God’s glory needs no embellishment. He exudes power, presence and perfection.

In fact, He does not need our wealth to be impressive. When Moses was awe struck by God, it was through a burning bush. (Exodus 3:2,3) With Gideon, it was a wet fleece covered with dew and a dry fleece when the rest of the ground was saturated. (Judges 6:38,39) For King Hezekiah, it was the movement of the shadow backwards up the stairs. (2Kings 20:10)

In this parable below, we learn that serving God should be undertaken with as much diligence and precision as a manager for a wealthy employer.*

What the world values is reflected by the time taken and where honest (or in this case dishonest) effort is afforded.

“Unrighteous” wealth may be a good teacher but it is not the beautiful destination we truly desire.

My first somewhat official job was working for our neighbors (along with my sister). We were excited to muck out the horse stables, feed, brush and water the 5 beauties. Not because it smelled like a barn in our “shed” or mud room when we came home but because on Saturdays we could ride them.

I barely remember the money I earned, but I’ll always remember the time we were allotted to ride around our acreage, cantering through the fields.

In the same way, we are faithful in worldly occupations to learn valuable life lessons. God is refining us to care for ourselves, our families and to also care for those who need a helping hand.

We are required to learn much so that we can reach the beautiful destination of being part of God’s glorious kingdom.

Keeping God as the focal point of our wonder (in contrast to the myriads of “not so amazing” human achievements), we can run unhindered in the race He has set before us. – Teresa #treasureinjarsofclay

Luke 16:1-13 English Standard Version**

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager

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.”

*MatthewHenry’sCommentary

**TheOneYearBibleOnline

Deceitful hearts belong to those devising evil. In contrast, joyful hearts belong to those planning peace.

How much more do truthful lips endure forever. Whereas, a lying tongue is but for a moment.

When we value peace and truth, not only is our life significant in time but our existence is marked by joy.

Thinking of those who have lived before us, who do we talk about the most?

For my husband and I, we find ourselves recounting the influence of those “saints” who blessed our young married lives significantly. (My dad, Bapoo, Uncle Karl, Aunt Lee)

They not only showed love and affection but they always spoke the truth and had so much joy.

When we determine how to live our lives-especially in our golden years- I feel it’s important to stay connected to younger people in significant ways. They bless us by welcoming, including and taking time for us and we really don’t know what type of legacy we can encourage in them. #generosity

That’s pretty much a nugget of wisdom that is weightier than gold.- Teresa

Proverbs 12:19-20English Standard Version*

¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
    but those who plan peace have joy.

*OneYearBibleOnline

Listen to this lovely kid’s song by Steve Green A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine

One of the most satisfying events of my parenting life was experiencing the wedding of our oldest daughter. As an artist, she has impeccable taste. It was utterly beautiful (right down to the cake from Freeport Bakery). #10yearanniversary

From the passage below, the parents of a 12 year old girl had just witnessed her “resurrection” and they were amazed. Jesus told them to give her something to eat and to not to speak of this miracle. The first request would be easy (especially for me as I love to feed my family) but the second directive would be nearly impossible.

The ruler of the synagogue had somehow “lived” through the devastating news that his daughter had died.

Jesus gave him some spiritual nourishment,  “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” (See verse 52 below)

Whether we nourish our family with significant and satisfying experiences or are the first to seek the source of nourishment on their behalf as this father did (and most parents do in midnight prayer sessions), we should always be amazed.

Jesus Christ the LORD is the source of all we need. Are we waiting for Him?

The crowds were waiting for Jesus, expectant because of their faith in who He was. As noted by Luke the physician, (in this same chapter) Jesus cast out a legion of demons and calmed the wind and waves by rebuking them. Now, the people were more than willing to let Him have authority in their individual lives.

We may not always have the freedom to proclaim His mighty acts, but we can be continually nourished, thereby nourishing others with our own faith.

Lord, we are amazed at your acts as the mighty God. Would you be our prince of peace this Easter season? -Teresa #resurrection

Luke 8:40-56 English Standard Version**

Jesus Heals a Woman and Jairus’s Daughter

⁴⁰ Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. ⁴¹ And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, ⁴² for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.

