Whether they came from the nation of Israel or from the various tribes of the earth, we understand from the Scripture passages below that many multitudes will worship the Lord in heaven someday.

You may wonder how to gain a white robe, washed in the blood of the Lamb (referencing the sacrificial system used by the children of Israel in the Old Testament, for the remission of sin). The answer was given over 2,000 years ago in a small town called Bethlehem. It was here that Jesus Christ the Lord was born. The son of God was placed in the care of a favored teenager named Mary and her betrothed, Joseph.

Jesus had an unusual birth. It was announced by angels to the shepherds and honored by the wise men following a star that appeared for this marvelous occasion.

My daughters, granddaughters and I attended the Ballet Rejoice production of “The Nativity” this week. We were awestruck at the significance of this moment in time as told through the reverent movements of all the dancers.

We couldn’t help leaving with overflowing love in our hearts for God the Father as He “gave” us His Son. When Jesus shed His blood on the cross for the sin of the world, all penalties were forgiven and all debts were satisfied in God’s economy.

His Son “gives” us a white robe of righteousness when we receive Him as Lord. He will bring you back from spiritual death in order to be transformed with the light of life for God’s kingdom purposes and His will to be done.

So many in the world right now are unable to care for others or even themselves. It really does take a Savior to heal our hearts and become ambassadors for Christ. He teaches us how to love ourselves first so that we can extend to others both love and forgiveness.

As you experience this Advent season with a heart full of God’s promises, remember that we love because He first loved us. (I John 3:16 says,

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”)*

– Love, ❤️ Teresa

Revelation 7:2-17 (ESV) (bold added for emphasis)

² Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, ³ saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”

⁴ And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

⁵ 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,
12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,
12,000 from the tribe of Gad,
⁶ 12,000 from the tribe of Asher,
12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,
12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,
⁷ 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,
12,000 from the tribe of Levi,
12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,
⁸ 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,
12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,
12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.

A Great Multitude from Every Nation

⁹ After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,¹⁰ and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ¹¹ And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, ¹² saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

¹³ Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” ¹⁴ I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

¹⁵ “Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
¹⁶ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
¹⁷ For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Micah 5:2 (ESV)

^[c] But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.

Micah 6:6-8 (ESV)

“With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
⁷ Will the Lord be pleased with^[d] thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
⁸ He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,^[e]
and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 7: 18-20 (ESV)

¹⁸ Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression
for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
because he delights in steadfast love.
¹⁹ He will again have compassion on us;
he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our^[p] sins
into the depths of the sea.
²⁰ You will show faithfulness to Jacob
and steadfast love to Abraham,
as you have sworn to our fathers
from the days of old.

Footnotes

1. Micah 5:1 Ch 4:14 in Hebrew
2. Micah 5:1 That is, city
3. Micah 5:2 Ch 5:1 in Hebrew
4. Micah 6:7 Or Will the Lord accept
5. Micah 6:8 Or steadfast love
6. Micah 6:9 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
7. Micah 6:10 Or Are there still treasures
8. Micah 6:12 Hebrew whose
9. Micah 6:16 Hebrew For the statutes of Omri are kept
10. Micah 6:16 Hebrew its
11. Micah 7:5 Hebrew bosom
12. Micah 7:12 Hebrew he
13. Micah 7:12 That is, the Euphrates
14. Micah 7:14 Hebrew of Carmel
15. Micah 7:15 Hebrew him
16. Micah 7:19 Hebrew their

Psalm 135: 13-21 (ESV)

¹³ Your name, O Lord, endures forever,
your renown,^[b] O Lord, throughout all ages.
¹⁴ For the Lord will vindicate his people
and have compassion on his servants.

¹⁵ The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
¹⁶ They have mouths, but do not speak;
they have eyes, but do not see;
¹⁷ they have ears, but do not hear,
nor is there any breath in their mouths.
¹⁸ Those who make them become like them,
so do all who trust in them.

