LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
He who walks uprightly,
    And works righteousness,
    And speaks the truth in his heart
Psalm 15:1-2

I love this little nugget.  I have read Psalm 15 many, many times but this week the last part of verse 2 popped off the page.  “and speaks the truth in his heart.”

“Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?”  D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.
Psalm 42:11

“We must learn to fight despondency. The fight is a fight of faith in future grace. It is fought by preaching truth to ourselves about God and His promised future.

This is what the psalmist does in Psalm 42. The psalmist preaches to his troubled soul. He scolds himself and argues with himself. And his main argument is future grace: ‘Hope in God! — Trust in what God will be for you in the future. A day of praise is coming. The presence of the Lord will be all the help you need. And he has promised to be with us forever.’”  John Piper

When we listen to ourselves, in a sense we are like a city without walls.  We take in everything.  Thoughts flow through our minds undeterred.  The thoughts of the world, the thoughts of the enemy, the thoughts of our flesh, others people’s thoughts shared in conversation, on the radio, on TV, and God’s thoughts. They get all jumbled together and have equal weight.  In a sense it’s as if we believe “If I think it, it must be true.”

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.

Earlier today, I was walking from one building to another and, as I was walking, I passed a group of our guests visiting this week who were going the opposite direction. I saw a group of kids marching along singing “I am a C. I am a C-H. I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N.” They didn’t know the rest of the song, so they just kept shout-chanting over and over again “I am a C. I am a C-H. I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N.”

Hearing that at that moment filled me with such joy and was truly a gift – scripture tells us that children are gifts from the Lord. These little children are being trained up right and are so excited about God. From the lips of children and infants, the Lord has called out His praise (Matthew 21:16). It made me think of what Jesus said in the gospels about children.

“He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me” (Matthew 18:2-5).

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:13-15).

The kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these… we can learn a lot from children, can’t we? What if we had faith like a child? What if our humility, innocence, and joy was like that of a child? It’s like 1 Timothy 4:12 says:  “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

There is such a joy that comes with a child-like faith. Most people we know wouldn’t go around shout-chanting “I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N” in public, but I know too many people that wouldn’t even be comfortable talking about their faith among friends. Our job as adults is to teach children and train them up in the way they should go… but sometimes children can be some of the greatest teachers and best examples of God’s goodness, as well.

Erin
Erin Culleny serves as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She had served on Summer Staff since 2011, and in 2015 had the unique opportunity of co-directing Children’s Ministry with one of her best friends. She is very excited to continue to build relationships with the guests and be very involved in the ministry.

Run a marathon….it’ll be fun they said.

Ride the roller coaster…it’ll be fun they said.

Have you ever been told to do something with the assurance that it would be fun only to find out that their idea of fun and yours were two different things?

Come to Jesus ….be happy…everything will turn out just fine…..it’ll be great they said.  AND IT IS BUT, let’s not skim over Psalm 24:3, 4. “Who may stand in his holy place? The one of has clean hands and a pure heart; who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.” These are not easy words to live by. These requirements are not easy to live by and maintain.  Clean hands? Pure heart? Trusting only in God? I need grace, don’t you? Often I can feel like I take two steps forward and one step back in my Christian life. Wasn’t it supposed to be easier? More fun? Don’t be discouraged, you and I need to continue to draw near to Christ.

Timothy Keller comments, “To know his presence, however, is to ‘ascend’ a hill or mountain (verse 3), and doing so is always a struggle. You must repent, seeking a clear conscience (verse 4). You must know your idols and reject them (verse 4). And you must wrestle in prayer to seek God’s face.”

There is no easy way. There are no short cuts. Following Jesus is not always easy.

Climb a hill they say. Keep your hands and heart clean they say. Knock down your idols they say. Wrestle in prayer they say. Timothy Keller says in his closing prayer, “I want to love you for yourself alone and know your fellowship and presence. That will be a long journey and a struggle. But I commit myself to it today”

Take a long journey, struggle to be in His presence today. I can’t say it will be fun all the time but it will be worth it.

