Have you ever wondered what makes a bride so beautiful?
At our daughter’s wedding, one of the attendees commented to a bystander, “She’s the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen”.
When Jesus makes all things new, he changes us from the inside out (aka dwells within us by His Holy Spirit).
In Ephesians, we learn that not only does the Savior clothe us with righteousness (when we are born again and become part of His family, the church) but he washes us with the water of the Word.
Please enjoy these Bible passages and photos from this year. **Happy New Year, looking forward to “a few things new” in 2024. -Teresa
2 Corinthians 5: 1-5 (NIV)
For we know that if the earthly
tent
we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan,
longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,
3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan
and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,
so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Ephesians 5:25-29 (NIV)
Husbands, love your wives,
just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself
as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives
as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church.
Revelation 21:1-5 (ESV)*
21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place[a] of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,[b] and God himself will be with them as their God.[c]4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
A rainbow surprised us this week after a wintry rain
We experienced a traumatic event a few weeks ago when an oncoming car demolished ours in a “head on” collision Every airbag in the car was deployed, transmission fluid ran red, steam and hissing alerted the bystanders to urge the driver to move, “you must get out of your car since it could explode”. The oncoming car’s driver may have had a medical emergency (causing her to speed past and clip another vehicle, then spin out of control into the path of our car). She was taken to the hospital via ambulance with a seizure. Sometimes we don’t understand why bad things happen to good people.
When bad things happen for wickedness, we can somehow understand it. The stone and timber of the house (in the passage below) were consumed as a payback for stealing and lying. In contrast, lovingly (and surprisingly)…the solid structure of the church is established and built well by the capable hands of the Savior, in spite of the sinners included in this house (from every people group on earth).
God does not allow wickedness to remain once discovered. It must be removed. Who better to care for this than the One, who makes all things new: Jesus Christ the Lord, both King and Priest.
In regards to the passage below, Matthew Henry’s commentary provides these thoughts:
“It is a comfort to us that the same all-wise, almighty Providence, which governs the earth, is in particular conversant about the church. All that have the plummet in their hands, must look up to the eyes of the Lord, have constant regard to Divine Providence, act in dependence on its guidance and submission to its disposals. Let us fix our faith on Christ, and view Him carrying on his work according to his own glorious plan, and daily bringing his spiritual building nearer to completion. Verses 11-14 Zechariah desires to know what are the two olive trees. Zerubbabel and Joshua, this prince and this priest, were endued with the gifts and graces of God’s Spirit. They lived at the same time, and both were instruments in the work and service of God. Christ’s offices of King and Priest were shadowed forth by them. From the union of these two offices in his person, both God and man, the fullness of grace is received and imparted. They built the temple, the church of God. So does Christ spiritually. Christ is not only the Messiah, the Anointed One himself, but he is the Good Olive to his church; and from his fulness we receive. And the Holy Spirit is the unction or anointing which we have received. From Christ the Olive Tree, by the Spirit the Olive Branch, all the golden oil of grace flows to believers, which keeps their lamps burning. Let us seek, through the intercession and bounty of the Saviour, supplies from that fulness which has hitherto sufficed for all his saints, according to their trials and employments. Let us wait on him in his ordinances, desiring to be sanctified wholly in body, soul, and spirit.”
Our sanctification is a painful process of remembering we are crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live. When His gift of love (on the cross) becomes our central focus, nothing else seems quite as important (ie. Whose fault is my suffering caused by?)
No matter how many good or bad things happen this Christmas, may we always remember His ultimate gift. He took care of wickedness by paying the price. He is the hope of the world, to build up this house, His church, which is solidly built.- Teresa #Hispromiseinarainbow #Hislovemakesallthingsnew
Zechariah 4:6-5:11(ESV)**
6Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. 7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”
8 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. 10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
“These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.” 11 Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” 12 And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil[a] is poured out?” 13 He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 14 Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones[b] who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
A Vision of a Flying Scroll
5 Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a flying scroll! 2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits, and its width ten cubits.”[c]3 Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land. For everyone who steals shall be cleaned out according to what is on one side, and everyone who swears falsely[d] shall be cleaned out according to what is on the other side.4 I will send it out, declares the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears falsely by my name. And it shall remain in his house and consume it, both timber and stones.”
Whether they came from the nation of Israel or from the various tribes of the earth, we understand from the Scripture passages below that many multitudes will worship the Lord in heaven someday.
You may wonder how to gain a white robe, washed in the blood of the Lamb (referencing the sacrificial system used by the children of Israel in the Old Testament, for the remission of sin). The answer was given over 2,000 years ago in a small town called Bethlehem. It was here that Jesus Christ the Lord was born. The son of God was placed in the care of a favored teenager named Mary and her betrothed, Joseph.
Jesus had an unusual birth. It was announced by angels to the shepherds and honored by the wise men following a star that appeared for this marvelous occasion.
My daughters, granddaughters and I attended the Ballet Rejoice production of “The Nativity” this week. We were awestruck at the significance of this moment in time as told through the reverent movements of all the dancers.
We couldn’t help leaving with overflowing love in our hearts for God the Father as He “gave” us His Son. When Jesus shed His blood on the cross for the sin of the world, all penalties were forgiven and all debts were satisfied in God’s economy.
