There is rhyme and reason to the governing of God. “He sits enthroned upon the cherubim”…what a beautiful reference to God’s Son as a sacrifice, able to atone for our sin.

As we participate in recognizing and exalting Him for His holiness, then we will experience worship like none other. Equity, justice and righteousness are spoken of as the reason for our ability to exalt in His reign, bowing down in worship.

Moses, Aaron and Samuel had one thing in common: an open line of communication with God, responding to His answers and keeping His testimonies and statutes. God answered their cries, forgave them and avenged their wrongdoings (gaining satisfaction through the blood of the Lamb).

Because the Lord our God is holy (and we are not), we are moved to bow in worship at His holy mountain, recognizing our need of Him. Let us exalt Him with renewed awe at what it meant for Him to avenge for our wrongdoings. -Teresa

Psalm 99:1-9 (ESV)

99 The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The Lord is great in Zion;
he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name!
Holy is he!
4 The King in his might loves justice.[a]
You have established equity;
you have executed justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the Lord our God;
worship at his footstool!
Holy is he!
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.
They called to the Lord, and he answered them.
7 In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;
they kept his testimonies
and the statute that he gave them.
8 O Lord our God, you answered them;
you were a forgiving God to them,
but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt the Lord our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for the Lord our God is holy!

Whether you are a man or a woman, God desires for you to be saved. The guardian impressed us this morning as we observed the dynamics of the flock of goats and how “their” dog did his job, warning us not to get too close.

Likewise, God’s word reminds us to stay under the protection of prayer. It will guide us and guard us in our understanding of God. The dignified presence of godliness helps us take the punches of life and remain supple. Those who become stiff necked will be broken and bitter.

In addition, Paul’s teaching about the roles of men and women in the church may be controversial. My understanding is that in Paul’s day, women were not educated (but men were). Therefore, this passage is not entirely applicable in our culture today.

To keep women “hidden” is not the intent but to keep them protected.

I feel that every church should be diverse, including the presence of a “senior pastor” for women-who is a woman. Why should women be subject to receive counseling/teaching only from men (or their “pastor’s wives” who may have no seminary education?) A man may understand the Bible but really has no understanding of women. The women of the church deserve a woman pastor who is educated (just as the men deserve a male pastor who is educated). No man (or woman) should take on tbe role of being “everything” to all genders.

In keeping with Paul, I feel that senior pastors (whether male or female) are under the authority of the elders of the church- to prevent a “cult- like” monopoly of power or kingdom building.

Elders are generally male (but God has allowed unique instances for a woman to step into that role of leadership, when necessary- i.e. Priscilla, Lydia and O.T., Deborah). Contrary to many who may bash Paul for his harsh choice of words, I feel that he is a proponent for women, by allowing for our protection. Do our church leaders do the same today?

We need each other in our own unique roles. By looking to our mediator, Christ Jesus, we are saved (or ransomed from a sin-induced separateness). -Teresa #savedinchildbearing #marsprotectsvenus #prayerandgoodworksunite

1 Timothy 2:1-15 (ESV)

2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

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Footnotes

1 Timothy 2:5 men and man render the same Greek word that is translated people in verses 1 and 4

I am overcome by how well God refreshes our souls. We just came back from vacation and I realized that “letting down” sometimes allows our true feelings to surface. In fact, we may even feel extra tired (although our output has decreased significantly). God makes a provision for us. He gives us ways to see our world afresh and at the top of my list today was #1 -Thank my Father. His shining face is a miracle of life. – Teresa #savedbylife #God’sgraceismightytorestore

Psalm 80:14-19 (ESV)

Turn again, O God of hosts!
    Look down from heaven, and see;
have regard for this vine,
¹⁵     the stock that your right hand planted,
    and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.
¹⁶ They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down;
    may they perish at the rebuke of your face!
¹⁷ But let your hand be on the man of your right hand,
    the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!
¹⁸ Then we shall not turn back from you;
    give us life, and we will call upon your name!

