Author: pastor.gerooney@gmail.com

When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is the God in Heaven above and on the earth below. Joshua 2:11 (Chapters 1 and 2)

Joshua was born in Egypt and was Moses’ right hand man during the exodus.  Out of the twelve men sent into Canaan on a reconnoissance mission, only Caleb and Joshua were faithful enough to suggest advance. As a result, they were the only two original Hebrews to enter the Promised Land.

Joshua is commissioned by God Himself and in his initial instructions is told repeatedly, “Be strong and courageous. I will never leave or forsake you.”  Joshua was a strong and faithful leader, an example to Christians leaders today.

Rahab was probably a Canaanite priestess, which would have involved being a temple prostitute, but in her immoral culture, her social status would have been high and even honorable. Upon hearing and witnessing the miracles surrounding the journey of the Israelites, Rahab made the choice to risk everything and follow the God of these people. Because Rahab chose faith, and protected the secret spies Joshua had sent into Jericho, her entire family came under God’s protection, symbolized by a scarlet thread tied in her window. Finding a permanent home with Israel, she is listed as a hero of faith. Rahab married Caleb’s son Salmon and became the grandmother of Boaz, making her an ancestor of King David and Jesus.

Looking back across history everything fits together like a well carved puzzle. Is it coincidence? No it’s grace. From harlot to woman of heroic character, God’s mercy extends and grace exceeds the need.

Have a perfect Wednesday!

Gretchen

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 Chapters 31-34)

Moses speaks these words to the entire Jewish nation, then directly to his successor, Joshua. God then calls these two men to His tent of meeting and tells them what is going to happen when His people ‘prostitute themselves to other gods.’  He will hide His face from them.

The last three chapters of this second book of law highlights the rebellious, stiff necked nature of man. A heart hardened against the Sovereign God has only one ending, death. But these last words of Moses, given him by God, are packed full of hope for those that do, indeed, persevere in faith. Believe the testimonies of the faithful, remember God’s blessing to you personally, don’t give in or give up!

After Moses’ final words to the people he led for 40 years, God tells him to go up Mt. Nebo where he will have a panoramic view of Canaan and be gathered to his fathers. (O.T.’s explanation for eternal life beyond death.) God buried his body and lifted his soul into His arms. His remains were not to be found and turned into a talisman of idolatry.

The key component to strength and courage is God’s presence. The key component to the personal presence of God is your worship and obedience.

Love,

Gretchen

Moses, what a man! 40 years in the palace of a pharaoh, 40 years a refugee in Midian and 40 years the leader of 3,000,000 former slaves. Frightened, overwhelmed and less than perfect, but faithful till the very end.

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. Deuteronomy 30:11 (Chapter 29-30)

The book of Deuteronomy is a restating and retelling of laws, covenant, the birth of Israel and God’s infinite faithfulness.  Moses warns, reminds and implores those that will inhabit the promised land to worship God only! They hearse and rehearse, and then Moses says, “It’s not too hard! No excuses!”

Beware of a mentality of entitled sinfulness, an unavoidable character flaw in created man. God has to accept us, warts and all, because He made us this way. WRONG!  Remember who the Creator is, and His purpose for the created.  It’s about relationship, right communication and respect. What does this look like? Honor, worship, obedience…….It’s not impossible because it is God’s design and by His power it is accomplished. 

Love the Lord God, with all your heart, mind and body and see how easy it becomes to be Holy.

May your Monday not feel like Monday,

Gretchen

The imagination is a crucial motivating force in life.  Personally, I am a dreamer and my imaginings were always white picket fences and gingham curtains. I couldn’t wait for college, then marriage. I role played motherhood from the time I could hold a doll of my own. And then there was the ownership of that little white house with a fence. My visions from childhood prepared and directed me in the way I wanted to go.  But no one dreams of an empty nest. Bedrooms you designed as a haven for your children are now empty except for tokens of memories made. Neither do we dream of the years to come when our mental and physical mobility become limited and dependency on others becomes the only means of survival.  The days of youth are infinite, then one day you awake and they are numbered.

Several months ago my husband began making daily trips to a local retirement facility.  A friend became a resident. To ease the personal grief of age, Keith committed to visit often. One friendship led to many.  Keith enjoyed the camaraderie of folks up and down the hallways teaching each other to turn off their wheelchair and bed alarms to circumvent the diligence of the staff, and teasing each other over a dinner table no longer shared with family across generations, but people, once strangers, with the common bond of limited freedom. Keith discovered great evidence that the human spirit seeks joy in all seasons of life. Their resilience and determination to be happy is inspiring.

The dear friend passed away. In sorrow, Keith knew he must return to the nursing home to those who mourned too.  Recently, he was sitting at a table with an elderly gentleman when the man mentioned another person recently gone.  The former resident’s granddaughter and great grandson visited often bringing sunshine with their youth and energy.  He told Keith he missed the little fellow coming around. In his comments he recounted once when the small tike touched his arm and asked if he knew Jesus.  “Yes,” replied the elderly man. “Good,’ said the tiny minister, “Then I will see you again someday.”

As simple as that, a child, with unconditional love, cherished a human soul and brought joy and comfort.

And this is what He has promised us-eternal life. I John 2:25

Blessings and Peace to each of you,

Gretchen

Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity. Deuteronomy 28: 47 (Chapter 28)

If you need absolute proof that the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, here it is.  Moses is directed to state the blessings of serving God only, never putting an idol or other god in His place. But He also lists the curses that will fall on this covenant people. They now number as the stars, but will be brought to ruin by the neglect and abuse of their blessings if that is their choice. Time told the story.

