Search the Scriptures

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Search the Scriptures
Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Acts 17:11
I love reading the writings of the Puritan preachers. They didn’t beat around the bush! They spoke the truth and very direct. Today’s devotional is from the pen of William Gurnall from his writings from The Christian Armor. If you don’t have this resource in your library, it would be a wise investment.
The Word of God is called a light unto our feet-not to our tongues, merely to speak about-but to our feet, to walk by. Getting knowledge is your work; opening your heart to understand is the work of the Holy Spirit. But you must ask Him for wisdom and believe He will give it to you. God has promised wisdom to those who “ask in faith, nothing wavering” (James 1:6).
Strive for wisdom, not so that men will respect and admire you, but so that they will celebrate God’s greatness. The end of every human effort should be to magnify His name. Go to God with David’s prayer on your lips: “Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works” (Psalm 119:27). Do not give up when the lessons are long or hard to understand. Scripture promises, “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord” (Hosea 6:3).
The mysteries of Christ are not learned in a day. Too many read a chapter or two in the Bible, then for lack of interest put it down for weeks at a time and never look at it. Bernard compares the study of the Word and the mere reading of it to the difference between a close friendship and a casual acquaintance. If you want genuine knowledge, he says, you will have to do more than greet the Word politely on Sundays or nod reverently when you chance to meet it on the street.
You must walk with it and talk with it every day of the week. You must invite it into your private chambers, and forego other pleasures and worldly duties to spend time in its company. Do you long for greater intimacy with your heavenly Father? Then meditate often and long on His Word. David likens the Word for sweetness to honey and the honeycomb. Like the honeycomb, the Bible is so rich and full that at first reading some wisdom will now and then drop from it. But unless you press it by meditation, you leave the most behind. William Gurnall. The Christian in Complete Armour (Kindle Locations 1246-1251). Kindle Edition.
As we bring this week to a close, I want to remind you that if you want to be a godly example, one of the disciplines we need to practice is searching the Scriptures. If you want to be a godly man, and you’re not already doing it, at least start by reading a chapter from Proverbs every day. It will be a big help to you. Have a great weekend. Keep pressing on. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick
Team YOU: 2 Samuel 9-11; Proverbs 20; Luke 15:11-32

Motivations:  They that know God will be humble and they that know themselves cannot be proud. John Flavel
Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 5:17-18; Level 2: Ephesians 5:8-14
Powered Up:  You can do more than pray after you’ve prayed, but cannot do more than pray until you have prayed! – John Bunyan
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One Last Day of Godly Example …

The things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9
I certainly am not implying you are dumb – really, I’m not. But just in case you haven’t thought about this yet  …

The past few days we have dialoged about Paul’s charge to the church in Philippi about being a godly example: LEARNED, RECEIVED, HEARD and SEEN. All four of those things can make a POSITIVE impact on the people you and I rub shoulders with as well as with our kids.

But just in case you haven’t thought about it  — think about this: MODEL BAD BEHAVIOR and that impacts too. If you haven’t thought about that, you need to.
I have a friend that was really sold out for the Lord. He made a number of bad choices and ended up leaving the ministry. He refused to make godly choices and yet wants to still be in ministry. Lots of people have watched his life and now some of the people that have loved, respected and supported him have justified making the same mistakes because this was what was modeled for them.
I shared this before – as Charles Swindoll has said, “We should so live our lives that we wouldn’t be afraid to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.” J

Think about the INFLUENCE you can have – will it be godly? Or will it be done foolishly. You choose – I hope it will be for godly examples. Keep pressing on! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 2 Samuel 6-8; Proverbs 19; Luke 15:1-10

Motivations:  A ‘real Christian’ is an odd one anyway. They feel supreme love for ONE whom they have never seen, talk familiarly everyday to SOMEONE they cannot see, expects to go to heaven on the virtue of ANOTHER, empties themself in order to be full, admits they are wrong so they can be declared right, goes down in order to get up, is strongest when they are weakest, richest when they are poorest, and happiest when they feel the worst. They die so they can live, forsake in order to have, give away so they can keep, sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passes knowledge. A. W. Tozer
Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 5:17-18; Level 2: Ephesians 5:8-14
Powered Up:  Clearly we must not pray for any end towards which it is wrong to labor, but likewise we must not labor towards any end for which it is wrong to pray. John Baillie

Godly Examples — Part 3

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Godly Examples – Part 3
The things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9

I’ve shared the last two days lessons that Dr. Charles Stanley has learned during his life. If you haven’t done so, a good exercise for you would be to sit down and make your own list.

