Tag: Prayer

Longing for Real Home

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Perfect Sunset

For the story is about hell and heaven, trauma, shame, and finding love—the real Jesus accepting a broken man; and it is about the Father, Son, and Spirit finding us in the far country of our terrible and powerless mythology—to share their life with us. For the truth behind the universe is that God is Father, Son, and Spirit; and the one unflinching purpose of the blessed Trinity is that we would come to taste and feel, to know and experience, the very trinitarian life itself. ~ C. Baxter Kruger

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. ~ Paul, The Least of The Apostles, in Romans 7 & 8

Oh beloved, it is true. We long for Home. We long for a place where we belong. And, our whole lives we have been willing to do almost anything to get the sense that we were there. The problem though, is in our thinking that home is simply a place.

Yes, it is a place. And it is more. For the place Which is Home is quite large. It is Alive and It has made eternity His own home. Home is the context of the Life of

G_d. Home is family. Home is a Father and Son, and the Spirit of unity between the Three of Them.

But… back to the thing about us being willing to do almost anything to get the sense we were there…

In our fallen understanding we miss that home is indeed a location, but that that location is larger than the intersection of four dimensions (up/down, left/right, back/forth and time). And in our flat-landed and fleshly view, we try to set down stakes and bring the pleasure of home to ourselves. But, in attempting to draw life towards ourselves, we actually just wall ourselves in.

We do worse than just walling ourselves in. We block the flow, really, of anything good in our lives. As we try to set up our own homesteads, we push life away. And the harder we try, the more we circle the wagons in defeat, the more we feel home slipping away.

Oh… this is not as mystical as it sounds. To get a sense of the comfort of “home,” addicts do it by shoving people away and shoving chemicals into their bodies. We have all been there. Some of you, beloved, are still there. But, it never works.

What to do?

Go Home. It is simpler than we make it.

How?

We are already there… Actually, He is already here.

Can we see it? Read the passage. Jesus made this possible when He condemned sin to death, by His own death. In His infinitely powerful work on the cross, He tore the veil that had confined His presence to a locality in a temple in Jerusalem – and burst out across the entire planet. This symbolic act of tearing a big curtain was made a tangible reality when His Spirit came to stay, at Pentecost, a mere 50 days later.

And, each of us never has to long for home in the way that we have done it in the past. We are Home, when we live in the infinite Spirit. There are no boundaries to His Presence. He is with us wherever we go. There is no place He is not. This is the freedom we have always been looking for before, but always found ourselves in – instead – a trap of our own making.

So, are you longing for real home? Just look away from that point inside of you. That place is just an empty spot that you are trying to make feel like home. And in turning away, realize that the full heart, the sense of wellbeing, and the deep awareness of belonging is something we are drawn into – by being drawn away from a focus on our own self – and put directly onto Him.

Tonight is your night beloved. Time to walk in The Spirit. He is the Home you have been longing for.

Written by Makala Doulos: Makala Doulos 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 140; Proverbs 21

Daily Quote:

Holiest Trinity, perfect in unity,

Bind in thy love every nation and race;

May we adore thee for time and eternity,

Father, Redeemer, and Spirit of grace.

~Patrick Appleford

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ~2 Corinthians 4:17-18

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Praying Powerfully III

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Join us tonight, October 13, 2016 for Men’s Fellowship Night with guest speaker, Dr. Joe Basile from Grace Bible Fellowship, Bayonne!  Call now and make your reservations, 800.453.7942!

Afro American businessman

“Now, O LORD, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. (2 Kings 20:3)

Isaiah the prophet informed King Hezekiah that his life has reached its end and encouraged him to tie up all his loose ends. Hezekiah was a man known for prayer and his obedience to the Lord. But like most of us, he had issues and at this point he was very sick. He prayed; and before Isaiah left his kingdom the Lord mentions, “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you.”

This raises a debate to whether God changed His mine or did He already want to deliver Hezekiah and was waiting for the king to line up with His will. Nevertheless, the focus is on how intensely he prayed or as describes he wept bitterly.

