Is It Even Appropriate To Make Resolutions?

12/29/201712/26/2017Leave a comment

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth.” — Psalm 115:1 (NKJV)

Man, did I make some resolutions back in the day!! I was gonna quit this to do that, I even went out and bought the stuff to do that which I said I would resolve myself to do. All that stuff is now hidden away in a place I call “Eh…I’ll get around to it.” Yeah, so I eventually gave up on making any New Years resolutions. Besides, statistics show that 25% of those resolutions are broken by January 2^nd, so why burden myself with them? And ya know the problem with those nifty resolutions is that they are based on law rather than grace. It’s like ‘if we had a little bit more willpower, a little bit more self-effort, we could kick a bad habit and practice a new discipline.’ Yeah, right!

Around the time of his 20^th birthday, the infamous 18^th century theologian, Jonathan Edwards, started making resolutions more about living for Christ rather than himself. He wrote a booklet titled, “Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions and Advice to Young Converts.” I don’t own it (yet), but for the sake of having internet capabilities I have been able to read some these seventy personal resolutions that he put into writing. This dude was so serious about his relationship with Christ that he wrote many of his resolutions against the backdrop of eternity. He resolved “never to do anything that I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life,” and “to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.” He also made this resolution: “that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.”

Pretty heavy-duty stuff, but don’t we serve a pretty heavy-duty God? So, it’s in that that I would like to share some of the things (Thanks for those, inter-webs) that Jonathan Edwards resolved himself to be in front of a mighty God.

On man’s chief end: “Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God.”

On redeeming the time: “Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.”

On giving to the poor: “Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.”

On caring for the body: “Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.”

On reading the Bible: “Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of them.”

On guarding the tongue: “Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility and a sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the Golden Rule.”

On repentance: “Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed.”

On sanctification: “Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.”

I can barely remember what I was resolving myself to do at age 20, but in contrast it seems that Jonathan Edwards was a serious young man and serious about living for Christ in every way, every day. One of the last resolutions he wrote was, “Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, that is, with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and everything, and every circumstance.” This was not me at twenty years old…it’s barely me at fifty-five.

It has been said that Jonathan Edwards didn’t write any more resolutions after these, but who can blame him? Isn’t seventy enough? But there maybe a good reason why he didn’t and that is he may have had a healthy respect for his own depravity. Unfortunately for us when we think of our depravity, we use it as reason to practice self-mortification on our souls and we beat ourselves into a sense of uselessness for Kingdom work. What a lie!! God, Himself, has resolved to never leave or forsake us, so why be dismayed? Yeah, we don’t measure up to God’s standard but that’s not license to live like it is not achievable. How about we just resolve ourselves this year, and every year after, to live depended on the mercy that God has shown in Jesus Christ to forgive all our sins. 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: Revelation 18-22| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat Him by His grace to enable me to keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ’s sake.” — Jonathan Edwards

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

I Don’t Need Nothin, Except…

12/28/201712/26/2017Leave a comment

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” — Philippians 4:11

I’m sure all of my English major readers are cringing at the title of this one, the ever popular double negative. That’s worse than the run-on-sentence. The truth is we don’t need nothing, we need each other. As another Christmas passes and we have that one gift that we don’t know how we lived this long without, let’s remember, we lived this long without.

In reading into what the Apostle Paul is writing to the Philippians I sense a need, even though he says “for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content,” he also reveals his thankfulness for fellowship. Right after his famous quote in vs, 13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me”, he goes on to say “Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.”

“I don’t need nothing” means I need something, I need you and you need me. Fellowship and belonging are two of the keys to freedom in Christ. This is why the holidays are the hardest times of the year for some. They experience loneliness, missing the one thing that God uses to draw us to Himself. Our fellowship with God is one of the most important things in life, next is our fellowship with one another. As a matter of fact, the only way God allows the church to discipline us is to break fellowship in order to bring us to repentance and to restore fellowship. Sometimes you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.

In my experience, I have come to believe that when a close brother in the Lord drops off the radar, it’s only a matter of time before he will replace healthy fellowship with sinful behavior. Of course the status of our fellowship has to be subject to the things of the Lord, 1^st John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Walking in the Light, the picture of a well-oiled machine running on all cylinders, a healthy body functioning and producing a harvest. Men coming together for good works and a good testimony.

