Psalm 33: 18-22 (NLT)

18 “But the Lord watches over those who fear him,

    those who rely on his unfailing love.

19 He rescues them from death

    and keeps them alive in times of famine.

20 We put our hope in the Lord.

    He is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,

    for we trust in his holy name.

22 Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,

    for our hope is in you alone.”

Hope in the Lord means recognizing His love that surrounds us. Trusting his character makes our heart rejoice. When we fear God, we rely on the unfailing love that defines Him. Even during times when death is near or when we are walking in the shadow of the valley of death, He rescues us from the evil of despair that lurks nearby. He provides for us in times of famine and keeps our souls nourished by His unfailing love.- Teresa

  Psalm 33:1-5 (NLT)

1 “Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;

    it is fitting for the pure to praise him.

2 Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;

    make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.

3 Sing a new song of praise to him;

    play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.

4 For the word of the Lord holds true,

    and we can trust everything he does.

5 He loves whatever is just and good;

    the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.”

When we trust the Lord’s work, He reveals the justice and goodness behind His purpose. In the end, we end up praising Him with great joy- even writing new songs to Him. Why? He fills the earth with His unfailing love. He does not just trickle a little bit of love here and there but His love FILLS the earth. It’s really more than we can handle- pressed down and running over, more than we can ask or think!! Try today to bring the praise first, by recognizing His gifts to you, personally and His love will touch your heart. -Teresa

 When my husband sold our boat to one of Peter’s friends, we had no idea that seeing this neglected recreational vehicle become loved again would bring us such joy! Peter’s friend includes him on many fishing expeditions as though the history of the boat allows him an automatic invite. Even so, when the people of Jerusalem came back to rebuild the city wall, they found it was neglected. So much so that Nehemiah was moved to tears. He was sent by the king to rebuild it. In the midst of opposition, Nehemiah discerned who were friends vs. foes by these stipulations: do you have a share, a legal right or a historic claim on this property? If not, you may not build with us since the enemy’s motive was only to bring dissent and discord. Lord, thank you for the life of Nehemiah who solidly took a stand amidst a discouraging task and led wisely. May we also plow through the opposition of our day with your wise discernment.-Teresa

Nehemiah 2:11-20 (NLT)

“So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, 12 I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. 13 After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well,[g] and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. 14 Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. 15 So, though it was still dark, I went up the Kidron Valley[h] instead, inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate.

16 The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration. 17 But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” 18 Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.

They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.

19 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked.

20 I replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”

 When I graduated from High School, I thought that adulthood was a gift bestowed on me by my community.  Truly feeling a responsibility to be wise, hardworking and understanding, I sought a college degree at NMU. It was there that I first engaged in a regular exercise program- swimming, raquetball, ice skating. Similarly, when we choose moral routines (behaviors that free us from the lust of the flesh) we affirm that we understand at an emotional level our worth to God which in turn will honor the Holy Spirit who lives in us. God bought us at a high price so living honestly in fellowship with Him brings glory to His name (aka His character). Father, help us not to be legalistic and rule bound but to live in the light of Your loving presence, knowing how much we are worth to You.-Teresa

1 Corinthians 6: 15-20 ( NLT)

15 Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! 16 And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.”[d] 17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

  
If you like ketchup and pickles, then you might  like the main course tonight….can u guess what I made?

 There are times when I feel very small trying to unbury my life from a thousand tasks as if I were the lone ant. When God chooses to reveal how important a person is to Him, it may come as a surprise that He actually chooses the weak, the foolish, the powerless even the despised people of the world. This is because the sooner we rid ourselves of self, the better it is for the birth of His kingdom in our hearts! So, the next time we feel small or like our impact is not so great, remember that God’s weakest moment is greater than the most powerful human strength. Amazingly, He chooses to include us in His great plan for the world. – Teresa

 I Corinthians 1: 24-31 (NLT)

24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles,[b] Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy[c] when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world,[d] things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”[e]

  
The light is brightest when darkness is all around.  Although David’s enemies surrounded him, the Lord was his fortress. Hidden, out of reach- David could not be touched by danger. This was his reality, not because darkness was absent but because the light was present. (God is light and in him there is no darkness at all- see I John 1:5). The Lord deserves our adoration-His righteousness is perfected through one act. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16 (NIV). Father, you are not only light but you provided salvation. Thank you! – Teresa

Psalm 27: 1-6 ( NLT)
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—

    so why should I be afraid?

The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,

    so why should I tremble?

2 When evil people come to devour me,

    when my enemies and foes attack me,

    they will stumble and fall.

3 Though a mighty army surrounds me,

    my heart will not be afraid.

Even if I am attacked,

    I will remain confident.

4 The one thing I ask of the Lord—

    the thing I seek most—

is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,

    delighting in the Lord’s perfections

    and meditating in his Temple.

5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come;

    he will hide me in his sanctuary.

    He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

6 Then I will hold my head high

    above my enemies who surround me.

At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,

    singing and praising the Lord with music.

  
When the cream pitcher is almost as tall as the coffee carafe, I’m pleased- especially when the sugar looks so inviting. In the Finnish culture, children are introduced to coffee like this at an early age. Many years later, when I had an opportunity to drink coffee with milk in North Africa, I enjoyed it very much! Reading about the Psalmist approach to being in God’s presence catapulted me back to a very pleasant childhood memory. Since my father owned 40 acres of land, there were no visible neighbors on either side of our house. The Lord Jesus Christ captured my heart the summer of my 15th year. I later realized, to my delight, that I knew Him as my first love. We  would spend hours in sweet fellowship as I walked amongst the evergreen and birch trees. This was a sacred time for me- praying and meditating on His word. What a sanctuary of God’s presence that fully satiated my thirsty soul. We can bare our soul to those we trust and I found that He is fully trustworthy!

#transparencyinworship-Teresa

Psalm 26:1-8 (NLT)

1 Declare me innocent, O Lord,

    for I have acted with integrity;

    I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

2 Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.

    Test my motives and my heart.

3 For I am always aware of your unfailing love,

    and I have lived according to your truth.

4 I do not spend time with liars

    or go along with hypocrites.

5 I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,

    and I refuse to join in with the wicked.

6 I wash my hands to declare my innocence.

    I come to your altar, O Lord,

7 singing a song of thanksgiving

    and telling of all your wonders.

8 I love your sanctuary, Lord,

    the place where your glorious presence dwells.

 
Loved this performance by a truly magical musician, Hans Anderson!! Combining reggae with folk and unique rhythmical combinations, he really wowed the crowd… Especially his parents- Teresa