Seek First His Kingdom

Seek First the Kingdom of God

James 5:2 - 3, Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. (NKJV)

In this epistle of practical Christian living James addresses several issues that are a struggle for the follower of Christ. God inspires him to speak of trials, the tongue, the danger of faith without works, and, in our text, idolatry.  

This passage is not a diatribe against anyone having possessions as there have been many in Scripture and throughout church history that God has blessed with what we would call “wealth.”  Rather, this is about the heart of those who worship their achievements over God.  In fact, much like the rich young ruler that Jesus addressed in the Gospels, these well to do hold their possessions as God. God’s Word warns them that, “you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter” – a dire warning to all who love the things of this world.

This passage ties in with chapter 1:9 – 11 which states, “Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.”  Here is the reversal that we find in The Kingdom of God. It is those who are “poor in spirit” (Mt. 5:3) who will be exalted by God rather than those who are successful in the eyes of the world if their hearts are not right before God.

It is so easy for the disciple of Christ to lose sight of what is important. May we be challenged and convicted by the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” – Dr. Joe Olachea is Senior Pastor of Lakes Community Chapel, Medford, NJ and a regular Freedom Fighter contributor

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Exodus 4-6; Psalm 28; Proverbs 31

Compass Pointers: American evangelicals are wealthy, satiated, and at ease. So the appeal of James resounds across the centuries to our ears. We must open our eyes to the Scriptures and our ears to God…Our failure to act, says James, is a sin more grievous than we have imagined. – David Nystrom

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 5:21; Level 2: Proverbs 5:15-23

Anchored to the Rock: "Idolatry" is the practice of seeking the source and provision of what we need either physically or emotionally in someone or something other than the one true God. It is the tragically pathetic attempt to squeeze life out of lifeless forms that cannot help us meet our real needs. - Scott Hafemann

Himself

HIMSELF

“Christ is all, and in all!” Colossians 3:11

Last Sunday I had the privilege of speaking at a church which was a little “out of my box” in terms of worship style and form. It is a very evangelical church and the service was very liturgical and orderly.

The one thing that impressed me about the service was this – the service was not about a worship team, it wasn’t about impressing people with the latest technology – the service was all about HIM! Every Scripture read, every hymn that was sung, every prayer centered on the worship of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

A. B. Simpson, the great alliance preacher, was also an amazing hymnwriter who not only wrote the music but also the hymn texts. I came across this obscure hymn text that nails the purpose of our worship each Lord’s day – Him and Him alone.

Himself

Once it was blessing – Now it is the Lord!

Once it was feeling – Now it is His Word!

Once His gifts I wanted – Now the Giver own.

Once I sought for healing – Now Himself alone!

Once ‘twas plainful trying – Now its perfect trust!

Once a half salvation – Now the uttermost!

Once ‘twas ceaseless holding – Now He holds me fast!

Once ‘twas constant drifting – Now my anchor’s cast!

Once ‘twas busy planning – Now it’s trustful prayer.

Once ‘twas anxious caring – Now He has the cure.

Once ‘twas what I wanted – Now what Jesus says.

Once ‘twas constant asking – Now its ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working – His it hence shall be.

Once I tried to use Him – Now He uses me.

Once the power I wanted – Now the Mighty One.

Once for self I labored – Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped for Jesus – Now I know He’s mine!

Once my lamps were dying – Now they brightly shine!

Once for death I waited – Now His coming hail!

And my hopes are anchored – safe within the veil.

Refrain
All in all forever, Jesus will I sing!

Everything in Jesus, and Jesus everything!

Wow! Today is not about you! It isn’t about so much about the style or form of worship. The focus of our praise today is just one – HIM and HIM alone! May Jesus Christ be praised. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Exodus 1-3; Psalm 27; Proverbs 30

Compass Pointers: The soul hardly ever realizes it, but whether he is a believer or not, his loneliness is really a homesickness for God. Hubert van Zeller

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 5:21; Level 2: Proverbs 5:15-23

Anchored to the Rock: Doubtful prayer is no prayer at all. John Calvin

Scripture Navigation: Introduction

Systematic Navigation: Introduction 

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”      2 Tim 3:16-17 (KJV) 

I am getting myself into some waters with the studying of God’s Word that just might have me going beyond knee deep. “Systematic Theology” by Wayne Grudem is a book that I have decided to spend the rest of this year with considering it is at least 1300 pages thick. Our Tuesday night men’s Bible study went through his much smaller book on the subject titled, “Christian Beliefs; 20 basics every Christian should know”. That book is a glancing look at this bigger book but it raised questions that needed to be looked at further. And since we all should be learning how to be “Navigating Life Biblically” this year, I thought it would be good for me to see how to view it systematically as well.  

Professor John Frame’s (Westminster Seminary) definition goes as follows: Systematic theology is any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible teach us today?” about any given topic. So what this definition would entail is to have a topic that needs to be understood and navigate through all of the Bible, collect those passages that are relevant and summarize what they teach so that we know what to believe about each topic. Charles Hodges puts it in this way, “So the Bible contains the truths which the theologian has to collect, authenticate, arrange, and exhibit in their internal relation to each other.” He goes on to add, “This is not an easy task, or one of slight importance.” Either way I do believe the whole of the Bible can speak to every need that the human condition brings up. 

