Freedom Fighters

Acceptance of God’s Sovereign Will

2012-06-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

Acceptance of God’s Sovereign Will

“But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:23)

Have you ever prayed fervently for God to work a miracle in someone’s life, certain that He would answer and glorify Himself by healing them, only to have your prayer go seemingly unanswered? Maybe you rallied prayer support from every prayer warrior that you knew and fasted repeatedly in an effort to receive favor from God in your situation. You knew in your heart that God could do exceedingly and abundantly more than you were asking. And yet the answer was “NO.” How did you react?

Were you angry with God, disappointed, or even grieved beyond words? It’s relatively easy for us to quote Romans 8:28 and say, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” to a friend or loved one in pain. But what will you way when God says, “NO”?

King David loved God and knew how to approach Him. The psalms are filled with heartfelt dialog on behalf of himself and others. And in this instance, the life of his own child was at stake. David prayed with all that he could muster, to the point that his friends and advisors were visibly worried about the outcome. And yet God said, “NO.” Those around him feared his reaction, to the point that they were afraid to reveal the truth to him. And yet David’s acceptance of God’s sovereign will was indicative of his love for Him and faith in His character.

How about you? If it hasn’t yet occurred, there will more likely come a time in your life when God says “NO.” How will you react? Will you, like David, wash your face, comb your hair, and move on with life? Or will you stomp your feet and complain about the unfairness of life? What you do will tell you something about your own heart and how much you really trust the character and sovereignty of your Father in heaven. – Chaplain Jim Freed is the Director of Men’s Addiction Recovery Ministry at America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 2 Chronicles 30-31; Proverbs 8; John 18:1-18

Motivations: Every spending decision is a spiritual decision. J. C. Ryle

Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 6:18; Level 2: Ephesians 6:21-24

Powered Up: Prayer is the Living Word in lips of faith. E.W. Kenyon

Absence of Reverence: The Consuming Fire

2012-06-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

Exciting News: We are rolling out a brand new look for our daily Freedom Fighter e-devotional. Watch for it next week!

Absence of Reverence: The Consuming Fire

“Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.” Hebrews 12:3-6 (ESV)

Yesterday I left off with reverence for YHVH not really setting in with the recently freed Israelites and their only example of a visual, relational god was what they labored to build for the Egyptians. Can you imagine bowing down and worshipping something that looks like one of those hybrids creatures that the T.V. show “Ancient Aliens” says were around in the distant past? Let alone being in bondage and forced to build one of those things with bricks that had no straw. That would deeply effect what was going to be used to fill the God-size hole in my heart of hearts. Hmmm…maybe it did at one time, once in a while I wonder if it still does.

Anyhow…when we take a look at the 12^th chapter of Hebrews we can find ourselves taking a refreshing plunge into persevering faith as well as an Old Testament connection. Now of course we all say AMEN when the first two verses are recited anywhere along our walk, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” But it is as we continue on from there that we can connect with that moment on the mountain when Moses received The Law.

It’s right there in verses 18-19 where we read, “For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.” It is here that we are back at the mountain. The Israelites knew that Moses is up there but they grew weary of waiting for him to come down. They gather to Aaron and then comes the Golden Calf…but this isn’t going to be the case for the reader of Hebrews. On the contrary, we are going to be told that we have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem!! Truly we are being promised a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Even though Jesus was there when Moses was there on Mount Sinai, the Israelites had no clue He was there. Moses was to take them to The Promisor before they were to enter the Promised Land and they made some different choices along the way.

At this point in Hebrews Jesus has revealed Himself to all of us and he is the mediator of a new covenant. And this new covenant requires us to be a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to The Father because it is our reasonable act of worship. We are also warned not to refuse Him because this warning isn’t just coming to us on the earth; it is coming to us straight from heaven. We have to keep in mind that as the creation has gone along; The Father has revealed a little bit more to us at each step. We just have to be walking according to His will to see it.

I believe that the writer of Hebrews is strongly recommending that we do not treat the presence of YHVH as common or familiar. That happened to the Israelites when they made that Golden Calf and got stuck wandering the wilderness for thirty eight years longer than originally planned. And for the record, I don’t think we should totally blame Aaron for the Golden Calf either, remember what YHVH told Samuel about Israel getting a king? What needed to be said to the nation of Israel, on the foot of that mountain, at that time was, “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” They saw that cloud of smoke during the day but they really got to see that fire at night…wish we could, don’t you? – Chris Hughes is a contributor to our daily e-devotional blog. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

Team YOU: 2 Chronicles 28-29; Proverbs 7; John 17

Motivations: “It will require a determined heart and more than a little courage to wrench ourselves loose from the grip of our times and return to biblical ways. But it can be done. Every now and then in the past Christians have had to do it.”---A.W. Tozer

Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 6:18; Level 2: Ephesians 6:21-24

Powered Up: Helplessness united with faith produces prayer. O. Hallesby

Rhythm of Grace

2012-06-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

Rhythm of Grace

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

The family and I got to spend some of the recent Memorial Day weekend with our friends at Americas Keswick. It was a privilege to be able to applaud Bill and Jan Welte for their 15 years of dedicated service to Keswick and to rib Bill for some of the practical jokes he played on me while I had my stay at the Colony during the summer of 2003.

I was doubly blessed to have met a man named Twan-Wo. What he had lacked in sight in one aspect he made up for in our conversations. But the crux of the blessing comes in that of a book I found in the thrift store. Its title is “The Godward Gaze” by Steve McVey and it only cost me about seventy five cents. Sorry Pastor McVey…I am sure someone actually paid the cover price.

Anyway, while sitting on the porch of Victory Hall I begin to page through this book before I seriously take to reading it. I come to page nine and in bold lettering I read a sub-title called “The Rhythms of Grace”. Having read “Grace Walk” Pastor McVey now has my attention. He mentions finding the term in The Message and I make a mental note to myself that I need to get to my copy of it and see where I can find it. (side note here...I had to Google the term) It really could be what other writers have called spiritual disciplines and they are something we may not want to think we ought to do.

Quite frankly I am not a fan of the word discipline because I see it as more of a rod coming at me rather than a practice of living. But as I read some of what Pastor McVey states in this part of what is actually the books introduction he encourages us to consider spiritual disciplines as gifts from God. He continues to say these rhythms of grace can draw us into a greater awareness of God’s love for us. I now begin to wonder what my view of God’s grace really is. I wonder if the way I conduct myself before I approach God’s word and His will for me is something I feel I want to do or I ought to do.

Pastor McVey includes a very informative quote from Richard Foster, who ironically wrote this book titled “Celebration of Discipline” (Do we really celebrate discipline?) Foster warns of turning spiritual disciplines into laws and writes that law-bound disciplines breathe death. How many Bible studies have we been to when this absolute thought of practicing law-bound disciplines rears its ugly head? Foster goes on to say that we are not left to our own human devices, we have Jesus Christ to be our ever-present Teacher and Guide if we are willing to listen to the heavenly Monitor. Even McVey says to look at this concept of spiritual disciplines through the lenses of grace and not of legalism.

So after I found out where Peterson used the term “Learn the unforced rhythms of grace”, I could only hear it straight from the mouth of The Savior himself. Then I shared it with the FaceBook world and that’s where my other brother of thunder agreed that this has the tone of grace. I found it in Matthew where Jesus is encouraging us to take His yoke upon us and learn this walk from Him. I now understand why there will be a need for me to change my lenses when I continue on with my read into ‘The Godward Gaze” or whenever I do approach a spiritual discipline I need, not ought, to practice. I also think, nah, want to re-read “Grace Walk” because I really think I missed something. Just by re-reviewing the Matthew passage has made me want to re-review the word discipline…how about you? Does this sound like a rod coming at you or an easy yoke for you to wear? Chris Hughes graduated from the Colony of Mercy and is a faithful writer for our e-devotional.

