What Are You Willing to Sacrifice for HIM?

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What are You Willing to Sacrifice for HIM?

Romans 12:1 -2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

This week at America’s KESWICK, Pastor Ron Schmidt, Senior Pastor of Davisville Church in Southampton, PA is our morning Bible teacher. This morning he shared something very fascinating about the soldiers who stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Listen to what a soldier is willing to give up to serve in this capacity:

The Highest Honor — The Path He Takes

1. The guard takes 21 steps which refers directly to the 21 gun salute, the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. The guard hesitates after his about face for 21 seconds for the same reason.
3. His gloves are moistened so as not to lose grip on his rifle.
4. He carries his rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, doing an about face, he places the gun on the opposite shoulder for the return walk.
5. Guards are changed every 30 minutes 24/7 365 days a year, since 1930.

Qualifications

To apply for the job, he must be between 5’10 and 6’2 and his waist cannot exceed 30 inches. He must commit 2 years of his life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, take no alcohol or swear on or off duty for the rest of his life, nor can he disgrace the fighting uniform or tomb in any way.

The first 6 months a guard can talk to no one nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in the Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.

After 2 years, he is given a wreath pin to wear on the lapel, signifying that he has served as a guard at the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn at this time. He must obey all these rules for the rest of his life or give up the pin.

Clothing Regulations

The shoes are made with very thick soles to protect from heat and cold. There are metal plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.
Guards spend 5 hours a day getting their uniforms ready for guard duty and dress for duty in front of a full length mirror to be sure there are no folds, wrinkles or lint.

Standing Firm

In 2003, as Hurricane Isabelle approached Washington, DC, military members were given permission to suspend the assignment but they respectfully declined. Soaked to the skin in the pelting rain of the tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, but the highest honor afforded to any serviceperson.

My question for you … what are you willing to sacrifice for our great God? If an American soldier is willing to make this kind of sacrifice for his country, should we not be willing to sacrifice everything for HIM? Think about it. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 22; Psalm 31-32; Acts 23:16-35

Great Quote: When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now…When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased. (Clive Staples) C. S. Lewis

How To Be Content

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“HOW TO BE CONTENT”

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such
things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, or forsake
thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not
fear what man shall do to me” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

It is difficult to recognize that our character (conversation) or manner
of life is an area of ethics that deals with our responsibility to
ourselves. Our society wrongly insists that success is determined by the
amount we can accumulate. The love of money is a common form of
covetousness (1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all
evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith . .
). The love of money is a common form of covetousness because it can be
used to secure many other things that we want which displeases God. Jesus
emphatically warns Man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of things
which he possesseth (Luke 12:15).

Contentment cannot come from material things, for they can never satisfy
the heart. The desire to have more, and more and still more (GREED)
interferes with contentment and like oil and water they are just not
compatible. A source of great peace comes to those who love the Lord with
all their heart and have trusted in His Word enough to know that He will
never forsake or leave the true believer (v. 5). Wow! What contentment
this produces and what confidence it gives in order that we need not fear
any man.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

THOT: SEEK GODLINESS,NOT THINGS — Dr. Henry Lutz is a retired pastor and a new Freedom Fighter contributor.

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 21; Psalm 29-30; Acts 23:1-15

Great Quote: “I was the enemy of God. I was stamping through God’s universe, shaking my fist in His face. And in the very moment when I was shaking my fist in God’s face and tramping through the Creator’s universe, muddying all His streams, that’s when Jesus died for me. And if this is when Jesus died for me, what hope it gives me now! Now, even when I fall, the blood of Jesus is enough. He didn’t save me because I was strong; He saved me when I was weak. He didn’t save me when I was a pretty thing; He saved me when I was a mess. On the basis of this reality, I can have comfort.” Francis Schaeffer, The Finished Work of Christ.

Our Incomparable God

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Today marks the first year anniversary of Pastor Bill Raws going home to be with Jesus. I am so thankful to the Lord for the 12 years that God allowed me to have him as a integral part of my life. Besides all of the normal activities we were together, I had the joy each Tuesday to meet with him one-on-one. We prayed, laughed, cried, shared vision, and discussed God’s Word. I still find myself waiting for him to walk down the hall, lay down his brief case, and walk into my office and say, “Is this a good time to meet.”

