Many years ago, (over 30 years) I was flying to Puerto Rico to meet up with a business gathering for my husband’s company (spouses were invited). I spent the first night alone and felt discouraged not just because my luggage was lost but because I did not feel “one” with my husband. Sitting out on the balcony with the moon shining over the ocean, I heard the powerful sound of the waves ebbing and flowing.
As I poured out my heart to God, I was encouraged by the thought that although the wave pushing the water onto the shore was extremely powerful…the current sucking it back out to sea was just as powerful! Suddenly, I visualized my marriage relationship with a new perspective. Even though we may reach the goal in different ways, we had the same end result in mind. Harmony and power go hand in hand to make a relationship strong. The important part is to stay in rhythm or in sync.
Since then, God has not only sustained but blessed our marriage in ways that could never be attributed to merely “good works” or “good decisions on our part”. Faith is what started a heart of love in each of us. It is God’s good purpose that prevails still.
In the passage below, Paul is reminding the Galatians about Father Abraham. Although the Jewish Christians were tempted to show their righteousness by performing good works from the Law of Moses, Paul reminded them that faith in God and the filling of the Holy Spirit were a result of the power of Christ alone making them right in God’s eyes. How else did Abraham gain favor with God, if not through faith?
Just as a marriage relationship harmoniously working together is an example of great power, Christ and the church working together will bring God’s love to the world. #brideofChrist
We are living in a time when this is needed more than ever. The blessing of the Abrahamic covenant is available to the world through those who trust God.
Being crucified with Christ may start in our relationships at home, letting His love flow through us in powerful ways.
It will touch everyone around and is not in vain.
Lord, give me new eyes to see the harmony and power of God today as I trust you.-Teresa #goodnews #thegospel #John1:12
Galatians 2:20,21;3:1-9 English Standard Version **
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness[a] were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
By Faith, or by Works of the Law?
3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by[b] the flesh? 4 Did you suffer[c] so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify[d] the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
There is a point when the morning mist is lifting and the night hunting is done. The apex predator can double as a watchful guard over its territory.
When we were camping in Tahoe a few weeks ago, I had a unique experience watching a red tailed hawk and a raven. The hawk amazed us with a silent maneuver the day before dipping between two redwoods to adjust for his full wing span and skillfully moving past us in our campsite at full speed.
The last day, I was making sandwiches for our lunch. A large raven sat cloaked on the Sugar Pine tree towering above me. Whenever I see ravens, I’m reminded of God’s provision for Elijah and remember they also gather when something needs to be cleaned up (as in dead animals).
Generally, I will ask God if it’s a sign that something of my “old” nature needs to “die”. For example, fear of people’s opinions, jealousy or envy for things I don’t need, etc. Just recently, I started calling ravens the “dirty birds” when we experienced a pair of them visiting our birdbath daily for a month. No kidding, they also kill other birds and we would have to clean the carcass out of the bath.
All of a sudden, there was such a racket directly overhead that I looked up to see the hawk and raven engaged in a squabble not once, but twice. I saw that the hawk really did include our campsite as part of its territory. He successfully drove out the “dirty bird”.
To me, it was God’s whisper to my heart assuring me that I’m in His territory and He will be protecting me from the “dirty birds” around me.
My father set an ancient landmark, which was his parent’s property that he inherited on Wilderness Road. #40acres Although I don’t own that land, the memories of growing up there always remind me of the beauty of God’s inheritance for me.
In the passage below, I “remember” not to move this landmark, by allowing the fears of corruption in the world to change my trust in our Lord and Savior for His provision (aka…Do as my dad did).
I’ve developed skills in my work to: 1.Recognize when I’m stressed 2. Counteract the negative effects with deep breathing 3. Spend time each day building myself back up (exercise/prayer/Bible reading, nutritious food, positive social interactions/Bible study with other women, nature time, enjoying “with love” my responsibilities, and journaling).
