Happy Thanksgiving

“Thank God in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

For the believer, Thanksgiving day is not a one-day event. It is an everyday experience as we live out the victorious Christian life. A thankful heart is a heart that is pleasing to God.

The text from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 suggests that we thank God not just when there are good things in life, but we thank Him IN all things. It isn’t an optional exercise, but a command. It is God’s will for you and me to be thankful. Please note that it does not to thank Him FOR all things – but IN all things.

This year has been a year of challenges for America’s KESWICK and our family. Many of you have stood with us in prayer as we have walked through some very challenging days. While I don’t necessarily understand WHY we went through some of the trials, I am thankful that IN the process we were able to say “thank you” to the Lord for seeing us through.

Many years ago, songwriter, Dan Burgess, penned the words to the song THANK YOU, LORD

Thank You Lord for the trials that come my way in that way I can grow each day as I let You lead and thank you lord for the patience those trials bring in the process of growing I can learn to care

chorus
but it goes against the way I am to put my human nature down and let the spirit take control of all I do cause when those trials come my human nature shouts the things to do and god’s soft prompting can be easily ignore

verse 2
I thank you lord with each trial I feel inside that you’re there to help lead and guide me away from wrong cause you promised lord that with every testing that your way of escaping is easier to bear

verse 3
I thank you lord for the victory that growing brings in surrender of everything life is so worthwhile and I thank you lord that when everything’s put in place out in front I can see your face and it’ there you belong

Are you thankful this morning? I trust that today will be the beginning of a life of THANKSLIVING for you! I am very thankful today for you, my Freedom Fighter family. Thanks for being in the journey with me. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 27; Ezekiel 30-32; 1 Peter 4

Think About This: Very often when I haven’t faith in my faith, I have to have faith in His faith. He makes me believe in myself and my possibilities, when I simply can’t. I have to rise to His faith in me. A woman who was inwardly collapsed said to me, “Well, I have no faith of my own, but I do have faith in your faith.” “Good,” I replied, “take faith in my faith as a first step, and then you will go on to something infinitely better – faith in His faith.” With faith in His faith you can do anything- anything that ought to be done. There is a passage which touches your need. “For the Eternal… will not let you go.” Faith is not merely your holding on to God; it is God holding on to you. He will not let you go! As Walt Whitman puts it, “Not until the sun refuses to shine, do I refuse you.” Then keep saying to your soul, “In quietness and in confidence shall be your faith.” (Isaiah 30:15). Then repeat to your soul these words: “To say what ought to be cannot be is a brief and complete statement of atheism.” It is. Say to yourself, “What ought to be can be, and I will make it so.” And you will. And will go beyond yourself. Eli E. Stanley Jones

THANKFULNESS

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on His face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.” Luke 17:15-16

Here is a powerful word from Dr. Henry Blackaby on the subject of thankfulness. It is timely for us to consider as we think about tomorrow being a day to celebrate Thanksgiving:

“Thanksgiving is foundational to the Christian life. Thankfulness is a conscious response that comes from looking beyond our blessings to the source. As Christians, we have been forgiven, saved from death, and adopted as God’s children. There could be no better reason for a grateful heart!

Lepers in Jesus’ day were social outcasts. Their highly contagious condition ostracized them from those they loved. When ten lepers encountered Jesus, they desperately implored Him to show them mercy. Jesus sent them to the priest. As they obeyed, they were healed! These men had been forbidden to enter their own villages, to live in their own homes, to work in their own jobs, or even to touch their own children. Imagine what unrestrained joy must have filled them as they ran back home again.

One of the lepers, a Samaritan, stopped and ran back to thank Jesus. Samaritans were normally shunned by the Jews, but Jesus had healed him! Jesus asked him, “Where are the others?” Ten lepers had been healed. Ten lepers were reveling in their new found health. Ten men were joyfully rushing to share the good news with those they loved. But only ONE considered the SOURCE of that blessing and stopped to thank and worship the ONE who had given him back his life.

