Side Effects May Include…

08/17/201608/17/2016Leave a comment

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, But righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” ~Romans 12:17

I marvel at the seemingly long list of side effects that may proceed after taking most medications. I wonder if it’s worth the risk of treating one ailment and suffering thru all the possible reactions.

I was listening to Christian radio the other day and the announcer said that if this radio station was a prescription drug the directions would read “take as often as you like, side effects may include eternal life, peace, joy, love and a life lived in the righteousness of Christ”. I thought to myself “give me some of that”.

A side effect is something that is secondary to the one intended. In medical terms it is usually adverse. But maybe a side effect of our actions could result in positive reactions. Paul is addressing an issue with food and drink in Romans 14, it seems that there was a dispute that some believed you could be defiled by what you ate or drank. Paul goes on to say in verse 19, “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another”. So, the side effect of pursuing peace is edifying one another.

I think the bottom line is that we learn to live by a standard that glorifies God and is sensitive to the Holy Spirit of God, or “walking in the Spirit”. I have three that I try to line up with my conduct.

Consideration – Seeing the problem and rightfully diagnosing the issue and how I can be a help instead of a hindrance. Sometimes it may mean staying out of it or prayerfully speaking truth with love in a situation. This may mean putting my own interests aside and doing what’s best for others.

Conviction – The prescription for the ailment. Live with a purpose that is governed by a sensitivity to the word of God. This usually is comes before an action.

Clear conscience – Is usually the way you feel after taking action. If I have a peace about my decision and am confident that it was pleasing to God.

Does the “side effect” bring glory to God and have lingering eternal value. If so, take as much as you want whenever you want and look forward to the “Side Effects”.

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 78; Proverbs 17

Daily Quote: “Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.” ~Augustine

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

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

Enemies of The Cross – PART TWO

08/16/201608/16/2016Leave a comment

“Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.” ~Philippians 3:17-19 (The Message)

I remember the night I took my son, Kevin, to his first ever Philadelphia Eagles football game. I was all revved up (even though it was pre-season) for a good game and was hoping my son would pick up on the excitement. As we were walking towards “The Linc” (Lincoln Finical Field) he noticed someone wearing a t-shirt that had some nasty saying about the Dallas Cowboys. I explained to my son the on-going rivalry that had been such since I was a kid. When we got into the stadium he again noticed that someone wearing a Cowboys jersey was receiving a lot of lip-service. He asked why are the Cowboys enemies of the Eagles…too embarrassed to say it might be because Dallas has Super Bowl victories and we don’t, my answer was kinda plain,” They just are”. He let it go after that. For the record, it was a Philadelphia vs. Carolina game.

On October 26 1884, from the pulpit of Metropolitan Tabernacle, C.H. Spurgeon asked the congregation this question, “Why are men enemies of this Cross of Christ?” His first part to the answer was this…” Frankly, I think that some do not know why they are.” But then he put it into this nutshell, “Nicodemus wisely asked, “Does our Law judge any man before it hears him?” Our lawless ones do! And there are multitudes of men who ought to think themselves as mean as dirt because they never gave Christ a hearing—yet they thrust Him from them. “Oh!” says one, “I should never go inside any of those canting Methodist places.” No, you are such a wonderful man that you think you can see through a stone wall and judge of what goes on inside—you do not need to be taught because you imagine you already know everything!” (OUCH)

Now we can look at world today and see the obvious reason why so many can be counted as enemies. So many people live on the tangible that it’s all about what can be touched, seen and owned. So many people prefer to-eat-drink-and-be-merry that it’s all about life style. But in any case, these two scenario’s offer nothing but a path that is destined for eternal hopelessness, devoid of love, joy or anything truly good. I even dare to say that we Christians have our moments when the Cross is an enemy. It’s those prideful moments where we tell ourselves that we’re good, maybe even better than those around us. After all Jesus paid it all…All to Him I owe…Sin left a crimson

stain…He washed it white as snow. We tend to forget that it was Jesus who was looking towards the Throne of Grace, looking for mercy to be bestowed only to finally yell out, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?)

The sermon Spurgeon gave that day in 1884 really sums up those who are enemies of the Cross. His hope was that The Holy Spirit used his sermon to bring people to Christ even though he knew this unfortunate truth, “But, alas, multitudes of men do not want holiness—they want their harlots, they want their wine, they want their carnivals of vice, they want their selfishness and they want everything that Christ does not give, so they cry, “Not this Man, but Barabbas,” and they make the awful choice of sin as they neglect their Lord! These are “the enemies of the Cross of Christ.”

