Freedom Fighters

Focus on the Right Target

04/14/201604/11/2016Leave a comment

“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?”~2 Peter 3:11

There’s an old saying “don’t shoot the messenger” that applies to a person who is speaking a message that comes from someone else. I have a tendency to direct my displeasure at the individual or group from which the message is delivered from.

We are obviously living in perilous times and I don’t know about you by one phrase in particular has been showing up in my prayers more and more, “Come quickly Lord”! It can be exhausting being bombarded with the way things are going in our world and the natural reaction is to lash out at the people and the groups who are directly responsible.

There is spiritual warfare going on and although people don’t understand what they are standing up for they come against the very nature of God, but it’s the God that is being revealed to us, not them. You see I can get myself all worked up about the injustice that is alive and well in the world today but if my anger is directed at the people I become just as guilty as them. My anger has to be directed at the sin that comes from the person, “hate the sin but love the sinner” mentality.

Now this might mean separating myself from the messenger but if I’m attacking the person my “focus is on the wrong target”. It’s like smacking the Dummy in the face when all along it’s the Puppet master that the thoughts are coming from, just like I used to think before coming to a saving knowledge of Christ. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others”.

I think Peter is writing to help us with our focus, he starts of chapter 3 of his second epistle by telling us “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder)”. The reminder is God is “still in control” and He says “stir up pure minds” which will lead us back to the teaching of the Prophets and Apostles, trusting God with the person delivering the message but certainly showing a displeasure of the message they bring.

Peter reminds us that God did not forget about His promise but in fact is waiting for the scoffers and mockers to come to repentance, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” vs 9, I’m sure glad He waited for me.

So let’s direct or shots at the right target, the true enemy, and maybe begin to pray for the salvation of those that are delivering the sinful blows. Let’s let our life be a testimony. Remember, it’s God who changes the heart not us. I read a billboard in front of a church once that said “God isn’t looking for attorneys, He’ looking for witnesses, Amen!

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time staff member at America’s Keswick. 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 105; Proverbs 14

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: “The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now.” ~Rick Warren

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him. ~Psalm 28:7

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It’s 5:55 A.M.

04/13/201604/11/2016Leave a comment

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.” ~Mark 1:35 (ESV)

Did you know that when lion’s go to kill their prey they do so by clamping their huge jaws down on the mouth of their victim? Now whether it’s instinct or watched behavior, lions use cooperative tactics to take down and silence their prey. It is no wonder that Peter would pen this warning to us, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Now think this through. If a lion has got his jaws around your mouth what can’t you do? If you said cry out for help you are correct!

The apostle Paul also gives his advice on being alert, so much so that he instructs you to put on the full armor of God before you even go into the battle of the day but he gives this keen bit of insight… “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:18) Believe it or not, prayer is a weapon that your adversary fears you using the most and he will do what he has to to clamp down on your spiritual jaws so you can’t cry out to YHVH for help. So what can we do about it? Well it’s 5:55 a.m. and it is time to suit up and PRAY!!

In the very same way that we say we need to tithe the first fruits we should give God the first hour. You can try and say you aren’t all that together until you have had your coffee or glass of O.J. but I’m gonna tell ya that if you don’t give God that first hour the rest of your day is up for grabs. If you aren’t getting that armor on as soon as those feet hit the floor you are setting yourself up for the Pinscher maneuver that the Germans used in WWII to defeat weaker nations that weren’t ready for this kinda warfare. Remember it may not be a tangible warfare we are in but we are engaged in spiritual warfare.

Here are three things that you can hit your knees running with…

1. Pray the Armor of God on every morning: There is an unending struggle and to pray the armor on will help protect our minds from the distractions we encounter from our adversary.

2. Pray for forgiveness and repentance: God isn’t gonna pretend everything’s okay when you approach the throne of grace. Unconfessed sin will dull God’s ear to us. “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, He has turned away and will not listen anymore.” (Isaiah 59:2)

3. Pray for a fresh refill of the Holy Spirit: We have no problems walking up to those soda machines with them Super-sized cups. It is like what Jesus said, “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” (Luke 11:13)

If an Almighty God can turn to a Pharaoh and say, “I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying My power in you and to spread My fame throughout the earth.” (Romans 9:17) what more can it be to us to petition the Throne of God’s Grace to pour out on us first thing in the morning.

The hunt is on brethren and when it comes to those things out there in Secularland we are the prey but the armor we are to wear is built to face adversity not run from it. God’s Word makes it clear that He wants to hear us ask for His help. If we have to scream for it out loud then so be it. But YHVH will not hear the muffled cries of His people if we are being devoured by the adversary. Remember…like a lion seeking to devour. It’ll take a warrior to take a stand, wield a sword and say a prayer. Amen?

