It’s a good thing when the Holy Spirit brings it AND we let Him change us. I have plenty of convicting moments, but one recently reared its ugly head again. “I hate food shopping.” I do. My local store is called Stop & Shop and if I could, I would Shop and not Stop. Isn’t there a drive-thru yet? I mean, do I really have to make a list, get in my car, drive to the store, get a cart, put food in it, pay for it, go home and put it away? Poor me…another trip to the abundant grocery store to select, within reason, almost anything I want to eat. Ugh, the decisions to be made! Let’s see, store brand bottled water or Great Bear?

It’s more like I “get to go” rather than “have to go”. Alright, in this country most people aren’t growing their own food supply, they’re buying it somewhere; so in that sense, yes, I have to purchase it somewhere. That, in and of itself, should make me thankful, but it didn’t.

At least not until HE went to work. I started to consider how blessed I am and all the choices I have.

Then… I got to know a young lady who has a burden for a country in Africa called Niger. She’s been praying and fasting about spending some time there as a missionary and is waiting for the Lord to direct her. She shared with me about her burden for them and after reading some of the information on it myself I can see why she’s burdened. I can also see why food shopping is NOT a burden!

Here’s some of what she shared:
“Worst Harvest in 38 Years”
Niger. More than three times the size of California, this African country is among the world’s poorest nations and lacks adequate supplies of food and clean water. Over 20% of all children in Niger die before their 5th birthday due to malnutrition and malaria and that, in the best of times. Facing the worst famine in recent history, the time has come for the church to stand in the gap on behalf of Nigerien souls who need hope…for time and for eternity.

I realize there are many mouths waiting to be fed and souls in need of cleaning out all over the world but if the Lord speaks to your heart on this need, so be it.

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:37,40)

For more information on the efforts to bring hope to Niger go to http://www.rockintl.org

Dina Seaton
Marketing Assistant, Staff Writer
America’s KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:14
“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.” (NKJV)

On the morning of Sept. 19, 2011, my Mom was to be seen by Hospice Care. They would be doing a “review” to determine if she was ready for Hospice Care. She was found to be at a physical state where she qualified to receive the services of Hospice Care. Hospice is care given to a patient when they are found to be drawing close to the end of life. Their goal is to keep the patient comfortable and provide support for the patient and family. She would be reviewed again in 90 days. Mom did not have to be reviewed again.

My Mom had been slowly dying from a most horrific disease called Alzheimers. It began nine years ago when she was feeling “confused” at the age of 80. She retired from her job as a telephone operator. It has been a long hard road since that time. Dear one, I want to share some of this story to encourage those of you who may be caregivers or will be a caregiver in the future. Our God is an amazing God. Look and look again for His fingerprints. He is, in my experience, into the finer details of our lives.

The Word says in John 16:33b “in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”(NIV) No one looking at my Mom would doubt that in this world she had trouble. Mom had severe osteoporosis and Alzheimers. Through it all I asked the Lord to give my Mom peace of mind and favor with those who would attend to her needs. Mom suffered from a shattered shoulder, a broken arm, a broken wrist, bruises from falls, and a replaced knee. She was often frightened in the early years of Alzheimers. By age 82 she was in a Senior Housing apartment one mile from my home. By age 83 she was in an Assisted Living Facility one and a half miles from my home. By age 85 she was in a Nursing Home about 15 miles from my home. By age 89 she would end her journey in this world.

The First Fingerprint of God: Encouragement
The week of October 30th, in the midst of a horrific snowstorm and no electricity, God gave me 1 Thes.4:13-5:11. He stopped me at 1 Thes. 4:13-14, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” (NAS) I knew God was encouraging me that my Mom was surely one who was counted among the saved. I could trust Him with the timing. I could take heart, He has overcome the world!!

In my prayer time or sometimes when I sleep I see pictures in my mind’s eye. That week I saw a picture of Jesus on the throne and He was wearing a red robe and the train of His robe filled the aisle in front of him. At the end of the aisle was a doorway. At the doorway was a young healthy younger image of my Mom. She had the biggest smile on her face. Jesus held out the scepter and she went forward on His train of red. I could take heart, He has overcome the world.

