ARE YOU A GRACELESS CHRISTIAN?

Bible teacher and author Richard Blackaby (son of Henry, author of Experiencing God) says that “many Christians have lost the wonder of what God’s grace as done for them. They have fallen into a debilitating send of self-centered entitlement, behaving as if God exists solely to serve them and to make them happy. These people have forgot how hopeless their situation was before God rescued them by His grace. They overlook the fact that God is not obligated to redeem them or walk with them daily or to answer their prayers or even to continue loving them when they act intolerably.”

He goes on to say “that our generation may be one of the most self-centered in history. There is a chronic condition in our society that is far more widespread than is generally acknowledged. It affects most Christians. It causes are difficult to understand but its symptoms are obvious. And it seems to be contagious. It is perplexing to witness. It is inexcusable as it is pervasive. It contradicts the very purpose of Christ’s death on the cross.”

“A baffling reality is that the richest people in the world can be some of the stingiest tightwads. Those who have the most can be the least willing to show generosity to others. While ‘Amazing Grace’ may be a popular hymn among millions of believers, it is not the lifestyle of choice for many. Here are some examples of graceless Christians:

* People complain they ‘got nothing out of the service’ because the worship leader did not schedule any of THEIR favorite hymns.
* Members angrily leave the church because the pastor changed the format of the service.
* Believers become resentful toward God because He did not answer THEIR prayers the way THEY wanted Him to.
* People leave the church auditorium promptly at twelve o’clock hour whether the pastor is finished speaking or not.
* Church leaders are slandered by people who have been ‘overlooked’ for prominent positions.
* Two Christians refuse to forgive one another.
* Members leave the church because the Pastor talks too much about giving.
* Christian parents refuse to speak to their adult son or daughter because he or she did not heed their advice.”

From PUTTING A FACE ON GRACE — Living a Life Worth Passing On by Richard Blackaby. Published by Multnomah and available from the Keswick Bookstore (732-350-1187 ext. 31)

Are you a graceless Christian? I would love to dialog about this. What are some other ways that we can demonstrate that we are GRACELESS CHRISTIANS?

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WISE GUYS
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 26:12

Proverbs writers don’t hold fools in high regard. Their comments on the man who lives as a fool are scathing. That’s what makes this verse in chapter 26 so astonishing. The wisdom writer has just used eleven verses giving us a completely unflattering description of a fool. In one verse he paints a picture of the “smart guy.” Even the fool has more hope than the “wise guy” who thinks he knows everything.

I’ve noticed through the years that men with life-dominating sins often have the “I’m smarter than everyone else” mind frame. They don’t need help because they don’t have a problem. If they admit they have a problem, they can handle it by themselves. I’ve seen it with alcoholics, drug abusers and men with sexual addictions.

Hear me clearly: those of us who read this who think we know it all, who are “wise in our [own] eyes,” live in dangerous territory. The Wisdom Writer tells us of our lack of hope. Do you hear what he’s saying? If you or I live as “wise guys,” we’re just about hopeless! No one can help us because we don’t even know we need help!

I wonder if writing these words is something like running into a brick wall. Somebody reading this Freedom Fighter needs to hear this verse. I fear that the one or more who need to hear it won’t because they are “wise guys.” If you sense anger while reading these words, you probably need them. If you think they’re for someone else, you probably need them. If you sense God’s Spirit driving them home to you, you definitely need to hear them!

How do you respond if you’re a “wise guy?” Ask God to search your heart and show you if you qualify as a “wise guy.” Read Psalm 139:23&24. Pray those words back to God with a willing and open heart. Choose to listen as God shows you truth about you.

Wisdom Writer didn’t say no hope exists for the man who is “wise in his own eyes.” God is mightier than our biggest issues. He can free us from our bondages and from ourselves. Choose to reject the “wise guy” lifestyle. Choose humility before God. Let those who care about you help you. Hope still exists . . . even for “wise guys!”

Don’t forget: “Wise guys” become wise when they quit being “wise guys.” (Pastor John Strain — First Baptist of Toms River)

GREAT QUOTE: Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.

Charles Wesley

RALPH CARMICHAEL BAND AND DAVE BOYER in concert — Friday, July 7th — Tickets $15 — Special Freedom Fighter Price $10. Call today for reservations — 800-453-7942.

