Recovery From Spiritual Failure

And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men, for they chased them from before the gate as far as Shebarim, and struck them down on the descent; there the hearts of the people melted and became like water.   Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until evening, both he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.   (Joshua 7: 5-6)

We all have had times in our lives when prayer came easier, worship was a delight and serving the Lord was a joy.   We felt that we were on a spiritual mountaintop and all we could see before us was a life of victory.   Then, all of a sudden, victory is gone and we find ourselves upon our faces in failure. It happens; and it happens even to the best people of God.   Joshua had just experienced a supernatural victory in chapter six when he saw the walls of Jericho fall down and victory was his.   He saw God give victory where it seemed there could be no victory.

Now, in chapter seven, just a few days later, he is on his face in humiliation and failure.   The cause of their failure is seen in verses three and four.   Joshua and his leaders had become self-centered and self-confident.   They needed God for the big battle of Jericho, but they felt they did not need Him for the smaller battle of Ai.   This arrogant attitude brought about a shameful defeat.

There is never a time in our lives when we do not need God.   We may acknowledge our need for Him when we face life’s bigger challenges, but we actually need Him in every aspect of life everyday.

Joshua recognized his mistake and took the correct actions to recover his relationship with God.   The steps he took are seen in verses 13-21.   First, Joshua consecrated himself and the people to God (v. 13).   He separated himself from the sin that caused the failure.   Second, he complied with the Lord.   In other words, he did exactly what God told him to do (v. 16).   Third, Joshua demanded that full confession was made of the sin that had caused the failure (vs. 20-21).   There you have the way back: consecration, compliance and confession.

Joshua recovered from his failure and went on to be a mighty spiritual leader of the people of Israel.   Do not let a spiritual failure keep you down.   Confess your sin to God and accept His forgiveness.   Then get up and go forward in victory… to the glory of God. Dr. Roger D. Willmore is Senior Pastor of Deerfoot Baptist Church in Weaver, AL. He was a speaker this summer at America’s Keswick. Check out his messages at www.americaskeswick.org.

Keswick, America’s  (2012-12-13). Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2 (Kindle Locations 8126-8152).  . Kindle Edition.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 110-112; 2 Corinthians 1

Quote of the day: For to pray is to open the door unto Jesus. And that requires no strength. It is only a question of our wills. Will we give Jesus access to our needs? That is the one great and fundamental question in connection with prayer.

Ole Kristian O. Hallesby

Verse to Memorize: You are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are truth. Concerning your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever. Psalm 119:151-152

 

They Gave Me A Towel

 “Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” John 13:6-8 (NKJV)

I can clearly remember the day when I interviewed Tito. He wasn’t dressed in Dockers and a Polo shirt like some of the others but during the process I noticed something different about him. I showed him around the facility I run and asked him if he had any questions for me. He gave me the usual “When can I start? And “How many days a week do we work?” and then told me he needs Sundays off to attend church. Since then conversation with Tito has always been on Calvary’s level ground.

One morning at work I found myself crumbling within myself then with-out myself over a growing pile of cardboard trash that had been left in disarray over by the machine that Tito operates. We both spoke aloud about the lack of consideration some of my workers have towards our forklift operators and then WHAM a thought….”5 ½ years of night school to get my LBC certificate (Lancaster Bible College) and this is all I do with it.” And just as fast as that was beginning to settle in my spirit yet another thought comes into my disobedient head… “Yo idiot they gave you a towel with that certificate.”

And on that towel is the following printed words, “Christ…our example of servanthood. John 13:3-17” Then I found myself saying out loud, “Forgive me father for I have sinned!” I look over at Tito and I notice him smiling and then giving me that “There ya go” nod. You see, I can get like Peter at times, you know, obstinate and self-righteous. During this dialogue with Jesus, Peter starts off with modesty but, hey c’mon…this is THE Messiah. He doesn’t wash feet; He heals the sick and is a teacher to His people. Peter should’ve been content with the Savior’s reply, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

Just as that good woman (Lu. 7:38) showed her love to Christ by washing his feet and wiping them, Christ manifested his love to His disciple’s by washing their feet. And even though He was getting ready to give the world the ultimate example of sacrifice and head into heavens glory, He was willing to humble Himself. Jesus Christ would confirm a promise that He made, “Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.” (Luke 12:37) Jesus Christ would honor His disciples by surprising them that The LORD would serve His servants.

