Author: America's Keswick

The purpose of America's Keswick is to model and teach Biblical victorious living in Christ Jesus, to provide an environment in which Biblical life transformation takes place and to foster active personal involvement in the local church.

Examination Day

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EXAMINATION DAY

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties.” (Psalm 139:23)

We tend to dread exams. Some of us dreaded examination day at school. Some of us dread going to the doctor and the dentist for our yearly exams.

The Bible encourages us to take the time to examine our lives. It would be good for us to make this a daily practice in our lives as we begin each day and before we lay our heads on the pillow. The Apostle Paul exhorts us to take time before we participate in the Lord’s Table to examine ourselves. (I Corinthians 11:28).

“Let us search and examine our ways and turn back to the Lord. “(Lamentations 3:40) “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart.” (Psalm 26:2) “Behold, You desire TRUTH in my inward parts, and in the hidden part. You will make me to know wisdom. (Psalm 51:6) ” I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies. I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments. (Psalm 119:59-60)
And what should we do when we discover our inevitable failures? “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) “We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 2:1b-2) “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:19-22)

Examination is a good thing. Take some time today to examine your heart. Are you clean before Lord? He longs for you to have a clean heart! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK
Dig This Quote: That the universe was formed by a fortuitous concourse of atoms, I will no more believe than that the accidental jumbling of the alphabet would fall into a most ingenious treatise of philosophy. Jonathan Swift
Determined Digging: Level 1 —Proverbs 15:1; Level 2 — Psalm 91:5-10

Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 7-9; John 11:1-29

From a Heart of Stone

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Join us tonight at America’s KESWICK as the KESWICK CELEBRATION CHOIR PRESENTS I LOVE AMERICA — 7:00 PM in the Activity Center. Can’t attend? You can watch live from our website:www.americaskeswick.org

From A Heart of Stone

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Ezekiel 36:25-27

While living in Cozumel, Mexico I spent a good deal of time on the beaches. The beaches were covered with large grey stones full of holes and crevices. The intense sun would dry the stones out making it difficult to see the dangerous holes. One day I stumbled across this heart shaped hole filled with beautiful blue, green water. I photographed the heart thinking that it too would dry up and disappear in the heat of the day. What I later realized was that this heart was always visible. The tide would come in each day and wash away the impurities cleaning the heart out and filling it with fresh water. As the day became hotter the color of the water in the heart would turn deeper and richer making it even more pleasing than before.

This picture is tucked away in my Bible at Ezekiel 36 to remind me of the wonderful work that Jesus does in our hearts as we trust Him as our Lord. He washes away the impurities and idols of our heart. It is only because of His Holy Spirit in us that we desire to do His will. It is only because of His Spirit that we are capable of living true to His commands. As we walk with him through our daily trails, through the heat of our day we grow into a deeper, richer and more beautiful relationship with Jesus Christ.

There is great reassurance of His sufficiency in these verses. It says I will sprinkle clean water on you…, I will cleanse you…, I will give you a new heart…, a new spirit I will put within you…, He will even cause me to want to walk in His statues. Never once does it say that I must do anything. Our job is to simply allow Him to do the work in us.

Lord, Thank you for your cleansing and transforming power in my life. Create in me a clean heart, a pure heart. Lord, Scrub me clean. I ask you to help me see the trails of my day as an opportunity to grow into a deeper more beautiful relationship with you. Please give me the strength to allow you the proper place on the altar of my life bringing all glory and honor to you. — Bill Pruitt is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is now serving as a full-time Chaplain at the Colony

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 29; 2 Chronicles 7-9; John 11:1-29

Dig This Quote: Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness. This is our Lord’s will,…that our prayer and our trust be, alike, large. For if we do not trust as much as we pray, we fail in full worship to our Lord in our prayer; and also we hinder and hurt ourselves. The reason is that we do not know truly that our Lord is the ground from which our prayer springeth; nor do we know that it is given us by his grace and his love. If we knew this, it would make us trust to have of our Lord’s gifts all that we desire. For I am sure that no man asketh mercy and grace with sincerity, without mercy and grace being given to him first. Juliana of Norwich

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 11:19; Level 2: Psalm 91:1-4

Guidance From Behind

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Join us live for our Memorial Day Weekend Conference that begins tonight on the campus of America’s KESWICK. Tonight’s session will air at 7:00 PM live from our website: www.americaskeswick.org. Better yet, come and enjoy the conference meeting live at Keswick. Childcare is provided.

