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In Christ Alone
Jesus is our hope – our only hope. Apart from Jesus there is no other hope. It’s Jesus and Jesus only. Anything else that you hope in or cling to is less than the enduring, sustaining hope found in Christ and Christ alone.
“In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song. This cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.”1
Dear sister, are you in a drought or a storm? Regardless of where you are, Jesus is the solid ground. He is your strength, your light and the song your heart beats to sing. Crawl, walk, skip, run to Him who is your hope and rest, knowing that in His presence is where you belong.
“What heights of love, what depths of peace, What fears are stilled when strivings cease. My Comforter, my All in All; Here in the love of Christ I stand.”2
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~~ Romans 8:38-39
May it be so, in Jesus name, that you know, believe and stand firm in this truth: Christ and Christ alone. In Him and through Him is your hope, your strength, you life, your being. Selah. Are you persuaded?
Stephanie Paul
Stephanie Paul serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Director of Women’s Addiction Ministry. She has been married for almost 30 years to Sesky Paul who is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. Stephanie serves alongside him as Care Group leaders in their church. They have two grown children. Her single focus in ministry at Keswick is to image Christ in grace and truth to wounded and hurting women, encouraging them to make Jesus the truest Lover of their soul and the One in whom all hope lies.
1 In Christ Alone by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend 222 Ibid 3 www.biblegateway.com
Longing for Simplicity
As with likely many of you, I look forward to some quiet time to seek the Lord as to what He would have for me. A few years ago I was drawn to a book a friend gave me, “The Rewards of Simplicity” by Pam and Chuck Pierce.
It would seem once again I need to learn the rewards of simplicity. I long to continually “simplify” my life. Not just a cutting back on activities and busyness, although that would be good for sure, but rather living in a place of peace, with a mind at peace in the midst of our world that seems to provide all the right ingredients for anything but “simplicity”.
Allow me to quote Pam Pierce…….”simplicity is one of the spiritual disciplines practiced by Christians all over the world. Like prayer, meditation and fasting, simplicity holds an essential place in the life of any sincere believer who is seeking a deeper, more intimate communion with the Father.”
It would seem that the more I can simplify my life, the greater the opportunity for me to get to that deeper intimate place of communion with my heavenly Father.
Pam Pierce suggests that the first key to a life of simplicity is……….FAITH!! Without FAITH surely it is impossible to please God.
Faith is a vital piece of the full armor of God we read about in Ephesians 6. I have studied the armor of God many different times over the years and have always been encouraged when I have done so.
One book I read that I found very inspiring may bless you. It is “Restoring your Shield of Faith” by Chuck Pierce and Robert Heidler. Faith is described in the Eph. 6:16 as a shield. Chuck Pierce and Robert Heidler explain that the shield Roman soldiers carried in the time of the writing of Ephesians 6 was a large rectangular defense of metal that covered the entire length of a soldier’s body. Roman soldiers would line up shoulder to shoulder with their shields held in front of them and move across the battlefield like an armored tank.
WOW! What a picture that presents. The Word tells us that the shield could extinguish the flaming arrows of the enemy just like Jesus destroyed the works of the enemy. He took my guilt (Is. 53:6), He took my infirmities (Is. 53:4-5), He took my poverty (2 Cor. 8:9), He became a curse for me (Gal 3:13-14). His protection is activated now when I pick up my shield of FAITH.
Today join me in simplifying your life. Stand on the Word of God and let’s activate our Shield of Faith.
Patricia L. Wenzel
Women of Character Graduate
Your Heart is Like a Room in Your Life…
…man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7b)
If the Lord came today, and decided to visit one of the rooms in your life, what would He find? What have your hands touched? Where have your feet walked? What did your mouth taste? What did you ponder in your mind? Where is your heart today? What would He find in all of these areas?
Do you remember that tract where it talks about if the Lord were to come to your house? It goes on to say that if He were to come to your home today what would He find? Would you need to dust off your Bible? Would you have to close a door? Would you have to change the TV or music station?
I don’t like it when company comes and I do not have a clean house. My human side feels like I am not a good housekeeper and I wonder what they will think of me. How often am I concerned about the condition of my life and the rooms in it?
