Perhaps you have heard of a practice in schools called social promotion. It is a practice of moving students along regardless of whether they do well or not in their studies. Even if a child fails, schools that practice social promotion promote the student to the next grade.

Flunking is a thing of the past in these schools. The problem, of course, is that these schools are graduating students that are fundamentally illiterate, lacking basic math and grammar skills.

I believe the motivation behind the practice of social promotion is the idea that holding a child back would bruise their self-esteem. I’m pretty sure it’s been proven that it doesn’t work. No surprise there.

What happens to their self-esteem (not a biblical concept by the way) when they get into the work force (if they do) and lack the basic life skills to keep a job?

Anyway, none of that is my point today, but it helps me make my point.

Here’s my point: God does not practice social promotion.

His plan is much more effective in preparing His children for a holy, blameless life — that is — to be like Jesus. His plan is progressive sanctification.

God is in the process of growing each of His children in the image of His Son. He is committed to the conforming process – in fact, He promises it.

Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

I think there are times I live as if God practices social promotion. Whether I obey or not, He’ll move me along towards maturity. I ask for more of God yet I fail to be faithful to what I already have. I ask God to be my wonderful counselor but I don’t heed His counsel.

I wonder if I’m not alone. Do you find that when you fail God’s test, that somehow He circles around again and again until you get it?

Do not despair for “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” 2 Peter 1:3-4.

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.

Is it possible that there is anything about you that God — Father,; Creator, who is everywhere present, all the time — doesn’t know about you? Sisters, embrace and believe the truest thing. There is nothing about you that God does not know. No matter how much yuck or muck there is in your life which may hold you captive, God sees, hears and knows!

O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there were none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

In the words of Betsy Ten Boom as quoted by her sister Corrie, ‘The Hiding Place’, “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not greater still.”

Dear sisters see Him, hear Him and know Him!

Stephanie

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.

Recently, I spent some time on the Jersey beach. My plan was to take some time out to relax and read. Thinking of Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”……isn’t so easy, especially when my type personality is “A” driven. So, what does that mean, “Type A”? Well, it means I can always find something that needs attention, so for me to get some R&R I need a place where I can go where no interruptions are calling me. I’m not saying that things that need attention at home should be left undone or office responsibilities should be set-aside. But, can you really get some R&R at home, or at work? I suggest you find a place where there are no interruptions. Jesus is our best example on getting some R&R. He took time out to rest!!!

My trip to the beach was planned so I could have some time with the Lord: sitting by the ocean is very relaxing for me, and it gives me the sense of God’s presence as I observe the ripping and roaring of the raging sea. Only God can control that body of water. As I planned this day, I packed a lunch, chair, umbrella and my Kindle so I could read. When I arrived I realized “how will I carry all this” – no husband or grandkids with me….well, needless to say it all worked out. The next hurdle was “who will put my umbrella in the sand”? Well, ask and you will receive – there were some teen boys and girls walking by and I asked for help…..the young men were very helpful while the young ladies told them how to put the umbrella in the sand. Just like a woman, gotta tell the man!

The beach was full of laughter from children; moms chasing the little tikes to spray them with sunscreen. Ah, like any other day at the beach it was windy – so the sunscreen went by the wayside and maybe a little on their skin. Umm, I wonder how many times did the Lord want my attention but it dropped by the wayside. Imagine God chasing us down to tell us to take some time with a friend to encourage her in her walk with Him, or to “just be there”. For me to keep the lines open I must take time in the morning to pray and ask for His direction in my life for the day. I may have a plan but am I willing to let God interrupt my plan and yield to whatever He calls me to do? How do I handle interruptions? Sometimes I miss opportunities from the Lord because I think my plan is the best. As I said before, I am a “Type A” personality whereas I am driven to get whatever I’ve planned done. My plan may be good, but God’s plan is ALWAYS perfect. This brings me to the story of Abram and Sarai. Sarai may have had a good plan, but God had the perfect plan. But, Sarai acted on her plan. Sarai didn’t wait on the Lord – I’m guilty sometimes of not waiting on God. Genesis 16 & 17 tells the story of Abram & Sarai waiting for a child.

Genesis 16: 1-6 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, “The LORD has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. 3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. (This happened ten years after Abram had settled in the land of Canaan.) 4 So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The LORD will show who’s wrong-you or me!” 6 Abram replied, “Look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away.

Oh, Lord, keep me mindful of you so that I don’t miss your perfect plan.

God’s plan is ALWAYS perfect.

