God’s Faith and Ours

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“GOD’S FAITH AND OURS”

“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall be removed; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matthew 17:20

Have you ever given much thought of what it means to be faithful? To be faithful means to be true, devoted, constant and loyal. It means steadfast fidelity to whatever one is bound by duty. In the Christian life it is what is biblically mandated. To be faithful one must first of all have faith.

Where does the Church fit into the world today in regards to faith?
Matthew 17:14-21 is a picture of the powerless Church today. We have gone crazy! We have psychology, sociology, bingo, dances, weight loss programs, not to mention stay overs, lock-ins, carnivals and the such.

The disciples had been given the authority to do the healing here recorded, but they had not yet learned to appropriate the power of God. Jesus’ frustration is with the unbelieving and unresponsive generation. Jesus’ purpose was not to criticize the disciples, but to encourage them to greater faith. “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall be removed; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matt.
17:20).
Now let us allow Jesus to teach us something about faith. The boy in this account was very ill and afflicted, not with simply some physiological or mental disorder, but he was demonic. It was a difficult task that the disciples had performed before. But, this time it was not be so. What had gone wrong or changed? They fail to appropriate the power available to them. Throughout the Church the faithlessness, weakness and indifference of Christians have caused many seeking believers to despair of help from God’s people.

Plain and simple the disciples failed because of the littleness of their faith. Having littleness of faith is the kind of faith that believes God when you have something in your hand, when God’s provision is already made. Great faith trusts God when there is nothing in the cupboard to eat and no money to buy food. Great faith trusts God when all else is gone.

If you are facing a problem that seems like an immovable mountain, turn your eyes from that mountain and look to Christ for more faith. Nothing shall be impossible to you when you prayerfully and persistently trust in God. THOT: GOD’S POWER IS ACTIVATED BY FAITH — Dr. Henry Lutz is a retired Pastor, and a new contributor to Freedom Fighter

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 12; Psalm 4-6; Acts 17:16-34

Great Quote: “When a believer has fallen into a low, sad state of feeling, he often tries to lift himself out of it by chastening himself with dark and doleful fears. Such is not the way to rise from the dust, but to continue in it. It is not the law, but the gospel which saves the seeking soul at first; and it is not a legal bondage, but gospel liberty which can restore the fainting believer afterwards. Slavish fear brings not back the backslider to God, but the sweet wooings of love allure him to Jesus’ bosom…Whatever good quality there is in divine grace, you shall enjoy it to the full. All the riches of divine grace you shall receive in plenty; you shall be as it were drenched with it: and as sometimes the meadows become flooded by the bursting rivers, and the fields are turned into pools, so shall you be–the thirsty land shall be springs of water.” Charles Spurgeon

More

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“…we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
(Romans 8:37)

Here is our case for “surpassing victory.” It is a statement of fact that in Christ we are “more than conquerors.” We are in fact “hyper-conquerors,” we are “pre-eminently victorious,” we surpass mere victory and move to the higher ground of the extra.

I like the translation “more than conquerors.” It tells me about the “more” aspect of my Savior’s nature and the “more” aspect of my Savior’s provision. Think of all the ways He has physically illustrated His “more” provision for His people.

In Eden there was one tree that was forbidden. Just one that was not available. Now count the trees that were available. There were “more” – so many MORE.

Have we adequately considered the dry ground upon which Israel crossed the sea? It was the very nature of God not to be satisfied with shallow water or damp dirt. With Him it had to be dry ground. It was all a part of the “more” nature of God. And these illustrations are of the merely physical. How about the spiritual aspect of His “more” nature?

In light of the “more” nature of God I must ask this serious question. Why do I often struggle with understanding and experiencing the conquering Christian life? Should not my difficulty be in understanding the non-conquering life? How can I, in light of the “more” nature of my Lord, accept the non-conquering life as normal and the conquering life as evasive and secretive?

We Christians need not abandon the victory of victorious living. We need not adopt the language or the experiences of the defeated. We are the recipients of the “more” nature of Christ.

Allow a simple illustration of the point. Far too often the modern response to the simple enquiry concerning personal well-being is the meager “I am hanging in there.” Or maybe the sedated “I am squeezing by.” Or perhaps there is some other colloquialism that speaks of such forfeiture and defeat. As Christians do we think of and long for victory and yet talk and experience defeat?

In Christ “we are more” – so much more.

