Wrinkles

Oh, I know - immediately you were thinking of those wrinkles on our faces as we age. What I am referring to is the wrinkles in our clothes, the ones we iron out or in (as the case may be). I am amazed at the number of people I know that don't even own an iron. I'm envious.

It has occurred to me numerous times as I iron that the wrinkles I accidently iron in are a lot more difficult to iron out. A single mis-swipe of the iron creates a wrinkle that is very difficult to get rid of. It takes significant steam and attention to make the surface smooth again.

It's not unlike sin.

Did you ever notice how easy it is to start a bad habit or sinful pattern? It doesn't take much effort at all. But try to break that habit or sin pattern and it will take significant "effort" to overcome it.

Perhaps, like me, you have been aware at times in your life when you stood at the edge of a cliff, tempted to do something that may seem the least painful choice at the moment but once that last step is taken, the free fall into that pattern of choice ensues.

Let me give you a few examples from my own life 15-20 years ago.

I distinctly remember the evening I could have slid into the devastation of bulimic purging had I given in to the tempation to rid myself of the calories I had injested.

I remember the weekend I could have started down the road to agoraphobic isolation and ended up unwilling to leave my home had I not chosen to purpose to go out even when I didn't want to.

Perhaps you can identify with these or similar examples or maybe something more subtle like getting immersed in a soap opera or televsion program that you know is not filling your mind with good and godly things, or maybe the time you gave yourself permission to give full vent to your anger and now your anger is gaining ground in your life.

What wrinkles have you accidently ironed into your life that now you are working to smooth out?

Daily we make choices. We need to make the godly choice, the holy choice, the obedient choice rather than the least painful choice. It often takes just once to begin the insidious decline.

Praise God that daily, by His Spirit, He empowers us to walk, to run away from the lure to destruction and to walk in victory.

Diane

Using our Five Senses

You know what they are: Taste, Smell, Hear, See, and Touch. We learn all about them as kids in school, but how much do you think about them on a regular basis as you interact with the world? God gave us our senses as our Creator and I have to believe that there is a reason for each one. Recently, I have been challenged by my brother to interact with the world I'm in using all 5 of my senses. He would write me about an event and tell me about it through the five senses. I have started a Bible study on each of them to see how they were used in Scripture. I'll begin this devotional with the sense of TOUCH.

Touch: This is the way we physically interact with the world. It is in touch that we fully experience our lives. Christ did not have to heal through touch, but everyone believed that it was necessary to touch or fully interact with Christ to receive healing (Matt 14:36). David in the Psalms asks God to come down and touch the earth (Psalms 144:5). After His death and prior to his ascension, Christ told them not to touch him because he was not physical at that point in time (John 20:17).

How are you interacting with your world? Are you really experiencing it? How about your relationship with God - are you truly letting Him "touch" your life? Or are you experiencing life from a distance?

Do you know the song, "The Touch of the Master's Hand"? The story goes that an old violin was worthless until the creator/maker came up and began to play it most magnificently. It was then that the violin had value and worth beyond measure.

Are you letting Him touch you? Are you touching the world recognizing it as His handiwork? Or, are you running through life missing what is really there?

ONE Warning... God clearly tells us in Scripture that in the process of our lives touching the world, that we are to "not touch" evil (Isaiah 52:11; 2 Cor. 6:17). God wants us to fully experience all good things that He bestows, but avoid those things that Satan lures us with that appear to be good. Remember the garden? God gives us so much... and warns us against some things...

Question... Can you walk daily experiencing the world, but not touching those things God warns us against? I think sometimes my struggle is that I take for granted many experiences that God wants me to enjoy so I miss out on the greater experience. On the other hand - I'm too easily tempted to want to experience that which God calls me not to.

Challenge... Daily walk truly letting the good things of God and His creation fully touch you. For instance, the feel of the leaves in the fall, the softness of the breeze on your cheek, the coolness of the air as the seasons change, the smoothness of your blankets as you sleep, and maybe the hardness of the ground as it begins to freeze for the winter. There is also the touch of a hand, the warmth or squeeze of a hug and the coolness or warmth of lips with a kiss.

Lynne Jahns

Rest

Genesis 2:2 God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

For six days God created the heavens, the earth, plants, animals and finally He created man and from the man...woman. All this in six days! No wonder God rested on the seventh day....but wait ...was God tired? How could that be? If He was tired wouldn't that mean there was something lacking in God?

It wasn't that God was "exhausted" because He worked too much...God's rest didn't mean He was inactive. God ceased "creating." He had created everything that He had intended to create. And when He observed all that He had created, He called it "very good" (Genesis 1:31). God's "rest" was only that His work of creation was complete. God then began the work of sustaining all that He had created. At the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, God's work of redemption began (John 3:16).

In these days in which we live, there is only one new thing that is created and only one way to create it. That new creation is any man, woman or child who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.

God has provided the way for you and me to become a totally new creation when we accept His Son Jesus as the Lord of our lives. Who I was no longer exists; today I am a child of the King. My eternal life began the day I asked Jesus into my heart. I am a new creation!

God no longer "creates" new creations...He has provided the Gift...Jesus...the means...and all we have to do is accept it and our lives are forever transformed for eternity!

What an awesome Gift given to us over 2000 years ago. That Gift came wrapped in a bundle, and has never gone out of date or expired. Every year at Christmas time we are reminded of the Gift and the promise of new life it holds. It is a gift we can share with others any time of year, not just December 25th. But do we? This year let's take the Gift of Jesus out from under the tree and share it 365 days a year.

MaryAnn

MaryAnn and John Kiernan have been married for 35 years, have 2 grown/married sons and are the proud grandparents of three grandsons. She serves at America's Keswick as a Biblical Counselor and also as Intake Coordinator for the Colony of Mercy. Her life verse is Romans 8:28.

Unblocked Arteries

Paul's opening verse to the Christians in Colosse are words of prayer. Often I hear of, and I also experience, the difficulties of developing and maintaining a consistent prayer life. There are many methods that are taught but to keep it simple we should remember that we are not about religion, but about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Relationships are maintained by communication. We have all kinds of ways to communicate - phone, email, face book, etc. - but if we are not actually using the tools and communicating, relationships suffer. The same would be true of our relationship with Christ. In Colossians 1:1-12 Paul gives us a great lesson on prayer. We learn from these verses how to pray for ourselves and for others as well. Take a moment to read these verses and see what instructions are given on how and what to pray for.

We can pray for grace and peace (Colossians 1:2). Pray always with thanks (1:3). Do not cease to pray (1:19). Walk worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit and increasing in knowledge (1:10). Strengthened with all might, for all patience and longsuffering with joy (1:11). Giving thanks to the Father (1:12). What wonderful instructions for prayer! As we pray, these are wonderful portions of Scripture to follow.

"Most Christians receive great joy as they talk to the Father. But have you ever thought that prayer pleases God? The Lord wants to hear from His children. Though He already knows our thoughts and desire, God loves for us to voice our hearts to Him. One prescription for spiritual wellness is prayer. Believers cannot grow in their faith without communicating with God. Prayer is an essential ingredient for spiritual growth. Jesus Himself commanded us to pray, but He didn't ask us to pray without teaching us how." *

If you have begun to care for your spiritual wellness, communication with Jesus is essential. Beware of blocked arteries that squeeze out communication. Prayer is what will keep the arteries of your communication with Jesus open and healthy.

Kathy Withers

*Rhonda H. Kelley- A Women's Guide to Spiritual Wellness, pg 16

Kathy Withers serves in the Development Department at America's Keswick. She is married to Dave and has two adult children, Michael and Kerri.

** If you received "Sheer Grace" as yesterday's email, duplicating Tuesday's, please check the website for the intended Victory Call.

THE PERFECT GIFT

OK - we all go through it. There comes that period during the first couple of weeks in December (or even later for the "last minute" folks - and you all know who you are) when we are in search of the "perfect gift" - you know the one that when you see it you go "that is just perfect for____________."

I started thinking about this over the weekend while flipping through a ladies' magazine (Good Housekeeping - although apparently reading it faithfully for many years has certainly not fulfilled its title in MY house - but that is another story). There was an article about a mother who was "frantic" to find the perfect gift for her daughter - a three-story, condo dollhouse. And as happens at this time of year, it was sold out - everywhere. The e-Bay price was twice the store price, etc., etc. Her upset was that her daughter wasn't going to get her perfect gift.

