Romans 11:1-8 God is faithful even when we are not.

God is love, full of mercy and grace. He’s patient and wants everyone to come to Him. His love for His creation allowed Jesus to become the sacrifice for the sins of humanity. A small percentage of His chosen will come to Him knowing that Jesus the Christ is their Redeemer King. He will never forsake His own.

Isaiah 63:7-8

I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord 

And the praises of the Lord, 

According to all that the Lord has bestowed on us, 

And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, 

Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, 

According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses. 

8 For He said, “Surely they are My people, 

Children who will not lie.” 

So He became their Savior.

Isaiah 1:9 

Unless the Lord of hosts 

Had left to us a very small remnant, 

We would have become like Sodom, 

We would have been made like Gomorrah

Among His chosen people only a remnant remained faithful to their Creator and the Old Covenant that He made with them.

Romans 11:1-8 I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, 3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”? 4 But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. 7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 

8 Just as it is written:

“God has given them a spirit of stupor, 

Eyes that they should not see 

And ears that they should not hear, 

To this very day.”

God will never abandon His chosen ones. Even though they turned away from Him He didn’t leave them. Throughout God’s dealings with Israel, He always had those who remained faithful in faith believing in His promises to them.

Galatians 3:27-28 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we’re all part of the same family. We’re joint heirs to the promises made to Abraham. Every single word in the Bible was written by the inspiration of Holy Spirit, and it’s going to be fulfilled. The Bible is the greatest love story given to humanity.  The prophecy of Daniel will be fulfilled! During the seven years of tribulation, the anti-Christ will come against God’s chosen ones, but he won’t win. He’ll be defeated by God himself, not by human power. They’ll go through the tribulation and be refined in its fire, but God the Son will save them, and He will be Their King forever. Carla

Paul has spent the previous two chapters addressing the problem of the Jews’ rejection of Jesus as Messiah and the implications of that rejection for salvation. Paul now emphatically insists that, while Israel may have rejected God’s gift of salvation in Christ, God has not rejected Israel in return. Despite present appearances, Israel still plays a role in God’s plan of salvation, and His promises to Israel have not been invalidated. Paul emphasizes his own Jewish lineage as proof that at least some within ethnic Israel will be saved (9:27). 

An Old Testament prophet Paul quotes Elijah (from 1 Kings 19:10, 14), who thought he was Yahweh’s last faithful servant. In 1 Kings 19, Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, king of Israel, sought to kill Elijah after he defeated the prophets of Baal. Elijah, alone in a cave, complained to God about Israel’s unfaithfulness. The prophet considered himself the last faithful person, but God informed Elijah that He had a remnant. I have left for Myself was God’s reply to Elijah indicating the presence of a faithful remnant. A remnant refers to a small number of people who remain faithful to God despite the unfaithfulness of others around them. In Romans, the remnant is composed of Jews who have put their faith in Christ. The existence of this remnant is proof that God has not rejected all of Israel. 

Paul reminds his audience that God’s election of a remnant is based on His grace, and not on works. The elect Identifies those who are part of God’s people due to His sovereign choice. Paul combines three partial quotations (Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 29:10; 6:9). Each one comments on the Israelites’ failure to recognize God’s work among them. Faithlife Study Bible

One of the proofs that God has not cast away the Jewish people is Paul himself. He was an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. He was a Jew, and he was chosen by God to be a believer and an apostle. In this verse, His people refers to the nation of Israel and not just the elect within the nation. 

Paul differentiates between the nation and the remnant, but his point there is that God’s saving of the remnant proves that He has not abandoned His plan for the nation. The NKJV Study Bible

1 Kings 19:10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

1 Kings 19:18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

Isaiah 29:10 

For the LORD has poured out on you

The spirit of deep sleep,

And has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets;

And He has covered your heads, namely, the seers.

Philippians 3:5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee

When Jesus returns to gather His people to Himself forever, we will live in a "city [that] has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb" (Revelation 21:23).