Dr. Robert L. Alderman will be a speaker this summer at America’s KESWICK. Check out our website for details: www.americaskeswick.org

God’s WORD: Proverbs 11; Psalms 1-3; Acts 17:1-15

Great Quote: Christian history looks glorious in retrospect; but it is made up of constant hard choices and unattractive tasks, accepted under the pressure of the Will of God. Evelyn Underhill

No Sacrifice Too Great

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No Sacrifice Too Great

“Even Lebanon is not enough, nor its beasts enough for a burnt offering.” Isaiah 40:16 NASB

“The closer we draw to God, the more we are awed by His greatness and majesty. The prophet Isaiah recorded how his vision of the transcendent God affected him: “Woe is me, for I am ruined! … for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5, NASB) The Lord graciously cleansed him, drew him into a closer intimacy than he had ever had before experienced, and entrusted him with amazing insight into His divine character.

In the latter half of his prophecy, Isaiah depicted to the discouraged exiles a God who is incredibly great and majestic, but who yearns over His people and tenderly woos them back into fellowship with Himself.

Isaiah 40 has been termed on the noblest pieces of prose ever created. It combines in a unique way a simplicity and majesty that compels us to realize the inadequacy of our conception of God. Its theme, the awesome transcendence and tender love of God, is worthily expressed in the Swedish hymn:

Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art!

What adequate and worthy response can we make to a God so great, so holy, so transcendent? Isaiah 40:16 tells us that using all the cedars of Lebanon to kindle an altar fire to consume all the cattle on its slopes, would be no extravagance. Our debt to Him is so great that no conceivable sacrifice would be too great to make for Him, since sacrifice is “the ecstasy of giving the best we have to the One we love the most.” — Today’s devotional is from “HOW GREAT THOU ART — A DAILY DEVOTIONAL” by Steve Halliday and William Travis. It is published by Multnomah

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 10; Job 41-42; Acts 16:22-40

Great Quote: Finally, mark this, that you must always make the AMEN strong, never doubting that God is surely listening to you with all grace and saying YES to your prayer. Remember that you are not kneeling or standing there alone, but that all Christendom, all devout Christians are standing there with you and you with them in one unanimous, united prayer which God cannot ignore. And never leave off praying without having said or thought: There now, this prayer has been heard by God; this I know of a certainty. That is what ‘Amen’ means. Martin Luther

The Ways of God

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The Ways of God

I love the writings of Fenelon, written over 400 years ago, in his devotional, THE SEEKING HEART. This one couldn’t have been more timely for me personally:

When God starts to deal with your old nature He heads straight for the center of all you hold most dear. Allow Him to bring you the cross in the very center of who you are. Don’t grumble and become agitated when the process starts: Silence and peace will help you much more than being upset.

You will be tempted to speak out in a humble tone of voice to tell others of your problems. Watch out for this! A humility that is still talkative does not run very deep. When you talk too much your self-love relieves its sense of shame a little.

Don’t be angry about what people say. As far as people are concerned, you will never be able to satisfy them. Silence, peace, and union with God should comfort you from that people speak against you.

You need to be determined to do the right in your present situation — but at the same time your quick temper requires checks and balances. Come to God often just to sit in His presence and renew yourself.

Nothing is as important as lowliness of heart, and detachment from your own opinion and will. Stiffness and harshness is not the spirit of Jesus Christ.

You have no idea how much I needed to hear those words. Ouch! The Holy Spirit spoke through Fenelon to hit me on the head with His “two-by-four.” — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 9; Job 38-40; Acts 16:1-21

Great Quote: God calls us to duty, and the only right answer is obedience. If it can be glad and willing and loving obedience, happy are we; but, in any case, whether we ourselves get enjoyment and blessing from the task or not, the call must be obeyed. The will of God must be done for the sake of God, not for the sake of ourselves. Undertake the duty, and step by step God will provide the disposition. We can at least obey. Ideal obedience includes the whole will and the whole heart. We cannot begin with that. But we can begin with what we have. God calls. It is better to obey blunderingly than not to obey at all. George Hodges

Ten Steps to Experience God Through Prayer

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Ten Steps to Experience God Through Prayer

“Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely [lean] on you …” 2 Chronicles 14:11 NIV)

One of the ways that we can experience God is through prayer. Some of us need to have our prayer lives energized. In her book The Power of a Praying® Church: Experiencing God Move as We Pray Together (Stormie Omartian and Jack Hayford), Stormie shares ten practical steps to experience God in our prayer lives.

I would encourage you to prayerfully work through these practical steps and allow God to revitalize your prayer life.

Step 1. Acknowledge God as your heavenly Father.

Step 2. Praise God for who He is and what He has done.

