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So that having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.Titus 3:7

The letter to Titus is called a Pastoral Epistle. Titus was a Greek/gentile convert of Paul’s who submitted to circumcision, a Jewish law, even though Paul said it was not necessary to achieve mercy and grace. Paul wrote this letter to Titus, who was in Crete, advising and him as he oversaw other pastors of the early church.

Titus’ task was to bring those who had salvation into a life worthy of The One who gave His life for theirs without getting tied up in ‘works verses grace’. We are not saved by our own works, but our works must reflect God’s image and His work in our life.

The word ‘justified’ comes from the word just and its cousin justice. In a court of law, justice is found when all facts have been given and truth has been discerned. The judge then declares what is just and seals it forever with the slam of his gavel. God’s justice is grace, a free from sin because I said so defense! God has declared us NOT GUILTY and ends all debate with His seal, the Blood of Jesus. Why? Because He chooses to.

The Cretans were a tough crowd. They were famous for taking the truth and making a mess of it, but this one thing Paul wanted them to understand! Faith alone brings about salvation, but our behavior afterwards is living proof of where our faith has taken us.

Love,

Gretchen

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Paul establishes a church in the Corinth, a very modern, metropolitan Greek city with a strong culture of pagan worship that included casual, sexual immorality. Membership of this congregation ranged from slaves to upwardly mobile businessmen. A major crisis arose when converts wanted the blessing of salvation, yet clung tightly to the convenience and fun of loose living. Paul addressed the issues of division that sin caused and then wrote the letter we call I Corinthians. He continued his missionary journey through Asia but waited anxiously for news of this group of new believers that he loved so deeply. In the mean time this former persecutor became the persecuted and lived through many tribulations including a near death experience.

News arrives that the Corinthian church has listened to Paul’s counsel and returned to holiness. Paul is of course relieved and thrilled. He plans to visit but first writes them a letter known as II Corinthians. He tells of God’s comfort through all his trials that ultimately led him to greater understanding and compassion for others. He also addresses the question of integrity and constancy that came into question by nefarious leaders seeking personal power rather than true ministry. This constancy is seen through God’s fulfillment of His promises through His Son Jesus the Christ. The church has stability because God is unchanging, He is YES to all He said He would do, and we, through faith, are the completion, the Amen, of God’s purpose and great love.

God’s truth and mercy endure forever, His plan is and always has been the same…… for you and me to have eternal life!

To God Be the Glory,

Gretchen

For this is what the LORD says, He who created the Heavens, He is God; He who fashioned and made the earth, He founded it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited. He says: “I am the LORD and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:18 I strongly recommend you read the entire chapter.

Isaiah is delivering God’s declaration of who He is, God! And He actually says, “Don’t mess with me!” (Paraphrased verse 9) Strong but beautiful! It isn’t just God’s authority that is pronounced, He specifically tells the purposefulness in His creation and gives detail to the future. King Cyrus’ days are 150 years to the future. (Verse 1)

According to Robert Morgan, author of a devotional book, Then Sings My Soul, a poem by Swedish Minister Carl Boberg, written in 1885 was inspired by Isaiah chapter 45. It was set to a melody and traveled around the world, withstood a few revisions and additions before ending up in the hands of George Beverly Shea, musical director for the Billy Graham Crusades. In 1957 George sang this new worship song in New York City. The hymn…..HOW GREAT THOU ART!

Have a Blessed Weekend,

Gretchen

In God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11

This song was written by David when the Philistines had captured him in Gath. The accounts of David’s captivities in I Samuel do not mention this event, but David’s words give a vivid picture of his thoughts, anxiousness and response to his dire situation and God’s saving power.

David’s emotions have overwhelmed him, his efforts are futile UNTIL, he remembers “When I am afraid I put my trust in You!” Verse 3.

I am stepping away from commentary for a moment and giving direct statement: Satan’s greatest weapon is this, “If you had sought God’s counsel when you should have then you wouldn’t be in this mess now.” Perhaps satan is correct. In David’s case there is not enough evidence to make that judgement and it isn’t my place anyway. It is also true that often, no one is to blame for life’s tragic events, a sinful world begets grief. What is correct is; satan’s opinion (or anyone else’s) does not bind God’s hands/power when we call to Him and rest in His arms. Satan and his gifts of shame and guilt (don’t confuse these with humility) will hobble your run to the Throne of God. Find the same victory David did. Do not be afraid, trust God!

Walk in the Sonshine, 

Gretchen

For it is written: “Be Holy, because I am Holy.” I Peter 1:16

It would not be commanded of us if it were not possible. Yes, we suffer and face persecution, but those things strengthen and validate our faith.

We are called to represent the life and standards of the One who left Heaven’s perfect peace and suffered a horrendous, cruel death so that we could have life eternal.

God does not use unattainable expectations to toy with our lives. He is good, wise and powerful. If He asks it, He provides it. He is Holy, therefore, as His heirs, we can be also.

