We’d love to see you this week at America’s Keswick. Dr. Woodrow Kroll is speaking Sunday night through Thursday night, and Dr. David Epstein is speaking Monday – Thursday morning. You can also watch live at: www.americaskeswick.org. We’d love to see you. Check out our website or call 800-453-7942 for more information.

Restoration

Restoration is the act of restoring something or someone to a satisfactory state. As Christians, we can always make minor adjustments like being proactive in Sabbath, as a day of rest. Alternatively, we can endure silence and solitude, or simply remembering the importance of listening to the voice of God. These will help restore our mind, body, and soul. These methods are very practical and effective, however, consider this verse, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 2:14) This one verse is loaded with overarching wisdom that was real for the Jews, and even more conducive to saints today, in finding restoration.

The phrase, ‘Called by my name’ or called by God is the miraculous act of God; it empowers our walk, and provides the ultimate rest. How refreshing it is to know that we are graphed in the kingdom of God, by choice not by our moral standards, but completely accepted our current condition. Paul says that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.  Christians are embodied by the Holy Spirit, and is no longer ruled by the works of the flesh. Free from sin, because the wonderful work on the cross. What greater peace can emanate from knowing that you are, and your name is, engraved in the book of life? Great names will die off, and many affluent people will parish, but believers will live forever in the presence of God.

God is always faithful in restoring the believer; however, we have to do our part. The part of this verse is referring to ‘Humble themselves and pray.’ Here lies the foundation of our relationship with God, and our path to relieving the burdens of life. When we glorify God and share our imperfection, it takes the pressure off us to live unrealistic struggle toward perfection. In the very moment, in prayer, when make ourselves low, and recognize that God is sovereign, then that peace of God, rest throughout our members. Amazing, the God of peace, covers us with His love.

Here is the dilemma, ‘Seek my face and turn from their wicked ways.’ Sin infects and affects our capacity to see God clearly and tarnishes our fellowship with risen Savior. On the other hand, when our eyes are enlightened, it is possible to draw near God, and turn from our sinful ways. Therefore, the benefits of walking blameless with God produce a far better solution than the temporary pleasures of sin. The results; God heals and restores His people until Himself. Now that is corporate and personal restoration. Juan Mendez is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves at America’s Keswick full-time.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 96-102

Think About This:A clay pot sitting in the sun will always be a clay pot. It has to go through the white heat of the furnace to become porcelain.Mildred W. Struven

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: ^“ Come to me, all 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.” Matthew 11:28-30

During our weekly staff enrichment time, we watched a video of a message given by Priscilla Shirer at a Catalyst Conference. She shared an illustration of her two-year-old niece wanting something to eat. She would march into the kitchen and stand in front of the box where food was stored (the refrigerator!) and point and say “Eat!” Her daddy would then pick her up, put her in her booster seat at the kitchen table. She would shimmy and wiggle her way out of the seat and march back over to the ‘fridge and point and say, “Eat!” Her daddy would again pick her up and put her in her booster seat at the kitchen table. She would shimmy and wiggle her way out of the seat and march back over to the ‘fridge and point and say, “Eat!” This went on several times. Priscilla didn’t say, but I’m guessing the little girl’s daddy, in between placing his daughter back in her booster seat, was working on fixing her something to eat.
Isn’t that just like us, at times, with our heavenly Father? We tell Him what we want, or think we need – sometimes even demand it. And then He gently places us in the best place for Him to provide for that need. And what do we do? We shimmy and wiggle our way out of it and stomp back to what we want and ask for it again. And He lovingly directs us back to where we need to be for Him to meet our need, and we start the process all over again.
And we just hate to wait, don’t we? According to some statistics I found on Wikipedia, the average person spends 45 to 62 minutes a day waiting – in line at the grocery store, to fill up your gas tank, waiting for an elevator, waiting for a program to load on your computer… Waiting is a regular part of life, but most of us chafe at it.
Why is it we think we know so much more about what we need – and when and how – than God does? It comes down to whether or not we trust Him. We say we trust God, but when the answer we seek is delayed, or comes in a different form, we wiggle and squirm and stomp our feet in frustration.
The Psalms are full of reminders to wait for the Lord because our hope comes from Him.

Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. Psalm 25:5
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:14
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Psalm 37:7
I will praise You forever, Because You have done it; And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good. Psalm 52:9
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. Psalm 130:5

These are just a couple of the Psalmist’s encouragements to wait for the Lord.

Years ago some friends of mine sang a song about trusting Jesus. The chorus goes like this:

Trusting You, Jesus, ain’t always easy, easy to do
‘Cause I keep on getting’ so far ahead of You
Help me, Lord, to keep on trusting You.

May we learn to trust Him, rest in Him and wait on Him.
Ruth Schmidt is on full-time staff at America’s Keswick, and grateful to be a daughter of the King.

We’d love to see you this week at America’s Keswick. Dr. Woodrow Kroll is speaking Sunday night through Thursday night, and Dr. David Epstein is speaking Monday – Thursday morning. You can also watch live at: www.americaskeswick.org. We’d love to see you. Check out our website or call 800-453-7942 for more information.

HE DID IT AGAIN

 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:19-20

Welcome to a new week of Freedom Fighter blogs. I want to thank you for writing words of encouragement to me and the writing team last week. It was a HUGE encouragement.

Last week I wrote about some of our struggles this summer at America’s Keswick and I wanted to write a follow-up to what happened.

If you remember, the question last Monday was: WILL I REALLY TRUST HIM?
I shared about the phones getting fried, the compressor getting fried for the AC in the Raws Auditorium and also the loss of revenue because of a group cancelling.

Well God wowed us again with HIS faithfulness. My prayer has been that once again this summer, we’d see HIM at work in ways that are only traceable back to HIS hand.

Last week a friend of the ministry gave a give of $7000 to cover the cost of the fried phones, the compressor, and to purchase special surge protectors for power outages. So He provided for the needs plus over and above with the ability to purchase the commercial surge protectors.

That was so encouraging – but how in the world would HE provide for the loss of revenue for the group that cancelled? The impact of this would be impacting payroll this coming week.

Yesterday when I went to my mailbox, there was a letter and check, and you guessed it. The amount covered the loss of revenue!!! Now that is amazing in itself – but the WAY God provided it was only traceable to HIS hand. This was an undesignated estate gift that arrived not LATE but actually a day early.

My brothers – this was such a faith-strengthening, faith-building reminder that God KNOWS our needs and wants us to trust HIM no matter what. I concur with King David: “The Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge.” Psalm 94:22

I hope that this encouraged your heart as it encouraged mine. What are the areas where God wants to build your faith? Where is He saying to you, “TRUST ME?”  — Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 90-95

Think About This:Unbelief looks at God through the circumstances, just as we often see the sun dimmed by clouds or smoke. But faith puts God between itself and its circumstances, and looks at them through Him. F. B. Meyer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: ^“ Come to me, all 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.” Matthew 11:28-30

The Blessing of an Ordered Life

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God. (Psalm 50: 23)

When the Israelites left their bondage in Egypt God realized the need for them to have structure in their lives, so He gave them the Law. When a man enters the Colony of Mercy he is leaving the bondage of sin as a form of slavery as well. He, too, needs structure in order to bring his chaotic life into some semblance of order. But we live in a culture that rebels against rules of any kind. “Color Outside the Lines,” “No Boundaries” and “Have it Your Way” resound in our ears, as advertising slogans. As a result, we as believers have been taught that ordered living is old-fashioned or, in Christian lingo, legalistic. Did God not tell us to order our prayer life? For example, Daniel lived an incredibly victorious life in extremely adverse conditions. When his enemies sought to trip him up they knew that they could only do so in connection with his ordered prayer life.

