Tag: Devotional

Follow the Law

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Concept of justice. Law scales on green background.

Too many men in addictions and many more that haven’t admitted to addictions have gotten themselves on the wrong side of the law. Unpaid child support, traffic violations, fines, bench warrants, skipping court dates. We can all say that we love Jesus and he will provide for all of our needs. But following Jesus also means following his word. 1 Peter 2:13-16 tells us we must” submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority” By taking care of our earthly duties we can truly live at peace with our Lord and savior.

A brother in Christ recently took action to get his driver’s license restored after many years. Seeing how calm he was that he didn’t have to worry about getting caught driving without a license, makes him a better Christian and person. “Doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men” 1 Peter 2:15. Know a brother that may be struggling with legal matters that may come to rear its ugly head at any moment. Encourage them to face their dark past that so that they may be able to be a shining light to others.

Written by Robert Breault: Robert is a full time staff member at America’s Keswick and married to his lovely wife Shirley.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 64; Proverbs 3

Daily Quote: “The world does not understand theology or dogma, but it understands love and sympathy.” ~Dwight L. Moody

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

17 Though 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—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19 The 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

Becoming So Large That We Cannot Be Seen

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Praying Hands With Bible

The man who gazes upon and contemplates day by day the face of the Lord Jesus Christ, and who has caught the glow of the reality that the Lord is not a theory but an indwelling power and force in his life, is as a mirror reflecting the glory of the Lord.~Alan Redpath

He is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister… Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me. ~Paul, The Least of The Apostles, in Colossians 1

Oh beloved, it is true. We are powerful beyond measure. We have been made one with the Preeminent King of All Creation. And while this is difficult to comprehend, it is something that is both true positionally, and can become our experience in our lives now.

But there is something through which we must pass. We must die. And the suffering about which Paul speaks in the passage, has nothing to with the ceasing of a heartbeat or brain function. The suffering Paul speaks of is exceedingly more painful than any simple thing like this.

No, the death in this passage, and many others like them in the New Testament, is the death of our ego. It is the reckoning dead our flesh and the screaming demands it makes in trying to feed itself. It is a suffering far beyond physical torture.

Yes, Paul went through many physical and circumstantial problems. But these paled in comparison to the deeper suffering he went through. Through the years, he was rejected by his former colleagues in Judaism, G_d changed his name from Saul (the name of the first king of Israel) to Paul (a name that means ‘little’), the years drove his unlearning of prideful adherence to a Law that actually condemned him, and he was buffeted by demonic forces due to the amazing insights he had been given regarding heaven and the ages to come (cf. 2 Corinthians 12).

But the suffering is also more. Much more. Mostly, the suffering of which Paul speaks is the pouring out of our lives in the very same way that Jesus did for us. As one writer has put it, “In short, what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ is our participation in those sufferings as His Mystical Body” (the members of His Church) in this world. It was not that Jesus suffering was inadequate. Quite the opposite. It was so large, so immense, that it has the potential to be presented to the rest of the world – through us.

Can we see it? In abandoning self, in allowing ourselves to be made less, and in entering into the very sufferings of Christ, we are united with Him and become His very hands and feet and eyes and presence in this world. And people like this (and hopefully, some of us are becoming like this) become invisible to the “channels” the world watches on its computers and media and televisions.

But, the influence they (and hopefully, some of us too) wield is so large as to make large swaths of eternity different and better through our presentation of the very sufferings of Christ to those with whom we have contact. We have first died to our enormous egos, but in disappearing, we have waxed so large that who we really are in Him cannot be seen with physical eyes.

So, are you feeling the heat of G_d breaking down your ego? Does this make you afraid that you will have nothing left with which to serve G_d? Don’t. G_d doesn’t need your ego (or this fool of a writer’s either). But, He does need your entire life to present His very Self to the world. Would you be willing to become nothing that you might become everything?

Tonight is your night beloved. Time to suffer that He might be Himself – The King of All Creation – through you.

