Have you ever read a document that has been sent via e-mail regarding the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence??   The list of what happened to those men because of their courage to “lead” the new birthing nation was incredibly harsh.  As I often do, I was led to check if the given “facts” were true.  Sadly the information given was not completely true according to snopes.com.  I find myself angered when the truth of our finding fathers is not made clear.  It leads to doubt and unbelief concerning our wonderful God blessed foundation.
        Without going into the details of the inaccuracies, let me say that the truth is, those 56 signers of the declaration were surely brave men and they did suffer consequences of the decision they made.  They laid a tremendous foundation and model for future leaders and soldiers who would follow them. 
          Today I challenge both you and me.  Our nation is at a critical crossroads.  It seems everyone is doing what is right in his own eyes. We have either forgotten or for some never have know the truth of our founding fathers.  Here are just a few quotes from just a few of the signers of our Declaration of Independence for your consideration:
          William Livingston was 61 years old when he signed the Declaration of Independence.  He was the first Governor of New Jersey.  He said “The land we posses is the gift of heaven to our fathers, and Divine Providence seems to have decreed it to our latest posterity.”  He knew we “earned” our Independence not because of how great we were but as a gift of God.
          Then there was John Witherspoon of NJ who became a famous educator, clergyman and the president of what is now Princeton College whose official motto was “Under God’s Power She Flourishers”.  He said, “While we give praise to God, the supreme disposer of all events, for His interposition on our behalf, let us guard against the dangerous error of trusting in, or boasting of, an arm of flesh…Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I scruple not (do not hesitate) to call him an enemy of his country.”
          Therefore in celebration of the anniversary of our nations Independence, I invite you to join me and pray:
1….in obedience to God’s Word, let us pray for the welfare of the place where He planted us, for in its peace we shall have peace. (Jeremiah 29:7)
2….that our national leaders and we His church shall be blessed with the burden to read and know the Word of God which will serve as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. (Psalm 119:105)
3…. give thanks for the firm foundation upon which our nation was built, the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Then consider and pray as the Holy Spirit would lead you, as you review the following scripture:  “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (Cor. 3:10-13, NKJ)

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

Some material taken from: America’s God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations, William J. Federer, FAME Publishing, Inc. 1994In God We Still Trust, A 365 – Day Devotional by
Dr. Richard G. Lee, Countryman, A division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010.
http://www.snopes.com/history/american/pricepaid.asp

          The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.  It stated that the thirteen American colonies were “Free and Independent States”.  It essentially dissolved the political connection between the thirteen colonies and Great Britain. 
         Our Founding Fathers acknowledged God as the source of our rights in that founding document and I quote:
          “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed – That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and happiness…
          For the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred honor.”
          As we celebrate the birth of our nation I invite you to join me and pray:
1….giving thanks and praise to the Lord, for He is the giver of freedom (Psalm 146:7).  May we honor Him and live as He would have us live.
2…..asking the Lord to bless our nation with leaders who know His Word and are submitted to Him as Lord. (1 Tim. 2:1-3)
3…for governing leaders from our local Mayor and Council, to county representatives, to state representatives, to federal representatives….for God desires all to come into the Kingdom of God. (1 Tim. 2: 4-6)

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

Some material above taken from: In God We Still Trust, A 365 – Day Devotional by
Dr. Richard G. Lee, Countryman, A division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010.

Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry. (Psalm 88:2)

           Not long ago I read an advertisement from Canada.  It was for a “talking prayer doll.”  This caught my eye!  The ad went on to say that the doll “kneels and says her bedtime prayers.”  There was nothing to wind nor strings to pull.  Whenever the user wanted, the doll would say:

“Now, I lay me down to sleep
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep.
Guide me safely through the night,
Wake me with the morning light.
God bless Mommy…and Daddy
And make me a good girl.  Amen.”

           “Just press her tummy,” said the ad, and “Patty recites the entire children’s bedtime prayer, in her precious childlike voice.  Operates on a single penlight battery.  Available also in French.”
           How easy it is to allow our prayers to become mechanical!  We crank out petitions and intercessions, but with no real life!  They may be biblically correct and theologically sound, but if there is no reality to them, God does not hear our prayers.
          To the people of Israel who were offering mechanical prayers to God, He said, When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear (Isaiah 1:15).  This points out to me that not all prayers are heard in heaven.  Some prayers never get higher than the ceiling.  The following seems to capture the whole point:

“I often say my prayers, but do I really pray?
And do the wishes of my heart go with the words I say?
I may as well kneel down and worship gods of stone
As offer to the living God a prayer of words alone.
For words without the heart the Lord will never hear;
Nor will He to those lips attend whose prayers are not sincere.”

        May our prayers be a delight and not a duty as we sincerely and lovingly meet with our Lord each day.  Psalm 145:18, The Lord is near unto all those who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.

Carolyn HibbardWriter for “Real Victory for Real Life”  365 Devotional Thoughts in the Spirit of America’s KeswickVOLUME 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. 

