Author: pastor.gerooney@gmail.com

Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

Imagine for a second that you live on Uranus. From there, the sun looks like a very bright star.  There are no radiant sunrises with a promise of a fresh new day, nor glorious sunsets, giving rest for a day well spent. That’s what it’s like being in a far outer loop…..dirty, hopeless, dark and cold. We want better and so covetousness becomes our motivating force.

James, Jesus’ older brother, became leader of the Judean church and wrote this letter to Christian Jews scattered by persecution. His epistle gives an encyclopedia of Christian ethics, but most importantly he implores: You must chose daily to come near to God and seek His heart and mind. You cannot value the standards of this world and please God.

There is no pecking order with God so don’t covet. We are all of highest worth and loved beyond measure.

Basking in the Sonshine,

Gretchen

Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll – are they not in your record? Psalm 56:8

The world is a mixed up place. Life is really hard to manage by yourself, but when you add everyone else’s crazy, things spin out of control. People get hurt and its hard to forgive. People hurt others and don’t feel remorse. Some wounds are minor, others are life shattering. King David knew his share of disappointment, despair, self-destruction, and the misrepresentation of facts and motives. Sin, his own and others, created grief, but he refused to live in the legacy of defeat.

Although he will be Israel’s next king, Saul, the present king was jealous and attempted to kill David. David spent many years running, hiding and fighting for his life. He most certainly grew weary, but he stood on the solid foundation that God was God, and when God is for you, nothing can overtake you. This Psalm is not a pity party, but a song of great confidence. David can leave his enemies in God’s hands. 

God does not like or approve the hurt you have experienced. Man will patronize with words like, “Only the toughest are chosen to endure.” Or, “God wouldn’t have sent this if you weren’t able.”  On and on goes the list of words that don’t help. God is not sending the pain, sin is!!! God is the Healer, Comforter, Prince of Peace, Advocate, Love! Let God take care of your enemies just as David did, and start living in victory and joy!

Love,

Gretchen

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. Psalm 90:8

This Psalm has been accredited to Moses along with Psalms 91-100, but most scholars discount him as the original composer. It is considered to be one of the first Psalms written down, so it is connected to the time of Moses and would have been sung in worship. It depicts the eternity of God and the brevity of man’s existence.

Compared to eons of time, the billions of inhabitants on earth, at any given time, seem very insignificant. Not true! None of us is the center of the universe, but the universe was made, by God, as our home and we are each fearfully and wonderfully made. We matter a lot and God is particular about our spiritual well-being.

Secrets are dangerous. They hold the power to destroy. Even if you think your secrets aren’t hurting anyone else, they are hurting you with fear and shame. God’s light drives out the darkness of confusion and regret, and I promise…..you can’t keep secrets from God. He isn’t shocked or overwhelmed with the gravity of your issues. He is already there and everything is going to be okay if you will trust Him.

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Gretchen

Now the Berea Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.  Acts 17:11

Paul and Silas, missionaries, travel to the town of Thessalonica. As was Paul’s custom, when he entered Thessalonica, he went to the synagogue, the Jewish place of worship. While there, he reasoned/taught from the scripture (Old Testament), on three different sabbaths. He was showing that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah and that He had to suffer and die. Some Jews and Greeks were converted, a few of these new Christians were prominent citizens. Other Jews became angry over Paul’s infringement on their religious dominance and instigated riots that ended with the arrest of some church members.

The Jews believed the Old Testament, but they interpreted its meaning in a completely unGod like way.  Their beliefs suited their mindset of earthly entitlement and comfort. They were driven to a hatred so deep they were capable of murder in the name of God!   However, in the city of Berea, a mindset of virtue and dignity existed. They received Paul’s message, but then searched the Scripture to verify Paul’s claims.

The world is filled with wonderful people who believe different things. It is hard not to get swept away with good ideas, or reject Biblically based truth because it’s uncomfortable. We are called to love and respect each other, but our only source of truth and wisdom is God’s Holy Word.

Love,

Gretchen

The Heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1

Galileo Galilio (1564-1642) was placed under house arrest for suggesting, with evidence, that the earth was not the center of the universe. He remained homebound for the rest of his life. This did not define him. He made many discoveries and studies that we still use or refer to today, but especially important to this Psalm, he developed a telescope through which he discovered 17 moons around Jupiter. For hundreds of years it was presumed that these moons were all formed similarly to earth’s moon. That changed when Voyager 1 & 2 (launched in 1977) flew by taking pictures.  It was then understood that vast, complex diversity, from violent erupting volcanoes to seas of ice, existed on Jupiter’s satellites. Why does this matter? Because God makes amazing things, even if man doesn’t see or know it for thousands and thousands of years.

Creation declares God’s glory but His Word shows purity and wisdom. David would have known God’s power and authority through the Books and Laws of Moses, but he had a sense of wonder  that led him to stand in awe of an immense universe made with love by One will, One breath, God’s.

