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“Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” Matthew 6:10 NIV

These very familiar words are taken from Jesus’ prayer that is actually part of His ‘epic’ Sermon on the Mount. They are a request, ‘On earth as it is in Heaven!” That’s a pretty tall order if you ask me. Was Jesus’ just waxing poetic or was He serious?

These things I know: God is Holy. God dwells in Heaven…. Holiness is the absence of sin…. Heaven is Holy so there is no sin there…..God will not dwell in the presence of sin….SO….if Jesus said to pray, “On earth as it is in Heaven,” then Heavenly things are possible for us on earth. Really, Jesus said to pray in this manner, vs 9.

Now ask yourself, “What in Heaven do I long for on earth?” (Be reasonable and know that those loved ones really don’t want to leave there and come back here.) I long for God’s power and Holiness to dwell within me on earth just as boldly as I know it will when my address is Heaven. I can’t create a Holy earth, but I can pray for a Holy me on earth. The essence of Heaven is that God fills that space with His love and Holiness. Today I ask that God fill me, my space, with His love and Holiness and my heart will be ‘On earth as it is in Heaven.”

Love, 

Gretchen

The things of this world are temporary except death and taxes (which we still pay even after death!) We are constantly reminded nothing lasts forever, not even one’s resolve, so never say never. 

As a mother and a school teacher I have been guilty of saying things like, “I promise tomorrow we will,” hoping the ‘promisees’ forget the promise made when the sun rises.  As a fragile human I have treated the above scripture like impatient children have used my words to keep me faithful. I scream, “Remember God, You promised…….and I’m really struggling down here!” 

This letter was written to the Jewish Christians of Greece. They saw Jesus as Messiah through the lens of the Old Testament law and prophets they had learned it at their mother’s knee. But as a result of continual persecution they had withdrawn and were waiving in their diligence to remain faithful to the belief that Jesus was the Son of God, their Savior.

Throughout the closing remarks of this letter found in chapter 13, the writer uses the home and practical living to show that love is shone in the moments of each day. Christ never changes, but it isn’t a rulebook that grants Him power and strength, it is faithfulness through fidelity. He was calling the readers to look across the ages and remember The Unchanging Eternal God. 

Men are fallible and yes, this world and the people on it will perish, but all across time, from its infinite beginning to its infinite end, God’s love, patience, and faithfulness have not faltered. The focus of His omnipresence is YOU! You have not and will not be forgotten, forsaken or fatherless. 

Jesus loves me, and you, this I know. Because the Bible tells me so!

Gretchen

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace-as in all congregations of the Lord’s people. I Corinthians 14:33

This verse was revolutionary in my walk toward Christian maturity.  Life at its finest is still very overwhelming and our natural responses to this state are not good: anger, bitterness, discouragement, despair to name just a few. These responses also lead to actions that fail us in productivity whether it’s in our work or in our relationships.  Does this sound like a play date with the devil?  It always was for me UNTIL a wise older woman said, “Honey, don’t you know God doesn’t wish all this chaos on us, He is a God of Order and Peace, take His Peace!!

Sometimes I have to do a complete house clean of my activities, schedules, ambitions and expectations to restore Godly order.  Sometimes I just have to rearrange my spiritual furniture to make paths of movement more efficient and comfy. Whatever needs to be done, only you and God will know, but HE IS PEACE.  He is the architect of peace and order.  He wove the universe together and while doing so He gave each creature in that universe the gift of unique individuality. Ask, listen and receive from Him today. He’s certainly up to the challenge.

Have a blessed day.

Gretchen

Let your unfailing love be with us, Lord, Even as we put our hope in You. Psalm 33:22 

It was suggested to me, at a time when I was attempting to manage God with my worry, to stop and just worship. Psalm 33 is a model of perfect worship and praise. The author is unknown, but for 22 verses he calls us to celebrate God with music; the old, the new, with the big instruments and the small, sing with joy…..sing loud and sing proud! Why? Because the LORD is faithful, right and true. He is justice and love. As creator He is also provider, He speaks and things happen. His breath means great news! All of these things assure that evil has no chance in the fight against righteousness because He cares and considers all He has woven together. The things of this earth, the value we give, mean nothing because our hope is in He who gives unfailing love. 