Whether you like it or not, someone is ALWAYS watching you. From your kids to your staff, someone is always observing you.
I noted in Philippians 4:9 that Paul said: what you LEARNED, RECEIVED, HEARD and SEEN in me – practice those things.
My lifelong mentor, Neil Fichthorn did that for me – has done so all my life. From my early teens to now in my late 50’s, I am still LEARNING from him. Over the years I RECEIVED tons of valuable lessons from him sitting under his musical leadership as well as working for him when he was Vice President and later President of Sandy Cove ministries.
As I observed his life – I  HEARD AND SAW so many amazing things. In fact, what is so scary is that even now I hear myself saying things he would say, and I even more frightening, I find myself using my hands to direct music or placing my hands on the pulpit just like he did.
You my friend have the privilege of being an example to other men and young men that God may bring into your life. It is a wonderful privilege. Don’t miss the opportunity. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick
Team YOU: 2 Samuel 3-5; Proverbs 18; Luke 14:25-35

Motivations:  The last days are upon us. You didn’t ask to be born when you were. God chose you to be alive now. With that choosing comes all the grace you need to stand and be a hero of faith in these awesome days. Embrace His grace, embrace the tremendous privilege that is yours. Like the three young men in the fiery furnace, say boldly and courageously, “Our God is able to deliver us, but even if He doesn’t, we will not bow.” Barbara Richmond
Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 5:17-18; Level 2: Ephesians 5:8-14

Powered Up:  The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clutter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament. – Brother Lawrence

Godly Examples Part 2

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Godly Examples — Part 2
The things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9
Here’s part 2 of Dr. Charles Stanley’s list of lessons he has learned:


16. Whatever you acquire outside of God’s will eventually turns to ashes. 

17. We stand tallest and strongest on our knees. 

18. As children of a sovereign God, we are never victims of our circumstances. 

19. Anything you hold too tightly, you will lose. 

20. Disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice. 

21. Obedience always brings blessing. 

22. To walk in the Spirit is to obey the initial promptings of the Spirit. 

23. You can never out-give God. 

24. To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us. 

25. God blesses us so that we might bless others. 

26. Adversity is a bridge to a deeper relationship with God. 

27. Prayer is life’s greatest time saver. 

28. No Christian has ever been called to “go it alone” in his or her walk of faith. 

29. We learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops. 

30. An eager anticipation of the Lord’s return keeps us living productively. 

Good stuff. Now why don’t you make your own list! J Blessings. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick
Team YOU: 2 Samuel 1-2; Proverbs 17; Luke 14:1-24

Motivations: When we rely upon organization, we get what organization can do; when we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon eloquence, we get what eloquence can do, and so on. Nor am I disposed to undervalue any of these things in their proper place, but when we rely upon prayer, we get what God can do. A. C. Dixon
Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:2-3; Level 2: Ephesians 5:15-21
Powered Up:  As a rain-cloud brings the shower, so prayer brings the blessing. As spring scatters flowers, so supplication ensures mercies. In all labor there is profit, but most of all in the work of intercession I am sure of this, for I have reaped it. C. H. Spurgeon

Learn from Godly Examples

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Learn from Godly Examples
The things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9
I’ve been a people watcher for years. I love to watch people and learn from them. Over the years I have been blessed to be in the company of some very humble servants of God and have learned from them.
Many of you have listened to one of my media mentors, Dr. Charles Stanley. I recently read this off his website and thought it would be good for us. This is a list of 30 lessons he has learned. Here are the first 15:
1. Our intimacy with God – His highest priority for our lives – determines the impact of our lives. 

2. Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him. 
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3. God’s Word is an immovable anchor in times of storm. 

4. The awareness of God’s presence energizes us for our work. 

5. God does not require us to understand His will, just obey it, even if it seems unreasonable. 

6. You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow. 

7. The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us. 

8. Fight all your battles on your knees and you win every time. 

9. Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees. 

