Tag: christian living

Praying as You Read The Scriptures

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Stressed businessman

In just a few days we will be entering the month of December. A number of you committed to read through the book of Psalms and Proverbs with us this year and I trust it has been a blessing to you.
I am always looking for ways to keep my quiet times fresh and exciting. I have seen a number of great resources that I will share with you as we prepare for 2017, but resources that you can start right now.
I recently read a blog by Kristen Wheterell and she suggests 22 ways to pray as we read through the Bible based on principles from Psalm 119. I am using them in my quiet time and commend them to you:

  • Pray for wholehearted seeking: Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways (vv. 2-3)!
  • Pray for protection from sin: I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (v. 11).
  • Pray for opened eyes: Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law (v. 18).
  • Pray for spiritual strength:  My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word (v. 28)!
  • Pray for delight and longing: Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!…Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life (vv. 36, 40)!
  • Pray to fight lies: Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word (vv. 41-42).
  • Pray to live with trust in God’s promises: This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life (v. 50).
  • Pray for quick obedience: I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments (v. 60).
  • Pray for good judgment and knowledge: Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments (v. 66).
  • Pray for God’s comfort: Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant (v. 76).
  • Pray for endurance against the enemy: All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me (v. 86)!
  • Pray to depend on God’s enduring Word: Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens….I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts (vv. 89-94).
  • Pray for continual meditation: Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day (v. 97).
  • Pray for God’s light to guide you: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (v. 105).
  • Pray for fear of the Lord: My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments (v. 120).
  • Pray for trust in the Lord’s justice: I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies! It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken (vv. 125-6).
  • Pray for victory over sin: Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me (v. 133).
  • Pray for joy in trouble: Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight (v. 143).
  • Pray for God to hear you: Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O Lord, according to your justice give me life (v. 149).
  • Pray for mercy: Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to your rules (v. 156).
  • Pray to abhor falsehood: I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law (v. 163).
  • Pray for a soul of praise: Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me (v. 175).

Pretty cool, huh? I trust they will be helpful to you. I’d love to hear from you. Send me an email at bwelte@americaskeswick.org Trust you had a great Thanksgiving.

Resource: Kristen Whetherell blog

Written by Dr. Bill Welte, 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 28; Proverbs 28

Daily Quote: The louder Satan roars, the more proof you shall have of Christ’s love. ~C.H. Spurgeon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:6-7

Hard, but not Difficult

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Construction worker

“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” ~Genesis 4:7

We have a term in the construction field for labor work especially when it is drudgery, it’s called “Neck Down”. It can be a derogatory term but the meaning is this, stop thinking and work, stop using your head, just use everything from the neck down. Most labor detailed work is not difficult, but it’s hard.

The meaning of difficult I am referring to would be something that is hard to understand or figure out. I think we would all agree that although there are portions of scripture that can be difficult to understand, the basic meanings to living a sanctified life is simple but hard. I know what I should do but it’s not always easy.

When I find myself having to make a choice as to how I am going to act, the battle or conflict begins. There’s the flesh that wants what it wants and it wants it now. Then there’s the Spirit that speaks truth and the conviction that comes with it and leads me towards God. It reminds me of when I was a kid, we used to trade things a lot, whether baseball or football cards, lunches and even sometimes our bikes. The issue always was “am I willing to give up something I have for something I may want”? Am I willing to trade pleasing my Father in Heaven for the fleeting pleasure or comfort of my flesh?

When it comes to our walk with Jesus, He will never give up loving us but I believe our choices can disqualify or we can forfeit the blessings and the peace and joy that comes with obedience. Am I willing to trade sin and pleasure (death) for joy and blessings (life)? For a more complete list see Deuteronomy 29 and 30.

The choice isn’t always about action but sometimes it’s what we don’t do that becomes sin. It’s not difficult to figure out how to witness to someone or resolve a conflict, but it’s hard. And who feels like calling a brother out for sinful behavior? Not me. The problem is James makes it very clear in chapter 4 verse 17 “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin”.

I have found that even though it is hard and can be very uncomfortable, when our motives are right and God’s word is honored the results are worth it.