Just because it has taken me a period of time to obtain a position of authority doesn’t mean I get to be selective on how I am to serve. Sometimes I have to be content with the fact that YHVH has already ordained this to happen and that I get the privilege to serve in the first place. I could be in place where the salt I think I speak is being trampled on, the light I think I shine is being covered by a basket and the city on a hill that I think I am is just a tent on a dung heap…or in this case a cardboard trash pile!! Guess there is still much in my wicked heart that has to come out. What a wretched man I can be. Who can save me from this body of death? Praise be to God…through Jesus Christ our Lord! – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is a weekly Freedom Fighter blogger

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 107-109; Galatians 6

Quote of the day: “You can write it down as fact: no matter what a man does, no matter how successful he seems to be in any field, if the Holy Spirit is not the chief energizer of his activity, it will all fall apart when he dies.”—A.W.Tozer

Verse to Memorize: You are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are truth. Concerning your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever. Psalm 119:151-152

 

Never Alone in More Ways Than One

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?   (Hebrews 1: 14 NIV)

When my daughter was two and my wife was putting her to bed, she prayed that God, “would place His angels around her.”   A friend was downstairs with me when she sat straight up and said, “Chris, I’ve just seen two angels!”   It had to be in her mind but she was visibly shaken.   She said that they seemed quite small and that they were yellow.   When my wife came down and we told her, she was pleased, but at the same time thought, “Well, I did pray it.”   The next morning we quizzed my daughter.   “Was anyone in your room last night?”   “Yes.”   “Who was it?”   “It was angels.”   “How many were there?”   “Two.”   “What color were they?”   “Yellow.”   “I guess they were pretty big?”   “No Mom, they were only little.”   I was amazed, but to my daughter it was no big deal.   I guess if you really believe in something, it’s no shock when you see it.

Here is an excerpt from a letter that I once received from a teenager named Jane,   “Then you sat down with an ‘empty’ chair either side of you.   But they weren’t empty.   On your right sat a beautiful angel, the sort I’ve seen before.   Dressed in a white gown with fiery eyes and a brightness that I can only presume comes from being in God’s presence.   On your left sat an amazing, well, I guess you could say, warrior angel.   He was taller than the other, maybe 7 or 8 feet high when standing.   He had golden armor.   There were times when they both stood with their hands over you while you prayed.   Sometimes one would place his hand on your shoulder.

I don’t know if knowing this will mean anything to you, but I feel that God doesn’t show me these things to keep to myself.   I feel ever so stupid, an unimportant new member of the church telling the pastor that God wants you to know His protection, but it must feel great to know that this big warrior is with you.” I never felt anything either time, and I’ve never seen an angel in spirit form.   Sometimes I even think that people can be too fascinated by angels.   However, I have no reason to doubt what Lynn, Jane, or certainly not my little girl said because what they have told me is consistent with the Word of God.   The vision has never made me arrogant.   It has brought great humility, even a sense of shame when I have sinned.   But it has given me great confidence as well.   Some people argue that, “Where was your angel when bad stuff happened, or tragedy struck?   Where was he then?”   But they’re missing the point.

Angels can only act in accordance with the will of God.   The greatest thing about this whole thing to me is the verse at the top.   They are sent to minister to those who will inherit salvation.   What does that make me?   If you believe the whole Book, and think it through, the angels that have helped you are as real as your salvation.   I pray that God will place His angels around you today.   And remember that as they watch you, at the same time, they see the face of God. Rev. Chris Thompson is a pastor in Liecester, England and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercies. He spoke this summer at America’s Keswick. Check out his messages at www.americaskeswick.org .

Keswick, America’s  (2012-12-13). Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2 (Kindle Locations 8000-8026).  . Kindle Edition.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 105-106; Galatians 5

Quote of the day: Preaching is theology coming through a man who is on fire. A true understanding and experience of the Truth must lead to this…. A man who can speak about these things dispassionately has no  right whatsoever to be in a pulpit; and should never be allowed to enter one. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Verse to Memorize: You are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are truth. Concerning your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever. Psalm 119:151-152

 

Good, Better, Best?

“But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

It’s taking me decades to begin to learn this lesson. I have made tons of blunders and I have spent may days spinning my wheels by trying to do stuff that I have never been called to do.

One of my “book” mentors is Dr. John C. Maxwell. His leadership insights have been very helpful to me over the years and I have learned so much from reading his books and listening to his leadership talks.