          Our son recently adopted a cute little Boston Terrier puppy – Stanley.  It has been an interesting addition to our home since we have a 7-year-old Boxer – Lucy.  Stanley loves to nip at Lucy; sometimes she tolerates it better than others.  They have even started playing together which is progress. 
          One afternoon I found Stanley hiding in the laundry room sneaking Lucy’s food.  He just loves the grown dog food.  I have tried to set the bowl up on a step so he couldn’t reach it, but he perches himself up there and s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-s to get it.  I shooed him away from her bowl and shut the laundry room door.  As I entered the kitchen, there was Lucy eating Stanley’s puppy food.  I just had to laugh out loud. 
          Isn’t that a picture of us sometimes?  The old saying “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” is not quite accurate.  It should be “the grass APPEARS greener on the other side of the fence.”  It is easy to think that if only I had…. her shoes, her husband, her body, her house, her children, her job, her hair, her money, her parents, her …THEN I would be happy.  But in reality we wouldn’t. 
          We have to intentionally choose contentment.  Underlying a discontented spirit is a belief that God is holding out on us.   Do we believe that God has provided His best for us? 
          More and more these days I find myself asking “Do I need that?” We need to choose to be content even when we don’t have everything we want.  “But godliness with contentment is great gain…” 1 Timothy 6:6 GREAT gain.  “…for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content …” Philippians 4:11 We can LEARN to be content. 
          Today, just today, chose to be content, and then do it again tomorrow and the next day and the next. 

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.

          It seems to me that most people would like to be wise.  There are plenty of self-help books written.  Many of them are very good and share great insight. 
          Proverbs is filled with great words of wisdom.  I always found it interesting that God gave us 31 chapters in Proverbs, one chapter for every day of the month.  Do you think He wanted to give us plenty of access to wisdom?? 
          Today I want to share one sure way to gain wisdom.  It is found in the book of Joshua.  Joshua is the man God chose to lead His chosen people into the Promised Land after Moses died.  Joshua was a faithful servant of Moses and clearly learned much from him.  Here is what Joshua said:

          Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  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 1:7-9, NKJV)

          Bottom line……….if you are seeking the wisdom and favor of God, read His Word, meditate upon His Word, and memorize His Word!!  What can you expect?? You will then have what you need to stand strong and courageous, you will not be afraid or dismayed, and you will be prosperous and have good success.
          “Thank you Lord for the blessing of Your Word.  I praise You for You are wisdom. I invite you, Lord, to burden my heart for Your Word.  Teach me your ways, O Lord, as I read, meditate upon and memorize Your Word. By Your Spirit I shall walk in wisdom and truth.  I can stand strong and courageous and be Your instrument of blessing wherever I go. In the wise name who is above all wisdom, the name of Jesus, I pray.”

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

    …receive with meekness the implanted word… James 1: 21

The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. (Heb 4:12) A

All Scripture is breathed out by God… (2 Timothy 3:16)

          God uses His Word to grow us.  Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17) I could go on and on about the richness of God’s Word. If you need more convincing read through Psalm 119 and make note of the various ways the Psalmist refers to God’s Word and his love and delight in it.

…man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. (Deut 8:3)

          I believe we can all agree of the value of God’s Word and that it is inerrant (without error in its original form). We believe it is true from Genesis to Revelation. 

          The impact of God’s Word on our hearts, attitudes, and actions is very much dependant upon the heart attitude with which we approach His Word.  If we do not receive it with meekness we will only give it consideration.  If we do not approach it with meekness we put ourselves in a position of judge in which we determine if and when we will obey its truths. 

          To approach God’s Word with meekness is to come with an attitude of submission to it, to bring myself under it with a humility that recognizes that I am not to judge it or sometimes even understand the why of it; I am called to love the Author of the Word through my obedience to the Word. 
          To receive the Word with meekness requires that it is not a line item on my to-do list that I check off.   One evening after dinner I said, “I have to go read my Bible.” And my dear son of 25 said, “You mean you want to go read your Bible right? Not that you have to go read it. ” Point well taken. 
          What attitude do you approach God’s Word with?  Is it good reading? Is it an item on your to-do list?  Is it a guidebook?  Or is it the Word from the Lover of your soul spoken to your heart?  Do you come with an attitude of meekness eager to receive its life-changing truths and anxious to obey them?
        Believe me, often times when I write these Victory Calls I am sensing the conviction of the Holy Spirit on my own soul.  So if you have been challenged today, I’m right there with you sister. 

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.  

          A few weeks ago my sister sent me a link to a 1 1/2 min. video about “sand.”  I won’t speak to the science presented but rather to the pictures of sand.  The link is: http://inspirationgreen.com/magnified-grains-of-sand.html in case you would like to take a look.  Pictures of sand are magnified over 100 – 250 times.  How amazing to see those small grains of sand that we simply walk on.  Those grains of different sizes, shapes and color are beautiful.  The grains change according to what beach you are walking on.  The grains in Okinawa are very different from the grains in Minnesota, Japan or the Virgin Islands.  As I looked at the pictures I could not help but stand in awe at our awesome Creator God.  So much creativity and beauty invested in sand!!
          This summer when we are on the beach and put our feet into the sand may we look and look again and reflect upon our awesome creative God.  Let us Give Him Praise and Thanks due His name, for the care and creativity He displayed in the beautiful bed of sand we walk upon as we view the wonder of the ocean. 

