Ten Little Christians

TEN LITTLE CHRISTIANS

10 little Christians came to church all the time;

            one fell out with the preacher; then there were nine.

9 little Christians stayed up late;

            one overslept on Sunday, then there were eight.

8 little Christians on their way to heaven;

            one took the low road, then there were seven.

7 little Christians, chirping like chicks;

            one didn't like singing, then there were six.

6 little Christians seemed very much alive;

            one took a vacation, then there were five.

5 little Christians pulling for heaven's shore;

            one stopped to rest awhile, then there were four.

4 little Christians each busy as a bee;

            one got his feelings hurt, then there were three.

3 little Christians couldn't decide what to do;

            one couldn't have his way, then there were two.

2 little Christians each won one more;

            now don't you see, two and two make four.

4 little Christians worked early and late,

            each brought one, now there were eight.

8 little Christians, if they double as before ....

            in just seven Sundays we'd have thousand twenty-four.

In this little jingle there is a lesson true --

            you belong either to the building or to the wrecking crew!

(From WHO AM I IN CHRIST by Dr. Neil Anderson)

"And He gave some . . .  For the equipping of the saints for the work of the service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we ALL attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature of which belongs to the fullness of Christ."

Now to which crew do YOU belong? – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 1 Corinthians 5-8; Psalm 120; Proverbs 30

Compass Pointers: In the counsel of God the church existed even before the creation of man. R. B. Kuiper

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 16:33; Level 2: John 16:5-15

Anchored to the Rock: The prayers of Christians are secret, but their effects cannot be hidden. Howard Chandler Robbins

Things Are Ripe for a Miracle

THINGS ARE LOOKING RIGHT FOR A MIRACLE

I don’t know what you have been experiencing, but there seem to be so many people who are hurting and struggling. As a ministry, we have had a couple of tough months that have been very stretching. We have been crying out to God for a miracle. In the last several days, we have begun to experience some exciting signs that God is up to something cool. It reminded me of a powerful song written by our friends, Steve and Annie Chapman:

Well the money’s getting tight,
And we’re working day and night,
But, we can’t seem to fit the ends together.
And way down in our souls

The wind of fear is a-blowin’,
And I know it’s bringin’ in some stormy weather.

But before it gets to you,
There is something you can do
That will help you when you’re facing your recession.
In your heart get on your knees,
Be like Moses at the seas,
And let God hear you make this good confession.

Things are looking right for a miracle!

Ain’t no reason I should get hysterical.
Open up the doors,
God, you’ve done it before.
Things are looking right for a miracle.

Now, it may not be your money,
But some other kind of pain.
Let God get the glory, your confession is the same:
Things are looking right for a miracle!

Ain’t no reason I should get hysterical.
Open up the doors,
God, you’ve done it before.
Things are looking right for a miracle!

“Things Are Looking Right for a Miracle” – Lyrics by Steve Chapman
From Married Lovers, Married Friends – Steve and Annie Chapman  (Bethany House)

I look forward to sharing you when that miracle happens! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Psalm 119:169-176; Proverbs 29; 1 Corinthians 1-4

Compass Pointers: Lay any burden on me, Lord, only sustain me. Sever any tie, but the tie that binds me to Thyself. David Livingstone

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 16:33; Level 2: John 16:5-15

Anchored to the Rock:  "One should never initiate anything that he cannot saturate with prayer."  

Walking By Faith

WALKING BY FAITH

“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith.”  (Colossians 2:6-7a)

            There are some Christians whose lives appear to have transitioned from a faith basis to a works basis.  They seem to have the attitude that faith alone is essential to salvation but that one graduates from the simplicity of faith into the complexity of works.  The Bible does not support this idea.  In fact, the Apostle Paul in dealing with the matter of disputed practices gives the litmus test, “Whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23, b).

            In Colossians 2:6 the Apostle Paul is dealing with the commencement and continuance of the Christian life.  These are connected by two tiny conjunctions (correlative conjunctions, as and so) showing that the two parts of the verse are of equal importance.  There seems to be no doubt that faith is the requirement for receiving Christ Jesus the Lord.  But how are we to continue?  By faith.  In writing to the Corinthians concerning our present life versus our future hope, Paul says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

            In choosing a figure to express the nature of the Christian life, the Bible often uses the action of walking.  The process of walking requires the transfer of dependence from one leg to another in a sequence of steps.  Life for the Christian is a continuous transfer of dependence from self to the Savior.

