1 John 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.
This is the last day of 2025 my prayer is that the New Year brings basic decency back to America. Let the light within us give hope to others who are suffering and marginalized in our society and in the world at large. Carla
John 1:5 And the light shined in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Christ entered this dark world to give it spiritual light (Isaiah 9:2). The word translated comprehend can mean (1) to take hold of; (2) to overpower; or (3) to understand. Therefore, this verse may mean that darkness did not positively take hold of or understand the light, or that darkness did not negatively overcome the light. Both statements are true. Humans did not appropriate or understand the light, nor did they overtake or overpower it. Although Satan and his forces resist the light, they cannot thwart its power. In short, Jesus is life and light; those who accept Him are “sons of light” (12:35, 36). As the creation of light was the beginning of the original creation (Genesis 1:3), so when believers receive the light, they become part of the new creation (2 Corinthians 4:3–6). The NKJV Study Bible
The contrast between light and darkness is a prominent theme in John’s Gospel (compare John 1:8–10; 1 John 2:8–10). This antithesis draws on Genesis 1:1–5 (John 1:1) as well as Old Testament traditions of the advent of the Messiah as a light dawning over a world of physical and spiritual darkness (Isaiah 9:2; 60:1–2).
Light and darkness dualism is also present in Jewish literature from this period. The War Scroll, a Dead Sea Scrolls’ document, depicts a cosmic, end times battle between the “sons of light” and the “sons of darkness.” In the document known as the Rule of the Community, the Dead Sea Scrolls’ community associated themselves with the light of the true followers of God and categorized all others as under the dominion of darkness. John’s analogy is similar, but emphasizes one, ultimate light for humanity, which is Jesus. Faithlife Study Bible
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Psalm 18:28
For You will light my lamp;
The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
Ephesians 3:18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—
Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
“There's a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter. We sometimes lose sight of this force when there is suffering, too much pain. Then suddenly the spirit will emerge through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call, and answer in extraordinary ways.” From the film "Mother Teresa"
My friends, let us remember than many hearts are sore. Brokenness is real. In people around us, people we know and love. And yet—the gift of soft-heartedness. So, thank you again, Mr. Rogers. “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Just recently I saw someone wearing a shirt with the saying, “Radicalized by Basic Decency”. I nodded and smiled. And it did my heart good.
However, sometimes, I am broken. Very broken. And I don’t have the words. And I don’t have the strength. So, how can I be a witness then?
Well, this is interesting. You see, compassion (service and care and basic decency) and healing (restoration) are not mutually exclusive. Because the light we share is born in those broken places. