Yesterday I shared with you that I felt the Lord has challenged me this year to “know God” as indicated in 1 John 2:13a “I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning.” I believe this has been a call for me to “grow up” in my walk with the Lord. I believe the Lord has challenged me to know His Spirit in a deeper more personal way.

With that in mind, when I heard the following song I couldn’t help but jump up and make it mine. I invite you to review the lyrics of this song today and choose this day………. Is it time for you to GET UP and GROW UP too. Be blessed, know GOD, invite Holy Spirit to direct your life!!

Get Up
I’ve been bought with a price
I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb
I’ve got the love of the Father and His Spirit is living in me
Now I’m having done with my old ways
And I’m looking ahead to some new days
And I’m leaving behind my previous destiny.

I’m ready to get up, show up and speak up
Raise up a howl, put my hand to the plow
I won’t back down, back up, quit or let my love grow cold
I’m finished with tame faith, smooth knees, small dreams
No more mundane living or cinchy giving
I’ve grabbed ahold of the hem of His garment and I won’t let go

I’ve counted the cost
I have stepped across the line
I can’t be bought off, scared off, lured away or compromised
My way is straight and my road is narrow
I know He’s watching me cause His eye is on the sparrow
And I’m leaning on the everlasting arm until the storm goes by

No more murmuring and no complaining
No more excuses and no more blaming
No more fear or unbelief or mediocrity
I’m gonna get prayed up, paid up
Lord I’m gonna grow up
Whenever there’s a need, you can bet I’m gonna show up
And when Jesus comes for His bride
He won’t have any problem recognizing me.

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

Get Up
Words by Chuck Pierce and John Dickson
Music by John Dickson
2001 Glory of Zion International Ministries, Inc.
Available at http://www.gloryofzion.org

Every New Year I ask the Lord for a scripture from His Word that will direct me in my study of His Word. This year it was 1 John 2:13a “I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning.” As I began to seek more understanding and read more of the chapter, it appeared to me that God was telling me it was time to know Him in a deeper, perhaps even more personal way. My response was “YES LORD”!! Let me share with you a bit more of the scripture:

1 John 2:13-14 (NKJV)
I write to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
Because you have overcome the wicked one.
I write to you, little children,
Because you have known the Father.
I have written to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,
And you have overcome the wicked one.

It appears that as little children in the Lord we come to know Father God who loved us so much He sent His only Son to die for us. As we study the Word we learn to overcome Satan, and the things of this world become strangely dim. We become strong young men (and women) and the Word abides in us. This is good. But when we mature, the Word indicates we “know God”.

As I considered my “knowing God”, I began to seek what God meant for me. I realized of the three persons in the Trinity, the one I know least is Holy Spirit. I grew up in a liturgical church where Christianity was following a good deal of ritual and a set of rules. It wasn’t bad, but it was incomplete. Personal experience with a personal God was simply never presented to me. When I came to a personal relationship with Jesus and began to study the Word, the focus was on Christ, and the Word. This was good but again it was incomplete. Holy Spirit was mentioned only in passing. I had a sense that “things of the Spirit” were emotional, silly nonsense. The Holy Spirit miracles in the New Testament were for the New Testament church, those things no longer existed.

It was time for me to dig into the Word. I also found a book that helped me in my search by Dr. Robert Heidler, “Experiencing the Spirit”. What I found is that Holy Spirit is in the Word from Genesis to Revelation. Holy Spirit plays a vital part in the work of God on earth.

Bill Bright, who was the President of Campus Crusade for Christ and a leading evangelical speaker, wrote of the Spirit’s ministry: “He guides us (John 16:13), empowers us (Micah 3:8) and makes us holy (Romans 15:15). He bears witness in our lives (Romans 8:16), comforts us (John 14:16-26), gives us joy (Romans 14:17). As our teacher of spiritual truths, the Holy Spirit illuminates our minds with insights into the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:12,13) and reveals to us the hidden things of God (Isaiah 40:13,14). As you are filled with the Holy Spirit, the Bible becomes alive, prayer becomes vital, your witness becomes effective and obedience becomes a joy. Then, as a result of your obedience in these areas, your faith grows and you become more mature in your spiritual life.” WOW!! No wonder Jesus told His disciples to “wait in the city until they were clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

Dr. Heidler presents so much in his book but here is just a sampling: “The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He has intellect (1 Cor. 2:10, 11), a full range of emotions (Romans 15:30; Hebrews 10:29), He teaches (John 14:26); He speaks (Galatians 4:6), He prays (Romans 8:26). We can grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30) and He can be disobeyed (Act. 7:51).”

