Do you ever jump to conclusions?  Assuming you know why a person is doing a particular thing, certain you know their motives? This can cause offenses and challenges in relationships.  [And we hate it when others do it to us.]

First – judging a person’s motives, why they are doing what they are doing, is not our job or responsibility nor do we have the ability.

Who can know what is behind a person’s actions? Only God. “But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” Matthew 9:4; “But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side.” Luke 9:47; “But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, ‘Do you take offense at this?’” John 6:61.

Second – We don’t see the whole picture. We are at least partially wrong or even totally wrong.  We cannot see a person’s heart and we may make wrong assumptions regarding their motives. In fact, even the person themselves may not know their own motives being unwilling to dig below the surface.

I admit I am guilty of jumping to conclusions about another’s motives… okay, mostly my husband’s. It is evidence that I think I know more than I really know and that I most highly value my opinion as to that person’s motives. It is a subtle or not-so-subtle form of pride and arrogance.

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Romans 12:3

We (I) need to be cautious and humble as we draw conclusions about another’s actions.  Keeping in mind that we never have the whole story and are at least always partially wrong.

Third – we are not the Holy Spirit. Not only can we not know another’s heart and motivations, we do not have the ability to judge, correct or change another’s heart.  Prayer is the greatest gift of love we can offer another person. After all, God does know the motives of their heart. God can judge, correct and change their heart.  He is God in that person’s life.

Next time you are tempted to jump to conclusions. Stop. Pray for God’s divine work of change in their life and yours.

Blessings, Diane
Diane Hunt

After serving 16 years full time on the staff of America’s Keswick, Diane 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 former colleague of mine has had, what one could say, a no good very bad year.  It all started over a year ago when she was “offered” a new job.  The new job tripled her current workload, increased her hours and cut her pay.  Because she said she could not consider it without at least an increase in pay, her job was cut from full-time to part-time.  To make matters even more difficult she went in the hospital for a partial knee replacement.  An infection set in and she went on intravenous antibiotics.  Thinking she was cured of her infection doctors went in again to do a complete knee replacement.  That was not to happen.  It seems the infection had not fully cleared so she had to wait a little longer and take more antibiotics.  Recently she finally had a full knee replacement and is recuperating.

I have another friend who is a sister in Christ.  She has been battling cancer for at least three years.  She has been through several rounds of chemotherapy, radiation etc. etc.  No matter what happens she praises God.  She tells of all the blessings in her life and speaks trust in the Lord and His love for her.  Her battle continues, but she presses on trusting that the Lord is with her no matter what.  She even ministers to others going through similar or worse battles as she meets them along her journey of treatment.

When I look at these two lives I cannot help but notice something very different about them.  My colleague has had one consistent problem throughout this process; she constantly speaks negative words over herself.  I am sure she doesn’t mean it and, in fact, it is more than understandable that she has been feeling overwhelmed and depressed.  But her words really have not helped the situation.  She has said things like, “They will probably eliminate my job, and they probably want to get rid of me.” Before surgery she said, “They will probably mess me up more”. With the same set of circumstances I may have done the same thing.  It made me think about the words I speak over my loved ones and myself.

My sister in Christ refuses to speak negatively and if anyone speaks death or negatively around her she quite literally asks them to stop talking like that or leave.   She does not want her mind to consider negative thoughts.  Her focus is Jesus.  Of course she fights feelings of fear, especially when she is very sick, but she fights with weapons of warfare that are not carnal.  The praise music is on and she is reading about the promises of God.

The Word of God says with our mouth we bless or we curse.  “21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”  Proverbs 18:21(NKJV)

Dear ones, one word can change our situation and attitude for better or worse.  I believe we must be very careful that we do not allow difficult times to pull us down so that we are under our circumstances.  It can be hard work, but it is so worth the effort.  We must speak the words that will bring breakthrough after breakthrough after breakthrough.  We must rise above our circumstances.  When in a time of struggle let us get help from trusted friends in Christ.  Let us worship the Lord.  I always find worship to be the best tool in my arsenal.  Let us make it our goal to use words that will cause negative thoughts to wither and die.  Let us guard our mouth, and rise up with one word of faith that will release blessings in our lives today.  Let us focus on what is good and the blessings in our lives.  Be lifted up even if the circumstances takes a little longer to catch up.

Blessings,
Patricia L. Wenzel, Woman of Character Graduate

“Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matt. 10:31

I have been faithfully feeding the birds in my yard this summer. I have many species that come to my feeders and I love watching them. I enjoy waking in the morning and listening to the birds just outside my window. Often I will think of how God is caring for them and how He cares for me.

