Freedom Fighters

Prodigal Humility

03/16/201603/14/2016Leave a comment

“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’” ~James 4:6 (NKJV)

(Before I go too much further I have to confess that this writing is going to come from some notes that I found on my desk that I know came from a Keswick conference. I just don’t know from whom I got them from or how long ago I got them. So if what I write looks familiar to what you spoke on…let me know who you are, you musta gave some sermon that time period)

One of the things I have been encouraging folks to understand is that humiliation only pleases Satan. If we were to go back to the beginning of The Book everything Elohim created was good until Satan showed up. It was in humiliation that Adam and Eve covered up their disobedience their own way and when YHVH asked “Where are you?” it was all over, shame set in. Now here we are, in the 21^st century and very few of us can truly say it’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” and it’s all because of this skewed view we have of humility (thought I was gonna say humiliation, didn’t you?) Anyway…

So often in the Christian world we tend to parley humility to each other. If you treat me with humility, I’ll treat you likewise. So from the view point of a guy that greets everyone at the front door of the church he attends, every now and again, parley is no way to handle humility. Now, at times, when I hand out bulletins to people with a gracious smile, a big ole’ “GOOD MORNING” what I’ll get in return is a growl of “…morin’…” then off they go. Now if I parley my composure for the next time I see them they might just get “…mornin’-ing…” themselves. In essence it is no way to show Christian humility, however, when it does come to showing Christian humility we’ll go philia before agape every time. Sad…but true!

Now God’s Word makes this one point very clear, God gives grace to the humble. That in and of its self should blow us away. Our problem is that after we’ve gone through a time of brokenness we relax and get comfortable, pride creeps back into our everyday and then it becomes all about us again. But then on the flip side there is a widespread misunderstanding of this whole sense of humility. Like what was written back in the 6^th century by a monk named Benedict. He had these 12 steps to humility and in the 7^th step he suggested to other monks that they look at themselves as the lowest and vilest of men and quietly say to themselves, “But I am a worm and no man, the reproach of men and the outcast of people.” Not sure about you but I ain’t saying nuttin’ like that! God don’t make no junk like that…besides God already created worms. Can’t question The Creator.

So I guess we need to wrap our minds around what motivates humility in our Christian walk. Andrew Murray wrote that there three motives that should urge us to humility…I like the second one. Humility should “appeal to us in our fallen state, and points out the only way through which we can return to our right place as men” (or women). It’s being oriented away from ourselves and being there to serve the interests of others. But what it’s not is a license to keep screwing up so we can get back to a contrite position with God. If you have been saved and truly believe it is by grace that you have been saved, then you should already be at the contrite part. It’s not sin that makes you humble its grace…got it?

Well this is about as far as I can go today but in the next few Freedom Fighters I hope to be able to work us through humility in the parable of The Prodigal Son. It is my view that Jesus does us a great favor by flipping the script on what was once look upon as humiliation to levels of humility we get the rest of time on earth to achieve. And yes I am proposing that you have the rest of your time here to work on humility. I think one of the greatest disservices we do to ourselves is we think we have to have this all together at the moment we’ve confessed with our mouths and believe in our hearts that Jesus saves. Au Contraire…I believe that God wants us to keep working at it because it shows Him that we love Him enough to pressing on. Amen?

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris, a graduate of The Colony of Mercy (November 2003), is married with two adult children (who you may remember from summer staff) and serves on the Deacon Board at Trinity Alliance Church in Cologne NJ.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 76; Proverbs 16

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: “When I look back on my own religious experience, or on the Church of Christ in the world, I stand amazed at the thought of how little humility is sought after as the distinguishing feature of the discipleship of Jesus. “ ~Andrew Murray

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

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Let it Roll

03/15/201603/14/2016Leave a comment

Then the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you”. ~Joshua 5:9a

There seems to be an excitement for some when it comes to the game of chance. If I can pick the “lucky” number I will win, but if not, I lose. I have watched people live their lives gambling on that one hopeful “roll of the dice” that could put them on top.

There is a fine line in Christianity between works and grace, I’m not about to tackle the topic but I do know for me that when I “roll the dice” in my walk with God I’m playing with fire. I know that my salvation is secure and there’s nothing I can do to earn it but when I look at the example of the trek out of the wilderness and into the Promise land that is recorded in the book of Joshua I see a people who have submitted themselves to the will of God and are “walking” in His ways.

It took a long walk in the wilderness and an example of what not to do to get the attention of the children of Israel but in the 5th chapter of Joshua we see God taking a moment to encourage His people by telling them “This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you”. It seems they were done gambling on their future and were willing to follow God’s plan.

I think it’s the same way with us, I know I’ve been willing to “roll the dice” with my walk only to be frustrated and having to turn away from my way of thinking because of the conviction of shame. When we begin to get back on the right path and walk in the Spirit we will sense that the reproach of our sin is once again rolled away.

