Proverbs 13:9 “The lives of good people are brightly lit streets; the lives of the wicked are dark alleys.” (The Message) I remember hearing a story about the famous Robert Louis Stevenson’s childhood. When he went to bed each night he was afraid of the dark. One night his nanny had a difficult time getting him to got to bed and young Robert was looking out the bedroom window. He was fascinated by the lamp-lighter who was walking the streets of his town. All of a sudden he shouted to his nanny, “Look, the lamp-lighter is punching holes in the darkness.”

Men and women who are living victoriously in this ever-changing, crazy world do just that — they punch holes in the darkness with the light of their lives. People see that there is something different about you. You shine in the darkness and make an impact for the kingdom. Eugene Peterson in The Message, paraphrases Matthew 5:14-16 this way . . .

“You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand — SHINE! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

How about you this morning? Are you “punching holes in the darkness?”
Have a great Lord’s day.

Some of you missed a great Men’s Day at America’s KESWICK yesterday. The tapes and CD’s are available from the sessions. Three powerful messages by Dr. Fred Hartley. Call to order the messages — 800-453-7942. You can join us this Thursday evening for our monthly Men’s Night. Pastor Greg Comfort, Senior Pastor of Lincroft Bible Church, will be our speaker.
Dinner is at 6:15 PM followed by the program. Call for reservations — 800-453-7942.

“Lord, keep me from making the mistakes I’m most prone to when temptation comes. I confess that what I think is necessary, smart, or personally beneficial is so often the beautiful wrapping on sin. So please, keep evil far from me.” — Bruce Wilkinson THE PRAYER OF JABEZ

Bruce took quite a hit when he wrote this powerful book based on the prayer found in the middle of the genealogies in 1 Chronicles 4. Despite the criticism, Bruce’s book his the New York Best-seller’s list for months and the book impacted hundreds of thousands of people.

In a society where the average person spends less than 5 minutes in daily prayer, I appreciated Bruce’s passion to get people praying daily and journaling what the Lord would teach them. I frequently pray the prayer of Jabez and continue to see God work in my life as I apply the
principles of this prayer.

One of the principles of the prayer in 1 Chronicles 4:10 is praying that “God would keep me from evil (temptation) so that I will not cause pain.” Temptation comes in many forms. I’m not telling you anything new. You could write your own story to validate this principle. We need to be
aware that there are seasons of our lives when temptation is stronger than others.

Bruce Wilkinson reminds us in his new book, BEYOND JABEZ that “praying from protection is most critical when we are serving God! Keep in mind that God never promised to keep all temptation away from you. In particular, watch carefully for temptation at two specific times: (1) just before a significant effort in God’s service and (2) just after such an effort, when you’re physically and spiritually exhausted. During these times, keep your heart especially close to God and frequently ask for protection from temptation.

A wise course of action is to preempt temptation before it has a chance to strike, by implementing practical safeguards against the sins you have the hardest times resisting. Set up an accountability phone call. Travel a route that avoids moral snares. Remove from your life any temptations that you know are likely to lead you into stronger temptation.”

.

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Fighters is a daily e-mail ministry of America’s KESWICK, “where God
speaks to hearts and transforms lives.”

Year’s ago listening to one of Chuck Swindoll’s broadcasts, I wrote this prayer in the back of my Bible. The prayer is one of the prayers of St. Patrick. It echoes the words from Psalm 139 — there is no place that we can escape the presence of God. I encourage you to read Psalm 139 and then make this your prayer.

As I arise today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me. May the eye of God look before me, the ear of God hear me, the word of God speak for me. May the hand of God protect me, the way of God lie before me, the shield of God
defend me, the host of God save me. May Christ shield me today…Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit, Christ when I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Amen. — The Prayer of St. Patrick

Our words can really get us in trouble. Well maybe you haven’t figuredthat out as quickly as us loud-mouthed sanguines. Sanguines are people who speak first then think about what they say. We tend to react, blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, and then have to do major cleanup because of the “mouth bombs” we have detonated.If we are not careful, we injure our spouses, our kids, our co-workers,and friends.

Solomon cuts right to the chase and cautions that “fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly.” (Proverbs 12:16) Ouch! Do you have ashort fuse? Do you think before you speak or do you speak out tooquickly?

Our good friend and conference speaker. Bob Turnbull shares a storyabout getting ready to leave for a conference and giving his teenage son strict directions of what chores he needed to do while they were away.His son was diligent in following Dad’s orders, but was unable to accomplish the major assignment on his Dad’s list. He was determined to please his Dad, so he did above and beyond what his Dad expected –cleaning up the garage, trimming the bushes, and mowing the lawn.

