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In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelations 5:12

The message of Revelation is the big picture. God is in control, the final score: Love (aka, Jesus) for the win.

In John’s vision He sees a scroll that holds the destiny of earth and all that is in it. Yet, John does not see anyone who can open the document and see eternity. He sees himself desperate for the redeemer of those whose hope in the LORD, the One who sets them free. Then he sees the LORD among the prayers and praises of His people, and the angels are singing His glorious worth!

Who is worthy to hold and open the fate of all humanity…….everyone that EVER existed?! Only the One who was sinless, the Perfect, Spotless, Lamb of God, the sacrifice for every man’s eternal hope, the very definition of LOVE.

Eternity is a reality, it’s inevitable. The only option is your choice of residence. That scroll is my fate and yours too. I chose to join He who’s love brings life and I’m inviting you too.

Love,

Gretchen

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me; if you understand. Job 38:4

The book of Job is classified as a wisdom book in the Old Testament. Chapter 38, verse 4 certainly qualifies it as such because all wisdom begins with the understanding of who IS God and who IS not.

God allows Satan to take away all of Job’s blessings, his family, wealth and health. Satan did see fit to leave Job’s friends and their self proclaimed wisdom. Funny how that worked.

Job’s faith, his hope did not rest in the things of this world. He served and trusted a just and righteous God. Across his journey of grief, Job has asked some pretty tough questions, as do we in the midst of stress and strife. But God did not answer Job’s questions, He asks some of His own. Who are you? Did you weave the world together? Are you the center of the universe? Do you know what is best? The answer, “No” halts presumption, entitlement, arrogance, anger and protest, bringing us to our knees in humble acknowledgment of the things we do not understand and into worship of the Great I AM!

Love,

Gretchen

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

This verse most associated with the Christmas season, beautifully set to music by Handel in his work Messiah, is the hope of all the world, not to the future, but the here and now.

In doing my research and reading for this devotional I came across the words of John Chrysostom in a sermon from the fourth century. He ties the completely divine Son of God, to the unquestionably human Son of Man.

I know He was hungry, and I know that with five loaves He fed five thousand.
I know He was carried in a ship, and I know that He walked on the sea.
I know that He died, and I know that He raised the dead.
I know that He was set before Pilate, and I know that He sits with the Father on His throne.
I know that He was worshiped by angels, and I know that He was stoned by the Jews.
And truly some of these I ascribe to humans, and others to the divine nature.
For by reason of this He is said to have been both God and man.

God opened Heaven and gave His Son so that we would have perfect counsel, a strong advocate, a parent and PEACE!

Have a Merry Wednesday!

Gretchen

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

This verse has often overwhelmed me. What if I’m the only one that prays? Is that enough when God said, “People” not, “person?” Yes!

Solomon has built and dedicated the majestic Jerusalem Temple in honor of the One True God. The celebration was huge and earth shaking. There is a revival like feeling among the people, but God knows that is hard to maintain and so He assures Solomon there will always be a way to restore the relationship between God and man.

God is love. He is forgiving and healing but our personal relationship depends on humility and the correct attitude toward God’s sovereignty. From Heaven God can hear, but wicked ways are an obstacle that man must choose to remove so that nothing compromises God’s power to forgive and restore.

One voice, one prayer……it is enough. Accountability begins as a solo act. Any change for a land of many starts with one……… one praying, humble heart.

Love,

Gretchen

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the Heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

In the 1600’s this verse inspired the words of the most sung hymn ever written, The Doxology. Praise God from whom all blessings flow……. It was composed by Thomas Ken a chaplain of Winchester College, an historic English boys school, to encourage devotional habits in students.

Writing from prison, Paul gives a sermon that focuses on the character of Christ’s church. First and foremost we should acknowledge who and what He is through our praise! All things, from joy in our hearts to the roof over our head, come from God because His purpose is to share and instill His spiritual riches in His children.

God’s blessing comes to us through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. Praise is what He is due and it keeps our spiritual health in great shape starting with appropriate perspective of who gives what to whom. 

Mankind: 0                                                                                              God: Everything

Have a Beautiful Monday,

Gretchen

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Refuge: A place to hide or have privacy.
Strength: Mental or physical stamina.
Present: Existing at this time, here.
Trouble: Annoyance, worry, something requiring great effort.

