There is new life each spring because Jesus chose to love us more than Himself. #humility

Never have I had so many buds on an orchid plant as this year! Most likely, remembering to put an ice cube weekly into the pot saved this plant’s life. The accountant in this parable was found lacking, he spent the last days on his job carefully plotting his future. By turning the master’s customers into friends, he was deemed shrewd. From Matthew Henry’s commentary, I was blessed to read about God’s eternal provision for those who care for God’s people. Certainly there is nothing we can do to earn salvation but those who have prospered in “worldly” ways may benefit from rubbing shoulders with those who suffer for God’s kingdom. In the end, they too may follow the light of the world and be prepared for eternity. – Teresa #weeklygiving #lifetime devotion

Luke 16: 1-17 (ESV)

16 He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2 And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ 3 And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ 5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He said, ‘A hundred measures[a] of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures[b] of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world[c] are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth,[d] so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

The Law and the Kingdom of God

14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. 15 And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

16 “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.[e] 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.

When we treasure moments to be with those people and values closest to our hearts, we feed our soul with God’s goodness. Don’t ever replace precious people with “things” and don’t let those “people” who lack understanding of your values undermine your reason for building up “treasure”. Most important is His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. He generously gives us life and we are honored to be part of His plan for the world-(see Ephesians 2:10). – Teresa #masterpiece

Luke 12:13-34 (ESV)

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Do Not Be Anxious

22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[a] 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,[b] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his[c] kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Do you believe? If so, the Son of Man will touch your eyes (not necessarily with mud and saliva) but in order to grant you spiritual sight. The blind beggar was not afraid of the “religious experts”, refusing to denounce the truth he experienced. Instead, he was a vessel of God’s glory and spoke out as a witness to this miraculous sign of Jesus’ deity. He believed and worshiped Jesus. We too may participate in being a witness of His great healing in our lives. – Teresa #IwasblindbutnowIsee #can’tstopworshipingHim #ifHewaslabeledsinnersomustwe

John 9: 18-41 (NIV)

18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”

20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”

25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”

27 He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”

28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”

30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

Spiritual Blindness

35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”

41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Even without AI, Peter recognized Jesus as Lord, the annointed One of God and promised coming King. All of these descriptions are tied up in the Greek word for Christ (see ourrabbijesus.com July 6, 2012). In light of this recognition, Peter was called to live as Jesus did by taking up his cross daily in order to be a true follower. When we recognize the Savior (and He will reveal this personally to all who seek Him), we also have a choice to follow Him-in the narrow way. The only other other option is to continue in the broad way that leads to destruction. Unashamed, we are given opportunities to speak His name to a needy world -described as sheep without a shepherd. He is the the great shepherd of the sheep (Hebrews 13:20). Recognize Him with honor and trust Him for deeds representing His kingdom come. – Teresa #mylord

Luke 9:18-37 (ESV)

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

Jesus Foretells His Death

21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

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.

I’ve been reading John Bunyan’s sequel to The Pilgrim’s Progress written in the late 17th century, puritan style. Shockingly, the lack of “self promotion” seems to be the theme of the day. Over and over, Christian’s wife repents of her vile and wicked ways, submitting herself and obeying the good instruction of the husband of her soul. Over and over she sings praise for the provision of the king, bursting forth with how glad she is to be kept from awful pitfalls. This Psalm of David also reflects such an attitude of heart. There is an abundance of rejoicing when our King delivers! We must seek to follow Him wholeheartedly. – Teresa #diligencepaysoff #ask #seek #knock #greatheartourguide #donotquenchtheHolySpirit

Psalm 70 (ESV)

1 

Make haste, O God, to deliver me!

    O Lord, make haste to help me!

2 

Let them be put to shame and confusion

    who seek my life!

Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor

    who delight in my hurt!

3 

Let them turn back because of their shame

    who say, “Aha, Aha!”

4 

May all who seek you

    rejoice and be glad in you!

May those who love your salvation

    say evermore, “God is great!”

5 

But I am poor and needy;

    hasten to me, O God!

You are my help and my deliverer;

    O Lord, do not delay!

