“Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord, How much more the hearts of men.” Proverbs 15:11

A joyful heart, sad heart, cheerful heart, righteous heart, ALL are mentioned in Proverbs 15. Often the tongue is mentioned in Proverbs but it’s not the tongue that causes damage. What is in our heart is what comes out of the mouth. While we desperately need to watch our tongues, have you and I taken the time to recognize what is in our hearts? Do you find fear of the Lord, uprightness, understanding, wisdom, and humility? When these virtues dwell in our hearts it will be reflected in our speech, attitudes and dealings with others. Better still is the fact that our hearts can be open to the Lord with no guilt or shame. All that resides in our hearts would then be pure.

With all that is happening in our world it is easy to let our mouths voice opinions, concerns and judgements. Be careful …your heart is being exposed. Before exposing our hearts to others it would be wise to bring the matters of our hearts to the Lord to allow Him to examine and purify us.

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.

This Victory Call will be short because the question is short, simple and profound. So I just want to get your mind engaged and let you chew on this question today for your own life. The question is not original with me.

Here’s the question.

Is your YES on the table?

What does that mean?

Is your answer YES to God before you even know what He is asking of you?   Are you willing and ready to say, “YES GOD” before you even know if He is asking you to do something within your comfort zone or outside your comfort zone?

Have you ALREADY said YES to God no matter what He asks; or is your YES still in your pocket so you can consider the request before you answer?

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
“Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?”
Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

Is your YES on the table?

Think about that today.

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 love food. Plain and simple. Ordering pizza? Get me extra-cheese. We’re passing a McDonalds? I’ll have the quarter pounder and fries. In fact, I’m convinced that if I drove to the Chinese place down the street and told the cashier to “give me the usual” they would get me the beef-and-broccoli combination plate with plain lo-mein with no hesitation.

Here’s my problem, though. I can feel it the next day. My stomach will hurt all morning and sometimes all day. My doctor told me about some internal medical problems I have that fatty foods really bother. Without going into detail, I’ll just say I can’t eat those types of things very frequently at all. With unhealthy foods comes an unhealthy body. As much as I love to indulge in the greasy and fatty foods, I know that it will come with consequences.

It’s the same with sin, isn’t it? When we allow ourselves to indulge in it, we may be happy for a moment… but there’s that small voice inside saying “everything is good now… but this isn’t what you’re supposed to be doing. You won’t feel happy tomorrow.” Sin comes with conviction and correction, and that correction can be painful. But it’s necessary so we know better next time.

I’ve been reading through John and I found a specific passage very interesting.
“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.’ He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put in it.”  – John 12:3-6

Jesus knew what Judas was doing, he was aware of the sin in his heart and what Judas allowed himself to “indulge” in. But He didn’t correct him then and there. He knew that there would be consequences for Judas’ sin. Other cases include Pharaoh, who experienced physical pain and then lost his son after not listening to God. We can also include David, who had many sins on his resume and consequentially, he experienced pain and hurt.

God gives us free will, and because of our human nature and our constant battle with the flesh, sometimes we allow ourselves to “indulge” in sin… but as daughters of the King, we can be certain that there will be correction and that correction can be painful.

Is there any area of your life where you are allowing yourself to “indulge” in sin? Gossip? Food? Lack of forgiveness? Bitterness?  You can pray and ask Jesus to reveal any area of your life that needs a bit of “reconstruction”. Just like we need to fill our bodies with healthy things instead of bad, we need to fill our spirits with healthy things, like scripture and prayer, instead of sin.

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.

Question: Are you willing to repent?

There it is. Right between the eyes.  Sounds so simple, so fundamental, so basic.

Answer: Of course. That’s the right answer, right?  What genuine believer of Jesus Christ would say no?

Stop.

I don’t want the “right” answer from your head. I want the answer you know is deep in your heart.

Are you willing to repent?

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

Feeling bad about our sin is not the same as repentance.  Feeling bad doesn’t result in change. Feeling bad without appropriate change of behavior, attitude, and action is simply feeling bad and according to 2 Corinthians 7:10 leads to death.

Merriam Webster on-line  defines REPENT :  “to feel or show that you are sorry for something bad or wrong that you did and that you want to do what is right”

According to this definition – feeling sorry for something bad or wrong you did and that you want to do what is right is sufficient to qualify as repentance.

