It’s The Suspense That Gets Me…

“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD.” Lamentations 3:25-26 (NKJV)

I am a huge fan of old Bugs Bunny cartoons. As a kid they were, what my daughter may say, “Da Bomb Diggity”.  I can remember my Saturday mornings being full of Loonie Tunes and Merry Melodies cartoons. I couldn’t wait until those dare TV commercials were finished so we could get to the next cartoon. As I have gone back to watch them over the years it turns out that I have become a bigger fan of Bugs Bunny one-liners. And I don’t mean the classic “What’s up, doc?” I mean stuff like, “It would be a cat-a-strophe if a calamity were to happen to this serene scene” or “I dares ya to step over dis line.” This morning, “It’s the suspense that gets me.”

We also have one-liners in Christianity. Stuff like “God is good, all the time” and “What would Jesus do?” come to mind. But the one-liner that always gets me is “Pray and wait upon The Lord.” What? Two action words with the promise result not exactly in the forecast? Huh? And we tend to say or hear this infamous one-liner when a result for an action from YHVH is at an almost imperative to our lives. Well I’m here to tell ya, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages…”It’s the suspense that gets me.” And somewhere along the line I think it gets to all of us in some way or another, however, the writer of Lamentations saw it a different way.

Being somewhat of a melancholy, I am quite the fan of Jeremiah and more importantly what he wrote in the third chapter of Lamentations. As I follow along in the chapter I remember my affliction, my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall. And the whole time I read it I wonder will God ever rescue me from what I’ve done to myself? And then, there it is, a promise from Him, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” His Mercy!! This is the answer I’ve prayed for but then comes this…

“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD.”  Huh?

The dictionary I’ve got says the word wait is a verb but let me tell ya…there ain’t much action going with waiting. Well ya know what? Let’s see what the apostle Paul says about this hope and waiting stuff, he was an action guy. We’ll look in the Book of Romans and there in 8:24-25, “For in this hope we were saved. (good stuff) Now hope that is seen is not hope. (got it) For who hopes for what he sees? (true) But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Oh…there it is. Patience. That’s what is missing to my dilemma. Without it then it is the suspense that gets me, sometimes the better of me. Hmmm!!

I wouldn’t have been a good prophet in Old Testament times. It seemed as if their hope and patience were always being tested by either God or people. Oh, wait a minute that is still the case today. The difference, for all of us, today is…are you ready…I’m gonna share this…hold on…wait for it…Jesus Christ!! Jesus is the salvation promised us, the hope we can’t see but an assurance we can count on. But you can’t let the suspense get to you. The people of the OT waited and hoped for The LORD’s deliverance for a long time and when He came He was in a manager under a star. So, unlike an explosion in a Bugs Bunny cartoon, Jesus says with a soft quiet voice, Come all you are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Amen? Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is a weekly Freedom Fighter blogger

Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 7-8

Think About This: “Learning to wait on God is worth it. The benefits include the ability to influence others in godliness, the certainty of God’s blessings, a deeper knowledge of Scripture, a growing patience and forgiveness of others, and a certain hope to sustain us even in the darkest times.”—Stephen Eyre

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but He has not shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is.” 1 John 3:2 (NLT)

God is For You

Sometimes we need a good dose of remembering the right things. We forget the things we should remember and remember the things we should forget.

As we begin this new week of Freedom Fighter blogs, I want to remind you today that God is for you!

If you doubt that, you should read Romans 8 and REMEMBER THAT …

He did not spare His Son, but delivered Him up for you!

Through His Son He will freely give you all things!

He will not bring a charge against you!

You are His elect!

Jesus makes intercession for you!

You are more than a conqueror through Him who loves you!

Nothing can separate you from HIS love!

The Puritan preacher, Thomas Watson said: What a privilege to have God as our God! What a happy condition when nothing can hurt you! If one loses his name, it is written in the Lamb’s book of Life. If he loses his liberty, his conscience is free. If he loses his estate, he owns the pearl of great price. If he meets a storm, he has a harbor; God is his God, and heaven is his heaven.

If God is our God, our soul is safe. It is hidden in the promises, in the wounds of Christ, and in the decrees of God. If God is our God, then all that is in God is ours. How happy is who not only inherits the gifts of God, but inherits God Himself!  (Voices from the Past – Puritan Devotional Readings/Banner of Truth)

My guess is that someone today needs to hear this truth – God is for you, brother. Bask in His greatness and His goodness. You have inherited God HIMSELF.

