Where Have You Pitched Your Tent?

01/29/201801/26/20181 Comment

And he [Abram] moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. Genesis 12:8

I have been reading through the 2018 America’s Keswick Bible Reading Plan, and I trust you are joining me on the journey. This year we are reading through the Bible chronologically. I was going to use the One Year Bible hard copy, but I have been enjoying reading through the plan using my YouVersion app. Great way to keep track of your reading plan.

As I have been reading through the Genesis stories, there is a phrase that has jumped out numerous time so early on in the book – “and he pitched his tent.” This phrase is used about Abram, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and then Moses will say the same thing.

I began to meditate and think about this phrase. I haven’t followed the phrase all the way through the Bible, but in biblical times a tent was one’s dwelling place. Some tents were quite simple, and some were quite extensive. One account said that they were little apartments with different rooms.

I have never been into camping. My Board Chairman has often said that his definition of camping is staying in an upscale Marriott Hotel.

First of all, I am mechanically challenged, so for me, even the thoughts of trying to erect a tent gives me the shivers. In fact, last summer our Minnesota grands wanted Jan and me to help them with their tent (which had no directions). It never happened.

Obviously pitching a tent means that an individual and his family have decided to camp out there for more than just a couple of days. It needed to be convenient to a well or other water supply as accessible to a place to secure one’s food.

But thinking about this further, I wondered if there is a spiritual significance to this phrase that goes a little deeper. Another word connected with “biblical tenting” is the word “dwell.”

So I ask the question, where have you and I pitched our tents?

Where have we pitched our mind-tents? Have we settled in a place where we are thinking about godly things? The Apostle Paul wrote this: “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and in anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8

So looking at that list, where is my mind dwelling these days? Am I camping out in the world (the lust of the flesh, the lust the eyes and the pride of life) or I am dwelling in what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, etc.?

What am I watching on TV? I have friends who won’t have cable in their homes because of the junk that is one there, but yet spends hours looking at YouTube and other questionable sites.

Am I dwelling or camping out in the Word or am I reading everything but the Word? Books are great. Devotionals are helpful. Commentaries can be very helpful. But how much time do we spend digging/dwelling/camping out in the Word?

Pretty interesting question to ask. I guess that you can think of other places, situations, activities where you may have pitched your tent in a not so good place.

Take a few minutes to ask the Lord if it is time for you to move your tent from a not so good place to a place that would be a greater benefit to your daily spiritual walk. I am doing that too.

I’d love to hear from you.

Abounding in hope,

Bill Welte
President/CEO America’s Keswick

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

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

Think About This: “If you look for God’s working in your life, if you thoughtfully trace it out and reflect on it, you will be surprised by how much you begin to see.” Mark Dever

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, Psalm 33:18

What is the Need of the Hour?

01/25/201801/23/2018Leave a comment

In following the coverage of Hurricane Harvey, much has been said of the devastation left in its wake… ruined homes, stranded families, and impoverished communities. One would think that the need of the hour is money… and many have answered that need with millions giving to help. But is money enough to meet the need of the heart? One video that brought tears to my eyes was of a shelter with families covering every inch of space, clutching what little they had left of their lives… yet they were singing praises to our God. It reminded me of Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail singing and praising their God!

Many of those interviewed about their losses in the hurricane said that it was just ‘stuff’ which they can purchase again, but they were really thankful that their families were still together. This is true and something we usually only realize in ‘the storms of life,’ so yes money is needed, but it’s not the ‘need of the hour.’ The Word I began thinking about was ‘perseverance.’ I remember during ‘Sandy’ we lost power for a week. I think back to what it took to maintain the generator and house both day and night, and the perseverance it took to press forward as the days dragged on. I am thankful we didn’t lose the house as many in ‘Harvey’ have, and it seems to me that they will need a greater perseverance to press forward in the aftermath of that storm. So maybe the ‘need of the hour’ is what will give us Hope to sustain our perseverance…? If you have ever lived through a tragic situation, an acute or terminal illness of a loved one, a loss of life or property, or a severe conflict, you know how draining it is and how tired and ready to give up you become; the central or core ‘need of the hour’ then must be what gives and sustains Hope, that which lifts our spirit and makes us able to sing in ‘the midst of life’s storms.’

