Freedom Fighters

You Who are Spiritual!

03/09/201603/07/2016Leave a comment

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. ~Galatians 6:1

This verse is good accountability before you decide to approach another person on his or her circumstances. This seems like a contradiction because Paul is addressing the church, whom should already be filled with the Spirit. Is it possible to be in Christ and not be spiritual? Who is the Spiritual entity amongst Christian community?

When I think about a man that walks in Spirt, I quickly think about an obedient man. Not a person who is trying to attain sin-less perfection but a man that listens to Gods direction on his path moment by moment. Someone is who governed by truth, and handles that truth with love. A person that will push past his own interest, his issues, his preference for the sake of others. One who has a good reputation with man and God.

This man has the ability to implement the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. One who take care of his responsibilities whether it’s work or being a husband, father, son, uncle, brother and the like… Whether a spiritual leader is training a new employee or working through a difficult conflict resolution, he will lead others to restoration and help them to discover their own connection to God more deeply in the process. This person can be trusted to restore one in a spirit of gentleness.

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 69; Proverbs 9

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote:O, let the place of secret prayer become to me the most beloved spot on earth. ~Andrew Murray

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

But you would not, ~ Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV)

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Fire Exits

03/08/201603/07/2016Leave a comment

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.” ~1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NLT)

I see one of the most DUMBEST acts of carelessness ever performed every day at the place where I work. Every time I see it happen I just wanna reach out and…well maybe I ought not go much further than that but it does really butter my biscuits. And since my response to this display of stupidity is a key factor in the getting along with those that claim their citizenship in Secularland I find myself quietly (well…not really all that quietly) undoing what was just done. My phrase of choice has been “Please allow me to move your cart of stuff away from the FIRE EXIT!!!” (emphasis on the sarcasm). Then I make sure I at least report the act to someone who looks like they might agree with me…emphasis on the “might agree.”

The last time this happened (which is probably right now as you read this) it made me think of what we read in 1 Corinthians 10:13…” He will show you a way out so that you can endure.” Now as much as we agree that this is how our God works we can, at times, we tend to spend too much effort looking at the obstacles. Which is what I do when I see the fire exits at work blocked. My response to them being there at all isn’t good because even if I say nothing out loud (for all to hear), my voice within me is just as loud. And since it is staying within me, I tend to add a few unkind adjectives to my conversation. What a wretched man I am.

I think one of the things that we/I have to get a grip on is that we have been a people who have been tempted to do stupid things throughout the ages. After Genesis 3 it all goes downhill and that means that we, as fallen creatures, are always temptable. We’ve yielded to temptation by the law of habit, we have gained a tendency to do acts of stupidity, and this tendency is ever on the increase. Access to stupid things is easier now than when I was younger and even then it was thought that access was easier to my generation. See how this rolls?

Now don’t fret it will all get better when we get to heaven and heaven may have no incentives for wrong doings but it ain’t like that down here!! You may have the “Christian privilege” that Christ purchase for you but even the Hebrews found favor with YHVH while they were in the wilderness…the family of Korah got swallowed anyway, didn’t they? Privilege is not security.

So what of the things that get in the way of getting outta temptation’s grip? Well God says they are resistible…” I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13) And yes we can fall back on this verse but not taking for granted what comes before this verse…” Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” (Phil 4:11-12) I think the key to finding the way of escape is found in the “to be content” part of the passage.

As I go through my everyday existence I have to come to terms that things WILL get in the way of an easy exit BUT when it comes to those things of danger to my spiritual wellbeing I have to ask God to do His work. Lately I’ve been asking to let “Your word be a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105) a lot these days. And because of this I’ve seen my way clear to do those things for God that I’ve been assigned, I’ve been guided to those who are there to help me get them done and to the moment to be able to say “Look at what my God can do” and it is in this I find contentment. But when my word is my lamp to guide my path it seems to end up with some doofus blocking my exit with his stupid work cart. GRRRR…what a wretched man I can be but thanks be to God through Jesus Christ I can find a way of escape. Hope you can as well. Amen!?

Written by Chris Hughes: Graduate of The Colony of Mercy 11-2003 and serves on the Deacon Board at Trinity Alliance Church in Cologne NJ.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 68; Proverbs 8

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: “It’s been said many times that Satan doesn’t worry about throwing roadblocks in front of us if we aren’t posing a threat to him. But if we are a threat to him—if we are doing things for God—then look out! Want some practical advice? Stay rooted to people who are of similar mind and have a similar focus on God and Christ.” ~Tony Dungy/Nathan Whitaker

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

But you would not, ~ Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV)

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Affirm Your Children – Learn From My Mistakes

03/07/201603/06/20161 Comment

Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master. Ephesians 6:4 (The Message)

I have learned so much from watching my grown kid’s parent. I realize how many terrible mistakes I made when my first four kids were growing up.

One of the most important lessons I have learned is that it is really important to affirm your kids. But let me explain.

My Dad loved me dearly and I knew he loved me. But one of the things he didn’t do was affirm my brother and me. He did affirm us to everyone else. He told everyone how proud he was of our accomplishments, and how thrilled he was that we were following the Lord. He just rarely or hardly ever told us.

When Zach came along, our surprise fourth-late-in-life child, I did a terrible job in always pointing out all the things he was doing wrong. He didn’t do this right – he didn’t do that right. Our relationship was really moving in the wrong direction.

Finally my wife had the boldness to tell me that I needed to make a change or I was going to lose him. I really believe that was the turning point in our relationship. I began to point out all the things he was doing right, making sure that I told him when he did something special, thanking him for the things he was doing that were good vs. nagging about all the stuff he was not doing or not doing right. I can’t say I am there 100%, but I am moving in the right direction.

I have several friends in ministry who are doing an amazing job. Their Dad’s brag on them to me all the time, but these men have never told their son’s that they are doing a great job. I have challenged these men to make sure that they take the time to affirm their sons to them – not just to everyone else.

Elisa Hoffman and Carol Kuykendall in their book, “What Every Child Needs,” challenge us to do the following in affirming our kids:

1. Praise selectively. Affirm the positive often.

2. Praise immediately. Praise them when you catch them doing it right.

3. Praise specifically.

4. Praise intentionally.

My guess is that you are probably saying to yourself, I get it. Most of my Dad’s generation parented like he did. And I am almost certain they were doing exactly what their Dad’s modeled for them.

So here’s the deal – whether you are in the middle of the parenting years, just getting started – or maybe your kids are grown. It’s not too late to start affirming your kids.

They might think you have some kind of terminal illness and that’s why you are doing it after all these years. But in the end, you will be giving one of the greatest gifts you could ever give your children. This one important task will be passed on to the next generation and could change the whole course of history.

Think about 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 67; Proverbs 7

Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan

Daily Quote: The sooner you treat your son as a man, the sooner he will be one. ~John Dryden (1631-1700) British poet, dramatist and critic.

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

But you would not, ~ Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV)

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