Thank You, Lord — Looking Around

11/24/201106/05/2012Leave a comment

Thank You, Lord – Looking Around

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Yesterday I shared this prayer from Charles Swindoll’s book, The Finishing Touch (Word Books). Today he writes:

Looking Around … thank You, Lord
            for our wonderful country, so blessed, so unique
            for close family ties, so affirming, so enjoyable
            for teachers, mentors, and personal heroes who spur us on
            for an opportunity to be of help and encouragement to others
            for the embrace of a friend who really cares
            for the joy of seeing our children and grandchildren grow and learn
            for an occupation that enables us to make a living
            for a place to live, clothes to wear, and food to eat

Thank You, Lord, so such incredible abundance. By just looking around, we are made aware of how rich we really are.

I want to encourage you to take some time today to look around and thank the Lord for how He has blessed you. Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, we’ll look at “Looking Within.” – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Galatians 1-3; Psalm 119:129-136; Proverbs 24

Compass Pointers: I give it as my testimony that there is a marvelous therapy in thanksgiving. John Blanchard

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 15:26-27; Level 2: John 15:18-27

Anchored to the Rock: Most churches don’t know that God rules the world by the prayers of His saint. Andrew Murray

Thank You, Lord — Looking Up

11/23/2011Leave a comment

Thank You, Lord, Looking Up

I love the devotional writings of Charles Swindoll. In his book, The Finishing Touch (Word Books), he shares three points for Thanksgiving:

Looking up … thank You, Lord:
            for Your sovereign control over our circumstances
            for Your holy character in spite of our sinfulness
            for Your commitment to us even when we wander astray
            for Your Word that gives us direction
            for Your love that holds us close
            for Your consistent faithfulness through our highs and lows
            for Your strong “no” when we need to hear it
            for Your surprising “yes” when we lack the faith to believe it
            for Your wise “wait” when we are impatient and rash
            for Your understanding when we are confused
            for Your Spirit that enlightens our eyes
            for Your grace that removes our guilt

Thank You Lord, for ALL YOU ARE, ALL YOU DO, ALL YOU SAY.

If we were unable to look up into Your face, Thanksgiving would just be another day.

Tomorrow I will share “Looking Around.” As you look up, what are you thankful for? – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Acts 15-16; Psalm 119:121-128; Proverbs 23

Compass Pointers: God’s giving deserves our thanksgiving.

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 15:26-27; Level 2: John 15:18-27

Anchored to the Rock: I’d rather stand against the cannons of the wicked than against the prayers of the righteous. Thomas Lye

Thanksgiving

11/22/201106/05/2012Leave a comment

THANKS GIVING

I first shared this on Freedom Fighter in 2005. I trust you will be blessed as you read it:

“I will never forget that Thanksgiving. I will never forget standing erect in my classroom, my handover my heart, as I repeated the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. Our nation was at war and times were hard.

My teacher lost her husband on the blood-washed shores of Normandy. After we had saluted the flag, we bowed our heads for prayer. As we did, she began to weep. I did too. All the class joined in. Then she stumbled through one of the most moving expressions of gratitude and praise that I have ever emerged from a soul in pain.

At that moment in my young life I fell in love with Thanksgiving. Lost in sympathy and a boy’s pity for his teacher, I walked home very slowly that afternoon. Although only a child, I had profound feelings of gratitude for my country . . . my friends . . . my school . . . my church . . . my family. I swore before God that I would fight to the end to keep this land fee from foes who would want to take away America’s distinctive and the joys of living in this good land.

I have never forgotten that childhood promise. I never shall. Thanksgiving puts steel into our patriotic veins. It reminds us of our great heritage. It carries us back with humbling nostalgia to that first dreadful winter at Plymouth where less than half then a handful of people survived.

Thanksgiving speaks in clear, crisp tones of forgotten terms like integrity . . . bravery . . . respect . . . faith . . . vigilance . .. dignity . . . honor . . . freedom . . . discipline . . . sacrifice .. . godliness . . . Its historic halls echo with the voices of Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, Henry, Lincoln, Lee, Jackson, and (Reagan — I added!), who challenged us to trim off the fat of indolence, compromise, passivity, and the stigma of strife.

Thanksgiving . . . mark it well. It is a day of eminence, a day of memories, a day of commitment. May it not be eclipsed behind the shadows of our national aches nor beneath the passing pain of personal hardship.

