Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire…Proverbs 18:1

Simple truth.

Do you see any ways in which you may be inclined to isolate? I’m not talking about being a recluse but simple, ordinary ways that lean towards isolation.

Staying home rather than being involved.

Not participating in small group or cell group or home group – whatever your church calls them.
Telling ourselves that someone else will do it.

Finding ways to be involved without really participating. Contributing to a ministry rather than being hands and feet in the ministry.

What does New Testament body life really look like?  How do we engage in meaningful ways with others – believers and non-believers?  One of the words Merriam-Webster offers as the opposite of isolation is fellowship.

I’m not suggesting we don’t have downtime, vacations and rest but when it becomes our norm rather than the exception – we may be leaning towards isolation.  Let’s face it, in many ways isolation is easier and less work; of course, it comes with its own problems but that isn’t the point of this VC.

Why do we isolate?
There is no one around to disagree with us.
We can make our own decisions without considering anyone else.
No one holds us accountable.
We don’t have to choose to do what we don’t feel like doing.
And the list goes on and on.

In other words, we can seek our own desires with no one to interfere.  We can live to please ourselves.  That sounds so enlightened, so 21st century.  It does NOT sound biblical or godly.
Isolation does not fulfill either the first or second Great Commandment.

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39

Isolation is all about me, not God or others. God did not create me so that I may delight in me. God created me to love and obey Him.

Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him. Isaiah 43:7(underlining mine)

This Word challenges me personally. I have some changes I need to make in my life – how about you?

Blessings, Diane

After serving 16 years full-time on the staff of America’s Keswick, Diane Hunt and her husband moved to North Carolina where she continues to serve part-time as a contributing writer and Partner Care Consultant.  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.

i http://www.merriam-webster.com

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:14-15, NKJV).

Who doesn’t want to shine?! Think about any discipline, venture, goal, hobby, relationship, or opportunity that one pursues. Don’t we want to do and be our best in any given area – especially as Christians who are living for and unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23)? And what sphere of life is more vital for one to “shine” in than one’s witness and testimony for Christ? What Christian doesn’t want to be “blameless,” “harmless,” and “without fault” in terms of one’s actual behavior? (Thank our Heavenly Father that as Christians we already possess perfect records positionally because of what Christ has done for us!)

So how do we radiate, as God’s children, like beckoning, bright, brilliant stars? Stars don’t set out to shine, per se, they just, by nature, do what God has made for them to do. Philippians 2:14-15 in essence tells us that the key to God’s children shining is to live life in a contented, peace-loving, faith-filled, and God-praising manner that is sure to shine luminously- especially in the midst of this current day and age in which we live. And when we know God’s nature and promises and have His Spirit empowering us, submission and surrender are both positively viewed and willfully executed.

I don’t know about you, but I am excited that God picks where we live and when (Acts 17:26), that He has good works planned for us to do (Ephesians 2:10), and that He enables us to do them (Philippians 4:13). It is His fervent desire that we radiate faith, breathe hope, live, love, and exude joy so that God can be honored in and through our lives as we bless others in His Name.
What greater honor and privilege is there than to live for the King of Glory in this day, time, and location which He has chosen for us? My prayer for us all is that we will do that increasingly as the darker the night, the brighter the light – so shine on!

Melissa

Melissa Smith is the Women of Character Coordinator at America’s Keswick. She has the privilege and honor of ministering to the colony men’s wives 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.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14

We’re at the last part of this series, and I’m so thankful to have been able to write about this topic. The part of the verse I’m talking about today is “turn from their wicked ways.” Repentance.

Here are some quotes by Charles Spurgeon on this topic:
“Repentance is as much a mark of a Christian as faith is. A very little sin, as the world calls it, is a very great sin to a true Christian.”

“Christian, beware of thinking lightly of sin. Take heed, in case you fall little by little.”

“Another proof of the conquest of a soul for Christ will be found in a real change of life. If the man does not live differently from what he did before, both at home and abroad, his repentance needs repented of, and his conversion is a fiction.”

Repentance is so important, and relates to every topic I’ve written about in this series.
1.    Humility  – when we confess our sins and repent, we are doing so in an act of humility and an acknowledgement that we need God, because without Him we are nothing.
2.    Prayer – (See Psalm 66:18, Proverbs 1:28-29, Isaiah 59:2). When we are living a life of allowed sin, we are hindering the effectiveness of our prayers.
3.    Seeking His Face – This means seeking Him in all aspects of our lives. We cannot seek His face without repentance. We can’t actively pursue the Will of God while actively disobeying Him.

Our choice is between following God or following sin. If we want to be in line with God, the answer is obvious – we must follow the route of repentance.

Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. – Acts 3:19

No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. – Luke 13:3

But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? – Ezekiel 18:21-23

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. – Proverbs 28:13

The fact that we have the opportunity to repent and be freed from guilt is so amazing. The flesh is weak, but our God is strong. It is by HIS strength alone can we forsake sin. He is so good!

