It’s Time to Claim What’s Ours!

Of all the people on the earth, God chose Abram. He called him out of his land, his family, and his idol-worshipping background. Then the Lord cut a covenant with him.

He promised to be Abram’s shield and to give him an exceedingly great reward (Gen. 12:1)—i.e. to be His protector and His provision. Furthermore, He promised to give him vast land holdings and descendants as numerous as the stars.

As if that weren’t enough, God promised to be intimate with him. He said, “I will be your God, and you will be My people.” He used possessive pronouns to describe the relationship. The promises were made to Abram and to his children for generations.

Abram, later renamed Abraham, had it made. The Almighty God promised to care for him and to have his back. And his descendants were included too.

After the ritual of cutting the covenant, the Lord further clarified the boundaries of the land that was promised to Abraham.

Genesis 15:18-21 says, “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates–the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”

Abraham didn’t have descendants yet, and somebody else would live in that land for a while—even for generations. But God said, “To your descendants I have given this land.” To God, it was a done deal. He already gave it to them, His chosen people.

The boundaries ran from the Nile in Egypt, to the Euphrates River. The rivers mark the Fertile Crescent, from Egypt all the way from the southeastern point of the Mediterranean Sea, up the Mediterranean Sea and curving in the shape of a crescent, down past Babylon to the Persian Gulf. The route through the Fertile Crescent was over 1,600 miles. The land of the Hittites was also included, extending the territory north and northeast of the Mediterranean.

The land encircled by the crescent is not choice land. It’s full of rocks or is desert. Today it would roughly contain Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, parts of Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and the southeastern part of Turkey. That’s quite a territory. And it is the location of the oil wells that have made those nations rich and the people who are determined to wipe Israel off the map.

Even though it was all declared Israel’s, they never settled beyond the strip along the eastern Mediterranean. They didn’t hold to God’s words, “To your descendants I have given this land.”

Instead, they were satisfied with a little strip along the beach. Pagans maintained possession of the rest of their land.

We could exclaim over how short-sighted and foolish they were to not conquer what God had promised. But first, we need to look inward?

Through Jesus Christ, we are part of a new and better covenant. He has given us better promises. He is still our provider and protector, He paid the debt for our sins offering freedom for true intimacy, He is with us always, promised us peace and joy—and so much more.

But, of the riches He’s promised, how much have we—His chosen—claimed? Are we settled in the fullness of the Promised Land? Or are we camping on the beach, struggling to keep our heads up?

How often do we strive without taking thought to claim His protection and/or provision, His strength, grace, or blessings? His peace and joy? Do we really trust Him in all things?

He desires to give us the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Mt.16:19). It’s ours. But, if we’re content where we are, He’ll let us pitch out tents on the beach just as the descendants of Abram did.

Jesus has already done it all. If we’ve claimed Him as our Lord and Savior and are among the chosen, it’s already ours.

But we must believe, seek His face, and step forth in faith.

The New Testament is full of riches we have in and through Jesus Christ. I cannot cover it here, but God tells us, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).

It’s time to claim what’s ours.

Lord, thank you for choosing me. Help me to love you more. Forgive me for my contentment and shortsightedness. Open my eyes and ears to see and hear what You have prepared for me. Give me the faith to follow You without reservation and to know the fullness of life in you. May Your kingdom come, Your will be done, and Your name be glorified through me.

A Simple Secret to Hurry Spring

This time of year, I look for Spring. I’m ready for sunshine and daffodils.

If I’m not careful, short, cold, gloomy days pull me down. When one melancholy day leads to another, motivation and energy drag. Reason fights to stay up and be responsible; to change the mood, but it doesn’t necessarily come easily.

But, I’ve found a secret to fight the blahs. It’s not new and it’s simple, but it works.

Gratefulness is the key. I give thanks.

Sometimes, I start with the simple things. Things like a home, heat, and food in the fridge. That’s quickly followed by health, family, and caring friends. (When health is not so good, there’s always someone I know who is much worse off. Always something to be grateful for.)

