OUR VICTORY MARCH

He Was Tall and He Wore a Suit.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV, Schofield)

It was my first Sunday in a suit and tie. And it wasn’t even my own. I had to get it from Robert Hall. The Colony of Mercy’s infamous “Robert Hall”. And those brothers out there who know me, I have a strong dislike for the suit and tie. But when you are a Colony Man and you enter the Colony Chapel you wear the suit and tie. It was also my first Sunday in the Colony Chapel and it was the first of many of Pastor Raws’ sermons I would to listen to. I mean really listen to.

The aforementioned Scripture verse was the focal point of his sermon that morning. He spoke of himself being a young man who had been a runner. And from what I was seeing, this guy in his suit and tie looked more like a preacher than an athlete. But once I got beyond that little quirk my ears got a tickle from what he was saying about receiving the victory in Jesus. His sermon that morning has never left me. Pastor Raws even stated that the King James version of Philippians 3:13-14 was a more on target but then told us that was just his opinion.

The notes from that sermon would be something I would look back on during my time in the colony. You see I could see Jesus in this man and I wanted that for myself. I wanted to know how to have grace under pressure like this man in a suit and tie did. So I pressed on. But you know I too do not count myself to have apprehended. So I still press on.

I had been at Keswick the night Bill Welte had announced that Pastor Raws went home. I had gone to watch a friend and his wife graduate from the 120 day part of restoration and was blessed seeing every aspect of what the Colony does move forward as well. What a testimony to what Jesus Christ brings us when we answer the call and press on.

I have written about my struggle’s with working out here in “Secularland” and how through Christ (not of my own) things seem to work out. I had to realize in my heart that apart from Him I cannot do very much. And it can be slow steppin’ at times but when things get tough for me trying to walk this narrow path I reach out for those things that are before, I press toward the mark…for the prize… of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. I pray that I see you along the way. Press on Brothers, press on!! — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

God’s WORD for TODAY: Psalm 46-48; Acts 28

Here’s a good quote……
“Your spiritual walk is a little too restless and uneasy. Simply trust God. If you come to Him, He will give you all that you need to serve Him. You really need to believe that God keeps His word. The more you trust Him, the more He will be able to give you. If you were lost in an uncrossable desert, bread would fall from heaven for you alone.” The Seeking Heart/Fenelon

Victorious Christian Living (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Allow me to take you back to Pastor Bill Raws memorial service held last Friday afternoon. Pastor Robert Alderman delivered the funeral message; he is one of my favorite preachers, and I always benefit from his ministry in the Word.

Pastor Raws and Pastor Alderman shared a common love for the Victorious Christian Life message. It has also been the Keswick message for many decades. During his message at the memorial service, Pastor Alderman reminded us of that message with six simple words (at least most of them are simple).

The first word is SIN. For people like you and me to know victory we have to confess that we are sinful people by nature and inclination.

The second word is SALVATION. God, through His Son Jesus, gives us the remedy for our sinful brokenness. Salvation is the forgiveness of sin, the new birth, and the gift of eternal life. Victorious Christian living is impossible without salvation.

The third word is (and this is the not so simple word) SANCTIFICATION.
Simply put, sanctification is the life-long pursuit of growth in Christ.
It is the renewing of the mind of which Paul speaks in Romans 12:2.

The fourth word is SURRENDER. At some point in our lives, we determine that God knows best and we yield control to Him. We say to God, “You take over!” It is the only way to victory.

The fifth word is SACRIFICE. The pursuit of victory brings us to a place where we are willing to sacrifice anything and everything to know Jesus’ will and way for our lives.

The sixth word is SERVICE. The natural outflow of God’s work in our lives is to serve as Jesus served.

After reminding us of the words of Victorious Christian Living, Pastor Alderman reminded us of a verse Pastor Raws had used in the devotional book published by America’s Keswick a few years ago. He used it when talking about how we the live the life marked by these six words. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

The Victorious Christian Life is a life God’s grace equips us to live. We are not sufficient, but through grace, God makes us sufficient. Pastor Alderman, using Pastor Raws’ words, reminded me that I CAN live the Victorious Christian Life. I thought it important enough to remind all who read the Freedom Fighter. I am going to memorize 2 Corinthians 9:8 this week. Why not join me! – John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 43-45; Acts 27:27-44

Great Quote: The love of Christ both wounds and heals, it fascinates and frightens, it kills and makes alive, it draws and repulses. There can be nothing more terrible or wonderful than to be stricken with love for Christ so deeply that the whole being goes out in a pained adoration of His person, an adoration that disturbs and disconcerts while it purges and satisfies and relaxes the deep inner heart.—A. W. Tozer