When we come to the reality that we are no longer bound to sin but instead free from it we see that there is “Victory in Jesus”. “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin” Romans 6:6.

This seems to be a continual battle for me as I have to make it a practice to filter my thoughts through the Word of God and stay on His path for my life.

So if you feel the shame because of some bad choices today, put down the dice and “Cross the Jordan” and walk in the assurance of His grace and He will roll away the reproach.

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and full time staff member in the Maintenance Department at America’s Keswick.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 75; Proverbs 15

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: The presence of hope in the invincible sovereignty of God drives out fear. ~John Piper

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

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Where Are All The Statesmen?

03/14/201603/13/20161 Comment

Good morning on this new week of Freedom Fighter’s. We don’t take it lightly that you make the choice to dial in to read our blogs each day. Thank you for partnering with us on this journey.

I am really looking forward to November 9th. I am not sure how much more I can take of the debates and all of the craziness that is happening this year with the presidential election.

This Freedom Fighter is not one that is going to attack either party as far as their political agenda, nor is it intended to endorse a candidate.

My disappointment and dismay is really on the use of the candidate’s words. Political rhetoric is one thing – I get that. But we have a bunch of men and one woman who spend more time using their words to insult, tear down, name call and now even use words that are unfit for the President of the United States of America.

Interesting that you don’t hear sound bites from other world leaders talking about their genitals on national television. We have become the laughing stock of the world in so many ways, but the garbage coming from the mouths of these potential presidential leaders has reached a new low.

I have talked about the use of our words many times in my blogs. I constantly battle this in my own life. Stuff flows off my tongue so easy and then I quickly regret what I have said, often times in jest, wishing that I could suck back those words – only to realize that it is too late.

Hurtful names stick. They can stick for a lifetime. They can change the course of someone’s life. And as believers, we need to remember, and remember often that our words make an impact on the hearers.

Words reveal what is going on in our hearts. In fact, Charles Swindol says that our words are the dictionaries of our hearts.

Sad to say, but in some circles, our use of words has filtered down to the pulpit. I know I am getting old when I cringe when Pastors use words from the pulpit that sound like the verbiage from TV. Maybe I am old-fashioned, but is the word “crap” and “suck” appropriate from the pulpit in order to be relevant?

The Bible has much to say about our words. It makes it very clear that our words need to be different than the worlds. Jesus was forceful in the use of his words – He definitely used descriptive terms to call out the Pharisees and Sadducees. But then I am sure there are some that have Jesus drinking at parties that would try and tell us He probably used bad words too in order to reach the crowd.

My prayer will continue to be, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.

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 74; Proverbs 14

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: If we can keep ourselves pure within, we will be pure in our speech and in our actions as well. ~Chris Tiegreen

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

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Death by Anger

03/11/201603/07/2016Leave a comment

Sharp words make more wounds than surgeons can heal. ~Chinese Proverb

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. ~James 1:19-20

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~from Colossians 3

Oh beloved, it is true. There is a reason that anger is a bad idea. And it is not just because it will get you into trouble. Yes, anger can get us into hot water. But, that is not its worst effect.

Anger saps the life out of its targets.

This fool of a writer knows the reality of this from both perspectives. I am indeed a man with an anger problem. I have hurt many in the past, and i may just hurt some people in the future if i am not yielded to His Spirit for the grace to be gracious. And the only way

that i have ever begun to get a handle on it is to realize that it is a problem and to begin to allow G_d to show me that i nearly never have the right to even get angry.

However, my knowledge of anger is not just because i have some of it in me. My knowledge is because i have been the target of anger for much of my life. Many of those close to me had not (or still have not) seen the light on the issue. Fear and want and a sense of being out of control have had many near me pour out their stuff on me.

The result has been a dulling of the brightness in my being. So much of me had hope for this life, but the anger of others has driven this hope beyond this life and into the next. And while i am learning that this is OK – and even something for which i should be exceedingly glad – a part of me moans in anguish.

I am not alone. Nor do i ask for pity. For He has made me strong in Himself. Still, the soul of the one who has been the target of so much anger is smaller than it could be. There is an ebbing of strength and a wishing that things could have been different.

Beloved, may this fool preach for a moment to those who still struggle in this area? Do you have any idea how badly some people are hurt by your anger and fear? May i testify that many people do not see the world as you do. Some people have not one resentful and hurtful bone in their body. Oh yes, we all are fallen.

But, the failures of others do not make them fair game to the mess in your soul. So yeah, i am just gonna say it. Anger is very, very dangerous. And one of the main reasons it is so dangerous is that the people who have the biggest problem with it, don’t think that it is that big of a deal.

