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 who already give or for people who 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.

 

 

          Proverbs 3:27   Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

          It’s time for my annual reminder that Christmas is coming, and some people may not be happy about it. For those of us who haven’t experienced anything negative this year, Christmas may be our favorite time of year, but for others they may have to deal with the fact that Christmas is coming and someone they loved dearly will not be present this year. So rather than be excited about Christmas, they may be somewhat hesitant or even fearful about how to deal with the actual day and the days preceding it. Here’s how you can help.

          You can offer to do the shopping for them. For some people shopping is not easy because of the music at the mall, the crowds and the constant reminders of what they planned to buy for the person who is missing or perhaps they planned to do their shopping together.

         You can send an appropriate card, not a jolly ho ho card but a “To Comfort You At Christmas” type of card.

          You can do some special baking for your bereaved friend. It is always nice to have something to offer those who stop in, but your friend just may not have the energy to do any baking this year.

          You can invite them or even take them to a memorial candle lighting in honor of those who died during the past year. Those of you who are computer savvy can also find listings of memorial candle lightings in your area and provide a list for your hurting friend. Sometimes things just look too complicated to even try.

          You can also print up a special card with the deceased person’s name on the card and provide a picture frame which is a tree ornament in which your friend can place a picture of their loved one and hang on the tree. An invitation to a candle lighting memorial can also be included. I have done this for many years and always receive thank you notes from the recipients. It always seems so special to see the name in print.

          You can also invite your friend to spend Christmas with you and partake of the holiday meal with you. Perhaps they have already made commitments to the family but it definitely feels good to be wanted by others. So don’t be offended if they turn you down.

          Try to be cognizant of the fact that there are some people in the world who aren’t looking forward to the holidays, so be very gentle with them.

Marilyn Willett Heavilin
Is a wife and mother; author & International conference speaker
Author of Roses In December,
December’s Song
Becoming A Woman of Honor,
Profound Common Sense
When Your Dreams Die,
Grief Is A Family Affair,

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 who already give or for people who 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.

 

10 Days of Developing an Expectation for the Future

          Below is a prayer focus for you that is meant to be completed over a ten-day period.  It was not written by me alone.  The material used was initially written by Dr. Chuck Pierce from Glory of Zion International.  I have made a few changes to the original  50-day prayer focus Dr. Pierce prepared and released in his book, A Time to Prosper.  It was my thought that many of you may want to set aside 10 days and do this in preparation for the New Year, 2014. I suggest that you keep a journal as you journey with the Lord over these 10 days.  May these 10 days truly bring a blessing as  Dr. Pierce said, “May this be a time of visitation where the presence and power of God invade your space and order your steps!  May you be restored and healed – body, soul and spirit!  Expect God to move.”

          Day 1:  Read Psalm 139; Ephesians 2.  May the Lord show you who you are in Him.  You are an original, fearfully and wonderfully made!  Thank Him for forming you in your mother’s womb.  Spend the day praising Him!! This is very important in the process of breaking old expectations and receiving a new expectation for your future.

          Day 2: Memorize and speak forth 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24.  Decree that your whole spirit, soul and body will be sanctified!  Also read Joshua 3.  Stand strong and courageous, the Lord your God goes with you wherever you go.  Follow Him and move forward!!

          Day 3: Sing or praise with Psalm 23.  Agree with God for restoration of your soul.  Soul is linked with “Breathing” and refers to the entire inner nature and personality of a person.  Read Proverbs 29:18.  Ask the Lord to open up new vision and revelation over your life.

          Day 4: Ask the Lord to make your heart pure!  Read the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12).  Ask the Lord to align your feelings, desires, affections and aversions with Holy Spirit.  Ask the Lord to send help or aid to you so that your heart and soul will be cleansed.  Pray that your soul will begin to prosper in a new way.  Now read… 3 John 2; Hebrews 13:17; James 1:21; James 5:20; 1 Peter 1:9 and ask the Lord to allow you to “see” Him (see Matt. 5:8).

