Recently, Pastor Scott Stengele was preaching on Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

We often hear messages on humility and, yes, they are certainly connected, but how often do we hear a message on meekness?  Do you seek to be meek?  I don’t.  I never gave it much thought; I have enough of a battle on my hands trying to pursue humility which seems so elusive at times. 

Pastor Scott reminded us that no one is born meek; it is not inherent in our nature. It is a work of God for our sanctification in and through us by His Spirit. 

Moses was meek. “Now the man Moses was very meek, more that all people who were on the face of the earth.” Meekness is not timidity.  Meekness is not weakness. In fact, a common definition of meekness is power or strength under control.  Moses went to Pharaoh, the most powerful man in Egypt, and said, “the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, ‘Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness.  But so far, you have not obeyed.’ Thus says the LORD, ‘By this you shall know that I am the LORD: behold, with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall turn to blood.'”  Ex 7:16

I recently had a conversation with a friend about people that feel perfectly free to share their opinion, speak unkindly, disrespect or yell at others (Christians and non-Christians alike).  If you are like me, it probably catches you off guard.  I am usually appalled that people think it’s okay to treat others like that.  When it happens, I cringe and have to work hard at speaking at all. My inclination is to shutdown.  It occurred to me as Scott spoke that maybe it is in those moments that God is weaving meekness into my spirit. 

I know a lot of strong women, perhaps you are one of them.  I would venture to say I consider myself a strong woman.  Where do we fit into God’s plan?  I don’t believe it is to shut down and become mealy mouses.  But I don’t believe it is to steamroll over others either with our opinions or efforts.   As God works His meekness into our spirits He is teaching us to have our strength under Holy Spirit control. 
We don’t have to speak everything that pops into our heads. Sometimes our opinions should be kept to ourselves.  Sometimes we need to speak up. Sometimes we need to confront.  So don’t shrink back.  But let us allow the Spirit of God to glorify Himself in our strengths as well as our weaknesses. 

Blessings, Diane

Scott recommended the book by Terry Johnson, “When Grace Transforms: The Character of Christ’s Disciples Put Forward in the Beatitides”. Sounds like a good read.

I was blessed to be able to spend some time at the shore this week with my family.  I’m not sure how anyone can gaze out over the vast, mighty ocean and not be utterly convinced that there is a God in heaven.

It struck me how quickly the ocean changes; one day it was surprisingly calm, almost like a lake, the next day, it almost seemed angry, with large waves and churning seas.  Life is like that sometimes, isn’t it?  One day, we are “sailing” along in quiet, calm waters.  Life is peaceful, easy.  Then all of a sudden, we can be in the midst of a roiling, churning ocean, on the verge of sinking.

This made me think of the passage in Mark 4, when Jesus calmed the storm.

“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.  The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’  He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet!  Be still!’  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to the disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?’  They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this?  Even the wind and the waves obey him!'”  (Mark 4:37-41).

Our pastor preached on this passage a few months ago.  Two of his points that really stuck with me were that, in the midst of life’s storms, maybe we need to stop trying to get a bigger bucket (to bail out the boat) and start realizing Who is in the boat with us!  And when we rightly fear Jesus (have awe and respect for Him), we will have faith in Him.

While Jesus calmed this particular storm, He doesn’t promise to calm every storm.  But, even if He doesn’t immediately calm the storm we are in, He DOES promise to be with us through the storm.  “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”  (Isaiah 43:2, emphasis mine).  “…..God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'”  (Hebrews 13:5).

If you are in the midst of a difficult and frightening storm, take courage.  You know the One who has the incomparable power to calm the storm; seek His help.  And remember, if He doesn’t immediately calm your storm, He is still in the boat with you, and He has the incomparable power to bring you through the storm, until you are once again sailing calm seas.

Stacey Poplawski
WOC Graduate

Part 2
Yesterday we looked at two of the crowns to be given in glory to faithful Christians.  We looked at the Crown of Righteousness and the Incorruptible Crown. Today we will finish off with the other three crowns.

The Crown of Life: This next crown has been called by many the “martyr’s crown.” Jesus Himself says that He will give this crown to those who undergo severe hardship, testing, tribulation, and/or physical death on His behalf. This crown is reserved for those that have stood firm through trials without giving up or losing hope.
Certainly there is no question that being willing to die for your faith in God and Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice! “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the CROWN OF LIFE” (Revelation 2:10).

The Crown of Rejoicing: The apostle Paul is calling those he has saved his “joy” and his “crown of rejoicing.” This crown is our crown for all of eternity, it is the ability to rejoice and spend eternity praising God for all He has accomplished on earth and in heaven. If I read this right this is mostly likely the crown that we will all be wearing in heaven and offering daily to him for all eternity.  “For what is our hope, or joy, or CROWN OF REJOICING? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).

