Worship and Service

Worship and Service

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you." Psalm 63:3

Today is the Lord's day, and I trust that you have been preparing your heart to worship Him today -- not just because of WHAT He has done in your life, but because of WHO He is!

Are you satisfied with Him today? Just HIM? Is He enough for you and me? This quote from John Piper really gripped my heart this week:

What satisfies are not the gifts of God, but the glory of God – the glory of His love, the glory of His power, the glory of His wisdom, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. We do not honor the refreshing, self-replenishing, pure water of a mountain spring by lugging buckets of water up the path to make our contributions from the ponds below. We honor the spring by feeling thirsty, getting down on our knees, and drinking with joy. Then we say, “Ahhhhhh!” (that’s worship), and we go on our journey in the strength of the fountain (that’s service!). The mountain spring is glorified most when we are most satisfied with its water.

To be satisfied in God is the essence of what it means to love God. Loving God may include obeying all His commands; it may include believing all His Word; it may include thanking Him for all His gifts; but the essence of loving God is enjoying all He is. It is this enjoyment of God that glorifies His worth most fully, especially when all around our soul gives way. -- John Piper

The hymn write expressed it this way:

All my life long I had panted
For a drink from some cool spring
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.

Feeding on the food around me
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.

Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life, so rich and free!
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.

Refrain
Hallelujah! I have found Him --
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings;
Through His blood I now am saved.

I trust that today you are satisfied with Him and Him alone! Worship Him today -- our audience of ONE! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 28; Numbers 17-19; Mark 6:30-56

Dig This Quote: Christ living in me is the whole secret of being conformed to His image. If Christ is dwelling in my heart I must necessarily be Christlike. His character must be manifested in my daily walk and conversation. – Hannah Whitall Smith

Determined Digging: (Level 1) Psalm 30:5; (Level 2) Psalm 37:23-36

What Are You Afraid Of?

What Are You Afraid Of?

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present or the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

It seems lately that there are more and more people struggling with fear and anxiety. Many Christians are struggling right now with crippling fears -- fears that are overwhelming. And so many people who are struggling have said, "I am afraid that God no longer loves me because I ___________________.

Well if you are struggling today with the love of God, these words are for YOU. They were written by Brennan Manning in a powerful devotional book, HOW GREAT THOU ART (Multnomah):

The question which the gospel of grace puts to us is simply this: Who shall separate you from the love of Christ? What are YOU afraid of?

Are you afraid that your weakness could separate you from the love of Christ? IT CAN'T!

Are you afraid that you inadequacies could separate you from the love of Christ? THEY CAN'T!

Are you afraid that your inner poverty could separate you from the love of Christ? IT CAN'T.

Difficult marriage, loneliness, anxiety over the children's future? THEY CAN'T.

Negative self image? IT CAN'T!

Economic hardship, racial hatred, street crime, terrorism? THEY CAN'T.

Rejection by loved ones or the suffering of loved ones? THEY CAN'T.

Persecution by authorities, going to jail? THEY CAN'T.

Nuclear war? IT CAN'T!

The gospel of grace calls out: NOTHING CAN EVER SEPARATE YOU FROM THE LOVE OF GOD MADE VISIBLE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.

You must be convinced of this, trust it, and never forget to remember. Everything else will pass away, but the love of Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Faith will become vision, hope will become possession, but the love of Jesus Christ that is stronger than death endures forever! In the end, it is the one thing you can hang onto!

My guess is that some brother needs to be reminded of this truth today! Is it you? I trust God will burn this truth into your heart and life today! HE LOVES YOU! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 27; Numbers 15-16; Mark 6:1-29

Dig This Quote: The enemy’s goal is to make us fail to counteract faith destroyers. He wants to keep us from escaping slavery and plundering him! He creates apathy and passivity, making us dull, unfeeling, barren or inactive. He tempts us to be lazy or fall into indolence, and then he controls us with poverty. He longs to develop in is a mind of exultation that leads is into being conceited and complacent. Our pride then makes is think we know it all (Job 32:13). His ultimate goal is to block heaven, block our spirits and block our creative thinking … We then become anxious, and our thoughts reflect our anxiety. – Chuck D. Pierce

Determined Digging: Are you memorizing God's Word with us? If you would like the full lists, respond to today's Freedom Fighter and I will send you the complete list.

(Level 1) Psalm 28:7 (Level 2) Psalm 37:3-11

Never Again Remembered

NEVER AGAIN REMEMBERED

"I will not remember your sins." Isaiah 43:25

I get accused of having the memory of an elephant -- I remember stuff that people have long forgotten. I can recall funny stories or things that people have done, and years later when I see them, I will remind them of an event or funny thing in their life. They will often remark --"He never forgets."

While most of us are terrified at becoming forgetful ... Let me remind you that God is a forgetter! We tend to remember what we should forget and forget what we should remember.

But when it comes to our sin, because of what Jesus did in paying for our sins with HIS blood, those sins are forgiven and HE REMEMBERS THEM NO MORE!

Listen to Bible teacher Jerry Bridges: Not only has God blotted out our sins, He has further promised never to remember our sins, never to bring them to His mind again.

What an overwhelming thought! What joy this should bring to our hearts. Think of one of your more recent sins, of which you're now ashamed. It may have been an unkind word, a resentful attitude, or a lustful thought. Whatever it might be, God says He has put it out of His mind. HE REMEMBERS IT NO MORE!

To remember no more is God's way of expressing absolute forgiveness. In Hebrews 8:12, God said, "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more! (NIV) And again in Hebrews 10:17-18, He said, "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.' and where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin." (NIV) Note that in both passages "remembering no more" is equated with forgiveness.
Psalm 130:3-4 states that the same truth in a somewhat different way: "If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with You is forgiveness, that you may be feared." Here the Psalmist considered the prospect that God does remember our sins, that He does keep a record of them. If it were true, it would be a terrifying thought. The psalmist said, "Who could stand?" Its a rhetorical question. None of us could successfully stand before God's bar of judgment. But then the psalmist went on to exclaim, "But with You there is forgiveness!"

God does not keep a record of our sins. Instead He forgives. This, of course, anticipates the sacrifice of Christ for our sins, for "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." (Hebrews 9:22) -- from HOLINESS DAY BY DAY -- Transformation Thoughts for Your Spiritual Journey (Navpress)

Some of us end up getting stuck in our Christian walk because we hold onto the sins that are buried, paid for, and remembered no more! Is that true in your life today, my brother? If so -- praise God -- He remembers them no more! No give yourself permission to forget them as well. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 26; Numbers 12-14; Mark 5:21-43

Dig This Quote: The mind, heart, emotions and well-being of the soul are intricately connected. Usually, the enemy’s goal in persecution is not to see us burned at the stake. To persecute actually means to wear down the mind and remove the strength. This disables a person from having the rightly connected thought process for success and prosperity in days of turmoil. One of the ways the enemy wears us down, then, is by causing the complexities of life to overcome our thoughts and emotions. – Chuck D. Pierce

Determined Digging: (Level 1) -- Psalm 28:7; (Level 2) Psalm 37:3-11

The Exchanged Life

The Exchanged Life

"I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

I shared this in a Freedom Fighter back in 2005. It is worth repeating as it is the heart beat of our Keswick message. The devotional was written by Dr. Henry Blackaby in his book, EXPERIENCING GOD -- THE DEVOTIONAL (Broadman/Holman).

The Christian life is an exchanged life: Jesus' life for your life!

When Christ takes control, your life takes on dimensions you would have never known apart from Him. When you are weak, Christ demonstrates His strength in your life (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

When you face situations that are beyond your comprehension, you have only to ask, and the infinite wisdom of God is available to you (James 1:5).

When you are faced with humanly impossible situations, God does the impossible (Luke 18:27).

When you encounter people whom you find difficult to love, God expresses His unconditional love through you (1 John 4:7).

When you are at a loss as to what to pray for someone, the Spirit will guide you in your prayer life (Romans 8:16).

When Christ takes up residence in the life of a believer, "all the fullness of God" is available to that person (Ephesians 3:19).

