The Wet Feet of Faith

THE WET FEET OF FAITH

“As soon as the soles of the feet of the priests whom bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off.”  (Joshua 3:13)

            Lessons in faith are found throughout the scriptures.  Many of them are seen in God’s dealing with His people Israel in bringing them out from bondage in Egypt through the application of blood and the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea.  Following the wilderness training and purging of the nation, additional lessons are given in the crossing of the flooded Jordan River.

            These two crossings illustrate two major aspects of the Christian life.  The Red Sea crossing is symbolic of the passing from death to life on the basis of the redeeming work of the Lord.  This became a reference point, a new beginning for the nation.  It was reported among the surrounding nations and brought fear to them.  The Jordan crossing has been mistakenly associated with physical death and incorporated into songs and poems which describe a believer’s crossing over into heaven.  More accurately, this event illustrates the passing of a believer from the defeated life of the wilderness into the realization of blessing in the will of God.  Canaan was not to be heaven, there were battles to be fought and territory to be claimed.  On the other hand, it represents life in the heavenly life of victory for those who trust and obey.

            Apparently there were no wet feet in the Red Sea crossing.  Redemption is purely a work of God.  Faith had been exercised in the application of the blood of the lamb and testified to at the sea.  However, at the Jordan the feet of the priests were to touch the water before the waters were cut off.  As representatives of the people, they bore the ark of the covenant over which the presence of God resided in the tabernacle.  While bearing the symbol of God’s covenant they exercised obedient faith as they approached the river.

            Viewing the turbulent waters of the flooded river, the priests would probably hesitate, waiting for the waters to be cut off.  As they carefully moved forward, they possibly wondered whether they dared to risk putting their feet in the water.  Inch by inch they proceeded in obedience to the Lord, but it was not until they took the step of faith and allowed their feet to touch the water that the waters were cut off.

            God’s promises can only be realized when we move by faith toward the apparent obstacle and allow our feet to touch the water.  We must not stop short of full dependence on Him. Pastor William A. Raws served at America’s Keswick for over 50 years. His grandfather, William Raws founded the Colony of Mercy in 1897

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 19; Mark 10; Psalm 111; Proverbs 31

Compass Pointers: It is amazing how many people let life happen to them rather than asking God for wisdom in their decisions. He promises to give you wisdom and knowledge for everything you do. When you make a decision knowing that it is based on the wisdom of God, joy and peace cannot help but follow. Don Clowers

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 15:10; Level 2: John 15:1-7

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is the key to heaven’s treasures. John Gerhard

The Power of Sin and It's Influences

The Power of Sin

" ... and if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door, and it's desire for YOU, but YOU must master it." Genesis 4:7

My dear friend, the late Dr. Bill Gillham, pointed out the above verse in a message he gave at America's Keswick. The verse is from the story of Cain and Abel. In this verse, the word "sin" is not a verb -- it is a noun!

In his teaching, Bill reminds us that sin in this story in Genesis 4 had the ability to:

PERSUADE Cain
ENTICE Cain
TEMPT Cain
LEAD Cain to take matters into his own hands
SUGGEST that Cain solve his problems by rebelling against God
SUGGEST that Cain murder Abel!

Here is a chart that Bill uses to teach how the power of sin will try to influence you and me to do evil or fail to do God's Will. I will share more of the chart with you on Monday.

If you want more information on Bill's teaching, check out his book What God Wishes Christians Knew About Christianity (Harvest House). Have a blessed weekend. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Luke 16-17:10; Psalm 108; Proverbs 28

Compass Pointers: A child of God should be a visible beatitude for joy and happiness, and a living doxology for gratitude and adoration. Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:27; Level 2: John 14:27-31

Anchored to the Rock: The possibilities of prayer are found in its allying itself with the purposes of God, for God's purposes and man's praying are the combination of all potent and omnipotent forces. E. M. Bounds

Paul's Words on the Flesh

Paul’s Words on the Flesh

Yesterday we talked about the flesh. I want to share with you today what Paul wrote about the flesh. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what God wants us to know about the flesh. The Scripture makes it quite clear:

Romans 6:17-20: But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.  And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.  I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.  For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

Romans 8:5: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
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Romans 8:8:  So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:13: For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Romans 13:14: But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lust.