The Crown of Glory: Peter describes a crown given to the shepherds who lead the flock into the ways and knowledge of God. They are teachers. These could be the Sunday school teachers, the pastors and ministers who teach the Word of God in their ministries, or people who are appointed by God into the office of a teacher. God is always looking for teachers and shepherds to help teach and educate His flock. “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed. SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the CROWN OF GLORY that does not fade away” (1 Peter 5:1-4).

In conclusion: Everything about Him, His ways, and His personality is all maximum greatness. His love for all of us is maximum concentration. His goodness, mercy, compassion, and understanding are all maximum proportion. If there is one thought or realization that you will come away with after reading about God the Father in the Bible – is that He is God of maximum power! So if everything about God the Father is of maximum intensity. As a result, these rewards will completely surpass any rewards, blessings, or earthly wealth that you can get down here on this earth. There will be no comparison whatsoever!

This is why it will really be worth our efforts to fully surrender our entire life over to God.  Let Him make the calls on what He wants to do with your life. It is never too late to completely turn your entire life over to God the Father and let Him do what He wants with it until He takes you home to eternity.

Lynne Jahns
Christian Counselor

Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne,
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

The Bible specifically talks about five (5) different crowns that will be given out to some of God’s people in Heaven.  If you look very closely at what these crowns are going to be for, they will be for work that is done for God that is beyond the normal scope of what the average Christian may attempt to do.  These crowns will be a special reward that will be rewarding excellence and maximum effort.

The five crowns are in no specific order of importance.
* Righteousness
* Incorruptible
* Life
* Rejoicing
* Glory

Today I will look at the first two crowns and tomorrow we will finish up with the last three.

CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: We all know Christians who are “righteous” down to the very cores of their personalities. These are the people who never have anything bad to say about anyone else. They hardly ever lose their temper, they are totally selfless, and they would give you the shirt off their backs if they had to. We refer to them as being “saints, angels, or angelic.” The world refers to them as “goody two shoes.” These are the people that God is going to be rewarding when they get into heaven because of the godly and righteous lives they have lived down here on this earth. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN: Bible scholars feel this next verse implies that some will be given what could be considered a “victor’s crown.” Professional athletes are a good example. They have to go through training camp to get ready for the season. They have to watch their diet and weight in order to be able to successfully compete in the sport they are in. They have to give up a lot of their social life in order to stay in good shape. In other words, they do not live normal lives like the rest of us do. They sometimes lose time away from their families.  The idea here is that God calls some of His people to do things that will require some sacrifice and temperance in the way they will live and conduct their lives.  If you are willing to sacrifice in this world for the Lord, you just may receive an “incorruptible victor’s crown” for going the extra mile for God and walking in total obedience to His call on your life.  “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an IMPERISHABLE CROWN. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Lynne Jahns
Christian Counselor

Surgery is the last thing we want to hear the doctor say.  Why?  Well, simply said, “it hurts”.  Yet it is necessary in order to fix the problem and begin the healing process.  Lately, I’ve met more people having replacement or repair surgery, and then about their hard work of physical therapy in order for healing to begin.  In most cases they have been successful.  If you ask someone who has had successful surgery if they’d consider it again, they’d most likely would say, “you betya I would”; and they go on to tell you all about the benefits they’ve experienced.

Well, there’s another surgery that is necessary in order to live a life of peace and contentment.  This surgery is also painful and requires a healing process.  This requires our heart – Not the open heart surgery performed by a medical heart surgeon, but by the Lord our God and Savior Jesus Christ – the only one who knows our heart – our innermost being.  Psalm 51 depicts David’s heart.  David is a good example of a man who allowed God to work in his heart. So, today, am I willing to allow God to do surgery on my heart?  Are you willing?  How does God do surgery on our hearts?

First: There is confession – verses 1-6: Verse 2 wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity and cleansed me from my sin; verse 3 For I acknowledge my sin…..- verse 6 ….you desire truth in the inward parts; and the hidden part thou shall make me know wisdom;

Second: Cleansing – verses 7-10: Verse 8 make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice – verse 10 create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me;

Third: Joy – verse 12 restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;

Fourth: Service – verse 13 then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee;

Fifth: Worship – verse 14-17: verse 16 for thou desires not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delighted not in burnt offering; verse 17 the sacrifice of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou will not despise.

Oh, the benefits of heart surgery performed by God will always produce a life of peace and contentment.  No matter what we’ve done God will always forgive and restore.  It’s not a matter of forgiving ourselves: it’s a matter of believing God forgives.  Someone once said “let ourselves off the hook because God has covered it all”.  Amen!

