Do You Hear What I Hear?

01/12/201801/08/2018Leave a comment

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

Psalm 107:2

I was recently involved in a massive snow removal task at Keswick which became overwhelming as time went on. Many hours of digging out of an insurmountable blowing snow fall seemed like an uphill battle. On day two we seemed to be getting ahead of the endeavor, and I saw a coworker cleaning off his car so I stopped to give him a hand. We decided it would be a good idea to clean off other staff member’s cars who may find it challenging as well. I glanced over at my buddy and saw a shaking of the head and maybe even a tear in his eye. He shared with me the joy he had to “get to” serve others. You see, he remembers a time when he was cleaning the minimum snow off his car to be able to go buy drugs because of how dope sick he was. He said he remembers throwing up as he only had one mission in mind, get high. He then dropped his shovel, hands in the air, and looked up and praised God for his freedom. #GRATEFUL

Our walk through the sanctification process after receiving Christ can be dictated by a view of our circumstances. The different attitudes between optimism and pessimism that we exhibit usually have an impact on our growth. Psalm 107 has become an addict’s creed to a lot of us as we can see a pattern that is very familiar to our past lives. The ups and downs of an unstable walk that can be reversed by simply being grateful.

It’s more than beating an addiction, its being in a place where everything you hear and see is viewed through the eyes of “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” It’s a matter of seeing and hearing opportunity to live out a God ordained precept or to share the hope of salvation with someone who doesn’t know Jesus. To be able to clean snow off of another person’s car, because you can. The Psalmist goes on to record,

Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,

Bound in affliction and irons—

Because they rebelled against the words of God,

And despised the counsel of the Most High,

Therefore He brought down their heart with labor;

They fell down, and there was none to help.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,

And He saved them out of their distresses.

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,

And broke their chains in pieces.

Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,

And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

For He has broken the gates of bronze,

And cut the bars of iron in two.

So, I’m wondering, “Do you hear what I hear”?

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: Job 32-34| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Sanctification makes us holy and destroys the breed of sin, the love of sin and carnality. It makes us pure and whiter than snow. Bless His holy name!” – William J. Seymour

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. — Psalm 16:9

True Adulthood Is Having The Heart of A Child

01/11/201801/04/2018Leave a comment

The Lord greatly loves the repenting sinner and mercifully presses him to His bosom: “Where were you, My child? I was waiting a long time for you.” The Lord calls all to Himself with the voice of the Gospel, and His voice is heard in all the world: “Come to Me, My sheep. I created you, and I love you. My love for you brought Me to earth, and I suffered all things for the sake of your salvation, and I want you all to know My love, and to say, like the apostles on Tabor: “Lord, it is good for us to be with You.”
~St. Silouan the Athonite

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
~ Jesus, King of The Universe, in Matthew 18

Oh beloved, it is true.

We all want to grow up. But, the problem is that the world only tells us how to get bigger, and more sophisticated. And in going this route, we actually miss adulthood. For getting larger does not mean getting better.

Oh, the world will continue to pound us with the lie-laden messages bound up in its cosmotic, toxic roux. And most of us will listen.

> We will trade away our strength for thrills.

> We will give away our peace and exist soaked in anxiety.

> We will give away true wealth in our pursuit of fiat currency.

> We will abandon our dignity for some artificial position.

> We will lose our heart in the pursuit of some tiny little hill that seems worth the climb.

And then, death will come after a few short years. We may only have a little pile of that fiat security. But, in all of it, we will find that the promise was nothing but wind and vanity, and vainglory never found.

Can we see it?

The adulthood we seek is never found in the world, because true maturity has nothing to do with what the world has to offer. True maturity is bound up in the strange, but totally true economics of the Kingdom.

In the Kingdom,

> We forgo earthly thrills to find the eternal joy and strength of His Presence.

> We cast our anxiety and cares upon Him, and He Himself becomes our Peace.

> We spread our cash to those in need, and store up eternal wealth in The Kingdom.

> We humble ourselves in every situation, and find honor and strength and exultation in Him.

