My mom, Ruth, named me after her landlord. Teresa was a gracious, Italian woman who rented the upstairs apartment to my parents. I was baby #3 (of 5), for my mom and dad.

A name can be be a source of inspiration. For my mom, “Ruth” was a reminder that she had been delivered from Moab to follow the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. She chose to leave her family of origin and move to a new place, the place of redemption (see the story of Ruth and Naomi, redeemed by Boaz, aka Jesus Christ the Lord).

For me, “Teresa” was a reminder to dwell in the grace of God. This meant at times plowing up the fallow ground, at other times planting the seed of God’s word but always trusting God for an increase. I’ve been inspired by my name to remain faithful “in Christ”, in order to be fruitful for the Kingdom of Heaven.

This passage (below) provides a tremendous leadership principle. Jethro advises Moses to continue being faithful to God’s calling (speaking God’s word to the people). He also gives a practical solution to handle the demand of leading millions of people (choose those who fear God and hate a bribe to be over the people as chiefs or spokesmen).

The comfort and help that Moses received from his father-in-law’s visit included being reunited with his wife and children. He named his children, Gershom and Eliezer. Just saying their names reminded him of all that God had done for him.

God always gets the victory when we acknowledge His hand of deliverance and help. Moses emphasized this truth by trusting the God of his “father” (a Hebrew slave who was also a priest for Yahweh) and escaping the hand of Pharoah (whose house he was raised in, but who had raised a sword against Moses).

Lord, thank you for your tremendous victory in the places where it looked like all was lost. Help us to trust you courageously as Moses did, not dismissing those who are older than us but embracing their wisdom.- Teresa

Exodus 18:1-27 (ESV)

Jethro’s Advice

18 Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. ² Now Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, had taken Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her home, ³ along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a sojourner^[b] in a foreign land”), ⁴ and the name of the other, Eliezer^[c] (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”). ⁵ Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was encamped at the mountain of God. ⁶ And when he sent word to Moses, “I,^[d] your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her,”⁷ Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. And they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent. ⁸ Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the Lord had delivered them.⁹ And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the Lordhad done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.

¹⁰ Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.¹¹ Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.”^{[e] 12} And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

¹³ The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. ¹⁴ When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” ¹⁵ And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; ¹⁶ when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” ¹⁷ Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. ¹⁸ You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. ¹⁹ Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, ²⁰ and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do.²¹ Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. ²² And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. ²³ If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.”

²⁴ So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. ²⁵ Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. ²⁶ And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. ²⁷ Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country.

*TheOneyearBible

Mistreatment of children is a grave sin, punishable by drowning or worse. Despising new believers does not go unnoticed but is shared with the Father, by their angels.

Jesus, our shepherd, will search for that one who was mistreated as a child or despised as a new believer, knowing how deep the scars can go when formative self-image pictures are being developed incorrectly. He understands the feeling from “group rejection”, when trying to become part of a religious entity that is based on rules, not love. Both are devastating. Both require a Savior’s transformation of the heart, healing based on His truth.

When the “lost sheep” understands and believes he/she is cherished, cared for as precious and loved with generosity and kindness, they will truly be “found”.

Repentance means turning around 180 degrees, or walking exactly in the opposite direction you were headed. Repentance sometimes means forgiving those who mistreated us as children or forgiving ourselves for believing what those who despised us said, turning back to the truth of God’s word.

The shepherd rejoices over the “lost sheep” being found, not just a bit but even more than he rejoices over the 99 who never strayed from the truth. (100 fold)

How do I capture the urgency of our Savior’s desire “to seek and to save the lost”?

He is honed in, he is diligent, he was able to endure the beatings, humiliation and scorn. He was able to take up the cross. He despised the shame. He was obedient to death, even death on a cross.

Why? So that we should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Entering the kingdom of heaven with childlike faith means we are not depending on our status, education, title or good looks. It means we are depending on the One who saved us once and for all with His obedient sacrifice as the sinless, Son of God who took the penalty for the sin of the world and provided us with His righteousness.

I listened to an amazing audible book called, “Finding Tess” by Beth Macy. Those who ensnare young people into addictive substances have overrun certain parts of our country.

