Month: September 2019

These are the regulations concerning contamination by mildew in woolen or linen clothing, woven or knitted material, or any leather article, for pronouncing them clean or unclean. Leviticus 13:59

When asked what her favorite book is, my youngest daughter replies, “Leviticus.”  What!?….. No, Leviticus is not her favorite book, it’s the irony that she enjoys, even more so when someone gets her clever humor.

As for me, I approach this book of the Bible like the student who stated, “Only 5 out of 4 people ever use fractions when they grow up so why do I have to know math?”  Why Leviticus in modern day Christianity? Here’s why, Leviticus is the spoken, God breathed Word. It reveals God as our Father, and we, as His beloved children, His covenant community.  God is intensely concerned with the health and welfare of those that have chosen to be set apart through salvation and Holiness. (Lev. 11:45 and 19:18)  This concern looks different for the historical children of Israel, but the basic fact remains, moment to moment God cares that your life marches forward with healthy, ethical and productive precision.

When you wake up knowing you have more to do than hours, energy and money allow, you find mold in your storage building and your anxiety further impedes your progress, ask God to give you wisdom and guidance. TaDa!! You find the gracious, generous and unchanging God of ancient law.  This God who gave directions for dealing with mildew IS willing and able to help you with the minor (and major) details of life. He is the One True God and He loves YOU!

Feeling Invincible,

Gretchen

If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.  Proverbs 2:3-5

Nothing is more frustrating than knowing someone could help you but they choose not to. Please keep in mind, this is the character of man, not God.

God NEVER withholds Himself from us. When we ask for the things that draw us closer to God and bring glory to Him, He gives in great and overflowing abundance. We must pursue God’s character as fervently as some men pursue silver. Seek the face of God and strive to mirror It in your entire being.

Through the Looking Glass,

Gretchen

Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cites of our God. The LORD will do what is good in His sight. 2 Samuel 10:12

Have you ever had your motives questioned? Had your kindness thrown back in your face?

This verse is lifted from an episode in the history of David as he is establishing the nation of Israel.  A neighboring king, the king of the Ammonites died and David sent a delegation to express sympathy and show kindness.  His envoy was not received in the manner in which it was sent and these men were treated to great humiliation.  Hanun, the new king erred on the side of cynicism and momentary power, realized he just picked an unnecessary fight and prepared to defend.  David responded in kingly fashion and gathered his army.

As the armies amassed on the battle field. David’s military commander, Joab, realized they were terribly outnumbered and gave this pep-talk: Be strong, fight bravely, for the cities of our God, the LORD will do what is good.”

Joab spoke in this reverence because all the land was God’s not man’s.  He also acknowledged that God is good, His will is good.

Standing on the cusp of battle, surrounded and outnumbered by the enemy, it is hard to comprehend that what we are fighting so furiously for is not even ours. It’s God’s and He’s got it. 

God is good and when we are acting in GOOD faith He will take care of the details.   

Love,

Gretchen

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. I Peter 3:11

As Jesus’ close friend, Peter would most certainly understand the passions of His heart and the purpose of His actions. “Do good; seek peace,” with deliberate pursuit.

Any agenda other than peace is unacceptable.  Doing good brings about peace.  Others may not come into a state of peace, but you will and you is what you answer for.

When I come to my day of judgement, God will not ask me, “How did everyone treat you down there?” However, He will ask, “How did you treat others?” Doing good and seeking peace is the only acceptable answer to this question.

God loves peace and so must I.

Gretchen

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.  Ephesians 1:7

If you are reading this you probably have a knowledge of salvation and for that I am truly thankful. I was saved at the age of twelve and while I still revel in the miracle of that moment I often struggle with the deep dark parts of my heart and mind that want to take a break from my conscience and tell the world what I really think. Soon to follow my ugly thoughts, my heart breaks for its moment of carnal will and I’m defeated.  It’s a vicious cycle, but God, as our Creator, great Redeemer and Lover of our souls, has this under control.

Two things are working in the act of salvation: Jesus’ blood, given freely, and God’s grace in boundless supply.  When Jesus drew His final breath sin lost its grip on man, and when He breathed again, every believer knew it.

There is no sin God can’t and won’t forgive. His riches cross the expanse of man’s moral and physical poverty.  DO NOT live in defeat! Daily, accept this gift and tell Satan to take a long hike off a tall cliff. God’s omnipotent power and rich grace are your own.

Living in Victory,

Gretchen

P.S. I encourage you to read the entire first chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus. It will strengthen you.

But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son born of a woman, born under the law. Galatians 4:4

As the Son of God, Jesus had no boundaries, no restrictions of linear time, no limits of aging flesh and certainly no carnal temptations, but as Son of Man, Jesus took on all of these characteristics and became fully human.  He became just as we are so that we have a hope to become just as He is.

It’s just this simple, Jesus became human so that we can be Holy.  He came to earth to light the way to Heaven. 

In Christ,

Gretchen