LIVING IN THE LIGHT

“For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light. . . .” Proverbs 6:23

Constant reminder may be the best benefit of reading Proverbs every month. The writers remind us of things best avoided and of things best remembered. Much of chapter six reminds us of things from which we ought to run. Right in the middle of, however, Solomon makes sure we remember how to stay on track.

He tells us that the commandment (God’s Word) is a lamp. The law (God’s Word) is a light. This Word of God has the power to light our way. Think about driving down a dark road at night without lights on your car. If you choose to drive through life without God’s Word, you almost certainly will wind up in some ditch!

The psalmist said it this way: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (119:105) If we choose to fight for freedom from bondage, we better choose the right weapons for the fight. The commandment and the law help us see what lurks in the darkness that can do us damage. Without the light of God’s Word, we’re just asking for trouble.

The question is simple. Do you make time for the Scriptures? This commandment . . . this law . . . this light protects us from Satan and his devices. It’s like a flashlight without batteries, though, if we don’t allow it to saturate our lives. That saturation can’t happen without disciplined time in God’s Word regularly.

Again, the psalmist helps us see the importance of this Book. Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. (119:11) We’re just a week away from Memorial day, a day set aside to honor those who have died to defend our country. The day reminds us that freedom is never free; it always has a cost.

If you choose to pursue freedom from life-dominating sins, be prepared to pay the cost. Freedom demands disciplined time with the commandment that is a lamp and the law that is light. You and I will never know freedom without them!

Don’t forget: If you live in the dark without the light, you will wind up in the ditch! (Pastor John Strain — First Baptist of Toms River)

“My son, pay attention to my wisdom. . . .” Proverbs 5:1

I’ve learned a few things through more than thirty-five years of ministry. One thing stands out as I think about this line from Proverbs. People caught in the throes of addiction don’t want to listen to wisdom. While it doesn’t make sense, my experience tells me that people in bondage to some habit think they know more than anyone else.

I’ve counseled people who drink, gamble, eat too much and engage in sexual sin. Even as I type these words I think about how remarkably unsuccessful I’ve been in those counseling situations. Some of the failure may be lack of skill. Much of it, however, results from people who won’t listen to wisdom from God’s Word.

People who read these Freedom Fighter emails, at least many of them, read because they want freedom from some life-dominating sin. Chapters 5, 6 & 7 of Proverbs all address the issue of sexual sin. Some commentators believe that some of this teaching speaks to the problem of spiritual adultery. They suggest that the “immoral woman” (3:3) may be anything that causes us to be unfaithful to God’s instructions.

While that may be true in part, I believe much of this instruction warns us about the dangers of sexual sin. These are hard chapters to read, especially if you’ve been guilty of any of these offenses. They tell us how to avoid the same sins in the future, however. We need to listen!

If you remember, Proverbs is about living life skillfully. We live in a world full of sexual land mines. Navigating the dangers requires more of us than we naturally can do. Others who have already navigated the territory can help us avoid the dangers. We need to listen!

Those who don’t listen, who don’t receive the instruction of those with more wisdom, live in danger. The Proverbs writer tells us that those who think they know all they need to know will “die for lack of instruction.” (3:23) We need to listen!

I have one goal in writing Freedom Fighters this month. I want all of us men to learn how to live life skillfully . . . safely . . . freely. God’s Word knows more than we do. Some people in our lives know more than we do. We need to listen!

Don’t forget: listening to wisdom protects us from danger! (Pastor John Strain — First Baptist of Toms River)

Listen this week on Keswick Today as Jim George shares WHAT GOD WANTS FOR YOU — 20 Ways to Experience His Power. Listen right from the website: http://www.americaskeswick.org.

GUARDING AND KEEPING YOUR HEART

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

God designed us with a “control center” that He calls the “heart.” It’s the place where we know God and from which life issues come.

Solomon’s warning is clear and simple. We need to guard our hearts. The issues that determine whether we live free or enslaved to some habit begin as heart issues. Ultimately, we are responsible for the decisions that begin in this “control center” called the “heart.”

Jesus made that clear in His teachings. Check out Matthew 5:21-30 where He says that murder and adultery begin in the heart. Then later in Matthew (15:11-20), He lets us know that the things that come out of our mouths that defile us begin in our hearts (vs. 18).

Your heart and my heart need guarding. We have the responsibility to do that guarding. Steve Green sings a song titled “Guard Your Heart.” He sings of wrecked homes and hearts torn in two when hearts go unguarded. Some of us who read Freedom Fighter understand those lyrics. We know the pain that comes from choosing to not guard our hearts.

We each have to choose to guard that “control center” of our lives from which come the issues of life. How do we do that? Maybe choice is the key word.