2 Corinthians 7:1: Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Galatians 5:24: I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

I don’t think I could even make it even clearer than that for you. I will write more tomorrow and into next week. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart as you read over the above verses. Might be good for us to memorize them as well. I appreciate you, my brothers, and thank you for being on the journey with me. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Luke 14-15; Psalm 107:23-43; Proverbs 27

Compass Pointers: The only known cure for fear is faith. Lena Kellogg Sadler

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:27; Level 2: John 14:27-31

Anchored to the Rock: Intercession is simply love at prayer. – The Kneeling Christian

Master the Flesh

Master the Flesh 

“So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:21-24

If we are all honest we understand totally what Paul is saying, don’t we? Most of us really want to do the right things, live the right way – BUT – there is this thing called the FLESH that keeps getting in the way.

Part of the battle is that for most of us, we are TRYING to live the Christian life in our own strength. Well as Pastor Bill Raws always said, “It is absolutely impossible to live the Christian life apart from Jesus Christ living His perfect life in and through me.” That is the message of Galatians 2:20. 

A friend recently showed me the verse in The Message: “I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I APPEAR righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by the faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

The problem is that we haven’t figured out three things about the flesh:  1) It can control us, 2) It isn’t something we can play with, 3) We need to put it do death.

Our flesh was already crucified with Christ on the cross, brothers. It no longer needs to master us. We get ourselves into trouble because we want to keep it alive rather than putting it to death. Christ has come to give us victory over the flesh! More about this tomorrow. The good news is that JESUS CHRIST has come to give you and me VICTORY! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Luke 12-13; Psalm 107:1-22; Proverbs 26

Compass Pointers: The valley of the shadow of death. It is a valley where the sun's rays often seem to be blotted out. To approach it is to tremble. We would prefer to walk around it, to seek a safe bypass. But men and women of faith can enter that valley without fear. R. C. Sproul

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:27; Level 2: John 14:27-31

Anchored to the Rock: When a man is born from above, the life of the Son of God is born in him, and he can either starve that life or nourish it. Prayer is the way the life of God is nourished. Oswald Chambers

Pursue Excellence

Pursue Excellence

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Colossians 3:17

I need to first apologize for not giving credit to Chris Hughes for his excellent blog post yesterday. Thanks, Chris, for your ministry.

I often tell my staff that excellence is a moving target. As soon as you reach one level, the bar is raised and there is a new level of excellence.

Excellence is a good goal for us because ultimately everything we do is for the Lord, and when we are serving Him, can we do any less than serving with excellence?

Jim George in his book, The Man Who Makes a Difference (Harvest House), gives an acrostic for how a man of excellence lives his life. Take the points and chew on them throughout this week:

E- Eyes the goal. Keep your eye on the goal!

X – excels at finding solutions. He is creative.

C – Curios about the future. – He’s a thinker and a planner.

E – Excited about change. He is flexible.

L – Learns from everyone. He has a passion for learning.

L – Loves to take risks.

E – Endures opposition. Willing to endure trials victoriously.

N – Names failure as a learning experience.

C – Convinced what he is doing is important. He is a man of conviction.

E – Envisions a higher purpose. He has a sense of God’s calling on his life.

Good stuff to chew on this week. Are you a man committed to excellence? Think about it. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Luke 10-11; John 10:22-42; Psalm 106:24-48; |
Proverbs 25

Compass Pointers: If you board the wrong train, it's no use running along the corridor in the other direction. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:27; Level 2: John 14:27-31

Anchored to the Rock: The fundamental law in prayer is this: Prayer is given and ordained for the purpose of glorifying God. O. Hallesby

Where We Have No Truth

Where We Have No Truth

“Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.” Isaiah 59:14-15 (ESV)

I don’t know about you but I have been taking a close look at “Occupy this place or another.” If I was still that angry young man in his twenties I could really appreciate the whole anarchy of it all. It’s disruptive, it’s got anger, it’s contains quite a cast of characters and, as of recently, it has gotten violently chaotic. But as an older man the area I struggle with it is in it’s truth. It seems all so disconnected and lost.

In his book, “Human, All-Too-Human”, Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, “Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies.” I wonder if he had any clue on how this statement was going to reflect on our society today. Because in our society today the narrative truth of Scripture has been replaced by the narrative of “I.” And I can pretty much tell I whatever I want to hear so long as it does not bring that conviction thingy into the mix.

And it is in the “Occupied” public squares that the truth of Christ had been once preached, exalted, established, and confirmed. But now it just seems as that narrative of truth is being trampled on by this disconnected narrative of truth of “I”. “I can’t get justice from the system so I will occupy and protest until I get what is rightfully mine.” The problem with that is society, as a whole, isn’t too sure on what it wants. It is only sure that it wants.