The last thing we need is a disorganized theology to apply in our everyday living. We certainly don’t want to speak from the prophetic books of the Bible to address our everyday family living. I made the mistake of rebuking my son with passages from Ezekiel early in my Christian walk and totally lost him…then I lost myself. But if we were to say to someone, “the Bible says that Jesus is coming again” we can go into those prophetic books to bring a systematic point to that statement. And whether we realize it or not most present day Christians are looking at their Bible reading in a systematic way. “The Bible Promise Book” is a fine example of what I am talking about. You can go into the table of contents and look for an issue that you are dealing with and find various Bible passages that are directed specifically for that issue. 

In Hodges’ introduction to his book he writes, “It may naturally be asked, why not take the truths as God has seen fit to reveal them, and thus save ourselves the trouble of showing their relation and harmony?” Well one of the four answers he gives is quite simply, “The answer to this question is, in the first place, that it cannot be done. Such is the constitution of the human mind that it cannot help endeavoring to systematize and reconcile the facts which it admits to be true.” 

So let’s keep in mind that there may be a large number of topics out there to dive into but, as Grudem puts it, “It is Scripture alone, not “conservative evangelical tradition” or any other human authority, that must function as the normative authority for the definition of what we should believe.” We have to keep the basic reason to a systematic approach to God’s Word as a means of obedience to our Lord’s command. 

The benefits to studying the Bible in a systematic theological way can help us in three ways. We overcome those rebellious ideas that, for example, maybe Jesus isn’t coming back. It can help us be able to make better decisions on new questions of doctrine. You never know when someone has come into your church “stealthy” as a wolf in sheep’s clothes. But more importantly it can help us grow as Christians. 

The Bible frequently connects sound doctrine with maturity in the lives of Christians. It was with confidence that we find Paul speaking of “the teaching which accords with godliness” (1 Tim. 6:3) or his work as an apostle of Jesus Christ is “to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth which accords with godliness” (Titus 1:1). I hope you all keep on navigating as the year goes on. – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a Freedom Fighter contributor 

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Genesis 48-50; Psalm 26; Proverbs 29

Compass Pointers: What does the Bible teach about husband-wife relationships? About raising children? About witnessing to a friend at work? What principles does Scripture give us for studying psychology, or economics, or the natural sciences? How does it guide us in spending money, or in saving, or in tithing? In every area of inquiry certain theological principles will come to bear, and those who have learned well the theological teachings of the Bible will be much better able to make decisions that are pleasing to God.” – Wayne Grudem

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 4:18; Level 2: Proverbs 4:20-27

Anchored to the Rock: Before we can pray, ‘Thy kingdom come’, we must be willing to pray, ‘My kingdom go.’ Alan Redpath

Using Scripture to Battle Temptation

Using Scripture To Battle Temptation

One of the tools that we use at the Colony of Mercy to teach the men to use when battling temptation is the power of using God’s Word. Jesus Himself used Scripture to do battle with the tempter when He was in the wilderness.

The men of our program memorize one verse a day during their time in the Colony. That means that at the end of the program, they have 120 verses from God’s Word tucked away in their hearts and minds.

There are hundreds of verses that you can use to do battle when you are facing temptation. And we all do – and if you don’t, please write me!!!

Stormie Omartian has a simple list to help us from her book The Power of a Praying Life (Harvest House):

When I am tempted to immorality: “This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

When I am tempted to lie: “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape.” Proverbs 19:5

When I am tempted to disobey God: “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil.” Proverbs 4:14

When I am tempted to give in to lustful thoughts: “The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.” Proverbs 11:6

When I am tempted to think that no one will know: “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.” Hebrews 4:13

When I am tempted to go with my feelings: “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26

Here are a couple other passages to consider for your arsenal: 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:14-15; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Romans 6:11-14.

You get the gist. The old saying is true – fail to plan, plan to fail. His Word is able to keep you and me from being another statistic. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Genesis 46-47; Proverbs 28; Psalm 25

Compass Pointers: We have assigned the obligations of our faith to a few while keeping the privileges for us all. from Radical by David Platt

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 4:18; Level 2: Proverbs  4:20-27

Anchored to the Rock: When thou prayest, rather let thy heart be without words than thy words without a heart. John Bunyan

Wicked Fleas

Wicked Fleas

Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.

I first became attracted to this verse as a boy through a twist of its actual meaning.  I would tell my friends about these horrible wicked fleas the Bible talked about.  They actually pursued people!  (In case you don’t know me, I do have a strange sense of humor, right Bill?)

Interestingly, this verse has become to me one of great spiritual insight.  I have found it to be true in so many situations that it becomes a bit fearful.  God’s truth does apply to all ages and all times and even all situations.  I have found in counseling that so many times the root of the problem lies here.