Makala_FF 2016Written 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 63; Proverbs 2

Daily Quote: “Hell is, in a certain sense, heaven devoid of Christ. In hell, you get what you want . . . and discover that it leaves you utterly unsatisfied. In heaven, all your wants are sanctified and reduced down to One singular desire: Christ.” ~Ben Zornes

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

17 Though 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—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19 The 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

 

How Rich Am I? Part #3

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Male hand writing notebook on working table, vintage tone
It’s August. Can you believe it? Summer is flying by. As we begin this new week of Freedom Fighter blogs, I want to share the next ten blessings that you and I have because we are in Christ. Take a minute or two to look up the references. Allow these truths to burn deep into your hearts. We are richer than we can imagine.

21. Unseen assets — at the moment of salvation, we receive all of the unseen assets of the Christian life, called “every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph 1:2-6)

22. Judgment of Sins — all of our sins were judged under the spiritual death of our Lord Jesus Christ. The application of this truth to our lives as Christians is of the utmost importance because all of our personal sins were judged at the cross (Rom 4:24; 1 Pet 2:24).

23. Adoption — we are adopted into the royal family of God at the moment of salvation. Our spiritual adoption is in reference to us instantly being recognized as adult sons with full privileges (Rom 8:15, 23; Eph 1:5)

24. Eternal Relationship to God — we are eternally related to God because of our Lord’s presence at the Father’s right hand. Knowledge and application of this great truth should produce a corresponding experiential sanctification (i.e., walking in fellowship with the Lord through the filling of the Holy Spirit) (Eph 2:13; James 4:8).

25. We are on the Rock Jesus Christ — we have an eternally secure relationship with God from the point of salvation onward (1 Cor 3:11; 2 Cor. 1:21; Eph 2:20).

26. We are a gift from the Father to the Son — we are of such value that the Father took us as a present and gave us to the Son. As with all things that God does, it is permanent and can never be given back (Jn 10:29; 17:5-6, 11-12).

27. Royal Priesthood — we become partakers of a royal and holy priesthood. As Christian priests (every one of us), we represent ourselves to God through confession of sin, study of God’s Word, prayer, praise, and giving (1 Pet 2:5, 9; Rev 1:6).

28. We are a chosen generation; a peculiar (unique) people. This is why we do not really fit in with this world, because we are a peculiar people and we operate by a different value system (Titus 2:14; 1 Pet 2:9).

29. Access to God — at the moment of salvation, we obtain access to God. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil was torn asunder from top to bottom signifying that the sin debt has been eliminated (Matt 27:50-51). As a result, we can freely enter God’s throne room any time (Rom 5:2; Eph 2:18; Heb 4:14-16; 10:19-20).

30. Under the “much more” care of God — we are within the “much more” care of God. In other words, if God did the greatest thing already, isn’t He prepared to help us with the little things? He’s done everything He can do in Jesus Christ to bridge the gap between us and God (Rom 5:9; Eph 2:4).

Next week I will share the last 10. I hope that these are an encouragement to you. Now enjoy your week. Thanks for taking a few minutes of your day to read our daily blogs. I trust that they are a blessing in your life. By the way – just knowing you take to time to dial in is an encouragement to us too. May 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 62; Proverbs 1

Daily Quote: “As good as we might think God is now, in his presence we’ll realize we only saw the millionth part of his glory.” ~Bob Kauflin

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

17 Though 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—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19 The 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

 

The Heart of a Teacher

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Desktop in classroom ready to learn from textbooks

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10)

I believe my perspectives on teaching are probably the most fresh that it has ever been, however, that’s not much because I never been much of a teacher. I believe teaching is vital, but to be transparent, I admit that teaching has never been on the top of my gifting. But God has been stretching me in this area situational.

Ezra was the high priest during a confusing time for the Israelites and who ministered to God’s people in distressful era. He was a very learned man, professionally trained, developed, and able to properly teach Old Testament Law. Yes, we know Ezra was under the old covenant and the Law and we also know the law was fulfilled in Christ. But one concept we can learn about the diligence of Ezra is that he set his heart to study the Word.