If you look back on last year and see that fellowship wasn’t what it should have been, I would encourage you to engage in Christ centered relationships, it’s not always easy and there are times when we get on each other’s nerves, but iron sharpens iron. Don’t fall for the idea that you don’t need it, because believe me – “You don’t need nothing.” 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: Song of Solomon 7-8| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Our love to God is measured by our everyday fellowship with others and the love it displays.” – Andrew Murray

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Nope: Not Today

12/27/201711/06/2017Leave a comment

Falsehood – and only falsehood – separates us from God … False thoughts, false words, false feelings, false desires – Behold the aggregate of lies that leads us to non-being, illusion, and rejection of God.
~St. Nicholas of Serbia,

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am The Way, and The Truth, and The Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know Me, Philip? Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My Own authority, but the Father Who dwells in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in My Name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
~ Jesus, King of The Universe, astounded at the unbelief of His friends, in John 14

Oh beloved, it is true.

And today, this fool of a writer is saying this: He will have nothing else thank you.

I will have His Truth in my Life, and all the lies can go to hell.

I will have His Life in my veins, and these same will bleed His Love.

I will have Him be The Way Home, and no other signs will do.

I will not force my foolish questions upon His manifold wisdom.

I will listen to His Word, and ask for the grace to walk in obedience.

I will not be pulled into the foolishness of the world and thus fall into the snare of the evil one.

Can we see it?

So often, we are so much more than willing to live like none of what He said is true. So often, we are convinced that it is better to question, than to trust.

Now, i am absolutely sure that G_d loves questions. But, if we get honest (and it can happen) are we asking questions with a view to an answer? Or, are we just flinging out interrogatives to try and keep Him at arm’s length?

What if we just said no? What if we just said, “Not today. Today, I will live according to my design. I do not care what others think, and I do not care what my flesh screams as I ignore it. Today, I will simply believe that the winter of my dead, former life is over – and that Springtime has come to my soul, in Him.”

What if?

Would you join me brothers? We tried it the other way for so long. Never worked out too well for us, did it?

Tonight is your night. Time to say: Nope.

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: Psalm 149-150| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: (ed. note: grace is) The willingness to keep growing: Unfaithfulness is a refusal to become, a rejection of grace (grace that is inactive is an illusion), and the refusal to be oneself. ~ Brennan Manning

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Get a Grip

12/26/201711/06/2017Leave a comment

In battle, as also in any competition, having a firm footing is the key to standing fast against your opponent.

The next piece of your armor that Paul writes about is for your feet. He says, “and having shod the feet with the readiness of the gospel of peace;” What he is referring to is the calig, or sandals, of the Roman soldiers. These were heavy sandals studded with hobnails, to give a secure foothold to the soldier in battle enabling them to stand firm. The idea seems to be that the mind is to be steadied, or kept from fear, doubt, and anxieties by means of the Good News of peace… the truth that we are at peace with God because of Jesus’ completed work of salvation; and understanding that “if God is for us, who can be against us?” So, as the nails in the roman sandal gripped the ground firmly, even when it was sloping or slippery; so the Good News of peace keeps us steadfast and firm…unmovable by temptation, doubt, and fear.

The Gospel is ‘that Christ died for your sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the scriptures’ (1 Cor 15:1-4) This will never change.

God loves you… this is always true.

You call on the Name of the Lord, and you will be saved. That is always true.

Your faith is in Jesus Christ and His work of Salvation… no one can take that away from you.

Having chosen to believe God, He declares you justified in His sight and you are at peace with Him. This is an unchangeable truth.

These Gospel truths are like the nails in the roman sandal that keep you steadfast and firm in every confrontation. I pray you do everything possible to keep them firmly planted under you so that you will press on in this life… against every foe.

Choose wisely.

“My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. (for) He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.” (Proverbs 2:1-5, 8)

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: Esther 6-10| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.” – George Mueller

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Joy Has Dawned – Merry Christmas

12/25/201712/18/2017Leave a comment

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14

Merry Christmas from all of us from America’s Keswick and from your Freedom Fighter blog team.