            As an illustration of this principle, we remind ourselves of the account of Peter walking on the water (Matthew 4:25-31).  He walked in faith based on the invitation of Jesus, come.  However, he took his eyes off of Jesus, turning his attention from the Savior to the storm, and began to sink.  His failure was not in continuing as he began – by faith.  Pastor William A. Raws was the grandson of the founder of America’s Keswick and wrote this devotional for our book, Real Victory for Real Life

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Acts 18:19-19:41; Psalm 119:161-168; Proverbs 28

Compass Pointers: Christianity can never come to us as a bargain; it can never be had at wholesale price. We must be willing to pay the full price of surrender and trust.  William L. Krutza

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1:John 16:33; Level 2: John 16:5-15

Anchored to the Rock: When prayers are strongest, mercies are nearest. Edward Reynolds

Thank You, Lord, Looking Within

Thank You, Lord  -- Looking Within

Happy Black Friday. Seems like a crazy name for the name after a season of Thanksgiving. Today I share the third part of Charles Swindoll’s prayer:

Looking Within – Thank You, Lord
           
            for the gift of good health, a hidden treasure easily overlooked
            for eyes that see the beauty of your creation
            for minds that are curious, creative, and competent
            for memories of past pleasures and recent accomplishments
            for ears that receive the world of sounds around us
            for the special stimulation of taste and touch
            for hands to work with and legs to walk with
            for heartaches that force us to rearrange our priorities
            for broken dreams and lingering afflictions that humble us

Lord, may we be men who turn THANKSGIVNG into THANKSLIVING on a daily basis, not just on Thanksgiving Day. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Galatians 4-6; Psalm 119:137-144; Proverbs 25

Compass Pointers: Thanksgiving is not a natural virtue; it is a fruit of the Spirit, given by Him.  Jerry Bridges

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 15:26-27; Level 2: John 15:18-27

Anchored to the Rock: When I pray coincidences happen, and when I don’t, they don’t. William Temple

Thank You, Lord -- Looking Around

Thank You, Lord – Looking Around

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Yesterday I shared this prayer from Charles Swindoll’s book, The Finishing Touch (Word Books). Today he writes:

Looking Around … thank You, Lord
            for our wonderful country, so blessed, so unique
            for close family ties, so affirming, so enjoyable
            for teachers, mentors, and personal heroes who spur us on
            for an opportunity to be of help and encouragement to others
            for the embrace of a friend who really cares
            for the joy of seeing our children and grandchildren grow and learn
            for an occupation that enables us to make a living
            for a place to live, clothes to wear, and food to eat

Thank You, Lord, so such incredible abundance. By just looking around, we are made aware of how rich we really are.

I want to encourage you to take some time today to look around and thank the Lord for how He has blessed you. Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, we’ll look at “Looking Within.” – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Galatians 1-3; Psalm 119:129-136; Proverbs 24

Compass Pointers: I give it as my testimony that there is a marvelous therapy in thanksgiving. John Blanchard

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 15:26-27; Level 2: John 15:18-27

Anchored to the Rock: Most churches don’t know that God rules the world by the prayers of His saint. Andrew Murray

Thank You, Lord -- Looking Up

Thank You, Lord, Looking Up

I love the devotional writings of Charles Swindoll. In his book, The Finishing Touch (Word Books), he shares three points for Thanksgiving:

Looking up … thank You, Lord:  
            for Your sovereign control over our circumstances
            for Your holy character in spite of our sinfulness
            for Your commitment to us even when we wander astray
            for Your Word that gives us direction
            for Your love that holds us close
            for Your consistent faithfulness through our highs and lows
            for Your strong “no” when we need to hear it
            for Your surprising “yes” when we lack the faith to believe it
            for Your wise “wait” when we are impatient and rash
            for Your understanding when we are confused
            for Your Spirit that enlightens our eyes
            for Your grace that removes our guilt

Thank You Lord, for ALL YOU ARE, ALL YOU DO, ALL YOU SAY.

If we were unable to look up into Your face, Thanksgiving would just be another day.

Tomorrow I will share “Looking Around.” As you look up, what are you thankful for? – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Acts 15-16; Psalm 119:121-128; Proverbs 23

Compass Pointers: God’s giving deserves our thanksgiving.

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 15:26-27; Level 2: John 15:18-27

Anchored to the Rock: I’d rather stand against the cannons of the wicked than against the prayers of the righteous. Thomas Lye

Thanksgiving

THANKS GIVING

I first shared this on Freedom Fighter in 2005. I trust you will be blessed as you read it:

"I will never forget that Thanksgiving. I will never forget standing erect in my classroom, my handover my heart, as I repeated the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. Our nation was at war and times were hard.

My teacher lost her husband on the blood-washed shores of Normandy. After we had saluted the flag, we bowed our heads for prayer. As we did, she began to weep. I did too. All the class joined in. Then she stumbled through one of the most moving expressions of gratitude and praise that I have ever emerged from a soul in pain.

At that moment in my young life I fell in love with Thanksgiving. Lost in sympathy and a boy's pity for his teacher, I walked home very slowly that afternoon. Although only a child, I had profound feelings of gratitude for my country . . .  my friends . . .  my school . . .  my church . . .  my family. I swore before God that I would fight to the end to keep this land fee from foes who would want to take away America's distinctive and the joys of living in this good land.

I have never forgotten that childhood promise. I never shall. Thanksgiving puts steel into our patriotic veins. It reminds us of our great heritage. It carries us back with humbling nostalgia to that first dreadful winter at Plymouth where less than half then a handful of people survived.

