ALL OF ME

“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and
when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going
out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” – Psalm
139:1-3

“An old adage defines a friends as ‘one who knows all about you – and
likes you anyway.’ Few of us are secure enough to let our real selves
show except to those friends and relatives who are closer to us. We come
actors, learning at an early age to portray a different, more polished
role in public – in conversation, in play, and in work.

We may become so accustomed to this acting that we don’t even realize we
are doing it. Yet God knows. He knows every part of us, every secret
role we play, every hidden thing we do. He’s perfectly familiar with
that part of us we consider too playful and immature or too brassy and
dramatic. The part that, when it shows, causes us to shudder and hope no
one notices. But God sees. And he loves us anyway.

What freedom we find when we realize we can stand before our Creator
without dread, knowing he sees every intimate part of us and yet does
not despise those traits that we consider less than desirable. God knows
our ways because he wove together all our parts (see Psalm 139:13).

David completely understood that God made him, knew him, and loved him.
For only by knowing this could the king allow himself to dance ‘with all
his might’ before the procession that brought the ark back to town. When
someone criticized the young ruler for his rather undignified behavior,
David answered simply, ‘It was before the Lord, who chose me … I will
celebrate before the Lord.’ (see 2 Samuel 6:14-21).

God saw it all … every part of David’s character: the courage and the
childlike joy, the honor and the humility. And he knew it would take all
of those ingredients for David to become the great king God wanted him
to be. In the same way, God has given to us diverse traits and
characteristics so that we can be the people he wants us to be.” From
BETWEEN SUNDAYS … A YEAR OF TRANSFORMING DEVOTIONS FOR THE TOUGHEST
DAYS OF YOUR WEEK, published by Howard.

Great Quote: “The best prayers have often more groans than words.” John
Bunyan

THE CHRISTIAN CALL TO SERVICE

“No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of life;
his aim to is to satisfy and please the one who has enlisted him.” 2
Timothy 2:4 (The Amplified Bible)

“The soldier is summoned to a life of active duty, and so is the
Christian. The very nature of your calling precludes a life of ease. If
you had thought to be a summer soldier, consider your commission
carefully. Your spiritual orders are rigorous. Like the apostle, I would
not have you be ignorant on this point and will therefore, list a few of
your directives.

Those sins which have lain nearest your heart must now be trampled under
your feet. And what courage and resolution this requires! You think
Abraham was tested to the limit when called upon to take Isaac, ‘your
only son … whom you love’ (Genesis 22:2), and offer him up with his
own hands. Yet what was that to this: ‘Soul, take the lust which is the
child dearest to your heart, your Isaac, the sin from which you intend
to gain the greatest pleasure. Lay hands on it and offer it up; pour out
its blood before Me; run the sacrificing knife into the very heart of it
– and do it joyfully!’

This is more than the human spirit can bear to hear. Our lust will not
lie so patiently on the altar as Isaac, nor as the lamb brought dumb to
the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). Our flesh will roar and shriek, rending the
heart with its hideous cries. Indeed, who can express the conflict, the
wrestlings, the convulsions of the spirit we endure before we can put
our heart into such a command? Or who can fully recount the cleverness
with which such a lust will plead for itself?

When the Spirit convicts you of sin, Satan will try to convince you, ‘It
is such a little one – spare it!’ Or he will bribe the soul with a vow
of secrecy: ‘You can keep me and your good reputation, too. I will not
be seen in your company to shame you among your neighbors. You may shut
me up in the attic of your heart, out of sight, if only you will let me
know and then have the wild embraces of your thoughts and affections in
secret.’

From the devotional writings of William Gurnall in his classic THE
CHRISTIAN IN COMPLETE ARMOUR – Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare

Powerful stuff this morning. Is there an area that the Holy Spirit is
placing His finger on this morning? Are you willing to put that Isaac
closest to your heart to death?

Great quote: I prayed for faith, and thought that someday faith would
come down and strike me like lightning. But faith did not seem to come.
One day I read in the tenth chapter of Romans, “Now faith cometh by
hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”. I had closed my Bible, and
prayed for faith. I now opened my Bible, and began to study, and faith
has been growing ever since.
Dwight L Moody

THE CALL TO REMEMBER

“Consider your own call, brothers and sisters; not many of you were wise
by human standards, not many powerful, not many of noble birth.” 1
Corinthians 1:26

In my ten years of rubbing shoulders with men who have graduated from
the Colony of Mercy, our 120-day residential for men struggling with
life-dominating addictions, there have been men who have wanted to
forget “where they came from.” While Paul instructs us to “forget those
things which are behind,” it is good for us to REMEMBER where we have
come from. It is a good review and it helps us with our perspective on
life.