It is marvelously freeing to know that God controls your life and knows what it can become. Rather than constantly worrying about what you will face, your great challenge is to continually release every area of your life to God's control. The temptation will be to try to do by yourself what only God can do. Our assignment is to "abide in the vine" and to allow God to do in and through us only what HE can do (John 15:5). Only God can be God. Allow Him to live out His divine life THROUGH you. He is the only ONE who can.

Allow this message from Dr. Blackaby to make its way into your heart today. Have you experienced the exchanged life, brothers? It's the ONLY way to live. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 25; Numbers 9-11; Mark 5:1-20

Dig This Quote: Usually the root of all your fear and anxiety is embedded in a situation that created mistrust in your life. Mistrust wars against trust. Mistrust is determined to get you into a place of self-reliance so you miss God’s course of action for you that will overcome anxiety in every situation. – Chuck D. Pierce

Determined Digging: (Level 1) Psalm 28:7; (Level 2) Psalm 37:3-11

Praying from a Close Relationship

Praying From a Close Relationship

"And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight." 1 John 3:22

Sometimes we think prayer is like using our "genie in a bottle." We forget that are are some perquisites for answers to prayer like two that are mentioned in the verse about.

Dr. Glynn Evans in his daily devotional, DAILY WITH HE KING (Moody Press) shares some insight about praying from a close relationship:

I will renew with God my covenant of prayer. Theoretically, I have always believed in prayer. Practically, my life has been strewn with pleas that were never answered.

How can I square such failure with the clear teaching of Jesus? "Ask, and it shall be given" (Matthew 7:7), "whatever you ask in My name, that will I do" (John 14:13).

Jesus encourages me to ask anything, to ask repeatedly and unashamedly, and to keep on asking until the answer comes.

But haven't we been taught to pray "If it be Thy will?" Shouldn't we defer to God's sovereign control of things and try to get on the inside track with Him before asking?

However, there are conditions to answered prayer:

1. I cannot "regard iniquity in my heart" (Psalm 66:18), that is, give iniquity place, time, and attention.

2. I cannot "ask amiss," that is to further my lustful desires (James 4:3).

3. I cannot be "wavering" (James 1:6), that is, wanting something so little that it really makes no difference whether I get it or not.

4. I must "abide" in Christ (John 15:7). To abide in Him means to be drawn toward Him as a flower is drawn toward the sun.

Now I begin to see what answered prayer really means: a life of total dedication to God, a life lived in Him that is so real that I can discern His desires, His mind, His will. If I pray from the midst of that intimate relationship, my prayers will never fail. When I reach that point I will never need to ask, "If it be Thy will." The Christian who keeps asking God for the benefit of His will does not know Him in a deep, abiding way. The Christian who is constantly a delight to God will be one to whom God will reveal His mind.

Brothers, are you praying from a close relationship today? Abide in Him and watch Him work. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 24; Numbers 7-8; Mark 4:21-41

Dig This Quote: The enemy not only wants to OCCUPY our souls and minds, but he wants to VEX our spirits. He must find ways to disconnect is from communion with God. This dulls our intuition and robs us of an overcoming testimony. He annoys, agitates, and confounds us, and he strives to make us anxious over our destiny. The enemy employs schemes and tactics to change times and laws to make our faith empty. He understands the power of unity better than we do, and he knows how to thwart the power of oneness with our Creator. Much anxiety comes because we agree to go along with the enemy’s covenant-breaking strategies. – Chuck D. Pierce

Determined Digging: (Level 1) Psalm 28:7; (Level 2) Psalm 37: 3-11

Nothing Is Impossible for God

Nothing Is Impossible for God

"Nothing is impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

Please make sure you read to the end today. I shared this reading from STREAMS IN THE DESERT (Zondervan) back in 2006. It is one that is really worth repeating:

IT IS POSSIBLE for believers who are completely willing to trust the power of the Lord for their safe keeping and victory to lead a life of readily taking HIS promises exactly as they are and finding them to be true.

IT IS POSSIBLE to daily "cast all your anxiety on him" (1 Peter 5:7) and experience deep peace in process.

IT IS POSSIBLE to have our thoughts and the desires of our hearts purified in the deepest sense of the word.

IT IS POSSIBLE to see God's will in every circumstance and to accept it with singing instead of complaining.

IT IS POSSIBLE to become strong through and through by completely taking refuge in the power of God and by realizing that our greatest weakness and the things that upset our determination to be patient, pure, or humble provide an opportunity to make sin powerless over us. This opportunity comes through Him who loves us and works to bring us into agreement with His will, and thereby supplies a blessed sense of His presence and His power.

All there are DIVINE POSSIBILITIES. Because they are HIS work, actually experiencing them will always humble us, causing us to bow at His feet an teaching us to hunger and thirst for more.

We will never be satisfied with anything less - each day, each hour, each moment in Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit -- than walking with God.

We are able to have as much of God as we want. Christ puts the key to HIS treasure chest in our hands and invites us to take all we desire. If someone is allowed into a bank vault, told to help himself to the money, and leaves without one cent, whose fault is it if he remains poor? And whose fault is it that Christians usually have such meager portions of the free riches of God?

On Friday, I learned another example of the fact that NOTHING is impossible for God. We have been pleading with the Lord for a Kubota. Ours bit the dust, and we are so crippled without it. It seemed like the need would never be met -- but God showed up on Friday and met the need in an amazing way. We rejoice is HIS provision at JUST THE RIGHT TIME. Thank You, Father, that NOTHING, absolutely nothing, is impossible for YOU! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 23; Numbers 5-6; Mark 4:1-20

Dig This Quote: In dangerous times, the enemy works overtime to discourage us and produce internal friction in our souls. He attempts to get us to hold on to old ways of thinking that lead to an ignorance of present truth. He longs to find a way to get us to participate with him. You and I must remove the hidden effect of trauma so that they enemy cannot use our hurts to convince us that God is not good or that He is holding out on us in some way. This is what the enemy did with the first man and woman in the Garden. – Chuck D. Pierce

Determined Digging: (Level 1) Psalm 28:7; (Level 2) Psalm 37:3-11

The Grandest Fact

THE GRANDEST FACT

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in Him." 1 John 4:16

I love my grand kids (and my kids ...) and I tell them often how much I love them. I will often ask them, "How much does Pop love you?" to which they are all starting to reply, "A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck!"

Sometimes we need to step back as men and be reminded that God love us! Today's devotional penned by Oswald Chambers is a great encouragement. May there is some brother today who needs to hear this message:

Look back over you own history as revealed to you by grace, and you will see one central fact growing large: God is love. No matter how often your faith in such an announcement was clouded, no matter how the pain and suffering of the moment made you speak in a wrong mood, still this statement has borne its own evidence along with it most persistently. GOD IS LOVE.

In the future, when trials and difficulties await you, do not be fearful. Let not this faith slip from you; GOD IS LOVE. Whisper it not only to your heart in its hour of darkness, but here in the corner of God's earth. Live in the belief of it; preach it by your sweetened, chastened, happy life; sing it in consecrated moments of peaceful joy, sing until the world around you "is wrought to sympathy with hopes and fears it heeded not."

The world does not invite you to sing, but God does. Song is the sign of an unburdened heart; so sing your songs of love uninvited, rising even higher and higher into a fuller concept of the greatest, grandest fact on the stage of life: GOD IS LOVE!

But words and emotions pass, precious as their influence may be for the time. So when the duller moments come and the mind needs something more certain and sure to consider than the memory of mere emotions and stirring sentiments, consider this revelation: the eternal fact that God is love -- not, God is loving.

