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
Luke 12:13-34 (ESV)
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Do Not Be Anxious
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[a] 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,[b] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his[c] kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
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
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
When Jesus foretold what his disciples would do (when His time had come to fulfill the plan of Scripture), they could not fathom this turn of events or the weakness of their own character when faced with loss. Those who were righteous and courageous turned devious and fearful. If you’ve been betrayed by someone close to you, I encourage you to look to our Savior’s example or that of Joan of Arc. Forgiving mankind and trusting God’s outcome becomes the ultimate goal (as He redeems everything for His glory). – Teresa #Godseesall #betrayalhurts #moldedbypain #keepitsteady #notalonebecauseHewasaloneforus
Reconnection 