In his devotional, BETWEEN SUNDAYS, Shawn Craig writes: “I love the word
REMEMBER. It literally means to bring back the picture to your mind. To
relive it, to see it, to do it again. When a man set’s a photograph of
his wife on his desk, he wants to call her image to mind. As he looks at
her photograph, he REMEMBERS her.

The Apostle Paul wanted the Corinthians to remember something as a way
of attaining the proper attitude of mind and spirit. In essence he was
saying, ‘When you are tempted to boast and become prideful, recall your
humble beginnings. Bring back to your mind the picture of who you were
before Christ found you.

In the say way, Moses reminded the children of Israel, ‘Remember that
you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of
there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.’ (Deut 5:15)

Why does a superstar athlete go to the ghetto and reach out to the poor
and destitute? He wants to REMEMBER his humble beginnings. He looks at a
young boy and sees himself a few years earlier when someone reached out
to him with compassion and caused him to believe that he could escape
the tyranny of poverty.

REMEMBERING empowers us to move forward. Woodrow Wilson said, “A nation
which does not remember what it was yesterday does not know what it is
today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing
of we do not know where we came from or what we have been about.”
Remembering our calling and who we were before Christ found us does two
things: It causes us to boast in the Lord instead of ourselves, and it
gives us faith in the mighty power of God. REMEMBERING, we can boldly
stand and say, ‘Christ saves! Christ delivers!’ because we are living
witnesses of His grace. We REMEMBER what he has done for us.”

Take some time today to REMEMBER. It will be a good exercise at the
beginning of this new year.

Great quote: “Head knowledge of the things of Christ is not enough; this
following Christ is primarily a matter of the heart. If your heart is
not fixed on its purpose, your principles, as good as they may be, will
hang loose and be of no more use in the heat of the battle than an
ill-strung bow. Half-hearted resolve will not venture much nor far for
Christ.” – William Gurnall

Please note: From time to time we hear that folks get bumped off the
daily THINK VICTORY! Freedom Fighter list. If you stop receiving Freedom
Fighters, you can sign up again by visiting our website:
http://www.americaskeswick.org.

January 1

CONQUERORS

“…we are more than conquerors ….”
(Romans 8:37)

We have in another place considered the “more” nature of God.
He is always “more.” He always provides “more.” He always does “more.”
That is just the way He is. Now it is good for us to see and know how
His “more” affects us in a more personal way.
God’s “more” is personal for US. He is not “more” just for
Himself. He is “more” on OUR behalf. He knows WE need His “more.” We
see that in so many of His assurances. He manifested it in His
declaration that He had come in order that WE may have “life… more
abundantly.” (John 10:10) We see it in the promise that His grace is
sufficient for US for his strength is made perfect in weakness. (2
Corinthians 12:9)
That is why our Bible tells us that “WE (emphasis added) are
more than conquerors….” We are not merely more than the ordinary. We
are not in the category of those who “barely make it” in our efforts to
overcome the problems of this life. We certainly are not those who are
held captive by desires and circumstances. Neither are we captive to the
pressures of peers. Corrupted culture holds no claim over us.
Neither are we the ones who merely study about the conquerors.
True, those stories of conquerors are exciting. They raise some hope
and excite some discipline in those who would like to join the ranks of
the victorious. They encourage other conquerors that share the victory.
But the promise to us is that WE are the conquerors. In fact WE are the
ones who are “more than conquerors.” We are the ones who wear the crown,
occupy the throne and hold the victor’s sword.
Are you now saying that such is not the case in your life? Are
you saying that your struggle for such victory continues? Are you
wondering why this victory has not replaced your defeat?
Why should we ask? The answer to victory is so obvious. For
“we are more than conquerors THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US.” Have you not
claimed your crown, your throne and your Victor’s sword? Have you not
claimed your victory in Christ? Robert L. Alderman

Today’s devotional was written by my mentor and friend, Pastor Bob
Alderman and is from our daily devotional, REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE,
published by Christian Literature Crusade.