Although we may not be able to take on the opioid crisis single-handedly, we can be aware of what is happening and take steps towards sharing God’s love in our own family and neighborhood communities.- Teresa #providingsafealternatives #volunteer

Matthew 18:1-6 (ESV), 10-14 (ESV)*

Who Is the Greatest?

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them ³ and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

⁵ “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ⁶ but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,^[a] it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

¹⁰ “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.^{[d] 12} What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? ¹³ And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.¹⁴ So it is not the will of my^[e] Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

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

There are times in life, when the only thing that helps is a simple cry to someone who can help. When I say “simple cry” -I mean there is no energy for a complex explanation, no words for the emotions that overcome all thought processes. Just plain, “Help me, Lord”, asked or pleaded in faith.

Who can help us the most or who is the best at sorting this out or should I say the most effective in providing a solution? The Lord God Almighty is not only our strong warrior who stands His ground on our behalf but is also our great deliverer.

That means He is able to handle this daunting task that is too hard for everyone else, even myself. I can’t figure myself out at times. The spaghetti is too complex to unravel. For those who are blessed with a waffle mentality, you may not understand this conundrum.

The good news is that there is someone who is able to “Get it Done”!

Yes, that means starting with the peace that comes to stand guard over us like a night watchman and even encouragement from those with this gifting of the Holy Spirit,

Ending with a solution that is much greater than we could ask for or imagine, we have been delivered. Delivered from the sinking sand of despair and given strength for a new day.

Apart from or maybe even in the midst of a medical emergency, we can cry out for help, like David did in this passage and be assured of God’s effectiveness in fighting our battles.-Teresa #greatGod #Hehears #Hedelivers #askHim

Psalm 18:1-15English Standard Version*

The Lord Is My Rock and My Fortress

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who addressed the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

18 I love you, O Lord, my strength.
² The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
³ I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.

⁴ The cords of death encompassed me;
the torrents of destruction assailed me;^[a]
5 the cords of Sheol entangled me;
the snares of death confronted me.

⁶ In my distress I called upon the Lord;
to my God I cried for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears.

⁷ Then the earth reeled and rocked;
the foundations also of the mountains trembled
and quaked, because he was angry.
⁸ Smoke went up from his nostrils,^[b]
and devouring fire from his mouth;
glowing coals flamed forth from him.
⁹ He bowed the heavens and came down;
thick darkness was under his feet.
¹⁰ He rode on a cherub and flew;
he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.
¹¹ He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him,
thick clouds dark with water.
¹² Out of the brightness before him
hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.

¹³ The Lord also thundered in the heavens,
and the Most High uttered his voice,
hailstones and coals of fire.
¹⁴ And he sent out his arrows and scattered them;
he flashed forth lightnings and routed them.
¹⁵ Then the channels of the sea were seen,
and the foundations of the world were laid bare
at your rebuke, O Lord,
at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Psalm 18:4 Or terrified me
2. Psalm 18:8 Or in his wrath

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

Yesterday, we had our second monthly school nurse presentation at “home school”. I was amazed at Kelsa’s beautiful rendition of the winter cardinal using her painted hands.

We had a presentation on how to stay safe in the cold and basic first aid. I’m not sure who loved it more, the 3 grandkids or their “gwamma”!!

In this passage, Jacob’s story warmed my heart. He was sent from his mother’s side (after deceiving his father, stealing his brother’s birthright inheritance and being threatened with murder). He would never again see his mom. In the tough yet tender way that God works upstream, Jacob was assured of his part in God’s plan, and more importantly, in His family.

When Jacob could not imagine where his provision would come from, he trusted and promised to give back a tenth should he return home in peace. Jacob’s desire was no longer to swindle but to be a part of his family.

Sure enough, after at least 14 years of hard work, Jacob returned home with a new name (character), as “Israel” with his twelve sons. He gave so many gifts to his brother, Esau, that it seems he more than fulfilled his pledge to God and found peace again amongst his family of origin.

