Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?  (II Cor. 2:14-16, NASB)

ALL sin, even the not so obvious, outward sin, still stinks. And the fact is, ALL sin leads to death, whether we can smell it or not (Romans 5:12, James 1:14-15).

It’s easy to distinguish the stinky-ness of sin when lives are shattered like the lives of the men, women, and children lined up at the rescue mission for a free meal and a hot cup of coffee on a cold November day. Family and close friends can smell the acrid odor caused by addiction and a life of sin. However, when there is no physical evidence glaring at us filling our nostrils, we don’t realize how much sin reeks!

Just as the recent TV commercial describes it, we’ve become “nose-blind.” Our spiritual olfactory system has malfunctioned, so we walk through our neighborhoods, down the aisles of our churches, through the crowds in the mall, or among the tired moms and dads buying groceries at the end of a busy workday, and we fail to notice the stench of spiritual sickness, filth, and death.

Why is it that our sense of spiritual smell is so defective? The Bible reveals to us that detecting the putrefying scent of sin beyond the physical, requires a heightened spiritual sense, acquired only through the practice of the spiritual disciplines, pursuing “the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 1:7), and seeking after wisdom. Recognizing sin in our own lives, our own families and our own churches, in our neighborhoods and nation, requires knowing and understanding what God has to say about sin and its consequences. It means learning to recognize the aroma of spiritual death hovering over those who are running toward death. These dear people are victims of the evil one, deceived by their own desires, and headed straight toward hell itself. We must have our “senses trained to discern good and evil,” as the writer of Hebrews states (5:14).

Unless we are trained to detect such odor and to respond boldly, people are going die, not just physically, as we see so often by the opioid epidemic killing our nation’s children. People are going to die spiritually and be eternally separated from God, lost for eternity in hell and darkness, by merely ignoring God and pursuing their own way! It is our responsibility to warn them, to “hold them back” as the Old Testament sages recorded in Proverbs 24:11. We cannot save them ourselves. We can only point them to Jesus “who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue (them) from this present evil age” (Gal. 1:4)! But which of us is adequate for such a task?

The answer is this: Christ has redeemed us to be “blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life” (Phil. 2:15-16). It is not of ourselves but “God who is at work in (us)” (Phil. 2:13). We find our adequacy in Christ Who has “equipped us for every good work” (II Tim. 3:17) and will supply all that we need to accomplish His purpose (Phil. 4:19).

Kim Olachea has been a pastor’s wife for 35 years in NC, GA, and NJ. In 2017, she launched a new ministry for pastor’s wives, Pastor’s Wives, EveryDay Lives, and is the founder of ProverbWise, her writing and speaking ministry to encourage the body of Christ, the church, to walk in wisdom, living out the Gospel in the world. She is an entrepreneur and member of the North American Leadership Team for ABWE. She is actively involved with the soul care team component of ABWE – NA to serve pastors, church planters, and missionary families. Kim and her husband, Joe, currently serve at Lakes Community Chapel in Medford, NJ, where they have been for nearly 17 years. They have five adult children and seven beautiful, practically-perfect grandchildren. 

 

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong…1 Corinthians 1:26-27

A quick look at the people God used for His kingdom purposes shows that He used all kinds of men and women. There were uneducated, common men (Peter and John — Acts 4:13), educated men (Dr. Luke—Colossians 4:14), theologians (Paul), fishermen (Simon and Andrew – Matthew 4:18, James and John – Matthew 4:21), tentmakers (Aquila and Pricilla), men, women (Dorcas—Acts 9:36, 39, Lydia – Acts 16:14, Mary and Martha – Luke 10:38-42), tax collectors (Matthew—Matthew 9:9), harlots (Mary Magdalene), and Pharisees (Nicodemus — John 3:1, 19:39).

God calls all kinds of people, men and women, even children.  Educated, uneducated, career people and stay-at-home people, new believers and seasoned veterans, King James only and NIV’ers, young and old. In fact, God calls every one of His own for His plans and purposes.

