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Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.Psalm 32:9 NIV

David’s sin with Bathsheba (II Samuel 11-12) brought great pain, not to mention shame and humiliation. The ripples of his one selfish and defiant act touched many lives. Yet, David proclaimed his righteousness. What a conflict of two opposite states of being! How can this be? Well, David’s only defense was his humble confession that brought forgiveness, and freedom from deceit, re-establishing his right relationship with God. 

This Psalm is a song of repentance. If you read it in its entirety you will hear reference to transgressions, specific offenses, forgiven, and sins that no longer hold power over a soul. In various translations there is the word guilt. 

There are three types of guilt. One is a natural remorse, a fixture of humanity. The second is a toxic guilt that speaks of a worthlessness in one’s own existence. The third is existential; the hopeless feeling of despair over an unjust world. Only the first is of God, conviction brought by a created conscience.

David’s sin made him sick of himself and softened his soul. He is calling out and encouraging his reader/musician/singer to find the same solace in the confidence of a God that will forgive and restore.

Love, 

Gretchen

Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.  Colossians 2:23

The church at Colossae faced the theological quagmire of faith verses tradition. People who once worshiped false gods weren’t sure what to turn loose of and what to keep of their old life as they grew spiritually.  This was fertile opportunity for unscrupulous people to take charge. Their issue then and ours today is this:  Man likes rules and traditions that create authority in their favor. 

Power is a fragile thing to hold.  It is hard to maintain and requires a commitment to the greater good.  Instead it sometimes deletes all common sense and compassion from its possessor.  The ensuing temptation to exploit and abuse is great.  When man attempts to live by rules, he ignores three basic principles of God: grace, mercy and love. These are the things that make and keep us Holy. 

Have a Perfectly Day!

Gretchen

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2 Corinthians 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Paul in the flesh was a person you either hated or admired. There was no in between apparently. He had a strong personality, drawing strong responses from those he encountered. This was the case with the people of Corinth. They chose a side with no middle ground. Those who apposed Christianity maligned Paul’s character, agenda and motive. He challenged this by standing on God’s promise of complete, perfect and transparent justice. He did not fear it, if you live in salvation’s truth, you should not either, but……

You are already part of eternity.  The question is, “Where will you spend the ages to come?”  When you stand before Jesus, He will know everything you have done and every thought you have had.  You will have NO secrets on that day. It is important to note, God does NOT accept  excuses.  BUT!!!!!  If you have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins, all of those awful actions and thoughts no longer exist!!!!!!  

Love and Peace,

Gretchen

But after he had considered this, an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21

Joseph was willing to follow God even when he and others questioned his actions. What he did conflicted with social expectations and both gender and generational entitlements. Joseph took care of Mary, loved her and stayed with her even when things became very difficult. He made sacrifices at great personal cost. Abandonment and self over others would have changed history. Whew! Aren’t you glad he followed the Spirit?

The earth is populated by those who depend on us to do the right thing. God called each one of us to see the greater good, and choose His Glory. 

Happy “Only Three Days ’til Saturday” Day!

Gretchen

For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

God is always willing to reveal Himself to you when you seek Him, but remember, the point isn’t for God to prove Himself to you so you never have to have faith. We must have a faith that guides us where our sight cannot go, for example: The future!

Love,

Gretchen

Today marks the beginning of year 7 for my blog. My mission is to engage in God’s word and give others opportunity to do so as well. Each of you that read and keep in touch, thank you, you are my special blessing. Love you all so much!

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4 (Revelation 19-22)

8/23/22 The Garden of Eden was the place God and man dwelt together, but sin separated man from his loving Creator. Now, there is a New Heaven and New Earth where God will dwell eternally. John sees the wedding of The Lamb and His Bride, The Church.  There are many references to wedding guests being invited, but collectively, they are The Bride. Throughout the Bible, the corporate and individual sinner has been labeled prostitute or adulterer. In contrast, it is an honor to be invited as a Bride, without blemish or wrinkle.

John watches as total destruction comes to the unrighteous and their father Satan. His domain was the abyss, the lake of fire, now it is his eternal prison of torture. There are now only two classes of people, the saved and the lost and John sees the glory of God become an eternal light, blotting out darkness and the need for locks and lamps forever. The New Jerusalem has no temple, but why would there be, God and Jesus are our eternal dwelling place, the sacrificing and repenting is done, we have arrived!

The vision ends, but an angel remains to verify all John has seen and been instructed to relate to those who will follow and believe. John establishes that all he says is true and finally, Jesus authenticates John’s revelation.

In the divine person of Jesus, we are given love, power and the hope of resurrection. The sum of all these things is Abundant Life, today and forever more.