But this shouldn’t end on a sour note. We have been given the promises of The Kingdom and the Apostle Paul wants to understand that, “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control.” (Phil 3:20-21) Brothers (and sisters) this day, walk in the victory that Christ obtained for you and share it. It ain’t yours anyway so ya might as well give some of it away. Who knows…it might win a Super Bowl or two. (yeah I’m stretching it, but I have hope)

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 77; Proverbs 16

Daily Quote: “Now the point of this analysis is not to judge or condemn the lost or to leave some kind of impression that Christians are better than non-Christians. Rather, it is to help us remember why God has placed us among them. Our mission is to reach out to them! To win them. To help them realize that there is so much more to life than they have ever known.” — Charles Swindoll

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

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

His Mercies – They Are New EVERY MORNING!

08/15/201608/15/2016Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 76; Proverbs 15

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

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

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

Knockdown Sorrow and Grief

08/12/201608/11/2016Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And no, this obviously not the end.

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

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

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

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

Written by Makala Doulos: Makala is a child of G_d, a husband to his wife, a father to his children, and a teacher to his students. But mostly, he is a prisoner set free by Jesus. Love has invaded his life, crushed it, and made it new. Now, G_d’s Love is what constrains him to live in full surrender to the freedom The Father and Son and Holy Spirit have bought for us all. Grace and Peace to you all.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 73; Proverbs 12

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

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

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

~Zephaniah 3:17

Hope in Darkness!

08/11/201608/10/2016Leave a comment

“To shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” ~Luke 1:79

Those were very dark time in the era of the coming Messiah. Sin had run rampant throughout all nations. Political wars, sinful lusts, and personal agendas were at its peak. Oppression from the Roman Empire was being implemented throughout the Land. And God’s people were scattered; and compromised in many ways.

Does this condition sound familiar? We have been bombarded with hostile enemies, racial tension, political agendas, police brutality, police murders, unnatural sexual freedoms… sin is running rampant. It seems like a new type of evil and defiantly feels new, but this type of darkness has been brewing for many years.

This darken world needs a light. The light that gives hope, the hope that gives light. It needs to see the same light that guided us out of our dark hearts. God declares, “I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, and I will not leave them undone.” (Isaiah 42:16)

While teaching at VBS the topic was hope in the light of Jesus and as that point reiterated itself, I realize that I/we focus on the fact that Jesus has become the light to expose darkness, but His light also reveal His goodness throughout this fallen world as well. He provided the example, and chose us to continue the work he started. It’s our time to put away our sinful, selfish, opinionated, judgmental attitude and be a light, and direct to the light, in a dark world.

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 72; Proverbs 11

Daily Quote:“To many Christians, Christ is little more than an idea, or at best an ideal. He is not a fact. Millions of professed believers talk as if He were real and act as if He were not. And always our actual position is to be discovered by the way we act, not by the way we talk.” —A.W. Tozer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

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

~Zephaniah 3:17

Enemies of The Cross | PART ONE

08/10/201608/09/2016Leave a comment

Sand Dunes Cross Sunset

“For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.” ~Philippians 3:18-19 (NLT)

“So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.” (1Cor 1:23) That was Apostle Paul’s position a really long time ago and I think it holds true today. You can try and have a conversation about Isaiah 53 with our Jewish friends but you will not be received well, then try and share the love of Christ with a co-worker and get shut down as a Jesus Freak (happens to me once in awhile). Kinda makes me wonder if people really wanna go to hell or they’re too stubborn to get off the multi-lane highway to it because it’s just easier to go with the flow of traffic. In any case Christ is a stumbling block in their roles for easy living.

For us as Christians our roles can be simply defined in the words of A.W. Tozer, “A real Christian is an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see, expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another, empties himself in order to be full, admits he is wrong so he can be declared right, goes down in order to get up, is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he poorest, and happiest when he feels worst. He dies so he can live, forsakes in order to have, gives away so he can keep, sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passeth knowledge.” WOW! Kinda makes Christians sound like a bunch of weirdos doesn’t it? Well, truth be told I was weirdo before salvation, so what does tell ya? Anyway…

When I got to pagin’ through chapter 10 of Chuck Swindoll’s study guide “Laugh Again” I found this to be a particularly interesting statement. “Leaving heaven-bound people in a hell-bound world is not a simple over sight on the Lord’s part.” Ya got that right!! On the contrary it’s all part of God’s strange strategy to use us “weirdos” for a bigger purpose and that was revealed to Jesus’ disciples at The Last Supper.

First, that we can have inner peace in the midst of outer pressure and pain (read John 16). Christ never promised us an easygoing way down the road, there’s gonna be pain and suffering but we’ve been given a peace that not helps us erase the pain but to endure it. (easier written than done for this Freedom Fighter writer)

Second, we are insulated by divine power, yet we are not to live an isolated existence. (Turn to John 17:11-15) To quote Swindoll, “This sinful world isn’t something we are to avoid by cloistering ourselves behind sanctimonious walls of self-righteousness.” Actually we go out into this world, by faith, and shine that light in the darkness where that dude with his tail and pitchfork rules over the lost. Maybe throw a little salt into their food!!

