GUARD YOUR MOUTH

“He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from trouble.” Proverbs 21:23

I feel like I am in really good company. Yesterday could have been one of those embarrassing moments. This morning as I was waking, the Fox News team were laughing about an incident that occurred to a CNN reported during President Bush’s news conference yesterday. Apparently a reporter went to the ladies room and didn’t know her mic was still on. Rather than the tech team turning it off — they left the mic run! Yikes.

Well that happened to me yesterday. During the morning service we were waiting for someone to come make an announcement and they were not there. I introduced the man from the Colony who was to give his testimony, walked off the platform and proceeded to walk out of the Raws Auditorium to find the person who was to make the announcement.

Little did I know that the mic was still on! Little did I know the long distance range of a remote mic! Thankfully what I said was minimal for my sanguine mouth. But everyone in the room heard my remarks. As I talked later with Robert and Joyce Hayes, we thought about how the Lord protected me … it is scary to think what I MIGHT have said. And I am even more thankful that I WASN’T in the restroom.

As I reflected on this throughout the day, I was reminded again that my words can have devastating effects. The things that we say to others may not necessarily get broadcasted over a PA system, but think how many times our words are repeated to others — sometimes the words can get twisted and taken out of context — and people are hurt and offended because of the misuse of our tongues.

Sometimes we say things that we don’t want anyone else to hear. Have you ever been in a situation where you were talking about someone thinking they weren’t there only to discover that they were standing right there or in close proximity?

Next time you are ready to say something unkind, untrue or unnecessary — ask yourself this question … would I say this if I knew that my words were being broadcasted over the PA system in my church? Or in the boss’s office?

Well think about it … You may think no one hears what you say — but God does! He hears it all — a sobering thought.

Good words to consider today.

Great Quote: ” . . . The great test of a man’s character is his tongue.” Oswald Chambers

TRANSFORMED

The Lord blessed us with a wonderful gift from a dear friend — a 18 year old motor home! We haven’t named her yet, but she has become a work in progress. We have had a good time the past few weeks working on her from the inside out. It started with removing all the old curtains and blinds which then led to peeling off some of the old “Sana toss” (not sure if that is even spelled right …) wallpaper that has become bubbled from sheer old age.

Then we ripped up the old carpet and began the task of laying new floor tiles on the wooden floor. We started laying the tiles on Saturday afternoon and finished the task late Saturday night. While the floor looks great for two amateurs, as we stepped back to admire it, there is still work to be done. Our skills are limited so we still need some finishing touches like moldings and carpet treads where the upfront carpet meets the tile. The more we are into in, the more we realize that the trailer is a “work in progress.”

As I was laying in bed this morning trying to shake off the sleep cobwebs, the thought struck me that the trailer reminds me of our lives as Christians — we are works in progress. God is in the process of conforming and transforming our lives for HIS glory … we are a work in progress … Paul writes about this is several of his letters:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works that no one would boast. For we are His WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being TRANSFORMED into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” — 2 Corinthians 3:18

I am reminded of the illustration that Bill Gothard uses that our lives are like a painting that is still on the easel. The Master artist is painting the portrait of our lives and one day the masterpiece will be complete. My friend, rejoice today that the Master is at work in your life — transforming you from the INSIDE OUT. Your life is a work in progress.

Good words to ponder today.

Great quote: “Gracious souls are never perfectly at ease except they are in a state of nearness to Christ; for mark you, when they are not near to Christ they lose their peace. The nearer you are to Jesus, the nearer to the perfect calm of heaven; and the further from Jesus, the nearer to that troubled sea which images the continual unrest of the wicked. There is no peace to the man who does not dwell under the shadow of the cross; for Jesus is our peace, and if he be absent, our peace is absent too. I know that being justified, we have peace with God, but it is ‘through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ so that the justified man himself cannot reap the fruit of justification, except by abiding in Christ Jesus, who is the Lord and Giver of peace.” Charles Spurgeon, Sermon, “The Bride and the Bridegroom”

REDEEMING THE TIME

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

“These days we are bombarded with opportunities that entice us to invest our time and energy. Each day the voices of urgency cry out for every available moment. So many causes promise that time spent on them will reap great rewards; how can we recognize God’s voice among so many competing voices?

A fool makes unwise choices with his time. With every new opportunity that comes along, the fool chases off in a different direction, not questioning whether that is the best choice. The loudest voice gains his attention. At some point the fool discovers to his dismay that he has squandered the investment of his time.

