GOD INCOMPREHENSIBLE

“Behold God is great, and we know Him not. The Almighty, we cannot find
Him out: He is excellent in power.” – Job 36:37

“This attribute of God as a Spirit whose being and glory are entirely
beyond our power of apprehension is one that we ponder all too little.
And yet in the spiritual life it is of the utmost importance to feel
deeply that, as the heavens are high about the earth, so God’s thoughts
and ways are infinitely exalted beyond all our thought.

With what deep humility and holy reverence it becomes us to look upon
God, and then with childlike simplicity to yield ourselves to the
teaching of His Holy Spirit.

“Oh the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out.”
Romans 10:33

Let your heart respond, “Oh Lord, God of gods, how wonderful You are in
all Your thoughts, and Your purposes how deep.” The study of what God
is, ought to ever full us with holy awe, and the sacred longing to know
and honor Him aright.

Just think …

His greatness . . . . . INCOMPREHENSIBLE

His might . . . . . . . .INCOMPREHENSIBLE

His omnipotence . . . IN COMPREHENSIBLE

His wisdom . . . . . . .IN COMPREHENSIBLE

His holiness . . . . . . INCOMPREHENSIBLE

His mercy . . . . . . . .INCOMPREHENSIBLE

His love . . . . . . . . . INCOMPREHENSIBLE

As we worship, let us cry out: What an inconceivable glory is this Great
Being who is MY God and Father! Confess with shame how little you have
desired to know Him, or to wait on Him to reveal Himself. Begin in faith
to trust that in a way passing all understanding, the INCOMPREHENSIBLE
and ALL-GLORIOUS God will work in your heart and life, and give you in
ever-growing measure to know Him aright.” From the pen of the great
devotional writings of Andrew Murray – GOD’S BEST SECRETS

Great quote: “Walking in faith brings you to the Word of God. There you
will be healed, cleansed, fed, nurtured, equipped, and matured.” Kay
Arthur

STAND AT THE BOW

“Forgetting those things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

“Always stand at the bow! Leave the stern with its backward look and make for the bow. To spend time in sad review of past sins and failures is not to put them to the best account. Confess them, and believe that for Christ’s dear sake they are absolutely forgiven! Failure often provides the material for success, and our dead selves may become the stepping-stones to better things. Did not our Lord say to His disciples: ‘Sleep on now and take your rest’ — the past is irreparable — but immediately added: ‘Arise, let us be going!’ — the future is available. Therefore, leave the stern with its backward look, and make for the bow.

True, the sky before us may be dark with storm-clouds. The weather forecasters say that the world is shedding its old sanctions without replacing them with better ones; the seven civilizations have already passed, and we are to see the death of the eight. Be it so, but they forget that God holds the stormy waters in the hollow of His hand; that Jesus walked the threatening billows to aid His friends. They forget that when the earth was without form and void, the Spirit of God brooded in the chaos and darkness, creating the heavens and the earth. They cannot detect the voice of the Creator saying, ‘Behold, I make all things new!’ Out of chaos is born the cosmos. Each age ends in travail, out of which a new age is born.

Look to the vast circle of the horizon, and prepare for the new lands to be explored, the wonderful discoveries that await us, the great missions hidden in the future which are waiting to be fulfilled. Never doubt that the clouds will break. Never dream that wrong will triumph. Never count yourself God-forsaken or forgotten. The Master may SEEM to be asleep on His pillow, oblivious and uncaring, but His hand is on the helm. He guides your course. He rules the waves and they obey Him.” from the pen of the great devotional writer, Dr. F. B. Meyer — OUR DAILY WALK

Great quote: Character is not made in a crisis – it is only exhibited. Anonymous

Someone needs to hear this today. I trust that it will encourage your heart. And if you are blessed with the ministry of FREEDOM FIGHTER, why not share it with a friend. They can sign up today by visiting our website: http://www.americaskeswick.org.

IS THERE SOMETHING GOOD IN TEMPTATION?

“The word TEMPTATION has come to mean something bad to us today, but we tend to use the word in the wrong way. Temptation itself is not sin; it is something we are bound to face simply by virtue of being human. Not to be tempted would mean that we were already so shameful that we would be beneath contempt. Yet many of us suffer from temptations we should never have to suffer, simply because we have refused to allow God to lift us to a higher level where we would face temptations of another kind.

