Hope Deferred

04/07/201704/03/2017Leave a comment

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” – Proverbs 13:12

Sometimes waiting for something that we know is coming can be a stressful experience. I think back to my pre-teen years and thinking, “I’ll never get my driver’s license”, or “I’m going to be in school the rest of my life.”

Hope deferred can be something we know is coming, but the waiting is the hardest part. I think of Abraham and Sarah, being promised a child but the anticipation was too much and they took matters into their own hands. Our walk with the Lord can be a strenuous ordeal at times. For me, it was the promise that God would deliver me from my addiction, but if I didn’t continue to put myself around godly people to encourage me, that time period could have been disrupted and my impatience could have led to relapse.

There are at least two possible sabotages that can occur if we allow ourselves to succumb to our fleshly feelings. Hope can be diminished if we have unrealistic expectations and manipulate God’s word to back up our desires. The other sabotage is that the waiting period for the fruition of our hope is too long and we give in to our desires.

The scriptures are full of admonishments preventing us from misaligning ourselves or becoming impatient. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life” – Proverbs 13:12. When we continue in hope and when we trust that our God will deliver in His timing, but we are impatient, that is the “makes the heart sick” part. We also can testify to a promise of God delivering, and that’s the “it is a tree of life” part. Romans 5 tells us it’s the final product when experiencing tribulation: “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us”.

If you’re like me, there are times when we are saying “come quickly, Lord,” but until He comes or takes us home, it’s not unusual to feel a longing for His presence. “Hope Deferred” or put better in Romans chapter 8, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” is what we trust. “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God”.

So, while we wait there’s work to do, let’s join together and encourage one another and even more so “redeeming the time, because the days are evil”.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”, Romans 15:13.

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, he is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time staff member. He is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.

The Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 1-6 | You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Jesus gives us hope because He keeps us company, has a vision and knows the way we should go.” – Max Lucado

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices. Proverbs 29:6

The Tares (Part II)

04/06/201704/03/2017Leave a comment

“The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” – Matthew 13:41-42 (NKJV)

The last time I was with you I was making fun of my lawn. I had a brother-in-Christ respond in kind that his lawn too is something of a hodge-podge of things that grow alongside, something he also thinks is just grass (Thanks Brain). It’s always a good thing when we can find common ground with common things. I also thought it a careful thing to consider on how we approach folks in our churches who may express a different Biblical view-point on Kingdom principles than what we know as Biblical truth. We desperately need Scripture as our go-to in our everyday things, especially those things that keep us heavenly-minded.

When we get to Matthew 13:24-30, Jesus tells a parable about the wheat and the tares. The farm workers want to shred what they think are the weeds but the land owner, in being wise, tells them not to so that they may not uproot the wheat. I used this as an illustration on how to not just tear into someone who may say something that strikes you as ‘off the mark.’ We need to see “the fruits” of such statements. When we get to Matthew 13: 37-43, Jesus clears the matter up on who has the authority to handle such weedy folks. But we still need to be familiar with the tares, just like a good laborer in vineyard should do…and we need Scripture to divide it rightly.

So…. what are the tares among the wheat? Well, as we read the writings of the Apostle Paul, we can see that he ran into them all the time. In 2 Corinthians 11:1-15, Paul talks about those false apostles that he ran into. I like how he puts it in verse 4, “You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.” (NLT)

He had to scold the Galatians for believing a false gospel. “I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to Himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-7)

And, even though he was once a “Pharisee of Pharisees,” Paul understood that “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6a). He then makes this statement, and though it was concerning Israel, it can still be found among Christendom today: “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:3). Pretty much saying there’s a false righteousness out there to stay clear of.

Paul will give warning to a young pastor named Timothy about false doctrines, but ya know something, it is as if Paul could see right down the line of time and see us in the 21^st century, “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). Then there’s this little nugget, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3).

Paul will even tell us who will be behind all of the above, “Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will kill him with the breath of His mouth and destroy him by the splendor of His coming. This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles” (2 Thessalonians 2:8-9).

