What To Do, What To Do?

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good  Conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” James 3:13

Decisions, the path that leads to a destination of our own doing. A place that was mapped out in the working of our mind. It’s as if the moment we choose an action we put into play a series of events that has an effect on not only us but those around us.

Show me a man who has a disciplined life of surrendering his will to God along with a healthy consumption of God’s word and I’ll show you someone who makes good choices. James seems to be telling us to put our money where our mouth is, don’t just say you’re wise, but show me. The funny thing about those people who lead a life of solid decision making is that they never need to boast about their spirituality or they’re resume of Bible knowledge, it’s evident by their actions.

In chapter 3, James gives us a list of the things we can us to begin to lead a life of applied biblical knowledge. He starts off by warning us of the one member of the body that has a major role in the direction we travel, the tongue, that rudder that is able to plot our course. He says it’s like a spark that sets a blaze a whole forest. Yet so many of us try to tame it by watching what we say or just by keeping our mouth shut. Although that will last for a while if we don’t take heed to the rest of the chapter we are only masking the real problem, the heart.

Matthew records the words of Jesus in the 12^th chapter verse 34 as saying to the Pharisees, “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”. So James becomes a letter that informs us of a need, he tries to advocate the usefulness of scripture and the power that it has to change us. I think James is uncovering the differences between the wisdom of this world compared to the wisdom from above. He wants us to see that if we want to make godly decisions that there’s a way to take a self-inventory and make the adjustments by seeking the ways of God.

He finishes the thoughts by giving us a check list that we can filter thru our minds to see if it lines up with the intent of our hearts, he says, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace”.

Try lining up your next decision thru this verse, if there are areas that don’t line up with our actions and we want to make godly decisions in the future refer back to chapter 1, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him”, but be ready to count the cost because if you’re like me there’s going to be a house cleaning of selfish ambitions first, Amen! – Rob Russomano is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and loves Jesus. He serves full-time at America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 7-9; Luke 1:21-38

Think About This: “If my friend could see into the depths of his own heart (and like me, occasionally he can), he would discover a desire for nearness to Christ that’s actually stronger than his desire for either becoming a better person or enjoying a better life. And he’s invited to come, just as he is, to walk through the thick door that now remains open into the literal presence of God. His broken heart is now free to do what he most wants to do: to rest, to relax in an acceptance he did not earn and cannot lose, to plead a guaranteed mercy, and to collapse into extravagant grace. And as he does so, his heart will stir with a passion to please the One who pulled him out from under the crushing Law of Linearity.  He’ll now be free to live better, not to make his life run more smoothly, not to arrange for additional blessings, but centrally to please the One who set him free from pressure.” – Larry Crabb

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Join us this tonight for our November Men’s Fellowship Night. Former summer staffer and now a full-time Pastor, Tom Brown, will be sharing a challenge from God’s Word. Call 800-453-7942 and make your reservation. See link for details.

Finishing well

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”(Genesis 12:1-3)

It’s obvious Abraham had a great call, which would challenge life as he knew. In that call, he has been labeled as a man of faith and obedience, as well as the father of many nations. He was selected, or some would say he was elected for God’s handy work. Abraham was righteous, but not perfect.

Poor decisions

He willfully put his wife Sarah in a compromising position on two separate occasions; by saying she was his sister, to save his own skin. (Genesis 12:1-20, and 20:1-7)

His lack of faith; had a child with housemaid Hagar Genesis 16:2

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”(1 Corinthians 13:11)

He was a child in age, but definitely in some of his decisions.

Growing Pains

What! Leave my country and my family?

Left his family and friends!

Left the home he was raised and knew!

He Faced uncertainties!

Oppositions from other nations!

Life is going to present situations that, if we are open, can be use as an educational tool!

His Legacy

“Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.” Genesis 24.1

He progresses from the call of his life to and example to all of of faith in the midst of trials. Abraham, like us, wasn’t perfect, but he matures into a man of faith.

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.” (Hebrews 11:8-11)

We all have a calling, a platform to exercise our faith. The journey will indeed present random roadblocks, either by you own demise or from an outside source. At that very moment you ask yourself the question, what legacy am I leaving? Finish well my friend! – Juan Mendez serves at the Colony of Mercy as a Chaplain and is also a graduate. Email him at jmendez@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 4-6; Luke 1:1-20

Think About This: The essence of God’s action in wrath is to give people what they choose, in all its implications. —J.I. Packer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Join us this tomorrow night for our November Men’s Fellowship Night. Former summer staffer and now a full-time Pastor, Tom Brown, will be sharing a challenge from God’s Word. Call 800-453-7942 and make your reservation. See link for details.

