May the Mind of Christ My Savior

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May The Mind of Christ, My Savior

“Let this mind be in you which is also in Christ Jesus …” Philippians 2:5
As I thought about the hymn I want to share with you on this August Lord’s Day, the words of this one seem to be so appropriate. It is a prayer hymn, and I can’t help but believe that if we really want to see God answer this prayer, how our personal lives and churches could be so radically different:
May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling,
All I do and say.
May the word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.
May the peace of God, my Father,
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me,
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing —
This is victory.
May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.
May His beauty rest upon me
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.
Let these words work deep into your soul this morning. Allow Him to fill you with HIMSELF today. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK
Dig This Quote: When I am sore beset, I seek some quiet place, Some lonely room or barren windswept hill, And there in silence wait apart until I see again the smile upon God’s face; Until His presence floods me like the dawn, And I can hear His whispered, Peace, be still, And know the strength to do His will.I turn to take my load and find it gone. Antoinette Goetschius
Determined Digging: Level 1:Isaiah 54:17; Level 2: Psalm 103:15-19
Determined Praying: When people do not mind what God speaks to them in His Word, God doesn’t mind what they say to Him in prayer. William Gurnall

To Our Children and Grandchildren — Part 2

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To Our Children and Grandchildren (Part 2)

Here are nine additional things we can and cannot do for our kids and grands:

I can tell you the facts of life, but I cannot build your reputation.

I can tell you about lofty goals, but I cannot achieve them for you.

I can teach you to obey, but I cannot answer for your actions.

I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make your morals.

I can love you as my child, but I can’t make you walk with God.

I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.

I can teach you about Jesus, but I cannot make Him your Savior.

I can teach you about prayer, but I cannot make you pray.

I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give your eternal life.

But everyone of us Dad’s and Grandfathers can do this: We can pray for our kids and grandkids daily! PUSH for them! PUSH for them daily! Remember: someone wants them! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 7; Psalms 72-73; Romans 9:1-15

Dig This Quote: “Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” ~Paul Boese

Determined Digging: Level 1:Isaiah 53:6; Level 2: Psalm 103:11-14

Determined Praying: When I come to God in prayer, He always looks to what the aim of my petition is. My comfort? My joy? Or that He be glorified. We need to learn that it is God’s plan to bless me in order that I may be a blessing. Prayer is answered not to be consumed self, but to be passed on. — Andrew Murray

To Our Children and Grandchildren

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To Our Children and Grandchildren

“Children are a heritage from the Lord.” Psalm 127:3

Many of you are Dads and Granddads, so I trust that today’s thoughts will be of special significance to you and a good reminder.

Here is a list of things that we can and cannot do for our kids and grand kids:

1. I can share your life, but I cannot live it for you.
2. I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
3. I can give you directions, but I cannot always lead you.
4. I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for you.
5. I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
6. I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot decide for you.
7. I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
8. I can teach you to be a friend, but I cannot make you one.
9. I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
10. I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.
I will share nine more tomorrow. Good thoughts to ponder for today. Remember: who wants this next generation most, will get them. You have a weighty responsibility. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK
Dig This Quote: Don’t worry that your children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you!
Determined Digging: Level 1:Isaiah 53:6; Level 2: Psalm 103:11-14

Christ is All

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CHRIST, MY ALL

” … but Christ is all, and is in all.” Colossians 3:11 (New International Version)

For years I have been sharing a quote that I heard Dr. Mark Corts give in a message at Sandy Cove: “You’ll never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have! When Jesus is all you have, you’ll know that Jesus is all you need!”

I came across this powerful reading the other day which personalizes Colossians 3:11. I you can say, Christ is YOUR All:

Christ for sickness, Christ for health,
Christ for poverty, Christ for wealth,
Christ for joy, Christ for sorrow,
Christ my Life and Christ my Light,
Christ for morning, noon and night;

Christ when all gives way,
Christ my Everlasting Stay;
Christ my Rest, Christ my Food,
Christ above my highest good;

Christ my well Beloved, my Friend,
Christ my pleasure without end;
Christ my Savior, Christ my Lord,
Christ my Portion, Christ my God;

Christ my Shepherd, I His sheep,
Christ Himself my soul doth keep;
Christ my Leader, Christ my Peace,
Christ hath brought my soul’s release;

Christ my Righteousness divine,
Christ for me, for HE IS MINE!
Christ my Wisdom, Christ my Meat,
Christ restores my wandering feet.

Christ my ADvocatae and Priest,
Christ who ne’er forgets the least;
Christ my Teacher, Christ my Guide;
Christ my Rock, in Christ I hide.