CONFRONTING WICKEDNESS

A righteous man who falters before the wicked is like a murky spring and a polluted well. Proverbs 25:26

What do you do when confronted with wickedness? You and I have options. We can turn the other way. We can resist. Some encounters with “the wicked” will demand that hide ourselves (remember the prudent from chapter 22?). Some of us don’t see wickedness as dangerous, so we hang around it. We tolerate more than we should. We even enjoy it a little bit.

Wisdom Writers want us to understand the danger of wickedness and the damage it does to us. They want us to understand the consequences of dancing with the devil. I worked for a furniture company while I was in Bible college. I spent every afternoon in a delivery truck with a chain-smoker. When I returned to the college campus for dinner each afternoon, I could see other students sniffing as I walked by. I reeked of the cigarette smoke!

Wickedness does that to us. These lines paint a graphic word picture for us. If we hang around the wicked . . . if we let wickedness live close to us, we’ll discover its smell becomes our smell. Its influence will make us like a spring murky and useless. Imagine you’ve worked at a hard, dirty job all day. You come home pretty filthy, and you want a long hot bath. Think about the bath water after you’ve used it to get clean. That’s what you and I look like when we hang around wickedness!

This verse brings caution to us, and we can’t misunderstand it. It warns us about the people we hang out with. The writer wants us to think about our entertainment choices. He wants us to think about what we read. Everything we allow into our lives comes up for review after reading this verse! Wicked people and wicked things pollute our lives. Wickedness ensures our defeat in the fight for freedom.

Yesterday, the Wisdom Writer warned us about fainting from lack of strength. Today, he warns us about faltering before gross, useless, polluting wickedness. I pray every Freedom Fighter who reads this will reject even the mildest form of wickedness and avoid polluting his soul.

Don’t forget: Murky springs and polluted wells aren’t becoming to Freedom Fighters. (Pastor John Strain — First Baptist of Toms River)

GREAT QUOTE: Pride slays thanksgiving, but an humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow. A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.

Harry Ward Beecher

HOW TO HANDLE ADVERSITY

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Proverbs 24:10

Freedom fighting isn’t for the faint of heart. Every day won’t be a good day, and some days you’ll wonder if fighting is worth the effort. You’ll get discouraged. Some days you’ll feel defeated. When those days come, I hope you’ll remember that all of us who fight for freedom experience the same thing.

Proverbs 24:10 gives us a good reminder for those “hopeless” days. I’d like you to notice the assumption this verse brings us. It assumes adversity will come. No one lives without it. When thinking about adversity, the issue is “when,” not “if.” So, all of us should prepare for it.

We also should notice the possibility of fainting. If any of us get to the place where we think we’re beyond failure, we’ve just gotten too big for our britches! I heard just this week of a man who had been sober for more than ten years and started drinking again. It is always too soon to think we’ve arrived, since we’re never really sure what we’ll do when adversity comes knocking at our door.

We also need to think about that “your strength is small” line. Proverbs exhorts us to pursue wisdom, instruction, knowledge and understanding. The Wisdom Writer also tells us to listen to wise counsel, that it provides safety for us. The whole purpose of The Proverbs, to live life skillfully, prepares us to face adversity. If we choose to absorb all Lady Wisdom offers, we’ll have strength for the day of adversity. If we live as “the simple,” we’ll have no strength. We’ll faint when adversity hits.

I think we see a final assumption in this verse. The Wisdom Writer says “if you faint.” You and I don’t have to faint! We can live with confidence (not cockiness) when we diligently build strength of character by pursuing wisdom. Not one of us who reads this has to faint. Every one of us can choose to pursue strength by living out the daily disciplines of reading the Scriptures, prayer, practicing accountability and avoiding evil.

Don’t forget: Adversity will come. If you’re prepared, it doesn’t have to win. (Pastor John Strain — First Baptist of Toms River)

Great Quote for Today: Outside of Christ, I am only a sinner, but in Christ, I am saved. Outside of Christ, I am empty; in Christ, I am full. Outside of Christ, I am weak; in Christ, I am strong. Outside of Christ, I cannot; in Christ, I am more than able. Outside of Christ, I have been defeated; in Christ, I am already victorious. How meaningful are the words, “in Christ.”

