Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Hebrews 13:3

This verse took on new meaning to me October 23^rd when I received news that friends serving as missionaries in the Philippines were arrested two days earlier. Matt and Lee run an orphanage there to minister the love of Christ to children of poverty – street kids — giving them a safe, caring environment and helping them get an education.  The news reports are so twisted with lies it’s difficult to decipher but it is reported Matt and Lee are suspected of and will likely be charged with Human Trafficking.

As I write this they are behind bars in a foreign prison.

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Hebrews 13:3

The Lord has brought them to mind repeatedly – early in the morning, during the night, and I spoke to the Lord.  I can’t imagine the conditions they find themselves in – separated from each other. Surrounded by strangers and criminals. Suspected of evil things.

What does it mean to me to remember Matt and Lee as if I was in prison with them?  I try to imagine what I would think and feel and need if I was there with them.  If I stop and think about that for a moment, I have to pray for God’s protection of their physical beings – that no harm will come to them by others in the prison, or at the hands of guards or officials.  I have to pray that God will fill their minds with verses and truths but not just words, the reality of His actual presence with them. I pray He will protect them from the devastation of the accusations and the weight of them on their minds and hearts. I have to pray that God will protect them mightily from fear.

That God would rise up and show Himself strong, King of all the earth, Mighty to save and the One Who fights for them.  I pray that they not only get released very soon but that God would reverse this completely in their favor; that their names and reputations will be cleared and that officials, neighbors and those in the community will realize that the love of Christ compels Matt and Lee and welcome their orphanage and the ministry they provide even supporting them. I pray that the officials will expedite getting them the proper documentation and even provide resources to them to accomplish this work of the Lord.

I pray that our God would be glorified and His name made famous. That those connected to this situation will be put on their heels and see the undeniable power and greatness of the One True God.

Tall order? Yes. But our God reigns over nations, over government officials, over jails and over those with corrupt intent.

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them…

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 recently had the opportunity to share at a women’s weekend at Keswick.  In my preparation over the past 10 months I gained a broader vision of the redemptive story of God in the Scriptures and realized, even after 33 years, how much I don’t know.  I still only scratched the surface of the richness of the Word.

For months I focused on reading only Joshua.  Then I read Judges because that gives the story after Joshua and it gave insight into what Israel did once he died.  Then I read Deuteronomy which leads into Joshua—and so much of Moses’ writings in Deuteronomy is a prelude to what happens to Joshua and in the book he is credited to write.

Now why do I tell you that?  No, I’m not bragging. Believe me.  The more I read and studied the more I realized I didn’t know. That is unsettling when preparing a series of messages.  I take seriously what James said: Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness (James 3:1).

Yikes – always hovering in the back of my mind was the truth that I am responsible for what I “teach.” I am not responsible for what my audience does with it but I am responsible for what comes out of my mouth or off my pen (my Victory Calls).

Anyway, I share my “method” of preparation because I have never approached a message this way. But the blessing I gleaned was greater insight into the thread of God’s redemptive story throughout Scripture.  It seemed like everywhere I turned God was pointing me back to His promise and His people.

We can’t get a full picture of Joshua without starting with Abraham.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.  And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

In Genesis 12:1-3, God promised Abraham 3 things:

• Land
• A great nation – many descendants
• Blessing

This promise was reiterated over and over through the generations.

“Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’”  (Ex 32:13)

While in Egypt, under the oppression of the Egyptians, God multiplied their number.

But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. Ex 1:12

Even in the midst of adversity God was fulfilling His promise to Abraham.  He was making Israel into a great nation (as numerous as the stars of heaven – Deut 1:10) and He was blessing them – they gained possessions, were fruitful and strong (Gen 47:27; Ex 1:7)

Don’t read biblical accounts as you would read a story out of the history books, as if they have no bearing on your life.

Stop and consider…are there ways God is fulfilling His promises to you in the midst of adversity perhaps even through your adversity, because of your adversity?

We want God to hand us the blessing and withhold the trials but it is often through the trials that the blessings come.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

If you are redeemed by the work of Christ on the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit, then God’s promises in your life are past, present and future.  Some have been fulfilled; some are being fulfilled and some are yet to be fulfilled.  God is a promise-keeping God and the story of Abraham and the people of Israel is evidence of it.

Praise to the God of Abraham.  Praise to our 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A crossroad.  A decision. Step out in faith trusting God. Shrink away and walk by sight.  Which shall you choose?

