Part 3  (continued from Thursday, November 21st)

          For two days last week we consideed a quote from William Borden’s Bible, “No reserves. No retreat. No regrets.” Today, let’s consider the last phrase. No regrets.  What does it look like to live without regret? 

          When I heard Dr. Mitchell share at summer conference my mind started wandering, and I have thought of this illustration numerous times since he shared it.  The Keswick bookmark with this quote that came out the following month is displayed in my office.  How I wish I could say that it is true of my life.  We can choose to live without reserves.  We can choose to live with no retreat.  But what if we already have regrets? 

          How do we live without reserves, without retreat if we are already saddled with regret?  You know what I mean, those things that pop to mind when you think about regret.  Maybe you don’t have any regret but I would venture to say from my 30 years experience as a believer and 22 years experience as a counselor there are way more of us with regret than without.  Your regret could be from your days as a non-believer or it is entirely possible your regret is from your days since you came to Christ. 

          So what do we do with regret?  The answer may sound easy but it is anything but.  Regret by definition is: a feeling of sadness or disappointment about something that you did or did not do(i).  Regret is being disappointed in ourselves.  Can we go back and change whatever it was we are disappointed about?  NO.  How do we live with that reality?  Here are some thoughts:

1. Put it in perspective of the big picture

2. If it was sinful, confess your sin to the Lord

3. If it hurt others, go to them and ask forgiveness

4. If you have done these things then choose to release it to God that He may redeem it as He sees fit.  God can take the worst things in our lives and use them for His glory.  How He does it is totally up to Him; our responsibility is to simply be the willing vessel for Him to use.

5. IF 1000 times you have to remind yourself of His forgiveness, then 1000 times remind yourself of His forgiveness. 

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

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.  
i www.merriam-webster.com accessed 11.6.13

I will hear what God the LORD will speak,
For He will speak peace to His people and to His saints,… (Psalm 85:8)

           While preparing to go to an early morning breakfast and long day of meetings, after laying out my clothes, I headed from the bedroom to the kitchen for my tea and time with the Lord.  I was stopped in my tracks at the door, hearing, “Get dressed first today.” “But Lord, I’m going to have my time with You.” Going back I made sure my shoes were out and everything ready to get dressed quickly later and started to the kitchen again, but turned back to do a couple of other things. I repeated this for the third time, not willing to obey, questioning “Why?”
           Finally getting to the kitchen, I started my tea and said to my husband, Stan, “I couldn’t know what to do first, get dressed or come out to read.”  I had thought on my way, “if he tells me to get dressed first, then I will.”  No response.  While my tea was brewing, I was still discussing this with the Lord asking, “Why?”  Very clearly I heard the answer in my head and heart, “You always wanted your children to obey you without questioning. And you always wanted your class in school to obey whatever you told them to do. If for no other reason than that, you should obey Me.” So I covered my cup of tea, thinking it would be cold when I got back, and said to Stan, “I need to go and get dressed first.” He replied, “That’s what I would have told you, but you usually do the opposite of what I think, so I didn’t say anything.” “But I wanted you to say it this time.”
           So obediently, trustingly, I went and got dressed first, coming back 20-25 minutes later. I was amazed that my tea was still hot!! I went to my time with the Lord knowing all was well. That was God’s grace and love poured out to my heart, as He taught me more about not only hearing, but listening and obeying!!  (And not questioning the “whys” of His ways.)
           “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
          A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9).
DeEtta Marsh

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 visit  www.americaskeswick.org  and click on store.

Part 2

          Yesterday we started a three part series based on a quote from William Borden’s (1887-1913) Bible, “No reserves. No retreat. No regrets.” In 26 short years of life William lived out his life accordingly.  He died 100 years ago, but the passion of his life is a great challenge for us today in the 21st century where many Christians have been lulled into listless, lifeless, legalistic living.

          How does one actually live with NO RETREAT?  Recently, I have been challenged from various sources about taking risks.  I don’t see how one can live with NO RETREAT without the willingness to take risks.  As I have been considering this challenge and took a good look at my own life, I realized I have not been much of a risk taker at all.  In almost every area of my life I play it safe. How do I live with NO RETREAT if I never leave my comfort zone?  The whole idea of NO RETREAT implies pressing forward in the face of a battle or against a challenge, against all odds.  That doesn’t happen if we only function in our own little safe circle. 

