Dealing With Stuff

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DEALING WITH “STUFF”
“Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive orchards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen…?” (2 Kings 5:26)
            Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, could not bear to see Naaman depart with his gifts of silver, gold, and changes of garments.  “As the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.” But Elisha went with him in spirit and, upon his servant’s return, immediately exposed the covetous act. The prophet’s rebuke came in the form of a question: “Is this a time to receive money, clothing, lands, possessions…”

            I’m told that my Italian grandmother from the old country owned two garments.  When one was in the wash, she wore the other.  Simplicity is a beautiful thing.  My wife and I are in the midst of an effort to simplify our family life. At the outset, it became clear that we must address two things; the attic and our wardrobes.  I wish I could describe the satisfied feeling I enjoyed as we looked at that very long line of “stuff” out on the street, and waited for the township dump truck.  It seems that we can actually come to believe that our life is somehow bound together with that trash we’ve been carrying around for years!

            Brothers and sisters, I believe these are the last days before our Lord’s return—I have been convinced of this since early childhood.  And I am also convinced that Elisha would pose the very same question to the Church today—“Is this a time to be occupied with ‘stuff’?”  No indeed, it is not a time to accumulate, and tend to our possessions.  Material possessions can be a great distraction from doing the will of God and the work of the Kingdom.  The world lives for the next purchase—the Church must not be of this mind.  It is not a time to be focused on our own comfort, prosperity, and security.  I am extremely bothered by any teaching in the church that might be characterized as “prosperity  teaching.”  Jesus did not come to make us prosperous and comfortable!

            The Church will never know victorious Christian living until we deal the death-blow to that coveteous spirit of Gehazi which is so prevalent in our culture and in our churches. Peter Cardillo serves as the Director of Food Service at America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Deuteronomy 19-21; Proverbs 13; Mark 13:21-37

Motivations: If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in the a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant to the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. C. S. Lewis
Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 4:1; Level 2: Ephesians 3:14-21
Powered Up:  Pray for the highest of all gifts, for the gift of divine love. It is a never-ending love, for it is the chief attribute of God and therefore imperishable like God Himself. This love is to be yours. Basilea Schlink

Delighting In God’s Will

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DELIGHTING IN GOD’S WILL

This week we are traveling with 49 Keswick partners to beautiful Florida. The devotionals this week are from our daily devotional, REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE. – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

“…I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10b RSV) “I delight to do thy will, O my God;” (Psalm 40:8 RSV)
            We all live—most of us do not wish to die—and yet, there is no driving desire to go on living either!  We rise in the morning, accepting of the new day.  We do not dread the day, but neither do we relish it with a sense of anticipation.  The new day is part duty, part chore, and mostly routine—there is no joyous bounding into the day.  The day, and any opportunity it may hold, is not a delight to us— we embark on the new day with resignation.  Something is wrong.  Many go on in this way for years, having settled for a quality of “life” that is far below that which is possible for the believer.
We do not doubt that God is there, or that He loves us.  It isn’t a crisis of faith (theologically), and yet it is a crisis… a quiet and prolonged crisis.  In our best moments we are very aware that this “wilderness experience” is hardly the “life more abundant” that Jesus came to give!  In our heart we know we must enter more fully into this gift of life, and that something is dreadfully wrong.  For me, a deep breath of spring air is enough to remind me of what has been lost from my childhood— there was joy and anticipation in those days.  What is the answer?  How do we get this quality of life that Jesus speaks of?
For the child of God, abundant life comes only when we are obedient to the will of God— David said “I delight to do thy will O my God.”  And delight is just the missing ingredient for many of us.  There is a delight that comes when we are obedient to the light that we have.  Simple obedience can turn a life of plodding resignation into a life that is a daily delight!  Begin to read God’s Word again with a single eye towards obedience.  Then, go into the day with an obedient child-like heart, and let’s see what God does! — Peter Cardillo serves on the full-time staff of America’s Keswick
Team YOU: Deuteronomy 16-18; Proverbs 12; Mark 13:1-20

Motivations: I do not believe anyone ever yet humbly, genuinely, thoroughly gave himself to Christ without some other finding Christ through him. Phillips Brooks
Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 4:1; Level 2: Ephesians 3:14-21

Powered Up:  Many of us have discovered that true prayer begins where we can begin to say with Jesus, “Not my will, but Thine be done.” That should not mean mere resignation to fate, it should mean cooperation with the will of God. Sam Shoemaker

Dow Passess 13,000 — Should I Invest?

