“Therefore, Being Justified By Faith…”Part five

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

I use to be a man who was justified by self. I never spent a moment of my time looking at myself or examining my ways. I had a heart polluted with all the ways of the world. When I was arrested I blamed the law makers as well as the law enforcers. I had no self control and that cost me years of wasted time looking for the “perfect” job. Any conviction of the Spirit that would fire up in me I would quickly dowse with alcohol.

Any remorseful thoughts were knocked out with chemicals. On May 9th 2003, I ran out of places to run and had no more excuses. The crossroads before me I chose the Romans road. The rest lies in the passages of Scripture I covered this past week.

I had to read about Abraham’s blind obedience to an unseen God. What did he have that I did not? I had to study about Paul’s past and what happened to him on the road to Damascus. I did a lot of aimless road travel in my early days and these two men had done their share of travel as well. The difference was when God spoke to them they listened. I didn’t do that very well and in the long run was left crying out to Jesus…Please save me.

A man name Jan Savercool helped me pick myself up and dust myself off.
He pointed down Romans Road and Jesus did the rest. He wanted me to just look at just chapters 6, 7, and 8 in the Book of Romans but I went further. I will always value my talks with Jan. His time on the roadways didn’t go as well as he would have hoped but Jesus was there for him too.

We were two men trapped but set free. We are now two men who still have our trials but praise God He stills works in us. Jesus has been there for the both of us when it is time to persevere. And for you bothers out there who know the both of us, we are some characters. But all in all we are privileged to share in the same hope. These passages in Scripture that I have covered these past few days are forever etched in my heart. They speak to me daily. How have they spoken to you?

I’ll end with a quote from John Bevere’s book “The Bait of Satan”.

“A common excuse for self-preservation through disobedience is offense.
There is a false sense of self-protection in harboring an offense. It keeps you from seeing your own character flaws because the blame is deferred to another. You never have to face your role, your immaturity, or your sin because you see only the faults of the offender. Therefore, God’s attempt to develop character in you by this opposition is now abandoned. The offended person will avoid the source of the offense and eventually flee, becoming a spiritual vagabond.” Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy.

God’s Word for Today: 1 Samuel 17-18; Luke 11:1-29

Think About This: No matter what our stature or status, we have the authority in the family of God to pray the prayer of faith. The prayer of faith engages the heart of God, meeting God’s conditions of spiritual life and victory. – A. W. Tozer

I am grateful for Chris’ willingness to share this week so that we could be with our kids in Boston. I am writing this morning from the ICU and spent the night with Lindsay. She has just about all the tubes out now and will be starting to eat this morning. We are most grateful for your prayers and comments on the blog. God bless.

“Therefore, Being Justified By Faith…”Part four

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

Today we’ll look at verse five.

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Along with the Holy Spirit provided gifts of faith and love, hope is an essential characteristic of the Christian. The concept of hope includes things like trust, confidence and refuge in the God of hope. Ever since the fall, all of creation has hoped for redemption. To be reunited with the Father. “He will crush your head, and you will bruise His heel.” We have God’s promise right from the start, a hope that became a very real in Christ Jesus.

The nation of Israel had hope during their bondage in Egypt that a deliverer would be sent by the God of Abraham. The nation also had hope that God would restore it after it’s various times of disobedience throughout its history after the Exodus. God just does not disappoint. He sent His only Son down here to teach us the nature and the workings of the Holy Spirit.

In Old Testament times there were four positions the Holy Spirit took on.
First it was God’s emissary to His creation. Second the Spirit was God’s lieutenant in the providential work of the moral sphere. Third, the Spirit indwelled God’s people. He “clothed himself with Gideon” if you will. And fourth the Holy Spirit inspired the prophets. The Spirit is wise. Sin and rebellion only serves to vex the Spirit.

That is why Christ comes to us in the new Covenant. Jesus comes to teach His followers the true nature and workings of the Holy Spirit. As with the disciples, the Spirit dwells as Comforter, Counselor and Advocate. To help us remember what Jesus said and did. To testify of Jesus working in our everyday living. To reprove the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.

To help us bear fruit, to be filled with as our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit. And perhaps like at Pentecost with a mighty wind and tongues of fire to speak of the Love of God. That’s when we can go “Therefore, being justified by faith.” Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy.