Christ the everlasting Bread,
Christ His precious blood hath shed;
Christ hath brought us near to God,
Christ the everlasting Word.

Christ my Master, Christ my Head,
Christ who for my sins hath bled;
Christ my Glory, Christ my Crown,
Christ the One of great renown;
Christ my Comforter on high,
Christ my Hope draws ever night.

I would encourage you to carefully and prayerfully think through what you’ve just read. Maybe a good exercise for this next couple of days is for you to read though the list and thank Him for being your all in all. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Determined Digging: Proverbs 5; Psalm 68-69; Romans 8:1-21

Dig This Quote: Our vessels are indeed small, and can contain little. His was large and could contain much. But the kind, or quality of that peace which fills them is the same. He has made peace by the blood of His cross. Indeed, He is our peace. And as soon as we come to know this and take Him as our peace, we are made partakers not merely of peace, but of that which He here calls, “My peace!” Horatius Bonar

Determined Digging: Level 1:Isaiah 53:6; Level 2: Psalm 103:11-14

Join us this week at America’s KESWICK as Dr. Dave Epstein and Dr. Roger Willmore share their last messages from God’s Word from the pulpit of America’s KESWICK. You can watch live: http://americaskeswick.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=59820ee025ca85d829fa92a25&id=c4af7cf1a9&e=11f714b508

Have A Winning Day

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HAVE A WINNING DAY

Today’s Freedom Fighter is a little different and I trust you will receive it in the right spirit … it is not meant to be a devotional, however, the principles are really right on for helping you and me have a WINNING DAY.

Here are 21 ways to have a winning day:

1. You have to listen more than you talk.
2. You have to give more than you get.
3. You have to smile more than you frown.
4. You have to think “we” more than you think “me.”
5. You have to agree more than you disagree.
6. You have to compliment more than you criticize.
7. You have to laugh more than you cry.
8. You have to clean up more than you mess up.
9. You have to be positive more than you’re negative.
10. You have to be fascinated more than you are frustrated.
11. You have to “walk the walk” more than you “talk the talk.”
12. You have to be accepting more than rejecting.
13. You have to see the cup “half full” more than you see it “half empty.”
14. You have to help more than you hinder.
15. You have to believe in yourself more than you doubt yourself.
16. You have to work more than you whine.
17. You have to do more than you don’t.
18. You have to act more than you react.
19. You have to save more than you squander.
20. You have to care more than you ever have.
21. You have to love more than you ever have. — from Bits and Pieces

Now if we are really honest, there are specific verses to back up all 21 principles for having a winning day. As brothers who name the name of Christ, let’s purpose to show the world that because of what Jesus has done in our hearts, we can have a winning day. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 4; Psalms 66-67; Romans 7

Dig This Quote: When a man walks in the fear of God he knows no fear, even if he were to be surrounded by wicked men. He has the fear of God within him and wears the invincible armor of faith. This makes him strong and able to take on anything, even things which seem difficult or impossible to most people. Such a man is like a giant surrounded by monkeys, or a roaring lion among dogs and foxes. He goes forward trusting in the Lord and the constancy of his will to strike and paralyze his foes. He wields the blazing club of the Word in wisdom. Symeon

Determined Digging: Level 1:Isaiah 53:6; Level 2: Psalm 103:11-14

Determined Praying: “God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it.”John Wesley

Praise Your Way Out

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PRAISE YOUR WAY OUT!

“Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.”
(Psalm 33:1)

Our team of missionaries was based at a church in one of the rougher parts of London. We decided to put on an “international night.” We printed up invitations, and spent a week on the streets encouraging the locals to come. Our plan was to spend most of the evening entertaining them, then to ease our way into the Gospel. When the big night came, about thirty guests had responded. Half of them were young teens, and most of these had been drinking heavily and sniffing glue.

We gave it our best shot. The Swiss guy was funny, and the Korean flag dance was great, but our visitors were just mocking. Later on, in broken English a young Korean called Peter, (we couldn’t pronounce his real name), tried to share his testimony. Someone threw a can of coke at him. Peter looked up and said, “Before I Christian, Me, one punch, You, heaven!” From that point on, anything could have happened. I was the preacher that night, and due up after Peter. Why me? I recalled the words of a friend, “You will find yourself in situations that you just can’t pray your way out of; but you can always praise your way out.”
And so I did. In a room that was about to explode, I found God. I told him how much I loved Him. I thanked Him for taking me from the sewer and filling my life with joy. I told Him what an honour it was to be in this place, on this night. I was absolutely lost in His presence. When someone tapped me and said, “You’re up,” the room was calm. The ring leaders had left. They must have gotten bored. Those that remained settled in and I spoke for fifteen minutes on The Good Shepherd. The end of the story is that three people came to know Jesus that night as Saviour and Lord. Wow!
And so now I can say to you, “You will find yourself in situations that you just can’t pray your way out of; but you can always praise your way out.” There is never a time when it is not fitting for the upright to praise Him. That includes in anything that you face today.