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DOW PASSES 13,000 – Should I Invest?
Many financial “experts” are saying that since this is an election year and the DOW Jones Industrial average is off to its best start since 1998 that now is a good time to invest in the stock market. So as followers of Jesus Christ, the question is should we invest in the stock market and is now a good time to invest?
There are many who oppose investing in stocks, saying that buying stocks is the same as gambling. The argument goes that since stocks are bought with the hope they will increase in value that this is a type of gambling. I can understand how someone could come to this conclusion, however I believe there are major differences between gambling at a casino, or buying a lottery ticket and buying stocks.
 Gamblers and lottery ticket buyers risk money, which they know they will probably lose, in the faint hopes of making money quickly. Wise stock market investors are buying partial ownership in a company in the hopes of making money over time through using God given ability in researching and gaining knowledge of their investments.
Proverbs 28:20 says “…A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished”. I believe this verse helps us to separate gambling from investing. The difference is in the intent.If our intent is driven by a “get-rich-quick” attitude and our success based on nothing more than “luck” then we would certainly be considered one eager to get rich, as described in the second part of the verse. But one who studies and learns about their investments and invests for the long term would be considered a faithful man as described in the beginning of the verse.
If our intent is steadily growing wealth through legitimate means, I believe this is a picture of a wise steward and honoring to God. Proverbs 21:5 says “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty”. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) is an excellent example of the encouragement Christ gives us to invest our time, talent and money as wise stewards of the resources God has given us. There are other verses in the Bible that not only encourage us to invest, but give guidance in making investment decisions. (Ecclesiastes 5:13,14; Ecclesiastes 11:2; Proverbs 27:3-4)
So we come to the conclusion that with the right intent, investing in the stock market is something that wise stewards of God’s money may be involved in. So the next question is should we invest now, based on the recent upward movement of the market? I believe the answer to that is also found in the Bible. If we review the two verses in Proverbs above, we see we must avoid that get rich quick attitude. I believe this means that a wise steward will have a long term approach to investing and not a get rich quick attitude. In other words, we will not try to get rich quick by jumping in the stock market simply because we think it is going up.
James 4:14 says “You do not know what will happen tomorrow”. So we must be very cautious about investing in the stock market solely because we think it is on its way up.
So the answer if we should invest in the stock market soley because we think it is going up is inconsistent with God’s principle of avoiding the “get rich quick” attitude. Our investments should be based on research and understanding of the stocks we are buying with a long term view, not trying to predict the future and make a quick dollar. I like the way The Living Bible translates Proverbs 21:5 “Steady plodding brings prosperity, hasty speculation brings poverty”. Isn’t it amazing that God’s Word even gives us instructions on how to invest in the stock market?! – George Hutchison is an instructor with Crown Financial and is the writer of the blog, Stewardship Insights

Team YOU: Deuteronomy 7-9; Proverbs 9; Mark 11:19-33
Motivations: “To the degree that this life holds the possibility of ‘getting something’ we will labor and flounder to achieve what only heaven can offer.  On the other hand, to the degree that his life is viewed as a place of pilgrimage—a place where it is never honorable or right to build a lasting foundation—I am released to live and love through seeing my life used to advance your progress and joy in Christ.”
Dan Allender, Bold Love
Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 3:14-15; Level 2: Ephesians 3:8-13
Powered Up:  We as a church pray not because it is the key to something – healing the sick, church growth, or even revival – but because God is God and worthy of our total obedience and reverence. – Charles Colson

Do You Know Where You’re Going?

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Do You Know Where You’re Going?

Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:16

Before you skip this reading and assume it’s not for me because “I am already saved”, have a look. Normally this is a good question to ask someone who may not know Christ as Savior. You have probably experienced a moment when the Lord opens the door to witness to someone and if we took a survey this is probably the #1 question.

Recently my mother died. It was the end of an up and down battle with cancer, she was 84. About a year and a half ago I had the opportunity to lead her to Jesus as He used cancer to draw her to Himself. She was given over to hospice and the next few days where not looking good. Kneeling at her bedside, in a fatigued, beaten down condition the question I asked was mom “do you know where you’re going? The typical answer was given “I hope so, after all I was a good person…” you know the “lost’s lingo”. She accepted Jesus as Savior.

From that day on my mom began a recovery that no one had an answer to. She got back her independence and was up and going. Often calling me with a prayer request to relay to the men of the Colony, who by the way were prayer warriors used to get to this point.