The Second Fingerprint of God: Love
On Sunday Nov. 6th I was at the nursing home. My Mom was not eating much but I came at dinnertime. She ate a cup of yogurt and a little pudding for me. She smiled and she said very clearly “I love you”. My Mom had not said a clear word for some time, but she spoke that night. Amazing love!! I could take heart, He has overcome the world!!

The Third Fingerprint of God: God is Soverign
On Monday, Nov. 7th my Mom stopped eating and drinking. I was told that she was not in any pain and they would continue to offer her food. I was aware that she would likely die within three to five days without food or water. I went in the evening and attempted to give her some juice. She was unresponsive. Even after having placed juice on her tongue she did not swallow it. I released my Mom to the timing of the Lord. I sat with her and we listened to instrumental worship music. I could take heart, He has overcome the world!!

The Fourth Fingerprint of God: Love Never Dies
By Wednesday, Nov. 9th I got a call at work to get to the nursing home. They thought the end was near. I left work immediately. My daughter was on her way down from Massachusetts and my son left work. Both wanted to come and say “Good-Bye” to their Nana. My husband and daughter-in-law watched the great-grandchildren. What a very hard day. In the midst of our praying, crying and talking to her, suddenly a tear fell from her right eye. She had no food or water now for three days and yet in the midst of so great a love a tear found its way to her eyes. The love she had for us, the love we had for her would surely never, ever die. Praise God, I could take heart, He has overcome the world!!

The Fifth Fingerprint of God: He is loving-kindness
I was off on Thursday and Friday. I was free to sit at my mother’s side. I wanted to be with her when Jesus came to take her to Himself. I went home to sleep Thursday night but on Friday morning I called to see how she was. The nurse said, “Nothing has changed”. I told the nurse I would be there by 11 am. She told my Mom. Did she hear, did she understand? I’ll never know, but this I do know, He knew. I came with my Bible, worship music, shalom oil and my prayer shawl. I anointed her head with the shalom oil, I put on the worship music, I placed the prayer shawl over her body and I began reading the scripture that I was to read for a program called E-100 we have been doing in my church. And so I read 1 Corinthians 13 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:2. Let me quote some of those scriptures within the verses: Love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” (1 Cor. 13 6-8a NAS)

“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven…”(2 Cor. 4:16-5:2 NAS)

When I finished reading the scripture my Mom, Jean Noonan Lano, took her last breath on November 11, 2011 at 11:30 am. I held her hand and waited. It was a hard but most tender moment that God, she and I shared. The presence of God and His peace incredibly filled the room. I could take heart, He overcame her world!!

After a brief time a surprising sense of joy came over me I can’t describe. I was just so happy for my Mom. She no longer had to deal with the troubles of this world. The scepter was put forth, she was presented before the throne of amazing GRACE. She entered by the blood of the Lamb. I changed the music and put on an uplifting song of praise. I began to sing out loud and invited staff to join me in a time of celebration……..We could all take heart, Jesus has overcome the world!!

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:14
“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.” (NKJV)

All of us who share our hearts through Victory Calls have these days. Whether we are distracted, seeing only the fullness of our plate of things to do, or our swirling thoughts refuse to come together, at times we are unable to think and create full sentences. But, then an email shows up in my inbox saying all that wants to burst from my heart but can’t seem to make its way out on paper. So, today I share words of another because my own don’t seem to express it nearly as well.

The sun beat down on the glossy water, gracefully reflecting sweet pigtails and a precious smile. Fondly I gazed at my sixth child, a special gift from God in her own right. We were walking together in the lazy river at the local pool.
Well, if you can call it “walking together.”
Anyone out there have a terrific temper-tantrum-throwing two-year-old?
(I see that hand.)
Sweet T was having a lovely time exhibiting her endearing attitude of not wanting to hold my hand in the water. So even though the water was up to her neck, she bobbed her way along the side…
Fiercely independent.
Refusing my assistance.
With no desire for my help in the least.little.way.
Until…
We reached “the buckets.”
A series of 4 rows and 4 columns of buckets that dump water right over your head at varying patterns. Too many for a toddler mind to comprehend.
The only hope is to escape at just the right window of perfectly-timed opportunity.