We must keep ourselves in the love of God be meditating on this fact; then we shall not despair for long. The love of God performs a miracle of grace in graceless human hearts. GOD IS LOVE. One brief sentence; it is the gospel. (from HOW GREAT THOU ART -- Multnomah)

I don't know who you are ... but God does. He wants you to hear from Him this morning: I LOVE YOU! Respond to His love today, my brother! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 22; Numbers 3-4; Mark 3:20-35

Dig This Quote: Repentance is the process of “changing our brains” so we think the way the Lord thinks. When we repent, we turn and walk away from a path that prevents us from seeing the desires of God manifest in our lives. When we turn and think the way God would have us think, we turn onto a path that brings life, and life abundant. So keep turning until you have turned into the new path ahead. – Chuck D. Pierce

Determined Digging: (Level 1) Psalm 28:7; (Level 2) Psalm 37:3-11

A Pledge of Trust

A PLEDGE OF TRUST

"Trust in the Lord and do good, so shall thou dwell in the land ... and be fed." Psalm 37:3

Good morning on this beautiful Lord's Day. Jan and I will be driving to Lancaster this morning where I will be sharing the Word with the wonderful people from New Song Fellowship Church. Pastor Jamie Mitchell and the folks from New Song have been a great encouragement to me and the ministry of America's KESWICK.

I have been reading through a hymnal as a part of my devotional time, and today there is a wonderful prayer written by Bryan Jeffery Leach entitled, A PLEDGE OF TRUST. I thought it was appropriate for this Lord's Day as we gather together to worship our AUDIENCE OF ONE:

Father, during this coming week there may be times when I shall not be able to sense Your presence or to be aware of Your nearness.

When I am lonely and by myself
I TRUST YOU TO BE MY COMPANION.
When I am tempted to sin
I TRUST YOU TO KEEP ME FROM IT.

When I am depressed and anxious
I TRUST YOU TO LIFT MY SPIRITS.

When I am crushed by my responsibility and overwhelmed by the demands of people on my time,
I TRUST YOU TO GIVE ME POISE AND A SENSE OF PURPOSE.

When I am rushed and running
I TRUST YOU TO MAKE ME STILL INSIDE.

When I forget You
I TRUST THAT YOU WILL NEVER FORGET ME.

When I forget others
I TRUST YOU TO PROMPT ME TO THINK OF THEM.

When you take something or someone from me that I want to keep; when You remove the props I lean on for comfort in place of You; when You refuse to respond to my questions and to answer my selfish prayers, I WILL TRUST YOU EVEN THEN. Amen

What a great prayer as we begin this new week. Do we dare to trust HIM no matter what? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 21; Numbers 1-2; Mark 3:1-19

Dig This Quote: The true picture of Sabbath is a day of celebration, a day to turn the burdens of life over to God to enjoy His goodness. God intended Sabbath to be a blessing not a burden. – Robert Heidler

Determined Digging: (Level 1) Psalm 28:7; (Level 2) Psalm 37:3-11

The Warrior's Prayer

THE WARRIOR'S PRAYER

"Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and His vast strength. Put on the FULL armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the devil." Ephesians 6:10-11 (CSB)

How often to I find myself going out to do battle forgetting to put on the armor that God has given me to fight the battles of life. Can you imagine how dumb it would be to go into battle in an war without being properly equipped and outfitted?

Paul in Ephesians 6 tells us about the "Full Armor of God". I love this prayer written by Dr. David Jeremiah. It's called the "Warrior's Prayer"

Heavenly Father,
Your warrior prepares for battle
Today I claim the victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God!

I put on the GIRDLE of TRUTH!
May I stand firm in the truth of YOUR WORD so that I will not be a victim of Satan's lies.

I put on the BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS!
May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.

I put on the SHOES of PEACE!
May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so Your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter.

I take the SHIELD of FAITH!
May I be ready for Satan's fiery darts of doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.

I put on the HELMET of SALVATION!
May I keep my mind focused on YOU so that Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.

I take the SWORD of the SPIRIT!

May the two-edged sword of YOUR WORD be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.

By faith your warrior has put on the WHOLE armor of God! I am prepared to live this day in spiritual victory! Amen

Brothers, (and sisters) -- There is no better time than right now to get dressed for battle. Are you are warrior? Then by God's grace, be obedient and put on your armor! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 20; Leviticus 26-27; Mark 2

Dig This Quote:

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Stand in HIS strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you,
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor,
Each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls, or danger
Be never wanting there!

Determined Digging: (Level 1) Psalm 27:4; (Level 2) Psalm 34:1-10

Count Yourself

COUNT YOURSELF

"Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." Romans 6:11

One of the messages that I heard the late Pastor Bill Raws share with the men of the Colony of Mercy was from this very text. As a part of the message he would graphically describe to the men that a casket is sitting in the front of the chapel and inside it is a dead body. All the life has been drained from it, and it is dead.

He likened us to that dead body according to Romans 6:11. Count on it -- we are dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. The coffin has been nailed shut.

However, the problem is that we don't want to be dead. Even after the funeral we try to pull ourselves out of the coffin and live the old defeated life.

Listen to what Bible teacher, Chris Tiegreen, from Walk Thru the Bible, has to say about this exchanged life:

Many Christians miss out on experiencing the victorious, joy-filled life, not because they aren't in face crucified and raised in Jesus, but because they don't know it. Perhaps it is only a theological belief or a matter of creed. Perhaps it is misunderstood as something to strive for rather than to accept. Perhaps it is seen as a future possibility rather than an established position.

None of that is enough. A Christian will really experience the joy and power and victory of the Christian life when he or she believes its foundation: We were crucified with Jesus, and now we are raised in the HIS life. And it must be more than belief; we must KNOW IT, COUNT ON IT, CLING TO IT as a rock-solid event as certain as the day we graduated, got married, or signed a contract.

Too many Christians are TRYING to make the Christian experience true for them. They have put the cart before the horse. EXPERIENCE DOESN'T LEAD TO TRUTH, TRUTH LEADS TO EXPERIENCE. Instead of praying FOR the resurrected life, ACCEPT IT and LIVE IT. Instead of hoping you will die to sin, COUNT OF THE FACT THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE!

Our struggles are often a product of how we see ourselves. If we see ourselves as sinners TRYING to be BETTER Christians, that is how we will live. If we see ourselves as sinners who were BURIED WITH CHRIST and RAISED TO NEW LIFE, that too is how we'll live. Romans 6:11 tells us what to see. COUNT ON IT, and watch your experience line up with truth. (from ONE YEAR DEVOTIONAL -- WALK WITH GOD -- Tyndale)

This, my brothers, is the VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE! You are in the coffin! Dead to sin! The casket lid is closed. Locked. Buried. Now count on it -- YOU ARE NOW ALIVE TO GOD IN CHRIST JESUS. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 19; Leviticus 25; Mark 1:23-45

Dig This Quote: Our God is not the “great I WAS” or the “GREAT I USED TO BE,” but He is still the “GREAT I AM!” – Testimony from a Dad whose son was in a terrible accident (The Rewards of Simplicity …)

Determined Digging: (Level 1) Psalm 27:4; (Level 2) Psalm 34:1-10

Check out this week's STEWARDSHIP INSIGHT FROM GEORGE http://keswickgeorge.blogspot.com/

God's Glory on Display (Part 2)

God's Glory on Display (Part 2)

I love reading from a scientist's point of view, how our great God displays his glory in nature. It reminds me of how truly awesome and majestic He is.

Mark Batterson in his new book, PRIMAL, shares Psalm 29 from The Message. He calls this Psalm "Ode to a Thunderstorm"

Bravo, God, bravo!
Gods and all angels shout, "Encore!"
In awe before the glory,
in awe before God's visible power ...

God's thunder tympanic,
God's thunder symphonic.

God's thunder smashes cedars,
God topples the northern cedars ...

God's thunder spits fire.
God thunders, the wilderness quakes;
He makes the desert of Kadesh shake.

God's thunder sets the oak tree dancing
A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.
We fall to our knees -- we call our, "Glory!"

During the past few days we have witnessed God's power and glory as He has painted the landscape with snow -- and tons of snow! The last storm brought down many trees on our property (as well as wires!!!).

When the sun comes out the trees just seem to sparkle and glow with beauty. Icicles are hanging every where, and when the sun shines on them, they are spectacular.

As a kid I was not real found of thunderstorms. But even thunderstorms display the glory of our God. I learned something new about thunderstorms from Mark Batterson's book:

There are approximately two thousand thunderstorms somewhere on planet Earth at any given time. And there are approximately one hundred lightning strikes per second, or 8.64 million lightning strikes per day! That is a lot of standing ovations.

