Gossip

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Gossip
A woman repeated a little bit of gossip about a neighbor, and within a short period of time the whole town knew the story. The person it concerned was hurt deeply and was very unhappy.
Then one day the lady responsible for the rumor learned it was completely untrue. She was very sorry and went to a wise old sage to find out what she could do to repair the damage.
After listening to the problem, he said, “Go to the marketplace, purchase a fowl, and have it killed. Then on your way home, pluck its feathers out one by one and drop them along the path.
Although surprised by this unusual advice, the woman did as she was told. The next day she returned and informed the man she had done as he instructed. “Now go and collect all those feathers and bring them back to me,” he said.

The lady followed the same path, but to her dismay the wind had blown all the feathers away. After searching all day long, she returned with only two or three in her hand – all that could be found.

“You see,” said the old gentleman, “it’s easy to drop them, but impossible to bring them all back. So it is with gossip. It doesn’t take much to spread a false rumor, but you can never completely undo the wrong.”
Solomon said, “The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.” Proverbs 12:12-14
Guys – we tend to think only women gossip. Well guess what – we are as guilty. If you are not sure if you should share something, look at the little chart on the right. Purpose not to be a gossip. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick
GPS – God’s Positioning System: Luke 22; John 13; Psalm 119:17-24; Proverbs 10
Compass Pointers: Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you! Spanish Proverb
Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 15:10; Level 2: John 15:1-7
Anchored to the Rock: When a man makes an alliance with the Almighty, giants look like grasshoppers. Vance Havner

A Tongue That Lies

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A Tongue That Lies

Here are six things that God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family. – Proverb s 6:16-19 (The Message)
I am not real proud of this story, but illustrates the danger of a lying tongue. Our family was traveling with Jan’s sister and her family to Florida. We were looking for a cheap motel and came upon one that said “kids stay free!” We had four and Jan’s sister had 2!
We registered and the clerk asked how many kids we had under the age of 12. I am embarrassed to tell you that I said four. We checked in and were getting ready for dinner. I was having my quiet time and the Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder and said, “You lied!” Yikes.
I went to the desk and asked to see the clerk. I told her that I was embarrassed to tell her that I had not been truthful about the age of our kids and that I wanted to make it right by paying the right amount.
She never missed a beat and said, “We know. We watched your kids on the video camera all get out of the car and go to the room. It happens all the time.” I asked for her forgiveness and said, “Please let me make it right.”
Her response stunned me. “Sir, you just did. You told the truth and you can now put your head on the pillow because you told the truth. Your kids can stay free.”
When was the last time you told a lie? Maybe in your mind it was a “white lie?” Exaggeration of the facts? Did you ever sing a lie? Think about words that you have sung that were really lies?
God has hated lies ever since the Garden of Eden. His position has never changed. Proverbs says much about our words. A lie is the opposite of the truth. Freedom Fighter men are men who can be trusted because they tell the truth. Someone once said, The man who tells the truth is always at ease!”
Let’s purpose to be men who always tell the truth! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick
GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 26; Mark 14; Psalm 119:9-16; Proverbs 9
Compass Pointers: Every parcel of truth is precious as filings of gold; we must either live with it or die with it.
Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 15:10; Level 2: John 15:1-7
Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is striking the winning blow … service is gathering up the results. S. D. Gordon

Don’t Look at Me Like That

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Don’t Look at Me Like That
Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, and troublemaker in the family. Proverbs 6:16-19 (The Message) (Link to ESV)
Maybe I am more in tune with my eyes because I have had to have several laser surgeries. I was hoping that my issues was because of some daring stunt I did, or because I was overdoing my exercise program (not!).
No, the eye specialist burst my bubble by stating that the problem was that I am getting old and old eyes can have the issues I was experiencing. I knew that I hated that AARP card!
Proverbs is a book that has fascinated me for years. The more I read it, the more I see (no pun intended) how it weaves back and forth connecting many themes. Solomon records several insights about the eyes, but in Proverbs 6:17 tells us that GOD hates eyes that are arrogant.
Some translate the word “haughty” or “proud. You have probably heard someone say to you, and probably a Mom or Dad, “Don’t look at me like that!” I remember saying that to my kids. Are eyes are a dead give-away of what is going on in our hearts and minds.
Commentator Bruce Waltke says that these eyes “manifest a denial of the Lord’s authority and a disregard for human rights. Arrogance means self-exaltation over another person and violates the fundamentally equal honor of each individual.
We communicate much with our eyes (our look). If we are not careful we can “look down our noses” at people which shows that we are struggling with a bad case of pride!
The bottom line is that God hates that “look.” If you are struggling with eyes that are arrogant, start today by confessing it to the Lord and then with His help, ask Him to change that look in your eye so that people will see a reflection of Jesus in your eyes. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick
GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 25; Psalm 119:1-8; Proverbs 8
Compass Pointers: Your circumstances may not be what you envisioned, but they are no obstacle for God. Paul learned that God was fully capable to reveal Himself, not only in the expected places, but in that which was unexpected as well. Paul wrote, But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place (2 Cor 2:14). As you exercise your faith, as you rest, trusting in Him, do what Christ would do in your circumstances. Unbelief will flee as you become Christlike in the crisis. God will turn your setback into a setup that releases destiny. Francis Frangipane
Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 15:10; Level 2: John 15:1-7
Anchored to the Rock: Prayer may not get us what we want, but it will teach us to want what we need. Vance Havner