Most likely you will not open this entry, and if you do, it will be after Christmas.

I recently read the words of a new Christmas carol written by the dynamic duo of Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. This carol is ripe with great theology for our consideration:

Joy has dawned upon the world, promised from creation –
God’s salvation now unfurled, hope for every nation.
Not with fanfares from above, not with scenes of glory,
But a humble gift of love – Jesus, born of Mary.

Sounds of wonder fill the sky, gazing at the glory;
Gifts of men from distant lands prophesy the story.
Gold—a King is born today, Incense – God is with us,
Myrrh – His death to make a way – by His blood, He’ll win us.

Son of Adam, Son of heaven, given as a ransom.
Reconciling God and man, Christ our mighty Champion!
What a Savior! What a friend! What a glorious mystery!
Once a Babe in Bethlehem, now the Lord of history!

You can watch the YouTube video and be doubly blessed: Joy Has Dawned

On behalf of all of us from America’s Keswick, Merry Christmas and God bless you.

Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks!

Bill Welte, D.D.
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: Deuteronomy 32-34| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: God became man to turn creatures into sons; not simply to produce better men of the old kind, but to produce a new kind of man.
C. S. Lewis

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

It’s Impossible – That’s Why it’s Called Love

12/22/201712/19/2017Leave a comment

Truth is not a thought, not a word, not a relationship between things, not a law. Truth is a Person. It is a Being which exceeds all beings and gives life to all. If you seek truth with love and for the sake of love, she will reveal the light of His face to you inasmuch as you are able to bear it without being burned.
~St. Nicholas of Serbia

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. … Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
~ Paul, The Least of The Apostles, in Romans 12

Oh beloved, it is true.

We think we know what love is. But truly, we don’t have a clue. Just as we think we understand G_d, our view is so small as to be silly, nearly even foolish in its shortsightedness.

The hard work in life is not when we are in the throes of excitement about a new job. No, the hard work is when we are bored with the rhythm – even the monotony. The hard work is in the dark, dark night before the dawn of a breakthrough in business.

The pain of romance is not in the butterflies we feel in our stomach about that new girl. The pain is when she starts to see that we really are not a prince charming. She sees that we are just another guy. And the anguish is in the moments before romance buds into a true courtship.

The difficulty of life is not in the early moments of our youth. The difficulty is in growing up. And the deepest pain is in coming to understand our true identity in Him.

The desire for completion is not in the beginning of the journey. The desire begins to grow after the miles have run out under our feet and wheels. And the real strain begins just as we near our destination.

Can we see it, though? Look at the passage!

Love is infinitely harder than this.

Love is this Infinite Reality that abhors evil, and is only Good.

Love actually has affection for His brothers.

Love yields to others that they might get a better view and more honor.

Love never gives out, and just keeps on going.

Love rejoices in hope.

Love is patient when things get hard.

Love keeps praying when no answer is in sight.

Love gives and gives. And then invites us into It’s home.

Love blesses the guy who just criticized you.

Love loves it when the other guy outplays you and wins.

Love cries with the loser you hoped would go down.

Love looks for the common threads of our existence.

Love says, “Nah, I would rather sit in the cheap seats.”

Love never says it knows better than everyone else.

Love never gives anyone what they deserve, when It is wronged.

Love seeks agreement on core truths, with everyone.

Love feeds the wicked, and gives a drink to his friends.

Love even warms the head and bosom of a loser who has hurt you.

Impossible, you say? Exactly. But don’t forget where love comes from. Love comes from Love Themselves. The Father and Son, and Holy Spirit have been living in this Everlasting Life of Communion and Joy, forever. These Three, Infinite Beings are so in Love with each other that They are One.

So, yeah, it is quite impossible for us to truly Love one another. That is, unless we too have been invaded by this Same Holy Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. For, it is only then that we can even begin to take on the behavior and even nature of G_d.

So, are you having trouble loving people around you? EXCELLENT! You passed the test. You are NOT part of the Trinity. Well done. However, this same Godhead is ready to show this Love TO you, and THROUGH you, to others.

Will you allow The Holy Spirit to do this?!? Tonight is your night. Let Him Love you!