We, too, have been healed and made whole by the Savior. We are free to enjoy the abundant life the Savior has graciously given us. Could we, like the nine lepers, rush off so quickly to glory in our blessings without stopping to thank our Redeemer? God looks for our thanks. Our worship, prayers, service, and daily life ought to be saturated with thanksgiving to God.” (Philippians 4:6)”

How about it guys? When was the last time you took some time besides Thanksgiving Day to thank HIM for what He has done for you? He blesses us daily – thanksgiving ought to be a daily part of our lives. Start today. Don’t wait until tomorrow. Thank Him! Go ahead! He can’t wait to hear from YOU! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 26; Ezekiel 27-29; 1 Peter 3

Think About This: “God is more eager to ANSWER than we are to ASK.” Smith Wigglesworth

Check out George’s Stewardship Insight for this week: http://keswickgeorge.blogspot.com/. It’s a good one.

Flight 93

On Sunday we had the amazing privilege of visiting the temporary Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA with the group that traveled with us to Branson. It was a very meaningful but emotional time for all of us.

Our group joined me in spending some time to reflect upon the heroes of Flight 93 who valiantly and heroically gave their lives for our freedom on September 11th. As many of you know, two of our America’s KESWICK family were passengers on Flight 93. They were the only husband and wife on the plane that morning.

Minutes before the plane crashed into the field in Shanksville, the terrorist pilot flying the plane began to rock the plane side to side to keep the passengers from moving into the cock pit area. The crested the hill at 500 miles per hour, and realizing their plan was unraveling, he flipped the plane so that when they crashed, the plane was upside down.

Since 9/11, we have had several memorial services to honor Don and Jean Peterson and the other victims of the terrorist attack on American soil. But there was something very special about being right there where it took place. Standing at the sight overlooking the field my heart was filled with thankfulness to the Lord for the friendship we all enjoyed with Don and Jean. They were truly a unique couple who gave of themselves in so many so that others could enjoy life. From Colony men and their wives to widows and widowers, to members of our staff who were in need, Don and Jean were all about loving and serving people.

After some spoken remarks that I shared with our group, we stood and sang “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” “America the Beautiful,” and “God Bless America.” During our week in Branson, every show that we visited took time to honor our veterans. It is a very patriotic town and each show wanted to express their gratitude and thanksgiving to the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces to protect and preserve our freedoms. Singing those songs at the crash site reminded me that the thousands who lost their lives in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and at Shanksville, were also heroes that we need to be thankful for at this time of the year.

I know that we are not a perfect nation, but I am very thankful today for our country and the freedoms that we still enjoy. I am very thankful today for the heroes that gave their lives on September 11th. I am very thankful today for Don and Jean Peterson. Thank You, Lord, for these patriots! Thank You, Lord, for the testimony of their lives. Thank You, Lord, that it is not too late for America to turn back to You. May God bless America, and may we as a nation turn back and once again bless the God to whom our founding fathers declared unashamedly, “In God We Trust!” – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 25; Ezekiel 24-26; 1 Peter 2

Think About This: That thing that is not coming to you may seem good. But either the timing is wrong, or from His position He can see that the future of it is bleak. I have always believed that people who thank God only for delivering them from what happened are just scraping the surface of praise. The real praise comes when you start thanking Him for what could have happened but didn’t because of His swift grace! — T. D. Jakes

INEXCUSABLE, IRREVERANT AND INGRATITUDE (See Romans 1:20-21)

A missionary after being in India for a year had a Hindu ask him. When did you write and how did you know that we were so bad (referring to Romans chapter 1)? He said that he had not written it. It was written about 2000 years ago by someone who knew nothing about you.

We are without excuse because when we knew God we did not give Him the reverence due Him. I used to believe that very intelligent men (we call Scientists) looked at the evidence that we see all around us and determined that God never existed. We call them wise but God calls them fools.

Abe Lincoln used this conundrum: How many legs does a dog have. Answer: four. If we call his tail a leg how many legs does a dog have. Answer: four and what some fool calls a leg. They look at God’s creation and see no need for an “Intelligent design” called creation. Once you determine that there is no God the only thing left is “Chance”. They know God exists the only wish that he didn’t.

It matters little if they know God or not for their behavior is the same. Perhaps if they could know that there is no God they would feel less guilt. But we say that we know God.