During this time of Advent, many shows have been put on to share with you a viewpoint of the life of Jesus Christ. Maybe some of them hit the mark, maybe some don’t. But none the less, we need to be on guard more than ever because our faith’s value system is under the microscope, so we need to handle stuff…delicately. I like how Nigerian poet, Michael Bassey Johnson, puts it: “You can believe in whatsoever you like, but the truth remains the truth, no matter how sweet the lie may taste.” Amen?

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris, a graduate of The Colony of Mercy (11-2003) is married (Kathy) with two adult children (Kevin and Karen) and has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008.

The Daily Bible Reading: Job 25-26 | You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: Daily Quote: “Beware of any man who claims to be wiser than the apostles or holier than the martyrs of the Early Church. The best way to deal with him is to rise and leave his presence. You cannot help him and he surely cannot help you.” —– A.W. Tozer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices. Proverbs 29:6

The Crushing Loads We Should Not Carry

04/05/201703/20/2017Leave a comment

I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise and very beautiful; but I never read in either of them: “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden.”
~Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

Then Elijah was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. … And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God… There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And He said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
~ Elijah, challenged to the core by G_d, in 1 Kings 19

Oh beloved, it is true.

We, each of us, have a deep capacity for life. We can do so many things. Our Creator has built into us survival and creative skills that allow us to overcome a wide range of obstacles. Our bodies fight off deadly infections. We can take in vast amounts of information and our bodies can respond to a huge range of stimuli.

We are, to put it simply, a miracle. We are bio-mechanical machines that can easily last into our eighth decade with just a little nutrition, rest, and exercise. Still, even the bodies we have sometimes fall into problems. And the problems at the physical level give us deeper insights.

About 30 years ago, I was in college and working part-time as a cargo and luggage agent for an airline. It was good work, and I got plenty of heavy exercise on a regular basis. However, one day, we had a particularly large piece of cargo come off the back of a 737. As it came down the belt loader, we could tell it was a very heavy piece.

As the pallet came down to the end of the belt, we checked the label. It read nearly 300 pounds, and so me and another guy got set to guide the item into a waiting cart. This was work we were prepared to do, and we had the right equipment: good gloves, waist belts, solid work shoes, and a few years of learning how to handle loads like these.

We were not ready.

Instead of the load weighing about 300, it was mislabeled .- The “3” was probably supposed to be and “8.” Suffice it to say, the two us were instantly overcome by the load. I still remember how quickly we crumpled under the crushing weight of that pallet. Nothing in our training or skills or build was ready to handle that extra 500 pounds… So, down we went. I still have lingering back problems from that event.

In a similar (albeit deeper) way, Elijah had just come off of some pretty amazing events. He had watched all his years and preparation as a servant of G_d, come to fruition in the rout of the prophets of Baal. He was all geared up. And, he had (literally) called down the fire of creation to show the truth that YHVH was the real deal.

He was not ready either.

Immediately upon his confident victory, he was overwhelmed by the weight of the political circumstances, and temper of the local dictators. He ran off into the desert and was overwhelmed all the more. And, even as he made it out of the desert due to some miraculous feeding, he came up on a G_d who intended to overwhelm Elijah to the end of his wits.

Can we see it?

Both stories get us to the point. There are a wide range of things we were never designed to handle. There are stresses, burdens, fears, and broken things that will indeed crush us if we try to handle them on our own.

In the case of the load coming off the belt, us young guys should have gotten some help before this big pallet crushed us. And, in the case of Elijah, He should have been asking His real King for directions, instead of running off into the desert – then even having the audacity to keep pushing back against G_d after these weeks of failure.

So, are you carrying a load that is crushing you? Time to stop. Time to get some help. Time to get your Father’s insight, before He has to start asking you some questions. Tonight is your night beloved. Time to stop trying to carry what you cannot carry.

