I wonder if anyone reading this Victory Call today is feeling frustrated? Is there some issue in your life that just doesn’t get solved? Have you prayed as much as you can about it and yet it doesn’t budge? If that’s the case then it’s no accident that you are reading this Victory Call.

Today we will sit a spell and ponder waiting. Not waiting for resolution of a problem, but waiting, simply waiting on God. How, you may ask, will we ponder waiting? Well, today we’ll do it in the form of a poem which communicates more line by line than I’m capable of.

This poem was recently given to me as comfort for my soul from a sister who herself is suffering and wondering. In the midst of it all she is learning to “wait”.

Wait
Desperate and helpless and longing, I cried.
Patiently, lovingly my Lord replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate;
And the Master so gently said, “Child, you must wait.”

“Wait? You said wait?” my indignant reply.
“Lord, I need answers. I need to know why.
Is Your hand shortened or have You not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I’m claiming Your Word.

“My future and all to which I can relate
Hangs in the balance, and You tell me wait.
I’m needing a yes, a go-ahead sign,
Or even a no to which I can resign.

“And Lord, You promised that if we believe
We need but to ask and we shall receive.
And Lord, I’ve been asking, and this is my cry,
I’m weary of asking, I need a reply.”

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my Master replied once again, “You must wait.”
So I slumped in my chair defeated and taught,
and grumbled to God, “so I’m waiting for what?”

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes wept with mine,
And He tenderly said, “I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun;
I could raise the dead, cause the mountains to run.

“All you seek I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want, but you wouldn’t know Me.
You’d not know the depths of My love for each saint;
You’d not know the power that I give to the faint.

“You’d not learn to see through the clouds of despair;
You’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there.
You’d not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence were all you could see.

“You’d never experience that fullness of love
As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove.
You’d know that I give and I save, for a start,
But you’d not know the depth of the beat of My heart,

“The glow of My comfort late in the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight,
The depth that’s beyond getting just what you asked of an infinite God
Who makes what you have last.

“And you’d never know, should your pain quickly free,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dreams for that loved one overnight may come true,
But oh the loss if I lost what I’m doing in you.

“So be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.
And though oft may My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious of all is still, Wait.”

Dear sister, are you waiting? Then know this: there is a God in heaven and He cares for you!

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He who sits above the circle of the earth…Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:21-22a…28-31)

Stephanie Dale

Stephanie 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.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Lisa Barry http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/Gateway-to-Joy/Waiting-Quietly.html

On Friday, June 12, our fifth grandchild was born. A most amazingly beautiful little girl arrived and entered our world. Of course it wasn’t her first day on this earth. Over the past nine months she rested in her mother’s womb and was formed by the finger of God. In fact she must have been very comfortable in her home within her Mommy as she was born 10 days past her expected arrival.

However when I looked upon her I could not help but remember Psalm 139:14
I will give thanks to You, for (Cate) is fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

Anytime I look at a newborn baby I cannot get over the miracle of life. How amazing is it that from a tiny egg and a tiny sperm comes forth life? A clean slate, everything is new and exciting. As this little one grows it will be such fun to watch her look and see her Mommy, Daddy, sister and brother with recognition. It will captivate us when she turns her eyes toward the sound of a bird or we watch her lips smack on a brand new taste; or she rolls over, crawls, or takes that first step. We want to share with this little princess all that is good. We treasure our time spent with her. We want to protect her, and provide all the love we have for her and our other four grandchildren.

How much more does our heavenly Father want to do that and so much more for us? Dear one, know that the Lord loves you. Enjoy a new day! A brand new 24 hours. You have a clean slate. On this day see, hear, taste and know the God who fearfully and wonderfully formed you. Give Him thanks for the gift of life and have a really good day!

Blessings,
Patricia L. Wenzel
Women of Character Graduate

“Sanctification is applied justification. By its very nature justification does not have a progressive character. It is God’s declaration of righteousness.” (i)

Daily applying the truth of your justification, therefore progressively closing the gap between what is true in reality and what is true experientially.

Closing the gap between who you are declared to be and who you are becoming because of who you already are. Chew on that for a minute.

“In sanctification, the believer is simply applying the implications of his or her justification.”

We are on a journey fraught with hills and valleys. As we proceed through life God is making us more like His Son. “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29. This journey in which we are progressively being sanctified is from A-Z (‘A’ being conversion and ‘Z’ being glory) but not necessarily in that order for everyone. For some it is A, L, S, F, P, J… Z; for another it is A, R, M, K, S, P, J, O…Z.