Team YOU: 2 Chronicles 25-27; Proverbs 6; John 16

Motivations: If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand," or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love. Amy Carmichael

Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 6:18; Level 2: Ephesians 6:21-24

Powered Up: Patience in prayer is nothing but faith spun out. Thomas Watson

Absence of Reverence

2012-06-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

Absence of Reverence:

The Golden Calf

“And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’ ” Exodus 32:7-8 (ESV)

And then the El Shaddai said, ^“I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.” Let me tell you something, The Book of Exodus is no joke and without all the cinema license involved, I can't help to see Moses looking and acting the way Charlton Heston portrayed him in the movie "The Ten Commandments." I guess this helps me see just how livid Moses gets when he sees the Golden Calf after he comes down from the mountain, especially after the Israelites were specifically told "do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold." Can you say, “Dummies!?”

In the Cecil B. Demille movie the Israelites are shown dancing and wrapping the statue with adornments while the rest of the idolaters stuff their faces with food and drink. Considering the source I am using to illustrate this we can get the picture on just how easy it becomes to worship the creation and not the Creator. These “stiff-necked people” needed something visual so it was easier to become relational. It was about as stupid as worshipping a block of wood (see Isaiah 44:9-20). What can an inanimate object do for you when life comes at you on life’s terms?

If you said “Nothing” well then let’s raise an AMEN but if you disagree and really believe a block of wood will be there to support you, just set it on fire and see how long it lasts. Or take your "golden calf" and set it ablaze. Just a thing you should you know here, when Moses did this he took the statue after it got its cooking, ground it up and made the Israelites drink it with their water. This is a far cry from what Moses did for the Israelites right after they crossed the Red Sea. The waters of Marah (Exodus 15:22-26) were bitter but the Lord gave Moses a log and their first test of yielded obedience. Guess they forgot that moment…hmmm.

I think the part that really grabs at me is the part that Aaron plays in the making of the Golden Calf. I’ve heard discussions that Aaron went back to the camp, the Bible doesn’t say that but because it was written as “the people gathered themselves together to Aaron” I’ll just leave it at that. But there seems to be room to put some possibilities that he may have felt dealing with the mob. If we were to just leave this alone it would seem as if Aaron was quite willing to participate in the making of “gods of silver or gods of gold” but I really don’t think that this is the case. I think he had seen a vast amount of disillusioned people lost, in need of something and becoming violent. Maybe this is the side effect of one too many Manna-burgers… I can’t be sure about this but something went wrong.

I believe the reverence for YHVH had a rough time setting in for these recently freed slaves of Pharaoh. So much time spent in Egypt being labored in the building of idols for the Egyptians, what else did those Israelites know? For the time being I would like to end my thought there but ponder this if you will. When the Israelites grew weary of waiting on Moses, they had Aaron forge them a god. That was not a good idea. When you grow weary waiting on Jesus, what is it that you have forged? Is that a good idea? I’ll be back to finish this thought tomorrow. – Chris Hughes blogs regularly for our Freedom Fighter e-devotional. He graduated from the Colony of Mercy and is involved in a local church in South Jersey

Team YOU: 2 Chronicles 23-24; Proverbs 5; John 15

Motivations: I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason and intellect has intended us to forego their use.

Galileo Galilei

Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 6:18; Level 2: Ephesians 6:21-24

Powered Up: If you pray for bread and bring no basket to carry it, you prove the doubting spirit which may be the only hindrance to the gift you ask. D. L. Moody

Don't forget to dial into this month's Discovering Victory podcast with Dr. Richard Allen Farmer. You will be blessed as Dr. Farmer shares with you a message from the pulpit of America's Keswick.

Check out Discovering Victory Podcast. You'll be glad you did!

Hit Up's From Brooklyn

2012-06-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Be sure and check out the June Discovering Victory Podcast with Dr. Richard Allen Farmer. It will be a blessing to your heart and life. Share this link with a friend and get them to dial in!

Hit Up's From Brooklyn

“And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” John 19:2-5 (ESV)

Every once in a while I get these devotional texts from some guy I know who hails that his roots are in Brooklyn. I’ll text back my "AMEN" to him but he doesn't seem to want to strike up any conversation with me. I guess that’s cool, it doesn't bother me too much but sometimes it would be nice to go over the points he makes in his texts and expand on them. So with that said, I am going to do something that I have done with some of my past Freedom Fighters...I'm gonna share someone else’s words, maybe expand a few of these thoughts and pepper this with a few comments of my own. He will remain nameless but I hope he is reading this.

He starts the devotional with…”If hard work is the formula for prosperity, then everyone who works hard should be prosperous. (my comment- Not that this was ever a promise, brother!) But this is certainly not the case. Many people who work very hard are still poor. I am not advocating laziness. What I am saying is that working hard by the sweat of your brow is not how God's prosperity comes. In fact, if you have to work overtime all the time and are stressed out, you are probably operating under the curse. (my comment-Kinda thought we were anyway, however if we are in need of finance and have prayed that God provide, overtime might be HIS provision, just sayin’)

What curse is that? It is this curse “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”(Genesis 3:19 ESV) And it refers to the stress, struggle and anxieties that come with working hard and yet producing little. (my comment-I hope this doesn't include Kingdom work?) Now, work itself is not a curse since God gave Adam work before the fall---Adam was to tend to the Garden of Eden. It was only after he sinned that the land was cursed and it brought forth thorns, and man had to toil to eat of it, “cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.” (Genesis 3:17b-18 ESV)

But praise God, Jesus wore the thorns on His head to show you that He has borne this curse for you and redeemed you from it. (my comment-I can say AMEN to this point, can you?) He wore the crown of thorns so that you can work stress-free and yet have the results. (my comment-And have a right position with The Father.) You don't have to be worried and stressed out day and night like the people of the world just to get ahead in life. Your heavenly father can get you there without the worries and stress. (my comment- Never doubt this promise, brother! ^“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. -Matthew 6:31-33 ESV)

Beloved, every curse that was supposed to fall on your head fell on Jesus' head, typified by the crown of thorns. He wore the crown of thorns for and took your curse so that you can wear the crown of glory and take His righteousness, and all the benefits of that righteousness! (my comment-All the more reason that the world needs Jesus Christ in their lives!! AMEN?)

Today, don't labor and toil like the people of the world. Instead, expect to see the blessings of God come into your life without blood, sweat and tears because Jesus wore the crown of thorns for you!” (my comment-I hope you allow this to be a thought for this day. And a big THANX to some guy I know who hails that his roots are in Brooklyn.) – Chris Hughes is a regular Freedom Fighter contributor and a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

Team YOU: 2 Chronicles 21-22; Proverbs 4; John 14

Motivations: There is only one life that wins, and that is the life of Jesus Christ. Every man may have that life; every man may live that life---Charles Trumbull

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 1:6; Level 2: Philippians 1:1-11

Powered Up: Patience in prayer is nothing but faith spun out. Thomas Watson

We’re Landing with the final three lessons:

2012-06-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

We’re Landing with the final three lessons:

I trust you have benefited from my lessons – I am still learning – and may add to the list at a future point – but here are the last three:

15. Don’t be afraid of an examined life. I don’t know about you – but I have this reoccurring dream that I am at the end of the semester in High School and there is a class that I didn’t attend all year, and know it doesn’t look like I am going to graduate. In my dream I am frantically running around trying to figure out how to fix this problem.

For many of us, that is how we have lived life. We have spent years trying to “fix” life rather than allow Christ to BE our life. We fear condemnation and judgment, while He longs for us to know that there is no condemnation for us who are IN CHRIST. (Romans 8:1).

Because we fear His condemnation and wrath – examination scares the snot out of us. Praise God that when He took our place on the Cross, He took the wrath that you and I should have received. What we got was the great exchange – He took my sin and He gave me HIS righteousness.

