“I believe that one reason why the church of God at this present moment has so little influence over the world is because the world has so much influence over the church…Put your finger on any prosperous age in the Church’s history and you will find a little marginal note that says: ‘In this age people could readily see where the Church began and where the world ended’.” – Charles Spurgeon

Ponder that quote a moment.  When I heard this quote recently in a sermon my critical, judgmental (unloving) heart immediately thought of ways churches have changed in the past 25 years.

Have we blurred the line between the church and the world by trying to be more seeker-friendly and attractive to (fill in the blank), from music style, to church name changes, from sanctuaries to community meeting rooms, from abstinence to drinking, to church décor?

Now to be fair, I’m not saying these changes are necessarily bad, some have been good (again, in MY opinion. I am hard-pressed to see the wide-spread acceptance of social drinking, even at church events and gatherings, as movement in the right direction; “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24). But, it begs the question: How can the Church be in the world but not of the world?

Looking to Church history, how do we, as the Body of Christ, posture ourselves, individually and corporately as the Church, to be a catalyst for another “prosperous age” of revival? How do we live lives that are distinctly Christian in a world, nation, job, and community that is distinctly NOT Christian?

How do we discern between change and compromise? How do we, individually and as a Body, minimize the influence OF the world to maximize the Church’s influence IN the world?

Lots of questions I don’t have answers for. But this I do know…

JESUS BUILDS HIS CHURCH

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:15-18

THE CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST COMPRISED OF INDIVIDUALS SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27

WE ALL HAVE A MINISTRY, A GOD-GIVEN MISSION – TO MAKE HIM KNOWN THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“…Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

IT’S ALL ABOUT HIM

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to 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. Romans 15:5-6

THE TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS ARE TO LOVE GOD AND LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39

Now why is that important?

The way I see it, whether the church is now barely decorated by “old church” standards or the band with drums has replaced organs and choirs, or whether we sit in chairs instead of pews and the pastor wears jeans and flip flops instead of a robe or suit  — God’s greatest command is LOVE.

How do we discern compromise from God-directed change?  I think the question is a heart question.  Are we motivated by love for God, love for the brethren (young and old), and love for the lost?

Oh, and one more thing: THE GOSPEL IS POWERFUL TO SAVE FOR EVERY GENERATION. NOTHING WILL THWART GOD’S PLAN OR PURPOSE.

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it…” Isaiah 55:10-11

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

I hope you haven’t skimmed or skipped the Scriptures because it is in God’s Word that we find the answers to our questions.  My words are as dust, His Words are everlasting, powerful and mighty to save.

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.

Jesus says in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

What kind of peace does the world give?  If it could possibly attain it, it is only temporary.  During World War II, there were a few cease fire days, one being on Christmas day.  Mostly, this was honored between the two sides. But, when the time was up, the fighting started again.  Today, there is fighting going on somewhere in the world all the time.  People say that one of the most important things in life is to have world peace.  It has even become a joke because everyone knows that it is an impossible task.  There are troubled and fearful hearts today because of the uncertainty of when and where peace will be broken.

Jesus says in John 16: 33, “These things have I spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”  Why can He say that?  Because He is the Prince of Peace and Mighty God!  (Isaiah 9:6).  He has overcome the world through His death and resurrection.  So, our hearts do not need to be troubled nor fearful.

Romans 5: 1 says that we can have peace WITH God if we believe in what Jesus has done for us.  Philippians 4:7 says that the peace OF God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  That is the kind of peace each one of us needs.  This is an eternal peace.

Jesus offers us His peace.  Will we receive it?  Here is a hymn to comfort and encourage our hearts:  Peace, Perfect Peace

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus—this is rest.

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found.

Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?
In Jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they.

Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.

