The God Who Is… Part 2

06/20/201606/20/2016Leave a comment

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:

³¹But 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

Tenacity

06/16/201606/15/2016Leave a comment

“My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” ~Psalm 73:26

Tenacity – the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly.

Sometimes I forget something in my bedroom and not wanting to disturb my wife who is sleeping I feel around in a dark room to grab it only to walk into the light to see that I’ve gripped the wrong thing. Obviously I’m going back until I’ve have the desired item. Especially if it’s a pair of glasses. It’s not going to do me any good to walk around with someone else’s glasses. I have to let go of the wrong ones and go back for the right ones.

What are you holding on to today? I think if we could take time each morning before we enter our day and make sure we are possessing the things of God rather than the things of the world our days would be much more profitable.

Holding on to something that is destructive like anger or jealousy, pride or unforgiveness can affect the way we see. If my focus is on my circumstances and the problems that they bring, I’m not going to be a pleasant person to be around, it’s like every decision I make is filtered thru a distorted lenses and I might not respond the way I should.

Psalm 73 is a good example of what our day could look like if our perspective is skewed. I’m not sure how long Asaph stayed in that frame of mind before he let go of what he was holding on to. My tenacity can either make me or brake me, the humility it takes for me to loosen my grip of what I’m holding on to and to grab onto the life I have in Christ is what can set me free. If I show up to work wearing my wife’s glasses that I wrongly picked up in the dark room, not only will my focus be off but I’ll look ridiculous.

Asaph got caught up looking around and wearied himself by comparing his life to that of the “wicked”. I was taught at an early age not to judge another man’s life until you’ve walked in his shoes.

We are able to possess a tenacity that is fueled by spiritual vision, seeing things for what they really are, and become confident that our God is good! There is no comparison to inner peace and joy that only comes from being with God and His people. “Until I went into the sanctuary of God, Then I understood their end” vs 17.

So, if the daily grind is getting to you and you’re holding on to unhealthy notions about life, let go and walk into the sanctuary of God. That sanctuary is more than a place, it’s the literal presence of God. David finishes off Psalm 68 by stating;

“O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!”

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 15; Proverbs 16

Daily Quote: “If you really want to experience God, go and make disciples.” ~Francis Chan

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

¹¹He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young. ~Isaiah 40:11

Jesus Strengthens Our Balance

06/15/201606/14/2016Leave a comment

“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” ~Philippians 2:14-15 (NLT)

Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) had many quotes about Christianity to include this infamous one. “If Christ were here now there is one thing He would not be—a Christian.” Then in his later years he would make this statement, “if our Maker is all-powerful for good or evil, He is not in His right mind.” I think one of the things that made our beloved writer of Tom Sawyer a bit off-base with YHVH was he was a Freemason. That may have knocked him off balance every once in a while. Maybe so much so that he even said, “Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.” That’s kinda harsh but let’s face it if someone is better at something you need to be it kinda gets under your skin…don’t it?

I think I’ll rest in what my boy Matt Henry said about the matter, “The children of God should differ from the sons of men. The more perverse others are, the more careful we should be to keep ourselves blameless and harmless.” And when we understand that Christ is our example we have to understand that if things aren’t balanced just right we may set up ourselves for failure. We have got three areas in our lives that Charles Swindoll (in his book “Laugh Again”) says are challenging areas that need to be kept in balance through Christ’s strength.

1. Balancing Purpose and Power: This has to do with our obedience to God. In Phil 2:12-13 we are told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. But that doesn’t mean work hard to earn it, that is not the Apostle Paul is saying. What he is saying is by walking in obedience, as Christ did, you will build on the gift of eternal life that God has already given us. “And as we work out our salvation in this way, God will work in us, giving us the power to accomplish His will.”

2. Balancing Attitude and Action: This will put one thing to one side and the other thing to the other side. There is a sign that hangs in the Colony kitchen that simply reads, “Complaining is a sin.” To say this point blank…Jesus never did it. Keep that “‘tude” Christ-like (with a twist of humor to round it out) We need to be blameless, displaying a character that is free from defect. (Easy to write, I’ll admit, harder to display at times) We need to be inexperienced with evil or at best no longer involved with it. Then we need to be above reproach or at least no longer with fault. And don’t go hiding in a cave to keep this a sanitized

list in your life…you’re to be a light in the world, not a flickering amber in a cave.