Step 3. Choose one of God’s names, attributes, or characteristics and thank Him for being that to you.

Step 4. Present your day to the Lord.

Step 5. Present your body to the Lord.

Step 6. Confess your sins before God and ask Him to help you live His way.

Step 7. Ask God to help you speak only words that bring life.

Step 8. Ask God for whatever you need.

Step 9. Pray for God’s will in your life.

Step 10. Pray for other people and situations.

Lord, may we experience You and Your glory as we pray! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Check out this week’s STEWARDSHIP INSIGHT from Crown Financial Instructor, George Hutchison: http://www.americaskeswick.org/363836.ihtml#h_6275

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 8; Job 36-37; Acts 15:22-41

Great Quote: Clarification — Yesterday’s quote was attributed to Fredrick Buechner, but it was really made by Albert Schweitzer. Thanks, Glen Heavilin, for catching the mistake!

Bad will be the day for every man when he becomes absolutely content with the life that he is living, with the thoughts that he is thinking, with the deeds that he is doing, when there is not forever beating at the doors of his soul some great desire to do something larger, which he knows that he was meant and made to do because he is still, in spite of all, the child of God. Phillips Brooks

Return to God

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Return to God

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Return to Me,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘ and I will return to you.'” Zechariah 1:3

I served once with a pastor in Philly that had a sign in his office that said, “God never tires of new beginnings.” During the years of my ministry, I have met a countless number of people who have walked away from God, and have said, “I wish I could get back what I once had.”

The simple truth is that HE wants you to return to Him just like the prodigal in the story of the prodigal son. The father was eagerly anticipating the return of his wayward son. Your heavenly Father eagerly awaits your return to Him.

Dr. Henry Blackaby, in his devotional book EXPERIENCING GOD, says this: “God places much of the burden of what we will become on our response to Him. If we have drifted from God, His call is to return to Him. God promises that if we will return, He will immediately renew His relationship with us.

James 4:8 promises that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Matthew 7:7 guarantees that if we seek Christ, we will find Him. Much of the Christian life rests upon our response and our desire to experience God to the fullest.

Why is it that some Christians seem to go much deeper in their walk with God than others? Why have some had such powerful intercessory prayer ministries that have changed the courses of nations? Why has God chosen to annoint the words of some so that, when they speak or preach or pray, it is obvious that their words are consecrated by God?

It is because these individuals have committed themselves to pursue God until His presence is powerfully real in their lives. They have decided to settle for nothing less than a vibrant relationship with God, and He has honored their desire.

Have you become complacent in your relationship with God, or are you hungering for more? Don’t become satisfied with a relationship with God that is broken by sin and void of the power of the Holy Spirit. You have just as much of God’s powerful presence available to you as the greatest saint in history! Return to God. There is so much more in store for you if you will return to Him. He awaits your response.”

Is He speaking to your heart today, my dear brother? Return to Him! Don’t delay! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 7; Job 34-35; Acts 15:1-21

Great Quote: “When a believer has fallen into a low, sad state of feeling, he often tries to lift himself out of it by chastening himself with dark and doleful fears. Such is not the way to rise from the dust, but to continue in it. It is not the law, but the gospel which saves the seeking soul at first; and it is not a legal bondage, but gospel liberty which can restore the fainting believer afterwards. Slavish fear brings not back the backslider to God, but the sweet wooings of love allure him to Jesus’ bosom…Whatever good quality there is in divine grace, you shall enjoy it to the full. All the riches of divine grace you shall receive in plenty; you shall be as it were drenched with it: and as sometimes the meadows become flooded by the bursting rivers, and the fields are turned into pools, so shall you be–the thirsty land shall be springs of water.” Charles Spurgeon

God is Always at Work Around You (Part 5)

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God is Always At Work Around You (Part 6)

“Your people will be volunteers in the day of Your power.” Psalm 110:3

God IS always at work around you. I trust that you have been allowing that reality filter through your mind. He loves to show up in the unexpected places … even in a hot tub.

It was one night on the cruise. Jan was sitting at a table close by the hot tub. I was in the hot tub enjoying the night sky — 9:00 PM with the sun as bright as it is at 5:00 PM!!!

A lady came into the hot tub and began to ask me all sorts of questions about the cruise. Did I like the ship? What other cruises have I done? She told me she had ADD and I could relate. She shared that she and her husband live in Wisconsin and had several grown kids, most married.

The conversation came around to “So what do you do?” I shared with her about the conference and retreat ministry, and then said, “The heart of our ministry is our addiction recovery program for men!” Bingo!

