Your Story

What is your conversion story? You know, your “before” and “after?” If you know Jesus as Savior and acknowledge Him as Lord of your life, you have a story — a testimony. You are a witness to something amazing and profound which you can go and tell someone sharing with them the saving, redeeming truth of the Gospel.

Regardless of the details of “your story” or “my story,” we can all say without question, “Once I was blind and lost in the depth and darkness of sin. Now I am found and I can see IN CHRIST ALONE, I have victory.” All the rest are details that God works out in our lives as we walk in/by His grace and truth.We have all been bought with the precious blood of Christ. It is His power in us and not OUR power in us that sees us through the drama(s) of life.

No powers, no schemes will ever change that ONE TRUE THING!! We are loved. NO MATTER WHAT our story was, or is, we are loved! All the way to the Cross He loved us, and you can take that to the bank!”For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”1 ~~Romans 8:38-39″For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” ~~John 3:16″The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” ~~2 Peter 3:9

Whoever you are, wherever you are, you have a story. Is God, in Christ, a part of that story? If He is, praise Him! If He is not, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” ~~Matthew 7:7 Stephanie Paul is Director of Women’s Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK

The giving of thanks…

When I am with my grandkids, it is always easy to be thankful. Our first grandchild, Kate, had a traumatic birth. Because of a prolapsed cord, she went six minutes without a heartbeat, muscle tone, or respiration. Doctors prepared us for the worst; possible brain damage, problems with speech and coordination, and even death. Kate is now 21; a multi-talented college senior. God is faithful and we are thankful.

Our grandson Caleb suffered with a blood disorder throughout the pregnancy. Many doctors suggested it might be best to “terminate” the pregnancy. When Caleb was born, he had two complete blood exchanges within the first twenty-four hours of life. Caleb is now 14 and in the ninth grade. He is a handsome, talented young man. God is faithful and we are thankful.Matt’s middle child, Nathan, has been a joy and delight. As I heard him talking in another room recently, my memories transported me back to thirty some years ago when his Uncle Nathan chattered in our home. Matt’s Nathan is musical, and especially loves to play the guitar which brings back more memories of a time gone by. God is faithful and we are thankful.

This year we have celebrated our fiftieth year of marriage. Certainly there have been some major bumps in the road, but the best part is we still like each other! God is faithful and we are thankful.Most of you know our story that we have buried three sons. There is no doubt those events changed our lives forever. Things or money don’t matter nearly as much as they used to. Each day matters more. Relationships mean more. God means more. Heaven is so much dearer and nearer. Our kids and grands all love the Lord and are serving Him. God is faithful and we are thankful.

I urge you today to look back and recall God’s faithfulness to you. Yes, we have gone through difficult patches, but God has promised He will never leave us alone or forsake us. Take time to thank Him today.”I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations” (Psalm 89:1). Marilyn Heavilin is our summer counselor-in-residence at America’s KESWICK, serving alongside her husband of 50 years, Glen.

Wholehearted

In my reading this week, I read “He (Amaziah) did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly. Emphasis mine. (2 Chronicles 25:2, NIV).

Have you ever done what God asked you to do, but not wholeheartedly? Have you gone to church because you knew you should, but not wholeheartedly? Have you read through your devotions each day, but not wholeheartedly? Have you taught your children to walk in the ways of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly?

In contrast, a few chapters later, we read, “In everything that he (Hezekiah) undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. Emphasis mine. And so he prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:21 NIV).

So what made the difference between these two men? The Bible says Hezekiah obeyed God’s laws and commands. He sought God and worked wholeheartedly. He sought God. That means he learned about God. He got to know Him. Then he could put his whole heart into obeying God.As we spend time seeking God, learning His ways, we can put our whole heart into serving Him. We will no longer need to obey only in our actions, but we can obey with joy because we know Him.”

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free” (Ephesians 6:7-8, NIV). Marilyn Heavlin is a speaker, author and counselor.

“Paul, an apostle- not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead…” ~~Galatians 1:1

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel- not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” ~~ Galatians 1:6-9 (ESV)1

Whose Gospel are you living? I ask this question because of the many conversations I’ve had where strict adherence is given to traditional rule even though it is clear in Scripture that, as believers, we are no longer under law.Sisters, I know who I was, and the sin that abounded in my life, before I was born-again. I know the ways that I tried to live up, measure up, to all the spoken and unspoken rules, etc., whereby I might be acceptable in this crazy world in which we live.

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus freely submitted to the justice God required to make atonement for us. Hearing and responding to the heart of God, to come to Him, was the event that set me on the path I continue to walk in grace and truth toward experiencing full freedom from SIN and from the tradition and legalism which regularly stirves to diminish the Gospel. Who are you living for and trying to please? Are you trading the gospel of the grace of Christ for any other thing, any other man-authored substitute for His completed work?