Several years ago he shared the principle of evaluating what we do in light of what is good, better and best. I can’t say honestly that I am totally there, but I am plugging away at it and learning to evaluate what I do asking myself the question – is this good? Better? Best?

Maybe you are like me – you think you can do it all. Well that was so much easier when I was in my 20’s. But at the end of this fifth decade of life I am finding that I can’t do what I used to do. I want to keep up the pace – but I can’t.

Maybe it’s because on the threshold of decade number #6 I am finding myself asking the question what are the most important things I need to focus on these days? What do I do that I should begin to hand off to someone else? Where do I need to focus my energies?

That is a good question for us to ask especially for those of us who are in ministry. Too often men and women crash and burn and become quitters because we are trying to do things that we have never been called to do.  Too often we focus on the GOOD things rather than focus on what is BEST.

Too often we find ourselves doing ministry and life in our own strength rather than allowing Christ to be our life and strength. Maybe we wouldn’t be moved so easily when the junk of life hits if we focused on the call that God has placed on our lives rather than trying to accomplish it all.

What is the ministry you have received from the Lord Jesus? Once you have that nailed down just maybe it will be easier to evaluation what’s good, better and best.

Sit down today and look at your day. Ask the Lord to show you the best things to focus on today.

Running the race with joy,

Bill Welte
President/CEO

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 103-104; Galatians 4

Quote of the day: Believers aren’t satisfied being on the fence for Jesus Christ because He has put in their hearts a desire to be totally involved for Him. A Christian life of mediocrity, selfishness and fruitlessness only produces frustration and dissipation. Dan Hayes

Verse to Memorize: You are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are truth. Concerning your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever. Psalm 119:151-152

 

Eking Out My Grain

 “Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. Judges 6:11 (ESV)

During his time at America’s Keswick, Chris Thompson preached a wonderful message on what we need to do to arm ourselves to face the giants in our lives that are keeping us from holding on to the victory that we already have in Jesus Christ. There were many altar calls to simply just do business with YHVH and when there wasn’t, Chris would display his slant on life through his quick wit, peppered with a dry sense of humor that could only come by living his life in merry ole’ England. But there was a moment where I felt like Chris had a glimpse into something in my heart that has been gnawing away at me for a few months.

He shared Judges 6 with us and there was something that he said struck a chord. He was explaining how the word “Midian” meant strife in Hebrew.  Come to find out that Midian was a son of Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2). Anyway he describes how the Midianites are completely surrounding the nation of Israel because once again they did evil in the sight of YHVH. The nation cries out that well, gee, this ain’t fair. These Midianites keep eating everything we grow, they are moving into our neighborhoods taking up all the good ground and they’re wearing our good wool. Who do they think they are? Do something YHVH…please.

And then comes verse 11. Gideon beating out, or as Chris put it, eking out his meager little bit of grain while looking over his shoulder to see if all the strife in the world isn’t coming to take what is his. Life has become fragile at this time in Jewish history. And that’s when it got personal. Life has become fragile for me at this time in my history. Just the basic stuff in the world has become in need of repair…and the list was growing. Bills are always due or overdue. Prices for everyday things are rising. There wasn’t any extra income in the paycheck. Even a situation with close friends of the congregation I belong to had gotten outta control and words that should have never been uttered got uttered.

The funny thing to note from Gideon’s call is that the Angel of the LORD was sitting under a tree watching Gideon struggle. And just like Gideon, I am too deep in my own mess to even notice or bother to cry out, “ABBA FATHER where are you?” Nope like Gideon, YHVH comes from nowhere with His grace and mercy and provided me peace to get through the troubles that have just mounted up over the past few months. Then my head fell when Chris made this point, “We cry out to God about the symptom but not the cause. When the cause is our not relying on Him—we have not listened to Him.” That was me at this moment and still can be at times.

