Keep Recognizing Jesus

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KEEP RECOGNIZING JESUS

. . Peter . . . walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid . . . —Matthew 14:29-30

Today’s reading from the writings of Oswald Chambers is powerful:

The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn’t see them at first. He didn’t consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and “walked on the water.” Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. Why couldn’t our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves, as well as on top of them? He could have, yet neither could be done without Peter’s continuing recognition of the Lord Jesus.

We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, “. . . why did you doubt?” ( Matthew 14:31 ). Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him.

If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, “Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?” Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him.

It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness— being willing to risk your all. — Oswald Chambers — My Utmost for His Highest is available from the Keswick Online Bookstore (http://www.americaskeswick.org/)
Open your eyes, brother! He is at work all around you. Do you recognize Him? — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 19; Nehemiah 12-13; Acts 4:23-37

Dig This Quote: Keep clear of concealment – keep clear of the need of concealment. It is an awful hour when the first necessity of hiding something comes. The whole life is different thenceforth. When there are questions to be feared and eyes to be avoided and subjects which must not be touched, the bloom of life is gone. Phillips Brooks
Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 16:7; Level 2: Psalm 92-1-4

Wisdom for Distracted Souls

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Wisdom for Distracted Souls

“To You, my strength, I sing praises, because God is my stronghold — my faithful God.” Psalm 59:17 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Sometimes God speaks to our hearts in the strangest of places. Many of you know that I have a major book addiction. I love to read, and because of my love for reading, I receive many catalogs featuring new books.

Last night when I came home from work, I picked up a catalog and read an amazing quote from a brand new work by Puritan preacher, Nathaniel Vincent. He lived from 1638-1697. I was moved by the excerpt from his teaching — it was just what I needed to hear:

While we are in this world, truly this world is too much in us; it is suitable to our senses, and apt to entice and draw away our hearts. Let the eye of faith pierce through the clouds and see heaven’s joy and glory, and then this world’s vanity will be more apparent.

How vain it is for you to be so thoughtful about it and eager after this world. When faith has seen how God is attended upon by saints and angels above, it may help to kindle in you a holy zeal and a vehement desire to more resemble those excellent attendants, and to serve the Lord more gladly and seriously here below.

Oh, cry out to have the cure of distractions carried on further toward completeness. Live as strangers and sojourners here on earth, not concerned about worldly things as others are. Declare plainly that you are born from above, and let your hearts and thoughts more and more ascend there.

Carry yourselves as fellow citizens with the saints, and as those who are of the household of God. Let there be more of God, and more of grace in all you do and speak, in all the power of your souls, in all the duties you perform.

And think with gladness and longing of that blessed inheritance, when you shall fully be delivered from sin and death, and from all deadness and distraction in mind and heart. Everlasting rest must eternally exclude whatever now troubles you. How perfectly healed and perfect in holiness and joy you will be in every way when you have attained to the glorious liberty of the sons of God!

Wow. I needed to hear those words. It is so easy to be distracted in the day in which we live. Is your soul distracted today? What is keeping you from spending time with HIM today? He’s right there waiting to meet with you, brother! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK
Dig This Quote: Focusing on God in the present moment is an antidote to self-pity and despair. It gives one clearer vision, courage and energy in the face of life’s troubles. Such an approach helps one to avoid even the smallest tension, anger and bitterness. Attention to God’s presence dissolves them. I can help others because I am not focused on myself. Glen Argan
Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 16:7; Level 2: Psalm 92-1-4

More From the Garden — Part 4

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More from the Garden Part Four

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” Luke 8:11-15 (ESV)

In yesterday’s Freedom Fighter I told you I would get into the place where most Christians hope they are…the good soil!! It is where the seed (The Word of God) will fall on it will yield a harvest at least hundredfold and with all the fruits of the Spirit. “But the seed in the good earth-these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest.” (Luke 8:15) The Message. But what will be harvested here has lasting effects besides the fruits to enjoy.

