In this selfie, I love the color and lighting but the prominence of my nose at the expense of my eyes is not the best look.

Even so, our perspective may be flawed when understanding God’s choices. In an attempt to understand the “perfect” heart, our focus may be entirely on the wrong thing.

God’s character qualities/attributes include: omnipotence (sovereignty), omniscience (all knowing) and omnipresence (ever present), which provide Him a much better ability to decide what choice to make. In fact, who are we to argue with the Creator’s wisdom? BibleHub.com

Truly, some are created to show God’s power (such as Pharaoh in Moses’ day). Others are chosen, regardless of merit or ability (such as Jacob over Esau). But truly incredible is the offspring of Abraham (Issac). He became the child of promise to fulfill God’s covenant promise to Abraham, in response to faith.

As we, like Abraham, trust God’s new covenant promise (the Lord, Christ Jesus) may our hearts be changed. To think that we are given freedom from the curse of Adam’s sin nature in order to become a new creation (in Christ), how much more will we be willing to trust God’s choice?

Over and over, I am grateful for God’s grace to the “Gentiles” (like me), in order to bring a right perspective (no longer trapped by sin and death).

Will you receive His grace today? (for it is by grace that we are saved through faith.) We are not saved “by works” but to be involved in HIS work- for God’s glory. Help me, Lord, to walk with You. -Teresa #keepitinperspective

Romans 9:1-24English Standard Version* (italics added)

God’s Sovereign Choice

9 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— ² that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers,^[a] my kinsmen according to the flesh. ⁴ They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. ⁵ To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

⁶ But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, ⁷ and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”⁸ This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.⁹ For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁰ And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, ¹¹ though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— ¹² she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” ¹³ As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

¹⁴ What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! ¹⁵ For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” ¹⁶ So then it depends not on human will or exertion,^[b] but on God, who has mercy. ¹⁷ For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” ¹⁸ So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

¹⁹ You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” ²⁰ But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” ²¹ Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? ²² What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, ²³ in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— ²⁴ even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Romans 9:3 Or brothers and sisters
2. Romans 9:16 Greek not of him who wills or runs

*The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Ephesians 2:7-10 (ESV)

[7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

The cattails and reeds stood tall where the last of the water was still flowing.

What nourishes our hearts? What ensures that the love will continue flowing even in the midst of suffering? Endurance, character and hope are produced when the love has not stopped.

The Holy Spirit was given to us as a seal ensuring God’s promised love would never stop flowing in and through us. The important part of the equation is the peacemaker, our Lord Jesus Christ. -Teresa #Alleluiaisthehighestpraise

Romans 5:1-5 (ESV)*

*The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Peace with God Through Faith

5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we^[b] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² Through him we have also obtained access by faith^[c] into this grace in which we stand, and we^[d] rejoice^[e] in hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Footnotes

1. Romans 4:19 Greek deadness
2. Romans 5:1 Some manuscripts let us
3. Romans 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith
4. Romans 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3
5. Romans 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11

David was not ruling as king yet. Instead he endured an extended time of being on the run.

Saul’s obsessive jealousy (after the Holy Spirit had left him) was aimed at David- because the prophet, Samuel, said the kingdom would be torn from Saul’s house (who was from the tribe of Benjamin). In reality, the anointing was poured out on David because of Saul’s disobedience.

David (from the tribes of Judah Isaiah 11:1) was eventually joined by those under the Spirit’s control. You will notice Amasai’s words in the passage below… “for your God is the One who helps you.” What a beautiful picture of David’s rise to power supported by a Levite (BibleHub.com) who served in the tabernacle.

The Holy Spirit always gives glory to God the Father. Those who operate under the Spirit’s control are sure to do the same.

David discerned their intentions (those who came from the tribes of Benjamin and Judah) as friends. They exemplified peace by expressing their loyalty to God first and David second.

Lord, help us discern those whose hearts are willing to honor you above all else. May your Holy Spirit guide us into all truth. -Teresa

Chronicles 12:16-18 (NLT)

¹⁶ Others from Benjamin and Judah came to David at the stronghold. ¹⁷ David went out to meet them and said, “If you have come in peace to help me, we are friends. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when I am innocent, then may the God of our ancestors see it and punish you.”

¹⁸ Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the leader of the Thirty, and he said,

“We are yours, David!
    We are on your side, son of Jesse.
Peace and prosperity be with you,
    and success to all who help you,
    for your God is the one who helps you.”

So David let them join him, and he made them officers over his troops.

John 16:12-15 (ESV) (parenthetical added)

[12] “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. [13] When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. [14] He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. [15] All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (Jesus)

Happy 4th of July! This is a special year celebrating the USA’s 250th celebration.

I remember being in the bicentennial year parade, riding on a specially decorated float for CCI (my dad’s workplace). Those who participated were young, but dressed as though living two hundred years before.

Through an article, for Claremont Review of Books by Christopher Flannery, Ph.D. that is titled, “How to Think about the American Revolution,” I considered the subject in George Washington’s inaugural address re: our inalienable right, “the pursuit of happiness.” And I quote, “that there exists in the economy and course of nature an indisoluble union between virtue and happiness.”

Although the Bible passage below does not necessarily illustrate virtue or happiness it does make a point- that people are fallible.

In order to experience God’s blessing there must be truth (virtue) and joy (not necessarily happiness but something better- a relationship with God).

The Jews felt that Paul (a fellow Jew) should not be allowed to live because he was preaching about the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (whom the religious leaders had rejected as Messiah).

Because of Paul’s testimony, that God was sending him to the Gentiles, they were ready to kill him. In other words, they were not willing to accept the fact that any other people group could be considered “chosen by God.”

The good news of the gospel reveals God’s heart for the whole world. It was prophesied in the Old Testament scripture and made clear through the followers of “the way” in the New Testament churches.

We may consider our man-made “right” to the pursuit of happiness in America but in Christ, all believers have something better. We have God’s truth given to the whole world on how to be made “right” with our Heavenly Father.

It was Paul’s joy and affection, to care for the new Gentile believers/churches throughout Asia Minor in his day (modern day Turkey).

Do we also have a heart for the world, like Paul, to bring God’s truth to others? It’s not easy, because no one is perfect (like Jesus). Even Paul, when corrected about the high priest, was humble enough to admit the truth of Scripture.

When Paul was converted, he was reminded how much he would suffer for Christ (as he caused believers to suffer as a former persecutor of the church.)

What has Christ Jesus delivered you from? Are you willing to be a conduit of blessing to others by living this gospel message day in and day out?

It may not be glamorous (as in a TikTok short), but it would look authentic. Ask Him today how you can be a blessing to others. -Teresa

Acts 22:17-30, 23:1-10 (ESV)

¹⁷ “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance ¹⁸ and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ ¹⁹ And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. ²⁰ And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ ²¹ And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

²² Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” ²³ And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, ²⁴ the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. ²⁵ But when they had stretched him out for the whips,^[a] Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” ²⁶ When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” ²⁷ So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” ²⁸ The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.”²⁹ So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

Paul Before the Council

³⁰ But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

23 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” ² And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. ³ Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” ⁴ Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?”⁵ And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

⁶ Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”⁷ And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸ For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.⁹ Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” ¹⁰ And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

Footnotes

1. Acts 22:25 Or when they had tied him up with leather strips