DO YOU HEAR ME NOW?

God’s Word speaks to our hearts! It is His way of communicating us if we
will LISTEN to His voice. I remember when Zach was fairly young and he
wanted me to tell me something and I was half-listening. He was smart
enough to know that I was only half-listening to him. He came over to me
placing his little hands on my cheeks and said, “Dad, are you listening
to me!”

Sometimes we approach the Lord that way. He wants to get our attention
as we read His Word — but He doesn’t have our undivided attention or we
just really don’t want to hear what He has to say. We aren’t tuned in to
what He wants to communicate with us. Devotional writer says: “To hear
the word of God is not enough though certainly necessary. I must mix
what I hear with faith, I must believe it to be the truth, and finally I
must obey what it tells me to do.

The universe is full of radio signals. But only when I turn on my radio
and pick up the frequency do I receive a message. God’s Word is full of
continually emitted signals intended for me personally, but only as I am
tuned in does the message ever penetrate my being. God is saying
something to me right now from His Word about that personal need or
problem, but I keep cloying the message by getting hung up on Greek
words, theological meanings, archaeological evidence, and historical
data. Sometimes I feel that God wants to shake me, as Moody used to
shake his audiences by saying; ‘Listen! I’ve got a message for you and I
want you to hear it!’

Lord, You are the God of the NOW, and Your Word is Your message of the
NOW. I will not tune You out, Lord; I will tune myself and the world
out, and I will listen to Your personal message to me right now.” —
from Daily With the King

Has He been trying to get your attention this week? Open your ears
–receive the truth and than OBEY.

TRUST AND OBEY FOR THERE’S NO OTHER WAY — TO BE HAPPY IN JESUS — BUT
TO TRUST AND OBEY!!!

Good reminder as we begin this weekend.

Have you registered for our FREEDOM FIGHTER DAY next Saturday, March
11th? Mark P. Fisher will be sharing his journey from bondage to
pornography to freedom in Christ. Call today to register and bring a
friend — 800-453-7942.

YIELD YOUR WILL

“Love does not depend on your feeling. Your will is what God wants from
you. Run your household in a godly way, raise your children properly,
and give up your empty pleasures. Seek to be simple, quiet and humble.
Let your life be hid with Christ in God. This is what God is after.

When God asks you for something, do not refuse Him. Learn to wait for
God. Do not move until He directs you. Each day will bring its own
problems. As you deal with them you will grow deeper and deeper in God.

Let your faith strengthen you. When you feel absolutely weak you will
discover a strength that is not your own. You will know that the
strength is not your own. And if you go astray for a little while, you
will learn humility as you return.

Your Lord lives in the center of your spirit. Return to him there as
much as you can. Surrender yourself to God and learn to live by Him
rather than out of your own strength. Little by little this learning to
live by your Lord’s strength unfolds within you. No longer will you
cling to things you can see, but you will cling to God, within you, and
there you will find deep and true fellowship.”

from Fenelon — A SEEKING HEART — available at the ONLINE KESWICK
BOOKSTORE — or call 800-453-7942 and order from our live store.

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS ON SIN . . .

Most mornings I am sharing with you from what God is teaching me in my
own quiet time as I read the Word and devotional readings.

Many mornings there seems to be a common thread weaved by the Holy
Spirit that ties all of the readings together. It is hard to explain as
none of the materials were written in the same year and were penned by
various writers.

The common thread today deals with sin — a good reminder as we face the
temptations of life and the grip of sin on our lives. I am sharing with
you several quotes this morning that deal with this topic that will
hopefully awaken your spirit again this morning to God’s point of view
towards sin in the life of a believer.
“I preached on the righteousness of the law and the righteousness of
faith. While I was speaking, several dropped down as dead and among the
rest such a cry was heard of sinners groaning for the righteousness of
faith that it almost drowned my voice. But many of these soon lifted up
their heads with joy and broke out into thanksgiving, being assured they
now had the desire of their soul – the forgiveness of their sins.” —
John Wesley

“Am I so self-deceived that I believe that if I give in to sin, its grip
will be weaker over me? Do I really think that if I give in to Satan, he
will thereafter leave me alone? I like Paul’s word, ‘Do not give the
devil an opportunity’ (Ephesians 4:27). Do not give him a chance to
maneuver, get a toehold or a grip on you. Do not give him a satisfaction
of a look, a glance, or a listen. Look at the wreckage of those who gave
him a chance — Eve, David, Judas! The price is too steep.” — Guy Evans

