A Contradicted Man, Samson I Am (Part 2)

            “A Contradicted Man, Samson I Am”

Part Two

“Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he saw one of the daughters of the Philistines.  Then he came up and told his father and mother, “I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife.”  But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”                                                                                                                       Judges 14:1-3 (ESV)

So I Google the name “Dagon” and then surfed over to Wikipedia and research how many people worship this Pagan god. The account that sticks out the most, however, is in 1 Samuel 5:2-7. The Philistines capture the Ark of Yahweh and the following morning their silly statue of “Dagon the fish god” is lying face down before the Ark. 

So this tidbit of information has  me wondering why on earth Samson wants to marry a woman whose people worship a fish rather than the Creator of the fish, knowing that he is under the Nazirite vow and that his parents had an encounter with the angel of the Lord, but God has a bigger plan against the Philistines. So apparently there was a great festival in “Timhath” that Flavius Josephus recorded and Samson sees a damsel…who like Samson’s mother will remain nameless and Samson says to his parents, “Now get her for me as my wife.”I can imagine Samson’s mother just saying, “Why can’t you just marry a good Jewish girl from the neighborhood?”

Now in the recordings of Josephus there seems to be a going back and forth that Samson and his parents are doing. Samson is continually visiting with this damsel’s parents when he encounters the Biblical story of the meeting with the infamous loin.

Both accounts have Samson killing the loin with both hands and then returning to the carcass of the beast and reaching in to take out honey that a swarm of bees has produced there. Now I am going to take a roadside view here for a moment. He kills this loin and then goes back to its dead body and basically defiles himself with it if I run this through the Nazirite Vow.

 I find no mention of Samson going to what would have been the Tabernacle at this time and making the necessary sacrifices to bring him back into alignment with God. Now I am sure that his parents have told him about the life he is suppose to lead but he does not tell his parents where the honey, which he has just shared with them, came from. Hmm, here lies contradiction in full color.

When Samson poses the riddle, “Out of the eater came something to eat, out of the strong came something sweet” to the Philistine men it is no surprise that, unless you were Samson (who is halfway confessing the wrong he has done and is the only one that knows the answer), those who seek to gain an advantage over him would find a way to manipulate getting the answer. 

So since he is married to a Philistine girl why not go to one of their own and get her to use her position as Samson’s wife to obtain the answer to the riddle. And once they get the answer and recite it back to Samson he says something really odd back to them, “If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have found out my riddle.”What does that mean?! In any case Samson is wise to the fact that his wife has given away the answer. After all she only pressed him for seven days. I guess in the modern day dialog we would call this nagging.

Samson strikes down thirty men and returns the wife to her father’s house. I can say that there is so much drama going on in just these two chapters of Judges that it makes my head spin. But isn’t it the way we use drama to hide those ugly contradictions in our lives? 

I attribute this as to someone being chased down an alley after committing a wrong that they know they should be punished for. As they run they throw obstacles along the way to trip their punishment up. And with all the manipulation that goes on around Samson early in his life it has made me wonder if he ever thought that one day he would be undermined and left for blind.

I still have some more of this contradicted man, Samson I am to work out with you but let’s ponder a few things together this day. One, why start off down the path of the day with an unseen act of disobedience. God has already seen it and why fool ourselves into think that we can share the fruits of it with those we love.

 Second, why try to be wise in our own eyes by asking questions that actually hold the confession of that disobedience to those around us who wish to do us harm. And thirdly…can we put off the drama that so ensnares us? They didn’t give out Oscar’s for the best performance of manipulation done by a Philistine woman or her people let alone the best man versus beast fight scene back in the days of the Judges. All that happened was the undermining of the will of God…that’s all. -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 30; Isaiah 9-10; Ephesians 3

Dig This Quote: Because in our present thought world the horror is “hidden,” “sin” as a condition of the human self is not available as a principle of explanation for those who are supposed to know why life goes as it does and to guide others. For example, why do around half of American marriages fail, or why do we have massive problems with substance addiction and with the “moral” failures of public leaders. Those who are supposed to know are lost in speculation about “causes,” while the real sources of our failures lie in choice and the factors at work in it. Choice is where sin dwells.”                                                                Renovation of the Heart -- Dallas Willard

Determined Digging: Level 1: Habakkuk 3:18-19; Level 2: Psalm 139:17-22

Determined Praying: God likes to see His people shut up to this, that there is no hope but in prayer. Herein lies the church's power against the world. -- Andrew Bonar