3. Balancing Seriousness and Joy: There is nothing more serious to keep in mind than this, “Holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.” (Phil 2:16) No one likes wasted effort and Paul was no different. His hope was that his life’s example contributed to the Philippians service to God, even if it meant his death. But in his seriousness he asks for joy, “And you too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.” (Phil 2:18) To quote Swindoll on the matter, “One of life’s pleasures is meeting godly people like Paul who enjoy living, who can be involved in the most serious of earthly tasks, yet maintain a sense of humor, a ready smile, and a contagious joy.”

I guess the thing that makes following Christs example difficult is “SELF”. My “SELF” likes to take charge and credit for all that good stuff I do (even being a Freedom Fighter writer) but I have to keep this in the fore front of my mind at all times, “For I myself was also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating others.” (Titus 3:3). Yes, I juggled a few words around but I need to take this personally. Jesus saved me from the punishment that comes with all this stuff, He didn’t have to either…He wanted to. It wasn’t that I need to be saved as much as it is about to be able to see Him in all the graces He provides in everyday life. In that there’s balance…Amen?

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

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 14; Proverbs 15

Daily Quote: “Some attempt to follow Christ’s lofty example by faking it. They simply lip-sync the great virtues and doctrines of the Christian faith, focusing on image rather than substance. Others, perhaps most, frustrate themselves by intensifying their efforts and try harder to do life exactly as Christ did.”—Charles Swindoll

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

¹¹He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young. ~Isaiah 40:11

Fallen Condition

06/14/201606/14/2016Leave a comment

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23)

Life has a way of reminding us that we all in a fallen condition. Whether it is circumstantial, by are own doing, or by hands of others. No mater the source, it’s sobering and a wake call that we are not yet in a complete state of glorification. C. S. Lewis mention this life is a shadow of what’s to come. This life is carefully lived through a limited, infected state from the fall.

In the Presbyterian’s Confession of Faith, “Man, has fallen into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying with salvation; so as a natural man being altogether averse from good, and dead to sin, is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto.” (The Westminster Confession).

Personally; just because I haven’t partaken in my past addiction I’m not out of the water or that perceive to have arrived. Many times I hear the defeating words of graduates or from my brothers in AA/NA of just sobriety as the goal, but God has revealed that addiction just an extension of a fallen condition. There many ways this fallen condition can manifest itself, posts addiction. Ask me how I know?

However,

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1,2)

Understand our fallen condition is an opportunity to reach out to our Creator to comfort us, to guide us, to heal us, to grasp our total dependence on him and stop relying on our own strength. Sidebar: lets be careful that we are not to hard on others and their sin, because we all are in a fallen condition.

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 13; Proverbs 14

Daily Quote: “Having the answers is not essential to living. What is essential is the sense of God’s presence during dark seasons of questioning.” ~ Ravi Zacharias

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

¹¹He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young. ~Isaiah 40:11

The One Who Is …

06/13/201606/12/2016Leave a comment

Male

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

Recently I shared a message with my brothers at the Colony of Mercy based on Paul’s benediction found in Ephesians 3:20. I did a journey through my concordance to see what the Bible had to say about this God who IS and was blessed with my findings. I thought maybe it would encourage your hearts today and next week.