Other times, I start with things that really matter. Things like a God who is love and who listens to me. One who is unchanging, faithful, and good all the time. I have a Savior, who gave His life to save my soul. He never leaves me, and guides me day by day. Gazing at Jesus and what He’s done for us leaves no room for gloom.

It doesn’t matter where you start; the list goes on and on. On any day, I have ample reason for Spring in my heart and in my step.

But it’s not quite that simple. There’s more.

Sometimes, mentally listing the things I’m thankful for helps, but doesn’t leave me reflecting the joy of the Lord. I need help to lift my heart over the hump–especially on days that are gloomy from relational problems instead of the weather.

The problem is that it’s possible to list things I’m thankful for without truly being grateful. When I’m really grateful, I bubble up inside and want to tell somebody the good news.

Accordingly, when I share the blessing that I’m thankful for, it multiplies my sense of gratitude. It quickens my joy and brightens my step.

If I’m drooping, whether from winter weather or a difficult situation, I need to count my blessings and then share one or two of them with somebody else. When I give testimony to God’s goodness in my life, it’s transformative.

I get stuck in melancholy because I’m stuck in looking at the circumstances. Verbally praising the Lord for His goodness lifts my eyes to Him, filling me with faith and hope. That’s what lifts my spirits

Spring is not far away. Indeed, “weeping (winter, gloom, suffering, pain) may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Ps. 35:2b, ESV). We can’t hurry the morning much less warmer days and daffodils, but we can hurry the spring in our hearts—and thus in our step.

Lord, help us be a fresh breath of Spring, even when in the midst of Winter.

Forward by Faith

A long time ago, in a far-away place—or so it seems—but, it was actually when we had two small children, Robert was in seminary in Atlanta, and we lived in student family housing. Our apartment building had six connected units lined up side-by-side. The building was perpendicular to the parking lot, so the family in the sixth unit had to pass all five others to get to their car, class, or anywhere, except in the woods.

On the other side of the sidewalk, was a strip of grass that was narrowed near the parking lot and edged by a wooded lot. A playground nestled in the trees.

It was a supportive community. Mothers visited while children played hop scotch, rode big wheels, rolled down the hill, or climbed monkey bars. Birds chirped and squirrels chased each other through tree tops It was a perfect setting to rear children.

Apparently, a squirrel thought so too. He decided to build a nest on a limb that hung over the sidewalk between apartment #1 and the playground. (Note: Male squirrels build the nests, but don’t help with the babies.) He was the center of attention as he gathered twigs and scampered down the limb to weave them into a nest.

Every time we went down the sidewalk, we looked for our new friend and checked the nest for progress. Everybody anticipated baby squirrels scampering about, and he became the topic of conversation.

But there was a problem. Twelve adults and approximately twenty-five children passed under the limb every time they went anywhere—and most families made multiple trips daily. Furthermore, big wheels, tricycles, and bikes made their turn-around just beyond that limb. There was a lot of traffic under the nest.

It complicated the squirrel’s progress. If he was on the limb and somebody got too close, he’d freeze, flattening himself from his nose to the tip of his tail, trying to disappear. He resumed work only after he knew danger had passed.

We limited bikes, big wheels, and play time on that end of the sidewalk. But, life continued, and we couldn’t stay indoors. The sidewalk was our entrance to the world.

After each interruption, the squirrel stayed frozen in place longer and longer. We wondered if the nest would be ready in time for babies that were likely on the way.

Then, one day, we didn’t see the squirrel. We watched for days, but he was gone.

We had been rooting for the squirrel, eagerly awaiting the babies he prepared for. We didn’t wish him harm. But that didn’t matter. The squirrel left because of imagined danger.

Were there babies? Were they cute? Did they survive? We don’t know. He was gone.

What I do know is that I’ve been like that squirrel. At times I’ve been uncomfortable, froze, and wished to disappear. The risk seemed too great to venture forth. I preferred to hide. To stay quiet. I was frightened by perceived danger.

