When the faith of Abraham was tested, he did not dwell on feelings for his son, Isaac, but focused on the power of God (able to resurrect him). His willingness to give up what was most precious to him in obedience to God showed that his faith was authentic. Abraham discovered that God would honor his faith with children galore (like the stars of the sky).

We are the children of Abraham when we simply believe God’s word. That’s why we call him Father Abraham. He believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness (see Galatians 3:6). Based on The Abrahamic covenant, God knew there would be millions upon millions of believers.

Through Abraham’s offspring, all the nations of the world have been blessed. I have been blessed and my family has been blessed. The lamb was truly provided because our heavenly Father did the unthinkable- He offered his only begotten Son for the sin of the world. (See John 1:29)

Focused on the relationship with His Father (see Hebrews 12:2), Jesus was obedient unto death, even death on the cross (see Phillipians 2:8).- Teresa #Father’slove #Son’sobedience #ourjoy #thegospel #goodnews #resurrectionpower

https://youtu.be/05_vFmZkUYw listen to Michael Card, “God will provide a Lamb”

Genesis 22:5-19 (ESV)

5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy[f] will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.

9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”;[g] as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”[h]

15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his[i] enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.

*photo from Pexels

Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. If I’m being dramatic like my daughter’s cute dog, then I may lay my head down and act hopeless when feeling left alone.

On the other hand, if I’m acknowledging the position God has, then I wholeheartedly agree that His name is holy. Not only can He meet my need but He will do it beyond what I can ask or imagine.

Imagine driving in to Yosemite for the first time. I was in awe and reverence at the magnitude of the rock formations. Reverence for God is even more breathtaking than that.

He not only provides daily (for all of mankind) but best of all He forgives. When the kingdom of heaven appears on earth, it looks really different than the world system. He transforms my heart from “gimme” to “deliverme”.

Deliverance from anger and bitterness keeps me from grabbing and empowers me to give. -Teresa #prayerispowerful #RememberHim #Is52&53 #God’sgifttothepeople-sufferingservantHisSon

Matthew 6:5-14 (ESV).

The Lord’s Prayer

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.[a]
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,[b]
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,[c]
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.[d]
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Footnotes

Matthew 6:9 Or Let your name be kept holy, or Let your name be treated with reverence
Matthew 6:10 Or Let your kingdom come, let your will be done
Matthew 6:11 Or our bread for tomorrow
Matthew 6:13 Or the evil one; some manuscripts add For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen

There is a wonderful instinct in the father of a newborn- to protect their baby! When the Lord told Joseph to rise and flee to Egypt, he promptly obeyed. Even though Joseph had not “known” Mary before Jesus was born, he embraced responsibility for him-as his own son.

King Herod ordered the murder of all the baby boys (2 years and under), to squelch any possibility of the prophetic “Christmas Star” child becoming King.

When the culture steals our children, God is working upstream of the tragedy. Those vying desperately for power and position may be the ones who are about to get tumbled.

Jesus stood before King Herod’s son, (Herod Antipas) prior to His death and resurrection. He did not speak a word to him (see Luke 23:9). Was it because King Herod’s son was know by Jesus to be a fox? (See Luke 13:31,32) The future was clear to Jesus His ultimate sacrifice would restore the people-(everyone affected by the cruelty of sin and corruption).

Although Herod thought he was the one in control, he was actually the one who would ultimately rise and flee.* After taking his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias as his wife, he was responsible for the beheading of John the Baptist.

Am I ready to respond to God’s bidding? Joseph provided a great example of a strong earthly father protecting God’s heavenly Son by obeying the direction to rise and flee.

My takeaway: in order to lead well, I must be willing to learn to follow. – Teresa

#trustandobey #culturalstruggleforthefamily #HeisLordofall #HearHim#Hehears#ourcryforthechildren

Matthew 2: 13-18 (ESV) English Standard Version
The Flight to Egypt

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Herod Kills the Children

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

*https://www.britannica.com/biography/Herod-Antipas

ann54321kids.wordpress.com/2020/12/29/cancel-blot-erase/

Contrasted in this passage: Those who covered the Lord’s altar with tears (or didn’t feel that God was listening) had also covered their marital relationship or garment with violence (i.e. lack of love/banishment or divorce, which in Old Testament times left women destitute=didn’t notice the cry for help from their wife).

In other words, the man who remained faithFUL to the wife of his youth gained what God was seeking=godly offspring.

