Category: Uncategorized

For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. Psalm 33:4

This Psalm is a song of praise, short and to the point. It begins with the call to sing a new song, or tune. I am one that loves old hymns. By their lyrics I was able to memorize scripture and theology was imprinted on my heart at an early age. Yet, the new of today’s worship warms my heart when I stand beside those I have prayed for and watched grow. It is a privilege to share the act or worship with them. These words of David are not saying to cast away the words that have already been said, he just suggests that it is important to seek joy and as each sunrise and sunset is different because of God’s creative power and love, then so too should be our praise.

These Psalms would have been learned in the community of worship. There was no media. The temple music director would have taken the music and gathered the musicians to rehearse, sung it as part of ‘church’ and sent the children of Israel home whistling hope, joy, assurance and everything else the heart needs to sustain itself throughout the week. 

We often read God’s scripture alone in meditation and devotion, but as you ponder these great words of acknowledgement, think of the throngs of people that sang them together in the midst of uncertainty, but shared a great confidence in all that God could and would do.  Join with someone often and do the same.

Love,

Gretchen

Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts. Revelation 9:21

Satan is the persecutor and corruptor in chief, the very definition of evil. He is a relentless instigator of pain and sorrow with your soul as his target. Yet, with all the warnings in the world, people stubbornly resist grace and refuse to change their ways with no qualms about a moral standard.

All men are born carnal. We have an instinct to selfishness/sin but as we grow we sort into two categories: Those who humble themselves and repent and those who are proud, make excuses and blame everyone else. As free agents every individual must choose. The most intimate personal and individual fact on earth is, you alone choose your destiny.   

Satan’s hatred and God’s love ARE NOT EQUAL AND THEY DO NOT FUNCTION IN TANDEM OR BALANCE!!!!! God’s love conquers all, but man must believe and live accordingly. It’s the most important choice in your life. Eternal life means forever in the presence of God’s love and safety. Hell is the absence of God and there is no horror story written that can touch the agony and carnage in a place, sealed forever, without hope and relief.

Please go with me to the Throne!

Love,

Gretchen

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke begin with Jesus’ birth.  Mark’s story begins with Jesus’ ministry, but the disciple whom Jesus loved, His very closest friend, starts at the beginning of time, when Jesus, One with the Father, brought things into order. John brings the Good News, Jesus is God with us. He has come that we might have LIFE and have it more abundantly.

Man’s eye defines space by shadows. It is the contrast of light and dark that reveals depth, contour and shape. But John’s hallmark description of His Savior is Light and Life, a light that casts away all darkness, a light so radiant, illumination cannot be compromised.

Our visual adaptation of using shades of light and dark for recognition, memorization and navigation permeates our concept of the power of Jesus’ sacrifice. We live as though it’s normal to hide secrets in unlit corners of our heart where no one dares to go, believing that a light will allow everyone to see, or remember, or enhance! John testifies that light dispels the darkness. Jesus did not live, die and rise again to shine a spotlight to stage our shame. Emmanuel came to eliminate it! He is the Light of the World, but more specifically, your heart.

Love,

Gretchen

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens. Psalm 148:13

Psalm 148 is a role call of all that brings glory to God. It is creation. He alone spoke and it came into order and function. Nothing and no one else should stand beside our LORD and be acknowledged for the wisdom and power that is displayed in all that He alone designed.

Is this to say that no man should offer another recognition or gratitude? Am I implying gracious appreciation toward each other is a form of idolatry? No, it is an attribute of love and humility from one man to another. Therefore, it glorifies the One that brought us together.

Praise is the food of faith. If you wish to be spiritually healthy, then you must feast your soul on it. 

Love,

Gretchen

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.  Psalms 20:7

For today’s devotional we are going to link two ideas together for spiritual renewal and encouragement: Faith and common sense.

This worship Psalm was used as David was preparing for battle. Jerusalem gathered to pray and praise before the nation’s military met their approaching foe. As he and his forces prepared appropriately to engage in battle, they also asked for God’s blessing and protection. God answered and Israel was the victor.

David was a warrior king. He amassed and led a trained, outfitted and formidable army. This is common sense from the man a nation relied on for security and continued prosperity. However, David knew he could have all the world’s resources if he sought them, but they were irrelevant without the will of the LORD our God.  How do you access God’s power and will? Faith.

Common sense says, prepare. There are things you must do, things you will need. Act accordingly. But, when life gets real and all the preparation in the world isn’t enough, add faith. It is time to step aside and let God be God. He is not upstaging you, selfishly controlling your outcomes or invalidating your efforts to be ready. He is doing what you cannot……He’s being God!

Love,

Gretchen

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven. Hebrews 1:3 

Many Jews who came to believe Jesus was the Messiah felt that soon, Jerusalem would become capitol of the world.  Rome would crumble and Jesus would reign.  Where they had been oppressed, they would rule. It didn’t turn out that way!  It is believed that Paul wrote this letter from Rome, but did not attach his name to it, because he had become very unpopular. His message of perseverance and servitude was not well received by believers, and to those who would not repent!? Well, he had a lot to say about their present and future state.  No matter who did the writing, Hebrews is a letter to Jews, connecting Levitical Law to prophecy and prophecy to Jesus, the Son of God. It is the foundational footing for Christianity, therefore, it defines some very important facts that Christian’s then and today must anchor their faith to.