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris, a graduate of The Colony of Mercy (11-2003) is married with two adult children (you may remember them from summer staff) and serves on the Deacon Board at Trinity Alliance Church in Cologne NJ

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 104; Proverbs 13

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: “Remember, NOT ONE OF US is without sin. Not your pastor, not your earthly father, not your mentor, not even the Pope is without sin. Let’s face up, let’s get serious; we were born of sin and our minds are not pure. But I believe a Godly man is the man that strives to be righteous on a daily basis, a man that fights it with all his heart, and when he falls back into sin, he gets back up, repents and gives it another shot.” ~Mark W. Koch

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him. ~Psalm 28:7

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Humility Vs. Pride I

04/12/201604/11/2016Leave a comment

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1 Peter 5:6)

I have been wrong, I have made many mistakes, life and people have crushed me plenty of times; and most of them left me in despair. In addition, losing a loved one has way of bringing me to my knees. These are all situations that push or should push us back to a broken state before God.

However, I have been asking God to keep me in that state of humility in spite of life’s condition. You might think I’m crazy, but I believe if I can keep myself with a broken sprit and a contrite heart, that God doesn’t need to do it for me, or at least as often. I am certainly not the example of the humblest person, but that doesn’t stop me from checking my motives and dispositions.

The beauty about Humility, besides the constant command in the scripture, is that it reflects the attitude of Christ. It sets us apart from our natural prideful make-up and forces us to total reliance on God. It allows us to be in a right fellowship with God. James mentions, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” And all of us could benefit from the grace of God.

Humility is characteristic and evidence of the Christian faith. It understands who the boss, who is in control, who is right. Even secular recovery starts with admitting that they are not in control and need a power greater themselves. The good news; we know that power, we know that person. Jesus Christ humbled himself to the will of the Father and at the right time the Father lifted Him up and made His name above every name. Take down, and He will lift you up.

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

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 103; Proverbs 12

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: “To love someone means to see him as God intended him” ~Fyodor Dostoevsky

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him. ~Psalm 28:7

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Core Values – The Word of God

04/11/201604/11/2016Leave a comment

I love serving with young millennial leaders. They challenge your thinking and get you to see things from a totally different perspective. So as a result of Graeme Wilson’s challenge, I want to take the next couple of Monday’s to share with you about the Core Values of our ministry.

In 1998, our Board mapped out the ten values that would continue to guide, guard and protect our ministry moving forward. When everything else around us may be changing, these are the 10 non-negotiables that are most valuable to America’s Keswick.

This was/is an important exercise because if you don’t take the time to do this in your personal life, your business, your ministry – things and situations can quickly erode, and your foundation begins to crumble.

Our top three Core Values are the FOUNDATION of who we are as a ministry. The cool thing is that it has been this way for 118 years.

Value #1 – Our commitment to the Word of God
Value #2 – Our commitment to prayer.
Value #3 – Our commitment to the ministry of addiction recovery

So let’s unpack Value #1 – our commitment to the Word of God. It is important to state from the outset that our overriding commitment is to love, honor and obey the Lord. There is a thin line between loving the Bible over the God of the Bible.

We believe that God’s Word is inspired by God and is infallible. One of our speakers refers to the Bible as Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. It is our instruction manual and we place a high value on God’s Word.

God’s Word has specific purposes for our life. Paul wrote: “ALL Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16)

God’s Word is a book to be studied. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

God’s Word is a book to be memorized.

God’s Word is what we should be meditating on daily: “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” Joshua 1:8

God’s Word when treasured in our hearts will keep us from sin: “Your Word have I treasured in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11

God’s Word keeps us walking on the right path: “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and I light to my path. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Thy Word.” Psalm 119:105; 101

God’s Word is a weapon for us to use in spiritual warfare: “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:17

God’s Word is alive and powerful: “For the Word of God is living an active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, both of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

I could go on and on – but the point is this – The Bible is the foundation of what we believe and teach at America’s Keswick. It reveals the heart, attributes and characteristics about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It is what we teach in our addiction recovery ministries and our conferences/retreats.

It’s a book for you and for me. It can be trusted, and it will help us become more and more like Jesus. Have you spent time today in His Word? If not, stop what you are doing, and take some time to read, study, meditate and memorize His Word. I guarantee it – take it to the bank – it can and will change your life!

