Freedom Fighters

Worldliness and theMedia (Part 3)

2008-10-10T07:50:00.001-04:00

Worldliness and the Media (Part 3)

I trust that the insights this week from C.J. Mahaney's book, "Worldliness - Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World", have been challenging and thought-provoking. It is one of those little books that I believe is a MUST READ for every Freedom Fighter.

Today is the third part on how I can analyze my involvement with media, whether it be TV, movies, Facebook, Myspace, or other things related to the internet. Yesterday I gave you a list of questions to consider regarding time and the heart. Today's list relates to the CONTENT.

Here is the list from the Chapter: God, My Heart, and Media:

* What worldview or philosophy of life does this program or film present? What's the view of man's nature? What's the view of sin? Is sin identified as such? What's the view of God-ordained authority figures? And how do these views relate to God's view?
* What does this program or film glamorize? What is valued or considered important?
* Who are the heroes of the story? Why are they heroic?
* Is sin shown as having negative consequences? Or is sin glorified or rewarded? Is sin presented in an appealing or seductive way?
* What is humorous in this work? How are people made fun of? What is mocked?
* Does violence appear as a natural part of the story, or is it used gratuitously to entertain?
* What's the sexual content? Is there nudity? Sensual or seductive dress? Are there images, language, or humor that are sexually impure?
* Is sinful self-sufficiency honored? Are the heroic characters concerned for others or merely for themselves?
* Does the program or film portray materialism as "the good life"?
* Would seeing this help me better understand God's world? Would it help me understand my surrounding culture better without tempting me to sinful compromise?
* Will I benefit in any way from viewing this program or visiting this website?
* Online, do I communicate graciously, patiently, and humbly? Do I use crude or arrogant speech? Is my speech consistent with the gospel, or does it reflect worldliness?

My guess is, that some of us bristled when we read through this list of questions because it rubbed a nerve. "Bill, are you being too legalistic?" "Isn't this list going a bit too far?" Maybe the greater question is this: "Have a become desensitized to the influence of the world around me?" Remember the key verse from this discussion: "Love not the world or anything in the world." - 1 John 2:15.

I think that the discussion is worth having. I would love to hear from you. It has sure caused me to think. What about you? - Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 10; Isaiah 34-36; Colossians 2

A quote worth considering: In a way I wish I could take to heaven my old, tattered Everest and Jennings wheelchair. I would point to the empty seat and say, "Lord, for decades I was paralyzed in this chair. But it showed me how paralyzed You must have felt to be nailed to Your Cross. My limitations taught me something about the limitations You endured when You laid aside your robes of state and put on the indignity of human flesh." At that point, with my strong and glorified body, I might sit in it, rub the armrests with my hands, look up at Jesus, and add, "The weaker I felt in this chair, the harder I leaned on You. And the harder I leaned, the more I discovered how strong You are. Thank you, Jesus for learning obedience in your suffering...You gave me grace to learn obedience in mine." -- Joni Eareckson Tada

Worldliness -- Media (Part 2)

2008-10-09T07:49:00.001-04:00

Worldliness -- Media (Part 2)

Yesterday I shared with you some thoughts from a powerful book, WORLDLINESS - Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World.

Pastor Craig Cabanis, who wrote the chapter, God, My Heart, and the media, quoting pastor Kent Hughes says:

"Today the all-pervasive glow of the television set is the single most potent influence and control in Western culture. Television has greater power over the lives of most Americans than any educational system, government or church."

So how do we bring control in our lives in regards to the things we watch (TV, DVD's, movies, etc) so that we don't get sucked into the world and all its powerful allurements?

Pastor Cabanis offers a series of questions that are worth our consideration:

Time Questions
* Am I skipping or delaying something important in order to watch this now?
* What are my other social/entertainment options besides watching television or going out to see a movie?
* How much time have I already spent on media today?
* How much time have I spent surfing the Internet? How much time have I spent blogging or maintaining an online presence through social network sites?
* In the last week, how much time have I spent on the spiritual disciplines, building relationships, or serving in my local church compared to time spent consuming media?
* After investing the time to view this, will I look back on it as time well spent?

Heart Questions
* Why do I want to watch this program or movie? What do I find entertaining about it?
* Am I seeking to escape from something I should be facing by watching this? Am I seeking comfort or relief that can be found only in God?
* What sinful temptations will this program or film present?
* Do I secretly want to view something in it that's sinful? Am I deceiving myself by saying, "I'll fast-forward through the bad parts?"
* Similarly, am I telling myself, "I'll just visit this website once, and I won't click on any other links I find there?"
* Am I watching because I am bored or lazy? If so, what does that reveal about my heart?
* Am I watching simply because others are? Am I trying to be relevant or to fit in?
* How have my online relationships impacted my face-to-face relationships? How has my online activity impacted my soul? For better or worse?
* What motivates me to create and maintain a blog, Myspace or Facebook presence? Am I attempting to impress others? Am I being prideful, slanderous, deceitful, or self-righteous?

Good questions, my brothers. They have sure caused me to think. I trust you will give serious consideration to them. Tomorrow I will give you his list of CONTENT questions. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 9; Isaiah 32-33; Colossians 1

A quote worth thinking about: We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and cancelling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions. We may pass them by, preoccupied with our more important tasks, as the priest passed by the man who had fallen among thieves, perhaps - reading the Bible..... it is part of the discipline of humility that we must not spare our hand where it can perform a service and we do not assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it to be arranged by God. -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Can't make our Men's Fellowship Night tonight? Watch it live right from our website. The program will air around 7:15 PM -- www.americaskeswick.org

Worldliness and the Media (Part 1)

2008-10-08T07:45:00.001-04:00

Worldliness and the Media - Part 1

"Do not love the world or anything in the world ..." 1 John 2:15 (NIV)

I really tried to hang with the debate last night - but it was putting me to sleep. Don't shoot me or write letters. The good news is that I was reading C. J. Mahaney's book on "Worldliness" and that helped.

Chapter 2 was written by Craig Cabaniss and is entitled: "God, My Heart and Media." This chapter was powerful in many ways. Craig shares the power of the media and the damaging effects of it on our lives. There is an erosion that takes place that can be disastrous if we are not careful.

He reminds us that in everything we do and WATCH we are doing so "before the face of God." "All aspects of our existence - from private thoughts to public words and actions - are lived out before His face. Properly regarded, living "before the face of God" arouses our fear of God ... We make our choices - with God's holy face in view. It's not the gaze of our pastor, parent, fellow small group member, or unbelieving neighbor that matters most. We're accountable to God in ALL things, including our entertainment ... God is holy, and we are not."1

"Before the face of God" - we realize we are in trouble - our eyes have lusted, our imaginations have trespassed, our time has been squandered. We must run to the cross where God's holiness and mercy intersect decisively. "Before the face of God," - we find grace. Grace that forgives. Grace that empowers us to change. Grace that leads us to desire and pursue obedience. Any discussion of biblical obedience, including entertainment guidelines, must spring from a robust understanding of grace."2

"Applied to our entertainment, God-pleasing discernment involves remembering his grace to us in the death and resurrection of our Savior, then responding to his grace with a heart eager to please him by taking pleasure in what is good and right and true. Discerning what pleases the Lord requires critically evaluating media content at all times."3

I want to share with you the next couple of days, the guidelines that Craig suggests that address time, heart, and content issues in regards to our handling media in our lives. I liked the questions he suggests we ask, as I believe it is an area in which many of us not only struggle, but have made subtle compromises.

As always, I welcome the opportunity to dialog with you. Watch for the questions/guidelines tomorrow and Friday. - Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 8; Isaiah 30-31; Philippians 4

A quote worth pondering: The habit of judging is so nearly incurable, and its cure is such an almost interminable process, that we must concentrate ourselves for a long while on keeping it in check, and this check is to be found in kind interpretations. We must come to esteem very lightly our sharp eye for evil, on which perhaps we once prided ourselves as cleverness. We must look at our talent for analysis of character as a dreadful possibility of huge uncharitableness. We are sure to continue to say clever things, so long as we continue to indulge in this analysis; and clever things are equally sure to be sharp and acid. We must grow to something higher, and something truer, than a quickness in detecting evil. -- Frederick W. Faber

You still have time to register for our Men's Fellowship on Thursday night with Chaplain Jim Freed. Call today for information and registration. Come and bring a friend.

Notes: 1/2/3 - C. J. Mahaney, "Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World" (Wheaton: Crossway, 2008)

Worldliness

2008-10-07T06:47:00.000-04:00

WORLDLINESS

"Do not love the world or anything in the world ..." 1 John 2:15

I just started reading a book that I think is going to be added to my "must read" list. It is simply called "Worldliness - Resisting the Seduction of This Fallen World." The book is written by C. J. Mahaney and is published by Crosseway.

