Who's Clock Are You On?

Who’s Clock Are You On?

“I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.” Romans 1:14-15

I “work” in housekeeping. I push a time clock to record my hours. I am certain that millions of people everyday do the same thing at their work. Punching of the clock equates to money in the pay check. It has been this way since the start of organized labor.

But whether I am “clocked” in or not; I am always on my Father’s time. I am a servant (slave) to the One who purchased me 24 hours a day – 7 days a week. As a servant, I don’t decide when and where I work, the Master does. The reason for this is “I am a debtor.” Morally obligated to the One who purchased me. How big is this obligation? Rom 1:15 “as much as is in me.” My Master demands I put everything I have into it. No holding back.

If Jesus is indeed your Lord and Savior, you are a debtor as well. Are you discharging your debt? As much as is in you? If not, what is hindering you from becoming a better steward of your debt? Is it your pride, time, yourself (I hate that one), preoccupations? Maybe you are not making yourself available to serve God. Did you ask Jesus this morning to make opportunities for you to “work”? Or are you “unemployed”? I need to constantly check my priorities. Do I involve God in all my choices? Am I putting Him first in these choices? Do I need a stronger sense of responsibility? (1 Cor 10:31) I owe everything to Jesus, do I live like it? Am I seeking out ways to further His kingdom here on earth? (Matt 18:11) A while back I began praying that Jesus would give me the courage and conviction to stop disrespecting Him by claiming His name then go on living like I am the only one He came to save.

Brothers, the hour is late and there are 6.5 billion people on this planet and the majority don’t know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Where is our sense of urgency? A reckless abandon for God? This is our Father’s time, are you being a good steward of the time He has entrusted to you? -- Chris Connors is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and the Director of Housekeeping

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 28; Numbers 17-19; Mark 6:30-56

Great Quote: Good morning, Lord! What are You up to today? Can I be a part of it?Thank You. Amen. Norman Grubb

Where's the Bread?

Where's the Bread?

"Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat." Mark 8:14

Yesterday I got whacked in the head yet again by the Lord. Many of you know that 2008 was a challenging year financially for America's KESWICK, as with most ministries. 2009 started out with a bang -- in a good sense, and we were blown away at how God has provided for our needs in the month of January, which typically is a "challenging" month.

On Tuesday, our CFO shared with our Administrative Team the goodness of God and we were rejoicing. On Wednesday morning at our daily staff prayer time, our CFO shared that cash flow is really tight because of the two ministry weekends we are doing for our Hispanic friends. Our normal weekend income is much lower, but we know that this ministry to our Hispanic friends is an important one.

I confess that after Allen's report, I was saying to myself, "Lord, here we go again!" Most of the day I was feeling sorry for myself, weary from the last six months of constant concern regarding our finances.

This morning I got blasted, but God. Here is the "Welte" paraphrase of the story. Jesus tells his disciples to get into a boat, and they are going on a little excursion. Ever think of how many teaching times happen with those dudes when they are in boat?

I don't sense that they knew in advance that they were leaving that soon, nor do I think that they had any idea how long a trip it would be. As far as food goes -- they had ONE loaf of bread. The text says they forgot to bring bread with them! I am not sure how big that loaf was, but remember that along with Jesus, there were 12 in the boat!!! How far does one loaf go with twelve guys who were quite put together?

They must have all been thinking about the bread and started to discuss this among themselves. I can imagine them saying, "There ain't no McJerusalem around these parts. This is a full service cruise. Jesus is obviously listening in on their conversation! Don't you love it! He sees and knows everything!!! He asks them why they are concerned about the bread. Before they are able to even answer, he asks them if they have vision and hearing problems!

And then Jesus nails it! Can they be that blinded that they forgot so quickly the miracle that they just had witnessed. In fact, they saw it twice! Miraculously Jesus fed 5000 and then 4000, all with a very limited supply of bread!

Hello! How could these guys be so dumb! How could they miss this? And then I felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit -- "what about it, Welte? Do you not get it? Do you not understand whose ministry this is? It is my ministry. I have taken care of it for 111 years, 12 of those without your help!" Gulp!

I wrote in my journal, "Lord, I am as dumb as the twelve. I just don't get it. You display your glory day in and day out in hundreds of ways, and I still don't trust you. If you can take care of us in January, can you not do that in February and March? You know how much we need to care for bills and payroll. As the man cried out in the New Testament -- 'Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!"

And guess what -- God already had the answer the way. We needed $3,000 today to cover the bills due this week. We also need payroll for next week. And got sent in an unexpected gift of $50,000 today! To God be the glory. The Lord moved me from fear and fretting to faith and victory! Hallelujah!

Is God stretching your faith today, my friend? If He can meet the needs of America's KESWICK, He can meet your need today. Will you trust Him? I know one friend that needs to hear this today! Hold on, brother ... the answer is on the way! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for TODAY: Proverbs 27; Numbers 15-16; Mark 6:1-29

Great Quote: (continued from yesterday) God has given us prayer as a wartimewalkie-talkie so that we can call headquarters for everything we need as the kingdom of Christ advances in the world. Prayer gives us the significance of front-line forces, and gives God the glory of a limitless Provider. The one who gives the power gets the glory. Thus prayer safeguards the supremacy of God in missions while linking us with endless grace for every need. John Piper

Are We Too Connected?

Are We Too Connected?
This blog entry did not go to the email list. It was too good to miss. So I am sending it again today.
"Be still and know that I am God ..." -- Psalm 46:10

Question ... and can we agree that my question is not a judgment but one to help bring some perspective to our lives?

How much time did you spend today in Bible reading/study/meditation and in prayer?
What was the first thing that you did when you woke up this morning?
Did you turn on your radio? Turn on your computer? Or was the first thing you did today was to grab a cup of coffee and your Bible to engage with the Lord?

How much time did you spend with the Lord? 3o minutes? 25 minutes? 15? 10?
How much time did you spend in answering email today?
How much time did you spend texting?
How much time did you spend searching the Internet?
How much time did you spend on Facebook?
How much time did you spend playing cards on the computer?

Our world has become very connected to everything but our relationship, our personal relationship with the Lord. We are living in some of the greatest times technologically, but will technology enable us to spend more time with God or with technology?

My cell phone is ready for an upgrade. I have been trying to decide if I should take the leap into a more sophisticated device. Right now I can text and I can take pictures. My techie friends all have phones that now connect them to the Internet and access email. I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't tempted. But my family and the Holy Spirit (not Jan ... but close ...) challenged me to think through that fact that I don't need one more device that is going to get me more connected.

I need to find ways to disconnect and unwind so that I can enjoy life and my family. But I also need to find ways to be able to be alone with God, and to get still enough that I can hear Him whisper rather than have to shout at me over the technology. Don't get me wrong, technology is wonderful. Think of all the things we can do not with speed and precision. But is technology interfering with my relationship with God?

If I've spent more of my leisure time connected to technology and given God the left overs of 5, 10 or 15 minutes because I am "too busy" -- is there something wrong with that picture? Making a daily commitment is not easy. As soon as I hit the ground, my mind is in a flurry of activity. I find myself at times rushing through my quiet time so that I can get to the office to handle work before everyone else gets in or I try to see how many other things I can read beside the Bible to fulfill my quiet time.

Lately, I have found myself stopping and saying -- DON'T RUSH! Don't look at the computer first. Don't send one single email until I sit and spend time with my heavenly Father. I have been working through an old practice of just reading the Word and then journaling what He is teaching me. I ask the Holy Spirit to give me one verse from my Bible reading. I write that verse in my journal and make some observations. I then write out how I believe God wants me to apply that verse to my life. At the end of the exercise, I write out a prayer, asking God to build that principle in my life.

Is this an easy practice? NO! But I believe it is necessary. It seems easier to get on Facebook or answer email. But I want to work at having connectedness not as important to technology as to my heavenly Father. How about you? Is it just me? Am I the only one? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 25; Numbers 9-11; Mark 5:1-20

Great Quote: Life is war. That's not all it is. But it is always that. Our weakness in prayer is owing largely to our neglect of this truth. Prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the powers of darkness and unbelief. It is not surprising that prayer malfunctions when we try to make it a domestic intercom to call upstairs for more comforts in the den.(continued tomorrow) John Piper

To Sleep or Not to Sleep

To Sleep or Not to Sleep

" ... when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." Proverbs 3:24

I just completed reading a powerful book by Dr. Archibald Hart called "THRILLED TO DEATH?" I had it sitting in my "to read" pile, but what pushed it to the front of the pile was listening to an interview on Saturday's Focus on the Family broadcast.

