America, the Beautiful

America, the Beautiful

"But in every nation He that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness is accepted by Him." Acts 10:35

Today is Memorial Day -- a time to remember an thank men and women from all walks of life who have served our country to preserve and protect our freedom. Some gave not only their time, but their very lives --blood shed on foreign soils so that we could enjoy freedom today.

Some of our military are laying in hospitals because of injuries received while serving our country. They are forgotten warriors who valiantly loved their country more than life.

I want to encourage you today to pray for the men and women around the globe that are currently serving our country. Whenever you see a man or woman in uniform, please take some time to thank them face-to-face for serving our country.

I love this beautiful hymn ... reflect on the words as you enjoy and celebrate this Memorial Day Weekend with family and friends:

O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood, from see to shining sea.

O beautiful for pilgrim feet, whose stern impassioned stress

A thoroughfare for freedom beat across the wilderness!

America! America! God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life!

America! America! May God thy gold refine.

Till all success be nobleness, and every gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears!

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea!

May God bless America today! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 31; 2 Chronicles 13-14; John 12:1-26

Dig this Quote: Grant me prudently to avoid him that flatters me, and to endure patiently him that contradicts me. Thomas a Kempis

Determined Digging: Level 1 --Proverbs 15:1; Level 2 -- Psalm 91:5-10

Examination Day

EXAMINATION DAY

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties.” (Psalm 139:23)

We tend to dread exams. Some of us dreaded examination day at school. Some of us dread going to the doctor and the dentist for our yearly exams.

The Bible encourages us to take the time to examine our lives. It would be good for us to make this a daily practice in our lives as we begin each day and before we lay our heads on the pillow. The Apostle Paul exhorts us to take time before we participate in the Lord’s Table to examine ourselves. (I Corinthians 11:28).

“Let us search and examine our ways and turn back to the Lord. "(Lamentations 3:40) "Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart." (Psalm 26:2) "Behold, You desire TRUTH in my inward parts, and in the hidden part. You will make me to know wisdom. (Psalm 51:6) " I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies. I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments. (Psalm 119:59-60)

And what should we do when we discover our inevitable failures? "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) "We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 2:1b-2) "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:19-22)

Examination is a good thing. Take some time today to examine your heart. Are you clean before Lord? He longs for you to have a clean heart! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 30; 2 Chronicles 10-12; John 11:30-57

Dig This Quote: That the universe was formed by a fortuitous concourse of atoms, I will no more believe than that the accidental jumbling of the alphabet would fall into a most ingenious treatise of philosophy. Jonathan Swift

Determined Digging: Level 1 --Proverbs 15:1; Level 2 -- Psalm 91:5-10

Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 7-9; John 11:1-29

From a Heart of Stone

Join us tonight at America's KESWICK as the KESWICK CELEBRATION CHOIR PRESENTS I LOVE AMERICA -- 7:00 PM in the Activity Center. Can't attend? You can watch live from our website:www.americaskeswick.org


From A Heart of Stone

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Ezekiel 36:25-27

While living in Cozumel, Mexico I spent a good deal of time on the beaches. The beaches were covered with large grey stones full of holes and crevices. The intense sun would dry the stones out making it difficult to see the dangerous holes. One day I stumbled across this heart shaped hole filled with beautiful blue, green water. I photographed the heart thinking that it too would dry up and disappear in the heat of the day. What I later realized was that this heart was always visible. The tide would come in each day and wash away the impurities cleaning the heart out and filling it with fresh water. As the day became hotter the color of the water in the heart would turn deeper and richer making it even more pleasing than before.

This picture is tucked away in my Bible at Ezekiel 36 to remind me of the wonderful work that Jesus does in our hearts as we trust Him as our Lord. He washes away the impurities and idols of our heart. It is only because of His Holy Spirit in us that we desire to do His will. It is only because of His Spirit that we are capable of living true to His commands. As we walk with him through our daily trails, through the heat of our day we grow into a deeper, richer and more beautiful relationship with Jesus Christ.

There is great reassurance of His sufficiency in these verses. It says I will sprinkle clean water on you…, I will cleanse you…, I will give you a new heart…, a new spirit I will put within you…, He will even cause me to want to walk in His statues. Never once does it say that I must do anything. Our job is to simply allow Him to do the work in us.

Lord, Thank you for your cleansing and transforming power in my life. Create in me a clean heart, a pure heart. Lord, Scrub me clean. I ask you to help me see the trails of my day as an opportunity to grow into a deeper more beautiful relationship with you. Please give me the strength to allow you the proper place on the altar of my life bringing all glory and honor to you. -- Bill Pruitt is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is now serving as a full-time Chaplain at the Colony

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 29; 2 Chronicles 7-9; John 11:1-29

Dig This Quote: Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness. This is our Lord's will,...that our prayer and our trust be, alike, large. For if we do not trust as much as we pray, we fail in full worship to our Lord in our prayer; and also we hinder and hurt ourselves. The reason is that we do not know truly that our Lord is the ground from which our prayer springeth; nor do we know that it is given us by his grace and his love. If we knew this, it would make us trust to have of our Lord's gifts all that we desire. For I am sure that no man asketh mercy and grace with sincerity, without mercy and grace being given to him first. Juliana of Norwich

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 11:19; Level 2: Psalm 91:1-4

Guidance From Behind

Join us live for our Memorial Day Weekend Conference that begins tonight on the campus of America's KESWICK. Tonight's session will air at 7:00 PM live from our website: www.americaskeswick.org. Better yet, come and enjoy the conference meeting live at Keswick. Childcare is provided.

Guidance From Behind

"And I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains." Isaiah 42:16

Every time the Colony men are together for a service, they always recite the benediction from Deuteronomy 31:8 -- "And the Lord, He it is that doth go before you; He will be with thee, He will not forsake thee; fear not, neither be dismayed." What a wonderful promise that God always goes BEFORE us.

But writer, Glynn Evans in his devotional, Daily with the King, reminds us that God is also at work BEHIND us giving his guidance:

I must get used to the idea that God is not just always in front of me, leading the way. He has promised to always guide me, but sometimes He guides me from behind. "Your ears will hear a word BEHIND you, 'This the way, walk in it.'" (Isaiah 30:21) Strange guidance, from behind!

Guidance from behind means one of two things: either there is trouble ahead and I need to be forced through it; or my resolve is getting weak and God has to use a little muscle persuasion to get me moving along the road.

God has led me with more "BEHIND GUIDANCE" than with "BEFORE GUIDANCE." When God is in front He is easily seen and I slack my trust a little. But when He is behind I have got to rely on His commands without seeing Him; therefore, I am more vulnerable to failure and mistake unless my faith is strong. My very vulnerability is the school in which God teaches my faith to be strong.

If I am trusting God, He will never let me make a wrong move. But all the same, He will allow me to suffer the anxiety of a POSSIBLE wrong move, just to keep my faith in fighting trim. That anxiety is painful, but not half as painful as reaping the results of a REAL wrong move. God carefully monitors my anxiety level and will not allow it to overflow. "I will tell the next generation that God is my God. HE will be my guide, even unto death." Psalm 48:13-14

Brothers, I am thankful this morning for His BEFORE and BEHIND guidance. How about you? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 28; 2 Chronicles 4-6; John 10:24-42

Dig This Quote: Most people are brought to faith in Christ not by argument for it but by exposure to it. Samuel M. Shoemaker

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 11:19; Level 2: Psalm 91:1-4

A Prodigal Positioning

Join us this weekend at America's KESWICK for our MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND conference with Dr. Jamie Mitchell and Dr. Phil Tuttle. For detailed information, call 732-350-1187 or check out our website: http://www.americaskeswick.org/. All general sessions will be broadcasted live right from the website.