10. If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will. 

11. God assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him. 

12. Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God. 

13. Listening to God is essential to walking with God. 

14. God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. 

15. Brokenness is God’s requirement for maximum usefulness.  Adapted from In Touch website – Dr. Charles Stanley

Team YOU: 1 Samuel 30-31; Proverbs 16; Luke 13:23-35

Motivations:  There is neither encouragement nor room in Bible religion for feeble desires, listless efforts, lazy attitudes; all must be strenuous, urgent, ardent. Inflamed desires, impassioned, unwearied insistence delight heaven. God would have His children incorrigibly in earnest and persistently bold in their efforts. Heaven is too busy to listen to half-hearted prayers or to respond to pop-calls. Our whole being must be in our praying.  (E. M.) Bounds
Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 6:2-3; Level 2: Ephesians 5:15-21
Powered Up:  If you do not get all you ask, it is because the Savior intends to give you something better.

I Want to Know Christ (Part 3)

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I Want To Know Christ (Part 3)

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. –
Philippians 3:10-11

Another one of my friends crashed and burned. He had it all together but made compromises in his life and now is in the throes of downward spiral.

As I was thinking through what happened, I was reminded of WHY I need to stay connected to the vine = abiding in Christ. A friend of mine sent this note to me a number of years ago, and I went on a hunt to find it.


You are the weakest link in the Keswick ministry, Bill.   Even though you have experienced a lot of overhaul in your Christian life, especially in recent years, you are STILL the one, most needy of further overhaul, the one most needy of greater FAITH.   In my not-so-humble opinion, all Christian leaders are the weakest links in their organizations: the ones most needy of further growth, no matter HOW much God has grown them, to date.  
You don’t have the luxury of a healthy devotional life, Bill: you need extraordinary devotional life, or you will be chewed up and spit out, by the enemy.   And you don’t have the luxury of healthy prayer mobilization: you need extraordinary prayer mobilization.  And you’re doing a great job of that, especially when you ask prayer for your FAITH, in light of the extreme faith-needy, prayer-needy circumstances, the ministry of Keswick faces, not just financially, but in every other way.    

So Bill needs to be on the list of people he’s concerned about, so that Bill is maximally healthy, physically, emotionally and spiritually.   If I were Satan, I’d do everything I could, to undermine Bill’s health, physically and emotionally, so it would be much, much harder for him to simply BELIEVE.   NURTURE yourself, Bill, physically, emotionally and spiritually: it’s not a selfish thing, but a strategic investment for the Kingdom.  In my not-so-humble opinion.   Satan wants you neutralized, rendered impotent, so you and the ministry of Keswick will not be such a threat to him.  YOU, Bill Welte, are the weakest link at Keswick. 

I don’t have to stay connected to the Lord to earn more of His love! I don’t have to stay connected because if I don’t I will lose my salvation. I stay connected because HE wants to live His life through me. I need to stay connected because I AM the weakest link! Thank You, Lord, for the reminder! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 1 Samuel 22-24; Proverbs 13; Luke 12:1-31

Motivations:  I liken God’s use of adversity to walking a dog. If the dog gets its leash wrapped around a pole and tries to continue running forward, he will only tighten the leash more. Both the dog and the owner are after the same end, forward motion, but the owner must resist the dog by pulling him opposite the direction he wants to go. The master, sharing the same intention but understanding better than the dog where he really wants to go, takes an action precisely opposite to that of the dog’s will. It is in this way that God uses adversity. C. S. Lewis
Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 4:25; Level 2: Ephesians 4:11-16
Powered Up:  Prayer should never be an excuse for inaction. Nehemiah prayed, but he also set watches for protection – he used common sense. As a result, what had not been done in a hundred years’ time was finished in fifty-two days. Corrie ten Boom

I Want to Know Christ — Part 2

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I WANT TO KNOW CHRIST – Part 2

10[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [[a]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]    11That if possible I may attain to the [[b]spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Philippians 3:10-11
(The Amplified Bible)

I just hung up from speaking to a brother who was seeking an answer to the question that I addressed in yesterday’s Freedom Fighter.

Maybe you have sensed it in your life, maybe not. Admittedly life is busy and crazy. I am in a cycle right now of “activity” that is very intense.