Whose Ambassador Are You?

Exodus 3:14; 1 Corinthians 1:17-21;

We believers are ambassadors representing the Eternal I AM (LORD, YAHWEH). We are in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit. God The Holy Spirit is unified with God The Father and God The Son so all the fullness OF GOD indwells us bodily. We are sent into the world to reveal what God is like as his ambassadors (ponder John 17:18).

We carry the powerful resource of God’s character into the world as we represent Him. Consider His character: He is the LORD who provides not only a redeeming sacrifice but He provides the Way, the Truth, and the Life giving us immediate access to Himself (Genesis 22:13, 14; John 14:6). He is the LORD who heals us physically and spiritually (Exodus 15:26,; John 9:1-12;35-37). The LORD is our victory banner (Exodus 17:8-15; Galatians 5:16, 24, 25; 2 Timothy 2:21,22). He is peace (Judges 6:24). The LORD provided the sacrifice for our peace and the possibility for peace with our fellow man (Romans 5:1,2; Ephesians 2:14,15; Colossians 1:20; Romans 12:18). The LORD is our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6) and The LORD is always there (Ezekiel 48:35; Matthew 28:20). These are only a few examples of the LORD’s character. As you read the Scriptures and see other examples take note of them and write them down.

We have access to all the resources we need to represent the King. I believe, if we believers deeply understood the Eternal I AM indwells us we would sin less and be better representatives of the Kingdom. We are, after all, part of the Royal Family, a Kingdom of Priests. The question is: What kind will we be? Will you join me in choosing to daily walk in the Spirit?

Today’s Affirmation:

I represent The Eternal I AM as His ambassador to a lost world; I can courageously accomplish all He wills me to do. – Pastor Bob Wood is a Seasonal Camper at America’s Keswick and a discipler of men. Email him at Dsprayer@aol.com

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 1-3; Jude 1

Think About This: The loving service which God sends His people into the world to render includes both evangelism and social action, for each is in itself an authentic expression of love, and neither needs the other to justify it. John R. W. Stott

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Join us this Thursday night for our November Men’s Fellowship Night. Former summer staffer and now a full-time Pastor, Tom Brown, will be sharing a challenge from God’s Word. Call 800-453-7942 and make your reservation. See link for details.

St. John’s 9^th THIRD MOVEMENT

“Look!” the man exclaimed. “I told you once. Didn’t you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become His disciples, too?” Then they cursed him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses! We know God spoke to Moses, but we don’t even know where this man comes from.” “Why, that’s very strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where He comes from?” John 9:27-30 (NLT)

It’s an amazing thing how the human default system can work. When life isn’t at its smoothest my default is frustration (then maybe kicking the family cat down the hall—that’s a joke…sorta) Some folks can let things roll off their backs and some people just have the ability to accept the circumstance and move forward. When it comes to our once blinded friend in the 9^th chapter of John’s Gospel we can see a few different defaults take place. And just as the 3^rd movement glides along in Beethoven’s 9^th so we continue on with this Gospel-enriched orchestration we segue into the interrogation of our once blinded friend’s parental units.

I guess before Jesus actually walked among His nay-sayers there was a weird way of excommunicating people who didn’t repent and to say something like “Jesus is the Messiah” got the ball rolling. You had this 30, 60, 90-day time period to repent from making such statements or be totally cut-off from Jewish society. This had to be intimating and had to be in the forefront of our once blind man’s parents mind. So they’re default in this case was to save themselves… “We know this is our son and that he was born blind, but we don’t know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.”

In my opinion we are seeing the first defender of the faith in the story of Jesus curing a man born blind. I’m pretty sure he isn’t schooled in the theology of the day, after all who wanted to teach the inferior back then (or even now for that matter). All he knows is that Jesus healed him and he really wants the world to know. Jesus doesn’t tell him to keep this miracle to himself either, Jesus told His disciples why it is that this man was born blind. It was to “Give Glory to God” as those wacky Pharisees demanded of him and he was doing just that…but the Pharisees were looking at it in a different light. Their standard default was denial even though it could be assumed that a miracle proclaimed the presence of a prophet and since this miracle was without parallel it has to be “of the Christ.”

I also admire this once blinded man’s resilience which is our blind friends default. His bold and courageous confession of Jesus Christ never wavered during the persistent interrogation of the Pharisees. Our once blind friend challenges the Pharisees in discipleship. They made their stand on being a disciple of Moses but they fail to understand that Moses was not an opponent of Jesus but a witness to Him. Moses came face to face with God the Father and these knuckleheads, I mean Pharisees, are coming face to face to God the Son but in their blindness they do not see Him. The only thing they have right is that this man was born entirely in sin, they just forgot to turn the finger onto themselves as well. And you know I often wondered just how much sin a Pharisee was allowed to have.