God’s Word for Today: 1 Samuel 15-16; Luke 10:25-42

Think about this: All born-again people are in training for rulership.
Since the supreme law of that future social order, called the kingdom of God, is agape love, therefore their apprenticeship and training is for the learning of deep dimensions of this love. But deep dimensions of this love are only learned in the school of suffering. Purity is one thing, and maturity is another. The latter comes only through years of suffering. If we suffer, we shall also reign – because where there is little suffering, there is little love; no suffering, no love; no love, no rulership. Paul Billheimer

Our granddaughter Lindsay has turned the corner. Read about it on her blog at www.americaskeswick.org. Thanks for praying.

“Therefore, Being Justified By Faith…” Part three

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

Today I would like to go over verses 3and 4 of these passage of Scripture.

I do not know about you, my brothers, but I once thought that since you have surrendered yourself over to God’s will and you have found peace with God and that your war with God is over we get on with the lifelong rejoicing of God. When I say rejoicing, I mean dancing with hands waving and the southern gospel playing (sorry Bill), with my foot stomping and my mouth shouting Halleluiah!! Halleluiah I have been redeemed!! But that is not Paul meant when he wrote, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

So let’s run through the list:

1. Glory in tribulation. James puts it this way, “My brethren, count
it all joy when you fall into various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” I get the idea but I’m still uncomfortable with it.

2. Tribulation produces perseverance. Malachi puts it this way, “He
will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering of righteousness.” It’s my turn in the refiners fire, got it. Well I guess I could stand to lose a little dross.

3. Perseverance builds character. Paul puts it this way. “For you
are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Now what can be said about your character? Does it have moral and ethnic structure? Does it have integrity? What kind of characters do you associate with? Does your character reflect Christ?

4. Character brings hope. The church in Thessalonica had been
encouraged by these words, “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”

This is list that I have a hard time keeping in context. I literally have to say to myself…glory in tribulation, it’s going to produce perseverance that’s going to build character and bring on the hope I need. I still, from time to time, ask God why it was necessary for Him to create some of the characters I run into on a daily basis. But I eventually rest in the understanding that it may not be about my witness to them. It may be about time for them to bring out something in me that needs to go. Maybe it is about suffering for His righteousness.

Rejoice my brothers, Rejoice!! Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy.

God’s Word for Today: 1 Samuel 13-14; Luke 10:1-24

Think about this: Do you think the work God gives us to do is never easy? Jesus says His yoke is easy, His burden is light. People sometimes refuse to do God’s work just because it is easy. This is sometimes because they cannot believe that easy work is His work; but there may be a very bad pride in it…Some, again, accept it with half a heart and do it with half a hand. But however easy any work may be, it cannot be well done without taking thought about it. And such people, instead of taking thought about their work, generally take thought about the morrow, in which no work can be done any more than in yesterday. George Macdonald

Thank you for your prayers on behalf of Lindsay. Surgery went as well as could be expected and they were able to do the valve repair vs.
replacement. We as a family did experience the reality of God’s peace in an amazing way. Updates will be on the blog throughout the day.

“Therefore, Being Justified By Faith…” Part two

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

Today I would like to look at the first two verses in this passage of Scripture.
In the first verse Paul starts off with ‘Therefore, having been justified by faith,”. He writes this knowing that we have been saved by the work done on the Cross and that Christ has fulfilled the law on our behalf. For us, this means to realize that justification is a one-time act and you receive this gift through having faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

And if you have received this gift you can feel secure that in Christ you have been reconciled with the Father, “we have peace with God”. Charles Spurgeon pointed four discoveries that we need to make.

1. It is important to be justified in the sight of God and you cannot justify yourself. It is a better to say, “I am because of He who made me, who sacrificed for me, who loves me and whose servant I am.” Than to say, “I never do such things”.

2. That our past life has been dirtied with offenses to the law of God and it is impossible to live up to what was written in Exodus 20:1-17. This means understanding that we fall short.

3. You cannot stand on a footing of works and good deeds. Your salvation by works is an impossibility. It does not cover up the lack of moral conduct or a polluted heart.