And I found myself saying right out loud, "The perfect gift has already been given, and it doesn't cost you retail or double on e-Bay." You see, Jesus Christ is that perfect gift. He fills EVERY longing, EVERY need, EVERY desire - even the ones we don't even know we have. NO gift was, is or ever will be more perfect than His greatest gift to us - His life for our sins. And if that weren't enough, He continues to bless, cheer, encourage, heal, bring joy and peace and the list goes on and on. All of the things that the world thinks is important, holds dear and searches for year after year - it is already part of the same package.

So, as you begin to stress out or become anxious about disappointing someone this Christmas because you can't find the perfect gift, remind yourself that you do have the perfect gift to give - share the story of that blessed night over 2000 years ago when Christ came to earth as the perfect gift to each of us who will say "Thank you for your gift to me. I receive it with all my heart."

Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God...

Lynn Randall

Sheer Grace

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Salvation is by grace through faith alone. Over and over again I've heard that we have nothing to do with our salvation. If we did it would not be grace. Ephesians 2 clearly says, "it is not your own doing." But don't I play a part? After all, I prayed a prayer of commitment or "the sinner's prayer." Is regeneration a result of our prayer or is our prayer a result of regeneration? Please hear me, there are wonderful, godly men and women that fall into both camps. I never considered this before. That is before I read the following in John Piper's book: FINALLY ALIVE.

"...teaching about the new birth is unsettling because it refers to something that is done to us, not something we do...God causes the new birth; we don't...Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again (1 Pet. 1:3).

We do not cause the new birth. God causes the new birth. Any spiritually good thing that we do is a result of the new birth, not the cause of new birth. This means that the new birth is taken out of our hands. It is not in our control...

...Therefore if we are going to be born again, it will rely decisively and ultimately on God. His decision to make us alive will not be a response to what we as spiritual corpses do, but what we do will be a response to his making us alive." (John Piper, Finally Alive, pgs. 26-27).

WOW!!!! This made so much sense to me. After being a believer 25 years, I finally understand how my salvation as a "good, religious" girl is just as underserved, unearned and amazing as another who was running hard and fast away from God and was saved in the midst of a drug-induced high. Neither of us did one single thing to warrant salvation.

I believe that God did not respond to my cry of faith, but that I responded to God's regeneration of my spirit with a cry of faith. For the first time, I understand how salvation is on the basis of sheer grace.

I know there are some out there that will disagree with Piper's words, but for me, they have given me a whole new appreciation for my own salvation and a new perspective on sharing the gospel.

Diane

Thank you Therapy

Thanksgiving is a GREAT time to give thanks, and it is the time we tend to really get into the mood and it almost seems natural. BUT, thanksgiving is to be done all the time ... not just because the government has assigned a date...

We are to be Thankful:

All the time: I Thess. 5:16-18, Eph. 5:4, 18-20, Phil 4:6, Col. 2:6-7, 3:15,

In the Morning and Evening: Psalms 92:1-2

There are two types of thanks...

Natural Gratitude: It is giving thanks for blessings received...
Life, health, home, family, freedom, a warm bed, cool drinks on hot days - it is the mindset of appreciation for all good gifts of any size or shape.

What things have you been given that you can be thankful for?

Problem is... this type of thanksgiving does not come naturally when things are tough...

Gracious Gratitude: It is giving thanks for WHO God is. It is giving thanks for His Character - His goodness, love, power, and His excellencies. It is evidence of the Holy Spirit in one's life. It can grow in the midst of pain, trouble and distress.

Gratitude Motivators:
The Lord is Sovereign
God loves unconditionally
God forgives
The Lord abides
We have been sealed with the Holy spirit
God hears and answers prayers
God has a purpose for our lives

Gracious Gratitude for who God is stems from our heart and who we are in CHRIST. It is relational rather than conditional. We need nothing in life but to have gracious gratitude.

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 Cor. 4:15)

Gratitude is a response of the believer to the work of the Spirit in their lives (Eph. 5:18-21 ESV).

LET'S SPEAK OUT

My husband and I walked into a large department store recently and the traditional bell-ringer was at his post. "Happy Holidays" he said to us as he continued ringing the bell. I commented to my husband Glen, "Happy Holidays? What happened to Merry Christmas?"

As I walked out of the store, I said "Merry Christmas" to the bell-ringer. He quickly responded with a "Merry Christmas to you, too." I realized if I let him know it was best to say "Merry Christmas" he would do so. I have a friend who has had buttons made which read "You can wish me Merry Christmas."

I came home and opened my e-mail to find I had received this poem.

'Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a 'Holiday.'
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda...
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was nowhere to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzer
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matters.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
not Happy Holidays!*

Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet during the holidays a MERRY CHRISTMAS. Christ is The Reason for the Christmas Season!

I realize that some of the specifics of the poem may be out of date, but the message is very accurate and will always be. The point is that we must speak up. This Christmas Season, let's be ready with a joyful MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Marilyn Heavilin

Do we have any Abrahams and Sarahs today?

One of my favorite magazines is called "Keepers at Home." I love the simplicity of it and the great articles and devotions for wives and mothers.

Recently I lost a good friend, mentor and a godly example of a woman. She was my first Sunday School teacher. I can remember her kindness even to this day after 40 some years. Janet was to me a woman of character, a woman of faith, a woman to be remembered.

Looking into the Scriptures there are many women we can reflect upon and learn from and be encouraged by....but what about someone today that we can look up to? Are you someone that a young lady can admire for being faithful, strong in the Lord and always showing God's love?

The article/devotion I read today asked the question....Do we have any Abraham and Sarahs today? Well, do we...?

As I was remembering my friend Janet today, and the challenge she left me with, I decided to pick up this very issue and here was another challenge for me. You see, Janet always told me over the years....even if you are washing the dishes, do it unto the Lord. She said you never know when He will take you home and you want to be serving Him at that very moment. The older I get the more I can understand and appreciate what she was saying and how much of an example this can be to others.

Have I been a Sarah to others looking at me and peering into my life? Can I honestly say that daily I show the light of Christ to all around me? For me it is easy at work. It is what I do. I work and minister at a Christian conference center. But at home.....well, isn't this where I can relax and be myself? Then the question I need to ask myself is...who am I in Christ. Am I only a godly woman at work? Do I only need to show Christ at my ministry/work? No....and I was strongly reminded of that by the devotion I ready today.

Psalm 127:1
Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it...

Live for the good of others, helpless, oppressed, and wrong;
Lift them from depths of sorrow, In His strength, be strong.
(Written by Grandmother Lois - Keepers at Home Summer 1999 issue)

We need some pillars in our society for our young women to have to hold onto for an example.

Revelation 14:13
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth, yea saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.

When you doubt what you do is worth something....remember doing an ordinary thing in an ordinary way....you will never lack for work. This includes tending our homes, our children, our husbands and even doing the dishes.

Let me attach an article that touched my heart today that should summarize what I am trying to say. May the Lord show us today what we are called to do for Him.

Lynn Wilson

The HIDDEN WOMAN....by Roy Lessin (Keepers at Home Magazine Summer 1999)

A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life. She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother. She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference. At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated.

"Is it worth it?" she often wondered. "Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?" It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her Heavenly Father speak to her heart. "You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be. Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye, but I notice. Most of what you give is done without remuneration. But I am your reward."

"Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be with out your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love. Your children are precious to Me...even more precious than they are to you. I have entrusted them to your care to raise for me. What you invest in them is an offering to Me."

"You may never be in the public spotlight. But your obedience shines as bright light for Me. Continue on.

Remember you are My servant, Do all to please Me".

Thanksgiving

The giving of thanks. All over the United States today, people are gathering with family and friends, or perhaps spending it alone, in honor of the holiday we call Thanksgiving. Sadly enough, few of them know to whom they are giving thanks, or even care for that matter.

Doesn't the very concept of giving thanks require that there is a recipient of that thanks? We are thankful for...but we are also thankful to... Doesn't receiving blessing imply the blessings have been given?

Let us be bold today, willing to say, "I thank God and my Lord Jesus Christ for the blessings He has bestowed upon me this year, this month, this day, this moment."

