Tag: Bill Welte

His Mercies – They Are New EVERY MORNING!

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coffee

Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. ~Lamentations 3:21-23 NLT

This is a new week – a new week to see God at work in your life and mine. And I am very thankful you have joined us for our weekly Freedom Fighter blogs.

I love these three verses from Lamentations. Go back and read them slowly. Are you feeling hopeless? Overwhelmed? Unloved? Then these three verses should be a breath of fresh air to your soul.

Dr. Paul David Tripp writes: “Could there be a greater consolation known to man than these six hope-giving words: HIS MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING!”

So here you go … can you remember the day you trusted Christ as your Savior? Fix that date and year in your mind.

I was saved 59 years ago. If I were to count the days – that’s 21,535 days. So think about it – it says “mercies.” But if I were to get just one a day – wow!

Dr. Paul David Tripp writes about this mercy in his daily devotional, NEW MORNING MERCIES …

Mercy is the theme of God’s story. Mercy is the thread that runs through all of Scripture. Mercy is the reason for Jesus’s coming. Mercy is what your desperate heart needs. Mercy is the healer your relationships need. Mercy is what gives you comfort in weakness and hope in times of trial. Mercy can do what the law is powerless to do. Mercy not only meets you in your struggle, but guarantees that someday your struggle will end. Mercy is what this sin-broken world groans for. Mercy triumphs where justice can’t. If God offered us only justice, no one would run to him. It is the knowledge of his mercy that makes us honestly face ourselves and gladly run to him. And it is mercy that we will sing about and celebrate a million years into eternity.

I love the words of Lamentations 3: 22– 23: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Let these amazing words sink in. If you are God’s child, they describe your identity and your hope. They give you reason to get up in the morning and to continue. They enable you to face and admit how messed up you really are. They allow you to extend mercy to the failing people around you. And they allow you to be comforted by God’s presence rather than be terrified at the thought that he is near.

Not only does God lavish on you love that will never cease and grace that will never end, and not only is he great in faithfulness, but the mercy he extends to you and to me is renewed each new morning. It is not tired, stale, irrelevant, worn out, ill-fitting, yesterday mercy. No, God’s mercy is new morning mercy. It is form-fitted for the needs of your day. It is sculpted to the shape of the weaknesses, circumstances, and struggles of each and every one of his children.

Yes, we all get the same mercy, but it doesn’t come to all of us in the same size and shape. God knows who you are, where you are, and what you’re facing, and in the majestic combination of divine knowledge, power, and compassion, he meets you with just the right mercies for the moment. Stop allowing yourself to assess your life in a way that is devoid of new morning mercies. Any scan of your life that doesn’t include those mercies is tragically lacking in truth.

Tripp, Paul David (2014-10-31). New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional (Kindle Locations 5392-5408). Crossway. Kindle Edition

Well my brother, if that doesn’t get your heart pumping and rejoicing this morning – then you need to check your pulse!!!

I am thankful for His mercies that are new EVERY morning. And I am thankful you have joined me on this journey. God bless you.

Written by Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick: He has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 10 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 76; Proverbs 15

Daily Quote: “For you mercy is so plentiful!” David – Psalm 69:16

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ~Romans 8:18

Knockdown Sorrow and Grief

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Sad man

What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like. ~Augustine

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to His disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with Me.” And going a little farther He fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done.” And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, He went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, My betrayer is at hand. ~Jesus, King of The Universe – and Man of Sorrows – in Matthew 26

Oh beloved, it is true. We can be hurt. Actually, to be a person who Loves, is to guarantee that we will hurt. We enter into our newfound faith thinking that this is going to be wonderful (and it is), but we have no idea how bloody and beat up we are to become on the path.

In our better moments, though often far in between the normal rhythms of our lives, we have learned to be profoundly concerned for the wellbeing of those around us. We have learned to Love. And while we know, really know, that Love just loves regardless of the return it gets, we often come to a place of great sorrow and grief.

It pummels us with its waves. We are knocked down on the floor, and the grief chokes us.