This may seem small and obscure. Believe me, it’s no small thing. Someday, when I stand before the King of kings, I will rejoice to hear HIS voice calling me. -Teresa
Proverbs 22:28-29English Standard Version*
28 Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set. 29 Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
Receiving the grace of God requires follow through…opening wide your heart.
In other words, those who minister with hearts wide open may at times (like Paul) be treated with restrictive feeling and emotion when new believers are reticent or sitting on the proverbial fence (half in the world and half in Christ).
Now is the day of salvation (the moment when the Holy Spirit draws you to the Father). Do not receive this grace in vain. Make it count for God’s glory.
When the church gives freely of their love towards one another, God is glorified (I John 4:7).
“Agape” love is from God, it is for everyone and is different from “Eros” love (also in the Greek) which is meant for our spouse, or “Philia” love, which is for our family/brothers/sisters. Wikipedia
Affection, which is spoken of in this passage has to do with the bowel, intestine or seat of emotions. Bible hub Is it possible to love others without engaging our emotions?
My experience has been that when I widened my heart, I have also been introduced to greater needs. I’m learning to not let the “needy” rest on my shoulder but somehow connect their life to the life of Christ, then stand back to watch a tremendous miracle happen, especially in myself.
This can be through exchanging a kind word, giving a healing roller ball (I’ve been praying for those in need of healing and offering essential oil recipes), praying in tongues over situations that are dire, giving/sharing with those in my “church family” where I see a need, and meditating on the Bible (my heart) in these weekly blogs.
Whatever your unique gifting and calling, I look forward to hearing from you by reading your blogs, poems, short stories and videos to also be encouraged. -Teresa #hisyokeiseasy #hisburdenislight #Mat11:30
2 Corinthians 6:1-13English Standard Version**
6 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,
“In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely to you,[a] Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
Relying on ourselves works to a certain point. After all, the pain of a hard work-out will bring gains in strength.
When the pain is beyond our ability to endure, relying on God means we understand what the Apostle Paul shared here. He describes the burden of ministry becoming so great that they (the team in Corinth) despaired of life itself.
Because God has the power to raise from the dead, He will deliver those who put their hope in Him. The author of Proverbs reminds us that being humble towards God leads to “fearing” Him (or having a deep reverence) which can bring considerable blessing-riches, honor and life (Proverbs 22:4).
Life is an amazing blessing when you’ve experienced the comfort of God. This comfort can only be understood after an ordeal of suffering (aka grief or loss).
There are times when the suffering is caused by another’s sin and required forgiveness. In Tim Keller’s book on forgiveness***, he proposed the idea of carrying the pain of a “forgiven” sin for another when you choose to actually forgive them.
How opposite of “Western world” values, we should not have to carry that stinking load for an unworthy, ungrateful soul. On the other hand, isn’t that what our Savior did for all of us?
Is loss the only way to gain the perspective of Christ’s suffering death and resurrection? Philippians 3:7-11 reminds us of how that works in heaven’s value system.
The excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord may not be a call to watching out for me, myself and I but it is a call to receiving the comfort that goes deeper than our ability to cope. #relyingontheOnewhohasresurrectionpower
Let’s comfort others by first of all allowing God’s comfort to reach us deeply, to our inner core. He longs to find us right where we love and live. -Teresa #allowHimtocomfortyou #prayforthosesuffering
2 Corinthians 1:1-11 ESV *
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
God of All Comfort
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.[a]6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers,[b]of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.Read full chapter
*** “Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?” Book by Timothy Keller
Footnotes
2 Corinthians 1:5 Or For as the sufferings of Christ abound for us, so also our comfort abounds through Christ
2 Corinthians 1:8 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
When I chose the lemons for this pie, they were actually gifted to me from our neighbor. It really was the best flavor for this particular confection.
When the King of Persia chose to honor Mordecai, he realized from his midnight insomniac reading that Mordecai had saved his life. (The beauty of documenting important events and God’s influence at work on a nation through the previous 4 days of prayer and fasting).
