A. I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.
B. There is just one life for each of us: our own.
C. Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared.

Just a little test to start your day! Some of you may not be amused by having a pop quiz first thing in the morning. Some of you just haven’t had your coffee yet!

I send you this small quiz to remind you that you need to know your Bible. I recently heard some teaching that began to sound a bit off. At first, it sounded pretty good but then it was clear that verses of scripture were being taken out of context and applications were being made that were not biblical.

The only way you will know truth when you hear it is to be learning truth. It’s an old illustration but I can think of no better one to share. How do bankers know if a dollar is counterfeit or not? Answer: By studying the real thing! You and I need to have a grasp on scripture and truth so that when it is misused we recognize that there has been an error. Red flags need to be raised in our minds when something doesn’t seem to line up.

Scripture warns us:
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1-3

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Mathew 24:24

I also know that the Holy Spirit within will keep our hearts and minds. I don’t know everything so if I am nudged by the Spirit that I need to discern-I need to pay attention. When you’re feeling like something isn’t right in a teaching turn it off, leave the building; flee in whatever manner you need to. Always dig deeper and test what you hear against the Word in your personal study. Seek the Lord, ask Him to reveal truth. He is faithful and will not lead you astray.

A. Winston Churchill
B. Euripides
C. Nehemiah 8:10

I knew you knew the right answer!

Blessings,
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 5:12
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

When it comes to the thoughts you have toward others, are you willing to think the best or the worst about them? When you hear something or see something are you willing to go the distance and consider better or will you let your thoughts run away with you and consider only the worst?

When a friend shares a perceived offense, likely skewed a bit by her emotions, are you willing to steer her toward grace-filled thinking or will you go with the flow of her feelings, thoughts and words, thereby adding insult to injury? When you see the person responsible for the angst will you hold back, be less than personable to them, etc…?

What is the plain and simple truth we are called to in these situations? What does the Word of our God and Maker command? Very simply, we are commanded to love.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” ~ Matthew 22:37-39 (NKJV)

And just so we don’t confuse love, we have it laid out for us in I Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (NIV)

Put another way:
“Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, isn’t always “me first,” doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.” (The Message)

We all want love, don’t we?

My hope for us all is that we begin today to show the love of God which He demonstrated at so great a price. It’s possible, you know. But maybe, just maybe, some of us need to start with confession and repentance: confessing the error in our thinking; confess a willingness to linger in stinking thinking; confess how we’ve allowed our “feelings” to run amuck; confess how wrong we have been to allow anything but love to reign in our hearts and minds. Then repent! Turn away from doing that thing any longer! When our flesh automatically wants to drift back in that direction (downstream if you will), refuse to give an inch! Fall face down before God, crying out for help in the midst of need – if that’s what it takes – and pursue love with a spirit of grace and truth.

Selah

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.

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:12
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

As I walk through the store aisles, I see all of the Halloween costumes on sale and the moms grabbing them up for next year. I can’t help but wonder, What if your child doesn’t grow during the year, or what if he REALLY grows. How do you know what size to buy? Since my “kids” are 52 and 50 and my grandkids are 24 down to 17, I guess that is not my problem. We never bought costumes. It was the wearer’s responsibility to create his/her own costume.

As I continue to walk through the store aisles, I move into the Christmas section with all of the decorations. But wait a minute…What happened to Thanksgiving? Where did it go? I remember as a child that Thanksgiving evening it was our tradition to drive to the largest department store in our city and join the crowd to view the Christmas window. In fact, Christmas didn’t begin until Thanksgiving evening. No decorations appeared until then.

Now, here I was in a store where Halloween ended and Christmas began…and it was only the end of October.

Why was this happening? It is only my personal opinion that it was easier to skip Thanksgiving than to acknowledge to whom people were expected to give thanks. Tradition tells us that the first Thanksgiving in America happened when the Pilgrims invited the Indians to enjoy a special meal together and give thanks to God for His wonderful provision and protection by sparing their lives and providing for them in America.

