It is Well, with my Soul

God created us with different components, as I consider the hymn writer’s statement, I realize to be well in my soul is primarily, however, are we well in all areas?

Physical wellness– This pertains to any activity or condition of the physical body. How good or bad the circumstances of your physical state have a direct impact in your daily functions, mentally and physically. God shows us the importance of being a good steward of our bodies in His Word, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price, so glorify God with your body?” (One Corinthians 6: 19, 20). In addition, He mentions that physical exercise has value for a person’s physical wellness (1 Timothy 4:8). So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1corithians 10:31)

Intellectual wellness– challenging your thought process with new ideas and continuing be active in learning. The Lord encourages, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8, 9) Additionally, he mentions in Romans 12, to do not conform to world, but be transformed, renewing your mind.

Occupational wellness– using your skills or gifts to complete an oriented task. Finding a job or career that is meaningful, completing responsibilities that fulfills your passions and desires. Consider Nehemiah and how the Israelites built the wall, in-spite of the burdens they faced, they worked, stayed the course, and eventually succeeded in finishing of their assignment. In addition, I am reminded about all the men and women in the Bible that sacrificially worked in God’s ministry. “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24). Paul reminds us how important the work in the ministry was to complete what the requirements the Lord has put on his heart.

Emotional wellness-is the capability to manage through the trial of life. The system handles a productive way to deal with stress. The Bible states that we should not worry about anything, instead to address everything in prayer…and God will give peace (Philippians 4:6). “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter5:7)

Social wellness– the area of our life that governs our relationships. This relates to our accountability, networking, and other arenas of fellowship we use to provide us with outlets to improve our social state. In Galatians, God encourages us to bear each other burdens; also, Jesus’s second greatest commandment was to love our neighbors. Furthermore, the scripture are full of text in how the body of Christ is to operate as one unit, assisting each other as a family.

Spiritual wellness-The inner man is searching, and longs for answers. As believer, my rest is found in the relationship I have with Christ. Jesus gave me eternal life and left me with the Holy Spirit, the comforter that counsels me through life. I also have the ability and opportunity to rest in the Word, which gives me faith, allowing me to be secure in God. In addition, my life is completed because I have a purpose, to serve God and his people, in love. There are many others ways individuals can attain Spiritual wellness, I am just sold-out in the hope I have in Christ. – Juan Mendez is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy, serves full-time at America’s Keswick, and is an on-line student at Lancaster Bible College. You can write to Juan at jmendez@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: Luke 10-11

Think About This: All whom the Father elects, Christ redeems; all whom Christ redeems, the Father adopts. —Ian McNaughton

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Dealing with Anger God’s Way

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath. Ephesians 4:26

Lately I have run into so many angry people. Anger is an emotion that is in the heart but tends to bubble up so that it is very much evident even in a person’s face. Their body language is even impacted by this emotion.

Christian’s aren’t exempt from dealing with anger. Sometimes we try to justify our anger calling it “righteous indignation.”

God has given us a biblical way to deal with the emotion of anger. Drs. Henry and Richard Blackaby provide excellent insight into dealing with our anger:

Few things are more destructive to Christians than anger. Anger causes us to lose our self-control and to say and do things we would otherwise never consider. Anger, if allowed to remain, turns into bitterness that eats away at our hearts. Scripture consistently commands believers to put away anger and lists it as one of the sins of the flesh (Eph. 4:31).

At times, we try to defend our anger by citing Ephesians 4:26. As additional proof we argue that Jesus cleansed the temple in “righteous indignation.” Ephesians refers to anger that does not lead to sin. Jesus was capable of being angry without sinning. When Jesus cleared the temple, Scripture does not indicate that He was angry (Matt. 21:12–14; Mark 11:15–18; Luke 19:45–46).

We must be careful not to justify our anger with Scripture. Ephesians 4:31 commands us to put away all anger. That does not mean that we cease to have strong convictions or lose our desire for justice. It does mean we refuse to allow others’ sins to cause us to sin. Anger does not bring about God’s redemptive work; far more often it hinders what God is working to accomplish.