Guidance From Behind

“And I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains.” Isaiah 42:16

Every time the Colony men are together for a service, they always recite the benediction from Deuteronomy 31:8 — “And the Lord, He it is that doth go before you; He will be with thee, He will not forsake thee; fear not, neither be dismayed.” What a wonderful promise that God always goes BEFORE us.

But writer, Glynn Evans in his devotional, Daily with the King, reminds us that God is also at work BEHIND us giving his guidance:

I must get used to the idea that God is not just always in front of me, leading the way. He has promised to always guide me, but sometimes He guides me from behind. “Your ears will hear a word BEHIND you, ‘This the way, walk in it.'” (Isaiah 30:21) Strange guidance, from behind!

Guidance from behind means one of two things: either there is trouble ahead and I need to be forced through it; or my resolve is getting weak and God has to use a little muscle persuasion to get me moving along the road.

God has led me with more “BEHIND GUIDANCE” than with “BEFORE GUIDANCE.” When God is in front He is easily seen and I slack my trust a little. But when He is behind I have got to rely on His commands without seeing Him; therefore, I am more vulnerable to failure and mistake unless my faith is strong. My very vulnerability is the school in which God teaches my faith to be strong.

If I am trusting God, He will never let me make a wrong move. But all the same, He will allow me to suffer the anxiety of a POSSIBLE wrong move, just to keep my faith in fighting trim. That anxiety is painful, but not half as painful as reaping the results of a REAL wrong move. God carefully monitors my anxiety level and will not allow it to overflow. “I will tell the next generation that God is my God. HE will be my guide, even unto death.” Psalm 48:13-14

Brothers, I am thankful this morning for His BEFORE and BEHIND guidance. How about you? — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 28; 2 Chronicles 4-6; John 10:24-42

Dig This Quote: Most people are brought to faith in Christ not by argument for it but by exposure to it. Samuel M. Shoemaker

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 11:19; Level 2: Psalm 91:1-4

A Prodigal Positioning

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Join us this weekend at America’s KESWICK for our MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND conference with Dr. Jamie Mitchell and Dr. Phil Tuttle. For detailed information, call 732-350-1187 or check out our website: http://www.americaskeswick.org/. All general sessions will be broadcasted live right from the website.

A Prodigal Positioning

“ And when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parables. And He said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.”Mark 4:10-12 (ESV)

I have heard quite a few sermons on the Prodigal Son. I have heard them done in a style where I should take a cat-of-nine tails and practice a daily act of self mortification, then I have heard them done where we all cry at the end and sing Kumbaya. It didn’t matter who was preaching on it the idea of the prodigal has always left me saying, “That’s me, the Prodigal Son.”

But that has changed since I heard this Cuban Pastor, who preaches in Angola State Prison in Louisiana; give his message on the Prodigal. After he was done I am happy to say “That’s me, the Prodigal Son” with boldness. I wonder what Matthew Henry would have of thought of Pastor Manny Mill’s message on the Prodigal. Hmmm?

Anyway…..Matthew Henry stated that, “The parable of the prodigal son shows the nature of repentance, and the Lord’s readiness to welcome and bless all who return to him.” But to borrow what Pastor Manny has stated, “a parable is an earthly story with Heavenly intentions.” And it’s here where I re-discover the Prodigal within myself. I agree that this parable shows the nature of repentance and there is a great joy when our Heavenly Father has taken us back. Even the world around us enjoys a good coming home story doesn’t it? But does it ever reckon itself with the true nature of the homecoming at all?

I remember leaving home at seventeen and calling the road my home. I wanted to see it all and have it all but wasn’t ready for what the world demanded in return for all it was showing me. And like our beloved Prodigal, I wasted everything I had and wound up with nothing. But unlike him, who only needed one experience of wasted living, I did this act quite often. It has been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over until you get different results. Well, try being the Prodigal over and over again. You will even see the same faces from the last time you took this road and they speak of the same results occurring.

But the last time was the last time. So many people were praying that God would do a mighty work in me that when the bottom fell out the only one who gave me a hand was a man of God. And even then I wasn’t being given any quarter from anyone. And like the Prodigal I had my rehearsal speech down for those moments when I thought I would make these great amends for my wrong doing. But those words never came out of my mouth and I realized I had to stop working for my salvation and accept the forgiveness that Christ gained for me. I could not or cannot do this walk without the victory that Jesus won for me. Even if He watched me from afar and shook His head and wondered when I would finally get it, He had more faith in me coming back to Him than I did in Him ever wanting me. I have often why it took me so long to get it …that’s another Freedom Fighter for another time.