A Contradicted Man, Samson I Am (Part 1)

“A Contradicted Man, Samson I Am”

Part One

“And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” Judges 13:1-5 (ESV) 

When you first heard the story of Samson and Delilah what went through your mind? Did you envision a large man with huge bicep muscles holding a shapely tanned woman with them? What about the story where Samson goes into battle with the jawbone of a donkey? I wonder if you envisioned the jawbone being this huge piece of bone being held in the mighty grip of this muscular behemoth. Well let me ask you this, do you really believe this is a true vision of Samson? According to God’s word it’s not.

If we were to look at Samson right from where his mother is told “for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb”, Samson’s life is not his own. But from what I’ve read he sure didn’t act like it. In the book of Numbers, there in chapter six and starting at verse two God is laying down the law concerning the Nazirite Vow. In the English Standard Bible I read this as plain as day. I do not get confused with what this vow entails and I am quite certain that if El Shaddai has singled you out for this position with Him you should follow this vow to the letter. There are no grapes for you to eat, neither fresh or dried, skin nor seed. There are no grape by-products in your diet. There shall be no razor taken to their hair or getting close to the dead. The Nazirite lives a life of separation.

When the Nazirite has the unfortunate incident of someone dying close to him (close meaning to his physical being) there are hairs to shave and birds to sacrifice. There is a period of separation and then there are more sacrifices. There is a sin offering, peace offering, grain offering and a drink offering. If we were to have this many offerings in our churches today there would be no talk of a falling away, huh? And if the Nazirite wants to go beyond his vow that he has offered then he may do so as he can afford in exact accordance with the law of the Nazirite.

This is a pretty deep vow to take. But not only is Samson supposed to be destined to live in accordance with this dedication his mother is instructed to do so during the entire time she is pregnant with Samson. So what we have here is the double whammy for Manoah and his wife. Not only are they going to be parents after being childless for a long time but they get a visit from the angel of the Lord with special instructions for what will be the last of “The Judges of Israel”. I might just get a little crazy in the head like Manoah did and want to prepare a young goat , have a feast and ask, “Oh by the way, what’s your name?”But I guess there are secrets that are not for us to know and we need to be quite content to be ignorant of them.

The key to the beginning of the story of Samson is the part where Manoah asks the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that, when your words come true, we may honor you?” the response is, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?” Manoah was afraid of what he had no faith in whereas his wife reflects a great faith. Manoah thought he would surely die after this encounter but his help mate encouraged him. In the words of Matthew Henry, “If God designed me to perish under His wrath; He would not give me tokens of His favour.” Mediate on this as you go throughout your day and I will be covering more of the contradicted man, Samson I am. -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 29; Isaiah 7-8; Ephesians 2

Dig This Quote: Some think Peter was a big talker and cowardly. But in the Garden, when the temple guard came to arrest Jesus, he unsheathed his sword and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear (John 18:10). Not many cowards attack when they are outnumbered by enemy soldiers. So he was strong, but his strength was in his own personality, not in God’s humility, for the sifting had not yet begun. It happened just as Jesus predicted. The same bold, strong Simon Peter, ready to die for Jesus, wielding his sword in the Garden full of soldiers, was confronted by a little servant girl. He was intimidated by her and denied even knowing Jesus. Some think it is the big things that cause men to stumble. Often it is the minor ones that shake us the most. This shows the futility of self-confidence.” John Bevere    

Determined Digging: Level 1: Habakkuk 3:18-19; Level 2: Psalm 139:17-22

Determined Praying: If we want to see God do a mighty work, we must be willing to stand alone if necessary. Michael Catt                                                               

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Beware of the F.B. S. R

Beware of the F.B.S.R!!

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”                                                                                                            Matt 5:10-12 (ESV)

Sometime ago I received an e-mail from a very close brother in Christ and a fellow Colony grad asking me to join him on Facebook. It started out to be a way for all of us Colony guys to network with each other so that we may be able to encourage each other or share our struggles. This was and still is a good thing. One of the pros of being on Facebook is getting acquainted with friends of today or getting re-acquainted with friends of yesterday. One of the cons is getting acquainted with friends of today or getting re-acquainted with friends of yesterday. I have recently experienced the later.