Amen that is not that case for the Christian man. He should want what Christ wants. It is unfortunate that society sees itself as being deprived, but that doesn’t have to be the case. If we can get Jesus back into those public squares the “Occupiers” might be able to grasp that they do not need the prevailing vices that has left them bankrupt. In my NKJV part of my Parallel Bible chapter 59 of Isaiah is titled “Corruption Separates the Nations from God.” You can’t get a much truer statement than that. Well, maybe there is this from Matthew Henry….

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt 6:33 ESV). Take no thought for your life, the life of the body, for you have greater and better things to think about: the life of your soul, your eternal happiness. That is the one needful thing about which you should employ your thoughts.” Let’s pray that this truth begins to “Occupy” our nation.

GPS – God’s Positioning System: John 9:1-10:21; Psalm 106:1-23; Proverbs 24

Compass Pointers: “If we shut our eyes against the light of Divine truth, it is just with God to hide from our eyes the things that belong to our peace. The sins of those who profess themselves God's people, are worse than the sins of others. And the sins of a nation bring public judgments, when not restrained by public justice. Men may murmur under calamities, but nothing will truly profit while they reject Christ and His Gospel.”                                                                                             Matthew Henry Concise

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:27; Level 2: John 14:27-31

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is a slender sinew that moves the muscle of omnipotence. J. Edwin Hartill

It Starts in the Mind

It Starts in the Mind

“And set your mind on and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.” Colossians 3:2 (The Amplified Bible)

Did you ever ask yourself the question: “Why do I do the things I do?” This morning in my quiet time the light clicked on. I’ve known this all along – but Holy Spirit reminded me of this truth: the battle begins in my mind.

You’ve heard these before: what you think you become! Or this one that I read on Facebook today: 

Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny!

Think about this – every choice that we make starts in the mind! Maybe that is why there is so much in the Bible about how to use our minds in the right way. Paul reminds us that the key to right living begins with “renewing our minds.” (Romans 12:2)

I need to be more intentional about the thoughts that enter the mind. I can’t play with them, entertain them or dwell on them. Wrong thoughts = wrong actions.

Paul gives us direction on how to handle our thoughts: “[Inasmuch as we] we refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (The Amplified Bible)

And by the way – notice whose responsibility it is to handle those thoughts: we! It is a matter of me surrendering my every thought to the Holy Spirit’s control. Through Christ I can change my thinking and make right choices. Think about it. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Mark 9; Luke 9:28-62; Psalm 104; Proverbs 22

Compass Pointers: Whatever man loves, that is his god. For he carries it in his heart; he goes about with it night and day; he sleeps and wakes with it, be it what it may - wealth or self, pleasure or renown. Martin Luther

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:23; Level 2: John 14:12-21

Anchored to the Rock: The heart of prayer is not to alter God’s will but to find it. Sam Shoemaker

Just Do It

Just Do It

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

I have found myself frustrated over the years thinking and verbalizing this: “why is prayer such hard work?” Why have I been so frustrated in my prayer life?

I have collected and read dozens of books on prayer. I’ve looked for the right model, the right formula, the right method so that I can pray effectively. The bottom line is that I can have the largest collection of books on how to pray – but in the words of Nike – I need to JUST DO IT!

Rather than get so hung up on the right and wrong way to pray, figuring out the right position and posture for prayer, and trying to make sure I say the right things and not say the wrong things – God wants me to come to Him in childlike faith and just pray.

It’s really not as complicated as I make it. It isn’t about saying a prayer that will impress the Lord. Who am I kidding? He knows the real me. He knows when I am using “vain repetitions” or praying things I don’t really mean.

I am new on this journey – but I have made a commitment to myself – to move from reading and learning about prayer – to become a man who prays. I will make mistakes, I’m sure. But at the end of the day, it matters more to Him that I love Him enough that I want to spend time with Him at the throne of grace.

Lord, help me to keep it simple – JUST DO IT! Pray! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

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GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 17; Psalm 103; Proverbs 20

Compass Pointers:  To know Christ is the way to grow in holiness. Christianity is not a religion of rules. It is the religion of the divine example. Try to follow the blessed steps of the most holy life. Take His advice. Ask yourself, in the moment of perplexity or temptation, what would He do if He were here? Nothing else will so surely lead us into the way of holy living. George Hodges

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:23; Level 2: John 14:12-21

Praying for the Right Things

Praying for the Right Things

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6

I am amazed at 57 that I am still learning and growing in this discipline of prayer. I have intentionally studying about prayer, but more importantly, praying. Big difference.