She Had Eyes in the Back of Her Head

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She Had Eyes in the Back of Her Head
“Mark well that God doesn’t miss a move you make; He’s aware of every step you take. The shadow of your sin will overtake you; you’ll find yourself stumbling all over yourself in the dark. Death is the reward of an undisciplined life; your foolish decisions trap you in a dead end.” Proverbs 5:21-23 (The Message) (Online is ESV)
I swear the woman had eyes in the back of her head. She was playing the piano facing the front of the room. We were all behind her while she played. She knew when we were horsing around, not singing, paying attention. Dorothy Keenest would call us out by name. How did she know?
Isn’t that how we are with God most times? We watch something thinking no one is watching. We go someplace where we think no one will see us. We try to pull something off thinking that no one will ever know.
Somehow, like Adam and Eve and many other characters in Scripture, we forget the fact that GOD SEES EVERTHING. We buy into the lie that like Adam and Eve, we can hide and He won’t know where we are.
But my brothers, He is aware of EVERY step we take. I love how Eugene Peterson wrote it in The Message: “God doesn’t miss a move we make!”
If we can grasp that one principle, it may just make a difference in how we live our lives. The next time you find yourself in a situation where you are asking yourself the question: will anybody see me _______________ — well, you fill in the blank. Remember GOD DOESN’T MISS A MOVE WE MAKE. That reminder might just keep you and me from screwing up so we finish well. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick
GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 24; Psalm 118; Proverbs 17
Compass Pointers: You cannot often think there is a never-sleeping eye, which reads the heart and registers our thoughts. Francis Bacon
Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1:John 15:10; Level 2: John 15:1-7
Anchored to the Rock: It is necessary to draw near unto God, but it is not required of you to prolong your speech till everyone is longing to hear the word “Amen!” – C. H. Spurgeon

A Prayer About My Plank-Filled Eye

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A Prayer About My Plank-Filled Eye
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck you’re your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV) (Internet link to ESV)
This is really a powerful verse. Five minutes before I started to type this, I had just made a judgment call on someone, and as I am typing this verse, the Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder and said: “Read what you are typing!” Ouch!
From his power daily book of Gospel prayers, Pastor Scotty Smith writes:
Heavenly Father, when I rubbed my irritated eyes this morning, I soon realized it was not a speck of dust but a rough-hewn board stuck there. I didn’t realize it until now, but I went to bed last night having made myself the chief prosecuting attorney in the supreme court – the judge and jury and executioner. Just because I don’t throw things or scream and yell doesn’t mean I’m not a critical person. Condescending smugness is just a synonym for “clanging cymbals” (1 Corinthians 13:1).
Call today to order your
copy: 732-350-1187 ext. 21
Have mercy on me, Lord Jesus. You are so forbearing, kind, and gracious. Have mercy on my, the self-righteous sinner.

My self-righteousness usually shows up not in trying to merit more of your love but in withholding your love from others. The dark irony is that the sins that offend me most in others are the very sins most pronounced in my own life – a lack of mercy, unbelief, a critical spirit – I wish those were the only ones!

Lord Jesus, as cardiologist and ophthalmologist, bring your grace and truth to bear in my heart and my eyes. I want to love as you love and see as you see. I do not want people to feel pressure to change who they are around me, nor do I want them to feel my indifference and disengagement. Teach me and lead me in the third way – the way of the gospel.

Since you do call us to help one another with our “specks of sawdust,” help me be a first responder to the life-giving rebukes of friends; a humble recipient of the feedback and reproof of those who long for my freedom; and someone who anticipates, welcomes, and acts on the daily, evenly hourly call to repentance. I pray in Jesus’ gracious name. Amen

Wow! Even as I read Scotty’s prayer, there was such conviction in my own heart about this! Thank You, Lord, for uncovering this in my life today. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick
GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 22; Mark 12; Psalm 115; Proverbs 4
Compass Pointers: The very man who has argued you down, will sometimes be found, years later, to have been influenced by what you said. (Clive Staples) C. S. Lewis
Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:27; Level 2: John 14:27-31
Anchored to the Rock:  When I get on my knees, God helps me to stand up to anything.

