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

2 Chonicles 16:9 (ESV). 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless[g] toward him.

When we honor those who are supported by God, we acknowledge that their heart is pure.

Over and over, God has blessed me with amazing people to work with. They speak into my life and help me to know that He is working in the midst of the struggles.

Sometimes they share their own journey and honor me with a chance to support them.

Other times they encourage me with their understanding of what God is doing in the midst of my own battles.

Together, we have the chance to acknowledge that God is on the throne in the simpleness of life.

Be encouraged to know that God sees you and loves you beyond all that you can ask or imagine.- ❤️ Teresa #eyeswideopen #thereisnoonelikeHIM

Adam is a type (or foreshadowing) of ONE to come, Jesus Christ the LORD. But unlike Adam’s singular act of disobedience, the Savior brought a powerful act of deliverance from sin’s curse.

If one wrong by the first created man caused the world so much pain, then one act of obedience by the life-giving Son of God restored joy through redemption and eternal life to all who recognize Him as Lord.

The sadness and desperation of the world today reminds me of mankind’s cursed state of condemnation. Instead, let’s focus on the ONE who brings life. Eternal life is to know Him, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. (John 17:3) #agapelove

When we know someone, it doesn’t mean we merely read about them on social media. It means we interact with them on a personal level.

Do you “know” Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? He created you and understands more about you than anyone else. He can touch the need of your heart in a very personal way. Fellowship is what He longs to have with us but we individually have a choice to accept or reject Him. What is your choice today? I urge you to cry out to Him.

Father God, thank you for your Son and our savior, Jesus Christ the LORD. I believe that He died on the cross for the penalty of my sin. I believe that he rose from the grave to the glory of God. I believe that he always lives to intercede for my sin: past, present and future. Please forgive me for the ways I have missed your mark of righteousness. I receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior today and trust that His shed blood brings forgiveness for my sin. Thank you for welcoming me into your family and for providing this right relationship with you. Amen.

Celebrate with praise and worship!!! Afterall, that’s what the angels in heaven do when one sinner repents (Luke 15:10)

This moment with each of you, is a sacred opportunity to love God with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.- Teresa #loverofmysoul #Jesus

Romans 5:12-21 (ESV). Death in Adam, Life in Christ

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men[a] because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

18 Therefore, as one trespass[b] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness[c] leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Footnotes

Romans 5:12 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women; also twice in verse 18
Romans 5:18 Or the trespass of one
Romans 5:18 Or the act of righteousness of one

Whatever we undertake in life, the challenges of walking in someone else’s shoes can be harder than we can imagine. We have no idea what issues or hardships have shaped that person (or dog). We may not realize what loving gesture or “helping sacrifice” may actually make things worst. If we give up there, I propose that we will forfeit our own growth and the opportunity to speak truth for others.

We need to tell others (in word or deed) that they are worthwhile. When we maintain a healthy boundary (yet forgive “snarls” and move on with acceptance), we are open to nurture the relationship again. Little do we understand how little sleep the young mom actually gets in a week. Little do we feel the anguish over not being treated well by those who were supposed to be caregivers. We cannot imagine the dear wife’s distress when her husband becomes a victim of systemic racism.

I just finished watching the movie (based on a true story), “Just Mercy”. It was beautiful to watch the human ability of a young lawyer channeling his grief, over his father’s unjust death, into accomplishing life-changing feats of justice for others. His gifting mixed with love allowed him to do extraordinarily courageous acts.

As I ponder the challenges of my own life, I have to ask- am I pouring love into my “right actions”? God is righteous and the best example of a righteous warrior. Whether our weapon is an argument of logic, backed by evidence or an ability to courageously fight against all odds, we must not grow weary in well- doing. God’s love describes His character and results in our singing thanks!- Teresa #shelteringrace #relationshipsmatter #beHisconduitoflove

Psalm 7: 10-17 (ESV) O righteous God!

