Perfect Peace

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PERFECT PEACE

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26: 3-4)

This morning’s Freedom Fighter devotional was written by my friend and mentor, the late Dr. Stephen F. Olford. This was one of the last things he penned before he went home to be with the Lord:

THOUGHT: There is a close connection between the opening verses of Isaiah 26 and the words of our text. In his song of victory Isaiah describes a strong city with salvation for its walls and bulwarks and open gates for those whose lives are characterized by righteousness and truth. The prophet then goes on to speak of the security and serenity of those who live within this city of God. So we have:

I. The Source of Perfect Peace. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You…for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” (v.3-4). The source of this wonderful peace is the Lord Jehovah. He is spoken of in these matchless verses as the “everlasting strength” or literally, the “rock of ages.” How comforting to know that in a world where everything seems to be shaking and shifting the Christian can stay his mind upon the Rock of Ages.

II. The Scope of Perfect Peace. “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.” (v.3). The scholars tell us that this should more accurately read, “You will keep him in ‘peace, peace’ whose mind is stayed on You.” The peace which God offers His own people is not intermittent or occasional, but rather like a glorious river ever flowing in its unbroken fullness to the believing heart. (See Phil. 4:7).

III. The Secret of Perfect Peace. “ You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You… Trust in the Lord forever.” (v.3-4). The word for “mind” here is “thought or imagination.” It is within the area of our thoughts and imaginations that unrest, turmoil, and fear begin; but to stay our minds, in simple trust, upon Jehovah is to know perfect peace.

THRUST:
Stayed upon Jehovah,
Hearts are fully blest;
Finding, as he promised,
Perfect peace and rest.
Francis R. Havergal

Determined Digging: Proverbs 29; Psalms 54-56; Romans 3

Dig This Quote: It is of not value to God to give Him your life for death. He wants you to be a “living sacrifice” – to let Him have all your strengths that have been saved and sanctified through Jesus (Romans 12:1). This is what is acceptable to God.

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

Join us this morning at 9:30 AM as Dr. Robertson McQuilken shares God’s Word. Dr. Bill Jones will be speaking at 7:00 PM. You can watch live at www.americaskeswick.org

Determined Praying: A powerful prayer is one that does not let go. It does not quit. — Michael Catt

Money Reveals Our Need For Jesus

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Money Reveals Our Need for Jesus
Recently we have been talking about how God uses money in the Believers life.
In the last post we discussed how he demonstrates His faithfulness. I really appreciated hearing stories from some of you about how God has been faithful in your lives as you followed His economy. Yes, God is faithful and He will use money to demonstrate His faithfulness.
In addition to demonstrating His faithfulness, I believe that God will use money to reveal areas that we need Jesus.
Galatians 5:19-22 is a rather interesting passage when we read it in the context of how we handle money. If you recall this passage starts out with the phrase in the NAS “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are”. The NIV starts the passage out with: “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious”. Either translation makes it clear that what follows is going to be a bunch of character traits that God calls sin.
Here are some of the sins that are listed in this passage: idolatry, strife, jealousy, disputes, and envying. Think for a minute how these sins become evident in the way that we handle our money.
Can money be an idol in our lives? Absolutely. Are our lives characterized by hoarding and living for the things that money buys instead of living for Christ? This can be a type of idol worship that separates us from God. Sometimes, in a very subtle way we worship money and the worldly pleasures that come along with it.
Have you ever found yourself in this situation? We don’t spend time with our families, at church or even in our quiet time with the Lord because we are over committed to our jobs and making money. 1Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5 and Luke 9:25 all caution us against letting money become an idol in our lives.
How about strife and disputes? How many arguments have we participated in about money? Many surveys reveal that the number one cause of divorce in America today is money issues. Even if it does not lead to divorce, I am sure that most of us can identify arguments that were caused by money. 2 Timothy 2:23-24 and 1 Peter 3:8 and many verses in Proverbs call us to live in harmony and avoid strife and arguments.
Have you ever looked at someone else’s car or house or clothing (or in my case technology toy) and want one just like it? Isn’t that a case of jealousy and envy? Aren’t we commanded in Philippians 4:11-13 to be content with whatever we have and in whatever circumstance God has placed us?
In discussing finances and money over the years, I have seen arguing about money, idolizing money and a lack of contentment with the amount of money God has supplied. Is the answer to these problems more money?
No, the answer is Jesus. If we continue to read in Galatians 5 we see that a Spirit filled life which is a result of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ leads to contentment, peace and the proper priorities.
Yes, I believe that God uses money in our lives to reveal our need for Jesus. — George Hutchison is an instructor at Crown Financial and serves on the Board of America’s KESWICK
Digging Deeper: Proverbs 28; Psalms 46-48; Acts 28
Dig This Quote: Maturity is learning to get along with other people, to be a help, not a hindrance, to contribute to the solution and not to be always a part of the problem. John R. Stott
Determined Digging: Level 1: Isaiah 40:31; Level 2: Psalm 103:6-10
Join us this morning at 9:30 AM as Dr. Robertson McQuilken shares God’s Word. Dr. Bill Jones will be speaking at 7:00 PM. You can watch live at www.americaskeswick.org