Batterson reminds us in the Psalm 29 that the angels shout, "Encore!" after each one!

When was the last time you shouted, "Bravo!" when you saw a sunrise? A sunset? The beauty of a moon as it arises each night? The heavens declare God's glory. Don't miss it. It is another gift He gives us daily to enjoy. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 18; Leviticus 23-24; Mark 1:1-22

Dig This Quote: The purpose of simplicity is not to prune those things away that bring us joy and enrich our lives. Instead, the purpose of simplicity is to streamline our loves in such a way that we have more room, time and energy for the pursuits and people that God ordains for us. – The Rewards of Simplicity Pam and Chuck D. Pierce

Determined Digging: Level 1 -- Psalm 27:4; Level 2 --Psalm 34:1-10

God's Glory on Display

God's Glory on Display

"God's glory is on tour in the skies,
God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning,
Professor Night lectures every evening.

Their words aren't heard, their voices aren't recorded,
But their silence fills the earth:
Unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.

God makes a huge dome for the sun -- a superdome!
The morning sun's a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed,
The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.

That's how God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset,
Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith." -- Psalm 19:1-5 -- from The Message

The heaven's do declare the glory of our great God. In his book, PRIMAL -- A QUEST FOR THE LOST SOUL OF CHRISTIANITY (Multnomah), Pastor Mark Batterson shares this amazing insight about the glory of the God displayed in the heavens:

The sunrise is so consistent that we take it for granted, but few things are a miraculous as the celestial dance that takes place on a daily basis. Our planet spins around its axis at a speed of 1,000 mph. And while our planet does a 360 every twenty four hours, it is also hurtling through space at an unimaginable speed of 67,000 mph.

You may not have big plans for today, but you will travel 1.6 million miles in your annual lap around the sun. Quite an accomplishment! And to top it off, the Milky Way galaxy is spinning at approximately 490,000 mph. It takes the Milky Way two hundred million years to make one full revolution.

No wonder David the Shepherd boy wrote in his journal:
I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewelry,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why do you bother with us?
Why take a second look our way?

God, brilliant Lord, your name echoes around the world! -- Psalm 8 from The Message


Ponder this today, my brothers, the God who made the heavens and earth, the One who has put the universe on display -- loves YOU with an everlasting love! "How majestic is YOUR name, O Lord, in all the earth!" -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

NEW FEATURE: The Scriptures are now linked right to Bible Gateway. Click on the highlighted verses and it will take you right to the text. Today's verses are from the New American Standard Version

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 17; Leviticus 21-22; Matthew 28

Dig This Quote: Worship is transcendent wonder. Wonder for which there is no limit or measure; that is worship!” – Thomas Carlyle, nineteenth-century Scottish essayist

Determined Digging: Level 1 --Psalm 27:4 ; Level 2 -- Psalm 34:1-10

The Exchange of Grace

The Exchange of Grace

"Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?" Romans 6:1

Today's devotional gets right at the core of the issues of grace and our sin. It is taken from THE ONE YEAR WALK WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL written by Chris Tiegreen, who serves with our good friends at Walk Thru the Bible. We love that ministry and commend it to you: http://www.walkthru.org/.

Listen to Chris' insight today: It seems so unreal. The gospel of grace, the thought that EVERYTHING we have ever done and ever do is covered by the sacrifice of Jesus, seems so unlikely. The world we live in has not conditioned us to be that anything truly valuable is free.

The knowledge deep within us that we are spiritually and morally corrupt has not conditioned us to accept mercy so easily. We're trained to understand that people get what they deserve, not that a something-for-nothing transaction is worth anything. Especially when the "something" is so huge and the "nothing" is so clearly devoid of merit.

So, Paul asked this question: Shall we go on sinning? If none of this gospel is based on merit, should we just give up trying to behave ourselves? It's a question that, if we have to ask it, unmasks our motives. We'd prefer not to have much to do with God.

The answer to this question of sinning in the face of grace, according to Paul, is a horrified, "Of course not!" Paul is clear on one thing we frequently forget: We did not simply sign a contract for our salvation; we exchanged lives with a Redeemer. He took our sinful selves into the grace with Him and brought us a resurrected life instead. And that life can NEVER be comfortable with sin. Never.

Do you view your salvation simply as a contractual agreement that you guarantee you a pleasant eternity? They you will epic struggles with sin. You will find it much to easy to justify your indiscretions because, after all, a merciful God will overlook them. But if you view your salvation as a life-exchange --a once profane existence now traded for a Holy Substitute -- then the very thought of sin will seem ludicrous.

Yes, there will be struggles, but not from any attempt to justify disobedience. The struggle will only be with the power of the flesh, which Jesus is ready and willing to subdue. With that kind of Savior, is there ANY reason to go on sinning?

Good stuff for this cold Tuesday in February. Don't allow your sin to make your heart cold to His wanting you live HIS life in and through you, today. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 16; Leviticus 19-20; Matthew 27:51-56

Dig This Quote: Free grace can go into the gutter and bring up a jewel. -- Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Determined Digging: Level 1- Psalm 27:4; Level 2 -- Psalm 34:1-10

Being Just in an Unjust World

Being Just in an Unjust World

“He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

As a young child, when things did not go my way, I would make the accusation that I was not being treated fairly. As I grew older, it translated into feelings that there was no justice at all. Now that I’m an adult, I know that there is very little justice in the world and that God never promised justice from the world.

The pledge to the American flag ends with the words, “… with liberty and justice for all.” Webster’s Dictionary defines justice as the quality of being just, impartial or ethically correct. Do you believe there is justice for all? Have you ever been unjust toward others? How do you respond to being treated unfairly? I expect to shed some light on these questions and encourage all to be just in an unjust world.

In English, the terms “righteousness” and “justice” are different words, but in both the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament thee is only one word group behind these two English terms. In the Old Testament, the terms primarily translate forms of the “tsedek” word group. In the New Testament translation it is of the “dikaios” word group. These two terms will be sundered together as speaking of one attribute of God. God is Just!

Justice is one of many key themes of the Minor Prophets. While it is an attribute of God, justice is also an obligation on the part of man God created. “… and what does the Lord require of you? But to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humble with your God” (Micah 6:8b). Here is a common standard of justice to which we are held accountable.

The reality of sin necessitates the connection between justice and mercy. Israel complained that God had been unjust in holding what they considered their proper amount of material blessings. “Where is the God of justice?” they complained. The people asked for justice, justice is what they should get. God should come and destroy their land, obliterate their city, and confine them all to an eternal hell for their wickedness. However, God’s grace and mercy prevailed, even as it does today. We should be grateful God does not give us what we deserve.

Because of sin we are unjust, and many times we are the victim of unjust acts. Don’t try to bring God down to our level of petty justice or understanding. Accept that God is good, that this is the age of grace and come to Him through Jesus while there is still time. While on planet Earth, with God’s grace, mercy and love we are able to maintain a good testimony before God and man. -- Dr. Henry Lutz is a retired pastor and friend of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 15; Leviticus 17-18; Matthew 27:27-50

Dig This Quote: The marvel of the grace of God is that He can take the strand evil and twistedness out of a man’s mind and imagination and make him simple towards God. Restoration through the redemption of Jesus Christ makes a man simple, and simplicity always show itself in action. – Oswald Chambers

Determined Digging: Level 1 -- Psalm 27:4; Level 2 --Psalm 34:1-10

Psalm 89 -- A paraphrase

Psalm 89 -- A paraphrase

Today is the Lord's day -- a day set apart for Him and Him alone. I recently read this paraphrase of Psalm 89 and thought it would be fitting for this Lord's Day:

I feel like singing this morning, O Lord.
I feel like telling everyone about me how great YOU are!
If only they could know the depths of YOUR love
and Your eternal concern for those who will follow You!
But my songs are so often off-key.
My speech is inadequate.
I simply cannot express what I feel,
what I know to be true about YOUR love for Your creatures upon this world.