If you feel that you have a righteous anger because of something that has happened, see if you are holding anger in your heart without sin. Is your anger turning into bitterness? Is it causing you to speak in an unchristian manner to someone or to gossip about them? Is it causing you to make excuses for your own ungodly behavior? You must examine any anger within you and allow God to remove any sinful attitudes that your anger may have produced.

Blackaby, Richard (2006-12-01). Experiencing God Day By Day (Kindle Locations 5578-5587). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

How are you doing with your anger? Take some time today to evaluate where you are and talk to God about your anger. He’ll listen, and He will even show you from His Word how to deal with it in a biblical way. – Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick. You can write to him at bwelte@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: Luke 8-9

Think About This: Let us humbly sit at our Lord’s feet to receive rebuke or instruction as he sees fit. —C.H. Spurgeon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:57

Vanya

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)

Lately my lunch has consisted of a sandwich with iced tea. Of course a more fancy way of putting it would be to say that I am having the best of honey ham, smoked turkey with domestic Swiss on soft Italian bread that has Hellman’s mayo and French’s mustard for a spread. I wash it down with an Arnold Palmer iced tea and complete it with Oreo’s for dessert but at times it is really what I am reading that I wind up having for lunch. On this day it is a book titled “Live Like a Jesus Freak” and I just finished a story about a 20 yr old Russian solider named Private Ivan “Vanya” Moiseyev.

Private Moiseyev is a Christian serving in the Red Army in 1970 when he called to the Major’s office during lunchtime. The sidewalk he walks on is snow-covered, the sun is out and Ivan is singing, praising and praying to the God who has won his heart.  However Ivan knows what this is going to be about…why will he not denounce his faith and take on a godless acceptance into a communistic society. Why will he not accept being re-educated. But before he gets there he sees an angel who says to him “Ivan, go. Don’t be afraid. I am with you. “Then comes his sit down time with Major Gidenko… “Moiseyev, you don’t look like a poor pupil to. Why are you not learning the correct answers?” the Major asked.

Now there isn’t enough room in here to go through the entirety of this conversation but As the Major acknowledges that the private has been exposed to “Christian teaching” he presses him to see if he disagrees with the teaching of the glorious Red Army. To which Vanya replies, “No, sir.” Then the Major asks “But you do not accept the principles of scientific atheism upon which is based our entire Soviet state and the military power of the army?” “I cannot accept what I know to be untrue. Everything else I can gladly accept.” Answers Vanya. I love the submission to the authority placed over my new found friend, Vanya, and his willingness to stand firm on The Rock, BUT….

The punishment that Vanya will have to endure is not pretty. First this Major has Vanya stand in the cold Russian winter night for a span of 13 nights in nothing more than his summer uniform. He begs for no mercy however he doesn’t freeze (an angel has gone before him) and as he is threatened while singing praises to Jesus Christ he replied, “A lark threatened with death for singing would still continue to sing. She cannot renounce her nature. Neither can we Christians.” Soldiers were converted by him as they were impressed by his faith. BUT because the commanders couldn’t re-educated Vanya he was subjected to torture in a rubber suit pumped with air so his breathing became difficult. Eventually his body was sent to his parents in 1972 riddled with wounds that included six stab wounds around the heart. The note sent by Colonel Malsin (Vanya’s commanding officer) said, “Moiseyev died with difficulty. He fought with death, but he died as a Christian.”

I recommend that you seek this story out and read it in its entirety. As for me and my lunch it all seemed like rubbish compared to what my friend Vanya went through for his faith. This made me mad and sad all in one shot. I wanted to cry for this man I never meet but then I turned my gaze inwards and asked myself could I be this kind of Christian. Vanya’s life made my trials and alleged tribulations seem like nothing and all I do is complain about things that will serve no Kingdom purpose. Geez…what a wretched man I can become with my trivialized sense of Christianity. How about you? Can you boldly stand in the gap like Vanya and have people converted just by the example of your faith or are you, like me, at times sitting on an ash heap going, “Oh woe is me?” I pray that we all can brush off the ash and take a stand in the cold Russian winter’s night. Amen? – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is a weekly Freedom Fighter blogger