The question: are we setting are hearts to study and to communicate God’s truth? Or maybe you’re thinking I’m never going to be in a teaching setting. The writers of Hebrews challenges, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food. (Hebrews 5:12)

Jesus Christ taught in fields, by trees, on boats, by the sea, in the temple, by a well, on the mount of Olive, on mountaintops, in valleys, and just about everywhere He went. Jesus also taught in people’s homes, (Martha and Mary’s). Teaching is way we can be intently studying the Word and to communicate God’s Word, but it is also good accountable to measure our growth in the Lord.

Juan Mendez_FF 2016Written 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 58; Proverbs 28

Daily Quote: If you’re alive, there’s a purpose for your life. ~Rick Warren

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“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.

~Isaiah 55:8-9

Can I Get a Witness?

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Walking direction on asphalt

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. ~Psalm 107:1

It’s been hard lately to see all the suffering around the world especially when it comes upon people I know and love. I’ve experienced some encouraging things as I’m finding out about some of those I knew, who, years later are now experiencing the “Mercy” of God.

I remember as a young man, like most men who hate to ask for directions, finally pulling into a gas station to ask for guidance. The guy first told me I would have to turn around because I was going in the wrong direction. I got back in my car and thought to myself, “What does he know?” and stayed on my route. Finally, I realized I better turn around. I sat at a red light on the corner of that gas station only to hear the attendant say “I told ya”.

I don’t recommend that to anyone who witnesses to someone who eventually comes to Christ to say “I told ya”, but let’s keep giving directions.

When we try to direct people to “The Way” we aren’t telling them something that we invented or created, it’s more of a discovery, “Can I get a Witness”? Psalm 107 is a testimony of those who found themselves lost and the reoccurring theme is “Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble and He delivered them out of their distresses”.

This is my testimony, even after countless times of people telling me I need Jesus it wasn’t until I came to the end of my road where I cried out. The outcome is always the same, “And He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city for a dwelling place”.

So if you are getting discouraged because of the negligence of people when it comes to God, keep giving directions, and like me under my breathe you can say “I told ya” if the come around.

Until then, we can join the Psalmist with his lament, “Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness”. Amen!

Rob_FF 2016Written 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 57; Proverbs 27

Daily Quote: “Faith is the silver thread upon which the pearls of the graces are to be hung. Break that, and you have broken the string — the pearls lie scattered on the ground.”  ~ Charles  H. Spurgeon (Nineteenth Century English Preacher)

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“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.

~Isaiah 55:8-9

The More I Press On!!

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Winston Churchill

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV)

I think one of the greatest evil’s mankind had to face in the 20th century was Adolph Hitler and The Third Reich. Talk about no regard for humankind that was muddied up with strange occultic beliefs. There is no doubt that The Devil showed his hand to the world during that time period BUT there was this guy who saw it coming and like a good watchmen sounded his trumpet…but no one listen until it was too late.

Winston Churchill wasn’t a fan favorite in England after WWI but as WWII came along this bulldog lead a resounding charge that called a whole free world to battle. To quote that charge: “We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”

We shall never surrender! Man do I like that kinda stuff. Churchill had himself some confidence didn’t he? Well he kinda hinted that the USA was coming to back him up right after the never surrender part but none the less what he was saying to the Nazi Party was “THE MORE YOU HOLD US DOWN, THE MORE WE PRESS ON!!” Love this stuff.

The Apostle Paul also has himself a resounding charge when it comes to the Christian life. After his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul “quits” all that legalist mumbo jumbo and begins to pursue a life of Christlikeness. Basically he goes from quitting to pressing on. And here are 5 things (borrowed from Chuck Swindoll’s book “Laugh Again”) we can glean from that charge we find in Philippians 3:12-16.

1. The Plan is Progress…not Perfection. Some of us get so intense with our pursuit of godliness that we get frustrated and down on ourselves when we fail.

2. The Past is OVER…FORGET IT!! To glory in past achievements only makes us proud and to torture ourselves with former mistakes can only arouse guilt and shame.

