Praying for Direction (Psalm 5:7&8)

All of us read Pastor Bob Alderman’s series of Freedom Fighter articles last week. His wisdom is helpful and pointed, and we can all benefit from his thinking. Pastor Bob has preached several times at First Baptist/Toms River, and I’m glad to say that he has become my friend.

His children gave him a GPS unit as a gift recently (It’s a Garmin unit), and Pastor Bob speaks of the directions “Miss Garmin” gives him to get him from where he is to where he wants to be. Many of us have GPS now, and we know how helpful and convenient it can be. I don’t know about you, but I’ve wished that discerning God’s direction could happen as easily as punching in an address in “Miss Garmin.”

It’s not that easy to know God’s direction, but we’re not without help. A few years ago, while reading through the Scriptures, one line in these two verses jumped off the page at me. I’m sure I’d read them before, but they had never captured my attention like they did that day. Listen to David’s words: “But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; in fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple. Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; MAKE YOUR WAY STRAIGHT BEFORE MY FACE.”

David teaches us to pray in very specific terms; “Make Your way straight before my face.” All of us have experienced those times when we desperately needed direction. We’ve looked for it, talked with others about the situation, and hoped we finally made a good decision. Many of us who need that direction can look back and remember times when our decisions weren’t so good.

We have the freedom to pray, “Lord, make Your way straight before my face.” But notice the context in which David voices this prayer. He has come into the Lord’s house. He worships God as he faces the temple. He qualifies his praying by asking God to lead him in His righteousness. We have the freedom to ask God for clear direction when we live in His presence, worship Him in the fear of the Lord and pursue His righteousness.

Do you have situations that need God’s direction? What decisions demand more wisdom and direction than you have? You and I have the privilege of coming into the Lord’s presence with a simple request: “Make Your way straight before my face.” I need that direction. You need that direction. Let’s follow David’s example and ask boldly. — John Strain is Senior Pastor First Baptist of Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 129-131; Proverbs 30; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Great Quote: Decisions can take you out of God’s will but never out of His reach. — Anonymous

SONGS IN THE NIGHT

“But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives us songs in the night.'” (Job 35:10)

There are many people who dread the night. For them, the night amplifies the silence of loneliness, separation and despair. Fear seems to rear its ugly head at night. Problems that appeared to be little blips on the radar screen of life during the day seem to increase in magnitude and appear out of control.

Sleep seems to evade us and the silence of night actually becomes deafening. It is often during these dark times of the night that our great God invades our spirits with “songs in the night.”David the shepherd played on his harp during the night watch while tending his sheep. Maybe his “songs in the night were the ones that he played for King Saul when his soul was troubled and tormented. When we hear the songs that the Father gives during the night they may not be discernable by our human ears, but we know deep down in our souls He is giving us His special songs.

It is interesting that we us singing to worship and praise Him. The God of the universe who longs for our worship, praise and adoration receives our sacrifices of praise with joy. But it is an amazing thought that when those dreadful, lonely, dark nights, that are filled with despair, fear and anxiousness, He will draw near to you and me to “give us songs in the night.”

God, the Father, the Creator of music, sings His love song to you. Before we know it, we are overwhelmed with His presence and once again filled with awe and wonder. As the dawn approached, you discover that sometime during the night God replaced fear with His peace. Your loneliness is replaced with the awareness that He has been there right beside you. Your anxious spirit has been calmed and quieted with His love. And amazingly, the problems that seemed to be insurmountable have not only been reduced and put into perspective, but you find that He has provided the solutions and answers with clarity.

Open your ears to Him – listen for your special SONG IN THE NIGHT. Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalms 126-128; Proverbs 29; 1 Corinthians 10:19-33

Great Quote: The discovery of God lies in the daily and the ordinary, not in the spectacular and the heroic. If we cannot find God in the routines of home and shop, then we will not find Him at all.– Richard J. Foster

Join us by webcast for the final sessions of the summer season. Drs. Jim Leary and Johnny Miller will be our speakers: Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM; Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning at 9:30 AM. To watch the webcast, visit our website: www.americaskeswick.org.

TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD

“O, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.” Psalm 34:8-9

Each Wednesday night at the Colony Chapel there is a service called TNT — Text and Testimony. It is one of the most amazing services you will ever attend. This is the time when the men of the Colony of Mercy share what God has been doing in their lives.

At last night’s TNT, a young man stood to testify about the victories he has experienced this week. He shared that several weeks ago that he had found a Bible while cleaning that most likely belonged to one of our guests. He turned the Bible in at the front desk, but weeks later it reappeared on a coat rack in our main building.

