Early in the morning, we like to walk or exercise, sometimes before the sun rises- #nauticaldawn. We can feel the goodness stored up for a new day when the first rays breakthrough. Our job is to fear God more than the world system and to take refuge in His truth, thereby setting our nautical compass on true north. We can then reset our hasty assumption that meddlers and plotters will have the final say. Not so, God almighty has already stored up something great for those who love Him. We will see it in wonderful ways when under attack (in the besieged city) even if those who scoff feel they are getting the upper hand. Because we cry for His mercy, He hears and more than ever will work out our deliverance. -Teresa #trustHiscoverandshelter #Godgoodnessisabundant #resistplottingbutdopray #Godspaybackisabundant #captivatedwithHisgloriouspresence

Psalm 31:19-34 (ESV)

19

Oh, how abundant is your goodness,

    which you have stored up for those who fear you

and worked for those who take refuge in you,

    in the sight of the children of mankind!

20 

In the cover of your presence you hide them

    from the plots of men;

you store them in your shelter

    from the strife of tongues.

21 

Blessed be the Lord,

    for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me

    when I was in a besieged city.

22 

I had said in my alarm,[a]

    “I am cut off from your sight.”

But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy

    when I cried to you for help.

23 

Love the Lord, all you his saints!

    The Lord preserves the faithful

    but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

24 

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

    all you who wait for the Lord!

Footnotes:

a Psalm 31:22 Or in my haste

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Proverbs 7 exalts wisdom as the way to navigate the seduction of a wily woman. There are also wily men out there, so as we teach our children about successfully entering and staying in healthy relationships, we must remind them to cling to wisdom. To protect the heart is most important because it protects the life of our existence (Proverbs 4:23). Foolishly giving our hearts to fakery (outward glitter with no depth of character) or smooth words (promising love and material comfort with no grit on their resume) may lead down a slippery slope of no return. Wisdom teaches us to build the house carefully, until each room is filled with expensive treasure. (Proverbs 24: 3,4 –By wisdom a house is built,and through understanding it is established;4 through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasure.) In other words, don’t be hoodwinked! If you give up your heart to someone, ensure that both you and they have developed character and grit to go the distance. Protect that relationship by nurturing your intimacy. Most importantly, does the love of our Savior lead the way as an ultimate example of laying down our lives for one another? This type of love may not be glitzy but it is gritty and extremely fulfilling.- Teresa

#keepingurselfromredlightakesGodstrength

#alwaysaskGodforwisdom

#revelationandiscoverybringsintimacy-keepgrowingtogether #greenlight

Proverbs 7: 24-27 (ESV)

24 And now, O sons, listen to me,

    and be attentive to the words of my mouth.

25 

Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;

    do not stray into her paths,

26 

for many a victim has she laid low,

    and all her slain are a mighty throng.

27 

Her house is the way to Sheol,

    going down to the chambers of death.

Have you ever been called to a task that you are certain you cannot accomplish? Moses experienced that feeling and convinced God to have someone else be his spokesman (Aaron). Praise God for brothers and sisters who are obedient to God. They help us when we are unable to trust God’s ability for ourselves. Moses relied on Aaron and on his wife (to abate God’s anger at Moses’s disobedience). Together, as those who follow God and His Son, Jesus Christ the LORD, we are able to be part of God’s will on earth. It is no wonder the mystery of being one with the saints reveals such great riches, spoken of in Ephesians 1:18 “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints”. Truly, in our flesh we are humbled before Him and certain that we are inadequate. In Christ, we are aware of His glorious inheritance, more valuable than money, fame or riches- a right standing with our righteous judge. Do you understand the love of the Father for you?- Teresa #awe #wonder #Mercyandgrace #truth #readCaseforMiraclesbyLeeStrobel

Exodus 4:10-14 (ESV)

10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”

For those who hear the word of God’s kingdom without understanding, they are left in a fog. Just as a bird snatches a seed off the trail, the evil one snatches the word right from their heart. The path of worldly wisdom is hard like packed dirt. When we walk on this way with the multitudes, we will have little chance to bring forth fruit for the kingdom. In order to absorb God’s word and receive His wisdom into our hearts, we must prepare the soil of our hearts. Our first step of faith is pure obedience which grows into love for the Savior and flourishes with gratefulness as we give thanks for His will being done in our lives. – Teresa #enduringthetribulation #castingourcares #eyeswideopentoriches #hear&understand

Matthew 14: 18-23 (ESV)

The Parable of the Sower Explained

18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.[d] 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Footnotes

a Matthew 12:46 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 48, 49

b Matthew 12:46 Some manuscripts insert verse 47: Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak to you”

c Matthew 13:9 Some manuscripts add here and in verse 43 to hear

d Matthew 13:21 Or stumbles

Rebekah obeyed God’s direction for her. She was willing to move to a strange land in order to marry Isaac. Isaac was comforted by Rebekah (after the death of his mom, Sarah, four years prior). I imagine that Rebekah ran their household as Sarah did. She knew the customs of Isaac’s parents and this was comforting to Isaac. After 20 years (along with the prayers of her husband) she gave birth to twin boys! The legacy Rebekah bore in her womb consisted of two nations who would be divided, The younger (Jacob) would be stronger and the older (Esau) would serve him (Jacob’s new name would be Israel). Similarly, we also bear two natures- the fleshly and the spiritual. That part of us which desires to nurture the flesh is divided against that which desires to follow the Spirit. Let us not despise that great gift God gives to us (our spiritual inheritance through Jesus Christ the LORD). – Teresa #livethelegacy #loveGodandothers #sellallforthepearlofgreatprice #choosethebestnotheeasiest

Genesis 25: 19-24 (ESV)

19 These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. 21 And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?”[c] So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 And the Lord said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb,

    and two peoples from within you[d] shall be divided;

the one shall be stronger than the other,

    the older shall serve the younger.”

