My first experience telling others about Jesus was traveling to various neighborhoods in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where our church members lived, teaching 5-day clubs to children. It was the summer I turned 12 years old and I had trained through Child Evangelism Fellowship.

My second, third and fourth journeys were also in the summertime, two with Teen Missions, International and the last with New Tribes Mission. These trips took me to Oahu, HI; Palmer, AK; and the hollers of Kentucky with wonderful teams of Christian believers from all around the country.

After my husband and I were married, we went on a cross-cultural journey together. With our first daughter, who was still a baby, we headed to Europe and North Africa for a year with a multinational group of single adults and married couples. Our daughter was adored by many “aunties and uncles”.

Reading about Paul’s second missionary journey (see the passage below), I was caught up in the travel involved and the way he met with people whose hearts were being called by God.

The generosity they experienced was a result of hearts being changed. The churches supported Paul and Silas as well as young Timothy (Paul’s “trainee”). Along the way, the old and new converts opened their hearts and homes to the love that God showed them through His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord.

Those who were changed were also encouraged to remain faithful. Although the church of that day did not promote women leaders (due to lack of education), Lydia may have been an exception as she eventually opened up her home as the hub for the growing church. #Philippians

Philippi was a great trade city in the province of Macedonia where Paul and his partners were “called” to minister. Lydia was a wealthy business owner involved in trading purple cloth there and her heart was touched by the gospel message as Paul preached the good news. She was used by God because she recognized in herself the desire to be faithful to Him and left it up to Paul to judge her authenticity and accept her generosity.

My prayer is to always be faithful wherever God leads me. His grace through me is sufficient even for the difficult tasks that seem too much. (I’ve been quoting Paul’s words all this week, 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”). -Teresa #faithful #fruithatwillast

Acts 16:11-15 (ESV)

The Conversion of Lydia

¹¹ So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, ¹² and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the^[d] district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.¹³ And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. ¹⁴ One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. ¹⁵ And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Also…Please enjoy this informative paper (below), I found it on Regent University, http://www.regent.edu site (see this excerpt from “Lydia’s Story” written by Peter Foxwell) :

“Peter Foxwell serves as the lead pastor of the Cornerstone Church of Clyde, MI (www.FamousGod.com). He is also a student in the Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership program at Liberty University. “

“Lydia’s Story”

“THE ROMAN COLONY OF PHILIPPI”

“Lydia was the first convert to the Christian faith in the colonial Roman city of Philippi (Acts 16:11-15), located in the district of Macedonia. In that Roman administrative region, Thessalonica was larger, and Amphipolis was the capital; nevertheless, Philippi is described as a leading or principal city (Bock, 2007), perhaps because it was considered a crossroads between Europe and Asia (Calpino, 2012).”

“Philippi was administered according to the laws and constitution of the city of Rome (Bruce, 1980) and enjoyed the highest status a provincial town could have (Bock, 2007). All in all, it would have felt very Roman. The city’s religious life followed the imperial cult and was a center for the worship of a variety of gods.”

“THE JEWISH PLACE OF PRAYER IN PHILIPPI”

“Paul’s missionary strategy included visiting local synagogues (cf., Acts 13:14; 14:1; 17:1), but there was no synagogue in Philippi, perhaps due to a lack of Jewish men there (Bruce, 1980). However, there was an informal place of prayer (Gk. proseuchen, sometimes means a synagogue, but not in this case, Bruce, 1980) attended, it seems, exclusively by women (Acts 16:13). Among the worshippers was Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth.”

“LYDIA, A WOMAN OF STATUS”

“Lydia was from the city of Thyatira, located in Asia Minor in the region known as Lydia (Peterson, 2009). It was known for its “purple dye and textiles” (p. 460). Possibly Lydia sold cloth to wealthy clients in Philippi, and she should be considered a woman of status (Bock, 2007). Inscriptional evidence recovered from Philippi demonstrates that women undertook many leadership roles, such as offices in various religions (Calpino, 2012). They also paid for public works, such as statues on which they inscribed their names and status.”

“In the first-century Roman world, women owned and managed businesses, both large and small (Calpino, 2012). Mowczko (2018) notes that members of the senatorial (aristocratic) class were independently wealthy and did not engage in business, but members of the wealthy equestrian class did run businesses. Lydia sold a luxury item that would have required access to significant capital investment, which means she belonged to the equestrian class’s provincial equivalent, or she was “a relatively wealthy commoner” (p. 4). Lydia was very likely an independent business owner since women occupied “a prominent place in Macedonian life” (Fee, 1995, p. 27).”

