John 6:44-48

  No one comes to the Father except through the Son.  No one comes to the Son but those who are drawn to Him by the Father. Jesus did not leave us alone but gave us Holy Spirit who will take His teachings and make them known to us.

 Jesus is the way. He is the very Word of God made flesh. He came from the Father and through His birth, death and resurrection  we have been granted eternal life with Him.  He died in our place, willingly, giving up His sinless life in place of ours.

Victory in Christ is something we walk in every day by the power of His grace, abiding in His strength and not our own. First5 

I am a child of God who believes
that we are all children of God
and we are all part of each other.
May we all know peace.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Whenever we forget that everyone is a child of God, who begins with unique divine DNA (“an imago Dei that begs to be allowed, to be fulfilled, and to show itself,” writes Richard Rohr), we lose sight that we are wired to care. Wired to give a damn. Collectively. Wired to not let anyone fall through the cracks of suffering, distrust or hatred. SabbathMoments 

John 6:44-48

44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. 47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. 48 I am the bread of life. The New King James Version

Belief in Jesus leads to eternal life. He repeats the metaphor that He is the “bread of life” and heightens the contrast between the manna that provided only physical nourishment to the Israelites in the desert and the bread from heaven that provides eternal life. Faithlife Study Bible

God draws people by teaching them. Everyone, then, who hears and learns from the Father will come to Christ. Hearing and learningfall short of seeing the Father. John declares, “No one has seen God at any time”. Here Jesus adds that only the Son has seen the Father. Though a person has not seen the Father, he or she can believe in Christ and have everlasting life. 

Christ is the bread of life. Those who believe in Him have life. The manna in the wilderness did not ultimately sustain life. Those who ate it eventually died because it could not provide everlasting life. The NKJV Study Bible

The gospel finds none willing to be saved in the humbling, holy manner, made known therein; but God draws with his word and the Holy Ghost; and man’s duty is to hear and learn; that is to say, to receive the grace offered, and consent to the promise. 

The advantage of the manna was small, it only referred to this life; but the living Bread is so excellent, that the man who feedeth on it shall never die. This bread is Christ’s human nature, which he took to present to the Father, as a sacrifice for the sins of the world; to purchase all things pertaining to life and godliness, for sinners of every nation, who repent and believe in him.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Isaiah 54:13 All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.

Jeremiah 31:34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Luke 10:22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”

1 Corinthians 8:1-4

Love covers us in the Blood of Jesus. We edify His love by loving others.

God hates pride and arrogance!

Without love we are just making noise.

This is a Hymn for those devastated by hurricanes and violent storms. This hymn was written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. And it is an invitation reminding us that no one of us is one this journey alone, and that even in chaos we can become places of sanctuary, compassion, kindness, healing and restoration. Sabbath Moments

O God of all creation, as ocean waters warm,
we grieve the devastation that comes with violent storms.
We pray for people struggling — who need your help and grace
on every flooded island and in each flooded place.

We pray for all your children, so dearly loved by you,
who know such great destruction as winds and rains crash through.
We pray for all those hurting, who grieve for what is gone —
for neighbors, friends and siblings who struggle to go on.

We pray, O Lord, for churches that help to build anew.
We pray for rescue workers and all the good they do.
We pray for those with vision who serve as they restore —
who make homes more efficient and stronger than before.

O Christ who calmed the waters and stilled the stormy seas,
You teach us: “Love your neighbors!”  and “Humbly care for these!”
Now lead us by your Spirit to gladly lend a hand —
on every struggling island and in each hurting land.

1 Corinthians 8:1-4

We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. The New King James Version

Love strengthens the faith of believers rather than destroying it. 

Some Corinthian believers assumed that knowledge was the true sign of spirituality. They did not understand that knowledge without love indicates a lack of knowledge. Paul identifies love as the true basis of knowledge. Those who love God live in relationship with Him; they are known by Him. This is also the basis for godly conduct; it does not destroy other believers but builds them up. Faithlife Study Bible

We know that we all have knowledge appears to have been a slogan used by certain Corinthian believers as an arrogant statement against weaker Christians.

Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies: This is one of Paul’s five attacks on the arrogance of some of the church members at Corinth. These people belittled their weaker brothers and sisters with their knowledge. They had missed the point. They should have been using their knowledge to help other believers in the church. The NKJV Study Bible

There is no proof of ignorance more common than conceit of knowledge. Much may be known, when nothing is known to good purpose. And those who think they know any thing, and grow vain thereon, are the least likely to make good use of their knowledge. 

Satan hurts some as much by tempting them to be proud of mental powers, as others, by alluring to sensuality. Knowledge which puffs up the possessor, and renders him confident, is as dangerous as self-righteous pride, though what he knows may be right. 

Without holy affections all human knowledge is worthless. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.

1 Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

Romans 2:1-4

God hates hypocrisy. 

Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery…who condemns you? He told those without sin to cast the first stone. All of them from the youngest to the oldest left. He left her saying neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more. There is no one righteous, no not one.

God is   faithful to  forgive us when we confess our sin. He loves us so very  much! John 3:16

Only in God's mercy and grace do we have the ability to choose whom we will serve. Only in the power of God in Holy Spirit can we live a life that honors  Him.

Theologian Harvey Cox explores how parables invite the hearer to encounter God in an everyday and ever-changing reality: Stories were Jesus’ stock-in-trade, the main medium by which he conveyed his message. The parables occupy fully 35 percent of the first three Gospels. But one of their most surprising features is that they are not about God. They are about weddings and banquets, family tensions, muggings, farmers sowing and reaping, and shrewd business dealings. God is mentioned in only one or two... Rabbi Jesus obviously wanted us to look closely at this world, not some other one. It is here and now—all around us in the most ordinary things—that we find the divine presence. (Harvey Cox, When Jesus Came to Harvard: Making Moral Choices Today) 

Romans 2:1-4

2 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? The New King James Version

Just as Gentiles are without excuse for suppressing the truth of God, Jews are without excuse because they do the same things they condemn others for doing. The Greek word used here, krinō, refers to condemning someone. Those who judge inappropriately assume a role that belongs to God. 

Later, Paul will warn Gentile Christians not to pass judgment upon Jewish Christians who feel compelled to maintain certain dietary customs. The apostles’ statement that Gentiles should abstain from sexual immorality suggests that such activity was common. Some Gentiles, called “God-fearers,” lived to a higher moral standard but probably did not practice circumcision, which Gentiles considered a disgusting practice. For this reason, some Jews did not consider these Gentiles to be under the law. Paul criticizes such people because they assume they are not subject to God’s judgment. Moreover, they wrongly assume a position of moral superiority, even though they do the same things. Paul states that the Jews’ relation to the law does not excuse them from the judgment of God. 

Paul criticizes self-righteous Jews because of their hypocrisy and self-deception. Ironically, when such people pass judgment on others, they also pass judgment upon themselves because they do the same things. Paul affirms that God’s judgment is just and true. 

The Jews Paul addresses might feel that they will not experience God’s judgment because they have the law and are in a covenant with God. Paul also refers to God’s kindness. The term is used in the Septuagint translation of several psalms describes God’s patience in delaying judgment and punishment of people who sin and break the law. 

Paul cautions against the Jewish assumption that the experience of God’s goodness and mercy would exclude them from God’s righteous judgment. The Greek word used here, metanoia, describes a change in mindset about sin and God. The purpose behind God’s display of kindness, forbearance, and patience is not assurance, but repentance. Faithlife Study Bible

Paul declares that all unrighteous people are without excuse. Now he demonstrates that the self-righteous (those who judge others) are inexcusable, by revealing the standards by which everyone will be judged. 

