Sorrow for Sin?

I started reading through the Bible again this year and I am currently in Leviticus. It's tough reading -- the Lord is giving Moses all of the very specific, detailed instructions regarding the different sacrifices Aaron and the priests would need to make in order to make atonement for themselves and for the people. There is a lot of reference to blood, internal organs, etc. Because I believe the Word when it says, "ALL Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness," (2 Timothy 3:16, emphasis mine), I was really struggling with what exactly the Lord would have me to learn through my reading in Leviticus. As I was meditating and praying this morning, He brought the following thoughts to my mind and heart.

Throughout these instructions, there is the often repeated direction that the animal must be "free from blemish" or "without defect." These flawless animals were to bear the judgment for the sins of the people. How seriously would I take my sin, and how careful would I be not to sin, if I knew that an innocent animal would need to be slaughtered to pay the price? I would feel terrible knowing that animal's death was my fault.

For all of us believers living under the new covenant, Jesus is our perfect sacrifice, free from blemish and without defect. He bore God's judgment and wrath for all of my sins, and for yours. How much more sorrow should I feel for my sin, knowing it put my precious Lord and Savior on a cross to die an unthinkable death, to have His Father turn His back on Him, to bear the weight of all that guilt and shame? Knowing that my sin has already been paid for, that I am forgiven, because of what Christ did for me on that cross as the once-for-all sacrifice who was the only perfect sinless One is cause to rejoice, but it should also cause me to take my sin very seriously. Out of deep heartfelt love and gratitude, I should seek, by His grace and strength, to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Romans 6:1&2 "What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?"
Romans 6:15-16 "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey-whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?"

Oh Lord, forgive me for the times I have taken my sin too lightly. "Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me........May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Ps. 19:12b-13a, 14)

Stacey Poplawski
WOC Graduate

Saint Patrick Part 2

Yesterday I shared about the story of Saint Patrick's captivity into the land of Ireland. You were challenged to believe that TRUTH set Patrick free from slavery and can set you free from whatever may be holding you captive. Today let us continue to review the life of Saint Patrick.

After Patrick found his way home, he felt a strong calling to return to Ireland. Although his family begged him to never leave them again, he could not forsake the call on his life. Patrick returned to Ireland. Ireland was a pagan nation and Patrick used a pagan feast to demonstrate the power of the one true God.

"All over Ireland fires were to be extinguished until a signal blaze was lit by Druidic priests at Tara, the seat of the kings where the chieftains of Ireland had gathered. On the hill opposite the valley from Tara, Patrick lit a fire to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. The Druids warned King Laoghaire that the fire would blaze forever in this land unless it be this very night extinguished. Repeated efforts were made to put out the fire and to kill the one who had ignited it (Patrick). The Druids and magicians used all of their black magic and occult powers, but they had no effect on the one who represented the all-powerful God. As a result, Laoghaire, supreme monarch of Ireland, gave Patrick permission to preach his faith throughout the land. The sacred fire of evangelism burned brightly, dispelling the darkness of paganism." It seems the prophesy of the Druids came true, the fire of TRUTH that was lit never was extinguished. In fact it spread far from the nation of Ireland -- missionaries were sent to Scotland, England, France, Belgium and Germany, preaching the TRUTH of Jesus Christ.

When the Lord is so gracious as to set us free, what a blessing it is to then go and share the TRUTH. To bless others and most especially those who hurt us, can bring amazing healing into our lives. Dear one, as the Lord sets you free and you become grounded in the TRUTH, know that a most wonderful joy awaits you. It is an amazing joy to be used to minister TRUTH to those in need. As you go forth you may want to pray as Patrick did when he fought the powers of darkness to bring Christ's light to the Emerald Isle:

"Christ, as a light,Illumine and guide!
Christ, as a shield, o'ershadow and cover me!
Christ, be under me! Christ, be over me!
Christ, be beside me, On left hand and right!
Christ, be before me, behind me, about me
Christ, this day be within and without me!

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC graduate

Material taken from The Power of One Christ-Like Life by Francis Frangipane

Saint Patrick

Part 1

The month of March can be a long, wet month as the earth begins its transformation from winter to spring. It can, as the saying goes, "come in like a lion and (thankfully) out like a lamb". Perhaps that is why many look forward to March 17th when many celebrate Saint Patrick's Day.

There is good reason to celebrate the TRUTH of what we know about Saint Patrick. Legend and historical facts have become intertwined over the years, yet from information I can gather, he was surely used mightily to turn the nation of Ireland from idolatry to TRUTH. Let me share a few pieces of that information.

Patrick was the son of a nobleman who was captured by a band of pirates from his homeland in Britain and was taken to Ireland. Not unlike the story of Joseph in the scripture, he was sold into slavery. As with Joseph and true to His Word, the Lord never left or forsook Patrick (Hebrews 13:5). Patrick had a cruel master who was a pagan warlord. Yet, even at the young age of 16, TRUTH had been planted in his heart. Later in life he wrote of this time, "The love and the fear of God and faith increased so much, and the spirit of prayer so grew within me, that I often prayed a hundred times in the day....The Spirit was burning within me." Patrick so developed his personal relationship with God that he heard what the Spirit of the Lord was saying to him. One day he heard a voice in his dreams telling him, "Behold, the ship is ready for you." Patrick escaped and made a miraculous journey home.

Have you or someone you love been taken captive? Perhaps not sold into slavery as Joseph or Patrick, but held captive by a behavior pattern, a sin, that you/they just can't seem to break. What set Patrick free will set each of us free today. It is TRUTH. The TRUTH was planted in the heart of Patrick. It led him to his freedom. The Word of God tells us: "And you shall know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you free" (John 8:32). Patrick made a choice to believe that TRUTH. He did not allow his heart to harden and so he developed an ear to hear what the Spirit of God was saying to him. "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Gal 5:16). I am sure he battled the thoughts in his mind. The enemy of our soul loves to deceive us and engage us in a battle in our mind. He wants us to think that we should rely on ourselves rather than the Word of God. That, my friend leads to nothing but a dead end or complete frustration.

Let me encourage you today to rely on God. Here is something I did long ago and I will invite you to do today. Get a small brown paper lunch bag. Write "GOD" on the bag in big letters. Keep it somewhere where you will see it. Next, write on pieces of paper those things you want to get free of. Put them into the bag and say "Dear God I turn my struggle with _______ over to You. I know You are the One Who can set me free, for You are the TRUTH and the TRUTH shall set me free. Thank you Lord, I will walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the desires of my flesh by the power of Jesus name." You may need to say that prayer every morning for awhile. Little by little, day by day as you are faithful to turn your mind and will over to TRUTH you will have a testimony to share about how Jesus set you free.

Patricia Wenzel
WOC Graduate

Material taken from The Power of One Christ-Like Life by Francis Frangipane

"Took the World to Church"

A CNN commentator recently made that observation while covering the homegoing of Whitney Houston.

Whatever your opinion of the coverage or the situation itself, you are certainly entitled to have it. I just want to make this observation: Jesus Christ continues to amaze me! Only He could take a tragic loss of life and turn it into a church service that lifted up His Name as the world watched.

The statement about the world going to church has a lot of truth to it. Millions of people, who might ordinarily never have watched a church service, tuned in to see the coverage given to a star. She was respectfully honored. More importantly, God was honored. The One Who made her and hung the stars took center stage. The whole truth is that one day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Thank you, Lord, for loving the world so much and for using whatever and whomever You want to make Your Name known.

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 (NKJV)

Dina Seaton
Marketing Assistant, Staff Writer

Making my Words and my Life Memorable......

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a livingsacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

The Words we say and the life we share with others can touch a heart and person in ways that we might not ever know. Your words and life can cut like a knife, they can refresh like the smell of rain on a new spring morning, they can put you to sleep like a warm glass of milk (or maybe like a harsh sleeping pill), or they can drive you crazy like an itch you cannot reach.

Words.....what are they and what were they meant for? They are group of letters that can form a word that can form a sentence, which can form a memory. We all have words but how do we use them? Some of us enjoy using them as a knife and love to watch them cut someone down. Some of us use them to encourage people like the smell of a spring rain. Some of us use them to annoy others so that they itch so much they cannot stand the sound of our voice. What do you use them for?

How many times do we refer to a preacher we heard and we quote..."I don't remember his name but what he said changed my life." Or maybe it was the older lady who lived down the street that showed you a memorable moment in time. This event stuck with you for years and although you don't remember her name, you remember her words and life example.