“Sin taints every thought, word, and act, including the seemingly best
deeds.” — R. C. Sproul

“We are so depraved that God must drag us to himself. The beauty of the
gospel, however, is that at the same time, the Spirit’s work is to make
us willing to come.” — R. C. Sproul

“The wrath of God is a perfection of the Divine character upon which we
need to frequently meditate. First, that our hearts may be duly
impressed by God’s hatred of sin . . . The more we study and ponder
God’s hatred of sin and His frightful vengeance upon it, the more likely
we are able to realize its heinousness. Secondly, to beget a true fear
in our souls for God . . . ‘for our God is a consuming fire’ (Hebrews
12:29). We cannot serve Him ‘acceptably’ unless there is due ‘reverence’
for his awful Majesty and ‘godly fear’ of His righteous anger; and these
are best promoted by frequently calling to mind that ‘our God is a
consuming fire.’ Thirdly, to draw our souls, in fervent praise for our
having been delivered from ‘the wrath to come.’ (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
A. W. Pink

May the Lord impress upon our hearts the awfulness of sin and how He
hates it. Ask Him for the desire to forsake all that is sin in you.

Good words for our consideration, not only for today, but every day.

SURVIVING OR OVERCOMING?

“I am determined not merely to SURVIVE as a Christian, but to OVERCOME.
Too often my life has been a ‘hanging in there’ kind of thing, when
actually God has called me to be an OVERCOMER. Do I get into one scrape
after another and then say, ‘Thank God I got out of that one alive’? Is
that all there is, getting out of things alive?

The secret of overcoming is ADEQUATE RESOURCES, and the secret of
adequate resources is tapping the infinite supply of God. I have been
struck with the poor widow’s plight (2 Kings 4). She had little oil,
nothing more. Creditors were pressing her to sell her sons as slaves.
Elisha advised her to procure all the empty jars she could find, then
pour what little oil she into them one by one until each was full. Then
it happened!!! By some wondrous power the oil kept flowing until every
jar was full.

Where did the oil come from? Where else but the same place as the
loaves, the fish, the wine, the manna, and the thousand other things God
sent His poverty-stricken people! God was simply supplying out of HIS
storehouse that which was perfectly visible to HIM but not to them. If
only we could see God’s infinite supply!

I am not an overcomer because I an not a taker. God’s enormous
quantities are at my disposal if only I will claim them. The lack is not
with God, it is with me. I can grit it our with sheer determination and
scant faith, but I will never OVERCOME that way. God, let me believe
You, really believe You. for therein lies my ability to fight and
overcome, not merely exist. It is ‘according to YOUR riches in glory
(Philippians 4:19). You measure supply; and according to our faith, You
allow that surely to be tapped.”

from DAILY WITH THE KING, published by Moody Press and available in the
KESWICK BOOKSTORE (Online — http://www.americaskeswick.org) or by calling our
bookstore (800-453-2942 ext 31)

Good words for you on this beautiful Tuesday, February 28, 2006.

ARE YOU DEPENDABLE?

Bill Gothard in his book THE POWER FOR TRUE SUCCESS . . . HOW TO BUILD
CHARACTER IN YOUR LIFE defines dependability as “purposing in our hearts
to do the will of God WHATEVER the cost. He states that a dependable
person is defined in Scriptures as one who is FAITHFUL. “The Greek word
for faithful is PISTOS and means ‘trustworthy’ true; reliable; and sure.
The Hebrew word for faithful is AMAN. It means ‘to build up or support;
to foster as a parent; to nurse; to be steadfast.”

Mr. Gothard lists 11 characteristics of dependability:

1. A dependable person will be in harmony with the heart and mind of
God. (1 Samuel 2:35; Isaiah 55:8-9; Psalm 37:4)
2. A dependable person has a great reverence for God. (Nehemiah 7:2)
3. Ad dependable person is faithful in LITTLE things as well as big
things. (Nehemiah 9:8)
4. A dependable person has a heart attitude of faithfulness. (Nehemiah
9:8)
5. A dependable person keeps confidential information private. (Proverbs
11:13)
6. A dependable person communicates energy and health. (Proverbs 13:17)
7. A dependable person is truthful in all that he says. (Proverbs 14:5)
8. A dependable person will not tell people how good he is. (Proverbs
20:6)
9. A dependable person encourages those whom he serves. (Proverbs 25:13)
10. A dependable person is faultless at his work. (Daniel 6:4)
11. A dependable person deals wisely with resources and relationships.
(See Luke 16:1-15)

Are you a dependable person? Ask yourself the question — can others
count of YOU?

