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But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Titus 3:9

You don’t have to go to every argument you are invited to. – Bryan Jones to his daughter Gretchen.

This Pastoral Epistle was written to Titus who is given charge overseeing many pastors on the island of Crete. He must have had great strength of character. Opposition to the Christian messages was prevalent. Engaging in heated conflict proves counterproductive. A positive ethic focuses on overcoming evil with good. 

Unprofitable and useless are strong words with very unpleasant implications. Who has time for that? However, it is hard to argue with someone doing something loving and kind.  The Gospel message of hope and peace garners far more attention than petty controversies over who’s who in a moment that will soon pass away.

Feel free to turn down those invitations!

Love,

Gretchen

“Look, He is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of Him.” So shall it be! Amen. Revelation 1:7

The purpose of Apocalyptic scripture is to see the whole history, the big picture, of mankind and know that God will reign supreme in justice. 

As a graduate with honors from the School of Hard Knocks, degreed in “Refuse Wise Counsel,” nothing frustrates me more than people that just won’t recognize God’s authority, power and love and learn from the lessons of those that have gone before them. Reading the news, living in a world gone terribly wrong, exhausting one’s self in an effort to leave the air you share better than you found it, brings a defeated end to the day, but the absolute assurance that grants peace in knowing God wove every atom, every molecule of the universe together and He knows what He is doing. I don’t need to understand, I don’t need to huff and puff, I just need to love and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ……God will judge in due time and all will be right.

Have a Lovely Thursday,

Gretchen

In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will. Ephesians 1:11

In the Greek translation verse 3-14 is one long sentence of praise and it reads like a hymn or verse.  Paul cannot get over the fact that God has bestowed His riches in Heaven on us, undeserving sinners. God has always had a plan for redemption and restoration and at the heart of this plan is Christ. Christ’s death sets us free.

Like Paul, I hope I never get over the fact that God gave me salvation.  I did not deserved it when I received it, and I daily fall short of worthiness, yet God’s grace is sufficient and my restoration is ongoing, 24/7, 365.

God is Good,

Gretchen

Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because “the righteous will live by faith.” Galatians 3:11

Evidence is presented to a judge, the keeper of knowledge and discernment.  Based on facts, the judge decides and declares guilt or innocence. When the gavel slams, the decision is made. It is irrevocable. If the accused is declared not guilty, they are known to be justified.

After Paul first visited Galatia and established a church in this Roman province, Jewish-Christian teachers came to continue the work. They insisted that new converts must become sons of Abraham by way of circumcision and strict observation of Jewish law. 

This perspective made obedience to the law as important as the crucified Messiah. There is no comparison.  Through faith and faith alone, we know Christ voluntarily gave His life for ours. He lived a human existence but remained Holy, died on the cross and rose from the grave on the third day, thus taking away sin’s grip on all who believe!

Do we submit ourselves to standards of righteousness?  Yes, but it is through faith that we are saved and stand before our Judge to be found blameless, guilt free, totally justified.

Have an Amazing Day,

Gretchen

This is the written account of Adam’s family line.  When God created mankind, He made them in the likeness of God. Genesis 5:1

In the first four books of the Bible the creation story is told twice. Chapter five begins with the words above.  Once again it is stated, “In the likeness of God.”

Two things played a part in robbing mankind of our likeness to God: Man’s freewill, and the overwhelming temptation to sin, to choose things of this world over God’s perfect will.

God is Holy. Sin robbed mankind of its Holiness. But from the moment sin entered the world God maintained a means of restoration. By man’s freewill we accept God’s authority and believe that His Son Jesus gave His life in place of ours as payment for sin. When we choose these things of God, over the temptations of the world, we return to our likeness of God.

Satan would have you believe this is an impossible ideal.  It is not.  We are God’s crowning joy a perfect reflection.  Look to Him and mirror His love, His action, His passion.  In this way we are restored to His likeness.

Have a Wonderful Day,

Gretchen

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the Throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Revelations 7:9

Much of our moment to moment existence is universal.  Across the globe, people arise, motivated to maintain life, for themselves and any dependents they may have. No matter the ethnicity or culture, there is a longing for personal prosperity and loved ones to be healthy and whole. We are very much the same in our quest to stay alive. But the reality is far from gumdrop avenues and cotton candy clouds. Every success comes at a cost of ten failures. From the African Savannah to Alpine cliffs, from sea to shining sea, crisis rules the day, struggle is universal.

EXCEPT to those that know the LORD and have found peace. We have the promise of Heaven and a home in the immediate presence of God.  The enduring theme of Revelation is “Game Over!”  We live in the present and all the trials and burdens it has, but God is not restricted by linear time. He is in the past, present and future.  The battle has been won, victory is His and ours by association.

I can’t wait for that wonderful time when I stand before God and every nation, tribe, and people through ages lift their voices in worship to the One that gave us Eternal Life! It isn’t just a celebration of freedom from personal trials, but victory over sin that hurts the world over.

Warming up my vocal cords!

Gretchen    

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? I Corinthians 3:16

A temple, the physical representation of God’s presence among us, the anchoring place of the believer, a safe harbor for the weary and lost. We, the church, the Body of Christ, the individual, must be God’s human connection to this lost world, His temple.  It needs us so much!

Happy Friday,

Gretchen

David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 Samuel 22:1

King David’s life story is wrought with sin’s consequence.  The ultimate cost of sin is death, but there is a great deal of life to be lived first. David made some very selfish choices, from adultery to murder. As a result, his household ran morally amok and his children suffered and made equally bad choices. Grief and regret followed David, but he always humbled himself before God and God restored His relationship to him. 

Across thousands of years, David’s words touch our reality (finish reading chapter 22).  God is our Rock as life overwhelms us. A life’s story can be incredibly hard to look back on when more failures than successes can be found, but God’s grace is more than sufficient to cover any sin and His joy makes all sorrow irrelevant.

David’s legacy is not his politics, but his humble and God seeking heart.  That is a legacy worth leaving.

Happy Friday,

Gretchen

He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. Deuteronomy 8:16

A key theme in Deuteronomy is ‘Remember.’

The children of Israel are about to enter the Promised Land. Once slaves, they are now a great nation. Their success depends on their covenant relationship with God.  God and God alone will be their sole provider and protector and they will be His faithful and obedient people, a blessing to all the earth.  Prosperity is given, but that will beget a lax attitude. Caution against forgetting the source of strength and abundance. DON’T FORGET!

As life moves forward, remember your seasons of manna.  They are treasures that will see you through times of trial and teach a new and deeper knowledge of God’s character and love. Never let your praise quiet.  It defeats the devil and affirms your allegiance to the One True God.

Have a great day,

Gretchen

The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. I John 2:4

In the world of Theology there is ongoing debate between faith and works.  We do not get to Heaven by our deeds, we cannot earn God’s favor.  Agreed.

BUT…….if I, or you, became mute, would our actions tell the same story that our easily spoken words previously did?

Learning some new sign language, because actions matter.

Love Always,

Gretchen