What is God’s calling on your life?  Is He calling you to go or stay?  Is He calling you to speak or be silent?  Is God calling you to sit still or get moving?  Where is God calling you?  What is God calling you to do?  Who is God calling you to go to?

Right here, right now – God is calling you to be about His Kingdom business whether it be within your own heart, your home, your job, your church, your community or the world – You have a purpose in Father’s plan, TODAY.

It seems pretty common for people to think, “I don’t know what God’s call, will and plan are for me.” I’ve been there myself from time to time and in those times I need to remind myself – that in this moment I am to follow Christ, obey God, and bring glory to His name.

Maybe God is calling us to go to Uganda or across the street to spend time with a new widow. Maybe God is calling us to the pastorate or to be active in our local church. Maybe God is calling us to help two friends reconcile or to personally go to our loved one to ask forgiveness.

God’s calling is part of our everyday life.  It isn’t necessarily big, bold things (though it may be); maybe it is simple, quiet things.  But of this I am certain, God is calling us every day to live for Him and His kingdom with a vision far grander than our own little world. However, it is our daily obedience in our own little world that accomplishes His kingdom purposes through us.

I’ve seen too many believers miss God’s call and purpose for them in the “here and now” as they pine away for the “big call, someday.”

Don’t waste the beauty and opportunities of today, this moment, to be about God’s calling.  Even right now you can:

… run with endurance the race that is set before you, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of your faith… based on Hebrews 12:2

… seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth based on Colossians 3:1-2

… give thanks to …God, with your whole heart, and … glorify His name forever based on Psalm 36:12

… live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,  that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God based on Romans 15:5-7

…let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Based on Colossians 3:15-16

There are so many other verses I could include. Perhaps you would venture to search the Scriptures to add to this list so the next time you wonder, “What is God calling me to do right now?”  You will have, at least, part of your answer.

Seize God’s Kingdom opportunities TODAY.

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.

 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:25-33

One day of spring-like weather and I am ready for the season to change. I have already been listening to the birds returning and preparing for warmer weather. This morning I was reading an update on a recent prayer request outside of my work building. As I read the words of praise given in answer to a prayer, I heard the constant pecking of a woodpecker in a nearby tree. Then many various birds chimed in to join the chorus.

I wonder what God hears when these birds are busy singing their songs. I wonder if my praise would even compare. It’s not about my ability to sing, thankfully, because I can’t. It’s not that I have a great vocabulary and use big words. It’s not about me saying all the right things. It’s about my heart of gratitude in response to even the smallest things that God has, is, and will be doing. It’s about how I see Him and respond.

There are seasons of life when praise is harder to offer.  Hebrews 13:15 tells us:
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Praise doesn’t come from our feelings or circumstances, and there is always something to praise God for – Himself! Who He is is more than cause enough for praise.

Today may you and I be filled with praise because He is worthy to be praised!

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.

We don’t need any special training to detect a nasty smell! We can easily distinguish between the smell of the skunk, the putrefying smell of rotten food, or the stench of a dead animal lying on the side of the road. However, it’s easy to miss the stench of sin when the physical whiff of decay is not evident.

One Black Friday, many years ago, our family volunteered at an area rescue mission. As we stepped into the room filled with men emaciated by alcohol and drug abuse, women broken from lives of promiscuity and abuse, and little children with eyes void of laughter, the stench was almost overwhelming, and not just in the physical sense. The smell of death – physically, emotionally, and spiritually – permeated the room.

The prophet Isaiah describes God’s own rebellious, sinful people, as rotten – like the smell of a rotten egg! The nation of Israel was unconscious of how filthy they had become, yet “the expression of their faces bears witness against them, and they display their sin like Sodom…Now it will come about that instead of sweet perfume there will be putrefaction (rot).”  (3:9, 24, NASB)

As the book of Isaiah comes to an end, God describes the acrid odor, “I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts, a people who continually provoke Me to My face,  offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on bricks; who sit among graves and spend the night in secret places; who eat swine’s flesh, and the broth of unclean meat is in their pots…These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day” (65:2-5, NASB).