24 When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob.[e] Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

27 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Esau Sells His Birthright

29 Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.[f]) 31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” 32 Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Footnotes

a Genesis 24:60 Or hate them

b Genesis 25:18 Hebrew fell

c Genesis 25:22 Or why do I live?

d Genesis 25:23 Or from birth

e Genesis 25:26 Jacob means He takes by the heel, or He cheats

f Genesis 25:30 Edom sounds like the Hebrew for red

g Genesis 26:8 Hebrew may suggest an intimate relationship

“Screwtape” was the name C.S.Lewis gave his character depicting a senior demon in his 1942 book, “Screwtape Letters”. Notice how God foreshadowed His plan for redemption from sin in the passage below, He outlined mankind’s original sin and the resulting curse, while alluding to the Savior who would be born (offspring of the woman) to crush Satan’s head. In the midst of deception and disobedience, God brings us good news of His mercy and justice. – Teresa #JesusChristheLord

Genesis 3: 1-19 ( ESV)

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You[a] shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise,[b] she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool[c] of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”[d] 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

14 The Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this,

    cursed are you above all livestock

    and above all beasts of the field;

on your belly you shall go,

    and dust you shall eat

    all the days of your life.

15 

I will put enmity between you and the woman,

    and between your offspring[e] and her offspring;

he shall bruise your head,

    and you shall bruise his heel.”

16 To the woman he said,

“I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;

    in pain you shall bring forth children.

Your desire shall be contrary to[f] your husband,

    but he shall rule over you.”

17 And to Adam he said,

“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife

    and have eaten of the tree

of which I commanded you,

    ‘You shall not eat of it,’

cursed is the ground because of you;

    in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;

18 

thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you;

    and you shall eat the plants of the field.

19 

By the sweat of your face

    you shall eat bread,

till you return to the ground,

    for out of it you were taken;

for you are dust,

    and to dust you shall return.”

Refreshing rain reminds me of the showers of blessing which quench our thirst during laborious days on the earth. Remembering His love -expressed to us in miraculous and very personal ways-is an important way for us to more easily pass it on to our families (the reason for our hope)! He has a loyal, steadfast love for us that is often masked by the pressures of earthly life. During Christmas, spending time in worship of Our Lord, let’s rediscover the showers of blessing that have satiated our thirsty lives? – Teresa #passiton #itonlytakesaspark #hopeflowsfromHim #takemebacktofirstlove

Psalm 143: 5-10 ((ESV)

5

I remember the days of old;

    I meditate on all that you have done;

    I ponder the work of your hands.

6 

I stretch out my hands to you;

    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah

7 

Answer me quickly, O Lord!

    My spirit fails!

Hide not your face from me,

    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.

8 

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,

    for in you I trust.

Make me know the way I should go,

    for to you I lift up my soul.

9 

Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!

    I have fled to you for refuge.[a]

10 

Teach me to do your will,

    for you are my God!

Let your good Spirit lead me

    on level ground!

At Calvary Baptist Church, (where I attended as early as a baby in the nursery), we were blessed by many powerful sermons from pastors and missionaries. One Sunday, Ben Bertell spoke on this passage and promptly sang a song straight from the scripture (v. 17). His deep bass voice resonated joyfully as the teenagers (including myself), self-consciously smiled at each other but willingly sang along. His parents attended our church and when I was just 7 or 8 years old, they made a wooden cradle with a doll plus a handmade mattress, clothing and blankets to present to me. It was totally unexpected and secretly loved. All of us who were brought up to love God in that church had joy because it was the safety of this small community that gave us courage to spread our wings later into the world at large. Reading this passage again today reminded me of that beautiful Sunday. – Teresa #loudjoyfulsinging #Hislove

Zephaniah 1:14-17 (ESV)

Israel’s Joy and Restoration

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.

If all the holiday activities have left you weary and worn out, then look at the words of wisdom in Proverbs 30. There is One who ascended to heaven to atone for us by the healing of our sin. He come down to earth to create a new and living way. Jesus Christ the Lord has been named both Savior and Lord. God’s word is true and records the historical significance of this earth-shattering event. – Teresa #hecamefromheaventoearth #mydebtopay

Proverbs 30:1-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Words of Agur

30 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle.[a]

The man declares, I am weary, O God;

    I am weary, O God, and worn out.[b]

2 

Surely I am too stupid to be a man.

    I have not the understanding of a man.

3 

I have not learned wisdom,

    nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.

4 

Who has ascended to heaven and come down?

    Who has gathered the wind in his fists?

Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?

    Who has established all the ends of the earth?

What is his name, and what is his son’s name?

    Surely you know!

5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

6 Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. – Proverbs 30:1-6

Footnotes:

a Proverbs 30:1 Or Jakeh, the man of Massa

b Proverbs 30:1 Revocalization; Hebrew The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal

Hebrews 10:19-23 (ESV)

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,

20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,

21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10:19-23

Listening to “Waymaker” by Leeland, I was amazed to think of all the ways that Jesus’ healing touch has found so many. Not just for those of us celebrating during this season but He touches internationally every tribe, nation, tongue for eternity. Has He done a miracle for you? Then, worship Him. Do you need a miracle? Then, ask Him to help you understand the height, depth and breadth of His love for you. You will surely be touched with joy! – Teresa

John 15:13 (ESV)

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13