The days in which you live are evil. Marriages are under tremendous pressure; families are disintegrating. Multitudes are dying each year without hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Investing your life wisely is critical to you and to those around you. Foolishly spending your time in sinful or wasteful pursuits can you and others dearly.

Often, it is not evil pursuits that rob your time. Rather, the temptation is to sacrifice what is BEST for what is good. The enemy knows that blatantly tempting you with evil will be obvious, so he will lure you with distractions, leaving you no time to carry out God’s will. He will tempt you to so fill your schedule with GOOD things that you will have no time for GOD’S BEST. You may inadvertently substitute religious ACTIVITY for GOD’S WILL, pursuing your OWN goals for God’s kingdom instead of waiting for HIS assignment. Time is a precious commodity. Be sure to invest it wisely.” from the pen of Dr. Henry Blackaby — EXPERIENCING GOD DAY BY DAY — Devotional.

Several weeks ago I had a brief conversation with a 91-year old retired doctor who served in Africa for over 50 plus years. He was observing my schedule and activities and pulled me aside to give me some “grandfatherly” advice. He told me that early on in his ministry of medicine as Chief of Staff of the hospital, he was headed for burn-out. It was overwhelming to him that there were so many people that demanded his time and attention. One day he began to pray, “Lord, please only bring into my life today the people and things that I must handle for YOU today.” For fifty plus years he prayed that simple prayer and God answered. He was able to accomplish God’s purposes for his life and never experienced burn-out or fatigue. Good advice for those of us that face the pressures of life on a daily basis.

GREAT QUOTE: Work is a blessing. [YES! A BLESSING!] God has so arranged the world that work is necessary, and He gives us hands and strength to do it. The enjoyment of leisure would be nothing if we had only leisure. It is the joy of work well done that enables us to enjoy rest, just as it is the experiences of hunger and thirst that make food and drink such pleasures. – Discipline: The Glad Surrender — Elisabeth Elliot

AMAZING GRACE

I just finished reading a historical fiction book based on the life of John Newton, the “slave-ship captain turned pastor” and composer of the hymn AMAZING GRACE. Most of our hymnals include five of the seven stanzas from the original hymn. May these words penned by one who was overwhelmed by the grace and mercy of God, be a stimulant to you this morning as you prepare to worship HIM — the Author and Perfector of AMAZING GRACE.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear.
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun;
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.

The following epitaph penned by John Newton himself, is inscribed in marble resting beside the pulpit in his church:

John Newton
Clerk
Once and infidel and libertine,
A servant of slaves in Africa,
Was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ,
Preserved, Restored, Pardoned,
And appointed to preach the faith
He had long labored to destroy!

THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER

“What is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe . . . ” (Ephesians 1:19)

“Come, my heart, satisfy and delight yourself, this morning, with the thought of what your mighty God can do for you — the grace He is able to give you now — the glory He is reserving for you — the uplifting, upholding, strengthening, and preserving power which is all invested in His living hands on your behalf. Here is a storehouse of riches on which your largest demands can make no perceptible diminishment, and all this is YOURS!

EXCEEDING GREATNESS — Yes, Lord, more vast and wonderful than my poor finite mind can conceive. Your power bids the sun pour forth his radiant light and heat — your power holds the stars in space, and hangs the earth upon NOTHING — your power rules the universe with a WORD! Is it not exceeding great? All nature shows your handiwork, and your wondrous power is as much seen in the lowest forms of life and growth as in the higher developments of your creative hand. All the discoveries of science, all the revelations of its secrets which has so late surprised and delighted us, are but GLIMPSES of the infinite might and wisdom of the God whose ‘love is as great as his power, and knows neither measure or end.’

But, Lord, it is not on the majesty of your omnipotence as shown in your material world that I would meditate at this moment; it is the ‘power to us-ward who believe’ that enchains my heart, and thrills my soul with joy. Help me to draw near to you, dear Lord, humbly and reverently, that I may ‘see this great sight’; for though this is holy ground, and the bush burns with fire, there is no barrier as of old, to prevent a near approach to you, seeing that, now, we are made nigh by the blood of Christ…

Look to yourself, my soul. Is the exceeding greatness of your Lord’s power manifest in you as it should be? Blessed be his Name, you can say, ‘He has redeemed me from death and hell, pardoned my sins through the shedding of His precious blood, and given me a promise of life eternal in His presence.’ But what more? Those are gifts of His grace, the cornerstone of His mercy and love. What do you possess of the details of his mighty working, the filling up, as it were, of the great plan of his will and design concerning you? What does the ‘effectual working of his power’ produce in your heart and life? Are you wholly consecrated to his service? Have you given yourself and all that you have into his loving hands? Are you filled with his Holy Spirit? Does he control every thought, word and deed? Are all the powers of your being and all the possessions of both soul and body subject and surrendered to his absolute sway?

