Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 2 Timothy 2:7
          Paul is writing his last letter to Timothy to encourage his heart, bolster him in his calling – pass the baton.
          Paul knows his time is fleeting. “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come” (4:6). He is passing along to Timothy some choice morsels to keep him going. I want to encourage you to read the entire book as Timothy would have.  It will take you about 15 minutes to read the short chapters. I would imagine Timothy read it and reread it until the edges of the pages were tattered. 
          Paul tells Timothy to think over what he says for the Lord will give him understanding in all things (2:7).
          I could imagine Timothy’s concern about when Paul dies who would continue to teach him and give him direction. Paul was his spiritual father. Paul calls Timothy his beloved child (1:2). Paul is reassuring Timothy that God Himself will give him understanding in all things. 
          I don’t know about you but I feel like there is way more I don’t understand than what I do. Paul’s encouragement to Timothy is to think over what he has written, what he says. Think over, consider, mull over, meditate.
          This, I believe, is where many Christians – myself included – are lax. We read the Bible, check it off the “to do” list and move on to the next thing. 
          Why do we expect God to take our “devotions” with Him seriously enough to give us understanding in all things when we don’t take them seriously enough to think about what He says?
          Meditation is a discipline and will take focused practice to see it bear fruit. 
          Why not start in Second Timothy?  For the next week or so read it entirely, and then chapter by chapter, stopping when God speaks to your heart through His Word, and just settle on that verse. Meditate on it. Think on it.  God will give us understanding in all things when we care enough to listen.
          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 over 28 years.  She has 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren and 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all.  She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.  

          I recently went to a Bible study at my Church.  The study depicts David’s life.  “Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed” by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur.

          The following is taken from one of Priscilla Shirer’s DVD lessons.

You, Jesus are….

          “You, Jesus, are the first and the last, the beginning and the end.  You are the keeper of creation and the creator of all.  You are the architect of the universe and the manager of all time.  You always were, always are, and always will be, unmoved, unchanged, undefeated and never undone. You were bruised but brought healing, You were pierced but eased pain, You were persecuted but brought freedom, You were dead but brought life,; You are risen to bring power and You reign to bring peace.  The world can’t understand You, armies can’t defeat You, schools can’t explain You, and leaders they can’t ignore You.  Herod couldn’t kill You, Nero couldn’t crust You, new age can’t replace You, and Oprah cannot explain You away.
          You are light, You are love, You are longevity, You are God, You are holy and righteous and powerful and pure.  Your ways are right, Your Word eternal, Your will unchanging, Your mind is on us.  You are my Savior, my guide, my peace, my joy, my comfort, my Lord and You rule my life.
          I serve You because Your bond is love, Your yolk is easy, Your burden is light and Your goal for me is abundant life.  I follow You because You’re the wisdom of the wise, the power of the powerful, the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, and the leader of all leaders. 
          Your goal is a relationship with me.  You’ll never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me, and never cancel my appointment in Your appointment book.  When I fall You’ll lift me up, when I fail You’ll forgive me, when I’m weak You’re strong, when I’m lost You’re the way, when I’m afraid You’re my courage, when I stumble You will steady me, when I face trials You’re with me.  When I face persecution You will shield me, when I face problems You will comfort me, when I face loss You will provide for me and when I face death You will carry me home to meet You. 
          You are everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and in every way.  You are God, and that is Who I belong to”.

My challenge is to look up the verses of Scripture that describe You, Jesus are……

Submitted by
Pat Spies
America’s Keswick Volunteer

          Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him.  (Psalm 34:8)
  
          The historical background may be found in 1 Samuel 21.  Because of King Saul’s intense jealousy of David, David fled southward from the court of Saul and went to Philistia where he was captured.  The Philistines recognized David as the one who had killed their champion, Goliath.  So David was brought before King Achish.
          Fearing for his life, David used the strategy of acting as though he were insane.  He fell down, groveled in the dirt, drooled down his beard, and gave every indication of being mad.  King Achish commanded David to leave his court so David went to the wilderness where he took refuge in the cave of Adullam waiting for his key comrades to join him.
          It was during this period of time when David was confronted with fear, frustration, uncertainty, and discouragement that he composed this psalm.  David’s song certainly has spoken to the hearts of the Lord’s people down through the years. 
          No matter how the twists and turns of life may have gone, the believer knows that God is good.  A key verse is verse 8: The LORD is good.
          But what does “good” mean in this context?  It does not mean that God always smooths the way, or always gives good health, or always provides wealth.  No…rather the “goodness” of God means that God always acts on behalf of the believer in ways which are consistent with His own purposes for the ultimate spiritual blessing of the believer in order that God’s goal for the believer’s life might be realized.
          Psalm 34:4 was the favorite verse which President Lincoln claimed during the dark days of the Civil War.  The ink on the verse in his Bible was blurred due to the many times his finger followed the words, I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
          In the midst of a very difficult time, David praised the Lord and was delivered from his fear.  He could say, Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him (Psalm 34:8).

