Discouragement

“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God for my help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before Him came into His ears.” Psalm 18:6

Everyone one of us faces it from time to time. Discouragement can be crippling if we don’t see it from God’s perspective. Here’s what I read this morning that helped put discouragement in a proper perspective:

“I must be ever alert to the feeling of discouragement, which is sin. Discouragement says, ‘I refuse to accept God’s plan for my life.’ Discouragement always comes when our expectations are confused. Discouragement is the result of not letting God alone. It is a tragedy that I accept Jesus as my ‘Lord’ and then grow discouraged because He frustrates my expectations. If Jesus is my Lord, then Romans 8:28 must always be my textbook. It is impossible to have one without the other.

I must reckon with the CAUSES of discouragement and see them in their proper perspective. Am I criticized by others? Let me rejoice! Do I not realize that God uses diamonds to sharpen diamonds?

Am I suffering lack of success? Don’t I realize that success is the result of God’s careful timing, not mine? And don’t I realize that if I am faithful where God puts me, success is inevitable?

Am I discouraged because the way is hard and painful? If so, I must realize that God is preparing plowed ground to yield fruit a hundredfold. God will never give me a hard way without a ‘nevertheless afterward” (Hebrews 12:11) When I am in difficulty I must pray, ‘Lord, give me patience to wait for Your ‘afterward.'”

Am I harassed by Satan, and are his whisperings getting to me? I must remember his history: everyone who ever listened to him suffered horrible defeat.

I will honor God by my trust; I will please Him, affirming: ‘All things work together for good’ (Romans 8:28). I believe that God will ‘go before me [there goes that verse again!] (Deut. 31:8) and will level the mountains … and give me the treasures of darkness.’ (Isaiah 45:2-3) (From Daily With the King-Moody Press)

Are you facing a time of discouragement? I pray that these thoughts today will bring you encouragement and help change your perspective. I want you to know today that Jesus loves you and so do I!

Great quote: Prayer is simple, prayer is supernatural, and to anyone not related to our Lord Jesus Christ, prayer is apt to look stupid.

Oswald Chambers

THINGS TO BUILD YOUR LIFE ON

Here is one of those texts that preach for itself from 2 Peter 1:3-10 (The Message)

3 Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! 4 We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you – your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.5 So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, 6 alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, 7 warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. 8 With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. 9 Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books. 10 So, friends, confirm God’s invitation to you, his choice of you. Don’t put it off; do it now. Do this, and you’ll have your life on a firm footing, 11 the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Being a “list” keeper, I loved the building blocks that Peter suggests we build on to our faith:

1. Good character.
2. Spiritual understanding.
3. Alert discipline.
4. Passionate patience.
5. Reverent wonder.
6. Warm friendliness.
7. Generous love.

In fact, note that there are seven building blocks. I’ve added them to my daily prayer list to ask God to make them a part of the fabric of my life.

Thanks for praying for me yesterday. The meeting went very well and we certainly felt the presence of the Lord in the room. The bottom line is that we believe that God has been faithful to go before us. The difficult part for my personality is to WAIT. But everything God is giving me in my quiet time is exactly that: STAND AND WAIT! I loved the words from the devotional this morning that I believe came from His lips to my ears through the writer of the daily devotional, DAILY WITH THE KING …

“To stand uncertainly at a crossroads does not mean that God has abandoned me. In those times He watches me with an extremely watchful eye, and He waits until patience and trust are perfected in me. Then He gives the signal to move. Until I receive that signal clearly, I must stand where I am at all costs. If God brings me to a crossroads, it is HIS business to get me BEYOND it. I can rejoice in a God who is never mistaken, never late, and never nonplused. Only He can “declare … the things that are coming and the events that are going to take place.”
(Isaiah 44:7) Therefore, He has told me, “Do not tremble and do not be afraid” (Isaiah 44:8) This God is our God forever!”

Way too cool. But just another step in the process of His leading and guiding in our lives. And He wants to do the same for you.

