Never Give In

“Let us run the race that is before us and never give up” (Hebrews 12:1 New Century)

Today’s devotional was written by another one of my heroes, Dr. George Sweeting, Chancellor of Moody Bible Institute. It is from our daily devotional, REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE:

Winston Churchill was asked to bring the commencement address to his alma mater,HarrowSchool.  The auditorium was hot and the program long.  When Churchill was finally introduced, he approached the podium and spoke twenty-nine words: “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.”  Needless to say, they never forgot his speech.

Extraordinary faithfulness was a mark of the early Christians.  Day after day, month after month, year after year, long after the ascension of Jesus, “they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).  They were steadfast … reliable … they refused to quit.

A requisite for apostolic success was steadfastness.  They depended on each other, just as they depended on Jesus.  The early Christians were a company of equals committed to the Good News and to one another in spite of the consequences.

When the church inAntiochheard of the famine among those inJerusalem, they sent Paul and Barnabas with money to buy food for their starving brothers and sisters (Acts 11:27-30).  Dorcas died, the believers at Joppa sent word to Peter to help their sister in the faith.  All the widows were standing beside her bed when he arrived.  Peter when at their request and raised Dorcas from the dead (Acts 9:36-43).

They were also steadfast in observing the ordinance of Communion.  Receiving “the bread” and “the cup” of Communion, according to Scripture, is not optional.  We’re instructed, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:24, italics added).  The bread and the cup poignantly underscore our Lord’s steadfastness. Luke said, “He steadfastly set His face to go toJerusalem” (Luke 9:51).

They were also steadfast in prayer.  After the ascension of Jesus, His followers returned to the upper room and “continued with one accord in prayer” (Acts 1:14, italics added).  Prayer influenced every area of their lives.  Prayer is the Lord’s cure for caving in (Luke 18:1).

Our world today argues against longevity.  The attention span of many people has been reduced to fifteen-second sound bites.  A big appetite exists for a quick fix, the sensational, even the bizarre, with little passion for commitment even unto death.

More recent examples of perseverance can be found in stories of missionaries like John and Betty Stamm, who served inChinawith great success.  However, in December 1934, the Communist forces attacked the city where the Stamms served.  John and Betty were led to a clump of pine trees on a hill outside of town, where John was ordered to kneel.  Another quick command was given, a sword flashed, and John was dead.  Betty quivered, but only for a moment.  With another sword stroke, she and John were united forever in heaven.

As the journalists of the world told their story, thousands of people from many lands volunteered to take their place.  Nothing could keep John and Betty from their commitment.  They never gave in.  They were faithful … even to death.

From Too Soon To Quit: Fifty Ways to Experience the Best that Life Has to Offer, reprinted with permission of Dr. George Sweeting —

Team YOU: Psalm 4-6; Proverbs 12; Acts 17:16-34

Motivations: Be a thermostat, not a thermometer! Set the temperature, don’t just register the temperature of those around you.

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 2:4; Level 2: Philippians 2:5-11

Powered Up:  God always answers us in the deeps, never in the shallows of our soul. Amy Carmichael

MY STRENGTH OR HIS

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  (Philippians 4:13)

It’s still hard for me to not see Pastor Bill Raws here at America’s Keswick. He was a part of this ministry for well over 50+ years. He went home to be with Jesus in July 2008.

Today’s devotional is powerful and is from our daily devotional, REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE:

Many Christians have found that they lack the spiritual strength to handle life’s pressures.  Some sincerely search for a resource of strength outside of themselves for facing life’s demands.  While they flounder and fail, the Bible offers the solution – divine strength.

The Apostle Paul describes the struggle to live a life conforming to God’s standard (Romans 7:14-25).  His best efforts led to failure and frustration.  It is only at the end of this passage that he hints at the solution, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  In Philippians 4:13 he was able to clarify this by a complementary statement – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Instead of the frustrating failures of Romans 7, the Philippians passage declares confidently that he could do all things, meet all of the demands, face all of the limitations, and handle any abundance.  He was particularly speaking about the uncertainties of his ministry support level, but the principle which he declares is applicable to any area of the Christian life.

If Paul had placed a period after the opening clause of Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things,” it would have been a lie.   Neither he nor we can claim such a thing concerning Christian living.  We don’t have the strength.  God doesn’t expect us to be able to do this.  He knows we can’t.  However, the provision has already been made for our meeting all of the demands of the Christian life and service.  It is found in the latter part of the verse, “through Christ who strengthens me.”

