Romans 15:8-13 God is good!

BUT God…without His intervention in the lives of mankind we would all be lost!

Acts 13:23-34 From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’ 26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’ 34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Jesus, all man and all God, was raised from the dead by the power of Holy Spirit in consult with the Father.  He also will raise us. Jesus overcame death We live in our risen Savior.

1 Corinthians 15:12-17 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 

Jesus lives! When Christ rose from the dead all of humanity was raised.

John 5:28-30 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. 30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

All of humanity will live and give account of our faith in Jesus and in the salvation that God gifted to mankind. He died for us and He rose in glory and majesty.

1 Corinthians 15:18-27 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. The Last Enemy Destroyed 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 

God knows His plans for us and they are good.

Acts 13:30-33 But God raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus.

Romans 15:8-13 Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, 9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.” 10 And again he says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!” 11 And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!” 12 And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.” 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 2:14-18 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

In Jesus, our risen Savior, we have forgiveness of sin. all who by faith believe are justified. in Him we, who could not be justified by the Law of Moses, are brought in by His Grace. We live and we love because  God does!! Carla

The Greek text here references circumcision; this is a way of referring to Jews.  Praise you among the Gentiles is a quotation from Psalms David speaks this psalm as one who represents Christ. Gentiles are non-Jewish people. In the original context of this quotation from Isaiah 11:10, the root of Jesse refers to an individual ruler from the Davidic line. Paul’s quotation comes from the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament), which emphasizes that the root of Jesse will rule the nations and provide them with hope. For Paul, Jesus is the root of Jesse—the Messiah from David’s line—who rules over both Jewish and non-Jewish people (Jews and Gentiles). Faithlife Study Bible

Jesus Christ became a servant to the Jews for two purposes: (1) to confirm God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and (2) to demonstrate God’s mercy to the Gentiles so that they might glorify Him. Paul cites four passages from the Old Testament to prove that God intended the Gentiles as well as the Jews to glorify Him. 

Paul quotes from all three divisions of the Old Testament (the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms or Writings), and from three great Jewish leaders (Moses, David, and Isaiah), to demonstrate that God’s purpose was always to bless the Gentiles through Israel. Although the nation of Israel has been set aside for the present, both Jews and Gentiles are being brought together in Holy Spirit. The NKJV Study Bible

Deuteronomy 32:43 

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people;

For He will avenge the blood of His servants,

And render vengeance to His adversaries;

He will provide atonement for His land and His people.”

Psalm 18:49

Therefore I will give thanks to You, 

O LORD, among the Gentiles,

And sing praises to Your name.

Psalm 117:1 

Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! 

Laud Him, all you peoples!

Isaiah 11:10 

“And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,

Who shall stand as a banner to the people;

For the Gentiles shall seek Him,

And His resting place shall be glorious.”

2 Samuel 22:50 

Therefore I will give thanks to You, 

O LORD, among the Gentiles,

And sing praises to Your name

Ephesians 2:17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 

Romans 3:25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 

Ephesians 2:2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 

Colossians 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

Acts 2:39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

God created the heavens and the earth and He saw that it was GOOD!

Messenger

My work is loving the world.

Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird-

Equal seekers of sweetness.

Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.

Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.

Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?

Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect? Let me

Keep my mind on what matters,

Which is my work,

Which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished.

The phoebe, the delphinium.

The sheep in the pasture, and the pasture.

Which is mostly rejoicing, since all the ingredients are here,

Which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart

And these body-clothes,

A mouth with which to give shouts of joy

To the moth and the wren, to the sleepy dug-up clam,

Telling them all, over and over, how it is

That we live forever.

Mary Oliver

1 Corinthians 1:17-25 Paul’s Gospel to the rest of us!

Peter and the Apostles had an understanding of the promises made to Israel concerning their Redeemer King, Jesus.   They had hope in Jesus as King of the Jews. They did not have an understanding that His Kingdom on earth would be far in the future. The deeper meaning was their acceptance of the deity of Jesus. They did not perceive that in the mystery of God’s grace all of mankind could be saved.

