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.

Feeling the pressures of life, I enjoy this shiny reminder of fostering deeper relationships in the midst of a barren culture. Physically, I have become better at staying at a “safe” distance but socially, I have had many amazing experiences this year.

In September, I started attending a Zoom Bible study through “Heart 2 Heart”. It has been a joyful time of getting to know 7 precious women from diverse backgrounds. The richness and self- discovery has helped me feel connected (using a new virtual format) but ultimately connecting through God’s love and prayer.

At work, I have been blessed to meet 47 people that I would have never known as I’ve had the opportunity to mentor our new hire RN’s.

With family, we have been “together” across the table or in the yards. I feel very appreciative to stay connected to each one of our children and grandchildren with whatever excuse it takes- (hikes, bday gift drop offs, doctor appointments with mom, etc.). We’ve learned to “blow out” neither the warmth nor…the candles!

After feeding time, an infant is fully satisfied and quieted with their mother. Am I fully satisfied and content with the Lord’s provision for me? I have partaken and remind myself to remain fully sated with God’s mercy and grace.

Amazingly, I don’t have to plan out the next meal because I trust His abundance is there for me. – Teresa #contentment #trust #hopeinOne #myprovider

Psalm 131:1-3 (ESV)

I Have Calmed and Quieted My Soul

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

131 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.

The name of the Lord is my help. He breaks the snare (trap) of the fowler, helping me escape from those who spread a torrent of rage. Jesus is like Noah’s ark, providing shelter and even salvation so I am not overcome.

The distressing moments of life seek to crush me. Do I trust God, the Father? If so, then my feelings and responses should be bathed in peace, knowing He has control. Instead my flesh and my heart fail but He is still the strength of my heart.

Is God on our side? Certainly! There is a way to escape as a bird and fly away but it does require that I recognize the snare as a trap.

Sitting in the snare and enjoying its surroundings will not aid me to recognize my Lord. Because I have distressing feelings and responses full of unrest, I will be ready to escape. When I see the One on my side, I will lift my wings and fly to a place of safety.

The One who made heaven and earth is not only willing to help but able to deliver. -Teresa

#beautyinsideandout #strengthintheLord #eyesthatsee #earsthathear #recognizingHim

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

124 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
let Israel now say—
2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
when people rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone
the raging waters.
6 Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
7 We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped!
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

The stripes (wounds) that fell on our Savior’s back became part of fulfilling the Father’s will.

Our hope is in Him, Jesus Christ the Lord, God’s Son and our Savior. This hope will not be put to shame through the conniving or insulting of oppressors, because God is faithful. The Father will fulfill His promise toward us.

His promise is that when we participate in eternal life- we will live! What is eternal life and when does it start?

Eternal life is this that you may know Him, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent (see John 17:3). It started the moment I agreed to His Lordship in my life. It started when I ended my futile work to save myself and submitted to the Lord Almighty and to His holy name (or His unchanging nature/character).

I fell in love with the Bible at 9 years old (the most authenticated ancient writing known to mankind). I ask God daily for insight and wisdom.

Insight and wisdom are the protection we have in a day of deception. From His word we know that God is the One with the ultimate authority over our eternity.

Eternal life can start today. Being born again means that you will “know” or experience intimate insights into a relationship that endures the test of time. -Teresa #steadfastlove #pouredout #HisSongiven

Psalm 119:116-124 (ESV)

116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
117 Hold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually!
118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
for their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
therefore I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you,
and I am afraid of your judgments.
Ayin

121 I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Give your servant a pledge of good;
let not the insolent oppress me.
123 My eyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and teach me your statutes.

There comes a time when the Son of Man is revealed to mankind. The most frequent title that Jesus used to describe himself in the gospels was the Son of Man.

Ezekiel (son of man) prophesied about the glory that would spread over the earth when the Lord’s presence filled the temple. It would come with the sound of many waters.

In the temple of your body, has the Lord come to take residence? He is not limited to a structural building (temple).

He indwells us with His Holy Spirit upon salvation. The glory of His presence may even come on us with the sound of many waters.

Many waters cannot quench love. In the time of Noah, God made a covenant/promise that He would not wipe out mankind again with a flood.

The ark represents the protection of Jesus (Son of God and prophetic Son of Man) who is rescuing us from the impending judgment against evil (here comes the water). Evil is anything that has defiled God’s rightful place. It will come to light in the brightness of His glory. Jesus ushers in the light.