Think with me through these wonderful reminders of our great God – the One who is:

1. God IS with you in all you do. (Genesis 21:22)

2. The Lord IS my strength and my song and has become my salvation. He IS my Father’s God, and I will praise Him . . .” (Exodus 15:2)

3. God IS near us. (Deuteronomy 4:7)

4. The Lord your God IS a consuming fire — a jealous God. (Deuteronomy 4:24)

5. God IS merciful. (Deuteronomy 4:31)

6. The Lord your God IS one! (Deuteronomy 6:4)

7. God IS a jealous God. (Deuteronomy 6:15) 8. He IS the faithful God! (Deuteronomy 7:9)

9. God IS great and awesome. (Deuteronomy 7:21)

10. God IS among you. (Deuteronomy 7:21)

11. The Lord your God IS He who goes before you. (Deuteronomy 10:17)

12. He IS our God who has done awesome things. (Deuteronomy 10:21) 13. He IS your praise. (Deuteronomy 10:21)

14. He IS your life and the length of your days. (Deuteronomy 30:20)

15. He IS the One who goes before you. (Deuteronomy 31:6; 8)

16. He IS the Rock, His work IS perfect. (Deuteronomy 32:4) 17. God IS with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

18. God IS in heaven and on earth below. (Joshua 2:11)

19. God IS a holy God. (Joshua 24:19)

20. God IS greater than men. (Joshua 33:12)

21. God IS exalted by His power. (Job 36:22)

22. He IS the God of all knowledge. (1 Samuel 2:3)

23. He IS your strength and power. (2 Samuel 22:23)

24. He IS gracious and merciful. (2 Chronicles 30:9)

25. He IS a just judge. (Psalm 7:11)

I am thankful today for a God who was for me in the past. I am thankful and encouraged that I have a God who will be for me in the future. I am very thankful this morning for a God who IS today!!!

As you look at this first list of 25 – how has God demonstrated His daily presence in your life?

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 12; Proverbs 13

Daily Quote: “God is . . . “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; always working, yet always at rest; still gathering, yet lacking nothing; sustaining, fulfilling and protecting; creating, nourishing, and maturing, seeking, yet possessing all things.” – St. Augustine

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

²⁶Lift up your eyes on high,
And see who has created these things,
Who brings out their host by number;
He calls them all by name,
By the greatness of His might
And the strength of His power;
Not one is missing. ~Isaiah 40:26

Resting, Loving And Living: The Simplicity of The Gospel

06/10/201606/09/2016Leave a comment

The Word we study has to be the Word we pray. My personal experience of the relentless tenderness of God came not from exegetes, theologians, and spiritual writers, but from sitting still in the presence of the living Word and beseeching Him to help me understand with my head and heart His written Word. Sheer scholarship alone cannot reveal to us the gospel of grace. We must never allow the authority of books, institutions, or leaders to replace the authority of knowing Jesus Christ personally and directly. When the religious views of others interpose between us and the primary experience of Jesus as the Christ, we become unconvicted and unpersuasive travel agents handing out brochures to places we have never visited. ~Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” ~ Jesus, King of The Universe, in Deuteronomy, Matthew, and Luke

Oh beloved, it is true. The depth of the gospel is unfathomable. Time and galaxies and universes are but an expression of Creative Ability. He, The Triune Weaver of all Good, has put together a stage of multiple dimensions upon which we should go through our lives.

He then wove our true substance into a vessel of clay, that is so exquisitely built that it runs on nearly any fuel. When it bleeds it knows how to stop. When the environment changes, the vessel makes multitudinous adjustments to keep everything going.

Quite frankly beloved, creation and its crown jewel (us) are so incredible as to be forever beyond the reach of the clay that we are, to fully understand how it works. Even simply pronouncing the name of one of the main connecting proteins in the body (Methionylthreonylthreonylglutaminylarginyl…isoleucine) takes over THREE HOURS to pronounce. Just one connecting tool in the clay vessel is so complex as to destroy the idea of us coming together by chance…. Just one protein.

Why the complexity?

This is what we do with the primitive technologies we clatter together in our “high-tech” industries. We think and think and build and experiment and build and sell – and try again. All of this complexity is built into a system to SIMPLIFY and improve the experience for the user.

We cobble together, but G_d created us. And He wove in the most incredible complexities to our environment and our bodies that we might be free to live as we were actually Designed. We have been freed from anything other than thankful stewardship of our world and our bodies that we might use all this complexity as a platform for one simple (and impossible) task.

To Love Him and others as He has Loved us.

That’s it. There is absolutely nothing else to life.

Nothing.

