“The fallen heart is by nature idolatrous. There appears to be no limit to which some of us will go to save our idol, while at the same time telling ourselves eagerly that we are trusting in Christ alone. It takes a violent act of renunciation to deliver us from the hidden idol, and since very few modern Christians understand that such an act is necessary, and only a small number of those who know are willing to do, it follows that relatively few professors of the Christian faith these
days have ever experienced the painful act of renunciation that frees the heart from idolatry.

Grace will save a man but it will not save him from his idol. The blood of Christ will shield the penitent sinner alone, but never the sinner and his idol. Faith will justify they sinner, but it will never justify the sinner and his sin. A man may engage in a great deal of humble talk before God and get no response because unknown to himself he is using prayer to disguise disobedience. He may lie for hours in sackcloth and ashes with no higher motive than to try to persuade God to come over on his side so he can have his own way. He may grovel before God in a welter of self-accusation, refuse to give up his secret sin and be rejected for his pains. Christ can and will save a man who has been dishonest, but He cannot save him WHILE he is dishonest. Absolute candor is an indispensable requisite to salvation.

Mean what you say and never say what you do not mean, either to God or man. Think candid thoughts and act forthrightly always, whatever the consequence. To do this will bring the cross into your life and keep you dead to self and to public opinion. And it may get you into trouble
sometimes, too. But a guileless mind is a great treasure; it is worth any price.

from the pen of A.W. Tozer Man: Dwelling Place of God

“The important thing about a man is not where he goes when he is compelled to go, but where he goes when he is free to go where he will. . . The choices of life, not the compulsions, reveal character.

The true character of a man is revealed in the uses he makes of his freedoms. The slave peoples do what they are told because they are not free to do what they will. It is the free nation that reveals its character by its voluntary choices. The man who ‘bowed by the weight of centuries . . . leans upon his hoe and gazes on the ground’ when the long day’s work is over is glad to get home to supper and to bed; he has little time for anything else. But in those fortunate lands where modern machinery and labor unions have given men many free hours out of every day and at least two free days out of every week, they have time to do almost anything they will. They are free to destroy themselves by their choices, and many of them are doing just that.

Our choices reveal what kind of persons we are, but there is another side to the coin. We may by our choices also determine what kind of persons we will become. We humans are not only in a state of being, we are in a state of becoming; we are on a slow spiral moving gradually up or down. I think it might be well for us to check our spiritual condition occasionally by the simple test of compatibility. When we are free to go, where do we go? In what company do we feel most at home? Where do our thoughts turn when they are free to turn where they will? When the pressure of work or business or school has temporarily lifted and we are able to think of what we will instead of what we must, what do we think then?

The answer to these questions may tell us more about ourselves than we can comfortably accept. But we had better face up to things.”

Good words to ponder from the pen of A. W. Tozer MAN: THE DWELLING PLACE
OF GOD published by Christian Publications.

One more lesson from the Ripley’s Aquarium . . . Walking through the magnificent tall tanks of fish with sharks and sting rays floating over our heads, one of our friends made the comment, “And to think most people would never see these creatures that fill the seas.” She reminded us that they were created for HIS glory! Fish of every size, shape and color — colors that are breathtaking. Seahorses. Anemones. Starfish. All created by the Master Designer.

And what’s even more exciting is that He created YOU for His glory. If today, my friend, you are IN CHRIST, be reminded that THE PREDESTINED YOU TO ADOPTION AS HIS SON THROUGH CHRIST . . . to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:5-6) WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN INHERITANCE . . . to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:11-12) WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A PLEDGE OF OUR INHERITANCE . . . to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Paul reminds us that it gets even better . . . “No one one’s ever seen or heard anything like this! Never so much as imagined anything quite like this — What God has arranged for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

One day we will join the angels in heaven in worshipping him. One of those songs will be FOR HIS GLORY — “Thou are worthy, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and power and wisdom, and strength; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed and were created . . . Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and GLORY and blessing!” (Revelation 4:11; 5:12)

Hallelujah!

Our son Zach was on our bus trip last week to Myrtle Beach. He was a brave young man to travel with 53 other senior citizens! We were getting ready to leave on a side-trip when Zach realized he had forgotten to put on his socks. Zach is a perfectionist (doesn’t take after Dad . . . I
said it before some of you do!) and we knew this would bug him all day if he didn’t put on his socks. He hopped on the elevator and went back up to our room which was on the sixth floor.

When he got back to the elevator there was a crowd of people waiting and he panicked. He knew that our bus driver had given the group a specific time to be on the road, and the thought struck him — “will they leave without me?”