Having said that, it is good for us to keep short accounts. It is good to have people in our lives that will hold our feet to the fire so that we will not be a casualty. We need to pray that God will put into our life a Nathan that won’t be afraid to ask the hard questions. I know dozens of men who wished that they had done that. Today they might still be in ministry. Accountability and examination go hand in hand.

16. Purpose in your heart to finish well. I read a verse yesterday that I don’t think I ever saw before. Dumb thing to say because I am sure I have read it during my read through the Bible. I guess it just jumped off the page yesterday:

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me —the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24

Wow. Isn’t that powerful? I want to burn that verse in the hard drive of my mind – I want to finish the race and complete the task that the Lord has given me to do! All of the previous lessons shared help me to get to this one! Is your desire to finish well?

17. Don’t sweat the small stuff. In light of eternity, does “it” really matter? Sometimes we just have to step back and ask ourselves “in light of eternity, does it really matter?” Some of the junk we get hung up on, that spins us out of control, that robs of our joy – is really just that – junk that we should just let go.

When my kids were young I would never let them drink out of my soda bottle. I hated “backwash!” Yuck! My grandkids have grabbed my heart. They all drink out of my soda bottle and backwash and they get away with it. It drives my KIDS crazy! “Dad, would have never let us do that!”

Yep! You’re right. I learned that it was just small stuff – I can be free to really enjoy life when I don’t let the small stuff rob me of today! Don’t let the junk eat your lunch. Ask yourself the question – “In light of eternity does _______ really matter.

Thanks for letting me share these lessons. I have some cool devotionals from Chris Hughes for next week, and then I will give you some of the lessons you have sent to me. I love having you on this journey with me. Your feedback is important. So every once in a while, please throw me a bone! Have a great weekend. – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 2 Chronicles 15-16; Proverbs 1; John 12:27-50

Motivations: The true measure of spirituality is not how angry we become toward sinners, but how Christlike; our mission is not to see men destroyed, but redeemed.

Francis Frangipane

Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 6:18; Level 2: Ephesians 6:21-24

Powered Up: Prayer projects faith on God, and God on the world. Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer moves God.—E. M. Bounds

Coming Down to the End of the Lessons Learned …

2012-05-31T00:00:00.000-04:00

Coming Down to the End of the Lessons Learned …

I shared the lesson yesterday, BUILD CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY INTO YOUR LIFE …

Here are three more points about integrity:

3. Integrity at must take place at home before it moves into the marketplace.
“I will walk in my own house with a blameless heart (a heart of integrity).” Psalm 101:2

We ought to so live our lives that we would not be afraid to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.”

-- Dr. Charles Swindoll

4. Integrity is a life-long commitment.
“Far be it from me that I should declare you right; Till I die I will not put away my integrity.” – Job 27:5

“Leaders with integrity will not only know in their hearts how they ought to live; they will steadfastly live out their convictions throughout their lives.”

-- Henry Blackaby

“Compromise … it starts small, and then builds until our integrity is completely overtaken by whatever evil we surrender to in the first place.” -- Wayne Hastings

“Our spirituality cannot be divorced from any aspect of life; it infuses and permeates all aspects of our being. Our work, our play, our sexuality, our prayers, our humor, our passion, and our aggression are all a part of our spiritual life, this being a relationship with God that allows us to find our true identity, our meaning, and our life. -- Dallas Willard

“Behavior has a price tag. If you choose to be untrue to yourself and dishonest with others, the initial cost will be a worried mind, troubled heart, and restless body. However, the final payment for the shortcuts of life can be a lot higher when caught in the web of self-destruction.” -- Richard K Biggs, Burn Brightly Without Burning Out

5. Integrity matters to God.
“God can’t stand deceivers, but oh how he relishes integrity.” – Proverbs 11:20

“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7

“Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.” – Proverbs 13:6

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” -- Proverbs 11:3

Are you building a life of character and integrity? Tomorrow we will look at an examined life. – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 2 Chronicles 13-14; Proverbs 31; John 12:1-26

Motivations: Feeling better has become more important to us than finding God.

Larry Crabb

Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 6:18; Level 2: Ephesians 6:21-24

Powered Up: The power of prayer rests in the faith that God hears it. The moment I am assured that God hears, I feel drawn to pray and to persevere in prayer. Andrew Murray

15, No 17 Lessons -- Winding Down

2012-05-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

15, N0 17 Lessons:

14. Build character and integrity into your life.

If you want to take a good look at this lesson, check out the story of Joseph in Genesis! You’ll love it. It is a great character study. Talk about a guy who knew what character and integrity was all about.

Here is some things I have gleaned about integrity:

“Integrity is completeness or soundness. You have integrity if you complete a job even when no one is looking. You have integrity if you keep your word even when no one checks up on you. You have integrity if you keep your promises. It is the absence of duplicity and is the opposite of hypocrisy. If you are a person of integrity, you will do what you say. What you declare, you will do your best to be. Integrity also includes financial accountability, personal reliability, and private purity. A person with integrity does not manipulate others. He or she is not prone to arrogance or self-praise. Integrity invites constructive and necessary criticism because it applauds accountability. It’s sound. It’s solid. It’s complete. Integrity keeps one from fearing the white light of examination or resisting the exacting demands of close scrutiny. It’s honest at all costs. Integrity is having the guts to tell the truth, even if it may hurt to do so. Integrity is having guts to be honest, even though cheating may bring about a better grade.

1. Like excellence, integrity is a moving target.

“You cannot maintain your integrity 90 percent and be a leader. It’s got to be 100 percent.” -- Executive Leadership Magazine

“One of the realities of life is that if you can’t trust a person at all points, you can’t trust him or her at any point.” -- Philip Brooks

“Integrity means being consistent in one’s behavior under every circumstance including those unguarded moments.” -- Henry Blackaby

2. Integrity begins with our own hearts.
“Surely You desire truth (integrity) in the inner self (heart), and You teach me wisdom deep within.” (Psalm 51:6)

“Our worth to God in public will always be determined by our own lives in private.” – Oswald Chambers

“If I am what I think, then the obvious conclusion is that I do what I think.” – Kenny Luck, Every Man, God’s Man

“When the mirror of truth is turned on a man, he will either face it or flee. If he chooses to flee, it’s because the reality of his life, with all its destructive behavior, seems too fearful to face head-on.” -- Kenny Luck, Every Man, God’s Man

“Integrity is about having sound, moral character. It's having your heart in the right place. It means you won't compromise your principles for any reason, including the overpayment of travel reimbursement from your employer.” -- Richard K. Biggs, Burn Brightly Without Burning Out

“A person of integrity shows no difference between who they are on the outside as opposed to what they are on the inside. They are completed and not divided.”
Wayne Hastings

I’ll share the rest tomorrow. Sorry for the delay! – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 2 Chronicles 10-12; Proverbs 30; John 11:30-57

Motivations: The three most important ingredients in Christian work are integrity, integrity, integrity. – Charles Colson

Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 6:18; Level 2: Ephesians 6:21-24

Powered Up: If you can’t pray a door open, don’t try to pray it open. – Lyell Ryder.

15, No 17 Lessons

2012-05-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

15, No 17 Lessons I Wished I Had Learned Before Turning 50

We are winding down this study, so let’s dive right in …

13. Take care of your finances. There are so many lessons that Jan and I have learned in this area. But let me talk about one big one. Tithing! Don’t shoot the messenger – it is biblical.

Someone recently said that if every believer started to tithe 10% we would be able to take care of the national debt.

Don’t get hung up on the amount – the question is are you tithing? If not, you are being disobedient. So many believe that they can avoid this clear principle from God’s Word and miss the blessing of God on their finances.

Are you daring enough, bold enough to give above and beyond what you normally give? I could tell you hundreds of stories confirming the fact that you cannot out give God. Almost every time Jan and I have felt led to give to someone/something which is a stretch, God has not only returned what we gave but often multiplied it.

