You Might Be A Pharisee If — Part 3

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You Might Be a Pharisee If …

“The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men–robbers, evildoers, adulterers–or even like this tax collector.” Luke 18:11 (New International Version)

Here are the last set of questions from Dr. Harold Vaughn, President of CHRIST LIFE MINISTRIES, in how you can determine if you are a Pharisee. Here some additional indicators:

27. Your sense of self-importance blinds you to the fact of how repulsive you are to others.

28. You always come out in a favorable light when you compare yourself with other men.

29. You feel anger is justified because you are right and those you are angry with are wrong.

30. You cling to “emotional infallibility” — the belief that whatever you feel in your heart must be correct.

31. You believe a person really pleases God by keeping all the rules.

32. Your theological “rigidity” is more important than all other factors.

33. You feel the trail of broken relationships in your past is due to some fault in the other person.

34. You visually and intellectually comply in order to gain acceptance and approval.

35. You are dominated by the fear of man.

36. You are insulted by the notion that you may very well be a Pharisee!!!!

So how are you doing? Are you a Pharisee? If so — repent! Go to the Cross, preach the Gospel to yourself and become a recovering Pharisee!!!! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK, and by God’s grace, a recovering Pharisee

I certainly want the ministry of Freedom Fighter to be a ministry of encouragement to you. I have not had ANY comments in over two weeks from anyone receiving the email or website blog. I am getting many comments from our Facebook friends. I’d love to hear from you. Are we hitting the target areas or am I missing the mark? Let me hear from you today.

God’s Word for YOU: Proverbs 10; Deuteronomy 10-12; Mark 12:1-27

Great Quote: We need not all pray the same way. The important thing is to pray, to talk to God, and to be honest in our communication. We differ from each other in many ways. What is important is a relationship with God that allows us to be true to ourselves and our present circumstance, and to be free to share that with God. Anonymous

You Might Be a Pharisee If … (Part 2)

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You Might Be a Pharisee If …

“The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men–robbers, evildoers, adulterers–or even like this tax collector.” Luke 18:11 (New International Version)

If you missed Sunday’s FF, go back and read it. Dr. Harold Vaughn, President of CHRIST LIFE MINISTRIES, shares some insight in how you can determine if you are a Pharisee. Here some additional indicators:

16. You find it difficult to fellowship with those different from yourself.

17. You believe you are superior to others.

18. You keep a list of religious activities on the tip of your tongue.

19. You justify yourself by condemning others.

20. You build up yourself and your group by tearing others down.

21. You despise people who do not hold your convictions.

22. Your conscience is silent when you accuse and verbally abuse God’s people.

23. You excuse your arrogant behavior because you hold to the “correct position.”

24. You call your uncanny ability to catalog the faults of others “discernment.”

25. You thank God you are not as other men.

26. You really like to hear yourself pray.

Well … how are you doing? Are you a sinner saved by the grace of God or are you a Pharisee. Good time to do a heart check. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK and a recovering Pharisee

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 9; Deuteronomy 7-9; Mark 11:19-33

Great Quote: I believe God, through His Spirit, grants us love, joy, and peace no matter what is happening in our lives. As Christians, we shouldn’t expect our joy to always feel like happiness, but instead recognize joy as inner security — a safeness in our life with Christ. Jill Briscoe

This Thursday night is Men’s Fellowship Night. Pastor Larry Green from Tabernacle, NJ, will be our guest speaker. Dinner starts at 6:15 PM followed by the program and activities. Call for reservations. Come bring a friend! 732-350-1187

You Might Be A Pharisee If …

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You Might Be a Pharisee If …

“The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men–robbers, evildoers, adulterers–or even like this tax collector.” Luke 18:11 (New International Version)

If you are on the journey of preaching the GOSPEL to yourself, one of the things you will find yourself wanting to be is a “recovering Pharisee!”