Be encouraged and let your heart smile with these words:

Psalm 100
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

Happy Thanks - giving,

Diane

Orignially posted 11.22.07

Spiritual Wellness

Yet again I have had to focus on my physical health. As is often the case, I had done well for a period of time, watching my weight and exercising, then came stress and with it some old habits. I finally got disgusted with how I felt and I began to discipline my eating and exercise habits. My motto has become "An hour of exercise is better then four months of getting it back off." The cooler seasons have come and I find myself facing temptations. The fresh fruits and veggies I like are harder to find and salads don't taste as good in the cold weather. It is the same for my spiritual wellness, too. I can do so well but then lose focus and soon I am feeling rotten because my devotions and disciplines have fallen by the wayside.

When I saw a study on Colossians, "A Women's Guide to Spiritual Wellness" by Rhonda H. Kelley, I was reminded again of how important it is that I take care of all aspects of my health. At the utmost is that my walk with Jesus be healthy and vital. Rhonda Kelley begins her study with this thought, "Physicians today are focusing medical interventions more on prevention than on treatment. Most prefer physical wellness for the body over treatment of illness."

How are you doing spiritually? Would an ounce of prevention be better than the cure? Would an hour with Jesus be better then trying to catch up or start over?

I look forward to sharing some things I glean from this study on Colossians. The first thing I learned is found in Colossians 1:1. "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God..." Sam Storms comments "..all things in all of our lives at every moment in the twenty-first century must be attributed to the will of God. Have you paused to ponder the fact that who you are is 'by the will of God,' as well as what you do, where you live, how much you own, whatever you accomplish? Needless to say this excludes your sinful deeds and rebellious attitude and failure to obey the Scriptures." The first step to healthy eating is usually purging all the junk from the cabinets and fridge. The first day of exercise always causes a good deal of pain. Deciding to be spiritually well is similar. It takes purging the junk and beginning anew which sometimes can be painful. The first step to prevention and treatment for our spiritual wellness is to be sure we are walking "by the will of God" in all areas of our lives.

Kathy Withers

Kathy has recently joined the Development Team at America's KESWICK. She has been married to her husband, Dave, for 24 years and they have 2 adult children, Michael and Kerri.

Heavenly Mother

Ah, ha. I suspect you responded to my title the same way I did the first time it came to mind. God is our Heavenly Father yes, but our Heavenly Mother? Hear me out.

As difficult as it is for some people to grasp or accept that God is their Heavenly Father, there is at least some recognition that it is true.

For those with less than stellar, absent or flat out abusive earthly fathers they often struggle with embracing God as Father. They may transfer their experience and feelings of their earthly father to God.

But what about those with less than stellar, absent or flat out abusive earthly mothers? Isn't it true in one sense that God desires to be our Heavenly Mother?

Here's why I say that:
1. God desires to meet the deepest longing of our hearts and if it's for a mother, then that is where He will meet us.
2. "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;" Is 66:13 God comforts like a mother.
3. "For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in." Psalm 27:10. Even if our parents forsake us, God never will.
4. John 1:12-13 "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."5. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27 God is neither male nor female and though He has chosen to communicate Himself as Father, He does not negate His heart to comfort as a mother.

Diane

KEEP A WATCH OVER MY MOUTH

Have you ever heard words come out of your mouth and you have gasped? My thought is frequently, "Oh, Lord, I shouldn't have said that. How could I have said such a thing?" Then my thought has quickly turned to, "How can I talk my way out of that one?"

As I read the verse in Proverbs: "If you have been trapped by what you said....Go and humble yourself" (Proverbs 6:2 and 3 NIV).

Oh, I have been trapped by what I said. So what should I do? Verse 3 tells me: "Go and humble yourself." You mean I have to admit I was wrong? Yes, that's what the Bible says. To whom should I go? The first person we must go to is the Lord. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9 NIV).

Once we talk to the Lord and admit our sin, we are better prepared to go to the person, humble ourselves, and say, "I was wrong." So is that it? No. We are expected to change. "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil. He must turn from evil and do good" (1 Peter 3:10-11 NIV).

* Be Contrite

* Be willing to Confess

* Trust God to help you Change

Marilyn Heavilin

One-Two Punch

Romans 3:10-18 "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Honestly, these verses have always troubled me. I understand them intellectually but in the back of my mind, I just didn't get it. As a child, I was fairly religious. I participated in youth group and even tried to read the Bible for a season (I usually fell asleep before long). I did good things like helping my mother or refrained from drinking at the high school parties. I prayed pretty regularly. In my mind, I was seeking after God. I was a "good girl."

One morning, I was reading and praying through Romans 3:9-30. All the care group participants from church are meditating on this Scripture for the month of November. As I was praying through it, I found myself saying, "Lord, I don't see how these verses really apply to me. I know they are true, but I don't get it. Forgive me, Lord, for thinking that I did seek you, that I did do good, that I did anything whatsoever that could be deemed righteous. But, Lord, it feels like I did; show me Your truth."

Later that afternoon, I was again reading Paul Tripp's book: Whiter than Snow*, when I came across this quote. "Why is Genesis 6:5 so hard to accept? [The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.-my insertion] Why do we spontaneously rise to our own defense? Why are you and I devastated when our weakness, sin, and failure are pointed out? ...Why do we erect self-justifying arguments for what we have said or done? ...We find this all so hard to accept because we studiously hold onto the possibility that we're more righteous than the Bible describes us to be. When we look into the mirror of self-appraisal, the person we tend to see is a person who is more righteous that any of us actually is...Each one of us needs grace that's not only big enough to forgive our sin, but also powerful enough to free us from the self-atoning prison of our own righteousness. We're not only held captive by our sin, but also by the delusion of our righteousness."

The Lord answered my prayer. He showed me His truth. I am held captive by the delusion of my own righteousness. The only way out of my captivity is the blood of Jesus Christ, the only True Righteous One.

Diane

* I highly recommend Dr. Tripp's book, which is available through the KESWICK on-line bookstore.
http://www.americaskeswick.org/233853.ihtml

HE WILL BE TRUE TO HIS WORD

I have experienced more illness in the past few months than I have in the past ten years. With the illness came feelings of loneliness, frustration, weakness, and futility. I felt my prayers were not reaching the ceiling, let alone God. After a night of pacing the floor and crying out in pain, I prayed, "Dear Jesus, Please let me hear Your voice today. As I see it, first I need to call my pastors to prayer. Help me know how to do that. Second, I need a good doctor as my champion. Please lead Glen and me. Please show me what to do and how to do it. Please bring people to me."

Within an hour of that prayer, God brought a pastor and his wife to my door. I burst into tears and said, "I just told God I needed someone to pray for me, and I need a good doctor contact." The pastor prayed for me, and the wife called her clinic and had an appointment for me that afternoon! (It was a Friday, and the normal wait time for an appointment was over a month!)

Later that day I heard God's directions very clearly as He guided me to look over my e-newsletter mailing list. I was able to identify 16 ordained ministers. I wrote them all immediately and asked them to pray for me. The Lord had answered my prayer and had shown me how to call my pastors (all 16 of them) to prayer.

God reminded me of this verse, "My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you" (2 Corinthians 12:9, NCV).

Are you feeling weak, lonely and frustrated? Turn to Jesus. Tell Him how you are feeling. He promises to hear us and to take action. "Call to me and I will answer you...." (Jeremiah 33:3, NIV).

MWH

Confess your righteousness...

Philippians 3:8-9: Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, NOT HAVING A RIGHTEOUSNESS OF MY OWN that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith (emphasis mine).

Isaiah 64:6: ...all our righteous acts are like filthy rags (NIV).

Galatians 2:21: I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

"Before you can ever make a clean and unamended confession of your sin, you have to first begin by confessing your righteousness. It's not just your sin that separates you from God; your righteousness does as well. Because, when you are convinced you are righteous, you don't seek the forgiving, rescuing, and restoring mercy that can be found only in Jesus Christ." [Paul David Tripp ~ Whiter than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy]

I couldn't say it any better than that.

Diane

WHAT IS YOUR MEASURING STICK?

I was speaking to a group of people who had experienced various recent losses - a spouse, a child, a sibling - and was very surprised to discover that none of them were attending any support groups. One woman commented, "My children are my support group. Isn't that enough?" My mind immediately went to 2 Corinthians 10:12 "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise" (NIV). If her children are supporting her, then I have to ask, "Who is supporting them?" And the next question is, "How will they know when their mom needs more help than they can give or that she is in trouble?"

