Joshua 5:15, And the commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

We often think of “holy ground” in connection with Moses’ experience with God at the burning bush in Ex 3:5, Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Both Moses and Joshua responded in the presence of the Lord. Joshua fell on his face (Josh. 5:14) and Moses hid his face (Ex. 3:6).

Have you ever been acutely aware that you are in His presence and on holy ground? Now before you send me emails, I know we are always in His presence – but that was not my question. My question is have YOU, YOU personally, ever been ACUTELY AWARE that you are in His presence? To the point that it drove you to your knees or even to your face?

If not, is it possible that we have not given ourselves permission to be that aware? That affected by the reality of His constant presence? You may say, “Yeah, but where I’m standing is anywhere BUT HOLY GROUND.” Surely, sometimes it feels like anywhere but here – other people’s homes, other people’s offices, other people’s families, other people’s lives but not ours.

Would you not agree that wherever the Spirit of God is, is holy ground? Stay with me here. If the presence of God’s Spirit makes ground holy (for Moses the Spirit was in the bush, for Joshua the angel of the Lord) AND it’s true that EVERY believer is the dwelling place of the Spirit – it seems true that wherever we go is holy ground. We are never, not ever, out of His holy presence.

We get so busy, and distracted, we lose sight of that truth. If we pause and intentionally call to mind this truth, I would suggest we would personally experience Moses Moments.

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.

DIGGING DEEPER
James 1:16-18
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

The first three Beatitudes are sort of a three-stage plan Jesus gives us that shows the way to find that true inner joy, contentment and peace no matter what circumstance we may be in.

Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus is NOT referring to the poverty of material possessions. This is a different poverty…the poverty of the spirit. When we realize our desperate need of God, we can see ourselves for who we really are. We desperately need God because without Him we are doomed to hell because we are hopeless sinners in need of forgiveness. And God has the answer for that…Jesus. When you realize you are in this state, it’s then you are “Blessed”! It’s then you can gain eternal life, a place for you in heaven….all because you realize you are helpless without God.

Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn… for they will be comforted.”

Jesus is NOT referring to being happy in grief. But Jesus says that once we see ourselves as we really are we can’t help but “mourn”. When we are truly sorrowful over our sin this will lead to blessedness. Why? Because this leads to salvation through Jesus the Christ. When a person sees sin in its true ugliness, they can’t help but experience sorrow over their sin. It’s in this state that the Lord steps in and comforts. It’s then you are “blessed”.

Matthew 5:5
“Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.”

Once you realize you are hopeless and helpless without God, once you are truly sorrowful over your sin and you see yourself as you really are, there is a certain heart quality that results. That heart quality is meekness. This is NOT weakness or cowardice. What Jesus is talking about is POWER under constraint. It’s all about being humble, gentle, long suffering…those are the attributes of Jesus. We are called to have the same “be-attitude” of Jesus…meekness. And when we have this be-attitude, Jesus says we get to reign alongside our King, Jesus Christ. How much more can we be blessed?

This is Jesus’ plan for inner joy and contentment. This goes beyond our temporal life and points to the promised eternal life. Jesus offers it to anyone who will come to Him, realize their helplessness without God, then be mournful over their sin, confessing and repenting of it. What blessedness, what joy!

If you have never trusted Jesus as Lord and Savior, this same promise of inner joy and contentment awaits you. What are you waiting for?

MaryAnn

MaryAnn and John Kiernan have been married for 37 years, have 2 grown/married sons and are the proud grandparents of three grandsons and one granddaughter! She serves at America’s Keswick as a Biblical Counselor and also as Intake Coordinator for the Colony of Mercy. Her life verse is Romans 8:28.

DIGGING DEEPER
James 1:16-18
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Shortly after Jesus began His ministry and chose His twelve closest disciples, Jesus took the 12 to a quiet place and began to teach them. You can find Jesus’ full teaching in Matthew chapters 5-7. I’ve been kind of camping out there for a little while. Lately I have had a desire to hang out in the parts of the Bible with the red letters.