So where are you this morning my Brothers (and Sisters)? Are you trying to re-write the story of the Prodigal hoping that the answer you get will be different than the answering your getting now? Well if you are please take it from someone who has done this. The same faces are still there just as lost and the results still happen the same way. Repenting and turning around will bring some different results and those results have Heavenly intentions. Remember, Repentance is your position in the Gospel…Thank you Pastor Manny for the reminder!! SANTO!! — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 27; 2 Chronicles 1-3; John 10:1-23

Dig This Quote: “All believers must live their Christian lives in the context of an unholy world. Some face extra-ordinary temptation as they live in the midst of a flagrantly sinful atmosphere. The student in the university dormitory, or the man or woman on a military base or aboard ship must often live in an environment polluted with sensuality, wantonness, and lust. The businessman or woman is often under tremendous pressure to compromise ethical and legal standards to satisfy the greed and dishonesty of associates. Unless the Christian is prepared for such evil assaults on his mind and heart, he will have great difficulty maintaining personal holiness.” “The Pursuit of Holiness” Jerry Bridges

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 11:19; Level 2: Psalm 91:1-4

We Share 2010 — Week Four

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WeShare 2010 — Week Four

This is the last full week on our weShare2010 journey. Hard to believe, isn’t it? Next week I hope to share a few of the things I learned this month. I would be very interested in hearing what you have learned if you participated in this little journey.
Here is a quick update. So far this month Joyce and I have identified $129 that we have saved by simply “sacrificing” purchasing individual beverages like a cup of coffee, a can of soda and a bottle of water. This is a very minor sacrifice, and quite frankly I am surprised at how much money we must be spending regularly on these items.
Like it or not, sacrifice is a vital part of the Christian life. Larry Burkett talked about the scarcity of true sacrificial giving in America in his book “Your Finances and Changing Times”. He pointed out that sacrifice is an essential altitude for every Christian to develop. Denying self is a key to a deepening relationship with Christ.
This month we looked at a number of examples of sacrificial giving starting with my granddaughter and going all the way to the apostle Paul. But there is one obvious example that we have not discussed. And this is the best example we will ever have of what sacrificial giving is all about. Let me rephrase that, it is not the best example; it should be our only example of sacrificial giving.
Did you ever think of the sacrifice that Christ made in coming to earth? Sometime read Philippians 2:5-11 from the perspective of not what earth gained, but what Christ gave up to come to earth and live among us and then die on the cross for our sins. As we do this, our minds will immediately be drawn to the glorious state of what heaven is like. Revelation 21 gives us just a small glimpse of heaven.
But don’t stop there. In understanding the full sacrifice Christ made, we need to take into account the fact that Christ was not merely a resident in heaven. Christ held the position of God in all His glory in heaven. And He sacrificed that position for me.
Hebrews is a good place to get an idea of what it must be like for Christ to be God in heaven. Hebrews 1:3 says …”He (Christ) is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of his power…” In Acts 7:55 Stephen also gives us an idea of what he saw as he entered into Christ’s presence. “Stephen… saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”
Praise God, heaven is a glorious place that you and I will enjoy someday as true followers of Jesus Christ! But not only did Christ sacrifice the glory of residing in heaven to come to earth to die for my sins, He sacrificed the incomprehensible glory of being God in heaven. His love, shown through this single sacrifice is far more than we can ever imagine.
No matter what we gave up this month or may even give up in our lifetime, our sacrifice is nothing in comparison of what Christ sacrificed for me. — George Hutchison is a Board member of America’s KESWICK and an instructor for Crown Financial. Become a follower of his weekly blog visiting STEWARDSHIP INSIGHTS.
Dig This Quote: “Now therefore’, continues the apostle, ‘why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?’…God did not want to put a yoke upon the neck of those whose hearts had been set free by the gospel…He would rather exhort them to stand fast in the liberty of Christ and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage’…..How could we ever admit the thought that those whom God had received in grace He would rule by law? Impossible! “We believe, says Peter, that through the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved even as they.” Both Jews..and…Gentiles…..were now to be saved through grace. And not only were they to be saved by grace, they were to stand in grace and to grow in grace….Those Pharisees were subverting the very foundation of the Christian faith; and so are all those who seek to put believers under the law. There is no evil or error more abominable in the sight of the Lord than legalism.” C.H. MacIntosh
Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 11:19; Level 2: Psalm 91:1-4

