Give God Your Best

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Give God Your Best

“They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning.” Exodus 36:3 (NIV)

My dear friend, Neil Fichthorn shares the story that a lady called the conference center where he was serving as Director. She was buying a new piano and wanted to donate her old one to the conference center.

Neil went to look at the piano, which in her words, “Is a really good piano …” Of course if it is good, than why are you replacing it with a brand new one! And of course the piano was not in good shape and need much work and repair. He boldly suggested that God deserves our best, so why not donate the new one!

I don’t think he had any clue based on her response that she would even consider doing something like that. But as the story goes, several weeks later, the piano company truck pulled in the driveway, and indeed, she donated the brand new piano!

I was appalled walking into the missionary closet of our church. Most of the clothes were worn and years out of date. Some of the appliances had broken handles and missing parts. When we inquired about the condition of the “stuff,” we were told, “Hey, they are missionaries. They should be thankful that people are willing to part with this stuff. This has to be much better than what they’d have on the field.”

God gives us HIS very best. Doesn’t He deserve the best too? Your church or favorite missionary agency may be in need of things like computers, printers, cameras. Instead of us giving away our old stuff, ever consider giving something that is in really good condition? Think of the way that you could bless the ministry that you cherish and love.

Now that is a HUGE set up for something I would like to ask you to consider. We are in desperate need of some computer upgrades. We get “stuff …” — you know … the stuff that doesn’t work anymore and “you can fix it …” Or “It worked fine for me …” We want to give God our best service … maybe you have some computer equipment that is in excellent condition, or maybe you’d even consider donating a newer computer. I realize that this is a bold ask, but as I was praying about our need, the Lord tugged at my heart to share the need with you.

If you would like to help or have questions, please contact Bill Pruitt, our Director of Development 732-350-1187 ext 17) or Brian Bitler, our Director of Marketing and Technology (732-350-1187 ext 29). Thanks for you consideration. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU; Proverbs 30; 2 Chronicles 10-12; John 11:30-57

Great Quote: A providence is shaping our ends; a plan is developing in our lives; a supreme and loving Being is making all things work together for good. In the sequel of our life’s story we shall see that there was a meaning and necessity in all the previous incidents, save those which were the result of our own folly and sin, and that even these have been made to contribute to the final result. Trust Him, child of God: He is leading you by a right way to the celestial City of Habitation; and as from the terrace of eternity you review the path by which you came from the morning-land of childhood, you will confess that He hath done all things well.Frederick Brotherton ( F. B. ) Meyer

Vision and Reality

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Vision and Reality

“and the parched ground shall become a pool.” Isaiah 35:7

We hear a lot of talk in the business world and in ministries about having a vision for what we do. Today’s devotional was written many years ago by the author of the classic devotional, “MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST,” Oswald Chambers.

Listen to his compelling thoughts about vision:

We always have visions before a thing is made real. When we realize that although the vision is real, it is not real in us, then is the time that Satan comes in with his temptations. and we are apt to say it is no use to on. Instead of the vision becoming real, there has come the valley of humiliation.

God gives us the vision, then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of the vision, and it is in the valley that so many of us faint and give way. Every vision will be made real if we will have patience! Think of the enormous leisure of God! He is never in a hurry. We are always in such a frantic hurry. In light of the glory of the vision we go forth to do things, but the vision is not real in us yet; and God has to take us into the valley, and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the place where He can trust us WITH the veritable reality.

Ever since we had the vision God has been at work, getting us into the shape of HIS ideal, and over and over again we escape from HIS hand and try to batter ourselves into our OWN shape.

The vision is not a castle in the air but a vision of what GOD wants YOU to BE [notice not DO]. Let Him put you on His wheel and whirl you as HE likes, and as sure as God is God and you are you, you will turn out exactly in accordance with the vision.

Don’t lose heart in the process. If you have ever had the vision of God, you may try as you like to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never let you. — from Called of God

Wow! Let that one sink in. Do you have a vision from God? — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 29; 2 Chronicles 9; John 11:1-29

Great Quote: Satan gives Adam an apple (fruit), and takes away Paradise. Therefore in all temptations let us consider not what he offers, but we shall lose. Richard Sibbes

"It is He that doth go before thee …"

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It Is He That Doth Go Before Thee …”

You have heard me quote Deuteronomy 31:8 many times in my Freedom Fighter writings. Today was one of those Deuteronomy 31:8 days.