The verse teaches us that the reason the wicked flee is because they always think someone is doing the thing they themselves are doing. While they are lying in wait to attack someone, they suddenly think, “But what if someone is lying in wait for me?” and so they flee when in reality no one is there. In other words, they are lying, so they assume that others are lying.  They cheat on their spouse so they accuse their spouse of cheating on them.  They cheat the government so they think others are cheating them.  They accuse others of judging, being insincere, doing things for man’s praise, giving for personal gain, manipulation, etc. etc. when the one guilty of these things is themselves.

So many of my counseling opportunities arise because an individual is doubting what another is doing.  On further inquiry I often would find that the doubting individual is doing the very thing they accuse the other of.  I think of people who have trouble trusting their spouse, or children or co-workers.  Could it be that they themselves are the untrustworthy ones to consider.

I often talk with my congregation about faithfulness.  I illustrate the point by saying, what if I told you that I had been faithful to my wife for 22 years.  WOW, they might respond until some reflected, wait, you have been married for 23 years!  All those years crash down as worthless because we are charged to FINISH well!  By the way, I can say (to stop any rumors) I have been faithful to my wife ALL the years, month, days, hours, minutes and seconds or our marriage, at this writing almost 24 years.  My wife and I never have those times of mistrust because each of us strive hard to maintain faithfulness in and of ourselves, and so don’t have misgivings about the faithfulness of the other.

In my own life this verse reminds me to be careful in my dealings with others.  Why do I doubt the honesty of others?  Have I been dishonest with others?  Do I doubt someone’s genuineness?  Do I doubt their spirituality?  Perhaps I need to be sure of my own ground before judging another’s.

What of you “Freedom Fighter”?  When you look into the perfect law of liberty, what do you find staring back at you?  A sincere Christian who is faithful in all his dealings, or a hypocrite who does not live by the standards he imposes on others?  Are you fleeing when no one pursues?

Or the next time someone accuses you of impropriety, disingenuousness, dishonesty or unfaithfulness, perhaps you should point them to the Word and ask why they are fleeing.  Jesus is right as always when He says, “The Truth shall set you free”.  The Bible, like the flea collar for dogs,” Advantage” causes the wicked fleas to flee.  Be sure to apply daily! –Paul Ort is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Egg Harbor, NJ

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Genesis 43-45; Proverbs 27; Psalm 24

Compass Pointers: I will place no value on anything I have or I may possess, except in relation to the kingdom of Christ. – David Livingstone

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 4:18; Level 2: Proverbs 4:20-27

Anchored to the Rock: He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find him the rest of the day. John Bunyan

All God Ever Wanted

ALL GOD EVER WANTED

“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.”  (Psalm 116:1)

            I trusted in Jesus when just a child.  I was faithful through the early years but drifted in my teens.  By the time I was in my late twenties I was a drug addict.  After losing my marriage, my home, my career, my health, and my dignity, I entered a Christian rehab.  I was a long way from the little boy who walked with Jesus, but at least I knew the truth.

            A rehab isn’t where you dream of going when you’re growing up, but I actually enjoyed it.  Because I seemed happy and knew a lot about the Bible people looked up to me.  Lots of people thought that I was one of the ones that were going to make it.  I wasn’t so sure.  In fact, I knew what would happen. It would be only a matter of weeks, maybe days, and I would fall.  I always did. But I desperately didn’t want to. 

            So one night, I decided to settle it.  I spent the night in the chapel trying to give my will to God.  I surrendered all.  Again and again, I surrendered all.  I asked Him to make me an angel, or a tree, or anything that would obey him.  He’s God, isn’t he?  I remember laying there and begging him to slay me.  Hours passed and I realized that He hadn’t done a thing.  If I wanted to I could walk right out and do as I pleased.  That’s when I cried out, “Why won’t you do this?”  And that’s when I heard it.  In a voice that was not my own, God said, “Because then you can’t love me.”  Those six words changed my life.  I understood in a moment what most of the world has missed.  God wants to be loved. 

            Maybe today is a day to start over.  For all of us, I mean. (I’ve been faithfully serving God for fifteen years now.)  Maybe today we can see things as they really are.  As they always have been.  God loves you with the core of His being.  It’s something that he thinks about all the time.  It’s the way he feels inside.  Is it really so shocking that He craves your love?  It’s all He ever wanted anyway. Chris Thompson, and his family serve as missionaries in England. Chris is a dear friend and a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Genesis 41-42; Proverbs 26; Psalm 23

Compass Pointers: What God may hereafter require of you, you must not give yourself the least trouble about. Everything He gives you to do, you must do as well as ever you can, and that is the best possible preparation for what He may want you to do next. If people would but do what they have to do, they would always find themselves ready for what came next. George Macdonald

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 4:18; Level 2: Proverbs 4:2-27

Anchored to the Rock: Cold prayers shall never have any warm answers. Thomas Brooks

Raising an Ebenezer

Raising an Ebenezer.