When was the last time you wept over your sin, or the condition of the saints, your country, your family? We have become too casual in our prayer life that we check it off our to-do-list, or we think that we need to sound spiritual, or use the right vernacular. Prayer is more than just communication with God; it’s our lifeline.

“In my deepest, darkest moments, what really got me through was a prayer. Sometimes my prayer was ‘Help me.’ Sometimes a prayer was ‘Thank you.’ What I’ve discovered is that intimate connection and communication with my creator will always get me through because I know my support, my help, is just a prayer away.” Iyanla Vanzant

There is so much more to prayer then what we discussed, but the Bible illustrates various ways in how we can approach it. You want true change? It starts and ends in prayer.

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 132; Proverbs 13

Daily Quote: “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Martin Luther

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. ~2 Corinthians 4:16

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Do the Best With What You Have

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Silhouettes of a team

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)

I have read somewhere that there was a village in England some years ago that had a town hall with a clock with one hand in the steeple facing the central square. The village did not have enough money to repair it. Some wag suggested, “Well, at least the clock is right twice a day!” But a village philosopher suggested that the message of the clock is, “Do the best with what you have.” That’s good advice.

In a way, that is the story of Simon Peter in the Gospels. Among those who were following the Lord Jesus Christ, none were more colorful than Simon Peter. His story began when his brother, Andrew, brought him to Jesus. When Jesus met him, He said, “You are Simon…and you shall be Peter” (John 1:42). The Greek word for Peter is “rock.” “You are…you shall be.” Hidden within Peter was God-given potential that had not yet surfaced. I suppose Peter thought he could never be anything other than what he was – a fisherman from Galilee. But Jesus saw him differently. “Rocky” would be a good name by which to know him.

So Peter began to follow Jesus and the rough edges began to wear away. One gets the impression that Simon Peter was a strong man who appeared to be given to physical violence as a way of settling personal disputes.

Peter was always stirred and moved by the actions and the words of Jesus. He had his highs and his lows. He confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:16) yet a short time later he objected to Jesus saying He must die on a cross (Matt 16:22), but he was so much like we are. He wanted to be so close to Jesus, yet he failed so miserably and so often. We can easily identify with him more than with the other disciples.

The time came when Jesus warned him that he would deny he knew Jesus, not once but three times before the night was over (John 13:38). Peter protested vehemently…yet he did. But his story doesn’t end there. Even before his failure, Jesus gave him hope that recovery would be possible. He was forgiven and restored. His story tells us that we, too, can be transformed by God’s grace. Our past and present need not limit us in our future usefulness for Jesus. Peter wrote two letters about what he had learned. In 1 Peter, he wrote about suffering; in 2 Peter, he wrote about loyalty. What we are today need not be what we shall be tomorrow.

Written by Dr. Donald R. Hubbard: Dr Hubbard is a Bible teacher on Bible Broadcasting Network and frequent speaker at America’s Keswick.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 126; Proverbs 7

Daily Quote: “Prayer is not a hard requirement – it is the natural duty of a creature to its creator, the simplest homage that human need can pay to divine liberality.” ~Charles Spurgeon 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.~2 Corinthians 4:15

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ASK A PRO

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Businessman watching formulas

As men go, we are always looking for the newest thing to improve our lives, new phone, new car, bigger house, new golf clubs to improve our game. GOLF CLUB? YUP. Years ago when I first started playing golf I thought that I could learn the game all on my own. After many rounds of playing with 30 year old hand me down clubs, I decided to upgrade to a new set of Ping irons and Taylormade woods. That would surely improve my game. Heeding the advice from a friend who played well that I should take a lesson from the golf pro at his club. Reluctantly I did. Telling the pro that when ever I used my driver that I always sliced the ball. Letting him know that I had just order new clubs to fix the problem he took my 30 year old driver and without even getting set took a swing at a ball and hit it 225 yards down the driving range, handed the club back to me and said, “IT’S NOT THE CLUB” I took several more lessons from that “PRO” on how to swing a club properly!

