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

When those with rank turn honor to shame. When those with power love vanity and lies, there’s yet another viewpoint.

Like David, we can ponder God’s goodness. We can rest assured that He sets the godly apart for Himself. He hears His children. But we DO have to call, (even if it means working through an agitated review of the day’s challenges).

David’s joy is expressed so beautifully, as being greater than when their grain and new wine abounds. It’s not tipsy, greedy or even vengeful…his joy is based on the blessing of God’s goodness over his life.

If we can wrap our minds around what that means (his righteousness…He makes things right), we too would sleep peacefully. – Teresa #relief

Psalm 4 (ESV)

Answer Me When I Call

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

4 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
    You have given me relief when I was in distress.
    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

² O men,^[a] how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
    How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
³ But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
    the Lord hears when I call to him.

⁴ Be angry,^[b] and do not sin;
    ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
⁵ Offer right sacrifices,
    and put your trust in the Lord.

⁶ There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
    Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
⁷ You have put more joy in my heart
    than they have when their grain and wine abound.

⁸ In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
    for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Psalm 4:2 Or O men of rank
2. Psalm 4:4 Or Be agitated

Although the prophets at the end of the Old Testament had an important role, it must have been hard!

Think of Malachi who was the last to speak before the 400 years of silence preceding the Savior.

Many did not want to be associated with prophets, even those who were prophets. Malachi was required to speak forcefully, even to “curse” the nation of Israel. The Law did not give them the power to save them from sin- God’s presence eventually left the temple.

The passage in Revelation points toward the marriage supper of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (aka Jesus). He is being married to the church (not Israel), as the bride of Christ.

The power of God came down on the first believers (early church) in Acts 2. This was a new and living way for God to include mankind in His kingdom.

All of a sudden, everyone wanted to be part of this spirit of prophecy which is the testimony of Jesus.

We have a sneak peak and see how the story ends. No wonder His birth, life, death and resurrection are such a big deal.

Opinions will shift, but God’s method of redemption was prophesied. Let us be fully in line with His truth no matter how unpopular. -Teresa

James 1:16-18 ESV

[16] Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. [17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. [18] Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Revelation 19:6-10 (ESV)

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

⁶ Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
    the Almighty reigns.
⁷ Let us rejoice and exult
    and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
    and his Bride has made herself ready;
⁸ it was granted her to clothe herself
    with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

⁹ And the angel said^[a] to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” ¹⁰ Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Zechariah 13: 4-7 (ESV)

⁴ “On that day every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies. He will not put on a hairy cloak in order to deceive, ⁵ but he will say, ‘I am no prophet, I am a worker of the soil, for a man sold me in my youth.’^[b] 6 And if one asks him, ‘What are these wounds on your back?’^[c] he will say, ‘The wounds I received in the house of my friends.’

The Shepherd Struck

⁷ “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,
    against the man who stands next to me,”
declares the Lord of hosts.

“Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered;
    I will turn my hand against the little ones.

We watched the Netflix, “Mary”, this week. It was quite a depiction of the forces of evil against the Savior’s birth. I had never considered the physical strength required of both Mary and Joseph. Their spiritual lives, of course, were exemplary and full of faith.

This Psalm (below) also echoes King David’s reliance on God. Not only will the Lord guard but He will preserve those who are called for His purpose.

You may wonder, “am I called”? Mary was called “favored” by God. David was called, “a man after God’s own heart”, in order to lead the nation of Israel.

Those who trust God’s way of salvation (through His Son) are called “holy, chosen, and beloved”. What a gift to be part of God’s family, to be a witness for Him in a desperate world.

The church continues on. With the glorious proclamation of God’s name in the church “building”, and more importantly in the lives of those who look to Him, trusting Him in their daily walk.

Wherever we go this Christmas: to coffee, to the mall, to church or to our family’s homes, remember that God is still in the business of guarding and preserving our lives for His purpose and calling.- Teresa #God’s family #His calling #Ourpurpose

Psalm 140English Standard Version

Deliver Me, O Lord, from Evil Men

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

140 Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;
    preserve me from violent men,
² who plan evil things in their heart
    and stir up wars continually.
³ They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s,
    and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

⁴ Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
    preserve me from violent men,
    who have planned to trip up my feet.
⁵ The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
    and with cords they have spread a net;^[a]
    beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah

Luke 1:26-31 (ESV)

Birth of Jesus Foretold

[26] In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, [27] to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. [28] And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” [29] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. [30] And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

Acts 13:22 (KJV)

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

Colossians 3:12-15 (ESV)

[12] Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, [13] bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. [14] And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. [15] And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

My husband and I are listening to “the Messiah” this morning. Such a wonderful composition.

It’s the perfect backdrop for reading this passage in Revelation. Matthew Henry describes the suffering of Christ Jesus (as a Lamb that was slain) and His blood was shed for the purpose of ransoming people for God from every nation. #receiveHim #Hisgracethroughfaith

No wonder the star shone in the heavens on the night of His birth. We attended Ballet Rejoice’s “Nativity” this week. The ballerina who depicted the star was radiant, her face shone from an inner light of grace.

The wise men followed the star, understanding the significance of a King. Herod was jealous and did not want another to rule. Nevertheless, the Christ child came with a chorus of rejoicing in the heavenly host.

We also can worship and sing with great joy because of God’s gift to mankind.

This season, remember the star ⭐️, which announced the King. This Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world. He was born of a woman and yet He is the worthy Son of God. -Teresa #salvation

Revelation 5: 6-13 (ESV)

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷ And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. ⁸ And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.⁹ And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation,
¹⁰ and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
    and they shall reign on the earth.”

¹¹ Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, ¹² saying with a loud voice, 

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”

¹³ And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

There are times when our faith is sorely tested. Surely we have to dig deep to renew our hopes and dreams.

My daughter and I have been attending a wonderful “Caregiver Support” group at our local church. Little did I know what a blessing it would be. In fact, when we had difficult news a few months ago (and using the caring methods of our facilitator), I felt moved to not only host our “usual” thanksgiving but to make it extra special.

Seeing lovely clothes and partaking around a beautiful table of bounteous food led to gorgeous smiles and an all-encompassing knowledge of being loved.

Thanksgiving has been pouring out over the past two weeks as our difficult news has been turning into new opportunities.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. -Teresa ❤️

Psalm 126: 4-6 (NLT)

⁴ Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    as streams renew the desert.
⁵ Those who plant in tears
    will harvest with shouts of joy.
⁶ They weep as they go to plant their seed,
    but they sing as they return with the harvest.