The same theory goes for our Christian walk. Who are we using as our measuring stick? If we are a young parent or newlywed and our only measurement comes from other young parents or newlyweds, how do we know if we're not ALL in trouble?

God's Word should be our measuring stick. I learned this principle when I was building doll houses. When I cut a board the right length, I must always use that as my measuring stick. If I start to use the freshly cut board, my measuring stick will change and the boards will not be uniform. Their size will vary.

The same is true in our Christian walk. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and God's Word to make sure our results will be pleasing to God.

MWH

In God We Trust - II

Just in case...just in case, I was misunderstood in yesterday's Victory Call, I want to make plain and clear today what I am NOT saying.

I am not saying that we ever be silent in the face of injustice and wrongdoing. Nor should we ever stand by and allow evil to prevail when there is something we can do about it. There are plenty of voices, strong Christian and secular voices standing up, speaking up and out so that their voices might be heard in all possible places and times that there are ears to hear.

With a loud AMEN I thank God for these men and women. I am grateful to them for giving me insight, knowledge and understand about the issues of our times which are having a gross impact, at all levels, upon the culture we live in.

Neither am I saying that we should not talk about the issues of our present time once we are informed about them.

What I am encouraging us to do as clearly as possible is to never, ever forget who we represent. We are never to be less than Christ Himself would be in the face of opposition. Let's look at it biblically shall we?

In Colossians 4:5-6 we read: Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Ephesians 4:25-27

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:29-32

One image which so clearly comes to mind is that of some in the fight for the lives of the unborn, who are shown in full vent of their emotions, spewing hateful and ugly words at those who are going in and out of an abortion clinics...all in the name of Christ.

I praise God that the opposite is true as well. There are many of us in the fight for life who stand firm against the evil of abortion without doing harm to the testimony of Christ in their lives and without malice or slander or any such thing.

May it be said of us that we were known by our love and our passion for Christ; that we fought the good fight, ruled by peace to the glory and honor of Christ, our risen Redeemer and Lord.

Stephanie

In God We Trust - I

In God we trust. Do we really? How do you know? In other words, what is the evidence at this moment in your life, that you are trusting in God?

We live in sad times. We live in evil times. We live in a time where there appears to be no moral compass beyond what an individual - any individual - thinks or feels is right at a given moment. In general, people appear to be floundering and groping around (as if in the dark) for something, anything, to attach relevance and significance to, as they grapple with all the issues life is hurling at them with force and speed.

On a good day, I can't keep up with all of the "stuff" that is going on in the world, in our country, "the land of the free and the home of the brave." However, in spite on any lack I may have politically or culturally, one thing I know for sure, there is a God and it ain't me!

What is my point? Too many of us are giving ourselves the freedom to speak against the current administration and I am seriously and deeply concerned. I can't help but honestly wonder whether the Lord is okay with this. Do we behave wisely and for Christ's sake when we slander or speak against people whom God has placed in authority over us? If I imitate the world in speaking against our current president as so many in the world did regarding the former, am I guilty of wrongdoing?

In God we trust. In God I trust!

Consider David. He was fully committed to Saul and sought to serve him in every way. He knew that it was unwise to undercut Saul's position of authority. Even after Saul became jealous and began to pursue David to take his life, David didn't speak against Saul or do harm to him, even though he could have.

Like Saul, we have a leader who is not seeking the counsel of God and it would therefore be ever so easy to speak against him at every turn. However, I sincerely believe that for disciples and followers of Christ, it ought not to be so.

Stephanie

Romans 13:1-7 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.1

1 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2013&version=ESV

Unclean!

Leviticus 13:45 Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, "Unclean! Unclean!"
According to levitical law, a person with leprosy was condemned to be an outcast not only by the world but by all his or her friends and family, never to be touched or included in any family or social activity. They were outcasts from the temple as well...never able to go and worship their God as was commanded. Wherever they went they were under the levitical law and had to cry out "Unclean!" as a warning to all. There was no way to hide it or disguise it. People would look upon them with fear, disgust and loathing. How heartbreaking.....

Jesus never shied away from anyone. He loved spending time with those others thought of as outcasts, sinners or those who were labeled "unclean." Jesus loved them, spent time with them, touched them and taught them. But He never turned His back on them.

Luke 5:12-13 And it happened when He [Jesus] was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."
Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy left him.

As a matter of fact, these people where his favorite people to hang out with and He received a lot of condemnation for it from the Pharisees, Sadducees and religious leaders.

Luke 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."

Jesus saw beyond the illness, the sin and the ugliness. He loved them and offered Himself to them through His love, His touch, His healing and His forgiveness. He was never too busy, too freaked out by what He saw, too disgusted by the sins that held them captive to give of Himself.

Who are the "Unclean" in our society today? The addict? The sex offender? The thief? The adulterer? The murderer? They are no longer under the obligation to cry out "Unclean!" yet don't we still treat them in the same manner as those in biblical times? If the "unclean" walk into our church, do we go to the opposite side of the church? Do we ignore them, shun them, or turn up our noses at them?

What if we put on biblical glasses and saw them through the eyes of our Savior Jesus? How different would they look? How would we minister to them? Would we love them with the love of Jesus? Would we embrace them and introduce them to Jesus?

What a different world this would be....want to try on a new pair of glasses?

MaryAnn

MaryAnn and John Kiernan have been married for 35 years, have 2 grown/married sons and are the proud grandparents of two grandsons. She serves at America's Keswick as a Biblical Counselor and also as Intake Coordinator for the Colony of Mercy. Her life verse is Romans 8:28

Forgetting...

After a few days of stomach problems, wondering if I might have a bug of some sort, the light gradually dawned that it was more likely what used to be called "nervous stomach." I think it basically is a result of forgetting the One who rules and reigns over ALL. OVER ALL the various circumstances that are part of my life right now.

Anxiety is not fun. It may be as simple as "nervous stomach" or a flat-out panic attack or anywhere in between.

Anxiety starts to wrap its tentacles around our heart ever so gradually through wrong thinking, worrisome thinking and fearful thinking ~ in other words, not God's thoughts. The "What-ifs" and "If-onlys" become more common than rehearsing the truths of God.

We forget.....I forgot....

My God reigns.

My God SOVEREIGNLY reigns.

My God is good.

My God is for me.

My God is in the process of conforming me to the image of Jesus Christ.

My God is working redemptively in my situation.

As I stood under the stars one chilly fall evening, I was reminded that He holds each star in place and calls it by name.

Psalm 147:4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.

Jeremiah 31:35 Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar- the LORD of hosts is his name...

If He created, named and sustains every star in the universe - He can handle my problems.

How about yours?

Diane

Come

Jesus said, "The one who comes to Me, I will certainly not cast out." John 6:37

The comfort in those words of Christ is huge! Come to Me, He says, and you will not be cast out, and to emphasize it, He uses the word "certainly." He communicated it to us in such a way that there would be no doubt whatsoever that we shall/we will NOT BE CAST OUT!!

Dear sisters, I don't have a clue where you are today in your faith walk, nor do I know where you are situationally or circumstantially, but this one thing I can assure you of, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!

God is with you. In the midst of whatever failure you are feeling the weight of, whatever pit you feel yourself in, whatever war you are waging with sin or self, He is there and He is saying "come to Me." After you finish reading this Victory Call, pause and pray, talk to your Father; tell Him your troubles and give Him your burden. Don't carry it or them for another second!

In the words of Betsy Ten Boom, (from the movie, "The Hiding Place"), "there is no pit so deep than God's love is not greater still."

And in the words of our Savior Christ, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

"Do you not know?Have you not heard?The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; They will run and not grow weary,They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

Stephanie

HE WILL ALWAYS USE ME

Have you ever felt completely sidelined and totally useless for the Lord or for anyone else? This past summer, I spent a better part of the summer in our rig, not feeling well enough to participate in the conference activities. A little variety was added to this confinement by four visits to the ER in Toms River. I counted up, and during that time of illness, I saw ten (count 'em, 10) different doctors. My experience culminated with a four-day stay in the hospital. I remember sitting there thinking, "How in the world did I get here?" Talk about feeling alone and isolated!

Surely God needed me at Keswick. Surely the Colony of Mercy needed me. But there I was, stuck in a body that was extremely pain-filled and confined to a hospital where few people understood my frustration.