We have been working through a very difficult situation with a staff member that is in trouble. Up until today, I have never experienced any fear about being on grounds with men who are in our Colony program. Today could have been one of those days.

This morning I read the following verses in my quiet time:

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.”
“God IS our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
“I will say of the Lord, ‘He IS my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.”
“Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty!”
“The solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS!”
“Be anxious for nothing, but IN everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all human comprehension, will guard your HEARTS and MINDS through Christ Jesus.”

Little did I know that at 6:30 AM that would all be put to the test. Had God not shown up, we could have faced a very challenging day that could have ended in people getting physically hurt.
But God showed up, brothers. He reminded me that there was a giant named Goliath that taunted and teased the Israelites for 40 days and nights. And then the little shepherd guy walked on the stage, and reminded Goliath — with his little sling shot — “The battle is not YOURS — the battle belongs to the LORD.

One of my staff members, not knowing what was transpiring, placed this verse in my box and the following two prayers:

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

Lord Jesus, I am thankful that you watch over my life. When I have no place to turn for help, I have you. I always have you. And you are the best place to turn for help. Thank you for hearing my cries and for rescuing me. What would I do without you? You are the one who saves me when no one else can!

Mighty God, you have delivered me from situations for which I had no answers or resources. You are the one who helps the helpless. Please teach me to wait on you when I don’t know what to do. Remind me in my helplessness that you will always open up the path before me and help me see it and walk on it. And best of all, you always walk with me. I give you praise! In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Deuteronomy 31:8 was true. It is for you too. Thank You, Lord for being my stronghold in the day of trouble. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 28; 2 Chronicles 4-6; John 10:24-42

Great Quote: Silence, as someone has said, is the mother of prayer and the nurse of holy thoughts. Silence cuts down on our sins, doesn’t it? We can’t be sinning in so many different ways if we are being quiet before God. Silence nourishes patience, charity, discretion. Elisabeth Elliot

EXPOSURE TO TEMPTATION

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EXPOSURE TO TEMPTATION

I have been reading through an old Keswick book about missionaries, John and Betty Stam. As some of you know, Betty dedicated her life to Christ at a Keswick conference, and she and John were martyred on the mission field in China.

In a chapter about John’s college years, there was a “nugget” concerning temptation that was very, very practical. I know that even though it was written many, many years ago, it will be very helpful for all of us:

He writes: There is a platform known as “EXPOSURE TO TEMPTATION,” and all men stand there. From it, each one either goes UP or DOWN.

Seven Awful Steps Downward
1. Trifling with sin.
2. Yielding to sin.
3. Habitual yielding to sin.
4. Abandonment to sin: Ephesians 4:19
5. Abandoned of God to sin: Romans 1:28
6. Entering into alliance with the devil to tempt others to sin.
7. Hell: and you do not have to die in order to get there. Hell is character as well as location. The man who hates everything that God loves is in hell now, and hell is in him.
Seven Glorious Steps Upward
1. Resistance as an attitude: determining that sin shall not have dominion over you.
2. Overcoming sin, by faith in Christ.
3. Habitual victory over sin. The strength that comes from one victory helps in overcoming the next temptation.
4. Learning the secret of a victorious life, a life “hid with Christ in God.”
5. Taken up by God into deeper fellowship. You trusted God, and now God trusts you. “O Daniel, greatly beloved,” yet he was only a man!
6. Made a helper of others: like “the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.”
7. Heaven: and you do not have to die in order to get there. Heaven is character as well as location. The man who devotedly loves everything that God loves is in heaven now, and heaven is in him!
“I think, sometimes, we excuse ourselves when we fail, because we realize that the flesh is weak. If we could really see sin as God sees it, what a fight would be put up.” — John Stam
We need to nail this one to our foreheads, guys! This is good stuff. He concludes this section saying, “Reckon, reckon, reckon rather than feel — YOU take care of the reckoning, and God will make it real!”
Powerful words from a man who deeply understood the message: THINK VICTORY! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK
God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 27; 2 Chronicles 1-3; John 10:1-23
Great Quote: Are you weak? Weary? Confused? Troubled? Pressured? How is your relationship with God? Is it held in its place of priority? I believe the greater the pressure, the greater your need for time alone with Him. –Kay Arthur

How Can I Truly Be Happy

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HOW CAN I BE TRULY HAPPY?