One of his senior friends saw the look of panic in his eyes and asked Zach what was wrong. He told her that he was afraid we might leave without him. This dear lady quickly replied, “Don’t worry, Zach. Your father is the “king of Keswick”. That makes you royalty. You are the son of the king — Prince Zach. They won’t leave without the prince!”

What a great picture of our relationship with God. If you have trusted Christ as your PERSONAL Savior, you are a child of THE KING! That means, my friend, that you are PRINCE (or PRINCESS for you ladies that have joined Freedom Fighter). You are royalty in His forever family. I love how Eugene Peterson expresses Paul’s words from Romans 8: 15-17 in THE
MESSAGE . . . “This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike ‘What’s next, Papa!’ God’s Spirit touches our spirit and confirms WHO WE REALLY ARE! We know who He is, and we know who we are: FATHER AND CHILDREN! And we know we are going to get what’s coming to s — and UNBELIEVABLE INHERITANCE!”

Are you downcast this morning? Frustrated? Lonely? Weary of the battle? Cheer up, my friend — Rejoice . . . YOU”RE A CHILD OF THE KING!!!!

Last week 53 of our Keswick friends traveled to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We had a great week of fellowship, and despite the cold, rainy weather, it was a good trip. One of the highlights of the week was visiting the Ripley’s Aquarium, which was one of the best we have ever visited. If you ever have an opportunity to visit South Carolina, be sure to visit Ripley’s.

In addition to the big tanks of fish, there was a “hands-on” exhibit where you could touch a sting ray as well has pick up a live horseshoe crab. We have been to the Jersey shore hundreds of times over the years and have seen these interesting creatures laying on the beaches. But this was the first time I actually picked one up and had an “up-close-and-personal” look at one of these fascinating creatures.

The guide explained a number of interesting facts about the horseshoe crab, but in the tank were a pair that were mating. The guide shared that the male horseshoe crab attaches himself to the female and she drags him around for the next four months! Talk about a commitment,
guys!

I was thinking about this throughout the night and I was reminded of a spiritual truth that I learned from this pair of horseshoe crabs. When you and I make that amazing transaction of inviting Christ into our lives to be our Savior and Lord, we are instantly placed IN CHRIST! We
get the whole package: justification (being declared righteous, not on our own merits, but His!), sanctification (being set apart) and glorification (the ultimate aspect of our salvation where one day we will be complete in Him!). We are given the privilege of living victoriously in the ever-changing, crazy world. And we receive the gift of eternal life. But that is not all — the Holy Spirit also comes to reside in us.

Year’s ago, a friend of ours sent their daughter to Messiah College to major in art. We were talking one evening and asked her to share one thing that she learned that changed her life. I will never forget her answer. She learned that if you take rubber cement and put it two pieces
of paper, stick them together, it is almost impossible to pull them apart. I haven’t tried it . . . I am trusting that she was correct — but what an interesting concept (and if that was all she learned … on my!)

The bottom line is that when you and I are placed in Christ, we are bonded to Him forever! NOTHING can separate us from His love (Romans 8:25-29)! He promises us that He “never leaves or forsakes us.” (Hebrews 13:5) We are a part of His forever family.

Eventually the male and female horseshoe crab separate! They are temporarily attached for four months — a short-term commitment! But praise God, if you have placed your faith in Christ — that relationship is permanent! May this truth encourage you today!

“Prayer is the mightiest force in the world. The spiritual giants who have shaken the kingdom of darkness have been men and women of effectual prayer. They did not spend too much time studying prayer; THEY PRAYED! Across the pages of Scripture and of church history we trace the records of those who, in bold, holy faith, pleaded with God and were heard:

Abraham prayed long for a son: Isaac came.
Moses prayed: Heaven’s wrath was subdued.
Joshua prayed: Achan was discovered and Ai destroyed.
Hannah prayed: Samuel was given to her.
Elijah prayed: The heavens were shut and opened.
Elisha prayed: Drought came and a dead child lived again.
David prayed: Ahitophel, the traitor, hanged himself.
Hezekiah prayed: 185,000 Assyrians were slain.
Daniel prayed: Archangels were set in motion.

Nor did documentation of the power of prayer disappear when the last
page of the inspired canon was filled.

Savonorala prayed: A city was won for God.
Martin Luther prayed: God broke the spell of ages.
John Knox prayed: Tyrants were terrified and Scotland was blessed.
George Whitfield prayed: A thousand souls were saved in one day.
George Mueller prayed: Hungry orphans were fed.
Hudson Taylor prayed: Inland China was evangelized.