¹⁹ Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!
Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

An excerpt from Matthew Henry’s commentary describes this passage: “Verses 17-19 The Messiah, the Protector and Saviour of the church, is the Man of God’s right hand; he is the Arm of the Lord, for all power is given to him. In him is our strength, by which we are enabled to persevere to the end. The vine, therefore, cannot be ruined, nor can any fruitful branch perish; but the unfruitful will be cut off and cast into the fire. The end of our redemption is, that we should serve Him who hath redeemed us, and not go back to our old sins.”

If you are wondering what the Lord of Hosts means, I found a very well founded answer from (Gotquestions.org) using Ken Hemphill’s recommended resource: The Names of God.

Question: “What does the Bible mean when it calls God the ‘LORD of hosts’?”

Answer: The name “LORD of hosts” occurs some 261 times in the Old Testament Scriptures. God is first called the “LORD of hosts” in 1 Samuel 1:3. The word LORD, capitalized, refers to Yahweh, the self-existent, redemptive God. The word hosts is a translation of the Hebrew word sabaoth, meaning “armies”—a reference to the angelic armies of heaven. Thus, another way of saying “LORD of hosts” is “God of the armies of heaven.” The NIV translates YHWH saboath as “LORD Almighty.”

This name for God first appears at the close of the period of the judges. In the same sentence as “LORD of hosts” is a reference to Shiloh, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. The Ark symbolized Yahweh’s rulership, among other things, for He sits enthroned above the cherubim (1 Samuel 4:4; Psalm 99:1). Some have suggested that ”LORD of hosts” reaffirms that God is the true Leader of Israel’s armies, in spite of the low spiritual condition of the nation of Israel at the time of the judges. In 1 Samuel 17:45, as part of his pre-fight verbal sparring with Goliath, David invokes this name of God. In doing so, David was claiming that God is the universal ruler over every force whether in heaven or on earth.

Soon after David’s defeat of Goliath, Israel would enter the international scene. It was necessary for the nation to realize that Yahweh was King even of the many other mighty nations. This kingship of the LORD of hosts is vividly expressed in Psalm 24:10: “Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory!” (ESV). He is the glorious King of Israel, and Zechariah 14:9 tells us that He will be King of the world, over all the kingdoms of the earth (cf. Isaiah 37:16).

Eventually, Yahweh of armies will put down all rebellion (Isaiah 24:21–23) and establish His Kingdom from Mt. Zion (Isaiah 31:4–5; 34:12). As the LORD of hosts, God is the all-powerful Ruler over the entire universe. All power and authority are His. He alone intervenes to provide victory for His people. He alone brings world peace. At the same time, He is available to hear the prayers of His people (Psalm 80:19). There is no other God like this.

The sovereign LORD of hosts has the grace to always be there for the one who comes to Him through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The King of glory, who commands the armies of heaven and who will eventually defeat all His enemies in this world, is none other than Jesus Christ. He is the LORD of hosts (Revelation 19:11–20).

Taking care of plants, developing landscape art, or enjoying nature are all ways to keep our mind on things other than politics, when necessary.

I’ve been listening to two excellent books on Audible, “The Case for Trump” by Victor Davis Hanson and “The Truths We Hold” by Kamala Harris. Both are excellent reads and very enlightening.

God asks us to have a right relationship with those considered to be “enemies”. See Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV)

Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Whether we have a strong political persuasion or have actually crossed over to believing the other side is an enemy, one can always remember to be a decent human being.

Proverbs 24:17-20 (ESV)

17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
18 lest the Lord see it and be displeased,
and turn away his anger from him.
19 Fret not yourself because of evildoers,
and be not envious of the wicked,
20 for the evil man has no future;
the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

Being perfect can mean only one thing (being Christlike). As we die to self, we live because of Christ in us!!- Teresa #caringisbeauty

We left this morning, walking toward our favorite coffee shop. Hearing them first, we looked to the tallest tree and sure enough, their sharp morning cry assured us that they were watching out for any snakes.

How do you defeat a predator who is wily or deceptive? This passage teaches us through a messianic prophecy. Jesus Christ our Savior provided a real life examples of how to act in a hate-filled world.

