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.

LIVING SIMPLY — YET FOCUSED

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LIVING SIMPLY — YET FOCUSED

Look at the birds of the air . . . . Consider the lilies of the field . . . —Matthew 6:26, 28
I have told you before that I love the writing ministry of Oswald Chambers. This one really convicted me …

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin”— they simply are! Think of the sea, the air, the sun, the stars, and the moon— all of these simply are as well— yet what a ministry and service they render on our behalf!

So often we impair God’s designed influence, which He desires to exhibit through us, because of our own conscious efforts to be consistent and useful. Jesus said there is only one way to develop and grow spiritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on God. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me.” In other words, pay attention to the Source, and out of you “will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38 ).
We cannot discover the source of our natural life through common sense and reasoning, and Jesus is teaching here that growth in our spiritual life comes not from focusing directly on it, but from concentrating on our Father in heaven. Our heavenly Father knows our circumstances, and if we will stay focused on Him, instead of our circumstances, we will grow spiritually— just as “the lilies of the field.”
The people who influence us the most are not those who detain us with their continual talk, but those who live their lives like the stars in the sky and “the lilies of the field”— simply and unaffectedly. Those are the lives that mold and shape us.
If you want to be of use to God, maintain the proper relationship with Jesus Christ by staying focused on Him, and He will make use of you every minute you live— yet you will be unaware, on the conscious level of your life, that you are being used of Him.
The question is guys, are we living simply and focused, or we filled with fear and anxiety? I want to live simply and focused! How about you? — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK
Dig This Quote: Even the pious person cannot by his own strength desire the glory of heaven as ardently as he would. Therefore the Spirit intercedes for us with ineffable groanings of which we are ourselves incapable….It is not an evil sign, but indeed the very best, if upon our petitions the very opposite happens to us. Conversely, it is not a good sign if everything is granted to us for which we pray….He so often goes counter to our petitions that we imagine He is more angry with us now than before we prayed, and that He intends not to grant us our requests at all. All this God does, because it is His way first to destroy and annihilate what is in us—our own wisdom and will—before He gives us His gifts…Only then are we qualified for His works and counsels when our own plans have been demolished and our own works are destroyed and we have become purely passive in our relation to Him. Martin Luther (on Romans 8:26)
Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 5:12; Level 2: Psalm 86:11-13

WE SHARE WEEK 3

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WE SHARE WEEK 3

Can you believe it is week number three already on our weShare2010 Journey? After 16 days, I have identified $89 that Joyce and I could have spent on individual beverages this month. That is a lot of money.
Did you know if you can come up with $89 a month and invest it at 6% return, in 50 years you will have over 1/3 of a million dollars? Can you imagine how much impact $333,000 would have on fulfilling the Great Commission in Africa (or even in the United Sates)?
This impact would be the result of a simple sacrifice like giving up purchased beverages. Here is a link to a little calculator from Crown Financial Ministries to help you see how much can be accumulated by consistently saving a little over a long period of time. I always liked the way The Living Bible translated Proverbs 21:5 “Steady plodding brings prosperity”. Isn’t it amazing how practical the Bible is for our everyday life?
I would like to share one of the greatest examples of sacrificial giving I believe that I was privileged to witness. About seven years ago, Pastor Keith led our church through a campaign to pay off our church mortgage. Very simply the message was that $12,000 each month would be more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission by supporting missionaries than it was being sent to a local bank. The church agreed. The multi-year campaign included teaching on tithing, sharing from abundance and then the focus moved to sacrificial giving. The culmination of the campaign was Sacrificial Sunday.
On Sacrificial Sunday I was counting offering. It was an exciting time to be on the Finance Committee. My specific job that Sunday was to count the cash. There was a lot of cash. To be more specific, there was a huge pile of cash. But in the cash pile I came upon a plain white envelope full of $10 and $20 dollar bills. Not just a few, there were a lot of ten and twenty dollar bills in that envelope. I thought this was odd; if someone wanted to put a cash donation in the offering, they would of withdrawn a few $100 bills and stuck them in the offering or in the envelope, but why all the $10 and $20 bills?
I then looked on the front of the envelope and saw the words “Vacation Fund”. I don’t know who put that envelope in the offering that day, nor do I know the story behind it. But it appears someone in our church realized getting the mortgage paid off and getting more missionaries in the field was worth sacrificing their vacation that year. That is sacrificial giving!
In our Sunday School class last Sunday we talked about the disciples, Paul and Mary and how they sacrificed their life plans and goals to follow Christ. It reminded me how small my sacrifice of a few soft drinks and coffees is compared to what they gave up. There are many other examples of sacrificial giving in the Bible. I would still love to hear your thoughts on the greatest example of sacrificial giving in the Bible. — George Hutchison serves on the Board of America’s KESWICK and writes our weekly blog, STEWARDSHIP INSIGHTS. He is also an instructor with Crown Financial
Dig This Quote: Christ is in all His redeemed, as the soul of their soul, the life of their life. He is the pitying heart and the helping hand of God with every needy, praying spirit in the world. He is the sweet light of the knowledge of God that breaks in upon every penitent heart. He is not only with those who believe in Him and love Him, but also with those who neither believe in Him nor love Him, that He may be to them also Jesus their Saviour. The Christ of God is in thy heart, waiting and aiming to get the consent of thy will, that He may save thee. Wherever man is, there also is Christ, endeavoring to free him from the law of sin and death, by becoming Himself the law of the spirit of his life. John Pulsford
Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 5:12; Level 2: Psalm 86:11-13