While we never want to be obsessive concerning spiritual activities, we do need to be consistent. This is especially true concerning our time of solitude and prayer. A scheduled time alone with our Lord is essential. Some might say I cannot always make time in the morning so I get alone with God some other time of the day. Could you imagine saying to your employer, “I will be into work when I can find some time to do so?” You would be fired immediately . Should we have the audacity to speak to the Supreme Authority with any less respect than we give to human authority?

When our Lord walked on this earth His ministry was far more demanding than anything we will ever know. And yet in the midst of His busiest times He didn’t neglect time alone with His Father. Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight , He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You” (Mark 1: 35-37). Lord, forgive me for not sharing your urgency to spend time alone with the Father. – Chaplain Jim Freed is the Director of the Colony of Mercy

Keswick, America’s  (2012-12-13). Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2 (Kindle Locations 6869-6888).  . Kindle Edition.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 78-79

Think About This:We are wrong when we say that we must verify God and then we will have faith in him. Faith throws a bridge toward God and finds the divine Reality. Hugh Thomson Kerr

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

Saved To Rest…To Serve –Part 3

“When He had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to Him, appealing to Him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And He said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Matthew 8:5-8 (ESV)

As I continue with how Jesus spent a Sabbath day we find ourselves possibly outside the Synagogue with some Jewish Elders and a Roman Centurion. In Luke’s account of the story the Jewish Elders are endorsing the Centurion, “And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with Him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” (Luke 7:4-5) But who are they fooling? If I may be so bold to say this but I don’t think our Lord and Savior needed any “kiss-up’s” prior to this situation. I believe Jesus knows full well how this moment will play out. So let’s join the action…

Now Jewish tradition held that a person who entered a Gentile’s house was ceremonially defiled. Now what I find funny here is “person” and “Gentile” kinda not being on level ground. It has if being Jewish made you a person and all others are not “person’s” at all. But any way, the Centurion, undoubtedly familiar with this law, felt unworthy of having Jesus suffer such an inconvenience for his sake. He also had faith enough to know that Jesus could heal by merely speaking a word. However Jesus’ reply in Matthew 8:7 shows just how un-inconvenient it was for Jesus to go to this Centurions house to heal his servant…He simply says, “I will come heal him”

This answer of Jesus, which is short and full, not only shows the readiness of Christ to do something good but of how soon and easily He’ll comply with the Centurion’s request. That request is a prayer of faith and because it is so effective it was heard as soon as it was delivered. And because of this Jesus’ reply will also contain an absolute promise that He would heal him. He does not say that He would come and see him but He would come and heal him at once: and indeed it is a proposal of more than what was asked of Him; His presence was not asked, and yet he offered it; though Luke says, that the Centurion sought Jesus by the messengers to “come and heal his servant”; and so this is an answer to both parts of the request; the whole is granted. Jesus Christ cannot deny anything to faith, His presence or assistance. Pretty cool, huh?

I think the most interesting thing about this story is we have Jesus Christ, the Divine authority, being a servant to a Roman Centurion, who is of a worldly authority, being a servant to someone who is actually a servant…who has no authority. Amazing isn’t it? Considering that, in Jesus’ time on the earth,  the Roman Empire’s mentality on  those “person’s” without authority were…disposable. And that’s the encouraging part to this story, that on a Sabbath day, meant for the children of God, Jesus would use this moment to showcase the faith displayed by someone who God’s children said was “ceremonially defiled”.