As Jesus went, the people pressed around him.⁴³ And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians,^[a] she could not be healed by anyone. ⁴⁴ She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. ⁴⁵ And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter^[b] said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” ⁴⁶ But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” ⁴⁷ And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.⁴⁸ And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

⁴⁹ While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” ⁵⁰ But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” ⁵¹ And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. ⁵² And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” ⁵³ And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. ⁵⁴ But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” ⁵⁵ And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. ⁵⁶ And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Footnotes

1. Luke 8:3 Some manuscripts him
2. Luke 8:19 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verses 20, 21
3. Luke 8:26 Some manuscripts Gadarenes; others Gergesenes; also verse 37
4. Luke 8:27 Greek he; also verses 38, 42
5. Luke 8:36 Greek daimonizomai (demonized); elsewhere rendered oppressed by demons
6. Luke 8:43 Some manuscripts omit and though she had spent all her living on physicians
7. Luke 8:45 Some manuscripts add and those who were with him

*photo credit: Michelle Ellingson

**OneYearBibleOnline

Although we can cut back when necessary, I’m a firm believer in giving generously. Both of my parents practiced this. They not only tithed but gave over and above to their community and to those in need around the world.

The proverb below reminds us to be a blessing whenever possible.

In today’s world of scam artists, I see that a generous heart is not always the best for a family’s well-being.

I’ve had to stand in the gap for my elder’s “over” generosity, especially with the increase of slick talk- yes, even in the “church”.

When I said, “You know this is what I do for a living- I am an advocate for those without a voice and I am a professional at what I do.” #RN …my elder expressed appreciation many years later, after realizing that my judgment was sound and needs were being safely cared for.

Yes, God provides in ways beyond what we can ask or imagine. When we invest in our children (as my parents invested in me), those good blessing will continue for many generations to come. #commonsense

Don’t be swindled by shiny momentos that are “slick”, instead give freely of that which matters. #significantcharacterinvestments

Who has given freely to us? Remember and give in turn. -Teresa #JesusChristourLord

Proverbs 11:24-26English Standard Version*

²⁴ One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
    another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
²⁵ Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
    and one who waters will himself be watered.
²⁶ The people curse him who holds back grain,
    but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.

*OneYearBibleOnline

When we “work” for salvation it is just that- it’s about appearances to the world. It’s all about how well we perform. #missthemark

On our walk this morning, I was expounding on the thoughts below. (Things I’ve been contemplating all week in response to heavy personal needs in the lives of those near and dear to me). My husband encouraged me to write this blog.

The passage from earlier this week, (see below) was a scene from when Moses and Aaron were in the throes of grief (Miriam, their beloved sister, had just died), it was then that they lost their chance to lead the people into the promised land. In fact, they could not fake an infallible priesthood at that moment- as good as they were. Those quarreling Hebrews needed water and God specified to speak to the rock to allow the water to flow. Moses did not follow the instructions exactly. (Maybe feelings of anger made him strike it instead?)

Now, let me ask- who does Moses represent to us? Yes, as a type of Christ, he delivered the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt, just as Christ delivers us from slavery to sin.

How important is it for us to let Jesus Christ the LORD carry out God’s plan perfectly? We can never take on this role of “priest from the order of Melchizedek” or hope to perform it “perfectly”. #Salem #peace

Fast forward to the New Testament. Jesus was talking about not being anxious about clothing, food and drink. What did he say to seek first?

That’s right…seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness!! Who alone can make us righteous for God’s kingdom? As a dear friend of mine answered so well… “the blood of Jesus”. He is both the Savior and the Deliverer of the world (saving and delivering us from sin’s curse).

Why does any of this matter?…we cannot fake transformation. Mind renewal and heart change are a powerful result of love.

Christ alone brings us into a right relationship with God the Father. His perfect sacrifice covers us, so to speak. He then sent the Holy Spirit to help us as believers, after ascending to the right hand of God.

If we leave the “heavy lifting”, aka perfection, to God, then we are freed up to experience transformation. We are no longer forced to perform, instead we are invited into a family relationship. God’s family dynamic has all good ramifications.

Because there is no faking it, we can be honest with God about the need of our hearts.

He meets us at the point of our need. He is able to transform us when we trust His provision through His Son.

Faith is powerful, faith is transformative, faith is the means of justification. #truth

What transforms people who are a bit timid? Yes, faith even brings boldness because it’s not about the quantity of our faith as much as it is about the greatness of our God (whom we place our faith in).

He has already finished the hard work for us, for our families, for our country and for the world.

Why? “Because God so loved the world that He gave…“ (John 3:16)

Since when did we stop trusting our great God and His heart for the world?-Teresa #nolongerduped #confidentrust #focusontheOne

Rich Mullins- My Deliverer is coming 🎧🎧

Numbers 20: 1-13 (ESV)**

The Death of Miriam

20 And the people of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh. And Miriam died there and was buried there.

The Waters of Meribah

² Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. ³ And the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord! ⁴ Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? ⁵ And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.”⁶ Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lordappeared to them, ⁷ and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ⁸ “Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.” ⁹ And Moses took the staff from before the Lord, as he commanded him.

