Author: pastor.gerooney@gmail.com

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. I Corinthians 16:13

The power words in this verse, firm, faith, courageous, strong, are not the things of day dreams. They are attributes that show up in times of great duress and reveal servitude toward one another.

Of all the churches Paul planted, the Corinthian church struggled most with consistent Christian behavior. They dealt constantly with sexual misconduct, false prophets, deceitful workmen…. Paul expresses that the walk of the faithful will have trials. Character, faith and strength will determine a very important outcome beyond ourselves.

Paul is not giving up on a congregation that struggles with sin. He is patient, loving and available with every opportunity given. The phrase, “Be on your guard,” means we are not, nor will we ever be, immune to satan’s threat, but firm strength and courage in the face of temptation and confusion will tune your ears to God’s call and your eyes to His Throne.

Love,

Gretchen

The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on heights. Habakkuk 3:19

A few years before Babylon invaded the Jewish nation of Judah, wiping it off the face of the earth, Habakkuk raises the question, “Why God, do you allow evil to prevail?” Judah is sinful and will be punished but why allow the more sinful nation of Babylon to gain and prosper at Judah’s expense. God replies that Babylon will be justly judged for their sins too, but in the meantime, “The righteous will live by their faith.” 2:4

In the midst of severe adversity, faith in justice is difficult to grasp and hold. Habakkuk asks, “How long?” Hidden in this plea of agony is an affirmation of faith. Determined to live triumphantly trusting God, Habakkuk’s faith brought about an active, meaningful and productive life.

It is okay to raise questions about pain, oppression, violence and injustice in our world today. Questions don’t mark a wavering faith, but rather a request for correct guidance and action. The end result must always be: Let God be God. He will carry out His plan and we will answer our call, but our main role is righteousness. In this we find and live victory.

Love,

Gretchen

Just Pray

I often search through my Bible looking for a specific passage to answer a specific question. It usually turns out that I stumble into God’s voice gently, or not, speaking to the issues of my mind and heart that I’m trying with all my might to suppress or avoid. Such was the case this past week as I studied Revelation. (Haha, no pun intended.) 5:8 says, “And when He had taken it, (The scroll) the four living creatures fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.”

When my girls were teenagers their cousin was involved in an accident along a country road near our home. As emergency vehicles went speeding by, a few phone calls alerted us to the fact that the victims were loved ones. As a medical helicopter hovered on the horizon panic fought for control in my mind and heart and I began to pray desperately for a need I wasn’t able to describe or define. I also began contacting family and friends and asked them to pass the word, “We need urgent prayer.”

The resilience of youth is to be envied. The only fatality that day was an old UTV used to navigate the farmland all our homes are on. This moment’s tragedy was quickly overcome and we praise God for His hand of mercy that sunny afternoon. I look back and reflect on those pleas for prayer and remember a panic that wanted ALL the world to stop and pray. I did not make a list of attributes I sought in those I would ask to pray, I did not require applications or seek references, nor did I script the prayers I requested. Only…..Pray! Pray! Pray! That was all and that was enough.

John saw Heaven and in Heaven he saw Jesus, the Lamb that was slain, surrounded by the prayers of God’s people. Prayers, mine and yours, every one ever uttered, are in Heaven and Jesus delights in them, they are a fragrant incense that is pleasing.

In all other parts of our lives we sort and order things according to our personal definition of worth. This includes everything from seasoning on roasted chicken, or tofu, to the color and creed of our neighbor. But I noticed when we need help we call all prayer warriors and the only thing that matters is availability.

Jesus calls us to a childlike faith that mirrors itself in our manner of petition. I spend the better part of my days with five and six year olds. They are perfect models of ‘childlike’ and I learn much from their example. If I kept their voices in bowls that surrounded me like incense I would continuously hear, “Guess what teacher…..?”, “Teacher, can you help…….?”, “Teacher I can’t…….”, “I need you teacher…….?”, “Teacher, look……..” “Teacher, teacher…..Oh! I forgot what I was going to say.” “Teacher, I love you.” These are the petitions of childhood, THIS IS THE FAITH OF A CHILD toward the one they trust and I delight in their words.

God delights in our prayer!!! Children don’t seek deep theology, they love deeply, make their requests passionately and celebrate/worship with total abandon. Oh that we would be like them.

God’s people are invited to pray as a child. Our words are so precious to Heaven that they are saved and brought out often.

