Month: March 2020

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the LORD, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.  Ephesians 4:17

This verse is not a racial statement against nonJewish people.  Ephesus was the port city capital of the Roman province of Asia. It was not a Jewish center, but a metropolis of pagan worship and the occult.  Black magic, spiritism, idolatry and immorality were the order of normal life for the gentiles who called the city home.  BUT!  Paul came walking through, revival occurred, and a church began. Its members? Former gentile sinners, saved by grace.

This verse is a call to put away former thinking and behavior patterns and be truly transformed into the likeness of Christ.  This is a call to every sinner saved by grace.  What habit or pattern of thinking or behavior do you need to exchange for a perfect reflection of Holiness in your life?

Love,

Gretchen

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6

Simple logic:  Righteousness does not demand a penalty. Sacrifice is not made flippantly.

Restitution is not required for good deeds done.  We do not apologize for grace extended. In other words, Christ didn’t die because we are perfect, He died because we are not!  That means everyone!

Sin separates us from God, thus rendering us defenseless.  Through the blood of Jesus we gain grace’s victory, mercy’s love and the Kingdom of Heaven’s Power.

Have a terrific Thursday!

Gretchen

If a brother or sister sins, go and point out the fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. Matthew 18:15

Following the parable of the Lost Sheep, a story expressing the value of every soul and the ethics of the shepherd, this verse addresses a relationship between two people.  Only two people! 

The interference in someone else’s sin is a tricky, touchy, thing, needing the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The reference to brother and sister shows that all those involved are in the community of believers, there is a relationship in existence.  This is not a conversation between strangers and NOT a subject for everyone’s ears.  The Kingdom of God operates by totally different standards than the world. This moment is intimate, between people who share trust.

Free will is the operative factor, but when the will is humbled through the words of a pure heart, a true and loyal friend, unlimited grace and mercy abound. A connection is forged and the world changes for the better.

Have a great day,

Gretchen

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.  Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. III John 1:11

The third book of John is written to a man named Gaius who is known for integrity and generosity toward the church and its missionaries. 

The work of Gaius has a nemesis, a man named Diotrephes, who is using Christianity to perpetuate his own popularity and ego by tearing down those that are doing good and creating obstacles to their purpose.

The words above are not a reproach but an encouragement.  When being attacked it is extremely difficult not to strike back in like manner with an extra punch or two. Impulsive reaction is destructive and not of God.  Instead, imitate what is good.  It will show definitively who’s side you are on, and that is a powerful piece of knowledge.

Happy Tuesday,

Gretchen

I saw Heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages war. Revelation 19:11

When I was in high school we had five minutes to move from one period to the next, but there was a real problem with tardies. Our administration decided to implement a one minute warning buzzer to make students aware of time elapsing in hopes we’d become better stewards, with an outcome of fewer tardies.

I find that many people look to Revelation in the same manner we depended on the four minute warning.  When does freewill have to end and surrender to a higher power begin.

Every age has its evil, the spirit that treats life as a commodity to be exploited, cheated, bought and sold at will, in exchange for power, greed and self-love, but this verse is the promise of God’s final act upon this earth’s abscesses.  Even today God is a work with perfect justice and He will bring down those who continually exact their self absorbed behavior on others and refuse to acknowledge Him as Lord and King.

We that already know God for who He is need to continue our Worship and Praise, for that is our testimony before others that so badly need His touch.

Love,

Gretchen

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.  Matthew 1:21

Matthew’s narrative, or good news, is to show Jesus as the true and awaited King, beginning with the record of genealogy in verses 1-17. Then there is this short little moment in time, stepping away from ages of Who’s Who, and into the intimacy of what Mary knew long before any of the rest of us did.

To what degree Mary was given the detailed facts of Jesus’ purpose may never be revealed, but what is known is her great faith in a God that is loving and kind, and held her future, her child’s and all of mankind’s in His hands. Mary’s God is alive, personal and actively working in the world both then and now.

There are so many ways God could have fulfilled His promise of Salvation, but He chose faith, love and sacrifice.  This is how Jesus came from Heaven to earth and how He returned.  We must do likewise.

Have a great day!

Gretchen

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the LORD’s people.  Ephesians 6:18

Prior to this verse, Paul gives perfect instruction for victory in defensive spiritual warfare, the Full Armor of God.  Don’t go to battle without your gear! Protect your soul, but then do a little warfare on the enemy.  Verse 18 turns to the offense.  Pray! The one thing satan, the enemy, does not want you to access is the power and strength found only in prayer. 

Your ‘go to’ reaction to every stimuli in life should be prayer. On all occasions, pray.  Worship, praise, implore, petition, confess, commune and intercede, but PRAY!

We’ve got our game plan, offense and defense, we’re set for the win! 

Have a great weekend!

Gretchen

It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows His blessing, even life forevermore. Psalm 133:3

These beautiful words are the final words of a three verse Psalm.   Identified as one of the wisdom Psalms and a Psalm of David, it calls for peace and unity among family and community.   Harmony is placed as a priority.

Mt. Hermon marks today’s northern boundary of Palestine.  Its snow caps can be seen from great distances making it a tremendous landmark. Refreshing breezes blow from its cool heights, across the heat of the lowlands. Spring melting feeds summer’s lakes and rivers.  Morning dew is a refreshing respite in the arid and desolate deserts.

Peace, like all other things of great value, is difficult to find and obtain, but once obtained it is a great treasure.  Peace, where the LORD bestows His blessing…..life evermore.

Love,

Gretchen 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Corinthians 5:17

The reference to ‘new’ in this scripture has many facets.  First, the old covenant of law has been replaced by a new life giving covenant of love.  Second, while Jesus was human we were connected to things of this earth, but through His death and resurrection we have new life eternal. Lastly, we are made new through Christ’s blood. When Jesus rids you of your sin, the only thing left from the past is the skin you’re in!!! You are new…. not remodeled, not repurposed, not re-anything!!!  You are new!

New is completely irrelevant if you cannot put the old away. The two cannot exist together.  Choose a new life in Christ!

Love,

Gretchen

These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm-shepherds who feed only themselves.  They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted-twice dead. Jude 1:12

Einstein defined insanity as, “Doing the same thing over and over but expecting to get different results.”  If this is the case then sin is insanity.

Jude, a brother to Jesus, did not acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah until the resurrection. After becoming a believer himself, Jude ministered to the converted Jews of Jerusalem. False teaching infiltrated the church leadership and Jude took immediate action with this letter. He gave harsh descriptions of their character: A shepherd that lets their flock starve? Trees that take up space in the orchard, yet produce no fruit? 

Sin has great charisma and no ethic, a toxic combination through the ages.  Although attractive and hard to resist, believers are not left defenseless to resist sin.  Through faith we can and must call on the strength of the LORD. 

Love,

Gretchen