Pastor Mike Wiegel, from Ocean County Baptist Church, recently shared this at our Men’s Fellowship Night at America’s Keswick. I first heard this at a CCCA Mid-Atlantic Sectional Conference when the then President of our Section, the late Bob Lutz, shared it with us.

The background of this powerful statement of faith is that a Pastor’s son who was serving as a missionary was martyred while serving the Lord. This prayer was found in his Bible.

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power.

The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer and labor by power.

My pace is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road is narrow. My way rough. My companions few.  My guide is reliable and my mission is clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I’ve stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give ’til I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He’ll have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear!

May this be our statement of faith, brothers! Are you a part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed?

Overflowing and abounding with hope,

Bill Welte, President
America’s Keswick

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

The Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 7| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: Our cross may be heavy, but one sight of Christ will make us forget all our former sorrows. —Thomas Watson

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.” — Psalm 38:15

 

 

If you asked twenty good men today what they thought the highest of the virtues, nineteen of them would reply, Unselfishness. But if you had asked almost any of the great Christians of old, he would have replied, Love. You see what has happened? A negative term has been substituted for a positive, and this is of more than philological importance. The negative idea of Unselfishness carries with it the suggestion not primarily of securing good things for others, but of going without them ourselves, as if our abstinence and not their happiness was the important point. I do not think this is the Christian virtue of Love. The New Testament has lots to say about self-denial, but not about self-denial as an end in itself. We are told to deny ourselves and to take up our crosses in order that we may follow Christ; and nearly every description of what we shall ultimately find if we do so contains an appeal to desire. ~ CS Lewis, from The Weight of Glory

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. … Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. … Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. … So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
~ Paul, The Least of The Apostles, in 1 Corinthians 13

Oh beloved, it is true. 

There is, for each of us, a breaking point. Sometimes we just get so smacked around by life, that something in us wants to turn around and lash back at the people who have smacked us. No, it is not the normal (and even usually healthy) impulse we have to protect ourselves from danger. It is the actual desire that we can have to bring hurt to those who have hurt us.

This fool of a writer has recently come through about three of the toughest months of his life. And these three months were on top of three years that would have shook most people to the core. Culture shock, a third international move in four years, a second new language, relational strain beyond the ability for me to describe in words, and a special needs kid, have driven me to the very edge of my ability to cope with anything.

And then… we got laid off. In China. For basically no reason. And, no one even stood up for us within the “mission” organization we had joined. We were laying there, emotionally bleeding to death, and people just walked by on the other side of the path, holding their nose at the stench that had just been beaten out of us.

Many of us formerly lost boys understand abuse. We dealt it out on our families and friends. We also received it in portions that many of us cannot really bring to words. And, in times like this, the stress the arises in current trauma is also tied to the stuff that happened to us in the past.

Can we see it though?

There is a way through. And, it is the most revolutionary approach to things that has ever existed.

We have been hurt. And for us to deny that the hurts in our lives have happened is crazy. But, for us to think that continuing the cycle of hurt, by getting back at people is going to help, shows we are crazier than we ever imagine.

We don’t really want to hurt people. We desire something deeper. We don’t just want to stop hurting, we want to feel the fullness of being happy, healthy and free. And this is where Love comes in. Love is not just a wanting, or desire. Love is the the only path to gaining that for which we hope.

Love aches for the pain in the soul of the poor person who slaps us.

Love wants good for the person who is ignoring them.

Love hopes the best for the person who just fired them.

Love looks for ways to help the person who will not help them.

Love is this dying that brings life to others.

But, the weirdest part of this kind of dying, is that we do not lose anything. In pouring out our desire towards others; in truly desiring the best for those who may not even care about us, we find a wholeness to life that is beyond description.

So, are you hurting? It happens. And, there is no need to deny it. However, what you may be denying, and need to embrace, is that getting back at someone is going to make everything alright. Instead, join me in dying to the desire to hurt, and instead gain the desire to Love the one who hurts you.

