After eating the first granny smith apple from my new tree, I was impressed with how fresh it tasted. It was not like the several months old apple at the local produce department. Instead, I recognized it as the real deal, a superior piece of fruit freshness. Wisdom and justice keep us in a growth pattern that is not a fast flurry to fame but it is the real deal. By hiding God’s word in our hearts we can avoid sinful paths that may present options that are too tempting to resist. In the Israelite culture, those who inherited land had a way to support their family, tribe or clan. Those who were cut off from the inheritance were doomed to blow away like chaff in tbe wind. God has provided an inheritance for all who trust in Him for refuge. He establishes the path of those who trust in the substitutional atonement* of His Son for their sin. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). – Teresa #Heisable #gloriousinheritance #Ephesians1:18

*Pastor Tim Lane, Union Gospel Mission

Psalm 37:30-40 English Standard Version (ESV)

30

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,

and his tongue speaks justice.

31

The law of his God is in his heart;

his steps do not slip.

32

The wicked watches for the righteous

and seeks to put him to death.

33

The Lord will not abandon him to his power

or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.

34

Wait for the Lord and keep his way,

and he will exalt you to inherit the land;

you will look on when the wicked are cut off.

35

I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,

spreading himself like a green laurel tree.[a]

36

But he passed away,[b] and behold, he was no more;

though I sought him, he could not be found.

37

Mark the blameless and behold the upright,

for there is a future for the man of peace.

38

But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;

the future of the wicked shall be cut off.

39

The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;

he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

40

The Lord helps them and delivers them;

he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,

because they take refuge in him.

Footnotes:

a Psalm 37:35 The identity of this tree is uncertain

b Psalm 37:36 Or But one passed by

When surrounded by political scheming, we must leave vengeance to God. Queen Esther was put in such and such a place at such and such a time to call upon Israel’s God. She was a voice for those who were not allowed to speak and who were being persecuted (God’s people). Rather than jumping in to the rescue, she allowed God to do the rescuing. He will outperform anything our minds could ever ask or think. – Teresa

Esther 7:1-10 (ESV)

7 So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. 2 And on the second day, as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king again said to Esther, “What is your wish, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” 3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request. 4 For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have been silent, for our affliction is not to be compared with the loss to the king.” 5 Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who has dared[l] to do this?” 6 And Esther said, “A foe and enemy! This wicked Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen.

Haman Is Hanged

7 And the king arose in his wrath from the wine-drinking and went into the palace garden, but Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that harm was determined against him by the king. 8 And the king returned from the palace garden to the place where they were drinking wine, as Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. And the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?” As the word left the mouth of the king, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, “Moreover, the gallows[m] that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, is standing at Haman’s house, fifty cubits[n] high.” And the king said, “Hang him on that.” 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated.

After breathing smoky air for weeks, we were refreshed when the cool breezes and marine layer moved in yesterday. The rays of sunlight speak of God’s glory and deliverance. Whether or not we have been delivered from a life threatening ordeal (as I was at age 15 when our greyhound bus escaped collision with a semi, while I watched God’s miracle of widening the road), His presence around us equates His love. Living our life mindful of the truth of His presence brings Him glory. In Daniel Coyle’s book, The Culture Code, the author writes about a student who invented short stories of “Johnny McTough”. All the writers in the group enjoyed these stories immensely as they spoke to a cultural phenomenon of superheroes who feel they can operate as independent agents without a need for anyone else. The truth is that by working together we are more effective and fulfilled- even attaining to feats of greatness that defy all odds. God answers when we seek Him, He changes our faces to radiant and with all the saints we remember His deliverance. – Teresa #atasteofthingstocome

Psalm 34: 4-10 (ESV)

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.

The stream of water which nourishes this tree is metaphorical but equated to knowing God’s laws. In turn, God knows the way of the righteous. The path that is straight or righteous keeps those who are seeking God from drying up and blowing away. Knowledge puffs up but love builds up. It is not just knowledge that makes the difference but the relationship that nourishes our soul. – Teresa #SaultoPaul

#zealotfortruthbecomesprisonerforChrist

Psalm 1 (ESV)

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. – Psalms 1

Corinthians 8 English Standard Version (ESV)

Food Offered to Idols

8 Now concerning[a] food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.[b]

A bit or bridle is used on a horse to keep it close by. When we have a true understanding of God’s love, we will not stray far from Him. His eye is upon us as He instructs and counsels on the narrow way. At times, we may feel that we don’t have enough strength, skill or passion to move forward but as we cast our cares upon Him, He provides a glimpse of His love. The joy we see in His eye is our strength. – Teresa #puredelight

Psalm 32:8-11 (ESV)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

9

Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,

which must be curbed with bit and bridle,

or it will not stay near you.

10

Many are the sorrows of the wicked,

but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.

11

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,

and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Setting our hearts toward the entreaty of God, some may choose to fast or abstain from food, frivolous activity, or anything that would compete with devotion to God. For those who choose a liquid fast, the body may feel discomfort, craving the usual routine of three solid meals. In those times of “hunger” our hearts and desires can focus more intensely on God receiving that which satisfies more completely than food. A praise chorus “Hungry for You” by Bonnie Low- says it well… “needing your touch, just the touch of your hand…shower down Your sweet, sweet rain on my thirsty land.” Ezra was from the priestly line of Aaron. God chose him to lead the people in restoring the temple at Jerusalem. He first assembled the people (about 1500 men) to return with him. Upon discovering that there were no Levites to assist the priests, he recruited Levitical support to be part of this huge undertaking. Proclaiming a fast, they humbled themselves before God. Best of all, God listened to their entreaty for protection. When we see God’s hand at work, our lives are a witness to Him. – Teresa #Hisgreatwork #Ourgreatneed #recognizingthestrengthofcommunity

Ezra 8:21-9:15 and vv.31-34 English Standard Version (ESV)

Fasting and Prayer for Protection

21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. 22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.