I learned a lesson a few years ago that has stayed with me.......I used to speak at a church twice a month for a ladies event. Never really putting too much thought into what an impact I could be having, I added this to my monthly routine of events. Each month I would share the gospel and a short devotion to these women. Nothing out of the ordinary, or so I thought....just a quick devotion that the Lord would lay on my heart. Well...it was an early, hot Saturday morning and we decided to hit the garage sales in a town we don't frequent. We all headed around to the different tables and I spotted something that I knew I just had to show to my husband....I called for him and we started chatting. Just then a woman came over to me and said, "Are you the lady that is the speaker at ABC church". I greeted her hesitantly, not sure of how she knew me or why she was asking. I was not in a fimilar place and I felt out of my comfort zone to greet her. After chatting with her ...her response to me was that she recognized my voice.....not me or what I looked like but the sound of my voice. My tones and sounds left an impression on her. She also said she was watching me walk around with my family and she said you are like when you speak....kind. Wow, what a rude awakening for me....someone listened to my voice and remembered it and watched my life and it was "kind". Can I say that my tones, and sounds and life are always kind and are they something that I want everyone to remember?

I gave a message last year at a ladies event here at Keswick....I talked about attitude and how it affects so many in our lives. I also referred to that I have now set myself up, since I am the one who will answer your call when you phone Keswick. My attitude behind a platform can be professional, poised, and well delivered but when I have had a bad day, how will it be when I answer the phone and greet you? What words will you hear and how will my life impact you today? Again, I had someone say one day when I answered the phone..."are you the woman who did the seminar in October?" Oh boy, my first thought was how "did I answer the phone?" People do watch and listen to your words and life.

You know....more than just being a professional person in speaking engagements, or on the phone in guest services, I must be a picture of Christ and also be an example with my words and life all the time. How have your words and life example made a memory in someone else's life? Can they say you were kind, even when you didn't know that anyone was watching or listening? Can they see a kind person even on a bad day, or better yet a picture of Christ?

Lynn Wilson

Lynn is a wife and a mother of two boys & is currently on staff at America's Keswick. For several years she has been involved in her local church and hosts her own women's ministry in her home called Thumb Print Ministries. Her mission statement would be to...touch one life so in turn they can touch a life for eternity. Her greatest joy is to go home at the end of her work day and cook up soups from scratch and other homemade goodies for her family.

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow'r as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
by Frances R. Havergal

COMPASSION

Luke 7:13 "When the Lord saw her, His heart overflowed with compassion. "Don't cry!" He said" (NLT).

I realize that this verse is referring to another situation involving Christ, but the picture this passage describes always touches me. Do we as Christians tend to show this kind of tender compassion?

I think of my dear friend who didn't attend church for years. The reason? When my friend was quite young she had a therapeutic abortion at a doctor's suggestion. This was long before Roe vs. Wade and long before the protestant Christians were known to take a stand against abortion. My friend had no one to guide her; she was frightened and uninformed. She had no hesitation in telling people of her decision. I am certain she would not choose to abort at this time.

Years later she heard a woman from her church call her a "baby killer." Instead of drawing my friend towards the church and other Christians, that lady's comment drove my friend away from church and the love and compassion she needed so badly. My friend was hurting so deeply. Because she did not find compassion within the church, she stopped attending church. Years later, my friend finally returned to a new church where she found true compassion and acceptance and almost NO judgment!
Do people who have strayed from God's plan know they will find compassion with you? Can you honestly give the person a compassionate hug and say "Don't cry! God still loves you!"

Marilyn Willett Heavilin

Marilyn is a wife and mother, author, and international conference and retreat speaker. She and her husband Glen serve as Counselors-in-Residence at America's KESWICK during the summer months.

Ask great things...

"I ask great things of a great God." The Valley of Vision pg. 6

When was the last time you asked a great thing of God? Something you CAN'T do, make happen or accomplish? Something that, humanly speaking, is downright impossible?
Are you praying big prayers? I'm not suggesting an arrogant heart or demanding anything of God but rather a humble request made to a great God fully aware of His greatness, goodness and sovereignty.

Every time you pray for an unsaved family member or friend, you are praying a great prayer. For any soul to be saved, God must act by His Spirit to regenerate that one's dead spirit. There is nothing they can say or do, there is nothing you can say or do to make that happen. When that loved one comes to Christ it is a result of the working of the Holy Spirit giving them life leading to their faith response. That is a great prayer - let us never forget we are asking God a humanly impossible thing when we pray for one's soul.

When we ask God great things we need to persist in hope, believing Him for His promises and goodness and that He is able to do abundantly above all we ask or imagine. Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Ask great things of a great God.

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the ministry team at America's Keswick. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. Diane has been married to her husband John over 27 years. She has 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren and 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

Footnotes:
a. James 1:17 Some manuscripts variation due to a shadow of turning
Cross references:
A. James 1:17 : Ps. 85:12; John 3:27; 1 Cor. 4:7
B. James 1:17 : 1 John 1:5
C. James 1:17 : Mal. 3:6

An Evening Psalm

Psalm 4
1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?
3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.
4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent (quiet/still).
5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!"
7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

"Since ancient times, Psalm 3 has been entitled "a morning Psalm" and Psalm 4 "an evening Psalm".

*When a person receives material gain such as a bountiful harvest (v7), there is gladness of heart. David wants us to know that there is available from the Lord an inner gladness of heart that transcends any elation obtained from material gain. The evidence of such gladness is peace and security and a good night's sleep! Our God supplies the best brand of sleeping pills!

Application - "The work of righteousness shall be peace: and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever" (Isaiah 32:17). Whether it be peace among nations, peace within the family circle, or peace within the heart, there is no peace apart from righteousness because peace is a product of righteousness."

Pat Spies
Women's Ministry Volunteer

*The Psalms, Expositional Devotional Studies by Don Kelso

Difficult Passages

I have reached Leviticus in my daily reading!!! While it is difficult to read through Leviticus, I found it interesting that my New Testament reading was Matthew 26:26-29. In the Old Testament I was reading about various sacrifices for sins of omission and commission. In Matthew I read the account of the Lord's Supper. While the instructions in the Old Testament may keep my mind running in circles trying to follow the law's every detail, I was comforted in the New Testament to know that Jesus' body and blood were given as a sacrifice once and for all.

Warren Weirsbe comments on Matthew's passage with this: "The Lord's Supper reminds us to look ahead for Christ's return. We will observe this supper until He comes (1 Cor. 11:26). The Passover pointed ahead to the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). The Lord's Supper announces that this great work has been accomplished." Just as difficult and messy as the work of sacrificing was in the Old Testament, the work of Jesus Christ on the cross was also a difficult and messy work. If you are able and can handle reading the description of a crucifixion, I encourage you to do so. (Just search Jesus' crucifixion online.) I don't want you to read because of the gory details but just so that you will understand just how much our Lord suffered. We never want to say that the blood of Christ didn't matter or in any way cheapen what it meant for Christ to shed His blood. It cost Him everything to die for us.

There are many foreshadowings of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. There is much to learn as we see how well the New Testament completes the Old Testament. While we often will direct an unbeliever or a new believer to the New Testament, let's not neglect the entirety of the Word of God. Let's continue to struggle with pronouncing names and places, understanding and wrestling with difficult passages, and just allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us as we read. It will all come together as we spend more and more time seeking Him!

Blessings,
Kathy

Kathy's on staff at America's KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 26 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local church and has previously served as a Teaching Director for Community Bible Study. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God's Word.

Live Today

Over the years of serving within the Addiction Recovery ministries at Keswick, I have had many conversations with men whose lives have been radically transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They graduate the program on fire for the Lord and believe God is going to call them to great things such as the mission field, or Bible College, or to be a pastor, all are wonderful callings. Over time, however, when things do not happen as quickly as they would like, they become discouraged because they are certain God is calling them to missions but nothing seems to be falling into place for them. Why? What does God want from them? Some lose their way because they become disheartened, waiting.

How do we do the very same thing? As a follower of Jesus Christ, we have all heard teachings about finishing well, about hearing the Lord say, "Well done" when we see Him face to face. I'm sure you, like me, desire to leave a godly legacy to those that come behind us. Or perhaps you want to go to Bible College or the mission field and don't see things falling into place. Are you discouraged, waiting?

Stop waiting. How often I would remind men that God is not asking them to live to His glory on the mission field, Bible College, or in the pastorate. He is calling all of us to live to His glory TODAY, whatever it holds. I was reminded of this again this week by a quote by Annie Dillard, in "Crazy Love" (by Francis Chan). She said, "How we live our days is ...how we live our lives." That's it.

