Be Like Esther

“Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14 (ESV)

Once in a while I am blessed with the privilege of teaching Sunday school to the 4^th graders in our church. The last time I did I shared with them the story of Esther. In the guide that I was given there was a suggestion that as we draw some of the story out, I tell the story from the Bible. But I asked them if they ever heard of her story and to my surprise some of them did. Basically the answer they gave was she was a queen who saved her friends. “Not Too Shabby”, I replied but I had to share with them a little more than that. So here’s some of what I told them.

Esther was a beautiful Jewish girl who came from nowhere, won a beauty contest, married a king named Ahasuerus, and then became the queen of the kingdom. Esther was the queen who would save her fellow Jews from a wicked guy named Haman (hiss) who had a scheme to kill all the Jews. It was Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, who came to her and described the evil scheme that Haman (hiss) had in mind, saying, “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

So she took her chances and used her influence with the king, the scheme was averted, and the Jews were saved. Then, in perfect poetic justice, Haman, the guy who hatched the plot, ended up hanging on the very gallows he had erected to kill the Jews. She was there behind the scenes. Esther could have said, “I don’t want to jeopardize my position. No one will ever find out I am a Jew. I am going to be careful and play it safe.” But instead, she put everything on the line. I love the story of Esther because in some ways, it reminds me of a fairy tale, except it is true.

Ya know, sometimes we are prone to shy from social challenges that contain danger or loss. But when the cause of Christ and His people demand it, we must take up our cross, and follow Him. When Christians are left to consider their own ease or safety, rather than the public good, they should be blamed. I am always hearing the phrase, “Ever since they took the Bible out of the schools” or “Ever since they stopped allowing prayer in the classroom.” Well, who let it happen? Since we are all lumped into the sin of Adam and Eve together I’m gonna say, “We did!” I think it is time to understand that.

But it doesn’t have to stay this way. Who knows that God has not put you where you are right now for such a time as this? You may be the only Christian in your family or the only believer in your neighborhood. You may be the only follower of Jesus Christ in your workplace or in your classroom. Like Esther, will you stand up for such a time as this? Will you use your influence where you can, when you can? Sometimes your influence is all the testimony the world needs. Amen? – Chris Hughes blogs weekly on Freedom Fighter and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 6-7; Matthew 7

Quote of the day: “All dangers are trifling compared with the danger of losing our souls. But the trembling sinner is often as much afraid of casting himself, without reserve, upon the Lord’s free mercy, as Esther was of coming before the king.”—Mathew Henry

Bible Memory: “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.” Psalm 119:89-90

Control

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8

I am a control-freak. Ok, I said it and I admit it. I am a fixer. Ask me my opinion and I think you want me to give you a solution.

 

Doesn’t matter that I have been teaching this about the “next generation.” I forgot. My generation really didn’t care what our parents thought. Our mantra – “we do it our way.”

But the millennial generation want to ask for your opinion (different than us Boomers) – but it doesn’t mean that they will take your advice. So for a control freak – that equals frustration. If you don’t want to know how to fix it – don’t waste my time in asking.

That’s where I was last week. I was frustrated. I was actually mad. I had forgotten about the situation at hand before going to bed – but obviously I still needed to learn something in all of this.

My quiet time was not what I expected. Read through all the Scriptures for the day. Started in on the pile of devotionals I use. Picked up one that us non-dated and that I use occasionally. And BAM! BAM! BAM!

Not coincidental that the titles got right to the point … CONTROL! Don’t shoot me. Some of you theologians don’t like this person’s writings. I don’t look at their writing as inspired, extra-biblical writings outside the Canon … We read Chambers, Cowman, Andrew Murray  — and they write in the same style but they are acceptable – maybe it’s because they are already dead and like old Hymn-writers, that makes you ok.

Here is what I read:

ENTRUST YOUR LOVED ONES TO ME. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands. Sometimes you confuse loving others with rescuing them. When a loved one has a problem, you often feel responsible to come up with a solution. Then you plunge headlong into problem-solving mode, as if you’re obligated to provide sound advice. I want to help you stop feeling responsible to fix people since that is My role—not yours.

It is My prerogative to bring about change in people’s lives as I choose to do so. You can be part of the process, but remember that I am the Author and Director of the drama. You need to follow My script rather than creating your own. Do not usurp My role in people’s lives, no matter how much you long to help them.