So, yes, our walk with the Lord can be hard, but it’s not difficult. Don’t get caught up thinking about not obeying, remember “neck down”.

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob is married to Terri, he is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time staff member. He is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 139; Proverbs 20

Daily Quote: Prayer is the link that connects us with God. ~A.B. Simpson

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceedingandeternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ~2 Corinthians 4:17-18

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I, NEBUCHADNEZZAR

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King Nebuchadnezzar and Zedekiah

“King Nebuchadnezzar sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you! “I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me. How great are His signs, how powerful His wonders! His kingdom will last forever, His rule through all generations.” ~Daniel 4:1-3 (NLT)

Humility can come to us in many forms. For Brother Lawrence it came from working in a priory kitchen but for Nebuchadnezzar it came from eating grass. The difference between these two men are as such, one was a soldier and fought in the “Thirty Years War” received an injury and went on to become a monk, the other was a mighty king who had a statue formed from gold to honor his favorite god. Some say it was of himself, some say it was of Bel (the popular god of the time period) but none the matter, El Elyon (The Most High God) wasn’t having any of his nonsense and took this King Nebuchadnezzar and reduced him to some crazy dude hanging out in the fields eating Babylonian grass…like a cow.

Now Nebbie’s story starts off with the decimation of what was left of Israel and exiling its people back to Babylon. He has this dream and only one of those exiles, Daniel, interprets its meaning. And without going into some deep eschatological perspective Nebbie musta been so egotistical that when Daniel said, “You are the head of gold” his little ego voice said within himself, “YEAH! WHAT HE SAID!! THAT’S RIGHT!!! So not too long after this comes a statue, rebellion to its worship, a fiery furnace complete with divine intervention and then this statement…

“Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God. “Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.” (Daniel 3:28-29)

Then came another dream and once again Daniel makes an interpretation. “Nebbie hate to tell this but now you’re a tree being cut-down. Repent, turn and acknowledge the Kingdom of El Elyon or get your grazing gear on ‘cos you’re doomed to become a cow.” Twelve months go by and thus says Nebbie, “I done built me a pretty good spread here, how great I art!!” Mooo… So what’s to be gleaned from this for ourselves today? Glad you asked.

Well first of all Nebuchadnezzar did NOT stay like a cow forever, he does come to his senses. He gets over his slight case of lycanthropy by pretty much finishing up the sentence that El Elyon told him he would have to serve for singing all that “How Great I Art” stuff then lifting his eyes up towards the kingdom of Heaven.

The second thing to glean is that there is repentance no matter how far gone your concept of self-praise is. Brother Lawrence found joy in the pots and pans that he considered privileged to wash…all to the glory of God. That kind of humility is rare these days. These days we have to be reduced down to eating grass and having our lives removed from its comfort zone (or for 4yrs of historical record like Nebuchadnezzar) before we will even take that first glance towards the Throne of Grace. There is an example to follow however….

“Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority over everything and that He had come from God and would return to God. So He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him.” (John 13:3-5) If THE King of kings and Lord of lords can humble himself to wash the feet of a bunch of misfits then who are we not to follow the example? Even the biggest misfit of the bunch knew this enough to pen this, “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Secularland needs to see divine humility in these self-indulgenced days…why not take a chance and be the one who shows it to them. 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: Psalm 123; Proverbs 4

Daily Quote: “No tree can grow except on the root from which it sprang. Through all its existence it can only live with the life that was in the seed that gave it being. This truth, in its application to the first and Second Adam, can greatly help us to understand both the need and the nature of the redemption there is in Jesus.” —Andrew Murray

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.~2 Corinthians 4:15

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The Confidence to Witness

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Couple of young men talking on the stairs

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

There’s a deeply spiritual lady in our church called Caroline. Sadly, she has a social phobia (the exact opposite of confidence) that cripples her life. In spite of this, she has brought more people to church and to ‘Alpha’ courses than anyone I can think of. I find that inspiring. She recently told me that at a conference two years ago someone shared a word from God that ‘Two men will pull you out of this.’ She’s been waiting for these two men. I told her that she should really only be waiting for one because her husband, Steve, is the other. Steve is a convinced atheist but he’s also a wonderful guy. He teaches college math. He’s kind and funny. He loves his wife deeply and has hung in there for all this time. Then it occurred to me that as her pastor, I must be the other. So I got Steve to meet me for coffee.