Jesus became the spotless Lamb who’s blood was spilled for a final sacrifice/atonement. Prior to the crucifixion, priests made animal sacrifices for repentance of their sin. The process was specific, elaborate and important to covenant keeping, until Jesus died and rose again. At that moment, death no longer had any hold on this world and the need for temple rituals became unnecessary. But, God’s covenant people got hung up between traditions of the Old Law and the freedoms of the New. Which did God mean? Both, first one and then the other, but not together. 

Surviving life can feel impossible, certainly defeating. The Christians of Jerusalem came to know horrible persecution from all sides and eventually, their city of hope was completely destroyed. There could be no temple rituals because the temple was a pile of rubble. But, there was no need. Access to God’s Throne is as near as the speaking of His name in reverent welcome. It was His breath that brought life to Adam, and it is His breath, the power of His Word, that brings eternal life once again, because Jesus, God’s Son, is alive and He is preparing your place in Heaven.

Hallelujah!

Gretchen

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:28

I would have the one problem in the world that the LORD can’t figure out and fix……..I am the singular person on the planet that God has truly forgotten………I did it! I exhausted every patience and grace from He who promised to be infinite in all things……….

Do you ever share similar thoughts? The exiled people of Isaiah’s time, who were guilty of violating God’s covenant law because they were entitle and rebellious, have lost every thing at the hands of the Assyrian empire and they were thinking some hopeless thinks. They have been uprooted from their homeland and taken into slavery or relocated to strange lands. Disheartened and shattered they are aware it was their own sin that created their trouble, BUT! God has sent word, He still loves. Not only does He hold the power to keep His promises, He begins to speak of an eternal Hope that will change the world permanently.

Our sins cost much this side of Heaven, but they are not a death sentence if we humble ourselves to God’s authority and forgiveness. Sin separates us from God, shame hobbles salvation’s joy. Fear halts progress, a stubborn heart does all satan’s work for Him. And in the blink of an eye, or the pulse of a heartbeat, God brings life where all was thought to be dead. He has not forgotten, He is not confused and He has not quit loving. He is being God and that’s all you need.

Praying for your strength this Monday,

Gretchen

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as sliver and gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors. I Peter 1:18

How has silver and gold perished in my presence? Let me count the ways. I have spent these precious metals on needs and wants, I have lost them in couch cushions, bartering has been an optional use and yes, the most valuable things on this earth have gone to rot through my personal neglect. At the end of the day, there is nothing except things….people, with beating hearts that are really worth my time and energy. It wasn’t silver, gold or any other inanimate element that was used to pay the price for eternal peace. It was a pulsing heart, a breathing life, Jesus the Lamb of God.

The missionary Paul planted the early churches, but they were the result of much work and nurturing.  Peter, a disciple and very close friend of Jesus, also worked to guide and strengthen the new converts after Pentecost. They suffered much persecution, but the best and the very worst things of this world are irrelevant in the face of God’s everlasting love. 

Both Paul and Peter had face to face encounters with the One True God. They were also martyred. They had to chose, eternal life over eternal death, when one or the other was seconds away. Their lives tell their story, they didn’t perish, but the things of this world will, so don’t perish with them.

Love,

Gretchen

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.  Ephesians 2:4-5

Transgression is defined as the violation of a law or command….. sin. Sin separates us from God because God will not cohabitant with evil and wrong doing.  There is an antidote to this death sentence. Mercy: The forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy or other person in one’s power, with compassion, pity or benevolence. Grace is unmerited favor or goodwill.

Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus is focused on character. Man is sinful and rebellious, but God is love. There is only one reason man has a hope of life over death, light instead of darkness and that is because God is love. All we have originates from this simple foundation.

The early church in Ephesus was distracted by cultural and ethnic diversity among their numbers.  They sometimes acted inappropriately and lost their vision, but God didn’t pack up and leave, He stayed with Light shining on Truth. His supply of mercy was and is infinite.

We have a staying, seeing things through, kind of God. We have full access to all His resources of love, perseverance, endurance and forgiveness toward ourselves and others.

Love,

Gretchen

He will oppose and will exult himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. II Thessalonians 2:4-5

The church at Thessalonica was planted on Paul’s second missionary journey, but he was there only about three weeks before he was run out by Jewish leaders. The letters he sent to this church are some of his earliest writings and were written some twenty years after the resurrection. In his short stay, Paul preached of Jesus’ second coming, but there was some confusion and unfinished teaching. The understanding of life after death was very primitive and these early christians were concerned about those among them that died before Jesus returned.

For the persecuted, those who lost their families and jobs because they chose to follow Christ, the hope of a quick end to suffering was reason to celebrate, but as the weeks, months and years passed by, it grew harder to cling to a religion unlike everything they had ever been taught. Paul bolsters their perseverance by telling of the things to come and what to expect from the evil one who wishes to rob the gifts of God’s great love. Satan will unleash every power and resource in his arsenal to destroy peace and hope.

Until the Lord returns and ends satan’s existence for all eternity, we are vulnerable to his wicked ploy to ruin all that God has created and given us. But! Just as free will brings us to humble ourselves to forgiveness and salvation, it also lends us strength and resolve to stand firm in the face of fear and temptation. Righteousness until we see Jesus is a choice.

Love,

Gretchen