Do you want to be really happy? Content? Glad? Cheerful? Or would you rather be depressing, gloomy, miserable, sad and unhappy.

1 John 2:12-14 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

The World of God tells use that if you know Jesus:
Your sins are forgiven
You are no longer guilty
You will not be condemned or judged
You know the true and living God.

So happy are those who realize what Jesus has done for them. A question we might ask ourselves is, “How should I respond to such a great love as God has shown me?” Well, the Apostle John goes on to tell us.

1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Why should I not love the World? Because God said: do not love this world. Then John said beside God commanding us not to love the world here are two more reasons: First, that hungering after the things of this life shows that the love of the Father is not in us; and secondly, it is foolish because the things in this world are going to pass away. Why invest your life chasing after things that rust and break?

Be devoted to and love the one who gives eternal life. — Pastor Tony Taylor is the Senior Pastor of Faith Church, Worcester, PA

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 26; 1 Chronicles 28-29; John 9:24-41

Great Quote: We implore the mercy of God, not that He may leave us at peace in our vices, but that He may deliver us from them. Blaise Pascal

Hot Potato Questions

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Happy Memorial Day. Join us at 9:30 AM for our Memorial Day Celebration. Visit our website:www.americaskeswick.org

HOT POTATO QUESTIONS

“The LORD said unto my Lord, sit Thou on my right hand until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.” (Psalm 110:1)

A hot potato question is one that is meant to put a person on the horns of a dilemma. That was exactly what the religious leaders were trying to do with Jesus as He was nearing the completion of His earthly ministry. Matthew 22 relates that three different groups of leaders sought to trip Him up with three questions. They figured that whatever He answered would get Him in trouble.

The first question had to do with paying Roman taxes. Jesus responded by saying they should pay Rome what was his due and God what was His due. Then they asked Him a ridiculous question about the resurrection to which He replied that their problem was that they did not know God’s Word or God’s power. Finally they asked Him which was the greatest commandment, to which He replied that all were wrapped up in total love to God and love to fellow mankind.

Then it was Jesus’ turn to throw them a hot potato. He asked them whose son was the Messiah and they answered, the son of David. Then quoting our text to them, He asked them why David referred to the Christ as his LORD, meaning deity. Then Jesus asked them how the Christ could be both David’s son as well as his Lord. The critics were silenced and realized that it was they who were now cornered. The reason they were silenced was because they would have had to acknowledge that Jesus was both David’s offspring and David’s God, thus confirming the deity of Christ.

In Revelation 22:16, Jesus testifies that He is both the root (beginning) and the offspring (descendant) of King David. Thus, He is the God Man. You see, the only answer to life’s hard questions is to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the creator of all things and also the redeemer of mankind. Thus, we need to surrender our lives to Him. The alternative would be to follow the leading of those religious leaders and turn away from Him to their own destruction. Have you acknowledged Him as your Lord, even as David did? May He bless you as you seek to serve Him daily whenever you can. — Rev. Thomas D. Murray was mentor to many, many men and women through his various ministries. During his retirement years, he frequently ministered at America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 25; 1 Chronicles 25-27; John 9:1-23

Give God your all. He doesn’t ask us to give Him only what we would consider perfect. Give Him everything, every scrap, every part of us, everything you’ve kept hidden on the back shelf of your heart. Give him those things that you judge as not good enough. Hand over those areas of your life that appear to be too broken to be used. God can and will transform the good, the bad, what you deem the ugly. Let Him sift and sort things through. You’ll be amazed at what the Master Creator can make out of what you might consider the shambles of your heart. Katherine Walden

How Great is God’s Power

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How Great is God’s Power?