This fool of a writer has learned how Love. i am not good at it, and still i am learning. And what i have learned in the Loving, is that most people have not. And those who have not learned what Love really is, cannot even begin to believe that Love is truly possible. So, they

will look upon one who Loves and project their own motives and strategies onto who the lover is and what their Love does.

The difficulty comes closest in, when those closest to us do not or will not understand. And it is here that the punches actually take the air out of us. The very people we are hoping to lift by our Love, feel oppressed by it. And instead of receiving it, they lash out. And as much as we would hope to be noble and keep some sort of British stiff upper lip, we are nearly done in.

Beyond relationships, as Lovers of Him and others, our comfort with the physical realm becomes tenuous to the point of nervousness. There is within, sometimes, a dull ache. We long for Home. And for some of us we don’t even know where that is… At least we don’t know where it is on this planet. The great joy of being a believer in Jesus, and in being an international worker is that The Kingdom is not just an idea – it is Home. We ache for it. We moan in our sleep, and toss in our bed for it.

Where is this entry going? It is going where all sorrow takes us. It is taking us down to the end of a path that has no outlet. Sorrow takes us to the end of ourselves. We are made to feel the utter futility of existence apart from G_d. We are left gasping on the floor of our souls and find there really is no hope in this life.

And no, this obviously not the end.

We come to realize in our knocked down state, that SomeOne is right there with us. His strong Hand and sweet Breath is breathing life into us. We are in a dark valley for sure sometimes, but He goes into it with us. He feels the pain with us. He has been in the pain Himself.

And this is enough. To be known in our grief – this is enough.

So, are you hurting believer? This is normal. But what is not normal is for you (or this writer) to feel alone and despondent. No, it is in the dark valleys of shadow and grief, that our King is most really with us. His very Spirit is Comfort and Healing and Strength.

Tonight is your night. Time to let the hurt have its way… Let it show you He is with you always.

Makala_FF 2016 Written by Makala Doulos: Makala  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: Psalm 73; Proverbs 12

Daily Quote: “Are you looking unto Jesus now, in the immediate matter that is pressing and receiving from His peace? If so, He will be a gracious benediction of peace in and through you. But if you try to worry it out, you obliterate Him and deserve all you get. We get disturbed because we have not been considering Him. When one confers with Jesus Christ the perplexity goes, because He has no perplexity, and our only concern is to abide in Him. Lay it all out before Him, and in the face of difficulty, bereavement and sorrow, hear Him say, “Let not you heart be troubled.” ~Oswald Chambers

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”

~Zephaniah 3:17

How Rich Am I? Part #4

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FIDDLER-ON-THE-ROOF

Some of you are old enough to remember the movie, Fiddler on the Roof. The Jewish father, Tevye, sings a song, “If I Were a Rich Man” expressing what he would do if he really had riches and wealth. He eventually comes to realize that he really was a rich man when he embraces his wife and kids and realizes that they are his riches after all.

Well my friend, that is the way some of us have lived. Stop and think about it – if you are a child of God, then you are a “son of God.” You are a heir! You my friend are a “child of the King!” Dr. C. John Miller used to say that some saints wander around like paupers and orphans forgetting who they really are in Christ.

As we begin this new week of Freedom Fighter blogs, I trust you will remind yourself how rich you really are IN CHRIST. I trust that you have just hit delete and moved on to the next email. Take a moment to read through these last ten truths about your identity. Look up the Scriptures and thank the Lord for what He has provided for you through His Son. You are richer than you can even begin to imagine.

31. We are His inheritance — not only does the Lord provide an inheritance for every Christian in the eternal future, but every believer of the Church Age is an inheritance provided by the Father for the Son (Eph 1:18).

32. We inherit Christ’s eternal future (Eph 1:14; Col 3:24; Heb 9:15; 1 Pet 1:4).

33. We have a partnership with God — we are partners with Christ in life (Col 3:4), in position (Eph 2:6), in service (1 Cor 1:9), and we are also co-workers with other believers as a result of true fellowship with God (1 Cor 3:9). We are also partners with Christ in suffering (Rom 8:18; Phil 1:29; Col 1:24; 1 Thess 3:3; 2 Tim 2:12; 1 Pet 2:20; 4:12-13).