Adam and Eve. Will they trust God and obey Him, believing that His provision is enough, or will they chose to believe God is holding out on them and take matters into their own hands? (Genesis 3:6)

Noah. Will he consider the foolishness of building an ark with no rain in sight or will he consider the command of the Lord and take Him at His word? (Genesis 6:17-18; 7:6-7)

Abraham. Will he reason that to kill his son Isaac would thwart the promise of God to give him descendants as many as the stars or will he obey God and trust God can keep His own promise? (Genesis 22:2, 10-12)

Moses.  Will he trust God to bring water from a rock or will he strike the rock in anger believing it was His effort that resulted in water? (Numbers 20:7-12)

Israel.  Will they trust God’s promise to give them the land or will they believe the 10 spies filled with fear that reported they could not take the land? (Numbers 13:1, 27-29; 14:1-4)

Joshua. Will he send men into battle at Ai without consulting the Lord, assuming God would do to Ai what He did at Jericho, or will he wait on further instructions from the Commander of the Lord’s army? (Joshua 7:2-5)

Ruth.  Will she follow Naomi’s instructions, go to Boaz and humbly ask him to be her kinsmen-Redeemer or will she say “Are you nuts? What will people think?”(Ruth 3:1-5)

David.  Will he turn his eyes away when he sees, from his roof, Bathsheba bathing or will he invite her in, lay with her and when it is found out that she is pregnant end up killing her honorable husband? (2 Samuel 11: 2-5, 14-15)

Nehemiah. When he discovers the walls are in disarray will he turn his head away and assume it’s someone else’s problem or will he take charge of a huge restoration project and rebuild the wall in 52 days? (Nehemiah 1:3-4; 2:5; 6:15)

Esther. Will she shrink back and hide behind her royal robes and gem-filled crown or will she step in harm’s way to be an instrument of God’s deliverance of the Jewish people for such a time as this? (Esther 4:12-16)

Job. Will he take his wife’s advice and curse God and die or will he acknowledge God’s greatness and sovereignty and confess he spoke without understanding. (Job 42:3)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  Will they bend their knee to the golden image or will they face the fiery furnace trusting that God can deliver them but if not they will not bend the knee. (Daniel 3:15-18)

Jonah. Will he obey God and proclaim truth in Nineveh or will he flee on a ship to Tarshish and end up in the belly of a great fish? (Jonah 1:1-3)

Mary. Will Mary submit to the Lord’s calling to bear the Son of God, knowing that her reputation would come under attack and she may lose her beloved Joseph? (Luke 1:26-38)

Peter. Will he continue to enjoy the gentle rocking of the boat on the sea or will he step out and walk on water to Jesus? (Matthew 14:28-32)

Paul. Will he continue to persecute the people of the Way or will he fall on his face and surrender when confronted by the Living God on the road to Damascus? (Acts 8:3; 9:1-6)

You.  What will you decide? Will you choose faith? Will you choose sight?  It’s a moment by moment decision.

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

It’s time for part 2 of this series, and during this Victory Call I wanted to talk about humbling ourselves. Scripture is clear that when God spoke these words, it was in answer to Solomon’s prayer regarding Israel.  It was spoken uniquely to that nation, as God had a special covenant relationship with them. If we, His covenant people, exercise humility, prayer, and repentance, and if we continuously seek God’s face, we can ask the Lord’s blessings for our nation as well. It reminds me of Psalm 1:1-3 in a sense.

When I looked further for verses pertaining to humility, I saw that there are two “subcategories” to this – humbling ourselves before the Lord and humbling ourselves before others. One of the greatest acts of humility we can exercise on our part to please the Lord is confessing our sins to God. It’s important to remember that confession is not a suggestion, but a command. If we confess our sins to God, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Matthew 23:12 also points back to 2 Chronicles 7:14. It states: For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

The second “subcategory” is being humble before others. Referencing what I wrote about in Part 1 of this series, it’s no secret that our political climate today is bringing out everyone’s “bad side” – even our brothers and sisters in Christ. Philippians 2:3 states, Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. We as the body of Christ can’t continuously bicker and insult those who disagree, but instead speak life to others. This verse is telling us to put others above ourselves. We don’t want to practice disobedience by insulting others. Instead, we should be one of the most loving people that nonbelievers know. How do we do that? By following the 1 Corinthians 13 standard of love and by loving one another with brotherly affection and outdoing one another in showing honor (Romans 12:10).

I get it – it’s so easy to experience frustration and anger with people who don’t share our convictions… but look at Jesus. He is the epitome of exercising humility and putting others before Himself… both His followers and His critics. If we want to live like Jesus, we have to love like Jesus and humble ourselves like Jesus. Good thing we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us to continuously teach us how to do that, amen?

