PRAISE TO THE LORD

Many of the great hymns and songs we love have been written out of times of great difficulty and trials. Joachim Neander wasted most of his early days living in immorality and sin. A preacher came to town and Neander decided to go to hear him with the intention of ridiculing the man. Instead he was converted. Four years later he became the headmaster of a school and wrote over sixty hymns. Eventually he was fired because of his beliefs. After losing his job, he wandered around, mostly living in caves. Despite the trials he faced in his short lifetime, he left us a legacy of praise to His great God:

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord, who o’er all thing so wondrously reigneth,
Shieldeth thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the amen sound from His people again;
Gladly forever adore Him! Joachim Neander (1650-1680)

I love the line in stanza three: PONDER ANEW WHAT THE ALMIGHTY CAN DO. As you prepare your hearts for worship today, take some time to ponder what HE has done in your life — and then praise HIM!

Sunday Afternoon concert today with Frank Boggs. 2:30 PM Hymnsing followed by the concert at 3:00 PM.

CHOICES

From the Prayers of the Puritans … a prayer to prepare your heart for the Lord’s Day.

O God,
Though I am allowed to approach you
I am not unmindful of my sins,
I do not deny my guilt,
I confess my wickedness, and earnestly plead forgiveness.

May I with Moses choose affliction rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin.
Help me to place myself always under your guiding and guardian care,
To take firmer hold of the sure covenant that binds me to you,
To feel more of the purifying, dignifying, softening influence of the religion I profess,
To have more compassion, love, pity, courtesy, to deem it an honor to be employed by you
As an instrument in your hands,
Ready to seize every opportunity of usefulness,
And willing to offer all my talents to your service.

You have done for me all things well,
Have remembered, distinguished, indulged me.
All my desires have not been gratified, but your love denied them to me
When fulfillment of my wishes would have proved my ruin or injury.
My trials have been fewer than my sins,
And when I have kissed the rod it has fallen from your hands.
You have often wiped away my tears,
Restored peace to my mourning heart,
Chastened me for my profit
All your work for me is perfect, and I praise you.

Good prayer to prepare your heart for worship!

THANKING GOD IN ADVANCE . . .

Addision Raws, the son of the founder of America’s KESWICK preached a message often about God being “The God of the Previous.” In his message he shared that we need to thank the Lord IN ADVANCE for the answers to the prayers that we have offered to him.

We are in the midst of some challenges financially. The summer slump is upon us and we have been asking God to supply the needs for the ministry, something we have done consistently over the course of 109 years of ministry. God HAS BEEN faithful. Ten years ago a Christian businessman looked at our financials and said, “I give this ministry two years and it will be down the tubes.” The interesting thing is that this ministry belongs to God. He is the One who has preserved and protected it for 109 years. It is unexplainable apart from God.

Today’s reading in my quiet time reminded me that HE KNOWS our need and that we can praise and thank Him in advance of the victory that is to come:

“Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me.'” (John 11:41)

The sequence of events in this passage seems strange and unusual. Lazarus was still in his tomb, yet Jesus’ thanksgiving PRECEDED the miracle of raising him from the dead. It seems that thanks would only have been lifted up once the great miracle had been accomplished and Lazarus had been restored to life. But Jesus gave thanks for what He was about to receive. His gratitude sprang forth BEFORE the blessing had arrived, in an expression of ASSURANCE that it was certainly on its way. The song of victory was sung BEFORE the battle had been fought. It was the Sower singing the song of the harvest — it was thanksgiving BEFORE the miracle!

Who ever thinks of announcing a victory song as the army is just heading out to the battlefield? And where do we ever hear a song of gratitude and thanksgiving for an answer that has not yet been received? Yet in this Scripture passage, there is nothing strange, forced, or unreasonable to the Master’s sequence of praise BEFORE the miracle. PRAISE is actually the most vital preparation to the working of miracles. Miracles are performed through spiritual power and our spiritual power is always in proportion to our FAITH.” from STREAMS IN THE DESERT

Are you facing a challenge in your life right now? Have your prayed about it? If so, thank and praise God IN ADVANCE for the answer that is already on its way!!!

OBSTACLES . . . HIS PURPOSE?

“I will turn all my mountains into roads.” (Isaiah 49:11)

“God will make our obstacles serve HIS purposes. We all have mountains in our lives, and often they are people and things that threaten the progress of our spiritual life. The obstacles may be untruths told about us; a difficult occupation, ‘a thorn in the flesh’ (2 Corinthians 12:7); or our daily cross. And often we pray for their removal, for we tend to think that if only these were removed, we would live a more tender, pure, and holy life.