A person’s inner nature, what he possesses in the inner, spiritual part of his being, determines what he is tempted by on the outside. The temptation fits the true nature of the person’s being tempted and reveals the possibilities of his nature. Every person actually determines or sets the level if his own temptation, because temptations will come to him in accordance with the level of his controlling inner nature.

Temptation comes to me, suggesting a possible shortcut to the realization of my highest goal — it does not direct me toward what I understand to be evil, but toward what I understand to be good. Temptation is something that confuses me for a while, and I don’t know whether something is right or wrong. When I yield to it, I have made a lust god, and the temptation itself becomes the proof that it was only my own fear that prevented me from falling into sin earlier.

Temptation is not something we can escape; in fact, it is essential to the well-rounded life of a person. Beware of thinking that you are tempted as no one else — what you go through is the common inheritance of the human race, not something that no one has ever before endured. God does not save us FROM temptations — He sustains us IN THE MIDST of them (See Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15-16).” from MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST

“NO temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man …” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Powerful words from the pen of Oswald Chambers. Someone needed to hear this today!

Great Quote: Every evening I turn my troubles over to God – He’s going to be up all night anyway. Donald J. Morgan

Arguments or Obedience

“Simplicity is the secret of seeing things clearly. A saint does not THINK clearly until a long time passes, but a saint ought to SEE clearly without any difficulty. You cannot THINK through spiritual confusion to make things clear; to make things clear, you must first OBEY.

In intellectual matters you can THINK things out, but I spiritual matters you will only THINK yourself into further wandering thoughts and more confusion. If there is something in your life upon which God has put HIS PRESSURE, they obey Him in that matter. Bring all your “arguments … and every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” regarding the matter, and everything will become as clear as daylight to you (2 Corinthians 10:5). Your REASONING CAPACITY will come later, but reasoning is how we see. We see like CHILDREN, and when we try to be wise we see nothing (Matthew 11:25).

Even the very SMALLEST thing that we allow in our lives that is not under the control of the Holy Spirit is completely sufficient to account for SPIRITUAL CONFUSION, and spending all of our time thinking about it will still never make it clear. Spiritual confusion can only be conquered through obedience. As soon as we obey, we have discernment. This is humiliating, because when we are confused we know that the reason lies in the state of our mind.

When our NATURAL power of sight is devoted and submitted in obedience to the Holy Spirit, it becomes the very power by which we perceive God’s will, and our entire like is kept in simplicity.” from the pen of Oswald Chambers — My Utmost for His Highest

Great quote: Some say if only my fears and doubts will leave then I will get to work. But instead you should get to work and then your fears and doubts will leave. Dwight L. Moody
Our fall semester of the KESWICK INSTITUTE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES is about to begin. We’d love to have you join us for an 8 week course that is certified through Lancaster Bible College. For information, visit our website at www.americaskeswick.org.

FOR THIS BOY I HAVE PRAYED

“For this boy I have prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.” — 1 Samuel 1:28

This has certainly been a week to remember in our house. Yesterday morning our son Josh called to tell is that his wife had been to the doctor for her check-up and was being sent to the hospital to induce their child. Initially when the call came, it didn’t seem like a crisis situation, but when Jenny arrived at the hospital, she was immediately assessed and it was determined that she needed to have an emergency C-section. Jenny had a dangerous form of toxemia which was not endangering the life of the baby, but her own life was in grace danger.

We packed up the car and headed down to Delaware and while doing so, mobilized people from all over the country to cry out to God on behalf of Josh, Jenny, and the baby. During the long ride when we didn’t have a clue what was happening, I was reminded of verses from Psalm 107:13-15: “Then they cried out to the Lord in all their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bands apart. Let them give thanks for His lovingkindness, and for HIS wonders to the sons of men!”

A little after 1:00 PM, God blessed us with grandson number #2 — Samuel Cade Welte (5 lbs 13 ozs. 13″) We praise the Lord that in His mercy and lovingkindness, he spared Jenny’s life! When we heard the “what-could-of-happened” we were thankful for His grace in our lives.

Hannah prayed for many years for a child and when he was finally born, she named him SAMUEL which means “asked of” or “appointed by God.” (1 Samuel 1:20). In response to her gift from God, Hannah dedicated her son to the Lord for as long as he lived. While we only prayed for nine months for this precious gift from God, our desire is that Samuel Cade Welte will be used of God in the days ahead to impact the world for His glory and honor. The Scriptures say this about Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:19: “This Samuel grew and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fail.” That is my prayer for our Samuel.

