Just Do It

“Just Do It!”

During the early years of ministry at First Baptist, several retired pastors/preachers made FBC their home.  At times it was pretty intimidating, but each of those men became a good friend and encourager.

One of them, Dr. Roy Watson, would comment on a message simply by saying, “Good word this morning.”  That was about as good as it got.  He wasn’t prone to gushy compliments.  I heard Roy say that so often, that I find myself saying it when I think someone has preached well or said something worthwhile.

I tell you the story to remind us all of the “really good Word,” God’s Word.  From the earliest days of the Christian church, reading the Scriptures became a core practice of those who follow Jesus.  The early church leaders knew the power of the Scriptures.  They knew the transforming capabilities of God’s Word, and they encouraged those new believers to grasp its importance in their lives.

Richard Foster, who wrote Celebration of Discipline, in another of his books, speaks of the “streams of Christianity.”  He describes the various traditions within the Christian faith.  In his thinking, evangelicalism is a “word-centered” tradition, and I affirm that thinking.  Part of the richness of the evangelical tradition is its commitment to Scripture and the teaching of God’s Word.

Consider the words of Paul, the Apostle.  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

The benefits of Scripture are listed for us in two short verses.  Those benefits help us become “competent, equipped for every good work.”  They teach us.  They reprove us.  They provide correction.  They train us in righteousness.

So . . . how do we get this practice rooted in our lives?  Bible-reading plans abound.  You can read from a Bible in your hand or on your computer or on your phone.  You can read from one familiar translation, or you can discover fresh insights by reading from a less familiar translation.  Perhaps the line from the old Nike ad campaign is the best advice: Just Do It!

Every traveler needs food for his journey.  God’s Word is that food for the Jesus-follower.  Let it become a practice that stays with you for as long as the journey continues.

Let’s “Do It!” – Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor at First Baptist Toms River and is a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 2 Samuel 10; Psalm 109; Proverbs 30

Compass Pointers: Mark 14:36 He said,“Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” Gethsemane is where He died; the cross is only the evidence.

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 17:28; Level 2: Proverbs 17:1-6

Anchored to the Rock: To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us … real prayer is life creating and life changing! Richard Foster

Mercy ... Me?

OK GUYS ... The ladies who subscribe to Victory Call have raised $5800 towards our Family Freedom Walk. I checked in with my secretary, and we have raised NADA -- NOTHING. We can't let the girls beat us. Your gift is important. You can give on-line: www.americaskeswick.org or call 800-453-7942. Tell them your gift is coming from a Freedom Fighter subscriber. Thanks!!!


Mercy . . . Me?

I still have the first Bible I received after becoming a Christian in 1962.  It was the old edition of the Scofield Reference Bible, and just about everyone in the independent Baptist church I called home used one.  Like many believers of the day, I used the blank pages at the front and back of the Bible to write down various quotations from messages I heard.

One of those quotations has remained in my mind.  I have no idea how to give credit to whomever originated the saying, but I’m grateful to him or her.  It goes like this:

Jesus

Others

You

The acronym using the word joy offers at least one person’s suggestion about how to know true joy.  The acronym also speaks to one practice that is central to our walk with the Lord Jesus.  It’s the practice of mercy, or acts of compassion. 

Choosing to follow Jesus places demands upon our lives.  Jesus must come first.  In His own words, Jesus told us that He did not come to be served but to serve.  He focused on serving, usually those who were in the most need.  He taught and modeled a humility that included putting others before Himself.  That sounds very much like the acronym for JOY.

Compassion, acts of mercy, didn’t start with Jesus.  It’s as old as the Law of Moses, and it was always a big deal with God.  Micah may have put it in focus better than any of the prophets when he said,

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  (Micah 6:8 ESV)

The word kindness in Micah 6:8 is often translated mercy.  Both words have the same idea: love doing gracious things for others, especially those who most need grace.  God clearly expects us to invest our lives in acts of mercy, compassion, and grace.

The early church leaders may have seen two benefits of doing acts of mercy.  First, they saw the need for new believers to live selflessly, to walk humbly with God.  They may have also realized that learning to live with a “mercy mindset” reflected the heart and mind of Jesus.  Learning to love kindness is learning to walk like Jesus.

We’ve seen the billboards urging us to do “Random acts of kindness.”  That’s not a new thing.  God thought of it several millennia ago.  Our impetus for loving kindness doesn’t come off a billboard.  It comes right from the heart of God.

