But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (Colossians 3:18, NKJV).

I will never forget the first time someone told me that I was gentle. (I wish that I could tell you that it was a long time ago….) With incredulity, I asked her to repeat the compliment, certain that I had misheard her. Then, dumbfounded at the reiteration, I silently mused “Me!? Gentle!? Praise God!!” before grinning and offering thanks for the encouragement. And I say it again: Praise be to God that He is working in us, changing us, and transforming us ever so incrementally into the image of His dear Son!!

Are you like me? Do you ever get frustrated with yourself regarding what, from your perspective, seems to be molasses-slow spiritual growth or progress in a given area? I have, and at times still do. But when I reflect on truths such as the fact that I stand (and fall) in a grace-based relationship with my Father (Romans 8:1), that my times (in all spheres including growth) are in His hands (Psalm 31:15), and that while I age outwardly I am improving spiritually as He grows me by His grace, I encourage myself in the Lord and optimally position myself not just to grow, but to relish my Lord. Our faithful Father will perfect not only that which concerns us (Psalm 138:8); He will perfect us as well!

So what faults, sins, and shortcomings are you struggling with just now? Whatever they are, be encouraged that God is committed to perfecting each of His own (Philippians 1:6). The bottom line isn’t growth or victory – although don’t get me wrong – those are important. The bottom line is our extravagant God and what He has done, is doing, and will do, not just on a grand scale, but in each of our lives individually by His unrelenting, unfailing, unchanging, matchless grace.

Melissa Smith is the Women’s Enrich Counselor at America’s Keswick. She has the privilege and honor of ministering to the Colony men’s wives, fiancees and girlfriends, the Barbara’s Place women, and some women from the community who God brings to America’s Keswick for help or care. She and Bill, her husband of 18 years, have four adopted children ages 17 to 24. Her fervent desire is to point women to Christ and His sufficiency, provision, and promises.

 

My first thought of the day is “What’s on FaceBook, who has emailed me, and I wonder what is happening in the world?” Yet You love me still.

I get up in the morning and rush to get my day started, failing to sit at Your feet for my morning manna – yet You love me still.

It seems I am more intent on being sure I get my workout at the gym done rather than my devotions – yet You love me still.

I drive to work behind a slow poke, so I ride his bumper so he knows he’s in MY way – yet You love me still.

I waste time at work talking on the phone, checking social media, and shopping on-line – yet You love me still.

I saw her new shoes and covet having a pair, too – in fact – I envy her whole wardrobe – yet You love me still.

I complain regularly that my house is too small, too big, or in the wrong neighborhood – yet You love me still.

I watch more television than I spend time in the Word or in prayer – yet You love me still.

I gossip about that woman at church who is such a pain in the neck – yet You love me still.

I get annoyed with people in the supermarket because they can’t find their wallet and hold up the line – yet You love me still.

I go to prayer service and check my phone every few minutes just in case someone is trying to reach me – yet You love me still.

I overeat – yet You love me still.

I try to keep up with the Jones’ – yet You love me still.

I am more enamored with myself than with You – yet You love me still.

I fail to love my neighbor every single day – yet You love me still.

The list I could think up of ways we fall short of the glory of God goes on and on – yet He loves us still.

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…  Romans 3:23

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt serves part-time on the staff of America’s Keswick providing ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

 

The noise around us can be distracting and unsettling.  Television, radio, social media, politics, world events, finances and much more vie for our attention.  It seems as if we are in a constant state of noise – auditory, visual, and mental.

What catches your attention?

What do you tend to focus on?

Whose voice is loudest?

Have you ever noticed when you are in a noisy room and the person speaking to you talks so softly that you tend to lean in and strain to hear them?

That is often the way it is with the Lord.  We have to strain to the whispers.

And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12

I recently heard a woman share that in the midst of the clamor of accusations from the enemy and self-doubt which screamed at her constantly – she realized in the midst of the noise there was One whispering to her soul. She had to strain to hear His voice speaking words of truth, comfort and love.