But it doesn’t always have to be like this. As a matter of fact it shouldn’t ever be this way at all. We can put strife under our feet. Romans 16:20 Paul writes this, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” A promise from God followed by the blessing of God. The grace of Jesus making us able to abide in His truth, to keep from falling, to stand against every assault of Satan, to bear up under every temptation and get the victory over our adversary. To put it as Chris did, “A charge to put strife under our feet.” A call to bear arms that needs no second or third amending…Amen? – Chris Hughes blogs weekly for Freedom Fighter and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 94-96; Galatians 1

Quote of the day: “Happy are the simple followers of Jesus Christ who have been overcome by his grace, and are able to sing the praise of the all-sufficient grace of Christ with humbleness of heart.”—Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Verse to Memorize: I rise before the dawning of the morning and I cry for help; I hope in your Word. My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I might meditate on Your Word. Psalm 119:147-148

Easier Said Than Done

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it”  Luke 14:28

I’ve been a builder now for over 30 years. I love the way God uses my experience as a way to understand His word. As I consider God’s word and the application to my life, it’s those experiences that help me grasp the meaning.

One of the challenges of being a builder is estimating. When a customer sits down and asks “how much is this going to cost”, I have witnessed the calculating minds of people as they usually will respond with, “we’ll have to get back to you”. Now some already have a figure in their mind of “what it will cost” and so they can give an answer right away.

Recently while attending the summer conferences at Keswick I’ve been challenged to do some soul searching and reexamine my “Spiritual Budget”. Do I really have enough to live out this Christian life? After a precision order of messages this summer along with my daily “visits” with God I have gone over my budget and have found that “I” don’t but “He” does.

It’s been a tough summer for me this year emotionally and I have had a “thorn in the flesh” that I’ve asked the Lord to remove a thousand times (I’m a little slow). And finally as I was considering the cost I finally heard “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Now I’m not usually an “altar call” guy, but this summer I’ve found myself twice removed from my seat and kneeling at the altar. That’s the easy part, now I have to trust God and “Just do it” It’s easier said than done, but I’ve considered the cost and have found that if I “keep myself  in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life” I will build and complete my task. I just know it will be worth every cent.  – Rob Russomano is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and writes regularly for Freedom Fighter. He serves full-time at America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 91-93; 1 Peter 5

Quote of the day: Have no fear for the unsettlement or the disturbance of the Kingdom of heaven. It began in eternity, it will go on through everlasting; there is no panic in the divine personality. God is peace. God gives peace. God gives rest. Joseph Parker

Verse to Memorize: I rise before the dawning of the morning and I cry for help; I hope in your Word. My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I might meditate on Your Word. Psalm 119:147-148

Pursuing Our Destiny, Part 13–The Discipline of Sacrifice

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship (Romans 12:1, ESV)

For several weeks, we’ve been looking at the disciplines of abstinence listed in Dallas Willard’s book, The Spirit of the Disciplines.  We’ve thought about solitude, silence, fasting, frugality, chastity, and secrecy.  Let’s think today about the last of the abstinence disciplines: sacrifice.

 Paul’s appeal in Romans 12:1 calls us understand make all of life a sacrifice.  Dr. Willard helps us understand the discipline of sacrifice with this explanation: The discipline of sacrifice is one in which we forsake the security of meeting our needs with what is in our hands.  It is total abandonment to God, a stepping into the dark abyss in the faith and hope that God will bear us up.

 The spiritual discipline of sacrifice can call to us in many different ways.  God may call us to exercise the discipline with our money.  He may move on our hearts to give what we can’t afford to give and trust him to provide for us.  Time may be the issue.  We may be called upon to give time we don’t have to give and trust God to help us get done what needs to be done.  At the core of this spiritual discipline is a willingness to give ourselves first.  Once the willingness issue is settled, God’s Spirit can build the discipline into our lives as he knows we most need it.

So how do we develop this discipline in our lives?  Kelli Mahoney, in her blog on the spiritual disciplines suggests four things that can help us put this practice to work in each of our lives.  First, she suggests that we Ask what makes you secure.  Where do we find our security?  What do we hold onto that seems the most difficult to give up?  The answer to that question may show us where we need to begin practicing sacrifice.

Second, Ms. Mahoney invites us to Consider the impact of the sacrifice.  It’s important that we don’t begin without thinking and praying.  We can make emotional decisions in the “heat of the moment” that may not be God speaking to us.  Taking time to discern God’s voice is important before we act.

She also asks us to Remember the ultimate sacrifice.  No sacrifice God asks of us will ever be greater than his sacrifice for our salvation.  While we’re not called to match his sacrifice, we are called at various times in our lives to experience sacrifice for his glory.  When we’re pushed out of our comfort zones and feel the pressure of giving something up, it’s good to reflect on the price our Father paid for us.