• You may have thought that it would never disappoint and then you woke up one morning and realized you had been much too idealistic. After taking stock of your feelings and being a bit more realistic, you are now free to judge rightly (with God’s framework). He loves unconditionally and He understands our human frailty (we are but dust). Because He created us in the image of God, there is so much potential and each one has inmeasurable value. Yet the “sin nature” of our souls can turn some into ruthless bullies. What will never disappoint is His ability to make us whole. When we have been forgiven, we can also forgive others.- Teresa #sufferingservant

Isaiah 52: 13-15, 53: 1-12 (NIV)

The Suffering and Glory of the Servant

13 See, my servant will act wisely;

  he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.

14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him–

  his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being

  and his form marred beyond human likeness–

15 so he will sprinkle many nations,

  and kings will shut their mouths because of him.

 For what they were not told, they will see,

  and what they have not heard, they will understand.

1 Who has believed our message

  and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,

  and like a root out of dry ground.

 He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,

  nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,

  a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.

 Like one from whom people hide their faces

  he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

4 Surely he took up our pain

  and bore our suffering,

 yet we considered him punished by God,

  stricken by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,

  he was crushed for our iniquities;

 the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

  and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

  each of us has turned to our own way;

 and the Lord has laid on him

  the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,

  yet he did not open his mouth;

 he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,

  and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,

  so he did not open his mouth.

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.

  Yet who of his generation protested?

 For he was cut off from the land of the living;

  for the transgression of my people he was punished.

9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,

  and with the rich in his death,

 though he had done no violence,

  nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,

  and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,

 he will see his offspring and prolong his days,

  and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

11 After he has suffered,

  he will see the light of life and be satisfied;

 by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,

  and he will bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,

  and he will divide the spoils with 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.

Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

When we sow righteousness and live with a steadfast pursuit of it, our lives will flourish for eternity (Matthew 6:33). If you consider who has earned your allegiance- then remember to offer it up to God alone! Waiting in silence, we will be shown His power and steadfast love. We are not under the thumb of earthly fear- unless we choose to live there voluntarily. Like David, we can choose to trust God’s protection and walk in a place of His secure acceptance.- Teresa#blessedbyHispresenceamidstdifficulty

Psalm 62 English Standard Version (ESV)

My Soul Waits for God Alone

To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

62 

For God alone my soul waits in silence;

    from him comes my salvation.

2 

He alone is my rock and my salvation,

    my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3 

How long will all of you attack a man

    to batter him,

    like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

4 

They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.

    They take pleasure in falsehood.

They bless with their mouths,

    but inwardly they curse. Selah

5 

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,

    for my hope is from him.

6 

He only is my rock and my salvation,

    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

7 

On God rests my salvation and my glory;

    my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

8 

Trust in him at all times, O people;

    pour out your heart before him;

    God is a refuge for us. Selah

9 

Those of low estate are but a breath;

    those of high estate are a delusion;

in the balances they go up;

    they are together lighter than a breath.

10 

Put no trust in extortion;

    set no vain hopes on robbery;

    if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

11 

Once God has spoken;

    twice have I heard this:

that power belongs to God,

12 

    and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.

For you will render to a man

    according to his work.

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 11:18-19 English Standard Version (ESV)

18 

The wicked earns deceptive wages,

    but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.

19 

Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live,

    but he who pursues evil will die.

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.

We all need a small inner circle of friends to vent with. Beyond that, I hope to understand the power of the spoken/written word. We have the power to uphold the gentleness of our Savior. It is in this act of being gentle with those who don’t deserve it that we embrace Christ’s gentle humility and develop strength. – Teresa #biteurlip #journalurturmoil #theallureofgentlenessbyDallasWillard

Proverbs 11:12-13 English Standard Version (ESV)

12 

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,

    but a man of understanding remains silent.

13 

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,

    but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

In the midst of life’s heaviness, our best recourse is to cast our cares. God is capable to handle the weight of our burdens, we are not. There are people in our lives who build us up and bring about comfort as well. If your “love language” is quality time, you need to hang out with a friend. First, with the Lord and second, with those you love! 💕 – Teresa #Garychapman #thefivelovelanguages #unbitterbox

Psalm 55:22 (ESV)

Cast your burden on the Lord,

    and he will sustain you;

he will never permit

    the righteous to be moved.