We must be aware and careful that we don’t focus on the noise but strain for the whispers.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt serves part time on the staff of America’s Keswick providing ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

 

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
    my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
    too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
    like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, hope in the Lord
    from this time forth and forevermore.

I remember, many years ago, I was sharing with a friend about an issue I was struggling with causing me great anxiety.  When she said, “I think this is a pride issue,” I was shocked, taken aback, and befuddled… but not offended. I thought about that for some time and I realized that she was right.

It is natural for us to want to understand things that affect us.  Often times when we have been hurt deeply we want to understand why this has happened to us. We want an inside look at God’s purpose. We want an explanation, knowing full well God doesn’t owe us one but longing for one anyway.

Sometimes we can get stuck right there.  Unable or unwilling to let go or move on because the answers we want are not forthcoming.  We come to believe that somehow the answers in and of themselves would resolve the hurt, pain and suffering.

This Psalm offers the answer although perhaps not the one we are looking for.  The Psalmist first assumes a posture of humility – O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;  my eyes are not raised too high. A heart lifted up and eyes raised are both a picture of pride, haughtiness, arrogance.  My friend’s words immediately came back to me.

I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. In other words, the Psalmist does not spend time trying to understand that which is not his to know.  Some things are beyond our ability to comprehend. On one hand there is much in the universe that is too marvelous, too wonderful for our finite minds to grasp – like the magnitude of the physical universe or the infinitude of God.  On the other hand there are things too great, too big, too heavy, too complex for us to bear such as the death of a loved one or the evil against children.  God, in His infinite wisdom, has chosen to shield us from these things.

But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. The Psalmist portrays a picture of complete contentment and rest even though he doesn’t have all the answers and he still does not understand.

How do we move on even if we never understand or get the answers we want?

O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. We can move forward in faith, trusting in the LORD for we know full well there is nothing beyond His knowledge or understanding.  Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! Romans 11:33

Our hope is in the LORD. From a posture of humility, we can calm and quiet our souls like a weaned child because we can rest in Him and trust Him with the answers and understanding we lack.

I’m glad there are answers even if I don’t know them.  I know the One who does and He is trustworthy, loving, kind, powerful, sovereign and good.

Blessings,

Diane

Diane Hunt serves part time on the staff of America’s Keswick providing ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

 

If I had announced to my children at every meal, “I am your mother—I am patient, understanding, compassionate, forgiving, and longsuffering with you,” they would have found that odd, if not amusing. Why? Because my sons learned how deep my love and commitment to them is by living through various experiences. They saw my care for them when they were stung by life. They had my protection for them when they were scared. They heard my prayers for them when they were sick. They felt my compassion for them when they hurt. Even now, as married men and fathers, they get to know me as a mother-in-law and a grandmother. They see me interact with them and their families in new, uncharted circumstances.

Isn’t this the same way we get to know our heavenly Father? From the beginning of time right up to this moment, He reveals to His children His ever-constant character. He doesn’t just list for us all of His names, nor describe Himself with proclamations of “this is a short list of My nature: El Shaddai, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Tsidkenu, Jehovah Rophi, just to name a few. Now, go learn about all those so you know Who I Am”.  No, He engages Himself in our lives. He desires relationship with us. He wants us to know Him as He works in and through our trials and triumphs. He wants us to see Him actually doing for us what He proclaims Himself to be: trustworthy, compassionate, forgiving, real, devoted, joyful. That’s how we really learn His character.

Most definitely, His attributes are wonderfully described in those precious names listed above, and so many more. How much more glorious is it that our Father, the One whose image we are created in, involves Himself in our day-to-day existence, reminding us of how many times and ways He has been there for us in our times of need? The great I AM doesn’t have to make announcements at every turn in our day; instead, He’s always there, leading, guiding, protecting, and loving, just like a really great parent would be. What a God! What a Savior!

