While some students would have liked recess all day long, I would have preferred art class all day long. Therefore, skills that I should have paid attention to really did not concern me. Back in my early days of school, the first class I remember doing poorly in was penmanship. My handwriting is ugly! It is a combination of printing and cursive. The hard letters to write in cursive, I print. I also tend to pick up my pen often rather than letting the letters flow as they should. I can still hear my mother when I told her I only got a “D” in handwriting. I thought she would be happy that it wasn’t an “F”. Silly kid!

In my high school years I disliked math. More specifically, algebra and geometry. Why on earth would I need to know about algebra and gGeometry? Another class that I mindlessly attended was typing. Who knew that computers would come along and that the keyboard would be used daily, at least to text? Part of my work is emailing and writing many thank you notes. I get so frustrated because I am always typing the word “thank” incorrectly. I always seem to have to go back and correct “thnaks”. This reminds me…I didn’t think much of spelling either. Oh, how I wish I had paid more attention in school!!!

It may seem that as you and I read the Bible we can tend to over look some lessons that we may feel don’t apply to us. Perhaps we think the lesson is not one we will ever use. (Careful – never say never!) Or we find a lesson that we feel, with great confidence, we have learned. No need to review, let’s just move on. Or, to use a phrase that is often used these days – we feel it just isn’t relevant. UGH!

There are books of the Bible I prefer over others. There are biblical topics that I like more than others. One may know all there is to know about prophecy but not know how to forgive, encourage or love. We may know how to do “sloppy agape” but never read the prophets. (Those are the pages that are often stuck together in the middle of our Bibles.) As my friend says- “We need to know our Bibles from Genesis to maps”! You never know when you will find yourself in a life lesson and need to recall and put into practice what you have been taught.

Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
Psalm 119:33

Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
For I believe Your commandments.
Psalm 119:66
Kathy Withers

Kathy’s on staff at America’s KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 25 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 4:4-6
Warning Against Worldliness
4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Several years ago I sat in on a women’s prayer meeting during a Colony Reunion Weekend and was struck by a number of things the leader had to share. I’m not a big note taker, but I’m glad I was that day. She discussed the way in which we relate to the men in our lives (it is applicable regardless of whether or not they are in addiction) and how we can tend to fix our eyes on them to meet all of our needs, rather than the Lord.

I’ve referred to the notes I wrote down a number of times over these last few years and would like to share her precious insights with you. The thought of tweaking them with my own embellishments crossed my mind while writing this but then the simple, profound insights I received from her could be lost in the translation.

I have them copied on a well-worn piece of paper and share them with you exactly as I wrote them.

Be blessed…
Ladies Prayer time
*Fix your eyes on the Lord…
*Be focused on your walk with the Lord- not his walk…
*It’s a decision we may need to make a thousand times a day…
*Take the straw out!

Are they what we fill ourselves with? Then we need to stop. Stop expecting them to meet all our needs… What are we going to do when he doesn’t? Nag him and drain him dry until he does? Then when he doesn’t, say he’s less than the man he should be before God?

Guess what- you may not be the woman you should be before God…
You may have to live with unmet needs in your life…
Put the straw someplace where life is going to be…

Are you thirsty, sister? There’s life in HIM. Drink deeply.

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Rev. 22:17 (NIV)

Dina Seaton
Marketing Assistant, Staff Writer
America’s KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:4-6
Warning Against Worldliness
4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

“The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.” Proverbs 15:28

The definition of “weigh your words” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary is – to carefully think about everything you are going to say before you say it.

When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is not our friend. ~ U.S. Marine Corps

Words can never be recalled. We must remember to think before we speak. We must carefully weigh the cost of speaking our thoughts randomly and without evaluating the possible outcome.