Joy Hubbard

Writer for “Real Victory for Real Life” 
365 Devotional Thoughts in the Spirit of America’s Keswick
VOLUME 2
 To order a copy of “REAL VICTORY For REAL LIFE” 365 Devotional Thoughts in the Spirit of America’s Keswick, forwarded by Dr. Joseph Stowell visit  www.americaskeswick.org  and click on store. 

          We all get angry, right? At any given moment, on any given day we are capable of feeling angry. It’s true that being angry is not a sin. It’s most emphatically what we are capable of and willing to do with that anger when it wells up inside of us?
          Just in case you’re in that group of people who’d be hard pressed to admit you ever get angry, here are a few synonyms for anger: annoyance, exasperation, irritation, bitter, bristle, cold, contrary, fired up, fit to be tied, hot, icy, indignant, etc.  I could go on, but I’m sure you get the point. Anger can appear and be described in a variety of ways.         

          Regardless of how we could or would describe it from without or within, God’s Word has a remedy that we could all, without exception apply to our hearts and lives.
          “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1
          “Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can crush opposition.” Proverbs 25:15
          “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to God’s wrath; for it is written, “‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,'” says the Lord.” Romans 12:19
          “Be angry and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, no give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26-27
          “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.” Ephesians 4:31
          “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20
          Dear sisters, may it be said of us that we never let our anger lead us to sin against others in word, thought or deed…and if we do fall short in this area, let us be quick to confess and repent and seek God for the change that needs to take place within  our own hearts and lives.
         Stephanie

Stephanie Paul serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Director of Women’s Addiction Ministry. She has been married for almost 30 years to Sesky Paul who is a graduate
of the Colony of Mercy. Stephanie serves alongside him as Care Group leaders in their church. 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.

          Discouragement is one of those feelings that can come into our life when circumstances and events seem to pile up on us and we can’t seem to get our feet to go where we really and truly want them to. We try and try and try and try again to overcome certain obstacles or to deal with besetting sin in our lives…and no matter what we do we can’t seem to make headway.
          Sometimes that feeling can even become a tool that the enemies of God, or the enemy of our soul, will attempt to use to make us sit down; to cause us to think God isn’t present or if He is, then He can’t really care about us because we’re so defeated. They will attempt to deceive and tempt and so discourage us that we cease to endure in the race that is set before us.
          Sometimes we even lay down our armor and give those who’d discourage us full access to our unguarded hearts and they pummel us to the point of truly giving up. No!!! May it not be so that the feeling of discouragement is embraced as acceptable in the life of God’s elect!
          “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, “Destroy!” Deuteronomy 33:27
          “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
          “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
          “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.” Psalm 46:1-3 
          “From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2
          “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” II Corinthians 4:16
          Dear sisters, He, the Eternal God, has given us His Word to encounter every obstacle that His enemies would seek to set before us. Should you be struggling with discouragement today, I hope that your heart and mind are encouraged by the Living Word of the Lord!!

Stephanie

     Stephanie Paul serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Director of Women’s Addiction Ministry. She has been married for almost 30 years to Sesky Paul who is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. Stephanie serves alongside him as Care Group leaders in their church. 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.

