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Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my bother to divide the inheritance with me.” Luke 12:13

This interruption came while Jesus was speaking to the multitudes concerning boldness through the Holy Spirit when faced with temptation and hardship. This nameless gentleman recognized the worth of what Jesus was saying but only as it applied to someone else, in this instance a brother’s alleged treachery.

Is it right that this man’s brother withheld his inheritance? No, but that’s not the point. Man’s behavior will never be fair. Humans err, perspective is miscued, some are downright selfish! God didn’t send His only Son to die so that we could keep score. He gave His Son so that we could overcome.

Jesus was flawless, sinless. Yet He battled Satan for our souls and won. God’s grace provides a means to withstand disappointment and live in victory in spite of the world’s cruel behaviors. It is my testimony that your needs will be met in the fullness of God’s Glory. Let this world have their treasure. It will soon turn to dust. Trade it in for joy and peace and know that you are the child of THE KING.

Love,

Gretchen

P.S. I’ve heard that gold is so abundant in Heaven that they use it to pave the streets!

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work. John 4:46

This verse is wedged between the story of the woman at the well who’s spiritual thirst was quenched for a lifetime, and Jesus’ call to fields ripe for harvest.

While passing through Samaria Jesus ministered to a lone woman while the disciples went in to town to buy food. A great deal occurred while they were gone. (Read John 4:1-26) The disciples returned with dinner but the woman who found Jesus had also returned with everyone she could find. (Evangelism can be that easy!) Jesus’ friends encouraged Him to eat but His response is the verse you read above.

If we want to be like Jesus our true satisfaction should be drawn from rising daily and serving the LORD in every opportunity.

Love and Blessings,

Gretchen

And giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His people in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:12

The word qualified has its root in the word quality. The qualified person possesses and uses designated esteemed qualities. It is our instinct to seek quality, yet being spiritually qualified is a gift given, not a status accomplished.

A resume is a document declaring qualification that only guarantees a comparative rank and respective monetary compensation. However, the qualification bestowed by God through the blood of Jesus assures the inheritance of eternal life that begins at the moment of salvation.

The inheritance we receive in the kingdom is not divided among us, getting smaller as the family grows. By the miracle of the Creator of all things from nothing, we each receive everything.

Love,

Gretchen

Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8

I add this verse to yesterday’s devotional to call attention to the next five word’s in verse 9, “Go and tell this people:” THIS people, not ‘those’ people, or ‘some’ people, or ‘other’ people, THIS people.

‘This’ is a very specific word. Isaiah was sent to a very particular people right in front of him. He could touch them, hear them, smell them. They were known to be hard hearted, deaf and blind to God’s love but God said, “THIS PEOPLE!” Isaiah asked, “For how long LORD?” God’s response, “Until there is nothing left.”

God is not a giving up kind of God. He won’t throw in the towel on you and He won’t call it a game on those you are praying for. “Whom shall He send?” Me and you, until there is nothing left.

Love,

Gretchen

With it He touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Isaiah 6:7

Isaiah had a face to face encounter with the LORD. It was glorious but what Isaiah saw in the presence of God’s Holiness was his own sinful nature, his unclean lips. He was in awe, yet overwhelmed with unworthiness.

Moments away from hearing the call of God, “Whom shall I send?” (verse 8) and shooting his hand in the air calling, “Pick me! Pick me!” Isaiah felt catastrophic unworthiness. God sends an angel to touch Isaiah’s lips, the organ in question, and he is forgiven, purified. Atonement for sin is freely given.

Satan’s weapon of choice is to compare us to this beautiful Holiness and let us find ourselves lacking. But leave him defenseless!! Heaven’s caress is for you too. Lift your face to the Son, feel the touch of God upon you, stand strong in the power of His purity.

Blessings,

Gretchen

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

Imagine you are warming up for the race of your life. You look up into the stadium and in amazement recognize many people that have stood in your starting position, run the same race and crossed the finish line in victory. They are now cheering for you, sending encouragement and screaming, “God’s got this, you can do it!” You are pumped and able to get in your zone where nothing distracts or inhibits.

When you need an extra portion of faith, borrow from those who have triumphantly gone before you. Stand in the power of your redemption and stay the course with your eye on the cross where indisputable victory was won!

And if you’re feeling strong today, stand in someone’s cheering section or run beside them, take their baton and run a lap on their behalf. It’s the legacy of the faithful, it’s what we do.

Go Get Em’!

Gretchen

He humbles you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that people do not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:3

Manna was an original food created for the sole purpose of satisfying the newly freed Hebrew’s palette and nourishment needs. That’s pretty awesome!

It was not God’s design that His people stay in one place long enough to cultivate fields for food, nor were they to spend their time hunting and gathering. They were on their final journey to the Promised Land. God’s plan was to love and restore a faithful people by providing all their needs.

God’s NOT out of the manna business. With humble heart, look to Him to supply all your needs, and with the greatest glories of the universe He will design a fulfilling, sustaining and unending manna, new and specific to you. 

Growing strong and faithful in the wilderness leads to the rest of the Promised Land.

Feasting,

Gretchen

I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3

All of Paul’s letters begin with some variation of this beautiful salutation.

When I finally finished college and secured a teaching job I posted these words above my desk so that I would never forget the gift of students and the people invested in who I became. As the years have come and gone, my gift list has grown considerably.

Today, I encourage you to consider those you share life’s intimate moments with. Reflect on the miracle that God has woven you together in this moment in time and space.

You can’t help but smile and feel all big inside.

Have a great day!

Gretchen

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood. Acts 20:28

Paul is bidding farewell to the Elders of the Ephesian churches. He is on a quest to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost where he knows his passionate proclaiming of the Gospel will end with him in chains. He does not expect to ever see these friends again this side of Heaven.

Over 200 times in the Bible, God’s people are referenced as sheep, members of a flock. I am not a person of great agronomy skill, although I know those who are. But in the mean time there is google where I find that sheep are hardy, social animals that can exist in almost any habitat in the world and they have excellent hearing. However, poor eyesight makes them easy prey to the hazards of the wild and even the tame. Does this sound like anyone you know?

Paul’s plea to the shepherds, who happen to be sheep also, is to be wary of the evil that never sleeps and who’s sole work is to destroy the church.

My friends, if I knew that I would never write another word, never see, hear or talk to you again, I would spend my final breath telling you this…..Listen to God’s voice, He will guide you and keep you out of those pits and the mouths of wolves. His loving staff will bring you safely home.

Gretchen

Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name. II Samuel 22:50

David’s biography is full of unprecedented triumph and devastating failure. In all circumstances he recognized God alone is worthy of praise.

Praise was vital to David’s spiritual victories:
It let satan know who’s side he was on.
It turned David’s face to the Throne of God.
It drowned out the voice of doubt.
It kept David in his place and God in His.
It granted clarity to every situation.

Praise will do the same for you.

Love,
Gretchen