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Where Is Church, Little Flock?

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“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.” – Luke 12:32 (NASB)

This week in “Where is Church,” I thought I take a look at what Jesus called the “little flock.” But before I go into the subject, I would like to share a few comments that were made from last week’s Freedom Fighter. Laura Kay shared with me that it takes a lot of wisdom and discernment to write articles on the church without sounding either too inclusive or too exclusive. Glenn boiled it down to where two or three are gathered in His name, not a building or denomination. Hopefully this week I am able to wisely help us discern that church really isn’t a building/denomination and that it should include everyone who truly knows Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. To Him be the glory…Amen?

So, the little flock…hmm. Guess I should start those with ears to hear. Jesus would say that after He would share something that was difficult to take in. Basically, Jesus was telling those that He was speaking to that they needed to tune out the distractions of the world around them and focus in what He trying to convey to them. “For life is more than food, and the body then clothing. Consider the ravens, tor they neither sow nor reap; and they have no storeroom nor barn; and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are then the birds. And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life span?” (Luke 12:23-25)

That must have sounded as if Jesus was “Muy Loco” when it came to getting the everyday essentials that His audience worried over. Finding what to eat and getting what to wear (as well as avoiding the Romans) was something that people worried over constantly back in those very early A.D. times. How could this guy get in front of folks and say things like this?

However, Jesus told this parable about a Sower and the seed back in Mark 4. Now the parable tells of four conditions that the seed falls on and then He says, “He who has ears to hear, let them hear” (Mark 4:9b). It’s when Jesus goes on to explain the parable that we are given insight to what He means in the parable. So many people come to church for something good and they sit under the teaching of the Word but when the standard issues of this world take their toll on a person we’ll see that many will walk away from the church (John 6:66) and continue on in what they succumb to in their everyday exist. But it’s those that accept the Word, in its entirety, that truly get in and find their place in the little flock.

Jesus used the ekklesia when He spoke about building His church in Matthew 16:18. The word roughly means “out of a calling” and was used to describe a gathering or assembly. It really didn’t have a religious meaning and if you studied Greek you’ll see it is used in Acts 19:32 and 19:41 to describe the mob that rioted in Ephesus but as usual Jesus flips the script on things. So, as I wrap this up for today I wonder, what is Jesus seeing when He speaks to the little flock? Or better yet what will He find when He comes back?

Well the answer to the question just maybe a question. Is He gonna see us as that universal assembly, even if it is scattered across the world, coming together in a single ekklesia, all united in His name, to include all those who bowed the knee to the King of kings and the LORD of lords. As the writer of Hebrews put it, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and the myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect.” (Hebrews 12:22-23)

OR is Jesus gonna find 2,000 different organizations all staying in their buildings, having a meeting to set the agenda to have a meeting about His arrival and then end up arguing over what they are serving at the picnic at the time they think Jesus is gonna visit their church? And if it isn’t the food they serve, maybe it’ll be a debate over whether we all should wear the suit and tie or the polo shirt with stone-washed jeans (personally I would vote for a clean t-shirt and comfortable shorts.) Well, I’ll tell you this…if He shows up at your church at all, you better hope He doesn’t go on to say, “But I have this against you…” It may be a better day for you to have been a bird or a lily. Amen?

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris, a graduate of The Colony of Mercy (11-2003) is married (Kathy) with two adult children (Kevin and Karen) and has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008.

The Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 1-6| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

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Daily Quote: Christ Himself is the builder of His spiritual temple, and He has built it on the mountains of His unchangeable affection, His omnipotent grace, and His infallible truthfulness.” — Charles Haddon Spurgeon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

 

 

 

 

 

Paralysis of Analysis

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“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:16

For some of us, it doesn’t take much to bring everything to a halt and become confused and paralyzed when it comes to making a decision. I once worked for a guy whose motto was “do something, even if it’s wrong.” I wouldn’t suggest that as a motto, but it does make a point.

Restrictions, limitations, how do you handle those things that seem to keep you from doing what you want to do? I remember a toy truck I had as a kid that would be able to sense a ledge or a wall and immediately turn around and go the other way. That truck would run until the batteries wore out because anytime it met an obstacle it would change course and keep moving.