Dr. Hart was being interviewed about the way technology is impacting our society, and alarmingly, how our overload of technology is impacting our kids in a negative way. I will share some insights throughout the next couple of days, but one of the things I re-learned is that we need to value sleep.

Some of us Type A personalities have prided ourselves into believing that we don't need as much sleep as others. Guess what? The medical world has debunked that myth. Listen to just a few if the benefits of sleep as presented in Dr. Hart's book:

1. Why do we sleep? Because the brain, like the rest of the body, needs rest.
2. When we don't get enough sleep, our body will force us to make up for it!
3. Sleep helps the brain to fix new memories and replenish energy.
4. Sleep helps to consolidate new memories.
5. The more sleep we get, the faster we can perform many mental tasks.
6. Sleep helps us retain new memories (learn new things).
7. Sleep helps the brain make new connections.
8. Dream sleep is the defragmentation program of the brain.
9. Sleep helps the growth of new brain cells.
10. Good sleep helps us to undo the effects of stress.

Ever notice that some people can sleep anywhere, anytime, and enjoy a fitful sleep. Others of us are thankful for two solid hours of sleep, and then little catnaps throughout the night.

There are many reasons why we don't sleep fitfully. Sleep apnea is one of the major causes of sleepless/restless nights. Too much caffeine after 3:00 PM will impact our ability to sleep. For some, we are so addicted to adrenaline (stress) that our body just can't unwind.

Another sleep robber is worry and fear. It will keep you awake for hours if you allow it to stay at the forefront of your mind.

Is there unconfessed sin in your life that is causing you to be restless? Are you harboring bitterness, resentment or a spirit of unforgiveness?

If you are not sleeping fitfully, you might want to ask the Holy Spirit to show you what it is in your life that might be causing you to sleep well. While there are many physical reasons why a fitful night sleep may be eluding you, it could very well be that there is some area of your life that needs some spiritual attention. You just might have "Spiritual Sleep Apnea." Why not talk to the great Physician about it. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 24; Numbers 7-8; Mark 4:21-41

Great Quote: "It is possible to have a saved soul and a lost life." In other words, it is possible to be saved and forgiven of one's sin but to waste one's life by not serving the Lord. Alan Redpath

Assuming His Presence

Assuming His Presence -- Here is another "never-seen-before" devotional written by the late Pastor Bill Raws

“Supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey.” Luke 2:44

Jesus’ parents had taken Him to Jerusalem for the Passover. They travelled homeward in the company of a large crowd of pilgrims returning to Galilee. Assuming that Jesus was somewhere in the crowd, they went a day’s journey before they discovered His absence. When they failed to find Him among their relatives and friends, they returned to Jerusalem.

Several lessons and applications can be drawn from this incident. First, there is a danger in assuming that He is walking with us in fellowship. It is true that He has promised His presence to be with us always, but the realization of His presence is conditional – “if we walk in the light” (1 John 1:7).

Second, it is possible for Him to be obscured by the crowd. There were instances in His ministry when needy persons could not see Him for the crowd. Zacchaeus, because he was short of stature, was prevented by the crowd from seeing Jesus. He overcame the problem by climbing a tree for a better view. In a different situation, a paralytic in need of the Master Healer was prevented from getting to Jesus because of the crown in the house. His enterprising friends solved the problem by removing roof tiles and placing the man directly before the Lord. Crowds and popular opinion can deter people from finding Jesus.

Third, Jesus was found in the place where His parents had left Him. When we have turned away from the Lord and assumed that He would follow us on a way that we have chosen, we can only be restored by returning to the place of departure. In this account, it was the place chosen by the Heavenly Father for His business to be carried on (Luke 2:49).

Instead of merely assuming that He is with us, we must learn to practice His presence. Don’t lose Him through the influence of the crowd. Before the day’s journey begins, be sure you’re in the fellowship of His presence.

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 23; Number 5-6; Mark 4:1-20

Great Quote: God created us to have needs, not counting them as sinful or selfish. Without them, we'd have no way of knowing our need for God or how much He loves us. Anonymous

PAY DAY

Pay Day

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth”
(3 John 4)

I’ve worked at Americas Keswick for over 6 1/2 years now. During my time as a staff member and also a Colony Grad, I’ve seen both success and failure. Most of the time it seems that we only hear about the men that fall back in their addiction, but that’s not always the case. One night after a couples conference here at Keswick, it was almost 10 pm when my doorbell rang. It was three recent grads who worked with me in maintenance, and they were with their wives. You’re probably saying “of course they’re with their wives it is a couple’s conference”. Well, I know that less then six months ago at least two of those marriages were in serious trouble.

As we all sat around my living room, it was as if I were outside looking in. I know their not my children, (first of all I’m way too young) but I can somehow relate to the Apostle John “no greater joy then to see my children walking in the truth”. As I sat and watched them smile and laugh I thought back to when they were in the Colony and the prayers we prayed watching them each day after work going into the Chapel to cry out to God on behalf of their marriages, they began to trust God and to walk in His truth. Well my friends this is what we as staff members and prayer partners call “Pay Day”. Now I know they have a long way to go and a lot of work ahead of them but, it will be a long time before I forget that moment.

I remember my time in the colony, sometimes I walk past my old room and remember when the truth of God’s word began to sink in. I pray that God will bring back a memory of times past to renew the “joy of your salvation”. It has caused me to renew my walk with the Lord and appreciate my wife, and who knows maybe Jesus is looking down and a smile on His face with a Fatherly “that a boy”.

Thank you Barry, Carson and John for allowing God to work in your lives, you may not be my children, but I am certainly proud of you. -- Rob Russomano is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves on the full-time staff at America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 22; Numbers 3-4; Mark 3:20-35

Great Quote: There hath not one tear dropped from thy tender eye against thy lusts, the love of this world, or for more communion with Jesus Christ, but as it is now in the bottle of God; so then it shall bring forth such plenty of reward, that it shall return upon thee with abundance of increase. "Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh." (Luke 6:21) John Bunyan

To Smoke or Not To Smoke Part 2

To Smoke or Not to Smoke (Part 2)

--"All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Let no one seek HIS OWN good, but the good of his neighbor." 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 ESV

Yesterday I touched on a topic that has been very controversial in Christian circles. I do not consider myself to be a legalist, but I do believe that I believe that the Word of God does clear instruction on taking care of our temples.

I hear a lot of what I call "sloppy grace teaching" that I believe is causing well-meaning Christians to explore liberties that eventually end up causing destruction in their lives. The verse quoted above, and many others, are often not considered because of our selfish fleshly desires.

I have been blessed by a daily blog written by Tim Challies. On Wednesday Tim wrote about the subject of smoking that I think is worth sharing. I emailed him and received his permission to quote this section of his blog:

I guess the crux of the matter is this: is it sinful to smoke? It seems to me that it is hard to sustain a consistent biblical argument which would conclude that smoking is always and ever sinful. I think it is difficult to bind another person's conscience without resorting into some kind of inconsistency or legalism.

I see the logic behind these arguments, but those same principles seem to fail when they are extended to the rest of the Christian life. There is part of me that feels I should say with certainty that smoking is sinful. But I don't think I can do so in good conscience.

I actually quite like John Piper's take on this one (though he does conclude that smoking is sinful). He says, "Habitually smoking cigarettes seems to say, 'Life doesn't matter as much as my pleasures do.' And the fact that it is highly addictive should also encourage Christians to keep their distance." So maybe there is a difference between the person who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day and the person who occasionally enjoys a fine cigar.

