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And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

Collosae’s church came under fire from cultural entanglements that wanted to blend themselves with Christianity in the name of philosophy, enlightenment and tradition. The proper name for this phenomenon is ‘syncretism.’  It looks good on paper and in theory, but it is opposition to truth. 

Paul emphasizes the intimate, individual relationship Christians must have with one another and their Savior. The roots of who you are and are growing to be must be anchored in a risen Christ. The ‘theologians’ of Colossae wanted the church to believe that God had given them mystical, secret insight, thus granting a special authority to them only. This is a huge warning!!!!! For all who seek, find. God is a loving, personal God. 

God alone provides and nurtures. If we believe this, it will become who we are in word and deed.  Our response is gratitude, because God is Good all the time.

Have a Great Weekend!

Gretchen

The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” John 4:15

In contrast to the wife of Lot, (Genesis chapter 19) who could not turn loose of the life that was destroying her, this woman at Jacob’s well had no idea the world had anything to offer other than sin, despair, misery, repeat……sin, despair, misery, repeat. Then she met Jesus.  

The road through Samaria, rather than around, was a short cut to Galilee from Jerusalem. Religious and racial prejudice made this an uncomfortable walk most would not take. It was uncommon for a Jew to venture through this land, but Jesus wasn’t intimidated, and when the woman came along, probably expecting to be treated with less respect than a stray dog, (It was normal social protocol.) she was surprised to be addressed with a request.

Jesus, being the Son of God and all, knew this woman had a horrible moral problem, but He didn’t offer her judgement. Instead, He had a foolproof solution.  Repent, sin no more and be sure to tell everyone who will listen.

Jesus did not live by the norms of the world.  He went places others were hesitant to travel. He was kind when cruelty was the order of the day. He was patient when other’s had no time to spare and He touched and healed when no one would go within a mile to help.  It’s the Gospel story over and over, LOVE BRAVELY! It really will change the world one life at a time.

Happy Thursday,

Gretchen

But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:26  

Lot was Abraham’s nephew. Abraham took him under his wing when his own father died a young man. Lot accompanied Abraham and Sarah as they left the land of their childhoods and traveled to Canaan and then on to Egypt. Both Abraham and Lot prospered and finally had to divide their household and go their separate ways.  As they chose their directions, Lot picked a fertile area along the Jordan River including the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. 

Evil was rampant in these urban areas, but Lot and his wife chose to remain and make Sodom their home. Wickedness veils itself in beauty, sin comes knocking as tremendous opportunity and debauchery appears innocent. They loved it, totally and completely, to the extent the virtue of their daughters was threatened and their very lives were balancing between life and death. When Abraham prayed for their salvation and God answered, the angels that went to rescue them had to drag them kicking and screaming out of danger at the very last minute possible.  

Lot’s wife just couldn’t let go of the life she lusted for. She looked back to the past rather than the future and she died, frozen in her desire for the lights, glamour and excitement of destruction.

This story is not about looking back or forward. It is about wanting evil over Holiness. Your body follows the direction you face is turned. I recommend some Sonshine.

Love,

Gretchen

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9

Things from childhood echo in my head: Mother imploring my three siblings and me to just get along is one resounding echo. She did not desire to remain in a constant state of kangaroo court, sorting out who was right, wrong, the offended and the offender. It was an impossible, unpleasant task. Four young children needed to take it upon themselves to become active participants in peace making and keeping.

Jesus begins His Galilean ministry with the opening comments we call the ‘B’ attitudes. With this teaching Jesus turns man’s common presumption of entitlement upside down and begins to paint a perfect likeness of God. The disciples considered this list to be as important as the Ten Commandments. The Bible equates peace with prosperity. If we want a part in a future of glorious hope, then we must invest in Godliness today.

God doesn’t play give and take, keeping score to appropriate favor/blessing. He has a standard and boundaries that protect His supreme creation, you and me, designed in love. Peace is not a destination, it is a life style. When our actions honor our Savior, others will follow.

Love,

Gretchen

The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him, but with an overwhelming flood He will make an end of Nineveh; He will pursue His foes into darkness. Nahum 1:7-8

One Hundred and fifty years before Nahum, God sent Jonah to take a message of Mercy to this capitol of Assyria. This book of doom was more than just a prophecy of destruction, it was first a reminder of God’s patience and enduring love. It is the story of second chances ignored. 

Nineveh was a strong city, head of a warrior state, rich on the loot of those it conquered, built on the backs of slaves. Its nation destroyed Israel and wreaked brutal misery on Judah. It is described as arrogant and reckless, assuming indestructible security. But when this huge city was wiped off the face of the earth, it went totally undetected until excavations in 1820 uncovered it. For 2400 years people forgot it ever existed. 