“THE CONVERSION OF LYDIA”

“When Paul first met Lydia, she was a “worshipper of God” or a God-fearer (Acts 16:14). Her Greek background would suggest that Lydia was a former polytheist.”

“Now, she was “believing and behaving as a Jew without having become one” (Stott, 1990, p. 263). When Paul spoke, the Lord worked through his message to open her heart to believe in Jesus (Acts 16:14). Stott remarks that “the message was Paul’s, the saving initiative was God’s (p. 263). Acts 16:15 mentions her conversion to the Christian faith. There, she claims to be a true believer in the Lord, and she and her household were baptized. She then persuades Paul and his companions to stay at her home. Paul and his entourage remain based at Lydia’s house for the duration of their ministry in Philippi. The infant church also gathers there (Acts 16:40).”

“LYDIA’S HOME AND HOUSEHOLD”

“Details about Lydia’s marital status and home life are scarce (Barnes, 1995). We do not know if she was married, single, divorced, or widowed. However, it is possible to glean some helpful insights from the biblical text. Notably, the author of Acts does not associate Lydia with a man. In ancient Roman culture, women were known through their men (Barnes, 1995). Luke may be communicating “that the God of the Gospel is not interested in traditional social barriers of this world, particularly those associated with the pivotal value, honor/shame” (p. 181).”

“In Acts 16:15, the word translated household and home is the same Greek term, oikos. It does not refer to a building but an extended family under Lydia’s leadership and care. Spouses, children, household servants/slaves, laborers, even business associates, and tenants were considered members of an ancient Roman household (Towner, 1993). The house was held together through a bond based on “common economic, social, psychological, and religious factors” (p. 417). Belonging to the household gave its members “a sense of security and identity” (p. 417). Lydia’s offer to accommodate and support Paul and his companions within her household, “suggests she owned a villa” (Fee, 1995, p. 26).”

“The head of the household had authority over its members and a duty to care for them. Lydia may have been the head (Latin, domina) of her house either because she was a widower, divorcee, or a single woman of means (Peterson, 2009). She demonstrates her authority by leading its members in Christian baptism, offering hospitality to Paul and his ministry team in her home, and making her home available as their base of operations and as a gathering place for the church (Calpino, 2012). In this way, Paul and his team, as well as the church, came under her protection (p. 285).”

“CONCLUSION”

“Lydia was likely an independent woman, the head of her household, and the owner of a business requiring significant capital. How, then, would these qualities have translated into the Christian community in Philippi? Osiek (2009) suggests that women took part in all the ministries of the house church. Is this likely? The answer may lie in the customs and practices of first-century Roman society.”…’ (see more on Regent University website)

Author(s): Peter Foxwell  

Journal: Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership

Issue: 1  

Volume: 10  

Year: 2020

On my last visit to see mom, I was rewarded with some Vitamin D after “finding” the secret patio at the hotel. the sky was glorious (although a bit hazy from the Canadian fires) with just small puffs of clouds suspended in air.

In this passage, Elijah had a “show-down” with the prophets of Ba’al, he was watching intently for a cloud. The small puff of a cloud was his sign that the famine had ended in Israel. It was Elijah’s confirmation that the years of waiting were over.

Elijah gathered up his garments and ran. He ran like no other racer has ever run. He ran in the rain from the top of Mount Carmel to Jezreel. He ran ahead of King Ahab’s chariot. He ran because the hand of the Lord was on him.

This “show-down” was also from God’s hand. It included Elijah challenging the idol called Ba’al, the fire falling from heaven in answer to Elijah’s prayer, the actions/words of the people choosing God and not fearfully “limp (ing) around” with falsehood any longer. It ended with the slaughter of the false prophets who were deceiving God’s people. Watching Elijah run before him (for 25 miles), Ahab even had a chance to repent from allowing his wife, Jezebel, rule him and the country when she frightened everyone into submission by slaughtering God’s prophets. Afterwards, Elijah ran for his life as Jezebel threatened him as well.

God’s hand was evident in Elijah’s lifetime. Even today, people who live in oppressed situations, waiting for deliverance are waiting for the evidence of God. Yet, our waiting is over once we look heavenward and remember who is truly God. It is not those who threaten and wield fear as a weapon. It is the Creator of the clouds who shows the sign of His intention for mankind.

