Daniel 12:7 Patiently waiting!

The end will come but only God knows the time.

We are safe in His hands while we patiently wait for His return.

wait (Heb. chakah) (12:12; 2 Kin. 7:9; Job 32:4; Ps. 33:20; 106:13; Is. 8:17; 30:18) Strong’s #2442: In Scripture, the word “wait” normally suggests the anxious, yet confident, expectation by God’s people that the Lord will intervene on their behalf. Such waiting may be for answers to prayer (Ps. 25:5), for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4), for salvation (Gen. 49:18), or especially for the coming of the Messiah to bring salvation to His people and to establish His kingdom on earth (Ps. 37:34; Luke 12:36; Rom. 8:23; 1 Thess. 1:10). Waiting, therefore, is the working out of hope.

In our wait 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?

Daniel 12:7

7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. 

12:13 “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days. The New King James Version

Jesus died for our sins and finished everything needed for us to enter into salvation but we must appropriate it in faith. The righteous Christ Jesus is the propitiation  for the sins of the world. 

In Holy Spirit there is peace, love and a gentle spirit. There is healing, cleansing and reconciliation in the Word of God made flesh. We need to read the Book!

Romans 3:25 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 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, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

God sent Jesus to die for our sins and heal our relationship with God. He makes a way where there was no way. He is the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. Carla

A time, times, and half a time, which adds up to three and one-half years, may refer to the period immediately preceding the Second Coming of Christ. Others have suggested that this expression does not refer to a specific number of years but instead a period of time that the Lord would shorten because of His mercy. Daniel did not understand his own revelation. Daniel would die and be resurrected. The NKJV Study Bible

It is good for us all to think much of going away from this world. That must be our way; but it is our comfort that we shall not go till God calls us to another world, and till he has done with us in this world; till he says, Go thou thy way, thou hast done thy work, therefore now, go thy way, and leave it to others to take thy place. It was a comfort to Daniel, and is a comfort to all the saints, that whatever their lot is in the days of their lives, they shall have a happy lot in the end of the days. And it ought to be the great care and concern of every one of us to secure this. Then we may well be content with our present lot, and welcome the will of God. Believers are happy at all times; they rest in God by faith.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

When we pause, and hear the voice of grace…we are no longer  afraid of the brokenness and woundedness (they are not a threat to wholeness). In embracing our wounds, they become (as Richard Rohr reminds us) sacred wounds, because grace is alive and well. Sabbath Moments 

John 3:30-36 In Jesus the fullness of the Godhead abides!

Just BELIEVE in His authority to do in our life what is perfect and transformative to our spiritual walk with God.

God is in all creation.He knows the past, the present and the future. He is all powerful to accomplish His will on earth as it is in heaven. 

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world…trust in Him!!

John 3:30-36

31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” The New King James Version

His peace is so very precious to me!

After  Pentecost Saul (Paul) was consenting to the persecution of Jewish believers in Christ. Many  were scattered except for the Apostles. They were awaiting Christ return they thought that it would be imminent. Before Paul coming face to face with Jesus he persecuted those Jews. After His conversion he spent the rest of his life convincing others of the total salvation available to all who trust in Jesus  for salvation.

Galatians 1:11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Paul in writing to the Gentiles reinforced that they were under grace and not under the law. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was revealed to him not by man but by God. 

Romans 16:25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

Jesus has the power to establish us. His salvation is now made available to all people and nations by faith. The love of God in Jesus Christ died for all of us. Although all of us come short of His glory  in Him we live who died for us. Because of His birth, death and resurrection everyone is made new. We only need to accept this by faith.  In the moment we believe Holy Spirit places us in the Body of Christ. We are a new creation reconciled to God by Jesus Christ. 

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

God, the Father of our Lord, blesses us with all spiritual blessings in Jesus the Christ. We are holy and blameless before Him. In Him we alone we place our faith. In Him everything needed for salvation was done and it is finished.  Carla

John the Baptist insisted that Jesus Christ had to increase in popularity and that he, John, had to decrease. John explained that Jesus had to increase because of (1) His divine origin(2) His divine teaching and (3) His divine authority. 

Even though John encouraged his disciples to also follow Jesus, there were still some found many years later in Ephesus (Acts 19). The NKJV Study Bible

John was fully satisfied with the place and work assigned him; but Jesus came on a more important work. He also knew that Jesus would increase in honour and influence, for of his government and peace there would be no end, while he himself would be less followed. John knew that Jesus came from heaven as the Son of God, while he was a sinful, mortal man, who could only speak about the more plain subjects of religion. 

The words of Jesus were the words of God; he had the Spirit, not by measure, as the prophets, but in all fulness. Everlasting life could only be had by faith in Him, and might be thus obtained; whereas all those, who believe not in the Son of God, cannot partake of salvation… Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

John 8:23 And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

John 3:13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.