Lessons Learned from the First Chapter in the Bible

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Lessons Learned from the First Chapter in the Bible

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
In the beginning God (Genesis 1:1), In the beginning the word (Jesus) was (John 1:1)and the Holy Spirit also was (Genesis 1:2). Since the trinity worked in unison to create the creation it is proper to assume that all of God is at work in His new creation–you and me.

Today let us see how God worked in His first creation. He took the chaos and turned it into cosmos. He can take the chaotic life and re-create a new life in each one of us. Notice that the first act of creation was both light and darkness. Do not assume that darkness is just the absence of light. Much darkness (shadows) is caused by the light. Perhaps we will struggle with light and darkness until we move into the “land of endless day”

in John 1:4, he wrote “the light could not be stopped by darkness. In his epistle 1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. We need to always look for the light and walk in the light and seek fellowship with others who walk in the light.

It is easy to stumble when walking in darkness and when avoiding Christian fellowship. While in the support groups like the Colony of Mercy, we have light all around us and fellowship with Christians. When we are away from such an environment, however, it is easy to stray.

Straying sheep are not wayward sheep. They are not rebellious sheep or even sheep that are comfortable walking in darkness. They are not where they want to be. They look up and find that they cannot see the Shepherd. They stray by following other sheep instead of their Shepherd. A stray sheep cannot find its way home.

A stray begins to bleat or we would say cry out for help. The cry could attract a wolf, or even other shepherds, but Jesus assures us that His sheep will hear His voice and they will not follow any other shepherd. Stay in the word until you can hear His voice and follow him until you are no longer a stray. — Pastor Van is a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter and is serving this summer as Campus Pastor at America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 27; Psalms 43-45; Acts 27:27-44

Dig This Quote: What a blessing it is when in the midst of our discouragements and sometimes our self-aversion because of failures or littleness of spirit we are able to look away to this glorious fact of our relationship to God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Nighness is brought about by Christ dwelling in us….Christ brings God to us and brings us to God. Nighness or nearness results in blessing. He who is near to God has access to the divine resources of blessing and help.– Harold Ockenga

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

Join us this morning at 9:30 AM as Dr. Robertson McQuilken shares God’s Word. Dr. Bill Jones will be speaking at 7:00 PM. You can watch live at www.americaskeswick.org

The Warning in the Garden

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The Warning in the Garden

“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” Gen 3:1-6 (NKJV)

Man was it hot and boy did I get sunburned but there was something to glean out of it. I went to Ocean Grove, NJ and attended an event called “Bridgefest”. A local Christian radio station has put on this event for the past five years and they seem to get better as they go along. This year my family and I went for the whole two days of “Bridgefest and I had heard some and had seen some pretty cool God moments. One of these moments happened in the Tabernacle when Pastor Rodney Finch took the Pulpit. This brother didn’t shout to the heavens but I heard him loud and clear. Good Preaching!!

Pastor Rodney asked us to take a look at 1 John 2:15 and he pretty much was laying down a foundation for the thing that came out hotter than the afternoon sun. It happens right at verse 16 where we read, “For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world.” He tells us about these three points, what the lust of the flesh is about, what the eyes can tend to lust for and what the pride of life really means in the and to the Greek but then he asks us to go back into Genesis, right at the moment when Eve was tempted.