A Prodigal Positioning

“ And when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parables. And He said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.”Mark 4:10-12 (ESV)

I have heard quite a few sermons on the Prodigal Son. I have heard them done in a style where I should take a cat-of-nine tails and practice a daily act of self mortification, then I have heard them done where we all cry at the end and sing Kumbaya. It didn’t matter who was preaching on it the idea of the prodigal has always left me saying, “That’s me, the Prodigal Son.”

But that has changed since I heard this Cuban Pastor, who preaches in Angola State Prison in Louisiana; give his message on the Prodigal. After he was done I am happy to say “That’s me, the Prodigal Son” with boldness. I wonder what Matthew Henry would have of thought of Pastor Manny Mill’s message on the Prodigal. Hmmm?

Anyway…..Matthew Henry stated that, “The parable of the prodigal son shows the nature of repentance, and the Lord's readiness to welcome and bless all who return to him.” But to borrow what Pastor Manny has stated, “a parable is an earthly story with Heavenly intentions.” And it’s here where I re-discover the Prodigal within myself. I agree that this parable shows the nature of repentance and there is a great joy when our Heavenly Father has taken us back. Even the world around us enjoys a good coming home story doesn’t it? But does it ever reckon itself with the true nature of the homecoming at all?

I remember leaving home at seventeen and calling the road my home. I wanted to see it all and have it all but wasn’t ready for what the world demanded in return for all it was showing me. And like our beloved Prodigal, I wasted everything I had and wound up with nothing. But unlike him, who only needed one experience of wasted living, I did this act quite often. It has been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over until you get different results. Well, try being the Prodigal over and over again. You will even see the same faces from the last time you took this road and they speak of the same results occurring.

But the last time was the last time. So many people were praying that God would do a mighty work in me that when the bottom fell out the only one who gave me a hand was a man of God. And even then I wasn’t being given any quarter from anyone. And like the Prodigal I had my rehearsal speech down for those moments when I thought I would make these great amends for my wrong doing. But those words never came out of my mouth and I realized I had to stop working for my salvation and accept the forgiveness that Christ gained for me. I could not or cannot do this walk without the victory that Jesus won for me. Even if He watched me from afar and shook His head and wondered when I would finally get it, He had more faith in me coming back to Him than I did in Him ever wanting me. I have often why it took me so long to get it …that’s another Freedom Fighter for another time.

So where are you this morning my Brothers (and Sisters)? Are you trying to re-write the story of the Prodigal hoping that the answer you get will be different than the answering your getting now? Well if you are please take it from someone who has done this. The same faces are still there just as lost and the results still happen the same way. Repenting and turning around will bring some different results and those results have Heavenly intentions. Remember, Repentance is your position in the Gospel…Thank you Pastor Manny for the reminder!! SANTO!! -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 27; 2 Chronicles 1-3; John 10:1-23

Dig This Quote: “All believers must live their Christian lives in the context of an unholy world. Some face extra-ordinary temptation as they live in the midst of a flagrantly sinful atmosphere. The student in the university dormitory, or the man or woman on a military base or aboard ship must often live in an environment polluted with sensuality, wantonness, and lust. The businessman or woman is often under tremendous pressure to compromise ethical and legal standards to satisfy the greed and dishonesty of associates. Unless the Christian is prepared for such evil assaults on his mind and heart, he will have great difficulty maintaining personal holiness.” “The Pursuit of Holiness” Jerry Bridges

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 11:19; Level 2: Psalm 91:1-4

We Share 2010 -- Week Four

WeShare 2010 -- Week Four

This is the last full week on our weShare2010 journey. Hard to believe, isn't it? Next week I hope to share a few of the things I learned this month. I would be very interested in hearing what you have learned if you participated in this little journey.

Here is a quick update. So far this month Joyce and I have identified $129 that we have saved by simply "sacrificing" purchasing individual beverages like a cup of coffee, a can of soda and a bottle of water. This is a very minor sacrifice, and quite frankly I am surprised at how much money we must be spending regularly on these items.

Like it or not, sacrifice is a vital part of the Christian life. Larry Burkett talked about the scarcity of true sacrificial giving in America in his book "Your Finances and Changing Times". He pointed out that sacrifice is an essential altitude for every Christian to develop. Denying self is a key to a deepening relationship with Christ.

This month we looked at a number of examples of sacrificial giving starting with my granddaughter and going all the way to the apostle Paul. But there is one obvious example that we have not discussed. And this is the best example we will ever have of what sacrificial giving is all about. Let me rephrase that, it is not the best example; it should be our only example of sacrificial giving.

Did you ever think of the sacrifice that Christ made in coming to earth? Sometime read Philippians 2:5-11 from the perspective of not what earth gained, but what Christ gave up to come to earth and live among us and then die on the cross for our sins. As we do this, our minds will immediately be drawn to the glorious state of what heaven is like. Revelation 21 gives us just a small glimpse of heaven.

But don't stop there. In understanding the full sacrifice Christ made, we need to take into account the fact that Christ was not merely a resident in heaven. Christ held the position of God in all His glory in heaven. And He sacrificed that position for me.

Hebrews is a good place to get an idea of what it must be like for Christ to be God in heaven. Hebrews 1:3 says ..."He (Christ) is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of his power…" In Acts 7:55 Stephen also gives us an idea of what he saw as he entered into Christ's presence. "Stephen… saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand."

Praise God, heaven is a glorious place that you and I will enjoy someday as true followers of Jesus Christ! But not only did Christ sacrifice the glory of residing in heaven to come to earth to die for my sins, He sacrificed the incomprehensible glory of being God in heaven. His love, shown through this single sacrifice is far more than we can ever imagine.

No matter what we gave up this month or may even give up in our lifetime, our sacrifice is nothing in comparison of what Christ sacrificed for me. -- George Hutchison is a Board member of America's KESWICK and an instructor for Crown Financial. Become a follower of his weekly blog visiting STEWARDSHIP INSIGHTS.

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 26; 1 Chronicles 28-29; John 9:24-41

Dig This Quote: “Now therefore’, continues the apostle, ‘why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?’…God did not want to put a yoke upon the neck of those whose hearts had been set free by the gospel…He would rather exhort them to stand fast in the liberty of Christ and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage’…..How could we ever admit the thought that those whom God had received in grace He would rule by law? Impossible! “We believe, says Peter, that through the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved even as they.” Both Jews..and…Gentiles…..were now to be saved through grace. And not only were they to be saved by grace, they were to stand in grace and to grow in grace….Those Pharisees were subverting the very foundation of the Christian faith; and so are all those who seek to put believers under the law. There is no evil or error more abominable in the sight of the Lord than legalism.” C.H. MacIntosh

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 11:19; Level 2: Psalm 91:1-4

I Want to Know You More (Part 3)

I Want To Know You More (Part 3)

"You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water." Psalm 61:1

Today I have the honor of conducting the interment of a dear friend of America's KESWICK who went home to be with the Lord on Friday at age 95.