If we take a moment to ponder our once blind friend’s plight, his life had to be miserable and Jesus saves him from it. We are not too far removed from this either. We were spiritually blinded until Jesus flipped the script for us and I am sure that somewhere in our timeline we’ve run into folks who say that a leopard cannot change his spots and they get offended when we ask them to share in the very same name that saved us. If this isn’t happening to you once in a while I would examine yourself and see where you are positioned in your faith. There is a cost to discipleship in Jesus and if this has been a free ride for you please make this day of true salvation and let the armor that you say you wear take a ding or two in it. Amen? – Chris Hughes is a weekly Freedom Fighter blogger and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. Email him at cphughes515@verizon.net

Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 9-10; 2 Timothy 4

Think About This: “Discipleship without Jesus Christ is a way of our choosing. It may be the ideal way. It may even lead to martyrdom, but it is devoid of all promise. Jesus will certainly reject it.”—Dietrich Bonheoffer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Join us this Thursday night for our November Men’s Fellowship Night. Former summer staffer and now a full-time Pastor, Tom Brown, will be sharing a challenge from God’s Word. Call 800-453-7942 and make your reservation. See link for details.

“NO” From a Different Perspective

Good morning, and welcome to this new week of Freedom Fighter blogs. I just you have been encouraged on your journey as Juan, Chris, Pastor Bob and Rob have shared their hearts each week.

Most of us have a hard time with the word “NO!” Actually most kids learn to say the word very early in the game. And if we are honest, the word usually associated in the context of something we shouldn’t do, say or think in a negative way.

But the Bible has a different spin on the word “NO” as it has a number of places where “NO” is actually a good thing. Let me give you some examples:

1. God shows NO partiality: Then Peter openedhismouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows NO partiality. Acts 10:34
2. We NO longer need to be slaves to sin: knowing this, that our old man was crucified withHim,that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should NO longer be slaves of sin. Romans 6:6
3. We NO longer face condemnation when we are in Christ: There istherefore now NO condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1
4. NO temptation has to take control of you: NO temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but Godis faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bearit. 1 Corinthians 10:13
5. It is NO longer about you living this life – Christ lives in and through you: I have been crucified with Christ; it is NO longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and thelifewhich I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
6. We are NO longer slaves – we’re a child of the King: Therefore you are NO longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:7
7. We are NO longer strangers – but citizens of heaven: Now, therefore, you are NO longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God … Ephesians 2:19
8. He remembers our sins NO more: For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deedsI will remember NO more.” Hebrews 8:12

One of my favorite comedians in Branson, MO, used to say, “Betcha never thought about it that way before – You will now!” I trust that these NO statements will encourage you as you begin this new week. Live courageously! – Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 6-8; 2 Timothy 3

Think About This: It is no less difficult to have great abilities than great riches without trusting in them. —John Newton

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

THE LAWS OF BONDAGE AND FREEDOM

Galatians 5:22-26; 2 John 4-6; 2 Corinthians 5:14–21; 1 Thessalonians 2:7b,8 

 The fruit of the Spirit is love. Joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are all the pulp of the one love fruit. I can’t select part of the fruit I must eat it all. If I don’t allow the Spirit of love to flow through me in all its aspects I remain in bondage.

The law of Moses is good. It points out my sin but can’t free me from my sin.  In that sense, it leaves me bound to my sin. It is the law of bondage. It is external; it does not transform me from the inside out. For instance, the law demands love but does not enable me to do it (Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5). On my own, I am inadequate to truly love in a God-like way.

Jesus shed his own blood for me, showing me what love was like, and He opened the only way of forgiveness when I received his love gift for my sin. He also replaced the external law with the law of freedom (the law of love) which is now written on my heart and enabled to be fulfilled by the power of The Holy Spirit indwelling me (Hebrews 8:10-13; James 1:25; Galatians 5:18, 25; 1 Corinthians 6:19). Remember believing Jews and Gentiles are grafted together into the one root (Christ) becoming the Israel of God and are no longer under the bondage of sin (Romans 9-11; Galatians 6:16).

When I don’t seek God’s leading then I hinder the Holy Spirit from revealing the Fruit of Love to others. I become like the Israelites when they made a treaty with the Gibeonites. They “did not seek the Lord’s counsel” (Joshua 9:14). The first thing each day I must remember, I can do nothing without God’s direction (John 15:4,5). I am not my own; God calls the shots.