Written by Makala Doulos: Makala Doulos is a child of G_d, a husband to his wife, a father to his children, and a teacher to his students. But mostly, he is a prisoner set free by Jesus. Love has invaded his life, crushed it, and made it new. Now, G_d’s Love is what constrains him to live in full surrender to the freedom The Father and Son and Holy Spirit have bought for us all. Grace and Peace to you all.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 36-38 | You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “No man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow’s burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear. Never load yourself so. If you find yourself so loaded, at least remember this: it is your own doing, not God’s. He begs you to leave the future to him, and mind the present.” ~George Macdonald (1824-1905)

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices. Proverbs 29:6

Everyone Enters the Fire, Abiding in the Crucible

04/04/201703/20/2017Leave a comment

“Everyone enters the fire, only the prepared survive.”

Suffering and trials are unavoidable, a fact of life. So let’s consider again the silver smelting process; it takes a great amount of fuel to generate a flame that measures 970 degrees, and everything used to create that intense heat is consumed by the fire. But the silver ore protected by the crucible is not; it is refined and made better by the intensity of the heat. The difference is in whose hand it rests. The silver ore abides in the crucible that is handled carefully and with precision by the master silversmith. Without his expertise and care, the silver ore would be made useless as well, just like the fuel consumed in the flame. It is the silversmith who keeps the crucible stable, it is he who determines the length of the process, what needs to be skimmed off, if the process needs to be repeated, and when his reflection is no longer distorted. The silver ore itself is not qualified nor possesses the perspective to determine any of this. And if it could, is not its judgment distorted or corrupted in the first place?

Everyone suffers trials and heartaches in this life. It is only those who have entrusted themselves to God and abide in His crucible, and under His care, that are refined and found justified to be called faithful and children of God. Everyone else is just the fuel being consumed by flame.

In whose care have you entrusted your life – yourself and your limited viewpoint and distorted knowledge and character, or God’s, who as the master silversmith carefully refines you with loving kindness and grace, holding you tightly while in the fire of trial, watching intently for His reflection to appear, and rescues you from all harm? Can you do that? If not, you have chosen to reside in the flame of selfishness for all eternity.

Why not trust Him today and abide in His Word from now on? It’s the safest place for you to find rest.

Choose wisely….

Praying 4 U…

Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, and grandfather with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is a member of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church.

The Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 11-15 | You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.” (Titus 2:11-14)

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices. Proverbs 29:6

Spring Is Here – Things God Cannot Do Part 4

04/03/201703/13/2017Leave a comment

Spring is here …well almost. Here is the last part of the list of “Things God Cannot Do.” We had a great bus trip and that prompted some thoughts for the next couple of Freedom Fighters.

God cannot be overthrown. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. Isaiah 9:11
God cannot be matched. For who in heaven can be compared to the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? Psalm 89:6
God cannot be pleased without faith. But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to Him must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
God’s righteousness cannot end. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is the truth. Psalm 119:142
God cannot be unfaithful. They are new every morning: great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23
God’s salvation cannot be earned. For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
God cannot be superseded. And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. Colossians 1:17
God cannot be less than gracious. The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. Psalm 145:8
God cannot be unholy. And one cried to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory. Isaiah 6:3
God cannot give imperfect gifts. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
God cannot fail. And the Lord, He it is that doth go before you. He will be with you, He will not fail you; fear not, neither be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8

I trust that this list was an encouragement to you. We have a great God who can do ANYTHING and One who has 51 things He CANNOT do. Praise God.

Rejoice! Pray! Give Thanks!

Bill Welte
President/CEO
America’s Keswick

Written by Dr. Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 10 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 48-50 | You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: God examines with trials, the devil examines with temptations, the world examines with persecutions. —Henry Smith

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices. Proverbs 29:6

Work Backwards

03/31/201703/28/2017Leave a comment

“Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4

Sometimes for me the hardest thing to do is take my own advice; it’s a lot easier to counsel someone then it is to be counseled. In times of distress or anguish, I find it a little easier to “Work Backwards” when I know what I want the end result to be.

What do I want?

Peace. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” – Isaiah 26:3. The destination can only be reached by following the right path. I find that when I’m seeking relief, a number of things can become options… and the one I choose is going to determine where I end up.