We were discussing as a Men’s group how we interpret the will of God in our lives; how do you know what God wants you to do? Of course the discussion went in many different ways and our conclusions were merely suggestions, because, I believe it is a life long journey and there is no easy answer. But it sure makes you think. Someone said jokingly, “I have enough trouble trying to figure out what my wife wants let alone God”.

My thoughts were lead to Ephesians 5 where it sums up our process and gives us a direction to move towards. It starts off by saying, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma”. There is a sanctification process that continues to conform us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). The life of Jesus was a selfless life, always doing the will of the Father. So, if you trying to decipher the will of God in your life, some of the questions you might ask yourself are, “what are my motivations” or “will this bring glory to God?”

I have to believe when my motives are pure and my actions are not selfish, I can move forward until I am faced with this idea of a symbolic door. This door apparently opens and closes, and if you’re like me, you’ve had some that slammed shut. Unlike my toy truck, when hitting an obstacle, there’s a time for sitting still but don’t grow roots.

The pattern continues in Ephesians 5, “Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” One of my favorite Bible characters is Nehemiah, he spent time in prayer but when the opportunity arose (open door), he moved in. He also didn’t allow “unfruitful works” to distract him from what God called him to do.

So, spend some time in Ephesians 5, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Amen!

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, he is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time staff member. He is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.

The Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 5-6| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

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Daily Quote: “Don’t let obstacles along the road to eternity shake your confidence in God’s promise. The Holy Spirit is God’s seal that you will arrive.” – David Jeremiah

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14

 

 

 

 

Spirit-Filled Accountability

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“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.”

(2 Corinthians 5:16)

Part of my job is to evaluate the progress of the residents in various degrees, in various aspects. I can remember early in the process, I would start fretting over the evaluation. Who am I to judge another in the condition that I’m in? And in that very moment, I guess it was written all over my face, a wise counselor caught me and gently encouraged me to separate my issues and essentially allow Spirit to lead me. It wasn’t about me and my own self-centeredness, it was for the good of the resident.

We love 2 Corinthians 5:17 and how the Word illuminates our new life in Christ, our new identity, our redemption and the like…But do we deal with others in their new condition, or do we judge according to the flesh patterns? We are new; so our outlook, insights, fruit inspecting should all be governed from our new selves.

For the love of Christs should constrain us and give us the guidance that comes through the Holy Spirit. Man looks on the outward appearances but God looks on the heart; here is what Mathew Henry declares, “We can tell how men look, but God can tell what they are. He judges of men by the heart. We often form a mistaken judgment of characters; but the Lord values only the faith, fear, and love, which are planted in the heart, beyond human discernment” (1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary). As we consider our newness in Christ, we ought to be Spirit-filled in dealing with others.

Written by Juan Mendez: Juan is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and full-time staff member at America’s Keswick.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 72-74| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

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Daily Quote: “Whenever you do judge, the only basis of judgment is not your own perspective or anything else, it’s the very character and nature of God and that’s why we are to allow Him to exercise His justice, where I personally want to take it upon myself.” – Josh McDowell

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14

 

 

 

That Beautiful Name

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“You didn’t want heaven without us, So Jesus, You brought heaven down…

My sin was great, Your love was greater, What could separate us now…

What a wonderful Name it is

The Name of Jesus Christ my King”

This has been one of those weeks, a time when sorrow and grief have clashed with Joy and Hope like a wave crashing onto the rocks in a storm. How is it that the heart can break and rejoice at the same time? The key is in the Power of His name… Jesus. The songwriter proclaims, “You have no rival, You have no equal, Now and forever… Our God reigns, Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory, Yours is the Name, above all names… What a powerful Name it is.”

A fourth century monk named Telemachus from Asia is credited with halting the gladiatorial contests. Having come to reside in Rome where these ‘abominable spectacle were being exhibited’, he went himself into the stadium, and stepping down into the arena, endeavored to stop the men who were wielding their weapons against one another… all while crying out, “In the Name of Jesus Christ, Fordear!”.  The spectators of the slaughter were indignant, and inspired by “the triad fury of the demon that delights in those bloody deeds, stoned the peacemaker to death. When the emperor was informed of this, he numbered Telemachus in the number of victorious martyrs, and put an end to that impious spectacle.” What enables a man to place himself at deaths door for the sake of saving others lives? What principles must he believe? More importantly, what powerful truth did he proclaim that had such an indelible impact, causing such violence to cease and lives to be changed…? It is that powerful name, the name of Jesus, “that every knee should bow too, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:10-11) Do you know that name, and I mean not just know ‘of it’, but do you intimately know Him, having by faith believed in His finished work of redemption? I hope so.