Finally, she urges us to Admit that sacrifice isn’t easy.  Like all of the disciplines, it isn’t easy; it requires effort and practice.  If sacrifice hasn’t been a part of your life, you may want to start with some small things, building your faith as you go.  We often learn to trust God with baby steps.  Small sacrifices will build the discipline and your faith.

Like all the disciplines, we grow through practice.

I read a quote this week from Dr. Don Whitney, a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.  He wrote, The purpose of any spiritual discipline is to be like Jesus.  Practicing the discipline of sacrifice has that as its only goal: to be like Jesus—to be conformed to his image. – Pastor Strain blogs weekly for Freedom Fighter

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 89-90; 1 Peter 4

Quote of the day: Matt Chandler:  “If the gospel on the ground is the gospel at the micro level, the gospel in the air is the story at the macro level. Here we find a tour de force story of creation, fall, reconciliation, consummation —a grand display of God’s glory in his overarching purposes of subjecting all things to the supremacy of Christ. As we examine the gospel in the air, we’ll see from the scriptural testimony of Jesus’s atoning work that the gospel is not just personal, but cosmic. When we consider the gospel from the air, the atoning work of Christ culminates and reveals to us the big picture of God’s plan of restoration from the beginning of time to the end of time and the redemption of his creation. We may see the gospel extended this way in Jesus’s declaration in Revelation 21:5, that he is “making all things new.” (The Explicit Gospel)

Verse to Memorize: I rise before the dawning of the morning and I cry for help; I hope in your Word. My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I might meditate on Your Word. Psalm 119:147-148

 

A Prayer for Finishing Well

“But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

Yesterday I told you that I would share a prayer from Pastor Scotty Smith that I read on one of those days that I didn’t want to finish well. I hope it will encourage your heart as it did mine.

Heavenly Father, the older I get the more I care about finishing my journey well, in this life; and the more I realize finishing well is neither automatic, nor easy. I so wish that with more years came less temptation. I so wish that getting weaker physically magically meant we get stronger spiritually—kind of a gracious tradeoff. But that’s not the way it works. The gospel is the end to all merit, but not all muscle.

Every relationship, and a variety of circumstances, reveal that I still need Jesus today just as much as the first day you placed me safely in Christ. Thus I abandon myself to the promises which overflow in this passage—this little waterfall of mercy and grace with which Jude finishes his letter. They are a balm to my being and hope to my heart.

I praise you, Father, that the most important grasp in the gospel is yours, not mine. I don’t trust in my love for you, but in your love for me. You will keep me from falling away from you; and when I do falter, fall, and fail, you will lovingly pick me up. You don’t love me more when I “do it right”; and you don’t love me less when I don’t.

As hard as it is to imagine, especially in my times of weakness, one Day you will present me before your glorious presence without fault and with great joy. How many times do I have to hear that good news for my heart to really believe it? Without fault and with great joy . . . without fault and with great joy . . . without fault and with great joy!

Father, in response to so great a salvation, may my heart passionately proclaim, with myriads of angels and countless believers, “to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, in this life and in the life to come!”

Lord Jesus, trusting in the life you lived for me as the second Adam; the life you gave for me as the Lamb of God; and the life you now live through me, as my hope of glory, I will finish well—without fault and with great joy . . . without fault and with great joy . . . without fault and with great joy! So very Amen I pray, in your glorious and loving name. – From Every Day Prayers – 365 Days to a Gospel-Centered Faith

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 87-88; 1 Peters 3

Quote of the day: A suffering person does not need a lecture – he needs a listener. Billy Graham

Verse to Memorize: I rise before the dawning of the morning and I cry for help; I hope in your Word. My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I might meditate on Your Word. Psalm 119:147-148

 

Finishing Well

“But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

There are days that the race is easy. But if we are honest with each other, there are days that the race is hard.

Now that summer is over, I am back on the treadmill. After having not walked all summer, I was surprised how easy it was to get back into my routine.

But quite honestly there are days that I have been walking that it seems harder than other days. There are days that I feel like I am dragging myself on the treadmill and every minute of exercise seems more like an hour than a minute. It is on those days that I am tempted to give up and quit the race.

Life can be like that, can’t it? There are days that you just feel on top of the world. My friend, Pastor Chris Hodges recently referred to these days as “Zippy-Do-Da” days!

But then there are days when life just seems to be a constant battle. You start out your day with your plan and agenda and then people come across your path that rain on your parade.