When friends do drop in, I tell them that my house might not be clean but the coffee pot is always on and I always have time to spend with them. We should consider the same with the Lord. If He decided to drop in today to visit … you might have dusty feet, a cluttered mind, and your hands might be full of things, but your heart can be open to Him and willing to spend time with Him. He can clean up what needs to be cleaned better than you ever could. We need to make sure our heart is in the right place first (James 5:8).
In the book of Philippians, we read that we are to think on things such as truth, things that are noble, things that are right and pure and lovely. Is this where our heart is today?
There are days when my heart is filled with joy, other days sadness, and other days I hate to admit it but a critical spirit or judgment against another believer. Let’s “‘fess up” together. We all have these days. Why do we? I think it goes back to James 5:8, where it tells us to establish our hearts. It goes back to putting Jesus first, others second and ourselves last.
When we leave the Lord out of our hearts and lives for any length of time, we find our lives are in disarray, messy and unclean. Our thoughts are not clear, our focus is gone, our joy is depleted, and what is pure, true, noble and right (Philippians 4:8) is not what we are thinking about.
Just as if our home is messy for company and a good cleaning needs to be done, so must our hearts be cleaned before the Lord. He already knows what is in your heart, but it is our job to confess it to Him and allow Him to clean it up.
Do you have a dirty room in your life today? How is your heart established? Can any visitor come and visit with you today and find joy, pure thoughts, noble and right things in it?
Lynn A. Wilson
Writer for “Real Victory for Real Life” VOLUME 2
365 Devotional Thoughts in the Spirit of America’s Keswick
To order a copy of “REAL VICTORY For REAL LIFE” 365 Devotional Thoughts in the Spirit of America’s Keswick, forwarded by Dr. Joseph Stowell visit www.americaskeswick.org and click on store.
Love…
Do you want to see how you are doing in the area of loving? Well, you could go to the “love” chapter, 1 Corinthians 13. Within this chapter you would see some very practical truths:
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Are you patient?
Are you kind?
Do you envy or boast?
Are you arrogant or rude?
Do you insist on your own way?
Are you irritable or resentful?
Do you rejoice in wrongdoing?
Do you rejoice in truth?
Do you bear all things?
Do you believe all things?
Do you hope all things?
Do you endure all things?
When I hold the mirror of God’s Word up, I don’t care for my reflection. In many of these ways, and far too often, I do not love. How about you? How well do you love?
Diane
Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John over 28 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.
My House Might be Messy, but it is clean and the Coffee Pot is always on….
I find myself saying this to just about anyone I talk to. Today I was sitting talking with a friend who is a few years younger than Ie. She was reminiscing back to when she was young and she remembers there was always a pot of soup on the stove and guests coming over unannounced. WOW, think of that….an unscheduled visit and a knock at the door that were welcome. I have friends that will greet you at the door if you do the “pop-in” and stare at you like you have invaded their territory.
My friend’s comment to me was…”what happened to hospitality”? And my question back to you is yes….what ever happen to it? The Bible speaks clearly on this and since the Bible has not changed….neither has this gift given to us to use.
Do you have the gift?
Do you enjoy having people over?
Do you enjoy being an encouragement?
Do you enjoy serving the Lord?
Did the Lord give you a gift of a home that you know you should be using?
People that have the gift of hospitality are people who tend to have an “open home” attitude and always make you feel welcomed in their home. Do you know someone like this? They consider their house a home and not just a house. Somehow they have a way of making you feel like kicking off your shoes, having a cup of coffee and curling up on the couch. How would I feel if I needed a friend to chat with and popped in at your house? Would I feel welcomed or that I was bothering you? Would you have the coffee ready for me or would you remind me there is a coffee shop on the next block. Would your couch be available for a place to chat or would it be too pretty and tidy that you would not want me to mess up your house or routine?
The gift of hospitality doesn’t mean that you need a fancy home, lots of pretty things, lots of money or fancy food….it is an attitude that you will create when I walk through your front door.
What does the Bible teach us on this subject?