Moses Strikes the Rock

¹⁰ Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” ¹¹ And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. ¹² And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” ¹³ These are the waters of Meribah,^[a] where the people of Israel quarreled with the Lord, and through them he showed himself holy.

☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV)***

Do Not Be Anxious

[25] “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26] Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? [27] And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? [28] And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, [29] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? [31] Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. [33] But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

[34] “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

**OneyearBibleonline

***ESV.org

Yes, my coach took me out for our first bike ride of the season. It was a gorgeous spring day and we rode about 10.5 miles.

My husband has been an avid cyclist for about 14 years now. He got in shape by joining up with “group rides” in our community. (Definitely, not for the faint of heart!) He conquered the notorious Death Ride two times, the rugged Davis Double Century and the daunting Mt. Shasta Super Century. He even enjoyed the Glacier National Park ride called “Going to the Sun”, sponsored by Hammer Nutrition.

When I say he’s my coach, he really has taught (and is still guiding) me in everything I need to know about riding the beautiful rural roads in our area. There is not only the technical aspects of the bike and what kit/glasses to wear. Much of the challenge is hydration, shot bloks for electrolytes and protein bars for sustenance (which is mostly for the summer heat since I don’t ordinarily log more than 20 miles a ride).

This passage is encouraging when we read the detailed instructions and exhortation of Moses to the leaders of their community, “Be of good courage”.

Their assessment of the land was accurate from a human standpoint. It was an abundantly fruitful country with well-equipped warriors. What most of them failed to report was what God’s perspective was of their ability to conquer the land.

Caleb, from the tribe of Judah, was courageous enough to speak the truth of what he saw. Although no one else spoke up for God’s purpose involving this land, he boldly took the stand. Joshua (Moses’s representative) also supported his report.

Putting on this belt of truth with our “spiritual” armor from God is always the first step.

The word of God brings us truth. It is a steady foundation that does not waver amidst slick words or slippery motives. The Bible is foundational to our understanding of God’s character. Jesus Christ the Lord is also called “the word”, who was since the beginning of creation. (See the Gospel of John, chapter 1)

We cannot handle the heavy breastplate of God’s righteousness without the truth girding us with an ability to not just advance but to run, unhindered. (See Ephesians 6:14)

The difference between a good and a bad report involves our faith in God’s word. May we have discernment to know the truth and the courage to act upon it in faith.

God sends us great leaders (and coaches) to guide and equip, but ultimately we have to take on the responsibility to know when to courageously move forward and when to stay safe in the boundaries that God provides. -Teresa #trustHim #speakthetruthinlove

Numbers 13: 1-33 (ESV)*

Spies Sent into Canaan

13 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ² “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them.” ³ So Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran, according to the command of the Lord, all of them men who were heads of the people of Israel.⁴ And these were their names: From the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur; ⁵ from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori; ⁶ from the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh; ⁷ from the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph; ⁸ from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun; ⁹ from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu;¹⁰ from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi; ¹¹ from the tribe of Joseph (that is, from the tribe of Manasseh), Gaddi the son of Susi; ¹² from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli; ¹³ from the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael;¹⁴ from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi; ¹⁵ from the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. ¹⁶ These were the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua.

¹⁷ Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, “Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country, ¹⁸ and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many, ¹⁹ and whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, and whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds, ²⁰ and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.

²¹ So they went up and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, near Lebo-hamath.²² They went up into the Negeb and came to Hebron. Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were there. (Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) ²³ And they came to the Valley of Eshcol and cut down from there a branch with a single cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a pole between two of them; they also brought some pomegranates and figs. ²⁴ That place was called the Valley of Eshcol,^[f] because of the cluster that the people of Israel cut down from there.

Report of the Spies

²⁵ At the end of forty days they returned from spying out the land. ²⁶ And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. ²⁷ And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. ²⁸ However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. ²⁹ The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan.”

³⁰ But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” ³¹ Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.” ³² So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height.³³ And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”

*OneyearBibleonline

I love this passage, Psalm 45.

It was verses 10 and 11 that God impressed on my heart when I was just 15 years old. I was questioning my worth. His word was living and active that day and I was ready to receive it.

I remember I was sitting near the Grand Canyon and tangibly felt His presence.

