Month: July 2020

Be merciful to those who doubt;  Jude 1:22

Jude was the younger brother of Jesus Christ.  He did not believe Jesus was the Messiah until after the crucifixion and resurrection.  He referred to himself as Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, brother of James.  James was another brother of Jesus who became a believer after the resurrection.

Jude was an old man when he wrote his letter.  There were those that had begun to pervert the Gospel of salvation with clever misinterpretations, making confusion for new believers.  As if life wasn’t difficult enough for Christians in the first century A.D., with persecution, loss of home, family and income, now there were wolves in lambs clothing waiting to pounce upon vulnerable people seeking to do right. Jude was compelled to speak up. 

The exploitation of people under the guise of Christianity has been a problem since the beginning of the church.  Mature disciples are charged to be wise, patient, loving and kind.  Show mercy to those who are struggling.  Leading is a form of loving, judging and criticizing is not.  

Love,

Gretchen

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24

There are a great many unknowns about who first read Hebrews and who authored it, but one thing is certain; someone with a pastor’s heart longed for the discipleship and spiritual health of this community of believers.

Christian man has everything! Salvation, eternal life, uninterrupted access to the Father, assurance, comfort, blessings……..yet…….struggle, persecution, temptation, LIFE ON EARTH happens. The writer of Hebrews says, “Consider” how to keep each other going strong for the perpetuation of the Gospel.  

Consider means to turn over in one’s mind, to ponder and to regard in a certain way.  It is a verb, an action that includes thoughtfulness, then a carrying through.  Spur is also a verb that means to instigate, rally or urge.  

The world needs an unending supply of love and good deeds, and those delivering them need to feel the spurring of one another.  So think about making someone strong today with your acts of encouragement.

By the Way…..You are all a tremendous blessing!  Thanks!

Gretchen

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

I have a confession.  The greatest obstacle to my spiritual growth and victory is applying man’s carnal nature to God’s Holy character.  I think of grace as I do my checkbook.  I was given a beginning balance and someday I will run out.  I think of good and bad balancing, and act as though God has been so good for so long, I’m due for a walk on the dark side. Finally, I think that God has a hidden agenda and is setting me up for great hope, only to let me down, just to keep me in my place. I continuously play mind games with faith and goodness.  It’s exhausting to say the least and it’s a wrong behavior, that has the power to wreck my fellowship and relationship with my Savior.  Okay, confession over, devotional begins.

Isaiah had an encounter with God when He was called.  Everything Isaiah spoke to a rebellious people was colored with this face to Face moment. He knew God! Chapter 55 begins with an invitation to the bounty of God’s blessing for all. It isn’t about our worthiness, it is about God’s willingness.  

God is Good! He is not devious, He does not plan evil, He writes a perfect peace. Superimposing man’s instinct of selfishness onto God completely invalidates Him. Man’s ways are not God’s ways.  The ancient children of Israel must have struggled with this too or Isaiah wouldn’t have been sent to correct the error. Come to the table, rest, refresh, refuel and respond. You are invited and it is GOOD!

Love,

Gretchen

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?” John 14:9

It is Thursday evening before the day of crucifixion. Jesus is pulling His disciples into a close family meeting.  He only has hours left to prepare them for the darkest days they have ever known. Judas is in the act of betraying, Jesus is talking about leaving and now He tells them they will automatically recognize a father they have never met. They do not yet understand Jesus is One with His Father.

This group of persevering, dedicated men have spent three years walking beside Jesus, sharing His meals, watching Him perform miracles, minister and love.  And yet, moments into a theological discussion their faith shakes. The good news is, shaken faith does not shake the Father.  Jesus continues on in detail to explain His Oneness with His Father. He did not throw up His hands and walk away. In fact, He said in verse 12 that they will do even greater things than previously seen, AND Jesus promises to provide the things they ask for in His name.

Faith is a choice and it has to be made daily, sometimes moment to moment, but Jesus doesn’t abandon us as we seek, or because we need to seek.  He didn’t quit these men that walked beside Him and then struggled, He will not quit you either.  Let faith be the thing you ask for in Jesus’ name.

Have a Terrific Tuesday,

Gretchen 

To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples, then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:31 & 32

The Jewish church leadership had become dependent on strict legalistic obedience to law and their security as descendants of Abraham. They were not interested in “The Truth” ( You know the One……. the Way, the Truth and the Life?) setting them free because they were far above being slaves in their self-exhalthed positions. They wrote truth as it benefited their agenda and selfish desires. Becoming their own authority, they tread on very dangerous ground.

God is the author of truth.  He is Truth.  We must always look to Him for clarification, guidance and authority.  When we lie and expect others to accept and act upon the deception, we author truth and that is blasphemy,  the very crime these same men condemned Jesus to die for. 