There was no bell sounding that the buckets were ahead. No warning that my pretty girl could readily identify other than seeing them.
Just the sudden urgency that something was bigger than she.
Water up to her neck was one thing, but water coming down from above at the same time? She would literally be in over her head.
This she sensed. This she saw. This she felt.
And then, Toddler T became completely dependent. A call for “Oh, no. The buckets!” paired with “Help me, Mommy!” made it evident that the earlier charade of complete and total independence was …
history.
I chuckled to myself over her response.
But the whisper in my heart asked:
“What is so funny, Child of God? You act just like that temper-tantrum throwing toddler. You want me to stand by you, but you bob along your merry little way. I’m here for you, Daughter of Mine. But if you will just rely on me completely, depending on me fiercely, you will find that you are not alone. That independence and freedom you seek will be found in Me. Not without Me. Those buckets? They are for your good.”
And I prayed.
“O Lord. Send more buckets my way. Fill them to the top, brimming over; so that when they pour out, I will be relying fully on you. If that is what it takes for complete surrender, I humble myself. Because the buckets are what make me…

Fiercely dependent.”

Jeremiah 17:7
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.

I wish I could give credit to the author who pens the right illustrations and words that echo in my heart, but I could not find her name on the devotional.

Today may you and I be fiercely dependent!!!

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 5:14
“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.” (NKJV)

“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.” (NKJV)

I just finished reading the commentary on this verse and all I can say is, wow! There is so much to read relative to being sick, calling for the elders and the anointing of all in the name of the Lord!

Matthew Henry Commentary for verse 14:
“We have particular directions given as to sick persons and healing, pardoning mercy promised upon the observance of those directions. If any be sick, they are required,
1. To send for the elders,…the presbyters, pastors or ministers of the church,…It lies upon sick people as a duty to send for ministers, and to desire their assistance and their prayers.
2. It is the duty of ministers to pray over the sick, when thus desired and called for. Let them pray over him; let their prayers be suited to his case, and their intercessions be as becomes those who are affected wit his calamities.
3. In the times of miraculous healing, the sick were to be anointed with oil in the name of the Lord.

Expositors generally confine this anointing with oil to such as had the power of working miracles; and, when miracles ceased, this institution ceased also.

In Mark’s gospel we read of the apostle’s anointing with oil many that were sick, and healing them, Mark 6:13. And we have accounts of this being practiced in the church two hundred years after Christ; but then the gift of healing also accompanied it, and, when the miraculous gift ceased, this rite was laid aside.”1

My encouragement to you now that you have read this Victory Call, is to go, read, meditate (dig deeper) and then pray. Ask God to reveal your heart to you that you may seek Him firstly, for pardon and, secondly, for healing! Offer Him a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving! He is worthy to be praised! Believe that He, who is in you is able to do above and beyond anything you could ever ask of Him!!

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” ~~Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)2

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.
1 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%205:14&version=NKJV
2 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%203:20&version=NKJV

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” ~James5:13 (NKJV)

In the midst of writing Monday’s “Digging Deeper” I became acutely aware of a hunger within me for more of God. More of Him in the pray and praise, which translates into more of Him by feasting on His Word.

One of the things I gleaned from the commentary on this verse was the fact that early Christians were used to singing right out of Scripture. Many think that means praying “the Psalms of David”:

“Let that be as it will, this however we are sure of, that the singing of psalms is a gospel ordinance, and that our joy should be holy joy, consecrated to God. Singing is so directed to here as to show that, if any be in circumstances of mirth and prosperity, he should turn his mirth, though alone, and by himself, in this channel. Holy mirth becomes families and retirements, as well as public assemblies. Let our singing be such as to make melody with our hearts unto the Lord, and God will assuredly be well pleased with this kind of devotion.”1

So dear ones, the points to be gleaned from this solitary verse are: No matter what your story is; regardless of whether you are in a season of sorrow or gladness, cry out to God in worship and with your petitions! Lift up your voice in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs! Praise Him, for He is worthy to be praised!

Rejoice and be glad knowing that He who is in you, is faithful to be with you through it all!

Psalm 107 says this:
“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, and gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.”2

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.
1 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+5&version=NKJV
2 http://www.biblegateway.com

I first met Kay at a Compassionate Friends conference many years ago. The Compassionate Friends is a national organization that offers hope and understanding to those whose child or children have died. Kay was doing a workshop for those who, like her, were Alive Alone because their only child had died. Kay and her husband Rodney founded an international organization called Alive Alone.