But as I look back, I realize that God used me, even in the hospital. He promised that He would. "Your work in the Lord is never wasted" (1 Cor. 15:58 NCV).

God brought to my mind the doctors, nurses, and patients who learned of my faith in God and our work at Keswick as well as the Keswick people with whom I was able to share what God was doing in my life during my set-aside time.

Have you ever felt your life or your talents were being wasted? Trust in God. He has a plan for you. "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you...-that is the way to keep going in our personal lives. Where we are placed is a matter of indifference; God engineers the goings."1

Marilyn Heavilin

1 Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, (Westwood, NJ, Barbour and Company, Inc., 1963) 214-215.

Getting the Word Into You

"The advantages of a deep knowledge of the Bible are more than can be numbered here. It is the storehouse of God's promises. It is the sword of the Spirit, before which temptation flees. It is the all-sufficient equipment for Christian usefulness. It is the believer's guidebook and directory in all possible circumstances." F. B. Meyer

Here are F.B. Meyer's simple rules for studying God's Word for yourself:

1. Make time for Bible study. "...we should aim at securing at least a half an hour each day for the leisurely and loving study of the Bible. ..it is seldom difficult to find time for business or pleasure appointments. If we mean to, we can."
2. Ask for understanding." No one can so well explain the meaning of his words as he who wrote them."
3. Develop a plan. "It is sometimes helpful to read an entire book of the Bible at one sitting, devoting two or three hours to the sacred task. At other times it is more profitable to an epoch, an episode, or a life, and compare all that is written of it in various parts of the Scriptures. At other times it is good to follow one topic, as faith or love, by help of a concordance, from end to end of the inspired volume."
4. Read with pen in hand. "None, in my judgment, have learned the secret of enjoying the Bible until they have begun to mark it."
5. Seek your personal profit. "Do not read for others but for yourself. What does the Holy Spirit want to teach me?"
6. Turn reading into prayer. "If an example of holiness gleams before you, ask God to do as much for you. If a truth is revealed in all its intrinsic splendor, entreat that its brilliance may ever illuminate your life. If a promise lies on the page as a blank check, cash it. If a prayer is recorded, appropriate it and launch it as a feathered arrow from the bow of your desire."
7. Practice what you learn. "We are taught not for pleasure only, but that we may do."

"The whole of Christian living, in my opinion, hinges on the way Christians read the Bible for themselves. We may measure our growth in grace by the growth of our love for private Bible study; and we may be sure that there is something seriously wrong when we lose our appetite for God's Word." F. B. Meyer

Kathy Withers

Life Action/Revive magazine, Volume 40, Issue 3, page 8-9

Getting Into the Word

In a recent magazine I read an article about getting into the Word of God. The article was written by Dr. Howard Hendricks, a man I have long known to be one who encourages people to study the Bible for themselves. He opens with this, "The greatest problem in the church today is that we have an increasing number of Christians who are under the Word of God but not in it for themselves."

I have sat under the teaching of good and godly men. Often I would hear them give a challenge to read the Word for themselves. We were encouraged to take what they preach and examine it to see if what they say is true. I have also sat under good and godly teachers that encourage others to know that what a preacher/teacher does to prepare they can do, too. This advice has given me a deep desire for study. Joining many Bible Studies over the years has given me helpful tools and ways in which to study.

Dr. Hendricks gives 3 reasons why we should study the Word of God.

1. Growth
2. Maturity
3. Guidance
   

You and I shouldn't study for the sake of knowledge alone. We must come to rely on the truths that are revealed to us. They must change us and transform us from the inside out. It doesn't matter the books on your shelf, the degrees on your wall or the hours spent at weekly Bible Studies if you do not see the above results in your life. The Word of God should cause you to see growth and maturity develop in your life. The Word should be the place you go for guidance, as well as peace, comfort and your marching orders for the day.

I write this because it is easy for me to be a Bible study junkie. It is easy to learn facts and find answers to questions and fill in the blanks. But is transformation taking place? Do you know Jesus more intimately? When you finish a Bible study are you different than when you began?

Dr. Hendricks believes that the study of God's Word is so important because "it is the process of seeing the Lord come into your life."

Today as you study I pray that the Lord will meet you there and reveal Himself to you and that you will be changed for having spent time with Him.

Kathy Withers

Life Action/Revive magazine, Volume 40, Issue 3, page 8-9

As we pass by...

"As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth." John 9:1

Jesus, escaping for His life, stops to help a blind man. How do we know? The verse immediately preceding says, "So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out to the temples. As he passed by..." John 8:59 - 9:1

Ministry is not necessarily something we GO do. Going to the mission field is great. Going to help at the church breakfast for the homeless is great. Making a meal for a sick family is great. But there are many, many ministry opportunities "as we pass by."

I cringe to think of the many opportunities that I failed to capitalize on because I was so focused on self. I didn't even see the opening to speak a simple word of truth or hope except in hindsight.

Look around you today for opportunities to minister His grace, His love, and His truth ... as you pass by.

Diane

All Things are Possible

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." ~ Matthew 19:26

Whenever I hear or read that statement of Scripture my spirit and my soul are encouraged. My spirit is quickened by the simple and pure communion of Spirit speaking to spirit, and as my soul is nourished or replenished I am once again reminded that my help, hope and strength do not come from myself and my paltry human resources. My help comes from the Lord, and therefore, all things are possible! It's not a matter of whether or not it is possible or whether or not He can. I know He can, thus it is possible.

"...'If you can'?" Said Jesus. "Everything is possible for Him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief. ~ Mark 9:23-24

The question, dear ones, is this: do you believe? Do you believe that God is sovereign in all and overall? Do you believe He wills to do and is able to do according to His good pleasure and whatever is for our good?

I don't for a second doubt that most of us know what the truth is about God. Yet we find it difficult in the midst of it, to really and truly believe the words of Christ when He says, "everything is possible."

So, dear sisters, if you find yourself in a hard and difficult place, my encouragement for you today is simple - believe! Yet, if the truth for you today is, "believing is too hard," go to Father God and ask Him to help you overcome. He is always faithful to those whom He loves and who love Him. He will help you!!

Stephanie

Shine as Lights

As I was doing my exercises, I began to see sparkling lights on the wall and ceiling. Trying to discern what was causing them, I realized that as I moved my arms and hands my rings were catching the sunlight coming through the window. As I watched the colorful display, I thought about the fact that without the sun hitting them they did not transmit the beauty that I was seeing.

This made my think of my life ~ does it transmit the beauty of the Son within, shining forth to attract others to want to know what the cause is? The reflection of the sun on my rings got my attention ~ I pondered, does His reflection in my day to day activities draw attention to Him?

Jesus said in Matthew 5:14,16, "You are the light of the world...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." And also Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:14-16, "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life..." We do not have to do this in our own strength though, "... for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (vs. 13). Another place Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). As He lives within us and His "light of life" is reflected by us in and through our lives, we will bring glory to God the Father and the Son.

Consider the following Scriptures and be challenged and encouraged to keep on "shining" and "reflecting" Him ~ for Him, by Him, through Him:

2 Corinthians 4:5-7 "For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

2 Corinthians 3:18 "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

Lord, Let it be so ~ Amen.

DeEtta

So... You know Christ

"If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:32-36

What difference does Christ make? As a believer/follower of Jesus Christ, what difference does it make that you are indwelt by the Living Spirit of God?

"If you love these who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them." (6:33) Do you love the unlovely? Do you love that person that gives you a hard time at work or the one that has hurt you with gossip? Do you love any differently than the unregenerate sinner?

"And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same." (6:33) Are you serving and helping those that don't appreciate it or have a sense of entitlement? Are you doing good to those that are not easy to do good for? Do you do good any differently than those that don't know Jesus Christ?"And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount." (6:34)

Do you lend or give away things only to those whom you trust will repay or return it or the favor? Are you as generous with the stingy-hearted and ungrateful person? Do you lend or give any differently than the unsaved sinner?

