John the Baptizer was brought into the world as a miracle to his parents, an encouragement to Mary (pregnant with Jesus), and a promise of deliverance for this Jewish nation under Roman oppression.

Darkness and the shadow of death may have kept the world then (and now) from recognizing the path of peace provided through our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.

If we, like John the Baptist, remember our spiritual strengthening, we may even recognize that it includes a bit of seclusion (like living in the wilderness).

Strong in Spirit means sustenance for that which God has prepared as our own ministry. We gain strength by living without distraction. We gain strength through time alone with God and in His word.

The light of His presence and the breaking up of shadows provides clarity. Not only do the wrong motives of those seeking fame or fortune become obvious but those hiding in the shadow lands cannot skulk around anymore.

God has certainly shown His tender mercies on Israel and the entire world, through His Son.

No longer am I waiting for the approval of those who appear powerful but am resting in the certainty of Him who is all powerful.

As I offer my body a living sacrifice, Lord, holy and acceptable to You, which is my reasonable service of worship…I will no longer be conformed to this world but I receive your transformation by the renewing of my mind, proving that which is Your good, perfect and acceptable will, oh God. (My prayer based on..Romans 12:1,2)

How great the joy of Elizabeth and Zechariah as they welcomed their son. How great our joy as we recognize the Savior, God’s Son. -Teresa #ministryaccomplished

Luke 1:67-80 (NLT)

⁶⁷ Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

⁶⁸ “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has visited and redeemed his people.
⁶⁹ He has sent us a mighty Savior^[a]
    from the royal line of his servant David,
⁷⁰ just as he promised
    through his holy prophets long ago.
⁷¹ Now we will be saved from our enemies
    and from all who hate us.
⁷² He has been merciful to our ancestors
    by remembering his sacred covenant—
⁷³ the covenant he swore with an oath
    to our ancestor Abraham.
⁷⁴ We have been rescued from our enemies
    so we can serve God without fear,
⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness
    for as long as we live.

⁷⁶ “And you, my little son,
    will be called the prophet of the Most High,
    because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
⁷⁷ You will tell his people how to find salvation
    through forgiveness of their sins.
⁷⁸ Because of God’s tender mercy,
    the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,^[b]
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    and to guide us to the path of peace.”

⁸⁰ John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.

Shoveling snow (the garage kept our tractor, used for snow plowing, potato field plowing and cutting summer grass for the hay barn where we housed the hunting dogs). I first learned to drive on the tractor!

We may not see the artwork that God is indelibly printing on our lives. During the process it seems painful and messy.

The end result, of course, is that those God chooses will smell the scent of God’s aroma over our actions. It will be undeniable that His will was done, although the suffering of the moment is not easy to endure. #love

For the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross. Should we do any less-even when it feels hard, bad, or painfully disrespectful? #gutsobs

Grief will attempt to crush us but the hope of “God’s will be done” buoys our resolve to trust Him (our Heavenly Father) and obey his plan for salvation (trusting His Son’s finished work at Calvary).

Lord Jesus, thank you for making all things new. Your obedience unto death, even death on the cross means life for me. -Teresa #resurrection

P.S. So many were moved by Nicole C. Mullen’s song last week, I’m including another today. My Redeemer Lives

Mark 14:32-36 (NLT)

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

³² They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” ³³ He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. ³⁴ He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

³⁵ He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by.³⁶ “Abba, Father,”^[c] he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Who are we to hold back those who need God? Please touch our lives, Lord, with your blessing. Through your sacrifice bring us peace with God.

Seeking God’s blessing means we will find his gift. Knocking results in an open door. Asking is the first step in being offered the gift of eternal life.

The most important step is receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life. He is not annoyed, no matter how insignificant your life may “feel”. Even the children were considered important to Him.

Having faith like a child is vital. Without this ability to “see” things the way God does, we are incapable of trust.

Lord, give us eyes to see as you do. May we not ever stand in the way or hinder those who need your blessing. -Teresa

Nicole C. Mullen Please take 5 minutes to worship the “glory” of our Savior. I was touched by such an incredibly amazing performance… (especially the soliloquy on David’s despair). Many of the You Tube comments speak to this God who “sees” us in our need, and meets us…miraculously.

Mark 10:13-16 (ESV)

Let the Children Come to Me

¹³ And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. ¹⁵ Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Jesus started his public ministry at 30 years old. Although the people recognized who he was and where he was from, they did not “see” Him or the significance of His appearing.

Certainly, we all change throughout the decades. Not only in our looks but we also change in our purpose or ministry. We could be secluded in private ministry, out in the open with public ministry or semi-retired, meaning open to what God has for us but valuing rest.

Whether or not lives are changed can be attributed to the presence (or lack of) faith. It’s not always the time or season for activity but God is always in the business of significant metamorphosis. We can only truly be renewed when we understand with spiritual eyes…eyes that are wide open.

