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.

The Fear of the Lord

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THE FEAR OF THE LORD

“the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 1:7)

In considering the expression “the fear of the Lord” we must not think that it means just being “afraid” of God. Although it must be said that, for the unconverted, they do well to be afraid in that sense. Hebrews 10:31 declares “it is a fearful thing to fall in to the hands of the living God.” However, for the true believer in Jesus Christ, it is rather to have a reverence for God that comes from a contemplation and consciousness of the greatness, majesty and holiness of God.
Dr. F. W. Faber, a hymn writer of the 19th century, expresses his fear of these words, “O how I fear Thee living God with deepest, tenderest fear; and worship Thee with trembling hope and penitential tears.”
The author of the book of Proverbs makes several significant statements about his true fear of God. In Proverbs 1:7 he writes “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Dr. G. Campbell Morgan points out that the word “beginning” in this text means “the principal part of wisdom. In all understanding of life, in all interpretation thereof, the fear of the Lord is the principal thing apart from which the mind of man grasps in darkness. That is the sum total of wisdom.”
Then in Proverbs 9:10 the author adds, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” But in this text the word “beginning” means the “starting point” of wisdom. So this is where wisdom begins, in the reverent fear of God.
Now the author explains how this true fear of God will be manifest. Proverbs 8;13, “in the hatred of evil.” Proverbs 16:6, “in departure from evil.” Proverbs 14:27, “as the fountain of life.” Proverbs 14:26, “as a strong source of confidence.” Proverbs 19:23, “the source of fullness of life.”
The early church apparently understood something of that true fear of God and its blessings. Acts 9:31 “and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” So may we also experience the blessings of this true fear of God.

Dr. Eric Crichton is a popular conference speaker, and Board member emeritus of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 1; Isaiah 11-13; Ephesians 4

Great Quote: In some ways, it’s those of us who are most familiar with the Spirit’s promises who are in the greatest danger. Someone has said that familiarity may not breed contempt, but it takes the edge off of awe. Something like this is true about the rich texts and glory-filled promises that drop the jaws or widen the eyes of newcomers but provoke no more than a raised eyebrow in the old-timers who have ceased to dream. Jim McGuiggan

Yeah, I Could Use Some Purpose (Part 2)

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“Yeah, I Could Use Some Purpose.” Part two

Chris Hughes did a great job last week. He asked me to resend this one as the original one was not correct. Thanks, Chris.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of god, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)

Metamorphosis in the world of biology means there are marked changes in form and mode of life during development to maturity. But for the believer it should mean to have a change in character. In the “Purpose Driven Life” Pastor Warren references Ephesians 4:22-24 as a list of three responsibilities that Paul has written as a guideline to begin to develop a character that would be like Christ.

The first thing to do is to get rid of the old self. “That ye put off concerning the former manner of life, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” This is a “you have to do” thing. In some circles we call this move surrender but in others it is called death to self. I believe that death to self is a daily practice that I must do…uh, daily. If we look at the old man in “The Message” it say’s “It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it!” Guess that say’s it all.

The second thing is change the way we think. “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” Now there was some fluff that went along with what I read in the book….caterpillars becoming butterflies in some beautiful picture of what happens to us spiritually etc…..definitely not me but I believe the idea is the same as saying retooling our interior principle’s of life. I’m talking getting in there with the Word of God, as our instrument, and stripping out the parts that have failed and revamping our whole thought process. Just as a side note…part of my background is working on machinery. There is not a “magical metamorphosis” in the renewing process just hard work.

The third thing is to put on the character of Christ. “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” This is where we put on some new habits. In this third chapter of “The Purpose Driven Life” Pastor Warren has written, “Your character is essentially the sum of your habits; it is how you habitually act.” Now I’ll tell you the truth I had gone to the dictionary on this one and didn’t find a definition that reflected this statement but I did go to my wife. I asked her if my character is the sum of my habits. Now after a brief smile she agreed that our character is essentially the sum of our habits. I think I have an idea where she was going with her brief smile too.

