Let me set the scene for us today.

Jesus has been arrested – betrayed by Judas, his disciple (Mt. 26:47, 57).

His disciples all left him and fled (Mt. 26:56).

Peter, one of Christ’s closest circle, followed at a distance(Mt. 26:58). Christ had warned Peter earlier that he would deny him three times before the rooster crowed (Mt. 26:34). Peter pledged his loyalty to Jesus saying, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” (Mt. 26:35).

As Jesus stood before the high priest, Peter sat among the guards in the courtyard just outside. As he sat in their midst, “a servant girl came up to him and said, ‘you also were with Jesus the Galilean.'” (Mt. 26:69) Peter replied, ‘I do not know what you mean.’ (Mt. 26:70)

A second time another servant girl points him out to bystanders as one that was with Jesus. Peter “again denied it with an oath: ‘I do not know the man.'” (Mt. 26:72). Yet a third time, bystanders indicate that Peter’s accent betrays him as one of Christ’s followers and Peter “began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, ‘I do not know the man.'” (Mt. 26:74).

That was all to set the scene.

It is a familiar scene but I share it to make a point.

It is easy to sit here in the 21st century –a few thousand years later– wondering what Peter could have been thinking. Jesus warned him of the forthcoming denial. He was a faithful follower of Jesus up to this point. Yet fear overtook him and denial seemed safest.

Did you ever ask yourself, what would you have done? Would you and I have fared any better?

Would you and I ever say, “I do not know the man?”

Hang on because I am about to make a sharp turn.

When we sin and go our own way – are we not essentially saying, not with words but with our actions, “I do not know the man?” To the servant girls and bystanders in our lives who see us walking our own path, are we not communicating to them “I do not know the man?”

In a world that seems to be more and more hostile to Jesus and His followers, how do you and I live out our lives in a way that says, “I know the Man. His name is Jesus. I will not deny Him?”

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.

Dear sisters! Today is a brand new day to wake up and rejoice in the joy of the LORD! It’s a new day to praise God for the work of grace, the transforming work that is being accomplished in your life day after day.

Will you pause today wherever you are and give God a shout of praise! Tell Him you love Him! Notice, dear sisters. Notice what God is doing and praise Him!! Remember He rejoices over you!! The Lord your God in the midst of you is mighty. Indeed, “For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will give you victory. He will rejoice over you with great gladness; he will love you and not accuse you. Is that a joyous choir I hear? No, it is the Lord himself exulting over you in happy song.” Zephaniah 3:17—18 (TLB)

After you rejoice, seek His face. Ask Him to show you where He wants you to focus in your life. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23—24 (TLB)

May it be so that we, who are the redeemed of the Lord, submit, surrender and obey.

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.

How many times have we asked someone how they are and heard the response, “Better than I deserve.” One of these times I may just respond, “You’re not kidding there” with an impish grin, of course. In truth, we are all better that we deserve from the person in the worst situation to the best, we are all way better than we deserve. What do we deserve? What if there wasn’t a Savior? We all deserve hell, punishment, eternal separation from God. I deserve…

I deserve to be lost, but You guide me.
I deserve justice, but You served Justice through Christ on my behalf.
I deserve darkness, but You give me light.
I deserve the law, but You give me grace.
I deserve poverty, but You give me riches.
I deserve sadness, but You give me joy.
I deserve to be forgotten, but You have written my name in the Lamb’s book of life.
I deserve bondage, but You give me freedom.
I deserve hell, but You give me heaven.
I deserve confusion, but You give me clarity.
I deserve anonymity, but You give me Your name.
I deserve a hard heart of stone, but You give me a soft heart of flesh.
I deserve condemnation, but You have redeemed me.
I deserve to wander, but You direct my paths.
I deserve crucifixion, but You were my substitute.
I deserve isolation, but You give me fellowship.
I deserve punishment, but You took my punishment for me.
I deserve to be overlooked, but You chose me.
I deserve to be ignored, but You answer my prayers.

How am I? Better than I deserve. Absolutely.

Thank you, Jesus, that You give me far better than I deserve.

Be blessed today as you consider all that you have received that you don’t deserve.

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.

If you have read my Victory Calls over the years you know I do not like seasons where all I can do is wait. I prefer to see things move along fast, faster, and much faster! I know I am not alone.

I was reminded when I got a phone call from a dear friend and mom how we don’t like to wait. She was having her own battle with waiting. She was going to be joining me in a Bible study on Ruth in a few days. Before we even began my friend went ahead and read the scripture. When she called she shared that she was hanging onto a verse in Ruth. It comforted her heart and she was clinging to what she found. Ruth 3:18 says “Wait, my daughter until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.”

In the story of Ruth we find a woman in a desperate situation who is seeking to be redeemed by her kinsman redeemer. This verse is spoken by her mother-in-law who is in just as much of a desperate situation. Her advice is to wait to see how things turn out. There is a man, the kinsman redeemer, involved. He is the one who can remove these ladies from a dark and bleak future.

You would have to come to the study for all the details but today I want you to ponder what my friend gleaned from this verse.
1. Yes, you have to wait.
2. You are a daughter.
3. We have a control problem. (We have a plan. We can fix it, by golly.)
4. We have a kinsman redeemer who is taking care of the problem. He knows how it will turn out.

I’ve started to cling to this verse, too. I am grateful for my friend who is learning to wait with me. I am glad that Naomi and Ruth had each other just like I have my friend. As I keep in perspective the facts – I am a daughter and I have a kinsman redeemer who does not rest and is settling my matters – it’s a lot easier to wait.

Blessings,
Kathy

Kathy Withers is on staff at America’s Keswick in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 28 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and has taught Sunday school and Bible studies 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.