Israel’s peace and well-being depended on a right relationship with God. He knows the good that lies in store for the faithful and the sorrows of those who rebel and sin. Between these glad tidings and sorrows is man’s free will. Obedience isn’t the easiest route, but it is the only journey with a happy ending. 

Love,

Gretchen

“And you shall write very clearly all the words of this law on these stones you have set up.” Deuteronomy 27:8  (Chapters 24-27)

In an age when books were scarce, Joshua was commissioned to erect stones, apply a coating of plaster and write the Law on them so the people could see, read if they were able, remember, obey and teach the next generation.  This was a common custom across the cultures of the ancient world. Moses commanded that this be the first act upon arrival in Canaan.

These stones would be part of renewing the covenant of which curses and blessings were a part. A ceremony would take place. Six tribes each would climb opposite mountains. The Levites would pronounce the blessings and curses of infringement and the people would add their ‘Amen,’ or their ‘So be it.’ 

Can you imagine the enormity of this nation gathering on the mountain sides, and the resounding thunder of their ‘Amens’?  It would leave a lasting impression, just as God intended. Covenant keeping is serious business and the law was not to be passively approached.

God, in His Law giving and Love lavishing, was specific and purposeful. He left no loopholes. Don’t look for them, they aren’t there. Trust, obey, love and praise and God will take care of the rest.

Happy Friday,

Gretchen

When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” be sure to appoint over you the king the LORD your God chooses. He must be from among your own brothers. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not a brother Israelite.” Deuteronomy 17:15-15 (Chapters 17-23)

God created Israel to be Theocracy, not a monarchy.  For four-hundred years they did live under the leadership of judges and prophets as spiritual and civil leadership, but then they demanded that Samuel find and anoint a king…… so they would have the security that other nations enjoyed.

These verses are not an endorsement for a king. Even as the nation was putting down roots, God knew the heart of man and knew Israel would wish for a king, so God warned and gave direction for their selection and asked to be consulted.  God allowed this move, a complete rejection of His sole leadership, but He did not commission this act. God instructed that Israel’s king not take multiple wives, a practice among pagan nations to form alliances.  He warned Israel not to return to Egypt in search of greater wealth.  It takes a great deal of money to run a country and money would soon become a greater priority than faith and obedience.

King or no king, God is to be our authority. Governmental failure was the demise of God’s covenant nation, yet the faith of individuals, in the face of adversity and against all odds, was the salvation of mankind. There are great Biblical Heroes that had no government to lead them, yet they believed and followed the commands God had given hundreds of years before. Do the right thing, no matter what is going on around you!

Love you!

Gretchen

You must not worship the LORD your God in their way. Deuteronomy 12:4 (Chapters 12-16)

Going beyond the admonition to love and obey, the specific laws of daily living are once again restated. God intends for His people to be set a part, different from all other cultures and nations on earth. Acclimation is not acceptable, remaining different is!

God made provision for every circumstance that will ever arise, from worship to accidental death. Worship will keep Israel connected to God and obedience will bring blessings unique to them only.

Though we are no longer held to the rigid laws of diet and ceremonial cleansing, it remains important to deliberately live as someone set a part. All are born with the same natural instinct to sin, but when we believe that Jesus became the final sacrifice for our sins and we confess and ask Him for forgive, we become a new creation and we chose to be different than the world around us.  Where there is hate, we chose love. Where there is fear, we lead with faith. Where there is despair we lavish hope.  We are different because we are forgiven and we are God’s children.

Happy Wednesday,

Gretchen

And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (Chapter 7-11)

Israel is headed right into the heart of pagan culture. They will know the glory of great national/military victory.  The combination of these things will make it difficult to remain faithful and humble, something necessary for holiness. God commands them to destroy all idols and never forget the miracles of the wilderness where their clothes never wore out and feet never swelled from travel.

God is not clearing random people from the land of Canaan.  It is because of their depravity that God is allowing them to be destroyed, and it is not Israel’s righteousness that entitles them, but God’s judgement alone. Moses cautions Israel to remember their rebellion and the price they paid. National prosperity comes with wondrous promises and ominous warnings.

Spiritual survival requires deliberate removal of all that defeats. God will not share your soul with another allegiance. Don’t overlook the use of the word ‘All’ in the above scripture.  It is a very important component to the success of your journey to The Promised Land.

Have a Terrific Tuesday,

Gretchen

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (Chapters 4-6)

The theme of these three chapters is “Remember, remember, remember, then obey and tell your children.”   

This nation was conceived in miracles. Apart from the supernatural, wonderworking power of God there would be no Holy people. Those that were to receive the inheritance were tasked with perpetuating faithfulness and humility in the generations to come. They saw first hand what God did and they must tell their children.

From Gretchen’s book of common sense: Children (of all ages) are taught, even when we wish they weren’t. What matters to their parents, matters to them. The more progressive parent might suggest their child should investigate and find their own answers.  Yes, children of every generation have done this, but the phenomena that persists through the ages is that they come back to their childhood securities. In other words, they fall back on the lessons learned at their father’s knee.  SO TEACH THEM! If you’re going to give God glory, testify first in your own home and live like you believe. Trust like you have the inside track on hope and obey like you know THE ONE that holds the future.

Love,

Gretchen