3. The Future Holds Out Hope…Reach for It! The Christian life isn’t meant to a peaceful alliance or a passive coexistence. It’s should be a passionate quest, ever stretching and reaching for the prize that calls us through Christ Jesus!!

4. The Secret is a Determined Attitude…Maintain It!! Simply put, “I am complete in the sense that I have grown as far as I can at the present, and I am ready for the next lesson.” (Stuart Briscoe, Bound for Joy)

5. The Need is Keeping a High Standard…Together! “Living the Christian life is a mutual effort, not a solo mission. There is great comfort and strength to be gained if we will lock arms with those who are striving to keep the same high standard.” (Swindoll)

Now this is all inspiring stuff isn’t it? But truth be told this Freedom Fighter writer has got his days when the battle seems, no wait, gets to be redundant. Same dung heap to plow through, same ugliness in my heart to deal with, living in a world that just ain’t making any sense anymore, price tag on everything and everyone and I am supposed to maintain my Christlikeness when all I really wanna do is pull out my broadsword and cut off the head of evil so the body falls into the pit and burn forever…but that’s God’s job and not mine. I gotta learn to deal with that part. BUT….

Broadsword, huh? How about pulling out the sword that God gave me and doing battle with that? Yeah better idea. I often think of Gideon when the battle gets futile and when I do I find myself going back reading his story. Yeah I do put out the fleece from time to time but just like Gideon, God gives me His reply…” Press on Chris, Press on.” Yeah it ain’t easy but if it was easy the grace that was afforded me on The Cross becomes cheap and everything that Jesus taught just sounds like a really good idea instead of the way things should be in their divine order. So I guess I’ll be sticking to the NEVER SURRENDER part of this Christian walk…just gotta get rid of the rear view mirror. How about you? You with me? Hope so…

Chris Hughes_FF 2016Written 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 56; Proverbs 26

Daily Quote: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” —Winston Churchill

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“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.

~Isaiah 55:8-9

How Rich Am I? Part #2

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Male hand writing notebook on working table, vintage tone

Last week I shared with you a list of ten reminders of the riches that we have being IN CHRIST. Thanks for joining us for this new week of Freedom Fighter blogs.

I was pleased with the responses I received to last week’s blog and trust the next ten statements will be an encouragement to you as you think about who you are IN CHRIST and all that He has blessed you with.

Don’t take my word for it. Don’t take David Brewer’s word for it. Check out the references that go along with each statement. For some of you this is brand new truth. For others, well it is a refresher course.

11. Removal of Condemnation

At the moment of salvation, the sentence of condemnation is removed by God the Father (Jn 3:18; Rom 8:1-3).

12. Removal of Domination of the Old Sin Nature

Every believer will continue to have a sin nature throughout his life (cf. Rom 7:5) which will continue to make war within him (James 4:1; 1 Pet 2:11). When a person becomes a believer, his old man dies, but he still possesses the nature inherited from his inseparable link with fallen humanity. Believers now live with one sin nature which is in continual conflict with the indwelling Holy Spirit (Gal 5:16-23). Even though our union with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection is in a judicial or forensic sense, it is still a true or vital union (Rom 6:1-10; cf. Gal 2:20). This judicial or forensic union with Jesus is actualized in everyday life by the process of considering ourselves dead to sin (Rom 6:11) and allowing the Holy Spirit to completely reign in our hearts, so that by His divine power we shall have victory over the evil nature within (Rom 6:6-12, 15-20; 8:5-12; Col 2 :12).

13. Removal of Satan’s Power

At salvation, we have freedom from Satan’s kingdom of evil. Satan’s influence is “held in check” when a believer becomes more conformed to Christ’s image by the Spirit’s enablement and by His grace (Gal 5:1; Eph 2:1-2; 6:11-12; Col 1:12-13; 1 John 5:19).

14. Freedom from the penalty of the Mosaic Law

At the moment of salvation, the believer is delivered from the curse of the law. At that moment, God the Father graciously imparts freedom from bondage to the Mosaic Law. It means we are free from receiving the curse of the law (Rom 10:4; 2 Cor 3:7ff.; Gal 3:23-25; 6:2; Eph 2:15; James 2:10). We are now under “the law of Christ.” This new law is the New Covenant

counterpart to the Mosaic Law. This law includes all that Jesus and the NT commanded. It also includes laws from the OT not abrogated or superseded by the NT (Rom 8:2; Gal 6:2).

