Author: pastor.gerooney@gmail.com

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. II Corinthians 4:16 

By the time Paul wrote his third letter to the church of Corinth enough time had passed for exploitation of the Gospel to begin. There were arguments that Paul, who took on poverty rather than profit, was not worthy to preach to the wealthy and successful of this prosperous metropolis. He chose humility, manual labor, and occasional homelessness over false charisma. 

The life and message of Jesus represents an upside down Kingdom that contrasts fully with the values of this world. To be ashamed of Paul was to scorn the life of the Servant Savior, Jesus, who’s character was made known by His suffering on the cross.

Paul’s message isn’t popular among the crowds who demand title over qualification. Living like Jesus is incredibly hard! Read all of chapter 4 for a few details, but amidst all the trials and troubles, the power of the resurrected Christ is constant and faithful. 

Growing older is not an option. The toll time takes on our bodies is indisputable, especially for those who have not lived in luxury. But! We do not give up! With age comes wisdom, greater faith and stronger testimony. Someone out there needs to know you made it and have blazed a trail for them to follow. 

Testify Louder for Those in the Back!

Gretchen

Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  Lamentations 3:22 NIV

Here is a verse packed with powerful words:

Not, meaning prohibition
Consumed, to destroy or expend by use; completely use up.
Compassions, a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another, a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
Never, at no time.
Fail, fall short of success.

I don’t need to commentate on these powerful words, but I encourage you to put these absolutes into your heart and live them as your reality.

Here is a restatement of Lamentations 3:22 with dictionary.com and Gretchen partnering to remind you of how much love and assurance you have.

Because of the LORD’s great love, He will prohibit us from being destroyed or completely used up, for He has a strong desire to alleviate our suffering, He sympathizes with our sorrows and at no time will He fall short of success in this endeavor!

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

This is a Psalm of David written sometime after his sin against Bathsheba and her husband Uriah. Many scholars consider it a partner with Psalm 51. It is a song of the ransomed life giving praise to God for the blessing of forgiveness. Sin is truly a prison that hold’s the soul in a paralyzing grip. David beautifully expresses, the LORD does not count forgiven sin against us. 

Humble confession removes any deceit between you and Truth, bringing a deeper meaning to the freedom only Truth can give. David compares salvation to a hiding place. Odd, is there freedom in hiding? This shepherd boy poet turned king had to hide from his enemies many years. He knew the peace found in a safe, secret place that only his protector knew of. 

Three very distinct points are made: Sin has been dealt with, forgiveness has been granted and ignorance has been instructed. 

David, like each of us, was a sinner who’s only hope was God’s loving Grace.  What does grace require? A contrite and humble heart. This is true freedom. 

Love, 

Gretchen

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Hebrews 6:19 

The family of Abraham became the nation of Israel through God’s covenant promise. Now this nation was landless and dispersed across Europe and Asia. Following the resurrection many Greek Jews came to believe. The writer of this letter is speaking to them because they have suffered a great deal for their new faith. They thought Jesus would come again very soon and He didn’t and living like Jesus was difficult. Many were drifting back to what was easy and familiar, Judaism and even the idolatry of ancient Greece. 

The use of anchor is powerful. An anchor secures a vessel in strong currents and high winds. The metaphor connects the need for a reliable source of strength amidst life’s challenges Being Holy isn’t about trying harder and hoping for the best, it’s about living in Christ’s victory over sin and God’s sovereign power that always works for our good.

God’s faithfulness is our anchor, both in our future hope, but importantly, our present challenges. Do not cut rope and set yourself adrift! Remain anchored to God’s steadfast Goodness and Love. 

Love, 

Gretchen

The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you,”Genesis 12:1 NIV

This verse marks the beginning of Abram’s story. God calls to Abram and he obeys. The end………..NOT!

Abram grew up in the city of Ur. It was a major port metropolis. Residents of Ur had financial security and a high standard of living. Abram’s father Terah took his entire household and began a trek toward Canaan but stopped in Harran. Terah did not honor God (Joshua 24:2) and he died before the journey ended. But God called Abram to leave the traditions and security of his family and the convenience of urban life and go into a wilderness that would be the equivalent to the pioneer’s Kansas prairie.

Why are these details important? Because God called Abram away from what was ordinary and comfortable to make him His own; so he could become extraordinary! Abram’s story ends with the complete change to the history of mankind so you may think this invalidates the relevance of your obedience on this scale. But the story isn’t about the history of the world, it’s about becoming God’s own.

May you feel God’s abundant love today,

Gretchen

“Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” Matthew 6:10 NIV

These very familiar words are taken from Jesus’ prayer that is actually part of His ‘epic’ Sermon on the Mount. They are a request, ‘On earth as it is in Heaven!” That’s a pretty tall order if you ask me. Was Jesus’ just waxing poetic or was He serious?

These things I know: God is Holy. God dwells in Heaven…. Holiness is the absence of sin…. Heaven is Holy so there is no sin there…..God will not dwell in the presence of sin….SO….if Jesus said to pray, “On earth as it is in Heaven,” then Heavenly things are possible for us on earth. Really, Jesus said to pray in this manner, vs 9.