It is my personal opinion that the businesses and general population do not want to acknowledge God’s blessings and provision by setting aside a day to give thanks to God.

But does the Christian have the option to decide to give thanks or not? Not according to Scripture. 1 Chron. 16:8 “Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.” So what does this verse mean? I think it means that we are to give thanks to God in public.

We start by letting others know that we are thankful to God. Have you made a list of the things for which you are thankful? If not, please begin now.

2 Cor. 9:15 “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

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 5:12 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

Since Diane is off seeing the world of Branson, Missouri she has asked me to fill in for the next two weeks. What a delight to read this verse and then get to share a brief commentary with you today about oaths.

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. ~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

I like the line in the Message paraphrase, “Just say what is true.”

This verse brings to mind many conversations I’ve had over the years about how we can so carelessly use our words.

A former pastor and friend was always intentional about his words, (almost painstakingly so) so as to only say what he meant and therefore, mean what he said.
I grew to appreciate this over the years and grew to deeply appreciate the man whose “yes was yes and no was no”. In fact, his word was his word.

Commentary:
“There is agreement among commentators that the basic point of the instruction in 5:12 is to ensure the integrity of one’s speech without having to rely on oaths. “Let your ‘yes’ be true and your ‘no’ be true”…The introductory words above all indicate that James has in mind a meaning larger than honesty in everyday speech.
…Throughout the letter and especially in the preceding passage, James has been concerned to encourage his readers’ patience and perseverance in the midst of trials. It is clear that he anticipates in their suffering the temptation to compromise their moral standards and so become polluted by the world. He has just been telling them about the need for patience in the face of suffering. In the immediately subsequent context, we will find James prescribing prayer as the proper recourse for Christians in trouble. This context does in fact provide a readily understandable and very possible reason for these Christians to be swearing with oaths. They would be tempted to strike bargains with God, swearing to do one thing or another if only God would deliver them from their persecutors. Religious people have tried this kind of bargaining all through the centuries. James has been saying, “Be patient in your suffering. Remember the Lord is coming. Remember the example of the prophets. Remember the perseverance of Job. Remember the Lord’s full compassion and mercy.” Now he says, “Above all, don’t fall into swearing, as if you could manipulate God by your oaths. Instead, speak honestly and directly, and rely on God in prayer.”1

Hmmm, I think I’ll be chewing on this quite a bit this week and one thing I can be sure of: God is going to bring before me – all of us – many opportunites for this word and these very few comments to surface in our minds and hearts all throughout this week. I’d love to hear how He did just that.

Until Friday, dig deep, deeper and deeper still! Dig until….

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.

1 IVP New Testament Commentaries
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Jas/Do-Not-Swear

James 5:11 with points to ponder

James 5:11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Points to Ponder
Steadfast. “Firmly fixed in place…not subject to change…firm in belief, determination or adherence.”1 Does that describe you? Are you steadfast or fickle? Are you firm in your belief or wavering? Are you firmly fixed in the Word or catch it when it’s convenient? When trials come (as they do to all of us) are you quick to run or are your feet firmly planted in Christ? By the way, if you run, I’m sure you’ve noticed problems are quick to follow.

James refers to Job. What made Job steadfast? It wasn’t what he had, or what he did, or his family, or his friends (for sure), nor was it his own strength or ability. What made Job steadfast was his knowledge of and faith in God. He believed that God was sovereign and in control even of his trials.

Even in your trials, God does not cease to be God. He is still loving, kind, compassionate, merciful, generous, gentle, faithful, good, and trustworthy. He is still God and will always be God, forever.

Be blessed. Remain steadfast.

Have a good weekend. Enjoy a hot cup of tea and spend some time with Jesus. He wants fellowship with you.

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.