          In the very familiar Bible story of David and Goliath, David stepped out of his safe place to bring down the tower of strength of the enemy of his people.  Imagine what it must have been like to approach this giant.  He probably looked pretty big from a distance when David said, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine” 1 Samuel 17:32. But “he took up his staff in his hand and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch he had, and his sling in this hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.” My guess is Goliath looked bigger and bigger with every step David took in his direction.  His heart had to be racing as he approached this giant of a man who was taunting David saying, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” 1 Samuel 17:44.

          At any time, David could have turned and run, retreated, and not one of the Israelites would have faulted him for it, since they themselves were already safe on the opposite mountain too afraid to face the giant themselves. 

          In fact, not only did David not retreat he actually advanced on Goliath. “So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:48. I think it is safe to say NO RETREAT characterized David’s life. 

          How about you?  Do you spend more time in your safe place or advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  There is risk, no doubt about it.  Are you willing to keep moving forward in spite of the challenges life throws at you?  Can you honestly say, “I will NOT RETREAT?”

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.  

Part 1

          This past summer, Dr. Jamie Mitchell shared a snippet of the story of William Borden’s life (1887-1913), 26 short years.  Interesting story but the part that impacted me was a quote Jamie shared from the Bible of this missionary. “No reserves. No retreat. No regrets.”  A short time later, Keswick’s monthly bookmark bore this quote which I have displayed in my office.  I love the sentiment. 

          When I think of a biblical example of a person that held no reserves I think of Paul.  based on the Biblical account of his life, he lived all out with NO RESERVE.  He was the most prolific writer of New Testament books, he made multiple missionary journeys, he started numerous churches, and he endured much hardship, yet he pressed on for the cause of Christ. 

          2 Corinthians 11:24-28 “Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;  on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.”

          Paul had a passion for the things of Christ that drove him. It appears as if he didn’t even consider holding anything back.  “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” Philippians 3:8.

          As Paul neared the end of his life, he was still living with NO RESERVE. He lived all out to the end.  “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come” 2 Timothy 4:6.

          What testimonies of William and Paul.  Their commitment and passion makes me feel rather puny.  I know we are not to compare ourselves to others and I agree 100% with that, but their example of living for something far greater than themselves is notable.  It begs the question, Am I living with no reserves? Does my life model living all out for Jesus or living for myself?  That thought is a challenge to my heart today.   How about yours?

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.  

…For the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy… (Galatians 5:22)

          Often Jesus is viewed by many as a “kill joy” but really He is a joy giver.
          There is a difference between happiness and joy.   Happiness is dependent upon favorable external circumstances.  In contrast, joy comes from within independent of outward circumstances.  One can have joy even though outward circumstances may be difficult. 
          God gives us something superior to happiness and that is His joy.  His joy is not only superior but supernatural.  Supernatural joy is a result of inviting Jesus into our lives as our Savior, trusting Him alone for the forgiveness of our sins and giving us eternal life and entrance into heaven to be forever with Him.
          The Lord brings joy into our lives by transforming us.  In John 16:21, Jesus used the illustration of a woman giving birth to a child.  The point Jesus makes is that the baby born not only causes pain but also brings joy.  The mother does not focus on the pain of the childbirth but on her new baby (a different way of looking at the experience, transforming the circumstance into one of joy).
          When the Holy Spirit saves and transforms our lives, He gives us His joy…therefore, joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).  There is a close connection between love and joy.  A life lacking joy is a life lacking love, and a life lacking love is a life lacking joy.
          Joy is a great power in the life of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.  We can choose to activate God’s joy in our lives, or we can choose to have “a pity party,” feeling sorry for ourselves, moping around making ourselves and others miserable.  Have you ever tried to use a power tool without it being plugged into the source of power?  As Christians we are “connected” to Jesus…so let His joy flow through our lives!  …For the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
          It takes less muscles to smile than to frown, so smile more often and give your face a rest and a “faith lift”!

Joy Hubbard

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 visit  www.americaskeswick.org  and click on store. 

          Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges
his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a
doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, are you to judge another? (James 4:11-12
NKJV)

          I’ve been working through an 8-week study on the book of James lately. This week we got to
chapter 4 and the verses above. As I was wrestling through what those verses meant, I was
reminded that Jesus said: 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 (Matt 7:1
NKVJ).  And yet, why is it that I so often find myself judging someone’s actions or words?
Webster’s Dictionary defines judge as:

1:  to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises
2:  to sit in judgment on : 
3:  to determine or pronounce after inquiry and deliberation
4:  used of a Hebrew tribal leader
5:  to form an estimate or evaluation of; especially :  to form a negative opinion about  (shouldn’t judge him because of his accent )
6:  to hold as an opinion : (I judge she knew what she was doing)

          Most of those definitions don’t really seem that bad, but I think James is probably referring to numbers 2 and 5. That’s were we get ourselves into trouble, when we start sitting in judgment in a negative way. As I was mulling this over, Micah 6:8 popped into my head.

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God? (NKJV)

          I looked the verse up in several different translations, and almost every one used “do” with the
words justly, justice, or what is right, and the word “love” with mercy and/or kindness. It
occurred to me that love is the higher command than what we do. So if God tells us to do what
is right, but to love mercy, then it must be even more important that we love mercy (and
therefore, DO mercy). I don’t know if you think like me, but when I see a situation that seems to
be not right (again, by my judgment), I tend to want to make it right. I want to see justice done.
And so I often will pray that God will make the situation right, straighten out the person who is
wrong. But it isn’t my first thought, or natural tendency, to be merciful.

          I think if I could make it my first response, to be merciful, then I would be less prone to judging.
See, it’s my actions that I’m responsible for – I’m to “do justly” or “do what is right.” But I don’t
get to judge if someone else is doing justly or what is right. And if I learn to love mercy, then
mercy will be my first response to any situation – not judging.

          And if I can master that, then I think walking humbly with God will follow.

Ruth Schmidt

Ruth Schmidt is on full-time staff at America’s Keswick, and grateful to be a daughter of the King.

          My son Carter has been asking me questions that are keeping me on my toes. Usually he asks me right before he goes to sleep after we have read a Bible story.  I am going to do a few Victory Calls on these questions. 

          The first question he asked was, “Mom, do I know Him?”    “Well,” I said, “if you have asked Jesus into your heart then He lives inside you.” But then I realized that doesn’t really answer his question, does it? 

          How do you get to know someone?  Well, spending time with them is a must. Even if you live with someone you may not really know them unless you take the time to study them.  We have to want to get to know him. There is a powerful song called “I Want to Know Christ” by Larnell Harris.  Here is the chorus but if you have the chance, listen to it on YouTube.  

I want to know Christ
I keep Him before me
I lift up my eyes
I drink in His glory
I press toward the goal
His goodness unfolds
March on, oh my soul
I want to know
I want to know Christ

          “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death”  Philippians 3:10 ESV.

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

…I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands. (Isaiah 49:16)

           Is there anything more personal than your name?  Once born, you are given a name, which then legally must be registered.  From that point on, you are known by that very name.  Of course, you were too young, too new to this world, to be aware of the significance of having acquired a particular identity by which you will henceforth be known.
           As the years go by, you may choose to change your name, for whatever reason.  You don’t like the sound of it; you don’t like the spelling of it; you would like to have the same name as someone you admire; you have embraced a new religion, and therefore you want a name that will identify you as a follower.
           Of eternal importance is not by what name you are known, but whether your name is written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” (Revelation 21:27).  It is if you are a Christian, and with that knowledge comes your security in Him.  You have been adopted into His family.  Powerful thought!  You belong to Him and your name is written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life.”
           Isaiah wrote, “My name is engraved in the palms of your hands.”  I can imagine Isaiah rejoicing in believing that and realizing that no one, nothing, could erase his name from that most sacred place!
 There is a beautiful song in which are the following words:

“Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.”
“The Power of the Cross”
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright (c) 2005 Thankyou Music

          Think about those words.  Meditate on the love expressed!