Dawson Trotman wrote that what generates the kind of hope that will energize perseverance is, “an army of Believers, dedicated to Jesus Christ, who believe not only that He is God, but that He can fulfill every promise He has ever made, and that there isn’t anything too hard for Him.” It is on this sustaining truth “that our God is able to fulfill every promise”, that we are able to press on, knowing with certainty that He will meet the needs of our heart, by which we can also then face every other circumstance.

The promises of God trump the problems of life, and it is when I am certain of who God is and what He has promised, that I am able to stand firm in any storm or battle, obeying His Word, and doing what pleases Him… living by faith.

The ‘need of the hour,’ no matter the circumstance, is then to ‘know’ the One who created and sustains all things; who knows your heart and ‘has provided’ for your every need… even at the cost of His Son as payment for your sin; and who has promised to never leave you nor forsake you.

Jesus has set the example we are to follow here, for the writer of Hebrews tells us, “for the Joy set before Him (that is obeying the Father), He ‘endured’ the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has ‘endured’ such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

(Heb 12:2-3)

What is the ‘need of the hour?’ It is ‘to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on our own understanding. And in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” (Prov 3:5-6)

Choose wisely….

Praying U choose Christ today

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

The Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 38-40| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “I’d rather die in the will of God than to live outside of it.” – Jack Hyles

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Psalm 33:17

Sanitized

01/24/201801/23/2018Leave a comment

“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil Company corrupts good habits.’” — 1st Corinthians 15:33

It’s that time of year again, cold and flu season. Everyone is mindful of the guy next to him sniffling and sneezing, we are dodging the one with the cough, and the traditional handshake has been reduced to maybe a fist bump. All this to prevent being compromised and getting sick.

I wonder if we are privy to the infectious disease that comes from surrounding ourselves with bad doctrine. I see more and more concepts being introduced as though they were infallible. We see in 1^st Corinthians 15 Paul addressing the misconceptions of the resurrection of the dead. He goes over the preamble of the foundation of our faith as a means to protect us from being infected. He seems to focus on the building up of our faith in order to combat the false teaching.

Taking precaution is the best way to battle the dangerous germs that infect us. There’s a belief that being out in the cold and rain will make you sick, but the truth is only a germ can infect you and make you ill. So the best way to stay well is to maintain a healthy regiment. In the same way the best way to know the truth is to be in God’s word.

I often talk to guys who have given way to false fables and abandoned the truth of the Gospel. They’ve given in to falsehoods that seem to be legitimate, but are germs. We should always be encouraging one another in truth. Just like your wife or mother is telling you to take your vitamins and eat your veggies, we need to be challenging each other on our spiritual diet. Paul had a lot to say to young Timothy about those that spread falsehoods. Jude starts his epistle with the reason he is writing, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” He goes on to explain “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ”.

So two things to keep in mind, we are responsible to be in good fellowship and have men who point us to the true scriptures and we need to be men who come along side others, especially those young in the faith, with the same motherly concerns of not catching a germ.

The word of God is the best antibiotic to cure the false belief that can make us ill, Amen!

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

The Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 35-37| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation. It is better be alone than in bad company.” – George Washington

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Psalm 33:17

Hope in Him

01/23/201801/22/2018Leave a comment

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

During the Christmas season, our family celebrates the birth of Christ and it’s obvious throughout the month of December. We talk about baby Jesus and we attend different events, put up decorations, and listen to Christmas music — the whole shebang!

My 4-year-old knows that some gifts will appear under the tree. This year she was hoping for a certain doll, amongst other things. She made it clear where her heart was and was very confident she was going get it; the items were already purchased.

She hoped, believed, and she received.

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”(Luke 11:13)

Hope in Christ is not wishful thinking, it is confidence in the divine character of God that loved mankind to the point of death; He cares about us. As we believe, there is a joy in having an intimate relationship with God and we can experience peace in our circumstances. This level of joy and peace is not attained by natural resources, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s not just about hope, it’s having personal relationship with the God of hope.

