“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

It is almost hard to imagine our world without Dr. Billy Graham. He almost made it to his 100^th birthday – but God had other plans.

Through the years he has impacted this world with his life and ministry. His preaching and passion for sharing the gospel took him to countries around the globe, some that were even hostile to the gospel.

He has sat with Presidents and world leaders, many who have referred to him as their Pastor and friend. When there was international crisis abroad and tragedy at home, Dr. Graham was often called on for his wisdom, insight, and counsel. This generation will not forget his presence right after the horrific events of 911 as he climbed the steps in the National Cathedral to call the nation to prayer and repentance as a nation.

His life was not without criticism, but his life and ministry were one of integrity on every level. While some might have questioned his inclusion of men from different denominations sitting on his platform at a crusade or questioned his gospel invitations, one cannot certainly criticize his passion to share the Gospel at home and abroad and his commitment to preach the inspired Word of God. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has been impeccable as an organization and has operated with transparency and integrity especially in the area of finances.

He developed a team of leaders that served together for decades, including his platform team comprised of Cliff Barrows and George Beverly Shea. There were hundreds of other leaders that he developed that were not necessarily recognized by the world, but who had a huge impact in fulfilling Dr. Graham’s vision to reach the world with the gospel.

One of the interviews played during the week of his death was with Cliff Barrows. During the London crusades there was criticism that people were coming forward at the end of the message because the choir’s singing “Just As I Am” was an emotional manipulation of the crowd. Dr. Graham decided not to have music during the invitation. Cliff shared that at the moment the gospel was shared there was a holy hush over the arena. No one moved. But then there was the squeak of the first seat, then the next, and thousands came forward to trust Christ as their Savior that first night. In fact, the crusade was only to last for a week but ended up lasting for several weeks and night after night when the invitation was given people came forward.

Finally, the press said, “Please bring back ‘Just As I Am’ as the silence is deafening.”

Dr. Billy Graham was laid to rest in a beautiful prayer garden next to the love of his life, Ruth Bell Graham. One of my favorite Graham quotes is this one: “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone on into the presence of God.”

As I have reflected on his life, Acts 20:24 seems to describe his life: But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

Thank you, Dr. Billy Graham for finished well. Thank you for your impact on millions who will be in heaven because you were a preacher of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Overflowing and abounding with hope,

Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 23-25| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: “The three secrets to successful ministry are: prayer, prayer, and more prayer.” — Billy Graham

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. Psalm 39:7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Next to the wonder of seeing my Savior will be, I think the wonder that I made so little use of the power of prayer.” ~ Moody

The thing we confuse the most in Christianity is that God has offered us a relationship and not a religion. At the very start, we find God in the garden desiring to walk and talk with man. Why after creating all the different animals did He create man? Because there was no conversing with the animals, there was no true love shared on the rational level that man is capable of. Love is revealed in the time shared or invested with another. It is easy to give money to someone to meet a need, but there is something sacrificial about the time spent in intimate conversation with another person. Money I can make more of, the time I give I can never get back.

Paul writes to the Philippians that he wants his life to be so invested in his relationship with Christ, that he “may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith” (Phil 3:9). Paul goes on to say He wants to ‘know’ Christ, not by some personal knowledge that he heard or read about, but by direct personal communion with the Lord; a communion so intense that you cannot tell the difference between him and Christ. Paul is describing this relationship in a way that makes him as vulnerable as Christ made himself for our sake on the cross. There being striped, beaten, and hung before the world in humiliation… All while bearing our guilt and drinking the cup of God’s wrath towards all sin. Jesus invested His life this way so we could drink the cup of God’s grace and love. Is this not someone you could entrust your heart too? Our opportunity to commune with our Lord this way is by prayer and Bible study… yet these are the least on our priority list. Honestly, how much other stuff comes before these two opportunities on your list of things to do today?

God desires a relationship with you… the whole redemption story of the Bible is about redeeming you back into His presence to commune with Him for all eternity. God waits day after day to pour His blessings into your life, but because He loves you He will not force Himself upon you, you must ask… freely choosing Him. And O the blessings that flow then!

Love is revealed by where you invest your time; I pray that it be in prayer and the study of God’s Word today… in communion with Him.

Choose wisely….

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor….” – James 4: 8-10

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33

Praying U choose Christ today

Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, and grandfather with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is a member of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church.

The Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 16-17| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “To be loved by God is the highest relationship, the highest achievement, and the highest position in life.” – Henry Blackaby

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.” — Psalm 38:15

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:12 KJV

One of the difficulties in evangelism is that people want to know all the facts about Christianity before they’ll commit. “What about this” and “Why that”  is usually the start of most questions. This concept of wanting to know before you buy is a general rule of thumb and normally a wise basis for making a decision. “Know before you buy” is good advice to a person seeking to make a decision. Not when it comes to Christ, there seems to be an invitation that comes without any understanding. The truth is, we are the apprehended.

The walk of faith can lead us to a belief that we can’t always comprehend, so we apprehend before we comprehend. The answer I give people who have questions is “You know that you know.” The “knowing doesn’t come until the ‘follow’”, that’s why we say it’s a walk of faith, God is pleased when we trust before we know (But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:5).

The difficulty for me sometimes is trying to convince people of the “what” instead of the “Who.” We come to Jesus, not Christianity, and it’s a “Who” before a “what.” The “what” is a benefit that comes with the “Who” (you may want to read that again.) When they see the “Who” the only thing left is to repent and be saved. Our first knowledge is His ways are higher than mine, I am in need of a Savior.

This is not only important to remember when it comes to evangelism, it’s important to know in our daily walk. Too many times I see a great “knowledge” of Christianity and no representation of Christ. It’s important for us to attain knowledge but as in our walk, knowledge comes after the apprehension, we walk in light, not in knowledge. Again Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” John 8:12. The illumination that leads us comes from scripture and is directed by prayer, when our walk lines up with the Bibles teaching, we sometimes walk blindly, not knowing what God is doing.

Paul, in Philippians 3, reminds us, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind”.

Sometimes our best advice to people who need Jesus is to say, “Come and see.” Amen

 

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, and serves with her as full time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.

The Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 14-15 , Psalm 90| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “I hope in God, I pray on, and look yet for the answer. They are not converted yet, but they will be.” – George Mueller

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.” — Psalm 38:15

 

 

 

 

“And for many days Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest and without law. But in their distress they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and they sought Him, and He let them find Him.” —  2 Chronicles 15:3-4 (NASB)

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.’” And the soldiers gambled for His clothes by throwing dice.” (Luke 23:34) I look at this passage of Scripture a lot when a great wrong has occurred within our society. As Jesus Christ hangs on a Roman Cross, every evil thing that man has done, is doing, or is gonna do, is cast upon Him and yet He still intercedes on our behalf to His Father. He’s close to His own death but in that, He shows the world that is watching that He is second…and to this day, we still don’t get it. Whenever evil rears it’s ugly head among us, who thinks we’re doing pretty good for the most part, we will race to the front of the line, to throw ourselves on the altar, and ask El Elyon to please save us. But isn’t that just being human, all too human? Hmmm…

To quote 19^th century German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, “On the political sickbed a people is usually rejuvenated and rediscovers its spirit, after having gradually lost it seeking and preserving power.” Now Nietzsche (who wrote a book titled “Human, All Too Human”) was pretty much anti-Christianity and considered our concept of “Agápe” an irony of thinking but by looking at this quote we can see that Nietzsche understood the corruption and depravity of man’s heart. Now he simply could have opened a Bible, went to the Book of Jeremiah, turned to chapter 17, scrolled down the text and read, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” But hey, what do I know?

So…where am I going with this? Well, to start with, a part of the Bible that is one full of all kinds of political and religious unrest and has us meet Asa, the king of Judah. Asa is recorded as doing good and right in the sight of the LORD his God and for commanding the people of Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers. You can read about him in 2 Chronicles 14-16, where you can see him make nine mentions of “seeking the LORD”. You will also find a prophet named Azariah encouraging Asa to continue his reforms in bring the people of Judah back to God.

Azariah will remind Asa of the period of Judges, where the people only did “what was right in their own eyes” and the great turmoil that had its never-ending wars. He then will encourage Asa by saying, “But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.” (2 Chron 15:7) Because of this, Asa would know 35 years of peace during his 41 years as king. Not Too Shabby!! But like all good things left unto man to take care of, this would come to an end and the chaos would eventually pick up where it left off. We could use an Asa right now, couldn’t we?

So, here we are in the 21^st century with all the chaos and disorder that can be mustered up (it seems to become easier to do these days) and even though God’s Word is rich with politics, America would choose to turn a deaf ear to it and do “what was right in their own eyes.” Kinda makes Christians just wanna wash their hands of politics and be done with the whole thing and go live in a fortified, walled city…but that not what we were called to do.

We’ve got a great divide going on and if we choose to keep God on one side, politics on the other and try to ride down the middle we’re headed for certain adversity from an outside force. (Can someone say Assyria? Babylon? Russia?) As Bible believing Christians, we need to prove Nietzsche wrong, and apply what we read in 1 Peter 2:17, “Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.”