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!

As biblical Christians – we are image-bearers but we are also Name-bearers.  What I mean by that is we bear the name of Christ.  As we communicate to others that we are Christians we are identifying ourselves with Jesus Christ.  Therefore, we reflect to others Who Jesus Christ is and what He is like.  With that in mind we are called to walk worthy of that calling…

…urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

… walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Colossians 1:9-12

…we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:12

Simple challenge for today: Are you walking worthy of being HIS Name-bearer?  Is there evidence that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ?  If others follow you would they be heading towards Jesus, towards the cross or would they be moving away from Christ and the cross?  This is worth thinking about today – at least for me.

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.

Aside from and in addition to the glorious riches that we have in Christ spiritually, thanks to His death and resurrection, what tangible, earthly blessings have you experienced recently? Perhaps dancing butterflies, unexpected help, a radiant sunset, a timely compliment, fragrant honeysuckles, a pleasing invitation, beckoning bird calls, warm hugs, tasty home-cooking, playful kittens, a stranger’s smile, a recovered item, a close parking spot, nostalgic memories, moon-lit walks, or hand-written thank you notes? Gratefully, I have been blessed with all of the aforementioned in recent days and am presently smiling while reflecting on how extravagantly my good Father provides me with beneficial gifts to enjoy – ones that could be easily missed if not for eyes to see and ears to hear (which also incidentally come from Him).

Several years ago, while fondly reminiscing about loved ones who had gone on to glory, I was struck in a new, personal, and poignant way by the profound realization that EVERY good and perfect gift is truly straight from the Lord’s hand (James 1:17). And not just that every good gift is from above, but that everything God gives is good and additionally that He will not withhold good from those for whom it is due according to His perfect knowledge and timing (Psalm 84:11, Luke 11:7-11 ). Who these loved ones were and what they did for me was all because of God creating them and living through them.

Although I had known this intellectually, at that moment my opened eyes, hearing ears, and discerning spirit acutely realized that EVERYTHING and EVERYONE who was, is, or will be “good” in my life is due to my Father creating them, sending them, and enabling me to enjoy them. I now view these people, things, and experiences as extraordinary presents sent from my generous Father Who spares no expense in showing His love for me – from sending His Son to die for my sins to dancing butterflies. My hope and prayer is that this will be your experience as well!

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.

As a young girl, I was fascinated with how things worked. And, if given the opportunity and access to a screw driver, nothing was safe: door knobs, radios, toys, batter-operated fabric shavers. (Yes, I’ve taken apart battery-operated fabric shavers.)

Eagerly, I’d sit down with said object of interest, tools in hand, and painstakingly undo each screw and bolt until the entire contraption was in pieces on the kitchen table. In awe, I’d inspect and observe each piece to see how it was shaped and where it fit within the system of thingamajigs inside the gadget.

Afterwards, I’d attempt to put everything back together again as it had come from the factory. Notice I said attempt. Inevitably, after rebuilding the object, there would be one tiny screw or spring just sitting there and I couldn’t for the life of me recall where it was supposed to go. At that point my enthusiasm for pulling things apart had waned, so going through the process all over again was simply out of the question. Almost without fail, my toy or gadget never quite worked the same again. Who knew such a small whatchamacallit could be so significant?

At the time, I didn’t see how symbolic such an experience is of the human condition.

Last weekend, I was reminded that often when we are dealing with our lives, particularly with sin, we tend to glance over the little things, especially those of us that have struggled with addictions, compulsions or dysfunctional behaviors. Comparing issues such as substance abuse, rage, sexual inappropriateness to issues like working too much, overeating, mismanaging finances, or even the occasional angry or sarcastic outburst, seem like miniscule concerns. But the contrary is true! The small things do matter. For every big thing once began small.

Now this isn’t a legalistic rant about keeping a list of do’s and don’ts, or counting our rights from wrongs; this is rather a call to action to stop kidding ourselves that we are okay because we’ve kept it together in other areas.

Psalm 51:6 says, “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being…”

God is looking for us to reflect deeply and allow the Holy Spirit to continually inspect all areas of our hearts, no matter the progress we’ve made thus far.

The point at which we may be content to stop our growth may very well be the point at which God is just getting started with transforming us into what He wants us to become. “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him…”

The goal is not to become a better version of ourselves, but to be transformed into the likeness of Christ himself. To stop short of this goal is to fall beneath the privilege and blessing that God has set forth for us in His promises.