First, we have to choose to obey the Word of God that tells us “keep our heart with all diligence.” Once we’ve made the choice, then we have to go to work on the diligence issue. The world in which we live doesn’t give us an opportunity to let down our guard. As soon as we do, we’ll discover temptation waiting to take over.

A man in my church has struggled in the past with pornography and impure thought issues. He has overcome those attacks. Just recently he told me that he “prays on the armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10-17) each morning before he finishes his quiet time. He has also asked me to hold him accountable in this area of his life.

You can guard your heart. It’s a matter of choice. And you’ll probably want someone you trust to help you. I have three men who get a report every week on my computer usage. Simply put, they help me guard my heart.

Don’t forget: your heart is worth guarding! (Pastor John Strain — First Baptist of Toms River)

Have a blessed Lord’s day, my friend.

SAFETY FOR THE JOURNEY

Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. Proverbs 3:22

I’m bypassing two of the most familiar verses in all the Bible today. (See Proverbs 3:5&6) Another line of wisdom from this chapter jumps out at me today. It’s especially appropriate for a Freedom Figther since many who fight for freedom from sin and/or addictions need to know safety. It’s easy to live in fear when we want to resist sin and temptation but know intimately the frustration of continuing failure.

Solomon tells us we can walk safely through the land mines on the landscape of our lives. Some of you probably doubt that; your experience tells you otherwise. Maybe you just need a new experience.

Back up with me and look at Proverbs 3:19-22. The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew. My son, let them not depart from your eyes-Keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck.

Understanding, knowledge, wisdom and discretion recur frequently in Proverbs. We need close acquaintance with these character qualities. In the verses you just read, Solomon gives us the key to safety. As we keep sound wisdom and discretion before our eyes (perhaps by reading God’s word regularly?), they bring life and safety to us.

We must learn these lessons to live safely. We don’t know on our own how to live free. Only God can build into our lives genuine freedom that brings true safety. He is the one who, by teaching us wisdom and discretion, can bring us away from danger into sure safety. It’s a safety that lets us sleep without fear and address danger with confidence.

All of us have failed somewhere along the journey. Solomon convinces me that choosing to keep wisdom and discretion in the fear of the Lord (vs. 7) before our eyes can change us. Instead of knowing a little victory with much failure, we can be men who know much victory with little failure.

Don’t forget: Safety for the journey is ours if we’ll have it! (written by Pastor John Strain — First Baptist of Toms River)

Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:5
THE FEAR OF THE LORD

Yesterday we thought about the fear of the Lord (1:1), and we defined it as a reverent, humble and obedient attitude toward God. It is the beginning of knowledge, particularly the knowledge we need to live lives marked by victory over sin. We also considered vs. 29 and learned that some choose not to pursue this very healthy fear.

Today we come to Proverbs 2 and see the fear of the Lord in play again. How does it become a part of our lives? How can this fear of the Lord begin to change the way we think and how we make choices? Solomon tells us in vs.5 and the verses that precede it. Take time to read vss. 1-5. Watch the progression. My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you. . . .

Some choose not to pursue the fear of the Lord. We know that already. Solomon also lets us know what happens if we make the other choice-to discover the fear of the Lord and its benefit for our lives. If we receive God’s words and apply them to our lives we’re on the right track.

But there’s more. Notice vs. 4: If you seek her (wisdom) as silver, And search for her as hidden treasure. . . . Too many of us want something to happen to us, some experience that just comes out of the sun and makes us different. It doesn’t work that way. We’ll not discover the fear of the Lord and its power by sitting around waiting.

Proverbs 2:1-5 lets us know that we have to do at least three things. We have to listen to God’s Word in a positive way-hoarding it in our hearts and minds as valuable treasure. We also have to cry out for discernment (the ability to choose the best thing among multiple choices). Then we have to search for God’s wisdom with and energy and passion. We pursue it as though it were buried treasure.

Grasping the fear of the Lord comes by listening, crying out and searching. As God brings wisdom, discernment and understanding to our minds and hearts, we will experience the fear of the Lord. We’ll see reverence, humility and obedience develop in our lives. Steadily, we’ll see change occur that makes victory the norm and failure abnormal.

Don’t forget: Listen . . . cry out . . . search . . . and you’ll understand the fear of the Lord.

Today’s Freedom Fighter is a part of a 30-day series written by my good friend, Pastor John Strain, First Baptist of Toms River, New Jersey.

Introduction to Proverbs

I offered to do a month of Freedom Fighters from the book of Proverbs, and Bill Welte accepted the offer. He has faithfully done this email seven days a week for a long time, and I thought he might need a break.

Many years ago a pastor challenged me to read a chapter of Proverbs a day, getting through the book in a month. Then he challenged me to keep doing that every month of every year. I accepted his challenge, and I’ve been reading Proverbs for the better part of fifteen years.