And the way that we do this is so so so so very simple too. We look back at the Creator and simply get to know Him. He will be known (and He already knows us completely). And once we catch a glimpse, we realize that we will never know the depths and the enormity and grandeur and power and majesty and strength and Love of Who He Is.

But…

Can we see it? We do begin to see something else. The little bit that we do know is all of Him. The simplicity of G_d is the whole point of the Gospel. Everything of Who He Is, is right here with us – and in us – that we would succeed at the simplest (and most impossible) of tasks; to Love others and build goodness into their lives.

Our lives are actually so simple that we allow the vessel He has created to become the very dwelling place of the Ferocious and Intimate Love Who started it all. Each little bit we know of His Word and Life in us – and allow to work through us – is absolutely enough for the moment. And from each simple moment, we launch forth into our purpose: to Love Him and others with everything we have right then and right there.

So yes, the “tech” behind the universe is astounding. The weaving of matter and energy and force and time and gravity and information are beyond comprehension. But the tech has a reason. It has set us free to live as we were built to live. Just Loving the Creator back, and allowing that same Love to pour out on others.

The strength of a man is not in comprehending more information or philosophy or politics. The strength in life is in allowing the Weaver to do His work, that we might be free to do ours. Tonight is your night beloved. Time to unravel a bit.

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 8; Proverbs 10

Daily Quote: “No truths are simple, especially those of Scripture. But as we pursue them and participate in them more fully, they begin to reveal to us a life deeper and more integrated than we ever could have known otherwise.” ~Tim Hansel

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

¹¹He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young. ~Isaiah 40:11

Why The Bible!

06/09/2016Leave a comment

Red Bible

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

The culture we live in tries to influence our values in many ways. In a changing world, it’s essential to embrace unchanging truth. The Bible provides foundational truth to equip us and to supply principles to live. The Bible tells us, “Watch your life and doctrine closely,” (1 Timothy 4:16 NIV). There is no better place to learn about God and His ways than the Bible. Here are three of the many reasons the Bible is important.

Freedom:

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) The world is filled with life bondage addiction, perceptions, condemnation and the like… Jesus offers freedom in truth, and truth lies within the transforming power of His Word. We can rest in His Word; peace, understanding, freedom. I visited an inmate in the county jail last week, and his perception on God and his condition was more liberating than people on the outside.

Faith:

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) How can I know? In the uncertainties of life we have hope that only derives from the Word of God. In the midst of recent trials I literally meditated on His Word and the Word provided all the hope and comfort needed to persevere.

God communicates His love to us in the Bible:

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God… Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends. (1 John 3:1a, John 15:13). Would we stop expressing or communicating our love to our spouses after the wedding or would we stop demonstrating love to our children after birth. Certainly not, likewise, God is reassuring His love and validation for us through the proclamation of His Word; continuously.

How much time are you in the Word?

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

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 7; Proverbs 9

Daily Quote: “God waits for you to communicate with Him. You have instant, direct access to God. God loves mankind so much, and in a very special sense His children, that He has made Himself available to you at all times.” ~Wesley L. Duewel

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

¹¹He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young. ~Isaiah 40:11

With Cleanliness Comes Godliness

06/08/201606/07/2016Leave a comment

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness” ~1 Timothy 3:16a

It was probably the first reference to religion I can remember, hearing my Mother’s defense in her claim that it’s important to be clean. “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”, my first thought was “it must be a sin to be dirty”.

Now, my Mother’s motives to get me to wash up may have been a little sewed and you won’t find this verse in the Bible but it’s not that far off. In Jesus’ day the reference to being clean was an important status to hold, mainly because you were a Gentile or had a disease. It meant that God was not with you or even worse, you had a curse. In Mark 10:1 we read “And when He (Jesus) had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease”. It was a matter of being clean spiritually that Jesus dealt with first.

Then we come to this phrase “godliness”, it’s a term used by the Apostle Paul 9 times in his first letter to Timothy in the NKJV. It seems to be an important role for Timothy to play out in his ministry. In chapter 2 it says “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence”.

Are you godly, do you lead a godly life? I believe this is a quest for all of us to attain and pursue. Peter opens his second letter by saying, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue”.