I shared testimonies of God working in my life in ways that are unexplainable apart from the supernatural. I told him that there was power in togetherness and that my idea was to pray together with him for his wife. He said, “You’re asking me to pray to a brick to make my wife better and in all sincerity I can’t do that.” I asked him if he would do anything to make his wife better including praying to a brick. In the end he said, “I’ll do it for you, Chris. It’s not for Caroline and it’s not for me, but I can see that it’s important to you.” So right then and there I prayed a short prayer and squeezed out an ‘amen’ from Steve. The next day I heard from Caroline. In her e-mail she said:

“Thank you for meeting up with Steve. I’m so glad he was able to talk to you about my illness. He said he’s never had anyone to talk to and it felt good to open up. He also came away questioning himself about what makes him so sure that there is no God, and that if God was to reveal himself to Steve, then he would accept him.”

This testimony is still unfolding but I believe in Caroline’s healing. I believe in Steve’s salvation. I believe in God’s goodness and power, and I believe that if we boldly witness, then we can not only have confidence in our own futures, we can even change the future for others.

Written by Rev. Chris Thompson: Chris is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and Pastor of Enderby Mission Church in Leicester, England.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 121; Proverbs 29

Daily Quote: Fervent prayers produce phenomenal results. ~Woodrow Kroll

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ~2 Corinthians 4:8-11

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Praying Powerfully – Part #1

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Christian man praying with hands crossed

And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God…” (1 Samuel 7:8a)

This verse speaks to a people that were in dire need of their God; and they prayed. Prayer is powerful, a vital part of our Christian walk. We need it, and if we claim that we are in an intimate with relationship with Him, it shouldn’t be burdensome. In this first Power of Prayer, I want to share the power of praying for our wives or significant other. The power here starts by being intentional.

“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (1 Peter 3:7)

I first started this with a counselee, to encourage him to change his perception on his wife. But God! He showed me it was me that needed adjustments. Prayer is where the real fights are won. This is the channel that allows to us to express our love and protection over the women God put in our lives. It reminds us that God, and Him alone, is center of the relationship f

Is it hard to pray for your wife, or do you struggle what to pray for, or are you praying for her in a way that would benefit you? Try taking her needs to the altar.

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: Psalm 120; Proverbs 28

Daily Quote: Time spent in prayer is never wasted. ~Francis Fenelon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ~2 Corinthians 4:8-11

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For 3, Not 4

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Calculator and pencil

“The Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” ~Matthew 18:21-22 (NASB)

Don’t go grabbing your calculator I’ll give you the answer right here. 490. Yeppers you can forgive someone 490 times before you get to say, “Sorry but you’ve used up all my forgiveness towards you. Now please exit the room and consider yourself dead to me.” If you really think that then maybe today’s Freedom Fighter is not for you…just kidding it is for you and for me as well. This past Wednesday night’s Bible study was an eye opener to something that I haven’t seen in Scripture before. The concept of forgiving someone 3 times but after that you’ve used up all your “get outta jail free” cards.

Pastor John Mol has been in Matthew for quite some time and he’s just getting done with chapter 18. So we stopped in to see what the parable of the unforgiving servant was all about. Basically when it’s condensed we see that this is a message for Christ’s church. Yes, it deals with the topic of forgiveness and I’ll get to that but it is a huge glimpse into how Christians should treat Christians…and dare I say how we should treat Secular Lands citizens.

It all starts when Peter, possibly thinking himself more highly than he ought, approaches Jesus and, possibly stroking his beard, asks Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Now Peter had been taught by the Jewish leaders of his time that you can forgive your brother 3 times and things were to be cool between you and he but that 4th incident occurring meant you could after him. Now Jesus being Jesus, sees right through this and wants Peter to change his thinking from one that keeps account of forgiveness to one that forgives unconditionally. But what’s up with the 3 times stuff? Got your Bible? Then let’s go to Amos 1.