She immediately started to tell her story — a 22 year-old son who is addicted to drugs and alcohol. As we chatted she began to see that for years she has been enabling him. I offered to send her some information about the program. Up until that point I did not specifically address what makes our program different. As I was stepping out of the hot tub, she said, “Can I ask about your success rate and fees?” When I told her the success rate her mouth dropped open. When I told her the cost … she nearly fainted!

I then had the hook! I told her that the real reason for our success was because Jesus Christ is the ONLY answer to addiction. Unless the heart is transformed, a man or woman will continue to wallow in their life-dominating bondages. I told her that I would look for her the next day so I could give her my card.

Well the more I thought about it — how would I find her in a crowd of 1200 other passengers? I prayed off and on throughout the night that I would somehow find her.

The next day, I was sitting at the pool working on an article I was writing. I spilled my ice tea and jumped up to grab my computer. There was a couple sitting right beside me, and the wife said, “Nice recovery! Now can I have your business card?” She went on to tell me that she told her husband the night before, “What are the odds that I would be in a hot tub with a total stranger and he was the President and CEO of an Addiction Recovery program?” I told her — not odds — not coincidence — but GOD!

I have emailed her the information. I don’t know if she will ever call. But I do know this — God orchestrated that entire event! Who knows, maybe her son will come to the Colony of Mercy. Thank You, Lord for always being at work around us. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 6; Job 32-33; Acts 14

Great Quote: He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lakeside, He came to those who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same word: “Follow thou me!” and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfill for our time. He commands, and to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal Himself in the toil, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He is. Frederick Buechner

It’ll Do … With Heavenly Help

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It’ll Do…with Heavenly Help.

“But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”
Luke 8:23-25 (NKJV)

When my wife and I decided to build the house we presently live in she had made the statement that if I went along with some of the things she wanted included in the building, I could get a boat. Well Brothers it might have taken ten years but there is a 1976 Boston Whaler in my yard. This boat has a great reputation and so does the 1986 Evinrude 35 hp 2-stroke outboard motor. Hey, she didn’t say what year, make and model this boat would be but I saw Boston Whaler (in a price range she was okay with and could haggle with) and that was that. The name on the boat is “It’ll Do” and I believe the Lord sent His message. ‘Nough said.

Now Kathy and I both took our Coast Guard Safety test, got the title, tags and all the other things that make us legal to go in Jersey waters and went on our maiden voyage. We packed up the boat with all the necessary gear, made sure the kids were briefed and away we went. This now concludes the land lubber part of the story here comes the salty dog part. First I have to back the trailer with the boat in to the water. This does not go well but the boat is in the water. I now start the boat, in gear and tied to the dock. Yes, Brothers, I almost took the dock with us. Praise God our friends D.J and his wife, Christina, happened to stop by to see how we were doing. Thank you both!!

As we get under way I am noticing that we are not picking up enough speed to raise the bow, let alone plane off. Then came the “NO WAKE ZONE” and yes while I “SLOW DOWN,” the boat stalls. Everyone is watching yours truly and the family do what they can to avoid hitting the can that says “NO WAKE ZONE”. I once again start the boat in gear without a dock tied to it and we are under way a lot slower than when we first started. We get back to the dock ONLY by the grace of God and now I have to back the trailer up etc…etc…etc. We go home and since that day I have found out what I have to do to make repairs to the motor and the control cables. That I can handle without being panicked. At least until I find out how much this will all cost.

It was what I heard during the class I took with the Coast Guard that kept ringing in my ears. “Don’t Panic!!” And as we were driving home I never noticed the quiet that was in my truck. But it was in this quiet that I hear the verse that I have started this whole story with. Not only was Jesus not going to panic, He was asleep during a storm. What would Jesus do if a whole river full of experienced boaters watched as His boat went through what mine did? Brothers, it was hard not to lose my cool but everyone was watching and I didn’t want my children to panic nor did I want to hear my wife panic. Were we all in deep prayer while this was going on? DUH!! It was God’s grace that got us back to the boat ramp. I could not do what was done under my own strength.

