Month: May 2020

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him.  Hebrews 11:6

The way of Holiness is faith. For those that did not touch the nail scars in His hands, you and I, faith is the only connection we have to the hope of resurrection.  Hope is not futile, neither is it passive.  The writer of Hebrews reminds us that it is in earnestly seeking God, faith in action, that we find Him and the peace that comes with His fellowship.

This scripture is part of a passage known as the Faith Chapter.  The words, “Certain of what we do not see,” from verse 1, reminds us that it is not in the present, tangible world, but in the things unknown, yet known, our faith lives and grows.  What a glorious present and future! Living in correct relationship with the Redeemer, Savior, and His Creation are what pleases God.

Total reliance, come what may, is faith. God is able and willing.

Happy Saturday,

Gretchen

“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn?” Job 39:1
Job: A man stricken with life’s deepest tragedies compounded by well meaning friends who believed he brought it all on himself with hidden sins he wouldn’t confess.
Can someone love and serve God with absolutely no expectation of receiving anything in return?  Is it possible to achieve perfect faith and love in the midst of continuing tragedy? This is Job’s struggle.  If God doesn’t come through there is no reason to continue on, yet total separation from God is THE HOPELESSNESS Job is seeking to avoid.  Job, in tremendous despair, questioned God, yet God didn’t count it as sin. It was the beginning of great faith.
We will never understand how God ordered the universe.  He is a WONDERful, all knowing, all loving Creator of a WONDERful world.  When you have questions, He is the first and only ‘person’ you should turn toward. Questions are not defiance, they are the beginning of knowledge and that originates at the Throne of God.
The weekend is just a few hours away!
Gretchen

Then you will know I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, My Holy hill Jerusalem will be Holy; never again will foreigners invade her. Joel 3:17

Little is known about the prophet Joel. His story begins with a swarm of locust descending on Palestine.  The swarm blocks the sun and eats the entire food supply.  It is a state of emergency.

Joel uses the devastation of this natural disaster as a call to repentance. God’s judgement will fall on those who refuse to obey. However, this is an unnecessary event.  God longs to love, rescue and restore.

There will be a day when all those who have refused the Name of the Lord will bow and acknowledge His sovereignty.  Those who have inflicted sorrow and pain on others will be justly and infallibly brought to reckoning. God will protect those who worship and obey Him and receive His abundant blessing.

Our destiny is ours to choose, but God’s plan is justice, security and blessings.    

Have a great Thursday,

Gretchen

“But you, Son of Man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious house, open your mouth and eat what I give you.”  Ezekiel 2:8

Ezekiel’s career was laid out before him.  He would follow in the successful footsteps of his father. Then Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians and suddenly this young, vibrant, servant of God was an exile. THEN GOD SPOKE! Ezekiel was to warn, or prophesy, to the Israelites, a rebellious nation. God’s call included words of fortitude, “Do not be afraid,” and reckoning, “Whether they listen or fail to listen…..”  Ezekiel answered.  He was passionate, dedicated and utterly obedient.

Ezekiel was accountable call to spread the message of hope and restoration.  Those who heard were responsible for their response to God’s message. 

Jesus is Lord.  We can learn this through a humble heart and redemption or a haughty attitude that brings judgement. The choice is ours.  There are no excuses.  Answer, obey or ignore……..

Love ya’ll!

Gretchen

Other’s obedience should never be what determines your own obedience.  Do what God calls you to do and leave the rest the Him.

Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.  Matthew 5:48

With the fall of man, humans lost their perfect image, their reflection of God.  But we are called to return to that likeness.  Through redemption, God’s saving grace and mercy, we can once again become that perfect creation God designed us to be. 

Beginning in Matthew chapter 5 and continuing through chapter 7, Jesus’ great sermon is recorded.  Just imagine sitting in the sun, on a hillside, listening to the VERY Word of God through the voice of His Son Jesus. On that beautiful day, Jesus spoke the words above, but equally important are words from the prayer He modeled a few moments later, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.  If it is accomplished in Heaven, then it is possible on earth and that includes our perfection through salvation and Holy living.

