We are on a holiday, like many others.Nevertheless, I am inspired to write a blog post.

God gives wisdom and knowledge, revealing the things that we need just in time. In this passage from the book of Daniel, God reveals deep and hidden things to the one in exile (he and his 3 friends were exalted to positions of being called wise men).

Although God knows what is in the darkness (sleep, night terrors), the light dwells with Him.

You see that God had a plan for the king’s life. A plan that was more beautiful than the strong will of the king. More glorious than a golden image of Nebuchadnezzar that everyone was required to bow down to. Yes, God wanted to capture the king’s heart to bring about God’s plan for Nebuchadnezzar’s eternity and for the nations.

Therefore, Daniel was able to not only discern the King’s dream but to provide the interpretation. Daniel truly was a wise man. He understood who he was (the created) AND more importantly who God was (the creator).

When we are faithful in the little things God calls us to, there may be emergencies that come up. Prayer and fasting have a way of bringing clarity to complex situations.

Like Daniel, I want to be faithful in discerning the issue and then providing God’s correct interpretation. Although the problem usually starts in the dark, God knows what’s there AND the light dwells with Him. -Teresa #enlightened #forHisglory

Daniel 2:1-23 ESV*

2 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. ² Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. ³ And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” ⁴ Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic,^[b] “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” ⁵ The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. ⁶ But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.” ⁷ They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.” ⁸ The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm— ⁹ if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.”¹⁰ The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. ¹¹ The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”

¹² Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. ¹³ So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them.¹⁴ Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. ¹⁵ He declared^[c] to Arioch, the king’s captain, “Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel. ¹⁶ And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.

God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

¹⁷ Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, ¹⁸ and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.¹⁹ Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. ²⁰ Daniel answered and said:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
²¹ He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding;
²² he reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what is in the darkness,
and the light dwells with him.
²³ To you, O God of my fathers,
I give thanks and praise,
for you have given me wisdom and might,
and have now made known to me what we asked of you,
for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”

Footnotes

1. Daniel 1:3 Hebrew of the seed of the kingdom
2. Daniel 2:4 The text from this point to the end of chapter 7 is in Aramaic
3. Daniel 2:15 Aramaic answered and said; also verse 26

*OneyearBibleonline.com

Being in the world but not part of it is a difficult balance. Unstained by the world’s perspective means not allowing the shadow of sin to snuff out the light in us.

When my husband and I were young marrieds, we lived in a one-bedroom apartment that had vanity lights above the master bathroom mirror. We dusted them on Saturday (our cleaning day). On Sunday morning as we got ready for church, most of them burned out…1-2-3-4, one right after the other. My husband happened to be teaching the sermon that week and his point was, don’t let Satan burn out your spiritual light.

Certainly anger is the beginning of the “burning out” process (staining us). In the passage below, James (the brother of Jesus) is telling the new believers that hearing the Word is the first step towards escaping this trap (of being stained by the world). But acting on what you hear is the essential step towards “walking in the light”.

Of interest, C.S.Lewis’s fiction book, “The Great Divorce”, he uses the term ‘Shadowlands’, to describe hell and in the Narnia final trilogy to describe earth. Sheffner’s reading blog.

To take this a step further, an unbridled tongue goes hand in hand with a deceived heart. I had to do some self-introspection and find the areas where I’d harbored pockets of anger. They all began when I allowed myself to jump to conclusions that were hurtful. There were times when my tongue was bridled and then there were times when it was not. The full force of my fury even came unfurled a few of those times. Yikes!

Well, any religious stance I took was worthless at this point. What’s more amazing is the possibility of hurtful conclusions but to still believe the best in others. Or better yet, that God allowed it for my good, their good or most importantly, His glory.

Wow!! That is something to behold. True love and true religion go hand in hand. After all, that is what Christ did for us. #MotherTeresa

The righteousness of God was given to me when Jesus Christ the Lord paid for my sin on the cross. He entered the ‘shadowlands’ for all who were in bondage there . “Substitutionary atonement” is the term Bible scholars use for this, (explained to me by Pastor Tim Lane, Union Gospel Mission).

