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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 noisy 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

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that openly profess His name. Hebrews 13:15

Hebrews is unique to the New Testament in that it refers to Jesus as the High Priest. In Jewish tradition the High Priest is charged with leading God’s people into His presence and perfect worship through animal sacrifice. However, only the priest entered into the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary where God dwells.

To refer to Jesus as the High Priest, the writer of Hebrews expresses that a new covenant has been established and Jesus as both priest and sacrifice, is our direct, flesh to flesh, connection with an intimate God.

Our atonement no longer needs an annual blood sacrifice of animals. Mercy and Grace, through the blood of Jesus, have replaced it. However, it is pleasing to God that we offer the sacrifice of our praise, professing His love and glory to a world lost, yet very loved.

Have a great Monday!

Gretchen

And if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:4-5

I have known poverty. I have felt the penalty of wastefulness and I have learned the value of a dollar. As a result I have honed my skills and can search with great diligence and proficiency. Those searches have included better deals, lost items, things I want, gifts for others. Actually, there is nothing in my life that hasn’t required some seeking.

We must search for the things of God with as much enthusiasm and determination as we have applied toward earthly gain and comfort. God isn’t playing a petty game of hide-and-seek. but allowing our freewill to establish priorities. We seek what we want. The fear and knowledge of God must be our purposeful and intentional goal, our treasure.

Next time you go looking for that illusive something, let it remind you to spend quality time seeking God.

Love,

Gretchen

And if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:4-5

I have known poverty. I have felt the penalty of wastefulness and I have learned the value of a dollar. As a result I have honed my skills and can search with great diligence and proficiency. Those searches have included better deals, lost items, things I want, gifts for others. Actually, there is nothing in my life that hasn’t required some seeking.

We must search for the things of God with as much enthusiasm and determination as we have applied toward earthly gain and comfort. God isn’t playing a petty game of hide-and-seek. but allowing our freewill to establish priorities. We seek what we want. The fear and knowledge of God must be our purposeful and intentional goal, our treasure.

Next time you go looking for that illusive something, let it remind you to spend quality time seeking God.

Love,

Gretchen

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

Jesus called his first disciples and began to travel through Galilee preaching Good News, healing the sick and driving out demons. Naturally, He drew sizable crowds everywhere He went.

On the day these words were spoken Jesus went up on a mountainside, sat down and began to teach those who had gathered. This moment in time and these words would become commonly known as The Sermon on the Mount, a lengthly monologue that gives us a perfect window into the heart of God.

Verses 43-48 deal with how believers are to respond to the conflict and persecution encountered in everyday life, not just because we are followers of Christ, but because mankind struggles to dwell together peacefully.

Jesus is calling us to live like Him, a new and radical standard. Choose purity of heart, long to love and serve others without counting the cost. He would not have ask this of those present, and us today, if it were not possible. We must aspire toward a perfect, unselfish servitude that reflects the face and life of the Savior that died to give a free and clear way to eternal life.

Love,

Gretchen

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of Heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2

Days of great faith and strength are the goal of the believer. The encouraging testimonies from these days are like a river of life to the spiritually thirsty and those living in an arid land of defeat and uncertainty. This Psalm is a testimony of God’s guardian care, a cool drink for a parched and exhausted soul.

For those who feel like their closely woven worries are holding the world together and who harbor a tiny fear held in fragile check, this Psalm is a life line. Create an image of yourself and your Heavenly Father sitting together on a mountain top, or front porch swing…..It’s your picture, have fun……looking out onto all you love and care about and read all eight verses of this Psalm inserting God into first person.

The God who placed each molecule of life into perfect function and every star and galaxy into perfect orbit can and will keep your life moving forward to His glory and your peace and prosperity.

In Blessed Assurance,

Gretchen

You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Exodus 18:18

At a burning bush in the wilderness Moses had an encounter with God. After much debate, he returned to Egypt and dealt with a shameful incident in his past, a pharaoh that thought himself a god and a people crying for liberation, but didn’t want it to take too much effort.

The story of Moses continues: God led His chosen nation out of bondage and on a journey to the greatest promise of peace and prosperity ever known. Things didn’t go smoothly. There was whining and murmuring, two very destructive forces. Moses was acting as leader, guide, manager, prophet, judge, husband and father. The days were long, crises seemed to pile up and no one was ever completely satisfied. His father-in-law Jethro steps in with awareness, discernment and the advice found in chapter 18.

If you are overworked and overwhelmed, you may be doing more than God has asked you to do alone. The world will take everything you have and pout because you couldn’t give more. God does not exploit or abuse our resources and energy. He is the source of rest and restoration.

Have a great day,

Gretchen

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

What beautiful words of calm, comfort and strength. At the nation of Israel’s darkest hour, a time of peril and impending extinction, God gives these words to His prophet.

In this episode of judgement, consequence, forgiveness and hope, God promises His everlasting love and kindness. He does not ask them to remember, He states it Himself!

It is significant that God says this as He begins to make known His plan for a new covenant. A Savior will come and through Him we will receive power from within to obey and follow God and His ordinances with all our heart.

These words were recorded approximately 2,630 years ago, but they were written to each of us because they speak of a Savior that took our sins upon Himself. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, God shows His eternal love and kindness and draws us to Him.

Have a great Monday,

Gretchen

As for God, His way is perfect: the LORD’s word is flawless. He shields all who take refuge in Him. II Samuel 22:31

David, the youngest son of Jesse, shepherd boy turned warrior king, led Israel to become an empire. As a young boy on the mountain slopes near Bethlehem, David protected his sheep from wild lions and bears, so it is no surprise that a Philistine giant was no threat to someone practiced in bringing down formidable foes. In learning to defend, David found the presence and providence of God.

Reflecting almost exactly Psalm 18, this song of praise expresses David’s love and gratitude for victory over Saul and many other enemies. It also declares submission to a sovereign God.

When we pray, we should always remember the remarkable things God has done for us. It gives us strength and wisdom. By trusting and following God’s perfect and flawless way we will find exactly what David found: Eternal rescue and peace that passes all understanding.

Happy Weekend,

Gretchen

Then hear from Heaven and act. Judge between Your servants, condemning the guilty and bringing down on their heads what they have done, and vindicating the innocent by treating them in accordance with their innocence. II Chronicles 6:23

Saul was Israel’s first king, David established Jerusalem as Israel’s capitol and built a palace and then Solomon, David’s son built the temple. When the temple was completed there was a huge ceremony and celebration. These words are from Solomon’s prayer of dedication.

Through prayer we acknowledge some very important basic facts about God. He is love, He is the moral standard for mankind. He is ready to hear the petitions of His people and forgive those who genuinely turn away from their sins. AND, He is all knowing, wise and perfect in His judgement and justice.

Sin hurts, not just the participants, but often innocent victims. A perfect justice that validates the pain and vindicates the wrong committed against them is the hope of the abused, marginalized exploited and neglected. Solomon petitions God for justice.

We want justice in our world today. By faith we must depend on God’s wisdom and discernment knowing there will be a day of reckoning for those that refuse to repent. In the mean time, forgive and love, it takes the power away from the perpetrator.

Love,

Gretchen