The ONE is Greater Than the Sum…

August 30, 2017August 25, 20171 Comment

Some thoughts from a devotional someone shared with me.

Jesus speaks in the simplest terms to uncomplicate the purest truth and purpose of the Law. The Law was given to show us exactly how far removed we are in our nature from the righteousness of God. The Law requires me to lift a weight that is humanly impossible to lift, and if I try to lift it in my own strength and hold it up, it will crush me.

The Pharisees knew all the requirements of the law and earnestly tried to obey it to the best of their ability. The one requirement that ultimately proved impossible to fulfill stood like an immovable object in Deuteronomy 6:5, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. Rather than wrestle through the meaning of every law and how to live it out, Jesus focuses on the one law, that if truly obeyed, a person would be motivated to obey all of God’s commands. Consequently, when any one of the other commandments was violated, any claim to loving God wholly was made void.

Jesus laid before these scholars of the Law a paradox. He challenges them to do something that is humanly impossible to do. He’s showing them the only way to please God, while they know in their hearts they can’t even keep the first commandment. Jesus is laying the ground work as their consciences are challenged to come to grips with their hopeless condition as they converse with the only Man that is pleasing God.

The first commandment is greater than the sum of all the commandments, and the righteousness of Jesus is greater than all the righteousness of all men combined.

“The ONE is greater than the sum”

The preface to the first and greatest commandment is Hear oh Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Jesus is the One, the only One, who ever loved God with all His heart, with all His soul, with all His mind, and with all His strength; the first and only “man” to fill the first and greatest commandment.

Matthew 3:17 says, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John 1:17 says, For the Law was through Moses (a man), but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (the Man).

Carol Tirondola

Carol Tirondola is on staff with the Partner Care team at America’s Keswick. She and her best friend, Mario, have been married for 35 years. They have 2 sons and 2 daughters-in-law that they call their “BFFs.” They also have 7 precious gems called grandchildren. Her family has savored many memories of the heart made at Keswick over the last 35+ years and she is thrilled to serve on staff!

Worth What?

August 29, 2017August 28, 2017Leave a comment

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. – Luke 12:7 (NLT)

I think one of the greatest attacks the enemy uses against women is to make them question their self-worth or identity in Christ. We are led to believe that we are not enough, or not worthy of God’s love. As sinners, it’s true that we don’t “deserve” God’s love, but He gives it freely and He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die for us. Still, many women believe that they are worthless… especially if they’re going through trials in life. They hear the lie, they think about it, they dwell on it, and then – often – they believe it.

We also sometimes tend to believe our feelings more than the truth. We tell ourselves that trusting in feelings is bad, and we may also tell others the same thing. However, I think that it’s something most, if not all, women do at some point, to some degree. We dwell on what we feel… but today, let’s dwell on what we know to be true.

Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you… – Isaiah 43:4

… [You] are fearfully and wonderfully made… – Psalm 139:14

…We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. – Romans 8:37

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. – Ephesians 1:7

He will never leave you or forsake you. – Hebrews 13:5

When you are weary and burdened, He will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28

[We] are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. – Ephesians 2:10

These are just a few of the many verses of TRUTH. We are not defined by our past, our mistakes, or insecurities, or our shortcomings. It is the Lord God who defines us, and we are HIS precious daughters. And here is a mind-blowingly great truth that I think wraps up all of these verses – and this Victory Call – perfectly: YOU are greatly loved by God (Romans 1:7, Ephesians 2:4, Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4).

Walk in truth today!

Erin

Erin Culleny serves as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She loves encouraging women through her Victory Calls and finds such joy in praying for her sisters in Christ. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with scripture, buying new makeup, buying dresses, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!

A Time to Die…

August 28, 2017August 25, 20172 Comments

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; Ecc. 3:1-2

Caring for the elderly is challenging, to put it mildly. How great the challenge is depends on the elder and on the caregiver as well. I’ve learned a lot during this season in my own family while observing others go through the same. I haven’t always done what I should do, but what I should not do, like being impatient, unkind, or unloving. Thankfully there has been some time to remedy or change some of that, but that’s not always the case, is it? Death comes to all of us and no one knows the day or hour. As I get older myself, I realize more and more how important it is to not waste time, because no one is promised tomorrow – regardless of their age. Today I found myself praying for a person I’ve never met to “die well.” For the most part, I understand that she has “lived well” and leaves in her wake not perfection, but love and a godly legacy. Now it’s time to go home to Jesus and that she longs to do. May it be soon Lord… (*within the hour of writing this she did go home to be with the Lord- amen.)

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them” (Rev. 14:13).

Dina

For my own mother, Rose, who is 93, I would covet your prayers for her salvation as her life draws to a close. That she would die in the Lord, that is the prayer.

Dina

Dina Seaton has served on staff for 15 years, currently in Partner Care. She is a proud Air Force mom and loves spending time with her son wherever he is, near or far. He is truly her greatest joy. Dina came to Christ in 2000. She loves God and wants to love Him more!

And my God will meet all of your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

God is ALL we need. We know that, His Word says that; it’s fact. His Word is infallible, and this biblical truth is clear: There is nothing on earth that could fulfill us or supply all of our needs; only God can do that.

Matthew 6:26 – Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Acts 17:25 – …He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything. Rather, He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.

John 15:5 – Apart from [Him] we can do nothing.

As believers, we know this biblical truth. But as much as we know it, how many times do we have a “God, plus” attitude? What I mean is, how often do we desire God plus “fill-in-the-blank?” Do we ever have the mentality of “I know God is enough, and my life is good… but when I have THIS, I will truly be happy?” This mindset is something I’ve personally been harboring and struggling with, and thanks be to God, I’m learning to recognize it for what it truly is – an ugly lie straight from the enemy.

So what’s your “fill-in-the-blank?” Maybe it’s a husband. Maybe it’s kids or grandkids. Maybe it’s a job. Maybe it’s a new home. Or maybe you think you’d truly be happy and content if your children lived closer, or if you had more money… or if you hadn’t suffered that loss. Perhaps you’re struggling with regret; “If I had had kids when I was younger, I would be happier now…”

The truth is… we will always desire “the next thing” until we truly understand and believe that God IS all we need. His grace is sufficient. Everything else will fade away, everything else is temporary, including friendships, family, and material possessions. God is the One who is eternal, who created everything, who is sovereign, and who is more powerful than all. Other things might be good, but nothing else is good enough to one-up Christ, and nothing is to be idolized before Christ. If we think we need “God, plus…” what are we telling the world we truly believe about God’s power?

Check out this quote from Melissa Taylor from Proverbs 31 Ministries:

“If I lost everything, I’d be okay because no one can take away my Jesus. Whether I live in a mansion on a hill or in a tent on the side of a swamp, I have my Jesus. Whether the world is for me or against me, I have my Jesus. When I am knocked down, I get on my knees and find my Jesus.

When life becomes more than you think you can handle, don’t quit. And certainly don’t believe the lie that God is not enough. Instead, ask yourself, ‘God, are You enough for me?’ Then plant His Word deep in your heart so you’ll always have the ready answer, that yes, He is. He is enough for me, for you. Ours is the only God who ‘…will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus’” (Phil. 4:19).