I transplanted one of my “houseplants” last spring to our new front yard landscape. Amazingly, it survived the heatwaves in July and August. This morning, I noticed its glowing orange petals in the early dawn.

New hope makes us bold. Bold enough to share it with others. Rather than hide behind a veil of religious works, hardened in our hearts, we can turn to Christ Jesus the Lord and know His glory. He allows the veil to drop and starts to heal us from the inside out.

In the OR, the surgical staff drapes a patient to ensure no germ will enter the sterile field. In the same way, our Lord provides something better than a veil (of religious works). He actually drapes His love around us when He asks us to be devoted to His kingdom come and His will to be done. It is a new life with a glorious purpose.

“From glory to glory” is a phrase used in David Crowder’s song, Everything Glorious. It’s also used in this passage. When we reflect God’s glory, we are transformed. – Teresa #Christlike #caringforothers #vulnerabilitybringschange #freedomfromtheveil

P. S. Most importantly, the Spirit of the LORD brings freedom. His Spirit seals us with a deposit of God’s promise for redemption (buying us back to himself in the here and now) and resurrection (raising us up after death, not to be unclothed but clothed with a new body) Ephesians 1:13,14.

2 Corinthians 3:4 (ESV) 4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God

2 Corinthians 3:18-22 (ESV). 12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one[c] turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord[d] is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,[e] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.[f] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

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Footnotes

2 Corinthians 3:2 Some manuscripts your
2 Corinthians 3:3 Greek fleshly hearts
2 Corinthians 3:16 Greek he
2 Corinthians 3:17 Or this Lord
2 Corinthians 3:18 Or reflecting the glory of the Lord
2 Corinthians 3:18 Greek from glory to glory

Hiking to Vikingsholm on Emerald Bay yesterday, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the surroundings and of the structure there. Although my body is now a bit achy from the Rubicon Trail hike, my thoughts are reverberating with the brilliance of it. When asked if I would live there, I was sure of it!

In our wildest dreams, we cannot imagine the beauty and worth God sees in us. He provides a way for us to reconnect with Himself, on a strenuous hike called life. He provides a stronghold of protection for those who need a break from the storms, His one and only Son. He provides salvation from our sinful nature through the blood of Jesus Christ the LORD. When asked if you could live as a Christ follower, my prayer for all is to say “yes”!

Abiding in Christ leads to an abundant life and provides a place of refuge from the squalls. -Teresa #I’dratherhaveJesus #ashelterinthetimesofstorm #thepilgrim’sregressbyCSLewis

Psalm 37:34-40 (ESV). 34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on when the wicked are cut off.
35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
spreading himself like a green laurel tree.[a]
36 But he passed away,[b] and behold, he was no more;
though I sought him, he could not be found.
37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
for there is a future for the man of peace.
38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.

I heard a statistic that 25% of young people (under 25 years of age) are feeling hopeless during this time of social isolation -hopeless enough to end their life. If this is you, I encourage you to reach out! Reach out to a medical professional (suicide hotline). Reach out to anyone on your phone contact who is a trusted friend (a friend who is worth their salt will spend quality time when asked). Reach out to your Creator (“soon to be King” David gives us an example in this passage below of how to approach God when life is bleak).

I’d like to share a personal story with the hope of encouraging some young person, somewhere. Shortly after I turned 15, I prayed a prayer that changed my life. Feeling hopeless about how I fit in socially, I asked God for His help. I said, “Lord, you know I will always trust you as my Savior and Lord (even if you don’t answer this request). What I’m asking, though, is that you show me (in a tangible way), that you are as involved today as you were in Bible-writing days. I mean, You appeared to those people in miraculous ways for a purpose- does this still apply today? If so, please show me. If you are indifferent to what we do now, I’m planning to look for closer friendships with those in the “world” vs. the church since I feel pretty hopeless. I would like to fit in somewhere- even if it means disobeying my parents. Amen.”

God answered my prayer with not only ONE miracle that summer (I had signed up for a summer project to tell other teenagers about Christ Jesus the LORD, through Teen Missions, INTL), but He showed up with THREE miracles. Each miracle was more convincing than the one before. I was fully assured, by the end of the summer, that God was working in my life at that moment, just as strongly as He did back in Bible times. I was also convinced that He knew me and my situation, personally. He spoke directly to the underlying need of my heart and filled it.

I implore you to remember that your life is not only precious but chosen by God. When you receive His Son, you are made holy through Christ’s provision on the cross. Do you “know” that He sees you-as one who is dearly loved? (Colossians 3:12)- Teresa ❤️

Psalm 34: 1-10. (ESV)

1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

FootnotesPsalm 34:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet

While we worry and pray for those struggling with illness or pain, we are also blessed with daily joys along this path called life.

Just a few weeks ago, I was burned out and weeping. When the demands upon us are great (along with grieving the loss of those once loved), our emotions can be accentuated. We also realize we have limited resources to help those in need.

Then, we receive the kindness of a co-worker and a believer- those who can make us laugh even as we cry under the load we bear. Just knowing we have been heard or are worthwhile enough to speak to with compassion, will make the difference between weeping and joy.

Gaining courage from the human touch of others is what God uses to change our weeping to joy.

Because we are not perfect, we are free to rejoice in God’s mysterious loving ways. -Teresa

#cryforhelp #Hehearsandanswers #joyfullyaware

Psalm 30: 1-9 ( ESV)

Joy Comes with the Morning

A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the temple.

30 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.[a]
4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.[b]
5 For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.[c]
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.

Romans 15:13 (ESV) 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Have you ever had a chance to experience the silver lining in a dark moment of life? For example, a young mom may dread the pains of labor. Yet afterwards, she looks back with pride on the ability to endure this agonizing feat. Once her baby is placed into her arms, she holds on with newfound strength surging throughout her body. It’s the promise of hope in a brand new life. Hope arises when God includes us in something great. His creation is always great!

Today, when we come to our Creator, we can hold onto the hope of His plan and purpose. When we embrace life, we have a joyful peace that the ONE who loves us will include us. -Teresa #morethanwecaouldaskorimagine