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

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.

Footnotes

1. Galatians 2:21 Or justification
2. Galatians 3:3 Or now ending with
3. Galatians 3:4 Or experience
4. Galatians 3:8 Or count righteous; also verses 11, 24

**OneyearBibleonline

*big-wave-splash-with-perfect-barrel-movement-surf–7LMV4JM.jpg

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.

*OneyearBibleonline

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, praying 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.

*photo credit: pexels-radovan-zierik-2858901.jpg

**OneyearBibleonline

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

1. 2 Corinthians 1:5 Or For as the sufferings of Christ abound for us, so also our comfort abounds through Christ
2. 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

*OneyearBibleonline

**no-pain-no-gain-9AKBN27.jpg; Pexels.com

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.”

*Oneyearbibleonline

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

Psalm 32:1-11 (ESV)*

Blessed Are the Forgiven

A Maskil^[a] of David.

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.

Who of you are called by God to salvation?

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.

Footnotes

1. 1 Corinthians 1:21 Or the folly of preaching
2. 1 Corinthians 1:26 Greek according to the flesh
3. 1 Corinthians 1:29 Greek no flesh
4. 1 Corinthians 1:30 Greek And from him
5. 1 Corinthians 2:1 Or brothers and sisters
6. 1 Corinthians 2:1 Some manuscripts mystery (or secret)
7. 1 Corinthians 2:5 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women

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

Footnotes

1. Romans 12:1 Or brothers and sisters
2. Romans 12:1 Or your rational service
3. Romans 12:2 Greek age
4. Romans 12:2 Or what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God
5. Romans 12:4 Greek parts; also verse 5
6. Romans 12:8 Or gives aid
7. Romans 12:11 Or fervent in the Spirit
8. Romans 12:16 Or give yourselves to humble tasks
9. Romans 12:19 Greek give place

pexels-maria-orlova-4916186.jpg*

**OneYearBibleonline

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.’

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