There is a song by Randy Travis, Angels, that speaks to the beauty of being a mom. My husband told me once that he thought of me after he heard that song (at a time when our children were in their teenage years). It made me cry! Angels

As parents, we may feel lonely (feeling they don’t understand what we went through) or blessed (by how our children amazingly turned out)- as each generation stands on the shoulders of the one prior. In this passage, God spoke to the importance of keeping God first, above our desire to enrich our children’s lives, remembering that some lessons in real life are better learned with hard work or tough love.

Even if we don’t see the end of the story, we can be certain of one thing: God is raising up those who are faithful to Him. He was referring in this passage to Samuel (whose mother, Hannah, cried out to God and she was heard)!!

-Teresa #cryoutoHim #investyourtime #trustHimwitheresults

I Samuel 2:27-35 (ESV)

27 And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Did I indeed reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt subject to the house of Pharaoh? 28 Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. 29 Why then do you scorn[a] my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?’ 30 Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 31 Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. 32 Then in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. 33 The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his[b] eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants[c] of your house shall die by the sword of men.[d] 34 And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you: both of them shall die on the same day. 35 And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever.

1 Samuel 1:9-20 (NIV)

Hannah’s Prayer
9 After eating and drinking, Hannah quietly got up and went to pray to the Lord. Eli the priest was sitting on a chair near the door of the Lord’s Holy Building. 10 Hannah was so sad that she cried the whole time she was praying to the Lord. 11 She made a special promise to God and said, ” Lord All-Powerful, you can see how sad I am. Remember me. Don’t forget me. If you will give me a son, I will give him to you. He will be yours his whole life, and as a Nazirite, he will not drink wine or strong drink, and no one will ever cut his hair.”
12 Hannah prayed to the Lord a long time. Eli was watching her mouth while she was praying. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart. Her lips were moving, but since she did not say the words out loud, Eli thought she was drunk. 14 He said to her, “You have had too much to drink. It is time to put away the wine.”
15 Hannah answered, “Sir, I have not drunk any wine or beer. I am deeply troubled, and I was telling the Lord about all my problems. 16 Don’t think I am a bad woman. I have been praying so long because I have so many troubles and am very sad.”
17 Eli answered, “Go in peace. May the God of Israel give you what you asked for.”
18 Hannah said, “May you be happy with me.” Then she left and ate something. She was not sad anymore.
19 Early the next morning Elkanah’s family got up. They worshiped the Lord and then went back home to Ramah.

Samuel’s Birth
Elkanah had sexual relations with his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered Hannah. 20 By that time the following year, Hannah had become pregnant and had a son. She named him Samuel. She said, “His name is Samuel because I asked the Lord for him.”

If you ever wondered whether you’ve received anything from God the Father, remember that you have received the One who is above all!

In fact, once we receive the testimony from Jesus, we are sealed with a gift, saying God is true. (The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God -Romans 8:16).

Jesus has received all things from the Father’s hand, including you and me.

How astounding! The unbelievable becomes part of our “trust” story through faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ the Lord.- Teresa

#toogoodtobetrue #believeit!

John 3:25-36 (ESV)

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”[a]

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Who will serve the sentence handed down justly? Is it the one who broke the law or is it the one who transgressed? Or is that basically the same thing?

When Jesus was “numbered with the transgressors”, he sweat great drops of blood as though he were the one facing a horrible sentence.

Isaiah 52-53 By taking our penalty for sin, He allowed us to be free indeed.

Whosoever will, shall come (Revelation 22:17). – Teresa #lovedabundantly #newbeginnings

Luke 22:35-46 (ESV)

35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.[a] 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Isaiah 53:11,12 (NIV)

11 After he has suffered,
he will see the light of lifeand be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justifymany,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoilswith the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

Revelation 22:17

[17] The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

There is a point where the atmospheric pressure is too great to exert full throttle pressure. The consequence would be destruction of the shuttle.

There are also times when we are shouldering such a load that we must ease back on the throttle to perserve our health.