In the Bible’s story, God’s mercy always stands in contrast to His judgement. He choses FORGIVENESS, REDEMPTION, RESTORATION, ETERNAL HOPE!!! It is not His desire to cast anyone into darkness, a place where His light will never shine, known as hell. This final move is the consequence of rebellion and resistance to truth. It isn’t God’s choice, but man’s.

Chose wisely!

Love,

Gretchen

But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. Luke 15:32

These are the final comments from the parable of the Prodigal Son, a story Jesus Himself told to teach a point. I encourage you to read verses 11-32. It is an illustration of the Heavenly Father’s response to a lost soul returning home. Jesus’ objective in this verbal painting is to give encouragement when we grow discouraged over sinfulness. 

Jesus’ sole purpose was to forgive.  All else He has done is a residual of this one thing, FORGIVE! He was without sin, but His heart ached for those in bondage to death’s grip. The lost brother was found and freed. The older brother, he who never rebelled and stood loyal and faithful to his father, was resentful. Why was this added as a dimension to this narrative? Because the attitude exists in reality and is destructive. God doesn’t need our notches to assist Him in keeping track of who deserves what. 

Jesus became man so that we could become eternal. It wasn’t an even trade. When we try to keep score, we will lose every time. Take the win, then take as many as you can find with you!

Happy Monday,

Gretchen

For the LORD gives wisdom and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

The word philosophy means the love of wisdom. Wisdom is not knowledge, it is the use of what we know. Quite a lot of learning happens impassively, or involuntarily.  Seeking God in these moments grants insight and understanding and safeguards against wrongdoing.  

A proverb is a guide to practical living. Every culture and age has a collection of their own, but God granted greater insight to Solomon, the Biblical Proverb’s author, because he chose wisdom. Kings came from the ends of the earth to seek his counsel and to hear him speak on everything from botany to morals. 

Wisdom doesn’t happen.  It must be sought whole heartedly. Will there be test? You can bet your life on it.  

Have a Wonderful Friday,

Gretchen

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

There is not a more intimate song of praise to our creator God. This Psalm tells of God’s infinite knowledge of man’s soul and His universal presence in all things. 

Fear, as it pertains to our relationship with God, is a profound respect, rooted in awe and wonder. We must honor and worship God alone, but the Psalmist recognizes that we also, are fearfully made, not from an assembly line of repeated parts that work together in synchrony, but each, a unique combination of God’s supreme creative power.  

We strive to become like each other. It makes us comfortable and even in our rebellion toward some standards of acceptable behavior, we align ourselves with those of similar actions, thus getting lost once again in our alikeness. This is not all bad, as it makes the world run more smoothly most of the time. Just don’t get lost in man’s cookie cutter mentality and lose sight of how independent and original your were when God decided the world needed one of you. You were woven together with the greatest respect by the One who loves you most. 

Love,

Gretchen

So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:21 

God is the sovereign originator of all that is. The world, designed for man, was purposefully created in a logical, ordered fashion:

Days 1-4. Inanimate creation, light, atmosphere, land, sea, vegetation, sun, moon and 

            stars.

Day 5. Animate creation, sea creatures, land animals.

Day 6. Man, with moral conscience, the ability to share in a variety of        

            relationships, an imagination, and a free choice.

By the word, the very breath of God, chaos, a formless void, came into perfect harmony. 

God is a God of Wonder, which is the root word for wonderful……FULL OF WONDER! He delighted in all that He did. Point your face toward His Heavens and rejoice in the things God calls good, and that includes yourself!

Love,

Gretchen

Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.  Daniel 5:17

While a youth, Daniel was carried away from Jerusalem and into exile by the Babylonian army. Well educated, handsome, and intelligent, Daniel became friend and advisor to King Nebuchadnezzar, a brilliant builder and administrator of the world’s greatest empire at the time. 

On three occasions Daniel’s ministry caused Nebuchadnezzar to call the God of Daniel, God. Nebuchadnezzar died and Babylon was led by other kings. By the time Daniel was a very old man, Belshazzar was in power. In an act of deep wickedness, this king brought sacred things from the temple of God and used them in an orgy type feast. God was not amused and wrote Belshazzar a message of his doom on the wall of the banquet hall. Daniel was called to interpret the message. He did, and that very night the Babylonian empire fell to Persia. 

This earthly king meant to disgrace and circumvent the power and ordinances of God. In a panic, Belshazzar promised greatness and security in his kingdom if Daniel could save him and give him peace of mind. Daniel let it be known the only place in any kingdom he had interest in was that of the One True God. Belshazzar died that night. Daniel lived and continued to lead a life that brought glory to God.

Have a Terrific Tuesday,

Gretchen