4. We are not in any condition, on our own, to keep God from executing His punishment on us. Once again, we cannot justify ourselves. What do we do?

Please see John 3:16 for an answer. Our peace with God is “through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In the second verse “we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand.” Now this access is a general blessing that gives us a path to the mercy seat. Where we are invited to come freely and boldly to His throne of grace. This was a privilege that was reserved for the priests and prophets of the Old Testament. And you know something; some of them fell short too.

In the book of Numbers, chapters 22-24, we find a story of a prophet who treated his access as a mercenary, a man who received the wages of unrighteousness to curse a blessed people. That prophet was Balaam…”Prophet for Hire”, a medium for a multitude of false gods. A man who is summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, to have him use his access to our living God to curse the very people He has blessed. What are these two thinking? What do the rewards of divination bring?

An argument with a donkey that’s what the rewards are. A donkey was used by God to set Balaam straight. By the way, Balaam was said to be able to talk with the animals. I believe Doctor Doolittle would have been amused. Anyway, the donkey was use to open the eyes of Balaam to the angel of the Lord and now he will only speak what the Lord will have him speak. The king gets four prophecies and one of these will speak of a coming Messiah. Numbers 24:17 “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult.” That is access to God.

To finish verse two, “and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” We, as believers in Christ, should stand and rejoice. If you are obedient and your loyalty is for God and what the Son has done for you, what Paul has written here in Scripture stands. The war within us has ceased. We have peace with God through the Son. We are justified by our faith in the shed blood of a risen Savior. Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy.

God’s Word for Today: 1 Samuel 10-12; Luke 9:37-62

Think about this: Among the enemies to devotion none is so harmful as distractions. Whatever excites curiosity, scatters thoughts, disquiets the heart, absorbs the interests or shifts our life focus from the kingdom of God within us to the world around us – that is a distraction; and the world is full of them … Distractions MUST be conquered or they will conquer us. So let us cultivate simplicity; let us walk in the Spirit; let us fill our minds with the Word of God and our hearts with praise.” – A. W. Tozer

We are in Boston this week for our granddaughter, Lindsay Alice Groen’s open heart surgery. The surgery will be performed this morning at 7:30 AM at Boston Children’s Hospital. We covet your prayers for our kids especially since our daughter, Laura, had a miscarriage yesterday. For updates on Lindsay, visit the KESWICK homepage: www.americaskeswick.org.

Our good friend, and Colony grad, Chris Hughes, has graciously written this week’s Freedom Fighters.

“Therefore, Being Justified By Faith…”

“Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.” Romans 4: 23-25

Abraham was a man who was justified by faith. His loyalty was to God and he unquestionably obeyed God in the commands that were given to him. If God suddenly spoke to you and said “Get out from your country, from your family, from your father’s house and go to Canaan.” would you do what He said? Or would you say “Lord, let me go and bury my father.”

What if He commanded you “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love and offer him as a burnt offering on a mountain of my choosing.”
Would you be able to load the wood on your son’s back and walk up the mountain? And when your son asked you “Where is the lamb for the offering?” would you be faithful enough to look at him and say “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for the offering.”

These are great examples on how faith and obedience can be accounted for righteousness and therefore brings on justification. Paul spent all of chapter four in the book of Romans explaining how this came about before the Law was given to Moses. Justification is a gift from God and cannot be earned by works and remember justification has no bases in the Law.

The American Heritage Dictionary definition of justification goes right along with what the verb “dikaioo” would mean in the Greek text. The word would mean, “to acquit or absolve”. To be declared free of blame. How many times in our own lives would it have been good to say, “I am free of blame!” “I am not being punished for my wrong doings.”

There have been times in my own life where it would have been a good thing to hear a judge declare me free of blame and no punishment being necessary. It would have been a good thing if someone got up and said “I got you covered. Let me talk to the judge and see what I can do.” That would have been justification. That someone, my brothers, would have been Jesus.

The following can be found in The Life Application Bible (NLT), “When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, an exchange takes place. We give Him our sins, and He forgives us and makes us right with God. There is nothing we can do to earn this. Only through Christ can we be made right in God’s eyes. What an incredible bargain this is for us! But sadly, many still chose to pass up this gift to continue “enjoying” their sin.”

