GIVE THANKS

For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15

Welcome to this new week of Freedom Fighter’s. Thanks for joining me on the journey. I want to welcome some new friends who are joining us. You know who you are – welcome to my new brothers.

The turkey and filling are all put away (literally) and I don’t want to move on to the next holiday thinking that I am off the hook with giving thanks. Remember we talked last week and thankfulness being a part of our daily walk.

I preparation for a message that I presented to the Colony men on Thanksgiving Day, I looked up the phrase “give thanks” in my concordance. Here is what I discovered:

The Bible uses the phrase “give thanks” 97 x’s and is mentioned from Genesis to Revelation. A rule of inductive Bible study is that if something is mentioned more than one time – is obviously very important. Here are some observations:

Give thanks for the Lord is good
Give thanks with all my heart
Give thanks abundantly
Lord Jesus modeled giving thanks – 10 verses in the gospel
Paul modeled a thankful heart
Give thanks in the presence of all
Give thanks always
Give thanks brings abounding glory to God

I want to suggest to you that a life of “thanksliving” does at least three things for us:

1. It gives us perspective. Psalm 136 tells me to give thanks four times (must be important):
   Give thanks to the Lord for He is good
   Give thanks to the god of Gods
   Give thanks to the lord of Lords
   Give thanks to the God of heavenWhy? Because His lovingkindess is everlasting. David uses that phrase 26 times. Check it out. He rehearses the journey of the Israelites – the good and the bad.
2. It helps us to view life from God’s perspective. Giving thanks helps remind me that even when I don’t understand, God has a greater purpose for His glory and my good.
3. It’s contagious. Hang out with a thankful person and you will want to be around them. You’ll find yourself wanting to be like that person. The reverse is true. Do you find yourself wanting to be around people who are always grumbling and complaining?
4. It brings glory to God. Check out the verse at the top of the page. My giving thanks brings glory to God.

I want to live out this message of “Thanksliving.” How about you? And you have permission to call me out on it if I start whining and complaining. – Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Ezekiel 27-29; Proverbs 26; 1 Peter 3

Motivations: A great many people are trying to make peace, but that has already been done. God has not left it for us to do; all we have to do – is to enter into it. Dwight L Moody

Practice to Remember: Level 1: James 4:6  Level 2: James 4:1-6

Powered Up:  Do not ask others to pray for you; our Lord says, “Pray yourself, ask!” Oswald Chambers

 

A Prayer about Overflowing Gratitude

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Col. 2:6–7 NIV)

Did you have a good Thanksgiving Day? I trust so. We bring this week to a close with another gospel-centered prayer written by Pastor Scotty Smith:

Lord Jesus, I want to be a man who gives you the quality and quantity of thanks of which you are so absolutely worthy. Not like a slow drip, a babbling brook, or a meandering stream, but like a geyser—a gospel geyser. I want to overflow with thankfulness, to the praise of your glory and grace!

I have every reason to be like the healed Samaritan leper, who with a stunned heart and irrepressible gratitude returned to give you heartfelt thanks (Luke 17:11–17). I return today, and I want to return every day, to express my profound thankfulness.

From the first nanosecond I was given faith to receive you as Savior and Lord, I was fully and firmly rooted in your righteousness and love. Now, completely forgiven, I have no other righteousness than yours. Just as I cannot add one iota to your righteousness, I can never, ever be separated from your love, and your love alone is better than life. You have already set me free from the penalty of sin, you are continually setting me free from the power of sin, and one day you will set me free from the very presence of sin.

Jesus, I want to live in you, reflecting upon your glory with an unveiled face and marinating in the riches of your unfailing grace. I want to be built up in you, maturing by the same grace that saved me, being liberated for the race that you’ve set before me. I want to be strengthened in you, forgiving others as you have forgiven me, forbearing with others as you forbear with me, accepting others as you accept me.