Daily Bible Reading: Luke 2-3

Think About This: “Faith is the highest kind of reason after all, for faith goes straight into the presence of God.”—A.W. Tozer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. 1 Chronicles 4:10

Join us Thursday night for our monthly Men’s Fellowship Night. Our speaker this month is Dr. Dan Stott, Calvary Grace Church in Shipbottom, NJ. Dinner is at 6:15 PM followed by the worship teaching times and fun in the Activity Center. Come, bring a friend. Please call for information – 800-453-7942

He Uses It All

²⁸ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,^[a] for those who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:28-29 ESV

You know, I love the promises of God especially the one that he is working all things together for good.  I have been thinking for a while now about the all things mentioned in the above verse.  What does God mean by all things?  Well let’s start out with all the good things, the easy things, and those things that look, smell, feel, and taste good.  Yeah those things work together for good.  Then there are those hard things, those difficult things (like bad news, or a tragic event, etc) the things that make you just want to give up on God and life.  Yes, all things truly does mean all things. It also means, all past things, present things and future things.  ALL means all.

Have you ever thought about why the word of God says some of the things that it says?  This is one of those passages that God wants us to know that whatever happens in life He is working for these things for good.  Now, I want you understand, because it is important.  All things in the past that has happened to you, or that you did that were not necessarily good, God is working good in them and has been since they occurred.  God is the Sovereign God of the universe and there is nothing that gets by his desk that does not get his stamp of approval on.  Many of us struggle with that when we have been sinned against or wronged but this is what the word of God tells us.  These are comforting words from our Father.  Notice that he is isn’t just working things out, he is working them out for good.  What good?  Our good, because our good will be for His glory.

I included verse 29 here, because there is a catch in this promise.  It is to those who love God.  Many people say that they love God, but they really do not.  Do you remember Jesus’ words about those who love him?  He said in essence, “if you love me, you will obey me”.  So, it is not just about feeling love for Jesus, it is about loving him, with all our soul, heart, mind, and strength.  It shows up through our obedience to him.  None of us are perfect in our obedience, but we are moving forward in our obedience towards God.

So, what is the take away here?  1. Remember God is at work for the good. 2. He is at work in all things. 3. Everything in my life has God approval stamped on it. 4. Is my obedience to the Lord, proving my love for the Lord?  Have a great week.  Talk to you next week.  I love you guys and I hope you are walking with the King.  He wants to be walking with you. – Doug Barger is the Director of Men’s Ministry at Bethesda Mission. You can write to Doug at dbarger2030@comcast.net

Daily Bible Reading: Luke 1

Think About This: Some people do the best they can and then leave the rest up to God when they should be giving it all to God, and then doing the best they can. Bronwyn Ashcroft

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. 1 Chronicles 4:10

Join us Thursday night for our monthly Men’s Fellowship Night. Our speaker this month is Dr. Dan Stott, Calvary Grace Church in Shipbottom, NJ. Dinner is at 6:15 PM followed by the worship teaching times and fun in the Activity Center. Come, bring a friend. Please call for information – 800-453-7942

Is morality the same as being Holy?

If you had asked me 10 years ago, what the meaning of Holiness was I probably would have defined it as the act of refraining from sin. The description would have included of bunch of do’s and don’ts, and primarily just allude toward moral behavior.

Though making good decisions and conducting a life that is upright and pure unto the Lord is noble, holiness runs much deeper than a few good choices.

The Angels cried, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3)

The landscape of holiness is an act of God. Only God is truly Holy and can reckon a thing Holy. Something Holy is sacred, set apart from all things evil; it is higher than our finite minds can consider. We cannot begin to comprehend all it encompasses, and it is indescribable for our limited human vernacular.

“I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:5, 6)

Whoever trusts in Him has been granted access to the indescribable God of creation – the God that called us out of a life of sin into the eternal glory of His presence. This is positional holiness, the new identity that is so gracefully provided through Christ.

“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,”

Consecration is not the same set apartness as Holy, but consecration should be the direct result of Him making you holy.

Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” (Joshua 3:5 ESV)

We are the New Testament, chosen children of God, and since He called us to righteousness, we should conduct ourselves in a way that brings Him glory.

