Hey brothers – join us this Thursday night for our January Men’s Fellowship Night. Pastor Andrew Brown, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River will be sharing God’s Word. Dinner begins at 6:15 AM and the program will follow. Call 800-453-7942. Check out our website for details: http://americaskeswick.org/christian-events/monthly-events/mens-fellowship-night

Resting Into Victory

Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
~ Jesus, King of The Universe, in Matthew 11

Oh beloved, it is true. There is for us a battle to be won. We, to a man, must stop fighting to be saved. For the saving is something that is already done. Jesus fought for us. And He did it quite well. Perfectly actually. He said:It is finished!

Still, we go on Fighting
Pushing
Trying
Struggling
Wishing
and Moving like we are trying to get G_d to accept us.

Beloved, we don’t deserve Him, He deserves us. The Father, with the Great Love with which He Loved us, sent His Son (who was eager to come). And this same Jesus poured out His blood to buy us from the market of sin and self. And then, They both sent Their very Spirit to live, both in us and through us, as we yield to His work in our lives.

Yielding
Staying
Abiding
Resting
Knowing
Waiting

These are the action-words of believers who have become the most powerful in their walks with Him. For a believer who has quit trying, and begun trusting, has found that they never really ever had any rhythm to dance the dance anyway. But when we let Him lead something happens. And the happening is amazing.

Somehow, in truly letting G_d lead, things start to get done. Bills get paid, people get Loved, and the good we do begins to yield fruit. But the most wonderful part of all of this is that G_d starts to look good to others. Those watching us (and there are many), really want to know if letting go is worth it. And when they see the effectiveness of an abiding believer – and the peace from which we operate – they are attracted to the One doing the work through us.

Can we see it? In learning to truly rest in Christ, we suddenly find that He was not kidding when He said that we would do things even greater than what He did, while He was here on this earth. We see that it is indeed better that He went to be with the Father, that His Spirit might dwell within us. He is always right. It just takes us a while to figure it out most of the time.

So, are you struggling to get your faith right? Are you wearing yourself out trying to serve Him? Perhaps it is time to stop. Tonight is your night beloved. Time to give Him your burden. Just put it down. You will be amazed at what He begins to do with you in a state of rest. Makala Doulos is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves in Jakarta, Indonesia. You can write to him at Makala@ps.1611.org

Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 31-32; Romans 11:1-18

Think About This: As a choir of singers encircling the leader may for a time have their attention drawn from him and so sing out of tune, yet when they turn to him they sing in perfect harmony; so do we encircle God. But near as he is to us, we often do not look toward him. When we do turn to him, our utmost wish is crowned, our souls have rest, our song is no longer a discord but a hymn divine. ~Plotinus (205-270)

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Hey brothers – join us this Thursday night for our January Men’s Fellowship Night. Pastor Andrew Brown, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River will be sharing God’s Word. Dinner begins at 6:15 AM and the program will follow. Call 800-453-7942. Check out our website for details: http://americaskeswick.org/christian-events/monthly-events/mens-fellowship-night

Bezalel and Aholiab Who?

Bezalel and Aholiab and every wise-hearted man in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding to know how to do all the work for the service of the sanctuary shall work according to all that the Lord has commanded. (Exodus 36: 1 Amplified Bible)

The past several days I have been in the book of Exodus and reading about the construction of the tabernacle and all the furnishings. Often we tend to gloss over this as it is a very detailed (especially if you are like most men as we hate reading instructions!) instruction manual on how God wanted the tabernacle and all the accessories built.

There’s not a lot in Scripture about the guy Bezalel (what a name!), but he played a very pivotal role in doing the major part of the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings.

Of this man, we read in Exodus 35 (Amplified Bible) that God filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and wisdom, with intelligence and understanding, and with a knowledge of all craftsmanship (v. 31). It also said that God has put in Bezalel’s heart that he may teach, both he and Aholiab … (v. 26). God filled them with wisdom of heart and the ability to do all the manner of craftsmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, of the embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do or design any skilled work (v. 34-35).