IRREVERENCE
How often do you think about God? How does this knowledge affect our behavior? The Psalmist says that the wicked man does not have God in all of His thoughts. When you come to church Sunday to Sunday you think of God but what about the days in between. It is good that the Church has Christmas and Easter for at least twice a year people think of God.

Some like to brag that they are agnostics. Now that is a Greek word while the Latin word in Ignoramus. I do not know why anyone would be proud of their ignorance!

If we know God and never talk to God or listen for God to speak to us, how do we differ from others. If we had a son or daughter who daily came to breakfast, dinner and supper and refused to speak or take part in table talk we would soon send them away. How does God feel when we ignore Him?

God wants to hear from us even when we do not want what He wants. Remember how His Son did not want “the cup” that His Father gave Him. Like Jesus, after we have told Him all of your heart we need to say, “Not my will, But Thine alone.”

UNGRATEFUL
Do we come humbly before Him? Do we take time to thank Him? Thank him for all that He has given you. Thank Him for the many things He has not given you! Thank Him for a night of rest. Thank Him for whatever health you have. D. L. Moody and Sankey were walking past an “insane asylum” when a patient called out, “Did you ever thank God for your mind?” Both men answered the question and knelt on the gravel road and on the spot thanked God. As a small child I resented my father before a thanksgiving meal thanking God for His bounty as we ate my bantam rooster and a squab that had fallen from its nest.

I later learned to thank God that my father was able to work. I even thank Him when I am only able to sit up and take nourishment. Are we thankful that He went to all the trouble to write His thoughts in a book. A habit of “Daily Devotions” helps us to listen for God’s will and to dedicate our day to God.

Inexcusable, Irreverence and Ingratitude
Romans 1: 20-21
God clearly says that they are without an excuse.
They were Inexcusable because of knowing God.
For while they knew Him they failed to give Him honor
As daily they neglected Him as on His good earth they trod

They did not pay Him homage as they surely should,
He was not in all their thoughts even when they were good.
They never talked to Him as children ought to do,
They never sought Him out their whole lives through.

What more could He do to help them change their ways?
He gave the Ten Commandments to help them grow.
He even wrote a letter that made up quite a Book
They did not read to find out what God wanted them to know.

They may have known Him but they did not trust Him,
For their hearts were so hardened.
They never received from Him
His special blood bought pardon.

Even that is not the end of God’s charges against men
For if they truly knew Him (as He said they do) They never even took the time to think or even to
Say the words our children learn, “Thank You”

“Thank you for the night of rest and the morning dew
Thank you for loving us as you always do Thank you for our safety and keeping us from harm
Thank you for your peace that keeps us from alarm

“Thank you for our health and strength all day long
Thank you for the job we had even if it’s gone Thank you for not failing us when we have failed you
Thank you for mercies that are always new

“Thank you for seeking us when we would hide from you
Thank you for sending your Son and seeing Him through The pain and bloody cross and while we were slow to repent
You loved us and love us through the Son you sent”

Forgive us for the way we treated YOU.
Forgive us for our ingratitude.
Thank you for changing our hearts
And giving us a new attitude! November 16, 2008 gvansandt@yahoo.com Today’s Freedom Fighter was written by Pastor George Van Sandt

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 24; Ezekiel 22-23; 1 Peter 1

Think About This: We never know how much real faith we have until it is put to the test in some fierce storm; and that is the reason why the Saviour is on board. If you are ever to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, your strength will be born in some storm.

A Prayer for the People of God

I’d like to share a prayer I wrote recently for First Baptist Church. With far too much frequency I hear of churches that struggle with division, competing agendas and people who would rather fight than love. It must break God’s heart when He observes the way His people behave. Each of us who read Freedom Fighter each day have freedom to make a difference in our churches. May God help us love Christ’s church!

Almighty God: thank You for the privilege of gathering for worship in this place today. We come as needy people who are hungry for Your presence. We come as broken people who need Your cleansing and forgiveness. We come as helpless people who need Your transforming work in our lives.

Gracious God, help us worship you today in a way that declares Your majestic goodness. Strip from our hearts and minds anything that hurts Your heart as you look on Your people. Empower us to focus on You and what You want to do in our lives and our church. If even one of us has an agenda that takes us away from our First Love, convict us powerfully and deeply.