What act of mercy might God want you or me to offer today in His name? – John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River and a frequent Freedom Fighter contributor

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 1 Chronicles 18; Psalm 108; Proverbs 29

Compass Pointers: In my twenty-seventh year, while riding the metro in Leningrad (now Petersburg) I was overcome with a despair so great that life seemed to stop at once, preempting the future entirely, let alone any meaning. Suddenly, all by itself, a phrase astonished: 'Without God life makes no sense.' Repeating it in astonishment, I rode the phrase up like a moving staircase, got out of the metro and walked into God's light. Adrei Bitov

Navigation Rules to Memorize:  Level 1: Proverbs 17:28; Level 2: Proverbs 17:1-6

Anchored to the Rock: God will do nothing on earth except in answer to believing prayer. – John Wesley

When People Deny Hell

When People Deny Hell

          “A Good God will not send people to Hell!”

In speech class at Temple University we were assigned to speak to a hostile audience.  I complained to the instructor, he replied, “Do you believe in Hell?”  My response was that I did. He said, “Then you have a hostile audience.”

          I began my speech with a story that I had read of a modern public building which opened without even one “restroom”. My question to the class was what city planner would you hire if he did not plan for a “City Dump” or garbage disposal.

          When God began His creation he planned for a place to put broken things. All contagious disease must be quarantined. Sin is a very contagious disease. God planned to quarantine sin in a place called hell.

          You may ask, “why would a good God send people to hell?’ I would answer, “He doesn’t” It is because He is good that people go to Hell. To keep them in the general population would be evil for it would spread the disease of sin thus polluting and defeating God’s will.

          He does not need to send them there. Psalm 9:17 indicates that people who want to get away from God begin to stampede so that all God does is turn them in the direction where God is not worshipped. He did not prepare hell for man but he prepared it as a prison for the devil and his followers.*

To not choose God is to choose His enemy. Today choose to make the Lord Jesus you savior and serve Him.

          In that day when men shall flee

                   Just to get away from Thee

          May I be found near Your Throne

                   To be with Thee and Thee alone.

Psalm 9:17 (King James Version) ¹⁷The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:*(The class had no questions to ask when I had finished)    -- Pastor Van is a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter and will serve again this summer as Campus Pastor at America’s Keswick           

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 2 Samuel 8-9; Psalm 107:23-43; Proverbs 28

Compass Pointers: Be on the lookout for mercies. The more we look for them, the more of them we will see. Blessings brighten when we count them. Maltbie Davenport (Mattie D) Babcock

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 17:28; Level 2: Proverbs 17:1-6

Anchored to the Rock: Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.”

Where Were You 37 Years Ago Today?

Where Were You 37 Years Ago Today?

Dates have great significance in our lives, don’t they. Think about it. Where were you the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated? Where were you the day that the Apollo Space craft blew up? Where were you on September 11^th.

Today is April 27^th and today we are heading to North Carolina with a bus load of our Keswick friends to visit a number of key places including the Billy Graham Training Center, The Billy Graham Library, the headquarters of JAARS, and the town of Mayberry.

Where were you on April 27^th, 1974? Well you may not have a clue, but I know where I was 37 years ago today.

37 years ago today I married my best friend, Jan Carol Toms. We met where we were 5 years old at Fellowship Church in Philadelphia, PA. Ours wasn’t an arranged marriage, but my Dad told Jan that he had been praying ever since we met that she would be his daughter-in-law.

Years later while serving on the staff at Sandy Cove, Jan and I were sitting at the table with fellow staff members, Steve and Janice Deichert. After we discovered we were married on the same day, we asked them where they spent their honeymoon. Guess what? They were at the same resort where we stayed – Birchwood in the Poconos—and their chalet was two down from ours! Small world!

We have had 37 wonderful years? Perfect? By no means – neither has yours! But I love Jan more today than I did when I first laid eyes on her back in the Beginner Department at Fellowship Church.

Happy anniversary, Jan. I love you with all my heart. Thanks for 37 wonderful years, and for giving me four amazing kids! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 1 Chronicles 17; Psalm 107:1-22; Proverbs 27

Compass Pointers: When we get into difficult circumstances, we impoverish His ministry by saying, "Of course, He can't do anything about this." We struggle to reach the bottom of our own well, trying to get water for ourselves. Beware of sitting back, and saying, "It can't be done." You will know it can be done if you will look to Jesus. The well of your incompleteness runs deep, but make the effort to look away from yourself and to look toward Him. Oswald Chambers

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 17:28; Level 2: Proverbs 17:1-6

Anchored to the Rock: God tells us to burden Him with whatever burdens us. 

