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.

Longing for Real Home

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Perfect Sunset

For the story is about hell and heaven, trauma, shame, and finding love—the real Jesus accepting a broken man; and it is about the Father, Son, and Spirit finding us in the far country of our terrible and powerless mythology—to share their life with us. For the truth behind the universe is that God is Father, Son, and Spirit; and the one unflinching purpose of the blessed Trinity is that we would come to taste and feel, to know and experience, the very trinitarian life itself. ~ C. Baxter Kruger

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. ~ Paul, The Least of The Apostles, in Romans 7 & 8

Oh beloved, it is true. We long for Home. We long for a place where we belong. And, our whole lives we have been willing to do almost anything to get the sense that we were there. The problem though, is in our thinking that home is simply a place.

Yes, it is a place. And it is more. For the place Which is Home is quite large. It is Alive and It has made eternity His own home. Home is the context of the Life of

G_d. Home is family. Home is a Father and Son, and the Spirit of unity between the Three of Them.

But… back to the thing about us being willing to do almost anything to get the sense we were there…

In our fallen understanding we miss that home is indeed a location, but that that location is larger than the intersection of four dimensions (up/down, left/right, back/forth and time). And in our flat-landed and fleshly view, we try to set down stakes and bring the pleasure of home to ourselves. But, in attempting to draw life towards ourselves, we actually just wall ourselves in.

We do worse than just walling ourselves in. We block the flow, really, of anything good in our lives. As we try to set up our own homesteads, we push life away. And the harder we try, the more we circle the wagons in defeat, the more we feel home slipping away.

Oh… this is not as mystical as it sounds. To get a sense of the comfort of “home,” addicts do it by shoving people away and shoving chemicals into their bodies. We have all been there. Some of you, beloved, are still there. But, it never works.

What to do?

Go Home. It is simpler than we make it.

How?

We are already there… Actually, He is already here.

Can we see it? Read the passage. Jesus made this possible when He condemned sin to death, by His own death. In His infinitely powerful work on the cross, He tore the veil that had confined His presence to a locality in a temple in Jerusalem – and burst out across the entire planet. This symbolic act of tearing a big curtain was made a tangible reality when His Spirit came to stay, at Pentecost, a mere 50 days later.

And, each of us never has to long for home in the way that we have done it in the past. We are Home, when we live in the infinite Spirit. There are no boundaries to His Presence. He is with us wherever we go. There is no place He is not. This is the freedom we have always been looking for before, but always found ourselves in – instead – a trap of our own making.

So, are you longing for real home? Just look away from that point inside of you. That place is just an empty spot that you are trying to make feel like home. And in turning away, realize that the full heart, the sense of wellbeing, and the deep awareness of belonging is something we are drawn into – by being drawn away from a focus on our own self – and put directly onto Him.

Tonight is your night beloved. Time to walk in The Spirit. He is the Home you have been longing for.

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 140; Proverbs 21

Daily Quote:

Holiest Trinity, perfect in unity,

Bind in thy love every nation and race;

May we adore thee for time and eternity,

Father, Redeemer, and Spirit of grace.

~Patrick Appleford

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ~2 Corinthians 4:17-18

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Hard, but not Difficult

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Construction worker

“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” ~Genesis 4:7

We have a term in the construction field for labor work especially when it is drudgery, it’s called “Neck Down”. It can be a derogatory term but the meaning is this, stop thinking and work, stop using your head, just use everything from the neck down. Most labor detailed work is not difficult, but it’s hard.

The meaning of difficult I am referring to would be something that is hard to understand or figure out. I think we would all agree that although there are portions of scripture that can be difficult to understand, the basic meanings to living a sanctified life is simple but hard. I know what I should do but it’s not always easy.

When I find myself having to make a choice as to how I am going to act, the battle or conflict begins. There’s the flesh that wants what it wants and it wants it now. Then there’s the Spirit that speaks truth and the conviction that comes with it and leads me towards God. It reminds me of when I was a kid, we used to trade things a lot, whether baseball or football cards, lunches and even sometimes our bikes. The issue always was “am I willing to give up something I have for something I may want”? Am I willing to trade pleasing my Father in Heaven for the fleeting pleasure or comfort of my flesh?