God is at work in the life of every believer, manifesting the reality of her justification in her experience as He, by His grace, progressively sanctifies her for His purposes and glory.

May you be encouraged, wherever you are on this journey, that God is at work in your life. He promises so. “…being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

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 Bradford Mullen. “Sanctification” http://www.biblestudytools.com accessed 6.23.15
iiIBID

Not too long ago, someone came into my office with a ministry-related question and in the course of it, seemingly by accident, shared a concern and heavy burden that was presently weighing on their heart.
As surely as I’m human—of flesh, blood and bone—I found myself one hundred percent relating to their serious concerns. Though situationally different, the truth God reminded us of IN THE MOMENT was this: PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR!!

The calling of ministry is hard work! Life is hard work and few of us do it as well as we’d like. Yet, one day at a time, we rise up determined to bring our best to bear in all of our comings and goings, in all of our doings for the Lord’s glory and our present joy!

But then, something from our past raises its ugly head demanding our attention; something which has lingered in a corner of our consciousness for days, months…and now, comes to the forefront to pester us. What to do?

Perhaps it’s time to give attention and prayer to this “thing”.

All too often, though, the first instinct of our flesh is to push “play” on the jumbled reel of our history, reviewing all the mistakes, the lost opportunities — the moments we coulda, woulda, shoulda. If only we had or hadn’t. We let the tape roll on and the enemy has a party at our expense. Why? Because he has convinced us to forget WHOSE we are!

We forget to remind ourselves of this truth: the Spirit of Truth abides in us. Therefore, WE CAN FUNCTION IN FAITH rather than fear! We don’t have to take this feature film of past woe and succumb to fear and stinking thinking!

Dear ones, Abba Father, Sovereign God did not give us a spirit of fear! Nope! He gave us a spirit of POWER, and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND!

So, the question is: what is the thing demanding your attention that you’ve been ignoring or pushing aside as something to deal with “LATER”?

Well, today is later! Let’s choose today to let LOVE HIMSELF abide, and cast out the fear that has kept us from what is required of us: to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God!

Has He not brought us up out of the miry clay and set our feet upon THE ROCK?!
Has He not redeemed us from the house of bondage!
Dear ones, the LIVING WORD is calling us to remember now!
We have all seen and tasted the righteousness of the LORD, the love of GOD!
What can come before us to ever separate us from Him! Nothing!!

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God! ~~Micah 6:8

Stephanie Dale

Stephanie 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.

I don’t know how things are in your world but in my world I get very frustrated because I don’t know what a person means anymore when they say, “YES” or “NO”. How is that something so simple has gotten so complicated?

For example a 65 mph speed limit…………does it really mean 74 or 65?

An employer must follow laws regarding the treatment of employees…………..yet I have sadly seen those laws completely violated without any fear of consequence.

Our Governor can sign a bill into law…………………but then choose to ignore that law and the court says it is ok.

Students must take an exam in school………………then I hear a teacher can give a student who doesn’t show up for an exam or who refuses to take an exam a 50 so they can pass the course.

It seems our world is filled with mixed messages. Are there any rules left or consistent consequences when the rules are not followed?

The Word of God is clear:
Matthew 5:37(NKJ) “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

Clearly God’s Word is true. When we can count on “YES” to mean “YES” and “NO” to mean “NO” the result is we feel secure, we know our boundaries, there is a sense of justice. Despite the world around us let’s strive to live as the Word encourages us. Let our “YES” mean “YES and our “NO” mean “NO”.

Patricia L. Wenzel
Women of Character Graduate

My heart has been heavy and I have wondered why I feel so gloomy. Then I realize the amount of news reporting I have been watching lately. I see the headlines, I watch the world around me and it is so easy to feel a thick cloud of doom and gloom creep up around the back of my neck. Social media is no place to find freedom from the events that make my head spin in disbelief. Facebook is no longer just a place to share your vacation photos. It has become a hot bed of gossip when others fall, opinions are a dime a dozen and heated conversations leave me feeling like “unfriending” everyone and hiding under the bed for shelter.

When I really consider the gloomy feeling I have, my first response to what is going on around me is to fear. Fear of how this or that will affect me. What I would like to find under the cloud is more sorrow and repentance for myself and our nation. The prophets of old really knew how to “feel” when their nation’s sin was against God. And they knew where to turn. No rants on Facebook, no phone calls to the local TV station, no late night interviews. They knew how to pray and they knew how to fast for God’s answers and intervention. I have never resorted to sackcloth and ashes but I wonder if God told me to go to the town square and throw ashes on my head, would I?