Trusting His Father’s purpose for His life, the Messiah gave Himself fully as Savior of the world.

We are not the Savior but we can be Christ’s followers and allow the Father’s sovereignty to be over our lives.

Are we trusting the Father? Are we fully giving ourselves to His purpose? What discernment do we put in place, ensuring we are not getting sidetracked by worldly wisdom?

Isaiah 55:1-3 (NIV)

1 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.

As our day begins, we can learn from the example of Jesus Christ the Lord, who is the sentinel of our soul. This exercise of trust gives us energy to focus on who we are, purposely living out why we were created. – Teresa #awakenedears #taughtinthenight

Isaiah 50:4-11(ESV)

4 The Lord God has given me
the tongue of those who are taught,
that I may know how to sustain with a word
him who is weary.
Morning by morning he awakens;
he awakens my ear
to hear as those who are taught.
5 The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious;
I turned not backward.
6 I gave my back to those who strike,
and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;
I hid not my face
from disgrace and spitting.
7 But the Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like a flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
8 He who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who is my adversary?
Let him come near to me.
9 Behold, the Lord God helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.
10 Who among you fears the Lord
and obeys the voice of his servant?
Let him who walks in darkness
and has no light
trust in the name of the Lord
and rely on his God.
11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire,
who equip yourselves with burning torches!
Walk by the light of your fire,
and by the torches that you have kindled!
This you have from my hand:
you shall lie down in torment.

Does my soul cling to God while His right hand upholds me? Like King David calling out with joyful lips to the One who brought satisfaction to his soul, we can also meditate on God’s help and protection.

The first step is to hunger and thirst for a spiritual relationship with Him. (We must be intentional with our time spent with God and express our desires for Him in honest prayer!)

The second step is to actually go to His sanctuary in order to witness His power and glory. (Nature aka -His creation, does this best for me)!

Lastly, give Him full allegiance by offering your praises. (It’s because your steadfast love, Lord, is better than life itself, that I can sing!). We can even sing the words of this Psalm, remembering specific ways that God has delivered us just this week, protected those we love and helped us in our weakness.

The result of this exercise to seek God earnestly will be: an exultant people, a rejoicing king and no more power to liars- since they will be stopped from their nonsense. – Teresa #liftedhands

My Soul Thirsts for You

Psalm 63: 1-11 (ESV)

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

63 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
3 Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
6 when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
7 for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
9 But those who seek to destroy my life
shall go down into the depths of the earth;
10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword;
they shall be a portion for jackals.
11 But the king shall rejoice in God;
all who swear by him shall exult,
for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

You cannot overfill this fountain because the fullness lends to an artistic illusion of flexible glass curtains. Even so, the root of Jesse is a signal for the peoples. Knowing Him, the nations will be given rest. Overflowing and abundant, the Savior also known as “the lion of the tribe of Judah” brings peace with His finished work.

Jesus Christ the Lord (from the lineage of David, Jesse’s son) did the hard work of salvation for every nation, tribe and people group. When His work was finished, He was given a place at the right hand of tbe Father. The holy trinity (ONE being, three persons), brings love to mankind through the redemption of sin. Are you being drawn to a right relationship with the Father today? The Holy Spirit (or comforter) is working to reveal spiritual truths to those who will call Jesus, Lord.

As we rest in this good news, we are also freed of our striving for good works. Knowing Him, keeps us aligned with His values so we can live Christlike. -Teresa #Sabbathrest #enterHisrest

Isaiah 11: 9, 10 (ESV)

9They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations enquire, and his resting-place shall be glorious.

Going new car shopping, I did NOT realize how much joy I’d get from the bells and whistles. My husband said that my smile got bigger and bigger as the sales associate showed me all the things this car was programmed to do.

The passage below, thought to be written by Solomon, has some wisdom for us today. We are living in uncertain times. Those things that used to be “auto sensored” are no longer automatic. Many of the rules have changed. My exhortation is that we should “keep it steady”!

