Author: pastor.gerooney@gmail.com

So then, if you know the good you ought to do and don’t do it, you sin. James 4:17

Humans tend to build castles in the air, or rigorously put away for a rainy day. Tomorrow means a great deal to us. Regardless of which plan we have for the future, we have one. In fact, we are shamed by the financial community if we do not.  But James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the early church, says these things in verse 17 concluding his words on planning for a future found in verses 13-16.

To define sin is simple. It is any act of opposition to God’s Devine and loving plan.  There is no hierarchy of sin, disobedience is disobedience and the payment for sin is eternal death, separation from God forever!  We are called to do good, but we get terribly distracted with our accumulation of security measures that we forget there is a world in need of Jesus. 

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are the Hands, Feet, Ears, Eyes and Heart of Jesus. Tomorrow has no guarantee and if it doesn’t come, the only thing that matters your is righteousness.  If you are going to leave something behind, leave a legacy of love.

Have a lovely day,

Gretchen

But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought.  He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.  2 Samuel 12:3

King David had an affair with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, an Israelite special forces soldier. When Bathsheba conceived, David tried to cover it up, but Uriah’s noble character made this impossible, so David had him killed. (This story is covered in chapters 11 and 12 of 2 Samuel) Using this ‘social’ story, Nathan, God’s prophet attempted to draw David’s awareness to the magnitude of his sin.

Nathan tells of a rich man with many sheep, acting with incredible selfishness. When travelers came along he took the poor man’s only sheep to feed to his guest rather than deplete his own flock.  David is quick to anger at this wicked man’s blatant disregard for others, but fails to readily see its parallel to his own actions. David had everything and still wanted more, at great expense to others. An unchecked, covetous heart has no moral boundaries.

The Holy Spirit calls to us before and when we head toward trouble. God doesn’t want us there, it is not part of His plan for us to go there.  Guard rails exist on the straight and narrow path. Don’t climb over them. It is not okay to justify risky moral behavior.  There is NEVER an acceptable reason to sin. The cost of eternal life is not worth it.

Have a great weekend!

Gretchen

I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens.  What a heavy burden God has laid on the human race! Ecclesiastes 1:13

Ancient religious scholars attributed righteousness with a good and prosperous life while death and destruction were the evidence and consequence of sin. This disillusionment created a pessimistic view of God.  Life is futile, nothing but a struggle. So what’s the point? Do we have a purpose?

The writer, most likely Solomon, king David’s son, credited with being mankind’s wisest model, realized that awareness through knowledge brings sorrow, yet self indulgence has its own brand of grief.  Life is a vicious cycle and then we die.  As a result of sin, God did lay a heavy burden on the human race. The hoist from which to escape is faith.

Knowledge is a tremendous and valuable asset, but it is not what pleases God. That is found in faith. Without faith it’s impossible to please God.  (Hebrews 11:6) 

Love,

Gretchen

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

Paul and Silas founded this first Christian church in a town built on gold mining, in the home of Lydia, an astute business woman. She was one of the first converts and offered her home as a place of worship and discipleship.  This church sent Paul funds while he was under house arrest in Rome. 

The early church saw Paul continually imprisoned for the work of the Gospel. They were constantly confronted with false and twisted theologies. The Philippians were a proud people and struggled with division over petty issues of culture. In order to grow and survive, this group of people began to learn and live a bigger picture. 

We must look directly past the end of our own noses in order to safely step forward.  The problem lies in never looking further and concluding that’s all there is. 

We are called to a single minded Holiness. An egocentric mentality that brings all things back to us is destructive.  Great love is found in putting aside our convenient interest for someone else’s best interest.

Have a lovely day,

Gretchen

And to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19

Ephesians 3:14-21 is a poignant prayer for the church in Ephesus. These maturing Christians were struggling with every aspect of Holy living. Paul knows the answer, a love that surpasses knowledge.

Love is the keystone to every aspect of Christian living.  Love does conquer all because love is a choice, an act of freewill that gives the believer power and strength to hope, persevere, and vanquish all things that stand between them and their Savior, making room for the miracle of life flourishing in grace and mercy.

Man strives to explain and understand every phenomenon of the universe. Boundaries and clear definition give security, but for the believer, knowledge ends with a void and then faith completes us. We cannot fathom God’s love because it reaches dimensions we cannot measure. We must willingly step into a cycle where faith perpetuates love and love perpetuates faith.  One cannot exist without the other.

Fill yourself with the fullness of God’s love.