Leaving the rigid values of my father’s house behind, I chose to believe God’s truth that I was not just worthwhile but desirable enough to be part of His bride. (See Revelation 19: 7,8)*

I told God right then that because He was the first one to truly “see” me, I would be a witness for Him to the hardest place on earth.

After going to North Africa for a year (in our late 20’s), God’s presence assured me on the flight home that we had not disappointed Him. It was NOW that He was bringing us back to the hardest mission field on earth (America).

Some things you just take by faith (when it does not seem possible). Now, I see that this is true. How far we have strayed from God as a nation: trusting wealth, status, knowledge and other man-made “gods”.

The last verse in the reading today (Proverbs 10:22) also stood out to me this morning.

God’s blessing is on those who trust Him. In fact, He makes us “rich”, without entering the realm of greed. (Blessed in the NT is different than the OT, where it literally was a physical abundance).

After quitting my part-time gig yesterday, I struggle with feeling “less than”.

Again, I have to go back to my 15 year old discovery. It’s not what I had accomplished or become that made me desirable to God but that I was seeking Him. How stupendous that I chose to believe the truth of His word about myself.

Lord, may we always have the faith of a child. You are God and work above and beyond what we can ask for or imagine. Please do that for each of us I pray. Help us to trust your Word and be your people with true riches- a richness of heart that comes from knowing your truthful love, personally.

Your daughter -Teresa

*Walvoord and Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary. 1989, p. 828

Psalm 45English Standard Version***

Your Throne, O God, Is Forever

To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil^[a] of the Sons of Korah; a love song.

45 My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;
    I address my verses to the king;
    my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

² You are the most handsome of the sons of men;
    grace is poured upon your lips;
    therefore God has blessed you forever.
³ Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
    in your splendor and majesty!

⁴ In your majesty ride out victoriously
    for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;
    let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!
⁵ Your arrows are sharp
    in the heart of the king’s enemies;
    the peoples fall under you.

⁶ Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
    The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;
⁷     you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
    with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
⁸     your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
⁹     daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;
    at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

¹⁰ Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:
    forget your people and your father’s house,
¹¹     and the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him.
¹²     The people^[b] of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,
    the richest of the people.^[c]

¹³ All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.
¹⁴     In many-colored robes she is led to the king,
    with her virgin companions following behind her.
¹⁵ With joy and gladness they are led along
    as they enter the palace of the king.

¹⁶ In place of your fathers shall be your sons;
    you will make them princes in all the earth.
¹⁷ I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations;
    therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Psalm 45:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
2. Psalm 45:12 Hebrew daughter
3. Psalm 45:12 Or The daughter of Tyre is here with gifts, the richest of people seek your favor

Psalm 44Psalm 46

Proverbs 10:22English Standard Version

²² The blessing of the Lord makes rich,
    and he adds no sorrow with it.^[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Proverbs 10:22 Or and toil adds nothing to it

Proverbs 10:22 in all English translations

***OneyearBibleonline

When our grandkids made us Valentines this month and our oldest granddaughter thought of her own poem, I was overjoyed by the meaning of pure hearts.

Of course the religious leaders of the day were very concerned with handwashing and not spreading “uncleanliness”. On the other hand, Jesus was more concerned with the results of a different kind of uncleanness. it was called the inside of the vessel, or their hearts.

For those who have asked the Son of God to be the Lord of their life, He provides for the healing of our wounded hearts. Although sin would like to hold us captive, we have a choice. It can be to follow the “broad way” that leads to destruction or the “narrow way” that leads to life eternal.

Certainly, becoming a Christian (or Christ follower) does not mean you will be exempt from suffering. In fact, He tells us that it’s part of our calling to take up our cross daily and follow Him.

Being free from the deceitfulness of sin helps us to shine with authenticity as we walk that path. In the face of suffering, many have overcome bitterness and worse.

Lord, we give you glory for the beauty of your obedience to the Father, in offering us healing and life eternal. May our hearts be truly found in You, whole and yielding the fruit of your Holy Spirit.-Teresa

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Mark 7: 14-23 (ESV)**

What Defiles a Person

¹⁴ And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand:¹⁵ There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”^[e] 17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. ¹⁸ And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him,¹⁹ since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?”^[f] (Thus he declared all foods clean.)²⁰ And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. ²¹ For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, ²² coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.²³ All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”Read full chapter

…see also Jesus’ quote from Isaiah (29:13) in Mark 7:6b,7

“‘This people honors me with their lips,
    but their heart is far from me;
⁷ in vain do they worship me,
    teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