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 feel a little like an expert on our topic today.  At the young age of 7 my papa died.  Death.  What does a 7-year-old understand about death?  Very little.  It was a scary thing.  Sometime soon after, I had my first anxiety attack – petrified of dying.  I was 7! I still can see that night in my mind’s eye.  That initial fear of dying was the beginning of a journey for me that lasted into my 20s and 30s. For the next three decades, on and off, I had seasons of anxiety and fear.  I know I was an extreme case but I know there are many people that suffer from fear and fear of death even in their 60s, 70s and 80s. I know because I have talked to them.

I want to consider this topic in light of our 2016 summer theme: Facing the future with CONFIDENCE.

What threatens our ability to face the future with confidence?  Doubt and fear.  Isn’t a lack of confidence, uncertainty sitting on a foundation of fear?  It seems to me that to face the future with confidence we need to put fear to death.

From where I sit, from my own personal experience, my counseling experience and the Bible, fear is a part of being human.  Over and over again God tells us “do not be afraid; do not fear” — over 100 times in the Bible.

So how do we put fear to death?  The answer to that could take a book but here are a few thoughts in the right direction.

#1.  It is vital that fear of death itself no longer holds sway over us.  Being a Christian can settle this for many but some continue in bondage for years.  Those that remain in bondage to the fear of death fail to fully grasp Hebrews 2:14-14 “…through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” For the believer, death is not the end but the beginning of something far more wonderful than we can imagine.  It takes faith to believe and trust God and take Him at His word.

#2. Fear and faith are diametrically opposed to each other.  Fear may come but claim the promises of God and trust Him to keep His word – choosing faith overcomes fear.  It requires knowing the truth and choosing to believe it despite how you feel. Stop listening to yourself and start talking to yourself by telling yourself the truth.  Don’t give fear any oxygen to fan its flame into a raging fire. Squelch it when it is still a spark.  Faith will douse the spark.

#3. Put on Love.  What?  What’s love got to do with it?  Well, this I know.  “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. Fear is inward, love is outward.  Force yourself to step out in faith, trust the Spirit to empower you to put love in action.

I trust this will give you some food for thought today.  You can face the future with confidence by first putting fear to death.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt served for 16 years on the staff of America’s Keswick until recently when she and her husband relocated to North Carolina. She now continues serving as a contributing writer and Partner Care consultant. Diane is also a Biblical Counselor, speaker, teacher, and author. She delights in the opportunities she has as a women’s conference and retreat speaker to share from God’s word.  Many of her illustrations are drawn from her relational experiences as a wife, mother, and mema. They are the very relationships that bring her the greatest joy and the most fun!

Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.
Psalm 27:3-4

Can we with the Psalmist say, “One thing I have desired of the LORD,”?

When I look at my prayers I think it would be more accurate to say, “one OF the things I have desired of the Lord” because so often my prayers boil down to a long grocery list of the many things I desire of the Lord. That approach to prayer can lead to a view of God as if He is there to do MY bidding.  Are your prayers God-focused or you-focused?

Look carefully at the Psalmist’s words, “In this I will be confident.”  What? Who?  The Lord.  The circumstances that could overtake him [an army encamped or war] faded in comparison to what held his confidence.

My question a moment ago, “Are your prayers God-focused or you-focused?” was not to imply that we should not ask for things that concern us. Not at all.  But that should not be ALL we include in our prayers.

First, notice the Psalmist desires to be in the presence of God: “That I may dwell in the house of the LORD.”  You don’t have to camp out in the back of church to be in the presence of God continually.  In truth, you cannot NOT be in His presence. “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.” Psalm 139:7-8

We are continually in His presence and as His child His Spirit is continually dwelling within us.  We often lose sight of that truth.  It would do us all well to practice being aware of His presence moment by moment.