I pray you are not “passing up” this gift. Chris Hughes 3/10/2008

God’s Word for Today: 1 Samuel 7-9; Luke 9:18-36

Think about it: Motion and busyness, no matter how great, yield nothing unless we allow God to give us the heart. Grant Lovejoy

Living in the Center or on the Edge? (Part 2)

Romans 13:14

We thought yesterday about being “wise in what is good,” and “simple concerning evil.” (Romans 16:19) I’d like to pick up on the theme again this morning. Men like us who want to pursue freedom from bondage need to understand the importance of choices. Paul admonishes us to choose good and shun evil.

Those choices demand vigilance. They demand that we love freedom more than we love the things that push us closer to the edge of evil. I remember the story of a princess who lived in a castle high on a hill. The road to the village in the valley was filled with curves and had numerous places where the edge of the road put you on the precipice of very steep declines. She needed a driver for her carriage and gave each of them the same test. She asked each of them to drive her carriage down the dangerous road to the village.

Some wanted to show their skill by going as fast as they could while getting as close to the edge as they could. One took a different approach. He stayed close to the middle of the road and kept his speed under control. The princess asked him why he drove so differently than the other candidates. His response was clearly thought out. “Since you are the princess, you are a very important passenger. It’s my job to keep you safe. I can’t afford to take unnecessary risks.” He got the job.

Each of us is valuable enough to God that He allowed His Son to die on the cross for us. Even more, the third Person of the Trinity lives within us. That indwelling Presence is more valuable in our lives than any of us can imagine. When we live on the edge of evil, we quench His power in our lives. Even the hint of evil, wherever it comes from pushes us to that dangerous precipice. We can’t afford that risk.

That’s why the Apostle tells us to “. . . put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:14) Regular inspections of our lives and a growing sensitivity to sin keep us in the center of the road where it’s safe. Avoiding those inspections and tolerating sin, no matter how small it may seem, pushes us way too close to the edge. Each of us needs to answer one simple question. Are we walking safely by pursuing what is good, or are we living dangerously by being far too acquainted with evil?

It’s a question worth thinking about. Have a great Lord’s Day and a week of being “wise in what is good.” – Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist of Toms River

God’s Word for Today: 1 Samuel 4-6; Luke 9:1-17

Think about this: The Church is a society of sinners who have finally admitted it! – Dr. Adrian Rogers

Living in the Center or on the Edge?

Romans 16:19

I’ll celebrate 39 years of vocational ministry this month. Most of those years have put me in local churches much like the one I currently
serve. Some things in those churches have remained pretty much the
same, and that’s not always a bad thing. Biblical truth shouldn’t change, so our doctrinal statements ought to remain stable.

Other things have changed way more than I think is healthy. Almost forty years ago many people in evangelical churches concerned themselves with lifestyle issues. They were concerned about avoiding “worldly”
things that could harm their walk with Jesus and their testimony. It’s no secret that those concerns led, in some church groups, to legalism that became judgmental and self-righteous.

In our current efforts to avoid legalism, the pendulum has swung far in the other direction. I believe it has swung too far, and that complicates the lives of every man who pursues freedom. Our current environment makes it far too easy for men who want and need freedom to engage in behaviors and activities that rob us of freedom.

The Apostle Paul urged us to avoid those entanglements that steal our freedom. He may have said it no more simply than in Romans 16:19: For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. In essence, Paul urges us to live in the center of what is good, and stay far away from the edges that lead us into evil.

This instruction is positive and negative. Those who long for freedom pursue wisdom in “what is good.” They also avoid any knowledge of that which is “evil.” All of us who read Freedom Fighter have responsibility for how we pursue and avoid. What do we watch on television? What kinds of movies do we attend? What kind of music catches our fancy? Does the literature we read push us toward good or pull us to the edges of evil?