We can persistently bring our burdens to God, He will come to our aid in the right time (speedily, without delay). At the right moment, He will free us up to experience full power mode – throttle up!!

The world system, the lusts of the flesh and the adversary of our soul (aka screwtape’s boss) are working to keep us under maximum pressure. At some point we must recognize it and remember who can successfully carry this load for us.

The Son of Man came to bring relief to mankind, forgiveness of sin. Do I trust God’s provision for me? Am I following Him without deceit? – Teresa #takemebacktofirstlove #watchthechosen #season2e2

Luke 18: 1-18 (ESV)

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Turning a year older, I find my mind reminiscing over the ways that God has faithfully provided.

It takes so much strength and courage because our faith walk does not see the end of the story.

The children of Israel heard from Rahab, (a prostitute), what the Canaanite people really thought of them. The stories involved God parting the Red Sea in a mighty show of power to escape from Egypt. They were terrified of God’s power.

Trusting God’s word, the Bible, as my guide brings me full assurance of His presence. He has parted the Red Sea to deliver me from a sinful nature. He will continue to guide my steps with His glorious presence. Spiritually- speaking this is terrifyingly awesome.

Studying the word of God and understanding His love for me, made me consider a new thought: it’s ok to admit that this load may be too much. I need some help. Not being the hardest worker or the most responsible is ok because He has loved me with an everlasting love. His love was affirmed and poured out to me through the precious gift of His Son and my Savior- Jesus Christ the Lord.

To experience all that God has for us is not for the faint of heart. Have I trusted Him?- Teresa

#bestrongandcourageous #communityofbelievers #inheritthepromisedland #Heiswithyou

Joshua 1: 6-9 (ESV)

6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success[a] wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

My husband and I like to spend time in nature. This particular excursion allowed us to walk through what is considered by John Muir to be the “greatest forest in the world”.

After watching a documentary called “Intelligent Trees”, I was listening for whether the trees were communicating with each other.

Sure enough, I felt a vibration through the soles of my hiking boots. There had been a light snowfall earlier that morning and we were early. Early enough to experience the hushed silence, alive with miraculous expectations.

I was intent and expectant, certain that the trees were nourishing each other through their life giving communication. What surprised me was that the forest seemed to speak to me as well. Could they sense I was low on sustaining nutrients?

On Easter Sunday, we rejoice in the miracle of resurrection. We rejoice in our Father’s care for every need in our life.

He sent the Word of God to communicate a great truth to us. This truth was expressed in the hushed early dawn hours of an empty tomb. This truth is more important than our anxious preparations. This truth is more needful than serving those whom we love and are important to us. This truth speaks louder than death and despair. This truth steps up when we think someone or ourselves are beyond saving.

This truth is Jesus Christ the Lord, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12). God has raised this Jesus to life and we are all witnesses to it (Acts 2:32).

The greatest forest in the world can also teach us this truth. God, our heavenly Father, cares about each and every person. Enough to share His most precious gift, the gift of a seed that was buried, died and yet broke forth into life. A life that is shared with you and me, nourishing our soul.

Heal me, Lord.- Teresa #listeningforu #expectingamiracle

Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)

Martha and Mary

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus[a] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.[b] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Confessing before all the people that she was unclean must have been humiliating for her. In fact, she tried to avoid the public eye by secretly touching the hem of Jesus’ robe.

Her faith was in the right place. With her honest confession: she could no longer do this on her own (i. e. spent her entire living), she reached out to receive her life-changing miracle (to be allowed into society again).

Jesus spoke the words she needed to hear, “Daughter“!!!! This inclusion-of being accepted by God, allowed her to not only be cleansed from her impurity (the issue of blood) but included in the community where she lived ( i. e. in keeping with Jewish laws).