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 102; Proverbs 11

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: “The BIBLE — banned, burned, beloved. More widely read, more frequently attacked than any other book in history. Generations of intellectuals have attempted to discredit it, dictators of every age have outlawed it and executed those who read it. Yet soldiers carry it into battle believing it more powerful than their weapons. Fragments of it smuggled into solitary prison cells have transformed ruthless killers into gentle saints” ~Charles Colson

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him. ~Psalm 28:7

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Overwhelmed By Fear

04/08/201604/07/2016Leave a comment

Mark 10:32-34 (Matthew 20:17-19; Luke 18:31-33); Psalm 34:8; Philippians 3:10 (2 Corinthian 1:5; 1 Peter 4:12-14); Psalm 55:22

For Christians, fear is a two edged sword. There is the fear of amazement, astonishment, and awe; it is fear, as reverence, of, to, and for God. Then there is the fear between the known and the unknown. “The world behind me the cross before me”; the place between sight and faith.

This is exactly the place the disciples were as they were climbing the mountain road leading to Jerusalem. They had tasted and had seen the Lord is good but the total implications of following Jesus was not fully known. So step-by-step they went forward with Jesus. They may have been remembering what it was like before they met Jesus – the guilt, the shame, the scars the world system had left on them. And the fear of turning back. Now Jesus stops He gathers them together and tells them exactly what was about to happen to Him (Mark 10:33″,34).

What would happen to them? Would they suffer too? Would they be willing to join the fellowship of his suffering so the power of the resurrection could be manifested through them? These are the unknowns that cause fear. Suffering takes on a multitude of forms but a willingness to suffer carries with it assurance and a promise.- “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be gloriﬁed together” (Romans 8:16,17).

Will you join me and more importantly Jesus in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering?

Today’s Afﬁrmation: I will follow Jesus in the power of the resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering and no turning back no turning back.

Written by Pastor Bob Wood: Pastor Bob is a retired Pastor and a dear friend of America’s Keswick.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 99; Proverbs 8

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: “You must learn, you must let God teach you, that the only way to get rid of your past is to make a future out of it. God will waste nothing.” ~Phillips Brooks

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid? ~Psalm 27:1

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The Right Side

04/07/201604/07/2016Leave a comment

He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” (John 21:6a)

When Jesus appears on this seen he sees the disciples hard at work doing what they do best. He is clearly revealing to them that they have been fishing on the wrong side of the boat. Typical Jesus, watches and waits patiently to demonstrates His authoritarian position. As I read this passage this morning I realize that there are times that I’m casting my nets on the wrong side.

It is obviously before Christ we are on the wrong path, working for the wrong party, but have you ever been hard at work in the ministry and realize that you are doing it all wrong? Maybe not all wrong, but not as effective as you could be. Have you ever been right theologically, but wrong in your presentation and timing? Jesus mentioned to Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41,42)

As men, or humanity in general, we tend to drive on autopilot, keeping busy doing stuff. In We pause an ask ourselves, am I doing the right stuff. The proverbs mentions, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.” (Proverbs 21:2) Jesus Christ is helping us to not to lean on our understanding and trust His ways because His way is right; His Word is right, His love is right. And like the disciples the results of doing things right, “So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.” (John 21:6b)

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

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 98; Proverbs 7

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: Faith makes all things possible… love makes all things easy. ~Dwight L. Moody

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid? ~Psalm 27:1

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The Road less Traveled

04/06/201604/05/2016Leave a comment

Give ear, O my people, to my law; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. ~Psalm 78:1b

There are times in the symbolic wilderness of life that causes me to think negatively. When things are not going well and that “feeling” of being cast out and abandoned sets in, I tend to view life through cloudy lenses.

It can be in those times that I resort to walking in my own way of thinking and turn my back on God and the road he has laid out for me

In Psalm 78 we have a contemplation of Asaph, a word to the wise and a reminder of what lies ahead of the wide road.

Because there are scriptures that remind me of the path I’m capable of going down and examples of others, I can catch myself from making those same mistakes. There have been countless times that God spoke to me through His word and gave me a glimpse of what lies ahead on the road I’m traveling.

It’s the road less traveled that brings forth victory. It takes humility to turn around and set my mind of the things of God and reject what my situation is causing me to do. Too many times my pride got in the way and even though the sign said “dangerous road ahead” I went forward fueled by self-esteem only to get to the end of myself, turn around and get back on track.

The good news is I never have to go all the way back to where I went wrong, it’s usually that simple turn around and God meets me where I’m at.

The main ingredients that are missing at the start of my calamity are truth and thankfulness. It’s these missing ingredients that when added takes me back. In the letter to the Philippians Paul tells his readers in chapter 4 not to be anxious and to pray. He starts verse 8 out with “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true…” with a list of others and ends with “meditate on these things’.