Consider the Hymn that Frances Ridley Havergal that inspired her after being used as an instrument for the amazing conversion of 10 nonbelievers.

Take my life, and let it be

Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;

Take my moments and my days,

Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour

At Thy feet its treasure-store.

Take myself, and I will be

Ever, only, all for Thee

She previously prayed to the Lord, ““Lord, give me all in this house!”

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1b) –Juan Mendez is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is serving full-time at America’s Keswick. He has been appointed to serve as a Chaplain at the Colony of Mercy. You can write to Juan @ jmendez@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: Mark 15-16

Think About This: My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary. Martin Luther

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. 1 Chronicles 4:10

Join us Thursday night for our monthly Men’s Fellowship Night. Our speaker this month is Dr. Dan Stott, Calvary Grace Church in Shipbottom, NJ. Dinner is at 6:15 PM followed by the worship teaching times and fun in the Activity Center. Come, bring a friend. Please call for information – 800-453-7942

What is Good?

“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.” Genesis 1:31a

Have you ever categorized your works as “good vs not good”? I’m not even talking about sinful but just, not good. How about choices you make, good or not so good? In Genesis chapter one, God spends six days and at the end of each day He said “it was good”. I have been sensitive to the things I’m a part of or the activities I allow myself to engage in at times. The problem is, it’s not always good, not sinful, but just not the best.

The verse that got me started with this thought is found in Psalm 133, it says “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Funny thing is I think it was the exclamation point at the end of the verse that got my attention. Sometimes I judge peoples actions by the “good things” they do or the generosity they show. When was the last time you considered simply dwelling together in unity as a good thing?

The other morning I was walking thru the dining room at Keswick during breakfast and thought to myself as I witnessed everyone smiling and enjoying the fellowship, now this is good. I thought back to the prayer that my buddy Ed Weiss prayed at the beginning of the meal, he said, Lord, may our conversations be edifying to one another and glorifying to You.

I think that dwelling in unity means being of the same mind and if we edify our fellowship I believe we are doing a “good” thing.

Here’s the picture as the Psalmist puts it in Psalm 73,

“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works”

So the pattern is,” Draw near to God, Put my trust in Him and then Declare His works”.

Again I’m drawn back to the verse in Hebrews 12 “let us lay aside every weight”, or put off the not so good and strive for the best. 1^st Corinthians 12 ends with Paul gearing up for the “Love” chapter by saying “But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way”.

If you noticed in Genesis 1, the sixth day God created man and said, “It was very good”. The plan from the beginning is for God to restore us back to the ideal, until then, it’s a practice run. Like the old saying goes, “if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all”. Amen! – Rob Russomano is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves full-time at America’s Keswick. You can write to Rob @ Russomano@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: Mark 14

Think About This: Until self-effacing men return again to spiritual leadership, we may expect a progressive deterioration in the quality of popular Christianity year after year till we reach the point where the grieved Holy Spirit withdraws-like the Shekinah from the temple. A. W. Tozer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. 1 Chronicles 4:10

Join us Thursday night for our monthly Men’s Fellowship Night. Our speaker this month is Dr. Dan Stott, Calvary Grace Church in Shipbottom, NJ. Dinner is at 6:15 PM followed by the worship teaching times and fun in the Activity Center. Come, bring a friend. Please call for information – 800-453-7942

New Strength

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Welcome to a new week of Freedom Fighter blogs. I am grateful to have you join me on the journey.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Like you are on a merry-go-round that is spinning out of control? Have you felt like you are so “under the pile” that if one more thing gets put on your plate, you’re going over the edge?

Well then this devotional from the pen of Drs. Henry & Richard Blackaby is for you. I know I needed it today. Take time to read it slowly and allow God to speak to your heart:

At times you may feel so worn out and stressed that you are not sure you can take another step. You may seem to spend all your time running from crisis to crisis and to be constantly giving your time and energy to others. Your Lord wants to renew your strength and enable you to enjoy the abundant life He intends for you.