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: Genesis 32-34| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “If you hope for happiness in the world, hope for it from God, and not from the world.” – David Brainerd

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Psalm 33:17

Sin

01/22/201801/16/20181 Comment

So – think about it. When was the last time you heard a message in your church or Bible study about sin? Growing up I heard it regularly – but in our “Christian” world, we don’t seem to address this topic very often, even though the Bible deals with this word from cover to cover.

In fact, we have taken it another step downwards — in some ways, we have relabeled what the Bible calls sin to make it more politically correct. We have taken the negative connotations of sin and spun them more positively.

It has become the elephant in the room that we don’t like to talk about, think about, and certainly, we do not want to have someone address it in our lives.

The Bible is pretty clear and direct. In fact, I have often remarked that the Bible doesn’t beat around the bush on any topic. God’s Word is quite direct and clear. We don’t usually have to question, “What was God really saying about …”

We need to remind ourselves often that God’s position on our sin has never changed and never will.

God hates sin.

God doesn’t tolerate sin.

God doesn’t want us to sin.

God made a way for us to deal our sin.

God sent His Son to take our sin upon Himself.

Dr. John Maxwell shared this truth some years ago. I think we should write it everywhere we can as a reminder:

Sin will always take me further than I want to go.
Sin will always cost me more than I want to pay.
Sin will always keep me longer than I want to stay.

If we really believed it – wouldn’t we live our lives differently?

I just read these two truths about sin in Dr. Paul David Tripp’s devotion, New Morning Mercies:

Sin does two very significant things to us all. First, it causes us all to insert ourselves into the center of our worlds, making life all about us. In our self-focus, we are all too motivated by our wants, our needs, and our feelings, and because we are, we tend to be more aware of what we don’t have than of the many wonderful blessings that we have been given. But there is more; because we are self-focused, we tend to be scorekeepers, constantly comparing our piles of stuff to the piles of others. It’s a life of discontentment and envy. Envy is always selfish.

There is a second thing of equal significance that sin does to us. It causes us to look horizontally for what can only ever be found vertically. So we look to creation for life, hope, peace, rest, contentment, identity, meaning and purpose, inner peace, and motivation to continue. The problem is that nothing in creation can give you these things. Creation was never designed to satisfy your heart. Creation was made to be one big finger pointing you to the One who alone has the ability to satisfy your heart. Many people will get up today and in some way will ask creation to be their savior, that is, to give them what only God is able to give.

Tripp, Paul David. New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional (Kindle Locations 465-474). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

Ouch! That is something for me to grasp in my heart and life. I am praying that I will be more aware of my sin this year and rejoice that my sin has been paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ – past, present, and future.

Bill Welte
President/CEO America’s Keswick

The Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 30-31| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: Think About This: My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought; my sin, not part, but the whole – is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul. – Horation Spafford

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Psalm 33:17

Forget About it

01/19/201801/16/2018Leave a comment

“But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” — Philippians 3:13b

Have you ever had someone tell you to “Forget about it?” How’d that work out for you? Usually forgetfulness is a non-voluntary thing that takes place and can cause anxiety when it occurs. We go through a wide variety of exercises to ensure that we don’t forget.

I think most of us would agree that there are a number of things we wish we could forget – that is what I think the Apostle Paul is trying to express, but how?

The reason I usually forget something is because I become occupied with something else that, if I’m honest, is more important to me at the time. When I look at the pattern that I see in chapter 3 of Philippians I can follow the example that will cause me to focus on what should be more important. I see the aim as being what is stated in verse 3, “and have no confidence in the flesh”. There seems to be a connection to past hurts and disappointments that fuels the flesh, when I’m in my own head I tend to be tormented by the past, “those things which are behind.” If I’m to forget about the unproductive past it will have to be a work of the Spirit, so as Paul would write to the Galatians, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

The recipe for walking in the Spirit is laid out for us, “Rejoice!” Over and over we are told to “Rejoice in the Lord.” I’m willing to bet the best way to forget about the negative past is to focus on the goodness of God. When I stop looking horizontally and begin to look vertically, the bad past is no longer on the forefront of my mind. I’m now able to walk circumspectly (Ephesians 5:15), not tripping over my past.

Next he says, “Beware.” Beware of evil and legalism, and live in the grace of God. I must forget my own understanding that is based on the past and focus on the wisdom from above. Too many times I’ve gotten bad advice based on someone’s past experiences, referencing on past performances instead of seeking the Lord. I must make sure that my decisions are based on Biblical facts instead of my prior experiences.