          Day 5: Memorize Proverbs 18:14.  Ask the Lord to remove any vexation (frustration, annoyance, or worry) of your spirit and its influence on your spirit.  Thank God that you are a spiritual being and that you will live eternally with Him if Jesus is the Lord of your life.  If you do not have this assurance, stop and ask the Lord to forgive you of your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.  Invite Jesus to become the Lord of your life.  Read Romans 6:23; 5:8; 10:13; 10:9.  Receive your cleansing through the power of His blood.  Read Hebrews 9.  Ask the Lord to cleanse your conscience and restore it to full working authority.  Ask the Lord to renew your communion with Him.  Take communion with Him.  (You may want to read Romans 8)

          Day 6: Read Romans 6.  Make a list of any place that sin “has dominion” over you.  Pray that by the power of Holy Spirit, you are freed and cleansed.  Watch for sins of omission, such as gossiping, criticizing, judging and so forth.  At times, these are hidden from us and can produce unbelief in us.

          Day 7: The body is the lowest part of a person’s being; it’s where the soul and spirit reside.  Honor the Holy Spirit who has chosen to dwell within you.  Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.   Thank Him that your body is His.  Reread Romans 6:13, 19.  Yield each part of your body, one by one, naming each part.  Yield them unto God as instruments of righteousness rather than unto iniquity.  If you have a part of your body that is not working properly, ask the Lord to heal and cleanse that part.  Include any part of your body that you know has been affected by sin.  Let old things pass away and let everything be made new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

          Day 8: Fast as the Lord leads you.  You may be called to fast from a meal or for a day or even three days.  However, I suggest you do not fast from liquids and that you consult your health professional before fasting.  No everyone can fast.  If you cannot fast from a meal, you might fast from electronics for a few days.  Imagine the blessing of no television, or no computer for even a few hours!!  Read Romans 8 again.  Give thanks to the Lord that He has adopted you and that His blood is flowing through you to restore you!!  Glory to His name!!

          Day 9:  Declare all hope deferred, which makes the heart sick, is broken from you.  It is removed from influencing your life.  (You may want to read Ezekiel 36-37.)  Thank the Lord for a new heart and spirit.  Declare a new door of hope is opening by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Read Romans 15:13.

          Day 10: Read Psalms 32; 62.  Declare your emotions healed and your spirit free.  Worship throughout the day.  Use praise music.  If you have to drive somewhere, then sing with the music.  Memorize Hebrews 11:6.  Ask the Lord for your next measure of faith.  Read and meditate on Isaiah 60.  Arise! Shine!  Decree that all depression and oppression must leave.  EXPECT God to move on your behalf.  EXPECT miracles and healing to begin to happen in you and through you not by might, not by power but by His SPIRIT!! (Zechariah 4:6)

Happy New Year dear sister-in-Christ,
Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

Material taken from:  A Time to Prosper, Finding and Entering God’s Realm of Blessings, by Chuck D. Pierce and Robert Heidler, Regal Books, 2013

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 Christmas approaches each and every year I am challenged to keep Christ on the throne of Christmas.  It’s so easy to get distracted with so very many things.  This year I am going to do something a little different and I would like to share it with you.  Perhaps you may want to join me.

          I am a visual learner who generally benefits from visual reminders. This year I have placed three styrofoam cups where I can see them clearly.

          In cup number one I have broken up a fourth cup and used it to fill the first one.  This one will represent filling the season with “self”.  I can really ruin Christmas by wanting things to go “my way”.  Christmas is not about pleasing “me”.  My old “self” with my selfish ways has been crucified with Christ.  Praise God.  By His grace that old “self” will stay crucified.  I do not want “self” on the throne this Christmas (Consider Romans 6:6).