The key is to wait upon Him to do so. Our generation does not enjoy waiting. We rush through our lives without stopping to evaluate our activities. Part of God’s restorative process is to slow us down and make us listen to Him. As we wait on Him, God will remind us of our utter dependence upon His strength. When we slow down and seek His will, He will reveal His plans.

Biblically, waiting on the Lord is never passive; it is always active. Waiting requires us to cease our own pursuits and give God our complete attention. We may have to give up some of the activities we have allowed to inundate our lives. We may need to take an entire day to sit quietly before the Lord. If we ask Him, God will show us the resources He has provided to help with the work we have been attempting on our own. God may address feelings of guilt that have motivated us to do things that He has not asked us to do. Jesus carried more responsibility than you do. More people needed Him than will ever need you. Yet He was never overwhelmed or inadequate for the task. Now Christ offers to guide you so that you will fulfill your heavenly Father’s will and gain the strength necessary for each day (Matt. 11:28).

Blackaby, Richard (2006-12-01). Experiencing God Day By Day (Kindle Locations 5464-5479). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Could you relate to this reading today? Maybe it’s time to take inventory. What are those things that are currently in your life that you need to let go of? What are the things that are good, better, best. Choose the best. Choose those things that God wants for you. Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Mark 12-13

Think About This: It is at once the most Christlike and the most happy course for a believer to cease from living to himself. —C.H. Spurgeon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. 1 Chronicles 4:10

 

 

Don’t miss this month’s Discovering Victory Podcast. This month’s teacher is Dr. D.R. Hubbard sharing a powerful exposition from the book of Colossians. Check it out.

Careful Where You Walk

“But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped.” Psalm 73:2

If you’re like me you can be guilty of allowing your mind to run wild with things that aren’t even true, but because of appearance it affects us.  I know I’m apt to allow myself to get all worked up only to find out there is no truth to this thing that occupied my mind.

Psalm 73 is a psalm that starts off with a skewed understanding of the way the psalmist saw things. It’s easy to have the “grass is greener on the other side” mentality when we don’t have the facts. He tells us “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled. My steps had nearly slipped”. Because of a blurred vision we can be lead down a slippery sloop.

Like the psalmist we can get our eyes fixed on the activity of the world that seems to be better than what we believe to be true, or the thought of them getting away with their lifestyle. As believers we have to be “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” for “The rest of the story”. Thankfully by verse 17 Asaph gets a clear perspective, “Until I went into the sanctuary of God, then I understood their end”. I am thankful for the Word of God and the fellowship we have with one another. Peter tells his readers in the 3^rd chapter of his second epistle “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior”.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul reminds us in the 4^th chapter “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things”. The first one is “true”, so when my mind starts to run ramped I ask myself “is what I’m thinking true?” If not, I immediately dismiss it.

Let’s make sure we aren’t letting the enemy occupy our time by thinking we’re missing something or God is withholding some good things from us and “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”.  Rob Russomano is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full-time team member at America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Mark 6-7

Think About This: The whole question in relation to overcoming is: Are we trusting in ourselves, or are we trusting in the Lord? Watchman Nee

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

 

 

Don’t miss this month’s Discovering Victory Podcast. This month’s teacher is Dr. D.R. Hubbard sharing a powerful exposition from the book of Colossians. Check it out.

Encouragement

1 Thessalonians 5:11 states, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

I was blessed this week by some of the encouragement that I had received this week from a number of different sources.  Have you ever experienced the power of encouragement or are you an encourager who when encouraging someone, you can just see the countenance on the other person change.

Well, in this week’s blog, what I want to do is to encourage you to be an encouragement.  Look at the verse above, Paul is writing to the Church in Thessalonica, which had some folks discouraged because there were false teachers around telling them things, such as it don’t matter how you live your life, work isn’t important, and oh yeah, by the way, Jesus already came back so you might as well give up the Christian life.

Now, I want to tell you how you have encouraged me to continue on in my walk with Jesus this week.  Some of you I know personally and others I do not, but a few weeks ago I asked Bill Welte how effective he thought my blogs were and I am guessing that he put word out to you guys who read the blogs to encourage those of us who are writing.  There is great power in that because we live in a very discouraging society.  Everywhere we look, sin is running rampant and holiness is hard to find.  We need an encouraging word for one another, because encouragement is a fuel that stokes the fire in us.

