9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately, coming up from[d] the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11

I may have shared on this before but it is worth repeating. During a conversation that I was having with Stephanie Paul she talked about Jesus’ baptism. She pointed out that at the time of Jesus’ baptism God the Father was expressing two facts. One, you are my Son. Two, I am well pleased with You. Stephanie went on to point out that Jesus’ official ministry had not yet started. Jesus did nothing to deserve or earn the Father’s approval.

These two facts are vital for you and me to understand and believe. If your salvation is found in Christ alone YOU are His child and YOU are pleasing to the Father. You do not have to do one more thing to gain His approval. Why then do we chase after what we already have? Do we make mistakes and fall short? Yes. But the facts don’t change. Do we seek opportunities in ministry? Yes. But the facts remain the same.

You and I need not strive for acceptance nor do one more thing to earn approval.  Today I pray that you will know how much you are already loved and accepted.

Blessings,
Kathy

Kathy Withers is on staff at America’s Keswick and serves as Acting 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.

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world…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.  We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4: 4, 18-19 (NKJV)

Have you ever caught yourself being a man/woman/child pleaser? Let me put it like this: Have you ever found yourself about to do or say something differently simply because you wanted to make an impression or have people think better of you?

One way that might happen is this: You’re in the middle of a conversation or discussion and you know it would be good/right/beneficial to share a word of encouragement, exhortation – or you simply have a different point of view on a matter.  However, you hold back, for fear others may think less of you.

In everyday life we are afforded these opportunities which draw us closer to the Father and toward the change necessary to grow us in His image and likeness. Not a single one of us is exempt. We are all very much human and, well, it simply is what it is.

I often find myself – after the fact – critiquing my every thought and deed, evaluating how I may have looked or sounded. (What a waste of energy!)

An example of this occurred at a recent meeting I attended wherein I raised a question in the midst of a particular discussion. I did not qualify or preface the question with any statements for or against, it was simply a question for which I had no answer. Period. The End.

Now here comes the potential “fear of man” part.  There were a few responses and comments and I have to say that for a brief moment I had the feeling that I was wrong to have asked the question.  It was very clear to me that the content of my question was not perceived as intended and that was 100% okay—at least on the surface.

In my head—for a few moments—I entertained the thought of clarifying to everyone that I agreed with them, for no other reason than my concern over what they MIGHT think of me.  It’s not a good feeling at all to think others may be negatively or wrongly judging you. Yet, it happens all the time. Anytime we don’t agree with someone or they don’t agree with us, our flesh kicks into gear.

In my case, I chose to let the feeling pass…this time.  On a different day I may have struggled or wrestled with it more or allowed my own idolatry “fear of man” “people pleasing” to stir up any number of negative emotions in me.

Praise God for sanctifying grace wherein He enables us to grab hold of the freedom we have in Him. I praise Him for every baby step of steps that draws us closer to Him and away from “stinky thinking.”

Dear sister, if you struggle in a similar way let’s intentionally do the following from a heart that is committed to image the grace of God:

Let’s thank Him today for the victorious Christian life and the hope and freedom found in Christ alone.
Let’s ask Him to help us stay out of our heads.
Let’s choose to draw near to Him and think His thoughts and remember that He is faithful to take all that we commit to Him and refine it in the fire of His burning perfect love.

Stephanie

Stephanie D. Paul serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Director of Women of Character. She has been married for over 30 years to Sesky Paul who is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. They have two grown children.
Her single focus in ministry at Keswick is to image Christ in grace and truth to wounded and hurting women, encouraging them to make Jesus the truest Lover of their soul and the One in whom all hope lies.
http://www.biblegateway.com

16 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Mark 1:16-18

As I drive onto the campus here I often see our guests standing by the lake with their poles in the water. I don’t fish. I have no desire to learn how to either.

But Jesus calls us to be fishers of men. It’s interesting that Jesus chose so many fishermen to be His disciples. What was so special about fishing anyway? In The Believer’s Commentary by William MacDonald I found what is required in order to be a skilled fisherman.

Fishing requires: Patience, skill, discernment, persistence, and quietness.

These are the same requirements you and I must possess if we are going to be fishers of men. Reaching the unsaved takes patience. We need skill in how we share Christ with others. Knowing where the “fish” are requires discernment. To keep casting out the line and catching nothing requires persistence. A skilled fisher of men needs to know how to be quiet so the fish don’t get scared away.

Quietness in our alone time with the Master is also required. Ultimately, that is where we learn all these skills!

You and I may not like the sport of fishing but Jesus calls us to follow Him and become fishers of men.

Blessings,
Kathy

Kathy Withers is on staff at America’s Keswick and serves as Acting 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.

Psalm 100:4 (NKJV)
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

I recently heard a challenging and interesting message on praying from the courts of heaven.  The speaker, Mr. R. Henderson, challenged us to bring our “case” to the courts of heaven with praise and thanksgiving.