Lyrics:  Edward Henry Bickersteth

Music:  George Thomas Caldbeck

Written by Denise Zambrano: Denise loves to teach the Bible and sing. She teaches a women’s Bible study and a high school Sunday School class.  Along with her daughter, Linda, she is an advocate at A Baby’s Breath (a crisis pregnancy center). She loves being a grandmother to Tim, Becky, Alexander and William (who is with Jesus).  She was a missionary with Radio Station HCJB in Quito, Ecuador for 35 years.

 

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  Philippians 1:6

In the midst of my current circumstances I have seen God do some really AMAZING things! The process remains long and drawn out. Decisions that are yet to be made may leave my desires on hold for a long time.  I have been reminded over and over again that God has begun this working out of answered prayers over a very long period of time. He is working and will continue to do so. We aren’t at the end of it but I am trusting that it will be completed one day.

There are many story lines that need to come to completion and many hearts that God is working on all at once. God continues to remind me that He is a multi-tasker. While I want to be through and done with one thing, He has more things in view that are all tied together. There are things that need to be accomplished in all of the players in this chapter of our story.  And we are in a chapter…. The full story has not been revealed to us.

As the story continues, I want to sneak a peek at the ending, but I can’t. I must continue to trust the Author with all the twists and turns of what lies ahead. Eventually, we will see how God will wrap it all together, but not yet.

I have a plaque sitting on a shelf in my home that reads, “Not to spoil the ending, but it’s all going to be okay.” And it is going to all be okay when all is said and done.

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.

Change is difficult and sometimes even seems impossible. Change all starts with a decision, a choice and a single step.  Notice I said change STARTS with a single step, but change does not actually happen or remain because of a choice or single step.

I still remember something Pastor Bill Raws said many years ago: “A step is not a walk.” He was right; a step in the right direction is only a step. A walk requires one step after another after another after another.

Perhaps you remember the death crawl scene in the movie “Facing the Giants”. I pulled it up on YouTube[i] to watch it again as I prepared this Victory Call and tears are streaming AGAIN!! This is a masterful scene.  The football coach challenges Brock, one of the team leaders, to do the death crawl, blindfolded with a man on his back.  As the player starts to feel the burn in his legs, coach keeps yelling the entire length of the field – “KEEP GOING”, “KEEP DRIVING”, “I WANT EVERYTHING YOU GOT”, “DON’T QUIT, DON’T QUIT”, “DON’T QUIT TILL YOU GOT NOTHING LEFT”, “YOUR VERY BEST, YOUR VERY BEST, KEEP GOING”, “DON’T GIVE UP”. Even as the player strains with the effort, dripping sweat, “HE’S HEAVY” “IT’S HARD” “IT HURTS” “IT BURNS” – the coach yells, “I KNOW IT’S HARD – KEEP GOING”.

What if we took this mindset towards change in our life – seeking after God in obedience even when it’s hard, even when it hurts, we keep going, doing our very best? We would experience far more victories (already won by Jesus at the Cross) by the grace, power and strength of God.

I’m not talking about legalism or walking in our own strength, rather I’m talking about persevering – pressing in, pressing on – giving God our very best.  I think when we are confronted by temptation to fall back into sin, we give up far too easily.  Do we give our fight against sin our very best?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.  In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:1-4

IT’S HARD! IT HURTS!  KEEP GOING. GIVE IT EVERYTHING YOU GOT. DON’T QUIT. GIVE IT YOUR VERY BEST, YOUR VERY BEST!

Change is only going to happen as we claim our victory in Jesus Christ over and over and over, not once or twice but dozens and dozens and dozens of time. “(God) is looking for hearts in constant pursuit of Him and His righteousness. Long-term victory results from many short-term victories that finally collide forming new habits.” Beth Moore – Praying God’s Word

As Brock made his way down the length of the field his fellow teammates, who were laughing and joking as he started, slowly started to rise to their feet in unbelief, stunned by the effort their teammate was putting out.  They wanted to see with their own eyes this amazing feat. They watched with great interest as they drew closer and closer to see what was happening.

I believe in our pursuit of godly change in our life – doing our very best – not giving up but pressing on by pressing in, people around us will take notice. Believers and non-believers alike will draw near to see with their own eyes this amazing transforming work of God.