Erin

Erin Culleny serves as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She loves encouraging women through her Victory Calls and finds such joy in praying for her sisters in Christ. She is so excited that after 5 years on Summer Staff, she now has the opportunity to serve at Keswick year ’round. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with Scripture, buying new dresses, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

My aunt went through two major surgeries at the age of 87. I was with her when she awoke from the second surgery. Her first comment was that she didn’t think she would be here much longer. I knew in my heart that was probably the case. She then continued her thought by quoting a familiar hymn: “This is my story; this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.”  A life spent pondering on the things of God now flowed through her mind. Now, coming to the end of her life, her desire was to see Jesus and praise Him all day long. Watching her struggle physically in the end was difficult. Seeing her finish well was a privilege.

I am challenged to consider how I want to finish. Will Jesus continue to be the desire of my heart? Will my love for Him be as strong when I am 87?  I want to finish well.  Finishing well in the end begins with the choices we make each day. What choices do you and I have today that will lead us to the finish line strong?

Let these words be our hope and goal today: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Kathy Withers

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.

Today’s Victory Call is taken from Real Victory for Real Life, Volume 2. To purchase your copy, call 1-800-453-7942.

 

 

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me,” (Acts 20:24)

How is that for a depressing statement?  Hold on, because it is really the most glorious statement for a Christian.  Prior to this statement Paul said… “I served the Lord with great humility…” (Acts 20:19).  Humility is marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful.

As Christians we often talk about being humble, we describe others as humble and we are satisfied with humble actions to certify us as humble.  Humility lies deeper within than what we do on the surface or in action.  Are you humble of heart; is your attitude within humble?  In Matthew 11:29 Jesus tells us that He is “humble of heart.”   The writer of Proverbs describes this attitude versus action when he writes “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.” (Proverbs 21: 2)  God points out throughout scripture that those who exalt themselves He will humble (Isaiah 26:5, Proverbs 18:12).

Paul’s statement then should be the focus of our daily walk: more of Him and less of me.  When we begin to live the heart of humility above the show of humility God brings abundant blessings into our life. If we exalt self, externally or internally, He will humble.  If we humble ourselves like Christ humbled Himself, He will exalt (Matthew 23:12).

The next time you contemplate doing something that others would view as a humble act, question yourself: is it about you or Christ?  God will not tolerate self-proclaimed humility – but He will lift up those who are humble of heart like Christ (1 Peter 5:5-6).  As Christians, if we want growth and maturity, we need to develop His heart attitude.  By doing so God will guide (Psalm 25:9), honor (Proverbs. 15:33), bestow wisdom and understanding (James 3:13), and give unending grace (James 4:5-7).

Can you say with Paul “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me ~ the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”

 Lynne Jahns

Dr. Lynne Jahns is the Director of Barbara’s Place, residential addiction recovery for women at America’s Keswick. She is married to Bill Jahns, a Colony grad and Director of Housekeeping.

Today’s devotional is taken from Real Victory for Real Life, Volume 1. To order your copy, call 1-800-453-7942.

 

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart. (Psalm 24:3-4a ESV)

             Have you ever stopped to consider just how approachable our great God is?  Scripture tells us that He is so holy we cannot look upon Him and live.  It says that He dwells in unapproachable light.  He is devastatingly holy and righteous.  How can fallen and cursed sinners dare to look to Him and expect favor?  And yet, He Himself tells us to draw near, to seek Him, to call upon Him, to walk with Him, to call Him Father.

The goodness of God does not end with the invitation.  He does not uselessly invite unjustified men into His presence, but He makes a way for them to come near to Him.  With our sins in the way, we cannot stand before Him, and He cannot tolerate us.  The psalmist says that the one who can stand in His holy place is he who has clean hands and a pure heart”  That description can only be fully true of one Man – our Savior Jesus Christ.  The Father provided a way for us to draw near through Jesus.  On our behalf, Jesus fulfilled the law that we broke and bore the wrath that we earned.  After conquering death, Jesus ascended to the Father, where He perfectly intercedes for us in the presence of God.

Because Jesus made us righteous and acceptable to God, we can now approach God with confidence.  The writer to the Hebrews put it this way, Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:19-22 ESV).

God’s plan from eternity past was for His people to be with Him.  He assured us of His intentions from the first pages of Scipture, and He made it possible through Jesus Christ.  He said that the pure and the clean can enter His presence, and then He provided a way for us to be made pure and clean.  We are justified and declared righteous in Jesus.  Through our Savior, although we are still sinners and do not in any way merit God’s approval, we have total and complete access to God.  As if it couldn’t get better, the Holy Spirit assures us of our adoption and gives us the freedom to call God Father, just as He told us to.  His graciousness is worthy of our adoration.

Jenn Cougle

Jenn serves as America’s Keswick’s audio visual technician. She is married to Steven Cougle, a Colony grad who serves in the Housekeeping department.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:6 NKJV)

I admit it.  I’ve read the endings of novels before I’ve finished the book. If my twenty-five-year-old son dates someone more than a few times, I yearn to know the future of their relationship.

Recently, on a trip home from Florida, I was reminded how much I dislike surprises and detours. Due to mechanical problems I was put on a flight to Cleveland instead of my scheduled flight directly to Philadelphia.  Upon landing in Cleveland I discovered that the second leg of my flight home was also cancelled because of mechanical problems. I had to spend the night in Cleveland. My plans for that evening and the next day at home were worthless.

