If we put as much effort into our spiritual pursuit as we do into our material pursuit, then we are considered as shrewd as serpents but innocent as doves. By burning both ends of the candle, we can multiply trustworthy gains for the Kingdom of Heaven. There are times for solitude and silence but this passage stresses a strong work ethic resulting in being trusted with much. – Teresa #wisdom’sroomsarerich

Luke 16:1-13 (ESV)

16 He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2 And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ 3 And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ 5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He said, ‘A hundred measures[a] of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures[b] of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world[c] are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth,[d] so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Moses was a picture of strength under control. In the last few verses of Deuteronomy, his legacy was described as the “great deeds of terror” that assisted the people of Israel to understand God’s wonderful power over slavery and bondage (aka Egypt). We too are held captive by sin. Only God’s powerful hand is able to deliver us from the haze of a nominal twilight (or operating as slaves to sin) into the brilliance of dawn (alive in felowship with Him). – Teresa #starlightbyBethelworship

Deuteronomy 34: 7-12 (ESV)

7 Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated. 8 And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. 9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. 10 And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11 none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, 12 and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Every species in the ocean plays an important part, no matter how small . Five sparrows may be sold for 2 pennies but God does not forget to feed them. Our life’s value is not based on our monetary worth- we always have a choice re: whose authority we revere. In this passage, Jesus admonishes us to fear not, we are more valuable than the sparrows. Won’t God also provide for our every need when we seek first His kingdom? The crowds were cowering under the oppressive rule of the Pharisees and Jesus reminded them that in the end the One with authority over eternity has considered them worthy of His Son.- Teresa #fearnot

Luke 12:4-7 (ESV)

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell.[b] Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?[c] And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Being “in Christ” means we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (upon faith in the One who brings forgiveness of sin-see Ephesians 1: 13.14). As Luke puts it: God, our heavenly Father, willingly gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. I wonder if you’ve asked Him? If not, why not? Has a “not so good” earthly father clouded the ability to believe in the ultimate goodness of our heavenly father? – Teresa

Luke 11: 11-13 (ESV)

11 What father among you, if his son asks for[f] a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

The gift I’m referring to must be received (John 1:12). The gift also requires a giver (John 3:16). The gift comes from someone very good (James 1: 17,18). Having this gift is more valuable than having power over evil spirits (Luke 10:20). As those who are in desperate spiritual need, we are extremely blessed to be included in Christ. – Teresa #writteninheaven

Luke 10: 17-20 (ESV)

The Return of the Seventy-Two

17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Although the grass frozen by frost looks crunchy, I found that in California the grass may still be supple. The woman who honored Jesus with a foot bath of tears was known as a sinner. What Simon the Pharisee missed in his judgment of her actions (and Jesus’ willingness to accept them) was the difference between knowledge and love. Knowledge puffs up but love builds up. Before passing judgment, may we ask Lord for your discernment and love.- Teresa

#welcomingthetouchof”untouchables”

#thankfulthatHepursuedme

#honoringHimwhopaidmyhell

Luke 7: 36-50 (ESV)

36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among[a] themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The Lord is a master of time. According to the author of Ecclesiastes, there is a time to be born, a time to be given in marriage, and a time to eventually die. The physician, Luke, portrays in this passage the bleakness of mourning as the man’s time for death had arrived. Jesus showed compassion to the widow who culturally had no means to care for her physical needs. Her only son was most likely the source of her livelihood. When Jesus told her, “do not weep”, he reminds all of us that there is hope in the midst of life’s adversity. – Teresa #resurrectionpower #faithwillmovethemountain #doitagainbyElevationworship

Luke 7:11-17 (ESV)

11 Soon afterward[a] he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus[b] gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” 17 And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.

My husband read a book about space and the blessings of gravity. Not only does gravity keep pressure on our bones to prevent osteoporosis but it keeps liquids in a bowl or cup! One of my first classes in seminary was called creative Bible teaching. My sermon included a balloon and a rock. It reminded me of this passage. Things of the world will disappear. Lighter than air, they are not important. He will always be an important part of our existence, now and eternally. -Teresa

Psalm 62: 9, 10 (ESV)

9Those of low estate are but a breath;

those of high estate are a delusion;

in the balances they go up;

they are together lighter than a breath.

10 

Put no trust in extortion;

set no vain hopes on robbery;

if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

As skeptics, we ask for all the cupboard doors to be opened to examine the evidence. The angel Gabriel only opened one door for Zecharaiah, the fact that Elizabeth would bear a son who would be filled with the power and spirit of Elijah. John the Baptist was conceived in an atmosphere of mute skepticicism or should I say dumbfounded wonder? For Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, was sent to deliver this message of hope to one who didn’t see the story as we do (with 20/20 hindsight). Zechariah, without knowing how the prophecy would end, may not have believed Gabriel’s words but he did repent and rejoice at God’s plan that included his family. – Teresa #includedinkingdomwork

Luke 1:18-25 (ESV)

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

In our backyard, the Santa Rosa plum tree is blossoming. This new life points to a joyful hope of spring. When children are given the opportunity to trust in Jesus, their childlike faith amazes the most hardened skeptic. From their fresh perspective, we see hope of springtime and refreshment in our world. Kept away from the Savior, these same young lives will only mirror the hopelessness of a culture that is self- absorbed. -Teresa #cyberbullies vs. #unhinderedtrust #theirs …isthekingdomofGod

Mark 10: 13-16 (ESV)

13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.