He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4

         Colony graduate, Rev. Chris Thompson, was a speaker this summer during Victory Week 4. God used Chris in a tremendous way and one morning he shared this portion of a story and it just touched my heart. I hope it will touch yours too!
          “The city is filled with pale yellow chicks and at least one fox. In the absence of a mother hen, some of the chicks have taken to following the fox around. Others are huddled out in the open where anything with claws can get to them. Across the valley, a white hen with a gold halo around her head is clucking for all she is worth. Most of the chicks cannot hear her, and the ones that do make no response. They no longer recognize her voice. They have forgotten who they are.
If you ever loved someone you could not protect, then you understand the depth of Jesus’ lament. All you can do is open your arms. You cannot make anyone walk into them. Meanwhile, this is the most vulnerable posture in the world- wings spread, breast exposed- but if you mean what you say, then this is how you stand.
          Given the number of animals available, it is curious that Jesus chooses a hen. Where is the biblical precedent for that? What about the mighty eagle of Exodus, or Hosea’s stealthy leopard? What about the proud lion of Judah, mowing down his enemies with a roar? Compared to any of those, a mother hen does not inspire much confidence. No wonder some of the chicks decided to go with the fox.
          But a hen is what Jesus chooses, which-if you think about it-is pretty typical of Hhim. He is always turning things upside down, so that children and peasants wind up on top while kings and scholars land on the bottom. He is always wrecking our expectations of how things should turn out by giving prizes to losers and paying the last first. So of course Hhe chooses a chicken, which is about as far from a fox as you can get. That way options become very clear: you can live by licking your chops or you can die by protecting the chicks.
Jesus won’t be king of the jungle in this or any other story. What He will be is a mother hen, who stands between the chicks and those who mean to do them harm. She has no fangs, no claws, no rippling muscles. All she has is her willingness to shield her babies with her own body. If the fox wants them, he will have to kill her first.
          Which he does, as it turns out. He slides up on her one night in the garden while all the babies are asleep. When her cry wakens them, they scatter. She dies the next day where both foxes and chickens can see her-wings spread, breast exposed- without a single chick beneath her feathers. It breaks her heart, but it doesn’t change a thing. If you mean what you say, then this is how you stand.”
          I love the pictures we get to see throughout the Bible and various stories. I hope you got a picture of Jesus today and that you know the depths of His love for you, that you know He died for you and that we can still find refuge under His wings.
          “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Matthew 23:37
Blessings,
Kathy Withers

Kathy’s on staff at America’s KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 27 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.

          If you are like me, whenever I have read Phil. 4:19 ESV – And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in Christ Jesus, I have always kind of assumed that it meant my PHYSICAL needs —  whatever they might be.  However, something happened in the life of a friend of mine recently that got me to thinking differently about it.

          My long-time friend lost her brother quite unexpectedly.  In fact, he had just seen his doctor the day before he died and was told he had some sort of viral infection.  It was not, and he succumbed to a fatal heart attack.  My friend, who has had several major upsets in her life in recent years, was totally devastated by the news.  BUT GOD (aren’t those amazing words), already knew what was going to come into to her life and He arranged for members of her family to make a “surprise” visit so they were there with her and able to give her the sad news, and be with her through the seemingly endless planning of his funeral, etc.

          My friend had, just a few days before, had a long, lovely talk with her brother.  Once again, that was no “accident.”  God was preparing her with precious memories of that last earthly conversation until she sees her brother again in glory and they can pick up where they left off.

          Upon returning home from her brother’s services, my friend received a lovely sympathy card and note from someone whom she had no reason to expect to hear from at all, much less in such a loving manner.

          Call them “accidents,” or “surprises,” or even “random acts of kindness,”  they are all expressions of God meeting her needs .  Not so much her physical needs (this time), but her spiritual and emotional needs.  He carefully planned every detail surrounding this tragedy in her life and surrounded her with people to meet her emotional needs.  Arms to hug her, shoulders to cry on, words of comfort to bring her peace – all orchestrated by her loving Father who knew what she would need and when she would need it.

         And so today, we can thank God for meeting ALL of our needs, “according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.”

Lynn Randall

Lynn Randall is the Director of Human Resources at America’s KESWICK. She is active in her church and is a gifted planner and organizer.  She has a real heart for people as evidenced by her care, concern and practical encouragement.

… as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. (Luke 15:25)