God doesn’t issue us a do-it-yourself kit for living the Christian life.  Our only hope of measuring up to His standard and meeting life’s demands lies in Christ.  We must be careful to complete the statement along with the Apostle Paul, – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” William A. Raws

Team YOU: Psalm 1-3; Proverbs 11; Acts 17-15

Motivations: The world does not need more Christian writers — it needs more good writers and composers who are Christians. C. S. Lewis

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 2:4; Level 2: Philippians 2:5-11

Powered Up:  We ask what we think to be best; God gives us what we know to be best. William Burkitt

Living With Purpose (Part 2)

Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 1 Corinthians 9:25

Our theme this year has been LIVING WITH PURPOSE  and for the next 5 weeks we will be unpacking that theme during our summer Bible conference sessions at America’s Keswick.

We are looking forward to having Dr. Richard Blackaby on campus this summer and last week he and his Dad, Dr. Henry Blackaby wrote about this theme in their devotional, Experiencing God:

Athletes are willing to push themselves harder and longer and farther than anyone else. They strive to bring their bodies and minds completely under control so that they excel and receive a prize. Others go home to relax, but athletes continue to train. While most people protect themselves from any form of discomfort, athletes push themselves to the limits of their endurance. While some remain satisfied with mediocre performance, athletes pay any price for excellence

Paul said that despite their most valiant efforts, the athletes’ successes and prizes are eventually forgotten. Even the greatest athletic achievements have not affected eternity. If an athlete can be motivated to make incredible sacrifices for a perishable reward, how much more ought Christians to strive for an imperishable one? If an athlete will labor day after day in order to receive glory from others, how much harder ought Christians to work for the “well done” of their Master?

Richard and Henry give us a number of good questions:

1. Are you striving to bring your body into subjection for the glory of God?
2. Are you training your mind to think the thoughts of God rather than thoughts of the world?
3. Are you disciplining your life in prayer?
4. When others are sleeping, are you interceding?
5. Have you studied God’s Word so diligently that you are prepared to find answers to the challenges you face?
6. Have you equipped yourself in evangelism so that you are ready to share your faith?
7. Have you prepared yourself as a Christian in order to qualify for the imperishable crown that awaits you?

Blackaby, Richard (2006-12-01). Experiencing God Day By Day (Kindle Locations 3294-3308). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Some great questions for us to ponder as we think about living with purpose. – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Job 41-42; Proverbs 10; Acts 16:22-40

Motivations: Father, impress upon me that not only do You desire truth in my inner parts but You have designed my being to function on truth. Unless I live in the truth and by the truth I violate the structure of my being. Selwyn Hughes

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 2:4; Level 2: Philippians 2:5-11

Powered Up:  God’s sovereignty does not negate our responsibility to pray, but rather makes it possible to pray with confidence. – Jerry Bridges

Living With Purpose

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Well our 2012 summer conference season began last night and I am really pumped. For the past 22 summers, I have been involved in a summer Bible conference and I love it.

My love for summer Bible conference goes back 42 years now when I served on the summer staff at Sandy Cove Bible conference, now Sandy Cove Ministries.

Those three summers were when God grabbed hold of my heart and placed in my heart a love for Christian camping and conferencing.

The rest is history!  It has been my joy to serve with the finest team of men and women who comprise our staff at America’s Keswick. And joining us this summer is an outstanding group of young men and women who are serving on our summer staff.

Maybe you’ve never even thought about coming for a week or even a day to America’s Keswick. I want to encourage you to check out our summer Bible conference schedule for the next five weeks. You will have the opportunity to hear some of America’s greatest Bible teachers.

This week we have Dr. David Epstein from Calvary Baptist Church, New York City, and Dr. Tony Hart, President of the Grand Old Gospel Fellowship and a senior pastor from Montco Bible Church.

The morning sessions are at 9:30 AM and will feature worship and a missions update. The evening sessions begin at 7:00 PM and will feature worship and a testimony from one of the men and women who graduated from our addiction recovery ministry.

We would love you to experience America’s Keswick on campus, but if you can’t, all of our services are webcasted live: www.americaskeswick.org.