When God chose the nation of Israel (through Jacob and his 12 sons), He set up a Levitical (chosen family) priesthood and a sacrificial system of worship to reflect the beauty of heaven to the people of earth.
It is no wonder that when evil Haman wrote up a decree to annihilate God’s chosen people (the Jews) and the King signed the edict, God stepped in to save them. In the end, Haman and his family were wiped out. Mordecai the Jew and his family (Queen Esther) were saved. Haman’s friends recognized the power of the Jewish God in an ominous foretelling of the events to come.
Even so, with the new covenant God chose men, women, boys and girls from all peoples, nations, tribes and tongues. Colossians 3 reminds us that we have a responsibility to take off the old sin nature and put on the new nature given us through Christ Jesus (our Passover lamb, Jesus Christ the Lord).
Colossians 3:12 ESV
[12] Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…
Whether it’s lemons, reactions to heroic deeds or a people to honor God’s name…the choices are made. My husband read a quote this week about God “finding” us as a shepherd finds the lost sheep. How beautiful to pray: “Lord, find me” rather than “help me to find you, God”. It is His specialty to bring salvation and find those who recognize they are lost.- Teresa #chosen #holy #dearlyloved
Esther 5:9-14, 1-13 ESV* (bold added)
Haman Plans to Hang Mordecai
9 And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11 And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. 12 Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows[g] fifty cubits[h] high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.
The King Honors Mordecai
6 On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king.2 And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana[i] and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 3 And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king’s young men who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” 4 And the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace to speak to the king about having Mordecai hanged on the gallows[j] that he had prepared for him. 5 And the king’s young men told him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” And the king said, “Let him come in.” 6 So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” And Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?”7 And Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, 8 let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown[k] is set. 9 And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’” 10 Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.” 11 So Haman took the robes and the horse, and he dressed Mordecai and led him through the square of the city, proclaiming before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”
12 Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered. 13 And Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.”
God’s all-encompassing love for David is present and accounted for all in this one chapter: from David’s recognition of his sin, confession, forgiveness experienced, prayers offered, hiding place provided, being surrounded by shouts of deliverance, the promise of instruction, teaching and individualized counsel (with God’s eye on him).
David writes about it from personal experience and to remind all who trust in the Lord that His steadfast love surrounds us as well. Don’t be overcome by sorrow but be glad, rejoice and give shouts of joy!!!
It’s easy to take up the sorrow of the wicked, especially when it’s fed to us on every app and platform available. Being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1,2) means that we are able to see the “news” through God’s “app”- His Word. It becomes God’s work in our hearts (like what David experienced) that brings about deliverance.
Yesterday, I was tested on this. In light of the road I’ve been journeying over the past 5 years with my elder’s inability to make sound judgment about certain relationships (i.e. scammers), I was literally frightened about some information displayed on my computer screen. I had a visceral reaction and asked God to help me through the process of finding the truth.
God answered my prayer but I realized how vulnerable I was to what “appears” real vs. what truly is reality. The Psalm below comforted me as I had to confess my lack of faith in God’s care for us, because of those who target the innocent.
I had just taught the grandkids “David and Goliath” during our Star Camp Bible school this week. Be NOT afraid was the main point. God’s name (aka character) is trustworthy. He strengthens us to be victorious when “bullies” are shouting insults.
If we would make a shadow box (or prayer journal) to put on display in our front rooms, then we would remember as David did what incidents in our lives were critical. This would be a visual reminder and we could tell the story over and over of God’s deliverance. This is similar to the children of Israel placing boulders retrieved from the river bed of the Red Sea onto the shore to remind their children and grandchildren of God’s miraculous deliverance. #remember
How many times am I stubborn like a horse or mule, refusing to drink deeply of the water God leads me to? Instead, I’m picking up the “apps” of the world’s information and sipping from dirty mud puddles of sorrow. Help me, Lord, to stay near YOU, your word and your steadfast love. – Teresa #joyfulreality
32 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lordcounts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up[b] as by the heat of summer. Selah
5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. 7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
*Oneyearbibleonline
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
A Living Sacrifice
[1] I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [2] Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Maybe you noticed in the Bible passage below there are some seemingly unlikely candidates for salvation …but God chooses those who are considered foolish in the world’s eyes: powerless, not wealthy, even despised or basically “nothing”.