Great quote: He knows when we go into the storm, He watches over us in the storm, and He can bring us out of the storm when His purposes have been fulfilled.Warren W. Wiersbe

HE GOES BEFORE ME

“And the Lord … He it is that doth go before me; He will be with me, neither forsake me; fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deut. 31:8

Today I have a pivotal meeting that could very well chart the course for our future residential women’s ministry. Last week I journaled with you about this, and shared that while it was exciting, it was a stretching time for me. Well today will be one of those stretching times for me as I will be doing something I have never done before. Really stretching!
Big time stretching.

But praise God, He already KNOWS all the details. My son Zach raises chickens and ducks. At 3:00 AM this morning, Jan woke me up because those chickens were making a racket. We got out of bed and went down to check it out. They were fine! We climbed back into bed and Jan was out like a light but I laid there wide awake and was beginning to get anxious about the events of today.

I decided to just use that time to talk to the Lord about my concerns and ask for His direction. Remember the verse I shared last week, “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.
Well I claimed that verse for today and prayed that God would give me a sign – a clear direction from His lips to my ears so that it would be totally clear which way to walk in this situation. By faith, I thanked Him and asked that He would confirm this in my quiet time this morning.

I almost started laughing when I read today’s reading from STREAMS IN THE DESERT:

“Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” Isaiah 7:11

“Make your petition deep, O heart of mine. Your God can do MUCH MORE than you can ask; Launch out on the Divine, draw from HIS love-filled store. Trust Him in everything; Begin today, and find the joy that comes when JESUS has HIS way. We must continue to PRAY and ‘WAIT FOR THE LORD.” (Isaiah 8:17) until we hear the sound of His mighty rain. There is no reason why we should not ask for great things. Without a doubt, we will receive them if we ask in faith, having the COURAGE to wait with patient perseverance for Him and meanwhile doing those things that are within our power to do.

Wow! The Lord spoke to my heart this morning. I can’t wait to share with you how this all unfolds. If you think of me today, pray for this meeting at 11:00 AM! Thanks, Lord, for speaking to my heart today.

Great quote: A chaplain was speaking to a soldier on a cot in a hospital. “You have lost an arm in the great cause,” he said. “No,” said the soldier with a smile. “I didn’t lose it – I gave it.” In that same way, Jesus did not lose His life. He gave it purposefully. Anonymous

THE NEVER-FORSAKING GOD

“He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:5)

The Colony men have committed to memory a verse that hangs behind the pulpit at the Colony Chapel. It is the verse we use at the end of every service as our benediction: “And the Lord He it is that doth go before you; He will be with you, neither forsake you; fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deut. 31:8)

I remember one of my first summers at camp. My parents didn’t drive so they were coming with someone else to pick me up. It was the very last week of camp and everyone including the camp counselors were gone. I was sitting on the road with my suitcase waiting for what seemed like hours.

As a ten-year old, it was a frightening experience being there all alone. In thinking back now, I am sure someone was still there, but at the time I felt all alone. I remember thinking, “Maybe they really did forget me!” or “What do I do if they don’t come pick me up?” The panic and fear were starting to become overwhelming, and then peace filled my heart as I remembered this verse that I had to memorize that year in order to get my free week at camp!”

Each of us face those times in our lives when we THINK or FEEL that God has left us. Chambers nailed it again this morning:

“What line of thinking do my thoughts take? Do I turn to what God says or to my own fears? Am I simply repeating what God says, or am I learning to truly hear Him, and then respond after I have heard what He says? “For He HIMSELF said, ‘I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may BOLDLY say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'”
(Hebrews 13:5-6)

We have the idea that God is going to do some exceptional thing – that He is preparing and equipping us for some extraordinary work in the future. But as we grow in His grace we find that God is glorifying Himself here and now, at this very moment. If we have God’s assurance behind us, the most amazing strength becomes ours, and we learn to sing, glorifying Him even in the ordinary days and ways of life.” (My Utmost for His Highest)

Good reminder as we begin this new week. Is there are area of your life where you feel that God has left you or forgotten you? Then remind yourself of this precious promise, my brother! Memorize it! Meditate on it! Remember Deut. 31:8

Great Quote: Salvation is the work of God for man; it is not the work of man for God. Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer

ARE YOU OBSESSED WITH SOMETHING?