His Son “gives” us a white robe of righteousness when we receive Him as Lord. He will bring you back from spiritual death in order to be transformed with the light of life for God’s kingdom purposes and His will to be done.
So many in the world right now are unable to care for others or even themselves. It really does take a Savior to heal our hearts and become ambassadors for Christ. He teaches us how to love ourselves first so that we can extend to others both love and forgiveness.
As you experience this Advent season with a heart full of God’s promises, remember that we love because He first loved us. (I John 3:16 says,
“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.”)*
Our front yard nativity scene
– Love, ❤️ Teresa
Revelation 7:2-17 (ESV) (bold added for emphasis)
2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”
4 And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
5 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad, 6 12,000 from the tribe of Asher, 12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh, 7 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon, 12,000 from the tribe of Levi, 12,000 from the tribe of Issachar, 8 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.
A Great Multitude from Every Nation
9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Micah 5:2 (ESV)
[c]But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
Micah 6:6-8 (ESV)
“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with[d] thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,[e] and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 7: 18-20 (ESV)
18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. 19 He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our[p] sins into the depths of the sea. 20 You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.
13 Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown,[b] O Lord, throughout all ages. 14 For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 16 They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; 17 they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. 18 Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them.
19 O house of Israel, bless the Lord! O house of Aaron, bless the Lord! 20 O house of Levi, bless the Lord! You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord! 21 Blessed be the Lord from Zion, he who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the Lord!Read full chapter
We went to see the IMAX movie “Deep Space” and were blown away by the thought that our Milky Way Galaxy is possibly just one of a trillion!!
Reminding myself of who I am (created) and who He is (Creator), I have been freed up to be intent on prayer (and fasting).
By the phrase “rend your hearts and not your garments”, God is communicating His desire for us to be healed internally.
Yes, there is plenty of outward piety that helps bolster people’s view of themselves in front of others. But is it accurately God’s perspective of who they are?
I heard somebody say this morning, “I had to bring myself down a few notches”. It made me chuckle (and so decided to use it as the title of this post- since it hit home for me). If we bring ourselves down a few notches it may allow us to be more truthful with others.
Even though others may not be impressed or notice our impact on the world when we dial it down, if it comes across as a kinder, more appreciative presence towards others- then it was worthwhile.
Matthew Henry’s commentary** reviews the passage below (bold added): “The priests were to alarm the people with the near approach of the Divine judgments. It is the work of ministers to warn of the fatal consequences of sin, and to reveal the wrath from heaven against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. The striking description which follows, shows what would attend the devastations of locusts, but may also describe the effects from the ravaging of the land by the Chaldeans. If the alarm of temporal judgments is given to offending nations, how much more should sinners be warned to seek deliverance from the wrath to come! Our business therefore on earth must especially be, to secure an interest in our Lord Jesus Christ; and we should seek to be weaned from objects which will soon be torn from all who now make idols of them. There must be outward expressions of sorrow and shame, fasting, weeping, and mourning; tears for trouble must be turned into tears for the sin that caused it. But rending the garments would be vain, except their hearts were rent by abasement and self-abhorrence; by sorrow for their sins, and separation from them. There is no question but that if we truly repent of our sins, God will forgive them; but whether he will remove affliction is not promised, yet the probability of it should encourage us to repent.”
As I seek the Lord this advent season, may I do those things in secret that are necessary. It may even mean bringing myself down a few notches. What is done before God in secret is then able to be openly fruitful for His kingdom.- Teresa #toGodbetheglory
Joel 2:12-14 (ESV)***
Return to the Lord
12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. 14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?
*GodofWonders lyric; Songwriters: Marc Byrd / Steve Hindalong
Gabriel brought the answer when Daniel prayed for help (in the passage below).
Although shame was pervasive from disobedience, the Lord brought mercy and forgiveness after Daniel’s time in intercession. Daniel entreated God with pleas for mercy and forgiveness for his captive nation, to act without delay.
Gabriel brought Daniel understanding with a word from God. He also brought Daniel encouragement by calling him “greatly loved”.
Sometimes all we need is a word of encouragement in order to keep up the good fight.
I was reminded of this after doing a “school nurse” presentation for my daughter’s homeschool class. For all you teachers out there, “keep up the good fight”.
Our society is geared to tear the hearts of children from their families. In fact, students are being taught with a societal “twist” by using words that mean something much more destructive than meets the ear. Every word has an impact on culture. Kudos to the teachers that still bring a sense of meaning and understanding to our next generation.
The next generation is won over or lost based on these words. Are they based on God’s truth and His righteousness? Would we know, based on our own study of the Bible?
One thing we do know for sure is that God promises when we ask, seek and knock, that He will answer.
This Christmas, Lord, may our heart be fully yours. With praise, worship and prayer (fasting) we ask that your advent would be evident in our families and in the lives of our children and grandchildren.- Teresa #Emmanuel
8 To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him 10 and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. 12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us,[a] by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. 14 Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lordour God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
16 “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord,[b] make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”
Daniel 9:8-23 (ESV)*
Gabriel Brings an Answer
20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God for the holy hill of my God, 21 while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. 23 At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.
Reconnection 