There is a great parallel in this and I will borrow it from Pastor Rodney’s message, so let’s run the first parallel…the lust of the flesh/tree was good for food. This is where out crafty adversary begins his deception with all of us and John is reinforcing it to a post-Jesus world. John tells us quite clear what Paul has made quite clear when Paul said all things are permissible but not all things are beneficial. The tree was good for food but instruction was quite clear. The second parallel…the lust of the eyes/that it was pleasant to the eyes. That must have been one attractive piece of fruit. I had a dialog with a reader from Brazil recently and we have both agreed that this ain’t no apple either. The Bible doesn’t tell us what kind of fruit but it must have been the “Bling-Bling” of its time. None the matter however the instruction was quite clear.

The third parallel… the pride of life/and a tree desirable to make one wise. Here is the shot between the eyes. Here is where the Devil has the audacity to say we will be like God. The instruction was quite clear. Even he knew better than that but Satan doesn’t want us to get home does he? No he doesn’t, not at all. He just wants to see us separated from his and our Creator. And John wanted us to see that in the worst way. By telling us all that the world around us is passing away and that, “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” Even if this isn’t the exact last hour let us all be mindful of this parallel. It is at the beginning of the book and John reminds us towards the end. The instruction is quite clear.

Why do I keep saying “the instruction was quite clear”? Because God, at one time or another, has spoken or done something in our lives where it was better to simply obey than to waste time pondering why. I have walked into those moments myself and I can tell you honestly that I changed my name to Jonah and went hiding in the boat waiting for the storm to pass. Did it work for me? Well…did it work for Jonah? Right now I believe that God has me studying His word in a parallel way so that Jesus Christ can be revealed to me in a way I have not experienced before. I have been going N.T only to go back into the O.T. and I can tell you that the time I spent in the blazing sun this past “Bridgefest” was worth going the distance. I just hope the sunburn doesn’t hurt too much as time goes by. So Brother, are you spending time in the blazing Son? If you are you’ll understand that the Son-screen does not work. — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 26; Psalm 40-42; Acts 27:1-26

Dig This Quote: “If the devil were wise enough and would stand by in silence and let the Gospel be preached, he would suffer less harm. For when there is no battle for the Gospel it rusts and it finds no cause and no occasion to show its vigor and power. Therefore, nothing better can befall the Gospel than that the world should fight it with force and cunning.” Martin Luther

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

Determined Praying: Brokennes is the “woe is me” before we can say, “God, use me.” — Michael Catts

Join us this morning at 9:30 AM as Dr. Robertson McQuilken shares God’s Word. Dr. Bill Jones will be speaking at 7:00 PM. You can watch live at www.americaskeswick.org

TE DEUM — A Declaration of Praise

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TE DEUM — A Declaration of Praise

Here is a great creed to think through as we celebrate this Lord’s Day …

We praise Thee, O God;
We acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship Thee, the Father everlasting.
To Thee all angels cry aloud; the heavens and all powers therein.
To Thee cherubim and seraphim continually do cry;
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabbaoth,
Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of Thy glory,
The glorious company of the apostles praise Thee.
The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise Thee.
The noble army of martyrs praise Thee.
The holy Church, throughout all the world, doth acknowledge Thee.
The Father of an infinite majesty;
Thine adorable, true and holy Son;
Also the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.
Thou art the King of glory, O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When Thou lookest upon Thee to deliver man,
Thou didst humble Thyself to be born of a virgin.
When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death,
Thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.
We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants,
Who, Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with Thy saints in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thy heritage.
Govern them, and lift them up forever.
Day by day we magnify Thee;
And we worship Thy name ever, world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let Thy mercy be upon us, as our trust is in Thee.
O Lord, in Thee I have trusted;
Let me never be confounded.
AMEN

Great creed of praise for this Lord’s Day. Join us starting this evening for VICTORY WEEK #1. Drs. Bill Jones and Robertson McQuilken will be sharing the WORD at America’s KESWICK. You can watch tonight’s service right from our website: www.americaskeswick.org beginning at 6:30 PM — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 25; Psalms 37-39; Acts 26

Dig This Quote: Many people are afraid to forgive because they feel they must remember the wrong or they will not learn from it. The opposite is true. Through forgiveness, the wrong is released from its emotional stranglehold on us so that we can learn from it. Through the power and intelligence of the heart, the release of forgiveness brings expanded intelligence to work with the situation more effectively. David McArthur

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

Determined Praying: When was the last time you asked God for something that was beyond your ability? When did you last approach the throne of grace with confidence for something that you couldn’t figure out or take credit for? Have you stopped trusting Him to save people? Have you given up on impossible situations? — Michael Catt

Have To Need To Want To

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Have to Need to Want to

Psalm 24:3,4 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.