I wish I could say my mom spent the next year and a half reading God’s word and fellowshipping with believers. She still had a love of life and the things of this world.
Last week on her death bed I began to usher her into the arms of the Savior, letting her know it was ok. It was a little disturbing to see the resistance to let go, I mean who wouldn’t want to see Jesus?

My wife and I love to travel, each year going to a new stop. We always read everything we can so when we get there we “know where we’re going”. Well that night I realized that although she had a ticket to heaven, she never read the “brochure” on where she was going.

So my question remains, Do you know where you’re going? Have you read the Bible (brochure), the greatest love story ever about a God desiring to have fellowship and spend eternity with you?  We are reminded over and over, “This is not our home…, I go to prepare a place…, Where I am you will be… let not your hearts be troubled…etc.
I hope when my time comes I’m ready and willing, how about you? – Rob Russomano is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves on our full-time staff

Team YOU: Deuteronomy 4-6; Proverbs 8; Mark 11:1-18

Motivations: The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts. A. W. Tozer
Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 3:14-15; Level 2: Ephesians 3:8-13

Powered Up:  Prayer should rise more out of God’s Word and concern for His kingdom than even out of our personal needs, trials or desires.

Abraham’s Tipping Point

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Abraham’s Tipping Point 

“After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” He said, “Take 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.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.”    Gen 22:1-3 (ESV) 

I recently spent a Saturday in Allentown, Pa. I was attending a conference titled, Christian Life and Ministry or C.L.A.M. for short. It is sponsored by the Penn-Jersey Wesleyan Church District and they have this conference for church teachers, preachers and group leaders. The keynote speaker, Dr. Karl Eastlack, preached a really cool message at the end of the event. (Just for the record, he also preach an equally really cool opening message.) He starts off with all of us snapping our fingers and singing “AMEN” and when we finish he warns us to watch how we say it as by saying it means we come into an agreement. 

Dr. Eastlack has us open our Bibles to chapter 22 in Genesis where we find the story of God instructing Abraham to offer up Isaac to Him. He goes on to say that at 100 years old God has something strange yet awesome in store for Abraham. We can also notice that nowhere in the passage does Abraham say anything to Sarah, ever. The key verse to take note here is verse five, “Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” The key is “come again with you”…what faith Abraham demonstrates. This is after a three day journey, enough time to back out of Gods command. Oh by the way, Abraham has also said nothing to Isaac.  

Dr. Eastlack then takes us to verses 10-12 (please look that up) and it is what is said by God in verse 12 that we all understand that an AMEN is due! It is at this very point where God has made known that Abraham fears Him. Now there are three things to pull out of Abraham’s tipping point. The first is that there is access without condition. In Genesis 22:1 and 22:11 Abraham says “Here I am!” Whereas in Genesis 3:9 we read, “Where are you?” Do you have unfettered access or are you in the spiritual dark? The second thing is there is trust without information. Abraham was given no details. Good thing he wasn’t a control freak or a daily planner, huh? 

As for the third thing we can pull out of this story is that there is obedience without delay. When we look at verse three, “So Abraham rose early in the morning” notice there is no sleeping in to think this over. When we look at verse ten, “Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.” There was no moment of debate or hesitation. Just think about how much easier things may have been for King Saul back there in 1 Samuel 15:22-23 if he just did as he was told to do. Think about how things may have been different if Mary hadn’t said “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” This is the part where you say AMEN!! 

I, myself, have had issues with this blind obedience stuff in the past. And as time as gone by it has gotten a bit easier but it still is uncomfortable until I have gone all the way through. I was reminded of that on a Saturday afternoon in Allentown, PA. But how about you? How far are you willing to go for your church, community or even God Himself? Will you let Him know you are with Him by just saying, “Here I am!” Or do you find yourself hiding in The Garden with nothing but a fig leaf to keep you warm when out of nowhere you hear, ‘Where are you?” Hmm…now can you say amen? By the way, fig leaves aren’t very fashionable these days…just sayin’. – Chris Hughes is a frequent Freedom Fighter contributor and a graduate of the Colony of Mercy 

Team YOU: Deuteronomy 1-3; Proverbs 7; Mark 10:32-52

Motivations:  So the final test of love is obedience. Not sweet emotions, not willingness to sacrifice, not zeal, but obedience to the commandments of Christ.” —A.W. Tozer
Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 3:14-15; Level 2: Ephesians 3:8-13
Powered Up:  Pray so that there is a real continuity between your prayer and your whole actual life.  P.T. Forsyth

