“Step into the Sanctuary” (Psalm 73)

Those who follow God have never found life in fellowship with God an easy thing. Gods’ promises to us do not include exclusion from difficulty. Many of us have known those days when it seems like the unbeliever has the easier life. Those feelings are not new. Psalm 73 eloquently voices similar feelings.

Read the first 16 verses of the psalm. The writer looks at the pagans around him. He compares the ease with which the unrighteous live to the lack of ease known by righteous. He concludes his observance of the wicked by saying, “When I thought to understand this, it was too painful for me. . . .” He could not comprehend the apparent conflict.

Then, something happened. The psalmist said it was too painful for him to think about the situation “until.” He stepped into the “sanctuary of God.” Then, he said, I understood. When he brought all his concerns into the presence of God, he discovered the perspective that helped him see reality instead of illusions. God changed everything he thought about the security of the wicked and the insecurity of the righteous.

He concluded the psalm by saying “It is good for me to draw near to God. . . .” We need to hear those words and let them sink down into our souls. Situations are not always what they appear to be. Looking at them without Gods’ perspective allows the wicked one to deceive us. Taking those situations into the “sanctuary of God” allows God the opportunity to protect us from deception.

The world in which we live is not our friend. Sin distorts most of what we see in the world; it often appears hospitable and appealing even though it isn’t. Without sanctuary time, we will lose perspective and begin to believe a lie. That is why spending time with God is so important. That is why bringing the issues and struggles of life before Him is so important.

I try to read Psalm 73 at least four times a year. The psalmists’ reminder is good for me. I hope it will be good for you, too. — John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River http://www.fbctomsriver.com/ and our weekend Freedom Fighter contributor.

God’s WORD for YOU: Job 14-16; Acts 9:22-43 (Ever wanted to read through the Bible? Well consider reading the passages of Scripture each day at the bottom of your Freedom Fighter email, and you will read through the Bible in a year! Immerse yourself in the Book.)

Think About This: All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on Him being with them.” J. Hudson Taylor

Insufficiency and Sufficiency (2 Corinthians 3:5)

Sometimes we men who fight for freedom get full of ourselves. Things go well, and we think we have got all situations covered. We begin to think that we are sufficient in ourselves. To think that way puts us in a dangerous position.

I believe most of us who read Freedom Fighter want to know victory in our lives. A hunger for God’s power and righteousness exists deep in our souls. Somewhere along the way, we got the idea that we can achieve that power and righteousness through keeping the rules and doing all the right things. Just one thing is wrong with that kind of thinking. It is completely inconsistent with biblical instruction.

Consider God’s Word: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. The Apostle, without any cause for misunderstanding, lets us know that we do not have the “right stuff.” He reminds us that at our best we are fallen, broken people. We just do not have it within us to be and/or do those things God calls us to do.

It is for that reason that Jesus told us He would send the “Helper.” (John 16:7) I’ve been preaching a series of messages over the last several weeks that I’ve called “Life in the Spirit.” My study and praying through those messages has reminded me how completely dependent I am on Gods’ indwelling Spirit. Only as I yield my life to Him and allow Him to guide and empower me can I live out God’s plan for my life. So it is with each one who reads this.

Paul sensed the need to reinforce this thought just a little later in 2 Corinthians. He says We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power of the power may be of God and not of us. God has always protected His glory. He designed us to live for His glory. If we were sufficient in ourselves, we would rob God of that glory. The sooner we learn that, the sooner we begin the journey to genuine victory.

It’s pretty simple. We are not sufficient. God is sufficient. When we choose to yield ourselves to His sufficiency and trust that sufficiency, we discover the truth of God’s Word and the power of God’s Spirit in our lives. Isn’t that what all of us want? — John Strain is our weekend Freedom Fighter contributor and is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River.

God’s WORD for YOU: Job 11-13; Acts 9:1-21

Think about this: We can say, “Blessed is night, for it reveals to us the stars.” In the same way we can say, “Blessed is sorrow, for it reveals God’s comfort.”
The floods washed away home and mill, all the poor man had in the world. But as he stood on the scene of his loss, after the water had subsided, broken-hearted and discouraged, he saw something shining in the bank which the waters had washed bare. “It looks like gold,” he said. It was gold. The flood which bad beggared him made him rich. So it is oft times in life. Henry Clay (H. C.) Trumbull

Somewhere Down the Road

Earlier in the week, Jan, Zach and me were in Ocean City with some dear friends. They wanted to watch the slide show that Jon’s brother put together for Lindsay’s Memorial service.