I’m not proud to say that it’s happened when I’ve had an opportunity to share the hope and joy within me, to witness of God’s goodness. Fears of being too forceful, strong, or offensive caused me to hesitate, or stay quiet, rather than sharing the joy that is within me.

However, when I give in to imagined fear, it costs me. I know I’ve disappointed God, and missed the chance to plant seeds toward building the kingdom of God. cOver the years, I’ve grown better at seeing that my fears are mostly fantasy fears. They’re baseless and costly. I’ve learned that if God opens a door, He’ll be with me to walk through it.

Consequently, with a prayer that I can be a blessing to someone else in spite of my discomfort, I try to hold tightly to God’s hand and venture forth.

When I make that choice, God is always with me. I’ve forged new friendships, grown in confidence in God and myself. Furthermore, I’ve missed God’s blessing and my opportunity to bless others, along with the joy and satisfaction from seeing God at work in somebody else’s life.

Recognizing danger is important to avoid harm. However, if we let it, imagined danger distracts and prevents us from attaining God’s goals and experiencing fullness of life, as well as receiving God’s blessing.

On the other hand, mustering courage to walk through fearful situations opens opportunities to grow in the Lord, know Him better, and participate in building His kingdom.

As Philip Nation said, “The mission of God is never advanced by men & women of caution. Count the cost. Take the leap of faith. Risk it all.””

Lord, give us courage and strength to not be like the squirrel on the limb, but to walk forward in faith and not be hindered by imagined fears.

This Will Be a Sign to You

As the shepherd’s watched their sheep, an angel appeared and said, “Don’t be afraid,” and told them that the Savior, Christ the Lord was born. The Jewish people had longed for the Savior to appear, so this was big news for the lowly shepherds.

As if to reassure them it was true, the angel continued, “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Lu. 2:11-12).

When God gives specific directions, it’s nice to have a sign to reassure us it’s God speaking.

However, the sign promised the shepherds wasn’t evident. They couldn’t see the baby in the manger until—and unless—they left their flocks in the field and went to Bethlehem. As they made that trip into town, I wonder if they thought about how foolish they would feel if they couldn’t find the stable or if there was no baby when they got there.

It took faith to look for the sign. But they went. They “came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger” (Lu. 2:16).

If they hadn’t responded in faith, they wouldn’t have been the first ones to greet the newborn King. We wouldn’t read and sing about them every year or dress our children in costumes to act out the scene.

We know about the shepherds because they had faith to act before they saw the sign.

Many years earlier, Moses found himself with a similar choice. Exodus 3 tells about God speaking to Moses from a burning bush and telling him to go to Egypt, confront Pharaoh, and bring the children out of Egypt. Moses balked.

In response, God said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain” (Ex. 3:12).

Indeed, the day did come when Moses served the Lord on the mountain with all of Israel, but Moses met with great difficulties first.

Moses went through very difficult times between the time he heard God’s call and when he saw the confirming sign from God. The children of Israel murmured, complained, and blamed Moses, and Pharaoh refused to let them go.

Fortunately, Moses persevered through many obstacles, and eventually led Israel to freedom. In addition, his faith grew as he saw the power and the mighty acts of God. However, if he hadn’t trusted God, obeyed, and returned to Egypt, he would have remained a nobody in the desert, and Israel would be remained enslaved unless God called another deliverer.

Accounts of Moses and the shepherds lead me to wonder how much I miss seeing God’s salvation, because I wait for a sign before I take action.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).

In the fall, I felt God was asking me to lead a weekly class that is totally outside my comfort zone, and it seems to me is beyond my ability. I drug my feet waiting for someone else to volunteer. Like Moses, came up with excuses and hoped for reprieve. But God didn’t release me. He burdened me by giving me hope for the future of people in a difficult place and convicted me that He chooses to use those who feel inadequate–like me.