A Great Follow Up to Lust’s Antidote

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Don’t forget this week’s Men’s Fellowship Night with Pastor Mike Dellaprute. Dinner at 6:15 PM followed by the program. Call for reservations and information: 732-350-1187

A Great Follow Up to Lust’s Antidote
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Romans 12:2

Today’s devotional from The Christian Armor is a great follow-up to what our brother, Makala shared yesterday:

The Christian is to proclaim and initiate an irreconcilable war against his CHOICE sins. Those nearest his heart must now be trampled under his feet. This takes great courage and resolution. O how lust will plead for itself. Satan pleads: ‘Is it not just a little sin – O spare it!’ He will flatter you soul with the secrecy of it: “You can have it, and your honor also.’
If this does not work, Satan will try to get you to wait just a little while for its execution. DO NOT BE DECEIVED BY THIS STRATEGY! Most lusts that have received a delay in execution will eventually obtain a full pardon and regain full favor with your soul.

It takes great resolution to break through such violent pleading and bring your lust to full execution. We must walk with single purpose, without an eye on the world’s glitter. We must stand fixed to heaven’s principles and so prove our citizenship in heaven but our faithfulness to the truth. This can bring snares, dangers and mockings. It takes courage to despise the shame that a Christian must expect to meet with.

It is a great honor for a Christian when all his enemies can say that his faithful and will not do as we do. A cowardly heart will find all kinds of reasons to retreat from duty. Since the Christian has so great a danger he needs to be locked into his saddle, or he will soon be dismounted.

The Christian must stay on his course to heaven even when is blasphemed because of false professors and apostates. We need to bear up in holy resolution against such discouragements. Joshua stood against the whole camp of Israel who turned their hearts back to Egypt. With an undaunted spirit he maintained his integrity, and claimed he was resolved to serve the Lord through would not join him.

You might think that I have become obsessed with this topic. No, not really. I realized that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to take us out. This is not some “play-for-fun” war. He has declared all-out war. Praise God the we can have the victory through Christ. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Numbers 35-36; Proverbs 6; Mark 10:1-31

Motivations: Brethren, study God’s Word diligently for your own edification; and when it has become more to you than your necessary food, sweeter than honey or the honeycomb, it will be impossible for you to speak of it to others, without a glow passing into your words which will betray the delight with which it has inspired your own heart. James Stalker
Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 3:14-15; Level 2: Ephesians 3:8-13

Powered Up:  It’s not wrong to pray for miracles. But it is wrong to insist upon our own will rather than God’s. We may not demand miracles of a sovereign God. Unfortunately such demands are made in all too many Christian circles today. Margaret Clarkson

Lust’s Antidote

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Join us this Thursday evening for our March Men’s Fellowship Night with Pastor Mike Dellaprute. Dinner is at 6:15 PM followed by a time of worship and fun. Call for information: 732-350-1187

Lust’s Antidote
Love can wait and worship endlessly; lust says, “I must have it at once.”
~Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)  
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
~ 1 John 2:15-17
Oh beloved, it is true… We are, as Joseph Joubert said over 2oo years ago, burdened with the unbearable weight of ourselves.  Oh maybe it is just me… but i doubt it.
We want what we want, when we want it.  And any idea we come up with must be right and true – simply because we were the one who came up with it.
Our bodies and our brains scream for comfort… and sometimes we listen.  
We see that beautiful body, or machine, or money, or other bright and shiny object…  And we want it.
We feel that people misunderstand us, or won’t give us our due…  and we get anxious or angry.
Why?
We miss the antidote to lust.  The antidote is hope.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
~ Romans 15:13

Yeah, hope.  The kind of hope we see in the “Hope sandwich”  Paul writes about in Romans.  We have a G_d of hope who fills us with His joy; Who fills us with His peace.  And in this filling, we too can abound with the very hope of the One who started all of this.
Are we catching this?  All is well.  All of it.  Every single bit of it.  We are absolutely swimming in an ocean of grace-born hope.  
He is real.  
His Glory is real.  
His Blood is real.
His Love is real.
His Grace is real.
His Peace is real.
His Life is real.
In light of the above (and this is only the beginning of the list), could we not just learn to rest in Him?  Rather than trying to resist our lusts, might we just abandon them and simply wait quietly in His powerful Presence when these lusts raise their ugly heads in our being?
Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. ~ Psalm 43:5
Lust?  No thanks.  I’ll take Hope! Makala Doulos is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a new Freedom Fighter contributor
Team YOU: Numbers 32-34; Proverbs 5; Mark 9:30-50