Read through the remaining chapters of Exodus and you will see the phrase “He made” 46 times (Amplified Bible ). Bottom line, he did it all just the way God commanded Moses.

What has God called YOU to do? Does the job require that you follow His commands and instructions? Is it a job that seems “over your head?” One that seems to be above your pay-scale? Well, God will never call you to do something for Him unless He will be faithful to equip you to do the job.

Paul wrote to the body at Thessalonica: Faithful is He who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you] (1 Thessalonians 4: 24 Amplified Bible). If He has placed a call on your life – be obedient. Trust Him. And be amazed at what He will do in and through you! Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Keswick, America’s  (2012-12-13). Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2 (Kindle Locations 1538-1545). Kindle Edition.

Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 29-30; Romans 9:1-15

Think About This: There are times it seems its only ourselves and God, when we fight through the fog of circumstances we see the troops of heaven on the horizon overcoming darkness. John Fraser

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Have you downloaded our 2015 Bible Reading Plan? Join us this year as we focus of the theme: Live Courageously

Try Unity

“And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NASB)

Much has been misunderstood about the person of The Holy Spirit. We seem to have this inclination that we can call The Holy Spirit an “It” and not a Person of The Trinity, that Trinity being Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In Ecclesiastes 4:12 we read; “And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” I’ve always liked this verse to apply to husband, wife and God but I don’t think Solomon was the narrow in his vision when he penned it. So if we could look at this verse in two parts it is possible to see what our role in that Trinity looks like.

”And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him.” We can put anyone we want in the role of the one who can overpower him. They could be someone who wants to attack him as a thief or someone who would physically assault him or maybe this could be someone whose method of attack is a verbal assault, in any case if we take a worldview on this the idea is that a one on one attack can lead to damage to him who is alone. Two can resist him suggests that a team against an attack would fend off an attacker better than him who is alone.  So…

As Christians we need to understand that when Satan attacks a single believer with temptations of go back into old ways, he chooses to do it when we are alone; just like when he tempted Eve in the garden, and Christ in the wilderness. But if we are in fellowship with other Christians and they know of your struggle they are capable of helping their tempted friend, by way of their advice and counsel and by striving together in their prayers to God (The Father through the saving Grace of Jesus Christ The Son) for him: because when saints stand fast in one spirit, and strive together for the faith of the Gospel, they stand their ground, withstand the enemy, and maintain truth. Amen? (Give it up for John Gill on this one!!)

“A cord three of strands is not quickly torn apart.” Just as two are better than one, so three or more united together is better still; they are able to make headway against an enemy as to be able to conquer him. If a family, a community, or a city, are divided against themselves, they cannot stand; but, if united, in all probability nothing can hurt them. This lesson is seen in a fable of the bundle of sticks the old man gave to his sons to break; which, while fastened together, could not be done; but, when the bond is compromised, and the sticks taken out singly, were easily snapped in two; teaching them that unity among themselves is their greatest security against their common enemy. The same instruction is given by this threefold cord; while it remains twisted together, it is not easily broke, but if the threads are untwisted and unloosed this cord loses its unity and becomes use in the hands of those who use it.

So are people in Christian fellowship, be they many or be they few, while they keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, they can be as terrible as an army storming the gates of hell, so stood fast in their unity of faith that those gates cannot prevail against them. And if this is true of the united love and affections of these Christian soldiers, it must be much more so of the love of Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit; that Divine threefold cord. The Father and Son are united in such mutual unconditional love for one another that having the common thread of an agreeing Holy Spirit to tie this Divine Trinity together makes this a wholeness that our adversary cannot ever break. May we all strive to do likewise, allowing the person of The Holy Spirit to be our common thread in our waking ups and our going to sleeps. Amen? Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and blogs weekly on Freedom Fighter. You can write to Chris at cphughes515@verizon.net

Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 23-24; Romans 8:22-39

Think About This: “The Holy Spirit breathes God’s own desire into me and enables me to intercede for those without Christ.”—Andrew Murray

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. Joshua 1:7

Have you downloaded our 2015 Bible Reading Plan? Join us this year as we focus of the theme: Live Courageously

The Realm of the Unknown

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

Well, I’ve entered the world of the “smart phone” and I must admit it is amazing. I have also made some biblical application to this whole ordeal, which, by the way is a neat way of God letting me know He’s with me. I enjoy the realm of the unknown that exist in the believer, that still small voice that connects the worldly things to heavenly meanings. How buying a cellphone, I can be reminded of my relationship with Jesus.

Bear with me as I attempt to make application. First was getting past the intimidation and fear of the “unknown”. As we go into a new year and can have many concerns of what’s ahead, it can be overwhelming. But as I ponder the character of God and read the accounts in the book of Isaiah, I know that we serve a God who, although is not visible, has my best interest in mind. If the things of this world fail in comparison to the things of God, than I must say, if I’m impressed by the technology of the smart phone and God’s way are higher than ours, then I should not be moved.

The second comparison took place a few days later when I noticed that my battery was not making it through the day. I took it back to the store and the tech, with no hesitation was able to show me all the unnecessary applications and programs that I didn’t need that was draining my source of energy.

I was sitting there listening to him as his voice became muted and the Spirit of God reminded me of some things going on in my life right now that are draining me. How, unbeknownst to me I was carrying around useless stuff that was weighing me down. The tech, with a couple of minor adjustments was able to “free up” space and conserve my phones ability to last through the day.

When I applied the teachings of the Bible to myself I found comfort in reading later on in Isaiah 55, the promise to Israel and I believe to us,

“For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace, The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”

That to me is the “Realm of the Unknown”. Like my new smart phone, I don’t know how it works, but it works. Same goes for our God,

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

So if you’re feeling “disconnected”, look around, God wants to use your everyday circumstances as a teachable moment to bring you close to Him. Rob Russomano is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves full-time at America’s Keswick. You can write to Rob at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 20-22; Romans 8:1-21

Think About This: The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. G. K. Chesterton

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. Joshua 1:7

Have you downloaded our 2015 Bible Reading Plan? Join us this year as we focus of the theme: Live Courageously

Are you Disciple or Convert?

You are probably asking is there a difference, or where I’m going with this concept. For me this comes from a personal experience in that when I first was introduced to Christ I attended church, bible study, and a host of other church functions. From which, most of my needs were being met.

In addition, I sat under ministries who encouraged the members to go and share the Gospel of salvation, and called it the Great Commission. It was a very noble and an effective way to get people in gear and teach them to reach the lost. But, is that what Jesus was calling ‘The Great Commission’ (Sidebar: The term is not biblical but an added biblical caption from man’s perspective)

Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”(Matthew 28:18-20)

This is more than a simple conversion message or sitting in the pews when the church doors are open. This is about discipling and being discipled. So, what is a disciple? Some define it as a person who learns from, or follows, another; one who believes and helps to spread the good news. Others might consider it as a position of authority similar to the Jesus’ disciples. At Colony of Mercy, the disciples are league of gentlemen who a have graduated the colony and decided to stay for various reasons.

Let’s consider that in Luke the fourteenth chapter, Jesus challenges the builder that should he not count the cost before he begins his foundation? Or as with a king, will he approach war without considering the situation and taking a census of the men on each side? As believers, we must question ourselves: are we ready to give up some the luxuries of life and follow Christ as true disciples? However, we must be careful as it my cost some things so consider well.

Here are a few other things to consider of a true disciple. As a true disciple you MUST:

Stand firm for God’s principles even when family and friends are in contradiction to God’s command.

Love your neighbors and enemies alike.

Be a light in the world, even when you don’t feel like it.

Honor God in management of your resources.