I remember a time when we attended a church where they had a faith promise campaign. A friend who was unemployed took a step of faith to make a pledge above and beyond the norm. He was willing to trust God to supply the funds to fulfill that pledge.

One day he visited the local public library and they were having a used book sale. He perused the rack of books and purchased a book for under a $1.00. Weeks later, he picked up the book and when he started to read it, he came to a page where there was a crisp new hundred dollar bill. He leafed through the book and you guessed it, there was enough cash in that book to cover the faith pledge!

I believe that God wants to demonstrate to His kids that when they are obedient in the matter of tithing, He will bless us in ways that will just blow our minds. Freely give – freely receive.

Do you need to learn this lesson? Is the Holy Spirit tapping on your shoulder to take this step of faith? If so, don’t delay! Start today. Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 2 Chronicles 7-9; Proverbs 29; John 11:1-29

Motivations: Men may for a time be hearers of the gospel, men may for order's sake pray, sing, .... but if it be without joy, will not that hypocrisy in time break out? Will they not begin to be weary? Nay will they not be as ready to hear any other doctrine? Good things cannot long find entertainment in our corruptions, unless the Holy Spirit hath changed us from our old delights to conceive pleasure in these things. Richard Greenham

Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 6:18; Level 2: Ephesians 6:21-24

Powered Up: "Most men pray for power, the strength to do things. Few people pray for love, the quality to be someone."
Robert Foster

15, No 17, Things I Wished I Had Learned Before Turning 50

2012-05-28T00:00:00.000-04:00

15, No 17, Things I Wished I Had Learned Before Turning 50 (Part 6)

Thanks for dialing in with me on this new week of Freedom Fighter blogs. If you have been reading lately, I have been sharing lessons I have learned that I wished I had learned earlier in my life.

Here’s 11 & 12 …

11. Encourage more and criticize less.

Have you figured out that for some reason it is so much easier to criticize than encourage. Criticism seems to roll off our tongues so easily, while encouragement takes intentionality and thought.

For those of us who are Dads, we really need to be much more intentional about criticism and encouragement when it comes to our kids.

When coming to America’s Keswick, my spiritual Dad, Pastor Bill Raws and I had a great relationship. We met every Tuesday morning to pray and think through the ministry. For five years every time we met Pastor Bill shared all the things I was doing wrong and his frustrations with the ministry.

I would hear positive things about my ministry and the things I was doing right from others that Pastor Bill shared with. While I appreciated the encouragement from the backdoor, but it was really important for me to hear the encouragement from him. It was oxygen to my soul to know that the things I was trying to accomplish were in line with his. I still needed to hear the criticism, but hearing the encouragement made the criticism easier to handle.

Criticism will help us grow and be more effective in our leadership. But I am convinced that it would have much more of a positive impact if we coupled it with encouragement.

Be liberal and intentional with encouragement. Be cautious and balanced with criticism.

12. Become a good listener. The Scriptures remind is to be quick to hear and slow to speak. Notice how often we flip the verse. We are quick to speak and slow to listen. If you want to know if you are a good listener, listen to how many times people say to you, “You are not hearing what I have to say,” or hear the statement, “He doesn’t hear a word I am saying.”

Listening involves giving the one speaking our undivided attention. I used to pride myself on being able to multi-task. Now I understand from experience that this is not something to be proud of.

My son Zach caught on pretty quickly as a young child that I wasn’t hearing him. One day he placed his little hands on my face and said, “Dad, look at me and listen.” Ouch!

It took me a long time to understand that sometimes (most times) Jan wants me to just listen and hear her heart when she needs to vent or talk out something. We men want to FIX IT – our mates want us to just listen.

By the way – much of our prayer life is like this – we do most of the talking and very little listening!

If you have lessons like this that you have learned, please share them with me. We are winding down with this series, and after I finish my list, I will post some of the lessons you have share with me. Have a great week, men. – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 2 Chronicles 4-6; Proverbs 28; John 10:22-42

Motivations: We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts. A. W. Tozer

Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 6:18; Level 2: Ephesians 6:21-24

Powered Up: Mark this! Make your amen strong, never doubting that God is surely listening to you. This is what amen means: that I know with certainty that this prayer has been heard by God. – Martin Luther

15, No 17 Things I Wished I Had Learned (Part 5)

2012-05-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

15, No 17 Things I Wished I Had Learned (Part 5)

Today is the official kick-off of our 2012 Summer Bible Conference Season. It's not to late to plan to visit us this weekend for our Memorial Day Weekend conference featuring Dr. Phil Tuttle and Dr. Jamie Mitchell. Remember you can watch live: www.americaskeswick.org.

Thanks for the feedback on this series of blogs … I have received some good comments from someone of you … keep responding … it’s an encouragement (whether it is positive or negative …)

Here are a couple more lessons …

9. Rest and Relax! I know that my wife Jan reads my Freedom Fighter blogs, so I can’t be covering up. She knows the real me. So if I told you that I have learned this lesson, I would be hung up the flag pole!

The bottom line is that I am a terrible “rester” and “relaxer.” My idea of relaxing and resting involves doing work at a different location! J I grew up in a home where you always had to be doing something. Sitting and doing nothing was not an option. My Mom in particular, was always on the move. I think that I inherited most of my genes from her gene pool.

My Uncle on my Dad’s side was just the opposite. His motto was “Why run when you can walk – why walk when you can sit – why sit when you can lie down.” Totally opposite perspective.

I am not proud of the fact that I am a poor rester and relaxer and I am trying to learn that DOING NOTHING is really OK! Vance Havner, a profound Bible teacher and conference speaker used to say, “If you don’t come apart, you will come a-part!

10. Find a hobby and do it. Again, many leaders struggle with thinking that this is a waste of time – but it is great therapy. I love to read, play the piano and play in the garden. Right now I am obsessed with my backyard. It is very therapeutic for me to dig, transplant and then watch things grow. It is very relaxing for me and it helps me clear my mind. I can sit at the piano and get lost for 10, 20 to 30 minutes in my music. And reading – I have books everywhere so that whenever I have a few minutes, I can pick up a book and read a couple of chapters. While the Smartphone and Ipad can be a painful necessity, I have my Kindle Apps installed on both and can read books that I have downloaded electronically. Remember: John C. Maxwell says, “Leaders are readers!”

I will try and finish the list next week and then share some new insights I have received from you. If you haven’t written – don’t procrastinate. We are all learners on this journey. Have a blessed weekend. – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 1 Chronicles 25-27; Proverbs 25; John 8:42-59

Motivations: I daresay we've heard a bit about original sin, but not nearly enough about original glory, which comes before sin and is deeper to our nature. We were crowned with glory and honour. Why does a woman long to be beautiful? Why does a man hope to... be found brave? Because we remember, if only faintly, that we were once more than we are now. John Eldridge

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:13 ; Level 2: Ephesians 6:14-21

Powered Up: Prayer is asking for rain. Faith is carrying the umbrella. Robert C. Savage

2012-05-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

15, No 17 Things I Wished I Had Learned Before Turning 50

Here’s number 8 – we may not get to number 9 … J

Take care of yourself: physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

There’s much dialog and writing today about the care for our souls. That really ties into #1 – making your quiet time a non-negotiable. If you are doing number one consistently, you are nourishing your soul and that’s a good thing.

We men do not take care of our emotions very well. Typically we don’t cry well. I read a book by a good friend many years ago and one of the chapters was “REAL MEN CRY!” We tend to think that crying makes us weak (or appear weak). But if we really want to be Jesus followers, remember that Jesus cried. There are several times in the gospels where it mentioned that Jesus cried.

Tears are ok! Besides helping out our eyes, they are the relief valve to emotions that sometimes get bottled up. I have learned so much from men who have been in our 120-day addiction program. Some of the biggest, masculine, macho men have had the tenderness of heart and have not been afraid to shed tears in front of their peers.