We all know that we as Christian men (and women) are to bear fruit. But it is not enough to just forth fruit but to bring it must be brought to perfection and it has to be fully ripened. Now it is at this point where in the message that I heard Dr. Earl Johnson give based on this parable the idea of “germination” comes in. You see I always thought I needed to great my ground good so when the seed falls on me (I hear, receive and do the Word of God) I will bear the fruits of Christendom and all will see Christ in me. BUT…this is where that old idea gets a RE-VISION!!

You see I am at point in my walk where I need to hear a matured Word. I can be told to toss all the fruit around I want and still not be challenged enough to be brought forth to perfection. If I am not germinating any seed for others to sow into their life I am falling short of what God is sowing into me. If I keep going around listening to milky sermons I will not be challenged and I will show no growth in my life or in my walk with Jesus.
If I don’t toss the rocks out, do the weeding or till the seed into my soil I might as well go and worship a block of wood. What good will a block of wood do for me when I need encouragement?

So my soil (heart) needs to honest and good. It has to be ready to receive instruction and commandments. It has to be free from sinful pollution. It has to be tender and upright. It must tremble when the seed goes in deep for the planting. It must understand and keep the seed well. It must stay freshly watered. It must be ready to be tested and tried and at times burned. It must have the patience to suffer tribulation and persecution because of the seed.

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” Heb 2:1-4 (ESV)

This warning is from one of the toughest books in the New Testament (at least to me) and it don’t matter what version you use this warning is still the same. Pay closer attention to what you have heard because if you sow it into bad soil your harvest will be wrong and what will germinate from it will be as equally wrong. As for me and my little plot of FARMVILLE; we will sow the seeds that Jesus would sow, will you? — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter. Thanks, Chris, for this four part series!

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 17; Nehemiah 7-9; Acts 3

Dig This Quote: “Our minds and memories are like a leaky vessel, they do not, without much care, retain what is poured into them. This proceeds from the corruption of our nature, temptations, worldly cares, and pleasures. Sinning against the gospel is neglect of this great salvation; it is a contempt of the saving grace of God in Christ, making light of it, not caring for it, not regarding either the worth of gospel grace, or the want of it, and our undone state without it.” Matthew Henry Concise
Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 16:7; Level 2: Psalm 92-1-4

More From the Garden — Part 3

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More from the Garden Part Three

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” Luke 8:11-15 (ESV)

In yesterday’s Freedom Fighter I told you about “The Wayside Condition” where the heavy traffic of everyday life can drive that good seed into the ground or allow it to be devoured by the birds of the air. And then we took a look at what happens when the seed lands on rocks and gravel where the seed cannot reach it’s taproot to the Living Waters. Today we will take a look at the other two “soil” conditions.

So what of the seed that fell among the thorn bushes? We have a soil that can grow some stuff…along with the vines that could bear fruit. So what could be implied here is that we have people today that start off with hearing the Good News and making that outward commitment but they may be selective on their weeding. Or maybe it’s because people get all excited with their daily living that that “feel good” influence blends with the Word. Or maybe they are becoming so involved in being depressed with the events that go wrong in their daily living.

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Gal 6:7-8 (ESV) We all know this verse all too well don’t we but what if we mixed this part, “for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” with one of those modern statements like, “That which does not kill me only serves to make me stronger.” now let’s put the two together, “So remember you reap what you sow and if it don’t kill you it makes you strong.” Sounds like one of them new fangled statements those motivational speakers whip out on people. And if we are saying this to ourselves as well we will get the wrong harvest out of God’s Word won’t we? We become the ones who choke the out the vines of God’s Word.