E.M. Bounds who wrote so many amazing things about what God revealed to him about prayer said that “Paul’s course was more distinctly shaped and his career rendered more powerfully successful by prayer than any other force.”

Author and speaker, Jim George give a list of the some of the right things to pray for based on Paul’s exhortation in Colossians 1:9-12:

Ask God to help others know what He wants them to do with their lives (vs.9)

Ask God to give others a desire for a deeper spiritual understanding (vs.9)

Ask God to help others live life in a way that pleases Him (vs. 10)

Ask God to help others understand their spiritual gifts and exhibit the fruit of ministry (vs. 10)

Ask God to give others strength to endure life’s trials (vs. 11)

Ask God to give others patience when dealing with trying people (vs. 11)

Ask God to fill others with joyful thanks as they live for Him (vs. 12)

Good things to pray for when we think about praying for the right things. And by the way – in the above list the common denominators are ASK and OTHERS. But guess what – before you pray for others, start with YOU. Ask that God would do the same in your life! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Mark 8; Luke 9:18-27; Psalm 102; Proverbs 19

Compass Pointers: The church is the creation of the Spirit. It is a community of believers who owe their religious life from first to last to the Spirit....Religious services and organized institutions do not constitute a Christian Church, and these may flourish without the gift of Pentecostal fire. Samuel Chadwick

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:23; Level 2: John 14:12-21

Anchored to the Rock: When you pray, rather let your heart be without words than your words without heart. – John Bunyan

Thanks for the Feedback

Thanks For the Feedback

I wanted to thank you for the feedback that you sent regarding the ministry of Freedom Fighter. I was pleased to hear from a number of you and appreciated your comments, suggestions, and encouragement.

It was actually a good thing to solicit the feedback as it helped solidify the direction of the blog. One of the interesting things we learned is that of the many Freedom Fighter emails that are sent out, only 28% of the emails are actually opened. While that was discouraging at first, the good news is more men are reading Freedom Fighter than the women are reading Victory Call. That was both surprising and encouraging.

One decision that I feel necessary to make is to discontinue the weekend edition of Freedom Fighter. Beginning this week, I will just be posting Monday through Friday. I need to bring some balance into my life and schedule, and this is one way that will be a help to me.

We are committed to our original mission: to encourage men to walk in victory. I look forward to sharing with you how God is helping me to flesh that out in my own heart and life on a daily basis.

Just one thought for today: God wants you and I to cultivate excellence in our lives. The Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 3:17 these words: “Whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Author Gary Ingrid pictures excellence in this way:

The standard for excellence: the character of God!
The motivation for excellence: the glory of God!
The direction of excellence: the will of God!
The focus of excellence: godly character!
The picture of excellence: servanthood!
The cost of excellence: discipleship!

A great picture of excellence! What a great model for us. Let’s keep moving forward to excellence! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 16; Psalm 101; Proverbs 18

Compass Pointers: Excellence is the maximum exercise of one’s gifts and abilities with the range of responsibilities given by God. Gary Ingrid

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:23; Level 2: John 14:12-21

Anchored to the Rock: A good deal of our praying probably accomplishes little because it is not specific.

Pointless prayer is faithless prayer. – Dick Eastman

How to Get Rid of a Pastor

How to Get Rid of a Pastor

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, I want to encourage you to take some time to encourage your Pastor.

I have been blessed over the years to have numerous pastors who have touched my life: Pastor Curtis Lehman, Dr. George Schmeiser, Pastor Alan Maitha, Pastor Bob Orr, Pastor Blair Hills, Pastor Matt Reed, Dr. David Wright, Pastor Ron Schmidt, Pastor John Strain, and my current pastor, Pastor Dave Rittinger.

I read this list of ways to get rid of your pastor:

1. Look him straight in the eye and say “Amen,” and he will preach himself to death.
2. Give him a living wage. He’s been on a starvation salary for so long that he’ll eat himself to death.
3. Brag about all his good points to him, and he’ll work himself to death.
4. Go to him and tell him you want to help in the church, and he’ll have a heart attack and die.
5. Have the church unite together in prayer for him and really get behind him and help him, and then a bigger church will call him from you.

All joking aside, the Apostle Paul admonishes us to: “… respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. 1 Thessalonians 5:12.

You might just be surprised at what encouraging your shepherd might do for him and for you. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 15; Mark 7; Psalm 100; Proverbs 17

Compass Pointers: The ministry of a pastor is like a full moon – it brings light to many darkened souls, but also causes many dogs to bark!

