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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Refuge: A place to hide or have privacy.
Strength: Mental or physical stamina.
Present: Existing at this time, here.
Trouble: Annoyance, worry, something requiring great effort.

In this very moment God is THE place to hide. The welcome mat is always out. In fact, space is available for permanent residence in His shelter. He alone has the stamina (it’s out of the world actually) to conquer and eradicate worries, annoyances, things that require more energy and effort than there is to give.

Written by a temple musician, Martin Luther used this Psalm as a model for his hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God. It is not known if attacking forces, natural disaster or simple faith in God’s unassailable power inspired these words of praise. It does not matter. Whatever the need, a private moment to regain perspective and balance or a shelter from the pain, sorrow or threat of this world, RUN TO GOD.

Love,

Gretchen

I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out. Luke 19:40

Jesus has ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey, not a war horse. The beginning of the end has come, or for every believer, the beginning of an end that will never come.

The disciples were spreading their cloaks across the dusty road and shouting “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the LORD! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest” (verse 38) The church leaders told Jesus to rebuke His followers for saying such things and above is Jesus’ response. The next verse tells that Jesus looked out over Jerusalem and wept for the future He knew was imminent, not His own impending death, but the spiritual death of the population and the consequences that would follow.

Jesus has dominion over all the earth and for those that recognize, believe and worship, praise cannot be contained or silenced. It is a residual response of gratitude. Jesus’ words are not about the power to make rocks sing, but rather the inappropriateness of anyone attempting to quiet praise or minimize God’s glory.

Up until this day Jesus down played celebrity, but now He is giving way to the celebration of things to come. Victory over death is about to become the new order of the universe. It was time to shout for joy then, and it still is today.

Singing Louder Than the Rocks,

Gretchen

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

John chapters 13-17 are predominantly Jesus’ words spoken in the hours between the Passover Supper (The Last Supper) and His arrest. The disciples are about to experience the greatest turbulence imaginable. They gave up their livelihoods to follow Jesus, He is departing in a horrific manner, and yet, He speaks over and over again of love and peace.

There is absolutely nothing of this world that Jesus’ death and resurrection has not conquered. It isn’t spoils that go to the victor this time, it is peace, the crowning glory of Heaven. That’s a good reason to smile.

We live in a world that has more that enough crisis due to sin, but the battle has been won. The only obstacle to victory and peace is your free will. Lay down the burdens sin has wrought and let Jesus carry you through. He came and died to deliver you from this world while you are still in it, giving eternal life that begins the moment you accept His love and forgiveness.

Have a great Friday Eve.

Love,

Gretchen

Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

While speaking directly to a nation rebuilding, Zechariah brings both the present and the far future in to very clear focus. The exiled Jews returned from Babylon 20 years earlier and had still not rebuilt Jerusalem’s temple. Haggai and Zechariah both prophesied between 520 BC and 518 BC that rebuilding the symbol of God’s presence would bring blessings to His people. The promised Messiah would come, bringing the long awaited peace the world has been anticipating. He will ride a humble donkey, not a war horse, and He will obliterate oppression and free the world from the bondage of evil.

Zechariah tells of a Messianic King from the house of David, yet He will be a priestly servant, a good shepherd, the Lamb to be slain, all for the sake of peace, yours and mine.

Peace comes at great price, the Son of God’s life. This promised state takes more intentional effort and work than anything else on earth. Humble relinquishment of one person’s will and way to another’s is the start. Add in a faith that knows God is in control of the will and way you laid down and peace can reign. It is well worth the cost!

Spending Wisely,

Gretchen

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

The Great Commission: GO!

A great deal has taken place in lives of eleven men. Their friend was unjustly executed and their own lives by association were threatened. Everything they had is gone and the future couldn’t look more uncertain. They struggled between loyalty and fear, hiding and boldly charging forward. They made it through, moment by precious moment, and now the miracle of the ages stands in living color before them. Once again they hold the greatest treasure on earth: HOPE

Through His death and resurrection Jesus has ALL authority in Heaven and on earth. Matthew has repeatedly shown how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament law and prophecy. Now Jesus returns to show and tell that the Good News is not exclusive, the invitation extends to everyone, but someone’s got to tell the world. Jesus didn’t die to settle a political score for a few in a moment’s blink of time. He died for all men, for however long the earth shall last.

