Have you ever heard someone say something like, “you wouldn’t know the truth if it was staring you in the face”? In today’s society or culture, “truth” is no longer Truth. It has become a relative term, something that might have many interpretations depending on your point of view. The famous line I hear over and over again is “you have your truth and I have mine.” Today when THE TRUTH is right there in front of a person, their heart may be so blinded by the world or hardened that they can’t recognize it for what it is.

There was a man of power and position who stood face to face with Truth and never recognized it … never acknowledged it. That man was Pilate. He stood before Jesus… the Christ, looked Him in the eyes, and missed it. John 18:33, 36-38(ESV)

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” …

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world–to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

What an opportunity Pilate missed. Here was the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior… and Pilate missed it.

Haven’t we all been like that at one time or another? I was there for over 40 years! The funny thing is I can’t really recall a time that I really “heard” the Gospel. As a child I went to Sunday school and church until I was about 18 or 19. I heard the pastor read from the Bible and heard his sermons. The Truth was right there in my face and I couldn’t see it or hear it.

Webster’s definition of truth:
1. Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be.

It seems pretty clear to me that truth is “fact” and unchangeable. There is much comfort in this reality for if it was changeable then chaos would rule and we would be lost and hopeless.

I take great comfort in the Truth. The Truth in the Word of God is just as true today as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow…His salvation plan through Jesus, His great and precious promises for you and for me.

I can only pray for my loved ones who have been face to face with Truth and until now have chosen to reject it for their own “truth.” I pray they would come to know the Truth and that the Truth “would set them free.”

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
Matthew 6
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

The Lord has really been teaching me much when it comes to the warning against unbelief and the consequences it can bring. In my quiet time the other day I was reading Hebrews 3:7-19. In my Bible (and maybe in yours), the section is actually entitled “Warning Against Unbelief.” Verse 19 says, “So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.” (NIV-emphasis mine) Where were they not able to enter? It is referring back to what we were reading yesterday – that generation of Israelites did not enter the Promised Land where the Lord would bring them rest, but rather wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.

I KNOW my unbelief definitely leads to lack of rest and peace. If I truly believe in God’s sovereignty and that He is aware and in control of everything that happens, then I can rest in Him. As Ephesians 1:11 says, He “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.” (NIV-emphasis mine)

When things are tough, will I keep His commands or will I buckle under pressure and revert back to my fleshly way of doing things? “Unbelief is the root of many sins and problems. When you feel lost, it may be because you’re looking everywhere but to God for your help and guidance.” 1

Where do you look when you are under pressure, when you feel lost? How many times do I look to other people, other things, even to myself, thinking that God is either unaware of or just not handling things in the way, or as quickly, as I think He should. Of course, I say that I believe God is in control, but do I really believe it? Does my theology match my reality?

May we not be like the Israelites who wandered 40 years in the wilderness because of their fear and unbelief, but rather “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5&6 (NIV)

Lord, please help us to believe You, and to keep on believing You, even when times are tough, so that we may enter Your rest, AND so we may experience Your incomparably great power in our lives – that power that is only available to us who BELIEVE (Eph. 1:19).

Stacey Poplawski
WOC Graduate

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

DIGGING DEEPER
Matthew 6
31Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

Recently, I have found myself dealing with that stronghold of fear again. Without warning, it will creep back up and before I know it, anxious thoughts are buzzing around in my head. Can you relate? But, praise be to God, He is patient with me and continually speaks to me to teach me to trust Him more.

Back in August, I began reading through the Bible chronologically. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to get too much out of the book of Numbers. But, as 2 Timothy 4:16 says, “ALL Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (NIV) A couple weeks ago, I was reading the passage for the day, which included Numbers 14. The 12 spies had just returned from scoping out the Promised Land and 10 of them brought a bad report. The negative attitude spreads like wildfire and before you know it, the people begin to grumble and complain and want to go back to Egypt. (Did they forget that they were slaves there?) “Losing their perspective, the people were caught up in the emotion of the moment, forgetting what they knew about God’s character.” 1 Spiritual amnesia. Fear makes us forget. I forget what I know about God and I forget all that He has done for me and around me. I become fixated on my fear and lose perspective of the big picture.

The Lord responds to the people’s grumbling in verse 11: “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?” I don’t want God to say that about me. I’m sure you don’t either. God did so very much for the Israelites, and He’s done so much for me. I, too, have witnessed miracles! Why do I at times act as if I want to go back to Egypt (slavery), instead of on to the Promised Land (of His rest)? I believe it often comes down to one word – UNBELIEF. I would like to look more at the subject of unbelief tomorrow.