Ultimately, I want to remember that the cross stands as a bridge between God, the Father and me. Lord, help me not to be deceived by anger, by a need to be admired or any other “stain” Satan casts onto this “world’s” view of things. Instead, please allow me to always remember, “You are Creator, I am created”. -Teresa #meekness

James 1:19-27 (ESV)*

¹⁹ Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;²⁰ for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. ²¹ Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. ²⁴ For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. ²⁵ But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

*OneyearBibleonline.com

Jude 1:24-25 , NET **

24Now to the one who is able to keep you from falling, and to cause you to stand, rejoicing, without blemish before his glorious presence, 25 to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.

**https://apps.apple.com/us/app/biblescope/id284805499

When our soul is not open to God (cold as ice), it is at risk of being susceptible to an unholy invasion (unquenchable fire).

The imagery in this passage is disturbing and violent. It’s hard to understand God’s point given through Ezekiel the prophet to His people, the Jewish nation.

Matthew Henry says it well in his commentary from the app Bible Scope : “A history of the apostacy of God’s people from him, and the aggravation thereof. – In this parable, Samaria and Israel bear the name Aholah, “her own tabernacle;” because the places of worship those kingdoms had, were of their own devising. Jerusalem and Judah bear the name of Aholibah, “my tabernacle is in her,” because their temple was the place which God himself had chosen, to put his name there.” (Also see Wikipedia definition) “The language and figures are according to those times. Will not such humbling representations of nature keep open perpetual repentance and sorrow in the soul, hiding pride from our eyes, and taking us from self-righteousness? Will it not also prompt the soul to look to God continually for grace, that by his Holy Spirit we may mortify the deeds of the body, and live in holy conversation and godliness?”

If God chose to make His dwelling amongst us (Emmanuel, God with us), then how could we desire any “self-made” god? Is it easier to devise our own rules of worship than to bow our knee to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

I’m not Jewish but I do believe that Jesus Christ the Lord came from the tribe of Judah as Messiah to deliver the whole world from sin. Once we turn to His rule and reign, we have the choice to avoid being burned up in a fire of lust and unholy desire. That’s why the Gospel is called good news. He has tabernacled among us to offer a new and living way. Read the New Testament gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) to bring daily refreshment for your heart, filled with God’s intent for the world.

In our day, when many are ignorant of God’s loving presence, we also see unquenched desire and violence. Hatred is ruling, which may be the ultimate end recorded in this passage. It is basically the penalty of sinful idolatry.

Lord, help me to place all my desire on you and your ways. May my heart be responsive to your amazing grace and love. – Teresa

Ezekiel 23: 1-49 (ESV)

Oholah and Oholibah

23 The word of the Lord came to me: ² “Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother. ³ They played the whore in Egypt; they played the whore in their youth; there their breasts were pressed and their virgin bosoms^[a] handled.⁴ Oholah was the name of the elder and Oholibah the name of her sister. They became mine, and they bore sons and daughters. As for their names, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

⁵ “Oholah played the whore while she was mine, and she lusted after her lovers the Assyrians, warriors ⁶ clothed in purple, governors and commanders, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding on horses. ⁷ She bestowed her whoring upon them, the choicest men of Assyria all of them, and she defiled herself with all the idols of everyone after whom she lusted. ⁸ She did not give up her whoring that she had begun in Egypt; for in her youth men had lain with her and handled her virgin bosom and poured out their whoring lust upon her. ⁹ Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers, into the hands of the Assyrians, after whom she lusted. ¹⁰ These uncovered her nakedness; they seized her sons and her daughters; and as for her, they killed her with the sword; and she became a byword among women, when judgment had been executed on her.

¹¹ “Her sister Oholibah saw this, and she became more corrupt than her sister^[b] in her lust and in her whoring, which was worse than that of her sister.¹² She lusted after the Assyrians, governors and commanders, warriors clothed in full armor, horsemen riding on horses, all of them desirable young men. ¹³ And I saw that she was defiled; they both took the same way. ¹⁴ But she carried her whoring further. She saw men portrayed on the wall, the images of the Chaldeans portrayed in vermilion, ¹⁵ wearing belts on their waists, with flowing turbans on their heads, all of them having the appearance of officers, a likeness of Babylonians whose native land was Chaldea.¹⁶ When she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea. ¹⁷ And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoring lust. And after she was defiled by them, she turned from them in disgust. ¹⁸ When she carried on her whoring so openly and flaunted her nakedness, I turned in disgust from her, as I had turned in disgust from her sister. ¹⁹ Yet she increased her whoring, remembering the days of her youth, when she played the whore in the land of Egypt ²⁰ and lusted after her lovers there, whose members were like those of donkeys, and whose issue was like that of horses. ²¹ Thus you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when the Egyptians handled your bosom and pressed^[c] your young breasts.”

²² Therefore, O Oholibah, thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I will stir up against you your lovers from whom you turned in disgust, and I will bring them against you from every side: ²³ the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod and Shoa and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, desirable young men, governors and commanders all of them, officers and men of renown, all of them riding on horses.²⁴ And they shall come against you from the north^[d]with chariots and wagons and a host of peoples. They shall set themselves against you on every side with buckler, shield, and helmet; and I will commit the judgment to them, and they shall judge you according to their judgments. ²⁵ And I will direct my jealousy against you, that they may deal with you in fury. They shall cut off your nose and your ears, and your survivors shall fall by the sword. They shall seize your sons and your daughters, and your survivors shall be devoured by fire. ²⁶ They shall also strip you of your clothes and take away your beautiful jewels. ²⁷ Thus I will put an end to your lewdness and your whoring begun in the land of Egypt, so that you shall not lift up your eyes to them or remember Egypt anymore.

²⁸ “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will deliver you into the hands of those whom you hate, into the hands of those from whom you turned in disgust,²⁹ and they shall deal with you in hatred and take away all the fruit of your labor and leave you naked and bare, and the nakedness of your whoring shall be uncovered. Your lewdness and your whoring³⁰ have brought this upon you, because you played the whore with the nations and defiled yourself with their idols. ³¹ You have gone the way of your sister; therefore I will give her cup into your hand. ³² Thus says the Lord God:

“You shall drink your sister’s cup
that is deep and large;
you shall be laughed at and held in derision,
for it contains much;
³³ you will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow.
A cup of horror and desolation,
the cup of your sister Samaria;
³⁴ you shall drink it and drain it out,
and gnaw its shards,
and tear your breasts;

for I have spoken, declares the Lord God.³⁵ Therefore thus says the Lord God: Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, you yourself must bear the consequences of your lewdness and whoring.”

³⁶ The Lord said to me: “Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Declare to them their abominations. ³⁷ For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. With their idols they have committed adultery, and they have even offered up^[e] to them for food the children whom they had borne to me. ³⁸ Moreover, this they have done to me: they have defiled my sanctuary on the same day and profaned my Sabbaths. ³⁹ For when they had slaughtered their children in sacrifice to their idols, on the same day they came into my sanctuary to profane it. And behold, this is what they did in my house. ⁴⁰ They even sent for men to come from afar, to whom a messenger was sent; and behold, they came. For them you bathed yourself, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with ornaments. ⁴¹ You sat on a stately couch, with a table spread before it on which you had placed my incense and my oil. ⁴² The sound of a carefree multitude was with her; and with men of the common sort, drunkards^[f] were brought from the wilderness; and they put bracelets on the hands of the women, and beautiful crowns on their heads.

⁴³ “Then I said of her who was worn out by adultery, ‘Now they will continue to use her for a whore, even her!’^{[g] 44} For they have gone in to her, as men go in to a prostitute. Thus they went in to Oholah and to Oholibah, lewd women! ⁴⁵ But righteous men shall pass judgment on them with the sentence of adulteresses, and with the sentence of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses, and blood is on their hands.”