It is amazing how easy it is for me to fit into that mold and not even be aware of it. In 2010 we will be having Dr. Harold Vaughn, President of Christ Life Ministries as one of our speakers for the summer THINK VICTORY weeks. He has a great list of characteristics to determine if …

YOU MIGHT BE A PHARISEE IF:

1. You are glad you are better than others.

2. Your prayers are more like “self-talk” than speaking to God.

3. Your sins seem so small when placed beside the really BIG sins of others.

4. You rationalize that Christians who don’t agree with you are all “compromisers.”

5. You routinely dismiss anyone who would dare to point out a “blind spot.”

6. You verbally rip apart the people who you disagree with.

7. You rehearse your virtues when you should be confessing your sin.

8. You take delight in checking off your religious “to do” list.

9. The standard you use to judge others is “you!”

10. Prayer is more about you and your perception than about God and His praise.

11. You assume your discipline and “preciseness” indicates true spirituality.

12. Your memory is excellent when it comes to remembering your good works.

13. You glory more in appearance than heart.

14. You are obsessed with externals, but blind to the internal reality of your own soul.

15. Outward righteousness is more important that heart holiness.

Well … how are you doing? I will share more tomorrow. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK and a recovering Pharisee.

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 8; Deuteronomy 4-6; Mark 11: 1-8

Great Quote: Do deeds of love for Him, to Him, following His steps. Believest thou in Christ? Do the works of Christ, that thy faith may live. Thou who sayest thou abidest in Christ, oughtest so to walk as He walked. If thou seekest thine own glory, enviest the prosperous, speakest ill of the absent, renderest evil to him who injureth thee, this did not Christ. Edward B. Pusey

Delighting in God’s Will

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DELIGHTING IN GOD’S WILL

“…I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10b RSV)
“I delight to do thy will, O my God;” (Psalm 40:8 RSV)

We all live—most of us do not wish to die—and yet, there is no driving desire to go on living either! We rise in the morning, accepting of the new day. We do not dread the day, but neither do we relish it with a sense of anticipation. The new day is part duty, part chore, and mostly routine—there is no joyous bounding into the day. The day, and any opportunity it may hold, is not a delight to us— we embark on the new day with resignation. Something is wrong. Many go on in this way for years, having settled for a quality of “life” that is far below that which is possible for the believer.

We do not doubt that God is there, or that He loves us. It isn’t a crisis of faith (theologically), and yet it is a crisis… a quiet and prolonged crisis. In our best moments we are very aware that this “wilderness experience” is hardly the “life more abundant” that Jesus came to give! In our heart we know we must enter more fully into this gift of life, and that something is dreadfully wrong. For me, a deep breath of spring air is enough to remind me of what has been lost from my childhood— there was joy and anticipation in those days. What is the answer? How do we get this quality of life that Jesus speaks of?

For the child of God, abundant life comes only when we are obedient to the will of God— David said “I delight to do thy will O my God.” And delight is just the missing ingredient for many of us. There is a delight that comes when we are obedient to the light that we have. Simple obedience can turn a life of plodding resignation into a life that is a daily delight! Begin to read God’s Word again with a single eye towards obedience. Then, go into the day with an obedient child-like heart, and let’s see what God does! — Peter Cardillo is Director of Food Services at America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 7; Deuteronomy 1-3; Mark 10:32-52

Great Quote: Faith is like radar that sees through the fog – the reality of things at a distance that the human eye cannot see. Corrie Ten Boom

Our God is Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful

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Our God is Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful

One of the first things I learned as a Marine recruit was the Marine Corps motto, “Semper Fidelis” and its meaning “Always Faithful “. Specifically we were instructed that Marines are always to be faithful to their country , to their Corps, their fellow Marines, and to those in authority. For Marines who are leaders and in authority, they are to be faithful to the Marines under their command. All Marines are to be loyal, devoted and trustworthy. Lives often depend on these values especially in combat situations.

Have you ever stopped to consider the importance of faithfulness in Scripture and in our spiritual life? First, Christians have a God who is faithful in all he does (Psalm 33:4) and who will never leave us or forsake us (Deut 31:6). In other words he will not dessert us at the first sign of trouble!!. We have a God , our Commanding Officer , who is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made(Psalm 145:13). Our God is the ultimate role model of what it means to be “Semper Fi”!

