We watched the Netflix, “Mary”, this week. It was quite a depiction of the forces of evil against the Savior’s birth. I had never considered the physical strength required of both Mary and Joseph. Their spiritual lives, of course, were exemplary and full of faith.

This Psalm (below) also echoes King David’s reliance on God. Not only will the Lord guard but He will preserve those who are called for His purpose.

You may wonder, “am I called”? Mary was called “favored” by God. David was called, “a man after God’s own heart”, in order to lead the nation of Israel.

Those who trust God’s way of salvation (through His Son) are called “holy, chosen, and beloved”. What a gift to be part of God’s family, to be a witness for Him in a desperate world.

The church continues on. With the glorious proclamation of God’s name in the church “building”, and more importantly in the lives of those who look to Him, trusting Him in their daily walk.

Wherever we go this Christmas: to coffee, to the mall, to church or to our family’s homes, remember that God is still in the business of guarding and preserving our lives for His purpose and calling.- Teresa #God’s family #His calling #Ourpurpose

Psalm 140English Standard Version

Deliver Me, O Lord, from Evil Men

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

140 Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;
    preserve me from violent men,
² who plan evil things in their heart
    and stir up wars continually.
³ They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s,
    and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

⁴ Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
    preserve me from violent men,
    who have planned to trip up my feet.
⁵ The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
    and with cords they have spread a net;^[a]
    beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah

Luke 1:26-31 (ESV)

Birth of Jesus Foretold

[26] In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, [27] to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. [28] And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” [29] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. [30] And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

Acts 13:22 (KJV)

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

Colossians 3:12-15 (ESV)

[12] Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, [13] bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. [14] And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. [15] And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

My husband and I are listening to “the Messiah” this morning. Such a wonderful composition.

It’s the perfect backdrop for reading this passage in Revelation. Matthew Henry describes the suffering of Christ Jesus (as a Lamb that was slain) and His blood was shed for the purpose of ransoming people for God from every nation. #receiveHim #Hisgracethroughfaith

No wonder the star shone in the heavens on the night of His birth. We attended Ballet Rejoice’s “Nativity” this week. The ballerina who depicted the star was radiant, her face shone from an inner light of grace.

The wise men followed the star, understanding the significance of a King. Herod was jealous and did not want another to rule. Nevertheless, the Christ child came with a chorus of rejoicing in the heavenly host.

We also can worship and sing with great joy because of God’s gift to mankind.

This season, remember the star ⭐️, which announced the King. This Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world. He was born of a woman and yet He is the worthy Son of God. -Teresa #salvation

Revelation 5: 6-13 (ESV)

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷ And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. ⁸ And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.⁹ And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation,
¹⁰ and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
    and they shall reign on the earth.”

¹¹ Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, ¹² saying with a loud voice, 

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”

¹³ And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

There are times when our faith is sorely tested. Surely we have to dig deep to renew our hopes and dreams.

My daughter and I have been attending a wonderful “Caregiver Support” group at our local church. Little did I know what a blessing it would be. In fact, when we had difficult news a few months ago (and using the caring methods of our facilitator), I felt moved to not only host our “usual” thanksgiving but to make it extra special.

Seeing lovely clothes and partaking around a beautiful table of bounteous food led to gorgeous smiles and an all-encompassing knowledge of being loved.

Thanksgiving has been pouring out over the past two weeks as our difficult news has been turning into new opportunities.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. -Teresa ❤️

Psalm 126: 4-6 (NLT)

⁴ Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    as streams renew the desert.
⁵ Those who plant in tears
    will harvest with shouts of joy.
⁶ They weep as they go to plant their seed,
    but they sing as they return with the harvest.

Jesus refers to himself as the “Son of Man” throughout the four gospel accounts. (28 times in Matthew, 11 times in Mark, 25 times in Luke and 11 times in John).

Daniel’s vision (in the passage below), reminds us that the saints of the Most High will receive and possess God’s kingdom. Because of the Son of Man, that kingdom shall not be destroyed (eternal life).

I don’t know about you, but Daniel’s life was one for the records. He was faithful to God through the pain of captivity and in his rise to the top of ungodly kingdoms at the time (including the Babylonian, Persian as well as the Medo-Persian Empires).

It seemed like God honored Daniel to be the one to break the news about His plan of redemption for the world through the Son of Man (Jesus). #prophecy

How could God love a violent angry king like Nebuchadnezzar? He used Daniel to speak calmly with truth when the king was threatening to tear him apart limb by limb (along with all the wise men who were not able to tell the King his dream). Daniel had a unique assignment: to be a witness of God to a raging narcissist. In the end, the King acknowledged that Daniel’s God was Lord of all (but not until Nebuchadnezzar became like a grazing animal and learned his lesson that God chooses those who rule).