So why don’t you plan to join us. Our week runs from Sunday night through Friday breakfast. There are still some rooms, so call today: 732-350-1187.

God bless you. – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Job 38-40; Proverbs 9; Acts 16:22-40

Motivations: When Your joy in Me meets My joy in you, there are fireworks of heavenly ecstasy! – from Jesus is Calling

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 2:4; Level 2: Philippians 2:5-11

Powered Up:  God shapes the world by prayer. E. M. Bounds

72 Niagara Falls, Slowly I Turn! Facing the Falls

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job 38:4-7 (ESV)

As the morning came into being I was getting pumped up to see it. As we ventured from our motel room on Grand Island Boulevard and got some iced coffee from a place that was not Starbucks (sorry guys) it was off to get there. My parents went there for their honeymoon, Nik Wallenda just crossed and the Three Stooges made an impression about it in my young mind. NIAGARA FALLS!!! Slowly I turn, step by step, inch by inch…anyway, enough about Knucklehead Knoll. (Stooges fans you know what I mean) The family was just there the night before to see the Falls at night but with all the whoopla going on with the tightrope walking it was hard to really take it in.

The plan was real simple, Cave of the Winds, Maid of the Mist, and stroll the park surrounding the Falls. The Cave of the Winds was quite an experience. There is a deck there where you can experience hurricane force winds and water spray. I went back twice…took quite a water beating. Then it was off to the Maid of the Mist. I was told by a friend that when you got to the Canadian Falls (the Horseshoe Falls) in the boat, to look up and try to take notice on just the enormity of the Falls at that point. So with my blue poncho at the ready and my infamous mirrored safety glasses in place it was into the big drink. Being a boater myself, I began to wonder just how much horsepower it was taking to approach the Horseshoe Falls but once the boat was at the closest point it could reach I looked up….AWESOME, God’s majesty at its finest.

I have never seen such beauty but yet with such awesome power and force. It was mind blowing to say the least. It was at this point where I thought of what Elohim said to Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” I don’t care what those knuckleheads who say our world is some sort of cosmic accident say, where were they when the foundations of the earth were laid? My guess is 1313 Mockingbird Lane with Herman and Grandpa in the basement trying to concoct some kind of witches brew to prove their point on creation.

In John Gill’s commentary on Job, he penned: “The earth has foundations, and such firm ones that it cannot be moved; but what are they, since it is hung in the air on nothing! No other than the power and will of God, who laid these foundations, and the Son of God, who has created and upholds all things by the word of His power.” He also has this to say about Job but my guess is that we need to apply this to ourselves as well: “Job had the understanding of a man in things natural and civil, and of a good man in things spiritual and divine; but he had no understanding of this, of what he is questioned about; could not declare in what place he was, and where he stood, when the earth was founded.”

From the time I first heard Moe and Larry say, NIAGARA FALLS, I wondered what the big deal was.  Mom told us the story of the honeymoon there with Dad and that has its romantic side to it. But to see this marvel up close and personal was just an awesome privilege. Sometimes we get so caught up with being in traffic, going to work, going to here and going to there that we forget to take the time to fall back and look at the creation around us. We also can get caught with the notion that we make things kinda work out for us. After seeing the Falls the way I did, I can concluded that apart from HIM… I can do NUTTIN’!! I hope you have come to the same conclusion. Amen? — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a Freedom Fighter blogger

Team YOU: Job 32-33; Proverbs 6; Acts 1

Motivations: The Bible never tries to prove God’s existence. It simply states it as a fact. Nor does the Bible attempt to explain what is beyond our ability to comprehend. It simply declares in its very first verse, ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). —Dave Hunt

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 2:3; Level 2: Philippians 2:1-4

Powered Up:  How many of you are praying consistently with your children at home? How ironic that we can seek to legislate prayer in schools when we don’t pray at home. – Richard C. Halverson

ONE OF GOD’S GREAT “DONT’S”

“Do not fret—it only causes harm.” Psalm 37:8     

For the past 25 years one of the tools I have used in my devotional life is the classic work by Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest.

Year after year it has been a blessing (well most days J) to me. Yesterday’s devotional on not fretting was too go to not share with you. Maybe you like me have those days when you fret. If you do, this will speak right to your heart. Let me know your thoughts.