Second, Christ’s faithfulness to us means that we will never be tempted beyond what we can bear (1Cor 10:13). One of the ways that our Lord accomplishes this is through directing us to prepare and train ourselves for battle. This battle is not against insurgents and IEDs but against Satan, the evil one, the lion that prowls around waiting for someone to devour. The Lord provides us with both offensive and defensive weapons so that we can take our stand ,and “dig in “ against the devil’s schemes. This includes the belt of truth , the breastplate of righteousness, special footgear for readiness, the shield of faith , the helmet of salvation and finally our ultimate weapon, the sword of the Spirit , which is the Word of God(Bible). It is our responsibility to use everything he has given us and train ourselves to be Godly (1 Tim 4:7).

Just as God is faithful to us , we have an obligation , out of love, gratitude , devotion , and respect to be faithful to Him and to our fellow warriors in Christ . The only acceptable standard is for us to “love Him with all our heart, mind , and soul and to love our neighbor as ourselves”(Matt 22:37-39).

What a mighty God we serve .He is Semper Fidelis! — Tom Day is a Marine (Paris Island 1963) , a minister in Memphis , Tn and a friend and supporter of the Colony of Mercy.

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 6; Numbers 35-36; Mark 10:1-31

Great Quote: Repentance is a change of willing, of feeling and of living, in respect to God. Charles G. Finney

Watch Where You Walk

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Watch Where You Walk

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or the left; turn your face away from evil. — Proverbs 4:25 ESV

Last night I had a flashback. I was walking to my car around 8:45 PM. I needed to go pick up our son Zach from youth group. I wasn’t watching where I was walking, and I almost went flying through the air when I stepped onto a patch of ice.

It took me back to one of the ice storms we had at Sandy Cove many years ago. The ice was so thick that the kids could skate of the parking lot with just their shoes! The fields and roads were thick with ice.

I needed to take one of the kid’s friends home, and Jan asked me to deliver a pie to the family. I walked out in the dark to the car, not watching were I was walking — hit a patch of ice — and went flying through the air landing in a heap! The pie was totaled and I was toast.

Several years ago, I broke my leg in Bermuda. That’s another story for another time — but needless to say, ever since then, I have found myself being way more cautious watching WHERE I walk. I find myself looking at the steps before I climb down them. I find myself checking the lay of the land before venturing out on an unknown path. Maybe it is my age — but I don’t want to fall and break my again.

Proverbs makes it clear that we need to PONDER the path of our feet. The word ponder means to “think with your head.” I like that — It is something that we do INTENTIONALLY rather than haphazardly. Maybe the reason that so many of us find ourselves walking in the wrong places is that we haven’t given much thought about walking in the right places. Maybe it is time to THINK about where and how you are walking. Are you looking ahead? Marking out the path? Or are you distracted and looking all around. If you aren’t paying attention, you could walk on a land mine that could be disastrous for you and your family. It’s certainly something to think about. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 5; Numbers 32-34; Mark 9:30-50

Great Quote: Be ye angry, and sin not; therefore all anger is not sinful, because some degree of it, and on some occasions, is inevitable. But it becomes sinful and contradicts the rule of Scripture when it is conceived upon slight and inadequate provocation, and when it continues long. William Paley

Am I Willing to Die? Part 2

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Am I Willing to Die? (Part 2)

“And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take us his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

Are you familiar with one of the greatest study Bibles on the market, the English Standard Version? Right now the publisher, Crossway, is making it available on-line for a 30-day free trial. I would encourage you to check it out. For full access and free trial use of these features for one month, visit http://www.esvstudybible.org/online. Simply create a login and password. Email information will not be shared, nor will there be any obligation to purchase. Free trial offer expires March 31, 2009.

Now for today’s challenge …

Recently I listened to a friend share his heart about his marriage that is moving quickly to divorce. I love this brother and am really trying to encourage him. As I listened to his story, I realized how quickly I can fall into the trap of being unwilling to die to my rights and agendas.

I am much more set in my ways that I have ever imagined. Is it as easy as the verse above states to “deny oneself and take up HIS cross and follow Him? If you think it is, let challenge you with some ways that He wants you to die. These are from, THE GOSPEL PRIMER by Milton Vincent:

When my flesh yearns for some prohibited thing … I must die!