Piper writes that in his church they do not focus specifically on smoking; instead, they have a higher standard. "We engage to abstain from all drugs, food, drink, and practices which bring unwarranted harm to the body or jeopardize our own or another's faith." Some might argue that this is a lowering of standard, but I'm inclined to believe that it actually raises the standard. It removes the focus from specific pet sins and widens the focus to a wider range of sins that we may be willing to tolerate. We should give thought to everything we do, everything we eat, everything we breathe in.

I have an intense dislike toward smoking. I dislike the smell of it and I have a special pet peeve toward seeing cigarette butts lying on the ground outside buildings. But I don't presume to think that I can tell much about a person's spiritual condition by the fact that he smokes. Nor do I find that I can (or would want to) generate the kind of argument from Scripture that would tell another person that smoking is absolutely forbidden. But when we look at the evidence of how smoking impacts the smoker's health, how it impacts the health of others around him, how it encourages addiction and so on, it seems that it is something the Christian would be eager to avoid or overcome.

Is it always and for all people sinful? I don't know that I would go that far. Piper gets it right when he says "Don't pick out a few individual named sins, but let your definition of sin be sweeping and pervasive so that it touches everything. And let your definition of holiness be the same. How you drink Coke, eat pizza, or exercise can all be sin issues, or not."
So what do you think? Is smoking sinful? Or can it, like so many other things, be done for God's glory?

I think it important for you to think this through, brothers. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. I do know this -- that the same Jesus who can set an alcoholic free, can set free the man, woman or teen who is addicted to tobacco. What is He speaking to your heart? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

If you'd like information about Tim's blog, send me an email. Thanks.

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 21

Great Quote: God created us to have needs, not counting them as sinful or selfish. Without them, we'd have no way of knowing our need for God or how much He loves us. Anonymous

To Smoke or Not to Smoke

To Smoke of Not to Smoke --"All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Let no one seek HIS OWN good, but the good of his neighbor." 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 ESV

Well today's Freedom Fighter will most likely strike a chord of agreement or cause a flurry of responses. Having read an excellent blog on the subject of smoking, I want to share some thoughts for consideration. In fact, this might be a two-parter.

Prior to my Dad's conversion, he was a miserable alcoholic. From what I hear from his family, I am grateful that I never knew this side of my Dad's life. The day he was saved, he was totally set free from his bondage to alcohol and never touched alcohol again.While he experienced freedom in Christ in this area of his life, he secretly struggled till the day he died to his addiction to cigarettes.

For many years I struggled with the question, why could God set Dad free from alcohol, but not cigarettes. He would openly shed tears of gratefulness to the Lord when he shared his testimony about victory over booze, but went to his grave miserably addicted to cigarettes.

It wasn't until becoming involved with America's KESWICK and the Colony of Mercy that I have come to understand that tobacco is a life-dominating bondage for many people. Despite the fact that some believers, and this isn't a judgment call -- believe that since the Bible doesn't list smoking as a "sin" -- tobacco is classified by the world as an addiction. In fact, if you visit www.phillipmorrisusa.com, you will discover from their own literature that this addiction is one of the most difficult addictions to break.

For years, the men of the Colony were able to spoke pipes and cigars at a designated area referred to as "Little Egypt." This really puzzled me because our message since 1897 declares that through Christ we can live a life of victory and freedom. Unless I am reading my Bible incorrectly, Egypt in the Scriptures is a reference to BONDAGE.

Years later, the men of the Colony came to Administration and shared with them that tobacco is a huge area of bondage. The tobacco manufacturers in their own literature declare that their desire is to captivate people at an early age to get them addicted so that they can have a customer for life. They have increased the nicotine content in the product. They have made soft drinks like "Nic-Light" to take care of the smoker who can't make it from airport to airport without their "drug of choice."

Some would argue that smoking is no different to the bondages to coffee, chocolate, sex, food, and the list goes on and on. And they are absolutely right. Our working definition of addiction is that "it is bondage to the rule of a substance, activity or state of mind, which becomes the center of life, defending itself from the truth, so that even bad consequences do not lead to repentance, leading to estrangement from God." (Dr. Ed Welch -- Addiction -- A Banquet to the Grave."

I have friends that have been willing to see their relationship with their wives go down the tubes because of their unwillingness to lay this bondage at the foot of the cross. I've seen men allow this bondage destroy their lives physically rather than allow Christ to set the free.

My Dad's death was untimely. He missed the joy of seeing his grandchildren grow up to serve the Lord. Was it his time to go? Maybe? But maybe not. Maybe God's permissive will allowed his premature homegoing. The day of his death (heart attack and stroke that affected the brain stem) he had smoked several packs of cigarettes. What I know now is that for a heart patient this was lethal!

Tomorrow I want to share with you an excerpt from a blog that I received yesterday. It helps to put things into perspective on the subject and one that I think will help all of us understand why this needs serious attention. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 20; Leviticus 26-27; Mark 2

Great Quote: Be not discouraged because of your soul's enemies. Are ye troubled with thoughts, fears, doubts, imaginations, reasonings? Yea, do ye see, yet, much in you unsubdued to the power of life? Oh! Do not fear it; do not look at it, as to be discouraged by it; but look to Him! Look up to the power which is over all their strength; wait for the descendings of the power upon you; abide in faith of the Lord's help, and wait in patience till the Lord arise; and see if His arm do not scatter what yours could not. So, be still before Him, and in stillness, believe in His name; yea, enter not into the hurryings of the enemy, though they fill the soul; for, there is yet somewhat to which they cannot enter, from whence patience, faith, and hope, will spring up in you, even in the midst of all they can do. Isaac Penington

So, What Does It Mean -- Part 3

So, What Does it Mean? Part Three

“So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the walls fell down flat, so that the people went into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city."Joshua 6:20 (ESV)

There are no coincidences with God. That we should agree on. Why do I start this way you may ask? Well it has to do with something my Pastor preached on a few weeks back. Mediate on the Word he told us. We were encouraged to immerse ourselves into the Bible even if that meant putting it on our I-pod, which I did. I bought the mp3 version of “The Message” and I listen to it on my way to work. (And please no letters to Bill Welte brethren, it is not my study bible either but it is for devotional purposes.)

Anyway….while studying for my Tuesday night class on the First Epistle to the Corinthians I had opened up a Matthew Henry commentary to have someone else’s notes from The Book of Joshua fall into my lap (I bought these commentaries from the Keswick book store, used). Well since I just happened to be at that part of my “mediating on the Word” (chapter 6 in Joshua) I thought I would share what God plopped into my lap.

The first thing is God has a plan for victory. In verse two God tells Joshua that Jericho has been given into his hands however this plan is spread over time. In verse three the men of war are to march around the city for six days. This plan called for obedience and eighty five percent was not going to cut it (that’s what these notes said). In verse five God’s plan was going to involve faith, the kind of faith that would have seven trumpets and a crowd of people shouting at some pretty heavy duty walls.

The fourth thing that is going on here is God’s plan involving persistence. How many of you “Freedom Fighters” would spend your time walking around the walls of city because God said so, let alone walk around it again on the seventh day for seven times so some horns could blow and a crowd of people could shout. Well now Brethren comes God’s plan involving discipline.

In verse ten “Joshua commanded the people, “You shall not shout or make your voice heard until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout.” What? But for six days they did what they were told. Everyone woke up early, the priests lifted the ark of the Lord and blew the horns continually like they were told to and on the seventh day Joshua said “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city.” Verse twenty tells what happens next. The people shouted, trumpets were blown and the walls came “a-tumblin’-n-rumblin’ down”. With the exception of Rehab and her household, everything that God said to destroy was destroyed and what God said keep, was kept. Yes my friends there were shouts of victory that day.

So what does it all mean? In second Corinthians Paul writes “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” Which brings me to the last part of the notes that had fallen into my lap. There is a simple formula that coincides with this verse in Scripture and it goes like this…Divine Direction plus Obedience equals Victory.

This morning I would like to thank whoever it was that left those notes for me to find and then ask you what is God plopping down in your lap? -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 19: Leviticus 25; Mark 1:23-45

Great Quote: Grace conquers us first, and we by it, conquer all things---whether it be corruptions within us, or temptations without us. "Everyone that is born of God, overcomes the world." (1 John 5:4)---Richard Sibbes

Lord, What Do You Want Me to Do?

Lord, What Do You Want Me to Do?