I invite you to join me in choosing the center of that which is good. I also invite you to choose staying far from that edge that exposes us to evil. The wiser we are in “what is good,” the more likely we are to know freedom. The less “simple [we are] concerning evil,” the more likely we are to know bondage. Let’s choose wisdom in “what is good!” – Pastor Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God’s Word for Today: 1 Samuel 1-3; Luke 8:28-56

Think About This: Somebody once asked a Christian believer, “How is it that you seem to have such peace, while I, although I go to church, do not have peace?” The Christian replied, “I think it is because yours is a religion of DO, mine is a religion of DONE – done once for all in my place by Christ Jesus on Calvary.

The Camels Are Coming – Part #2

Well, the story is still unfolding, so here goes.

This morning when I arrived at work, one of the men asked me if I had read the Streams in the Desert for January 6th, which was the spot where my new friend, Glenda, had her bookmark. What a novel idea.

Well here is a snapshot into the reading for January 6th:

“When you pass through the waters … they will not sweep over you.”
Isaiah 43:2

God does not open paths for us BEFORE we come to them, or provide help BEFORE help is needed. He does not remove obstacles out of our way before we reach them. Yet when we are at our point of need, God’s hand is outstretched.

Many people forget this whole truth and continually worry about difficulties they envision in the future. They expect God to open and clear many miles of road before them, but He promises to do it step by step, only as their need arises. You must be in the floodwaters BEFORE you can claim God’s promise …

When you pass through the waters
Deep the waves may be and cold,
But Jehovah IS our refuge,
And His promise is our hold;
For the Lord, Himself has said it,
He, the faithful God and true:
When you come to the waters
You will not go down, BUT THROUGH!

Seas of sorrow, seas of trial,
Bitter anguish, fiercest pain,
Rolling surges of temptation
Sweeping over heart and brain —
They will never overflow us
For we know HIS word is true;
All His waves and all His billows
He will lead us safely THROUGH.

Threatening breakers of destruction,
Doubt’s insidious undertow,
Will not sink us, will not drag us
Out to ocean depths of woe;
For His promise will sustain us,
Praise the Lord, whose Word is true!
We will not go down, or under,
For He says, You will pass THROUGH!”

Coincidence? I think not! This story is still unfolding and I will share more with you next week. Our God is an awesome God and HE STILL SPEAKS STO HEARTS! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY: Ruth 1-4; Luke 8:1-25

THINK ABOUT THIS: “Here is the secret life of prayer: Take time in the inner chamber to bow down and worship; and wait on Him until He unveils Himself, and takes possession of you, and goes out with you to show how a man can live and walk in abiding fellowship with an unseen Lord.”
Andrew Murray

THE CAMELS ARE COMING

“Then they sat down to eat a meal. And as they looked, behold a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels …” Genesis
37:25

Yesterday I shared with you some thoughts from what the Lord gave me from Streams in the Desert on the timely topic of discouragement.

On Wednesday morning I had a conference call with several of our Board members about our current financial crisis and how we should respond. It was a good discussion, and we agreed that we would look at every aspect of the ministry to see where cuts could be made, but also agreed that God certainly could show up in a miraculous way.

After lunch I noticed my voice mail light blinking. The message was from a lady asking me to return her call. I did, and what I am about to tell you is amazing.

This dear woman had been having her devotions, reading from My Upmost for His Highest. She was then prompted by the Lord to read Streams in the Desert. She hadn’t used that book for several weeks, but was blessed with what she read and wanted to encourage someone with what the Lord have given her.

She went to her computer and “Googled” the first line of the reading and ended up on the Freedom Fighter Blog page. She was intrigued with the fact that I had journaled from the same passage. She read yesterday’s blog plus several others. She learned much about our current crisis and continued to search our website to learn more about the ministry. She called to encourage me and share what the Lord had given her for me!

She told me, “Bill, the camels are coming!” She went on to remind me of the story of Joseph being thrown in the pit by his brothers. From the pit, Joseph’s situation seemed hopeless and helpless. But God already had the answer on the way. Bill, the answer is already on the way. God provided the answer through the merchants that departed on the right day that would find Joseph. Those merchants would be riding camels. God’s answer is coming, Bill. The camels are on their way.”

(Just for the record, this lady knew NOTHING about me or the ministry of America’s KESWICK until she went on the blog and read all about us. And besides, she resides in Arkansas!)