I have looked at this in Scripture many times before but didn’t break it down into a list of three responsibilities. I’ll agree with Pastor Warren that they are indispensable for Christ-like character development. But I still like keeping in the older translation. It gives God’s Word the punch it needs to get the truth out there. I think with “The Purpose Driven Life” use of the lighter translations it can get a bit squeamish but if we take an apologetic approach (being a good Berean that is) to reading it, God’s truth about His Son’s work comes through. After all, it is about knowing the truth. — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent Freedom Fighter contributor

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 30; Isaiah 9-10; Ephesians 3

“Do you wonder that Paul could say with tingling joy and exultation, “To me to live is Christ”? He did not say, as I had mistakenly been supposing I must say, “To me to live is to be Christ-like,” nor, “To me to live is to have Christ’s help,” nor, “To me to live is to serve Christ.” No; He plunged through and beyond all that in the bold, glorious, mysterious claim, “To me to live is Christ.” I had never understood that verse before. Now, thanks to His gift of Himself, I am beginning to enter into a glimpse of its wonderful meaning.” The Life That Wins
Charles G. Trumbull

The Exchanged Life

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THE EXCHANGED LIFE

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is not longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me
and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

The term the exchanged life may be applied to our theme verse. It is an expansion upon the truth of verse 19. A series of statements is given concerning my identification with Christ in His death and resurrection. As seen from God’s vantage point, Jesus died not merely for me but as me. In other words, I was identified with Him. The death He died was my death, since it was for my sin. Through it He cancelled my obligation to the law which condemned me. I have been crucified with Him just as really as the repentant thief – through identification. The implications of this fact continue to qualify my life.

Not only have I been crucified with Him, but I have been raised to a new life in Him. So that it is no longer my life but His. He is the source and the essence of it. The glorious truth is that He lives this life in me. The perfections of His life now reside in me. He wants to make this life visible through me. Just as Jesus in His earthly life became the visible expression of God in human terms, so my new life is to be the visible expression of His indwelling life.

It must be remembered that this exchanged life is not automatic. It must be lived on the basis of faith in the Son of God. This involves two things: trusting Him to do what He promises to do and yielding the control of my life to Him. Faith and surrender are keys to this exchanged life.
You may find yourself struggling to live a life for God. It won’t work! What does work is your surrendering to His life within. The surgical gloves designed for the hand of the surgeon can do nothing until they become identified with him and indwelt by his hand.

Other passages which deal with the exchanged life are Romans 6:1-8; Colossians 2:20; 3:1-3. Pastor William A. Raws was the grandson of our founder, William Raws, and served at America’s KESWICK for 55+ years

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 29; Isaiah 7-8; Ephesians 2

Great Quote: Your arms, Lord, have no end. They encircle me, reach down and hold me, guide me on the way; Your arms, Lord, have no end, your arms of love and mercy and grace.

This year’s BINDING UP THE BROKEN-HEARTED: FAMILY AND FRIENDS ADDICTION SEMINAR is shaping up to be our best yet. You won’t want to miss it. October 8, 2009 8:30 AM -3:30 PM at America’s KESWICK. The $25.00 registration fee covers the sessions, materials, continental breakfast, lunch and snacks. Pastors attend free with 5 paid reservations. Every pastor, youth ministry worker, parent of a teen and loved ones of addicted family and friends should attend this seminar. Call today for your reservation 800.453.7942 or 732.350.1187.

Caught Somewhere in Time

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“Caught Somewhere In Time.”

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NKJV)

Well the school year has begun. My travel to work has to start earlier because of the buses and I have had to find a way around some of the hot spots. My son has entered high school and my daughter has entered middle school. Their homework has gotten a bit more complicated for them this school year and I have had this realization. I am now back in high school and middle school because of this. WHAT? Not like in a backward teenage way but in a “Did we learn this when I was in school at this age?” No way!

So I got to thinking during my over, under, sideways, down drive to work what would it be like if I had to go back to that time period knowing what I know now. What could have I avoided, what could I have changed and would it really have put me where I wanted to be. Then I heard God laugh. “You are where I want you to be.” What? Driving to a job where most of the time it is a devil’s playground. In a town where most of the population’s thinking has the Devil’s mentality attached to it and they ring your lunch up at the cash register with what looks like a bone through the nose. What? Surely the Lord meant me to be somewhere else by now? “Nope, you are where I want you to be” and then there’s a little more laughter. Grrr!!

So what do I do with this? Go to Scripture, of course. Well I found something in Ecclesiastes that set something into motion. “Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.”(ESV) This vexation that Solomon speaks of is finding the pleasures of sin that will lead to other intolerable sorrows. And the object here is to steer a young man away from those “sorrows” that presently gratify the senses of man and get him to understand that this is vanity.