Blessings,

Pat Spies
Women’s Ministry Volunteer

As I was looking for some material to use as a pop quiz I came across a few questions based on 2 Chronicles 7 & 8. One of the application questions was in reference to the promise and warning stated in 2 Chronicles 7:12-22. The promise – “If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). The warning – “But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you and go and serve other gods, and worship them, then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples” (2 Chronicles 7:19-20).

And here is the application question – “Do I fear the the fulfillment of God’s warnings as I desire the fulfillments of His promise?”

We have become very familiar with the verse containing the promise but how many of us could have recalled the warning? Throughout the years I have worked in Christian bookstores, I have seen many Promise Books: Promises for Men, Promises for Women, Promises for Teens, paperback and leather edition. Yet, I have never seen a book of God’s Warnings. We love to be reminded of God’s great promises but do we notice when He extends a warning for us to follow? Faithful are His promises but faithful are the consequences of disobedience as well. Promises make us “feel” good. Warnings make us squirm because we often want our own way. Like the children that we are we desire to rebel against our Father who is warning us for our own good, and from the purest motivation of love.

Here is the challenge – Can you and I trust not only great and precious promises, but also trust His many warnings and guidelines?

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.

“These things I have spoken to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

As we all know, we will go through some degree of affliction or distress, pain or sorrow in our Christian life. Our Lord doesn’t want us to deny the pain or try to hide our sorrow; He knows what we are going through. “My heart is stricken and withered like grass, So that I forget to eat my bread” Psalm 102:4. God gives scripture so that we may learn to be different from our old ways of the world. My reaction to tribulation is really what is important, to live the word of our Lord to be true. I have to rely on His promises even when I can’t understand the situation and my emotions are weak. It’s vital for me to seek God and live out His instruction, trusting Him, anticipating the joy that is set before me. In my most painful moments I cry out to God. He reveals His holiness and quiets my cries, His faithfulness strengthens me to wait on Him. I reflect on how much He suffered to save my soul. I begin to worship Him and praise Him for all His love and realize the holiness of almighty God. I comprehend His sovereignty; with prayer He calms my soul to be still, to see His wondrous work. As I go through the most difficult times with God, God reveals Himself, gives me His strength, teaches me the intimacy of His love and changes me.

The people that don’t know Christ will also go through tribulation. As Christians we have the opportunity to live God’s word to be true or not. That makes the difference from the world’s perspective. When I choose to pray and obey I can walk by faith and continuously trust in God. “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15). Let’s see what God has to say regarding tribulation:

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;” (Romans 5: 3). We are to rejoice in triumph, to be steadfast with our Lord.

“Who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor.1:4). We can understand and relate to others that are going through similar afflictions and give them comfort.

“Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying” “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). God gives us strength, encouragement and admonition.

“And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall” (Matthew 7: 25). That we don’t fall away from God.

My precious Lord, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me; thank you, Lord, I can do nothing without You. I need Your continuous help and guidance for my faith to grow and may the lost see Christ in my life.

Glory to God

Sandra Valdes
Staff Member, WOC Graduate

Women, God has given women many incredibly wonderful assignments throughout time. From the beginning God created woman because it was not good for man to go it alone. He needed a helpmate. (Gen. 2:18) God blessed THEM and said to THEM “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it and rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Gen. 2:28).

I want to share with you critical times when God used women on the earth. I submit to you He chose a woman at those times because He wanted a woman on that assignment. It was not because there wasn’t a man around. God uses all of His people to accomplish His assignment to “rule all that moves on the earth”. He used a woman held in captivity, Esther, to save her nation (Esther 1-10). A woman, Jael, killed Sisera, a military leader with 900 chariots and a huge army (Judges 5:21). God used Deborah to judge His nation Israel (Judges 4-5). When Jesus revealed Himself to the Samaritan woman she likely became one of the first evangelists and told her whole city about Jesus, the Christ (John 4:39-42). When Jesus rose from the dead He appeared first to two women (Matthew 28:1). He had those women go and tell the others (Matthew 28:10). It was a businesswoman, Lydia, who was known as a worshiper of God whose home was a place of prayer in her community (Acts 16:14-16a).

The Word tells us that a woman builds her house up or tears it down (Prov. 14:1). And last, but surely not least, the Proverbs 31 woman is one amazing woman. What is her secret, and likely the “secret” of all the women God finds He is able to use to bless His people? It is fear of the Lord, which is not fear as in afraid of a snake. Rather it is an awesome reverence of our God. You see, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised, Give her the product of her hands, and let her works, praise her in the gates” (Proverbs 31:30-31).