Here is a compilation of some reasons as to why you should always weigh your words before speaking, from the world’s perspective. (http://www.dgreetings.com/weigh-your-words.html)

* A single wrong word can do such a great damage, which can never be amended by a hundred beautiful words.
* Please understand that it is something different to speak out what one feels but an altogether different thing to speak without even understanding the consequences and the pain, which can be caused due to the harsh words.
* Remember, words once spoken cannot be taken back. They will remain in the other person’s mind and would keep on causing him or her hurt, no matter how much you try to undo the damages done.
* Words spoken in haste can sometimes convey the wrong version of your ideas to the other person.
* Sometimes in our anger we end up saying the words, which we never intended to say, thereby inflicting great pain.
* We often kill our relationships with our own hands by speaking wrong words, words spoken from our head but not from our heart.

Now, here are the reasons from God’s perspective why we must weigh our words.

* “Reckless words pierce like a sword…” (Proverbs 12:18)
* “He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.” (Proverbs 13:3)
* “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” (Proverbs 21:23)
* “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” (James 1:26)

So, you may ask how do I weigh my words in a day and age of very difficult people and living situations. Or, maybe you say – but you don’t know who I live with or deal with on a daily basis. I may not, but God does and He will give you the ability to weigh your words and speak words that heal rather than destroy. Below are some key ideas and thoughts to ponder as you strive to weigh your words.

1. Make your words timely and appropriate: Proverbs 15:1, 23; 25:11; 20:3
2. Do not take too seriously the harsh words of others: Ecc. 7:21-22
3. Speak the Truth: Psalm 34:13, Proverbs 19:5, 9; 12:22
4. Say what people need to hear, not just what they want: Proverbs 14:25; 16:13; 29:5; 28:23; 27:5, 6)
5. Use words that edify: Proverbs 12:25; 15:4; 16:24, Romans 14:19, 2 Cor. 10:8; 12:19, I Thess. 5:11, Eph. 4:29-32

“Weigh your words carefully…they are heavier than you think!” I read that simple statement and it made a whole lot of sense to me. As we just read, God’s Word has a lot to say about the importance of proper speech. As Christian women, wives, and mothers we have many opportunities to use our words as an example of God’s love in this world. Your words, my words, reflect God to others – what reflection of God do your words bring? Do some of your words negate the words of encouragement, hope, and love that you have said? Spreading the love of God is difficult enough without having to do “damage control” from the words either we have said or words they have heard from other believers. Let us do good to all, let us speak the gospel at all times.

Lynne Jahns

Lynne Jahns
Christian Counselor
Director, KESWICK Institute of Biblical Studies

DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:4-6
Warning Against Worldliness
4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Thank you to those of you who have offered such words of encouragement to press on in James. Your comments bless me knowing that you are enjoying your time in this book. Honestly, sometimes I can’t help but wonder if anyone is reading and gleaning. I hope you are benefiting in your meditation in the Word.

James 4:4
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Commentary
Adulterous people recalls OT prophets who used this language to describe Israel’s unfaithfulness to God …Such people have chosen friendship with the world by imitating worldly ways of thinking and worldly activities, making them enemies of God. It will always be impossible to satisfy the expectations of unbelievers, whose heart are set on this world, … and at the same time please God…James often alludes to the teaching of Jesus …, which is not surprising if he was Jesus’ earthly brother. [ESV Study Bible study notes pg. 2396]

Blessings,
Diane

James 4:1-3 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. ESV

I like the Contemporary English Version: “Why do you fight and argue with each other? Isn’t it because you are full of selfish desires that fight to control your body? You want something you don’t have, and you will do anything to get it. You will even kill! But you still cannot get what you want, and you won’t get it by fighting and arguing. You should pray for it. Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered, because you pray just for selfish reasons.”

Points to ponder.
Isn’t the root of conflict two or more people that want different things? Each wants their own way and is willing to fight to get it. We may “fight” in different ways. We could yell and argue or complain and whine. We could ignore and give the silent treatment or cross our arms and say, “whatever”. We could gossip and call names or harbor resentment and bitterness. On the highway when a car cuts us off, the conflict is within our own heart. We may “fight” by following him too closely or honking or any of those other things people do to communicate displeasure on the road.

Conflict is the result of the desires of two people’s hearts butting heads. That in itself is revealing. When your ire is rising, stop and ask yourself “why does this upset me so much? What do I desire at this moment that I am not getting?”