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." (6:35-36)

Diane

When God says "NO"

I recently had hernia surgery. I waited so long that it had become very large. I thought it would be a great opportunity for a little nip/tuck in the tummy area. Let's face it, three C-sections and a few other procedures had left, well, let's say a bit more of a pooch than I'd like. As I was considering my hernia surgery I began to research plastic surgeons. Before I made an appointment for a consultation with a surgeon, I thought I'd better consult with "The Great Physician." I prayed, asking God to show me His will where my plans were concerned. As soon as I prayed, I heard God speak to my spirit; "Others may, but you may not, Kim." I began to question what I KNEW I had just heard God say. "Was that really the Lord speaking to me? Maybe I hadn't heard right?" So...with a heart full of doubts and a mind set on a flat tummy, I went to see a plastic surgeon anyway! I really had it all figured out. I could have both procedures done at the same time and might even get a portion of the plastic surgery covered under our insurance. If only God would give me His blessing! Can you believe it? It turned out that none of it was covered under my insurance and it would cost much more that I could afford to pay.

Why God? Why do I have to have a scar on my stomach? Everyone else does this sort of thing. Then I thought about my vanity - Mirror, mirror on the wall...

It says in 1 Peter 3:3, "your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner-self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit is of great worth in God's eyes." I began to realize that in this area of my life -- my appearance -- God wanted to use a scalpel on my heart and not my tummy!! God showed me where I truly had to trust Him enough to obey Him. When God says "No," I need to say, "Yes, Lord."

Kim Peterson
Women of Character Graduate

Stay Awake

Mark 13: 32- 37 "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake-for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning- lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake."

In the hecticness of life, it is natural and easy to lose sight of our destination. We forget most days, weeks, months that Jesus is coming back.

THIS IS NOT ALL THERE IS TO LIFE.

The aroma of life, of busy mornings, quick lunches, soccer games, laundry, shopping, class projects, Sunday sermons, vacations, bills, lawns, shoveling snow, tragedy, weddings, stubbed toes, etc., lull us all into a trance - a cocoon of sorts - that this is our home - We are snuggled up inside our cocoon we call life. We are warm and comfortable and rarely look beyond our shell AS IF THIS WERE OUR HOME.

LADIES AND GENTLEMAN ~ THIS IS NOT OUR HOME.

Jesus is coming back.

Don't allow the aroma of life to lull you to sleep. Stay awake. Flee the tentacles of life that can drag you into complacency or apathy. Heed Christ's warning. STAY AWAKE.

Diane

One Thing is for Certain...

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." Mark 13:31

In a world when so much seems unstable, uncertain, chaotic, and ever-changing - the reminder that there are stable factors that do not change cannot be thwarted, and that give perspective - and stability to life and circumstance. They remain forever.

God never changes.

"But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does." Job 23:13

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

God's Word never changes.

" ...since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." 1 Peter 1:23-25

"Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens." Psalm 119:89

When life seems to be getting out of control and chaos seems the norm rather than the exception, stop and rest in the truth that God and His word NEVER change.

Diane

What's In It For Me? Part 2

Recently, I heard my nephew speak publicly about his gratitude and love for his mom. It was a touching moment well deserved. My sister has been a single mom for many years. She has worked hard and loved, cared for and provided for her children. This speech was a toast at her recent wedding.

My mind, unfortunately, went from this touching toast to stinking thinking. My sister does not yet walk with Jesus and I am sure her children do not either. I began to lick my wounds. After all, I do follow Christ so why not my children? One I don't think ever accepted Christ as his Savior and the other has walked away from her faith. I began to feel exactly like the people in Malachi 3:14-15. "You have said, 'It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, And that we have walked as mourners before the Lord of hosts? So now we call the proud blessed for those who do wickedness are raised up; they even tempt God and go free.'"

Have you ever been there? Why do the unsaved seem to have it all and here I am waiting and wanting? I love the Lord, walk with Him and serve Him so don't I deserve to see my children walking with the Lord? It is easy to think that there is no point. Why remain faithful? At times it seems easier to just give up.

The grass may seem greener but I am reminded that without Christ, what is their future? My sister heard those words of love and gratitude that all mothers long to hear. But what will Jesus say to her one day? Her children? My children?

I can only remember that this world is not all there is. So, what's in it for me while I wait to hear good news? In Christ I have a hope and a future. One day there will be no more sorrow or tears. I look forward to an eternity with Jesus. What's in it for me is not just what I get in this world. This is not my home.

For right now I have a trust that a mother's prayers will one day be answered and that God loves my children more than I do. You and I do not have the short end of the stick. God is at work. Malachi 3:16-18 says that in the end He knows those who fear Him and those who don't. He calls those who fear Him "His own" and "jewels." He discerns between the righteous and the wicked. He knows who serves Him and who does not. As ones who fear God and seek to obey Him we will be tempted to give up because we do not see the results we want.

Do not envy those who face a Christ-less eternity and seem to have it all here and now. Next time, as we wrap up our walk through Malachi, we will see that there is a day coming and there is much ahead for those of us who fear the Lord.

Kathy withers

What's In It For Me? Part 1

About 8 years ago I found myself believing that God owed me some blessings. I went to church, taught Sunday School, did my devotions. Then my world crashed and I had a very hard reality check. I believe that God allowed a number of personal heartaches into my life so that, out of His love and mercy, He could build a new foundation built on Christ and His truth. A lot of what I was "doing" was for my own edification and because I wanted to have a "blessed" life. When God took a sledge hammer to that foundation I was confused and challenged. I was confused about things I had been taught and beliefs I believed. This was a time that I needed to understand who God really was and what the Christian life was really about.

Don't ask me what Bible I had been reading but I thought verses like, "I promise you a rose garden," "Thou shall not suffer trials," and "No tribulation shall come near you or those you love" were really in there! Somewhere along the way I picked up faulty thinking and lies. In Malachi 3:13 the people in that day had picked up similar faulty thinking. They, too, wanted to know what profit there was in serving God. They thought their service was useless and that they did not benefit enough from their hard work. In other words, they asked "What's in this for me?" They became focused on themselves rather than dying to themselves. They watched how those who were prideful and wicked seemed to gain more than they did. They lost sight of God, they lost their fear of God and they began to complain. Where had all the blessings gone?

As you consider your circumstances, what is your attitude? Are you thinking you don't deserve to be in the position you are? Do you think that you deserve more or better? Do you stand in the middle of your living room, shaking a fist at God and ask why He allowed ______? I did. Then God asked me to choose to trust Him and know Him for who He really is. I had to give up on my faulty thinking and dig for truth and begin to trust in the Jesus of the Bible, not the one I had made up or distorted in my head.

There is a huge difference between knowing Jesus Christ and making Him up as you go along. Is He Lord and Savior or in the same realm as Santa Claus and the tooth fairy? Are the words "give me" and "I want" staples in your vocabulary? Do you serve Him, love Him, and follow Him only for the blessings or regardless of the blessings?

Kathy Withers

Kathy Serves in Guest Services and is married to her husband, Dave. They have two adult children, Michael and Kerri.

Take Hold by Letting Go...

I would like to carry over from yesterday's Victory Call regarding the heart of generosity.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich."
2 Corinthians 8:9

Reflect upon the gospel in this verse: that Jesus left heaven and all the glories of eternity past and was born in a stall and His newborn body laid in a manger full of straw. Through His sinless, perfect life and sacrifice we are offered the free gift of eternal life. We become rich through His poverty. What a picture of generosity!

"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19

God is the provider of everything you and I enjoy. It seems rather foolish to be stingy with that which isn't ours to begin with.

You know when I find it easy to be generous? Silly as it sounds it's when I somehow profit from that generosity. It is easy to be generous, for example, with my children and grandchildren because I get to enjoy their surprise and delight. I find it more difficult to send a check to a foreign missions project because I don't see the direct impact of my giving. So, bottom line, I'm self-serving in my generosity (or seeming generosity).

Timothy speaks not primarily of financial generosity, but "rich in good works" and "to be generous and ready to share." In one sense, it can be easier to be generous with our finances than generous with ourselves. Are we generous only when it serves us somehow? Are we generous in our service? Are we generous in sharing?

I can't close today's Victory Call without commenting on vs. 19 of 1 Timothy 6, "that they may take hold of that which is truly life." We are far too easily duped into thinking (aloud or silently) that "she who has the most toys ($$ or things) in the end wins." We might not be so foolish as to actually admit that, but are we living as if we believe that? Holding fast to what is "ours"?

I think Timothy's point is that it is not in holding onto our money, time, and gifts that gives us true life but rather in the generous giving of all those things that we will take hold of that which is truly life.