Matthew chapters 5-7 are known as the Sermon on the Mount, but tucked there in the very beginning, verses 3-12, are what is referred to as the Beatitudes. I’m not sure how these verses came to be labeled this way but I think it to be very appropriate because through them Jesus taught His disciples what the attitude of a believer should look like. Jesus taught how a person who is in a right relationship with God should conduct his or her life. It actually demonstrates a standard of righteousness for the Christian.

Although this was a teaching for the disciples, it is relevant for us as well today. I’ve been imagining that I’m sitting at His feet and listening. Want to join me?

Matthew 5:3-5
“Blessed are the poor in spirit…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn… for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.”

At first glance these verses seem to contradict themselves. Are we to be happy about being poor? Are we to be happy that we are in the midst of grief? Are we to be happy about being a weakling? If that’s the case I am really perplexed!

First we need to understand the word “blessed” and it certainly doesn’t mean happiness. To be blessed means to enjoy the bliss of heaven, to be content no matter what the circumstance, or to have a deep inner joy. There is a world of difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is a result of your circumstances. Jesus tells us the way to find true joy – a joy that comes from the inside and has nothing to do with circumstances or personal fulfillment.

Finding ourselves with inner joy and contentment no matter what our circumstance is not an easy place to get to. Finding contentment in spite of circumstances will only come about because we are trusting that Christ has everything under control even if we don’t. It means that, even though we may not know how or when we will come through the trial, we trust God that we will and His purposes will be fulfilled. There isn’t any way to know what the final outcome of our trials will be but we know the One who has already been there and holds us, His loved ones, in the palm of His hand.

This place of blessedness doesn’t come easy. I know it didn’t come easy for me and I confess I slip backwards at times. That’s why the red letters in the Bible are really important to me. We all need to sit at His feet, learn from Him. It’s there we will receive hope and strength. It is where we will find joy in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Now that is the place I would rather be. How about you?

MaryAnn

MaryAnn and John Kiernan have been married for 37 years, have 2 grown/married sons and are the proud grandparents of three grandsons and one granddaughter! She serves at America’s Keswick as a Biblical Counselor and also as Intake Coordinator for the Colony of Mercy. Her life verse is Romans 8:28.

DIGGING DEEPER
James 1:16-18
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Thank you. Several of you have shared words of encouragement regarding our series in the book of James. It is always a blessing to hear that God is using our meager offerings for His divine purposes. It is humbling to be used by the Almighty. Thank you, and keep reading.

James 1:16-18 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Commentary:
“Christians are not to make the mistake of blaming God rather than themselves for their sin…

Everything related to divine giving is adequate, complete, and beneficial.
Father of lights. An ancient Jewish expression for God as the Creator, with ‘lights’ referring to the sun, moon, and stars…no variation or shadow of turning. From man’s perspective, the celestial bodies have different phases of movement and rotation, change from day to night, and vary in intensity and shadow. But God does not follow that pattern; He is changeless…

Of His own will. This phrase translates a Greek word that makes the point that regeneration is not just a wish, but an active expression of God’s will, which He always has the power to accomplish…James intends to emphasize that the sovereign will of God is the source of this new life….He regenerates sinners through the power of that Word…Christians are the first evidence of God’s new creation that is to come…and enjoy presently in their new life a foretaste of future glory…” [The MacArthur Bible Commentary pg. 1883 – 1884]

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.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Points to ponder:
We’ve all been there, haven’t we? We are unique in many ways, and in many ways the same. Why does something tempt me but you could care less about it? And vice versa? What makes something tempting to one person and not another? James indicates that we are lured and enticed by our own desires. In that we are each unique, not THAT we are lured and enticed but BY what we are lured and enticed.

Then when desire has been conceived… the sin is not in having the desire but in giving it enough attention and energy it thus conceives and bears sin. We think too highly of ourselves that we think we can dabble and not get hooked. It’s like a fish thinking it can nibble at the worm AROUND the hook and not get caught. It may succeed a few times but eventually it gets greedy and wants the whole worm but within the worm lays the hook. A hook has a barb on the end so that once a fish has taken the bait and the hook is set, it cannot easily get off the hook. Sin is much the same. We may play around the outskirts but eventually because of our own desires we take the bait and hook. Once we have done so it is very difficult to spit the hook out because in all honesty we WANT what it is we WANT. We don’t want the hook, but we want the worm.