* Romans 12:14
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
* I Peter 4: 9 – 10
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
* Luke 10: 38
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
* Hebrews 13: 1- 2
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Ladies….we need to share this gift with each other. It is a lost art that needs to be brought back to life in our homes. It is a gift that the Lord speaks clearly on. It is a gift if you ever have had the chance to be part of in someone’s home…it will stay with you forever.
Come join with me and start a new trend of “Hospitality on the Rise”.
Lynn Wilson
Lynn Wilson a wife and a mother of two boy. Currently on Staff at America’s Keswick for the past 20 years. She has been involved in her local church in women’s ministries as well as speaking for other churches and retreats. 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 spend time with her family and enjoy her first ministry which is being a wife and mother.
The Heavens Declare
Recently, during the end part of worship service, my husband gave me a gentle nudge and gestured with a slight nod of his head toward the high windows in the church building. It was snowing!! Small bits of snow had begun to fall swiftly from the sky.
After that, as much as I tried to stay focused on what my pastor was so passionately preaching I couldn’t stop looking up and out of the window trying to gauge – as best as I could from where I was sitting – how hard it was coming down and how much might be accumulating.
What I could see from my seat was no indicator at all for what met my eyes when I walked out of service about half an hour later. Wow!! In that short period of time about half an inch or so had already fallen and the flakes that were coming down were huge!
All around me there was a bustle of excitement as person-by-person entered the lobby and got a glimpse of the big, wet, white, fluffy flakes! If it wasn’t for the fact that I had to get in my car and drive home, my only thoughts would have been on enjoying its full beauty, just because!
At this point, you’re likely wondering, “Why is she telling us about snow falling and what does it have to do with anything at all?”
Psalm 19:1-3 tells us, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.”
How much of heaven declares the Lord’s glory? All of it!! There is nothing under the heavens; nothing at all-including snow-that does not speak of His glory.
So, whether it’s snow, wind, rain or sunshine, everything in creation draws us to see and observe the handiwork of God-Father, God-Son, God-Holy Spirit.
Therefore, regardless of where you are this exact moment, may I encourage you to pause and look around and see. Observe and see the beauty of the Lord in the space around you.
The Psalmist in chapter 27 verse 4 says:
“One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.”1
Stephanie Paul
Stephanie Paul serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Director of Women’s Addiction Ministry. She has been married for almost 30 years to Sesky Paul who is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. Stephanie serves alongside him as Care Group leaders in their church. They have two grown children. Her single focus in ministry at Keswick is to image Christ in grace and truth to wounded and hurting women, encouraging them to make Jesus the truest Lover of their soul and the One in whom all hope lies.
Emergency Phone Numbers
As I was considering what devotionals to write for the month of December I recalled one paper I have not looked at in a very long time. I can’t give credit to who originally wrote it as I do not have the author’s name. However, I am believing they would not mind my sharing it with you.
May this meet a need you have in this season, so that you can rise above your circumstances through the power of the WORD!!
When………
You are sad, phone……………………………………………………………… John 14
You have sinned, phone………………………………………………………… Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone ………………………………………………… Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone………………………………………………… Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone……………………………… Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone…………………………………………. Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone……………………………………………. Psalm 23
You are worried, phone…………………………………………………………. Matthew 8:23-27
You are hurt and critical, phone………………………………………………..1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone……………………………………….. 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone……………………………………………….. Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone………………………………………………… Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone…………………………… Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone………………………………………. Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip, phone……………………………………….. Psalm 121
You require courage for a task, phone………………………………………. Joshua 1
Inflation and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone……………. Mark 10:17-31
You are depressive, phone……………………………………………………… Psalm 27
You are losing hope, phone…………………………………………………….. Psalm 126
Paul’s secret for happiness, phone……………………………………………. Colossians 3:12-17
To get along with other people, phone………………………………………… Romans 12
ALTERNATE NUMBERS
For dealing with fear, call……………………………………………………….. Psalm 3:4-7
For security, call …………………………………………………………………. Psalm 121
For assurance, call………………………………………………………………. 1 John 5:13
For reassurance, call…………………………………………………………….. Psalm 145:18
ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONED DIRECTLY.
NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY.
ALL LINES TO HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOUR5 A DAY.
FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBT WILL STARVE TO DEATH.