I thought I was doing better but watching that slide show sure did hurt. Today Laura sent us pictures … she prefaced her email saying we might now want to open the pictures. I was not going to … and then I did … it stinks. I don’t quite understand it … I want to take the pain away from Laura and Jon. I want Tanner to have his best buddy back.

Right now none of this really makes sense, except for trusting in a sovereign God who sees the bigger picture that I cannot quite grasp. Tonight I read Amy Grant’s new book, MOSAIC. Laura, you loved Amy as a kid … I could tell a really funny story about one song you used to sing at the end of our driveway … but you’d strangle me!

This song was just what I needed to hear — SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD

So much pain and no good reason why,
You’ve cried until the tears run dry.
And nothing hear can make you understand.
The one thing you held so hear, has slipped from your two hands.
And you say
Why why why?
Does it go this way?
Why why why
And all is can say is

Somewhere down the road,
There’ll be answers to the questions
Somewhere down the road
Though we cannot see it now
Somewhere down the road
You will find mighty arms
Reaching for you
And they will hold the answers at the end of the road

Yesterday I thought I’d seen it all
I thought I’d climbed the highest wall
But now I see that learning never ends.
And all I know to do is keep on walking
Walking ’round the bend.

Saying
Why why why?
Does it go this way?
Why why why?
And all I can say … all I know to say now is

Somewhere down the road,
There’ll be answers to the questions,
Somewhere down the road
Though we cannot see it now
Somewhere down the road
You will find mighty arms
Reaching for you
And they will hold the answers at the end of the road.
(Amy Grant)
I miss you, Lindsay Bear!

“For momentary, light affliction, is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:19

God’s WORD for YOU: Job 8-10; Acts 8:26-40

Think about this: Every now and again, Our Lord lets us see what we would be like if it were not for Himself; it is a justification of what He said – “Without Me you can do nothing.” That is why the bedrock of Christianity is personal, passionate devotion to the Lord Jesus. Oswald Chambers

CHRIST IS MY LIFE

“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:3-6

I’ve been a Christian for two years. It has not been an easy journey thus far (that is, in my own strength). I had exhausted every avenue and human resource to obtain the “successful Christian life,” all to no avail and utter dismay. The more I tried to obey the commands of my Lord and Savior the more troublesome and burdensome it became to be obedient. Obedience isn’t something I should feel obligated to partake in. It is much more than that!! It is the ultimate expression of my love to the One who has delivered me from the burden of sin and made me alive in Christ.

When I reflect on the tumultuous and self-destructive lifestyle and the unbearable and ever-pressing feeling of despair my God has delivered me from; it becomes much simpler to obey. I was lost and weak. He pursued me, found me, and gave me strength. I was crushed and broken in spirit. He sustained me and gave me hope. I was alone and subjected to the prince of this world. He adopted me into His family, called me His beloved son, and broke free the chains of bondage!

When I recognize Him for who He is and what He has done, how can I not out of love and reverence obey His every command. I know the One whom I believe! He has been so faithful even in my disobedience. How dare I not love Him enough to show my gratitude? Of course at times it is difficult and seemingly impossible to follow, but it is then that I am empowered by the Holy Spirit, and abundantly given grace to persevere and move forward. I’ve experienced God’s love and mercy in immeasurable amounts. I know who I was and I know who I am because of Him. I can never describe the inward transformation or the change that took place in my heart because only I’ve lived it.

Words cannot express the joy and the hope I have received through Him. I have tasted the goodness of the Lord. Maybe its selfishness, but I abide in the Lord and follow His commands because I’ve experienced His presence and His promises. Maybe only for a season, but I’ve been lavished with His love and at moments it seems as if He has not withheld any good thing from me. Until I’ve matured and been conformed more into the image of Christ I’ll obey Him simply for the blessed hope of life in heaven and the promise of eternity with the Father. When the light of life has faded, sometimes hope in a Savior is all you need. — Ed Mayo is a recent graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is now in Discipleship

God’s WORD for YOU: Job 5-7; Acts 8:1-25

Think about this: Every year, I might almost say every day, that I live, I seem to see more clearly how all the rest and gladness and power of our Christian life hinges on one thing; and that is, taking God at His word, believing that He really means exactly what He says, and accepting the very words in which He reveals His goodness and grace, without substituting others or altering the precise modes and tenses which He has seen fit to use. — Frances Ridley Havergal

A MAN OF GOD

Today’s reading is from the Keswick devotional, REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE. Dr. Roger Willmore will be a speaker this summer during our summer Bible conference. Check out the website for details: www.americaskeswick.org.