Lord Jesus, I would love to be done with all carping and droning, with all whining and complaining, with all boo-hooing and Eeyore-ing, and with every other expression of ingratitude. So rise up in me, O living water, unto eternal life. Artesian spring of grace, come forth with such compelling and propelling force that my thanks will be not miserly but geyserly. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Smith, Scotty (2011-09-01). Everyday Prayers for a Transformed Life: 365 Days to Gospel-Centered Faith (Kindle Locations 8156-8172). Baker Book Group. Kindle Edition.

Have a great weekend! God bless you! – Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Ezekiel 20-21; Proverbs 23; James 5

Motivations: The main thing that God asks for is our attention. Jim Cymbala

Practice to Remember: Level 1:James 3:17-18; Level 2: James 3:13-18

Powered Up:  Our true character comes out in the way we pray. Oswald Chambers

Happy Thanksgiving

On this Thanksgiving Day, Jan and my family join me in thanking God for you and for your support of the ministry of Freedom Fighter.

I echo the words of the Apostle Paul — “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater …” 2 Thessalonians 1:3

Don’t forget to join us Saturday evening, November 24th for the special presentation by the Keswick Celebration Choir as they present “AND ON EARTH … PEACE”. The concert begins at 7:00 PM in the Activity Center. PLEASE JOIN US.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Bill and Jan Welte
President/CEO
America’s Keswick

Speak Up

 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.—Philippians 1:3

Today’s devotional is from the pen of our good friend, Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It’s a great reminder to all of us this Thanksgiving:

GRATITUDE IS NOT THE QUIET GAME. It begs to be expressed, both to God and to others. “Silent gratitude,” Gladys Berthe Stern said, “isn’t much good to anyone.”

So if a certain cashier has been consistently pleasant at the grocery store, why not stop by to tell the manager what a delight you’ve found his employee to be and how thankful you are for her attitude. He’ll be glad to pass along the compliment, and she’ll go home encouraged and freshly motivated about her work.

If a neighbor’s flower bed catches your eye every time you pull into the driveway, try walking over and telling her how much you admire her for the hard work she puts into tending her yard and how it just seems to get more beautiful year after year.

If your pastor’s messages encourage your heart and deepen your walk with God, don’t assume he just automatically knows this or gets tired of hearing how his ministry is impacting people’s lives. Look him in the eye and thank him for his faithfulness to bring you the Word, or jot him a note with a few specifics of how something he said really spoke to you.

And, of course, when you’re captivated by a glorious sunset, or comforted in sorrow, or uplifted by some sweet reminder of the hope God gives in the midst of life’s many problems and challenges, make your praise not only ring in your head but roll off your tongue.

Spoken words of praise and thanks have the power to dissipate the spirit of heaviness that can cling to you like a wet blanket. Tired of feeling lifeless and weighed down? Then speak up!

DeMoss, Nancy Leigh Leigh (2012-09-01). The Quiet Place: Daily Devotional Readings (Kindle Locations 6636-6640). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Is there someone in your life that you need to SPEAK UP to today? If so, purpose in your heart that you will do so … today! – Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Ezekiel 16-17; Proverbs 21; James 3

Motivations: All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired, although not in the hour or in the measure, or the very thing which they ask. Yet they will obtain something greater and more glorious than they had dared to ask. Martin Luther

Practice to Remember: Level 1:James 3:17-18; Level 2: James 3:13-18

Powered Up:  Our prayers for God’s help are often nothing but incarnate laziness, and God has to say, “Speak no more unto Me of this matter. Get thee up …” Oswald Chambers

Perspective

“In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I recently read that one day on the streets of London, the famous “prince of preachers,” Charles Haddon Spurgeon was robbed.

When he arrived home and told his wife his tale, he said, “Well, thank the Lord anyway!”

His wife countered, “Thank the Lord that somebody stole your money.”

“No, my dear,” answered Charles. Then he began to enumerate some reasons why he was thankful.

“First, I am thankful the robber just took my money, not my life. Secondly, I am thankful I had left most of my money home and he didn’t really rob me of much!

Thirdly, I am thankful to God that I was not the robber!”

