Month: February 2023

May the LORD, the God of your ancestor, increase you a thousand times and bless you as He has promised. Deuteronomy 1:11

Deuteronomy is one of the most quoted Old Testament Books by New Testament writers and was a theological source or guiding principle for Israel’s faithful and obedient living in the covenant land.

Moses brought Israel from Egypt to the plains of Moab, God’s covenant with Abraham was about to be fulfilled. The stage was being set for Israel to become a blessing to “all peoples on earth!” But Moses’ journey was at an end. He would not be entering this blessed land. As a consequence of disobedience, Moses knew he would die and be buried in sight of Canaan, but not part of it. This verse is from a sermon Moses spoke to remind God’s beloved people who they are, where they came from, how far they have come, where they are going and why they were created.

We do not need to live in the shadows of our past, but it is an incredibly healthy thing for the believer to look back, see God’s faithfulness to His children and KNOW that He is never changing, all powerful, sovereign and ALL LOVING, therefore, what He as done, He will continue to do.

Have a Fabulous Friday,

Gretchen

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I Timothy 6:12

Timothy stayed in Ephesus to choose and train church leaders. The Epistle, I Timothy, is the first letter Paul wrote to this missionary, giving explicit instruction for church leadership, corporate and individual holy living, and personal encouragement for Timothy himself. The words above are in the closing comments of this letter. They are very impassioned! “Tim! Don’t give up! I know it’s hard but remember for Whom you are working and never forget you are first and foremost a sinner saved by grace!”

The Christian population cannot cloister themselves from a sin infested world. If we did, the mission of the Body of Christ would halt, or would have halted shortly after it began. Yet, neither can we embrace the values of this world. Holiness is simple, but this balance between earthly survival (prosperity, influence, getting along with people we don’t agree with, humility versus boldness) and Heavenly aim is tough. The answer? What Paul writes to Timothy applies to you too. Don’t give up! You are a sinner saved by grace. Walk only the path that leads to the Throne of God and with great love, invite many more to join you.

Love,

Gretchen

But now, this is what the LORD says-He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

Our names are the most intimate part of our identity. I am Gretchen, once Jones, now Rooney. I am wife, mother, daughter, teacher, pastor, friend, confidant…..These names define me, associate me with something bigger than myself, and give me the security of community. It’s how I am called by those who know and need me.

God, my creator, the Master designer of my body and soul, summons me, gives me identity, purpose and kinship. But by what name does He call? Is it peace maker, comforter, champion of the outcast, proclaimer of Good News? For summons is not just a call to approach, but a prelude to ‘GO!’ Our name before the Throne of Grace is incredibly precious. It is our call and purpose and when God speaks it, we recognize the voice of our Father.

What God does for Jacob, the one who had a physical encounter with Him and was renamed Israel, He will do for you. We are the redeemed, our ransom is paid and we are His. Read the rest of this chapter. If there was ever a scripture that said, “I’ve got this, now go! Be bold!” It is Isaiah chapter 43. We are summoned, and sent and all the power of Heaven and earth is our fortress because the one name that matters most is, Child of God, Saved by Grace.

Love,

Gretchen