I may be on dry land now and able to look back with laughter but this was just another way that I believe God revealed Himself to me. Thank you Father…praise to You. Oh, I forgot to mention something to you all….my wife and children are very good swimmers. I am not. If you are on the waters don’t just bring a life preserver….wear it as if you were putting on the breast plate of righteousness, or maybe even Jesus Himself. — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

Tomorrow night begins our Spiritual Enrichment Conference at 7:00 PM at the Colony Chapel. We’d love to have you join us for his special week. Call today for details: 732-350-1187

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 4; Job 30-31; Acts 13:26-52

Great Quote: “We need to keep reminding ourselves that without the Lord we can do nothing. It needs to become a habit of mind with each of us to tell the Lord as we tackle each task, ‘I can’t do this without your help, please help me’, and then to expect to be helped because we have admitted our helplessness, given up self-reliance and are now looking to Him.” J. I . Packer

What Price Freedom

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What Price Freedom

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

There is a story about a pig and a chicken that were walking by a church where a grand party was taking place. The pig was quite thrilled about the celebration and suggested to the chicken that they each make a contribution.

“Great idea!” the chicken cried. “Let’s offer them ham and eggs?” “Not so fast,” said the pig. “For you, that’s a contribution. For me, it’s total commitment.”

For our founding fathers they were not just looking at making a contribution when securing our freedom on July 4, 1776 — they made a total commitment. The fifty-six men who signed there names to the Declaration of Independence did no knowing he risks that they would face.

Five of the men were captured and tortured before they died. Twelve of the men had their homes looted or destroyed by the enemy. Nine of the fifty-six died in the war from its hardships and bullets. One was harassed and forced to move his family five times in five months.

Thomas Nelson Jr. laid his life on the line by raising two million dollars on his on signature to help our allies. After the war he wiped out his entire estate paying back the loads. He was never reimbursed by his government and died bankrupt and was buried in an unmarked grave. Historians tell is that Thomas Nelson Jr. pledged his life, his fortune, his sacred honor. All that for our freedom!

But One greater than our founding fathers gave an even greater sacrifice so that we could be FOREVER FREE and a part of God’s FOREVER family. God the Father gave His precious Son, Jesus Christ to secure our freedom from the bondage of sin. Jesus died on the Cross to purchase your freedom. His was not just a “contribution” but a total “commitment.” He gave His life so that you could live victoriously in this ever changing world.

Take some time today as we celebrate our freedom as a nation to thank HIM for securing your freedom for all eternity. “He sealed your pardon with His blood – Hallelujah! What a Savior.” — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 4; Job 28-29; Acts 13:1-25

Great Quote: The true, living faith, which the Holy Spirit instills into the heart, simply cannot be idle. Martin Luther

Come Aprart

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COME APART

“And He said to them, ‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.”
(Mark 6:31)

A wise old country preacher, Vance Havner, used to say, “If you fail to come apart, you will most certainly come apart.” Those words spoken many years ago when life was much simpler than it is today, couldn’t be more true in this age of information and technology overload.

Most men cannot stand quiet. It is in the quiet that we really begin to wrestle with the issues of life and of the heart. Think about it, where can you go today without some kind of noise?

The Psalmist David exhorts us to “Be still and know that I am God …” How do we do that when we are so connected to life? And we are connected — cell phones, PDA’s, pagers, computers. How does one get still?

Have you considered a “Personal Retreat?” This is not necessarily a commercial for America’s KESWICK, but this is a wonderful spot for you to get away for a day or two just to get alone with God and enjoy peace and quiet.

I am not suggesting that you have to come to America’s KESWICK to do this (but it is a wise choice!). But I want to encourage you to take a day or two and get away and get alone with God. Unplug the laptop. Disconnect the cell phone and pager. Walk around the lakes and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. Listen to the birds singing. And you will be amazed — God will speak to your heart.

Writer John Eldridge, in his thought-provoking book, WILD AT HEART, says that “To recover our heart’s desire a man needs to get away from the noise and distraction of his daily life for time with his soul. He needs to head into the wilderness, to silence and solitude. Alone with himself, he allows whatever is there to come to the surface. Sometimes it is grief for so much lost time. Sometimes it even starts with temptation, when a man thinks that what will really make him come alive is something unholy.”

If you would like help in planning a personal retreat, please respond to this email. We would be happy to give you some suggestions.

Now think about this — Jesus Christ, the Son of God — took time to get away to reconnect with the Father! What makes us think we can ignore doing this? — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 2; Job 22-24; Acts 11

Great Quote: How many Christians are there who pray every Sunday in church, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done!” without ever realizing the spiritual implications of such intercession! What are we praying for? Should we edit that prayer so that it becomes a confrontation: “My kingdom go, Lord; let Thy kingdom come!” Certainly His kingdom can never be realized in my life until my own selfish kingdom is deposed. It is when I resign, when I am no longer king of my domain that Jesus Christ will become king of my life. A. W. Tozer