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: Numbers 1-2| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: Love is the profound concern for the wellbeing of another,
without regard to whether the other returns the favor.
~ Makala Barnabas Doulos

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:22

 

 

 

“​In God I have put my trust, I will not be afraid. ​​What can man do to me?” — Psalm 56:11

One day, while dispatching the men of the colony to work in maintenance, I noticed their reaction to the jobs that were handed out. Some were relieved and some had a look of defeat. I decided to use this as a teachable moment. I asked “Would some of you be happier with a different job today?” Of course the answer was “AMEN!” After the second let down of the morning, I began to bring to their attention that the God of the Bible wants to deliver them from the “Puppet strings” of man. You could imagine the look on their faces. I went on to explain one of the benefits of a saving faith in Jesus is the deliverance from allowing circumstances to dictate your attitude.

This was something that I learned watching Ken Brown go through his illness when I came to work at Keswick. He would come in day after day never complaining and choosing to trust God in his present circumstance. As a matter of fact, he would look for how God was going to be glorified in his illness He would often quote 2^nd Corinthians 4:16, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”

I explained how ridiculous it was to put their joy, or lack thereof, on a piece of paper that I was holding with their job for the day on it. When our peace comes from God, what can interfere with that? This is not to downplay tragic things in our life, and I understand that things happen that can make our knees buckle. Paul writes in 2^nd Corinthians 4:7-9, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

I think it’s important to remember that we are in God’s hands and the power of the Holy Spirit is going to give us the strength for our everyday battles through circumstances. If we’re honest, we are inclined to complaining about being treated unfair instead of committing everything we do unto the Lord. Then we can say, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1^st Corinthians 15:58). God wants to use the mundane daily work load to show others that we have cut our “Puppet Strings” from the world and it cannot steal our joy. Just maybe someone might ask, “How come you never complain?” This could open up a conversation that has eternal value. Amen!

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, and serves with her as full time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and 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: Leviticus 26-27| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think about this: “Circumstances which we have resented, situations which we have found desperately difficult, have all been the means in the hands of God of driving the nails into the self-life which so easily complains.”

– Alan Redpath

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:22

 

 

 

“All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.” — Hebrews 11:39-40 (NLT)

I have been a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles football team for a long time (except for the time I jumped ship for a few years after Reggie White went to Green Bay.) In that time, my faith in the team that I was rooting for to win a Super Bowl left me disappointed a lot (except for the time I jumped ship for a few years after Reggie White went to Green Bay.) But this past football season, with my faith in the Eagles seasoned a little bit better, I got to see them win their first Super Bowl. I have joked with friends in the past that I believed God loved football and this season football showed that it loved God. But for many seasons the question I would ask myself when concerning the Philadelphia Eagles was…why bother?

How many times have we looked at the Christian life we say we live, see that it isn’t going the way we thought it was advertised, and leave ourselves asking this same question…why bother? Well, maybe its because our view of faith is wrong. In his book, “10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe”, Pastor Larry Osborne writes about how many of us fall into the trap of believing “spiritual urban legends.” Stuff like, “God helps those who help themselves” and movies depicting Jesus as a kinda street hippie like in “Jesus Christ Superstar” aren’t Biblical and don’t help us get a clear understanding in what God’s Word teaches us about faith.

When we look at the infamous 11^th chapter of The Book of Hebrews we read all about the folks that have made it into the “Hall of Faith.” In the New Living Translation, verse one goes like this, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see”, then we’ll hear many sermons that go on to list the people who are actually named for things that were accomplished by God through them. But then around verse 35 most sermons end and we really don’t get the full counsel of God concerning this “Hall of Faith.”

Maybe the reason is that those who don’t even get an honorable mention towards the very end of the chapter did exactly what pleased God and it just ended there. Imagine going home after Sunday service hearing a sermon that only ends with, “and it pleased God” but it left out the reward for doing God’s will. Ponder that while eating the lunch you’ve rushed to get to and see if the question of “Why Bother” doesn’t encircle your thoughts…anyway.

The thing to ask ourselves is are we taking in the full counsel of God when it’s concerning putting our complete faith into Him? Verse 6 of Hebrews plainly states, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Everything here is an action, it’s like the verse is one big verb that we need to do. You gotta believe that He is, you have to diligently seek Him, and you can’t allow yourselves to get tripped up over the rewarder part because if all you do with faith is seek rewards…well you just might get disappointed and get left asking yourself, why bother?