Acts 9:6a; so he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”

With threats of murder and imprisonment still in his heart for the men and women found of the Way, Saul could only find these words to ask our Savior after He revealed Himself to him on that road to Damascus, “Lord what do you want me to do?”

Before I can ask Jesus this question for myself, I first must ask; am I willing to be separated from my foolish ideas and my selfish desires to live exclusively for Jesus? Matt.16:24 says; “let him deny himself, take up the cross and follow me.” On my own strength I am incapable of doing this. (Phil.4:13) But do I want to be a doormat for people to walk all over anyway? Why can’t I have the recognition in Christ I seek without His suffering?

To be honest, all I really want is anything God can do for me to make me more desirable in my own eyes. But Jesus has been transforming me from this mind set, showing me how my ideas and desires do little to further His Kingdom here on earth. How my way of doing things are inconsistent with His words in Matt.11:29b. Though I still struggle, I am certain of this, my responsibility in Christ. And that has never changed; to make Him known as the only Savior of sinners! Never mind whether people appreciate me now, never mind whether I get my reward down here.

I’m willing to do without it until I come face to face with the One who judges justly. My Master has superseded my wants and has put this necessity upon me, to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior 1Cor.9:16. I won’t deny Him Matt.10:33.

When God is glorified, His Spirit can work to bring Christ to those who need to know Him. Warren Wiersbe spoke well when he said, “True servants of God help others whether they themselves get anything out of it or not. Their concern is only that God be glorified and people trust Christ.” Brothers, as servants of God we will experience His suffering in our service. We may suffer emotionally, physically and yes, spiritually. But serving is never punishment! It’s nourishment!!! Have YOU asked Jesus lately; “what do you want me to do?” I have, and never once was it the answer I was expecting. Glory be to God for that! -- Chris Connors is Director of Housekeeping at America's KESWICK and a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 18; Leviticus 23-24; Mark 1:1-22

Great Quote: In adversity God gazes into and searches out each one; He weighs the disposition of every individual in dangers, even to death at last; He investigates the will of man, certain that to Him nothing can perish.Therefore, as gold is refined by the fires, so are we declared by critical moments. Minucius Felix

A New Accounting System

A New Accounting System

Here is a brand new, never seen before, devotional from Pastor Bill Raws, now with the Lord.

“Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:11)

On the basis of God’s declared truth regarding my position in Christ, I am instructed to put into operation a new accounting system. In the language of Paul’s day, the work reckon (or consider), introducing our theme text, was used in accounting. They thought was of one entering items into a ledger as an asset. The Apostle applies this by commanding that believers re to carry two items forward on a continuing basis – their death to sin and their being alive to God.

The basis for this transaction is the truth of verses 1-10, our identification with Christ. The facts of the believer’s relationship to Christ are clearly stated in a conclusive manner, but now there is to be an appropriation of them in the form of an entry in the ledger of our faith. God has credited to our account the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. He has made a direct deposit, but we are to act on His declaration and make a permanent entry by faith.

The implications of this transaction are that we no longer are obligated to sin as a dominating principle in our lives. We are free from that debt and are now alive to the new principle – life in Christ Jesus. Our identification with Him in His death makes it possible for us to be sharers in His life.

A little couplet of verse summarizes this transaction:
“Reckon, Reckon, Reckon, Reckon when you cannot feel;
If you will tend to the reckoning, God will make it real.” – Source unknown

Rev. William A. Raws is the grandson of the founder of America's KESWICK and went home to be with Jesus in July 2008

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 17; Leviticus 21-22; Matthew 28

Check out this weeks Stewardship Insight by George: http://keswickgeorge.blogspot.com/

"Something happens when we come to God for His grace and mercy--something that is so radical and so amazing that it can only be described as death to our old selves. It is the overwhelming desire to please the One who has loved us with such amazing and unconditional love...I may not get better overnight; I may not be the fine, upstanding, and wonderful Christian I thought I was, but I now have a desire to please the One who loved me (and gave Himself for me). That desire is the soil in which goodness grows--not perfectly, by any means, but it does grow." Steve Brown

Consistency

Consistency

" ... this one thing I do ..." Philippians 3:13

One of the character qualities that I desire in my life is consistency. I have several mentors that are just simply steady -- in every area of their lives. I am sure that they have issues, but I see in them this steadfastness and consistency that I admire and long to have in my life.

Fenelon, in his book, THE SEEKING HEART writes this about consistency:

I've noticed that you always want to drop one thing to hurry on to the next. Yet each task takes you far too much time to finish because you dissect everything far too much. You are not slow -- just long-winded. You want to say everything that has the slightest connection to the subject at hand. This always takes too long and causes you to rush from one thing to another.

Try to be brief. Learn to get to the heart of the matter and disregard the nonessential. Don't spend your time musing! What you really need to do is sit quietly before God and your active and argumentative mind would soon be calmed. God can teach you to look at each matter with a simple, clear view. You could say what you mean in two words! (For a sanguine that's hard!)

And as you think and speak less you will be less excitable and distracted. Otherwise you will wear yourself out, and external things will overpower your inward life as well as your health.

Cut all this activity short! Silence yourself inwardly. Come back to your Lord often. You will get more accomplished this way. It is more important to listen to God than to your own thoughts.

It is not enough to like good books (now he's meddling!). You must be a good book yourself. The people who knew God best had more problems that you, yet they kept their peace and cultivated simplicity, purity, and inward prayer.

I believe your busy life exhausts you in every way. Don't let your work carry you away and eat up your life. Take time to renew yourself before God. Be brief and act quietly with your business affairs.

Wow! If I didn't know better, I would think that this guy has been snooping into my journal. He nailed me right between the eyeballs.

How about you? Do you struggle with consistency? Is life out of control? Run to the cross and allow Him to speak to your heart. It is a very cool journey. If I shut up long enough, He will speak. Will I listen? That's the question. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 16; Leviticus 19-20; Matthew 27:51-66

Great Quote: The drum beats in the gospel for volunteers...Let none take your crown from you...Be thankful for every victory you get...He is the right soldier that is not discouraged by those that run from, or that are slain in the battle, but still press on to victory ...March on, not in the confidence of your armour, but in the power of his might, who has promised shortly to subdue Satan under your feet.--William Gurnall

Remember

Remember

“then beware, lest you forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” (Deuteronomy 6:12)

Have you thought about how blessed we are to be alive today? When we consider what society has to offer us, tools that make our quality of life so much more convenient and comfortable, things like: a variety of occupations to choose from, incredible medical options, amazing technological items, computers, cars, public transportation, athletic centers where huge crowds observe a variety of sports, fitness centers, sporting organizations for our kids, shopping malls, outlet malls, specialty stores, books and magazines, concerts for all musical tastes, movies, plays, incredible travel opportunities for every budget, the list goes on and on. The point is that life moves at such a fast pace and there is so much available to us, that it is easy to become distracted as a Christian in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is easy to forget what God has done for us.

If we think this is unique to us, remember with me the story of the Israelites. God brought them out of Egypt, out of bondage, led them through the wilderness where He provided for them and demonstrated Himself to them in unbelievable ways, to bring them into a land where He wanted to bless them as a nation, a place where they could freely worship Him. Deuteronomy 6 was an encouragement to remember what God had done, tell the children, talk about it, and write it down. Verse 12 says, be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. When you consider the entire story, we see that the nation of Israel forget who their Redeemer was, what He had done and wanted to do for them.

When we know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior it is important to remember that He “called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people; now you are the people of God. Once you received none of God’s mercy; now you have received His mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10). I am grateful for the “things” of life that provide enjoyment and comfort, but we need to guard ourselves that those “things” not distract us and keep us from remembering and rehearsing with our children and our children’s children the work of Christ at Calvary so that we never forget or take for granted the price He paid to set us free. -- Robert Hayes is Director of Program Ministries America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 15; Leviticus 17-18; Matthew 27:27-50

Great Quote: Christian love is the only kind of love in which there is no rivalry, no jealousy. There is jealousy among the lovers of art; there is jealousy among the lovers of song; there is jealousy among the lovers of beauty. The glory of natural love is its monopoly, its power to say, 'It is mine.' But the glory of Christian love is its refusal of monopoly. George Matheson

Reflections on Obedience

REFLECTIONS ON OBEDIENCE
"On that very day, Abraham [did] ... as God told him." (Genesis 17:23)

If you haven't already figured it out, obedience is an issue that all of us will continue to deal with until we get to heaven. As children, it was an issue with our parents. We had to deal with obedience issues in school with our teachers. Many of us are in the work force and have to deal with obedience issues with our employers. I am the President and CEO of America's KESWICK, but I report directly to the Board of Trustees, so that I am responsible to be obedient to the Board.