⁴⁶ For thus says the Lord God: “Bring up a vast host against them, and make them an object of terror and a plunder. ⁴⁷ And the host shall stone them and cut them down with their swords. They shall kill their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses. ⁴⁸ Thus will I put an end to lewdness in the land, that all women may take warning and not commit lewdness as you have done. ⁴⁹ And they shall return your lewdness upon you, and you shall bear the penalty for your sinful idolatry, and you shall know that I am the Lord God.”Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Ezekiel 23:3 Hebrew nipples; also verses 8, 21
2. Ezekiel 23:11 Hebrew than she
3. Ezekiel 23:21 Vulgate, Syriac; Hebrew bosom for the sake of
4. Ezekiel 23:24 Septuagint; the meaning of the Hebrew word is unknown
5. Ezekiel 23:37 Or have even made pass through the fire
6. Ezekiel 23:42 Or Sabeans
7. Ezekiel 23:43 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain

The sunshine from the east brings us new hope and reminds us of God’s glory.

The east side of Jerusalem is where the glory of the Lord departed (in Ezekiel’s vision). It will also be where God’s redeemer returns in a full display of splendor upon His return, with the Second Coming of Jesus. This was prophesied in Zechariah 14.

The whole world has been impacted this past month, seeing the horror against the people of Israel.

They shall be my people, God says. And…He will be their God.

This cannot happen if God’s people continue to go after detestable things and abominations. How much more so for those of us in the Church to be reminded about trusting God’s provision vs. letting our hearts stray to worldly solutions?

My daughter and I have been working through a wonderful Bible Study together (by The Daily Grace Co). It’s called “Follow Me – A Study on the Gospel of Mark”. One nugget that encouraged me is the authority with which Jesus works. God’s voice was heard audibly during his baptism (by John the Baptist). Although the Sanhedrin refused to acknowledge it, Jesus clearly acted consistently with His role as the Son of God.

Just because we choose not to believe does not mean it won’t happen. The truth is, we need a Savior who is rich in mercy.-Teresa #maranatha

Ezekiel 11:14-21 ESV*

Israel’s New Heart and Spirit

¹⁴ And the word of the Lord came to me: ¹⁵ “Son of man, your brothers, even your brothers, your kinsmen,^[g] the whole house of Israel, all of them, are those of whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘Go far from the Lord; to us this land is given for a possession.’ ¹⁶ Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while^[h] in the countries where they have gone.’ ¹⁷ Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’¹⁸ And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations.¹⁹ And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,²⁰ that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. ²¹ But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will^[i] bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord God.”

²² Then the cherubim lifted up their wings, with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them. ²³ And the glory of the Lordwent up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain that is on the east side of the city. ²⁴ And the Spirit lifted me up and brought me in the vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to the exiles. Then the vision that I had seen went up from me.²⁵ And I told the exiles all the things that the Lordhad shown me.

Footnotes

1. Ezekiel 10:1 Or lapis lazuli
2. Ezekiel 10:11 Hebrew to their four sides
3. Ezekiel 10:11 Hebrew the head
4. Ezekiel 10:12 Or their whole body, their backs, their hands, and their wings
5. Ezekiel 10:17 Or spirit of life
6. Ezekiel 11:3 Or Is not the time near… ?
7. Ezekiel 11:15 Hebrew the men of your redemption
8. Ezekiel 11:16 Or in small measure
9. Ezekiel 11:21 Hebrew To the heart of their detestable things and their abominations their heart goes; I will

*OneyearBibleonline

Our Christmas Eve celebration was made complete with the addition of this amazing instrument and the skill of our daughter in expressing her music.

Did you know that serving the Lord with gladness is like making a joyful noise to Him?

Entering His presence as we sing out His praise opens the gate of familial love.

His people, His sheep, His creation…that’s who we are when we acknowledge Christ Jesus as Lord. #Hisplanisredemption

Thankful and joyful describes those who enter His courts, blessing His name.

How can we not rejoice when we truly understand that He is good? His love steadfastly endures to our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. #salvation

I attempted to record a “voice memo” to exemplify this truth (as I enjoy playing the piano and singing along for private worship times). It’s not flawless, maybe not even very good…so I won’t be sharing!

To God’s ears, however, I believe it’s beautiful as He sees my heart of thanksgiving.