PRESSURE

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PRESSURE

We were under great pressure … so that we despaired even of life … But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

Last Tuesday night we had our first Piano Extravaganza concert at America’s KESWICK. Five grand pianos on the stage in our Activity Center. Our own Robert Hayes joined me, Carolyn Hibbard, Jeff Duffield and Michael Faircloth in a spectacular evening of music. The concert was recorded on a 2 set CD which you can order by responding to this email. The cost is $20.
Our piano tuner gave me some trivia right before the concert: 5 pianos = 440 keys; 1000 piano strings and 100,000 tons of tension! Wow! And on top of that, all of us felt the pressure of performing in front of 1000 people!
Life is filled with pressure and difficulty and sometimes it can be overwhelming. Listen to these words from STREAMS IN THE DESERT:
The pressure of difficult times makes us value life. Every time our life is spared and given back to us after a trial, it is like a new beginning. We better understand its value and thereby apply ourselves more effectively for God and humankind. And the pressure we endure helps us to understand the trials of others, equipping us to help them and to sympathize with them.
Some people have a shallowness about them. With their superficial nature, they lightly take hold of a theory or a promise and then carelessly tell of their distrust of those who retreat from every trial. Yet a man or woman who has experienced great suffering will never do this. They are very tender and gentle, and understand what suffering really means. This is what Paul meant when he said, “Death is at work in us.”

Trials and difficult times are needed to press us forward. They work in the way the fire in the hold of a mighty steamship provides energy that moves the pistons, turns the engine, and propels the great vessel across the sea, even when facing the wind and the waves.

Pressed beyond measure; yes, pressed to great length;
Pressed so intensely, beyond my own strength.
Pressed in my body and pressed in my soul,
Pressed in my mind till the dark surges roll.
Pressure from foes and pressure from friends.
Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends.
Pressed into knowing no helper but God;
Pressed into loving His staff and His rod.
Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;
Pressed into faith for impossible things.
Pressed into living my life for the Lord,
Pressed into living a Christ-life out poured.
Are you feeling the weight of the pressure of the difficulties of life? Press into Him and allow Him to pour His life in and through you today. — Bill Welte is President and CEO
Dig This Quote: All our promises and resolutions end in denial because we have no power to accomplish them. When we come to the end of ourselves, not just mentally but completely, we are able to “receive the Holy Spirit.” There is now only One who directs the course of your life, the Lord Jesus Christ. – Oswald Chambers
Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 5:12; Level 2: Psalm 86:11-13

MORNING PRAYER

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MORNING PRAYER

Here is a powerful prayer written by the writer Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Great way to start this new week, brothers:

O God,
Early in the morning do I cry unto Thee.
Help me to pray,
And to think of Thee only.
I cannot pray alone.

In me there is darkness,
But with Thee there is light.
I am lonely, but Thou leavest me not/
I am feeble in heart, but Thou leavest me not.
I am restless, but with Thee there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with Thee there is patience;
Thy ways are past understanding, but
Thou knowest the way for me.

O heavenly Father,
I praise and thank Thee
For the peace of the night.
I praise and thank Thee for all Thy goodness
and faithfulness throughout my life.
Thou hast granted me many blessings:
Now let me accept tribulation from Thy hand.
Thou wilt not lay on me more than I can bear.
Thou makest all things work together for good for Thy children. Amen!