Trust. “Trust in the LORD, and do good, dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness” – Psalm 37:3. The amount of faith I have in God will be exhibited during my toughest trials. If God is who He says He is, then my actions have to be my best effort… even if I don’t feel like it. Then what?

Food. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” – Psalm 119:105. Not just reading His Word, but feeding off of it. His word needs to give me the spiritual nutrition I need to get to that place of “perfect peace.”

This journey to get myself back to experiencing peace and joy is part of living out our relationship with God. The picture I get is one of us looking intently unto Jesus with a confidence that He will lead me from the stormy seas and bring me to still waters. Sometimes I allow myself to become a “product of my environment” where my thoughts have become confused and I need Jesus.

Working backwards helps me to start with the end result and gives me the endurance to commit myself though the process. “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass” – Psalm 37:5. This makes a blurred picture begin to come into focus.

My greatest desire will be achieved when I’m at my weakest moment. I will either make a huge mistake or come to a place of knowing I’m where God wants me. The desires of our heart are what lead us to the relief, either good or bad, and patience is the key. “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him” Psalm 37:7a.

“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” Psalm 37:4. When I wait on the Lord to deliver me I don’t have to provide my heart’s desire, God will give it to me.

So, when circumstances become more than you can handle and you don’t see yourself taking your own advice, Take mine, “Work Backwards”.

The Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 56-61| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “God desires to show His power through your storm, but is your lack of faith keeping Him from doing so? God brings storms into your life to show His strength and to gain glory from His providence.” – Paul Chappell

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. Proverbs 28:12

The Tares

03/30/201703/28/2017Leave a comment

“Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.'” – Matthew 13:24-25 (NKJV)

I have the weirdest lawn. It’s nothing pretty by any means, and living next to a hay field doesn’t really help matters…unless you’re a horse. In that case, my lawn may seem pretty tasty. I’ve got moss, dandelions, crabgrass, timothy hay, and something that kinda looks like grass but I can’t really be too sure. But I’ll start up my riding lawn mower and slice it all down like it was all the same…and I’ll enjoy every minute of it, unless I cut down the wife’s wild flower patch. In that case I never EVER hear the end of my crass mistake (my wife just said the mistake is more grievous, whatever). What a wretched man I can be!!

Now to be very clear in this, I don’t seed my lawn either. As a matter of fact, I don’t even fertilize it or bother to water it. In my mind, if it doesn’t grow, that’s one less chore I have to do and I escape the stress of trying to miss the wild flower patch. Wretched, lazy man I be indeed. Yes, I know there are ways to make for a better, healthier lawn BUT to me it’s not a salvation issue so MOW IT ALL DOWN.

Now, it’s good thing Jesus didn’t see it like I do when He told the parable of the tares. I’m gonna encourage you to open your Bible and head to Matthew 13:24-30 first.

Basically, what we read in this passage of Scripture is what it looks like when there is corruption among God’s people. Simply put, the wolves among the sheep: the ones who look and sound like us, but they ain’t nowhere close to us in the heart of hearts. Now Jesus says that the seed that brings the tares is sowed while the men are sleeping…guess it is a warning that no matter how diligent we are, corruption is gonna creep in anyway. So both wheat and weed grow together and the workers begin to notice this.

Now, just like us, these workers wanna get to weeding out the bad stuff to preserve the good stuff, but the farmer who owns the field tells them to hold up until harvest time, lest they uproot the good stuff. As a side note, here the weed in the parable could be something called ‘Darnel.’ It looks like wheat while its growing and it is considered to be poisonous, but when it is time to bear fruit (or ears like wheat does), you can immediately tell the difference. It would have been very wise of the farmer to hold off until the harvest to separate the two. I see this as “you’ll know them by their fruits.”

Now there is one thing I can’t help to notice is the field. I believe I can get away with this so here it goes…the field is the world. Now it is plausible to say the good seed/wheat are God’s people and the tares/weeds are of the false believers in this world. And there is something that is being watched a little more and more each day as this present-day tarry’s along and that is how God’s people treat all people.