1 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steadfast

Yesterday, I was standing in the line at Stop ‘N Shop, paying my bill, and heard myself asking the cashier if she would wait until I checked to see if I had change. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have been in stores behind people (mostly seniors, of which now I am one) or worse yet, my own mother, while they carefully emptied the contents of a change purse on the register belt and counted out the exact change. My words to my mom were always something like, “Just give her an extra dollar so we can get going.” My mom would give me this sweet smile and tell me, “Don’t be in such a hurry. I want to get rid of some of this change.”

So as I am walking out of the store, very pleased with myself, might I say, for “getting rid of some of my change,” my mom’s words came to mind and I stopped short, thinking out loud, “I have become my mother.”

Now there would have been a time in my life when I might not have been totally pleased about that. But I am older – and perhaps wiser – now and as I look back at my mom and my relationship with her, I realize that becoming like my mother is truly one of the best things that could ever happen to me.

I was always close to her, but after my dad died and she was left alone, I grew even closer as I spent more time with her, driving her wherever she needed to go (she never learned to drive after she ran through a fence and killed a cow on her first – and only – driving lesson), or helping her with housework she couldn’t quite manage any more, or just sitting with her after dinner perhaps watching “Jeopardy” or “Wheel of Fortune” and talking about the day’s activities.

My mom loved the Lord and had a very simple, but strong and deep, faith that whatever God sent her way she would deal with it through His power in her life, whether it was losing my dad after 62 years of marriage, or developing several types of cancer, or just growing older and becoming more limited in what she could do. Oh, there were times when I’d come home to find the stepladder out and ask her what she thought she was doing. I’d get that same little smile (from the cash register discussions) and she’d say, “I think I can still paint if you’ll watch the ladder.” She knew she had limitations but tried to keep going – at something – as long as she could. She was a card writer and sent many, many notes of encouragement to her friends sharing what God was doing in her life. And when the time came that she knew her earthly time was coming to an end, she left it with the Lord and said that she was ready to go home whenever He was ready for her. Proverbs 3:5-6 were her life verses, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

Her favorite hymn was “Day by Day,” and she truly did “find strength to meet [her] trials here.” So as I think about my mom and her Christian life, I hope I do find, more and more, that I am becoming my mother. Her faith and trust in her Savior and uncomplaining spirit are things I pray God will create in me as I put Proverbs 3:5-6 into practice in my own life.

Lynn Randall
Director of Human Resources at America’s KESWICK. Lynn 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 5:11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

It’s finally here!!! Crossing the Jordan: Living Victoriously in Difficult Relationships by Diane Hunt, MaryAnn Kiernan, DeEtta Marsh, Stephanie Paul and Betsy Shoppy (several of our Victory Call writers). Today’s Victory Call is just a taste of what you will find in this Bible Study for women. Although it was originally written for wives of men in addiction it has already been a blessing to women from various circumstances and relationships: moms, siblings, daughters, wives, fiancees’ etc. Most of the 14 chapters are applicable to any woman in any situation. To secure your own copy contact America’s Keswick Guest Services 732.350.1187 $16.00. If you have any questions contact Diane Hunt at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Footnotes:
a. Psalm 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest
b. Psalm 23:3 Or in right paths
c. Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness
d. Psalm 23:6 Or Only
e. Psalm 23:6 Or steadfast love
f. Psalm 23:6 Or shall return to dwell
g. Psalm 23:6 Hebrew for length of days