How about it, brothers? This is a great prayer to start your day! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 17; 1 Chronicles 1-3; John 5:25-47

Dig This Quote: The strong hands of God twisted the crown of thorns into a crown of glory; and in such hands we are safe. Charles Williams

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

May 16th — You Can Depend on His Word

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May 16th — You Can Depend on His Word

On My 15th my daughter and wife sat in the CCU of Children’s Hospital Boston. Our granddaughter was in critical condition facing an artificial heart transplant surgery the next day.

God led Laura and Jan to the same passage of Scripture in John 4:46-53
with the hopes that maybe God would heal Lindsay like he did this man’s son. When the man inquired of Jesus when his child was healed Jesus told him it was at 1:00 PM. That was to be the time of Lindsay’s surgery! Laura and Jan hung on to this promise depending on God and His Word.

We woke early on May 16th and headed to Lindsay’s room. She was in very critical condition and the surgery was called off. The doctors told the kids that there really wasn’t anything more they could do.

Time does not permit me to tell all that God did in that cubicle on the 8th floor of Children’s Hospital in Boston. But at 1:00 PM, God gave our precious Lindsay Bear Groen her new heart! When the doctor pronounced that Lindsay was “home with Jesus,” my daughter looked at my wife and said, “God did exactly what He promised. He healed Lindsay at 1:00 PM.”

Robert, Joyce and Jordan Hayes recently recorded this song on their new CD — LIFE IS PRECIOUS. I am holding on today to these words as we think of Lindsay today, the second anniversary of her homegoing:

The skies growing darker as the evening draws near,
Store 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 grow 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 we can depend on?

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 calls 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 home is gone,
We can still depend on, we can depend on His Word!

This year the grieving has been harder than the first year. But we don’t sorrow like those who have no hope! Despite the tears, the pain, the missing of Lindsay, we are very thankful as a family that WE CAN DEPEND ON HIS WORD!

I don’t know what you are facing today, but I do know this — when all hope is gone — YOU CAN DEPEND ON HIS WORD! Lindsay Bear — Pop-pop loves you a bushel and a peck — a barrel and a heap, and I still talk in my sleep about you! I love you, Bear. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 16; 2 Kings 24-25; John 5:1-24

Dig This Quote: The way to grow in holiness is to be around people more holy than ourselves. We hear their stray comments and absorb their judgment of what’s important. We listen to their prayers and find that God is bigger than we’d thought. Oswald Chambers

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

The Habit of Enjoying Adversity

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The Habit of Enjoying Adversity

” … that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” —2 Corinthians 4:10

We Christians are a weird bunch! To the world we must be considered really nuts. The world flees from adversity. But as Christians, we view adversity from an eternal perspective. In fact, J. B. Phillips in his translation of the New Testament says we are to welcome our trials as our friends!

Listen to what devotional writer, Oswald Chambers says about enjoying adversity:

We have to develop godly habits to express what God’s grace has done in us. It is not just a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved so that “the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” And it is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh. Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the basic irritation of “myself” that I would have apart from Him?

The only thing that will enable me to enjoy adversity is the acute sense of eagerness of allowing the life of the Son of God to evidence itself in me. No matter how difficult something may be, I must say, “Lord, I am delighted to obey You in this.” Instantly, the Son of God will move to the forefront of my life, and will manifest in my body that which glorifies Him.

You must not debate. The moment you obey the light of God, His Son shines through you in that very adversity; but if you debate with God, you grieve His Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30 ). You must keep yourself in the proper condition to allow the life of the Son of God to be manifested in you, and you cannot keep yourself fit if you give way to self-pity.

Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to “supply all your need” ( Philippians 4:19 ).
Keep your soul properly conditioned to manifest the life of the Son of God. Never live on your memories of past experiences, but let the Word of God always be living and active in you. (from My Utmost for His Highest — May 14)

Are you in the midst of a difficult situation? Are you facing major difficulties in your life? Dig deeper into God’s Word and allow Him to use this adversity to deepen your relationship with Him. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 15; 2 Kings 22-23; John 4:31-54

Dig This Quote: It is better to have God’s approval, than the world’s applause: there is a time shortly coming when a smile from God’s face will be infinitely better than all the applause of men: how sweet will that word be, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” (Matt. 25: 21). Thomas Brooks

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 4:23; Level 2: Psalm 66:16-20

Who Is On the Cross

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WHO IS ON THE CROSS?

Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. Romans 6:6

Today’s devotional is one that we all need to hear. It isn’t a popular message today, but it hit me right between the eyeballs. Please consider the truth of the message:
I must be careful not to let my service for Christ become an extension of myself. Do I enjoy preaching because I am the center of attention for an hour? Do I enjoy teaching because I hold the class in my power for a brief span? Do I enjoy winning souls because it bolsters my ego?

I can see how subtle the flesh really is. It does not mind being dressed in religious clothing as long as it does not have to die. The heart of the matter is this: Who is on the cross and who is on the throne?

The great historical switch has taken place: Christ WAS on the Cross and is now on the throne; self WAS on the throne and must be impaled upon the cross. If I ever switch the two and reverse history, I am in trouble!

Self’s great, eternal ambition is to escape its cross and sneak back on the throne. Often I have looked at the cross where self hung and said, “There, crucified once and for all!” Yet, a second look reveals an empty cross and an escaped self, very much alive and demanding recognition.
Crucifying self is not negation. Negation says, “You are dead.” But true Christian living says, “You are dead to self, but alive to Christ” (see Galatians 2:20). Even more, Christianity says that BEFORE I can become alive to Christ, not afterward, I must die. It is not the PERSON who dies, only the tendency to deify the person.

Jesus did not regard “equality with God a thing to be grasped” (Philippians 2:6) If Jesus, who was God, refused to grasp His deity, how much more must I, a sinner, refuse to deify myself? The answer is not a once-for-all crucifixion, but a daily thing. The sweetest song a disciple can sing is Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ … but Christ lives in me!” After death come life, and after crucifixion, victory!” — from Glyn Evans — Daily with the King (Moody Press)

Powerful truth and important truth to appropriate in my life today. How about you? — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Dig This Quote: Let your minister be who he is – real. Let him be! Give him the latitude you want for yourself. Give him the same amount of room the grace of God affords you. Don’t force him into some traditionalistic mould. Anonymous
Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 4:23; Level 2: Psalm 66:16-20

How Thankful Are You (Part 2)

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How Thankful Are You (Part 2)

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 91:1

This devotional was written by Dr. Jerry Bridges and is one that I needed to hear today:

Most of us acknowledge that everything we have comes from God, but how often do we stop to give thanks to Him? At the end of a workday, do you take time to say, “Thank You, heavenly Father, for giving me the skill, ability and health to do my work today.” Do you ever physically or mentally go through your house and say to God, “Everything in the house and the food in the cupboard and the car (or cars) in the driveway are gifts from You. Thank You for your gracious provision”?

When you give thanks at mealtime, is it routine and perfunctory, or is it a heartfelt expression of your gratitude to God for His continual provision of all your physical needs?

Taking for granted all the temporal provisions and spiritual blessings that God has so richly bestowed on us, and so failing to continually give thanks, is one of our “acceptable” sins. In fact, far too many Christians wouldn’t think of it as sin. Yet Paul, in his description of a Spirit-filled person, said we’re to be “giving thanks always and for everything to God.” (Ephesians 5:20) Note the words ALWAYS and EVERYTHING. That means our whole lives should be ones of continually giving thanks.

Giving thanks to God for both His temporal and spiritual blessings in our lives is not just a nice thing to do — it’s the moral will of God. Failure to give Him the thanks due Him is sin. It may seem like a benign sin to us because it doesn’t harm anyone else. But it is an affront and insult to the One who created us and sustains us every second of our lives. — Jerry Bridges — Holiness Day By Day.

I am thankful for the reminder that I need to be thankful for all things. How about you? — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 13; Genesis 31-32; Matthew 9:18-38

Dig This Quote: We should learn to live in the presence of the living God. He should be a well for us – delightful, comforting, unfailing, springing up to eternal life (John 4:14). When we rely on other people, their water supplies ultimately dry up. But the well of the Creator ever fails to nourish us. – Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 4:23; Level 2: Psalm 66:16-20