Sometimes, we become more generous when we are forgiven much. God saw upstream, that Jacob would have a heart of repentance and used it to bless the world. Certainly, we can’t pay enough for the consequences of sin (only Jesus Christ the Lord is able to handle that debt).

However, when others are involved with our need for spiritual encouragement, it seems fitting to give back to God.

In this New Year, may we see those things that are needed most and give wholeheartedly. – Teresa

Genesis 28:10-22 (ESV)*

Jacob’s Dream

¹⁰ Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran.¹¹ And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. ¹² And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder^[b] set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! ¹³ And behold, the Lord stood above it^[c] and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. ¹⁴ Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. ¹⁵ Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” ¹⁶ Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” ¹⁷ And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

¹⁸ So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. ¹⁹ He called the name of that place Bethel,^[d] but the name of the city was Luz at the first. ²⁰ Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, ²¹ so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, ²² and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”

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

Our daughter’s dog, Piper, is amazing. Not only did she survive a rough start (she was a rescue), but she loves her new owner with gusto!

I asked Carly how she did it. How did she rehabilitate a fearful dog? Carly said that she was so enamored with having her own dog that she just stared into her eyes for hours when they first met. Also, since she worked from home during the pandemic, they spent all their time together.

On the other hand, I was so nervous of little dog teeth biting my ankles that I purchased “gators” and put them on my legs whenever she came over.

Well, it also worked. I was not nervous walking around in my own home. Piper eventually lost the desire to attack my ankles and would sniff in curiosity at the gators! Eventually, her desire for “treats” was greater than her need to establish a territory.

This passage reminds us that turning to our own devices or being complacent (not trying to move past old hurts), will eventually lead to destructive habits. #fearful

Choosing to fear (have reverence) for God’s word, however, makes us dwell secure. We can be at ease, free of the dread that comes from disaster.

We watched “Society of the Snow” last night, based on the 2023 book (also notably retold in the 1974 book “Alive). These survivors had tremendous hope as they called out to God. Some of this was established during their early years of training in their faith heritage. But most of it was in the support they provided each other with their courage and self-sacrifice. The crux of this hope was revealed in a note written by their rugby mate saying, “greater love has no man than to lay down his life for a friend.”

Turning toward wisdom, we can be at ease, (rehabilitated so to speak). It may take time spent in God’s word and with wise teaching/counsel. Most of all, it is established through relationships that reflect God’s heart of wisdom.- Teresa #love❤️

Proverbs 1:29-33English Standard Version*

²⁹ Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
³⁰ would have none of my counsel
and despised all my reproof,
³¹ therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
and have their fill of their own devices.
³² For the simple are killed by their turning away,
and the complacency of fools destroys them;
³³ but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

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

Beauty arrives when God is dwelling there.

Have you ever wondered what makes a bride so beautiful?

At our daughter’s wedding, one of the attendees commented to a bystander, “She’s the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen”.

When Jesus makes all things new, he changes us from the inside out (aka dwells within us by His Holy Spirit).

In Ephesians, we learn that not only does the Savior clothe us with righteousness (when we are born again and become part of His family, the church) but he washes us with the water of the Word.

Please enjoy these Bible passages and photos from this year. **Happy New Year, looking forward to “a few things new” in 2024. -Teresa

2 Corinthians 5: 1-5 (NIV)

For we know that if the earthly

tent

we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan,

longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,

3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan

 and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,

 so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Ephesians 5:25-29 (NIV)

Husbands, love your wives,

 just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

26 to make her holy,

 cleansing

 her by the washing

 with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself

 as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives

as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church.

Revelation 21:1-5 (ESV)*

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. ² And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place^[a] of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,^[b] and God himself will be with them as their God.^{[c] 4} He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

⁵ And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”

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

**https://apps.apple.com/us/app/biblescope-niv-message-erv/id297320695

We experienced a traumatic event a few weeks ago when an oncoming car demolished ours in a “head on” collision Every airbag in the car was deployed, transmission fluid ran red, steam and hissing alerted the bystanders to urge the driver to move, “you must get out of your car since it could explode”. The oncoming car’s driver may have had a medical emergency (causing her to speed past and clip another vehicle, then spin out of control into the path of our car). She was taken to the hospital via ambulance with a seizure. Sometimes we don’t understand why bad things happen to good people.