Those dear ones who have a family member who has chosen addiction or crime or promiscuity know what sin smells like. The odor of sin wafts through the room like a rotten egg or burning sulfur from a chemistry lab. These parents and spouses and siblings know the aroma of death! God knows that same stinking smell. He understands the sick, nauseous feeling that comes as their beloved turns away from good to evil, toward sin and destruction, rejecting Jesus and the beautiful life He offers them.

As I prayed this morning for those with wayward, addicted, or rebellious family members, I jotted down names of people in my realm of influence who continually breathe in the smoke of spiritual sickness and death because of the sinful choices of the ones they love most. I listed the first names of individuals from at least thirty-five families. Some are the children of faithful pastors and Christian leaders. Most are from traditional families where children were loved, nurtured, taken to church, and taught to love the Lord and seek wisdom. Some are spouses that have claimed to belong to Christ, yet they have walked away from Jesus.

There are only two choices in life, stinking sin that leads to death (James 1:15) or the beautiful aroma “of Christ to God” (II Cor. 2: 15). Every individual must choose to “walk in love, as Christ also has loved us…an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Eph. 5:2) or to walk in the onerous odor of “death unto death” (II Cor. 2:15). As you pray for your child, spouse, sibling, or friend, your love will exude an aroma like the sweetest, most expensive perfume. Your prayers will rise like incense before the Lord and He will hold them as a precious bottle of perfume forever. Your faith will produce that sweet smell of Christ needed to draw your loved one from the stinky-ness of sin and point them the sweet fragrance of Jesus. Keep spraying on the perfume!

“Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and those who are perishing” (II Cor. 2:14-15)

Kim Olachea

Kim Olachea has been a pastor’s wife for 35 years. In 2017, she launched a new ministry for pastor’s wives, Pastor’s Wives, EveryDay Lives, and is the founder of ProverbWise. Kim and her husband, Joe, live in Medford, NJ, and have five adult children and seven grandchildren.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember that over-played song from the ‘70s? I’m dating myself, I know, but I hope some of you are doing the same (insert smile here). I hope I don’t offend anyone when I say this song is goofy. If it was your wedding song, please forgive me. I heard it the other day and started thinking about that word “feelings”.

Webster’s defines “feeling”, among several definitions, as:

1. an emotional state or reaction
2. often unreasoned opinion or belief

It adds these synonyms for the word: suspicion, notion, inkling, hunch, idea.

Webster’s understanding of feelings is defined by the study of the human heart and mind, which have all arrows pointing inward, and end up being self-serving.

The word “feeling” can be found in two places in Scripture:

We see it in the letter to the Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 17-19,  as Paul writes to the saints there, admonishing them to:

…no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (NKJV)

Conversely, the next time we see the word “feelings” is in the book of Hebrews, chapter 4, verse 15:

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (KJ21)

The two times this word “feeling(s)” is used, it describes either someone who couldn’t care less about God, or Someone who couldn’t care more about us.

(SIDE NOTE: To “care” is to give attention and provision to someone else for their benefit. Sympathy and compassion reflect the heart and mind of God in the man, Jesus, our High Priest.)

So, the word “feeling(s)” is found only twice in Scripture. Some thoughts:

• How many times is it found in our vocabulary?
• How many times do we use this word “feeling” to describe what our needs are as opposed to meeting others’ needs?
• How many times do we begin a sentence with “I feel…”, “I’m feeling…”, “My feelings…”
• Are all our arrows pointing in?
• Do we use the word in a biblical way, based in truth rather than emotion?
• What “feeling” is controlling my thinking today?

Feeling loved by Jesus today,

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 serve on staff!

 

I read a devotion this morning about the gloomy days of winter and that if we keep Christmas in our hearts, those days don’t seem so gloomy. I look at days differently. When I awake each morning, I journal. When I journal, the first thing I do is thank the Lord for another beautiful day. I believe that each day, no matter what it’s doing outside, is beautiful and we need to look for the beauty.

