Friday. Can’t be Friday already, can it? Just one week until Christmas – I trust that in the midst of your Christ-mas preparations, you have stopped to adore The Baby born in Bethlehem that died on Calvary to save you and me. If you have not, would you make a commitment to do that today before your head hits the pillow tonight? Just take a few minutes to ponder the Christ child and the true meaning of Christ-mas.

This week we have been pondering James 16:
James 5:16a Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

Points to Ponder
Confession is not easy because it requires humility to admit our sin, our offense against God and perhaps others. I find it difficult enough to confess my sins to God (Who already knows them) but it is even more difficult to confess my sins to someone else. But when I do, I find it very disheartening when others take my confession so lightly. Often times, the other person minimizes what I’m saying as if it is a minor thing – this sin of mine. My experience has been that people are not comfortable with transparency.

I think we are so uncomfortable with sin and the appropriate guilt feelings that accompany sin that we are quick to dismiss it so the person can stop feeling so badly. We do a great disservice in so doing. It does not help that person to have their confession taken lightly. When God has brought conviction on a person and that person confesses their sins to another (us) we need to love that person enough to listen, really listen, maybe even asking some questions to help them know we care. We also need to take time to pray with them and for them.

In the hustle and bustle of the season, let us not rush past people who want to know someone cares enough to stop and listen, to love them with the gospel of Jesus Christ who offers forgiveness and cleansing from all sin for those who believe.
Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend –

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America’s KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

It’s not Thanksgiving as I write this – that was “over” several weeks ago, but in my heart today is a verse God gave me, Psalm 100:5, “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting: and His truth endureth to all generations.” I am thinking today of all of the things for which I can and should give thanks. God is good, His mercy lasts forever and His truth goes on and on and on.

In November, I had the opportunity of taking the Keswick road trip to Branson – what a blessing. Traveling across the country in a bus – some days more of a blessing than others, having time to talk and fellowship with so many others, many of them believers, but some not and the joy of being able to talk about God’s love and grace for them if they only are willing to receive Jesus Christ. Lots of great shows to see – many of them honoring God and country outright, and the responses from the audiences that was so positive and joyful. And lots – and lots – of good food (and, OK, in my case, great shopping). All in all, a truly great time.

However. . .Several on the trip had colds, etc., which they were good enough to share with the rest of us, and a few days after we returned, I had an upper respiratory infection and the flu (and, yes, I got a flu shot), which kept me pretty sick for at least 10 days. My carefully prepared Thanksgiving dinner went back to the freezer, I stayed in bed for 5 days and ate a turkey pot pie for my own dinner (well, at least it was turkey!)

It would have been so easy to feel disappointed (which I was) and feel sorry for myself because I was alone, but you see, I wasn’t really alone. OK, there was nobody in the house with me, but He was there and gave such a feeling of peace and calm – no rushing to make lump-free gravy, rescuing the rolls from burning and fussing because the pumpkin mousse wasn’t fluffy enough. Very dear friends brought over beautiful flowers and as I sat on my porch and enjoyed their colors, I was surrounded by feelings of overwhelming thankfulness for what God was doing in my life that day.

And, again today, as I reflect on Psalm 100, I am so filled with praise and thanksgiving that I had to stop and write this. One of those things that just couldn’t wait. Now, my illness was for a short time, but I know that many of you are dealing with much more serious and long-lasting issues – health, finances, loss of loved ones, and more. Just remember that at all times, not just at Thanksgiving, He is good, His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures forever. No matter what the “problem” might be, there is NOT ONE THING that He is not able to overcome and give strength and peace to see you through.

Make every day a Thanksgiving Day as you rejoice in what He has done, is doing and will continue to do in your life.