But even the songs of the birds proclaim Your praises.
The heavens and the earth beneath them,
the trees that reach toward YOU
the flowers that glow in colorful beauty,
the green hills and soaring mountains,
the valleys and the plains,
the lakes and the rivers,
the great oceans that pound our shores.
they proclaim YOUR greatness, O God,
and YOUR love for the sons of men.

How glorious it is to be alive, O Lord!
May every breath of my body,
every beat of my heart,
be dedicated to YOUR praise and glory!

Brothers, enjoy HIM today. He is your AUDIENCE of ONE. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 14; Leviticus 15-16; Matthew 27:1-26

Dig This Quote: As a good Christian should consider every place holy because God is there, so he should look upon every part of his life as a matter of holiness because it is to be offered unto God. – William A. Law

Determined Digging: Level 1 -- Psalm 27:4; Level 2 --Psalm 34:1-10

Is Your Mind Stayed on God?

Is Your Mind Stayed on God?

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3

Today's devotional is from the pen of Oswald Chamber' February 11th reading from MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. It is a great follow-up to our discussions this week on anxiety:

Is your mind stayed on God or is it starved? Starvation of the mind, caused by neglect, is one of the chief sources of exhaustion and weakness in a servant’s life. If you have never used your mind to place yourself before God, begin to do it now. There is no reason to wait for God to come to you. You must turn your thoughts and your eyes away from the face of idols and look to Him and be saved (see Isaiah 45:22 ).

Your mind is the greatest gift God has given you and it ought to be devoted entirely to Him. You should seek to be "bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ . . ." ( 2 Corinthians 10:5 ). This will be one of the greatest assets of your faith when a time of trial comes, because then your faith and the Spirit of God will work together.

When you have thoughts and ideas that are worthy of credit to God, learn to compare and associate them with all that happens in nature-the rising and the setting of the sun, the shining of the moon and the stars, and the changing of the seasons. You will begin to see that your thoughts are from God as well, and your mind will no longer be at the mercy of your impulsive thinking, but will always be used in service to God.

"We have sinned with our fathers . . . [and] . . . did not remember . . ." ( Psalm 106:6-7 ). Then prod your memory and wake up immediately. Don’t say to yourself, "But God is not talking to me right now." He ought to be. Remember whose you are and whom you serve. Encourage yourself to remember, and your affection for God will increase tenfold. Your mind will no longer be starved, but will be quick and enthusiastic, and your hope will be inexpressibly bright.

Is your mind staying on God today, brothers? Memorize Isaiah 26:3. It's a great verse to have in your spiritual arsenal. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 14; Leviticus 14; Matthew 27:51-75

DIG THIS QUOTE: Until we understand how holy God is, we will never understand how gracious he has been in his long-suffering attitude toward sin. – R.C. Sproul

DETERMINED DIGGING: Level 1: Psalm 19:14; Level 2 -- Psalm 27:1-6

The Sin of Anxiety

THE SIN OF ANXIETY

"He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

Ok ... so it must be ME that needs to get this anxiety thing! I opened my devotional readings again for today and got hammered yet again. Not only am I to be anxious for NOTHING ... absolutely NOTHING ... but I was reminded again this morning that my anxiety is SIN!

Dr. Jerrry Bridges in his devotional book, HOLINESS -- TRANSFORMATIONAL THOUGHTS FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY (NAVPRESS) writes:

When we tell someone, "Don't be anxious," we're simply trying to encourage or admonish that person in a helpful way. But when GOD in His Word tells us, "Don't be anxious," it has the force of a moral command. It's His moral will that we not be anxious. Or to say it more explicitly, ANXIETY IS SIN!

Anxiety is sin for two reasons. First, it's distrust of God. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus said that if our heavenly Father takes care of the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, will He not much more take care of our temporal needs? When I give way to anxiety, I'm in effect believing that God won't take care of me!

Anxiety is also a lack of acceptance of God's providence -- His orchestrating ALL circumstances and events in His universe for His glory and the good of all His people. Some believers have difficulty accepting the fact that God does in fact do this, even those who believe this glorious truth often lose sight of it. Instead we focus on the immediate causes of our anxiety rather than remembering that those causes are under God's control.

Anxiety is one of my persistent temptations. If you're frequently tempted to anxiety as I am, can you recognize the types of circumstances that tend to make you anxious? Do you identify with me in chafing under God's providential will for you when it differs from your own agenda? If so, I encourage you to ask God to give you faith to believe that His providential will for you in these circumstances flows from His infinite wisdom and goodness and is ultimately intended for His glory and your good. Ask Him to give you a heart that is submissive to His providential will.

Wow! I want to be "more than a conqueror" in this area of my life. Thanks, Lord, for this reminder. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 12; Leviticus 13; Matthew 26:26-50

DIG THIS QUOTE: His words are as true as His own existence. He is unchangeable. He has never had to alter one saying or call back a single sentence. – Charles Haddon Spurgeon

DETERMINED DIGGING: Level 1 --Psalm 19:14; Level 2 -- Psalm 27:1-6

Footprints in the Snow

“Footprints In The Snow”

“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 131:1-3(ESV)

When I was a child, I spoke like a child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child but when it snows I play like a child. Twenty plus inches fell down on this Saturday and I must go out into this amazing blessing of God. I realize there are those of you who disagree with snow being a blessing but I find a silence in the morning snow that you get nowhere else. So as I was walking to see if the morning paper was even there, I mediated on Psalm 131. Our Church does Bible readings and we are reading from Psalms. It will be my turn the following Sunday but because of this snow fall…ah, I won’t go there, it’s only Saturday morning but I have Psalm 131 to read.

It may only be three verses but this Psalm keys in on humility, being content and having confidence in the Lord. These three verses have the contrast of a self that can be puffy and “in-your-face” but rather with the soul that is calm and serene, an illustration of a patient soul with simile of a weaned child with its mother. We have here three verses that can say with assurance to have “hope in the Lord.” In these three verses we can take the stance that there is no dependency on self and no belief that the present time is a prison.

When we do our Bible readings we are encouraged by our Deacon to share something on what we have just read. Either something where the verses have applied themselves to our everyday life to maybe something we might have found in something we have read or seen. I try to find a commentary or two and see if there is something in my life where I can show how God’s Word influence’s me. On this morning, God’s blessing of snow makes me feel like…well…a child. Wanna throw a snowball at something…anything. Alright maybe that ain’t too Christ-like…I still wanna do it.

Anyway, on this snow driven morning I wonder about my “posture” when it comes to people seeing me walk as a Christian man. I mean when it comes to “walking uprightly” do I do it too self-consciously or do I feel like drooping and being hunched over so it looks like a burden? How about “Am I excited as a child in the morning snow, knowing that the news for the morning will be “NO SCHOOL TODAY!!” Am I excited this morning as I know all this snow has to be removed and my back ain’t what it use to be? Or can I wean myself off the notion that my burden is my own and I can’t share it with anyone…even Him!

This may be hard thing to realize but I should be excited about my Christian walk just like a little child. Even if I am a 47 year old man. So if you are taking a quiet morning stroll in the morning, even if it’s been snowing, and start to wonder “Do I need to humbly approach the Cross like a man?” you can refer yourself to what Jesus said in Matthew 18:3 “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Feel like throwing a snowball? I do!! But with the love of Christ. -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 11; Genesis 27-28; Matthew 8:18-34

DIG THIS QUOTE: “We must become as little children, Mat 18:3. Our hearts are desirous of worldly things, cry for them, and are fond of them; but, by the grace of God, a soul that is made holy, is weaned from these things. The child is cross and fretful while in the weaning; but in a day or two it cares no longer for milk, and it can bear stronger food. Thus does a converted soul quiet itself under the loss of what it loved, and disappointments in what it hoped for, and is easy whatever happens.” -- Matthew Henry

DETERMINED DIGGING: Level 1 -- Psalm 19:14; Level 2 -- Psalm 27:1-6

Be Anxious for Nothing (Part 2)

Be Anxious for Nothing (Part 2)

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer and supplication ... "Philippians 4:6

God does have a sense of humor! Don't let that shock you -- He does. After all, He created YOU!