          In the second cup I have cut out pictures of worldly things.  For me worldly pictures represent vacation spots, free time, a good book etc.   The things of the world will grow strangely dim as I keep my eyes upon Jesus.  I do not want the things of the world on the throne this Christmas. (Consider
1 John 2:15-17).

          In the third cup is water.  The water in the cup represents living water.  This Christmas I want to be reminded every day to choose to be filled up with the living water of Christlikeness.  When people come into my presence this Christmas I would like them to find Christ.  Christ is on the throne this Christmas  (Consider John 4:10).

          Perhaps you might want to find a place in your home to set out three cups.  Allow the first to represent “self”, the second the things of the world that distract or pull at you, and the third to represent Christlikeness.  Jesus is the reason for the season.  Jesus likely was not born on December 25th.  Mary and Joseph did not live by a Roman calendar.  It is far more likely that Christ was born during the feast of Tabernacles.  Nevertheless, any day is a good day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  Let us pray that those of us who call Jesus our Messiah, our Lord, our Savior, will honor Him and keep Him on the throne of our Christmas. (Heb 12:2)

Merry CHRISTmas,
Patricia Wenzel
WOC Graduate
 

         Ephesians 4:16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly.  As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

          A piano tuner came to one of our concerts this weekend. He had been called by the church to tune the piano for our visit.   Robert and he talked pianos for a little bit.  We talked about the five piano concerts held at KESWICK.   I asked him how he would like the challenge of tuning all five different pianos, all different makes and models and ages, so that they match. He responded that that would not be a problem at all. You simply tune each piano to the same tuning fork.   The tuning fork is a metal tool that when struck rings the note A.   

          Think about it , how do you get five women with different personalities and preferences to get along?  Tune them all to Christ our perfect example.   We do not have to be copies of each other we simply need to be like Christ.  

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

 

Continued from yesterday…

          As I continued to walk the rest of the way to my office I was all set to mentally judge them…and then, true to His nature and character, the Holy Spirit saw this as a teachable moment and for the next few moments He reminded me of similar such instances in my own life wherein I deliberately chose contrary to some stated rule or regulation. The obvious question was and is, “how am I – how are we – so different than these two young adults?”  Better yet, how are we the same?

          In addition to this gracious rebuke, the Holy Spirit also reminded me of what the Lord says to us in Matthew.

Plain and clear:
“Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” ~~ Matthew 7:1-5

          Apart from the saving grace of God; apart from His transforming grace we are all in the same boat, lost and sinking deep, deep, deeper into sin. Can I get a witness?!

          Dear sisters, let’s choose today to allow the Holy Spirit to focus our attention on any and all areas of our life where we are cutting corners, taking short cuts, giving less, wasting more, etc.

          Let’s choose to dive into the water of the Word of God and be all that we can be for the glory of God.

Colossians 3:12-17:
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Stephanie

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.

 

A couple of years ago the following scenario took place:
          I arrived at work just in time to see a young adult woman walking across our broken and boarded up bridge. She was half-way across when she saw me seeing her, at which time she paused as if she was deciding what to do. You want to know what she did?  She kept on going!  Even after I got out of my car and looked directly at her she continued, determined to finish what she started.

          On the other side of the bridge was another young woman, most likely a friend, who also saw me and was a bit more reluctant to ignore the signs forbidding her to cross the bridge. I even heard her tell her companion, “I’m going to walk back around the way I came.”

          However, with a bit of prodding from the one who’d already accomplished the forbidden feat, she too, made her way tentatively across, arriving with obvious relief and perhaps a bit of embarrassment because by now she was aware that I am staff and she has been seen doing something wrong.

          I waited patiently by my car for them to come closer so I could tell them to avoid the area on any future jaunts around the lower lake. But before I got the chance I heard the one who had crossed first say something like this, “You have to know the rules so that you can know which rules are to be broken and if you don’t know the rules you won’t ever really know the ones that are okay to break…” all this was said without taking a breath, and all without once looking in my direction.

