Our daughters literally glow because of God’s beauty in their lives. It reminds me of the scene in heaven described by the Apostle John.

Our Creator and Lord sitting on the throne of authority is a beautiful scene because it depicts all that is right in God’s eyes. His presence is beautiful and holy.

The offerings of glory, honor and thanks to Him who is, who was and who is to come are beautiful because of the truth in worship.

Who is worthy to receive glory, honor and power? Only our Creator is worthy, He also is the One who provides righteousness to all He created.

Now, that is truly beautiful!!- Teresa #reflectingHisglory

Revelation 4 (New Living Translation)

Worship in Heaven

4 Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” ² And instantly I was in the Spirit,^[a] and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. ³ The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. ⁴ Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. ⁵ From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit^[b] of God. ⁶ In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.

In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. ⁷ The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. ⁸ Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
    the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

⁹ Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,

¹¹ “You are worthy, O Lord our God,
    to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
    and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. 4:2 Or in spirit.
2. 4:5 Greek They are the seven spirits.

Some days are meant for full speed ahead.

Like today, I was making a hot drink at 3:15 am, helping with my mom’s medical care (via telephone) by 4:30 am, walking to Peet’s and chatting with friends all drinking coffee at 6:30 am, walking with my husband and praying at 0730 am, picking out Christmas trees with our grandkids by 0900 am, finishing the decorating and eating fresh baked banana bread by 10:30 am! Now, I’m wondering why my usual energetic brain is taking a little siesta while writing my blog. 🥱

Getting ready for a big event means we need to pace ourselves. The more ritual or routine we involve, means more time that our hearts and minds are freed up to ponder God’s goodness.

This Psalm was such a representation. At every feast day, the children of Israel would ascend to Jerusalem and recite these words.

How comforting to know they were surrounded by God as the mountains surrounded their beloved city. Talk about a visual aid!

What visual aid or beautiful song is helping you to center around God’s truth?

Dan Hill’s “Sometimes When We touch”

This song helped me this week to remember the honesty of my “first love”, when the gospel of Christ’s love touched my teenage soul. #heartfelt

Remember how valuable you are to our Father God, because of His gift at Christmas. #HisSon- Teresa

Psalm 125 (NLT)

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

¹ Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;
    they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
² Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,
    so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.
³ The wicked will not rule the land of the godly,
    for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.
⁴ O Lord, do good to those who are good,
    whose hearts are in tune with you.
⁵ But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O Lord.
    Take them away with those who do evil.

May Israel have peace!

Turkey Day is full of love and feasting. Giving thanks is part of this!

I was having an attitude with someone in the extended family as we got ready. In turn, they had an attitude with me. We hoped by not addressing the elephant in the room, we could still pull this feast day off.

Good news, we had a mediator to help this process of resolution. Prayers and wisdom preceded a miraculous turn around just 1.5 hours prior to guest arrival. #T-1.5

It was obvious that my heart was moved by God Himself to offer repentance, which helped turn the tide in favor of resolution and joy. Who said that it would be easy?

Truly, we felt so blessed to have this relationship restored for God’s glory and just in time to give God thanks for all our blessings.

What will it take for you to understand things, God’s way? Ask Him for wisdom and ask those you trust for prayers. He will not disappoint as He is patient beyond measure. -Teresa #Godshowedup #intime #reflectHim

2 Peter 3:8-11 (ESV)

⁸ But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,^[a] not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies^[b] will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.^[c]

¹¹ Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, ¹² waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! ¹³ But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Footnotes

1. 2 Peter 3:9 Some manuscripts on your account
2. 2 Peter 3:10 Or elements; also verse 12
3. 2 Peter 3:10 Greek found; some manuscripts will be burned up

There are times when we celebrate (like the picture above, at the wedding of my niece). Then, there are times we grieve (like the pic👇 at my brother’s grave).

My mom has experienced both the grief of a child going to heaven before her and the glory of celebrating at the wedding of her granddaughter, 23 years apart.

Without Christ, we would be hopeless but with Christ Jesus our Lord we have been born again to a living hope.

It’s described as imperishable, undefiled and unfading (because our inheritance is kept in heaven) and we are being guarded through faith until we see the salvation of our souls.

A faith that is being tested -as to whether or not it is genuine-for the praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

If our Savior experienced suffering and then glory, if the prophets who longed to look into what we see in the Scriptures and those who have preached this good news have done so faithfully under great duress for our glory, how much more should we persevere in the grievous trials we experience.