Blessings,

Diane

[i] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sUKoKQlEC4&t=8s  Facing the Giants – Death crawl

 

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.

Matthew 5:37 [Full Chapter]

Let what you say be simply “Yes” or :No”; anything more than this comes from evil. Matthew 5:37

I’ve been watching a British series. As the characters have had conversations, I’ve noticed their response is often a simple “Yes.” Of course, the accent helps but the simple answer seems to be one of certainty and calmness. In our culture, the common response has become “Whatever.” I think I like the British response better. A simple and sure “Yes” or “No” is a great answer.

How often does Jesus come to us with a situation or question that requires a simple and heartfelt answer? What is your normal reply? I have given my fair share of answers with a “no” or “whatever.” As Matthew 5:37 says, anything more than “yes” or “no” comes from evil. When I answer otherwise it comes from my flesh. God desires that we are always in relationship with Him and that our simple answer would be “yes” in response to His leading.

Today what is Jesus bringing to you that requires a response of a quiet, whole-hearted “Yes, Lord?” May you and I find ourselves more willing to obediently say “YES” to Him!

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 was supposed to talk with my three-year-old grandson today using Skype.  It was a great disappointment to receive a text from my son saying that the internet was not working.  They were having an ice storm and it seems that the lines were down somewhere.

As I was thinking about this, a beautiful thought came to mind, “I’m glad I do not need the internet to talk with God.”  We can talk with Him anytime, anyplace.  Hebrews 10: 19-22 tells us, Since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus…and have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith… 

Through Jesus’ blood we can come before God’s throne at any time.  We will never be disappointed.  Even when we sin, we can come before Him in repentance and He will forgive us (1 John 1:9.)  We are told to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17.)  And, these verses in Hebrews tell us that we should draw near to God and can do so with complete confidence.

There is a beautiful hymn that reminds us we should pray in every situation:

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?                                                   Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

So, why don’t we take it to the Lord in prayer?

Lyrics-Joseph Scriven

Music-Charles Crozat Converse

Written by Denise Zambrano: Denise loves to teach the Bible and sing. She teaches a women’s Bible study and a high school Sunday School class.  Along with her daughter, Linda, she is an advocate at A Baby’s Breath (a crisis pregnancy center). She loves being a grandmother to Tim, Becky, Alexander and William (who is with Jesus).  She was a missionary with Radio Station HCJB in Quito, Ecuador for 35 years.

 

 

POW! Right in the kisser. (Can I say that in a Christian devo?)

I was sitting there next to my husband, so unsuspecting. He didn’t even see it happen. John and I had gone to an evening seminar on Anger and Peace at the local seminary.

Dr. Ed Welch, the seminar speaker, didn’t see it happen… but it was his fault!

Dr. Welch was telling a personal story when he shared how God intervened in his own thoughts with this simple question – “But did you love?”

In that moment, God began to prick my own spirit with an appalling reality.  After being a believer almost 35 years, it was the first time this thought occurred to me:  I am more motivated by being right than I am to love my neighbor. Often believing I was right about something… anything, I pressed my point even if it may have hurt the other person (no love there). It wasn’t necessarily my purpose to hurt them, but my desire, dare I say – ill-conceived – need, was to be right.

I am not proud to share that; in fact I am greatly humbled (most likely God’s purpose in revealing the ugliness of my heart to me).

Soon God’s Word started to pop into my heart and mind:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

“So now faith, hope, love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18

God is love. When being right is my greatest passion – I fail to love God or to love as God loves. I fail to imitate Christ. I fail to live up to my calling – I fail to reflect my Creator, Savior, and Redeemer.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

I’m not sure if anyone else out there can identify with what I’m saying. I’m sure there are many that have no idea what I am talking about and that is okay; maybe one of the other Victory Calls this week will hit home for you.

