Ephesians 4:32 God is all-powerful for good not evil!

Ephesians 5:3-5 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 

Jeremiah 32:27 "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?" 

We must be very careful in this day and age to call evil for what it is and not cloak it in a culture that calls what is good evil and what is evil good. We do not fight against man but against the very powers of spiritual evil that exist.

Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Do you honestly believe that our all-powerful, all-knowing God could not destroy evil? Have we forgotten the parting of the Red Sea, the walls of Jericho that came tumbling down, or the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah? God accomplished all  of this without any help from  man. He  wants no one to perish so He provided Jesus who offered His life for ours that in Him the world could be saved. God wants us to choose Him, freely out of love, not the forced dictates of man. He created mankind in HIS image not ours. Carla

The Greek word used here for forgiving, charizomai, implies not only forgiving, but doing so with a gracious attitude. Paul uses this same word elsewhere to describe God’s forgiveness (Colossians 2:13). Faithlife Study Bible

Believers are to follow the example of God’s actions. He loved us when we were still His enemies. As imitators, believers should demonstrate that type of self-sacrificial love. The NKJV Study Bible

Filthy words proceed from corruption in the speaker, and they corrupt the minds and manners of those who hear them: Christians should beware of all such discourse. It is the duty of Christians to seek, by the blessing of God, to bring persons to think seriously, and to encourage and warn believers by their conversation. Be ye kind one to another. This sets forth the principle of love in the heart, and the outward expression of it, in a humble, courteous behaviour. Mark how God’s forgiveness causes us to forgive. God forgives us, though we had no cause to sin against him. We must forgive, as he has forgiven us. All lying, and corrupt communications, that stir up evil desires and lusts, grieve the Spirit of God. Corrupt passions of bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil-speaking, and malice, grieve the Holy Spirit. Provoke not the holy, blessed Spirit of God to withdraw his presence and his gracious influences. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

What if… wired to care, we see in this life, this day, even in the very muddle of the ordinary, even in the very chaos, the permission to trust our sufficiency, embrace our wounds as they become sacred wounds, and become places of empathy, compassion, healing? Because grace is alive and well.

“Spirituality means waking up.” (Anthony de Mello reminds us.) To the power of the present moment. There is no doubt that waking up isn’t always cheerful. Or easy. It is, however, worth it.

Because wholehearted people live present, with hearts susceptible and open to tenderness and mercy, human touch and healing. Yes, please, “Just say it again”. 

This is our reminder that we need 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—the light “in our cup”—that we have received, and we give, offer, hold, touch, care, soothe, empathize, and invite sanctuary. “Sabbbath Moments”

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV) "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

In Ephesians 3:14-19, Paul prayed for believers to be strengthened and rooted in Christ's unfathomable love and to experience the fullness of God's character, thereby growing in understanding of His infinite and perfect nature. As Paul ended this deeply theological prayer, he exalted the greatness of God.

First, Paul acknowledged God's omnipotence, or the fact that He is all-powerful, "able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). Nothing is impossible for Him. Because of God's infinite power, we can experience His infinite abundance. 

Paul also praised God's omniscience, or the fact that He is all-knowing. Ephesians 3:20 says God can do more than we "think," which reminds us that He knows our thoughts, deepest fears, and desires. Not only can He provide more than we ask, but He can also answer prayers we are afraid to say or have no words to articulate (Psalm 5:1; Romans 8:26).

There are no burdens too heavy for God to lift. No doors He cannot open. No sicknesses He cannot heal. No chains He cannot break. No circumstances He cannot redeem. First5

Hebrews 11:11 God is faithful!!!

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

We must never underestimate the power of God in our lives.

Hebrews 11:11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 

Faith allows us to live a life of peace. Faith allows us to trust in His purpose not only in our lives but in the lives that we touch with His love. Faith allows us to hope in the midst of the trials that we face. Our faith pleases God and our faith will get us safely home to Him. Carla

The wife of Abraham; one of several women in Genesis who were barren (Genesis 11:30; 25:21; 29:31). Faithlife Study Bible

Though the Book of Genesis does not explicitly say so, Sarah evidently believed that nothing was too hard for the Lord (Genesis 18:15). As a result, God blessed her with the promised son, though she was past the age of child-bearing. The NKJV Study Bible

Sarah received the promise as the promise of God; being convinced of that, she truly judged that he both could and would perform it.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Genesis 18:11–14 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”…

Genesis 21:1–2 And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. 

Genesis 17:17–19 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!”…

Luke 1:36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren

One evening, a Cherokee elder is teaching his grandson about life.

“A fight is going on inside me,” he says to the boy. “It can be a persistent and often very draining fight. It is a fight between two wolves. And this battle that goes on between the two wolves is inside every one of us.”

The grandfather continues, “One wolf is Evil. He is bitterness, envy, jealousy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

And the other wolf is Good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute, and then asks his grandfather: “But which wolf will win?”