When the news is bad, tragic, ugly, I really do want to be a first responder. I want to first respond through prayer and repentance not with fear. So how can you and I become first responders? I don’t know yet. As I write this our Summer Conference theme, “Live Courageously” keeps running through my mind. I have an idea that what I am feeling is preparing my heart for what I will need to hear in the upcoming weeks. So, if you are interested in becoming a first responder turn off the news, don’t worry about what your friends are doing, don’t follow anyone. Instead, visit America’s Keswick for a week, come to the meetings in person or watch online. I don’t doubt that you and I are being called to be first responders in a world that needs us, not to just form a line against the foe, but truly get serious and get our hands dirty. The emergency sirens are going off. Will you and I respond?

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NKJV

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

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.

And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, Acts 17:26

I know this is the same verse I used in an earlier post (One Blood), but in addition to the reminder that we are all of one blood, I also appreciate the reminder that God ordained our dwelling. That He determined the where and the when.

Did you ever wonder why you are living now in the twenty-first century rather than the eighteenth century or the twenty-third century? Why do we live in a culture that accepts women wearing pants and jeans rather than long skirts and bonnets? Why do we live in a time in which the land is primarily settled versus a time of the pioneers? [Can you just imagine no hair dryers or microwaves?]

Then again, why do we live in a nation of affluence rather than in India among the poor? Why here? Why now?

Nothing happens by mistake or coincidence.

God has ordained our time and place. He has determined our pre-appointed times and the boundaries of our dwellings. God has a plan and a purpose for us in this place, during this time. Let us seek His plan and His purpose and fulfill it for His honor and glory.

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.

At the moment of your regeneration, rebirth, salvation, conversion, you were justified and all your sins – past-present-future were forgiven. From that moment on, there is no sin you will commit that God will say, “Oh, My Son’s sacrifice, didn’t cover that one.” You were justified – forever and always.

At the moment of your rebirth you were also sanctified – set apart for God’s kingdom. God set His mark on you and claimed you for His kingdom and His purposes before the foundation of the world, “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.“ 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; “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“ 2 Timothy 1:9; “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” Ephesians 1:4.

When the Holy Spirit of God gave your spirit life (regeneration) you got a one way ticket to an amazing relationship with God the very creator of the entire universe.

You didn’t save yourself. Jesus did. You can’t keep yourself saved, only Jesus can. You were given new life – the life of Jesus which cannot die. You can’t lose what Jesus is maintaining for you.

“And I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29

Go ahead. Stand up. Do your happy dance. And Thank God for His amazing grace and the one way ticket He purchased and gave you so you will forever be in His family.

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.

This Spring Dave has worked very hard at getting the gardens around our house cleaned out and planted with a beautiful array of plants. He has spent a lot of time in the front of the house and along the side. However, after all this work in the front there is still much to be done around the back. Two garden beds still need attention as well as some planters around the patio.

It got me thinking about how much work you and I do on the outside of ourselves, places that others see. How easy it is to just ignore all the empty and bare spots and all the out-of-control weeds that we find in the places no one else sees. The average passerby will think we are so great, we’ve got our acts together, nothing is wrong. Underneath the façade can be a garden of sin, a deeply-rooted tree springing forth shame, guilt and other perennial rotten fruit.

Today will you take the Word of God to your back yard? Truth is the only thing that will turn our back yards into a beautiful work. A good dose of repentance, a thorough weeding out and lots of water from the Word will refresh the inner places and bring healthy growth to our souls.

“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

“..but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22, 23

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.

And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth Acts 17:26

As we look around and see the fights, wars, anger and hatred in the world that seems to be swelling not depleting, it would appear we are all so very different. ‘Tis true, we are very different in many ways but… we are all so very much alike. One blood.

I get that non-Christians don’t understand, but we, as Christians know that from the beginning we are ancestors. Yes, we have different skin color, hair and eye colors, different beliefs and living arrangements. We live in very different cultures and different economic conditions, but we are all of one blood.

Every tribe, every nation, every people. One blood.

Those people that we shrink away from because they live in ways contrary to our way of life. One blood.

Perhaps in our circle of influence we should start reminding ourselves that those we dislike or disagree with are one blood. We may not change the world, but we can change the way we view and think about those within our arms’ reach.

May we never see ourselves as better than those from other cultures – one blood. May we never consider ourselves superior because we are blessed to live in an affluent nation – one blood. May we strive to focus on our similarities rather than our differences – one blood.

And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth Acts 17:26

I appreciated this reminder today.

Blessings, Sister.
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.