What a unique and honored position our Savior, God’s Son, provides for all who confess their need of Him. #sonsanddaughtersofGod

Help me, Lord, to be attuned to your forgiveness and healing, recognizing this first in my own life. -Teresa #seethroughHiseyes #graceandtruth

Luke 8:42-48 (ESV)

As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians,[a] she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter[b] said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

*pic from Pexels.com

With the daunting view ahead, we can shrink back in fear. Instead, we have another option: praying, fasting and trusting in the Lord’s timing.

God’s word is our reassuring promise that He can intercede for us through His promised Holy Spirit.

Romans 8: 22-27 (NIV)

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Whether the problem is a steep climb or a deep dive- remember that He is greater and His love goes deeper than the boundary of our imagination. – Teresa #readTheSingerbyCalvinMiller

Deuteronomy 9: 1-5 (ESV)

9 “Hear, O Israel: you are to cross over the Jordan today, to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than you, cities great and fortified up to heaven, ² a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom you know, and of whom you have heard it said, ‘Who can stand before the sons of Anak?’ ³ Know therefore today that he who goes over before you as a consuming fire is the Lordyour God. He will destroy them and subdue them before you. So you shall drive them out and make them perish quickly, as the Lord has promised you.

*pics from Pexels.com

I’ve been enjoying the instruction of a writer workshop from our local community college. One tip they shared was how to find the point of your thought by rewriting it 4-5 different times.

Jesus was a master communicator. He said the same thing four times in this passage: 1. By following tradition and hometown communication, God was speaking clearly to the people. 2. Proclaiming that the scriptural truth was fulfilled in their hearing, the Son of Man was speaking without parable. 3. By acknowledging their doubt due to his humble beginnings, Jesus was honest with them. 4. By providing two examples of OT miracles substantiating His point that they were also unable to receive the miracles (as their forefathers did in the time of Elijah and Elisha). His argument was finally understood.

The crowd dynamic was intent on killing Jesus. He then did a miracle in the midst of their doubt and escaped unharmed. Did any believe? Is it only the outsider who truly asks for a miracle who is capable of receiving it?

-Teresa #yourpoint,Lord? #recognizeHisfavor #donotdoubt

Luke 4: 16-27 (ESV)

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 23 And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘“Physician, heal yourself.” What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’” 24 And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.

25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, 26 and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.

27 And there were many lepers[a] in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29 And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30 But passing through their midst, he went away.

Photo from Pexels.com

When I first started making soap (many years ago), I was suprised to learn that the base (or soapy component) for this chemistry experiment was first obtained from sacrificial ashes.

The passage below from the book of Numbers re- iterates the use of the ashes as part of the purification ritual.

What can make us clean? Is it the rituals we keep, the company we associate with or the internal climate of our minds?

The ashes of the sacrifice blessed by the priest were kept in a clean place for the water for impurity for the people.

I John 1:7 (NIV)

But if we walk in the light,

 as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all

 sin.

Psalm 51:7 (NIV)

7 Cleanse me with hyssop,and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Numbers 19:1-10 (ESV)

19 Now the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 2 “This is the statute of the law that the Lord has commanded: Tell the people of Israel to bring you a red heifer without defect, in which there is no blemish, and on which a yoke has never come. 3 And you shall give it to Eleazar the priest, and it shall be taken outside the camp and slaughtered before him. 4 And Eleazar the priest shall take some of its blood with his finger, and sprinkle some of its blood toward the front of the tent of meeting seven times. 5 And the heifer shall be burned in his sight. Its skin, its flesh, and its blood, with its dung, shall be burned. 6 And the priest shall take cedarwood and hyssop and scarlet yarn, and throw them into the fire burning the heifer. 7 Then the priest shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp. But the priest shall be unclean until evening. 8 The one who burns the heifer shall wash his clothes in water and bathe his body in water and shall be unclean until evening. 9 And a man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer and deposit them outside the camp in a clean place. And they shall be kept for the water for impurity for the congregation of the people of Israel; it is a sin offering. 10 And the one who gathers the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. And this shall be a perpetual statute for the people of Israel, and for the stranger who sojourns among them.

* pics from pyxels.com