Bob and Yvonne returned from the weekend and noticed right away that the lawn and bushes were meticulously cared for, was amazed that the garage was so clean, but was quickly angered when he walked in the house and noticed that the one assignment that he gave to his son wasunaccomplished. Before asking questions, he exploded with, “Can’t you do anything right? I gave you one thing to do and you didn’t do it. Don’tyou ever listen?” Immediately Bob saw the look of hurt on his son’sface. With tears in his eyes, his boy quietly responded, “Dad, I wanted to do the job you gave me — but the tools for the job were in the trunkof YOUR car!”

Bob shared that at that moment he was humbled and broken. His short fuseand anger had spilled out, and in the process, destroyed and damaged his son’s spirit.

James says, “Post this at all the intersections, dear friends. Lead with your ears, follow-up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along inthe rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger.” The King James says it this way — “So then, my beloved brothers (and sisters),let every man (woman) be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”(James 1:19) Do you have a short fuse? Explode too quickly? Purpose in your heart today to be wise — Stop . . . listen . . . think . . . and then speak! Choose to be a wise man, not a fool.

Good words to ponder today!

“Don’t think God has ordained you to carry the entire space-time universe on your own back. God created it, God sustains it, and God intends that the government will be upon His shoulders.” — Carl F. H. Henry, Theologian

“Limits were God’s intention from the beginning. He decided early on that limits were not only good, but also necessary. It was His way of preempting any ambiguity about who is God and who is not. He is the Creator — the One without limits. We are the created — the ones with
limits.

Because God is the author and creator of my limits, then it is probably okay with Him that I have them. He probably doesn’t expect me to be infinite and is a little surprised when I try. It is okay with Him if I am not all things to all people all the time all by myself. As a matter of fact, it is probably not okay with Him if I assume otherwise.

We often get into all kinds of trouble by inflating our role in the drama of life. Perhaps this is one of the main reasons God created limits. He knew that without limits we would overreach, swell with pride, and become independent. We would get priorities all messed up, and life balance would be neglected. He would have been right. So to address that problem preemptively, He created limits.

WE ARE NOT INFINITE. None of us has more than twenty-four hours in a day. We do not have an inexhaustible source of human energy. We cannot keep running on empty. Limits are real, and despite what some stoics may think, limits are not our enemy. Overload is our enemy.

As the author of limits, God put them within us for our protection. We violate them at our own peril. God is under no moral obligation to bail us out of our pain if we attempt to do more than He asks. It is okay for me to have limits — God doesn’t. It is okay to get a good night’s sleep
— God doesn’t sleep! It is okay for me to rest — God doesn’t need to.

We don’t know a lot about what heaven looks like, but this much we know: God is not pacing the throne room anxious and depressed because of the condition of the world. He knows, He is not surprised, and He is sovereign. It is okay if we have limits — HE IS ABLE. So relax. He’s
got it covered!

from A MINUTE MARGIN by Dr. Richard A. Swenson Navpress

Good words to ponder today!

Proverbs 10 is filled with little nuggets of truth about our words. There are two verses that address the mouth using the same phrase. Whenever that happens, the Lord is trying to get our attention.

Proverbs 10:6 “Blessings accrue on a good and honest life, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.” Proverbs 10:11″The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.”

The older I get it seems the more I am getting tuned in to how important my words are. Words can build up and encourage, or words tear down and destroy. Words can bring life — words can bring death. Sometimes after I have spoken words, I cringe at what I have said. I realize that something I have said in jest has really hurt and broken the spirit of my wife, my kids, or a staff member.

I know someone whose words have destroyed so many people. When this person’s name comes up in conversation, what people remember about them is the many horrible things that have come from the mouth of this person. Their mouth rather than being a “deep, life-giving well — has been a “dark cave of abuse.”

How are you using your mouth? Maybe you need to step back today and pray David’s prayer in Psalm 19:14 “These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-my-Altar. (The Message)

Ponder your words today! Are they life-giving or life destroying? It’s not too late for you to register for our Men’s Day this Saturday with Dr. Fred Hartley. Three powerful sessions, great worship and plenty of food. See the website for details or call 800-453-7942.

This is one of my favorite readings from the daily devotional DAILY LIGHT which is all Scripture.

“I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that HE IS ABLE . . .”

Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)
Able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Able to aid those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)
Able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always live to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
Able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. (Jude 24)
Able to keep what I have committed to him until that Day. (2 Timothy 1:12)

Do you believe that I am able to do this? ‘According to you faith, let it be to you.'” (Matthew 9:28-29)

Rejoice this morning in the God WHO IS ABLE!!!

