Years ago, when my daughter was about 8 or 9, we had a few nights when she was convinced the fan in her room was turning on by itself.  She could see when the lights were on that the fan was not running but when we turned out the light and got in bed, soon she would be at my bedside certain the fan was turning on by itself.  We assured her, it could not do that.  She was unconvinced so I went and unplugged the fan, again when we turned out her lights she was certain the fan was turning itself on.  Eventually, I had to physically remove the fan from her room before she felt safe again.

That may be a silly example but if truth be told, I imagine every one of us has done something very similar but only in a grown-up way.

Have you ever feel like you were in a dark place in your life? Maybe it was a sudden event like a tragedy or bad news that catapulted you into a dark place or maybe it was a slow slide into a dark place, so gradual you didn’t see it coming.  Either way, there you were (or are) in a dark place.

In that dark place – at least in my experience—it can be very difficult to believe those things that were easy to believe in the light.  Perhaps we question the goodness of God or the love of God for us.  Perhaps we wonder if He is really sovereign or all-powerful.  Sometimes looking around us we may question why He allows such evil things if it is in His power to stop or prevent it.  It is very hard to see and be strong in that dark place.  Fear can start to set in.  But I was reminded one time by a dear saint when I was in a dark place, she said, “What’s true in the light is still true in the dark.”

Those things we believe and stand solidly on in the light do not change or lose their stability when the light fades.  You may not see them any more but by faith believe them true. What is true in the light is still true in the dark.  It is often in the dark that our dependency, trust and faith grow.

Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You. Psalm 139:12

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

Be encouraged, sister, just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s no longer there.  What’s true in the light is still true in the dark.

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.

As I first read John 18:1-18 this morning, what stood out to me was the betrayal of Judas, Simon Peter’s reaction with his sword and his denial of Christ. But let’s not miss the amazing grace of Christ. Jesus knew all that would happen as He entered the garden but He allowed the chain of events to take place as were determined. He knew the knife of betrayal would come yet He admitted He was the one they sought. He stood in front of the one who would betray Him and the gathering army of officials and His plea? “Let the others go.” And go they did. Grace. He knew the sword would cause injury to Malchus.  Luke 22:51 tells us that Jesus healed Malchus’ ear. That’s grace. Then there’s the account of Peter’s denial….three times if you and I read just a bit further. But Peter got amazing grace later on (John 21:17).

It is easy to read right past the examples of Jesus’ amazing grace and see only the drama of the garden as recorded in the Word. Let’s not miss the grace extended. You and I are in desperate need of grace each day. These examples of grace are an encouragement to us because His grace is so readily available when we leave, react, and deny.

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.

G.K. Chesteron defined biblical paradox, or “God thoughts”, as “truth standing on her head to attract attention”. Paradoxical statements capture our attention because of their apparent contradiction – and motivate us to resolve the contradiction by learning and reflection.

A “paradox” is defined as a seemingly self-contradictory declaration but is in fact true. There are several interesting paradoxes in the Bible. Here are some examples:

EXALTATION THROUGH HUMILITY
James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.

STRENGTH THROUGH WEAKNESS
2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

FREEDOM THROUGH SERVITUDE
Romans 6:18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

LIVING THROUGH DYING
John 12:24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

FINDING THROUGH LOSING
Matthew 10:39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

God’s wisdom seems “backwards” and counterintuitive to us. WHY is this? According to the Bible, this is because OUR way of thinking is so backwards.  WOW!

When God’s wisdom seems weird, or even foolish to us, it’s a sign that we believe in humanity’s ability to solve life’s deepest problems without the help of God and His revelation. His ways have not yet become our ways. But when we allow God to diagnose our deepest problems, the message of the Cross becomes both profound and wonderful.

One very important paradoxical lesson I’ve learned in my journey is not to apply worldly wisdom to my Christian walk. I must lean on His understanding. I must ask for His wisdom. And, when we are wholly His, walking and trusting in His ways, we are more ourselves than ever.