We Share Journey Week 2

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We Share Journey — Week 2

Here we are at week two of our 31 day journey through sacrificial giving and the weShare campaign. I trust that you are learning as much as I am on this journey.
If you are in New Jersey, I hope that you participated in the Family Freedom Walk at Americas Keswick. This was a great opportunity to share some of those sacrificial funds with a wonderful ministry. Bill Welte (CEO) was spared making the sacrifice of shaving his head due to a slight shortfall towards a lofty financial goal for the event. Although the haircut may have been a sacrifice for Bill, I believe the true sacrifice would have been with his family in being seen in public with Bill’s shaved head.
Let me share just a few things that I am learning on my weShare journey.
How much Joyce and I spend on individual beverages. After 10 days we identified over $40 that could have been spent on sodas, coffee or bottled water. I had no idea that it would be that much. This is a good exercise for any small reoccurring expense like eating lunch or breakfast out, buying a donut or snack on the way to work etc. Multiply the daily expenditure times the amount of days in the year you will make it and you may be surprised at how much those little habits cost.
We really don’t miss these items. Sure we look like geeks carrying around our tap filled water bottles and feel a little cheap asking for water when we go out to eat, but the sacrifice is certainly something we can live with.
The help in keeping my focus on God throughout the day. By moving out of my regular routine of picking up a cup of coffee on my way to work or drinking a coke or iced tea with my meal, there is a reminder throughout the day of why I am making this small sacrifice. I am constantly reminded of the sacrifice that Christ made for me.
In my search to understand a bit more about sacrificial giving, I came across Hebrews 13:15 which says: “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name”. One of the definitions for sacrifice I came across is: “Giving up something valuable…for something else considered to be of more value”. I immediately thought: How is praising God with my lips a sacrifice?
I read this sermon by John Piper where he explained that the fruit of our lips is an outgrowth of our hearts desires. In today’s world there are many competing forces for our attention and our passion. This verse calls us to sacrifice these competing interests for a dedicated walk with our Lord.
Do my heart and lips reflect a heartfelt love for God and a desire to share His message with a lost world? If not, why not? Could it be that my heart is too crowded with how the Phillies are doing, my yard, my career, my family, my friends and even my ministry? Maybe I need to reprioritize and sacrifice some of the desires of my heart so the fruit of my lips offers up a sacrifice of praise to God.
I pray that the simple act of sacrificing a purchased beverage each day helps me to remember to sacrifice the worldly desires of my heart. — George Hutchison serves on the Board of America’s KESWICK and is an instructor with Crown Financial. He writes a weekly blog for America’s KESWICK — Stewardship Insights Check it out and become a follower
Dig This Quote: Christ is more of artist than the artists; He works in the living spirit and the living flesh; he makes men instead of statues. — Vincent Van Gogh
Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 4:23; Level 2: Psalm 66:16-20

How Thankful Are You?

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HOW THANKFUL ARE YOU?

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

I am a very thankful man today! Thankful for God’s goodness. I still have my hair! I want to thank everyone who prayed and contributed to our 2nd Annual Family Freedom Walk for the Colony of Mercy.

God blessed us with an absolutely beautiful day. The weather forecasts for Saturday for our area were thunderstorms, high winds, and lots of rain. Guess what– we had sunshine … sunshine … and more beautiful sunshine.

We had an amazing turnout of people who walked around our lower lake and a number of people who “Rocked” on rocking chairs.

And on top of that, the Lord brought in through many wonderful people, $42,000!!! It wasn’t the $60,000 to get my head shaved, and the Victory Call ladies beat the Freedom Fighter guys in their gifts — but $42,000 is an incredible amount of money, and today I am very, very thankful.

I am also thankful today for the memory of my Dad, Bill Welte Sr., whose birthday would have been today. The Lord took Him home way too early for me, 24 years ago this year. There is not day that goes by that I don’t think about him, and wish that he could be here to see how his grandkids have all grown up to love the Lord. He never had the joy of meeting Zach, and I know that they would have just been the best of buds since they both love baseball! And how he would love his great grandkids! I am thankful that he has been enjoying Lindsay! She got a head start on the rest of us!
It is on days like this that I want to remind you guys — don’t neglect your Dad! It really grieves me when I hear guys talk about wasted years of harboring grudges or ignoring their Dads. I have one friend who has been mad at his Dad for decades. There has been little or no communication. Life is too short, guys! Don’t miss out on enjoying your Dad. He will never be perfect — neither will you! Jesus is the only perfect Dad!
So I would really be thankful today to have you pick up the phone and call your Dad and tell him, “I love you, Dad!” Happy birthday, Dad! We love and miss you! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 11; 2 Kings 13-14; John 2
Dig This Quote: Until our master summons us, not a hair on our head can perish, not a moment of our life be snatched from us. When He sends for us, it should seem but the message that the child is wanted at home. Anthony Thorold

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 4:23; Level 2: Psalm 66:16-20