This was illustrated on the way home from the coffee shop today. Not only did I recount the paradoxes of my personality but felt assured that God created me that way for a purpose. I was seeing my current ministry in a new light applying “faith” to the equation.

Am I a compilation of my past?…or at least what I felt/heard/believed:

“You are not beautiful”

Or am I what God has declared, or at least what I saw in His Word (with eyes of faith wide open at 15 years old)?

“ Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house; 11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.” (Psalm 45:10,11 KJV)

You may not understand how God is helping to write your story as you trust in Him, but with faith you will be amazed at His significance throughout the years. -Teresa #loved

Mark 6:1-6 (ESV)

He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. ² And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?³ Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. ⁴ And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” ⁵ And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. ⁶ And he marveled because of their unbelief.

The cloud was on it by day and fire was in it by night. What is it? …the Old Testament tabernacle. It was constructed with so much attention to detail, that the glory of the LORD entered it.

Likewise, the nomadic nature of the people of Israel was purposeful, led by God’s presence. #witnesstoallnations

Even today, we have the opportunity to be part of God’s people (the church). His presence may not appear as the cloud or pillar of fire but it is as purposeful.

We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God when we believe in His way of salvation. Through Christ Jesus the LORD, a precious gift was given to mankind. However, this gift must be received through faith.

How comforting to know that our lives are not willy-nilly chance occurrences. The documentary, Is Genesis History? makes excellent arguments for creation and the accuracy of the Bible.

When you read about how much detail was put into the tabernacle construction and ponder Christ “tabernacling” with mankind, this was not by chance.

Only God alone can create such intricate designs to sustain our universe. He is able to sustain our lives (no matter how crazy the circumstances).

Even the nation of Israel will be restored by accepting the Messiah (according to Romans 11:22-24). How beautiful for all of mankind when that happens.

Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to guide, comfort and remind us of Jesus’ life and words as we navigate this life. He alone can bring us to the purposeful destination of His will. -Teresa #faith #security #comfort

Exodus 40:34-38 (ESV)

³⁴ Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.³⁵ And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.³⁶ Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. ³⁷ But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. ³⁸ For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

Although it is not always clear to us and at times we may be taken aback by duplicitous motives, God is omniscient.

I admit that I’ve been shocked if people don’t see things the way I do especially if they are quite sure I’ve done it wrong. Also, realizing many times that it’s not because of me or my inconsistency but THEIR experience (with others), informing them otherwise.

For example, I was checking out with a large grocery order. The checker was new to that store. She asked if we had enough bags. I said yes (meaning we will not purchase any today). After getting home and putting everything away, I reviewed the receipt and noticed that she not only charged me for two bags but made them specialty bags (the kind printed with the store name). Yes, we used those types of bags but had already purchased them months, even years before.

If someone is plotting against you vs. including you in their plan, take comfort from Christ’s example.

He understood what God’s will was for him. He obeyed the Father. He was not surprised by a stealthy plan but he took comfort in the provision given to endure his suffering. #forthejoysetbeforehim

When Jesus allowed his head to be anointed with an expensive ointment (pure nard), He was announcing his spiritual authority as king*. The sign above the cross where he was crucified even stated, “King of the Jews”. #theirmockingbecametruth

It was out of love for his nation and all the nations of the world that he humbled himself to an earthly status as a man. #theSonofGod

One of the statements that was said over and over in seminary was this truth: “Life is hard but God is good.” #resurrection

Being a Christ-follower means we also understand and obey the Father’s will. We may have to endure for a season but joy will come in the morning. – Teresa

P.s. I highly recommend *Sitting at the feet of Rabbi Jesus, by Ann Spangler.

Matthew 26:1-13 (ESV)

The Plot to Kill Jesus

26 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, ² “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

³ Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, ⁴ and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. ⁵ But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

⁶ Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,^[b] 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. ⁸ And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?⁹ For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” ¹⁰ But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. ¹¹ For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. ¹² In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. ¹³ Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

My daughter invited me the last three weeks to take a drive to a nature spot for a hike. It’s such a great way to break up the tedium of the day, with a 30 minute dose of exercise. Her son especially loves it- he was born for nature.

Moses led the people of Israel out from the oppression of forced labor in Egypt. Certainly, it was more than a 30 minute hike. It was more like a 3-day journey that turned into 40 years of wilderness wanderings.

The great comfort of this passage comes when the angel of God positioned Himself between them and their pursuing enemy. He was their salvation and Moses was established as God’s anointed leader for the people.

We may not understand why difficulties come or how they will turn out. The great comfort comes from knowing God’s Son, our Savior, who comes between us and the pursuing enemy…the curse of sin.

In one of the wildfire videos, I saw an elderly woman in her home saying, “just don’t forget about me”. It really touched my heart. How often do we take for granted our physical abilities to care for ourselves. Those who are caregivers understand what an important responsibility it is.

In a way, we all are like that woman when it comes to our spirituality. Lord, just don’t forget about me! To be utterly dependent on our Savior means we must call out to Him in our time of need.