Do you want to withstand the storms of life? Can you rejoice as a loved one slips from your arms and walks through Heavens gates? Can you wait on God’s timing having trusted in His will and released your own? Do you desire to allow the crucible of suffering to refine you into His extraordinary character, enabling you to not only face the lions of this life, but to change their hearts as well? Then you must come to “know” Jesus and the power of His name.

I look forward to the day when those ‘who know His name’, sing this song together in the presence of the One whose name is Beautiful, our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray you are there too.

Choose wisely…

Praying 4 U

Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, and grandfather with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is a member of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church.

The Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 14-18| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

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Daily Quote: “You were the Word at the beginning, One With God the Lord Most High, Your hidden glory in creation, Now revealed in You our Christ… What a beautiful Name it is… The Name of Jesus Christ my King.” – Hillsong

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14

Praying 4 U

I WANT TO KNOW CHRIST (Part 5)

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[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] … Philippians 3:10 Amplified Bible

Last week I introduced the talking point that KNOWING HIM is a painful experience as we get to know Him better in our suffering.

We were in Minnesota a couple of weeks ago to welcome our 11th grandchild. Technically, the baby’s due date was the birthday of our 2nd grandchild, Lindsay Alice Groen.

Lindsay went home to be with Jesus on May 16, 2008, after a several month journey resulting from the detection of a leaky heart valve that resulted in her first open heart surgery, a cardiac arrest, and second open heart surgery, then the gift of a new heart when God called her home.

It was during this very difficult time that we learned so many lessons during her time of suffering. She was mostly unconscious and in a sleep-induced coma during her illness, so she was not able to communicate. BUT her little life spoke volumes around the world and her story continues to touch people’s hearts as we get to share so many of the lessons we learned during her brief but unexpected illness.

I wish that I could give definitive answers as to why God allows us to suffer.
But I can tell you this: One of the ways God uses suffering in our lives is so that we can come alongside those who are suffering and share with them that God’s grace will see them THROUGH.

The Apostle Paul knew first-hand what suffering was about. He first caused suffering as he personally persecuted the church. But he himself experienced beatings, stonings, ship-wreck, being chained in prison where he penned several books of the Bible under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

He wrote: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all mercies and God of ALL comfort; who comforts us in ALL our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in ANY affliction with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

We all have our stories. And our stories would be in vain if we didn’t use them to give God glory and share with others how during the seasons of suffering in our lives, God showed up and demonstrated His power and glory.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, “God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.”

Preacher George Matheson, who knew pain and suffering, wrote: “My dear God, I have never thanked You for the my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses but not my thorns. I have always looked forward to the place where I will be rewarded for my cross, but I have never thought of my cross as a present glory itself. Teach me the value of my thorns. Show me how I have climbed to You through the path of pain. Show me it is through my tears I have seen my rainbows.”

Knowing Him is a painful experience, but it is worth it. We may not see the big picture or understand what He is doing, but we can trust His heart.

Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks!

Bill Welte, D.D.
President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Written by Dr. Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 11 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 4-6| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

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Think About This: If God sends us on stony paths He will provide us with strong shoes. Alexander MacLaren

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14

 

 

 

 

Let Your Conscience be your Guide?

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“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, That He may abide with you forever…” – John 14:16

Most of us remember the advice given from Jiminy Cricket to his buddy Pinocchio. Unfortunately, Pinocchio didn’t always take heed to the council from his little friend and he found himself in some precarious situations.

