There are times when natural beauty reassures us of the reality of God’s presence…aka freedom from the curse of sin. Although the Law was given to show us what sin entailed, it also provided opportunities for sin to abound. If we die to sin and are given new life through the resurrection power of Christ, then we are free to live a life of love. Living in love really means fulfilling all law…we live love because the old system of law no longer has the power to bind us in an awkward way to sin! – Teresa #deadtosinbutalivetoChrist

Romans 7: 1-3 (NLT)

Now, dear brothers and sisters[a]—you who are familiar with the law—don’t you know that the law applies only while a person is living? 2 For example, when a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her. 3 So while her husband is alive, she would be committing adultery if she married another man. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and does not commit adultery when she remarries.

  

I was vacillating between cranky and woe is me for two days. Then, we had an impromptu “listening” party for Hans’s first professional record. All the energy he poured into an expert album converted into a celebration for us! Likewise, knowing God’s name or character is like listening for the first time to some beautiful music. Understanding His loving character helps us also to respond in love, meeting needs from a cup that’s overflowing. – Teresa

Psalm 91: 14-16 (ESV)

14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;    I will protect him, because he knows my name.

15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;

    I will be with him in trouble;

    I will rescue him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him

    and show him my salvation.”

While studying last week in Psalm 76:1, I was delighted to discover this truth: the known God is great! I was thinking of ways we get to know God and show Him our honor (because when we truly see Him- not just our idea of Him- His greatness roars). The Bible, prayer and fellowship with other believers all contribute to our knowledge of God. The clearest revelation, however, comes from His Son and our Savior. When we know forgiveness, we too can forgive! When we know protection, we too will protect. When we know Jesus, the lion of the tribe of Judah, we will be astonished and worship at God’s footstool.- Teresa

Jeremiah 31:34 (ESV)

34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

When we make God our strength, we can name our bitter tears (the Valley of Baka). The tears spring up and collect into pools of refreshment. We are blessed when we pass through this Valley because here we discover that His strength is enough! Listen to the song, “Blessings” by Laura Story and know that “this is not our home”! – Teresa #recognizingHome

Psalm 84: 5-7 (NIV)

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

  whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,

  they make it a place of springs;

  the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

7 They go from strength to strength,

  till each appears before God in Zion.

Paul had a parental love for the believers at Thessalonica. God called them to share in His glory and kingdom but Paul tenderly nurtured them as a father would his children. He charged them through exhortation and encouragement, to walk in a manner worthy of their great God. When we understand who it is we worship, our lives become worthwhile.- Teresa

 1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13(ESV)9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Our son, Hans, is now a professional musician. In his college days, he had the trailer as his dorm room as he studied sustainable agriculture between classes. When he needed a break, the djembe  provided a centering beat that evolved into a drum circle with his friends at the park. Knowing God is the centering beat of the Christian walk. This knowledge helps us to keep in step with the Holy Spirit (an internal rhythmic beat) as we fellowship with the trinity.-Teresa

Colosians 1: 9-14 (ESV)

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks[d] to the Father, who has qualified you[e] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

In ancient Israel, the people put ashes on their heads while mourning. Then, God’s Spirit empowered the Messiah, bringing good news for mankind. We now have the opportunity to exchange mourning and sorrow for hope and fruitful living. What headdress is appropriate for those who have had their broken hearts healed? I believe it’s the tongues of fire that accompanied the believers of the early church- to the praise of His glory. Christ ascended so that He would be manifest many times over through the Holy Spirit (see Col 1:27)#Christinusthehopeofglory- Teresa

 Isaiah 61: 1-3 (ESV)

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

    because the Lord has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor;[e]

    he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

    and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;[f]

2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

    and the day of vengeance of our God;

    to comfort all who mourn;

3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion—

    to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

    the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

that they may be called oaks of righteousness,

    the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.[g]

He brings peace…where there is faction, disdain and misunderstanding. The main point (verse 5) of the chiastic poem in Isaiah is particularly graphic. Mankind is the audience looking on as the Son of Man is substituted for the people. Without understanding, mankind feels He deserves such cruel treatment. Upon discovering who this is and the power over the universe that He possesses, the kings stand awestruck. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…”-Teresa

Isaiah 53:5 (ESV)

But he was pierced for our transgressions;

    he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

    and with his wounds we are healed.

We watched “Fast and Furious” #6 last weekend at my urging. Something about the crazy car racing and stunts made me forget the inch by inch mentality of my life. In the end, Vin Diesel reminds the group of superheroes that they are family above all else. Even if it means life gets harder, we will dig deep for our “family”. Jesus Christ our Lord is head of the church. The church “family” is Christ’s body to the world. The fullness of Him who fills all in all. – Teresa

Ephesians 1:15-23 (ESV)

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[f] toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 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, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

How can quietness and trust be equated to a forest? In finding peace, we have a confidence that justice and righteousness prevails. The wild wilderness can be tamed to a fruitful field when the principles of justice prevail. The fruitful field can morph into a beautiful cedar (or redwood) forest when right ways are nurtured. This can only be brought about by the Spirit of God working in and through our lives. Thank you, Father, for new life in Christ Jesus our Lord (See Romans 8).- Teresa

Isaiah 30: 15-17 (ESV)

15 until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high,    and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,

    and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.

16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,

    and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.

17 And the effect of righteousness will be peace,

    and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust[g] forever.