Any time I come across a verse of scripture that asks a question it always gets my attention. As I consider the answer that is given I can think of how to apply it to my walk with the Lord.

First thing is to clean my hands, this was always the case when I was a kid that had to happen before dinner. It‘s what I call the “have to”. Before we can come before the Lord I believe there are some things that have to be cleaned up. To me it’s the confession and repentance part, The “have to”. It’s a good place to be but we don’t want to stay there. No relationship will last if we are in it because we have to be.

Next is the “pure heart”, this to me is only possible when we make room for the Holy Spirit to use conviction in our lives. It’s what I call the “need to”. You know that feeling of God pressing in on you to move in a certain direction, that uncomfortable tug that won’t let us rest until we do something. “I really need to…..” A good place, but we need to move on. Again nobody wants to be with somebody because they “need to”.

And finally “who has not lifted his soul to an idol”. This is where freedom is, the choosing to make the Lord “The Lord”. We all have our idols that become the thing that excites us. But when we “want to” be with the Lord, now that’s a different story. I love when I wake up and “want to” be with my wife or “want to” go to work. It’s an attitude that when we follow this example can become a reality. But like my friend Carl says “Don’t get it Twisted”. It always starts with turning away from that thing that has taken residence over God.

When we have reached the gratitude stage we realize we “get to”. I “get to” be with the Lord, be with my wife or have a job. Thank you Lord for your goodness towards me. — Rob Russomano is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves on the full-time ministry team at America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 24; Psalm 35-36; Acts 25

Dig This Quote: God is waiting anxiously to lead each of us in the dance of praise.” God is on a mission – a quest. He is looking for worshipers. As he constantly draws each of us into a deeper and more intimate friendship with himself, he is creating within us hearts that will praise him. Claire Cloninger

Determined Digging: Level 1: Isaiah 1:18; Level 2: Psalm 103:1-5

Determined Praying: I believe we are to pray and seek and ask and knock and trust God with the results. God may, in fact, be more willing to work than we are willing to pray. — Michael Catt

MACO 103

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MACO 103!!

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself” Ephesians 5:25-28 (ESV)

So my wife and I are sitting in front of the television one night to watch a DVD about building a healthy marriage while encouraging and strengthening others when “Sweet Holy Moly” (recited in the tone of the guys in that Metro PC commercial) it’s Ed Hindson of that show called “The King is Coming” on one of those Christian channels we got on the cable box.

Well we both thought this would get interesting since we watch him regularly and we both think he is sorta on the ball with what he goes over on his television show. I was just hoping that he would give me enough time to continue working on my marriage before Jesus comes back and reclaims the earth for the Father. To my surprise he never went there. But I will share where I went with what I got from the DVD.

In the Book of Matthew the Pharisees approached Jesus and asked Him, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” Now the one thing about the Pharisees that I have noticed is that they always went after our Lord and Savior with His Father’s own words but with a twist. Sound familiar? The Garden, the serpent and we never really know that the serpent is the Devil until we read it in the Book of Revelation but it was still the Devil. (There is my Hindson twist by the way.) Anyway, Jesus answers them by saying, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Well let’s look at the beginning. In Genesis 2:18-23 God realizes that man cannot be alone in His creation. So He forms Eve from Adam’s rib and its love at first sight for Adam. Adam realizes that Eve has been created from him. Both have been created in the image of God uniquely and this marriage is an invention of God Himself. And as we look at the invention of marriage in both the Old and the New Testament we see three important things. Marriage was created and instituted by God Himself. Marriage was meant to last and marriage is a covenant relationship between man, woman and God. And I will stretch it out to Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

So as the Pharisees continue with their test of Jesus they ask, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” Then Jesus tells them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” When I look at Deuteronomy 24, where the Pharisees get their argument from, I can see why Jesus takes His stand on marriage. “When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her.” What would happen to us if Jesus found no favor with all of us? After all, haven’t we’ve been “indecent” in the eyes of our Heavenly Father from time to time. Would Jesus just simply write us off?