Remember as a child desperately wanting Mom and Dad to see you and your antics? (What do you mean, “what antics?”)

Swinging high on the playground – wind blowing through your hair – “Look at me, Mom, look at me!”

Riding a two-wheeler for the first time without training wheels – “Look at me, Dad, look at me!”

Filing onto stage for the spring orchestra concert with your violin – waving at your parents in the audience, inwardly smiling because Mom and Dad see you.

As we grew up and matured – assuming we actually did – we learned it isn’t appropriate to wave our arms and shout, “Look at me—look at me!”

But do we ever outgrow the desire to be seen?

Do we ever outgrow the desire to be thought well of?

Do we ever outgrow the desire to be recognized for our accomplishments?

Our natural inclination is pride, not humility.

Matthew wrote, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” [23:12]

It occurs to me that if my motive to humble myself is that I might be exalted, I’ve somehow missed it completely.

“Clothe yourselves, all of you with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

Lord, may the humility of Christ be evident in my life.

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 had the opportunity to participate in the Spring Ladies Day at America’s Keswick with Liz Curtis Higgs recently. As Liz gave an invitation at the end, I was one of several women available to pray with the women that came forward.

As I stood there, I noticed an older woman (probably in her mid to late 80s) slowly move forward with her walker. I wrapped my arm around her and asked if she would like prayer. She nodded yes. I asked how I could pray for her – no response. I asked again, hoping for some clue as to how I could pray for her – still silence. I asked if she knew Jesus. She replied, “I thought I did. I go to church. But now I don’t know.”

I shared a simple gospel message of sin, repentance and the blood of the cross. Then I asked if she would like to pray. She nodded, closed her eyes and said, “Lord, I’m an old lady. I don’t want to miss being with You.” She prayed. I wept.

What a sweet God moment. Thank you Lord for allowing me to be a part of it.

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13

I hope this blesses your heart today.

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.

Jesus, addressing the disciples, challenged them to think boldly and drastically about temptation and sin. He said, “…if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it way. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.” Mt. 18:8

I am not a theologian, but I’m pretty sure Jesus is not suggesting physical self-mutilation here. But I do believe He is challenging the disciples, and likewise us, to take drastic measures against known sin in our lives.

How seriously do we take sin?

Do we mount up an all-out effort to stop it at the point of temptation before it drags us down into the pit of sin?

OR

Do we glance at temptation mounting as no real battle at all?

Jesus also tells us clearly it is far better, far, far better to forgo short-term “benefits, comforts, and pleasures” to obtain long-term eternal graces.

“And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes be thrown into the hell of fire.” Mt. 18:9

How seriously do you take sin? How drastic are the measures you take to combat sin in your life?

May God give us all the strength to do battle.

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.

If you have been a believer for any length of time you know that some of our most fruitful times of growth are in the midst of trial and suffering. It is often in the darkest hours of our lives that our ears are the keenest to the whispers of God. He teaches us things that we are only able to receive when we have reached the end of ourselves. And we are most inclined to reach the end of ourselves during dark times of suffering.

What God teaches us in the dark is not intended to stay in the dark. I remember being told by some dear saint (I can’t remember who) “What we learn in the dark is still true in the light.”

Some of the best life lessons are learned in the darkest times of our lives.

We can be pretty confident we will have opportunity to share with others God’s whispers when they go through dark times as well. Share what God has given you.

“What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.” Matthew 10:27

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.

You and I have both heard stories of amazing works of God in the lives of others. We have heard stories of amazing faith in the face of great trials and suffering

Are you blessed and “jealous” as the same time, as I am?

Do you ask – “Why do I not see such amazing works in my life?” “Why does my faith look weak and puny compared to another?”

I know I have.

Have I seen God’s hand in my life? Absolutely! Have I experienced inexplicable things that have God’s fingerprints all over them? Yes, I have – but why do I not experience that more often? Could it because of my own unbelief?

“And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.” Mt 13:58

What might we be missing out on because of our unbelief? I want all that God wants to give me. Don’t you?

“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Mark 9:24

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 have read this verse dozens and dozens of times but this morning I felt a quickening in my spirit- I know I am not doing this. How about you?

“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them – those who are mistreated – since you yourselves are in the body also.” Hebrews 13:3

With all that is going on in the world there are many, many, many brothers and sisters in Christ – children and adults – being persecuted, jailed, tortured and killed for their faith in Jesus Christ.
Imagine for just a moment (that’s all we can bear) that you or your loved one was one of those ones being beaten, jailed or persecuted. Would we ever leave our knees? I believe we would be pleading night and day for freedom, for the grace to endure and strength to remain true.

The author of Hebrews tells us to remember the prisoners – the ones mistreated – as though we, too, were chained with them…does that cause you pause? Not so much that we, too, could be literally in chains but more so how little we plead for – remember – cry out for our brothers and sisters who are suffering greatly even as I write this and even as you read it.

Lord, give us awareness, give us compassion – may we remember and pray as though chained to them at this moment.

Blessings,
Diane

P.S. As I pondered this verse the evening I wrote this VC I thought to myself, I don’t really know specifics about persecution going on now. Where can I find out information? I wondered if there is a “Voice of the Martyr” website, which I then quickly found. http://www.persecution.com/
But then I thought (I’m not proud of this – but it makes my point) I will read it tomorrow because if I read it right before bed I may not be able to sleep!!! Oh, my!!! That I might lose some sleep in my soft cushy bed when brothers and sisters are losing sleep because of chains, hunger, and wounds on hard, cold, damp, cell floors. I chose to survey the website and select one to pray for that very evening.

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.