Unlike summer mornings when the birds remind me; there are times I forget that everything I need and all that I am is dependent on the Lord. I strive to take care of life on my own without thought as to the source of everything. I work, I get paid, I get food, and I pay bills….but how often I overlook that the source of my provision is Jesus.  It’s easy to take our “daily bread” for granted.

I imagine the birds are singing songs of gratitude for their food and provision. I imagine they are somehow in awe of the abundance they find in the feeders. And when the seasons change, they are brought to new places or sustained through harsher weather. Yet they are never far from the care of their Maker. You and I are not outside of His sovereign care especially when the surroundings and seasons of our lives change. He knows, He cares and He will make provision for you.

Because we know that the birds are cared for, because we know we are of more value than many sparrows, I pray you and I will trust the Lord to provide for today and for each day in the season ahead. The Lord is for you today!

Blessings,
Kathy

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

I’m sitting here wondering “what do I share today?”  The first word that came to mind is: Praise.

I know of no other better cure for self-focus, anxiety and depression than praise and thanksgiving.

You have heard of the sacrifice of praise?  It costs something.  Sometimes praise and thanksgiving take effort – it costs us something because it’s not what comes natural to us at that moment:

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD. Psalm 27:6

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15

Today — choose to offer a sacrifice to the Lord by lifting your eyes, your heart and your spirit in praise and thanksgiving.  Let it be your default mode today.  Every time you find yourself thinking depressing or anxious thoughts choose praise. Every time your mind is blank, choose praise.  When your mind is not actively involved in other things – choose praise.

Spend some time looking for Scriptures that will help you praise our Lord today — write them down and keep them close so you can prime the pump with them throughout the day.  Here are a few to get you started.

I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2

The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. Psalm 28:7

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. Psalm 57:7

Let my mouth be filled with Your praise And with Your glory all the day. Psalm 71:8

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD! Psalm 150:6

Psalms 145-150 are great places to dig.

May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in His sight today.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt
After serving 16 years full-time on the staff of America’s Keswick, Diane 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 brains are about 3 pounds, about the size of two fists put together. They’re finite. God, on the other hand, has a mind big enough to create well over one hundred billion galaxies with hundreds of planets and trillions of stars in each. God has never had a beginning and will never have an end.

Something that is heartbreaking to me is how common it is to hear people writing God’s Word off as incorrect because they don’t understand. It’s no surprise that human beings can’t wrap their minds around the ways of God – our minds are only a few decades old. His is eternal. His is infinite. We can’t expect to understand fully the mind of our Creator who always has been and always will be… but we’re also not expected to. We just have to trust Him and accept His Word as truth, and put faith in Him (Hebrews 11:6, 2 Corinthians 5:7, John 11:40).

I’m very thankful that God so intricately designed us to have minds to appreciate His creation, grasp – at least in part – His plan and His love, comprehend His Will, and wrap our minds around His Word. The Lord gifted us with the ability to think and understand and learn. How wonderful is that? But sometimes humans overestimate their understanding. If there’s something in the Bible that is hard to understand, many people might come to the conclusion that it must be wrong.  We can’t expect our human minds to wrap around everything written in the Bible, because they’re just that – human minds. Our lack of understanding does not take away the reliability and truthfulness that is God’s Word.

His Word says that He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. Therefore, we can’t say that the Bible is out-of-date or no longer applicable. We can’t say God is capable of being incorrect, because if that were the case, He would not be God. He is completely good and completely sovereign in all situations, never incorrect, and cannot be of moderate importance.
Isn’t it so humbling to know that even though we are minuscule in the grand scheme, God loves us more than any creation in His hundreds of billions of galaxies? Though we have a prideful, selfish, and sinful nature that wants to say “the world revolves around me” and “my way is correct and everyone else is wrong,” and though we’re tiny, weak, and incapable of understanding everything there is to be understood… God thought we were worth dying for.

Many want to be covered by the blood of the Lamb, but because of a lack of understanding, they don’t want to die to self, give up everything, take up their cross, and follow Christ… But it’s like I said before, we aren’t expected to fully understand, just to trust and have faith – even as small as a mustard seed (Matt. 17:20). Our minds are small, but our God is big.