Let's not lose focus on our todays by yearning for tomorrow. To reach our goal of finishing well, we need to finish each day well, each hour of each day, and each minute of each hour.

How will you live out your minutes today? Live your minutes like you want to live your life. That reminder has challenged my heart. I hope it does yours as well.

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the ministry team at America's Keswick. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. Diane has been married to her husband John over 27 years. She has 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren and 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

Encouragement From One Who Has Gone Before-5

Obedience First!
I was recently looking through the Victory Call archives and I came across a number of them that were written by our dear sister Dottie Noel, who went home to be with Jesus on May 21st of last year. I miss her sweet spirit in this place!

As I read through a number of the Victory Call devotions she had written, my heart and soul were blessed and I thought, "Why not share the blessing with all of our Victory Call subscribers?"

John 5:1-14 This is one of my favorite miracles recorded in God's Word. It's the story of the invalid of 38 years, lying by the pool called Bethesda. He was with many who were lame, blind and paralyzed. He was hoping to be helped into the stirred waters to be healed. But someone always got into the water before him. He had no one to help him and he couldn't do it himself.

Thirty-eight years is a long time to have to depend on someone else. I wonder if he could recall when he could do things for himself!

Jesus appeared and asked him something that is almost strange to hear: "Do you want to get well?" It has caused me to really look at the passage.

This May of 2005 I have had a muscle disease, Myasthenia Gravis, for 38 years. I know what my answer would be; but do I understand what Jesus was asking? My prayerful study gave me new thoughts to ask myself.

1. Healing? It could be a life-altering event!
The cripple's answer was, "But, Lord, I have no one to help me..." We are always ready with excuses! We fear the unknown, fear changes. Sometimes we find it frightening to move on.
2. Maybe your healing would send you back to work, or you might be required to return to more responsibility with home and family.
3. Maybe healing would bring a life-altering change or event such as moving on to new surroundings or meeting new people.

My husband and I were married ten years, with children just 1, 3 and 5 years old, when I was diagnosed with MG. We remained in our home church, in our home town, serving in Christian Education. We were surrounded by family and friends, all helping. I stayed close to home depending on others.

One day I was asked to come, in my wheelchair, to fill in for the director of the Christian child-care at our church. I had all kinds of excuses, but I thank God I said, "Yes"! I was to stay three weeks, but stayed three years. God knew I would love this ministry and learn from obedience to Him. You see, it removed the fear of going on years later to a new ministry with my husband at America's Keswick.

Obedience was the answer for the man at the pool. In verse 13 he didn't even know who Jesus was, but in verse 15 he is telling others about what Jesus did in his life.

What changes does God need to make in your life? He wants obedience first!
I'm asking God to continue to search my heart and let me be satisfied with his choices and changes. Proverbs 3:5&6 - His word to us!

Dottie

Submitted by Stephanie Paul

Encouragement From One Who Has Gone Before-4

Study and Pray

I was recently looking through the Victory Call archives and I came across a number of them that were written by our dear sister Dottie Noel, who went home to be with Jesus on May 21st of last year. I miss her sweet spirit in this place!

As I read through a number of the Victory Call devotions she had written my heart and soul were blessed and I thought, "Why not share the blessing with all of our Victory Call subscribers?"

I enjoyed the book "Words that Hurt - Words that Heal" by Carole Mayhall. It was the first book I had read by Carole, and I enjoyed it! I chose this book to do a report, and I pass its message on to you. It was easy to understand and practical for my life.

Carole begins by quoting James 3:3, "The tongue is like a bit in a horse's mouth." She states if we control the bit, we control the horse! God has much to say in His Word concerning this member of our body, the tongue, some things positive and some negative.

The purpose of our lives should be to know God. Philippians 3:10 is Paul's desire for this - even deeper at the end of his life!

As I read, I had to question myself, "Do I have all the areas of my life under the control of the Holy Spirit?...even my mouth? I've learned in sinning with my tongue, it grieves the Holy Spirit. Slander, gossip, and careless, idle speech are sinning by God's rules.

On the other hand, Proverbs 12:25 reads, "Anxious hearts are very heavy, but a word of encouragement does wonders!" I've found this true.

Carole's prayer for herself is, "Lord, teach me what it means to have the mouth of the righteous." I would love this, too, but fail so often.

In reading the book of Psalms there is great help: 35:28, "I will praise you all day long"; and 10:11, "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life." I began to think back just to the past few days and thought, "What words could describe my speech, my conversations?" I need a lot of changes with God's help.
There is a chapter in the book called "Aren't I Terrific?" It caused me to search my heart.

Do I really seek God's glory, or my own? Proverbs 25:27 and 27:1&2 are good verses. Have I learned to be content in whatever circumstances? - Philippians 4:11-12, or do I sound off "woe is me", too often?

Lord, help me to think before I speak. Proverbs 12:18, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

Concerning gossip or the love of finding fault was covered by an example given by Carole. "Criticizing is like climbing up on the Judgment Seat on which God alone has the right to sit and to publish judgment upon others which He alone has the right to pronounce!"

I ask myself if I am guilty? - are you?

In closing, Carole's prayer is, "If I dwell deep with you, God, the overflow is going to consistently seep into my conversation. Soon I will be speaking more words that heal - and less that hurt!" We all need to learn His words and speak them.
Study and pray!

Dottie

Submitted by Stephanie Paul

Encouragement From One Who Has Gone Before-3

God is Big and People Are Small

I was recently looking through the Victory Call archives and I came across a number of them that were written by our dear sister Dottie Noel, who went home to be with Jesus on May 21st of last year. I miss her sweet spirit in this place!

As I read through a number of the Victory Call devotions she had written my heart and soul were blessed and I thought, "Why not share the blessing with all of our Victory Call subscribers?"

Can I highly recommend a book to you that I was required to read in Bible School? It is, "When People are Big and God is Small" by Edward Welch. It is easy to read and convicting. You should pass it on to another after reading it yourself.

Mr. Welch writes that many people know God loves them, but they think they need love or approval from other people. They are controlled by whomever or whatever they believe can give them what they think they need. Their fear of man includes not only being afraid of someone, but it goes farther - holding someone in awe! They are controlled or mastered by people, maybe worshipping them, putting all their trust in needing people!

As I read this, I had to admit to these things of myself (a lot of times). There are three categories mentioned that we claim. In our teens we call it "peer-pressure"; next we fall into "people-pleasing"; and as we get older we seek "co-dependency". Where does God fit in?

I read that Scripture shows us we shouldn't put a need or want on people; we should love them. Proverbs 29:25 says, "The fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trust in the Lord is kept safe." Great verse! Why do we have to have someone (even Jesus) think we are great?

One whole chapter of Dr. Welch's book deals with a problem many have; it covers self-esteem, low esteem, etc. Not only do we worry about how people see us, but will they reject us? We want acceptance, love and to get rid of worthlessness. We have all that in Christ! We have love and salvation, and He liberates us form sin and guilt. The "gaze of God" should be our first concern, not the gaze of people!

God knew we'd have need in this area. He records many men in Scripture who had thoughts and words for us. Deuteronomy 1:17 - Moses said, 'Do not fear any man, for judgment belongs to God.' King Saul feared rejection; Peter battled as he feared man and denied Christ three times. Imagine Peter as Jesus gazed into His eyes! Read 1 Peter 3:13-14 to see how Peter changed whom he served.

Dr. Welch's book ends by telling us we do have a need for people - for the body of Christ. We need each other. One can't do it alone, so we work together, love each other, and serve for the glory of the Lord.

The "gaze of God" is in His Word. I need to read it, fear Him and do all for His glory, not for people. God is big, people are small. Best of all, God is love!

Dottie

Encouragement From One Who Has Gone Before-2

Pray! God Knows!

I was recently looking through the Victory Call archives and I came across a number of them that were written by our dear sister Dottie Noel, who went home to be with Jesus on May 21st of last year. I miss her sweet spirit in this place!

As I read through a number of the Victory Call devotions she had written my heart and soul were blessed and I thought, "Why not share the blessing with all of our Victory Call subscribers?"

God is all-knowing! He knows our need to communicate with Him. He allows us to talk to Him through prayer and adds His response to us as we read His Word. I once heard these words concerning prayer: "The power is His, the privilege is ours." What a privilege prayer is to me; and what power it has!