          Do not be like the unnamed rich man in Luke 16:19-31, who lost the opportunity to have his name registered in the “Lamb’s Book of Life.”  In this world he had everything material a man of wealth could wish for, but he lacked an identity as a man who loved God.  In time he died and was separated from God forever.
 On the other hand, in the same story, a poor man was starving, and he had to scramble for food at the very door of the rich man.  He was worth nothing materially, but he was rich spiritually.  He knew God and he trusted Him.  In time he, too, died, but he was taken into heaven with his name intact – Lazarus.  His name had been written on the palm of his faithful, loving God.
           Is your name written there?  Is your security found in God’s faithfulness?

Midge Ruth

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 F

or 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. 

          The church we have been attending for many years has recently changed its name to Freedom Church. Pastor Steve Wolosin believes that there is a GREAT need for people in our world today to find their freedom in Christ.  I couldn’t agree more. 

          No matter where I am, I meet people who are in desperate need to find real freedom in Christ.  But what is Freedom in Christ?

          Some people have confused Freedom in Christ as freedom to do what you please.  Freedom in Christ is not the freedom to do what our sin nature longs to do.  It is liberty to get free from a lifestyle of sin, depression, trauma and hopelessness.

          Paul puts it this way:
Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (NKJV Romans 6:12-14)

          Best of all consider how Jesus put it, as He quoted Is. 61:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (NKJV Luke 4 18-19)

          Freedom in Christ is therefore an opportunity to get free of the those things in life that hold you captive like alcoholism, overeating, bitterness of heart, hope deferred, besetting sin, infirmity, oppression, etc.  Because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross we can walk in freedom from the things of this world.  We can rise above the circumstances of life and live in a place of true liberty and peace.

          Pastor Steve Wolosin said, “Freedom starts with the name of Jesus on our lips.  It is completed with the nature of Jesus in our heart.”

          Most of us can’t find our way to freedom without some help.  If you need help please contact the Women of Character ministry at America’s Keswick or ask the Pastor of a nearby Bible-believing church. 

          Ladies, don’t live another day without walking toward your freedom in Christ.  For truly “He (or She) whom the Son sets free is no longer a slave to sin but is free indeed” (NKJV John 8:36).  Now that is good news!!

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

          Have you ever had a blah moment? You know, those days when you don’t want to know or be known by anyone? Every once in a while I have one and while I am spiritually aware of the darkness that surrounds such moments, I am also aware of how subtly my flesh enjoys that darkness.

         My soul (my mind, will and emotions) can sink into the mist of my darkness and, before I know it, set up camp. Like sticks gathered for a nice warm fire, my mind gathers all of its stinky thoughts and along with my will and emotions have a grand ol’ time rehashing the injustices, the pains, the slights, and the unfairness of it all.

          In moments like these, I allow my flesh to rise up and wander down corridors and into doors long since closed and sealed…along with all their dirty little secrets. I feel emotions long since surrendered and I feel the draw of dread, despair or hopelessness.

          Even though everything in me knows better, on occasion, I still allow myself to be sucked in and I make a conscious choice to do nothing. The worst part of it is I begin to identify myself with all that I am feeling.  Ugly, fat, stupid, unwanted, unloved, worthless…the list goes on.

          And then, I hear the sweetest sound.  Oh how I love that sound!  Only He.; the One who is Hope, who speaks to my deepest inmost parts can make this sound,; a sound that is barely a whisper, but it’s enough to capture my attention. (I wish I could put it in a word but I can’t). All I know is I hear it and it causes me to lift my eyes upward, thus breaking hold of the downward spiral.

          With my voice, I cry out and the Comforter is there to counsel me and remind me who I am, who I am not and most importantly, WHOSE I am.
          I am not my bad feelings. I am not my worst moments. I am not my mistakes. I am not defined by any of that.  I am who Father says that I am!

          How are you feeling today?  Are you having a blah moment?

          Stop! Look up! Listen! Remember Whose you are! You are a daughter or The King,; the Most High God!
The One Who Is Holy!

          He, Christ Alone, is our hope, our comfort, our peace, our sanity…our everything!

          Together, let’s kick blah to the curb and stand in the power of Christ, fully persuaded that nothing can or will ever be able to separate us from Him or His love. 

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.