU: Psalm 68-69; Proverbs 5; Romans 8:1-21

Praise Your Way Out

PRAISE YOUR WAY OUT

"Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him."
(Psalm 33:1)

Our team of missionaries was based at a church in one of the rougher parts of London. We decided to put on an "international night." We printed up invitations, and spent a week on the streets encouraging the locals to come. Our plan was to spend most of the evening entertaining them, then to ease our way into the Gospel. When the big night came, about thirty guests had responded. Half of them were young teens, and most of these had been drinking heavily and sniffing glue.

We gave it our best shot. The Swiss guy was funny, and the Korean flag dance was great, but our visitors were just mocking. Later on, in broken English a young Korean called Peter, (we couldn't pronounce his real name), tried to share his testimony. Someone threw a can of coke at him. Peter looked up and said, "Before I Christian, Me, one punch, You, heaven!" From that point on, anything could have happened. I was the preacher that night, and due up after Peter. Why me? I recalled the words of a friend, "You will find yourself in situations that you just can't pray your way out of; but you can always praise your way out."

And so I did. In a room that was about to explode, I found God. I told him how much I loved Him. I thanked Him for taking me from the sewer and filling my life with joy. I told Him what an honour it was to be in this place, on this night. I was absolutely lost in His presence. When someone tapped me and said, "You're up," the room was calm. The ring leaders had left. They must have gotten bored. Those that remained settled in and I spoke for fifteen minutes on The Good Shepherd. The end of the story is that three people came to know Jesus that night as Saviour and Lord. Wow!

And so now I can say to you, "You will find yourself in situations that you just can't pray your way out of; but you can always praise your way out." There is never a time when it is not fitting for the upright to praise Him. That includes in anything that you face today. Chris Thompson is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves as a church planter in England with his wife, Pam. Today's devotion is from REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE.

God's Word for Today: Psalms 66-67; Romans 7

Great Quote: Who can deny that it is necessary that this most excellent gift of patience, which a believer has received from God, be developed by practice, so that he becomes sure and convinced of it? For otherwise men would never esteem it as it deserves. But if God himself acts justly when he prevents such virtues from becoming obscure and useless by offering us an occasion to exercise them, then this must be the best of rea­sons for trying the saints, for without affliction they would have no patience. [John Calvin]

Learning to Walk the Walk

Learning to Walk the Walk (1 John 1:5-9)

I asked you yesterday to think with me about walking as Jesus walked. That simple concept is the expectation that comes with knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior. To say we follow Jesus when we do not walk as He walked puts us in conflict with the clear teaching of Scripture. That walk with Jesus (when we walk like Him) will see our lives marked by holiness, love, and continuing exposure to God's Word.

It occurred to me that we might need to think about how this "walking like He walked" develops in our lives. Knowing what we are supposed to do and how to do it is not always the same thing. Since John gave us the instruction to walk as He walked, I thought I would spend some time in 1 John and try to discover some help for the walk. Here is what I found

The first thing I noticed, in 1 John 1:5&6 is that we avoid darkness. If we were reading Paul's writings, we would hear him telling us to "put off the works of darkness." To walk as Jesus walked means that we are actively engaged in getting rid of the darkness. We do that by living a life increasingly yielded to the Holy Spirit. People who walk as Jesus walked refuse to tolerate darkness in their lives.

I also noticed that those who want to walk as He walked live in the light. (1 John 1:7) We choose light. We pursue light. We thrive on the light. Again, if we were listening to Paul, we would hear him tell us to "put on the new man." Part of the yielding to the Holy Spirit draws darkness out of us. Yielding also brings light into us-the kind of light that empowers us to walk as Jesus walked.

John also tells us that those who want to walk as Jesus walked must get rid of darkness when it slips into our lives. Since we are not yet perfect, we struggle. A friend of mine, Dick Burr, speaks of "the residue of the flesh" that continually tries to stir up the old nature. We deal with that residue by readily confessing our sin when it comes into our lives. Be sure to read 1 John 1:8-10.

These things are not the sum total that will help us walk as He walked. They provide a good start for us, however. We avoid darkness at all costs. We diligently pursue the light of God's Word and work in our lives. We confess our sin when darkness rears its ugly head.

