The leader with broad shoulders takes responsibility for promoting righteousness. The leader with flashy speeches but no substance leaves the people defenseless. The leader who’s been bought ensures popularity in the media… #willofthepeoplebusted- Teresa

 Proverbs 29:2-4 (NLT)

2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.

    But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,

    but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.

4 A just king gives stability to his nation,

    but one who demands bribes destroys it.

 

Although Daniel was intent on understanding, he was also filled with obedient humility. Three times in this passage, he was called “precious to God”. No matter the cost, he followed hard after God- hungering and thirsting for the truth. Both Gabriel and Michael the archangel had a part in bringing understanding to Daniel. Lord, help us to recognize your view of us and your celestial help when we are seeking You and Your kingdom first and foremost. – Teresa

Daniel 9: 20-23, 10: 7-14 (NLT)20 “I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the Lord my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain. 21 As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. 23 The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision.”
7 “Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide. 8 So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak. 9 Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.”
10 “Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. 11 And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.”
12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince[n] of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels,[o] came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.[p] 14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”
  

 Dark chocolate mousse with peanut butter and carmelized bananas…a dessert to live for!! The vision Daniel had of how our world system ends is also pretty sweet and satisfying- something worth living for!!! Do we underestimate the place of honor the Father (or Ancient One) has for his Son (or Son of Man)? Have we bowed our knee to the Son of God? #salvation’s-bottom line -Teresa

Daniel 7:9-14 (NLT)

9 “I watched as thrones were put in place

    and the Ancient One[b] sat down to judge.

His clothing was as white as snow,

    his hair like purest wool.

He sat on a fiery throne

    with wheels of blazing fire,

10 and a river of fire was pouring out,

    flowing from his presence.

Millions of angels ministered to him;

    many millions stood to attend him.

Then the court began its session,

    and the books were opened.

11 I continued to watch because I could hear the little horn’s boastful speech. I kept watching until the fourth beast was killed and its body was destroyed by fire. 12 The other three beasts had their authority taken from them, but they were allowed to live a while longer.[c]

13 As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man[d] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.”

From Leatherby’s to frozen yogurt, the wild or destructive things we do will bear consequences. Good news, however, means that we have a second chance to base our self-worth not on behaviors but on His Son’s willingness to give all…so that we can enjoy fellowship with the Father. Facing God means answering to His standard. -Teresa#trustHimtosaveyoufromsin

I Peter 4:4-6 (NLT) 4 “Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. 5 But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead. 6 That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead[i]—so although they were destined to die like all people,[j] they now live forever with God in the Spirit.”[k]

 Inner beauty comes from solidly trusting God and His position of authority. There are times when those in authority over us may make a mistake or misjudgement. Joyfully, we know that God supersedes all. Our job is to trust and obey Almighty God. His job is to work for good to draw those in authority to Him. He speaks “precious” to those with a gentle and quiet spirit who cast their cares on Him (not giving way to fear)! -Teresa

I Peter 3:3-6 (NLT)

3 “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 5 This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands. 6 For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.”

 When we understand how much we are worth to God, life begins! No longer on the outside looking in, we are embraced by the family of God -loved deeply by our brothers and sisters. Our value is not measured by silver or gold but by the precious blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.- Teresa

 I Peter 1: 17-25 (NLT)

17 “And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.

21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.
22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters.[b] Love each other deeply with all your heart.[c]
23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say,
“People are like grass;
    their beauty is like a flower in the field.

The grass withers and the flower fades.

25 But the word of the Lord remains forever.”[d]

And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.”

 Vehicles are tools to get us places. The God of peace equips believers with the pleasing goodness necessary to do His will…by the power of Jesus Christ our Lord!!-Teresa #HeisbothShepherdandLambofGod 

Hebrews 13:20,21 (NLT)

20 “Now may the God of peace—

    who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,

the great Shepherd of the sheep,

    and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—

21 may he equip you with all you need

    for doing his will.

May he produce in you,[e]

    through the power of Jesus Christ,

every good thing that is pleasing to him.

    All glory to him forever and ever! Amen”.

 #trustHimtoday- Teresa

Hebrews 11:23-31 (NLT)

23 “It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.

24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. 27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. 28 It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.

29 It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.

30 It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.

31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.”

 David gave thanks…in the midst of accusatory statements, he was confident that the ONE who fought his past battles was ready to act on his behalf. Father, give us courage to take up 5 stones and put to death cowardly accusations that loom larger than life but offer no threat! -Teresa #poorandneedycryout

Psalm 109: 20-31 (NLT)

20 “May those curses become the Lord’s punishment

    for my accusers who speak evil of me.

21 But deal well with me, O Sovereign Lord,

    for the sake of your own reputation!

Rescue me

    because you are so faithful and good.

22 For I am poor and needy,

    and my heart is full of pain.

23 I am fading like a shadow at dusk;

    I am brushed off like a locust.

24 My knees are weak from fasting,

    and I am skin and bones.

25 I am a joke to people everywhere;

    when they see me, they shake their heads in scorn.

26 Help me, O Lord my God!

    Save me because of your unfailing love.

27 Let them see that this is your doing,

    that you yourself have done it, Lord.

28 Then let them curse me if they like,

    but you will bless me!

When they attack me, they will be disgraced!

    But I, your servant, will go right on rejoicing!

29 May my accusers be clothed with disgrace;

    may their humiliation cover them like a cloak.

30 But I will give repeated thanks to the Lord,

    praising him to everyone.

31 For he stands beside the needy,

    ready to save them from those who condemn them.”

 The trinity makes an appearance in this passage communicating the good things that Christ Jesus our Lord provides.  The Son of God speaks to the Father and the Holy Spirit testifies in agreement. This is a display of unity bringing authority to the New Covenant prophesied in Jeremiah 31: 31-34. How beautiful the light is when we step out of the shadows!-Teresa #Jesusisthelightoftheworld

Hebrews 10:1-17 (NLT)
10 “The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. 2 If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared.

3 But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. 4 For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 That is why, when Christ[a] came into the world, he said to God,

“You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings.

    But you have given me a body to offer.

6 You were not pleased with burnt offerings

    or other offerings for sin.

7 Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God—

    as is written about me in the Scriptures.’”[b]

8 First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses). 9 Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. 10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

11 Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. 14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,
16 “This is the new covenant I will make
    with my people on that day,[c] says the Lord:

I will put my laws in their hearts,

    and I will write them on their minds.”[d]

17 Then he says,

“I will never again remember
    their sins and lawless deeds.”[e]