Diane

Generosity

"We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints- and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you- see that you excel in this act of grace also." 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

Look at the words of generosity or abundance in these verses:

Vs. 1 ABUNDANCE of joy
Vs. 2 OVERFLOWED in a WEALTH of GENEROSITY
Vs. 3 BEYOND their means
Vs. 4 BEGGING us EARNESTLY
Vs. 7 EXCEL in everything
Vs. 8 EXCEL in this act of grace

The principle of generosity is not having a stingy heart that only wants to, or perhaps is willing to, do just enough to get by.

Paul's words, inspired by God, chosen to communicate the heart of the Macedonian church, express not just a willingness to give but an eagerness to give, so much so, that they begged earnestly for the FAVOR to give, to take part in the relief of the saints.

Generosity goes beyond just finances- at the root it is an attitude of the heart that is evidenced in every area of life.

Do I have a generous heart? Am I eager to give? Do I look for ways to give and do beyond my means?

Diane

A Whale of a Tail...

"How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number - living things both large and small."
Psalm 104:24-35

Recently I was in Cape Cod on vacation and was able to go out on a Whale Watch. It wasn't my first trip out, and probably won't be my last time to go whale watching. I was again not disappointed as the whales played and waved their tails at us like they were showing off. This time as we were coming up on different whales the guide would begin to name it or them. I looked at the lady next to me and almost in unison we said... "How do they know their names?" As if the guide heard us he then preceded to tell us that whales are most commonly identified by their tails (the coloration of the ventral surface of their flukes). You see, whales have different tail patterns ranging from all white to all black. A whale's tail patterns are like human fingerprints - no whale has the exact same pattern, just like no human has the exact same fingerprint as another human. Each one is unique to the individual. All I could think of as I listened and observed each whale I was taking pictures of was - that's just like our God that created them! How can you not believe in a God when we learn that even non-humans were each created different and unique? In Genesis we learn the animals were named... I figure that meant - that's a whale, that's a raccoon, that's a deer, etc... but now, I'm thinking they were actually named. Creation screams there is a GOD!

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20

If God took so much effort to make whales different and know them by name... How exciting it is to know that that same God tells me that He knows me by name. There is nothing that escapes God's knowledge and ability to pick me out from the rest. God doesn't miss what is going on in my life... I am clearly identified by Him, my Creator. That is the kind of God I have looking out for me. My Creator has given me an identity from all others. Not just whales, but Humans... we are each fearfully and wonderfully made. That is the same God who is looking out and watching over you.

Scientists can follow whales as they migrate and swim the vast seas. God watches over us no matter where we are or what is going on in our lives. Because He made us, designed us, and marked us... there is no place where we are hidden from Him. I don't know about you, but to me that is fantastic news and news that allows me to rest in Him. I am never alone...

"If I take the wings of the dawn, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the earth; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall guide me."
Psalm 139:9-10.

Lynne Jahns

I Can't Even Do That...

Here I am, sitting in the hospital - waiting to be called to the OR for a heart catheterization. Nervous? Sure, some.

This morning when I awoke around 4 am I was praying and recalling Scripture. One of my favorites in times like this is Isaiah 26:3, "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."

It occurred to me as I prayed, before drifting back to sleep, that perfect peace sounded pretty good (and even more so as I sit here waiting) - but as Scripture says, my mind needs to be stayed on the Lord - but I realized, in my own strength, I can't even do that.

So the Lord showed me again, apart from Christ I can do NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

So in my prayer I began thanking God for His peace and asking Christ to live His life through me today to keep my mind stayed on God - by faith I believe Jesus is doing that.

Diane

Just a Little Bit More...

I recently received some unexpected news that I had what appeared to be a partial blockage in one of my main arteries - a week later I was being scheduled for a heart catheterization, which I think any one of us would rather pass on.

I received a phone call from a friend who had recently undergone hernia surgery. She anticipated anxiety which she had struggled with historically, but had none. She made a statement that I was already agreeing with even as she said it - "It's like God takes us through these things and each time says, 'Just give Me a little more...'."

That was exactly what I was feeling and thinking. Each time we go through a trial we have a little more faith, a little more trust.

Life experience with Jesus grows us, sanctifies us. Each time we give Him (or rather He gives us) just a little bit more.

Diane

Suffer Rather Than Sin

In a culture of instant gratification, we are not apt to willingly accept suffering. In fact, in many ways we would do "just about anything" (legal and moral) to avoid or get out of suffering.

But can suffering be good?

Yes -

Recently, reading through "The Complete Green Letters" by Miles Stanford, I read this statement:"Christ suffered in the flesh - for us, was crucified for our sin. Therefore arm yourselves with the same purpose (suffer rather than to sin)..."

Every time we are faced with temptation we have a choice - choose sin (get what I want - with the appearance that I avoid suffering) OR choose obedience (yield what I want and suffer the loss of my own way).

In a sense, obedience, denying self, refusing the flesh - requires suffering - more or less depending on what I am surrendering.

Are we THAT committed to obedience? Are we willing to suffer the loss of our own desires rather than to sin to get what we want?

Are we willing to suffer rather than sin?

Diane

Moment by Moment

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6: 34

Are you a worrier? Do you find your mind meandering (or racing) ahead to the "what if's" that may or may not lie ahead?

Various organizations purport to have coined the phrase, "one day at a time" but it really comes from the Bible. We would avoid a great deal of anxiety and worry if we refused to anticipate what the future might hold (most often we are wrong).

God told Paul that His grace was sufficient. "...My grace is sufficient for you, for My strenght is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Why does it so often seem that it is not sufficient? Let me encourage you to memorize this statement: God's grace is sufficient for my reality not my imagination!!!

If we are worrying about tomorrow, we're on our own. Tomorrow is in our imagination until it becomes today. God's grace is not in our imagination. As we walk through tomorrow when it becomes today, God's grace floods our soul moment-by-moment, so it is vital in order to experience God's grace that we stay in those moments one by one.

Practice staying present and be amazed at God's abundant grace IN THE MOMENT.

Diane

Get Your Mind Out of the...World

"But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.'" Matthew 16:23

Whew! How would you like to have been Peter at this point, rebuked by "the Christ, the Son of the living God" whom you just confessed moments earlier (Mt. 16:16), the one Christ just finished encouraging because God revealed Christ's identity to him (Mt. 16:17)?

Can you see it? One minute Peter was feeling pretty good because he got it right and Jesus Himself pointed it out to everyone. Peter's chest probably got just a little puffed up. The next minute - Peter probably deflated like a runaway balloon propelled by expelled air. This time he got it wrong because he was focused on the things of man, not of God.

Oh, how easy and natural it is for us to be focused on the things of (wo)man, losing sight of the things of God. Invariably, when we focus on God and seek His perspective in every situation we have more faith and peace. When we focus on the world, on things of (wo)man we will get bogged down with worry, anxiety, fear, confusion and, let's face it...self.

Take a deep breath and ask God to give you the grace to see His perspective and rest there.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" (NIV) Hebrews 12:2.
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:1-2

Diane

Forgotten and Neglected

Today I received an email from a friend who is a sister in the faith of our Savior King, Jesus. Her email letter was a response to one I'd sent to her asking how she was doing and wondering whether or not I'd offended her in some way. Her honest answer was, "Yes." At some point in the past she had reached out to me and I had neglected to reach back.

I wish I could say this was the first time I'd ever done that; and I wish I could promise to make it my last. I really do! I wish I could keep things so perfectly straight in my head and life that no one I care for and love ever had to feel, think or believe I'd let them down by not being there. But, alas, I know I cannot.

I am guilty...of forgetting and neglecting my family and friends. I don't know when it happened, or how and why I allowed myself to arrive in this place. When did my life get so full of busyness that the people who matter slipped from a place of importance and priority?

For sure, there are a number of things I could point to that would let me off the hook. But the truth is I don't want to be. I own the fact that I allowed later to become much later or never. For that I am truly sorry.

Why do I bother you with this today? Well, it's really simple. It's to encourage you, not to let that be said of you. For most of you this may not even apply, but if it does, I implore you to make a change! Don't allow your job or ministry to cause you to neglect family and friends. They matter too much.

The words to a popular song from 1971 written by Carol King titled, "You've Got a Friend" just came to mind. One of the lines says, "When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand...ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?"1

My answer is, "yep, it sure is." Nothing beats having a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

Are you that friend?