Several years ago, Etta Schneider gave me one of her Bibles. You can learn much about a person by looking through their Bible. Etta's Bible is filled with notes written throughout the text, little poems and messages scotch taped throughout the Bible, and notes written on the front and back flyleaf's.

Etta had feet of clay just like you and me. But one thing is certain about her life -- she loved the God of the Bible and she delighted in His Word. The one thing that troubled her about these latter years was that her vision loss impaired her ability to dig deeper into God's Word.

Here is a poem that was pasted on the inside flap of her Bible:

Now, said this book unto me

Open my pages and you shall see

Jewels of wisdom and treasures fine

Gold and silver in every line

And you may claim them if you will

Open my pages and take your fill.

Open my pages and run them o'er

Take what you choose of my golden store

Be you greedy, I shall not care

All that you seize I shall gladly spare

There is never a lock on my treasure door

Come -- here are my jewels -- make them yours.

I have been just a book on your shelf
But I can be part of your living self

If only you'll travel my pages thru

Then I will travel the whole world with you.

As two wines blended make better wine (not a good Keswick phrase ...)
Blend your mind with these truths of mine,

I'll make you better to talk with men,

I'll touch with silver the lines you pen,

I'll lead you nearer the truth you seek

I'll strengthen you when your faith grows weak

This place on the shelf has been a prison cell

Let me come into your mind to dwell.

Make the Book live to me, O Lord!

Instill within my heart, dear Lord,

A deep desire to know Your Word;

I want to learn to hear Your voice

And always make Your will my choice.

Etta made the Book a priority in her life. This poem reflected the prayer of her life. David, the shepherd boy rose early to spend time with the Lord and in His law. It was a priority in his life. How about you? Do you have a passion to get to know Him and His Word?

Thanks, Etta, for loving God and His Word. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 25; 1 Chronicles 25-27; John 9:1-23

Dig This Quote: You are to follow no man further than he follows Christ. John Collins

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 11:19; Level 2: Psalm 91:1-4

And you

I Want To Know You More (Part 2)

I WANT TO KNOW YOU MORE (PART 2)

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, God. I thirst for God, the living God. -- Psalm 42:1-2b

As I read these all familiar verses I had to chuckle! King David must not have had the same issues with deer when he penned these words. Around here the deer seem to long and pant after my roses bushes and other flowers rather than "streams of water."

Last week my son's mother-in-law shared something with us that really blessed our hearts. Our grandson Sam is a very sociable child. In fact, even in a restaurant setting, he will introduce his Dad and Mom to the waitress!!! Not bad for 3 years old!!!

Renee told us that Sam can be playing with his cousins or other family members, but as soon as he hears his Daddy's car start up their drive, they are all chopped liver. Sam loves his Dad and so wants to spend time with him. Apparently Josh gets showered and then takes time to play ball with Sam, and the big thing right now is catching "bull frogs." Josh says that Sam would spend hours with him walking around the pond if he would let him.

As I thought about what Renee shared with me, it hit me that this is how my time with God should be. I should be so excited about getting alone with Him every day that everything and everyone else is chopped liver next to spending time with Him. Like a deer, I should pant and long after Him like nothing else in this world.

But consider this as well, brothers: Here is what really should blow your mind -- He longs for YOU and ME to be in His presence. And when we meet with Him, we have His undivided attention! Wow! The God of the universe wants to meet with you and me. That should cause us to want to spend more time with Him.

What are you longing for today that is more important than HIM? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 24; 1 Chronicles 22-24; John 8:28-59

Dig This Quote: The stars are God's fingerprints. The sun is a mere smidgen of his radiance. The moon is to remind us that he doesn't sleep at night. The vastness of space proclaims the infinity of his wisdom, while the sand pebble indicates his thoroughness with the puniest details. The lion hints at his fearlessness, the bear at his power, the hawk at his keen insight. And yet, those possess only a tidbit of God's omnipotence and omnipresence. Every tree points toward heaven; every bird has a song to sing; even every moment of wind goes in some direction. There is nothing chaotic about our beautiful designed world. All creation has a message to tell. It says, Listen, there is a God. There is a God! Brent D. Earles

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 11:19; Level 2: Psalm 91:1-4

I WANT TO KNOW YOU MORE

I WANT TO KNOW YOU MORE

"For my determined purpose is that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly] ..." Philippians 3:10 -- The Amplified Bible

This has been an incredible week for our family. On Monday, my wife's sister, Jeanne, had major surgery that came as result of a cancer diagnosis at the end of December. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer and has been undergoing month's of chemo. The surgery was done on Monday and on Thursday she received word that she is 100% cancer free. She will need to do follow-up chemo, but we are rejoicing in what God has done.

On Wednesday, after a long pregnancy due to being classified as high risk, our daughter-in-law, Jenny, gave birth to our 7th grandchild -- William Henry Welte II. Will had to spend 48 hours in he NICU, but we praise the Lord that Mom and baby were released yesterday.

I love my grandkids and have enjoyed getting to know them. God has wired them each differently and they have their own little personalities. We see in them some of the characteristics of our kids, us and even their grandparents. When we are all together, it is really something -- and by the end of the year there will be two more!!!

I am looking forward to getting to know Will. Because Josh and Jenny live two hours away, I will need to be more intentional and diligent in finding ways to spend time with him so that I can get to know him better.

It is the same way with my relationship with the Lord. Today is the HIS day, and unfortunately many of us wait until Sunday to take the time to get to know Him. We think that our one hour in church will help us know Him better. Robert Hayes reminds us often that our Sunday worship should be the culmination of our relationship with HIM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The more time I spend with Him, the more I get to know Him. Steve Green recorded these words many years ago, and I pray that this will be the desire of our hearts:

Just the time I feel that I've been caught in the mire of self.

Just the time I feel my mind's been bought by worldly wealth.

That's when the breeze begins to blow I know,the Spirit's Call.

And all my worldly wanderings just melt into His Love.

Oh, I want to know You more! Deep within my soul I want to know You,

Oh, I want to know You. To feel Your Heart and know Your Mind,

looking in Your eyes stirs up within me, cries that says I want to know You

Oh, I want to know You more. Oh, I want to know You more.

When my daily deeds ordinarily lose life and song,

my heart begins to bleed, sensitivity to Him is gone.

I've run the race but set my own pace and face a shattered soul,

But then Gentle Arms of Jesus warm my hungering to be whole.

Oh, I want to know You more! Deep within my soul I want to know You,

Oh, I want to know You.

And I would give my final breath to know You in Your Death and Resurrection,

Oh, I want to know You more.Oh, I want to know You more.

Purpose in your heart to get to know HIM more this week. He longs to have that relationship with His kids. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK and a proud Pop-Pop

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 23; 1 Chronicles 19-21; John 8:1-27

Dig This Quote: It is an act of the will to allow God to be our refuge. Otherwise we live outside of his love and protection, wondering why we feel alone and afraid. – Mary Morrison Suggs

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 11:19; Level 2: Psalm 91:1-4

Water Cleanses You Know!

Water Cleanses You Know!