Who is calling the shots in your life? Will you join me in yielding to the Holy Spirit so the fruit of the Spirit can flow through you today?

Today’s Affirmation: I will shed myself direction by seeking the Lord’s counsel, freeing the Spirit of love to flow through me.  Pastor Bob Wood is a disciple of men and loves to share Christ with people. Email him at Dsprayer@aol.com

Daily Bible Reading: Ruth 1-4; Acts 13:1-25

Think About This: Mark Altrogge: “As we make gratitude a habit by practicing it over and over, it becomes part of us. Natural. As natural as complaining. And eventually thankfulness will drive out that demon of grumbling and we’ll experience more and more consistent joy.”

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him, to those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word]. Lamentations 3:20 (Amplified Bible)

St. John’s 9^th: SECOND MOVEMENT

“They asked, “Who healed you? What happened?” He told them, “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!” “Where is He now?” they asked. “I don’t know,” he replied.” John 9:10-12 (NLT)

John Gill wrote “that when Christ has wrought a good work of grace upon the heart, He withdraws Himself for a while, and the converted sinner knows not where He is.” Such is the case for our blind friend here in the 9^th chapter of John’s Gospel. Funny thing here is we never get to know his name so we only get to call him the blind man but the blind man gets to call Jesus…Jesus. And the blind man’s whole testimony is pretty cut and dry, “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!” and he will repeat this testimony over and over again. What’s cool here is this man’s identity changes and people want to know why.

In the world of music and song there are also repeats. In modern day stuff it pretty much goes verse/chorus/bridge with interesting times of repeats. Well for our second movement of John’s 9^th we seem to be in a verse/chorus motif. “Who healed you?” “Jesus” “Who healed you?” “Jesus” “Who healed you?” “Jesus” and so it goes for our once blinded friend. The people around him, who remember him as a pitiful beggar, chime in first with their vexation on what has taken place in this man’s life…so suddenly I might add. I think it might be good to note here that this seems to be a progression that correlates to what our own salvation moment can look like. For those of us who spent so much time in the darkness seem to have this glow when Jesus Christ has opened our eyes to THE light of the world. Usually it’s those everyday people around us who notices this first. (It was in my case)

But what seemed to be the habit back in those days someone has to take you a religious inquisition to check on the validity of this event and our formerly blinded friend is standing in front of those wacky Pharisees to give an account. Now this where the musical movement takes an up tempo direction because this healing happens on the Sabbath and if there is ANY thing done on the Sabbath those wacky Pharisees lose their minds. So, in my ears, once our friend gives his account of his healing the “pianissimo “turns it into a gnarly crashing of cymbals that screams…THIS JESUS IS A SINNER, HE DOES NOT KEEP THE SABBATH!! Then the color of the whole miracle performed to our once blind friend goes from a nice shade of sky blue to a screaming for vengeance red.

Deuteronomy 13:1-5 gives warning to “a prophet or dreamer of dreams” that gives a sign or a wonder that would lead you astray. Basically saying that if the wonder came to pass and then they said “Let’s go worship trees” its die prophet die! Now you tie that in with Jesus, a known SABBATH BREAKER, and you got yourself a pretty sticky situation. It’s almost like those folks that test whether or not you are saved and how you got saved. I have a friend you got saved through the Scripture verse we find in Revelation 3:20, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Now maybe to a stiff-necked Calvinist there is no way this is a salvation verse but it is still the words of Jesus and it’s still His truth…so who cares if this got my friend saved. He loves the LORD and knows where he is going when it’s time to go home.

The next time I join you I will be conducting the next movement…the ones who would turn their backs on our once blinded friend. Until then, ponder on what matters more, the continuity of the worship service or that moment when someone has their ears opened by the preaching of His Word and then screams “ALLELUIA I CAN SEE!!” and everyone breaks into praise. Rabbi Samuel ben Meir (a 12^th century Jewish commentator) once wrote, “Man shall live through the precepts of the Torah (Lev 18:5) but he should not die in consequence of the same!” I think this is what Jesus has in mind when He tells us to wash in the pool of Siloam. Amen? Chris Hughes is a lover of God, a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is a weekly Freedom Fighter blogger. Email him at cphughes515@verizon.net

Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 22-24; Acts 5:22-42

Think About This: “It is not the blind man who stands in the center of the discussion; he is one the occasion and the stone of offence; in the center stands Jesus; He is the entire narrative, although outwardly He is absent, yet as present as He alone can be”—Josef Blank

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him, to those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word]. Lamentations 3:20 (Amplified Bible)

Feed My Sheep!

