Month: September 2020

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  2 Chronicles 7:14

This verse has often overwhelmed me.  What if I’m the only one that prays? Is that enough when God said, “People” not, “person?”  Yes!

Solomon has built and dedicated the majestic Jerusalem Temple in honor of the One True God.  The celebration was huge and earth shaking.  There is a revival like feeling among the people, but God knows that is hard to maintain and so He assures Solomon, there will always be a way to restore the relationship between God and man.

God is love. He is forgiving and healing, but our personal relationship depends on humility and the correct attitude toward God’s sovereignty.  From Heaven God can hear, but wicked ways are an obstacle that man must choose to remove so that nothing compromises God’s power to forgive and restore.  

One voice, one prayer……it is enough.  Accountability begins as a solo act. Any change for a land of many starts with one……… one praying, humble heart.

Love,

Gretchen

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the Heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 

In the 1600’s this verse inspired the words of the most sung hymn ever written, The Doxology. Praise God from whom all blessings flow…….  It was composed by Thomas Ken a chaplain of Winchester College, an historic English boys school, to encourage devotional habits in students. 

Writing from prison, Paul gives a sermon that focuses on the character of Christ’s church.  First and foremost we should acknowledge who and what He is though our praise! All things, from joy in our hearts to the roof over our heads, come from God because His purpose is to share and instill His spiritual riches in His children. 

God’s blessing comes to us through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ.  Praise is what He is due and it keeps our spiritual health in great shape  starting with appropriate perspective of who gives what to whom.  Mankind: 0, God: Everything.

Have a Beautiful Weekend,

Gretchen

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Refuge:  A place to hide or have privacy.

Strength: Mental or physical stamina.

Present: Existing at this time, here.

Trouble:  Annoyance, worry, something requiring great effort.

In this very moment God is THE place to hide. The welcome mat is always out. In fact, space is available for permanent residence in His shelter. He alone has the stamina (it’s out of this world actually,) to conquer and eradicate worries, annoyances, things that require more energy and effort than there is to give. 

Written by a temple musician, Martin Luther used this Psalm as a model for his hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God. It is not known if attacking forces, natural disaster or simple faith in God’s unassailable power inspired these words of praise. It does not matter.  Whatever the need, a private moment to regain perspective and balance or a shelter from the pain, sorrow or threat of this world, RUN TO GOD.

Love,

Gretchen

I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.  Luke 19:40

Jesus has ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey, not a war horse. The beginning of the end has come, or for every believer, the beginning of an end that will never come.  

The disciples were spreading their cloaks across the dusty road and shouting “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the LORD! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest” (verse 38) The church leaders told Jesus to rebuke His followers for saying such things and above is Jesus’ response. The next verse tells that Jesus looked out over Jerusalem and wept for the future He knew was imminent, not His own impending death, but the spiritual death of the population and the consequences that would follow.

Jesus has dominion over all the earth and for those that recognize, believe and worship, praise cannot be contained or silenced.  It is a residual response of gratitude. Jesus’ words are not about the power to make rocks sing, but rather the inappropriateness of anyone attempting to quiet praise or minimize God’s glory. 

Up until this day Jesus down played celebrity, but now He is giving way to the celebration of things to come.  Victory over death is about to become the new order of the universe.  It was time to shout for joy then, and it still is today.  

Singing Louder Than the Rocks,

Gretchen

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

John chapters 13-17 are predominantly Jesus’ words spoken in the hours between the Passover Supper (The Last Supper) and His arrest. The disciples are about to experience the greatest turbulence imaginable.  They gave up their livelihoods to follow Jesus, He is leaving in a horrific manner, and yet He speaks over and over again of love and peace.  

There is absolutely nothing of this world that Jesus’ death and resurrection has not conquered. It isn’t the spoils that go to the victor this time, it is peace, the crowning glory of Heaven.  That’s a good reason to smile.

We live in a world that has more that enough crisis due to sin, but the battle has been won.  The only obstacle to victory and peace is your free will.  Lay down the burdens sin has wrought and let Jesus carry you through.  He came and died to deliver you from this world while you are still in it, giving eternal life that begins the moment you accept His love and forgiveness.

Have a great midweek!

Love, 

Gretchen

Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.  Zechariah 9:9

While speaking directly to a nation rebuilding, Zechariah brings both the present and the far future in to very clear focus. The exiled Jews had returned from Babylon 20 years earlier and had still not rebuilt Jerusalem’s temple.  Haggai and Zechariah both prophesied between 520 BC and 518 BC that rebuilding the symbol of God’s presence would bring blessings to His people. The promised Messiah would come, bringing the long awaited peace the world has been anticipating.  He will ride a humble donkey, not a war horse, and He will obliterate oppression and free the world from the bondage of evil.

Zechariah tells of a Messianic King from the house of David, yet He will be a priestly servant, a good shepherd, the Lamb to be slain, all for the sake of peace, yours and mine.

Peace comes at great price, the Son of God’s life. It takes more intentional effort and work than anything else on earth.  Humble relinquishment of one person’s will and way to another’s is the start. Add in a faith that knows God is in control of the will and way you laid down and peace can reign. It is well worth the cost!

Spending Wisely,

Gretchen