Sonshine!

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes Lord,” he said, “You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15

Peter, the most impulsive and outspoken of all Jesus’ disciples, gave into fear the night of Jesus’ crucifixion. He denied knowing his friend to avoid persecution.

It was from a fishing boat that Peter first saw Jesus. And, in a moment of reckless abandonment he once jumped out of a boat and walked on water. He was privileged to many miracles and wonders and was one of Jesus’ best friends, a valiant defender. Still……… he had a moment of weakness and failed in a big way!

This post resurrection encounter between Jesus and Peter was much like the first time they met. Peter threw caution to the wind and went running to the LORD, who incidentally, had breakfast ready and waiting. They ate and then Jesus asked, “Do you love Me?” He knows the answer, but Peter needs to say it, see the radiance of love and forgiveness on the LORD’s face and hear His call once again.

Peter’s failure didn’t define him. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, he changed the face of the world. Don’t let your failures define you. Live in the unlimited power of grace and feed those sheep!!

Love,

Gretchen

I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. Genesis 12:3

The nation of Israel begins at God’s encounter with Abraham. A descendant of Shem, one of Noah’s three sons, Abraham was a native of Ur, and an Amorite. The Hebrew sect was perhaps a subculture of lower socioeconomic status within the Amorites. Through this relationship of obedience and trust, God began to fulfill His plan to bless ALL people.

Abraham’s story is not a perfect one. It involves many things we denounce. Human meets real world challenges, and fails. Yet, forgiveness and redemption were and are ALWAYS available.

This is not just the story of a nation’s birth, it is the story of Good News. God loves you because He chose to. He is faithful and will never UNchoose to love.

Have a Beautiful Blessed Day,

Gretchen

It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on the them.II Peter 2:21

What does God despise? The false prophet, the arrogant, depraved human who disguises themselves as loving and helpful only to destroy what God has given.

Peter the apostle is forewarning his listeners that false teachers have already disrupted other Christian groups. Be ready. These people are anti-authority and respect no one. They leave paths of pain and dysfunction. Greed and blasphemy are two strong characteristics of those who walk in darkness but speak of their light. Their gain comes at great cost to others, yet they feel nothing. Their assured future is worse than anything we can imagine. Justice will come for them.

The active work of God leaves healing, comfort, wisdom and strength. He does not tease us with hope and then hide His face, but we must seek Him. Then He will lead us in well lit paths of righteousness.

Love,

Gretchen

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

Although the author of Hebrews remains a mystery, the audience is not. It was written to Jewish Christians who were caught between what to preserve from Levitical Law and what to release to grace and mercy. For a people taught to totally rely on tradition and extreme outward behavior to honor God, changing didn’t come easy.

Through the life and death of Christ we received the perfect model of God in the flesh and were freed from the bondage of sin. This was a huge change from the way things were before, but God still remains the same. He has chosen to love mankind and is doing everything within His power to bring us into relationship with Him.

It seems baffling to imagine total reliance on someone. It’s not so much that one loves money, but you cannot live without it, so it becomes a tremendous burden and priority. Even so, God reminds us, “You will never have need. I will provide.”

Faith and peace are interlocking. Free your heart of all things, trust in the LORD for He is worthy and faithful.

Love,

Gretchen

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Christ is the image of the invisible God. We must recognize and emulate, or clothe ourselves in, the virtues God revealed to us through His Son.

Becoming a Christian means change from an old life to a new. The former was self-centered, the present is centered on the qualities that Jesus modeled while in the flesh. Our behavior must be reshaped in the mold or likeness of Christ.

These characteristics were Christ’s priority. They must be our’s also.

Love,

Gretchen

Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed. Daniel 4:12

The early chapters of Daniel are stories of great faith, showing God’s values confronted with hostile cultures, Daniel and his friends were courageous and held true to their convictions in the face of terrible consequences.

Nebuchadnezzar was a very powerful king. His father, Nabopolassar, was founder of the Babylonian Empire. In the midst of his self importance and authority, this mighty king could not shake Daniel’s faith. It made a difference! Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, part of which is described above. He called magicians, astrologers and diviners to interpret his dream but they failed, so he called on Daniel, recognizing once again the power of the Most High God, the God of Daniel. The interpretation of the dream revealed that this world leader would fall and live like a wild animal isolated from human contact.

Though earthly governments and principalities exist, God is sovereign. There are no kingdoms of men that will circumvent God’s power or authority. Our focus should always remain on obedience, worship and praise for the Creator of all things.

Love,

Gretchen

Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37

These are the words of Jesus from scripture known as The Sermon on the Mount.

Say what you mean and mean what you say. If you have uttered the word, “Yes,” you have probably endorsed something or entered into an agreement. Following through reflects your character.

No. Think for a minute how different the world would be if this one little word was respected. No means no. It’s okay to say it and stick to it. If you are questioning the ‘No’ you started with, someone may be trying to persuade you in a direction your honorable instincts have already decided.

Indecisiveness is an open door for the evil one. Slam it shut!!

Have a lovely Weekend,

Gretchen

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war. II Chronicles 16:9

Peace is a gift from God to the obedient.

Asa followed his father Abijah as king of Judah. He did right in the eyes of the LORD. He removed false gods from places of prominence and commanded his subjects to seek God and obey His laws. The land was at peace and prospered.

In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign he was threatened by Baasha, king of Israel, so Asa took gold and silver from the temple to buy protection from the king of Ben-Hadad. God was not pleased with Asa’s reliance on earthly powers rather than on Him. God had been faithful and Asa turned from trusting Him to trusting in man and money.

Also known as faith in action, obedience grows strength and supplies unlimited power from Heaven.

Have a great Friday,

Gretchen

For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. Galatians 5:5

Christ died to set us free from the bondage of sin. We are given the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower us to live victoriously in the world, yet not of the world. (Read all of Chapter 5, it’s amazing!)

The Jewish converts in the early church were not willing to release their orthodox traditions. They were circumcised as an outward expression of their heritage. They wanted gentile Christians to be circumcised too, as well as follow other strict laws from ancient times. Paul says, “NO!” It is not the body that pleases God but the heart, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Verse 6b says, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Pretty powerful and enough said.

Have a great day,

Gretchen

Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Romans 6:12

Righteousness is not passive. It does not happen by accident and cannot remain without intentional effort.

Rome, a growing, sophisticated metropolis, had a growing Christian population that began on the day of Pentecost when Roman visitors to Jerusalem witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote this letter to those believers in hopes of visiting soon. Instead, three years later he arrives as a prisoner. Even so, his truth and works continued and Rome’s church grew.

God will not squeeze Himself into spaces harboring sin. Holiness is a choice. God is loving and just but He will not accept excuses. Sin is a death sentence, but Christ’s resurrection provides life everlasting.

Happy Weekend!

Gretchen