The Seeds of an Overcoming Life

The Seeds of an Overcoming Life

The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hind's feet, and make me walk on my high places. Habakkuk 3:19

Thanks for the input that many of you gave to me regarding the devotional on ABIDING IN CHRIST. Today's devotional is a follow-up devotional from the late Dr. Glynn Evans in his book, DAILY WITH THE KING:

Above all things, I must cultivate "moment by moment" faith. My body lives one moment at a time, and so must my soul, for the same God created both. We are too apt to think of Christ's salvation work as a "once for all" things, something static and fixed; in reality, it is a moment by moment thing as He keeps applying His Calvary work continually in heaven. He intercedes for us unceasingly and will continue in that ministry forever.

A man said in a testimony meeting, "Jesus saves me NOW!" True! Jesus is saving all His followers now, for the the effects of His salvation pour down continually from above on all His people. I am to see the saving power of Jesus Christ at work in me daily, even hourly, and see how the Christ who first cleansed me continues to cleanse, continues to heal, and continues to deliver.

I must not be preoccupied with the past. I should thank God for the lessons learned, the blessings received, and the prayers answered, but I need the same help TODAY. Nor should I be unduly concerned about tomorrow. Jesus said, in effect, "Don't worry about tomorrow because you don't have tomorrow's salvation yet" (Matthew 6:34). Christ's saving power is working for me on today's schedule, not tomorrow's. When tomorrow comes, that power will be there, but not before.

My prayer should not be, "Lord, make my life such and such," but, "Lord, help me NOW with today's problem." If I overcome today, tomorrow will take care of itself. The seeds of an overcoming life are found in today's victories.

Lord, I seek YOU for a present-tense salvation that will meet today's needs. For tomorrow, I will seek You again -- and again -- and again!

Good teaching for us to learn today, my dear brothers. Live in the present tense of your salvation!!! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER IN GOD'S WORD: Proverbs 31; Malachi; Revelation 22

Great Quote: Joy is not gush: joy is not jolliness. Joy is simply perfect acquiescence in God's will, because the soul delights itself in God himself...rejoice in the will of God, and in nothing else. Bow down your heads and your hearts before God, and let the will, the blessed will of God, be done. Amy Carmichael

DIGGING DEEPER REMINDER: I have a limited number of copies of the English Standard Version (ESV) that I am willing to send you at NO COST (you make a donation for postage) if you are willing to make the commitment. We will include a copy of the DAILY BIBLE READING PLAN -- Daily Proverbs, Old and New Testament to help keep you on track.

I believe that this adventure will be the catalyst to transform our personal lives, our marriages, our churches, and ultimately, our country. Are you willing to join me on the journey? Let me hear from you today. I will be posting resources on our website to help us on the journey. I trust you will join me. Please let me hear from you today.

To obtain you free copy of the ESV, please respond to this email/blog/Facebook page with your snail address.

The Adventure Begins, January 1, 2010

The Adventure Begins January 1, 2010

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you," says the Lord, "thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon ME and go and pray to ME, and I will listen to you. And you will seek ME and find ME, when you search for ME with all of your heart." -- Jeremiah 29:11-13

I want to invite you to join me and the Keswick family on an exciting adventure that begins in two days. I have already invited 450 people to join me on this year long adventure -- and I'd like to have you be a part of it too!

It started out as our theme for summer 2010 -- DIGGING DEEPER into GOD'S WORD -- Exploring the Promises of God's Word ... but the more I thought about it, the more God impressed upon my heart that this needs to be our 2010 theme for the entire year.

It all began when I was given a copy of a survey that was done by our good friends from Back to the Bible. The results were astounding and confirmed in my heart that we as a ministry need to do our part to encourage people to get into God's WORD.

Here are some of the results:

*** Respondents who read the Bible at least four times a week are less likely to engage in behaviors such as gambling, pornography, getting drunk, and sex outside of marriage.

*** Having a mentor or following a Bible reading plan, may increase Bible reading and literacy.

*** Respondents who use a journal are significantly more likely to read the Bible at least four times a week, compared to those who do not use a journal.

*** Following a Bible reading plan was significantly more common among people who read the Bible five to seven times a week than those who read less frequently. Seven out of ten respondents who use a Bible reading plan read the Bible daily, compared to only a little more than one-third of those who do not follow a plan.

*** Those that prefer to read the Bible in the morning are significantly more likely to read the Bible five to seven times per week, compared to people who prefer to read in the evening.

*** Having an accountability partner is associated with more days and more time spent reading the Bible.

*** Respondents with a spiritual mentor read the Bible significantly more than their counterparts without a mentor.

The question was asked, "What hinders you from reading the Bible?" There were 11,025 reasons given for not reading the Bible ... some of the top answers were: too busy, too distracted, to tired, no discipline, not a priority .... The bottom line is that hearing from God is of low importance to a majority of the people polled who claimed to be His followers.

So here is my invitation: will you join me in 2010 in reading through the Bible? I want to provide you will all the resources that will make that easier for you to do. I have a limited number of copies of the English Standard Version (ESV) that I am willing to send you at NO COST (you make a donation for postage) if you are willing to make the commitment. We will include a copy of the DAILY BIBLE READING PLAN -- Daily Proverbs, Old and New Testament to help keep you on track.

I believe that this adventure will be the catalyst to transform our personal lives, our marriages, our churches, and ultimately, our country. Are you willing to join me on the journey? Let me hear from you today. I will be posting resources on our website to help us on the journey. I trust you will join me. Please let me hear from you today.

To obtain you free copy of the ESV, please respond to this email/blog/Facebook page with your snail address.

God bless you, my brothers. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER INTO GOD'S WORD: Proverbs 30; Zech. 13-14; Revelation 21

Great Quote: God is not a crotchety, self-righteous prude who delights in never doing anything wrong. He is a living, dynamic Being actively involved in making wrong right. He is scintillating light. -- W. Bingham Hunter

The Meaning of Abiding in Him

As we approach the end of 2009, would you take a moment to read my "End of Year" report and consider a gift to America's KESWICK. You can give online (www.americaskeswick.org) or call 732-350-1187 to make your gift. Thanks for your consideration: http://www.americaskeswick.org/files/documents/brochures/yearinreview2009.pdf

The Meaning of Abiding in Him

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1

Today's devotional is another classic in helping you and me understand the meaning of victorious Christian living. It was written by the late Dr. Glyn Evans, former professor at Moody Bible Institute (Daily with the King):

Every disciple will pass through three levels of relationship with Jesus Christ, each one in response to an invitation. "Come to Me" (Matthew 11:28) is the first one. It is Christ's invitation to find rest and relief from the awesome burden of sin, the first and most necessary step in anyone's life.

The second is "Follow Me" (Matthew 4:19), and invitation to a closer relationship, a relationship of servant and master. Christ needs workers to carry out His purposes for this age, and the second invitation is His plea for help.

The third is "Abide with Me" (John 15:4), and it refers to the deepest human relationship any human can have with Jesus. It is the KEY to victorious Christian living, and it is the greatest way in which we can glorify God.

What does it mean to abide in Him? I think it means three things:

1. A CONSCIOUS AWARENESS OF HIS PRESENCE AT ALL TIMES! That does not mean direct verbal communication with Him, but the feeling that He is there, as a child playing is aware of its mother's nearby presence.

2. A CAREFUL CONSULTATION WITH HIM ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT AFFECTS US. That consultation may be in direct prayer, or else in scanning the Bible indirectly for any message He has for us there. The important thing is to keep the lines of communication open with Him so that we are instantly ready to receive any message sent from Him.

3. A CONTINUAL ENJOYMENT WITH HIM AS A PERSON. That means He is a joy, a delight to us at all times; the very thought of Him fills us with pleasure.

Lord, help me to graduate up the scale from convert, to ambassador, to confidant. To abide in You is right the high places of the earth.

Brothers, are you ABIDING IN HIM today? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 29; Zech. 9-12; Revelation 20

Great Quote: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is the LORD. GOD ALMIGHTY! God's holiness is central to understanding who and what He is. Nowhere in Scripture is God called "love, love, love"; "eternal, eternal, eternal"; or "truth, truth, truth." "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty" (Isaiah 6:3). Whenever you see three words like this, you are reading an emphatic statement that shouts, "This is the centerpiece, this is key, this is something you don't want to miss." -- Dr. Tony Evans

The Second Advent

The Second Advent

“… denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12, 13).

