This will be one of those shorty but good Victory Calls. I say that not because I’m writing it because I’m actually stealing it and so I take no credit whatsoever for it.

Recently I was listening on-line to a gentleman give his testimony at a Keswick event.  He made a simple yet profound statement that gave me pause to ponder.

It’s not new – you’ve heard it many times, at least most of it.

Here it is:
“It is amazing what God can do in a broken and hurting heart…”

Then he said,
“…when He has all the pieces.”

When we are broken-hearted or perhaps feel shattered we desperately want God’s healing and restoration, but how often do we offer Him the shattered pieces – at least most of them – but hold back the deepest wound, the greatest fear, the one piece that God needs to restore us to wholeness?

I will forgive all except…
I will love others except…
I will surrender all to You except…
I will obey You except if…
I will follow You except when…
I will trust You in all things except…
Except what?

It is the EXCEPTION that delays, hinders and thwarts God’s healing in our lives.
In your brokenness will you give your loving Heavenly Father all the pieces?

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.

Again, I cannot take claim to the following idea but when I heard it, it was an “aha” moment for me and I thought I would share it.

The difference between reality and truth.

Don’t we wonder why what we may be experiencing doesn’t seem to match up with what the Bible says? Let’s get real. You know it is true.

Here’s how I interpreted what was said (and I admit it may not be what was meant): Reality is what it is. It is our experiences in life.  We really have a flat tire, got cut off on the expressway, have no money to pay the overdue electric bill, broke our nail, miss our friends that moved away, are way overdue to clean the house and forgot our lunch money; and that’s just today.

That is our reality.

What is Truth?  How does Truth inform our reality?

Is it true that God provides for our needs?

and my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness 2 Peter 1:3

Is it true that God cares for us?

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Is it true that He is our help when trouble comes our way?

But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. Psalm 37:39

Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who uphold my life. Psalm 54:4

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

In a sense, Truth transcends reality.  Reality is in constant flux. Truth never changes.

If we go through life focused on reality – we live only in the temporal- that which is passing away. If, on the other hand we focus on Truth, we live in light of eternity and it will impact the way we experience reality.

One day, reality and Truth will be one and the same thing, but not yet.  Until that day, be in the constant effort to view your reality through the lens of Truth.

Be encouraged.  God’s Truth never changes even in the midst of our ever-changing reality.

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.

One of the things I have admired about some of the Bible teachers I have had the privilege of sitting under is their ability to interject reality into the biblical accounts, in other words, considering what biblical events might have been like from a human perspective.

Such as:
1.    I wonder how Adam and Eve’s hearts broke to have one son kill another son. (Genesis 4:8)
2.    How did Noah navigate having all those animals on the ark?  Was the smell enough to gag him?  We read the biblical account – and we don’t smell a thing sitting in our living room with our Bibles but do we stop to think about the human experience of these different biblical events? (Genesis 7:6-9)
3.    I wonder how Isaac viewed his father after he raised a knife to his heart.  Was he fearful of him?  Did it cause him to doubt or ask questions of this God that told his father to kill him? (Genesis 22:6-8)
4.    How did Mrs. Lot, Lot’s daughters and their future husband’s react when Lot offered his virgin daughters to the depraved men who wanted to have sex with the strangers that came to town staying as guests in his home? (Genesis 19:8)
5.    How did Mrs. Job feel?  We always think about poor Job – and I understand God chose Job to be the focus of the Truths He shared but consider what Mrs. Job experienced. It seems likely that she bore Job 10 children (Job 1:2).  Her husband was a man of great wealth.  In one day, all 10 of her children were killed.  Imagine losing one child – it would be devastating enough but losing all 10?! This poor mother. Numerous servants were also killed.  Animals slaughtered.
Stop and think about having a day like this.  Fear had to grip her heart.  Her entire world was shattered almost instantly.  Then on top of that, her husband develops “loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.”(Job 2:7)  (And we know what good patients some people can be!-I’m just saying….)

At the end of Job, we see that God restores Job and makes him prosperous again- twice as much as before (Job 42:10). With the restoration God blessed him with 10 more children!  Now assuming these children are born to his wife that means she would have had 20 pregnancies!!

That’s around 180-200 months being pregnant!

I could go on and on but you get the idea.  I think we enter into the biblical accounts when we use our sanctified imaginations to consider the human experience in the midst of the workings of God.

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.

Our church, like most, is in the midst of observing Advent – meaning arrival.