He fell in love with this Bible and decided to “borrow” it since no one seemed to claim it. At first he didn’t see any name in the Bible, just a phone number. Because he is on orientation, he’s not allowed to make phone calls, but purposed in his heart that he would call the owner as soon as he was able to make a call.

God was at working his man’s life convicting him of issues that needed to be addressed. In fact, Ken was convicted about his need to go and get things right between him and another man of the Colony. In the process, he shared his Bible story with another resident of the program. They were looking at the Bible together and discovered that there was a name in the Bible. The other man started laughing because the Bible belonged to his Uncle who is a friend of the ministry. Now what are the odds of that happening!!!

Last night at TNT, the wife of the owner of the Bible “just happened” to be attending TNT, and as Ken shared his story, he gave the Bible back to her. It was one of those moments where God showed up in a special way. I saw the lady leave the service and I knew in my heart what was happening. Minutes later she came back into the Auditorium and presented Ken with the Bible. Ken experienced in that moment the goodness of our God in a very special way. And so did all of us. Thank You, Lord! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 123-125; Proverbs 28; 1 Corinthians 10:1-18

Great Quote: There will be no “knights in shining armor” in God’s kingdom; our armor will have many dings and dents. No, no perfect Hollywood heroes will ride to save the day; just wearied saints to look to God and, in weakness, find Christ’s strength. This, indeed, is the essence of God’s kingdom: divine greatness manifest in common people. Francis Frangipane

LIVING YOUR THEOLOGY

“Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you …” John 12:35

Today’s devotional is from the pen of Oswald Chambers, August 27th reading MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST …

“Beware of not acting upon what you see in your moment on the mountaintop with God. If you do not obey the light, it will turn into darkness. ‘If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:23) The moment you forsake the matter of sanctification or neglect anything else on which God has given His light, your spiritual life begins to disintegrate within you.
CONTINUALLY BRINGING THE TRUTH OUT INTO YOUR REAL LIFE, WORKING IT OUT INTO EVERY AREA, OR ELSE EVEN THE LIGHT THAT YOU POSSESS WILL ITSELF PROVE TO BE A CURSE.

The most difficult person to deal with is the one who has the prideful, self-satisfaction of a past experience, but it is not working that experience out in his every day life. If you say you are sanctified, SHOW IT! The experience must be so genuine that it shows in your life.

BEWARE OF BELIEF THAT MAKES YOU SELF-INDULGENT or SELF-GRATIFYING; that believe came from the pit of hell itself, regardless of how beautiful it may sound.

Your theology must work itself out, exhibiting itself in your most common everyday relationships. Our Lord said, ” … unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20) In other words, you must be more moral than the most moral person you know. You may know all ABOUT the doctrine of sanctification, but are you working it out in the everyday issue of your life?

Every detail of your life, whether physical, moral, or spiritual, is to be judged and measured by the standard of the atonement by the Cross of Christ.”

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 120-122; Proverbs 27; 1 Corinthians 9

Great Quote: Beloved, the cross is not made of feathers, or lined with velvet, it is heavy and galling to disobedient shoulders; but it is not an iron cross, though your fears have painted it with iron colours, it is a wooden cross, and a man can carry it, for the Man of sorrows tried the load. Take up your cross, and by the power of the Spirit of God you will soon be so in love with it, that like Moses, you would not exchange the reproach of Christ for all the treasures of Egypt. Remember that Jesus carried it, and it will smell sweetly; remember that it will soon be followed by the crown, and the thought of the coming weight of glory will greatly lighten the present heaviness of trouble.– Charles Haddon Spurgeon

God’s Speed
“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

I write this to the Brethren from the lobby of America’s Keswick. Where God speaks to hearts and Bill Welte keeps a close eye on things. Sometimes I get the feeling he is looking at me. But at least he has a smile so I remain encouraged…for the both of us. Just as a side note to you Freedom Fighters, let’s keep Brother Bill lifted up in prayer.

You know I wanted to get here is the worst way. My everyday in “Secularland” has really taken a toll on me and I needed a break from it. Things at work for me have really taken some whoop-de-do’s. I went from being “Rookie of the Year” to the “Sophomore Slump”. Nothing had been going well and quite frankly I was contemplating going back into something easier and familiar.

I have gone from blue jeans and t-shirts to collared shirts and khaki’s. And even though I still think in a blue collar framework, I have had to integrate the white collar ideals. Basically meaning I manage the swinging of a hammer. Go figure. Needless to say the adjustment has not been easy and it frustrates me at times. Even on the home front money was getting tight. Gas, milk, bread, and sometimes I think even the very air I breathe costs more.