“Who is man that fears the Lord?” Psalm 25:12

My son-in-law, Garrett, likes to get my wheels going with projects around the house. We have been trying to get grass to grow in a portion of our yard and have been unsuccessful for years. Garrett suggested that we just put wood chips there are make a wild garden.

I have found that gardening is a good outlet for me from the pressure and stress. So immediately my wheels started turning and I spent eight hours one Saturday making it happen. I built several raised beds and started mulching the area. The project started out as a “work in progress” but I realize that it has become an obsession. If not careful, it can turn into a monster.

Chambers whacked me between the eyeballs yesterday about areas of obsession:

“Are you obsessed by something? You will probably say, ‘No, by nothing,’ but all of us are obsessed by something – usually by ourselves, or, if we are Christians, by our own experience of the Christian life. But the psalmist says that we are to be obsessed by God. The abiding awareness of the Christian life is to be God Himself, not just thoughts about Him.

The total being of our life inside and out is to be absolutely obsessed by the presence of God. A child’s awareness is so absorbed in his mother that although he is not consciously thinking of her, when a problem arises, the abiding relationship is that with the mother. In that same way, we are to ‘live and move and have our being’ in God (Acts 17:28), looking at everything in relation to Him, because our abiding awareness of Him continually pushes itself to the forefront of our lives.

If we are obsessed by God, nothing else can get into our lives – not concerns, nor tribulation, nor worries. And now we understand why our Lord so emphasized the sin of worrying. How can we dare to be so absolutely unbelieving when God totally surrounds us? To be obsessed by God is to have an effective barricade against all the assaults of the enemy.” (My Utmost for His Highest – Oswald Chambers)

This morning we will gather together for worship. What will occupy your mind during the singing? The reading of the Word? The preaching of the Word? Rather than be obsessed with the “stuff” on our to-do list or whatever occupies our minds – may be obsessed with HIM – the reason we gather for worship. May that obsession with His presence occupy our thoughts every day of our lives. Enjoy worshipping HIM today.

GREAT QUOTE: Should we say, “perhaps you should try Jesus as your Savior” …almost with a consumer market oriented mentality”?. “There are lots of religious options and if you try this particular religious option you might like it.” … No… rather, Jesus is Lord and he will soon be invading with His armies. He is offering pardon in advance of His invasion and should you receive the pardon and ally yourself with Him now before He invades, when he comes you will be considered HIs ally and He will raise you to Kingship. The alternative is to be under the wrath of the king. It is not some kind of religious option. It an announcement that a new king is on the throne and he’ll be invading. The gospel is not an invitation to an array of a buffet style choices, it is a command. Will you heed the command? Jesus is Lord, repent and believe.
-William Wilder

RENEW THAT CONTRACT WITH YOUR EYES
“I have made a covenant with my eyes …” Job 31:1

We all receive those annoying notices from time to time – “you warranty has expired – it’s time to renew” – “your subscription is about to expire – it’s time to renew” – “don’t let your insurance lapse – you could lose your coverage.”

Well some of you have done what Job suggested – “I have made a covenant with my yes …” (Job 31:1) and it is that time of the year for you to renew the contract! As we move into the summer season, the temptations that you will face in this area will increase in ways that you can’t imagine.

I am very proud of Diane Hunt, our Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries for Women, who writes a daily email for women, VICTORY CALL. This week she has boldly addressed the issue of purity and modesty which every women needs to hear. (You can check out what she wrote athttp://www.americaskeswick.org/victorycall/.)

Several weeks ago one of my friends was addressing this subject with me. He told me that he had heard a teaching that said that the first “look” is free but after that it is lust and sin. I have been thinking about his comment for several days now. I think every breathing, red-blooded male enjoys looking at a beautiful woman – but when does the “look” cross the line from the look to “lust?”