> We abandon the world, and find a path towards the very mountain of G_d.

Hopefully, beloved, we can see the difference. Because actually, the first list is the immature of this world trying to act like what they think a grownup is. But, the second list actually describes a true adult. A truly human being, grown large in Love – instead of in stuff.

So, are you trying to grow beyond your immaturity? Many of us in the Colony really never grew up. We were always chasing the wind in our foolishness. Maybe tonight is your night: Time to abandon the pursuit of nothing. And time to allow Him to replace that pursuit with the very heart of a child that you might mature into who you were ever called to be.

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: Job 29-31| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote:

Unction comes to the preacher not in the study but in the closet. It is heaven’s distillation in answer to prayer. It is the sweetest exhalation of the Holy Spirit. It impregnates, suffuses, softens, percolates, cuts, and soothes. It carries the Word like dynamite, like salt, like sugar; makes the Word a soother, an arranger, a revealer, a searcher; makes the hearer a culprit or a saint, makes him weep like a child and live like a giant; opens his heart…as gently, yet as strongly as the spring opens the leaves.
~EM Bounds

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. — Psalm 16:9

Dix Ans Après (Ten Years Gone)

01/10/201801/10/2018Leave a comment

Reminder – Men’s Fellowship Night is coming up on Thursday, January 11 at 6:15PM! Hope to see you there – visit our website www.americaskeswick.org for more information.

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” — 2 Timothy 2:1-3 (NKJV)

Those of us who join the march to defend the faith tend to get pretty battle scarred, and I have been no exception. For a decade I’ve been blessed to be able share my thoughts, opinions, and life story with all of you as a member of the Freedom Fighter writing team. Sometimes I’ve hit the mark with you and sometimes…I’ve not. During my time at the Colony of Mercy, it would be fellow writer Rob Russomano who would ask me that, “This new creation stuff doesn’t really come with an easy instruction book does it?” I still have the picture of that moment hanging on the wall as part of a collage of my time at Keswick. None the matter, the bottom line for me will always be “Iron Sharpens Iron!!” C’est la guerre…

But has all this writing really helped me effectively grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ? Well, when I go back through what has been written I see times of conflict, church changes, relationships that were a strain and two job changes. I got enough written for a book full of stuff, and perhaps if my last name was Tozer, Spurgeon, or Wesley I could get some printing done, but these days there are self-publishing opportunities that require a couple thousand dollars up front (maybe when I retire from the work force). I did, however, stumble upon the first Freedom Fighter I wrote. It was titled “Defender of the Faith” and I see that my subject was having true zeal. Here’s an excerpt…

“In 98 A.D. people were shouting “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” in Ephesus. The people were celebrating the feast of Catagogion. It was major money-making feast. And even though Timothy tried to avoid the merriment, he wound up right in front of its procession. He made a stand and was called a blasphemer. He was beaten and died of wounds a few days later. That is true defense of faith. That is true zeal. In front of the crowd, Timothy was quoted as saying, “Do as you please! And what if pleases you is a trap? What if it is a bond that will take your life from you before you have even lived and chain you to regret and dissatisfaction? Jesus came that you might have life and life abundantly! Why accept the chains of sin when you can live free in His Spirit!”

I still agree with Timothy to this day and just might have been standing at his side if given the chance. I used the same verse that day that I am using today, and I think it can sum things up for the last ten years gone by. I have been able to endure hardships because I know all I gotta do is look at The Cross of Christ and see my freedom in all things. No matter what man tried to do to me to discourage my faith in Jesus, it was all turned into me finding strength in Jesus. And as a side note, I always admired those men God put in my life that displayed meekness. Men who told me truth no matter how much hurt was gonna happen.