10 My shield is with God,
who saves the upright in heart.
11 God is a righteous judge,
and a God who feels indignation every day.
12 If a man[d] does not repent, God[e] will whet his sword;
he has bent and readied his bow;
13 he has prepared for him his deadly weapons,
making his arrows fiery shafts.
14 Behold, the wicked man conceives evil
and is pregnant with mischief
and gives birth to lies.
15 He makes a pit, digging it out,
and falls into the hole that he has made.
16 His mischief returns upon his own head,
and on his own skull his violence descends.
17 I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness,
and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

When we seek the favor of the Lord, He is ready to bless abundantly. My husband and I married when we were both very young, still in college. My heart cry was to do God’s will and his heart cry was for a wife who loved God. The first time we had a “heart to heart” discussion about our values, I was blown away by how much we thought alike. Although our families lived hundred of miles apart, our experiences were very different and yet our understanding of God lined up in miraculous ways. No wonder I said “I do” to my wonderful husband.

As a teenager, the love songs of the 70’s would often reflect my heart for Jesus. Passion for my “first love” was sweet. My time in prayer and Bible reading was more than just a pious activity. It was to deepen a relationship with the Savior who had reached out to me, intentionally and individually. The miracles I witnessed at 15 years old (when I was vocal about my doubts and asked for God’s help), helped me to see God’s willingness to not only answer my prayers but to deter all uncertainty.

This passage reminds me of that type of passion. The King was uncertain since Elisha the prophet was dying. Yet, Joash (whose father has sought the Lord’s favor), experienced true victory three times against those oppressing Israel. Passion is passed down from our “spiritual” parents in order to bless our lives.

Who has been instrumental in teaching you about Christ? Who has provided for you physically and spiritually by making an investment into your life? Remember that God ultimately rewards those who seek Him (and their families). -Teresa

I want to be passionate for those who are on God’s heart-showing His love to HIS family around the world!!❤️

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. – Hebrews 11:6

2 Kings 13:4-25 (ESV) 4 Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him, for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria oppressed them.
5 (Therefore the LORD gave Israel a savior, so that they escaped from the hand of the Syrians, and the people of Israel lived in their homes as formerly.
6 Nevertheless, they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin, but walked in them; and the Asherah also remained in Samaria.)
7 For there was not left to Jehoahaz an army of more than fifty horsemen and ten chariots and ten thousand footmen, for the king of Syria had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing.
8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz and all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?
9 So Jehoahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria, and Joash his son reigned in his place.
10 In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years.
11 He also did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin, but he walked in them.
12 Now the rest of the acts of Joash and all that he did, and the might with which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?
13 So Joash slept with his fathers, and Jeroboam sat on his throne. And Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.
14 Now when Elisha had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash king of Israel went down to him and wept before him, crying, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”
15 And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows.
16 Then he said to the king of Israel, “Draw the bow,” and he drew it. And Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands.
17 And he said, “Open the window eastward,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot,” and he shot. And he said, “The LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! For you shall fight the Syrians in Aphek until you have made an end of them.”
18 And he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground with them.” And he struck three times and stopped.
19 Then the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria only three times.”
20 So Elisha died, and they buried him. Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year.
21 And as a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.
22 Now Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.
23 But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and he turned toward them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, nor has he cast them from his presence until now.
24 When Hazael king of Syria died, Ben-hadad his son became king in his place.
25 Then Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again from Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities that he had taken from Jehoahaz his father in war. Three times Joash defeated him and recovered the cities of Israel. – 2 Kings 13:4-25

Sometimes an early morning meditation will help clear our mind of worry or anxious thoughts. Even moreso, it can allow God’s Word and wisdom (the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom) to seep into our souls.

Quit striving with God. The more we argue, the more we will “kick against the goads”. The apostle Paul had one such conversion story. He was imprisoning Christians for their faith. In a day when prison led to certain death from a gladiator’s sword, Saul was considered merciless. Then, his name (aka character) was changed to Paul. Only an encounter with Jesus Christ the LORD can move us from stubborn resolve to a heart willing to suffer for His name.

In our daily relationships, we should stop striving with each other. End the quarrel before it begins (or you may be drowned in the deluge). Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God- Jesus (Matthew 5:9).

Judge rightly- Jesus (John 7:24). He alone can help us judge rightly beyond the worldly ways of politics, power and mere appearances.

An abomination to the Lord are those who side with the wicked, saying wickedness is goodness.

An abomination to the Lord are those who condemn the righteous, saying following God’s way does not look like that.