Whether it’s service or singing, our joyful noise is not lost on Him.-Teresa #authenticpraise

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

A Psalm for giving thanks.

100 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
² Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

³ Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;^[a]
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

⁵ For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Psalm 100:3 Or and not we ourselves

A desire to be rich can lead to temptations, snares, crazy desires that bring about ruin.

BUT the best type of gain is found through Paul’s teaching to Timothy. Hold fast to godliness and be content with that. After all, we didn’t bring anything into the world and we will leave the same way.

Is it enough to have food and clothing? The minimalist would agree.

Our society is complicated. Not only food and clothing but transportation and a bed to sleep in are a minimum. I’ve come to dislike traveling because bare minimum needs are no longer easy to come by. Even if I am willing to spend the money in order to be comfortable, I’ve found that the customer service to match said value is rare, but lovely when experienced.

While I was waiting for my flight to board in Denver, a young man was talking on the phone and pacing back and forth. His whole conversation was about landing contracts for at least a half million dollars at each of their bookings that year. My imagination took this conversation to mean that his line of work must be an entertainer (since he did not appear old enough to be a businessman or even out of college yet)!

Since he boarded with me in group 4, I also assumed he was the person booking the gigs for an agent! (not the actual entertainer, maybe a relative of the entertainer).

We each have an individual story, although we all enter and leave the world in much the same way (with nothing). Our faith in God is what opens the veil between truth and sparkly appearances trying to convince us of truth.

We watched “Big George Foreman” last night on Netflix. He literally came back to life at 28 years old. Jesus really changed him. His desires and outlook changed. He went from needing 5 cars, mansions and expensive clothing to being a preacher, no longer fighting for respect. The love of God had changed him. I’m not saying he doesn’t have money now (especially after winning the heavyweight championship for a second time at 45 years old). The difference is that the veil of unbelief was removed so that he could understand how God saw him. #worthwhile #nomoreanger

Will I desire to be who riches tell me I am or desire who Christ says I am?-Teresa #content

I Timothy 6:6-10 ESV *

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain, ⁷ for we brought nothing into the world, and^[c] we cannot take anything out of the world. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. ⁹ But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

*OneyearBibleonline

When I got on my final flight home this week, I was literally longing for home. My husband and I have been married a long time. Whenever we spend time apart, it brings back memories of our engagement when we were separated almost 6 months (to finish our college semesters). He arrived 2 days before the wedding to whisk me away!!

We told each other that we would never live apart again. Not taking that for granted, I appreciate anew our commitment whenever I get home from a trip.

Similarly, when I trust in the Lord my heart is always with Him. I know the road home (like a highway in my heart), strengthened by faith. Singing songs of praise, I bask in this heavenly relationship.

Until I see Him face to face, I will go from strength to strength. Even in the valley of Baca (or balsam tree) also to weep. He refreshes me. In fact, He withholds no good thing from my life. I can even trust Him for strength to walk uprightly.

Yes, it may come as a surprise but God is trustworthy. We are programmed to lack trust especially if our family of origin has dysfunctional behaviors.

A resume writer on Linked In (Adnan) posted this morning: Don’t Run. You prayed for this.-God. When I read the verse stating “a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere”, it reminded me of a few years ago when I prayed to be able to retire from my job. He allowed it and I have time to spend as a “doorkeeper” in God’s house. It does not appear glamorous or fast-paced, but I trust it is connecting with His heart. #celestialteam

Lord, we look to you. Our souls may even faint with longing for your presence. Because you are God of the living (and of the resurrection), you are a shield about us. – Teresa #fainting #yetfulfilled

Psalm 84English Standard Version*

My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith.^[a] A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

84 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
² My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

³ Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
⁴ Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah

⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.^[b]
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
⁷ They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.

⁸ O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
⁹ Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!

¹⁰ For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
¹¹ For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
¹² O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Psalm 84:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
2. Psalm 84:5 Hebrew lacks to Zion

*OneyearBibleonline

Visiting Minnesota this week, I’m thankful for the way my mom cared and nurtured us when we were children. She continues to find ways to take care of people and things around her.