Second.  He desires to “behold the beauty of the LORD.” In addition to being in His presence he desires to meditate on the Lord, to gaze upon Him and be enamored with Him over and over again.  How much time do you spend looking into the face of your Savior every day?  Rehearse who He is. Allow those thoughts to linger.  Just the thought of that makes me smile.
Third. The psalmist desires to “inquire in His temple.” Pray. Ask.

After consciously bringing ourselves into the presence of God and meditating on Him, beholding Him, bring your concerns and requests before Him.  The focus is on Him, not on circumstances and stuff.  We reorient our perspective.  This God-centered perspective gives us confidence in HIM as we face the future.

The Psalmist says, “My heart shall not fear.”  What sayeth thee?

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt served for 16 years on the staff of America’s Keswick until recently when she and her husband relocated to North Carolina. She now continues serving as a contributing writer and Partner Care consultant. Diane is also a Biblical Counselor, speaker, teacher, and author. She delights in the opportunities she has as a women’s conference and retreat speaker to share from God’s word.  Many of her illustrations are drawn from her relational experiences as a wife, mother, and mema. They are the very relationships that bring her the greatest joy and the most fun!

“That was a great sermon.”
“Wow! That was an awesome message.”
“Pastor’s message was powerful this morning.”

You’ve said these things. I’ve said these things.

Do you still remember Sunday’s sermon?  How much thought have you given to the Pastor’s message just this week?

How many messages have we heard? In church? On the radio?
How many pages of notes have we taken at conferences and retreats?
How many fantastic books have we read that powerfully impacted us?
How many insightful quotes have we seen on Facebook?
How many New Year’s-type resolutions have we made?

Here’s the real question. How much have we actually changed?

I think when we hear a great message that impacts us we make a resolution to change. We don’t necessarily have a plan, we just “feel” that we are going to change.  Just like most New Year’s resolutions, within a day or week we are right back doing what we were doing before.  We fail to be doers of the Word.  We fail to take to heart the message to the point of action.  “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22

Most pastors are not preaching every week to make us feel good (Sadly, I believe there are some).  Instead, Bible-preaching pastors are leading the charge for change in our lives.

What needs to happen in our lives that we may be characteristically doers of the Word and not hearers only?  How can we listen, hear, and apply God’s Word to the point of action?  We listen differently if we have to DO something with what we hear. What if we listen to the next message with such intensity, seeking the answer to this question: “Lord, what do YOU want me to DO with what I am learning today?”

If you are courageous enough to take up this challenge – I would love to hear from you how God moves in your heart and life as you grow in being a doer of the Word.

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt served for 16 years on the staff of America’s Keswick until recently when she and her husband relocated to North Carolina. She now continues serving as a contributing writer and Partner Care consultant. Diane is also a Biblical Counselor, speaker, teacher, and author. She delights in the opportunities she has as a women’s conference and retreat speaker to share from God’s word.  Many of her illustrations are drawn from her relational experiences as a wife, mother, and mema. They are the very relationships that bring her the greatest joy and the most fun!

 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Matthew 14:28-32

Our Victory Call today is a simple reminder to us both that what fills our vision matters to the peace in our souls.  As we once again consider this year’s Keswick theme, Facing the future with confidence, let’s take a moment to pause and think about this very familiar story of Peter.

We often hear of the impetuous nature of Peter, how he often spoke or acted before he thought. In that regard I can identify with Peter.  But, as we think about our Scripture today from Matthew 14, I also see another side of Peter.

Peter stepped out of that boat immediately when the Lord said “Come.”
He didn’t ask 10 follow-up questions.
“Really Lord, are you serious?” (I wonder if Jesus ever joked with the disciples)
“Should I take off my sandals?”
“Will my feet get wet?”
“Should I bring John? Maybe he should go first.”
“Can you come in a little closer?”

No. Peter stepped out of that boat with little thought about what would happen next.  Could that not be regarded as faith? His immediate action to get out of the boat was based on his belief in Jesus.

When Peter got out of the boat he walked on water. We don’t know how far he walked on water but we assume his eyes were fixed on Jesus.  Now humanly speaking, I can’t imagine he didn’t also glance down at his own feet because let’s face it wouldn’t we want to behold this miracle with our own eyes.  I’m pretty sure Peter at least glanced at his own feet.