In chapter 4, verse 18, Paul states these same words to the believers concerning the Lord’s return.  Why does Paul want to encourage them?  Because he knows, that the Christian life is a fight, a long race, and there are plenty of things along the way that can get us discouraged.  False teachers, false beliefs, rebellious attitudes, sin, unwholesome desires, etc all wear on us.  Life is hard, but the word of God, has given us the encouragement to keep in touch with one another and encourage each other to fight the good fight, to continue in the race, and not to lose heart.

There are times when I get on the grad page and notice that some folks put their struggles on it and the words of encouragement that you give each other all filled with hope and love.  I was energized this week when a few of you reached out to me and encouraged me in what the LORD is doing in your life and how he used the blog that morning to encourage you walk.  You know, when you get an email at 4:30am, from someone you do not know personally, who is in another country (Istanbul) and they share with you how that particular passage you blogged about was precious to them, I was lifted up.  Then about an hour later I heard from a few more of you guys, it was great hearing from you.  We might be the bloggers, but you are the ones we are thinking about when we blog.  WE hope to be an encouragement to you, so that you won’t quit, that your faith, hope and love will increase more and more, and then finally, you will know Jesus Christ more and more in your life.

So, how you doing with encouraging those you know.  You do not have to wait until someone is facing discouraging times to encourage them.  Reach out, tell someone that you love and appreciate them and that you are praying for them.  You will be surprised at what kind of power that has in the life of the person who hears those words.    So, keep on keeping on with the King and keep pressing forward in your faith.  Paul blesses the Thessalonians later on in chapter 5, stating, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely (process/my word), and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”  Have a wonderful day and week.  – Doug Barger is the Director of Men’s Ministry at Bethesda Mission and is a weekly Freedom Fighter blogger. You can email Doug @ dbarger2030@comcast.net

Daily Bible Reading: Mark 4-5

Think About This: Christian graces are like perfumes; the more they are pressed, the sweeter they smell; like stars that shine brightest in the dark; like trees, the more they are shaken, the deeper root they take, and the more fruit they bear. Rev. John Mason

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

 

 

Don’t miss this month’s Discovering Victory Podcast. This month’s teacher is Dr. D.R. Hubbard sharing a powerful exposition from the book of Colossians. Check it out.

The Attitude of Christ

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” (Phil 2:6)

The mind of Christ looks very different from the opinionated minds of carnal people, especially with regards to relationships. Christ takes the road less traveled; He lays aside His interests and considers the interests of others.

So how does Christ’s attitude toward relationships help us in a practical level?

After studying about the poor relationships between the Jews and the Samaritans, provided me with better understanding of John 4:1-26, and heightens the willingness of Christ to go out of His way to minister to the woman at the well. This is despite that fact Samaritans were a collection of people from other nations mixed with the Hebrew lineage. Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman demonstrated that His talk matched His walk. And serves as a reminder to us in how we can deal graciously with sinners and people not like us.

The Samaritans followed their own version of the law, and there was continuous racial tension between them and the Jews. Therefore, when Jesus asks her for a drink, He was making a bold statement by blatantly disregarding the cultural partiality of Jewish traditions, which at that time dictated Jews should not conduct business with Samaritans.

He goes on to say if, “anyone thirsts,” giving the impression that the kingdom of God extends farther than just the Hebrew culture. That verse helps me understand that it is God’s will is to accept anyone who believes. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)

The historical account supports that Jesus breaks the cultural presuppositions and demonstrates that caring for a person’s soul is more important than who they are and from where they come. Grace stretches to not only a Samaritan woman, but also one who was openly immoral in her ways.

There is hope for us!

Now that’s the attitude of our risen Savior, it’s an absolute honor to serve an amazing God like Christ. Do we need to adjust our attitudes toward our relationships that testify to Jesus Christ? – Juan Mendez is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves on the ministry team at America’s Keswick. You can email him @ jmendez@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: Mark 1-3

Think About This: There is no death of sin without the death of Christ. —John Owen

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8