“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” (1 Timothy 6:11)

Are you a man of God…a woman of God? Though used frequently in the Old Testament, the term is used only here in the New Testament. It was the term Paul chose to describe and define young Timothy. It was a title that conveyed both compliment and challenge.

What must one do to be worthy of such a title? What are the characteristics of a man of God or a woman of God. Paul reminds Timothy that there are at least four characteristics which should set him a part from others. These are four characteristics for which all men and women of God should be known. Paul lists these four distinguishing characteristics in First Timothy 6:11-14.

We should be known by what we flee from, verse 11 “…flee these things…” Paul reminds Timothy that a man of God will flee from certain things. Here, Paul speaks specifically of lust and pride and greed.

Flee these things. It is important to note that there are some things with which Christians are not to fight or flirt. The only safe option is to flee. Have you ever heard the Holy Spirit shouting to you…RUN! When He does it is a good thing to RUN!

We should be known by what we follow after, verse 11, “…pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness…” Seven noble characteristics are to be pursued. A.T. Robertson reminds us that verse 11 contains vivid verbs which indicate active effort on the part of the man of God. We are to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and gentleness as a lion pursues its prey.

We should be known by what we fight for, verse 12, “Fight the good fight of faith…” There is a time to flee, but there is also a time to stand. Someone said that a man who stands for nothing will fall for anything. In a world that is becoming more and more resistant to Christ and His Gospel, it is imperative that the people of God stand fast and fight the good fight of faith.

We also should be known by what we are faithful to, verse 14, “…keep this commandment…” Paul’s use of the word commandment refers to the entire word of God. What a marvelous title…O man of God! Can God write this title across your life? Roger D. Willmore

Think about this: No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them off till tomorrow. It is only when they are behind us and done, that we begin to find that there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards, and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant. Accomplished, they are full of blessing, and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us. Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquility, and hindering our communion with God. If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink, go straight up to it, and do it at once. The only way to get rid of it is to do it. –Alexander MacLaren

The Power of the Word

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. — Hebrews 4:12

We are in Ocean City for a few days and have been enjoying being refreshed as we enjoy wonderful fellowship with our dear friends, Cy and Norma Lever and Howard and Barb Bateman.

I have had a chance to take a breath and catch up on some reading. Yesterday I read a very powerful book by a wonderful preacher, A. B. Simpson, entitled THE SUPERNATURAL– Making Room for the Power of God (Have you read this Pete?)

One of the chapters talks about the power of the Word of God. Here was an interesting quote: “It is very sad and humbling to see the tendency among so many of those who ought to be the defenders and teachers of the this holy volume to win a little cheap popularity and wear the reputation of higher culture by joining in the ranks of those who, if they do not reject it altogether, will compromise its supremacy and question its infallible authority.

The Bible is either everything or nothing. Like a chain which depends upon its weakest link, if God’s Word is not absolutely and completely true, it is too weak a cable to fix our anchorage and guarantee our eternal peace … The malignity of Satan and the pride of human culture are striving as never before to eliminate the supernatural from the Holy Scriptures and change the Book of God into a mere collection of ancient writings, saved out of the wreck of the world’s literature.”

As I read those words, it sounded like a pretty accurate description of where we are today! Oh, by the way … this book was written in the early 1900’s! Think about it — when you read passages from THE BOOK about itself — it is always in the present tense, not the past … The Word of God IS quick and powerful … Your Word IS a lamp … Your Word IS settled forever in heaven …

Guys, the Word of God IS still the only BOOK that can transform your life. Purpose today to immerse yourself in its pages. It will be the one thing you can do that can turn you into a true freedom fighter! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK.