The Scriptures indicate that it was when Peter SAW the wind was boisterous he became afraid and began to sink.

When do we become afraid? When we are more focused on our circumstances and our surroundings than we are on the face of Jesus.

How do we face the future with confidence? By never taking our eyes off the face of Jesus.  How do we do that in a practical way?
1.    Be fervent in prayer
2.    Rehearse the Gospel daily
3.    Develop an awareness of God’s presence and activity in your life
4.    Regularly practice an attitude of gratitude
5.    When you find your eyes wandering to your feet or the wind or the water – go back to number 1

We can face the future with confidence by keeping our eyes and hearts and minds fixed on HIM.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt served for 16 years on the staff of America’s Keswick until recently when she and her husband relocated to North Carolina. She now continues serving as a contributing writer and Partner Care consultant. Diane is also a Biblical Counselor, speaker, teacher, and author. She delights in the opportunities she has as a women’s conference and retreat speaker to share from God’s word.  Many of her illustrations are drawn from her relational experiences as a wife, mother, and mema. They are the very relationships that bring her the greatest joy and the most fun!

We live in a crazy, hectic, busy world.  There are always things going on around us demanding our time.  There are opportunities to be busy 24/7.

Mostly we keep track of our schedules on a calendar, in a data minder or day timer.  There have been weeks when there was little white space around the things written on my schedule.  Just looking at it can be overwhelming.

It’s good to have structure and a plan but when that structure or plan interferes with what God wants to do in the moment the structure and plan have to go.  “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” (i) “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”(ii)

How flexible are you?

There are times when we can “plan” caring for and serving others.  Mrs. Jones needs a meal after coming home from the hospital.  Bobbie Smith needs help with her children while she goes to the doctor. Mr. Parks is lonely and needs a visit.  These are all great and important to do, but sometimes in the midst of our plans God brings someone across our path that He has ordained there at that moment for us to minister to.

You have a packed schedule today from the time you get up to the time you crash back into bed tonight.  There is barely enough time for lunch (but surely you find time for THAT!) As you are rushing out of Kohl’s where you picked up a present, there on the bench outside is a woman sobbing.  She’s alone and obviously terribly upset.  You glance at your watch – you have to get to the grocery store before picking up the kids from school.  You glance around and see no one taking notice of this poor woman. What do you do?  What would you say?  You know God is prompting you to extend His care for this woman.

It’s good to have a plan but when God intervenes in your plan – it’s time for a mid-course correction because God has a different plan. God has a better plan. God has a plan to make His name famous today as you care and show His love for this woman.

Caring for others always trumps our plans.

Keep your eyes open today to see what God is up to and just waiting for you to join Him.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (iii)  Exciting.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt served for 16 years on the staff of America’s Keswick until recently when she and her husband relocated to North Carolina. She now continues serving as a contributing writer and Partner Care consultant. Diane is also a Biblical Counselor, speaker, teacher, and author. She delights in the opportunities she has as a women’s conference and retreat speaker to share from God’s word.  Many of her illustrations are drawn from her relational experiences as a wife, mother, and mema. They are the very relationships that bring her the greatest joy and the most fun!

i Proverbs 19:21
ii Proverbs 16:9
iii Ephesians 2:10

“I love mankind … it’s people I can’t stand!!”   — Charles Schultz

When you think about it, it’s easy to say we love mankind, or we love people in general, but when it comes down to loving this one or that one that can be difficult.   I have friends that would disagree with my statement because they don’t like people in general either – and have said so out of their own mouths.

What makes believers stand apart from the rest of the world? Love.  Not that non-believers don’t love, they do but it is human love.  Love that makes believers stand apart is the love that only comes from God.  It’s not love of mankind (humankind to be politically correct), it is love of individuals. It is not love in general, but love specifically.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”  1 John 4:7

When we speak of love in our culture we tend to think of feelings of affection, kindness, compassion, warm fuzzies and pleasure.  But how do we love individuals that do not elicit such fond feelings?  How do we love someone that we do not feel love for? Not to love them would be sin, disobedience to God.

