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But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in Heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect. Hebrews 12:22-23

Mountains are covenant reminders. God gives us visual aids to direct us in paths of righteousness.  As the final process of God’s covenant with the children of Israel, they had to walk between two mountains. From Mount Gerizim blessings of obedience were shouted, while the curse of disobedience was declared from Mount Ebal. (Joshua 8:33-34) As God’s people settled in their new home, they would look across the horizon, see the silhouette of two mountains and remember, the blessing of obedience versus the pain of disobedience.

In keeping with this covenant reminder, the writer of Hebrews speaks of Mount Sinai where the Law of God was given.  This law became impossible to keep and led to judgement and condemnation. But the God of Life made a New covenant through the final sacrifice of Jesus’ blood. 

A better way has been made. Be encouraged that God seeks to create life, not destroy it.  Zion, the Body of Christ, is a place of hope and celebration, not a geographical entitlement, but a state of reality in which we are perfected by Jesus’ love. You have a cheering team in Heaven that thrills at your every victory and God is making your way straight.  Don’t give up on doing right and good!

Love,

Gretchen

 “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One Of God!” Luke 4:34

The Bible doesn’t say much said about demon possession before and after Jesus walked on earth, but many instances are mentioned while He was in the flesh.  Satan engaged head on with God for authority and dominion over our souls.

There will come a day when those who say they do not believe, see truth for themselves and bow to their knees also. They will recognize that which satan acknowledged, Jesus is the Holy Son of God. 

With authority, Jesus cast satan and his minions out and emancipated their victim.  The winner between good and evil has been declared! Game over!  Still, man has free will, therefore, satan has the capacity to harm and traumatize. Our choice determines our destiny, not fate or equal forces fighting for eternity.  One word, JESUS, nullifies the devil’s work.  There is life changing power on the tip of your tongue, so speak up!

Love

Gretchen

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. I Corinthians 2:12

Corinth was not far from Athens, the center of Greek philosophy. There was an atmosphere of philosophic hierarchy parading about and it infiltrated the early church.  Paul, a scholar himself, was not impressed with man’s opinions or theologies. Truth and wisdom is from God alone, the author of all that is. 

God took dust and made man, but until He breathed His breath into him, man did not live. God put a piece of Himself, His life and spirit into each one of us. The world lays claim to all that we are, instinct, environment, evolution, but we are made in the image of our loving Creator. The things that define us most deeply, our character and soul, are His. Satan cannot claim what God has done.

Sin marred man’s image and Satan would have us bound by shame all of our lives, but as Paul teaches a church overwhelmed by everyone’s personalities and strong dynamics, it is God’s Spirit alone that is truth, love, grace, mercy and victory. Dwell in His Spirit, it is peace.

Love,

Gretchen

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. I Corinthians 2:12

Corinth was not far from Athens, the center of Greek philosophy. There was an atmosphere of philosophic hierarchy parading about and it infiltrated the early church.  Paul, a scholar himself, was not impressed with man’s opinions or theologies. Truth and wisdom is from God alone, the author of all that is. 

God took dust and made man, but until He breathed His breath into him, man did not live. God put a piece of Himself, His life and spirit into each one of us. The world lays claim to all that we are, instinct, environment, evolution, but we are made in the image of our loving Creator. The things that define us most deeply, our character and soul, are His. Satan cannot claim what God has done.

Sin marred man’s image and Satan would have us bound by shame all of our lives, but as Paul teaches a church overwhelmed by everyone’s personalities and strong dynamics, it is God’s Spirit alone that is truth, love, grace, mercy and victory. Dwell in His Spirit, it is peace.

Love,

Gretchen

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13

These words are lyrics from a hymn Paul quoted, in his letter, written while he was in Rome, under arrest awaiting martyrdom. The monster Nero burned Rome so he could build a bigger better city to his glory. The populous suspected him, so to divert suspicion, he blamed the Christians. These new believers were mostly poor or slaves, lacking in influence and prestige. They were perfect, as marginalized people, for the scapegoat of a wicked authority. Paul was their leader. Kill him, stop the movement! Thus, Paul writes his beloved friend, pleading with him to remain faithful no matter the circumstance and reminds Timothy that he is at peace and God is faithful.

Imagine Paul sitting alone, damp, hungry, sore from beating, knowing death is near, singing a song that is stuck in his head…….I am faithless, but God is faithful. He will not let me go.

Our worries, struggles, and state of mind do not define who God is or what He can do. Release your perspective, your shame, your grasp on the small things you comprehend.  Allow God to fill you with peace that passes understanding, because you are His and He will not fail you.