As I think about the verse (Luke 23:34) that I had opened with today, I see Jesus looking down, not just at a group of soldiers who don’t understand the folly of their actions, but I think Jesus is looking down at us all and seeing that we gamble away, so frivolously, those things of Kingdom matters. Our nation’s reverence of a mighty God is lost and we seem to behave as if it were the times before The Great Flood. This should be the motivation behind finding a way in making our Christian lives connect with our political position…without losing our “Agápe” for people, all for the glory of God. Amen?

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris, a graduate of The Colony of Mercy (11-2003) is married (Kathy) with two adult children (Kevin and Karen) and has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008.

The Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 11-13| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “The closer God is to a society, the more ordered the society will be. The further God is from society, the more chaotic society will be. So, if you want an ordered society, keep God close.” — Tony Evans

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.” — Psalm 38:15

 

 

 

 

Pastor Mike Wiegel, from Ocean County Baptist Church, recently shared this at our Men’s Fellowship Night at America’s Keswick. I first heard this at a CCCA Mid-Atlantic Sectional Conference when the then President of our Section, the late Bob Lutz, shared it with us.

The background of this powerful statement of faith is that a Pastor’s son who was serving as a missionary was martyred while serving the Lord. This prayer was found in his Bible.

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power.

The die has been cast. I have 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 or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap 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 faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer and labor by power.

My pace is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road is narrow. My way rough. My companions few.  My guide is reliable and my mission is clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I’ve stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give ’til I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He’ll have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear!

May this be our statement of faith, brothers! Are you a part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed?

Overflowing and abounding with hope,

Bill Welte, President
America’s Keswick

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 7| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: Our cross may be heavy, but one sight of Christ will make us forget all our former sorrows. —Thomas Watson

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.” — Psalm 38:15

 

 

If you asked twenty good men today what they thought the highest of the virtues, nineteen of them would reply, Unselfishness. But if you had asked almost any of the great Christians of old, he would have replied, Love. You see what has happened? A negative term has been substituted for a positive, and this is of more than philological importance. The negative idea of Unselfishness carries with it the suggestion not primarily of securing good things for others, but of going without them ourselves, as if our abstinence and not their happiness was the important point. I do not think this is the Christian virtue of Love. The New Testament has lots to say about self-denial, but not about self-denial as an end in itself. We are told to deny ourselves and to take up our crosses in order that we may follow Christ; and nearly every description of what we shall ultimately find if we do so contains an appeal to desire. ~ CS Lewis, from The Weight of Glory

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. … Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. … Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. … So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
~ Paul, The Least of The Apostles, in 1 Corinthians 13

Oh beloved, it is true. 

There is, for each of us, a breaking point. Sometimes we just get so smacked around by life, that something in us wants to turn around and lash back at the people who have smacked us. No, it is not the normal (and even usually healthy) impulse we have to protect ourselves from danger. It is the actual desire that we can have to bring hurt to those who have hurt us.

This fool of a writer has recently come through about three of the toughest months of his life. And these three months were on top of three years that would have shook most people to the core. Culture shock, a third international move in four years, a second new language, relational strain beyond the ability for me to describe in words, and a special needs kid, have driven me to the very edge of my ability to cope with anything.

And then… we got laid off. In China. For basically no reason. And, no one even stood up for us within the “mission” organization we had joined. We were laying there, emotionally bleeding to death, and people just walked by on the other side of the path, holding their nose at the stench that had just been beaten out of us.

Many of us formerly lost boys understand abuse. We dealt it out on our families and friends. We also received it in portions that many of us cannot really bring to words. And, in times like this, the stress the arises in current trauma is also tied to the stuff that happened to us in the past.

Can we see it though?

There is a way through. And, it is the most revolutionary approach to things that has ever existed.

We have been hurt. And for us to deny that the hurts in our lives have happened is crazy. But, for us to think that continuing the cycle of hurt, by getting back at people is going to help, shows we are crazier than we ever imagine.

We don’t really want to hurt people. We desire something deeper. We don’t just want to stop hurting, we want to feel the fullness of being happy, healthy and free. And this is where Love comes in. Love is not just a wanting, or desire. Love is the the only path to gaining that for which we hope.

Love aches for the pain in the soul of the poor person who slaps us.

Love wants good for the person who is ignoring them.

Love hopes the best for the person who just fired them.

Love looks for ways to help the person who will not help them.

Love is this dying that brings life to others.

But, the weirdest part of this kind of dying, is that we do not lose anything. In pouring out our desire towards others; in truly desiring the best for those who may not even care about us, we find a wholeness to life that is beyond description.