“Then He said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master’, and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it---and live a blessed life.” John 13:12-17 (The Message)

Have you ever felt like your spiritual well of Living Water gets dry? I spent quite some time riding on and drinking from the cool wave of Living Water when suddenly, and I mean suddenly, I crashed onto the beach of Dry Sand. And by “Dry Sand” I mean the abrasiveness of the world in which I live in. The demands of what I do for a living became overwhelming and I began to panic in my heart. I approach my work with a heart that will not ask those to do what I wouldn’t do myself. And the past few weeks it got put to the test…by the secular people who work around me. Trying to do for the glory of God in front of people who basically don’t care has its moments. And quite frankly my Brothers (and Sisters) my attitude was ready to be flushed down the toilet. Wrong kind of water to quench a thirst with don’t you think?

But this past Tuesday night during our study of the Tabernacle I was able to put that aside and focus on what He wanted me to focus in on. We were into a deep discussion on what the fence, the gate, the bronze alter and the bronze laver meant in terms on our approach with our walk with Jesus and what they symbolized concerning the Tabernacle itself. The whole night was about application and the fact that God does not want a half hearted anything when you approach Him to worship. There were four key points that had to be covered so we could tie the night’s discussion together and AMEN that these brothers kept that focus in a narrow band.

When you view the fence that surrounded the Tabernacle it spoke of how it was guarding God’s holiness. The Gate of the Tabernacle was wide and inviting like the open arms of Jesus. The Gate was the only way into the Tabernacle and just like Jesus the only way to enter into relationship with God the Father. The there is the two-fold ministry of the bronze alter. With it were the offerings made for atonement and offerings made for dedication. It is important to make atonement in the everyday and placing yourself on the altar for consecration. But here is where it tied it up for me…The Bronze Laver.

The bronze laver represents the ministry of reconciliation and speaks of the ministry of sanctification. The priesthoods use of the laver has two aspects of this ministry: the initial cleansing and the continual cleansing. I immediately thought of the aforementioned verse and what happened in the upper room the night that Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. He used the moment to explain what initially had to be done for them By Him and what they had to do to continually do as He had done for them for others.

I felt a lot of weight lift from me this past Tuesday night after we hit this in our study. I am privileged to cleanse myself in waters of the laver. I drove home thinking that the Living Waters that I enjoy so much in drinking of also cleanses. I really thought I was getting to a point where I would be so dry inside I would mourn but it feels like Jesus Himself has taken a five gallon bucket of water, dumped it over me and has cleansed me inside and out. This morning Brothers (and Sisters) do you need Jesus to dump water over you? He will, if you believe that His grace is sufficient…that is what I have to understand, over and over again and again and again!! -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 22; 1 Chronicles 16-18; John 7:28-53

Dig This Quote: The question is not simply, “Who can be against us?” You could answer that one. Who is against you? Disease, inflation, corruption, exhaustion. Calamities confront, and fears imprison. Were Paul’s question, “Who can be against us?” we could list our foes much easier than we could fight them. But that is not the question. The question is, IF GOD IS FOR US, who can be against us? God is for you. Your parents may have forgotten you, your teachers may have neglected you, your siblings may be ashamed of you; but within reach of your prayers is the maker of the oceans. God! Grace for the Moment Max Lucado

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 5:12; Level 2: Psalm 86:11-13

Don't Forget to Set the Alarm

Don't Forget to Set the Alarm

Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (CSB)

We've talked about this before, but it bears repeating, brothers, we need to be aware that there is an enemy that is always nipping at our heels. While God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life -- we have an enemy that knows the end of the book and he doesn't care about your life or mine in the same way God does. He wants to take us out.

Pastor/Author Jay Dennis in his book, The Prayer Experiment, suggests that we daily need to set our alarms just like we might do on our home security systems. In order to activate the system you need to put in the code. Pastor Jay gives suggests that we use the following code based on what biblical writer Job did to activate our spiritual alarm system: 1 12 1 18 13 - 14 15 23 - 15 14 = A L A R M N O W ON (The numbers below correspond in order -- to the letters of the alphabet.)

1. Be right with God. Like Job, we should have a heart for God, a passion for God, and a reckless abandon to God. (Job 1:1)

12. Be morally pure. Like Job, we should have a pure heart that refuse to allow immoral thoughts and actions to seize us. (Job 1:1)

1. Be honest. Like Job, we should tell the truth and be transparent, striving not to be a hypocrite. (Job 1:1)

18. Be awestruck. Like Job, we should have a holy fear of God, a sense of deep reverence and awe at his power and majesty. (Job 1:1)

13. Be avoiding. Like Job, we should avoid anything that even has the appearance of evil. (Job 1:1)

14. Be responsible. Like Job, we should assume responsibility to pray for the people around us and remind them of God. (Job 1:5)

15. Be praying. Like Job, we should pray as a way of life, abiding in prayer and not just praying in emergencies. (Job 1:5)

23. Be ready. Like Job, we should prepare ourselves for Satan's attacks. (Job 1:5)

15. Be worshipping. Like Job, we should praise God even when our world falls apart. (Job 1: 20-21)

14. Be believing anyway. Like Job, we should believe God no matter what the circumstances. (Job 1:22; 13:15)

That's practical stuff, brothers. Have you activated your spiritual security system? Set your alarm today. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 21; 1 Chronicles 13-15; John 7:1-27

Dig This Quote: “We must be aware of the various ways sin pulls us to wrong thoughts about God, righteousness, grace, ourselves and sin itself. Only the truth of God’s word and meditation in prayer can reveal the deceitfulness of sin. Sin works against God. Sin will either deceive us into thinking God is a cruel taskmaster, or, if that will not work,will deceive us into thinking He is like a doting grandfather who really does not care what we do. Sin affects every Christian’s view of God and leads us to worship idols, figments of our own imaginations, and not the true God. Sin will deceive us concerning grace. We will either be deceived into thinking it is too good to be true, or we will buy into cheap grace and think that ethics are unimportant.” Dr. Bob Flayhart, Oak Mountain Pres. Church

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 5:12; Level 2: Psalm 86:11-13

LIVING SIMPLY -- YET FOCUSED

LIVING SIMPLY -- YET FOCUSED

Look at the birds of the air . . . . Consider the lilies of the field . . . —Matthew 6:26, 28

I have told you before that I love the writing ministry of Oswald Chambers. This one really convicted me ...

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin”— they simply are! Think of the sea, the air, the sun, the stars, and the moon— all of these simply are as well— yet what a ministry and service they render on our behalf!

So often we impair God’s designed influence, which He desires to exhibit through us, because of our own conscious efforts to be consistent and useful. Jesus said there is only one way to develop and grow spiritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on God. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me.” In other words, pay attention to the Source, and out of you “will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38 ).

We cannot discover the source of our natural life through common sense and reasoning, and Jesus is teaching here that growth in our spiritual life comes not from focusing directly on it, but from concentrating on our Father in heaven. Our heavenly Father knows our circumstances, and if we will stay focused on Him, instead of our circumstances, we will grow spiritually— just as “the lilies of the field.”

The people who influence us the most are not those who detain us with their continual talk, but those who live their lives like the stars in the sky and “the lilies of the field”— simply and unaffectedly. Those are the lives that mold and shape us.

