Category: Uncategorized

“See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 1:21

The children of Israel are at the end of one journey, the completed promise of deliverance from Egypt and bondage. With this ending comes a new and glorious beginning. They are about to enter into the land set apart and promised to them by God, a land flowing with all they will ever need to sustain themselves. They have arrived at their covenant home. God does what He says He will do.

God chose a covenant people, but not to create exclusive blessing and pleasure while the rest of the world suffers in ruin and agony. It is God’s plan that all the world be saved. He loves His created masterpiece and His design is for its salvation. Through those that are obedient and rely exclusively on God alone to provide their needs and keep them Holy, the entire world has hope.

Be someone’s hope. The world desperately needs!

Love,

Gretchen

If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? I Corinthians 12:17

In the middle of Paul first letter to the church at Corinth he follows his teaching on faith and spiritual freedom with three chapters concerning relationships among fellow believers and the value of each individual to the work of the Kingdom. He uses the phrases, “I want you to realize,” “ I don’t want you to be ignorant,” and “I will show you the most excellent way,” to express the importance of God’s plan for Christian behavior.

Unity among believers does NOT imply uniformity. We often worry about what gift we are given and how well it will be validated socially, but Paul teaches that spiritual gifts are meant to further the Kingdom and since they all originate from one Creator, they are equal in value with no social implication at all.

We all have an indispensable part to play in God’s plan. We should encourage, strengthen and love each other so deeply that the demons of hell tremble in our presence. The church is a body, The Body of Christ. Many parts, one mind, one heart, one mission.

Love,

Gretchen

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this; Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  James 1:19

Real faith shows in the ways Christians conduct themselves. Genuine Christian standards must exist in everyday life and in every relationship.

God is not quick to anger, His love endures and his patience is persevering. We must align our conduct with that of Christ’s model.  We are the sum of our thoughts and actions.  God yearns for us to live with a positive attitude, lacking in blame toward Himself and others and rich in self-control.

James’ words of instruction are not just to keep peace on earth, but peace within your heart.

Happy Tuesday,

Gretchen

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him.  Hebrews 11:6

The way of Holiness is faith. For those that did not touch the nail scars in His hands, you and I, faith is the only connection we have to the hope of resurrection.  Hope is not futile, neither is it passive.  The writer of Hebrews reminds us that it is in earnestly seeking God, faith in action, that we find Him and the peace that comes with His fellowship.

This scripture is part of a passage known as the Faith Chapter, an affirmation that God’s people are not a quitting people.  The words, “Certain of what we do not see,” from verse 1 reminds us that it is not in the present tangible world but in the things unknown, yet known, our faith lives and grows.  What a glorious present and future.

Total reliance, come what may, is faith. God is able and willing and He is pleased.

Happy Monday,

Gretchen

Murder by Mouth

There are words in our English language, and I suspect every language on earth, that were originally harmless and very appropriate to a specific noun, verb, adverb or adjective, until someone used the word to describe another human in a derogatory manner, demeaning their character while informing everyone in hearing distance, the speaker felt they had no right to their oxygen. The word depicting a female dog is one that comes to mind, followed by the common name for a long eared beast of burden. With the use of these words and the attitudes they imply, we subtly order our interpersonal world.

The tongue is the most deadly weapon on earth. With words we murder character, wreak havoc, destroy stability and leave fear and confusion in the space we occupy. The tongue is also a major player in spinning the truth. Bending truth is a survival instinct that begins at a very young age and is so casual it can go completely unnoticed and unchecked. We are the center of our own little universe, mine is called Gretchen World, where everything comes back to us and our best interest. But scripture gives strong warning regarding our use of careless words. The tongue also is fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:6 He continues in verse 9, With the tongue we praise our LORD and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.

I exist in a world filled with both children and adults. What creates the greatest difficulty in the hours of my day? My mouth and the mouthes of those around me. We celebrate free speech and I’m all for it, but freedom isn’t a right to abuse, it is the greatest responsibility we are given. The freedom we enjoy was won by those that didn’t live to reap its benefit and the greatest honor we can return to them is to use their sacrifice to the greater good of mankind.

The weaving of my DNA left me with a very short stature, a dominant left hand, an inability to make sense of phonics and a propensity to zig when I should have zagged. How do I know these things are unacceptable? Because someone said so. The flip side of this story is that I can hold my own in a sassy match up with most anyone. I could probably win the Sassy Crown if there were such a contest, but I heard Pastor Steve Hall, Beebe Church of the Nazarene, state “If you’re going to argue, argue to change the world, not win a war of words.”

