2 Corinthians 4:3-6 The veil was removed in Jesus!

2 Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 

Ephesians 4:20-24 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

We will be forever changed in Holy Spirit. No longer in the lusts of the flesh but in the newness that only Christ can give. 

1 Timothy 1:15-17  this is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Body of Christ is made of all who, by faith, believe in Jesus alone for salvation. It was  the message hidden and first delivered to Paul by Jesus Himself and it makes perfectly clear that faith in Jesus alone is salvation. Paul is the pattern that we, as non Jews, use and through it  God completes  His promise to Abraham that in him the world would be blessed.

2 Corinthians 4:3-6 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

The god of this world tries to keep the veil, removed through the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ, intact. in believing his lies it stops God’s creation from seeing Him in His fullness.

1 Timothy 2:3-7 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

By faith and not by works we are saved. (John 3:16-18) 

2 Corinthians 5:17-19 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Jesus, in offering His life in exchange for ours, has reconciled us to God. Through Him we are sealed by Holy Spirit who dwells in us. We can live in perfect peace in Him who loves us most. In creating the world God saw that it was good. In Christ we are restored to His original plan for mankind. We make our needs known to Him in prayer and then rest in His peace. I am forever  grateful for all that God has put in my life. Everything is in His hands. Go out and be His hands and feet to the world. Carla

Paul acknowledges that some did not accept the gospel message—not because he obscured or hid anything from them (3:12–14), but because they were blinded by the work of evil forces and false teachers. The god of this age refers to Satan. Satan further blinds those who refuse to obey the gospel. 

Jesus is described as the image of God here and in Colossians 1:15. 

Elsewhere, Paul teaches that believers are to conform to the image of Christ just as Christ bears the image of God (Romans 8:29). The Image of God describes Jesus as the Image of God. Paul and his companions focused their message on Christ’s divine nature as Lord. Paul’s remark suggests that some “false apostles” were presenting themselves as important rather than as servants (2 Corinthians 11:13). Light will shine out of the darkness alludes to the creation account (Genesis 1:3). Just as God created the world, He now makes believers a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Faithlife Study Bible

Unbelievers have a barrier to overcome: the god of this age has blinded their minds. Because of Satan’s deception, sometimes what the world thinks is obviously true is painfully wrong (Proverbs 14:12). Jesus Christ is God’s Son, and He perfectly reveals God the Father to us. Although human beings have been created in the image of God, through sin they have fallen from a perfect relationship with God. Jesus Christ is restoring believers to what they were originally created to be (3:18; Genesis 1:26). 

Paul’s message is that Jesus is divine. The NKJV Study Bible

Genesis 1:3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 

2 Peter 1:19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

Here’s what I want to bring to any moment, or any encounter (in the “time that is given us”).

--Showing up.

--Being present, wrapped in empathy.

--Enabling the power of connection and healing, fueled by kindness. 

On the days when public opinion pesters, I keep this Parker Palmer quote close by. “It is a strange gift, this birthright gift of self. Discovering vocation does not mean scrambling toward some prize just beyond my reach but accepting the treasure of true self I already possess. Vocation does not come from a voice ‘out there’ calling me to become something I am not. It comes from a voice ‘in here’ calling me to be the person I was born to be, fulfill the original selfhood given me at birth by God.”

And in my heart I know that vocation is not just my job or calling, but the mark I leave and the place I take in this world. True, living into this authentic (embodied) self is neither easy nor managed by a checklist. But this much is certain: living into our authentic self begins with a whole heart. Sabbath Moments

I often look to Bible verses that speak of this, like “for by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8) and “there is salvation in no one else” (Acts 4:12). And Romans 10:9 says if we confess with our mouths and believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved. 

All people have the opportunity to know Jesus and to experience salvation because of God's amazing grace. It was God's plan from the beginning to bring His Son to earth through the Jewish people; however, it was also God's plan to offer salvation through His Son to everyone. God told Abraham, the father of Israel, "In your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 26:4).

Jesus confirmed God's faithful plan for all of humankind in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (emphases added). In other words, salvation from spiritual death is a gift that no one could ever earn but that everyone can receive by faith in Jesus. Praise God for the simplicity of the gospel and His amazing grace! First5

1 Corinthians 3:9-11 We were created for good works!

Christ Our Peace!