In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul tells to “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine.” This may mean asking yourself if you have as much contentment with being a child of The Most High God when things aren’t going well as when then are riding on point. When we see how Biblical faith works, our journey will take us exactly where God wants us to be, even if it seems as if we’re frustrated with all the recalculating that is going on.

Jesus understood our condition better than any of us do. “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt 17:20)

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: Leviticus 24-25| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Faith is not a skill we master. It’s not an impenetrable shield that protects us from life’s hardships and trials. It’s not a magic potion that removes every mess. It’s a map we follow.” — Larry Osborne

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:22

 

 

 

“For she thought, ‘If I just touch His garments, I will get well.'” Mark 5:28

Most of our lives we find ourselves searching for answers to our problems, and sometimes the answers are worse than the original problems. For instance, we have emotional hurts and pain and believe that we can drink or drug them away. Or instead of dealing with our sexual desires in a healthy way, we watch porn and/or get into unhealthy relationships.

We desire things beyond our budgets, so we get another job and begin to slack on our family responsibilities or infringe upon God’s time. Or maybe even worse, we began to compromise our integrity an indulge in other activities to bring in money in ungodly ways.

The young lady was an outcast because of her condition and she was looking for answers, and like most, she went to the professionals in that particular field for healing. The frustration, the embarrassment, the overwhelming issue seemed to have overtaken every means she had. She was left with no answers and in a worse condition. A-HA! “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.”

Are you like this young lady when we run into issues, do you look everywhere else for answers whether the answers are good or bad? Are you relying on your own thinking or ability for the help you need?

In my addiction alone, I tried AA, NA, AAA, behavior modification, anger management, and everything else to live soberly. And I got worse. Then I had an A-HA moment, Christ!

“Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.” Mark 5:29

The root word Jesus uses for healing in this text is sṓzō (from sōs, “safe, rescued”) – properly, deliver out of danger and into safety; used principally of God rescuing believers from the penalty and power of sin – and into His provisions (safety).

She asked for physical healing, but Jesus gives her so much more. He goes beyond what we think we need, and gives us what we really need.

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: Leviticus 22-23| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think about this: “One great power of sin is that it blinds men so that they do not recognize its true character.”

– Andrew Murray

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:22

 

 

 

 

Good morning brothers on this new week of Freedom Fighter blogs. I am so thankful that you are on this journey with us, and thank you for being a part of our lives.

I am in the process of reading through Psalms and Proverbs using the You Version app. I love Psalms and Proverbs.
One of the things that continues to bless me is reading King David’s writings and gaining wisdom on how to praise God. It’s just really good stuff to meditate on each day.

My friend and Pastor, John Strain, who serves as Chaplain at The Pines of Whiting, recently sent me this poem which expressed his praise to God. I asked permission to share it with you:

Lord of heaven, my Redeemer,

My highest praise to You I raise.

O God of love, Friend of sinners,

To You I raise my highest praise.

You have sought me; You have bought me.

You have saved me; You have cleansed me.

You have loved me; You have helped me.

To You I raise my highest praise.

 

My highest praise to You belongs,

Because Your love has filled my days.

No other one deserves my song;

To You I raise my highest praise!

 

You have sought me; You have bought me.

You have saved me; You have cleansed me. 

You have loved me; You have helped me. 

To You I raise my highest praise.

 

One day I’ll stand on heaven’s shore

Of You I’ll sing for all my days. 

Before Your throne my thanks I’ll pour;

To You I’ll raise my highest praise!

 

You have sought me; You have bought me.

You have saved me; You have cleansed me.

You have loved me; You have helped me.

To You, I raise my highest praise.

 

By John D. Strain

19 January, 2018

Praise be to God!

Amen? I love this and would encourage you to sit down and journal your own words of praise to the Lord. Thanks, Pastor John for sharing this with us.

Overflowing and abounding in Hope,
Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick

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

The Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 19-21| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think about this: Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He’s going to be up all night anyway. —Mary Crowley

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:22