Scripture teaches that the EYEGATE is the method that the enemy uses to distract us and lead us down the path to destruction. The same eyes that can enjoy beautiful roses in the garden are the eyes that can stare at a women’s breasts and even undress her – all with our eyes! Some women KNOW that how they look and WHAT they wear (or don’t wear) can get a man’s attention.

I observed this first-hand when I served as music director at a church in Philly. Our choir practiced in the choir loft of the church sanctuary. We had one young lady who was late for every rehearsal. She was a very attractive woman and dressed very provocatively. I could tell exactly when she walked into the back of the sanctuary without even looking. Every man in the choir was drawn to her and I could see their eyes following her down the aisle and watching her take her seat.

One look was all it took to bring King David down. Most books on this subject use the first part of Job 31:1. But we need to read the verses that follow to get the full picture (no pun intended!):

1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman? 2 For what is the allotment of God from above, And the inheritance of the Almighty from on high? 3 Is it not destruction for the wicked, And disaster for the workers of iniquity? 4 Does He not see my ways, And count all my steps? 5 “If I have walked with falsehood, Or if my foot has hastened to deceit, 6 Let me be weighed on honest scales, That God may know my integrity. 7 If my step has turned from the way, Or my heart walked after my eyes, Or if any spot adheres to my hands, 8 Then let me sow, and another eat; Yes, let my harvest be rooted out.”

The text really preaches it pretty plainly:

1. Since I have made a covenant with my eyes is there a reason for me to “look” upon a woman other than my OWN wife? Our song as husbands and wives should be “I only have eyes for you!”

2. When we are tempted to allow our eyes to wander, we must be intentional and vigilant in remembering that “GOD knows, weighs and sees every one of my thoughts, deeds, words and actions.” He sees what YOU see. He knows what you are looking at.

3. That look has the power of moving us to the next step – Job says it is “your heart walking after your eyes.” That “free” look has the power to take you out.

You may say, “Bill, you are legalistic – you are overreacting?” I don’t think so, my brothers! The Word of God is pretty straightforward! And I am sure if you are honest, you know the truth! Don’t let that contract expire. Renew it today!

Great quote: We are half-hearted creatures like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. (Clive Staples) C. S. Lewis

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

It was July of 2004 that I was cutting grass and God grabbed my attention to talk with me about the future residential women’s ministry. The ride has been exciting and we are now at an interesting crossroads. The original site that we considered appears to be dead in the water apart from a major miracle.

Last week our realtor called to tell me that she had found a potential site. Two weeks prior to that she had showed us a site on a beautiful location, but the building itself was a disaster. In my heart I thought, “Here we go again!” When I pulled onto the property my heart started skipping. This site was everything that I had envisioned after the Lord spoke to my heart. Everything! The piece of property is the same size as the site we were looking at building on, but the building is already there and in mint condition.

I have been on the property twice and each time I have sensed that God is up to something special. On Tuesday, our friend pilot friend, Dan, flew us over the property and my prayer was “Lord, this is Your property!”

Now comes the test of faith. How do we determine the mind and heart of God in this matter? Where does the funding come from? In the timeline of the history of America’s KESWICK where does this fit in? William Raws had the vision and courage to begin the Colony of Mercy with $1.87. Addison Raws had the courage and fortitude to begin the conference ministry with limited funds. Pastor Bill Raws had the courage to build the Activity Center. Now I am a part of history in the making with our Board – is this the next “FAITH LEAP” for us?

I love that God KNOWS what we need when we need it. The verse for today was timely. Listen to the words I read this morning:

“When we have doubts or are facing difficulties, when others suggest courses of action that are conflicting, when caution dictates one 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 radiating light from HIS face, having an eagerness to know only what God our Lord will determine for us. Soon He will reveal by His secret counsel a DISTINCT and UNMISTAKABLE sense of HIS direction … Christians who have had many experiences in their walk with Him know the great value of secret fellowship with the Lord.

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 opinion 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, having more insight into His nature and His heart of love.”
Streams in the Desert – Zondervan

Thank You, Lord, for the way YOU will lead and guide me and the Board in these matters. May we discern YOUR voice and see YOU at work in ways that will stagger our puny, human minds! I will keep you posted! How about you? Are you facing a decision that needs HIS direction? I’d love to hear from you too!

