Author: pastor.gerooney@gmail.com

May the LORD, the God of your ancestor, increase you a thousand times and bless you as He has promised. Deuteronomy 1:11

Deuteronomy is one of the most quoted Old Testament Books by New Testament writers and was a theological source or guiding principal for Israel’s faithful and obedient living in the covenant land.

Moses brought Israel from Egypt to the plains of Moab, God’s covenant with Abraham was about to be fulfilled.  The stage was being set for Israel to become a blessing to “all peoples on earth!” But Moses’ journey was at an end.  He would not be entering this blessed land. As a consequence of disobedience, Moses knew he would die and be buried in sight of Canaan, but not part of it. This verse is from a sermon Moses spoke to remind God’s beloved people who they are, where they came from, how far they have come, where they were going and why they were created.

We do not need to live in the shadows of our past, but it is an incredibly healthy thing for the believer to look back, see God’s faithfulness to His children and KNOW that He is never changing, all powerful, sovereign and ALL LOVING, therefore, what He as done, He will continue to do.

Have a Fabulous Thursday,

Gretchen

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I Timothy 6:12

Timothy stayed in Ephesus to choose and train church leaders. The Epistle, I Timothy, is the first letter Paul wrote to this missionary, giving explicit instruction for church leadership, cooperate and individual holy living and personal encouragement for Timothy himself.  The words above are in the closing comments of this letter.  They are very impassioned!  “Tim! Don’t give up! I know it’s hard but remember for Whom you are working and never forget you are first and foremost, a sinner saved by grace!” 

The Christian population cannot cloister themselves from a sin infested world. If we did, the mission of the Body of Christ would halt, or would have halted shortly after it began.  Yet, neither can we embrace the values of this world.  Holiness is simple, but this balance between earthly survival (prosperity, influence, getting along with people we don’t agree with, humility verses boldness) and Heavenly aim is tough. The answer? What Paul writes to Timothy applies to you too. Don’t give up! You are a sinner saved by grace. Walk only the path that leads to the Throne of God and with great love, invite many more to join you.

Love,

Gretchen

But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.  Daniel 2:6

Faithfulness is the only appropriate response to a Living, Eternal, Sovereign God. Daniel was faithful.

When Jehoiakim, Judah’s king, refused to pay taxes to Babylon’s king, Babylon came knocking and Jerusalem fell.  Daniel, a young man of noble birth, one of the best and brightest, was no longer his own.

From the beginning of Daniel’s captivity he practiced the highest standard of ethics and holy behavior. As a result, God gave him knowledge and wisdom, including the gift of understanding visions and dreams. (Daniel 1:17)  King Nebuchadnezzar found none to compare to Daniel and three of his friends.

The king had a disturbing dream. He was losing sleep and becoming cranky. Astrologers and magicians confessed that there was no one on earth that could meet the king’s request.  In a rage Nebuchadnezzar decreed that all wise men were to be executed including Daniel and friends. Daniel stepped forward with wisdom and tact and sought the One True God. Daniel interpreted the king’s dream, saving the lives of many, but more importantly, reminding Mr. Nebuchadnezzar and all others, that no earthly dominion will ever outlive or out shine the eternal power and love of God.   

Bitterness and entitlement destroy hope.  Humble faithfulness restores and sustains life.

Have a Wonderful Day,

Gretchen 

But now, this is what the LORD says-He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

Our names are the most intimate part of our identity.  I am Gretchen, once Jones, now Rooney.  I am wife, mother, daughter, teacher, pastor, friend, confidant…..These names define me, associate me with something bigger than myself, and give me the security of community.  It’s how I am called by those who know and need me.

God, my creator, the Master designer of my body and soul summons me, gives me identity, purpose and kinship. But by what name does He call? Is it peace maker, comforter, champion of the outcast, proclaimer of Good News? For summons is not just a call to approach, but a prelude of ‘GO!’  Our name before the Throne of Grace is incredibly precious. It is our call and purpose and when God speaks it, we recognize the voice of our Father.

What God does for Jacob, the one who had a physical encounter with Him and was renamed Israel, He will do for you.  We are the redeemed, our ransom is paid and we are His.  Read the rest of this chapter. If there was ever a scripture that said, “I’ve got this, now go!” It is Isaiah chapter 43. We are summoned, and sent and all the power of Heaven and earth is our fortress because the one name that matters most is, Child of God, Saved by Grace.

Love,

Gretchen

Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:6

Ecclesiastes is not a book of deep theology nor is it inspirational and up lifting.  It is a collection of reflections put to pen by Solomon, or one of his admirers, as he looked out upon a sin weary world.  Maybe it was cathartic to write things down, close the book and lay his head upon his pillow. We could theorize all day, but it is part of God’s Holy word and it has something to say to us.