When you feel compelled to rescue a loved one, take a good look at the quality of your love. Learn from Me, because I have all authority in heaven and on earth: I could rescue or control anyone at will. Yet I intentionally created people with the capacity to choose good or evil. I wanted them to be free to love Me—or not. Love that has no choice is not real!

Subordinate your deficient, controlling love to My perfect, empowering Love. Prayerfully release your loved ones into My protective care. Restrain your urges to solve their problems. Instead, use your time and energy to listen to them and pray for them. Trust in My Love and My unsearchable wisdom. I can work changes in your loved ones’ lives beyond anything you might ask or imagine. As you release these precious ones to Me, linger awhile in My unfailing Love—for them and also for you.

Young, Sarah (2012-06-05). Jesus Lives: Seeing His Love in Your Life (Kindle Locations 1053-1066). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Ouch. Bam. Whack on the side of the head stuff. Self was on the throne the day before and I was so hung up with what I had to say was more important than what the Lord might be trying to say to my kids.

So I had to eat humble pie, suck it up, take my hands off, and trust the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)

I am not sure I can say I will never try and be a controller – but at least I am recognizing that I have a problem and want to let God work it all out for my kids and His glory.

Still learning,

Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick, Whiting, NJ

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 3-5; Matthew 6:19-34

Quote of the day: Don’t put a question mark where God has put a period. Adrian Rogers

Bible Memory: “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.” Psalm 119:89-90

Straight To the Bottom Line

For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.  We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death He died he died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives He lives to God. So you also must reckon yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
~ from Romans 6

Oh beloved, it is true.  Everything in Him is yes and amen.  We serve and love and live in a G_d who is absolutely trustworthy.

What if we banked on it?  What if we just cranked the knob on the console up to 12, ripped it off and threw it away?  What if we looked at Scripture like it was the actual words of the actual G_d of the universe?  And that this same G_d would deliver on His promises?

Oh my.

Yeah.  What if?

Some have tried it.  Do we (do you) have any idea what they found?

Here is a start of the list…

More of Him.

Less of us.

Jaw-dropping Freedom from fear and sin and doubt and worry.

Tangible power to actually begin doing good in this world.

Joy beyond any measure we know.

Strength to handle every situation.

Growing Love for all people.

Unassailable peace in the fiercest of storms.

Noble wisdom.

True virtue.

The power of the Gospel is available to all who would believe.  But therein lies the rub, doesn’t it?  We gotta believe.

What if? – Makala Doulos is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a man in love with Jesus

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 35-36; Matthew 5:1-26

Quote of the day: Man cannot break the laws of God, he can only break himself against them.~G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

Bible Memory: “In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.” Psalm 119:88

A Heart of Flesh

The Colony Grad Reunion is coming again on Mother’s Day weekend, as it does every year.  This will be the fourth one in which I will participate, the first one being May 7 – 9, 2010.  I had arrived at the Colony of Mercy only 9 days earlier and have several memories of that first weekend.  There was a rather energetic speaker named Manny Mill who shared the story of the prodigal son in a way that changed my understanding and interpretation of Luke 15:11-24 forever.  I recall many happy and warm embraces shared between people who were genuinely full of joy and gratitude, and I heard stories of how their time in the Colony had saved their marriages, their jobs, their very lives, and their relationship with Jesus.

I witnessed how happy and joyous the staff members of Keswick were to see these men and their families.  There was a look of satisfaction and contentment, maybe the same look the man must have had in MT 25:21 when he heard his lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant…”

There were many other things I remember, but one memory really pierced my heart and gave me a cause to pause.  The auditorium had been a beehive of noise and laughter, one conversation being louder than another as people were sharing how great life is when we take ourselves from being the center of our lives and put Jesus there.  That one decision gives us life and gives it to us abundantly (John 10:10); when we walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh, we experience life and peace (Romans 8:6).  In the loudness of the room, I suddenly noticed heads turning toward the big screen on the stage and all became quiet, the kind of silence that practically screams.  As I watched the screen, I realized that there were pictures of graduates who had died that year, some from natural causes but many from a poor decision to remove Jesus from the throne of their lives and replace Him with the idols of drugs and alcohol.  Those were the same idols that originally brought them to the Colony of Mercy.  I will never forget the sadness I felt despite not knowing any of the men personally whose pictures were shown.