The premise of the book is that we as Christians have allowed worldliness to creep into our lives in ways that we haven't even thought about. And we find ourselves loving the world more than we could have dreamed or imagined.

C.J. Mahaney writes: "A love for the world begins in the soul. It's subtle, not always immediately obvious to others, and often undetected by the people who are slowly succumbing to its lies. It begins with a dull conscience and a listless soul. Sin does not grieve us like it once did. Passion for the Savior begins to cool. Affections grow dim. Excitement lessens for participating in the church, Eagerness to evangelize starts to wane. Growth in godliness slows to a crawl ... The person who was once genuinely passionate for Christ -like Demas - is, over time, taken captive by sin."

Quoting from Joel Beeke, Mahaney says, "the goal of worldly people is to move forward rather than upward, to live horizontally rather than vertically. They seek after outward prosperity rather than holiness. They burst with selfish desires rather than heartfelt supplications. If they do not deny God, they ignore and forget him, or else they use Him only for their selfish ends. Worldliness ... is human nature without God!"

Here are some questions to determine if you are struggling in this area:

1. What dominates your mind and stirs your heart?
2. Is it discontentment with your life?
3. Longings for earthly pleasures?
4. Does prosperity appeal to you more than growth in godliness?
5. Is your prayer life characterized by heartfelt supplications for God's will to be done and his kingdom to come?
6. Do you relate to God as if he exists to further your selfish ambitions or are you convinced that you exists to glorify him?
7. Are you trying to live without God?
8. Do you covet the esteem and crave the approval of those around you?
9. Do you go to great lengths to avoid looking foolish or being rejected for your Christian faith?
10. Do you consider present and material results more important than eternal reward?
11. Have you departed from God and adopted idols instead?
12. Are you at war with God?

Interesting questions. In fact, they will help diagnose whether or not worldliness has crept into our hearts. C.J. reminds us that "worldliness does not consist in our outward behavior, though our actions can certainly be an EVIDENCE of worldliness within. But the real location of worldliness is INTERNAL. It resides in my heart.

I am taking a long, hard look at this in my own life right now. How about you? Take some time today and think through the twelve questions. How's your heart? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 7; Isaiah 28-29; Philippians 3

A Quote Worth Considering: One day as he was walking by the sea, he saw a small boy who, with the help of a shell, was emptying water from the ocean into a hole he had dug in the sand. "What are you doing, son?" asked Augustine. He was impressed by the naive answer, "I'm going to empty all the sea into this hole." Augustine smiled. An inner voice, however, was saying to him, "You are trying to do the same thing by thinking you can understand the depths of God with your limited mind. -- Augustine

They Were Micah 6:8 Men

2008-10-06T06:02:00.001-04:00

THEY WERE MICAH 6:8 MEN

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before our God." Micah 6:8

Two of my dear friends went home to be with Jesus this weekend. Pastor Ken Campbell and I have been friends for over 30+ years. We met when we worked together at East Coast Christian Book Distributors (one of the first Amazons!) which was owned by Philadelphia Biblical University.

Ken was a faithful pastor for many years and during my years at Sandy Cove and America's KESWICK, our friendship was strengthened. Ken was a great husband and dad, and has certainly walked through some challenging times including the tragic death of his sixteen year old daughter who was killed in an automobile accident.

Ken was a man whose life was characterized by Micah 6:8. He love people. He always believed in mercy. And he certainly modeled for me what it means to walk humbly before our God. This summer Ken had a massive heart attack, and never fully recovered from the subsequent surgery and rehab. He went home to be with Jesus on Friday morning.

Last night we received word that our friend Mr. Steve Deichert went home to be with Jesus. Steve and I worked on the ministry team both at Sandy Cove and America's KESWICK. Steve was an amazing discipler and mentor for hundreds of teens who served on the staff at Sandy Cove. He poured his life into "his" kids. To many of them, Mr. Steve was the Dad they never had. He attended their games, had them over to his house after work for snacks, gave counsel when necessary, and even was the strong disciplinarian at times.

Steve loved Jesus and people. He too, was a Micah 6:8 man! He was a great role model for all of us. Steve had a brain aneurysm that ruptured this summer and had some physical challenges related to heart trouble and diabetes. Last night around 8:00 PM, he slipped quietly into the hands of Jesus.

Both of these guys had a huge impact on my life. I will miss them dearly. Lord, may I follow their example and be a Micah 6:8 man, too. I pray that for all my brothers today who will read this Freedom Fighter. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 6; Isaiah 26-27; Philippians 2

Great Quote: For most of our lives, we are so filled with good things that we don't have room for the best. While the sun gleams brightly over the sea of our prosperity, making its gentle waters glisten like diamonds, we find comfort in many things. But when the storm comes, turning the waves into dark, frightening cliffs which threaten to take us under, we find the most precious treasure of all, "Immanuel, God with us." -- Greg Wright

This Thursday is our first Men's Fellowship Night of the new season. Join us for a great meal and a time of lively worship and a message from God's WORD. Chaplain Jim Freed, Director of Men's Addiction Recovery Ministries at America's KESWICK, will be our speaker. Dinner starts at 6:15 PM. Please call today and register (732-350-1187 ext. 22) and bring a friend.

The Fine Art of Waiting

2008-10-05T08:18:00.000-04:00

"The Fine Art of Waiting"

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him" (Psalm 37:7)

Yesterday's Freedom Fighter addressed the issue of being still and waiting in the Lord's presence. Our verse today has a strong relationship to Psalm 46:10 that tells us to "Be still and know that I am God." Both speak of the need for God's people to live patiently, quietly and confidently in the presence of the Lord.

Most of us aren't too good at resting. We run from daylight to dark and cram more into one day than we ought to put in a week. We live as though everything depends on us. It's as though God can't do anything unless we run ourselves ragged. Many of us think we don't have time to be still . . . to wait . . . to rest in the Lord.

What does it get us, all this rushing and working? It doesn't draw us any closer to the Lord. It doesn't nurture our relationship with Jesus. It does make us tired. It does make us weak. It does make us less than God designed us to be. How do I know this? I know it by experience, and I know it by the instruction of the Word of God.

When I work so many hours that I don't have time to rest, to be still, to wait, I end up weaker rather than stronger. Neglecting time with God doesn't help me accomplish more of what is genuinely important. On the contrary, a lack of time with God makes me less effective in just about every area of my life. Jesus knew that when He told us in John 15: 5, ". . . for without Me, you can do nothing."

The context in John 15 is the same as Psalm 37 and Psalm 46. In Jesus' words we think of abiding. In the psalmist's words we think of resting, waiting and stillness. If we genuinely hunger for deeper fellowship and a closer relationship with the Lord, we must make time to be still and rest in His presence. We'll learn things in the stillness that we'll never learn by "being busy for the Lord."

The Word of God assures us that carving out time to be in God's presence is worth the effort. Will you join me in finding fifteen or twenty minutes a day this week to sit quietly in the Lord's presence? Allow God's Spirit to minister to you and guide your thinking during that time. You'll never know what God might do in your life unless you give Him the time. - John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist of Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 4; Isaiah 20-22; Ephesians 6

Great Quote: He that is down needs fear no fall. He that is low, no pride; He that is humble, ever shall have God to be his Guide. -- John Bunyan

Watch with Me

2008-10-04T07:53:00.001-04:00

"Watch with Me" (Matthew 26:36-41)

"Sit here while I go and pray over there." (vs. 36)

I received a strong reminder this week about the importance of spending time in God's presence. That time gets used in different ways: prayer, Bible reading, Bible study are the ways most familiar to a lot of us. My reminder this week pushed me to think about another way to enjoy God's presence.

Our scripture this morning comes out of Jesus' time in the garden. It's the night before His death. As He entered the garden He told the disciples to "Sit here while I go and pray over there." He took Peter, James and John further into the garden and said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me."

Jesus invited them to share His time in the garden. Instead, they fell asleep. Somehow they missed the value of just "being" with Jesus. He didn't ask them to pray, just watch. He didn't ask them to suffer with Him, just watch. He simply asked them to grasp the importance of "being" with Him. I wonder if they realized after His death that they had lost an incredible opportunity to share in the Lord's suffering by just "being" with Him.

Do you remember the psalmist's words in Psalm 46:10? "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" All that exaltation begins with simply "being still." It may be one of the best ways to discover the reality of God.

