Sonshine!

You dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. I John 4:4

Who is ‘them’? ‘Them’ is the antichrist, those spirits which have enough truth to make trouble but lack The Truth that saves you and makes you whole.

During John’s life there was great struggle with the concept that Jesus came to earth as a fully human baby, lived a tempted but Holy life, served others first then died an unjust death, simply for love’s sake. 

When reconciled by faith, the Son of God/Son of Man equation takes all of satan’s power. Satan uses confusion to defeat and discourage, but John gives his listeners, yesterday and today, the reminder that our God overcame the world and as His children, so can we.

Because we know God and God is love, we are given the power to discern between that which God gives and that which the world offers. Knowledge isn’t the problem, the power of will is. Be strong and courageous, for your Father is a King and He has already won the day!

Have a Super Summer Monday,

Gretchen

And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. I Peter, 5:10

Peter, one of the three disciples closest to Jesus, wrote this letter to groups of scattered Christians at the outbreak of Nero’s persecution. It was a season of great persecution for all believers. Verses 7-11 are packed with strength and encouragement for the outcast and downtrodden, with verse 10 and 11 being the conclusion.

Peter witnessed the Crucifixion of Christ and He entered the empty tomb. The sights, sounds, smells and emotions……..God’s Glory, in 3D, living color, were Peter’s recent experience, and now he is suffering the same persecution that began at the cross. Because of this, Peter has authority to speak, to testify and to call all believers to perseverance, hope and joy.

Just as Peter modeled, embracing Christ’s attitude toward suffering gives strength in our own persecution and energy to press forward by the power of the God of all Grace!

Happy 250th Birthday America,

Gretchen

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. John 1:9

As very young children we are taught the opposite of cold is hot, and the opposite of light is dark. Learning skills that help us sort and organize information for ascertaining deep knowledge is great, but for the purpose of this theological moment, let’s consider that they are not opposites, but have another relationship. Cold is the absence of heat, and light dispels darkness.

The True Light that John speaks of is so radiant that where it shines it eradicates every shadow and every hidden crevice and cave. Imagine for a moment that even where you stand, there will be no darkness beneath your feet in this Light’s illumination.

Darkness is synonymous with hopelessness, yet, just a pinhole of light, a tiny glow brings promise, hope. Jesus came into the world during the reign of one of history’s most bloodthirsty characters, Herod the Great. In addition, the Jewish hierarchy was corrupt and self-serving. The world was dark.  AND THEN….God sent His Son, the Light of the world. This light swallows the darkness that threatens, worries and intimidates each of us. We have hope, a future and an assurance that we will never be overwhelmed or consumed by darkness again.

No matter the weather, the Son is always shining!

Gretchen

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31

The empty tomb begins John chapter 20. On that same evening Jesus appears to His disciples, minus Thomas, and breaths His Spirit on them. The story of Thomas reaching out and touching Jesus’ scars is also told. Following these accounts, John concludes this passage with the comment that what he has written is just a small fraction of all that Jesus did,

The divinity of Christ is the major theme of John’s writing. Jesus is the Son of God, and yet, became the son of man. He died an unjust execution at the hands of selfish men, but rose from the grave taking all power of sin away from satan and his minions.

There is enough Good News in John’s Gospel for you and I to know who Jesus is, what His purpose was and how we should respond. God’s word is a book of Love and invitation specifically for you personally.

Love,

Gretchen

Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only and take your oaths in His name. Deuteronomy 6:13

Oaths: Binding contracts, formal commitments, casual promises, integral parts of interpersonal relationships, the things of life created and kept by person to person bonds. Your word represents who you are and what you value. The manner in which you honor your word defines your character. When you give your word it should be sacred because you made it prayerfully and purposefully. Keeping your oaths honors God.

Instructions for life! The central direction is to fear the LORD. Uphold His absolute authority and power. Oddly, the only way to do this is to imitate Him. To imitate is to serving……which is…..loving others.

Happy July!

Gretchen

The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. Deuteronomy 6:24

The name Deuteronomy means second law and contains the restatement and reaffirmation, or exposition, of the Sinai Covenant (in part, the Ten Commandments). This book, said to be the words of Moses, defines the heart of God’s law. The fact that Deuteronomy was quoted over 80 times in the New Testament indicates its relevance to today’s world.

The fear of the Lord is simply knowing who is God and who is NOT! Add a dash of respect and acknowledgement for His power, worship and obedience become the air you breathe.

We don’t love the LORD so that we may live long and prosper, that would be putting ourselves at the center of the universe. We love because He first loved us. Peace and prosperity are simply the result of a life lived in submission to the One that created and loved us.

Happy Summertime,

Gretchen

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and Godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. II Peter 1:3

Faith leads to salvation, salvation leads to the very nature of God, Holiness. The opposite of sinfulness is Holiness. God will not dwell in the midst of sin, instead, He forgives, cleanses and forgets our transgressions.

We have been given everything we need to become like Christ and conquer the trials of this world through goodness, wisdom, kindness and love.

Have a great day!

Gretchen

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

The world is looking for game changers. There is a perpetual search for over the top fundraisers, eloquent motivators, energizing cheerleaders and leather kneed prayer warriors. More and more people use the word “overwhelmed’ with good reason. Entitlement combined with an implied expectation for being everything to everyone and shaming when failure is the only result, quickly brings well meaning people to the edge. Bringing the ‘A’ game 24/7, 365 is NOT an option, it’s survival!

Life is exhausting! And then there is this invitation, “Come to me……….” No strings attached, no give and take, just a hand reaching out from a Savior who left Heaven to secure peace and rest for you. Just say, “Yes!” Jesus is the game changer. Rest in Him. If He isn’t asking it of you, then maybe it doesn’t need to be done.

Love,

Gretchen

Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Acts 4:10

Peter and John healed the lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful. (Read Acts chapter 3) This act drew a crowd and so the two apostles began to testify to what they knew first hand and preach the Gospel of Good News. The Jewish political machine went into action partnered with the Roman authority in residence. Peter and John were arrested, but still, many heard the message, believed, and their number grew to about five thousand. (Acts 4:4)

The next day the High Priest (Jewish authority) wanted to know what right Peter and John had to heal this man. Yes, you read that right! They wanted Peter and John to give account of the authority they had for this kindness, this life changing miracle, this act that improved someone’s quality of life! These Spirit Filled ministers of the Gospel, for the first time in Christian history, declared that the machinations and manipulations of men are powerless against a resurrected Savior.

Happy Friday,

Gretchen

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

It has been a week since Jesus rose from the dead. He has appeared to many of His disciples, yet Thomas has encountered Him. In response to the other disciple’s testimony Thomas said, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” John 20:25b Jesus’ response was to enter a locked room, stand among these men and state, “Peace be with you!” then invite Thomas to do what Thomas said it would take to affirm his faith.

Jesus, our loving Savior took Thomas’ question of faith and applied it very personally to you and I because we are those that ‘have not seen and yet believed.’

There is great assurance in a Savior that understands the need for evidence and provides it lavishly. If I ever choose to live vicariously, I think I’ll live through the fingers and eyes of Thomas, the one that got to touch the wounds that were suffered for me.

Have a great Thursday!

Gretchen