Fretting means getting ourselves “out of joint” mentally or spiritually. It is one thing to say, “Do not fret,” but something very different to have such a nature that you find yourself unable to fret. It’s easy to say, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (37:7) until our own little world is turned upside down and we are forced to live in confusion and agony like so many other people.

Is it possible to “rest in the Lord” then? If this “Do not” doesn’t work there, then it will not work anywhere. This “Do not” must work during our days of difficulty and uncertainty, as well as our peaceful days, or it will never work. And if it will not work in your particular case, it will not work for anyone else. Resting in the Lord is not dependent on your external circumstances at all, but on your relationship with God Himself.     

Worrying always results in sin. We tend to think that a little anxiety and worry are simply an indication of how wise we really are, yet it is actually a much better indication of just how wicked we are. Fretting rises from worried and was never anxious, because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God’s plans. Fretting is wickedness for a child of God.     

Have you been propping up that foolish soul of yours with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God to handle? Set all your opinions and speculations aside and “abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about whatever concerns you. All our fretting and worrying is caused by planning without God.

Chambers, Oswald (2010-10-22). My Utmost for His Highest, Updated Edition (p. 186). Discovery House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

TEAM YOU: Job 30-31; Proverbs 5; Acts 13:26-52

Motivations: How can you expect God to speak in that gentle and inward voice which melts the soul, when you are making so much noise with your rapid reflections? Be silent and God will speak again. Francois Fenelon

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 2:3; Level 2: Philippians 2:1-4

Powered Up:  If you sow in prayerlessness, you will reap powerlessness, peacelessness, joylessness, fruitlessness, and backsliddennes. Raymond Kwong

 

Strongholds

Therefore I also said, “I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.” Judges 2:3

We all have them if we are not careful. You know exactly that area in your life even before you started to read today’s blog. My guess is that you might even have been tempted to push the delete button.

Don’t do it. Read on, my friend. Listen to what Henry and Richard Blackaby say about strongholds:

When you became a Christian, God declared war on sin’s strongholds in your life. Sinful behaviors and attitudes were firmly entrenched in your character, but God commanded you to tear them down. The Holy Spirit pointed out areas of your life that were resistant to God’s will. Were you tempted to merely establish a truce rather than obliterating every sin? Is anger one of sin’s strongholds? If so, it will rise up against you in moments of weakness. Is there a stronghold of lust in your life? If so, you will succumb to it when caught off guard. In careless moments, these strongholds will still tempt you to continue your past sinful behaviors.

Do not underestimate the destructive power of sin. If there are strongholds in your life that you have never defeated, the Holy Spirit is still prepared to bring you complete victory. – Experiencing God – The Devotional

We can choose to live in denial. We can choose to live in bondage to our strongholds. OR – we can choose victory. That’s His design for YOUR life and mine. Will you be bold enough to talk to Him about it today? He already knows about it. So go ahead! You’ll be glad you did. – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

You can hear Dr. Richard Blackaby this summer at America’s Keswick. Check it out on the web at www.americaskeswick.org

Team YOU: Job 28-29; Proverbs 4; Acts 13:1-25

Motivations: Live between the guardrails of “Do not quench the Holy Spirit” and “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit”  Bill Johnson

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 2:3; Level 2: Philippians 2:1-4

Powered Up:  The criterion for our intercessory prayer is not our earnestness, nor our faithfulness, nor even our faith in God, but simply God Himself. He has taken the initiative from the beginning, and has built our prayers into the structure of the universe. He then asks us to present these requests to Him that He may show His gracious hand. Charles H Troutman

Our Awesome God Part 2

“Therefore stand in awe of God.” Ecclesiastes 5:7 (NIV)

Yesterday I shared some thoughts with you about our awesome God. Shortly after writing yesterday’s blog (I wrote Monday on Sunday … are you confused?), I received word that one of our staff members who has been seriously ill, went home to be with Jesus. 

Mac was a retired Marine and served in our Food Service department. He loved the men of the Colony of Mercy and they nicknamed him “Sweetheart!”

I was sitting on the deck reading and noticed out of the corner of my eye, the sun was shining to my left, but not to right. I thought it was a little weird, but something prompted me to get up and take a look. 

The view before me was breathtaking. The sky was the most beautiful shade of blue and there were these huge puffy clouds. The cloud formations inside the clouds were breathtaking. And then we saw flashes of lightning in the clouds.