          By now, I’m basically walking along beside them as I make my way to my office and I ask her this question, “Do you really believe all that you are saying?”

          To which she replied, “Absolutely,” and then proceeded to restate the previous gibberish.

          Her friend was in total disagreement and I asked another question, “How is that working for you so far in life.”

          Her answer was, “Fine.”

          All the while her partner in crime is making comments to the contrary and it’s obvious she isn’t okay with what just happened.

          Anyway, my mind is searching for something profound to say to her and all that came out was, “I’d love to know how that works when you have kids.”

          Her final response, “I do have kids.”

          By now we have reached the sidewalk to my office. (The whole conversation took place while we were sort of strolling along together in that direction.) We parted, and they went on to the auditorium with their Bibles tucked safely and securely under their arms.

…to be continued

Stephanie

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.

 “I lift my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1&2

This verse has overcoming power.  What do you face today? 
Are you struggling with fear?
Are you struggling with grief?
Are you struggling with financial woe?
Are you struggling with obeying God?
Are you struggling with forgiveness?
Are you struggling with anger?
Are you struggling with pride?

Imagine at your right hand is our Creator. The One who created the heavens far beyond what you can see and far beyond what man has discovered millions of light years away.  He is the One that created all the stars, named them and holds them in place.  Psalm 147:4  He determines the number of the stars;  he gives to all of them their names. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, Psalm 8:3 who commands the sun, and it does not rise;   who seals up the stars;  who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea; Job 9:7-8

He is your help facing fear.
He is your help navigating through grief.
He is your help with your finances.
He is your help in obedience.
He is your help to forgive.
He is your help to overcome anger and pride.

Next time you are struggling. STOP. 

Consider that He who made heaven and earth is the ONE who helps you. There is no greater help or hope in your struggle.

I am down right excited about that!

Blessings,
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.  

 

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in the mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.  (James 1:22-24 NASB)

          As a counselor I see many people who claim to be Christians yet continue to live defeated lives.  As a Christian there are times I struggle with the same syndrome as Paul – doing that which I don’t want to do.  He says in Romans 7:18b-19 (ESV), For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep doing.  
           Do you sometimes feel like situations and things are not really going well in your life – so that you are not really experiencing all the blessings and victories you believe God promises?  I am going to ask you the same question I myself must face daily – are you truly “doing” the Word?  Are you really applying Scripture to your life, or are you just reading and proclaiming it without living it?  Maybe you are not even reading it.  Without reading and application of the Word, neither you nor I will experience God’s working in our lives. Below are some verses that proclaim to us the promises we have from Scripture that, if we really believe in them, we will find victory.  When you read these verses – ask yourself… am I really trusting in or proclaiming these truths in my life?

* God’s mercies are NEW every morning – great is Thy faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23)
* We are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37-39)
* God is in CONTROL (Jeremiah 31:11)
* We have a Spirit of power and not FEAR (2 Timothy 1:7)
* Our flesh/sin is crucified (Galatians 5:24)
* Our sins are no longer remembered (Isaiah 43:25)
* I forget that which is behind (Philippians 3:15)
* The battle is God’s (2 Chronicles 20:15)
* I will fear no evil (Psalm 23:4-6)
* Christians are VICTORIOUS (1 John 5:4-5)

           That’s just the start – there is so much more. 
 My prayer is that you (and I) will each day learn how to truly trust in His promises.

Dr. Lynne Jahns
Christian Counselor
 

 

          The longer I walk with the Lord, the more I get to know and see myself apart from grace, the more I must be on my face before God crying out for mercy.
          The truth is, on any given day I probably give everyone that knows me at least one reason to be annoyed, perturbed, irritated, and flat out angry with me. In fact, for every person who says they like me there are likely a whole bunch of others who do not.
          All by itself that could be distressing to my heart and provoking to my flesh and yet, in the midst of these days we are in, when troubles and trials of various kinds abound, there is a hope to be found -; a relief and release from the frailties of the humanity which constrains us.
          In a word, it is Jesus!