Watchman Nee

WINNING THE BATTLE

Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12

Buy the truth, and do no sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding. Proverbs 23:23

These two lines from the Wisdom Writer go together. Verse twenty-three tells us to buy; verse twelve tells us to apply what we buy. Freedom Fighters who want to “live life skillfully,” will practice the two disciplines of “buy and apply.”

Notice from these lines that gaining the wisdom we need to fight for freedom requires initiative. This dual pursuit of wisdom and freedom demands ongoing engagement and discipline. We must engage our minds in the pursuit of wisdom. We must exercise regular discipline in applying wisdom to our daily lives.

Too many of us want to live by the old adage “let go and let God.” While there is a kernel of truth in that adage, it allows people to live far too passively. We know God has to be at work in our lives if we’re to achieve true victory. No one argues against that. He never, however, gives us liberty to sit back and let Him do all the work. When we see words like flee, resist, put on the whole armor, apply, etc., we understand that God expects initiative from us.

The Wisdom Writer tells us to “buy the truth.” I believe that means that we’re to pursue truth along with wisdom, instruction and understanding. Go back to Proverbs 1, and you’ll see those four qualities provide the foundation upon which we build our lives. It’s also a lifelong pursuit because we all need regular reminders of the truth.

Buying isn’t enough, however. We must apply what we’ve bought. If we want to keep the “buy” metaphor, think about it this way. You come into some big money. You go buy the car of your dreams. You have it delivered to your house, put it in the garage and never use it. You don’t even learn how to use all the controls. It just sits there. So it is with instruction, truth and words of knowledge. Without application they’re just like your dream car. They do you know good unless you figure out how they should work into your life and change you.

Choose initiative and engagement. Buy and apply. Discover true freedom as you do.

Don’t forget: Sitting around waiting isn’t how you win the battle! (Pastor John Strain — First Baptist of Toms River)

Join us for the DAVE BOYER AND RALPH CARMICHAEL BAND in concert, FRIDAY, JULY 7th! Special rate for Freedom Fighters. Call for details — 732-350-1187

A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on
and are punished.

Proverbs 22:3

Freedom Fighters desperately need this instruction. We need to know
when to run and when to fight. Sometimes wisdom dictates what great
football coaches have known for years. The best offense is often a good
defense.

This line from the Wisdom Writers occurs again in chapter 27. A line
from Proverbs 14:16 reinforces it. Men who fight for freedom should
become familiar with all three instructions. We need to get this
clearly. At times in our lives when evil assaults us, hiding from it is
a positive alternative. Fighting or flirting with evil will do us more
damage than good.

Some who read this may think that hiding is comparable to cowardice.
Not so according to God’s Word! We may not know the word “prudent.” It
describes the man who acts with care and thought for the future. In
military terms, the prudent man knows when to retreat so he can live to
fight another day. Prudent men know when to fight and when to hide.
They don’t hide because they’re cowards. They hide because they’ve
thought carefully and wisely about the evil that confronts them.

Each of us can choose to prudence or simple foolishness. We can
exercise foresight and discernment, or we can walk right into evil and
pay the price. The Wisdom Writer makes the choice and the results clear
for us. He helps us understand the options and provides simple wisdom
that protects us.

I wonder why this is so hard for us. What makes us think we must always
fight? What makes us consider playing with or flirting with evil?
Maybe we don’t understand the “evilness” of evil. “Oh, it’s not all
that bad,” may describe our thinking. Buying that line of thinking
means we’re gullible for anything Satan wants to throw at us. We’ve
truly become “the simple” of Proverbs 22:3!

So, here’s the deal. Are we prudent or simple? Do we choose to live
wisely or foolishly? This instruction is really clear. When we see the
tornado of evil coming our way, we head for the basement! We don’t try
to outrun it or resist it. We stay out of its way.

Don’t forget: The best offense against evil is knowing when to hide!

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than
sacrifice.

Proverbs 21:3

Have you ever done something wrong and then tried to make it right? You
gave a larger offering at church, or you worked harder at some project.
Maybe you went out of your way to do something at home to please your
wife or children. We often think that we can make up for sin or failure
by “doing” something that will make God or our families happy with us.