Wisely, the grandfather simply smiles, and replies, “The one you feed the most.”

So. Tell me this… if I get to say how the story ends, how do I move forward?

How do I choose love and compassion and kindness, over anger and hatred?

How do I make space for healing and redemption and reconciliation, over resentment and bitterness? “Sabbath Moments”

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV) "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

I remember the first time I learned that for Christians, hope isn't merely wishful thinking but confident expectation based on our belief that God always fulfills His promises. Until I came upon this definition, I'm not sure what I thought hope was. Maybe something I desired but wasn't really sure about? Yet with this incredible revelation, I came to understand that our Lord's abiding faithfulness is the foundation of true hope. And this gives us strength to look to the future confidently, even when we're surrounded by what may seem like hopeless, overwhelming circumstances. 

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23).

"Steadfast love" in this verse is translated from the Hebrew word hesed, which refers to unwavering devotion and covenantal faithfulness. God's perfect justice required His judgment on Judah's sin, but despite their years of rebellion, our Lord remained faithful in His loving promises to His chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 105:8; Isaiah 54:10). Because of his belief in God's unchanging hesed, the Lamentations poet placed his hope in God and chose to "wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD" (Lamentations 3:26).

This same steadfast love of God is ours today through faith in Jesus Christ. Even in God's discipline, His justice is in perfect balance with His unending mercy, and His grace is greater than all our sin (Romans 5:20-21). We may be surrounded by the devastation of our actions, and it may seem like we have nothing left, but our heavenly Father hasn't left us, and He is everything we need (Lamentations 3:24; Psalm 73:26).

When we finally do turn away from sin and toward our Lord in humble repentance, we find our hope again in the confident expectation that "the LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him" (Lamentations 3:25). 

Today's key verses remind us that every morning is a provision of God's grace, the dawning of a new chance to seek Him. Indeed, "his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning" (Psalm 30:5). 

Today, no matter what I am facing, may I choose to rest my hope on You: my portion, strength, joy, and salvation! In Jesus' name, amen. First5

Pope Leo: True peace comes from Jesus

Philemon 1:25 But for the grace of God here we are!

Psalm 51:12 

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

The grace of God is unmerited and undeserved. There are no righteous works that can earn it. There is no one righteous person who deserves it. If salvation  could be earned, Jesus would not have offered His life in exchange for ours.  His sacrifice would have been in vain. His sacrifice placed   us in right standing with God. It was too small a thing that He would be salvation to the Jews alone. Jesus came that in Him the world could be saved!

Philemon 1:25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

What an amazing, loving Father that we serve. God offers us salvation in the sacrifice of Jesus. In our salvation we have the heart of God, Holy Spirit, who is always ready to guide us into the ways of His Son. Joy in our salvation is our strength. Carla

Galatians 6:18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

2 Timothy 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

One of my favorite homilies to preach is from Matthew’s Gospel. Where Jesus tells the disciples, “You are the light of the world.”

And then adds, “Let your light shine.”

Can you give me a synonym for the verb let? Yes, Allow.

Allow, as in, the light is already there. Inside.

Jesus never said, “Create the light.” He never said, “Make the light.” He never even said, “Be good at light shining.”

He simply told us to get out of the way, and let the light that is already there, spill.

So. Instead of light shining classes, let us give ourselves the gift of embracing the light that is alive and well inside... the light of compassion, kindness, empathy, inclusion and hope.

(I can’t help but sing out loud, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”)

Here's the deal: When I see only scarcity, I miss the fact that every single one of us has been gifted with creativity, heart,

love, passion,

gentleness, helpfulness,

caring, kindness,

tenderness and a shoulder to lean on (for crying or for dancing, depending on the mood at the time).

This is the paradigm—and the gift—of Sufficiency.

Opportunities to be generous, big-hearted, kind, human, thoughtful, empathetic and attentive.  Opportunities to offer hope. Even if the gifts we give (or the light that shines and spills) comes from a wounded or broken heart. “Sabbath Moments”

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you. '"

The lavish gift of God's Son supersedes the love of money and replaces it with peace. 

But warnings like this are found throughout Scripture, perhaps because we don't recognize our affection for money as easily as we think. 

1 Timothy 6:10 states that the love of money leads to all kinds of evil and troubles, including wandering away from faith in Jesus. The writer of Hebrews wasn't saying money is evil, just the love of it. The things we possess can start to possess us when we attach our affection to a way of living instead of the One who gives us life. True life does not consist in the abundance of things (Luke 12:15), which can never satisfy our spiritual longings.

Yet Scripture also does not require us to take a vow of poverty like monks, either. We are specifically called to a "free" life in Hebrews 13:5, neither trapped by self-deprivation nor trapped by self-indulgence.