Great and powerful is our God, to deal with the curse of sin. Yes, our sin (past, present and future) is covered by His blood. If we could see the blessing that is ours, we would not hesitate to be “in Christ”. Even as nature waits to be liberated from its groaning, we call out “just don’t forget about me, Lord”. -Teresa

Exodus 14: 19-31 (ESV)

19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, ²⁰ coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night^[b] without one coming near the other all night.

²¹ Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. ²² And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. ²³ The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. ²⁴ And in the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic,²⁵ clogging^[c] their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.”

²⁶ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” ²⁷ So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the Lord threw^[d] the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. ²⁸ The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. ²⁹ But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

³⁰ Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. ³¹ Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

We found this brand called “Allegro Coffee” made in Thornton, CO. I really love it!

When the things of God are superior to the things of man, it may surprise us. We may feel it should go one way (the way of worldly wise- with riches, success, etc), like Peter in the passage below.

After all, Peter was the first disciple who understood that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. He may have thought why would the Christ have to suffer? In a worldly view, He should have been exalted by parading in on a white horse, not riding in on a donkey.

When the Holy Spirit gives us fruit (including self-control), humility will be the most amazing result.

The real question is: are my actions serving God’s Spirit, including the fruit of self-control aka humility. Or, are they puffing up the flesh. #spiritualpride

Denying ourselves is never easy. Taking up our cross means we also share in the burden of Christ’s sufferings. Following Jesus means we unite with His heart of obedience to the Father. #notmywill

Whether we need to give more to others or allow humility to produce the fruit of God’s purposes, the most important message is to be a part of Christ’s church. #transformed

Losing our life to find it sounds backwards. When it is for the sake of Christ, a small mustard seed of faith results in massive amounts of fruit.

Choose today whom you will follow: “self” or “death to self”, which is surrender: not to a man or to an organization but to the Savior. -Teresa

Matthew 16: 13-25 (ESV)

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

¹³ Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴ And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock^[a] I will build my church, and the gates of hell^[b] shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed^[c] in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

²¹ From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ²² And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord!^[d] This shall never happen to you.” ²³ But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance^[e] to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever would save his life^[f] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, was part of the lineage of Christ. As much as Judah was not the “ideal” man, neither were his sons (in their treatment of her) …God had the last word over her life.

Even the mistreatment of Joseph along with the grief of Jacob, his father, (resulting from Judah and “the brothers”), was not in vain. God had the last word… raising up Joseph to be great and forgiving- a type of Christ himself.

I love the analogies throughout the Bible using birth as a way for God to bring forth His word, everlasting. #bornagain

What is it in our own lives that seems unjust, unfair or plain old mean? Don’t forget that God will have the last word. If we fall on Him, we may experience brokenness, but with merciful healing. If He falls on us (meaning the Son of God, chief cornerstone of God’s church and plan for mankind), it will be destruction.

How wonderful to have a chance to believe God’s word and trust His provision for us. -Teresa

p.s. Remember how much God loves the Son, just as Jacob loved Joseph. Do not despise His gift to the world but be found “in Him”, through faith (Philippians 3:9).

Genesis 37:26-36; 38:1-5

²⁶ Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?²⁷ Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. ²⁸ Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels^[c] of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

²⁹ When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes³⁰ and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” ³¹ Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. ³² And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” ³³ And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” ³⁴ Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days.³⁵ All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him.³⁶ Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

Judah and Tamar

38 It happened at that time that Judah went down from his brothers and turned aside to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.² There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua. He took her and went in to her, ³ and she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. ⁴ She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. ⁵ Yet again she bore a son, and she called his name Shelah. Judah^[d] was in Chezib when she bore him….

Vv.26-30 (parenthesis added)

²⁶ Then Judah identified them and said, “She (Tamar) is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again.

²⁷ When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. ²⁸ And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” ²⁹ But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez.^[h] 30 Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.

For 10 years, our oldest daughter ran her own business. We all went to see her for our hair needs. She helped us feel refreshed.

When we fear the Lord and turn away from evil, we reject our own “wisdom” (aka worldly wisdom).

So, being “wise in your own eyes” is not just being amazed at personal wittiness but also progressing down the path of debased understanding.

What can bring us healing and refreshment? Heavenly wisdom will help us gain a new perspective. God’s ways are not our ways. His thoughts are above ours.

Even the spirit realm stands in awe at how God chooses to honor mankind through the gift of His Son as our Savior.

If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, then this must be God’s way for us to be refreshed. Humility will encourage this posture of heart, similar to being on our knees to seek God’s wisdom.

Has God changed your heart to value what He values?

If so, He will allow you to be healed and refreshed. It’s even better than going to the hair salon and coming out “brand new”. -Teresa

Proverbs 3:7-8 English Standard Version

⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
⁸ It will be healing to your flesh^[a]
    and refreshment^[b] to your bones.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Proverbs 3:8 Hebrew navel
2. Proverbs 3:8 Or medicine