Psalm 119 says, : 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your WORD. 10 I seek with all my heart, do not let me stray from your commands.

In our lives we all need some sort of lesson from a professional. I try to get a lesson every day of my life, from my Bible. Every word, every verse, every chapter, every book gives a lesson from the greatest professional that we could ever learn from. God’s word gives us the best instruction on how to live a fulfilled and happy life. What was your latest lesson on??

Written by Robert Breault: Robert is a full time staff member in our Food Service department.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 125; Proverbs 6

Daily Quote: “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” ~Proverbs 15:29

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.~2 Corinthians 4:15

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Praying Powerfully – Part #1

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Christian man praying with hands crossed

And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God…” (1 Samuel 7:8a)

This verse speaks to a people that were in dire need of their God; and they prayed. Prayer is powerful, a vital part of our Christian walk. We need it, and if we claim that we are in an intimate with relationship with Him, it shouldn’t be burdensome. In this first Power of Prayer, I want to share the power of praying for our wives or significant other. The power here starts by being intentional.

“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (1 Peter 3:7)

I first started this with a counselee, to encourage him to change his perception on his wife. But God! He showed me it was me that needed adjustments. Prayer is where the real fights are won. This is the channel that allows to us to express our love and protection over the women God put in our lives. It reminds us that God, and Him alone, is center of the relationship f

Is it hard to pray for your wife, or do you struggle what to pray for, or are you praying for her in a way that would benefit you? Try taking her needs to the altar.

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 120; Proverbs 28

Daily Quote: Time spent in prayer is never wasted. ~Francis Fenelon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ~2 Corinthians 4:8-11

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Core Value #2 Prayer

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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 4:16

Last week began a series on blogs on the Core Values of America’s Keswick.

Core Value #2 is our commitment to PRAYER.

In our original document, PRAYER was our #4 value but last year we moved it to #2.
From the inception of our ministry, PRAYER has been an integral part of everything we do. As William Raws began to grow in his walk with the Lord, he made prayer a vital part of his life and ministry, and I am thankful to say that ever since the ministry of America’s Keswick was founded in 1897, prayer remains a vital part of all we do.

In just about every book of the Bible, you will find references to prayer and its impact on the life of any man or woman who wants to be what God wants them to be.

Show me a man or woman who wants to be used of God, and I will show you a man or woman who makes prayer a commitment in their lives.

When I saw the movie, WAR ROOM, it increased my desire to be a man of prayer – and not just a man who prays, but one who prays boldly and courageously.

Can I share some quick thoughts about courageous prayer with you?

  • Concerned about your marriage? Pray courageously.
  • Concerned about your kids? Pray courageously.
  • Concerned about your job? Pray courageously.
  • Concerned about your health? Pray courageously.
  • Fearful about where our country is heading? Pray courageously.
  • Concerned about your church? Pray courageously.
  • Are you struggling with sin in your life? Pray courageously.
  • Are you facing a big decision? Pray courageously.
  • Are there burdens on your heart that you can’t share with anyone else? Pray courageously.
  • You don’t know how to pray? Pray courageously.
  • You know what you want to say but don’t know how to say it? Pray courageously.
  • Don’t get hung up of a prayer formula and there are good ones. Pray courageously.
  • Don’t get hung up do I kneel, stand, keep my eyes open or closed – Pray courageously.
  • Don’t have a prayer closet – Pray anywhere and at anytime – just pray courageously.

We put together a pamphlet last year to help with courageous praying. Here is the link so you can download it, or if you will write me, I will send you a hard copy. (Pray Courageously pamphlet)

If you want to see God make a difference in your life, in the life of your family, or the world around you – become a man who prays courageously.

W ritten 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 109; Proverbs 18

Daily Quote: “Prayer is serious business. To be in God’s presence is holy.” ~Living the Battle Plan 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You
In a time when You may be found;
Surely in a flood of great waters
They shall not come near him.
You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.  Psalms 32:6-7