God's glorious presence is all that is needed to eradicate even the possibility of darkness.

For believers in Jesus, this brings us hope: God's presence is enough. 

Today, may we rest assured that God's presence is enough. His presence is sufficient when we find ourselves struggling with finances, friends or worry. He is enough when it feels like the darkness of our past or the weight of daily life seems almost too hard to bear. May we be reminded that when all else fades away in this world, God's glory will remain forever. He is the One who will sustain us. In the days to come, may we intentionally seek His presence for the comfort, strength and light we need. First5

Luke 14:4-7 Gods’ love covers a multitude of sin.

We can love others because God first loved us and He wants no one to perish. We love and care for others because He does!

Isaiah 64:6 

But we are all like an unclean thing, 

And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; 

We all fade as a leaf, 

And our iniquities, like the wind,

Have taken us away.

The New King James Version

God has a special place of peace and perfection waiting for those who love Him. We all deserve nothing but because of God’s amazing mercy and grace, He restores us to Himself through Jesus Christ. Trusting in His salvation is the key to our salvation.

Luke 14:4-7  “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

We must know that we are lost and without hope to accept the righteousness of Jesus to save us. God rejoices whenever one of His creation gives up the direction of our life to Him in faith. Without Him we are like sheep without a Shepherd and without hope.

Romans 1:16-17 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. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” The New King James Version

We are all sinners in need of a Savior. There is no one righteous, no not one. We are only justified in His grace. The Gospel of Christ is the power of God to save to everyone who believes in Him to do what we cannot do. 

Romans 3:23-26 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.

It is not our good works it is the grace of God in Christ Jesus so that no one can boast. We are justified freely by  faith in His blood sacrificed for all who in faith believe. We are justified by faith without the works of the law. Faith plus nothing is the salvation of Christ. 

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Abraham believed and it was counted to him as righteousness. As believers we have been given right standing and peace with God.

Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 

There is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. We walk with Holy Spirit who is able to raise us up to live forever with Him.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 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.

This is the Gospel of Christ…Christ died for our sins. After three days He was resurrected and is now seated at the right hand of the Father in glory. He alone had the power of overcoming death and sin and through the power of Holy Spirit He raises all who believe in His salvation. The simplicity of His Gospel saves all who in faith believe. Carla

Jesus’ point is that the religious leaders will work to save that which is important to them, so He too should work in order to restore a life. Faithlife Study Bible

In ancient times the best seats at a meal were those next to the host. True hospitality and service are given to those who cannot repay. Disciples must have a special concern for the poor, maimed, lame, and blind, as Jesus does. The NKJV Study Bible

Even in the common actions of life, Christ marks what we do, not only in our religious assemblies, but at our tables. We see in many cases, that a man’s pride will bring him low, and before honour is humility. Our Saviour here teaches, that works of charity are better than works of show. But our Lord did not mean that a proud and unbelieving liberality should be rewarded, but that his precept of doing good to the poor and afflicted should be observed from love to him. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Luke 13:15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 

Matthew 12:11 Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? 

Luke 11:43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. 

Deuteronomy 22:4 “You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again

Through faith in Christ, believers are raised from spiritual death to new life (Romans 6:4). And believers are called to live in a way that actively reflects this new life. 

With that reality in mind, we don't just "sleepwalk" through life today: We act, interact, speak and love others in ways that reflect the gospel of Christ and display His goodness, righteousness and Truth (Ephesians 5:9).

The way Christ's light illuminates every area of our lives can also make unbelievers aware that they are living in spiritual darkness ... and Jesus wants to wake them up too! Just as the sun shines on the earth, the Son of God shines His light on and through believers so we become the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). As we proclaim and live out the gospel, the light of Christ that shines through us impacts lives now and for eternity! We get to participate with God in His ultimate plan of redemption and reconciliation for humanity (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Jesus is our hope of restoration, our source of strength, and our freedom from the bondage of sin both now and forever. First5

Sanctuary does not remove us from life. But allows us to be fully alive smack dab in the middle.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin reminds us, “One could say that the whole of life lies in seeing.” 