Cross references:
A. Psalm 23:1 : Psalm 78:52; 80:1; Isa 40:11; Jer 31:10; Ezek 34:11, 12, 23; John 10:11; Heb 13:20; 1 Pet 2:25; 5:4
B. Psalm 23:1 : Psalm 34:9, 10; Matt 6:33
C. Psalm 23:2 : Ezek 34:14; John 10:9
D. Psalm 23:3 : Psalm 19:7
E. Psalm 23:3 : Psalm 5:8; 31:3; 139:10, 24; 143:10; Isa 40:11; 49:10
F. Psalm 23:3 : Prov 4:11; 8:20
G. Psalm 23:3 : Psalm 25:11; 31:3; 79:9; 109:21; Ezek 20:9, 14
H. Psalm 23:4 : Psalm 138:7
I. Psalm 23:4 : Job 3:5
J. Psalm 23:4 : Psalm 3:6; 27:1, 3; 118:6
K. Psalm 23:4 : Exodus 3:12; Isa 43:2
L. Psalm 23:4 : Mic 7:14
M. Psalm 23:5 : Psalm 78:19; Prov 9:2; John 6:51; 2 Sam 17:27-29
N. Psalm 23:5 : Psalm 31:19
O. Psalm 23:5 : Psalm 45:7; 133:2; Luke 7:46; Psalm 92:10
P. Psalm 23:5 : Psalm 16:5
Q. Psalm 23:6 : Psalm 27:4
R. Psalm 23:6 : Psalm 21:4

“It seems that I will be facing a new and exciting journey in my walk with You, Lord. I pray that You would stay close to me so I can receive Your presence and be comforted and strengthened but most of all You would be glorified. My heart’s desire is that those around me will see and know Your love for me and desire to have You as Savior and Lord. Give me strength and courage, joy and peace to do this journey well for You – that nothing in this will be wasted, but that all in my life, especially my children and grandchildren, will be moved by your Spirit. Please comfort Eddy in this time. ”

This was an entry in the journal of Carolyn Anderson (wife of Colony Grad – Eddy Anderson) July 11, 2011. She entered the hospital 3 days later on July 14, 2011 and passed to glory August 25th 2011.

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.

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:11 11Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

It’s finally here!!! Crossing the Jordan: Living Victoriously in Difficult Relationships by Diane Hunt, MaryAnn Kiernan, DeEtta Marsh, Stephanie Paul and Betsy Shoppy (several of our Victory Call writers). Today’s Victory Call is just a taste of what you will find in this Bible Study for women. Although it was originally written for wives of men in addiction it has already been a blessing to women from various circumstances and relationships: moms, siblings, daughters, wives, fiancees’ etc. Most of the 14 chapters are applicable to any woman in any situation. To secure your own copy contact America’s Keswick Guest Services 732.350.1187 $16.00. If you have any questions contact Diane Hunt at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

I’m a mom and, well, you know what that means. It means I say “mom stuff.” For example, I’m fifty-two and my mom is still here with me. Today it’s wet and rainy and windy and just plain yucky outside and while I was getting ready for work she called to ask me a question and to chat a bit. True to her “mommyness”, she asked me if I had galoshes to put on as I go from building to building here at Keswick. After I got over the shock of hearing the reference to galoshes, I said, “Huh? What?” This of course opened the door for her to repeat her question and add some further “mom stuff.”

Ya gotta love it though. As a mom of a now 25-year-old son and 27-year-old daughter, I find that, in spite of their ages I say all sorts of stuff to my kids that they now know as “mom stuff” – all the stuff I get to say just cuz I’m a mom and it needed to be said…well sorta. And then there are the times I say certain things just so I can sleep better at night.

If you’re a mom and/or if you had a mom, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Here are a few examples of the sort of the things that I would classify as mom stuff:
* Don’t take any wooden nickels. (a favorite of my Mom’s.)
* Be sure and drive the speed limit or drive safely.
* Make sure you wear your seat belt.
* Be wise.
* Be careful not to trip.
* Make sure you wash your hands before you come to the table.
* Call me when you get there, just so I know you’re okay.
* Make sure you drink plenty of water and take your vitamins.
* Clean up after yourself!
* Did you flush?
* Be careful crossing the street.
* Make sure you hold on tightly to your purse.
* Make sure you don’t share anyone’s comb or brush or lip balm.
* Don’t go out with a wet head, you’ll catch cold.
* Don’t sit too close to the television; it’ll ruin your eyes.
* Eat your vegetables, they’re good for you.

I could go on, but I’m sure you get the point.