And let’s be mindful of those dangerous and mischievous thorns known as the “pleasures of this life”. Even the so-called “lawful delights” can serve to ruin the soul when they have been over indulged. Demas will forever be remembered as being the one who deserted Paul for his love of the world after he heard the Good News and was put to the test. “And the seeds that fell in the weeds-well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun.” (Luke 8:14) The Message)

Tomorrow we will be where most Christians hope they are…the good soil!! But today take a moment to reflect on what you are being intentionally or unintentionally choked by. What thorns are poking you in the side? Are they the ones that produce grace? And what are you letting grow alongside the True Vine? Does it bring a harvest of Good Fruit? — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 16; Nehemiah 4-6; Acts 2:22-47

Dig This Quote: “What happened? Was Demas simply tired, and he decided to retire? Did he feel compelled to serve God on the field? Both options seem implausible, given Paul’s words. Demas “deserted” Paul. His reason for doing so was that he “loved this present world.” Demas stood with Paul through his first imprisonment, and one would hope that now, approximately four years later, he would remain with his traveling companion, but he did not. He left. Not for spiritual reasons and not for familial emergencies. He deserted Paul. His faith was a “fair weather” variety. These types of Christians are “ministers of misery,” and they can exhaust you beyond recognition.” Why Churches Die Mac Brunson & Ergun Caner

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 16:7; Level 2: Psalm 92-1-4

More From the Garden (Part 2)

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More from the Garden Part Two

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” Luke 8:11-15 (ESV)

Yesterday I had us look at our plot of dirt and see if it was tilled with the right stuff and ready for planting. Today I would like to continue with some of the different conditions that Jesus said the dirt may have been as He was scattering His seed throughout the towns He traveled to and preached in. Let’s take a look at the four conditions that Jesus said the dirt was in.

The first “some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot”. Dr. Johnson calls this “The Wayside Condition” and it falls in the context of being just too busy for God’s Word. If we are not careful we can fall into this category just as much as the person who is hearing the Word for the first time and allows it to fall by the wayside where “the birds of the air devoured it.”When we get to Jesus’ explanation of this part of Luke in verse 11 He puts it like this, “The seeds on the road are those who hear the Word, but no sooner do they hear it than the Devil snatches it from them so they won’t believe and be saved.”(The Message)

The Wayside Condition can even fall on those of us who are in the House. We are sitting in the pew, the Preacher is on the Pulpit giving a message and in our thoughts we are somewhere else. How many people do you see leaving Church to get to lunch and they are on the cell phone getting into their car and driving into heavy traffic? Well guess what…bye, bye Word of God. It is being trampled under by a set of Goodyear tires, a cheeseburger and then washed down by a Starbucks frappuccino.
The next condition to look at is what has fallen on the rocks and gravel. This is where the seed can get no root system developed. It is a plot of ground that has unresolved issues and hurt. It is as if there has never been some sort of root system instilled into it at all. These are the folks who claim that because their family had dysfunctions they will have life crippling dysfunctions. But couldn’t we also say there is a point in us where we seem to say…”The good I want to do that I do not do but the bad I do not want to do that I do.” And we do not finish up the rest of that verse and we know where the source of the Living Water is but we let some unresolved issue stop us from running our tap root to the Streams!!

“The seeds in the gravel are those who hear with enthusiasm, but the enthusiasm doesn’t go very deep. It’s only another fad, and the moment there’s trouble it’s gone.”Luke 8:13 (The Message). The Word is being preached but there is no target listening. Those in the gravel love the idea of someone else dying for their sins but when it comes times to put themselves on that altar of dedication this no longer becomes a good thing.
“Present myself a living sacrifice? Hmmm…and so exits our hero through the front door, stage right, none the less for his heroic deeds.”

I’ll stop here for today but before I exit…through the front door…stage right, I want to ask you…Are you doing something different with your plot of dirt? Are you one of those who know where the water is…but won’t let the root grow? Try to remember that if we run our tap root to The Bible all the other roots will be drawn to it as well. — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 15; Nehemiah 1-3; Acts 2:1-21

Dig This Quote: “There is a good deal of mere mental and logical sanctification nowadays, which is only a religious fiction. It consists of mentally putting one’s self on the altar, then mentally saying the altar sanctifies the gift, and then logically concluding therefore one is sanctified; and such a one goes forth with a gay, flippant, theological prattle about the deep thing of God. But the natural heartstrings have not been snapped, and the Adamic flint has not been ground to powder, and the bosom has not throbbed with the lonely, surging sighs of Gethsemane; and not having the real death marks of Calvary, there cannot be that soft, sweet, gentle, floating, victorious, overflowing, triumphant life that flows like a spring morning from an empty tomb.” G.D.W Streams in the Desert Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 16:7; Level 2: Psalm 92-1-4