I love hearing both Matthew’s and Luke’s account of this story because it says that Jesus Christ is for EVERYONE!! It does matter your position in this world, because in the Kingdom of God that position serves no eternal purpose so why have it. I almost think that position and title shouldn’t have any bearing amongst us, but the world is a fallen place and as it was once said, “Surely God didn’t say…” so it is what it has become because of “Surely”.  I my next Freedom Fighter I would like to share with you a story on how a saved mother-in-law becomes an example of servanthood. I hope today’s story encourages you to remember it is His intention that EVERYONE come to a saving grace knowledge of Him that saves!! AMEN? – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a weekly Freedom Fighter blogger

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 74-77

Think About This:“The difference between faith as it is found in the New Testament and faith as it found now is that faith in the New Testament actually produced something—there was confirmation of it. Faith now is a beginning and an end. We have faith in faith—but nothing happens. They had faith in a risen Christ and something did happen. That’s the difference.”—A.W. Tozer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

Please Don’t

“That there should be no schism in the body, but that the  members should have the same care for one another.” 1^st Corinthians 12:25

Schisms, there’s a word you don’t hear every day. It comes at the end of Paul’s illustration of how the body should and shouldn’t work. The word means according to one definition “a split or division between strongly opposed sections or parties, caused by differences in opinion or belief”. He shows us two examples of people who on one hand don’t feel they are important therefore never get involved and others who think that they don’t need others or are able to perform all types of ministry on their own.

I believe Paul is trying to give us an antidote to schisms here in chapter 12 of 1^st Corinthians. The importance of finding that particular area where God has gifted you by His Spirit, no matter how big or small, in order for us to give special attention in regards to serving. If my foot, with all good intentions decides one day it wants to be a hand, it could get very messy. If my ears decide to find its way around without using my eyes I can expect some trouble. I’m a part of the maintenance team at Keswick but it doesn’t mean I can do all maintenance. If you come to me with an automobile problem and because I want to be a good guy, I give it a go, it could get ugly, and the end result could be worse than when we started.

So it is with us, to pursue those “chosen by God” areas, that we can be a part of a solution is key to preventing schisms. I learned early on and can relate to my former mentor and boss Ken Brown, to recognize that God has called me to work with “drunks and drug addicts” and not with teens. It has saved me a lot of grief. Even though I was both, give me a guy who wants to overcome an addiction over a teenager any day. So if someone asks you to serve in an area you don’t feel comfortable in, “Please Don’t”. Rob is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves full-time at America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 70-73

Think About This: Be assured, if you walk with Him, and look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you.George Muller

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

Motivation

The there are many ways that are productive and motivational in the life of a Christian. Motivation is key tool in our effectiveness in walk. Besides my family, Inward transformation, higher call, being light to the world, and assisting believers, help me to persevere in my daily commitment to Christ.

Inward transformation is a critical tool for my personal motivation. The Lord saved my soul and gave me eternal life, for that I am forever grateful. Subsequently, He blessed me with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit; I can now recognize that this walk does not require me solely to act on my strength, but to trust and rely on an entity greater than me. His grace is sufficient, the Lord created me, in His likeness, to represent him and to do His will. The reality is that Christ works thru me, to motivate, as well as an encouragement sufficient in my daily requirements.

Looking at ‘higher prize’ that clearly surpasses my understanding, yet it is an attainable and reachable goal worth diligently pursuing. Paul encourages, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:13, 14) This upward reward (call) is not based on physical or tangible substance; it is not comforts that life in the world offers. This prize embraces eternal values, which are immeasurable by the scales of natural comprehension. This call bonds the believer with the most glorious risen Savior Jesus Christ. The advantage: It helps to fix our eyes on things that are not visible, which are impossible to attain without faith.

The Bible states, “And find out what pleases the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10) It is exciting to know that God marvels at the faith walk in His children. This becomes the greatest joy – knowing that my response to obey God’s call is acceptable to Lord. As a believer constantly examining my heart and corresponding my actions to God’s will motivates me in my walk, knowing that it is honoring to Him. God calls the Christian to represent as a light in the world so it in encourages me when the Bible states, ‘Walk as children of light.’