34. We become heavenly citizens — our seat of citizenship is in heaven. We are made heavenly citizens at the moment of salvation. Let’s remember all the fantastic privileges and provisions the Father has made for believers to live the Christian way of life (cf. Eph 2:19). This heavenly citizenship is a present reality and determines our ongoing existence in the world (Eph. 1:20–21; Phil 3:20-21; Col 3:1-2).

35. We Become Members of the Royal Family of God — at the moment of salvation, we become members of the royal family of God which is an eternal dynasty. His body, the Church, is the kings and lords that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords over (Eph 2:19; Gal 6:10).

36. We are light in the Lord — at the moment of salvation, we are eternally delivered from Satan’s cosmic system of darkness and we are eternally “in the light,” but regarding our relationship with Christ in time, we can be in fellowship (walking in the light) or out of fellowship (walking in darkness) (Eph 5:1, 8; 1 Thess 5:4).

37. We are united to the Trinity — we are in God (1 Thess 1:1). God is in you (Eph 4:6). We are indwelt by God the Father. We are in Christ (Eph 4:20). Christ is in you (Col 1:27). We are indwelt by the Son. We are in the Spirit (Rom 8:9). The Spirit is in you (Jn 10:27-30; 15:5; 1 Cor 2:12; 12:13; Eph 2:19, 22; 1 Pet 2:5-9).

38. We are glorified — from God’s viewpoint, He sees us as we will be in heaven. Positionally, we are in union with Christ and are glorified. This glorification will be a reality when Christ returns (Rom 8:30; 1 John 3:2). It is as if God is saying He’s looking at us not the way we see ourselves, but He’s looking at us legally as already in a state of glory.

39. We are complete in Him, who is the head of all angelic powers and principalities. We share this strategic victory in union with Christ. Positionally, we are higher than Satan himself and the angels (Col 2:10).

40. We receive angelic protection and service, at the moment of salvation (Heb 1:14; 2:7; cf. 1 Cor 6:3).

I asked Graeme to attach the full list if you’d like to print it out, click here. Thank you for making Freedom Fighter a part of you time with God. If these emails are a blessing to you, would you forward them to a friend and get them to join us? Have a great week.

Written by Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick: He has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 10 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 69; Proverbs 8

Daily Quote: “I am His by purchase and I am His by conquest. I am His by donation and I am His by election. I am His by covenant and I am His by marriage. I am wholly His; I am particularly His. I am universally His; I am eternally His.” ~Thomas Brooks

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”

~Zephaniah 3:17

How Rich Am I? Part #3

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Male hand writing notebook on working table, vintage tone
It’s August. Can you believe it? Summer is flying by. As we begin this new week of Freedom Fighter blogs, I want to share the next ten blessings that you and I have because we are in Christ. Take a minute or two to look up the references. Allow these truths to burn deep into your hearts. We are richer than we can imagine.

21. Unseen assets — at the moment of salvation, we receive all of the unseen assets of the Christian life, called “every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph 1:2-6)

22. Judgment of Sins — all of our sins were judged under the spiritual death of our Lord Jesus Christ. The application of this truth to our lives as Christians is of the utmost importance because all of our personal sins were judged at the cross (Rom 4:24; 1 Pet 2:24).

23. Adoption — we are adopted into the royal family of God at the moment of salvation. Our spiritual adoption is in reference to us instantly being recognized as adult sons with full privileges (Rom 8:15, 23; Eph 1:5)

24. Eternal Relationship to God — we are eternally related to God because of our Lord’s presence at the Father’s right hand. Knowledge and application of this great truth should produce a corresponding experiential sanctification (i.e., walking in fellowship with the Lord through the filling of the Holy Spirit) (Eph 2:13; James 4:8).

25. We are on the Rock Jesus Christ — we have an eternally secure relationship with God from the point of salvation onward (1 Cor 3:11; 2 Cor. 1:21; Eph 2:20).

26. We are a gift from the Father to the Son — we are of such value that the Father took us as a present and gave us to the Son. As with all things that God does, it is permanent and can never be given back (Jn 10:29; 17:5-6, 11-12).