When bad things happen for wickedness, we can somehow understand it. The stone and timber of the house (in the passage below) were consumed as a payback for stealing and lying. In contrast, lovingly (and surprisingly)…the solid structure of the church is established and built well by the capable hands of the Savior, in spite of the sinners included in this house (from every people group on earth).

God does not allow wickedness to remain once discovered. It must be removed. Who better to care for this than the One, who makes all things new: Jesus Christ the Lord, both King and Priest.

In regards to the passage below, Matthew Henry’s commentary provides these thoughts:

“It is a comfort to us that the same all-wise, almighty Providence, which governs the earth, is in particular conversant about the church. All that have the plummet in their hands, must look up to the eyes of the Lord, have constant regard to Divine Providence, act in dependence on its guidance and submission to its disposals. Let us fix our faith on Christ, and view Him carrying on his work according to his own glorious plan, and daily bringing his spiritual building nearer to completion. Verses 11-14 Zechariah desires to know what are the two olive trees. Zerubbabel and Joshua, this prince and this priest, were endued with the gifts and graces of God’s Spirit. They lived at the same time, and both were instruments in the work and service of God. Christ’s offices of King and Priest were shadowed forth by them. From the union of these two offices in his person, both God and man, the fullness of grace is received and imparted. They built the temple, the church of God. So does Christ spiritually. Christ is not only the Messiah, the Anointed One himself, but he is the Good Olive to his church; and from his fulness we receive. And the Holy Spirit is the unction or anointing which we have received. From Christ the Olive Tree, by the Spirit the Olive Branch, all the golden oil of grace flows to believers, which keeps their lamps burning. Let us seek, through the intercession and bounty of the Saviour, supplies from that fulness which has hitherto sufficed for all his saints, according to their trials and employments. Let us wait on him in his ordinances, desiring to be sanctified wholly in body, soul, and spirit.”

Our sanctification is a painful process of remembering we are crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live. When His gift of love (on the cross) becomes our central focus, nothing else seems quite as important (ie. Whose fault is my suffering caused by?)

No matter how many good or bad things happen this Christmas, may we always remember His ultimate gift. He took care of wickedness by paying the price. He is the hope of the world, to build up this house, His church, which is solidly built.- Teresa #Hispromiseinarainbow #Hislovemakesallthingsnew

Zechariah 4:6-5:11(ESV)**

6Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. ⁷ Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”

⁸ Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,⁹ “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. ¹⁰ For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.

“These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.” ¹¹ Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” ¹² And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil^[a] is poured out?” ¹³ He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” ¹⁴ Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones^[b] who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”

A Vision of a Flying Scroll

5 Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a flying scroll! ² And he said to me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits, and its width ten cubits.”^{[c] 3} Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land. For everyone who steals shall be cleaned out according to what is on one side, and everyone who swears falsely^[d] shall be cleaned out according to what is on the other side.⁴ I will send it out, declares the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears falsely by my name. And it shall remain in his house and consume it, both timber and stones.”

Footnotes

1. Zechariah 4:12 Hebrew lacks oil
2. Zechariah 4:14 Hebrew two sons of new oil
3. Zechariah 5:2 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
4. Zechariah 5:3 Hebrew lacks falsely (supplied from verse 4)
5. Zechariah 5:6 Hebrew ephah; also verses 7–11. An ephah was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters
6. Zechariah 5:6 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint, Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts eye

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

Whether they came from the nation of Israel or from the various tribes of the earth, we understand from the Scripture passages below that many multitudes will worship the Lord in heaven someday.

You may wonder how to gain a white robe, washed in the blood of the Lamb (referencing the sacrificial system used by the children of Israel in the Old Testament, for the remission of sin). The answer was given over 2,000 years ago in a small town called Bethlehem. It was here that Jesus Christ the Lord was born. The son of God was placed in the care of a favored teenager named Mary and her betrothed, Joseph.

