Shortly after my eyes opened this morning, I began to pray, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Then I started to wonder… are the meditations of my heart pleasing to God…those things that I chew on throughout the day, perhaps left unsaid but still ruminating in my heart and mind?

How about you? Are the meditations of your heart pleasing to God? What are you thinking about throughout your day? What is your default mode? What thoughts are running in the background of your mind as you go through your day?

We may not have control over the first thought that comes to mind unbidden, but we do get to choose the second. We are responsible for that which we choose to think and meditate on.

Today, will you consciously choose acceptable and pleasing heart meditations?

May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Ps 104:34

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John for 30 years. She has 2 adult children, 4 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 11 in all. She delights in reading and teaching, but mostly in laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

Yesterday concluded with encouragement for you to consider God, the God who, according to Proverbs 18:10, is our Strong Tower. He is the God of all Gods to whom we can always run and be saved, saved and FREE.

So, dear sisters, IF, in fact, I am free, then I must require more of me. He, the LORD, enables and equips me for more. Rather than sitting still IN FEAR — fear of “whatever” could or would happen IF…

Rather than that, I can – I must – choose to get up and walk in power and sound thinking. I must take my thoughts captive and make them obedient to God and what His Word says is true. I must tell my fear to GO in Jesus Name!

I must remember to remember that I am NOT alone!

“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

I could tell you lots of stories about my failure to walk in faith and obedience, of letting fear rule my thinking. But this Victory Call is not about all the ways I could and sometimes do let fear overwhelm. It is about God and all the ways I could tell you about His perfect love casting out fear IN moments of great distress.

Dear sister, whether you are like me or not, there may be a situation you are living with or within right now and there is only one thing for you to do – RUN!! Run to Abba! Let Him uphold you with His righteous right hand.

In Psalm 56:11 the psalmist writes, “In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

This is an awesome testimony to the power of trusting in God. Regardless of what happens, the psalmist will trust in God because he knows and understands the power of God. The key to overcoming fear, then, is total and complete trust in God. Trusting God is a refusal to give in to fear. It is a turning to God even in the darkest times and trusting Him to make things right. This trust comes from knowing God and knowing that He is good. As Job said when he was experiencing some of the most difficult trials recorded in the Bible, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15 NKJV).

Stephanie Dale Paul
Stephanie 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.

1 http://biblehub.com/isaiah/41-10.htm
2 http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-fear.html

A few moments ago, I was reading an article in my local paper about “faking courage” which brought to mind a recent conversation I’d had with my good and faithful friend Diane. I shared a string of thoughts which included a not-so-new-to-her fact: that this 55-year-old woman is afraid of the dark (among other things).

The Lord Himself knows how I wish I wasn’t, and yet, the truth is, I am. I can go way back in my childhood memories and pinpoint specific things, occurrences, such as scary stories, the boogeyman, etc., all of which cultivated in me this deep fear of what could be in the dark, which I cannot see, that could hurt me.

One of the statements the writer made in the article was: “To this day, I’m uncomfortable in basements and dislike sitting with my back to windows at night.”

I can relate to that. In fact I could add a whole bunch of other things to that list.

She goes on to say: “I know people whose fear of bridges or heights has stopped them from traveling. Several close relatives were so terrified of cats, they got goose bumps if they saw one. And what fears are more daunting than those of failure or success, which keeps us silent and immobile in the face of opportunity or change…everything we do out of our comfort zone is scary.”

All of this brings my thoughts back to the myriad conversations I’ve had with Diane over the years about stepping out of my “comfort zone(s)”. Personally, I like my comfort zones. Why? Well, because they’re comfortable. And yet, as true as it is that I could be a-okay with my status quo, I am not okay with settling for less than I was created for.

“He whom the Son sets free is free indeed.”

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND mind.”

“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.”

That’s all for today dear ones. I’ll finish my thoughts on this tomorrow. Until then I encourage you to pause and consider the God who says:

“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Yes, the Lord God is with you. He is with me. He is with us. If that is true, and I certainly believe it is, then I will choose for you, in this moment, to receive the help that I, too, need.

Stephanie Dale Paul
Stephanie 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.

1Bobbi Seidel: Second Thoughts “Faking Courage.” Observer Reporter 1/27/2011
2Ibid
3http://www.biblegateway.com/passage –all scripture
4 http://biblehub.com/isaiah/41-10.htm

“…man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” Deut 8:3

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak on this topic for a ladies day. In my preparation and sharing I was reminded of a few things I thought I would pass along for your edification.