We confess to You, Lord, that we don’t always make good choices. We don’t always live as we should live. We don’t always love as we should love. It is only through Your grace that we survive and overcome our sinful failures. Thank You for that grace!

Holy God, You have called us to be Your body in this place. You have made us the family of God in this place. With deep sorrow we confess that we are not always good at being Your body. We don’t always love Your family as we should. Heal our hearts, O God, and help us live in the unity of Your Spirit. May the world around us know us as people who know You, love you and serve You. May we never cause a bad word to be said about You or Your people because of the way we live in Your family.

Protect us, loving Father, from our enemy, the devil. As Your Word teaches, help us never give Satan a foothold in our lives or in Your church. Help us hate the sin he tempts us to commit. Help us hate the sin that flows from our fallen nature. Live in us and lead us to choose right over wrong as we discover it in Your Word. — John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 23; Ezekiel 20-21; James 5

Think About This: People seem to think that the masses are outside the Christian church because our evangelistic methods are not what they ought to be. That is not the answer. People are outside the church because looking at us they say, “What is the point of being Christians? – look at them!” They are judging Christ by you and me. And you cannot stop them and you cannot blame them. — Martyn Lloyd-Jones

A Life of Contentment (Philippians 4:11&12)

A friend and I had lunch this week and talked about contentment. He struggles with wanting what he doesn’t have. I had to confess that I sometimes have the same struggle. As I’ve thought about it through the week, some observations surfaced that may help us learn why we struggle and how we can avoid the struggle.

Paul says it simply in his letter to the Philippians. “. . . for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

How do we get there? The journey to contentment isn’t easy for at least three reasons. We live with the residue of the flesh as we follow Jesus. Sometimes that flesh just wants stuff it doesn’t need. When we want stuff we don’t need and can’t get it, discontentment sets in. Unless we bring that old man-the flesh-under control and say no to unneeded desires, we’ll not know contentment.

We also live in a world that tries to make us discontent. The ads you see on TV or in a magazine often work to make you want what you don’t have. I’ve noticed that recently with the onslaught of ads for the newest Blackberry mobile phone. No other phone is enough; you have to have the newest and best. Or so our world wants us to believe. Unless we choose to tune out the messages the world sends, we’ll see discontentment popping up in various arenas of our lives.

We also have one who is called the enemy of our souls. He specializes in discontent. He lies to us. He tricks us. He uses the power of suggestion. He wants us to want what we don’t have, and then he’ll try to blame our not having it on God. “If God really loves you, He’ll let you have what you want.” Can you hear him whispering in your ear?

So, how do we get to contentment? I’m working on three things in my own life. First, I’ve sensed the Lord pushing me to gratitude for what I do have-and I have far more than I deserve! Gratitude and discontentment can’t live in the same house.God’s Spirit is also reminding me that I am instructed to resist the devil when we lies to me and tries to create discontentment in my heart and mind. Take another read of James 4:7-10. Choose not to play his deceptive games.

Finally, Paul tells me not to focus on this world. In Romans 12:2 I’m told not to let the world press me into its mold. I don’t have to have all the world has to offer, and I don’t need all the world has to offer. The positive side of the instruction comes from Colossians 3:2. “Set your mind on things above. . . .” Contentment comes more easily when we focus on that which is eternal.

My friend and I are working on contentment. I pray that many who read this FF will join us in that pursuit. — Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 21; Ezekiel 16-17; James 3

Think About This: People may excite in themselves a glow of compassion, not by toasting their feet at the fire, and saying: “Lord, teach me compassion,” but by going and seeking an object that requires compassion. — Henry Ward Beecher

Choosing Life in the Spirit (Romans 8:1-17)

Think with me again today about life in the Spirit. Anyone who is a genuine follower of Jesus has God’s Spirit. He indwells each believer when they are born again. Having the Spirit, and living in the Spirit are two different issues, however. Living in the Spirit is something we learn to experience as we grow in Christ.

Romans 8:1-17 is some of Paul’s clearest instruction about life in the Spirit. He contrasts it with the believer who lives life in the flesh-the “carnal” believer. Each of us who reads this FF lives as one or the other-carnal or spiritual. To choose life in the Spirit requires some decisions on our part. I’d like to suggest three decisions we must make to walk in the Spirit.

