“That Christ may make His home in your hearts through faith…” (Ephesians 3:17a)

Years ago, my wife and I were in an agreement that we would not move in together or move any of our stuff until we got married. We didn’t want to position ourselves as a married couple until we were actually married. After our big day, we merged our stuff and began to make reasonable decisions on living arrangements; we made a home for ourselves.

Our position went from single to married and things were different. Life as we knew it changed.

Alike, Christ is making (or I should say has made), His home in our hearts. Literally, not figuratively, I believe with a strong conviction that he is dwelling in the believer’s heart. He came to rest in our Spirits, the most intimate part of our being. We might be experiencing defeat in particular areas, which is our condition, but it doesn’t change our position.

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17)

By faith, embrace your new position in Christ. And watch how it changes your condition. The second part of the verse, “that you, being rooted and grounded in love.” (Ephesians 3:17b)

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: Exodus 30-32| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “I believe that the Holy Spirit is indispensable for an interpreter’s reaching a correct interpretation of the text. The Spirit must work in the interpreter’s heart so that he or she welcomes the biblical message that one’s egotistic, sinful heart otherwise hates with a vengeance.” – Daniel Fuller

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Psalm 33:17

Men’s Fellowship Night is TONIGHT February 8 at 6:15PM. Call us at 800.453.7942 for tickets!

What matters is the truth and not what you think you’re firmly standing on.

When the Israelite spies showed up in Jericho to survey the city, they ended up at the home of Rahab the harlot. It was this unlikely woman who protected these men from those who would kill them in the city. Why she do it? It was because of what they had heard, and knew to be true about Israel’s God. She testified, “We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 2:10-11) So… if those inside the walls of Jericho knew ‘nothing’ could stand before Israel’s God, why did they willfully reject this truth and stand against Him? Was it not because they trusted the wall they stood on more than the truth that they knew?

It is true that you can live according to a lie for some time. ‘Ideas’ can be maintained until they must contend with reality. Those who stood on the walls of Jericho were quite confident for the first 5 days of Israel marching around the city and leaving. Probably by day 3 they could be found tossing down insults and garbage upon those who were acting in obedience to God’s Word. But on the 7th day things began to change… Israel didn’t go home after the first trip around the city… they continued for a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th… can you imagine the uncertainty that crept into their hearts as Israel turned the corner on the 7th trip and the trumpets blew and the people shouted! And then… all that they had placed their faith and trust in began to crumble under their feet…?

What do you trust in? What are you basing your choices on? If it is not the Truth of God’s Word, which has consistently corresponded with reality, for all time and in all circumstances, what you are ‘standing on’ will come crumbling down around you. If not in this lifetime, then when you stand before God and must account for your choice to willfully and knowingly reject Jesus and His gracious offer of salvation.

The truth is powerful because it is what corresponds with reality. The lies that you believe are like the sand under your feet; unstable in every measure, causing everything built on it to come crumbling down.

Choose wisely….

“Therefore, since we ‘have awesome examples of lives lived by faith and in obedience to God’s Word’, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him (not trusting in anything but the Word of God) He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners (from those trusting in the own wall), so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” — Hebrews 12:1-3

Praying U choose Christ today

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: Exodus 28-29| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Trials should not surprise us, or cause us to doubt God’s faithfulness. Rather, we should actually be glad for them. God sends trials to strengthen our trust in him so that our faith will not fail. Our trials keep us trusting; they burn away our self confidence and drive us to our Savior.” – Edmund Clowney

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, Psalm 33:18

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16

We are kicking off a special time of prayer beginning March 5 through April 13^th. I am going to be encouraging our America’s Keswick Board, staff, and partners in joining me on a 40-Day Prayer Challenge as we prepare for our summer season.

Since making that decision, I have been digging deeper into my prayer life, and in my Bible and devotional reading, the topic of prayer keeps coming up.

I read this powerful story about prayer this week in the Our Daily Bread devotional, Great Is Thy Faithfulness.

While crossing the Atlantic on a ship many years ago, Bible teacher and author F. B. Meyer was asked to speak to the passengers. An agnostic listened to Meyer’s message about answered prayer and told a friend, “I didn’t believe a word of it.”

Later that same day, the agnostic went to hear Meyer speak to another group of passengers. But before he went to the meeting, he put two oranges in his pocket. On his way, he passed an elderly woman who was fast asleep in her deck chair. Her arms were outstretched and her hands wide open, so as a joke he put the two oranges in her palms.

After the meeting, he saw the woman happily eating one of the pieces of fruit. “You seem to be enjoying that orange,” he remarked with a smile. “Yes sir,” she replied. “My Father is very good to me.” “What do you mean?” pressed the agnostic. She explained, “I have been seasick for days. I was asking God somehow to send me an orange. I fell asleep while I was praying. When I awoke, I found He had sent me not only one but two oranges!”

The agnostic was amazed by the unexpected confirmation of Meyer’s talk on answered prayer. Later, he put his trust in Christ!

Yes, God answers prayer!

Do we really believe that God answers prayer? Sometimes He answers immediately. Sometimes He answers with a “no.” Sometimes he answers our prayers with a better “yes” than we could have even imagined.

God delights when His kids pray. Don’t miss out of the blessing of seeing God work in your life. Prayer is worth it. Have you taken time to pray today? If not, now is a great time to start.