So I reckon myself that going back in time is futile and worthless. That since this train of thought serves no purpose in eternity it is eternally useless thinking. And as my Nelson Study Bible puts it “Tragically, youth does not last; it too passes like a vapor. We all seem to discover that “we get old too soon and smart too late.” Well at this point in time I have my youthful outlook but I am working at the getting smarter part along the way.

One thing I will say that was smart for me to do was to surrender what I was back then over to the Savior who has me where He wants me right now. So I guess I will just have to deal with it. There will always be some extreme out in the world that will make me shake my head and wonder but as the Teacher does say…this too is vanity. Oh well, I better get back to helping my kids with their homework, I do know something they don’t. What do you know this morning? If you know Jesus then you’ve done your homework…give yourself an A!! — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contibutor to Freedom Fighter. I have appreciated Chris sharing this week so that I could enjoy our trip to Bermuda. Thanks, Chris!!!

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 28; Isaiah 5-6; Ephesians 1

Great quote:“Father, make us more like Jesus. Help us bear difficulty, pain, disappointment, and sorrow, knowing that in Your perfect working and design You can use such bitter experiences to mold our characters and make us more like our Lord. We look with hope to the day when we will be completely like Christ, because we will see Him as He is…My passions are crucified, there is no heat in my flesh, and a stream flows murmuring inside me-deep down in me saying, “Come to the Father.” Ignatius “His prayer before he was devoured by lions in Rome A.D.111”

It is not to late to enjoy a day of golfing fun and fellowship at Hanover Golf Club on September 29, 2009 to benefit the Colony of Mercy Addiction Recovery Ministry of America’s Keswick. We will have a 7:30 AM and a 12:30 PM shotgun start. There are still some openings for either start time. Call Stan Marsh @ 1-800-453 7942 x 32 for info or to make your reservation.

Yeah, I Could Use Some Purpose (Part 3)

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“Yeah, I Could Use Some Purpose.” Part 3

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:31-32 (NKJV)

“The truth transforms us.” This is how Day 24 in “The Purpose Driven Life” starts off. But I would have added “If we let it”. I like how Matthew Henry puts it when it wrote his commentary on the aforementioned verse. He wrote… ”Christ spoke of spiritual liberty; but carnal hearts feel no other grievances than those that molest the body, and distress their worldly affairs. Talk to them of their liberty and property, tell them of waste committed upon their lands, or damage done to their houses, and they understand you very well; but speak of the bondage of sin, captivity to Satan, and liberty by Christ; tell of wrong done to their precious souls, and the hazard of their eternal welfare, then you bring strange things to their ears.”

Well now comes the tough part, working on the three things (when we are abiding in His Word) that are meant to be day-to-day activities. The first one that Pastor Warren mentions is accept its authority. In many circles I have heard it said we need to use our Bibles as a moral compass. So when we use other unreliable sources for a compass, like the culture of our time, going with tradition, trying to use reason or going off our emotions we are using things that are flawed and can get us into trouble. So let us be reminded, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, [thoroughly] furnished unto all good works.”

The second thing is to assimilate its truth. Get ready to squirm on this one people. We must fill our minds with God’s Word so The Holy Spirit can transform us with the truth. Now there are five things listed here that remind of some other principle I’ve heard of and that is “Lecto Divina”. This list of five “to do’s” are receive, read, research, remember and reflect on God’s Word. Now I hope I am speaking to the choir on this part of the subject matter. So here is my take on Pastor Warrens list…listen to the boring Preacher, anyway. A humble spirit will receive. Read your Bible every day, anyway. Be a good Berean and research the Scripture’s and if need be write your thoughts down and come up with a Freedom Fighter. I spent four solid months at the Colony memorizing Scripture so yes remembering verse’s is a must. But then do take the time to reflect anytime, anywhere, anyway.

The last part is to apply its principles. “Therefore, whosoever hearth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock.” This is straight out of the mouth of the Savior Himself. As this parable goes on I believe Jesus is telling us point blank with what material to build on. This first step is built with obedience and this is a painful step for a few of…well some of…nah, most of us right? We tend to avoid the application step because it is difficult or at times even painful…but it is needful. When we come to Jesus it is because our actions have failed and we need change. That requires getting our faults pointed out, our sin rebuked and changing our center.