When you look at verses 3,6,9,11,13 and even continuing into chapter two we see this written; “Thus says the LORD, “For the three transgressions of (fill in the blank) and for four I will not revoke its punishment,” and then we read why the LORD is doing what’s He is doing to the ENEMIES of His people and for the reason’s He is carrying it out. Guess those wacky Pharisees saw this as a way to punish their own. After all, we shouldn’t be sinning against our own people anyway and if we do and we go too far with it…like 4 times, they are no longer with us but are against us (ENEMIES) and we should be allowed to “send a fire upon the walls of (my brother), And it will consume her citadels.” Seems kinda extreme but those filthy sinners need to learn their lesson!! After all, do they not know who I am? Hmm…

When we look at the parable that Jesus teaches in Matthew 18:21-35 things should be quite clear to us. If a certain KING has forgiven YOUR huge debt who are you to not forgive a smaller debt owed to you by others. By the way, that dollar amount forgiven by that certain king in the parable was about $16,000,000 in today’s money…I ain’t got that kinda pocket change laying around, do you?

See the bottom line here is that whatever we think is a great offense done to us isn’t even measurable to the sin we commit against a holy and righteous God. But for some dumb reason we think it is and what is even more troubling is we tend to wanna punish our own when it’s done by our own. Now we can rest on Jesus’ words “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” when it comes to those in Secular Land but we forget to say this when it comes to those folks that are in The House with us on Sunday morning. What a wretched bunch we are, huh?

Here’s something to glean from this as well…even though the unforgiving servant got his just desserts, he wasn’t cast out of his master’s kingdom. Why? For the same reason he wasn’t punished for not having $16,00,000 in hard currency…LOVE. The king loved him, just as our King loves us. As the writer of Hebrews puts it, “After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as His children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline, and don’t give up when He corrects you. For the LORD disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child.” (Hebrews 12:4-6) Pretty cool stuff, 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: Psalm 119; Proverbs 27

Daily Quote: We trample the blood of the Son of God underfoot if we think we are forgiven because we are sorry for our sins. The only reason for the forgiveness of our sins by God, and the infinite depth of His promise to forget them, is the death of Jesus Christ. —Oswald Chambers

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ~2 Corinthians 4:8-11

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119 Years

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And the Lord, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee; fear not, neither be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8

Yesterday was a very important day in the life of the ministry of America’s Keswick. 119 years ago tomorrow William Raws, his family and a small group of staff gathered on these grounds, and after a short Bible study, pooled their resources and discovered they had $1.87 and that was the beginning of the America’s Keswick story.

119 years later, the vision of William Raws is still very much alive and well. His passion for investing in the lives of men and now women was a baton that was passed to his son, Addison, the his grandson, Pastor Bill, then to Roger Williams, John Bryant and then to me.

Last week we gathered at Shady Maple, America’s Keswick and Dock Woods Community to celebrate God’s faithfulness to this ministry.

From its very inception the plan was that God would get all the glory, the Word of God would be preached to the men (and now women) and that pray would be a driving force of all we do.

While the buildings don’t look the same as they were in 1897, the program has been through many changes, the core message has never changed. The message we share today is the same one that William Raws taught when God allowed him to see the birth of his vision.

119 years later and 20,000+ men and now women who have graduated from the program, we are even more committed to share with men and women that life-transforming truth that Jesus Christ is the ONLY answer to addiction, and that through Christ, a man, woman, teen or child can live a life of victory.

Thirteen men who have graduated from the program now serve on our full-time staff which is 20% of our staff. And who knows – somewhere down the road I can see a graduate of Barbara’s Place serving full-time on our staff.

The need for the ministry of addiction recovery is greater now than it was in 1897. Heroin is talking our country by a storm. By the end of this calendar year we may see more deaths to heroin overdoses than what we experienced during some of our wars.