As a leader there are days that I love to lead and then there are days that I would much rather be serving chicken at Chic Fil A. J Someone once said, “Some days you are the statute – some days your are the pigeon.”

It’s on the tough days that we need to realize that is just important to finish well on the bad days as on the good days.

Some of you are in the middle of some pretty big trials and difficulties. I have several friends who are battling with terminal cancer. Friends whose marriages are unraveling and without hope of survival. From the world’s perspective they have every reason to throw in the towel. They are having “No good, very horrible bad days.”

But I want to encourage you with the words from this powerful promise. Apart from Christ living His life through You, we will never finish the race. But as you allow Him to live through you – you can do it!

If you feel like throwing in the towel – don’t! Cry out to the Lord and tell him how bad it feels. Tell him that you just are tired of running the race. And ask Him to help you finish well.

Tomorrow I want to share a prayer from Pastor Scotty Smith that I recently read on one of those days where I was ready to give up.

Hey brother – finish the race – and finish it with joy! I am cheering you on.

Running the race with joy,

Bill Welte
President/CEO

Bible Reading: Psalm 84-86; 1 Peter 2

Quote of the day: Laughter is good exercise. It’s like jogging on the inside.

Verse to Memorize: I rise before the dawning of the morning and I cry for help; I hope in your Word. My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I might meditate on Your Word. Psalm 119:147-148

the 4^th Power The Moral Skeptic

 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.                                                                                                                     John 8:31-32 (ESV)

Morals. Just to say or write the word can be the catalyst to stir up the rebellion or the conviction in a person’s heart. It covers those things we consider to be true, fair, free and peaceful. It’s a word we would like to think is being discussed and decided in the home with reverence to El Elyon…The Most High God. But it is an unfortunate thing to say that the discussion of morals has moved from the living room to the court room and I for one still can’t figure out why we as a society have allowed it to be so.

Maybe the reason for this to have happened is that people cannot really decide for themselves what is right or wrong. You see the root idea behind the moral skeptic is that people should decide for themselves what is right or wrong. In Bill Foster’s curriculum “Meet The Skeptic” he explains the root idea like this, “This may sound like a reasonable idea until you apply it in real life. This worldview is Moral Skepticism—morality is a matter of opinion—something can be “true for you but not for me.” Guess we need the courts to be our referee so we can all “Coexist”, huh?

Bill also goes on to say, “Relativists want to liberate the world of “restrictive” absolute standards while at the same time making up their own standards that they expect others to respect.” To repeat myself, “Guess we need the courts to be our referee so we can all “Coexist”, huh?” Society as a whole can battle out what it thinks is fair and just all it wants, but in the Kingdom of God this battle has already decided its victor. The battle that began in The Garden was won on The Cross. We should be able to feel like Adam did when YHVH’s absolute standard was compromised but we should be able to rejoice that the standard was reconciled through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

The question to ask our moral skeptic is “What is your standard of right and wrong?” and wait for the “My’s and the I’s” in their answers. “My preferences are like this” or “I don’t think my feelings agree with that” and the infamous “It’s just the way our society is.” Well in my younger days there was a movie out called “Repo-Man” and in one scene as a young man lay dying from gunshot wounds he turns to the main character and say’s “The lights are growing dim Otto. I know a life of crime has led me to this sorry fate, and yet, I blame society. Society made me what I am.” May this never be so for those of us in Christ Jesus.

Our world today has a new religion and Charles G. Finney gave it a name…”The Religion of Public Opinion” and even though it was meant for those Christians who love the praise of men rather than the praise of God(John 12:43), in today’s sense it covers a broader mass. Society has become intolerant of intolerance and can’t figure which way is up in that statement. But for those of us who still believe and understand that God’s Word and the life of Jesus are THE moral compass to follow our way up is easy to follow. Let it be our pray that society can bring this discussion back into our living room’s and out of the court rooms, Amen? – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and blogs regularly for Freedom Fighter

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 77-78; Acts 27:27-44

Quote of the day: “We should make it clear to the skeptic that we don’t believe just because “the Bible says so,” but because its authenticity is consistent with history and its accurate, extensive, and vivid depiction of the human condition.”—Bill Foster

Verse to Memorize: I cry out to the Lord with my whole heart; Hear me, O Lord! I will keep your statutes. I cry out to You; save me and I will keep your testimonies. Psalm 119:145-146