This pursuit of godliness seems to pertain to our standing before God as a people who, when closely examined can be found to be devoted and trusting in the words of the Bible. Paul writes to Timothy in 3:16

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God was manifested in the flesh,

Justified in the Spirit,

Seen by angels,

Preached among the Gentiles,

Believed on in the world,

Received up in glory”.

This verse has to become our creed by which we live. We have been made clean by the divine power of the Holy Spirit which was given to us free of charge at salvation but the act of staying clean is only obtained by the faith that was also given to us as we practice and commit ourselves daily to the Lordship of Christ. It would appear that the purpose of Paul’s letters to Timothy was to convince this young man to, first “keep” himself clean and then to protect those who he was ordained to watch over.

So, you can try to scrub a little harder to make yourself clean and keep Mom happy but I recommend the thoughts of Jude “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life”. Amen!

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 6; Proverbs 8

Daily Quote: “God bestows His blessings without discrimination. The followers of Jesus are children of God, and they should manifest the family likeness by doing good to all, even to those who deserve the opposite.” ~F. F. Bruce

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

¹¹He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young. ~Isaiah 40:11

The Jesus Attitude

06/07/201606/06/2016Leave a comment

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” `~Philippians 2:3-5 (NLT)

I got this saying that I swiped from a song written by Alice Cooper sometime back in the 80’s. The title of the song is “You’re a Movie” and line goes like this… “Move aside mere drop of water, let the ocean pass.” I say it (kinda sarcastically…kinda) when I run into someone who is so full of attitude you can smell it coming and you need to get outta their way quickly. I think it while I hear them speak and, at times, have been accused of this same attitude myself (absurd I tell you, completely and utterly absurd). It is a terrible attitude to have and takes a lot of grace for others to handle it and it takes a lot of mercy by God to be stripped of it. It is the attitude of Conceit.

Now before I go any further let me say this out loud because I need to hear it as well…CONCEIT HAS NO KINGDOM VALUE AT ALL!!! Okay with that outta the way onward with this Freedom Fighter.

Almost 2,000 years ago our world witnessed the greatest act of unselfishness ever done and many missed its lesson. But for 3+ years prior to that event Jesus went around preaching to all those around Him that the Kingdom of God was at hand. Only those with ears heard that message and even in our present day that hasn’t changed much. Sad…but true. Secularland has a way of selling the “It’s all about me” theology while unselfishness and Christlikeness are being removed from the book shelf. Again, sad but true. But for those of us who strive for the goal that calls us heaven bound we have encouragement from the Apostle Paul.

The second chapter of Philippians starts off like this, “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” (Phil 2:1-2) And that one mind isn’t the universal one, it’s the mind of Christ. The mindset that say’s “I will put myself aside for the sake of others.” We need to remember that Jesus Christ, though The Son, is still God. And if God was able to say to His three parts, “We’re gonna make atonement for their sins because they know not what they do.” (that’s implied…don’t stone me) then we shouldn’t dismiss that kind of unity amongst ourselves.

In his book, “Laugh Again” Charles Swindoll makes this statement, “As Christians, when we pursue the goal of exalting Christ and putting others before ourselves, we

tend to forget all the self-serving, petty differences that normally separate us.” I like how he puts it but how is it accomplished? Well Paul gives us these three practical tips.

1. Never let selfishness or conceit be your motive.

2. Regard others as more important than yourself.

3. Don’t limit your attention to your own personal interests—include others.

And remember, this isn’t self-hate advice but rather self-forgetfulness. Love yourself as you are to love others. Hard stuff ain’t it?

But keep this in mind, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

So for all you who feel like “mere drops of water” remember what is key today… CONCEIT HAS NO KINGDOM VALUE AT ALL!!! But unity does and through the reconciliation of what was done for us on The Cross we can gather ourselves together and become an ocean that envelops the communities around us for the sake of Jesus Christ. It ain’t gonna get any better out there in Secularland but we called to give water to those who thirst. Let’s give them an ocean wave of it. Amen?