Gretchen

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God Reigns!” Isaiah 52:7

Isaiah had a singular mission that spans generations:  Tell of God’s judgement, justice, redemption and eternal hope.  His words predominantly fell on deaf ears, but future generations, those whose hope was in the Lord, waited for the Messiah, the Man Isaiah seemed to know personally.

As a consequence of sin, the descendants of Abraham, God’s covenant people, were exiled and dispersed far from their inheritance.  They struggled to eek out an existence and their personal identity was becoming ghostly invisible.  Isaiah reminds these broken people that God has not forsaken them. They must turn from their wicked idolatry and faithlessness and put their trust exclusively in God.

This has always been a favorite verse of mine.  Take a moment and recognize how aware you are of the sounds and sights of people in your life, past and present, especially those you associate with respite, comfort, encouragement and hope. They are beautiful, not because of their skin care products or their stylist’s efforts, but because they brought good news, they proclaimed peace, lived a relationship with Christ and gave hope.

You are most likely that person in someone’s life.  Thank you.  Stay the course and proclaim.
“OUR GOD REIGNS!”

Love you!

Gretchen

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29

Jesus’ words struck chords with ordinary folk who were poor and worn down by the burdens of getting by. He spoke often to them with analogies and metaphors from their everyday life.

A yoke is a steering mechanism meant for a team of oxen.  It looks like a device of torture, a collar of wood and steel, cumbersome and unyielding.  The oxen walk together as a team and turn because they have no choice and it would be painful to resist the harness. Jesus invites each of us to take His yoke and be led exclusively by Him.  His yoke is not heavy and unforgiving. It is easy and gentle. Unlike the oxen’s yoke, the yoke we are invited to share is our choice.

Jesus, the Son of God, the sacrificial member of the Holy Trinity, humbled Himself to become lower than man’s most despicable sin. This Christ calls us to a place of rest because He is offering to carry our burdens.  If we take His yoke, He will choose the route, the perfect pace forward and always provide sustenance for daily living.  Jesus will lead, we will follow. The perfect Global Positioning System (GPS) traveling team.

Plodding Along,

Gretchen

Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, “Here we are?” Job 38:35

Job loses everything, his family, his home, his health, his wealth and finally his dignity when his well meaning friends suggest the root of his situation is hidden sin. Job protests. He did what God asked of him. He was generous to the underdog and sacrificed for his children. Through everything, Job did not give up on God but continued to seek understanding in his suffering and hardship.  Job’s faith isn’t superficial, only existing when God sends blessings. Instead he sought relationship with God.

In Job’s story he cries out to God in anguish, “WHY?!”  Today’s scripture is from God’s response.  God alone created the Heavens and the earth.  God alone understands the workings of the universe.  Our imperfect understanding does not define God.

Holding onto our faith when things don’t go our way is relationship with God.  Great faith is knowing that God is loving, kind and good, even when our earthly perspective indicates otherwise. Job doesn’t lack faith, but displays deep faith. Security is not found in knowing God’s ways but in trusting Him no matter what.

Love,

Gretchen

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

When I was young I refused to acknowledge Psalm 23.  My father is a pastor and so I observed many grieving families and attended the funerals of very Godly men and women.  Psalm 23 was the ever present scripture for memorial folders. I associated it with death rather than life.  I have outgrown that misconception.

In the valley there is the SHADOW of death.  Not death, just a harmless shadow!  The faithful believer does not die.  They pass immediately (actually even quicker than immediately) into the presence of Heaven and they are not disappointed to be there. For those who remain, death is horrible, lonely, it changes life profoundly. Satan attacks us in these vulnerable moments, moments that only faith can see us through.  There is no tangible evidence of Heaven, only what is known deeply in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

The Good Shepherd’s rod and staff represent His authority, something the unbeliever or convicted soul resents.  These are not tools of cruelty and abuse, instead they protect and guide.  God never…..never takes His eyes off you, until you are safely home.

The 23rd Psalm is about life: Life on this side of Heaven and life eternal.

Still Grazin’,

Gretchen

The LORD is my shepherd. I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

A good shepherd leads His flock to the very best grazing. These fields of plenty do not reflect the quality or pedigree of the sheep, but speak volumes about the pastoralist’s character.  The simple truth the Psalmist learned and put into verse is: God is our good and loving Shepherd. He will provide every need of our existence. 

We are His sheep. The path to lush carpets of green may be up hill, rocky and narrow, but the Shepherd knows the way.   We must follow.  Any other path leads to despair, desperation and death, so keep your head up and stay close.

Munchin’ on the Good stuff,

Gretchen