Sonshine!

But Very truly I tell you it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. John 16:7

These are words spoken by Jesus. Verse 1 says, “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.”

Jesus is mere hours from His earthly destiny, the cross. He knows in full what will transpire and He knows full well that His beloved disciples, his friends and fellow servants have no idea. They have no point of reference for a Lamb that will die so that all may live. These devout Jewish men have been taught to look for a conquering Lion that will rule the earth alongside God’s chosen people. Jesus did not want them to give up when He was gone. We know the rest of the story, they did not.

It is so hard to turn loose of tangible things that comfort us. The disciples not only failed to understand why Jesus had to leave, they weren’t especially enthusiastic about trying. I don’t blame them. Nevertheless, Jesus did not grow angry or impatient with their questions, concerns and doubts. He spoke over and over of God’s plan for them, and for you.

During His ministry Jesus never quit teaching that God’s way, while beyond our human capacity of mind and spirit, is perfect……. perfect timing, perfect love, perfect wisdom, perfect victory, and the all powerful Advocate would continue the work done by the Lamb of God.

Love,

Gretchen

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7

This statement is the conclusion to the account of a dispute over disbursement of resources by the early church to widows and orphans. The Christian community was growing but that didn’t mean the Gospel was progressing. Conflict has snuffed out many good intentions. But, the prayer and preaching of the disciples had an effect on the way Christian people acted toward each other and those in need. There grew a movement in the early church, a common spirit of love, encouragement and putting others needs first.

How did the word of God spread? Through love in action! Church didn’t end when the preaching quieted. Church began when God’s people were moved to improve the world they could touch, smell, hear and see with manpower rather than lip service.

Happy Wednesday!

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

Oh! There is so much hope in these few words!!! God Himself will wipe a lifetime of tears from your eyes. Did you hear me? God’s hand will gently touch your face and all the sorrow you’ve ever known will be gone forever! Of course there will be no more mourning, crying or pain because death, the thing that hurts the most, is no longer relevant!

It’s so hard to imagine an existence totally lacking in emotional warfare, constant action and reaction, tipping the balance and righting it again. It’s no wonder we are all mentally drained, but God will put away the old order of a sin torn and confused world. His new order will be an existence of peace, order and love. Satan and his minions won’t be allowed there.

This promise of eternal hope is indeed beautiful and heart stirring, but how do you get through today? This promise of hope does not have to wait for Jesus’ second coming or your earthly death, it can begin this moment. Give whatever is robbing you of tranquility to God. You have absolutely no control over anything but yourself and that control is extremely limited. The struggle is in vain, so turn it loose and let God take care of it.

Have a Wonderful Tuesday!

Gretchen

That which was from the beginning which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life. 1 John 1:1

Please finish the rest of this beautiful passage of scripture through verse 4.

An apostle (he knew Jesus personally) John was one of the first twelve disciples. He lived and served closely beside Jesus throughout His ministry.

John was probably the last living apostle. Near the end of his life he began to see the Christian church pressured to accept other philosophies and ideas conflicting with the pure Gospel of Christ. He passionately writes what he knows to be divine truth, what he witnessed in the flesh and lived his life to proclaim.

Jesus is both a person and a message. He is the Son of God and the Word of God. He came in human form to bring God’s voice to a world grown deaf while modeling the life of absolute servanthood and love. Jesus left the glory of Heaven to suffer the pain, both physical and emotional, of humanity just so you could have victory over sin and death! In Christ alone you find life.

Love,

Gretchen

He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. I Peter 1:20

Peter was one of the twelve disciples that walked and talked with Jesus during His three years of ministry. He knew Jesus as intimately as any friend could, hearing the Gospel first hand, as Jesus spoke it.

Jesus was, is and always will be. He does not exist in linear time as we know it. We think of eternity as only the future, but it is the past as well. Before the world was created, before mankind came to be, God had a plan of redemption, salvation and restoration for each of us. Humanity has never been left destitute.

Have a great day,

Gretchen

Do everything in love. I Corinthians 16:14 

Many in the Corinthian church and surrounding areas wanted Paul to engage himself in the political and social issues plaguing the citizens of Corinth and the congregation there. Why? It was the avenue of influence the opposition to Paul’s message took. With great wisdom he declined and redirected his listeners to the timeless objectives of God’s Kingdom, worship, unity and the Gospel of Love. 

The manifestation of God’s great love is the sacrifice of Jesus and His miraculous resurrection, the foundation of our faith. Our response is to love and live as Jesus did, living with no hidden agendas and the highest integrity.

If your deeds are motivated by greater love for yourself than for those around you……it really doesn’t seem like I need to say anymore…….

In Love,

Gretchen

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. I Timothy 1:5

Love, a pure heart, good conscience, sincere faith. These are the things that bring personal Holiness; a complete lack of personal agenda and total submission to God’s will.

Love what God loves, seek the goodness of His Kingdom, sleep well in the peace of doing good and know that God has your life in His Hands.

Timothy has been sent to teach the Truth in the face of false teaching. Their message was tainted with a hidden agenda, but the world cannot argue with God’s perfect, selfless love.

When in doubt, and there will be times you will be, just love. Let God carry the burden of theology……who’s right, who’s wrong….. you just love. It will reveal who’s side you are on while cultivating a faith of perfect peace.

Happy Thursday,

Gretchen

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Psalm 32:1

We are Blessed! Eternal life has already begun for those whose sins are forgiven. Remember, Jesus died so we didn’t have to!!!

Have a great Day!
Love,

Gretchen

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. Colossians 2:16

Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is the dead faith of the living. – Jaroslav Pelikan.

Paul is speaking to a congregation of new converts, gentiles, not Jews. Up until the resurrection Jewish people depended on strict adherence to Levitical law for guidance in religious behavior. But Jesus taught that Loving God above all else and your neighbor as yourself, (Mark 12:28-34) was the key to the Kingdom of Heaven.

With the break from tradition, people were offended and arguments ensued. (Read all of Col. 2. It’s really good!)

Tradition can guide us forward, but Jesus did not sacrifice Himself on a cruel cross to assure that we worship twice on Sunday and once through the week with three songs each service, a forty minute sermon, an offering in the middle and pot roast for dinner. Yes, the Sabbath is Holy, it is a time set aside for the exclusive acknowledgement of the ONE that gave His Son, and the Son that gave His life. That is love! There’s nothing traditional about that!

Do not be held hostage by traditionalism. It is not faith. Instead be an advocate and conduit of unconditional love in action.

Have a great Tuesday!

Gretchen

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 in 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 freely doing everything! 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