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Those who accepted His message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:41 There are two types of scripture, descriptive and prescriptive. Sometimes the two overlap, other times not at all. When reading descriptive, or narrative Biblical stories we must ask, “Why is this important to me today?” The book of Acts predominately tells the story of the Apostles journey into a world without Jesus in the flesh and the beginning of Christianity. Jesus now becomes known by the Hebrew word ‘Christ’ and the same word in Greek, ‘Messiah.’ Up until just a few weeks prior to this Pentecost event these believers knew Jesus predominantly as ‘Son of God,’ and ‘Son of man.’ They were only beginning, by their faith, to understand a Savior that conquered through love and sacrifice rather than the anticipated establishment of earthly social and political power. This revelation and the coming of the Holy Spirit completed God’s redemptive work through the cross. Now the disciples were given their marching orders. Proclaim! Proclaiming meant preaching to the same people that conspired to have Jesus executed for blasphemy. Their intention was to quiet this societal disturbance and return to their comfortably established pecking order, but instead, their selfish agenda completed God’s plan of total victory over death. Satan lost all power over sin. The response was spectacular! Three thousand! The amazing Grace in this story is that these words were spoken by Peter, the disciple that denied knowing Jesus and ran away and hid on the night his friend was arrested AND he was preaching to some of the very people that screamed “Crucify HIM!” at the top of their lungs! BUT………….. NONE OF THESE OFFENSES MATTERED! EVERYONE WAS OFFERED SALVATION! So why does this descriptive passage of scripture matter?……………God loves you that much too! Have a great day, Gretchen

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 3:4-6

Sometimes I read the scripture I chose and realize there is nothing more to be said.  All I am going to do is add a short historical background in an effort to bring these words to life in your mind and heart.

Paul left Titus on the isle of Crete to oversee the early church. This letter was written by Paul to encourage and strengthen Titus as he organizes and trains Christian leaders. One of their greatest concerns is keeping the Gospel from being corrupted by man’s agenda. And so we have these beautiful, profound words of God’s redeeming grace. No effort of man saves you. ONLY God’s love enables this gift freely given.

Have a lovely day,

Gretchen

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

700 years before a child came to save us, Isaiah spoke of Jesus as though he walked and talked with Him just as His disciples did because God revealed the miracle of Christ the Savior, but also the devastation of judgement on the faithless. Through his 40 year journey as a prophet, Isaiah spoke to a people who would not listen. During this time he brought God’s voice of hope, faithfulness, judgement, justice and salvation and called for an obedience that would bring God’s glory to all nations. Instead, the people of Judah chose to continually put their faith in human principalities rather than the God that wove the universe together…………. The nations they trusted destroyed them.

There will come a day when God will end time as we know it. Judgement will occur and justice will be administered. No human theology, biased opinion or self-serving manipulation by man will impress Him or alter His pure truth. We have this hope for our eternal soul, but for those who believe, it is possible to exist moment by moment in the assurance that God knows you as you really are and His mighty hand covers you.

A college professor once directed his students to envision themselves curled up in Jesus’ lap, head on His shoulder, feeling the comfort of His beating heart, knowing the gentle grasp of His calloused hands would never let His child fall. I followed that wise man’s directive and I found peace and rest. May you also.

Love,

Gretchen

It is a land the LORD your God cares for; the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end. Deuteronomy 11:12

The Hebrew children are on the banks of the Jordan river waiting to cross into the promised land. They are being reminded of God’s faithfulness in bringing them from slavery in a barren land that took hard work and irrigation, to a land watered by Heaven and blossoming with bounty. A gift from God that will provide all their needs!

Why did God have to remind these people of the miracles they saw with their own eyes? Why did they argue, complain and build false gods?

The reality of the sinful, selfish world we live in makes us suspicious of everyone’s motives in all things including gifts. This propensity toward skepticism leads us to impose and credit human like behavior to God. PLEASE DON’T!! There is NOTHING about God that is like carnal man. Man was made in His image, but man sinned. God gives the opportunity to return once again to His image. NEVER does God become like man. We must chose to become like Him.

God has a wonderful place of peace and rest for each of us, but it requires obedience, faith, service to God and to others. We must live and love like we are the children of God. Then He is able to take care of us through His blessings, as the Father He is.