As men we often do anger well! How about joy and laughter? There is way too much pain and suffering in this world. We’ve forgotten how to laugh. One of my fondest memories of my grandmother is one night when I was home sick. My parents were at church and my grandmother was babysitting me. I cannot remember what prompted this, but I can remember very vividly something making her laugh and for the next hour we were both doubled over in pain laughing hysterically. When my parents came home, we couldn’t pull it together to tell them what had happened. It’s ok to cry – it’s ok to laugh.

Now comes the painful part. Taking care of ourselves physically. This hurts because it is where I am right now. I am not talking about yearly physicals and all that fun stuff. I am talking about caring for the bodies we have.

Years ago we hosted a conference for Christian Camping leaders at America’s Keswick. At the end of the conference, the President of our organization had 100+ men join hands to pray for each other. Bob had recently had a heart attack and was concerned for the rest of us. He lovingly but firmly asked as to look around the room at each other and then carefully chided us and encouraged us to take responsibility for the dealing with the “battle of the bulge.” Most of the men gathered in that circle had bellies that hung over their belts.

I have struggled with weight my entire life. Jan and I made a commitment this year to work on this area of our lives. It is tough! It is hard work! But it is worth it. We rebuke men for dabbling in addictions to alcohol, drugs, tobacco, gambling, and porn. But what about gluttony? The Bible had lots to say about that issue.

For some of us, this is a REALLY tough issue. It’s hitting below the belt (no pun intended)! But we do need to take a look at this as leaders and men of God. I will never look like Johnny Atlas at this stage in my life. But I know that in order to finish well, I have to take the painful steps of changing my lifestyle.

If you are thin – remember at the rapture (if you believe in one) there is a grand reversal – the thin will be fat and the fat will be thin! Oh I think that is wrong theology – it says we shall all be changed! J

Seriously, if you are thin, don’t look down your noses and the men who are struggling. Come alongside them and encourage them.

Ok. I have to end this for today. I trust this helps. If you are in the battle with me, let me know – I want t pray for you and encourage you. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 1 Chronicles 22-24; Proverbs 24; John 8:28-41

Motivations: There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken.

If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell. C. S. Lewis

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:13 ; Level 2: Ephesians 6:14-21

Powered Up: Prayer is more than a wish; it is the voice of faith directed to God. – Billy Graham

15, No 17 Things I Wished I Had Learned Before Turning 50 (Part 2)

2012-05-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

15, No 17 Things I Wished I Had Learned Before Turning 50 (Part 2)

Here are the next several lessons that I have learned, and in fact, I should clarify – I am still learning:

6. Choose your battles wisely. Do you remember these words? 1 TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted, [Heb. 9:27.] 3 A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up, 4 A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 A time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away, 7 A time to rend and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak, [Amos 5:13.] 8 A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. [Luke 14:26.] – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Amplified Bible)

The point I think is obvious. There is a time to speak and a time to listen. There is a time to shut up and a time to speak up. Some things are not worth quibbling over.

Our friend, Betsy Shoppy, said that God invented duct tape for parents with grown kids. If you are a parent, you understand that there are times you need to speak – but there are times when you need to shut up and pray.

I think that is true in leadership. Ask God to give you the discernment to know what battles to choose.

7. Guard your time with your family. I remember years ago a lady from our home church pulling me aside right after Jan and I were married. She said, “Learn from our mistakes.” Our church was wonderful. But there was stuff going on every night of the week, and some of the men were there for everything, and that caused them to neglect their families. She wisely said, “What will it profit a man if he serves the Lord every night at church and loses his own family.”

Several weeks ago I was placed in a quandary. We had planned a special time for our family to get together with Jan’s sister and her family. Jan’s sister has been battling cancer and her niece’s family had been in a tragic accident with Megan’s husband, Richie, dying on impact.

The week before we were to get together a prominent Christian leader died and I was asked to participate in the Memorial Service. For America’s Keswick, this would have put me in front of some very influential movers and shakers in ministry.

When the invitation came, I was in a Board meeting and shared my dilemma with the Board. It was really cool – the Board made it very plain – my responsibility was to be with my family as planned.

I made lots of mistakes in this area over the years, guys. Learn from my mistakes!

Well I said way more today than I had planned. I will address the next ones tomorrow. Thanks for listening. And several of you have written with YOUR lessons. I plan to share them next week. So if you haven’t sent yours, please share your lessons. – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 1 Chronicles 19-21; Proverbs 23; John 8:1-27

Motivations: No literature is more realistic and honest in facing harsh facts of life than the Bible. At no time is there the faintest suggestion that the life of faith exempts us from difficulties. What is promised is preservation from all the evil in them. All the water in the oceans cannot sink a ship unless it gets inside. Nor can all the trouble in the world harm us unless it gets within us. That is the promise of Psalms 121. The Lord will keep you from all evil. Eugene Peterson

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:13 ; Level 2: Ephesians 6:14-21

Powered Up: God doesn’t demand that we pray in King James English, or even with eloquence. Every feeble, stumbling prayer uttered by a believer is heard by God. Billy Graham

15, No 17 Things I Wished I Had Learned before Turning 50

2012-05-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

15, No 17 Things I Wished I Had Learned before Turning 50

Last week I was privileged to address 45 international ministry leaders serving around the world in third world countries. I was asked to talk about leadership lessons I have learned in ministry.

Since I just celebrated my 58^th birthday yesterday, I thought I would share these lessons with you …

Make your personal time with God a non-negotiable daily priority. Identify the reasons why you are NOT having a consistent quiet time. My guess is that you know the things that you need to do to make that happen.
Plan your day! My personality type has obviously changed over the years as I have continue to learn to be a leader – not their yet – have lots to learn yet. I would get NOTHING accomplished if I didn’t take time to plan my day. For me, that means doing a “brain dump” a couple of times during the week at the end of the day. Get the stuff you need to do down on paper. I am using a simple program available on IPAD which can we synched to your computer: Wunderlist. It is free and worth your looking into.
Learn to simplify your life. Simplify more not complicate it! You’ve seen the bumper sticker – “The one with the most toys wins.” I have change it – “The one with the most gadgets loses!” Think of all the gadgets we end up purchasing that are supposed to make life less complicated. Does it work? NO! For some of us, “de cluttering” needs to be on our to-do list weekly. Go through your stuff regularly and get rid of what you don’t need. It will be very helpful in simplifying your life.
Delegate as much as possible. One of my weaknesses!!! You’ve heard it said – “The only way to get the job done right is to do it yourself?” Well if you want it done YOUR way – that’s absolutely right! But if you want to set yourself on a fast-track for burnout as a leader, you better learn that you can’t do it all, and that means letting go – to the point of understanding that while you can lay out the parameters, your staff will never do it the same way you did it. And don’t be at all surprised if they end up doing it better!!!

I’ll share some more tomorrow. Trust this helps. If you have additional lessons, throw them my way. At least I will know you are reading! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 1 Chronicles 16-18; Proverbs 22; John 7:28-53

Motivations: When circumstances seem impossible, when all signs of grace in you seem at their lowest ebb, when temptation is fiercest, when love and joy and hope seem well-nigh extinguished in your heart, then rest, without feeling and without emotion, in the Father's faithfulness. C. Tryon

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:13 ; Level 2: Ephesians 6:14-21

Powered Up: We see the hypocrisy of those who profess to be praying for revival while they are doing nothing to promote it. There are many who appear to be very zealous in praying for revival while they are not doing anything at all for one … What would you think of a farmer who should pray for a crop, and not plow or sow? – Charles Finney

In Christ Alone

2012-05-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

In Christ Alone

The other day I was riding in the car and heard this song – the other “In Christ Alone.” I first heard this song when I was serving at Sandy Cove Ministries and directing the Sandy Cove Choraliers. I fell in love with the lyrics and tune and had our brass director, Jeff Vogan, do the solo. It is a power song and I trust the words will help set the tone for this new week.