I don’t want to nitpick but feeling and wanting are not the same as actually repenting – changing, making new choices, saying no to temptation, resisting, fighting, turning away from sin and turning towards God.

Are you willing to repent?

Sometimes we feel bad about our sin because we know it is wrong and yet we continue in it because we not quite ready to give it up yet.  Any of this sound familiar?

Easton’s Bible Dictionary expresses the distinction between feeling bad and true repentance.
“The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3).
(2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one’s mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.”

I ask again. Are you willing to repent?

Repentance is much more than a change in our behavior – although it includes that – it is a change of heart that results in a determined fleeing from sin and a passionate, intentional, determined, unwavering pursuit towards God.

Will we do it perfectly? No. Will we fail at times? Yes. Do we give up in despair? No. No. We get up, confess our sin, ask for and receive God’s forgiveness, remind our self of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the cross, the blood, His love, His grace, His mercy, His forgiveness and move forward.

I have heard it said, “For every one look at our sin, take ten looks at Jesus and the cross.” A good practice to develop.

“The first of Martin Luther’s famous Ninety-five Theses was this: ‘When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, “Repent,” He willed that the whole life of believers should be one of repentance.  Each day we turn afresh in faith and repentance toward God. We rediscover our first love all over again so that we’re not tempted to engage in spiritual adultery.  The key to continual and deeper spiritual renewal and revival is the continual re-discovery of the gospel. ‘”

I was preaching to myself today and thought I’d let you listen in.

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!

The 2016 Keswick theme is: Facing the Future with CONFIDENCE.

Bill Welte is assembling a summer devotional with contributions from the summer conference speakers and some staff and friends of the ministry.

So there I sat at my computer staring at the screen.  What should I write about Facing the Future with Confidence?  My problem was not that I couldn’t think of what to write; my problem was there were so many great options.  Narrowing it down was somewhat of a task. Then I had a lightbulb moment.  I can write multiple ones and use the “extras” for Victory Call.  Brilliant.  That being said, you will be seeing several Victory Calls in the coming weeks on this theme: Facing the Future with Confidence.

I suspect you have noticed that we no longer live in a “Christian-friendly” nation.  Though we often hear about tolerance, experience indicates that tolerance seems to mean for all except Christians.  This is my opinion but I am not alone.  I am not saying there are not pockets out there where this is not true; I’m sure there are. I am speaking in general to make my point today.

How do we face the future with confidence?  By faith we keep the end game in mind.

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

There will come a day when EVERY knee shall bow and EVERY tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  Our unsaved neighbors will bow the knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Those that are stonewalling Christian values and denying Christ at every turn in word, action and attitude – they will bow the knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Those that are actively pushing an ungodly agenda, forcing it upon everyone – they will bow the knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

What gives us confidence to face the future? God has already ordained victory.  Not everyone will go to heaven but EVERY ONE will see and know the truth in the end. For those that have not been redeemed it will be too late for them. For the redeemed, we will enter into glory with our God: Father, Son and Spirit.

Nothing and no one is able to thwart the plans of God. No one.  We can face the future with confidence because ultimately God’s good and perfect plan and purpose will come to fruition.

Let’s remember the end game.

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 don’t think it’s any secret that there’s a lot of “yuck” in this world. Between politics, false religion, ungodly lifestyles, terrorism, etcetera, it can get overwhelming and depressing pretty quickly. It’s not just world issues, either. We have all had experiences in life that we would not choose for ourselves – things like addiction, broken relationships, divorce, death, lost friends and family, unfaithfulness, or abuse. There is a lot of pain in this world.

But let’s play the “what if” game for a second. What if God has allowed you to experience difficult circumstances in your life for a greater purpose – to bring Him glory? We know that He is more than capable of taking even the worst of experiences and making something beautiful, something greater than anything we could ever imagine. What if our experiences of hardships and brokenness were allowed by the Lord so that we can come out on the other side and say “Praise to the King of Kings, Praise be to Jehovah, look what God has done!” Our goal is to bring God the glory, and in doing so, we may have the opportunity to lead others to Christ.

