At my 45th class reunion recently, I told a friend about my vision for the generations to come: why can’t we build something to pass down. I mean something as good as, or better than, the “small town” elders built for us when we were kids?

I was referring to the brick building that served as a high school for 7th-12th graders. It was not just the structure that was well built, but the teachers who were hired that had top notch skills- producing capable professionals in many fields. (The Finnish culture excels at math, science, sports, music, practical skills such as sewing and wood shop, loving nature and community events)! #YooP

More importantly than earning a living, was building a safe community that supported all ages and peoples. #healthandwellness

Somewhere between melting pot vs. cultural mosaic, the small town Midwest culture at that time (and in my mind’s memory) was about perfect.

Today, affluence and mind-numbing scrolling addictions have not served our children well. Something has happened culturally, where appearance and facade has become more important than structural quality (even the ability to use our hands to build something). We have “virtual” buildings and outward appearances but character qualities that are required for healthy communities are rare gems.

Destroying others with words is not hard, it may actually come easily to us when our emotions flare up. But…if we use our emotions as a barometer for spiritual beliefs, then we may gain knowledge. #trustGodatHisword

Not allowing “knowledge” to puff us up (I Corinthians 8:1-3) but to deliver us from wrong thinking means we can also defeat our wicked mouths. #liesoftheheart

We are able to invest and build when we recognize the importance of changed hearts. Without God’s help, our society will be divided and conquered by many different appetites. #nosatisfaction

Father, help me to take a reading on my emotional climate today. I want to walk in your truth and join you in building Your kingdom come and Your will be done. -Teresa

Proverbs 11:9-11English Standard Version

⁹ With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
    but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
¹⁰ When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
    and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
¹¹ By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.

Read full chapter

Proverbs 10Proverbs 12

English Standard Version (ESV)

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Food Offered to Idols

[1] Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. [2] If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. [3] But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

Do I truly believe that God’s way protects those who live with integrity? #honestlyseekHim

God’s way …for those devoted to wickedness (rejecting His salvation)… means destruction. #freechoice

To remain “in Christ” means abiding as peacefully as a fruitful branch in the vine. For without God’s life we are spiritually dead.

If I give myself over to man’s approval, then I may never experience “true life” (it’s like a branch separated from the vine). #fruitless

Lord, will you show us your glory? For we need You. -Teresa

Proverbs 10:29-30New Living Translation

²⁹ The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity,
    but it destroys the wicked.

³⁰ The godly will never be disturbed,
    but the wicked will be removed from the land.

Read full chapter

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

John 12:44-50 ESV) (bold added for emphasis)

Jesus Came to Save the World

[44] And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. [45] And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. [46] I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. [47] If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. [48] The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. [49] For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. [50] And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

We also watched the 2022 film last night, “The Case for Heaven” by Lee Strobel. It was impactful and beautiful. When you want to be challenged in your ideas about an afterlife, see what a former investigative journalist from the Chicago Tribune can reveal. The most impactful was one man’s description of “hell” before he woke up from a near-death experience. What was most beautiful was Strobel’s wife. She says the only person she ever led to Christ was her husband. What a love story of true devotion and sacrifice.

Although this rose is beautiful, it can also have hidden thorns. No doubt, when the Pharisees were questioning Jesus about their religious laws and allowances, they were hoping to look (beautifully) justified.

Jesus came to express love to a greater, more fulfilling degree. He was not just following the law perfectly (as holy) but also establishing a love relationship with mankind (which was not easy, or for His benefit- but painfully thorny).

The joining of husband and wife in matrimony is often referred to as becoming “one flesh”. It represents Christ’s relationship with the Church. (Christ and the church by BibleHub)

No doubt, there are times when one or the other marriage partner forgets to be selfless but is caught up in selfishness. #missingthemark

The good news is that our hearts can be softened again by God’s provision, we too have a way to be transformed by His great love for us. -Teresa

Mark 10:1-12 (ESV)

Teaching About Divorce

10 And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.

² And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”³ He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” ⁴ They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” ⁵ And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. ⁶ But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’⁷ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,^[g] 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. ⁹ What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

¹⁰ And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. ¹¹ And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, ¹² and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

The 12-year old daughter of the synagogue ruler (in the passage below) received a command from Jesus, “Arise.”

Peter, James and John witnessed this miracle of healing and were amazed.

In Romans, Paul quoted the following:

Romans 15:12 (ESV)

[12] And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”

Paul goes on to explain his life’s calling:

Romans 15:18-19 (ESV)

[18] For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, [19] by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;

Not only did Jesus come to serve the Jewish people but to offer this great hope of deliverance to the Gentiles as well, through Paul the apostle.

The gospel of God’s deliverance and salvation through the power of His Son is worthy of amazement. The fact that it’s offered for both Jew and Gentile brings hope to the whole world.