Jesus makes a promise to every real disciple that they will know the truth and the truth will set them free. The Jews of Jesus’ time were in the worst kind of bondage. They were in the bondage of legalism, ignorance, sin, error and superstition. They knew not the truth. If we are disciples indeed we will be committed to Jesus and have this characteristic, we will abide in His Word. And remember we are not saved by abiding in His Word, we will abide in His Word because we are saved. That’s Right!! SANTO!! — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contibutor to Freedom Fighter

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 26; Isaiah 3-4; Galatians 6

Great Quote: “When our life is not only Christ’s but Christ, our life will be a winning life; for He cannot fail. And a winning life is a fruit-bearing life, a saving life. It is, after all, only a small part of life-and a wholly negative part-to overcome; we must also bear fruit in character and in service if Christ is our life.” The Life That Wins Charles G. Trumbull

Yeah, I Could Use Some Purpose (Part 2)

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“Yeah, I Could Use Some Purpose.” (Part 2)

“God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of His Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity He restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in Him.” Romans 8:29 (The Message)

How many of you remember a book written by Pastor Rick Warren called “The Purpose Driven Life”? I still have the copy I read while I was in the Colony. I have all kinds of statements highlighted and underlined. But in the part of the book known as “Purpose # 3” and titled “You were created to become like Christ” there wasn’t any colors or underlines. So I have gone back to re-read that part and see if there is anything I can highlight or underline for you as well as me.

Right from the start, Rick Warren makes the statement the “From the very beginning, God’s plan has been to make you like His Son, Jesus.” He also uses Genesis 1:26 as his Scripture reference to support this statement. “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” Matthew Henry in his commentary on this verse states; “God said, “Let us make man.” Man, when he was made, was to glorify the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Into that great name we are baptized, for to that great name we owe our being. It is the soul of man that especially bears God’s image.”I would have to say that both of these views are okay by me. I do like that Old Testament seriousness but I like the New Testament simplicity. I also keep in mind that Adams fails in the serenity of the Garden but Jesus prevails in the brutality of the desert.

And as this “Purpose” reading goes on I’ll underline the need to develop the character of Christ. There is quite a list of character traits as well. The one trait that is the toughest comes in Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” And to keep in theme with Matthew Henry, here is his take on this verse. “The meek are happy. The meek are those who quietly submit to God; who can bear insult; are silent, or return a soft answer; who, in their patience, keep possession of their own souls, when they can scarcely keep possession of anything else. These meek ones are happy, even in this world. Meekness promotes wealth, comfort, and safety, even in this world.” This is quite a goal to reach, don’t you think? I am not there…yet!

You see we are told to make every effort to grow in the character of Christ. The ESV version of 2 Peter 1:5-7 says, “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.”Now if we replace the word “virtue” with “excellence” it makes this verse all the more. Once again goals that seem hard to obtain but within its own command it encourages. One thing we are encouraged to do is not to sit around and wait for Jesus to happen, right?

I know there are many out there who do not like this “Purpose Driven” train of thought. And to be honest with you I, myself, have times where it feels uncomfortable when I bounce these ideas off what I have been taught but a glass of milk once in a while isn’t a bad thing. Over the next few days I am going to see if I can Grade A milk out of this “Purpose 3”. I ask you to consider pouring yourself a glass as well, after all as we grow in our relationship with Christ it is necessary to keep the foundation or the root work tended to. — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 26; Isaiah 1-2; Galatians 5

Great Quote: “Jesus Christ does not want to be our helper; He wants to be our life. He does not want us to work for Him. He wants us to let Him do His work through us, using us as we use a pencil to write with- better still, using us as one of His fingers on His hand.” “The Life That Wins” Charles G. Trumbull

It is not to late to enjoy a day of golfing fun and fellowship at Hanover Golf Club on September 29, 2009 to benefit the Colony of Mercy Addiction Recovery Ministry of America’s Keswick. We will have a 7:30 AM and a 12:30 PM shotgun start. There are still some openings for either start time. Call Stan Marsh @ 1-800-453 7942 x 32 for info or to make your reservation.