Thinking

Thinking

The Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew’s Gospel, is probably my favorite section of Scripture.  It captures my attention and challenges my thinking each time I read it.  Jesus’ words teach me what life in His kingdom looks like.  They teach me how to think about life as He thinks about life.  That teaching almost always challenges me to change my mind if I want to think as He does.

Repentance—at least one definition of it—is a “change of mind.”  While it is more than that, whatever else repentance asks of us begins with us changing our minds about some thought or behavior.

Jesus asks His listeners to change their minds six times in Matthew 5.  He says, “You have heard it said, but I say to you . . .” He tells us that we must change how we think about issues like anger and lust and divorce and our enemies.  To live in His kingdom is to change our minds about most of life.

Our journey with Jesus calls us to think about how we think.  Do we agree with Jesus in our thinking?  Or, have we allowed our culture to mold our thought life in ways that don’t agree with Jesus?  Living the Christian life is, in part, a work of the mind.  It may require that we change our minds, bringing them into conformity with the thinking of Jesus.

I wonder what that looks like in reality.  The Apostle Paul gives us one clue in Philippians 2 when he says, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the from of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”  (Philippians 2:5-7 ESV)

Paul calls us to share the mind of Jesus in ways that make us servants, humble and available.  Living, as we do, in a world of entitlement, thinking as a servant may require a “change of mind.  That’s repentance.

Now consider another piece of Paul’s teaching in Philippians.  “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  (Philippians 4:8 ESV)

Paul gives us another clue about thinking like Jesus.  It has to do with focus.  Maybe we think too much of ourselves.  Maybe we think too much of our world.  Doing the good work of reflection may show us that we think about the wrong things, things that don’t help us become like Jesus.  We discover the need for a “change of mind.”  That’s repentance.

May God’s Spirit be our director today, showing us where we need a “change of mind.” John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River and contributes regularly to Freedom Fighter 

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 2 Samuel 7; Psalm 106:24-48; Proverbs 26

Compass Pointers: “In our presentation of the Gospel we often focus on what Jesus can do for us. Now don’t get me wrong. Jesus does a lot for us. He forgives us, reconciles us with God, gives us meaning and eternal life. But the most important thing about Jesus is He gives us Himself. We have so emphasized the rewards of following Christ that we have forgotten that following Him, being with Him, knowing Him, and calling Him ‘Friend’ and ‘Elder Brother’ are far more wonderful and important than anything else.” Steve Brown

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 17:28;  Level 2: Proverbs 17:1-6

Anchored to the Rock: Kneel before you leap. George H. Allen

Systematic Navigation: Necessity

Systematic Navigation: Necessity

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15 (ESV)

Having a Bible around has become a necessity in my life. Just never know when you are gonna need a good sword to cut with at the dinner table or to go out into the world with. I even have gone as far as having “Olive Tree” Bible software installed on my smartphone just in case. Now this is not to say that if you are not doing likewise that there may be something amiss. If we were to look back into Nehemiah and Ezra’s time, Ezra had stood at the Water Gate and read God’s Word aloud to His people as per the ordinance of God. There were no Droid 2’s or i-Phones available to the nation of Israel for them to download His Word onto but they had, at times, understood the importance of God’s Word being part of their everyday life. After all, in the one account in the book of Nehemiah, they spent a longtime out in the morning sun, standing up, to listen to Ezra’s reading of the Word.

The point here is that when we are calling on the name of the Lord, in even those hot morning sun moments, it is necessary to have had His word convened to us in some fashion. It is a necessary for us in the knowing of the Gospel, maintaining our spiritual life and knowing God’s will. In plain English, it is a necessity for God’s people to know God’s Word. And within His Word we have the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. The four faith wondering questions in the passage of Romans that I have used today can only be answered in a one simple statement and that is…“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17 ESV) In order for Paul to have been able to convene this message to his reader’s he needed to understand the Old Covenant in order to preach the New Covenant.