I was overcome with grief last night, thinking of what life would be like without someone to take care of me. Sure, as adults we often don’t think we need that caring touch. The “independent” mindset of the Western world has almost spurned this paradigm.

Strangely, the more stoic and “not needy” I am, the less I desire to interact with others. Opening up to others means I am vulnerable. Asking for help means I can’t do it all on my own. (To put an exclamation mark on this point…I watched the movie “28 days”, with Sandra Bullock, on the flight over)!

Asking for help requires humility.

In the passage below, I’m reminded to embrace humility. If God chooses me, makes me holy and tells me that I’m dearly loved, I can “put on” (like a new garment) an attitude of humility.

If you find yourself in a time of grief, be sure to reach out to someone safe. Their understanding may bring not only peace to your life but restore the love that supports you in harmony with God’s purpose.

It is Jesus Christ the Lord dwelling richly within that helps us find a much needed wisdom and joy.- Teresa #gratefulforthis #newperspective

Colossians 3:12-17 (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. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

*OneyearBibleonline

The moon reflects the sun’s brilliant light.

When we reflect the “Son”, we don’t become the moon (lunar sounds strangely like lunatic…what really does happen when there’s a full moon?), but we do become ONE with the Father’s heart. This brings glory to God.

I was talking with someone yesterday about how many “sane” and respectable people have become a bit loony over the past few years. Does this have to do with the moon or is it a result of losing our ability to be of “one” mind with God’s Word?

Encouragement, comfort, participation and affection happen in God’s family. It’s wonderful to have a close-knit biological family but when we become part of the family of God there is a supernatural bond that occurs.

We watched the Prime Freevee this week called “Mother Teresa: No Greater Love”. That was inspiring! She showed the humility of Christ to those who needed mercy. AND, she boldly stood up for their dignity.

Truly a unique combination: humility with authority. It reminds me of the passage below.

Why would the maker of the universe choose to become confined to a human body, which was bound by time and space?

He showed us great mercy in the midst of His divine authority. Without that authority, he would not have been able to succeed with such a radical plan.

His love broke through for all. We need His mercy and grace as much as every desperate life depicted in the documentary. I loved the story of the 2-week old baby, abandoned and yet was still clinging to life. She was recorded as struggling to focus on Mother Teresa’s face but beautifully responding to the intentional loving touch that was caressing her face. Such a reflection of our full reliance on the Savior’s care and affection.

Without him, I am nothing but with him, I have encouragement, comfort, participation and affection. #dignity

How can we make the Father’s joy complete? Let’s give up lunacy and choose instead to be in full accord with His heart.-Teresa #love

Philippians 2:1-11 (ESV)*

Christ’s Example of Humility

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, ² complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,^[b]6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,^[c]7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,^[d] being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

*OneyearBibleonline

My son and I went backpacking in Yosemite this week for three days. Wow, what a nature fix. Beauty permeated my being from every angle-from the breathtaking scenery to the soothing bullfrog sounds at night, and cold river water to soothe my swollen knee.

I especially loved the valley hike on the first day from El Cap meadow to the village (probably because I had no pack weight to lug around).

Now, I’m not complaining since I only carried my clothes, snacks and water plus my Big Agnus sleeping mat. He carried the brunt of the weight including the bear canister, both our tents and sleeping bags plus all his fly fishing gear.

To make one astute observation, I’m not as strong as I once was when I started backpacking in my 30’s. In fact, psychologically I found that I was a bit more fearful. Yes, even my tough upbringing from the Upper Peninsula of MI did not make me feel comfortable when I was left alone to patrol the campsite for three hours at mid-day.

Every sound and imagined sound had me pacing the perimeter and ensuring I had my “bear proof” titanium dishes with me to clang together when needed. I did not say “if “ but “when”, after our experience in Tahoe a few weeks earlier when a bear trotted up to our site while we were eating dinner.

Just to put your mind at rest, I only saw a beautifully curious doe who made me realize my tent was set up on a “game trail” running to the creek. After flipping her ears toward me several times, she gave up her attempt for water because I was standing my ground.