In Ephesians Paul explains to us the importance of marriage. It is the illustration we need to see so we all can see how Jesus wants His church to be. So Husbands…love your wife as Christ loves the church. He wants to be reconciled with us and the sooner some of us get it through our thick skulls that if God is willing to reconcile with the fallen world through His own Son, who are we to find any “indecencies” with our own spouses that are unforgivable. When it’s all been said and done, I do not want to face the Savior only to have Him hand me a certificate of divorce and send me on my way. Do you? — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 23; Psalm 33-34; Acts 24

Dig This Quote: “Marriage was designed from the beginning to display the new covenant between Christ and the church. We have seen this in Ephesians 5:31-32. The very essence of this new covenant is that Christ passes over the sins of his bride. His bride is free from shame not because she is perfect, but because she has no fear that her lover will condemn her or shame her because of her sin. This is why the doctrine of justification by grace through faith is at the very heart of what makes marriage work the way God designed it. Justification creates peace with God vertically, in spite of our sin. And when experienced horizontally, it creates shame-free peace between an imperfect man and an imperfect woman.” John Piper

Determined Digging: Level 1: Isaiah 1:18; Level 2: Psalm 103:1-5

Determined Praying: Powerful praying demands discipline and patience. God is not a bellhop who comes running at the snap of our fingers. God wants us to stretch ourselves in the realm of prayer. When was the last time you asked God for something YOU couldn’t figure out? — Michael Catt

P.U.S.H

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P. U. S. H

With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. — Ephesians 6:18

Several years ago my good friend, Dr. E. Glenn Wagner, sent me a card with the word PUSH written on one side. The back of the card said this:
Push Until Something Happens.

Well the Lord has been hammering me about digging deeper in my prayer life, but personally and corporately. The phone at America’s KESWICK is ringing off the hook with people sharing burdens, needs and heartaches.

There are families in crisis. People are going through unusual trials. Financial issues. Health crisis es. Last night we received word that one of our recent Colony of Mercy residents was found dead. And the list goes on.

This week we begin seven weeks of intense ministry at America’s KESWICK. Hundreds of people will be on campus to DIG DEEPER INTO GOD’S WORD. Our desire is that God will speak to hearts and transform lives.

Beginning this morning, we will be meeting together for prayer from 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM to PUSH = Pray Until Something Happens. If you are local, you are welcome to join us. If you can’t join us in person, you can meet us at the throne of grace in spirit.

Come for as long as you can, and leave when you must (well, I borrowed that slogan from the Boardwalk Chapel … borrowed sounds better than stolen!). There is no agenda other than PRAYER. You can come and pray standing, kneeling, sitting. You can pray silently, or cry out to God.

I shared with you a DIG THIS Quote last week. You might have missed it:

“Whoever wants the next generation most will get them. I want to see the church militant, aggressive, passionate, and revived. It will not happen apart from prayer and unity. — Michael Catts

If you have a pressing need, I have some folks who have made a commitment to PUSH with you at the throne of grace. Email me your prayer requests and we will PUSH with you.

This special prayer meeting will be held Monday through Thursday in Seminar Room B which is located in the Raws Auditorium building. I trust you will join me as together we Dig Deeper into prayer — PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 22; Psalm 31-32; Acts 23:16-35

Dig This Quote: God is determined to have His child as pure, clean, and white as snow driven snow, and as long as there is disobedience in any point of His teaching, He will allow His Spirit to use whatever process it may take to bring us to obedience. – Oswald Chambers

Determined Digging: Level 1: Isaiah 1:18; Level 2: Psalm 103:1-5

Determined Praying: When God’s people face tough times, that’s when they need to turn up the heat in prayer. Tough times are no time for God’s people to sit by, cold and indifferent. — Michael Catts

A Law, A Lesson, and a Legacy

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A Law, a Lesson, and a Legacy

The Word of God continually amazes me with its practicality. We try to make life so complicated and confusing. God teaches us how to remove the complications and confusion and live life in practical ways that help us become more like Jesus.