Ladies, lets not hold back…..get to the front lines……and in obedience, reverence and praise of our Lord…..tend the garden where you have been planted; build up your household, never tear it down; take down the enemy who comes against the destiny God has prepared for those you love; evangelize a nation; start a prayer movement; tell all those you can find that………Jesus is alive!!

Blessings,

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC graduate

That’s what my little, and I do mean little, (not quite 2) neighbor says as he escapes from his yard. (Although, I have yet to hear it from him in person.) Those little feet are on a mission…a mission for an Oreo cookie. Preferably split apart for his enjoyment, and double stuffed, of course. He’s always accompanied by his two older siblings who have trained him well. He associates me with cookies. Actually, before he could say my name, he’d just look out his front door, point to my place, and say, cookie! What can I say; I’m a sucker for these kids. They use me for sweets! That’s fine with me. I’m happy to sweeten them up.

On the other side of the yard, two new little friends popped up last summer. As you might imagine, they got in on the act pretty quickly. They use me for sweets, too! Or do they? I don’t think any of them “use me” in the sense the world might define that term. They don’t take advantage of it; in fact, they are all very thankful. I do think the Lord is using me in their little lives. They’re not just dropping by for a cookie, they’re sharing their little hearts too, and boy, is it fun to listen…

“Hey, Miss Dina…guess what?” Then they proceed to share with me all kinds of sweet little tidbits that are happening in their lives. Who’s had a sibling, who’s got new shoes, who just woke up from a nap and is grumpy, who found a snake (keep that at home). They are so funny! Especially when I’m not at home and they question me with, “Miss Dina, where were you? We came and you weren’t here.” All that to say, last week they really surprised me when two of them brought me cupcakes. “Hi, Miss Dina, we made you cupcakes, thanks for everything you’ve done for us.”

Precious babies. I wonder if they know how much fun it is for me? I’ll never tell…and don’t you either.

Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9:36-37 (NKJV)

Dina Seaton
Marketing Assistant, Staff Writer

P.S. By the way…it’s not just me that spoils the little ones…when my son was their age, our Keswick neighbor (she shall remain nameless, but her initials are S.M.!) used to hang a whole package of Oreos from our door knob for him to find. He loved it, and still remembers her for it.

A couple of months ago we came through the Easter season. On Good Friday morning I was reading again the account recorded on those last days and hours of Jesus’ earthly life. Like you I am very familiar with the account so it would be easy to gloss over the details.

I came upon this statement, “And Peter was following him at a distance…” Matthew 26:58.

As others look on, would they say I follow Jesus at a distance?

Before I became a Christian, I heard some friends say they were “closet Christians.” “It’s private and personal” they said. I passed it off as making sense because, after all, what did I know, I wasn’t a Christian.

But now, nearly 30 years later, I realize that is not faith — not genuine, vibrant, living faith.

I am reminded of 2 verses:

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26

If I am a Christ-follower – then may my walk look like it, up close and personal!

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.

Recently I was listening to the book of Nehemiah on CD. Nehemiah is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Nehemiah had been taken into captivity and was serving as cupbearer to the King Artaxerxes. He must have taken his job very seriously and did it to the best of his ability. He clearly developed a relationship of respect with the king whom he served, for the king was concerned when Nehemiah appeared sad in his presence (Nehemiah 2:1).

Now Nehemiah was not supposed to appear sad before the king. He was there to serve the king, so when the king asked him why he was sad, he was afraid. Nehemiah did not let fear overtake him. He prayed to the God of heaven (Neh.2:4).

Fear, in this case, can be defined as distressing negative sensation induced by a perceived threat, or impending danger.

Despite the presence of fear, Nehemiah never lost sight of his God or his homeland. He was concerned for the city of Jerusalem, which was lying desolate and the gates destroyed. He did his job and he honored the king whom he served, but he still had his eyes fixed on what I believe the Lord had put on his heart, to go home and rebuild the city. He had thought about it so much he had a plan prepared and ready to release as soon as the king asked, “What can I do for you?” (Neh. 2: 6-9).

But the enemy of all who love God was not happy with the favor on Nehemiah or the plan to rebuild. He did all he could to stop this work. The one thing that stood out to me over and over was the fact that the enemy tried to stop the work from the very beginning through fear. But each time Nehemiah met that fear and quite literally refused to receive it. He prayed and he pressed on in another kind of fear, Fear of Lord. Fear of the Lord means to be in awe or reverence of God.