The introduction to this book in my Bible (a New King James Version published by Broadman and Holman) explains why reading Proverbs is so important and so beneficial. Allow me to share it with you: The key word in Proverbs is wisdom, “the ability to live life skillfully.” A godly life in an ungodly world, however, is no simple assignment. Proverbs provides God’s detailed instructions for His people to deal successfully with the practical affairs of everyday life: how to relate to God, parents, children, neighbors and government. Solomon, the principal author, uses a combination of poetry, parables, pithy questions, short stories, and wise maxims to give in strikingly memorable form the common sense and divine perspective necessary to handle life’s issues.

I pray you’ll find this thirty-one-day journey through Proverbs helpful, challenging and instructive. One month isn’t enough, though. I hope you’ll “catch” Proverbs fever in a way that will bring you back to this insightful book every day for the rest of your life. After reading it monthly for almost fifteen years, I can promise you that you’ll never exhaust its wisdom!

My plan is simple: I’m reading the book in May, and I’m going to rely on God’s Spirit to make one thought stand out each day as I read the chapter for that day. I invite you to read a chapter a day with me in June, and I’ll share one thought with you from that day’s chapter. The purpose of Proverbs, as with all God’s Word, is not information. He’s looking for transformation that will make us more like Jesus. Spending time in Proverbs will help you experience that transformation from the inside out.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Think with me today about “the fear of the Lord.” The phrase occurs fourteen times in Proverbs, and Solomon says it “the beginning of knowledge.” (1:7) This concept put to work in our lives is the foundation upon which everything else rests. If we are to know true freedom in Christ, we must grasp the power behind “the fear of the Lord.”

I’ve discovered through the years that the idea isn’t so easy to define. God doesn’t want us to be afraid of Him. He does want us to give Him reverence and respect. He wants us to stand in awe of Him as we recognize His greatness and our lack of greatness. This fear of the Lord is a combination, I think, of three things: reverence, humility and a willing obedience to His instructions.

Freedom Fighters original intent was clear-to help men avoid and overcome habitual sin in our lives. Solomon says that freedom begins with “the fear of the Lord.” How often have you and I walked into some kind of sin without ever thinking about how our conduct or thinking would affect God? When “the fear of the Lord,” that reverent, humble, obedient attitude of which Solomon speaks is at work in our lives, we think before we act. Something-someone-has become more important than our own desires and passions.

If you and I will know freedom in our lives, this is where it begins. You may be thinking Ok, how does this work? How do I begin to fear the Lord? Those are worthwhile questions. Solomon gives us answers in chapters 1 & 2. We’ll look at one part of the answer today. We’ll discover more of the answer tomorrow.

Much of life is about choices. We already know that. We may not know that living out “the fear of the Lord” is a choice, too. Look at vs. 29 in chapter 1: Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. God tells us that some will call on Him (vs. 28), but He will not answer. Their choosing not to choose “the fear of the Lord” prompts Him not to answer when they call.

What kind of choices have you made recently? Do they reflect reverence, humility and obedience toward God? Or, do they reveal a level of self-centeredness that pushes us to choose behaviors that can only lead us away from this great God who loves us?

Don’t forget: The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge!

Today’s Freedom Fighter was written by Pastor John Strain — First Baptist of Toms River. Good word for today.

“A WHACK ON THE SIDE OF THE HEAD” STORY

I just finished reading a book that will go on my list of the most influential books I have ever read. The book was written by Rick Johnson, president of BETTER DADS. The book — BETTER DADS, STRONGER SONS . . . How Fathers Can Guide Boys to Become Men of Character is a must read for fathers of any age. I am going to try and arrange for an interview with Rick on our KESWICK TODAY radio ministry.

Here’s the story that “whacked me on the side of the head” . . .

A man came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find his five-year-old son waiting for him at the door. “Daddy, may I ask you a question?”
“Yeah, sure, what is it?” replied the man.
“Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?”
“That’s none of your business! What makes you ask such a thing?” the man said angrily.
“I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make and hour?” pleaded the little boy.
“If you must know, I make twenty dollars an hour.”
“Oh,” the little boy replied, head bowed. Looking up, he said, “Daddy, may I borrow ten dollars, please?”
The father was furious. “If the only reason you wanted to know how much money I make is so you can borrow some to by a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you can march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you’re being so selfish. I work long, hard hours every day and don’t have time for such childish games.”

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even madder about the little boy’s questioning. How dare he ask such questions only to make some money!

After an hour or son, the man had calmed down and started to think he might have been a little too hard on his son. Maybe he really needed to buy something with that ten dollars, and he really didn’t ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy’s room and opened the door.” “Are you asleep, son?” he asked.

“No, Daddy, I awake,” the boy replied.
“I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier,” said the man. “It’s been a long day, and I took my aggravation out on you. Here’s the ten dollars you asked for.”