Why? So that Christ’s wisdom, power and nobility can shine in and through us, He is “Someone” important. #makeroomforHim
Lord, we boast in you alone. For those of you born into wealthy, wise or powerful families- don’t despair. Paul specifies there are a “called” few (not many) in this category.
Lord, we are grateful to you. You love us all and have a special calling for those who are despised or don’t think of themselves too highly- especially the children. – Teresa #Christalone #thewisdomofGod #nowthat’sapowerfulplan
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5English Standard Version
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach[a] to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,[b]not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being[c] might boast in the presence of God.30 And because of him[d] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Proclaiming Christ Crucified
2 And I, when I came to you, brothers,[e] did not come proclaiming to you the testimony[f] of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men[g] but in the power of God.
Being robbed/prevented from completing the building of an amazing plan last week, I felt there was only one thing worse and that was being hacked by scammers who also prey on the elderly (my focus this week).
Not to say that I’m elderly yet, but there are plenty of seniors who have fallen prey to those wily schemes. In the past, our “elders” would have the family’s and community’s honor. Nowadays there are no laws to protect seniors who willingly give to charlatans playing a “part” (for money).
Mid-19th century, the “scammers” were called snake oil salesmen, charlatans. My father was excellent at sniffing them out. Some would call the house (my dad would answer, set the phone down and walk away, until they got tired of talking). That was before the digital robocall problem.
Today, when an elder in your family is a victim, everyone is a victim. Why? Because the scammer has convinced the elder to trust him, not listen to those who truly love her. In the meantime, he can glean the whole family’s personal information through her. These men (and women) are professional criminals, working internationally.
I’ve had to learn the hard way to withhold information being asked me by my elder or withhold texts (to her “new” cell number) because of the connection to scammers who can enter your own computer if you click on their message (that has your loved one’s phone identifier/name on it).
The verse I’ve been reciting frequently over the past three months when dealing with the climax of this tricky problem is: “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, His greatness is beyond our comprehension” (Psalm 145:3)
When you’ve been raised “right” by your elder but they have swallowed the message of those who are wily (hook, line and sinker), then you must outsmart the criminals who are trying to drain the entire river of all its resources. (Only through God -Psalm 145:3 again)
To my amazement, God is bringing resolution to all the concerns we’ve had in ways that I would not have thought possible. Although the past five years have been tiring, God has worked in ways that are beyond what I could have asked or imagined.
At every turn, God was testing my heart as well. Was I willing to give up my personal comforts to care for my elder (and the comfort/resources of my family although they were innocent and not connected to her bad judgments)? Was I willing to stand in the gap for her in prayer and with time, oversight, consults and documentation? Was I willing to listen, encourage, help her connect with good people?
Doctors say that brain changes can occur as early as in the thirties for some with a predisposition to these type of brain injuries (injuries that wreak havoc on judgement). If someone’s actions seem strange, then don’t neglect a neuro exam.
Just when the burden seemed too great, God opened another door. Now I’m rejoicing that I did not have to complete my “not so amazing” plan. I’m seeing the way that I was “robbed” intellectually and monetarily as God shedding light on the seriousness of the deception taking place. (Aka requiring warfare on a spiritual level- the battle is the Lord’s)
By outdoing one another with honor, I propose we take a fresh look at Paul’s instructions in Romans 12. Giving thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s sight, means not repaying evil for evil. It may look different for each situation and be especially unique for those who are protecting their vulnerable elder.