May it arrive with forceful and throbbing impact upon our lives . . . and the lives of our children. May we all, indeed give thanks.” from THE FINISHING TOUCH by Chuck Swindoll published by Word. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: James 1-5; Psalm 119:113-120; Proverbs 22

Compass Pointers: To give thanks sincerely, one must give more than thanks.

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 15:26-27; Level 2: John 15:18-27

Anchored to the Rock: There is no burden of spirit but it is lighter by kneeling under it. F. B. Meyer

Pumpkin Spiced Reconciliation

11/21/201106/05/2012Leave a comment

Pumpkin Spiced Reconciliation

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:18-19

Just got done spending a chuckled-filled Families for Christ weekend with Dr. Jim Ellis (Union University) and thought I would share some of what he shared with us. Dr. Ellis has some really good catch phrases but this weekend he started with, “Satan takes no prisoners-He leaves only wreckage.” How true is that, huh? From the very beginning our adversary has been seeking to devour us, spit us out and then leave us for dead. As long as we don’t make it to kneel before the Throne of Grace he has done his work to us. Breaking us and breaking the creation are the career goals of Satan.

As Dr. Ellis went on he reminded us that, “Too often our lives are defined by things that are broken. But God is in the business of rescuing us from sin and rebuilding broken people. Bringing together Creator and created by removing our sin through Christ’s work on the Cross, making peace with God.” It is a matter of reconciliation isn’t it? Starting with, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” (Gen 3:15) In his power pint presentation Dr. Ellis gave us these four points in reconciliation.

One…It is the Father’s pleasure in reconciliation, it is accomplished in Christ and AMEN that it includes the entire creation. That means everything folks.

Two…The Father’s process of reconciliation comes through the Cross and is done By His Son’s death on it.

Three…The Father’s purpose in reconciliation is to restore our relationship with Him so that we will reflect His glory to an unsaved world.

Four…The Father’s promise in reconciliation is the foundation of our faith and it brings hope to the human heart.

So to wrap this up in a Matt Henry sorta fashion, it was by the inspiration of God that the Scriptures were written and they are the very words of reconciliation. Showing us all that peace has been made by the cross and how we may be interested in partaking in it. And although God cannot lose by the argument nor gain by the peace, He still offers sinners to lay aside their enmity and accept the salvation He offers. Christ knew no sin. He was made Sin; not a sinner, but Sin, a Sin-offering, a Sacrifice for sin. The end and design of it all was that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him and might be justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.

Along with this reconciliation comes thanksgiving. I don’t mean the turkey, stuffing, gravy with all the trimmings kind of thanksgiving either. Keep this in mind as you sit down with your pumpkin pie this upcoming Thanksgiving Day. However, a good cup of coffee and some whipped cream goes well with pumpkin pie…just sayin’!!! – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a regular Freedom Fighter contributor

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Acts 13-15; Psalm 119: 105-112; Proverbs 21

Compass Pointers: “There is no peace like the peace of those whose minds are possessed with the full assurance that they have known God, and that God has known them, and this relationship guarantees God’s favor to them in life, through the death and forever.” J. I. Packer

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 15:26-27; Level 2: John 15:18-27

Anchored to the Rock: No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks. Ambrose

Wit’s End Corner

11/18/201106/05/2012Leave a comment

WIT’S END CORNER

This is a devotional I shared in 2006. I think it is very appropriate for many of us right now:

Yesterday I shared with you what the Lord had given me in the morning, the promise that “My grace IS sufficient.” The turned out to be another day of testing and challenges. At one point during the day I felt like I had really reached the limit of what I could handle. It was like I was at my wit’s end. It was in the still small whisper that God spoke to my heart and reminded me that His grace IS sufficient.

This morning in my time with the Lord, the phrase “WIT’S END” showed up. How timely! God knows what we need when we need it. Oswald Chambers said today, “When you come to your wit’s end and feel inclined to panic — don’t! Stand true to God and He will bring out HIS truth in a way that will make your life and expression of worship.”

David in Psalm 107:28 said: “They were at their wits end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress.” Psalm 107:27-28. I was reminded of a poem that I read in STREAMS IN THE DESERT …

Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner,”

Christian, with troubled brow?

Are you thinking of what is before you,

And all you are bearing now?

Does all the world seem against you,

And you in the battle alone?

Remember — at “Wit’s End Corner”

Is just where God’s power is shown.

