Sonshine!

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

Matthew’s narrative, or good news, is to show Jesus as the true and awaited King beginning with the record of genealogy in verses 1-17. This short little moment in time steps away from ages of Who’s Who and into the intimacy of what Mary knew long before any of the rest of us did. Remember, Matthew is writing his words after the fact, Mary was in ‘living color’.

To what degree Mary was given the detailed facts of Jesus’ purpose may never be fully revealed, but what is known is her great faith in a God that is loving and kind and holds her future, her child’s, and all of mankind’s, in His hands. Mary’s God is alive, personal and actively working in the world both then and now.

There are so many ways God could have fulfilled His promise of Salvation but He chose faith, love and sacrifice. This is how Jesus came from Heaven to earth and how He returned. We must do likewise.

Have a great day!

Gretchen

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the LORD’s people. Ephesians 6:18

Prior to this verse, Paul gives perfect instruction for victory in defensive spiritual warfare, the Full Armor of God. Don’t go to battle without your gear! Protect your soul but then do a little warfare on the enemy. Verse 18 turns to the offense. Pray! The one thing satan, the enemy, does not want you to access is the power and strength found only in prayer.

Your ‘go to’ reaction to every stimuli in your life should be prayer. On all occasions pray. Worship, praise, implore, petition, confess, commune and intercede, but PRAY!

We’ve got our game plan, offense and defense, we’re set for the win!

Have a great Wednesday!

Gretchen

It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows His blessing, even life forevermore. Psalm 133:3

These beautiful words are the final words of a three verse Psalm. Identified as one of the wisdom Psalms and a Psalm of David, it calls for peace and unity among family and community. Harmony is placed as a priority.

Mt. Hermon marks today’s northern boundary of Palestine. Its snow caps can be seen from great distances making it a tremendous landmark. Refreshing breezes blow from its cool heights across the heat of the lowlands, spring melting feeds summer’s lakes and rivers, morning dew is a refreshing respite in the arid and desolate deserts.

Peace, like all other things of great value, is difficult to find and obtain, but once achieved it is a treasure of unfathomable worth. It completely changes the quality of life. Peace, where the LORD bestows His blessing…..life evermore.

Love,

Gretchen

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

The reference to ‘new’ in this scripture has many facets. First, the old covenant of law has been replaced by a new life giving covenant of love. Second, while Jesus was human we were connected to things of this earth, but through the death and resurrection we have a new life eternal. Lastly, we are made new through Christ’s blood. When Jesus rids you of your sin, the only thing left from the past is the skin you’re in!!! You are new…. not remodeled, not repurposed, not re-anything!!! You are new!

New is completely irrelevant if you cannot put the old away. The two cannot exist together. Choose a new life in Christ!

Love,

Gretchen

These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm-shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted- twice dead. Jude 1:12

Einstein defined insanity as, “Doing the same thing over and over but expecting to get different results.” If this is the case then sin is insanity.

Jude, a brother to Jesus, did not believe/comprehend Jesus as the Messiah until the resurrection. After becoming a believer himself, Jude ministered to the converted Jews of Jerusalem. False teaching infiltrated the church leadership and Jude took immediate action with this letter. He gave harsh descriptions of their character: A shepherd that lets their flock starve? Trees that take up space in the orchard, yet produce no fruit?

Sin has great charisma and no ethic, a toxic combination through the ages. Although attractive and hard to resist, believers are not left defenseless to resist evil. Through faith we can and must call on the strength of the LORD.

Love,

Gretchen

But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9

Hebrews is known as the sermonic epistle. The writer has an absolute mission to thoroughly deliver the story of salvation.

For a very brief moment in history Christ shared our human nature, and then He died. Death brings an end to earthly everything. It is incredibly hard to fathom an eternity we know little of, while resting all our hope upon its existence. The space and time between Heaven and earth never seems broader than in times of deepest grief but then peace that passes all understanding washes over us in a comforting wave and by faith all is made clear.