Sometimes IN the midst of the challenging times of life, if we look at our circumstances through the lens of gratitude – our circumstances will look so much different.

Last weekend when we lost our power, I am thankful that it wasn’t during a time when the temperatures were below freezing. The damage could have been so much worse.

Our aging phone system at America’s Keswick crashed at just the time a large gift came to cover the cost.

If we stop and think it through, we will be so amazed at the many things we can be thankful for that we would have missed if we hadn’t looked at life through gratitude.

Can I ask you to do me a favor – will you respond to today’s email by sending me some of ways in which you can say, “Thank You, Lord that I …” I’d love to read them as well as include them in a future blog. Thank you, brothers. – Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Ezekiel 14-15; Proverbs 20; James 2

Motivations: I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference. I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. Max Lucado – Shaped by God

Practice to Remember: Level 1:James 3:17-18; Level 2: James 3:13-18

Powered Up:  Never SAY you will pray about a thing; PRAY ABOUT IT. – Oswald Chambers

Thanks

“IN everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Are you interested doing the will of God? It might surprise you that more times than not we are trying to figure out His will when the Word of God already tells us what His will is for our lives.

Thanks for joining me for this new week of Freedom Fighter blogs. Several years ago Pastor Bill Raws shared a devotional at one of our monthly Hymnsings from 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

It was interesting to see the reaction on the faces of people when Pastor Bill shared that Paul doesn’t exhort to give thanks for everything – but IN everything. Big difference.

I can think of a number of thanks that I am not thankful FOR right now. But I can be thankful IN each of the circumstances/situations that I am going through right now.

And it is even more exciting to know that by doing this I am in God’s will – doing what HE wants me to do.

There is an old Swedish Hymn that expressed thanks FOR things … think about the difference it makes from changing the FOR with IN:

Thanks to God for my Redeemer
For all Thou dost provide!
Thanks (for) IN times now but a memory,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks (for) IN pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks (for) IN dark and dreary fall!

Thanks (for) IN tears by not forgotten,
Thanks (for) IN peace within my soul!
Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks (for) IN what Thou dost deny
Thanks (for) IN storms that that I have weathered,
Thanks (for) IN all Thou dost supply!

Thanks (for) IN pain, and thanks (for) IN pleasure,
Thanks (for) IN comfort in despair!
Thanks (for) IN grace that none can measure,
Thanks (f0r) IN love beyond compare!

Thanks (for) IN roses by the wayside,
Thanks (for) IN thorns their stem contain!

Thanks (for) IN home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks (for) IN hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks (for) IN joy and thanks (for) IN sorrow.
Thanks (for) IN heavenly peace with Thee!
Thanks for (IN) hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks thro’ all eternity.

Oh by the way, IN the midst of the aftermath of the storm, I was looking around my garden and was grieving because of all the damage to my garden/yard. It was then I spied the rose blooming IN the garden – and right then I stopped and quoted Paul’s words: “IN everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ concerning you.”

Good reminder! Are you ready to do God’s will today? Put 1 Thessalonians 5:18 in practice. – Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Ezekiel 11-13; Proverbs 19; James 1

Motivations: Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will deserve to receive greater. Value the least gifts no less than the greatest, and simple graces as especial favours. If you remember the dignity of the Giver, no gift will seem small or mean, for nothing can be valueless that is given by the most high God. Thomas a Kempis

Practice to Remember: Level 1:James 3:17-18; Level 2: James 3:13-18

Powered Up:  Prayer is not a question of altering things externally, but of working wonders in a man’s disposition. – Oswald Chambers

A Prayer about Hope Setting

 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, and being sober-minded; set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Pet. 1:13)

We’ve come to the end of our week, brothers. Thanks for joining me and sharing the journey with you. To close out our week, here is another powerful Gospel-centered prayer from the pen of Pastor Scotty Smith:

 Heavenly Father, you won’t let us get away from thinking about your grace for even one minute, will you? And let me hasten to say thank you, thank you, thank you.