Addiction is tearing apart families. Addiction seems to pass down from a parent to his kids and grandkids. Addiction is not only impacting kids in non-Christian homes – it is happening to Christian kids.

The sad thing is that the enemy is going after our kids and grandkids. The average age right now is 8 years old!!! That is frightening to a man who has grand kids are close to that age group.

With your prayers and your financial support, we will continue to do what God has called us to do. Thank you for being a part of the Freedom Fighter blog family. As God brings this ministry to your minds, please pray for us. May God bless you. Happy 119 year anniversary to America’s Keswick.

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 118; Proverbs 26

Daily Quote: Not only does honest confession of sin lead to fresh experience of His forgiveness, but it also helps you let go of the chains and walk in greater freedom in the future. From Living the Battle Plan

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ~2 Corinthians 4:8-11

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Don’t Assume Jesus is with You: Luke 2:41-51

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Yellow boots on the road

“43 But when the feast was over, as they were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but (because they assumed that he was in their group of travelers) they went a day’s journey. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” (Luke 2:43-46)

It is understandable that Jesus’ parents lost track of Jesus given they were most likely travelling in a large caravan full of family and friends from Nazareth to Jerusalem and back. If Jesus was hanging out with His cousins (possibly playing tag) then His parents could have easily lost track of Him. However, it is interesting that the text says that “they assumed” Jesus was still with their group. And this should be familiar to us all. How many times have we as Christians in America ventured off with our plans, and our goals, all while assuming that Jesus is with us? It is as though we presume that whatever we do Jesus will automatically endorse, offering His divine stamp of approval.

This can be seen in big and small decisions we make every day or through the materialistic and financial focus we operate by. We often are trying to climb the corporate ladder or accumulate more toys, like big houses and fancy cars. We just chase after our dreams and take for granted that God also wants that path for our lives.

Jesus’ parents are disrupted from this assumption when they realize that Jesus indeed was no longer journeying with them. How devastating it must have been to realize their child had been left behind in the big city (remember, they are small time country folk from Galilee), and they have no clue as to where He is. As a father myself, I can only assume that they felt helpless, vulnerable, broken, and scared. It is no coincidence that they must go three days in Jerusalem, because for them the loss of their child would have begun to feel like God had abandoned them in their despair.

After three days of searching, they finally decide to look in the Temple. Contrast the parents with Jesus. The parents are anxious and frantic while Jesus is hanging out, seemingly un-phased by this familial separation. Like any Mom, after realizing that their child is fine, Mary digs into Jesus, disturbed with how their child could put them through such agony. Jesus simply says “didn’t you know” that I had to be “in the things of My Father” (that’s the literal Greek translation). Again contrast the parents’ posture and approach with that of Jesus. The parents began assuming that Jesus was journeying with them. However, Jesus had actually intentionally aligned and arranged His life with, and around, the things of His Father. And there we find a timely challenge for us to follow after. May we, like Jesus, surrender our will to the Father and rearrange our lives and decisions around the Lordship of the Messiah. And may we join God in His radical in-breaking kingdom rather than assuming Jesus will go along with all of our pursuits.

Written by Dr. Drew Hart: Dr. Hart is a professor in theology at Messiah College, author of “Trouble I’ve Seen”, and an activist with ten years of pastoral experience. Dr. Hart recently spoke at a America’s Keswick this past summer with his father, Dr. Tony Hart.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 115; Proverbs 23

Daily Quote:God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing. ~C.S. Lewis

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 8:38-39

A Bit Clearer

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cleaning glasses “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.” ~1 Corinthians 13:12

While watching my wife upgrade her prescription for her glasses I tried on her old pair of glasses. Wow! For a person that never checked his vision I was blown away at how much clearer the world appeared. The details, the rich colors, the ability to read a bit better. Then she received her new glasses, which were HD lenses, and just when I was captivated with the clarity of the sight from the first pair of glasses, these enhanced every element further. It was like transitioning from an old tube TV to LED flat screen or VCR tape to Blu-Ray disc.