Standing under an umbrella of stars, knowing there is more unseen, than seen, makes man seem incredibly small and alone, but David found it tremendously comforting to remember that in all of creation, man was God’s supreme design. It gave him strength in all seasons and circumstances of his life.

Never feel insignificant. Know you are chosen and loved and the power that caused the stars to sing originates in your Father and He wants the very best for you always.

Love,

Gretchen

And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:18

Christianity is the only religion in the world in which the Creator reaches down in love to the created and invites them into His family.

The Corinthian church had many issues of immoral behavior. Paul warns of the dangers of compromising Christian standard with pagan morals. There is no common ground between the Temple of God and pagan worship, which is what brings Paul to continually stress that God seeks a real, living and thriving relationship with each one of us.

There is no other hope for love, acceptance and family, outside of God’s perfect love for you. He WANTS to be your parent and with Him, you are strongly encouraged to keep your childlike heart and faith.

Happy Wednesday,

Gretchen

P.S. Our reflex is often toward judgement or being scrutinized and condemned, but the reality is, God sent His Son in love so that you may also become a child to The King. Intimacy, strength, encouragement, wisdom, joy……these are the privileges and blessings from this kinship.

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:37b-38

Jesus has returned to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, it is six months before His death.  The previous time He was in Jerusalem  He healed a man on the sabbath, upsetting the Pharisees that perceived this to be a grievous insult to Jewish law. The Jewish authority had already begun plans to kill Jesus. 

The feast, or holiday, was a seven day event celebrating the end of harvest. It comes in September/October on our modern day calendar. In this scripture the Pharisees had just led the ritual of water drawing from the pool of Siloam.  In the ceremony, water is offered to God as a sacrifice.  So when Jesus says that He is Living Water, He is drawing attention to a personal, active God, not a god impressed with empty gestures. 

A final note: Some living things need oxygen while others breath carbon dioxide. God designed our planet beautifully for this exchange of breath, but regardless of our breathing needs, we are common in our dependance on water! The Bible speaks often of Jesus being the Living Water. He is a reviving, transforming spring and you cannot LIVE without Him.

Have a Great Tuesday!

Gretchen

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail, they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

The beautiful, unassailable Jerusalem, has fallen to King Nebuchadnezzar’s army after many years of siege. God has allowed His covenant nation to be exiled to Egypt and Babylon.  Jeremiah wrote the appendage to the book of his name, sending copies of it with the captives to learn and put in their hearts.  It was written in an acrostic, making memorization easier. 

In chapter three, Jeremiah laments that by choice, God no longer hears His people who have broken faith.  The God of Love, has become the God of wrath and judgement. Their sufferings were horrific. The Jewish people had become entitled and believed they were above God’s commands simply by relationship to Abraham. They were wrong and the cost of their sin was far greater than they ever imagined or wanted to pay.   

By faith we know that God is sovereign, but a greater faith gives us peace that God is Good. Although it is hard to see and even more difficult to voice, God is the God of redemption and restoration.  Jerusalem did become a great city once again, but it was there that the Jewish authority had Jesus crucified.  In this tragedy, it is once again revealed that God’s Grace and Mercy are available and sufficient. We will never be consumed by this world because God is near, He is faithful and His compassions never fail.

Have a Lovely Day,

Gretchen

But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. Psalm 5:11

David’s most magnificent Psalms were born in his times of trouble.  He had many enemies. As a young boy he fought a giant when King Saul’s soldiers were too intimidated to defend themselves. Success and fame brought about the wrath of a jealous king who drove David away from his home, family and friends, and into hiding for many years. 

David eventually became the king he had been anointed to be when he was young. This brought a new version of adversity. He also made some pretty poor personal and moral choices in his adult years, resulting in tragedy and sorrow but, in the midst of all of this, he recognized a God that loathes evil and rewards good.  David chose to give single minded devotion to this God of Holiness and love.

Because God does not tolerate wickedness, His presence is a place of security. In Him is found peace and rest, for David and for you!

Happy Weekend,

Gretchen

So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.” Genesis 9:17

In the beginning God made order out of chaos. He created the boundaries of nature and all its inhabitants. Then sin disrupted God’s perfect creation and God let loose the destructive forces of earth. His purpose was not to annihilate mankind, but to bring about a new beginning.

Noah, the sole Godly human of his time, who lived in fellowship with God, will not perish in this universal judgement. Because he does exactly what God tells him, (Noah had never seen rain, heard thunder or had any personal reference to flooding) he is provided refuge and safety from the storm. The story of the flood is not about God’s power to destroy, but His power to save those who are obedient and faithful.

Earth’s population will never again be inundated with water, but when the wind settles, the air is crisp and clean and its safe to splash in puddles, find that rainbow and remember, God can make all things new.

Love,

Gretchen