During his time of testing in the wilderness, Jesus Himself understood that even the physical existence of mere man was nothing without a daily feeding of the Father’s Word. As it was recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus quotes what we can find in Deuteromony chapter 8…”And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deut 8:3 ESV) Even as of late, a good friend of mine and I had engaged in a conversation about using “The Message”. My position was one of at least trying to get the unsaved, from the streets perhaps, to understand something of God’s Word in a language that the unsaved might be able to digest. Jorge reminded me that as written in 1 Peter…“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:2-3 ESV) it is just as important that we do not speak a tainted Gospel. (Thank you Jorge for the rebuke, by the way)

It is the necessity of Scripture “READ!!” that allows us to know what God’s will is for our lives. I am sure that we are born with some knowledge of God’s will or a moral code but without aligning this with Scripture that knowledge can be indistinct and lack in its certainty. I use to read a lot of Nietzsche and had those times when I was absolutely certain that this all made perfect sense. But when you run him through God’s Word, especially when you place any of his work up against what we read in Deuteronomy 29:29…“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”(ESV) and then see that this comes to fulfillment in Romans 11:33…”Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”(ESV) it seems to be no longer a good thing to just be “Human, All Too Human”.

So for all his grace and grit, up to the time of his arrest, Paul never stopped walking around preaching the Gospel message and that he got his walking instructions on the road to Damascus. And since he was there during the stoning of Stephen, he heard the Gospel message before his conversion. The blinding light that was before him saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me” (Acts 9:4 ESV) gave him a clear belief. All that was left for Paul at that point was to call out, “Who are you, Lord?” Paul was a great example of why it is necessary to read and preach God’s Word. Can you follow the same example? – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a regular Freedom Fighter Contributor

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 1 Chronicles 13-16; Psalm 106:1-23; Proverbs 25

Compass Pointers: “The threefold purpose of the Bible is to inform, to inspire faith and to secure obedience. Whenever it is used for any other purpose; it is used wrongly and may do actual injury. The Holy Scriptures will do us good only as we present an open mind to be taught, a tender heart to believe and a surrendered will to obey.”     

The Next Chapter after the Last  A.W. Tozer

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 17:28; Level 2: Proverbs 17:1-6

Anchored to the Rock: Abandon the secret chamber and the spiritual life will decay. Isaac Watts

The Sting is Gone

The Sting is Gone

“Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:22

The story is told about a little boy and his father who were driving down a long country road on a very beautiful day. All of a sudden out of nowhere a bumblebee flew in inside the car window.

Since the little boy was deathly allergic to bee stings, he became really frightened.  The father quickly reached over, grabbed the bee, squeezed it in his hand, and then released it.

As soon as the bee started to fly away, the panic set in again for this little boy. The father saw the panic and reached out again, this time pointing to his hand. There stuck in the palm of the father’s hand was the stinger.

“Look, son. Do you see this? You don’t need to be afraid anymore. I’ve taken the sting for you.”

What an amazing illustration of Easter. We do not need to be afraid of death anymore. Christ faced death for us! And by His victory, we are saved from sin. Christ has taken away the sting of death! Christ has taken the stinger for you and for me! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Death cannot keep His pray, Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away – Jesus, my Lord!

Up from the grace He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes!
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign!
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Rejoice today, my brothers! He is risen! He is risen indeed! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 2 Samuel 5:11-6:23; Psalm 105:26-45; Proverbs 24

Compass Pointers: Evil in all its concreteness and personal reality challenged Christ and what he stood for, consummating the historic tragedy of the cross. This challenge was of the nature of an "everlasting nay" hurled at God himself. To this challenge God in Christ responded with an "everlasting yea"...making an end of sin and its power over man, and in the resurrection, triumphing. John A. Mackay

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 17:28; Level 2: Proverbs 17:1-6

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is not everything, but everything is by prayer. Ray Ortlund

In Christ Alone

 In Christ Alone

“So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean, fine linen, and placed it in his new tomb, which he had cut into the rock. He left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb.” Matthew 27:59-60 (Holman Christian Bible)

There have been some amazing hymns written in the past several years by some incredible men of God. I love this one written by Stuart Townend and Richard Getty:

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

This is the day in between the Cross and the Resurrection! What a great hymn text to focus on as we think back to the events of Good Friday and then to the glory of tomorrow! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 1 Chronicles 11-12; Psalm 105:1-25; Proverbs 23

Compass Pointers: The cross is the cost of my forgiveness!

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 16:1; Level 2: Proverbs 16:1-7

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer at its best is the expression of total life, for all things else being equal, our prayers are only as powerful as our lives. A. W. Tozer

The Cross

The Cross

Today is Good Friday and many of us will reflect on what took place on the cross. C. Truman Davis explained in vivid detail what crucifixion was like in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. This is rather graphic, but I think necessary as we think about the suffering that our Savior went through for each of us:

What is crucifixion? A medical doctor provides a physical description: The cross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man is quickly thrown backwards with his shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement. The cross is then lifted into place.

The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed. The victim is now crucified. As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain – the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves.