Judgment will be (1) according to truth, (2) according to works, and (3) according to the light one has of the law. Truth as used in this verse refers to the true condition of humanity.

Repentance literally means “to change one’s mind.” In this context, it means to reject one’s sinful habits and turn to God. This is the only occurrence of this word in Romans. The NKJV Study Bible

Exodus 34:6 And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,

Matthew 7:1  “Judge not, that you be not judged.

Nahum 2:8-10

Without the covering of Holy Spirit in this world we are devoid of the protection He provides. 

 God gives guidance and the power to overcome the trials and tribulations  we face when we  place our trust in Him alone. We overcome this world in the fruit of the  Spirit  and how we reflect them to others.

This seems timely in the invasion of Russian in Ukraine. All actions have consequences.

Are you open to reflecting on how we can not only be kinder people, but how we can do more to build up our country, safeguard our planet, and treat our fellow human beings with gentleness, graciousness, and kindness?” 

Let us embrace the invitations to marinate in grace. To remember that the sacred is close by. To see life in fullness, hopefulness, wonder, gratitude, beauty, silence, prayer, connection and sufficiency. And from this marinade of grace, we embrace our humanity and all that enriches it; empathy, tenderness, inclusion, forgiveness. We let ourselves spill the light we receive, we give, offer, hold, touch, care, soothe, empathize and invite sanctuary. Sabbath Moments 

“So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world” (1 John 4:17 NLT). 

The Holy Spirit will keep his promise. We’ve been sealed. He will get us home. Max Lucado

Nahum 2:8-10

8 Though Nineveh of old was like a pool of water, Now they flee away. “Halt! Halt!” they cry; But no one turns back. 9 Take spoil of silver! Take spoil of gold! There is no end of treasure, Or wealth of every desirable prize. 10 She is empty, desolate, and waste! The heart melts, and the knees shake; Much pain is in every side, And all their faces are drained of color. The New King James Version

Much of Nineveh lay under water when the city fell but this image of a pool without water describes an empty artificial pool or reservoir. The city will be empty of people just like a reservoir that has been drained. No one heeds the call to halt the retreat. 

The Babylonian Chronicles—which are tablets that record the history of Babylon—state that the amount of treasure in Nineveh was “a quantity beyond counting.” The Assyrians had collected a massive amount of wealth from looting cities like Susa, Babylon, Damascus, Samaria, Memphis, and Thebes. Faithlife Study Bible

The nation that had made so much of taking captives would be made a captive by others. Halt! Halt!: No one would listen to their shouts of panic. Assyria had despoiled many nations, including Samaria and the cities of Israel. There seemed to be no end to the loot that could be found within its walls. Nonetheless, even Nineveh was exhausted of its treasures. At long last, it was empty. The NKJV Study Bible

Nineveh shall not put aside this judgment; there is no counsel or strength against the Lord. God looks upon proud cities, and brings them down. Particular account is given of the terrors wherein the invading enemy shall appear against Nineveh. The empire of Assyria is represented as a queen, about to be led captive to Babylon. Guilt in the conscience fills men with terror in an evil day; and what will treasures or glory do for us in times of distress, or in the day of wrath? Yet for such things how many lose their souls! Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Deuteronomy 20:8 |“The officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ‘What man is there who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest the heart of his brethren faint like his heart.’

2 Chronicles 32:27 Hezekiah had very great riches and honor. And he made himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of desirable items;

2 Chronicles 36:10 At the turn of the year King Nebuchadnezzar summoned him and took him to Babylon, with the costly articles from the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah, Jehoiakim’s brother, king over Judah and Jerusalem.

Matthew 3:1-6

 Anything is possible with the power of Holy Spirit in our lives. The more that we invite Him into our life the more He can teach and guide us.

John the Baptist was called from the womb to prepare the way for our risen Savior.

“You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, ‘Papa! Father!'” (Galatians 4:6-7 MSG).

