How are we made righteous? Truly, by refusing to walk in darkness we participate in the light of life (John 8:12). Without the light of the world, however, we are without hope. Jesus is the light of the world. Abraham was credited with righteousness when he believed God (James 2:23, Romans 4:3). We too have the opportunity to believe God’s word, Jesus Christ (John 1:14) and to be credited with His righteousness. The substitutionary atonement of our Savior for the sin of the world balances the sin debt against us (Romans 3:25). This spiritual transaction works in our favor, paying more than enough in God’s account (Is. 53:10). Have you trusted the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2)? “Today”may be the day of your salvation.- Teresa #cometoHim #repentandbebaptized #newidentity #freetoloveselfandothers

Proverbs 11:4 English Standard Version (ESV)

4 

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,

    but righteousness delivers from death.

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.

When Jesus foretold what his disciples would do (when His time had come to fulfill the plan of Scripture), they could not fathom this turn of events or the weakness of their own character when faced with loss. Those who were righteous and courageous turned devious and fearful. If you’ve been betrayed by someone close to you, I encourage you to look to our Savior’s example or that of Joan of Arc. Forgiving mankind and trusting God’s outcome becomes the ultimate goal (as He redeems everything for His glory). – Teresa #Godseesall #betrayalhurts #moldedbypain #keepitsteady #notalonebecauseHewasaloneforus

Mark 14:41-49 (ESV)

41 And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” 45 And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 46 And they laid hands on him and seized him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant[c] of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” 50 And they all left him and fled.

I’ve been compiling a memory album for Peter and came across so many old photos! I’m reminded of the tremendous influence moms of the world make in shaping our culture (read Katie Davis Majors new book, Daring To Hope). The Bible passage below highlights Jesus’ remarks about a woman who offered all she had to live on. This part of the temple had both the treasury and the women’s court (see The Bible Knowledge Commentary). It was where Jesus also declared himself to be the light of the world (John 8:12). He explained that his followers would not continue to walk in darkness but would have the light of life. Women are so important to the Savior. He is free to work when we are free to follow Him. – Teresa #EricMetaxes7Women #lightrules

Mark 12:38-12:44 English Standard Version (ESV)

Beware of the Scribes

38 And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

The Widow’s Offering

41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.[a] 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

If we are only delighted with our offerings and what God is doing in us through our giving, then we may have forgotten something more important. Jesus Christ is more sacred than our gifts, He is more awesome than our personal growth. In fact, all our delight should be in Him since He has delighted to offer Himself for the sin of the world. His delight in fulfilling the Father’s will shows the unity of the trinity. – Teresa #astounded #ultimateimpact #HeisLord

Psalm 40:6-8 (ESV)

6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,

    but you have given me an open ear.[a]

Burnt offering and sin offering

    you have not required.

7 

Then I said, “Behold, I have come;

    in the scroll of the book it is written of me:

8 

I delight to do your will, O my God;

    your law is within my heart.”

I love this parable about the sower and the destiny of each seed depending on the readiness of the soil in a person’s heart. I was challenged not to let the growth of God’s kingdom in my life be overcome by the challenges of painful thorns. Prayer for the day, “Abba” (daddy)! When God is our daddy, we are asked to cast our cares (and thorns) on Him. – Teresa #don’tgetchokedout

Mark 13-20 (ESV)

13 And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. 16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. 17 And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.[b] 18 And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, 19 but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 20 But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

Psalm 34:4-7 (ESV) 

4 Delight yourself in the Lord,

    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord;

    trust in him, and he will act.

6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,

    and your justice as the noonday.

7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;

    fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,

    over the man who carries out evil devices!

David understood firsthand the temptation of pride (i.e. scandal involving Bathsheeba) and the trial of being driven away as a young man from his family by Saul. Yet he wrote this Psalm of praise to God marveling at His righteousness and His steadfast love. When we “take refuge in the shadow of His wings” our lives can also be atoned for -free to serve God “hidden with Christ in God” -Colossians 3:3. When we keep our hearts and minds on things above, only then will arrogance and wickedness not impact our end game. Jesus rewrote this story.- Teresa #goodnews #preciouslove

Psalm 36 English Standard Version (ESV)

How Precious Is Your Steadfast Love

To the choirmaster. Of David, the servant of the Lord.

36 

Transgression speaks to the wicked

    deep in his heart;[a]

there is no fear of God

    before his eyes.

2 

For he flatters himself in his own eyes

    that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.

3 

The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;

    he has ceased to act wisely and do good.

4 

He plots trouble while on his bed;

    he sets himself in a way that is not good;

    he does not reject evil.

5 

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,

    your faithfulness to the clouds.

6 

Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;

    your judgments are like the great deep;

    man and beast you save, O Lord.

7 

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

    The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

8 

They feast on the abundance of your house,

    and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

9 

For with you is the fountain of life;

    in your light do we see light.

10 

Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,

    and your righteousness to the upright of heart!

11 

Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,

    nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

12 

There the evildoers lie fallen;

    they are thrust down, unable to rise.

Footnotes:

a Psalm 36:1 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Syriac, Jerome (compare Septuagint); most Hebrew manuscripts in my heart

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.

Colossians 3:1-6 (NIV)

Christ

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

When playing this game called “cookie face”, contestants must move the cookie from their forehead to their mouth without dropping it or touching it! The participants employed a variety of strategic plans including (but not limited to) standing still and only moving facial muscles vs. purposely jumping around, catching it and eating it- before anyone noticed! God’s plan for all generations is heartfelt and will not be thwarted. He always wins in spite of the vanity of many nation’s counsel, even in the face of aggresively bold people! Psalm 33 describes how-not only does His counsel stand but His plans succeed to all generations! – Teresa #generationtogenerationwillcommendHiswork #thearthisfullofthesteadfastloveoftheLORD #whenmyplansfail,HehasTHEplan

Psalm 33: 1-11 (ESV)

33 

1

Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!

    Praise befits the upright.

2 

Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;

    make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!

3 

Sing to him a new song;

    play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

4 

For the word of the Lord is upright,

    and all his work is done in faithfulness.

5 

He loves righteousness and justice;

    the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

6 

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,

    and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

7 

He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;

    he puts the deeps in storehouses.

8 

Let all the earth fear the Lord;

    let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!

9 

For he spoke, and it came to be;

    he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;

    he frustrates the plans of the peoples.

11 

The counsel of the Lord stands forever,

    the plans of his heart to all generations.

Our American team danced for the Ugandan teens! Thankfully, Price helped us throw something together and we had a team huddle before performing for this energetic crowd. I was inspired by my small group (the older girls). When the girls were practiced and ready for their dance competition, they circled around for prayer. The prayer that Alice led them in will always be in my heart. She earnestly pled for the blood of Jesus to soak them and their efforts so that they would be successful for Him. I no longer worried about the outcome of the competition for them because they were already deemed victorious in heaven’s eyes! As we sing praises today to the LORD most high and practice giving thanks, this will makes us ready for daily love aka eternal life!!- Teresa #taughtbyUgandanfaith #teensdancetheirheartsout #Americansinspired

Psalm 30: 11,12 (ESV)

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

    you have loosed my sackcloth

    and clothed me with gladness,

12 

that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.

    O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!