During the long night, all my “imagined” forest companions kept creeping into my mind: starting with a mountain lion, punctuated by a skunk and a cougar, ending with the infamous bear. My son reminded me the next day of the song we used to sing when the kids all lived at home, “The voice of truth” by Casting Crowns.

Yes, I had a case of listening to the voice of fear vs. the voice of truth and it stole my joy for a good part of Day 2 of our trip. It is impossible to enjoy beauty when fear is prevailing.

The Bible passages today were such a beautiful reminder of how much I forget (like Israel) to see the promises of God. He chose a Savior for us (Jesus Christ his Son). He bought us back from sin’s curse (aka redemption) and he promised to make us part of the kingdom of Heaven (as his workmanship), even while we are on this earth. Why is this comforting?

It’s easy to stay fearful of the future especially when so much sin and deception is being touted in our world. The comfort is that when Christ made all things new, he took care of all sin, not just from the past and present but also into the future. That’s amazing!! Not only has God already seen the extent of the problem but His solution has already been applied, being more than enough.

The exhortation is: don’t allow fear to rob us of our joy, because the truth about God’s forgiveness is greater. We may need to extend this forgiveness to people in our present circumstances. But when we remember beyond a doubt that His presence is around us, our senses are free to experience beauty. -Teresa #sinbringsdeath #gracebringslife

Isaiah 42 and 43:1-3a (ESV)* (bold added for emphasis)

42 Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.
² He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
³ a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
⁴ He will not grow faint or be discouraged^[c]
till he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his law.

⁵ Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
⁶ “I am the Lord; I have called you^[d] in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
⁷ to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
⁸ I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
⁹ Behold, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth
I tell you of them.”

Sing to the Lord a New Song

¹⁰ Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise from the end of the earth,
you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it,
the coastlands and their inhabitants.
¹¹ Let the desert and its cities lift up their voice,
the villages that Kedar inhabits;
let the habitants of Sela sing for joy,
let them shout from the top of the mountains.
¹² Let them give glory to the Lord,
and declare his praise in the coastlands.
¹³ The Lord goes out like a mighty man,
like a man of war he stirs up his zeal;
he cries out, he shouts aloud,
he shows himself mighty against his foes.

¹⁴ For a long time I have held my peace;
I have kept still and restrained myself;
now I will cry out like a woman in labor;
I will gasp and pant.
¹⁵ I will lay waste mountains and hills,
and dry up all their vegetation;
I will turn the rivers into islands,^[e]
and dry up the pools.
¹⁶ And I will lead the blind
in a way that they do not know,
in paths that they have not known
I will guide them.
I will turn the darkness before them into light,
the rough places into level ground.
These are the things I do,
and I do not forsake them.
¹⁷ They are turned back and utterly put to shame,
who trust in carved idols,
who say to metal images,
“You are our gods.”

Israel’s Failure to Hear and See

¹⁸ Hear, you deaf,
and look, you blind, that you may see!
¹⁹ Who is blind but my servant,
or deaf as my messenger whom I send?
Who is blind as my dedicated one,^[f]
or blind as the servant of the Lord?
²⁰ He sees many things, but does not observe them;
his ears are open, but he does not hear.
²¹ The Lord was pleased, for his righteousness’ sake,
to magnify his law and make it glorious.
²² But this is a people plundered and looted;
they are all of them trapped in holes
and hidden in prisons;
they have become plunder with none to rescue,
spoil with none to say, “Restore!”
²³ Who among you will give ear to this,
will attend and listen for the time to come?
²⁴ Who gave up Jacob to the looter,
and Israel to the plunderers?
Was it not the Lord, against whom we have sinned,
in whose ways they would not walk,
and whose law they would not obey?
²⁵ So he poured on him the heat of his anger
and the might of battle;
it set him on fire all around, but he did not understand;
it burned him up, but he did not take it to heart.

Israel’s Only Savior

43 But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
³ For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Ephesians 2:4-10*

^]4 But^[c]God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

*OneyearBibleonline

**pexels-miftah-rafli-hidayat-4869063.jpg