As he pushes himself upward to avoid stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet.

As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath. Finally carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen.

Hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against the rough timber. Then another agony begins: a deep crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart.

It is now almost over – the loss of tissue fluids reached a critical level – the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues – the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air.

He can feel the chill of death creeping through His tissues … Finally, he can allow his body to die! All this the Bible records with the simple words, “And they crucified Him.” Mark 15:24

But He was pierced because of OUR transgressions, crushed because of OUR iniquities; punishment for OUR peace was on Him, and we are healed by HIS wounds. Isaiah 53:5

Take some time today to think through what HE went through because of YOU. YOU were on His mind the day HE died. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 2 Samuel 5:1-10; Psalm 104; Proverbs 22

Compass Pointers: He paid a didn’t He didn’t owe because I had a debt I couldn’t pay!

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 16:1; Level 2: Proverbs 16:-7

Anchored to the Rock: Our prayers are only as powerful as our lives. In the long pull we pray only as well as we live. A. W. Tozer

Thursday

Thursday

“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and His disciples followed Him. Luke 22:39

I want to share to hymn texts to a wonderful hymn that is hardly ever sung. It isn’t in most hymnals, but the text is so rich. My Pastor growing up, Pastor Van, would have us sing this every year around Easter.

The first text was written by William Tappan and sent to music by Willam B. Bradbury:

“Tis Midnight, and on Olive’s Brow

‘Tis midnight and on Olive’s brow
The star is dimmed that lately shone.
‘Tis midnight in the garden now --
The suffering Savior prays alone.

‘Tis midnight, and from all removed,
The Savior wrestles lone with fears;
E’en that disciple whom He loved
Heeds not his Master’s grief and tears.

‘Tis midnight, and for other’s guilt
The Man of Sorrows weeps in blood;
Yet He that has in anguish knelt,
Is not forsaken by His God.

‘Tis midnight, and from heaven’s plains
Is born the song that angels know;
Unheard by mortals are the strains
That sweetly soothe the Savior’s woe.

The great preacher, Charles Wesley, took this tune and penned this text:

‘Tis finished! The Messiah dies,
Cut off for sins, but not His own.
Accomplished is the sacrifice,
The great redeeming work is done!

The veil is rent; in Christ alone
The living way to heaven is seen;
The middle wall is broken down,
And all the world may enter in.

‘Tis finished! All my guilt and pain,
I want no sacrifice beside;
For me, for me the Lamb is slain;
‘Tis finished! I am justified.

The reign of sin and death is o’er,
And all may live from sin set free.
Satan has lost his mortal pow’r;
‘Tis swallowed up in victory!

As we think of these hours before Good Friday, contemplate again these powerful texts. Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 1 Chronicles 7-10; Psalm 103; Proverbs 21

Compass Pointers: Human character and destiny are revealed by contact with Jesus Christ. Men are not saved or lost merely by moral character, but by their attitude toward the Son of God. As of old, He hung on Calvary between two men that represented at once both heave, and hell, so still it is true that the cross of Jesus is the dividing line between lost and saved men. A. B. Simpson

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 16:1; Level 2: Proverbs 16:1-7

Anchored to the Rock: Every prayer should begin with the confession that our lips are unclean! – Friedrich Tholuck

Nothing the Blood Cannot Cover

Nothing the Blood Cannot Cover

“The blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from ALL sin.” 1 John 1:7b (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

I came across this poem many years ago about the blood of Christ and its power:

There is NOTHING the Blood cannot cover,
Tho’ sin is as black as can be.
Your heart may be darker than midnight,
But grace is ABOUNDING for thee.
Your life may be cursed by its shadow,
And hope has all vanished from view,
But there’s NOTHING the Blood cannot cover,
Since JESUS as shed it for YOU.

There is NOTHING the Blood cannot cover,
Since JESUS has died for us all.
No nation or tongue is excluded,
For all are condemned by the Fall.
On Calvary He cried, “It is finished;
Forgive them, Father, I pray.”
There is NOTHING, the Blood cannot cover,
That was not atoned for that day.

Come now to the fountain of cleansing,
Plunge deep in its life-giving flow,
His mercy and grace are sufficient,
His pardon He longs to bestow.
Say not, “I am too vile and unworthy,”
That fact will not sinners debar,
For there’s NOTHING the Blood cannot cover.

If you’ll come to HIM just as you are.