I’m hanging in there and learning. Some weeks it’s exciting. Others, I feel like a failure. Meanwhile, I pray that seeds are being planted and we will see the might and power of God. In it all, I want to be faithful, even if I don’t see a sign from God.

I believe God’s call to action is often for small things, like calling to check on someone, taking a meal, confronting or encouraging someone, writing a note, praying, or lending a helping hand. If we all—as the body of Christ—do our little parts, we can make a big impact in bringing others the salvation of God available through Jesus Christ.

If we don’t step out, we won’t experience God’s grace and power. We may hear reports of Him working through others, but we will miss the action. However, if we move forward in faith, we can be part of what God is doing, and feel the joy and fulfillment of being used to establish His kingdom.

Sometimes it helps to have a sign that God is going to act before we commit, but sometimes we are required to move forward without a sign. Our assurance and conviction needs to be from confidence in God. He is with us and is always faithful. Knowing that, we can leave the results to Him. Meanwhile, we will be blessed and grow in our faith as we are available to Him.

Our New Arrival

Months, or even years, of dreams, hopes, plans, and preparations precede the birth of a new arrival in a family.

I’m a grandma now, but I’ve recently experienced the dreams, hopes, plans, and preparation process. I’ve also waited expectantly for what sometimes seemed like an eternity, and it feels like I’ve been through labor.

But, the picture is misleading. Our new arrival is a book, not a baby. It was conceived forty years ago and is finally a reality.

In 1975 Robert and I learned about the ancient ritual of making a blood covenant. It deepened our faith and awakened our love for the Lord so much that Robert began studying to learn more.

Meanwhile, I encouraged him to write a book on the topic and prayed for years that it would happen. I even taped and transcribed five different seminars to help him get started. Then I realized that God wanted me to do the writing under Robert’s guidance.

We still get excited every time we read or share our findings. We’re thrilled that the book is finally available. We hope it will impact your life like it has ours.

The premise of the The Great Exchange: Bound by Blood is simple. When Abram asked God, “How can I know that I can believe you?” (Gen. 15:8), God cut a covenant with him to build his faith and to help him understand who God was/is.

The Great Exchange unlocks the mystery of the ancient covenant and its centrality to the Bible, revealing God’s commitment to love and care for His children.

After attending a seminar from which the book sprang, Kathryn said, “I have grown in my love for the Lord, my appreciation for what He’s done for me, and in my faith in a steadfast & Sovereign God!”

Our blessed new arrival can be a blessing for you as well. Just like Kathryn, us, and many more people, understanding the ancient ritual of covenanting can help you grow in your faith and love for the Lord.

Now is the time to buy. The price is reduced this week only. Learn more.

The Great Exchange front panel (1)-001

Buy Today and Save!

Regular retail price: $~~15.99~~

Buy now for only $9.99.

Don’t miss out. It will never be this low again.

“The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.” —Ps. 25:14

Is Faith Dwindling?

A recent Pew Research survey indicates that faith is dwindling in America. It revealed that the percentage of Americans who claim to be Christians decreased by 8%. Meanwhile, the number who say they don’t have any religious affiliation increased by 16%.

While many of the unaffiliated are young adults who never expressed belief or who left the faith of their childhood after leaving home, the group also includes older adults who once confessed to be Christian.

That report is disturbing. I’d like to know why. I also wonder if those who left the faith ever had a vital relationship with the Lord.

It’s easy to identify as a Christian because you identify with people who go to church. It can be a social identity rather than an identity with Jesus Christ. But that isn’t God’s definition of being a Christian.

The only way to Christianity is through Jesus, and He wants to share life with us as with a friend. Revelation 3:20, tells us that Jesus is knocking at the door, waiting for us to open it so He can have an intimate visit with us.

God enjoyed communion with Adam and Eve in the garden, but it was spoiled by sin. He reestablished fellowship with Abraham, with Moses, and with David, but every time, God’s people kept straying, turning their backs on Him.