When we approach God’s Word we need to approach it as a gourmet meal not fast food.

God’s Word is powerful.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” From Genesis 1:3 to 1:26, eight times God spoke into the abyss and created what we now know as earth.

Vs. 3, Then God said, “let there be light”; and there was light.

Vs. 6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters and let it divide the waters from the waters.” Thus God made the firmament.

Vs. 9 Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together in one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so.

Then God said,… and it was so.

God spoke things into existence – out of nothing [ex-nihilo]

“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made out of things that are visible.” Hebrews 11:3

God speaks and things happen. God’s Word is powerful.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John for 30 years. She has 2 adult children, 4 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 11 in all. She delights in reading and teaching, but mostly in laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

Recently, my son and I were talking and sharing our thoughts and feelings about how life feels since our Joyia went to heaven. One of the things we both expressed is how it has ALREADY been 60 days, and simultaneously we were feeling the reality that IT HAS ONLY been 60 days.

You see, there are moments when it feels like time is rushing by, and then there are those times when the clock seems to have stopped. One such moment was the day after Joyia died.

It was very early Sunday morning and I was sitting out on my front porch with a dear friend from Pennsylvania who had driven in the wee hours of the morning to be with me once she’d heard the news. (I will forever treasure that moment because she showed up. Knowing that there wasn’t a thing she could do to ever make anything better, she did what she could and delivered a hug. God is so good like that. Over and over He sends people my way for no other reason than to offer a warm embrace.)

Anyway, in the midst of that, there we were sitting on the porch together and I turned my gaze to the sky. At that moment, I saw something I don’t remember ever seeing before, except in the movies. I saw the clouds moving across the sky in a fast forward speed. Not as fast as in the movies, but faster than I’d ever seen. Observing them at that moment caused so much emotion that I could hardly swallow. I thought, “What does this mean, Lord?”

Then, clear as day, in my mind I heard, “There is healing in the passage of time. It may not feel like it today, but it’s true.”

Sisters, in that moment, I received that as a hug from God, and a sign—if you will—that I would survive through this extreme sorrow. I would be okay! I would live on without my daughter. There is healing in the, “already and it has only.” There is healing in the passage of time.

As much as I want things to stop, and as quickly as I would love time to pass so that I can feel better NOW, time must be as time is—one second at a time . . .day-by-day, until the day that sorrow transforms into joy again. There is simply no way around it or over it. I must go through it. Period!

For a variety of reasons Scripture speaks about mourning turning to joy. In that I have much hope for a brighter tomorrow than today.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.” John 16:20

“…For I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.” Jeremiah 31:13

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3

Stephanie Dale Paul

Stephanie 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.

Psalm 34:8(ESV) Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

David wrote this Psalm during one of his very many adversities. He does not just say “God is good”, but to taste first and see the Lord is good.

There is a song that goes-
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, no turning back

In John 6 Jesus tells his followers he is the “bread of life,” his “flesh is true food” and his “blood the true drink.” This was a hard teaching and many left that day and no longer followed Him. Jesus asked the twelve if they wanted to leave as well. Simon Peter replied “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68, 69 ESV)

I believe Simon Peter tasted first. Simon Peter tasted and saw the Lord was good and knew there was no turning back.

For those reading this, some have followed Jesus their whole life. Others have met their Savior somewhere on the road of life and their life now is different than it was. But I think this question applies to both sets of women.

Have you tasted and do you know and believe the Lord is good, that He alone satisfies like no other thing or person can? Is there no turning back for you?

Kim Spicer
Women of Character Program Volunteer
Women of Character graduate

In light of all that has been happening in our world over the last month, I chose today to address the fact that some of you may be challenged with fear and worry. It’s easy to say I will not fear or become worried, it’s another to live it. Sometimes we need each other to stand together with our shields up.

With terrorism, Ebola, financial crisis, crime of all kinds seemingly all around, you may have even wished you could go and find a place to hide with your family in some far away safe refuge. But where is that refuge?

Well, today, dear ladies, we may be very much separated by distance, but our hearts can be knitted together as one family under the Lordship of Jesus. Therefore, let us go together to the One who is our refuge. I don’t know how many ladies will open, read and act upon this devotional today, but I do know we are many in number. Close your eyes and picture us together coming before our Lord, the Father of all, the King of Kings to declare His Word. It will be healing to your mind and heart.