The Spirit convinces your spirit of this truth: your destiny is in the hands of a loving Father. He is a good father, who has recorded your name in the Book of Life with the blood of the Lamb. And the Spirit of God is urging you to listen as he affirms in your spirit that you are a child of God. You have been adopted into the family. Max Lucado

Matthew 3:1-6

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’ ” Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

Isaiah 40:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Mark 1:5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

Luke 1:76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,

John 1:23 He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness:“Make straight the way of the LORD,” ’as the prophet Isaiah said.”

Mark 4:30-34

 Jesus did not leave us alone…He gives us Holy Spirit to guide us into understanding the hidden meanings of His teachings. 

His disciples did not fully comprehend the deity of Jesus until Pentecost. He sent Holy Spirit to open their eyes.

People need to soften their hearts, humble themselves before God, and honestly seek the truth in order to find it. Jesus’ stories are like wrapped gifts. NKJ

Serving God from a heart of contentment and humility is the way of Jesus, the way of the cross, the way the world will never understand. First5 

Mark 4:30-34

30 Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31 It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” 33 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples. The New King James Version

Mustard seeds are around 1/10th of an inch in diameter.  Mature mustard plants can grow to 10 feet in height. But even with Jesus explaining the kingdom of God to His disciples, they sometimes fail to comprehend the full implications of Jesus’ identity. Faithlife Study Bible

Parables: More than Stories Although Jesus lived among a story-telling people, His approach to instruction was still unusual. His stories were memorable, but they were not transparent. People heard them but did not necessarily understand them. They are clearer to us because of the apostle Paul’s writings, but few of the first hearers of the parables understood them. Even though “with many such parables He spoke the word”, at one point the disciples asked in frustration, “Why do You speak to [the people] in parables?”. The disciples did not grasp the stories any better than the rest of the crowd. Jesus’ answer to the disciples reveals much about the purpose of His teachings. The NKJV Study Bible

This parable of the good seed, shows the manner in which the kingdom of God makes progress in the world. Let but the word of Christ have the place it ought to have in a soul, and it will show itself in a good conversation. It grows gradually: first the blade; then the ear; after that the full corn in the ear. When it is sprung up, it will go forward. The work of grace in the soul is, at first, but the day of small things; yet it has mighty products even now, while it is in its growth; but what will there be when it is perfected in heaven!  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Matthew 13:31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field,

Matthew 13:32 which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

Matthew 13:34 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them,

Matthew 13:35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:“I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”

John 21:24-25

Now we see in part, as through a thick glass, when we meet   Jesus face to face we will know the fullness of HisStory.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 

Psalm 23:(NKJV): A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

“To be astonished is one of the surest ways of not growing old too quickly.” Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette

John 21:24-25

24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. The New King James Version

An editor may have written this postscript based on the eyewitness accounts of John. Faithlife Study Bible

The disciple was the one whom Jesus loved is basically John’s signature to his Gospel. The Gospel of John is truthful, but it is not exhaustive. The NKJV Study Bible

Only a small part of the actions of Jesus had been written. But let us bless God for all that is in the Scriptures, and be thankful that there is so much in so small a space. Enough is recorded to direct our faith, and regulate our practice; more would have been unnecessary. Much of what is written is overlooked, much forgotten, and much made the matter of doubtful disputes. We may, however, look forward to the joy we shall receive in heaven, from a more complete knowledge of all Jesus did and said, as well as of the conduct of his providence and grace in his dealings with each of us. May this be our happiness. These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

John 19:35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.

John 20:30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;

Mark 1:40-44

Jesus is  full of compassion and there is healing, spiritually, mentally and physically, in His name.

In the measure that we believe, we can receive from the very hand of God.

Gratitude stems from remembering God's goodness, sovereignty and control over every detail of our lives. First5 

Right now, at this moment, the Spirit of the living God is talking to the rest of the Trinity about you. The eternal, ever-creating Spirit is speaking on your behalf. 