First, we must decide to surrender. It involves agreeing with God that we cannot live life as God intends it on our own. We decide to surrender our own abilities and desires so the Spirit can have freedom to work in us. Like so many decisions in the Christian life, we’ll probably make the “big” decision and then reinforce it with small decisions through the rest of our lives.

We also must make the decision to obey. Disobedience moves us back to the carnal end of the spectrum. Obedience keeps us growing in our walk with the Spirit. Obedience enables God’s Spirit to fill us with power, direct us in the ways we should walk and teach us everything our Lord wants us to learn.

I don’t know why obedience is so hard for so many of us, but I know it is hard. Perhaps we need to learn how much we give up by choosing to disobey. I’ve learned I lose far more than I gain when I try to live in opposition to the Spirit’s work in my life.

Finally, we must decide to trust. God gave us the Holy Spirit because He knew we needed the power, instruction and presence He brings to us. God’s work in us is often so contrary to what we “think” life should look like; we’re so sure we know better. To choose life in the Spirit is to decide to trust. Even when it doesn’t make sense to us, we trust God’s Spirit. Even when we think we know a better way, we trust God’s Spirit. Even when we can’t see where His direction and work will take us, we trust God’s Spirit.For all of life and for each day of life, deciding to walk in the Spirit is always the best choice. What choice will you make today?

— John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 20; Ezekiel 14-15; James 2

Think About This: I’m glad God has all the answers, ’cause I barely understand the questions. Barbara Johnson

Four Critical Questions

Life in the Spirit. Walking in the yoke. Abiding in Christ. They are different facets of the same biblical truth: God designed us for relationship with Him. That relationship develops through the indwelling, transforming ministry of the Holy Spirit-the third person of the Trinity.

We aren’t complete or satisfied as long as we live outside that God-designed relationship. I wonder why so many of us choose to live apart from or distanced from God and His ministry in our lives. Are we afraid of what God might want to do with us? Do we have things in our lives we don’t want to give up that create the distance? Is laziness a factor? Do we just choose not to discipline ourselves in ways that cooperate with the Spirit’s work?

Answers aren’t always easy to find that explain the lack of surrender and dependence upon God’s Spirit. I know I don’t have all the answers. What I do know, though, is how desperately we need God’s Spirit-driven work. I need that work. I believe you need that work. Our churches needs that work. Individually and corporately we will not be complete or satisfied without the free flow of the Holy Spirit in us and through us.

That leads us to think about four critical questions. The answers to these questions will determine whether or not we live in the Spirit. 1) Will we believe what God says? He says that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 3:16) God’s Spirit dwells in us! 2) Will we trust what God provides? He says “I will send you a helper.” (John 15:26) God’s Spirit comes to our lives to help us live as God designed us to live. 3) Will we obey what God commands? He says “Be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) To live as God designed requires the power that comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit. 4) Will we avoid what God warns against? He says that we’re not to “quench” the Holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:19) Nothing in our lives should hinder God’s Spirit from doing His work in us.

God designed us for lives marked by power, influence, joy and deep inner peace. That life isn’t reserved for “super saints.” It’s the normal Christian life Jesus offers to every one of His followers, and it’s available to you and me today. Will you join me in the pursuit of “Life in the Spirit?” If anyone chooses to pursue life in the Spirit, it should be those who fight for freedom in Christ! — Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Tom’s River

Check out this week’s STEWARDSHIP INSIGHT FROM GEORGE. George would love to dialog with you as well, so be sure to leave a blog note: http://keswickgeorge.blogspot.com/

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 19; Ezekiel 11-13; James 1

Think About This: Down through the centuries in times of trouble and trial God has brought courage to the hearts of those who love Him. The Bible is filled with assurances of God’s help and comfort in every kind of trouble which might cause fears to arise in the human heart. You can look ahead with promise, hope, and joy. — Billy Graham

More Thoughts on Simplicity (Acts 2:46&47)

We live in a confusing world. The church hasn’t escaped that confusion. I don’t think I’ve ever lived in more challenging times for the church and her people. Gimmicks and gurus who have all the answers litter the church landscape. We follow the fads and gimmicks at our peril.