The Second Advent, known also as the Return of Jesus or Christ’s Return, is based on the Scripture that Jesus promised to return to earth and rule His kingdom forever. The Second Coming should excite and encourage the new convert as well as the oldest saint and produce motivation to minister.

Important to avoid confusion, we should realize that the Second Coming (Advent) is in two phases: 1) the Rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), and 2) the Revelation of Christ coming in glory (Revelation 19:11-21). These two phases are separated by the Tribulation and other important events. The main single difference between the Rapture and the Revelation of Christ is that in the former, Christ comes “for” the Church and meets it in the air, and at the latter event Christ comes “with” His Bride (the Church) and lands on planet earth.

Why study prophecy? Where are we in the prophetic time table? Frankly, the first phase, the Rapture, is imminent. The next event in history! Is the finish line in sight? Consequently, we enthusiastically are “looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:13).

Elwood McQuaid, Executive Director for the Friends of Israel, says, “Many people today want to know if we’re in the last days. There is an easy way to tell. You just need to know what you’re looking for.” Several current trends (not signs) provide insight into how far into the end times we have progressed.

Image Over Substance: decision making based on appearance and polls rather than proven substance.

The Plunge Into Apostasy: 2 Thessalonians 2:3, a “falling away” from the true faith and the Word of God.

Materialistic Madness: recent uncovered corruption, deception and thievery in the world of high finance and the near collapse of their corrupt system (1 Timothy 6:10).

Suppression of Israel: This “suppression” is the conscious international exclusion from consciousness of a thought or feeling. Jihadist fanatics desire to make Israel a mere memory (Zechariah 14:2,3).

We are told in 1 Thessalonians 4:18 to comfort one another with these words. Personally, I believe we are living in the last days, and time as we know it is short. Jesus tells us to be ready for His Return, not to get ready! Are you ready? If not, why not? “Even so, come Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). -- Dr. Henry Lutz is a retired pastor and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 28; Zech. 5-8; Revelation 19

Great Quote: Faith is the eye by which we look to Jesus. A dim-slighted eye is still an eye. A weeping eye is still an eye. An injured eye is still an eye.""Faith is the hand by which we lay hold of Jesus. A trembling hand is still a hand. A maimed, deformed hand is still a hand. Faith is the tongue by which we taste how good the Lord is. A feverish tongue is still a tongue. Faith is the foot by which we come to Jesus. A lame, slow hurting foot is still a Foot. George Muller

The Hidden Life

The Hidden Life

"... Your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:10

Good morning on this first Sunday after Christmas. I trust you are looking forward to spending your day with the Lord and His people.

Here is the second part of the teaching I wanted to share with you from the pen of Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for His Highest)

The Spirit of God testifies to and confirms the simple, but almighty, security of the life that "is hidden with Christ in God." Paul continually brought this out in his New Testament letters. We talk as if living a sanctified life were the most uncertain and insecure thing we could do. Yet it is the most secure thing possible, because it has Almighty God in and behind it. The most dangerous and unsure thing is to try to live without God. For one who is born again, it is easier to live in a right-standing relationship with God than it is to go wrong, provided we heed God’s warnings and "walk in the light" ( 1 John 1:7 ).

When we think of being delivered from sin, being "filled with the Spirit" ( Ephesians 5:18 ), and "walking in the light," we picture the peak of a great mountain. We see it as very high and wonderful, but we say, "Oh, I could never live up there!" However, when we do get there through God’s grace, we find it is not a mountain peak at all, but a plateau with plenty of room to live and to grow. "You enlarged my path under me, so my feet did not slip" ( Psalm 18:36 ).

When you really see Jesus, I defy you to doubt Him. If you see Him when He says, "Let not your heart be troubled . . ." (John 14:27 ), I defy you to worry. It is virtually impossible to doubt when He is there. Every time you are in personal contact with Jesus, His words are real to you. "My peace I give to you . . ." (John 14:27 )— a peace which brings an unconstrained confidence and covers you completely, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. ". . . your life is hidden with Christ in God," and the peace of Jesus Christ that cannot be disturbed has been imparted to you.

Rejoice, brothers! Your life is hidden with Christ in God. That's reason to celebrate as you worship HIM today -- Your audience of ONE! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 27; Zechariah 1-4; Revelation 18

Great Quote: Shut out the evil love of the world so that you may be filled with the love of God. -- Augustine

Sharing in the Atonement

Sharing in the Atonement

God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ ... Galatians 6:14

I want to share today and tomorrow two very powerful teachings from Oswald Chambers that express the "victorious Christian life" message that has been a part of the fabric of the ministry of America's KESWICK for over 112 years.

Take time today and tomorrow and reflect on this life-transforming truth:

The gospel of Jesus Christ always forces a decision of our will. Have I accepted God’s verdict on sin as judged on the Cross of Christ? Do I have even the slightest interest in the death of Jesus? Do I want to be identified with His death— to be completely dead to all interest in sin, worldliness, and self? Do I long to be so closely identified with Jesus that I am of no value for anything except Him and His purposes?

The great privilege of discipleship is that I can commit myself under the banner of His Cross, and that means death to sin. You must get alone with Jesus and either decide to tell Him that you do not want sin to die out in you, or that at any cost you want to be identified with His death. When you act in confident faith in what our Lord did on the cross, a supernatural identification with His death takes place immediately. And you will come to know through a higher knowledge that your old life was "crucified with Him" (Romans 6:6 ).

The proof that your old life is dead, having been "crucified with Christ" ( Galatians 2:20 ), is the amazing ease with which the life of God in you now enables you to obey the voice of Jesus Christ. Every once in a while our Lord gives us a glimpse of what we would be like if it were not for Him. This is a confirmation of what He said— ". . . without Me you can do nothing" ( John 15:5 ). That is why the underlying foundation of Christianity is personal, passionate devotion to the Lord Jesus.

We mistake the joy of our first introduction into God’s kingdom as His purpose for getting us there. Yet God’s purpose in getting us into His kingdom is that we may realize all that identification with Jesus Christ means.

Allow this truth to penetrate your heart today, my brothers. Have a great day after Christmas. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER -- Proverbs 26; Haggai; Revelation 17

Great Quote: If the praise of man elates me and his blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love. Amy Carmichael

Did you download your free A DAILY BIBLE READING PLAN -- Daily Proverbs, Old and New Testament? Use this link to get your copy today and join us on the DIGGING DEEPER adventure: http://www.americaskeswick.org/BibleReading

Merry Christmas -- His Birth and Our New Birth

Merry Christmas -- His Birth and Our New Birth

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is translated, 'God with us.'" -- Matthew 1:23

Good morning, my brothers. Merry Christmas. On behalf of the Board and staff of America's KESWICK and the team of Freedom Fighter writers, we pray that your day will be blessed as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Today's devotional comes from the pen of my favorite devotional author, Oswald Chambers, and is the December 25th reading from My Utmost for His Highest:

His Birth in History. ". . . that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God ( Luke 1:35 ). Jesus Christ was born into this world, not from it. He did not emerge out of history; He came into history from the outside. Jesus Christ is not the best human being the human race can boast of— He is a Being for whom the human race can take no credit at all. He is not man becoming God, but God Incarnate— God coming into human flesh from outside it. His life is the highest and the holiest entering through the most humble of doors. Our Lord’s birth was an advent— the appearance of God in human form.

His Birth in Me. "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you . . ." (Galatians 4:19 ). Just as our Lord came into human history from outside it, He must also come into me from outside. Have I allowed my personal human life to become a "Bethlehem" for the Son of God? I cannot enter the realm of the kingdom of God unless I am born again from above by a birth totally unlike physical birth. "You must be born again" ( John 3:7 ). This is not a command, but a fact based on the authority of God. The evidence of the new birth is that I yield myself so completely to God that "Christ is formed" in me. And once "Christ is formed" in me, His nature immediately begins to work through me.

God Evident in the Flesh. This is what is made so profoundly possible for you and for me through the redemption of man by Jesus Christ.

Rejoice, my brothers -- the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King! May God bless you! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 25; Zephaniah; Revelation 16

Great Quote: For the Christ-child who comes is the Master of all; No palace too great, no cottage too small. Phillips Brooks

Did you download your free A DAILY BIBLE READING PLAN -- Daily Proverbs, Old and New Testament? Use this link to get your copy today and join us on the DIGGING DEEPER adventure: http://www.americaskeswick.org/BibleReading

Who Should Keep Christ in Christmas?

