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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

Imagine you are warming up for the race of your life. You look up into the stadium and in amazement recognize many people that have stood in your starting position, run the same race and crossed the finish line in victory. They are now cheering for you, sending encouragement and screaming, “God’s got this, you can do it!” You are pumped and able to get in your zone where nothing distracts or inhibits.

When you need an extra portion of faith, borrow from those who have triumphantly gone before you. Stand in the power of your redemption and stay the course with your eye on the cross where indisputable victory was won!

And if you’re feeling strong today, stand in someone’s cheering section or run beside them, take their baton and run a lap on their behalf. It’s the legacy of the faithful, it’s what we do.

Go Get Em’!

Gretchen

He humbles you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that people do not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:3

Manna was an original food created for the sole purpose of satisfying the newly freed Hebrew’s palette and nourishment needs. That’s pretty awesome!

It was not God’s design that His people stay in one place long enough to cultivate fields for food, nor were they to spend their time hunting and gathering. They were on their final journey to the Promised Land. God’s plan was to love and restore a faithful people by providing all their needs.

God’s NOT out of the manna business. With humble heart, look to Him to supply all your needs, and with the greatest glories of the universe He will design a fulfilling, sustaining and unending manna, new and specific to you. 

Growing strong and faithful in the wilderness leads to the rest of the Promised Land.

Feasting,

Gretchen

I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3

All of Paul’s letters begin with some variation of this beautiful salutation.

When I finally finished college and secured a teaching job I posted these words above my desk so that I would never forget the gift of students and the people invested in who I became. As the years have come and gone, my gift list has grown considerably.

Today, I encourage you to consider those you share life’s intimate moments with. Reflect on the miracle that God has woven you together in this moment in time and space.

You can’t help but smile and feel all big inside.

Have a great day!

Gretchen

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood. Acts 20:28

Paul is bidding farewell to the Elders of the Ephesian churches. He is on a quest to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost where he knows his passionate proclaiming of the Gospel will end with him in chains. He does not expect to ever see these friends again this side of Heaven.

Over 200 times in the Bible, God’s people are referenced as sheep, members of a flock. I am not a person of great agronomy skill, although I know those who are. But in the mean time there is google where I find that sheep are hardy, social animals that can exist in almost any habitat in the world and they have excellent hearing. However, poor eyesight makes them easy prey to the hazards of the wild and even the tame. Does this sound like anyone you know?

Paul’s plea to the shepherds, who happen to be sheep also, is to be wary of the evil that never sleeps and who’s sole work is to destroy the church.

My friends, if I knew that I would never write another word, never see, hear or talk to you again, I would spend my final breath telling you this…..Listen to God’s voice, He will guide you and keep you out of those pits and the mouths of wolves. His loving staff will bring you safely home.

Gretchen

Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name. II Samuel 22:50

David’s biography is full of unprecedented triumph and devastating failure. In all circumstances he recognized God alone is worthy of praise.

Praise was vital to David’s spiritual victories:
It let satan know who’s side he was on.
It turned David’s face to the Throne of God.
It drowned out the voice of doubt.
It kept David in his place and God in His.
It granted clarity to every situation.

Praise will do the same for you.

Love,
Gretchen

At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Daniel 6:4

Ethics: What you have when no one’s looking. Hypocrisy: What you have when the person everyone sees and the person no one sees aren’t the same.

There are many, many things to be learned from Daniel’s story, (I encourage you to read it) but the bottom line is this: Daniel’s ethical behavior made a difference in the world and glorified God to both kings and serfs.

If the only bad thing someone can say about you turns out to be fictitious, then you’re in good company with Daniel and you will probably change the world too.

Live Boldly!

Gretchen

See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. Isaiah 65:17

There is a place being custom created for you! New Heavens and earth!

Where, “The former things will not be remembered.”

The pain of disease…..won’t be remembered!
The shame of mistakes……won’t be remembered!
The grief of loss……won’t be remembered!
The darkness of hurt…..won’t be remembered!

Are these things going to be negligently nullified? No! They will be replaced with a love so amazing that anything we suffer will become completely irrelevant because, “Nor will they come to mind.”

It is God’s choice to provide redemption and salvation, it is His choice to forget our sins AND it is His choice to create a place where we will live for all eternity in purity, Holiness, love and peace!

Gretchen

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:2

The eternal existence of God and the eternity of space…….difficult and intimidating concepts to fathom.  From the very beginning of the Biblical narrative God shows us He has alway been and always will be and space continues on forever without beginning and end.

We are a people of definitive experiences. We like the cause column to always equal the effect. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, what goes up must come down. Faith would be much easier if we could define God quantitatively or linearly. So what do you do when your minds won’t rest in what your heart knows?

Do what the psalmists did. State it. Praise Him for it. Ask for peace when “From everlasting to everlasting” overwhelms you. He is quick and immediate to answer. Forever and ever is yours too.

Have a Beautiful Friday,

Gretchen

You will see it with your own eyes and say, “Great is the LORD-Even beyond the borders of Israel!” Malachi 1:5

The Jewish people were in the midst of economic hardship, constant physical threat and opposition. They felt God had forgotten them although He promised restoration.

Malachi’s message? GOD ALWAYS KEEPS HIS PROMISES FAR BEYOND OUR COMPREHENSION, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Our faith and our hope rests in God alone. His love is constant and continuing and is not dependent on our actions but His will. His will is His faithfulness to us. Our only appropriate response is absolute faith in Him.

Love,

Gretchen

I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Very popular words from Philippians. Here’s the prequel……”I am not saying this because I am in need,  for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Verses 11 and 12.

So what can Paul, the author, do? Yes, all things…… the most essential things ……..contentment in all circumstances…….faithfulness in need and discomfort, grace in plenty,…….

What can we do through Him who gives strength? Persevere and become what Christ died for us to be: redeemed, missional, compassionate……..

Pulled out context this phrase seems to be an endorsement for pressing confidently toward human ambition. It is not. It is Paul’s humble affirmation that Jesus, as friend, redeemer and hope, is a reliable constant and that is enough. I’m with Paul, He is enough.

Love,

Gretchen