27. Royal Priesthood — we become partakers of a royal and holy priesthood. As Christian priests (every one of us), we represent ourselves to God through confession of sin, study of God’s Word, prayer, praise, and giving (1 Pet 2:5, 9; Rev 1:6).

28. We are a chosen generation; a peculiar (unique) people. This is why we do not really fit in with this world, because we are a peculiar people and we operate by a different value system (Titus 2:14; 1 Pet 2:9).

29. Access to God — at the moment of salvation, we obtain access to God. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil was torn asunder from top to bottom signifying that the sin debt has been eliminated (Matt 27:50-51). As a result, we can freely enter God’s throne room any time (Rom 5:2; Eph 2:18; Heb 4:14-16; 10:19-20).

30. Under the “much more” care of God — we are within the “much more” care of God. In other words, if God did the greatest thing already, isn’t He prepared to help us with the little things? He’s done everything He can do in Jesus Christ to bridge the gap between us and God (Rom 5:9; Eph 2:4).

Next week I will share the last 10. I hope that these are an encouragement to you. Now enjoy your week. Thanks for taking a few minutes of your day to read our daily blogs. I trust that they are a blessing in your life. By the way – just knowing you take to time to dial in is an encouragement to us too. May God bless you.

Written by Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick: He has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 10 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 62; Proverbs 1

Daily Quote: “As good as we might think God is now, in his presence we’ll realize we only saw the millionth part of his glory.” ~Bob Kauflin

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19 The Lord God[a] is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.

To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.

~Habakkuk 3:17-19

 

How Rich Am I? Part #2

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Male hand writing notebook on working table, vintage tone

Last week I shared with you a list of ten reminders of the riches that we have being IN CHRIST. Thanks for joining us for this new week of Freedom Fighter blogs.

I was pleased with the responses I received to last week’s blog and trust the next ten statements will be an encouragement to you as you think about who you are IN CHRIST and all that He has blessed you with.

Don’t take my word for it. Don’t take David Brewer’s word for it. Check out the references that go along with each statement. For some of you this is brand new truth. For others, well it is a refresher course.

11. Removal of Condemnation

At the moment of salvation, the sentence of condemnation is removed by God the Father (Jn 3:18; Rom 8:1-3).

12. Removal of Domination of the Old Sin Nature

Every believer will continue to have a sin nature throughout his life (cf. Rom 7:5) which will continue to make war within him (James 4:1; 1 Pet 2:11). When a person becomes a believer, his old man dies, but he still possesses the nature inherited from his inseparable link with fallen humanity. Believers now live with one sin nature which is in continual conflict with the indwelling Holy Spirit (Gal 5:16-23). Even though our union with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection is in a judicial or forensic sense, it is still a true or vital union (Rom 6:1-10; cf. Gal 2:20). This judicial or forensic union with Jesus is actualized in everyday life by the process of considering ourselves dead to sin (Rom 6:11) and allowing the Holy Spirit to completely reign in our hearts, so that by His divine power we shall have victory over the evil nature within (Rom 6:6-12, 15-20; 8:5-12; Col 2 :12).

13. Removal of Satan’s Power

At salvation, we have freedom from Satan’s kingdom of evil. Satan’s influence is “held in check” when a believer becomes more conformed to Christ’s image by the Spirit’s enablement and by His grace (Gal 5:1; Eph 2:1-2; 6:11-12; Col 1:12-13; 1 John 5:19).

14. Freedom from the penalty of the Mosaic Law

At the moment of salvation, the believer is delivered from the curse of the law. At that moment, God the Father graciously imparts freedom from bondage to the Mosaic Law. It means we are free from receiving the curse of the law (Rom 10:4; 2 Cor 3:7ff.; Gal 3:23-25; 6:2; Eph 2:15; James 2:10). We are now under “the law of Christ.” This new law is the New Covenant

counterpart to the Mosaic Law. This law includes all that Jesus and the NT commanded. It also includes laws from the OT not abrogated or superseded by the NT (Rom 8:2; Gal 6:2).