Thanks for your patience as we work through the difficulties we have been experiencing with getting the email version of Freedom Fighter to you these past several weeks. I want to remind you to please check the website if you do not get your email version: http://www.americaskeswick.org/. I want to thank Brian Bitler, our Director of IT for all he is doing to resolve this problem so that we can enjoy our journey together. Thanks, Brian.

I am thankful for the guys that assist me in writing Freedom Fighter throughout the year: Chris Hughes, Pastor John Strain, Dr. Henry Lutz and Dr. George Van Sandt. Their help is much appreciated and I know you are blessed as they write. I also want to thank Keswick Board member, George Hutchison, for his STEWARDSHIP INSIGHT blog. Today's Freedom Fighter is his post for yesterday, and I felt it was important to share it with all of you today on this Christmas Eve, 2009:

Who should keep Christ in Christmas?

As we see Merry Christmas being replaced with the more "politically correct" Happy Holidays, I have always fought the noble battle to tell merchants and society to keep Christ in Christmas. As I leave a store, I defiantly tell the cashier "Merry Christmas" when every sign screams loud and clear "Happy Holidays".

I always made sure that our "Holiday Cards" not only include a manger scene on the front, but a Bible verse on the inside. I send emails with a bold "Merry Christmas" no matter who the recipient is. Yes, in my little mind I felt I was a good soldier in the "Keep Christ in Christmas" war in our society.

But yesterday in Sunday School, someone referred to this quote by Warren Wiersbe. "Today...the world is telling the church to face up to her sins, repent, and start being the true church of the Gospel" (The Integrity Crisis, Thomas Nelson). And then I remembered what Larry Burkett used to say. "We don't need to preach to the unsaved world to put Christ back into Christmas. They shouldn't, we should."

I started to think; whose job is it to keep Christ in Christmas? I began to realize that to our society and lost world, Christmas is just a holiday. Christmas represents time off from work, time to be with friends and family and time to get and receive gifts. That is a great holiday and a great reason to be happy. So Happy Holidays is very appropriate.

But for the follower of Jesus Christ, Christmas is so much more. It is more than the time off from work and gifts and time to share with family and friends. It is even more than the baby Jesus being born in Bethlehem. Christmas represents a gift from God to all mankind that opens the way to God Himself. This gift is the only way to God and a way that never could be created by mankind.

So how can we expect society, or mall stores or our government to keep Christ in Christmas when it really is nothing more than a happy holiday to them? So then exactly whose responsibility is it to keep Christ in Christmas?

We, individually as believers and collectively as the church have so much more to celebrate than the world does on December 25th. If we (followers of Jesus Christ) don't keep Christ is Christmas, it will very quickly become just a happy holiday.

So as we celebrate Christmas this year we must remember it is our job; not our politicians or local communities or merchants to keep Christ in Christmas. To them, it is just a happy holiday.

Merry Christmas and thank you God for opening the way to You through the greatest gift of all, your son, Jesus Christ!! -- George Hutchison is a member of the Board of America's KESWICK and is a certified instructor with Crown Financial

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 24; Habakkuk, Revelation 15

Great Quote: Your Lord is Love: love Him and in Him all men, as His children in Christ. Your Lord is a fire: do not let your heart be cold, but burn with faith and love. Your Lord is light: do not walk in darkness of mind, without reasoning or understanding, or without faith. Your Lord is a God of mercy and bountifulness: be a source of mercy and bountifulness to your neighbours. If you will be such, you will find salvation yourself with everlasting glory. John of Kronstadt

Did you download your free A DAILY BIBLE READING PLAN -- Daily Proverbs, Old and New Testament? Use this link to get your copy today and join us on the DIGGING DEEPER adventure: http://www.americaskeswick.org/BibleReading

Home for Christmas

Technical Difficulties ... we are having some issues with the email version of Freedom Fighter and Victory Call. Don't miss your time with us each day. You can check out the daily version on the America's KESWICK website. We apologize for the inconvenience. We are working on resolving the problem. Thanks for your patience.

Home for Christmas




"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on earth. For people who speak this make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country. that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city ... absent from the body -- and to be at home with the Lord." Hebrews 11:13-16 & 2 Corinthians 5:8

I've told you before that I love the music of Christmas. I love the carols and hymns, but I have to admit I have always been a sucker for the secular Christmas ... please don't send me letters :)

One of the songs that almost always brings me to tears is the song, "I'll Be Home for Christmas." Christmas was one of those special holidays for me while growing up. My Mom and Dad were basically poor people all their lives, but Christmas was a time of celebration and our dining room was always filled with lots of people -- family as well as seniors that might not have a place to go for Christmas.

After we got married, everyone came to our house for Christmas. It was awesome to all be together. But times have changes and our individual families have grown with their own kids and traditions. And one by one, loved ones have gone home to be with the Lord, making Christmas just a wee bit different.

As a Dad with grown kids, it is hard for me to think of Christmas without having all my kids home for the holidays. It is pretty selfish on my part, but it means so much to me to have them all gathered together. Last Christmas was very difficult for us because it was our first Christmas without Lindsay. While we were all together, we were all missing her deeply.

Many of you will be experiencing something similar this Christmas. You've lost a loved one, and this will be the first Christmas without them. I have a good friend in ministry whose wife recently went home to be with the Lord. My heart is very heavy for him and his young kids as they experience this first Christmas without her.

In just the past few days, we have lost three really good friends of America's KESWICK: Jane Eron has been a faithful partner and friend to all of us. She has daily prayed for our ministry and been such an encourager. Last week she went home to be with Jesus at age 81.

Gladys Platt was a special servant of the Lord. She and Al were pioneers in organizing and leading our Hispanic Weekends that have been going on for over 25 years. They were married for 62 years. They served as missionaries in Latin America, and then served as the Directors of CAM International. They have faithfully cared for a special needs daughter, Brenda, for over 50 years. After a long, hard battle with cancer, Gladys entered the presence of Jesus on Saturday night.

Jim Shields has been the Executive Director at Twin Pines camp in the Poconos for years, and has been a major part of the Christian Camps and Conference Association. In his role in CCCA he has mentored hundreds of men and women who serve in camping and conference ministry. He has battled cancer for 5 years, and on Sunday afternoon, he went home to be with Jesus.

These losses are hard for us -- but guess what -- Jane, Gladys and Jim are home for Christmas! They will be celebrating Christmas in a way that we can't even imagine! My sanctified imagination pictures Jesus welcoming them into His house with his big open arms saying, "Welcome home! I've been waiting for you! Come and enjoy Christmas with me!"

Brothers, that is our hope! One day we will be celebrating the real Christmas -- Christmas with Jesus. But until then -- make your Christmas one that is Christ-centered. Enjoy your families and loved ones as you celebrate Him -- the reason for the season. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for US; Proverbs 23; Nahum; Revelation 14

Great Quote: We have a God who delights in impossibilities. Andrew Murray



I am really excited about inviting you to join us on an a adventure in 2010 that I believe can turn your world upside down. Our theme for 2012 is DIGGING DEEPER INTO GOD'S WORD -- Exploring the Promises of God.


This year I want to encourage our friends and partners in joining me each day reading God's WORD. We are preparing a number of practical resources to help you on the journey, and they will all be available on our website.

To get you started, here is a link to our brand new DAILY BIBLE READING PLAN. The guide gives you a chapter in Proverbs, as well as an Old and New Testament reading for each day of the year. Reading them daily will take you through the entire Bible in a year. Will you join me?
Now here is the link: http://www.americaskeswick.org/BibleReading

The Hallelujah Chorus

The Hallelujah Chorus

Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty heavens." Psalm 150:1

Christmas is a season filled with music. I love Christmas music. I love the carols of Christmas. It is a time for all of us to celebrate and praise the Lord for His gift to us -- the birth of His Son, Jesus -- the Messiah! The Anointed One! Immanuel -- God with us!

I love what Dr. Don Wrtyzen says about Psalm 150 ...

This psalm is an orchestra of praise -- every instrument imaginable poised and lifted up in worship, celebrating God's incomparable excellence.

Wherever His creatures live, God should be praised, the psalmist says. First, he encourages believers to praise the Lord in the sanctuary. Second, he urges the angels to praise the Lord in the sky, the vault of heaven. Since God's glory fills the universe, his praise must do no less!

Many of us organize our lives into neat convenient categories -- business, domestic, spiritual. We find it hard to think about praising the Lord at work, or while swimming or playing tennis, or at home with the family [or shoveling snow!]. Worship is slotted in on Sunday mornings.