Give your all for the One who gave His all.

Hold yourself accountable to the leadership God has placed over you.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14). Chaplain Juan Mendez is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves full-time at America’s Keswick. You can write to Juan at jmendez@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 18-19; Romans 7

Think About This: If God sees that my spiritual life will be furthered by giving the things for which I ask, then He will give them, but that is not the end of prayer. The end of prayer is that I come to know God Himself. Oswald Chambers
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. Joshua 1:7

Have you downloaded our 2015 Bible Reading Plan? Join us this year as we focus of the theme: Live Courageously

Majoring on the Minor Things in Life

¹⁰ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11

I am going to boast in the LORD for a moment as I reflect on another year coming to an end and another beginning.  As I say goodbye, to 2014, I must say that this was one of the quickest years (at least it seemed so) in my life.  It went by so fast.  I cannot believe that it was a week ago that we were celebrating Christmas.  Man oh, man where is the time going.  So, as I reflect on the passing of another year, I think about the year in review and asked myself some pointed questions.  How am I doing with the LORD?  How is my relationship with him really?  How am I doing with my wife, children and other family members?  Am I doing everything I can to live at peace with all men?  Notice that I didn’t say, am I getting along with everyone, nor did I say does everyone feel good about me or like me.  What about my other relationships, those who are my neighbors?  Am I doing my part?

Well, I think that many of us get caught up in the later relationships before we actually focus on the one relationship that matters the most.  I am not saying that family, friends, and neighborly relationships are not important because they are important but we spend more time on focusing on making those relationships work and forsake that which Paul said was most important.

As I look forward to 2014 coming to an end and beginning a new year, I want to make “knowing God” the most important thing for me this year.  I do not want to know how my finances are going to work out, how my future grandchildren come out of the womb (2 are being formed at this moment and are expected to arrive later in 2015), nor do I want to know if this is the year that my middle daughter begins to forgive those past hurts and move towards reconciliation (even though I desire that to happen).  No, this year, starting tomorrow, I want to KNOW Christ and the power of His resurrection.

I believe that this is where most Christians (including myself) have failed in their relationship with God.  We tend to focus on our problems rather than on the person of our all-loving and all-powerful God.  We get caught up in our troubles rather than trust our lives (including our troubles) to our faithful Lord and Savior.  If you watch the news for more than 5 minutes, you can get caught up in all the evil in the world (and there is plenty of evil) instead of understanding that our God is Sovereign and in control of all world events.  Doesn’t that blow your mind?  Is does mine, because when I think biblically, I react to the evils of this world differently.

You know, I have been a believer in Jesus Christ for 26 years (in May it will be 27) and I have not even scratched what Romans 11:33 states: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”  Will you join me this year, 2015 in committing to knowing and getting to know God better through his word and through His Son Jesus Christ?  Let’s make a commitment this year to major on the majors and not on the minors. – Doug Barger is the Director of Men’s Ministry at Bethesda Mission and a Keswick prayer partner and friend. You can write Doug at dbarger2030@comcast.net

Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 16-17; Romans 6

Think About This: Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. Grace is power, not just pardon. —John Piper

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. Joshua 1:7

Have you downloaded our 2015 Bible Reading Plan? Join us this year as we focus of the theme: Live Courageously

21 Days to Finishing Well

And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV

Back in late November, our CFO, Allen Beltle, came to me with the news that we were facing a year-end deficit. It certainly wasn’t the biggest we have faced, but after six years of ending the year in the black, it was kind of daunting and disconcerting.

As I was praying, the Lord impressed upon my heart that He wanted us to trust Him for this deficit. As I was reading through the One Year Bible, I was at the point on my reading I read this verse: But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

The question looming in my mind was this: do I really believe that God could provide this gigantic amount? Will I trust Him to do the impossible? Lord, the amount is $250,000!