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

Think About This: God always gives us what we ask – or something better. — Our Daily Bread

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, Psalm 33:18

Where are the young men and women of this generation who will hold their lives cheap, and be faithful even unto death, who will lose their lives for Christ’s, flinging them away for love of him? Where are those who will live dangerously, and be reckless in this service? Where are the men of prayer? Where are the men who count God’s Word of more importance to them than their daily food? Where are the men who, like Moses of old, commune with God face to face as a man speaks with his friend? Where are God’s men in this day of God’s power? ~Howard Guinness

I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor Me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you…. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. ~ Jesus, King of The Universe, in portions of John 16

Oh beloved, it is true.

Fear, I feel it gnawing at the edge of my heels, but the beautiful part is where it is biting. What kind of joy is this? To actually not care where one lives, or what one does, as long as it is in accordance with His will; this is true freedom.

“What?” you say. “What are you talking about, you fool of a writer?”

Just 13 days ago, my wife and I walked into work. This is quite normal for a Monday, but what was not normal was that we were scheduled to talk to the Head of School at 8:30am – together. And, when we arrived, the Headmaster dropped a bomb on our lives.

She got straight to the point. The regulations surrounding our permit to work in China were now being enforced in a different way than before. And, all bureaucratic gobbledygook aside, my wife was out of a job, and my job will end at the end of the school year.

Surprised is way too small of a word. We had thought that we were to come to work in China until, perhaps, the end of our race. We were both studying the language. And my Chinese was getting better. I had mastered nearly 600 characters, and felt like I was actually starting to ‘get it’ a little bit. Further, we were doing jobs that mattered, and we were helping to advance His Kingdom, in the Middle Kingdom of 中国。

And, basically, what we are beginning to see, is that this beautiful nation is undergoing a tightening of restrictions on sharing His Great Love, and doors are closing for many in this country. So, it is time to honor the wishes of our host government and bid farewell in June, 2018

Stuck, in so many ways, on the other side of the planet – is a very uncomfortable place to be.

Can we see it?

Jesus already told us that weird stuff is going to happen to people who serve Him and, in all of this, we have not even been counted worthy of suffering physically, or giving our lives. When we are doing good, when we are following His will – we will encounter resistance.

But, that’s not all. In the midst of the dark and confusion and pain about decisions on visas and work permits and learning impossible languages, He does speak to us. This makes all the difference. His Word is always full of guidance, and, in the stillness of our inner man, His Spirit also speaks and tells us of the next steps.

So, just as surprisingly as us losing our jobs, is the calling He has for us now. He is leading us to move to Arizona and to bring His message of His Great Love to people there in that dry and dusty land.

So again, are you wondering why something just happened? Are you honestly trying to listen to Him and follow His lead? Good. You are probably in just about the right place. Let the bombs go off. He will protect you. And then… be ready to hear His Voice. He will tell you of things to come.

Tonight is your night. Wait. Listen. Obey.

The soul that loves God has its rest in God and in God alone. In all the paths that men walk in in the world, they do not attain peace until they draw nigh to hope in God.
~St. Isaac the Syrian

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: Exodus 10-12| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God’s providence to lead him alright.” – Blaise Pascal

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, Psalm 33:18

When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.

Psalm 63:6

There are some interesting answers to the questions I often ask men who are struggling in life, “Do you know where you want to go” is one of them. The inquiry usually causes some conflict because most men don’t know the answer. However the pondering of the question can begin the journey. If I can challenge you to consider the path of your life, then the journey becomes defined.

I was always told one of the biggest reasons to work hard and lead a good life was the reward of being able to “put your head on your pillow at night.” For me the path of life is usually pondered in my bed, that special time of lying awake and considering where I am and where I should be going. The time lying awake could be a beneficial time or a time of torment. Most of us have trouble sleeping because of the conflict that we have concerning life. Sleepless nights are usually the symptoms of a troubled soul.

It’s funny how when my wife and I go to bed she will often take that time to get my attention. The posture of lying down and quieting my spirit tends to give way to a deeper thought process. Pillow talk with God is also a time for Him to get my attention. The difference between a good night sleep and a restless night depends on the conversation. In Psalm 63, David is running for his life from Saul because of the great success God gave David in battle. The greeting David received from the women coming out to greet King Saul started a resentment from Saul towards David, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”

There was probably a big contrast between the sleep David was having compared to Saul. We read later on that the troubled spirit that haunted Saul caused him to seek mediums and fortune tellers, at one point there is a strange account of Saul summoning Samuel from the dead (1^st Samuel 28).

Psalm 63 reveals a pattern that David followed that kept him in perfect peace. He was able to consider the goodness of God by seeking Him.

So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,

​​To see Your power and Your glory.

​​​Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,

​​My lips shall praise You.

David’s recognition of God is a key ingredient to a good night’s sleep. The counsel I often give a man who is having trouble sleeping is the read some of David’s other writings; “Read Psalm 51 and 139 and call me in the morning.” These meditations lead us to focus on God and the necessary steps to peace with God. Confession, repentance and the acknowledgement of who God is brings us to a place of rest for our souls.

So, if you’re having trouble sleeping, “meditate on Psalms 51 and 139 and call me in the morning.” 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: Exodus 4-6| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “An unschooled man who knows how to meditate upon the Lord has learned far more than the man with the highest education who does not know how to meditate.” – Charles Stanley

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, Psalm 33:18