Now, I’m not sure you’ll find the verse that says “let your conscience be your guide” without first making sure your conscience is being directed by the Holy Spirit. I remember that, as a new believer in Christ, I would often misinterpret my lack of peace as peculiar and unordinary. It seemed as though it would bother me more than usual when I was not doing the right thing. I felt as though I was being haunted by my words and actions. I remember thinking to myself “that never bothered me before.” I was sharing my recent experiences with some of the guys from the church I was attending, it was like I just told them a joke. They all began to chuckle and with nodding heads they explained to me conviction. One guy jokingly said “I used to be able to go out and live like the devil, then Jesus came and ruined everything.” We laughed and that became a teachable moment that I share with others to this day.

In the two letters Paul wrote to Timothy, he referred to the conscience 5 times in the NKJV, four times about having a good or pure conscience and once about those who “having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” I believe it’s important to be sensitive to God’s Holy Spirit in order to faithfully walk according to His will. Unfortunately, I know it’s possible to ignore to nudging that we receive when we are in the flesh. Like the ignoring of the pain that comes from using a tool with soft sensitive skin, if we continue, we develop a callous that prevents us from feeling the discomfort.

When we are prompted by the Spirit of God it can sometimes put us in an awkward position, there are times when God calls us to share His word with someone or speak out against an injustice that may cause conflict. The question we have to ask ourselves is whether we want to please man or God. I’ve heard it said “I would rather please God and have man against me then to please man and have God against me.” I’m not sure how biblical that is, but I do know that I’ve lost sleep over not doing what I believe to be what God wanted me to do or not do.

These thoughts are not exhaustive and should never take the place of a daily Bible reading. My prayer is that by writing these devotionals it will only cause you to dig deeper into God’s word. I will purposely leave out a number of referring scriptures to prompt you to pull out your Bible and connect with God through His word.

So if you have the Holy Spirit of God actively working in your life then I can say “Let your conscience be your guide”. Amen!

Rob Russomano is married to Terri, he is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time staff member. He is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.

 

 

Church? Where is Church?

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“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”  Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)

Where is the church today? Well, there seems to be about 2,000 different professing Christian “church organizations” in buildings all across America who say they are “a church” but none dare to call themselves “the church” that Jesus declared He was building some 2,000 years ago. Now that doesn’t answer the location question, but it does speak to the volume of churches we seem to have available. So, are any of them the “wrong church” to go to? Well I bet you just answered that question faster than I just typed it. I mean just turn on the idiot box (that’s TV in English) and you can see a-many of them with the press of a button. But that’s not church, now is it?

Maybe you’re sitting there saying, “They can’t all be wrong” but then by the same token they can’t all be right either. So where is the church that Jesus Christ built? Well, it is on the Earth today, but how do we find it, what do we look for, how do we identify it, and how do we know if we see it are all questions that we must ask ourselves. And if I may be so daring, I would also say that if you look to building/organization as source to locate the church, then I may have to say you’re as lost as I am with the question of where is the church today. Going to “church” has been a part of me for a long time, both Catholic and Protestant, and I am still trying to grasp the entire concept of the church that Jesus Christ, Himself, built.

For the sake of context, open your Bibles and turn to Luke 12 and read verses 22-40…got it? Good. I would like to zone in on verse 32, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.” Now the challenge here is to figure out who is this “little flock.” Matthew Henry would say of the matter, “If we value the beauty of holiness, we shall not crave the luxuries of life. Let us then examine whether we belong to this little flock.” So, if we were to run ourselves through Luke 12:22-40, do we find ourselves caring too much for the stuff that has no eternal value? Then maybe we’re not in the little flock and if that is the case are we finding churches that would convict us if we do…hmm?

David C. Pack wrote this quote in his book, Where Is The True Church?, “The respected and accepted churches of this world are so because they teach the popular doctrines and traditions, familiar to the masses.” Then he does go on to say, “By no means could any of these well-known denominations of professing Christianity be considered a “little flock.”’ But I am still scratching my head because I don’t see anything wrong with a little flock here and a little flock there. Kinda like if I said I belong to the Church in Mays Landing NJ. It doesn’t give a denominational name, just the fact that I identify with a group of people who understand what Jesus said in the passage from Luke I mentioned earlier on in today’s Freedom Fighter.

So…I know that I don’t answer the question “Where is the church today” but I am going to start figuring out a few things that, over the next few Freedom Fighters, I will be sharing with you. The titles may different from time to time. but the subject of ‘the church’ will be the content. I may even take a daring dabble at those seven churches found in the Book of Revelation. There is something about them that seems to say so much and since they are being addressed by Jesus Christ Himself there is no better source to go with my question than to the Man Himself. Amen?