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

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Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I am also known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

I had one of those very embarrassing moments on Tuesday night. Some of my staff guys joined me for dinner and then we went to see the new Three Musketeer movie. (Don’t right me letters, please!)
The movie was in 3D and having seen the previews, I was excited to see the entire movie. When the movie started and we put on our 3D glasses, I was ticked because the movie was blurred. I turned to the guy next to me and asked him if he thought the movie was out of focus and he said it was a little bit.
Well I was miffed that I paid for a 3D movie that was blurred so I went to the manager and asked if digital movies ever went out of focus. He said they did and he would adjust it.
I came back to my seat and it wasn’t any better. I was really getting ticked by now and asked the guy in front of me to look through my glasses. He did and said, “You got a bad pair of glasses, man!” I looked through his and they movie was perfectly clear.
I grabbed my glasses and went out to get our glasses replaced. As I was looking at the three pairs of glasses, I realized that mine were different than the other two. The other 2 were clearly marked “3D” and mine where marked “polarized.” Then I noticed the shape of mine was different.
Now with egg on my face, I realized that my 3D glasses were still in my pocket and I had put on my sunglasses that were on my head! With the right set of glasses, everything came into focus.
Right now some things in life may seem out of focus in your life. The trials and challenges you and I face may not make the slightest amount of sense right now. Someday we will understand and see the big picture. When we put on the right glasses, what was fuzzy and unclear  will all make perfect sense. We’ll be able to see how it all worked out for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).
For now – what we need to do is “fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2). – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick 
GPS – God’s Positioning System: Mark 11; John 12; Psalm 114; Proverbs 3 
Compass Pointers: That man is perfect in faith who can come to God in the utter dearth of his feelings and desires, without a glow or an inspiration, with the weight of low thoughts, failures, neglects, and wandering forgetfulness, and say to Him, “Thou art my refuge” George Macdonald
Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:27; Level 2: John 14:27-31
Anchored to the Rock: “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” Acts 4:31

Porcelain Coated Vanity

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Porcelain Coated Vanity 
“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.” Eccl 5:10-12 (ESV) 
Sometimes the truth can come from the simplest places. One afternoon, after all had gone home and maintenance had begun, three men were having a conversation concerning the mistreatment of a toilet repair. The toilet had been removed from it’s rightful place in order for a new wax seal to replaced. While the wax seal was being purchased, someone had decided to still make use of the toilet causing the man replacing the wax seal to become quite…annoyed. 
One of the other men stated that “Someone could be sending you a message Pablo.” In which Pablo replied with some pretty colorful words on how this person was a “low life.” He said they were the kind of person who had no life, no purpose or hope for a future…’ That is why they do this kind of stuff.” Well as the banter went back and forth a point was made on how some men are blessed with a great deal of wealth and boast in it while other men may have been blessed with a great deal but remain humble and suffer the kind of humiliation that Pablo just did this day. 
“You see it is like the rich man trying to get his camel through the eye of a needle. It’s all vanity, ya git me?” said our friend from Jamaica. Me being the other man said, “Wow did we just hit on a “Ecclesiastical Truth?” I have read about them in books, studied them in classes and listened to sermons on them but never really had the revelation of one. It was if there really was a message for the three of us that afternoon and we did receive it. That message was…It really doesn’t matter whether we have or have not if we take the wrong view of the wrong being done to us we might as well be the rich guy with a camel trying to get it through the eye of a needle.  
In Luke 18 the rich young ruler asks “The Good Teacher” what must he do to get to heaven. Jesus told him to sell everything but the young ruler did not receive this message and became vexed. When Jesus saw this He gave this message…“How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But He said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” (Luke 18:24-27 ESV)
The toilet was repaired and the three of us went our separate ways but we do realize this…that what is impossible for us to grasp, understand or even forgive is possible with God no matter what message other men may be trying to send us. Praise God that I am only the Production Supervisor. – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a regular Freedom Fighter contributor
GPS – God’s Positioning System: Luke 18:15-19:48; Psalm 113; Proverbs 2
Compass Pointers: “You can fill your head full of knowledge, but the day that you decide you are going to obey God, the knowledge will get down into your heart. You will know. Only the servants of truth can ever know the truth. Only those who obey can ever have the inward change.”  A.W. Tozer
Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:27; Level 2: John 14:27-31
Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is not an argument with God to persuade Him to move things our way, but an exercise by which we are enabled by His Spirit to move ourselves His way. Leonard Ravenhill