It really is a miracle of God’s love and grace that anyone is brought into God’s kingdom. There is much pride to overcome. Not until we are able to allow God His place, will we be part of His plan.

He is willing to put the right people in our lives to lead and guide us into a knowledge of His kindness.

Repentance means turning 180 degrees (turning and walking the opposite way). No longer will my pride or right answers count, instead it will be only an acknowledgement of the ONE who has loved me with an everlasting love. – Teresa #faith

Romans 2:4 (KJV)

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Daniel 7:13-18 (ESV)

The Son of Man Is Given Dominion

¹³ “I saw in the night visions,

and behold, with the clouds of heaven
    there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
    and was presented before him.
¹⁴ And to him was given dominion
    and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
    should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
    which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
    that shall not be destroyed.

Daniel’s Vision Interpreted

¹⁵ “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me^[b] was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me.¹⁶ I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. ¹⁷ ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. ¹⁸ But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’

I wanted to blog a follow-up to yesterday’s thoughts.

Really, we were so surprised to see the “sentinel” (hawk) show up about halfway through our walk today.

We were talking about some of the feedback received yesterday and prayed for those reading, when “boom” there he was! He let us take his photograph. Just as quickly as he came, he silently left.

God does encourage us with the most unusual moments. It’s a wonderful time to give thanks or sing some praise.

Even at church, there were about 5 spontaneous baptisms after the first service. Our daughter was at the second service and she said about half the church went up to get baptized. What a mighty movement of God’s Spirit.- Teresa #grateful

While we walked the track (a few weeks ago), I noticed this large bird. It did not flinch when we rounded the far side.

Even while at Lake Tahoe the last two summers, whenever I saw the crows 🐦‍⬛ trying to pull a fast one…the hawk seemed to appear out of nowhere and put them back “in line”.

Dirty birds are my symbolism for raucous people (trying to stir the pot) because they have no good intention. The sentinel keeps everyone from self-destruction.

This passage reminds me of the important role of God’s word to us. It not only helps us to understand God’s ways but gives us life itself. (the word of God is another name for Christ Jesus our Lord -see John 1: 1-5).

My personal sentinel is God’s word, The Holy Bible. At 9 years old, our pastor challenged us to read it daily (even if it was only for 5 minutes). His rationale was: “it could only benefit your life so why wouldn’t you?” That made sense to me, so I began this lifelong habit.

As much as reading the Bible has only benefited my life (53 years later), the Word of God (Christ Jesus the Lord) has changed my life.

This stake in the ground, (of taking myself off the throne and asking Him to reign there) was only made possible through the gift of His grace.

He offers it to everyone but intentionally many have rejected it. Rejecting His gift is the one thing that keeps us from a restored relationship with our Heavenly Father (aka hell, which is defined by… separation from God).

God’s Son, our Savior, is the hope of the world. The Bible points to it throughout its entirety. Today, if you want to place a stake in the ground that will stand guard over your life then make a commitment to the Word of God that will benefit/change you from the inside out.

Restoration of a relationship with our Heavenly Father keeps us from self-destruction and turns us toward God’s ways, embracing His love for the world. -Teresa ❤️

Psalm 119:33-48English Standard Version

He

³³ Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it to the end.^[a]
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
³⁵ Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
³⁶ Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to selfish gain!
³⁷ Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and give me life in your ways.
³⁸ Confirm to your servant your promise,
    that you may be feared.
³⁹ Turn away the reproach that I dread,
    for your rules are good.
⁴⁰ Behold, I long for your precepts;
    in your righteousness give me life!

John 1:1-5 (ESV)

The Word Became Flesh

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:12

[12] But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

We actually had frost on the rooftops this morning! A real dip in temperature. It was in the 30’s.

The seasons come and go according to God’s faithfulness but it’s His steadfast love that allows me to give glory today.

Consider this passage from Romans:

Romans 6:9-11 (ESV)

[9] We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. [10] For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. [11] So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

When I choose this way of living, I am aware of God’s steadfast love for me and constrained to give glory to God.

Instead of allowing the “rain and clouds” of our world to get me down, I can look heavenwards at the promise, aka “rainbow”.

God promised to be our help and shield when we fear Him and trust Him.

He gave us His Son to be our Savior. He made a way for us to experience God’s steadfast love at every moment of every day. Why do we try to find it in our own way?

Do you know this as true? You are the object of His great love!! -Teresa ❤️#help #shield #inChristJesus #forGod’s glory

Psalm 115:1-11 (ESV)

To Your Name Give Glory

115 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
    for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

² Why should the nations say,
    “Where is their God?”
³ Our God is in the heavens;
    he does all that he pleases.

