2 Corinthians 12:19-21

May the  Father’s grace be shown in me. God’s love for His creation, manifested in the salvation of Christ the Lord, covered a multitude of sins.

In the unity of  Holy Spirit  may we be the love of God, to all those that we encounter.

"All of earth is crammed with heaven
And every bush a flame with God
But only those who see take off their shoes."
Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I don’t want to miss...
the serendipitous gifts of grace,
the invitation to look for daily miracles,
and the presence of the holy,
and the gentle dose of the sacred reflected in our everyday,
and extraordinarily ordinary world. 

It reminds me of a traditional Jewish saying which does my heart good, “On the day of Judgment God will only ask one question: Did you enjoy my world?” Sabbath Moments

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. Laura Ingalls Wilder

2 Corinthians 12:19-21

19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. 20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced. The New King James Version

The sins Paul lists echo the works of the flesh he listed in Galatians 5:19–21. Such vices are sins against the community and create division among believers. Faithlife Study Bible

Falls and misdeeds are humbling to a minister; and God sometimes takes this way to humble those who might be tempted to be lifted up. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

1 Corinthians 4:21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? 

2 Corinthians 2:1 But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow.  

2 Corinthians 2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.

Matthew 26:41 The power of prayer

Prayer, conversation with God, keeps evil at bay and allows direction from Holy Spirit to be received.

God knows that we are mere humans! We are incapable of fully comprehending  spiritual matters. They are discerned spirit to Spirit.

God the Son, Jesus Christ, came to find us while we were still lost in a wilderness of sin. And by becoming the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf, Jesus invited us to receive His righteousness and made a way for us to know an incomprehensible God.

Because of Jesus, we have direct access to the Creator of the universe. And while we will never fully comprehend all of the mysteries of God, we can know Him personally. Friend, take time to marvel at the truth that this majestic God loves and cares for you! First5 

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” The New King James Version

The disciples needed to stay awake and pray because they were about to be tested themselves. Here the word flesh emphasizes human weakness. The contrast between the weakness of the disciples and the strength of the Lord is startling. Because the flesh is weak, every child of God needs supernatural empowerment. The NKJV Study Bible

It is well for us that our salvation is in the hand of One who neither slumbers nor sleeps. All are tempted, but we should be much afraid of entering into temptation. To be secured from this, we should watch and pray, and continually look unto the Lord to hold us up that we may be safe. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Matthew 6:13 

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Matthew 26:38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

Mark 14:38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Luke 22:40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Luke 22:46 Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”

Hope Ezekiel 42

Blessed hope in assurance of the salvation of Jesus Christ!

As Creator, Jesus is Lord over all nature: the sun, the stars, the earth, and even the wind and storms. All must obey Him and His Word because Jesus is Lord of the storm. So when we face a crisis or storm, we can find comfort that our Lord Jesus is also the anchor of hope for our souls, and He goes before us into the presence of His Father, our heavenly Father (Hebrews 6:19-20). First5 

“Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted – a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” Rabbi Harold Kushner

Romans 15:13 ~ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 12:12 ~ Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Hebrews 11:1 ~ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 6:19 ~ This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil.

1 John 3:3 ~ And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Ezekiel 42

Measuring the Future Ezekiel could be called one of the most visionary prophets. God showed him spiritual insights that still stir the imagination 25 centuries later. Like other prophets, Ezekiel’s ministry among his people had two distinct phases: condemnation and consolation. 

The first 32 chapters of Ezekiel catalog the sure and future judgment of God on His own people and seven other nations. Incredibly, although Jerusalem had been defeated and many of her people had been deported, the exiles clung to the vain hope that God would never let His city and temple be destroyed. 

They missed the point that God’s ultimate commitment was to people—not places or buildings. 

In order to purify and preserve the people, God allowed the devastation of the Promised Land and the temple itself. Yet God also held responsible those nations that used their temporary domination of Israel as an opportunity to mock the living God. 

Ezekiel’s early messages focused on the coming of God’s judgment and the urgent need for repentance. The last part of Ezekiel represents a sudden change of tone. With the fall of Jerusalem, God’s terrible judgment had finally come. 

The weary and disillusioned exiles had lost all hope. But God filled Ezekiel with a new message. Although all immediate evidence pointed to hopelessness and despair, God invited His people to return to Him and to place their confidence in Him. Whatever their temporary setbacks and suffering, God was still in control. His purposes would win out, and His plans were specific. 