Acts 2:29-36Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Acts 3:25-26 25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”

Out of the lineage of David came our Savior, Jesus the Christ. In His resurrection we, who abide in Him, will be raised in the same manner to live with Him in eternity. God, knowing all things, made a way for all of us when there was no other way that Jesus would die for our sins. In Him a path was made and in Him alone can we be saved! No greater love exists. Peter knew only of  Jesus the King and Him crucified and raised from the dead, He knew that they needed to repent of their rejection and be baptized in His name. Then Holy Spirit would enter into their hearts and minds. 

Paul did not require repentance for Gentiles.  The grace of God, in Jesus His gift, is only received by faith. In the indwelling of Holy Spirit we will be changed precept by precept into the image of His only begotten Son.

1 Corinthians  1:17-25 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. Christ the Power and Wisdom of God 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

The Israelites, God’s chosen people, are the recipients of the promises of Abraham and the forefathers. They will reign with Jesus upon His return. Paul, an Apostle out of time, to him  Jesus made know the mystery of the gift of God’s grace to the rest of humanity. In Jesus, the Savior, all who by faith believe in Him can be saved. Jesus, the name above all names. Carla

Although Paul baptized people as part of his ministry, he believed his primary calling was to preach the gospel (Romans 15:20; 2 Corinthians 10:16; Galatians 1:8). If credit for Christ’s saving work were given to Paul or anyone else, it would be diminishing the power of the gospel and essentially rendering void its purpose in their lives. The gospel’s purpose is to do what they cannot do on their own: free them from sin and put them in right standing with God.

Verses 18-25 Paul explains the true nature of God’s wisdom and the meaning of the cross. The Corinthians failed to grasp both of these issues. This explanation serves as the basis of Paul’s appeal for church unity (1 Corinthians 1:10), which he revisits in 3:1–4:21. Faithlife Study Bible

Paul’s primary ministry was to preach the gospel. Baptism naturally followed conversion but was secondary in importance. With the phrase not with wisdom of words, Paul addressed the Corinthians’ tendency to place undue emphasis on human wisdom. The immature Corinthians were so impressed by clever oratory and learned debate that many of them ignored the relatively “simple” message of the cross. 

The message of the cross is the gospel, the Good News about Christ’s death and resurrection for our sins. The gospel penetrates to the core of self-centeredness. For those who exalt self, the message sounds absurd. But for those who bow humbly in faith, it becomes the power that is able to snatch them from death and impart eternal life. No wonder Paul put such confidence in this message (Romans 1:16).

The Jews sought miraculous signs from the Messiah to signal the beginning of the deliverance God had promised (Mark 8:11; John 6:30). The Greeks, especially the philosophers, sought to use wisdom to answer their questions about God and life. To the Jews, who expected a political savior, Jesus was a stumbling block. To the Greeks, whose self-centered wisdom could not make sense of the cross, to believe in Jesus was foolishness.

God’s plan of salvation does not conform to the world’s priorities. In fact, it seems foolish. Yet in reality, eternal salvation is more valuable than all the fame, wealth, and success pursued by the world. The NKJV Study Bible.

1 Corinthians 2:13–14 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 

Isaiah 29:14 

Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work

Among this people,

A marvelous work and a wonder;

For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,

And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 

1 Corinthians 4:10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 

Matthew 12:38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.

…faith in God allows us, too, to filter our experiences through the knowledge that He is for us, not against us, bringing a heavenly perspective to any situation (Romans 8:31).

At some point, we all find ourselves in seasons that do not feel good or purposeful. It may seem as if God is never going to come through for us. Take heart, friend, and trust that He who has promised is faithful (Hebrews 11:11). God sent Jesus to die on the cross so we may be reconciled to Him (Romans 5:10; 1 Peter 2:24). First5

Scott-Maxwell got it right: there are no short cuts to wholeness.

Palmer continues, “The only way to become whole is to put our arms lovingly around everything we’ve shown ourselves to be: self-serving and generous, spiteful and compassionate, cowardly and courageous, treacherous and trustworthy. We must be able to say to ourselves and to the world at large, ‘I am all of the above.’ If we can’t embrace the whole of who we are — embrace it with transformative love — we’ll imprison the creative energies hidden in our own shadows and flee from the world’s complex mix of shadow and light.”

Thank you, Parker. And my heart tells me that your words were speaking directly to me. And I am so grateful…

Yes. Let us be this alive. No longer afraid… Sabbath Moments

Matthew 25:34-40 We are our brothers keepers

Peter and the Apostles recognized the deity of Jesus the Christ but had no concept that His salvation would be offered by grace to the world and not only to the Jews.