I praise you for the day you finally convinced the legalist and leper in me that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. I praise you for the ongoing schooling in the sufficiency of your grace for all the broken things in my life: broken relationships, broken health, broken promises, broken church . . . broken me.

And now I praise you for commanding me to set my hope on yet-to-be-received grace—the unleashed fullness, the unfettered wonder, the undiminished glory of your contra conditional love for us in Jesus. There is no God like you. There is no God so immeasurably generous with such ill-deserving people like me.

Help me to remember that this hope-setting command is just as much a command to be obeyed as “Do not lie, do not steal, and do not covet.” You are serious about where we set our hope. Father, you are so wise, for you know if we don’t intentionally and fully set our hope on your present and future grace, we’ll set it somewhere else: on saviors that cannot save, on people who are not God, on gospels that are not gospels, and on idols that will ultimately fail us.

Lord Jesus, I’ve never so looked forward to the day when you will be fully revealed—when the firstfruits of grace will give way to the full harvest of grace, your gathered bride and renewed world. Until that day, keep us engaged in your story of redemption and restoration. Where do we work for justice? Where do we show your mercy? How shall we walk humbly with our God?

Smith, Scotty (2011-09-01). Everyday Prayers for a Transformed Life: 365 Days to Gospel-Centered Faith (Kindle Locations 7943-7962). Baker Book Group. Kindle Edition.

Have a blessed weekend. I appreciate you! – Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick.

Team YOU: Ezekiel 3-4; Proverbs 16; Hebrews 11:20-40

Motivations: Let us also take up our positions to intercede for our leaders. God never intended that congregations would not participate in their leaders protection and inspiration. Your leadership reflects, at least in part, the answer to your prayers. Unprayed for pastors are vulnerable to the battle in unique ways. If you haven’t stood in intercession, perhaps you are, at least in part, a contributor to his stumbling. Francis Frangipane

Practice to Remember: Level 1:James 3:9-10; Level 2: James 3:7-12

Powered Up:  The sinner out of heart with self is nearest God in prayer. Oswald Chambers

Faith Comes By Hearing the Word of God

Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

The night after the storm I made an interesting discovery that I would like to pass on to you.

We get terrible radio reception in our house so much of my radio listening is through my Ipad which sits on my nightstand.

Months ago I downloaded an app called Bible.is.net which I never really opened. On Thursday night I decided to open it and realized that it has several versions that will allow you to listen to an audio version of the Scriptures.

I decided to open the ESV version that had a little bit of dramatization/music with it. I started with Psalm 1 and left it running all night. By the time I woke up, it had read through the entire book of Psalms and was now in the process of reading Proverbs 4.

During the night I woke up several times and heard verses of Scripture from various Psalms. It was really cool.

I have read studies that even when a sleep the Word of God can get into your mind. I have no clue whether that is true – but I do know this – I slept much more soundly and woke up very peaceful. Either it worked or the enemy put me to sleep since he doesn’t want me meditating on the Word of God.

If you are having trouble sleeping, or you can’t get your mind to settle down – why not try downloading Bibleis.net. I’d love to hear what you think. – Bill Welte is the President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Ezekiel 1-2; Proverbs 15; Hebrews 11:1-19

Motivations: We are frequently advised to read the Bible with our own personal needs in mind, and to look for answers to our own private questions. That is good, as far as it goes…But better still is the advice to study the Bible objectively,…without regard, first of all, to our own subjective needs. Let the great passages fix themselves in our memory. Let them stay there permanently, like bright beacons, launching their powerful shafts of light upon life’s problems – our own and everyone’s – as they illumine, now one, now another dark area of human life. Following such a method, we discover that the Bible does “speak to our condition” and meet our needs, not just occasionally or when some emergency arises, but continually. Frederick C. Grant

Practice to Remember: Level 1:James 3:9-10; Level 2: James 3:7-12

Powered Up: It is because our Lord Jesus Christ went through the depths of agony to the last ebb in the Garden of Gethsemane, because He went through Calvary, that we have “boldness to enter into the holy place.” – Oswald Chambers

More Lessons from the Recent Storms (Part 3)

It is no coincidence that today’s Scripture reading (see below) is from Lamentations 3:21-26!