On we could go, citing thousands of witnesses, all proving the lengths to which God will go when men and women are prepared to lay hold of Him and refuse to let Him go until he blesses. The consistent witness of Bible and church saints is that PRAYER IS THE HIGHEST RESOURCE OF THE SOUL.”

from the pen of Dr. Herbert Lockyer from HOW GREAT THOU ARE published by Multnomah

“The Bible is filled with statements of what God is able to do for His people. Here are seven verses which cover almost all the fundamental doctrines of Christianity.

1. Hebrews 7:25 declares that Christ is ‘able to save completely those who come to God through him.’ Mel Trotter, and evangelist whom God called from a life of alcoholism, said this verse proclaimed God’s ability to save a person ‘from the guttermost to the uttermost.’

2. In 2 Timothy 1:12 Paul writes, ‘I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.’ God has the power to keep my spiritual deposits.

3. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, ‘God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.’

4. The Bible says of Jesus, ‘Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.’ (Hebrews 2:18)

5. Ephesians 3:20 tells us that God ‘is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine.’

6. The Lord Jesus Christ, ‘by the power than enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.’ (Philippians 3:21)

7. Jude says the Lord, ‘is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.’ (Jude 24)

Taken together, these verses declare that God is able to save us for this life and for eternity, to keep us from falling into sin and temptation, to lead us to the best in human experience, and to satisfy us completely.”

from the pen of Dr. James Montgomery Boice HOW GREAT THOU ART, published by Multnomah.

It ought to break your heart to hear of God’s love, and it ought to bring you right to Him. You may say you do not deserve it, and that is true. But because you do not deserve it, God offers it to you.
Some people say, ‘You must turn away from sin and then Christ will love you.’ But how can you get rid of it until you come to Him. He takes us into His own embrace, then He cleanses us from sin.
Many years ago a boy was kidnapped in London. Through the months and years his mother prayed and prayed for his safe return, but all her efforts failed. But while others gave up all hope, the mother did not quite give up her hope.
One day the boy was sent to a neighbor’s house to sweep the chimney. By some mistake he went down the wrong chimney into what had been his own home. His memory began to travel back through the years, and he thought things looked strangely familiar; scenes of his early days of youth were drawing upon him. As he stood there surveying the place, his mother came into the room.
Did she wait until she had sent him to be washed before she rushed to take him in her arms? He stood there, covered with rags and soot. No, indeed, IT WAS HER OWN BOY! She took him to her arms, all black and sooty, hugged him to her breast, and shed tears of joy on his head.
You may have wandered very far from God, and there may not be a sound spot on you. But if you will come to God, He will forgive and receive you.”

from the pen of D. L. Moody from HOW GREAT THOU ART, published by Multnomah
“To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

1. I told you so.
2. You’re just like your mother.
3. You always make me help around the house.
4. You never listen to me.
5. You’re always in a bad mood.
6. You’re always ____________.
7. You never ________________.
8. You just don’t think.
9. It’s all your fault.
10. You should have listened to me.
11. What’s wrong with you?
12. I wish you were more like __________.
13. All you ever do is complain.
14. I can never please you.
15. What did you expect?
16. You got what you deserve.
17. You’re lazy.
18. If you’d have more ambition, just think what you’d get done.
19. You’re irresponsible.
20. You’re impossible.
21. What were you thinking?
22. I don’t know why I put up with you.
23. I don’t know how much more of this I can take.
24. God help you, I sure can’t
25. I can talk to you until I am blue in the face and it doesn’t do any good.

Adapted from Becoming the Woman of His Dreams, published by Harvest House

By Philip Atterbery

1. Listen to what is being said rather than planning the next statements you intend to make.

2. Eliminate distractions such as loud noises, the telephone, the TV, or computer.

3. Repeat what has been said. This helps your wife know you have truly understood what she said and meant.

4. Ask questions if you need something clarified.

5. Stay on the issue being discussed rather than making it personal. I Corinthians 13:5 declares that love keeps no record of wrongs. That means a loving spouse does not bring up old arguments or issues to use in an attack. Statements such as, “There you go again!” or “You always . . .” only create hostility and defensiveness.

6. Remember that love always hopes for the best (I Corinthians 13:7). It assumes the best. Assume that your wife is concerned about what is best for you and herself.

7. Use “I” centered messages. Make statements such as “I feel discouraged,” rather than “You make me so mad!” Center upon you own emotions and feelings, but remain on the real issue. The use of “you” during an argument may cause the listener to be defensive and feel
personally attacked.

8. Remember that love is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4). Wait for the most appropriate time to bring up an important issue. Introducing a big issue when your spouse first comes in the door from a long day at work or after a hectic day of running errands is simply not a good idea.

Practical Tips on Listening and Speaking from Romancing Your Wife … A Little Effort Can Spice Up Your Marriage by Debra White Smith and Daniel W. Smith published by Harvest House