So come while HIS love and HIS mercy
Is freely extended to you.
Be wise to your need of salvation,
And do what you know YOU should do.
Heed now His sweet call to repentance,
And walk in the Blood-sprinkled way,
For there’s NOTHING the Blood cannot cover,
If you will but trust HIM today.  F. E. Robinson

Take some time to thank Him for HIS BLOOD that was shed for YOU. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 1 Chronicles 6; Psalm 102; Proverbs 20

Compass Pointers: Jesus Christ is not only the Son of God mighty to save, but the Son of man able to feel. J. C. Ryle

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 16:1; Level 2: Proverbs 16:1-7

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer at its best is the expression of the total life, for all things else being equal, our prayers are only as powerful as our lives. A. W. Tozer

Don't Look

Don’t Look

“And as Moses was lifted up in the wilderness, even so the son man must be lifted up that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:14-15

Do you remember the YOUR response when someone told you “don’t do this” or “don’t do that?” I don’t know what makes me do this, but when I was riding down the highway the other night, there was a car pulled over and behind him was a policeman with what had to be the brightest lights I have seen. It hurts the eye to look at the lights directly, but you find yourself doing just that.

Recently I had laser eye surgery and during the procedure the surgeon said, “Don’t look at the light.”  Guess what … I found myself trying to look at the light.

I wrote yesterday that I don’t like blood and gore. But anytime I have been near an accident or someone injured, my curiosity gets the best of me and I find myself looking.

I wonder what it must have been like at the Cross that day. All of the people who turned against my Savior – the ones that chose Barabbas to be set free rather than the Son of God. I can’t help but think that their eyes were drawn to the cross. Despite the bloody form of the One on that middle cross, their eyes were drawn to LOOK!

What did they see? What did they observe? Hymn writer-preacher, Isaac Watts penned these words:

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most – I sacrifice them to His blood.

SEE [Look – Observe] from HIS head, His hands, His feet,
SORROW AND LOVE FLOW MINGLED DOWN;
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

Maybe today is the day that YOU need to look to the Lamb of God – the One who has taken away the sins of the world. If you have never trusted Jesus Christ as YOUR Savior – today can be that day. If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus, respond to this email and I will be happy to send you some information. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 1 Chronicles 3-5; Psalm 101; Proverbs 19

Compass Pointers: The Cross of Christ is the heart of the Gospel. It takes the entire Bible to explain it. All our teaching must relate to that like all the spokes and rim and tires of a wheel relate to the axis. Jesus is the center, the pivot. Everything else will fit into place around Jesus. Indeed the entire word of God revolves around Him. If Christ is not the hub the wheel will wobble and break. Reinhard Bonnke

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 16:1; Level 2: Proverbs 16:1-7

Anchored to the Rock: None but praying leaders can have praying followers … we do greatly need somebody who can set the saints to this business of praying. E. M. Bounds

It Was Gory -- There's No Way to Get Around It

It Was Gory – There’s No Way To Get Around It

“But He was wounded for OUR transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:6

Last Saturday we took a bus trip with some of our Keswick senior friends to Union City, NJ for the presentation of the Passion Play. This is the 97^th year that they have been presenting this powerful drama at this inner city theater.

One of our travelers asked long-time believer if they were going, and the response was, “Oh no … I wouldn’t go. They make it all too gory. Why do they have to make it so gory?”

Stop and think about how foolish that response is. I don’t like gory movies. I don’t like to even look at blood. But it really is important for grasp just how much suffering and torment our blessed Savior went through the hours leading up to His crucifixion and then those horrific hours on the Cross. There’s no way to get around it – it was gory! It was awful. He was wounded for OUR transgressions – bruised and batter for OUR iniquities!  He did all of this so that sin could be taken care of once and for all – your sin. My sin. The sins of the world.\

One of the great songs about the cross which is hardly ever sung, expresses the pain and agony of our Savior …

O sacred Head, now wounded with grief and shame weighed down;
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown.
How pale Thou art with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn;
How does that visage languish, which once was bright as morn!

What, Thou, my Lord, hast suffered was all for sinner’s gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior; ‘Tis I deserve Thy place.
Look on me with Thy favor; Assist me with Thy grace.

What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this, Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever; And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love for Thee!