May our hearts quake within us, at any thought of living for the praise or glory of any other than Christ Jesus Himself.”Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” ~~Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)”Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.” ~~ Galatians 5:1 (The Message) Selah. Stephanie Paul is Director of Women’s Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK

1 www.biblegateway.com

The Word Prevails

But the word of God grew and multiplied. Acts 12:24

In the face of much opposition over the 2000+ years since the time of Christ, neither thing nor person has been successful in stopping the word of God. Many have tried. In Acts, Herod was seeking praise and God struck him down for receiving the worship of a god and did not give glory to God. And the next line says: But the word of God grew and multiplied (vs. 24).

We have all heard stories from missionaries, of Christians being persecuted for their faith and their love and passion for the word of God. We have heard of elderly women who treasure one section of scripture that has been given to them because the Bible has been separated into pieces so many could get just a little bit. Those few pages are treasured as gold bouillon or rare diamonds, often carried within their clothing to keep their treasure safe. Do you know why the word of God prevails? Why it continues to grow and multiply in the face of persecution and adversity? The answer is simple: Because God has said it would. He preserves it. Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.Psalm 119:89

Is there any better thing to build your foundation on than that which will prevail and continue to prevail for ever? — Diane Hunt is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries

He Is Worthy! (Part 3; Exodus 34:6)

I am very thankful for Pastor John’s willingness to write Freedom Fighter’s this week while I am in Branson. I trust you have enjoyed his insights from the Word.

For the last two weekends, I’ve asked you to think with me about the theme “He Is Worthy!” For several months, I’ve been asking the Lord to teach me how to praise Him. I do praise Him when I pray and when I talk about His works, but I often think that my praise isn’t as strong or full as it should be since He is worthy of the best I can offer.

During November our church has considered how worthy God is of all we have. The month culminates with a special offering we pray will declare that “He Is Worthy!” I’ve experienced a side benefit to that emphasis.

My praying-especially the praise part-has experienced freshness. He’s answered my prayer! Now my praise reflects what I’ve learned (again) about all the ways that He is God. He is worthy of my praise because He is God. He’s also worthy of my praise because He’s good.

Think with me this morning about another way He is worthy. He is worthy because He is gracious. God said it best in Exodus 34:6. “And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth . . . .'”

Graciousness is best defined as God inclining His ear toward us and addressing our needs. You’ll often see God’s graciousness and mercy linked, especially in the Old Testament. His graciousness allows Him to give us what we DON’T deserve. His mercy allows Him to refrain from giving us what we DO deserve.

Take a walk through the Psalms and count how many times we’re told that God is gracious. Consider His work in the lives of the children of Israel. Think about how often His graciousness brought blessing. Don’t forget God’s graciousness to us and the world in sending His Son, Jesus, to become our sin-bearer. As I reflected on God’s graciousness in my life, I discovered even more reasons to praise Him. From childhood to my sixties, I see a life loaded with evidence of God’s gracious care and attention.

Several men from the Colony of Mercy attend the church I have the privilege of serving. They each see that cord of graciousness in their lives. They know what could have been. Mercy prevented that from happening. They know how God is at work in their lives. God’s graciousness is evident!

How should God’s graciousness impact our lives? Let me give you three words and three scriptures to go with them. Take time to look up the scriptures as you consider the three words. The first word is RELATIONSHIP, and the scripture is Psalm 116:1&2. The second word is REST, and the scripture is Psalm 116:5-7. The third word is WORSHIP, and the scripture is Psalm 116:12-19. Revel in God’s graciousness toward you this week!

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 22; Ezekiel 18-19; James 4

Think About This: When my body is pained, it is not wrong to wish for relief. When overtaken by sickness, it is not wrong to send for the physician. You may call this selfishness, which He who made us what we are, and who gave us these instincts, expects us to act upon; and in acting on which, we may count upon his blessing, not his rebuke. It is not wrong to dread hell, to desire heaven, to flee from torments, to long for blessedness, to shun condemnation, and to desire pardon. — Horatius Bonar

PRIDE

I work in addiction recovery ministry and could easily say that the biggest sin encountered on a daily basis is “addiction.” In my opinion, if we were to guess that we would be oh so wrong. The biggest sin I encounter daily, in myself, and all around me in other people, is the sin of pride.

“These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud lookA lying tongueHands that shed innocent bloodA heart that devises wicked plans Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.” 1 ~~Proverbs 6:16-19

If we instantly heeded the Lord’s conviction every time pride showed up, I think it would be difficult for us to walk upright because we’d be on our knees expressing sorrow to a holy God. God desires our hearts to always be remembering the grace by which we have been saved.