There’s no better surgery then that which we are willing to allow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to do in our hearts.

Thank you, Jesus, for showing me my heart as I ask you to search my heart – and especially thank you for giving me the peace that surpasses all understanding – Philippians 4:5-7 – 5) let your reasonableness be known to everyone, The Lord is at hand; 6) do not be anxious about anything, but in everything in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Blessings,
Pat Spies
Women’s Ministry Volunteer

“And men shall speak of the power of Thine awesome acts; And I will tell of Thy greatness.” Psalm 145:6

I can’t believe a year ago I was planning and preparing to go to my daughter’s wedding in Ithaca, N.Y.   The year has gone by very quickly, thinking on the past year and all the preparations that needed to be done. We had to be in Ithaca a couple of days before the wedding, driving into New York City to pick up bride and groom, then to Yonkers pick up my other daughter. As we arrived in Ithaca there was lots of work that needed to be done and many errands had to be taken care of, not to mention the rehearsal dinner and welcoming the guests. I kept praying, “Lord I really need your help with this task that is ahead of me!”  “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).  I prayed, “Lord lead me and guide me to do the things in order that are needed to be done.” I prayed, “my Father, You have ordained this wedding, Your faithfulness will bring this blessing as one.” “I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever; To all generations I will make known Thy faithfulness with my mouth” (Psalm 89: 1-2).

As many times in the past, certain events make me think of my children growing up. I thought about my daughter Mel, the bride, how I would read to her the Disney books when she was about three years old. As she got a little older I would read the Bible to my children, especially when we couldn’t go to church. From that time she developed a love for reading. She would carry her Bible with her. When she was 10 years old she got baptized. When the pastor asked her what would she like to say, she quoted, “Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of  that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold  of it yet; but one thing I do forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil.3:12-14)  I remember her love for the Lord and her excitement to please her Father.

We praise and thank our Lord for His faithfulness; the wedding was beautiful. God gave us the opportunity to enjoy Ithaca with family and friends. Having to look at the wedding pictures, I am in awe of what only our Lord can do. “Let them praise Your great and awesome name He is Holy” (Psalm 99:3)

Glory to God,
Sandra Valdes
Staff Member – WOC Graduate

“The central point of the kingdom of Jesus Christ is a personal relationship with Him, not public usefulness to others.” – Oswald Chambers

I don’t think any of us would have trouble remembering the Scripture telling of Mary and Martha.  We remember Martha, busy as a bee, in service to those who occupied her home.  She was doing a good thing, a right thing.  In the midst of her labor she observed her sister, Mary, doing absolutely nothing, well, nothing that is except sitting at the feet of Jesus, hanging on every word that came out of His mouth.
Being anxious already about all she had to do, Martha was a bit irritated with her and decided to go and register a complaint with her friend Jesus.  Jesus lovingly and gracious responds and tells Martha, “You are worried and upset about so many things, but only one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen what is best and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:41b-42

In my life I tend to be a Martha.  I love tending to and caring for my home and family. I thoroughly enjoy being a part of the life of the church (when I have the time).

With the exception of a precious few, most of the women I know are Martha’s too.  We love serving the Lord and being “church ladies”, doing what church ladies do best.  Why is it, then, that most of us feel frazzled and worn, restless and torn?

I submit to you, the answer is the need our soul has to sow and cultivate Mary moments, which are really moments – long, lingering moments – with The Savior.

My Question for You:
Are you replacing serving and doing with the one thing that is necessary and best?

Stephanie Paul

Stephanie Paul, wife and mother of two grown children. An “instrument of change” in the Redeemer’s Hand, in the lives of wounded and hurting women. Currently serving as a part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Woman of Character Program Director.

“You shall show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hands are pleasures forevermore.”

The morning I read this verse I thought it was such an encouragement. But as the day went by I heard and read more about how repentance is the key to joy. Look at Psalm 16:11 a little deeper. We need to know this – you cannot come into God’s presence and expect His guidance, joy and pleasures if your heart is not clean. I cannot come into God’s presence and receive His joy with un-repented sin in my life. God’s presence and sin do not mix.  I cannot just expect joy when sin blocks my access to His presence.

In the afternoon I attended a meeting with a couple who were visiting Keswick.  During our discussion Bill shared his renewed realization of 1 Samuel 15:22- “to obey is better than sacrifice.”  How often do we think we can come into God’s presence because we have sacrificed but obedience has been lacking?  If obedience is lacking; we call that disobedience. God calls disobedience sin. Why would we think we can have joy while we cover up sin with sacrifice? Maybe we are not joyful because we sacrifice; sacrifice, sacrifice but we do not spend time in genuine repentance before the Lord.

