Author: pastor.gerooney@gmail.com

For God did not give us spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. II Timothy 1:7

Second Timothy is Paul’s last letter. He is in prison awaiting his imminent execution.  Luke is with him, but he longs for his friend and comrade Timothy.  With these words we feel Paul’s testimony of no regrets. Many times Paul could have given up and given in, shut his mouth and saved his life.  He was a Roman citizen, well connected. He could have chosen a great, long and prosperous existence, but he laid down his life for his friends, me and you.

Because of the love given through Christ’s ultimate sacrifice we know that victory over evil is already won.  The by-product of this assurance is perseverance and great strength of character. Stand firm, share the Good News. Where ever you are headed, God is already there paving a way for miracles and victory.

Love,

Gretchen

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  I Timothy 6:18

Some people see the church as a road to riches.  Earthly wealth will decay and turn to dust. Paul charges Timothy, his associate and special envoy to the New Testament church, to encourage church leadership, to invest in goodness rather than earthly wealth, which leads to excess temptation and grief.

Generosity is not a concept bound by monetary value. The attributes of Christian character are love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, self-control, kindness……these are things meant to be shared in great quantities. They are renewable resources, never endanger of extinction except that they die a natural death from lack of use. These things multiply exponentially when shared so, “Throw it like confetti!”

Love,

Gretchen

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28

This verse, misquoted often, is NOT the Biblical version of “Que Sera, Sera, Whatever will be, will be.”  It is certainly NOT a loophole for excusing unacceptable behavior and justifying the residual consequences.  (Everything happens for a reason is not supported by scripture.)

Paul has connected the whole picture, from Adam to Jesus, to God’s salvation plan. He has experienced the great and miraculous power of the Holy Spirit.  We all have our own story that is becoming part of an even greater story woven into the history of mankind.  Our free will determines much of our destiny, but know with all certainty; there is never going to be a point in which God writes us out of His great purpose.

Put your life in God’s more than capable hands, accept His mercy and grace, be restored to His likeness.  We were made to worship and love.  That is our purpose, in which all things work for good.

Have a Great Weekend,

Gretchen

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the LORD, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.  Ephesians 4:17

This verse is not a racial statement against nonJewish people.  Ephesus was the port city capital of the Roman province of Asia. It was not a Jewish center, but a metropolis of pagan worship and the occult.  Black magic, spiritism, idolatry and immorality were the order of normal life for the gentiles who called the city home.  BUT!  Paul came walking through, revival occurred, and a church began. Its members? Former gentile sinners, saved by grace.

This verse is a call to put away former thinking and behavior patterns and be truly transformed into the likeness of Christ.  This is a call to every sinner saved by grace.  What habit or pattern of thinking or behavior do you need to exchange for a perfect reflection of Holiness in your life?

Love,

Gretchen

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6

Simple logic:  Righteousness does not demand a penalty. Sacrifice is not made flippantly.

Restitution is not required for good deeds done.  We do not apologize for grace extended. In other words, Christ didn’t die because we are perfect, He died because we are not!  That means everyone!

Sin separates us from God, thus rendering us defenseless.  Through the blood of Jesus we gain grace’s victory, mercy’s love and the Kingdom of Heaven’s Power.

Have a terrific Thursday!

Gretchen

If a brother or sister sins, go and point out the fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. Matthew 18:15

Following the parable of the Lost Sheep, a story expressing the value of every soul and the ethics of the shepherd, this verse addresses a relationship between two people.  Only two people! 

The interference in someone else’s sin is a tricky, touchy, thing, needing the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The reference to brother and sister shows that all those involved are in the community of believers, there is a relationship in existence.  This is not a conversation between strangers and NOT a subject for everyone’s ears.  The Kingdom of God operates by totally different standards than the world. This moment is intimate, between people who share trust.

Free will is the operative factor, but when the will is humbled through the words of a pure heart, a true and loyal friend, unlimited grace and mercy abound. A connection is forged and the world changes for the better.

Have a great day,

Gretchen

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.  Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. III John 1:11

The third book of John is written to a man named Gaius who is known for integrity and generosity toward the church and its missionaries. 

The work of Gaius has a nemesis, a man named Diotrephes, who is using Christianity to perpetuate his own popularity and ego by tearing down those that are doing good and creating obstacles to their purpose.

The words above are not a reproach but an encouragement.  When being attacked it is extremely difficult not to strike back in like manner with an extra punch or two. Impulsive reaction is destructive and not of God.  Instead, imitate what is good.  It will show definitively who’s side you are on, and that is a powerful piece of knowledge.

Happy Tuesday,

Gretchen

I saw Heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages war. Revelation 19:11

When I was in high school we had five minutes to move from one period to the next, but there was a real problem with tardies. Our administration decided to implement a one minute warning buzzer to make students aware of time elapsing in hopes we’d become better stewards, with an outcome of fewer tardies.

I find that many people look to Revelation in the same manner we depended on the four minute warning.  When does freewill have to end and surrender to a higher power begin.

Every age has its evil, the spirit that treats life as a commodity to be exploited, cheated, bought and sold at will, in exchange for power, greed and self-love, but this verse is the promise of God’s final act upon this earth’s abscesses.  Even today God is a work with perfect justice and He will bring down those who continually exact their self absorbed behavior on others and refuse to acknowledge Him as Lord and King.

We that already know God for who He is need to continue our Worship and Praise, for that is our testimony before others that so badly need His touch.

Love,

Gretchen

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. Then there is this short little moment in time, stepping away from ages of Who’s Who, and into the intimacy of what Mary knew long before any of the rest of us did.

To what degree Mary was given the detailed facts of Jesus’ purpose may never be revealed, but what is known is her great faith in a God that is loving and kind, and held 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 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 weekend!

Gretchen