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.

During the night, our fears can be distorted with supermoon illumination. In the face of Abraham’s sin (d/t working out God’s promise in his flesh) and in the face of Hagar’s sin (disrespecting Sarah) and in the face of Sarah’s sin (mistreating Hagar), God heard the boy’s voice. Ishmael was made into a mighty nation as one of Abraham’s sons. Hagar learned that even when it seemed as though all was lost, God saw her and could help her see the provision before her. She just had to be faithful, take the boy’s hand and move forward. Are we lying down to weep in despair when it is only God’s way of opening a new door of opportunity? The discomfort of the present may be necessary to move us in the direction of God’s plan for the future. -Teresa #liftupyrvoice #theGodwhosees #thechildwhoprays

Genesis 21:12-21 (ESV)

12 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 13 And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.” 14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. 17 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 20 And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

Our dog, Barbie, has been enjoying the fresh dirt piles from our backyard landscape project-truly, the queen of the mountain. In this passage, Jesus called two sets of brothers (all outdoor working men, aka fishermen) to be His disciples: Simon Peter and Andrew along with James and John. The surprising part of this record is that they all left immediately what they were doing to do the Savior’s bidding. Jesus was an excellent judge of character. As the crowds grew, Jesus’ disciples grew in their faith as well. What started with pure brawn and a strong presence for crowd control turned into true spiritual grit to display Christ’s love to the world- no easy task. – Teresa

Matthew 4: 18-25 (ESV)

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”[b] 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus Ministers to Great Crowds

23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Proverbs 31: 10-24 (ESV)

When God said that it is not good for man to be alone, He created the woman. A wife is a gift from God showing favor on the man who fears Him. Our son-in-law fasted from solid food for a period of 40 days in prayer, seeking God’s will in regards to who was to be his wife. He was rewarded on the last day with an opportunity to meet a woman of God, his equal in wisdom. There are many characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman that are more comprehensive than the 1950’s (good American wife) prototype. She is described in this passage as rare, trustworthy, full of goodness and faithfulness, a willing worker (in both a trade and a profession), wise leader, competent manager, property owner, physically fit and strong, full of sound judgment, merciful and generous toward those in need, well-dressed, desires intimacy with her spouse, admires her husband’s position in the city and is known as a contributing part of the business community. One of my friends, who is genuinely humble, trains as a power lifter and she reminds me of vs. 17, “She dresses herself[b] with strength and makes her arms strong.” Many of the women I work with inspire me in regards to this passage. They are not only full of faith but also meet numerous needs without thought to their own toil. -Teresa

#womanis #man’searthlyhelper

#Godis #man’sheavenlyhelper

Proverbs 31: 10-24 (ESV)

10 

[a] An excellent wife who can find?

She is far more precious than jewels.

11 

The heart of her husband trusts in her,

and he will have no lack of gain.

12 

She does him good, and not harm,

all the days of her life.

13 

She seeks wool and flax,

and works with willing hands.

14 

She is like the ships of the merchant;

she brings her food from afar.

15 

She rises while it is yet night

and provides food for her household

and portions for her maidens.

16 

She considers a field and buys it;

with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17 

She dresses herself[b] with strength

and makes her arms strong.

18 

She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 

She puts her hands to the distaff,

and her hands hold the spindle.

20 

She opens her hand to the poor

and reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 

She is not afraid of snow for her household,

for all her household are clothed in scarlet.[c]

22 

She makes bed coverings for herself;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 

Her husband is known in the gates

when he sits among the elders of the land.

24 

She makes linen garments and sells them;

she delivers sashes to the merchant.

Genesis 2:18 (NIV)

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper.

Proverbs 18:22 (NIV)

22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.

Jesus Christ the LORD has four references in this passage to His name: “Faithful and True”, “A name written that no one knows but himself”, “The Word of God”, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”.

When someone’s name or title is written like a tattoo on their thigh, you know that their credentials are not easily ignored.

. picture from pexels.com

His power and authority are visibly displayed by many crowns and a robe dipped in His own blood providing proof that he is mediator of a new and living way (Hebrews 10:20). – Teresa

Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV)

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in[b] blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule[c] them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Hebrews 10:19,20 (NIV)

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain,that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Psalm 145: 18,19 (ESV)

To fear God means to discover the origin of wisdom. To seek after wisdom requires faith. The outward action of faith is a cry for help, knowing that He will respond. He is near us. He is attentive to our cry for help. He is able to save completely for all time those who approach Him through His son, Jesus. (Hebrews 7:25) He is fulfilling our desires beyond all that we can ask or imagine by His great power in us. – Teresa #fearGod #recognizeHispowerinU

Psalm 145: 18,19 (ESV)

18The Lord is near to all who call on him,

to all who call on him in truth.

19 

He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;

he also hears their cry and saves them.

Psalm 111:10 (NIV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

James 1:5-8 (NIV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Hebrews 7:21b-22 (NIV)  “The Lord has sworn

and will not change his mind:’You are a priest forever.’ “22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.

Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Revelation 12:7-17 (ESV)

My office is not exactly organized at this time of year. Preparing Christmas presents for my family, I’m joyful yet reflective of the reason for the season. The birth of our Savior reminds us of how much He gave (His life) in order to provide salvation for us. In V. 11 of this passage we are reminded of our protection from the dragon (aka- the accuser of the brethren), “11 And they (the believers) have conquered him (the dragon) by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” – Teresa #holdon #JesusChristtheLORD #RachelScott

Revelation 12:7-17 (ESV)

7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers[b] has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. 15 The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. 16 But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. 17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood[c] on the sand of the sea.

My husband and I walked to the coffee shop on Saturday in the early morning sunshine. We were delighted to catch a glimpse of the seagulls swarming. It reminded me of this passage in Ps.139:9,10 “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea even there your hand shall lead me and your right hand shall hold me.” This truth was imparted to me 30 years prior while working in North Africa with a new baby. I was able to tangibly understand God’s leading and ability to hold us together as a family. The demands of life are not any less strenuous today and yet I trust this truth. – Teresa #ourworthtoHim

Psalm 139English Standard Version (ESV)

Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

139 

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!

2 

You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

3 

You search out my path and my lying down

and are acquainted with all my ways.

4 

Even before a word is on my tongue,

behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

5 

You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

6 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 

Where shall I go from your Spirit?

Or where shall I flee from your presence?

8 

If I ascend to heaven, you are there!

If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

9 

If I take the wings of the morning

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 

even there your hand shall lead me,

and your right hand shall hold me.

11 

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,

and the light about me be night,”

12 

even the darkness is not dark to you;

the night is bright as the day,

for darkness is as light with you.

13 

For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

14 

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a]

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

15 

My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

16 

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.

17 

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

18 

If I would count them, they are more than the sand.

I awake, and I am still with you.

19 

Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!

O men of blood, depart from me!

20 

They speak against you with malicious intent;

your enemies take your name in vain.[b]

21 

Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?

And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

22 

I hate them with complete hatred;

I count them my enemies.

23 

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts![c]

24 

And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting![d]