What has caused you today to think that God is not for you? Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick and a weekly Freedom Fighter blogger

Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 4:6

Think About This: A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you, and were helped by you, will remember you. So carve you name on hearts, and not on marble. C H Spurgeon
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but He has not shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is.” 1 John 3:2 (NLT)

A Time to Keep Silent, and a Time to Speak

There are many instances in which we are to speak. And still there are just as many opportunities in which we should remain silent.

There are many situations where silence is recommended, if not required. Sadly, I spent many days sitting in a courtroom. When the bailiff announces ‘All Rise’, everyone in the court must remain silent until the judge requests your testimony. If you choose disregard this protocol, you can be charged with contempt of court and fined.

Another example is in church. Although some may disagree, during Sunday worship service while the pastor or God’s messenger is delivering the Word, we should practice reverence and desire to remain silent to grasp the message, and to not hinder or distract others from listening.

Even still, there are other times when practicing silence is wise. For instance, when receiving correction or instruction. Personally, I am still learning to remain silent at times when someone is holding me accountable, or during times when a brother or sister is offering constructive criticism.

The Bible states, “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” (Proverbs 17:28) Discerning when to speak and when not to speak is challenging because it is not simply about remaining silent or governing your mouth, rather it’s about practicing rule over your emotions. But that’s a topic for another time.

There is a time to speak, however. “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)

The key motivation here is love. Since we are to love as Christ loves us, we should seize opportunities to engage in healthy communication. This might mean sharing the gospel to a non-believer, or encouraging a saint in dark hour of life. Sometimes God will lay on your heart to hold a friend accountable to win him or her back into fellowship. Other examples of speaking the truth in love are: husbands saying nice things to their wives; wives encouraging their husband to be the man God calls him to be; children respecting their parents in speech; and parents honoring their children in Lord.

The list goes on. And if we allow God to lead us, we will grasp the concept when to speak and when to remain silent making us all the wiser in the long run.

Do you recall a time that you chose to speak or not speak, and it did not turn out favorably? Please share in the comments below. – Juan Mendez is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is an on-line student at Lancaster Bible College. He serves full-time at America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 6-7

Think About This: If we pray for anything according to the will of God, we already have what we pray for the moment we ask it. We do not know exactly when it will arrive; but we have learned to know God through the Spirit of God; and have learned to leave this in His hands; and to live just as happily whether the answer arrives immediately or later. O. Hallesby

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.  On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Psalm 63:5-6

If The Shoe Fits, Wear It

“Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, Men of truth, hating covetousness.” Exodus 18:21a

I recently heard a message on leadership and how important it is for leaders to “delegate” the task of leading and management. Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law counsels him to find men for such a task. In my pessimism, I said to myself, “good luck with that”.

It’s sad but true that there are too many of us that if we were to try on the shoe that “fits the bill” of the requirements that Jethro suggests, we would find that it doesn’t fit, nor are we willing to wear it.

Going along with the previous message of the statement Jesus makes in Matthew 11,” Come to Me, all you who labor 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”.

It appears to me that the problem isn’t that the shoe doesn’t fit but rather, who has time to try it on? Life has become way too difficult and we have allowed the things of this world to weigh us down. Our theme verse for the year is Hebrews 12:1,2 and the idea of “let us lay aside every weight” is so important to fulfilling the commission that was laid out way back in Exodus 18.

I can’t tell you the disappointment I experience when I present an opportunity to a Pastor of engaging in a covenant with a man coming out of the Colony. The look on his face when the thought of yet another task, is discouraging. Even when I try to explain that he could delegate the responsibility to someone else, the questions are always the same, “but who”?

There are too many men who show up for a Sunday service every week and yet when asked to help out, have a laundry list of obligations that interfere. I understand that we are busy and our priorities are set, but I don’t understand how the “Great Commission” has fallen so far back on the list that it isn’t even on the radar.

As men who have claimed the name of Jesus as our “Lord and Savior” shouldn’t we take the time to re-evaluate our priorities and install the program of the command found in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”. Try on the shoes of “able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.” I think you’ll wear them well. Amen! – Rob Russomano graduated from the Colony of Mercy and serves full-time at America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 3-5

Think About This: There are many things which a person can do alone, but being a Christian is not one of them. As the Christian life is, above all things, a state of union with Christ, and of union of his followers with one another, love of the brethren is inseparable from love of God. Resentment toward any human being cannot exist in the same heart with love to God. The personal relationship to Christ can only be realized when one has “come to himself” as a member of His Body, the Christian fellowship. William T Ham

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.  On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Psalm 63:5-6

Paul’s Prayer for the Saints

…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,… (Ephesians 1: 17)

Paul’s letter to the saints of Ephesus is about the walk of the disciple of Christ. He encourages them to recognize the significance of their calling not only as it pertains to life after death but also as it applies to their everyday walk.