As citizens of this great nation, we are responsible to obey the laws that have been established by our government. And as men and women of God, we have a responsibility and the privilege of being obedient to God and His Word.

Here’s a definition of obedience for you to ponder on this beautiful Friday – “Obedience is doing everything you are told to do IN THE RIGHT WAY (with the right heart attitude inwardly), RIGHT AWAY (immediately) and ALL THE WAY (do a complete job.)” -- Pastor Tim Shorey -- Senior Pastor, Trinity Fellowship Church, Toms River, NJ.

I read these timely words from STREAMS IN THE DESERT … “Instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is, for DELAYED obedience is disobedience. Each time God calls upon us to do something, He is offering to make a covenant with us. Our part is to obey, and then He will do His part to send a special blessing. "The only way to obey is INSTANTLY – “On that very day ...” as Abraham did. I know we often postpone doing what we know to do, and then later do it as well as we can. Certainly this is better than doing nothing at all. By then, however, it is at best only a crippled, disfigured, and partial attempt toward obedience. POSTPONED obedience can never bring us the full blessing God intended or what it would have brought had we obeyed at the earliest possible moment.”

Martin Luther once said, “A true believer will crucify, or put to death, the question, ‘Why?’ He will simply obey without questioning.”

The hymnwriter said it this way: TRUST AND OBEY, FOR THERE’S NO OTHER WAY, TO BE HAPPY IN JESUS, BUT TO TRUST AND OBEY! Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 14; Leviticus 14; Matthew 26:51-75

Great Quote: God desires us to live as close as we can to the life that Jesus Christ lived. That is the broad avenue to perfect happiness. Most of us know by experience that in proportion as we have followed Him, we have found happiness. And we know by still larger experience that as we turn away from Him the world gets dark, and life ceases to be worth living. -- George Hodges

Facebook Stalker

Facebook Stalker

"Love not the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17

Several months ago opened a Facebook account. I did so for a number of reasons, one to reconnect with friends from the past. While it has been fun to reconnect, my heart has also grieved numerous times as I have looked at pictures from friends of all ages.

One of the things that has grieved me is to see how many of my Christian friends and kids that I have loved so focused on drinking in their pictures. (One of my friends called me a "Facebook Stalker :)"

Maybe it is because my Dad was a horrible alcoholic before he was saved and realizing what his life could have been like apart from the Lord.

Maybe it is because I have seen the devasting affects that alcohol has had on the hundreds of families who have come to the Colony of Mercy for help. I've not met anyone who has become an alcoholic in our circles that hasn't said that their problem started with the first drink.

Maybe it is because we have dear friends who lost a son in a horrific automobile accident as a result of a drunk driver.

Maybe it is because we have seen how social drinking almost led to the downfall of an entire church.

While I certainly recognize that there are differences on the subject of Christian liberties, and while I recognize that my position could appear to be "elder-brotherish," I do feel compelled to challenge you to give serious consideration to the deadly effects that dabbling in these issues can bring upon you, your family and the body of Christ.

The founder of AA in the latter years of his life, desperately craved alcohol even on his deathbed. His life was torn to pieces at the end because of the sinful choices that he made after so many years of teaching about the dangers it caused.

Maybe I am overreacting. Maybe not. But I feel that it is important for us to talk to the Lord about these issues. God's grace has given us wonderful liberties. The question is -- am I making the right choices. Something to think about. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 13; Leviticus 14; Matthew 26:51-75

Great Quote: Too busy; O forgive, Dear Lord, that I should ever be, too much engrossed in earthly tasks, to spend an hour with thee. A. B. Christiansen

WOW Moment

WOW Moment

Normally I start out Freedom Fighter with a verse of Scripture. I will end today with a passage from Psalm 63.

Today I had one of those WOW moments. I was in my office after lunch and my two grandkids came running into my office. Emma came in first and ran right to the candy dish! Little Ethan came in, and much to my delight, looked over at me with his big smile and put his arms out for me to come get him.

That is a delight to any Pop-pop! I will forever cherish the moment -- My grandson wanted me and my immediate response was to rush over to him and pull him into my arms. It filled my tank for the entire afternoon.

I thought about how my Heavenly Father must feel when I come into His presence with the desire to run into His arms and love all over Him. I know -- theologically someone might say that God is holy and righteous, and He is, so that wouldn't be possible. After all, He's God and you can't ever expect to hug Almighty God.

OK -- but why would the Apostle Paul, the one who called himself the greatest sinner, even think of referring to God as "my Poppa, my Poppa" in Romans 8.

Someone I think it delights the Father when we burst into His presence with praise, adoration and love!

Here are some wonderful verses from Psalm 63. I am using The Message -- now please don't write me nasty letters. I use The Message for my devotional reading not for study. I love the word pictures especially in the Psalms. Listen ...

God -- you're MY God! I can't get enough of YOU! I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts.

So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in YOUR strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath.

I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy; I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises! If I'm sleepless at midnight, I spend hours in grateful reflection. Because you've always stood up for me, I'm free to run and play. I hold on to you for dear life, and you hold me steady as a post. -- Psalm 63:1-8

Somehow I think my heavenly Poppa longs for you and me to run to Him and declare -- "I love you, Lord! When was the last time you greeted Him with such an expression of praise? I think He's waiting to hear from YOU! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 12; Leviticus 13; Matthew 26:26-50

Great Quote: To call yourself a child of God is one thing. To be called a child of God by those who watch your life is another thing altogether. Max Lucado

It's not too late to join us tonight for our February Men's Fellowship Night. Dinner starts at 6:15 PM. Please call today for reservations. 732-350-1187

Am I an Elder Brother? Part 2

Am I An Elder Brother? Part 2

I was serving as Director of Music at a large church in the Philadelphia area when the Jim and Tammy Faye Baker fiasco broke. I walked into choir rehearsal and two of the men in the choir were ranting and raving about how the Bakers were such deceivers and should be totally ostracized for their behavior. The one man went on to same some pretty horrible things about the Bakers and then said, "You'd never catch me doing something that stupid!"

I can remember this as if it was yesterday. I made the statement -- "Be very careful about statements like that because there go I but by the grace of God." Within six months, this man's whole world came crashing down.

Elder brothers tend to look down their noses at the prodigals. With our smugness and self-righteous pride, we declare, "How could you be so stupid?" I am have a clean track record and have never been caught doing something that dumb!" Really? Maybe not outwardly -- but how about inwardly? Are you like the little child who was asked to sit down by his parents. He did, but thought in his mind, "I am sitting down on the outside, but I am standing up on the inside."

Pastor Tim Keller, in his book THE PRODIGAL GOD, shares several more insights to help us diagnose if we are suffering from "EBS" -- Elder Brother syndrome:

* Elder brothers are fastidious in their compliance to ethical norms, and in fulfillment of all traditional family, community, and civic responsibilities. But it is a slavish, joyless drudgery. The word "slave" has strong overtones of being forced or pushed rather than drawn or attracted. A slave works out of fear -- fear of consequences imposed by force.

*Elder brother obedience only leads to a slavish begrudging compliance to the letter of the law.

*Elder brothers are being moral only for their own benefit. They may be kind to others and helpful to the poor, but at a deeper level they are doing it either so God will bless them, in the religious version of elder brotherness, or so they can think of themselves as virtuous, charitable persons, in the secular version of it.

*Elder brothers may do good to others, but not out of delight in the deeds themselves or for the love of people or the pleasure of God. They are not really feeding the hungry and clothing the poor, they are feeding and clothing themselves. The heart's fundamental self-centeredness is not only kept intact but nurtured by fear-based moralism.