Acts 1:3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

Acts 1:6-8 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 1:15-26 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” 18  (Now this man purchased a field with  the  wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his  entrails gushed out. 19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:  ‘Let his dwelling place be  desolate, And let no one live in it’; and,  ‘Let another take his  office.’ 21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when  He was taken up from us, one of these must  become a witness with us of His resurrection.” 23 And they proposed two: Joseph called  Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord,  who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25  to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The Apostles were given the direction of Holy Spirit of the need to secure the 12th Apostle who would rule in the return of Jesus for eternity.

Paul would not fit any of the parameters as the 12th Apostle he himself said the he was an apostle out of time. Paul would be the apostle to testify of the Gospel of Grace to non Jewish believers who would form the Body of Christ. Peter and the 12 would be Apostles to Israel and the Jewish regulations that bound them in the Law.

Matthew 19:27-28 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” 28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory,  you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

The rewards of the 12 Apostles who followed Jesus  in His life here on earth  would be that in the life to come they will be the benevolent judges of Israel. Now Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father pleading the case of those who believe in Him for salvation. 

Matthew 25:31 When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 

At His return to Israel then He will reign in His full glory as King of Israel and the world. Now He is the head of the Church and the Redeemer King of the Jews. Everything happens according to God’s plan from before the beginning of creation and that is written for us in the Scriptures. Jesus, the risen Savior, will reign forever as the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Matthew 25:34-40  Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you,  inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Acts 1:8-11 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

The indwelling of Holy Spirit was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.  The Apostles  thought that Jesus would return in their lifetime. They lived in perpetual expectation of His return. At the end of His life Peter came to the realization that it would be after the fullness of the Body of Christ, by faith in the the grace of God, received adoption then the end would come. Carla

The Jewish worldview of Jesus’ day envisioned the present age ending with a time of tribulation, followed by divine judgment. Then God’s kingdom—the age to come—would be fully inaugurated. This schema also is reflected in the books of Daniel and Revelation. The actions described here (and in the next verse) reflect obedience to the command to love one’s neighbor—and thereby demonstrate love for God, as well (22:37–39). Jesus’ remarks here call for Christian care to reach all the way to the bottom of the social structure, thus inverting earthly values. Faithlife Study Bible 

The kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world indicates that this kingdom has always been God’s goal for humans. The NKJV Study Bible

Isaiah 58:7 

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,

And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;

When you see the naked, that you cover him,

And not hide yourself from your own flesh?

Ezekiel 18:7 

If he has not oppressed anyone,

But has restored to the debtor his pledge;

Has robbed no one by violence,

But has given his bread to the hungry

And covered the naked with clothing;

James 2:15–16  if a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 

Ezekiel 18:16 

Has not oppressed anyone,

Nor withheld a pledge,

Nor robbed by violence,

But has given his bread to the hungry

And  covered the naked with clothing;

Truly, there are some situations only God can get the credit for. May this…be our reminder that God values humility and calls us to surrender our journeys to Him. Even the giftings and talents God has given us were never meant to be our personal badges of honor but opportunities to give God all the glory He deserves. 

Lord, I thank You for the resources, giftings and abilities You have given me. I pray You would help me not to take anything for granted. Help me to appreciate the small blessings and the life-changing moments only You deserve the credit for. I pray, Lord, not to fall into pride as I operate in what You have called me to do. Teach me how to lean on Your power and not my own ability. In Jesus' name, amen. 

God always provides. First5

The Hebrew word that we translate as holy in English is, qudosh, (kedusha) is often defined as “set apart” but which would be more accurately translated as life intensity. To be holy in the Hebrew context is to be fully alive, not sedate and restrained.

Perhaps this translation misunderstanding has led to the loss of vitality and “life intensity” in the life of faith today. The holy life should be intently dynamic, ever changing, and ever realizing. The concept that holiness is restrained, controlled, has made the holy life unattractive to those in the world who are seeking life at its fullest because all they see is closed and stuffy lives filled with “don’t” and “can’t”, instead of celebrate and revel. Live as richly and as passionately as possible: that’s as close to the meaning of holy as you can get. Sabbath Moments