When called to do something I don’t want to do … I must die!

When I wish to be selfish and serve no one … I must die!

When shattered by hardships that I despise … I must die!

When wanting to cling to wrongs done against me … I must die!

When enticed by human allurements of the world … I must die!

When wishing to keep besetting sins secret … I must die!

When wants that are borderline needs are left unmet … I must die!

When dreams that are good seem shoved aside … I must die!

Well brothers — you are asked to take up His cross and follow Him. Are you and I willing to die to self — to do it daily? Are you willing to allow die to yourself so that HE can have first place? Are you willing to die so that your spouse can be esteemed? Think about it! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 4; Numbers 29-31; Mark 9:1-29

Great Quote: The least sin should humble the soul, but certainly the greatest sin should never discourage the soul, much less should it work the soul to despair. Despairing Judas perished, whereas the murderers of Christ, believing on Him, were saved. Thomas Brooks

Am I Willing to Die?

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Can I Let It Die?

My technologically-challenged brain did not allow me to send out yesterday’s FF with the correct date. Check out yesterday’s edition by visiting: http://keswickfreedomfighters.blogspot.com/

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” Luke 9:23

Much of what Jesus asks of us runs against the grain of what the world says or expects. You’ve got to be kidding that in this day and age when everything is about me, my felt-needs, my wants and desires, that He would expect me to deny myself?

Does He not get it? I have to take care of me. If I don’t take care of me, nobody else will. After all, that’s the name of the game, right? Is it?

Well think about this — YOU were crucified with Christ on the cross! In case you forgot that, remember Galatians 2:20? His story is your story. He was crucified on the cross and so were YOU! My flesh, my old self — the old man — is was nailed to the cross with Jesus.

Listen to these powerful words from Pastor Milton Vincent as he writes in “A GOSPEL PRIMER FOR CHRISTIANS — LEARNING TO SEE THE GLORIES OF GOD’S LOVE” … God is committed to my dying every day, and He calls me to that same commitment. He insists that every hour be my dying hour, and He wants my death on the cross to be as central to my own life story as is Christ’s death to the gospel story … Crucifixion hurts. In fact, its heart-wrenching brutality can numb the senses. It is a gasping and bloody affair, and there is nothing nice, pretty or easy about it. It is not merely death, but excruciating death.

Nevertheless, I must set my face like flint toward the cross and embrace this crucifixion in everything I do. I should expect every day to encounter circumstantial evidence of God’s commitment to my dying; and I must seize upon every God-given opportunity to be conformed more and more fully to Christ’s death no matter the pain involved!”

I’ll share a powerful insight on Wednesday that you won’t want to miss. It will not be for the faint of heart! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

Don’t miss this weeks STEWARDSHIP INSIGHT FROM GEORGE: http://keswickgeorge.blogspot.com/2009/02/few-thoughts-on-president-obamas-225.html

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 3; Numbers 26-28; Mark 8

Great Quote: “We came into this world wretched, miserable, and undone creatures, in cruel bondage to sin and Satan, under guilt and under wrath, hostile toward God—the fountain of blessedness—and in a state of condemnation leading to everlasting destruction. But when a man is converted, he is brought out of that state of woe and misery into a sure title to glory, honor, and peace forever. When once a man is converted, all this blessedness that we have heard of is his; he has an absolute right to it. God’s work is accomplished for it; His faithful promise is given.” Jonathan Edwards



My Times Are In Your Hands

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My Times Are In Your Hands

“Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.” (Psalm 119:73)

We live in a time of unsettledness in our world. Day to day life is on the edge. One day our economy looks like it will survive and grow and then the next minute the market tumbles. Just when we think we are making progress on the international scene, a group of terrorists rise up and leave their mark of death and destruction.

And then there are those days when out of nowhere, tragedy strikes. It may be the death of a loved one. Someone receives bad news from their doctor. Your financial portfolio takes a dramatic spiral downwards. A child that you have loved and raised walks out the door and wants to sever ties with all the family. You discover a family member is in bondage to an addiction.