Elder brothers are under great pressure to appear, even to themselves, happy and content. This is the reason that sometimes highly moral elder brothers will blow up their lives and, to the shock of all who know them, throw off the chains of their obligations and begin living like younger brothers.

*Elder brothers may be disciplined in observing regular times of prayer, but their prayers are almost wholly taken up with a recitation of needs and petitions, not spontaneous, joyful praise.

*Elder brothers don't go to God and beg for healing from their condition. They see nothing wrong with their condition. and that can be fatal. If you know you are sick you may go to the doctor; if you don't know you're sick -- you won't -- you'll just die.

*If you came to Christ out of being a younger brother, there is always the danger of partially relapsing into addictions or other younger brother sins. But if you've become a Christian out of being and elder brother, you can even more easily slide back into elder-brother attitudes and spiritual deadness. If you have not grasped the gospel fully and deeply, you will return to being condescending, condemning, anxious, insecure, joyless, and angry all the time.

And finally, Elder brothers have an undercurrent of anger toward life circumstances, hold grudges long and bitterly, look down at people of other races, religions, and lifestyles, experience life as a joyless, crushing drudgery, have little intimacy and joy in their prayer lives, a deep insecurity that makes them sensitive to criticism and rejection yet fierce and merciless in condemning others.

So I ask you -- are you suffering from EBS? If so, it's time to repent and come home. The Father is on tippy-toes looking for you to come home. And wow does He have the feast prepared for YOU! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 11; Leviticus 11-12; Matthew 26:1-25

Great Quote: One good man, one man who does not put on his religion once a week with his Sunday coat, but wears it for his working dress, and lets the thought of God grow into him, and through and through him, till everything he says and does becomes religious, that man is worth a thousand sermons -- he is a living Gospel -- he comes in the spirit and power of Elias -- he is the image of God. And men see his good works,and admire them in spite of themselves, and see that they are God-like,and that God's grace is no dream, but that the Holy Spirit is still among men, and that all nobleness and manliness is His gift, His stamp,His picture: and so they get a glimpse of God again in His saints and heroes, and glorify their Father who is in heaven. Charles Kingsley

Am I an Elder Brother?

Am I an Elder Brother?

"The older brother became angry and refused to go in ..." Luke 15:28.

Yesterday at the Colony Chapel, Pastor John Hibbard shared a message on the two lost sons. Most of us know the story as the parable of the prodigal son. Most messages focus on the son that took his portion of his inheritance, squandered and wasted it, ended up in the pigsty, but then repented and returned home.

But there are some pretty powerful lessons to be learned from the other son who was lost -- the elder brother. He had it all together! In fact, he did all the right things ... well at least externally. The first son's sins were obvious -- the elder brother's sins were not so obvious, but every bit as real.

This weekend I read Dr. Tim Keller's book, THE PRODIGAL GOD -- Recovering The Heart of the Christian Faith. In this powerful read, he suggests several observations about the elder brother that I believe are worth noting:

1. The first sign that YOU might have an elder brother spirit is that when YOUR life doesn't go as YOU want, you aren't just sorrowful, but deeply angry and bitter. I have often said that bitterness is like poison -- it will kill you. I have a dear friend that has allowed their life to be consumed with bitterness that goes back some 40+ years ago. They would like you to think that their life bleeds Jesus. Not so -- touch this person and the puss and poison come spewing out.

2. The elder brother's inability to handle suffering arises from the fact that their moral OBSERVANCE is results-oriented. The good life is not for delight in good deeds themselves, but calculated as ways to control their environment.

3. Elder brothers expect their goodness to pay off, and if it doesn't, there is confusion and anger. If you think goodness and decency is the way to merit a good life from God, you will be eaten up with anger, since life never goes as we wish. The elder brother will always FEEL that they are owed more then they are getting.

4. Elder brothers have a strong sense of their own superiority.

5. Elder brothers base their self-images on being hardworking, or moral, or members of an elite clan, or extremely smart and savvy. This inevitably leads to feeling superior to those who don't have those same qualities. Competitive comparison is the main way elder brothers achieve their sense of their our significance.

6. Elder brother self-righteousness not only creates racism and classism, but at the personal level creates an unforgiving, judgmental spirit.

7. Elder brothers' sin and antipathy to God is hidden deep beneath layers of self-control and moral behavior, they have no trouble feeling superior to just about anyone. If they see people who lie, cheat on their wives, or don't pray to God -- they look down on them. If such people wrong THEM, elder brothers feel their spotless record gives them the right to be highly offended and to perpetually remind the wrongdoer of his or her failure.

I'll share more of Tim's insights tomorrow. But the question I am asking myself -- do I have an elder brother spirit in any area of my life? If so, I need to repent, go back to the Cross and do business with the Lord. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 10; Leviticus 8-10; Matthew 25:31-46

Great Quote: The complaint that church is boring is never made by people in awe. R. C. Sproul

What Are You Feeding On?

What Are You Feeding On?

"It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life." John 6:63

Hannah Whithall Smith, one of the early day speakers for the Victorious Life Conferences at America's KESWICK wrote that very few persons realize the effect of thought upon the condition of the soul; that is in fact its food, the substance from which it evolves its strength and health and beauty, or upon which it may become weak and unhealthy and deformed.

The things we think about are the things we feed upon. If we think low and corrupt thoughts, we bring diseases upon our body by eating corrupt and improper food. The man who thinks about self feeds on self just in proportion to the amount of thought he gives to self. He may at last become puffed up with self and suffer from the dreadful disease of self-conceit and self-importance.

On the other hand, if we think of Christ, we feed on Christ. We eat His flesh and blood by filling our souls with believing thoughts of Him.

The Jews asked, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" And a great many people ask the same question today.

The answer becomes apparent to those who fill their souls with believing thoughts of Christ. They will find practically that they do feed upon Him, to the joy and delight of their hearts.

Jesus confirms this when He says, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profits nothing: the words I speak unto you, they are life!" Jesus meant them to understand that to feed on HIM was to receive and believe HIS words, that is was not His literal flesh they were to eat, but the words that He spoke unto them, the truths He taught them. (from HIS VICTORIOUS DWELLING, Zondervan)

Put another way, famous preacher, Phillips Brooks said, "Feed on Christ, and then go and live your life, and it is Christ in you that helps the poor, that tells the only truth, that fights the battles and that wins the crown."

So my question to you today, brother -- what are you feeding on? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 9; Leviticus 6-7; Matthew 25:1-30

Great Quote: Long-lasting victory can never be separated from a long-lasting stand on the foundation of the cross. Watchman Nee

Don't forget Men's Fellowship Night this Thursday, February 12th at 6:15 PM. Our speaker this month is Willie Alfonzo, who is Chaplain for the New York Giants and the New York Yankees. He has a stirring testimony. Invite a friend and join us for a great night.

May Jesus Christ Be Praised

May Jesus Christ Be Praised

"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips." Psalm 34:1

For some reason this hymn has been on my mind for the past 24 hours. We have been through some pretty tough stuff in the past few days, and it is amazing how much praise helps when we are in the thick of the stuff of life.

This hymn was written in the 1800's and rediscovered by Edward Caswall, a well-known scholar, minister, and translator. The man kept adding new stanzas to the hymn until there were 28 in total.

The words are powerful. Let them help you prepare for the Lord's Day:

When morning gilds the skies,
My heart awakening cries: May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer, to Jesus I repair: May Jesus Christ be praised!

Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find: May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss?
My comfort still is this: May Jesus Christ be praised!

In heaven's eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this: May Jesus Christ be praised!
The pow'r of darkness fear when this sweet chant they hear: May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine: May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this th' eternal song through all the ages long: May Jesus Christ be praised!