If we, “God’s true sons,” were to go around and accuse everyone of a false narrative to the Gospel and threw them outta of churches before they showed us their true intentions, we would be no better than the Spanish Inquisition, (I can hear you Monty Python fans now so just be quiet), which survived from 1478 until the time of Napoleon. It had several gasps of air after that, but never really got back on its feet. Plus, we show the world that we are nothing but judges (when we should be encouragers) among those who are looking to rightly divide TRUTH in their everyday lives.

So, what can be taken away today? Well to be honest, we need to be really careful how we are bantering back and forth with each other out in the fields about Kingdom principles. If all you are doing is “copying and pasting” someone else’s commentary and standing on it as your own you had better be ready to defend that position …with Scripture. The next time I am with you, I would like to continue with the next part of this parable on the tares. I think we’ll need to see what Scripture has to say about those whose fruits differ from our own. We need to remember that for every shoot of God’s grace that flourishes, Satan has a shoot of iniquity that seeks to do the same. Amen?

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris, a graduate of The Colony of Mercy (11-2003) is married (Kathy) with two adult children (Kevin and Karen) and has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008.

The Daily Bible Reading: Job 23-24 | You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “We need to cultivate a healthy skepticism toward everything that cannot be supported by the plain teaching of the Bible. Belief is faith only when it has God’s revealed truth for its object; beyond that it may be fully as injurious as unbelief itself.” — Aiden Wilson Tozer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. Proverbs 28:12

God, #LivesMatter

03/29/201703/17/2017Leave a comment

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9

While at a meeting in regards to random issues in the Ocean County area, I was confronted with a reality that was discomfiting. They were processing through all the broken families that were involved in the recent raids and potential deporting. Children were scared, families were being separated, and some the families were confused about the requirements to become citizens. In addition, I heard all the opinions on why illegal immigration is a problem. ‘They should have never come here.’

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” – Romans 3:23

God is not like us, picking and choosing what sins to elevate and which ones to accept. He calls it all sin, and yet pursues us relentlessly. We know that illegally entering a country is sin, however, verbal abuse is sin, gossip is sin, lack of love is sin, unrighteous judging is sin, cheating on your taxes is sin, and yet God’s great love towards us, while in our sin He died for us to have a new home with Him.

God is patiently waiting on all, whom he already knows, will come to repentance. Our call is to reflect patients and be proactive in forgiving our neighbor. I’m not a politician but I know that there are areas that God gives each of us to consider others and make a difference. God bless.

Written by Juan Mendez: Juan is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and full-time staff member at America’s Keswick.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 33-35 | You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “It’s Satan’s delight to tell me that once he’s got me, he will keep me. But at that moment I can go back to God. And I know that if I confess my sins, God is faithful and just to forgive me.” – Alan Redpath

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. Proverbs 28:12

The Crucible

03/28/201703/13/2017Leave a comment

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” – Khalil

What if the very ‘blessing’ God desires to give you requires some form of trial and suffering for you to obtain it… would you enter into it? Would you turn away? Would you want it to stop or give up before reaching the goal? One of the biggest things I am asked to pray for is that someone not experience pain or suffering… I have asked for it myself. But does not learning require it? Consider anything you have of value.. did it require some form of trial and pain to obtain it? And what would it be worth if it was just given to you… if it was mediocre?

The answer is it’s worth little or nothing.

Consider the refining process of silver. The ore is heated to approximately 970 degrees and in doing so, all the ‘impurities’ called dross rise to the top and are skimmed away. Again and again the refiner returns the ore to the crucible, exposing it to the blistering heat, each time more ‘impurities’ rise to the surface, and the master gently skims them away, each time leaving behind something more precious and of greater value. To gauge his progress, the master refiner looks for his own reflection in the silver filled crucible. The more dross that is removed, the less distorted His reflection becomes. When He sees his ‘clear’ or ‘perfect’ reflection, his careful intention of producing something of great worth and value is complete.