She concluded the phone call by asking me to read Psalm 20:6 from THE MESSAGE. I don’t preach from THE MESSAGE, but have used it for my devotional reading. The whole Psalm is appropriate, but vs. 6 says this:
” … help is coming, and answer’s on the way, everything’s going to work out!”

She thanked me for allowing her to give me a “wink from God for today.”
I told my new friend, Glenda from Arkansas, this wasn’t a wink from God, but a big whack to remind me that HE IS THERE!

I trust this encourages your heart as you pray for us. By the way, when the camels show up … we plan to shout it from the roof-tops! You’ll be the first to hear. – Bill Welte – is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK.

GOD’S WORD FOR YOU TODAY: Judges 19-21; Luke 7:31-50

THINK ABOUT THIS: “Come near to the holy men and women of the past and you will soon feel the heat of their desire after God. They mourned for Him, they prayed and wrestled and sought for Him day and night, in season and out, and when they had found Him, the finding was all the sweeter for the long seeking.” A.W. Tozer

We have some rooms available this weekend if you’d like to get away for the weekend. You can enjoy the beauty of God’s creation, use the Activity Center and allow God to speak to your hearts. We have a great package for you that includes all your meals, too! For information, call 800-453-7942. One of our reservationists will be glad to assist you.
Don’t delay … call today!

DON’T GET DISCOURAGED

“They looked … and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.” Exodus 16:10

This has been a challenging several weeks for me and our staff at America’s KESWICK. The financial situation weighs very heavily on my heart and mind, and throughout the night I was battling some intense discouragement. I woke up this morning asking the Lord to speak to my heart very specifically, and I don’t know why I am amazed, but HIS timing even in my devotional reading is always so perfect.

Here is what He gave me this morning from STREAMS IN THE DESERT:

“You should get in the habit of looking for the silver lining of storm clouds. And once you have found it, continue to focus on IT rather than the dark gray of the center. Do not yield to DISCOURAGEMENT no matter how severely stressed or surrounded by problems you may be. A discouraged soul is in a helpless state, being neither able to ‘stand against the devil’s schemes’ (Ephesians 6:11) himself nor able to prevail in prayer for others. FLEE EVERY SYMPTOM OF THE DEADLY FOE OF DISCOURAGEMENT as you would run from a snake. Never be slow to turn your back on it, unless you desire to eat the dust of bitter defeat.

Search for the specific promises of God, saying aloud each one, THIS ONE IS MINE. Then if you still experience feels of doubt and discouragement, pour out your heart to God, asking HIM to rebuke the Adversary who is so mercilessly harassing you.

The very instant you wholeheartedly turn away from every symptom of discouragement and lack of trust, the blessed Holy Spirit will reawaken your faith and breathe God’s divine strength into your soul. Initially you may be unaware that this is happening, but as you determine to uncompromisingly shun every attack of even the tendency toward doubt and depression, you will quickly see the powers of darkness being turned back.

Oh, if only our eyes could see the mighty armies of strength and power that are always behind our turning away from the hosts of darkness toward God, there would be no attention given to the efforts of the cunning For to distress, depress, or discourage us! All the miraculous attributes of the Godhead are marshaled on the side of even the weakest believer who, in the name of Christ and in simple, childlike trust, yields himself to God and turns to Him for help and guidance.

I must never lose the skyward look. I must keep faith, I must keep hope, I must keep courage, I must keep Christ. It would be better to crawl immediately from the battlefield than to not be brave. This is no time for my soul to retreat! Keep your skyward look, my soul; keep your skyward look!” (Streams in the Desert – Zondervan)

I closed the book and read several other things, and then concluded with MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. In the margin was written a notation that on
4/2/02 the Lord sent a $25,000 gift to America’s KESWICK. It was a wonderful reminder that HIS PROVISION for our need is on the way. Now I have the choice – will I dare to trust Him and cling to His promises? Or will I wallow today in the pit of discouragement and depression, biting my nails and wondering what we will do if He doesn’t show up? Through Christ today, I am purposing to trust!

Thanks, Lord, for once again speaking to MY heart in such a timely way.
– Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

HIS WORD FOR TODAY – Judges 16-18; Luke 7:1-30

THINK ABOUT THIS – A calm hour with God is worth a whole lifetime with man. – Robert Murray McCheyne