Thanksgiving speaks in clear, crisp tones of forgotten terms like integrity . . . bravery . . . respect . . .  faith . . .  vigilance . ..  dignity . . . honor . . . freedom . . . discipline . . .  sacrifice .. .  godliness . . .  Its historic halls echo with the voices of Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, Henry, Lincoln, Lee, Jackson, and (Reagan -- I added!), who challenged us to trim off the fat of indolence, compromise, passivity, and the stigma of strife. 

Thanksgiving . . .  mark it well. It is a day of eminence, a day of memories, a day of commitment. May it not be eclipsed behind the shadows of our national aches nor beneath the passing pain of personal hardship.

May it arrive with forceful and throbbing impact upon our lives . . . and the lives of our children. May we all, indeed give thanks."  from THE FINISHING TOUCH by Chuck Swindoll published by Word. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: James 1-5; Psalm 119:113-120; Proverbs 22

Compass Pointers: To give thanks sincerely, one must give more than thanks.

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 15:26-27; Level 2: John 15:18-27

Anchored to the Rock: There is no burden of spirit but it is lighter by kneeling under it. F. B. Meyer

Pumpkin Spiced Reconciliation

Pumpkin Spiced Reconciliation 

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”  2 Cor. 5:18-19  

Just got done spending a chuckled-filled Families for Christ weekend with Dr. Jim Ellis (Union University) and thought I would share some of what he shared with us. Dr. Ellis has some really good catch phrases but this weekend he started with, “Satan takes no prisoners-He leaves only wreckage.” How true is that, huh? From the very beginning our adversary has been seeking to devour us, spit us out and then leave us for dead. As long as we don’t make it to kneel before the Throne of Grace he has done his work to us. Breaking us and breaking the creation are the career goals of Satan. 

As Dr. Ellis went on he reminded us that, “Too often our lives are defined by things that are broken. But God is in the business of rescuing us from sin and rebuilding broken people. Bringing together Creator and created by removing our sin through Christ’s work on the Cross, making peace with God.” It is a matter of reconciliation isn’t it? Starting with, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” (Gen 3:15) In his power pint presentation Dr. Ellis gave us these four points in reconciliation. 

One…It is the Father’s pleasure in reconciliation, it is accomplished in Christ and AMEN that it includes the entire creation. That means everything folks. 

Two…The Father’s process of reconciliation comes through the Cross and is done By His Son’s death on it. 

Three…The Father’s purpose in reconciliation is to restore our relationship with Him so that we will reflect His glory to an unsaved world. 

Four…The Father’s promise in reconciliation is the foundation of our faith and it brings hope to the human heart.  

So to wrap this up in a Matt Henry sorta fashion, it was by the inspiration of God that the Scriptures were written and they are the very words of reconciliation. Showing us all that peace has been made by the cross and how we may be interested in partaking in it. And although God cannot lose by the argument nor gain by the peace, He still offers sinners to lay aside their enmity and accept the salvation He offers. Christ knew no sin. He was made Sin; not a sinner, but Sin, a Sin-offering, a Sacrifice for sin. The end and design of it all was that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him and might be justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.  

Along with this reconciliation comes thanksgiving. I don’t mean the turkey, stuffing, gravy with all the trimmings kind of thanksgiving either. Keep this in mind as you sit down with your pumpkin pie this upcoming Thanksgiving Day. However, a good cup of coffee and some whipped cream goes well with pumpkin pie…just sayin’!!! – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a regular Freedom Fighter contributor

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Acts 13-15; Psalm 119: 105-112; Proverbs 21

Compass Pointers: “There is no peace like the peace of those whose minds are possessed with the full assurance that they have known God, and that God has known them, and this relationship guarantees God’s favor to them in life, through the death and forever.”  J. I. Packer

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 15:26-27; Level 2: John 15:18-27

Anchored to the Rock: No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks. Ambrose

Wit's End Corner

WIT'S END CORNER

This is a devotional I shared in 2006. I think it is very appropriate for many of us right now:

Yesterday I shared with you what the Lord had given me in the morning, the promise that "My grace IS sufficient." The turned out to be another day of testing and challenges. At one point during the day I felt like I had really reached the limit of what I could handle. It was like I was at my wit's end. It was in the still small whisper that God spoke to my heart and reminded me that His grace IS sufficient.

This morning in my time with the Lord, the phrase "WIT'S END" showed up. How timely! God knows what we need when we need it. Oswald Chambers said today, "When you come to your wit's end and feel inclined to panic -- don't! Stand true to God and He will bring out HIS truth in a way that will make your life and expression of worship."

David in Psalm 107:28 said: "They were at their wits end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress." Psalm 107:27-28. I was reminded of a poem that I read in STREAMS IN THE DESERT ...

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner,"

  Christian, with troubled brow?

Are you thinking of what is before you,

  And all you are bearing now?

Does all the world seem against you,

  And you in the battle alone?

Remember -- at "Wit's End Corner"

  Is just where God's power is shown.

Are you standing at "Wits End Corner,'

  Blinded with wearying pain,

Feeling you cannot endure it,

  You cannot bear the strain,

Bruised through the constant suffering,

  Dizzy and dazed, and numb?

Remember at "Wit's End Corner"

  Is where Jesus loves to come.