15. Identification with Jesus Christ

At the moment of salvation, the believer is permanently identified with Christ’s work on the cross by God the Father. The Christian is forever after identified with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and present session at the Father’s right hand (Rom 6:3-12; Gal 2:20).

16. Indwelling of God the Father

The believer is indwelt by God the Father at the moment of salvation, which is to provide a guarantee of unseen, yet extremely powerful assets and provisions for living the Christian life (Jn 14:23).

17. Indwelling of Jesus Christ

The indwelling of Jesus Christ is the guarantee of our membership in the royal family of God. Someday we will be instantly transported to heaven at death by our lord Jesus Christ Himself (Jn 14:20; Rom 8:10; Col 1:27).

18. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

The third person of the Holy Trinity unconditionally and permanently indwells all Christians at the moment of salvation. God has “first rights” to the use of your body – not the old sin nature (Jn 14:17; Rom 5:5; 8:9; 1 Cor 6:19-20; Gal 3:2).

19. Sealing of Your Salvation

At the moment of salvation, the sealing ministry of the Holy Spirit occurs. This “sealing” is God the Father’s stamp of ownership and the Holy Spirit’s signature of guarantee of eternal security, protection, and preservation of our souls from certain angelic (demonic) activity, such as demon possession. The Spirit of God inside us convicts, directs, prompts, and empowers us and is God’s guarantee to us that we’re going to get the whole rest of the package one day (Eph 1:13; 4:30).

20. Circumcision of the soul

This circumcision renders null and void the issue of our past lives as unsaved persons. God the Father places no value on the unsaved past of the new convert, so the emphasis of his new life must not be on the successes or failures of his past (Rom 2:29; Col 2:11; cf. Deut 10:16-17; Jer 4:4

Thanks for letting us invest in your life. We always appreciate your feedback and love have you checking in as well as forwarding this blog to another brother. May God bless you. –

Written by Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick: He has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 10 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 55; Proverbs 25

Daily Quote: “You don’t work in the hope of getting an identity; you work in celebration of the identity that, in Christ, you have been given.” ~Paul David Tripp

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

~Isaiah 55:8-9

You Have An Amazing Position IN CHRIST!

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Woman writing in notepad at wooden table
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ … Ephesians 1:3

There is some very crazy teaching on Christian TV and radio that seems to indicate that if we do certain things, God will pour out wealth, health and prosperity that will make us healthy, wealthy and wise.

God has promised us that He will always provide for our needs, but His definition of what we think we need and what He KNOWS we need is often very different.

We are far more rich than we can imagine. We are so rich IN CHRIST because Paul reminds us that we have been “blessed with EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING in heavenly places IN CHRIST.”

My friend, David Brewer, serves with a great ministry LIFE IN MESSIAH INTERNATIONAL, and he recently gave me an article called “The Wealth of Our Position In Christ: 40 Things That Occur At The Point of Our Salvation.” He adapted an article that has been written by Andy Woods.

This was such a blessing to me that I want to take the next four blogs that I submit to you to hopefully encourage you to understand your position in Christ. Will you take this one step further? Grab your Bible and look up the references that go along with each point. It will bless your heart!

(1) Imputed Righteousness — divine righteousness is imputed from God the Father to our souls and we share the righteousness of Christ (Rom 3:25-26; 4:3-5; 2 Cor 5:21). This is not something we receive by any effort on our part, apart from faith in Jesus’ finished work.

(2) Justification — as a result of this imputed righteousness, we are “declared righteous” or justified by God the Father; we are completely innocent in a positional way (Rom 3:24-30; 5:1; Gal 3:24).

(3) Children of God (“Born again” or “Regeneration) — we are “regenerated” or “born again” through the power of the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:1-12; Rom 8:16; Titus 3:5; 1 Jn 3:2).

(4) A Human Spirit that Has Communication with the Holy Spirit — we receive a regenerated human spirit which is part of the Holy Spirit’s regeneration ministry (Rom 8:16; 1 Cor 2:14).

(5) Imputed Everlasting Life — we receive the imputation of everlasting life from God the Father to our regenerative human spirit. And at the same instant, we share the eternal life Christ through positional truth. This is our double portion of eternal life (1 Jn 5:11-12).