On behalf of the Board and staff of America’s KESWICK -HAPPY NEW YEAR!

THINK VICTORY! FREEDOM FIGHTER FOR Friday, December 29, 2006
DOES YOUR HEART BREAK FOR THE LOST?
During the next several days our nation will have an opportunity to
honor and remember the 38th President of the United States, Gerald Ford.
His body will lie in repose at various locations around the country
until his body is laid to rest in Michigan at the Presidential Library.

It is expected that millions of people will walk by his casket to pay
their last respects to a great patriot and leader of the free world.
Gerald Ford was a man who loved God and served the people of America at
a time when our country was reeling from the impact of Watergate.

In contrast, another world leader may face the hangman’s noose in the
next several days — a world leader who used his power to kill thousands
of innocent men, women and children who refused to bow the knee to his
political agenda or accept his tyrannical leadership.

Like me, you have listened in horror to the atrocities committed by this
madman. My heart breaks when I think of the many innocent people who
have lost their lives because of this evil man. Fox News reported that
there are hundreds of Iraqi’s who are standing in line wanting to be
chosen to be the one to lead Saddam Hussein to the stand where he will
be hung in front of his people. For many, this will be the justice that
they have been waiting for in payment for what he has done to their
loved ones.

My heart is heavy this morning for Saddam Hussein because he faces a
Christ-eternity. Is he guilty of the crimes he has committed?
Absolutely! But the tragedy is that for him, his death is just the
beginning of an eternity separated from the One who gave His very life
for him. Yes, he will have paid for his evil – but how sad that he will
spend eternity without the Savior who loved him and died for him.

It’s not too late. I pray that somehow before it’s too late, Saddam
Hussein will repent of his sins, believe that Jesus died on the cross
for his sins, and accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Does your
heart break today for the lost who need Christ? As we countdown the
hours to a new year, may God birth in your heart an even greater passion
for souls that need Jesus!

Great quote: If you thus pour out all your weaknesses, needs, troubles,
there will be no lack of what to say. You will never exhaust the
subject. It is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets
from each other never want for subject of conversation. They do not
weigh their words, for there is nothing to be held back; neither do they
seek for something to say. They talk out of the abundance of their
heart, without consideration they say just what they think. Blessed are
they who attain to such familiar, unreserved intercourse with God. —
Francois Fenelon

Would you please consider a year-end gift for the ministry of America’s
KESWICK. Our year-end needs are great. If Freedom Fighters have touched
your heart this year, please consider a gift today. You can use our
website for your donation (www.americaskeswick.org) or call
732-350-1187. Please let our Guest Service representative know that you
are a member of our Freedom Fighter family. Thanks for your
consideration.

DETHRONING IDOLS

“So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.” Acts 19:20

“Paul’s world worshipped idols. No idol was more revered in Ephesus that
the goddess Diana. The great statue was housed in a magnificent temple
and was recognized as one of the wonders of the world. An idol-making
industry, providing a livelihood for many people, developed in Ephesus
to support the widespread idolatry of the day.

Paul did not go to Ephesus to condemn those worshipping idols but to
unashamedly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. As Paul shared the
truths of God, and as people were set free from sin’s bondage, idol
worship began to decline. The contrast between stone carvings and God’s
power to change lives became obvious.

The righteous lives of the Christian stood in stark contrast to the
hedonistic practices of idol worshipers. The victorious Christian
witness was so compelling that the economy of the entire city was thrown
in upheaval as idolatry diminished in favor of Christianity.

An idol is anything that diverts our devotion from God. Our society is
as idolatrous as Paul’s was. Rather than worshipping statutes, we choose
possessions, pleasures, or careers as our gods and pour our time,
finances, and energy into these things.

Each of us is called, as Paul was, to live a victorious, joyful, and
purposeful Christian life in the midst of an idolatrous society. We do
not have to seek out and condemn today’s idols. Rather, as we live out
our Christianity, enjoying the abundant life God gives, our lives will
discredit the idols around us. We may face opposition and hostility from
those angered at the contrast between our God and theirs. People do not
like to have their idols dethroned! Yet as we uphold Christ, others will
see a difference and be drawn to Him and the life that He offers.” From
Dr. Henry Blackaby’s devotional, EXPERIENCING GOD – THE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Good thoughts for us to ponder as 2006 comes to an end. How about you,
my friend? Are there idols in your life that you need to destroy or
surrender? Take some time to pray about it today.