To keep your word?
To stay on schedule?
To be alert to details?
To make wise decisions?
To use your time wisely?
To complete assignments?
Good words to consider as we begin a new week. Have a great day!

SEARCH ME, O GOD

“Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord.
Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my MIND and HEART. Behold, You
desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden parts will make me
to know wisdom. I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your
testimonies. I made haste, and did not delay to keep your commandments.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We have an ADVOCATE with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself, is the propitiation
for our sins. Therefore, brethren, having boldness to ender the Holiest
by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for
us, through the veil, that is His flesh, and having a HIGH PRIEST over
the house of God, let us draw near with a TRUE heart in full assurance
of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our
bodies washed with pure water.

(Lamentations 3:40; Psalm 26:2; Psalm 51:6; Psalm 119:59-60; 1 John 1:9;
1 John 2:1-2; Hebrews 10:19-22)

Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.

I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy Word, and make me pure within.
Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.

Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord — in me abide.

O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival, start the work in me.
Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead.

James Edwin Orr (1912-1987)

Good words as we prepare our hearts for this Lord’s Day, February 26,
2006

HIS HEART OF LOVE

Here are some verses that spoke to my heart yesterday in a powerful way:

“The Lord your God loves you. The kindness of God leads you to
repentance. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The Lord our God
is merciful and pardons even those who have rebelled against him. God
will be merciful if you confess your sins and give them up. Blessed is
he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. You forgave
the iniquity of my sin. In You the fatherless finds mercy. Return to the
Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and
abounding in steadfast love. I will heal their faithlessness; I will
love them freely. His steadfast love endures forever! For great is your
love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
(Deut. 23:5; Romans 2:4; 1 John 1:9; Daniel 9:9; Proverbs 28:13; Psalm
32:1; Psalm 32:5; Hosea 14:3; Joel 2:13; Hosea 14:4; 1 Chronicles 16:34;
Psalm 108:4)

Allow those verses to work into your hearts and minds. What wonderful
truth for us as we begin to prepare our hearts for the Lord’s day. I
read two powerful quotes yesterday that tie in with these verses. Let me
share them with you, and as a friend of mine wrote yesterday, these will
need time to work into your hearts . . .

“The whole of my life stood open to His view from the beginning. He
foresaw my every fall, my every sin, my every backsliding; yet,
nevertheless, fixed His heart upon me. Oh, how the realization of this
should bow me in wonder and worship before Him!” — A. W. Pink

“The King, full of mercy and goodness, very far from chastening me (for
my sin), embraces me with love, makes me eat at His table, serves me
with His own hands, gives me the key of His treasures; He converses and
delights Himself with me incessantly . . . and treats me in all
respects as His favorite.” — Brother Lawrence

WOW! I trust these thoughts this morning will cause you to rejoice in
His heart that is full of love . . . FOR YOU!

Have you registered for our special FREEDOM FIGHTER DAY on Saturday,
March 11? Mark Fisher, President of Sandy Cove Ministries will be
sharing how God transformed his life from a bondage to sexual sin.
Invite a friend and join us for this powerful day of teaching, worship
and fellowship. Call today for reservations: 800-453-7942

WHO IS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER?

One of my key staff leaders recently attended a prayer summit and gave
me the notes from on of the sessions. I think you will enjoy these
truths about your Heavenly Father:

Your Heavenly Father is:

1. A perfect Father — “. . . be ye therefore perfect even as your
Father in Heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
2. A Creator-Redeemer Father – “Is not He your Father that has bought
you? Has He not made you . . . ?” (Deut. 32:6)
3. A Saving Father – “You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my
salvation.” (Psalm 89:26)
4. A Righteous Father – “O righteous Father, the world has not know
You.” (John 17:25)
5. A Giving Father – “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and
comes down from the Father of lights…” (James 1;17)
6. A Grace-Filled Father – “God, even our Father, which hath loved us,
and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.”
(2 Thessalonians 2:16)
7. A Rewarding Father – “Pray to your Father which is in secret; and
your Father which seeth in secret shall reward you openly.” (Matthew
6:6)
8. A Need-Knowing Father – “For your Heavenly Father knows that you have
need of all these things.” (Matthew 6:32)
9. A Guiding Father – “My Father, You are the guide of my youth. . . “
(Jeremiah 3:4)
10. A Prayer Answering Father – “Whatever you shall ask of the Father in
my name, He may give it you.” (John 15:16)
11. A Protecting Father – “Even so it is not the will of your Father
which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. (Matthew
18:14)
12. A Family Father – “A Father of the Fatherless . . . ” (Psalm 68:5)
13. A Providing Father – “Giving thanks to the Father, who has made us
to be partakers of the divine inheritance . . . ” (Colossians 1:12)
14. A Just Father – “Call on the Father, who without the respect of
persons judges according to every man’s work.” (1 Peter 1:17)
15. A Comfort-Giving Father – “And I will pray the Father, and He shall
give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever.” (John
14:6)