We can’t put trust in our interpretation of the world that we have developed from our few years of living in it. We have to put our trust in the One who created it. And how great is it that if there’s something we don’t understand, we can pray about it, read more of the Word, and seek godly counsel? Not only are we allowed to learn more and grow, the Lord desires us to do so. He is so good!

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 55:12

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 recently heard this quote by Dr. Nicholas Ellen: “The authority that you reject or rebel is the authority you think you are equal to.”  Take a moment to consider the implications of that.
When a child resists her parent’s authority it is because she believes she has the right to challenge their authority and that she has the same level of authority.

An employee who resists or rebels against their employer’s authority to give instructions or to set company policies to be followed believes they have the same level of authority as their employer.

Throughout the New Testament, over and over again, there is evidence of the authority of Jesus Christ.

Jesus has authority in and over all things:  All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18

Jesus has authority over Satan and demons:  Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority] He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him. Mark 1:27; Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. Luke 8:30-33

Jesus has authority over disease: Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him. Luke 5:13

Jesus has authority over human flesh:  Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. Luke 18:42-43

Jesus has authority over nature:  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling…  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm… And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Mark 4:37-41

Jesus has authority over death: Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” John 11:43-44

Jesus has authority to forgive sins:  When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” Luke 5:22-24 (ESV)

Authority is of God.

For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. Romans13:1-2

Authority is of God. When we resist authority, ultimately we resist the authority of God.  What does that look like in our everyday lives?  It looks like sin. Sin is choosing my way over God’s way. Sin is rebelling against God’s authority in my life.  So to tie it back to Dr. Ellen’s quote: When I sin, I rebel against God’s authority in my life and I am believing in that moment that I have equal authority to God.  Hard pill to swallow.

That gives me pause, how about you?

Blessings, Diane

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

This verse has been swirling around my head for a week now so I thought I would share it:

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

I never quite understood what this meant — I did understand from my own experience that “fear involves torment” – amen? But I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around the meaning of the verse. As a person who struggled with fear, I asked myself – does that mean I don’t love?

What is perfect love?  I finally decided that it meant that when I understood God’s perfect love for me, I would not be fearful because I would trust His care and provision for me.  I do believe there is much truth in that.

But I think there is another very practical truth here.  I remember this verse coming to life for me one day when I was in the midst of a season of anxiety and my husband and I were having brunch with his siblings and spouses.  I was there and enjoyed (to some degree) our time but the anxiety – the physical symptoms and nagging anxious thoughts – were never far from the surface.  As we left the restaurant it started to go from a 6-7 to an 8-9; I could feel it rising.

Within a short time on the drive home, John started to have a diverticulitis attack and we needed to make an emergency stop at a Walmart.  When I realized the situation my anxiety went from an 8-9 to about a 5 because my love and concern for him overrode my love and concern for me.  In a sense, love ruled over my fear.  Love cast out my fear.

Love is bigger, stronger and more potent than fear.  So in a practical way I learned a lesson that day.  When fear beckons, it’s time to ask myself “What can I do right now to love someone else?”  That thought is not original with me – I’m pretty sure it is from Ed Welch’s book – Running Scared (i).  If you or someone you know struggles with fear – this is a great resource.

I hope you noticed my intentional use of the past tense in the third paragraph — “As a person who struggled with fear…”  By God’s grace and His work of sanctification in my life I have grown immensely in this area and have, to a large degree, walked in freedom.  Perfectly? No. But I would say that in God’s goodness I would no longer characterize myself as given over to fear.

Would you or those closest to you characterize you as a fearful person?

Fear is a thief. It robs you of joy, peace, rest, strength, faith and hope.   Seek to learn of God’s perfect love for you and seek to actively love others in your most difficult moments.

I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt
After serving 16 years full-time on the staff of America’s Keswick, Diane 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 Ed Welch. Running Scared: fear, worry and the God of rest.  New Growth Press. Greensboro, NC. 2007.

I’m writing this as a new staff member of this anointed and historic ministry on a bright, cheery afternoon as I gaze out the picturesque view of my newly acquired office while savoring a steamy cup of Sumatra coffee. Life feels good. God is good. The awe of this tremendous privilege, honor, and responsibility hits me in waves.  And when it does, with a tear-stained face, I thank my faithful Father for how He truly uses all things for my good (Romans 8:28) and His glory. This verse and theme keep resurfacing over and over in my personal life and in my ministry to hurting women: a verse that came alive to me about 12 years ago during a particularly lengthy and trying season in my life. Life did not then and does not always feel good in the moment, but God is still good none-the-less! He was, is, and always will be. When we can thank God in and even for the tear-stained valleys of life, the praises we subsequently shout on the mountain tops are that much more poignant.