Help is here! The greatest force, the only true force, in the universe is your ally, your advocate. “[He] keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good” (Romans 8:28 MSG).

You may be stuck in a dark place with no visible exit. If so, please hear this. When we are in times of weakness, it is all hands on deck as the Trinity works to bring about what is good for us. We do not know how to pray. That is okay. The Spirit knows. And he prays for you. Max Lucado

Mark 1:40-44

40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43 And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” The New King James Version

The Greek word used here, lepros, identifies a person afflicted by a skin disease. Leviticus categorizes such individuals as ritually unclean and prohibits them from coming in contact with other Israelites during their illness Jesus already demonstrated His ability to eliminate uncleanness when He expelled the demonic spirit at Capernaum. Now, a man with a different type of impurity seeks cleansing, and Jesus’ success confirms that God’s rule overcomes all obstacles to health and holiness. 

Jesus affirms His desire to cleanse the man. Jesus’ physical contact with the leper, followed by His immediate cleansing of him, emphasizes that Jesus’ spirit of holiness is more powerful than the uncleanness generated by the skin disease. Rather than Jesus becoming unclean, He makes the leper clean. Faithlife Study Bible

Jesus was moved with compassion. He not only healed but touched the leper. How often do we see the need but remain unmoved and uninvolved? Scripture has over 400 passages admonishing us to care for the poor.  The NKJV Study Bible

We have here Christ’s cleansing of a leper. It teaches us to apply to the Saviour with great humility, and with full submission to his will, saying, “Lord, if thou wilt,” without any doubt of Christ’s readiness to help the distressed. See also what to expect from Christ; that according to our faith it shall be to us. The poor leper said, If thou wilt. Christ readily wills favours to those who readily refer themselves to his will. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Luke 5:12 And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Luke 5:14 And He charged him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded.”

1 Corinthians 10:31–33

As the Body of Christ our aim is not to offend others but to draw them to Jesus. If we lift Him up in all His fullness others will see His goodness and God’s mercy.

We are able to love because God  first loved us.

With Jesus we can cast our cares on Him knowing that His yoke is easy and His burdens light.

What does this love look like for you and me? "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:10)

Jesus is love poured out for sinners of all kinds. In faithful obedience, Jesus was nailed to the cross for our disobedience. There's absolutely no way we could earn this kind of grace and mercy. The Apostle Paul summarized God's sovereignty this way: "So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy" (Romans 9:16).

Friend, God has chosen to have mercy on us. God invites the rebel in each of us to put our faith in Christ, who empowers us to course-correct and realign with the truth of His steadfast love.

Father, You are good to us because You are good. You are kind to us because You are kind. You are merciful to us because You are merciful. You do not change over the ages but prove to be faithful time and time again even when we are faithless. Lord, let us stand firm in Your great love today. First5

1 Corinthians 10:31–33

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. The New King James Version

Paul urges the Corinthian believers to avoid actions that cause others to reject the gospel message. Faithlife Study Bible

Doing all to the glory of God involves encouraging fellow Christians and spreading the good news about Christ. Paul accomplished this by refusing to offend Jews, Greeks, or the church of God, even if it meant restricting his freedom.

 

Like Christ, Paul did not seek his own way or do things for his own pleasure; instead, he desired to help others. This should be our desire as well. The NKJV Study Bible

According to this advice of the apostle, Christians should take care not to use their liberty to the hurt of others, or to their own reproach. In eating and drinking, and in all we do, we should aim at the glory of God, at pleasing and honouring him. This is the great end of all religion, and directs us where express rules are wanting. A holy, peaceable, and benevolent spirit, will disarm the greatest enemies. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

John 17:24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Acts 24:16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

John 21:20-22

God will decide when He will bring us home. Our life  glorifies God when we allow Him to be one we love most.

Love God and  put Him  first in your life and He will direct your path.