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner"

  You work before you spread,

All lying begun, unfinished, 

  And pressing on heart and head.

Longing for strength to do it,

  Stretching out trembling hands?

Remember at "Wit's End Corner"

  The Burden-Bearer stands.

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner"?

  Then you're just in the very spot

To learn the wondrous resources

  Of Him who fails you not:

No doubt to a brighter pathway

  Your footsteps will soon be moved,

But only at "Wit's End Corner"

Is the "God who is able" proved.

Well my friend, are you at Wit's End Corner? I’ve been there several times lates. And God has always met me at my point of need! His grace WAS sufficient, it will be ... and it is!!! Rejoice in that promise today. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Acts 7-8; Psalm 119:81-88; Proverbs 18

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 15:26-17; Level 2: John 15:9-17

Anchored to the Rock:  Prayer is power when pardoned people pray. Melva Wickman

Personal Sin

PERSONAL SIN

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me. And lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

“I can never be a true disciple of Jesus Christ until I adequately despise sin. It is not enough for me to abandon sin; I must loathe it. God refers to sin in terms of beastliness, the stubborn horse, the wily snake, the mud-loving pig. That is not accidental. The beast does what is natural to it; his behavior is instinctive, and it is not redeemable. The beastliness of sin represents sin in its farthest distance from God, not merely that which is different from God, but that which is opposite.

My true feeling about sin is never reflected about sin in general; it is always about sin in me. God never redeems abstractions or principles; He redeems people. Until I can loathe the sin that I commit, the “darling sin” as George Whitfield once called it, I will never understand God’s attitude toward my sin and His undying determination to redeem me from it.

My true attitude toward a specific sin seldom is formed before I commit it; that occurs afterward. It is difficult to see sin in its true light, when it approaches me to tempt me. Then sin may appear as ‘good’ to the taste, a ‘delight to the eyes,’ and ‘desirable to make one wise’ (Genesis 3:6). But once it has done its work, I see it viciousness, I feel defiled, I mourn my actions, and I turn to God in pitiful humiliation for His cleansing power.

To be a true disciple of Christ I must see the beastliness of sin before it works its devastation upon me. I must hate it everlastingly. I must never lose my grip on the fact that is was my very own sin that drove Jesus to tears, to loud outcries, to moaning and groaning, and to the bloody nails. When I feel this way about my sin, I will understand Isaiah’s ‘Woe is me’ (Isaiah 6:5) and what it means to be cleansed with a coal from the altar. From Daily with the King – Moody Press

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Acts 4-6; Psalm 119:73-80; Proverbs 17

Compass Pointers: “Many there are who, at first, fail in the full apprehension of the utter ruin of nature, as looked at in God’s presence, though their hearts have been attracted by the grace of God, and their consciences tranquilized, in some degree, by the application of the blood of Christ.  Hence, as they get on in their lives, they begin to make deeper discoveries of the evil within, and, being deficient in their apprehensions of God’s grace, and the extent and efficacy of the sacrifice of Christ, they immediately raise a question as to their being children of God at all.  Thus, they are taken off Christ and thrown on themselves, and then they either take upon themselves ordinances in order to keep up their tone of devotion, or else fall into thorough worldliness and carnality.  These are disastrous consequences and all the result of not having ‘the heart established in grace’.” C H Mackintosh

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1:John 15:26-17; Level 2: John 15:9-17

Anchored to the Rock: When I pray, coincidences happen. William Temple

The Leisure Hours

THE LEISURE HOURS

It is in the leisure hours, when we are free from constraint and observation, that we are more apt to reveal what is truly important to us. In the spiritual life this is true as well. When extended periods of relaxation occur, and we are free to do exactly as we wish, we may find that Bible study and fellowship with God in prayer do not come so naturally. And so the time of leisure becomes a test of character, the proof as to whether one could say with Job, "I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread." (Job 23:12). The abrupt relaxation of regular habits and the subtle thought that we are at liberty to do as we please, sets many a person back in his Christian life.

The progress of months may be lost by the neglect of your quiet time in the course of one week. We do not know at what hour the thief may come.

The spirit of the morning watch means constant vigilance all day and every day. Just as we need during the leisure hours to eat regular meals and breathe fresh air, so we need to daily eat the bread of life and breathe the air of heaven. The morning devotional hour is not only a duty but an unspeakable privilege and pleasure. Fellowship with God, abiding in Christ, loving His Word and meditating on it throughout the day is life and strength to the Christian, health and gladness to the new nature.

God has created us and redeemed us so that through us He may -- as the sun illuminates the world -- shine His light and life and love upon the people around us. In order to do this, we need to be in daily communication with the fountain of light.