Lynn Randall

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

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

While reading through Proverbs I find I can see others in many of the verses. Someone else fits the description of fool, evildoer, gossiper, rebel and unwise. Do I see myself? Our approach to the Word should not be to condemn others in their actions but to examine our own hearts. I know I tire of looking at my heart and seeing all that lurks within. But this is where the rubber meets the road. This is where we learn who we are by the light of the Word that shines into our dark hidden places. As we seek to judge ourselves rather than others we need to know what the standard of a wise person looks like. Warren Wiersbe gives these descriptions of the wise:

Wise people listen to wise instruction, especially the Word of God.
Wise people fear the Lord.
Wise people associate with wise people.
Wise people preserve what they’ve gained and they use it.
Wise people flee from sin.
Wise people don’t take unnecessary chances and experiment to see how close they can get to the precipice without falling off.
Wise people discipline their speech.
Wise people are diligent in their work.
Wise people seek to influence others to trust the Lord.

Recently, my husband shared how he had judged someone for a particular action and how, just a few short days later he did the exact same thing! I know I have been judge and jury for others, too. I have lapses in living wisely. Mr. Wiersbe’s observations of a wise person should cause us to pause and examine our own hearts. It is in the light of God’s Word that we see how we ALL fall short.

Today may we be doers of the Word and not just hearers so that we may practice wise living.

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.

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Well, it’s that time of year again. It’s Christmas!! Yea!! It’s the time of year when many will celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus who was born to seek and save the lost according to the will of His Father, our Heavenly Father; the Sovereign God over all time – past, present and future.

Unfortunately, the world completely ignores that part. More often than not, many are quite content to leave Jesus as a baby in a manger, all cute and cuddly.

I’m writing this Victory Call to remind each one of my believing, Christ-following sisters to take the baby out of the manger! Remember that the Child of Christmas is God! In all our celebrating this season let’s remember that this baby, the child, born of a virgin, was and is God Himself.

Let’s purpose now to keep Christ – Savior, Lord, Living Word, The Way, The Truth and The Life – as the central focus of all our Christmas busyness, for apart from Him, born, crucified and risen, there is nothing to celebrate!

Yes, almost everything around us is screaming at us, making some demand for our attention, time and energy. Nonetheless, my encouragement to you is to repeatedly say no to the noise, the hustle and bustle and draw near to God. Intentionally preach the Gospel to your own heart and soul. This is the only true meaning of Christmas!

God in the manger came to set at liberty all who were bound and taken captive by the gods of this world. He came to take the keys of death, hell and the grave that we might know Him as Savior, Redeemer, Lord! He gave us all that we would ever need for life and godliness!

The great condescension, the Almighty stooping to become a tiny infant, is more than enough to bring us to our knees in worship. Our minds will never begin to comprehend or understand this and it doesn’t matter! What matters is Jesus! Christ and Christ alone! Grace in a manger!

Stephanie

Stephanie Paul, wife and mother of two grown children. An “instrument of change” in the Redeemer’s Hand, in the lives of wounded and hurting women. Currently serving as a part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Woman of Character Program Administrator.

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Good morning. The year is rapidly drawing to a close, as is our journey through the book of James. I trust that you have been blessed as you have meditated on the Scripture each week. I know some of you have because you have shared with me the impact of the Word in your life. But, of course, we should not be surprised, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. “i And God Himself said, “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”ii Be blessed as you sit at His feet each day.

James 5:16a Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

Commentary
“Christians are directed to confess their faults one to another, v. 16. The confession here required is that of Christians to one another. Where persons have injured one another. Where persons have tempted one another to sin, or have consented in the same evil actions. So far as confession is necessary to our reconciliation with such as are at variance with us, or for reparation of wrongs done to any, making our own spirits quiet and easy, so far we should be ready to confess our faults. And sometimes also it may be of good use to Christians to disclose their peculiar weaknesses and infirmities to one another. Those who make confession of their faults one to another should thereupon pray with and for one another.”iii

Blessings for a great week –
Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America’s KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

i Hebrews 4:12
ii Isaiah 55:11
iii Matthew Henry’s Commentary in One Volume by Matthew Henry pg.1938.