But just when things are at the point of crying “Abba, Father” He shows up.

Before I got here I was informed that I am being considered for a slight promotion. My bosses would like to see me come off the production floor and into a role that comes along the sales side of things. As far as personal finances are concerned, Jehovah-jireh (the Lord will provide) showed up. And not a moment too soon, I was getting ready to pump gas as a second job.

One of the first things I said when the smoke cleared and all as well was “Santo Padre, we serve a God of the eleventh hour”!! But as my wife pointed out it is us who live in the eleventh hour, God’s time is perfect. So on the drive to Keswick I looked backed and said, “It’s about the getting through.” That was reinforced by two different speakers this week. Yep …things do happen at Gods speed. Do you wish He would hurry up and get you through this morning? Remember Gods timing is not our timing and that should be enough to get you through whatever it is. — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. Thanks, Chris. I needed this today.

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 119:89-176; Proverbs 26; 1 Corinthians 8

Great Quote: “We must remember that God will never drag us along the path of true-hearted discipleship. This would greatly lack the moral excellency which characterizes all the ways of God. He does not drag, but draws us along the path which leads to ineffable blessedness in Himself; and if we do see that it is for our real advantage to break through all the barriers of nature, in order to respond to Gods’ call, we forsake our own mercies. But alas! our hearts little enter into this. We begin to calculate about the sacrifices, the hindrances, and the difficulties, instead of bounding along the path, in eagerness of soul, as knowing and loving the One whose call has sounded in our ears”. C H Macintosh, Notes on Deuteronomy

Faith Building for a Child

“I love the Lord because He HEARS my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2

On Saturday I had my grandson, Tanner, all to myself. We had a blast, but he wore me out! I took Tanner, Zach, Jesslyn and Julia to see the new kids movie, FLY ME TO THE MOON in the morning, and then ran some errands. After emptying my trunk, I reached me my cell phone and it was gone!

I retraced my steps and couldn’t find the phone. Tanner and I hopped back in the car and went to the two stores we had gone to after the movie. No phone. I came home and called the movie theater and they had not found the phone and suggested that I call later on in the evening.

Now when I lose something, it will drive me crazy until I find it. I looked at Tanner and said, “We’ve got to pray and ask the Lord to help us find Pop’s phone. I know He hears even these prayers.” I fired up a quick prayer for His help and shortly afterwards, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting us to go to the movie theater. As we were driving to the theater, I reminded Tanner of several times when God helped us find things that his Mom had lost — like a hamster!

We arrived at the theater and after trying to persuade the ticket-taker to let us quickly check the room we were in, she let me go in. Thankfully no one was sitting where we had been seating and the previews were just starting. There I was crawling on my hands and knees, feeling around under the seats … yuk! Seconds later, my cell phone lit up as a call was coming in. The phone had fallen out of my pocket and dropped two seats away.

Tanner yelled, “Pop, there it is!” What an amazing answer to prayer. Some would say coincidence? What are the “odds” of a cell phone call coming in at that precise moment? I don’t think it was coincidence at all. I think it was an awesome God answering the prayers of two of His kids at precisely the right time to build faith into both of our lives. Thank You, Lord, for teaching me again through the eyes of a three-year-old, that you HEAR and ANSWER our prayers. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 119:1-88; Proverbs 25; 1 Corinthians 7:20-40

Great Quote: If He calls you to a kind of service which is according to His will but not according to your taste, you must not go to it with less, rather with more courage and energy than if your taste coincided with His will. The less of self and self-will there is in anything we do, the better. You must not amuse yourself with going from side to side, when duty calls you straight on; nor make difficulties, when the real thing is to get over them. Let your heart be full of courage, and then say, “I shall succeed. Not I, but the grace of God which is with me.” — Francis de Sales

Join us tonight for our live-stream webcast at 7:00 PM. Pastor John Hibbard will be sharing the Word at our Senior’s Conference. To watch, visit www.americaskeswick.org.

Learning from the Leaders-Daniel’s Friends

Daniel didn’t train alone for service in the King’s palace. Three of his Hebrew friends joined him and shared his commitment to the God of Israel. They, too, chose not to defile themselves with the king’s food. Also like Daniel, these three young men experienced God’s blessing and rose to high levels in the king’s government.

They had something else in common with Daniel. Some of the king’s wise men were out to get them. Even though they were of sterling character, their rise to prominence made others in the king’s court jealous. And, jealousy can bring out the worst in any of us.