John 3:11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.

Until the day we leave this earth, we all are looking for wide open arms—the gift of grace, and the gift of being seen.
Yes, we do our best to pretend that we have our act together, or that we are above overtures of compassion. But inside something gnaws. You see, we don’t trust our own goodness. Or our own beauty. So, we reach out, at every opportunity, looking for mercy. We need hugs to remind us.
Which brings us back to our invitation this week; let us be gentle with ourselves, embracing the gift of self-compassion. Yes. Giving ourselves the permission to embrace the wholeness (the beauty and the light), which is alive and well even in the crazy or the broken. Sabbath Moments 

In our greatest time of trouble, we were dead in our sin, but God sent Jesus to deliver us from the dominion of darkness, making it possible for us to receive eternal life through faith in Him (Colossians 1:13)! As we face the troubles of today and the tribulations of tomorrow, we can call out to our heavenly Father and trust that He will provide our way of escape and be our ever-present help (Psalm 46:1). Jesus once used this metaphor when He said, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him" (John 11:11). And later in the same passage, as He comforted Lazarus' grieving sister Martha, Jesus announced Himself as "the resurrection and the life" and stated that "whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" (John 11:25). God has promised His people will enjoy eternity with Him. First5

Matthew 17:22–23 Jesus overcame the sins of the world!

At the end of His  ministry on earth Jesus took the Apostles to Jerusalem and on the way told them that all things prophesied about Him would come to an end. In Him, in His birth, death and resurrection, it would be finished and God’s promises  would be fulfilled. The full meaning was hidden from them.

Matthew 17:22–23

22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful. The New King James Version

Even though they were told of the coming death and resurrection of Jesus they did not fully comprehend that He would rise victorious over sin and death and sit at the right hand of the Father. Nor did they understand that His salvation would be extended to all of mankind.

Luke 18:31 31 Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32 For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. 33 They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” 34 But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.

To the believing Jews they needed to repent of their sins of not believing in in Jesus as their Messiah and King to be forgiven. 

1 John 1:9 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But through faith in Jesus we are justified. God sent Him to die in our place for our sins. We are  justified by His finished work of the Cross in faith and it alone. 

Romans 3:23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 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, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

God sent Jesus so that through Him we could be saved. Unbelief in Him already brings condemnation. It stops us from coming to the light of the world.

John 3:17  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And the tomb was empty it could not contain Jesus Christ the Lord of lords and King of kings. They were shocked and did not understand. Until He showed Himself to them.

John 20:7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.

The power of the Cross saves us. The preaching of Jesus’  birth, death and resurrection in the Gospel of Grace is the gift of God to all who believe. and no one could boast of their own righteousness.

1 Corinthians 1:18 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.

Jesus lives and in Him so do we. He went to that Roman cross where He was crucified for our sins. It is finished. Everything is accomplished  in Gods’ perfect timing.

1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. Carla

The disciples are grieved, but they do not dispute this prediction, as Peter did the first time (16:22–23). Faithlife Study Bible

Jesus and the disciples began what would be Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem. Once again Jesus predicted His death and resurrection (16:21; 20:18, 19). Once again the disciples failed to understand the Resurrection; they seemed to have heard only His words about His coming death, because they became exceedingly sorrowful. The NKJV Study Bible

Christ perfectly knew all things that should befall him, yet undertook the work of our redemption, which strongly shows his love. What outward debasement and Divine glory was the life of the Redeemer! And all his humiliation ended in his exaltation. Let us learn to endure the cross, to despise riches and worldly honours, and to be content with his will. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Matthew 16:21–28 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”…

Mark 9:30–32 Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.”…

Luke 9:43–45 And they were all amazed at the majesty of God.But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”…

Matthew 17:9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”

Mark 8:31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Jesus demonstrated His power over death at His resurrection! Our God is infinite (Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 44:6); all other rulers are finite. But our God is forever victorious; all who go against Him will be defeated. "Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57)!

All who place our trust in Jesus will have eternal life. Through Jesus, we also gain peace and hope today in a troubling world (John 16:33). Rather than fear the future, let us find our eternal victory in Him. Jesus has already defeated sin, death and the powers of evil on the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), and He also will defeat the powers of evil in the end times (Revelation 19:17-21; Revelation 20:7-10). Jesus has already defeated sin, death and the powers of evil on the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), and He also will defeat the powers of evil in the end times (Revelation 19:17-21; Revelation 20:7-10). Meanwhile, as followers of Christ, we are called to live differently than the world around us. But as followers of Christ, we are called to love and serve others, knowing our true reward comes from Him (Mark 10:43-45).

Through Jesus' power, we can live out this calling. He assures us, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Luke 6:27–37 Love is the greatest of all!