I Want to Know You More (Part 3)

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I Want To Know You More (Part 3)

“You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.” Psalm 61:1
Today I have the honor of conducting the interment of a dear friend of America’s KESWICK who went home to be with the Lord on Friday at age 95.
Several years ago, Etta Schneider gave me one of her Bibles. You can learn much about a person by looking through their Bible. Etta’s Bible is filled with notes written throughout the text, little poems and messages scotch taped throughout the Bible, and notes written on the front and back flyleaf’s.
Etta had feet of clay just like you and me. But one thing is certain about her life — she loved the God of the Bible and she delighted in His Word. The one thing that troubled her about these latter years was that her vision loss impaired her ability to dig deeper into God’s Word.

Here is a poem that was pasted on the inside flap of her Bible:

Now, said this book unto me
Open my pages and you shall see
Jewels of wisdom and treasures fine
Gold and silver in every line
And you may claim them if you will
Open my pages and take your fill.
Open my pages and run them o’er
Take what you choose of my golden store
Be you greedy, I shall not care
All that you seize I shall gladly spare
There is never a lock on my treasure door
Come — here are my jewels — make them yours.
I have been just a book on your shelf
But I can be part of your living self
If only you’ll travel my pages thru
Then I will travel the whole world with you.
As two wines blended make better wine (not a good Keswick phrase …)
Blend your mind with these truths of mine,
I’ll make you better to talk with men,
I’ll touch with silver the lines you pen,
I’ll lead you nearer the truth you seek
I’ll strengthen you when your faith grows weak
This place on the shelf has been a prison cell
Let me come into your mind to dwell.
Make the Book live to me, O Lord!

Instill within my heart, dear Lord,

A deep desire to know Your Word;
I want to learn to hear Your voice
And always make Your will my choice.
Etta made the Book a priority in her life. This poem reflected the prayer of her life. David, the shepherd boy rose early to spend time with the Lord and in His law. It was a priority in his life. How about you? Do you have a passion to get to know Him and His Word?
Thanks, Etta, for loving God and His Word. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK
Dig This Quote: You are to follow no man further than he follows Christ. John Collins
Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 11:19; Level 2: Psalm 91:1-4
And you

I Want To Know You More (Part 2)

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I WANT TO KNOW YOU MORE (PART 2)

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, God. I thirst for God, the living God. — Psalm 42:1-2b

As I read these all familiar verses I had to chuckle! King David must not have had the same issues with deer when he penned these words. Around here the deer seem to long and pant after my roses bushes and other flowers rather than “streams of water.”

Last week my son’s mother-in-law shared something with us that really blessed our hearts. Our grandson Sam is a very sociable child. In fact, even in a restaurant setting, he will introduce his Dad and Mom to the waitress!!! Not bad for 3 years old!!!

Renee told us that Sam can be playing with his cousins or other family members, but as soon as he hears his Daddy’s car start up their drive, they are all chopped liver. Sam loves his Dad and so wants to spend time with him. Apparently Josh gets showered and then takes time to play ball with Sam, and the big thing right now is catching “bull frogs.” Josh says that Sam would spend hours with him walking around the pond if he would let him.

As I thought about what Renee shared with me, it hit me that this is how my time with God should be. I should be so excited about getting alone with Him every day that everything and everyone else is chopped liver next to spending time with Him. Like a deer, I should pant and long after Him like nothing else in this world.
But consider this as well, brothers: Here is what really should blow your mind — He longs for YOU and ME to be in His presence. And when we meet with Him, we have His undivided attention! Wow! The God of the universe wants to meet with you and me. That should cause us to want to spend more time with Him.

What are you longing for today that is more important than HIM? — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Dig This Quote: The stars are God’s fingerprints. The sun is a mere smidgen of his radiance. The moon is to remind us that he doesn’t sleep at night. The vastness of space proclaims the infinity of his wisdom, while the sand pebble indicates his thoroughness with the puniest details. The lion hints at his fearlessness, the bear at his power, the hawk at his keen insight. And yet, those possess only a tidbit of God’s omnipotence and omnipresence. Every tree points toward heaven; every bird has a song to sing; even every moment of wind goes in some direction. There is nothing chaotic about our beautiful designed world. All creation has a message to tell. It says, Listen, there is a God. There is a God! Brent D. Earles
Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 11:19; Level 2: Psalm 91:1-4

I WANT TO KNOW YOU MORE

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I WANT TO KNOW YOU MORE

“For my determined purpose is that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly] …” Philippians 3:10 — The Amplified Bible

This has been an incredible week for our family. On Monday, my wife’s sister, Jeanne, had major surgery that came as result of a cancer diagnosis at the end of December. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer and has been undergoing month’s of chemo. The surgery was done on Monday and on Thursday she received word that she is 100% cancer free. She will need to do follow-up chemo, but we are rejoicing in what God has done.