           The parable of the prodigal son provides many lessons of encouragement to us as sons and daughters of the Father. We watch the earthly father run to welcome his son who is returning home from a life of sin. Never once does the father mention the son’s sin and failure.
           And, in addition, the father has ordered a celebration to be held in honor of the son. The fattened calf is killed and cooked. The son is dressed in beautiful new clothes and given a ring on his hand, the symbol of authority. This, of course, is what our Heavenly Father does for us, His children whom He knew before the world began (John 17:6, 9; Ephesians 1:4). We are those who, like the son, were “dead” and “lost” in the world. We have been made alive by the Spirit and have been “found” by the Son (1 Corinthians 12:3; Luke 19:10). We have been clothed in Christ’s robe of righteousness and given authority to reign as joint-heirs with Him in His kingdom.
           And, as the elder son drew near to his father’s house, he heard “music and dancing.” The Greek word for music is symphonia. It is the basis for our word symphony, a sounding together in agreement, in harmony. What a thrilling truth lies hidden here for us! In the Father’s house there is harmony, a unison of sound, voices of celebration, praising the Savior!
 We read in Revelation 5:9-14 that the elders are singing a song at God’s throne, in unison. And they are praising Christ for the privilege of reigning with Him on earth. Imagine the sound of that heavenly music!
           Another important element for us to see is that those in the earthly father’s house were all in agreement with what brought joy to the father. The one outside the house, in the field, was the elder son because he was not in agreement with the father.
           The prophet Amos raised a rhetorical question, Can two walk together, except they are agreed? (Amos 3:3). And the apostle Paul raises similar questions, And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? (2 Corinthians 6:15-16a KJV). The Greek word for concord is symphonesis! No harmony can exist between the children of God and the children of the devil.
           In the body of Christ we are gifted with the ability to harmonize together for the glory of God.
          Lord, help us to be heavenly music-makers for your glory!

Glenna Salsbury

Christian Speaker, Writer for “Real Victory for Real Life” 
365 Devotional Thoughts in the Spirit of America’s Keswick
VOLUME 2
 To order a copy of “REAL VICTORY For REAL LIFE” 365 Devotional Thoughts in the Spirit of America’s Keswick, forwarded by Dr. Joseph Stowell visit  www.americaskeswick.org  and click on store. 

          If you have been reading my Victory Calls for any length of time you know how my heart breaks for my kids. It is especially hard with my son. Our contact is limited by geography but also by the amount of time we can reach each other by phone. After playing a good game of “phone tag” this past week we finally connected! After catching up on the daily grind of things we began to talk about some things we have in common..books and dogs. As my dogs began to bark in the background, Michael said he had seen a video of our dogs on Facebook. Now, my son NEVER contacts me on Facebook…not one “like”, not one comment. I would never have guessed he saw anything I posted on Facebook. I was reminded that those kids of ours are always watching – no matter how old they get. I also was encouraged that perhaps one of the things I posted would speak to him or be used of God to touch his heart. I am not the Queen of Social Media, believe me! But I am glad to be aware that even when I thought I was out of sight to my son he was there, in an odd way, watching.
          Who is watching you today? Does it surprise or embarress you to know that Jesus sees everything? Do you know that unbelievers are all around you watching? Do you know your co-workers are keeping an eye on you? Do you see the importance of how even a small glimpse of you, when you think no one sees, may or may not reflect Jesus and leave a permanent impression?
          If someone were to say to you, ” I saw you when ________” would you laugh or shudder to even think of it?
          A definition of character is what you do or say when no one else is looking. May our character reflect the image of Jesus today. He does watch and Hhe does see.
          Blessings,
          Kathy Withers

Kathy’s on staff at America’s KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 27 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.

…Their strength is to sit still. (Isaiah 30:7b KJV)

        Just recently I had someone hang up on me, without even telling me why they were upset! My first thought was, “I’ll call him back and tell him exactly how I feel.”  However, my mind went to the verse I had read that morning:  Their strength is to sit still (Isaiah 30:7b KJV). So I sat still! Ugh. “But Lord,” I thought,  “the phone is just over t  here.  All I have to do is walk just a couple of steps, pick up the phone, dial it, and give that man a piece of my mind.” But then another verse popped into my thoughts:  Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). My first thought was, “Now aren’t you glad you memorized THAT verse!” So first I was given the instruction to sit still and then God told me I was to be quiet. Such simple instructions and yet they are so hard to follow.
         Who or what is bugging you today? Can you say that your strength is to sit still? When we wait upon the Lord and sit still, we give Him a chance to work in us and in the situation. When we sit still, God can change us because we have willingly given Him time to work on us.
          How about you? When you read my experience, did a person or a situation come to your mind? Are you willing to sit and be still? Tell the Lord how you are feeling…impetuous, defensive, angry.  Confess your wrong feelings and let Him know if you are willing to let God improve your ability to sit still and be quiet as you wait on Him.

Marilyn Willett Heavilin

Writer for “Real Victory for Real Life” 
365 Devotional Thoughts in the Spirit of America’s Keswick
VOLUME 2
 To order a copy of “REAL VICTORY For REAL LIFE” 365 Devotional Thoughts in the Spirit of America’s Keswick, forwarded by Dr. Joseph Stowell visit  www.americaskeswick.org  and click on store.