“and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” (Ephesians 1:19-21)

J. P. Phillips translates this text, “How tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God. That power is the same divine energy which was demonstrated in Christ when He raised Christ from the dead and gave Him the supreme honor in heaven – a place that is infinitely superior to any conceived command, authority, power or control and which carries with it a name far beyond any name…”

The Apostle Paul writes with a view that we understand the means to and the result of joy and comfort in this life. On November 13, 1959, a train traveled 22 miles without a pilot. However, it did not accomplish anything worthwhile by itself. Jesus said, “All power is given unto me, go ye…I’ll be with you.”

God has all power and He is in control! That power was revealed in the Old Testament when parting the Red Sea, the Jordan River and when Elijah prayed down fire in the prepared sacrifice. In the New Testament, Jesus raised the dead and healed the sick. In modern times

God calls a shoe salesman to become an evangelist; a baseball player becomes evangelist Billy Sunday, a Christian Scientist hears Billy Graham and is saved. T

he power of God is so great it changes the sinner from his sin to life in Christ. Furthermore, that saved sinner discovers the new life of victory that produces joy and peace. God’s power produces forgiveness when needed and freedom from the shackles of sin and fullness of life in Christ forever. Rev. William H. Blackley was a Chaplain at the Colony of Mercy for many years.

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 24

Great Quote: The most vital question to ask about all who claim to be Christian is this: Have they a soul thirst for God? Do they long for this? Is there something about them that tells you that they are always waiting for His next manifestation of Himself? Is their life centred on Him? Can they say with Paul that they forget everything in the past? Do they press forward more and more that they might know Him and that the knowledge might increase, until eventually beyond death and the grave they may bask eternally in ‘the sunshine of His face?’ That I might know him!’ Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Impact Craters

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Impact Craters

“So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his ways, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.”
Ezekiel 33:7-9 (ESV)

I had been going through life and never paid any attention to how I impacted people. Like a horse with blinders on I went down life’s wide open road without a care in the world. Whenever I crashed into the ditch, I would stagger to my feet and head on to what I perceived as forward. That meant going back down the road in the wrong direction at times and crashing into those going the other way. Now keep in mind this road was wide open so the right direction was anyone’s guess.

But now things have changed. Jesus Christ has taken the blinders off and that wide open road has gotten slimmer. And since I can see better the impact craters are easier to see. Case in point, what I say and do at work these days have an impact on how people feel about their jobs. Being the production manager puts me in a position where my words, as well as my actions, are paid attention to by those who work above/under me.

It was at the Colony Reunion where I discover the impact craters that aren’t so “case in point”. They are happening to those men who have read the Freedom Fighters that are sent by e-mail. It is very humbling to have someone approach you about something you have written about and have them say how it has touched them in some way. I didn’t know how well I had been serving the Lord until this past Mother’s Day weekend.

Another impact crater was at the church that I attend. I serve behind the sound system along with my son. I serve under Pastor Paul Ort who is great when it comes to changing our Sunday mornings around to fit the Message the Lord has laid on his heart. He is an equal bus-thrower-under when it comes to special projects. This past Sunday evening our church was blessed by the Pilgrim Academy choir and our sound system had been altered. My son and I spent a good part of Saturday afternoon re-doing what had been done but the end result is DVD’s for all who ask. SANTO!!

But the big impact crater is in my home. When I was an intolerable father/husband, the impact was not good to say the least. But now coming home from work is a joy. I don’t mind the long drive to get home knowing that the house I live in serve’s God. I feel at peace in the house where my wife runs it like a Proverb’s 31 woman and my children want to share with me how their day has been, even if it is only a one word answer.

This morning Brothers think about how you are impacting the road you travel. Let Jesus take off the blinders and get that 180 degree view. And since the winter has past it is even getting kinda green to look at. Do yourself a favor and heed the call of the Watchman. — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent Freedom Fighter contributor.

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 23;

Great Quote: Worship makes costly demands on our time and energies. It calls us from the inertia of self-centredness. Anonymous

Join us tomorrow morning at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM for our conference sessions, and then again at 7:00 PM for our patriotic cantata, I LOVE AMERICA: www.americaskeswick.org

Weakness vs. Strength

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Weakness Vs. Strength

One of the things we struggle with as men is not wanting to be weak. Being strong is manly — we don’t like feel inadequate or not in control. It does a number on our pride and psyche.

