Month: August 2023

 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6

Grace, an unmerited gift and salt, a preservative.

The thoughts that originate in our hearts/minds and find their way across our vocal cords should reflect and extend the forgiveness we have been given and our life that is saved.

From prison and most certainly death, Paul writes to implore the believers in Colossae to take good care of each other, both spiritually and physically and to extend love to outsiders in order to make a way for the Gospel to transform them too. The most basic truth is: If we expect or have been granted the beauty of Christ’s sacrifice, then by ALL means we must be a conduit of these same gifts to a world searching for something they do not yet understand but can’t live without.

Have a Great Midweek!

Gretchen

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! Psalm 133:1 (This Psalm is only three verses, I encourage you to read all of it.)

This very short and beautiful poem is an acknowledgement of the value of healthy relationships woven together with praise to the Author of Peace. It is classified as a Wisdom Psalm written by David.

Oil was a precious commodity and the most valuable was used for anointing. This perfume is poured generously, as if there was a never ending supply. The generosity of peace validates and brings us to a higher standard of living.

If you want to see a snow capped mountain in the Middle East, then Mt. Hermon is the place. It is the highest point in Israel and is the source of the Jordan River. The water that it provides gives life to land and people.

Unity? Harmony? It is the quality of existence. Choose peace, if not for someone else, then for yourself.

Love,

Gretchen

David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God. I Chronicles 22:7

David established the Kingdom is Israel, united the twelve tribes and expanded its boarders from Egypt to modern day Syria and Jordan. He subdued enemies and built the city of Jerusalem, Israel’s capital.

Israel’s most powerful king, a man after God’s own heart, fell victim to sin time and again. The temptations of the flesh were a difficult battle, but when the human David lost he never failed to seek God’s forgiveness and return to Holiness. As He grew old he longed to build a magnificent permanent temple to honor the God he loved, but God had other plans. He told David as a result of his disobedience, it would not be him that saw the temple built but rather his son Solomon. David spent the rest of his life and energy gathering everything Solomon would need to see this dream fulfilled.

When sins are forgiven, they are forgotten, washed away never to return. But human action brings about things that cannot and will not be stopped. David knew this better than anyone and accepted God’s judgement, forgiveness and the consequences his actions set in motion. He did not quit, throw a fit or turn away from the God that loved him, yet punished him.

The things we do today matter so much tomorrow and if God is given control over the outcome, only victory will come from both our sins and successes.

Love,

Gretchen

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 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.

A man’s obedient response should never 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 place.

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 the One who created the universe knows all and controls for those who have relinquished their will to Him. 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