So, are you hurting? It happens. And, there is no need to deny it. However, what you may be denying, and need to embrace, is that getting back at someone is going to make everything alright. Instead, join me in dying to the desire to hurt, and instead gain the desire to Love the one who hurts you.

Written by Makala Doulos: Makala Doulos is a child of G_d, a husband to his wife, a father to his children, and a teacher to his students. But mostly, he is a prisoner set free by Jesus. Love has invaded his life, crushed it, and made it new. Now, G_d’s Love is what constrains him to live in full surrender to the freedom The Father and Son and Holy Spirit have bought for us all. Grace and Peace to you all.

The Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 1-2| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: Love is the profound concern for the wellbeing of another,
without regard to whether the other returns the favor.
~ Makala Barnabas Doulos

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:22

 

 

 

“​In God I have put my trust, I will not be afraid. ​​What can man do to me?” — Psalm 56:11

One day, while dispatching the men of the colony to work in maintenance, I noticed their reaction to the jobs that were handed out. Some were relieved and some had a look of defeat. I decided to use this as a teachable moment. I asked “Would some of you be happier with a different job today?” Of course the answer was “AMEN!” After the second let down of the morning, I began to bring to their attention that the God of the Bible wants to deliver them from the “Puppet strings” of man. You could imagine the look on their faces. I went on to explain one of the benefits of a saving faith in Jesus is the deliverance from allowing circumstances to dictate your attitude.

This was something that I learned watching Ken Brown go through his illness when I came to work at Keswick. He would come in day after day never complaining and choosing to trust God in his present circumstance. As a matter of fact, he would look for how God was going to be glorified in his illness He would often quote 2^nd Corinthians 4:16, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”

I explained how ridiculous it was to put their joy, or lack thereof, on a piece of paper that I was holding with their job for the day on it. When our peace comes from God, what can interfere with that? This is not to downplay tragic things in our life, and I understand that things happen that can make our knees buckle. Paul writes in 2^nd Corinthians 4:7-9, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

I think it’s important to remember that we are in God’s hands and the power of the Holy Spirit is going to give us the strength for our everyday battles through circumstances. If we’re honest, we are inclined to complaining about being treated unfair instead of committing everything we do unto the Lord. Then we can say, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1^st Corinthians 15:58). God wants to use the mundane daily work load to show others that we have cut our “Puppet Strings” from the world and it cannot steal our joy. Just maybe someone might ask, “How come you never complain?” This could open up a conversation that has eternal value. Amen!

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, and serves with her as full time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.

The Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 26-27| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think about this: “Circumstances which we have resented, situations which we have found desperately difficult, have all been the means in the hands of God of driving the nails into the self-life which so easily complains.”

– Alan Redpath

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:22

 

 

 

“All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.” — Hebrews 11:39-40 (NLT)

I have been a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles football team for a long time (except for the time I jumped ship for a few years after Reggie White went to Green Bay.) In that time, my faith in the team that I was rooting for to win a Super Bowl left me disappointed a lot (except for the time I jumped ship for a few years after Reggie White went to Green Bay.) But this past football season, with my faith in the Eagles seasoned a little bit better, I got to see them win their first Super Bowl. I have joked with friends in the past that I believed God loved football and this season football showed that it loved God. But for many seasons the question I would ask myself when concerning the Philadelphia Eagles was…why bother?

How many times have we looked at the Christian life we say we live, see that it isn’t going the way we thought it was advertised, and leave ourselves asking this same question…why bother? Well, maybe its because our view of faith is wrong. In his book, “10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe”, Pastor Larry Osborne writes about how many of us fall into the trap of believing “spiritual urban legends.” Stuff like, “God helps those who help themselves” and movies depicting Jesus as a kinda street hippie like in “Jesus Christ Superstar” aren’t Biblical and don’t help us get a clear understanding in what God’s Word teaches us about faith.

When we look at the infamous 11^th chapter of The Book of Hebrews we read all about the folks that have made it into the “Hall of Faith.” In the New Living Translation, verse one goes like this, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see”, then we’ll hear many sermons that go on to list the people who are actually named for things that were accomplished by God through them. But then around verse 35 most sermons end and we really don’t get the full counsel of God concerning this “Hall of Faith.”

Maybe the reason is that those who don’t even get an honorable mention towards the very end of the chapter did exactly what pleased God and it just ended there. Imagine going home after Sunday service hearing a sermon that only ends with, “and it pleased God” but it left out the reward for doing God’s will. Ponder that while eating the lunch you’ve rushed to get to and see if the question of “Why Bother” doesn’t encircle your thoughts…anyway.