I like the part of Facebook that allows you to say in 410 characters or less “What’s on your mind?” I use this feature quite often. Right now I am quoting from the book of Romans, other times have gotten downright silly and have recommended that we all need more “Cowbell” in our lives. My good friend Glen Heavilin has recently asked for a resurgence of the “Cowbell” in our Facebook lives. Maybe in coming month Glen…just maybe. And when it happens I hope that I offend no one. But the “Cowbell” is not where I am going with this. It is the “Ignore” feature that apparently does the offending and I use it quite often.

A name from a yesterday that should have stayed in that yesterday popped up and it wanted to be “Friends”. I went on what I could see on the name’s profile page and saw some very uncool ethnically ugly things about the President of these United States. Now I am not of fan of our President but to the point of posting this kind of stuff, nah I ain’t doin’ that. And I am not having that sort of garbage connected to me via any sort of media or conversation. I ain’t havin’ nuttin’ to do wit it…Period!! And considering this name had brought much controversy to my former life, I wasn’t having anything to do with this name on Facebook at all. So I used the “Ignore” feature. OH BOY did I ever get some hate speech over it.

At one time during the height of my addiction to drugs and alcohol my wife had sought ways to get be rid of me. This name intervened and from what Kathy and I have surmised is that this name prevented the will of God to work at that moment. But God’s will shall be done anyway and what happened at the end of my run happened anyway. But this name did not like my conversion. Oh no and as a matter of fact has continued to this day to try and undermined what I have been shown by God to be a triune Christian way of life. Even to the point of wanting to be acknowledged that they saved me from a fate worse than the frying pan. That my renewed mind is not renewed at all…just brain-washed. That my heart of flesh is truly a heart of stone. And now it is this way simply because I used the “Ignore” feature on Facebook. To God be the Glory!!

Well I ain’t the only one this name went after. Turns out he is one of these “Facebook Self-Righteous” (F.B.S.R) that has used something pretty cool to go on a rampage with family members. They are also receiving some hate speech for His sake. And yes I know some of the family as well. But no matter how much of a “Hell-hound” gets on my trail, I know that what Jesus Christ did for me and that cannot be shaken by any man…or woman for that matter. So I will count it all a joy “when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account.” I hope that this morning you are putting your helmet on!! ‘Nough said. -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 28; Isaiah 5-6; Ephesians 1

Dig This Quote: “God is the just Judge. He will pass righteous judgment. But He will repay according to righteousness. If someone has done wrong and genuinely repents, Jesus’ work at Calvary erases the debt. You may say, “But the wrong was done to me, not to Jesus!” Yes, but you don’t realize the wrong you did to Him. An innocent victim, He bore no guilt while every other human had sinned and was condemned to die. Each one of us has broken laws of God that transcend the laws of the land. All of us should be condemned by the hand of the highest court in the universe if justice is served.” John Bevere

Determined Digging: Level 1: Habakkuk 3:18-19; Level 2: Psalm 139:17-22

Determined Praying: Every great work of God has been done by those who believed God when others said it couldn't be done! -- Michael Catt

   

Does Motive Matter

Does motive matter?

Does our motive for wanting to learn and apply principles from God's economy really matter?

For years I have been working with fellow Christians to help them understand and apply principles from God's economy. Most of them seem very eager to learn the principles. But they do not appear to all have the same motive. They come from two very distinctive and different groups.

The first group is the one that includes people that want to learn these principles because of the "Get me out of this financial mess" motive. They may be upside down in their mortgage, have excessive credit card debt or simply living paycheck to paycheck and are sinking deeper into financial disaster week by week.

There is nothing wrong with this motive because God is a very loving and gracious God that does not want us to struggle with our finances. If you recall, we just looked at the fact that God uses money to draw us closer to Himself. And to be quite frank with you, following God's economy will most likely result in a life that will be free of the financial mess these folks are trying to escape.

But far too often the people from this group end up like the seed that sprang up quickly and withered that is referred to in the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-12). They come to the (incorrect) conclusion that applying the principles are more painful than the financial disaster they are currently trying to escape.

But there is another group of folks that want to learn about God's economy. These are the ones that realize that how a Believer handles his money is not just a financial issue; it is a far more important spiritual issue. They understand what Luke 12:34 means when it says "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also".