In our evening conference meeting Dr. Jim Ayers spoke on repentance, again giving me a reminder that my joy in Christ is linked to my willingness to repent. (You can listen to Dr. Ayers’ full message on our website.)

Later, I continued to read Upgrade by Michael Catt. The first section of the book deals with sin and repentance. The author refers to the example of David. Here are a few quotes…

“Once you have been purified, you will experience true joy. Note that purification comes before joy; this order cannot be reversed.”

“David discovered the transforming power of repentance. David asked God to purify him so he could sing joyfully of the Lord’s righteousness (Psalm 51:14).  He pled, “Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation” (51:12).

Michael Catt closes chapter two with this:
“Are you desperate to dance before the Lord and praise His name? You can’t rejoice and walk in sin, so repent and then thank God for the good work He’s going to do in your life.”

Often we can think our joy is linked to our circumstances. Joy is not about our situation in this life. Joy is about our intimacy and fellowship with Jesus Christ as we come to Him with a clean and pure heart. Could it be that our lack of joy is due to a lack of repentance?

May you be filled with joy today!

Blessings,
Kathy Withers

Kathy’s on staff at America’s KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 26 years.  They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and has previously served as a Teaching Director for Community Bible Study. 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 then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11

My family just loves a good surprise.  Birthday parties – a surprise! Anniversary celebrations – a surprise! Drop in visits from 1000 miles away – a surprise!  We have pulled off some really big surprises.  My children could attest to some of the crazy things I have done and hoops I have jumped through to pull off a surprise.  I could write a book.  No one but my family would read it… but I could write a book.

Recently my husband and I made an investment in the Kingdom by purchasing our son (a worship leader) a Baby Grand Piano.  With the help of Robert Hayes (who is giving our son lessons) we looked at several pianos before we settled on the one we all felt was the best buy within our budget.  We made arrangements to have it delivered when our son was at work so he would be surprised when he got home.  It took some finagling to orchestrate the timing so my husband and I could both be there when he got home but it all came together. The joy of that moment is worth the price of admission to me.  That makes it all worth it.

As I was making preparations and anticipating the moment he would walk through the door, I couldn’t help but think of our Heavenly Father.

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11

In my sanctified imagination, I wondered what joy it brings to God’s heart when He is preparing to spring a surprise on us.  I wonder what God feels when He is about to bring about the meeting of a future husband and wife, or when He is about to introduce new parents to their first, or second or sixth child. I wonder what it is like in the Throne Room of heaven when someone’s bondage to addiction is about to be broken or the cancer is about to be healed or for the first month in many there is enough money to pay the bills.

Beloved, God is not holding out on us.  If we, being human, love to give good gifts to our family and friends, HOW MUCH MORE will our Heavenly Father delight to surprise us with His grace and goodness.  He has your best interest in mind.  He doesn’t always give us what we want, no; He waits until He can give us His absolute best.

I believe He is delighted when He sees the joy and excitement on our faces when we open His very best gifts to us.  I wonder if we listen closely if we could hear Him shout SURPRISE!
Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the ministry team at America’s Keswick.  She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study.  Diane has been married to her husband John over 27 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.

1 Cor. 9:24-27

Our summer theme here at Keswick appears to be taking on an Olympic theme, so it got me thinking about the winning of prizes and “medals”.  This summer many will put to the test years of training and labor to bring honor to themselves and their country.

In the early Olympics, it wasn’t medals they were earning; it was garland wreaths in the shape of crowns that they would then place in front of their country’s king to give honor to their king.  In the Christian world, we are also in a race which takes discipline, training and practice.  What are we trying to win?  We are running to win crowns that we will get to lay in worship at the feet of Jesus in Heaven.  I don’t know about you, but I want to win, so that I will have something to lay before my Heavenly King’s feet in thanksgiving for all He has done for me.

To compete in the Olympics, one needs to follow the rules, expectations and meet the requirements. In order to run in the Christian Race, there are also requirements that enable us to compete for the crowns.  In Hebrews 12:1-2 and Philippians 3:13-14, we learn that this race is exclusive to Christians, has rules set by God, and that although many may think they are in the race, not all will win and earn a prize.

Paul does not want to be disqualified so he puts in the effort and discipline needed to win.  Are you ready to do what is needed in your life in order to have “crowns” to lay at Christ’s feet?  Or, would you rather do less here and face Christ empty-handed?  Is heaven enough? I don’t know about you, but I really do not want to stand before Christ empty-handed.

While the Olympics are going on this summer and you are hearing all kinds of stories of courage, struggle, and persistence… ask yourself… am I pressing towards God’s crowns the same way many of the athletes have pressed toward corruptible crowns?

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

In my next Victory Call, we’ll look at the crowns we are running towards.

Lynne Jahns
Christian Counselor