‘How foolish you are, and slow of heart …!’ (Luke 24:25) These are the very conditions we need for achievement, and they have been put in our lives as the means of producing the gifts and qualities for which we have been praying so long. We pray for patience for many years, and when something begins to test us beyond our endurance, we run from it. We try to avoid it, we see it as some insurmountable obstacle to our desired goal, and we believe that if it was removed, we would experience immediate deliverance and victory.

This is not true! We would simply see the temptations to be impatient end. This would not be patience. The only way genuine patience can be acquired is by enduring the very trials that seem so unbearable today.

Turn from your running and submit. Claim by faith to be a partaker in the patience of Jesus and face your trials in Him. There is nothing in our lives that distresses or concerns you that cannot become submissive to the highest purpose. Remember, they are GOD’S mountains. He puts them there for a reason, and we know He will NEVER fail to keep His promise.

‘God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under heaven.’ (Job 28_33-34) So when we come to the foot of the mountains, we will find our way.’

THE PURPOSE OF OUR TRIALS IS NOT ONLY TO TEST OUR WORTHINESS BUT ALSO TO INCREASE IT, JUST AS THE MIGHTY OAK IS TESTED BY THE STORMS AS WELL AS STRENGTHENED BY THEM.” from STREAMS IN THE DESERT by Mrs. Cowman and published by our good friends at Zondervan. You can order a copy of this classic devotional from the KESWICK BOOKSTORE (732-350-1187 ext. 31)

HIS ACCEPTED, ADOPTED CHILD

“Beloved, now we are the children of God.” (1 John 3:2)

“Having a right relationship with God begins with settling once and for all the issue that God is your loving Father and you are His accepted, adopted child. That’s the foundation of your spiritual heritage. You are a child of God, you are created in His image, you have been declared righteous by Him because you trust that what Christ accomplished in His death and resurrection is applicable to you. As long as you believe that and walk accordingly, your daily experience of practical Christianity will result in growth. But when you forget who you are, and try to produce in your daily experience the acceptance God has already extended to you, you’ll struggle. We don’t serve God to gain His acceptance; we are accepted, so we serve God. We don’t follow Him in order to be loved we are loved, so we follow Him.

That’s why you are called to live by faith (Romans 1:16, 17). The essence of the victorious Christian life is believing what is already true about you. Do you have a choice? Of course! Satan will try and convince you that you are an unworthy, unacceptable, sin-sick person who will never amount to anything in God’s eyes. Is that who you are? No, you are not! You are a saint whom God has declared righteous. Believing Satan’s lie will lock you into a defeated, fruitless life. But believing God’s truth about your identity will set you free.

Your perception of your identity makes such a big difference in your success at dealing with the challenges and conflicts of your life. It is imperative to your growth and maturity that you believe God’s truth about who you are.

The Bible says, “See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; an such we are!” (1 John 3:31) Tragically, many believers are desperately trying to become something they already are, while other are living like something they aren’t. It’s true: “Beloved, NOW we are the children of God.”
(1 John 3:2)

From DAILY IN CHRIST by Neil T. Anderson, published by our good friends at HARVEST HOUSE.

Great Quote: Have you ever realized that you can give things to God that are of value to Him? Or are you just sitting around daydreaming about the greatness of His redemption, while neglecting all the things you could be doing for Him? I’m not referring to works which could be regarded as divine and miraculous, but ordinary, simple human things – things which would be evidence to God that you are totally surrendered to Him. Oswald Chambers

Check out our newest feature on our website: ADDICTION IN THE NEWS … Finding Truth in the Midst of Chaos — http://www.americaskeswick.org/AddictionintheNews.htm

FEAR OF THE LORD (Part #3)

“The fear of the Lord is the continual awareness that God knows, weighs and sees every one of my thoughts, deeds, words, and actions.” — Bill Gothard.

I did a search through the Scriptures and want to share with you 24 benefits of fearing the Lord. I will share 12 today and 12 tomorrow.

1. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).
2. The fear of the Lord results in serving God in sincerity and truth (Joshua 24:14).
3. The fear of the Lord will result in serving God with a whole heart. (1 Samuel 12:24)
4. The Lord instructs those who serve the Lord. (Psalm 25:12)
5. Prosperity will abide in those who fear the Lord. (Psalm 25:13)
6. The descendants of those who fear the Lord will inherit the land. (Psalm 25:13)
7. God reveals secrets to those who fear Him. (Proverbs 3:32b)
8. Goodness is laid up for those who fear Him. (Proverbs 31:19-20)
9. God’s eye is on those who fear the Lord. (Proverbs 33:18)
10. Angelic protection and rescue is provided for those who fear the Lord. (Psalm 34:7)
11. God blesses us so that other will fear Him. (Psalm 67:7)
12. God has compassion on those who fear Him. (Psalm 103:13)

I encourage you to take some time to look up these verses and search the Scriptures. It will be a good study for you.