God’s way of righteousness always comes through the cross. When we take up our cross daily to follow Him, we too will forsake focusing on self to become more like Jesus. – Teresa

#turnyoureyesuponJesus #timewithHim #seekfirsthekingdomofGod #askHimforpeace

Proverbs 17:14-15 English Standard Version (ESV)

14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous
are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

When we first bought our home (26 years ago), we absolutely loved our backyard. There was enough room for the kids to roam. Three dogs later, we gave up on keeping the sprinkler lines working. The pandemic has provided extra time for my husband to complete the landscape projects we’ve been putting off. Our dog, Barbie, is old enough now to resist digging up lines!

Just as God worked with the nation of Israel, He is also willing to work with us.

God has time to give us a fresh start. He can restore our lives to that “beautiful” place we had been or hope to be. Maybe it was when we originally experienced the feelings of first love with Christ, where prayer was sweet. How wonderful to remember that God not only extends grace towards us but He abounds in steadfast love and faithfulness. – Teresa #restoration #readASevereMercy #lovestory #redemption=boughtback

I also want to acknowledge the current state of affairs in our country. Together, we can make a difference by embracing the compassion of our Savior. He touches us so that we can touch others with this same response of compassionate understanding. Empathy means we walk a moment in someone else’s shoes without judgment. #suspendjudgment #pray #givecompassion

Exodus 34:1-29 (ESV) 1 The LORD said to Moses, “Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.
2 Be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain.
3 No one shall come up with you, and let no one be seen throughout all the mountain. Let no flocks or herds graze opposite that mountain.”
4 So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first. And he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone.
5 The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
6 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”
8 And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.
9 And he said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.”
10 And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.
11 “Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I will drive out before you the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
12 Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst.
13 You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim
14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),
15 lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and you are invited, you eat of his sacrifice,
16 and you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters whore after their gods and make your sons whore after their gods.
17 “You shall not make for yourself any gods of cast metal.
18 “You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month Abib, for in the month Abib you came out from Egypt.
19 All that open the womb are mine, all your male livestock, the firstborn of cow and sheep.
20 The firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And none shall appear before me empty-handed.
21 “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.
22 You shall observe the Feast of Weeks, the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year’s end.
23 Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the LORD God, the God of Israel.
24 For I will cast out nations before you and enlarge your borders; no one shall covet your land, when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year.
25 “You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with anything leavened, or let the sacrifice of the Feast of the Passover remain until the morning.
26 The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring to the house of the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”
27 And the LORD said to Moses, “Write these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.”
28 So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.
29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. – Exodus 34:1-29

What seems right for a person’s future may in fact be the ways of death. Adonijah thought he was right when asking Bathsheeba for Abishag, the beautiful Shunammite girl, to be his wife. King Solomon understood Adonijah’s request as a way to subvert their father’s plan. It did not end well for Adonijah. Similarly, Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit about their intentions to give less than what they had told Peter and the church leaders. It did not end well for them either.

The ways of death may seem right but without humbling ourselves to God’s will- they are not right. What can turn our humble actions into His kingdom come and His will be done? Just as the windmill converts the energy of the wind to electricity, we rely on God’s will to make an impact for eternity. It’s not always what seems right that we should be doing but what is right.

God ultimately is our judge and defender. He knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. When we allow ourselves to fall upon Him, we will he broken- (listen to sweetly broken by Jeremy Riddle).- Teresa #eternalife

Proverbs 16:25 (ESV). 25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.[a]

Footnotes. Proverbs 16:25 Hebrew ways of death

IKings 2:14-25 (ESV) 14 Then he said, “I have something to say to you.” She said, “Speak.” 15 He said, “You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel fully expected me to reign. However, the kingdom has turned about and become my brother’s, for it was his from the Lord. 16 And now I have one request to make of you; do not refuse me.” She said to him, “Speak.” 17 And he said, “Please ask King Solomon—he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.” 18 Bathsheba said, “Very well; I will speak for you to the king.”

19 So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat on his throne and had a seat brought for the king’s mother, and she sat on his right. 20 Then she said, “I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Make your request, my mother, for I will not refuse you.” 21 She said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as his wife.” 22 King Solomon answered his mother, “And why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also, for he is my older brother, and on his side are Abiathar[f] the priest and Joab the son of Zeruiah.” 23 Then King Solomon swore by the Lord, saying, “God do so to me and more also if this word does not cost Adonijah his life! 24 Now therefore as the Lord lives, who has established me and placed me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today.” 25 So King Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he struck him down, and he died.

Acts 5:1-11 (ESV) 5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you[a] sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.