Help us, Father, to call your Son, LORD of our lives. #ChristJesus

Arise, shine, for your light has come! -Teresa

Mark 5:35-43 (ESV)

³⁵ While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”³⁶ But overhearing^[a] what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” ³⁷ And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. ³⁸ They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus^[b] saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. ³⁹ And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” ⁴⁰ And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.⁴¹ Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” ⁴² And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. ⁴³ And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Mark 5:36 Or ignoring; some manuscripts hearing
2. Mark 5:38 Greek he

I love Valentines Day! The history of St. Valentine inspires many to give selflessly to glorify the Savior.

This passage describes the care and beauty of the craftsmanship surrounding the ark of the covenant, with the solid gold mercy seat being the focus. It represented the precious life, death and resurrection of our Savior, Christ Jesus the LORD. The two cherubim “hide” the mercy seat under their wings and watchful gaze.

We may not be under Cupid’s gaze this Valentine’s Day but be sure that God’s care of our hearts is no less impactful.

The question is whether or not we are willing to see the beauty. Being transformed by God’s love is His intention for us. #control of the tongue means changed hearts 💕

If we are not dull, then we too can be changed for His glory. 🌹 (check out the additional passage in Matthew below- bold/ pictures added for emphasis)! -Teresa

Exodus 37:1-9 (ESV)

Making the Ark

37 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Two cubits^[a] and a half was its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height.² And he overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold around it.³ And he cast for it four rings of gold for its four feet, two rings on its one side and two rings on its other side. ⁴ And he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold ⁵ and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark. ⁶ And he made a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half was its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. ⁷ And he made two cherubim of gold. He made them of hammered work on the two ends of the mercy seat, ⁸ one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat he made the cherubim on its two ends. ⁹ The cherubim spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat were the faces of the cherubim.

Matthew 15:15-20 (NIV)

15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts-murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

When Jesus said these final words (while in His earthly body), He entrusted Himself fully to the will of the Father:

Luke 23:46 (ESV)

[46] Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

Even David spoke these words as a prayer to his strong “rock of refuge”. He fully trusted that God would “take me out of the net”, which was placed by tricky evildoers.

Have you noticed that those in positions of power and influence will at times do anything to get their way (i.e. King Saul)? The same can be true even in “religious circles” (i.e. when Christ was crucified because of being rejected by the religious leaders).

When we are trusting the ONE who scoffs at mere kings/rulers of the earth (Psalm 2), then we too can be assured that His kingdom will come. #heavensent

Our feet can also be set in a broad place because of the spiritual deliverance brought about through our Savior and Redeemer, God’s Son. May we always remember to cry out for God’s help in our times of need. See the Bible Hub’s explanation

Lord, please help me to purely trust YOU and not those who merely appear trustworthy. You are my rock and fortress, providing safety and strength to those who are yours. -Teresa #bornagain

Psalm 31:1-8English Standard Version

Into Your Hand I Commit My Spirit

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. (Bold added)

31 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
    let me never be put to shame;
    in your righteousness deliver me!
² Incline your ear to me;
    rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
    a strong fortress to save me!

³ For you are my rock and my fortress;
    and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;
⁴ you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
    for you are my refuge.
⁵ Into your hand I commit my spirit;
    you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

⁶ I hate^[a] those who pay regard to worthless idols,
    but I trust in the Lord.
⁷ I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
    because you have seen my affliction;
    you have known the distress of my soul,
⁸ and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
    you have set my feet in a broad place.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Psalm 31:6 Masoretic Text; one Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint, Syriac, Jerome You hate

Once a year (usually in January), we enjoy girl’s day. My daughters and granddaughters get together for fun food and camaraderie. Since it will be February tomorrow, we also made Valentines and talked about Aunt C’s wedding plans. Tears came to my eyes as I watched my daughters together, both intelligent and wonderful women.

The “daughter of Zion” in this passage refers to those believers in Messiah. The bride of Christ, aka the church, was soon to be established in Matthew’s gospel. The people shouted “Hosanna” for Jesus’ entry (with their hope of deliverance from Roman oppression), not realizing what God was doing would change history.

As our king, Christ Jesus the Lord offered Himself as a redemptive sin offering. Not only did He deliver us from living in fear of an oppressive world system, but from the curse of an inherited sin nature over our lives. (Romans 6:23)

The King is also our Redeemer, humbling Himself to death on the cross. No wonder God required the consecration of all the firstborn sons and even male animals (in the second passage below). They were commemorating their deliverance from Egypt (as slaves), we too are delivered from being slaves (to sin), now we have become alive to God in Christ Jesus (Roman’s 6:11).

This precious gift to the world (His only Son- John 3:16), was the way God could look on us, His creation, with a tear in His eye. How wonderful we are to Him!