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

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 5; Proverbs 7

Daily Quote: “The great question facing us today, this moment, is whether or not we will voluntarily humble ourselves before the Lord Jesus or wait until we’re forced to do so. If we act now, we will be saved. If we refuse to confess Jesus Christ as Lord while we’re on the earth, we will surely concede it one day under the earth. But by then it will be too late for that declaration to change our eternal destiny” —Charles Swindoll

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

¹¹He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young. ~Isaiah 40:11

Another Hero in Glory – Dr. J. Robertson McQuilkin

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

Last week another dear friend/brother/mentor went home to be with Jesus. He finished his race with joy.

I first met Dr. Robertson McQuilkin when I served on the staff at Sandy Cove. My friend, Dr. B was instrumental in getting him to speak. His messages 25+ years ago had a huge impact on my life and ministry.

Little did I know that when I would come to serve at America’s Keswick, that our paths would cross again, and at a whole new level.

Dr. Robert C. McQuilkin, former President of Columbia Bible College, now Columbia International University, was a key player in our Keswick history. We was a very popular speaker at summer conferences.

Dr. Robertson McQuilkin, who served as President of CIU, resigned at the height of his career to become the full-time care-giver for his precious wife, Muriel, who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. His powerful resignation speech has been heard by tens of thousands of people around the world. While McQuilkin cared for his wife for the next 12 years, he continued writing journal articles and books and preaching worldwide. Among the most popular of 19 books written by McQuilkin is “A Promise Kept” detailing his care for Muriel, who passed away in 2003.

Years ago, Dr. McQuilkin penned the words to this prayer that I have read hundreds of times, LORD GET BE HOME BEFORE DARK:

It’s sundown, Lord. The shadows of my life stretch back into the dimness of the years long spent. I fear not death, for that grim foe betrays himself at last, thrusting me forever into life; life with You, unsoiled and free. But I do

fear the dark scepter may come to soon – or too late? I fear that before I finish I might stain Your honor, shame Your name, grieve Your loving heart. Few, they tell me, finish well. Lord, let me get home before dark.

Will my life show the darkness of a spirit grown mean and small, fruit shriveled on the vine, bitter to the taste of my companions, a burden to be borne by those brave few who love me still? No, Lord, let the fruit grow lush and sweet, a joy to all who taste, a Spirit-sign of God at work, stronger, fuller. Brighter at the end. Lord, let me get home before dark.

Will be the darkness of tattered gifts, rust-locked, half-spent, or ill-spent, a life that once was used of God now set aside? Grief for glories gone or fretting for a task God never gave? Mourning in the hollow chambers of memory, gazing on the faded banners of victories long gone? Cannot I run well unto the end? Lord, let me get home before dark.

The outer me decays – I do not fret or ask reprieve. The ebbing strength but weans me from mother earth and grows me up for heaven. I do not cling to shadows cast by mortality. I do not patch the scaffold lent to build the real eternal me. I do not clutch about me my cocoon, vainly struggling to hold hostage a free spirit pressing to be born.

But will I reach the gate in lingering pain – body distorted, gro-tesque? Or will it be a mind wandering untethered among the light phantasies or grim terrors? Of Your grace, Father, I humbly ask … let me get home before dark.

I will be eternally grateful for the privilege of having several lengthy one-on-one chats in my office with this gentle giant. He was a dear friend and brother and I will miss him.

And God answered his prayer – He got home before dark.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 5; Proverbs 6

Daily Quote: “I think God has planned the strength and beauty of youth to be physical. But the strength and beauty of old age is spiritual. We gradually lose the strength and beauty that is temporary so we’ll be sure to concentrate on the strength and beauty that is forever. And so we’ll be eager to leave the temporary deteriorating part of us and be truly homesick for our eternal home. If we stayed young and strong and beautiful we might never want to leave.” ― J. Robertson McQuilkin

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

¹¹He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young. ~Isaiah 40:11

Freedom Fighters

A Daily Email Encouragement for Men!

Tag: christian living

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Fallen Condition

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Why The Bible!

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The Jesus Attitude

Another Hero in Glory – Dr. J. Robertson McQuilkin