A recurring thought walks regularly through my mind these days. It goes something like this. What if we just used the Bible as our standard? What if love became the preeminent quality in the church? What if we longed for and prayed for the power of the Holy Spirit on all our efforts? What if we just kept things very simple? What if we just loved people with the love of Jesus?

We don’t need new programs. I don’t think we need new methods. Quick fixes haven’t worked throughout the years, and they still won’t work. Let me tell you what I think will work.

LOVE will work. People flocked to Jesus because they knew He loved them. When we put Jesus’ love to work in our community, looking for ways to share it with those who don’t know Him, it will work!

SERVICE will work. If we really believe Jesus is our model, then we must serve. We must step outside the walls of our church buildings and look for new and fresh ways to serve our community. If we choose to quit demanding service and look for ways to serve in Jesus’ name, it will work!

PRAYER will work. We pray too much for ourselves and too little for those who need Jesus. We pray too much for our issues and not enough for the issues the keep people from Jesus. We pray too little for most everything. Choosing to make prayer a priority as an expression of our absolute dependence upon God will work.

SPIRIT-FILLED LIVING will work. The early church had incredible influence in their pagan culture. That influence was Spirit-driven. Most of us know little of that kind of life. Again, we too often choose to live subnormal Christian lives. We live with so much clutter in our souls. We tolerate so much that hinders God’s work. We live so full of ourselves that God’s Spirit has no room. If we choose to pursue His fullness in our lives, we’ll experience “church” that works! — Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor First Baptist of Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 18; Ezekiel 8-10; Hebrews 13

Think About This: “The Christian is a new creature, born and taught from above…and has renounced the confused, distant, uncomfortable notions he/she once formed of God…He/she sees God in Christ, reconciled, a Father, a Savior and a Friend, who has freely forgiven him/her all his/her sins and given him/her the spirit of adoption; he/she is now no longer a servant, much less a stranger, but a son/daughter; and because a son/daughter, an heir already interested in all the promises, admitted to the throne of grace, and assured expectant of eternal glory.” John Newton, Letters of John Newton, 1781

Pursuing Simplicity (Deuteronomy 10:12-22)

Many of us who walk with the Lord allow our lives to become more complicated than they need to be or ought to be. The more I read Scripture, the more I’m convinced that simplicity is a worthwhile goal for the Christian. It isn’t something our world urges us to pursue, but it seems to be a mark of those who have walked with the Lord.

Life seems increasingly complicated, and the twists and turns keep us from living simply. The complications of everyday life infect all of life. Before we know it, everything is complicated including walking with Jesus. How do we escape all the complicated hurdles that keep us from walking with the Lord? Again, as I read the Scriptures, I come to the conclusion that pursuing simplicity is simpler than we think. Moses gives us a path to simplicity in his recital of God’s expectations to the Israelites at their impending entrance to the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 10:12-22).

He sums up God’s expectations for His people in four words: fear, love, serve and keep. The expectations that go with the words are simple. They’ll help us avoid many of life’s complications if we’ll choose to live them out.

FEAR the Lord your God, is the first step to simplicity. God asks us to respect Him enough to never bring disrepute on His name. We want to hold Him in high reverence and do nothing to damage His reputation.

LOVE the Lord your God, is the second step in the pursuit of simplicity. God asks us to love Him more than anyone or anything else. To love God with all our hearts and souls is to give Him the place He deserves in our lives. That love for God will protect us from many of the complications our world can throw at us.

SERVE the Lord your God takes us another step toward simple living. When He has first place in our lives, serving is as natural as waking up every morning. It’s not complicated. We listen for direction and do what He asks of us. We serve Him because we have great reverence for Him and because we love Him. — John Strain is Senior Pastor First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU — Proverbs 17; Ezekiel 5-7; Hebrews 12

Think About This: Grace is something you can never get but can only be given. There’s no way to earn it or deserve it or bring it about anymore than you can deserve the taste of raspberries and cream or earn good looks. A good night’s sleep is grace and so are good dreams. Most tears are grace. The smell of rain is grace. Somebody loving you is grace. — Frederick Buechner