The greatest sign of all is the rainbow, given to Noah in a covenant to never wipe out mankind again. Noah and his family were saved because they found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

We too can find grace in the eyes of the Lord when we receive Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives (John 1:12,17).

This is called good news or the gospel message. Just as Elijah spotted the sign of a small puff of cloud, he was assured that his waiting was over.

Your “secret patio” may look a bit different than mine or the sign God gives you may not be a small puff of cloud, but the reward of waiting for God’s grace to appear in your family and loved ones will be worth the investment of time spent.

We also can rejoice in God’s glorious plan to bring grace to every people, tribe, tongue and nation. The sign of God’s grace for mankind is the empty tomb. Nothing has the power to stop God’s love for us, not even death.- Teresa

I Kings 18: 20-46 (ESV)*

The Prophets of Baal Defeated

²⁰ So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel.²¹ And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. ²² Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. ²³ Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. ²⁴ And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” ²⁵ Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” ²⁶ And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. ²⁷ And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” ²⁸ And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them.²⁹ And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.

³⁰ Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. ³¹ Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” ³² and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs^[a] of seed. ³³ And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” ³⁴ And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time. ³⁵ And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water.

³⁶ And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. ³⁷ Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”³⁸ Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.³⁹ And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” ⁴⁰ And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there.

The Lord Sends Rain

⁴¹ And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” ⁴² So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. ⁴³ And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. ⁴⁴ And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” ⁴⁵ And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel.⁴⁶ And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. 1 Kings 18:32 A seah was about 7 quarts or 7.3 liters

*Oneyearbibleonline.com

God’s blessing (as described in this Psalm) meant fruitful labor, children and grandchildren. It also meant a prosperous nation.

It is not wrong to assume that having peace or absence of war was an additional blessing from the God of Israel in that day.

Fear of the Lord meant reverence for Him and His word. Today, we also have an obligation to fear the Lord. The “blessing”, however, that results will not necessarily be peace from earthly war but peace with God.

We are no longer under a Suzerain-vassal treaty as the nation of Israel had with YHWH but under the new covenant agreement based on God’s promise for the anointed One (aka the Messiah or the Christ). (See Jeremiah 31)

This covenant was fulfilled when Jesus Christ the Lord took on the sins of the world. He is the Father’s way to provide redemption from sin for mankind plus to fulfill the Father’s desire to include those from every tribe, tongue, people and nation into His kingdom.

As much as I love my grandchildren, I am even more grateful for Jesus Christ, my Savior. He is my blessing. He blessed me by making peace with God on my behalf.

I can pass this great blessing on to my children and grandchildren. – Teresa #legacyofpeace

Psalm 128:1-6 (ESV) *

Blessed Is Everyone Who Fears the Lord

A Song of Ascents.

128 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways!
² You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
⁴ Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the Lord.

⁵ The Lord bless you from Zion!
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life!
⁶ May you see your children’s children!
Peace be upon Israel!

*Oneyearbibleonline

Jeremiah 31:31-34 (ESV)

The New Covenant

[31] “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, [32] not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. [33] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [34] And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Hebrews 10:1-10 ESV

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

[1] For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. [2] Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? [3] But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. [4] For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

[5] Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; [6] in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. [7] Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’” [8] When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), [9] then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. [10] And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

On the last visit I made to my hometown, I visited the Iron Industry Museum. My father and grandfather made their living through this industry. The state of MI and Ford Motor Company were supported for many years through these rich iron ore deposits in the Upper Peninsula.

The words on each exhibit along with the pictures, effectively told the story. Whether the words painted the picture or the picture was worth 1,000 words, I enjoyed the value of communicating this history through word pictures.

In this Psalm, I see an Old Testament word picture or poem. The words were historically recited by the people of Israel on the way to Jerusalem each year (for their three mandatory feast observations).

Rather than trusting man-made idols visible on “the hills” around Jerusalem, the Psalmist called out the truth of God (YHWH) as the creator of heaven and earth.

Even today, we should remember it is not what WE create out of iron or steel that makes us prosper but what God has created in us- a hope and a future.

The Lord “kept” the children of Israel and will “keep” us. What does He keep us from? We are kept from ALL harm when we trust Him.

The harm may include deadly physical elements of heat and sun exposure or nighttime predators. It could also be a spiritual degradation found in today’s culture to remove a life from the earth before their time (aka abortion).