A strong correlation exists between "be still" in Psalm 46 and "watch with me" in Matthew 26. Both ask nothing more than an intentional choice to "be" with God in quietness and stillness. Most of us are far too busy. We rush through a time of devotion the same way we shove breakfast down our throats. We're busy! We have work to do, people to see, places to go! Everything else gets done, and God gets squeezed out of the picture.

I challenge you to rearrange the schedule. Find fifteen or twenty minutes in your day to "be still and know." How does it work, you ask? It's easy. Sit down in a quiet place, calm yourself and say, "Here I am Lord. I'm here to be with You. I'll listen for Your voice, but if You choose not to speak, that's OK. I'm just here with You." Don't ask for anything. Don't pray for anyone. Just "be still and know." -- John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 4; Isaiah 20-22; Ephesians 6

Great Quote: While the Lord calls me to be wise and discerning, he reminds me often that his discernment cannot dwell in a cynical distrustful heart. With Him, there is no hidden agenda and no ulterior motive. His gifts are free for the taking but I cannot take these gifts if my hands are already full of my own weapons of self-protection. Therefore, He asks me to lay down the shields that I have forged for protection and to pick up the shield of faith in their place. He asks me to take Him at His Word. Katherine Walden

Mrs. Raws, wife of Pastor Bill Raws, was recently diagnosed with cancer. She is having surgery this Monday. We have set up a blog for our Keswick friends to encourage Ruth. I'd love to have you jot her a note: www.americaskeswick.org. Let her know you are a FREEDOM FIGHTER.

A Whisper Is Enough

2008-10-03T08:04:00.001-04:00

A WHISPER IS ENOUGH

"After the earthquake came a fire ... And after the fire came a gentle whisper." 1 Kings 19:12

First of all, I need to apologize for not acknowledging that my brother and friend, Chris Hughes wrote the Freedom Fighter yesterday. Thanks, Chris, for the devotionals you share from time to time with the brothers.

This morning's devotional from STREAMS IN THE DESERT was particularly needed in many life this morning. I pray it will be a blessing in yours as well:

"A woman who had made rapid progress in her understanding of the Lord was once asked the secret of her seemingly easy growth. Her brief response was, "Mind the checks."

The reason that many of us do not know and understand God better is that we do not heed His gentle "checks" -- His delicate restraints and constraints. His voice is a "gentle whisper." A whisper can hardly be heard, so it must be felt as a faint and steady pressure upon the heart and mind, like the touch of a morning breeze calmly moving across the soul. And when it is heeded, it quietly grows clearer in the inner ear of the heart.

God's voice is directed to the ear of love, and true love is intent upon hearing even the faintest whisper. Yet there comes a time when His love ceases to speak, when we do not respond to or believe His message. "God is love" (1 John 4:8), and if you want to know Him and His voice, you must continually listen to His gentle touches.

So when you are about to say something in conversation with others, and you sense a gentle restraint from His quiet whisper, heed the restraint and refrain from speaking. And when you are about to pursue some course of action that seems perfectly clear and right, yet you sense in your spirit another path being suggested with the force of quiet conviction, heed the conviction. Follow the alternate course, even if the change of plans appears to be absolutely folly from the perspective of human wisdom.

Learn to wait on God until He unfolds HIS will before you. Allow Him to develop all the plans of your heart and mind, and then let HIM accomplish them. Do not possess any wisdom of your own, for often His performance will appear to be contrary to the plan He gave you. God will seem to work against Himself, so simply listen, obey, and trust Him, even when it appears to be the greatest absurdity to do so. Ultimately, "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him." (Romans 8:28)

Therefore if you desire to know GOD'S voice, never consider the final outcome or the possible results. Obey HIM even when HE asks you to move while you still see only darkness, for He Himself will be a glorious light within you. Then there will quickly spring up within your heart a knowledge of God and a fellowship with Him, which will be overpowering enough in themselves to hold you and Him together, even in the most severe tests and under the strongest pressures of life."

Are you listening for the whispers of His voice in your life today? Good reminder for me today. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 3; Isaiah 17-19; Ephesians 5:17-33
Great Quote: If you're on the rocks, don't despair; be a lighthouse. Anonymous

Perspective: Secularland A.M.

2008-10-02T06:56:00.000-04:00

Perspective: Secularland A.M.

"Then Jesus said," Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." --
Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

This morning I am going to be bold enough to say it...This world is crazy!! My work day in "Secularland" can attest to that. Our adversary does a good job of throwing and slinging things that deliberately distract and detour my focus. But once in a while there are moments where the Lord gives me an opening to share the aforementioned verse.

Sometime back I had shared with you that I almost blew off one of those opportunities. I had a co-worker who could have fooled me that he was seeking Jesus, or at least the rest part of Christ's provision. His quest was pretty much masked by foul joke telling and alcohol consummation. At first I wanted nothing to do with this, but who was I not to let this fellow know that the same Jesus who saved me from me could save him from him.

There was infidelity in his marriage and it was eating him alive. He had been betrayed by his spouse and the idol of alcohol had been taking its toll on him. When he stopped his drinking I was able to give testimony to God's grace through Jesus. I would constantly refer to my opening verse. I even got him a Life Application NLT Bible to read. He opened it Brothers. But something happened and then he closed it. This past weekend he went missing and has turned up in a hospital.

No sooner than this news comes to my desk at work when my assistant manager tells me of his own family issue's. His 18 year old daughter from his first marriage has just been tossed into the streets by her mother just days after turning 18. He is fit to be tied. My only advice to him was to be a father of integrity and rise to the occasion.

He has been placed in this position before and the outcome was not too good for him. This is something I have only experienced as the one who got tossed to the street so I can sort of understand what it's like from a teenage perspective but that's all.

So, on my drive home my thoughts could only be those of gratitude. I do not deserve the grace that God gave me but He gave it to me. I do not deserve His mercy but He granted it. I do not deserve His pardon, protection or provision but He gives it to me. God brought me to crossroads many times during my life and I made wrong turns. Praise Jesus for surrendering to Him.

I am still going to share my journey with Christ with these two men. Please lift up Jeff and Bob this morning as they face the crossroads that has been placed in front of them. Praise God that we have an intercessor who knows what it's like to have the feelings of a man and can relate with our struggles. But most of all Brothers, Praise Him for He gives us rest.

A good quote;
"For some people, coming to faith has felt a bit like a bait-and-switch operation. At first, we hear mostly about grace. We hear we are saved by grace and that salvation is a free gift. But after a while, we are encouraged to try to be good. Yet it is exhausting to try to be good. We think, This so-called free gift costs more than my puny self can but. I'll never make it. Consider the disastrous results of trying to be good. When we seem to be successful at growth, our spirituality becomes about us, not about the power of God in our lives. When we try hard and fail, we berate ourselves and spend tremendous energy on guilt and hopelessness instead of letting ourselves be drawn into the divine life by becoming fascinated with the great example of Jesus in the Gospels." -- Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice -- Dallas Willard & Jan Johnson -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 2; Isaiah 14-16; Ephesians 5:1-16

Great Quote: Oh, thrice fools are we, who like new-born princes weeping in the cradle, know not that there is a kingdom before them; then, let our Lord's sweet hand square us, and hammer us, and strike off the knots of pride, self-love, and world-worship, and infidelity, that He may make us stones and pillars in His Father's house. -- Samuel Rutherford

Check out today's hymnsing on the web. Broadcasting will begin at 10:00 AM -- www.americaskeswick.org

Confused about what is happening with this economic crisis? Have other questions about your money? Check out a new blog resource on our website: STEWARDSHIP INSIGHTS FROM GEORGE -- straight talk from Crown Financial Instructor, George Hutchison: www.americaskeswick.org.

Perspective

2008-10-01T08:43:00.001-04:00

PERSPECTIVE

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

I don't know about you, but it just seems like each day the world is getting crazier and crazier. People are beginning to feel the panic of the economic crisis that has been unfolding the past several weeks.

People are jittery about the election. Natural disasters seem to be on the rise. We hear more and more talk about nuclear weapons, and the leader of Iran talking about blowing Israel right off the map.

It becomes very easy for us to be overwhelmed and depressed about what is happening around us until something happens to change our perspective. Yesterday I received a call from one of our seasonal campers with the news that their 30 year old son was killed on Monday night in a tragic motorcycle accident. From what they can determine, their son never made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Because of his lifestyle, Jim told me that they have waited for a call like this for many years.

If have to tell you guys, my heart breaks for Jim and Mary right now.None of the crazy things that I listed above seems to matter at a time like this. How does a parent grieve knowing that their son might very well be spending eternity apart from God. It is almost hard to type the word - let alone say it - Hell!