One excellent audible book that helped me was written and narrated by Marc Swift. He gave literal examples of what I was going through as he documented his journey with his elderly parents. The premise that he worked from was to find the place of love in their memories and reconnect. Tap into God’s love for them and for ourselves as caregivers.
I guess the lesson for today is by giving honor, we also treat ourselves honorably. We should not stoop to a level of anger or malice that heightens the actual problem being faced. -Teresa #love
Romans 12:9-21 ESV **
Marks of the True Christian
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,[g]serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.[h] Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[i]to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.Read full chapter
Humility is not easy. Especially when I feel robbed. For example, as a “builder”, I take great joy in planning, implementing and seeing the final product emerge. Not until the chimney is on am I deeply satisfied!
Have you ever met someone who sees the benefit of your plan? Only after the messy work of digging the foundation and putting in the plumbing, will they step up and even bully themselves into the place of “foreman” and take over the final steps.
In my humbling experience, not only did my idea become “used” by another but the satisfaction of finishing it was thwarted. Not so with Solomon. He had a father (King David) who planned and prepped for him to finish the building of God’s house, the Temple. It was all done as David planned and Solomon was the “foreman” who stepped in and gave glory to God, after following David’s instructions.
God saw Solomon’s humility and answered his prayer by coming down with great power and glory into the finished product. Lord, we pray for your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Whether it’s an abrupt change of plans or truly having your hard work robbed, I propose that by humbling ourselves before God we will be vessels of clay for God’s glory to descend upon.-Teresa
2 Chronicles 7: 11-18 ESV *
11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord and the king’s house. All that Solomon had planned to do in the house of the Lord and in his own house he successfully accomplished. 12 Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.16 For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time. 17 And as for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked, doing according to all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my rules, 18 then I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to rule Israel.’
Please enjoy this post from 2015 (with a few edits). Remember…being hidden in Christ is a beautiful thing. I watched my grandkids this week “hide” in an opaque “Paw Patrol” pop-up tent. They were sure I couldn’t see their adorable selves. They told me it was a lion, a pig, a bear making the tent crash around. God’s heart desires fellowship with us, we must just be honest about our need of Him. He will provide the rest.
When David was terrified by the presence of the angel of the Lord, he repented at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite and God had mercy on the people.
This was the same place where many years earlier, Abraham willingly offered up in obedience his son, Isaac, who was then a young man. God saw Abraham’s heart of faith and stopped Him, by “providing a lamb” for the sacrifice (see Genesis 22:8).
Even so, this place of extreme repentance became the site of Solomon’s ornate temple, built for worshiping the God above all gods. Solomon had the wisdom and skills to make a profoundly intricate work, majestic enough to cause the glory of God to descend on it in a cloud (see 2 Chronicles 5:14).
Even today, we repent and worship at this site as it is also the mountain called Calvary where Jesus, the lamb of God, gave himself up for the sins of the world. This place of repentance, is where we picture our head being dripped on by the blood of Christ Jesus our Lord. He substituted His righteousness for my sinfulness as He provided atonement for me.
Lord, you terrify us with your presence because you are so holy. Purify us by the blood of your Son and our Savior so that we may worship You in Spirit and in truth. We rejoice because of your provision for us. -Teresa #hiddenbutfullyseen
Genesis 22:1-14 (NET) (bold added)
1Some time after these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am!” Abraham replied.2 God said, “Take your son – your only son, whom you love, Isaac – and go to the land of Moriah! Offer him up there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will indicate to you.”3 Early in the morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took two of his young servants with him, along with his son Isaac. When he had cut the wood for the burnt offering, he started out for the place God had spoken to him about.4 On the third day Abraham caught sight of the place in the distance.5 So he said to his servants, “You two stay here with the donkey while the boy and I go up there. We will worship and then return to you.”6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and put it on his son Isaac. Then he took the fire and the knife in his hand, and the two of them walked on together.7Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father?” “What is it, my son?” he replied. “Here is the fire and the wood,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”8 “God will provide for himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham replied. The two of them continued on together.9 When they came to the place God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood on it. Next he tied up his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood.10 Then Abraham reached out his hand, took the knife, and prepared to slaughter his son.11 But the Lord’s angel called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am!” he answered.12 “Do not harm the boy!” the angel said. “Do not do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God because you did not withhold your son, your only son, from me.”13 Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram caught in the bushes by its horns. So he went over and got the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.14 And Abraham called the name of that place “The Lord provides.” It is said to this day, “In the mountain of the Lord provision will be made.”