I couldn’t help but use my sanctified imagination thinking Mac had just entered the presence of Jesus and was being given the grandest display of God’s glory.

The Psalmist David wrote about this is Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the skies proclaim the works of His hands.” (NIV)

For the next half hour we watched the portrait in the heavens changing. It was magnificent. God was demonstrating his AWESOME power as He painted His glory on the canvas of the New Jersey sky. Lord, may I not be blind to the many ways You are at work around me. – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Job 25-27; Proverbs 3; Acts 12

Motivations: God has called us to shine, just as much as Daniel was sent into Babylon to shine. Let no one say that he cannot shine because he has not so much influence as some others may have. What God wants you to do is to use the influence you have. Daniel probably did not have much influence down in Babylon at first, but God soon gave him more because he was faithful and used what he had. Dwight L. Moody

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 2:3; Level 2: Philippians 2:1-4

Powered Up:  Have you noticed how much praying for revival has been going on of late- and how little revival has resulted? I believe the problem is that we have been trying to substitute praying for obeying, and it simply will not work. To pray for revival while ignoring the plain precept laid down in Scripture is to waste a lot of words and get nothing for our trouble. Prayer will become effective when we stop using it as a substitute for obedience. A. W. Tozer

God is Awesome

Therefore stand in awe of God. Ecclesiastes 5:7 NIV

Yesterday Jan and I worshipped at Fellowship Bible Church in Philadelphia where I was privileged to serve for seven years as Director of Music. It was exciting to see what God is doing there and the sit under the teaching ministry of Pastor Mike Jarrell.

The church was packed with lots of young families from all walks of life and nationality. It was a huge blessing to us.

Pastor Mike taught from Ecclesiastes 5 and verse 7 jumped off the page.

For some of us, we have been saved for a number of years, and like most things, if we are really honest, we start to settle in and FORGET some of the amazing things about our great God. No, not just amazing – how about the AWESOMENESS of this great God.

Let me give you just a couple of verses today and tomorrow to REMIND you so we don’t forget:

Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty. Job 37:22

You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! Psalm 22: 23

In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! Psalm 45:4

Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God! Psalm 68:35

Someone recently chided me and a meeting we were in because people were saying “God is so awesome” and that was so not a good word to describe God. Well, I am glad to say he was wrong – it is a totally biblical word and one that we should use more about HIM than in describing an “awesome” event, or an “awesome speaker,” or an “awesome “concert.”

I have been journaling the last couple of weeks that I would be reminded daily of this AWESOME God that we love and serve. How about you? – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Job 22-24; Proverbs 2; Acts 11

Motivations: There is not a thing that God expects of a person but that God will give him or her the power to do. There is not a command God gives to His children for which He does not provide the enablement for obedience.A. B. Simpson

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 2:3; Level 2: Philippians 2:1-4

Powered Up:  God like to see his people shut up to this, that there is no hope but in prayer. Herein lies the church’s power against the world. Andrew Bonar

Check out this month’s Discovering Victory podcast on the topic of anger. Rev. Chris Hodges gives clear victorious Christian living principles on dealing with anger biblically.

Humility Is God’s Way

A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor. Proverbs 29:23

Yesterday I shared with you 7 things that Dr. Henry Blackaby reminded us about what pride will do to us. Taking those same seven things and looking at them through the lens of humility is quite different:

1. Humility will move us to ask forgiveness for those we have hurt or offended.
2. Humility will help us look at sin in our lives and deal with it.
3. Humility will cause you to decrease and Jesus increase.
4. Humility will give you delight in serving others.
5. Humility will give you the desire to honor others rather than yourself..
6. Humility will allow us to listen to the Nathans God will bring into our lives to help us grow.
7. Humility invites accountability into our lives.

Take some time to look up in your concordance verses that speak about humility. God hates pride, but He loves a humble spirit. Let’s purpose to be men of humility. — Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Job 14-16; Proverbs 29; Acts 9:22-43

Motivations: Christianity is a faith that is based upon and rooted in miracles. Take away miracles, and you take away Christianity. —R.C. Sproul

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 1:29; Level 2: Philippians 1:27-30

Powered Up:  There is a vast difference between prayer in faith and faith in prayer. Faith in prayer is very common; almost everybody has more or less of it. Prayer in faith is anything but common, in fact, that our Lord questions if He shall find any of it on the earth, when He comes back again. Charles Trumbell