Are you standing at “Wits End Corner,’

Blinded with wearying pain,

Feeling you cannot endure it,

You cannot bear the strain,

Bruised through the constant suffering,

Dizzy and dazed, and numb?

Remember at “Wit’s End Corner”

Is where Jesus loves to come.

Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”

You work before you spread,

All lying begun, unfinished,

And pressing on heart and head.

Longing for strength to do it,

Stretching out trembling hands?

Remember at “Wit’s End Corner”

The Burden-Bearer stands.

Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”?

Then you’re just in the very spot

To learn the wondrous resources

Of Him who fails you not:

No doubt to a brighter pathway

Your footsteps will soon be moved,

But only at “Wit’s End Corner”

Is the “God who is able” proved.

Well my friend, are you at Wit’s End Corner? I’ve been there several times lates. And God has always met me at my point of need! His grace WAS sufficient, it will be … and it is!!! Rejoice in that promise today. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Acts 7-8; Psalm 119:81-88; Proverbs 18

Compass Pointers: When spiritual comfort is sent to you by God, take it humbly and give thanks meekly for it. But know for certain that it is the great goodness of God that sends it to you, and not because you deserve it. See to it, then, that you are not lifted up to pride because of the comfort, and that you do not rejoice too much in it or presume vainly in it; instead, seek to be more humble for so noble a gift, and the more watchful and fearful in all your works. That time of comfort will pass away, and the time of temptation will follow shortly after. It is not a good policy to let your lusts bear arms, which are sure to rise and declare against you. Thomas a Kempis

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1:John 15:26-17; Level 2: John 15:9-17

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is power when pardoned people pray. Melva Wickman

Personal Sin

11/17/201106/05/2012Leave a comment

PERSONAL SIN

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me. And lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

“I can never be a true disciple of Jesus Christ until I adequately despise sin. It is not enough for me to abandon sin; I must loathe it. God refers to sin in terms of beastliness, the stubborn horse, the wily snake, the mud-loving pig. That is not accidental. The beast does what is natural to it; his behavior is instinctive, and it is not redeemable. The beastliness of sin represents sin in its farthest distance from God, not merely that which is different from God, but that which is opposite.

My true feeling about sin is never reflected about sin in general; it is always about sin in me. God never redeems abstractions or principles; He redeems people. Until I can loathe the sin that I commit, the “darling sin” as George Whitfield once called it, I will never understand God’s attitude toward my sin and His undying determination to redeem me from it.

My true attitude toward a specific sin seldom is formed before I commit it; that occurs afterward. It is difficult to see sin in its true light, when it approaches me to tempt me. Then sin may appear as ‘good’ to the taste, a ‘delight to the eyes,’ and ‘desirable to make one wise’ (Genesis 3:6). But once it has done its work, I see it viciousness, I feel defiled, I mourn my actions, and I turn to God in pitiful humiliation for His cleansing power.

To be a true disciple of Christ I must see the beastliness of sin before it works its devastation upon me. I must hate it everlastingly. I must never lose my grip on the fact that is was my very own sin that drove Jesus to tears, to loud outcries, to moaning and groaning, and to the bloody nails. When I feel this way about my sin, I will understand Isaiah’s ‘Woe is me’ (Isaiah 6:5) and what it means to be cleansed with a coal from the altar. From Daily with the King – Moody Press

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Acts 4-6; Psalm 119:73-80; Proverbs 17

Compass Pointers: “Many there are who, at first, fail in the full apprehension of the utter ruin of nature, as looked at in God’s presence, though their hearts have been attracted by the grace of God, and their consciences tranquilized, in some degree, by the application of the blood of Christ. Hence, as they get on in their lives, they begin to make deeper discoveries of the evil within, and, being deficient in their apprehensions of God’s grace, and the extent and efficacy of the sacrifice of Christ, they immediately raise a question as to their being children of God at all. Thus, they are taken off Christ and thrown on themselves, and then they either take upon themselves ordinances in order to keep up their tone of devotion, or else fall into thorough worldliness and carnality. These are disastrous consequences and all the result of not having ‘the heart established in grace’.” C H Mackintosh

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1:John 15:26-17; Level 2: John 15:9-17

Anchored to the Rock: When I pray, coincidences happen. William Temple

The Leisure Hours

11/16/201106/05/2012Leave a comment

THE LEISURE HOURS

It is in the leisure hours, when we are free from constraint and observation, that we are more apt to reveal what is truly important to us. In the spiritual life this is true as well. When extended periods of relaxation occur, and we are free to do exactly as we wish, we may find that Bible study and fellowship with God in prayer do not come so naturally. And so the time of leisure becomes a test of character, the proof as to whether one could say with Job, “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.” (Job 23:12). The abrupt relaxation of regular habits and the subtle thought that we are at liberty to do as we please, sets many a person back in his Christian life.

