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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! II Corinthians 5:17

Many animals outgrow their skin. A caterpillar comes into the world very small and very hungry, but as he chomps away and grows, his skin stays the same. He must shed this ‘crisis’ and move on, or he will die before he ever has an opportunity to become what he was designed to be. This process occurs multiple times before a final metamorphosis.

In this passage of scripture Paul speaks to the Corinthian congregation concerning their issues in everyday life. New Christians struggle to put away bad habits. They did in Paul’s day and they still do today! Those who have a little more wear and tear on their faith must still chose to soften their hearts and minds to Christ’s call in a lost and hurting world. Because Christ’s love compels us, (vs. 14) we must chose to be renewed. If we don’t we will die.

Growing uncomfortable with something is one of the many ways God shows us it’s time to grow a little, move on and become more like Jesus.

Chasing Butterflies.

Gretchen

“For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:37

Our words reveal our character. In fact, all our actions, both secret and public have an audience and are being written down. You can’t do one thing and say you believe another.  To do so means you are rewriting truth. There is only one Truth and He will not be amended or altered to suit man’s comfort. 

These words are Jesus’ own in context of the Pharisee’s questioning the origin of His powers. Every miracle Jesus performed was done in love and benevolence, for the purpose of healing and restoring the weak and broken, but He was accused of being in cahoots with the devil.  Why? The Jewish leaders hated Him and His threat to their authority. They wished to murder His character with their words. (Gossip at its very worst.) Their tongues revealed their soul’s darkness.

Calling evil, good, is a fast road to a place no one wants as their permanent address, but calling good, evil is the depth of wickedness because God is Good, He is the author of good and through His Holy Spirit we should recognize His works. All that we live and say should be witness to our trust in these things.

Love,

Gretchen

I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelations 7:14

Have you ever walked out onto a newly blanketed field of snow under a clear sky and bright sun? It is so perfectly white and sparkling, the glare blinding, but it’s radiant and beautiful. Whiter than white.

For every theologian there is a different interpretation and understanding of John’s vision of the things to come. It is indeed difficult to digest, but not to cling to when read for the promise it reveals. What will happen at the end of this age? Those who believe that Jesus died, not of a stroke, or a heart attack, or of the wearing down of the mortal body over time, but a brutal bloodbath of a murder, at the hands of those He would forgive if they asked. His life’s blood ran to wash away our black sin and make us as white as snow.

As a young person with my whole life ahead of me, I hated to hear or read of tribulations that I might someday suffer. On the other side of youth I have come to realize that struggles, sorrows, grief, disappointment, tragedy, and the list goes on……is universal. Every human that ever walks the earth will have to face down the gates of hell and find out who God really is.  And when you know, you believe or you don’t.

Heaven is a place of life, because the blood that was spilled didn’t end in death. 

Happy Friday!

Gretchen

Give us each day our daily bread. Luke 11:3

I’ve prayed the model prayer we’ve been given hundreds of times and I take each word very seriously, but this seven word request, Give us this day our daily bread, is the absolute hardest for me to utter with sincerity.  I want to improvise my own ‘New and Improved’ petition for help.  I stutter as I force myself not to say, “Give me this day my daily bread, and be mindful of all the days ahead too.” The urge to request more than my share so that I can nobly parcel it out to others is very strong as well. I’m not being facetious. I want to ask for so much more!!!!!

I am a worrier. I worry that I worry, and when I place everything at Jesus’ feet, I worry I forgot something.  So, to only ask and TRUST that my needs for a single day only will be met, is a test of self-control and faith. 

The things of this world wear and weigh us down. It is better to leave the future and its stockpile of provision in God’s hands. Preserving and storing things down here is a complete hassle anyway. There is great relief and rest in only today.  Yesterday is in the books, and God has tomorrow in His hands, so today is the moment to live in peace and joy, and bring Glory to God in all you do, beginning with your countenance of confidence and faith that your daily needs will be met, most likely with enough to spare and share.

Love,

Gretchen

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death-even on a cross! Philippians 2:8

Paul is in prison awaiting sentencing as he writes this letter to the first church he established in Europe. They have been sorely persecuted from the beginning but they are known for their purity and generosity. However, many diverse people in one place sometimes struggle to see eye to eye, and this was one of the concerns Paul addresses in his epistle.

In a world full of opposing insights and opinions, there is one thing we can agree on, the character of Jesus while He walked on earth among us. From His model we can perfectly discern what we are expected to be, humble in life and obedient in all circumstances until death.

There is a lot wrong in the world today, but there is one thing we can do right. We can humble ourselves to one another in love and chose to get along, Christian to Christian. Jesus lived and died in a time of tremendous corruption and exploitation of those in authority, both religious and political, and in that time He loved. He came to show us the way to live and die.

Have a Wonderful Mid-Week,

Gretchen

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