It seems when life is uncertain my mind tends to create unhealthy scenarios that lead to that dangerous road. I can get caught up into thinking things that don’t exist are true. If I can focus on the things that are true it will lead to seeing that God is good and then thankfulness sets in and “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

So, if you’ve got yourself all worked up because of circumstances in your life and there is no evidence of thankfulness, learn from Psalm 78. Pick up a pen and piece of paper and jot down 10 things your thankful for. Then remember the truth of scripture and meditate on it. Put down your pride and go down that “Road less traveled”

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time staff member at America’s Keswick

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 97; Proverbs 6

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: “Where Love is, God is.” ~Henry Drummond

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid? ~Psalm 27:1

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Prodigal Humility III

04/05/201604/04/2016Leave a comment

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“And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.” ~Luke 15:13 (NKJV)

Today I am picking up where I left off with humility. If you remember I had found some notes on my desk that I got some time ago concerning humility in the life of the prodigal son. Now within these notes is the term Colony 101. For any of you who know Chaplin Jim Freed, the parable of the prodigal son is one of his strong suits and he uses this parable to help us Colony guys get our heads around The Fathers forgiveness for us when we repent and turn 180* to Jesus and seek to live an exchanged life. Over the years I myself have seen the layers that is in this parable so I think this would definitely be Colony 101 stuff.

Now previously I suggested that this young man may have practiced some sorta pseudo-humility by asking for his inheritance before his father passed on. After all, just walking up to dad and saying, “Dude, I can’t wait for you to die so can I have my stuff now?” fly’s…right? Well in the 1^st century dem’s was fightin’ words and this guy would have gotten his tail kicked in or at the very least got nuttin’ when dad died (however in the 21^st century kids really do have the brass to ask for this thing to actually happen, just sayin’). But for the sake of illustration Jesus chooses to begin this parable with someone who is obviously morally wrong and this would have gotten their attention. (ya think?)

So there is no doubt that the prodigal was seeking instant gratification and from what I see in these notes I got there is this statement… “He was the Dead Sea of all his intentions”. Hmmm…that’s like saying he swims in “Lake Loser” right? But do you realize that there are contemporary counterparts to the prodigal and maybe you see them in your everyday? Those folks who are down on their luck riding the bus or the train, walking down the road with all their possessions in plastic Walmart bags, locked up in jail, on television running for president (oops let that one slip, sorry) or maybe they are like 40 totally different men at the Colony of Mercy. You could say that these people had their chance in life—like everyone else—but they threw their chance away. Maybe, in a way, they deserve to feel humiliated…

Well, when you look into Luke 15:15-16 you can see a movement to justify that statement. We tend to focus in what is going on to the prodigal but I see a fine display of attitude from people as well. I see man’s ability to humiliate in verse 15, I see man’s ability to exploit in verse 16 and what I don’t see is man’s ability to show grace and mercy. It’s at this moment in the parable that Jesus will flip the script on what should happen to us when we are in that spiritual “famine in the land” moment. It’s this moment in the life of the prodigal where humiliation becomes humility.

Now just because the prodigal finally comes to his senses, realizes that he has sinned against heaven, his father and isn’t worthy to be called a son doesn’t mean he got the whole idea of humility down. OH NO, because what it took was the father’s response to the very sight of him. Running down the road in a robe and sandals ain’t no easy task but for the “pater familias” to do this is unthinkable in the 1^st century…well in any century. If I do this, I feel that I’m falling flat on my face no matter overjoyed I would be seeing my son CHOOSING to come home. Choosing to come home is the humbling action that has the father showering his wayward son with love and grace. Putting better clothes on him, shoes and a ring on him is the father showering him with mercy.

So why is this a cool parable? Well I guess I’ll just have to take my shot at answering that the next time I am with you. But until then think about the audience that is hearing this parable…those wacky Pharisees. All the way up to this point everything that Jesus has spoken to has gotta be seething in the hearts of those men, after all, they have the ability to humiliate and to exploit just like those that done so to the prodigal when he became in need. And I wouldn’t be surprised if they hadn’t already done so to those people that YHVH Himself handpicked to bring into the Promised Land. Now does this stuff still happen in the 21^st century? You better believe it…Amen?

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris, a graduate of The Colony of Mercy (11-2003) is married with two adult children (you may remember them from summer staff) and serves on the Deacon Board at Trinity Alliance Church in Cologne NJ

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 96; Proverbs 5

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: “Let us, from the beginning, admit that there is nothing so natural to man, nothing so insidious and hidden from our sight, nothing so difficult and dangerous, as pride. Let us feel that nothing but a very determined and persevering waiting on God and Christ will disclose how lacking we are in the grace of humility, and how weak we are to obtain what we seek.” ~Andrew Murray

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid? ~Psalm 27:1

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