Month: September 2023

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me; if you understand. Job 38:4

The book of Job is classified as a wisdom book in the Old Testament. Chapter 38, verse 4 certainly qualifies it as such because all wisdom begins with the understanding of who IS God and who IS not.

God allows Satan to take away all of Job’s blessings, his family, wealth and health. Satan did see fit to leave Job’s friends and their self proclaimed wisdom. Funny how that worked.

Job’s faith, his hope did not rest in the things of this world. He served and trusted a just and righteous God. Across his journey of grief, Job has asked some pretty tough questions, as do we in the midst of stress and strife. But God did not answer Job’s questions, He asks some of His own. Who are you? Did you weave the world together? Are you the center of the universe? Do you know what is best? The answer, “No” halts presumption, entitlement, arrogance, anger and protest, bringing us to our knees in humble acknowledgment of the things we do not understand and into worship of the Great I AM!

Love,

Gretchen

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

This verse most associated with the Christmas season, beautifully set to music by Handel in his work Messiah, is the hope of all the world, not to the future, but the here and now.

In doing my research and reading for this devotional I came across the words of John Chrysostom in a sermon from the fourth century. He ties the completely divine Son of God, to the unquestionably human Son of Man.

I know He was hungry, and I know that with five loaves He fed five thousand.
I know He was carried in a ship, and I know that He walked on the sea.
I know that He died, and I know that He raised the dead.
I know that He was set before Pilate, and I know that He sits with the Father on His throne.
I know that He was worshiped by angels, and I know that He was stoned by the Jews.
And truly some of these I ascribe to humans, and others to the divine nature.
For by reason of this He is said to have been both God and man.

God opened Heaven and gave His Son so that we would have perfect counsel, a strong advocate, a parent and PEACE!

Have a Merry Wednesday!

Gretchen

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 through our praise! All things, from joy in our hearts to the roof over our head, 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 Monday,

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 the 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