Although I have absolutely no statistics to back up this perception, I do believe it is true. The perception is that the average person that listens to these principles (or attends a Crown seminar) is in the lower haIf of per capita income in the US. If this is true, it is sad. If God has blessed us with financial resources we have a greater responsibility to understand God's economy and apply the principles in our lives (Luke 12:48).

Over the last few posts we have been looking at ways that God uses money in the Christian's life. In a quick review, here they are:

Demonstrates His faithfulness –Lamentations 3:22-23

Gives us direction in our lives - Galatians 6:9 and Philippians 4:19

Unifies the Body of Christ – 2 Corinthians 8:13-15

Draws us to Himself – Philippians 4:4-7, Matthew 7:7,8

Brings us to the realization of our need for Him – Galatians 5:19-21

In reality this is just the tip of the iceberg. We could look at passages that indicate that God uses money to develop our trustworthiness (Luke 16:11); cultivate self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) and develop spiritual maturity (James 1:2-12) and probably a host of other ways that God uses money in our lives. These are all part of God's economy.

If our motive for understanding God's economy is simply to "Get us out of this financial mess", we miss the greatest purpose of money. That purpose is to bring us to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Yes, motive does matter. -- George Hutchison serves on the Board of America's KESWICK and is an instructor for Crown Financial. You can follow George's blog by visiting his site STEWARDSHIP INSIGHT

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 27; Isaiah 3-4; Galatians 6

Dig This Quote: God loves people too much to allow sin to go unchecked. -- Henry Blackaby

Determined Digging: Level 1: Habakkuk 3:18-19; Level 2: Psalm 139:17-22

Determined Praying: If you want your prayers to lead to a breakthrough, you have to learn to pray according to the Word and will of God, in the name of Jesus. Breakthroughs are not manipulations of the Almighty; they are a means of aligning ourselves with the will of the Almighty. Breakthrough praying has one goal in mind: the glory of God. -- Michael Catt

Knowing You

Knowing You

I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Philippians 3:8

Today is HIS day. We sometimes make it OUR day. Worship isn't about you and me -- worship is all about HIM. As you gather together to meet with HIM, what is your desire?

Songwriter Graham Kendrick wrote these modern day lyrics about knowing HIM:

All I once held dear, built my life upon,
All this world reveres, and wars to own,
All I once thought gain I have counted loss,
Spent and worthless now, compared to this.


Now my heart's desire is to know YOU more,
To be found in YOU, and known as YOURS,
To possess by faith what I could not earn,
All-surpassing gift of righteousness.


O, to know the power of YOUR risen life,
And to know YOU in YOUR sufferings.
To become like YOU in Your death, my Lord,
So with YOU to live and never die.

Refrain
Knowing YOU, Jesus, knowing YOU;
There is NO GREATER thing.
YOU'RE my all, YOU'RE the best,
YOU'RE my joy, my righteousness,
And I love YOU, LORD.

1994 Make Way Music (ASCAP)
Paul had a number of key things that were the core values of his life. One was to KNOW HIM! That was one of the top ones on his list. How about you. As you gather to worship today, I trust that the prayer of your heart is to KNOW HIM! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 26; Isaiah 1-2; Galatians 5

Dig This Quote: God could give to Abraham, because he had made such a wide opening into his life. God can give only into an open hand. This hand was opened wide. This door swung clear back. God had a free swing and He used it. He could, and He did. He always does. Let this be our rule: "Give all He asks; then take all He gives." And the cup will be spilling joyously over the brim. S. D. Gordon

Determined Digging: Level 1: Habakkuk 3:18--19; Level 2: Psalm 139:17-22


Determined Praying: Stay at the altar until God breaks through. -- Vance Havner

The Ripple Effect of a Transformed Life

THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF A CHANGED LIFE

September 25, 1897

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Someone once said to Dwight L. Moody “that the world has yet to see what God will do with and for, through and around the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.” That statement is certainly true of the life of William Raws, founder of the Colony of Mercy.

William Raws' life was radically changed on February 17, 1886 when he trusted Christ as his personal Savior in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. His bondage to alcohol was broken and Raws was gloriously saved. In his own words William Raws said, “One day, fairly dying from the effects of rum, unable even to keep hot rum brandy on my stomach, I staggered penniless too my room and fell against an old arm chair…Although under the influence of drink, a poor dying drunkard, a swearing, lustful, sinful man, I cried unto God. He heard my cry and save me. For days and nights thereafter I could neither eat nor sleep. I was on the verge of delirium tremens…But peace came at last and victory through our Lord and Savior.”