So, the simple, yet strong encouragement for today is this: We need to practice intentional humility Coram Deo – before the face of God.”But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”2 ~~James 4:6

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.” ~~James 4:7-103 Selah

Stephanie Paul is Director of Women’s Addiction Recovery Ministry of America’s KESWICK
1 www.biblegateway.com2 ibid3 ibid

I JUST CAN’T WAIT…

How many times have you said this? “I just can’t wait” for my birthday, or Christmas, or even the weekend. But how many times do you say, “I just can’t wait to have my devotions.” I, for one, plead guilty to not only NOT eagerly anticipating having my devotions, but to be honest, there are some days (and all too often more than one) when I don’t miss having devotions at all.

Earlier this week, Bill Welte spoke to a group of business people at an event we call TBN (The Breakfast Network). His topic – stewardship of our time. One of the points he made was that all of us have the same amount of time given to us each day, and it is up to us to use it wisely, in God’s service and for His glory. Following closely on that point he said, “Do you personally spend time with the Lord each day?” And then he said – this is NON-NEGOTIABLE. Now I know he wasn’t directly his remarks to me alone, but he might as well have been.

The Holy Spirit used his words to speak truth to me and convict me of my sloppiness when it comes to my devotions. At that moment, I prayed silently that each day God would help me make better decisions on the use of my time so that my devotions don’t “fall off the table” because I run out of time. Notice that I DID NOT SAY I prayed for more time. I already have all the time I need – I just need to refocus what I do with that time.So my prayer today is that as I get back to where I must be in my daily walk with my Lord that it will become less an issue of “finding the time” and more an issue of not being able to wait until the time when I can draw close to God in prayer, reading His Word and worshipping Him for Who He is and what He does in my life.’Walk in wisdom…redeeming the time.” (Col. 4:5) Lynn Randall is Director of Human Resources at America’s KESWICK

At the Place Of the Sea

Have you come to the Red Sea place in your life, Where, in spite of all you can do, There is no way out, there is no back, There is no other way but through? Then wait on the Lord with a trust serene till the night of your fear is gone; He will send the wind, He will heap the floods, When He says to your soul, “Go on.”And His hand will lead you through- clear through- Ere the watery walls roll down, No foe can reach you, no wave can touch, No mightiest sea can drown; The tossing billows may rear their crests, their foam at your feet may break, But over their bed you shall walk dry shod In the path that your Lord shall make.In the morning watch, ‘neath the lifted cloud, You shall see but the Lord alone, When He leads you forth from the place of the sea, To a land that you have not known; And all your fears shall pass as your foes have passed, You shall be no more afraid; You shall sing His praise in a better place, A place that His hand has made. – Annie Johnson FlintWhen I can’t put things into words I am so glad that others have already done it! When I think I am the only one feeling a certain way I am glad to read that someone else has had the same feelings. When I have to cross the Red Sea I am glad to be reminded of God’s faithfulness to bring me to a new place that He has made. Today may you know that you are not alone; others have crossed the sea to the other side. Kathy Withers is a frequent Victory Call contributor and a lover of God’s WORD

I have been crucified with Christ.

In preparing a Higher Ground lesson recently, I was reminded again of the truth that I am dead. It occurred to me that most people I know, most Christians I know live as if they don’t believe they are dead and I include myself in that group. J. Penn-Lewis said, “If the difference between ‘Christ dying for us, ‘ and ‘our dying with Him, ‘ has not been recognized, acknowledged , and applied, it may safely be affirmed that the self is still the dominating factor in the life” (Memoir, p. 26).i

Notice Penn-Lewis did not simply say recognized and acknowledged but also applied. The application of truth to our lives makes the difference between mediocrity and Victory. I think most Christians live as if Christ is on the cross and they are on the throne. Christ on the cross, where He is dead and powerless. They are on the throne alive, in power and ruling their own life. Rather, we should live as if we are on the cross powerless, dead to self and flesh and Christ is on the throne all-powerful, the resurrected King of our life. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

May I invite you to join our Higher Ground group with their assignment? For one week, frequently remind yourself “not I, but Christ”. In the ordinary things of your day, remind yourself, “not I, but Christ”. When a difficulty comes and your flesh response is unChristlike, remind yourself, “not I, but Christ”. Each night, write down what happened. How did you respond differently because you remembered you were dead? Feel free to email me your stories. I’d love to hear from you. Dianedhunt@americaskeswick.org

If you live in our neighborhood, why not join us at America’s Keswick for Higher Ground, Monday nights, 7-8:30 pm. We are currently working through The Complete Green Letters by Miles Stanford. i Quoted in The Green Letters, Miles Stanford, pg. 33-34