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There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called. Ephesians 4:4

The fabled King Croesus called Ephesus home. It was originally a Greek city but by Paul’s time, a Roman province. The temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world, was a source of tourism and trade even in ancient times. Paul was beaten when converts quit buying miniature likenesses of the goddess, thus creating an economic downturn.

The occult was alive and well in this city where demons, spirits, dead ancestors and gods were all recognized as danger wielding beings. Paul teaches there is only one body, the Body of Christ. He is the head and we, His followers, are the eyes, hands, feet, ears and heart. There is one hope, the hope of a resurrected Savior who has all power of Heaven and earth.

Unity, loyalty and common purpose meant spiritual survival. It remains the same today. Christianity fights the exact same forces it did two thousand years ago. There is so much that draws us away from our singular purpose and hope. Stay connected.

Love,

Gretchen

These were the sons of Noah, and from them came the the people who were scattered over the earth. Genesis 9:19

Early in the Biblical narrative sin is on the rampage, but God finds one faithful obedient man, Noah. He saves him and his family while destroying everyone else on earth. Noah descended from Adam, and now again, humanity is reminded: We have one common ancestor, Noah. Genetic history is complex, yet very much the same. Sin determined the destiny of Noah’s sons, but obedience always brought redemption and restoration and changed the course of history, nothing else.

Differences are important. We put great emphasis on individuality. It is a gift from God. We long to be recognized for ways we are unique, not how we are the same. But then there is the issue of social order. We use all ways, commonality and diversity, to justify power and authority over each other.

God designed all things for His glory, never to give one man the right to marginalize or hate another. We were made to love.

Let There Be Peace On Earth and Let it Begin With ME!

Gretchen

For He says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2

Salvation is available by God’s favor. His grace and mercy are gifts born of His love and the sacrifice of His one and only Son. Salvation is simple but, as a sinner saved by grace, there is more work to do. A world is lost, hurting and seeking something they think is elusive and mystical. It is God’s favor, miraculous, not mystical, easy to acquire, not elusive.

Christ did not give His life in vain.  When we bring the Gospel and His love to others we show great and reverent acknowledgement of God’s favor bestowed on you and me.

Love,

Gretchen

The LORD has said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Genesis 12:1

Abram was called by God to leave his home, all that he knew, and set out into the great unknown. There was no GPS, or travel show, to prepare him for what was ahead. That didn’t deter Abram’s faithful obedience. God called and Abram headed toward a destination to be named later.

A divine promise followed Abram’s call. Childless, 75 year old Abram was told his descendants would become a great nation, a blessing to ALL people. The gospel, long before Bethlehem or the cross, was told by God to Abram in Genesis 12. The Good News and God’s love are for all. It is not exclusive.

Obedience powered by faith becomes a blessing far beyond the boundary of human imagination.

Love,

Gretchen

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. I Corinthians 15:1

The Jews and Greeks were struggling with conflicting ideas of resurrection regardless of religion. The Jews believed the original you became the eternal you. (NO Thanks!) In contrast, the Greeks knew only of an immortal soul. What is the true Gospel? The resurrection of the Christ!!

We can get very bogged down in insignificant details and miss the big picture. The Gospel is about a death that has been defeated, sin’s prison bars opened and satan’s threat forever silenced. All because God loves us.

The people of Corinth took the step of faith and believed. Their sins were washed away, and then…..cultural and traditional questions minimized their spiritual victory. Get the big picture! When we stand in the presence of the LORD, we will be like Him: Eternal, immortal and free.

Love,

Gretchen

Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.” Genesis 9:1

In the beginning of time God made order out of chaos. He separated the water from land. As a result of man’s sin, the forces of destruction are let loose and water completely covers the earth destroying all life except…..…

The big picture of Noah’s story is God’s saving power. Against the backdrop of judgement, God provides a place of safety and refuge.

Noah knows and trusts God. Through obedience God prepares him for this moment in time. A man that never saw an ocean, never heard thunder or saw a raindrop, faithfully followed. His blind faith led to blessings. It would have been hard to see success while building a boat on dry ground. The logic of loading smelling, hungry beasts was lost, all while Noah’s family stands loyally beside him, expecting his leadership to amount to a life worth living.

Faith begets obedience, obedience begets blessing. That’s all!

Happy Halfway to the Weekend!

Gretchen

And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table, and he was crippled in both feet. II Samuel 9:13

David and Mephibosheth’s story is one of my favorite. It is the story of grace and mercy lived out in living color between two men who had every right to fear each other and do whatever was necessary to survive. King David choose mercy and grace, and Mephibosheth returned to his original state, the child of a king.

Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, David’s best friend, and the grandson of Saul, David’s foe. It was customary for new kings to seal their throne by annihilating the former king’s family. David, in honor of his loyalty to Jonathan, found Mephibosheth, who had been crippled on the very day his father and grandfather died as his nurse ran from invaders and dropped him.

Hiding in a dry and barren place, fear was all this former prince knew. It was magnified when David’s emissaries arrived. But instead of the dreaded judgement and death, this crippled, orphaned young man returned to a place he had lost, a home he believed was forever out of reach. He always ate at the king’s table!

The feast is waiting for you too!!

Pass the Butter Please,

Gretchen

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24

Sleep is something the human body cannot do without. It restores the physical body and allows our minds to process and reset so our mental state can remain healthy too. For many, sleep is elusive. Bad things happen in the night, or dreaded things await when we awaken. The wise writer knows this and has probably experienced a worry and exhaustion that goes beyond reason and rest.

I find it interesting that just a few verses above you find the words, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart.” 5a. I know this isn’t a simple sleeping pill, but if you read verses 23-26 you have the knowledge that God is taking care of the universe while we slumber. From the huge picture of world affairs to the most minute details of our personal life, God’s got this.

Seek God’s wisdom because it offers the things money cannot give us: Peace, happiness and security. Remember, He is never wrong so everything is going to be alright.

Love,

Gretchen

 Nevertheless, those who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. Galatians 6:6

All of Galatians chapter 6 discusses the church’s care toward one another. This verse in particular makes known that there is no culture of exclusivity. Spiritual insight and testimony are to be shared. God doesn’t speak to a few, expecting them to share while the rest remain hushed. God speaks to all who seek and listen.

Sharing is a two way street in which all are held accountable to personal discipleship and leaders are held to a high standard of Biblical truth. The community of believers is important and the celebration/testimony of spiritual victories is one of the greatest joys of the Body of Christ.

Happy Saturday,

Gretchen

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.” Isaiah 42:1

Isaiah, referred to as the sixth Gospel, is prophesying about Jesus, the servant, the One who will die so that we can all be found NOT GUILTY.

Isaiah’s words to the nation of Israel 700 years before the virgin birth, give undeniable proof that God has always loved the creation on which He bestowed His own likeness and He has always had a plan of redemption, salvation and restoration for everyone. There is hope for the sinner and comfort that all can be forgiven and the image of God restored once again, on earth as it is in Heaven.

The people of Isaiah’s day had to confront many false God’s. Isaiah reminds them and us that none but God alone has the power to save and create a new creature from grace and mercy.

Happy Weekend Eve,

Gretchen