Loving the Possible,

Gretchen

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body-whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  I Corinthians 12:13

The early church grew quickly. The apostles, the original missionaries, were spread thin. God used the miraculous moving of the Holy Spirit in the place of unavailable manpower. Speaking in tongues is one example of God giving a power to one person when no one was available to deliver the Gospel in a manner understood by the audience. God gave Spiritual Gifts, but these gifts were soon seized upon by the unscrupulous for the purpose of perpetuating selfish, hidden agendas for those seeking celebrity. Disorder, abuse and hurt resulted. Paul calls these early believers to unity rather than uniformity because so many early Christians honored some gifts above others.

In the wonder of God’s creation every human is woven together with unique qualities and abilities. Each person is very much the same but extremely different in the complexities of individuality. Such is the same for spiritual gifts. They are specific to the need of a hungry world and man’s need to serve the Kingdom of Heaven. All designed perfectly by God, for God in the image of God.

The power we draw comes from one source, the Holy Spirit. Our salvation and baptism are by the blood of Jesus Christ. It is universal and timeless. We cannot sort and rank ourselves according to man’s value because we are the Body of Christ, the Church.

To be wholly loving, transparent, lacking in prejudice and envy, and humbly willing to answer The Call in any manner is only possible through the Spirit of God. It is miraculous. So if you’re looking for a miracle, step into the center of God’s will and you will find it.

Love,

Gretchen

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. 2 John 3

John is the last surviving apostle. This letter is a personal note addressed to a woman and her children. This salutation is believed to be a disguise to protect a congregation that is under great persecution and distraction. John hopes to visit in person very soon so there is no reason to waste good papyrus, thus, his words are few and succinct.

The opening comments are a call for love and truth, the basic theology of holiness. Love God, love one another, love is truth. Know truth and let it dwell in you. Truth, grace, mercy and peace exist together.

Truth is important. We base the biggest decisions of our lives on what we believe to be the truth, so believing what is fact is huge. Jesus is God’s Son, and He died for all mankind’s sins. God sets some boundaries to keeps us safe and whole, they are His commands and they are truth. Don’t be fooled by someone’s new version, or convenient rewrite, know Truth and walk in it.

Love,

Gretchen

Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in obedience to Him and revering Him. Deuteronomy 8:6

God freed His covenant nation from the bondage of an earthly authority, a Pharaoh that mistook himself for a god. This new nation traversed the wilderness and mountains of the Sinai Peninsula following God’s direction. Forty years and one generation later they are mere footsteps away from their promised and permanent home. God’s use of this time was to make the Hebrew people His, to mold them and give them an identity founded in His likeness and they became Israel. God showed them He was faithful and trustworthy. They needed nothing, God would take care of EVERYTHING. Just trust and obey, be a people fully reliant on God.

Prosperity would come with Israel’s new, sedentary culture. With these blessings came the danger of self-sufficiency. In times of trial we cry out for help and guidance, but in times of leisure, pride and self-reliance destroy our diligence and humility.

Obedience and reverence are born of our knowledge that He alone is the One True God and He is Good. He is still trustworthy and only asks that we obey and rely.

Happy Monday,

Gretchen

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4

The hours before Gethsemane..…the arrest…..the horrors of man’s prejudice and hatred at its very worst…..

Jesus has had His final meal with His dear comrades, those He has prepared to continue the work He began and will lay down His life to preserve and grow. His message is to love one another and remain in the One they will soon know as The Christ.

Remain: To stay, wait and continue on. The disciples had to stay when Jesus went. They had to sort things out and continue on their mission while waiting on their LORD’s return. BUT! Jesus said, “And I will remain in you!” Jesus committed to staying. It will be in a manner yet incomprehensible to these men, BUT DON’T MISS THIS! JESUS COMMITTED TO STAYING! In the heart of man.

The focus of our thoughts should not be consumed with the absence of God in humanity, but rather the absolute presence of the promised companionship, the continuing, unbroken relationship of a staying and continuing Spirit of our Holy God.

Tis the season to be overwhelmed with needs that cannot be fulfilled alone. Jesus has remained by means of His Spirit. Feel it, access it, use it and you will bear the fruits of His Spirit!

Love,

Gretchen

For this is what the LORD says: “ I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. Isaiah 66:12

The exiles have prayed for relief, for God to move, and for their relationship with Him to be restored. And it will be, because God answers prayer.  The faithful remnant will be saved and a final and total destruction will occur for those who align themselves with evil.

Heaven is a mysterious unknown except by faith.  We know of its existence but comprehend little of its detail. In these words and others of Isaiah 66 we learn that this whole new world God has created, Holy and free of all sin and temptation, will have nothing but peace, a peace we cannot fathom.

The picture that Isaiah paints is of a baby, totally dependent on its mother, but adored and nurtured.  All the resources this parent has to give is doted on its child.  So is the Kingdom of Heaven.  We are like newborn babes, helpless but for our parent. Our Heavenly Father willingly and lovingly provides EVERYTHING we will ever need.  This is Heaven, but don’t forget……Jesus taught us to pray….On earth as it is in Heaven!

Have a Lovely Friday,

Gretchen