In Matthew 26:36-45 we find Christ, himself, praying to the Father before His crucifixion.

In Luke 11 we read a model prayer He gave to His disciples - and to us.

Philippians 4:6 instructs us that He is here for us in everything.

Before opening His Word to read, pray. Ask God to make His Word clear to you.
Do you want to experience a special prayer time? Make one of thanksgiving. We often pray for wants and forget the thanks. When you come to Him with a thankful heart filled with love and gratitude, you will realize the blessings you have. We like to hear "thanks"; the Lord does, too.

Pray for people by name. During a past surgery, I had a trachea. I couldn't speak and was having trouble adjusting to the respirator - trying to breathe on my own. God helped me to adjust in this way: I would let the machine breathe for me, and then I'd pray for five people by name. I would again allow the forced air from the machine, and then prayed for five more. If I knew you back in the late '60's, you probably were prayed for many times - by name! Today, I breathe on my own, and still love to pray for requests by name.

Pick up your Bible and read: He speaks!

For all your requests and thanks, pray! He listens! Communicate with the Lord today. What a privilege!

Dottie

Submitted by Stephanie Paul

Encouragement From One Who Has Gone Before-1

I was recently looking through the Victory Call archives and I came across a number of them that were written by our dear sister Dottie Noel who went home to be with Jesus on May 21st of last year. I miss her sweet spirit in this place!

As I read through a number of the Victory Call devotions she had written, my heart and soul were blessed and I thought, "Why not share the blessing with all of our Victory Call subscribers?"

I quickly picked up the phone to call my boss and was given permission to re-feature these treasures so that you might be encouraged and edified as I was. So for the next 4 Victory Call Devotionals be encouraged to live in visible victory COREM DEO (before the face of God) by one who now sits at His feet! May the LORD bless you today as you let your light shine for His glory and honor!!

Let Brotherly Love Continue

As a child, I remember my mother submitting a poem (unknown author) to the radio program, "The Breakfast Club". The poem remained with me as I memorized it as a teen. The title was "The Master Is Coming." God brings it to my mind as I need to be reminded of its message: "too busy for others".

It begins: "the Master is coming to honor the town today and no one can tell at whose house or home the Master will choose to stay".

The woman in the poem is dreaming that the Lord would choose her home. She begins by saying, "Straightway I turned to toiling to make my home more neat". She even decorated her house with flowers to make her home more sweet! But in her busy toiling, she is 'interrupted' by a woman who needed to share her sorrows and receive comfort. The toiling woman was too busy. Next was a little child needing her help, and then a crippled lady. Each time she replied, "I am truly sorry, but I can not help you today, I have greater things to attend to" - and the visitors went away.

Later in her dream this woman is upset that the Lord never visited her home. She had toiled so hard to have things ready for His visit! As you can guess, His reply was this: "Three times I came to your home today, and three times you turned me away!"

This poem brings tears to my eyes as I remember, not just the words, but my mom! She had time for everyone. Our home was open to her friends, children, and also many strangers. The Lord was honored as Mom was the true example of her life verse, Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." She passed this example of God's love to my sister and me. Our prayer is: "Please, God, let us be there for others as Mom was."

How often does the Lord try to visit your home, but you miss the blessing, because you are "too busy?"

Hebrews 13:1-2, "Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels."

Dottie Noel
Submitted by Stephanie Paul

A Simple Reminder

I recently purchased my 2012 calendar and on the back of the cardboard insert was this:

Thank you for purchasing a 2012 Dayspring Calendar.

When the time was right,
The sea parted,
The walls fell down,
The lions went hungry,
The sun stood still,
The star appeared,
The waves were calmed,
The stone was rolled away,
The Lord ascended...
And when the time is right,
The King of Kings will return.
God is never early and He's never late -
He's always right on time and His plans for you are good.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

A simple reminder to encourage your heart today.

Diane Hunt is part of the ministry team at America's Keswick. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. Diane has been married to her husband John over 27 years. She has 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren and 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

That's Impossible!

What is it in your life that is just simply impossible? That issue that, unless God shows up won't, can't happen? Think big. When was the last time you prayed faith-stretching, faith-building prayers? Well, recently during our Staff/Board retreat, I was reminded that God does the impossible. So I, in turn, am reminding you.

Let's just think about some of what God has done:
God created the world - out of nothing - Ex Nihilo. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

God made a donkey talk - Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" Numbers 22:28

God made an axe head float - But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, "Alas, my master! It was borrowed." Then the man of God said, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. 2 Kings 6:5-6

God made the sun stand still - And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD heeded the voice of a man, for the LORD fought for Israel. Joshua 10:13-14

God made a virgin give birth - Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel. Matthew 1:23

God the Son turned water into wine - So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. John 4:46 (see also John 2)

God the Son healed the leper - And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. Mark 1:40-42

God the Son made the blind see - And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, "Do you see anything?" And he looked up and said, "I see people, but they look like trees, walking." Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Mark 8:23-25

God the Son fed 4000 people with a few fish and loaves - And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people. Mark 8:6-9

God the Son raised the dead - When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go." John 11:43-44

So let's go back to my original question. What is that impossible thing in your life? God is the same today as He was back in Bible times. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). What impossible thing will you ask God for this year?

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the ministry team at America's Keswick. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. Diane has been married to her husband John over 27 years. She has 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren and 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

Female for the Glory of God

Today's Victory Call is inspired by television commercials. My observation has been that over and over again, women are depicted in a most unsettling way. And, if I didn't understand sin and the heart of man apart from Holy God, I'd easily be shocked and surprised.

Any casual observer can't help but notice that women are in charge. In most sitcoms and commercials, etc., we get the last word; we are the wiser, smarter, dare I say, dominant. We prevail and not without a cost.

Men: our fathers, brothers, sons and especially, our husbands, are shown to be idiots, losers, sluggards, stupid, unintelligent buffoons. And it's us, women, who are communicating this. Loud and clear we tell men they are incompetent, inadequate and less than capable of meeting our ever-changing, ever-increasing, ever-demanding needs.

I wish I could say that this behavior is nonexistent among us in the household of faith, but I can't. We, too, have been shaped by the culture we live in and today my challenge to all of us is to decide - decide that we will no longer live as if the curse is real. Instead we will choose to live free in Christ, allow His Spirit, in and through us, to transform and change our stinking thinking.

Remember the garden?

To the woman he said, "I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." ~ Genesis 3:16 ESV

Since I can't say it any better than John Piper; here is what he said:
"In other words the result of sin and the curse of our age is conflict between the sexes. This verse is not a description of the way things should be. This is a description of the cursed way things are going to be while sin reigns. Dominating men and devious women. This is not the meaning of male and female in God's image. It is the ugliness of sin."1

"Peter says in 1 Peter 3:7, that a Christian husband and wife are 'fellow heirs of the grace of life.' What does this mean? It means that in Christ men and women recover what was meant by being created male and female in God's image. It means that together as male and female they are to image-forth the glory of God and together as fellow-heirs they are to inherit the glory of God."2

So dear sisters, our challenge today is simple: will we choose to go forth and image Christ, forsaking any modicum of resemblance to that ruling, controlling woman whom the culture has tricked some of us into imitating? Let's choose to step into the grace and beauty that is ours to behold in Christ alone. May we be fully female for the glory of God!!

Stephanie

1 ttp://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByTopic/49/679_Male_and_Female_He_Created_Them_in_the_Image_of_God/
2 Same as previous

Grown Up Perspective

I am just about finishing the first month of reading through the Bible for 2012. It is said that 30 days makes a habit. I hope they are right! I have finished Genesis and made my way into Exodus, just about completed Proverbs for the first time this year and put a good dent into Matthew! Yippy!

This past week's reading brought back an odd memory. While reading about the plague of frogs in Exodus, I could still see in my mind the pictures that were in my Bible Storybook as a child: A picture of Pharaoh and A LOT of frogs on glossy paper. I share this memory because I believe by the end of the year I will see some things I haven't seen before. I believe I will find promises that I have read before but now speak to my heart in a new and real way. I believe my recall of passages will be sharpened. I believe that I will have scripture written on my heart and in my mind. I believe I will be amazed, as I forge ahead, at the new insights that will come to mind as I read stories I have "known" for years. New pictures will be filed away to be brought back to my memory even years from now.