While Jesus is baring witness before the Pharisees He gives warning to those that do not recognize Him as God’s Son.  Many do believe (verse 30) and follow Jesus, the perfect Truth. 

Love and Prayers,

Gretchen

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Acts 2:44

Acts is Salvation History!  The story of the birth of Christianity, told by Luke, quoting the first sermons, and chronicling the ‘Acts’ of the Apostles.  What’s the bottom line?  They got it right, Heaven’s space is filled with people that heard the word and turned from their wicked ways to embrace grace and cling to the promise of a Savior that would not abandon His children to their graves!!   

The empowered speech from which this excerpt is lifted is spoken by Peter. Just minutes before, the disciples, few in number, both men and women, were waiting. They knew something was about to happen, Peter was beginning to connect the dots. Their only hope was to pray, anticipate, and remain together in one heart and mind.  If they did not, all was a futile, disappointing waist of hope. 

This early church had to stick together.  The consequence of separating was life or death.  We may be slightly more confident today, but it is a delusion.  If Christian homes don’t have everything in common, disastrous things are lurking.  If lay persons don’t stand for a common objective, little gets accomplished and evangelism is put aside for pettiness.  All points of ministry must come together as separate parts with one goal, SALVATION!

Does satan wish to divide and conquer?  YES!  If he accomplishes this on any level, he has won.  So put all of yourself aside and fill the empty space with the Holy Spirit. You’ll have much common ground with a great community of believers.

Love,

Gretchen

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  Romans 3:21

In Paul’s day Rome was a vast empire spanning an area from Britain to Arabia. It was wealthy and cosmopolitan. All roads led to Rome, so people traveled and there were Roman citizens who witnessed Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost. This letter is addressed to the Christian community in Rome that took root on that day. It would be three long years before Paul personally reached Rome and it would be as a prisoner. 

Paul is placing all the pieces of God’s ‘puzzle’ together.  The death and resurrection of Christ is the only means of salvation.  The prophets testified to this even if they were not to see it in person. Christ’s sacrifice changed obedience to the law to obedience to love. 

As Christians we are all the same, there is no differentiation between Jew and Gentile. We are all alike under the power of sin and salvation comes to all of us exactly the same. The following verses are very familiar and add to the understanding of verse 21.  “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” 

Praise be to God, for His Righteousness is known and we can share in His Glory.

Love,

Gretchen

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 5:1

Justified is a court/law term meaning that the gavel came down and the judge/God found the defendant NOT GUILTY! Because our faith has led us to believe in the Resurrected Christ, we are free from sin’s death sentence. We are justified, made righteous.

“Peace be with you,” is the phrase Jesus spoke to the disciples after the resurrection. Through Christ a relationship is established with God our Father. A relationship of peace, unity and unanimity, one mind, one heart. Paul continues this pattern in his letters by writing, ‘Grace and peace’ in the salutations.  Peace is the objective, it’s important. 

It is traditionally the offender who returns to the offended, extends an apology and seeks peace, but with God, He comes to us, extending His sacrifice, His Only Son, to offer mercy, grace, love and forgiveness so that we live.  

Peace is not a whimsical distant wish. It is a valid way of life for all who chose to walk as one with The One True God.

Happy Thursday,

Gretchen 

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.  I Peter 2:17

But I thought respect was something someone had to earn?  If they fail my respect ‘test’ then I withhold this courtesy at my discretion. Right? Well, not according to scripture.

Jesus was being robbed of His proper respect and dignity on the night Peter denied knowing him.  Peter never forgot.  At the time of this letter, Peter is in Rome being persecuted for the Gospel. Christians of Peter’s time were being threatened, some even to death, and for society to make it okay in their minds and hearts, they accused them of every impurity and perversion.  Nero, the emperor was leading the charge.  Yet, these young, newly transformed Christians are hearing Peter remind them that they are serving the Stone that the builders rejected, the One True God, and represent the hope of the church that was built upon this very rock.  Love each other and trust, it will be worth it.

Respect is a reflection of your character and the character of whom you belong. Withholding it is akin to a tantrum. Christians must live above reproach or our testimony is nullified, even when we are being robbed of the very thing we freely give.

Love,

Gretchen

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:21

This epistle by James, the brother of Jesus, is a general letter, addressed to many people and places rather than just a single church.  James is adamant that faith and works cannot be separated. Real faith permeates every area of life to the positive.

Tongues and tempers are firm footholds for trouble. Guard against loose language, criticism and gossip toward each other, but also keep God’s name Holy and don’t blame all                               the world’s troubles on Him. He is good, not evil. (Read all of chapter 1.)

Faith is Christ alive in us, planted, rooted and growing.  He died to give life. LIVE!

Have a Wonderful Tuesday,

Gretchen