As heirs of God who are sealed by His Holy Spirit they need to be reminded of the commitment to Christ that was made at salvation. Keeping this in mind and heart would move them toward the fulfillment of God’s purpose in the life of the disciple as one who glorifies God by walking worthy of the calling he has received.

In this process of spiritual transformation Paul prays that they may have …the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,… As the disciple grows in this wisdom and revelation he will gain the knowledge of three things: 1) …the hope of His calling… ( v. 18).

The New Testament word “hope” is always connected to the plan of God. Unlike our English use of the word “hope,” this biblical use is of a sure thing that God has and will accomplish. He has called us to both salvation and to sanctification. Spiritual growth is an indicator of true salvation.

2) …the riches of the glory of His inheritance… (v. 18). While the culture around us cries out that we need the wealth of this world, understanding what we have in Christ settles us into that daily crucified life that He has called us to (Luke 9: 23). Pursuing anything outside of “… the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6: 33) is idolatry.

3) …the exceeding greatness of His power … (v. 19). This is the source of the overcomer’s victorious life. It is the power of God that brought about Christ’s resurrection and exaltation (v. 20), a power that is above any and all of our enemies (v. 21). God has provided us with everything that we need to live the victorious Christian life.

Are we …increasing in wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him..? This knowledge becomes true wisdom as we live it out in the everyday of life, bringing glory to God and inviting others to do the same. Dr. Joe Olachea is Senior Pastor of Lakes Community Church in Medford, NJ and serves on the Board of Trustees of America’s Keswick

Keswick, America’s  (2012-12-13). Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2 (Kindle Locations 8527-8552).  . Kindle Edition.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 1-2

Think About This: A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you, and were helped by you, will remember you. So carve you name on hearts, and not on marble. C H Spurgeon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.  On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Psalm 63:5-6

The Fruit and The Vine
AGAPE I

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:36-39 (ESV)

God’s benevolence and mercy towards man. Man’s devotion to or adoration of God. The benevolence, kindness, or brotherhood that man should rightfully feel towards others…this is agape, sorta. We can find definitions like this under love in pretty much all dictionaries but this only comes after the romantic and the erotic definitions. I wonder why that is? Is it because our vision of love can only come through our eyes first and we have bought into this notion that romance and sex are our only ways to express to love? Maybe it’s the lust of the flesh kinda love that say’s…”I really LOVE Starbucks Coffee Frappuccino’s with no whip and an extra shot of expresso”. Either way, man’s view of what love is always depends on the man (or woman)…don’t it?

The one thing that isn’t right when we look at the word love is that we tend to see it as a noun, like it is something tangible to grab onto but for the Christian it is and has to be a verb. So if agape is something we should rightfully feel towards another brother (or sister) then maybe we are missing the mark. I know I have, by a long shot. You see I was showing something that I was calling agape but inside, at times, I didn’t feel that agape should be given. This is my noun problem with the word. And even though I might be held to this line after I type it but the agape I should have been showing needed to be more of a reflex than something I thought exhibited I was a follower of Jesus Christ…spent too much on performance not on substance.

There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus was/is a Deuteronomical teacher and in the first part of His reply to the question, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” He demonstrates that with His reply from Deuteronomy 6:5. The idea is to love God, as John Gill puts it, with every measure He measures unto thee, do thou measure unto Him. So if God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life, which is His measure, than you best be using all strength, measured to you, to keep that in the forefront of your mind.

This totally flips the script on what the Pharisees wanted people to believe about the love of YHVH. What Jesus needed folks to understand is His Father’s love is not to be burdensome on us as if it was some downtrodden act of labor but that He wants us to be in the yoke with Him in His love. When we are yoked or “abiding” in Jesus then He is able to extend an unconditional love that He desires to share with us. Then once we experience this with the Savior, the Father will also be in that sense of agape as to be in agreement with the Son as He prayed in the 17^th chapter of John’s Gospel.

So my first act of business is to go get me a yoke…no seriously the first act should be abiding. If I claim I’m Christian my first action has to be abiding in His agape, my next act is to apply agape to others so that the action and motion of His love does not just come to a dead end. I would like to cover that but that will be for another Freedom Fighter. I hope you’ll join me. Amen?