Today, wrap, cover, swaddle…. yourself in this great love. It is dependable and constant and for this alone, He is worthy of praise. 

Why was I told to worship and praise when my worry was dominating my thoughts and actions? Because when you engage in true worship it takes you to the Father and you find yourself wanting to stay forever. Let God be God and rest!

Worship over worry,

Gretchen 

Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you I Peter 5:7

I Peter is a circular letter written several decades after the crucifixion and well into Peter’s career as a missionary, the fulfillment of Jesus’ call on him to lead the New Church into all the world. Peter is in Rome where he sees and knows the persecution of Christians. Anxiety ran high among those who had lost family, community and financial stability as a result of their new faith. The author of this devotional knows a little about anxiety. In fact, I’ve worried that I wasn’t worrying enough, as though my worries held the world together by helping God focus more efficiently!

Anxiety is all consuming. Sometimes it’s sudden, other times it builds slowly and finally erupts. Everything is fine until it isn’t and then fight or flight takes control and attending to work and creative productivity melts like ice on a summer’s day and hope evaporates like the puddle left behind.

Here’s some really good news. The Bible shames no one for this response to the pressures of human experiences. The sensation of being overwhelmed, burdened with more than one can handle, is well documented in Biblical stories and characters. Struggle does have purpose, it helps us grow and find who God really is so we may extend our testimony forward for others. We are not designed for anxiety but for peace, joy, love, kindness and rest. Peter encourages us to cast all that distracts, concerns, paralyzes and robs us of our peace onto Jesus and know He cares for you and will draw you to His safety, clarity and comfort.

Love,
Gretchen

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Colossians 1:11

This short letter was written during one of Paul’s multiple imprisonments for announcing Jesus as the Messiah, God incarnate, resurrected and living. If there was one phrase that could sum up Paul’s message it would be, “Give your mind to things above.” This world is time stamped and filled with trouble. For new believers the mixed messaging, and dueling theologies was difficult before you even got to carnal temptations. First, Colossae was part of ancient Greece and controlled by Rome. They had a deity for every occasion. Adding Jesus’ name to the list was not the threat, giving Him exclusivity and sole authority was. To the other extreme Jewish converts were unwilling to turn loose of The Law and The Torah, specifically, circumcision and kosher dietary practices. Paul knows it is about a new law, the Law of Love. 

Paul teaches this wonderful group of believers that Jesus is not asking for supplemental obediences of any kind. Instead, live confidently in peace because He is singularly all powerful and victorious, evidenced in His great love, shown in His suffering on our behalf. The parallel connection is made by Paul; it is an honor to suffer for the sake of the Gospel because this too is a great love, a Christlikeness, for the lost people of this world. 

There is no denying that traditions tug and pull us in many directions, shifting cultural norms create questions and doubts. The early church struggled and so do we. We CAN look across history and know God has and will be faithful through all circumstances. Take heart! The battle has already been won, so live in peace in spite of the chaos around you.

All my Love and Prayers for each of you,

Gretchen

The Lord is my light and my salvation;The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:12

Light is an amazing thing. It has been said to shine from within us, upon us, around us. It is also reflected, but light’s greatest power is in dispelling darkness to reveal the truth, reality. This Psalm of David begins with the hope found in The One True God, The Light, our Light.

The verses that follow tell of struggles, serious threats, and pleas for assurance and security, finally ending with verse 14, Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. David isn’t just finding a way to escape his oppressors, he is seeking to find the presence of God in the darkness of this world and assurance that God’s righteousness overcomes all we fear. 

The weight of the world is cumbersome, paralyzing in fact. But, David sets an example for us to follow; before acknowledging the trials and troubles common to being human, seek God’s voice, hear His words of assurance and love before another sound echoes through your day. Forward progress is not an option for all those who draw breath and darkness is dangerous.  Step into and follow The Light. Fear is a liar. Hear Truth first. God’s light is before us, around us, and through salvation, within us. 

What is in the waiting? Our acts of faith that God is working in our best interest and for the greater good! Take heart and know, the best is always the next step forward when walking in God’s presence. 

Love Always,

Gretchen

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)

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, forever it will be 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. 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 to 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 are 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 in the presence of God, today and for all eternity. Pray Saint Pray!!!!

Love,

Gretchen