Join me in the life-long effort to walk as He walked. It is Jesus' expectation for each of our lives. -- Pastor John Strain is senior Pastor First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 63-65; Romans 6

Great Quote: God's ability to perform is far beyond our prayers - even our greatest prayers! I have recently been thinking of some of the requests I have made of Him innumerable times in my prayers. And what have I requested? I have asked for a cupful, while He owns the entire ocean! I have asked for one simple ray of light, while He holds the sun! My best asking falls immeasurably short of my Father's ability to give, which is far beyond what we could ever ask. - John Henry Jowett

Join us this week to hear Dr. David Epstein, Senior Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, New York City. Check out the our website for details: www.americaskeswick.org

Walking the Walk

"Walking the Walk" (1 John 2:6)

A relationship with Jesus Christ brings some expectations with it. In my opinion, one of the big problems with American Christianity is that many of us ignore those expectations. We live as though Jesus just wants to save us without any concern for how we live.

Let me ask you to consider one verse of Scripture that addresses the issue. "He who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk just as He walked." (1 John 2:6) The Apostle John lays it out for us clearly. No follower of Jesus has any reason to misunderstand. If we say we walk with Jesus (abide with Him), then we need to live the way He lived (walk as He walked).

Allow me to suggest some things about Jesus life that ought to show in our lives when we try to walk as He walked. Jesus walked in holiness. He lived a life marked by purity-without sin. All of us know that we will not live completely without sin. Too many of us, though, pursue holiness only lightly, if at all. Choosing to walk as Jesus walked brings with it the expectation of holiness.

Jesus also walked in love. He loved His Father. He loved children. He loved the men who learned from Him. He loved the people to whom He ministered. He even loved those who rejected Him. Do you remember Jesus weeping over Jerusalem? Jesus didn't just love. He told us that we, too, must love. In a day when Christians live in so much conflict, where is the love? Choosing to walk as Jesus walked brings with it the expectation of love.

Jesus also walked in the Word. He knew the Word, and He knew how to use the Word for good. When tempted by Satan, He went to the Word. When challenged by skeptics, He gave them the Word. He introduced His ministry by taking His hearers to the Word. He integrated the Word of God into every facet of His life. Choosing to walk as Jesus walked brings with it the expectation that you and I will know and apply God's Word to our lives . . . all of our lives.

Claiming to walk with Jesus is not enough. We who say we walk with Him must meet the standard of God's Word. That standard says that those who say they walk with Jesus ought to walk as Jesus walked. That leaves each of us with one question: How are we doing? -- Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 60-62; Romans 5

Great Quote "I realize that I am not used to the image of God throwing a party. It seems to contradict the solemnity and seriousness I have always attached to God. But when I think about the ways in which Jesus describes God's Kingdom, a joyful banquet is often at its center...This invitation to a meal is an invitation to intimacy with God...Celebration belongs to God's Kingdom. God not only offers forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing, but wants to lift up these gifts as a source of joy for all who witness them." Henri Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son

Praying Scripture

PRAYING SCRIPTURE FOR OTHERS

Years ago I heard a great message by Dr. John Maxwell on praying Scripture back to the Father. It has been something that I have frequently done in my quiet time. It is a powerful exercise that I highly recommend.

Recently I read Henry Blackaby's book, EXPERIENCING PRAYER WITH JESUS -- The Power of His Presence and Power. In his book, he provides a list of Scriptures that can be used to pray for others in your life. I thought it might be helpful for you and me:

For Your Spouse:
Colossians 3:12-24; Psalm 119:33-40; Philippians 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7; 1 Peter 3:8-9; 1 John 5:18; Philippians 4:6-7

For Your Children:
Psalm 119:37; Luke 1:15; Luke 2:52; Proverbs 3:3-4; 1 Samuel 2:26; 1 Samuel 1:28; 1 Samuel 2:18; Psalm 8:2; Isaiah 54:13; Titus 3:1-2; Proverbs 20:11; Luke 2:40; Colossians 3:2; Psalm 22:9-10

For Your Friends and Extended Family:
2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Corinthians 15:58; James 3:17-18; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12; Matthew 6:13 (with 2 Thessalonians 3:3; James 4:7-10; and John 17:15); Numbers 6:24-26; Deuteronomy 6:5; Philippians 4:8

For Your Pastors and Leaders:
Isaiah 11:2; 1 Timothy 3:2-7, 11; 2 Chronicles 15:7,2; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; 1 Timothy 3:11; 1 Peter 4:11; Luke 24:45; Ephesians 3:14-4:3; Acts 14:22; Acts 18:24-25

One of our dear friends has cards like this that she uses on her walk. A good exercise for the body and the soul! Hope this is a helpful suggestion for you today. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for TODAY: Psalm 57-59; Romans 4

Great Quote: If we try to contemplate God without having turned the face of our inner self entirely in His direction, we will end up inevitably by contemplating ourselves, and we will perhaps plunge into the abyss of warm darkness which is our own sensible nature. That is not a darkness in which one can safely remain passive. -- Thomas Merton