While writing this particular Freedom Fighter, my dear brother-in-Christ, James Getz, went home to be with The Savior. James just recently challenged me to exam the fruits of the Spirit in my life. The night I learned of his passing my wife and I were headed to a BBQ held by friends we go to Bible study with. As we assured each other that James made it home we found ourselves behind a red van with a bumper sticker that said…”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”. Nough Said. – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a weekly Freedom Fighter blogger

Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 11-12

Think About This: “The Christian’s love for God has by some religious thinkers been divided into two kinds, the love of gratitude and the love of excellence. But we must carry our love to God further than love of gratitude and love of excellence. There is a place in the religious experience where we love God for Himself alone, with never a thought of benefits.”—A.W. Tozer

Life’s Surprises

 The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:40

One of the surprises of life for me over the years has been the blessing of meeting some of God’s children who have special needs.

In our home church in Philly there was a man by the name of Billy Meyers who faithfully stood at the door each week helping to greet people. Billy had some physical challenges – but his mind was sharp as can be.

During my time at Sandy Cove I had the privilege of meeting brothers and sisters who were residents at Echoing Hills, a Christ-centered care facility for folks with special needs. Many of them had cerebral palsy. Their bodies were twisted, many of them were in wheel chairs. Some of them drooled all over. For some reason, it never bothered me.  They touched my life in a special way. There was a love for God that was indescribable. And many of them couldn’t really articulate what was in there hearts.

Meet my friend, Donald. His caregiver has been bringing him to our Young at Heart conference. Most people shy away from him because he is different. His speech is really limited – mostly yes and no. He recently came and drew me a picture – it looks like something drawn by a pre-schooler, but it is a picture I will cherish.

This past week Donald was here for our Young at Heart conference. He was very animated throughout the week and you could tell he was having a great time. On Wednesday night we were singing the senior’s favorites and someone called out Jesus Loves Me.

I was moved to tears when I looked down and saw Donald with the biggest smile on his face singing EVERY word of this simple little kid’s song. Somehow despite his physical and mental challenges he comprehended this simple truth.

A famous theologian was asked to summarize the greatest truth of the Bible. To his audience he responded, “Jesus loves me this I know.

Some people don’t know how to handle people who are physically and mentally challenged and choose to stay clear of them. If you have never availed yourself of God’s special children – don’t pull away – embrace them and learn from them. You might just be surprised. – Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 9-10

Think About This: If we fail to comprehend how much we are loved by God then there will be no energy to turn the machinery of our lives in the way [it was] meant to turn. Selwyn Hughes

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.  On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Psalm 63:5-6

Excuse Me, Sir

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that  leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Matthew 7:14

If someone came to you asking for directions, could you help them? I mean without the assistance of your apparatus or map. What are the prerequisites that would qualify you?

(Apparatus- the technical equipment or machinery needed for a particular activity or purpose.) Without these we can be helpless.

(Prerequisite- a thing that is required as a prior condition for something else to happen or exist.) With these we are effective.

So, for me to give directions would mean I am familiar with the area and could direct this person to his desired destination.

What if someone who knows the Lord but has gotten off tract comes to you for guidance, then what? Are you ready? Of course we could refer them to an “expert” or tell them they need counseling, but what if they just need directions to get back to the road? I understand that there are certain people with the “gift” of council but what are the prerequisites of giving directions? For me it’s as simple as, if I’ve been there I should know how to get there.

Where do you go when you lost? I don’t mean unsaved but maybe you’ve traveled a road that lead you astray, after all like the song says “Prone to wander…” Have you ever had to ask for directions back to the “narrow path”?

Jesus instructs His disciples to be careful because “broad is the way that leads to destruction”. This path, if not traveled frequently can be hard to recover. I heard of a story of tribal Christians that had a routine of going into the jungle to spend time with the Lord. Each man had his own place and as the story goes, if that man’s path was over grown his buddies would know he hasn’t been down there recently. It may take some help to recover that “narrow path”.

I love the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, and the teaching Jesus gives to His Disciples in the two chapters that follow. Maybe you can direct a man who is “off tract” to a scripture that you are familiar with, that God used to redirect your journey. It’s a great opportunity and will minister to you as well. Maybe we should make sure we have our “prerequisites” in order. And by the way, it’s not wrong to use your “apparatus” if needed. Deuteronomy 31:8 – Rob Russomano serves full-time at America’s Keswick and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 3-4

Think About This: As a pilot calls on winds and a storm-tossed mariner looks homeward, so the times call on you to win your way to God. As God’s athlete, be sober; the stake is immortality and eternal life. Ignatius

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: [Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it—a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil … Hebrews 6:19

Aslan is on the move!

Sorry if I’m a late bloomer, but I have never explored the writings of C.S. Lewis. I was challenged by my Biblical literary professor to read the works of C.S. Lewis

Early in the book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I noticed that the children had imagined being different animals. That caught my eye initially, and I realize later that there is a reason for that. Sure enough, when they entered the world of Narnia, the Beaver announced, “Aslan is on the move.” Even though they had never met him, it sparked in each one of the children a different response because they are different: different in character, different in emotions, and at different stages in life. In addition, like the children, we also have a different response when life presents new endeavors.