I find beauty in caring for my coworker’s baby, Titus, and seeing him explore his surroundings. I see beauty when a man comes to the Colony for freedom of his addictions. I find beauty in enjoying a meal with friends. I see beauty in helping someone in need. I see beauty in listening to the pitter patter of rain on my roof while reading a book.

I believe it’s all about being thankful for each day and seeing the blessings and joy that the Lord provides each day. It is easier, in my opinion, to see the beauty and blessings on those gloomy winter days than on those sunny, warm, beautiful days.

Robbin Weinhardt

Robbin Weinhardt is a Part-Time Dining Room hostess and a Women of Character graduate. She is married to Ray Weinhardt, who works in our kitchen and is a Colony of Mercy Graduate.

 

We live in a culture that has drifted from the foundations of absolute truth. Its drifting does not change the reality of, or the certainty of, absolute truth.  Although those that believe truth is relative think they are free and independent and the master of their own fate, sadly the exact opposite is true. In fact, they are in bondage and blinded by the deceptions of the devil.

I can hear their response now: “That may be true for you but it’s not true for me.” Or “That may be your truth but that is not my truth.” If you really consider those statements they are contrary even within themselves.

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:20-21

But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King.  Jeremiah 10:10

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 1 John 1:9

…my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. John 6:32

He who sent me is true…John 7:28

I am the true vine…John 15:1

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3

Now there would be those that couldn’t care less that the Bible says that God is THE ONE TRUE GOD, seeing it as self-proclamation of truth with no more weight than if I were to say that I was Queen of England.  They would argue that saying it doesn’t make it true, which is a true statement (but of course they do not know God.)

However, for anyone who genuinely wants to know the truth about TRUTH, there are mounds of extra-Biblical evidence out there that confirms the accuracy of the Bible.  It is well worth the effort to do some research.

I am so very thankful that in this wild, crazy, fallen world there is ONE that is unchanging, steadfast and TRUE.  To Him we run, to Him we cling for we know with absolute certainty that He is unwavering and secure.  HE IS TRUE AND EMBODIES TRUTH IN JESUS CHRIST. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. John 14:6

That is not just my truth, it is true and it is true for every last molecule in the universe and not just because I said so.

Rejoice in Truth today.

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.

Being in the way generally brings negative thoughts.  As children, we’re frequently told to go play somewhere else because we’re “in the way” of what our parents might be trying to  get done. But being in the way is often exactly where we are supposed to be.

We just started a new DVD study in our staff enrichment that focuses on the life of David. Right now we’re in the well-known story of David’s encounter with Goliath.  As we’ve watched the DVDs, I remembered something I once heard someone say. David did not set out to kill a giant. David was sent by his father to deliver lunch, but because he was in a right relationship with God, he was the right man at the right time to face that giant.

God doesn’t always send us to conquer giants. Most of the time, we are simply going about our business when they appear, seemingly out of nowhere.  But if the business which we are doing is God’s business – even if that’s something as ordinary as our daily tasks of raising a family, going to work, school, etc. – then we will be in the right place for whatever giant He allows to cross our path.

I hunted to find a verse that I heard many years ago.  In Genesis 26, we read the story of Abraham sending a servant to his family to find a wife for his son, Isaac.  In verses 26 and 27, after the servant found Rebekah, we read, And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.

The servant knew what his assignment was, and where he was to go, and trusted that as long as he was on the right path God would direct him.  And He did.

There are a number of verses that tell us that we need our daily steps to keep us in the right way, on the right path.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 NIV

I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. Proverbs 4:11 NIV

I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, Proverbs 8:20 NIV

In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality. Proverbs 12:28 NIV

Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. Isaiah 26:8 NIV

This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17 NIV

It’s not likely we’ll ever encounter an actual giant, but if we’re consistently walking in the way that God instructs us to go, He will guide, direct and provide all that we need for whatever we encounter along the way.

Ruth Schmidt

Ruth Schmidt has worked at America’s Keswick since 1985. She currently serves as Administrative Assistant to Bill Welte.