Scripture wisdom:
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

“… and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Romans 13:14

“Flee sexual immorality.” 1 Corinthians 6:18

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” 1 Corinthians 10:14

“Flee also youthful lusts.” 2 Timothy 2:22

“…Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

Resist. Flee. Make no provision for your flesh. Die to self.

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5

“…seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator… ” Colossians 3: 9-10

“…to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

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.

I know I’m jumping ahead of myself but I just couldn’t resist the prompting to share the practical truths about wisdom in James 3 this week while we meditate on James 1. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Wisdom is not just KNOWING the right thing to do; wisdom requires DOING the right thing as well. I believe James 3 gives some specific truths that help solidify this idea.

James 3:13-18 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.

Let me share a quick story of how I saw this applied. Several years ago, in the process of planning a retreat, the committee of women could not agree on a particular point about the weekend. Honestly, my inclination was to make a decision and have that be that. You know, “So let it be written, so let it be done” sort of thing. But at that time I was memorizing James 3:13-18 and I was challenged to put it to the committee of women for one final discussion. I knew going into the meeting there were strong opinions on both sides. I started our meeting by reading this excerpt from James 3. When I got to the phrase “willing to yield” (But the wisdom that is from above is …willing to yield…) MY heart changed and I realized I had not been willing to yield. After reading the Scripture passage and some discussion, I called for a blind vote; my vote would be used only if needed as a tie-breaker. I was astounded by the results. Of the 6 or 8 women present, 100% voted in favor of one particular course of action (which was my original preference) and because I was convicted of my unyielding spirit, I actual cast my vote for the alternative. I don’t think the action decided on that day was nearly as important as the lesson God had for each one of us about Heavenly wisdom.

I love it when God’s fingerprints are all over something. They surely were that day.

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.

DIGGING DEEPER
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Every once in a while I’m privileged to sit and listen to a Bible teacher and just be amazed and WOW’ed by their teaching. I’m not impressed by fifty-cent words or intricate details or the illustrations that might be used. What I’m talking about is the one who humbly stands before you, shares the Word, expounds on the Scripture and then makes it applicable to my life or even speaks to my heart on a deep, convicting level. The message isn’t complicated to understand, it’s simple, yet profound. When they are finished, it sticks in your mind and heart for days. It has an impact on your heart and life. It challenges you and changes you. This person speaks with power and authority over the subject matter.

Unfortunately, this isn’t a common occurrence. It does happen once in a while and when it does it is an unforgettable experience.

However, there is One whose message never disappoints… One whose message cuts right to the heart of the matter… it convicts, encourages, comforts and changes lives. The One who never disappoints is Jesus, the greatest Teacher. Jesus always spoke with authority and power. Even those who were against him recognized it.

Mark 1:22
“The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”

Matthew 7:29
“…because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”

Matthew 22:22
“When they [the Pharisee’s] heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.”

When Jesus spoke or taught, either in the temple or to the crowds, He taught with authority and power. One of Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary’s definitions of authority is “an individual cited as an expert.” The Greek word for authority is “exousia” meaning, “competency, superhuman, power, right.” All who heard Jesus were astounded and amazed at His teaching. Lives were changed and hearts were transformed. Jesus’ authority came directly from the Father and with God there is no greater authority.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could just sit at His feet and listen? Lately I have had a deep hunger for the Words of Jesus. I think too often I pay more attention to the epistles and not enough time reading His words…meditating on His teaching. I really need to sit at His feet, open my ears and my heart to what He has for me. The really neat thing about it is, I don’t have to go to a conference center, or even leave my home.

All I need to do is take my Bible and open it to any of the passages in red, and listen to Jesus. If my heart is open and ready…I, too, can be WOW’ed by the authority and power of His teaching! But I need to be willing to put aside all the “business” of my schedule and just sit and listen. I would rather be Mary than Martha and choose the better thing…to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen.

So, YES, we can sit at His feet. Go ahead, get your Bible…listen and be transformed.

MaryAnn

MaryAnn and John Kiernan have been married for 37 years, have 2 grown/married sons and are the proud grandparents of three grandsons and one granddaughter! She serves at America’s Keswick as a Biblical Counselor and also as Intake Coordinator for the Colony of Mercy. Her life verse is Romans 8:28.

DIGGING DEEPER
James 1:14-15
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

I’ve been reading through Proverbs and came across a few verses that kind of “stuck out” to me.

Proverbs 21:9 & 25:24 “Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.”

Proverbs 21:19 “Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.”

Proverbs 27:15-16 “A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.”

Yikes! Those are some pretty harsh words. I certainly hope my husband never has times when he would rather be living on a corner of our roof or in a desert.

I don’t know about you, but it can be easy for me to resort to being “quarrelsome”, or an even harsher word – “nagging”, if I feel that I am not being heard. But, contrary to what our natural instincts may tell us, repeating ourselves again and again does not necessarily mean we will be heard; in fact, we are probably heard less.

“Quarrelsome nagging, a steady stream of unwanted advice, is a form of torture. People nag because they think they’re not getting through, but nagging hinders communication more than it helps. When tempted to engage in this destructive habit, stop and examine your motives. Are you more concerned about yourself – getting your way, being right – than about the person you are pretending to help? If you are truly concerned about other people, think of a more effective way to get through to them. Surprise them with words of patience and love, and see what happens.” 1

Proverbs 10:19 says “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Too many words can get us into trouble. Sometimes, it is better to say less, or maybe even nothing at all, but rather bring the matter before the Lord in prayer, and leave the results with Him.

In order to know what to say, when to say it, how much to say, and when not to say anything, we need to be in tune with His Spirit. I often remember the phrase that DeEtta taught me – “pause and pray.” Take a moment to stop and pray and ask the Lord for wisdom before we speak. And, may we strive, by God’s grace, to be like the Proverbs 31 woman who “speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” (vs. 26)

Stacey Poplawski
WOC Graduate

1 Life Application Bible – NIV by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (c)1991

DIGGING DEEPER
James 1:14-15
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

James is full of practical theology. I hope you are being blessed by our meditation through this book. Time in the Word of God is never wasted. You may walk away from your devotional time not feeling that you “got” anything from your reading, but it is never wasted. Press on Sister. For consistency let me back up one verse.
James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Commentary:
“The process of Temptation. James turns to the other side of trials, namely, when testing becomes temptation…1:13 God tests his people…so that their character is strengthened, but he never tempts (i.e. lures people into sin). Since God cannot be tempted with evil, and he is unreservedly good, he would never entice human beings to sin or seek to harm their faith. Tempted…is the verb form of the noun translated ‘trial’…in James 1:12, but the context shows that different senses of the word are intended. God brings trials in order to strengthen the Christian’s faith. He never tempts, however, because he never desires his people to sin. Christians should never blame God when they do wrong.

1:14 lured and enticed. A fishing metaphor for drawing prey away from shelter in order to trap them with a deadly hook. Here it is the person’s evil desire that ensnares…Sin is never God’s fault…1:15 the picture changes to a birth/rebirth metaphor, as full-grown desire bears its own child, sin, which itself grows into maturity and bears the grandchild, death. This dramatic depiction shows the terrible result when one gives into temptation.” [ESV Study Bible pg. 2392]

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.

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

Every trial, every test, can be used by Satan to trip us up and tempt us to sin. The old adage “The devil made me do it” is just that, an old adage. As a believer in Jesus Christ, regenerated and redeemed, Satan can’t MAKE you do anything. Because of the Cross – we choose. We have all the power of God necessary to obey, to walk away from temptation and sin. God will never put us in a circumstance in which we don’t have that choice. 1 Cor 10:13 tells us He, Himself, will provide us a way of escape. We have to decide whether we will take it our ignore it. I admit, I’ve ignored it far more than I care to admit.

Never lose sight of the truth that God is on your side. He has already won the victory (1 Cor 15:57). He is in the process of making you more like Jesus Christ. That process will not be done until we are in glory. Every trial, every difficulty, every circumstance, every joy, every trouble, every success, every failure, every person, every opportunity, everything is part of God’s plan to make you more like Jesus Christ if you are born of God. “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it” (1 Thess 5: 23-24). “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12).

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.