When Hannah despaired at the bitterness of her lot (not able to conceive) with a healthy dose of a rival who rubbed it in her face, she turned to God. Her prayer was honest and she meant every word. What she asked for was a son whom she would in turn set apart for God’s service. Although the priest misunderstood what she was about (thought she was drunk), Hannah explained the intensity of her prayer- “pouring out her soul” to God. Eli did not realize that the favor he gave to Hannah that day would make up for what was lacking in his own family, children who feared God. Samuel was born and after he was weaned became an apprentice to Eli. Hannah was no longer sad once she received favor from the one who spoke for God. Her faith was in the correct place, which buoyed her soul. – Teresa #cryoutoJesus #ourgreathighpriest

1 Samuel 1:9-18 (ESV)

9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

He who descended from heaven is the Son of Man. When He was lifted up (on the cross for our sin), God showed us how much He loves the world. Jesus Christ the LORD has the authority to ascend back into heaven and to bring us with Him to glory, including all who believe in him. – Teresa #Heisable

John 3:3-15 (ESV)

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you[f] do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.[g] 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.[h]

As the cross we bear is unknown to all others, we also have the heart’s joy that will not be shared with strangers. Upon realizing our extreme acceptance by Him, I propose that standing in this right relationship with God is the “secret” joy of the heart. This joy can only be shared with those who also walk the path of faith. – Teresa #Jesus-ourguiltoffering #familyofGod

Proverbs 14:9-10 English Standard Version (ESV)

9 

Fools mock at the guilt offering,

but the upright enjoy acceptance.[a]

10 

The heart knows its own bitterness,

and no stranger shares its joy.

As humans, we are sorely tempted by our fleshly ideas. When the decision faces us squarely about what to choose- will we be faithful to the lover of our soul? In the garden, Jesus experienced intense agony as he chose selfless love. He kearned obediance by the things he suffered (Hebrews 5:8) as he humbly entrusted himself to the Father. The pain of life is not always about us but about truly knowing the heart of the One who saves us. -Teresa

Luke 22: 38-46 (ESV)

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.[a] 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

In Matthew Henry’s commentary on this passage, he explained the pound (or mina) which was given to each of the king’s servants as indicative of the treasure of the gospel. Along with this treasure, the talents of each individual multiplied the effects of their God-given gifts to serve His kingdom. Whether small or great, our talents can in turn be used to represent a Kingdom influence in the world. I’ve been watching the new “A.D.” on Netflix and amazed at the roadblocks facing the apostles in bringing the gospel to Jerusalem. I am thankful for the power of Pentecost where the Holy Spirit spread abundant gifts to men and women awaiting direction from Messiah. Against all human odds, Peter and John were indwelt by a spiritual force to be reckoned with. They were instrumental in bringing the gospel not only to Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, but unto the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8). -Teresa #goodnews #precioustreasure #lifegivingpower

Luke 19: 11-27 (ESV)

11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants,[a] he gave them ten minas,[b] and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant![c] Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”

As those who have experienced healing and protection, we can choose to either follow or forget the importance of saying thank you.- Teresa #ourLORDJesus #ourcountry #ourfamilies

Luke 17: 11-19 (ESV)

11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,[a] who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”[b]

If we put as much effort into our spiritual pursuit as we do into our material pursuit, then we are considered as shrewd as serpents but innocent as doves. By burning both ends of the candle, we can multiply trustworthy gains for the Kingdom of Heaven. There are times for solitude and silence but this passage stresses a strong work ethic resulting in being trusted with much. – Teresa #wisdom’sroomsarerich

Luke 16:1-13 (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.”

Moses was a picture of strength under control. In the last few verses of Deuteronomy, his legacy was described as the “great deeds of terror” that assisted the people of Israel to understand God’s wonderful power over slavery and bondage (aka Egypt). We too are held captive by sin. Only God’s powerful hand is able to deliver us from the haze of a nominal twilight (or operating as slaves to sin) into the brilliance of dawn (alive in felowship with Him). – Teresa #starlightbyBethelworship

Deuteronomy 34: 7-12 (ESV)

7 Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated. 8 And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. 9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. 10 And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11 none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, 12 and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Every species in the ocean plays an important part, no matter how small . Five sparrows may be sold for 2 pennies but God does not forget to feed them. Our life’s value is not based on our monetary worth- we always have a choice re: whose authority we revere. In this passage, Jesus admonishes us to fear not, we are more valuable than the sparrows. Won’t God also provide for our every need when we seek first His kingdom? The crowds were cowering under the oppressive rule of the Pharisees and Jesus reminded them that in the end the One with authority over eternity has considered them worthy of His Son.- Teresa #fearnot

Luke 12:4-7 (ESV)

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell.[b] Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?[c] And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Being “in Christ” means we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (upon faith in the One who brings forgiveness of sin-see Ephesians 1: 13.14). As Luke puts it: God, our heavenly Father, willingly gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. I wonder if you’ve asked Him? If not, why not? Has a “not so good” earthly father clouded the ability to believe in the ultimate goodness of our heavenly father? – Teresa

Luke 11: 11-13 (ESV)

11 What father among you, if his son asks for[f] a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”