Month: August 2020

God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood-to be received by faith.  He did this to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished. Romans 3:25

Since the beginning of humanity there has been a means of redemption.  It begins with God’s unconditional love for man He made in His own perfect image. Man failed to remain without sin, but God didn’t quit. He is good and righteous, the only One who can provide victory over sin and death by faith alone.

Romans was written to citizens of Rome, gentiles.  Jews tended to claim their birthright and attention to ceremony and law as their means of atonement, while judging nonJews. Jesus’ death and resurrection took the law, added grace and mercy and made love the standard for justice. Jesus died for ALL men and the terms are the same. Faith in His death and resurrection to pay the price for sins He did not commit, but you and I did.

God is good and long suffering. It is He alone that is able to defeat evil, judge justly and give eternal life. 

Love,

Gretchen

That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door.  Mark 1:32-33

Any Jewish man could be called on to speak in the synagogue, but when Jesus spoke, He spoke with authority, not quoting scholars and dropping names, but as a first person witness to the things of heaven.  He drove out demons and silenced them, showing that he had power over evil. 

Jesus needed time to dispel the assumption that God would send a political authority to defend Israel and conquer their enemies.Jesus wanted to avoid celebrity, but word about this tender and kind man who healed both body and the spirit spread.  Soon people came from everywhere bringing loved ones that in need.  Jesus turned no one away. This wasn’t about miraculous healing, it was about people who dreamed of life, physical and spiritual restoration, healthy relationships, a reason to get up in the morning. There was an inner instinct that drew them to the One, their only Hope.  

                                                                                                                                                            When you wonder what to give, give Jesus. It’s is the absolute gift that keeps on giving. He is Counselor, Comforter, Just Judge, Healer, Redeemer, the Great I AM.

Love, 

Gretchen

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes, I, and not another.  How my heart yearns within me!  Job 19:25-27

These are amazing words coming from a man that had everything, wealth, health and family and then lost it all.  In addition, Job’s friends believe it is a secret, unconfessed sin causing punishment to fall.  Utterly alone with only his faith as companion, Job declares the words above.  He knows that God, the author of his heart, the one that wove him together, will judge him and find him innocent. 

Job acknowledges that he belongs to God, His redeemer, the One who saves and gives life.  He declares that God is in charge and his faith rests peacefully in his creator.  Finally, Job’s only hope and greatest desire is to see God, face to face.

In Job’s grief and tribulation his priorities became crystal clear, God’s will and God’s face. When this is all we need, we find we have everything.

Love,

Gretchen

Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.  Colossians 2:23

The church at Colossae faced the theological quagmire of faith verses tradition. People who once worshiped false gods weren’t sure what to turn loose of and what to keep of their old life as they grew spiritually.  This was fertile opportunity for unscrupulous people to take charge. Their issue then and ours today is this:  Man likes rules and traditions that create authority in their favor. 

Power is a fragile thing to hold.  It is hard to maintain and requires a commitment to the greater good.  Instead it sometimes deletes all common sense and compassion from its possessor.  The ensuing temptation to exploit and abuse is great.  When man attempts to live by rules, he ignores three basic principles of God: grace, mercy and love. These are the things that make and keep us Holy. 

Have a perfectly glorious day,

Gretchen

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the LORD Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.  Ephesians 1:15-16

Paul wrote this letter/sermon from house arrest in Rome.  The church was becoming divided over prejudices among Jews and Gentiles. Paul set out to bring every nation and background together through love and true Gospel.  

Ephesus was a funnel of commerce that rioted when new converts quit offering homage to the Greek goddess Artemis.  They thought they had beaten back and annihilated the new Christians, but no! The faith of friends strengthened the persecuted and the church grew, flourished and showed love and generosity toward others less fortunate.  

From the bondage of men, Paul prayed and praised. His life’s work was to see these people find spiritual victory. Their perseverance and love in action for all men was reason to be thankful. 

Lend the strength of your faith when others are exhausted and can’t go on. They really do need it!

Love, 

Gretchen

There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called. Ephesians 4:4 

The fabled King Croesus called Ephesus home.  It was originally a Greek city but at Paul’s time, a Roman province.  The temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world, was a source of tourism and trade even in ancient times. Paul was beaten when converts quit buying miniature likenesses of the goddess, thus creating an economic downturn.  

In this city where demons, spirits, dead ancestors and gods were all recognized as danger wielding beings, the occult was alive and well, Paul teaches that there is only one body, the Body of Christ.  He is the head and we, His followers, are the eyes, hands, feet, ears and heart. There is one hope, the hope of a resurrected Savior who has all power of Heaven and earth.  

Unity, loyalty and common purpose meant spiritual survival.  It remains the same today.  Christianity fights the exact same forces it did two thousand years ago. There is so much that draws us away from our singular purpose and hope.  Stay connected. 

Love,

Gretchen 

These were the sons of Noah, and from them came the the people who were scattered over the earth.  Genesis 9:19

Early in the Biblical narrative sin is on the rampage, but God finds one faithful obedient man, Noah.  He saves him and his family while destroying everyone else on earth.  Noah descended from Adam, and now again, humanity is reminded: We have one common ancestor, Noah.  Genetic history is diverse, yet very much the same.  Sin determined the destiny of Noah’s sons, but obedience always brought redemption and restoration and changed the course of history, nothing else.  

Differences are important. We put great emphasis on individuality.  It is a gift from God.  We long to be recognized for ways we are unique, not how we are the same.  But then there is the issue of social order. We use all ways, commonality and diversity to justify power and authority over each other.  

God designed all things for His glory, never to give one man the right to marginalize or hate another.  We were made to love.

Let There Be Peace On Earth and Let it Begin With ME!

Gretchen

For He says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2

Salvation is available by God’s favor. His grace and mercy are gifts born of His love and the sacrifice of His one and only Son. Salvation is simple, but as a sinner saved by grace there is more work to do. A world is lost and hurting and seeking something they think is illusive and mystical.  It is God’s favor. It is miraculous, not mystical, easy to acquire not illusive.  

Christ did not give His life in vain, but to bring the Gospel and His love to others is a great and reverent acknowledgement of God’s favor bestowed on you and me.

Love,

Gretchen

The LORD has said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”  Genesis 12:1

Abram was called by God to leave his home, and all that he knew and set out into the great unknown.  There was no GPS, or travel show to prepare him for what was ahead, but that didn’t deter Abram’s faithful obedience.  God called and Abram headed toward a destination to be named later.

A divine promise followed Abram’s call.  Childless, 75 year old Abram was told his descendants would become a great nation, a blessing to ALL people.  The gospel, long before Bethlehem or the cross, was told by God to Abram in Genesis 12.  The Good News and God’s love are for all. It is not exclusive.

Obedience powered by faith becomes a blessing far beyond the boundary of human imagination.

Love, 

Gretchen 

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.  I Corinthians 15:1 

The Jews and Greeks were struggling with conflicting ideas of resurrection regardless of religion.  The Jews believed the original you became the eternal you.  (NO Thanks!) In contrast, the Greeks knew only of an immortal soul.  What is the true Gospel?  The resurrection of the Christ!!

We can get very bogged down in insignificant details and miss the big picture.  The Gospel is about a death that has been defeated, sin’s prison bars opened and satan’s threat forever silenced. All because God loves us.

The people of Corinth took the step of faith and believed. Their sins were washed away, and then…..cultural and traditional questions minimized their spiritual victory. Get the big picture! When we stand in the presence of the LORD, we will be like Him: Eternal, immortal and free. 

Happy Half Way to the Weekend

Gretchen