Join us this afternoon for a great concert at 3:00 PM with The Rick Webb Quartet – Southern Gospel at its finest! Our speakers this week are Drs.
Robertson McQuilken and George Murray from Columbia International University. Check out the homepage for details: www.americaskeswick.org

Finishing Well (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

I served at one funeral, attended another, and went to a memorial service this week. The funeral service I led was for a ninety-four-year-old man who attended the church I serve. He served in World War II and participated in D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. He served in his North Jersey church for more than 30 years prior to retirement in Ocean County. Even in old age, he was faithful to his Lord, his wife and his family. He finished well.

The funeral and memorial service I attended were both for Pastor Bill Raws, Director Emeritus of America’s Keswick. Until he went to the hospital about six weeks before he died, he was still preaching twice each Sunday and building into the lives of a number of men. He served more than fifty years on America’s Keswick’s board, and more than thirty years on the Board of Philadelphia Biblical University. He finished well.

As I sat in yesterday’s memorial service for Pastor Bill, the Lord spoke to my heart. He reminded me that someday people will gather for my funeral/memorial service. What will they say about me? Will people think I finished well? During a long, but blessed, service, I thought several times about my life and my service for Jesus Christ. I sensed a strong burden to live at a greater level of focus and desire to finish well.

Here is how the Apostle Paul viewed his life at its end. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but to all who have loved His appearing.”

Both men who were remembered and honored this week, a war veteran and a Christian service veteran, lived each day as though it mattered. They did not decide in their sixties, seventies, or eighties that it was time to think about finishing well. From early in their lives they focused on living with integrity and focus. I am honored to have known both of them. I am challenged by their lives.

What about you? Do you live with the end in mind? The choices you and I make each day influence the end of our lives. The man from my church and Pastor Bill finished well because they lived well-every day. You and I can learn from their examples.

Join me in committing each day to a simple goal. Let’s choose to live each day in a way that will help us finish well. God’s grace is sufficient to help us live out that commitment. – Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 40-42; Acts 27:1-26

Think About This: Souls are not made sweet by taking [ill tempers] out, but by putting something in – a great Love, a new Spirit, the Spirit of Christ. Christ, the Spirit of Christ, interpenetrating ours, sweetens, purifies, transforms all. This can only eradicate what is wrong, renovate and regenerate, and rehabilitate the inner man. Will-power does not change men. Time does not change men. Christ does. Therefore “Let that mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Henry Drummond

LET US PRAY FOR VICTORY (Part 2)

Here is the second part of the prayer from J. Sidlow Baxter’s devotional book, AWAKE MY HEART …

Dear Savior, give me complete victory over DOUBT – doubt of my eternal salvation when I am emotionally cold; doubt of Thy promises in Scripture when circumstances seem to negate them; doubt of Thy goodness in permitted sickness or other adversity; doubt of Thy faithfulness if all I have done seems overthrown by the enemy; doubt of the gospel when it seems powerless to arrest and save people; doubt of Thy fairness when ironic trouble breaks over Thy sincere people; doubt of Thy sovereignty when evil things happen. May I never forget that the rainbow ever arches Thy throne, and that the God who bled on Calvary can never mock us.

Dear Savior, give me complete victory over the FLESH – over physical desires; over extravagant appetites; over habit-forming ill-tendencies; over every kind of lust; over laziness, self-indulgence, and every form of intemperateness; over headstrong assertiveness; unconsecrated ambition; misuse of the tongue of exaggeration, insinuation, idle gossip, tale-bearing.

Dear Savior, give me complete victory over ANXIETY – anxiety over yesterday’s consequences and tomorrow’s omens; over domestic, business, financial, and all other problems, knowing that in Thee all is fundamentally well with me forever. May my one concern be continual yieldedness to Thee. Then may Thy Holy Spirit so shed Thy love within me that I shall have rest indeed from all these foes.” Amen

Now I will add one comment to this powerful prayer. As Pastor Bill would say, we already have the victory, so by faith, we can thank Him for the victory we already have in all these areas – now let’s live in the victory over fear, pride, envy, hatred, doubt, the flesh, and anxiety! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 37-39; Acts 26

Think About This: Praise is more spontaneous when things go right; praise is more precious when things go wrong!

Join us today for Pastor Bill Raws’ Memorial Service at 2:00 PM at the Activity Center. If you would like to watch the service live, go to our website and click on the link: www.americaskeswick.org

You can also give a gift to America’s KESWICK in his memory when you visit the homepage.