The progress of months may be lost by the neglect of your quiet time in the course of one week. We do not know at what hour the thief may come.

The spirit of the morning watch means constant vigilance all day and every day. Just as we need during the leisure hours to eat regular meals and breathe fresh air, so we need to daily eat the bread of life and breathe the air of heaven. The morning devotional hour is not only a duty but an unspeakable privilege and pleasure. Fellowship with God, abiding in Christ, loving His Word and meditating on it throughout the day is life and strength to the Christian, health and gladness to the new nature.

God has created us and redeemed us so that through us He may — as the sun illuminates the world — shine His light and life and love upon the people around us. In order to do this, we need to be in daily communication with the fountain of light.

THESE WORDS WERE WRITTEN OVER 100 years ago by the famous preacher, Andrew Murray. Good words to ponder on this Wednesday. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Acts 1-3; Psalm 119:65-72; Proverbs 16

Compass Pointers: “Is not such a soul most obedient to God in all things by this faith? What commandment is there that such obedience has not completely fulfilled? What more complete fulfillment is there than obedience in all things? This obedience, however, is not rendered by works, but by faith alone. On the other hand, what greater rebellion against God, what greater wickedness, what greater contempt for God is there than not believing His promise? For what is this but to make God a liar or to doubt that he is truthful? –that is to ascribe truthfulness to one’s self but lying and vanity to God? Martin Luther, On Christian Liberty

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1:John 15:26-17; Level 2: John 15:9-17

Anchored to the Rock: Prayers have no boundaries. They can leap miles and continents and be translated instantly into any language. Billy Graham

Turn to God

11/15/201106/05/2012Leave a comment

Turn to God

You need to take time to turn to God. Do not pray only when you have set aside time to do so. The busier you are, the more you must practice turning to God. If you wait until the time is convenient, there is little doubt that you will end up spending little time with God.

Try to come before God in the morning and the evening. Pray during and between all your other jobs as much as you can. You cannot retire too much from the mindless chatter of the world. Learn to steal this time in little snatches, and you will find these moments the most precious part of your day.

You don’t need much time to tell God that you love Him! Lift your heart to Him. Worship Him in the depths of your spirit. Offer Him what you do and what you suffer, Tell God the most important things that occur to you; tell Him what stands out to you as you read the Bible. Cling to your dearest Friend; live in Him with unbounded trust; speak to Him out of a heart filled with love.

As you learn to continually turn your spirit toward the loving presence of God within you, you will find yourself strengthened to do what is required of you. Here is the kingdom of God coming to life within. These times of inward retirement are the only solution for your quick temper, critical nature, and impatience. Turning to God will help you, but you will need to do it frequently.

As God draws you to Himself, follow Him with complete trust. Love Him as you would wish to be loved. Does this sound extravagant? It is not giving Him too much. As He shows you new ways to love Him, then do so.

Speak and act without too much planning and self-examination. Set your eyes on God and you will feel less of a need to please others. The wonderful thing is that you may end up pleasing them more. From THE SEEKING HEART – by Fenelon published by Seed Sowers

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Luke 24; John 20-21; Psalm 119:57-64; Proverbs 15

Compass Pointers: Our hearts beat excitedly over stories of people like Abraham and Moses, yet we fail to recognize that they were as frail and nervous as we are. We stand in awe of Moses at the burning bush: Now there is a bush that burns, we say. I would like to be a bush like that, but I’m just a heap of ashes. And that’s as far as we get. We discuss the phenomenon of what God can do in a life, tell amazing stories about it, praise it – but then resign ourselves to being nothing more than what we think we are, a mere bystander, resigned to sitting in the balcony among the spectators. But it is not the bush that sustains the flame. It is God in the bush, and so, any old bush will do! Tim Hansel

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1:John 15:26-17; Level 2: John 15:9-17

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer will change your circumstances or prayer will change you.