Please pray for Mrs. Raws, and my sisters, Jan, Judee, Karen and Cherri, as I know today will be a difficult day for them as well. Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Bill

Our Incomparable God
“There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to help you, and in His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy before you, and will say, ‘Destroy!’.” (Deuteronomy 33:26, 27)

In Moses’ valedictory address to the children of Israel, he focuses attention on their God – His incomparable person, His exalted position, and His effective promise. He describes God as the no-one-like God. No comparative description can be made – words fail. However, He is identified with His people, referring to them as Jeshurun. This is a name of endearment – “the child of the upright.” As His child, we can claim this title, since He is the Upright One, not we.

His exalted position is strategic for our care – “He rides the heavens to help” us. He is above us and can observe our need. No earthly circumstance can block His access to us. Not only is He above us but He surrounds us, giving us a secure refuge or dwelling place. The ultimate security is to be found in His being beneath us – “underneath are the everlasting arms.”
His effective promise includes His part and ours. His role is based on His being the incomparable person and in an exalted position. “He will thrust out the enemy from before you.” Israel was aware of the giants who occupied the land to which they were headed, but God’s promise was not based on what they could do for themselves but what He would do. Their job was to trust; His job was to thrust. It is dangerous when we attempt to exchange job descriptions with God.
Our role is seen in God’s word to Israel – “Destroy!” This is a form of mopping up operation which is to follow immediately upon His thrusting out the enemy. No compromise with the enemy is to be tolerated, nor any permissiveness allowed. God’s plan is for unconditional surrender and unlimited victory. William A. Raws
Thanks, Lord, for this remarkable man who loved You and Your Word! Pastor Bill — we miss you. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 20; Psalms 40-42; Acts 27:1-26

Great Quote: Jesus wills of His own accord to come into us and, in His own power, to deal with our needs. It is not necessary for us to constrain Him by our prayers to take an interest in us. Ole Kristian O. Hallesby

Check out this week’s Stewardship Insight from George: http://keswickgeorge.blogspot.com/

The Valley of Vision

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The Valley of Vision

This is one of those amazing prayers of the Puritans from a powerfully convicting book, THE VALLEY OF VISION (Banner of Truth):

Lord, High and Holy, Meek and Lowly,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
Where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
Hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox
That the way down is the way up,
That to be low is to be high,
That that broken heart is the healed heart,
That the contrite heart is the rejoicing heart,
That the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
That to have nothing is to possess all,
That to bear the cross is to wear the crown;
That to give is to receive,
That the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from the deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness,
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty,
thy glory in my valley.

Amen

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 19; Psalm 23-25; Acts 21:18-40

Great quote: Persistent people begin their success where others end in failure. Edward Eggleston

Tomorrow starts our summer season. Join us for a wonderful afternoon of praise and worship with our staff as they share in concert at 3:00 PM. Tomorrow night session starts at 7:00 PM with Dr. Charles Zimmerman. All sessions will be live webcast: www.americaskeswick.org

http://keswickgeorge.blogspot.com/

The Blessing of a Name

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The Blessing of a name …
“And you shall call his name …” Luke 1:60
From almost the very beginning names have had significance:
Abraham — Father of the great multitude

Barnabas — son of consolataion

Cephas — a rock or stone

Daniel — God my Judge

Gabriel — God is my strength

Nabal — fool

Nathaniel — the gift of God

Jabez — Pain
When our kids were born we were fascinated with the meaning of their names:
Laura means “crowned one”

Joshua means “Jehovah saves”

Julie means “youthful”

Zach means “the Lord has remembered”
Some of you know that last year our kids from New Hampshire lost their little girl, Lindsay on May 16th. (I hate that word “lost” — we know exactly where she is — she is sitting at the feet of Jesus!).
The Lord blessed our kids with a brand new little boy in June. They named him after Jonathan’s Uncle who recently went hom to be with Jesus several weeks prior to the baby’s birth. They name our grandson, “Case.”

My wife has all the kids names with their meanings on the wall outside our bedroom. Case is certainly not a common name, so she looked up the meaning. His name means: “Bringer of peace!” His name couldn’t be more appropriate. For Laura, Jon and Tanner, this past year was so painful, but God saw fit to bless them with a healthy new son.