Many of us have fallen into the sacred vs. the secular dichotomy, which robs of spontaneity and vitality in our relationship with the Lord. Such a narrow concept of praise leads to a life of truth without beauty, which, in turn, can result in legalism, disillusionment, or even rebellion.

We need to learn to praise the Lord wherever we are. We ought to try standing around the dinner table, holding hands with our loved ones, and singing the "Doxology" together. We ought to dare humming the tune to a hymn at break in the office. We ought to join some major community choir in the Easter of Christmas season, sing the "Hallelujah Chorus," and allow ourselves to lose control of our emotions, letting tears flow down our cheeks and the chills run up our spines! That will be a preview of heaven when we join the angelic choir of millions upon millions! Hallelujah!

Prayer: Dear Lord, may I be bold enough to praise You wherever I am today. You inhabit praise, so my joyful heart is your "sanctuary." (from A Musician Looks at the Psalms -- Dr. Don Wyrtzen -- Broadman and Holman)

Good words today to help prepare our hearts for December 25th. Praise Him today, brothers! He is your All in All! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 22; Micah 6-7; Revelation 13

Great Quote: We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from God.Matthew Henry

We are getting ready to kick off the new year -- 2010 with a new theme for the year. We are excited to challenge our partners and friends to join us on a journey in DIGGING DEEPER INTO GOD'S WORD ... Exploring the Promises of God. Watch for information the next few days how YOU can join us on this journey.

Lines in the Grass

Lines in the Grass

“And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. Then Gideon said to God, “Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.” And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.” Judges 6:38-40(ESV)

“Number seven…number seven.” yep that’s me. I had number seven at the Christmas party. I walk up to a full table of presents and try to proclaim the aforementioned verse. “What did he say?” “He’s trying to quote from the story of Gideon.” Well, I grab a box and unwrap it. It’s a game called “Armchair Quarterback” and for those of you who read Freedom Fighters, this is the gift that Pastor Dave Rittinger swaps with me. I got the watch and we were both very happy. However little did I know that when it was all done and over with this verse was going to repeat itself the next morning.

I heard a brother give testimony on cutting grass during his time at the Colony of Mercy. One a grad just happen to walk by this brother and jokingly stated that his lines in the cut grass were straighter during his time. This joke had got this brother to thinking. “I do need to make my lines better.” He asked someone how cornfields get straight lines and the answer was to focus on one point and walk towards that point. This brother tries this and it works.

But after a while he notices that he cannot keep his focus just on this one point so he looks down to follow his lines in the grass. Then he noticed his lines were going crooked again. All ready being full of conflict within himself along with the everyday frustrations of being at the Colony this brother wonders why. And then he looked up, there was the Cross that is already on the grounds behind the Raw’s Memorial Lodge.

Now I am not giving you the whole testimony but within it I was reminded at times of Gideon. This brother wants to save his marriage and he needed assurance from God that He was even there. That He was even listening. This brother understands that God puts guys like us in the Colony but it’s finding out why that drives Colony men to our knees. I have asked for a sign even after the sign earlier in my walk. Now I can just envision the Savior looking down and saying, “C’mon now, don’t make me get the heavy stuff out.”

Gideon asked God for a sign and he received a wet fleece, this brother asked for straighter lines in his grass cutting and was given a focal point. In Gideon’s moment of doubt he asked for another sign and he found wet ground, in this brother’s moment of doubt he was given this Proverb “Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you, ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left, remove your foot from evil.”Then he looked and saw the Cross. -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent Freedom Fighter contributor

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 21; Micah 4-5; Revelation 12

Great Quote: “The main problem with this definition of love is that when you try to apply it to God’s love for us, it distorts reality. God’s love for us is not mainly His making much of us, but His giving us the ability to enjoy making much of Him forever. In other words, God’s love for us keeps God at the center. God’s love for us exalts His value and our satisfaction in it. If God’s love made us central and focused on our value, it would distract us from what is most precious; namely Himself.” “Pierced by the Word” John Piper

Watch for information about our special DIGGING DEEPER theme for 2010.

Our Hopes and Fears are Met in HIM

Our Hopes and Fears are Met in Him!

"Bethlehem ... out of you will come for me one who will rule over Israel." Micah 5:2

The famous preacher, Phillips Brooks, wrote this beloved carol at a time in his life when he was overwhelmed with the pressures of ministry. It was after a trip to Israel, and needing to write a hymn for a Christmas program, that God gave this six foot giant of a man, a precious Christmas carol that would be remembered for years to come.

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie;
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years, are met in THEE tonight!

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above.
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together, proclaim the holy birth;
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently, this wondrous Gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessing of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him, still the dear Christ enters in.

O Holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray!
Cast out OUR sin, and enter in; Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angles the great glad tidings tell;
O, come to us, abide with us, our Lord, Emmanuel.

I love the line "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in THEE tonight." What a comfort to us in this chaotic, ever-changing world -- whatever are fears, whatever our hopes -- they are met in CHRIST. 2000+ years later -- the truth is still true -- Christ is our hope of glory! And He, my brother, is your ONLY hope! Rejoice in that reality as you worship HIM today -- your "Audience of One!" -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 20; Micah 1-3; Revelation 12

Great Quote: I have a better Caretaker than you and all the angels. He it is who lies in a manger, but at the same time sits at the right hand of God, the almighty Father. Therefore be at rest. Martin Luther

Ever Been on a Boat?

“Ever Been on a Boat?”

“Late that day he said to them, “Let’s go across to the other side.” They took Him in the boat as He was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused Him, saying, “Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?” Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?” Mark 4:35-40 (The Message)

At the last Families for Christ weekend that I attended I was introduced to the teachings of Pastor Dave Rittinger of the Whiting Bible Church. He had some great insights on the issue of Marriage and stuck around with us after his last session of teaching to enjoy the Christmas party that Stan and DeEtta Marsh put together for us every year. As a matter of fact because of Stan’s unusual way of doing the traditional gift exchange, Pastor Dave and I got the chance to trade off our gifts. I believe I got the better end of the stick but it was all God’s doing anyway. And I get the feeling that Pastor Dave is a competitor since he is an avid golfer. So I look forward to the day when the game can be played as a full contact sport. Then the playing field will be leveled enough for me to play and that little white ball turns into an oval shape and brown. Hmmmm….?

Anyway it was his Friday night teaching that had me. The men who participate in the FFC ministries get together on the first night of the weekend in the Colony chapel. And his message that night was aimed right at us. “Come with me to the Book of Mark, chapter four, verse thirty five” he says and then he asks us, “Can we trust Jesus?” Since I am one of those note taking kind of guy’s I wrote down the three one word reasons he gave us to trust Jesus.

The first reason is promise. Jesus got into the boat and said, “Let’s go across to the other side.” He didn’t say “Let’s try to get to the other side.” or “I wonder if this boat can make to the other side so let’s give it a go.” No, His statement is clear, “Let’s go across to the other side.” The next reason was presence. He might have been on the boat asleep but he was on the boat. Pastor Dave gave an analogy of what might happen when a storm comes and a boat gets full of water. In this case the disciples might have been throwing everything overboard until they finally got to Jesus. Then they say, “Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?” Now it will be after this question where the third reason comes in “the power of God”.

In 1 Peter 1:5 Peter writes “(you) who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”Jesus rebukes the disciples by basically saying “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?” after He calm’s the wind and the sea. Maybe it took this moment for Peter to understand who he was with before he wrote his epistle. There are some of us who seem to need an actual demonstration of the power of God. I have been one of them. That has changed over time.

So it is the promise of, the presence of and the power of God that are three great reasons to trust Jesus. But, as Pastor Dave went on, DO we trust Jesus? If you have read about my adventures on my boat, diligently named “It’ll Do”, the opportunity to trust Jesus came up not once but twice. And the slavery to addiction came to end when I cried, “Jesus, save me.” My faith gets rocked at times but that rocking serves to strengthen my faith. Does being in a rocking boat strengthen yours? I hope so. -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 19; Obadiah; Revelation 9

Great Quote: “Anyone whose determined purpose is to become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him cannot retain the rights to his own position or place…or be anxiously preoccupied with working out the details of his own life. There must be complete and unqualified reliance on the Living Lord. In other words, one must develop the discipline of surrender.”
Intimacy with the Almighty Charles R. Swindoll

The Right Perspective on Loving Ourselves

The Right Perspective on Loving Ourselves

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." 1 John 4:18

Today's Freedom Fighter presents a right perspective on loving ourselves. It is a good read and a perspective that you and I need to have ...