God gave us the gift of communication. There is no sweeter music than the laughter of children and no sharper double edged sword than a wicked, hateful tongue. What we say matters a lot and yes, we will be held to the highest standard of accountability. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

Love,

Gretchen

“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn?” Job 39:1

Job: A man stricken with life’s deepest tragedies compounded by well meaning friends who believed he brought it all on himself with hidden sins he wouldn’t confess.

Can someone love and serve God with absolutely no expectation of receiving anything in return? Is it possible to achieve perfect faith and love in the midst of continuing tragedy? This is Job’s struggle. If God doesn’t come through there is no reason to continue on, yet total separation from God is THE HOPELESSNESS Job is seeking to avoid. Job in tremendous despair, questioned God, yet God didn’t count it as sin. It was the beginning of great faith.

We will never understand how God ordered the universe. He is a WONDERful, all knowing, all loving Creator of a WONDERful world. When you have questions, He is the first and only ‘person’ you should turn to. Questions are not defiance, they are the beginning of knowledge and that originates at the Throne of God.

Happy Weekend,

Gretchen
Mom and Dad, I love you Big!!!

Then you will know I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my Holy hill Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her. Joel 3:17

Little is known about the prophet Joel. His story begins with a swarm of locust descending on Palestine. The swarm blocks the sun and eats the entire food supply. It is a state of emergency.

Joel uses the devastation of this natural disaster as a call to repentance. God’s judgement will fall on those who refuse to obey. However, this is an unnecessary event. God longs to love, rescue and restore.

There will be a day when all those who have refused the Name of the Lord will bow and acknowledge His sovereignty. Those who have inflicted sorrow and pain on others will be justly and infallibly brought to reckoning. God will protect those who worship and obey Him and receive His abundant blessing.

Our destiny is ours to chose, but God’s plan is justice, security and blessings.

Have a great Friday,

Gretchen

“But you, Son of Man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious house, open your mouth and eat what I give you.” Ezekiel 2:8

Ezekiel’s career was laid out before him. He would follow in the successful footsteps of his father. Then Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians and suddenly this young, vibrant servant of God was an exile. THEN GOD SPOKE! Ezekiel was to prophesy to the Israelites, a rebellious nation. God’s call included words of fortitude, “Do not be afraid,” and reckoning, “Whether they listen or fail to listen…..” Ezekiel answered. He was passionate, dedicated and utterly obedient.

Ezekiel was accountable call to spread the message of hope and restoration. Those who heard were responsible for their response to God’s message.

Jesus is Lord. We can learn this through a humble heart and redemption or a haughty attitude that brings judgement. The choice is ours. There are no excuses. Answer, obey or ignore……..

Love ya’ll!

Gretchen

Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48

With the fall of man, humans lost their perfect image, their reflection of God. But we are called to return to that likeness. Through redemption, God’s saving grace and mercy, we can once again become that perfect creation God designed us to be.

Beginning in Matthew chapter 5 and continuing through chapter 7, Jesus’ great sermon is recorded. Just imagine sitting in the sun, on a hillside, listening to the VERY Word of God through the voice of His Son Jesus. Jesus spoke the words above that beautiful day, but equally important are words from the prayer He modeled a few moments later, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. If it is accomplished in Heaven, then it is possible on earth and that includes our perfection through salvation and Holy living.

We make mistakes, but there is a great difference between life’s ‘uh ohs’ and outright defiance to God and His stated ordinances. Perfection (Holiness), is possible or Jesus wouldn’t have spoken of it. God is able to lead us into His perfect love and will. It is the absolute best place on earth.

Love,

Gretchen

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:18

The small group of believers in Thessalonica had a very difficult start. Many were arrested for disturbing the peace. They weren’t nosey rebels, the established Jewish community just took offense at their teaching that Jesus was the Messiah. Paul had to leave, but was anxious for their spiritual survival and sent Timothy back to check on them.

Timothy returned with good news and Paul responded with a letter. It is full of gratefulness for their faithfulness. Although they were deprived of their teacher/pastor, they were standing firm. Paul writes to them, encouraging and teaching. The words above are from the final part of his first letter.

If you have given your life to Christ, celebrate a resurrected Savior and eternal life with Him, then your life is completely under His control. He’s got this!!! He is worthy of your PRAISE no matter what is happening!

Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Gretchen