Yes, the small things do matter. Please don’t overlook the small things. As is said in Song of Solomon 2:15, “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.”

Diera
Diera Shaw-Mendez is thrilled to be part of the team Barbara’s Place, and also serves as worship leader and youth leader at New Beginnings Worship Center, Pennsauken, NJ. She is wife to Chaplain Juan Mendez and mama to Olivia Joy. She enjoys graphic design, event planning, and cooking. Diera is a God-fearing, Starbucks loving, tech junkie (…in that order!) who simply wants to remind women of God’s unchanging, healing love.

…whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin… 1 Peter 4:1

As I read through 1 Peter and came to this phrase it caused me to lift an eyebrow.  What does that mean?

The ESV study note offers 3 considerations of which I will focus on the third today because I believe it is supported by other Scripture and we should never take a verse in isolation to the rest of the book or the whole counsel of God (Acts 2:27)

The commentator writes, “More likely, Peter’s point is that when believers are willing to suffer, the nerve center of sin is severed in their lives. Although believers will never be totally free from sin in this life …, when believers endure suffering for the sake of Christ they show that their purpose in life is not to live for their own pleasure but according to the will of God and for his glory.”  (I)

When I hear the word suffer I think of consequences: whether my suffering is a consequence of my own sin or a consequence of another’s sin or simply because we live in a fallen world as in cases of sickness and disease.

The idea of being willing to suffer, as the commentator indicates, well that’s a different story. By nature don’t we flee suffering?  When we are in it we are seeking to get out of it.  Tis true, but the suffering Peter is speaking of is a not a consequence of sin but rather of obedience.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

By denying ourselves we “suffer” the loss of having our own way.

In choosing to abide in Christ and to follow Him in obedience we will “suffer” in the flesh to live according to the Spirit.

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Gal 5:17  For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal 5:24 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:4

These Scriptures shed light on 1 Peter 4:1—to choose obedience to God we must choose death to our flesh. Only as we suffer in our flesh will we cease from sin and have victory in obedience.

Praise God there is hope in the Person of Christ and power of the Gospel.

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 ESV Study Bible  footnote to 1 Peter 4:1-2 page 2411

I have been a Biblical Counselor for 25 years.  In my experience personally and professionally we often want to get to the bottom of our problems by understanding WHY.

Why do I get angry …?
Why am I afraid ….?
Why do I yell…?
Why do I withdraw …?
Why do I avoid…?”
Why do I isolate…?
Why am I depressed…?
Why am I anxious…?
Why am I unhappy..?
Why do I overeat…?
Why do I …?

In my 25 years of counseling I have witnessed this over and over …
1.    Often knowing why doesn’t result in healing.
2.    Sometimes we just don’t know why.

But this I know …
Jesus loves us.  Jesus died for us.  Jesus forgives us.  Jesus is our all in all.

We can trust Him with the whys of our life and step out in obedience even if we never understand why we struggle with what we struggle with.

We may never know why but we know WHO and He calls us to obedience – regardless. Not only that, but the obedience He commands He also empowers us to accomplish with an obedience of faith.

I needed this reminder today – I hope it is a helpful reminder to you today as well.

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.

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, naked I’ll return to the womb of the earth. God gives, God takes. God’s name be ever blessed.Job 1:21

Are You not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O Lord, You have appointed them for judgment; O Rock, You have marked them for correction. You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, And hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he? Habakkuk 1:12-13

This fall our ladies Bible study is studying the book of Job. Our memory verse for the week was Job 1:21. As I ponder on this verse it is hard to claim to have done or to possess anything that is not from God. Let’s truly give credit (praise) where credit (praise) is due. NOTHING you or I have now, today or tomorrow came from our own hands. As hard as it is to understand, even the trials and hard things of life come from His hand. Job knew this in the midst of unbelievable loss. It’s not that Job didn’t struggle, question or ask for things to be explained or even changed. He did. But underlying was the knowledge of who he knew God to be.

Last Sunday our Pastor spoke on Habakkuk. In Chapter 1 verses 12-13. Habakkuk gave his answer in response to impending doom, as Pastor said, “He began with what he knew about God”. Habakkuk knew this: God is everlasting, holy, a rock, judge and pure.

What will get us through our own hard times of loss, of impending danger? Only knowing that God is still who He says He is. Our hope comes only from our Savior and Heavenly Father. There is no place else to establish solid ground when all else is falling apart.

He desires to be known by us in this way. How well do you know Him? Are you willing to trust Him with ALL?

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.