1 Samuel 7:12  Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us."

God often used this concept throughout the Old Testament to remind His people of the great acts He had done on their behalf.  The raising of an Ebenezer was a way to remind the Israelites of God’s continuing work for them.  “Eben” is the Hebrew word for “stone” and “ezer” is the word for “help” so an Ebenezer is a “Stone of Help”.  Samuel raised this Ebenezer to remind Israel that God had helped them win a great victory over the Philistines. Samuel’s Ebenezer was certainly not the first time God used this visual aid for remembrance.

Joshua was also instructed to raise an Ebenezer after the Israelites crossed the Jordan River on dry ground.  Joshua 4.2-9 tells the story of taking stones from the midst of the river and then setting them up as a memorial to remember what God had done for them.

Even earlier Jacob used an Ebenezer for a pillow, even though it was a pillow first.  In Genesis 28.11-18 Jacob sets up his Ebenezer and calls it Bethel, “House of God” and vows that he will worship God alone if He returns him to this place.

The concept of the Ebenezer is indeed ancient and Biblical and finds its reflection in the New Testament as well.  On the night Jesus was betrayed He took bread and broke it and said, “This is my body which is for you, do this in remembrance of Me”.  I see this as an Ebenezer.  One that many of us do once a month to remind us of Jesus sacrifice in our place.  Our memories are so short that we so often forget the wonderful atonement Christ forged for us with His own blood.  We need always to keep this Ebenezer before our eyes.

So then, what of you, brother?  Do you have any Ebenezers to raise?  One of mine is when God reached down and pulled this poor sinner out of the miry clay and set my feet on solid ground, November 30, 1969.  I celebrate another Ebenezer when my wonderful wife took pity on a lonely young man and became my bride, February 21, 1987.  Beyond that was the birth of my children, for God helped us there as well.  Even greater yet was the day those children decided to be birthed again!  My ordination, graduation, and later elevation to pastor all deserve a stone of remembrance.  Another important Ebenezer is remembering steps of faith where God proved Himself mighty once again.  So often He met my needs by paying my bills when no money was to be found, helped us pay school bills that were beyond our salary to cover, healed the sick, saved a  sinner, purchased a building, and so on, and so on.  All these truly deserve an Ebenezer, and many are marked in the blank pages at each end of my Bible so that I can remember.  At my church we even changed the words of my favorite hymn back to the original.  Our hymnal opted for a more contemporary wording.  For us now, “Come Thou Fount” in verse 2 reads, “Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by Thy help I’m come!”

How many times do we let great answers to prayer slip from our poor memories and fade into nothing instead of raising an Ebenezer so the generations to come may marvel at God’s faithfulness?  At my church we try to mark these special occasions, some have even been recorded on a stone.  We have a wooden cross outside the church, and we lay these stones at the foot of the cross, because Jesus is the One who made those victories possible.

America’s Keswick has certainly become an Ebenezer to many men who have been set free.  It has become home to me in many ways as well and I thank God for raising that wonderful Ebenezer.  May it stand for many years to come.

How about you?  Can you think of the Ebenezers in your life?  I challenge you to raise an Ebenezer over it, praise God for it, and remind your children, “Thus far the Lord has helped us!” Pastor Paul Ort is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Egg Harbor City and is Chris Hughes’ Pastor! J

GPS – God’s Positioning System:  Genesis 38-40; Proverbs 25; Psalm 22:19-31

Compass Pointers: It is not so much our time and so much of our attention that God demands; it is not even all of our time and all our attention; it is ourselves. C. S. Lewis

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 4:18; Level 2: Proverbs 4:20-27

Anchored to the Rock: Cold prayers do always freeze before they reach to heaven. Thomas Brooks

The Transparency of Saints

The Transparency of Saints

“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”  Romans 12:3-5 (ESV)

Well I will soon be finishing up my second month of being unemployed and it ain’t too bad. The pay isn’t as good as I thought it would be but it has made me available to take on what I have come to understand as “Kingdom Work.” Pastor Andrew Dixon (of Christ’s Wesleyan Church in Egg Harbor City, NJ) coined that phrase to me one day during a conversation that we were having concerning what the church could do to introduce the community to the “Addictions Victorious” ministry. As time has gone by there are those times when God clearly speaks that He wants something done. It is an “all hands on deck” battle cry and I am humbled at those times to be one of those pairs of hands. I hear that this battle cry gets used by Bill Welte at America’s Keswick but when I hear God He does NOT sound like Bill. PTL!!!

I had been asked by some folks recently to lend them a hand with their move from one house to another. First I was asked by the lady of the house then her husband. I was kinda humbled by this considering that the lady of the house just happened to be Diane Hunt, THE Director of Development and Addiction Recovery for America’s Keswick. I thought to myself, “This is Kingdom Work indeed!” Her husband, John, and I have gotten to know each other through their work with the Families for Christ ministry. So helping John out seemed to be the guy thing to do, but to be allowed to even lift a finger for Diane…WOW!! I HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED, well not really and there is no sense to exaggerate this thought any longer. I found out that this husband and wife, who have worked at the top end of a ministry that God has used to save me from myself, are as regular as a 20 ounce coffee from WaWa.