Love,

Gretchen

Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to Your name? For You alone are Holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed. Revelation 15:4 (Revelation 14-18)

Before John is given the view of God’s wrath, exacted in perfect judgement upon those who brought suffering upon the faithful, he hears a sound, like the roaring of the sea. It is a New Song only the redeemed can know. (The number 144,000 is not literal, but represents all God’s people.) All Heaven is singing praise for the mighty works of God. The prophets and Gospel writers were right; steadfast and persevering hope have brought rest from the toils and sorrows of life on earth. Heaven erupts in unutterable joy and praise for deliverance. This harvest brings a finality to mankind’s struggle against evil.

After this amazing celebration of believers comes a solemn ceremony where seven angels are given seven vials of God’s wrath. These judgments parallel Egypt’s plagues. Persecution, oppression and abuse are avenged to the fullest degree! The Redeemed bear the mark of God and the wicked are marked by their allegiance also. There is no escaping what you have lived.

Babylon is mentioned in these chapters. It is representative of all nations that have used political and religious power treat people as commodities. Every age has its Babylon, that which entices people away from God by means of greed, luxury and selfish pleasure. But rest assured, God’s faithful will be vindicated. It is so certain, it’s as if it’s already happened. So, join Heaven’s chorus and sing a New Song in worship for what God has done, will do, and is doing!

Do, Mi, Sol,

Gretchen

Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. Revelation 5:8b (Revelation 8-13)

The prayers of the faithful play a significant role in outcome. In addition to 5:8, 8:3 tells of a wonderful aroma, our prayers, pleasing to God. John sees these prayers as a treasure in Heaven and he watches as God brings the answer to petitions.

John is shown a picture of God preparing Heaven and earth for final judgement. God’s people are represented as a woman with a crown of stars who gives birth to a Son who rules all nations, but Satan rises in opposition with political oppression followed by all out war and religious persecution. When destruction from outside doesn’t bring an end to God’s people, false prophets, also called false lambs, begin tearing apart The Church from within. With the powers of Heaven doing battle for good, Satan fails.

We struggle with what Satan is, and the pain and sorrow in which he delights, but it is of great importance for us to recognize what he is NOT! John’s vision has a great deal to do with this understanding. Satan is not a god, certainly not The God! He has no power of all-knowing, all-presence, all-being. He fears the name of Christ and knows his doom is inevitable.

God protects and cares for His own. The prayers of the Saints have worked! They are the most valuable asset we have. When you think your prayers haven’t been heard or honored, remember, they have not been stored in the dusty archives of Heaven, but are an active part of worship here and beyond, today and for all eternity. Pray Saint Pray!!!!

Love,

Gretchen

Then I heard every creature in Heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Revelation 5:13 (Revelation 4-8:6)

John’s revelation turns from the things of earth as Heaven’s door is thrown open and he sees and hears God the Creator and Redeemer praised for His power and majesty.

For every scholarly commentary written, there is an opinion of what the visions of John mean to each of us.  I will not choose a favorite theory and adopt it for your consumption. But, there is common agreement we simply will not fully understand until we personally behold Christ in all of His Glory. However, one theme is clear: No matter sin’s destruction or tribulation, God is on His Throne. Sin’s sorrow will never outweigh the power of The Church as The Church remains faithful and earth endures.

We will not live a trouble free live on earth, but we will come through to a permanent home of peace and security in Heaven, our living hope. Today’s crisis is not your forever, for joy comes in the morning.

Love,

Gretchen

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”  Revelation 1:8 (Revelation 1-3:22)

John is the only living Apostle when a messenger from Heaven arrives and tells him to scribe what Jesus is going to reveal. His visions were then to be sent to the churches of Asia where extreme persecution was taking place. Imperial Rome was attempting to wipe Christianity off the face of the earth, but admonition and encouragement sustained the faithful and the Church then and today survives triumphantly.

Revelations tells the story of a sovereign Lord engaged in battle with the forces of evil. It uses supernatural imagery, figurative language and symbolism that is not easy to fully understand, but we do know the number of completion, God’s signature, is seven. God’s omnipotent knowledge as Creator of the universe and Jesus as the fulfillment of righteousness is shown through love that conquers Satan. “Then all the churches will know that I am He who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.” Rev. 2:23b is evidence of the precious promises of eternal life for the believer and the agony guaranteed for the lost and rebellious.

Of the seven churches, two were blameless; Smyrna and Philadelphia. Two were spiritually bankrupt: Sardis and Laodicea, and three were accused of apathy for their tolerance of wrong teaching and immoral behavior among their members and leaders. Take heed!

God’s Word is to have a central place in the church and is designed to hold The Church to its mission. This final chapter is the consummation of God’s plan of redemption, established throughout the history of Biblical revelation. We are loved and our hope is in the promise and surety of eternal life.

Love,

Gretchen