Sonshine!

May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. II Samuel 2:6

Saul, Israel’s first king, anointed by God, has been killed in battle along with his son Jonathan. (The details of Saul’s death are better explained in I Samuel. 31.) Jonathan and David shared a deep and committed friendship that reached beyond politics and traditions. When David heard of their deaths he was deeply grieved.

David was to be Israel’s next king, chosen by God’s authority rather than man’s heritage. God told David to take his household and go to Hebron where he will be anointed and begin his reign. The words above are spoken in a message sent to the men that showed proper respect to Saul and Jonathan, giving them a proper burial and dignity in death.

David was often the victim of Saul’s ruthless treatment, but before he took the throne he chose to lead Israel in traditional mourning, exemplifying love, mercy and compassion above entitlement.

David, a man after God’s heart. Love, mercy, compassion………the things God gives, the things He expects us to share with others.

Happy Thursday!

Gretchen

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel. 36:26

Ezekiel prophesied the total destruction of Israel as a consequence of habitual idolatry and profanity toward God. However, God is not a God of abandonment or giving up. With the foretelling of consequences was the continued promise of a loving Savior, whose covenant is eternal for those who pursue Holiness.

The reference to ‘heart’ encompasses the total being. Complete transformation and renewal will occur. Notice this verse does not say ‘restoration.’ The implication that some of the old will remain is misleading and defeating. God removes the destructive old or dead, and makes a new living and vibrant life.

The prophecies of Ezekiel are not limited to the consequences of Israel’s disobedience. They extend to the oppressors too. Wrong decisions lead to difficult situations of abuse and oppression, but that does not mean God approves of those exacting exploitive or abusive behavior. God will renew you and deliver you from all sin that attempts to destroy you, not just your own. This sounds outrageously ambitious, but never underestimate the power of God’s love!

Living Boldly!

Gretchen

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

What constitutes a good start? What must a child understand and believe?

* God is love. Romans 8:37-39 and I John 4:8
* They are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalms 139:14
* Jesus, God’s Son, died so they might be saved. Acts 2
* God has a plan for living in peace with the world and those around you. I Cor. 13.

The greatest leap of faith ever made by a parent is the total and complete release of their child’s life back to the Creator. This is huge! Give them Jesus, and give them back into His loving care. Let them know and they will find the same faith you have.

Love,

Gretchen

And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. Acts 2:21

These words were spoken by Peter on the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came like a mighty, rushing wind and tongues of fire to fill every new believer, God fearing Jews from all over the Roman Empire. They were forever changed and thus began Christianity, the Body of Christ.

Peter recalled the prophecy of Joel, and the words of David bringing all who experienced the filling of the Spirit and all who witnessed it into one clear understanding of Jesus’ purpose and God’s work of Grace and Mercy. Three thousand were saved.

We are NOT abandoned to the grave, death does NOT have the final say. Jesus died to save us from the evil of this very day and the darkness of an eternity without God.

Hallelujah!!!!

Gretchen

This is what the LORD says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17

“I’m still the daddy!”

Throughout my adult life this phrase, uttered by my father, has ended all arguments within our immediate family, but has also brought great comfort knowing someone is in charge and has a plan for everyone’s best interest.

God, through His prophet Isaiah is saying the same thing. “I’m the Daddy, I’m THE GOD!”

Draw great peace from these words. Lay your burdens down and rest well, God’s on it! He’s the daddy and everything is going to be alright.

Love,

Gretchen

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7

As youngsters my siblings and I played a game called, “Mercy.” Standing face to face, two opponents grabbed hands to see who could push the other’s wrists back, thus rendering one player defenseless. The game ended when someone called/begged, “Mercy.” The winner had the choice to turn loose or continue pushing the helpless loser around as they were totally at the ‘mercy’ of the winner.

Mercy: To receive OR extend an exemption from punishment.

To receive favor and be excused from the consequences we are due is the greatest gift we can ever receive. To give this gift is the greatest act of love the world has ever known. We can and must make mercy the hallmark of our lives and to other’s lives we face each day. This is the supreme model of Jesus Christ.

Love,

Gretchen

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Fear is the understanding that you are not in charge. Therefore, to fear the LORD is to know that He is LORD.

Fools believe themselves to be the supreme enlightened super species and will go to great extent to control every detail of your life for the benefit of theirs. A fool does not want you submitting to your loving, all knowing and all powerful Creator.

Fear is a very healthy thing. Foolishness never ends well. We don’t know everything, but we certainly know the One that does!

Happy Wednesday!

Gretchen

Who has saved us and called us to a Holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. II Timothy 1:9

Holy: The absence of sin, perfect and blameless.

Grace: A free unmerited gift.

Jesus: God’s son who willingly left Heaven, became fully human, grew to be a man, tempted yet sinless.

Christ: The sacrifice. The payment for our sins.

Before time began there was grace. WOW! Before satan was cast from the presence of God, victory was won. God is God. Satan is not.

These truths are the foundations of faith. Yes, they sound unbelievable. They are. It’s called faith for a reason and all of it is ours, yours and mine!

God did not create these things for a special few, or to flaunt in front of suffering, struggling victims just to see pain. For a love we cannot fathom, He gives all of this to completely wipe sin out of your life! Welcome to victory!

Have a Wonderful Day,

Gretchen

So do not be ashamed to testify about our LORD, or of me His prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. II Timothy 1:8

In Paul’s final days he is writing with passionate earnest to keep the early church strong, faithful and theologically pure. As a prisoner he has been robbed of all human dignity. Most would not acknowledge acquaintance, or connection to someone in his situation, distancing themselves from imminent grief or detrimental guilt by association. True believers and friends remain close to Paul and deliver his letters throughout the mission field, aka, all nations.

To serve means sacrifice and suffering, but suffering is a matter of perspective. The labor required to bring new life is suffering in the moment but irrelevant in the afterglow of a perfect infant. Paul equates his suffering for the Gospel as nothing compared to the Glory of God and one more sinner, saved by grace. So do not be ashamed of suffering AND do not be ashamed of those who suffer, for theirs is the Kingdom of God. (Matt. 5:10)

Love to each of You!

Gretchen

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. II Timothy 1:7

Second Timothy is Paul’s last letter. He is in prison awaiting his imminent execution. Luke is with him, but he longs for his friend and comrade Timothy. With these words we feel Paul’s testimony of no regrets. Many times Paul could have given up and given in, shut his mouth and saved his life. He was a Roman citizen, well connected and could have had a great, long and prosperous life, but he laid down his life for his friends, me and you.

Because of the love given through Christ’s ultimate sacrifice we know that victory over evil is already won. The by-product of this assurance is perseverance and great strength of character. Stand firm, share the Good News, Wherever you are headed, God is already there paving a way for miracles and victory.

Love,

Gretchen