Happy 112th Anniversary — The Ripple Effect

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Happy 112th Anniversary — The Ripple Effect of A Transformed Life

September 25, 1897

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Someone once said to Dwight L. Moody “that the world has yet to see what God will do with and for, through and around the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.” That statement is certainly true of the life of William Raws, founder of the Colony of Mercy.

William Raws’ life was radically changed on February 17, 1886 when he trusted Christ as his personal Savior in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. His bondage to alcohol was broken and Raws was gloriously saved. In his own words William Raws said, “One day, fairly dying from the effects of rum, unable even to keep hot rum brandy on my stomach, I staggered penniless too my room and fell against an old arm chair…Although under the influence of drink, a poor dying drunkard, a swearing, lustful, sinful man, I cried unto God. He heard my cry and save me. For days and nights thereafter I could neither eat nor sleep. I was on the verge of delirium tremens…But peace came at last and victory through our Lord and Savior.”

Raws went on to begin the Whosoever Gospel Rescue Mission in Philadelphia but was burdened years later to begin a work in the country for men to escape city life and get alone with God. On September 25, 1897, the family and some friends met around an old pump organ and sang ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME. The crowd pooled their resources of $1.87 and claimed the promise from Philippians 4:19 — But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God birthed the ministry of THE COLONY OF MERCY. And the rest is history.

Thousands of lives have been transformed by the power of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ because of the transformed life of William Raws. The ministry continues over a hundred years later with the good news that Christ can set men and women in bondage to sinful addictions and through Christ, can live victoriously.

God used the ordinary life of William Raws to impact thousands. He wants to take your ordinary life and doing extraordinary things. Are you willing to allow your life to have a ripple effect on others? Surrender you ALL to Him today. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 25; Song of Solomon 6-8; Galatians 4

Great Quote: It is pure and simple unbelief that is at the bottom of all our lack of comfort, and absolutely nothing else. God comforts us on every side, but we simply do not believe His words of comfort. — Hannah Whitall Smith

Yeah, I Could Use Some Purpose (Part 1)

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“Yeah, I Could Use Some Purpose.” Part one

“God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of His Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity He restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in Him.” Romans 8:29 (The Message)

How many of you remember a book written by Pastor Rick Warren called “The Purpose Driven Life”? I still have the copy I read while I was in the Colony. I have all kinds of statements highlighted and underlined. But in the part of the book known as “Purpose # 3” and titled “You were created to become like Christ” there wasn’t any colors or underlines. So I have gone back to re-read that part and see if there is anything I can highlight or underline for you as well as me.

Right from the start, Rick Warren makes the statement the “From the very beginning, God’s plan has been to make you like His Son, Jesus.” He also uses Genesis 1:26 as his Scripture reference to support this statement. “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” Matthew Henry in his commentary on this verse states; “God said, “Let us make man.” Man, when he was made, was to glorify the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Into that great name we are baptized, for to that great name we owe our being. It is the soul of man that especially bears God’s image.”I would have to say that both of these views are okay by me. I do like that Old Testament seriousness but I like the New Testament simplicity. I also keep in mind that Adams fails in the serenity of the Garden but Jesus prevails in the brutality of the desert.

And as this “Purpose” reading goes on I’ll underline the need to develop the character of Christ. There is quite a list of character traits as well. The one trait that is the toughest comes in Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” And to keep in theme with Matthew Henry, here is his take on this verse. “The meek are happy. The meek are those who quietly submit to God; who can bear insult; are silent, or return a soft answer; who, in their patience, keep possession of their own souls, when they can scarcely keep possession of anything else. These meek ones are happy, even in this world. Meekness promotes wealth, comfort, and safety, even in this world.” This is quite a goal to reach, don’t you think? I am not there…yet!

You see we are told to make every effort to grow in the character of Christ. The ESV version of 2 Peter 1:5-7 says, “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.”Now if we replace the word “virtue” with “excellence” it makes this verse all the more. Once again goals that seem hard to obtain but within its own command it encourages. One thing we are encouraged to do is not to sit around and wait for Jesus to happen, right?