I wonder if I pulled out that old Bible Storybook, would the picture be as I remember? Maybe that picture of Pharaoh wouldn't be as handsome as I recall. Maybe those frogs would not look so slimy in that glossy picture. The difference: Growing up! Aren't you excited that as we grow we will know Jesus and His Word more and more? I am sure it has happened to you, too. A familiar verse all of a sudden is new because you are reading with adult eyes. And that picture you have of who Jesus is? Well, you just saw Him, the real HIM, not the Jesus you made up in your head long ago! It is exciting to see things in a grown-up perspective but there is only one way to see differently - continue to be in the Word and get to know Jesus!

What's going on in your world this morning? I pray that you will see Jesus today in the midst of it all. Don't just rely on your memory but get a fresh glimpse of Him today.

John 14:26-27 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Blessings,
Kathy

Kathy's on staff at America's KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 26 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local church and has previously served as a Teaching Director for Community Bible Study. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God's Word.

Beloved

"I am my beloved's And his desire is for me" Song of Solomon 7:10.

God's love is of holiness and purity; it is my protection. He sent His Son to demonstrate His love by being the example of living in this world and showing us to enter the narrow gate. God's Son was without sin and did the will of God, that I may have life.

Lord, you laid down your life and called me. In my own flesh and selfishness I would not have sought you. Lord, your love is so majestic it overwhelms my soul with all of my needs which you continuously keep. You invite me to partake of your bread and wine to give thanks. Having the bread of truth and the blood of forgiveness, to teach me to give thanks in all things. "Even before there is a word in my tongue, Behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all" Psalm 139:4. As I want to share my thoughts and concerns, you are always there to listen. You encourage me to pray more because You are truly hearing me and giving back the truth of life. Lord, You give your joy which makes me rejoice and worship with You. When I am sad and sorrowful, you are gently teaching me something important of truth I need to learn. As I learn You quietly bring me closer to You. "The Lord's lovingkindnesses, indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail" Lamentations 3:22. You whisper softly I am the sovereign God; please trust Me. When tears are falling down my face You manage to put a smile on my face and reassure all is not lost, You are the resurrection. The fellowship we have is precious, nothing can compare to Your love. You amaze me with your plans, I would not have thought of it! When I least expect it, You surprise me with something I love, it's very simple. With Your love You give me new visions and revelations that awe me. You know me too well, Lord. You teach me the value of knowing Christ my Lord and having faith in Him knowing I need this faith to keep on going towards You. Throughout the day Your love makes me laugh at how silly I can be and yet You still love me. Your love gives me the strength to do what You have called me to do. My offering of thanksgiving for Your love for me is not enough. My Lord, I love You.

"Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his lovingkindness is everlasting" Psalm 136:1

Glory to God!

Sandra Roman
Staff Member - WOC Graduate

We Become What We Behold

Jeremiah 2:5b "...they...went after worthless things and became worthless."

The Lord spoke these words to "all the clans of the house of Israel..." about their forefathers through the prophet Jeremiah.

It is a reminder to us that we become what we behold.
To behold: to gaze upon (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behold)

2 Corinthians 3:18 "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another: For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

It gives us pause to seriously consider what we behold. What captures our attention? What holds our gaze? Are we going after worthless things like the Israelites of old or are we beholding the Greatest Treasure, The Beautiful One, The One True God, The Eternal One, The Lover of our soul, The Lifter of our chin, our Maker?

Friend, "Behold your God." Is 40:9
Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the ministry team at America's Keswick. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. Diane has been married to her husband John over 27 years. She has 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren and 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

Friendship

You may have many friends but only a few intimate ones. A friend is someone who you may go to the mall with or just hang out at the deli to share lunch. Whatever the case may be you want to share your life with them. Sometimes it may be a telephone call to ask "how are you", or it may be to just be there with them while going through a crisis in their lives.

There was a time in my life, many years ago, when God used my friends to come alongside of me in a crisis situation: they just needed to be there. Their presence was enough. Some of these friends have gone home to the Lord, others have moved away, and some still live nearby. I thank God for the friends He has put in my life and the ones that He still plans on crossing my path. The Lord has shown me the benefits of using our redeemed past circumstances to benefit others. In 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 we read, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (ESV).

King David's friendship with Jonathan: "A person who went the distance for his friend was Jonathan. His friendship with David is one of the most outstanding and moving stories in all of Scripture, perhaps in all of literature. . . . Few are the people blessed enough to know a committed friendship such as Jonathan's. David calls Jonathan his brother, reminiscent of the verses from Proverbs. Jonathan was closer to David than a brother. Commitment is the word that unlocks the real meaning of friendship." You can read about David and Jonathan in I Samuel 19 and 20.

Real friendships don't just happen, and they aren't maintenance-free. Ask yourself and your friend questions like these:
"How would you describe our friendship?"
"What is God doing in each of us, separately and together?"
"How can we help each other become all God wants us to be?"

Seeking another person's highest good: that's being a true friend.

The best friend we can ever have is the One who paid the penalty for our sins on the Cross of Calvary, Jesus the One and Only. He is always with us!

Pat Spies
Women's Ministry Volunteer

Imperceptible Compromise

People often ask us at Keswick, "What do you do after the hustle of the Summer Conference season?" Believe me, we never get bored; there is always much to do.

One morning I was preparing for our volunteers (whom we love and appreciate) to come in to gift wrap 150 devotional books. So I set out to prepare things in an orderly manner so as to make the process as efficient as possible (that's the Human Factors engineer in me - my first career). So - I set out the stacks of books, and put a tape dispenser at each work station. When I got all set up, I proceeded to pre-cut the gift wrap into the size that would fit the book. I cut the first one (which was just right) and used it as a guide for the second. Then I used the second to cut the third, and the third to cut the fourth, etc. After cutting about 20-25 sheets I took a book and attempted to wrap it.

That 25th sheet of gift wrap was 2 inches too big and made wrapping the book clumsy and awkward; much too large to do a neat job.

I then realized my error. I did not keep using my original sample sheet to cut all the other 24 and gradually, over time I unknowingly added 2 inches to the width of the paper.

Apparently what happened was that with each new sheet I added just a tiny bit to the width which seemed so insignificant, but over time - it was significant.

I immediately thought of our walk with Christ - unless we regularly check or align ourselves with the Christ, the One True God, we will adapt and adjust, compromise as it were, imperceptible amounts until over time we are significantly off our target.

Are you sticking with the truth? Are you regularly reading the Word? Are you looking to Jesus Christ for your standard of righteousness or are you comparing yourself to others and getting drawn off course a little at a time?

How can a young man (woman) keep his (her) way pure? By guarding it according to your word. Psalm 119:9

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the ministry team at America's Keswick. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. Diane has been married to her husband John over 27 years. She has 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren and 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

A GUIDE FOR FAMILY LIVING

"Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts" Prov. 24:3(TLB).

Some people seem to wonder if God still keeps His promises. Is He trustworthy?

Many years ago, I was sitting on an airplane, heading for Chicago, reading the Living Bible Translation. As I read this verse, I thought "That's what we have done. This should be our life verse, and it is even in a three point outline!"

Wise planning: God blessed us with Dr. Henry Brandt as our Sunday school teacher and personal friend. He taught us to plan ahead. We had discussed so many things before we were married: Whether I would work outside of the home; who would handle the money; how many children we hoped to have; at what age we would allow our children to date; and even the fact that we wanted all of our children to take piano lessons for at least two years. We discussed many other issues as well.

Common sense: Dr. Brandt observed that most parents already had common sense on their side, and if left to their own devices, would make the right decisions. They were simply afraid to depend on common sense for solutions because their solutions just seemed too simple. So they paid a counselor to give them similar, common sense guidance. Today common sense seems so "profound." We often try to complicate the answer because we expect life to be very complicated.

Keeping abreast of the facts: I often told my family that I could handle most anything as long as they were the ones to tell me. I didn't want to get the news from a neighbor or a "friend." We have a motto at our house, No Secrets! We have tried keeping secrets from each other and it has not gone well. I am constantly amazed when I hear of 20- or 30-year or even lifetime secrets in a family. Secrets take so much effort to maintain.

Well, there is the three point outline contained in that one verse. I am so impressed that with His help, God never asks too much of us. And He keeps His suggestions very simple so that we can understand His directions and follow them. His promise is that we will become strong and we will profit by following His directions. He is faithful, and will keep His word.

Marilyn Willett Heavilin

Marilyn is a wife and mother, author, and international conference and retreat speaker. She and her husband Glen serve as Counselors-in-Residence at America's KESWICK during the summer months.