That is what our God desires to do with you. Jeremiah writes, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” – Jeremiah 29:11. God has a tremendous plan for you, it’s amazing… even extraordinary! But to get there, to obtain His ‘perfect’ will, you must be refined. You know this from playing a sport, learning an instrument, pursuing an education, and even a career. The discipline, hard work, and sacrifice necessary to acquire anything of value in those pursuits are immense. How much more so then, when the objective is your character, faith, and ultimately love?

Suffering has a way of reminding us that we are finite and limited. Suffering makes clear our need for help and a hand up, that we are interdependent and unable to obtain autonomy. What God is offering you is greater than this; it is His very nature He desires to refine out of you. But He does not force you into the crucible, you must choose for yourself. Jeremiah goes on to say, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me” (v.13). It is only when we turn and seek Him that we find the answers we are looking for… what is my purpose? Who am I? Where am I going?

How has God got your attention? What struggle are you facing? Would you even consider His plan, if you were not in pain?

Maybe your struggle or pain is the very door He has set for you to walk through in order to obtain His blessing. Would you even be considering it if He had not ‘smacked you in the face’ somehow to get your attention?

Our God has wonderful blessings prepared for you. How do I know that? Consider ‘the way’ we must travel through to receive them. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me.” So if the ‘way’ to receiving Gods wonderful gifts is first through the door of Jesus’ sacrifice, and that sacrifice was made at infinite cost to Him, how valuable are the gifts we will receive on the other side by grace? Are they not therefore of ‘infinite’ worth, ‘more precious than gold or silver and precious stones?’

God stands by the crucible and invites you to get in. Our Savior implores you to enter into the furnace, and promises to go with you. He reminds you that He has been there before, that He knows the way, and has defeated the most intense of enemies, both sin and death. He reminds you of others who have gone before… Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel in the lion’s den, and maybe someone you know personally who has faced great adversity and yet their faith in Jesus shines above their tragedy….

I pray you step into Gods plan for you, allowing Him to gently and with great patience and care, skim the dross from your life, revealing His perfect reflection in you. I pray you reach out and take hold of the scarred hand that loves you with every ounce of His being, and enter into ‘the way.’

Choose wisely…

“Greater love has no man than this, that He lay down His life for His friends… you are His friend.

Praying 4 U…

The Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 6-10 | You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” – Romans 8:31-32

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. Proverbs 28:12

Things God Cannot Do

03/27/201703/13/2017Leave a comment

Good morning my brothers. It’s a new day and spring is just around the corner and I can’t wait. I love this time of the year. While you are reading this, we are getting ready to host 61 of our Keswick friends on a four-day trip that will include a visit to the Flight 93 Memorial, The Ark Encounter, The Creation Museum, and the National Aviary.

Here are some other things that our God cannot do:

God cannot be imperfect. Be therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48
God cannot be second in your life. You shall not have any other gods before me. Exodus 20:3
God cannot leave you comfortless. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:18
God cannot forget those who serve Him. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have showed toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10
God cannot endure a proud look. …him that has a high look and a proud hear will I not suffer. Psalm 101:5
God’s mercy cannot end. O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endures forever. Psalm 107:1
God’s name cannot be taken in vain. You shall not take the name of the Lord Your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain. Exodus 20:7
God cannot allow ANYTHING to separate you from His love. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, for things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:38-39
God’s peace cannot be understood. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
God’s Word cannot return to Him void, it will accomplish what He wills. So shall my word be that goes forth from out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing where I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
God cannot change. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
God cannot deal with us according to our sin. He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. Psalm 103:10-11
God’s Word cannot be changed. Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89
God’s kingdom cannot be destroyed. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations. Psalm 145:13
God cannot be unforgiving to those who ask for forgiveness. 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
God’s plan for my life cannot be bad. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11
God cannot be selfish. He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32
God cannot accept sacrifices when He asks for obedience. And Samuel said, Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings, and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1 Samuel 15:22
God cannot be the author of confusion. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
1 Corinthians 14:33

I will share the last of the list next week. May God bless you.

Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks!

Bill Welte
President/CEO
America’s Keswick

The Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 44-47 | You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: The great struggle of my life is not trying to discern God’s will; it is trying to discern and then disown my own. —Paul Miller

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. Proverbs 28:12

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