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Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in
you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. 1 Corinthians 6:19

Corinth was a bustling metropolis, one of the top five busiest towns of the Roman empire at the time of Paul’s missionary trip there.  Located between the Aegean and Adriatic seas with ports on each, Corinth was the crossroad of a diverse world. These people lived with gusto, they were on the move, pagan worship was the order of the day. They understood the significance and reverence of a temple.

Paul had been preaching a gospel of love rather than law.  His listeners were converted gentiles with very little knowledge of God, much less Holy living. ‘Anything goes’ was the extent of their ethical and moral teaching. So Paul explains, there is a tremendous difference between being free to do anything and having anything made free to you.  Where is the balance between privilege and detriment?

God’s design for your life is beautiful and uncomplicated.  Satan certainly wants to clutter things up with emotional, spiritual and physical baggage.  However, God saves, sanctifies and makes Holy your body and soul, thus creating a perfect dwelling place, a temple, for His Spirit.

Holiness is simply the absence of sin.  God won’t, can’t, dwell with sin as a housemate.  If you long to live Holy then you are not your own. Let God’s Holiness fill the spaces of your life so completely that there is no room for anything but His precious, powerful Spirit.

Love,

Gretchen

Friday Oct 28 The

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believer in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. I Timothy 4:12

The authority is in the Message, not the messenger.  Verse 11 says, “Command and teach these things,” referring to the prior verse, “We have put our hope in the Living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially those who believe.”

Most people say, “I’ll help if someone else will take charge.”  Leading is a difficult position, whether you’re referring to a flock of geese flying south, or the women’s auxiliary organizing a bazaar.  Leaders are vulnerable to criticism and other’s unwillingness to constructively follow. A great leader sets their eye on the goal, is confident in their mission and plan of action, then marches on undistracted.  Age may grow a thicker skin and perseverance through practice, but age does NOT determine the message.

Do not let any excuse mute your voice. Live to the standard set before you: Holiness in speech, conduct, love, faith and all purity, then go boldly where others fear to tread.

Love, (from a not so youthful,)

Gretchen

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. Colossians 1:9

Each of Paul’s epistles began with words of commendation and praise for those who have heard and accepted the Gospel. These particular words go out to the Christians in Colosse, a small town located in what is now western Turkey, a place Paul was never able to visit personally, but felt great connection to through their pastor and his student Epaphras.

Paul is an evangelist, pastor, missionary, friend and disciple.  He was not God!!!!  He knew where his limits ended and only God’s could continue.  He prayed this church, these people, would find clear and perfect knowledge and grow in wisdom and understanding through the work of the Spirit.

It is often difficult to do the work God calls us to, then step back and release the outcome to Him.  Remember, the same God that reached down into your deep pit of spiritual quicksand will reach down to those you pray for and minister to. Paul presented the Gospel.  That’s all any of us can do. You be you, and let God be God. 

Have a Peaceful Day!

Love,

Gretchen

Then from Heaven Your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their case. I Kings 8:49

As part of the dedication of the Jerusalem Temple, the first permanent House of Worship to the One True God, Solomon spoke these words.  The request is very simple: Let this physical building be a symbol of Your long, enduring patience with a human race that can’t seem to keep their eyes and hearts on You alone.

I am a steeple watcher.  I was fortunate to travel to Europe several years ago. The trip involved touring many cathedrals and basilicas. Their magnificent size and beauty was indeed, breath taking.  Every town, even the smallest, had a chapel at its center, with sky scraping spires drawing the weary toward hope. So why did these walls cast a shadow on a lost world?

In America we have churches on every corner, in every shape and size, easily accessible to everyone. Yet, the world doesn’t come. That’s okay, because the building isn’t the sum of what God can or will do. You’ll find ‘that’ in the glorious cross atop those ornate pinnacles, those spires drawing you toward the One True God.

Raise your face to the Son/sun today and you’ll probably see a steeple or two. Let each one you pass remind you that God still choses to dwell among us, hearing our plea and upholding our case.  Oh! What a wonderful promise.

Love,

Gretchen

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves. Colossians 1:13

As the salutation/introduction part of Paul’s letter to the church of Colosse, these words are part of an encouragement and praise to the faith of these baby Christians gathering to worship and grow.

It isn’t the dark that intimidates, it’s what’s IN the dark that gives pause. In the dark of night shadows take on a life of their own, accents become obstacles. There is no surety in stepping forward or remaining still.  Darkness is horrible.  Satan’s dwells there. Confusion, injustice and sorrow are the laws of his dominion.