Motivations: “Me” is always at the bottom of all sin. It may spell drink, lust, pride, covetousness, self-will; but it is some form of “me.” ~Joseph Joubert (1754-1824)
Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 4:1; Level 2: Ephesians 3:14-21
Powered Up:  Intercession leaves you neither time nor inclination to pray for your own ‘sad sweet self.’ The thought of yourself is not kept out, because it is not there to keep out; you are completely and entirely identified with God’s interests in other lives. – Oswald Chambers

In the Dark

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In the Dark

WHATEVER YOU HAVE SAID IN THE DARK WILL BE HEARD IN THE LIGHT, AND WHAT YOU HAVE WHISPERED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS WILL BE SHOUTED FROM THE HOUSETOPS FOR ALL TO HEAR!     LUKE 12:3 IN THE DARK

My wife Jan gave me a little book several years that has been a really blessing to me. It is simply a book of Scripture and a little prayer for the day. It is not a dated devotional but I am amazed at how many days it has been right on for where I am in my life.

If we are honest with God and each other, there are those places in our lives that God wants us to bring into the light so that we can truly walk in victory.

Chaplain Jim Freed, Director of the Colony of Mercy and Men’s Addiction Recovery ministries at America’s Keswick has shared that often what holds us back from really being free is that we hold on to that dark place in our lives that is hidden from everyone.

Is there a place in your life, tucked and hidden away, that God wants to heal? Maybe you have done battle with this issue for years thinking that no one knows. But God does … and He wants to set you free. As the prayer below says, “Don’t waste another day – confess Your sin and walk in the light!” – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

My Son, I created you to be a light in the dark places of this world. Where light is, darkness cannot be. Give Me access to those dark, hidden places in your heart, and let My marvelous light penetrate your innermost being. Nothing you have done can be hidden from Me. I want to eliminate the shame and guilt you feel for what you have done. Don’t waste another day in shadows; confess your sin to Me. I am your Redeemer. I will once again set you up as My light in this dark world. It’s time, My chosen one, to come clean and let your Savior set you free once again.     Your King, who gave for your freedom
Shepherd, Sheri Rose (2010-03-15). His Battle: God’s Plan for Victory (pp. 96-97). Revell. Kindle Edition.

Team YOU: Numbers 23-25; Proverbs 2; Mark 7:14-37

Motivations: The test of our sanctification is not our talk about holiness and singing pious hymns; but what we are like where no one sees us? With those who know us best? – Oswald Chambers

Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 3:14-15; Level 2: Ephesians 3:8-13
Powered Up:  Prayer is to intercede for the well-being of others before God. Augustine

Training in Warfare

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Training in Warfare

A good soldier never lets down his guard. He is always ready to do battle with the world, the flesh and the devil. Today’s devotional from the Christian Armor is a good reminder that we need to be on guard every moment of the day. Take a few minutes to read it, and then pass it on to another brother that you love and pray for. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

Others wrestle with sin but do not hate it. They wrestle in jest, not in earnest. Until the love of a sin is quenched in the heart, the fire will never die out. W e wrestle against God when we disregard His rules and substitute our own. Maybe you do not wrestle against God’s providence, and you do wrestle against sin. This seems commendable, but God requires more: You must wrestle by His rules and His alone. Timothy tells us, “If a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully” (2 Timothy 2:5).

Check your own conduct against the errors of some who have waged their own battle, and not Christ’s: Some, while they wrestle against one sin, embrace another. Our lusts are diverse and will fight for rank among themselves.

When malice wants revenge, craft says, “Hide your wrath-but do not forgive.” When passion sends out for whores, hypocrisy cancels the request but for the fear of the world, not God. The man who allows one sin to command another, and thus to rule his soul, cannot be God’s champion.

Some wrestle because they are pressed into service. Their slavish fears frighten them and keep them from their lusts for the moment. But the real combat for such a wrestler is between his conscience and his will, rather than between his soul and his lusts. In such a case, the will at last prevails, for a lust held in check but not discarded grows as wild as a trapped stallion. Finally the conscience can no longer hold the reins nor sit in the saddle, but is thrown down. Then the lust ranges where it can have its fullest meal and will continue to gorge itself until conscience revives and runs to God for help.

Others wrestle with sin but do not hate it. They wrestle in jest, not in earnest. Until the love of a sin is quenched in the heart, the fire will never die out. How is this accomplished? Jerome says one love extinguishes another-that is, the love of Christ must quench the love of sin. Then and not until then will the soul’s decree stand against sin. William Gurnall. The Christian in Complete Armour (Kindle Locations 783-795). Kindle Edition.