Need a break this weekend? Why not bring your family to America’s KESWICK to enjoy a peaceful weekend away. We have some rooms that have opened up and will offer our Freedom Fighter family a reduced rate. Enjoy the lakes, the pool and allow God to speak to your heart and transform your life as you get alone with Him. For information, call today — 732-350-1187. Remember to tell our reservationists that you are a member of the Freedom Fighter family.

GREAT QUOTE: It is a glorious thing to know that your Father God makes no mistakes in directing or permitting that which crosses the path of your life. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter. It is our glory to trust him, no matter what. Joni Eareckson Tada

THE HOLY SPIRIT AS TEACHER

I am thankful for the way God is at work in people’s hearts, especially in the lives of the men who are in the Colony of Mercy, our 120-day residential program for men. One of our recent grads, now serves in our internship program. Chris did not grow up in any church. Has never been to church and at 34, his first exposure to church was when he came to the program.

During his time he, he trusted Christ as Savior, and what a transformation that is taking place. But the thing that has been so cool is to see the GROWTH that has occurred as the HOLY SPIRIT does HIS work in teaching Chris. It thrills me because that is exactly what Jesus told the disciples the role of the Holy Spirit would be in our lives: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things that I send to you.” (John 14:20) The Holy Spirit is STILL doing HIS job, even though there are some who believe that post-moderns and busters, etc. can’t handle truth like we used to! Some 2000 years since Jesus spoke those words, the HOLY SPIRIT is teaching and guiding.

As we prepare our hearts to worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit on this Lord’s day, reflect on this words from one of the prayers of the Puritans:

THE SPIRIT AS TEACHER

O God the Holy Spirit,

That which I know not, teach me,
Keep me a humble disciple in the school of Christ,
Learning daily there what I am in myself,
a fallen sinful creature,
justly deserving everlasting destruction;
O let me never lose sight of my need of a Savior,
or forget that apart from Him I am nothing,
and can do nothing.
Open my understanding to know the Holy Scriptures;
Reveal to my soul the counsels and works of the blessed Trinity;
Instill into my dark mind the saving knowledge of Jesus;
Make me acquainted with his covenant undertaking,
and his perfect fulfillment of them,
that by resting on his finished work,
I may find the Father’s love in the Son,
his Father, my Father,
and may be brought through Your influence
to have fellowship with the Three in One.
O lead me into all Truth, Spirit of wisdom and revelation,
that I may know the things that belong unto my peace,
and through you be made new.
Make practical upon my heart the Father’s love
as you have revealed it in the Scriptures;
Apply to my soul the blood of Christ, effectually, continually,
and help me to believe, with conscience comforted,
that it cleanses from all sin;
Lead me from faith to faith, that I may at all times have freedom
to a reconciled Father,
And may be able to maintain peace with Him
against doubts, fears, corruptions, temptations.
Your office is to teach me to draw near to Christ with a pure heart,
steadfastly persuaded of his love
in the full assurance of faith.
Let me never falter in this way.

Good prayer for this Lord’s Day.

Have a great day IN CHRIST!

ATTENTION: HAND SUPPORTERS NEEDED

“But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.” Exodus 17:12
The battle was intense and Moses was weary. As long as Moses’ hands were raised, Israel was winning the battle. As soon as his hands came down, defeat! Aaron and Hur were clued into what was happening and realized that the length and intensity of the battle was wearing Moses’ down. He was bone tired and was having difficulty staying with the stuff. So they came alongside of him, put a stone under him to sit on, and these two friends, rather than stand by and criticize and “Monday morning quarterbacking” — got involved and became a part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
Notice they didn’t give Moses advice or even quote Scripture to him. They stepped up to the plate and stood by their man. Their encouragement and support not only helped Moses, it enabled the enemy to be defeated.
Last week I shared with you that I was pretty discouraged and felt the intensity of the battle. The Lord has sent several Aaron’s and Hur’s into my life in the past couple of days, and I want to share with you what happened yesterday. The mother of one of my leadership staff stopped in to see me yesterday to encourage me. She has been a very faithful prayer warrior and has such a sweet spirit.
Mrs. Beltle came into my office and I walked over to give her a big hug. She put her arms around me and said, “Now Bill Welte, I want to pray for you.” And for the next five minutes, this precious lady poured out her heart to God on my behalf and her faith and love strengthened my spirit in a special way. Mrs. Beltle did what the writer of Hebrews exhorted believers to do in Hebrews 12:12 “Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble . . .” She became a “Hand-Supporter” for me and I praise the Lord for using her in my life to encourage me at just the right time!
There are people all around you who need encouragement. I have a burden for Pastors, and I want to encourage my Freedom Fighter family — become an Aaron or Hur to your Pastor. He needs your encouragement and prayers. Take some time this morning and ask the Lord to show you people who need your support. Your hand support can make a difference in someone’s life today. Stop standing on the sidelines. Get involved and make a difference!
Thank You, Lord, for Mrs. Beltle!
Great quote: A church that has passion is a church where discouraged folks cheer up, dishonest folks ‘fess up, sour folks sweeten up, closed folk, open up, gossipers shut up, conflicted folks make up, sleeping folks wake up, lukewarm folk, fire up, dry bones shake up, and pew potatoes stand up! But most of all, Christ the Savior of the entire world is lifted up.