THESE WORDS WERE WRITTEN OVER 100 years ago by the famous preacher, Andrew Murray.  Good words to ponder on this Wednesday. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Acts 1-3; Psalm 119:65-72; Proverbs 16

Compass Pointers: “Is not such a soul most obedient to God in all things by this faith?  What commandment is there that such obedience has not completely fulfilled? What more complete fulfillment is there than obedience in all things?  This obedience, however, is not rendered by works, but by faith alone.  On the other hand, what greater rebellion against God, what greater wickedness, what greater contempt for God is there than not believing His promise?  For what is this but to make God a liar or to doubt that he is truthful? –that is to ascribe truthfulness to one’s self but lying and vanity to God? Martin Luther, On Christian Liberty

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1:John 15:26-17; Level 2: John 15:9-17

Anchored to the Rock: Prayers have no boundaries. They can leap miles and continents and be translated instantly into any language. Billy Graham

Turn to God

Turn to God

You need to take time to turn to God. Do not pray only when you have set aside time to do so. The busier you are, the more you must practice turning to God. If you wait until the time is convenient, there is little doubt that you will end up spending little time with God.

Try to come before God in the morning and the evening. Pray during and between all your other jobs as much as you can. You cannot retire too much from the mindless chatter of the world. Learn to steal this time in little snatches, and you will find these moments the most precious part of your day.

You don’t need much time to tell God that you love Him! Lift your heart to Him. Worship Him in the depths of your spirit. Offer Him what you do and what you suffer, Tell God the most important things that occur to you; tell Him what stands out to you as you read the Bible. Cling to your dearest Friend; live in Him with unbounded trust; speak to Him out of a heart filled with love.

As you learn to continually turn your spirit toward the loving presence of God within you, you will find yourself strengthened to do what is required of you. Here is the kingdom of God coming to life within. These times of inward retirement are the only solution for your quick temper, critical nature, and impatience. Turning to God will help you, but you will need to do it frequently.

As God draws you to Himself, follow Him with complete trust. Love Him as you would wish to be loved. Does this sound extravagant? It is not giving Him too much. As He shows you new ways to love Him, then do so.

Speak and act without too much planning and self-examination. Set your eyes on God and you will feel less of a need to please others. The wonderful thing is that you may end up pleasing them more. From THE SEEKING HEART – by Fenelon  published by Seed Sowers

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Luke 24; John 20-21; Psalm 119:57-64; Proverbs 15

Compass Pointers: Our hearts beat excitedly over stories of people like Abraham and Moses, yet we fail to recognize that they were as frail and nervous as we are. We stand in awe of Moses at the burning bush: Now there is a bush that burns, we say. I would like to be a bush like that, but I'm just a heap of ashes. And that's as far as we get. We discuss the phenomenon of what God can do in a life, tell amazing stories about it, praise it - but then resign ourselves to being nothing more than what we think we are, a mere bystander, resigned to sitting in the balcony among the spectators. But it is not the bush that sustains the flame. It is God in the bush, and so, any old bush will do! Tim Hansel

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1:John 15:26-17; Level 2: John 15:9-17

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer will change your circumstances or prayer will change you.

Mornings with Brother Lawrence

Mornings with Brother Lawrence 

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Gal 1:10 (ESV) 

You doing good things when suddenly one day you ask yourself, “So why am I getting the short end of the stick then?” Well…okay…maybe not you, but I have been asking myself that question. I’ve have recently come to the conclusion that my servant’s heart is in desperate need of routine maintenance. So I have been spending my mornings with Brother Lawrence, well actually I am reading “The Practice of the Presence of God.” 

Nicolas Herman has his revelation of the power of God at the age of eighteen and becomes this lowly kitchen worker known as Brother Lawrence. 

A simple prayer he shares goes…

“Lord of all pots and pans and things

  Make me a saint by getting meals

  And washing up the plates!”

I have spent the better part of the last five years trying to climb up the servant’s ladder only to have read this and felt that maybe the lower rungs are where it’s at. Here I have been digging into things like Systematic Theology for a better understanding of my journey with God and this guy could have cared less about it. 

A convicting little diddy he said was, “That we ought to quicken-i.e., to enliven-our faith. That it was lamentable we had so little; and that instead of taking faith for the rule of their conduct, men amused themselves with trivial devotions, which changed daily.” WOW…I wonder if he got Freedom Fighters when he made that statement? Hmmm…All kidding aside it blows me away that Brother Lawrence was pleased with cleaning up straw from the ground for the love of God. 

I was recently prompted to “Go out into all the world” with a ministry team named  “M-28” on a Saturday morning in Atlantic City. (side-note here…I am not a fan of this city at all) This ministry provides a morning of hot coffee, sandwiches, fruit, clothes and the very Word of God. Brothers Dario and Jak gave a simple message on how the love of Jesus Christ can be bestowed upon them and that without God’s grace they, themselves, would still be of the world. As Brother Dario puts it he would still be, “rippin’ and runnin.” For me it was like having a Brother Lawrence moment. I was content in just cleaning up after people who didn’t have much to live on. Pass out pairs of gloves and socks…just asking simple questions like, “How are you doing?” What can I get you?” 