LET US PRAY FOR VICTORY

I love to read the prayers of the heroes of the faith that have been put in print. This morning in the devotional AWAKE MY HEART, Dr. J. Sidlow Baxter has a wonderful prayer for victory that I would like to share the next two days with you …

Dear Savior; give me complete victory over FEAR – fear of sickness; fear of accident; fear of poverty; fear of persecution; fear of ridicule; fear of loneliness; dear of trials; fear of old age; fear of whatever may be coming on the earth; fear of dying; fear of death itself; fear of the Beyond.

Dear Savior, give me complete victory over PRIDE – pride in the natural gifts; pride in possessions; pride of family; pride in the merely physical; pride in dress; pride of intellect; pride in how I may have excelled others. Dislodge all such vain pride, and instead give me humble gratitude to Thee.

Dear Savior, give me complete victory over ENVY – envy of another’s physical appearance, gifts, possessions, advantages; envy of those who seem more blessed and used of Thee than I. Help me be content with what Thou has purposed or permitted me to be, knowing that in Thee I have all things, and that heaven will perfect all my holiest ambitions.

Dear Savior, give me complete victory over HATRED – hatred of those who wrong me; hatred of those whose nature is offensive; hatred of those who seem to obstruct my progress; hatred of so-called foreigners; hatred of those linked with heretical sects or non-Christian religions. Give me a true discreet love for all, a love like Thine, who when the nails were driven through Thy flesh couldst only say, “Father, forgive them ….”

A powerful prayer for your consideration this morning. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 35-36; Acts 25

Think About This: Not a blow will be permitted to fall upon your shrinking soul but that the love of God permits it, and works out from its depths, blessing and spiritual enrichment unseen and unthought-of of by you. Anonymous

THE PURE AND POWERFUL WORD OF GOD

Yesterday I received several calls and emails from friends in Christian Camping ministry indicating that they are going through very deep waters. In fact, after reading an email last night from a friend about what their conference center was going through, I was thankful for the trials I am facing compared to his.

I am overwhelmed at the timeliness of God’s Word as I am reading it systematically using the plan at the bottom of each Freedom Fighter email. Today’s reading was from Psalm 34. I share it with you for YOUR
encouragement:

I will bless the Lord at ALL times; HIS praise shall CONTINUALLY be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall HEAR it and REJOICE. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together (worship is not just private but corporate).

I sought the LORD (not the bank, not the management gurus), and He answered me, and delivered me from ALL (not just some, but all) my fears. They looked to HIM and were radiant, and their faces shall NEVER be ashamed. This poor man cried (that is a humbling thing to do) and listens attentively and the LORD heard (because He hears and listens attentively with both ears) him, and saved him out of ALL his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear (the fear of the Lord is the continual awareness that God knows, weighs and sees everyone of my thoughts, deeds, words, and actions) HIM, and rescues them.

O taste and see that the Lord is (not just was or will be, but is!) good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in HIM! O fear the Lord, you saints; For to those who fear HIM there is no want. The young lions do not lack and suffer hunger. But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is man who desires life, and loves the length of days that he may see good?

Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and HIS ears are OPEN to their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry and the LORD HEARS (note present tense), and delivers (note present tense) them out of ALL their trouble.

The Lord IS NEAR to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.Many are the afflictions of the righteous (I can’t believe how many of my friends are going through intense trials … not just me, Lord); but the LORD delivers him out of them ALL. He keeps all hi bones; not even one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked; and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems (present tense) the soul of His servants; and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned. – Amen!

Oh by the way, the comments in the brackets are my thoughts as God spoke to my heart from this Psalm today. He knows exactly what I needed to hear today. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 33-34; Acts 24

Think About This: Nothing harms or destroys us but the wrong use of that liberty of choice which God has entrusted to us. William Law

We will be live stream webcasting the memorial service for Pastor Bill on Friday, July 25th at 2:00 PM. To join us, click on the link from the announcement on the homepage: www.americaskeswick.org

OPEN MY EYES TO THE TRUTH

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say …”’ Genesis 3:1

The pressures appear to be mounting. And not just for me. It seems that so many of my brothers and sisters in ministry are being hit with stuff that is overwhelming.

Last night I was ready to crawl into bed after a very long and stressful day, when my cell phone rang with the news that there was a major leak in the lobby of our main building. It certainly wasn’t the straw that broke the camel’s back, but it sure felt like it.