While working in addiction ministry it is a great pleasure to see God’s grace, change individuals lives. God is merciful; and watching the mercy of God compel individuals, who made either poor decision or simply struggle in varies trials, is truly a miraculous event. Moreover, witnessing a person accepting or believing the ways of God, really motivates me to continue to share the Gospel. Since, life-dominating sin consumed me for years it is a blessing to observe that God is still in the restoration business. Paul proclaims, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) God is abounding in goodness and in truth; this becomes humanity’s fuel to continue in this walk of faith. Stay Motivated! – Juan Mendez is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves full-time at America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 66-69

Think About This: “Let us be as watchful after the victory as before the battle”.  Andrew Bonar

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

Will I Really Trust You, Lord

Good morning, brothers. Welcome to a new week of Freedom Fighter blogs. I trust that these money e-devotionals are a blessing in your life. Sometimes we wonder if this is meeting a need – is anyone really reading them.

All that to say, from time to time when God speaks to your heart, please let us know. We certainly don’t want to clog of your inbox or just have you hit delete.

We just had an amazing weekend of ministry at America’s Keswick with Dr. Tony Hart. (Check out his messages at www.americaskewsick.org). This week we have Dick Purnell and Dave Edwards sharing God’s Word.

Going into the weekend two weeks ago, we had a very low attendance. God blessed us in the end with a great weekend with lots of enthusiasm, great weather, and what a feeding from the Word of God.

But as we start this new week, we have the lowest attendance that we have had in years for a week. And on top of that, a large group who were scheduled to be here on the weekend, canceled.

The storm fried phones at the Colony of Mercy, messed up our computer system, burned out the compressor in the Raws Auditorium and the list goes on and one.

Despite these challenges, I have been confronted in my devotional readings with this question: Will I really trust you Lord?

The other day, I read these words: Be strong and courageous. Do not be discouraged, for I will be with you wherever you go … when everything seems to be going wrong, refuse to get discouraged. Remember that God is a God of surprise. He is not limited by the ways things are or by the paltry possibilities I can see … the longer I wait for my prayers to be answered, the closer I am to a breakthrough …

Wow. In Lamentations 3:25-26 we read: 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.

So what will GOD do this week? I don’t have a clue! But I have to tell you, that by faith I choose to seek HIS face and to trust HIM, and will leave the results to Him. I will look forward to sharing with you what HE has done.

Is there are area in your life where God is saying, “Will you really trust me?” Will you share it with me so I can pray for you too?

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 58-65

Think About This:Only when we have enough mental stress to force us to see our own bankruptcy of power, do we trust in God, and only when we trust in God can we make a contribution which will not collapse. Kenneth L. Pike

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

No Vacancy After Victory

…to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3: 19)

These words were taken from a devotional article written by W. Glyn Evans, a college friend of mine. His thesis was that when God drives out a spiritual enemy from our lives, we must be sure that there is a positive replacement . To proclaim the need for emptying ourselves of flesh domination without presenting the need for the Spirit’s filling is folly and futility. I tilled a plot of ground in our yard but didn’t get around to planting anything in it. It looked neat and orderly at first, but it became filled with weeds that thrived on the newly turned soil.

Jesus used a parallel illustration when He told of the tragedy of a life that was emptied of an unclean spirit but left vacant. When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first (Matthew 12: 43-45).

For years America’s Keswick has been declaring to those seeking to be rid of life-dominating sins that they are not only to be reckoning themselves dead to sin but alive to God through Jesus Christ (Romans 6: 11). They must no longer present themselves as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin but to present themselves to God (v. 13). The negative act of renunciation must be followed by the positive renewing of the Holy Spirit.