The words and music are written by Brian Littrell, who is the lead singer for the BackStreet Boys:

In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself in battles won
For I’ve been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone I’ll overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes like diamonds in my hands
But those trophies could not equal to the grace by which I stand

Chorus:
In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope

Is Christ alone!

In Christ alone do I glory
For only by His grace I am redeemed
For only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness to my need
And now I seek no greater honor in just to know Him more
And to count my gains but losses to the glory of my Lord

Chorus:
In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope!

I pray it will be true of you and me today – May your source of strength, your source of hope be IN CHRIST ALONE! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 1 Chronicles 13-15; Proverbs 21; John 7:1-27

Motivations: It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad. C. S. Lewis

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:18 ; Level 2: Ephesians 6:21-24

Powered Up: When the Lord is to lead a soul to great faith he leaves his prayers unheard! – Andrew Murray

The Five-Fingered Prayer

2012-05-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

The Five-Fingered Prayer

As we bring this week to a close, I found this great little took for prayer in a resource called The Speaker’s Quote Book by Roy Zuck (Kregel):

Your THUMB is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a “sweet duty.”
The next finger is the POINTING finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct, and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
The next finger is the TALLEST finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God’s guidance.
The fourth finger is our RING finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble, or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
And lastly comes our PINKIE – the little finger, which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, “The least shall be the greatest among you.” Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

I thought that was really good. Good tool to use to strengthen our prayer life. Have a great weekend. Have I told you lately … I appreciate you being on this journey with me. God bless you, friend. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 1 Chronicles 4-6; Proverbs 18; John 6:1-21

Motivations: Learning to live by every word that comes from God was never meant to be a test of spirituality or a merit badge for maturity it's just the way Father wanted his kids to live. If you realize you're accommodating yourself to living without that, maybe now is a good time to remind yourself how involved he wants to be with you.

Wayne Jacobson

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:13 ; Level 2: Ephesians 6:14-21

Powered Up: Prayer is request. The essence of request, as distinct from compulsion, is that it may or may not be granted. And if an infinitely wise Being listens to the requests of infinite and foolish creatures, of course he will sometimes refuse them. C. S. Lewis

Grace to Help Ahead of Time

2012-05-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

GRACE TO HELP AHEAD OF TIME

“…and find grace to help in good time for every need – appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it.” (Hebrews 4:16b, Amplified)

The time – almost fifty years ago

The place – Aroostook County, Maine (bordering Canada)

The event – we were entering a three-church field that would be our first pastorate. My wife, Kathleen, and I were excited.

But – there was another event. We were also awaiting the birth of our third child. We knew what that would be like. A daughter and a son had come along just fine in their time. We could not have known but God knew. Jimmy came into this world on January 5, and suddenly our world would never be the same. Jimmy suffered anoxia in the process of being born. The doctor tried to say all the right things, but there was no comfort in what he had to say. Jimmy’s brain had been permanently damaged. He would never be like his brother and sister.

We were three weeks away from entering the ministry. Very suddenly our lives were forever changed. Jimmy would never be able to speak and express himself. He would walk – only haltingly – and then not until he was four years old. Did God have a purpose? Was there a reason?

There was no time to search for God’s grace. Life was a whirlwind of activity. Three churches, three children (one very special), cold (40 degrees below zero), snow (piling up to the cross-bars of the telephone poles) – and so little money to even buy food or heat a drafty parsonage. No, there seemed to be no time to search for God’s grace. But there it was – always sufficient and always on time. All we had to do was drink deeply of that grace and testify to its sufficiency.

Was Jimmy our cross to bear? No! He became our bridge to hurting hearts for fifty years of ministry. “Pastor,” they’d say, “you don’t know anything about trials.” And then the Lord would whisper, “Tell them about Jimmy,” and suddenly their hearts were opened to drink of that grace.

God’s grace continues to be in large supply. Thirteen years about Jimmy became a resident of Echoing Hills Village in Ohio – a Christian ministry for very special people like Jimmy.

My counsel: come often to that throne of grace. It will be appropriate and well-timed – just when you need it. Rev. John Goodhart is retired and lives in Whiting. He is a good friend of the ministry of America’s Keswick and has been one of the contributors of our Real Victory devotional

Team YOU: 1 Chronicles 1-3; Proverbs 17; John 5:25-47

Motivations: Come now, turn aside for a while from your daily employment, escape for a moment from the tumult of your thoughts. Put aside your weighty cares, let your burdensome distractions wait, free yourself for a while for God and rest awhile in him. Enter the inner chamber of your soul, shut out everything except God and that which can help you in seeking him, and when you have shut the door, seek him. Now, my soul, say to God, 'I seek your face; Lord it is your face that I seek.' Amen. Anselm

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:13 ; Level 2: Ephesians 6:14-21

Powered Up: The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer but unoffered prayer. F. B. Meyers

We Can Depend on His Word

2012-05-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

You Can Depend on His Word

Four years ago today we thought God would bring healing to our precious granddaughter through open heart surgery. But God had other plans for her healing.

After many weeks of suffering through two open heart surgeries and a cardiac arrest, God chose to heal Lindsay by giving her a new heart. If you read yesterday’s blog, God led my daughter and wife to the same passage of Scripture which they circled as God directing that Lindsay would be healed. They thought the healing would come through her surgery.

When Dr. Green laid Lindsay on the table after we all went through the process of saying goodbye to her, he told the kids that she was now with the Lord and the time of her death was 1:00 PM.

That moment, like many others, is freeze-framed in my mind. Laura standing on one end of the bed and Jan on the other. Laura looked at her Mom and said, “God’s Word was true! He healed Lindsay at 1:00 PM!”

The outcome was not what we wanted. But a powerful reminder that WE CAN DEPEND ON HIS WORD. God has blessed Laura and Jon with three children since Lindsay’s home-going. The third child was born this March – and he blessed us with a precious little girl – Sydney Lin.

Kathie Lee Gifford wrote a song that Robert and Joyce Hayes sing. These words echo what we felt during those difficult days four years ago:

The Skies growing darker as the evening draws near

Storm clouds have gathered and shadows are gone

When all hope has faded replaced now with fear

Tell me what can we depend on?

We can depend on His word- when all hope is gone

We can still depend on – We can depend on His Word.

When troubles grown deeper and the desert is dry

And our hearts are so broken – that we can’t even cry

When our faith is wounded and our joy is gone

Tell me what can we depend on?

(Bridge)

When the rain comes and the pain comes,

And we know that it will

We can still trust – He is still just the same

He still call us by name

When our faith is wounded and our joy is gone

Tell me what can we depend on?

We can depend on His word – when all hope is gone

We can still depend on – we can depend on His Word.

Team YOU: 2 Kings 24-25; Proverbs 16; John 5:1-24

Motivations: Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God.

Edwin Keith

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:13 ; Level 2: Ephesians 6:14-21

Powered Up: I am often praying for others when I should be doing things for them. It’s so much easier to pray for a bore than to go and see him. C. S. Lewis

We Can Depend on His Word

2012-05-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

We Can Depend on His Word

John 4:46-54 So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son was lying ill in Capernaum. 47 Having heard that Jesus had come back from Judea into Galilee, he went away to meet Him and began to beg Him to come down and cure his son, for he was lying at the point of death. 48 Then Jesus said to him, Unless you see signs and miracles happen, you [people] never will believe (trust, have faith) at all. 49 The king’s officer pleaded with Him, Sir, do come down at once before my little child is dead! 50 Jesus answered him, Go in peace; your son will live! And the man put his trust in what Jesus said and started home. 51 But even as he was on the road going down, his servants met him and reported, saying, Your son lives! 52 So he asked them at what time he had begun to get better. They said, Yesterday during the seventh hour (about one o’clock in the afternoon) the fever left him. 53 Then the father knew that it was at that very hour when Jesus had said to him, Your son will live. And he and his entire household believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Jesus). 54 This is the second sign (wonderwork, miracle) that Jesus performed after He had come out of Judea into Galilee. (Amplified Bible)

If you are reading through the Bible with us (passage listed every day) this is today’s passage from the gospel of John.

