Using the wind to navigate, sailors skillfully make their way to safe harbor. Good men and godly women are powered by the wind of the Holy Spirit to live courageously by pointing others to safe harbor (aka faith) in Christ Jesus. Although Mary Magdalene had been demon possessed, Jesus freed her from bondage and she devoted her life to Him through His death and after His resurrection. Joseph of Arimethea and Nicodemus were both members of the Sanhedrin (good men) who secretly believed in the Lordship of Jesus. They were instrumental in honoring our Lord in his extreme sacrifice (death on the cross for the sin of the world). – Teresa #breatheonus #webelieve #helpourunbelief

John 19:24b-27, 38-42 (ESV)

So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus[b] by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds[c] in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

As plans blossom in our hearts, God establishes our steps…with the plan that lead to righteousness. Injustice may bring about revenue for a time but far better is just a little, with righteousness. It may not always be glamorous to live wisely but through wisdom, the house is established with rare and beautiful treasures in every room. – Teresa #Proverbs23:3,4

Proverbs 16:8-9 (ESV)

8 

Better is a little with righteousness

than great revenues with injustice.

9 

The heart of man plans his way,

but the Lord establishes his steps.

If you inherited riches would you delight in your good fortune? Even so, as we seek God wholeheartedly and keep His wisdom close to our hearts, we too can delight at the way it works in our favor. Purity in life’s experience is not a natural human phenomenon but it does occur with the supernatural help of God’s word. – Teresa #rejoiceinHislaws

Psalm119:9-16 (ESV)

Beth

9 

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By guarding it according to your word.

10 

With my whole heart I seek you;

let me not wander from your commandments!

11 

I have stored up your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you.

12 

Blessed are you, O Lord;

teach me your statutes!

13 

With my lips I declare

all the rules[c] of your mouth.

14 

In the way of your testimonies I delight

as much as in all riches.

15 

I will meditate on your precepts

and fix my eyes on your ways.

16 

I will delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word.

“Ready Player One” is an interesting audible story about the glory of a man-made creation that changes the course of fictitious life in 2112 and beyond. The work of human hands and minds can be amazing but trusting God is always larger than life itself and greater than anything we could ask or imagine. When the circumstances look bleak, God can change inanimate hearts into those who trust His power and protection.- Teresa #heartofstone #heartofflesh

Psalm 115 

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,

for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

2 

Why should the nations say,

“Where is their God?”

3 

Our God is in the heavens;

he does all that he pleases.

4 

Their idols are silver and gold,

the work of human hands.

5 

They have mouths, but do not speak;

eyes, but do not see.

6 

They have ears, but do not hear;

noses, but do not smell.

7 

They have hands, but do not feel;

feet, but do not walk;

and they do not make a sound in their throat.

8 

Those who make them become like them;

so do all who trust in them.

9 

O Israel,[a] trust in the Lord!

He is their help and their shield.

10 

O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!

He is their help and their shield.

11 

You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!

He is their help and their shield.

12 

The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us;

he will bless the house of Israel;

he will bless the house of Aaron;

13 

he will bless those who fear the Lord,

both the small and the great.

Just as Abel’s life was cut short by Cain, salvation from man’s help is short-lived or vain. God’s help alone provides eternal life and salvation from sin. God so loved… that he gave (John 3:16). Full healing from sin sickness comes as we put our faith in the name of Jesus (aka his trustworthy character). Our foes of sin, sickness and death no longer hold sway over our lives. The sting of sin is death but He has conquered the grave. – Teresa

Psalm 108:12, 13 ( ESV)

Oh grant us help against the foe,

for vain is the salvation of man!

13 

With God we shall do valiantly;

it is he who will tread down our foes

When Hannah despaired at the bitterness of her lot (not able to conceive) with a healthy dose of a rival who rubbed it in her face, she turned to God. Her prayer was honest and she meant every word. What she asked for was a son whom she would in turn set apart for God’s service. Although the priest misunderstood what she was about (thought she was drunk), Hannah explained the intensity of her prayer- “pouring out her soul” to God. Eli did not realize that the favor he gave to Hannah that day would make up for what was lacking in his own family, children who feared God. Samuel was born and after he was weaned became an apprentice to Eli. Hannah was no longer sad once she received favor from the one who spoke for God. Her faith was in the correct place, which buoyed her soul. – Teresa #cryoutoJesus #ourgreathighpriest

1 Samuel 1:9-18 (ESV)

9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

He who descended from heaven is the Son of Man. When He was lifted up (on the cross for our sin), God showed us how much He loves the world. Jesus Christ the LORD has the authority to ascend back into heaven and to bring us with Him to glory, including all who believe in him. – Teresa #Heisable

John 3:3-15 (ESV)

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you[f] do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.[g] 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.[h]