I trust that God will use these words to excite you today about worshipping Him: May Jesus Christ be praised! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 8; Leviticus 4-5; Matthew 24:29-51

Great Quote: The devil is aware that one hour of close fellowship, hearty converse with God in prayer, is able to pull down what he hath been contriving and building many a year. John Flavel

Authority and Amazement

Authority and Amazement

"And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Mark 1:22

It would have been such a thrill to hear Jesus teach. I would love to have heard His voice and watch his mannerisms as He taught. Although I never got to hear His audible voice, I do know about His teaching style. Apparently, He was not apologetic when he spoke. In fact, in contrast to other teachers of the day, Jesus spoke with authority (verse 22). The Greek word for authority is exousia. It means the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others. Jesus taught as if He expected to be obeyed. He didn’t ask permission. Whereas the other teachers who were engaged in public discourse presented regulations, Jesus presented the possibility of a relationship. He was forceful and compelling.

As I examine my teaching style I want to honor that fine line between arrogance and authority. It is possible for us to assume that volume equals authority. If I raise my voice and pound on the podium, will that make me sound more authoritative? Jesus did not dazzle His audience with volume or theatrics. He showed them His authority. Note verse 27b: He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey Him. We see the same thought in 4:41 of Mark: Even the winds and the waves obey Him.

What was the response of those who heard our Lord speak? Amazement. Not resentment or bitterness or unbelief. They were amazed. As we address our culture in the name of our Lord, the same thing can happen. We ought to tell such compelling stories of the God who has reached to us in Jesus Christ, that people who hear us are amazed. They should be amazed by the content of the story and amazed by our clarity and passion. When was the last time we spoke the good news of Jesus and left the hearers with their mouth hanging open?

Imitate our Lord Christ. Address the powers of evil with authority. It is time for us to stop apologizing that we are followers of Christ. We dare not be arrogant when speaking, but we certainly may be authoritative.

Dr. Richard Allen Farmer will be a speaker for our 2009 Summer THINK VICTORY Conference

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 7; Leviticus 1-3; Matthew 24:1-28

Great Quote: A hearse is a poor vehicle to start attending church in. Anonymous

Are You Running From God?

Are You Running From God

"But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord ..." Jonah 1:3

I had one of those really heart-wrenching experiences this afternoon. I attended the visitation for the viewing a friends who just lost their 20 year old son. It was one of the most difficult viewings that I have attended in a long time.

I had so many mixed emotions when I left the funeral home. But one thought really struck me, our friends would give anything to have their son back right now. And then I thought about my heavenly Father. How HE longs to have his sons who are running from Him return with all their heart.

I have a dear friend who I fear is running from God. He is making choices in his life right now that would indicate that something isn't right. My guess is he may even be reading today's Freedom Fighter. If you are -- you know that you can't run from good. I plead with you with all my heart, please, please return to the One who loves you.

Listen to the words penned by Stan Marsh, Director of Planned Giving at America's KESWICK:

If you read this verse in its entirety the phrase “from the presence of the Lord” appears twice. I think God was letting us know that He knows when we, like Jonah, are running away from Him.
The verse does not start with, I think Jonah is running off in the opposite direction from where I told him to go and preach. God knew exactly what was on Jonah’s mind. Because of Jonah’s disobedience other people were faced with danger and possibly death. There were the captain and sailors on board the ship, and the people of Nineveh.
Why did Jonah turn and run from the presence of the Lord? He was out of fellowship with God because of pride, selfishness, fear, jealousy and hatred, and you can add some others. Does this sound as though my name and yours can replace Jonah’s name in verse three?
One of the first things we hear from a Colony of Mercy man who has fallen back into his addictions is, “I stopping reading my Bible and praying and then stopping attending church and all the functions associated with church. My accountability partners stopped hearing from me, I avoided them. I got out of fellowship with God and turned my back on Jesus!” Once that intimate fellowship with God is ruptured, pride, selfishness, fear, jealousy, and hatred replace the fellowship with God. Christ has been replaced by the former lusts of life.
In Colossians 3:1-3 we read, “If then you have been raised up with Christ; keep seeking the things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” NASB
God got Jonah’s attention in the belly of the great fish. Where will God take you before He has your attention? Jonah repented, and God provided a way of escape and a second chance because Jonah repented and was obedient.
God is the God of Love, Mercy and Grace. He will give you multiple opportunities to confess your sins and have your fellowship with Him restored. I am thankful that God’s grace is extended to me even though I fail Him through my disobedience. Won’t you confess to God and be restored to enjoy the fellowship of God?
I am certainly glad that God is the God of second, third, and fourth chances, aren’t you?
In Jonah 3:3, we read “So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the Lord.”
Where is your Nineveh, the place you know God is directing you? God will make the way where there seems to be no way and you will know Victory in Jesus. Read Colossians 3:1-17

Someone in your life running from God? Pray! Then share today's devotional with them. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK


God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 6: Exodus 39-40; Matthew 23:23-39

I Don't Have To

I Don't Have To

“If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” I John 1:6 (NKJV)

“I don’t have to.” These are the words I used growing up almost daily. I would like to say that I outgrew such disobedience and blatant disregard for authority, but I would be lying. I kept that phrase for most of my adult life as well. It kept costing me greatly (more than I ever could afford), but my pride wouldn’t let me drop it.

You can use your own imaginations, how many things have come into your life that go against your will and immediately “I don’t have to” is the first thought that enters your mind? Satan sifted me with these four little words. “Chris you should stop drinking – it will kill you.” – “I don’t have to.” “Chris you shouldn’t put drugs first and your family second – it’s tearing them apart, you should stop.” – “I don’t have to.” “Chris stop going down this road of self-destruction, you’ll either end up in jail or worse, dead.” “I DON’T HAVE TO.”

These examples are but a few, but you get the point. When my old slavemaster sin snapped his fingers I sprung to attention ready to run here and there in a frenzy of chaos, fear, anger, and hopelessness, sinking farther and farther into the pit of depravity.

But, thanks be to God, who is rich in mercy, who brought me out of that darkness and into His marvelous light. (I Peter 2:9) It’s true, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ freed me from that bondage, now I am a slave of righteousness (Romans 6:18).

Now the indwelling Christ reigns supreme in my heart and that old slavemaster sin has no dominion over me. When the accuser tells me to go and sin, that I’m already forgiven, I tell him – “I don’t have to.” When he lies and tells me I can get away with it just this once, I tell him – “I don’t have to.” When he says nobody will know, besides you earned it, I tell him – “I don’t have to.” I have grown in His grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18) (thanks be to God) and truly have come to believe and know that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God (John 6:69).

When I am faced with the many choices of the heart; I choose Christ. Brothers, we will always be faced with the choice to tip toe back into bondage, but we can say “I don’t have to” to the father of lies. Can we live as freed men fearing that day when we are found out to be a fraud, can we live our lives in bondage forever waiting for others to find out we serve sin? God forbid!!!

There is permanency in our emancipation. God intended us to be free, forever (Romans 8:15). Don’t live this life in fear, wondering how long before you slip back into the sin that so easily entangles (Hebrews 12:1). Just say, “I DON’T HAVE TO… I choose Christ.” -- Chris Connors is Director of Housekeeping at America's KESWICK and a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 5

Great Quote: There are also many expressions which may provoke a smile: but let it be remembered that every man has his moments when his lighter feelings indulge themselves, and the preacher must be allowed to have the same passions as his fellow-men; and since he lives in the pulpit more than anywhere else, it is but natural that his whole man should be there developed; besides, he is not quite sure about a smile being a sin, and, at any rate, he thinks it less a crime to cause a momentary laughter than a half-hour's profound slumber. Charles Haddon Spurgeon

So, What Does It Mean -- Part 2

So, What Does It Mean? Part two

“But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15

Today I continue on with what I covered on a chapter called “What does it mean to become a Christian?” from Wayne Grudem’s book Christian Beliefs. I had a few points that I shared with a men’s bible study I had been part of. Yesterday was my first point “Effective Calling” today I will cover “General Calling and the Gospel Calling.”

Now Grudem comes out and states “Not all gospel calls are effective. The job of believers is to explain the gospel message; it is God’s job to make that message or call effective.” So with that out of the way it is up to us to go forth and preach and the Gospel. We have to go out and share what the Gospel of Jesus Christ has done for us in our lives.

The Bible verse I have used today was written to the Thessalonians who were told by Paul in his first epistle that they needed to live their lives in anticipation of Christ’s return. So they did what they thought they should do and that was to quit their everyday routine and wait for Jesus. But that lead to all kinds of mischief that arose in their boredom. Paul had to adjust his Gospel call in his second epistle. He had to encourage them to live holy and connect with God, not stand around and wait.