When the book gets to the “Second Conversation” I get the impression that Brother Lawrence may have looked forward to being chastened. He expected to have his turn of pain and suffering, knowing full well that God WOULD NOT FAIL giving him the strength to bear it. After my time with M-28 (based on Matthew 28) things for me would come to same conclusions. Had a major household repair that needed to be done no sooner than me getting back from my time in Atlantic City. I just reflected back on man who was lame and simply loved God in it. He got the short end of the stick and expected it…I had my moments where I grumbled over it. I need to be grateful that I get any end of the stick. Hope you feel the same way. – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and regular Freedom Fighter Contributor 

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 28; Mark 16; Psalm 119:49-56; Proverbs 14

Compass Pointers: “O my God, since Thou art with me, and I must now, in obedience to Thy commands, apply my mind to these outward things, I beseech Thee to grant me the grace to continue in Thy presence; and to this end do Thou prosper me with Thy assistance, receive all my works, and possess all my affections.”                                                                                                              Brother Lawrence

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1:John 15:26-17; Level 2: John 15:9-17

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is a powerful thing, for God has bound and tied Himself thereto. Martin Luther

Be Still on this 11 11 11

Be Still on this 11 11 11

Most men have trouble being still. Most of us are fixers and doers, and that makes it even harder to be still in order to listen.

Sing-songwriter, Ken Medema, who has been blind since birth, wrote these words:

Teach me to stop and listen,
Teach me to center down,
Teach me the use of silence,
Teach me where peace is found.

Teach me to hear YOUR calling,
Teach me to search Your Word.
Teach me to hear in silence,
Things I have never heard.

Teach me to be collected,
Teach me to be in tune,
Teach me to be directed,
Silence will end soon.

Then when it’s time for moving,
Grant that I might bring,
To every day and moment,
Peace from a silent spring.

Can you be still enough to allow God to speak to your heart? Maybe David struggled just like me and you. Maybe that is why he wrote: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Take some time today to quiet yourself before the Lord. Allow Him to teach you. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: John 14-17; Psalm 119:25-32; Proverbs 11

Compass Pointers: Meditation has a digesting power and turns special truth into nourishment.

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

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is the mightiest of all weapons that created natures can wield. Martin Luther

Gossip

Gossip

A woman repeated a little bit of gossip about a neighbor, and within a short period of time the whole town knew the story. The person it concerned was hurt deeply and was very unhappy.

Then one day the lady responsible for the rumor learned it was completely untrue. She was very sorry and went to a wise old sage to find out what she could do to repair the damage.

After listening to the problem, he said, “Go to the marketplace, purchase a fowl, and have it killed. Then on your way home, pluck its feathers out one by one and drop them along the path.

Although surprised by this unusual advice, the woman did as she was told. The next day she returned and informed the man she had done as he instructed. “Now go and collect all those feathers and bring them back to me,” he said.

The lady followed the same path, but to her dismay the wind had blown all the feathers away. After searching all day long, she returned with only two or three in her hand – all that could be found.

“You see,” said the old gentleman, “it’s easy to drop them, but impossible to bring them all back. So it is with gossip. It doesn’t take much to spread a false rumor, but you can never completely undo the wrong.”

Solomon said, “The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.” Proverbs 12:12-14

Guys – we tend to think only women gossip. Well guess what – we are as guilty. If you are not sure if you should share something, look at the little chart on the right. Purpose not to be a gossip. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Luke 22; John 13; Psalm 119:17-24; Proverbs 10

Compass Pointers: Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you! Spanish Proverb

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

Anchored to the Rock: When a man makes an alliance with the Almighty, giants look like grasshoppers. Vance Havner

A Tongue That Lies

A Tongue That Lies

Here are six things that God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family. – Proverb s 6:16-19 (The Message)

I am not real proud of this story, but illustrates the danger of a lying tongue. Our family was traveling with Jan’s sister and her family to Florida. We were looking for a cheap motel and came upon one that said “kids stay free!” We had four and Jan’s sister had 2!

We registered and the clerk asked how many kids we had under the age of 12. I am embarrassed to tell you that I said four. We checked in and were getting ready for dinner. I was having my quiet time and the Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder and said, “You lied!” Yikes.

I went to the desk and asked to see the clerk. I told her that I was embarrassed to tell her that I had not been truthful about the age of our kids and that I wanted to make it right by paying the right amount.

She never missed a beat and said, “We know. We watched your kids on the video camera all get out of the car and go to the room. It happens all the time.” I asked for her forgiveness and said, “Please let me make it right.”

Her response stunned me. “Sir, you just did. You told the truth and you can now put your head on the pillow because you told the truth. Your kids can stay free.”

When was the last time you told a lie? Maybe in your mind it was a “white lie?” Exaggeration of the facts? Did you ever sing a lie? Think about words that you have sung that were really lies?

God has hated lies ever since the Garden of Eden. His position has never changed. Proverbs says much about our words. A lie is the opposite of the truth. Freedom Fighter men are men who can be trusted because they tell the truth. Someone once said, The man who tells the truth is always at ease!”

Let’s purpose to be men who always tell the truth! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 26; Mark 14; Psalm 119:9-16; Proverbs 9

Compass Pointers: Every parcel of truth is precious as filings of gold; we must either live with it or die with it.

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

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is striking the winning blow … service is gathering up the results. S. D. Gordon

Don't Look at Me Like That

Don’t Look at Me Like That

Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, and troublemaker in the family. Proverbs 6:16-19 (The Message) (Link to ESV)

Maybe I am more in tune with my eyes because I have had to have several laser surgeries. I was hoping that my issues was because of some daring stunt I did, or because I was overdoing my exercise program (not!).