AN UNEXPECTED BLESSING

Last week I shared with you a little bit about my Dad. At our banquet on Tuesday night the former Director of the Boardwalk Chapel shared a story with me about my Dad that blessed my socks off …

The Boardwalk Chapel has been holding nightly outreach services on the Boardwalk in Wildwood for over 60 years. Thousands of people pass by each evening and many stop in for 10, 15, or twenty minutes and are exposed to the gospel through music, drama and the proclamation of the word of God.

One night while my Dad was sharing his testimony of God’s grace in delivering him from a life of alcohol abuse, a young man entered the chapel. He was annoyed at what Dad was sharing so he stomped out. The next day he went to the beach and sat down next to a couple who engaged him in conversation. They were Christians and began to share Christ with him. This made him mad, so he picked up his stuff, walked several blocks down the beach where he dropped his stuff to walk the water’s edge. While standing there, a young woman came out of the water and began a conversation with him. She too was a Christian. Now really frustrated, he walked up to the Boardwalk and went into a coffee shop and found the only seat which was at the counter.

Sitting next to him was a man who also shared Christ with him, and at the counter, my Dad lead this young man to Christ! Following their discussion, my Dad walked him back to the Chapel and the Director placed a call to a ministry called THE COLONY OF MERCY and later in the day they drove him to America’s KESWICK.

Thirty years ago, I really didn’t know about the ministry of the Colony of Mercy — but obviously my Dad did — little did I know then that I would one day become the President/CEO of this ministry which will celebrate 109 years of ministry to the addicted next week.

God has an interesting way of blessing us.

Great quote: No soul can be really at rest until it has given up all dependence on everything else and has been forced to depend on the Lord alone. As long as our expectation is from other things, nothing but disappointment awaits us. Feelings may change, and will change with our changing circumstances; doctrines and dogmas may be upset; Christian work may come to naught; prayers may seem to lose their fervency; promises may seem to fail; everything that we have believed in or depended upon may seem to be swept away, and only God is left, just God, the bare God, if I may be allowed the expression; simply and only God. — Hannah Whitall Smith

ACCEPTED

There are some of us that get hung up in the performance game. You might understand — we perform in order to get the approval and acceptance of others. It can be at work or even with our friends and family. We find ourselves in the trap of “If I do this or that, they will accept me.” This kind of behavior can be life-dominating bondage just like an addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography and tobacco. The cycle of trying to gain the acceptance of others can be physically and emotionally exhausting.

Some one us even try to DO for God so that we can gain His approval and acceptance. We fall into the trap of serving HIM to GET rather than because we LOVE Him. I love the words of this wonderful hymn. It puts acceptance in the right perspective. Allow the truth to sink into your heart this morning. Acceptance is not about what YOU can do for Him — it is what HE did for you.

“In the Beloved” accepted am I,
Risen, ascended, and seated on high;
Saved from all sin thro’ His infinite grace,
With the redeemed ones accorded a place.

Refrain:
“In the Beloved,” God’s marvelous grace
Calls me to dwell in this wonderful place;
God sees my Saviour and then He sees me
“In the Beloved,” accepted and free.

“In the Beloved”- how safe my retreat,
In the Beloved accounted complete;
“Who can condemn me?” In Him I am free,
Saviour and Keeper forever is He.

“In the Beloved” I went to the tree,
There, in His Person, by faith I may see
Infinite wrath rolling over His head,
Infinite grace, for He died in my stead.”

Rejoice today, my friend, that you are ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED.

GRACE IN THE NICK OF TIME

It has happened in my life on so many occasions, but yesterday was on those days where I saw God show up right “in the nick of time.” On Sunday morning, our daughter Julie’s water broke which meant that the birth of our granddaughter, Emma Grace, was imminent . . . Well at least that’s what we thought. For over 24 hours, Julie had a very slow labor with minimal pain but much frustration as it seemed like she would never progress even with the large doses of medications that were supposed to speed up the process of labor.

At one point during the night, Emma’s heart rate was dropping and caused concern. The medical team suggested that we might be facing an emergency C-section. My son-in-law, Garrett is wired much like. Sometimes I think he is really my son and not just a son-in-law because we are so much alike in so many ways. Garrett doesn’t do well at hospitals and was quite emotionally wrecked at the thoughts of Julie facing and surgery and the threat to Emma’s life.