I know there are many out there who do not like this “Purpose Driven” train of thought. And to be honest with you I, myself, have times where it feels uncomfortable when I bounce these ideas off what I have been taught but a glass of milk once in a while isn’t a bad thing. Over the next few days I am going to see if I can Grade A milk out of this “Purpose 3”. I ask you to consider pouring yourself a glass as well, after all as we grow in our relationship with Christ it is necessary to keep the foundation or the root work tended to. — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 24; Song of Solomon 4-5; Galatians 3

Great Quote: “Jesus Christ does not want to be our helper; He wants to be our life. He does not want us to work for Him. He wants us to let Him do His work through us, using us as we use a pencil to write with- better still, using us as one of His fingers on His hand.” “The Life That Wins” Charles G. Trumbull

It is not to late to enjoy a day of golfing fun and fellowship at Hanover Golf Club on September 29, 2009 to benefit the Colony of Mercy Addiction Recovery Ministry of America’s Keswick. We will have a 7:30 AM and a 12:30 PM shotgun start. There are still some openings for either start time. Call Stan Marsh @ 1-800-453 7942 x 32 for info or to make your reservation.

Conceited, But Not Offended

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Conceited, but Offended!!

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind” Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV)

“Too high an opinion of oneself; vanity.” This is conceit. I have been giving a sermon series a listen when this word “conceit” entered my ears. “A Sobering Look at the Character and Strategy of Satan” by Senior Pastor Steve Cornell, of the Millersville Bible Church, is the title of the series and by the time I have finished listening to the second disk he has me wondering about the fall of man and his conceit from the everyday perspective.

Let’s say I look at the third chapter of Genesis and I replace the serpent, “who was more cunning than any beast of the field”, with the world. I mean if we really look at it, the world has become more cunning these days. We get flooded with things that tell us how much better we would be if we had this or that. The world goes as far to tell us how much more spiritual we will be if we read this self-help book or listen to this motivational speaker. There is stuff on how to be better parents, better spouses and employees. Too many different flavors if you ask me.

In his sermon series, Pastor Cornell used a salesmen situation as a backdrop for how the world can begin to sow “the seeds of discontentment that takes us out of God’s will.” It sounded so much like where I work. I hear lines like, “Well you have your Christian value system.” Or they snicker when making remarks about me being “religious” and have them tell me that they believed the Bible because they “were” Catholic at one time so they can understand where I am coming from. But do they really understand what they are saying let alone “where I am coming from”.

You see the irony of it all is the fallen man doesn’t even know how bad his “condition” is until after he becomes saved. I know for me there was a time that I thought I was “living it up”, enjoying life to its fullest. But in reality I was deceived and lost. I might have even thought myself free and under no one’s rule, kind of like the Jews of Jesus’ day. I mean they were just as blind in this kind of thought pattern that they refused to acknowledge their subjection to the power of Rome.

This is when conceit comes into play. The “prince of the power of the air” doesn’t have to approach you himself. We have enough folks around us who have become successful in way or another who seem to offer up a “seed of discontentment” to plant in us. I believe that while they are trying to sow this discontentment we get offended. We react in such a way that we want to or feel that we deserve a higher sense of self. Once we get that justified in our hearts and minds we can become like the Pharisees. Bogging ourselves down in the mire of what we think is right and just and making sure we thrust this ideology upon others thus continuing the sowing of the seed of discontentment with the will of God in our lives.

I believe being offended and being conceited go hand in hand. And I also believe our Adversary understands this as well. Today let’s not give him a foothold. — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 23; Song of Solomon 1-3; Galatians 2

Great Quote: “Jesus said our ability to see correctly is another key to being freed from deception. Often when we are offended we see ourselves as victims and blame those who have hurt us. We justify out bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, envy, and resentment as they surface. Sometimes we even resent those who remind us of others who have hurt us. For this reason Jesus counseled, “Anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see” (Rev.3:18). See what? Your true condition! That’s the only way we can “be zealous and repent” as Jesus commanded next. You’ll only repent when you stop blaming other people.” The Bait of Satan John Bevere

It is not to late to enjoy a day of golfing fun and fellowship at Hanover Golf Club on September 29, 2009 to benefit the Colony of Mercy Addiction Recovery Ministry of America’s Keswick. We will have a 7:30 AM and a 12:30 PM shotgun start. There are still some openings for either start time. Call Stan Marsh @ 1-800-453 7942 x 32 for info or to make your reservation.