Instead of a lion’s den, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego faced the fiery furnace. The king built an image of himself-a BIG image-and declared that everyone had to bow down to it when the music began playing. Almost everyone did. Three guys from Israel chose not to bow down. It could have cost them their lives.

So, now it is time to pay attention. Here is where we can learn from their experience. Take time to read Daniel 3:9-18. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego show us how to face difficult circumstances. They can lead us through the hard times. We will do well to learn the lessons.

Like Daniel, their “colleagues” tattled on them to the king. When the king found out they were not bowing down to his image, he was angry . . . really angry! Even in his anger, he gave them one more chance to bow down to the image. In their response to that one more chance, we learn the first lesson. That lesson is one for the ages. Simply put, they teach us that the crisis reveals our character, not the other way around.

These three young men did not even have to think about their response. Character forged in their ongoing commitment to God prepared them for this moment. Look at vs. 16. Their answer to a second chance to bow down went something like this. “O King, we really don’t have to think about this one. No matter what happens, we won’t worship the image.”

There is another lesson we can learn from the three Hebrews. It’s pretty simple, too. Courage flows out of character. These men were willing to risk their lives. The moment did not produce that kind of courage. It just revealed it. Their continuing commitment to and knowledge of the true and living God developed that kind of courage in each of their hearts.

An old Christian song says, “Dare to Be a Daniel.” I suggest that we could dare to be anyone of these four men. Each of them and all of them have lessons to teach us about godly living in difficult situations.

May God help us learn them! One other lesson makes that learning urgent. You almost never learn those kinds of lessons in “the moment.” Daniel and the three young Hebrews prepared for their most difficult lessons for years before they arrived. If you and I haven’t already prepared, we can begin today! — John Strain is Senior Pastor First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 113-115; Proverbs 24; 1 Corinthians 6

Great Quote: Temptations and occasions put nothing into a man, but only draw out what was in him before. — John Owen

Learning from the Leaders–Daniel

Daniel went to Babylon as an exile from Israel. He anticipated being nothing more than a slave. God had other plans for him. He was selected early on to serve in the king’s palace. Almost from the beginning, he faced challenges. His keepers wanted him to eat the same thing all the other trainees ate-the “king’s delicacies.” In the words of Scripture, he “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself . . . .” (Dan. 1:8)

COMMITMENT stands out as part of Daniel’s life. We can learn from Him. On any given day, we will experience challenges that will enhance or detract from our walk with the Lord. Daniel’s commitment to the God of Israel took precedence in all his decisions. Commitment made hard decisions easier; he already knew the boundaries.

Daniel’s success in Babylon is huge. He kept “climbing the ladder,” even though that was not his goal or intent. His goal remained steady throughout his life. He wanted to honor God in everything he did. Some of the king’s advisors (natives of Babylon) got jealous and wanted to get rid of him. It is interesting to note that they knew only one area of vulnerability-his walk with God. (See Daniel 6:3-5) They fooled the king into making a foolish decree that required all the inhabitants of the kingdom to pray only to him for thirty days.

Daniel’s COURAGE prompted him to honor his ongoing COMMITMENT to the God of Israel. As was his custom, he went to his room and knelt in front of open window to pray while facing Israel. He knew his enemies were watching. He knew he would pay the price. As soon as the king’s advisors tattled on Daniel, the king knew he had been duped. Try as he might to get out of it, he had no choice but to put Daniel in the lion’s den. (Daniel 6:10-23)

Daniel did not know what would happen, but his CONVICTION that the God of Israel warranted the best he had to offer left him no choice. He had to go to that window and pray, even though he knew the consequences. He lived out his CONVICTION with COURAGE and COMMITMENT. God honored all of that and spared his life. He went on to higher levels of authority in the kingdom, and many turned to the true and living God through his witness.

Every Freedom Fighter faces challenges to our convictions about our Lord and His Word. If our convictions are valid and rest on a biblical foundation, then a life-long commitment to them is only reasonable. Choosing to live out those commitments requires courage that only comes from God’s Spirit at work in us. Each of us can learn from Daniel, a leader of leaders. — John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 113-115; Proverbs 23; 1 Corinthians 6

Great Quote: It is a common temptation of Satan to make us give up the reading of the Word and prayer when our enjoyment is gone; as if it were of no use to read the Scriptures when we do not enjoy them, and as if it were no use to pray when we have no spirit of prayer. The truth is that in order to enjoy the Word, we ought to continue to read it, and the way to obtain a spirit of prayer is to continue praying. The less we read the Word of God, the less we desire to read it, and the less we pray, the less we desire to pray. — George Muller

THE SAND PILE OF AN UNJUDGED LIFE Part Four

“…then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5)

Perhaps it would be good to remind ourselves that that this series of devotional thoughts on “The Sand Pile of An Unjudged Life” is based upon our Lord’s statement that whoever hears His sayings and avoids a proper response to them is like a man who builds his house upon sand. Among His sayings is this very clear teaching about the two-fold value of a judged life. Our Lord not only accents the significant value of a properly judged life, He states explicit the process and purpose of having such. (Mt. 7:5)

In our previous thought we looked at the proper standard by which we are to judge ourselves if we are to be of benefit in assisting others with proper judgment. Now we should look at the proper sequence of such judgment.