It may be for a future generation as well- our grandchildren!

Being born again to a living hope means that we also can go through our griefs as those who are secure in our eternal inheritance. -Teresa #filledwithglory #inexpressiblejoy #Heisrisenindeed

I Peter 1:3-12 ESV

Born Again to a Living Hope

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,⁵ who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, ⁹ obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, ¹¹ inquiring what person or time^[a] the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. ¹² It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. 1 Peter 1:11 Or what time or circumstances

These beautiful evergreens have come to bring me so much joy. We sometimes call them the “Dr. Seuss“ trees.

I was talking about one thing that I would change about myself. Spotting those trees, I decided I would not change that thing at all- it’s where my joy comes from.

What society may see as a flaw or imperfection, God has allowed in me for His good pleasure.

Don’t refuse God, the ONE who speaks truth into your life. Instead, put some joy into it.

Do you have a quality about yourself that others may want to change? Be sure to check with God first to see if He put it there for a reason.

If our faith is childlike, then we will see things more clearly than the most learned scholar.

Be certain you are trusting the ONE who has authority over creation. His kingdom (and rationale) is unshakable! -Teresa

Hebrews 12:22-29 (NLT)

²² No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. ²³ You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect.²⁴ You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.

²⁵ Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! ²⁶ When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.”^[d] 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.

²⁸ Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. ²⁹ For our God is a devouring fire.Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. 12:18 Greek to something that can be touched.
2. 12:20 Exod 19:13.
3. 12:21 Deut 9:19.
4. 12:26 Hag 2:6.

The ritualistic sacrifices of Judaism (in the Old Testament) pointed to something much greater. Even the specification of the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies were followed up to the minute details of the tent materials and vessels of bronze.

They may not have seen Christ Jesus the Lord as clearly as those in the “Church Age”, but the shadow of things to come was being illuminated by God the Father.

Even so, in our day and age, the fog may descend on us and keep us from seeing clearly the central role of our Savior. Ultimately, the truth will shine on us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

When we understand the powerful work of redemption on our behalf, then we will rejoice at our great high priest who has mediated this eternal inheritance established for us through the new covenant.

As the fog of a sin sick world descends around us, may we look to our Heavenly Father to purify our hearts and minds as we trust His Son to cleanse and redeem. -Teresa #powerinthebloodofthelamb

Hebrews 9: 11-22 (ESV)

Redemption Through the Blood of Christ

¹¹ But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come,^[e] then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) ¹² he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. ¹³ For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify^[f] for the purification of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our^[g] conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

¹⁵ Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.^[h] 16 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. ¹⁷ For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. ¹⁸ Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood.¹⁹ For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” ²¹ And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. ²² Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

It’s fun for kids to dress up and trick-or-treat. Back in the day, we would make up our own costumes. Many times they ended up being a combination of favorite T-shirts and something impressive.

There’s wisdom in the Proverb that speaks about hatred cloaking itself (like a Halloween costume). It tries to impress outwardly but is truly unimpressive, morally.

The good news, is that it will all be revealed in the end.

With deceit, the hate-filled person may try to cover up their motives, but those who look at the “fruit” of said life will not be duped.

Be not deceived, God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7, KJV)

Corruption is the result of not yielding to the Spirit of God. Life everlasting is the promise to every believer under the Holy Spirit’s control. (Galatians 6:8)

You may wonder how to come under God’s influence. First, you must believe that Christ Jesus is God’s Son who is able to pay for the salvation of everyone born under sin’s curse=death spiritually (includes all descendants of Adam).

When you receive Christ as Savior and LORD, you are born into God’s family (and given a new start).

To whom will you yield your life today? Is it to your own fleshly desires or to the Spirit of God who is in you? (upon spiritual rebirth, we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit of God).

Even so-called “Christians” (i.e. in name only) can be given over to hatred. In the end, corruption will be their reward.

Lord, may I be quick to yield myself to Your Spirit. Please reveal those around me who may sound gracious but in actuality have abominably tricky lips. -Teresa

Proverbs 26:24-26English Standard Version

²⁴ Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
    and harbors deceit in his heart;
²⁵ when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
    for there are seven abominations in his heart;
²⁶ though his hatred be covered with deception,
    his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Read full chapter

Although I love the look of this modern lampshade in my hotel room, it does not function well as a mirror!

This passage brought to mind the importance of not just teaching to encourage others but at times to reprove or convince others of truth. This “convincing” may be misunderstood as an accusation (aka rebuke) when in actuality it may be what is needed to convince or drive a point home.