It would be so easy to move through this week and have it be just like any other week. Just maybe, it would be good for us to think and contemplate intentionally this week about Him – the Cross – and His amazing love for you and me. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 1 Chronicles 1-2; Psalm 100; Proverbs 18

Compass Pointers: I lay my 'whys?' before Your cross in worship kneeling, my mind beyond all hope, my heart beyond all feeling; and worshipping, realize that I, in knowing You, don't need a 'why?' Ruth Bell Graham

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 16:1; Level 2: Proverbs 16:1-7

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is the nearest approach to God and the highest enjoyment of Him that we are capable of in this life. William Law

All Glory, Laud and Honor

All Glory, Laud and Honor

Today is Palm Sunday and I want to share one of my favorite Palm Sunday hymn texts written way back in the 821’s. It was translated in the mid 1800’s. The text is rich with praise, adoration and worship:

All glory, laud and honor to You, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the King of Israel and David’s royal Son,
Now in the Lord’s name coming, our King and blessed One!

The company of angels are praising You on high,
Creation and all mortals in chorus make reply.
The people of the Hebrews with palms before You went;
Our praise and prayer and anthems before You we present.

To You, before Your passion, they sang their hymns of praise;
To You, now high exalted, our melody we raise.
As You received their praises, accept the prayers we bring.
For You delight in goodness, O good and gracious King!

Today is HIS day. Worship and adore Him – YOUR King, YOUR Redeemer and friend! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 2 Samuel 1-4; Psalm 99; Proverbs 17 

Compass Pointers: When Christians say the Christ-life is in them, they do not mean simply something mental or moral. When they speak of being "in Christ" or of Christ being "in them," this is not simply a way of saying that they are thinking about Christ or copying Him. They mean that Christ is actually operating through them...
(Clive Staples) C. S. Lewis

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 16:1; Level 2: Proverbs 16:1-7

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is conditioned by one thing alone and that is spirituality. Leonard Ravenhill

Ten Suggestions For Getting Along Better With People

Ten Suggestions for Getting Along Better with People

If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

If you haven’t figured it out, I like lists! Here is a good one in learning how to get along with each other:

1. Guard your tongue. Say LESS than you think.
2. Make promises sparingly. Keep them faithfully.
3. Never let an opportunity pass to say a kind word.
4. Be interested in others, their pursuits, work, families.
5. Be cheerful. Don’t dwell on minor aches and disappointments.
6. Keep an open mind. Discuss but don’t argue. Disagree without being disagreeable.
7. Discourage gossip. It’s destructive.
8. Pay no attention to ill-natured remarks about you. Live so that nobody will believe them.
9. Be careful of other’s feelings.
10. Don’t be anxious about getting credit. Just do your best and be patient.

Now here is your assignment. These are all biblical principles. Take the list and add the appropriate verses. I have a gift for everyone who sends me their list. Have a good Saturday. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 1 Samuel 28-31; Psalm 98; Proverbs 16

Compass Pointers: An acre of performance is worth a whole world of performance. James Howell

Navigation Rules to Memorize:  Level 1: Proverbs 15:1; Level 2: Proverbs 15:29-33

Anchored to the Rock: Do not work so hard for Christ that you have no strength to pray, for prayer requires strength. J. Hudson Taylor

How to Be Perfectly Miserable

How to Be Perfectly Miserable

Hey brothers – the ladies are way ahead in pledging funds for the Family Freedom Walk. To help us get ahead either us this link -- www.americaskeswick.org/givenow or call –732-350-1187! Thanks for your help.

Rejoice always 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Have you ever been around miserable people? Unfortunately I already know the answer. Gordon MacDonald refers to these people as “joy-suckers” or “joy-robbers.” If everyone else is having a good day – guess what – count on that person to be miserable. 

I came across this this of 20 ways that you can be perfectly miserable:

1.     Think about yourself.

2.     Talk about yourself.

3.     Use “I” as much as possible.

4.     Mirror yourself continually in the opinion of others.

5.     Listen greedily to what people say about you.

6.     Expect to be appreciated.

7.     Be suspicious.

8.     Be jealous and envious.

9.     Be sensitive to slights.

10.  Never forget a criticism.

11.  Trust nobody but yourself.

12.  Insist on consideration and respect.

13.  Demand agreement with your own views of everything.

14.  Sulk if people are not grateful to you for favors shown them.

15.  Never forget a service you may have rendered.

16.  Be on your lookout for a good time for yourself.

17.  Shirk your duties if you can.

18.  Do as little as possible for others.

19.  Love yourself supremely.

20.  Be selfish.

I know that these won’t be characteristics of you, my brother! Paul nailed it – rejoice always! Evermore! Even on April 15^th!  -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 1 Samuel 25-27; Psalm 97; Proverbs 15

Compass Pointers: The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. George Muller

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 15:29-33

Anchored to the Rock: The cardinal element in true prayer is no mere outward ritual but the inward, moral state of the one who prays. James Philip

Faith in God's Faithfulness

FAITH IN GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

“Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)
           

            This verse seems to form a principle that is expounded and illustrated throughout scripture.  The latter part of the verse is quoted by Paul in two portions, Romans1:17 and Galatians 3:11, and occurs in Hebrews 10:38.  In its original context in Habakkuk, there is a contrast between a person with a heart of boastful pride and the person who has been declared righteous on the basis of faith.  As far as the righteous person is concerned, there must be continued implementation of the faith principle in is life.