15. Identification with Jesus Christ

At the moment of salvation, the believer is permanently identified with Christ’s work on the cross by God the Father. The Christian is forever after identified with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and present session at the Father’s right hand (Rom 6:3-12; Gal 2:20).

16. Indwelling of God the Father

The believer is indwelt by God the Father at the moment of salvation, which is to provide a guarantee of unseen, yet extremely powerful assets and provisions for living the Christian life (Jn 14:23).

17. Indwelling of Jesus Christ

The indwelling of Jesus Christ is the guarantee of our membership in the royal family of God. Someday we will be instantly transported to heaven at death by our lord Jesus Christ Himself (Jn 14:20; Rom 8:10; Col 1:27).

18. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

The third person of the Holy Trinity unconditionally and permanently indwells all Christians at the moment of salvation. God has “first rights” to the use of your body – not the old sin nature (Jn 14:17; Rom 5:5; 8:9; 1 Cor 6:19-20; Gal 3:2).

19. Sealing of Your Salvation

At the moment of salvation, the sealing ministry of the Holy Spirit occurs. This “sealing” is God the Father’s stamp of ownership and the Holy Spirit’s signature of guarantee of eternal security, protection, and preservation of our souls from certain angelic (demonic) activity, such as demon possession. The Spirit of God inside us convicts, directs, prompts, and empowers us and is God’s guarantee to us that we’re going to get the whole rest of the package one day (Eph 1:13; 4:30).

20. Circumcision of the soul

This circumcision renders null and void the issue of our past lives as unsaved persons. God the Father places no value on the unsaved past of the new convert, so the emphasis of his new life must not be on the successes or failures of his past (Rom 2:29; Col 2:11; cf. Deut 10:16-17; Jer 4:4

Thanks for letting us invest in your life. We always appreciate your feedback and love have you checking in as well as forwarding this blog to another brother. May 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 55; Proverbs 25

Daily Quote: “You don’t work in the hope of getting an identity; you work in celebration of the identity that, in Christ, you have been given.” ~Paul David Tripp

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“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.

~Isaiah 55:8-9

Divine Reading: The Path of Six

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Vintage tone of man reading the Holy Bible.

The Bible is the Living Word of God.

• Prepare: Psalm 46:10; Psalm 37:7a

• Read: Romans 10:8-10; 1 Corinthians 2:9,10; (Revelation 1:13-16, The purpose is to intimately know the Lord Jesus). Read aloud four times slowly and from different points of view; by reading aloud I engage my whole being and I am less distracted by outside influences.

• Meditate: Joshua 1:8; 1 John 2:27 Listen for the message delivered by the Holy Spirit. I ponder, wait for the Holy Spirit to illuminate my mind. It is important to keep my mind open to allow the Holy Spirit to give meaning to the passage.

• Pray: 1 Thessalonians 5:17,18 I hear God when I read and talk to Him when I pray. Scripture and prayer must be linked together, it is a conversation with my Father, God. Contemplate: Psalm 119: 15,27,148; Psalm 145:5 This is time to express love in the silence of my inner being. For me to experience union with God. I am where I am by grace.

• Imitate (obey) : Ephesians 5:1,2 This is where I consider an action step as I enter my daily activity.

A Beginning Pattern For Discipleship, A Suggested Place To Start:

Begin with a short period of stillness and prayer. Ask God to guide and teach you as you read.

Read the New Testament through first. (The reason is the New Testament is the bases for interpreting the Old Testament.) 1-5 chapters per day. Think about what you are reading, don’t rush. Remember you asked God to guide you and teach you. Consider an action step to take as you begin your day.

After you have completed the NT, read the 100 transitional chapters of the Bible. (The reason: this will give you an understanding of the overview of the Bible.) Study one passage per day.