If we become distracted by watching the wind and clouds, then the important work (of sowing the seed and reaping the harvest) is lost. Keep it steady! I’m speaking of investing in our children and grandchildren for the sake of the kingdom. Money is an answer to many things temporally but love answers with an eternal impact.

If what is happening in high places becomes hysteria, then we should exercise our right to vote. Too much time spent brewing about it does not change the direction in which the tree will fall but it does affect how much bread we will cast (praying about it). Keep it steady!

Those who stay steady will be ready for that which is most important: to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself!- Teresa #rememberyourCreator #inthedaysofyouryouth #bewise

Ecclesiastes 10:16-20 and 11:1-4 (ESV)

16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
and your princes feast in the morning!
17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility,
and your princes feast at the proper time,
for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 Through sloth the roof sinks in,
and through indolence the house leaks.
19 Bread is made for laughter,
and wine gladdens life,
and money answers everything.
20 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king,
nor in your bedroom curse the rich,
for a bird of the air will carry your voice,
or some winged creature tell the matter.

Cast Your Bread upon the Waters

Chapter 11

1 Cast your bread upon the waters,
for you will find it after many days.
2 Give a portion to seven, or even to eight,
for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.
3 If the clouds are full of rain,
they empty themselves on the earth,
and if a tree falls to the south or to the north,
in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.
4 He who observes the wind will not sow,
and he who regards the clouds will not reap.

I transplanted one of my “houseplants” last spring to our new front yard landscape. Amazingly, it survived the heatwaves in July and August. This morning, I noticed its glowing orange petals in the early dawn.

New hope makes us bold. Bold enough to share it with others. Rather than hide behind a veil of religious works, hardened in our hearts, we can turn to Christ Jesus the Lord and know His glory. He allows the veil to drop and starts to heal us from the inside out.

In the OR, the surgical staff drapes a patient to ensure no germ will enter the sterile field. In the same way, our Lord provides something better than a veil (of religious works). He actually drapes His love around us when He asks us to be devoted to His kingdom come and His will to be done. It is a new life with a glorious purpose.

“From glory to glory” is a phrase used in David Crowder’s song, Everything Glorious. It’s also used in this passage. When we reflect God’s glory, we are transformed. – Teresa #Christlike #caringforothers #vulnerabilitybringschange #freedomfromtheveil

P. S. Most importantly, the Spirit of the LORD brings freedom. His Spirit seals us with a deposit of God’s promise for redemption (buying us back to himself in the here and now) and resurrection (raising us up after death, not to be unclothed but clothed with a new body) Ephesians 1:13,14.

2 Corinthians 3:4 (ESV) 4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God

2 Corinthians 3:18-22 (ESV). 12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one[c] turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord[d] is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,[e] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.[f] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

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Footnotes

2 Corinthians 3:2 Some manuscripts your
2 Corinthians 3:3 Greek fleshly hearts
2 Corinthians 3:16 Greek he
2 Corinthians 3:17 Or this Lord
2 Corinthians 3:18 Or reflecting the glory of the Lord
2 Corinthians 3:18 Greek from glory to glory

Hiking to Vikingsholm on Emerald Bay yesterday, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the surroundings and of the structure there. Although my body is now a bit achy from the Rubicon Trail hike, my thoughts are reverberating with the brilliance of it. When asked if I would live there, I was sure of it!

In our wildest dreams, we cannot imagine the beauty and worth God sees in us. He provides a way for us to reconnect with Himself, on a strenuous hike called life. He provides a stronghold of protection for those who need a break from the storms, His one and only Son. He provides salvation from our sinful nature through the blood of Jesus Christ the LORD. When asked if you could live as a Christ follower, my prayer for all is to say “yes”!

Abiding in Christ leads to an abundant life and provides a place of refuge from the squalls. -Teresa #I’dratherhaveJesus #ashelterinthetimesofstorm #thepilgrim’sregressbyCSLewis

Psalm 37:34-40 (ESV). 34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on when the wicked are cut off.
35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
spreading himself like a green laurel tree.[a]
36 But he passed away,[b] and behold, he was no more;
though I sought him, he could not be found.
37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
for there is a future for the man of peace.
38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.