As I left my house to travel to theirs I kept telling myself to mind my p’s and q’s, keep my infamous temper at bay and be gracious when offered anything even if it was a simple bottle of water. I have worked with Diane on the Freedom Walks in the past so I was expecting the same driven person when I got to their house. That Diane Hunt was not there and I was taken back. “Well there goes that strategy, now what?” So I just got to moving furniture. Just for the record…the furniture was your everyday kind of regular. Their son, Jake, and I made jokes about how if we only scratched the back of their stuff no one would ever see it in the new house. For those of you who ever lived a college or single guy life understands what I mean.

My moment of clarity with Mr. and Mrs. Hunt came during what I’ll call, “The Garage Scene!!” It was that moment where the two of them showed themselves as husband and wife. It reminded me of the way my wife and I are with each other. When the stress level is high, the task has to be done and the clock is ticking. It was there that these people, who I hold in high regard, became transparent. After that, the move picked up a whole different speed for me. It did become an “all hands on deck” moment and I found room to flex my own sense of getting something done. But this was going to be for them even if I had to use my own resources to help them out.

These aren’t the only folks from the Keswick ministry who have been this willing to show their transparency. I think of Stan and DeEtta Marsh, Jim and Carol Ann Freed, Stephanie and Sesky Paul…Bill and Jan Welte, even my counselor from my days at the Colony, Jan Savercool. Jan once told me about placing the saints on pedestal and that it was wrong thinking. He reminded me that we need to focus in on how Jesus is the One who will lift us up and places us on The Rock. It is not of our own doing. Praise God that He allows me to interact with His people more and more these days. Praise God that I get to do this. It is making being unemployed a whole better to bear. – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a regular contributor to Freedom Fighter

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Genesis 35-37; Proverbs 24; Psalm 22:1-18

Compass Pointers: “Those in the highest state of Christian experience desire nothing except that God may be glorified in them by the accomplishment of His holy will. But it is not inconsistent with this that holy souls possess that natural love that exists in the form of love for themselves. Their natural love, however—which within its proper degree is innocent love –is so absorbed in the love of God that it ceases, for the most part, to be a distinct object of consciousness. So much so, that practically and truly they may be said to love themselves IN and FOR God.” Article Twelve: Maxims of the Saints/Fenelon

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 4:18; Level 2: Proverbs 4:20-27

Anchored to the Rock: Most of modern man’s troubles stem from too much time on his hands and not enough time on his knees. Ivern Boyett

Living a Life of Worship

LIVING A LIFE OF WORSHIP

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

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

            Some miscellaneous thoughts on worship:

1)  Worship takes preparation – Psalm 24:3-4; Psalm 51

2)  Worship has an audience of One – Psalm 63:1-5

3)  Worship is active, not passive – Psalm 95:1-6; Psalm 96; Psalm 100

            Psalm 46:10 (Be still… that’s is an interesting action)

4)  Worship requires living a life of obedience – Romans 12:1-2

5)  Worship is a choice – we don’t always feel like worshipping.  Acts 16 is the story of Paul and Silas in prison -- they prayed and sang despite their circumstances.

            When we rehearse and remember all that Christ has done for us, and appreciate the fact that He desires to have a personal relationship with us, our life is so much more meaningful when we actively spend TIME with Him – not just on Sunday, but Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Warren Weirsbe said “When the heart is set upon God, true worship will not depend upon outward stimulus, it will be in constant progress.  Exhortations like “Pray without ceasing,” and “Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually,” or “All you do in word and deed, do to the glory of God,” will take on their intended meaning.  This means that all of life becomes a worship service. 

              If Christians were devotedly practicing this lifestyle, a corporate service could not miss being a great blessing, for it would simply be a continuation of a worship service begun days, (or weeks or months) before.” – Robert Hayes is Director of Program Ministries at America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Genesis 32-34; Proverbs 23; Psalm 21

Compass Pointers: Self, service, substance is the divine order, and nothing counts until we give ourselves. Vance Havner

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 4:18; Level 2: Proverbs 4:20-27

Anchored to the Rock: The little estimate that we put on prayer is evident from the time we give to it. E. M. Bounds

Looking Into the Perfect Law of Freedom

Looking into the Perfect Law of Freedom

James 1:12, Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

We are probably familiar with “Beatitudes” from the greatest sermon ever preached by the greatest Preacher to ever live: Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5:1 – 12). It is interesting to note that James uses the term “blessed” (makarios) three times in this practical epistle on living out the faith. God inspires him to use it at the beginning of his letter (our text) and toward the end of his letter as he writes in 5:11, “Indeed we count them blessed who endure.”

It is an amazing thing that we, in our human frailty, can be called “blessed” as this was attributed by the secular society of that time as an attribute of the gods. In biblical Christianity, God calls His self-crucified disciple “blessed.”