Sad to say, this year there will be pictures of men I not only knew but grew to love, and their deaths hurt my heart, the heart of flesh that God gave me during my time at the Colony, the heart of flesh which continues to beat for Jesus, my Jesus who sits on the throne and is my life. Remember that these men were much more than just photos but were living, breathing hearts of flesh and let us commit to praying for the loved ones they left behind. May the death of our Colony brothers remind us that Jesus is THE bondage breaker and THE only solution to the problem of addiction. May we be the ones who carry this message to the world. 

For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.  Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean;   I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.  I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  Ezekiel 36: 24-26  — Joe Freeman is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and has recently joined the staff of Grace Fellowship International

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 32-34; Matthew 4

Quote of the day: I believe the reason many Christians are so dull and lifeless in their faith is because they are not in the battle, not using their weapons, not advancing against the enemy. George Verwer

Bible Memory: “In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.” Psalm 119:88

Pursuing Our Destiny

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29, ESV).

I’m grateful that Bill Welte has invited me to be a regular contributor to Freedom Fighters, and I look forward to writing a weekly devotion.  Many of us have benefited from this email ministry through the years; I pray that my contributions will add to that benefit.

It is my opinion that much of the American church still hasn’t figured out how to help Christians see Christ formed in their lives.  Too many of us still think we’re OK if we’re faithful in church and don’t do any of the “big” sins, even though we can’t even agree on what the “big” sins are.

The verse above, over the last two or three years, has become the defining parameter of my life and ministry.  It allows me to know definitively what God wants for me, even though I may not know all the ways He will use to fulfill His desire for me.  It also allows me to know what God wants for all of you who read the Freedom Fighter emails.  I can’t know every detail of how God wants to work in your lives, but I do know what He wants to see happen in your life.  He wants you to be conformed to the image of His Son!

How does that happen?  How do people like us, with all our brokenness, begin to look like Jesus?  How do we begin to think like Jesus?  How do we become the people in whom our friends and acquaintances can see Jesus?  It has to be more than what we look like on the outside.  Rather, it’s a transformation of our hearts and minds in ways that change us from the inside out.  The Spirit of God does His work, and the result of that work is that we are continually being conformed to the image of His Son.

For the next several weeks, I invite you to join me in thinking about the tools God gives us to pursue our destiny—Christlikeness.  In cooperation with God’s Spirit, what steps should we take, what practices should we build into our lives that will help us pursue our God-ordained destiny?   I intend to share several different practices that Christians have, for centuries, built into their lives as they pursue being like Jesus.  By God’s grace, we can choose to “practice the practices” as we pursue our destiny.

So, the question for all of us in this piece is simple: do we want to pursue our God-ordained destiny?  Join me in thinking and praying about the answer to that question during the coming week. — Pastor John D. Strain recently retired as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River. He will be blogging on Wednesday’s for Freedom Fighter

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 29 – 31; Matthew 3

Quote of the day: Real Christianity is a matter of possession. And this possession is a two-way street. The Christian possesses Christ, and the Christian is possessed by Christ. Richard C. Halverson

Bible Memory: “In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.” Psalm 119:88

Give Hope Part 2 – Where is Your Timothy?

While keeping with this theme of “Give Hope” I came across this statistic… “About two-thirds of violent crime in America is committed by young men between the ages of 15 and 25”. That fact lays heavy on my heart in regards to the church and how we are seeing a generational gap grow further and further and the “twenty-something” demographic is disappearing from our pews.

Now, by no means am I perfect but looking back over my teen years I have seen my faith in Christ grow expediently and I wonder to myself what kept me here. I can account this primarily to two things. First, if nothing else is the overwhelming grace of God that He has kept me close and has opened my eyes to what the cross of Christ truly means in my own life. Second and the topic of this Freedom Fighter is the issue of discipleship. I can truly testify that if it wasn’t for a group of Godly men that came along side me over my teen years guiding me and teaching what it truly meant to be a follower of Christ I cannot honestly say where I would be today.

A special relationship to me on this topic is the story of Paul and Timothy. In the book of Acts we see the apostle Paul took the call to not only ministering to the unsaved and equipping the saints but investing in someone younger then himself to share his knowledge, character and passion for the gospel of Christ. Paul understood that in order to preserve the ministry God had called him he would need to disciple and mentor someone younger in order to carry on the great commission.

My challenge to you is this, as a follower of Christ; discipleship is not a choice but a command from Jesus Himself. (Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. ~Matthew 28:18-20).

We are a generation that needs hope and a purpose and if it is not in Christ we will find it somewhere else and this world is welcoming us with open arms.  [In Romans it says this (“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”).