If you are wondering what types of trials, temptations, and heartaches I have endured to bring me to the point of living by faith that God is using everything, everything, everything for my ultimate good, I would tell you that they are the same ones you have faced, are facing, and will face. There is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9), we all face common temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13), and we all battle the world, the flesh, and supernatural evil. When we as believers not only mentally assent to, but actively believe, appropriate, and live by the truth that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NKJV), we will experience faith, hope, and joy despite earthly circumstances. Knowing that God has the ultimate “check-mate” whatever the world, the flesh, or the devil throws our way fixes our perspective, enhances our testimony, increases our joy, calms our hearts, bolsters our faith, and propels our growth in Christ. Whoo-hoo!

Now take a minute and think about all that is troubling you at this exact moment. Maybe you have a medical problem that threatens to not only ravage your body, but to shatter your faith. Maybe someone you love dearly does. Maybe a loved one has just died and you are overcome with subsequent grief, agonizing loneliness, or paralyzing fear. Maybe you live under the burden of an estranged or severely damaged significant relationship. Maybe you have loved ones who don’t know Christ, and you labor faithfully in prayer about that but see no outward, visible signs of progress. Maybe you are facing financial problems, struggling with besetting sins, experiencing a dry time spiritually, battling regret over past actions, fighting depression or anxiety, dealing with loved ones who are destroying themselves, or are overloaded with many demands and responsibilities. Maybe your current trial isn’t listed here or several of them are.

Whatever the case may be, I would encourage you to bow your head in submission and trust to your good Father Who is allowing all that has come your way and will come your way with a good, eternal purpose in mind. Tell Him by faith that you are trusting Him to use everything for His glory and your ultimate good. Then live moment-by-moment in dependence upon the Holy Spirit and in light of that marvelous and freeing truth!

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.

“My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

I’ve been doing a lot of searching lately. I’ve been trying to figure out just what it is I am supposed to be doing at this season of life. It’s been hard to figure out what to do when what I want is not happening. And as I prayed about what I wanted the Lord said (as I know when He is talking to me), “You need to be content with the life I am giving you.” Ouch.  It’s a struggle to have desires in your heart and mind and be content that, for now, those things are not what God has for you. I don’t believe my desires are wrong. What is wrong is to be ungrateful for what God has given me. It is wrong to take God’s goodness and gifts and say it isn’t enough. That’s the struggle of my heart. I also know that it is a waste of time to think about what should be and not pay attention to what is. I need to remember that God is no respecter of time. Whatever the future holds, He is there. It is a challenge to look forward and keep it about what God has for me, not what I want for myself. I have to constantly remind myself that it is not my will but His. Recently, I heard this song on the radio and it couldn’t have been a more perfect reminder.

I know you’re good, But this don’t feel good right now, And I know you think
Of things I could never think about, It’s hard to count it all joy, Distracted by the noise
Just trying to make sense, Of all your promises, Sometimes I gotta stop
Remember that you’re God, And I am not, So
Thy will be done, Thy will be done, Thy will be done
Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is, Thy will be done, Thy will be done
Thy will
I know you see me, I know you hear me, Lord, Your plans are for me
Goodness you have in store, I know you hear me, I know you see me, Lord
Your plans are for me, Good news you have in store. Thy Will- Hillary Scott

Blessings,

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.

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! Psalm 36:7

Two overused words.  Love is used to describe a feeling that gets attached to our favorite food, activity or object of the day. Priceless is a value we can put on things that are temporal.  Our vacations are priceless, our purchase is priceless or our momentary happiness is priceless. Yet love is fickle and changes with the wind. What’s priceless one day is sold at the garage sale at a later date.

David reminds us that the love of God is priceless. Have we ever taken the time to even fathom the depth of these words? Have we ever tried to wrap our minds around the love of God? Have we ever, for ourselves, found His love to be above all else and so rich that it was valued above all other things?

Don’t let your familiarity with these words allow you to skip over the real meaning, depth and cost of the Lord’s priceless love for you and me.  Don’t skim over the facts.

Timothy Keller’s prayer reads:  “Let me explore the innumerable facets of your love. That’s better than listening to the best music, better than standing on a mountaintop, better than gazing at a huge diamond. How priceless is your unfailing love!”*

Blessings,
Kathy

*The Songs of Jesus by Timothy Keller, Page 71

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.