Month: August 2020

You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.  Ezekiel 2:7

When King Jehoiachen surrendered Jerusalem to Babylon in 597 B.C. Ezekiel was one of Judah’s many talented and promising young men taken into exile. The future had been bright for this young man educating himself for service in the temple when instead, he found himself at the whim of a pagan ruler. In a vision Ezekiel saw God’s majesty, all seeing and all knowing, and against this brilliance was man’s sin in all its overwhelming darkness, needing to see His Lordship.

The land of promise, the epitome of God’s faithfulness and presence is in ruins as a result of man’s rebellion and sin, but Ezekiel recognizes that God’s redemption and restoration is not restricted by geographical boundaries or earthly principalities. He answered the call and became the spiritual watchman to the remnant exiles.  

Man’s response should never be a factor in one’s answer to God’s call, for He will not ask you if you were an excellent statesman, orator or Christian soldier.  When you stand face to face before your Lord and Savior, love and obedience will be the only thing that matters.

Love,

Gretchen

 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. I Peter 5:6

A quick thesaurus exploration gives insight to the word humble.  Manageable, obliging, reverential, and unambitious are attributes of the humble. The antonyms are superior, egotistical, insolent.  

Two bosses make for a very chaotic day.  A respected chain of command gets much accomplished. Someone has to be in charge and it must be God. After all, He created you, everything around you AND He is faithful and trustworthy.  

I read a church marquee many years ago that stuck.  “Meekness is not weakness. It is strength under perfect control.”  The most excellent relationship is God in charge leading and you in loving submission, following.  It will change your world and quite possibly, THE world.

Love,

Gretchen

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.  I Peter 5:7

Anxiety is birthed in the vacuum of the great unknown, an incredibly frightening thing. 

Peter wrote to Christians scattered across the Roman Empire at the outbreak of Nero’s savage reign. Most major cites of the time had colonies of Hellenistic Jews, Jews that lived outside Palestine.  These expatriate people were the focus of early missionary work, the Gospel spread and Christianity became strongly rooted, but prejudice and persecution soon followed. They had reason to worry.

The supreme goal of all Christians is to follow Christ.  By faith we know that the One who created the universe knows all and controls all for those who have relinquished their will to His.  To follow means recognizing that just before our feet fall and propel us one step forward, God has already arrived. He is there. 

Casting is not placing an item gently atop a target, but rather, deliberately throwing an object far away.  Peter encourages His readers to get rid of your anxieties by chunking them right into God’s great hands. What becomes of them? Does God toss them back?  No, He doesn’t need them and they only hurt you, ………..God’s disposal method doesn’t matter? He cares for you, they aren’t your problem any longer.

Warming Up in the Bull Pen,

Gretchen

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Colossians 3:15

In studying for this devotional I dug for scripture about peace.  My search led me to realize most ‘peace’ centered references tell of the earthly, air to air, living color moments with Jesus, the very essence of Peace on earth.  

I am getting old. This involuntary process has caused me to prioritize things, decide what is worth my effort and energy and what is not? I found the only thing I’m really willing to invest in is Peace. Quality of life begins and ends at reconciliation with the world and all that is in it. 

Paul was not a disciple.  He got up every morning with one mission: Put an end to Christianity.  Hatred, anger, malice….these were the motiving emotions that drove Paul’s every thought and behavior. Then, God stopped him…..and gave him Jesus, the Christ, peace.

My wish for you is my wish for me.  Peace on earth, good will toward all men. 

Love,

Gretchen

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collectors  booth.  “Follow me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.  Matthew 9:9

Matthew was a despised Jew.  He worked collecting duties and taxes along trade routes, growing rich exploiting his country men for the sake of a foreign power.  When Jesus gave the call, Matthew dropped everything and followed. He must have really hated looking at himself in the mirror, for he left a very lucrative and powerful position to follow a homeless Savior.

The hope of Jesus was in complete contrast to common existence.  Jesus was not at despotic ruler exacting arbitrary power as Rome was doing and the Jewish establishment was enabling, but a divine healer alleviating human suffering. 

It is difficult to not put our hope in the powers and authorities of this earth. We long for strength and integrity of government to offer us the security of a predictable future, but the things of this earth will never compare or fulfill like the simple touch of the divine lover of our soul. Institutions, laws, rigorous routines, education…… do not bring peace, Jesus does. Follow Him.

Love,

Gretchen

But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous. Psalms 14:5

Psalm 14 is somewhat of a mystery as far as author and context, but many believe it was written by young David during the time that Saul persecuted him.  No matter, it is obvious the poet is under duress and struggling with the overwhelming depravity of the world.  

When we are struggling with life, the horrible ugliness of the moment begins to permeate everything.  For instance, when it is raining in my yard it is hard to imagine the weather is perfect in Hawaii. If my day is wet, then everyone’s day is soggy also, maybe even for all eternity! I don’t mean to minimize struggle or grief, but to call attention to a tendency to generalize, a habit that brings defeat.

The sinner, atheist or rebel, is a strong force.  The words and actions of the ‘fool’ discourage and offend, leaving the believer feeling alone and disconnected from everything.  But saying there is no God does not make it so.  If I said, “There is no fire,”  I would still get burned if I put my hand in the flames. 

God is always looking upon the righteous.  He knows our worship and hears our praise.  He is our refuge and provides a path of safety and steadfast security, even when we do not see a way and when others declare a hopeless state. 

Praise louder than the nay-sayers and love beyond the despair. 

Love,

Gretchen