When it comes to our walk with Jesus, He will never give up loving us but I believe our choices can disqualify or we can forfeit the blessings and the peace and joy that comes with obedience. Am I willing to trade sin and pleasure (death) for joy and blessings (life)? For a more complete list see Deuteronomy 29 and 30.

The choice isn’t always about action but sometimes it’s what we don’t do that becomes sin. It’s not difficult to figure out how to witness to someone or resolve a conflict, but it’s hard. And who feels like calling a brother out for sinful behavior? Not me. The problem is James makes it very clear in chapter 4 verse 17 “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin”.

I have found that even though it is hard and can be very uncomfortable, when our motives are right and God’s word is honored the results are worth it.

So, yes, our walk with the Lord can be hard, but it’s not difficult. Don’t get caught up thinking about not obeying, remember “neck down”.

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob 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.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 139; Proverbs 20

Daily Quote: Prayer is the link that connects us with God. ~A.B. Simpson

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceedingandeternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ~2 Corinthians 4:17-18

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The Source of Strength

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boy showing muscular biceps

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,”(2 Timothy 2:1)

John Ortberg declares, “Habits eat willpower for breakfast,” and I can concur. There have been numerous times in my life that I been faced with adversity, and failed miserably. Epic fails; white knuckling through my addiction, failed promises, failed New Years resolutions, one week diets, lack of consistency; you name it, I did it. With enough research, I’m sure that I can discover the answer. Wrong!

Timothy had a strong and wise mentor that knew the source of strength and the channel in which it flowed. Paul was teaching him, through grace, Christ’s strength was infused in him. He was teaching him not to rely on his own wisdom, his own strength, his natural abilities, but be strengthened by grace in Christ Jesus. But Paul didn’t just read or study this type faith, this developed through his experience.

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:8,9)

Even the secular world acknowledges that they need a power greater than themselves. That greater power is Jesus, the power in the name of Jesus breaks the chains of bondage plus provides strength for the daily routines of life. Ask me how I know?

“I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

My help comes from the LORD,

who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1,2)

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 138; Proverbs 19

Daily Quote: To have God speak to the heart is a majestic experience, an experience that people may miss if they monopolize the conversation and never pause to hear God’s responses. ~Charles Stanley

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding andeternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ~2 Corinthians 4:17-18

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The Art Of Being Out Gunned | Part Two

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 Open book and american flag.
“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” ~Matthew 5:19-20 (NKJV)
 
I kinda think the reason “The Evangelical Right” is up in arms this particular Election season is that it has watched the slow erosion of Christian values pick up speed. I remember hearing Latin in the Catholic church but that has changed. They say there was prayer in school but by the time I get there it was long gone. The rise of “THE MEGA-CHURCH” has people screaming that ears are only being tickled and a President-Elect used another President’s Bible to be sworn into office. Did he not have his own? Did he use it as a way to bring mockery upon a nation? One can only speculate…the truth really lies in the heart of him who took the oath. Right? And that is where we get ourselves crazy with thoughts of a government that has gone Anti-Christianity for the greater good of its people. We speculate…the end is near.
 
Well if you are resting your faith in that then you, Christian, are living as if you are out-gunned!! Now hear me out on this but if you have read your Bible, at least to Genesis 3, then you have read where Adam “SURRENDERED” his weapon to our adversary back in The Garden. What weapon you ask? The weapon of “OBEDIENCE” to the will of Him who created all things. Obedience as weapon? Yeah!! How many times I have seen the following verse posted on social media, “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”. (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV) Sounds like something we should obey, doesn’t it? So what’s the problem?
 
Well I think the problem is found in the consistency of our obedience or at the very least the maintenance of it.  It’s very hard to mix rigidity with flexibility and get something that can stand but Jesus did it and wants us to do likewise but we have to do this within the context of being called sojourners and are in a place that we can’t call home. So you have to pray for Babylon/Rome/America while you live in it. As a fallen people go, living within the topsy-turvy law of the land, that most folks are doing right now, things will bubble up that aren’t of God and those people will fight among themselves to bring about their own sense of righteousness. But we, as a redeemed people go, are called to a standard that says all that matters is the righteousness of Christ Jesus.
 