Conflict reveals the heart. You want something you do not have and you want it, now! Is it sinful to want something? No, (unless it’s biblically off limits for you). What makes the conflict sinful is not the desire but the attitudes and actions that result from those desires. Are you willing to sin in your heart or in your behavior to get what you want?

Conflict is very revealing if we take the time to look below the surface.

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.

Yesterday you were invited to spend time meditating upon the Word. Below is another listing of some of my favorite Scriptures. Each one is TRUTH. I will repeat the same directions I gave you yesterday.

I want to encourage you to, FIRST of all, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to bring revelation to you personally from His Word. SECOND, read each piece of Scripture. THIRD, ask the Holy Spirit to stop you as you read the Scriptures again, revealing what He would have you focus on. Focus and mediate on that piece of Scripture. Be still and listen. FOURTH, write down what you believe the Lord is saying to you. FINALLY apply His Word and His revelation to your life personally and be blessed. If in doubt about what you believe you have heard or learned in your time in the Word, consult with a mature believer who you trust, or your pastor.

Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

2 Cor. 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

Ephesians 4:25-32
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Philippians 4:4-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:2,3
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourself therefore, under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all anxiety upon Him, because He cares for YOU!!

2 Peter 1:3-11
…seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control; and in your self-control, perseverance; and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness and in your brotherly kindness love.

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:1-3
1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?
2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Years ago I was given instruction on one way to have devotions. I was challenged to read a portion of Scripture, then pray and ask the Holy Spirit to stop me at some point as I read it again. Once stopped, I was to read that small piece again and ask the Holy Spirit to speak as I, His servant, listened. God is so very faithful. Every time I have applied this simple process, the Holy Spirit has indeed stopped me. I review the sentence I was on and ask the Lord to speak. I then focus and meditate upon His Word. It has brought the Word of God to a more intimate place and I always benefit from my time in the Word and my time of intimacy with my heavenly Father.

Today I want to share this joy of meditating upon the Scripture with you. Below is a listing of some of my favorite Scriptures. Each one is TRUTH. I want to encourage you to, FIRST of all, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to bring revelation to you personally from His Word. SECOND, read each piece of Scripture. THIRD, ask the Holy Spirit to stop you as you read the Scriptures again, revealing what He would have you focus on. Focus and mediate on that piece of Scripture. Be still and listen. FOURTH, write down what you believe the Lord is saying to you. FINALLY apply His Word and His revelation to your life personally and be blessed. If in doubt about what you believe you have heard or learned in your time in the Word, consult with a mature believer who you trust or your pastor.

Psalm 1:1-3
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.

Psalm 34: 18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 62:5
My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him.

Proverbs 16:9
The mind of man plans his way
But the Lord directs his steps.

Isaiah 43:18-19
Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new. Now it will spring forth. Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:1-3
1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?
2You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
3You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

“Let Thy hand be upon the man of Thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou didst make strong for Thyself” (Psalm 80:17).

My dog Samson is like the character of his name, great energy like the sun and is very strong. Samson is a beautiful dog, his weight is 76 lbs., and he loves to go for walks and enjoys playing catch. The past couple of weeks there have been some unexpected rain storms. In the late afternoon, as we go for a walk, suddenly the sky gets dark and it starts to rain. Samson does not like the rain; he begins to shake off the water but it doesn’t work. He is bothered by the storm and uncomfortable. Samson gets anxious, looks up at me and begins to pull, letting me know he wants to run home to avoid the affects of the storm. I am certain if I was to let go of the leash Samson would run directly home. I hold on tight to the leash and let him know we are going home at the pace of the master’s energy. I love Samson I want him very close to me in the storm. I do pick up my pace to get though the storm quickly and back to the protection of our home.

When the unexpected storms in my life occur, my reaction is similar to Samson’s. I want to run home to my Father. My desperate cry and prayer is for God to pull me out of this one quickly! I know I am in my Father’s hand and safe. Even though the storm is very fierce I cling to Jesus even closer. “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (John 10:29). “Be still and know I am God” (Psalm 46:10). “Even there Thy hand will lead me, and Thy right hand will lay hold of me” (Psalm 139:10).