Chris Thompson is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and the Pastor of Enderby Chapel in Leicester, England

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 3; Psalms 63-65; Romans 6
Dig This Quote: Linger often in worship. In the midst of your daily storms, make it a point to be still and set your sights on him. Let God be God. Let him bathe you in his glory so that both your breath and your troubles are sucked from your soul. Be still. Be quiet. Be open and willing. Then you will know that God is God, and you can’t help but confess, “Hallowed by thy name.”Max Lucado
Determined Digging: Level 1:Isaiah 53:6; Level 2: Psalm 103:11-14
Determined Praying: When’s the last time you went before God with desperation and intensity? When’s the last time you believed God for a miracle, for something you couldn’t explain or take credit for? Too often we look for a pass from problems rather than seeing our problems as an opportunity to trust God. — Michael Catt
Join us this week at America’s KESWICK as Dr. Dave Epstein and Dr. Roger Willmore share God’s Word from the pulpit of America’s KESWICK. You can watch live: www.americaskeswick.org

Importunity in Prayer

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IMPORTUNITY IN PRAYER

I am learning so much on this journey in prayer. Here is a great poem written my by childhood pastor:

When you take the time to pray,
Do you only think of the words you say?
Do you think of bowing you head,
Or kneel when your words are said?

Do you think of God’s great power
When you pray for half an hour?
Do you contemplate God’s great plan
Or of the littleness of man?

How long will you make petition,
In an attitude of calm contrition?
Should God refuse to do your will.
How would His refusal make you feel?

Should He tarry for a year or two
Until you don’t know what to do,
Will you give up and cease to implore
When your little reserve is no more?

Suppose that after all the church is saying
You find no results in all of your praying.
If those who mock and challenge your Lord
As is recorded in God’s Holy Word,

Will you trust Him — should He slay you?
Will you stop because He did not obey you?
In God’s word you will find a sample,
God’s Own Son set the example.

Night and day He spent in prayer.
For His own He had great care.
Then when His will was that of a mortal
He pounded hard on Heaven’s portal!

The Father answered as He refused the request
Again and again He did His very best
To bring God’s will in conformity with His own
As He sweat, and wept, and prayed alone!

Now how did it end, that Garden’s battle
When the throne of God did rattle?
Christ’s will unchanged He ended that sad day
When the Son of God LEARNED TO OBEY!

So take the time to approach God’s throne
With His Holy Spirit you will not be alone.
Linger long in His presence each and every day
Until you learn the meaning of what it is to PRAY!
June 28, 2004 gvansandt@yahoo.com — Pastor Van is a friend of America’s KESWICK and is serving as Campus Pastor this summer during our Victory Weeks.

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 2; Psalms 60-62; Romans 5

Dig This Quote: Revival will bring joy to joyless people, peace in the midst of stressful times, and hope in the midst of a hopeless situation. — Michael Catt

Determined Digging: Level 1:Isaiah 53:6; Level 2: Psalm 103:11-14

Determined Praying: If it’s big enough to worry about, it’s big enough to pray about!

Join us this week at America’s KESWICK as Dr. Dave Epstein and Dr. Roger Willmore share God’s Word from the pulpit of America’s KESWICK. You can watch live: www.americaskeswick.org

Be Thou My Vision

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BE THOU MY VISION
“Leave us not I pray thee … and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes.” Numbers 10:31
I am writing this on Saturday and it is just gorgeous out! The birds are singing and the temperatures are down. It is a beautiful day to end a really busy week.
As we begin a new week, I was reminded of this wonderful old Irish hymn that packs a powerful message:
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art —
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Great hymn to use as you prepare your heart to worship HIM today! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK
Digging Deeper: Proverbs 1; Psalm 57-59; Romans 4
Dig This Quote: Nothing makes us so bold in prayer as when we can look into the eye of God and say to Him, “Thou knowest that I am not praying for personal advantage, nor to avoid hardship, nor that my own will in any way should be done, but only for this, that Thy name might be glorified. Ole Kristian O. Hallesby
Determined Digging: Level 1:Isaiah 53:6; Level 2: Psalm 103:11-14
Determined Praying: You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed. — John Bunyan
Join us this week at America’s KESWICK as Dr. Dave Epstein and Dr. Roger Willmore share God’s Word from the pulpit of America’s KESWICK. You can watch live: www.americaskeswick.org

The PUSH Continues

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THE PUSH CONTINUES

“Therefore, confess your sin to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The intense pray of the righteous is very powerful.” James 5:16

We are on our third week of PUSH = Pray Until Something Happens. I am very encouraged to have people joining me each morning. How many — well it really doesn’t matter if it is just one or too. I purposed not to get into a numbers game with this initiative. But I have been surprised and pleased that others have been willing to sacrifice this 30 minute block of time Monday – Thursday at 7:30 AM.