You know the verses:

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.²² The Lord’s lovingkindnesses ^[f]indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.²³ They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness²⁴ “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I have hope in Him.”²⁵ The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the person who seeks Him.²⁶ It is good that he waits silently
For the salvation of the Lord.

In the midst of all the stress, anxiety, and turmoil – the Holy Spirit brought these words to my heart and mind.

I needed to be reminded of several things despite my circumstances:

1. I have hope!
2. His lovingkindess NEVER ceases!
3. His compassion NEVER
4. His faithfulness is great.
5. The LORD is my portion.
6. I have hope not in JCP&L, not in FEMA, not in any Disaster Relief Team. My hope is in HIM!
7. The Lord is good!

Wow! Did that brief new life into my wearied soul. I wish I could tell you that on Thursday the power came on. Nope! It didn’t come back on until Saturday afternoon.

I wish I could tell you all the groups came this weekend. Nope! Only half of the groups came.

Motors burned out on several pieces of equipment. Generators broke down. Bodies got weary and worn put. BUT God used this passage to comfort my/our heart.

If you are facing a challenge in your life – let me remind you that HE is there for you! Cry out to Him. Trust Him today. He IS faithful. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Lamentations 3-5; Proverbs 14; Hebrews 10:19-39

Motivations: Faith is often strengthened right at the place of disappointment. Rodney McBride

Practice to Remember: Level 1:James 3:9-10; Level 2: James 3:7-12

Powered Up:  When we pray in the Holy Spirit we are released from our petitions. Oswald Chambers

More Lessons from the Recent Storms (Part 2)

In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. Psalm 94:19

I shared yesterday that Wednesday night into Thursday was a tough time of despair for me. I realized how vulnerable I really was. I realized how out-of-control I really was in the big picture.

As the morning when on, the “circumstances” didn’t change. We had no power. We were burning up gallons of fuel so generators could operate. Trees where down everywhere. We had no idea when the power would ever be restored.

The weekend before we had lost $38,000 in revenue because of Hurricane Sandy. Unless there was a change – we’d take another huge loss on this past weekend.

As I said, the circumstances didn’t change – but the Lord was speaking peace to my spirit. I hadn’t had my time with God, so I pulled away into my office and began to read the Word and my other devotionals.

One of the devotionals I read has recently spoken to my heart. Listen to what the writer shared:

Learn to appreciate difficult days. Be stimulated by the challenges you encounter along your way. As you journey through rough terrain with Me, gain confidence from your knowledge that together we can handle anything.

This knowledge is comprised of three parts: your relationship with Me, promises in the Bible, and past experiences of coping successfully during hard times. Look back on your life, and see how I have helped you through difficult days.

If you are tempted to think, “Yes, but that was then, and this is now,” remember who I AM! Although you and your circumstances may change dramatically, I remain the same throughout time and eternity. This is the basis of your confidence. In My Presence you live and move and have your being.

Young, Sarah (2010-03-02). Jesus Calling: A 365 Day Journaling Devotional (Kindle Locations 3681-3687). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

The Lord used this to whack me on the head. It was just what I needed to hear. I have ahistorical record of God working in my life in the past. I have started circling promises in my Bible. I needed to be reminded that God is TOTALLY aware of ALL my circumstances and has promised to NEVER leave me or forsake me.

By the end of the day I was filled with a renewed sense of peace, hope and expectancy. It really didn’t matter if the power came back or not. No matter what I knew that He would be right there beside me. That truth spoke to my heart and gave me the courage to face the next several days. More about that tomorrow. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Lamentations 1-2; Proverbs 13; Hebrews 10:1-18

Motivations: Whatever we may undertake with a sincere desire to promote His (God’s) glory, we may comfortably pursue. Nothing is trivial that is done for Him. John Newton

Practice to Remember: Level 1:James 3:9-10; Level 2: James 3:7-12

Powered Up:  Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life. Oswald Chambers