The Wisdom Writer lets us know that doesn’t work. Instead of trying to
make up for our wrongs, God just wants us to do right. The Outback
Steakhouse slogan impresses me. “No rules, just right.” The owners and
managers of their franchises train the employees just to do the right
thing. They’re not loaded down with rules.

So it is with God with one very positive exception. We have a Book and
the Holy Spirit to help us discern right from wrong. We’re not left in
the dark to figure out the “right” thing. We who follow Jesus and
pursue freedom need not quibble over right and wrong. We definitely
shouldn’t try to fool God, family and friends, by making some incredible
sacrifice after choosing wrong over right.

I believe this line from Proverbs holds a major key to winning the fight
for freedom. We simply need to commit ourselves to righteousness. We
need to choose righteousness. We need to pursue righteousness. We need
to hunger for righteousness. (Matthew 5:6) Once we’ve made those
commitments, we must reject anything that is unrighteous. These
decisions happen in two ways. We make an initial consecration of our
lives to righteousness. Then, with God’s grace, we renew the
consecration each day for the rest of our lives.

Freedom Fighters want what God wants. We pursue what God wants. We
reject what God dislikes. We do that every day. We do it every hour.
We do it every minute if necessary. We just do it.

God’s Word will strengthen our resolve to choose righteousness. God’s
people will help us continue to pursuit. God’s Spirit resides in us to
empower us toward right choices. We CAN pursue righteousness and
justice. It’s a choice we make. We can pursue successfully, too.

As we live righteously, we can learn the joy of sacrifice to God for all
the right reasons!

Don’t forget: You can’t buy your way out of the consequences of sin with
sacrifices.

TRUTH AND WISDOM’S PROTECTION

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. Proverbs 20:1

Initially, I thought this verse was too obvious to use for today’s Freedom Fighter. I had an inclination to go a different direction, but after reflection decided this was the place for all of us today.

Depending upon the life-dominating sin that attacks your life, you may think this verse doesn’t apply to you. Do me a favor. Drop in pornography, drugs, food, money or any other sin that dominates your life in this verse and then apply it to your life.

We’ve talked already this month about Satan’s treacherous and deceptive tricks. The nature of our struggle for freedom doesn’t matter. This verse addresses the reality of consequences when we allow sin to dominate our lives. Our thinking goes like this. “One drink will help us.” “One look at that picture will make us feel better.” “Buying that newest and best toy will ease the pain I feel.” Lies! That thinking has it roots in the lies that Satan so ably sells us. It’s all a lie, and it will ultimately lead us astray.

If we choose to listen to the lie, God’s Word labels us as those not wise. We become those who wander from the safe way marked by truth and wisdom. Most of us who read this email every day have known some of that wandering, and we know the damage that comes when we lose our way.

All of this pushes me to remind you why Proverbs is so important. God gives us these thirty-one chapters to help us “live life skillfully.” It will help us embrace truth and wisdom and reject lies and foolishness. Every Freedom Fighter needs that help! The help is yours if you’ll allow the Wisdom Writers to become your friends. Read one chapter each day of the month and do it month after month. Ask God’s Spirit to bring wisdom home to your heart and mind. Allow Him to apply that wisdom to your life month after month.

Those life-dominating sins, based on lies from hell, will put us in the ditch. Truth and wisdom will protect us from the sins, from the lies and from the ditch. Pursue wisdom from the Wisdom Writers today.

Don’t forget: Truth will keep you safe. Lies will drive you to the ditch! (Pastor John Strain — First Baptist of Toms River)

THE ART OF LISTENING

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. Proverbs 19:20

Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. Proverbs 19:27

I have these two verse numbers circled in my Bible with a line in the margin connecting them. Like all Freedom Fighters, I need both lines of instruction. Life gets no less complicated as all of us get older. Temptation doesn’t retire from our lives when we reach a certain age. We all need increasing wisdom as the days in which we live get more evil.

That wisdom to “live life skillfully” comes our way through counsel and instruction. We receive it in several different ways. Reading the Word of God regularly will counsel and instruct us. Good and godly friends can provide counsel and instruction if we’re willing to open our lives to them. Consistent attendance in a good, Bible-teaching church offers God’s Spirit time to teach us wisdom and instruction.