Our coming and going will be kept by God when our eyes look to Him.- Teresa #keeplifesacred

Psalm 121 (ESV) *

A Song of Ascents.

121 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
² My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
⁴ Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
⁸ The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.

*OneYearBibleOnlinehttps://biblegateway.comESV

While visiting my mom in MN this week, I grew fond of the elliptical machine for my daily workout. You can see it in the photo on the far left.

Eight years ago, I participated in a program called “Medical Weight Management”. I used their food and sat under the guidance of their dietitians. My weight loss was supervised by a medical doctor. The best thing that I learned throughout the program was to remain committed. We all transitioned from a 1200 cal/day diet to eating the individual number of calories that were allowed (as calculated by a resting metabolic weight test).

The graph that inspired me most in the first 6 months of the program was the steady weight loss as seen on each participants chart. Usually at week 12-15 (or so) many people noted a plateau or even a 5 pound weight gain, while doing the program correctly.

This is the point in the program, where a few people dropped out. They decided that they can do this on their own (less money) because obviously “it’s not working for me”. One such graph was displayed of a member who was on the verge of quitting but then stayed (remained in the program). This particular person dropped another 30 pounds, in addition to the 20 lost prior to their plateau.

What if they just gave up and quit when the graph went up instead of down? Would they have ever seen the joyful ending of hanging in there. They would have failed to get what they were hoping for and had committed to. They would not have remained long enough to see the desired result.

We don’t always see the end of the graph from where we are now standing. That doesn’t mean that a bump in the road will turn us away from our desired destination.

Sure, it’s discouraging, but what’s worse than struggling? I would have to say quitting on yourself is worse than struggling. Wouldn’t you rather continue on and abide in the investment made? #urworthit

In the passage below, John the apostle captures Jesus’ important message to his closest disciples. Jesus knew that there was suffering ahead for all of them. He encourages them to abide in the relationship that had changed their lives and would change the world.

The Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Why? Because He loved the world…he saw us as worthwhile.

Like the early disciples,the fruit that results from God’s love in us (as His sons and daughters) comes from abiding in Christ Jesus. Without Him, we are nothing and with Him we are “home”. Have you ever wanted to belong somewhere safe and beautiful -accepted as you are?

Have I asked the Father in Jesus’ name for the thing I desire most?-Teresa #fullnessofJoy #abide

John 15:1-17 (ESV)*

I Am the True Vine

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

¹² “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants,^[a]for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.¹⁷ These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

*OneYearBibleOnline

I heard a simple, yet touching story of a wife praying this earnest prayer for her husband (named James). “Mercy, Lord, for James” (repeated over and over). Then, he happened to walk in the door one day after work and heard her in prayer and it touched him. It changed him.

There may be times in our own lives when we must pray for ourself. I said it this week, “mercy, Lord, for Teresa”. It touched me, it changed me.

In fact, there’s is a song by John Michael Talbot that never ceases to makes me happy. The key phrase is, “and I ask you- all of my brothers and sisters…to pray for me”. We Shall Stand Forgiven

Being brought low may be the first step of our salvation. “Death” to self may come in a variety of ways: overwhelming circumstances, difficult people or too many balls flying from every direction (some that we should not even attempt to catch).

He inclines His ear to us. How wonderful to know that His Salvation is on the way. By lifting up the cup of salvation, we are praising the One who poured out His life so we could know God as our loving Father. #theLordJesusChrist

Walking before the Lord in the land of the living means we continue to honor Him with our lives. Even when it’s challenging, He shows up and carries us on His shoulders.

I love you, Lord, for without you, I am nothing. – Teresa #thanksgiving

Psalm 116: 1-19 (ESV) *

116 I love the Lord, because he has heard
my voice and my pleas for mercy.
² Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
³ The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
⁴ Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”

⁵ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
⁶ The Lord preserves the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
⁷ Return, O my soul, to your rest;
for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

⁸ For you have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling;
⁹ I will walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.

¹⁰ I believed, even when^[a] I spoke:
“I am greatly afflicted”;
¹¹ I said in my alarm,
“All mankind are liars.”

¹² What shall I render to the Lord
for all his benefits to me?
¹³ I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord,
¹⁴ I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.

¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his saints.
¹⁶ O Lord, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.
You have loosed my bonds.
¹⁷ I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of the Lord.
¹⁸ I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
¹⁹ in the courts of the house of the Lord,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Psalm 116:10 Or believed, indeed; Septuagint believed, therefore

*OneYearBibleOnline

David’s love and loyalty to King Saul was returned with hate and lies.