As a Church we have been called by God to preach the overwhelming grace and mercy of the Gospel of Christ and we can no longer sit on the sidelines watching our young people fall by the way side. We are the future of the church and the only way we will press forward is if the Paul’s of today stand up and disciple today’s youth.  So ask the question, where is your Timothy? – Graeme Wilson serves on the ministry team at America’s Keswick in the area of Social Media and IT.

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 26-28; Matthew 2

Quote of the day: It’s not the pastor’s job to fill the pew. It’s his job to fill the pulpit. Adrian Rogers

Bible Memory: “In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.” Psalm 119:88

Who Are Your Timothy’s?

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” 2 Timothy 2:1-3

During the course of my 58 years, I am thankful for the godly men who came alongside of me to mentor and disciple me in my Christian life.

There were three men in my home church growing up – Carl Shoemaker, Woody Adcock and Bill Winterberg. All three men saw abilities and talents in my life that they wanted to see me develop. At the age of 12 and 13, they encouraged me to use my musical abilities for the Lord.

Carl and Gertie Shoemaker had a larger children’s ministry called Kids Corner and encouraged me to lead singing and develop my platform skills. Woody Adcock taught me the importance of memorizing Scripture and had our whole Sunday School class memorize verses in order to go to camp.

Bill Winterberg helped me to develop my skills in directing a choir, but also continued to push me to read. He would give me books, and then ask me to tell him what I learned. Into my late 40’s he would call me and ask me, “What are you reading??

The man who mentored me the longest has been my lifelong friend and teacher, Neil Fichthorn. It started when I served under him on summer staff at Sandy Cove – and 45+ years later, I am still learning from him. I often find myself doing things, saying things, and thinking the way he taught me.

Paul loved Timothy and he invested much time in his life. He wrote two amazing letters to Timothy addressing pertinent topics that would carry Timothy into ministry years later.

At this stage of my life, I am realizing that one of my roles is to become that Paul in the lives of the Timothy’s God brings across my path. Last week one of my staff thanked me for mentoring their son. This young man has so many incredible gifts. And to think that I have had a small part in his life is very humbling, but also rewarding.

Tomorrow’s Freedom Fighter was written by this young Timothy. He is a part of the millennial generation. One of the characteristics of this generation is that they are looking to be mentored.

By the way – the cycle is continuing – Graeme is now mentoring my son, Zach. How cool is that?

Who has God placed in your life to be your Timothy? Don’t miss the opportunity to mentor that young man.

Running the race with joy,

Bill Welte
President/CEO America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 20-22; Matthew 1

Quote of the day: God did not call us to sit, soak, and sour – but to SERVE! – Dr. Adrian Rogers

Bible Memory: “In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.” Psalm 119:88

 

What Are You Meditating On?

For as he [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23: 7 KJV)

Someone has said, “You are what you think!” or “What you think about determines who you are!” From time to time it is important to take an inventory of what we think about – what we think about during the day that consumes the free moments. What do you think about at night when you are lying in bed and can’t sleep? What do you think about when you are driving, walking, running?

Puritan preacher, George Swinnock, suggests that we take those thinking moments and turn them into times of meditating on spiritual things. Here are his suggestions which I think are timeless: “Meditation prepares the heart for prayer.

Meditate on your sins, and hunt them out of their lurking holes; this helps in our confession.

Meditate on your needs, for God is fully able to supply them. Consider what you need – pardoning mercy, strength for victory, power against sin – that you may entreat God to give them to you.

Meditate upon His mercies to you from birth. Look at the dangers you have been delivered from, the journeys you have been protected in, the seasonable help he has sent to you, the suitable support he has afforded you in distress, the counsel he has given you in doubts, and the comforts he has provided you in sorrow and darkness. Every breath in your life is a gift of mercy. Do not forget the former favors bestowed on you and your family.

Meditate on your present mercies.   How many do you enjoy – your house, family, body, and soul are full of blessings! Think of them particularly. Spread them out like jewels to your view.

Meditate on how freely they are bestowed, on their fullness and their greatness. But, O, your soul’s mercies – the image of God, the blood of Christ, eternal life, and seasons of grace! Your whole life is a bundle of mercies. These stir us up to bless the Giver.

Meditate on God to whom we pray. O how we are ashamed of our drops when we stand by this ocean!

Meditate on His mercy and goodness. These like Moses’ strokes will fetch water out of a rock. God delights to be sought and found. He delights to see men joyful in the house of prayer. God will not send you away sad.