Jesus paid the ultimate price so that we could enjoy intimacy with God through Jesus Christ. It’s about a living, growing relationship, but if we don’t know the cultural history of biblical times, we can’t understand the richness and depth of the relationship He desires.

As God told Abram He would give him the land, rather than rejoice, in response Abram asked, “How can I know I can believe you?” (Gen. 15:8).

God answered by making a covenant with Abram. He said, “Get three animals and cut them in half and lay them beside each other.” Because he understood covenant symbolism , Abraham knew he could believe what God said. In the seven exchanges of covenant, God defined Who He is and what His commitment was to Abram.

God’s answer transformed Abram from worshiping idols to a father who had faith to lay his beloved son on the altar as a sacrifice. Because of their covenant relationship, he didn’t hesitate to lay his son on the altar because he had faith that God would be his protection and provision.

Our understanding is lacking if we aren’t familiar with the ancient covenant ritual and the symbolism in its exchanges. Covenant is central to the Bible. Familiarity to the ritual helps understand God’s Word to us.

In 1975, Robert and I began to learn about covenant and to study the ancient ritual, how it influenced men of the Bible, and what it means for us today.

It has revolutionized our lives, and we want the same for you.

What w Great Exchange front panel 4_9_15 sm e have learned has just been released in a book, The Great Exchange:Bound by Blood.

If you (1) want to gain new insights in the Word, (2) desire a deeper faith, or (3) yearn for a closer relationship with God, check out The Great Exchange. Those are the three benefits we experienced and that we hear most often from others who have heard the teaching.

Abraham needed something solid to build his faith on. After God initiated the covenant, he learned to trust in a living, covenant-making, covenant-keeping God. We can see the results of faith in his actions.

The evidence of dwindling faith in our country and around the world indicate that today we need something to help build our faith. The Great Exchange: Bound by Blood is now available wherever books are sold.

Learn more about the blood covenant, about The Great Exchange, and what other people are saying about it.

What is God’s Work for You?

Do you sometimes wonder what God’s work Work in Progress sign 2 is for you? Do you ever feel like you’re drifting without purpose? Or are you overwhelmed by the demands of life? How do you find the work God has for you?

Someone who was following Jesus asked that very question, saying, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus’ response suggests that we may complicate the question.

“Jesus answered . . ., “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” (John 6:28-29).

Simple, huh? Just believe. The work that God wants us to do is believe in Jesus.

You say, “But that’s too simple. I thought you were talking about work.”

I was, and I am. Sometimes it’s real work to believe. I found belief to be hard when the pantry was low and the checkbook was too. It was even more difficult when I sat in the hospital waiting during Robert’s 2^nd heart attack. God did not give any assurance that Robert would survive.

However, the time it was hardest for me to believe was the period when I thought I couldn’t do anything right. I didn’t see how anybody could love me–especially God.

I grew up in a Christian family and had always known God’s blessing and His love. I also knew that “God so loved the world that He gave His only son” (John 3:16). Loving the world was one thing, but I couldn’t believe He could still love me–because I’d messed up too badly after experiencing His tender love.

I searched the Bible, but I couldn’t find where God said He loved me. I desperately wanted to believe, and I worked at it for weeks, but it was hard.

Consequently, I couldn’t stand myself and life was miserable.

One day, I finally escaped to be alone in the corner of a quiet park. I sat in the car, hiding under a big tree as I wrestled with God. Eventually, I said out loud, “I don’t deserve it, but I know You love me. I don’t understand it, and I can’t find it, but I know the Bible tells me so.”

It was work—hard work, but I chose to believe. That labor finally led to peace in my heart.

Your struggle is probably different. The nature of our struggles is irrelevant. No matter what the situations is, we choose what we believe in the midst of trials. We can place our trust in our own experience and understanding, or we can trust in what we know to be true of God, based on His Word—even if we can’t find it in the moment.

Either is work, but when we choose to believe in our own understanding, we are alone.