Ephesians 2:13-18 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Ephesians 3-7 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

The gentile world was without Christ until Paul revealed the mystery given to him by Jesus on the road to Damascus. Now,  Jew and Gentile, are all united in the finished work of the Cross in Jesus Christ. Jew and Gentile form one body and have access to God in peace through Christ. 

1 Corinthians 3:9-11 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

Revelation 19:11-13 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 

The Body of Christ is built on the solid foundation of Jesus. The revelation of this mystery of one body was given to Paul by Christ Himself. There is gold in the Scriptures waiting for us to mine. Jesus is the Word of God made flesh in Him and through the Holy Spirit working in our lives. The  word of God gives us life.

2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”

Are we building on our foundation and doing the good works that we were created to do? It is not our salvation that is in question but how we are being the hands and feet of Christ. The Spirit of God dwells within us as believers. We are His temple. Whatever we do reflects on how others see God. our love for Him should show in our lives. We care for others because He does.

Acts 15:7-11 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

It was a long and difficult mental  journey for the Jewish believers who were born under the Law to accept the Gentile believers freedom  by faith in Jesus alone. The law and the prophesies were fulfilled in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. He split the veil in two which separated us. We are now free to worship God in peace through Jesus and to do all that we were created to do.  There is gold to be found. Carla

Fields represents the people of God, among whom His servants labor. The church community also displays the Holy Spirit’s power to give life and bring growth (1 Corinthians 3:16). God’s building refers to a unified picture of the church community. Paul describes the Corinthian believers as the temple of God. The grace of God given to me refers to God enabling the Apostle Paul to plant new churches, especially the one in Corinth. Master builder refers to the person who directs a construction project. A foundation refers to Jesus Christ who is essential to the stability of the church community. How he is building upon it refers to instruction for the believers’ growth in being Christlike (Acts 18:27–28). Faithlife Study Bible

Paul had planted, or started, the church in Corinth; Apollos had watered it—had a significant ministry there after Paul left. But both men were only servants through whom God worked. The ones who plant and water have nothing to boast about because God gives the increase: Only God draws unbelievers to Himself. It is our responsibility to do our job no matter what the results, for God will reward us for our efforts and the quality of our work (9:24–27). 

Paul had established the church at Corinth on the foundation of Christ. These building materials, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, refer to the quality of work done by the Corinthians, and possibly also to their motivations or the kinds of doctrines they taught. The NKJV Study Bible

I love the book Noticing, by Kobi Yamada. And I loved this, "Everyone shines and needs to be seen. Everyone wants to know that they matter, that there is a place for them, that they are needed. Sure, some may hide their brilliance, but the light is in there, always flickering, and it is a beautiful thing when we can reflect it back to them."

(In a review about the book I read: Noticing is designed for five-to-eight-year-old readers, but of course the reminder to fill our lives with attentive wonder has no age limits. Can I get an Amen?)

Let us remember my friends, we are healers. Sabbath Moments

As Jesus says in John 16:33, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." Jesus defeated our greatest adversaries, sin and death, when He died on the cross in our place (1 Corinthians 15:57; Hebrews 2:14)!

Jesus does not leave us on our own. We can lean on His Word and the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to strengthen, encourage and teach us how to grow in faith and bear fruit until Jesus returns (John 14:16; John 16:13). First5

We abide in the shelter of God’s agape love!

While we may not be called to the ends of the earth, we are all commissioned to share the Good News of Jesus Christ wherever we may be. And as Acts 13 illustrates, we will be blessed when we follow where the Holy Spirit leads, even in the midst of opposition, as He continues to build His beautifully diverse Church. First5

“We have to stop pretending we are individuals that can go it alone,” Margaret J Wheatley reminds us. “I believe that if we turn to one another… let go of our judgments, become curious about each other, and take the risk to begin a conversation… the world will be a better place.”
A reminder that yes, “In the shelter of each other the people live.”
And one of the gifts of connection, is that it invites us (allows us) to embrace vulnerability and tenderness—we are indeed, on this journey together. And with tenderness, a soft heart.
And I get it. Really. I do. But if we're honest, this whole soft heart routine can give us plenty of headaches. Especially in a culture that associates soft with weak or frail or compromised or wimpy. A culture where “strength” hides behind insecurity. And in that kind of world, we see only what we want to see, and we miss the profound truth: the connection between tenderness (soft heart) and courage. 