            There is a striking marginal rendering of that statement, “The just shall live by faithfulness.”   In other words, this faith must be focused on the faithfulness of God rather than being conscious of itself.  There are some people who become so obsessed with evaluating their faith that they lose sight of the proper object – His faithfulness.  My need is not so much the development of greater faith but the placement of that faith upon the proper object – the Faithful One.

            This concept is contained in the instructions given through David in Psalm 37.  Verse 3 says, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.”  There may be a variation and fluctuation in my faith, but there is no variableness with Him.  Paul speaks to this issue when he writes, “For what if some did not believe?  Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?”  (Romans 3:3).

            A living faith is to be a characteristic in the spiritual walk of every child of God.  “For we walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).  This faith can only be effective if it is placed in the Faithful One.  Whenever faith is demanded, we must bring Him into the situation, asking ourselves, “Is He faithful in a crisis like this?”Today’s devotional was written by the late Dr. William A. Raws and from our daily devotional, Real Victory for Real Life

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 1 Samuel 21-24; Psalm 96; Proverbs 14

Compass Pointers: I am spellbound by the intensity of Jesus' emotions: Not a twinge of pity, but heartbroken compassion; not a passing irritation, but terrifying anger; not a silent tear, but groans of anguish; not a weak smile, but ecstatic celebration. Jesus' emotions are like a mountain river cascading with clear water. My emotions are more like a muddy foam or a feeble trickle.G. Walter Hansenin, Christianity Today

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 15:1; Level 2: Proverbs 15:29-33

Anchored to the Rock: It is what we are when we pray our prayers that counts with God. James Philip

Evaluating in Light of Eternity

EVALUATING TIME IN THE LIGHT OF ETERNITY

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.” (Psalm 73:23)

            In Psalm 73 we find a history of the Israelites – a record of God’s goodness.  In verses 1 and 2, we see Asaph acknowledges that God is and that God is good.  This will help him as he looks around.  What does he see?  In verse 3 he wonders why the ungodly are prospering and he is envious.  In verses 6 to 9, he is upset because of their pride and how they don’t give God credit.  He is even envious of their popularity (in verse 10) and dares to ask where is God (verse 11).

            And all this looking around gets him nowhere.  Rather, it causes him to look within and all he finds is turmoil and unrest (verse 13).  Will he abandon his faith?  Will he run with the crowd?  Will he hold out or just quit and say this walk with God is not worth it?

            Look at verse 16.  Theology can never substitute for a personal relationship with the Lord.  You see, your outlook determines your outcome.   Wrong evaluations lead to wrong decisions and wrong thinking leads to wrong living.  What’s needed is sharpened vision (knowing God will take care of the godless) and the sharpened insight into the destiny of the unbeliever.  

            Asaph encourages by looking ahead in verses 23 to 28.  Because he worshipped he was able to evaluate time in the light of eternity.  And as he worshipped he saw his present being taken care of – being continually kept by God (v. 23).  He saw his past and could say, “He has held me with His right hand.”  He was able to evaluate earth in the light of heaven.  Does this not tell you that if you spend time with God and if your worship is right then your evaluations will be right?  Remember God doesn’t owe us explanations.  Just trust that His Word is true and when you look at the godless you’ll thank God again for His assurance, as His child, of Heaven with Him for all eternity.  There will be no need for envy! Rev. John Hibbard serves on the Board of America’s Keswick, teaches each Sunday morning at the Colony Chapel, and is the Chaplain for the Lakewood Blue Claws

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 1 Samuel 18-20; Psalm 95; Proverbs 13

Compass Pointers: Gethsemane is simply that hour when you finally align your will with the will of God. It is when you agree, accept, embrace...your crucifixion. Any human daring to follow a divine path will come upon a Gethsemane. Each will tarry there until he realigns his will with divinity, or he will completely miss the divine way of things. Acquiescence to destruction. That is Gethsemane. Gene Edwards

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 15:1; Level 2: Proverbs 15:29-31

Anchored to the Rock: If we are not right, our prayers cannot be. James Philip