1 Chronicles 21: 18-30 22:1-6 (ESV) (bold added)
David Builds an Altar
18 Now the angel of the Lord had commanded Gad to say to David that David should go up and raise an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 19 So David went up at Gad’s word, which he had spoken in the name of the Lord. 20 Now Ornan was threshing wheat. He turned and saw the angel, and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. 21 As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David and went out from the threshing floor and paid homage to David with his face to the ground. 22 And David said to Ornan, “Give me the site of the threshing floor that I may build on it an altar to the Lord—give it to me at its full price—that the plague may be averted from the people.” 23 Then Ornan said to David, “Take it, and let my lord the king do what seems good to him. See, I give the oxen for burnt offerings and the threshing sledges for the wood and the wheat for a grain offering; I give it all.” 24 But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 25 So David paid Ornan 600 shekels[f] of gold by weight for the site. 26 And David built there an altar to the Lord and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the Lord, and the Lord[g] answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering. 27 Then the Lord commanded the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.
28 At that time, when David saw that the Lord had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he sacrificed there. 29 For the tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were at that time in the high place at Gibeon, 30 but David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the Lord.
22 Then David said, “Here shall be the house of the Lord God and here the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”
David Prepares for Temple Building
2 David commanded to gather together the resident aliens who were in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to prepare dressed stones for building the house of God. 3 David also provided great quantities of iron for nails for the doors of the gates and for clamps, as well as bronze in quantities beyond weighing, 4 and cedar timbers without number, for the Sidonians and Tyrians brought great quantities of cedar to David. 5 For David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David provided materials in great quantity before his death.
Solomon Charged to Build the Temple
6 Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel.7 David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. 8 But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth. 9 Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. 10 He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.’
2 Chronicles 3: 1-3 (NLT) bold added 3 So Solomon began to build the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to David, his father. The Temple was built on the threshing floor of Araunah[s] the Jebusite, the site that David had selected. 2 The construction began in midspring,[t] during the fourth year of Solomon’s reign.
John 19:16b-37 (NET) (first bold added)
So they took Jesus, 17 and carrying his own cross he went out to the place called “The Place of the Skull” (called in Aramaic Golgotha). 18 There they crucified him along with two others, one on each side, with Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate also had a notice written and fastened to the cross, which read: “Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews.” 20 Thus many of the Jewish residents of Jerusalem read this notice, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the notice was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. 21 Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The king of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am king of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” 23 Now when the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and made four shares, one for each soldier, and the tunic remained. (Now the tunic was seamless, woven from top to bottom as a single piece.) 24 So the soldiers said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but throw dice to see who will get it.” This took place to fulfill the scripture that says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they threw dice.” So the soldiers did these things. 25 Now standing beside Jesus’ cross were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 So when Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, look, here is your son!” 27 He then said to his disciple, “Look, here is your mother!” From that very time the disciple took her into his own home.28 Jesus’ Death After this Jesus, realizing that by this time everything was completed, said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty!” 29 A jar full of sour wine was there, so they put a sponge soaked in sour wine on a branch of hyssop and lifted it to his mouth. 30 When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 31 Then, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies should not stay on the crosses on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was an especially important one), the Jewish leaders asked Pilate to have the victims’ legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men who had been crucified with Jesus, first the one and then the other. 33But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out immediately. 35 And the person who saw it has testified (and his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth), so that you also may believe. 36 For these things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled, “Not a bone of his will be broken.” 37 And again another scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.”
Reconnection 