During the night I found myself being restless and trying in that “in-between” stage of sleep to ask the Lord to take control of my worry and stress. It seemed like it was getting worse than better. I found myself saying, “Is it really worth it? Does God really know and care about what is happening? How much more does He want to pile on us?”

As I sat down at my desk this morning to be in His presence, I pleaded with Him to speak to my heart and He did just that. Here are several verses from the Word that spoke to my heart:

“But I will trust in the Lord. I will rejoice and be glad in Thy lovingkindness, because Thou hast seen my affliction; Thou hast known the troubles of my soul, and Thou hast not given me over into the hand of the enemy; Thou hast set my feet in a large place.” – Psalm 31:6-8

“O love the Lord, all you His godly ones! The Lord preserves the faithful and fully recompenses the proud doer. Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.” – Psalm 31:23-24

“Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found; surely in a flood of great waters they shall not reach you. Thou art my hiding place; Thou doest preserve me from trouble; Thou dost surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah!” Psalm 32:6-7

After reading those verses, the devotional I am reading had a quote from Amy Carmichael and this commentary:

“Often when we pray there is a wrestle. A thousand invisible enemies will seem to fill the air and crowd between you and your Lord. Each of them has a stinging or depressing word. We shall be reminded of our prayers to which no answers have come yet (or what we call answers), and told that it will make no difference whether we pray or not [exactly what went through my mind during the night]. We shall be shown our own dreadful nothingness so clearly that we shall hardly be able to bring ourselves to believe that such prayers as we can offer will rise to God at all. Our wrestling is with these whispering or shouting spiritual foes. We must press through, fighting through, and the sword with which to fight is the word of God.” – Amy Carmichael

“When we pray, the accusations of the enemy are endless. Either we’re not worthy to have our prayer answered, or God isn’t listening or can’t do what we want, or worse yet, hears us but won’t give us what we need!

It is the Word of God that we must use in such times to rout the enemy from our prayer closets. At the first hint of doubt or accusation, find a relevant Bible verse and stand unflinchingly on it. Don’t let Satan respond. He has no standing when the Sword of the Spirit pierces Him.”

I needed that this morning, Lord. Thank You for opening my eyes to the truth! With Your help, I can and will press on! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for TODAY: Psalm 31-32

Think About This: Love means to love that which is unlovable, or it is no virtue at all; forgiving means to pardon that which is unpardonable, or it is no virtue at all. — Gilbert Keith G. K. Chesterton

Please visit our website for information about the Memorial Service for Pastor Bill Raws on Friday, July 25, 2008. Live stream webcasting will be available.

FINALLY HOME

Yesterday , after a brief but hard battle, Pastor Bill Raws went home to be with Jesus shortly before 6:00 PM. Pastor Bill has been in the hospital for the past six weeks battle an infection, congestive heart failure and ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). While we were praying for his physical healing, God’s plan was for a divine healing.

For me personally, the loss is huge. For me personally, Pastor Bill was one of those amazing men that God brought into my life, a relationship that has grown day by day during the last twelve years. I learned very quickly when coming to America’s KESWICK that Pastor Bill was a man whose life was loved by thousands of people. Not only was he a giant in physical stature, he was a giant of the faith – a man whose life’s passion was his love for the Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and the life-transforming message of the victorious Christian life.

America’s KESWICK has been his life. Born and raised here, he served the Lord in just about every capacity which included serving on the Board of Trustees for almost 51 years. He was a third generation leader – one with vision and determination to keep the ministry Christ-centered and focused. Under his leadership both the ministries of addiction recovery and Christian conferences blossomed.

He faithfully proclaimed the Word of God at the Colony Chapel each Sunday morning after having just preached the early service at Whiting Bible Church where he served as founding Pastor. The men of the Colony loved Pastor Bill, many calling him their spiritual father.

For me, Pastor Bill served in three roles. He has been an invaluable mentor. What a thrill to be able to sit for 12 years and learn all the intricacies of this ministry, gain historical perspective, and learn what are to be the non-negotiable core values that must never change.
While we certainly did not agree on every issue, his mind was always open and would lovingly communicate his concerns always as a gentleman and an open heart.

He was a special friend. We could meet each week for an hour to pray and discuss the ministry, but we would often stop and talk throughout the day, often telling each other funny stories and getting caught up about our families. Pastor Bill was a hugger and we’d hug often. One time Ruth (his wife) saw us hugging in the Dining Room and she said, “My word, you just saw each other several hours ago … you might think you’d not seen each other in days.”