Great quote: “It is much easier to DO something than to trust in God; we see the activity and mistake PANIC for inspiration. That is why we see so few fellow workers WITH God, yet so many people working FOR God. We would much rather work FOR God than believe IN HIM! Do I really believe that God will do in me what I cannot do?” Oswald Chambers

Today is the anniversary of the kick-off of VICTORY CALL – a daily email for women! Happy 2nd Anniversary to Diane Hunt and the team of women helping to help hundreds of women THINK VICTORY! If your wife would like to sign up for Victory Call – visit our website:
www.americaskeswick.org.

IMPOSSIBILITIES

“For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)

What is your impossibility? Job, family, a personal relationship? Did you ever think God designs impossibilities with you in mind?

Read John chapter 6 and you will discover the disciple’s perception of circumstances. This perception can either be horizontal (human) or vertical (divine). As you read the chapter, be reminded that nothing is too heavy when God holds the lever! God’s power is unlimited. God’s promises are unconditional – nothing stands in His way. These ordinary men, following Jesus, were facing an impossible situation. They were tired; exhausted, in fact – “peopled” to death!
And here were 5,000 (as stated in Matthew 14:21), plus the women and children. The disciples and Jesus were in a barren place, without food, and this huge gathering of people was hungry!

Look at the various reactions to this seeming impossibility. Philip looked around and saw the enormity of the problem. Now, Jesus had explained to these disciples that He was the Son of God. But when He asked, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” Philip’s response was statistical, calculating only the bare minimum (200 denari or a day’s wages). Philip should have said, “You can do this, Master. With You it’s no problem.” Philip dwells on the situation, not the solution.

Then there is Andrew in this story. In verses 8 and 9, he points out the young lad with the 5 loaves and 2 fish, which appears to be resourceful. But he doesn’t think to look to the Lord, either – the same Lord that had just turned water into wine to feed the wedding guests (John 2). Philip looked at the budget. Andrew checked the pantry. Neither anticipated the miracle!

In verse 10, Jesus, in simple fashion, had the disciples seat the crowd and then He multiplied that small lunch to feed thousands. It was even enough to have a basket left over for each disciple! These faithless disciples who figured on the minimum got a smorgasbord! Jesus provided more than what was needed and only quietly rebukes their lack of faith.

Did you learn anything from this special part of God’s Word? When you face impossibilities, leave it in the hands of the Specialist! Read the Manual. Get your directions and strength from God. Refuse to worry or calculate. Just give Jesus all you have – even as small as the little boy’s lunch – and He will give you back more than you can contain! — Rev. John Hibbard

Pastor John is a member of the Board of Trustees of America’s KESWICK and a contributor of our daily devotional, REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE. You can purchase a copy today by calling 732-350-1187 ext. 31.

“Yes – But …!”

“Lord, I will follow You, but …” (Luke 9:61)

Several years after we were married, we jokingly told the Lord we only wanted three kids, would never homeschool, and please, we’d never live in New Jersey. Well you guessed it – we have four wonderful kids, have homeschooled all four of them, and yes, we live in New Jersey. I am glad they were the only three things we said we didn’t want to do!

We have all been there if we are willing to be honest. There are the times that we are seeking HIS will for our lives, and He steps in to ask us to do something that requires a action step of faith and we find ourselves saying: “Lord, I will follow You, but …!”

You’ve been there, right? Be honest! Sometimes the things He tells us to do just don’t make common sense. Take comfort in this – as you read through Scripture, that seems to be the way it has been for all the men that God has used for His glory.Abraham is listed in the “Hall of Fame” (Hebrews 11) as a men who believed God and took him at his word. He was promised a son, and finally in the tenth decade of his life, he becomes a Dad of the promised son, and God comes along and says, “Ok, Abraham – now that you have him – I want him! I want you to sacrifice Him. You heard me – put him on the altar and sacrifice him!” (That is my translation … so don’t panic!)