I believe this point right here describes what leads to many, most if not all, divorces.  “I am not in love with him/her anymore.” What that person is saying is, “I do not have warm fuzzy fond feelings for that person anymore.”  This is not a Biblical view of love. A Biblical view of love is not emotion-driven it is action-driven. “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” 1 John 3:18.

NEWSFLASH: Even when warm fuzzy fond feelings are lacking – we can still love.  How’s that?  Because love is of God – not of woman.  This applies to any relationship, not just marriage.

Three thoughts that should get us moving in the right direction to love specifically:

1.    Set our eyes on Jesus.  “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor 3:18). As we behold Him we will become like Him.  As we behold Him we will grow in loving others with His love. Focus on Jesus and obedience to Him rather than on your emotions.
2.    Pray.  Ask God to give you a heart for the individual.  Pray for the individual. Ask God to give you eyes to see ways you can have action-oriented love for that person.

3.    Step out in faith and show action-oriented love.  “For we walk by faith, not by sight” 2 Corinthians 5:7; “Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 6:23). Trusting God in the moment, put on loving actions towards the individual REGARDLESS of how you feel.  That, sister, is loving specifically.  Not once and done but over and over and over.

Have a LOVE-LY day,
Diane

Diane Hunt served for 16 years on the staff of America’s Keswick until recently when she and her husband relocated to North Carolina. She now continues serving as a contributing writer and Partner Care consultant. Diane is also a Biblical Counselor, speaker, teacher, and author. She delights in the opportunities she has as a women’s conference and retreat speaker to share from God’s word.  Many of her illustrations are drawn from her relational experiences as a wife, mother, and mema. They are the very relationships that bring her the greatest joy and the most fun!

i Charles M. Schultz, The Complete Peanuts vol. 5
ii The idea of loving in general and loving specifically came from a Sunday sermon by Pastor Mickey Connelly.  The development of the idea in this VC is my own.

“If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.  But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18

During Israel’s exile in Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down to the ninety-foot golden statue erected by King Nebuchadnezzar.  Because of their refusal to bow to the idol they faced judgement in the fiery furnace. “But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” (Daniel 3:15).

In the midst of a land that was riddled with ungodly practices, false gods and idols, they did not compromise their belief in the One True God.  Facing the threat of painful judgement they did not let fear seize them. They faced their future with confidence NOT because they thought they would get out of the punishment – though they knew that with God it was a possibility.  NO. Their confidence was in a God that deserved their worship regardless of the consequences.  They were living a God-centered, God-focused life, not a self-centered, self-focused life.

One of the roots of fear is the question, “How will this affect me?” We can be immobilized with fear if we look to the future from a ME-centered, ME-focused perspective.   “What will happen to ME? What will happen to MY loved ones? What lies ahead for ME?”

Let’s take a lesson from our three brothers Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  Our God whom we love and serve is ABLE to deliver us from whatever lies ahead BUT IF NOT we will keep our eyes fixed on JESUS. We will NOT bow down to anyone or anything other than the ONE TRUE GOD.

We can face the future with confidence because HE IS THE GREAT I AM.  HE IS THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA. HE IS WORTHY OF OUR WORSHIP.  HE IS WORTHY OF OUR TRUST.  GOD IS OUR GOD.  WE CAN FACE THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE BECAUSE GOD IS OUR GOD.

Fear has no place in a heart filled with HIM.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt served for 16 years on the staff of America’s Keswick until recently when she and her husband relocated to North Carolina. She now continues serving as a contributing writer and Partner Care consultant. Diane is also a Biblical Counselor, speaker, teacher, and author. She delights in the opportunities she has as a women’s conference and retreat speaker to share from God’s word.  Many of her illustrations are drawn from her relational experiences as a wife, mother, and mema. They are the very relationships that bring her the greatest joy and the most fun!