And even if Psalm 27 is my wife’s “go to” Psalm, I find myself nodding in agreement to what has been written, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; Though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident. One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:1-5)

The one thing that comes out in the ten years of writing is the victory that was found in Jesus Christ in all those circumstances. This is what must have been running through Paul’s head when he charged Timothy. It wasn’t gonna be of anything Timothy could be clever in thought or deed, it was gonna be all of Jesus or it wasn’t gonna work out at all. So, it has been a decade, have I grown? I think I’ll just be content in knowing that the question doesn’t get answered until I hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your LORD.” Until then I think I gotta stuff to write about…and God keeps filling the ink well so stayed tuned. Amen?

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: Job 24-28| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Jesus calls us to His rest, and meekness is His method. The meek man cares not at all who is greater than he, for he has long ago decided that the esteem of the world is not worth the effort.” — A.W. Tozer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. — Psalm 16:9

Decorations New

01/09/201801/08/2018Leave a comment

The holiday’s are now behind us, the pressure is off, and we can finally get back to normal life. No more agonizing over who will get presents and who won’t, which parties you’ll attend or skip, or if you should tell your house guest to stop leaving the hallway light on. Sure, it was stressful and it would be natural to just ‘do you’ and hit the ground running into 2018, but before you get too far, it would be wise to seize the opportunities God has given us while there’s still a remnant of Christmas cheer in the air. With the untold promises of 2018, people are especially in tune with all that’s broken in their lives. Just days ago, millions gathered to sing praises to the Lord (Psa 22:3), Christ was being exalted on secular radio stations, and unbelievers were busy giving glory to God by taking their eyes off themselves and focusing on others. With this new year, many of us declared, “enough is enough” and made bold resolutions to make the much needed changes in our lives. This nationwide call to introspection flooding our country can be a great opportunity to grow in Christ. While the rest of the world is reflecting, Christians should be preparing to busy themselves with the Lord’s work. The early days of a new year are unique, people’s defenses are down, their usual pride is weakened, and the usual defense mechanisms are low. They think they need a new diet, relationship, or updated wardrobe, but we are keenly aware of their need for Christ. In other words, ‘tis the season to share the Gospel.

I brought in the holidays with my future in-laws (who I hardly know.) They are sweet people and made me feel very welcomed. After a day or two (and lots of new names and faces) I realized that something unique was happening. Bitten by the new beginning bug, the topic of all of our conversations steered towards life and faith. As I perceived this recurring pattern, I recognized this as a prompting from God. I had planned my trip as a leisurely vacation, but God had other plans (Prov 16:19). As these divine opportunities manifested, I was focused, encouraged and compelled not to miss them. Time and time again I would be asked during organic conversation, “So Troy, what do you do?” I responded by sharing about the urban ministry I am a part of at New Hope Philly in Southwest Philadelphia, which led to more questions, and eventually, the opportunities to share Christ.

On Christmas Eve, I was involved in yet another discussion on faith. Uncle Jay, a Buddhist who was contemplating his own faith and resolutions, opened the dialogue by saying (in a deep Sri Lankan accent,) “I respect Jesus for the man and teacher he was, but…” He would go on to share his convictions on the power of self-will and indicted Christian liberty for being restrictive and stuffy. He thought I was weak for subjecting my life to Christ and His commandments. From six in the evening until midnight, the family discussed their respective worldviews. We spoke in depth specifically on Christ’s deity and whether He was justified to make such audacious demands on His followers. We amicably parted ways, and he thanked me for such “riveting dialogue.” The next day I slept through most of the morning and still woke up exhausted. Virtue had left me (Luke 8:46) and on the day I was supposed to be celebrating the birth of Jesus, I found myself dry and weary. As I reflected on the night before, I was discouraged. I was saddened that none of the nonbelievers who heard the Gospel gave their lives to Jesus. I felt rejected and insecure, and on more than one occasion, I was laughed at for my faith. I was certain God intended this trip for the works of His kingdom but didn’t understand why I was so ineffective. I turned to coffee and my Bible.

That afternoon I poured through the Scripture and soon sensed God’s Spirit ministering to me. My loving Father helped me see the situation from His perspective. I realized I wasn’t delighting in God’s sovereignty over my interactions. In the Apostle Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians he writes, “For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you because our gospel came to you not only in word but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” (1 Thes 1:4-5a). God reminded me that if my encounters didn’t produce evidence of power, the Holy Spirit, and full conviction, it did not mean I did something wrong. At that moment the pressure was lifted, and my peace was restored.