(6) Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Baptized by the Spirit into Christ; 1 Cor 12:13).

(7) Propitiation — God’s anger against us because of our sin has been completely satisfied because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross. Therefore, everything that occurs in our Christian life is an expression of God’s love toward us, even the trials that we endure (Rom 3:24-25; Heb 2:17; 1 Jn 2:2; 4:10).

(8) Reconciliation – this indicates that Christ’s death removed God’s enmity against man. We are reconciled through faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross by God the Father because of the removal of the sin barrier between man and God. This work of Christ guarantees our eternal access to God (Rom 5:10; 2 Cor 5:18-20).

(9) Redemption – we’ve been redeemed (purchased out of the slave market of sin (Rom 3:24; 8:23; Gal 5:1; 1 Pet 1:18-19; Rev 5:9).

(10) Forgiveness — at the moment of salvation, we are granted total forgiveness of all our sins (past, present and future) by God the Father (Ps 103:12; Is 1:18; 43:25-26; 44:22; Micah 7:18-19; Acts 3:19; 10:43; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14).

I needed to be reminded of these truths this week. How about you? Why not forward this to a friend who needs to hear this truth too.

Written by Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick: He has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 10 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 48; Proverbs 18

Daily Quote: “When a man finds and knows himself to be linked with Christ, his life is altogether a new life. Crucified, then dead. Crucified, then the old life is put away. Whatever life a crucified man has must be new life. Whatever you have of life was not given you till you came into union with Christ. It is a new thing—as new as though you had been actually dead and rotted in the tomb and then had started up at the sound of the trumpet to live again.” ~Charles Haddon Spurgeon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon. ~Isaiah 55:7

Weakness Isn’t A Bad Thing

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Sad young man in empty room

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ~2 Corinthians 12:9
Have you ever found yourself in a position of feeling very weak? Maybe not physically, but maybe you’ve been emotionally drained. Your spiritual tank on empty? Maybe just plain wrung out from life itself?
Weakness isn’t a bad thing. I love the writings of Dr. Paul David Tripp, and if you’ve never picked up a copy of his daily devotional, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, I want to recommend you do. It is available from Amazon in hardcover and Kindle.
Here’s what he writes about weakness: I have said it many, many times and I will say it more than once in this devotional— our problem is not our weakness; God’s grace is up to the task. Our problem is our delusions of strength that keep us from seeking the grace that strengthens us in our weakness. We just don’t like to be weak. We don’t like to think of ourselves that way, and we don’t want others to see us that way. So we act as if we know things that we don’t know, and we don’t ask the questions we need to ask. We act as if we can handle things that we can’t handle, and we don’t seek the help that’s available. We act as if we’ve conquered things that we have not conquered, and we don’t reach out for help for the battle. It is all a failed quest for the self-congratulatory glory of independence.
But we are not independent. None of us are. We were not created to be independent. We were formed to be dependent on the One who made us, and we were re-created in Jesus Christ to be dependent on his grace. God does not hold you to a standard of independent strength. God does not expect of you what you do not have. He knows who you are. He is never shocked or dismayed by your weakness. He has moved toward you in grace because you are weak and would have no hope in life and death without him.
The person who is shocked and dismayed by your weakness is you. It bothers you. It embarrasses you. It makes you want to hide and cover yourself. It causes you to playact in public and to deceive yourself in private. Your weakness will drive you crazy unless you understand the gospel of Jesus. What is that message? It is the story of a strong and able Savior who showers his powerful grace on people who are fundamentally weak and unable. He confronts you with your weakness so you will run to him for strength. He calls you to mountains too big to climb so that in your inability, you will look to him. He leads you to taste failure so that you will find your hope in him. He works to prove to you how weak you really are so that you will gladly accept his invitation to enabling grace.
Perhaps it’s not such a bad thing to come to the end of your rope if at the end of your rope you find a strong and willing Savior. So don’t be afraid to cry out in weakness, because when you affirm your weakness, you are teaching your heart to esteem and celebrate the grace that can make you strong. Sometime in the next week, you’ll be confronted with your weakness; when you are, you’ll either work to convince yourself you’re strong or you’ll run to the One who is.
Tripp, Paul David (2014-10-31). New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional (Kindle Locations 4458-4476). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
I don’t know about you, but I sure needed that reminder. Hope it will encourage you. I appreciate you joining us on the journey.