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris, a graduate of The Colony of Mercy (11-2003) is married (Kathy) with two adult children (Kevin and Karen) and has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008.

The Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 4| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

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Daily Quote: “The church has lost her testimony. She has no longer anything to say to the world. Her once robust shout of assurance has faded away to an apologetic whisper. She who one time went out to declare now goes out to inquire. Her dogmatic declaration has become a respectful suggestion, a word of religious advice, given with the understanding that it is after all only an opinion and not meant to sound bigoted.” — A.W. Tozer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and let Your ears be attentive to the prayer made in this place.” 2 Chronicles 6:40

 

 

 

Ridiculous Shame

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“The more guilt and shame that we have buried within ourselves, the more compelled we feel to seek relief through sin.” ― Brennan Manning

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
~ Isaiah, oracle of Jesus, in Isaiah 61

Oh beloved, it is true.

There is something about us that is nearly as bad as our sin. We are, each of us, once made alive in Him, terribly sensitive to our failure(s). And some of this is good. But some of this is terribly bad for us.

Shame.

Now, before any of you brothers go off and think that i am saying otherwise, read this first. Sin is a terrible idea. The very wrath of G_d is revealed against it, for those who choose to stay in it. But, even here, the truth of the problem presents itself.

However, G_d is different than us. Utterly. Completely.

His ways are so much higher than our ways as to put our ways of thinking, if you will pardon the pun, to shame. So yes, the wrath of G_d is revealed against our sin. But not because He is angry about some sort of misbehavior. No, G_d sets about destroying anything, anything at all that will keep us away from Him.

He has already destroyed death. He has already set us free. He has already brought comfort to our mourning. He has already poured the Oil of His Very Own Spirit out onto us, and worked it into our formerly dead soul. He has crowned us with the wreathes of His own victory on our behalf. He has already planted us within Himself that we might bear much fruit.

So, His wrath is something different. His wrath is, in this life, the rage a Father would rightly feel against those things that will bring hurt to His child. His wrath is that which would destroy the things that destroy us. And His wrath, on That Terrible Day, will be His righteous bewilderment at our rejection of His Great Love.

In a similar way, shame is a mindset that is nearly as bad as how short-sightedly we view G_d’s wrath. It is an approach that comes straight out of the lowlands of our flesh.  And shame over our sin (as opposed to a robust rejection of our old man, and his ways), is only bound to take us right back into more falling short of His glory.

Can we see it?

Shame is a fleshly reaction to sin. Shame is the irredeemable reaction to the failure of our irredeemable flesh. And, since it is fallen, the flesh is not going to give us a good answer about how to handle our sin. Rather, flesh will always try to add a little more effort. And, when that always fails (it will ALWAYS FAIL), will default over to self comfort…

And further, since flesh is lazy, it will often take us right back into the behavior over which we originally had the sense of shame. How crazy is this? And you, dear reader, may think this fool of a writer is missing it. But, take a moment and consider: How has shame ever truly helped you (or me) move beyond sin in our own lives?

So, yes: Sin is a terrible idea. Sin separates us from G_d. Sin eats away at our peace. Sin pulls us away from our true identity. But, the answer is not a fleshly and shameful response to our flesh and its shameful behavior.

Rather, the response must be from a much higher place – the place of The Spirit – where we are already one with Him. For, in the spirit, we have begun to know just who we are. And, in knowing that we are already planted by Him, in fields that will bear eternal fruit, we have no need for feeling far away and hiding in our shame. Nor do we have to listen to shame’s idiotic cries for us to try and bring the same destructive “comfort” to ourselves, that shamed us in the first place.

Tonight is your night, beloved. Time to face your failures the right way: the way of The Spirit.

Written by Makala Doulos: Makala Doulos is a child of G_d, a husband to his wife, a father to his children, and a teacher to his students. But mostly, he is a prisoner set free by Jesus. Love has invaded his life, crushed it, and made it new. Now, G_d’s Love is what constrains him to live in full surrender to the freedom The Father and Son and Holy Spirit have bought for us all. Grace and Peace to you all.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 69-71| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

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Daily Quote: “Shame is a soul eating emotion.” ~ Carl Gustav Jung

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and let Your ears be attentive to the prayer made in this place.” 2 Chronicles 6:40

 

At What Cost?