Raws went on to begin the Whosoever Gospel Rescue Mission in Philadelphia but was burdened years later to begin a work in the country for men to escape city life and get alone with God. On September 25, 1897, the family and some friends met around an old pump organ and sang ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME. The crowd pooled their resources of $1.87 and claimed the promise from Philippians 4:19 -- But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God birthed the ministry of THE COLONY OF MERCY. And the rest is history.

Thousands of lives have been transformed by the power of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ because of the transformed life of William Raws. The ministry continues over a hundred years later with the good news that Christ can set men and women in bondage to sinful addictions and through Christ, can live victoriously.

God used the ordinary life of William Raws to impact thousands. He wants to take your ordinary life and doing extraordinary things. Are you willing to allow your life to have a ripple effect on others? Surrender you ALL to Him today.

Thank you for partnering with us as we celebrate 113 years of God's faithfulness and the testimony of a transformed life. William Raws -- thank you for allowing God to use you. Bill Welte is privileged and humbled to be the President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 25; Song of Solomon 6-8; Galatians 4

Dig This Quote: Scripture ought to flow into every part of my life. Reading and praying with the Bible ought to be done regularly and in some systematic way which takes the choice of which Scripture to read out of my hands and leaves the Bible free to convict parts of me which I may not want to face.
Glen Argan

Determined Digging: Level 1: Nahum 1:7; Level 2: Psalm 139:13-16

Determined Praying: Anything that causes you to pray is a blessing. Ron Dunn

A Heart of Flesh

A Heart of Flesh

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26

Several years ago I did an extensive study on the word "heart" in the Scripture. It was a fascinating study. There are numerous word pictures related to the heart: clean heart, pure heart, cold heart, divided heart, hardened heart, and many more.

Dr. Henry Blackaby in his devotional, EXPERIENCING GOD Day by Day (Broadman & Holman) describes the "heart of flesh":

From our hearts comes our response to God. Apart from the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit, our hearts are extremely deceitful (Proverbs 19:7). David prayed that God would cleanse him from the ravages of sin and purify his heart (Psalm 51:10). God's great desire is that His people love Him with all their hearts (Deuteronomy 6:5). Jesus said we are blessed if our hearts are pure (Matthew 5:8).

Sin hardens the heart (Matthew 13:4, 19). The more sin we allow to pass over our hearts and through our lives, the more resistant we become to a word from God. The sin of unforgiveness stiffens our hearts. We cannot continue to resist the prompting of the Holy Spirit without becoming hardened against Him.

Exposing ourselves to evil and ungodly influences desensitizes us to God and His Word. Over time, our hearts become life stone, unreceptive to a fresh word from God. We become anesthetized to sin.

Has your heart grown hard toward God? Do you feel as though nothing could soften it? God has a solution. He will separate you from the influences that are destroying you (Ezekiel 36:24). He will cleanse you from all filthiness and remove everything that has taken His place in your affections (Ezekiel 36:25). He will remove your heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh, tender toward Him and His word.

If your love for God is not what it should be, ask Him to renew your heart and restore your devotion to Him.

I add my prayer to this challenge: if your heart has been hardened, brother, please return to Him. He is waiting for you to come home! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 24; Song of Solomon 4-5; Galatians 3

Dig This Quote: (continued from yesterday)In laying off your burdens, therefore, the first one you must get rid of is yourself. You must hand yourself and all your inward experiences, your temptations, your temperament, your frames and reelings, all over into the care and keeping of your God, and leave them there. He made you and therefore He understands you, and knows how to manage you, and you must trust Him to do it. Hannah Whitall Smith

Determined Digging: Level 1: Nahum 1:7; Level 2: Psalm 139:13-16

Determined Praying: That which God abundantly makes the subject of his promises, God's people should abundantly make the subject of their prayers. -- Jonathan Edwards

I Will Instruct You

I Will Instruct You

"I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel." Psalm 32:8 (Christian Standard Bible)

We need to be reminded often that one of the neat things the Lord does for us is to instruct us in where and how we should walk. He doesn't let us navigate alone. He is the one and only GPS that we can count on to never fail us.

The prince of preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon shares this insight on God's instruction:

A believer may seek from God the qualifications for a particular vocation. Laborers may appeal to God for strength. Artists may ask God for skill. Students may seek God for help to accelerate their intellect.