We have lost two loved ones recently as you well know. It has been hard, but I can't imagine how it would be knowing that Lindsay and Pastor Bill were not in heaven with Jesus. Despite the pain, there is comfort in knowing their eternal destiny was secure.

I know that God will somehow bring comfort to Jim and Mary as they walk through this very difficult time in their lives. And who knows, only God does - maybe something took place in young Jim's life prior to the accident that changed his eternal destiny. But perspective is this - if heaven and hell are real, do I really care enough about the people around me - family, friends, co-workers - that I am willing to share Christ with them? You and I may be the only link they have with the gospel.

Tragedies like this tend to help us gain perspective. I am thankful for the reminder today that God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus to die for us. Help me to not miss the opportunities that God places before me to share the gospel with the people who matter most to me. Would you please join me in praying for Jim and Mary.

If you'd like to send them a note, you can respond to this email and I will forward it to them. Thanks, guys. God bless you today. - Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 1; Isaiah 11-13; Ephesians 4

Great Quote: If a man or woman is called of God, it doesn't matter how difficult the circumstances may be. God orchestrates EVERY force at work for His purpose in the end. If you will agree with God's purpose, He will bring not only your conscious level but also the deeper levels of your life, which you yourself cannot reach, into perfect harmony. - Oswald Chambers

Giving Back -- What Part of the Pie Is God Getting?

2008-09-30T06:32:00.001-04:00

Giving Back -What part of the pie is God getting?

Psalm 50:9-12: I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from you pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine and all that is in it.

A Pastor told a story about a father that bought his child a large order of French fries from McDonalds. The child and father sat down at a table and the child started digging into the fries like there was no tomorrow. As most fathers do (I'm no exception), he reached over to take a couple of fries for himself. The child quickly reached over the pile of fries and exclaimed, "no daddy these are my fries you can't have any!" The father was amazed that his child was acting this way. He thought to himself that his child was being quite selfish. How dare he act this way? The father thought I bought the fries for him and he doesn't want to give me at least one! Then the father had a thought, how many times does he have the same attitude with God? How many times does he put his arms around "his things" and say, "no God you can't have this, it belongs to me?" I think we forget too many times who really is the owner of the stuff we posses. In this our last devotion on stewardship, I want to ask you, as I need to continually ask myself, "What piece of the pie is God getting?"

I've been asked by people, how much money should they give to the Lord. It is understandable to want to start with the tithe. Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary states in "Revolution in Generosity," A Biblical Theology of Possessions, "It is a shame that conversations about tithing often distract Christians from their real responsibilities. On the one hand, it appears that an unprecedented number of people today think that the word tithe is simply a synonym for gift or offering and have no idea that the word means to give one-tenth. On the other hand, there are still far too many people who have read neither Testament carefully enough to recognize that, in the New Testament age, no specific percentage is commanded of believers. Instead, generous, even sacrificial, giving is what is enjoined (2 Cor. 8:1-12)". What is sacrificial giving? I think of the widow's offering in Luke 21:1-4. As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on" Can you imagine, giving everything you have to the Lord? The widow knew that God provided for all of her needs. She didn't give Him 10% but she gave 100%. This woman was giving not a piece of what she owned but the whole, she was giving sacrificially.

Suppose you were given a pie and the giver of the pie told you to serve the pie to whoever you wanted. Without considering the giver as you began to serve the pie, you cut a large piece for your career, then you cut another piece for your family and yet another for your hobby and, oh yes, you can't forget to cut one for your sleep and down time and one tiny piece for that new car you wanted. After cutting the pie and giving each piece away, you glance up at who gave you the pie. The giver seemed familiar somehow, but you couldn't quite put your finger on it. You looked down at the pie plate and realized there wasn't any more to give to him. You gave it all away to the other important things in your life. As the giver picked up the plate and began to walk away, you look at his hands and noticed the scars on his hands caused by nails that had put him on a wooden cross. At that point, you realized who He was and all that was left for him were a few crumbs.

Friends, God doesn't need our stuff! He doesn't need our money, He needs our obedience, our devotion, our love and He deserves not the last piece of the pie, but the first piece, and dare I say the largest piece! He deserves our praise and glory! He gave us His son to die on the cross so we can enjoy Him forever. He gave it all for you and me. I want to encourage you to look at the abundant life he has so richly blessed you with. The gift He has so graciously given you. Then look around for people, churches and ministries that need to be blessed by resources that can come from you. When you begin to cut your pie and you think of all areas of your life, consider what Christ taught us when he said "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40. Then give that piece of your pie as if you were giving it to Christ. -- Bernie Bostwick is Vice-President of Ambassador Advisors.

Here is the link for Bob Kauffman's article on the current economic crisis: http://www.americaskeswick.org/documents/watchmanvol1no1.pdf

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 30; Isaiah 9-10; Ephesians 3

Great Quote: Don't change just enough to GET AWAY from your problems - change enough to SOLVE them.
Don't change your CIRCUMSTANCES to improve your life - change YOURSELF to improve your circumstances.
Don't do the SAME OLD THINGS expecting to get difference results by doing SOMETHING NEW.
Don't wait to SEE THE LIGHT to change - start changing as soon as you FEEL THE HEAT.
Don't see change as something HURTFUL that MUST be done - see it as something HELPFUL that CAN be done.
Don't avoid paying the IMMEDIATE price of change - if you will pay the ULTIMATE price of never. -- Dr. John C. Maxwell

The Bucket

2008-09-29T08:10:00.000-04:00

The Bucket List

If you were to make a list of things you wanted to do before you died, what would it contain? I've given this some personal thought since seeing the movie "The Bucket List" starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freemen. It is about two men, a billionaire and working class mechanic that have nothing in common, except that each has a terminal illness. Knowing they are going to die, they each make a list of things they want to do before they kick the "bucket" and set out to do them all. On their list, they set out to travel the world, skydive, race cars, etc. The movie was very entertaining and made me think of what I would do with the rest of my life if I knew I had a terminal illness. Interestingly enough, we all know that we are going to die a physical death. Because we don't know when that is, however, living our lives as if we need a bucket list might not be a bad idea.

In Luke 12:16-21, Christ told his disciples a parable, "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, what shall I do? I have no place to store my crops. Then he said, this is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, you have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat drink and be merry. But God said to Him, You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?

This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." This rich man's bucket list was to hold as much wealth as he could, then relax and take life easy. Sounds something like what we might hear on commercials that encourage us to put as much away in our 401(k) as possible, save anything else we have left over and then spend our time either on the beach or golf course sipping lemonade all day. Romans 12:2 commands us, "Do not be conformed to this world." Not being conformed to the world means that our list should be different then what the world would have us do.

The bucket list idea denotes the idea that life is a journey and the list is part of the journey that is uncompleted or unfulfilled. If our mind is focused on the world, then the bucket list is focused on. I want to skydive or I want to race cars or I want to store up wealth to take it easy before I die. If our mind is focused on a heavenly bucket list then we might think more about a journey that is filled with things we want to do for others and Walter B. Russell, in Revolution in Generosity, explains, "our journey on the road to generous giving 1. starts with faith in Christ, 2. is motivated by gratitude toward Christ, 3. is directed by biblical examples, 4. picks up speed as faith matures, and 5. encounters distractions or roadblocks that must be overcome." To fill my bucket list I must spend every day of my journey with Christ in His word and in prayer. As Russell states so well, "the road to generosity is a journey that few Christians successfully complete. Some never get started on the journey. Probably most Christians start on the road, then quickly pull off at a rest stop and just stay there, idling. A few take seriously their Christian faith and choose to travel faithfully, like Bunyan's 'Pilgrim,' and complete the journey. They arrive as mature believers and generous stewards."

Where are you on your journey? Have you made a bucket list? If you were to close your eyes in death today and awake before the Throne of Grace, would you feel satisfied that you lived this life to its fullest and done so for others and Christ?

Quote: "Even now I cannot understand the measure of a life, but I can tell you this. I know that when he died, his eyes were closed and his heart was open." Carter Chambers, The Bucket List -- Bernie Bostwick is Vice President of Ambassador Advisors

God's Word for YOU: Proverbs 29; Isaiah 7-8; Ephesians 2

Great Quote: If I am afraid to speak the truth lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand", or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love. -- Amy Carmichael

Special Announcements: Some of you tried to find Bob Kauffman's statement on the current financial crisis. Here is the link that you can use to check out the article: http://www.americaskeswick.org/documents/watchmanvol1no1.pdf

Have a loved one who is struggling with addiction? Need answers? Need help? Need hope? Then why not consider our FAMILY & FRIENDS DAY -- Saturday, October 11, 2008. THIS IS A MUST ATTEND seminar for those of you who have a loved one or friend who enslaved to addiction. Check out the link for details: http://www.americaskeswick.org/documents/FriendsandFamily.pdf

Sober Vigilance

2008-09-28T08:14:00.000-04:00

Sober Vigilance (1 Peter 5:8)

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

Yesterday we considered the part of this instruction that addresses the seriousness-the gravitas-with which we live our lives. The instruction doesn't mean that we don't laugh or have fun; it does mean that we understand the need to live carefully and wisely because we have a dangerous enemy. The gravity of the threat warrants careful thinking about all of life and how we live it. We live soberly because we walk in the enemy's camp.