James 5:13-15
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Points to ponder:

As I said on Monday, this can be a controversial passage. I am certainly not qualified to dissect the verse hermeneutically and give a definitive answer as to the true interpretation. Many scholars, much more educated than I, certainly have attempted to do so. I often say, “none of us has a corner on the truth.”
But here are some thoughts.

I don’t believe the passage implies that if you have enough faith you will be healed. How many people do you know that have been hurt in the midst of their suffering because someone has said, “just have faith and God will heal you” or “you are not being healed because you don’t have enough faith”.

I have to go back to the truth that God is sovereign and because we live in a fallen world, there will be suffering, pain and illness until He returns. Sometimes He heals, sometimes He doesn’t. And because He is not just sovereign, He is also good, whichever He chooses is good, for His greatest glory and our best good.

Should we pray? Yes. Should we ask others to pray? Yes. If we are physically sick, should we pray? Yes. If we are spiritually sick, should we pray? Yes. Should we ask our church leaders (elders, pastors, ministers, etc.) to pray? Yes. If they decide to pray and anoint with oil, should we receive that? Yes, with hope and faith. If your faith is weak, trust their faith.

Don’t put God in a box. You can’t anyway. God is God. God is sovereign. God is good.

Be blessed today. Have a good weekend. Don’t go crazy Christ-mas shopping. Take time to rest and meditate on the Christ, His coming and His purpose.

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America’s KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

It was another morning when the “voices” started the moment I woke up. (Okay, they started the night before and I allowed them to continue first thing in the morning.) I could feel the weight of issues, concerns, hurt feelings, and anger before my feet even hit the floor. Just a short time later I was sitting at our Hymn Sing. Words of truth from the hymns and choruses began to replace the “voices” that were relentless hours before. Words and stanzas began to call my heart to another place; to listen to a still small voice, rather than the loud voice of the cares of this world. I just allowed the words of peace, comfort, joy and thanksgiving to wash over me. Finally, the beast of anxious emotions was quiet. Not only quiet but still and powerless. It was during these songs that I repented and got my day on the right foot.

Who or what has got your ear today? Is your mind wrapped around the words of others? If the same old things are going round and round it may help to play some music or read through a hymnal. Don’t just hear the music but listen to it! Don’t jump in the car and turn on the CD. Your mind will wander as you drive. Don’t just read the verses but reflect on the truths that are found written within.

It must be true, at least in my case, that music soothes the savage beast but here is the full quote:
“Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast (Beast in Latin), to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” William Congreve – (Wiki/answers)

Music softens our hearts that have become stones and straightens out all our kinks too. Music was the tool that God used to soothe, soften and unknot my heart.

So, turn up the music!

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.

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:13-15
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

A friend was recently in a car accident. She was injured but by God’s grace she walked away with her life. Her car, however, was towed away. The estimate for the damages was astonishing yet they were not high enough to total the vehicle. After six weeks the car was returned looking brand new! A few weeks later my friend commented on a sticky door latch on the side where the car was hit and repaired. Still, no one would know that the repaired door had such an issue by looking at it.

Before I came to know Christ I looked okay on the outside but I was a wreck! I was walking around not knowing the injuries I sustained by going the way of the world. When I came to Jesus I knew that my fractured relationship with my heavenly Father was healed, yet I needed a lot of work! There are days, even 23 years later, when I find it hard to believe that God the Father sees me through the lens of Jesus – perfect, whole and new. Often, more often than I care to admit, this is not how I see myself. I know where things are still out of alignment. I know where the sticky places lurk in my heart. Still, Jesus paid an astonishing price for me and He continues to tweak here and there when necessary – which is most of the time! He sees all the beauty of His handiwork in my life but He also knows what needs His attention next. As willing and able as God is to tend to the areas of my life that need His expert touch, I must be willing. I hear that rattle of grumbling in my heart but I think it will just go away by itself. I tug at the door of “loving others” and for the life of me I can’t open it. What gets me is when I know something is wrong but I choose the quick fix rather than the Master’s touch.