If you want to be of use to God, maintain the proper relationship with Jesus Christ by staying focused on Him, and He will make use of you every minute you live— yet you will be unaware, on the conscious level of your life, that you are being used of Him.

The question is guys, are we living simply and focused, or we filled with fear and anxiety? I want to live simply and focused! How about you? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 20; 1 Chronicles 10-12; John 6:45-71

Dig This Quote: Even the pious person cannot by his own strength desire the glory of heaven as ardently as he would. Therefore the Spirit intercedes for us with ineffable groanings of which we are ourselves incapable….It is not an evil sign, but indeed the very best, if upon our petitions the very opposite happens to us. Conversely, it is not a good sign if everything is granted to us for which we pray….He so often goes counter to our petitions that we imagine He is more angry with us now than before we prayed, and that He intends not to grant us our requests at all. All this God does, because it is His way first to destroy and annihilate what is in us—our own wisdom and will—before He gives us His gifts…Only then are we qualified for His works and counsels when our own plans have been demolished and our own works are destroyed and we have become purely passive in our relation to Him. Martin Luther (on Romans 8:26)

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 5:12; Level 2: Psalm 86:11-13

WE SHARE WEEK 3

WE SHARE WEEK 3

Can you believe it is week number three already on our weShare2010 Journey? After 16 days, I have identified $89 that Joyce and I could have spent on individual beverages this month. That is a lot of money.

Did you know if you can come up with $89 a month and invest it at 6% return, in 50 years you will have over 1/3 of a million dollars? Can you imagine how much impact $333,000 would have on fulfilling the Great Commission in Africa (or even in the United Sates)?

This impact would be the result of a simple sacrifice like giving up purchased beverages. Here is a link to a little calculator from Crown Financial Ministries to help you see how much can be accumulated by consistently saving a little over a long period of time. I always liked the way The Living Bible translated Proverbs 21:5 "Steady plodding brings prosperity". Isn't it amazing how practical the Bible is for our everyday life?

I would like to share one of the greatest examples of sacrificial giving I believe that I was privileged to witness. About seven years ago, Pastor Keith led our church through a campaign to pay off our church mortgage. Very simply the message was that $12,000 each month would be more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission by supporting missionaries than it was being sent to a local bank. The church agreed. The multi-year campaign included teaching on tithing, sharing from abundance and then the focus moved to sacrificial giving. The culmination of the campaign was Sacrificial Sunday.

On Sacrificial Sunday I was counting offering. It was an exciting time to be on the Finance Committee. My specific job that Sunday was to count the cash. There was a lot of cash. To be more specific, there was a huge pile of cash. But in the cash pile I came upon a plain white envelope full of $10 and $20 dollar bills. Not just a few, there were a lot of ten and twenty dollar bills in that envelope. I thought this was odd; if someone wanted to put a cash donation in the offering, they would of withdrawn a few $100 bills and stuck them in the offering or in the envelope, but why all the $10 and $20 bills?

I then looked on the front of the envelope and saw the words "Vacation Fund". I don't know who put that envelope in the offering that day, nor do I know the story behind it. But it appears someone in our church realized getting the mortgage paid off and getting more missionaries in the field was worth sacrificing their vacation that year. That is sacrificial giving!

In our Sunday School class last Sunday we talked about the disciples, Paul and Mary and how they sacrificed their life plans and goals to follow Christ. It reminded me how small my sacrifice of a few soft drinks and coffees is compared to what they gave up. There are many other examples of sacrificial giving in the Bible. I would still love to hear your thoughts on the greatest example of sacrificial giving in the Bible. -- George Hutchison serves on the Board of America's KESWICK and writes our weekly blog, STEWARDSHIP INSIGHTS. He is also an instructor with Crown Financial

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 19; 1 Chronicles 7-9; John 6:22-44

Dig This Quote: Christ is in all His redeemed, as the soul of their soul, the life of their life. He is the pitying heart and the helping hand of God with every needy, praying spirit in the world. He is the sweet light of the knowledge of God that breaks in upon every penitent heart. He is not only with those who believe in Him and love Him, but also with those who neither believe in Him nor love Him, that He may be to them also Jesus their Saviour. The Christ of God is in thy heart, waiting and aiming to get the consent of thy will, that He may save thee. Wherever man is, there also is Christ, endeavoring to free him from the law of sin and death, by becoming Himself the law of the spirit of his life. John Pulsford

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 5:12; Level 2: Psalm 86:11-13

PRESSURE

PRESSURE

We were under great pressure ... so that we despaired even of life ... But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

Last Tuesday night we had our first Piano Extravaganza concert at America's KESWICK. Five grand pianos on the stage in our Activity Center. Our own Robert Hayes joined me, Carolyn Hibbard, Jeff Duffield and Michael Faircloth in a spectacular evening of music. The concert was recorded on a 2 set CD which you can order by responding to this email. The cost is $20.

Our piano tuner gave me some trivia right before the concert: 5 pianos = 440 keys; 1000 piano strings and 100,000 tons of tension! Wow! And on top of that, all of us felt the pressure of performing in front of 1000 people!

Life is filled with pressure and difficulty and sometimes it can be overwhelming. Listen to these words from STREAMS IN THE DESERT:

The pressure of difficult times makes us value life. Every time our life is spared and given back to us after a trial, it is like a new beginning. We better understand its value and thereby apply ourselves more effectively for God and humankind. And the pressure we endure helps us to understand the trials of others, equipping us to help them and to sympathize with them.

Some people have a shallowness about them. With their superficial nature, they lightly take hold of a theory or a promise and then carelessly tell of their distrust of those who retreat from every trial. Yet a man or woman who has experienced great suffering will never do this. They are very tender and gentle, and understand what suffering really means. This is what Paul meant when he said, "Death is at work in us."

Trials and difficult times are needed to press us forward. They work in the way the fire in the hold of a mighty steamship provides energy that moves the pistons, turns the engine, and propels the great vessel across the sea, even when facing the wind and the waves.

Pressed beyond measure; yes, pressed to great length;

Pressed so intensely, beyond my own strength.

Pressed in my body and pressed in my soul,

Pressed in my mind till the dark surges roll.

Pressure from foes and pressure from friends.

Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends.

Pressed into knowing no helper but God;

Pressed into loving His staff and His rod.

Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;

Pressed into faith for impossible things.

Pressed into living my life for the Lord,

Pressed into living a Christ-life out poured.

Are you feeling the weight of the pressure of the difficulties of life? Press into Him and allow Him to pour His life in and through you today. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 18; 1 Chronicles 4-6; John 6:1-21

Dig This Quote: All our promises and resolutions end in denial because we have no power to accomplish them. When we come to the end of ourselves, not just mentally but completely, we are able to “receive the Holy Spirit.” There is now only One who directs the course of your life, the Lord Jesus Christ. – Oswald Chambers

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 5:12; Level 2: Psalm 86:11-13

MORNING PRAYER

MORNING PRAYER

Here is a powerful prayer written by the writer Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Great way to start this new week, brothers:

O God,
Early in the morning do I cry unto Thee.
Help me to pray,
And to think of Thee only.
I cannot pray alone.