¹⁹ O house of Israel, bless the Lord!
O house of Aaron, bless the Lord!
²⁰ O house of Levi, bless the Lord!
You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord!
²¹ Blessed be the Lord from Zion,
he who dwells in Jerusalem!
Praise the Lord!Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Psalm 135:3 Or for he is beautiful
2. Psalm 135:13 Or remembrance

*NIV (I John 3:16)

We went to see the IMAX movie “Deep Space” and were blown away by the thought that our Milky Way Galaxy is possibly just one of a trillion!!

Reminding myself of who I am (created) and who He is (Creator), I have been freed up to be intent on prayer (and fasting).

By the phrase “rend your hearts and not your garments”, God is communicating His desire for us to be healed internally.

Yes, there is plenty of outward piety that helps bolster people’s view of themselves in front of others. But is it accurately God’s perspective of who they are?

I heard somebody say this morning, “I had to bring myself down a few notches”. It made me chuckle (and so decided to use it as the title of this post- since it hit home for me). If we bring ourselves down a few notches it may allow us to be more truthful with others.

Even though others may not be impressed or notice our impact on the world when we dial it down, if it comes across as a kinder, more appreciative presence towards others- then it was worthwhile.

Matthew Henry’s commentary** reviews the passage below (bold added): “The priests were to alarm the people with the near approach of the Divine judgments. It is the work of ministers to warn of the fatal consequences of sin, and to reveal the wrath from heaven against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. The striking description which follows, shows what would attend the devastations of locusts, but may also describe the effects from the ravaging of the land by the Chaldeans. If the alarm of temporal judgments is given to offending nations, how much more should sinners be warned to seek deliverance from the wrath to come! Our business therefore on earth must especially be, to secure an interest in our Lord Jesus Christ; and we should seek to be weaned from objects which will soon be torn from all who now make idols of them. There must be outward expressions of sorrow and shame, fasting, weeping, and mourning; tears for trouble must be turned into tears for the sin that caused it. But rending the garments would be vain, except their hearts were rent by abasement and self-abhorrence; by sorrow for their sins, and separation from them. There is no question but that if we truly repent of our sins, God will forgive them; but whether he will remove affliction is not promised, yet the probability of it should encourage us to repent.”

As I seek the Lord this advent season, may I do those things in secret that are necessary. It may even mean bringing myself down a few notches. What is done before God in secret is then able to be openly fruitful for His kingdom.- Teresa #toGodbetheglory

Joel 2:12-14 (ESV)***

Return to the Lord

¹² “Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
¹³ and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;
and he relents over disaster.
¹⁴ Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
for the Lord your God?

*GodofWonders lyric; Songwriters: Marc Byrd / Steve Hindalong

God Of Wonders lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc

**https://apps.apple.com/us/app/biblescope/id284805499 Matthew Henry’s Comm. Joel 2:1-14

***TheOneyearBibleonline https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joel+1%3A1-3%3A21%3Brevelation+1%3A1-20%3Bpsalm+128%3A1-6%3Bproverbs+29%3A18&version=ESV

Gabriel brought the answer when Daniel prayed for help (in the passage below).

Although shame was pervasive from disobedience, the Lord brought mercy and forgiveness after Daniel’s time in intercession. Daniel entreated God with pleas for mercy and forgiveness for his captive nation, to act without delay.

Gabriel brought Daniel understanding with a word from God. He also brought Daniel encouragement by calling him “greatly loved”.

Sometimes all we need is a word of encouragement in order to keep up the good fight.

I was reminded of this after doing a “school nurse” presentation for my daughter’s homeschool class. For all you teachers out there, “keep up the good fight”.

Our society is geared to tear the hearts of children from their families. In fact, students are being taught with a societal “twist” by using words that mean something much more destructive than meets the ear. Every word has an impact on culture. Kudos to the teachers that still bring a sense of meaning and understanding to our next generation.

The next generation is won over or lost based on these words. Are they based on God’s truth and His righteousness? Would we know, based on our own study of the Bible?

One thing we do know for sure is that God promises when we ask, seek and knock, that He will answer.

