Never have I had so many buds on an orchid plant as this year! Most likely, remembering to put an ice cube weekly into the pot saved this plant’s life. The accountant in this parable was found lacking, he spent the last days on his job carefully plotting his future. By turning the master’s customers into friends, he was deemed shrewd. From Matthew Henry’s commentary, I was blessed to read about God’s eternal provision for those who care for God’s people. Certainly there is nothing we can do to earn salvation but those who have prospered in “worldly” ways may benefit from rubbing shoulders with those who suffer for God’s kingdom. In the end, they too may follow the light of the world and be prepared for eternity. – Teresa #weeklygiving #lifetime devotion
Luke 16: 1-17 (ESV)
16 He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2 And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ 3 And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ 5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He said, ‘A hundred measures[a] of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures[b] of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world[c] are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth,[d] so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.
10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
The Law and the Kingdom of God
14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. 15 And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
16 “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.[e] 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.
When we treasure moments to be with those people and values closest to our hearts, we feed our soul with God’s goodness. Don’t ever replace precious people with “things” and don’t let those “people” who lack understanding of your values undermine your reason for building up “treasure”. Most important is His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. He generously gives us life and we are honored to be part of His plan for the world-(see Ephesians 2:10). – Teresa #masterpiece
Do you believe? If so, the Son of Man will touch your eyes (not necessarily with mud and saliva) but in order to grant you spiritual sight. The blind beggar was not afraid of the “religious experts”, refusing to denounce the truth he experienced. Instead, he was a vessel of God’s glory and spoke out as a witness to this miraculous sign of Jesus’ deity. He believed and worshiped Jesus. We too may participate in being a witness of His great healing in our lives. – Teresa #IwasblindbutnowIsee #can’tstopworshipingHim #ifHewaslabeledsinnersomustwe
still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”
who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out
of the synagogue.
23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”
and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”
29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”
32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God,
he could do nothing.”
how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.
in the Son of Man?”
“For judgment
I have come into this world,
so that the blind will see
and those who see will become blind.”
Even without AI, Peter recognized Jesus as Lord, the annointed One of God and promised coming King. All of these descriptions are tied up in the Greek word for Christ (see ourrabbijesus.com July 6, 2012). In light of this recognition, Peter was called to live as Jesus did by taking up his cross daily in order to be a true follower. When we recognize the Savior (and He will reveal this personally to all who seek Him), we also have a choice to follow Him-in the narrow way. The only other other option is to continue in the broad way that leads to destruction. Unashamed, we are given opportunities to speak His name to a needy world -described as sheep without a shepherd. He is the the great shepherd of the sheep (Hebrews 13:20). Recognize Him with honor and trust Him for deeds representing His kingdom come. – Teresa #mylord
I’ve been reading John Bunyan’s sequel to The Pilgrim’s Progress written in the late 17th century, puritan style. Shockingly, the lack of “self promotion” seems to be the theme of the day. Over and over, Christian’s wife repents of her vile and wicked ways, submitting herself and obeying the good instruction of the husband of her soul. Over and over she sings praise for the provision of the king, bursting forth with how glad she is to be kept from awful pitfalls. This Psalm of David also reflects such an attitude of heart. There is an abundance of rejoicing when our King delivers! We must seek to follow Him wholeheartedly. – Teresa #diligencepaysoff #ask #seek #knock #greatheartourguide #donotquenchtheHolySpirit
You may have thought that it would never disappoint and then you woke up one morning and realized you had been much too idealistic. After taking stock of your feelings and being a bit more realistic, you are now free to judge rightly (with God’s framework). He loves unconditionally and He understands our human frailty (we are but dust). Because He created us in the image of God, there is so much potential and each one has inmeasurable value. Yet the “sin nature” of our souls can turn some into ruthless bullies. What will never disappoint is His ability to make us whole. When we have been forgiven, we can also forgive others.- Teresa #sufferingservant
will act wisely
;
at him
–
beyond that of any human being
–
many nations,
will shut their mouths
because of him.
of the Lord been revealed?
out of dry ground.
that we should desire him.
and familiar with pain.
their faces
and we held him in low esteem.
for our transgressions,
for our iniquities;
that brought us peace
was on him,
we are healed.
of us all.
and afflicted,
to the slaughter,
and judgment
he was taken away.
of my people he was punished.
in his death,
to crush
him and cause him to suffer,
his life an offering for sin,
and prolong his days,
in his hand.
of life
and be satisfied
;
my righteous servant
will justify
many,
with the strong,
the sin of many,
for the transgressors.
When we sow righteousness and live with a steadfast pursuit of it, our lives will flourish for eternity (Matthew 6:33). If you consider who has earned your allegiance- then remember to offer it up to God alone! Waiting in silence, we will be shown His power and steadfast love. We are not under the thumb of earthly fear- unless we choose to live there voluntarily. Like David, we can choose to trust God’s protection and walk in a place of His secure acceptance.- Teresa#blessedbyHispresenceamidstdifficulty
We all need a small inner circle of friends to vent with. Beyond that, I hope to understand the power of the spoken/written word. We have the power to uphold the gentleness of our Savior. It is in this act of being gentle with those who don’t deserve it that we embrace Christ’s gentle humility and develop strength. – Teresa #biteurlip #journalurturmoil #theallureofgentlenessbyDallasWillard
In the midst of life’s heaviness, our best recourse is to cast our cares. God is capable to handle the weight of our burdens, we are not. There are people in our lives who build us up and bring about comfort as well. If your “love language” is quality time, you need to hang out with a friend. First, with the Lord and second, with those you love! 💕 – Teresa #Garychapman #thefivelovelanguages #unbitterbox
How are we made righteous? Truly, by refusing to walk in darkness we participate in the light of life (John 8:12). Without the light of the world, however, we are without hope. Jesus is the light of the world. Abraham was credited with righteousness when he believed God (James 2:23, Romans 4:3). We too have the opportunity to believe God’s word, Jesus Christ (John 1:14) and to be credited with His righteousness. The substitutionary atonement of our Savior for the sin of the world balances the sin debt against us (Romans 3:25). This spiritual transaction works in our favor, paying more than enough in God’s account (Is. 53:10). Have you trusted the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2)? “Today”may be the day of your salvation.- Teresa #cometoHim #repentandbebaptized #newidentity #freetoloveselfandothers
Reconnection 