Author: pastor.gerooney@gmail.com

Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because “the righteous will live by faith.” Galatians 3:11

Evidence is presented to a judge, the keeper of knowledge and discernment.  Based on facts, the judge decides and declares guilt or innocence. When the gavel slams, the decision is made. It is irrevocable. If the accused is declared not guilty, they are known to be justified.

After Paul first visited Galatia and established a church in this Roman province, Jewish-Christian teachers came to continue the work. They insisted that new converts must become sons of Abraham by way of circumcision and strict observation of Jewish law. 

This perspective made obedience to the law as important as the crucified Messiah. There is no comparison.  Through faith and faith alone, we know Christ voluntarily gave His life for ours. He lived a human existence but remained Holy, died on the cross and rose from the grave on the third day, thus taking away sin’s grip on all who believe!

Do we submit ourselves to standards of righteousness?  Yes, but it is through faith that we are saved and stand before our Judge to be found blameless, guilt free, totally justified.

Have an Amazing Day,

Gretchen

This is the written account of Adam’s family line.  When God created mankind, He made them in the likeness of God. Genesis 5:1

In the first four books of the Bible the creation story is told twice. Chapter five begins with the words above.  Once again it is stated, “In the likeness of God.”

Two things played a part in robbing mankind of our likeness to God: Man’s freewill, and the overwhelming temptation to sin, to choose things of this world over God’s perfect will.

God is Holy. Sin robbed mankind of its Holiness. But from the moment sin entered the world God maintained a means of restoration. By man’s freewill we accept God’s authority and believe that His Son Jesus gave His life in place of ours as payment for sin. When we choose these things of God, over the temptations of the world, we return to our likeness of God.

Satan would have you believe this is an impossible ideal.  It is not.  We are God’s crowning joy a perfect reflection.  Look to Him and mirror His love, His action, His passion.  In this way we are restored to His likeness.

Have a Wonderful Day,

Gretchen

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the Throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Revelations 7:9

Much of our moment to moment existence is universal.  Across the globe, people arise, motivated to maintain life, for themselves and any dependents they may have. No matter the ethnicity or culture, there is a longing for personal prosperity and loved ones to be healthy and whole. We are very much the same in our quest to stay alive. But the reality is far from gumdrop avenues and cotton candy clouds. Every success comes at a cost of ten failures. From the African Savannah to Alpine cliffs, from sea to shining sea, crisis rules the day, struggle is universal.

EXCEPT to those that know the LORD and have found peace. We have the promise of Heaven and a home in the immediate presence of God.  The enduring theme of Revelation is “Game Over!”  We live in the present and all the trials and burdens it has, but God is not restricted by linear time. He is in the past, present and future.  The battle has been won, victory is His and ours by association.

I can’t wait for that wonderful time when I stand before God and every nation, tribe, and people through ages lift their voices in worship to the One that gave us Eternal Life! It isn’t just a celebration of freedom from personal trials, but victory over sin that hurts the world over.

Warming up my vocal cords!

Gretchen    

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? I Corinthians 3:16

A temple, the physical representation of God’s presence among us, the anchoring place of the believer, a safe harbor for the weary and lost. We, the church, the Body of Christ, the individual, must be God’s human connection to this lost world, His temple.  It needs us so much!

Happy Friday,

Gretchen

David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 Samuel 22:1

King David’s life story is wrought with sin’s consequence.  The ultimate cost of sin is death, but there is a great deal of life to be lived first. David made some very selfish choices, from adultery to murder. As a result, his household ran morally amok and his children suffered and made equally bad choices. Grief and regret followed David, but he always humbled himself before God and God restored His relationship to him. 

Across thousands of years, David’s words touch our reality (finish reading chapter 22).  God is our Rock as life overwhelms us. A life’s story can be incredibly hard to look back on when more failures than successes can be found, but God’s grace is more than sufficient to cover any sin and His joy makes all sorrow irrelevant.

