There was none more willing than Jesus in obeying the Father’s will. Moses and the people of Israel responded to God’s radiant presence with extravagant offerings. Even David acknowledged a willing heart to worship God, resulting in the angel of the LORD encamping around him. Our willingness to respond to God’s promises can take different paths: the road of giving financially to His work, the climb of giving ourselves to our family to further His kingdom or the sacrifice of praise that brings about deliverance from the darkness of our personal struggles. Are we willing?- Teresa

Exodus 35: 20-23 (ESV)

20 Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. 22 So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the Lord. 23 And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats’ hair or tanned rams’ skins or goatskins brought them.

Matthew 27: 45-50 (ESV)

45 Now from the sixth hour[a] there was darkness over all the land[b] until the ninth hour.[c] 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

Psalm 34: 4-7 (ESV)

4I sought the Lord, and he answered me

and delivered me from all my fears.

5 

Those who look to him are radiant,

and their faces shall never be ashamed.

6 

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him

and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 

The angel of the Lord encamps

around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Although we don’t escape sin’s effect, when God’s name is lavishly revealed and His loyal love understood personally, we are changed. Hiking this trail upwards, I felt the strain on my heart and lungs. Coming back down, I was nearly running with delight at how good my cardiovascular felt. Unfortunately, my knee bursa was not too happy with me. It made the climb up seem like paradise. In comparison with the slippery slope of our sin, the climb on the narrow way is extremely blessed. – Teresa #hardbutgood

Exodus 34: 5-7 (ESV)

5 Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh.[a] 6 The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,

“Yahweh![b] The Lord!

The God of compassion and mercy!

I am slow to anger

and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

7 

I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations.[c]

I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.

But I do not excuse the guilty.

I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren;

the entire family is affected—

even children in the third and fourth generations.”

Where is your hiding place? Who surrounds you with the promise of deliverance? For King David, he knew his humble beginnings and understood the greatness of his God. Don’t be afraid to reach out to Jesus before the great quaking and final judgment of the world… (one of my seminary professors referred to this as D day with a capital “D” since there is also a warning “d” day or “day of the LORD” that is not the end of perishable things). God is patient toward us not wanting any to perish. The writings about the flood in Noah’s day remind us that God promised with a rainbow 🌈 His care for mankind that will never cease (in spite of our sin). He made a way through the ark of Jesus Christ to deliver us from the final “Day” of the Lord.- Teresa #it’snotaboutoursin #that’sbeentakencareof #whatwillwedowiththeSavior?

Psalm 27: 6,7 (ESV)

When it seems too steep and the climb is great just remember that without the struggle there is no growth. He has both mother (like a hen with its wings around her chicks) and father (like Dick Hoyt who pushed his son, Rick, cerebral palsy victim-in multiple marathon races) love for us. He works abundantly on our behalf with His divine protection and inclusiveness. When it seems impossible, He is the “way” maker. – Teresa #Heisable #Godisgood

Psalm 31:19-20 English Standard Version (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.

At times, a sign will appear that reminds us of who He is!! This glorious king we worship deserves thanks for His wonderful works to the children of men (Psalms 107:8). I remembered this verse, three times over the past seven days: First, waking up one morning with it on my tongue and the impression that it was for my own children. Second, I was being humbled at work and my husband text it to me, reminding me that it was all for a greater purpose than myself. Lastly, when messaging one of the professors who impacted me greatly from seminary. She wrote a book called, “Shepherding Women” by Bev Hislop. Her life story amazes me at how God can move people into key positions to impact the world for Him. This may happen suddenly and without preparation but knowing all along He has prepared us for this task. Jesus was annointed in this passage, an authentically aromatic ritual. In that cuture, He was announcing His kingship to the world*. As one could smell the entourage of a king before it arrived. Even so, the onlookers would smell these precious oils as He suffered shortly afterward for the sins of the world*. In turn, His annointing on us is not counterfeit but very real (1John 2:27). How else would we stand unashamed at His coming?- Teresa #grateful #formyKing

*Sitting at the feet of Rabbi, Jesus by Spangler & Tverberg

Matthew 26:6-13 (ESV)

6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,[b] 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