In fact, His plans were so definite they could be measured. Ezekiel received a vision of the dimensions of a new temple (recorded in 40:1–48:35) to demonstrate that fact. Many efforts have been made to understand the details of Ezekiel’s vision in such a way that the prophecy might be described as fulfilled. However, attempts to do this have failed. Those who eventually returned from exile did not use Ezekiel’s plans to rebuild Jerusalem. It is also difficult to interpret this prophecy as a symbolic description of the church in our age. The most confident statement we can make about the vision and its accompanying instructions is that it is a prophecy yet to be fulfilled. 

At the same time, we can apply these chapters to the present as examples of God’s planning, precision, and sovereignty. He maintains control of the events of history. When events seem chaotic, God reminds us to rest in His ability to bring order. Ezekiel’s vision of a new temple when the temple in Jerusalem had just been destroyed reassured the exiles: God would create beauty out of ashes. The people in Ezekiel’s day needed that vision of hope, and we still need it today. The NKJV Study Bible.

Acts 13:36-41

GRACE…amazing, undeserved, unmerited grace!!

The gift of salvation was given in the sacrifice of  Jesus Christ. It is finished!

It was too small a thing for it to be for Jewish converts alone but it was offered to all mankind, to whomever, would believe in God’s Gospel of Grace. John 3:16-17

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

Let's purpose to think rightly about righteousness. May we fully comprehend, and then display to those watching us, this important truth: There is nothing in us that makes us clean or good. We needed our Maker (Job 35:10) to send Jesus to deliver us from "the multitude of oppressions" (Job 35:9). May our gratitude to God for His indescribable gift give us the desire to be more like His Son. First5

I was buoyed, reading this; “Yesterday I had a good morning. Once again when I recollect myself, I again find the same simple demands of God: gentleness, humility, charity, interior simplicity; nothing else is asked of me. And suddenly I saw clearly why these virtues are demanded, because through them the soul becomes inhabitable for God and for one's neighbor in an intimate and permanent way. Hardness and pride repel, complexity disquiets. But humility and gentleness welcome, and simplicity reassures.” (Raissa Maritain’s journal entry from the early 1900s)  SabbathMoments

Acts 13:36-41

36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: 41 ‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.’ ” The New King James Version 

This is a legal declaration that someone is innocent and in good standing—right before God. Paul is arguing that justification is based on the work of Christ. Human effort—even when directed at keeping the Law of Moses (as primarily seen in the laws of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy)—could never attain God’s standard. Here, Paul warns that the rejection of the Messiah would also result in judgment. Faithlife Study Bible

Paul argued that David could not have been speaking of himself in Psalm. When David died, his body returned to dust just like everyone else’s. David was speaking of the Messiah, who would be raised from the dead as the final proof of His divine Sonship. 

Everyone who believes is justified: Justification is a legal term meaning “declared innocent” It is a legal declaration that a person is acquitted and absolved. It is by justification that a person is righteous and acceptable to God. The death of Christ was the payment of our sin debt, so that we might be forgiven. The NKJV Study Bible

Let all that hear the gospel of Christ, know these two things: 1. That through this Man, who died and rose again, is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. Your sins, though many and great, may be forgiven, and they may be so without any injury to God’s honour. 2. It is by Christ only that those who believe in him, and none else, are justified from all things; from all the guilt and stain of sin, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses. The great concern of convinced sinners is, to be justified, to be acquitted from all their guilt, and accepted as righteous in God’s sight, for if any is left charged upon the sinner, he is undone. 

By Jesus Christ we obtain a complete justification; for by him a complete atonement was made for sin. We are justified, not only by him as our Judge but by him as the Lord our Righteousness. What the law could not do for us, in that it was weak, the gospel of Christ does. This is the most needful blessing, bringing in every other. The threatenings are warnings; what we are told will come upon impenitent sinners, is designed to awaken us to beware lest it come upon us. It ruins many, that they despise religion. Those that will not wonder and be saved, shall wonder and perish. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Habakkuk 1:5 

“Look among the nations and watch—

Be utterly astounded!

For I will work a work in your days

Which you would not believe, though it were told you.