Guarding your heart aka guarding youself in your spirit is helpful (for men, women and children). Do not be faithLESS!! Afterall, He demonstrated His love for you and me. For even when we were still sinners, Christ died for us (see Romans 5:8).

Of course, being a parent is not for the faint of heart and being a spouse will be the hardest (yet best) thing ever undertaken.

God’s goodness is meant to FULly bless each man (and woman) -in finding a wise spouse and remaining faithFUL to them. -Teresa

#answeredprayers #repentanthearts #willuforgiveme?goesalongway #celibacyisararegift #lovingcovenant

Proverbs 31:10-12 (ESV) 10 [a] An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.

Malachi 2:13-16 (ESV)13 And this second thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. 14 But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union?[h] And what was the one God[i] seeking?[j] Godly offspring. So guard yourselves[k] in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 16 “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her,[l] says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers[m] his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”

Footnotes

h. Malachi 2:15 Hebrew in it
i. Malachi 2:15 Hebrew the one
j. Malachi 2:15 Or And not one has done this who has a portion of the Spirit. And what was that one seeking?
k. Malachi 2:15 Or So take care; also verse 16
l. Malachi 2:16 Hebrew who hates and divorces
m. Malachi 2:16 Probable meaning (compare Septuagint and Deuteronomy 24:1–4); or “The Lord, the God of Israel, says that he hates divorce, and him who covers

When the book is written in ink, blotting the entry erases the writing. Who has the authority to blot out a name or to cancel a person?

The great white thone appears in this passage to reveal him who is seated there. He is the one who has all authority. Even the earth and sky flee from his presence.

He is able to blot or erase those whose wickedness keep them from believing aka rejecting God. #donothardenyourheart #soberingthought #lakeofire #precioustoGod #believe #Romans10:13

-Teresa

Revelation 20: 11-15 (ESV) 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:13

The rider of the white horse has a name. He is called Faithful and True, but what is his name? His eyes are blazing like fire and the essence of his character provides the name. On his head are many “kingly crowns”* and his righteous nature will reveal the name. He is also called the Word of God. No one fully understands the name written but he himself. His robe with blood speaks of his willingness to shepherd all tribes, tongues and nations of the earth. The armies of heaven follow him. Bringing the judgment/wrath of God Almighty, he does not back down from pursuing and delivering those who call him Lord. The name written for him is King of kings and Lord of lords. Will I ever understand this mystery? -Teresa p.s. take time to listen to the song clip at the end of this powerful passage, describing our Lord and Savior

#Christmaschild #namewrittenonhisrighteousrobe #namewrittenonhisthigh #worthyisthelamb

Revelation 19: 6-16 (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.

The Rider on a White Horse

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in[b] blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule[c] them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=RDiQyT94WmRKA (1:47-2:10)* words of this passage in song, use the blue hyperlink below

Song by Second Chapter of Acts

*KariJobe Revelation Song (lyrics)

Reading the book of Revelation, I feel the blessing of God’s word. This passage especially reminds me to be separate from the “world system”.

Too often, I can get very comfortable with making money and enjoying the baubles of entertaining luxuries. God’s word reminds me that living for worldly ways will not last.

I could make a New Year’s resolution to come out of this mindset, to give control to God, rejecting materialism and all that belongs to the world system (the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the boastful pride of life).

Unfortunately, I tend to break more resolutions than I keep. Maybe devising a prayer to help me re-focus will be a better solution. Time to fly and not remain trapped in the birdcage of worldly wisdom.

Thank you Lord for your glory. You have paid a great price to release me from slavery with regards to sin and the world’s passionate focus on self. As Melody Green wrote, “Make my life -a prayer to You. I want to do what you want me to. No empty words and no white lies, no token prayers, no comprise. I want to shine the light You gave through your Son, You sent to save us from ourselves and our despair. Oh it comforts me to know You’re really there. I want to thank you now for being patient with me. Oh it’s so hard hard to see, when my eyes are on me. I guess I’ll have to trust and just believe what you say. Oh your coming again, coming to take us away. I want to die and let you live your life through me that I might live. And share the hope you gave to me. Oh I want to share the love that set me free…”

When nations strive and peoples grapple for power, bringing injury to the children-we may have reached hell on earth. The good news is that the world system will fall. It is not eternal. – Teresa #dyingtoself #alivetoGod

Keith Green Live

Keith Green performing his wife’s song, live. Click the blue hyperlink above to open the link on You Tube

Revelation 18:1-14 (ESV)

The Fall of Babylon

18 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. 2 And he called out with a mighty voice,