The secret of this contentment is found in Christ alone. In Christ, we have all we need (2 Peter 1:3). He is enough for us even during lean times and hard circumstances. Jesus doesn't want His people to worry about provision as the world does (Matthew 6:31-32) because our hope is not in our provision but in the presence of our Provider. First5

Micah 6:8 what does God require of us? He requires us to walk humbly with Him. In our humility we are teachable. These two things God hates…pride and arrogance.

James 4:6-10 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 

“God resists the proud, 

But gives grace to the humble.” 

 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Humility Cures Worldliness. Out of the heart the mouth speaks. Carla

God’s grace is greater than the human inclination to sin. James quotes Proverbs 3:34, highlighting God’s opposition toward the proud who disregard Him and despise others. 

The passage further stresses God’s kindness to the lowly—those who recognize their insufficiency and depend on Him. 

Because the church was fractured and needed healing, James calls the community to collectively approach God. Here, James draws on Old Testament language of sacrifice (Leviticus 10:3; 21:21–23), as the Septuagint (the ancient Greek Old Testament) uses the term engizō (“to draw near”) to describe the priest offering sacrifices in the temple. The Greek term used here, cheir, figuratively represents a person’s deeds (Psalm 24:4; Isaiah 1:15–16). The command to cleanse them indicates that they were defiled with sin and required purification (2 Corinthians 7:1). 

James encourages Christians to embrace an attitude of humility and repentance. The Old Testament often associates laughter with a person who has no fear of God (Proverbs 29:9) Faithlife Study Bible

God resists the proud: James quotes from Proverbs 3:34 to prove his point. Those who submit to divine wisdom will receive the necessary grace from God to put into practice the kind of life James describes (3:13–18). On the other hand, those who elevate themselves will face a formidable foe (verse 4). God Himself will fight against their plans because they are not on His side. 

We must follow in order the two commands in this verse. 

First we must submit to God by abandoning our selfish pride (verses 1–6). Submitting to the Lord also involves putting on the whole armor of God, an image that includes everything from placing our faith in Him to immersing ourselves in the truth of God’s Word (Ephesians 6:11–18). 

Second, we must resist any temptation that the devil throws our way. Then the Evil One will have no choice but to flee, for we will belong to the army of the living God. 

When a believer who has fallen into sin responds to God’s call for repentance, he or she should place laughter and joy aside to reflect on the sin with genuine sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:9, 10). In this verse, laughter seems to refer to the loud revelry of pleasure-loving people. They immerse themselves in a celebration of their sins in an effort to forget God’s judgment. 

A Christian should never laugh at sin. 

However, Christian sorrow leads to repentance; repentance leads to forgiveness; and forgiveness leads to true joy over one’s reconciliation with God (Psalm 32:1; 126:2; Proverbs 15:13). The NKJV Study Bible

Proverbs 3:34 

Surely He scorns the scornful,

But gives grace to the humble.

Isaiah 1:16 

 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;

Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.

Cease to do evil,

Ephesians 4:27 nor give place to the devil. 

Ephesians 6:11–12 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

This week we picture our life as a cup.

And when life happens, and shakes us, the contents of our cup (our inner selves, the contents of our heart and spirit) will spill out.

So, when life gets tough, “What’s in my cup, and what spills over?”

Will it be gratefulness, peace, humility, joy and clarity?

Or, will it be anger, bitterness, resentment, harsh words and misunderstanding?

So, yes, life does provide us the cup, but we choose how to fill it.

Or maybe, we have forgotten who we are, and forgotten what is at our core—what is in our DNA, “the Imago Dei”—and our core gets covered or disregarded or buried with other noise and “stuff”.

The cacophony in our world is loud. And if we’re at all insecure about our status—the grace that is in our cup, if you will—we are susceptible to (blinded by) public opinion, social media pressure and mob mentality. Bluntly, we lose our way. 

Okay, I’ll personalize this; I lose my way. And here’s how I know; when I demean, exclude, diminish, withhold mercy or withhold empathy (from others or myself) I lose my way. And it is no surprise that it “fills my cup” with depletion and impoverishment.

In Parker Palmer’s words, “Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic selfhood. As we do so, we will find our path of authentic service in the world.”

Let us wade in, returning to the truth of who we are (you know, the one already here), and to the light we can spill.

To live fully into the self I’ve been given, an authentic self not gummed up with so many limiting stories. “Sabbath Moments”

…when we live like sheep following the Good Shepherd, we can count on the benefits of contentment, restoration, guidance, and protection:

1. Contentment. We can turn to God and find contentment even amid the tensions in our jobs, families, and communities.

2. Restoration. We see a picture of God showing mercy.

3. Guidance. Psalm 23:3 similarly assures that the Lord will guide us "in paths of righteousness" to honor His name.

4. Protection. Psalm 23:4 reminds us that our Good Shepherd will also defend us from external enemies and protect us from our own tendency to stray. His rod of protection and staff of compassion are meant to comfort us. 

You are my Shepherd. Show me what it looks like to receive Your gifts of contentment, restoration, guidance, and protection in my life today. In Jesus' name, amen. First5