That means we have to stay within the obedience of what was taught to us. If we outwardly live like this then those “Thou Shall Not’s” will come out when we do what “Thou Shalt Do”. When the Disciples heard this teaching of Jesus they musta thought all those “LAWS” can fall by the wayside…they were wrong. By being in communion with Jesus (who is in perfect communion with The Father) they were upholding the law. Because they were shown ἀγάπη (agápē) they themselves were to show it or you weren’t in communion with anything but the world around you. So I ask this question…On Election Day are you in communion with YHVH or a political party?
 
I am hoping American Christianity can see its way through this malaise that we all are living in. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” and yet it has happening in America. So you can’t fault “The Evangelical Right” (the old guard) for trying their darnedest to correct a moral compass that has gonna awry. But it’s be done with the understanding that we need to love our enemies anyway. To not do this is to not be obedient to what you’ve been called to by Christ Himself. If you need to know what making a stand looks like, then ponder on these verses from Esther…

“If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

 

“And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” (Esther 4:16b)
 
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: Psalm 137; Proverbs 18

Daily Quote: You are but a poor soldier of Christ if you think you can overcome without fighting, and suppose you can have the crown without the conflict.” —John Chrysostom (Archbishop of Constantinople 397-403 A.D.)

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding andeternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ~2 Corinthians 4:17-18

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Well I Got Your Attention

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Addiction and Life signs, Choice conceptual image

My Freedom Fighter blog last week resulted in getting people fired up. But that’s ok – that’s what I was hoping to do.

Thanks for joining us on this great adventure in walking in freedom and victory. We don’t take it lightly that you click on our blog posts, and I trust that we are able to offer you encouragement in your walk with the Lord.

Now let me set the record straight:

1. I am not leaving America’s Keswick unless the Board tells me it’s time for me to go. I am as committed as ever to the purpose and mission of the ministry. At our Board meeting on Friday we had a lengthy discussion at how we concerned we are with the current trends and we are taking the steps to at least look more intently at what we do and why to see how we can better serve men and women who are battling addiction.

2. We are not giving up the ministry of addiction recovery. My comments last week were intended to make a point – it is very discouraging to see the devastation all around us in dealing with addiction. But what is even more discouraging is to see how sloppy we’ve become in the church in almost encouraging people in the body of Christ to explore and engage in exercising liberty that could easily become harmful and addictive to some who is weak.

My prayer in all of this is that we can once and for all address this issue without it becoming divisive. My plea to Pastor’s and Christian leaders is to teach the whole counsel of God on this topic so that we are being careful and a good testimony to the world around us.

We as a ministry would love to have open dialog to help equip you and the church to address this issue. I would invite you to write to me or email me at bwelte@americaskeswick.org and hear your thoughts.

Admittedly we are very concern because we are facing daily the devastation of addiction on not just the individual but the family. They say that for every individual who is battling addiction, his or her addiction impacts at least 10 other people.

So hopefully together we can begin to take the steps to begin to make a lasting difference. Sometimes it means me putting aside my freedom in order to help a weaker brother or sister walk in freedom. Sometimes it means watching what I post on Facebook, knowing that what I post could be an offense or a stumbling block to someone else who is weaker in the faith.

It isn’t just all about me – my rights, my freedoms, my ability to exercise my liberty in Christ. There’s a bigger picture at stake and I believe we need to look at it and address it.

I will look forward to hearing from you. May God bless you.

Written by Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick: He 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: Psalm 136; Proverbs 17

Daily Quote: Quote: The true Christian ideal is not to be happy but to be holy.

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ~2 Corinthians 4:17-18

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Praying Powerfully III

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Join us tonight, October 13, 2016 for Men’s Fellowship Night with guest speaker, Dr. Joe Basile from Grace Bible Fellowship, Bayonne!  Call now and make your reservations, 800.453.7942!

Afro American businessman

“Now, O LORD, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. (2 Kings 20:3)

Isaiah the prophet informed King Hezekiah that his life has reached its end and encouraged him to tie up all his loose ends. Hezekiah was a man known for prayer and his obedience to the Lord. But like most of us, he had issues and at this point he was very sick. He prayed; and before Isaiah left his kingdom the Lord mentions, “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you.”