Written by Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick: He has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 10 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 41; Proverbs 11

Daily Quote: Weakness is the window to strength. Confessing your inability produces hunger for the power that is only ever found in Jesus.”

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.. ~Isaiah 55:6

My Word’s Caused a Stir

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Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4

I have addressed this subject many times with you in the past, but since I just had something happen recently with my words, I thought I would share my heart yet again.

We live in a world where EVERYONE wants to be able to share freely their opinions and feelings even if it hasn’t been solicited.

I’ve heard people in our senior community say to me, “At this age of my life, I have lived long enough that I can say what I want, whenever I want, to whomever I want, and how I want. Deal with it.”

Social media has given us the opportunity to express our opinions solicited or unsolicited. I am convinced that 80% of the things people write on social media would never be said if that individual had to say it face-to-face. Maybe that is why someone once said, “the pen is mightier than the sword.”

I normally just post Scripture. Occasionally someone will tell me I have quoted a verse out of context. I can deal with that. I get that and am fine with that.

But I lowered myself and shouldn’t have – to rant. My rant came out of frustration with people’s comments about my schedule and time off. Recently Jan and I hosted an 8-day trip for America’s Keswick. It is part of my job to do things like this. If you’ve never hosted a trip, you probably don’t have a clue what is involved with serving 50 people for 8 days. You are literally on call for 24 hours.

It was an unusual situation as we came home for two days and then went on our vacation. Some of the saints expressed to me how nice it would be to be on “vacation” for eight days and then take my vacation. Several posted comments on Facebook when we posted pictures of our being with our kids in Florida.

I admit it. I got in the flesh and ranted. I shared what was going on in my heart. I made an attempt to defend myself anticipating that others would join in as they have done in the past. At Christmas time was taken to task big time for putting my Christmas lights up too soon!!!

But what I did was really was to do the very thing that I have expressed frustration over in the past. I joined the crowd and shot off my mouth when I should have just let it go.

It was a good reminder to me that my words really do matter. Once they are out of your mouth, no matter how hard you try, you can’t get them back in. The damage is already done.

At 62 you think I would have learned this lesson. But like you, I am still in process. Lord, please set a guard over my lips. Help me today to use my words to speak life not poison and death. Thanks for listening to my rant.

Written by Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick: He has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 10 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 35; Proverbs 5

Daily Quote:”We cannot be too careful about the words we use; we start out using them and they end up using us.” ~Eugene Peterson

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

For the mountains shall depart
And the hills be removed,
But My kindness shall not depart from you,
Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,”
Says the Lord, who has mercy on you. ~Isaiah 54:10

Mephibosheth

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So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet. ~2 Samuel 9:13

Most of us can’t even pronounce his name. It wasn’t a story growing up that we even heard about in Sunday School. I have only ever heard on message preached about this man.

Who the blazes is Mephibosheth? Well to learn his story you can read about him in 2 Samuel 9. Mephibosheth is the son of King David’s dearest friend, Jonathan.

In an effort to honor his friend, he has his team search out the kingdom to see if there is anyone still alive related to Jonathan. They find his son but he doesn’t necessarily fit the mold of being the son of a warrior. In fact he wouldn’t be the one that most of us would think would even have the profile of being the son of a king.

The servants told David – “There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.” (2 Samuel 9:3).

King David is so moved by meeting this kid that he does the unthinkable – not only does he promise to care for him, he promises to care for his descendants, and then invited him to come sit at his own table and to eat their regularly! What an amazing picture of God’s grace.

Why do I share that story? Well there are some special people that I know who are sons and daughter of the King. And they have a huge heart for caring for people who don’t necessarily fit the “mold.”

Elizabeth B and her family are an example of caring for two men who are physically and mentally challenged. They have done this as a family for years.