Here’s the good news; this is not a project or assignment or test. A tender heart is a gift to embrace.
And a gift to spill.
A gift that changes the world.

And when we live from tenderness, we “see” one another. Sabbath Moments

Acts 9:10-16 The hidden mystery was that in Jesus the world could be saved!

Grace. Unmerited. Undeserved.

Ephesians 2:11-13 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 

It was always the plan of God that Gentiles would be included in the salvation of Jesus Christ.  Nothing is left to chance in Him. From Adam to Abraham there was basically one Adamic race. The lineage of Adam continued in his son Seth. Only a remnant were left by the time of Noah. By the time of Abraham there was only his lineage that believed in God.  Without God in their lives, without Jesus and His work of the Cross, there was no hope.

Exodus 11:6-10 there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again. 7 But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the Lord does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.’ 8 And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, ‘Get out, and all the people who follow you!’ After that I will go out.” Then he went out from Pharaoh in great anger. 9 But the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not heed you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10 So Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh; and the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go out of his land.

Israel was to be a chosen nation above all the other nations of the world. God put a difference between them and the nations of the Gentile world. The oracles of God were given to them. They were a sacred, called out, nation. 

Exodus 19:3-6 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ 

If the nation of Israel would keep the covenants of God they would be above all people. All the earth belongs to Him and He is in total control. They would be a nation set apart for Him. The 12 tribes of Israel are the Jews of the circumcised.  The rest of the world are Gentiles and the uncircumcised. 

Isaiah 42:1 

Behold! 

My Servant whom I uphold, 

My Elect One in whom My soul delights! 

I have put My Spirit upon Him; 

He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

Until the resurrection and the salvation of the Cross and the rejection of Jesus by His chosen people the mystery of salvation for the Gentiles in the name of Jesus was hidden. The mystery would be revealed to the Apostle Paul, an apostle called in God’s perfect timing. To them salvation was given, a gift from God. Faith in Jesus alone would bring them near to God in His peace. Unmerited and undeserved grace came with shouts of Peace to the world.

Isaiah 42:6 “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles,

Acts 11:19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 

The Apostles became  followers of the way. They believed in their Messiah, Jesus. After the persecution and the stoning of Stephen they scattered and preached to the Jews the arrival of their King, Jesus of Nazareth. Few accepted Him.

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 came to His own and His own knew Him not!

Acts 9:10-16 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Then Jesus selected Paul, a devout Jew,  an Apostle out of time, a persecutor of those who believed in Jesus, to  preach to the Gentiles the message of the Cross. In Jesus, the gift of God, the message of salvation by faith alone was given. Faith  in His name provided salvation to the rest of the world. John 3:16-18 Carla

Through Jesus’ words to Ananias, the significance of Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus is revealed. The street called Straight was a. major road in Damascus. Ananias is concerned; the Lord is sending him to a vicious persecutor of the church. There is irony surrounding the name of Jesus in His dialog with Ananias about Saul. Ananias objects that Saul has persecuted those who call on Jesus’ name (Acts 9:14); Jesus reveals that He has chosen and transformed Saul precisely so that he will carry that name to the Gentiles—and even suffer for it (verse 16). Faithlife Study Bible.

Not an apostle but a layman, a certain disciple … named Ananias was ready and available to be used by God. He did not know that God would send him to Saul, the man who had been vigorously persecuting the Christians. In ancient Damascus, the street called Straight went from one end of the city to the other. So far in Acts, Christians have been called “disciples,” “believers,” and those belonging to “the Way” (5:14; 6:1; 9:2). Here the word saints is used. It means those set apart by God for use in His service. The NKJV Study Bible

A good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ’s feet with those words, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never did Christ leave any who were brought to that. Behold, the proud Pharisee, the unmerciful oppressor, the daring blasphemer, prayeth! And thus it is even now, and with the proud infidel, or the abandoned sinner. What happy tidings are these to all who understand the nature and power of prayer, of such prayer as the humbled sinner presents for the blessings of free salvation!  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary.

Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 

Acts 20:23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 

Acts 21:39–40 But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,

Acts 22:3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. 

Acts 25:22–23 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.”“Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command Paul was brought in.

…remembering Macrina Wiederkehr’s affirmation, “When we reach out in compassion and love to other people, we are filling the space that surrounds them—and us—with love. We are creating a space of love. We are rooting ourselves in love and hospitality.” Sabbath Moments