Laura Hahn

Laura serves on staff in the area of Partner Care. If you would like to communicate with Laura feel free to email her at lhahn@americaskeswick.org

Amos 8: 11-12  “The days are coming” says the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine through the land – not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.”
Famine. I have never experienced a famine of food or water. Yes, I’ve been hungry…but not literally starving. My Poppa and Momma lived through a manmade famine in Ukraine in the late 1930’s. My Poppa came from a very large family of about 11 siblings. During that famine he lost all of them. Only he, his mother and one nephew survived…barely. My Poppa ate grass and bark and somehow survived.  I can’t imagine the hunger, the pain, the sadness of watching everyone you love slowly die before your eyes.

In Amos, God promises to send a famine on His chosen people, the Israelites.  He had tried to get their attention to call them back to Himself. But they were a stubborn people. The LORD sent prophets to them; they told them to be silent. They refused to listen to the One who had delivered them from slavery and shown His love and faithfulness again and again. They turned to other gods.  The Israelites were people of the WORD of God. Over and over again the scriptures say, “Hear Oh Israel the word of the LORD.”

God’s last words come through the prophet Malachi. Then the famine came…400 years the LORD is silent. Weeks run into months, months into years, and years into centuries. As time passed the people began to hunger, then stare and then even “stagger” in search of a word from God. For 400 years, no matter where they went, how far, how wide, they would not find the word of the Lord.

Then silence was broken. The angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah the priest. Then to Mary to announce she was favored by the Lord and would have a baby, but not just any baby but the Son of the Most High…the Savior!

Have you ever experienced a famine of words from the LORD? A dry spell. A time when all you wanted was the LORD to speak to your heart, give you an answer, or tell you the way you should go? I have. It’s painful and I’ve become impatient. But I have learned that there is purpose in the quietness of God. There is something God is teaching me through that “famine.”

Be encouraged, press into the LORD even when you hear nothing back. Trust Him because although He may be silent He is not inactive. Although He is silent it doesn’t mean we are to turn away but trust Him all the more for the fresh Word He will speak in His perfect timing. Hunger and thirst for that Word, because His desire is to fill the emptiness to overflowing! Praise God!

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.

Romans 5:3-5 More than that we rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Did you ever have a pity party for yourself?  I have. It’s not pretty. It’s not even a party I like attending, but sometimes I do.  I was looking at this Scripture one day and thought, “Rejoice in suffering? How?” I don’t know how to rejoice in suffering. If Paul can say this and he really suffered then I should be able to, too.

One day I was having a pity party while out walking my dog. I was crying because I hurt so much.  Through my tears I talked to the Lord about how I much I was hurting and how tired I was that this was still an issue. “How long Lord, how long? Why have You not helped me?  Do you not hear me? Do you not see me, Lord?  I have been enduring this for a long time.”

Then something happened and I asked the Lord to forgive me because I know He hears and sees me. I started to thank Him for all He has blessed me with. How He has changed me, my husband, my family and my life. As I started thanking Him and praising Him for all He is and all He has done, my “poor me pity party” was over.  I began to ask for healing and change for the other person. Up until then I always asked for help for me in the situation not the other person.

Now I know that suffering does produce endurance and endurance does produce character and now I have hope.  I have hope that can only come from God. Things are not completely different but they are changing. I have hope because of what God has done and continues to do in my life.

Thank you Jesus.

Robbin Weinhardt
WOC Graduate

Have you ever had a time when you knew you were right but chose to keep silent?  Not easy to do by any means.  Our nature, our flesh, our culture wants to be right, wants to defend ourselves, wants to come out on top.  Acting otherwise is so contrary to what comes natural.

When you look at Christ’s example it is very challenging.

But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’” And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But Jesus kept silent. Mt 26:60-62

Matthew 27:12, 14 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.  … But He answered him not one word.

He kept silent and answered nothing. Mark 1:60

“If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Mt. 27: 40; “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.” Mt. 27:42 Jesus knew the truth. He was right. Yet, He remained silent.

I would imagine you are shaking your head right now, because as I imagine that setting, I can’t help but shake my head. Jesus was right but He was silent. What amazing Spirit-restraint.

First Peter 2:22-23 does not say Jesus kept silent but still He did not defend Himself. “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth, who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.”