For fun, Jan decided to look at STREAMS in the DESERT for June 15th to see what the Scripture for the day was … Coincidence? “My peace I give you!” John 14:27
Thank You, Lord, for the way you give meaning even to our names. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK
God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 18; Psalm 20-22; Acts 21:1-17
Great Quote: Praise is more than singing, it’s the saint reflecting the life of Christ. Anonymous

No One … But God

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NO ONE…BUT GOD

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
(Psalm 37:5 KJV).

“…and (thou) shalt remain by the stone Ezel” (1 Samuel 20:19), but not for long! Ezel’s not the kind of place where David would build a house, or even pitch his tent. For linguists there is some confusion about the exact meaning of the word “Ezel.” Not for David. The practical meaning impacted him as a hard place, a place of decision and separation. No pastoral stroll through the countryside occasioned this encounter with Jonathon.

The immediate context points to some serious depression with David’s words “…there is but a step between me and death” (1 Samuel 20:3). Fear crowds faith, forcing a fuzzy perspective of even the surest of things, God’s promises. At this juncture Jonathan demonstrated more confidence in the divine plan; “…thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house forever, no not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth” (1 Samuel 20:15).

Humanly speaking there is some serious cause for that depression; the savagery of Saul, unstable, fleshly, jealous, disobedient, rejected and, need we mention, javelin-throwing Saul? Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him and was departed from Saul” (1 Samuel 18:12). And that new moon feast does not seem to have tempered the monarch! David was absent, Saul angry, and Jonathan became the next target for Saul’s javelin. The prince left to warn David to flee.

Three days of waiting at Ezel, the kind of situation that evokes, “Why?” “What did I do to deserve this?” “It’s too hard.” “Lord, I thought surely…” The agreed upon signal was lost on the lad sent to retrieve the arrow. He might even have thought his royal master to be merely playing games. Dead serious business for Jonathan and the unseen David, and a super serious indication of God’s will for two men. Obvious now that despite the noble Jonathon, God’s plan did not include David’s learning his “kingmanship” from the likes of Saul and his court. Already chosen and anointed, this man after God’s own heart would indeed sit on the throne. “Trust Him, His plan and His promises, David, just as the Holy Spirit guided you to write Psalm 37:5.”

Dr. Albert T. Platt is President Emeritus of CAM International and a dear friend of America’s KESWICK. For many years, Al, and his beloved wife, Gladie, and daughter, Brendae, served as conference hosts for our Hispanic Weekend

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 17; Psalms 18-19; Acts 20:17-38

Great Quote: The Gospel is good news of mercy to the undeserving. The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the cross, not the scales. John R. W. Stott

DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME — ENJOY AT WEEK LONG GETAWAY AT AMERICA’S KESWICK for 50% off! Call today (732-350-1187) or visit our website: www.americaskeswick.org.

Has God’s Views Changed?

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Has God’s Views Changed?

“Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because He was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. “I hate divorce,” says the Lord, God of Israel …” Malachi 2:15-16

On Tuesday I witnessed the real deal. It broke my heart to see what was going on in the hallway were I was sitting with a friend whose marriage was about to end in divorce.

Today’s blog is not meant to make someone reading this who has been divorced feel condemnation or judgment. I don’t know your story.

My wife’s parents went through a painful divorce shortly before we were married. Painful really doesn’t describe how it impacted my wife and her siblings, nor my in-laws, and it even had a negative impact on our church. It had ugly tentacles that reached far beyond the impact it had on my in-laws.

On Tuesday, I watched one gal who was absolutely jubilant that her marriage was over. I watched the drama unfold as a husband and wife fought over the custody of their two little girls. How painful it was to see the kids torn apart in having to choose between Mom and Dad.

I watched how a picture-perfect couple — a very beautiful young lady, and a very handsome young man, ended a four year marriage that obviously was going to hurt their little boy. It took less than ten minutes to end a marriage of four years. And I really don’t think either party realized that the adventure of divorce was only just beginning.

For our friends, a seven year marriage was ending. Nothing about the situation makes any sense. Lots of hurt. Unanswered questions. The potential for bitterness to set in and or rear its ugly head. The paperwork — a mere formality — but in the process — much hurt and pain lies ahead.

