Author: pastor.gerooney@gmail.com

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

These were Paul’s final words, his final goodbye to the converts in Ephesus.

Children fascinate me and sometimes they get a bad wrap concerning their ability to share. Yes, they go through developmental stages that challenge even the most creative parents, but as a whole, they smile and look for others to smile back. They are givers. I have never witnessed a small child hoarding anything. They take what they need and leave the rest, or they take what they need and attempt to engage others in their activity. 

Paul is one of the most independent characters of the New Testament Church.  He bows to no earthly person or ideal.  He’s fiercely protective of clear and true theology and aggressive in correcting those who misinterpret his words or actions. 

By this description, Paul is not a guy I would want to meet in a back alley on a dark night.  Except the reality was, he was a sinner, saved by grace, humbled by his lack of worth, accept through the blood of Jesus Christ.  He was bold, not entitled, he was hard working, not selfish and the earthly things he accumulated were for one purpose only……..to spread the gospel and help those that had no voice. He had a childlike faith that we are called to emulate.  The blessing is in giving, not getting and clinging. So be childish; gather, connect and share!

Have a most blessed day,

Gretchen

P.S. No man ever grew poor giving things away.  A generous person always has something to give.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

I love words and find it amusing when two words are combined to emphasize an existing known. One of my recent favorites is ‘Hangry.’ Hangry is the state of subconscious anger due to famishment.  It is not a pretty thing to witness. The human body has a hair trigger alarm system to keep itself functioning efficiently. Hunger and thirst are part of this survival plan and when deprived of sustenance, things collapse quickly.

Jesus is making a parallel between a physical hunger and thirst to show us a righteous heart will have a similar longing, a survival reflex for the things of God. Desires and appetites are a given but the righteous will seek what is good and just. It also goes in reverse. The more we become focused on Godliness the more our instincts turn toward correct and healthy choices for the things we take into our hearts and minds. The most beautiful part of the whole concept is that God will NOT withhold Himself.  He will provide your heart and your mind a most glorious feast.

Love,

Gretchen

These are the regulations concerning contamination by mildew in woolen or linen clothing, woven or knitted material, or any leather article, for pronouncing them clean or unclean. Leviticus 13:59

When asked what her favorite book is, my youngest daughter replies, “Leviticus.”  What!?….. No, Leviticus is not her favorite book, it’s the irony that she enjoys, even more so when someone gets her clever humor.

As for me, I approach this book of the Bible like the student who stated, “Only 5 out of 4 people ever use fractions when they grow up so why do I have to know math?”  Why Leviticus in modern day Christianity? Here’s why, Leviticus is the spoken, God breathed Word. It reveals God as our Father, and we, as His beloved children, His covenant community.  God is intensely concerned with the health and welfare of those that have chosen to be set apart through salvation and Holiness. (Lev. 11:45 and 19:18)  This concern looks different for the historical children of Israel, but the basic fact remains, moment to moment God cares that your life marches forward with healthy, ethical and productive precision.

When you wake up knowing you have more to do than hours, energy and money allow, you find mold in your storage building and your anxiety further impedes your progress, ask God to give you wisdom and guidance. TaDa!! You find the gracious, generous and unchanging God of ancient law.  This God who gave directions for dealing with mildew IS willing and able to help you with the minor (and major) details of life. He is the One True God and He loves YOU!

Feeling Invincible,

Gretchen

If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.  Proverbs 2:3-5

Nothing is more frustrating than knowing someone could help you but they choose not to. Please keep in mind, this is the character of man, not God.

God NEVER withholds Himself from us. When we ask for the things that draw us closer to God and bring glory to Him, He gives in great and overflowing abundance. We must pursue God’s character as fervently as some men pursue silver. Seek the face of God and strive to mirror It in your entire being.

Through the Looking Glass,

Gretchen

Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cites of our God. The LORD will do what is good in His sight. 2 Samuel 10:12

Have you ever had your motives questioned? Had your kindness thrown back in your face?

This verse is lifted from an episode in the history of David as he is establishing the nation of Israel.  A neighboring king, the king of the Ammonites died and David sent a delegation to express sympathy and show kindness.  His envoy was not received in the manner in which it was sent and these men were treated to great humiliation.  Hanun, the new king erred on the side of cynicism and momentary power, realized he just picked an unnecessary fight and prepared to defend.  David responded in kingly fashion and gathered his army.

As the armies amassed on the battle field. David’s military commander, Joab, realized they were terribly outnumbered and gave this pep-talk: Be strong, fight bravely, for the cities of our God, the LORD will do what is good.”