While on earth satan waged all his powers against Jesus. He withheld nothing to defeat the purpose of God through Jesus. Satan DID NOT want Jesus to give His life for yours. But He did. The moment Jesus drew his final breath, satan lost! Then, on that glorious resurrection morning, His sacrificial love changed the face of the world. Death lost all its sting.

Death is nothing but the end of satan’s grip. God’s redeeming and saving power has been assured because Jesus left Heaven and tasted death for us all.

Have a wonderful and powerful Friday!

Gretchen

This is what the LORD says: “Cursed are those who trust in mortals, who depend on flesh for their strength and whose hearts turn away from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5

God’s chosen people have repeatedly turned away from God’s sovereign rule, also known as love. Earthy treasure habitually becomes far more important than the Provider. The proceeding verses in chapter 17 tell the story of children that know more about pagan gods than they do the God of Israel.

This is going to get ugly so be ready. If your children can name media stars, professional athletes and know how to shop for name brand clothing, but don’t know Abraham from Moses…..there is a serious problem in their life and yours.

I’m not done. If they know McDonalds from Burger King by their logos, yet they don’t know why church steeples have crosses on them……..we have a problem.

Here’s good news! It is easily fixed! There is nothing more valuable and important on this earth than God’s Holy word and His community of believers. DON’T MISS HEAVEN FOR THE WORLD!

I really love each of you!

Gretchen

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins. Colossians 2:13

The Christian community at Colossae was being led astray by false teaching. Jewish mysticism had become a serious problem. These mystics wanted a return to Jewish customs, and proclaimed they could move in and out of Heaven and visit with the angels. A residual arrogance appeared, removing Christ as the center of worship.

Paul, a Jew, sets the record straight! Circumcision, the irreversible physical distinction between Jewish men and all others on earth, is NOT what brings about salvation. God sent His Son who brought everlasting life through His death. Only one way to Heaven? Yes! Through the cross! This is worthy of great praise and worship.

Have a great Midweek!

Gretchen

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25

There must have been marital issues in the early church. There must have been disputes about who got to have the last word, and it must have been ugly or Paul would not have written these words of instruction. Christian homes are not exempt from gender role issues. However, who is designated a slave and who has the right to be a petty tyrant isn’t Paul’s directive. It is unity rooted in LOVE!

The scripture proceeding this states, “Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” There is no mention of the word LOVE in this verse, but I go to church and submit myself to worship and service because I LOVE the One that died for me! Christian community, especially families should model a right relationship with Jesus and each other. (For appropriate definitions of love see I Corinthians 13)

Years, (I mean years!) ago my stay at home mother became ill with the flu. During her incapacitation my dad made the best potato soup I ever remember tasting for four little children! He kept up with the dishes and the laundry too. It wasn’t about who was meant to do what, it was about taking care of this important and intimate relationship. He acted out of love. In turn, my mother packed the household more than once and stepped into the unknown because dad felt the call of Christ to go into a new community and spread the Gospel. Her actions were indicative of her great faith in her Savior and the husband called to serve. It’s all about love!

Have a great Tuesday!

Gretchen

Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.” Genesis 4:1

When I was a young adult studying to be a teacher I had to take a class called Child Development. Covering everything from conception to puberty and all the nature versus nurture in between was quite alarming. Simple math gave me concern that by the time 3% of children have hearing impairment, 3% have vision impairment, 3% have this or that and so on……upwards of 100% of children suffer from disease or handicap! What did I take away from this? Mankind is a miracle!

When Eve gave birth to her first born, she gazed down and saw the wonder that he was. Every tiny fingernail and every curl on his head was a most precious gift from God, a miracle. And the curse of child birth was totally irrelevant. Her baby was perfect in every way!

The human race is so much more than the result of sex. We habitually take our existence and others for granted, but you are not the will of man, you are the loving act of God. Gaze upon yourself as Eve sees the first man born of flesh and then look around. With the help of the LORD we are here. Chins up! We are a wonder, full, miracle!

Love,

Gretchen