Yesterday I wrote about anxiety and was impressed with myself! I had read Chuck D. Pierces book on THE REWARDS OF SIMPLICITY and new that I would be able to share that information with you at some point. Good stuff ...

And then the Lord this morning reminded me about what I wrote and said, "Now do you REALLY believe it?" Ouch -- I hate when that happens.

EVERYTHING I read in my devotional time all tied together this morning. And guess the topic? Anxiety!!! In fact, Blackabys devotional today was titled: BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING!

There are two major things that I am anxious about right now: 1. The snowstorm this weekend meant that our weekend guests cancelled their conference resulting in a $20,000 loss in income on a week that we have payroll! 2. I have a key employee that resigned on Friday. When I say key, he really does the work of two employees. He is one of these unbelievably gifted young men. Filling his shoes is going to be humanly difficult.

So when God spoke to me today, I NEEDED IT! STREAMS IN THE DESERT really nailed it for me:

"Surely I am with you always." (Matthew 28:20) Never look ahead to the changes and challenges of this life in fear. Instead, as they arise look at them with full assurance that God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. Hasn't He kept you safe up to now? So hold His loving hand tightly, and He will lead you safely through ALL things. And when you cannot stand, He will carry you in His arms.

Do not look ahead to what MAY happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who cares for you TODAY will take care of you TOMORROW and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you His unwavering strength that you may bear it. BE AT PEACE, THEN, AND SET ASIDE ALL ANXIOUS THOUGHTS and worries.

The Lord IS my Shepherd. -- Psalm 23:1. Now WAS, not MAY be, nor WILL be. "The Lord IS my shepherd." He IS on Sunday, on Monday, and through every day of the week. He IS in January, in December and every month of the year. He IS when I am at home and in China. He IS during peace or war, and in times of abundance and poverty." -- J. Hudson Taylor

God KNOWS all about today as well as tomorrow. He knows how HE will provide the $20,000 short-fall. He knows how he will provide for America's KESWICK as he has lead and directed my key employee to start a new venture. He knows exactly the next steps. Therefore I need not fear, worry or fret. Today I can replace them with TRUST and move from fear to faith.

Thank You, Lord, for speaking to MY heart today in such a CLEAR way. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 10; Leviticus 8-10; Matthew 25:31-36

DIG THIS QUOTE: It was said of Moses that he spent forty years in the wilderness learning to be nothing, so that he might spend the next forty years proving God to be everything. – James Montgomery Boice

BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING

BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING ...

"Be anxious for nothing ..." Philippians 4:6

Have you ever heard the phrase, "You're just like your father?" Well I had to chuckle this weekend because I saw that ring true in my son, Zach this weekend.

He wasn't really feeling well on Thursday night, and by Friday morning he was feeling pretty lousy. I went out to our family room and asked him what was wrong and he said, "I'm all churned up!" I asked him why and he said, "I'm up tight about the blizzard that's coming, going to the doctors today, and about snowboarding on Monday."

Apart from the snowboarding, I knew exactly what he was feeling. He's just like me in more ways than I want to admit. I've struggled with anxiety for a good portion of my life. Anxiety can tie us up in knots, make us sick, and cripple us from living life as God intends.

Paul in this amazing passage in Philippians 4, makes it very clear. He gives us a list of the things that we can be anxious about. He makes is really simple to remember the outline: 1. Nothing. 2. Nothing. 3. Nothing.

One author says this about anxiety: Anxiety is progressive. Anxiety moves into fear. Fear develops into control. The fear of losing control eventually becomes panic. Panic then becomes trauma. Your present becomes your past, which is called post-traumatic stress syndrome. (Chuck D. Pierce -- The Rewards of Simplicity -- Revell)

Chuck Pierce in the book mentioned above, shares 15 practical ways to address your anxiety. I found this list very helpful to me:

1. Be simple. Call your sin -sin!

2. Agree with the Word of God.

3. Allow the Word and the Holy Spirit to work in you mightily.

4. Forgive those who have hurt you in any way.

5. Break the power of isolation around you.

6. Become vulnerable.

7. Experience God's love.

8. Be willing to pray for others who are struggling with the same issue.

9. Let go and lose control.

10. Give! Give! Give!

11. Submit quickly to His will even when you are confused by a circumstance.

12. Resist the enemy's voice that convinces you that you have failed. Rejoice evermore and align every situation of your life with God's perfect will.

13. Learn to listen to others so you can sense their emotional communication within their verbal communication.

14. Trust that God can send help and intervene in your life in time.

15. Be simple. Do what God tells you to do.

Are you struggling with anxiety today? Take some time to check out Philippians 4:6 and the verses that follow. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 9; Leviticus 6-7; Matthew 25:1-30

DIG THIS QUOTE: If God is sovereign, and he is on our side, then nothing can stop Him from His determination to keep us secure. – R. C. Sproul

DETERMINED DIGGING: Level 1 -- Psalm 19:14; Level 2 -- Psalm 27:1-6

Join us this Thursday night for our February Men's Fellowship Night with special speaker, Dr. Glenn Blossom. The evening begins with dinner at 6:15 PM. Come bring a friend. Call for reservations: 732-350-1187

Sin That Entangles Us

SIN THAT ENTANGLES US

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let is throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. -- Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Last week at our hymnsing we featured the hymns of Charles Wesley. He was an amazing trophy of God's grace. Wrote over 6000 hymns and was not afraid to be bold and proclaim the Word of God. He used the word SIN in his messages, and often times was scolded, cursed at, and even had has life threatened because he was direct in calling sin what it is, and telling people that they were sinners.

We need to be reminded often about sin in our lives and how easily we can become entangled with it. Dr. Henry Blackaby writes this in his devotional, EXPERIENCING GOD -- THE DEVOTIONAL:

Sin is our most persistent, determined, and pernicious enemy. Sin seeks to rob us of every good thing God has designed for us. Paul tells us that sin brings death (Romans 7:11). Yet it is very subtle. Sin creeps into our lives when and where we least expect it. It packages itself so attractively that we are lulled into thinking that it cannot really harm us (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Sin stealthily and relentlessly entangles our lives. We will never be able to run the race marked out for us as long as we are entrapped in sin. We can free ourselves from sin's bondage only if we recognize it for what it is. If we call sin a "mistake," a "bad habit," or "weakness," we will never escape its grasp.

We must not blame our sins on others. We must not allow pride to convince us it is to humiliating to admit the sin in our lives. Sin can blind us to is presence. It does not always command our attention but rather, it subtly and pervasively robs us of the spiritual power and victory that could be ours. The good news is that there is no extent to which sin can entangle us that God's grace does not abound still more to free us. (Romans 5:20)

Has sin robbed your joy? Has it prevented you from being the best husband, wife, son, daughter, or friend you could be? Is it keeping you from spiritual maturity? If you have become entangled with sin, God can release you immediately, no matter how desperately entangled you may have become!

POWERFUL! BROTHERS: if you are caught up in your sin, stop! Turn around! It's not too late. Don't destroy yourself and everyone around you. Run to HIM! Do it today! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 8; Leviticus 4-5; Matthew 24:29-51

DIG THIS QUOTE: This is the wonderful thing about Jesus: He sees us not as we ARE but as what we can BECOME. Even more, He is able to change us from what we ARE into what HE sees us as capable as BECOMING. – Dr. Glynn Evans

DETERMINED DIGGING: Level 1-- Psalm 19:14; Level 2 --Psalm 27:1-6

Join is this Thursday evening, February 11th, for our Men's Fellowship Night. Dr. Glen Blossom will be our guest speaker! Call today for your reservations. Come bring a friend. 732-350-1187

A Prayer of Confession

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

This morning most of us will be celebrating the Lord's Supper at our churches. As a part of preparing our hearts for the taking the bread and cup, Paul exhorts us to "examine" ourselves so that we are clean before we take part in this memorial feast.