Have a Lovely Midweek,

Gretchen

Six of the towns you give to the Levites will be cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone may flee. In addition, give them forty-two other towns.” Numbers 35:6

Taking 3,000,000 people out of slavery in Egypt, across the Sinai Peninsula and to the edge of the Promised Land took many, many miracles and obedience to God’s sovereign authority. By miracle and God’s leading, Moses organized the Hebrew children into twelve tribes. Each clan would receive a portion of land to settle, but the tribe of Levi was charged with leading worship, caring for the Ark of the Covenant and maintaining the tabernacle. They would not be settlers but priests caring for the spiritual health of the new nation.

The Levites would need a place to live, so Moses instructed the other eleven tribes to set aside cities with land plots to herd and farm. Six of these cites were to be havens of refuge, a place for those who have made egregious mistakes to go and live in peace, away from the danger and retribution of the offended. In these cities, only God’s judgment mattered.

If you read the entire passage of Numbers chapter 35, you see that God makes a complete separation between malicious murder and a careless act that leads to the accidental death of another. God knows the heart of man. He does not tolerate selfish disregard for human life or hatred, but gives help to those in life’s most horrendous messes.

This wonderful all knowing God has a plan for your chaos.  He sent His only Son to be our city of refuge. In this we find perfect knowledge and assessment of complete and unbiased truth. Give your broken heart and out of control life to Him.  He has a place for you and it is good.

Love,

Gretchen

Jesus said to His disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. Luke 17:1

The Bible, God’s Word, is very clear: If you believe Jesus is the resurrected Son of the One True God, know God is loving and Holy, and your sins are forgiven, then your behavior must show it.  Actions are the evidence of one’s true heart and a strong influence on those seeking answers, or struggling with temptation. The believer is called to be a light of hope guiding others through the storms of pain and sorrow and down the straight and narrow road of righteousness.

In this same passage of scripture Jesus commands that we forgive others, over and over and over. If we are to be Christ’s witness, then our testimony begins with forgiveness. The first step in a sinner’s new birth is forgiveness. This abstract, illogical act is in complete and total contrast to this world and its agenda.  God is the source of justice and condemnation, but He is doing everything possible to bring about forgiveness and reconciliation, so this must start with His Body, the church and its people. Be forgiving, extend grace, strengthen and guide one another so that all may know the Love of Christ.

Love,

Gretchen

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:3

There was nothing, and then there was something.

This is the beginning of the universe and linear time. Creation occurred at the Word of a God that always was and always will be. Was it a big bang that is still expanding, or just a beautiful wonder placed immediately by God’s hand? It doesn’t matter because, He alone is the maker of all things. There is beauty, order and wonder amid logic contrasted against the unexplainable, all wrapped up in the place we call home. Do not be threatened by one thing that is definable and another that is not. God did it, and that is enough. It’s not a weakness of intellect, but a strength of character to be certain that God can and did.

Hebrews twelve reads like a roll call for Faith’s Hall of Fame. While we struggle with the daily things that challenge our spiritual resolve, this epistle writer has given us the testimony and evidence of the reward awaiting the faithful, who know beyond doubt that God did do all things and still can and will.

Happy Friday,

Gretchen

“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3:5-6

This is the fall of man, our eternal doom. Satan does not take “No,” for an answer. This serpent boldly approached Eve with an invitation that was turned down. Eve repeated God’s command. Satan responded by questioning a given fact and manipulating semantics and theology, then he went for man’s simplest needs and pleasure. The fruit was pretty, tasteful and nourishing for both mind and body.  He made sin look like man’s best hope! He threw our Loving Creator into the role of liar and selfish dictator and introduced a craving to be God’s equal. This was not truth it was death……………….for you and for me.

Thankfully this story is not the end of man’s history. Satan hates God and as God’s crowning creation, he hates us by association. Did you hear me? Satan hates you! He leaves those he attacks, naked and afraid. God clothes and comforts.

Temptation is very personal. Universally we all fall short of God’s glory but God sent His Son to die for the sins of the world. Within this there is a very intimate love extending to you personally.

Satan’s small victory is not the end of your story. The ultimate mission of evil is to illuminate the option of love. That will never happen because the very definition of God is Love.  Love wins the day…….everyday!

Fly the W!

Gretchen 

What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: Psalm 8:4-6

This is a familiar and beautiful Psalm written by David as he ponders the wonders of the universe and feels small beneath the heavens. He is in awe and praises God because He placed His own glory on man when He created Him in His own image.

As small as we are in the whole order of an infinite space and time, God loved us and put all His creation under our feet.  We have authority, better defined as responsibility to stewardship and love.  Yes, we have rights, but are the many things we can do, correct and productive to God’s plan for us and our fellow man?

Man’s authority, given by God, was meant to be our greatest strength, a power to overcome and defeat our foe, Satan. We are God’s crowning creation, His breath, His love. Be strong and courageous, your Father has you covered!

Feelin’ Sassy,

Gretchen