Carol

Carol Tirondola is on staff with the Partner Care team at America’s Keswick. She and her best friend, Mario, have been married for 35 years. They have 2 sons and 2 daughters-in-law that they call their “BFFs”. They also have 7 precious gems called grandchildren. Her family has savored many memories of the heart made at Keswick over the last 35+ years and she is thrilled to now be serving on staff!

 

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Romans 5: 6-10

It doesn’t matter if it is a make-up makeover, a weight loss photo, or a home renovation. I just love to see before and after pictures! I find it fascinating what can be done to enhance or change a person, a home, or a building.

This past Sunday I saw a before and after picture that left me speechless.  It is a before and after transformation like none other! In the middle of Romans 5: 6-10 are the words, “Christ died for us”. Before those words scripture tells us who we were: Weak, ungodly, sinners.  After those words is who we have become and are in Him: Justified, saved, reconciled. There is no better makeover you or I have ever experienced!

You and I can often feel like the “before” but we will never be the same. Because of the death of Christ and His resurrection we have new life and a new relationship with Jesus. From here on out, the “after” is who we are in Him.

Blessings,

Kathy

Kathy Withers is on staff at America’s Keswick and serves as Director of Partner Care. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 30 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and teaches a Bible Study for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.

 

I have been a believer almost 34 years.  I have heard this message many times, as I’m sure you have as well, but for some reason the LORD has renewed my spirit with it again and I want to pass it along.

The morning manna provided to the Israelites every day parallels our own need for daily nourishment. God provided daily bread from heaven for their physical needs and to test them.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.” Exodus 16:4

God instructed Israel to gather manna every day enough for one day (except day 6 they gathered for 2 days and did not gather on the Sabbath).

The manna from heaven was not just about meeting Israel’s physical need for food but also to test and teach them about the God that delivered them out of bondage.

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3

Man does not live by bread alone, man does not live by manna alone… but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

I am the bread of life.  Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. John 6:48-51

Like our bodies need daily nourishment, our spirits need daily nourishment.  As you spend time each day feasting on the Bread of Life—are you finding the Manna satisfying to your soul?  Are you enjoying a time each day taking in the Word allowing it to fill you?

Just as the Lord instructed Israel to gather daily – we too are blessed by gathering daily.

This reminder has given me a fresh perspective on morning devotions, quiet time, time with the Lord or reading my Bible. Whatever it is you call it.  I have started to try to retrain my mind to think of my time with the Lord as manna gathering when I get to feast on the Bread of Life through His Word and prayer. That I will find satisfaction for my soul as I come every day for the portion He has waiting for me.

That sounds very different than something I check off my to-do list.  It sounds more like heaven.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt serves part time on the staff of America’s Keswick providing ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

 

Idolatry is not just a worship of statues and wooden animals. Idolatry did not dissolve as we moved into modern times. No, idolatry is alive and well, often thriving in the hearts and minds of believers.  Is that shocking to you?

Idolatry is loving or elevating anything or anyone above the one true God.  I say elevating because we can serve an idol of something we hate – so much so that it consumes our thoughts and our time.  Good things can become idols when they usurp God’s rightful place in our hearts and minds.

Repenting of idolatry takes more than just words and sorrow; repenting of idolatry takes turning away from the idol to God.

…how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God… 1 Thessalonians 1:9

I think sometimes we approach our idols as if they will die of old age; they will somehow just peter out and lose their allure. If that is what we are waiting for – it’s not likely to happen.  The Bible indicates it requires a much more proactive approach.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: “Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations.” Ezekiel 14:6

What do you long for, love, adore before God?

What do you turn to before you turn to God?

What vies for your attention, time and thoughts more than God?

Where do you go for comfort, peace and rest other than God?

Who or what gives you your identity other than God?

Who or what defines you other than God?

What or who do you worship other than God?

Where to you seek fulfillment for your heart’s yearnings other than God?