More From The Garden Part 1

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More from the Garden Part One

“And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Luke 8:4-8 (ESV)

A little while ago I had written about how I actually got some basic hand tools and tilled some ground to plant some corn. Well I am happy to say that there are sprouts coming up from the ground. I am so happy about this that I decided to post a little diddy on my Facebook page called “FARMVILLE: The Reality Series”. So for those of you who do the Facebook thing I sure hope you get a laugh from my future posts. Farmville, for those of you who may not know, is a game that is played on Facebook and is a make believe farm and many people “labor” in their fields, share their results and other stuff. Now I wonder if we can apply this to our everyday living…laboring in the vineyard for the building up of the maturity of the saints, if you will?

I heard a message on the “Parable of the Sower” from Dr. Earl Johnson. Dr. Johnson pastor’s Covenant Life Church in Carson, Ca. He oversees the “According to Pattern” apostolic team and is an “AMEN” preacher. After I had listened to his message on this parable I decided to RE-VEIW the parable from Luke 8. At my earlier reads I only thought this a parable of evangelizing but it has become much more after Dr. Johnson’s teaching. So…“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

“I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here am I, here am I,” to a nation that was not called by My name.” (Isaiah 65:1) In Luke’s Gospel account Jesus is going from town to town preaching the Good News when He stops and tells the people around Him a story. “A sower went out to sow his seed” He starts out with but I do not think anyone looks at Him being the sower in His own parable let alone the ground He is sowing into being the heart of the listener.

So let’s say that the fresh plot of ground or soil is the heart of man and that the seed is God’s Word being sowed into it. Agree? I hope you do. So if we look at the heart of man as being the soil and the seed is God’s Word (and remember the seed is always good) then the success of the seeding is based on the nature and the temper of the soil. So if it is the nature and the temper of the soil (or the heart) to intentionally look for growth or truth then there the seed will have success but if there is no concern for growth or finding truth there is no success and the ground has no maturing.

I will stop there today. I think it is rather ironic that I am looking at the heart like a plot of soil. But I keep in mind that our Hebrew brethren speak of the heart as really being your thought process. So like a modern-day psalmist once said, “Garbage in, garbage out” and most garbage is dirty. So if we keep choosing the garbage to till into our soil or heart we will never be ready for that good seed and we may never see any real growth or maturing in ourselves. So why not ask yourself today…What am I tilling into my plot of soil and will it yield a hundred-fold? — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

Happy Fourth Birthday, Lindsay Bear. Pop loves you a bushel and a peck!

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 14

Dig This Quote: “Those with a well-kept heart are persons who are prepared for and capable of responding to the situations of life in ways that are good and right. Their will functions as it should, to choose what is good and avoid what is evil, and the other components of their nature cooperate to that end. They need not be “perfect”; but what all people manage in at least a few times and areas of life, they manage in life as a whole.” Dallas Willard

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 16:7; Level 2: Psalm 92-1-4

The Power of the Word (Part 4)

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The Power of the Word (Part 3)

Years ago I heard that Dr. Jack Hayford announced to his congregation that the next Sunday they would be welcoming a special guest to their services. Jesus Christ Himself would be coming to worship with them.

He asked the questions: I wonder who will be on time next Sunday? How will be dressed? What will the singing be like? Hmmmm … I wonder what the giving will be like?

The reality is that He already IS present when we gather together to worship! The question for this morning is have you prepared to meet HIM today? Listen to what King David said about prepartion for worship from Psalm 24:

24:1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, [1]the world and those who dwell therein, 2 for he has founded it upon the seasand established it upon the rivers.