Mr. Henderson suggests that the destiny God has prepared for us, a destiny with a future and a hope, was written before we were even formed.  However, the accuser of the brethren stands night and day bringing accusation against that destiny.  The enemy wants to keep us from the destiny God has prepared for us.  Because of the sacrifice of the cross of Jesus Christ we can go before the throne of grace, in the court of heaven, and approach our God as our father and our friend.  He is a righteous judge and it is He who will deal with our accuser.  Jesus testifies but needs someone on earth to release the promises and truth so God can judge.  We prophesy in agreement with the testimony of Jesus.

Consider the following scriptures:
Psalm 139:16 (NKJV)
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

2 Timothy 1:9 (NKJV)
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began

Revelation 12:10 (NKJV)
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.”

Let us go forth with confidence that our heavenly Father delights in meeting us in His court of heaven as we come with praise and thanksgiving.  He delights in releasing the destiny He has prepared for us.  Praise the God of our salvation.

If you are interested in learning more about praying from the court of heaven you may want to visit: http://www.roberthenderson.org

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the Prophets:[a]
“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.”[b]
3 “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the LORD;
Make His paths straight.’”[c]
4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:1-8

Mark’s gospel opens with clarity on who Jesus is. He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. John the Baptist continues by clearly pointing to the fact that one mightier than himself is still to come. One who can offer remission of sins and baptizes with the Spirit, One whose sandal he is not worthy to untie.

There are many voices today on television, radio and internet. John the Baptist was faithful to point to Christ. He humbly lived in the desert, wore simple clothing, ate to gain strength and to sustain life, put all things under submission of Christ, and always pointed to the supremacy of Christ. Many of today’s voices live in mansions in gated communities, have expensive wardrobes, choose a cafeteria-style Christianity and seek to be prosperous and become celebrities.

It would be prudent for you and I to discern who we are following. In these days when all that glitters is not gold we can be fooled. It is important to look beyond the bells and whistles and seek out the substance of the Word of God from humble, faithful and devoted teachers who point only to Jesus the Christ, the Son of God. Discern their teachings and judge the content of their messages and, to the best of our capabilities, know who they are and how they live. Are they reflecting Jesus or only looking for their reflection in the mirror?

Blessings,
Kathy

Kathy Withers is on staff at America’s Keswick and serves as Acting 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.

Of all the songs I love to sing, this is one – if not the one – which I love the most.  Think about it.  “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost, but now I am found, was blind but now I see.”  Everyone today who believes Christ and receives Him as Lord and Savior, was once lost and blind, but now found and able to see.  It’s a soul deep feeling that makes His grace so indescribably amazing and the sound so satisfyingly sweet.

“Taste and see that the Lord He is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see- how good GOD is. Blessed are you who run to Him.”  –Psalm 34:8

It was many years after first hearing this song, that I learned its history. At the time I was shocked to learn that John Newton had a career as a slave trader before, during and for a few years after he wrote this wonderful song. As a person of African, Native American and other descent, it felt almost weird to be singing a song written by a man whose livelihood was to capture, buy and sell into captivity, people who looked just like me.

What did this mean? How could this be?

In the midst of this questioning God began to speak to my heart and show me His visible faithfulness throughout the generations of men.

Were it not for Calvary’s Cross we’d all be dead in our trespasses and sin. We’d all be as undone as John Newton by the prevailing ways that our own particular hearts are shaped and bent.

All of us have been in storms at one time or another.  In fact, it was in the midst of a storm that Newton, realizing his helpless state, took his first steps toward religion and faith in God. Like we all once were, Newton was a spiritually bankrupt man, who, just like you and me, came to a point of decision, realizing that only the grace of God could save him.   As it has and does in our hearts and lives the process of change began in his, and soon after he penned the words to “Amazing Grace”.

I could share story after story after story of grace so amazing, not the least of which is how God saved a wretch like me.  Amazing grace!! Why did He do it? I didn’t deserve it! I did nothing to earn it.

Yet, here I am—redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, set free from the just penalty my sin deserves; saved by His amazing grace!

Dear sisters, no matter where you are or what you are doing, never forget to remember that it is by grace alone you have thus far been brought. Indeed, God has thus far brought us to this very moment and  we remain confident that He will lead all of us safely home.

“The Lord has promis’d good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.”

Stephanie Dale

Stephanie D. Paul serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Director of Women of Character. She has been married for over 30 years to Sesky Paul who is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. They have two grown children.

Her single focus in ministry at Keswick is to image Christ in grace and truth to wounded and hurting women, encouraging them to make Jesus the truest Lover of their soul and the One in whom all hope lies.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Over the last year my job became an extremely stress filled environment.  Although I was not the primary target for harassment, colleagues I worked with certainly were.  The reason for the harassment seemed to be because two of my colleagues were at the top of the salary scale. The administration was trying to push them out.  We had not one negative evaluation among us, no complaints, no obvious legitimate reason for what was happening to our department.  Union leaders told us we were protected or that they could not legally do what they were doing.  Yet day after day the situation got worse and worse.

I found myself each and every morning asking God to awaken His Spirit in me and put a guard on my heart and mouth.  Honestly, some days were better than others.  God is faithful but the flesh is so strong!!