The little boy sat straight up, beaming, “Oh, thank you, Daddy!” he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some more crumpled-up bills. The man, seeing the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at the man.
“Why did you want more money if you already had some?” the father grumbled. “Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do,” the little boy replied. “Daddy, I have twenty dollars now. Can I buy an hour of YOUR time?”

I don’t think that I need to even make a comment. Rick makes this statement: “Your kids aren’t impressed with all your accomplishments. The only thing that really impresses them is your time and attention.”

A powerful reminder for Dads of ALL ages.

Why not bring your son or Dad to our Father Son Night this Thursday, June 1, 2006. A great evening has been planned for you. Former New York Giant, Keith Elias, is our speaker. Call today for reservations! Call 800-453-7942 today and make your reservation!!!

“Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body.” Proverbs 16:24

The Holy Spirit keeps hammering me on the power of my words. My words can be so destructive or they can build up. Think about some of the “destructive language” we use with ourselves and with others:

You never …
There’s no way …
You should …
I’m not good at …
What’s the point of …
The problem with …
You don’t understand …
That’s stupid …
Don’t go there …
It hurts to …
You don’t get it …
We’ll lose if …
I’m better than …
Listen to me …
Don’t start …
It’s depressing when …
When I was your age …
I’m afraid that …
This is the worst thing that …
I don’t care about …
You make me …

Now here are some ways we can be positive and constructive with our words:

One possibility is …
It would be good to …
I love you because …
Thank you for …
I appreciate the …
I like …
I understand why …
Your best quality …
The best part …
Have confidence …
Please …
We’ll succeed if we …
It’s okay to …
My reasoning is …
I’m best at …
The good news is …
Let’s make the best of …
That’s a good point …
How can I help you with …
I’m sorry …
It’s my responsibility …

(from WHAT HAPPY PEOPLE KNOW by Dan Baker and Cameron Stauth)

Good words for me to consider today. Join us for our Father Son Night at America’s KESWICK. Former New York Giant, Keith Elias, will be our speaker. 6:15 PM is a great dinner followed by the program. Afterwards, you can enjoy the pool, weight room and gym with your son or Dad. Make your reservation today — 800-453-7942.

MEMORIAL DAY

As we celebrate Memorial Day at America’s KESWICK, I dedicate the words of this powerful hymn to two patriots who gave their lives on a field in Shanksville, PA on September 11, 2001 — Don and Jean Peterson. Don served on the Board of America’s KESWICK and joined his fellow patriots on Flight 93.

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee
And crow thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine every flaw.
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.

Have a great Memorial Day!

THE VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE

“IN all these things we are more than conquerors though him who loved us.” Romans 8:37

“Our Lord in the seven letters to the churches of Revelation (read Revelation 2 -3) concludes with a promise to each for those who OVERCOME. The phrase, ‘he that overcomes” is repeated seven times; and with it some glorious promises are given. They were given to churches like Ephesus that had forsaken their first love, to Sardis, that had a reputation of being alive, but was dead, and to Laodicea with her lukewarmness and self-satisfaction — as proof that if they would only repent, they might win the crown of victory. The call comes to every Christian to strive for the crown.

How do we attain victory? The answer is simple. ALL IS IN CHRIST! It all depends on our right relationship to Christ, our complete surrender, perfect faith, and unbroken fellowship with Him. Just as we had no rest until we knew He had received our conversion, so now we feel the need of coming to Him to receive from Him the assurance that He has undertaken to keep us by the power of His resurrection life.

Christ, the Victor, is your Lord, who will undertake for you in every thing and will enable you to do all the Father expects of you. Be of good courage. Trust Him to do this great work for you, who has so freely given His life for you and forgiven you of your sins. Only be bold to surrender yourself to a life kept from sin by the power of God. Along with the deepest conviction that in you dwells no good thing, confess that you see in the Lord Jesus all the goodness you will ever need for the life of a child of God.

Thank God, a live of victory is CERTAIN for those who are aware of their inward ruin and are hopeless in themselves but who have place their confidence in Jesus. They, by faith in His power to make the act of surrender possible for them, have done it in HIS strength and now rely on Him, and Him alone every day and every hour.”

From the pen of Andrew Murray — LIVING A PRAYERFUL LIFE

THOUGHT: The deeper we are willing to enter into the death of self, the more shall we know of the mighty power of God, and the perfect blessedness of a perfect trust.
Andrew Murray

Today is the Lord’s day! Thank Him today that through CHRIST — you are MORE THAN a conqueror.

This week on Keswick Today, Bible teacher and conference speaker, David Rich, shares 7 SECRETS YOU WON’T HEAR IN CHURCH. Don’t miss the broadcast. You can listen right from the Keswick website: http://www.americaskeswick.org/