Thank you,Father God, for revealing to us your Son and our Savior. Thanks for your love that stands in the face of the floods, threatening to overcome. -Teresa #lookeastofEden #johnsteinbeck

Ezekiel 43:1-9 (ESV)

The Glory of the Lord Fills the Temple

43 Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing east. 2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. 3 And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when he[h] came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face. 4 As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east, 5 the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

6 While the man was standing beside me, I heard one speaking to me out of the temple, 7 and he said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever. And the house of Israel shall no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoring and by the dead bodies[i] of their kings at their high places,[j] 8 by setting their threshold by my threshold and their doorposts beside my doorposts, with only a wall between me and them. They have defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed, so I have consumed them in my anger. 9 Now let them put away their whoring and the dead bodies of their kings far from me, and I will dwell in their midst forever.

It is good to live at peace with everyone in holiness. Those who met Jacob, Moses and even Jesus recognized the reality of God in their lives as an awesome thing. They were all “touchable”, yet had a unique component of awe-filled holiness. They taught others how to draw near to God in order to obtain grace, avoiding bitterness.

How much more should we approach the spiritual dimension (4th, 5th, even 6th dimensions -aka spirit world) with trembling and reverence.

From heaven, God the Father reminds us that created things will be shaken. His Son, the creator of the earth and mediator of the New Covenant, established an unshakeable kingdom. This kingdom is offered as a solution to our unholiness.

I would like to respond to His warning with acceptance and awe-filled gratefulness towards His gift. – Teresa #peacewithGod #peaceonearth #consumingfire #peacethroughJesusChristheLORD

Hebrews 12:14-29
English Standard Version
14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly[a] of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

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Footnotes

Hebrews 12:23 Or church

Friends make the world feel better. In a world where we don’t always know what is the next popular or pervasive viewpoint, we can always trust God’s word.

Have you ever experienced a counseling session (with a true friend) that may have been earnest enough to “kick your butt”? If so, you will understand this Proverb.

I happened to overhear one of these sessions just a few weeks ago. The friend was telling the other woman how to act, after being dumped. The friend’s counsel was , “You won’t check your phone, you won’t put life on hold while hoping to make ammends, you will move forward in confidence and hold your head high”.

If you’re feeling low or just alone, be sure to reach out to a friend. Remember that true friends are always there for you (not just when there is something in it for them).

Whether someone has been unfaithful, unethical or just plain unfriendly, seek out a true friend’s sweetness aka counsel. They will help you know how to respond in spite of your inner feelings.

Gladness of heart arises when we smell sweet incense. This odor is pleasing and reminds us of God’s friendship extended to us through His son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

I was once a “pacman” with a voracious appetite for what could not satisfy me: all mouth. Knowing Jesus, I sprouted arms and legs, even a head with more than just this instinctive mouth. He has brought a heart back into my “tin” chest. To be in awe of God is the beginning of wisdom and fills the rooms of our house with precious treasure. (Proverbs 24: 3,4 -3 “By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.”)

Proverbs 27:9 (ESV)

9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.[a]

Footnotes

Proverbs 27:9 Or and so does the sweetness of a friend that comes from his earnest counsel

This painting means so much to me as it depicts a typical winter scene. (I grew up in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of MI). My brothers were such good boys, I think of them whenever I look at it. Reminding me of an innocent time of life, I can get lost in the memory.

Our heavenly Father provided his Son, Jesus Christ the Lord who endured for the purpose of becoming perfect in obeying the Father’s will.

If we are suffering because of our sin nature, we can take comfort and remember that our “brother” has helped us. He suffered under distressing temptation yet trusted the Father’s purpose. He was obedient unto death, even death on the cross. (Philippians 2:8). All of this to free us from being slaves to sin.

Although life does not always turn out as we had envisioned, we have a certain hope that our heavenly Father sees every sparrow that falls. Our lives are precious to Him. They are not wasted, but treasured.

No wonder we are refreshed when we see the joy of a family prospering through His grace. -Teresa #praiseHimpraiseHimallthelittlechildren #Godislove #AbrahambelievedGodanditwascreditedtohimas #righteousness #doubelieve?

Hebrews 2: 10-18 (ESV)

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source.[b] That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,[c] 12 saying,

“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”
13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”
And again,

“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”
14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

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Footnotes

Hebrews 2:7 Some manuscripts insert and set him over the works of your hands
Hebrews 2:11 Greek all are of one
Hebrews 2:11 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 12