God’s WORD for YOU: Job 1-2; Acts 7:22-43

Think about this: All the water in the world, however hard it tries, can never sink the smallest ship unless it gets inside, and all the evil in the world, the blackest kind of sin, can never hurt you in the least, unless you let it in. Anonymous

Acquainted with Grief

“He is a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief …” Isaiah 53:3

I needed this reminder this morning and trust it will be helpful to you, my Freedom Fighter friend.
It is from the pen of Oswald Chambers:

We are not “acquainted with grief” in the same way our Lord was acquainted with grief. We endure it and live through it, but we do not become intimate with it. At the beginning of our lives we do not bring ourselves to the point of dealing with the reality of sin. We look at life through the eyes of reason and say that if a person will control his instincts, and educate himself, he can produce a ;ofe that will slowly evolve into the life of God.

But as we continue through life, we find the presence of something which we have not yet taken into account, namely, sin — and it upsets all of our thinking and our plans. Sin has made the foundation of our thinking unpredictable, uncontrollable, and irrational.

We have to recognize that sine is a fact of life, not just a shortcoming. Sin is blatant mutiny against God, and either sin or God must die in my life. The New Testament brings us right down to this one issue — if sin rules in me, God’s life in me will be killed, if God rules in me, sin in me will be killed. There is nothing more fundamental than that.

The culmination of sin was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and what was true in the history of God on earth will also be true in your history and in mine — that is, sin will kill the life of God in us. We must mentally bring ourselves to the terms with this fact of sin. It is the only explanation why Jesus Christ came to earth, and it is the explanation of the grief and sorrow of life. — My Utmost for His Highest

God’s Word for YOU — Esther 9-10; Act 7:1-21

Think About This: Stewardship is the act of organizing your life so that God can spend you. — Lynn A Miller Author/Speaker

“Hearing and Doing” (Luke 11:27&28)

I love the Bible-reading schedule my wife and I have used for several years. We read the Bible through in a year, but we read from a different section of the Bible each day. Friday had us in the prophets (remember Ezekiel and those who would hear or refuse to hear?). Yesterday I read in the gospels, and today I read from the epistles. It’s neat to see how God brings connections from such different sections of His Word.

I shared yesterday about God telling Ezekiel to go to the people of Israel. Some would hear. Some would choose not to listen. Ezekiel still had the responsibility of delivering the message. He received a hard assignment in hard times.

Reading in Luke yesterday morning gave me a whole different perspective on listening. In one simple sentence, Jesus connected the importance of listening with the need to do what you hear. “. . . blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

In one short statement Jesus tells us three things. First, He gives us instruction. We need to hear the Word of God. Second, we need to do what that Word tells us. Finally, when we hear and do, we’ll receive blessing. Who can argue with that!

But then the question came to my mind. If this is so clear and simple, why is it so hard for so many people? Let me share with you the answers that came to mind. First, I think our minds and hearts often contain so much clutter that God’s Word has a hard time getting through. We just don’t hear. For others, hearing isn’t the issue. We choose not to do what we hear because we have other plans we think are better than God’s. While we’d never say it, we actually believe we’re smarter than God! What other conclusion can we offer when we willfully choose our way over His?

Finally, many of us don’t believe God tells the truth. We don’t believe He’ll bring blessing to us, even though He tells us He will. For whatever reasons, trust walks out the door when God makes promises to us.

Please listen to me today. God wants to help you de-clutter your life so you can hear the Word. You aren’t smarter than God. Whatever He asks you to do (once you’ve heard His Word) is always a better choice for you. And, God doesn’t lie. If He promises blessing, He’ll bring blessing. You can count on it!

So, choose not to be like those hard-hearted Israelites who wouldn’t listen to Ezekiel. Choose, rather, to receive Jesus’ encouragement to hear His Word and do it. That’s the path to blessing! — Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Esther 6-8; Acts 6

Think about this: Continued from yesterday … Thus there is the self-pleasing sarcasm; as if we had rather lose a friend, than miss a clever stroke. All this the world excuses as a sensitive and lively temper. But the gospel sets before us our Saviour’s example (1 Peter 2:23); imbues with his spirit; and imparts that blessed “charity, that is not easily provoked” (1 Cor. 13:5); and therefore is careful not to provoke a chafed or wounded spirit. If others begin, let us forbear from continuing the strife. `Patience is the true peace-maker’. Soft and healing words gain a double victory – over ourselves and our brother. — Charles Bridges

To Listen or not to Listen (Ezekiel 2:1-10)

My wife and I use the same Bible-reading schedule, and we began Ezekiel yesterday. I have to admit that it isn’t one of my favorite books; I wasn’t looking forward to starting it. God brought me up short, though, and really caught my attention.