This Christmas, Lord, may our heart be fully yours. With praise, worship and prayer (fasting) we ask that your advent would be evident in our families and in the lives of our children and grandchildren.- Teresa #Emmanuel

Daniel 9:8-23 (ESV)*

⁸ To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. ⁹ To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him ¹⁰ and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. ¹¹ All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. ¹² He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us,^[a] by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. ¹³ As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. ¹⁴ Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lordour God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. ¹⁵ And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

¹⁶ “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. ¹⁷ Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord,^[b] make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. ¹⁸ O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.¹⁹ O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

Gabriel Brings an Answer

²⁰ While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God for the holy hill of my God, ²¹ while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. ²² He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. ²³ At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.

*OneyearBibleonline

We are on a holiday, like many others.Nevertheless, I am inspired to write a blog post.

God gives wisdom and knowledge, revealing the things that we need just in time. In this passage from the book of Daniel, God reveals deep and hidden things to the one in exile (he and his 3 friends were exalted to positions of being called wise men).

Although God knows what is in the darkness (sleep, night terrors), the light dwells with Him.

You see that God had a plan for the king’s life. A plan that was more beautiful than the strong will of the king. More glorious than a golden image of Nebuchadnezzar that everyone was required to bow down to. Yes, God wanted to capture the king’s heart to bring about God’s plan for Nebuchadnezzar’s eternity and for the nations.

Therefore, Daniel was able to not only discern the King’s dream but to provide the interpretation. Daniel truly was a wise man. He understood who he was (the created) AND more importantly who God was (the creator).

When we are faithful in the little things God calls us to, there may be emergencies that come up. Prayer and fasting have a way of bringing clarity to complex situations.

Like Daniel, I want to be faithful in discerning the issue and then providing God’s correct interpretation. Although the problem usually starts in the dark, God knows what’s there AND the light dwells with Him. -Teresa #enlightened #forHisglory

Daniel 2:1-23 ESV*

2 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. ² Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. ³ And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” ⁴ Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic,^[b] “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” ⁵ The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. ⁶ But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.” ⁷ They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.” ⁸ The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm— ⁹ if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.”¹⁰ The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. ¹¹ The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”

¹² Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. ¹³ So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them.¹⁴ Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. ¹⁵ He declared^[c] to Arioch, the king’s captain, “Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel. ¹⁶ And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.

God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

¹⁷ Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, ¹⁸ and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.¹⁹ Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. ²⁰ Daniel answered and said:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
²¹ He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding;
²² he reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what is in the darkness,
and the light dwells with him.
²³ To you, O God of my fathers,
I give thanks and praise,
for you have given me wisdom and might,
and have now made known to me what we asked of you,
for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”

Footnotes

1. Daniel 1:3 Hebrew of the seed of the kingdom
2. Daniel 2:4 The text from this point to the end of chapter 7 is in Aramaic
3. Daniel 2:15 Aramaic answered and said; also verse 26

*OneyearBibleonline.com

Being in the world but not part of it is a difficult balance. Unstained by the world’s perspective means not allowing the shadow of sin to snuff out the light in us.

When my husband and I were young marrieds, we lived in a one-bedroom apartment that had vanity lights above the master bathroom mirror. We dusted them on Saturday (our cleaning day). On Sunday morning as we got ready for church, most of them burned out…1-2-3-4, one right after the other. My husband happened to be teaching the sermon that week and his point was, don’t let Satan burn out your spiritual light.

Certainly anger is the beginning of the “burning out” process (staining us). In the passage below, James (the brother of Jesus) is telling the new believers that hearing the Word is the first step towards escaping this trap (of being stained by the world). But acting on what you hear is the essential step towards “walking in the light”.

Of interest, C.S.Lewis’s fiction book, “The Great Divorce”, he uses the term ‘Shadowlands’, to describe hell and in the Narnia final trilogy to describe earth. Sheffner’s reading blog.

To take this a step further, an unbridled tongue goes hand in hand with a deceived heart. I had to do some self-introspection and find the areas where I’d harbored pockets of anger. They all began when I allowed myself to jump to conclusions that were hurtful. There were times when my tongue was bridled and then there were times when it was not. The full force of my fury even came unfurled a few of those times. Yikes!

Well, any religious stance I took was worthless at this point. What’s more amazing is the possibility of hurtful conclusions but to still believe the best in others. Or better yet, that God allowed it for my good, their good or most importantly, His glory.