Luke 24:47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Jesus tells of the future and the Mount of Olives

Jesus now reigns at the right hand of the Father.  There will come a day, tomorrow or  years from now, that Christ, in the flesh will reign.  

the end is forestalled because of God's love for His creation. He wants no one to perish and all to accept His gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Luke 12:40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Matthew 24:28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

Our faith is not in religion; our faith is in God. A hardy, daring faith that believes God will do what is right, every time. And that God will do what it takes—whatever it takes—to bring his children home.

In Luke 15:10 (NCV) Jesus said, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God when one sinner changes his heart and life.” He is the shepherd in search of his lamb. His legs are scratched, his feet are sore, and his eyes are burning. He cups his hands to his mouth, and he calls into the canyon. And the name he calls is yours. He is the housewife in search of the lost coin. The coin is of great value to him. He owns it, and he will not stop until he finds it. And the coin he seeks is you. Max Lucado

If we were to face a trial before the throne of God, with the evidence laid out against us, every single one of us would be declared guilty because we have all sinned and we all fall short (Romans 3:23).

Thankfully, as God is just, He is also gracious. He took all of our guilt and sin and placed it on His Son, Jesus, so that if we have faith in Him, we do not have to endure the eternal punishment we deserve. There is nothing we can do to earn God's favor or our own salvation, but because of God's abundant grace and Christ's sacrifice on the cross, we can be saved (Romans 3:24-25;  Ephesians 2:5;  Ephesians 2:8-9;  Romans 5:20-21). First5 

Jesus tells of the future and the  Mount of Olives

Matthew 24:1–14

1 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Mark 13:28-31

28 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! 30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

Luke 21:5-36

25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

The New King James Version

The disciples ask Jesus about His prediction. They want to know when the temple will be destroyed and how they can discern the timing of His return. He responds by discussing the troubling events that will signal His return and the end of the age. Jesus’ teaching in is commonly called the Olivet Discourse because it was His teaching on the Mount of Olives. 

Using apocalyptic language, Jesus warns that before He returns an abomination of desolation will affect the entire world. In this context, this phrase could refer to some worldwide or regional catastrophe It also could indicate the Romans’ attack on Jerusalem and destruction of the temple in ad 70.

To save His people, God will curtail the period of tribulation. The idea of the elect is rooted in the old testament understanding of Israel’s identity and vocation as chosen by God. In Jesus’ time, it also could be used to refer to a portion of Israel considered to have remained faithful to God’s covenant amid the general disobedience of the nation (Isaiah 65:8–10).

Faithlife Study Bible

The first temple, built by Solomon, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 b.c. The second temple, built under the encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah and the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua, was completed after considerable delay in 516 b.c. This second temple was completely and lavishly renovated by Herod the Great. He began the work around 20 b.c., but the renovations were not completed during the lifetime of Christ. The work was finally finished in a.d. 64, and the temple stood completed for only six years before it was reduced to rubble by the Romans. 

False messiahs and wars and rumors of wars are characteristic of the fallen world in which we live. When the Lord said all these things must come to pass, He used a word for must that indicates a divine or logical necessity. Such activities are necessary because of the people’s sin. False messiahs had existed before and false preachers would come in the future.

The disciples’ excitement over the temple’s tremendous manner of stones was a natural reaction to splendid and majestic architecture; each stone weighed several tons. Josephus (Antiq. 15.11.3–7) described its magnificence. There was nothing like it in all the world. Begun by Herod the Great in 20 b.c., the temple was later completed by Herod’s descendants some time before a.d. 66. Its beautiful white marble stones with gold ornamentation reached one hundred feet high. Surrounding it were colonnaded walkways, courtyards, and stairways that filled 20 acres of the most prominent landscape in all Jerusalem. Thus Jesus’ remark that not one stone shall be left upon another unquestionably stunned His listeners. This prophecy was fulfilled in a.d. 70 when the Roman General Titus destroyed much of Jerusalem, including the temple.

Jesus shifts His focus to the end times with His second mention of cosmic turmoil. The terror of cosmic chaos will cause apprehension about what is coming. The Son of Man coming in a cloud is a reference to the authoritative return of Jesus. The allusion to the cloud and the figure comes from Daniel with its picture of One who receives authority from the Ancient of Days. Jesus viewed this text in terms of an apocalyptic deliverance. The image of the cloud is important, since God is identified as riding the clouds in the Old Testament with power and great glory.

The Son of Man has divine authority to judge the world. The Son of Man acts on behalf of those who have suffered in His name.

The NKJV Study Bible