Have you considered your year-end giving opportunities? If you would
like to give a special year-end gift to America’s KESWICK, you can do so
right from our website: http://www.americaskeswick.org. We need your help
today. Thanks for your consideration.

Great quote: What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it
up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of
our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account
of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from
which the obedience and the work flow. Martin Luther

THE GIFT OF GIFTS

“O Source of all good,
What shall I render to You for the gift of gifts,
Your own dear Son, begotten, not created,
My Redeemer, proxy, surety, substitute,
His self-emptying incomprehensible,
His infinity of love beyond the heart’s grasp.
Herein is the wonder of wonders:
He came below to raise me above,
Was born like me that I might become like Him.
Herein is love;
When I cannot rise to him he draws near on wings of grace
To raise me to himself.
Here is power;
When Deity and humanity were infinitely apart
He united them in indissoluble unity,
The uncreated and the created.
Herein is wisdom;
When I was undone, with no will to return to him
And no intellect to devise recovery,
He came, God-incarnate, to save me to the uttermost,
As man to die my death, to shed satisfying blood on my behalf,
To work out a perfect righteousness for me.
O God, take me in spirit to the watchful shepherds,
And enlarge my mind;
Let me hear good tidings of great joy,
And hearing, believe, rejoice, praise, adore,
My conscience bathed in an ocean of repose,
My eyes uplifted to a reconciled Father;
Place me with ox, ass, camel, goat,
To look with them upon my Redeemer’s face,
And in him account myself delivered from sin;
Let me with Simeon clasp the new-born child to my heart,
Embrace him with undying faith,
Exulting that he is mine and I am his.
In him thou hast given me so much that heaven can give no more.

From the VALLEY OF VISION – PRAYERS OF THE PURITANS

Good thoughts this the day after Christmas.

JOIN US FOR OUR NEW YEAR’S WEEKEND CELEBRATION with Robby Richardson.
Great dinner concert on Saturday evening, December 30th with Bert
Kettinger – Moody Broadcasting Network. Call today for reservations or
visit our website for details: http://www.americaskeswick.org.

Great quote: All of God’s people are ordinary people who have been made
extraordinary by the purpose he has given them. Oswald Chambers

WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD

I am reading a historical fiction book that was recently sent to me that
chronicles a couple navigating the at trip to Idaho. The account shares
the difficulties that they experienced on the journey from outside of
Chicago traveling in a covered wagon a team of horses and a cow. What
has impressed me so far in my read is the determination they had to get
to their destination – a place that they, by faith, would finally see.

It made me think this morning of the journey that Mary and Joseph made
to Bethlehem. Quite different from the couple I am reading about. While
the mileage was not as great as the distance between Chicago and Idaho,
imagine traveling 85 miles over rugged hills. No covered wagon with
supplies or protection at night – just Mary, Joseph, a donkey and
soon-to-be-born child.

I was thinking about Hebrews chapter 11 – the “Hall of Faith” and was
wondering why Mary and Joseph were not listed. Not that I would have any
say, but I think I would have put them in that list.
I can’t imagine the “faith-struggles” that they experienced. What was it
like for Mary to announce to Joseph that she was pregnant especially in
a culture where a pregnancy outside of marriage would result in stoning.

How do you explain all of this to your family? Visitations from the
angels announcing that you were carrying the Son of God? Imagine the
emotional ups and downs they experienced. Talk about a journey of faith!

Yet after the initial shock, Mary and Joseph, by faith, accepted the
proclamation of the angels and took God at His Word. Mary accepted by
faith that “nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37) They
experienced first-hand what the writer of Hebrews declared: “And without
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nas> who seek Him.”

By faith Mary and Joseph made the journey to Bethlehem and saw the
fulfillment of what the angel told them. And they did exactly as they
were told – they called the baby – JESUS! Emmanuel – God with us. I
admire their faith and obedience. I think I would have included them in
Hebrews 11.

How about you? Do you believe today in the God of the impossible? Is
there a challenge you are facing right now? A mountain that seems to
difficult to climb? Has He called you to do something “outside of the
box” and you need to trust Him? Take some time today to read through
Luke’s account of the Christmas story and then read through Hebrews 11.
It’s a good exercise in preparing your heart at this Christmas season.