Finally at 8:30 AM after what seemed like the longest night in history, the team decided that it was necessary to do the C-section. I could relate to where Garrett was in his emotional state — all the fears and “what if’s” racing through his mind. All of his “support team” encouraged him that he could do it and that God would give him the grace to get through it. Before he went back into the room, I told him that while I couldn’t explain it, that God’s amazing grace would show up right in the nick of time.

This young man is like me — queasy at the thoughts of blood let alone having to see it. But nothing is too difficult for God and I knew that in response to the many prayers being offered up on behalf of Julie, Garrett, and Emma, God would show up in the nick of time.

And HE DID! I wish you could have seen the look on Garrett’s face as he and the doctor came through the door and announced that Emma Grace had been born on 9/11 at 9:11 AM. Garrett proceeded to announce that he watched them putting Julie back together! You should have seen the look on his Mom’s face as she replied, “That can’t be my son!”

I don’t know what difficulties you are facing today. But I do remind you of what the writer to Hebrews said: “Let us there draw near with CONFIDENCE to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help IN TIME OF NEED.” (Hebrews 4:12) … or as one commentator said … “IN THE NICK OF TIME.” Thank You, Lord, for proving your faithfulness to Garrett, Julie and Emma!

You can see Emma by visiting http://www.americaskeswick.org/conf/WelteFamilyPictures.htm

Heaven and earth may pass away, but My Words will be no means pass away.
(Luke 21:33, NKJV)

Our nation will never forget the day that changed our lives forever. And
little did we realize how personal September 11th would be for the ministry
of America’s KESWICK. Like many ministries, we were getting ready to begin
a service of remembrance for our community, staff, and the men of the Colony
of Mercy. As I was preparing to walk to the Auditorium, I received word
that this tragedy had impacted our ministry.

Don and Jean Peterson were actively involved with the ministry. In addition
to being conference attendees, both were burdened for the Colony ministry.
Don served for a number a years as a volunteer counselor and Jean became a
faithful prayer warrior. Seeing Don’s passion and vision for the ministry,
we invited Don to serve on the Board of Trustees. He was a man of purpose,
determination, integrity, and commitment.

The Peterson’s were scheduled to leave for California for a family reunion
on the morning of September 11. Arriving early at the Newark International
Airport, they were bumped to an earlier flight. They were assigned to
Flight 93 that crashed on a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Several months after the tragedy we heard that a Bible had been found at the
crash site. Selfishly we were hoping that it belonged to Don or Jean. When
the rescue teams arrived at the crash site, there were only two things
visible – a tire and Don Peterson’s Bible. Tucked inside Don’s Bible was a
list of the men from the Colony of Mercy the he would be praying for during
the trip.

Don loved the Word of God. He believed that the Word was true and that it
could change and transform lives. How about you? Do you love the Word of
God? Are you spending time each day reading, meditating, and memorizing the
Word? It will change and transform your life.

Bill Welte

(from the book REAL VICTORY for REAL LIFE – 365 Devotional Thoughts in the
Spirit of America’s KESWICK)

To order your copy of this timely devotional, call the KESWICK Book & Gift
Shop at 1 (800) 453-7942 x. 31.

ANTICIPATION

This has been a very exciting time in our house this past few months. Some of you know that this has been the “year of the babies” in our family. Our daughter Laura gave birth to our second grand child in June (Lindsay Alice) and our daughter Julie and daughter-in-law, Jenny, is pregnant. I get three grandchildren in the span of several months.

We have been anticipating the birth of Julie’s daughter, Emma Grace for nine months and it looks like today is the day! Her water broke early this morning and today could be the day that Emma Grace makes her appearance. There have been many weeks and months of preparation to get ready for her arrival. Our son Zach has been so excited about her appearance. Every day he says, “Today could be today!” There has been a sense on anticipation on his part that is really cool.

As I have been reflecting on the anticipation of Emma’s birth, it has reminded me that this is the anticipation that should be a part of our lives as we think about the return of the Savior. Listen to the words of Paul from Romans 8:18-25:

“For I consider that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the ANXIOUS LONGING of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will also be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, WAITING EAGERLY (on tippy-toes!) for our adoption as sons, the redemption of the body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, for why does one also hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait EAGERLY for it.”

1 Thessalonians 2:13 — “Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ …”

Are you filled with anticipation of the Lord’s return? We ought to live our lives as if He was coming back today. Emma Grace, we are looking forward with ANTICIPATION to meeting you today.