Joab spoke in this reverence because all the land was God’s not man’s.  He also acknowledged that God is good, His will is good.

Standing on the cusp of battle, surrounded and outnumbered by the enemy, it is hard to comprehend that what we are fighting so furiously for is not even ours. It’s God’s and He’s got it. 

God is good and when we are acting in GOOD faith He will take care of the details.   

Love,

Gretchen

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. I Peter 3:11

As Jesus’ close friend, Peter would most certainly understand the passions of His heart and the purpose of His actions. “Do good; seek peace,” with deliberate pursuit.

Any agenda other than peace is unacceptable.  Doing good brings about peace.  Others may not come into a state of peace, but you will and you is what you answer for.

When I come to my day of judgement, God will not ask me, “How did everyone treat you down there?” However, He will ask, “How did you treat others?” Doing good and seeking peace is the only acceptable answer to this question.

God loves peace and so must I.

Gretchen

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.  Ephesians 1:7

If you are reading this you probably have a knowledge of salvation and for that I am truly thankful. I was saved at the age of twelve and while I still revel in the miracle of that moment I often struggle with the deep dark parts of my heart and mind that want to take a break from my conscience and tell the world what I really think. Soon to follow my ugly thoughts, my heart breaks for its moment of carnal will and I’m defeated.  It’s a vicious cycle, but God, as our Creator, great Redeemer and Lover of our souls, has this under control.

Two things are working in the act of salvation: Jesus’ blood, given freely, and God’s grace in boundless supply.  When Jesus drew His final breath sin lost its grip on man, and when He breathed again, every believer knew it.

There is no sin God can’t and won’t forgive. His riches cross the expanse of man’s moral and physical poverty.  DO NOT live in defeat! Daily, accept this gift and tell Satan to take a long hike off a tall cliff. God’s omnipotent power and rich grace are your own.

Living in Victory,

Gretchen

P.S. I encourage you to read the entire first chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus. It will strengthen you.

But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son born of a woman, born under the law. Galatians 4:4

As the Son of God, Jesus had no boundaries, no restrictions of linear time, no limits of aging flesh and certainly no carnal temptations, but as Son of Man, Jesus took on all of these characteristics and became fully human.  He became just as we are so that we have a hope to become just as He is.

It’s just this simple, Jesus became human so that we can be Holy.  He came to earth to light the way to Heaven. 

In Christ,

Gretchen 

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5

Following the death of Moses, Joshua was charged with leading the nation of Israel into the promised land.  Things hadn’t been easy for Moses. It had been a long arduous trip, forty years wandering in the wilderness, not because God designed calamity, but because people are hard headed and hard hearted.  Yet, God remained true to His covenant and His promises and proved over and over He was faithful and trustworthy. Joshua’s commission was staggering, so God gifted forward the comfort and confidence he would need to see the mission through. I especially love the promise of God’s constant presence.

Loneliness is the world’s deadliest disease.  Horrible choices are made to avoid or end unwelcome solitude.  Lives alienated from hope are soon self terminated in one way or another.  Yet here we hear God’s voice to Joshua saying, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Even if you are alone, you will not fail, EVER!  I am here! 

Here’s the great news: We get the same deal Joshua got! Feeling friendless or forlorn, or crippled by life’s needs and expectations are inevitable, but if we look at Joshua’s whole story, he stepped into a state of being okay with just him and God.

What tremendous victory over the trials of this world, when we can shout, “It’s just God and me, and I’m good with that!”

Being Noisy!

Gretchen

But He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him and by His wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Today’s scripture is taken from the prophesy of Isaiah, written 700 years before the Son of God became the Son of Man.  If I said nothing else, this fact alone speaks volumes about God’s plan to redeem mankind.  However, peace is mentioned and if there is one ideal my heart yearns for, it is the absence of need, strife or sorrow, aka, peace.

Every relationship on the face of the earth has some dynamic of peace or lack there of. In the promise of a redeeming Savior we find the acknowledgement that someone had to make a sacrifice.  Through Christ’s torture and death we are reconciled to God and that’s the biggie, but we are left with time here on earth in a discordant world. God didn’t just provide a victor over death, He afforded a means for us to live in harmony with each other and reside in a global community with confidence that God is in charge, always has been, always will be. Therefore, we can set aside hostilities knowing our needs will be met by the Creator and Administrator of all things and savor life, healed from the disease of worry.

Let There Be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with me!

Gretchen