Peter gives us more instruction in the verse. He tells us to be vigilant. We might use the word "watchful" today. The word has the idea of one who is on guard duty and knows that the enemy lurks somewhere in the darkness. The guard can't rest for a moment. Vigilance is the watchword for the day.

The word shows up in our verse in that kind of context-the enemy who lurks nearby waiting for the opportunity to strike. We don't know when he will strike. We don't know how he'll attack. Peter warns us, however, to understand that he's "out there." He is watching. He is waiting. One moment of anything less than vigilance is all the opening he needs.

As I thought about the verse through the day yesterday (knowing I would write this later in the evening), I thought about the areas of a Freedom Fighter's life that might warrant this careful watchfulness. Allow me to share the things that come to mind.

I suggest to you that we need to exercise vigilance in the area of attitude. Pride, anger, covetousness, greed and other attitude issues creep into our lives easily if we're not watchful. The Psalmist understood his vulnerability when he asked God to search his heart. He knew that the enemy of our souls can do serious damage when our attitudes are less than godly.

You may also want to think about vigilance in that which attracts you. I know too many men who experienced the devouring damage of the devil because they became attracted to the wrong things. Those attractions can lead us away from God's call to holiness and undivided loyalty.
Scripture teaches us to examine our lives. When was the last time you gave watchful attention to the things to which you find yourself drawn.

Finally, it occurred to me yesterday that I need to exercise vigilance in the things to which I'm not attracted. Do I sense no attraction to God's Word? Can I go days without a hunger for prayer? Is fellowship with other believers something I can leave or take? I become an easy target for the enemy if I choose not to pray attention to those things God has told me deserve my interest.

Careful, persistent vigilance is the firewall that prevents the devil from invading our lives. Heed Peter's instruction. The cost of sober thinking and diligent vigilance is far less than we'll pay if we live without them! - John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 28; Isaiah 5-6; Ephesians 1

Great Quote: In return for the love which brought the Son of Man down from heaven, in return for the love which led Him to die for us on the cross, we cannot give Him holy lives, for we are not holy; we cannot give Him pure souls, for our souls are not pure; but this one thing we can give, and this is what He asks, hearts that shall never cease from this day forward, till we reach the grave, to strive to be more like Him; to come nearer to Him; to root out from within us the sin that keeps us from Him. To such a battle I call you in His name. And even if at the last day you shall not be able to show any other service, yet be sure that when thousands of His saints go forth to meet Him, and to show His triumph, He will turn to embrace with arms of tenderness the poor penitent who has nothing to offer but a life spent in one never-ceasing struggle with oneself, an unwearied battle with the faults that had taken possession of his soul. -- Frederick Temple

Watchful Sobriety

2008-09-27T08:33:00.001-04:00

Due to the potential threat of the storms to hit the Carolina's this weekend, we left today and drove straight through. I decided to do Freedom Fighter tonight in the event I can sleep in. I will share two more devotionals from Bernie Bostwick on Monday and Tuesday. If they have been helpful, please let me know so I can share your feedback with Bernie.

Watchful Sobriety (1 Peter 5:8)

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

How carefully do you think about and live your life? With what kind of awareness do you walk through your day? How much do you see that part of the fruit of the Spirit called "self-control" in your life? These questions warrant our frequent attention.

The Apostle Peter was onto something when he wrote these words. He knew his own failures. He had been around the block often enough to know of other's failures. His adversary, the devil, used the same tricks in Peter's day that he uses in ours. Peter warned his readers to be careful. He knew Satan can lull us to sleep and fool us into living without that much-needed thoughtful self-control.

Be sober, says Peter. He warned his readers, and us, to exercise self-control in all things. One translation takes the "sober" thought one step further. It says "Be sober-minded." The instruction has the idea of disciplined, under-control thinking. It's important to guard how we think because we have a true and crafty enemy, Satan. He knows all the tricks, and they work better on those who don't think carefully.

Let's think about "thinking" for a minute. What might Peter have had in mind when he wrote this warning? Perhaps he wanted his readers to think about the habits they allowed into their lives. Maybe he wanted them to think about the thoughts going through their minds during their free time. He might have seen a need for them to exercise self-control in thinking about their lives as Christians. He well could have had all these issues and more on his mind as he wrote. Whatever specifics may have been on the table, Peter is definitely telling all of us that we need to live life with a level of "gravitas," a "high seriousness about life. To do otherwise gives our adversary all the room he needs to devour us.

How you use your mind will determine the quality of your walk with Jesus. It will also protect you from or make you vulnerable to the attacks of your adversary. How sober is your thinking these days? -- John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 27; Isaiah 3-4; Galatians 6

Great Quote: Bring Christ's Word - Christ's promise, and Christ's sacrifice - His blood, with thee, and not one of Heaven's blessings can be denied thee.

Adam Clarke

Your Legacy

2008-09-26T07:45:00.001-04:00

Your Legacy

Matthew 6:19-21: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Many times throughout the year, my partner, who is an attorney, and I do Estate Planning Seminars teaching people about what they should consider before they pass away. We tell them that they can leave their assets to three groups of people, their heirs, ministries or the government. They are told while they are alive they can pick two out of the three groups. If they plan purposely, they can choose any two of those three groups. Most often, without reluctance, people pick the first two. They are told that their legacy is the fingerprint left behind on their community.

I've thought about this in light of today's topic and see how our fingerprint relates to stewardship. Godly stewardship has more implications then the secular philosophy of planned giving. As believers, we are concerned with leaving a legacy that promotes stewardship (the use of God's assets) to further His kingdom. This comes in the form of benefiting our families, our churches and Para church ministries at the time of death and is more than just getting the best tax benefits for doing so. It is about glorifying Jesus Christ and building treasures in heaven, "where moth and rust do not destroy". Matthew 6:19-21

When we build for the earthly kingdom, as Scott Rodin suggests in Stewards in the Kingdom- "In a very real way the kingdom of the world is never built, but it acts like a black hole constantly demanding more with no hope of ever having enough. The irony of the kingdom of the world is that it does not let us stop long enough to enjoy what we have amassed." Giving to non-profit organizations is good, but when we think about the eternal consequences of giving to ministries, it is powerful! When I drive onto the grounds of America's Keswick, the sign that I'm confronted with every time is "America's Keswick, where God speaks to hearts and transforms lives". Unless God changes the hearts of men dealing with addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling or sexual sins, then they may fall back into their addiction. The testimonies I've heard from these men have been incredible and can only come from God. I

've also witnessed for myself people being blessed when they give back to ministries with what God has entrusted to them over their lives. We have sat down with two generations of families that have been entrusted as stewards by grandparents that love the Lord. The grandparents want to see what they have been given by God continue to be used for His purpose and glory even after they depart this world. It is a tremendous testimony to see the excitement that fills the air in situations when grandparents, children and grandchildren get together and plan the future with these assets. Everybody is involved and the lesions of stewardship gets passed down through each generation.The important questions that need to be asked are, what is your legacy? How do you want to be remembered? What do you want to give to leave your mark on the Christian community?

One man who I'm sure has left a lasting legacy is Pastor Bill Raws, grandson of the founder of America's Keswick. I went to his memorial service in July and was taken aback by the people lives he has influenced will continue to influence for many years to come. Pastor Bill lived his life by faith. He gave of himself for the work of Jesus Christ his whole life. One of his favorite hymns sung at his memorial service was Great is Thy Faithfulness The well known chorus gives us comfort in the provisions of God by saying "Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!"