After you have completed your study of the 100 transitional chapters, begin your reading of the whole Bible, Genesis through Revelation. (Sometimes people get discouraged and bogged down when they reach genealogies in the Bible and stop their reading, I suggest that you skip them and return to them later.) Read 1-5 chapters per day. Take your time think about what you are reading and it’s meaning. Consider an action step to take as you begin your day.

The purpose of this sequence is to know God deeper each day, each month, each year. You are building your relationship with God and relationship can not be rushed

Today’s Affirmation: I will read God’s Word with the Holy Spirit’s help and be a hearer and doer of His Word.

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

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 50; Proverbs 20

Daily Quote: “God teaches us to love by putting some unlovely people around us. It takes no character to love people who are lovely and loving to you.” ~Rick Warren

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon. ~Isaiah 55:7

We Leak

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bucket with holes
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. ~Romans 5:5

There was a time I had my kids in a busy store and I told them “do not wander away or you’ll be lost”. There came a teachable moment when my son began to go astray, I watched from a distance as his little feet directed him from my presence. I saw that he began to reach for my hand without looking and grabbed onto a stranger’s hand. It wasn’t until he made eye contact with me that he realized it wasn’t my hand he was holding, he immediately dropped the man’s hand and came running into my arms.

I remember as a new believer, after the thrill of my salvation wore off, I wasn’t “feeling” as spiritual as I had been prior. I was listening to a message in Church and I was comforted to hear I wasn’t alone. The Pastor went on to explain that until we reach Heaven and receive our redeemed bodies we need to stay close to God, remain in His presence and be continually filled with His Spirit, he said because “We leak”.

The Holy Spirit makes residence in our hearts at salvation, but if we are not in communion with God thru His Spirit our soul suffers. This communion is based upon our current standing with God. He doesn’t love us any less or abandon us, we wonder from Him. Just like my son who was distracted by all that was around, we can easily find ourselves detached and feeling alone. We need a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit.

Paul starts Romans chapter 5 by stating, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God”. Justification brings peace which gives access to faith into grace that causes us to stand, what a combination.

The fact that we were justified (saved) by a onetime confession with repentance and receiving Jesus as Savior, we have peace with God. This miracle that takes place comes with the faith that allows us to access the “grace in which to stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God”.

The problem is the way we receive this hope, we are to “Glory in tribulations”. I can’t do this on yesterday’s “manna”. The nutrition I received from God yesterday needs to be replenished daily. In a world where there’s not a lot to hope in, we need to remember that at salvation “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts”.

So if the things of this world has caused you to wander from your Heavenly Father, let go of the stranger’s hand and run back into the arms of your Daddy. You may feel lost but He’s watching you from a distance and waiting for you to come running. Amen

Rob_FF 2016Written 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 49; Proverbs 19

Daily Quote: “Being loved is life’s second greatest blessing; loving is the greatest.” ~Jack Hyles

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon. ~Isaiah 55:7

Death is Defeated!

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Old Hands on the Floor
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)

Anyone who is involved with the ministry of addiction or substance understands that ultimly death occurs. We receive random calls and our grieving is put to side because comfort is needed. We loved them, we pray for them; we invest our lives in then. But the abrupt loss of Joe Catalano hit me personally and my response was heavy hearted. But there many are lessons to learn from death; here three.

Appreciation:

We are still here; therefore God is not done with us yet. Kiss your wife, children, mother, father, sister, brother etc… And let them know how much you appreciate them. And thank God for being loving, kind and graceful towards you. “But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

God is Control:

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) This requires faith; faith that can reach passed the external elements and process clearly that the Creator of the universe has everything in balance.

Everyone will Die:

This is the one reality we all have in common; physical death is inevitable. While watching an episode of House a nurse irately runs into Dr. House and cries, “If we don’t do something the patient is going to die.” House gently replied, “ We are on going to die, the question is how soon.” The minute we are born, we all are facing death. The questions; what are we going to do with this life, what kind of legacy we are leaving, what are people going to remember us by?

And as for death, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

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 48; Proverbs 18

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

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon. ~Isaiah 55:7