So, is anger one of your shortcomings? It is one of mine, and i often lay it at the feet of my King. Maybe it is time for you to work on it too; and not just so you can stay out of trouble. Maybe you should begin working on the issue so that those closest to you can begin to heal as well.

Tonight is your night. Time to give up the right to something you could never handle anyway.

Written by Makala (Mak) Doulos: Makala Doulos is a child of God, 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, God’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 71; Proverbs 11

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: Whenever I allow anything but tenderness and compassion to dictate my response to life–be it self-righteous anger, moralizing, defensiveness, the pressing need to change others…I am alienated from my true self. My identity as Abba’s child [a child of God] becomes ambiguous, tentative and confused ~Brennan Manning

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

But you would not, ~ Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV)

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Because…

03/10/201603/07/2016Leave a comment

“I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, But because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.” ~1 John 2:21

I can recall one of my famous lines when telling my kids to do something they didn’t want to do, they would ask the most popular question a kid could ask, “Why?” in which I would say “Because I said so”.

The word because is an important word when it comes to who we are in Christ, in is the bridge that explains a lot about who and what we are because of the work done on the cross.

In 1st John the word because is used 24 times in 20 verses in the NKJV, a book that only has 5 chapters. It means “for the reason that or since”, It becomes the word that answers any questions that we may have about our identity. John gives us a firsthand account of what he experienced and saw. He tells us his purpose for his letter in the 3rd verse of chapter 1, “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full”. He goes on in the first chapter to layout the core beliefs we must have in order to become children of God.

We read about a “True Light” that has come and that if we are walking in the Light of God we should walk as He walked, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (2:6). This word from God becomes our anthem when the world asks the question about why we believe what we believe, we simply say “Because God said so”.

I pray that today if the circumstances of life have dragged you into a place of dimness and the True Light has been shaded, that you would rise up and put your faith in the Word of God. That you would be able to take all the junk that life throws at you and filter it thru God’s word. We can stand with confidence “because” of who God says we are and walk with Him in victory.

In chapter 2 verse 13 John calls us out and sets us up to be on our guard and put things into perspective.

“I write to you, fathers,

Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,

Because you have overcome the wicked one.

I write to you, little children,

Because you have known the Father.”

Let this be a reminder this morning that we walk by faith and not by sight. “BECAUSE” we follow the Word of God as the Spirit of God uses it to keep us in the Love of God. Amen!

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy graduate and a full time staff member of America’s Keswick.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 70; Proverbs 10

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: I know of no better thermometer to your spiritual temperature than this, the measure of the intensity of your prayer. ~Charles H. Spurgeon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

But you would not, ~ Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV)

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You Who are Spiritual!

03/09/201603/07/2016Leave a comment

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. ~Galatians 6:1

This verse is good accountability before you decide to approach another person on his or her circumstances. This seems like a contradiction because Paul is addressing the church, whom should already be filled with the Spirit. Is it possible to be in Christ and not be spiritual? Who is the Spiritual entity amongst Christian community?

When I think about a man that walks in Spirt, I quickly think about an obedient man. Not a person who is trying to attain sin-less perfection but a man that listens to Gods direction on his path moment by moment. Someone is who governed by truth, and handles that truth with love. A person that will push past his own interest, his issues, his preference for the sake of others. One who has a good reputation with man and God.

This man has the ability to implement the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. One who take care of his responsibilities whether it’s work or being a husband, father, son, uncle, brother and the like… Whether a spiritual leader is training a new employee or working through a difficult conflict resolution, he will lead others to restoration and help them to discover their own connection to God more deeply in the process. This person can be trusted to restore one in a spirit of gentleness.

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 69; Proverbs 9

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote:O, let the place of secret prayer become to me the most beloved spot on earth. ~Andrew Murray

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

But you would not, ~ Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV)

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Fire Exits

03/08/201603/07/2016Leave a comment

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.” ~1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NLT)

I see one of the most DUMBEST acts of carelessness ever performed every day at the place where I work. Every time I see it happen I just wanna reach out and…well maybe I ought not go much further than that but it does really butter my biscuits. And since my response to this display of stupidity is a key factor in the getting along with those that claim their citizenship in Secularland I find myself quietly (well…not really all that quietly) undoing what was just done. My phrase of choice has been “Please allow me to move your cart of stuff away from the FIRE EXIT!!!” (emphasis on the sarcasm). Then I make sure I at least report the act to someone who looks like they might agree with me…emphasis on the “might agree.”

The last time this happened (which is probably right now as you read this) it made me think of what we read in 1 Corinthians 10:13…” He will show you a way out so that you can endure.” Now as much as we agree that this is how our God works we can, at times, we tend to spend too much effort looking at the obstacles. Which is what I do when I see the fire exits at work blocked. My response to them being there at all isn’t good because even if I say nothing out loud (for all to hear), my voice within me is just as loud. And since it is staying within me, I tend to add a few unkind adjectives to my conversation. What a wretched man I am.