The truth is Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins so we can inherit a heavenly promised land that is more amazing than anything we can imagine. Even though we face giants today, one day all who have chosen to follow Jesus will step from this life into eternal life, which is promised to all who believe. (1 John 5:11-13)

A life of faith over fear isn't about ignoring what is real. It's about remembering the truth of what we know about God. God is good, kind, merciful, gracious and abundantly faithful. Only by God's grace can we hold to His Truth; otherwise we let the circumstances we see impact the fullness of our faith. First5 

Isaiah 41:10: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

John 21:20-22

20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” The New King James Version

Jesus tells Peter that he should not be concerned with God’s will for others. Faithlife Study Bible

The disciple whom Jesus loved is commonly considered to be John, the author of this Gospel. 

Peter wanted to know if John too would suffer a violent death. The Lord told Peter that he should be concerned with following God’s will himself and not worrying about God’s will for others. The NKJV Study Bible

Sufferings, pains, and death, will appear formidable even to the experienced Christian; but in the hope to glorify God, to leave a sinful world, and to be present with his Lord, he becomes ready to obey the Redeemer’s call, and to follow Him through death to glory.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Hosea 10:11-12

There was no one righteous…no, not, one.  So God sent the only One who  was and could stand in our place. Thank You God that you loved Your creation so much that You provided the way back to You in  Jesus. our salvation is nothing to do with our righteousness but everything to do with His.

Without Jesus there is no hope. 

What does God require of us?

Micah 6:8

8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

A prideful heart hinders intimacy with God, but when we have faith in Jesus, He gives us humble hearts that are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and willing to submit obediently to God's Word. True humility means trusting God fully and understanding our need to be rescued by the gospel. Asking the Lord to replace our pride with humility is a bold prayer, but it is one that will draw us into a deeper relationship with Him. May I treat those around me as better than myself, having the same mind as Your Son, Jesus. First5 

Hosea 10:11-12

11 Ephraim is a trained heifer That loves to thresh grain; But I harnessed her fair neck, I will make Ephraim pull a plow. Judah shall plow; Jacob shall break his clods.” 12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you. The New King James Version

“Break up for yourself fallow ground” is an agricultural metaphor urging the people to prepare themselves to accept God’s message and repent. Faithlife Study Bible

Israel preferred to be unrestrained, like an unmuzzled heifer at the threshing floor that can simply lean down and eat the grain. Israel’s rebellious spirit necessitated harsh treatment, compared here to a farmer binding his calf to the yoke and forcing it to do hard labor. Threshing in this context refers to Israel’s service to the Lord; plowing refers to the discipline that Israel had to acquire through judgment and exile. 

Hosea calls the people to repentance, reminding them that a decision could not be postponed, and that God’s blessings could still be restored. In Israel’s case, the people had to reestablish social justice—righteousness—and loyalty—mercy—in the land. 

Break up your fallow ground: Plowing and planting are necessary preliminary steps for growing a crop, which eventually sprouts when the rain falls in season. In the same way, repentance would set the stage for restored blessing, which God would eventually rain down on His people. The process of repentance and restored blessing outlined in verse 12 contrasts sharply with reality. The NKJV Study Bible

Because God does not desire the death and ruin of sinners, therefore in mercy he desires their chastisement. The children of iniquity still remained in Israel. The enemies would be gathered against them. It is just with God to make those know what hardships mean, who indulge themselves in ease and pleasure. Let them cleanse their hearts from all corrupt affections and lusts, and be a broken and contrite spirit. Let them abound in works of piety towards God, and of justice and charity towards one another: herein let them sow to the Spirit. Seeking the Lord is to be every day’s work, but there are special occasions when to seek him. Christ shall come as the Lord our righteousness, and grant us of it abundantly. If we sow in righteousness, we shall reap according to mercy; a reward not of debt, but of grace. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Hosea 4:16 “For Israel is stubborn like a stubborn calf; now the LORD will let them forage like a lamb in open country.

Hosea 6:3 Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth.