Fear of man…

You may be more familiar with the world’s term for this very common problem the Bible calls ‘fear of man’. Perhaps you have heard it called “people pleasing” or “co-dependency” or “approval addiction.” At its root, it is placing an inordinate value in what other people think, especially about us. Inordinate? How much would be considered inordinate? Well, for sure, if we value what others think more than what our Creator thinks. Exactly who are we listening to? Whose opinion are we valuing?

Here are some ways we fear (wo)man.
~~ We pass a person in the hall and they don’t say “hi” and we worry about it for 3 days.
~~ We seek the praise of people.
~~ Our world crashes when someone criticizes or questions us.
~~ Our world revolves around another individual, such as our husband, child or best friend. They are the one we go to to get our world set in order, to alleviate negative emotions.
There are many other ways. But, what they all have in common is that in some way we value what another person thinks or says above what God thinks or says.

“Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, And the worm will eat them like wool; But My righteousness will be forever, And My salvation from generation to generation.” Isaiah 51:7-8

“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die, and of the son of a man who will be made like grass? And you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth.” Isaiah 51:12-13

This is a common issue for us. Christians are not exempt. We want to be accepted, we want people to like us, and we want to be well thought of. Whether it is ever true of another living human being or not, it will always be true of God. He accepts us; He not only loves us but He likes us, and He thinks well of us, in fact, He delights in us.

Who will you listen to? The created or the Creator?

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries

Refusing to Go

Recently, a request for prayer was sent out for someone who was in very serious need of medical care. So critical was their situation that emergency services were sent for. Qualified personnel arrived, fully prepared, intending to perform the duties they were specifically trained to do, but were met by a less than willing individual. In spite of his huge need for medical attention, this person was able to offer sufficient resistance to the capable and willing care givers, who were there for one single purpose -TO HELP.

Before any possible thoughts of judgment could surface, the spiritual application was instantly visible and a thought followed by a question popped right out of my head. (Well, not really like that. But you know what I mean.) My thought was, “Lord you know I am just like that!” and my question was “Lord, will you please show me the areas of my life where I am stubbornly resisting Your sovereign care and attention?

There isn’t one of us who, at one time or another has not been guilty of the same thing. Maybe our reason is fear, as it was for the person mentioned above. Perhaps it could be the sin of pride or a simple willfulness, which means “I’m going to do what I want, when I want and how I want.”

The “Why” is irrelevant though, isn’t it? What matters most is that by refusing to go or to do the “whatever it is,” we are missing an opportunity to experience the grace and mercy of our loving Father. The One we forget will discipline and chasten us if He has to because He loves us. Sometimes going through the painful thing is required in order to experience the healing or the deliverance which lies beyond.

If I could speak to this one whose fear is so all-consuming, I would attempt to comfort his heart as I do my own with Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “‘I know the plans I have for you’ says the Lord, ‘plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.'”

We must know and believe that Father God is for us, and not against us; that He can, and will, get us around, over and through our most difficult, painful and serious moments, to the better side, safely tucked under the shadow of His wing.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.” ~~ Psalms 91:1-3a¹

Stephanie, child of the Most High God, is a wife and mother of two grown children. She currently serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Ministry at America’s Keswick as Women’s Ministry Assistant. Her passion is to be an instrument of change in the lives of wounded, hurting people.

Oh how quickly we forget…

Lately, I’ve been reading “Sitting in God’s Sunshine: Resting in His Love” by Alicia Britt Chole. This morning I was reading the chapter “Facing a Problem.” It is an illustration from Matthew 15 when Jesus tells the disciples He wants the crowd of people to have some food as “they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.” Imagine being so enthralled with what was going on that they did not eat. I can’t imagine that happening. I rarely miss meals by accident, and when I do, you bet I know it.

The response of the disciples to Jesus’ request was, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”
Chole offers three hindrances to recognizing God’s provision:
1. “The disciples failed to recall God’s past faithfulness.”
2. “The disciples isolated God’s current provision.”
3. “The disciples neglected to consider the size of their source.”

I don’t know what challenge you face today. Have you lost your job or your health? Do you have a wayward child that is running fast and hard into darkness? Are you facing your retirement with insufficient savings? Are you struggling to pay your bills each month? Is your parent’s health failing? Does your church have dividing factions? Have you recently lost a spouse or loved one? All these things and many more too numerous to list prompt the question, “Lord, where shall we get what we need for such a large problem? How will we meet our bills? How can we stay at that church? What shall we do for our parents? Children? How shall we make it through the pain today?”

Just like the disciples we so quickly forget God’s past faithfulness. In Matthew 14, just a short time earlier, Jesus fed five thousand with five loaves and two fish. Why did they question how He was going to feed four thousand? Do we not do the very same thing? Every one of us, without exception, has experienced God’s faithfulness, mercy and abundant provision in our life. Yet, as we face today’s challenges we tend to forget His faithful provision in the past. “How easy it is for our memory of God’s faithfulness to be erased by the loud grumbling of today’s need.” (Chole pg. 56)

“When facing a problem, disciplining our minds to remember God’s past faithfulness quiets our hearts to receive God’s direction.” (pg. 56) As you face life today, stop. Take a few moments to recall God’s past faithfulness and provision in your life. There is no problem in your life that is beyond the care and provision of our Lord, not one. Wrap your arms around that truth today and never, never, never let go.

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries

My God

My God. Those two simple words are strikingly profound. Meditating on them almost creates a conflict in my mind.

God, Creator, Sustainer of all things. He is almighty and powerful. He is all-knowing and all-wise. He is equally everywhere all the time. He is Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End. He is the Great I AM. He is our environment. In Him we live and breathe and have our being. He is the giver and taker of life. He is sovereignly in control of all things. He is the redeemer of His people. He calls the stars into place each by name. He is love and truth. He is holy and pure. He is righteous and just. There is none like Him, there is no other.

To say “He is my God” takes all those things, and more, that faintly describe the One True God and says He is not just a God, nor that He is the God, nor that He is God, but that He is my God. Personal and intimately known by my finite heart and mind.

Meditate on that simple phrase today — My God — and feel your heart swell with the reality of this truth. Hallelujah!!

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries and is available to speak for your ladies or missions conferences.

My reading through the Bible in a year program has me reading in Numbers. This book basically follows the daily lives of the Israelites as they are wandering in the wilderness, waiting for God and Moses to lead them into the Promised Land. In Numbers 11, God becomes so frustrated with the Israelites’ constant complaining about what God hasn’t done for them, and seeming ungratefulness for what God has done for them, that He sent fire down from heaven which consumed the outskirts of the camp. Apparently His action got their attention, but not for long. In verse 4 of chapter 11, the NIV states “The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing….”

Do you have rabble around you? Has God gotten your attention and you have determined to follow Him only to be sidetracked by the distractions around you? Rabble could be anything that causes us to take our eyes off of Jesus: comments of a friend, new psychological theories, television programs, problems and traumas in our lives.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith….” (Hebrews 12:2).

Marilyn is a wife and mother, author, and international conference and retreat speaker. She and her husband, Glen, serve as Counselors-in-Residence at America’s KESWICK during the summer months

Watching God at Work

Recently, while attending a church meeting, I heard an interesting story that just stirred up my soul. YES, GOD IS AT WORK!!! It was about a little town that needed the Lord.

In Almolonga, Guatemala, a very small town….where there once were bars on each corner we now find churches on each corner. I checked with our speaker to confirm where he had heard or read about this account. He found it in David E. Garland’s recent NIV Application Commentary on Mark, commenting how Peter Wagner corresponded with Walter Wink talking of the effect the gospel had on the town. I will quote it for you.

A “center of human misery: disease, poverty, strife, alcoholism, marital infidelity and violence” was changed into a community of prosperity, health, harmony and peace with over 90% of the inhabitants born again Christians with churches instead of bar rooms on every street.”

Just imagine…..they probably said, “there is no hope for this town.” A town filled with sin, drugs, sex, alcohol, darkness, no light; but God knew that there were souls seeking Him. God sent His servants into this place to clear it out and clean it up; to, in fact, help save this town. What a joy it must be for those missionaries that were a part of that work. Imagine being in heaven someday and chatting with all the believers that came from that town, knowing that you helped them find salvation.

What joy and encouragement should fill our hearts when we hear how God is working. When I was a little girl, I can remember some adults always making life seem like there was no hope with the “doom and gloom” way they talked about how things were in the world. We need to remember little ears are always listening….don’t paint a dark picture. Let them know that sin is alive and wrong. Share Scripture with them to help them stay away from sin but always, always let them know that God is ALIVE. His power is all we need to make a difference in this world. His work is still going on all around us. Share the wonderful things we see happening in the work of the Lord, so that their hearts, too, can be encouraged to keep going on for Him.

Be encouraged to know that this little town was won over by one person touching the life of one person. Be that one person today in your own town and touch one life for Christ today so they can touch another.

Lynn Wilson, a wife and a mother of two boys, is currently on Staff at America’s Keswick. For several years she has been involved in her local church and hosts her own women’s ministry in her home, called Thumb Print Ministries.
Her mission statement would be to touch one life so in turn they can touch a life for eternity. Her greatest joy is to go home at the end of her work day and cook up soups from scratch and other homemade goodies for her family.

The best book ever…

Do you like to read? I do. I enjoy love stories, mysteries, children’s books, medical writings (especially healings), and I love stories of new babies! I love true stories, well written and interesting. Guess what? I have found them all in one book – it’s God’s Word, the Bible.

First of all, I think it is great that God knew He would want His Bible to be enjoyed by all ages, even children. Think of the story of Noah and the ark found in Genesis 6-8; or Jonah and the whale, Jonah 1-4. The favorite of many boys and girls, and even adults, is David and Goliath. All exciting and true!

What about love stories? Jacob choosing a wife, Rachel, in Genesis 29, or Isaac picking Rebekah. In the book of Ruth is the love story of Ruth and Boaz; and even the life and love of Abraham and Sarah becoming parents in their old age. Their faith was tested many times. Love is all through the Old and New Testaments, including God’s precious love for us.
..that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19.

There are the miracles and healings – they bring encouragement and lessons for all of us. Think of the Good Samaritan story, the healing of the blind and the lame. Remember the woman who was healed as she touched the hem of Jesus’ robe – in faith?

We love stories of children and babies. Read how Jesus loved children; His words were, “Let the children come to me.” Read of the baby Moses hid in a basket-boat by his sister for protection of his life by God. What about Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist or her cousin Mary’s beautiful story of baby Jesus? We read it over and over especially at the Christmas season. How special God made Jesus’ birth to us!

I would love to go on and on, but no – YOU read and find YOUR favorite stories. However, please take special time to read the book of John. It is the most wonderful story of Jesus’ life, His death and His resurrection – for you and for me. Especially:

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name John 1:12

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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17

Pick up your Bible, read, enjoy, and share it with someone else!

Dottie is the bride of Chaplain Jack Noel (50 years), mother of 3 married sons, and grandmother to 8. She is a genuine prayer warrior and her love for Jesus Christ is evident to all who know her.

April fool’s Day

Ah, what fond memories I have a various practical jokes I have played and have seen played upon unsuspecting recipients over the years. Some people are certainly more easily duped than others.
Recently, as my family awaited the arrival of two sisters with newly adopted twins from Guatemala- we were all lined up along a row of seats in the airport reception area. A quick trip to the restroom was in order just minutes before the flight was scheduled to land. I made haste and returned quickly to a few chuckles which raised my curiosity. Mom told me my brother-in-law suggested they all move around the corner and hide so I would think they left me there. I laughed as I told him he had been around our family too long. He replied, “You would have done it in a heartbeat to us.” I snickered, “Yup, in half-a-heartbeat.” The thing is, along with the fun of playing jokes on others comes the reputation of being a jokester.
Years ago, my sister-in-law was absolutely certain that I was the one responsible for switching her hard-boiled eggs for raw ones. She ended up dying the raw eggs for Easter. What a great idea, but honestly, it wasn’t my doing. Oddly enough, no one believed me.
It can be great fun to play appropriate jokes on friends and family especially on April Fools day. It’s okay to have the reputation of being a jokester, but may it never be said that we are a fool. I’m sure we have all been guilty of doing foolish things, but we don’t want to be classified, a fool: “a person lacking in judgment or prudence.”1

Psalm 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.

Psalm 92:5-6 O LORD, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this.
Proverbs 10:18 And whoever spreads slander is a fool.
Proverbs 10:23 To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.
Proverbs 11:29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.
Proverbs 13:16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly.

When others look at you do they see a fool or a wise person: characterized by wisdom: marked by deep understanding, keen discernment, and a capacity for sound judgment?2

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK, Biblical Counselor, Conference and retreat speaker, Victory Call editor, wife, mother, grandmother, and nut and not necessarily in that order.

Get in the Gap!!

The other night my husband and I were in prayer together and something he sought God for on behalf of our daughter grabbed my attention and encouraged me all the more to get in the gap and stay there. In his talking with God He asked the Lord to guard and protect our daughter even though she resists coming to Him for herself.

As I have been reading the Bible these past few weeks -as I would read a
novel- Moses and his people leapt to the front of my thinking. Over and over, and over, and over, and over, and over again… Moses went to the Lord on behalf of God’s children. Children the Lord loved enough to save from captivity in Egypt. God delivered them from bondage and a host of other life threatening predicaments and situations. And still they (just like us) resisted, disobeyed, and longed to return to captivity for the mere taste of leeks, onions and garlic. Rather than humble themselves in the sight of God and seek His face, worship Him, and ask for help to deal with their circumstances, not to mention their flesh, they grumbled and complained.

Praise God for Moses and for the friendship relationship he had with his God. Moses consistently (not perfectly) sought the Lord. He even petitioned God for mercy on their behalf when God had determined to discipline them for their sin(s).

Just as my husband stands in the gap for my daughter, Moses stood in the gap for his people. There was no other like Moses. Just think where God’s people would have been if there wasn’t one to stand in the gap on their behalf?

Dear ones, we need to GET IN THE GAP!! We must determine to tirelessly go
before the Lord, to make a stand for righteousness and holiness, to seek God’s mercies for ourselves and those we love. We must make a stand right now! The lives of our loved ones are at stake!

We need to pray even if it appears nothing is changing or happening. None of us know for sure the moment-by-moment impact or effect our prayers are, or may be, having in the spirit realm. We just don’t know.

The enduring faith of one prayer warrior, of one person who is willing to get in the gap, and take a stand for those in our lives who may be ignorantly resisting God can reap generations of blessings. Let’s pray for those who wander aimlessly in the dessert to come to an end of all their foolishness, to humble themselves before the Lord, turn from their wicked ways, be healed and step into the blessing of freedom that comes from Christ alone.

And on a personal note, let’s repent; let’s put to death the deeds or our own flesh -gossiping, slandering tongues, critical judgmental spirits, haughty attitudes, etc., etc. Let’s go to God and ask Him to reveal the besetting sins in our own hearts and lives, remembering there is one who stands in the gap for us, lest we like God’s people of old be burned up with fire or swallowed up by the very ground that we stand on. Selah

Stephanie

Walking in the Shadows

John 8:12 tells us that whosoever follows Jesus “shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.”

I got to thinking about that, asking myself how can I follow Jesus and NOT be walking in darkness as it were. Then it dawned on me (no pun intended) that following Him does not mean I am walking in DARKNESS, but walking in His shadow. That makes all the difference in the world. When you are in the shadows, you are not in complete darkness. Rather you are surrounded by light and something or someone is filtering the light. Think of it as reflected light. He surrounds us with His light and it is reflected onto us. Then we, in turn, serve as “Light reflectors” to those with whom we come into contact every day – family, friends, co-workers, and yes, strangers.

Something in our lives – our conduct – should be reflecting Jesus’ light to others as we follow in His light. The words we speak, the things we spend our “spare time” doing, the way we dress, the places we go, the things we spend our money on, what we eat (have I hit any nerves yet?) should all be reflections of what would bring Jesus glory and show to others that having Him in our lives is what makes the real difference. When someone leaves after being with us, it should be an opportunity for them to bask in the glorious warmth and light of “the Light of the World.”

My prayer for you today – and for me – is that every person I meet will meet Jesus Christ through me, and be drawn to Him because His Light is reflected in my life.

Lynn is the Director of Human Resources at America’s KESWICK; is active in her local church; and enjoys serving and encouraging others.