Kay has experienced many traumas in her life including the sudden death of her 16-year-old daughter, Rhonda; severe damage to her home by a tornado; and Kay is currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. I recently received this newsletter by e-mail from her. I was touched by her joy and have permission to share it with you.

Praise God for:
1. His promise for eternal salvation and always walking with us through good times and difficult times
2. 70 years of life
3. 50 years of a wonderful marriage to a loving husband
4. 60 years of great friends (before that I do not remember much)
5. 16 years with our precious daughter, Rhonda
6. Abundant blessings which we certainly never deserve
7. A successful treatment Tuesday and veins easy to find and accept the drugs
8. Living in a free country and relatively safe area where we can be mobile without fear
9. Freedoms that we have in the U.S. that some countries do not
10. God’s guidance to doctors and researchers for finding cures for diseases and their compassion. They were going to put my port in Friday the 11th, on our anniversary, until the nurse scheduler learned it was our 50th and felt that was just UNFAIR so she delayed it a week.

I doubt that many of us have experienced as many or as devastating traumas as Kay and her husband Rodney have. Are we thankful? Can we make a positive list of things we are thankful for? Can we do it with Joy in our hearts? As Oprah has often said, “We need to develop a Gratitude Journal”. Take time now and make a list of the things you are grateful for even in the middle of your muddle, and please remember my friend Kay in prayer.

I’ll start:
I’m thankful for Jesus. I’m thankful that He died FOR ME.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
Cross references:
A. James 5:13 : Col 3:16

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And his courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, And His faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100: 4-5

I have contemplated this month on what I am most grateful and thankful to my God for and have come to the conclusion that it is His Word, which gives truth and life. The Word of God has no limit to the goodness it brings to my well-being and soul. I meditate on the Word and apply the Word of our Lord and it brings forth His lovingkindness and faithfulness. I keep the Word and His commandments hidden in my heart. God’s Word is the sustenance of my life. I come to the Lord, ask his forgiveness of my sin and my weaknesses of this world, all I need is to depend on God’s Word.

May I share some of the wonderful works of God:
As my helper: I have the Holy Spirit and God’s peace, I don’t have to be troubled or fearful.

John 14: 26-27 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

My God is my hiding place:
Psalm 27:5 “For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.”

My salvation, my rock, my stronghold, I can take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:2 “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

My trust is in the Lord:
Isaiah 26:4 “Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.”

My Joy and Delight:
Jeremiah 15:16 “Thy words were found and I ate them, And thy words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by thy name.” Glory to God

Sandra Roman
Staff Member – WOC Graduate

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:13
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

Today when I drove my son to school he said; “Well, Mom, I guess this is the last time you’ll ever have to drive me to school.”

He turns seventeen next week and, Lord willing, he will get his driver’s license and be driving his own vehicle. As you’d expect, he’s very excited and ready to roll, so to speak. In response to his comment about driving him to school I wanted to be sure he understood where my heart was, is, and always has been on the matter. This is what I said, “Just so you know, I’ve never minded it at all. Some may mind doing that type of thing, but I never have. Children are a gift from God; I consider it a privilege to do this. You be sure and remember that.”

And he said, “Thank you.”
Two little words that melted my heart.

Seventeen…wow, time does fly doesn’t it, Mom? It doesn’t seem to when you’re up all night with a newborn, or wonder how you’ll ever get all the things together that they need for the next school project, (for us it was the dreaded Festival of Excellence), or how you’ll bake 24 cupcakes tonight for a party at school tomorrow that you just got informed of right before bedtime.

Reminds me of the time my son was in first grade and it was their tradition to hold a party on the 100th day of the school year. He was just getting over being sick and we weren’t sure if he’d be back to school for the party. I remember he was very insistent that he could not be sick or miss that party. One reason was that we’d planned to bring in 100 balloons to his class. (I owned a helium tank at the time, don’t ask!) Also don’t ask how I fit them and him all in my car but I did! And boy was I glad I did. To this day I still remember the look on those little faces and the teachers too, when we walked in with 100 balloons. Thank you, John’s Mom! It was so worth the effort and again was something I consider a privilege to have done.
I’ve fallen short many times as a mother of what the Lord expects from me. Would I go back and change some of the choices I made? Yes. But I can’t do that. What I can do is be humble, seek forgiveness when needed (yes, even with my child), and move forward.