During our Pastor's conference this past week, Robert Hayes shared a prayer of confession that was sent to him by email. It would be a good way for you to begin this day with this prayer. Read it slowly and allow the words to become your prayer to your Father today:

Dear Heavenly Father,
I confess that I have sinned against You, through my own fault, in thought and word and deed, in what I have done and I have left undone.

I have not loved You with my whole heart, and mind, and strength.

I have too often forgotten that I am Yours. Sometimes I carry on my life as if there was no God.

I have not loved my neighbor as myself.

I have not forgiven others, as I have been forgiven.

I confess to You the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience in my life.

I confess I have not properly loves and nurtured those closest to me; my wife and children.

I confess my frequent failures to think pure and excellent thoughts; to often lust and let anger fill my mind.

I confess my self-indulgent appetites and the way I use other people to get what I want.

I confess my envy of those more fortunate than I.

I confess my lust after worldly goods and comforts.

I confess my dishonesty in daily life and work.

I confess my negligence in prayer and worship.

I confess my blindness to human need and suffering, and my indifference to injustice and cruelty. I have not done the loving things that I ought to have done ... especially for the weakest and most neglected around me.

I confess my unloving thoughts and actions towards my neighbors.

I confess my prejudice and contempt toward those who are different from me; or who disagree with me.

I confess my waster and pollution of Your creation, and my lack of concern for those who will come after me.

I confess the heartbreak, worry, sorrow that I have caused, that make it difficult for others to forgive me.

I confess the times I have made it easy for others to do wrong; when I was not a credible witness for You.

Accept my repentance, Lord. For the sake of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, forgive all my sins and offenses to You. In removing my guilt, please also grant me a daily increase of Your Holy Spirit so that I may serve You in newness of life, to the glory of Your name. Amen

Powerful prayer. Work it through this morning. Be clean today as you participate with your brothers and sisters at the Table. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 7; Leviticus 1-3; Matthew 24:1-28

DIG THIS QUOTE: All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen. – Bruce Wilkinson

DETERMINED DIGGING: Level 1 -- Psalm 19:14; Level 2 --Psalm 27:1-6

The New Year's Old Resolutions

The New Year’s Old Resolutions

“When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed- Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.” Ecclesiastes 5: 4-7 (NKJV)

So, we are well into the New Year and I was wondering how many of you made “New Year’s Resolutions”? The first Saturday of this New Year I had done a devotional at Men’s Breakfast on making vow’s and oath’s being Christian men. I had a top ten list that the Associated Press put out but I’ll spare you guys that. No one really keeps it or keeps a record if anyone keeps it so it doesn’t matter. I will, however, share with you this morning on some of what I spoke about that Saturday morning.

In the Book of Genesis 28: 18-22, we find Jacob making his conditional promise to be faithful to God based on what God has promised to him. And like his grandfather, Abraham, he promises a tenth of his possessions to God. Abraham made this same promise to Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God. We need to recognize three things about Jacob here, his faith, his moderation in asking for his desires and his piety. His regard to God appear in what he desired, he knew that God would be with him and that God would keep him.

Then there is verse I started off with in the Book of Ecclesiastes. The Teacher comes right and pretty much says, “Don’t try to bribe God with a hasty vow. Because what will happen is either a priest, prophet or one of God's angels as the “messenger of God” will be the one to hold you accountable and have to listen to your excuses for an unfulfilled vow.”

When you make your vow rashly, you suffer your mouth to cause your flesh to sin. This example supposes a man coming to the priest, and pretending that his vow was made rashly, and that it would be wrong to fulfill it. This mockery of God will bring Him displeasure, which might make things worse for this man. We are to keep down the fear of man and set God before us. If you don't intend to pay, don't vow in the first place. The Teacher knew man's tendency to strike a bargain with God when caught in a tight and desperate situation.

In the New Testament we can read where Jesus spoke of making oaths while He gave His “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 5:33-37. Jesus wanted to convey that honest men do not need to resort in the making of oaths. For the Christian man, an oath is unnecessary. His Yes should mean Yes, and his No should mean No. Jesus did not want us to find it necessary to introduce our promises by some fancy use of words that may sound like this, “I swear by the archangel Gabriel and all the heavenly host.” or how about this “I swear on the Holy Bible”…”The only reason we do this “oath-taking” is that we know our simple word is not likely to be trusted so we try to induce or persuade people to believe us by making a solemn oath. Oath taking is really a pathetic confession of our dishonesty.

So this morning let us be mindful of promises we make to others no matter how small they are. We are held to a higher standard because of the relationship we maintain in Christ Jesus. The Bible is full of God’s promises and He hasn’t broken anyone of them. In Genesis 3:15 He made an awesome promise of a coming Savior to redeem a fallen world and from that moment forward (Hebrews 6: 13) He has maintained the certainties of His promises. -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 6; Exodus 39-40; Matthew 23:23-29

DIG THIS QUOTE: "How sad to see those relations who should quicken one another to that which is good, hardening one another in that which is evil! And this punishment was in reality mercy to vast numbers. It would cause strict self-examination, prayer, and dread of hypocrisy, covetousness, and vain-glory, and it should still do so. It would prevent the increase of false professors. Let us learn hence how hateful falsehood is to the God of truth, and not only shun a direct lie, but all advantages from the use of doubtful expressions, and double meaning in our speech.” Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, Matthew Henry

DETERMINED DIGGING: Level 1 -- Psalm 16:8; Level 2 -- Psalm 23

Thinking Rich

Thinking Rich

"Correct me, O Lord, but with justice; not with Thine anger, lets Thou bring me to nothing." Jeremiah 10:24

Have you ever stopped to think about how good you have it? Have you ever noticed how quickly we complain when the littlest of things either change our plans or our agenda for the day? We get frustrated when our technology equipment doesn't work, or the Internet is down, or we have to sit in traffic, stand in line, or simply have to wait?

Well brothers, we often think like paupers, rather than thinking like King's kids! What devotional author, Dr. Glynn Evans wrote in his book, DAILY WITHE THE KING, whacked me on the side of the head this morning. Maybe you need this too?

Lord, I promise that by YOUR help I will never poor mouth again. Most of Your children do not need a dose of poverty; they need a dose of faith.

"All things are yours," You told us through Paul (1 Corinthians 3:21). But most of the time I have not believed this word. I have lived as a pauper, a beggar, in spite of what You distinctly said, "The Lord ... daily leadeth us with benefits." (Psalm 68:19)

So I tossed on my bed, feeling cheated, left out, denied. Lord, is this the portion you had for me? You have tried to teach me, Lord, that all things are mine in Christ. Also, You have tried to teach me that You select the daily portion meant personally for me from the great storehouse of "all things."

What a rebel I am, Lord. My nightly unhappiness is simply childish rebellion against Your portion for me during the day. I need to master the idea that what happens in my life each day is what You send. It is YOUR portion wrapped in the ribbons of love. Each day yields what YOU send and I cannot lose it. Nothing planned for me is denied me. Whatever arrives is heaven's recipe.

Yet You have said, "All things are yours." IN CHRIST, I am heir to the universe. I vow to remember my wealth and think rich. I vow to remember that my daily portion, whether bitter or sweet, is given by YOUR love and cannot be lost. I will receive all that Christ has for me. This, Lord, will banish the inferiority and bring quiet acceptance.

Brothers, are we thinking like spiritual paupers or King's Kids? Do you have, as Zig Ziglar says, "stinkin' thinkin" or do you need to step back this morning, fall on your knees and thank Him for ALL that you have IN CHRIST? Think about it! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 5; Exodus 36-38; Matthew 23:1-22

DIG THIS QUOTE: God’s will done in any way but God’s way is not God’s will. – Bruce Wilkinson

DETERMINED DIGGING: Level 1 - Psalm 16:8; Level 2 -- Psalm 23

THIS IS MY DOING

THIS IS MY DOING

"This is my doing." 1 Kings 12:24

It's a day permanently etched in my mind. My CFO came and said the health insurance bill was due and we didn't have the resources to pay the bill = $25,000.

The Board had made a decision that we would no longer borrow money to pay our bills, but we would trust God for HIS supply. No line of credit! No bank loan. Where do you turn for the resources? God!