Put forth in me the mighty grace which will make my daily life a proof that you are working you own will in me, and giving me to know is some measure, ‘what is the exceeding greatness of his power to -us-ward who believe.” adapted from Susannah Spurgeon — Free Grace and Dying Love, published by our good friends at The Banner of Truth Trust.

Good words to consider today.

LIFE ON THE CUTTING EDGE

” . . . Who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness made strong.” (Hebrews 11:33, 34)

“Is faith a risk? Of course. But failing to step out in faith is to risk missing real life. I have been challenged by the following thought from an unknown author.

RISK

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To place our ideas, our dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.

Risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing , has nothing, is nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love … live. Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave; he has forfeited freedom.

What a privilege for us to be able to walk by faith in God Himself, armed with all the promises of His Word. I suppose we all desire the security of the solid tree trunk, but the fruit is out on the limb. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. The timid soul asks, ‘What do I stand to lose if I do it?’ The fruit-bearing Christian asks, ‘What do I stand to lose if I DON’T do it. Real life is lived on the cutting edge.” from DAILY IN CHRIST by Neil Anderson

Is God asking you to set out today BY FAITH to live on the cutting edge? If so, I’d love to hear about it. Drop me an email today.
Great Quote: Lord, I am no longer my own, but Yours. Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will. Let be employed by You or laid aside for You, exalted for You or brought low by You. Let me have all things, let me have nothing, I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are mine and I am Yours. So be it. Amen. John Wesley

TWENTY CANS OF SUCCESS PART 2

Here are ten more faith-builder truths from Dr. Neil Anderson’s devotional, DAILY IN CHRIST:

11. Why should I ever be in bondage knowing that there is liberty where the Spirit of the Lord is? (2 Corinthians 3:17)
12. Why should I ever feel condemned when the Bible says I am not condemned because I am in Christ? (Romans 8:1)
13. Why should I feel alone when Jesus said He is with me always and He will never leave me nor forsake me? (Matthew 28:28; Hebrews 13:5)
14. Why should I feel accursed or that I am the victim of bad luck when the Bible says that Christ redeemed me from the curse of the law that I might receive His Spirit? (Galatians 3:13, 14)
15. Why should I be discontented when I, like Paul, can learn to be content in all my circumstances? (Philippians 4:11)
16. Why should I feel worthless when Christ became sin on my behalf that I might become the righteousness of God in Him? (2 Corinthians 5:21)
17. Why should I have a persecution complex knowing that nobody can be against me when God is for me? (Romans 8:31)
18. Why should I be confused when God is the author of peace and He gives me knowledge through His indwelling Spirit? (1 Corinthians 14:33; 2:12)
19. Why should I feel like a failure when I am a conqueror in all things through Christ? (Romans 8:37)
20. Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its tribulations? (John 16:33)

Allow these 10 truths to burn into your heart and mind today. If you did not get the previous ten, you can get them from our website. If Freedom Fighter has encouraged you, why not share it with a friend. They can sign up right from the Keswick website: http://www.americaskeswick.org

SUCCESS COMES IN CANS — PART 1

Dr. Neil Anderson shares in his book, DAILY IN CHRIST, that success comes in “cans” and failure in “cannots.” Here shares ‘TWENTY CANS OF SUCCESS” to expand your knowledge of our faith-object- the Almighty God.

1. Why should I say I CAN’T when the Bible says I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength? (Philippians 4:13)
2. Why should I lack when I know that God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus? (Philippians 4:19)
3. Why should I fear when the Bible says God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind? (2 Timothy 2:7)
4. Why should I lack faith to fulfill my calling knowing that God has allotted to me a measure of faith? (Romans 12:3)
5. Why should I be weak when the Bible says that the Lord is the strength of my life and that I will display strength and take action because I know God? (Psalm 27:1; Daniel 11:32)
6. Why should I allow Satan supremacy over my life when He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world? (1 John 4:4)
7. Why should I accept defeat when the Bible says that God always leads me in triumph? (2 Corinthians 2:14)
8. Why should I lack wisdom when Christ becomes wisdom to me from God and God gives wisdom to me generously when I ask Him for it? (1 Corinthians 1:30; James 1:5)
9. Why should I be depressed when I can recall to my mind God’s lovingkindness, compassion, and faithfulness and have hope? (Lamentations 3:21-23)
10. Why should I worry and fret when I can cast all my anxiety on Christ who cares for me? (1 Peter 5:7)

Tomorrow I will share Part 2. Good principles for us to ponder!