The Galatian church was a mess! If you read the whole letter, you will see that the believers there struggled with life, doctrine, and people who were trying to lead them away from their freedom in Christ. Paul gave them some practical advice in the last chapter of his letter—advice that came in the form of instruction and example.

First, he spoke of a law they should have already known. It is the “law of Christ,” and it is a law for relationships. Read vss. 1-6 of the chapter and discover that this law teaches us how to manage relationships, even with those who struggle with sin or carry heavy burdens. That brings me to my second thought.

Paul also teaches the Galatians and us a lesson in responsibility. Most of us are familiar with Galatians 6:7: Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Most of us don’t like taking responsibility for our actions; that is what gets many of us in trouble. Every problem comes because of something other than our conduct, attitude, or speech. Nothing is ever our fault!

The Apostle says “not so!” What comes our way is most often a direct result of how we have lived our lives. The lesson Paul teaches us reminds us that choosing to live responsibly will bring blessing in this life and in eternity.

Finally, Paul speaks of his desired legacy. In Galatians 6:14, Paul says But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .. Paul, with all his personal accomplishments wanted nothing more than to leave a legacy of glory in the cross of Jesus! That desire reflected humility of heart and a rule for his life.

From where I sit, this is practical instruction every Freedom Fighter needs. Even more, it is instruction we can live out in the power of God’s Spirit. May God help us choose the simple practicality of His Word over the complications and confusions that so often plague us! — John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 21; Psalms 29-30; Acts 23:1-15

Dig This Quote: Why are we content to live like paupers rather than live like sons and daughters of the King? We need to live like King’s kids! – Bill Welte

Determined Digging: Level 1: Isaiah 1:8; Level 2: Psalm 103:1-5

Determined Praying: When God’s children face godless times, that’s when they need to turn up the heat in prayer. Tough times are no time for God’s people to sit by, cold and indifferent. — Michael Catt

Not Good Unless Endorsed

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NOT GOOD UNLESS ENDORSED

“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God –
and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30

In the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Proverbs, the term wisdom is often used to refer to the character of God. In the New Testament, there is further clarification of it in terms of its being invested in the person of Jesus Christ. “For it pleased the Father that in Him (Christ) all the fulness should dwell.” (Colossians 2:3). Our theme verse indicates that this wisdom invested in Jesus Christ is for us.

It is possible to paraphrase the verse to say in effect that Christ Jesus was made over to us and for our benefit. This One in whom the very wisdom of God is deposited is now delivered over to us who are in Him. In terms of a banking transaction, this would be a divine deposit made payable to us in the person of Christ (“In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”).

From the divine standpoint the deposit has already been made and the benefit is available to all who are in Christ. However, before the benefit of this can be realized, we must endorse it by faith. A check may be donated based on a sound deposit, but if it is not endorsed by the recipient, it is of no benefit.

How can the benefits of the wisdom of God be described? There are three elements listed: righteousness – the status of being right with God, sanctification – the status of being set apart to God, and redemption – the ultimate release and deliverance awaiting us on the basis of the price paid at Calvary.

Have you endorsed by faith the deposited riches that God made payable to you in Christ? — Pastor Bill Raws is the grandson of the founder of America’s KESWICK and served at Keswick for over 50 years …

Today marks the anniversary of the home-going of Pastor Bill Raws. Even though it has been two years, Tuesday’s are still very hard for me personally. Pastor Bill and I met every Tuesday to pray and share. I still wait for the sound of his jogging suit rustling as he walked down the hall, and then he would always snap the rubber band around his Daytimer, which was my signal that he was outside of my office! We praise the Lord for the life and legacy of this giant of the faith. Pastor Bill, we love and miss you! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 20; Psalms 26-28; Acts 22

Dig This Quote: “One of the most fascinating things about leadership is that sometimes a person you least expect will step up and emerge as a leader. It can happen at any time, but it has been my experience that any emerging leader possesses two key traits…attitude and heart.” ~Mac Anderson

Determined Digging: Level 1: Isaiah 1:18; Level 2: Psalm 103:1-5