Today I invite you to seek a deeper “knowing” of Holy Spirit. Take a fresh look with me and review the scriptures listed above. Perhaps it is the time God will use us to be the generation that will partner with our almighty God and see the restoration of the ministry of Holy Spirit.

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

Bill Bright, The Holy Spirit: The Key to Supernatural Living (San Bernardino: Here’s Life Publishers, Inc. 1980) pp116, 121

Robert Heidler, Experiencing the Spirit (Regal, 1998) Chapter 1

“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

Why do you do what you do? Where does your motivation come from to do or not to do certain things? Unfortunately, often the answer lies in who we are trying to please, who we are trying to make happy or win over. Or maybe it’s to look good to you, to please yourself. Maybe you are you trying to please a boss, a spouse, or maybe a child, and in the process you end up frustrated, unhappy and/or confused?

Is it possible you are trying to keep up with the Jones’? The groomed lawn, the car, the attire, etc… Problem is – there is no end to that. Do you try to live your Christian life the same way someone else does? Worship or sing the same songs someone else does?

Are you seeing a pattern here? Do you not do anything outside of the observation of who it will please or how others will see you? God has another way. We are not to be about comparison and measuring up to others. When we look at our lives we need to ask ourselves – in doing this who am I trying to please? As Christ’s children and servants our desire should be only to please God – to love and live as He did. Are you living in holiness, in humility, in peace? Are you being faithful to His call and Words?

In Christ we have all we need, and He will supply as we need it to do His work, not our work or the work of others.

Meditate on these verses as you think about your life and whose approval you are seeking.

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Col. 3:17 (ESV)

“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 (ESV)

“…but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thess. 2:4 (ESV)

“…not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,” Ephesians 6:6 (ESV)

May we each learn to daily lay aside our need to please man, and live only to bring Him honor and glory and point others to Him.

Lynne Jahns
Christian Counselor

One morning as I sat down to do my morning Scripture reading, I picked up a book sitting next to my chair – “Circle Makers” by Mark Batterson. I just flipped through the yet-unfinished half and my eyes dropped to the phrase – LIVE UNOFFENDED.

My eye briefly scanned a sentence or two and was drawn to the idea of God’s sovereignty. That thought stuck with me — live unoffended. Oh, how much time, energy and effort are wasted by mulling over a perceived offense? I’ve had people come back to me and say – “I passed you on Tuesday (2-3 days prior) and you didn’t say ‘Hi’ – are you upset with me?” I wouldn’t even remember seeing them. Oh, but I’m just as guilty, thinking I know why someone did or said something or didn’t do or say something. OH, WHAT A WASTE! And we are probably wrong.

When we carry an offense –
1. It drains our energy
2. It distracts our attention
3. It is a result of living life focused on self
4. We are failing to love others as we love ourselves
5. It is sin

As I thought about it, in a sense – living unoffended is an acknowledgement and evidence of a life fully submitted and surrendered to the sovereignty of God, unwilling to waste time dwelling on a perceived offense which the enemy wants to blow way out of proportion to keep us distracted from what really matters — JESUS.

Oh, Lord, I want to live unoffended, unwilling to be robbed of that which is most important, most precious, not me, but Thee.

Blessings,
Diane

PS – When I read more carefully pg. 88-89 of Batterson’s book the concept of living unoffended was referring to not being offended by God when He answers others’ prayers and not yours, but for me that morning – this was the lesson God wanted me to hear.

Early in Ezekiel’s writing, in the book with his name, God calls him to speak forth whatever words He puts in his mouth. At the time Ezekiel was in exile in Babylon along with the other displaced people.

Chapter 1 describes the first recorded vision Ezekiel had of God’s glorious presence. If you have time, read it trying to picture this vision as described. It isn’t an easy task. As I read it, probably more closely than I ever had, I couldn’t help but imagine the task it must have been for Ezekiel to put into words the glorious vision. Inspired by the Holy Spirit he recorded, in words, what must have generated a mixture of awe, confusion and reverent fear.

Ez. 1:28 Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Chapters 2 and 3 record God’s directions to Ezekiel to go to “…the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me.” 2:3

“The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God, ‘ And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them…And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.” 2:4-7

God clearly is telling Ezekiel to speak forth the words He puts in his mouth – even to this rebellious people, whether they will listen or not.