If we look at scriptures, we can see many cases where God used awful circumstances to bring God glory. Look at Joseph, for example. He was betrayed by his brothers, thrown into a pit, sold for slavery, and thrown in jail for being faithful to the king… but look what God has done. Because he stayed faithful to God, he was made ruler of Egypt and the Lord restored his broken family.

The best example I can give, though, is Jesus. 2000 plus years ago when He was crucified, His followers couldn’t believe it. They couldn’t believe the circumstance – the awful and terrible tragedy – Jesus was in. But look what God has done. It was an awful and devastating event, but afterward the veil was torn, Jesus rose, we were able to have a relationship with God, we were no longer slaves to sin, the Holy Spirit was able to dwell in us, God was brought glory, and we were granted life. Alleluia, praise God the Father, look what He has done. It’s His story, not ours.

How will we respond to our difficult circumstances – will we focus on the bad, or bring God the glory?

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.

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  So we may boldly say:
“The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6

What is it about the future that can cause us to be unsettled?  It can be disconcerting as we look around us at world, national, and state events.  There is evil out there. No doubt about it.  From bombings and trafficking, politics and the economy, broken families and addiction, there is a lot of uncertainty today. There are people out there whose sole purpose seems to be to think up ways to get viruses into computers or to steal other people’s identities.

What can man do to me?  A LOT. But the author of Hebrews also says – The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.  How can he say that?  How can we say that?

With the Lord as our helper what can man do to me that God has not allowed?  NOTHING.
What can man do to me that the Lord cannot redeem?  NOTHING. (Gen 50:20)
What can man do to me that can thwart God’s plans and purpose?  NOTHING. (Ps 33:11)
What can man do to me that can separate me from the love of God? NOTHING. (Romans 8:38-39)
What can man do to me that God’s grace is not sufficient for?  NOTHING. (2 Cor 12:9)

We are continually in the presence of God (Ps 139:7-10).  He never leaves us.  He never forsakes us.  He is for us (Romans 8:31). He sees us (Ps 33:13).  He knows us (Ps 139). He is jealous for us and for His glory (2 Cor 11:2; Ez 39:25).

How can we face the future with confidence?  Trust the ONE that will never leave us, never forsake us. The ONE TRUE GOD that is our constant companion. He will lead us through.

Be blessed today.
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’ve written a Victory Call in the past about stepping out of your comfort zones for Jesus when sharing your faith. Now, I know that the idea of sharing your faith is a pretty elementary idea for believers. Whether they share their faith regularly or not, every Christian can agree that it’s something we are supposed to do; the Bible commands us, after all.

But what about when we need to step out of our comfort zones for Jesus in a different way? If the Lord told you that you needed to drop everything, move to a dangerous third-world country, and do His work there… how would you respond?

Many people would respond in the following ways:

“Oh, I’m sure it’s just my mind making things up. I don’t think God is really calling me to do that.”

“I am not in a place in my life where I should be doing that. I don’t think it’s *really* God’s plan for me.”

“I’m far too old (or far too young) to be doing something like that. God probably wants to use someone else.”

Now, for most of us, the job God has called us to is to live a pretty “normal” life. Many of us are called to be a godly mother and wife, one who actively shares her faith with her community. A job like that is of such amazing and great importance. But what if God has a different plan for you than you have for yourself? Who will you listen to?

I heard a quote once that I really like: “God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” If we open up scriptures to Hebrews 13 and look at verses 20-21, it states:

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

The Lord will equip you with everything you need to fulfill His purpose. Factors like your age or your societal status don’t matter. He qualifies the called. Look at Moses, for example. He used every excuse he could to try and “get out” of leading God’s people out of Egypt. After all, there must be someone more eloquent in speech, right? And what if people didn’t believe him?

Do we say the same thing to God? “There must be someone else more suitable for the job, Lord.” As Christians, we can’t live with the belief that God doesn’t have everything worked out, that He isn’t bigger than our doubts, or that we know better. If God has called us to do something really radical in His name, who are we to argue? Shouldn’t we be honored and humbled by that? If everyone said “no” to God, the Christian message would not reach all ends of the earth.

If we turn to Romans 12, we can read Paul’s words to Christ’s people. In verse 1 he writes: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship.”