On Wednesday, after a long pregnancy due to being classified as high risk, our daughter-in-law, Jenny, gave birth to our 7th grandchild — William Henry Welte II. Will had to spend 48 hours in he NICU, but we praise the Lord that Mom and baby were released yesterday.

I love my grandkids and have enjoyed getting to know them. God has wired them each differently and they have their own little personalities. We see in them some of the characteristics of our kids, us and even their grandparents. When we are all together, it is really something — and by the end of the year there will be two more!!!

I am looking forward to getting to know Will. Because Josh and Jenny live two hours away, I will need to be more intentional and diligent in finding ways to spend time with him so that I can get to know him better.
It is the same way with my relationship with the Lord. Today is the HIS day, and unfortunately many of us wait until Sunday to take the time to get to know Him. We think that our one hour in church will help us know Him better. Robert Hayes reminds us often that our Sunday worship should be the culmination of our relationship with HIM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The more time I spend with Him, the more I get to know Him. Steve Green recorded these words many years ago, and I pray that this will be the desire of our hearts:
Just the time I feel that I’ve been caught in the mire of self.
Just the time I feel my mind’s been bought by worldly wealth.
That’s when the breeze begins to blow I know,the Spirit’s Call.
And all my worldly wanderings just melt into His Love.
Oh, I want to know You more! Deep within my soul I want to know You,
Oh, I want to know You. To feel Your Heart and know Your Mind,
looking in Your eyes stirs up within me, cries that says I want to know You
Oh, I want to know You more. Oh, I want to know You more.
When my daily deeds ordinarily lose life and song,
my heart begins to bleed, sensitivity to Him is gone.
I’ve run the race but set my own pace and face a shattered soul,
But then Gentle Arms of Jesus warm my hungering to be whole.
Oh, I want to know You more! Deep within my soul I want to know You,
Oh, I want to know You.
And I would give my final breath to know You in Your Death and Resurrection,
Oh, I want to know You more.Oh, I want to know You more.
Purpose in your heart to get to know HIM more this week. He longs to have that relationship with His kids. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK and a proud Pop-Pop
Dig This Quote: It is an act of the will to allow God to be our refuge. Otherwise we live outside of his love and protection, wondering why we feel alone and afraid. – Mary Morrison Suggs
Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 11:19; Level 2: Psalm 91:1-4

Water Cleanses You Know!

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Water Cleanses You Know!

“Then He said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master’, and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.” John 13:12-17 (The Message)

Have you ever felt like your spiritual well of Living Water gets dry? I spent quite some time riding on and drinking from the cool wave of Living Water when suddenly, and I mean suddenly, I crashed onto the beach of Dry Sand. And by “Dry Sand” I mean the abrasiveness of the world in which I live in. The demands of what I do for a living became overwhelming and I began to panic in my heart. I approach my work with a heart that will not ask those to do what I wouldn’t do myself. And the past few weeks it got put to the test…by the secular people who work around me. Trying to do for the glory of God in front of people who basically don’t care has its moments. And quite frankly my Brothers (and Sisters) my attitude was ready to be flushed down the toilet. Wrong kind of water to quench a thirst with don’t you think?

But this past Tuesday night during our study of the Tabernacle I was able to put that aside and focus on what He wanted me to focus in on. We were into a deep discussion on what the fence, the gate, the bronze alter and the bronze laver meant in terms on our approach with our walk with Jesus and what they symbolized concerning the Tabernacle itself. The whole night was about application and the fact that God does not want a half hearted anything when you approach Him to worship. There were four key points that had to be covered so we could tie the night’s discussion together and AMEN that these brothers kept that focus in a narrow band.

When you view the fence that surrounded the Tabernacle it spoke of how it was guarding God’s holiness. The Gate of the Tabernacle was wide and inviting like the open arms of Jesus. The Gate was the only way into the Tabernacle and just like Jesus the only way to enter into relationship with God the Father. The there is the two-fold ministry of the bronze alter. With it were the offerings made for atonement and offerings made for dedication. It is important to make atonement in the everyday and placing yourself on the altar for consecration. But here is where it tied it up for me…The Bronze Laver.