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:23; Level 2: John 14:12-21

Anchored to the Rock: The man who kneels to God can stand up to anything. Louis H. Evans

A Friend

Please note that there will not be a Saturday or Sunday Freedom Fighter this weekend. I will be spending the weekend celebrating my Grandson's birthday and with our kids. Trust you will understand -- and if you don't -- in the words of my dear friend, Glenna Salsbury, "Oh well!" 

A Friend

“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” Proverbs 27:9

If you’ve been blessed with good friends, this little ditty will ring true in your heart:

A friend:

Accepts you as you are
Believes in you
Calls to just say hi
Doesn’t give up on you
Envisions the whole you
Forgives your mistakes
Gives unconditionally
Helps you
Invites you over
Just enjoys being with you
Keeps you close at heart
Loves you for who you are
Makes a difference in your life
Never judges
Offers support
Picks you up
Quiets your fears
Raises your spirits
Says nice things about you
Tells you the truth when you need to hear it
Understands you
Values you
Walks beside you
Xplains things you don’t understand
Zaps you back to reality.

I’ve been blessed  by a number of great friends. How about you? – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 14; Psalm 97; Proverbs 14

Compass Pointers: Some people come into our lives and quietly go. Others stay awhile and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same!

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:13-14; Level 2: John 14:1-6

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is the rope up in the belfry; we pull it, and it rings the bell up in heaven. – Christmas Evans

A Step Back

A Step Back

Today’s Freedom Fighter will be brief and to the point. I am writing to you to get some input from you. For the past six or seven months there has been very little feedback from the guys on the list about the effectiveness of this ministry.

I am at that weird stage of life where at 57 (I can’t believe I am that old!) I want to be doing the RIGHT things. I am not looking for a pat on the back, out an “atta-boy” – but if the Freedom Fighter blog is not helping you, that feedback would be valuable. I don’t want to just fill your inbox with another piece of mail that you simply delete or discard.

If you would like to see other issues addressed, that feedback would be a big help to me. I enjoy writing this blog, but if it is not effective, then I need to know that.

You can simply put your comments on the blog or email me at bwelte@americaskeswick.org. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks in advance for your comments. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 9-10; Psalm 96; Proverbs 13

Compass Pointers: Whatever man loves, that is his god. For he carries it in his heart; he goes about with it night and day; he sleeps and wakes with it, be it what it may - wealth or self, pleasure or renown. Martin Luther

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:13-14; Level 2: John 14:1-6

Anchored to the Rock: The once concern of the devil is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, he mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray. Samuel Chadwick

The Nail

THE NAIL

“Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail.”  (Zechariah 10:4)

            Having spent quite a few of my earlier years as a carpenter, I am always intrigued by words in the Bible that mention something about this trade.  Hence, “nail” was one that aroused my curiosity.

            First, we must determine the antecedent of “nail” to learn its meaning.  The context shows us it is Judah.  The “corner” or cornerstone will come from this tribe.  We see by cross referencing Isaiah 28:16, Romans 9:32; I Corinthians 1:23; I Peter 2:6-8 and Ephesians 2:20 that the prophet Zechariah is speaking of the “chief cornerstone” who would come out of Judah is none other than Jesus Christ.

            But, “the nail” is also coming out of Judah.  What is Zechariah telling us?  To answer this we must compare it with other Scriptures.  Turning to Isaiah 22:21 we learn about Eliakim.  However, as is often the case, this passage goes far beyond Eliakim.  It speaks of one who will become very special to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the house of Judah.  As the head of government he will have the key of the house of David, and “I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place: and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.  And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house” (Isaiah 22:23b-24a).

            To comprehend this passage we must consider a passage in Genesis 31.  Jacob and Rachel had left Laban, she had stolen her father’s idols, and he came looking for them.  Rachel had put them in the camel’s furniture and sat on them, preventing Laban from finding them.  These idols were always hung on a nail that was fastened to the center post of the tent and received all the glory of those entering the house.

            By going back to Isaiah 22, we find that all the glory of His Father’s house will hang upon this one.  Guess who it is!  Both Isaiah and Zechariah are portraying Jesus Christ as the one who is the “nail” upon whom all the glory of God is to be focused.