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.” (Ezekiel 34:10)

A part of a shepherd’s job was to nurture, direct, protect, feed the flock with all the resources provided. Very important job for the ancient Israel culture at the time this was written. In addition, livestock was a huge commodity as well as provided many essential for the community. Since everyone has a choice, the leaders here did not fulfill their requirements. Consequently, it left His flock unattended; easy prey and vulnerable to many outside elements.

Likewise Jesus reiterates, “He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”(John 21:17)

Men! Tending to the flock of God is not only the pastor or clergy leader’s job. It’s a direct reflection of our love towards Him. He provides many resources to complete this task. He provides many platforms for this to happen. He provides many opportunities for us to embrace.

God cares about his flock, what are we doing to Feed His Sheep? Have you ever considered investing the wisdom and resources God has given you in a person of need? Has God been challenging you or put someone specifically on your heart to disciple? Do yourselves a favor and get on it. God Bless! – Juan Mendez graduated from the Colony of Mercy and now serves there as a Chaplain. Email Juan at jmendez@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: Nahum; Colossians 2

Think About This: It is no less difficult to have great abilities than great riches without trusting in them. —John Newton

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him, to those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word]. Lamentations 3:20 (Amplified Bible)

Error on the Side of Grace

“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.  Mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:13

“Oh, how quickly we forget”, was the phrase uttered by John Caruthers who is since been with the Lord. John was my counselor when I was in discipleship at the Colony and I remember sitting there discussing a topic having to do with forgiveness. I explained to John how this person was insincere and was just trying to get out of trouble, but he looked at me and said “You may be wrong, therefore error on the side of Grace”.

Now I now we shouldn’t be a door mat for people to continue to wipe there dirty feet on but there is a supernatural act of God that takes place when we give up our right to get even. It’s as if by forgiving the offense we’ve in a sense washed their feet by symbolically removing the dirt, so when they wipe their feet on us there is no dirt that remains, only friction.

Verse 13 seems to be a center piece that answers both issues in chapter 2, partiality, showing favor to those in higher society and a working faith by doing outreach. Maybe there are people who, because of their social status we tend to extend the blind eye, because of their success, but the one who has made some bad choices we tend to say “Sleep in the bed you made”.

James is addressing a couple of issues which in my opinion makes the church untasteful to the outside world. I applaud the ministries that aid in the plight of poverty or the places like The Colony of Mercy which extends the right hand of fellowship to those who have made poor choices and are bound in sin, who cry out for help.

My problem is how quickly I forget that I was one of those men, desperate and although my initial motives weren’t pure, God put people in my life that ignored the motives and trusted Him with the results by putting their faith to work. I wanna be one of those people, able to minister without judgment, if I error I would rather error on the side of mercy.

Jesus, in Luke 7:47 when a “woman of sin” came in and washed His feet with oil said of her “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little”.

So I guess the question is, how much have you been forgiven? Rob Russomano graduated from the Colony of Mercy and serves full-time at America’s Keswick. You can email him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 23-24; Colossians 1

Think About This: The more we get to know God, the more we want to know him better. —D.A. Carson

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him, to those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word]. Lamentations 3:20 (Amplified Bible)

Preaching the Gospel to Yourself

Good morning, brothers. I trust you are ready for this new month, this new week of Freedom Fighters and what God wants to do in your life.

Today I am sharing a blog from one of my friends, Dave McCarty, Director of Gospel Friendships. Dave has a way of getting right down to the issues of the heart and I have learned so much from his walk with the Lord over the years. I trust his contribution today will speak to your heart – it is an “oucher!”

I stopped preaching the Gospel to myself,

I have two main addictions: 1) feeling worthiness of my own, and 2) feeling clueless/childlike/Jesus-dependent.  I have a bottomless pit of need for worthiness, so when I feel a little bit worthy, I want some MORE.  And then MORE.   Like any addict.  Likewise, when I feel clueless/childlike/Jesus-dependent it feels so much better than my own worthiness, that I want some MORE.  I can’t get enough cluelessness/childlikeness/Jesus-dependency.  Both are addictions, but one leads to misery and the other leads to happiness.  One is “mo bettah,” as they say in L.A.  That’s Lower Alabama, according to Johnny Long. Dave McCarty is the Director of Gospel Friendships

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 21-23; 3 John

Think About This: “You must arrange your days so that you are experiencing deep contentment, joy, and confidence in your everyday life with God.” Dallas Willard

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him, to those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word]. Lamentations 3:20 (Amplified Bible)