Jesus’ ministry, filled with loving miracles to those in need ,“appeared to end” with the religious people of the day determining to crucify Him.

Lies and accusations were not far from attacking the ONE who worked in opposition to the “father of lies”.

Following David’s example and Jesus’ example, we can also give ourselves to prayer.

In so doing, we may gain wisdom, beauty and grace to help when accusations fly.

The description of Christ, as the suffering servant (in Isaiah), portrayed him as a bruised reed. Unbreakable!

There are times when we must flex and bend but remember that the grace of God in our lives means that we are also unbreakable.

On this Mother’s Day weekend, we think of those who serve sacrificially. I think of my hero in the faith, Mother Teresa. The story of her life (dramatized in 2014) was very impactful to me. Called “The Letters”, this movie evidenced the struggle and depth of her work.

Yet, she persevered. We must also take time to do the small things that others overlook as distasteful or not valuable.

Even if the very ones you love and serve produce lies and accusations (like King Saul did to David)- give yourself to prayer.

God is faithful to finish His work in us and in the world. – Teresa #remember #KingDavid #KingJesus #wearechildrenofGod #ransomedforHisglory

Psalm 109:1-5 (ESV)*

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

109 Be not silent, O God of my praise!
² For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me,
speaking against me with lying tongues.
³ They encircle me with words of hate,
and attack me without cause.
⁴ In return for my love they accuse me,
but I give myself to prayer.^[a]
5 So they reward me evil for good,
and hatred for my love.

*OneYearBibleOnline

In spite of our information-based society, I am amazed at the perceptiveness of the younger generations.

In the passage below, young Ruth perceived that her mother-in-law was worth following after. She followed Naomi from Moab all the way home to Bethlehem. Ruth clung to her and refused to be separated, claiming that she would not leave her and that Naomi’s God would by her God.

When Naomi rejoiced at the good fortune of Ruth finding a safe place to work in Boaz’s fields, she slowly forgot her bitterness of grief and loss, restoring her hope in the LORD.

Boaz was one of their redeemers. Following a beautiful tradition of saving the widows and remnant of God’s people, the kinsman-redeemer ensured a promised heir for their fellow Israelite.

Ruth trusted Naomi’s tradition implicitly and followed her instructions on how to approach the man who could protect their future and hope.

Today, young people have to make a choice as Ruth did. They must decide between Moab (their homeland), which teaches the theology of atheism in the schools, vs. Bethlehem (the house of bread), which relies on the Savior’s coming to change our hearts forever.

When we have the courage to ask our Savior to spread His wings over us, then we are redeemed. This means “to buy back”. Boaz bought back Naomi’s family line (although her husband and sons had died). He gave provision and protection to her family. Most of all he provided an heir through Ruth who would carry on Naomi’s family name.

We are redeemed when Jesus becomes our Savior. He not only provides eternal life and protects us from death (separation from God) but he bought us back for a purpose -to be part of the family business. #loveoneanother

The intimacy of this passage is not lost on us. We can perceive God’s personal invitation to mankind. He has touched us ever so lightly with such a profound effect. -Teresa #metamorphosis

Ruth 2:19-3:13 (ESV)*

¹⁹ And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.” ²⁰ And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.” ²¹ And Ruth the Moabite said, “Besides, he said to me, ‘You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’” ²² And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted.” ²³ So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor

3 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? ² Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.³ Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. ⁴ But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” ⁵ And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”

⁶ So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her.⁷ And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. ⁸ At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! ⁹ He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings^[c] over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” ¹⁰ And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. ¹¹ And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. ¹² And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. ¹³ Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”

Footnotes

1. Ruth 2:7 Compare Septuagint, Vulgate; the meaning of the Hebrew phrase is uncertain
2. Ruth 2:17 An ephah was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters
3. Ruth 3:9 Compare 2:12; the word for wings can also mean corners of a garment
4. Ruth 4:4 Hebrew he
5. Ruth 4:5 Masoretic Text you also buy it from Ruth

*theOneYearBibleonline

…repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations…Luke 24:47

On the road to Emmaus, Cleopas and his companion were taken by surprise. Their LORD walked with them for seven miles and after all their conversation, they did not recognize his resurrected body.