And now thirdly, we may be unique, but we must be unified. This all Upper Room stuff now. (John 17:16-17, 21, 23) It isn’t a bad thing when one of us gets used to bring someone into the Marvelous Light but that is only of God’s strategy. What God needs us to be is that Lucy Van Pelt fist that scared the willies outta her brother Linus, with the exception of the index finger. That needs to point to the Father who loves us through the sacrifice of the Son.

So what of the enemies of the Cross? Well we’ll get into the next time I am with you but look back at what was said to Jesus’ Disciples that night that He was to be betrayed. Chapters 14-17 ain’t nothing but red letters in my Bible and is very clear to me that Jesus had something that He wanted to impart not only to those 11 that were in The Upper Room but to us as well. So much so that He ends His prayer time like this, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:20-21) If you can’t AMEN that, then maybe we need to talk about it because I’ll take abiding in Him on the slow lane that calls me Heavenward than stumbling through the fast lanes that lead straight to hell any day.

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 serves on the Deacon Board at Trinity Alliance Church in Cologne NJ

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 71; Proverbs 10

Daily Quote:“To many Christians, Christ is little more than an idea, or at best an ideal. He is not a fact. Millions of professed believers talk as if He were real and act as if He were not. And always our actual position is to be discovered by the way we act, not by the way we talk.” —A.W. Tozer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

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

~Zephaniah 3:17

The Open Book Test

08/09/201608/08/2016Leave a comment

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all Liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” ~James 1:5

I was never accused of being a straight A student, in fact, I was more than willing to accept a C or D anytime. I would panic when hearing we were having a test or a quiz, except if it was an “open book” test.

The Bible teaches that God will never tempt us (James 1:13) but He will test us (1st Thes 2:4). Either way He will allow things in our life to grow us. It’s how we respond that will determine whether we learn and grow or ignore and become confused. But, He will always make a way of escape for a temptation and if He’s testing us it’s always an open book test.

The book of James is a good source of reference when it comes to the practical life we have in Christ. Before coming to Christ I would fail miserably at life, it seemed that even the simplest things would turn out to be a failure. When I became a Christian it was as if someone gave me the Teachers edition workbook, all the answers were there. I realized that with the Holy Spirit in me I was given the opportunity to access wisdom from above.

In James 3:17 he writes “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy”. My first thought was “if I knew this before it would have saved me a lot of trouble”.

I remember reading verses in Isaiah 55 that said,

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts”.

These verses come as “An Invitation to Abundant Life”.

I have this sense of security that the God of the universe has my best interest in mind. I no longer have to wander around aimlessly but am given the words of life and will be able to face every test and temptation with an “open book” full of answers. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

The other benefit I get is that even when I fail the test God will let me take it over again. I need to be willing to confess that His ways are higher and repent by turning around and walking towards Him. I don’t know if I can find the scripture to back up the idea that He also grades with a curve, but I know He doesn’t expect too much from anyone but does want us to give our all.

So if you’re feeling like you’ve been failing the test, open the Book, it’s got all the answers, Amen!

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 70; Proverbs 9

Daily Quote: “Everything God does is love — even when we do not understand Him.” ~Basilea Schlink

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

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

~Zephaniah 3:17

How Rich Am I? Part #4

08/08/201608/07/2016Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 69; Proverbs 8

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

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

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

~Zephaniah 3:17

Spirit of Unity!

08/05/201608/04/2016Leave a comment

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5-6)

When I first read the phrase ‘spirit of unity’ I ask myself is that the same meaning of the unity of the spirit. Anyhow, I guess that can be a study for another day. As believers we are called into one body, the body of Christ Jesus. Striving for unity among ourselves, in all things. Unity: the state of being one, single minded, condition of being one, combination into one, harmony, Like Minded with Christ etc…

Is this possible or a theory?

It is! As we renew our minds to the endurance and encouragement of the scriptures, unity is offered or a by-product through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Yes, it will take an effort on our parts to dwell or yield to the spirit of unity. We all come from diverse background, ethnicities, testimonies, theological standpoints: but wen all have a mutual love, a mutual Savior, a common praise; may look different, nevertheless there should be no divisions. Living harmoniously, out of love, for each other in one accordance with Christ Jesus.