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!
She has become a dwelling place for demons,
a haunt for every unclean spirit,
a haunt for every unclean bird,
a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
3 For all nations have drunk[a]
the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality,
and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her,
and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,

“Come out of her, my people,
lest you take part in her sins,
lest you share in her plagues;
5 for her sins are heaped high as heaven,
and God has remembered her iniquities.
6 Pay her back as she herself has paid back others,
and repay her double for her deeds;
mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed.
7 As she glorified herself and lived in luxury,
so give her a like measure of torment and mourning,
since in her heart she says,
‘I sit as a queen,
I am no widow,
and mourning I shall never see.’
8 For this reason her plagues will come in a single day,
death and mourning and famine,
and she will be burned up with fire;
for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”
9 And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. 10 They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say,

“Alas! Alas! You great city,
you mighty city, Babylon!
For in a single hour your judgment has come.”
11 And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore, 12 cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble, 13 cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls.[b]

14 “The fruit for which your soul longed
has gone from you,
and all your delicacies and your splendors
are lost to you,
never to be found again!”

Have you ever been surprised to find that your good fortune is nearer than you thought? Israel had suffered heavy judgment for their unfaithfulness toward God. It came in the form of oppression from other countries, namely Assyria and Babylon.

Not only did the Lord God save them but He delivered them from fear.

This deliverance came in the form of glad rejoicing, loud singing and quietly being in his loving presence. Their judgment was removed.

The Mighty One can also remove my fear of judgment . Praise be to God for His unspeakable gift. I can trust Him to strengthen me by understanding the deep joy He has for His Son and for me.- Teresa #seeingGodasFather #joy #wellbeing #daughterofZion

Zephaniah 3:14-20 (ESV)

14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;
he has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall never again fear evil.
16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.
17 The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
18 I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival,
so that you will no longer suffer reproach.[m]
19 Behold, at that time I will deal
with all your oppressors.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
and renown in all the earth.
20 At that time I will bring you in,
at the time when I gather you together;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes,” says the Lord.

When the musicians struck up their haunting melody, I worshiped the Savior. What Child is This, by William Chatterton Dix was written around 1865. (https:/www. hymnsandcarols ofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/Biographies/william_chatterton_dix.htm)

The prophet Nahum describes in this passage how great God’s power is- to not only see His adversary but to take action against wickedness.

I am encouraged because there is a wise God who not only created mankind but understands our frailty. He is slow to anger but powerful enough to remove multiple strongholds. From the city of Ninevah came a worthless counselor plotting evil.

Although the evil appeared to be supported by many and seemed strong, God was able to break it off. Idol worship became a grave for those who did not repent.

Why? Because God was bringing comfort to the remnant in Judah who looked to Him as their fortress and deliverer. (See Chuck Swindoll’s Insight for Living on the Minor Prophets (Nahum). https://insight.org/resources/bible/the-minor-prophets/nahum

He also brings comfort to the whole world. Behold, on the mountains come the feet of Him who brings good news and publishes peace!! (See vs. 15 below)-Teresa #babeofpeace #bringsGoodNews #aSaviorformankind

Nahum 1:1-15 (ESV)

1 An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh.

God’s Wrath Against Nineveh

2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
the Lord is avenging and wrathful;
the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries
and keeps wrath for his enemies.
3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.
His way is in whirlwind and storm,
and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry;
he dries up all the rivers;
Bashan and Carmel wither;
the bloom of Lebanon withers.
5 The mountains quake before him;
the hills melt;
the earth heaves before him,
the world and all who dwell in it.
6 Who can stand before his indignation?
Who can endure the heat of his anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire,
and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.
7 The Lord is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.
8 But with an overflowing flood
he will make a complete end of the adversaries,[a]
and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
9 What do you plot against the Lord?
He will make a complete end;
trouble will not rise up a second time.
10 For they are like entangled thorns,
like drunkards as they drink;
they are consumed like stubble fully dried.
11 From you came one
who plotted evil against the Lord,
a worthless counselor.
12 Thus says the Lord,
“Though they are at full strength and many,
they will be cut down and pass away.
Though I have afflicted you,
I will afflict you no more.
13 And now I will break his yoke from off you
and will burst your bonds apart.”
14 The Lord has given commandment about you:
“No more shall your name be perpetuated;
from the house of your gods I will cut off
the carved image and the metal image.
I will make your grave, for you are vile.”
15 [b] Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him
who brings good news,
who publishes peace!
Keep your feasts, O Judah;
fulfill your vows,
for never again shall the worthless pass through you;
he is utterly cut off.