Love,

Gretchen

Week 1- Hope

Song: Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Thursday, December 1, 2022 Isaiah 7:14 Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.

Hundred of years before Jesus was born, God spoke through prophets in the Old Testament to tell people that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come. Hope is symbolic of the long years of waiting and hoping for when Jesus Christ would come to save the people from their sins. 

Discuss: What is Hope?

Friday, December 2, 2022  Isaiah 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

The prophet Isaiah reminds us of the hope that God gives us in Jesus Christ. We have many light around us a Christmas time.

Discuss: What hope do we have today?

Saturday, December 3, 2022 John 1:1 and 5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Thank you Jesus for coming to earth, just like the prophets said, and for your promise to come again. Thank you, Jesus for begins our light so we know how to live.

Discuss: How does God give us hope?

Day of Worship-Prepare your hearts for the message of Love

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:7

This verse is part of the Jewish Shema, a daily recitation of worship still practiced today. (I strongly encourage you to read all of Deuteronomy 6) ‘Them’ refers to God’s commandments.

Jewish faith is steeped in deep tradition. The Story of God began long before there was written language. The only way to keep God alive and living through the generations was to actively model and speak faith daily.

The young people in our lives are learning by watching. In the blink of an eye they will be building homes and families of their own. Now is the time to imprint upon them the things we know will carry them through trials and temptations and bring them to the Throne of The One True God.

As this 2022 Holiday is in full swing, take a moment and pray for your family and your place in the spiritual growth and renewal that will come to your home.

All my love,

Gretchen

After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision; “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Genesis 15:1

Abram was a righteous man, a prosperous man, a man of great faith. The LORD made a covenant with him, to make his descendants a great nation from which would come Israel’s greatest king, and the Messiah. God made this amazing unbreakable promise to an old, childless man who’s wife was beyond child bearing years. Abram needed reassurance often.

Abram’s nephew Lot got caught in the crossfire of feuding kings in the Valley of the Salt Sea. He and his entire estate were taken as spoils of war. Abram gathered a militia from his own household and faced down trained armies to successfully rescue his family member. Success didn’t counteract doubt. Abram’s faith needed affirmation.

God is faithful and good. He will keep His covenants. He will do what He said He would do, and still in weakness we cry out. God always answers.

Whether it is in praise, joyous wonder or total desolation, God wants to be the One we run to and reach for. If there is any example from Abram we might follow, it should be this.

Love,

Gretchen

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Ephesians 6:5

The book of Ephesians is focussed on the character of Christ’s church. Paul, the author, was a missionary to gentiles but he entertained no division or prejudice in the body of Christ. As Christians, we are all on equal terms and God does not play favorites.

Our attitude toward those who have authority over us is not a reflection of their character, but rather ours and our behavior and attitude is a perfect reflection of our relationship with Jesus. Our actions are our testimony.

Have a great Monday,

Gretchen

All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Proverbs 16:2

Tweaking facts or spinning truth to manipulate outcomes has become an art form. There are those that believe it is a valid and appropriate part of social structure. The problem is that in doing these things, we put ourselves smack at the center of the universe. Our needs and purposes supersede everyone else’s.

The one truth that will never change: God knows! He knows whether you acted in purity of thought and action or whether you meant to change an outcome in your favor regardless of truth.

God and only God has complete access to your mind and heart. You have no secrets. He knows, so open your heart and let it fill you with His Spirit. Sweep the cobwebs out of the dark corners and let the Son shine in.

Have a great Friday,

Gretchen

They surround me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them down. Psalm 118:11

The Psalms are poems: Songs of praise, Laments, Prayers and Petitions written by and for various people in acknowledgement of the One True God. This particular psalm is a thanksgiving, a testimony to the power of God’s protecting and sustaining presence.

To the Psalmist it is understood that the only true king is God mediated through David and continuing in his dynasty. Psalm 118 is a ceremonial hymn celebrating the king’s victory with the help of the LORD. It wasn’t sung once and then put away to gather dust for 1000’s of years until we picked it up today. It was used regularly to acknowledge that strength and preservation come from God alone.

It is important to daily acknowledge who is God. It’s an act of worship and it keeps life in perfect perspective. A residual outcome of worship is peace…… He is God, and I am not. I can rest, because He won’t.

Have a lovely day,

Gretchen