Can we be honest and transparent to admit that we are in dark times in our country? The enemy seems to have reached his peak and evil is so ever present. These are the times when we, when I, need to lay aside the theological positions and trust in my brothers and sisters in Christ, for comfort, for joy, for fellowship, for support… the list goes on. What would happen if we simply for time, just focused or desired to contribute to His building up His kingdom in holiness and love?

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! (Psalms 34:1-3)

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 66; Proverbs 5

Daily Quote: “The world is not a playground; it is a school-room. Life is not a holiday, but an education. And the one eternal lesson for us all is how better we can love.” ~Henry Drummond

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

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

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

To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.

~Habakkuk 3:17-19

God Will Still Be on the Throne When I’m in the Grave

08/04/201608/04/20161 Comment

Holy Bible, red cup of coffee

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” ~James 4:13-14 (ESV)

So it’s a Saturday morning, I’ve got a cup of Valhalla Java and I am pondering a great many things. One of these things had to do with mowing our somewhat large front yard and this yard of ours isn’t the prettiest. As a matter of fact, it has more moss than it does actual grass and in reality the dandelions are much more abound than I care for. My wife loves the flowers that bloom from them but as for me all I see is weeds and I come to this conclusion, “I’m starting the riding mower and slicing it all down”. My wife did ask for me to spare a small patch of white and purple flowery weeds… (heavy sigh) alrighty then.

Now for any of my brothers out there with a riding mower and a Biblical mind may understand is that you can do a great deal of thinking about God while leveling the lawn. On this morning, just as I am finishing my second cup of java and preparing to get my Snapper 30” running this thought pops into my head… “get over yourself.” Wha?? Where did that come from? Hmm, maybe I need to deal with this. Well let’s gas up and git-r-dun!!

As the engine is running and the grass/weed clippings are shooting out from under my 30” mowing deck another thought enters the dialogue, “God will still be on the throne when I’m in the grave.” Now I remember Pastor Ray Pritchard saying that one time and I’m kinda docking my thoughts in on that. “Okay LORD…where are we going with this?” “Well my son you’ve been taking yourself too seriously and you need to let it go.” HUH?! When did this happen?

Truth be told brothers (and sisters) I’m in a rough season. I feel as if I’ve been eeking out what little joy I have in Jesus in my little winepress (like Gideon) because I am waiting for the next calamity to befall me. I am on my guard way too much and it has taken me out of the character that God has intended me to be. I haven’t been taking on God’s grace like I should, oh no quite the opposite, I’ve been taking on God’s wrath like I’m living in the Old Testament. Instead of going forward…I’ve gone backward…just enough to have other folks notice it.

Even though The Epistle of James can be a rough read it has many Biblical truths in it. I ain’t nothing but a vapor but that doesn’t mean I gotta live like one. I just need to keep the perspective that God is on the throne no matter what my circumstance and keep going on. The lies that I have recently allowed to rule my thought pattern need to go. James is pretty clear, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (James 4:17) OUCH!!! So what’s a boy to do?

In his book “Crazy Love” Francis Chan talked about being an extra in a movie and when you go see it all you’re concerned about is looking for that two-fifths of a second to see the back of your head. He ended that dialogue with his making those two-fifths being more about God then himself. To quote… “1^st Corinthians 10:31 says. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” That is what each of our two-fifths of a second is about. So what does that mean for you? Frankly, you need to get yourself. It might sound harsh, but that seriously what it means.”

I’m grateful that I’ve got a mossy lawn to mow because it really has never been about making it beautiful, it’s been my way of reconnecting with God. I’m a repentative guy now? Very much so but there is much left to handle and I’m just gonna have to put my trust into what God’s plan is and stop being afraid of what the present situation will do to me. Considering all that God has brought me through who am I to doubt His ability to see this come to His good purpose. Bottom line, I need to get over myself because He’ll still be on the throne while I’m in the grave…in two-fifths of a second it’ll all change anyway. Amen?

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 65; Proverbs 4

Daily Quote: “When we face the holy God, “nice” isn’t what we will be concerned with, and it definitely isn’t what He will be thinking about. Any compliments you received on earth will be gone; all that will be left for you is truth. The church in Sardis had a great reputation, but it didn’t matter. Jesus said to them, “I know your deeds; you a have reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” (Rev 3:1). All that matters is the reality of who we are before God.” — Francis Chan

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

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

To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.

~Habakkuk 3:17-19

Freedom Fighters

A Daily Email Encouragement for Men!

Tag: Devotional

Side Effects May Include…

Enemies of The Cross – PART TWO

His Mercies – They Are New EVERY MORNING!

Knockdown Sorrow and Grief

Hope in Darkness!

Enemies of The Cross | PART ONE

The Open Book Test

How Rich Am I? Part #4

Spirit of Unity!

God Will Still Be on the Throne When I’m in the Grave