Let us remember that all we've ever needed in life has been provided by God. Are we prepared to continue to do His work with what He has so richly provided for us for His sake? What will be our legacy be whenever we leave our earthly home to go to our heavenly home? --Bernie Bostwick is Vice-President of Ambassador Advisors

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 26; Isaiah 1-2; Galatians 5

Great Quote: The renewal of our natures is a work of great importance. It is not to be done in a day. We have not only a new house to build up, but an old one to pull down. -- George Whitefield

Passing the Buck Part 2

2008-09-25T08:11:00.002-04:00

Passing the Buck Part 2

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Gal 2:20

It is easy to get caught up in living the way of the world. Back in the 1980's, Ivan Boesky, a man later sentenced to prison for securities fraud, embodied that philosophy. Time Magazine featured him on their front cover, when he was at his height, with the title Making Millions with Your Money. His life motto was "he who dies with the most toys wins." I remember, as a young man, seeing a painting that depicted this motto. It showed a beautiful home on a beach front with a four stall garage filled with expensive cars. Just like so many Americans, I envied these people, aspired to embody their mottos and was focused on myself and material happiness. I did not care about my neighbor as Jesus commanded. (Matthew 19:19)

To see life as Christ and start living for him, giving for him as loving our neighbor as ourselves, our hearts need to be transformed to the image of Jesus Christ. We can't do this alone, but as believers we don't need to; we have the Holy Spirit. Scott Rodin says in The Transformation of the Godly Steward: Promise, Problems and Process, "Transformation is holistic, requiring our whole being: heart, soul, strength, and mind. If the Holy Spirit is the transforming agent, then every miniscule particle of our being will be affected by His work in us."

He goes on to say, "It calls us to die to the old nature, to the lies we have been told and believed about our vocation." The key point is what he says next, "Transformation involves nothing less than the complete abandonment of our thrones and the dismantling of our earthly kingdoms. It is a transformation from the struggle of two-kingdom living to the joy of one-kingdom service." We cannot live for two kingdoms.

Scott Rodin quotes in his article "Just as Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for us, He desires that we learn to be givers in our everyday lives in response to His generosity." Scott says, "When you are freely giving a treasure beyond all value, how can you receive it but with joy, thanksgiving, and praise?" How can we have this unbelievable gift of salvation given to us by God and not have a desire to give back to Him for all He has done for us? Moving away from the self-centered view and becoming more God centered. It is realizing as Scott states "in the end, godly stewardship is all about lordship." This transformation he says "gives us no greater freedom that is available to humankind than that of a godly steward." We are free! We are free to live for him, we are free to give to Him, we are free! We don't wait for someone else to give, because we see this as one of the purposes in our lives. To give generously as God has given to us.

I have the privilege of meeting many different people and I'm blessed by their examples of living for Him and not themselves. I met one such couple recently. The first and last thing they said to me was, "We only want to live to give all we have to God." They have been faithful stewards their whole life, giving all along. As they acquired more they gave more. As they gave, God gave. They recently came into a sizeable inheritance and, as always, they gave. They retired from work and gave of their lives by serving as short term missionaries in a foreign country and are planning to go again in a couple of weeks. They give not because they can or because of tax benefits but for their love of Jesus! Tears come to their eyes when they talk about what Christ has done for them and how unworthy they feel for what He continues to do for them. They will never pass the buck to anyone else. They joyfully take the responsibility God has given them and continue to live, continue to serve and continue to give.

Quote - "Our possessions are meaningless to the One who created and owns everything. But our hearts are His treasure." Howard Dayton This devotional was written by Bernie Bostwick, Vice-President of Ambassador Advisors. Please check out Bob Kauffman's statement on the current financial crisis that is impacting our nation. You can read it on our America's KESWICK website: www.americaskeswick.org

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 25; Song of Solomon 6-8; Galatians 4

Great Quote: "If you don't live it, you don't believe it." Paul Harvey

Passing the Buck -- Part 1

2008-09-24T08:18:00.001-04:00

Good morning, men. I trust you are enjoying Bernie's devotionals this week. I have asked Bernie to write a statement about the current situation we are facing as a nation and our economic crisis. I will be posting the article later today on our America's KESWICK website: www.americaskeswick.org

Passing the Buck Part 1

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Gal 2:20

What does our life stand for? Are we passing the buck to someone else?

Often I have to check of my life to see if I'm living it for Christ and having Him live in me, or am I living this life for myself and the pleasures of the flesh. When I live for myself, I become more interested in protecting "my stuff," "my future" and "my family" rather then what belongs to God. In essence, I become protective of all of these things because I am afraid of losing them. My life does not stand for Christ at that point and I leave what God has put into my trust to someone else. I'm "passing the buck." To help us, we must constantly be transformed by God's word, so we can continually grow and be sanctified by His grace. When we are sanctified, then we don't only live as children, but grow as adults in faith. This will, in effect, change the way we live and give for Gods glory.

In the book Revolution in Generosity, Former President of the Christian Stewardship Association, Scott Rodin, wrote a chapter entitled, "The Transformation of the Godly Steward: Promise, Problem, and Process." He states, "over the past twenty-six years, I have had the privilege of meeting many generous Christians. Looking back, I recognize one consistent characteristic: they were engaged in the process of personal, spiritual transformation." It is important in the whole of our lives that we are always growing.

In today's Freedom Fighter, I would like to focus on this chapter. What is stewardship? Scott Rodin tells us that, "stewardship is the daily practice of the steward who places into God's service the entirety of his or her life and resources with great joy." He states "for Christians, godly stewardship is our destiny." This means that we are willing to give up everything to God and to do so, we must be transformed by the grace of God in order to understand the rich promise of change that we have in Christ.

It's important to note, as the writer suggests that, "transformation requires relationship. The God who created us is the God who calls us to be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Rom. 12.2). This renewal is possible only in a relationship with our creator God. This transformation is not easy. It runs directly in the face of the world. Scott Rodin says, "the transformation of sinful individuals into godly, Christ- like stewards runs absolutely counter to the prevailing values and forces within North American culture." He quotes Tom Sine who says" at every turn we are being tempted, cajoled, urged, manipulated, and bullied into making decisions that directly conflict with the spirit's transforming work within us."

Our lives are bombarded everyday with the thoughts that we live for ourselves. "The secular humanist's goal is a self-actualized world society in which human growth and the liberation of human intellect create a paradise on earth." He states that "transformation is holistic, requiring our whole being: heart, soul, strength and mind. If the Holy Spirit is the transforming agent, then every miniscule particle of our being will be affected by His work in us."This runs in opposition to the statement made years ago, "The one who dies with the most wins". We live for Christ and building our treasure in heaven and not here on earth.

How blessed we are that God has left us with His Holy Spirit, that we don't live this world alone. We don't have to be left alone to fight the battle alone. Tomorrow we will look deeper into what our responsibility is in the process of transformation. -- Bernie Bostwick is Vice President of Ambassador Advisors

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 24; Song of Solomon 4-5; Galatians 3

Great Quote: Proceed with much prayer, and your way will be made plain. John Wesley

Chains

2008-09-23T08:26:00.002-04:00

Chains -What holds you down, what binds you?What in your life holds the most value? What are the chains that bind you? In Matthew 19:16-30, a rich young man questioned Christ regarding, what good thing he must do to get eternal life. Christ answered that he should obey the commandments. Christ told him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor and then he would have treasure in heaven. "When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matthew 19:22.

The reason the young man walked away sad was that his treasure, that which he valued in life, was earthly in nature. These were the chains that kept him from following Christ. Our earthly treasures don't have to be just wealth. They could be our careers, our hobbies, our homes and even our families. In the story of the rich young man, Peter asked Jesus, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?" Jesus tells him "everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life."

If the Bible states that "the earth is the Lord's and everything in it (Psalm 24:1-22), then why do we serve the created and not the Creator? In the book "Revolution in Generosity," Dr. Craig L. Blomberg states in the section "God and Money: A Biblical Theology of Possessions, "that for every New Testament text that explicitly points to the goodness of wealth, four or five highlight the ways that 'mammon' (material possessions as an object of our allegiance or even worship) seduces believers to sin or accounts for why unbelievers remain outside the fold." He gives as examples:

1. The seed that falls among the thorns, represents those who "hear the word...but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful" (Mark 4:18 -19).

2. The parable of the rich fool describes one who is not rich towards God (Luke 12:16-21).

3. The rich man and Lazarus, depicts a man who feasts every day while refusing to give even the crumbs from his table to the dying, crippled beggar on his doorstep (Luke 16:19-31).

Christ clearly gives us examples of how we can fall into sin, by putting our treasure in our possessions. What then do we boast in today? Have we looked at what we have in eternal riches that has been freely given to us through Christ and His sacrifice? The hymn written by Isaac Watts, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" wonderfully sums this up. The last verse states, "His love is so amazing, so divine, that it demands our soul, our life, our all". Nothing less should be expected from those that have come to realize love so deep!

"When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.""Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God: all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood.""See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down: did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?""Were the whole realm of nature mine that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."