So here’s my thought for the day:  Being right is not a sure sign that I should speak up. Sometimes we can be right but silent.  Holy Spirit restraint.

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.

The ladies Bible study at my church just started up for a new season. As we began to dive into our study my pastor encouraged all of the ladies to get a grip on the Word. Pastor asked if we could pick up our Bibles with one finger or two or three. Then he shared an illustration of a hand holding a Bible. Each finger represented one aspect of how to get a grip on the Word.
The fingers represent hear, read, study, memorize and meditate.

These disciplines ensure that we will have a solid grip on God’s Word. Do you and I have a weak grip or a strong grip? Where might you have to get a firmer grip? When you and I take full advantage of these disciplines our grip will be stronger than ever!

Blessings,
Kathy

Kathy Withers is on staff at America’s Keswick and serves in 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 have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.” Psalm 17:3

It seems almost every time I read it I get a prick in my spirit. I have written in the margin of my Bible near this verse: “What goes in and what comes out?”

I suspect when David wrote Psalm 17 his intentions were referring to his words. He refused to sin in his speech. If you and I were to make a similar statement, “I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress” what kinds of things would we be refusing to do?

1. I purpose that my mouth shall not gossip.
2. I purpose that my mouth shall not nag.
3. I purpose that my mouth shall not deceive.
4. I purpose that my mouth shall not speak idle words.
5. I purpose that my mouth shall not share crude jokes.
6. I purpose that my mouth shall not insist on making my point.
7. I purpose that my mouth shall not ‘just tell it like it is’.
8. I purpose that my mouth shall not use sarcasm to hurt others.
9. I purpose that my mouth shall not use humor at others’ expense.
10. I purpose that my mouth shall not grumble.
11. I purpose that my mouth shall not complain.
12. I purpose that my mouth shall not lie or exaggerate the truth.
13. I purpose that my mouth shall not curse.
14. I purpose that my mouth shall not make myself look good at others’ expense.
15. I purpose that my mouth shall not cause harm.
16. I purpose that my mouth shall not give full vent to my anger.
17. I purpose that my mouth shall not be divisive.
18. I purpose that my mouth shall not share others’ confidences.
19. I purpose that my mouth shall not _______________________.

The more I write the more convinced I am that I need to speak less and be silent more. “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” Proverbs 1:19

Do it on purpose.

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.

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.

In the short span of Jesus’ life He was focused on accomplishing the will of the Father. Over and over again He speaks of needing to fulfill the scriptures.

Mt. 26:56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.

Mark 14:49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.

Luke 4:21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Luke 22:37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.

John 13:18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.

John 19:24 This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did these things,

John 19:28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”

The fulfillment of Scripture would be the pursuit of the will of the Father. Jesus accomplished what the Father sent Him to do. A part of that was to fulfill Scriptures written about Him centuries before He was born. Yet he made choices that allowed the fulfillment of the Scriptures. He could not leave a single one undone and still fulfill His mission and purpose.

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

He completed His task. He fulfilled the Scripture. He followed the will of the Father. May we show similar focus, dedication and commitment.

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.

But Peter followed him at a distance…. Mt. 26:58

How bold and courageous Peter was as Jesus shared that He would be betrayed (v. 21); Jesus told Peter and the other disciples that they would all stumble and scatter (v. 31) on account of Him. But Peter would not believe it, replying “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble” (v.33). Jesus goes on to tell Peter he would most certainly deny Him that very night three times before the rooster crowed. Peter could not picture himself doing such a thing, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” (v.35).

Fast forward.

As Jesus was led to face the Sanhedrin, “Peter followed him at a distance.”

Why?

As we continue reading Matthew 26, Peter disavowed any knowledge of Jesus who, only hours before, he proclaimed he would die for.

“Peter followed him at a distance”

My questions this morning are these: Do I follow Christ closely or at a distance? If I was in that courtyard with the others around the fire would there be irrefutable evidence that I know Jesus Christ? Are there any attitudes, actions, opinions, or behaviors that I do or do NOT do that would cast a question that I am a Christ-follower? Do I live my life in private and in public in such a way that my personal relationship with Jesus is evident to those around me?

Lord, I don’t want to follow at a distance.

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.