Mornings with Brother Lawrence

11/14/201106/05/2012Leave a comment

Mornings with Brother Lawrence

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Gal 1:10 (ESV)

You doing good things when suddenly one day you ask yourself, “So why am I getting the short end of the stick then?” Well…okay…maybe not you, but I have been asking myself that question. I’ve have recently come to the conclusion that my servant’s heart is in desperate need of routine maintenance. So I have been spending my mornings with Brother Lawrence, well actually I am reading “The Practice of the Presence of God.”

Nicolas Herman has his revelation of the power of God at the age of eighteen and becomes this lowly kitchen worker known as Brother Lawrence.

A simple prayer he shares goes…

“Lord of all pots and pans and things

Make me a saint by getting meals

And washing up the plates!”

I have spent the better part of the last five years trying to climb up the servant’s ladder only to have read this and felt that maybe the lower rungs are where it’s at. Here I have been digging into things like Systematic Theology for a better understanding of my journey with God and this guy could have cared less about it.

A convicting little diddy he said was, “That we ought to quicken-i.e., to enliven-our faith. That it was lamentable we had so little; and that instead of taking faith for the rule of their conduct, men amused themselves with trivial devotions, which changed daily.” WOW…I wonder if he got Freedom Fighters when he made that statement? Hmmm…All kidding aside it blows me away that Brother Lawrence was pleased with cleaning up straw from the ground for the love of God.

I was recently prompted to “Go out into all the world” with a ministry team named “M-28” on a Saturday morning in Atlantic City. (side-note here…I am not a fan of this city at all) This ministry provides a morning of hot coffee, sandwiches, fruit, clothes and the very Word of God. Brothers Dario and Jak gave a simple message on how the love of Jesus Christ can be bestowed upon them and that without God’s grace they, themselves, would still be of the world. As Brother Dario puts it he would still be, “rippin’ and runnin.” For me it was like having a Brother Lawrence moment. I was content in just cleaning up after people who didn’t have much to live on. Pass out pairs of gloves and socks…just asking simple questions like, “How are you doing?” What can I get you?”

When the book gets to the “Second Conversation” I get the impression that Brother Lawrence may have looked forward to being chastened. He expected to have his turn of pain and suffering, knowing full well that God WOULD NOT FAIL giving him the strength to bear it. After my time with M-28 (based on Matthew 28) things for me would come to same conclusions. Had a major household repair that needed to be done no sooner than me getting back from my time in Atlantic City. I just reflected back on man who was lame and simply loved God in it. He got the short end of the stick and expected it…I had my moments where I grumbled over it. I need to be grateful that I get any end of the stick. Hope you feel the same way. – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and regular Freedom Fighter Contributor

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 28; Mark 16; Psalm 119:49-56; Proverbs 14

Compass Pointers: “O my God, since Thou art with me, and I must now, in obedience to Thy commands, apply my mind to these outward things, I beseech Thee to grant me the grace to continue in Thy presence; and to this end do Thou prosper me with Thy assistance, receive all my works, and possess all my affections.” Brother Lawrence

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1:John 15:26-17; Level 2: John 15:9-17

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is a powerful thing, for God has bound and tied Himself thereto. Martin Luther

Be Still on this 11 11 11

11/11/201106/05/2012Leave a comment

Be Still on this 11 11 11

Most men have trouble being still. Most of us are fixers and doers, and that makes it even harder to be still in order to listen.

Sing-songwriter, Ken Medema, who has been blind since birth, wrote these words:

Teach me to stop and listen,
Teach me to center down,
Teach me the use of silence,
Teach me where peace is found.

Teach me to hear YOUR calling,
Teach me to search Your Word.
Teach me to hear in silence,
Things I have never heard.

Teach me to be collected,
Teach me to be in tune,
Teach me to be directed,
Silence will end soon.

Then when it’s time for moving,
Grant that I might bring,
To every day and moment,
Peace from a silent spring.

Can you be still enough to allow God to speak to your heart? Maybe David struggled just like me and you. Maybe that is why he wrote: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Take some time today to quiet yourself before the Lord. Allow Him to teach you. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: John 14-17; Psalm 119:25-32; Proverbs 11

Compass Pointers: Meditation has a digesting power and turns special truth into nourishment.

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 15:10; Level 2: John 15:1-7

Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is the mightiest of all weapons that created natures can wield. Martin Luther