Today, together let us worship His Holy Name. (1 Chron. 16:29; Ps. 29:2)

Today, together let us declare, “My fortress, my refuge is my God. I shall not be moved from His abiding presence under His wings.” (Psalm 91)

Today, together let us declare, “I have not been given a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Today, together let us declare, “My God is the one who goes ahead of me, He is with me, He will not fail me or forsake me. I shall not fear or be dismayed.” (Deut. 31:8)

And now, dear one, may the peace beyond all understanding guard your heart and mind. (Phil. 4:7)

Patricia L. Wenzel
Women Of Character graduate

***Please remember to VOTE TODAY! Everyone will do what is right in their own eyes unless godly women stand up for what is right in the only Eyes that matter. ~ D.S.

God’s handwriting could be seen on stone tablets. They could run their fingers over the letters.

“And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.” Exodus 31:18

“The LORD said to Moses, “Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.” Exodus 34:1

“And the LORD gave me the two tablets of stone written with the finger of God, and on them were all the words that the LORD had spoken with you on the mountain out of the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly.” Deut. 9:10

I am just sitting here trying to imagine what it must have been like to hold those stone tablets knowing they were engraved by the very hand of God.

Fast-forward from the Exodus; God’s handwriting moved from cold stone tablets to the warm hearts of his people.

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Jeremiah 31:3

“…you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” 2 Corinthians 3:3

What does God’s writing look like on your heart? What evidence is there in your life today that the Spirit of the Living God has written on the tablet of your heart?

Blessings,
Diane

***Please be mindful to VOTE TOMMORROW. May He write His laws on the hearts of our leaders. ~ D.S.
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chron. 7:14

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John for 30 years. She has 2 adult children, 4 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 11 in all. She delights in reading and teaching, but mostly in laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

“We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” Romans 6:6,7 (ESV)

Romans chapter 6 reminds me that I am dead to sin. However, there are times, too numerous to count, when I don’t think my sin is dead. I am perfectly aware of my sin and it seems to be very much alive. Only when I focus on the finished work of Christ on the cross am I able to understand that I died with Christ and have been raised with Him. We forget so easily. We are always thinking that sin has the upper hand all the time. Andrew Murray writes, “The new life in us is an actual participation in and experience of the risen life of Christ. Our death to sin in Christ is also a spiritual reality.”

Someone once said that they offer themselves as a living sacrifice and living things get up and walk off the altar. How is it that we can be alive and be dead? It can seem that our flesh has a hard time dying. Are you and I only trying to beat it down, injure it enough in hopes that it won’t get up again, or giving up altogether? You and I will battle our flesh as long as we are on this earth. Our sin, not our flesh, has died. The truth is that Christ has paid for all of it and that is our new reality. I wonder if we really believed this truth that our fighting might get a bit easier. Would you and I experience more freedom from sin if we would only believe the facts? While my flesh is often only mostly dead, my sin IS dead!

“So you must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:11 (ESV)

Blessings,
Kathy

Kathy’s 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.

“…Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39 NIV)

During a summer conference season, an elderly women came into my office and asked for counsel. After meeting with her and praying with her, my heart was deeply impacted by the pain this women carried. When our session ended I felt the Lord prompting me to ask her if I could give her a hug. She said “yes,” and I gave her a hug that indicated to her that I cared about her and what she was going through. To my amazement she said this was the first time in 10 years that she had received a hug! I just had to give her a second hug. I couldn’t imagine not having that personal touch in such a long time.

Have you ever thought that a hug could be a ministry? I’ve been thinking seriously about this very idea. Sometimes a listening ear is enough and sometimes it isn’t, and although a hug is not appropriate in all circumstances, there are times when a hug is very much what the person needs. It conveys so much to the person receiving a hug. It expresses our Christ-like love for one another and our compassion. It can convey to a hurting person so much more than words ever could.

Have you ever been so deep in a pit that you couldn’t imagine anyone caring about you? Or have you ever been so full of despair and pain that you felt unworthy of a hug? Maybe it’s been a long time since someone gave you a hug or even a gentle touch of a hand. Perhaps there’s someone you know who is going through a very difficult time, or illness, or is grieving over the loss of a loved one. Maybe you’ve sat with a friend, or a stranger, and have listened to them share their heart with you. You prayed with them and felt God prompting you to give them a hug. Ask permission and then give them their hug from God. I haven’t met anyone who has turned a hug down or told me they didn’t need a hug.

Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

“Lord, when I learn that someone is hurting,
Help me to know what to do and say;
Speak to my heart and give me compassion;
Let your great love flow through me today.”
Kurt De Haan

Mary Ann Kiernan