In me there is darkness,
But with Thee there is light.
I am lonely, but Thou leavest me not/
I am feeble in heart, but Thou leavest me not.
I am restless, but with Thee there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with Thee there is patience;
Thy ways are past understanding, but
Thou knowest the way for me.

O heavenly Father,
I praise and thank Thee
For the peace of the night.
I praise and thank Thee for all Thy goodness
and faithfulness throughout my life.
Thou hast granted me many blessings:
Now let me accept tribulation from Thy hand.
Thou wilt not lay on me more than I can bear.
Thou makest all things work together for good for Thy children. Amen!

How about it, brothers? This is a great prayer to start your day! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 17; 1 Chronicles 1-3; John 5:25-47

Dig This Quote: The strong hands of God twisted the crown of thorns into a crown of glory; and in such hands we are safe. Charles Williams

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 5:12; Level 2: Psalm 86:11-13

May 16th -- You Can Depend on His Word

May 16th -- You Can Depend on His Word

On My 15th my daughter and wife sat in the CCU of Children's Hospital Boston. Our granddaughter was in critical condition facing an artificial heart transplant surgery the next day.

God led Laura and Jan to the same passage of Scripture in John 4:46-53
with the hopes that maybe God would heal Lindsay like he did this man's son. When the man inquired of Jesus when his child was healed Jesus told him it was at 1:00 PM. That was to be the time of Lindsay's surgery! Laura and Jan hung on to this promise depending on God and His Word.

We woke early on May 16th and headed to Lindsay's room. She was in very critical condition and the surgery was called off. The doctors told the kids that there really wasn't anything more they could do.

Time does not permit me to tell all that God did in that cubicle on the 8th floor of Children's Hospital in Boston. But at 1:00 PM, God gave our precious Lindsay Bear Groen her new heart! When the doctor pronounced that Lindsay was "home with Jesus," my daughter looked at my wife and said, "God did exactly what He promised. He healed Lindsay at 1:00 PM."

Robert, Joyce and Jordan Hayes recently recorded this song on their new CD -- LIFE IS PRECIOUS. I am holding on today to these words as we think of Lindsay today, the second anniversary of her homegoing:

The skies growing darker as the evening draws near,
Store clouds have gathered and shadows are gone.
When all hope has faded replaced now with fear,
Tell me what can we depend on?

We can depend on His Word,
When all hope is gone,
We can still depend on,
We can depend on His Word!
When troubles grow deeper, and the desert is dry,
And our hearts are so broken -- that we can't even cry
When our faith is wounded and our joy is gone,
Tell me what we can depend on?

When the rain comes and the pain comes,
And we know that it will!
We can still trust -- He is still just the same! He still calls us by name!

When our faith is wounded and our joy is gone
Tell me what can we depend on?

We can depend on His Word,
When all home is gone,
We can still depend on, we can depend on His Word!

This year the grieving has been harder than the first year. But we don't sorrow like those who have no hope! Despite the tears, the pain, the missing of Lindsay, we are very thankful as a family that WE CAN DEPEND ON HIS WORD!

I don't know what you are facing today, but I do know this -- when all hope is gone -- YOU CAN DEPEND ON HIS WORD! Lindsay Bear -- Pop-pop loves you a bushel and a peck -- a barrel and a heap, and I still talk in my sleep about you! I love you, Bear. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 16; 2 Kings 24-25; John 5:1-24

Dig This Quote: The way to grow in holiness is to be around people more holy than ourselves. We hear their stray comments and absorb their judgment of what's important. We listen to their prayers and find that God is bigger than we'd thought. Oswald Chambers

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 5:12; Level 2: Psalm 86:11-13

The Habit of Enjoying Adversity

The Habit of Enjoying Adversity

" ... that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body." —2 Corinthians 4:10

We Christians are a weird bunch! To the world we must be considered really nuts. The world flees from adversity. But as Christians, we view adversity from an eternal perspective. In fact, J. B. Phillips in his translation of the New Testament says we are to welcome our trials as our friends!

Listen to what devotional writer, Oswald Chambers says about enjoying adversity:

We have to develop godly habits to express what God’s grace has done in us. It is not just a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved so that “the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” And it is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh. Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the basic irritation of “myself” that I would have apart from Him?

The only thing that will enable me to enjoy adversity is the acute sense of eagerness of allowing the life of the Son of God to evidence itself in me. No matter how difficult something may be, I must say, “Lord, I am delighted to obey You in this.” Instantly, the Son of God will move to the forefront of my life, and will manifest in my body that which glorifies Him.

You must not debate. The moment you obey the light of God, His Son shines through you in that very adversity; but if you debate with God, you grieve His Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30 ). You must keep yourself in the proper condition to allow the life of the Son of God to be manifested in you, and you cannot keep yourself fit if you give way to self-pity.

Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to “supply all your need” ( Philippians 4:19 ).
Keep your soul properly conditioned to manifest the life of the Son of God. Never live on your memories of past experiences, but let the Word of God always be living and active in you. (from My Utmost for His Highest -- May 14)

Are you in the midst of a difficult situation? Are you facing major difficulties in your life? Dig deeper into God's Word and allow Him to use this adversity to deepen your relationship with Him. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 15; 2 Kings 22-23; John 4:31-54

Dig This Quote: It is better to have God's approval, than the world's applause: there is a time shortly coming when a smile from God's face will be infinitely better than all the applause of men: how sweet will that word be, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." (Matt. 25: 21). Thomas Brooks

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 4:23; Level 2: Psalm 66:16-20

Who Is On the Cross

WHO IS ON THE CROSS?

Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. Romans 6:6

Today's devotional is one that we all need to hear. It isn't a popular message today, but it hit me right between the eyeballs. Please consider the truth of the message:

I must be careful not to let my service for Christ become an extension of myself. Do I enjoy preaching because I am the center of attention for an hour? Do I enjoy teaching because I hold the class in my power for a brief span? Do I enjoy winning souls because it bolsters my ego?

I can see how subtle the flesh really is. It does not mind being dressed in religious clothing as long as it does not have to die. The heart of the matter is this: Who is on the cross and who is on the throne?

The great historical switch has taken place: Christ WAS on the Cross and is now on the throne; self WAS on the throne and must be impaled upon the cross. If I ever switch the two and reverse history, I am in trouble!

Self's great, eternal ambition is to escape its cross and sneak back on the throne. Often I have looked at the cross where self hung and said, "There, crucified once and for all!" Yet, a second look reveals an empty cross and an escaped self, very much alive and demanding recognition.

Crucifying self is not negation. Negation says, "You are dead." But true Christian living says, "You are dead to self, but alive to Christ" (see Galatians 2:20). Even more, Christianity says that BEFORE I can become alive to Christ, not afterward, I must die. It is not the PERSON who dies, only the tendency to deify the person.