Great quote: Jesus paid the price. You get to keep the change.

WITH TERROR AND TREMBLING

“Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great.” 1 Timothy 3:16

“The birth of Christ provides a strong reason for us to experience holy
fear and trembling, for only because of that birth could Christ become
man and later die. Even though He was free from sin, He took upon
Himself a mortal body – and that should make us marvel. That He who is
God was willing to become man, that He accommodated Himself to our
weakness and came down to our level, is too great for our minds to
grasp. It makes us shudder with the deepest holy fear; it fills us with
terror and trembling.

This is what amazed Paul when he said, ‘Beyond all question, the mystery
of godliness is great’ (1 Timothy 3:16). How great? ‘God appeared in a
body.’ And again in another place: ‘For surely it is not angels he
helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like
his brothers in every way.’ (Hebrews 2:16-17)

This is why I especially greet and love this day. This is why I set
before your eyes His love, so that I may help you share in it. And this
is why I ask you to be in church for that celebration, with all zeal and
alertness. Let each of us leave our house empty so that we may recall
our Master wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. It is
incredible and beyond our every expectation.

The magi were strangers and foreigners from Persia, yet they came to see
Him lying in the manger. Can you, a Christian, not give a brief measure
of time to enjoy this blessed sight? If we will present ourselves in a
spirit of faith, there is no doubt but that we shall truly see Him as He
lies in the manger.” By St. John Chrysotom – from HOW GREAT THOU ART –
Multnomah

Good words to ponder as we count down the days to Christmas. Don’t get
so caught up in the hustle and bustle that you miss the WONDER OF IT
ALL.

A CHRISTIAN’S CHRISTMAS

“It not too early to give some things away this Christmas. Not just on
Christmas Day, but during all the days leading up to December 25th. We
could call these daily gifts ‘our Christmas projects.’ Maybe one per day
from now ’til then. Here are a few suggestions.

Mend a quarrel.
Seek out a forgotten friend.
Dismiss suspicion.
Write a long overdue love note.
Hug someone tightly and whisper, ‘I love you.’
Forgive an enemy.
Be gentle and patient with an angry person.
Express appreciation.
Gladden the heart of a child.
Find the time to keep a promise.
Make or bake something for someone else. Anonymously.
Release a grudge.
Listen.
Speak kindly to a stranger.
Enter into another’s sorrow.
Smile. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more.
Take a walk with a friend.
Kneel down and pat a dog.
Read a poem or two to your mate or friend.
Lessen your demands on others.
Play some beautiful music during the evening meal.
Apologize if you are wrong.
Turn off the television and talk.
Treat someone to an ice-cream cone (yogurt would be fine).
Do the dishes for the family (or load the dishwasher and clean up).
Pray for someone who helped when you hurt.
Fix breakfast on Saturday morning.
Give a soft answer even though you feel strongly.
Encourage an older person.
Point out one thing you appreciate most about someone you work with or
live near.
Offer to baby-sit for a weary mother.
Give your teacher a break: be especially cooperative.
Let’s make Christmas one long, extended gift to ourselves to others.
Unselfishly. Without announcement. Or obligation. Or reservation. Or
hypocrisy.
This is Christianity, isn’t it?” from the pen of Chuck Swindoll THE
FINISHING TOUCH – Becoming God’s Masterpiece, published by “W”

Good advice as we begin the countdown to Christmas.

Great quote: “The crucial significance of the cradle at Bethlehem lies
in its place in the sequence of steps down that led the Son of God to
the cross of Calvary, and we do not understand it till we see it in this
context. The key text in the New Testament for interpreting the
incarnation is not therefore, the bare statement…’the Word became
flesh, and dwelt among us’, but rather the more comprehensive
statement…’ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he
was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty
might become rich’. Here is stated, not the fact of the incarnation
only, but also its meaning; the taking of manhood by the Son is set
before us in a way which shows us how we should set it before ourselves
and ever view it-not simply as a marvel of nature, but rather as a
wonder of grace.” J I Packer, Knowing God

What are you doing the day before New Year’s Eve? We have another great
dinner concert planned on the Saturday night of New Year’s Weekend.
Soloist Bert Kettinger who has been a part of the Moody Network for many
years, will be our featured concert artist. A great way to welcome in
the new year. Call today for reservations – 732-350-1187