This is a glimpse of how our walks unfold. By faith, We move through our Christian life growing more aware, more clearer, from the world and sin, to kingdom living and peace, from selfish ambitions to Christ centered love, from lovers of evil to loving God and His people.

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

“I have found a desire within myself that no experience in this world can satisfy; the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” C. S. Lewis

I thank God that his promises are not limited to the world or elements that are seen, but our hope rest in a greater more eternal glory. We can only imagine!

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: Psalm 114; Proverbs 22

Daily Quote: True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. ~C.S. Lewis

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 8:38-39

No More Scorekeeping

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Old baseball scoreboard background

I’ve decided that if I had my life to live over again, I would not only climb more mountains, swim more rivers, and watch more sunsets; I wouldn’t only jettison my hot water bottle, raincoat, umbrella, parachute, and raft; I would not only go barefoot earlier in the spring and stay out later in the fall; but I would devote not one more minute to monitoring my spiritual growth. No, not one. ~Brennan Manning, The Furious Longing of God

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him. ~Paul, The Least of The Apostles, in Colossians 2

Oh beloved, it is true. There is an accuser of the brethren. He is a liar. And beyond his continuous attempts to pull us back into remembrance of our failures (that we might repeat them – have no doubt about this), this liar has an accomplice.

Us.

The liar will tempt us towards the things that will kill us, and so will the desires of our flesh. And have no doubt that sin is a very bad idea. We can indeed kill ourselves in our stupidity. But worse, is that the evil one – and our religiously-minded flesh – will attempt to kill us off too.

Plus, sin takes us off of our main purpose now in Life. We have the opportunity to be the friend of G_d. This now, is never in doubt. But sin is painful to our souls, it is like poking ourselves in the eye, or hitting our finger with a hammer. It is, as the author says, “Grace is no more a license to sin, than electricity is a license to electrocute ourselves.”

So, yes, it is vital to see sin for what it is: Sin is that “self-ness” within me which is paid with death. It is such an enormous deal that Jesus Himself died to pay off the payment. It was a payoff so gargantuan that none other could have ever even come close to making this payment.

But, it is here where we miss it.

Can we see it? Jesus has bought a freedom for us that is so large, that condemnation (that of the accuser, or of our own false shame) is no longer appropriate. Jesus has given His very own blood for us. Jesus has experienced the death we could not have endured – and has triumphed gloriously over it all, that we would be free.

Free from condemnation

Free from worrying about our spiritual growth

Free from wonder about our standing with G_d

Free from the lies of the Liar

Free from my own screaming voice of shame.

Now, before you readers go off at think this is some sort of “feel good” gospel, this fool of a writer is going to ask you to do a little considering of your last failure. What helped pull you back into freedom? Was it you groveling in some sort of false guilt and condemnation? If your experience is anything like most of us, that kind of approach is just a path to further sin and pain.

However, now consider the time (hopefully many times) where you have honestly agreed with G_d that you are in need of the forgiveness, mercy, and grace He has already provided. Do you remember that sense of the weight of your failure falling off your shoulders as it is swallowed up at the foot of the cross? Yes, you may remember this, because any of us who have, are experiencing The Truth.

So, are you looking at a recent failure in your life? May i suggest something. Don’t. Because He doesn’t. Do not touch the foul thing of guilt and shame. It is a trap! It will do you no good. Tonight is your night. Time to believe you are forgiven, and loved, and free.

The word of knowledge was exceptionally sure that night, and the second minister and his wife marveled at the accuracy and truth in the prophetic word. The third couple stepped forward for ministry, and again the word of knowledge was present. The prophet spoke to the husband, revealing his past, present, and insight into his future. Then the man of God turned to this third minister’s wife. As he began to speak of her past, suddenly he paused. Then he said, “There was a very serious sin in your past.” The woman, with her worst fear upon her, turned pale and closed her eyes. The congregation hushed and moved to the edge of their seats.

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: Psalm 113; Proverbs 21

Daily Quote: The prophet continued, “And I asked the Lord, ‘What was this sin that she committed?’ And the Lord answered, ‘I do not remember!'” ~Francis Frangipane

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 8:38-39