Marriage takes work. Talk to anyone who has been married longer than 50 years, and they will tell you that they haven’t arrived. Our world has a view of marriage that is not God’s view. In this week’s TIME magazine, there is an article entitled WHY MARRIAGE MATTERS.

Listen to this quote: In the past 40 years, the face of the American family has changed profoundly. As sociologist Andrew Cherlin observes, what is significant about American families, compared with those of other nations, is their combination of “frequent marriage, frequent divorce” and the high number of “short-term co-habiting relationships.” Taken together, these forces “create a great turbulence in American family life, a family flux, a coming and going of partners on a scale seen nowhere else. There are more partners in the personal lives of Americans than in the lives of people of any other Western country … There is no single force causing as much measurable hardship and human misery in this country as the collapse of marriage. It hurts children, it reduces mother’s financial security …

What a sad commentary on the state of the family in America. Divorce among Christians now is higher than non-Christians.

As I listen to the stories of people who are throwing in the towel, I shudder to hear the reasons. If these were truly legitimate reasons to end a marriage, Jan would have left me years ago. She deserves a gold medal for being married to me.

Maybe we need to think about why God makes the statement that He hates divorce. Watching the drama unfolding before me in the courtroom, gave me a little glimpse into why it grieves His heart.

Maybe the church needs to get back to basics. Get back to honoring the vows we made at the altar — “what God has joined together — let no man put asunder.” — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 16; Psalm 16-17; Acts 20:1-16

Great Quote: He gave me a great fortune, placed thousands and millions at credit, but He gave a cheque-book with this one condition, “You never can draw more than you need at the time.” Every time a cheque was wanted, however, there was the name of Jesus upon it, and so it brought more glory to Him, kept His name before the heavenly world and God was glorified in His Son. A. B. Simpson

Don’t let fiances hold you back from attending our summer conferences. Check out our special 50% off rates on select room types. Come join us! — www.americaskeswick.org

God is Always at Work Around You (Part 6)

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God is Always At Work Around You (Part 5)

“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever He will.” Proverbs 21:1 ESV

My kids often get annoyed when we go out to eat, or go shopping, or it even happened in Florida, at Walt Disney World. Invariably, I run into people I know and they want to chit chat.

After our local Wendy’s opened, we made the mistake of going there on my day off when our kids from New Hampshire were in. One of our dear saints, came over to the table and stood there the entire time talking nonsense.

Part of the challenges of being in ministry like ours is being high profile. Don’t say that boastfully, but it comes with the territory.

So I can relate to a recent article in the July 13th issue of Time magazine where the correspondent is talking about the fact that President and Mrs. Obama have not been able to settle into a church in D.C.

In January the Obama’s attended services at 19th Street Baptist Church. Word leaked they were attending and lines started forming three hours before they arrived. Many of the Conservative newscasters have focused in on their not attending church and making a big deal about it …

What I haven’t heard is what Time reported, which to me is another illustration of God at work around us. Former Presidents Bush (G.H. and G.W.) worshiped at a little place call Evergreen at Camp David. The church serves 400 of the military personnel that reside there, and the White House does not get to CHOOSE the pastor.

So guess what — “Camp David’s current chaplain, Lieutenant Carey Cash, leads the services at Evergreen. If the White House had custom-ordered a pastor to be the polar opposite of Jeremiah Wright, it could not have done better than Cash.” (The Navy chooses the chaplain for a three year tour!)

Carey is the great-nephew of Johnny Cash, and and graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. And to quote time, “And yes, that mean’s Obama’s most frequent preacher is a Southern Baptist!”

Is that not cool? It is a great illustration of how God works in ways that we cannot see. Thank You, Lord, that you have hand-picked the pastor for our President and his family. Even though we may not agree with our President’s positions, YOU have His ear. In fact, Time says, “Obama has told aides he enjoys the little chapel in the woods, the better to hear what Elijah called, ‘the still, small voice of God!'” — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 15; Psalm 13-15; Acts 19:21-41

Great Quote: When a man is not deeply convicted of sin, it is a pretty sure sign that he has not truly repented. Experience has taught me that men who have very slight conviction of sin sooner or later lapse back into their old life. –Dwight L Moody

Don’t close this email! Special announcement — we have some really cool news. If you haven’t made your plans to join us this summer, we have some exciting rates for you. Please pick up the phone and call today. Your week at Keswick is more affordable than ever. Don’t miss this summer. It could turn your world upside down. 800-453-7942. We have some rooms open next week with Drs. Charles Zimmerman and Ron Schmidt. Check out the website for more details: http://www.americaskeswick.org.