Love and use the Word of God each and every day………
Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate
What Do You Crave?
Would you consider being a part of our STAND IN THE GAP campaign for 2014? Our goal is 1,000 people that will partner with us for January, February, and March, which are some of our toughest financial months. Each STAND IN THE GAP partner will make one $25 gift each month for 3 months in addition to their normal giving. This will bring in $75,000 towards our first quarter expenses. This is perfect for partners that already give or for people that would like to give but cannot make a long term commitment. Sign up today at http://www.americaskeswick.org/706332.ihtml . Thank you in advance for your partnership. Come STAND IN THE GAP WITH US.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. (Psalm 42:1 NIV)
I have recently been challenged with this question. Now, if I was honest I would tell you that I crave coffee every morning. But, that’s not exactly what I am asking myself with this question.
Scripture tells us that as the deer pants for water, so we should pant for God. Psalm 42:1 tells us that, As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O ,God. Whenever my husband (because I don’t do it very often) takes our dogs for a walk they immediately come in seeking water, and often if we find a puddle or walk by the lake they will attempt to drink from it. Based on that observation and the above Scripture, I have to ask myself – do I seek out God like my dogs seek out water after a walk? In the summer, if I am working outside or in the heat – I understand the craving for water or liquid refreshment. Do I apply that understanding to my need for God?
At Keswick, we deal with men who are struggling to overcome different addictions in their lives. It is probably appropriate to say that they once craved a substance or something in a powerful way. My husband craved heroin in his past to a point that all he thought about was when and how he could get it.
Do I crave God like that? I hate to say it, but probably not. There are definitely times I am drawn to God and I am looking forward to spending time with Him, but certainly not in the way that people crave drugs, sex, alcohol, gambling or food. It is even safe to say that I do not crave God to the point that I crave food. Have you been around a hungry baby? Do you desire God or a spiritual connection with God like a baby desires his bottle? 1 Peter 2:2 (NIV) states that: Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation…
Based on this question I am attempting to spend time with God before each meal and before I go to bed at night. Not a lot of time, just some reading or praying in addition to my regular times of devotion and study. Maybe for you it might be that you need to spend time with God before a certain TV show that you just can’t miss, or before you read a book – or go shopping. Whichever it is… Do you seek to spend time with God as much as you feel the need to do other things in your life?
Lynne Jahns
Writer for “Real Victory for Real Life”
365 Devotional Thoughts in the Spirit of America’s Keswick, VOLUME 2
To order a copy of “REAL VICTORY For REAL LIFE” 365 Devotional Thoughts in the Spirit of America’s Keswick, forwarded by Dr. Joseph Stowell
I Dare You!!
Would you consider being a part of our STAND IN THE GAP campaign for 2014? Our goal is 1,000 people that will partner with us for January, February, and March, which are some of our toughest financial months. Each STAND IN THE GAP partner will make one $25 gift each month for 3 months in addition to their normal giving. This will bring in $75,000 towards our first quarter expenses. This is perfect for partners that already give or for people that would like to give but cannot make a long term commitment. Sign up today at http://www.americaskeswick.org/706332.ihtml . Thank you in advance for your partnership. Come STAND IN THE GAP WITH US.
Psalm 27:1-6
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strong hold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh,
My adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;
Though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
He will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me,
And I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
Did you know that, just like David, we can cry out to God? In our moments of distress, insecurities or desperate loneliness we can be confident that the LORD hears us and He will lift us up. You can have the great assurance that your Father – just as He was with David – will be your light and your salvation!!
No matter what the stronghold is or appears to be in your life, choose today to confidently and boldly seek after, to ask of the LORD. Sing to Him the song that your heart longs to sing, and sing it like no one is watching but Him!! I dare you!!
Stephanie Paul
Stephanie Paul serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Director of Women’s Addiction Ministry. She has been married for almost 30 years to Sesky Paul who is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. Stephanie serves alongside him as Care Group leaders in their church. They have two grown children.
Her single focus in ministry at Keswick is to image Christ in grace and truth to wounded and hurting women, encouraging them to make Jesus the truest Lover of their soul and the One in whom all hope lies.
Victory Call 