Part One

The word FAITH comes from the Greek word pistis.  The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary states that faith means, “to rely, agree, assure, believe, have confidence, be confident, make friend, obey, persuade, trust, yield, reliance upon Christ, fidelity.”

Over the next few days we are going to look at women of faith from the Scriptures.  They all have a story from which I hope you can glean some personal application.  The first one we look at is Sarah.  Do you remember reading about Sarah??  She was the woman whose husband Abraham was given the promise that he would be the father of many nations.  But Sarah had to wait a very long time to bear a child.  Along the way she had likely more than one crisis of faith.

Let’s review some Scripture:
God promises Abraham that his descendants will be as many as the stars in the heavens.
Genesis 15:4-5
And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.”  Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

Sarah decided to “help God.”  Mind you she didn’t ask, “Lord, teach me to pray?” or “Lordm what is my role in this promise?”.  Abraham was told his heir would not just be someone in his tribe, but would be from his own seed.  Sarah decided to give her maid to Abraham thinking his descendants would have to come from another woman since she was barren.  That resulted in the birth of Ishmael and led to lots of challenges which we will not go into.  Have you ever been anxious for God to release His promises to you?  Did you try to help Him by acting on your own good ideas?  It generally doesn’t work out too well.  It is so much better to trust God and wait on Him.  Easy?….NO. Wise?….YES.

Back to our Scripture:

Genesis 18:9-15
Then they (angels) said to him (Abraham), “Where is Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the tent.” And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was listening in the tent door, which was behind him.)  Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!”

Although it sounds like the Lord was not happy with Sarah when she laughed to herself, I don’t think He was really angry.  After all, if you were 90 years old and you were told that you would conceive a child you might laugh, too.  Nevertheless, Sarah bore a son at the ripe old age of 91!!  She was told to name him Isaac, which means laughter.

Genesis 21:2-6
For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him-whom Sarah bore to him-Isaac. Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.”

After all those years of waiting God honored Sarah and made her the mother of many nations and recorded her name in the hall of faith in the book of Hebrews:
By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. (Hebrews 11:11)

At some point Sarah shifted from trying to help God, to doubt and unbelief, to becoming a woman who laughed at perhaps herself.  And it would seem that as she laughed, faith increased in her.  She exchanged doubt and unbelief for FAITH and received the child God, who she knew as Faithful, had promised.

Perhaps you have been waiting for a very long time for God to answer your need. You may be waiting for someone you love to be free of addiction, or you may be waiting for someone to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.  You know the Lord desires all to come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ (1Tim. 2:4). You know that He can bring freedom to the one who is addicted (John 8:36). Whatever you are waiting for dear one, ask God to increase your FAITH.  Ask Him to remove doubt and unbelief.  Release your concern to Him who is able to do exceedingly more than you could think or ask (Eph. 3:20-21).

Blessings,
Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

Scripture given is New King James translation from www.biblegateway.com

Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers. (Proverbs 22:28 NIV)

          I have read this verse many times as I read a Proverb a day, but I must admit I haven’t taken time to really figure out what the verse means until now.

          According to Matthew Henry, commenting on this passage, “We may infer hence that a deference is to be paid, in all civil matters, to usages that have prevailed …in which it becomes us to acquiesce, lest an attempt to change it, under pretense of changing it for the better, prove of dangerous consequence.”

          For some, it seems change is always better.  Do we have that attitude?  I have lived long enough to see many changes in our society, in our churches, and in our personal lives.  As I read Scripture, I am impressed with how holy worship was considered to be.  When people entered the temple, they were filled with awe.  God held a place of authority and sanctity.  Today I watch people enter a time of prayer or a worship service with almost an air of casualness or jocularity. The boundary stone has been moved.  We need to ask ourselves WHY are we moving the boundary stone.

          I could mention other obvious changes, but I won’t.  Let us pray that as we enter a time or place of worship, we will see the need to prepare our hearts to meet God Himself.  Habakkuk 2:20,  BUT THE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE; LET ALL THE EARTH KEEP SILENCE BEFORE 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. 

“…Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?” Micah 2:7
          In a recent Victory Call I shared the comfort from knowing God’s word is fixed, unchanging and sure. It doesn’t change with the season or with cultures or generations.  Psalm 119 is a wonderful psalm focused on God’s Word.
          Psalm 119: 89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. 
          In the next 20 verses, the psalmist speaks often of the word.
Verse 92-93: If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my own affliction.  I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.