It’s stated well here@ BibleHub.com (parenthetical word added for context). “The word in this verse rendered “reprove,” does not imply (rebuke), but merely that one may be in error, and needs to have arguments presented to convince him of the truth. That word also implies no superior authority in him who does it. He presents “reasons, or argues” the case, for the purpose of convincing. The word here rendered rebuke, implies authority or superiority, and means merely that we may say that a thing is wrong, and administer a rebuke for it, as if there were no doubt that it was wrong. The propriety of the rebuke rests on our authority for doing it, not on the arguments which we present. This is based on the presumption that men often Know that they are doing wrong, and need no arguments to convince them of it.”

An effective leader knows when to teach using a method of reproving vs. rebuking and what type of audience should witness either one. For example, when a subordinate rebukes an authority figure, the effective leader must discern whether they are acting out of spite or ignorance. If ignorance, then it’s best to set aside the personal humiliation (if the incident occurs in public) to exemplify that the subordinate is valued (i.e. the leader is preventing the other’s demise and modeling the truth). On the other hand, if it’s expressed out of spite, an immediate meeting in private is the best outcome to effectively demonstrate the error of their thinking and the subordinate will be won over.

No matter how modern and appealing some teaching is, if it cannot convince us of truth (i.e. the truth always ends with love), then it is not sound.

Have I loved His appearing as Paul did? Christ is ultimately the righteous judge whose reward means all. He is the One who gives a crown of endurance to those who suffer for His name’s sake. -Teresa #fulfillyourministry

2 Timothy 4:1-8 (ESV)

4 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:² preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. ³ For the time is coming when people will not endure sound^[a]teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. ⁵ But as for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

When we are “in Christ” not only are we a new creation (where the old has passed away), but we have a protected status that is brand new.

Similar to the “protected” status of the wetlands where we walked this morning, nothing on earth can rob us of our eternal protection (inheritance) based of the forgiveness of our sins.

Not only does God forgive, but he chooses not to remember because of His Son’s finished work on the cross- aka atonement for mankind.

This is stated so eloquently on the Biblehub.com site speaking of Jeremiah 31:4, (the forgiveness of sins is) “the basis of the New Covenant”.

God’s people are not made up of only believing Israel but all of the Church worldwide. He will be honored by multitudes of believers who have given up glory in this world to honor the most glorious One.

Lord, may we be caught up in devotion to you and not bogged down by worldly expectations. May we always bring honor to your name for we realize that Christ Jesus the Lord is the name above all names.

As far as the east is from the west…remember to live as those who has been forgiven and freed. – Teresa

Jeremiah 31: 31-34 ESV (Emphasis added)

³¹ “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. ³² This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord.

³³ “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. ³⁴ And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

Our distress is great, O Lord, and there were times when your people of old did not turn to You.

May that not be Your Church today. We need You to notice, to hear our cry for help and remold us into useful vessels for You.

Help us to be reliable for the sake of Your name. Help us to repent of our evil ways and practices, so that we may be blessed with Your Holy Spirit’s comfort. #steadfastlove

We abhor stubbornness, willful sins and muddied paths. Please restore Your highway of salvation through the wilderness. Do not turn Your back on us.

We are the work of Your hand. Please give us a willing heart. -Teresa

Jeremiah 18:5-17 (ESV)

⁵ Then the Lord gave me this message: ⁶ “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. ⁷ If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, ⁸ but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned.⁹ And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, ¹⁰ but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would.

¹² But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires.”

¹¹ “Therefore, Jeremiah, go and warn all Judah and Jerusalem. Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am planning disaster for you instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.’”

¹³ So this is what the Lord says:

“Has anyone ever heard of such a thing,
    even among the pagan nations?
My virgin daughter Israel
    has done something terrible!
¹⁴ Does the snow ever disappear from the mountaintops of Lebanon?
    Do the cold streams flowing from those distant mountains ever run dry?
¹⁵ But my people are not so reliable, for they have deserted me;
    they burn incense to worthless idols.
They have stumbled off the ancient highways
    and walk in muddy paths.
¹⁶ Therefore, their land will become desolate,
    a monument to their stupidity.
All who pass by will be astonished
    and will shake their heads in amazement.
¹⁷ I will scatter my people before their enemies
    as the east wind scatters dust.
And in all their trouble I will turn my back on them
    and refuse to notice their distress.”

Psalm 138:7,8 (ESV)

[7] Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. [8] The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.