Wow!! That is something to behold. True love and true religion go hand in hand. After all, that is what Christ did for us. #MotherTeresa

The righteousness of God was given to me when Jesus Christ the Lord paid for my sin on the cross. He entered the ‘shadowlands’ for all who were in bondage there . “Substitutionary atonement” is the term Bible scholars use for this, (explained to me by Pastor Tim Lane, Union Gospel Mission).

Ultimately, I want to remember that the cross stands as a bridge between God, the Father and me. Lord, help me not to be deceived by anger, by a need to be admired or any other “stain” Satan casts onto this “world’s” view of things. Instead, please allow me to always remember, “You are Creator, I am created”. -Teresa #meekness

James 1:19-27 (ESV)*

¹⁹ Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;²⁰ for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. ²¹ Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. ²⁴ For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. ²⁵ But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

*OneyearBibleonline.com

Jude 1:24-25 , NET **

24Now to the one who is able to keep you from falling, and to cause you to stand, rejoicing, without blemish before his glorious presence, 25 to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.

**https://apps.apple.com/us/app/biblescope/id284805499

When our soul is not open to God (cold as ice), it is at risk of being susceptible to an unholy invasion (unquenchable fire).

The imagery in this passage is disturbing and violent. It’s hard to understand God’s point given through Ezekiel the prophet to His people, the Jewish nation.

Matthew Henry says it well in his commentary from the app Bible Scope : “A history of the apostacy of God’s people from him, and the aggravation thereof. – In this parable, Samaria and Israel bear the name Aholah, “her own tabernacle;” because the places of worship those kingdoms had, were of their own devising. Jerusalem and Judah bear the name of Aholibah, “my tabernacle is in her,” because their temple was the place which God himself had chosen, to put his name there.” (Also see Wikipedia definition) “The language and figures are according to those times. Will not such humbling representations of nature keep open perpetual repentance and sorrow in the soul, hiding pride from our eyes, and taking us from self-righteousness? Will it not also prompt the soul to look to God continually for grace, that by his Holy Spirit we may mortify the deeds of the body, and live in holy conversation and godliness?”

If God chose to make His dwelling amongst us (Emmanuel, God with us), then how could we desire any “self-made” god? Is it easier to devise our own rules of worship than to bow our knee to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

I’m not Jewish but I do believe that Jesus Christ the Lord came from the tribe of Judah as Messiah to deliver the whole world from sin. Once we turn to His rule and reign, we have the choice to avoid being burned up in a fire of lust and unholy desire. That’s why the Gospel is called good news. He has tabernacled among us to offer a new and living way. Read the New Testament gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) to bring daily refreshment for your heart, filled with God’s intent for the world.

In our day, when many are ignorant of God’s loving presence, we also see unquenched desire and violence. Hatred is ruling, which may be the ultimate end recorded in this passage. It is basically the penalty of sinful idolatry.

Lord, help me to place all my desire on you and your ways. May my heart be responsive to your amazing grace and love. – Teresa

Ezekiel 23: 1-49 (ESV)

Oholah and Oholibah

23 The word of the Lord came to me: ² “Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother. ³ They played the whore in Egypt; they played the whore in their youth; there their breasts were pressed and their virgin bosoms^[a] handled.⁴ Oholah was the name of the elder and Oholibah the name of her sister. They became mine, and they bore sons and daughters. As for their names, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

⁵ “Oholah played the whore while she was mine, and she lusted after her lovers the Assyrians, warriors ⁶ clothed in purple, governors and commanders, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding on horses. ⁷ She bestowed her whoring upon them, the choicest men of Assyria all of them, and she defiled herself with all the idols of everyone after whom she lusted. ⁸ She did not give up her whoring that she had begun in Egypt; for in her youth men had lain with her and handled her virgin bosom and poured out their whoring lust upon her. ⁹ Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers, into the hands of the Assyrians, after whom she lusted. ¹⁰ These uncovered her nakedness; they seized her sons and her daughters; and as for her, they killed her with the sword; and she became a byword among women, when judgment had been executed on her.