I have to familiarize myself with Christ to know Him intimately, in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Phil.3:10).

“Thou will make known to me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; in thy right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11).

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).

But Godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment.
Glory to God.

Sandra Roman
Women of Character Grad and America’s Keswick Staff

DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:1-3
1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?
2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Conflict is a reality in daily life. Conflict in our marriages, with our children, in the workplace, neighborhoods and churches. Conflict on the highways and in the grocery store. Conflict in schools and in politics. What makes the difference between conflict that glorifies God and conflict that does not? There are a lot of factors but the one we will focus on this week is the heart behind conflict with people we know and people we don’t know. This is a great verse to memorize.

James 4:1-3
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Commentary
“in contrast to those who make peace, quarrels and fights are caused by the passions or self-centered desires…that are causing these people to make war against each other in the church. This is extremely violent language for dissension, and some even think it should be taken literally of people killing each other (v.2), though it is best to view this as a metaphor for the devastating effect of unrestrained hostility.

You do not have because you do not ask is a reminder that believers should ask God for what they seek rather than fighting each other. Prayerlessness results in failure to receive many of God’s blessings. James does not imply that God wills to grant sinful, selfish desires (4:3), but bringing requests before God can have a purifying influence on ones’ desires.

You ask wrongly. Not all prayers are pleasing to God, only those consistent with his will as revealed in Scripture…Rather than seeing to honor God and advance his kingdom purposes, such prayers seek only to gratify self-centered passions…James is not saying all pleasure is wrong…only pleasure that does not have the glory of God as the goal…” [ESV Study Bible – study notes pg 2396]

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.

Footnotes:
a. James 4:1 Greek pleasures; also verse 3
b. James 4:1 Greek in your members
Cross references:
A. James 4:1 : Rom 7:23; 1 Pet 2:11
B. James 4:3 : 1 John 5:14

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:13-18

Points to ponder:
As you have pondered this section of Scripture this week has your heart been challenged in different circumstances? As I memorized this portion of Scripture I remember that it seemed to pop into mind at various different times when I needed to consider whether I was pursuing God’s wisdom or my own. It is a great checklist to filter our thoughts and decisions through to test if they are rooted in God’s wisdom.

Here are some questions to consider:
1. Am I jealous? (of the attention someone else is receiving, someone else getting the credit, someone else doing a great job, someone else making the decision, others’ friendships, etc.)
2. Am I motivated by my own agenda (selfish ambition)? (Is it my way or the highway? Do I want my opinion to matter most? Do I want recognition? Do I want to appear better than I am?, etc.)
3. Does there seem to be confusion and disorder?
4. Is there an appearance of evil or worthlessness?
5. Is the course of action or decision or discussion pure? To the best of my ability and by the power of the Holy Spirit, are my motives pure?
6. Am I seeking to speak, interact and think peaceably?
7. Am I being gentle in my attitudes, actions and words?
8. Am I open to reason? Or as the NKJV says, Am I willing to yield? Resistance may be my own pride and arrogance.
9. Am I being merciful?
10. Will this course of action result in good fruit or bad fruit?
11. Am I being impartial and sincere?
12. Am I sowing peace?

You may have others to add or like to tweak the ones I offer but let me suggest you allow the truths of these verses make a difference in your life today.

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 3:13 : James 2:18
B. James 3:13 : James 1:21
C. James 3:14 : James 3:16; Acts 5:17; Rom 2:8; 2 Cor 12:20; Gal 5:20; Phil 1:17; 2:3; Rom 13:13
D. James 3:15 : James 1:17
E. James 3:15 : 1 Kgs 22:22; 2 Thess 2:9, 10; 1 Tim 4:1; Rev 2:24
F. James 3:17 : 1 Cor 2:6, 7
G. James 3:17 : Heb 12:11
H. James 3:17 : Luke 6:36
I. James 3:17 : James 2:4 (Gk)
J. James 3:17 : Rom 12:9
K. James 3:18 : Prov 11:18; Isa 32:17; Hos 10:12; Amos 6:12; Phil 1:11
L. James 3:18 : Matt 5:9; Gal 6:7, 8