Colossians 1:16-17 (NKJV)
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

          “Lord I praise You for You are a creative God.  I pray for my eyes to behold the wonder of Your creativity.  If I look up I want to see the beauty of the sky that goes beyond what I can see with my eye.  If I look down I want to give You glory for the grass, flowers, soil, sand, and even the smallest parts of your creation.  If I look toward the horizon may I see the vastness of Your creation that seems limitless.  I give You praise for You alone are worthy of all praise.”   

Patricia Wenzel
WOC Graduate

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

      It is so easy for us to remain stuck in a “victim mentality” rather than live in victory through Christ.  Each one of us has sinned against someone and we have been sinned against. Some hurts are so deep that we walk around ready to rip open the bandage and expose our wounds to anyone who will look so that they can know of our pain and perhaps comfort or sympathize with us.  We walk around with a “placard” that says, “I’ve been betrayed, abandoned, cheated against, abused (physically or emotionally) or…” well, you can fill in the blank.  Our tendency is to first take our hurts to our family or friends and eventually to God.
      I imagine our heavenly Father with His arms opened wide waiting for us to bring all our wounds to Him. He wants to comfort and give us His strength.
      God is the only One who will listen anytime night or day.  He is the only One who can truly comfort us.  He’s the One who stands ready to take us from victim to victory.  We don’t discount our pain or what has happened, but God takes our pain, hurts and suffering and transforms them to treasure for His glory.  We can claim victory through Christ! Our pain will no longer define who we are.  It is included in the fabric of our life to make us who we are.
      I remember, ever so clearly, before I was a Christian walking around downcast all the time, saying to just about everyone, “Why me? Poor me.”  My teen sons were spiraling out of control in the drug world; I was in pain, miserable and hurt.  I beat myself up for being a bad mom and wife.  But after I gave my heart to Jesus, I began to continually cry out to Him and surrender it all to Him daily.  I admit I took it back a few times.  I came to know He was the only One who could give me or my family victory.
      Romans 8:28 (NIV) became my reality. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. God is in the business of transforming lives as they are surrendered to Him.  Not only has my victim status been transformed to victory, but He has transformed my pain for His glory.  Who but God!

Mary Ann Kiernan 

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.

          So 20-30 years of putting on face cream, staying out of the sun and regular hydration and still the wrinkles seem to be winning.  Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered, “When did THAT happen?”
          Although we live in a culture that values youth it also seems to value bronze, tanned skin even though the two are in opposition to each other.
          It is good to be reminded God does not look at our outward appearance-to Him each and every one of us is beautiful because each and every one of us is His special and unique creation.  He has never gotten bored and started to cheat making a million like this and a million like that.  Each little girl, each teen, and each woman is unique and precious to God. 
          God does not look on the outward appearance, He looks upon the heart.  (For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7).
          As we age, it is a good thing that inner beauty can far surpass our outward appearance. Every one of us can be drop-dead gorgeous on the inside (tall or short, thin or … not, blond, brunette or gray, wrinkled or not) when we spend more time on our inward adornment than on our outward appearance. 
          We can each be drop-dead gorgeous in the hidden person of our heart with imperishable beauty of a quiet and gentle spirit which is very precious to God (1 Peter 3:4). Quiet and gentle does not mean mousy or silent but rather an attitude of the heart that exudes humility, honor, love and grace.  May THAT, ladies, be our grandest feature and most notable adornment. 

Blessings of Joy,
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 appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1

          There is so much in this one verse for deeper meditation. Just about the time you think you have given ample consideration to one portion you realize oh, there is so much more in this portion. 

          We are called by God, through Paul, “…to present your bodies…” To present our bodies is an intentional action, an offering.  Present (to offer, to give) and present (a gift), though pronounced differently are related.  If I present (offer/gift) my body – isn’t that like giving a gift?

          “… a living sacrifice…” sounds like an oxymoron. Doesn’t sacrifice require death? If not physical death then at least dying to self forgoing what I want for another person’s benefit. To be a living sacrifice requires dying to self while yet living.              

         “  …present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God…” Isn’t there a balance between “come as you are” and “presenting your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God?” We cannot clean ourselves up enough to be a worthy gift to God.  “Who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” (Rom 11:35)  When you think about it, everything is God’s – by presenting ourselves back to God – we are giving back to Him what is His already.

            When my husband was a small boy, a few weeks before Christmas he would start gathering different things that belonged to each family member which he wrapped and put under the tree from him on Christmas morning.  His brothers and sisters were probably annoyed and not-so-gracious but I would imagine his parents appreciated his heart and desire to give to those he loved even if it was their hammer and hot pad they had been looking for for a few weeks.            We chuckle at the picture of giving someone something that already belongs to them but isn’t that what we are doing when we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice?  We already belong to God but He wants us to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing” to Himself.  It models a heart and desire to give to the ONE we love. 

          Lord, please show me how to live this out today.

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.