            The question we must ask ourselves is this.  Do we allow Him to be the “nail,” the very center of our lives?  Dr. Fred H. Hartman serves as an itinerant Bible teacher, and is a contributor to REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 8:14-34; Mark 4-5; Psalm 95; Proverbs 12

Compass Pointers: When spiritual comfort is sent to you by God, take it humbly and give thanks meekly for it. But know for certain that it is the great goodness of God that sends it to you, and not because you deserve it. See to it, then, that you are not lifted up to pride because of the comfort, and that you do not rejoice too much in it or presume vainly in it; instead, seek to be more humble for so noble a gift, and the more watchful and fearful in all your works. That time of comfort will pass away, and the time of temptation will follow shortly after. It is not a good policy to let your lusts bear arms, which are sure to rise and declare against you. Thomas a Kempis

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:13-14; Level 2: John 14:1-6

Anchored to the Rock: Within God’s limitations prayer is unlimited. J. Edwin Hartill

Train in the Right Direction

Train in the Right Direction

The mature … have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:14

Wow – did you ever have to practice? An instrument? A sport’s game? Most of us struggle with that word – but the writer of Hebrews not only reminds us that we need to practice, but it is CONSTANT in learning to distinguish between good and evil.

Grace writer, Dr. Jerry Bridges, gives this powerful commentary on this verse: Paul exhorted Timothy, “TRAIN yourself for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). Though godliness is a broader concept than holiness, holiness is a major part of it, so training ourselves to be godly certainly includes training in holiness.

God wants us to train ourselves in the right direction through making right choices. Frankly, this is where the going gets tough. We’ll agree with Scripture’s teaching about some particular sin and even make a commitment of sorts to put it out of our lives. Then the temptation to indulge in that sin comes once again, and we’re unwilling to make the tough choice. We would like to be rid of that sin, and even pray to God to take it away, but we are unwilling to say no to it?

Every day we’re training ourselves in one direction or the other: toward lying or truthfulness; selfishness or unselfishness; anger or forgiveness; impurity or purity; irritability or patience; covetousness or generosity; pride or humility; materialism or simplicity.

Only through making the right choice to obey God’s will we break the habits of sin and develop habits of holiness. This is where we desperately need the Holy Spirit’s power to enable us to make the right choices. So cry out to God every day for His help; cry out each time you are confronted with the choice to sin or to obey. (Holiness Day by Day – Transformational Thoughts for Your Spiritual Journey – Navpress)

What is it that you need to deal with today? My guess is that it isn’t rocket science for you to figure it out. Let’s purpose together to keep training so that we can be the men God wants us to be. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 13; Luke 8; Psalm 94; Proverbs 11

Compass Pointers: “This passive righteousness is a mystery that…Christians never completely understand themselves, and thus do not take advantage of it when they are troubled or tempted.  So we have to constantly teach it, repeat it and work it out in practice.  For anyone who does not understand this righteousness or cherish it in the heart and conscience, will continually be buffeted by fears and depression.  Nothing gives peace like this passive righteousness.” Martin Luther, Preface to Galatians

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:13-14; Level 2: John 14:1-6

Anchored to the Rock: Unity of prayer combined, like drops of water, make an ocean which defies resistance. E. M. Bounds

The Letters of the Law Part 3

The Letters of the Law Part Three 

Don’t forget Men’s Fellowship Night this Thursday. Pastor Bob Nash from Building on the Rock will be our guest speaker. Dinner at 6:15 PM followed by a great service of praise and then fun in the Activity Center. Call for reservations: 732-350-1187

“For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Romans 10:2-4 (ESV) 

So now after our line by line session with the “Law” and all that chatter about some word, “antinomianism”, we can move into Paul’s encounter with Christ on the Damascus road. In some Bibles , like the ESV, when we get to the ninth chapter of Acts we see the title “The Conversion of Saul.” This conversion of Saul happens after the stoning of Stephen. This “stoning” may look like a martyr’s death to some but to put on a matter of fact level it was an act of murder that the Roman government of that time turned a blind eye to. Frenzied acts like this by Jewish hierarchy may have received a Roman wink and nod but it wasn’t allowed to become everyday living.  

I mention the Stephens martyrdom because it took that event for us to see the zealousness of law enforcement. The rabbi’s of that time thought human history was sectioned off into three zones. The zone of chaos between Adam and Moses, the zone of the “Torah” which lasts from Moses to the Messiah and then the zone of the Messiah. Since those rabbi’s couldn’t accept The Messiah from a manger, they used or they bent the Law to ensure that the Mosaic view of the Law remained the absolute. I wonder if they thought they would be the ones The Father would use to announce the Messiah and not what we read in Luke’s account? Hmmm… 

Anyway, as Paul describes when God “was pleased to reveal His Son to me” or where “Christ Jesus has made me His own” he arrives at the place of understanding. For all that commitment to the Law and zeal to uphold it, he comes to that place where he now knows he has actually opposed the purposes of God. Paul had fought against the breaking in of the Messianic Age ( Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.--1 Cor 10:11 ESV) by the extreme act of trying to keep the Law. The Bible doesn’t say how much of Jesus Saul may have heard or understood while he was out holding robes for the guys while they had a good ole’ fashioned stonin’ but he did come to this understanding. 