Team YOU: Numbers 20-22; Proverbs 1; Mark 7:1-13

Motivations: “The real struggle for me shouldn’t be the occasional rude question about my son’s identity [he is adopted] ; it should be the ongoing question about my own. Maybe the questions bothered me so much because they are being asked about me all the time, within the echo chamber of my own fallen psyche and by unseen rebel angels all around. ‘Are you really a son of the living God?’ ‘Does your God really know you?’  ‘Does this biblical story really belong to you?’   ‘Are these really your brothers and sisters?’  ‘Do you really belong here?’  The question of identity related to adoption was so desperate because it challenged the authenticity of my family. But more than that, it challenged the authenticity of the gospel…We veer from a fleshly self-sufficiency to a fleshly despair to a fleshly tribalism. And in all of this we lose sight of Christ. In adoption we find ourselves—in Jesus.”  Russell Moore, Adopted For Life.
Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 3:14-15; Level 2: Ephesians 3:8-13
Powered Up:  Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Phillips Brooks

Rescued to Rescue

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Rescued to Rescue
We are not our own, anymore than what we possess is our own. We did not make ourselves; we cannot be supreme over ourselves. We cannot be our own masters. We are God’s property by creation, by redemption, by regeneration. ~Cardinal John Newman (1801-1890)
And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.  When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,
   “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; 
for You were slain, 
and purchased for God with Your blood 
men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
 “You have made them to be a kingdom and 
priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
~ Revelation 5:6-10
When we finally slow down in our lives and start to simply rest in – and listen to – Him, an incredible dynamic starts to take hold in our lives.
Wonder!  Epic, jaw-dropping, wonder at the wonder of it all.
We get into moments like Revelation 5, and the ability for the human brain and for human language to comprehend what is going on simply falter.  Both intellect and language breakdown in a beautiful coming undone, that only points to the overwhelming beauty of the One our words and thoughts are trying to describe.
Get this beloved.  G_d died for you.
Yes, of course, you say.  It is terrible that Jesus had to go to that nasty cross because people were so bad…  And to say something like this, is almost partially right.
But, get this beloved.  G_d died for us,  ON PURPOSE.  He died to purchase us out of this fallen, dying world to make us royalty and priests in a Kingdom of real righteousness, peace and joy empowered, authenticated, and inhabited by His very own Holy Spirit.  AND GET THIS TOO.  He is the only One ever, who could ever do it.
Kinda puts a different spin on it!
He has made us a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people with a great commission.  We are to minister the very infinite grace He has given us – to others.  We literally get to share the joy and Life He has given us with others that they may know Him too.  This is surely very good news for us – and for those He will reach through our formerly miserable (now abundantly joyful!) lives.
So, we should have no fear when we are on mission to help and minister to others.  The position we are in has nothing to do with us.  We are priests, put into positions bought by the only Real Power-broker in the universe.  Those we reach out to help, may even lash out at us as we reach into their lives.  They may see us as a threat to the status-quo in their lives.  And, oh by the way, we are no threat – but the Jesus we manifest is indeed a threat to anyone’s current way of living.  
He does indeed have a way of totally ending our old life and making everything new!
Are we getting this?  We have been rescued out of a death-pit by the valid purchase of G_d Himself.    And in His doing this, He has made ministers of this same rescuing power to others.
You are a royal priest of the very goodness of a very Good G_d!
Would that we might all, by His grace, ever walk in this truth. – Makala Doulos is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter
Team YOU: Proverbs 29; Proverbs 30; Proverbs 31

Motivations: The word layman has crept into our vocabulary to describe the laity, that is, the vast majority of Christians who do not belong to the “professional” ministry known as the clergy. The use of this distinction has crippled the impact of the church on the world. Thousands of Christians have shirked their God-given responsibilities because they expect their pastor, minister, or priest (or whatever designation their church adopts) to perform all spiritual functions. The minister is expected to execute his duties so well that the people need not have any meaningful involvement in the church of Jesus Christ. The more competent the minister, the better, so that fewer requirements fall on the shoulders of the congregation.
~Erwin W. Lutzer (1941- )

Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 3:14-15; Level 2: Ephesians 3:8-13

Powered Up:  We say we believe God is to be omniscient; but a great deal of prayer seems to consist of giving Him information. C. S. Lewis