Verse: 98, Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
Verse 100: I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.
Verse 101: I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.
Verse 105: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Verse 107: I am severely afflicted; give me life according to your word!
          I hope you did not skim or skip over these verses as I myself am often tempted to do – for these verses are the meat of this Victory Call. I have only selected a smattering of the 176 verses in Psalm 119 man of which speak of the value of God’s Word.  God’s Word does do good to him who walks uprightly.  Don’t slouch when it comes to God’s word.
          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.  

          During my quiet time this morning, I got a text from a friend asking for prayer for her co-worker whose husband has been struggling with an addiction for some time now, and who is now in the hospital due to that addiction.  We are praying that she would find her peace and comfort in the Lord, and that her husband would come to the end of himself and seek the only One that brings freedom from addiction.
          Not long after I received that text, I read the following verse:
“The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down” (Psalm 145:14).
          Notice the verse says that the Lord lifts up all “who are bowed down,” not, “who are standing tall,” nor “who have picked themselves up by their bootstraps.”   This is contrary to today’s emphasis on self-help.   In order for the Lord to lift us up, we must first be bowed down–in humility, in surrender. acknowledging that we cannot help ourselves.  “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).
          “Humbling ourselves means recognizing that our worth comes from God alone.  To be humble involves working with His power according to His guidance, not with our own independent effort.”i  Oh how many times I have struggled to deal with something on my own, trying to figure it all out, trying (in vain) to control the situation so it turns out the way I want it to.  While all the while, the Lord was saying, “My precious daughter, remember, you are not in control, I AM.  Let it go.  Surrender.  Humble yourself before me and let me handle this.  Listen to me.  Follow me.”  Then, after struggling, sometimes for a short while and sometimes for a long while, I finally realize that, in actuality, I have no other choice but to bow in surrender before Him.  And once I do, His precious peace floods in and He lifts me up.  Then, whether His answer comes quickly or not, whether He answers the way I want Him to or not, I can rest, knowing He is sovereign, and He will guide me in the way I should go.
          I have heard the expression, “we can bend our knee (in surrender), or He can break our leg.”
          It is written:  “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me….'” (Romans 14:11).
          Why do we struggle so in the futility of our own strength?  Let us bow joyfully, reverently, willingly, and without delay before the One who is worthy of our praise, who loves us, and who will lift us up.

Stacey Poplawski

WOC Graduate

i The Life Application Bible, New International Version Edition, Tyndale, Wheaton, IL 1991, p.2250.

“And in anger and wrath I will execute vengeance on the nations that did not obey.” Micah 5:15
          I don’t have a bent towards politics , for which I have been rebuked on more than one occasion so you don’t need to email me. 
          My view is that nothing is as it seems. I don’t believe that what I read in the newspaper or see on the news is ever the whole story.  I think you would all agree. 
          However, that being said, I believe Scripture indicates that God will judge the nations.
          Genesis 18:25  Shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just? 
          Psalm 9: 19 Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! 
          God will judge the nations and no nation is exempt to the degree that they disobey God. 
          We live in a great nation, yet this great nation has drifted from its Christian moorings and therefore from God. 
          Psalm 9:20 is a wonderful prayer for the nation’s leaders: “Put them in fear, O LORD!  Let the nations know that they are but men!” Leaders of all nations need to know they too are under authority, the authority of The One True God. 
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.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

          Look around.  You will have to look closely and give yourself permission to see.  My guess is you  live in a world that makes it fairly easy NOT to see – just like I do.  Look around and look closely and you will see that which breaks God’s heart. 
          I recently wept upon hearing the stories of slavery in the 21st century.  Abolished?  NO! Not even in America.  It may look different but around the world people, children are being bought and sold like property and forced to do unspeakable things. 
          What does the Lord require of us?  To do justice.  Not just love justice but to step out and do justice. 
          I am ashamed of the times I have felt slighted because of some injustice in my life which has upset me for weeks.  In perspective, they are exceedingly minor injustices.  If I get upset about minor injustices, how much more should I be upset about the injustice against children and women that are bought and used for someone else’s wants and pleasure.  At this moment, while you are reading this, there are great and horrible things happening to women and children against their wills.  We don’t see because it’s easier and more comfortable not to. 
          There are 27,000,000 slaves in the world today and not all of them are outside of the United States. 
          Look around. Give yourself permission to see. What injustice do you see? What injustice that breaks God’s heart, breaks yours?           

          Now prayerfully get involved and go do justice. 
Weeping,
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.  