The Benefit of Trials

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The Benefit of Trials

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4: 17

It seems like so many of you, as well as our KESWICK family are going through tough stuff. One of our guys was hospitalized tonight with bronchitis, viral meningitis and Lyme. Talk about three tough ones. Wow.

These words from Fenelon, coupled with this passage from 2 Corinthians 4 were really needed by me …

You have some difficult trial to bear but you need them since God has allowed these events to happen. He knows how to select them. You could not have picked for yourself what God brings into your life through the cross. The cross that you would pick out would build your self-will instead of breaking it down.

There are times when everything in life seems to be a trial. Sometimes there is only suffering. Still, the heaviest cross must be carried in peace. Sometimes the cross can neither be carried or dragged. Then you can only fall down beneath it, overwhelmed and exhausted. I pray that God may spare you from suffering as much as possible.

Remember that God is not unaware of your suffering. He allows your suffering. See that he alone knows what is best for you. Live by faith as you embrace your trials. Confidently trust in God, even when you do not see what He is doing. Trust that God, with great compassion, gives you trials in proportion to the help that He wants to bring to you. There is no doubt that the life of faith is the most penetrating of all deaths.

You complain about your inward darkness and poverty of spirit. Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” It is good for you to see your weakness, but don’t excuse it. Remain simple and low before God, and He will bring you peace, gentleness, long suffering, and contentment even in your trouble.

I needed to hear those words. How about you? I’d love to hear from you — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 14; Psalm 10-12; Acts 19:1-20

Great Quote: “When we as Christians sin, we can react in one of three ways: 1) We can become hardened to our sin. 2) We can sink into utter despair and say, ‘Its all over.’ I’ve known Christians who have spent twenty years despairing over one sin….the only right course of action for us as Christians is to 3) become increasingly sensitive to our sin, but also increasingly to know the forgiveness that is ours on the basis of the blood of Christ—to have the assurance that, if Jesus died for me was I was before my salvation, how much more He must love me now!” Francis Schaeffer, The Finished Work of Christ.

A Moment with the Master

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“A MOMENT WITH THE MASTER”

“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
– Luke 12:6,7

GOD KNOWS YOU

We mutter, we sputter
We fume, and we spurt;
We mumble and grumble,
Our feelings get hurt;
We can’t understand things,
Our vision grows dim;
When all that we need is
A moment with Him.

Oh yes, just a moment with the Master! Isn’t it amazing that our God counts sparrows, numbers hairs on our head and calls us by name? It is reassuring to know that no one is anonymous in the eyes of God.

When we hurt, are afraid, become discouraged or feel alone, we go to God, trusting He will take us in. He meets each at the door of faith, looks at us with loving recognition, calls our name and bids us come in.

God listens to you. He makes no move to hurry away. He doesn’t look past you; He looks directly at you for He knows who you are and what you need.

You were not mass-produced, but handcrafted. God didn’t crank you out from assembly line where all the models look alike; you are unique. When He made you He stamped “one of a kind” on His creation. When you hurt God doesn’t say, “someone is hurting,” He says, Harry hurts” (or Sue or Bob or . . .). God knows where you are. When He visits you, He has already made the diagnosis. You’ve been on his mind, in his heart; He’s been making plans how best to help you. It is YOU God cares for. It is YOU God loves. It is YOU God helps. There is no need to mutter or sputter when all we really need is a moment with the Master.

Our true value is God’s estimate of our worth, not our peers. Other people evaluate and categorize us according to how we perform, what we achieve and how we look. But God cares for us, as he does for all his creatures, because we belong to Him. We can face life without fear because a moment with the Master cancels fear.

THOT: PRAYER ISN’T A MONOLOGUE — Dr. Henry Lutz is a retired Pastor and friend of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 13; Psalm 7-9; Acts 18

Great Quote: If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love. Amy Carmichael