We made a commitment to take 21 days and pray. We called on our partners not to give a specific amount, but to join us in crying out to God to provide in ways ONLY TRACEABLE TO HIS HAND so that HE WOULD GET THE GLORY.

Well on New Year’s Eve at our dinner concert, we were astounded when our CFO came up to hand me the envelope that God had not only provided the $250,000, but we are now around $288,000. The audience joined me in singing the doxology.

But that’s not the end of the story … As of Saturday, January 3^rd, we are $2000 away from the total reaching $350,000!!!

In the January 4^th reading of Streams in the Desert, I read these words:

“When you are confronted with a matter that requires immediate prayer, pray until you believe God – until with wholesome sincerity you can thank Him for the answer … never pray in a way that diminishes your faith … the type of prayer that diminishes us of faith frequently arises from focusing our thoughts on the difficulty rather than on God’s promises … Faith is not a sense, nor sight, nor reason, but simply taking God at His Word.”

The answer to this prayer is not about anything we did. The answer has only been traceable back to HIS hand.

I just thought this story would encourage you to keep on praying – keep on believing – keep on trusting.

What is the situation in your life right now is totally impossible? Are you willing to pray, believe and trust? – Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 13-15; Romans 5

Think About This: When we engage in the act of prayer itself, there is no preparing, no getting the right words, no posture to take, no mood to assume. We simply do it. Prayer is primal speech. We do not first learn to do it, and then proceed to do it; we do it, in the doing we find out what we are doing, and then deepen and mature in it.
Edmund Clowney
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:  Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. – Joshua 1:7 ESV

Have you downloaded our 2015 Bible Reading Plan? Join us this year as we focus of the theme: Live Courageously

The Greater Goal

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, not minding the shame and is now set down on the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such sufferings of sinners against himself lest you become weary and lose heart.” (Heb. 12:1,2)

As believers, we have struggles, temptations, commit sin, etc., that affect our ability to win the ultimate prize. But in spite of the struggles, do we set goals for which to strive? Do we allow these unavoidable outside distractions to hinder the very purpose of the calling God has for our life?

For Christmas, my wife and I visited her uncle’s family in Atlanta. The day before Christmas, my wife’s cousin announces that she was accepted to medical school. What an amazing Christmas gift!

As I spoke to her about her plans, I was surprised that she finally settled on going to medical school because of her display of stress over the level of issues that school brought on, confusion about what her plans were going to be, and to top it all she shared she was exposed to TB as a hospital volunteer while in high school (as a result she will have to deal with this illness for rest of her life). I had to ask; what got you through? She first gave glory to God and then pointed to the refrigerator! On a scrap piece of paper the words, “Your goal has to be greater than your daily desires.” Interesting thought.

The Disciples had everyday lives and family, but their purpose was greater than their own desires.

Women and men across the globe are sacrificing their personal safety and resources because their goal is greater than their desires.

William Raws, founder of the Colony of Mercy, pushed through all the circumstances to start an addiction recovery ministry that has saved thousands of men’s lives and impacted countless others because his goals were bigger than his personal desires.

God has granted us with a purpose and mission that is greater than ourselves. Be encouraged that the temporal struggle that life brings cannot hinder or overcome, because greater is He that is in you is greater than world.

“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 3:13,14)

Remember your goal has to be bigger than your desires!  Chaplain Juan Mendez is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves full-time at America’s Keswick. You can write to him at jmendez@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 4-6; Romans 2

Think About This: To relinquish any of the Psalms on the excuse that its sentiments are too violent for a Christian is a clear sign that a person has also given up the very battle that a Christian is summoned to fight. The Psalms are prayers for those who are engaged in an ongoing, spiritual conflict. No one else need bother even opening the book. Patrick Henry Reardon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Have you downloaded our 2015 Bible Reading Plan? Join us this year as we focus of the theme: Live Courageously

Worthy Goals for the New Year

And this I pray… (Philippians 1: 9)

I do not know who originally compiled this list, but I have found it to be so helpful in reviewing the past year and looking forward to the new.