Davon Huss

THE BIBLE . . . A TREASURE

Yesterday I received a treasure from one of my friends who is now in her nineties. She believes that she is going home to be with the Lord and has been giving away some of her possessions. I was given her Bible — her friend and companion for these many years. You can learn so much about a person by looking at in their Bible. For the next couples of days, I want to share some of the precious nuggets that I have found within the pages of her Bible.

Here is a poem pasted into the flyleaf of her Bible:

“Now, said this Book to me,
Open my pages and you shall see
Jewels of wisdom and treasures fine
Gold and silver in every line
And you may claim them if you will
Open my pages and take your fill.

Open my pages and run them o’er
Take what you choose of my golden store
Be you greedy, I shall not care
All that you seize I shall gladly spare
There is never a lock on my treasure door
Come, here are my jewels make them YOURS.

I have just been a book on your shelf
But I can be part of your living self
If only you’ll travel my pages thru
Then I will travel the whole world with you.

As two wines blended make better wine (not a good Keswick phrase!!!)
Blend your mind with these truths of mine.
I’ll make you better to talk with men,
I’ll touch with silver the lines you pen.
I’ll lead you nearer the truth you seek
I’ll strengthen you when your faith grows weak
This place on the shelf has been a prison cell
Let me come into your mind to dwell.

Make THE BOOK live to me, O Lord.
Instill with my heart, dear Lord,
A deep desire to know Your Word;
I want to learn to hear YOUR voice
And always make YOUR will my choice.

Good words to consider today. Well this has been an exciting week at America’s KESWICK and I want to make you an offer that will be hard to refuse. Dr. Jimmy DeYoung has been sharing God’s Word in light of Bible prophecy and this is a series that you don’t want to miss. I am willing to give to my Freedom Fighter friends, a set of CD’s (8 messages) but ask that you consider a gift to the ministry to help us this summer with the many expenses we face. Here is how it will work . . . If you will respond to this email, we will send you the CD’s and it will then be between you and the Lord to send your gift. I am telling you … this is a “must hear” series for every believer. I look forward to hearing from you today. To order your CD’s … simply respond to this email. Your gift will be much appreciated. Thanks.

BENEFITS OF FEARING THE LORD

Here are twelve more benefits of fearing the Lord:

13. He gives food to them that fear Him. (Psalm 111:5)
14. He fulfills the desires of them that fear Him. (Psalm145:18-19)
15. He hears and saves those who fear Him. (Psalm 145:18-19)
16. The fear of the Lord produces healing to our bodies and health to our bones. (Proverbs 3:7-8)
17. The fear of the Lord creates a hatred for sin. (Proverbs 8:13)
18. The fear of the Lord prolongs life. (Proverbs 10:17)
19. The fear of the Lord brings godly confidence. (Proverbs 14:16)
20. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life. (Proverbs 14:27)
21. The fear of the Lord is from envying sinners. (Proverbs 23:17)
22. Mercy is on those who fear the Lord. (Acts 9:31)
23. The fear of the Lord allows for growth and peace. (Acts 9:31)
24. The fear of the Lord helps us to persuade men by the example of our godly lives. (2 Corinthians 5:11)

And I discovered a 25th one yesterday as I read through Proverbs 19

25. The fear of the Lord leads to a peace-centered life. Proverbs 19:24

Take time today to read these verses and allow them to penetrate your HEART today.

Are you free this weekend? Enjoy a weekend away at America’s KESWICK. Special rate available for our Freedom Fighter family. Call today for information. We’d love to serve you.