Footnotes

1. Mark 7:3 Greek unless they wash the hands with a fist, probably indicating a kind of ceremonial washing
2. Mark 7:4 Greek unless they baptize; some manuscripts unless they purify themselves
3. Mark 7:4 Some manuscripts omit and dining couches
4. Mark 7:11 Or an offering
5. Mark 7:15 Some manuscripts add verse 16: If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear
6. Mark 7:19 Greek goes out into the latrine

**http://oneyearbibleonline.com/daily-oyb/?version=47&startmmdd=0101

I think the color of this camellia flower is exquisite. Maybe even beautiful enough for a wedding. My husband and I planted it to commemorate our marriage, representing the love that has gone into building our family. For those parents out there, you have to agree that being a parent is not for the faint of heart. It takes an overwhelming amount of love toward each other and for the children and the grandchildren.

This passage reminds me of Jesus’ words discussing the purpose and timing of a fast. Fasting was not to outdo another Rabbi’s spiritual discipline (i.e. John the Baptist or the Pharisees). Instead, it was meant to be a reflection of our longing for the Savior (referred to as “the bridegroom” in the passage).

When Jesus walked beside the disciples, he didn’t require them to fast. However, when he ascended back into heaven, the disciples fasted. We also at times may fast in order to focus on the One who matters more than satisfying our temporal needs.

He is eternal. He satisfies our need for a new and living way. When love is not found in our own heart. His love can fill us and make us new (like new wineskins).

Without a new wine skin, we are in danger of splitting at the seams, not useful to His kingdom but leaking one-line platitudes.

This verse from the KJV comes to mind: (Romans 5:5) “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

If the bridegroom did not leave, the Holy Spirit would not have come.

Thank you, LORD, for your tremendous gift. Your Son’s life, your love for the world and the comfort of the Holy Spirit to encourage us on our way as we hope in you. -Teresa

Mark 2: 18-22 (ESV)*

A Question About Fasting

¹⁸ Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” ¹⁹ And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. ²⁰ The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. ²¹ No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made.²² And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”^[c]

*OneyearBibleonline

Wisdom was present when God created mankind. Not only did wisdom provide the master craftsmanship needed for this world, but it provided the emotion necessary for having families. This emotional ability allows us to experience the delight of children. #rejoicing

Pictured above is our two oldest children (30+ years ago). They experienced all the moving around we required to get settled in our careers. We went from Sacramento to Europe and North Africa for a year, landing back in Iowa. We eventually came full circle to Chico, before moving home again to the Sacramento area.

When we keep the ways of wisdom, we are constantly learning and growing- never static. It could mean we travel “full-circle” to learn something we fully resisted at the start.

Having a family has a way of bringing maturity to young adults. It helps us realize that not all “work” is drudgery but a means to providing for our family. Seeing the joy and excitement of children well-cared for is surely reward enough to keep punching that time clock. (Vs. carried away by fanciful dreams of “self-fulfillment” that don’t pay the bills)

When some moms looked at me with four children during my “stay at home mom” days, they would ask: “don’t you feel like you’ve lost your identity?” Or “don’t you just have to get out of the house? …I go to work in order to take a break.”

Instead, I would answer with, “it may be the hardest job I’ve done (being 24/7 on call), but I feel honored to share my identity with four others.” In other words, I never felt I was shrinking but expanding.

Wisdom helps us move forward with the right perspective even when we need to dig deep for courage to learn and grow.

After reading an informative article on Linked In by Fast company.com, I understood better the difficult financial climate our young people face today. Many have had to decide whether to include having a family to their future plans. My question (after reading it) was, have financial times changed that much or have values changed (needing all the bells and whistles before considering a family)?

Wisdom reminds us of God’s heart to be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth. For those who have infertility issues or physical barriers, there are many children who need to be cared for who are without parents or resources. The joy of being part of an “inhabited” world is true wisdom. -Teresa

Proverbs 8:27-32English Standard Version*

²⁷ When he established the heavens, I was there;
    when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
²⁸ when he made firm the skies above,
    when he established^[a] the fountains of the deep,
²⁹ when he assigned to the sea its limit,
    so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
³⁰     then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his^[b] delight,
    rejoicing before him always,
³¹ rejoicing in his inhabited world
    and delighting in the children of man.

³² “And now, O sons, listen to me:
    blessed are those who keep my ways.

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Footnotes

1. Proverbs 8:28 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
2. Proverbs 8:30 Or daily filled with

*OneyearBibleonline