David was a great warrior, and he attributed his valor to God, who trained his hands for war and his fingers for battle (Psalm 44:1). We read about Bezalel and how God filled him with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to design artistic works in gold, silver, bronze, jewels, and wood. (Exodus 35:3-35)

If you prayed about your work, I am persuaded that you will be helped. If you are not fully qualified, pray every morning for God to help you to be careful and observant. He has promised, "As your days, so shall your strength be" (Deuteronomy 33:25). A mind that trusts in the Lord is in the best condition to acquire knowledge and understanding.

It is well to be clever, but being pure is essential. I would like you to be masters of your trades, but I am even more concerned that you would be honest, truthful, and holy.

My dear friend, engaged in service or business, go to your Heavenly Father and ask Him to lead you in a smooth path (Psalm 27:11). Ask Him to uphold your steps that you may not slip (Psalm 17:5). Ask Him to instruct and teach you in the way you should go. Ask Him to guide you with His eye (Psalm 32:8).

Rest assured. He will order all your ways, that your daily calling will not hinder your heavenly calling, or your conduct belie your profession. Act both in your trade and in your calling as Christ would have acted had He been in your place.

Hang this question on your wall, "What would Jesus do? Then think of another, "How would Jesus do it?" What would He do and how He would do it it is always the best guide. -- from Beside Still Waters -- Words of Comfort for the Soul -- Charles Haddon Spurgeon (Zondervan)

Good stuff for you to ponder today, my friend. Look for HIS instruction and guidance today. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 23; Song of Solomon 1-3; Galatians 2

Dig This Quote: The greatest burden we have to carry in life is self. The most difficult thing we have to manage is self. Our own daily living, our frames and feelings, our especial weaknesses and temptations, and our peculiar temperaments, - our inward affairs of every kind, - these are the things that perplex and worry us more than anything else, and that bring us oftenest into bondage and darkness. -- Hannah Whitall Smith Continued tomorrow

Determined Digging: Level 1: Nahum 1:7; Level 2: Psalm 139:13-16

Determined Praying: There is nothing that will make us love people like praying for them. Prayer is not conquering God's reluctance, it's laying hold of God's willingness. -- Michael Catt

Is There Good in Temptation?

Is There Good in Temptation?

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man . . . —1 Corinthians 10:13

Yesterday Pastor Bill Raws talked about "The Big T." Today's devotional is a follow-up to his teaching and is from the writings of Oswald Chambers -- My Utmost for His Highest:

The word temptation has come to mean something bad to us today, but we tend to use the word in the wrong way. Temptation itself is not sin; it is something we are bound to face simply by virtue of being human. Not to be tempted would mean that we were already so shameful that we would be beneath contempt. Yet many of us suffer from temptations we should never have to suffer, simply because we have refused to allow God to lift us to a higher level where we would face temptations of another kind.

A person’s inner nature, what he possesses in the inner, spiritual part of his being, determines what he is tempted by on the outside. The temptation fits the true nature of the person being tempted and reveals the possibilities of his nature. Every person actually determines or sets the level of his own temptation, because temptation will come to him in accordance with the level of his controlling, inner nature.

Temptation comes to me, suggesting a possible shortcut to the realization of my highest goal— it does not direct me toward what I understand to be evil, but toward what I understand to be good. Temptation is something that confuses me for a while, and I don’t know whether something is right or wrong. When I yield to it, I have made lust a god, and the temptation itself becomes the proof that it was only my own fear that prevented me from falling into the sin earlier.

Temptation is not something we can escape; in fact, it is essential to the well-rounded life of a person. Beware of thinking that you are tempted as no one else–what you go through is the common inheritance of the human race, not something that no one has ever before endured. God does not save us from temptations–He sustains us in the midst of them (see Hebrews 2:18 and Hebrews 4:15-16).

We all face temptation. Allow God to use this time to remind you of HIS faithfulness even in the midst of temptation. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

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Digging Deeper: Proverbs 22; Ecclesiastes 10-12; Galatians 1

Dig This Quote: “Therefore the gospel . . . should be seen as not only a message of good news for lost people to be saved from sin’s penalty, but also as a message of good news for Christian people to be saved from sin’s domineering power. The goal of the gospel is not merely to forgive us, but to change us into true worshippers of God and authentic lovers of people.” Dr. Steve Childers, True Spirituality

Determined Digging: Level 1: Nahum 1:7; Level 2: Psalm 139:13-16

Determined Praying: When we cease to bleed we cease to plead, but if we bleed and plead and do not go, we lose our concern for them. -- Jesse R. Reed

The Big "T"

THE BIG “T”

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

We all do battle with temptation. Some seem to battle with it more often than others. The good news is that we don't have to battle it alone. The next two days we will talk about temptation from God's perspective.