Four years ago on this day, my wife and daughter were sitting in CCU at Boston Children’s Hospital with a granddaughter, Lindsay. Lindsay was scheduled on May 16^th to have open heart surgery to receive a Berlin Heart (artificial) in order to live.

Jan and Laura were both reading their Bible and God directed them independently to the same passage of Scripture which is our reading for today. Both of them were blessed in their spirit because Lindsay’s surgery was scheduled for 1:00 PM the next day.

They circled that promise in their Bibles and in their hearts. What would God do? Could they depend and count on His Word? Would He be faithful to His promises?

Some of you already know the story – but I will share the outcome tomorrow. I can tell you this – YOU CAN DEPEND ON HIS WORD! – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s KESWICK

Team YOU: 2 Kings 22-23; Proverbs 15; John 4:31-54

Motivations: The Cross is the blazing fire at which the flame of our love is kindled, but we have to get near enough for its sparks to fall on us. John Scott

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:13 ; Level 2: Ephesians 6:14-21

Powered Up: Our Lord in His teaching always made prayer, not preparation for work, but THE work. Oswald Chambers

2012-05-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

GOD’S RESOURCES NEVER RUN SHORT

“God is able to make all grace abound toward you.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

When we face the daily challenges involved in a life committed to serving the Lord, they can be overwhelming. Too often we can’t see the Lord because our “problem” gets between us and Him, distorting the view.

We need to get our eyes back on the One we are serving and on what He is able to do. Ask yourself some questions:

What does Jesus actually mean to me?

Is He someone special or just some “figure” from history?

Is He really my Almighty God?

If He should ask me to suffer for His sake, is He able to take me through that experience?

Order your copy today:732-350-1187

Many Scriptures assure us that OUR GOD IS ABLE. I’ll quote parts of just a few, but you should read the complete verses. He is “ABLE TO SAVE completely all who come to God through Him” (Hebrews 7;25); “ABLE TO KEEP us from falling away” (June 24); “wonderfully ABLE TO HELP us when we suffer and are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18); “ABLE TO SAFELY GUARD all that I have given Him until the day of His return” (2 Timothy 1:12).

Now, even though GOD is able, sometimes we don’t receive what we request because WE hinder God. Our expectations are too low. We ask for small things. We don’t really expect Him to do great things, ignoring the fact that it is “HIS almighty power working in us.” So, too often we live in spiritual poverty because we are the ones who have limited God.

When God says “abundant,” what does He mean? How much is abundant? PLENTY, ENOUGH! ALL that is needed and ALL that He has promised and more to spare. His resources are unlimited.

Let’s begin to appropriate in a greater way that ever before that which the One to Whom we belong offers us. “Him who is ABLE to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20). “God is ABLE to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). Ruth D. Raws (some thoughts taken from Streams in the Desert, April 20)

Ruth D. Raws was a missionary nurse who served in Latin America. Her father Addison Raws was the son of the found of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 2 Kings 19-21; Proverbs 14; John 1:1-30

Motivations: Holiness is as indispensable for a spiritual warrior as is eyesight for a military fighter pilot.C. Peter Wagner

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:13 ; Level 2: Ephesians 6:14-21

Powered Up: It is quite useless knocking at the door of heaven for earthly comfort; it’s not the sort of comfort they supply there. C. S. Lewis

Mom

2012-05-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

MOM

Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised! Proverbs 31:30 (Amplified Bible)

Sunday is Mother’s Day and I trust that you will take the time to either visit your Mom or if nothing else, pick up the phone and call her to tell her you love her.

My Mom went to be home with Jesus a number of years ago and I sure do miss her. I think about all that she has missed. She never got to meet Zach – she would have loved him and he would have loved her.

And she never got to meet her great-grandkids. She has met our granddaughter, Lindsay. So Lindsay gets to spend Mother’s Day with my Mom.

My Mom left me a BIG spiritual legacy. She was never a famous lady from the world’s perspective – but she had a huge impact on dozens of kids that she mentored while leading the nursery of our home church for many years.

My Mom taught me the value of having a personal daily quiet time with the Lord. When we were kids, she would have daily devotions with my brother and me. She read daily from the Word and from Streams in the Desert. (Maybe that is why I have really come to love that devotional!)

My wife has been an incredible Mom to her children. I love the fact that my girls have a friendship with their Mom. It thrills me to see that, and it makes me miss my Mom even more.

And now my girls have become wonderful Moms to their kids. I am very proud of them. And my son Zach has it really good! He has an earthly Mom to love on and he has two sisters that have been good Moms. When he gets married (20 years from now!) – he will know the kind of Proverbs 31 woman to choose for his wife!

Happy Mother’s Day to my special Mom’s! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 2 Kings 13-14; Proverbs 11; John 2

Motivations: If someone annoys you, pray blessings from the bible for them and your heart will soon change to one of love. Anonymous

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:2-3; Level 2: Ephesians 5:15-21

Powered Up: The seeming inactivity of prayer on the hill proved to be a greater test of spiritual stamina than fighting in the valley. It was Moses who tired, not Joshua. J. Oswald Sanders

A Prayer For Times When I Feel Overwhelmed

2012-05-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

A Prayer For Times When I Feel Overwhelmed

When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17

I had to chuckle when I read this devotional yesterday after I wrote the blog that you read yesterday. Recognize the verses? These are the same ones that I wrote about on Wednesday. Coincidence? Hardly.

Pastor Scotty Smith penned a book of prayers centered around the gospel. They have been a blessing to read. I commend his book to you, Everday Prayers – 365 Days to a Gospel-Centered Faith (Baker Books):

Gracious Father, there are times when the “odds” feel quite stacked against us. With the naked eye, the enemies of justice, truth, and the gospel greatly seem to outnumber your “troops.” At times, serving you feels quite overwhelming, even futile, if not foolish. But just when we begin to retreat into a basement of fear or question your concern and faithfulness, once again you open the eyes of our hearts and show us the way things really are. You’re such a patient and merciful God.

It is so good—no, it’s vital to know that because of the gospel, “those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16). If our God is with us, and you patently are, then who or what can, ultimately prevail against us? On our behalf, you didn’t spare Jesus. You freely gave him for our slavery to sin. But, of course, you will keeping on giving us everything we need to serve and honor you.

But the way of the gospel will always be strength in weakness, the transforming treasure of the gospel in fragile clay pots, like us. It was three hundred poorly armed soldiers, not thirty-four thousand fighting men, you sent with Gideon to defeat the Midianite army. Jesse’s youngest son, David, a young shepherd, was your choice to be the king of Israel. Most profoundly, it was the crucifixion of Jesus, not an insurrection of zealots, which won our salvation.

Father, the odds are never really stacked against your covenant purposes and your transforming kingdom. You’re not “trying” to do anything. You never have to resort to plan B. You never hedge your bets. You are God, and there is no other.

So help us, and your servants throughout the world, not to become weary in preaching the gospel and planting churches, in doing justice and loving mercy, in loving our addicted friends and waiting for prodigal children to come home. We will reap a harvest at the proper time, if we do not give up (Gal. 6:9), and the gospel is all the motivation, hope, and power we need to not give up.

Before he returns, Jesus will redeem his pan-national bride; and when he returns, Jesus will finish making all things new—ushering in the new heaven and new earth. Our labors in the Lord are often exhausting and discouraging, but they are never ever in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). Hallelujah, several times over! So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ trustworthy and triumphant name.