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)

           These words come from Isaiah.  As the Syrian invader loomed on the horizon, God wanted Israel to hear what He had to say.  With human ability, Israel was figuring out what to do.  Should they make a treaty with Egypt, because anything was worth it to maintain national independence?  So ambassadors were dispatched to negotiate with the reigning Pharaoh.
           But God’s counsel was opposed to the politicians’ reasoning.  He said, “…in returning  and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength…” (Isaiah 30:15). That is, “if you will wait for My deliverance, you will be rescued from your enemy.”
           Did you ever notice how, if a person is fearful, it is hard to accept this kind of counsel?  It’s hard to rest.  It’s hard to be quiet.  We feel we have to do something.  We plot and plan, scheme and sweat, all in an effort to get ourselves out of the problems we face, while at the same time we ignore God’s words to us in the Bible.  Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble (Psalm 119:165).
           It is so easy to get upset with the problems around us and end up trusting ourselves.  What we need, however, is a tranquil trust in God’s Word.  With that trust is a way into God’s presence where there is peace and rest.  We simply need God’s counsel.  In the words of the hymnwriter, “They who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true.”

Carolyn Hibbard

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. 

     I have always used my meat mallet to break up the large bag of ice I keep in the freezer. Recently, Dave broke the head right off as he attempted to crack the bag of ice loose. You don’t have to tell me….I know there are ice picks out there that would do the job more efficiently!

     Jesus, however, knows exactly what I need to break apart the hard, solid and unmovable places in my heart. He doesn’t try one thing and then realize He should have tried something else. He knows what will work. I’m the one who usually recoils at the choice of tool for the task at hand. “No, not that!” is usually my heart cry when circumstances, people and life in general are used by the Master Craftsman of my heart. In my mind I prefer a whack over the head with a fluffy pillow. I am sure, if that would work, God would use it! But, more often than not, it’s the meat mallet!

     Whatever you may be facing today is exactly what He is using to mold you and shape you. I wish you didn’t hurt so badly. I wish there were another way. Take a breath and don’t look at the circumstance or person God is using right now.  Just ask the Lord what He wants to do in you.  What does He want you to become in all of this? He may speak to your heart in a different way than He has been speaking to mine but this TWEET from Mary De Muth summed it up for me…  “Tenderize me, Jesus!”

     While our hearts can atrophy, Jesus desires for us to become tender – towards Him and others in the midst of our hearts aches and our willingness to grow hard and cold. It is a tough prayer but Jesus, make me tender like you!

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6 NASB

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6, 7 NASB

Blessings, Kathy

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.

Psalm 119:16 You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word. 

     Life is full of trials and difficulties by this we should not be shocked.  Scanning through Psalm 119 consider the list of trials and difficulties penned by the Psalmist.

     Princes plot against me… vs. 23; him who taunts me… vs. 42; my affliction … vs. 50; the insolent literally deride me… vs. 51; hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked… vs. 53; cords of the wicked ensnare … vs. 61; before I was afflicted I went astray … vs. 67;  the insolent smear me with lies… vs. 69; the insolent…have wronged me with falsehood… vs. 78; the insolent have dug pitfalls for me… vs. 85;  they have almost made an end of me on earth… vs. 87; the wicked lie in wait to destroy me… vs. 95; the wicked have laid a snare for me… vs. 110; trouble and anguish have found me out… vs. 143; many are my persecutors and my adversaries … vs. 157 (just a sampling)

     Even the Psalmist in Psalm 119, a psalm full of praise and adoration has revealed his heart, his struggle, his difficulty.  Yet he says, “You have dealt well with your servant…”

     Trials and difficulty are NOT a sign in our lives of God’s displeasure.  Let me say that again.  Trails and difficulty are NOT a sign in our lives of God’s displeasure.  Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of that because the enemy would have us believe otherwise. 

     Can we join the Psalmist and say, “You have dealt well with me?”

     Let me add to that Psalm 16:6, “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”

     Sister, if this is not the song of your heart today, will you pray and ask God to make it so?

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.

Dear Jesus,
I give you ______________. I humble myself before You, believing that You are bigger than I am, that You are more capable to handle my burdens. I don’t know what the outcome of my giving up control of_______________ will be, but even so, I open my fist and let You grab it (or the person) from me. I want Your will. I want Your presence. I need Your strength, Please take this burden today, and use it in my life for Your glory. Help me to entrust ______________
to You even when things seem dark. I trust You. At least I try. But help me to trust You today. Right now. I give it up. I choose not to worry anymore about this. Amen
Blessings,
Kathy

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.