I love what Oswald Chambers said about this: “Suppose God tells you to do something that is an enormous test of your common sense, totally going against it. What will you do? Will you hold back? If you get into the habit of doing something physically, you will do it every time you are tested until you break the habit through sheer determination. And the same is true spiritually. Again and again you will come right up to what Jesus wants, but every time you will turn back at the true point of testing, until you are determined to abandon yourself to God in total surrender. Yet we tend to say, ‘Yes, but – suppose I do obey God in this matter, what about …?’ Or we say, ‘Yes, I will obey God if what He asks of me doesn’t go against my common sense, but don’t ask me to take a step in the dark.”

He goes on to say: “Jesus Christ demands the same unrestrained, adventurous spirit in those who have placed their trust in Him that the natural man exhibits. If a person is ever going to do anything worthwhile, there will be times when he must risk everything by his leap in the dark. In the spiritual realm, Jesus Christ demands that you risk EVERYTHING you hold on to or believe through common sense, and leap by faith into what He says. Once you obey, you will immediately find that what He says is as solidly consistent as common sense.

By the test of COMMON SENSE, Jesus Christ’s statements may seem mad, but when you test them by the trial of faith, your findings will fill your spirit with the awesome fact that they are the very words of God. Trust completely in God, and when He brings you to a new opportunity of adventure, offering it to you, see that you take it!” (My Utmost for His Highest – Oswald Chambers)

WOW! I will share tomorrow about how timely this was in the life of our ministry at America’s KESWICK! It is exciting.

Great Quote: The character of God is today, and always will be, exactly what it was in Bible times…God is forever what at that moment, three thousand years ago, He told Moses that He was. James I (J. I.) Packer

HIS LOVE KNOWS NO LIMITS

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), Jesus describes the relationship between a father and his son. The boy is selfish, egotistical, and boldly asks for his share of his father’s inheritance. The boy spent his entire inheritance on sinful pleasures in just a short period of time. Then Jesus says the prodigal son ended up feeding hogs.

Why did Jesus describe this young man in such a terrible fashion? It’s because He was trying to show that there was nothing left that this boy had to offer his father to move him to forgive and accept him. The son had completely blown it.

But when all hope seemed to be gone, Jesus put a surprise ending on this story that shocked the Pharisees. He says, while the prodigal son is sitting in the pigpen and starving to death, he thinks about his father and decides to return home. He doesn’t attempt to clean himself up. He comes to his father dirty, ashamed, embarrassed, knowing that he has no right to be there.

The Pharisees would have thought it right for the father not to pay any attention to this wayward, rebellious son. He had gone his own way and blown it. Now he deserved to be kicked out of the family and punished. But Jesus surprised them and taught that our heavenly Father’s love has no limits.

Jesus’ point is clear. A man or a woman cannot go so far that God’s love and forgiveness are no longer offered. You must realize that regardless of what you have done, you have not stretched God beyond His limits. His love for you knows no boundaries. He has already dealt with your sin 2,000 years ago when Jesus Christ died on the cross. If you will come to God and receive His forgiveness, He will love you, forgive you and embrace you.

The Apostle Paul firmly declares, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Dr. John Ankerberg
Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 19-21; John 8:1-27

Today’s devotional is from REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE and is available from the KESWICK BOOK & GIFT SHOP. You can order a copy today by calling
732-350-1187 ext. 31. Dr. John Ankerberg will be our keynote speaker Labor Day Weekend 2007.

Missed the Memorial Day Weekend conference? Then I have a special offer for our Freedom Fighter family. I’d like to send you the three messages Dr. Richard Allen Farmer shared on the subject of VICTORY! I will make these available to you for a gift of any size. The messages will be a challenge to you as you look at the life of David and Goliath. To order, just respond to this email blog.

Great quote: It makes a great difference in our feeling towards others if their needs and their joys are on our lips in prayer; as also it makes a vast difference in their feelings towards us if they know that we are in the habit of praying for them. There is no chasm in society that cannot be firmly and permanently bridged by intercession; there is no feud or dislike that cannot be healed by the same exercise of love. Charles H. Brent