This passage of scripture reflects on the fact that man’s greatest motivation is ‘Keeping up with the Jones’. We don’t seek what we need, or what would best benefit our community and family, we seek what will give us status above others. Society’s sifter is economic accumulation as revealed in our possessions, and yet, it does not bring us joy and security, it just instigates more work and worry.

I was present at the 2001 Daytona 500 Race when Dale Earnhardt crashed with Ken Schrader  and died instantly.  The emotions shared with other fans that moment were indescribable, but in the following days I saw a recording of him in his own words, “Yes I have achieved all I aimed to achieve, but it cost me everything.” And indeed it did.

Tranquility on earth is scarce.  Let’s join together and create some to share with others.

Have a Wonder Full Weekend,

Gretchen

It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.  Mark 4:31-32

Years ago I studied these verses while writing a series of lessons for children.  I was so disappointed when I discovered that the mustard seed isn’t the smallest seed on earth.  A quick google search will inform you, as it did me, that the smallest seed comes from a jungle orchid.  However, Jesus was not writing an article for scientific scrutiny but rather speaking in parable, a story told to teach a spiritual lesson.  Jesus’s audience knew nothing of jungles, or orchids. They knew a great deal of mustard plants, olive groves and grape vineyards, and in that context the mustard seed is quite amazing.

The Kingdom of God is grown from the most basic source, love. The initial size does not determine outcome, the planting does. So just love.

Love,

Gretchen

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our LORD. Romans 8:38-39

A battle for a new world order has been waged since Satan felt he was worthy of godlike status and was expelled from God’s presence, aka Heaven. There is One True God, the Creator/Designer of that order, whose keystone is love. Satan’s chaos is irrelevant and cannot thwart God.

Love for mankind is God’s choice, His supreme design. There is nothing, NOTHING, that can separate us from that love. Sadly though, our unchecked free choice and its accompanying sin separates us from God. Satan would have us believe that God is spitefully doing the separating, but He is not (refer to scripture above). 

Turn your face to the Son!  His open arms are waiting for you…… to hold you tight…..forever.

Love,

Gretchen

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever, but delight to show mercy. Micah 7:18

Micah is known as the grieving prophet.  His heart is pained by a sinful world, while maintaining the hope of our redeemer.  Like Micah, we must see the effect of sin, but isolate ourselves from its burden and power.

In Micah’s world everything was falling apart. Ethical behavior was hard to find, loyalty, even in family relationships had become an antiquity.  But by the very evidence that God sent a prophet to such a time and place is proof that God still had a plan to redeem and restore the totally corrupt and fallen generation.

Our God is an incomparable God. Only He is a forgiving God. Even in His anger He hears our heartbroken cries and has compassion on each of us.  He does not stay angry but DELIGHTS IN MERCY.  He delights in giving us love and grace!!! 

Have a Wonderful Day,

Gretchen

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be Godly.  I Timothy 4:7

Timothy is Paul’s associate, sent to pastor the new church in Ephesus and guard them against false teaching.  Timothy is Paul’s trouble shooter and this letter was written as Paul realized his execution was coming nigh. He longed to soften the blow of his persecution by strengthening and encouraging his young protege.

As the progeny of a mixed marriage, a Jewish/Christian mother and a Gentile father, Timothy had never been circumcised, but Paul encouraged him to become circumcised so that no Jew could criticize him for being unfaithful to God’s covenant with Abraham.  The church of Ephesus struggled constantly with the bombardment of pagan gods and many people seeking an earthly agenda for prosperity rather than the faithful worship of the One True God. Paul was committed to the highest standard of integrity to the Good News of Grace.

Satan, the author of misinformation and misuse of good information, takes every opportunity to create confusion.  Confusion leads to frustration and then it is a short step from frustration to despair. Stay in God’s word.  It will not let you down.  Ask and you will receive includes clarity in time of confusion.

Have a Wonderful Tuesday,

Gretchen

When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36

Jesus is not known nearly so much for what He said as for what He did.  Jesus was followed from place to place by people who sought because of His action. He healed. He was touched by human need: Untouchable lepers, the blind, the crippled, a child, the demon possessed, the storm tossed and the spiritually lost. These people determined where and when Jesus went.  WOW!   

The harassed and helpless needed a shepherd. A shepherd’s singular duty was to protect the flock from harm while leading it to green pastures and still waters.  One lost sheep was not acceptable, for they all mattered equally and were of great value.

Compassion, it should change our attitude, our direction, our determination and our man power.  I don’t want to live a moment without receiving or extending this most precious gift, for it was and always will be the catalyst for Grace. 

Have a terrific Monday,

Gretchen