On the other hand, if we receive and believe the truth of God and accept it “not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, [it] performs its work in you who believe” (1 Th. 2:13). In those times when it’s difficult, if we choose to believe, the Sp I Believe irit of God helps us. He quickens His Word in us. In our weakness, He makes us strong and brings the peace and confidence that we long for.

That time of deep doubt about God’s love produced in me the foundation of an unshakable confidence in His love for me.

Any other work we do will not satisfy us if we don’t have a foundation of belief. Neither will it be pleasing to the Lord, because “without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 1:6).

Our work is to believe in Jesus Christ. From that foundation of faith, He can lead us to other work that will glorify Him.

Lord, “I do believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9: 24).

Four More Things That Steal Peace

I forgot about a radio interview this past week, scheduled for noon. My phone reminded me at 11:50. I scrambled to get rid of noise makers that might interfere, find information on the person interviewing me, and locate the telephone number.

I called in just two minutes before show time—only to reach a recording that said, “Your program is 1 hour 1 minute and 53 seconds away. Call back . . ..”

When the recording stopped, the line went dead. The set time had arrived, but there was nothing I could do but call back in an hour.

The frantic panic passed, but peace alluded me. I couldn’t work, because I couldn’t focus. Instead, I used the time to reconnect with God and find peace so I’d be ready for the interview.

An hour later, I was ready, called as instructed, and reached a person this time. He asked, “Is this _____?”

“No. I’m Kay Camenisch.” He didn’t seem to recognize my name, much less expect me. He said to call back in an hour. After we hung up, I called back and listened to the program as he interviewed someone else for fifteen minutes.

Then I had 40 minutes to brush aside my questions as to what was going on and to nestle into God and place my trust in Him before I placed the call again.

In retrospect, it all makes sense. The day before I had posted a blog listing Three Things That Steal Peace. Now I had a “life” illustration to accompany the listing of four more things that rob us of peace. I had already started today’s blog.

Four more things that block our peace are:

1. Bitterness

Bitterness leads to destruction and a lack of peace (Rom. 3:14, 16). When we’re bitter, we’re unhappy with the things God has allowed in our lives and thus cannot enjoy fellowship with Him. Therefore, God tells us to put away all bitterness (Eph 4:31).

2. Judgment

“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor? (Jam. 4:12). When we judge those around us, it destroys peace because we are competing with God for His place as judge.

3. Pride

“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1Pet. 5:5). The Lord designed us to depend on Him. When we think we can run our lives without Him, that’s pride. If we leave Him out, He will oppose us. However, when we humble ourselves before Him, we find grace and peace.

4. Doubt

When we doubt the goodness, care, and provision of God, our peace is replaced by fear and anxiety. However, when we have been “justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). This applies to daily life as well as to salvation.

It’d be easy to say I lost my peace because I forgot the interview, or because somebody messed up on what they told me, or that I can’t trust other people to get things right. Maybe there is an element of truth to some of that–especially that I was in a bind because I forgot.

However, my real issues were pride and fear.

I’d blown it, and I didn’t want to mess up. I want to impress the host and the listening audience. That’s pride. In addition, I was depending on myself to make it right. As I scrambled, I prayed that God would help—but I wouldn’t have been so frantic if I’d expected Him to work it out.

Once again, the Lord came through. The call was not late. Furthermore, I had time to settle down and turn my eyes and hope back on Him. I had time to replace pride and doubt with humility and faith. What looked like a delay in the appointment was God’s provision for me to find peace in Him.

The interview went well, even though it seemed obvious that the host had hurriedly gotten information about me from the internet. He was not familiar with the book at all, but he was very gracious and professional.

I lost my peace momentarily, but I quickly returned to a place of peace, because I generally experience peace in my life. I’m far from perfect in my walk. I still fail, but the Lord is faithful.

If we learn to recognize the traps and run to the Source of peace when we fail, He will always be there for us.

When you find yourself out of peace, what do you do?

Robert & Kay Camenisch encouraging and equipping relationships

1. Bitterness

2. Judgment

3. Pride

4. Doubt