I think one of the things that we/I have to get a grip on is that we have been a people who have been tempted to do stupid things throughout the ages. After Genesis 3 it all goes downhill and that means that we, as fallen creatures, are always temptable. We’ve yielded to temptation by the law of habit, we have gained a tendency to do acts of stupidity, and this tendency is ever on the increase. Access to stupid things is easier now than when I was younger and even then it was thought that access was easier to my generation. See how this rolls?

Now don’t fret it will all get better when we get to heaven and heaven may have no incentives for wrong doings but it ain’t like that down here!! You may have the “Christian privilege” that Christ purchase for you but even the Hebrews found favor with YHVH while they were in the wilderness…the family of Korah got swallowed anyway, didn’t they? Privilege is not security.

So what of the things that get in the way of getting outta temptation’s grip? Well God says they are resistible…” I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13) And yes we can fall back on this verse but not taking for granted what comes before this verse…” Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” (Phil 4:11-12) I think the key to finding the way of escape is found in the “to be content” part of the passage.

As I go through my everyday existence I have to come to terms that things WILL get in the way of an easy exit BUT when it comes to those things of danger to my spiritual wellbeing I have to ask God to do His work. Lately I’ve been asking to let “Your word be a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105) a lot these days. And because of this I’ve seen my way clear to do those things for God that I’ve been assigned, I’ve been guided to those who are there to help me get them done and to the moment to be able to say “Look at what my God can do” and it is in this I find contentment. But when my word is my lamp to guide my path it seems to end up with some doofus blocking my exit with his stupid work cart. GRRRR…what a wretched man I can be but thanks be to God through Jesus Christ I can find a way of escape. Hope you can as well. Amen!?

Written by Chris Hughes: Graduate of The Colony of Mercy 11-2003 and serves on the Deacon Board at Trinity Alliance Church in Cologne NJ.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 68; Proverbs 8

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: “It’s been said many times that Satan doesn’t worry about throwing roadblocks in front of us if we aren’t posing a threat to him. But if we are a threat to him—if we are doing things for God—then look out! Want some practical advice? Stay rooted to people who are of similar mind and have a similar focus on God and Christ.” ~Tony Dungy/Nathan Whitaker

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

But you would not, ~ Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV)

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Affirm Your Children – Learn From My Mistakes

03/07/201603/06/20161 Comment

Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master. Ephesians 6:4 (The Message)

I have learned so much from watching my grown kid’s parent. I realize how many terrible mistakes I made when my first four kids were growing up.

One of the most important lessons I have learned is that it is really important to affirm your kids. But let me explain.

My Dad loved me dearly and I knew he loved me. But one of the things he didn’t do was affirm my brother and me. He did affirm us to everyone else. He told everyone how proud he was of our accomplishments, and how thrilled he was that we were following the Lord. He just rarely or hardly ever told us.

When Zach came along, our surprise fourth-late-in-life child, I did a terrible job in always pointing out all the things he was doing wrong. He didn’t do this right – he didn’t do that right. Our relationship was really moving in the wrong direction.

Finally my wife had the boldness to tell me that I needed to make a change or I was going to lose him. I really believe that was the turning point in our relationship. I began to point out all the things he was doing right, making sure that I told him when he did something special, thanking him for the things he was doing that were good vs. nagging about all the stuff he was not doing or not doing right. I can’t say I am there 100%, but I am moving in the right direction.

I have several friends in ministry who are doing an amazing job. Their Dad’s brag on them to me all the time, but these men have never told their son’s that they are doing a great job. I have challenged these men to make sure that they take the time to affirm their sons to them – not just to everyone else.

Elisa Hoffman and Carol Kuykendall in their book, “What Every Child Needs,” challenge us to do the following in affirming our kids:

1. Praise selectively. Affirm the positive often.

2. Praise immediately. Praise them when you catch them doing it right.

3. Praise specifically.

4. Praise intentionally.

My guess is that you are probably saying to yourself, I get it. Most of my Dad’s generation parented like he did. And I am almost certain they were doing exactly what their Dad’s modeled for them.

So here’s the deal – whether you are in the middle of the parenting years, just getting started – or maybe your kids are grown. It’s not too late to start affirming your kids.

They might think you have some kind of terminal illness and that’s why you are doing it after all these years. But in the end, you will be giving one of the greatest gifts you could ever give your children. This one important task will be passed on to the next generation and could change the whole course of history.

Think about it.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 67; Proverbs 7

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: The sooner you treat your son as a man, the sooner he will be one. ~John Dryden (1631-1700) British poet, dramatist and critic.

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

But you would not, ~ Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV)

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