Jesus did not regard "equality with God a thing to be grasped" (Philippians 2:6) If Jesus, who was God, refused to grasp His deity, how much more must I, a sinner, refuse to deify myself? The answer is not a once-for-all crucifixion, but a daily thing. The sweetest song a disciple can sing is Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ ... but Christ lives in me!" After death come life, and after crucifixion, victory!" -- from Glyn Evans -- Daily with the King (Moody Press)

Powerful truth and important truth to appropriate in my life today. How about you? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 14; 2 Kings 19-21; John 4:1-30

Dig This Quote: Let your minister be who he is - real. Let him be! Give him the latitude you want for yourself. Give him the same amount of room the grace of God affords you. Don't force him into some traditionalistic mould. Anonymous

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 4:23; Level 2: Psalm 66:16-20

How Thankful Are You (Part 2)

How Thankful Are You (Part 2)

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 91:1

This devotional was written by Dr. Jerry Bridges and is one that I needed to hear today:

Most of us acknowledge that everything we have comes from God, but how often do we stop to give thanks to Him? At the end of a workday, do you take time to say, "Thank You, heavenly Father, for giving me the skill, ability and health to do my work today." Do you ever physically or mentally go through your house and say to God, "Everything in the house and the food in the cupboard and the car (or cars) in the driveway are gifts from You. Thank You for your gracious provision"?

When you give thanks at mealtime, is it routine and perfunctory, or is it a heartfelt expression of your gratitude to God for His continual provision of all your physical needs?

Taking for granted all the temporal provisions and spiritual blessings that God has so richly bestowed on us, and so failing to continually give thanks, is one of our "acceptable" sins. In fact, far too many Christians wouldn't think of it as sin. Yet Paul, in his description of a Spirit-filled person, said we're to be "giving thanks always and for everything to God." (Ephesians 5:20) Note the words ALWAYS and EVERYTHING. That means our whole lives should be ones of continually giving thanks.

Giving thanks to God for both His temporal and spiritual blessings in our lives is not just a nice thing to do -- it's the moral will of God. Failure to give Him the thanks due Him is sin. It may seem like a benign sin to us because it doesn't harm anyone else. But it is an affront and insult to the One who created us and sustains us every second of our lives. -- Jerry Bridges -- Holiness Day By Day.

I am thankful for the reminder that I need to be thankful for all things. How about you? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 13; Genesis 31-32; Matthew 9:18-38

Dig This Quote: We should learn to live in the presence of the living God. He should be a well for us – delightful, comforting, unfailing, springing up to eternal life (John 4:14). When we rely on other people, their water supplies ultimately dry up. But the well of the Creator ever fails to nourish us. – Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 4:23; Level 2: Psalm 66:16-20

We Share Journey Week 2

We Share Journey -- Week 2

Here we are at week two of our 31 day journey through sacrificial giving and the weShare campaign. I trust that you are learning as much as I am on this journey.

If you are in New Jersey, I hope that you participated in the Family Freedom Walk at Americas Keswick. This was a great opportunity to share some of those sacrificial funds with a wonderful ministry. Bill Welte (CEO) was spared making the sacrifice of shaving his head due to a slight shortfall towards a lofty financial goal for the event. Although the haircut may have been a sacrifice for Bill, I believe the true sacrifice would have been with his family in being seen in public with Bill's shaved head.

Let me share just a few things that I am learning on my weShare journey.
How much Joyce and I spend on individual beverages. After 10 days we identified over $40 that could have been spent on sodas, coffee or bottled water. I had no idea that it would be that much. This is a good exercise for any small reoccurring expense like eating lunch or breakfast out, buying a donut or snack on the way to work etc. Multiply the daily expenditure times the amount of days in the year you will make it and you may be surprised at how much those little habits cost.

We really don't miss these items. Sure we look like geeks carrying around our tap filled water bottles and feel a little cheap asking for water when we go out to eat, but the sacrifice is certainly something we can live with.

The help in keeping my focus on God throughout the day. By moving out of my regular routine of picking up a cup of coffee on my way to work or drinking a coke or iced tea with my meal, there is a reminder throughout the day of why I am making this small sacrifice. I am constantly reminded of the sacrifice that Christ made for me.

In my search to understand a bit more about sacrificial giving, I came across Hebrews 13:15 which says: "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name". One of the definitions for sacrifice I came across is: "Giving up something valuable…for something else considered to be of more value". I immediately thought: How is praising God with my lips a sacrifice?

I read this sermon by John Piper where he explained that the fruit of our lips is an outgrowth of our hearts desires. In today's world there are many competing forces for our attention and our passion. This verse calls us to sacrifice these competing interests for a dedicated walk with our Lord.

Do my heart and lips reflect a heartfelt love for God and a desire to share His message with a lost world? If not, why not? Could it be that my heart is too crowded with how the Phillies are doing, my yard, my career, my family, my friends and even my ministry? Maybe I need to reprioritize and sacrifice some of the desires of my heart so the fruit of my lips offers up a sacrifice of praise to God.

I pray that the simple act of sacrificing a purchased beverage each day helps me to remember to sacrifice the worldly desires of my heart. -- George Hutchison serves on the Board of America's KESWICK and is an instructor with Crown Financial. He writes a weekly blog for America's KESWICK -- Stewardship Insights Check it out and become a follower

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 12; 2 Kings 15-16; John 3:1-18

Dig This Quote: Christ is more of artist than the artists; He works in the living spirit and the living flesh; he makes men instead of statues. -- Vincent Van Gogh

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 4:23; Level 2: Psalm 66:16-20

How Thankful Are You?

HOW THANKFUL ARE YOU?

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

I am a very thankful man today! Thankful for God's goodness. I still have my hair! I want to thank everyone who prayed and contributed to our 2nd Annual Family Freedom Walk for the Colony of Mercy.

God blessed us with an absolutely beautiful day. The weather forecasts for Saturday for our area were thunderstorms, high winds, and lots of rain. Guess what-- we had sunshine ... sunshine ... and more beautiful sunshine.

We had an amazing turnout of people who walked around our lower lake and a number of people who "Rocked" on rocking chairs.

And on top of that, the Lord brought in through many wonderful people, $42,000!!! It wasn't the $60,000 to get my head shaved, and the Victory Call ladies beat the Freedom Fighter guys in their gifts -- but $42,000 is an incredible amount of money, and today I am very, very thankful.

I am also thankful today for the memory of my Dad, Bill Welte Sr., whose birthday would have been today. The Lord took Him home way too early for me, 24 years ago this year. There is not day that goes by that I don't think about him, and wish that he could be here to see how his grandkids have all grown up to love the Lord. He never had the joy of meeting Zach, and I know that they would have just been the best of buds since they both love baseball! And how he would love his great grandkids! I am thankful that he has been enjoying Lindsay! She got a head start on the rest of us!

It is on days like this that I want to remind you guys -- don't neglect your Dad! It really grieves me when I hear guys talk about wasted years of harboring grudges or ignoring their Dads. I have one friend who has been mad at his Dad for decades. There has been little or no communication. Life is too short, guys! Don't miss out on enjoying your Dad. He will never be perfect -- neither will you! Jesus is the only perfect Dad!

So I would really be thankful today to have you pick up the phone and call your Dad and tell him, "I love you, Dad!" Happy birthday, Dad! We love and miss you! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 11; 2 Kings 13-14; John 2

Dig This Quote: Until our master summons us, not a hair on our head can perish, not a moment of our life be snatched from us. When He sends for us, it should seem but the message that the child is wanted at home. Anthony Thorold

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 4:23; Level 2: Psalm 66:16-20

12.3 Billion Light Years

12.3 Billion Light Years

My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8

This one will blow your minds, guys. I recently read this in Mark Batterson's book, ID: THE TRUE YOU ...