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,who does not lift up his soul to what is falseand does not swear deceitfully. 5 He will receive blessing from the Lordand righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,who seek the face of the God of Jacob. [2] Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors,that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory?T he Lord, strong and mighty,the Lord, mighty in battle! 9 Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors,that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is this King of glory?The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah

As you come to worship HIM today, do you have clean hands and a pure heart? Take some time this morning to clean up! HE WILL BE THERE! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 13; Ezra 6-8; John 21
Dig This Quote: We should learn to live in the presence of the living God. He should be a well for us – delightful, comforting, unfailing, springing up to eternal life (John 4:14). When we rely on other people, their water supplies ultimately dry up. But the well of the Creator ever fails to nourish us. – Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 16:7; Level 2: Psalm 92-1-4

The Power of the Word — Part 3

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The Power of the Word (Part 3)

Some powerful verses taken from today’s reading from the DAILY LIGHT:
. . . that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.

Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and . . . be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and . . . put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.—. . . that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. . . .

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. . . .

So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. (1 Pet. 2:24; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:3; Rom. 6:4, 6, 7, 11-13 )
As you prepare your heart for celebrating the Lord’s Day tomorrow, rejoice in what Christ has accomplished for you on the cross. Hallelujah! What a Savior! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 12; Ezra 3-5; John 20

Dig This Quote: Sins concealed by man are never cancelled by God. – Dr. Bruce Wilkinson

Determined Digging: Level 1 —Proverbs 16:13; Level 2 — Psalm 91:11-16

The Power of the Word — Part 2

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The Power of the Word — Part 2

Here is another powerful WORD from the WORD –DON’T PUT IT OFF!
2 Peter 1:3-11 The Message
Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.

So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.

So, friends, confirm God’s invitation to you, his choice of you. Don’t put it off; do it now. Do this, and you’ll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Take some time this morning to prayerfully and carefully meditate on this passage of Scripture. Allow the Holy Spirit to give you the insights He has for YOU this morning. I would love to hear what HE is teaching YOU through HIS WORD! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK
Dig This Quote: When the love for the Savior shall lead us to keep His Holy Word – lead us to an immediate, unreserved, unhesitating obedience – lead us to say in a spirit of entire self-surrender and sacrifice, “Thy will, not mine, be done,” then, farewell to doubt and darkness, to loneliness and sorrow! Then shall we mourn no more an absent Lord. Then shall we walk as seeing Him who is invisible, triumphant over every fear, victorious over every foe! – Arthur W. Pink
Determined Digging: Level 1 —Proverbs 16:13; Level 2 — Psalm 91:11-16

The Power of the Word

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The Power of the Word

“For the Word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide the soul, spirit, joint, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Like many of you, I enjoy being on Facebook to get connected with old friends. It has been fun to reconnect with many of my high school buddies that I haven’t seen in decades.

If you are familiar with Facebook, isn’t it amazing what people post on their status lines? I am amazed at what people share. Early on I got sucked into sharing trivia, then the Lord prompted me to post Scripture verses.

I am amazed at how many comments I get from the verses I post. It is another reminder to me of the power of God’s WORD and how HIS Word speaks to our hearts.

For the next couple of days I want to simply post some Scripture passages on Freedom Fighter that are speaking to my heart. Will you allow God to speak to YOU today from HIS WORD. I would love to hear back from you — what is YOUR favorite passage of Scripture?

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in your sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of your sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the their sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Brothers, if a man is trapped in some sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself; you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. — Galatians 5:13-6:2 (New International Version)

This is a meaty passage of Scripture. Why not use yesterday’s teaching on how to meditate on the Scripture and work this passage of Scripture into your heart. I would love to hear from you, so please write! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK
Dig This Quote: We cannot escape from our daily routine, because it will go with us wherever we go…. God must be sought and found in the things of our world. By regarding our daily duties as something performed for the honour and glory of God, we can convert what was hitherto soul-killing monotony, to a living worship of God in all our actions. Everyday life must become itself our prayer. Karl Rahner
Determined Digging: Level 1 —Proverbs 16:13; Level 2 — Psalm 91:11-16
Join us this tonight for our Father Son Night with Christian Comedian, Gordan Douglas. Call for information and reservations: 732-350-1187