Then September came.  I was hopeful things would be better but to make a long story short – it was not.  I cried out to God on one of the many sleepless nights.  Amazingly, I felt sure I heard Him say, “Why are you still there?  Resign and trust in me.”  I woke my husband at 4 am and told him what I believed the Lord was saying.  I told him that I didn’t want to do this anymore.  We prayed.  Even though our plan was for me to work another year and a half due to health insurance costs, he said, “Resign, God will show us the way.”  Later that morning I resigned.  We made a choice to stand on the promises of God.  What I was living and what I could project was not a destiny filled with a future or a hope.  Yet, I am well aware of the promise that God’s Word has for my future.

Within days of handing in my letter of resignation I interviewed for a job and found agencies that were interested in hiring me as a consultant.  At this point I am pressing toward a new thing as I will be working as a private consultant.  Clearly God has encouraged me that He is our provision, I need not allow others to treat me the way I had been treated.  He alone is faithful.

Are you living like you are a child of God under the Lordship of Jesus?  Do you believe God is faithful?  Here are some verses to consider while you press on toward the promises of God………

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV)  For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV)  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

2 Peter 1:3-4 (NKJV)  as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,  by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

…but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Ps 34:10

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. Psalm 63:1

What have you done this week to seek the Lord?

What have you done in the past few days to actively, intentionally pursue God?

How’s your seeking?

I ask, perhaps, because I know from my own experience that some days, many days, my “seeking” is less about seeking than it is about just doing.  I did my devotions.  I prayed.  I did my quiet time.  I followed my routine.

Where’s the seeking in routine? Routine is good unless it’s just that…routine.

If the motivation in my routine, in my doing, is a heart of seeking, an intentional yearning to know God, an active pursuit of deeper intimate relationship, an eagerness for more of Him, a conscious  pleading, a longing… then yes, routine is good.

Every moment of every day that I seek hard after God, I am NOT seeking counterfeits, fillers, and things that distract from a passionate pursuit.

How’s your seeking?

You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you,’ Your face Lord, do I seek’ Ps 27:8

May that be cry of our hearts today.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt is a biblical counselor, women’s conference and retreat speaker and author. She serves as the Director of Partner Care and Director of Women’s Ministries at America’s Keswick.  She and her husband John have two married children and four grandchildren. She loves reveling in warm sunny climates and playing with her grandchildren.

It should be no surprise to us that God has secrets.  He has not chosen to reveal ALL truth to us.  Indeed, we could not bear it.  We are not built for such wonderful things, at least, not in our present fallen condition.

The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. Psalm 25:14

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:22

“I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 13:35

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began… Rom 16:25

This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Eph 5:32

Does it bother you that God has secrets?  Step back a moment and consider that we are incapable of grasping all that God is or knows. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. Psalm 139:6.  There was a time that I would really wrestle with that which I did not, could not, understand but as I have grown in Christ, I no longer wrestle, I rejoice.

I am so thankful that God is greater than I am. That He has secrets that He has not revealed for His purposes and most assuredly for our good.  Rest in His secrets though you know them not because you do know the Secret-Keeper; and He is worthy of our trust.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt is a Biblical Counselor, Women’s conference and retreat speaker and author. She serves as the Director of Partner Care and Director of Women’s Ministries at America’s Keswick.  She and her husband John have two married children and four grandchildren. She loves reveling in warm sunny climates and playing with her grandchildren.

Psalm 77: 1-2, “I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.”

Jesus said, “in this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33 NIV). We are all familiar with trouble.  As a matter of fact, we are not only familiar with it, but have experienced it first-hand, wallowed in it, suffered through it.  Jesus was right. He said we would have trouble; He didn’t say you “may” have trouble. It is a certainty that at some point we will be up close and personal with trouble. It may be of our own hand, the hand of another or just a product of this fallen world.

There are times when we cry out to God in the midst of our pain and want Him to “do” something or “say” something but the answer may not be what we want to hear or the answer we think it should be.  And even though we are crying out to the LORD with our hands outstretched to Him…yet we are refusing to be comforted, or refuse what it is that He offers to us in that time. Our “soul(s) refused to be comforted.”

We doubt.
Psalm 77: 7-9,
“Will the Lord reject me forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

Questions abound in our hearts and minds. Where are You? Why me? Why now? Yet…our “soul(s) refused to be comforted.” Our Psalmist came to the place in the midst of his pain that he remembered the LORD (all caps, YAHWEH). The great “I AM”, the ultimate Sovereign One.

Psalm 77:11-12 “ I will remember the deeds of the LORD, yes I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.”  Verse 14 “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”

How good it is when we remember. When we get out of the place where we look for the answer that we want,  what we think is best, what we want in our own timing. When we remember Who we are crying out to. The Great I AM. He is maker of heaven and earth and all that is in it… including you and me.  When we remember and surrender to our Sovereign LORD and allow ourselves to be comforted. In the midst of your trouble you are not alone. Look to Him, remember Him, surrender to Him…and BE comforted.

Mary Ann

MaryAnn and John Kiernan have been married for 43 years, have 2 grown/married sons and are the proud grandparents of four grandsons and two granddaughters! She serves at America’s Keswick as a Biblical Counselor and also as Intake Coordinator for the Colony of Mercy. Her life verse is Romans 8:28.