          Lately, my eyes have been locked with the eyes of the Savior seeking to see myselfe in light of His saving, redeeming and sustaining Gospel. Therein, I have found much to hope and glory in; I have found much to lift my heavy heart. The simple and profound way that the Holy Spirit accomplishes this in me is praise, prayer and thanksgiving!!
          Certainly it is not magic. God forbid that I would treat His Word so carelessly! What it is though, is powerful above and beyond what I’ll ever be able to explain to you. His Word is deeply penetrating, even into my inmost parts.
          My life verse Philippians 4:4-9 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.”
          Sisters, are you troubled with the cares of broken relationships? Do your so-called friends shun you with or without cause? Do you feel alone and in need of boost?
          Lift your head and say, “Jesus, thank You! Thank You for the Cross! Thank You for being my Kinsman Redeemer; the Restorer of all breaches; the One Who Is, Who Was and Who Is to come!    Thank You for grace upon grace upon grace; grace which has saved me from the uttermost darkness and depravity of my own soul!!
          Go! Pray to this Jesus Who sits at the throne and intercedes! Cry out to Him with a heart full of thanksgiving and praise!
          He is the Rock of our salvation and in Him there is no shadow of turning for He is indeed faithful!
Selah!
Stephanie

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.

 

Jeremiah 33:3  Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

          We moved recently, and for any age  moving can be a scary process let alone at the ages of 75 and 76. We didn’t just move from one house to another, we moved from one state to another state.  As I talked with people or sent out newsletters, I had a list of prayer requests.

          1. I asked that the people pray as we sought good medical help and that the doctors would be willing to dig to find an answer to my situation.

          2.  I prayed that we would find a good church.

          3.  I prayed we would find a good apartment with easy access, but I preferred not to live on the first floor. That request could get sticky.

          As far as the medical personnel, we got a name from our dental hygienist because her mother liked this doctor.  When we finally met the doctor, she was very thorough and was a bereaved parent of twins. She knew all about The Compassionate Friends and was even familiar with my book. My first thought was: I didn’t even think to ask for that.

          Several years ago a member of a cult recommended a book to me. To make a long story short, the author of the book was a Pastoral Care minister in a large evangelical  church where we had been  three times for the home school graduation of our grandchildren. When I emailed the author I suggested that he check the Internet for my story; he stated “Oh, I know who you are. I’ve heard you speak, and I’ve even met you!” We have had the privilege of becoming regular attenders at that church.

          We watched these apartments being built. First the parking garage was erected and then the apartments were built around it. Now we live on the fourth floor, and we park on the fourth floor of the parking garage. So we have no steps, and we don’t even have to take the elevator to the fourth floor.

          Do I still have prayer requests unanswered? Yes I do. I am praying that God will heal me and that the doctors will be able to figure out what is wrong. I am praying the doctors will be able to give me a clear diagnosis of my situation.

          I am also praying that God will show me a way to get to know my neighbors. I’ve tried taking homemade bread to my neighbors. I have received a couple of thank you cards but have not met them face-to-face.

          Do I expect God to give me an  answer? Absolutely! I am claiming the above verse that God will show me great and mighty things, and He will do it for you, too. God has shown me through my recent experiences that He is interested in the minute details of my needs, and even my wants. I also realize that God is not limited to our way, but He is willing to use unusual means to answer our prayers:; even a hygienist’s mother whose name I don’t know, a person involved in a cult and an apartment building being built around a parking garage.

          Luke 11:9  And I say unto you, Ask, and  it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Marilyn Heavilin

Is a wife and mother; author & International conference speaker
Author of Roses In December,
December’s Song
Becoming A Woman of Honor,
Profound Common Sense
When Your Dreams Die,
Grief Is A Family Affair,
I’m Listening, Lord