But the relationship that I will miss the most was that of a father. My biological parents have both been gone for a number of years. When we came to Keswick, we were “adopted” into the Raws family (I even have papers!). By the way, my biological parents’ names were Bill and Ruth!
One of those special moments for me that I will never forget was at the conclusion of our 2008 Colony Reunion Weekend. Pastor Bill came over to give me a hug, and said, “I never had the joy of raising my own son, but I’m glad he gave me you to be my son.”

While we didn’t want to leave him go, it was obvious that he was ready to be released from the physical suffering he quietly endured. As we stood around his bedside and watched him peacefully and quietly slip into eternity, the words of this song spoke volumes:

Just think of stepping on shore
And finding it heaven —
Of touching a hand, and finding it God’s!
Of breathing new air and finding it celestial — Of waking up in glory – and finding it HOME!

We love you Pastor Bill and we will miss you. Thanks for the testimony of your life. Thanks for the legacy that you have left behind for all of us. – Bill Welte is the President and CEO of America’s KESWICK.

There is information about Pastor Bill’s life on our website
(www.americaskeswick.org) and the date and time of his Memorial service will be posted on the site. You can leave messages of condolences on his blog which can be accessed from the website.

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 29-30; Acts 23:1-15

Think About This: The spiritual artist-the man who paints Christ in his soul-wants no solitary niche in the temple of fame. He would not like to hear anyone say, ‘He is the first of his profession; there is not one that can hold a candle to him.’ He would be very sad to be thus distinguished in his profession of Christ, marked out as a solitary figure. The gladdest moment to him will always be the moment when the cry is heard, ‘Thy brother is coming up the ladder also; thy brother will share the inheritance with thee.’– George Matheson

Standing in the Gap, Part 2 (Ezekiel 22:30)

Hear again what God said to Ezekiel in chapter 22, verse 30: “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”

We thought about “standing in the gap” yesterday for a friend or family member. People who stand in the gap are AWARE of what is going on in the lives of those they for whom they care. We pay attention to the relationships God gives us. Those who stand in the gap also make themselves AVAILABLE. We don’t make excuses to avoid getting involved.

We’re not willing to let someone else do it . . . even when it is hard. Finally, we considered “stand in the gap” people as ASSERTIVE people. They choose to get involved when they know someone needs them. Sometimes they don’t even wait for an invitation; they care enough to insert themselves when needed.

We also need to think about what we might call “qualifications” for those who stand in the gap. Like anything else, we do for work or fun; we have to know some things before we can do some things. Think with me about some qualities that should exist in your life and mine if we are going to stand in the gap for a friend or family member.

First, we must be people who have an increasing knowledge of God’s Word.
If we are going to stand in the gap between God and a friend, we have to know what God says about many different kinds of situations. Times will come when we need to say, “Thus saith the Lord.” We cannot do that if we don’t know what God says.

I also think we need to be people who walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the One by whom we will know that standing in the gap is necessary. He will let us know when some friend is in trouble and needs us. Almost forty years ago, I was working in New Castle, DE. I had been home to Texas for vacation and stretched it as far as I could. I was driving back to New Castle on Saturday night into Sunday morning. I could hardly keep my eyes open.

That morning in church one of our elderly ladies came to me and asked me if I was OK. I told her that I was. She then told me that she woke up during the night before (Saturday) and sensed God’s Spirit telling her to pray for me. She did not know why, but she sensed I was in danger.

I am convinced after all these years that without knowing, she was standing in the gap for me that night. I might not have made it home without those prayers. We need to walk in the Spirit to know He is prompting when to get in the gap.

Finally, those who stand in the gap must be people of wisdom. Anyone who wants wisdom can have it. God told us in the Epistle of James that all we have to do is ask. Wisdom is the ability to live life skillfully, and it comes from knowing God’s Word and allowing God’s Spirit to work it into the fabric of our lives. The more you and I grow in wisdom, the better we can stand in the gap.

I am glad people have stand in the gap for me. I pray God will help all of us who read Freedom Fighter to stand in the gap when those who are important to us need us. – John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 26-28; Acts 22

Think About This: Almighty God in whom we live and move and have our being, You have made us for Yourself, so that our hearts are restless until they have rest in You; grant us purity or heart and strength of purpose, that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing Your will, no weakness from doing it; but that in Your light we may see light clearly, and in Your service find our perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Saint Augustine

Join us tonight for our first session of Victory Week #1 with Dr.
Charles Zimmerman. We will have seven graduations from the Colony of Mercy. The session tonight will be in the Activity Center at 7:00 PM.