James “bookends” this letter with the pronouncement of who is “blessed.” Yet, sandwiched between these two pronouncements is the key to living in this freedom of Christ:

James 1:25, But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

The key to living out the Christian faith, the foundation to enduring temptation, the ability to persevere until we receive the crown of life, the stride of the walk in freedom is found in this passage that stresses the look, hear, and do of the crucified life. It is the reading, memorization, and meditation on God’s Word, the perfect law of liberty, that allows us to, “…be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord” (5:7). Be mindful that the “…the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16). We desperately need that systematic, serious, and sincere daily time in the Word of God in order to live out true freedom in Christ! – Dr. Joe Olachea is the Senior Pastor of Lakes Community Chapel, Medford, NJ, a n instructor for the Keswick Institute of Biblical Studies, and a member of the America’s Keswick Board of Trustees.

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Genesis 30-31; Proverbs 22; Psalm 20

Compass Pointers: He doth not bid us take a taste of all sins and vanities, as Solomon did, to try them:  for they are tried already; but that we should set the Word of God always before us like a rule, and believe nothing but that which it teacheth, love nothing but that which it prescribeth, hate nothing but that which it forbideth, do nothing but that which is commandeth, and then we try all things by the Word. – Puritan Henry Smith

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 3:1-2; Level 2: Proverbs 3:1-11

Anchored to the Rock: I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this, that I may die to self, and live wholly to Him. - C.H. Spurgeon 

Why Do We Give?

Why Do We Give?

Now that Christmas is over, do you ever wonder why we give? And why we even want to give?

From my experience, I find that most believers (and many non-believers) have a desire to give and help other people. Think about this past Christmas and how many people stop at the Salvation Army kettle and deposit a dollar or two. Think about the millions of dollars that are put in church offering plates each Sunday. Think about the relief efforts around the world that are funded by the generous donations of individuals from all walks of life. Why is giving part of our nature?

I believe the answer to that question is found in the very beginning. Genesis 1:27 says very clearly that man was created in the image of God.If we are created in the image of God, we need to understand God’s character. It doesn’t take a lot of digging to see that one of the main characteristics of God is giving. God’s love and His desire to express it to mankind through giving is continually presented throughout the Bible. Look at all spectrums of time from eternity past to eternity future and we see God’s loving nature consistently expressed by giving.

In creation we see that God gave us this world to enjoy and inhabit. We often lose site of the local beauty of the creation around us as it becomes too familiar. But when we travel we are reminded of the beauty of the earth God gave us. But how many of us have really taken in the beauty of the creation of the heavens? 

Recent technology has given us a small glimpse into the beauty of the universe. Here is a link to just one website that has some incredible pictures taken with the Hubble telescope.

And God certainly did not stop at creation. All through the Old Testament we see how God gave to Israel and consistently met the needs of individuals. There is no verse that expresses God’s incredible heart for giving more than John 3:16. God stopped at absolutely nothing in giving His son so we could have a personal relationship with Him. And not only did Christ just give up heaven, He gave up being God in Heaven, where every knee bows and every being worships Him, to come and live as the lowliest of man on the earth (Philippians 2:7). 

There is no greater example of sacrificial giving that even comes close to actions of God the Father and God the Son.John 14 tells us that even now God is preparing mansions or dwelling places for us to live in heaven. So not only is God giving to us now, He continues to give throughout all eternity.

God has always expressed His love to us by giving, and He always will. As believers in Jesus Christ, Romans 8:29 tells us that we are predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son. This is what we call sanctification. And if we are going to take on the character of Christ, we will be givers. This is why we give.

Here is just one more reason to get our financial house in order so that we can participate in one of the highest callings we have as followers of Christ and that is to give. – Today’s Freedom Fighter was written by George Hutchison, Board member of America’s Keswick and Instructor for Crown Financial. Click here to subscribe to George’s STEWARDSHIP INSIGHTS

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Genesis 27-29; Proverbs 21; Psalm 19:7-14

Compass Pointers: God can’t bless us until He has us. When we try to keep within us an area that is our own, we try to keep an area of death. Therefore, in love, He claims all. There is no bargaining with Him. C. S. Lewis

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 3:1-2; Level 2: Proverbs 3:1-11

Anchored to the Rock: Straight praying is never born of crooked conduct.  E. M. Bounds

A Threefold Victory

A THREEFOLD VICTORY

“… fashioned like unto his glorious body…” (Philippians. 3:20-21)

Today’s Freedom Fighter comes from the pen of Pastor Bob Alderman, a popular speaker at America’s Keswick. He is man who I deeply admire and respect:

            The motto of America’s Keswick states that it is a place and a ministry “where God speaks to hearts and transforms lives.”  Through the years thousands have come to Keswick with such a desire, a need and an expectation.  Many have heard the message of hope and have expressed hope in the message.  Some have asked – “What is the key to a transformed life?  Is there such a thing as a victorious life?” Others have referred to “the formula” for such a changed and victorious life as “a secret.”

            For some the “victorious life” appears to be a mystery solved by only a few.  Yet “victory” is the theme of our Bible and the provision of our Lord.  Examine our verses for the day as an illustration.