We know from the Old Testament that ever since Eden, mankind anticipated the coming of the promised seed of woman to crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15).  Like any of us, even Adam and Eve probably thought the Promised One would be among their children. Could it be Cain? Could it be Abel? One murdered, the other the murderer. Could it be Seth?  Generation after generation they waited, they watched, and they longed to see Messiah’s arrival.

I am being refreshed by the series of messages causing us to reflect not only on Christ’s first coming – which we celebrate during this season – but casting our vision to His second coming, the second Advent.

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. Revelation 1:7

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”  Revelation 21:3-5

We are in the period of time between Advents. Christ’s Second Advent will usher in the renewal of all things.  Our suffering, our struggles, our trials will come to an end replaced with glory, peace and abounding joy.

That begs the question, “Do we long for His second coming like our ancestors longed for His first coming?”

How often do you find yourself even thinking about His return? I confess, not nearly enough.  The reminder of His coming encourages us in the present in the midst of our suffering, our struggle and our trials.

Jesus has come and is coming again. Pause and meditate on that hope today.

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.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

Our Ladies Bible Fellowship Christmas party featured a guest speaker who shared her story with recent trials in her life. Her trials were difficult yet her joy in re-telling her story was a blessing.
Just a few days later I was at my kitchen sink in the morning where I have a perpetual calendar based on Lysa Terkeurst’s book “The Best Yes:. I flipped to the current day and read – “Trials are working something good in us we can’t get any other way. We can find joy in that.”

As I remembered Theresa and what she shared along with this quote I had to ask myself if I have reason to be joyful in my own trials. I started to think of some of the most basic yet profound ways I can find joy in the midst of my own trials.

I know the Lord is intimately involved in the circumstances. Knowing He is there brings joy.

I know the Lord is intimately involved in molding me into His image. Knowing His hands are shaping me for His good purposes brings me joy.

I know the Lord, by His Spirit, is teaching me. I know I have much to learn about suffering and finding joy.

I know the Bible is true. I know that James 1:2-4 can be tough to hear and tougher to live. I know our trials work in us – a perfecting work that would never have been accomplished if it had not been for the trials you and I go through.

It’s a crazy idea – count it all joy. It can only be joy when our Heavenly Father is involved, working, perfecting, completing so that we lack nothing.

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.

And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. Genesis 16:2

God made a promise to Abram in Genesis 12 to make him a great nation. He reiterates the promise in Genesis 13, “I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth…” And again in Genesis 15, “Your very own son shall be your heir.”

God promised Abram that he shall have a son even though Sarai was barren.  Sarai seemed to think God was not keeping His promise or at least not in the way she thought, so she decides to help Him along by offering her Egyptian servant Hagar to her husband Abram as another wife.

Perhaps, she thinks, Hagar will give Abram the promised son.
“And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.”

As I read this section of scripture for the umpteenth time I wondered to myself, how many times have I offered unbelieving advice that flew in the face of faith?

Scripture doesn’t tell us if Abram was hesitant or willing to go along with Sarai’s plan but we do know he did go along with her plan.

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman.  But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Galatians 4:22-23

What Sarai was missing was that only God Himself could keep His promise because it would take His supernatural power to accomplish – human effort would not fulfill His promise.

The verse from Genesis 4 shows this distinction.  Sarai’s logic and plan, which Abram went along with (he was responsible for his own choice), resulted in the natural conception, through the natural means, resulting in the natural birth of a son to Hagar, the Egyptian servant. He was born of a slave according to the flesh.  This was not the choice faith would require – it was evidence of unbelief on Sarai and Abram’s part.

The offspring God promised Abram and Sarai would require His supernatural intervention.  Since Sarai was barren and well past child-bearing years, the son born to her and Abram was born through God’s promise.

How often do we fail to see with eyes of faith, reasoning our way to a solution that requires only human effort, robbing ourselves or others of experiencing the mighty hand of God in our lives?

Hmmm….

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.

There she sat.

Tears streaming down her face.

The spring of water in the wilderness beckoned her to rest.

What shall she do?  Pregnant and alone. How did things go so terribly wrong?

After all, it wasn’t her idea… it was her mistress’ idea. And now she fled.

Then in an instant, there right before her eyes, stood an angel and he spoke to her.

What?

Go back and submit to her mistress?  But, Sarai was so harsh with her.

But then… the promise.

She would bear a son and He would multiply her offspring beyond number!

How can this be?  Alone yet not alone.