Written by Makala Doulos: Makala Doulos is a child of G_d, a husband to his wife, a father to his children, and a teacher to his students. But mostly, he is a prisoner set free by Jesus. Love has invaded his life, crushed it, and made it new. Now, G_d’s Love is what constrains him to live in full surrender to the freedom The Father and Son and Holy Spirit have bought for us all. Grace and Peace to you all.

The Daily Bible Reading: Revelation 12-17| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: Today’s mighty oak is just yesterday’s nut, that held its ground. ~ David Icke

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:12

Shadow Puppets

12/21/201712/18/2017Leave a comment

“For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect” — Hebrews 10:1

I was always fascinated by shadows, I remember as a kid taking the lamp shade off of the lamp to give a bright light to create a bigger more intrusive cast. Another thing that intrigued me was when I was shown how to make shadow puppets by forming my hands to create images resembling rabbits, ducks, and other comical things.

The Bible talks about the law being a shadow of the things to come, something to follow until the true Image of the good things are here. The biggest hurdle Israel had to clear was moving from the ceremonial to the true and living God. The task of convincing them to move from sacrifice to the Sacrificed.

I would imagine the challenges of convincing someone that a Man born of a woman that lived among them is the One they need to move to. In Matthew 13:55-57 it’s recorded of Jesus’ peers saying, “Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” So they were offended at Him.

The prophesy of Isaiah 9:6 starts with “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given”, The Child is the shadow, the Son is the Sacred. The Child speaks of an earthy being but the Son of an eternal One. Moving from the “Shadow to the Sacred” is the most important thing we do. Just like the Israelites, we can sometime become fixed on the shadow and miss the Sacred.

It would appear that the enemy has done a good job making shadow puppets out of the original Image cast by the Light, which the true meaning of Christmas was meant to be. We can be easily drawn away from the original image of the Baby that should lead us to become fixed on the Son. But now it seems we follow Puppets to resemble jolly man with a white beard in a red suit, or the tradition of over spending to purchase things to keep the “meaning of the season”.

Now I’m not trying to put a damper on the things that we do to celebrate, but just a reminder to move from the “Shadow to the Sacred.” To be able to represent the things that the true Image of Christ the Son which was given. I may glance at a Santa, but my eyes must be fixed on Jesus. I need to walk past the “Shadow Puppets” that the world tries to create with only a brief grin but smile on the Image of the Son.

Although we may even find this jolly man in some of our places of worship, let’s just hope and pray that the unsaved know that we have put our trust on the true Image.

Have a Blessed “Christ”mas season.

The Daily Bible Reading: Song of Solomon 5-6| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father’s face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift.” – John R. Rice

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:12

The Servants Know…

12/20/201711/06/2017Leave a comment

“When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom” (John 2:9)

Many times on vacation, the most helpful people are the locals. Whether they are grounds keepers, cooks, housekeeping, doormen etc… because they know all the ins and outs of their community.

For instance, while in Puerto Rico, the resorts typically directed us to chain style, very established restaurants; very good. However, the housekeeping lady mentioned a guy who BBQs el pinchos (shish Kabobs), which exceeded our expectations. In addition, while in Florida we were able to acquire more affordable Disney tickets because of the grounds guy. Therefore, I’m actually inclined to gather information about attractions from the local servants.

Likewise, the servants, as well as His disciples, knew the heart of Jesus because they had an intimate relationship with Him. Here, the servants were one of the first to see Jesus transition into His earthly ministry. Side note: The masters had no clue.

“And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.”(Matthew 20:27)

The culture has divided us to the haves, and the have nots. But God’s kingdom is paradoxical to that principle. You might be quietly serving in ministry, maybe a lower level position, toilets at the church etc… God sees your sacrifice even if people don’t. And Jesus himself says, “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Continue to serve Him.

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: Psalm 146-148| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Know your HOLY GOD intimately. (When you have seen His glory, His holiness and His love – by drawing close to Him in prayer – then you can usually see through any counterfeits because you know the “real thing” so well).” – Andrew Strom

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:12

Pick Up Your Shield

12/19/201711/06/2017Leave a comment

“I have learned that faith means trusting in advance what will only make sense in reverse.” ~ Yancey

Faith is something that is developed in our lives as we participate in the spiritual life God has called us to. As part of the armor God has provided us, Paul describes Faith as ‘able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.’ That is an awesome defense! But like all the other pieces of armor, it is not enough to ‘have it’, you must ‘take up the shield of faith’ and actively place it strategically between you and the enemy. If you don’t, you are nothing more than target practice for the evil one.