Mary Maxwell , in a hymn often sung at past Keswick conferences – “Channels Only” – declares, “Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me, A clean vessel in Thine hand; With no power but as Thou givest Graciously with each command.” In her final stanza she says, “Jesus, fill now with Thy Spirit Hearts that full surrender know, That the streams of living water From our inner man may flow.” Let’s not short circuit God’s purpose by settling for evicting the old occupant without enthroning the new. Rev. William A. Raws served for six decades at America’s Keswick and is the grandson of our founder. Pastor Bill wrote many devotionals for our daily devotional guides, Real Victory Volumes 1 and 2

Keswick, America’s  (2012-12-13). Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2 (Kindle Locations 6509-6532).  . Kindle Edition.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 40-45

Think About This:Assurance is in God’s word, not in our hopes and feelings. This is the whole purpose of the Bible–to state God’s conditions and provisions, not only for the beginning of the life in Christ but also for the continuity of this life.Stanley Tam

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

You have no plans for this July 4^th Weekend? Why not experience a vacation at America’s Keswick? Never been to America’s Keswick? Then why not try us out and get 50% off on your stay. Conference starts today at 3:00 PM and ends with the noon meal on July 6^th.
Dr. Tony Hart is our weekend Bible teacher. Call 1-800-453-7942

Saved To Rest…To Serve Part 2

“And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.” Mark 1:21-22 (ESV)

So a crazy guy barges into synagogue and immediately goes up to Jesus and challenges Him…”What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God.” For most Pastors this isn’t really a normal beginning to Sunday service but for Jesus it’s going to be a great start to a not-so-normal Sabbath day in Israel. To jump right into something to note here is that after the Israelites returned from their time in Exile or Captivity they had brought back “The Talmud” and according to the Talmud there had to be at least 10 people gathered to consider this a synagogue service.

And each synagogue had a Ruler, Delegate, Servant, and Interpreter of the Synagogue. These men (who we would consider Elders) would represent the Synagogue at the local tribunal known as “The Sanhedrin”. So with that being said it is safe to say that those who understood the Law of Moses were in the midst when this crazy person burst into Synagogue. The second thing to note is that while everyone in this assembly is so astonished by what Jesus is teaching that what normally should be happening gets skipped over. Things like…Getting the crazy guy outta the building, this dude is not only possessed but he is UNCLEAN …DEFILED and he needs to go, NOW!!

But instead of kicking this guy out Jesus delivers him from the bondage of this demon. Could we see this healing as working on the Sabbath? If we remember from the previous Freedom Fighter I wrote (you can look through the blog site archive) doing anything that has the appearance of working is a no-no back in these days. This coulda been a synagogue service gone to a stoning real quickly. However, from my view point I think Jesus is keeping it holy by purifying the demon-possessed man. In this passage found in Mark Jesus says “Come out of him” I don’t think speaking is working.

Besides, the people that were in the synagogue that were meeting together for worship, were more astonished, not only at His doctrine, as He preached and taught, but at this miracle and power of Jesus in casting out devils. They not only observed the authority with which He delivered His teaching, but the authority with which He could cast out this mini-devil, just by a word spoken. Their own Rabbi’s couldn’t do their exorcisms (like they really knew what they were doing) in the way Jesus just did in front of them all. So as far as gathering stones had been concerned these people just over looked the whole matter of punishment.

And this is just one of a few things that Jesus did on this Sabbath day. If I had been around to see this at this happen, as far as I’m concerned, I’ve just done church. How cool of a thing it is to know that THE King of kings started His day serving those around Him. And it doesn’t stop there…oh no, not by any means, there is more to come. So I hope you read the next event that occurred on this Sabbath day but until then ponder this, is what is happening in your church on Sabbath morning astonishing you? Are you being sensitive to the teaching coming from the pulpit or waiting for Pastor to say something outta context? I ask this because that is what happened then and I believe it happens now. It may be that in that we may be missing the miracles displayed by Jesus every Sunday morning. Amen? – Chris Hughes blogs weekly for Freedom Fighter and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 36-39

Think About This:“There are many in our assemblies who quietly attend under merely formal teachers; but if the Lord come with faithful ministers and holy doctrine, and by his convincing Spirit, they are ready to say, like this man, “What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth”! No disorder could enable a man to know Jesus to be the Holy One of God. He desires to have nothing to do with Jesus, for he despairs of being saved by Him, and dreads being destroyed by Him.” —Matthew Henry

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17