In the meantime, may our prayer be, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 (NIV) As we learn to believe Him more and more, fear will give way to His perfect peace “which transcends all understanding, and will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7 (NIV)

Stacey Poplawski
WOC Graduate

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

DIGGING DEEPER
Matthew 6
30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

The holidays are upon us and the calendar is getting more and more scribbles. Shopping goes into hyperdrive and it seems that there is way too much to do and way too little time to do it. Oh, forgive me, perhaps that’s just me. It is too easy to lose track of what is most important. Our verses this week are a gentle reminder of God’s care and provision.

Matthew 6:30-34
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Commentary:
There is scarcely any sin against which our Lord Jesus more warns his disciples, than disquieting, distracting, distrustful cares about the things of this life. This often ensnares the poor as much as the love of wealth does the rich. But there is a carefulness about temporal things which is a duty, though we must not carry these lawful cares too far. Take no thought for your life. Not about the length of it; but refer it to God to lengthen or shorten it as he pleases; our times are in his hand, and they are in a good hand. Not about the comforts of this life; but leave it to God to make it bitter or sweet as he pleases. Food and raiment God has promised, therefore we may expect them. Take no thought for the morrow, for the time to come. Be not anxious for the future, how you shall live next year, or when you are old, or what you shall leave behind you. As we must not boast of tomorrow, so we must not care for tomorrow, or the events of it. … Thoughtfulness for our souls is the best cure of thoughtfulness for the world. Seek first the kingdom of God, … Happy are those who take the Lord for their God, and make full proof of it by trusting themselves wholly to his wise disposal. [http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/Matthew-Henry/Matt/Trust-God-Commended] accessed 11/23/10

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 25 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

Are you anxious? Do you fret and worry? Remember God’s word – He cares for all of His creation.

Matthew 6:25-29
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

Points to Ponder:
How often do we get worried about the minor things in life? Not that there are not major things, but we need to remind ourselves that God has the big and the small well in hand. His word is filled with verses reminding us that He is in control. He is good. He is loving. He is all-powerful and He is paying attention. Rest, sister, rest. He has His eyes on 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 25 years. She has 2 children, 2+ grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

Psalm 142:1-2
I cry out to the LORD with my voice;
With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.
I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare before Him my trouble.

Do you struggle with praying out loud? For years I did. I was always afraid I wouldn’t say the right words, or sound “spiritual enough.” What that really boils down to is fear of people – and the only One who should command our fear is God. After all, He is the one to Whom we’re speaking anyway. When we pray out loud, we’re inviting others to join in with us as we pray, but we aren’t really talking to them.

I’ve recently been reading a little book by Bill Gothard titled “The Power of Crying Out.” While I’ve somewhat conquered my fears of praying out loud in groups of people, I had never thought about praying out loud when I’m by myself. After all, God knows my thoughts, right? Psalm 139:2b says “You understand my thought afar off.” So when I’m praying in my heart and my mind and my spirit, God hears me. But the Scripture is full of verses indicating we are to cry out to God with our voice.

So, I’ve started praying out loud. It was really weird at first. Kind of makes me feel like I’m talking to myself. My dad says only little old ladies with money talk to themselves – and I’m neither! But the truth is, I’m not talking to myself – I’m talking to my Father, and I know He hears me. “I cry out with my whole heart; Hear me, O LORD! I will keep Your statutes” (Psalm 119:145).

I was sharing with a friend about this “new” concept and she reminded me that, while God can hear my prayers whether silent or spoken out loud, Satan can only hear what I speak with my voice. So when I pray out loud, I’m also letting him know what I’m asking God to do – and he knows I have the power of God on my side.

Is there a burden on your heart that you’ve been praying about? Cry out to God – He will hear!

Ruth Schmidt

Ruth Schmidt is on full-time staff at America’s Keswick, and grateful to be a daughter of the King.

DIGGING DEEPER
Matthew 6
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

I have found myself the past two months in the grips of despond. I didn’t know how to move past the emotions and inner pain I was dealing with. I found this poem and it brought great comfort to my heart that through the furnace, it is there that God strips us of who we are that we may grow in Him. Don’t be disheartened. We’re not home yet. Although weeping may last for the night, joy everlasting cometh in the morning.

Oh, the furnace of suffering! How it hurts and brings us pain!
It is there that the Lord trains us for battle.
It is there that we learn to pray.

It is there that God gets alone with us
and reveals to us who we really are.
It is there where He prunes away our comforts
and burns away the sin in our lives.

It is there, in the furnace, that we drench our pillow with tears
when in agony of soul we cry out to Him,
“Oh Lord, if it be possible, remove this cup from me:
nevertheless not my will but thine be done.”