The thing to ask ourselves is are we taking in the full counsel of God when it’s concerning putting our complete faith into Him? Verse 6 of Hebrews plainly states, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Everything here is an action, it’s like the verse is one big verb that we need to do. You gotta believe that He is, you have to diligently seek Him, and you can’t allow yourselves to get tripped up over the rewarder part because if all you do with faith is seek rewards…well you just might get disappointed and get left asking yourself, why bother?

In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul tells to “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine.” This may mean asking yourself if you have as much contentment with being a child of The Most High God when things aren’t going well as when then are riding on point. When we see how Biblical faith works, our journey will take us exactly where God wants us to be, even if it seems as if we’re frustrated with all the recalculating that is going on.

Jesus understood our condition better than any of us do. “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt 17:20)

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris, a graduate of The Colony of Mercy (11-2003) is married (Kathy) with two adult children (Kevin and Karen) and has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008.

The Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 24-25| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Faith is not a skill we master. It’s not an impenetrable shield that protects us from life’s hardships and trials. It’s not a magic potion that removes every mess. It’s a map we follow.” — Larry Osborne

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:22

 

 

 

“For she thought, ‘If I just touch His garments, I will get well.'” Mark 5:28

Most of our lives we find ourselves searching for answers to our problems, and sometimes the answers are worse than the original problems. For instance, we have emotional hurts and pain and believe that we can drink or drug them away. Or instead of dealing with our sexual desires in a healthy way, we watch porn and/or get into unhealthy relationships.

We desire things beyond our budgets, so we get another job and begin to slack on our family responsibilities or infringe upon God’s time. Or maybe even worse, we began to compromise our integrity an indulge in other activities to bring in money in ungodly ways.

The young lady was an outcast because of her condition and she was looking for answers, and like most, she went to the professionals in that particular field for healing. The frustration, the embarrassment, the overwhelming issue seemed to have overtaken every means she had. She was left with no answers and in a worse condition. A-HA! “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.”

Are you like this young lady when we run into issues, do you look everywhere else for answers whether the answers are good or bad? Are you relying on your own thinking or ability for the help you need?

In my addiction alone, I tried AA, NA, AAA, behavior modification, anger management, and everything else to live soberly. And I got worse. Then I had an A-HA moment, Christ!

“Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.” Mark 5:29

The root word Jesus uses for healing in this text is sṓzō (from sōs, “safe, rescued”) – properly, deliver out of danger and into safety; used principally of God rescuing believers from the penalty and power of sin – and into His provisions (safety).

She asked for physical healing, but Jesus gives her so much more. He goes beyond what we think we need, and gives us what we really need.

Written by Juan Mendez: Juan is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and full-time staff member at America’s Keswick.

The Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 22-23| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think about this: “One great power of sin is that it blinds men so that they do not recognize its true character.”

– Andrew Murray

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:22

 

 

 

 

Good morning brothers on this new week of Freedom Fighter blogs. I am so thankful that you are on this journey with us, and thank you for being a part of our lives.

I am in the process of reading through Psalms and Proverbs using the You Version app. I love Psalms and Proverbs.
One of the things that continues to bless me is reading King David’s writings and gaining wisdom on how to praise God. It’s just really good stuff to meditate on each day.

My friend and Pastor, John Strain, who serves as Chaplain at The Pines of Whiting, recently sent me this poem which expressed his praise to God. I asked permission to share it with you:

Lord of heaven, my Redeemer,

My highest praise to You I raise.

O God of love, Friend of sinners,

To You I raise my highest praise.

You have sought me; You have bought me.

You have saved me; You have cleansed me.

You have loved me; You have helped me.

To You I raise my highest praise.

 

My highest praise to You belongs,

Because Your love has filled my days.

No other one deserves my song;

To You I raise my highest praise!

 

You have sought me; You have bought me.

You have saved me; You have cleansed me. 

You have loved me; You have helped me. 

To You I raise my highest praise.

 

One day I’ll stand on heaven’s shore

Of You I’ll sing for all my days. 

Before Your throne my thanks I’ll pour;

To You I’ll raise my highest praise!

 

You have sought me; You have bought me.

You have saved me; You have cleansed me.

You have loved me; You have helped me.

To You, I raise my highest praise.

 

By John D. Strain

19 January, 2018

Praise be to God!

Amen? I love this and would encourage you to sit down and journal your own words of praise to the Lord. Thanks, Pastor John for sharing this with us.

Overflowing and abounding in Hope,
Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 19-21| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think about this: Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He’s going to be up all night anyway. —Mary Crowley

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:22