¹¹ “Her sister Oholibah saw this, and she became more corrupt than her sister^[b] in her lust and in her whoring, which was worse than that of her sister.¹² She lusted after the Assyrians, governors and commanders, warriors clothed in full armor, horsemen riding on horses, all of them desirable young men. ¹³ And I saw that she was defiled; they both took the same way. ¹⁴ But she carried her whoring further. She saw men portrayed on the wall, the images of the Chaldeans portrayed in vermilion, ¹⁵ wearing belts on their waists, with flowing turbans on their heads, all of them having the appearance of officers, a likeness of Babylonians whose native land was Chaldea.¹⁶ When she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea. ¹⁷ And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoring lust. And after she was defiled by them, she turned from them in disgust. ¹⁸ When she carried on her whoring so openly and flaunted her nakedness, I turned in disgust from her, as I had turned in disgust from her sister. ¹⁹ Yet she increased her whoring, remembering the days of her youth, when she played the whore in the land of Egypt ²⁰ and lusted after her lovers there, whose members were like those of donkeys, and whose issue was like that of horses. ²¹ Thus you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when the Egyptians handled your bosom and pressed^[c] your young breasts.”

²² Therefore, O Oholibah, thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I will stir up against you your lovers from whom you turned in disgust, and I will bring them against you from every side: ²³ the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod and Shoa and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, desirable young men, governors and commanders all of them, officers and men of renown, all of them riding on horses.²⁴ And they shall come against you from the north^[d]with chariots and wagons and a host of peoples. They shall set themselves against you on every side with buckler, shield, and helmet; and I will commit the judgment to them, and they shall judge you according to their judgments. ²⁵ And I will direct my jealousy against you, that they may deal with you in fury. They shall cut off your nose and your ears, and your survivors shall fall by the sword. They shall seize your sons and your daughters, and your survivors shall be devoured by fire. ²⁶ They shall also strip you of your clothes and take away your beautiful jewels. ²⁷ Thus I will put an end to your lewdness and your whoring begun in the land of Egypt, so that you shall not lift up your eyes to them or remember Egypt anymore.

²⁸ “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will deliver you into the hands of those whom you hate, into the hands of those from whom you turned in disgust,²⁹ and they shall deal with you in hatred and take away all the fruit of your labor and leave you naked and bare, and the nakedness of your whoring shall be uncovered. Your lewdness and your whoring³⁰ have brought this upon you, because you played the whore with the nations and defiled yourself with their idols. ³¹ You have gone the way of your sister; therefore I will give her cup into your hand. ³² Thus says the Lord God:

“You shall drink your sister’s cup
that is deep and large;
you shall be laughed at and held in derision,
for it contains much;
³³ you will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow.
A cup of horror and desolation,
the cup of your sister Samaria;
³⁴ you shall drink it and drain it out,
and gnaw its shards,
and tear your breasts;

for I have spoken, declares the Lord God.³⁵ Therefore thus says the Lord God: Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, you yourself must bear the consequences of your lewdness and whoring.”

³⁶ The Lord said to me: “Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Declare to them their abominations. ³⁷ For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. With their idols they have committed adultery, and they have even offered up^[e] to them for food the children whom they had borne to me. ³⁸ Moreover, this they have done to me: they have defiled my sanctuary on the same day and profaned my Sabbaths. ³⁹ For when they had slaughtered their children in sacrifice to their idols, on the same day they came into my sanctuary to profane it. And behold, this is what they did in my house. ⁴⁰ They even sent for men to come from afar, to whom a messenger was sent; and behold, they came. For them you bathed yourself, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with ornaments. ⁴¹ You sat on a stately couch, with a table spread before it on which you had placed my incense and my oil. ⁴² The sound of a carefree multitude was with her; and with men of the common sort, drunkards^[f] were brought from the wilderness; and they put bracelets on the hands of the women, and beautiful crowns on their heads.

⁴³ “Then I said of her who was worn out by adultery, ‘Now they will continue to use her for a whore, even her!’^{[g] 44} For they have gone in to her, as men go in to a prostitute. Thus they went in to Oholah and to Oholibah, lewd women! ⁴⁵ But righteous men shall pass judgment on them with the sentence of adulteresses, and with the sentence of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses, and blood is on their hands.”