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“There is nothing new about this kind of civil disobedience. It was seen sublimely in the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to obey the laws of Nebuchadnezzar because a higher moral law was involved. It was practiced superbly by the early Christians, who were willing to face hungry lions and the excruciating pain of chopping blocks before submitting to certain unjust laws of the Roman Empire. To a degree, academic freedom is a reality today because Socrates practiced civil disobedience”   ~ MLK

What will you let defeat you today? And at what cost will you be vanquished?

Standing up for what is true against any opposition takes a unique person. To stand against the flood of negativity and criticism that rolls down like a mighty current, to stand back up after a blow to the gut or a broken heart, takes a person who knows in whom and what he believes. It’s easy to live in a vacuum when there is nothing to bring you down… but what about when you must decide between your friends and your belief in the Gospel? How about when what you love the most is taken away, will you still trust our God then?

When faced with their own death for holding on to their faith, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stated, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”” (Daniel 3:17-18)

Can you say that with them… “But even if He doesn’t?” If God doesn’t do what you expect or desire, would He still be your hope? I am not talking about giving Him platitudes… saying all the right things others expect you to say, but will your life sing out with the affirmation of our Savior, “But thy will be done”…?

What enables one to stand fast like these men and others like a Martin Luther who said, “Here I stand; I can do no other so help me God.” Or a John Bunyan, “I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a mockery of my conscience.” How about Abraham Lincoln who risked everything because he believed, “This nation cannot survive half slave and half free.” All these men knew a God ‘who was “known.'” No platitudes, no half-hearted beliefs, and no backing down… “Even if He does not save us.” These men along with Paul, “knew in whom they believed, and were convinced that He (God) is able to guard what they had entrusted to Him (their lives) until that day of His return.” (1 Tim 1:12)  Does your life reflect that kind of fortitude and character or are you just one of the crowd who accepts the graces of God when it is easy and falters when the heat turns up?

Be what God intended you to be, relying on His grace that you will ‘know’ either in this life or the next. Be extraordinary, ‘even if…’

Choose wisely…

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.” (Psalms 37:4-6)

Praying 4 U

Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, and grandfather with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is a member of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church.

The Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 10-13| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

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Daily Quote: “If we walk away from risk to keep ourselves safe, we will waste our lives.” – John Piper

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and let Your ears be attentive to the prayer made in this place.” 2 Chronicles 6:40

I WANT TO KNOW HIM (PART 4)

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[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] … Philippians 3:10 Amplified Bible

Welcome to this new week of Freedom Fighter blogs. I am thankful for the men who faithfully join me each week in writing to encourage you in your walk with the Lord.

For the past several Mondays, we have been digging into Philippians 3:10 and conversing about wanting to KNOW HIM.

This week I want to share that KNOWING HIM IS A PAINFUL EXPERIENCE. It’s not the part that we necessarily want to sign up for, do we?  But if we are going to REALLY know Him, suffering is part of the package.

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?  Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:12-19

Brothers, will you consider these five talking points?

  1. Suffering is the will of God.
  2. Suffering draws us closer to Christ.
  3. Suffering purifies us.
  4. Suffering is part of the conforming process that Christ uses to make is more like Him.
  5. Suffering is never in vain.
  6. Suffering is for a season.

I will take the next couple of Mondays to unpack this truth. We all have been there and if you haven’t suffered, there’s no way you are getting out of your earth suit without going through something in your life.

2 Corinthians 12:10 “Therefore I take pleasure in being without strength, being insulted, experiencing emergencies, and being chased and forced into a corner for Christ’s sake; for when I am without strength, I am DYNAMITE!”Have a blessed week.

Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks!

Bill Welte, D.D.
President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Written by Dr. Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 10 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 1-3| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

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Think About This: Don’t give in to fear today. The Lord Almighty is your Savior, and He is with you in whatever you’re facing and wherever you go. Paul David Tripp

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and let Your ears be attentive to the prayer made in this place.” 2 Chronicles 6:40