We called the staff together for pray, to cry out to God for His provision. A friend made a $25,000 loan, but said "the real deal will arrive on Friday -- trust HIM!"

Friday came, and Friday went. No provision. No check falling from the sky.

Saturday morning was a Board meeting. I was not looking forward to this meeting. I was discouraged and despondent. I sat down to have my quiet time and this was the verse that morning: "This is my doing!" I would be lying to you if I said I didn't chuckle sarcastically to the Lord, "Well thanks alot, Lord."

I pressed on and read the reading from STREAMS IN THE DESERT and came to this passage: Are you having problems with money, finding it hard to make ends meet? "This is My doing," for I am the One who keeps your finances, and I want you to learn to depend upon ME! MY SUPPLY IS LIMITLESS and "I will meet all your needs" (Philippians 4:19). I want you to prove My promises so no one may say "You did not trust in the Lord your God." (Deut. 1:32)

I packed up my stuff and went over to breakfast. Dr. Eric Crichton, a giant of the faith, asked to speak with me in my office. He and his wife came back and wanted me to tell them how much the health insurance bill was. I told him $25,000, and with that he sat down in the chair and said, "I have something amazing to tell you."

On Thursday he received a call from a dear lady that he had introduced to America's KESWICK. She told him that she was wiring money into his account and asked that he please take it to America's KESWICK on his next visit. On Friday he went to the bank to transfer the money to his checking account. The teller told him the amount: $25,000!!! The "real deal" had indeed arrived on the exact day!

The most amazing part of that story is that this dear lady lives in France! How did she know? God had laid on her heart at precisely the right time the need for her to send the gift to America's KESWICK.

Every year we have had miracles in regards to our health insurance. This year we were facing a similar challenge. What seemed like an impossible situation, has once again turned into another miracle!

I tell you that to remind you that YOU have a GOD who is able to take care of you in ways you can't begin to even imagine. He is interested in displaying HIS power and glory in YOUR life. Are you willing to trust HIM? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 4; Exodus 34-35; Matthew 22:23-46

DIG THIS QUOTE: God never promises us an easy time, only a safe arrival.

DETERMINED DIGGING: Level 1 -- Psalm 16:8; Psalm 23

Check out this week's STEWARDSHIP INSIGHT FROM GEORGE: http://www.americaskeswick.org/363836.ihtml#h_3532

The Four Faces

The Four Faces

“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother, led them up a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17:1-4 (NKJV)

During the fall of last year I was attending a KIBS class on the “Sermon on the Mount” and one night we were having a discussion that lead to the Tabernacle and there being a copy of one in Lancaster, Pa. As it turns out I had been one of the few in the class who did not see this attraction, so out of the blue I told my wife (Kathy) that I wanted to go out there and see this. Now she had done a Bible study on the Tabernacle and its relationship to Jesus and the Cross so it seemed relevant to go. Just as a side note my kids thought I was nuts to travel to Clippity-Clop Land to see a tent…with them in tow. So, I bought a nice lunch…afterwards.

Well since that trip the Men’s Bible study that I participate in on Tuesday night’s has decided to study the Tabernacle. I also heard about the Tabernacle from the weirdest place. I-Tunes!! I downloaded a sermon on what I thought was going to be focused on the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” but it went into the Tabernacle and the four faces of Jesus. The Pastor talked about how we need to live by what the four sides of the Tabernacle represent and how they protect us from the four winds of the Horsemen. (That one might be a stretch.)

So from what I am understanding the camp that surrounded the Tabernacle had to be set-up a certain way. The twelve tribes had to camp by their own standard, beside the emblems of his father’s house (Num 2:1-34). Now this is where it get’s interesting for me. These emblems, after some research, just may represent the four face of Jesus before the throne (Rev 4:2-8). The tribe of Judah camped to the east; their banner has the face of a lion. The tribe of Ephraim camped to the west; their banner has the face of a calf or oxen. The tribe of Reuben camped to the south; their banner has the face of man. The tribe of Dan camped to the north; their banner has the face of an eagle.

Now these faces also are represented as the four faces of Jesus in the Gospels. The Lion for Matthew dignifying Jesus as King of the Jews, the Ox for Mark portraying Jesus as an obedient and laboring servant of God. Then we have Man to represent Luke as this Gospel represents Jesus as “the Son of Man”, a phrase that Jesus used for Himself numerous times and then the Eagle for John. This is a symbol that dignifies Jesus as royalty, the Son of God who came from Heaven.

If we had God’s point of view from Heaven, we could look down and see the Cross. At the center we would see God being surrounded by the four faces of Jesus. And when the twelve tribes packed up, got into formation and marched while they followed the Pillar of Fire or the Cloud of Smoke, it was in the form of a cross. I’m looking forward to the rest of this study and praise God that this has been showed to me. I think it is no coincidence that God can be found on I-tunes. Where are you finding Him brother? -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 3; Exodus 31-33; Matthew 22:1-22

DIG THIS QUOTE: “This is what Jesus prays for us: “Father, show them my glory and give them the very delight in me that you have in me.” Oh, may we see Christ with the eyes of God and savor Christ with the heart of God. That is the essence of heaven. That is the gift Christ came to purchase for sinners at the cost of His death in our place.” John Piper “Pierced by the Word”

DETERMINED DIGGING: Level 1 -- Psalm 16:8; Level 2 -- Psalm 23

Happy Ground Hog Day

Happy Ground Hog Day

"I will bless the Lord who ha given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." Psalm 16:7-8

I have been reading through the book of Exodus with you on our "Digging Deeper" adventure. It has been a good review for me of the story of redemption.

I came to the place in the story where God calls Moses up into the mountain to give him the Ten Commandments (not the Ten Suggestions), and to give him the detailed instructions for the building of the tabernacle, the duties of the priests, and the offerings. Moses has been gone for over a month, and the people are getting restless. You can hear them asking, "Where has the old boy gone?"

The people come to Aaron and want to make a "new" idol and old Aaron doesn't even suggest to them that this is wrong. He goes right along with the plan, makes the golden calf, and then calls for a day celebration.

The Lord tells Moses what has happened: "They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them." Exodus 32:8

The Israelites have witnessed some incredible miracles: the plagues and how God worked during their release from the captivity of the Egyptians; the parting of the Red Sea and how God made a way for them to pass through the sea without anyone perishing; and good old Aaron had the opportunity to go with Moses up on the mount to see the God of Israel (Exodus 24:10).

We might ask the question, how could they be so stupid? Wait a minute! Don't get Pharisaical on me. Have you not been there? It would be like watching a rerun of the movie "Ground Hog Day."

Think of ALL that the Lord has done for you and me. Some of us have witnessed miracles and displays of God's glory and power in our lives in amazing ways. And yet how QUICKLY we find ourselves stepping back into our old routines, falling back into our old sin patterns, making new idols of the heart.

The children of Israel and Aaron, forget one thing: The God of Israel knew exactly where they were and what they were doing. Nothing escaped His eyes. They forgot the "fear of the Lord": God knows, weighs and sees every one of my thoughts, deeds, words and actions.

Puritan preacher John Owen said: We cannot take one step in our walk with God unless we remember that always and in all places, He is present with us; that He knows ALL our thoughts and sees all that we do and that at all times, night and day. And as we ought always to live in the fear of God as the omnipresent and omniscient God, so there are special times when our minds ought specially to remember His omnipresence and omniscience.

Thousands of people will turn on the news, or go to western PA to find out if the groundhog will see his shadow. They will get the prediction and quickly go back to life as it has been. Instead of focusing in on whether we will have a longer or shorter winner, a victorious way to spend this Ground Hog Day would be to remember THAT NOTHING ESCAPES HIS EYES! Remembering that will help us be MORE THAN A CONQUEROR not just today, but for the rest of our lives. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 2; Exodus 29-30; Matthew 21:23-46

DIG THIS QUOTE: It is not enough to want to be a useful tool for God; you must be willing to sit still for the grinding that produces the edge. – Bruce Wilkinson