Quote: "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliot - Bernie Bostwick is Vice President of Ambassador Advisors

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 23; Song of Solomon 1-3; Galatians 2

Great Quote: The Gospel is open to all; the most respectable sinner has no more claim on it than the worst. -- Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Stewardship Introduction

2008-09-22T07:38:00.002-04:00

Good morning from Myrtle Beach. Today begins a seven-part series on stewardship. My good friend, Bernie Bostwick will be sharing this thoughts on this timely topic. Thanks, Bernie

Introduction

This past summer, I had the privilege of vacationing in Jackson Hole WY. The second day there, my future father-in -law blessed me with a gift; a book by Wesley K. Willmer entitled "Revolution in Generosity." Twenty-two authors contributed to this book. Each author comes from a different walk of life and career, but maintaining the same desire to glorify God with the resources He has blessed them with. From the moment I started reading the book, I couldn't put it down.

As a financial planner with Ambassador Advisors, I work with many ministries like America's Keswick, educating and helping their donors and supporters to "Do More" with their assets and showing them the importance of stewardship. I've had the privilege to witness for myself people who have experienced and recognized the generosity of Christ in their own lives and who want to give back all they have for His glory.

My hope and desire over the next several days is to impart some of the ideas I gleaned from this book along with many of the biblical applications it supports. I hope that it also imparts things you may not have known or reinforce for you things you are aware of and are already doing.

The church I attend in Lancaster, PA is having a capital campaign and is using five topics that I think would be good to base this week on.
1. Your legacy - What are you going to do for the kingdom?
2. Your "Bucket List" - What do you want to do before you die?
3. Passing the buck - What does your life stand for? Are you passing the buck to someone else?
4. Chains - What holds you down, what binds you?
5. Giving Back -What part of the pie is God getting?I have found that one of the most difficult subjects to talk about for people within the body of Christ is money and possessions. It is true that many pastors find it difficult to talk to the church body about money issues. I think we need to take a step back and ask ourselves how important money really is in the eyes of God. In his book, "Your Money Counts," by Howard Dayton, points out that God has provided over 2,350 verses dealing with money and possessions and does this for our benefit. He is concerned greatly with how we use His resources and how they impact His kingdom.

The first step in stewardship is to realize that everything in our care is owned by God. The Bible states that "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters".( Psalm 24:1-2). "For every animal of the forest is mine and the cattle on a thousand hills"' declares the Lord in Psalm 50:10

Willmer points out that "giving in the Western world averages barely 2 percent per household" Although Syracuse University researcher Arthur C. Brooks recently confirmed that " religious people give more to everything", giving among evangelicals (the most generous group) still averages barely 3 to 4 percent per household ." I found this shocking! We have been so blessed not only with material possessions, but also in the generosity and grace of God and His sacrifice of His only son Jesus Christ for us!

My desire for you is that over the next several days you will be encouraged and stimulated to be rich towards God as He has been towards us. As we experience His grace and love and are compelled to give more of ourselves and His resources, may we all one day hear "Well done good and faithful servant," ( Matthew 25:23) - Bernie Bostwick is Vice President of Ambassador Advisors

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 22; Ecclesiastes 10-12; Galatians 1

Great Quote: As Christians, we ought to be using records to reach people with Jesus; instead, we use Jesus to sell records to Christians. -- Pete Stewart

Enduring Through Establishing

2008-09-21T07:51:00.000-04:00

Good morning from beautiful Fayetteville, NC. I trust that you will have a wonderful Lord's Day.

Enduring through Establishing (James 5:8)

"You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

All of us know living the Christian life isn't for sissies. We don't see words like "persevere" and "endure" in Scripture just for the fun of it. Jesus spoke of hardship and suffering as though both go with walking with Him. Both Old and New Testament writers knew of and wrote about the hardship of living righteously in an unrighteous world.

So, how do we do it? How do men and women who love Jesus consistently live above the downward pull of the world? All of us know about prayer, Bible reading, accountability and many of the spiritual disciplines.

They help us along the way, and we should include many of them in our daily living. Living successfully for Jesus requires more than the outward works, however. We need the right attitude.

James caught my attention earlier this week with these words from chapter 5, verse 8. In this verse and the one before it, James urges us to patience-endurance. You've probably heard it before, but it's worth repeating. The Christian life is a marathon, not the 100 meter dash.
It requires endurance, patience and a grasp of the big picture. It's easy to say, "You need patience. You need endurance." James tells us how to develop the attitude that allows us to run the marathon. It comes to us in the second sentence of verse 8.

"Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." We develop an attitude of patient endurance by establishing our hearts. This "establishment clause" brings us to the things we can do, things like reading and studying scripture, praying regularly, pursuing spiritual disciplines like fasting, journaling, solitude and service.

Just like a runner builds the endurance for the marathon by disciplined training, men and women who pursue freedom in Christ must discover the importance of discipline. Spiritual disciplines are the stuff that establish our hearts while we wait for Jesus' return.

I have two questions for you to ponder this week. First, what is your endurance level in all things Christian? Second, what are you doing to establish your heart? Your answer to the second question will provide the answer to the first one.

Establish your heart in the things of Christ. It's the way we develop patient endurance while we wait for Jesus! - John Strain is our weekend Freedom Fighter contributor and Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 21; Ecclesiastes 7-9; 2 Corinthians 13

Great Quote: God is there to meet you in the centre of all your trials, and to whisper His secrets, which will make you come forth with a shining face and an indomitable faith that all the demons of hell shall never afterwards cause to waver. -- E. A. Kilbourne

PLEASE NOTE: Bernie Bostwick, Ambassador Advisors, will be sharing the next seven Freedom Fighters on the subject of stewardship. It is interesting that he wrote these prior to the economic issues we are currently facing as a nation.

Who Is Wise?

2008-09-20T04:28:00.000-04:00

Who Is Wise? (Hosea 14:9)

"Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them."

The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:3 that we should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought. I was reminded of that instruction when I read Hosea in my regular Bible reading this week. It occurred to me that many of us, especially men, consider ourselves wiser than we are. Hosea's words are good for us.

"Who is wise?" Hosea asks of us? "Who is prudent?" he asks. Then he answers the questions for us. That man (or woman) is wise and prudent who knows that "the ways of the Lord" and accepts them as "right." The wise and prudent understand the need to walk in those ways. Those who don't understand this wisdom "stumble" in the Lord's ways.

So, let's test ourselves. Would Hosea label us as wise and prudent? Are we convinced that the ways of the Lord are right? Do we walk in them? Or, do we stumble in them? Our answers to these questions will go a long way in determining the effectiveness of our fight for freedom.
We won't know victory unless we meet the biblical standard for "wise and prudent."

In recent days I've been asking the Lord to show me who I really am. It's not enough for me to think I know who I am. Scripture tells me that I am easily deceived. Most of us know how to deceive ourselves. Hosea spoke to people who had convinced themselves that they were wise and prudent when they were anything but! As we read his words, we need to think carefully and cautiously about our lives.

What evidence exists to confirm that we know "the ways of the Lord are right?" Do we walk in them with strong consistency? Or, do we discover frequent stumbles in His ways? Some who read this Freedom Fighter sense confidence as they examine themselves after reading Hosea's words.

Others feel discouraged. Don't be! If you've taken the time to think about His words and didn't like the conclusions, you can move forward with new, fresh goals in the pursuit of the Lord's ways.

True wise and prudent living flows from knowing and walking in the ways of the Lord. Embrace that pursuit; it's the only way all of us can avoid the stumbles that come from transgressing His ways. - Pastor Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 20; Ecclesiastes 4-6; 2 Corinthians 12

Great Quote: Safety does not depend on our conception of the absence of danger. Safety is found in God's presence, in the centre of His perfect will.--T. J Bach

Watch next week for Bernie Bostwick's devotionals on stewardship.

How Can I Find Courage in the Face of Stiff Challenges?

2008-09-19T07:16:00.000-04:00

HOW CAN I FIND COURAGE IN THE FACE OF STIFF CHALLENGES?

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Someone recently put this devotional in my box at work. I can't give credit for the source as it was not listed, so I trust the Lord will forgive me. It was a powerful reading that we can all benefit by it.

"Any time God requires me to face trials and tribulations, He always provides the courage to meet the demand. Moses and Joshua were men of great courage -- not merely human courage, but courage rooted in the sovereignty of God.

What can we learn from Moses and Joshua?

DEFEAT IS NEVER A VIABLE OPTION FOR THE PERSON OF COURAGE. Even though Moses faced Pharaoh's mighty armies and Joshua faced many foes that impeded Israel's claim to Canaan, they never considered defeat an option. People of courage refuse to look for ways of escape. They set their gaze on advancement and victory. Never go into battle entertaining thoughts of defeat; you will lose every time. Men and women of courage know their success lies with an unshakable God.