Elizabeth brought her son, Donald to our Young at Heart conference several years ago. Donald is 59 and has many physical and mental challenges. He can’t say much, but he knows what’s going on. When he greats me with his big smile, he melts my heart. He calls me “Him” and when he arrived at our recent conference, he had a picture that he drew for me.

Donald comes to all the sessions. I am not sure what he comprehends. But I do know this. Robert and I will play “Jesus Loves Me” for him and when we do, his entire face lights up. There is a radiance and joy that goes beyond the physical and mental challenges and he lights up the room.

Apart from a miracle, Donald won’t ever get to sit at the table of the President of the United States like Mephibosheth who was seated at the Kings’ table.

But I do know this – that Donald, being a child of God is the son of the King of kings and Lord of lords and He invites him to sit at HIS table.

I am thankful for my friend Elizabeth and her family for caring for my friend, Donald. Somehow I think that King Jesus has some very special rewards in heaven for people who have loved on and cared for folks like Donald.

Written by Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick: He has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 10 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 26; Proverbs 27

Daily Quote:  “Doctrine properly understood and applied makes all the difference in the world of belief and behavior. ” ~Dr. Joe Stowell

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

So the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
And come to Zion with singing,
With everlasting joy on their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness;
Sorrow and sighing shall flee away. ~Isaiah 51:11

The God Who Is… Part 2

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And 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 to them that DILIGENTLY seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

If you want to do a fascinating study through the Scriptures, grab a highlighter and underline every time you see God is, the Lord is, He is – and you will be amazed at the present tense of this wonderful God we have.

Here are some additional references to add to my list from last week. I trust that this list will cause you to break out in your own doxology of praise as you contemplate this One who is … and He is FOR YOU!

26. He IS a shield to those who trust Him. (Psalm 18:31)

27. God IS forever. (Psalm 45:6)

28. He IS our refuge and strength. (Psalm 46:1)

29. He IS your helper. (Psalm 54:4) 16.

30. He IS your defense. (Psalm 59:17)

31. God IS your sun and shield. (Psalm 84:11)

31. He IS God, the Lord God your Maker. (Psalm 100:3)

32. God IS good. (Psalm 118:1)

33. God IS the Lord. (Psalm 118:27)

34. God IS my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2)

35. He IS the living God. (Jeremiah 10:10)

36. God IS gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, and relenting of evil. (Joel 2:13)

37. He IS the God of the impossible. (Matthew 19:26)

38. God IS the God of living not the dead. (Luke 20:38)

39. God IS faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 10:17)

40. God IS wiser than men. (1 Corinthians 1:25)

41. God IS not the author of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:23)

42. He IS the God of peace. (1 Corinthians 14:33) 43. God IS rich in mercy. (Ephesians 2:4)

44. God IS Light. (1 John 1:5)

45. God IS Love. (1 John 4:16)

Saint Augustine said this: What is God – what, but the Lord God? For who is the Lord but the Lord? Or who is God save our God? Most high, most excellent, most powerful, most almighty, most merciful, and most just; most hidden, yet most present; most beautiful, and most strong; stable, yet mysterious; unchangeable, yet changing all things; never new, never old; making all things new and bringing age upon the proud, though they do not know it; always working, yet always at rest; still gathering, yet lacking nothing; sustaining, filling and protecting; creating, nourishing, and maturing; seeking, yet possessing all things. God loves without passion; He is jealous without anxiety; He repents, yet has no sorrow; is angry, yet serene; changes His ways, yet His plans are unchanged; recovers what He finds, having never lost it; never in need, yet rejoicing in gain; never covetous, yet requiring interest. He receives over and above, that He may owe – yet who has anything that is not His? He pays debts, owing nothing; remits debts, losing nothing. And what can anyone say when they speak of Him?

So why don’t you take a moment and write out a doxology of praise based on this list and then send it to me. I would like to put those in a future blog. Come on … I double-dog dare you to do it.

Written by Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick: He has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 10 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 19; Proverbs 20

Daily Quote: The fear of God is the death of every other fear; like a mighty lion, it chases all other fears before it. —C.H. Spurgeon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

31 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. ~Isaiah 40:31