Great Quote: I must confess that there are days when my circumstances don’t seem to lend themselves to worship. Days when I feel so caught up in my own problems or so pulled down by my own depression that entering into worship would almost feel hypocritical. What am I to do on those days? – On those days I am to worship anyway! I am to bring the Lord what the Bible calls sacrificial praise: ‘So through Jesus let us always offer to God our sacrifice of praise, coming from lips that speak His name.’ (Hebrews 13:15) Claire Cloninger

PASSIONATE ABOUT WHO I AM

Listening to the news last night before going to bed, I was interested to hear that many in the world consider today to be a significant day in history. Many see today as the day when the President of Iran will need to prove if he has the metal to be the world leader that he professes to be. Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad really believes that he is the one who will usher in the end times and is very passionate about who he is. Many fear that today is the day that he will attempt to follow through on his commitment to wipe Israel off the map.
One thing is certain about this Iranian President who needs Christ — he is passionate about what he believes. He is willing to do whatever it takes to be what Allah wants him to be and do. As I reflected on that last night, I was reminded of this reading, and was surprised to see it today in one of my devotionals.
Dr. Neil Anderson writes in his devotional DAILY IN CHRIST: “An African pastor was overwhelmed by rebels who demanded that he renounce his faith. He refused. The night before they took his life, he wrote the following lines on a scrap of paper:

I am part of the “Fellowship of the Unashamed.” I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I’ve stepped over the line. The decision has been made.
I am a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away and be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and
Dwarfed goals!

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by presence, lean faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t shut up, let up, burn up till I’ve preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops.
And when He comes to get His own, He’ll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!”

Would that we had that passion for Christ. Good words to ponder today on this August 22, 2006.

DIG DEEPER — TEN THINGS ABOUT CLAIMING HOLY GROUND

Yesterday in church, my mentor and friend, Dr. Robert Alderman shared a powerful message from Exodus 3 entitled TEN THINGS ABOUT CLAIMING HOLY GROUND from the life of Moses. I want to share these ten principles with you with the prayer that you will dig deeper on your own:

1. Claiming holy ground is not vocationally dependent. (Exodus 3:1) Moses was tending sheep

2. Claiming holy ground is enhanced by our separation from the distractions of life. What steals my attention from pursuing God? Are you willing for a backside of the desert experience? (Exodus 3:1)

3. Claiming holy ground is dependent on our willingness to come just as we are to where God is. (Exodus 3:1) Moses didn’t get cleaned up before going to the mountain to meet God. He came just as we was.

4. Claiming holy ground is dependent on our willingness to come just as we are to where God is and where there is likely to be no one else but GOD! Nothing but God. (Exodus 3:1)

5. Claiming holy ground is based on our willingness to be approached by a messenger of God, which includes fire: to bring about purity, to make useable what is unusable, and to destroy that which is not useful. (Exodus 3:2)

6. Claiming holy ground is based on our willingness to approach God even where there are unexplainable and uncertain factors. (Exodus 3:3)

7. Claiming holy ground is based on our willingness to go one on one with God. (Exodus 3:4)

8. Claiming holy ground is based on our willingness to accept the limitations of God. (Exodus 3:5) God draws the lines! This principle is worth looking at. Even in our Christian circles we are uncomfortable with and forget that GOD does draw the lines in terms of what HE expects from us. (Exodus 3:5)

9. Claiming holy ground is based on our willingness to honor with my actions the holiness of God. (Exodus 3:5)

10. Claiming holy ground is base on our willingness to affirm my encounter with the God of history. (Exodus 3:6)

Good principles for your consideration. Take the text and principles and dig deeper.

This week on KESWICK TODAY, Diane Hunt, our Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries for Women, shares our vision for reaching women in addiction as we seek God’s timing for our residential program for women. You can listen to KESWICK TODAY right from our website: http://www.americaskeswick.org.