⁴ Their idols are silver and gold,
    the work of human hands.
⁵ They have mouths, but do not speak;
    eyes, but do not see.
⁶ They have ears, but do not hear;
    noses, but do not smell.
⁷ They have hands, but do not feel;
    feet, but do not walk;
    and they do not make a sound in their throat.
⁸ Those who make them become like them;
    so do all who trust in them.

⁹ O Israel,^[a] trust in the Lord!
    He is their help and their shield.
¹⁰ O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
    He is their help and their shield.
¹¹ You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
    He is their help and their shield.

Yes, it’s great to eat out with my husband. We have fun trying quality restaurants. The day after this, we ate at Seasons 52 in Sacramento (a farm to fork restaurant). Yum!

The passage below caught my eye because of the reference to “changing of the guard” so to speak.

In one instance, the finality of death brings about the reading of the will. #significant

Another illustration shows the importance of the initiation of the first covenant. #shedblood #forgivenessofsin

The most important illustration is referring to Christ Jesus the Lord who offered his own life for the mediation of the new covenant (prophesied in Jeremiah 31). #eternalinheritance

But, when is the torch actually passed on?

With the reading of the will, it gets passed on after the person who owns the assets has died.

With the first covenant, it was passed on after the people agreed to follow all that was written in the book of the law, followed by the sacrificial offering of calves and goats.

With the new covenant, it is received upon acknowledgement of God’s son as Savior. #Hisbloodshed #paidfortheguiltofoursin

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for making a way to partake of your eternal inheritance even while on earth. You planned well for your kingdom come and your will be done. -Teresa #trustingYou #resurrection

Hebrews 9:15-22 (ESV)

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.^[d]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.

Combining the message of God’s word with faith brings about rest for our souls.

We are resting this weekend in the Bay Area. There is something very refreshing about getting away from the daily routine for the purpose of resting our earthly bodies.

It usually takes us a good 20 minutes to accept this gift (which seems too good to be true)! Then, we are off and running with rich conversation, great food, etc. There is an ease and comfort, especially when we revisit familiar vacay spots.

This passage speaks about being known by God. Expressed with the phrase “no creature is hidden from his sight”, refers to the One to whom we must give an account.

There is an urgency for us not to harden our hearts. In fact, “today”, seems about the right time to allow the word of God to pierce us. #notlater

Some wounds require lancing to heal properly. Similarly, our spiritual lethargy may need to be drained of an infectious festering splinter or old numbed up scar.

In other words, rest is not indifference. On the contrary, rest must be entered actively. We have to first reach out for it, be united through the Holy Spirit when we obey it through faith.

By pursuing it in faith, we will successfully see God accomplish His purpose for us. The “gospel” means good news. – Teresa #rest #inChrist #forGodsglory

Hebrews 4: 1-13 (ESV)

4 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. ² For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.^[a] 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,

“As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest,’”

although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. ⁴ For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.”⁵ And again in this passage he said,

“They shall not enter my rest.”

⁶ Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, ⁷ again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,

“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”

⁸ For if Joshua had given them rest, God^[b] would not have spoken of another day later on. ⁹ So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, ¹⁰ for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

¹¹ Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Teaching is a wonderful gift. Those who teach as a professional (or even homeschool) should be most honored. They establish our next generation like this very old tree, resistant to drought and disease.

Paul started the letter to Titus with an exhortation to silence “empty talkers and deceivers.” No doubt, there were some in the early church who failed to produce the fruit of a good life and instead wanted to prey on others (those with generous hearts) to their own advantage. #shamefulgain

While the majority of people in the church developed themselves and their walk with God to bless others, there were a few (even today) who look for the silver spoon.

How can we have discernment between those who are working their hearts out and those who are “working the crowd?”

I believe it used to be much easier to know people’s character. In today’s culture of mega-churches, we are at a disadvantage and must trust those in leadership. Can we know that those in charge are truly “practicing” good character qualities?

As we walk by faith, the fruit of those around us can be recognized (or not). Most importantly, when we see the fruit of our lives blessing others with a desire for honest improvement, we are properly humbled.

See the passage from I Corinthians below. Surprisingly, God chooses “foolish” things. But they are only foolish in the eyes of our “worldly” economy. -Teresa

#JesusourSavior #Hisglory #shinesthrough #the-weak #valuabletoHim

Titus 1:10-16 (ESV)

¹⁰ For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.^[h]11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. ¹² One of the Cretans,^[i] a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”^[j]13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, ¹⁴ not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. ¹⁵ To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. ¹⁶ They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

I Corinthians 1:24-31 (KJV)

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.