During the breaking of bread, Jesus opened their eyes and it all became clear. It became evident to them that throughout the scriptures it was prophesied. Jesus had come to their specific time and place to suffer, to die, to be resurrected and to ascend into heaven before their very eyes. #waitforthepromise

While spending time at the lake today, my son and I put together an alpine sunshade. The breeze was beautiful, making the lightweight material respond with soft fluttering. At one point, I positioned my phone to capture a picture of a mist “rainbow” and realized that God was shining down on us. #promiserealized

Although many times our eyes get distracted by frustrating events of our day, discouraged by the ways of our world, He can capture our attention like none other. #light #life

Not only do His words shed light on confusion but they bring life to our hearts. #didnotourheartsburnwithinus

Perfect timing means someday all nations will have had an opportunity to respond with repentance in order to receive His amazing forgiveness. Lord, we trust your promises. Help us to live in your light. -Teresa #witnessprotection=God’spromiseuponyou #HolySpiritpower

Luke 24:13-53English Standard Version *

On the Road to Emmaus

¹³ That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles^[a] from Jerusalem, ¹⁴ and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ¹⁵ While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. ¹⁶ But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷ And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. ¹⁸ Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” ¹⁹ And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰ and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. ²¹ But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.²² Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,²³ and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. ²⁴ Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” ²⁵ And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

²⁸ So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,²⁹ but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰ When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. ³² They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” ³³ And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, ³⁴ saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” ³⁵ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

³⁶ As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” ³⁷ But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. ³⁸ And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? ³⁹ See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” ⁴⁰ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. ⁴¹ And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish,^{[b] 43} and he took it and ate before them.

⁴⁴ Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, ⁴⁶ and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, ⁴⁷ and that repentance for^[c] the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

The Ascension

⁵⁰ And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. ⁵¹ While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. ⁵² And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ⁵³ and were continually in the temple blessing God.Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Luke 24:13 Greek sixty stadia; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
2. Luke 24:42 Some manuscripts add and some honeycomb
3. Luke 24:47 Some manuscripts and

*One Year Bible Online

When Joshua died, he left a legacy of leadership, which carried on to the nation of Israel through those he had known and worked with.

How often do we meet someone whose life is so rock solid that after being around them we are changed for our entire lifetime?

Joshua influenced the children of Jacob (Israel) to continue following God (YHWH). They set up a stone at Shechem to remind them what their mouths professed (to only follow God).

Those who did not want to follow God’s way were free to leave. #freewill The nation remained as one in their commitment to God as long as Joshua’s legacy was alive.

While I live, I want to also take a stand to live as a person of the book (God’s word). Since I have been touched by the “word” of God (Jesus Christ the Lord), I have the desire to emulate Him throughout my lifetime.

This week in particular, I am moved by the power of God as I reminisce about the life and death of a co-worker who came to Christ on her deathbed.

Her conversion happened on 4/21 and every year I pray for her daughter and grandchildren to also know this security of the Savior’s love for them.

Our inheritance may seem a long way off but remember that the legacy we live out for others to see may be the most influential part of eternity. -Teresa #kindnessislouderthanwords

John 1:1-14 (NET)

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. 2 The Word was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 5 And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it. 6
A man came, sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that everyone might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was created by him, but the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to what was his own, but his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who have received him – those who believe in his name – he has given the right to become God’s children 13 – children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband’s decision, but by God. 14
Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory – the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.

Joshua 24:25-33 ESV)

²⁵ So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and put in place statutes and rules for them at Shechem.

²⁶ And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he took a large stone and set it up there under the terebinth that was by the sanctuary of the Lord. ²⁷ And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the Lord that he spoke to us. Therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God.” ²⁸ So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance.

Joshua’s Death and Burial

²⁹ After these things Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being 110 years old.³⁰ And they buried him in his own inheritance at Timnath-serah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain of Gaash.

³¹ Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the Lord did for Israel.

³² As for the bones of Joseph, which the people of Israel brought up from Egypt, they buried them at Shechem, in the piece of land that Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money.^[c] It became an inheritance of the descendants of Joseph.

³³ And Eleazar the son of Aaron died, and they buried him at Gibeah, the town of Phinehas his son, which had been given him in the hill country of Ephraim.Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Joshua 24:2 Hebrew the River
2. Joshua 24:3 That is, the Euphrates; also verses 14, 15
3. Joshua 24:32 Hebrew for a hundred qesitah; a unit of money of unknown value