I must at all times maintain the delicate balance of attitudes toward my "self." I must respect and love myself without becoming egocentric, for egocentricity is sin. Why not love myself? There is nothing wrong with self -- as self. Jesus died for my, myself, and He did so because He loved me, that is, myself. Self becomes a problem only when I allow it to become self FIRST when it becomes preoccupied with itself, when it wants attention and worship that are due only to God.

I cannot be truly joyful if I am not a peace with myself. I do incalculable harm to my personality if I hate, despise, and reject myself. To be crucified with Christ does not mean that the self literally dies. It simply means that I must always die to my own desires if they conflict with the will of Christ or run counter to the well-being of others. When I surrender my will to Jesus Christ, I am doing the very opposite of bruising or afflicting myself; I am freeing myself to be the kind of person God intended me to be.

I must not delight in self-punishment, as if it were a virtue. It is not trust the more I suffer, the more God is glorified. Of course I must realize that my natural born self is permeated with sin, a legacy from Adam; but God's redemptive purpose for me is to rescue me FROM sin, not to destroy me WITH sin. Spiritual victory is the proper relationship of these three things: to love God first and seek His glory; to love my fellowmen and seek their highest good; and to love myself and seek my highest expression in company with God. -- Dr. Glynn Evans -- DAILY WITH THE KING (MOODY PRESS)

Good perspective for us today, brothers. Have a great day. I love and appreciate you, and thank you for joining me on this daily journey. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 17; Amos 7-9; Revelation 8

Great Quote: In Matthew 28:20 Jesus says, "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." In Hebrews 13:5 God says, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Jesus tells his disciples in John 14:18, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." One of Jesus' names, Emmanuel, means "God with us." We don't need to ask God to be with us if we are members of his family. Instead, we need to pray that we will be aware of his presence, that we will be confident because of it. -- Bill Hybels

What Do You Want for Christmas?

WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?

“What do you want for Christmas?”
We ask each girl and boy
As if it were their birthday
And they ask for another toy.

And thus we learn to have a want
And not just what we need
Perhaps this is the reason
We struggle so with greed.

For the merchant thinks of his ledger,
And the child some brand new gift.
Parents join the process as they struggle
Until they cause a marital rift.

Spending more than they should
Of their annual labor,
So their child can get what he wants or
Just to keep up with the neighbor.

Then what should we ask each other
As we approach Christmas day?
Not what we can expect to get
But what we would give away.

As a family, we could plan something new,
We could find a special need.
We could shop together for a certain gift
Or perhaps some stranger feed.

What joy we could find
As we change our focus!
When we think of others
And not just think of us.

For Christmas is when God gave His gift
To those who did not love Him,
Wrapped in human flesh to die
For all who are trapped in sin.

He hung His gift upon a tree
Nails and a spear they used
To open up God’s Gift and yet
Still today His Gift is refused.

How would you feel if some precious gift
Was left hanging on your tree
While others just walked away
Taking lesser gifts with glee.

Would you not feel very sad
Or would you not feel rejected,
When the only wrong they have done
Is to leave your gift neglected.

So this Christmas day make sure that
Christ, when all is said and done,
In your busyness of this Christmas,
Make sure He is the central one! -- written by Pastor George VanSandt who was my Pastor growing up, a dear friend of America's KESWICK and a contributor to Freedom Fighter

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 16; Amos 4-6; Revelation 7

Great Quote: The person without self-control is easy prey to the invader. He yields himself to the first assault of his ungoverned passions, offering no resistance...Having no discipline over himself, temptation becomes the occasion of sin, and hurries him on to fearful lengths that he had not contemplated. Charles Bridges

God's Wife

GOD’S WIFE

The following story was shared with me from my cousin Joyce.

An eye witness account from New York City, on a cold day in December, some years ago, a little boy about ten years old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway peering through the window and shivering with cold. A lady approached the young lad and said, “My, you seem to be in such thought staring in that window!” “I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,” was the little boys reply.

The lady took him by the hand, went into the store and asked the clerk to get a half dozen pairs of stockings for the boy. She then asked the clerk if she could have a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her. She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet and dried them with the warm towel. By this time, the store clerk had returned with the socks and she put a pair on the boy’s feet and placed the new bought shoes on his feet. She also tied up the remaining pairs of stockings and gave them to him.

She patted him on the head and said, “No doubt, you will be more comfortable now.” As she turned to leave, the astonished child caught her by the hand and looking up into her face, with tears in his eyes, asked, “Are you God’s wife?”

Of course God doesn’t have a wife! However, this moving story illustrates how important service is to advance God’s kingdom. The true disciple and servant of Jesus Christ is an agent for God. In His limitless grace, God rewards whoever serves someone in need no matter how mundane that need seems to be.

“And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise shall lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42).

The point is that meeting the need of anyone amounts to a service to Him and the reward shall never be lost. The “little ones” could be saved or unsaved, male or female, old or young, rich or poor, a long-time believer or a recent convert stumbling in the faith.
Whenever we become the source of blessing to others, we are blessed; when others become a source of blessing to us, they are blessed. May the love and compassion of Christ fill us and move us to help others. -- Dr. Henry Lutz is a retired Pastor and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 15; Amos 1-3; Revelation 6

GREAT QUOTE: “If we will not listen to the poor when they cry out unto us in their need, God will not listen unto us when we cry unto Him in our need.” – R. A. Torrey

Keeping the Interior Strong

Keeping the Interior Strong

"And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:7)

I shared this devotional back in 2005, and when I re-read it this morning in DAILY WITH THE KING, I thought it would be worth repeating:

I must discard the idea once and for all that Satan wants me in the junk heap. Quite the contrary! He wants me the best possible specimen of uprightness and morality, with one exception, that I do it without the life of God inside me. Satan does not care a fig about my outside appearance, but he will not tolerate my vital link with God inside.

When he tempted Jesus, Satan did not try to change His outside. He still wanted Him popular, esteemed, even a miracle worker. What he REALLY wanted was to crack His interior, like ultrasonic waves, until the inside of Him crumbled. I make a mistake if I think Satan wants me an alcoholic, a dealer in white slavery, or a con man in carnival. He wants me OUTWARDLY acceptable, a pillar of the community, a respected person. But most of all, he wants me dead to God, cut off from the life of the Almighty.

Satan jumps for joy when my lifeline to God shrivels from lack of use. He becomes positively ecstatic when he sees me go through the FORM of godliness but without its power. Is he not doing the same himself? Is he not an "angel of light"? Is he not the master of hypocrites who masquerades as one of God's choicest messengers, and yet possesses nothing of the life of God?

What does this say to ME right now? I believe that no matter how plaster perfect my OUTSIDE may be, I may be seriously hurting my heavenly Father on the inside. After all, the REFINED SINS (such as pride, indifference, and lovelessness) are INSIDE sins, and they are the deadliest of all. I MUST NOT GIVE SATAN COMFORT REGARDING ME; I MUST KEEP MY INTERIOR STRONG! I praise Him who teaches me "to know wisdom in my inmost heart" because He desires "truth in my inward being" (Psalm 51:6). Such a God will help me keep the inside of the cup as sparkling clear as the outside! -- Daily With the King -- Dr. Glynn Evans (Moody Press)

Good exhortation today, brothers. How is your interior? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 14; Joel; Revelation 5

Great Quote: We must feel toward our people as a father toward his children; yea, the most tender love of a mother must not surpass ours. We must even travail in birth, till Christ be formed in them. They should see that we care for no outward thing, neither liberty, nor honour, nor life, in comparison to their salvation...When the people see that you truly love them, they will hear anything from you...Oh therefore, see that you feel a tender love for your people in your hearts, and let them perceive it in your speech and conduct. Let them see that you spend and are spent for their sakes. Richard Baxter

STEWARDSHIP INSIGHT -- Be sure and check out George's blog. Great post! http://keswickgeorge.blogspot.com/

Of The Father's Love Begotten

Of The Father's Love Begotten

"I am the Alpha and Omega ... the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:13

Good morning on this beautiful Lord's Day. I love reading through the Christmas hymns, and read one this morning that most of us have never read or sung. The words are incredible:

Of the Father's love begotten, Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the Source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years will see, Evermore and evermore!

At His Word the worlds were framèd; He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean in their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun, evermore and evermore!

He is found in human fashion, death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam’s children doomed by law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below, evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessed, When the Virgin full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, Bore the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face, Evermore! and evermore!