Proper sequence begins with personal observation.
Effective Judgment must first be personal. I must first deal with myself in the act of judgment.
“Why do you behold the mote (the withered twig) that is in your brother’s eye, but you do not consider the beam that is in your own eye?” (Mt. 7:3)

Proper sequence continues with timely recommendation.
Our Lord makes it clear that we are not to proceed with our judgment recommendations to another until we have properly dealt with the verdict of our self-judgment.
“How will you say to your brother, let me pull the mote out of your eye;…?” (Mt. 7:4)

Proper sequence concludes with effective preparation.
We are not ready to render proper service to others until we have completed the responsibility of proper action concerning ourselves. The effective surgeon always washes before operating.
“…first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” (Mt. 7:5)

The unjudged life is a double danger. It not only allows dangerous situations to remain within our lives but it also eliminates any proper and effective service we may have in assisting others. Our friends and our enemies deserve better from us. — Dr. Robert L. Alderman is Minister-at-large at Shenandoah Baptist Church, Roanoke, VA

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 110-112; Proverbs 22; 1 Corinthians 5

Great Quote: “The man who has been born again, and who has the divine nature within him, is a man who is righteous and his righteousness does exceed that of the …Pharisees. He is no longer living for self and his own attainments, he is no longer self-righteous and self satisfied. He has become poor in spirit, meek and merciful. He hungers and thirsts after righteousness…He loves God, yes, unworthily, alas, but he loves Him and longs for His glory…(this) is a righteousness that far exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.” D. Martin Lloyd-Jones

Be sure and join us today via the internet for our concluding services of this week. 9:30 AM — Dr. Roger Willmore, and please note 6:30 PM with Dr. Bob Alderman — www.americaskeswick.org

THE SAND PILE OF AN UNJUDGED LIFE Part Three

“…then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5)

If we are going to be the faithful Christian servant and friend that sees clearly how to assist a friend in removing problems from his or her life, we must first be the open and honest person who has understood the value and process of a self-judged life. We must also value the benefit of being properly judged by others. Little wonder our Lord was so explicit about this matter in that helpful and well-known “Sermon On The Mount.”

Our culture has taught us to avoid judgment, not only of others but also of ourselves. Our culture is wrong. Jesus taught the opposite. Our culture has abused the process. Jesus accented clearly the proper process and the proper purpose.

A part of the process of such proper judgment, whether of ourselves or of another, is the use of a proper standard. As our Lord prepared us for the exercise of proper judgment, He warned us about the matter of a proper standard.
“For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged…” (Matthew 7:2)

Nobody likes to be judged by an incorrect and improper standard. Neither should we presume to judge others or ourselves by such inferiority. To that point Christ puts a very clear warning. Before I ask others to judge me I would like to make sure that they have applied the same standard of judgment to themselves. Only then can I find confidence, security and compassion in their willingness to assist in my needs.

So we must set a high standard for ourselves before we can effectively assist others. A society that sets a low standard of judgment will produce a low-standard culture. The same is true of friends – and parents and pastors and politicians and professors.

Perhaps the problem we have had in the twentieth century is not that we have failed to judge but rather that we have failed to adopt our Lord’s standard for proper self-judgment. In doing so we have become destructively judgmental. That is not what our Lord had in mind when He set the guidelines for corrective and protective judgment. Dr. Robert L. Alderman is minister-at-large of Shenandoah Baptist Church, Roanoke, VA.

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 107-109; Proverbs 21; 1 Corinthians 4

Great Quote: When He lays hold of us, He comes like the angel that came to Peter in prison in the dark and awoke him out of his sleep and said, “Rise! And follow me.” It is only when we get out into the street, and have been with Him for awhile, and the daylight begins to stream in, that we see clearly the face of our Deliverer, and know Him for all that He is… It is the knowledge of experience. It is the knowledge of love, it is the knowledge of union, and it is in order that we may know Christ that He lays His hand upon us. — Alexander MacLaren