The Holy Spirit and the Power of Sin Part 2

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The Holy Spirit vs. The Power of Sin (Part 2)
On Friday I shared a chart with you from the late Bill Gillham’s book, What God Wishes Christians Knew About Christianity – It Might Surprise You (Harvest House). Here is part 2 of the chart:
It doesn’t really need explanation – it is pretty clear. As we come to understand that we have been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20), we need a fresh perspective on what the power of the Holy Spirit vs. the power of sin.
Take some time to review the chart. Good truth for us to understand.
GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 20-21; Psalm 112; Proverbs 1
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 14:27; Level 2: John 14:27-31
Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of His mercies. – Westminster Shorter Catechism

The Wet Feet of Faith

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THE WET FEET OF FAITH
“As soon as the soles of the feet of the priests whom bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off.”  (Joshua 3:13)

            Lessons in faith are found throughout the scriptures.  Many of them are seen in God’s dealing with His people Israel in bringing them out from bondage in Egypt through the application of blood and the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea.  Following the wilderness training and purging of the nation, additional lessons are given in the crossing of the flooded Jordan River.
            These two crossings illustrate two major aspects of the Christian life.  The Red Sea crossing is symbolic of the passing from death to life on the basis of the redeeming work of the Lord.  This became a reference point, a new beginning for the nation.  It was reported among the surrounding nations and brought fear to them.  The Jordan crossing has been mistakenly associated with physical death and incorporated into songs and poems which describe a believer’s crossing over into heaven.  More accurately, this event illustrates the passing of a believer from the defeated life of the wilderness into the realization of blessing in the will of God.  Canaan was not to be heaven, there were battles to be fought and territory to be claimed.  On the other hand, it represents life in the heavenly life of victory for those who trust and obey.
            Apparently there were no wet feet in the Red Sea crossing.  Redemption is purely a work of God.  Faith had been exercised in the application of the blood of the lamb and testified to at the sea.  However, at the Jordan the feet of the priests were to touch the water before the waters were cut off.  As representatives of the people, they bore the ark of the covenant over which the presence of God resided in the tabernacle.  While bearing the symbol of God’s covenant they exercised obedient faith as they approached the river.
            Viewing the turbulent waters of the flooded river, the priests would probably hesitate, waiting for the waters to be cut off.  As they carefully moved forward, they possibly wondered whether they dared to risk putting their feet in the water.  Inch by inch they proceeded in obedience to the Lord, but it was not until they took the step of faith and allowed their feet to touch the water that the waters were cut off.
            God’s promises can only be realized when we move by faith toward the apparent obstacle and allow our feet to touch the water.  We must not stop short of full dependence on Him. Pastor William A. Raws served at America’s Keswick for over 50 years. His grandfather, William Raws founded the Colony of Mercy in 1897
GPS – God’s Positioning System: Matthew 19; Mark 10; Psalm 111; Proverbs 31
Compass Pointers: It is amazing how many people let life happen to them rather than asking God for wisdom in their decisions. He promises to give you wisdom and knowledge for everything you do. When you make a decision knowing that it is based on the wisdom of God, joy and peace cannot help but follow. Don Clowers
Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 15:10; Level 2: John 15:1-7
Anchored to the Rock: Prayer is the key to heaven’s treasures. John Gerhard

The Power of Sin and It’s Influences

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The Power of Sin

” … and if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door, and it’s desire for YOU, but YOU must master it.” Genesis 4:7

My dear friend, the late Dr. Bill Gillham, pointed out the above verse in a message he gave at America’s Keswick. The verse is from the story of Cain and Abel. In this verse, the word “sin” is not a verb — it is a noun!

In his teaching, Bill reminds us that sin in this story in Genesis 4 had the ability to:

PERSUADE Cain
ENTICE Cain
TEMPT Cain
LEAD Cain to take matters into his own hands
SUGGEST that Cain solve his problems by rebelling against God
SUGGEST that Cain murder Abel!

Here is a chart that Bill uses to teach how the power of sin will try to influence you and me to do evil or fail to do God’s Will. I will share more of the chart with you on Monday.

If you want more information on Bill’s teaching, check out his book What God Wishes Christians Knew About Christianity (Harvest House). Have a blessed weekend. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Luke 16-17:10; Psalm 108; Proverbs 28

Compass Pointers: A child of God should be a visible beatitude for joy and happiness, and a living doxology for gratitude and adoration. Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 14:27; Level 2: John 14:27-31

Anchored to the Rock: The possibilities of prayer are found in its allying itself with the purposes of God, for God’s purposes and man’s praying are the combination of all potent and omnipotent forces. E. M. Bounds