Verse 14 begins with “To which He called you by our gospel”. This is God choosing us to salvation and His calling us to it in time. This means that from the moment you believe the truth you go on doing. There is nothing there that says “Hold on, wait a minute.” When Lydia heard what Paul was preaching in Philippi she and her household became baptized and persuade Luke, Silas, Timothy and Paul to more than likely open her home to these men for prayer meetings. Philippi needed this, didn’t it?

So the end result was a general/Gospel calling that had been presented to all and becoming an effective call to someone who’s time it was to receive. To borrow something from my Bible commentary what we have here is “a system of theology in miniature,” God has shown us that salvation “originates in a divine choice, is wrought out by divine power, is made effective through a divine message, and will be perfected in divine glory.”

Are you ready to receive? And then are you ready to do? -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent Freedom Fighter contributor

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 4

Great Quote: “Conversion is the lifelong transformational process of being remade into the image of God. It is so much more than simply trying to avoid sin. The focus of repentance and conversion is Jesus, not my sin nor my self. My attachment to sinful ways of being is much too strong to ever be undone by mere willpower. There is no substitute for surrender to divine love as the fuel to propel such undoing. Divine love (accepting of the Gospel- my note) transforms both my heart and my will. Divine love enables me to choose God’s will over mine. Without this, repentance will be nothing more than a self-help scheme based on effort and resolve.” David Benner, Surrender to love

So What Does It Mean? Part One

So, What Does It Mean? Part one

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30

Sometimes on Tuesday night’s I attend a men’s bible study that has in its attendance, brothers from various churches in my area. We decided to take a look at Wayne Grudem’s book titled “Christian Beliefs”. This small book is based on his much larger “Systemic Theology” book. This stuff gets “heavy mental” and had lead into some great apologetic discussions.

The book has 20 basic questions that start with “What is the Bible?” to “What is Heaven?”. I just recently lead a Tuesday night and my question was “What does it mean to become a Christian?”. There were a few points that I had covered from that chapter and I would like to share them with the Freedom Fighter Brethren.

The first is “Effective Calling”. As Grudem put it this is a summoning from the King of the Universe Himself. It is through the human proclamation of the Gospel and it results in saving faith. God calls his people “out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9) and calls them “into the fellowship of His Son” (1 Cor. 1:9; cf. Acts 2:39). But I would like to dig slightly into the aforementioned verse.

In verse 29 of Romans 8 God foreknew us in the past. But it is not enough to say that God foreknew those He knew would repent and believe. He knew everyone who would ever be born. It’s in that foreknowledge that God embraces those whom He foreordained to be conformed to the image of His Son. It is knowledge with purpose that could never be frustrated. It is His foreknowledge that insures repentance and belief.

At verse 30 it is the predestined who are called in time. Not only do we hear the Gospel but there is response to it. This makes it a conversion-producing effective call of God. Those who respond are “also justified” and clothed with the righteousness of through the merits of Christ. Then those who are also justified will be “also glorified” as if we have already received it.

This part of the Roman epistle is one of the strongest passages that the New Testament speaks on the eternal security of the believer. For it is for every million who are foreknown and predestined by God, every one of that million will be called, justified and glorified. Take a look at John 6:37 and compare the “all.” Are you one of the million? And have you been called? -- Today's Freedom Fighter was written by Colony grad, Chris Hughes. I love this brother.

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 3

Great Quote: Wheresoever God may lead you, there you will find Himself, in the most harassing business, as in the most tranquil prayer. Francois Fenelon

Wandering Thoughts Part 2

Wandering Thoughts Part 2

Here is part two of the devotional written by Fenelon on the topic of "wandering thoughts."

It is enough to look to God with confidence, without trying to explain the past or reason out the future. If something distracts you from Him, then turn back to Him just as quickly as you can. You will make a lot of progress if you just keep turning back to God. This is much better than getting all upset about your faults and failures.

As for the depression that grows out of a melancholy personality, there are natural things that will help you -- a good diet and exercise (Oh boy ... conviction 101). You have have regular struggles with depression, like you would a headache, but it will pass. Your imagination sinks in deep despair, but the will, which lives by faith and not emotion, can pull you out. The question is not what you feel, but what you will.

If anything is capable of enlarging the spirit and freeing you, it is entire surrender to God. Nothing will keep your mind calm, content, and joyful as living like a child in the arms of God.

Christ wants you to follow the will of God and live it out in the present moment. God has not designed His will to torture you or to overwhelm you in such a way that you always are looking at your performance.

When business keeps you from seeking God, then see Him working in you even then. See Him in all things. Always sing within you the songs of Zion -- for the heavenly Zion is your true home. Speak simply, cheerfully, an trustfully, with the pure freedom which God gives to His children.

Just a reminder that these words were written over 400 years ago by this amazing giant of the faith. How are you doing with your wandering thoughts?

It was good to be at Faith Bible Fellowship Church (Fleetwood, PA) this weekend and to meet a number of our Freedom Fighter family. Special thanks to Dave and Roseann Rothenberger, dear friends who hosted me for the weekend. Dave and Roseann, you filled my tank. Thanks to Pastor Jerry Brush and the congregation at Faith for the warm hospitality.

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 2; Exodus 29-30; Matthew 21:23-46

Great Quote: It is not what I do that matters, but what a sovereign God chooses to do through me. God does not want worldly successes, He wants me. He wants my heart in submission to Him. Life is not just a few years to spend on self indulgence and career advancement. It is a privilege, a responsibility, a stewardship to be lived according to a much higher calling, God's calling. This alone gives true meaning to life. -- Elizabeth Dole

Living a Life of Worship

LIVING A LIFE OF WORSHIP

Today's Freedom Fighter was written by Robert Hayes, Director of Program Ministries at America's KESWICK. I thought it would be a great way to help us prepare our hearts for this Lord's day.

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;” (Psalm 95:6)

Can you imagine how bland worship would be if it meant that we merely showed up at church on Sunday morning, dressed just right, smiling as we go in, observing people going through the motions of the program, the choir sings, preacher speaks and of course we collect a little money - what a mundane experience that would be week after week. I am so grateful that God desires so much more for us. In fact I believe that all of life is a worship service.

Some miscellaneous thoughts on worship:

1) Worship takes preparation – Psalm 24:3-4; Psalm 51
2) Worship has an audience of One – Psalm 63:1-5
3) Worship is active, not passive – Psalm 95:1-6; Psalm 96; Psalm 100
Psalm 46:10 (Be still… that’s is an interesting action)
4) Worship requires living a life of obedience – Romans 12:1-2
5) Worship is a choice – we don’t always feel like worshipping. Acts 16 is the story of Paul and Silas in prison -- they prayed and sang despite their circumstances.

When we rehearse and remember all that Christ has done for us, and appreciate the fact that He desires to have a personal relationship with us, our life is so much more meaningful when we actively spend TIME with Him – not just on Sunday, but Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Warren Weirsbe said “When the heart is set upon God, true worship will not depend upon outward stimulus, it will be in constant progress. Exhortations like “Pray without ceasing,” and “Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually,” or “All you do in word and deed, do to the glory of God,” will take on their intended meaning. This means that all of life becomes a worship service. If Christians were devotedly practicing this lifestyle, a corporate service could not miss being a great blessing, for it would simply be a continuation of a worship service begun days, (or weeks or months) before.” Robert Hayes

God's Word for YOU: Proverbs 1; Exodus 27-28; Matthew 21:1-22

Great Quote: “God no longer holds you responsible for the smallest sin. Every single sin is forgiven. When faith is said to be credited for righteousness, it is because of what your faith receives: when you believe, Christ’s righteousness is credited to your account, and your sins are credited to his account. If both of these things do not happen, you cannot consider yourself forgiven. Sin would be charged to your account. In the gospel, two things happen: first, God removes the charge of sin against your account. Second, God gives you the gift of righteousness from Christ. You receive this double gift when you receive Christ’s redemption through the shedding of his blood.” Walter Marshall, sermon, “The Doctrine of Justification Explained and Applied”