“…all my words that I shall speak to you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears. And go to the exiles, to your people, and speak to them and say to them, “Thus says the Lord God,’ Whether they hear or refuse to hear.” 3:10-11

When God calls us to share His word with another person – our responsibility is obedience to our Savior, our commander, our God. It is not our responsibility to discern their response; that’s God’s responsibility.

The people described in verse 4-7 don’t sound all that different from many people we know.

I think often what happens when prompted by God to share the gospel is we clam up because “what if they get mad or make fun of me or reject me or ask questions I don’t know the answers to…” So rather than step out in faith, we disobey in fear (in other words we rebel in our refusal).

If God calls us to share His truth with those that will refuse it – let US obey and let THEM be the rebels.

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.

2 Corinthians 5:8b (NLT)
…for then we will be at home with the Lord.

It was a rainy night, cold and dark, and we needed to head out right after a long day at work… to attend to our many errands we had scheduled for that night. The rain and the darkness added to the mood of the night. I leaned over to my husband and said, “Tonight is a night that I really feel like just going home.” It was one of those intense nights when you just needed to be “home.”

There is no place like home….how many times have we heard this phrase or even shared this thought with someone. As children we watched a show where it was stated over and over again …”there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.” The older I get the more tender those words have become for me.

What is “home” to you? It is a feeling, a place or a building or maybe something that is so indescribable but so wonderful to you? Home is what makes you feel good, safe, secure and warm…as they say a place to hang your hat. Home is what we long for or we would not get “homesick” at times.

Home to me is my safe haven, a warm cozy place, a place where I feel like I belong, and a place like no other. It is a place where I can feel welcomed every time I walk in the front door. I can be greeted by a family who loves and accepts me for who I am. It is a place that feels familiar, and the sights, sounds and even smells are something that I enjoy and long to be around.

How many times have we been at the bedside of a sick friend or relative or at their funeral and heard it said that they are in a better place….that they are “home” now. Or even a person who is not well has referred to the fact that they just want to go “home”. Where is this “home” that they are referring to? That feeling or longing to go home to a safe, secure place, a place with a sense of freedom, a place again so indescribable, but you know that you want to be there.

Take a minute and imagine with me a new home…will you be there with me? I am in the process of having a mansion built for me. I know it will be just the right size, shape and color. The builder knows my every need and He will have prepared a place for me that is so perfect that I could not want anything else. The minute I walk through the gate I will know that I am “Home”. I will be surrounded by my brothers and sisters. I will love the sights, sounds and smells to the point that I will want to stay there for eternity. Someday I will walk streets made of gold and call it home. Are you ready to go to this home if the Lord were to call you? Have you done your housework so to speak? Have you made things right with Him so that when it is time to go “Home”, you will be ready? As the verse above states…….for then we will be at home with the Lord.

Lynn Wilson

Lynn Wilson a wife and a mother of two boy; currently on Staff at America’s Keswick. For several years she has been involved in her local church and hosts her own women’s ministry in her home, called Thumb Print Ministries. Her mission statement would be to…touch one life so in turn they can touch a life for eternity. Her greatest joy is to go home at the end of her work day and cook up soups from scratch and other homemade goodies for her family.

FYI…If you are not aware, Keswick has numerous resource brochures on topics ranging from Abuse to Worry. They are available for download on our website or you can contact me to order them. Today I want to focus on the one entitled Acceptance. I have to say that it’s not normally the one on the literature rack that empties out the most. This is one of the reasons I’m choosing it.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not always as accepting as the Lord would like me to be. I’m not talking about acceptance of just any old thing that comes your way. But there are things that the Lord is doing in my life and in yours that, like it or not, He is doing them. HE IS. Should we not accept all that comes from and though His nail-scarred, loving hands? Job’s wife didn’t think so, but Job did.

Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all of this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:9-10 (NKJV)

This is a small excerpt from the resource Acceptance written by Diane Hunt:
“Discontentment, anger, frustration, distraction, worry, strife, depression, etc., can all be indicative of a person who has failed to accept God, his circumstances, or other people…

It highlights areas such as:
Accepting Our Circumstances,
Accepting Others and Five Hindrances to Accepting Others: Pride, Self-righteousness, Anger, Unforgiveness, and Disobedience

Take heart…it also covers:

How to Change: Repent, Pray, Check your second thought, Be thankful.
And it closes with a challenge:

“Change is possible. Not until the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of changing will we ever change. Start today.”

I hope you’ll consider looking into this further and all the other resources we have available.