Stephanie

1 http://www.lyricsfreak.com/j/james+taylor/youve+got+a+friend_20069226.html

Living Intentionally

As we go through life it is easy to fall into a comfortable pattern or routine: devotions, work/school, dinner, TV/reading, bed, start over - Wednesday evening prayer service, Sunday church, week after week. We could feel pretty good about the regularity of our devotional/prayer life. But how intentional are we about all the time that happens in-between? Moment-by-moment we are afforded choices about what to do, what we think about, etc. We could go through our "Christian routine" all the while our heart and mind is grumbling about the woman at church who gets all the attention and accolades or we could be musing about our husband's lack of attention. How intentional are we to live EVERY MOMENT IN CHRIST?

1 Corinthians 9:25-26 "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air."

Are you running towards the goal? Every single step? Are you "hitting" your target? Every "punch" you throw?Let's chose to live in Christ with determined intentionality.

Diane

This year's BINDING UP THE BROKEN-HEARTED: FAMILY AND FRIENDS ADDICTION SEMINAR is shaping up to be our best yet. You won't want to miss it. October 8, 2009 8:30 AM -3:30 PM at America's KESWICK. The $25.00 registration fee covers the sessions, materials, continental breakfast, lunch and snacks. Pastors attend free with 5 paid reservations. Every pastor, youth ministry worker, parent of a teen and loved ones of addicted family and friends should attend this seminar. Call today for your reservation 800.453.7942 or 732.350.1187.

First Comes Repentance Then Comes Obedience

Why do I repent of the same thing over and over again? It is easy to repent if I am only saying I am sorry that I got caught doing something, saying something or acting in some manner that offends God. But true repentance includes obedience.

Kathy Howard writes in BEFORE HIS THRONE of a time that she had found herself in an area she had never driven before. She realized she was heading in the wrong direction and had to exit the highway, go under it, turn around and start driving the right way. Something had to be done in order to go in the right direction again. In Malachi 3:6-10 God calls for repentance with complete obedience. Kathy Howard also says this: "When we are in sin, God calls us to stop heading in the wrong direction. But stopping is not enough. He also calls us to turn around and head in the right direction. He wants us to follow Him in obedience."

Our obedience, or lack thereof, reveals a number of things. Do I love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul and mind? Do I have any other gods before God? Have I lost the fear of the Lord? What do I really believe about who God is and what He says? What is my attitude toward sin and following Jesus completely? God reveals our sin so that we can repent but we must add to repentance obedience or we will go 'round and 'round and never get headed in the right direction.

In Malachi 3:12 God tells the people that their obedience will bring about blessings. But the blessing isn't for them alone. Others (nations) will notice their obedience and will testify of the goodness of God. What an opportunity we have to share the goodness of God with others through obedience. Our obedience to God from a proper heart attitude speaks volumes to those around us. Take a glance in the rearview mirror. Is anyone following Jesus because you have been faithful to obey Him? By the way, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing numerous times but hoping for different results.

Are you and I ready to turn around and head in the right direction?

Kathy Withers

This year's BINDING UP THE BROKEN-HEARTED: FAMILY AND FRIENDS ADDICTION SEMINAR is shaping up to be our best yet. You won't want to miss it. October 8, 2009 8:30 AM -3:30 PM at America's KESWICK. The $25.00 registration fee covers the sessions, materials, continental breakfast, lunch and snacks. Pastors attend free with 5 paid reservations. Every pastor, youth ministry worker, parent of a teen and loved ones of addicted family and friends should attend this seminar. Call today for your reservation 800.453.7942 or 732.350.1187.

General Absolution

When we have sinned against another - we are inclined to apologize rather than ask forgiveness (if we say anything at all). If we ask forgiveness we often ask for blanket forgiveness rather than state the specific offense - for one reason - because it's humbling to do so.

We tell the men in the Colony of Mercy (America's KESWICK Men's Residential Program) that asking for general absolution from their loved ones doesn't really aide in the healing of the hurt they caused that loved one. We found the men would say, "I'm turning over a new leaf, will you forgive me for everything I've ever done, and let's move on."

I can't point my finger though because recently I was beginning my morning devotional time with "Lord, forgive me for my sins" rather than confessing my sins naming them specifically to my Lord.

1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Specificity is important not because God doesn't know but because it causes us to consider how we have offended Almighty God. Confessing our sins, naming them, is not for His benefit but for ours. So next time you are tempted to ask for blanket forgiveness, stop and call your sins by name and thank God for the forgiveness He granted through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. All of our sins sent Jesus to the Cross AND EACH of our sins sent Jesus to the Cross.

Diane

What's Your Angle?

There are some people who have been so incredibly hurt by the very ones who were supposed to love, care for and provide for them. So now, they trust no one...not even God.

I recently had someone ask me in my office what my angle was, what was the "game" I was playing? And what I wanted from him. I had shown compassion, kindness and the love of Christ to him and this just did not compute in his world. He told me he trusted no one. One parent abandoned him at birth, the other parent when he was six years old. He had lived on his own since age fourteen. Trust, love, kindness were foreign concepts to him. He did not know what love or trust was...neither had been modeled in his life. Trust can't develop in children if the ones who are supposed to care and love for them have not been trustworthy. No one trusts someone just because they are the authority in their lives but only as they exhibit trustworthiness over time. So in a sense trust is earned.

And so it would "seem" that because he had been deprived of the love and care every child should have, that God was not trustworthy as well. He had people tell him that Jesus loved him and God could be trusted but he didn't believe it. He also shared that God could never forgive his sin because it was too great. My heart was broken for this deeply, deeply hurt man.

You and I are ambassadors for Christ, His representatives on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20 "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us"). That doesn't mean that we will never hurt someone, or let them down because, let's face it, we still have this thing called "flesh" this side of heaven. However, we never know when someone crosses our path or we talk to a stranger that this may be the only chance this person might have to see "Jesus" and His trustworthiness and His love modeled through Christ who lives in us.

What's my angle? To be the light of Christ to shine for those who don't know Him, so that they will be drawn to Him and experience His love for themselves and so that they, too, could shine the love of Christ to someone else.

God will never let my friend down and in time God will be shown trustworthy to him through God's Word and His promises. In turn, God can use his life in a powerful way, showing His love and trustworthiness through him to the next hurt and broken person.

Psalm 9:10 "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."

1 Corinthians 13:6-7 "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

In Christ,
MaryAnn

This year's BINDING UP THE BROKEN-HEARTED: FAMILY AND FRIENDS ADDICTION SEMINAR is shaping up to be our best yet. You won't want to miss it. October 8, 2009 8:30 AM -3:30 PM at America's KESWICK. The $25.00 registration fee covers the sessions, materials, continental breakfast, lunch and snacks. Pastors attend free with 5 paid reservations. Every pastor, youth ministry worker, parent of a teen and loved ones of addicted family and friends should attend this seminar. Call today for your reservation 800.453.7942 or 732.350.1187.

I Had No Idea

Until recently I had no idea how instrumental, how fully vested my husband was/is in the day to day minutia of my life. You see, within the past two and a half months my husband has had two different knee surgeries. The first was pretty standard and minor, while the second involved him getting a knee transplant. What this translates to is him being off his feet for about 8 weeks while the knee parts and bits grow together.

My husband being off his feet means everything, every little thing involving his care and the running of our home, rests fully on my shoulders. Now this may not sound like that big a deal but trust me when I say, my husband does a lot of little and big things around our home that I simply do not do and haven't for years. We have an ebb and flow to our relationship which has grown over time and which is good for us.

So for me to take up that slack to help him heal, added to doing everything involved in his daily grooming, along with helping with therapy and pain management, was more draining and exhausting than I anticipated. I simply had no idea! The realization of all the unseen things he, my prince, does for me fills me with more love and appreciation for him. Where, oh, where would I be today without this man in my life?

Much like us in our daily walk of faith, we simply have no idea how much the Spirit intercedes on our behalf. We go about our day doing what we do oblivious to what goes on in the heavenly on our behalf. We know that God is there and we know that He is caring for us; He is intimately involved in our care and feeding and, dare I say, grooming, all for Kingdom work and for His glory.

So what is my encouragement for you today?

Two things:
1. With a grateful heart give thanks to the Lord for every, every, everything.
2. Thank the people in your life who daily come, go and make it possible for you to do you.

"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" 1 Chronicles 16:34 ESV

"You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!"Psalm 118:28-29 ESV

Stephanie