31 Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambushes by the way. 32 We came to Jerusalem, and there we remained three days. 33 On the fourth day, within the house of our God, the silver and the gold and the vessels were weighed into the hands of Meremoth the priest, son of Uriah, and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas, and with them were the Levites, Jozabad the son of Jeshua and Noadiah the son of Binnui. 34 The whole was counted and weighed, and the weight of everything was recorded.

As I get older, I realize that my husband and I although united on our values can still see some things completely the opposite. There is wisdom in this book, “Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus” by John Gray. For example, I read the Bible passage below this morning and heard the subsequent sermon on “waiting”. Immediately, I thought that one day in heaven all would be glorious- its worth the wait. Whereas my husband visualized the good things in store for us here on the earth. If hormones are clouding my vision, then I may even construe a heartfelt martyr scenario requiring me to lay down my life for everyone else #codependent. Deep down, I knew my huband was right I have history with the Psalmist’s reference here to the land of the living since this is what gave me courage to keep going after the tragic death of my brother. The important truth is to take time to cry out and wait for God. When we trust His deliverance, no matter what planet we’re from, we will see His goodness in the right time. -Teresa #thankfulforMartianlove

Psalm 27:7-14 (ESV)

7 

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;

be gracious to me and answer me!

8 

You have said, “Seek[a] my face.”

My heart says to you,

“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”[b]

9 

Hide not your face from me.

Turn not your servant away in anger,

O you who have been my help.

Cast me not off; forsake me not,

O God of my salvation!

10 

For my father and my mother have forsaken me,

but the Lord will take me in.

11 

Teach me your way, O Lord,

and lead me on a level path

because of my enemies.

12 

Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;

for false witnesses have risen against me,

and they breathe out violence.

13 

I believe that I shall look[c] upon the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living!

14 

Wait for the Lord;

be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!

God’s great salvation was given but not without price. Do we recognize the gift poured into our lives through His suffering and death? For to whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48 KJV). Our heart’s test is to see what we do in response to His grace and mercy. The beauty of blessing the next generation is to leave a legacy of wisdom and gratefulness. In humility our boasting ceases and God is glorified. – Teresa #faithfulwithlittle #entrustedwithmuch #Hemakesallthingsnew #HezekiahsdetrimentalFBboast

2 Chronicles 32: 24-31 (ESV)

24 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the Lord, and he answered him and gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem. 26 But Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

27 And Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made for himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of costly vessels; 28 storehouses also for the yield of grain, wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of cattle, and sheepfolds. 29 He likewise provided cities for himself, and flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very great possessions. 30 This same Hezekiah closed the upper outlet of the waters of Gihon and directed them down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works. 31 And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart.

Upon arriving at the mission to bring God’s word to the women last week, I was overcome with emotion at one song on our playlist, “I can only Imagine”. Broken and spilled out at the memory of my brother’s anniversary to glory, I wondered if I had the strength to fulfill my entrusted ministry. After texting my prayer sisters, they surrounded me with encouragements and prayer. One of the text describes this beautiful Psalm 23 passage better than I could, “God restores the things in our lives we think are forever gone. He restores your soul. He leads you down the right path. He prepares a table to partake of Him even in the presence of your enemies. Your cup overflows because His goodness and love will pursue you all the days of your life.❤️”- Teresa #Hepursuesusforgood #faithnotsight #comfortedbyrodandstaff

A Psalm of David. (ESV)

23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.[a]

3

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]

for his name’s sake.

4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6

Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord

forever.[g]

Footnotes:

a Psalm 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest

b Psalm 23:3 Or in right paths

c Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness

d Psalm 23:6 Or Only

e Psalm 23:6 Or steadfast love

f Psalm 23:6 Or shall return to dwell

g Psalm 23:6 Hebrew for length of days

Proverbs 20:7 English Standard Version (ESV)

7 The righteous who walks in his integrity—

blessed are his children after him!

Both my father (with the red hunting shirt) and my husband’s father, are examples of this verse. Through the good times and bad, they have always displayed a consistent trust in God and commitment towards a life of integrity. Their children have been blessed because of it! Blessing in the Old Testament Hebrew culture carried with it a sense of abundance and tangible inheritance. Our fathers delight(ed) in the law of the Lord by reminding themselves of His law day and night. They are like trees planted by rivers of water, bringing forth their fruit in season. Their leaves won’t whither and whatever they do prospers. (See Psalm 1) There is something to be said for not walking in the counsel of the ungodly, or standing in the way of sinners or sitting in the seat of mockers. My goal is to persevere in the workplace as many years as my father did. He provided an example of “sisu”- the Finnish word for keeping on in the midst of difficulty. Through it, he provided for his family an inheritance that would help care for physical needs for many years (even up to 20 years after his death). More importantly, he displayed the character qualities that inspire me to be an example for my family as well.

Psalm 1 (NIV)

1 Blessed is the one

who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers,

2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

and who meditates on his law day and night.

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither-

whatever they do prospers.