Dina Seaton
Marketing Assistant, Staff Writer

So sorry yesterday’s Victory Call did not go out. Please go to http://www.americaskeswick.org and click on blogs at the top of the page to read it – it was a good one!

Deut. 31:6 (LBT) “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

I love the statement “Do not panic before them.” I think this should be the official verse for speakers and preachers. The earlier part of the verse says we should be strong and courageous. I wrote previously about being strong and showing strength.

In our Christian lives, we can show courage by being willing to take a stand as a Christian. At times, that takes a lot of courage, such as when others are watching or when others say something about being a Christian.

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines courage as: “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty”1

Do you have the courage to take a Christian position on a controversial issue?

We stay in the same RV park in mid-state California at basically the same time each year. A few years back we arrived at the park earlier than normal. We saw people hanging a banner that was very familiar to us. It was a banner for a national homosexual group. I didn’t see this as an issue until a man whom I assumed was a homosexual parked right next to us. My husband reached out to him by helping him park and talking with him at length. However, I stayed in our motorhome, and I did not feel very friendly toward him.

The following Sunday, God spoke to me during the service. On the way home from church, I said, “God wants me to be friendly to my neighbor.” I asked God to show me ways I could be friendly to my neighbor. I baked a loaf or bread for him, and my husband offered to be his photographer and take his picture. With the bread, we included a copy of Roses In December and a business card which included my e-mail address.

The next morning, the man tapped on my window and mouthed “thank you.” I later received an e-mail from him in which he listed every kindness we had offered toward him. He also stated that this was his first trip since his partner had died. Regardless of the fact that he was living the homosexual lifestyle, he was grieving! And God knew I knew how to help him! For the past three years, we have been in regular contact via e-mail.

Did it take courage to befriend this man? You bet! Would it seemingly have been easier to remain in my RV and not extend myself? Oh my, yes. After a few e-mails he commented, “It’s so nice to find someone who thinks like I do.” Once again I had to call on the courage that God had promised. I wrote back, “I must make this very clear; I DO NOT think as you do. I believe the Bible states you are living in sin by living in a homosexual lifestyle, but I also believe that the Bible instructs me as a Christian that I am to show love to you, NOT your lifestyle.” I did not feel very courageous and I had no idea how he would respond to my position. I soon got an e-mail back, “I respect you telling me of your position, and I love you!”

Remember the promise in Deuteronomy 31:6: “For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” And He will never break His promise.

Marilyn Willett Heavilin

Marilyn is a wife and mother, author, and international conference and retreat speaker. She and her husband Glen serve as Counselors-in-Residence at America’s KESWICK during the summer months.

1 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courage

In numerous places in the Scripture we are told to HOLD FAST – Hang on, don’t let go, no matter what, cling, cleave, hang on tight. What are you holding tight today?

You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. Deuteronomy 10:21

You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 13:4

…hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God. Hosea 12:6

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Romans 12:9

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you-unless you believed in vain. 1 Corinthians 1:1

…test everything; hold fast what is good. 1 Thess 5:21

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Hebrews 4:14

…hold fast to the hope set before us. Hebrews 6:18

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

Only hold fast what you have until I come. Revelation 2:25

I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. Revelation 3:11

Hold fast sister till your knuckles are white!! Don’t let go. Hold HIM fast.

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.

Ps. 71:18 “Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.”

Well, I finished! The rewrite of Becoming A Woman Of Honor is done. It is now called Profound Common Sense and is written to both men and women. So wouldn’t you know that Psalm 71:18 was the first verse I saw after I finished the laborious work of compiling the book. I AM old (at least I feel old) and grayheaded (in case you haven’t noticed.) That is my heartfelt cry, “O God, forsake me not” at least “not until I have shown your strength to this generation, and to all generations that are to come.” So how do you show “strength”?

I think I show the strength that God has given me by being known as a “survivor.” People can see that God has given me endurance. I have walked through a great deal of trauma. I can show God’s strength also through my faith in my God. I often think of Job’s statement, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:”

I can also show His strength through my actions. When I am facing trouble, do I show strength by showing faith in God? Do you turn to God immediately when you are facing trouble, or is He turned to as your last resort?

“Dear Lord, help me think of You immediately rather than trying to solve my problems on my own. Please help me not to treat you as my last resort, but I want my very first response to be to turn to You. Thank You, Amen.”

Marilyn Willett Heavilin

Marilyn is a wife and mother, author, and international conference and retreat speaker. She and her husband Glen serve as Counselors-in-Residence at America’s KESWICK during the summer months.