In this very moment God is THE place to hide. The welcome mat is always out. In fact, space is available for permanent residence in His shelter. He alone has the stamina (it’s out of the world actually) to conquer and eradicate worries, annoyances, things that require more energy and effort than there is to give.

Written by a temple musician, Martin Luther used this Psalm as a model for his hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God. It is not known if attacking forces, natural disaster or simple faith in God’s unassailable power inspired these words of praise. It does not matter. Whatever the need, a private moment to regain perspective and balance or a shelter from the pain, sorrow or threat of this world, RUN TO GOD.

Love,

Gretchen

I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out. Luke 19:40

Jesus has ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey, not a war horse. The beginning of the end has come, or for every believer, the beginning of an end that will never come.

The disciples were spreading their cloaks across the dusty road and shouting “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the LORD! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest” (verse 38) The church leaders told Jesus to rebuke His followers for saying such things and above is Jesus’ response. The next verse tells that Jesus looked out over Jerusalem and wept for the future He knew was imminent, not His own impending death, but the spiritual death of the population and the consequences that would follow.

Jesus has dominion over all the earth and for those that recognize, believe and worship, praise cannot be contained or silenced. It is a residual response of gratitude. Jesus’ words are not about the power to make rocks sing, but rather the inappropriateness of anyone attempting to quiet praise or minimize God’s glory.

Up until this day Jesus down played celebrity, but now He is giving way to the celebration of things to come. Victory over death is about to become the new order of the universe. It was time to shout for joy then, and it still is today.

Singing Louder Than the Rocks,

Gretchen

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

John chapters 13-17 are predominantly Jesus’ words spoken in the hours between the Passover Supper (The Last Supper) and His arrest. The disciples are about to experience the greatest turbulence imaginable. They gave up their livelihoods to follow Jesus, He is departing in a horrific manner, and yet, He speaks over and over again of love and peace.

There is absolutely nothing of this world that Jesus’ death and resurrection has not conquered. It isn’t spoils that go to the victor this time, it is peace, the crowning glory of Heaven. That’s a good reason to smile.

We live in a world that has more that enough crisis due to sin, but the battle has been won. The only obstacle to victory and peace is your free will. Lay down the burdens sin has wrought and let Jesus carry you through. He came and died to deliver you from this world while you are still in it, giving eternal life that begins the moment you accept His love and forgiveness.

Have a great Friday Eve.

Love,

Gretchen

Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

While speaking directly to a nation rebuilding, Zechariah brings both the present and the far future in to very clear focus. The exiled Jews returned from Babylon 20 years earlier and had still not rebuilt Jerusalem’s temple. Haggai and Zechariah both prophesied between 520 BC and 518 BC that rebuilding the symbol of God’s presence would bring blessings to His people. The promised Messiah would come, bringing the long awaited peace the world has been anticipating. He will ride a humble donkey, not a war horse, and He will obliterate oppression and free the world from the bondage of evil.

Zechariah tells of a Messianic King from the house of David, yet He will be a priestly servant, a good shepherd, the Lamb to be slain, all for the sake of peace, yours and mine.

Peace comes at great price, the Son of God’s life. This promised state takes more intentional effort and work than anything else on earth. Humble relinquishment of one person’s will and way to another’s is the start. Add in a faith that knows God is in control of the will and way you laid down and peace can reign. It is well worth the cost!

Spending Wisely,

Gretchen

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

The Great Commission: GO!

A great deal has taken place in lives of eleven men. Their friend was unjustly executed and their own lives by association were threatened. Everything they had is gone and the future couldn’t look more uncertain. They struggled between loyalty and fear, hiding and boldly charging forward. They made it through, moment by precious moment, and now the miracle of the ages stands in living color before them. Once again they hold the greatest treasure on earth: HOPE

Through His death and resurrection Jesus has ALL authority in Heaven and on earth. Matthew has repeatedly shown how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament law and prophecy. Now Jesus returns to show and tell that the Good News is not exclusive, the invitation extends to everyone, but someone’s got to tell the world. Jesus didn’t die to settle a political score for a few in a moment’s blink of time. He died for all men, for however long the earth shall last.

What does ‘Go’ mean? Share and give HOPE through a LOVE that sustains and heals, and let your FAITH be the strength someone else needs to find their own .

Love,

Gretchen