My burden and concern for people’s relationships with God alone testified to His power at work within me. Christian witnessing and discipleship are never meant to produce discouragement or condemnation. We are not required to do God’s work in our strength nor are we responsible for the outcome of our efforts. We are only ever directed to step outside of ourselves and lay down the results of our encounters with Jesus. He has been faithful to everything ever committed to His care and will continuously lead us back to recognizing this as long as we acknowledge His worthiness to handle all entrusted to His capable hands.

More so than any other time of the year, people around us are open to looking within themselves; you possess the answers to their questions. This will require you to get outside of yourself and remember how Jesus hung naked disregarding the shame of the cross (Heb 12:2) so you could embrace a life you could have never earned or deserved. For the record, this is never easy, and it is a common temptation to withdraw, deflect, or altogether avoid the opportunities God has for us in these types of settings. Don’t do it! No matter how strained, or tired, or sick or wicked, resolve in yourself to walk through every door your Heavenly Father wills to open. Witness to the uncle Jays in your life. Don’t shy away from telling a Christian what the word of God says about their lives. In 2018, let’s encourage others to walk in the manner worthy of their calling (Eph 1:4). Most of all, remember that some plant and some water, but only God can bring the increase (1 Cor 3:6-7). God is able, and a difficult situation may need just one more sprinkle before a miracle can manifest.

Written by Troy Fink: Troy is a colony graduate and serves on staff at New Hope Philly www.newhopephilly.com. His email is troy@newhopephilly.com. His son Troy Jr. is his best bud and together they love to eat sushi and train martial arts.

The Daily Bible Reading: Job 21-29| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “God forbid that I should travel with anybody a quarter of an hour without speaking of Christ to them.” – George Whitefield

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. — Psalm 16:9

Be Careful What You Pray …

01/08/201801/03/2018Leave a comment

Reminder – Men’s Fellowship Night is coming up on Thursday, January 11 at 6:15PM! Hope to see you there – visit our website www.americaskeswick.org for more information.

“I was crying to the Lord with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.” Psalm 3:4-5

Good morning on this January Monday. Recently I read a post on a friend’s Facebook wall that had this powerful prayer. At first, I thought he had written it himself, and thought to myself, wow – that’s a bold prayer to put on Facebook.

It was very convicting and a prayer that I thought I want to pray. When I got to end it, it is a prayer written by one of my leadership mentors, Craig Groeschel.

Here’s the prayer:

God, I’m so sorry. I’ve been living my life for myself. I made everything about me. I’ve been trying to be the hero of my own story. I’ve been squandering the gifts you gave me. Even when I have used your gifts, I’ve tried to use them for selfish gain. That was my choice and my fault. I accept the responsibility for all that I’ve done. And I repent, God.

Please forgive me. You promised in your Word that if I confess my sins, you’ll be faithful and just, you’ll forgive me of my sins, and you’ll cleanse me from my unrighteousness.

Remember me, God. Show me all of the pillars in my life, the things that have been keeping me from being your man. Then please give me the strength to push them down. My life isn’t about me anymore. I surrender my heart to you, Lord. I want to be your man, telling your story.

Your Word says that you adopted me as your son. Thank you that I am not what I have done but that I am who you say I am. Please make my outward life show other people that I’m your man.

Father, teach me how to live my life in a way that pleases you, that brings you the glory that only you deserve. Show me how to be the man you created me to be. I am your man. Show this world what you will do through me. Here I am, Lord. Send me. Use my life as you see fit. Show me what battles to fight. I am your man.

Thank you so much for all the ways you’re going to use me to accomplish your purposes in this world. Thank you for making me a warrior. In Jesus’ name, Amen. – Craig Groeschel

When we are daring enough, courageous enough, bold enough to pray a prayer like that – be prepared for God to hear it and answer it.