Spatial distances are almost incomprehensible, but let me give it a shot. Light travels at 186,000 miles per second. Light waves are so fast that you can have a real-time conversation with someone halfway around the world.

The sun is approximately 93,000,000 miles from Earth. If you got into your car and started driving 65 mph, twenty-four hours a day, it would be a 163 year trip. But traveling at the speed of light, our sunshine is only 8 minutes old.

Astronomers have discovered galaxies 12.3 billion light years away. That means it takes light, traveling at 186,000 miles per second, more than twelve billion years to reach the outer edge of space. And God says in Isaiah 55:8 that's about the distance between our thoughts and His thoughts.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 145:3 that "There are no boundaries to His greatness; His greatness no one can fathom! You and I underestimate God by approximately 12.3 billion light years.

Sometimes we analyze and categorize and theorize instead of just letting God be God. I think God is looking for people who don't tell Him what He can't do. Mark Nepo said, "Birds don't need ornithologists to fly." Birds don't need ornithologists to fly and God doesn't need theologians to do miracles.

God knows NO boundaries. He isn't limited to four dimensions of time and space. Psalm 36 from The Message says, "His love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, His purpose titantic, His purposes oceanic. Yet in His largeness, NOTHING gets lost.

Wow, my brothers. How big is YOUR God today. Is there a situation you are facing that seems HUGE? Guess what -- He is bigger than any situation you may be facing today. Read that verse from Psalm 36 today and remind yourself how big He really is. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 10; 2 Kings 10-12; John 1:29-51

Dig This Quote: We do not develop habits of genuine love automatically. We learn by watching effective role models - most specifically by observing how our parents express love for each other day in and day out. Josh McDowell

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 4:23; Level 2: Psalm 66:16-20

Jesus What A Friend for Sinners

JESUS! WHAT A FRIEND FOR SINNERS

Today is the Lord's day, brothers, and I trust that you are planning to be in the house of the Lord worshipping HIM.

I am writing this on Friday morning in anticipation of our Colony Grad Reunion Weekend and the Family Freedom Walk. You'll have to wait until next week to find out if I am bald or still have my hair! It will be exciting to see what GOD does. Thanks to everyone of our Freedom Fighter family for your help.

I share with you one of my favorite hymns as you ponder worshipping HIM today -- your audience of ONE!

Jesus! What a friend for sinners! Jesus! Lover of my soul!

Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
HE, my Savior, makes me whole.

Jesus! What a friend in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him;

Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,

He, my strength, my victory wins.

Jesus! what a help in sorrow!

While the billows 'oer me roll;

Even when my heart is breaking,

He, my comfort, helps my soul.

Jesus! what a guide and keeper!

While the tempest still is high;

Storms about me, night o'er-takes me,

He, my pilot, hears my cry.

Jesus! I do now receive Him,

More than all in HIM I find;

He hath granted me forgiveness,
I AM HIS AND HE IS MINE

Refrain

Hallelujah! What a Savior! Hallelujah! What a friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
HE is with me to the end.

My guess is that this morning your heart can resonate with one of the verses of this great hymn. Take some time to re-read the words and allow them to speak to your heart. Hallelujah! What a Savior! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 9; 2 Kings 7-9; Luke 24:36-53

Dig This Quote: To excuse what can really produce good excuses is not Christian charity; it is only fairness. To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you. This is hard. It is perhaps not so hard to forgive a single injury. But to forgive the incessant provocations of daily life - to keep on forgiving the bossy mother-in-law, the bullying husband, the nagging wife, the selfish daughter, the deceitful son - how can we do it? Only, I think, by remembering where we stand, by meaning our words when we say in our prayers each night, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." We are offered forgiveness on no other terms. To refuse it means to refuse God's mercy for ourselves. There is no hint of exceptions and God means what He says. C. S. Lewis

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 4:23; Level 2: Psalm 66:16-20

What is Truth?

It's not too late to make a gift for a Family Freedom Walk. Today is the day we walk for the Colony of Mercy. To shave my head or not to shave my head! That is the question :) Will you help? Call 732-350-1187 and make that gift!

What is Truth?

“Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.” John 18:35-38 (ESV)

A friend of mine once said to me, “Yeah they really didn’t give us a manual for this new creature stuff.” My friend, Rob Russomano, was trying to break me out of a moment I was having with myself. He succeeded and to this day I still have the photograph of that moment. And everyone once in awhile I look at it and it helps with my today moment that I still have with myself. Maybe you know the feeling, no one likes what you had to say, and no one agrees with a decision you have had to make or my personal push over the edge, no one understands the frustration you have to endure in order to make things work.

I have recently been to a Men’s Conference at Babcock Community Church in Belcoville New Jersey and in the first session their senior pastor, Pastor George Sanders, brought up a very interesting illustration. Did Pontius Pilate approach Jesus as a cynic and went, “What is truth?” or after all the chaos and disorder that surrounded the Praetorium that day did he approach with a heavy, pleading sigh and asked Jesus, “What is truth?” After all what was he to do? He had already offended the Jews of the time by bringing his design a god /moral system from Rome and by killing Galileans while they were at worship and letting their blood mingle with the sacrifices on the altar.Let’s not forget some of that “temple tax” money that went to build an aqueduct or better yet, his wife, Claudia Procula, who said “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Matt 27:19 (ESV)

You could read this list and think Pilate says to himself “I need to shut these people up” and you would be right but I think he has having a moment with himself like I get. No one was liking anything Pilate was doing, not even Caesar, but he to do something even if it was wrong. He was running on his authority and had no guide.

For us as Christian men (and women) we were promised that if we followed Jesus Christ a guide would be provided. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” John 16:12-15 (ESV)

The truth for me in this is quite simple and clear. I cannot walk this narrow road without a “G.P.S.” My friend, Pastor Robert Roman, once wrote about how we need to use God’s Positioning System. Maybe that system would just happen to be Spirit of Truth and the cool thing is he does not speak on his own authority.

So if your G.P.S sounds like your voice speaking to you, you have the wrong model, because quite frankly it will be your own authority that may leave you like Pontius Pilate. And his final act of authority was to suppress a small of religious rebel rousers and ended up, once again, killing the innocent.

Pilate followed a truth that was not absolute. He was from a design your god, design your own sense of morals and profit from the two kind of society. Sounds pretty close to the world around us today doesn’t it? Over time the absolute truths that once shaped our society has faded into a sea of grey and not very refreshing water. But it doesn’t have to be that water we drink.

Jesus said He is the way, the truth and the life and gave us all an open invite to freely drink the living waters that only He can provide. I am praying that this morning I am guided to those streams of living waters because I can’t get there myself and I am thirsty. Are you? -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

Dig This Quote: Proverbs 8; 2 Kings 4-6; Luke 24:26-53

Dig This Quote: “We are to bring all our ways under His scrutiny, deeply confident that He knows better how to live than we do. Flowing from this wellspring of trust will be the marks of wisdom: teachability, marital faithfulness, gracious speech, generosity, hard work, honesty, and loyalty in friendship. The wise child learns gladly and humbly from his parents, knowing that submission leads to the knowledge of God. The wise man bows to God’s discipline, confident that “the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in.” the Ancient Love Song
Charles D. Drew

Determined Digging: Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 4:18; Level 2: Psalms 63:1-5