“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom 7:24-25 ESV) And why? Because Jesus Christ is the end of the Law, that’s way!! The word end or telos can be viewed as either the outcome, the purpose, the goal to which something is directed, or the “end,” “cessation”. There have been many interpreters who believe that  both meanings get tied up in our English translations. So…let’s see here, hmm….change a word, keeping the meaning upfront and just maybe….I think I can say this. Jesus Christ is the outcome of the Law. After all if you are His and He is yours and He boiled the Law down to these two commandments…“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”  

So I wonder what the Antinomianist would say to Jesus? How would they feel about the two commandments being the central idea for spiritual living? I am glad that I stumbled across this word “antinomianism.” It has taken me through a journey where I got to see the Law differently and gave me a chance to dig into a hard saying of Paul’s. “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Now I understand that Jesus Christ just might be the outcome of the Law and it that I can examine the Deuteronomical wonder that are the only two commandments we need to keep. Could it always have been this simple? – Chris Hughes is a frequent Freedom Fighter contributor and a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 12:22-50; Psalm 93; Proverb 10

Compass Pointers: “Grace always comes by Jesus Christ. It didn’t come at His birth, but it came in God’s ancient plan. No grace was ever administered to anybody except by and through and in Jesus Christ.” The Radical Cross  A.W. Tozer

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:13-14; Level 2: John 14:1-6

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is the key to heaven’s treasures. John Gerhard

Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, Holy, Holy

“ … And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth.” Isaiah 6:3

Growing up we sang this hymn every Sunday morning at the beginning of the worship service. Back then it seemed more like repetition, but it has become one of my very favorite hymns of worship:

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity!

Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be!

Holy, Holy, Holy, though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see,
Only Thou are Holy, there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, in purity!

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity! – Reginald Heber

Take some time today to worship Him – really worship Him! He is the ONLY ONE who we can declare – Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God, Almighty! HE and HE ALONE is worthy of our praise. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 11; Psalm 92; Proverbs 9

Compass Pointers: In our worship there should be the power of the supernatural which brings home a sense of God. – Byran Greer

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:13-14; Level 2: John 14:1-6

Anchored to the Rock: The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. E. M. Bounds

Our Men's Fellowship begins this Thursday night, October 13th. Pastor Bob Nash from Building on the Rock is our speaker. Dinner, worship and fun all begin at 6:15 PM. Call 732-350-1187 today to make a reservation. Come bring a friend!

The Letters of the Law Part 2

The Letters of the Law
Part Two 

“For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”  Romans 10:2-4 (ESV) 

Yesterday I told you about a new word that I had come across, “antinomianism” and maybe I will segue back to it, however today I would like to cover what Paul had to say about “The Law” from the Book of Romans. And by using a few points from the book “Hard Sayings of Paul” by Manfred Brauch in kinda like in a line by line format we can see how this all can just pop out and make itself known to the Freedom Fighter world. There was stuff there I believe we oughta know. Such as… 

When we read things like “another law waging war against the law of my mind” (Rom 7:23) or “the law of the Spirit of life” (Rom 8:2) or “the law of faith” (Rom 3:27) that Paul writes about in the Book of Romans, we see that “law” is being used figuratively. To kinda give this a technical point of view we could say that the term law is being used to denote realities which help regulate life for the pagan or the Christian, get it? But Paul really only had the Mosaic Law to look through, a law that went back to the time of Moses and had regulated life for Israel for like a really long time, right? So the first thing to look into is Paul’s own understanding and experience of the law. 

Paul was “a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law blameless.” (Phil 3:5-6) This law was God’s law; it expressed God’s will and God’s purposes for His people. To obey this law was to be obedient to the will of God and, as a rabbi, Paul knew this law very well, “So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” (Rom 7:12 ESV) He knew it that is spiritual, “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.” (Rom 7:14 ESV) That it comes from God, “For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,” (Rom 7:22 ESV) and that it leads us into a real life, “The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me.” (Rom 7:10 ESV) 

As that Hebrew of Hebrews, Paul understood the privilege to possess the law was a gift of God’s grace, “Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.” (Rom 3:1-2 ESV) He knew there was going to be accountability within the possessing the gift of the Law. “But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law”--- and to continue on to qualify as, “a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness.” (Rom 2:17-19 ESV) Since we can see that one was obligated to keep the Law (Romans 2:17-24) and according to his own testimony, Paul believed the keeping of the Law was do-able. 