            “For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for

the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.” (Phil. 3:20-21)

            Here is a threefold victory. First, our Lord shall “change our vile body.”  We may have difficulty in acknowledging that our body is vile, that it is humiliated to the degree of such serious need.  We may have difficulty in understanding that our Lord can in fact change such a body. We may call it a “key” but it is certainly no “secret,” that acknowledging both our need and His provision are essential to victorious living.

            Secondly, our Lord shall “fashion” our new body “…like unto His glorified body….” The design of our life belongs to Him. That must be our expectation and our willingness.  We must cooperate but not dictate.  When He begins to perfect the changes inherent in our redemption and along the lines of His design, we must give to Him our Will but not our opinion.

            Thirdly, our Lord shall “subdue” our changed body – and “all things unto Himself.” If we are to have victory now we acknowledge our de-crowning in submission to His subduing. That is grace on His part, yieldingness on ours, and victory in all. – Pastor Bob Alderman is the Minister-at-Large, Shenandoah Baptist, Roanoke, VA

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Genesis 25-26; Proverbs 20; Psalm 19:1-6

Compass Pointers: Sins are like circles in the water when a stone is thrown into it; one produces another. When anger was in Cain's heart, murder was not far off. Philip Henry

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 3:1-2; Level 2: Proverbs 3:1-11

Anchored to the Rock: Other duties become pressing and absorbing and crowd out prayer. ‘Choked to death’ would be the coroner’s verdict in many cases of dead praying if an inquest could be secured on this dire, spiritual calamity. – E. M. Bounds

The Discipline of Scripture Memory

The Discipline of Scripture Memory

“Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly …” Colossians 3:16

Most of us don’t like the word “discipline.” No, I am not talking about the kind of discipline where we are chastised for something we have done wrong. I am talking about the sense of the word where we discipline ourselves to accomplish a certain task. I know of a friend who is my age that has been disciplining his body so that he can run in a marathon. I am very proud of him.

One of the disciplines that is important in our Christian life is the discipline of Scripture memorization. The men who are residents in the Colony of Mercy have a daily assignment that is quite a challenge. Every day they are required to memorize a Bible verse. From 18 to 80 – they are expected to commit a verse to memory. At the end of their stay, they will have memorized 120 Bible verses.

When was the last time you or I memorized a Bible verse? Like most things in life, we can come up with all the excuses in the world why we can’t do something like this. “I am too old!” “I don’t have enough time.”

But think what we memorize: many of us can quote the baseball line-ups of our favorite teams. We memorize lines from movies and TV shows … but memorize a verse of Scripture?

Dr. Jerry Bridges wrote this about Scripture memory: “To influence our minds with the Word of God, there’s simply no better way than through the discipline of Scripture memorization. I know that it requires work and is sometimes discouraging when we can’t recall accurately a verse we’ve worked hard to memorize. The truth is, however, all forms of discipline require work and are often discouraging. But the person who perseveres in any discipline, despite the hard work and discouraging times, reaps the reward the discipline is intended to produce.”

At the end of each Freedom Fighter there is a section called Navigational Rules. There are two levels. One is a verse a day and the other is a longer passage. These are included for you to use in developing the discipline of Scripture memorization.

Last year a number of my staff memorized Scripture and received a nice bonus for doing so. At least five of them are in their 50’s! Now I can’t promise you a financial bonus at the end of the year for memorizing with us, but I can promise you this: This discipline will change your life. No, it will transform your life. You will be amazed at the way it will impact your life. Will you join me in the journey? – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick 

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Genesis 22-24; Proverbs 19;  Psalm 18:25-50

Compass Pointers: Our extremities are God’s opportunities. Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Navigational Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 3:1-2; Level 2: Proverbs 3:1-11

Anchored to the Rock: Many of us have prayed that dangerous prayer, "Here I am Lord, change me, I want to do Your perfect Will Lord, no matter what the cost." The Lord looks down from Heaven with a smile on His face because He has such great plans for you. Then "suddenly" you find yourself right in the middle of His wheel. He begins to work with you, pushing here pulling there and pinching over there...It may be a bad temper, pride, a critical spirit, religious spirit, or any number of things. God gets your attention and makes you aware of it. This is no fun!!! God is exposing what needs to be taken care of. We can either stay on the wheel and allow God to continue or we can get in the flesh and eject ourselves from the wheel and run from God. Jim Clark

2000th Freedom Fighter Post

2000th  Post

“The the Lord answered me: Write down this vision; clearly describe it on tablets so one may easily read it.” Habakkuk 2: 2

Today’s post is the 2000^th Freedom Fighter post on our Keswick website. The very first Freedom Fighter was email on September 24^th 2004.

This has been an incredible journey for me personally. Freedom Fighters was born out of my own personal quiet time with the Lord and what He had been teaching me from the Word and through other books I was reading. For years I would read and underline and then wonder, “Why did I do that?”

A dear friend, Dr. B, now with the Lord, encouraged me to start writing down my thoughts, and the rest is history. Many of you have been on the journey with me since 2004, and I thank you for being a part of my life.