This is He Whom seers in old time chanted of with one accord;
Whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word;
Now He shines, the long expected,
Let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore!

Righteous judge of souls departed, righteous King of them that live,
On the Father’s throne exalted none in might with Thee may strive;
Who at last in vengeance coming
Sinners from Thy face shalt drive, evermore and evermore!

Thee let old men, thee let young men, thee let boys in chorus sing;
Matrons, virgins, little maidens, with glad voices answering:
Let their guileless songs re-echo,
And the heart its music bring, evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heave, adore Him; Angel hosts, His praises sing!
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring, Evermore! and evermore!

Christ, to Thee, with God the Father, And O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory and dominion,
And eternal victory, Evermore! and Evermore!

As you gather to worship HIM this morning, REJOICE! The Lord HAS come! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 13; Hosea 12-14; Revelation 4

Great Quote: Compassion is sometimes the fatal capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else's skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too. Frederick Buechner

Have a Mount Carmel Moment

“Have a Mount Carmel Moment”

“When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked, “So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?” Elijah said it again, “I’ve been working my heart out for God, the God–of-the-Angel-Armies, because the people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed your places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I’m the only one left, and now they’re trying to kill me.”
1 Kings 19: 13-14 (The Message)

Now if you have read your Bible you know that God gives instruction to Elijah to anoint a king, then anoint a successor and then He lets Elijah know that “Meanwhile, I’m preserving for Myself seven thousand souls: the knees that haven’t bowed to the god Baal, the mouths that haven’t kissed his image.” I have heard some preachers say some stuff about Elijah in this moment in his ministry that made him sound kind of weak or weakened by the stand he made at Mount Carmel. You remember, Elijah mocked a god that didn’t exist and even in some translations saying that it had gone to the bathroom. I think he must have had a good belly at the expense of the prophets of Baal. The odds were something like 450 to 1against him.

There were many other great moments that Elijah had in his ministry but “Showdown on Mount Carmel” is my favorite and I don’t care what other preachers have said about the aftermath of this battle. So where am I going with this? Well frankly I’ll ask this…Have you had your Mount Carmel moment and when it was over went and hid in your man cave? Have you gone into a situation where you mocked the idol of someone else’s heart to the point of belittlement and the repercussions of it made you run and hide from all the others who worship the same idol?

Well if you have answered yes to this you must have ran into Ahab’s Jezebel. You must have been that someone who would have reinforced a weak king with encouragement from the Word. You must have been the person that said “Come let us rejoice the Newborn King” and then got slammed with some politically correct rhetoric that tries so hard to deny “Christ in Christmas”. Now ask yourself this, “Would Elijah have been disappointed that Ahab would not have been able to uphold the reformation that occurred on Mount Carmel?” Or how about, “Am I disappointed that despite my efforts, my attempts at defending Christmas seems to fall by the wayside?” Well Brethren do not be dismayed.

In chapter 11 of the Book of Romans, Paul writes these words of encouragement after he quotes the aforementioned verse (from The Message) “It’s the same today. There’s a fiercely loyal minority still- not many, perhaps, but probably more than you think. They’re holding on, not because of what they think they’re going to get out of it, but because they’re convinced of God’s grace and purpose in choosing them. If they were only thinking of their own immediate self-interest, they would have left long ago.”

This season let us not “Bah…Humbug!” at those who say “Happy Holidays” but use the moment to show what Christmas would be like if you took Christ out of it. Now I am not saying dare your fellow workers to cry out to Santa Clause to appear and then rib them on the possibility of him being in the bathroom when he doesn’t slide down the chimney. What I am saying is this a small divine appointment to share why Jesus died for you, the importance of His shed blood and His resurrection into Heaven. And just so you aware, some of those cashiers at Wal-mart feel the same way I do. I found that out first hand. -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 12; Hosea 9-11; Revelation 3

Great Quote: “The answer is simple. Jesus offended some people as a result of obeying the Father and serving others. His offense did not come did not come by demanding His own rights. The Pharisees were offended when He healed on the Sabbath. His disciples were offended by the truth His Father had Him preach. Mary and Martha were offended when He delayed His return to heal Lazarus.. But you will not find Jesus offending others by serving Himself.” The Bait of Satan -- John Bevere

The Opposition of the Natural

The Opposition of the Natural

"Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:24

This one was too good to let go and not share with you, brothers. It was the December 9th reading from Oswald Chambers, MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST:

The natural life itself is not sinful. But we must abandon sin, having nothing to do with it in any way whatsoever. Sin belongs to hell and to the devil. I, as a child of God, belong to heaven and to God. It is not a question of giving up sin, but of giving up my right to myself, my natural independence, and my self-will. This is where the battle has to be fought.

The things that are right, noble, and good from the natural standpoint are the very things that keep us from being God’s best. Once we come to understand that natural moral excellence opposes or counteracts surrender to God, we bring our soul into the center of its greatest battle. Very few of us would debate over what is filthy, evil, and wrong, but we do debate over what is good. It is the good that opposes the best.

The higher up the scale of moral excellence a person goes, the more intense the opposition to Jesus Christ. "Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh . . . ." The cost to your natural life is not just one or two things, but everything. Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself. . ." ( Matthew 16:24 ). That is, he must deny his right to himself, and he must realize who Jesus Christ is before he will bring himself to do it. Beware of refusing to go to the funeral of your own independence.
The natural life is not spiritual, and it can be made spiritual only through sacrifice. If we do not purposely sacrifice the natural, the supernatural can never become natural to us. There is no high or easy road. Each of us has the means to accomplish it entirely in his own hands. It is not a question of praying, but of sacrificing, and thereby performing His will.

What are the areas in your life today that need to be crucified? Allow His Spirit to reveal them to you -- but my guess is, YOU ALREADY KNOW! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 11; Hosea 5-8; Revelation 2

Great Quote: The Lord Jesus loves us with all His heart. He desires that we love Him with all our heart; and until we do, we will never know the sweetness of His love for us. We will have some faint concept but that is all. With how many people do we share the secrets of our heart and with whom do we share them? We will be intimate with the person we know loves us, the person we know is committed to us, the person who has given himself or herself to us, and with none besides. It is so with our Lord. There must be response of love to love. Joseph S. Carroll

Guard Your Heart (Part 3)

Guard Your Heart (Part 3)

Yesterday I gave you an entire chapter from Proverbs 7. One of the things that you will observe as you get more familiar with the book, is that Proverbs builds chapter by chapter. Solomon lays the foundation in chapter 1 and each chapter builds on each other.

To really understand the warnings of chapter 7, you need to go back to chapter 4. Proverbs 4:23-27 are the key to understanding chapter 7:

Keep vigilant watch over YOUR heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter; white lies, and gossip. KEEP YOUR EYES STRAIGHT AHEAD; ignore ALL sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither to the right nor left; leave evil in the dust.

I am not telling you anything you don't already know, men. We are bombarded with things attracting our eyes. It's everywhere: billboards, magazines, newspapers, Internet, TV. When was the last time you saw an ad, any ad in any media form, where the woman being advertised was just downright ugly? Now that is not a slam against women -- but the slick producers know exactly where and how to hook us and suck is in!

Try walking down the boardwalk, and I don't recommend it -- or even walk down the mall -- you will be amazed (not really) at how quickly and easily it is for your eyes to wander because the temptations are EVERYWHERE -- unless you are blind or dead!

That is why I believe Solomon begins to lay the foundation in Chapter 4 to guard you heart. We guard our hearts several ways:

1. We immerse our minds and hearts in Scripture (wisdom and insight).

2. When we immerse our minds and hearts in Scripture, we are developing "fear of the Lord," which Solomon tells us in chapter one is the beginning of wisdom.

3. We don't talk about those things that will cause us to stumble. We find ourselves saying, "Well talking about it is a guy thing." Solomon calls it careless banter.

4. We learn that we need to keep our eyes straight ahead. I love how THE MESSAGE describes it -- "Ignore all the sideshow distractions!" When I read this verse, my mind immediately fast-forwarded to Hebrews 12:1-2 -- "Keep your eyes on Jesus ..." The runner in the race needs to keep his eyes on the finish line and ignore all the peripheral stuff that may cause him to not finish well.

5. Leave evil in the dust! Run! Flee! Get out of there. And that goes for our minds as well! Sometimes we entertain thoughts in our minds -- the place where no one sees but us -- and GOD!