We make mistakes, but there is a great difference between life’s ‘uh ohs’ and outright defiance to God and His stated ordinances.  Perfection (Holiness), is possible or Jesus wouldn’t have spoken of it.  God is able to lead us into His perfect love and will. It is the absolute best place on earth.

Love,

Gretchen

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:18

The small group of believers in Thessalonica had a very difficult start.  Many were arrested for disturbing the peace. They weren’t nosey rebels, the established Jewish community just took offense at their teaching that Jesus was the Messiah. Paul had to leave, but was anxious for their spiritual survival and sent Timothy back to check on them.

Timothy returned with good news and Paul responded with a letter. It is full of gratefulness for their faithfulness. Although they were deprived of their teacher/pastor, they were standing firm. Paul writes to them, encouraging and teaching. The words above are from the final part of his first letter.

If you have given your life to Christ, celebrate a resurrected Savior and eternal life with Him, then your life is completely under His control.  He’s got this!!! He is worthy of your PRAISE no matter what is happening!

Have a Terrific Monday!

Gretchen

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that openly profess His name. Hebrews 13:15

Hebrews is unique to the New Testament in that it refers to Jesus as the High Priest.  In Jewish tradition the High Priest is charged with leading God’s people into His presence and perfect worship through animal sacrifice.  However, only the priest entered into the Holy of Holies, the inner most sanctuary where God dwells.

To refer to Jesus as the High Priest, the writer of Hebrews expresses that a new covenant has been established and Jesus, as both priest and sacrifice, is our direct, flesh to flesh, connection with an intimate God.

Our atonement no longer needs an annual blood sacrifice of animals. Mercy and Grace, through the blood of Jesus, have replaced it.  However, it is pleasing to God that we offer the sacrifice of our praise, professing His love and glory to a world lost, yet very loved.

Have a great Saturday!

Gretchen

And if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.  Proverbs 2:4-5

I have known poverty. I have felt the penalty of wastefulness and I have learned the value of a dollar. As a result I have honed my skills and can search with great diligence and proficiency.  Those searches have included better deals, lost items, things I want, gifts for others. Actually, there is nothing in my life that didn’t require some seeking.

We must search for the things of God with as much enthusiasm and determination as we have applied toward earthly gain and comfort.  God isn’t playing a petty game of hide-and-seek, but allowing our freewill to establish priorities.  We seek what we want.  The fear and knowledge of God must be our purposeful and intentional goal, our treasure.

Next time you go looking for that illusive something, let it remind you to spend quality time seeking God.

Love,

Gretchen   

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Ecclesiastes 7:11

The book of Ecclesiastes is a book of observations. It references life with God and life without, and draws the logical conclusions.  Much of this book seems cynical, full of despair, but it encourages its reader to be realistic in life’s outlook and veer away from shallow pursuits and hypocrisy. Celebrate when there is joy, mourn when there is sorrow, recognize people for what they really are, and make wise choices in your relationships to them.   

In the complexity of life, wisdom is a great investment. True wisdom comes from the knowledge and pursuit of God’s character.  ‘Those who see the sun.’ refers to the present living.  It is wise to be mindful of death, but what matters in life is the wisdom you apply.

Love,

Gretchen

Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.  Matthew 5:48

Jesus called his first disciples and began to travel through Galilee preaching Good News, healing the sick and driving out demons.  Naturally, He began to draw sizable crowds everywhere He went.

On the day these words were spoken Jesus went up on a mountainside, sat down and began to teach those who had gathered.  This moment in time and these words would become commonly known as The Sermon on the Mount, a lengthly monologue that gives us a perfect window into the heart of God. 

Verses 43-48 deal with how believers are to respond to the conflict and persecution encountered in everyday life, not just because we are followers of Christ, but because mankind struggles to dwell together peacefully.

Jesus is calling us to live like Him, a new and radical standard.  Choose purity of heart, long to love and serve others without counting the cost.  He would not have ask this of those present, and us today, if it were not possible.  We must aspire toward a perfect, unselfish servitude that reflects the face and life of the Savior that died to give a free and clear way to eternal life.

Love,

Gretchen