The Baton (Part 2)

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The Baton (part two)

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:”that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4 (NKJV)

Like I said in part one, my Pastor had given me a chapter to read from the book, Already Gone. It is entitled, “Sunday School Syndrome.” It discusses a study done on the belief system of today’s 20-somethings who had attended Sunday school regularly. I, myself, had gone to CCD classes on Sundays in the Catholic Church and was caviler about God’s Word. I remember it not being enforced in our home while growing up. The Bible wasn’t mentioned and from what I saw, it wasn’t being preached in action either.

I had been asked to give a devotional at a recent Men’s Breakfast at my church and I thought this was a subject that the men, and their sons, needed to hear. The study was steeped in facts and figures to support the notion that Sunday school needed a radical makeover. So I went to my resources to see where it says in Scripture that Men of God need statistics to bring us into God’s will. Here is what my Nelson’s Study Bible says about the verse I have used today.

“This paragraph has the beautiful balance we expect to find in God’s Word: children are to obey their parents, and parents are to treat their children in such a way that the children will want to obey. Children must obey their parents for Christ’s sake, even if their parents are not believers. This is supported by the only one of the Ten Commandments followed by a promise.
Four reasons are given why they should obey. First, it is right. It is a basic principle built into the very structure of family life that those who are immature, impulsive, and inexperienced should submit to the authority of parents, who are older and wiser.

The second reason is that it is scriptural. Here Paul quotes Exodus 20:12: Honor your father and mother (see also Deut. 5:16). This command to honor parents is the first of the Ten Commandments with a specific promise of blessing attached to it. It calls for children to respect, love, and obey their parents.

The third reason is that it is for the best interests of the children: that it may be well with you. Think of what would happen to a child who received no instruction and no correction from his parents! He would be personally miserable and socially intolerable.

The fourth reason is that obedience promotes a full life: and you may live long on the earth. In the OT, a Jewish child who obeyed his parents did enjoy a long life. In this Gospel Age, it is not a rule without exceptions. Filial obedience is not always connected with longevity. A dutiful son may die at an early age. But it is true in a general way that the life of discipline and obedience is conducive to health and longevity, whereas a life of rebellion and recklessness often ends prematurely.

The instructions to children are now balanced with advice to fathers. They should not provoke their children to anger with unreasonable demands, with undue harshness, with constant nagging. Rather children should be nurtured in the training and admonition of the Lord. Training means discipline and correction, and may be verbal or corporal. Admonition means warning, rebuke, reproof. Child-training should be “in the Lord,” that is, carried out in accordance with His will as revealed in the Bible by one who acts as His representative.”

So after I went into what was researched by the author of the chapter that Pastor had given to me to review, I walked away with the notion that Sunday school needs to be in our homes as well as in our churches. Men need to be reading their Bibles with their families, discussing what is being read and equipping their children today to be able to be defenders of the faith tomorrow. Right now, the Church of God has outside influence by people who would have us fall away from God’s original purpose for His church and fall into this “feel good about ourselves” mentality. A place of empty promises and no conviction of spirit, not being taken to the fire to be refined, no bringing God the glory He deserves.

In the book, Straight Talk: What Men need to Know, What Women Should Understand, Dr. James C. Dobson makes this brilliant point: “This mission of introducing one’s children to the Christian faith can be likened to a three-man relay race. First, your father runs his lap around the track, carrying a baton, which represents the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At the appropriate moment, he hands the baton to you, and you begin your journey around the track. Then finally the time will come when you must get the baton safely into the hands of your child. But as any track coach will testify, relay races are won or lost in the transfer of the baton. There is a critical moment when all can be lost by a fumble or miscalculation. The baton is rarely dropped on the back side of the track when the runner has it firmly in his grasp. If failure is to occur, it will likely happen in the exchange between generations!”

You know, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, because I don’t want to be standing at the gates of Heaven trying to explain to the Creator what I could done better when it was my time to pass the Baton. I hope your transferring abilities are at the ready. — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 22; Ecclesiastes 10-12; Galatians 1

Great Quote: I’ve been clutching filthy rags, thinking they would please God, and have been unable to grasp the pure, eternal, perfect righteousness of God that is mine. — Mary Morrison Suggs

It is not to late to enjoy a day of golfing fun and fellowship at Hanover Golf Club on September 29, 2009 to benefit the Colony of Mercy Addiction Recovery Ministry of America’s Keswick. We will have a 7:30 AM and a 12:30 PM shotgun start. There are still some openings for either start time. Call Stan Marsh @ 1-800-453 7942 x 32 for info or to make your reservation.