Are you guarding your heart today? We are in this together, guys! Did you read your chapter in Proverbs today? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 10; Hosea 1-4; Revelation 1

Great Quote: The only serious mistake we can make .... is the mistake that Psalm 121 prevents: the mistake of supposing that God's interest in us waxes and wanes in response to our spiritual temperature. -- Eugene H. Peterson

Guard Your Heart (Part 2)

Guard Your Heart (Part 2)

Yesterday I challenged you to join me in reading a chapter in Proverbs daily. It's really easy to remember -- read the chapter that corresponds to the day's date. In case you forget, I always include it at the bottom of each day's Freedom Fighter.

I want to share Chapter 7 with you from THE MESSAGE (Nav Press). As my "now-with-the-Lord-friend," Dr B used to say: "This is a text that preaches!"

Dear friend, do what I tell you;
treasure my careful instructions.
Do what I say and you will live well.
My teaching is a precious as your eyesight -- guard it!
Write it on the back of your hands;
etch it on the chambers of your heart.
Talk to Wisdom as a sister.
Treat Insight as your companion.
They'll be with you to fend off the Temptress--
That smooth-talking, honey Seductress.

As I stood at the window of my house
looking out through the shutters,
Watching the mindless crowd stroll by,
I spotted a young man without any sense
Arriving at the corner of the street where she lived,
then turning up the path to her house.
It was dusk, the evening coming on,
the darkness thickening into the night.
Just then, a woman met him --
she'd been lying in wait for him, dressed to seduce hm.
Brazen and brash she was,
restless and roaming, never at home.
Walking the street, loitering in the mall,
hanging out at every corner in town.

She threw her arms around him and kissed him,
boldly took his arms and said,
"I've got all the makings for a feast --
today I made my offerings. my vows are paid,
So now I've come to find you,
hoping to catch sight of your face -- and here you are!
I've spread fresh clean sheets on my bed,
colorful imported linens.
My bed is aromatic with spices
and exotic fragrances.
Come, let's make love all night,
spend the night in ecstatic lovemaking!
My husband's not home; he's away on business,
and he won't be back for a month.

Soon she has him eating out of her hand,
bewitched by her honeyed speech.
Before you know it, he's trotting behind her,
life a calf led to the butcher shop,
Like a stag lured into ambush,
and then shot with an arrow,
Like a bird flying into a net
not knowing that its flying life is over.

So, friends, listen to me,
take these words of mine most seriously.
Don't fool around with a woman like that;
don't even stroll through her neighborhood,
Countless victims come under her spell;
She's the death of many a poor man.
She runs a halfway house to hell,
fits you out with a shroud and a coffin.

I will make some comments tomorrow, but my guess is that this chapter doesn't need much commentary for us ... does it? The truth is pretty simple! As men, we need to guard our hearts. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 9; Daniel 11-12; Jude

Great Quote: We have a God who delights in impossibilities. Andrew Murray

Guard Your Heart

Guard Your Heart

Each day at the bottom of Freedom Fighter I list passages of Scripture for you to read. If you read those passages each day, you will read through God's Word in a year. I am going to lay out a challenge to you later this month, but I received a very interesting report from our friends at Back to the Bible about the power of God's Word.

One of the findings is that when people read the Bible at least four or five days a week, they are less likely to engage in activities that are contrary to the Scripture. God's WORD addresses every are of life for us, guys.

Reading through the book of Proverbs is a very important part of my daily Bible reading. I try to read a chapter a day, and if I do that, I will be reading that chapter 12 times a year. One would think that it would be hard to find something new in that chapter reading it 12 times.

Well I am on my 14th year of reading a chapter of Proverbs a day. And guess what -- I am still learning from this book. Each year I try and read it from a different translation which brings to light new insights. This year I have been reading it from THE MESSAGE.

I never cease to be amazed at how timely and insightful, the messages from Proverbs are for daily living. If you have never taken the Proverbs challenge, then I want to encourage you to join me by reading a chapter a day! Doing so will help you to guard your heart and your mind.

Tomorrow I want to share a chapter from Proverbs with you and make some comments. Will you take the challenge? It could change your life! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 8; Daniel 8-10; 3 John

Great Quote: Many say they have no peace nor rest, but so many crosses and trials, afflictions and sorrows, that they know not how they shall ever get through them. Now he who in truth will perceive and take note, perceiveth clearly that true peace and rest lie not in outward things. There liveth no man on earth who may always have rest and peace without troubles and crosses. Wherefore yield thyself willingly to them, and seek only that true peace of the heart, which none can take away from thee, that thou mayest overcome all assaults. Theologia Germanica

Christ Mean Adequacy and Peace

Christ Means Adequacy and Peace

"Peace I leave with you; MY peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27

Are you experiencing HIS peace today in your life? Are you at rest or are you living the turmoil filled life?

Well if you are not living in the peace Christ has provided for you, my brother, then these words from Dr. Glyn Evans are for you:

Peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit and is always a result of a previously devised set of conditions. Peace is the possession and realization of adequate resources. The work of JESUS CHRIST is to provide those adequate resources, and the work of the Holy Spirit is to make me realize them.

Since Christ has a done a perfect work of redemption, the problem in obtaining peace is not His, it is mine. The Holy Spirit's frustration with me (being "grieved" or "quenched") is because I can resist His attempts to get me to act upon what Christ has provided me.

There are only two ways in which I can be without peace: by not knowing what Christ has provided for me, and/or by not availing myself of what He has provided. "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13, NSRB) Wonderfully true, but only if I avail myself of His strength!

I arrive a peace by KNOWING what CHRIST has done for me, and that means saturation with the WORD. To live constantly in the Word is to be constantly reminded of everything Jesus Christ has put at my disposal. That constant reminder is a stimulus to my faith, for "faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). As I read the marvelous provisions that Jesus Christ has bought for me, faith is put into action to use those provisions. Soon I am cashing in on my merchandise, and the result is a feeling of adequacy, which leads to peace.

I will always feel distressed, and depressed, whenever I feel that the resources within are inadequate to meet the problems without. Jesus Christ came to make me adequate! I must honor Him by believing it, and I must let peace be the manifestation of it. -- from Daily with the King

Good word for today, my brothers, as we begin this new week in December. How is your peace level today? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 7; Daniel 5-7; 2 John

Great Quote: "Hell is giving to men what they wanted all their lives -- freedom from God!" -- Dr. Horace Fenton, former director of of the Latin American Mission. Dr. Fenton surrendered his heart and life to Christ during a youth retreat at America's KESWICK many years ago!

It's not too late to make reservations for our Christmas Dinner Concert with violinist, Jamie Jorge, for this Thursday night. Call the front desk for reservations. Come enjoy a delicious meal and a blessing of worshipping the Lord. 732-350-1187.

Another Great Hymn

Another Great Hymn

"The Lord Almighty -- HE is the King of glory." Psalm 24:10

As many of us celebrate the Lord's Table today on this first Sunday in December, I thought I would share the lyrics to this hymn that has been floating around in my head for the past several days. They have taken it out of most hymnals. It tells the WHOLE redemption story:

Who Is He In Yonder Stall?

Who is He in yonder stall, at whose feet the shepherds fall?
Who is He in deep distress, fasting in the wilderness>

Refrain

'Tis the Lord! O wondrous story! 'This the LORD! The King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall, Crown Him, crown Him Lord of All!

Who is He the people bless for His words of gentleness?
Who is He to whom they bring all the sick and sorrowing?

Who is He who stands and weeps at the grave where Lazurus sleeps?
Who is He the gathering throng greet with loud, triumphant song?

Lo! at midnight, who is He, prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder tree dies in grief and agony?

Who is He who, from the grave, comes to heal and help and save?
Who is He that, from His throne, rules through all the world alone?

'Tis the Lord! O wondrous story! 'Tis the Lord! The King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall, Crown HIM, crown HIM Lord of all!

You may not know the tune, so visit The Cyber Hymnal: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/w/h/whoishe.htm

I trust that you will have a blest Lord's Day! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 6; Daniel 3-4; 1 John 5

Great Quote: The whole slop closet full of mildewed performances (which is all you have to offer) is simply your death; it is Jesus who is your life. If He refused to condemn you because your works were rotten, He certainly isn't going to flunk you because your faith isn't so hot. You can fail utterly, therefore, and still live the life of grace. You can fold up spiritually, morally, or intellectually and still be safe. Because at the very worst, all you can be is dead - and for Him who is the Resurrection and the Life, that just makes you His cup of tea. Robert Capon

A Great Hymn to Prepare Your Heart

A Great Hymn to Prepare Your Heart

"Blot out all my iniquities ..." Psalm 51:9

Many of us will be celebrating the Lord's Supper tomorrow at our churches. Here is a wonderful hymn written by Charles Wesley that I believe will help prepare our hearts for remembering again what Christ did for us on the cross:

Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands, ...
My name is written on HIS hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race ...
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry ...
"Nor let that ransomed sinner die!"