No, the eye specialist burst my bubble by stating that the problem was that I am getting old and old eyes can have the issues I was experiencing. I knew that I hated that AARP card!

Proverbs is a book that has fascinated me for years. The more I read it, the more I see (no pun intended) how it weaves back and forth connecting many themes. Solomon records several insights about the eyes, but in Proverbs 6:17 tells us that GOD hates eyes that are arrogant.

Some translate the word “haughty” or “proud. You have probably heard someone say to you, and probably a Mom or Dad, “Don’t look at me like that!” I remember saying that to my kids. Are eyes are a dead give-away of what is going on in our hearts and minds.

Commentator Bruce Waltke says that these eyes “manifest a denial of the Lord’s authority and a disregard for human rights. Arrogance means self-exaltation over another person and violates the fundamentally equal honor of each individual.

We communicate much with our eyes (our look). If we are not careful we can “look down our noses” at people which shows that we are struggling with a bad case of pride!

The bottom line is that God hates that “look.” If you are struggling with eyes that are arrogant, start today by confessing it to the Lord and then with His help, ask Him to change that look in your eye so that people will see a reflection of Jesus in your eyes. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 25; Psalm 119:1-8; Proverbs 8

Compass Pointers: Your circumstances may not be what you envisioned, but they are no obstacle for God. Paul learned that God was fully capable to reveal Himself, not only in the expected places, but in that which was unexpected as well. Paul wrote, But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place (2 Cor 2:14). As you exercise your faith, as you rest, trusting in Him, do what Christ would do in your circumstances. Unbelief will flee as you become Christlike in the crisis. God will turn your setback into a setup that releases destiny. Francis Frangipane

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

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer may not get us what we want, but it will teach us to want what we need. Vance Havner

She Had Eyes in the Back of Her Head

She Had Eyes in the Back of Her Head

“Mark well that God doesn’t miss a move you make; He’s aware of every step you take. The shadow of your sin will overtake you; you’ll find yourself stumbling all over yourself in the dark. Death is the reward of an undisciplined life; your foolish decisions trap you in a dead end.” Proverbs 5:21-23 (The Message) (Online is ESV)

I swear the woman had eyes in the back of her head. She was playing the piano facing the front of the room. We were all behind her while she played. She knew when we were horsing around, not singing, paying attention. Dorothy Keenest would call us out by name. How did she know?

Isn’t that how we are with God most times? We watch something thinking no one is watching. We go someplace where we think no one will see us. We try to pull something off thinking that no one will ever know.

Somehow, like Adam and Eve and many other characters in Scripture, we forget the fact that GOD SEES EVERTHING. We buy into the lie that like Adam and Eve, we can hide and He won’t know where we are.

But my brothers, He is aware of EVERY step we take. I love how Eugene Peterson wrote it in The Message: “God doesn’t miss a move we make!”

If we can grasp that one principle, it may just make a difference in how we live our lives. The next time you find yourself in a situation where you are asking yourself the question: will anybody see me _______________ -- well, you fill in the blank. Remember GOD DOESN’T MISS A MOVE WE MAKE. That reminder might just keep you and me from screwing up so we finish well. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 24; Psalm 118; Proverbs 17

Compass Pointers: You cannot often think there is a never-sleeping eye, which reads the heart and registers our thoughts. Francis Bacon

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

Anchored to the Rock: It is necessary to draw near unto God, but it is not required of you to prolong your speech till everyone is longing to hear the word “Amen!” – C. H. Spurgeon

A Prayer About My Plank-Filled Eye

A Prayer About My Plank-Filled Eye

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck you’re your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV) (Internet link to ESV)

This is really a powerful verse. Five minutes before I started to type this, I had just made a judgment call on someone, and as I am typing this verse, the Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder and said: “Read what you are typing!” Ouch!

From his power daily book of Gospel prayers, Pastor Scotty Smith writes:

Heavenly Father, when I rubbed my irritated eyes this morning, I soon realized it was not a speck of dust but a rough-hewn board stuck there. I didn’t realize it until now, but I went to bed last night having made myself the chief prosecuting attorney in the supreme court – the judge and jury and executioner. Just because I don’t throw things or scream and yell doesn’t mean I’m not a critical person. Condescending smugness is just a synonym for “clanging cymbals” (1 Corinthians 13:1).

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copy: 732-350-1187 ext. 21

Have mercy on me, Lord Jesus. You are so forbearing, kind, and gracious. Have mercy on my, the self-righteous sinner.

My self-righteousness usually shows up not in trying to merit more of your love but in withholding your love from others. The dark irony is that the sins that offend me most in others are the very sins most pronounced in my own life – a lack of mercy, unbelief, a critical spirit – I wish those were the only ones!

Lord Jesus, as cardiologist and ophthalmologist, bring your grace and truth to bear in my heart and my eyes. I want to love as you love and see as you see. I do not want people to feel pressure to change who they are around me, nor do I want them to feel my indifference and disengagement. Teach me and lead me in the third way – the way of the gospel.