What does ‘Go’ mean? Share and give HOPE through a LOVE that sustains and heals, and let your FAITH be the strength someone else needs to find their own .

Love,

Gretchen

God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood-to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished. Romans 3:25

Since the beginning of humanity there has been a means of redemption. It begins with God’s unconditional love for man He made in His own perfect image. Man failed to remain without sin, but God didn’t quit. He is good and righteous, the only One who can provide victory over sin and death by faith alone.

Romans was written to citizens of Rome, gentiles. Jews tended to claim their birthright and attention to ceremony and law as their means of atonement, while judging nonJews. Jesus’ death and resurrection took the law, added grace and mercy and made love the standard for justice. Jesus died for ALL men and the terms are the same; Faith in His death and resurrection paid the price for sins He did not commit, but you and I did.

God is good and long suffering. It is He alone that is able to defeat evil, judge justly and give eternal life.

Love,

Gretchen

That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door. Mark 1:32-33

Any Jewish man could be called on to speak in the synagogue, but when Jesus spoke, He spoke with authority, not quoting scholars and dropping names, but as a first person witness to the things of heaven. He drove out demons and silenced them, showing that he had power over evil.

Jesus needed time to dispel the assumption that God would send a political authority to defend Israel and conquer their enemies. Jesus wanted to avoid celebrity, but word about this tender and kind man, who healed both body and the spirit, spread. Soon people came from everywhere bringing loved ones in need. Jesus turned no one away. This wasn’t about miraculous healing, it was about people who dreamed of life, physical and spiritual restoration, healthy relationships, a reason to get up in the morning. There was an inner instinct that drew them to the One, their only Hope.

He is Counselor, Comforter, Just Judge, Healer, Redeemer, the Great I AM. No wonder seeking people found Him. 

Love,

Gretchen

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes, I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27

These are amazing words coming from a man that had everything, wealth, health and family, then lost it all. In addition, Job’s friends believe a secret, unconfessed sin is causing Job’s troubles. Utterly alone with only his faith as companion, Job declares the words above. He knows that God, the author of his heart, the one that wove him together, will judge him and find him innocent.

Job acknowledges that he belongs to God, His redeemer, the One who saves and gives life. He declares that God is in charge and his faith rests peacefully in his creator. Finally, Job’s only hope and greatest desire is to see God, face to face.

In Job’s grief and tribulation his priorities became crystal clear, God’s will and God’s face. When this is all we need, we find we have everything.

Love,

Gretchen

Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Colossians 2:23

The church at Colossae faced the theological quagmire of faith verses tradition. People who once worshiped false gods weren’t sure what to turn loose of and what to keep of their old life as they grew spiritually. This was fertile opportunity for unscrupulous people to take charge. Their issue then and ours today is this: Man likes rules and traditions that create authority in their favor.

Power is a fragile thing to hold. It is hard to maintain and requires a commitment to the greater good. Instead it sometimes deletes all common sense and compassion from its possessor. The ensuing temptation to exploit and abuse is great. When man attempts to live by rules, he ignores three basic principles of God: grace, mercy and love. These are the things that make and keep us Holy and faith is the fuel that gets you there.

Have a perfectly glorious day,

Gretchen

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the LORD Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:15-16

Paul wrote this letter/sermon from house arrest in Rome. The church was becoming divided over prejudices among Jews and Gentiles. Paul set out to bring every nation and background together through love and true Gospel.

Ephesus was a funnel of commerce that rioted when new converts quit offering homage to the Greek goddess Artemis. They thought they had beaten back and annihilated the new Christians, but no! The faith of friends strengthened the persecuted and the church grew, flourished and showed love and generosity toward others less fortunate.

From the bondage of men, Paul prayed and praised. His life’s work was to see these people find spiritual victory. Their perseverance and love in action for all men was reason to be thankful.

Lend the strength of your faith when others are are exhausted and can’t go on. They really do need it!

Love,

Gretchen