This raises a debate to whether God changed His mine or did He already want to deliver Hezekiah and was waiting for the king to line up with His will. Nevertheless, the focus is on how intensely he prayed or as describes he wept bitterly.

When was the last time you wept over your sin, or the condition of the saints, your country, your family? We have become too casual in our prayer life that we check it off our to-do-list, or we think that we need to sound spiritual, or use the right vernacular. Prayer is more than just communication with God; it’s our lifeline.

“In my deepest, darkest moments, what really got me through was a prayer. Sometimes my prayer was ‘Help me.’ Sometimes a prayer was ‘Thank you.’ What I’ve discovered is that intimate connection and communication with my creator will always get me through because I know my support, my help, is just a prayer away.” Iyanla Vanzant

There is so much more to prayer then what we discussed, but the Bible illustrates various ways in how we can approach it. You want true change? It starts and ends in prayer.

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 132; Proverbs 13

Daily Quote: “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Martin Luther

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. ~2 Corinthians 4:16

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Mind Over Matter

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male eyes looking up

“I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” Romans 7:25

So, here’s the scene, me, the Teacher and the Principle. The question is posed to me, “don’t you see what you did wrong?” Of course I shrugged it off. This is the question the Holy Spirit asks me today. There seems to be a disconnect at times between what I know to be right and what I do.

The beautiful thing is thanks be to God my mind is now subject to the Spirit of God and I’m able to overpower the flesh. This idea is only possible when I choose to listen and I have been in God’s word in order for my mind to be convinced that I am an overcomer.

Paul sets up Romans 8 perfectly by spelling out the system in which God works. He is able to write Romans 7 from a firsthand account because that is his testimony. Don’t you see the set up? “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit”. When I understand that by responding to the Spirits prompting I agreeing that what I do is sin and He is not there to condemn but to restore. Going back to the scene in the Principles office I was defending myself because I didn’t see the good only the condemnation.

The word “mind” here is referring to “reason in the narrower sense, as the capacity for spiritual truth, the higher powers of the soul, the faculty of perceiving divine things, of recognizing goodness and of hating evil” (Blue Letter Bible).

Paul will tell us in chapter 12, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”. Each time I miss the mark and respond to the rebuke of the Holy Spirit I prove what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God.

So, the next time you mess up you have the opportunity to agree with God, isn’t that cool? I hope it helps you to know that God can be glorified even in our “mess ups”, just don’t make a habit of it, Amen!

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob 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.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 131; Proverbs 12

Daily Quote: I would have no desire other than to accomplish thy will. Teach me to pray; pray thyself in me. ~Francois Fenelon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. ~2 Corinthians 4:16

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The Art of Being Out-Gunned | Part One

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Crucifix on the hill
“Not everyone who calls out to Me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter.” ~Matthew 7:21 (NLT)
 
Autumn has always been the coolest season in my life. Yea,h it may mean that it’s time to put the shorts away and bust out the hoodie, but autumn is hands down the bestest season of them all…in my eyes. Now with that said I have to realize that with everything I think is the bestest comes a slice of the baddest and for this season it’s politicians who want to get elected. What they will say just to be in an office with a title and a paycheck makes me want to pack it up and move to the Northwestern Territories in Canada. Why there you ask? Well they have a non-partisan democracy, there are no political parties there and you can wear a hoodie just about all the time without it ever being an odd thing to do…just sayin’.
 
Now, I gotta ask this to all of you out there in Christianland…have you all lost your minds? It seems that this coming election has brought out the worst in some of you – and I’m no better in this so don’t think I come out of this discussion squeaky clean – but when I caught myself way too wrapped up in this God sent this lightning bolt through me and it said “How To Love Your Enemies” by Ray Pritchard. Well, it wasn’t exactly a lightning bolt, it was Ray’s pamphlet that came to me via snail mail but it definitely confirmed a thought I have been mediating on. “Do we have an identity crisis going on? Have we all forgotten the teaching Jesus gave on The Mount?”
 