If you have enjoyed today’s Freedom Fighter, why not forward to a friend. To unsubscribe, visit our website http://www.americaskeswick.org and click “unsubscribe.” Freedom Fighters is a daily e-mail ministry of America’s KESWICK, “where God speaks to hearts and transforms lives.”

“The Christian is he who is righteous in his conduct, uncompromising in his principles, passionate in his devoton to His Savior, sacrificial in his service, and transparent in his life. He has no life behind the scenes to which he retreats to indulge his appetite for things that he would be ashamed to do in the company of Christian people. His life will bear the closest scrutiny of his strongest critics, from which he will come out unscathed, a holy man of God continually.

In light of His Word, it is God’s plan that His people should always be on the offensive, never on the defensive. Too often we retreat, run away, hide from the devil, instead of launching a full scale offensive in the name of Jesus. There will be no victory in the name of Jesus Christ until you declare war against everything in your life that is sinful. Fancy you and me having our feet on the neck of jealousy, pride, a critical spirit, of a harsh tongue! Fancy our having our feet on the neck of every crippling thing in our Christian testimony!

Have you identified yourselves by declaring war on pride, on self, on tongue, on criticism, by determining to attack and conquer them in the name of Jesus? You have a constant attitude to maintain, and a victory to claim.”

from VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING by Dr. Alan Redpath

Good words to ponder as we begin a new week.

“The trouble with so many of us Christians is that we fail to apply divine strategy to our daily living. If our Christian lives are hit-or-miss, it is not to be wondered at that we miss more than we hit! Very seldom does the Christian apply himself to daily disciplined action or to planned war against the enemy. The result is that many of us are completely outmaneuvered by Satan, who, if I may say so, is a master strategist. Remember, Satan is not only a roaring lion, he is also a subtle snake, and the roar of the lion is far less dangerous that the hiss of the snake.

Every victory that Christian wins in his own personal life is an invitation for a full-scale attack by the enemy of his soul. Every time a child of God steps into an experience of blessing he is on the verge of another assault by the enemy. Our blessings and battles go side by side. If you are being pressed on every front are in the thick of the fight, praise God! If you are finding temptation almost too much to bear and the struggle almost too hard to carry on, I want you to know that I am tremendously glad. You may be feeling miserable, but I am most thoroughly happy on your account. It is a good sign! IF YOU ARE BEING TEMPTED RIGHT AND LEFT IT IS BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING RIGHT THROUGH WITH THE WILL OF GOD IN BLESSING. However, if you are saying to yourself, ‘I don’t know what he is talking about; I haven’t been tempted in years; I don’t know anything about this kind of thing;’ do get before the Lord and ask Him to show you what is wrong with your life!” from Dr. Alan Redpath VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING published by Revell.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day!

If you have enjoyed today’s Freedom Fighter, why not forward to a friend. To unsubscribe, visit our website http://www.americaskeswick.org and click “unsubscribe.” Freedom Fighters is a daily e-mail ministry of America’s KESWICK, “where God speaks to hearts and transforms lives.”

“You can count on defeat in your life if you neglect prayer. Failure to pray always makes us insensitive to sin. If you pray in the time of victory you will never have to plead in a time of defeat. One of the greatest temptations that can come to you after you have proved that God
is able to give you victory, is to neglect to pray. When you think that you are strong and don’t need to pray any more, then you will have dulled your sensitiveness to sin. It is only prayer in the hour of victory that makes a man of God realize that he will face defeat again unless he maintains contact with the Lord Jesus Christ.

The moment of victory is the moment for humiliation. When one experiences the excitement and thrill of God giving him a new deliverance from sin, that should be the moment, not for ride, but for humility. I wonder how many of us as Christian people have gone out into defeat and disillusionment in Christian life because we didn’t pray — when our senses were dulled, and we were no longer acutely conscious of the fact that sin was still there, and that Satan would gain the upper hand unless we clung to the Lord Jesus.” from VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING by Dr. Alan Redpath Revell Publishing.

My friend, Jesus said in Matthew 26:41 “Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.”

NEXT SATURDAY IS OUR ANNUAL MEN’S DAY with Dr. Fred Hartley. Fred is an effective communicator and will be sharing three sessions with us. Come and bring a friend. For reservations and information, call 800-453-7942!!! Great music, fellowship, food — but FOOD FOR THE SOUL!

If you have enjoyed today’s Freedom Fighter, why not forward to a friend. To unsubscribe, visit our website http://www.americaskeswick.org and click “unsubscribe.” Freedom Fighters is a daily e-mail ministry of America’s KESWICK, “where God speaks to hearts and transforms lives.”