As I crawled into bed exhausted I wondered, “God, why did this happen?”

Sometimes in our travels through life, God rearranges our plans.  And He does not notify us in advance or always explain His reasons.  We end up feeling like I did—angry, confused, and worried.  We want to be in control. We like the security of knowing that things will flow according to our prearranged plans.  And we would like to know with certainty how things will turn out. In fact, most of us would appreciate if God would also get our approval.

Has your life taken a few unexpected twists and turns lately?  Are you asking, “Why this? Why now?”

Go ahead and ask, but remember God usually doesn’t inform us in advance of unexpected changes or give us a detailed rationale.  Unfortunately, one companion on the road of life is uncertainty. Yet with uncertainty comes the Christian’s certainty that God is directing our paths.  He knows where we’ll land and why.  Sometimes God just needs to rearrange things to get us where He wants us.

Georgia Shaffer

Author & speaker, President of Mourning Glories Ministries

This week’s devotionals are taken from “Real Victory for Real Life”, volumes 1 and 2. To purchase your copy, call 1-800-453-7942.

 

“. . . I am a King.  In fact, for this reason was I born.” (John 18:37)

The celebration of Jesus’ birth has been separated from His life and especially from His death.  Our Lord’s birth in Bethlehem is still a celebration tolerated commercially and privately.  Christmas at the Malls and behind the walls of churches and homes is acceptable to the present world system, as long as it goes no further.  The cradle, isolated from Christ’s life, can be controlled and kept out of public life.  But join the cradle to His mission and execution and the world reacts.

Yet Jesus did this very thing.  In fact, the only time He is recorded in Scripture as speaking of His birth was on the day of His death.  This reference found in John 18:37 came in a statement made to Pilate only hours before His crucifixion.  From the political prospective Jesus’ claim sealed His fate.  Our Lord, however, in bringing the cradle and cross together revealed the true reason for coming and cause of His execution.  Born a King, He would die to carry out the sovereign plan of God.

At nine o’clock on good Friday morning it seemed His claim to be King would die with Him, as He was lifted up on Rome’s cross.  Nevertheless this, His crucifixion, was not the end but rather it was the beginning of His reign.  Paul, the apostle, looking back on this hour wrote:

 . . .he humbled Himself and became obedient

            To death-even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place

And gave Him the name that is above every name

That at the name of Jesus every

Knee should bow. . .  Philippians 2:8, 9

His words to Pilate on the day of His death predicted and confirmed what His execution would accomplish.  The promise of Christmas was realized by His cross.  Together they testify to the truth.  Born a King in Bethlehem=s stable cave, He gained the throne at Calvary.

Why?  Why would God who created the universe, who rules the universe, allow Himself to be born a King that had to die on a cross to gain His Kingdom?  Simon Peter tells us why:

You will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. II Peter 1:11

He was born a King, and died on a cross to establish a Kingdom that could include you and me.  Let us then celebrate Christmas, the coming of the King while always looking beyond the cradle to the cross that gained a Kingdom we can enter.

Dr. James O. Rose

Bible teacher, Conference Speaker, Austin, TX

Most of us love the music of Christmas. Many of us would listen to it all year long.  As we head into the weekend, here is a song that is maybe not technically a Christmas song, but one that my heart always sings as Christmas approaches. It is the bridge between Christmas and Easter.

In the beauty of the decorations,  the delight of the special cookies and treats, and the joy of giving and receiving presents, may we remember the real reason for the celebration.

Reflect on the words today, and if you can, take five minutes to click on the attached link and watch the video that will remind us of the real reason for Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

 

Once again I am touched by our Lord’s attention to details but then He has always been a God who paid close attention to details.

I don’t think that when Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world, he knew that he was being used to send Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem so that Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, would be born in the very place it was prophesied that He would be born.  It was the place, Bethlehem, where lambs without spot or wrinkle were raised to be sacrificed in the temple.  The Shepherds who raised and cared for the sheep were the first to recognize and honor the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world for all time.

Amazing! The prophecy was fulfilled.  The requirement of the present day law was honored.
I believe that our wonderful Lord and Savior continues to be interested in the big and small details of our lives.  The place we were born, the family we were born into, the place where we live is important in God’s plan for our lives.  The hurts in our today, the anxieties, the struggles – He cares about all of that on our behalf.  He continues to be able to raise up kings and use even a donkey to speak.  We serve a mighty, able God.

My prayer for each of us as we move into the new Roman calendar year 2017 is that we would “see” the beautiful details in our lives so carefully and lovingly crafted by our Savior.  That we would “see” and be open to the miracles He has prepared for us from the beginning of time.  That we would walk confidently and respectfully under His watchful, guiding lovingkindness.  That we would trust Him and submit fully to Him as Lord and Savior.  Let us all trust in the Lord with all of our heart and lean not on our own understanding, rather in all ways let us acknowledge Him! (Proverbs 3:5)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Patricia Wenzel
Woman of Character Graduate