What I find so amazing and fascinating is our Heavenly Father, the Sovereign God of the universe, does the same thing with us. For no other reason than the fact that He loves us and has a plan for us:

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

He faithfully and consistently tells us stuff, and some of it He repeats to us over and over again. Why? Because He loves us!! Isn’t that the reason we say all the wonderful mom stuff that our kids love to hate? We love them! We want them to have a future and a hope! We know the pitfalls life will put before them and some of us know what’s in the pit because we fell into one or two in spite of our mom’s best mom stuff. Oh how we want to spare them the pain that waits there for them if they don’t heed our advice.

So, dear sisters, my encouragement to you today is don’t stop loving your kids! Keep saying the mom stuff! Say the hard stuff! Say the real and necessary stuff they need to hear. Oh, and say it in a way that is the salt and the light of the Gospel that saved, keeps, sustains, carries and strengthens you.

Selah
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 5:11
As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

It’s finally here!!! Crossing the Jordan: Living Victoriously in Difficult Relationships by Diane Hunt, MaryAnn Kiernan, DeEtta Marsh, Stephanie Paul and Betsy Shoppy (several of our Victory Call writers). Today’s Victory Call is just a taste of what you will find in this Bible Study for women. Although it was originally written for wives of men in addiction it has already been a blessing to women from various circumstances and relationships: moms, siblings, daughters, wives, fiancees’ etc. Most of the 14 chapters are applicable to any woman in any situation. To secure your own copy contact America’s Keswick Guest Services 732.350.1187 $16.00. If you have any questions contact Diane Hunt at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

James 5:11 with Commentary

Good Monday morning. I trust you had a great time in the Lord’s house yesterday with His people. It is so good to be with brothers and sisters in Christ feasting on His Word. Last week, I mentioned that several of you have shared with me that you have been getting “James” from several angles and sources. The same day I wrote that, I went to our Staff Chapel and Bill Welte started his message by saying “Please turn to the book of James” I had to chuckle to myself – well, actually I chuckled to Sue who was sitting next to me. I hope you are being blessed by the slow, methodical review of God’s Word through James this year. This week we move on to James 5:11.

Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. James 5:11

Commentary
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. James 5:11 KJV

“We count those happy who endure (v. 11). Job also is proposed as an example, v. 11. Under all he could bless God and what came to him in the end? God accomplished those things for him which plainly prove that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. The tender mercy of God is such that he will make his people an abundant amends for all their sufferings and afflictions. Let us serve our God, and endure our trials, as those who believe the end will crown all.” [Matthew Henry’s Commentary in One Volume pg. 1937]

Have a good week. Take time to sit back, take a deep breath and say Thank You to Jesus for life, His life, given so freely and abundantly to all who believe.

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.

Cross references:
A. James 5:11 : Job 1:21, 22; 2:10
B. James 5:11 : Job 42:10, 12
C. James 5:11 : Exodus 34:6

James 5:10 with points to ponder

James 5:10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Points to Ponder
When I started to ponder the suffering and patience of the prophets, I was challenged to look at couple of examples:

“Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet, and he did so, walking naked and barefoot. Then the LORD said, ‘As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Cush, so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptian captives and the Cushites exiles, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, the nakedness of Egypt.'” Isaiah 20:2-4

The footnote in my ESV Study Bible study notes says, “The three years need not imply that Isaiah did this continually; he may have done it intermittently as an acted out prophecy…” Now, frankly, in my mind, one day of walking naked and barefoot is suffering for Isaiah but whether it is multiple times in 3 years or every day for 3 years, he suffered in the Name of the Lord.

Hosea was called to marry a prostitute, “When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, ‘Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredome and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD.” Hosea 1:2

To persevere in trial and suffering, much patience is required.

What suffering are you enduring even now? How is God ministering to you in the midst of that suffering? How is God teaching you patience even as you walk through the deep waters? God is at work in your suffering.

Have a good weekend. Take time to rest and make time to smile. You can smile and rest at the same time and kill two birds with one stone.

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.