Those who hinder others from seeing the truth of God’s love may have an air about them. #Firstinline #Josephsbrothers #bullies

Those who are hindered from experiencing God’s love may have their heart set somewhere else. #Riches #workethic #spillsintospiritualworks #elderbrother #parableoftheprodigalson

Those who have left all to follow Christ may be astonished at who can be saved. #Godoftheimpossibleshowsup #BillyGraham

God is in the business of altering our paradigm. Just when we think we have it figured out, He opens our eyes to a paradox. Help me, Lord, to trust and obey. -Teresa #holdlooselywhatismine

#thelastwillbefirst #fewrichpeoplewillbesaved #rewardsaregiventothegenerousofheart #Josephlefthisbrothersandland #becamesecondtoPharaoh #Godsplan

Matthew 19:13-30English Standard Version

Let the Children Come to Me

¹³ Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, ¹⁴ but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” ¹⁵ And he laid his hands on them and went away.

The Rich Young Man

¹⁶ And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” ¹⁷ And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” ¹⁸ He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness,¹⁹ Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ²⁰ The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” ²¹ Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ²² When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

²³ And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” ²⁶ But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”²⁷ Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” ²⁸ Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world,^[a] when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹ And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold^[b] and will inherit eternal life. ³⁰ But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

When David spoke about the complete take down of the violent man, he literally beat them finer than the dust. What a metaphor!

When God saves us and brings deliverance from sin, He does it completely. Where is my faith and focus? Is it on phantoms and mere dust in the wind or is it on the Lord?

Always remember who rescued you, who exalted you and who delivered you. He is the Lord of all.

He is worthy of our praise!! #Worthyisthelamb #greaterthanoursuffering

Sin is violent and would like to destroy God’s work in and through us. #getridofthis #unbeliefakasin

I’ve reminded myself today to be dead (or not respond) to the things that want to destroy my life and not let phantoms (or lies by others) determine where my faith is. Or who I am.

David’s complete trust in who God is and the position God gave him, as king, fueled him through a very long period of waiting and being hunted. It also taught him when the time was right to pursue and conquer with abandon. #yearsofwaiting #swordofthespirit #wordofGod

Remember His character is rubbing off on us in the waiting time. – Teresa #forgetthedust #rememberthedeliverer #beamazedatHim

Psalm 18:37-50English Standard Version

³⁷ I pursued my enemies and overtook them,
and did not turn back till they were consumed.
³⁸ I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise;
they fell under my feet.
³⁹ For you equipped me with strength for the battle;
you made those who rise against me sink under me.
⁴⁰ You made my enemies turn their backs to me,^[a]
and those who hated me I destroyed.
⁴¹ They cried for help, but there was none to save;
they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them.
⁴² I beat them fine as dust before the wind;
I cast them out like the mire of the streets.

⁴³ You delivered me from strife with the people;
you made me the head of the nations;
people whom I had not known served me.
⁴⁴ As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me;
foreigners came cringing to me.
⁴⁵ Foreigners lost heart
and came trembling out of their fortresses.

⁴⁶ The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,
and exalted be the God of my salvation—
⁴⁷ the God who gave me vengeance
and subdued peoples under me,
⁴⁸ who rescued me from my enemies;
yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me;
you delivered me from the man of violence.

⁴⁹ For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations,
and sing to your name.
⁵⁰ Great salvation he brings to his king,
and shows steadfast love to his anointed,
to David and his offspring forever.

Jesus was much more than a prophet. He was sent by God. Those who follow Christ’s teachings are disciples and similar to his original band of followers, we can trust Him who has the words of life.

John 6: 68-69 (ESV)

Simon Peter answered him,

 “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

As often as we show tangible love to our brothers and sisters in Christ, I have seen the “watching world” gasp. I had an experience like this, while travelling by bus. Since I was young and inexperienced, I failed to realize my ticket had an overnight layover in the heart of Chicago. After phoning home from a payphone (yes, this was before cell phones). My mom made a call to our Pastor’s parents, who lived nearby. They came to pick me up and let me stay in their home, provided me food and a ride back the following morning. On the thank you note for them, I quoted the verse from Matthew (below). I was the one gasping at how God miraculouly provided for me.

Matthew 10:40- 42 (ESV)

⁴⁰ “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. ⁴¹ The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴² And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for opening a way for us to be right with the Father. I have tasted your goodness and also respond with wonder.- Teresa #JesustheHolyOne #showsushowtolove

Sitting in the sunshine, I felt a familiar tug at my heart. I knew that other’s expectations could not reach me here. Maybe that’s why I was finally able to relax, lie down and doze off.

Upon awakening, even before I opened my eyes, I noticed the tantalizing aroma of ripe strawberries and fresh-baked bread.

I hadn’t asked anyone for this preparation. Could it have been my husband’s plan all along to help me enjoy the day?

It was a sweet touch, alright. Maybe even better than what I would have asked for, or imagined. As I woke from my reveries, it remained.

This moment of relaxation engulfed me and helped me remember all the good things in my life. – Teresa #beblessed #loverofmysoul #heavenlyfather #Heknowswhatweneedandwhen

Matthew 7:7-11 (ESV)

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Ephesians 3:20,21 (ESV)

Now to him who is able

to do immeasurably more than all we ask

or imagine, according to his power

that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Although I didn’t like the original of this picture when my husband took it, I realize now that it’s my one and only “glamour” photo. Photoshop was the big rage at the time and he expertly made a few cosmetic adjustments. When he was done, I couldn’t believe it was the same photo!

Well, technically, it wasn’t the same photo. He added layers of filters. I even added an additional filter from Instagram today. #madenew #presentable

God’s favor is like that. He layers a shield of protection around our most vulnerable self (when we trust in Jesus’ ability to make us righteous). We can hardly believe that we are the same person compared to the times before Christ healed our hearts from sin sickness.

By understanding how much God loves me, I am also able to love myself and others. I John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

Sometimes what we see portrayed outwardly happens because of how God shields us inwardly. -Teresa #madenew #offermyselftoGod

Romans 12:1,2 (NIV)

Therefore, I urge you,

brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,

 holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform

 to the pattern of this world,

 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is

-his good, pleasing

and perfect will.

Psalm 5:12 (ESV)

¹² For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
you cover him with favor as with a shield.

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The wise men followed a star and Herod secretly followed them. They both were hoping to see the Savior, the ONE worthy of worship. The wise men followed to witness the miracle of His birth and to bless Mary and Joseph. #gold #frankincense #myrrh #diplacedfromhome

Although he tried to hide his motive for seeking Jesus, King Herod was determined to destroy the future king. He needed to eliminate any threat to his throne.

God’s warning gave the young couple time to flee to Egypt before the heartbreaking occurrence, which was prophesied re: the slaughter of innocent children (Is. 31:15). Wherever grace appears so does the one whose goal is to steal, kill and destroy.

Help us to not get distracted but to earnestly seek you, LORD. #treasureofmyheart

When the night is dark, your light shines brighter still. – Teresa #bethoumyvision #seethroughthesmokescreen #census #chaosofpoliticalagendas #focusonHim

Mathew 1:7-12 (ESV)

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.⁸ And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” ⁹ After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. ¹¹ And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. ¹² And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.