Scripture, in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, always directs us  back to God’s command to love Him above any person, place or thing and to love others and treat them as we should be treated. God does not change according to the demands of our culture or our religious doctrines. 

1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Everything rest on these commands…and are only fulfilled in LOVE.

The Rules of the Kingdom at this times were directed to Jewish believers in Jesus. The fullness of the message to the Gentiles was not yet understood completely to the followers of Jesus they only knew Him as their Messiah and King. He was promised to them in the Abrahamic Covenant. God is unchanging. Now it applies to all of us who believe in Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is the gift of God’s mercy and grace in the salvation in Jesus to all who choose to accept Him.

Luke 6:27–37

27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” The New King James Version

John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God. His light would remove the darkness that Adam’s sin had brought on mankind.

Isaiah 60:1 

Arise, shine;

For your light has come!

And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,

And deep darkness the people;

But the Lord will arise over you,

And His glory will be seen upon you.

The Gentiles shall come to your light,

And kings to the brightness of your rising.

700 years prior to His being born Isaiah proclaimed Christ coming for the covenant of the people and a light for the Gentiles. 

The light had come to Israel and the gentiles will be drawn to Messiahs’ light.

Matthew 9:35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

Jesus taught in the synagogues about the Good News of the Kingdom He fulfilled all of the Old Testament  Scriptures relating to His coming. 

Zechariah 14:9 

And the Lord shall be King over all the earth.

In that day it shall be

“The Lord is one,”

And His name one.

God the Son, the Messiah of Israel, shall be King over all the earth.

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Jesus declared that He is the resurrection and the life, he that believe in Him will never die. Martha believed. Her salvation was based on faith in Him as the promised King and Messiah to the Jews. She believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. 

Acts 9:20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Paul was saved under the Old Testament Gospel of the Kingdom  that Jesus Christ was the Christ, the promised Messiah to Israel. The light of the world knocked him to the ground. Now Paul preached in the synagogues that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Carla

Jesus teaches His followers that they must love all people, including their enemies. This love involves more than tolerance; it expresses itself in doing good even to enemies who are hostile and full of hatred. This is known as the Golden Rule: treating others with respect regardless of their conduct. 

In comparison to similar expressions recorded in ancient writings, Jesus’ version of this rule emphasizes its positive effect. He demands that His followers show love to all people—neighbors and enemies alike—regardless of their behavior toward them. 

Love your enemies do good and lend is summary statement for this section that is unique to Luke. Followers of Jesus who freely give away and share their material goods not only obey Jesus’ teaching but demonstrate they are true followers of God by acting according to His ways. 

God’s character and actions are the ethical standards for His followers. Jesus is calling for righteous behavior and emphasizing love, forgiveness, and generosity. In response to God’s forgiveness of them, Jesus’ followers should offer forgiveness to those who have wronged them. As with His teaching in Luke 6:27–36, Jesus calls His followers to imitate God by displaying sacrificial love. Faithlife Study Bible

The threat of religious persecution was very real when Jesus presented His command for extraordinary love. The reference to a cursing enemy suggests a context of religious persecution. This is a description of being repeatedly vulnerable in the face of injustice. The one who seeks to love will always remain exposed and at risk.

Jesus’ instruction here is to forgive and forget. The commands are expressed in such absolute terms that they force the listener to reflect on them by contrasting them with the normal responses people would have to such injustices. 

“As you want men to do to you” is the “golden rule.” 

Note that Jesus’ command is stated in the positive. 

Such love as Jesus describes recognizes the preferences of others and is sensitive to them. The NKJV Study Bible

Matthew 5:39–42 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also…

Matthew 5:44–6:1 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust…

Matthew 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 

Matthew 7:1–5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you…

According to Daniel 11:35, those who refused to abandon God during persecution would "be refined, purified, and made white." Using similar language, the Apostle Peter would later write to Christians across the Roman Empire about being refined through trials: "You have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6-7). Here, Peter compared faith to gold that is refined by fire, heated until it becomes molten so that, as the temperature climbs, impurities separate and rise to the surface. The refiner scrapes off and discards these impurities until all that remains is pure gold. First5

To be human is about gardening the soul.
To be human is about being gentle with yourself, a restorative mainlined straight to the heart. Is your heart glad in the presence of compassion and grace and mercy? I love prayers that begin with the words, “Thank you…”
I love friends who remind me that I’m not on this journey alone, and that my opinion of myself needs some work.
I love it anytime someone says, “Let’s have a moment of silence,” and then makes it two.
I love cleansing tears that don’t need to be explained away. I love it when I make decisions from a soft heart.
I treasure the certainty that grace gives us all many second chances. And I love to lose track of time in my garden.
Yes. And this is important. To be human (open to awe and wonder, and to stay hydrated in our soul) is a spiritual (and self-compassionate) endeavor.

Sabbath Moments