But to those that do understand, let me say:

1. None of us is always right.
2. It’s okay to be right, but it is the heart attitude we bring with it that matters.
3. It’s okay to be right and to keep silent (this is only possible by Christ living through us).
4. It is more important to God that we love rather than be right.
5. I don’t need to be right because JESUS is ALWAYS right!

If you find yourself in a similar place this morning, let’s together start with:

Confession and Repentance (turning away from having to be right and turn towards God by loving Him and loving others).

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9; Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Matthew 3:8

Meditate on the Cross – for this sin, too, is under the blood.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

Embrace forgiveness—

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14

In faith, love first and foremost –

…if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:12

You have my permission to email me to ask me how I am doing– loving more than having to be right.  Let me know how you are doing too.

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.

An intimate message from God to you.
© 1999 Father Heart Communications – FathersLoveLetter.com – Please feel free to copy & share with others.

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is… Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

© 1999 Father Heart Communications – FathersLoveLetter.com – Please feel free to copy & share with others.

Submitted by Pat Wenzel

Rev. Patricia Wenzel is the founder and director of a state wide prayer ministry, PRAY New Jersey Inc. since 2002.  The ministry is committed to praying for and blessing those serving in authority positions in our state, particularly in government.  The ministry is also committed to equipping the saints to pray for those serving in government.  The vision and ministry is guided by the Word of God, in particular 1 Tim. 2:1-4 and Is. 61:11.  Pat is thankful for the ministry of America’s Keswick.  She graduated from Women of Character in July 2008.

An intimate message from God to you.
© 1999 Father Heart Communications – FathersLoveLetter.com – Please feel free to copy & share with others.

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

 

TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW………

Recently, I participated in a 24-hour prayer vigil at a local church. The sanctuary was set up in about 10 stations: Prayer for the lost, meditate on the cross, pray the names of God, prayer for missionaries, etc. Each station had Scriptures and ideas of how to make the most of that station.  As I moved from station to station, I had the opportunity to focus on a particular need/truth.  I asked God to keep me focused, not being distracted by others in the room.

With dimmed lights and soft music playing, it was a wonderfully serene and meditative environment.

The Heart Examination station was a table with small 8X10 white boards, dry erase markers and erasers.  Pay attention here, because I suggest you do this exercise.  Also at the table was a sheet with each of the 10 commandments and probing questions relative to each of those Scriptures. (There was a note that said, “Christians are no longer ‘under law’, but the 10 Commandments reveal God’s character and can still help us examine our hearts.”)  The instructions read: “As you prayerfully consider these questions, write your answers (sins) on a whiteboard. Be specific (e.g., “idolatry” is less specific than, “I idolize my job.”) When you are finished, pray, confessing those sins and asking for forgiveness with a repentant heart. Then go back to the table and erase your board, symbolizing the clean heart God has created in you.”

My very first thought was –“Go back to the table and erase your board?  Everyone will see what I wrote!!” But I chose to follow the instructions believing humility is part of the process.

I sat with a clean white board and marker in hand. I started praying and as my sins came to mind I wrote them on the whiteboard. In the corners, along the edges, squeezed in here and there. My whiteboard was covered top to bottom, side to side.

After confession and prayer, I took my full whiteboard back to the table – picked up the eraser and started to wipe the slate whiteboard clean. As I did so, I noticed the dry erase marker I used was red – like the blood of Christ that covered my sin.  With each stroke of the eraser, the list of my sins was removed – as if Christ Himself was wiping my whiteboard clean.  When all was said and done, my whiteboard was clean leaving no evidence or remnants of my sins.

I was very moved by this exercise.  I realized that it is the clean whiteboard that God sees when He looks at me because He is seeing me through the blood of Jesus – forgiven.  My sins were transferred to His account while His righteousness was transferred to my account.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:11-12

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:18

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

May I challenge you to do this exercise?  Perhaps, you like me, have a difficult time with confession – this is a great tool to help with focus and to visually experience what Christ accomplished on the Cross. Powerful.

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.