Now ask yourself, “What in Heaven do I long for on earth?” (Be reasonable and know that those loved ones really don’t want to leave there and come back here.) I long for God’s power and Holiness to dwell within me on earth just as boldly as I know it will when my address is Heaven. I can’t create a Holy earth, but I can pray for a Holy me on earth. The essence of Heaven is that God fills that space with His love and Holiness. Today I ask that God fill me, my space, with His love and Holiness and my heart will be ‘On earth as it is in Heaven.”

Love, 

Gretchen

The things of this world are temporary except death and taxes (which we still pay even after death!) We are constantly reminded nothing lasts forever, not even one’s resolve, so never say never. 

As a mother and a school teacher I have been guilty of saying things like, “I promise tomorrow we will,” hoping the ‘promisees’ forget the promise made when the sun rises.  As a fragile human I have treated the above scripture like impatient children have used my words to keep me faithful. I scream, “Remember God, You promised…….and I’m really struggling down here!” 

This letter was written to the Jewish Christians of Greece. They saw Jesus as Messiah through the lens of the Old Testament law and prophets they had learned it at their mother’s knee. But as a result of continual persecution they had withdrawn and were waiving in their diligence to remain faithful to the belief that Jesus was the Son of God, their Savior.

Throughout the closing remarks of this letter found in chapter 13, the writer uses the home and practical living to show that love is shone in the moments of each day. Christ never changes, but it isn’t a rulebook that grants Him power and strength, it is faithfulness through fidelity. He was calling the readers to look across the ages and remember The Unchanging Eternal God. 

Men are fallible and yes, this world and the people on it will perish, but all across time, from its infinite beginning to its infinite end, God’s love, patience, and faithfulness have not faltered. The focus of His omnipresence is YOU! You have not and will not be forgotten, forsaken or fatherless. 

Jesus loves me, and you, this I know. Because the Bible tells me so!

Gretchen

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace-as in all congregations of the Lord’s people. I Corinthians 14:33

This verse was revolutionary in my walk toward Christian maturity.  Life at its finest is still very overwhelming and our natural responses to this state are not good: anger, bitterness, discouragement, despair to name just a few. These responses also lead to actions that fail us in productivity whether it’s in our work or in our relationships.  Does this sound like a play date with the devil?  It always was for me UNTIL a wise older woman said, “Honey, don’t you know God doesn’t wish all this chaos on us, He is a God of Order and Peace, take His Peace!!

Sometimes I have to do a complete house clean of my activities, schedules, ambitions and expectations to restore Godly order.  Sometimes I just have to rearrange my spiritual furniture to make paths of movement more efficient and comfy. Whatever needs to be done, only you and God will know, but HE IS PEACE.  He is the architect of peace and order.  He wove the universe together and while doing so He gave each creature in that universe the gift of unique individuality. Ask, listen and receive from Him today. He’s certainly up to the challenge.

Have a blessed day.

Gretchen

Let your unfailing love be with us, Lord, Even as we put our hope in You. Psalm 33:22 

It was suggested to me, at a time when I was attempting to manage God with my worry, to stop and just worship. Psalm 33 is a model of perfect worship and praise. The author is unknown, but for 22 verses he calls us to celebrate God with music; the old, the new, with the big instruments and the small, sing with joy…..sing loud and sing proud! Why? Because the LORD is faithful, right and true. He is justice and love. As creator He is also provider, He speaks and things happen. His breath means great news! All of these things assure that evil has no chance in the fight against righteousness because He cares and considers all He has woven together. The things of this earth, the value we give, mean nothing because our hope is in He who gives unfailing love. 

Today, wrap, cover, swaddle…. yourself in this great love. It is dependable and constant and for this alone, He is worthy of praise. 

Why was I told to worship and praise when my worry was dominating my thoughts and actions? Because when you engage in true worship it takes you to the Father and you find yourself wanting to stay forever. Let God be God and rest!

Worship over worry,

Gretchen 

Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you I Peter 5:7

I Peter is a circular letter written several decades after the crucifixion and well into Peter’s career as a missionary, the fulfillment of Jesus’ call on him to lead the New Church into all the world. Peter is in Rome where he sees and knows the persecution of Christians. Anxiety ran high among those who had lost family, community and financial stability as a result of their new faith. The author of this devotional knows a little about anxiety. In fact, I’ve worried that I wasn’t worrying enough, as though my worries held the world together by helping God focus more efficiently!

Anxiety is all consuming. Sometimes it’s sudden, other times it builds slowly and finally erupts. Everything is fine until it isn’t and then fight or flight takes control and attending to work and creative productivity melts like ice on a summer’s day and hope evaporates like the puddle left behind.

Here’s some really good news. The Bible shames no one for this response to the pressures of human experiences. The sensation of being overwhelmed, burdened with more than one can handle, is well documented in Biblical stories and characters. Struggle does have purpose, it helps us grow and find who God really is so we may extend our testimony forward for others. We are not designed for anxiety but for peace, joy, love, kindness and rest. Peter encourages us to cast all that distracts, concerns, paralyzes and robs us of our peace onto Jesus and know He cares for you and will draw you to His safety, clarity and comfort.

Love,
Gretchen