Life seems out of control with no purpose, order or design. Depression and despair push their way into our life and hopelessness prevails. You may even have that “maybe-I-should-crawl-back-in-bed-and-pull-the-covers-over-my-head” kind of day.

My friend, you need to remember the promise that the Psalmist David wrote in Psalm 31:15 — “MY TIMES ARE IN HIS HANDS.”

We need to be reminded that:
1. He creates with His hands. You have been fearfully and wonderfully made by God. You were His design and not only has He created this universe and the beauty of creation — HE CREATED YOU.
2. His hand is mighty and powerful. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in His way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, FOR THE LORD UPHOLDS HIM WITH HIS HAND! (Psalm 37:23-24)
3. He leads with His right hand. “Even there YOUR hand shall lead me and your right hand will hold me.” (Psalm 139:10) Life may seem out of control, but HE is right there beside you. He has promised to NEVER leave you or forsake you. (Deut. 31:8)
4. He holds you with His hands. “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand.” (Isaiah 42:6) “Nevertheless I am continually with You, You hold my right hand. (Psalm 73:23) “In the shadow of His hand He has hidden me. (Isaiah 49:2)
5. His hands are a demonstration of ownership. I love this verse — “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of MY hands.” (Isaiah 49:16) YOU ARE WRITTEN ON THE PALM OF HIS HANDS! YOU ARE SIGNIFICANT! And nothing can take you out of His hands — “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28) YOU ARE SECURE!
Friend, is your world out of control? Is your life crashing in all around you? Are you filled with despair and discouragement? If so, take a step back and remind yourself that YOUR TIMES ARE IN HIS HANDS! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 3: Numbers 23-25; Mark 7:14-37

Great Quote: The salvation of the lost is not best accomplished by great popular campaigns, conducted by a small minority of specialists in public evangelism, but by the godly, honest witness of believers individually. It is pure irresponsibility to leave the evangelization of the lost to the ‘experts,’ as many are doing today. God would have every believer do his part to win the lost to Christ by prayer, personal witness and sincere godliness. Cornelius Stam

The Next Step

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The Next Step

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain”Exodus 20:7b

This verse took on a whole new meaning for me a few years ago. I used to think that this only meant that I can’t say a curse word with Jesus’ name in it. The phrase “in vain” can also mean to use the Lord’s name for an empty or of no use (not good ) purpose.

During my walk with the Lord, as I travel through this sanctification process and having the victorious Christian life message being lived out and taught here at Americas Keswick, I’ve discovered a major stumbling block that I can easily miss. You see, when I was in my addiction I wanted out, and Jesus came along and I thought, great, I’ll receive Christ as my Savior and all my problems will be gone. We call that the “magic pixie dust” at the Colony.

One truth that this verse has brought to my attention is, if Jesus is only my Savior than the next step is to make him Lord. A lot of us have a Savior, but have you made Him Lord of your life? It was during a phone conversation with a grad of the colony, who decided to start drinking again that I made a statement that really offended him. He was telling me that “the Lord” was still blessing him through this time of rebellion. In the middle of the conversation I realized that it bothered me that he was calling Jesus his Lord. I remember stating with a stern voice, “Jesus might be your Savior but don’t call Him your Lord”. Men, at that moment I realized the difference, and it opened my eyes to what “taking the Lords name in vain” could mean.

Please don’t get me wrong, Jesus is our Savior, and that’s huge but until we make Him Lord we can not experience the victorious Christian life. Jesus said “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? (Luke 6:46). Eternity with Jesus starts the day we accept Him as Savior and Lord.

Here’s some advice I received when I was in the Colony after asking how to make Him Lord of my Life. “Son, you must fall in love with Jesus”, and then Chaplain John Caruthers said than you must “YIELD”! — Rob Russomano is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy, and serves on the Maintenance team at America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 1; Number 20-222; Mark 7:1-13

Great Quote: How diligently the cavalry officer keeps his sabre clean and sharp;every stain he rubs off with the greatest care. Remember you are God’s word, His instrument-I trust, a chosen vessel unto Him to bear His name. In great measure, according to the purity and perfection of the instrument, will be the success. Robert Murray M’Cheyne