But with concern or regard to this obligation, Paul was blameless (Phil 3:6). This all changed with experience with Jesus Christ on that dusty road to Damascus. So how much of “The Law” do you think is necessary to keep in our everyday life? The Antinomianist just might say no to that but I think there are reasons why the law is good and so did Paul. But I would reckon it to ourselves that an encounter with Jesus Christ would give us the kind of authoritative interpretation needed to not go crazy with enforcing it in the way Saul of Tarsus did. Tomorrow I would like to cover the ripple effect of Paul’s encounter with the Messiah but as I close today I pose this question to all of us. Has our encounter produced a ripple effect to those around us or are we all just striving to be a Biblical enforcer? Hmmm…. Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a regular Freedom Fighter contributor 

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 8:1-13; Luke 7; Psalm 91; Proverbs 8

Compass Pointers: “One very effective restraint is the force of conscience: Paul says, “When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them.” (Romans 2:14-15) Systematic Theology   Wayne Grudem

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 13:34-35; Level 2: John 13:31-35

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is the sovereign remedy. Robert Hall

The Letters of the Law Part 1

The Letters of the Law
Part One 

“For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”  Romans 10:2-4 (ESV) 

I have stumbled over a new word in my life and I have no idea how to use it as a normal everyday word. It doesn’t even look like a normal everyday word either. The word is Antinomianism. This is a term that was coined by Martin Luther and according to Wikipedia; this word is defined as “holding that under the gospel dispensation of grace, the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation.” Now keep in mind that when Luther realized the truth of justification by faith alone, he became a Christian and then a major reformation in Christendom came from it. That in its self is pretty radical but as for my newly learned word, antinomianism, well let’s just say it too can go extreme. 

The apostle Paul spent a lot of time dealing with people who had the notion that obedience to a code of religious law earned salvation and it has led to a hard saying. That saying is found in Romans 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Now this isn’t the only place in Paul’s work that he deals with the letters of the law but this would be considered one of his hard sayings concerning it. And the arguments for and against the truth of justification by faith alone had begun before Paul even got off any given boat in any given port. Paul took on the challenge by answering the questions concerning the relationship between the Law of the Father and Faith in the Son. And he had to do this in a pagan world that was being told they had to be a Hebrew first and a Christian after. Can you hear the opening bell? 

Well before the ring announcer gets going let me come right out and say that antinomianism was and still is considered some sort of heresy. The extreme swing of its pendulum is that we don’t have to obey the Ten Commandments nor do we need them as a moral compass for our everyday living. Luther himself was accused of rejecting the Old Testament moral law because he spoke out against the ceremonial law of the Church. In “An Introduction to St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans” Luther boldly states, “Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn’t stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing. Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an unbeliever...Thus, it is just as impossible to separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from fire!” 

Now there is a positive swing that also needs to be mentioned and that is antinomianism doesn’t always imply a total disregard for codified moral codes but rather the emphasis on the inner working of the Holy Spirit as our moral compass. But to slice this to the bone it is not justification by faith and does not have right legal standing before the Almighty. The Bible is quite clear that justification is a legal declaration by God. He is the only one that can declare or be declared righteous. So to really dig into this we need to understand the term “law” that is used in Romans 10:4. 

So tomorrow I would like to get into that term know as the “The Law”. And as for my newly found term, “antinomianism” I found it in this book titled, “Hard Sayings of Paul” and it was written by Manfred Brach. It’s another one of those books that a Pastor gives you to read (and basing this Freedom Fighter in) because he knows there is something in there that you oughta know. I will tell you the one thing I do know and it is this…that I have no intention of becoming an “Antinomianist.” Not only is it a really hard word to pronounce but I have had the darndest time trying to use it in a sentence without spell check putting that red squiggly line under it. I guess it even defies the commandments of spelling…I wonder if that it is something we oughta know? – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a regular Freedom Fighter contributor 

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 5-7; Psalm 90; Proverbs 7

Compass Pointers: The value of persistent prayer is not that he will hear us, but that we will finally hear him. William McGill

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 13:34-35; Level 2: John 13:31-35

Anchored to the Rock: The church upon its knees would bring heaven upon the earth. E. M. Bounds