I needed that today. How about you? – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 2 Kings 10-12; Proverbs 10; John 1:29-51

Motivations: Christ is the most cheap physician, he takes no fee. He desires us to bring nothing to him but broken hearts; and when he has cured us he desires us to bestow nothing on him but our love. Thomas Watson

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:2-3; Level 2: Ephesians 5:15-21

Powered Up: If God had granted all the silly prayers I’ve made in my life, where would I be know? C.S. Lewis

Lord, Open My Eyes

2012-05-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

Lord, Open My Eyes

Then Elisha prayed, Lord, I pray You, open his eyes that he may see. And the Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17

Maybe it is because I have now had to have two rounds of laser surgery – both eyes. When I went to the retina specialist, I asked him what was causing my problem. His response was not what I wanted to hear: “Your eyes have lived long enough!”

In both eyes the retina separated from the gel in my eye creating huge floaters. It wasn’t that I couldn’t see – it just clouded my vision from being really clear. Thankfully the laser surgeries were successful, and most of the floaters are gone. I can see much clearer now.

I love this story in 2 Kings 6 when Elisha is standing there with a young man who has become overwhelmed and fearful about his circumstances. From his human eyes, the battle raging all around him was so intense that there didn’t seem to be any way out.

Elisha saw life from a totally different perspective. His intense and intentional walked with the Lord helped him to see that God was at work all around him and that even when he couldn’t necessarily see EVERYTHING – He placed his trust in the one who sees ALL.

I love Elisha’s prayer – Lord, open his eyes that he may see! Not a long drawn out prayer. Not a prayer filled with tons of “Christian-ese.” Simple. Direct. Right to the point.

And God heard Elisha and answered his prayer of faith. The Lord pulled back the curtain and allowed this young man to SEE with eyes of faith that all around him were a host of horses and chariots of fire! Wow!

I find myself praying just about every day – Lord, open my eyes that I may see you at work all around me. I don’t want to miss Him at work. He’s there. He is working out His plans and purposes. Sometimes I get to see BIG picture stuff. Sometimes I get to see Him at work in little ways that I might miss because of a floater passing by – the floater of busyness or the floater of my agenda.

I keep writing these things in my journal because I don’t want to forget them. They are reminders that HE can be trusted and that HE IS ALWAYS AT WORK ALL AROUND ME.

Don’t knock it – try it first, then write me and tell me I am a whacko. Are you bold enough? Daring enough – to ask God to open your eyes to see Him at work all around you? I dare you! In fact, I double-dog dare you. – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 2 Kings 7-9; Proverbs 9; John 1:1-28

Motivations: Christ asks no preparation of any kind whatsoever, - legal or evangelical, outward, or inward, - in the coming sinner. And he that will not come as he is shall never be received at all. It is not exercised souls, nor penitent believers, nor well humbled seekers, nor earnest users of the means, nor any of the better class of Adam's sons and daughters, but "sinner", that Christ welcomes. He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Horatius Bonar

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:2-3; Level 2: Ephesians 5:15-21

Powered Up: The right relation between prayer and conduct is not that conduct is supremely important and prayer may help it, but that prayer is supremely important and conduct tests it. – William Temple

Go On

2012-05-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

GO ON

“How long are you slack to go to possess the land,

which the Lord God of your fathers hath given you?” (Joshua 18:3)

The question seems so simple that we may wonder why it would be asked. The answer seems so obvious that we may wonder why it is necessary. You will recognize the historical setting. Joshua was leading Israel to the land promised by God. The amazing work of Israel’s God in getting them to this point in history was well known to Israel. They had seen both His purpose and His power. They had witnessed His presence in the process. His provision for every step of the journey could not be questioned. Yet “there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not received their inheritance.” (Joshua 18:2)

The question is to the point. “How long are you slack…?” How is it that you can come so far and see so much and then go slack in your desire and be so distracted from your objective?

Such a situation in history shakes me to ask the same question of my pilgrimage. Is there a provision I have not possessed? Is there a victory I have not claimed? Is there a territory I have not conquered?

Am I content with less? Do I by forfeiture say to God that I simply do not care to go farther with Him? Do I simply ignore His wisdom in providing more? Have I become content with that which is less than a God-styled and God-provided life?

Do I believe that God is not able to take me further? Do I take the attitude that it would be “pushing my luck” to trust God for more?

Have I become wearied with discipline? After all, to go on with God does require the daily pursuit of His will. The successful journey does demand daily obedience. Have I lost sight of the value of such? Is personal discipline a thing not desired?

Or shall I deal today with the question of slackness in my attitude, my discipline and my devotion to the “high calling of God?” The provision is His. The choice is mine. Dr. Robert L. Alderman will be speaking again this summer at America’s Keswick. Check out our summer brochure: Summer Brochure

Team YOU: 2 Kings 4-6; Proverbs 8; Luke 24:36-53

Motivations: From the tiny birds of the air and from the fragile lilies of the field, we learn the same truth...God takes care of His own.... At just the right moment, He steps in and proves Himself as our faithful heavenly Father. Charles (Chuck) Swindoll

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:2-3; Level 2: Ephesians 5:15-21

Powered Up: The best and most wonderful thing that can happen to you in this life, is that you should be silent and let God work … -- Dag Hammarksjold

Seek God

2012-05-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

Seek God

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! PSALM 119:9–10

Recently I read a book by Pastor Joe Thorn called NOTE TO SELF – THE DISCIPLINE OF PREACHING TO YOURSELF.

It is a powerful book on helping us understand the importance of and how to preach the gospel to yourself. It is a series of notes to self, covering a variety of topics related to victorious Christian living.

We seek after so many things in life. Your list is probably different than mine, but at the heart of it, they are very similar if we are seeking after things or stuff apart from seeking after the only ONE who can give us true fulfillment in our heart of hearts.

Most of us do battle in our lives with ups and downs. For some it seems that there are more downs than ups. Could it be that we are seeking after the wrong things instead of the RIGHT ONE? Listen to the words of Pastor Joe:

Dear Self,

You tend to forget that seeking God is not only a quest for the lost, but it is also to characterize the life of the found. The whole of your life should be seen as a seeking for God. This is not, of course, seeking for that which you do not know or have. God has found you, bought you, and owns you. You have been adopted, and nothing can separate you from the love of God in Jesus. Yet your need to seek God never ends.

Seeking God means that you are continually aiming and working at knowing him more deeply, depending on him more thoroughly, and experiencing his grace more richly.

The psalmist says that his desire is to remain “pure.” He wants to live uprightly and to honor God. He knows that this means he must guard his life according to God’s Word, but he also recognizes that this is not just an act of willpower. It is the hope of God’s sustaining grace that he finds as he seeks God.

It is unfortunate that you forget your need to seek God, for though you are right that God is enough, you forget that he is only found to be enough by those who seek him. Seeking God means that in all you do, you keep his honor in your mind, his Word in your heart, and his glory as your goal—so you are seeking to actually know him and make him known.

Thorn, Joe (2011-04-05). Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself (Re:Lit) (pp. 58-59). Good News Publishers/Crossway Books. Kindle Edition.

Good for stuff for you and I to think about as we preach the gospel to ourselves. Are we seeking God today? – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 2 Kings 1-3; Proverbs 7; Luke 24:1-35

Motivations: It is one of the terrible marks of the diseased state of Christian life in these days, that there are so many who rest content without the distinct experience of answer to prayer. They pray daily, they ask many things, and trust that some of them will be heard, but know little of direct definite answer to prayer as the rule of daily life. And it is this the Father wills: He seeks daily dialogue with His children in listening to and granting their petitions. Andrew Murray

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:12; Level 2: Ephesians 6:1-13

Powered Up: How good is God to deny us mercies in mercy! William Jenkyn