However, strength and weakness in Scripture is one of those paradoxes. Today I read these verses about strength:

My brothers, be strong IN THE LORD and in the power of HIS might.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for MY strength is made perfect in weakness.

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I will go in the strength of THE LORD GOD; I will make mention of YOUR righteousness, of Your’s only.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I also labor, striving according to His working which works in us mightily.

We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be OF GOD and not of us!

The joy of the Lord is your strength.

Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.

But David strengthened himself in the Lord His God.

Ephesians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Psalm 71:16; Romans 1:16; Philippians 4:13; Colossians 1:29; 2 Corinthians 4:7; Nehemiah 8:10; Colossians 1:11

Wow. When I am weak — that is when HE steps in and does what HE does best — gives strength! He gives it to the weary — See Isaiah 40:31

Are you “feeling” weak? Allow His strength to be made perfect in YOUR weakness. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 22; 1 Chronicles 16-18; John 7:28-53

Great Quote: Christ was born in a stable; He was obliged to fly into Egypt; thirty years of His life were spent in a workshop; He suffered hunger, thirst, and weariness; He was poor, despised, and miserable; He taught the doctrines of heaven, and no one would listen. The great and the wise persecuted and took Him, subjected Him to frightful torments, treated Him as a slave, and put Him to death between two malefactors, having preferred to give liberty to a robber, rather than to suffer Him to escape. Such was the life which our Lord chose; while we are horrified at any kind of humiliation, and cannot bear the slightest appearance of contempt.Francois Fenelon

Can’t attend our Memorial Day Weekend? Watch the service live by webcam. Visit our website for times of services and to view the services LIVE! — www.americaskeswick.org. Disclaimer: We are not responsible for the ads that might be run during our simulcast.

The Rock That Is Higher Than I

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The Rock That is Higher Than I

“From the ends of the earth I will call to you. I call as my heart grows faith; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.” Psalm 61:2-3

This devotional written by Joni Eareckson Tada is very fitting for so many of us:

The world seems a little less crazy after a couple of days on top of a mountain. Those high country panoramas have a way of clearing my head and giving me fresh perspective. The world and its problems seem a little less overwhelming. Pressures seem somehow less pressing. Life begins to look manageable.

That’s why Psalm 61 remains a real favorite for me. I love it when David says, “lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

God is the Rock higher than you and I. And when our world presses in on us, when deadlines circle like vultures, when commitments cut into our shoulders like a ninety-pound pack, we need renewed perspective. We need a vantage point.

By spending time with God in the high places of His power and love, we can gain a better, wider view of our lives. He is the Mountain towering over our smoggy horizons. Life viewed from His heights can clear our minds, help us sort through priorities, and allow us to see how our days can be managed after all.

Maybe, like me, you’ve had a whirlwind of a month. You face demands from your family, frustrations at work, commitments at church, and expectations from friends. You feel your heart growing fainter with each added pressure.

You may not be able to take time off and head for the mountains. But you can still climb that Rock so much higher than you. Investing solid, concentrated time with your understanding Lord will give you a whole new outlook. From the summit of His love, you will see things as they really are. — From How Great Thou Art — Multnomah Press

America’s KESWICK doesn’t have mountains, but we have special places prepared by God where you can get alone and enjoy time with him. We have two weekends in June that we are offering at a reduced rate. Come on down (or up) and take some time to be refreshed. Call the Raws Guest Services Desk for information: 732-350-1187

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 21; 1 Chronicles 13-15; John 7:1-27

Great Quote: “He is a physician good to all diseases, especially at the binding up of a broken heart. He died that He might heal our souls with the plaster of His own blood, and by that death save us. Shall our sins discourage us when He appears only for sinners?” Richard Sibbs, 1630 Puritan pastor.

Check out this weeks STEWARDSHIP INSIGHT FROM GEORGE. It’s a must-read. http://keswickgeorge.blogspot.com/