I hope this morning that these truths about YOUR Heavenly Father will
cause you to rejoice in Him today.

Our Freedom Fighter Day is coming up on Saturday, March 11, 2006. We
urge you to attend and bring a friend. Call today for reservations —
800-453-7942.

THE VALUE OF MUSIC

Dr. Mark Swenson writes in his daily devotional, A MINUTE OF MARGIN: “I
suspect God knew life was going to be difficult, so He gave three gifts
to ease our way.

The first is NATURE. No matter where we turn our eyes, the nature we see
will have a lifting effect. And it is free. If we were required to pay
rent for sunsets, I doubt we’d be able to afford even five minutes.
Every sunsets unique. Nature is free, is equally available to every
person, and has a powerful healing effect on the human spirit.

The second is LAUGHTER. We can’t explain what it is, where it comes
from, or why it works. Yet as a balm for frazzled nerves, laughter is
unique. Laughter is free, is equally available to every person, and has
a powerful effect on the human spirit.

The third is MUSIC. Again we can’t explain what it is, where it comes
from, or why it works. One person warbles her vocal chords while another
blows on his pipe — and somehow it soothes. Music is free, is equally
available to ever person, and has a powerful healing effect on the human
spirit.

Seventy-five percent of Americans use music to de-stress. In response to
the increasingly wearying conditions of everyday life, music therapists
are emerging all across the nation. Studies reveal that surgeons who can
choose their own music in the operating room have improved
cardiovascular parameters during stressful surgeries. If, on the other
hand, the music was chosen for them, there was no such benefit.

When God created music He somehow ordained that it would be able to
penetrate through multiple layers of our consciousness and go straight
to the depths of our spirit. It has been my own experience during times
of significant stress that music has helped me when nothing else could.
It sails right past all my defenses and snuggles up next to the pain.

Find the music that matches most precisely your need and play it over
and over, allowing it to massage your soul.”

“The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice
over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness with His love. He
will delight over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Good words for today.

IS HE REALLY THE GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE?

“If you can”? . . . EVERYTHING is possible for him who believes.” — See
Mark 9:23

I wrote about this yesterday and shared devotional thoughts from STREAMS IN
THE DESERT. In reading today’s devotional from the same book, I read these
powerful words: “You just have to believe that He’s done it and it’s done!
The greatest problem with most of us is, after asking Him to do it, we do
not believe it is done. Instead we keep trying to help Him, get others to
help Him, and anxiously wait to see how HE’s going to work it out.

Faith adds God’s ‘Amen’ to God’s ‘Yes’ and then takes its hands off, leaving
God to finish the work. The language of faith is, ‘Commit your way to the
Lord; trust in him and he will do this’ (Psalm 37:5) . . . Active faith
gives thanks for a promise even though it is not yet performed, knowing that
God’s contracts are as good as cash . . . ” (from Matthew Henry as quoted in
today’s reading from Streams in the Desert)

Well I can hardly contain myself because I have an illustration to share
with you this morning. Last week, Tom Paschke, our Director of Housekeeping,
flew back to Seattle, Washington to spend a week with his family. Every so
often Tom questions where he should be — America’s KESWICK or Seattle. He
was in one of his seasons of discouragement when he left. On Tuesday night,
he and his cousin were walking to their hotel when a homeless man was being
harassed in front of the hotel. The men involved took off when the biker
police showed up. Tom and his cousin were questioned by the biker police and
asked for his identification. When the police came back, they arrested Tom.
On his record was a 1992 parole violation that was never handled, so he was
taken into custody.

Tom was totally blindsided about this as several years ago went back to
Seattle to have his record clear. He was helpless and so were we. At the
moment, there was nothing