When you have by meditation put the wood upon the altar, you may by prayer set fire to it and offer up a sacrifice of sweet smelling savour.” – Adapted from Voices from the Past; Banner of Truth.

Great stuff! Take that list and begin to meditate on the RIGHT things. You are what you think! Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Keswick, America’s  (2012-12-13). Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2 (Kindle Locations 4636-4669).  . Kindle Edition.

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 15-16; Revelation 20

Quote of the day: All men can be criminals, if tempted; all men can be heroes, if inspired. Gilbert Keith G. K. Chesterton

Bible Memory: “May my heart be blameless in your statues, that I may not be put to shame.” Psalm 119:80 ESV

Thought Control

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10: 5   KJV) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2: 9)

Have you ever wondered why God blessed/ cursed us with our imagination? I have. When I read Hebrews 2: 9 I thought that it was a hyperbole but I now realize that it is a proper use of a saint’s imagination.

When you pray do you ever take the time to imagine where Christ is and what He is doing that He should stop to listen and to do what you desire? He does, you know. The passage sees Jesus enthroned with His “servants” who are ready to do His bidding so:     “Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there,” wrote the hymnist.

 

When we struggle with temptation we need to bring every thought into captivity.   Temptation only exists as long as our thoughts feed it.   Use the thoughts that Paul mentions in Philippians 4: 8 .  You cannot not think!   You can, however, use good thoughts to replace evil ones (2 Corinthians 10: 5).

To stop unwanted negative thought you must ignore the negative by concentrating on the positive. The feelings that we have that come from our thoughts will change almost immediately.

I remember my first boot leave in San Diego. I was alone in front of a night club. There was no one there to report my actions but Jesus was very real to me. I said to Him. “You can wait here and I will run in and come right back out. I just want to see what it is like.” I felt that the Lord said, “No, that’s alright, I will just go with you.” At that point I said, “No forget about it. I just won’t go.”

When Christ is that real, temptation loses its power. Dr. H. G. VanSandt recently went home to be with Jesus after open heart surgery. He was a dear friend of America’s Keswick

Keswick, America’s  (2012-12-13). Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2 (Kindle Locations 4605-4632).  . Kindle Edition.

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 12-14; Revelation 19

Quote of the day: Just as the winds whip up the sea, so does anger stir confusion in the mind. John Climacus

Bible Memory: “May my heart be blameless in your statues, that I may not be put to shame.” Psalm 119:80 ESV

The Relentless YAWP of the Transformed

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a slave of Christ…. (It is) for freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery (ed. note: to the law).~ Galatians 1:10, 5:1

There is, beloved, an astounding truth in the Gospel.

We are free.

Not just freer.

Not just becoming free.

Free.   Jaw-droppingly… gob-smackingly… gorgeously free.

We are so free, that we have found the path even to the one final freedom: the freedom even from ourselves.  We are no longer constrained by the discomfort that comes from not getting our own way, or from having people love us – or even like what we do.

We have found the final purpose of this freedom from ourselves as well… We have found that it is in this place that we can finally pick up our cross and follow hard after Him.  We can do it because there is nothing in our hands to distract our grip on His purpose for our lives.  We simply want nothing more than Him.

At first we thought that the prospect of being so free from ourselves and united with Him would cause a dissolution of our identity.  But instead, we find that the only thing that has dissolved is our confusion about who we really are in Him.  We find that, in fact, a human running as Designed (read utterly dependent on Him) is veritable weapon of righteousness, made of very true, noble, just, pure and very, very, very lovely stuff.

We gain a freedom too from one of the final tyrants of our lives.  This shadow being the false shadow of what others think and say about us; and the need to maintain some sort of face in the face of social and relational turmoil.

Said simply:  We can now Love people like He Loves people – but we really don’t give a rip what they think about us.  And it is only in this place of abandonment of our lust for approval that we can pour out our lives for others – even for our enemies – simply because we desire their best.

Yeah, that is how free He has made us.  This is very good news dear reader.

Anyone feel a little like YAWP-ing along with this writer today!?!?! – Makala Doulos is a lover of Jesus and a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 9-11; Revelation 18

Quote of the day: We need to recognize God’s truth, no matter who’s mouth it comes out of. Elizabeth Elliot

Bible Memory: “May my heart be blameless in your statues, that I may not be put to shame.” Psalm 119:80 ESV