Whether they’re seven or seventeen, serve your children well and enjoy them! Don’t do it for the “thank yous,” although they are nice. Do it for the Lord and thank Him.

Yes, thank you Lord for the runny noses, sleepless nights, school projects, last minute cupcakes and for the pleasure and honor of being called “John’s Mom”. Oh yeah, and for the countless trips back and forth to school all these years. I treasure those times and look forward to what’s next. It’s been quite a ride and I’m glad to be on it!

Dina Seaton
Marketing Assistant, Staff Writer
America’s KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:13
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
Cross references:
A. James 5:13 : Col 3:16

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” ~James5:13 (NKJV)

My heart did a happy dance as I read this verse today simply because two of the greatest duties and delights of every believer are prayer and singing! Beloved, we get to pray! We need to pray! We must pray! And then, dear sisters, we get to sing; sing psalms! Woo hoo!! Glory!

Matthew Henry Commentary says this about verse 13:

“As Christians we are taught to suit ourselves to the dispensations of Providence: Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. Our condition in this world is various; and our wisdom is to submit to its being so, and to behave as becomes us both in prosperity and under affliction.

Sometimes we are in sadness, sometimes in mirth; God has set these one over against the other that we may the better observe the several duties he enjoins, and that the impressions made on our passions and affections may be rendered serviceable to our devotions.

Afflictions should put us upon prayer, and prosperity should make us abound in praise. Not that prayer is to be confined to a time of trouble, nor singing to a time of mirth; but these several duties may be performed with special advantage, and to the happiest purposes, at such seasons.

In a day of affliction nothing is more seasonable than prayer. The person afflicted must pray himself, as well as engage the prayers of others for him. Times of affliction should be praying times.”1

Wow! That paragraph packs a lot in on our behalf, doesn’t it? No ifs, ands, or buts about it. When we’re sad, PRAY! When we’re happy, SING! Whether in suffering or gladness, both are opportunities to turn our full focus and attention on God from whom all, all, all things flow.

The commentary continues:

“To this end God sends afflictions, that we may be engaged to seek him early; and that those who at other times have neglected him may be brought to enquire after him. The spirit is then most humble, the heart is broken and tender; and prayer is most acceptable to God when it comes from a contrite humble spirit.

Afflictions naturally draw out complaints; and to whom should we complain but to God in prayer? It is necessary to exercise faith and hope under afflictions; and prayer is the appointed means both for obtaining and increasing these graces in us.”2

Dear one, are you experiencing affliction of any kind? Is your spirit feeling broken by the cares of life? If so, PRAY! Or, are you living in a time of gladness and delight full of happiness and joy? If so, sing and make melody in your heart; sing aloud with a psalm of the heart!

In the midst of whatever behold your God!! He who IS, the AUTHOR and PERFECTOR of your faith.

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.

1 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+5&version=NKJV
2 Ibid

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment. ~James 5:12 (New King James Version)

And since you know that he cares, let your language show it. Don’t add words like “I swear to God” to your own words. Don’t show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say yes or no. Just say what is true. That way, your language can’t be used against you. ~The Message

After reviewing the commentary for James 5:12 right off the bat, there were a number of obvious questions begging to be asked of us.

For example:
1. Do we patiently persevere in the midst of trials or do we more readily start talking, saying all sorts of things without much thought as to what God would require of us?

2. When temptation comes in the midst of suffering, are we likely to run to Father in prayer, crying out to Him first and foremost for help, or do we find ourselves more apt to compromise and do what comes natural to our polluted flesh?

3. Do we continue to practice peace, patience, kindness, etc., even when we don’t feel like it? Even when we could justify doing or saying the wrong thing or being the wrong way?

Sisters, the truth is, we all get in to trouble. It comes to us in this life whether we like it or not; whether we want it to or not! What we can be sure of is it’s not a mistake or by accident.

Sovereign, Holy, Righteous God sees and knows it all, and in the midst of WHATEVER IT IS He is molding, shaping and perfecting in us the image of HIS SON, our Savior, Redeemer: Jesus!!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. ~Proverbs 3:5-8 (New King James Version)

Stephanie Paul

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.