Open your Bibles to 5th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel 3rd verse. Does it say “Blessed are the Caesar’s, the Herod’s, the Pharisees and the Sadducees”? No it does not, Jesus didn’t come for them and He knew they weren’t seeking Him either. His audience didn’t chant slogans like “ROME FOR ISRAEL” or “MAKE BABYLON GREAT AGAIN”. No one ever said it because it simply wasn’t where their identity was found. And to give my take on it, I don’t see them really finding their identity when they returned from exile. Not everyone comes back so you’ve got a fragmented picture of the once blessed Israel.
 
The cool thing that Jesus does is exhort the people that have gathered to hear Him preach. It’s a pretty simple scene without much flash but there are people, a multitude of them, hanging on the very Word of God. There are ten specific groups of folks that Jesus encourages but I suspect that a little of those ten are to be found in us from time to time then comes the beginnings of their new identity. “You are the salt of earth…You are the light of the world…You are a city on a hill.” These are simple everyday people being lifted up by Someone who was there at the creation of it all and He’s telling them you are worthy of Kingdom things. There’s going to be more, but the teaching is going to be tough. After all, to whom much is given, much is required…but the yoke of it will be light. Jesus promised that.
 
As we draw closer to Election Day I will be covering more from three infamous chapters in Matthew’s Gospel, but until next time please remember this…if you say you’re a Christian, then you are a little Christ. That’s your identity. If you are doing what most are doing in their arguments with each other then you are a Republican who says you’re a Christian or you are a Democrat who says you’re a Christian. In either case you have confused your identity with a worldview point. Jesus doesn’t say blessed are the Republicans, the Democrats, the Socialists or the Green Tea Partiers.
 
Jesus says blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the gentle, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who have been persecuted for righteousness sake, those who endure insults hurled at them, those who are persecuted with false account spoken of them all because of Jesus Christ. You are told to “Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” I don’t see anywhere in Scripture where my reward is on 600 Pennsylvania Ave in Washington DC. Don’t get me wrong, I want someone running our country making sure Kingdom principles abound…I’m just not gonna dirty up The Cross of Christ getting there. God is control…He alone knows the outcome. Until such a time comes you are to pray for Babylon. 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: Psalm 130; Proverbs 11

Daily Quote: To the natural man, the very notion of loving his enemies is an intolerable offence, and quite beyond his capacity: it cuts right across his ideas of good and evil. More important still, to man under the law, the idea of loving his enemies is clean contrary to the law of God, which requires men to sever all connection with their enemies and to pass judgement on them. Jesus, however, takes the law of God in His own hands and expounds its true meaning. The will of God, to which the law gives expression, is that men should defeat their enemies by loving them.” —Dietrich Bonhoeffer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. ~2 Corinthians 4:16

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I Think It’s Time to Call It Quits

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Depression in young age

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. Jude 20-21

What I am about to share reflects the struggle that I am facing increasingly as the President of America’s Keswick. What I am about to share my shock you and I trust that you will prayerfully hear my heart.

I really am at the point where I think our Board should call it quits and get out of the addiction recovery ministry. We are fighting a losing battle.

We have a record number of men who are graduating that are overdosing on heroin. Dying after one injection. Men who have graduated from the program who are relapsing in 48 hours and many of them are calling to come back to the program.

But there is an even greater concern. We have been encouraging our grads for years to connect with Bible believing churches so that they can grow in their walk with the Lord and continue to walk in victory.

Sounds like a great plan, doesn’t it? But in many cases, I owe the men a huge apology for setting them up for failure.

I just heard a report of a Christian addiction recovery ministry that raised $100,000 to help men and women come out of addiction. The money was raised by selling alcohol which was sold by young female bartenders that were asked to volunteer their services. So apparently we need to encourage men who are alcoholics to get the victory, but apparently one of the best fundraising tactics is to get people to sell the addictive –home/life destroying product and find people who want to help see addicts free to “contribute” by buying the product.

Yesterday I read an article about a new group of churches being raised up that are setting up shop in bars. The new evangelism initiative is called “Jesus and Beer.” The plan is to invited seekers to attend a “service” in a bar, serve the best beer, and have dialog about Jesus.

So I guess if we are going to be able to most effectively serve our grads in transitioning back to the “real” world, we need to educate them that it still isn’t ok for them to go to a bar and drink on their own and with their old friends. It is ok to go to the bar and drink as long as you are joining other Christians who have learned to drink responsibly and at the same time are able committed to studying the Bible and sharing Christ.