Love,

Gretchen

 

All my longings lie open before you, LORD; my sighing is not hidden from you. Psalms 38:9

Falling short of our personal standard and certainly God’s standard of Holiness is devastating. There is a grief process as we find the way once again to forgiveness and spiritual health.

David petitions God. Recognizing the punishment he is due, he pleads for mercy, confesses his sins and humbly begs God’s presence in his life once more.

Because all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, we have much in common with David. Nothing goes well when our relationship with God is broken. He cannot work in our lives without the sacrifice of our obedience, manifested in trust and faith.

The God that wove us together knows the longings of our heart. When we are broken and paralyzed with fear and sorrow for the place our sin has brought us, He hears, sees and answers our pleas with steadfast love, peace and strength to live again.

Happy Weekend,

Gretchen

In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelations 5:12

The message of Revelation is the big picture. God is in control, the final score: Love (aka, Jesus) for the win.

In John’s vision He sees a scroll that holds the destiny earth and all that is in it. Yet John does not see anyone who can open the document and see eternity. John sees himself desperate for a redeemer for those whose hope in the LORD, the One who sets them free. Then he sees the LORD among the prayers and praises of His people, and the angels are singing His glorious worth!

Who is worthy to hold and open the fate of all humanity…….everyone that EVER existed?! Only the One who was sinless, the Perfect, Spotless, Lamb of God, the sacrifice for every man’s eternal hope, the very definition of LOVE.

Eternity is a reality, it’s inevitable. The only option is your choice of residence. That scroll is my fate and your’s too. I chose to join He who’s love brings life and I’m inviting you too.

Love,

Gretchen

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM, otherwise known as SANDY JONES!

“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 thought 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 Monday,

Gretchen

Motherhood and Depression

This month I celebrate an anniversary of motherhood. My second child, now a young adult, celebrates a birthday. As the years pass time releases my mind from the trials and tribulations of pregnancy, labor and delivery leaving only a precious mental image, the first glimpse of a tiny human, perfect in every way. On the day of her birth I held two things close: Her and a secret.
Depression: It is a thread that runs through the tapestry of our lives, but we are here today, breathing a story of living.

There is a certificate in my home that says I have met all the criteria needed to teach young children the things they need to know about reading, writing and arithmetic. But where the oxygen gets inhaled that piece of paper means nothing because depression takes away confidence and assurance. When I was just a woman, not a mom, married but still just me, I knew I could run, stay, hide or stand center stage according to life’s difficulties and my ability to cope. Being short on responsibilities and long on choices made disguising mental struggles easier. Then along came Thing 1 and a few years later, Thing 2. Suddenly there was no option other than to stay and be real. Why does this matter and why am I writing about it? Because I’m not special and I want other’s to know it’s going to be alright. I didn’t quit or fail. You won’t either.

In an era of superhuman soccer moms with precision day planners turning out obedient, organic children, I was lacking. My oldest wouldn’t put on her shoes if the sock seams weren’t straight across her toes and we won’t even mention the ponytail issues and fights over hair bows. My youngest negotiated punishment while contemplating compliance versus the cost. Yes, perspective is everything and years later I know the reality and lack of perfection in other’s homes, but that didn’t help in the moment when I was a total failure to those I was supposed to keep alive, nurture and raise to productive citizenship while a dark haze was ever present in my mind. But there is one thing I did right. Just one, so it’s easy to share.

When options were weighed and decisions made, I chose the path that was best for the spiritual development of my children. Their eternal lives are far more important to me than their earthly comforts. From the moment they were born, I wanted only for them to spend eternity with their Heavenly Father and I set a path toward that goal. You might think it was a journey of protection and censorship, but remember? I’m not perfect. The threads in their life’s tapestry are colored with reality. They have seen poverty, they know mom and dad have limited means. They have smelled death and felt its sting. Their hearts have soared on the wings of success and they have hung their heads in defeat and cried themselves to sleep. We disappointed each other many times, but we faced it together in strength and determination. Depression left me no other choice but to be real, and it wasn’t a death sentence, it was life.

I always thought adulting meant working and investing for dependable daily bread days, weeks and years ahead while adding a dash of hope. Depression and motherhood taught me trusting God for each day’s bread and hope for a lifetime is where life must be lived.

Don’t Ever Give Up!

Gretchen