Of course we have to use sound judgement and learn from past mistakes, but I think the focus here is the haunting past that keeps us from becoming who God wants us to be. I can’t let a disappointment prevent me from trusting again, building a wall to protect me from getting hurt also keeps me in seclusion.

So the next time someone tells you, “Forget about it,” and we really should forget about it, then turn to Philippians 3 and take it from Paul. Amen!

The Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 22-24| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.” – George Washington

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

…I Knew I Forgot Somethin’!

01/18/201801/16/2018Leave a comment

“Because My people have forgotten Me, they have burned incense to worthless idols. And they have caused themselves to stumble in their ways, From the ancient paths, to walk in pathways and not on a highway…” — Jeremiah 18:15 (NKJV)

You’d think I would have this morning routine stuff down solid, but I have those days where I just get complacent, jump in my truck, and drive off. I’ll get to the first traffic light which is about three quarters of a mile away and then it hits me, “I forgot my glasses again, idiot.” I’ll drive up to the nearest U-turn and head back home, get in the driveway, walk into the house, pick up my eyeglasses and head back out the door. Sometimes my wife will take a parting shot at me, sometimes she won’t, but all in all it isn’t too unusual for me to forget that which I need to be able to see things clearly. And for the record, I don’t really need my glasses to drive…yet.

The funny thing about forgetfulness is that it is a common occurrence and if we apply it to our spiritual condition we could be headed for a world of hurt, especially with the things of God. That’s why we fall into sin so easily. We’ll forget just how wicked sin can be and forget how much it cost Jesus Christ to save us from it. We forget that through what Jesus did for us on the cross, God the Father forgives us, so we’ll be hesitated to forgive others when we’re wronged. We’ll forget that when Jesus Christ rose from the grave death was conquered and a future in heaven, through Him, is assured. We’ll lose hope, get depressed, and walk around without any joy. We’ll open up a foothold and then be promptly reminded that there is a Devil.

This is why it is a good thing to keep a Bible around, if necessary, in every room of your house and in extreme situations, your vehicle, lunch box, back pocket (dare I say seared into your brain?) You can read the Book of Deuteronomy and see Moses warning the Israelites not to forget who brought them out of slavery. David has got a few Psalms that have “to bring to remembrance” in their titles (Psalms 38 and 70). The Apostle Paul told the church in Rome, “Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God” (Romans 15:15). Forgetfulness also had Paul send a young Pastoral prospect to the church in Corinth, “For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:17).

And then we have the guy who always forgot his place and would stick his proverbial foot in his mouth, Peter, penning stuff like, “add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For, if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins” (2 Peter 1:5b-9). Then, if you go into the third chapter of 2 Peter, you’ll get the sense of urgency as Peter conveys that you should remember the full counsel of God so that you, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

Once a month, those of us who claim Christ as Lord and Savior are called to partake in The Lord’s Supper. Most tables that the elements are placed on has “Do this in remembrance of Me” inscribed on them, and as much truth as there is there, the first thing we told to do is to examine ourselves. It’s your last chance to get to that U-turn, to go back and ask Him who is most worthy, and ask for forgiveness before you eat and drink unworthy. If you choose to ignore this simple heeding, you may find yourself not walking circumspectly, but as a fool like me, who gets complacent, forgets his glasses, and just drives off.

If we don’t have those moments of remembrance, so we can see clearly the dangers of this fallen world, we may find ourselves more lost than the ones who already know their lost…and are content with it. So much so, that they’ll enjoy your company, take you further than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay and cost you more than you can afford. 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: Genesis 19-21| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “We are in danger of forgetting that we cannot do what God does, and that God will not do what we can do. We cannot save ourselves nor sanctify ourselves, God does that; but God will not give us good habits, He will not give us character us character, He will not make us walk aright. We have to do that ourselves…” — Oswald Chambers

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

Prayer is the Key

01/17/201801/08/2018Leave a comment

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” –Deuteronomy 31:8

With all this Armor of God, why do I feel like a failure?