Idolatry would be easy to see if it was bowing down to stone statues, but the idols in our hearts are hidden, subtle and often hard to see or identify because they seem so normal or explainable.

Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!  Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.  Psalm 119:36-37

Oh, Lord, may our hearts be fully engaged and filled with love for You above all else.  Show us how to do that, Lord, that we may repent, turning our faces toward you.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt serves part time on the staff of America’s Keswick providing ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a Biblical Counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

 

Most of us have heard the song of the same title. I hear a different meaning than the song implies in those lyrics though.

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation– having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise… Ephesians 1:13

In the days of old, when a king sent out a decree, he sealed it with a signet ring dipped in wax and pressed onto the parchment. It was clear who the document was from. No mystery there.

Paul tells us we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. I get a picture in mind of my heart being pressed on with a special seal that only the Father sees. The heat of that seal melts my hardness and softens my edges. His insignia is ingrained. What does it say? Jesus? Saved? Mine? I know these are just suppositions, but I like thinking of them.

When I contemplate the bigness of being captured by the Holy Spirit, it spurs my spirit to want to serve Him better, more, always. When I ruminate over the fact that my sins have been paid for in full by my Savior, it humbles but excites me to surrender each day to Him. When I think of my Father looking at my heart and seeing it covered in the blood of His Son, sealed by His Spirit, loved by Him more than anyone else in my life, it empowers me to give it back to Him, for whatever He wants it for. It’s humbling to think He’d want it at all. What an amazing God we serve.

His name will be on our forehead (Rev.22:4). His Spirit sealed us with a promise of eternity with Him (Eph. 1:13). He has delivered us (Psalm 56:13). Signed, sealed, delivered. How could we not follow that with, “I’M YOURS!”?

Carol

Carol Tirondola is on staff with the Partner Care team at America’s Keswick. She and her best friend, Mario, have been married for 35 years. They have 2 sons and 2 daughters-in-law that they call their “BFFs”. They also have 7 precious gems called grandchildren. Her family has savored many memories of the heart made at Keswick over the last 35+ years and she is thrilled to now be serving on staff!

 

I was recently challenged in a message* when the pastor asked, “Are you a forgiveness hoarder?”

I know this is a difficult and sensitive area for many that have been horrifically sinned against.  I am not a Bible scholar but I do not see a single exception to God’s command and expectation that we forgive others.

Without Christ you and I were condemned, deserving of death.

He paid a very precious price to satisfy His justified wrath to secure our forgiveness.

…for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.  Col 2:13-14

This amazing, undeserved, gracious gift of forgiveness is meant to be received, embraced and allowed to change us, change our hearts. When we understand the magnitude of our own sin against the One True God and His free and abounding grace and forgiveness to us, it changes us.  Our hearts swell with love for our Redeemer.

God’s forgiveness is not to be only received but also to be extended, passed along that others may swell with greater and greater love for our Redeemer too. We can be a conduit of that love.

…if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Col 3:13

What if we viewed forgiveness as being about loving God and modeling His love to us and His love to others?

Don’t start with the premise that the offender deserves forgiveness. If God waited for us to deserve forgiveness or even desire it, we would still be lost in our sin but Romans 5:8 tells us He did not wait. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

How can we be forgiveness hoarders after being forgiven ourselves? Nothing, nothing, nothing we have done warrants our forgiveness.  Don’t fool yourself by thinking you deserve to be forgiven.  You don’t. I don’t.  Apart from the free and gracious love of God we would still be lost with not a life sentence but an eternal sentence of punishment.

Yet, if you know Christ personally and are redeemed, regenerated, born-again – you have been forgiven and the debt has been paid in full. There is not a single milligram of God’s wrath remaining towards you.

Isn’t that just too good to keep to yourself?

Blessings,

Diane

*Message by Pastor Nick Swan

Diane Hunt serves part time on the staff of America’s Keswick providing ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a Biblical Counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.