LOVE LETTERS

I am not, as anyone who knows me will attest, a techie-type person. I don't have a cell phone and I don't do texting, iphones and ipads, etc., etc. I am of the "old" school who loves to send and receive handwritten notes and letters - yes, even those one- or two-page newsy letters that we sometimes receive in our Christmas cards. I read them with interest and save them throughout the year so that when I get ready to sit down and send off a letter, I can re-read it and be reminded of the joys and sorrows my friends have been dealing with.

I guess some of this has to do with being trained as an English Major and teaching English in high school and college in my earlier years. I truly value the printed word and enjoy the various nuances of the language and sometimes marvel at how our language has changed over time. And then there is the abbreviation of so many words to accommodate our texting society, things like LOL. BTW, YKN, etc.

My boss recently gave me a copy of a sort of abbreviation dictionary so I could decipher what I was getting in my emails from time to time.

However, of all the letters I have ever received, it is the love letters that have meant the most to me and the ones that I have saved over the years. Letters from a dear friend during a long-time relationship, letters from my mom and dad during times of joy and sadness. But love letters nonetheless - filled with expressions of such deep caring that reading them again after many years still brings both smiles and tears.

God's love letter to us, His Holy Word, elicits the same response. When we read His love letter to us we are reminded that "we love Him because He first loved us" (I John 4:19). Not that everything that comes into our lives is always joyous - we all know that isn't the case. But we know that because of His great love for us, everything that comes into our lives will be for our ultimate good and that is what allows us to smile and have great joy even in the midst of tears. And, unlike the writers of the love letters in my own life who are now gone, God never departs, never goes away without any way for me to "get in touch" with Him. He is always as close as picking up my Bible and reading how great is His love for me.

This is the month that we celebrate human love during Valentine's Day and the days surrounding it. But as you wait for that card or letter or gift to come in the mail (or be sent to you via Facebook) remember that God's love letter to you is as close as opening His Word and being reminded that His great gift - Jesus' sacrifice on the cross - is the greatest expression of love that the world will ever know.

Lynn Randall

Lynn Randall is the Director of Human Resources at America's KESWICK. She is active in her church and is a gifted planner and organizer. She has a real heart for people as evidenced by her care, concern and practical encouragement.

Praying Through

Today I need an extra measure of faith, don't you? I read from Matthew 15 and I can relate to the Canaanite women who found Jesus and brought to Him her most urgent need. She comes with a request for her demon-possessed daughter to be healed. Verse 23 says, "But He answered her not a word." I want to stop here because I know we all have an urgent need that has been presented to the Lord. I also believe we all have experienced God's silence. Warren Wiersbe's NT commentary explains that Jesus is not being cruel but that Jesus is building up the woman's faith. I would venture that you and I don't take times like these as faith-building exercises but rather get angry, give up or assume the silence means "no." Simply, we are quick to lose faith.

As we read on, the example of this mother grieving her daughter's situation continues despite the disciples' apparent desire to dismiss her. She continued through the silence and the obstacles that stood in her way to again simply plead for her daughter's restoration. "Lord, help me!" Let's note that Jesus inclines His ear to our simple cries of help. Not that He didn't hear her the first time, but this seemingly small act of faith and worship got a response. She was persistent. She knew that Jesus had the answer. She didn't quit.

I have been reading "The Circle Maker" by Mark Batterson, a wonderful book on prayer. Currently, I am reading the chapter called "Long and Boring." Here a few of my highlighted passages from this chapter.

"Praying through is long and boring, but it is the price you pay for miracles."

"Drawing prayer circles often feels like a long and boring process, and it can be frustrating when you feel like you've been circling forever. You start to wonder if God really hears; if God really cares. Sometimes His silence is deafening. We circle the cancer. We circle the children. We circle the dream. But it doesn't seem to be making a difference. What do you do? My advice: Stop, drop and pray. Keep circling. Circle for seventy years if you have to! What else are you going to do? Where else are you going to turn? What other options do you have? Pray through."

"We live in a culture that overvalues fifteen minutes of fame and undervalues lifelong faithfulness. Maybe we have it backward. Just as our greatest successes often come on the heels of our greatest failures; our greatest answers often come on the heels of our longest and most boring prayers. But if you pray long and boring prayers, your life will be anything but boring. Your life will turn into the spiritual adventure it was destined to be. It won't always get you where you want to go, but it will get you through."

I love a little saying I saw awhile back - "I'd give up chocolate but I ain't no quitter!" Today let's not give up on our long and boring prayers. Let's not be quitters. Let's have the faith to know that the results of our persistent prayers are miracles!

Blessings,
Kathy Withers

Kathy's on staff at America's KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 26 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local church and has previously served as a Teaching Director for Community Bible Study. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God's Word.

You Snooze, You Lose

Lately, the Lord has been impressing upon my Spirit the following words from His Word: awake, aware, watchful.

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." I Peter 5:8

"...be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18

"...be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." I Peter 4:7

"We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." Hebrews 2:1

When we are in the midst of a trial, we are ready, prepared, with spiritual weapons in hand, because we know that we are in a battle. Our time with the Lord in His Word, in prayer, in worship, and our fellowship with other believers is our lifeline; we know how very much we need Him.

But when life is calm, peaceful, comfortable -- are we still seeking Him with the same urgency? Or do we slowly become complacent, apathetic, unaware, sleepy? The Lord has been teaching me that whether I am in a battle, or enjoying a time of peace, He needs to remain my first priority. I need to always remain alert, clear- minded, self-controlled, paying careful attention, so that I will not inadvertently become easy prey for the enemy.

I don't know about you, but I certainly don't want to be blind-sided by the enemy. I need to always remember that I need the Lord desperately EVERY day -- good days, bad days, in between days. I need Him for my every breath. I need to have daily, desperate dependence on God. When I lose that, I am on very shaky ground, and there becomes a very strong possibility that God will allow something difficult in my life to remind me just how much I need Him.

Sisters, join me in keeping Christ of first importance. Let's stay awake, alert, aware, and if we see a brother or sister in Christ snoozing, maybe it's time, with grace, to give them a little wake-up call. And let's be ready to receive and respond well to a wake-up call that we may be in need of.

Stacey Poplawski
WOC Graduate

"The light makes all the difference"

Last week, Robert and I were attending a Sunday school class in an old church building with beautiful stained glass windows. It was a crisp sunny morning and the windows were beautiful. We marveled at the craftsmanship, the details in the glass, and the vibrant colors. When the class was over we walked outside and looked up at those same windows. They were dull and lifeless, nothing to comment about. I said to Robert, "The light makes all the difference."

So it is with our lives. What makes us beautiful, different from everyone else is the light of Christ shining in us that allows people to see the beautiful intricacies: all that is good and right and true of who God, the Artist/Creator, made us to be. If Christ is in us, we have access to the power to turn on the lights, but if we don't draw on the power, flip the switch, open our Bibles, talk to our Father, we remain dark and lifeless. Turn the lights on in your life; allow Christ to reflect in you.

Ephesians 5:8,9 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light; (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true). ESV

Joyce Hayes
Artist-in-residence at America's Keswick

What is in a Name?

I am not a "Kathleen" or a "Katherine." I was named after my grandmother whose name was "Kate." I had always wanted to be called "Kate" but there are few who call me by that name. "Kathy" just always seemed common and boring. Although "Kate" never really stuck as my nickname there are other names that I have been called: names that have stuck because they are painful. Childhood names were plunged into my heart and have taken a long time for me to put into perspective.

In Genesis 32:24 Jacob's name is changed to Israel. Jacob, which means "heel," is derived from a verb meaning "trip up, "or "over reach." We know that Jacob was a deceiver and with the help of his Mom he was able to get his brother's birthright. When Jacob finds himself in a wrestling match with the Lord he is asked, "What is your name?" It is noted in Warren Wiersbe's commentary that the last time Jacob had been asked that question he told a lie to his father and claimed to be Esau. At the end of the wrestling match the Lord gives Jacob a new name. He is to be called Israel.

I simply want us to remember that we are no longer the names that we were given or labeled before we came to know Christ. We've been told, "Sticks and stones can break our bones but names will never hurt us." Well, names do hurt us. But God has re-named us. Our identity is now found in Him. He doesn't lie. He doesn't give us names that are hurtful. He uses names such as forgiven, beloved, My child, and many others. Names are important so as we read Scripture take note when you see a name change, a definition associated with a name, or when a name of God appears. It is apparent that names mean a lot to our God. He knows the names we have been called and He no longer wants us to live with them.