Yes. Smack dab in the middle. But now I am seeing, living, sacramentally. Sabbath Moments

"This morning, outside I stood
And saw a little red-winged bird
Shining like a burning bush
Singing like a scripture verse
It made me want to bow my head
I remember when church let out
How things have changed since then
Everything is holy now
It used to be a world half-there
Heaven’s second rate hand-me-down
But I walk it with a reverent air
Cause everything is holy now"
Peter Mayer

Micah 6:8 God requires us to care for others!

What does God require of us?

Micah 6:8

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? 

Jeremiah 22:3 Thus says the LORD: “Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. 

The Punishment of Injustice…

Isaiah 63:4-6 

For the day of vengeance is in My heart, 

And the year of My redeemed has come. 

5 I looked, but there was no one to help, 

And I wondered 

That there was no one to uphold; 

Therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me; 

And My own fury, it sustained Me. 

6 I have trodden down the peoples in My anger, 

Made them drunk in My fury, 

And brought down their strength to the earth.”

God so loved His creation the He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him would not perish but will have everlasting life in Him. What are the two commandments that fulfill all the others? To love God above any person, place or thing and to love our neighbors as much as we do ourselves. God protects the marginalized and His love covers them in the blood of Christ the Redeemer King in their faith in Him. Carla

Micah 6:8 gives the answer to the question the prophet asked in Micah 6:6–7. What God requires is heartfelt love and obedience. A proper relationship with God also involves a proper relationship with one’s neighbor. The Hebrew word here often occurs in reference to Yahweh’s covenant with Israel (Deuteronomy 7:9, 12; 1 Kings 8:23; Nehemiah 1:5). This Hebrew word for humility occurs only here in the Old Testament. It traditionally has been understood as referring to humility, but it most likely indicates carefulness or thoughtfulness. Faithlife Study Bible

This verse speaks of the underlying attitudes that must accompany all true worship. what does the Lord require of you: The idea here is that God seeks certain characteristics of true worship from His people. do justly … love mercy … walk humbly: These phrases summarize biblical piety in true worship. The majority of the people of Israel had violated each of these standards repeatedly. The rulers did not know justice (3:1), had no interest in mercy (3:2, 3), and demonstrated no humility (3:11). 

It is the Lord who ultimately gives a person strength, courage, and ability to exercise the virtues of godly living. NKJ Study Bible

Deuteronomy 10:12–13 “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good? 

Hosea 6:6 

For I desire mercy and not sacrifice,

And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Isaiah 57:15 

For thus says the High and Lofty One

Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

I dwell in the high and holy place,

With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,

To revive the spirit of the humble,

And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Deuteronomy 30:15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil

Patience visited me
And it reminded me
That good things take time to come to fruition
And grow slowly with stability
Peace visited me
And it reminded me
That I may remain calm through the storms of life
Regardless of the chaos surrounding me
Hope visited me
And it reminded me
That better times lay ahead
And it would always be there to guide and uplift me
Humility visited me
And it reminded me
That I may achieve it
Not by trying to shrink myself and make myself less
But by focusing on serving the world and uplifting those around me
Kindness visited me
And it reminded me
To be more gentle, forgiving and compassionate toward myself
And those surrounding me
Confidence visited me
And it reminded me
To not conceal or suppress my gifts and talents
In order to make others feel more comfortable
But to embrace what makes me, me
Focus visited me
And it reminded me
That other people’s insecurities and judgements about me
Are not my problem
And I should redirect my attention
From others back to me
Freedom visited me
And it reminded me
That no one has control over my mindset, thoughts and wellbeing
But me
And love visited me
And it reminded me
That I need not search for it in others
As it lies within me.
(Artist unknown)

Sabbath Moments