Pastor Bill Raws addressed the subject of temptation in his devotional of September 21, 2010 in REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE:

One of the facts of life is that the Christian is not exempt from temptation. As our theme verse declares, it “is common to man.” It is the type of testing promoted by the devil and is never generated by God. It always centers in the realm of humanity. The fact that it “overtakes” us indicates that this form of testing comes from outside and is designed to cause us to sin.

If and when a temptation overtakes us, how can we possibly overcome it? The answer is found in several factual statements. First, on the basis of the character of God – He is faithful. This truth is a recurring theme throughout the scripture. Second, on the basis of the limits placed by the Lord – “who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.” One of our problems, however, is that we think that we alone can determine where our ability terminates. We tend to give in before that point is reached. Third, on the basis of His provision, He “will also make the way of escape.” It should be pointed out that there is a particular way of escape from each temptation. Our problems result from failing to take the way out.

Jesus demonstrated the way of victory over temptation when He used the scripture to combat the suggestions of the devil. His repeated answer to Satan’s appeal was, “It is written” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). Among the biblical instructions concerning dealing with temptation, some are very direct and explicit, e.g. “Flee sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18). God’s provision for victory can also be seen in the armor of the soldier of Christ (Ephesians 6:10-17). In order for believers to stand against the schemes and darts of the devil, the complete armor must be put on. Failure to utilize that which God has provided is a guarantee of defeat. William A. Raws

If you haven't already done so, commit 1 Corinthians 10:13 to memory. Use it on a daily basis as a reminder of God's faithfulness. -- Bill Welte if President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 21; Ecclesiastes 7-9; 2 Corinthians 13

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

Determined Digging: Level 1: Nahum 1:7; Level 2: Psalm 139:13-16

Determined Praying: The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world history. -- Andrew Murray

What To Renounce

What to Renounce

I have share this devotion several times in the past several years, but it is one that is worth repeating. It is from the pen of Oswald Chamber from MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST:

We have renounced the hidden things of shame . . . —2 Corinthians 4:2

Have you “renounced the hidden things of shame” in your life—the things that your sense of honor or pride will not allow to come into the light? You can easily hide them. Is there a thought in your heart about anyone that you would not like to be brought into the light? Then renounce it as soon as it comes to mind—renounce everything in its entirety until there is no hidden dishonesty or craftiness about you at all.

Envy, jealousy, and strife don’t necessarily arise from your old nature of sin, but from the flesh which was used for these kinds of things in the past (see Romans 6:19 and 1 Peter 4:1-3). You must maintain continual watchfulness so that nothing arises in your life that would cause you shame.

“. . . not walking in craftiness. . .” (2 Corinthians 4:2). This means not resorting to something simply to make your own point. This is a terrible trap. You know that God will allow you to work in only one way—the way of truth. Then be careful never to catch people through the other way—the way of deceit. If you act deceitfully, God’s blight and ruin will be upon you. What may be craftiness for you, may not be for others—God has called you to a higher standard.

Never dull your sense of being your utmost for His highest—your best for His glory. For you, doing certain things would mean craftiness coming into your life for a purpose other than what is the highest and best, and it would dull the motivation that God has given you.

Many people have turned back because they are afraid to look at things from God’s perspective. The greatest spiritual crisis comes when a person has to move a little farther on in his faith than the beliefs he has already accepted.

I am smart enough to know that while you were reading this, like me, you knew exactly what you need to renounce in your life so that you can walk in victory! Don't shrink back, my brothers. Freedom and blessing come when we are willing to take this step of faith. Talk to HIM about it today! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 20; Ecclesiastes 4-6; 2 Corinthians 12

Dig This Quote: Evangelism is "Gossiping the gospel" to our families, friends, and neighbours.Kevin J. Navarro

Determined Digging: Level 1: Nahum 1:7; Level 2: Psalm 139:13-16

Determined Praying: Much prayer, much power! No prayer, no power! Peter Deyneka, Sr