I am learning much about prayer (and they say you can’t teach and old dog …). And it seems that right now my spiritual eyes and ears are seeing and hearing things that I hadn’t learned before. It’s cool.

Jesus had much to say about prayer. The late Dr. Ron Dunn, a Southern Baptist preacher, shared four truths that Jesus taught on prayer:

1. When Jesus encourages us to pray He always uses LIMITLESS language. (“Whatever you ask,” “Ask, seek, knock,”). So don’t pray as if God has declared bankruptcy!

2. Jesus reminds us to ask in HIS name. (“Whatever you ask in My name” — according to HIS character, to honor HIS name.)

3. Jesus reminds us HE HIMSELF is the answer. (He didn’t say, “I’ll give you advice,” or “I will help you.” He said, “I will do it!” Many of our prayers are limited because we limit in our MINDS what WE think God can do.

4. Jesus assures us HE will answer. (“That the Father may be glorified in the Son” — the motive behind our asking is the glory of God.)

So brothers, are you willing to pray the way Jesus instructed? Will you join me in the journey and PUSH = Pray Until Something Happens? If you can’t meet with physically at America’s KESWICK, you can join us at the throne of grace wherever you are! Let me know if you are joining me! It would be a huge encouragement. And share your prayer requests with me. We want to pray with and for you too! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 31; Psalm 54-56; Romans 3

Dig This Quote: I want Thy plan, O God, for my life. May I be happy and contented whether in the homeland or on the foreign field; whether married or alone, in happiness or sorrow, health or sickness, prosperity or adversity – I want Thy plan, O God, for my life. I want it; oh, I want it. Oswald J. Smith

Determined Digging: Level 1: Isaiah 40:31; Level 2: Psalm 103:6-10

Determined Praying: Lack of prayer does not handicap us; it paralyzes us! — Dr. Warren Wiersbe

Peter Put in His Place

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PETER PUT IN HIS PLACE

“Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
(Mark 8:33b)

Peter was my favorite of the disciples because I think God made me a lot like him. You know, the sanguine personality who can’t stand quiet so we do the thing at which we are the best, we talk. It has been said of this personality that we talk 15 minutes trying to think of something to say. We are fun to be around, sometimes, for a while, occasionally.

That was Peter; leading with his ready-aim-talk approach to life. It can get you to the head of the class and it can just as easily create embarrassing and awkward moments. This is turn can produce a life of emotional ups and downs.

In the story from Mark 8 we see evidence of those ups and downs. First Peter gallantly answered Jesus’ question about who He is, which resulted in a high five from the Savior. Immediately after that Jesus predicted His looming death only to be rebuked by the same man who just confessed that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Do you see this personality I have described?

Jesus’ response was interesting and thought provoking. He said Peter was thinking like man thinks, not like God thinks. He was accusing Peter of seeing things from a human point of view, not from God’s point of view.

I’m sure it’s not true of you but I have to confess that I make a regular habit of doing the same thing. My first reaction to situations is usually and unfortunately from a human perspective.

The big picture of what Jesus was saying was exactly God’s plan for the ages but Peter saw it from a human point of view. That will always get us in trouble.

We need to work at divorcing ourselves what our culture says, what our society thinks, what they are saying on television and writing in the newspapers and concentrate on seeing things as God sees them.

What is going on right now in your life that you are trying to get a grip on? Are you working at seeing it through the eyes of the one who loved you enough to die for you, cares for you and wants the best for you? Walt Wiley is a dear friend of the ministry of America’s KESWICK and the President of Winning With Encouragement

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 30; Psalms 51-53; Romans 2

Dig This Quote: The cross is the model for our unanswered prayer. Somehow, our sense of being forsaken by God in our hour of greatest need can be united by God with Christ’s sufferings on the cross – suffering that resulted in the conquest of death and the sending of the Holy Spirit. Can we have the courage to offer our sense of being forsaken up with that of Christ? Can our suffering, united with that of Christ, also lead to the salvation of many? Glen Argan

Determined Digging: Level 1: Isaiah 40:31; Level 2: Psalm 103:6-10

Today’s devotional is from our KESWICK devotional, REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE. If you would like to receive a complimentary copy, please respond to this email.

Determined Praying: Faith’s finest work is when believers are effective in prayer.