I am happy to have a team of men who have joined me in writing over the past couple of years: Chris Hughes, Pastor John Strain, and Pastor George VanSandt have been very faithful contributors. It has been fun to introduce you to the writings of Pastor Jason Walsh, and occasionally, Pastor Paul Ort (hint hint – Paul!). And I am thankful for George Hutchison’s blogging Stewardship Insights which I share with you. Very shortly you will be hearing from Dr. Joe Olachea, a dear friend and Board member of America’s Keswick. Dr. Joe is the Senior Pastor of Lakes Chapel in Medford, and also a faculty member of the Keswick Institute of Biblical Studies.

Our passion remains the same – we are in this journey together. Iron sharpens iron and we want to encourage each other to walk in victory and to be more than a conqueror.

Thanks for allowing us the joy of being a part of your life. We look forward to many more years of growing together IN CHRIST! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Genesis 19-21; Proverbs 18; Psalm 18

Compass Pointers: Faith is not sense, nor sight, nor reason, but simply taking God at His Word. – Christmas Evans

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 3:1-2; Level 2: Proverbs 3:1-11

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer must not be our “chance” work, but our daily business, our habit, our vocation. – Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Discover the Real Truth About Sin

Discover the REAL Truth About Sin

“You will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

If you haven’t figured this truth out yet, the enemy of our souls is constantly feeding us lies! You might scratch your head and say, “Bill, are you serious? You are just finding that out?” But the truth be told, many of us who have KNOWN the truth find ourselves in compromising situations where we DO believe the lies of the enemy.

The Puritan preachers didn’t pull punches like some of the “sugar-coated-tongued” preachers of today who are afraid to call sin, sin – and warn us of the dangers of sin.

Thomas Brooks lays it out plain and simple in the January 15^th reading found in VOICES FROM THE PAST (Banner of Truth):

One of Satan’s devices to draw the soul into sin is to present the bait, and hide the hook; to present the golden cup, and hide the poison; to present the sweet, and the pleasure, but hide from the soul the wrath and misery that will certainly follow. He hides from us, like he did with Adam and Eve the shame, the wrath, and the loss that certainly follows when we yield to sin in our lives …

Keep a great distance from sin (Romans 12:9). Joseph did and stood. David drew near, and fell. SIN IS THE MOST INFECTIOUS PLAGUE IN THE WORLD! How few tremble at it and keep a distance from it! The seeming sweet that is in sin will quickly vanish, and lasting shame, sorrow and terror will come in its place. When an asp stings a man, the poison, little by little gets to the heart. So does sin – it may please a little at first, but it will pain the soul at last.

Sin will usher in the greatest and the saddest losses that can be upon our souls. It will usher in the loss of divine favor that is better than life, and the loss of joy that is unspeakable and full of glory, and the loss of peace that passes understanding, and the loss of the divine influences by which the soul has been refreshed, quickened, raised, strengthened, and gladdened, and the loss of many outward desirable mercies, which otherwise that soul might have enjoyed.

Go back and reread that paragraph. We need to burn this truth into our hearts. Today I will officiate at the funeral of a 27 year old young man that didn’t grasp this truth. His sin cost him his life. I need to remind myself of this truth daily. The enemy wants to hide the hook! The Holy Spirit wants to reveal it. Is he hiding the hook in your life? Let’s open our eyes brother! Let the Spirit show you the truth about your sin! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Genesis 16-18; Proverbs 17; Psalm 17

Compass Pointers: I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done. James Hudson Taylor

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 3:1-2; Level 2: Proverbs 3:1-11

Anchored to the Rock: Precious things lie in a small compass, and that is real prayer in many a long address might have been uttered in a petition as short as Peter’s: “Lord, save me!” Charles Haddon Spurgeon

I Surrender ... Some?

I Surrender … Some?

“We have left everything to follow you.” Mark 10:28

Today many of us will gather to worship the Lord in our churches. We will stand and sing hymns of praise. Will we sing the hymns, praise choruses on auto-pilot or will we actually THINK about what we are singing?

Judson Van De Venter wrote a powerful hymn in the late 1800’s. Most likely the words are familiar to you …
All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give.
I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow.
Worldly pleasures all forsaken,
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine.
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus, I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee.
Fill me with Thy love and power,

Let Thy blessing fall on me.

Refrain
I surrender ALL.
I surrender ALL.
ALL to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender ALL.

I have to be honest, I am not sure that I can always sing that and mean it. It is much easier to sing, “I surrender some” versus “I surrender all.” The problem is that He doesn’t want a part. He doesn’t want some – He wants ALL.

My prayer is similar to one I read this week by A. W. Tozer:

Father, I want to know You, but my cowardly heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from You the terror of parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that You may enter and dwell there without a rival. Then You shall make the place of Your feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Yourself will be the light of it, an there shall be no night there.

That’s my prayer, Lord. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Genesis 12-15; Proverbs 16; Psalm 16

Compass Pointers: It is when God appears to have abandoned us that we must abandon ourselves mot wholly to God. Francois Fenelon

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 3:1-2; Level 2: Proverbs 3:1-11

Anchored to the Rock: If our prayers had less of the tail feathers of pride and more wings, they would be all the better! Charles Haddon Spurgeon