I don’t know about you, but I am going to start praying this prayer on a regular basis. Will you join me?

Will you email me if you plan to pray this prayer too? (bwelte@americaskeswick.org)

Overflowing with 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: Job 17-20| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

A Nugget of Hope: Pray both defensively and offensively. Stand on the Word of God when under attack, but also ask God specifically for good things to happen in your life and in the lives of those you are praying for. From Living the Battle Plan

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. — Psalm 16:9

Protecting the Mind at all Costs

01/05/201801/03/2018Leave a comment

Reminder – Men’s Fellowship Night is coming up on Thursday, January 11 at 6:15PM! Hope to see you there – visit our website www.americaskeswick.org for more information.

‘Our minds are the battleground of spiritual warfare’

What we think determines what we believe; what we believe determines how we live. It is in our minds that we think, reason, discern, and live out the rational aspect of our faith in God. Our minds, soul, and spirit are so closely connected as to be virtually indistinguishable. Therefore, the mind plays a foundational role in every aspect of our existence, especially in our relationship with God. It is for this reason God has provided you with the Helmet of Salvation.

When Jesus says we are to, ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind’ (Matt 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27), He is referring to the choices we make from the core of our being (heart, soul, mind), and the intent underlying the choices; i.e. ‘If you love me you will keep my commands’ (John 14:15-31). It is for this reason God has provided key armor pieces to protect these areas, i.e. Breastplate, Shield, and Helmet. Each of which is forged in the caldron of Christ’s sacrificial work of redemption.

Consider the events of our day… we attack statues representing events of our past and in tearing them down, we claim a self righteousness as if we have become better people; when in reality all we have done is displaced blame on a inanimate object that had no ability to choose right from wrong. In doing so, we have failed to recognize that the real problem is in our own hearts and that we have failed to protect it with truth, righteousness, and discernment anchored in reality. The Bible tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who really knows (discerns) how evil it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9) It is for this reason Paul pleads with us, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think (at your core). Then you will learn to know (discern) God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

(Romans 12:2); and that ‘our old self, with its cravings for lust, greed and, selfishness, must be crucified with Christ. In so doing, It is no longer I (the old self) who lives (controlling how I think), but Christ lives in me (renewing my mind and producing the capacity to discern correctly). So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) Once we have put off our old self and renewed our ‘minds’, orienting it to be filled with God’s Word and in sync with His Spirit, we must put on the Breastplate of Christ’s righteousness, and take up the Shield of Faith and the Helmet of His Salvation to protect our heart, soul, and mind from being corrupted by this world and the evil forces again.

Many have fallen because they did not do this… leaving themselves to be target practice for the evil one. I pray you not be one of them.

Choose wisely….

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.”

(Ephesians 6:13)

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: Job 6-9| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “If you are not thinking right, if your mind is not being renewed, if you are not God and His Word properly, it will show up in your emotional life.” – Neil T. Anderson

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13

What Do You See Now?

01/04/201801/03/2018Leave a comment

Reminder – Men’s Fellowship Night is coming up on Thursday, January 11 at 6:15PM! Hope to see you there – visit our website www.americaskeswick.org for more information.

“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.” — Zechariah 4:6b

“For such a time as this” is a quote made famous by Mordecai speaking to Esther when she was at a crossroad. A crossroad is a place where we come to in our spiritual journey many times in our life. As a New Year dawns upon us, we tend to reflect on our journey more so then usual. “What Do You See” as you look back at some of the crossroads of your life? I believe God is able to pick up where we left off and continue to use us in a powerful way. In the account of Zechariah we see God showing His people that He wants to use them to rebuild the Temple.

Sometimes our sight is blurred due to the way we see ourselves because we tend to judge things according to our own ability. In verse 6 of chapter 4, God’s message takes all the weight off of Zerubbabel by saying

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the LORD of hosts.”

This is basically God speaking into our own lives and reminding us it’s not by our clever designs and new found schemes, nor by our own strength that God’s will gets accomplished, but by His Spirit. I see this as putting the cart before the horse mentality, we are to use our abilities but only under the direction of God’s Holy Spirit.