The bronze laver represents the ministry of reconciliation and speaks of the ministry of sanctification. The priesthoods use of the laver has two aspects of this ministry: the initial cleansing and the continual cleansing. I immediately thought of the aforementioned verse and what happened in the upper room the night that Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. He used the moment to explain what initially had to be done for them By Him and what they had to do to continually do as He had done for them for others.

I felt a lot of weight lift from me this past Tuesday night after we hit this in our study. I am privileged to cleanse myself in waters of the laver. I drove home thinking that the Living Waters that I enjoy so much in drinking of also cleanses. I really thought I was getting to a point where I would be so dry inside I would mourn but it feels like Jesus Himself has taken a five gallon bucket of water, dumped it over me and has cleansed me inside and out. This morning Brothers (and Sisters) do you need Jesus to dump water over you? He will, if you believe that His grace is sufficient…that is what I have to understand, over and over again and again and again!! — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 22; 1 Chronicles 16-18; John 7:28-53

Dig This Quote: The question is not simply, “Who can be against us?” You could answer that one. Who is against you? Disease, inflation, corruption, exhaustion. Calamities confront, and fears imprison. Were Paul’s question, “Who can be against us?” we could list our foes much easier than we could fight them. But that is not the question. The question is, IF GOD IS FOR US, who can be against us? God is for you. Your parents may have forgotten you, your teachers may have neglected you, your siblings may be ashamed of you; but within reach of your prayers is the maker of the oceans. God! Grace for the Moment Max Lucado
Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 5:12; Level 2: Psalm 86:11-13

Don’t Forget to Set the Alarm

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Don’t Forget to Set the Alarm

Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (CSB)

We’ve talked about this before, but it bears repeating, brothers, we need to be aware that there is an enemy that is always nipping at our heels. While God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life — we have an enemy that knows the end of the book and he doesn’t care about your life or mine in the same way God does. He wants to take us out.

Pastor/Author Jay Dennis in his book, The Prayer Experiment, suggests that we daily need to set our alarms just like we might do on our home security systems. In order to activate the system you need to put in the code. Pastor Jay gives suggests that we use the following code based on what biblical writer Job did to activate our spiritual alarm system: 1 12 1 18 13 – 14 15 23 – 15 14 = A L A R M N O W ON (The numbers below correspond in order — to the letters of the alphabet.)

1. Be right with God. Like Job, we should have a heart for God, a passion for God, and a reckless abandon to God. (Job 1:1)

12. Be morally pure. Like Job, we should have a pure heart that refuse to allow immoral thoughts and actions to seize us. (Job 1:1)

1. Be honest. Like Job, we should tell the truth and be transparent, striving not to be a hypocrite. (Job 1:1)

18. Be awestruck. Like Job, we should have a holy fear of God, a sense of deep reverence and awe at his power and majesty. (Job 1:1)

13. Be avoiding. Like Job, we should avoid anything that even has the appearance of evil. (Job 1:1)

14. Be responsible. Like Job, we should assume responsibility to pray for the people around us and remind them of God. (Job 1:5)

15. Be praying. Like Job, we should pray as a way of life, abiding in prayer and not just praying in emergencies. (Job 1:5)

23. Be ready. Like Job, we should prepare ourselves for Satan’s attacks. (Job 1:5)

15. Be worshipping. Like Job, we should praise God even when our world falls apart. (Job 1: 20-21)

14. Be believing anyway. Like Job, we should believe God no matter what the circumstances. (Job 1:22; 13:15)

That’s practical stuff, brothers. Have you activated your spiritual security system? Set your alarm today. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 21; 1 Chronicles 13-15; John 7:1-27

Dig This Quote: “We must be aware of the various ways sin pulls us to wrong thoughts about God, righteousness, grace, ourselves and sin itself. Only the truth of God’s word and meditation in prayer can reveal the deceitfulness of sin. Sin works against God. Sin will either deceive us into thinking God is a cruel taskmaster, or, if that will not work,will deceive us into thinking He is like a doting grandfather who really does not care what we do. Sin affects every Christian’s view of God and leads us to worship idols, figments of our own imaginations, and not the true God. Sin will deceive us concerning grace. We will either be deceived into thinking it is too good to be true, or we will buy into cheap grace and think that ethics are unimportant.” Dr. Bob Flayhart, Oak Mountain Pres. Church

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 5:12; Level 2: Psalm 86:11-13