When someone has authority over you, they probably will not be your chauffeur or housecleaner. Jesus challenged the paradigm of this mother who asked (with a healthy dose of deference) for her sons to sit at both His right hand and left in the Kingdom of God. He was well aware of the journey ahead of Him as Savior and Lord of the whole world. The “sons of thunder” (James and John were named this by Jesus) were about to embark on a life-altering journey to learn what true leadership entailed. -Teresa #ransomedthruHisdeath #authorityofepicproportions

Matthew 20: 17-28 (ESV)

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

A Mother’s Request

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,[c] 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,[d] 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

With these various words: downward dog, dharma, mindfulness, crystals, and the Holy Spirit’s gift of tongues, we have very different styles/meanings of meditation. I just finished listening to Dan Harris’s book ” 10% happier” on Audible and was refreshed by his authenticity. As I try to sort out the meaning of meditation as compared to my individual practice of quiet time or “devotions”, I came up with two questions: 1. Is self control and self-medicating the opposite of self denial and Savior-healing? 2. Does being alone merely rejuvenate resilience while being in fellowship (with the trinity as our heavenly family) bring about meaning and purpose for life? Moses embarked on His first meditation session in this passage. I believe that to understand God and His family connection with us is the first step in receiving grace so that we may respond appropriately to who God is. – Teresa #afraidtolookatholiness

Exodus 3: 1-6 (ESV)

 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

When our compassion grows warm, our emotions may overwhelm. I remember church services of old where the altar call effected tremendous emotional release for an individual(s). When sin separates us from precious relationships, God is able to bring reconciliation and comfort. While preaching at the mission a while back, one of the women was struck by a story from the Old Testament and could not stop weeping about her young son. It was the story of Isaac after his mother died. He was blessed with a wife, Rebekah, who would have run tbeir household very similarly to the way Sarah did -since she grew up in the same culture of Abraham and Sarah (the daughter of Abraham’s nephew). This brought great comfort to Isaac in his journey through grief (see Genesis 24:67). When the effect of sin separates us from precious relationships, God is able to bring reconciliation and comfort. – Teresa

Genesis 43: 26-32 (ESV)

26 When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground. 27 And he inquired about their welfare and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” 28 They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves. 29 And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!” 30 Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there. 31 Then he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, “Serve the food.”

When Christ was sent to the earth, God’s purpose was not to condemn the world but that the world through Him would be saved (John 3:17). The dividing line of being in or out of fellowship with Jesus is not based on our sin but on what we do with the Savior (who has taken care of all sin). Those who reject this ultimately precious gift have no other recourse but separation from God. In the book of Hebrews it speaks to those reliant on their ability to perform rituals (i.e. meditation) or other “good works” who in essence made His disgrace public by crucifying him all over again (Hebrews 6:6). This is because they failed to recognize Him as LORD and respond appropriately. Instead, they fell away to practicing their own acts of righteousness. While Jesus’ mother and brothers were concerned for him, they may not have accepted/understood the enormity of His mission to the world at this point in His ministry. Jesus made it clear that those who recognized Him and followed hard after His teaching by changing their lifestyle were in fellowship with Him. – Teresa #forGodsoloved

Matthew 12: 46-49 (NLT)

46 As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 47 Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.”[a]

48 Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”

My husband and I have been training to hike portions of the John Muir Trail. When we find a new trail in the Sierra Nevada’s without much traffic, we are overjoyed. It’s like coming home to our little part of the world. Isaac had that experience as God established him in the land of Canaan. He was not welcomed by a few of the people and then God gave him his own well of water and an oath or treaty of peace with King Abimelech. Beersheba is a name that meant the swearing of an oath with rich connotation to a place called home for Isaac.- Teresa #Abraham’son #followingYHWH #wealthyandblessed

Genesis 26:17-27:46 English Standard Version (ESV)

17 So Isaac departed from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there. 18 And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, which the Philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham. And he gave them the names that his father had given them. 19 But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of spring water, 20 the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek,[a] because they contended with him. 21 Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah.[b] 22 And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth,[c] saying, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”

23 From there he went up to Beersheba. 24 And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.” 25 So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well.

26 When Abimelech went to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army, 27 Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, seeing that you hate me and have sent me away from you?” 28 They said, “We see plainly that the Lord has been with you. So we said, let there be a sworn pact between us, between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you, 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the Lord.” 30 So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank. 31 In the morning they rose early and exchanged oaths. And Isaac sent them on their way, and they departed from him in peace. 32 That same day Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well that they had dug and said to him, “We have found water.” 33 He called it Shibah;[d] therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day.