Jesus had an unusual birth. It was announced by angels to the shepherds and honored by the wise men following a star that appeared for this marvelous occasion.

My daughters, granddaughters and I attended the Ballet Rejoice production of “The Nativity” this week. We were awestruck at the significance of this moment in time as told through the reverent movements of all the dancers.

We couldn’t help leaving with overflowing love in our hearts for God the Father as He “gave” us His Son. When Jesus shed His blood on the cross for the sin of the world, all penalties were forgiven and all debts were satisfied in God’s economy.

His Son “gives” us a white robe of righteousness when we receive Him as Lord. He will bring you back from spiritual death in order to be transformed with the light of life for God’s kingdom purposes and His will to be done.

So many in the world right now are unable to care for others or even themselves. It really does take a Savior to heal our hearts and become ambassadors for Christ. He teaches us how to love ourselves first so that we can extend to others both love and forgiveness.

As you experience this Advent season with a heart full of God’s promises, remember that we love because He first loved us. (I John 3:16 says,

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”)*

– Love, ❤️ Teresa

Revelation 7:2-17 (ESV) (bold added for emphasis)

² Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, ³ saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”

⁴ And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

⁵ 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,
12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,
12,000 from the tribe of Gad,
⁶ 12,000 from the tribe of Asher,
12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,
12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,
⁷ 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,
12,000 from the tribe of Levi,
12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,
⁸ 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,
12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,
12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.

A Great Multitude from Every Nation

⁹ After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,¹⁰ and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ¹¹ And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, ¹² saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

¹³ Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” ¹⁴ I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

¹⁵ “Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
¹⁶ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
¹⁷ For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Micah 5:2 (ESV)

^[c] But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.

Micah 6:6-8 (ESV)

“With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
⁷ Will the Lord be pleased with^[d] thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
⁸ He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,^[e]
and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 7: 18-20 (ESV)

¹⁸ Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression
for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
because he delights in steadfast love.
¹⁹ He will again have compassion on us;
he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our^[p] sins
into the depths of the sea.
²⁰ You will show faithfulness to Jacob
and steadfast love to Abraham,
as you have sworn to our fathers
from the days of old.

Footnotes

1. Micah 5:1 Ch 4:14 in Hebrew
2. Micah 5:1 That is, city
3. Micah 5:2 Ch 5:1 in Hebrew
4. Micah 6:7 Or Will the Lord accept
5. Micah 6:8 Or steadfast love
6. Micah 6:9 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
7. Micah 6:10 Or Are there still treasures
8. Micah 6:12 Hebrew whose
9. Micah 6:16 Hebrew For the statutes of Omri are kept
10. Micah 6:16 Hebrew its
11. Micah 7:5 Hebrew bosom
12. Micah 7:12 Hebrew he
13. Micah 7:12 That is, the Euphrates
14. Micah 7:14 Hebrew of Carmel
15. Micah 7:15 Hebrew him
16. Micah 7:19 Hebrew their

Psalm 135: 13-21 (ESV)

¹³ Your name, O Lord, endures forever,
your renown,^[b] O Lord, throughout all ages.
¹⁴ For the Lord will vindicate his people
and have compassion on his servants.

¹⁵ The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
¹⁶ They have mouths, but do not speak;
they have eyes, but do not see;
¹⁷ they have ears, but do not hear,
nor is there any breath in their mouths.
¹⁸ Those who make them become like them,
so do all who trust in them.

¹⁹ O house of Israel, bless the Lord!
O house of Aaron, bless the Lord!
²⁰ O house of Levi, bless the Lord!
You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord!
²¹ Blessed be the Lord from Zion,
he who dwells in Jerusalem!
Praise the Lord!Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Psalm 135:3 Or for he is beautiful
2. Psalm 135:13 Or remembrance

*NIV (I John 3:16)

We went to see the IMAX movie “Deep Space” and were blown away by the thought that our Milky Way Galaxy is possibly just one of a trillion!!

Reminding myself of who I am (created) and who He is (Creator), I have been freed up to be intent on prayer (and fasting).

By the phrase “rend your hearts and not your garments”, God is communicating His desire for us to be healed internally.