⁴⁶ For thus says the Lord God: “Bring up a vast host against them, and make them an object of terror and a plunder. ⁴⁷ And the host shall stone them and cut them down with their swords. They shall kill their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses. ⁴⁸ Thus will I put an end to lewdness in the land, that all women may take warning and not commit lewdness as you have done. ⁴⁹ And they shall return your lewdness upon you, and you shall bear the penalty for your sinful idolatry, and you shall know that I am the Lord God.”Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Ezekiel 23:3 Hebrew nipples; also verses 8, 21
2. Ezekiel 23:11 Hebrew than she
3. Ezekiel 23:21 Vulgate, Syriac; Hebrew bosom for the sake of
4. Ezekiel 23:24 Septuagint; the meaning of the Hebrew word is unknown
5. Ezekiel 23:37 Or have even made pass through the fire
6. Ezekiel 23:42 Or Sabeans
7. Ezekiel 23:43 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain

The sunshine from the east brings us new hope and reminds us of God’s glory.

The east side of Jerusalem is where the glory of the Lord departed (in Ezekiel’s vision). It will also be where God’s redeemer returns in a full display of splendor upon His return, with the Second Coming of Jesus. This was prophesied in Zechariah 14.

The whole world has been impacted this past month, seeing the horror against the people of Israel.

They shall be my people, God says. And…He will be their God.

This cannot happen if God’s people continue to go after detestable things and abominations. How much more so for those of us in the Church to be reminded about trusting God’s provision vs. letting our hearts stray to worldly solutions?

My daughter and I have been working through a wonderful Bible Study together (by The Daily Grace Co). It’s called “Follow Me – A Study on the Gospel of Mark”. One nugget that encouraged me is the authority with which Jesus works. God’s voice was heard audibly during his baptism (by John the Baptist). Although the Sanhedrin refused to acknowledge it, Jesus clearly acted consistently with His role as the Son of God.

Just because we choose not to believe does not mean it won’t happen. The truth is, we need a Savior who is rich in mercy.-Teresa #maranatha

Ezekiel 11:14-21 ESV*

Israel’s New Heart and Spirit

¹⁴ And the word of the Lord came to me: ¹⁵ “Son of man, your brothers, even your brothers, your kinsmen,^[g] the whole house of Israel, all of them, are those of whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘Go far from the Lord; to us this land is given for a possession.’ ¹⁶ Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while^[h] in the countries where they have gone.’ ¹⁷ Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’¹⁸ And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations.¹⁹ And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,²⁰ that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. ²¹ But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will^[i] bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord God.”

²² Then the cherubim lifted up their wings, with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them. ²³ And the glory of the Lordwent up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain that is on the east side of the city. ²⁴ And the Spirit lifted me up and brought me in the vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to the exiles. Then the vision that I had seen went up from me.²⁵ And I told the exiles all the things that the Lordhad shown me.

Footnotes

1. Ezekiel 10:1 Or lapis lazuli
2. Ezekiel 10:11 Hebrew to their four sides
3. Ezekiel 10:11 Hebrew the head
4. Ezekiel 10:12 Or their whole body, their backs, their hands, and their wings
5. Ezekiel 10:17 Or spirit of life
6. Ezekiel 11:3 Or Is not the time near… ?
7. Ezekiel 11:15 Hebrew the men of your redemption
8. Ezekiel 11:16 Or in small measure
9. Ezekiel 11:21 Hebrew To the heart of their detestable things and their abominations their heart goes; I will

*OneyearBibleonline

Our Christmas Eve celebration was made complete with the addition of this amazing instrument and the skill of our daughter in expressing her music.

Did you know that serving the Lord with gladness is like making a joyful noise to Him?

Entering His presence as we sing out His praise opens the gate of familial love.

His people, His sheep, His creation…that’s who we are when we acknowledge Christ Jesus as Lord. #Hisplanisredemption

Thankful and joyful describes those who enter His courts, blessing His name.

How can we not rejoice when we truly understand that He is good? His love steadfastly endures to our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. #salvation

I attempted to record a “voice memo” to exemplify this truth (as I enjoy playing the piano and singing along for private worship times). It’s not flawless, maybe not even very good…so I won’t be sharing!