The Key to effectively taking up God’s armor and using it correctly, or according to its design, is taking it up and receiving it “through all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Spirit, and in regard to this same, watching in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints–” (Ephesians 6:18). Prayer is the key… and not just mouthing off some memorized lines, prayer is not a magic potion, it is intently seeking the heart of God with a desire to know His will (or to understand His operating manual). James tells us “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may ‘use God’s provision’ on your pleasures” (James 4:3).

Repeatedly, God has reminded us throughout His Word that ‘if I regard wickedness (that is anything against God’s nature like selfish desire for revenge, manipulation of others, or pride) He will not hear us’ (Psalm 66:18) and unless we ‘seek Him with ALL our hearts, humbling ourselves and putting off all self driven motivation, we will not find Him’ (Prov 1:28). John puts us in the right path to effectively seeking God when he writes “we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight (or according to His will)’ (1 John 3:22) and we can be ‘confident before Him, if we ask anything according to His will, He will hear us” (1 John 5:14). So the answer to our being weak and ineffective is that we are not connecting with the power source through prayer, and our motives are self centered, and for the purpose of meeting our own pleasure. Consider yesterday’s quote, do you desire God to just remove the pressure of the situation like an illness, or do you desire to remain in His will… even if that means staying sick? This is reminiscent of Jesus’ prayer in the garden; ‘take this cup from me’ or ‘take off the pressure!’ But Jesus didn’t stop there, He continued, ‘But Thy will be done!’ or ‘I will go forward in your will even if it means suffering a cruel death… I trust that you know what is right and good.’ Here in the garden, Jesus is taking up the Armor God has provided Him in prayer, not in his own strength.

Paul mentions just before listing the Armor God has provided that the Believer is able to ‘take up the full armor of God and resist in the evil day’ because they ‘had down everything TO stand firm’ (6:13), this meaning the Believer is already ‘keeping His commandments and doing what pleases Him.’ Jesus didn’t just blurt out that prayer in the garden, His life was already marked by the desire to walk in God’s will and keeping Gods Word for the purpose of Glorifying the Father. So we too must follow His example if we want to be effective and not weak failures. Stop now and ask God to show you how to pray… even if that prayer is simply ‘help’, He will hear it and come to you when your desire is to walk in His way and not your own. God knows we struggle with this and has provided His Spirit to assist us in prayer. Paul tells us, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.” (Romans 8:26-27)

You can know God’s strength today… you can effectively wear His armor, resisting evil and standing fast in His will. Help is only a prayer away…

Choose wisely….

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:5-6)

Praying U choose Christ today.

The Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 16-18| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Believers are encouraged to put on the full armor of God in order to deal with our common enemy: Satan.” – Crystal McDowell

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

Obedience in the Dark of Night

01/16/201801/10/2018Leave a comment

Just as those who are deprived of light cannot walk straight, so also those who do not behold the ray of the Holy Scriptures must necessarily sin, since they walk in the deepest darkness.
~St. John Chrysostom,

I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take what is Mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is Mine; therefore I said that He will take what is Mine and declare it to you.
~ Jesus, King of The Universe

Oh beloved, it is true.

Anyone who has ever tried to just follow Him as He leads, will come up on some times where things just don’t make sense. It is as if we have been following a clear path of His leading, but suddenly we feel like we are losing the trail.

This fool of a writer has been flung out into three countries in the past nearly 6 years. We are currently in Northern China. And it was in this place that we thought we might finish out our life’s work. I have been studying Mandarin, and just beginning to get a feel for this beautiful language. I was just promoted into a position where i was helping other teachers become better teachers. And my beautiful wife was making a difference in kid’s lives with her counseling work.

And this last week, the wheels came off.

We found out that there were some very significant problems with our paperwork that allowed us to work in China. And, for those of you who have never lived in a foreign country, one finds that the path to the right paperwork can be dark as well. It is often hard to even know what to do, or how to assure things are going properly.

Anyway, for whatever reason, we will be needing to leave in June of next year.

Where are we going? I have no idea.

Nor do i care.

What?

Can we see it?

Read the passage, beloved. It was never up to me to declare what or where i needed to go in the future. It is up to Him to decide this. And, for us to live any other way, is for us to basically be telling G_d that He does not know how to do His own job.