 

 

 

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 42:11

“The human heart is an idol factory that takes good things like a successful career, love, material possessions, even family, and turns them into ultimate things. Our hearts deify them as the center of our lives, because, we think, they can give us significance and security, safety and fulfillment, if we attain them.”[i] – “There is a difference between sorrow and despair. Sorrow is pain for which there are sources of consolation. Sorrow comes from losing one good thing among others so that, if you experience a career reversal, you can find comfort in your family to get you through it.  Despair, however, is inconsolable, because it comes from losing an ultimate thing. When you lose the ultimate source of your meaning or hope, there are no alternate sources to turn to. It breaks your spirit.”[ii]

I found these two quotes by Tim Keller very insightful.  As I was researching information for this Victory Call, I found differing opinions about a much-quoted John Calvin statement “Man’s nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols.” I appreciated Keller’s practical insight about the longings of the human heart.

It begs the question, “What is the ultimate source of meaning and hope to me?” Is it my job?  My family?  My bank account?  Is it my diet, my weight, my health?

Pondering this thought, anything that is our ultimate source or meaning other that God we will despair in life at some point because none of it, none of it is unchanging or certain.  Jobs change, companies merge or go bankrupt, we are passed over for that promotion we expected, families grow, grow-up, grow apart, move away, bank accounts ebb and flow and take sudden hits with unexpected things like floods, hurricanes and tornados, our bodies age, slow down, and get sick.  If our ultimate hope and security is in any of these things or many others, our hope is misplaced and insecure. That does not mean that these things are unimportant to us but they should not be our Ultimate source of joy, hope and meaning.

Only God is unchanging, steadfast, immovable, certain, secure, trustworthy, faithful, and true.  Unless our Ultimate hope and meaning is in Jesus Christ, and Him alone, the sand beneath our feet is sure to shift and give way.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Psalm 62:5-7

Blessings,

Diane

[i] Timothy J. Keller in Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters, Penguin Books, 2009.

[ii] Ibid

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.

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him…Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth… (James 1:12, 16-17)

We recently returned from “Fake City” where the only things real were palm trees, carefully caged alligators, and, unfortunately, calories. It was enjoyable and refreshing to enter this fantasy world for a few days, to let go of the responsibilities and challenges we face daily, to embrace a world where everything is good and fun – a place where dreams (seem) to “come true.” We effortlessly slipped into this make-believe world, releasing our minds from the realities of our not so perfect lives, letting go of the hard decisions to be made, forgetting the struggles and burdens we carried.  Just like children whose eyes light up on Christmas morning as they discover the gifts left by Santa Claus while they slept, we embraced the pretend worlds of Luke Skywalker, Indiana Jones, Mickey Mouse and Elsa, where all things end well and everyone lives “happily ever after”. We imagined traveling around the world tasting foods from foreign lands, listening to music from colorful cultures, experiencing magnificent light shows, fireworks, magic, and adventure, and gasping in awe of the splendor of God’s creation as we soared above the earth in a simulated hang-glider encounter.

However, entering and living in this world of fantasy forever would be ridiculous and impossible. Everything seemed perfect in that make-believe world, but the reality is that real life is messy, sometimes sad and mundane, and sometimes, downright ugly. There is no escape from disappointments, suffering, and death because of the curse of sin and deceitfulness of the enemy.

But the truth is, there is hope. Perfection does exist and one day we can surely be a part of that Perfect Reality where there is no more sin, sorrow or death. We know this is true because we know the One Who is the True Reality – the breathtaking, beyond-measure Beautiful Father who never lies. He has promised this Perfect future – and His Promises are ALWAYS True!

Until then, we live by faith, trusting in His unseen loving hand, believing He is the Good and Perfect Father, knowing He is preparing a perfect place for us – a place where all our dreams will certainly come true – as our desires line up with His will and perfect reality.

Therefore, we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. – II Corinthians 4:16-18

This is reality where our dreams really DO come true!

Kim Olachea

Kim Olachea has been a pastor’s wife for 35 years. In 2017, she launched a new ministry for pastor’s wives, Pastor’s Wives, EveryDay Lives, and is the founder of ProverbWise. Kim and her husband, Joe, live in Medford, NJ, and have five adult children and seven grandchildren.