It is there that He uses our failures to prepare us for His work.
It is there, in the furnace, when we have nothing to offer,
when we have no song in the night.

It is there that we feel like our life is over
when every thing we enjoy is being taken away from us.
It is then that we begin to realize
that we are under the wings of the Lord.
He will take care of us.

It is there that we often fail to recognize
the hidden work of God in our most barren times.
It is there, in the furnace, that no tear is wasted
but fulfills His purposes in our lives.

It is there that He weaves the black thread
into the tapestry of our life.
It is there where He reveals that all things work together
for good to those who love Him.

It is there that we get real with God, when all else is said and done.
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust in him.”
It is when we fall out of love with this life,
and live in the light of eternity to come.

It is there that He reveals the depths of love that He has for us,
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed in us.”
~ Romans 8:18

It is there, in the furnace, that we realize
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,
worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
~ 2 Corinthians 4:17

It is there that we fall in love with Jesus
and appreciate the depth of our eternal home,
knowing that the sufferings of our past won’t cause us pain,
but would rather enhance His glory.

It is when we come out of the furnace that spring begins to blossom.
After He reduces us to tears we offer liquidified prayers
that touch the heart of God.

It is there that we shed tears of intercession
that will not be forgotten by God.
“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed,
shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
bringing his sheaves with him.”
~ Psalm 126:6

“…but we glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
and patience, experience;
and experience, hope.”
~ Romans 5:3-4

Author unknown

Patsy Foley
Women of Character Graduate

DIGGING DEEPER
Matthey 6
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

Have you been in prayer for a loved one or a dear friend for a long time? Have you sought the Lord on how to pray? Have you searched the scriptures, declaring and believing the truth of the Word? Have you fasted in an effort to break the stronghold that seems to have a grip on someone you love? Have you longed in desperation and cried out for the mercy of God to set someone free? Have you done all of these things and yet you are still waiting to see the fruit of your prayers?

The Word of the Lord is true. When you are in the place of “waiting” it does take strength and courage of heart to wait and press on in faith. It is my personal belief that not one tear, nor one prayer goes into some void. God hears it all. He answers our prayers for our loved ones. Things are happening that may be unseen to our eyes but God is always faithful to hear the prayers of His children.

God Himself knows how painful “waiting” can be. We cannot even imagine the pain of waiting and watching as His only Son bore the physical pain of the beatings and crucifixion not to mention the horror of taking on our sin on the cross.

Be encouraged today dear one, the Word of God in Jeremiah says “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you, declares the Lord…” (29:11-14a). God has a good plan for your loved one, don’t give up.

The Word says in Matthew, “Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened” (7:7-8). EVERYONE who asks, EVERYONE who seeks, EVERYONE who knocks……don’t give up.

The Word says in Proverbs “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight” (3:5-6). What you see in the natural may not make any sense at all, but God is worthy of your trust despite what you see in the natural. Don’t give up.

Dear one, while you are waiting press on toward the goal, “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1c-2). “And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time, we shall reap if we do not grow weary” (Gal. 6:9). DON’T GIVE UP, WAIT ON THE LORD.

God bless you, keep you, may His face shine upon you and encourage you this day as you wait on Him, Who is faithful, Who is able, Who is worthy of your praise and your trust. God bless you with the grace to stand strong and courageous while you wait for the fullness of His plan, His future, His hope to be released into the life of your loved one.

To Him be all the glory and honor and praise.

Patricia L. Wenzel
Graduate, Women of Character

Scripture is from the New American Standard Translation 1978

DIGGING DEEPER
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

One of the number one issues women seek counseling for is worry, anxiety and fear. As the economy and world events spin seemingly out of control, there is a place of steadfast peace. These are great verses to commit to memory.

Matthew 6:25-29
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

Commentary:
“Men can choose what to set their hearts on. They can go all out for money and material things, or for God and spiritual things. But not for both. Everyone must decide his own priorities. Those who put God first can rest assured he knows all their needs and will not fail to supply them. They can be free from worry.” [EERDMANS’ Concise Bible Handbook pg. 265]

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 25 years. She has 2 children, 2+ grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

Matthew 5:10-16
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness´ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people´s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 “Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Points to Ponder
Who has your back? When we are confronted or misunderstood, it’s natural to want to defend ourself, our name. We want to explain ourselves but God’s Word tells us we are in good company with the prophets. These Scripture remind us that life is not about us, but about His glory, His honor and His reputation. When we step back and remember the vertical perspective a settledness comes over our heart. Take time to remember.

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 25 years. She has 2 children, 2+ grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.