Lord, may we not forget the price that was paid for our redemption and the forgiveness of our sin. May we always be grateful that you bought us back to your good purpose and will. -Teresa ❤️

Matthew 21:1-5 (ESV)

The Triumphal Entry

21 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, ² saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³ If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”⁴ This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

⁵ “Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
    humble, and mounted on a donkey,
    on a colt,^[b] the foal of a beast of burden.’”

Exodus 13:1-15 (ESV)

Consecration of the Firstborn

13 The Lord said to Moses, ² “Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine.”

The Feast of Unleavened Bread

³ Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. ⁴ Today, in the month of Abib, you are going out. ⁵ And when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you shall keep this service in this month. ⁶ Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord. ⁷ Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days; no leavened bread shall be seen with you, and no leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory. ⁸ You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ ⁹ And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth. For with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt.¹⁰ You shall therefore keep this statute at its appointed time from year to year.

¹¹ “When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you, ¹² you shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the Lord’s. ¹³ Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. ¹⁴ And when in time to come your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall say to him, ‘By a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. ¹⁵ For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all the males that first open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’

Each new family unit signifies the beginning of blessing because of the generations on whose shoulders we stand.

Joseph was a “type of Christ” who blessed his family’s survival for generations to come (plus he inherited two portions, as his two sons were considered their grandfather’s sons as well).

Judah was Joseph’s brother, only inheriting one portion, but significantly being the son chosen by God to produce the lineage of Christ himself. (The Lion of the tribe of Judah)

Whoever comes before you, be sure to remember the blessing they bestowed upon your life. If you can’t find a blessing, then you may be the generation to begin anew for God’s glory. It only takes one generation for a family to decline or be renewed.

Who will be willing to bless those in the future with a heart for God? -Teresa #HisSon #ChristJesustheLORD

Genesis 48:1-16 (ESV) (bold added)

Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh

48 After this, Joseph was told, “Behold, your father is ill.” So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. ² And it was told to Jacob, “Your son Joseph has come to you.” Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed.³ And Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty^[a]appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, ⁴ and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.’

 ⁵ And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. ⁶ And the children that you fathered after them shall be yours. They shall be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance.⁷ As for me, when I came from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance^[b] to go to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”

⁸ When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?” ⁹ Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” And he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.” ¹⁰ Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. ¹¹ And Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.” ¹² Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. ¹³ And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. ¹⁴ And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn). ¹⁵ And he blessed Joseph and said,

“The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
    the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,
¹⁶ the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys;
    and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
    and let them grow into a multitude^[c] in the midst of the earth.”

Footnotes

1. (a) Genesis 48:3 Hebrew El Shaddai
2. (b) Genesis 48:7 Or about two hours’ distance
3. (c) Genesis 48:16 Or let them be like fish for multitude

Micah 5:2 (NIV) (bold added for emphasis)

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

  though you are small among the clans of Judah,

 out of you will come for me

  one who will be ruler over Israel,

 whose origins are from of old,

  from ancient times.”

The Pharisees were full of condemnation in this passage over how Jesus chose to heal on the Sabbath. In fact, they conspired how to destroy Him.

Jesus was not deterred. He withdrew from there but continued His ministry of healing.

If you find others wanting to condemn your ministry or expressing a desire to destroy God’s work in you, look to Jesus as an example of resilience.

The Gentiles now have hope because of His character/name. He was not exclusively healing the Jews, instead He brought justice for all.

However quietly, you also must continue to bring your Holy Spirit gift to the world. Do not allow criticism or “mean” insinuations discourage you.

Withdraw into Christ and find comfort and renewed devotion to be united with Him. -Teresa

Matthew 12:15-21 ESV

God’s Chosen Servant

¹⁵ Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all¹⁶ and ordered them not to make him known.¹⁷ This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

¹⁸ “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
    my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
    and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
¹⁹ He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
    nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
²⁰ a bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
²¹     and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”Read full chapter

I graduated from seminary in 2013, retired from my professional job in 2021 and completed my “formal” theological education in 2026 (BWGI Institute).

My journey of learning and ministry has been a pathway to understanding the verses in Isaiah 53 (being healed from sin sickness).

Not only has Jesus Christ, God’s Son, fulfilled the prophecy of being my suffering servant but He has healed me through the forgiveness of sins.

To be cleansed from illness is a reason to rejoice, but to have another bear the consequences of my disease is a matter of pure devotion.

Thank you, LORD, for your steadfast love. -Teresa

Isaiah 53:4-7 ESV[4] Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. [5] But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. [7] He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

Matthew 8:1-4; 14-17 English Standard Version

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

8 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. ² And behold, a leper^[a] came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” ³ And Jesus^[b] stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. ⁴ And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

Jesus Heals Many

¹⁴ And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever.¹⁵ He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. ¹⁶ That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.¹⁷ This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Matthew 8:2 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13
2. Matthew 8:3 Greek he
3. Matthew 8:9 Or bondservant
4. Matthew 8:10 Some manuscripts not even in Israel