Activity is good BUT it can NEVER replace my having my time with Christ every day. I am really tired of hearing my “grace junkie” friend’s harp on the fact that I don’t have to have a quiet time every day. I understand what they are saying – I am not going to lose my salvation if I miss it. I am not going to be loved any less if I don’t have my time with God each day.

But what people are hearing is an excuse NOT to spend time with Him on a daily basis. WE MISS OUT WHEN WE DON’T SPEND THAT TIME getting to know HIM each day. We don’t do it because of legalistic reasons – nor should we beat ourselves up if we miss a day here and there. But if we are honest – when that starts to slip in our lives, that is when we find ourselves moving away from Him and one day turns into two – and you know the rest of the story.


Apart of KNOWING HIM is spending time with Him. He longs for you to be in His presence. Take time each and every day to spend time with Him not because you HAVE to – but because you WANT to. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 1 Samuel 19-21; Proverbs 12; Luke 11:29-54

Motivations:  Being steadfast in belief does not exclude all temptations from without.
When we say a tree is firmly rooted, we do not say the wind never blows upon it.
John Owen
Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 4:25; Level 2: Ephesians 4:11-16
Powered Up:  As far as my understanding of these things goes, intercessory prayer is the finest and most exacting kind of work that it is possible for men to perform. – O. Hallesby

I Want to Know Christ

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I Want to Know Christ

10[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [[a]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]    11That if possible I may attain to the [[b]spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Philippians 3:10-11
(The Amplified Bible)

Years ago I penned this verse from the Amplified Bible into the margin of my Ryrie Study Bible. It has been a good reminder to me every time I read the book of Philippians.

Having just celebrated Easter, and re-reading the post resurrection accounts of the various characters that saw Jesus before He ascended back to heaven, I was reminded by the Holy Spirit that HE wants to have an intimate relationship with you and me.

I KNOW that President Obama is the President of the United States. I’ve seen him on TV and whether I agree with him or not, I KNOW he is the President. It isn’t a “think so,””or hope so,” – I know this to be true!

Many of you will KNOW the name JIM HERR. He was the founder of Herr’s Snack Foods. By the way, Mr. Herr just went home to be with the Lord last week. I KNOW Mr. Herr. Have sat in his office. He isn’t just a picture on a bag of chips. I KNOW him.

Jesus wants to have a deep, personal, intimate abiding relationship with you and me so that we can get to KNOW Him more and more each day. We do that by spending time with Him through His Word, prayer, meditation, memorization …

There’s lots He wants to talk to us about. The question is do we want to take the time to have the “abiding in Christ” relationship? There’s no better time than today to begin that relationship. Caution: You will never be the same … but it will be worth the ride! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 1 Samuel 17-18; Proverbs 11; Luke 11:1-28

Motivations:  Day by day, morning by morning, begin your walk with Him in the calm trust that God is at work in everything….It is your personal business, as a discipline of your heart, to learn to be peaceful and safe in God in every situation….Remember, friend, where your real living is going on. In your thinking, in your reacting, in your heart of hearts – here is where your walk with God begins and continues. So when you start to move into trusting Him, stay there. Don’t wander out again into worry and doubt! Anne Ortlund
Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 4:25; Level 2: Ephesians 4:11-16
Powered Up:  Prayer does not fit us for the greater work. Prayer is the greater work. J. Oswald Chambers

Not Always Pretty

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Join us this Thursday night for our Men’s Fellowship Night. Pastor Joe Scro for Easton Bible Church will be sharing the Word. Dinner is at 6:15 PM. Call for reservations:
732-350-1187