Since you do call us to help one another with our “specks of sawdust,” help me be a first responder to the life-giving rebukes of friends; a humble recipient of the feedback and reproof of those who long for my freedom; and someone who anticipates, welcomes, and acts on the daily, evenly hourly call to repentance. I pray in Jesus’ gracious name. Amen

Wow! Even as I read Scotty’s prayer, there was such conviction in my own heart about this! Thank You, Lord, for uncovering this in my life today. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 22; Mark 12; Psalm 115; Proverbs 4

Compass Pointers: The very man who has argued you down, will sometimes be found, years later, to have been influenced by what you said. (Clive Staples) C. S. Lewis

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

Anchored to the Rock:  When I get on my knees, God helps me to stand up to anything.

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I am also known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

I had one of those very embarrassing moments on Tuesday night. Some of my staff guys joined me for dinner and then we went to see the new Three Musketeer movie. (Don’t right me letters, please!)

The movie was in 3D and having seen the previews, I was excited to see the entire movie. When the movie started and we put on our 3D glasses, I was ticked because the movie was blurred. I turned to the guy next to me and asked him if he thought the movie was out of focus and he said it was a little bit.

Well I was miffed that I paid for a 3D movie that was blurred so I went to the manager and asked if digital movies ever went out of focus. He said they did and he would adjust it.

I came back to my seat and it wasn’t any better. I was really getting ticked by now and asked the guy in front of me to look through my glasses. He did and said, “You got a bad pair of glasses, man!” I looked through his and they movie was perfectly clear.

I grabbed my glasses and went out to get our glasses replaced. As I was looking at the three pairs of glasses, I realized that mine were different than the other two. The other 2 were clearly marked “3D” and mine where marked “polarized.” Then I noticed the shape of mine was different.

Now with egg on my face, I realized that my 3D glasses were still in my pocket and I had put on my sunglasses that were on my head! With the right set of glasses, everything came into focus.

Right now some things in life may seem out of focus in your life. The trials and challenges you and I face may not make the slightest amount of sense right now. Someday we will understand and see the big picture. When we put on the right glasses, what was fuzzy and unclear  will all make perfect sense. We’ll be able to see how it all worked out for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

For now – what we need to do is “fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2). – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick 

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Mark 11; John 12; Psalm 114; Proverbs 3 

Compass Pointers: That man is perfect in faith who can come to God in the utter dearth of his feelings and desires, without a glow or an inspiration, with the weight of low thoughts, failures, neglects, and wandering forgetfulness, and say to Him, "Thou art my refuge" George Macdonald

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

Anchored to the Rock: “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” Acts 4:31

Porcelain Coated Vanity

Porcelain Coated Vanity 

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.” Eccl 5:10-12 (ESV) 

Sometimes the truth can come from the simplest places. One afternoon, after all had gone home and maintenance had begun, three men were having a conversation concerning the mistreatment of a toilet repair. The toilet had been removed from it’s rightful place in order for a new wax seal to replaced. While the wax seal was being purchased, someone had decided to still make use of the toilet causing the man replacing the wax seal to become quite…annoyed. 

One of the other men stated that “Someone could be sending you a message Pablo.” In which Pablo replied with some pretty colorful words on how this person was a “low life.” He said they were the kind of person who had no life, no purpose or hope for a future…’ That is why they do this kind of stuff.” Well as the banter went back and forth a point was made on how some men are blessed with a great deal of wealth and boast in it while other men may have been blessed with a great deal but remain humble and suffer the kind of humiliation that Pablo just did this day. 

“You see it is like the rich man trying to get his camel through the eye of a needle. It’s all vanity, ya git me?” said our friend from Jamaica. Me being the other man said, “Wow did we just hit on a “Ecclesiastical Truth?” I have read about them in books, studied them in classes and listened to sermons on them but never really had the revelation of one. It was if there really was a message for the three of us that afternoon and we did receive it. That message was…It really doesn’t matter whether we have or have not if we take the wrong view of the wrong being done to us we might as well be the rich guy with a camel trying to get it through the eye of a needle.  

In Luke 18 the rich young ruler asks “The Good Teacher” what must he do to get to heaven. Jesus told him to sell everything but the young ruler did not receive this message and became vexed. When Jesus saw this He gave this message…“How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But He said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” (Luke 18:24-27 ESV)

The toilet was repaired and the three of us went our separate ways but we do realize this…that what is impossible for us to grasp, understand or even forgive is possible with God no matter what message other men may be trying to send us. Praise God that I am only the Production Supervisor. – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a regular Freedom Fighter contributor

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Luke 18:15-19:48; Psalm 113; Proverbs 2

Compass Pointers: “You can fill your head full of knowledge, but the day that you decide you are going to obey God, the knowledge will get down into your heart. You will know. Only the servants of truth can ever know the truth. Only those who obey can ever have the inward change.”  A.W. Tozer

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

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is not an argument with God to persuade Him to move things our way, but an exercise by which we are enabled by His Spirit to move ourselves His way. Leonard Ravenhill