In Genesis 39:9-11 God once again appears to Jacob and reminds him of his name. Maybe you need to be reminded today that those "names and labels" are not who you are. For a great read on names and the importance they have in our lives I would recommend that you read "My Secret Name" by Kary Oberbrunner. This book was given to me and helped me to understand the effects of negative names that I was still wrestling with, and also helped me learn a name that was especially for me from God.

Well, I left out a small detail of the story of my name. For all the kidding I will receive, I will share it with you. When I asked my Mom why I couldn't have been named "Kate" after Grandma she informed me that "Kate" was Grandma's nickname but her real name was "Cornelia." So, I am okay with plain old "Kathy."

Blessings to you,
Plain Kathy with a "K" and a "Y" but Jesus calls me Accepted

Kathy's on staff at America's KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 26 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local church and has previously served as a Teaching Director for Community Bible Study. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God's Word.

Prayer for Today

I recently came across this prayer that went perfectly with yesterday's Victory Call. Be encouraged.

In thy fellowship is fullness of joy,
Beneath thy smile is peace of conscience,
By thy side no fears disturb,
No apprehensions banish rest of mind,
With thee my heart shall bloom with fragrance;
Make me meet, through repentance, for thine indwelling.
Nothing exceeds thy power,
Nothing is too great for thee to do,
Nothing is too good for thee to give.
Infinite is thy might, boundless thy love,
Limitless thy grace, glorious thy saving name.
Let angels sing for sinners repenting, prodigals restored,
Backsliders reclaimed, Satan's captives released,
Blind eyes opened, broken hearts bound up,
The despondent cheered, the self-righteous stripped,
The formalist driven from a refuge of lies,
The ignorant enlightened,
And saints built up in their holy faith.
I ask great things of a great God.
The Valley of Vision (pg. 6)

Diane Hunt is part of the ministry team at America's Keswick. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. Diane has been married to her husband John over 27 years. She has 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren and 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

God does nothing half-heartedly

To see the generous nature of God we don't have to go any further than the very first chapter of the first book of the Bible. God created the heavens and the earth. He could have created it just large enough so that it would go as far as we could see. We can see about 1000 to 3000 stars on a clear night in this area but God created 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars (I'm not even sure how to say that). Earth is part of the Milky Way galaxy but it is one in an array of hundreds of billions of galaxies in the universe. God "is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think" (Eph 3:20). He is not a stingy God. His creation is simple evidence of his abundant generosity.

Think of the example in Matthew 14 when Jesus feeds the 5000 (plus women and children) with 5 loaves and 2 fish. When everyone had eaten and were satisfied there were 12 leftover full baskets. He did far more abundantly than was necessary. The Message paraphrase says, "God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!"

The Salvation offered to us by Jesus Christ is a finished work, not half-hearted effort. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 - As forgiven children of God, saved and sealed for redemption, God cleanses us from all sin. On the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished" John 19:30. He did not say, "I've done my part - now they can work their way to heaven."

IF God creates a universe billions of times larger than we can see or imagine, how much more will HE make provision for your needs beyond what you imagine or think?
What difficulty are you facing today? God is not holding out on you. He desires to bless you beyond what you can imagine or think.

Is God enough for your problems? Are you believing and asking for great things from a Great God?

He desires to bless you beyond anything you know, not with material things but with Himself. Will you receive Him?

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the ministry team at America's Keswick. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. Diane has been married to her husband John over 27 years. She has 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren and 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

WAITING ON HIM

Psalm 39:7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.

Have you ever heard someone say, "Well, what are you waiting for?" It seems I have spent much of my life waiting...for what? Well, as a child, I was waiting to grow up, to go to college and to eventually get married.

After my marriage, I was waiting for children. Then, I was waiting for my children to grow up, graduate from high school, from college, and get married. Then I waited for them to have children and the cycle continues to go round and round. Now I'm waiting for my grandchildren to be married and have children.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the worry that occasionally would rear its ugly head along with the waiting. Then I read the verse that says, Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself (Psalm 37:7). This verse says I'm supposed to REST and WAIT patiently! Besides resting and waiting I'm not supposed to fret. Can you believe it? Is that even possible? Yes, I think it is.

Many times as I have been writing my prayers in my prayer journal, I have written Fret Not. It's as though the Lord is saying to me, "Don't worry, Marilyn. I've heard your request. I will supply your needs. Just WAIT on Me."

While you may be waiting for Mr. Right, a child, or a specific prayer to be answered, He is saying that very same thing to each of you.

Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself.

Marilyn Willett Heavilin

Marilyn is a wife and mother, author, and international conference and retreat speaker. She and her husband Glen serve as Counselors-in-Residence at America's KESWICK during the summer months.

Blessing - Part 2

Yesterday we talked about how important "blessing" is to God. If you are not experiencing the blessings God's Word promises then let's take another look at scripture. You see, blessings come when we learn to humble ourselves and obey His commands and walk in His ways.

Let's take a look at Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

It would appear that blessing comes to those who meditate on His word and allow their lives to come into unity with His timing and His purposes. It is not a matter of saying the right prayer or going to the right church, or fasting or making a big donation to the right charity. Rather the Lord says we need to be careful who we seek counsel from. Are we going to someone who knows the Word and will lovingly tell us the truth? Does our life come into unity with choices that sinners would take rather than those who love the Lord? Do we like to point a finger at others rather than looking into our own heart? Do we delight in being a doer of the Word, which we read and mediate upon faithfully? Although we are not under the law as in the time before Christ, I believe we are called to the greater challenge and that is to choose to delight in growing in Christlikeness.

My dear sisters in Christ, may I challenge you and I? Are we among the many who give lip service to "believing in the Bible" but pay little attention to what the Bible says? Are we influenced more by traditions than an intimate relationship with our Savior? Do we read a chapter a day yet have no actual understanding of the passage we read? Are we seeking God as to how the passage we read may change our life?

My challenge to you and I this year is this: let's go deeper; let's go all the way to the blessing. One day at a time......let us not just read words, let us meditate upon the Word until God reveals the meaning for us personally. Let us thank God each day for moving us to a deeper richer relationship with Him.

My prayer is that you and I will accept this challenge and experience the fullness of Psalm 1. That we will walk in the fullness of the blessing described in Psalm 1 and be like that tree planted by rivers of water. Not just any water, but rather living water that will fill us and nourish us so that we will bear good fruit at just the right time. The fruitfulness of our lives will not wither and whatever we do will prosper.

It is time to advance......and be blessed.

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

Some material taken from: A Time to Advance by Chuck Pierce with Robert and Linda Heidler Available through Glory of Zion, Inc., PO Box 1601, Denton, TX 76202 www.gloryofzion.org

Blessing - Part 1

According to a book I read recently, A Time to Advance by Chuck Pierce with Robert and Linda Heidler, the word "bless" or "blessing" is used in the scripture 474 times. That would surely indicate that blessing is important to the God we serve.

The first mention of blessing is found in the very first chapter of the Bible. Genesis 1:22 reads, God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth" (NAS). It would appear that God's idea of blessing is to release increase, prosperity and the multiplication of all that is good and pleasant in life.

Further into the scripture in Gen. 24:1 it tells us that God blessed Abraham "in all things". Yes, blessing appears to be significant to the God we serve.

I have always loved the blessing recorded in Deut. 6:24-26, The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace. WOW!! Now that is surely a blessing!!

Why is it then that in this world our lives are filled with tough battles? The author of the book I am reading took me to the story of Joseph. Joseph was hated by his brothers, sold as a slave, falsely accused, and thrown in prison. Hardly what one could call a blessed life. But God.........you see the blessing of God actually interfered with the plans of men and the enemy of God's people. Under the power of blessing Joseph rises above each and every curse on his life. Divine appointments seem to just happen, supernatural connections are made, doors opened to a future he could not have fully imagined possible. In fact, Joseph saves the nation of his forefathers. He is in the exact right place, at the perfect time.

Dear one, you may be in the midst of an incredible battle of life but I tell you the truth, if you would meet with your God, walk humbly and obediently before Him, He will turn your mourning into dancing(Psalm 30:11). With all my heart I believe the Lord longs to bless you (Isaiah 30:18). Jesus came that you and I might have life (John 10:10).

Stay tuned.......part 2 is tomorrow.

Blessings,
Patricia Wenzel
WOC Graduate

Some material taken from: A Time to Advance by Chuck Pierce with Robert and Linda Heidler Available through Glory of Zion, Inc., PO Box 1601, Denton, TX 76202 www.gloryofzion.org

I Don't Believe It

That's usually the problem. God gives us the assurance of something and then we waiver between faith and unbelief. When I read the following portion of scripture, something really upset me. It was verse 6... "And He marveled because of their (my) unbelief."

Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him.
4 But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." 5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. Mark 6: 1-6 (NKJV)

Here's an example of what I've experienced at times and maybe you have too:
"Ok, Lord, so I know I heard you say this, and you've confirmed it to me today through this, but I still have doubts, could you send me a second confirmation? Great, got it. But still- what if I do that and it's not really you, maybe you haven't spoken this to me and it's just self-talk? I'm going to need another confirmation. Great, I got it. But Lord what if?" Sounds like I want to live risk-free. Or is it faith free?

Does anyone have a fleece handy?

I could just imagine Jesus shaking His head back and forth as He marvels at my unbelief. I guess you could say He just can't believe it.

"Dina...Dina...after all I've shown you, still you do not believe."

"Oh Lord, I don't want You to shake your head at my unbelief in any situation, after all the mighty works You've not only done in my life, but in the lives of those around me."

Those are the times that focusing on the past can give us the good shaking we need. Come on sister, look back, and remember the time God did ____________ and you thought, "Wow, Lord, You really did do just what You said You would. Why didn't I just trust You and believe?"

That's Him, same God. Faithful then, faithful now and faithful tomorrow.

So is your faith shaken or do you need a good shaking?

Dina Seaton
Marketing Assistant, Staff Writer

WINNING

I recently read a comment by Patsy Clairmont, one of my favorite authors and a member of "The Porch" for those of you who are familiar with Women of Faith. It was in the context of something totally different, but she said at the end of a comment she was making that "The purpose of an argument is to resolve conflict not to win."

Winning - a very important concept to so many of us in this day and age. Our favorite athletic teams are only deemed successful if they win. Our politicians are all about winning. Businesses are successful if they "win" the most customers, or are able to corner a larger percent of their particular market than their competitors. Translate that "winning isn't everything, it's the ONLY thing" philosophy to us as individuals, and we get caught up so easily in the "I must win" scenario.

For me, the desire to be a winner all boils down to my pride. I want what I want - and am willing to argue you to death until you say, "OK, you win." And I got what I wanted. It isn't even totally a matter of "I'm right, you're wrong." If I can get you to blink, then I have gotten MY way - right or wrong.

But what does God have to say about pride (and believe me, He has a LOT to say about it)? The verses that always strike a chord with me are Proverbs 6:16-17, "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination with Him: a proud look..." Now I don't know about you, but when God says He hates something, when God says something is an abomination to Him, I think it behooves me to sit up and pay closer attention. And while there are seven things listed that God hates, what is the number one thing on the list? "A proud look" or I have seen it translated as a "haughty spirit."

I have said if before - I struggle with pride. It seems as if I always have. And sometimes when I think I have it "under control," the Holy Spirit taps me on the shoulder, so to speak, and says, "Now aren't you proud that you have overcome your proud spirit." And I go, "duh," because I haven't beaten it back at all. It is still lurking just below (and sometimes not even just below) the surface of my actions or words waiting for me to rise up and proclaim how proud I am for saying or doing something instead of giving God the glory that He has enabled me to do it.

We live in a society which is all about recognition - having someone say we have done a good job or getting an award for having done something. But the ONLY One I want to hear say, "well done" is Jesus when I stand before Him to give an account of all of the things I have done with my life. Oh, I can bask in worldly recognition and get my prideful self all puffed up, but when I get to heaven, none of that will mean one thing. Unless what I have done I have done with the motive of glorifying God, doing HIS will and bringing the recognition to HIM, whatever I have done is meaningless in His eyes (or like "filthy rags" in Isa. 64:6).

So, once again, today, I am praying that Jesus Christ will infuse His humble Spirit into me and begin to make me into His own humble, and ultimately, glorious image.

Lynn Randall

Lynn Randall is the Director of Human Resources at America's KESWICK. She is active in her church and is a gifted planner and organizer. She has a real heart for people as evidenced by her care, concern and practical encouragement.

Valentine's Dinner Concert

with Dick & Mel Tunney

Saturday, February 11, 2012, 6:30 PM

With all followers of Christ, the growth process is a lifetime journey designed to reflect His Light to a dark and dying world. Dick & Melodie Tunney continue to spend their adult life in the process, pressing towards the ultimate goal of reflecting and magnifying Christ’s light to all whose paths they cross from their public platform of ministry.

You’re invited for a romantic evening out! Not just for the two of you, but for the three of you!…A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecc. 4:12). Jesus is never the third wheel but the cord that binds a couple together. We encourage you to invite HIM to be the unseen guest at your table. Fine food, the fellowship of other couples and amazing music that will minister to your heart and soul set the stage for themaking of a memory…



$20 per person includes dinner and concert.

Dinner begins at 6:30 PM, doors open at 6:00 PM

Advance reservations are required. Reserve Early! This event WiLL sell out!

Who would you Pick?

"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered.
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!"
"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (Matt. 27:21-26)

So, if you were in the crowd, what name would you yell? You probably want to believe that you would be different from everyone else and you would cry out "JESUS." Unfortunately, each one of us would have most likely joined in with the crowd and yelled "Barabbas" right along with the rest. At the beginning of that week everyone wanted Jesus, but things had changed.

Have things changed in your life? Did you at one time cry out for Jesus, but now He is being crowded out? Beth Moore states that "if we aren't worshipping God then we are worshipping something else."

What are you choosing to worship? Personal desires, Wants, Success, Money, Comfort, Family? Kathy Troccoli in her study on How to Live a Fulfilled Life presents the following thoughts:

In our affections, something else steals His place
In our addictions, something else holds His place
In our desires, something else fills His place
In our relationships, someone else takes His place

What or Who are you choosing to fill His place? Joshua challenged the people in Joshua 24:15 with the question - whom will you choose to serve? Both Joshua and the people picked to serve God. If we pick God, then we are also choosing to obey God and put away all other Idols (or things that take His place). "Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel" (Joshua 24:23).

If you have chosen to pick Jesus - You Choose God - You have chosen Life! (Read Deut. 30: 15-20)

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8).
When we draw near (pick) to God, He will draw near to us. God requires that we exercise our desire toward Him first and He will embrace any believer no matter how long or to what extent we went away from Him. God stands ready to accept us with open arms. "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him" (Psalm 145:18).

Choose today to PICK JESUS!

Lynne Jahns
Christian Counselor

CONSIDER THE DEADLINE

I think something must have happened in my childhood to cause me to resist deadlines. I have been known to reject book contracts because they would add one more deadline to my life. My vote would go toward self-publishing because an author can set their own timeline.

I don't find the word 'deadline' in the Bible; however, as I look in scripture the word 'time' appears often, much to my dismay.

Gen 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass,

The word first appears in the fourth chapter of Genesis. (So soon?)

Do we really have to talk about deadlines so early in the year? I know, I know... I have already pointed out that Scripture spoke of 'time' early, too.

Apparently God dealt with deadlines, too.

Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come....

Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of the time was come....

Apparently God has a plan that includes the right time.

I don't like to have to face deadlines, but even I must admit that there is one deadline that cannot be ignored.

Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

We all have one deadline God will not allow us to ignore. But we have warning that the judgment day is coming and we CAN be ready.

Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.

Marilyn Willett Heavilin

Marilyn is a wife and mother, author, and international conference and retreat speaker. She and her husband Glen serve as Counselors-in-Residence at America's KESWICK during the summer months.

His Word

I am watching over my word to perform it… Jeremiah 1:11

Unlike us, God means every word that He speaks. Not only does He mean it but He, and He alone has the power to make it so. “…not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.”

He keeps His word. His Word has intention and purpose and He accomplishes every one, without fail.

Job said, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”

Solomon said, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”

Isaiah said, “The LORD of hosts has sworn: 'As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand … For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?'”

“declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,' … I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.”
“so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

All those words are a comfort as we stop to consider that His Word is forever firmly fixed in the heavens. BUT have we stopped to consider that God Himself watches over His word to perform it? To me, it speaks of the intimate connection God has with each of us. He has not sent out His Word and turned to other things; He is watching over it to perform it in and around our lives.

Praise be to God that His Word is true, powerful, purposeful and certain.

Blessings,
Diane

1 Joshua 23:14
2 Job 42:2
3 Proverbs 19:21
4 Isaiah 14:24,27
5 Isaiah 46:10-11
6 Isaiah 55:11
7 Psalm 119:89