Yes, there is plenty of outward piety that helps bolster people’s view of themselves in front of others. But is it accurately God’s perspective of who they are?

I heard somebody say this morning, “I had to bring myself down a few notches”. It made me chuckle (and so decided to use it as the title of this post- since it hit home for me). If we bring ourselves down a few notches it may allow us to be more truthful with others.

Even though others may not be impressed or notice our impact on the world when we dial it down, if it comes across as a kinder, more appreciative presence towards others- then it was worthwhile.

Matthew Henry’s commentary** reviews the passage below (bold added): “The priests were to alarm the people with the near approach of the Divine judgments. It is the work of ministers to warn of the fatal consequences of sin, and to reveal the wrath from heaven against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. The striking description which follows, shows what would attend the devastations of locusts, but may also describe the effects from the ravaging of the land by the Chaldeans. If the alarm of temporal judgments is given to offending nations, how much more should sinners be warned to seek deliverance from the wrath to come! Our business therefore on earth must especially be, to secure an interest in our Lord Jesus Christ; and we should seek to be weaned from objects which will soon be torn from all who now make idols of them. There must be outward expressions of sorrow and shame, fasting, weeping, and mourning; tears for trouble must be turned into tears for the sin that caused it. But rending the garments would be vain, except their hearts were rent by abasement and self-abhorrence; by sorrow for their sins, and separation from them. There is no question but that if we truly repent of our sins, God will forgive them; but whether he will remove affliction is not promised, yet the probability of it should encourage us to repent.”

As I seek the Lord this advent season, may I do those things in secret that are necessary. It may even mean bringing myself down a few notches. What is done before God in secret is then able to be openly fruitful for His kingdom.- Teresa #toGodbetheglory

Joel 2:12-14 (ESV)***

Return to the Lord

¹² “Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
¹³ and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;
and he relents over disaster.
¹⁴ Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
for the Lord your God?

*GodofWonders lyric; Songwriters: Marc Byrd / Steve Hindalong

God Of Wonders lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc

**https://apps.apple.com/us/app/biblescope/id284805499 Matthew Henry’s Comm. Joel 2:1-14

***TheOneyearBibleonline https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joel+1%3A1-3%3A21%3Brevelation+1%3A1-20%3Bpsalm+128%3A1-6%3Bproverbs+29%3A18&version=ESV

Gabriel brought the answer when Daniel prayed for help (in the passage below).

Although shame was pervasive from disobedience, the Lord brought mercy and forgiveness after Daniel’s time in intercession. Daniel entreated God with pleas for mercy and forgiveness for his captive nation, to act without delay.

Gabriel brought Daniel understanding with a word from God. He also brought Daniel encouragement by calling him “greatly loved”.

Sometimes all we need is a word of encouragement in order to keep up the good fight.

I was reminded of this after doing a “school nurse” presentation for my daughter’s homeschool class. For all you teachers out there, “keep up the good fight”.

Our society is geared to tear the hearts of children from their families. In fact, students are being taught with a societal “twist” by using words that mean something much more destructive than meets the ear. Every word has an impact on culture. Kudos to the teachers that still bring a sense of meaning and understanding to our next generation.

The next generation is won over or lost based on these words. Are they based on God’s truth and His righteousness? Would we know, based on our own study of the Bible?

One thing we do know for sure is that God promises when we ask, seek and knock, that He will answer.

This Christmas, Lord, may our heart be fully yours. With praise, worship and prayer (fasting) we ask that your advent would be evident in our families and in the lives of our children and grandchildren.- Teresa #Emmanuel

Daniel 9:8-23 (ESV)*

⁸ To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. ⁹ To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him ¹⁰ and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. ¹¹ All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. ¹² He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us,^[a] by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. ¹³ As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. ¹⁴ Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lordour God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. ¹⁵ And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

¹⁶ “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. ¹⁷ Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord,^[b] make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. ¹⁸ O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.¹⁹ O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

Gabriel Brings an Answer

²⁰ While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God for the holy hill of my God, ²¹ while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. ²² He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. ²³ At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.

*OneyearBibleonline