1. Love like the Philippians…Philippians 1: 9-11 – And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
2. Study like the Bereans… Acts 17: 10-12 – Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews . These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness , and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.
3. Pray like the Ephesians … Ephesians 6: 18 – Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
4. Witness like the Antiochans… Acts 11: 19-21 – Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
5. Give like the Macedonians… 2 Corinthians 8: 1, 4-5 – Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:…imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
6. Watch like the Thessalonians…1 Thessalonians 1: 9-10 – For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. Have a godly New Year! Dr. Donald R. Hubbard is a popular speaker at America’s Keswick.

Keswick, America’s  (2012-12-13). Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2 (Kindle Locations 1185-1192). Kindle Edition

Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 1-3; Romans 1

Think About This: We can do nothing, we say sometimes, ‘we can only pray’. That, we feel, is a terribly precarious second-best. So long as we can fuss and work and rush about, so long as we can lend a hand, we have some hope; but if we have to fall back upon God — ah, then things must be critical indeed! A J Gossip
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Have you downloaded our 2015 Bible Reading Plan? Join us this year as we focus of the theme: Live Courageously

Fall Back And Punt?

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”                       Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)

If you have been a reader of Freedom Fighter’s for any length of time it should be of no surprise to you that I am a fan of football and that my team of choice (since birth) is the Philadelphia Eagles. There was a Green Bay Packer Era but that was because of Reggie White (THE Minister of Defense) becoming a free agent and signing with the Packers. In any case I am a fan of football and there is a moment in the game where it becomes necessary for team to fall back and punt. A first down cannot be established and in order to change where the ball is on the field “kicking it away” becomes a strategy of advancement, meaning you hope your defense gets the ball back at a better spot on the field.

So with that said I wonder how many of us think that we can “fall back and punt” in our Christian walk? It’s not that the idea isn’t new especially when the world has pressed against you in such a way that falling back into what once was seems easier than striving ahead to see what could be. Take the Israelites leaving Egypt for instance. Yahweh has brought them right to the edge of the Red Sea and with a little faith through Moses’ leading (mustard seed?) these people could be in THE Promised Land BUT….

“When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” (Exodus 14:10-12)

This can just as well be us in that moment of crisis where we have been following His leading but a test of faith happens and we just wanna go back to where we came from. And this isn’t the only kind of moment where we wanna fall back to change position. Take this from Luke’s Gospel account…“Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:61-62)  Now go take a look at 1Kings 19:1-22 and let’s see how Jesus “flips the script”.

For Elijah, he just had his moment where he had been taken to the edge and Yahweh brought him victory but Jezebel instilled fear into him and it took a small still voice to bring him out of it. He was told to fall back and his successor was chosen, Elisha. Now Elisha gets that kinda “Follow Me” from Elijah but Elisha is permitted to say his goodbyes…but he stops plowing the field and then two oxen are offered up as sacrifice. Not bad for old school thinking but Jesus changes that thinking to say, “There is no turning back” none the matter what your affairs were. Can’t go in a straight line if you are going to constantly look back to see if you are going straight line, RIGHT?

The Apostle Paul understood this principle as well. For him it was all forward, no farewells, no getting his affairs in order. He didn’t even get the chance to go back to whatever Sanhedrin he was part of and tell them he made a decision…nope. Just take your blind self and go to this guy’s house, stop persecuting Me and preach the Good News to the Gentiles, go to this place, go to that place and when I am done with you, offer yourself up as a drink offering and enter into My rest. For Paul, falling back and punting was never in the plan. So should it be for those of us who are not only hearers but doers and not so much doers but as followers of Jesus Christ. I pray this is you in the coming New Year. Amen? Chris Hughes is a weekly Freedom Fighter blogger and a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. You can write to him at Cphughes56@verizon.net

Daily Bible Reading: Revelation 19-22

Think About This: “Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.”—Oswald Chambers

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9