We are called to totally surrender to God and His will. It’s a matter of obedience or disobedience. If there’s something you feel God prompting you to do, whether really radical or just simply uncomfortable, I want to encourage you to fully surrender. God has big plans for you, and big blessings that come with it, you just need to let Him use you.

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.

“A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

Laughter really is good medicine. This has recently been proven through a video of a mom wearing a Chewbacca mask that went viral. She basically bought a Chewbacca mask and made a video in her car …oh…Chewbacca is a big hairy character in the Star Wars movies who has a distinct growl for a voice…Anyway, when she puts on the mask for her friends on the internet she is able to move her mouth and make the famous growl that is distinctly Chewy.  Although I think the mask is a hoot, the clear fun of this video is Candace Payne’s laughter and her quick reminder, “it’s the simple joys in life”. You can’t help but laugh watching this video! But that reminder is profound…the simple joys in life. Life gets too serious for too long sometimes. My life has been too serious for too long. I didn’t get a Chewbacca mask but I did get a puzzle. OK, there is nothing funny about a puzzle but I enjoy them. I had long forgotten how much I liked working on a puzzle. Next time I’ll go with 500 pieces instead of 1000, but it’s fun for me. Riding my bike is fun for me. My husband still cracks me up after 31 years. My friend…you know who are… makes me laugh at her expense. What brings a smile to your face? What makes you LOL? There is plenty to be serious about but sometimes we need to laugh and let our joy pour out.

Has it been awhile since you had a really good laugh or have your bones dried out? Not only is laughter good medicine, not only did laughter go viral in this video but laughter is contagious! I hope you catch some today. I hope your belly hurts. I hope you know that God laughs with us and at us but that is for another time.  He delights in you today. May His joy fill you to over flowing!

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.

Recently I got a sample Reader’s Digest in the mail.  One of the short stories I read was, “Eight Hours at the Edge of Darkness” by Michael Massimino, PhD.  Michael was an astronaut who was given the assignment to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.  He had to work suspended at the end of a long tether.  For five years Michael and his team prepared for the mission.  At one point while suspended in space he had a significant challenge because a screw he had to remove was stripped.  He felt completely alone.  He feared that his children and grandchildren would read about his failure to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.  His five crewmates were in the cabin of the spaceship and unable to help him.  Billions of people down on earth and no one could help him.  Have you ever been in that place where you felt totally alone, in need, and without one ounce of hope that anyone could help you?

At one point the great prophet Elijah felt completely alone.  Elijah had just been used by God to clearly demonstrate the power of God before the Israelites and the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18).  Then Jezebel threatens him and by 1 King 19:10b he cries out to God saying, “And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”  The Lord speaks to Elijah telling him to go to the wilderness of Damascus and anoint Hazael king over Aram.  He does not address his loneliness but rather continues saying: “It shall come about, the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall put to death.  Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:17-18).  Elijah was hardly alone.  God is with him, there are 7,000 in Israel and Obadiah had told Elijah that he had hidden a hundred prophets of the Lord in caves.  Elijah found his strength once he heard the voice of the Lord.  The enemy who loves to see us hopeless and lonely did not win the day!

Dear one, when you feel helpless, fearful and completely alone, don’t allow your mind to stay in that place.  Cry out to God.  Put on worship music and bless His holy name.  Declare truth, Your God will never leave you or forsake you (Heb. 13:5b).  Remember, there is nothing that can separate you from His love (Romans 8:39).  The enemy loves to see us hopeless, fearful and lonely.  The enemy simply must not win the day in your life either!  You are the daughter of the King of Kings if you have made Jesus the Lord of your life.  You can stand strong and courageous for the Lord your God goes with you wherever you go (Deut. 31:6).

By the way, the Astronaut Michael Massimino completed his assignment.  At his loneliest moment his buddy encouraged him and spoke to him giving him another idea to solve the problem.  You see in that moment of loneliness he had forgotten what was true.  His wife and NASA colleagues were watching him on the NASA television channel cheering for him.  His neighbors were decorating his house and American flags were flying everywhere. God used the voice of one man to pull Michael out of his loneliness, fear and hopelessness.

Blessings,
Patricia Wenzel
Woman of Character Graduate
The story mentioned above is in the Readers Digest June 2016 edition titled “Eight Hours at the Edge of Darkness” by Michael Massimino, PhD.