Faith says, ‘I am going to trust God, even when I don’t understand…. and even if I will never understand.’

Faith does what God says, simply because God said it.

Faith knows that God loves me, and He always does what is perfectly good for me and glorifies Him… regardless of the time it takes or how it is accomplished.

Faith is “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see…. And without faith, it is impossible to please God. (for) Anyone who wants to come to Him ‘must believe’ that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” (Hebrews 11:1,6)

Do you want the protection of God’s ‘shield of faith?’ Then you must ‘take it up’ and strategically position it between you and everything that will harm your relationship with God. God is absolute perfection… holiness… no sin can exist in His presence. Therefore, to enjoy His presence and blessings, you must be holy as He is holy. That is why the commands to ‘put on the Lord Jesus Christ and His righteousness’ and ‘take up the FULL armor of God’ are so important. These are the provisions from God that make us holy and able to boldly enter into His presence. Every ‘sin’ you allow in weakens and separates you from God who is the source of all ‘good’ and the power that has overcome sin and death.

Whether you realize it or not, you are in a battle against ‘the spiritual forces of wickedness’ and they want you destroyed! They will use everything you make vulnerable to them… so don’t let them in! Shield yourself with the faith God has provided you, strategically positioning it, protecting your heart and mind.

Choose wisely….

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go…. and Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

(Joshua 1:9; Proverbs 4:23)

Praying U choose Christ today

The Daily Bible Reading: Esther 1-5| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God. and a scourge for Satan.” – John Bunyan

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:12

JUST GIVE ME JESUS

12/18/201712/15/2017Leave a comment

“And you shall call His name Jesus – for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Billy Graham’s daughter wrote one of the most captivating books on Jesus. She put together a wonderful picture of this One whom the angel said would be named “Jesus.”

He is enduringly strong.
He is entirely sincere.
He is eternally steadfast.
He is immortally gracious.
He is imperially powerful.
He is impartially merciful.
He is the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizons of the
globe.

He’s God’s Son.
He is the sinner’s Savior.
He is the captive’s Ransom.
He is the Breath of Life.
He is the centerpiece of civilization.
He stands in the solitude of Himself.

He is august and He is unique.
He is unparrelled and He is unprecedented.
He is undisputed and He is undefiled.
He is unsurpassed and He is unshakable.

He is the lofty idea in philosophy.
He is the highest personality in psychology.
He is the supreme subject in literature.
He is the unavoidable problem in higher criticism.
He is the fundamental doctrine of theology.
He is the Cornerstone, the Capstone, and the stumbling Stone
of all religion.
He is the miracle of the ages.

He is the key to knowledge.
He is the wellspring of wisdom.
He is the foundation of faith.
He is the doorway of deliverance.
He is the pathway to peace.
He is the roadway of righteousness.
He is the gateway of glory.
He is the highway to happiness.

He supplies strength to the weary.
He increases power to the faint.
He offers escape to the tempted.

He sympathizes with the hurting.
He saves the hopeless.
He shields the helpless.
He sustains the homeless.

He gives purpose to the aimless.
He gives reason to the meaningless.
He gives fulfillment to our emptiness.
He gives light in the darkness.
He gives comfort in our loneliness.
He gives fruit in our barrenness.
He gives heaven to the hopeless.
He gives life to the lifeless!

He is the King of righteousness … that’s a moral King.
He is the King of the ages … that’s an eternal King.
He is the King of heaven … that’s a universal King.
He is the King of glory … that’s a celestial King.
HE IS THE KING OF KINGS and the LORD OF LORDS!

If you would like the complete version of “Just Give Me Jesus,” email me at bwelte@americaskeswick.org.

Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks!

Bill Welte
President/CEO at America’s Keswick

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

Think About This: “Jesus is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is He the best of several ways; He is the only way.” – A. W. Tozer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:12

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