To God’s ears, however, I believe it’s beautiful as He sees my heart of thanksgiving.

Whether it’s service or singing, our joyful noise is not lost on Him.-Teresa #authenticpraise

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

A Psalm for giving thanks.

100 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
² Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

³ Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;^[a]
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

⁵ For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Psalm 100:3 Or and not we ourselves

A desire to be rich can lead to temptations, snares, crazy desires that bring about ruin.

BUT the best type of gain is found through Paul’s teaching to Timothy. Hold fast to godliness and be content with that. After all, we didn’t bring anything into the world and we will leave the same way.

Is it enough to have food and clothing? The minimalist would agree.

Our society is complicated. Not only food and clothing but transportation and a bed to sleep in are a minimum. I’ve come to dislike traveling because bare minimum needs are no longer easy to come by. Even if I am willing to spend the money in order to be comfortable, I’ve found that the customer service to match said value is rare, but lovely when experienced.

While I was waiting for my flight to board in Denver, a young man was talking on the phone and pacing back and forth. His whole conversation was about landing contracts for at least a half million dollars at each of their bookings that year. My imagination took this conversation to mean that his line of work must be an entertainer (since he did not appear old enough to be a businessman or even out of college yet)!

Since he boarded with me in group 4, I also assumed he was the person booking the gigs for an agent! (not the actual entertainer, maybe a relative of the entertainer).

We each have an individual story, although we all enter and leave the world in much the same way (with nothing). Our faith in God is what opens the veil between truth and sparkly appearances trying to convince us of truth.

We watched “Big George Foreman” last night on Netflix. He literally came back to life at 28 years old. Jesus really changed him. His desires and outlook changed. He went from needing 5 cars, mansions and expensive clothing to being a preacher, no longer fighting for respect. The love of God had changed him. I’m not saying he doesn’t have money now (especially after winning the heavyweight championship for a second time at 45 years old). The difference is that the veil of unbelief was removed so that he could understand how God saw him. #worthwhile #nomoreanger

Will I desire to be who riches tell me I am or desire who Christ says I am?-Teresa #content

I Timothy 6:6-10 ESV *

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain, ⁷ for we brought nothing into the world, and^[c] we cannot take anything out of the world. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. ⁹ But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

*OneyearBibleonline

When I got on my final flight home this week, I was literally longing for home. My husband and I have been married a long time. Whenever we spend time apart, it brings back memories of our engagement when we were separated almost 6 months (to finish our college semesters). He arrived 2 days before the wedding to whisk me away!!

We told each other that we would never live apart again. Not taking that for granted, I appreciate anew our commitment whenever I get home from a trip.

Similarly, when I trust in the Lord my heart is always with Him. I know the road home (like a highway in my heart), strengthened by faith. Singing songs of praise, I bask in this heavenly relationship.

Until I see Him face to face, I will go from strength to strength. Even in the valley of Baca (or balsam tree) also to weep. He refreshes me. In fact, He withholds no good thing from my life. I can even trust Him for strength to walk uprightly.

Yes, it may come as a surprise but God is trustworthy. We are programmed to lack trust especially if our family of origin has dysfunctional behaviors.

A resume writer on Linked In (Adnan) posted this morning: Don’t Run. You prayed for this.-God. When I read the verse stating “a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere”, it reminded me of a few years ago when I prayed to be able to retire from my job. He allowed it and I have time to spend as a “doorkeeper” in God’s house. It does not appear glamorous or fast-paced, but I trust it is connecting with His heart. #celestialteam

Lord, we look to you. Our souls may even faint with longing for your presence. Because you are God of the living (and of the resurrection), you are a shield about us. – Teresa #fainting #yetfulfilled

Psalm 84English Standard Version*

My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith.^[a] A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

84 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
² My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

³ Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
⁴ Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah

⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.^[b]
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
⁷ They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.

⁸ O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
⁹ Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!

¹⁰ For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
¹¹ For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
¹² O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Psalm 84:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
2. Psalm 84:5 Hebrew lacks to Zion

*OneyearBibleonline