In looking at the parallels between Narnia and the Bible, Aslan represents the person of Christ in the storyline of Narnia. And when each child responded differently, I began to wonder about how we each react to Christ. So, I pose a question for you: What was your response to when you first heard of Christ?

We all come to Christ in different conditions, and from all walks of life. And it’s good to remember that because of our differences our walks do not always look the same.

For me, in short, I was a shattered glass, broken in many pieces. Christ came in and began to place each piece of me back together as if I were a puzzle. He completed and mended all the damage that life inflicted. Hallelujah, what a savior!

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 1:13)

The Lord offers the great news of salvation. Furthermore, the great news reinforces that as a believer you are sealed in Christ, never to be let go. What an awesome thought!

Prayer: Thank you Lord for generously providing the Holy Spirit, and giving us the promise that exempts us from destruction, but establishing us forever; eternally with you.  – Juan Mendez is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves full-time at America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 1-2

Think About This: When the Spirit, the word and the providence of God agree we can be quite certain that the Lord is leading us, for these three always agree and are in harmony and cannot disagree. George Muller

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: [Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it—a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil … Hebrews 6:19

Have You Been Called To Moriah?

“Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”— Genesis 22:2 (NKJV)

There are some words in Christianity that really feel comfortable with folks but nothing causes discomfort more than the word “obedience”. I thought it was surrender at one point but as my walk has gone along I found that surrender can only segway into obedience. And if you stop at surrender and don’t go the distance into obedience you may need to examine the reason why. After all delayed obedience is really disobedience isn’t it? We could even say that it is easier to give up than to go on…hmm.

If we were to take a look at Abraham while he was still Abram we would see a man who was called by YHVH to leave behind everything that was familiar to him, “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.” (Gen 12:1) Then we would see a man that responded to it pretty quickly. He surrenders his comfort zone, obeys YHVH’s command and along the journey YHVH show’s him the Promised Land. Now let’s do a Biblical fast forward and get to something that becomes a most cherished item for the now Abraham…Isaac. Isaac represents the fulfillment of a promise of YHVH and that was no laughing matter for Abraham (maybe for Sarah, sorry had to take a jab at her doubt).

Then YHVH does something that will be the ultimate test of any God-fearing father, He instructs Abraham to sacrifice his son. When you look at it in Scripture it’s pretty cut and dry. No way out, no wiggle room…nada! And Abraham does the same thing that he did when he was Abram, he responded quickly and he didn’t argue. It took three days to get Moriah and Abraham remained sustained during the journey, even though I’m sure his mind was racing with the thought of losing his son. He and Isaac leave the servants behind once they got to that place of sacrifice and went to do business with YHVH; Abraham remained obedient while being left alone. (Sidebar: What you are when you’re alone is what you are, agreed?)

And as we read along in the 22^nd chapter of Genesis we get to verses 9-12 and can see what the end result is. Out of Abraham’s faith in obedience we see YHVH-Jireh showing Himself mighty and wise. I am quite sure Abraham got Holy Spirit goose bumps at that moment but I don’t think the rich, young ruler got them when Jesus told him to sell everything that he cherished and brought him comfort. “Are you kidding me Jesus? I got a lot invested in that!!” I bet a multitude of jaws fell to the ground when Jesus said, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matt 10:37) These are idea’s that “Americanized Christianity” cannot and do not grasp because it’s too occupied with the next “American Idol” isn’t it?

So, have you been called to Moriah? Simple question but do we hear it being asked? Have we become so desensitized or familiar with the things of God that all we do is show up on Sunday and wait for the Pastor to give his message so we can move on to the next thing…like watching a football game on FOX? (I better be careful there, I am an Eagles fan) Job displayed the right attitude when he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” You see the main point outta all of this is you obey YHVH’s leading and He will provide, no sacrifice necessary. If it’s gotta go…it’s gotta go, period. My hope is that I learn not to argue with YHVH when the times comes, over and over again. I pray that this is your desire as well, Amen? – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and blogs weekly for Freedom Fighters

Daily Bible Reading: Esther 7-10

Think About This: “If you allow yourself to have only simple and uncomplicated desires, you will be more pleasing to God than if you died the death of a hundred martyrs. Turn your anxieties to the fact that you have delayed in offering this sacrifice of simplicity to God. Can true love hesitate when the Well-Beloved asks?”—Fenelon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: [Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it—a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil … Hebrews 6:19