Listening is the key, however. If we get all that counsel and instruction without listening, we’ll live our latter days without wisdom. If we pay attention to the counsel and attention God brings into our lives, we’ll live out our latter days full of wisdom.

The Proverbs Writer brings us to look at the dark side of the listening issue, too. While wisdom comes our way when we do listen, danger awaits us if we don’t listen. We all know the consequences of not listening. Most of us have paid heavy prices for thinking we knew better than those who offered counsel and instruction.

If I could paraphrase verse twenty-seven, here is what I would say: Quit paying attention to your teachers, my son, and you’re bound to get into trouble. When we learned to drive, the person teaching us continually told us to keep our eyes on the road. I’m a sightseer, and I have to be careful. When I take my eyes off the road, the car often strays from the center of the lane. That’s not a good thing!

So it is in life. If we quit listening to wise counsel and godly instruction, we’ll stray from the safe path God has for us. We’ll get into trouble. The option to listen or not to listen is ours. Freedom Fighters who wage the battle for moral purity and godliness will choose to listen.

Don’t forget: Wisdom comes through listening. Danger comes when we don’t listen. (Pastor John Strain — First Baptist of Toms River)

TWO GREAT CONCERTS COMING UP AT AMERICA’S KESWICK:
Dinner Concert with Steve and Annie Chapman — Saturday, June 24th 6:30 PM — Call today for reservations: 800-453-7942.
Ralph Carmichael Band and Dave Boyer — Friday evening, July 7th. Call today for a special Freedom Fighter for this concert only.

Have a great day!

Happy Father’s Day. I am currently in Minnesota enjoying our grandson Tanner and our brand new granddaughter, Lindsay Alice, who was born on Wednesday. My good friend and my Pastor, John Strain, has been blessing our hearts by sharing some fresh thoughts from the book of Proverbs.

On Friday was bonding with Lindsay and caught a segment on Good Morning America on the value of a father from the perspective of what a he’s worth around the house. Our society has de-valued the American male, picturing him as lazy, stupid, and inferior to women. I found it interesting that this feature showed that more and more Dad’s are taking on more responsibility in the home. Not only are they doing their “normal” chores, they are helping with the cooking, cleaning and a number of other tasks at home.

“The survey found the average American dad who worked full time typically spent 39.6 hours a week doing work around the house,” reported Good Morning America. The survey goes on to report that “according to a Salary.com survey conducted exclusively for “Good Morning America,” dads would earn $71,160.45 a year if paid in real wages.”
The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:2 commanded us to do what God commanded the children of Israel: “Honor you father . . . ” The Amplified Bible says: “esteem and value as precious your father . . . ” Note that it doesn’t place any conditions on honoring Dad. It isn’t about “if Dad does this … I will honor him.” Dad’s are imperfect. They make mistakes. Sometimes big mistakes. But if they are following God, they are doing their best for their kids. By the way, this command which was given to Moses was one of the original ten — it wasn’t a suggestion up for debate.
Now that I am a grandfather, I am looking at fatherhood through a different set of lenses as I am watching my kids as adults. My son, Josh, is soon to become a Dad and will look at parenting quite differently. He is going to make a great Dad because of the way that I have seen him treat his wife. Howard Hendricks said that the best thing a man can do for his son is to love his mother. Josh treats Jenny with love and respect. I am very proud of him.
I know how that the responsibility of honoring my son and two son-in-laws, Garrett and Jon, as they take up the mantle of fathering my grandkids. It is a privilege to honor them and esteem them as precious. I want to transfer that truth to my grandkids too, teaching them how important it is to love, respect and honor their Dads.
When we arrived in Minnesota, Tanner was trying to call me “Grandpa” but the other day out of the clear blue, he called me “Pop Pop.” I have to admit that when he first said those words, a HUGE knot formed in my throat and my eyes filled with tears. That’s what my kids called my Dad. What an honor to be called “Pop Pop.” I have huge shoes to fill.
And you know what guys, if you have a Dad that is still on this side of heaven, don’t miss the opportunity to call him today and honor him. My Dad has been in heaven for 20 years this year and I still miss him as if it was yesterday. Dad, I love you and miss you so much.
Have a great Father’s Day.