It seems to me there are a lot of programs and things that are designed to further God’s Kingdom, but I think it’s important to ask ourselves, “What Do You See?” Our vision should always be directed out of God’s Word and it should always line up with His precepts and according to His character.

So, there lies our resolution, to keep ourselves in proper alignment with the Spirit of God. I have to be careful at what I see, and ask God for true meaning and for His will to be done. Ephesians 5:15-21 says it best,

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.”

Happy New Year!

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, and both serve 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: Job 1-5| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.” – Jonathan Edwards

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13

MAGNIFICAT

01/03/201801/02/2018Leave a comment

“And Mary said: ‘My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.’” — Luke 1:46-48 (NASB)

Imagine the scene. The archangel Gabriel shows up in Nazareth, a place where nothing good could come from, and he approaches a young woman and tells her, “You have found favor with God.” That in itself would startle anyone, but this isn’t going to be your normal run in with an angel. Gabriel goes on, “Listen, you are going to become pregnant. You will have a son, and you must name Him “Yeshua” (Savior, Jesus). Yeshua will become the greatest among men. He will be known as the Son of the Highest God (El Elyon).” God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David, and He will reign over the covenant family of Jacob forever.” The world will never be the same after this moment. Because God doesn’t just send angels for fun…it’s to deliver a promise.

When we look at the Christmas season, it is usually to reflect on the promise of a Savior born unto us, Emmanuel, and there is no taking that away, but there were promises that a young woman saw that I think gets overlooked at this time. We all read the account in Luke 1 as the “Song of Mary” but I think we speed through it to get to good stuff about Jesus. That ain’t bad either so don’t go gathering stones, just put the brakes on and take a gander at Luke 1:46-55. In the Catholic tradition this song is known as “The Magnificat” and to quote MTS Professor Robert Tannehill…

“The Magnificat is both conservative and revolutionary, both personal and social in perspective. It is conservative because it affirms the fulfillment of ancient promises to Israel, but revolutionary because it proclaims the overturn of society. It is personal because it initially focuses on Mary, but it suggests that God’s choice of her—a person of low status—represents in miniature what God is doing for the poor and powerless in general.”

Anyway… the really cool thing about this song is that it is expressed by someone who has hidden God’s Word in their heart. It reflects of David from Psalm 34:2 “My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear it and rejoice.” Luke 1:50 reflects what we read in Psalm 103:17, “But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children.” And in verse 53 of Luke 1 we see a glimpse of Psalm 107:9, “For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.”

However, the real take away here is the parallel of something that might be a stretch but is worth noting. In 1 Samuel we read about a woman named Hannah. She is married and has not bore her husband, Elkanah, any children. Now you can check the story out for yourself (1 Samuel 1:1-3:21), there you’ll find stuff about worthless priests in The Temple (kinda like the Sadducees) and how a young man was dedicated to God by way of the Nazirite vow (Numbers 6 and can you say John the Baptist?) But what I wanna zoom in on is Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2. She also expresses her joy to an Almighty God after she has conceived and given birth to Samuel… “Because I have asked of the LORD” (1 Samuel 1:20c).

When you look at Hannah’s prayer and put it side by side with Mary’s song, I believe you’ll see two women, blessed by God, giving Him the praise due Him, both with sons who are dedicated, by their mothers, to do the will of the Father. Their prayer’s may not have been word for word but the heart for God is sure there and let’s face it, Samuel never did stray from doing the will of the One he was dedicated to and neither did Jesus.

Jesus told the crowds, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). This means that everything that was written in Scripture, before He came to be Emmanuel, God with us, was coming to fruition with His arrival. Jesus also said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” I believe that His mother had those ears to hear in the same way that Hannah had and when God fulfilled His promises to them, their hearts were filled with an unspeakable joy that only their souls could express. Though Christmas has passed, may our souls be filled with that same unspeakable joy as we reflect on God’s promises to us, wrapped in swaddling clothes, ready to go to the Cross and bring us back to Him. Amen?