There by the spring of water in the wilderness, Hagar …called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing.” For she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” Genesis 16: 13

Do you feel alone in your struggle?  Do you feel like God has abandoned you?  Are you wondering how you ended up here, confused and unsure what you should do next?  The God who saw Hagar and met her at her point of confusion, hurt and struggle, sees you.  He is the God who looks after you.  By faith, believe.

Lord, in the midst of our struggle help us to remember that you see us.  Not a nano-second passes that we slip Your mind.  You are in the constant act of seeing us, looking after us, loving us and caring for us. Amen.

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.

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 almost at the end of this series, and today I want to focus on the part of the verse that says “and seek my face.” There are so many verses that speak on seeking God’s face, but just to name a few…
•    Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. – 1 Chronicles 16:11
•    Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. – Isaiah 55:6-7
•     You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart. – Jeremiah 29:13

As we seek the Lord more and with everything we are, we will experience His rich blessings. This could be within our household, as the church, or even as a nation… but how do we do that?

Gotquestions.org has one really good answer – “There are questions we can ask ourselves. ‘Where do I primarily spend my energies? Is all my time and money spent on goods and activities that will certainly perish, or in the services of God—the results of which live on for eternity?’ Believers who have learned to truly put God first may then rest in this holy dynamic: ‘…and all these things will be given to you as well.’”

I think we all know the clear “Sunday School” answer to the question of how to seek God first, but for fun, let’s elaborate on it. I think one of the most obvious answers would be reading the Bible. I cannot stress enough the importance of spending time with the Lord in daily devotions. As Psalm 34:10 states Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. The scriptures are the primary way God communicates with us, so if we are not invested in His Word on a daily basis, we are not seeking Him with our whole heart.

The “part 2” answer to this question is what I spoke about in my last Victory Call – prayer. Martin Luther once said “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” If we want to seek the Lord’s will for our lives and (if we’re following the topic of this series) our nation, we can’t do it if we’re ignorant to what His will is. We need to ask Him.

…if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears them. – John 9:31 (NASB). The Christians of this nation need to not just have “prayer lives” but “lives of prayer.” In other words, if we want to be continuous seekers of Him, we need to be in continuous communication with Him.  We need to ask in order to get answers (which, again, is a reason that daily devotions are so important – it’s the main way God speaks to us), and be in right relationship with Him.

We, as the Christians in our nation, cannot be content with being lukewarm. We need to pray boldly, read the Word without fear of persecution, and speak truth even though others disagree. If we want the Lord to heal our land, it has to start with the Church.

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!

Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! Matthew 18:7

Did you ever stop to think about ways you may be tempting others to sin?

The first thing that pops to my mind is gossip. Every time we gossip we present a temptation to the other person to also sin.  Gossip takes two.  Sisters, let me encourage us all not to start it, and not to participate in it.

Sexual immorality – flirting or entering into a relationship other than with your spouse or if you are single with a person who is married or if you are both single being involved in intimate relations intended by God to be enjoyed only within marriage.  Are you tempting the other person to sin?

How about your attire?  To the best of your knowledge is there any way that your clothing creates a temptation for men?  Not sure?  Pray for God’s wisdom, ask a wise, discerning and honest friend.

Perhaps you have not considered this but tempting a person to overeat or over indulge is still presenting a temptation.  In my experience – other people can be an enemy of careful, disciplined eating. “Come on just have a piece of pie. What will one piece hurt?”

Perhaps you can think of other ways you may tempt others to sin.  I’m sure if I spent more time I would come up with a good sized list.  I am going to be more aware of this admonition of Jesus “woe to the one by whom the temptation comes.”

LORD, make me aware of ANY way that I bring temptation to others.

Blessings, Diane

After serving 16 years full-time on the staff of America’s Keswick, Diane Hunr 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.

What’s the difference between a non-believer who can’t walk by faith and a believer who doesn’t?

This question has been popping to mind recently.

Our non-believing friends do NOT have the Spirit of the Living God residing in them, empowering them, and enabling them to walk by faith. They do not have the Resource to walk by faith. They simply can’t.

In what ways do I live just like a non-believer?

Knowing that the Spirit of God lives in me, how does that change my decisions, choices and the way I live?

How does my life look different from a non-believers to a watching world?
In what ways is the glory of God manifested in my life to those around me?
How do others see and experience the Spirit of the Living God through me?
What evidence is there that I am walking in faith, doing that which I cannot accomplish in my flesh, in my own strength?
What is there in my life that leads others to say, “There is no other explanation for that other than God?”

I ask again: What’s the difference between a non-believer who can’t walk by faith and a believer who doesn’t?

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.