He quietly did his inspections (Neh. 2:12-13), he would not give in to the fear that the wall was not sturdy enough (Neh. 3-4), and he would not give in to fear when the enemy was planning to fight against them (Neh. 4:8-9). Over and over the pattern repeats itself, the enemy tries to raise fear and Nehemiah responds in prayer and pressing on toward the goal. Because the leader was so confident of the work God had for them and would not give in to fear and intimidation, the people did not give in to fear either. Of course he did have to encourage them and address the fears by preparing for war, but he also reminded the people that they did not need to be afraid but rather “remember the Lord who is great and awesome”. The result of all of this was the people had a mind to work (Neh. 4:6), the wall was rebuilt (Neh. 7:15) and God was honored as the people read His word, repented and recommitted themselves unto the Lord (Neh. 8-10).

Why do I share all of this? As I reflected upon this I realized the enemy does the same thing to us. We can be at the forefront of a blessing or in the midst of what we know is a God assignment and we allow fear to overtake us. We fall into doubt, unbelief and we lack faith. I am challenged as I review this book to look fear in the eye and refuse to allow it to rule me, distract me or discourage me. Rather I am challenged to seek the Holy Spirit as to how I should respond, in other words first of all PRAY. Perhaps God would have me speak and press on toward the goal. Perhaps He will reveal something I did not know or He may tell me to be still and wait on Him. Whatever the next step is I know it is NOT to give in to fear and give up. The God we serve is the same God Nehemiah served. Dear ones, He is GREAT and AWESOME, He is FAITHFUL!!

Be blessed as you serve Him, with your sword (Bible) in one hand and with your other do the work the Lord has set before you.

Blessings,
Patricia Wenzel
WOC Graduate

In the midst of trial and suffering a dear sister-friend sent me an article titled: “In Need of Help”. Why? Because I am in need of help! I’m one who typically (according to my flesh) forgets to ask for help…at least initially I tend to go it alone…until. I decided to share this article with you for your own heart to glean and hopefully grow.

“It’s hard to admit your need of help. It’s hard to admit that there are things you do not know and do not understand. It’s hard to admit that there are things that you cannot do. It’s hard to reach out and cry out for help. It’s hard to confess to weakness and ignorance. It’s hard to have to depend on another for what you think you should be able to supply for yourself. It’s hard to talk about what you do not know and what you cannot do. It’s difficult to admit to poor judgment and wrong responses. It’s hard to receive correction and to confess to sin.

Why are these things so hard? Because we all like to buy into two very seductive lies. These lies argue against any need to be dependent and they bolster the independence that tends to attract us all. The first lie is the lie of AUTONOMY. Autonomy tells me that I am an independent being, with the right to do what I want to do, when, where, and how I want to do it. Now you may say, “Paul, I know well enough not to believe that!” Yet, every time you defend yourself against the correction of another or tell someone not to tell you what to do, you buy into this lie. The second lie is the lie of SELF-SUFFICIENCY. This lie tells me I have everything within myself to be what I am supposed to be and to do what I am supposed to do. Perhaps you’re thinking, “Okay, I do occasionally buy into my autonomy, but I definitely don’t think I’m self-sufficient!” Yet, each time you resist reaching out for help or each time you act like you’re okay when, in fact you’re not, you have bought into this lie.

Why are these two lies so wrong and so dangerous? Because the Bible clearly tells us that we are people who have been made for COMMUNITY. We were designed to live in worshipful community with God and humble community with people. We were never constructed to live all by ourselves. Even Adam and Eve needed God and one another. Think about this. They were perfect people, living in a perfect world, yet they were still needy because they were not created to live life on their own.

Remember, there are few people more influential in your life than you are because no one talks to you more than you do. You spend each day in constant conversation with you! And the things that you tell yourself shape what you do and say each day. Do you constantly remind yourself of your need of God and others? Do you tell yourself that it is good to admit weakness and to reach out for help? If you do, it is not a sign that something is wrong. No, by God’s definition, that kind of self-talk is a sign that something is very right.

How about beginning to pray these three prayers every morning:

1. “Lord, I am a person in desperate need of help today.”

2. “Lord, won’t you, in your grace, send your helpers my way.”

3. “And please give me the humility to receive the help when it comes.”

Are you intimidated by your weaknesses? Are you afraid to bare your needs to God and others? Don’t forget that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He came so that we would be able to experience peace with God and with others. He came so that we would no longer have to seduce ourselves with the delusions of autonomy and self-sufficiency. He came so that we could be the kind of people we were created to be, living in humble worship of him and humble dependency on others, right here, right now.”1

Stephanie Paul

Stephanie, 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.

1http://paultrippministries.org/ViewMail.aspx?p=09ID0F292226gBe321g7&mmid=F00GD322214c6FBIcGc