Not Always so Pretty
“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. ”John 15:8
It’s that time of year again, Springtime! I love to watch my co-worker Garrett do his thing. Garrett takes care of the landscaping at Keswick. Part of what he does is prune back trees and bushes. Now I have to tell you it’s not pretty at first, but “in due season” in produces a beautiful product.
Here Jesus is telling us that the Father is Vinedresser. He says that every branch that bears fruit he prunes. Now I must tell you that’s not a desirable thing for me. He also tells us that “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you”. That tells me that when I’m being pruned and am “feeling” bear, it’s His word that upholds me, His word that keeps me. Like the beautiful trees and bushes that are the product of Garrett’s pruning, it’s a good reminder of the season God is pruning me.  
The problem sometimes is we just look good and are satisfied. The real product of God’s pruning is “fruit”. The fruit that is produced is a godly character that is evident by works, an inner transformation that characterize the list of “the fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22.
When troubles come, and they will, it’s what’s in us that uphold us. It’s not only if we are in God’s word but is God’s word in us? It’s the inward transformation that prompts us to “abide”. When we abide we allow God to prune the dead branches. I believe we have a part to play in allowing this process to take place. It’s not enough to just ask God to prune us and then continue to walk in our own ways.
In John 15 (NKJV) verses 6, 7 and 10 start out with a huge word, “IF”.  It would be amusing to watch Garrett try and reason with the trees and bushes, convincing them that pruning are for the better.
Let’s learn from the landscape and stand strong thru the pruning process, letting the great Vinedresser have His way, Amen! – Rob Russomano is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves on our Keswick full-time staff
Team YOU: 1 Samuel 15-16; Proverbs 10; Luke 10:1-24

Motivations:  “A person that is Gospel-empowered may accomplish much for the Kingdom and for the mission of God. But success is not rooted in a person’s performance or motivated for his or her own glory. This is the difference, and it’s a big difference. It is not based on his or her own ability and the means by which one accomplishes great things is not by using others, manipulating others or leading them by force. Nor is it on driving to produce results for one’s own security. Rather, the efforts are rooted in the Gospel and expressed through the power of the Spirit and as a result, bring glory to God. This is done through Christ for the accomplishment of the mission for which God sent His Son and His Son sent His church and is now completing it with His body—a gathered community of Spirit-filled disciples of Jesus”.  (Tom Wood & Scott Thomas, Gospel Coach)

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 5:17-18; Level 2: Ephesians 5:8-14
Powered Up:  When we work, we work. When we pray God works. J. Hudson Taylor

Be Watchful

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Be watchful, stand firm in the faith.
1 Corinthians 16:13
For the next couple of days I want to share several devotionals written by Puritan preachers on temptation. They were very insightful and direct when addressing temptation. I hope it will help you understand temptation and how it impacts our lives. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick
How can we recognize when a temptation has come to its hour?  A temptation has come to its hour when it is restless, urgent, and arguing.  It is a time of battle, and sin will give the soul no rest.  Satan sees his advantage, the convergence of his forces, and knows that he must now prevail, or be hopeless forever.  Satan pushes this opportunity and time of advantage with special pleas and promises.  He has taken some ground in his arguments so far, and seeks to exert his ground further.  He reminds us of a full pardon after the sin.  He realizes that if he does not win now he will lose the opportunity. 
When Satan had prepared all the events against Christ, it was the hour of darkness.  When a temptation presses in upon us through our imagination and reason, and when opportunities, solicitations, and advantages press us on the outside, we may know that the hour of its power has come. 
A temptation has also come to its hour when it brings both fear and allurements together to work with greater force.  These came together in King David when he planned the murder of Uriah. There was the fear of his sin being found out, and also the continued pleasure and enjoyment with Bathsheba. 
Men sometimes are carried into sin just by the love of it, but they often continue in it because of the fear of consequences that might appear by repentance and full disclosure.  Our Saviour teaches us the ways to prevent our entering into temptation, and there are two: ‘Watch’ and ‘Pray.’ 
To watch means to be on guard, to take heed, and to consider the ways the enemy might seek to approach us and entangle us in his baits and methods.  The second direction is to pray.  This important duty is known to all.  These two duties are the whole expression of faith to protect us from temptation. John Owen, Works, VI: 99-101
Team YOU: 1 Samuel 13-14; Proverbs 9; Luke 10:1-24
Motivations:  The apostles suffered incredible persecution and died horrible deaths in the Christian cause. The only possible explanation for their zeal was that they had actually seen, talked with and eaten with the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. If Christ had not really risen and had not appeared to the apostles, would they all have died for a lie? Fritz Ridenour
Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 5:17-18; Level 2: Ephesians 5:8-14
Powered Up:  The reasons why we obtain no more in prayer is because we expect no more. God usually answers us according to our hearts. Richard Alleine