Are you in need of a touch from the Master today? He already knows how to fix it.

Kathy Withers

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

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:13-15
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

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

I read with sadness of the man who died in the Target store on Black Friday of a major heart problem while others passed by seemingly intent on finding the desired bargain they were seeking. Isn’t it ironic that their minds were so set on buying a Christmas gift that seemingly they didn’t have time to respond to a need of a stranger in need?

I have noticed people seem to be swishing by me very quickly, and they seem to have cut me off without even noticing what they have done. People are very stressed and focused on their own needs without even being aware of others in their path. I feel as though they had lost the Christmas Spirit.

People speak of the Christmas Spirit. Some of us may have it all during the year, but others of us don’t feel it even at the Christmas season. Perhaps a traumatic event caused us to lose the “Spirit.” Perhaps a loved one died or a spouse left us with the cares of the world on our shoulders. Maybe we are hungry or just plain tired, or we just need someone to be a sounding board. If we have that wonderful feeling, we need to find those who don’t have the “spirit” this year and ask ourselves how we can help. Perhaps all a discouraged friend needs is an encouraging word. We can all do that. Maybe our friend needs some Christmas music, some cookies, some groceries, or someone to show concern and pray with them. See if you can find out their heart’s desire and let them know you are praying for such an event to happen.

I have been going through a little book I picked up at a used book sale. The cover states “432 things to do for yourself and others that just might make this the best Christmas ever.”

Dear Jesus, please open my eyes to see the needs of others. Help me turn to You to supply my needs so that I can be available to meet others’ needs, Please help me have the Christmas Spirit all year through. Amen.

Marilyn Willett Heavilin

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

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:13-15
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Good Monday morning. I am back from my travels and see I left Victory Call in good hands and have pretty big shoes to fill. Stephanie did a great job “filling in” for me while I was away. I better be careful or I may lose my job. But seriously, I appreciate Steph’s willingness to jump in last minute and cover the Victory Calls so I could go. I certainly didn’t leave her an “easy” portion of Scripture to share.

Though our verse for this week is James 5:15, I have included verses 13 and 14 for context. These verses can be controversial as some would interpret them to mean spiritual sickness and others to mean physical sickness and various other differences. I think many of us are so afraid of the extremes that we fastidiously stick to the middle of the road. It might be uneventful there but it’s safe. I think you know what I mean.

Would you stop and pray right now that as you meditate on this portion of Scripture this week that GOD, not Diane, not the commentators, not you, but GOD’s Spirit would illumine HIS meaning of these verses to your spirit. God’s word has ONE interpretation, many applications, but one true meaning. With that said, let’s forge ahead.

James 5:13-15
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Commentary
“‘sick’…can also mean ‘to be weak’ (even spiritually weak, as in Rom. 14:1), when used(as it is here) without any qualifiers, it usually refers to physical sickness…Some think that anointing…with oil was medicinal or sacramental…but it is best seen as a symbol representing the healing power of the Holy Spirit to come upon the sick person…In the name of the Lord means it is God, not the oil, that heals.

5:15 the prayer of faith. Not the faith of the sick person but the faith of those praying…Will save perhaps carries a double meaning here: (1) the sick person will be physically healed…and/or (2) the sick person may also experience spiritual salvation…, or growth in the blessings of salvation (sins…forgiven). As seen throughout the gospels, Jesus healed both physically and spiritually, and the same double connotation may be present here as well. James is not teaching that all illnesses will be healed if people would simply call on the elders, or try to make themselves have enough faith or pray with enough conviction. Healing, when it does come, is always a gift from God, who is sovereign over all circumstances, including sickness and health. It does not follow, therefore, that lack of faith on the part of the sick person is the reason that the sick person may not be healed…” [ESV Study Bible study notes pg. 2399]

Have a great week. In the midst of your Christ-mas preparations, remember HIM.

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America’s KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.