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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.