Now, have no doubt. We feel the stresses. We feel the angst that wants to creep in. We are experiencing stress nearly beyond our ability to cope. But, what we don’t have is fear. There is no need to be fearful, and it simply doesn’t help, even if we chose to succumb to that temptation.

No, what is more important is to simply obey. If i am honestly identified with Christ, then my life is going to be taking on His nature. We, in Him, begin to take on His way of doing things. Notice how submissive and obedient G_d is, even amongst His interrelationship. One part of the Trinity does not presume to speak without the guidance and permission of the other. It is the loveliest of Loves. Pure giving. Pure submission. Pure obedience.

And it is this place, this place of willing, loving submission, and obedience that we find what He would have us do. Stay in His Word. Listen to His Voice. Wait for Him to tell you.

So, are you wondering what is next in your life? We are. But, we know that the location is not important. He is already there. We have but to wait on His guidance. He will tell us. And, He will tell us in His time.

Tonight is your night. Time to obey. Even if it’s dark.

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: Genesis 12-15| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: Every wise workman takes his tools away from the work from time to time that they may be ground and sharpened; so does the only-wise Jehovah take his ministers oftentimes away into darkness and loneliness and trouble, that he may sharpen and prepare them for harder work in his service. ~Robert Murray McCheyne

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

Am I Teachable?

01/15/201801/10/2018Leave a comment

If you refuse to learn, you are hurting yourself. If you accept correction, you will become wiser. Proverbs 15:32

There are a lot of cool things about being above 60. One of them is this: the older I get, the more I realize how little I really know. I am still learning. In fact, someone once said that the moment you stop learning – it’s over.

You’ve probably met them – they have all the answers. They have the corner on every bit of knowledge, and they even let you know it.

I want to be a life-long learner, especially about spiritual truth. I am finding that even at this age, there are insights, principles, and precepts that I have totally missed, and if I open my heart and ask the Holy Spirit to teach me – He will do it. That’s part of His role in the life of the believer.

Pastor Marty Williams shared 12 Ways To Know That You Are Teachable:

I am willing to listen more than talk. Know-it-alls tend to do all the talking and do very little listening. Because they are always flapping their jaws, they often miss what is really being said.
I admit when I am mistaken. Wow! Hard to do for the average male. Have you ever blown it with your kids? Your spouse? Your co-workers?
Have you gone back to them to ask forgiveness because you blew it?
I observe before acting on a situation.
I am able to agree to disagree. This is very hard for so many of us. I am right – you are wrong. There are many instances where that is true. But if I am really honest, there are some things that are my preferences and convictions, and I need to be willing to be able to yield and even lovingly disagree.
I desire information more than answers. Wow. I blew it several times last week when I shot my mouth off BEFORE I had all the information. Proverbs talk about checking out a matter before spouting off. Check out Proverbs 18:13.
I enjoy asking questions. It is amazing what you can learn by asking questions!!! And that is true on any subject. I have a list of 40 questions that I often refer to before making a major decision.
I am open to suggestions and new ideas. When we hit 50, we start the process of being stuck in our ways. What I love about serving with younger people is that so often they think differently and I find myself learning from them, and in doing so, becoming more effective.
I feel comfortable asking for advice or directions. Why ask directions!?! That is unmanly. And speaking of directions – how many times have you put something together having never read the directions only to find out that what you put together doesn’t work and you end up with 10 leftover ‘I wonder if they were important’ pieces? 🙂
I am a patient and willing “student.” The older we get, the less patient we become. I fight this all the time. But if we are going to be good learners, we need to be patient and willing.
I enjoy reading for information that is practical and applicable. Some of us don’t think there is any value in reading. Really? John C. Maxwell often says, “Leaders are readers.” Don’t like to read? How about using an audiobook? You don’t even have to make purchases. Most libraries give you the ability to check out books and audio-books online.
I seek out new perspectives on the questions of life.
I can appreciate criticism without being deeply wounded. Read through the book of Proverbs and underscore how many times it deals with this area.

So how about you? Are you teachable?

Overwhelmed with Hope,
Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick

The Daily Bible Reading: Job 40-42| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: When you are going through something hard and wonder where God is, remember that the teacher is always quiet during the test.

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

Freedom Fighters

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Author: America's Keswick

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