I have yet to see a post of Facebook posted by my Christian friends that shows them in the bar gathering for church or a Bible study. I have rarely been in the company of “Christian” drinkers where someone hasn’t left the party inebriated and out of control.

But even more disturbing is that the with this new norm we’ve swung the pendulum the other way in that you can’t hold a different position. It doesn’t matter if you have a history of alcohol in your background, it doesn’t matter is you choose to not drink, it doesn’t matter if you are concerned about offending a weaker brother or sister, you either join on or you are ridiculed.

I have left several functions where people have been in my face because I wouldn’t drink a beer. After all, if I am not at America’s Keswick, who is going to know? Really? So what happened to the passages in the New Testament about the weaker brother/sister or not doing something because it might hinder ones testimony? Or suppose your insistence on someone drinking leads them on a downward spiral or even worse, they do leave the party under the influence and face getting a DUI all in the name of “I’m free in Christ to do this so you need to do it too?”

This is a hot button topic and I am sure that I am going to get some humdinger responses. I welcome your comments. But I believe that we have opened the door to some pretty serious issues that are already coming back to bite us.

The same Pastors that refuse to preach both sides of this issue because they can’t nail total abstinence from the Scriptures, and I agree, are the ones that are ticked off at us when a believer in their church has lost everything because of the effects of alcohol, and “What do you mean there is waiting list?” We have a problem, guys.

I will write more about this in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, the next time I am at Applebees, I plan to take a picture of me and the guys enjoying our unsweetened iced teas and diet sodas.

Written by Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick: He 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: Psalm 129; Proverbs 10

Daily Quote: Liberty is turned to license by self. – Walter Chantry

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. ~2 Corinthians 4:16

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Do the Best With What You Have

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Silhouettes of a team

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)

I have read somewhere that there was a village in England some years ago that had a town hall with a clock with one hand in the steeple facing the central square. The village did not have enough money to repair it. Some wag suggested, “Well, at least the clock is right twice a day!” But a village philosopher suggested that the message of the clock is, “Do the best with what you have.” That’s good advice.

In a way, that is the story of Simon Peter in the Gospels. Among those who were following the Lord Jesus Christ, none were more colorful than Simon Peter. His story began when his brother, Andrew, brought him to Jesus. When Jesus met him, He said, “You are Simon…and you shall be Peter” (John 1:42). The Greek word for Peter is “rock.” “You are…you shall be.” Hidden within Peter was God-given potential that had not yet surfaced. I suppose Peter thought he could never be anything other than what he was – a fisherman from Galilee. But Jesus saw him differently. “Rocky” would be a good name by which to know him.

So Peter began to follow Jesus and the rough edges began to wear away. One gets the impression that Simon Peter was a strong man who appeared to be given to physical violence as a way of settling personal disputes.

Peter was always stirred and moved by the actions and the words of Jesus. He had his highs and his lows. He confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:16) yet a short time later he objected to Jesus saying He must die on a cross (Matt 16:22), but he was so much like we are. He wanted to be so close to Jesus, yet he failed so miserably and so often. We can easily identify with him more than with the other disciples.

The time came when Jesus warned him that he would deny he knew Jesus, not once but three times before the night was over (John 13:38). Peter protested vehemently…yet he did. But his story doesn’t end there. Even before his failure, Jesus gave him hope that recovery would be possible. He was forgiven and restored. His story tells us that we, too, can be transformed by God’s grace. Our past and present need not limit us in our future usefulness for Jesus. Peter wrote two letters about what he had learned. In 1 Peter, he wrote about suffering; in 2 Peter, he wrote about loyalty. What we are today need not be what we shall be tomorrow.

Written by Dr. Donald R. Hubbard: Dr Hubbard is a Bible teacher on Bible Broadcasting Network and frequent speaker at America’s Keswick.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 126; Proverbs 7

Daily Quote: “Prayer is not a hard requirement – it is the natural duty of a creature to its creator, the simplest homage that human need can pay to divine liberality.” ~Charles Spurgeon 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.~2 Corinthians 4:15

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