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw night ....
And "Father, Abba, Father," cry.

Rejoice today, my brothers! Rest in the finished work of Christ for you and me! Rejoice! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 5; Daniel 1-2; 1 John 4

Great Quote: Every life that desires to be strong must have its "Most Holy Place" (Exodus 26:33) into which only God can enter. (Streams in the Desert)

One Year Gone ... or is it?

One Year Gone..or is it?

“Listen to your father who gave you life,
And do not despise your mother when she is old.
Buy truth, and do not sell it;
Buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.”
Proverbs 23: 22-25 (ESV)

It has been a year since my father passed away. I remember the drive to the hospital that night as well. It was the first time I had ever seen the Atlantic City Expressway empty of any cars. I didn’t even see a police patrol car. The car seemed to be driving itself and it was one of few times that there was no chatter going on in my head. No thoughts, no emotions just me, the steering wheel and road. It was a very surreal moment in my life.

But before this had happened there was a death to myself that was going on. In 2003 I had to stop the drinking and drugging I was doing. And to be honest with you all, I still fight against with what I once was. The old man creeps up every once in awhile, hangs out long enough to make himself known, and then has to be rebuked back into his place in yesterday. Just so you are all aware of this, he was the same guy that hung out with my father where my father liked to hang out. It was the only place that any real talking went on….the local tavern.

When I take a deep look back now, in a Biblical view, I had to endure the beginning process of dying to myself. If I had stayed the same old Chris that sat in the bar with his father trying to grapple with just the everyday, when my father passed I would have sank faster and harder than I already was. I praise God, through the blood of Christ, that had He not broken me I would not be able to be a man let alone any kind of father to my son. Today I don’t mourn the death of my father but praise God in it. Did my father know Jesus……sad to say, not to my knowledge. And if he did, I never saw it. I chose not to dwell in it either.

I recently celebrated, quietly, six years since I stood in front of the Colony men, in the Colony chapel, after receiving my graduation Bible and said, “I don’t know where God is taking me, but at least my wife is letting go home.” Kinda funny now when I look back at this as well. Never thought I’d be writing Freedom Fighters either. But this is my way of journaling and at times I get real humble by it, because you are reading what is happening in my growth and walk with Jesus. And I don’t know most of you but I have a feeling that there is a little of what has happened to me in some of you. So you can relate.

On July 31st, 2003 I signed this blue card. That was after I had just come back into the Colony from a funeral held for an Uncle. That funeral was my moment of clarity and this is what was written on that card, “Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept your will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to you to be yours forever. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Use me as you will; send me where you will; work out your whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever.” When I was done signing my part of this covenant, I nailed what belonged to Jesus on a wooden cross. “Nough said Brother’s. -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 4; Ezekiel 47-48; 1 John 3

Great quote: “Christmas, the Story of God becoming the Man, Jesus, is the only hope we have of returning back to God. We must lean into the truth of God’s love displayed in Jesus’ coming. Our fall into depravity and alienation was because our confidence in the kindness and love of God was shaken. We doubted and doubt the love of God. Our recovery must begin with the belief of His love; ‘this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins (I Jn. 4:10). Dr. Tom Wood, How the Gospel Story Makes Sense

The Aftermath of Victory

The Aftermath of Victory

"He who overcomes, I will grant him to sit down with Me on My throne. as I also overcome and sat down with My Father on His throne." Revelation 3:21

If we are honest, we love a victory whether it be in sports, playing a competitive game with our family -- that's the way we men are wired. We love to win!

While we are looking for our spiritual life to be one of victories won, we must be careful in our perspective about spiritual victories. Dr. Glyn Evans in his powerful devotional book, DAILY WITH THE KING, helps us understand the perspective we need to have:

I must be careful never to let a victory over Satan become my weakness, for his prime targets are not victims, but VICTORS! Paul reminds me of this when he says, "And having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13) In other words, after a notable victory, BE ALL THE MORE ON YOUR GUARD! Satan is the great "spoiler" and he loves to suck the honey out of our sweet victory after we have won over him.

Think of Sanballat and Nehemiah. After his threats, bombast's and harassment failed, Sanballat said to Nehemiah, "Come, let us meet together ... in the plain of Ono." Nehemiah 6:2 He mean, "Why fight each other any longer? I tried to prevent the wall from going up, but I failed. Now let's be good sports, forgetting the past, and plan something harmonious for the future." SATAN NEVER QUITS WHEN HE LOSES. If Nehemiah had listened to Sanballat, all his previous efforts would have been washed away.

I love the word Nehemiah gave in reply: "I am doing a greater work and I cannot come down." Nehemiah 6:3 WHEN SATAN COMES TO NEUTRALIZE MY VICTORY, I AM TO IGNORE, SLIGHT AND REFUSE HIM! NEVER MUST I TURN FROM GOD'S DIRECTIVE (TO BUILD WALLS FOR HIS WORK) AND TO THINK ABOUT SATAN'S SUGGESTIONS!

More than that, I must never gloat over my victory with Satan, for gloating represents an abnormal preoccupation with the victory itself, rather than the work God has given me to do. The victory is only an incident, a battle in the eternal war, and I must quickly arm myself against the next visit from the evil one. Having done that, I must STAND, not nakedly, but "in the strength of HIS might (Ephesians 6:10), for my all-Conqueror has blunted Satan's darts and crushed his armory forever!

Good reminder, brothers! I trust this will be helpful to you today! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 3; Ezekiel 45-46; 1 John 2 (Just a reminder that if you read these passages of Scripture with me every day, you will read through the Bible in one year!)

Great Quote: Suffering is a wonderful fertilizer for the roots of character.

Don't miss a great evening of music with violinist, Jamie Jorge at our Christmas Dinner Concert, Thursday evening, December 10th. Tickets are still available. This is a great treat for your wives, guys! Call today and make your reservation: 732-350-1187

Take Your Burdens to the Lord

Take Your Burdens to the Lord ...

"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God." Hebrews 4:9

Yesterday we talked about being weary. Some of us have become weary because of the unnecessary burdens that we are carrying, and yes, some of us are dragging them around rather than giving them to our great Burden-Bearer!

I read this timely devotional today from Streams in the Desert ...

A prominent believer once told of his mother who was a very anxious and troubled Christian. He would often talk with her for hours, trying to convince her of the sinfulness of worrying, but to no avail. She was like the elderly woman who once said that she had suffered a great deal, especially from the troubles that never came.

Then one morning his mother came to breakfast with a smile adorning her face. He asked her what happened, and she began describing a dream she had in the night. In her dream, she was walking along a highway with a large crowd of people, all of whom seemed very tired and burdened. The people were all carrying little black bundles, and she noticed that more bundles were being dropped along the way by numerous repulsive-looking creatures that seemed quite demonic in nature. As the bundles were dropped, the people stooped down to pick them up and carry them.

Like everyone else in her dream, she also carried her needless load, being weighted down with the Devil's bundles. After a while, she looked up and saw a Man whose face was loving and bright as He moved through the crowd, comforting the people.

Finally He came to her, and she realized it was her Savior. She looked at Him, telling Him how tired she was, and smiled sadly and sad, "My dear child, these bundles you carry are not from me, and you have no need of them, They are the Devil's burdens, and they are wearing out your life. You need to drop them and simply refuse to touch them with even one of your fingers. Then you will find your path easy, and you will feel as if 'I carried you on eagle's wings' (Exodus 19:4)

The Savior touched her hand, and peace and joy quickly filled her soul. As she saw herself in her dream casting her burdens to the ground and ready to throw herself at His feet in joyful thanksgiving, she suddenly awoke, finding that all her worries were gone.

From that day forward to the end of her life, she was the most cheerful and happy member of the family.

Brothers, can you relate to this story? Are you carrying around unnecessary burdens that don't belong to you? Drop them at the feet of Jesus today and experience HIS rest. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 2; Ezekiel 42-44; 1 John 1

Great Quote: I learned as never before that persistent calling upon the Lord breaks through every stronghold of the devil, for nothing is impossible with God. For Christians in these troubled times, there is simply no other way. Jim Cymbala