After Ezekiel’s vision in the first chapter, God informs Ezekiel of the task for which he’s been chosen. During that explanation, God mentions two times in chapter two and two more times in chapter three that Ezekiel is to deliver his message whether the people hear or refuse to hear. The repetition jumped out at me.

God sending His prophets to the people who were His people offered them an incredible opportunity and privilege. More often than not, they chose to turn a deaf ear to God’s message. We read of their refusals to listen and think about how foolish they were. Even as we think of their foolishness, the Evil One blinds us to our own refusals.

After reading the second and third chapters of Ezekiel yesterday morning, I had to stop and ask God about my own listening skills. “Do I not listen when You speak to me, Lord?” “Do I sometimes ignore Your message because I want my own way?” It dawned on me as I read and prayed that I might be as foolish as the children of Israel, as “impudent and hard-hearted” as they were. (See Eze. 3:7)

Freedom Fighters never win their fight without listening. Regardless of the object of our fight, God speaks to the issues that plague us. Do we have hearts that receive His Word, or would He find us hard-hearted. We won’t always want to hear what He has to say, but we’ll always do well to listen. Sometimes we’ll hear Him speak through His Word. Other times, His message will come through someone preaching or teaching. He may choose to get our attention and speak through a book. His Spirit may speak to us in that “still small voice.”

Will you and I listen? Will we harden our hearts and refuse to listen? Victory and freedom hang on our answer. May God help us learn good listening skills! — John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist of Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Esther 3-5; Acts 5:22-42

Think about this: A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grevious words stir up anger. (Pr
15:1) What a valuable mine of practical wisdom is this Book of God! Let us ponder this valuable rule for self-discipline, family peace, and Church unity. Scripture often illustrates the different effects of the tongue. The soft answer is the water to quench – Grievous words are the oil to stir up, the fire. And this is alas! man’s natural propensity, to feed rather than to quench, the angry flame. We yield to irritation; retort upon our neighbour; have recourse to self-justification; insist upon the last word; say all that we could say; and think we “do well to be angry.” (Jonah 4:9.) Neither party gives up an atom of the will. Pride and passion on both sides strike together like two flints; and “behold! how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” (James 3:5.) — Charles Bridges – Continued tomorrow

Direction

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

Like many ministries right now, America’s KESWICK is facing the reality of having to cut our budget. We are a faith ministry that depends on God’s provision of funds vs. money from foundations and grants to operate the ministry known to many for 111 years, as the Colony of Mercy.

Our Board and Administrative team are working together to figure out how to make significant financial cuts without compromising program and people. That is a challenge. I have realized how much I am dependent upon the Lord for HIS wisdom and direction in making these weighty decisions.

Portions of today’s reading from STREAMS IN THE DESERT were so right on for me right now:
“When we have doubts or are facing difficulties, when others suggest courses of action that are conflicting, when caution dictates one a from approach but faith another, we should BE STILL. We should quiet each intruding person, calm ourselves in the sacred stillness of God’s presence, study His Word for guidance, and with true devotion focus our attention on Him. We should lift our nature into the pure light radiating from His face, having an eagerness to know only what our Lord will determine for us. Soon He will reveal by HIS secret counsel a DISTINCT and UNMISTAKABLE sense of HIS direction.

Are you uncertain about which direction you should go? Take your question to God and receive guidance from either the light of His smile or the cloud of His refusal. You must get alone with HIM, where the lights and darkness of this world cannot interfere and where the opinions of others cannot reach you. You must also have the courage to WAIT in silent expectation, even when everyone around you is insisting on an immediate decision or action. If you will do these things, the will of God will become clear to you. And you will have a deeper concept of who HE is, more insight into HIS nature and HIS heart of love.”

Wow! That was something I needed to hear this morning from His lips to my ears. Thank You, Lord, for speaking to my heart today. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK.

God’s WORD for YOU: Esther 1-2; Acts 5:1-21

Think about this: Combat comes before victory. If God has chosen special trials for you to endure, be assured He has kept a very special place in His heart just for you. A badly bruised soul is one who is chosen.