David’s legacy is not his politics, but his humble and God seeking heart.  That is a legacy worth leaving.

Happy Friday,

Gretchen

He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. Deuteronomy 8:16

A key theme in Deuteronomy is ‘Remember.’

The children of Israel are about to enter the Promised Land. Once slaves, they are now a great nation. Their success depends on their covenant relationship with God.  God and God alone will be their sole provider and protector and they will be His faithful and obedient people, a blessing to all the earth.  Prosperity is given, but that will beget a lax attitude. Caution against forgetting the source of strength and abundance. DON’T FORGET!

As life moves forward, remember your seasons of manna.  They are treasures that will see you through times of trial and teach a new and deeper knowledge of God’s character and love. Never let your praise quiet.  It defeats the devil and affirms your allegiance to the One True God.

Have a great day,

Gretchen

The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. I John 2:4

In the world of Theology there is ongoing debate between faith and works.  We do not get to Heaven by our deeds, we cannot earn God’s favor.  Agreed.

BUT…….if I, or you, became mute, would our actions tell the same story that our easily spoken words previously did?

Learning some new sign language, because actions matter.

Love Always,

Gretchen

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him. Acts 10:38 

This verse is part of an entire story (Acts Chapter 10) involving three men:

1. Cornelius, a Roman (gentile) centurion, who, according to tradition, should worship the emperor and the patron gods of his military unit, but whose entire family worshiped and served God through benevolence.

2. Simon, a tanner, (gentile) who by trade, came into daily contact with dead animals, making himself totally unclean in the Jewish tradition and strongly looked down on by the ‘keepers of the law.’

3. Peter, the apostle, The Rock upon which Christ built His church, the Body of Christ.

Cornelius had a vision to send for Peter who was staying at the home of Simon the tanner in Joppa. The next afternoon Peter had an encounter with God and realized that Jewish law was no longer necessary for honoring God.

Peter met Cornelius, Cornelius and his whole family were filled the Holy Spirit, a second Pentecost, one for the gentiles. The end result was that Peter realized the Gospel was given universally to all, not just the descendants of Abraham.

We live in a world that seeks balance.  Equality is extremely valuable, but in seeking our own brand we often deprive others of theirs.  Peter, who loved Christ more than life itself, was making this mistake, but love allowed his heart to see truth and change the face of the  Christianity. 

An open heart is a product of faith and an invaluable tool to the Kingdom of God.

Love,

Gretchen

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” John 3:3

Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, sneaks away in the middle of the night to find Jesus, the teacher, seeking the comfort of truth.  Jesus responds to his inquiry with rebirth, a radical new beginning, not bound by the natural cycle of life and death, but the beginning of life eternal.

It was to Nicodemus that Jesus spoke the beautiful words Martin Luther later called the Gospel in a sentence. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Death ends life, birth begins it. Eternal life does not begin at death, it begins at rebirth, that moment of belief, faith, confession and acceptance when Jesus becomes Savior and Lord.

Have a Lovely Day,

Gretchen

P.S. My statement about birth and the beginning of life pertains only to the matter of Nicodemus and rebirth and has nothing to do with today’s subject of when life actually begins.  Thank you.   

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

Wind, breath, dove or as gentle as a dove, the third part of the Godhead, that which has come to dwell in us and fill us so there is no part of us incomplete. 

The Christian gentiles in the church of Galatia were struggling with orthodox Jewish tradition, specifically circumcision.  Paul told them this physical act is irrelevant. Christ’s gift of Grace has eradicated any bondage from sin or man’s law.  However, freedom in salvation is not so much a freedom as an obligation to seek the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and produce spiritual fruit: Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness and self control. (v.22)

It isn’t our outward appearance, our traditions and rituals, or anything else that keeps us close to the Heart of God. It is walking with and in His Spirit.  Satan doesn’t like that neighborhood so it’s a perfect place to reside.

Love,

Gretchen