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: Genesis 8-11| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “How does a soul magnify God? A mouth magnifies God by saying, “God is magnificent,” by speaking His praises. But no one hears a soul. No one but you and God.” — John Piper

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13

Engaging our Faith in Our Relationships

01/02/201812/28/2017Leave a comment

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,” Philippians 2:3 NIV

News and social media have covered many life changing events over the last few months. During these latest events, I notice that individuals naturally get entangled and began to formulate various opinions. Commonly, believers and non-believers get themselves interwoven in many affairs that don’t help the situation but add to the already wreckage.

Out of our infinite resources in Christ; are we resting in the peace of God?

Having healthy relationships or dealing with conflicts with others ought to be a direct reflection the reasonableness of God. “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). This decree extends even when we a have huge disagreements. When we engage with others, do we consider thought, issues, concerns, heart, walk with Christ, above ourselves?

Compromise in the Christian circles gets a bad rap, but it can be essential to making peace with one another. Here are some synonyms to consider as we deal with each other – are we agreeable, understanding, resolved, middle grounded, balanced, participating give and take, conceding, and cooperative?

As we operate in wisdom, take initiative to be more intenative to others and speak the truth in love, with humility.

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: Genesis 4-7| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “It now seemed that the deepest thirst within him was not adapted to the deepest nature of the world.” —C.S. Lewis

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13

Unleashing Hope As You Learn to Ponder

01/01/201812/27/2017Leave a comment

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. — Luke 2:19

Happy New Year. Like last week, I am not sure if you will read this today. But if you do, today begins 2018.

Christmas was a week ago, and for many of us, we are done with Christmas. We’ve stopped listening to the music, and for some, you are done with the decorations – sometimes my kids have taken their trees down before New Year’s even gets here.

We tend to compartmentalize the Christmas story like we do life. It’s done, and we go on with life with business as usual. But for Mary and Joseph, it was all just beginning. In the midst of the narrative, Luke 2:19 is an interesting pause in the story.

Mary has had nine months to process the miracle of having the baby Jesus in her womb. The birth has occurred, and now life goes on. Had she even begun to process all that would occur in the life of Christ-child?

Sometimes we do the same. Life spirals out of control, and we need to stop and ponder so that we don’t miss all that God is doing in our lives and the lives of everyone around us.

Dr. Ray Pritchard says that the word “pondered” goes deeper than “wondering.” It means to take the events as you have laid them out in your memory and then to go beneath the surface to try to understand what it all means and why it happened the way it did.

In his book, Simple Christmas, Ray gives a simple exercise that may help you do some serious pondering:

Set aside at least an hour of uninterrupted time.
Find a quiet place. Don’t forget to put your cellphone on silent mode.
Begin with a prayer asking God to show you the things he wants you to learn.
Focus on the Lord. What have you learned about God’s character in the last year?
What lessons seem to come up again and again? What have you learned about yourself (positively and negatively) this year?
Ask the Lord for insight as to where he might be leading you in the year to come.
Use all of this as the basis for some personal prayer requests for the next twelve months.

If you do this exercise with an open heart, God will give you insight about the past and hope for the future.

So how about it? Will you take maybe one day each week to ponder? I would love to hear what God is teaching you.

Have you downloaded the 2018 Bible Reading Plan from our website? You can download from this link: 2018 Bible Reading Plan.

Unleashing hope,

Bill Welte
President/CEO America’s Keswick

The Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 1-3| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do – if with His love He ordaineth.” From hymn, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13

Freedom Fighters

A Daily Email Encouragement for Men!

Category: Uncategorized

Do You Hear What I Hear?

True Adulthood Is Having The Heart of A Child

Dix Ans Après (Ten Years Gone)

Decorations New

Be Careful What You Pray …

Protecting the Mind at all Costs

What Do You See Now?

MAGNIFICAT

Engaging our Faith in Our Relationships

Unleashing Hope As You Learn to Ponder