God has made a way to His Kingdom of light, His Son, the Christ, Jesus. God’s love is so radiant that the light is casts dissolves all shadows (even those under your feet).   

Don’t give up!  You’re not alone.  God is at work and you will make it!

Love,

Gretchen

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for people under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad.  Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun. Ecclesiastes 8:15

If you ask a certain blogger’s father, “How many guitars do you need to be happy?” His answer is, “One more.”  Such is life. We all work really hard to obtain ‘Just One More.’ But those earthly instruments will someday turn to dust and the man that drew music and joy from them will be pickin’ and grinnin’ in the Angel Band.

The writer of Ecclesiastes, a book of wisdom, is encouraging us to seek a life of joy found in our relationships, not our possessions. Seeking fame and fortune is vain. I won’t remember how many instruments dad collected, but I will remember our times together making music, refinishing furniture, roofing houses, talking theology and philosophy………it is the relationship that strengthened and empowered me to face life’s trials, not the things he owned.

God made us a social race.  We need each other.  He ordained the good things that life brings. Yes, we must work to sustain ourselves, but our jobs take us into relationships that give depth and color to our existence.  We do not have to creep through days worrying there is a sin behind every blessing and the other shoe must fall. Hold close the people in your world and cherish the moments you have been given.

Makin’ Memories,

Gretchen

And whether they listen or fail to listen- for they are a rebellious house – they will know that a prophet has been among them. Ezekiel 2:5

God commissioned Ezekiel to warn the wicked and call them to change their lives and command the righteous not to sin.

Freewill sets humanity apart from all other living creatures on earth.  It is a gift of love, woven into us by our Creator.  He could have designed robots driven by instinct, lacking emotion, sympathy, empathy, compassion. He did not and with this freedom we have all sinned.

The Biblical narrative does not hold Ezekiel accountable for man’s response to God’s Word. Every man will answer for their actions.  God asked the prophet, His servant, to obey and go, to act.  It is man’s choice to respond to God’s call and turn from his wicked ways.

Your response to God’s call, whether it be salvation or righteousness, is and always will be, your choice, and will direct the course of your life.  However, God does not waiver in His judgement and justice. HE does not change.  He is worthy of the love and obedience our freewill makes possible.

Love,

Gretchen

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

This is a familiar verse, but it is not one I quote to myself often.  I like “I can do all things…..” or “Ask and it shall be given…..”  I am absolutely NOT trivializing these verses, they offer great strength and assurance in contrast to blind faith………. Oh yeah, there is no other kind of faith!

Looking back, every step of my journey makes perfect miraculous sense.  I see God’s omnipotent wisdom, faultless timing and all mighty providence at work in the wonder I call life. Looking forward? Time marches on with me kicking and screaming into the frightening unknown, begging God to give me a peek preview of my future so I can make logical sense of things to come. Ugh!!!!

Time forward is never going to be logical for the faithful. You can’t plan God’s ways, for they are not our ways, but rest assured, every step of faithfulness leads to the Throne.

Here’s my happily ever after: God’s reality far exceeds my scripted plan of action.

Living the (His) Dream!

Gretchen

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24

This is the concluding verse of the scripture passage containing the fruit of the spirit and the tell-tale signs of a sinful nature.  We are all born with a propensity toward wickedness, labeled ‘human nature’. It’s ugly! When we confess our sins and give ourselves to Christ we exchange our human nature for the likeness, in every facet of our lives, of our loving Savior.

The evidence of Christ alive and well within us should speak loudly through our actions and countenance. His presence gives power over sin, both yours and other’s. 

Be Bold Today!

Love,

Gretchen

He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with Him.” John 3:2

This is from the story of Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee, a man of power and influence held hostage by the cynical and selfish agenda of his contemporaries and personal fear of an interrupted status quo. He came to Jesus in the secrecy of darkness seeking the light of truth.  Jesus walked him through the act of salvation, followed by the glory of God’s love and the promise of eternal life. (Check out verse 16.)

I love this story. Nicodemus was not noble and brave.  He crept through unlit streets hiding in doorways, lurking through shadows.  How offensive!  Jesus’ response was not a reaction to the insult, but an act of love, completing the purpose for which He came.

The manner in which we come, the questions we bring, the fears that weigh us down……..none of this matters.  It is the coming, the trusting, that changes life forever!  Jesus left Heaven to rescue you. Believe and be saved.

Love,

Gretchen