COURAGEOUS PEOPLE RECALL PAST VICTORIES AND GOD'S FAITHFULNESS. Whenever Moses or Joshua would face a new battle or obstacle, they could recall how God had strengthened them in the past.

COURAGE IS A RESULT OF HAVING THE RIGHT ATTITUDE. Both Moses and Joshua realized that they could not win in their own strength. They knew God had to be with Israel or they would suffer defeat.

COURAGEOUS PEOPLE LOOK TO GOD AND TRUST HIS JUDGMENT. Both Moses and Joshua faced opposition -- and not only from the outside nations. The Israelites often grumbled and sinned. However, their faithlessness did not sway Moses or Joshua. Every time God calls you to follow Him, expect opposition, even from surprising sources. Yet, mere men cannot penetrate nor defeat God-centered faith!

GENUINE COURAGE IS NOT CHILLED BY INNER FEARS OR OUTWARD DIFFICULTIES. The attributes and characteristics of courage turn a deaf ear to those who refuse to believe God. Take time to study God's WORD and apply HIS principles to your life. You can always face your enemies head on when you stand on the promise of God's WORD.

A COURAGEOUS PERSON APPLIES RESOURCES AT HAND IN CREATIVE WAYS. At God's command, Moses struck a stone and water flowed forth (Exodus 17:6) God always provides for His children, and often does so in a matter that grows our faith.

A PERSON WITH THE ATTRIBUTE OF COURAGE CONFRONTS AN OPPONENT WITH CONFIDENCE THAT HE WILL ULTIMATELY SUCCEED. When we face life's trials as Moses and Joshua did, by faith, we become men and women of courage -- and the victory is always ours."

Are you a man of courage today, my dear brother? Allow God to speak to your heart and make you a man of courage. -- Bill Welte, President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Next week financial consultant, Bernie Bostwick, from Ambassador Advisors will be sharing a five part series on stewardship. Very timely in light of all that is happening in our world right now. Don't miss it.

God's WORD for YOU -- Proverbs 19; Ecclesiastes 1-3; 2 Corinthians 11:16-23

Great Quote: He that carries bitterness to bed with him will find the devil creeping between the sheets. -- William Secher

The Believer's Obituary Notice

2008-09-18T08:27:00.000-04:00

Today's devotional was written by Dr. William A. Raws, known to many of us as, Pastor Bill. It is a classic devotional on victorious Christian living.

THE BELIEVER'S OBITUARY NOTICE

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and give Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

A comedian said that the first thing he turned to in the morning newspaper was the obituary column. If he didn't find his name there, he was good for another day. In the spiritual realm there are numerous New Testament verses which declare the fact that, in identification with Jesus Christ, the believer has died to sin and self. His death has been legally applied to us. In a very real sense, when He hung on the cross and died for my sin, I died with Him. I no longer have responsibility to live the life of sin and bondage. Now there is a new life principle within me - "Christ lives in me."

Our theme verse provides a spiritual obituary notice which declares that I am dead to the law which condemns me for my sin (v. 19). Death always changes relationships. That which controlled my life under sin can no longer control me - I died to it (see Romans 6:3-7). In order for this to become real in my life, I must reckon myself dead to sin (Romans 6:11). There are those who feel that they must die to self, and they work at it. The problem is that they are too late. The Bible says that they have already died in Jesus Christ. One Bible teacher thought that it might help if he could rent a coffin and then invite the congregation to file past it. He planned to place a mirror in it so that as they filed by, they would see themselves in the coffin.

But the scripture does not leave us as spiritual corpses. We are declared to be alive in a new relationship - "Christ lives in me." His life is imparted when a person is born again, and it is His desire that His life should be lived out through that new believer. When an appeal is made for a Christian to act independently of Christ, the issue can be resolved by asking, "Whose life is it, after all?" "How would Jesus live and act in this situation?" On the basis of the biblical answers to these questions the response should be to allow His life control - we must yield to Him.

Our identification in the work of the cross and in the risen life of Christ is not a feeling but realized by faith in the Son of God. As a result of faith resting on these facts, the child of God can enjoy freedom from the domination of sin. In yielding to the risen Christ and allowing Him to have full control of the life there is victory. Pastor William A. Raws

God's WORD for You: Proverbs 18; Proverbs 30-31; 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Great Quote: The truths that I know best I have learned on my knees. I never know a thing well, till it is burned into my heart by prayer.-- John Bunyan

Is There Good in Temptation?

2008-09-17T08:26:00.000-04:00

IS THERE GOOD IN TEMPTATION?

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man ..." 1 Corinthains 10:13

I shared this devotional with you back in 2006, but I think it is one that needs to be repeated since every one of us face temptations on a daily basis:

"The word temptation has come to mean something bad to us today, but we tend to use the word in the wrong way. Temptation itself is not sin; it is something we are bound to face simply by virtue of being human. Not to be tempted would mean that we are already so shameful that we would be beneath contempt. Yet many of us suffer from temptations we should never have to suffer, simply because we have refused to allow God to lift us up to a higher level where we would face temptations of another kind.

A person's INNER nature, what he possesses in the INNER, spiritual part of his being, determines what he is tempted by on the outside. The temptation fits the true nature of the person being tempted and reveals the possibilities of his nature. Every person actually determines or sets the level of his own temptation, because temptation will come to him in accordance with the level of his controlling, inner nature.

Temptation comes to me, suggesting a possible shortcut to the realization of my highest goal - it does not direct me toward what I understand to be evil, but toward what I understand to be good. Temptation is something that confuses me for a while, and I don't know whether something is right or wrong. When I YIELD to it, I have made lust a god, and the temptation itself becomes the proof that it was only my fear that prevented me from falling into sin earlier.

Temptation is not something we can escape; in fact, it is essential to the well-rounded life of a person. Beware of thinking that you are tempted as no one else - what you go through is the common inheritance of the human race, not something that no one has ever before endured. God does not save us from temptations - HE SUSTAINS US IN THE MIDST OF THEM! (See Hebrews 2:18; 4:15-16) - Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for His Highest)

I know that I needed to hear this today. I trust it will be helpful to you, my brothers. - Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 17; Proverbs 27-29; 2 Corinthians 10

Great Quote: We cannot be right with God when we are wrong with others. - Dr. Lehman Strauss

Horseshoes and Hand Grenades

2008-09-16T08:15:00.000-04:00

Special Announcement: You can watch our 111th Anniversary of the Colony of Mercy Banquet tonight and tomorrow on the web. Hear 2007 Colony grad, Bill Pruitt, share his testimony and a message from God's Word. Visit our website at www.americaskeswick.org. The program will air tonight at approximately 7:30 PM and tomorrow at 1:00 PM.

Horseshoes and hand grenades

"You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 Tom Wheeler is such an outgoing "Pro-fesser" of the love of Jesus Christ. I was privileged to meet up with this former Maryland state trooper last year and found out we have a common friend amongst us, the pastor of my church, Pastor Paul Ort. I found out that Pastor Paul had been mentored by Tom. And although to me these two men are as far apart as can be there is one thing I noticed about them. Meekness.

I tell you this Brothers, meekness is something I struggle with and lately I have had to put it into practice. To have strength under control without causing harm or insult. I've often told my Pastor I wish I had it like he has it. But after meeting Tom, I know where Paul gets it from. And for those who will get to shake Tom's hand, you will find that you are held with a mighty grip but greeted with the compassion of Christ.

This year for family week at Keswick, Tom brought his buddy John. That man was just as gregarious as Tom. And during a game of horseshoes, I noticed this same meekness in John. Now Tom and John went "whippin' on" my partner and me during the game, but it was done in the love of Christ. I haven't laughed that hard in awhile. But I was also privileged to spend time in prayer with these Brothers in Christ. There were true tears of joy shed with these men.

This past weekend it was my turn to put meekness into practice. I had been to a sportsmen jamboree with my assistant production manager. He introduced me as his "boss" to all his gunning club buddies but for me I was a friend of Bob's. These meek men treated my son, daughter and myself with a Christ-likeness that you would not expect from a bunch of South Jersey rednecks. But it was there. I believe He was there as well using me to show His face.

Monday morning was different for Bob and me. I praise God for that. The two experience's over the past month has convicted me that no matter how much "I "think "I "have over a situation I do not. I need to walk worthy and in meekness at all times. You see my struggle? Do you share in this with me? Brothers we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Don't you agree? -- Chris Hughes is a frequent writer for Freedom Fighters and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 16; Proverbs 25-26; 2 Corinthians 9

Great Quote: Lord, reform Thy world, beginning with me. -- Anonymous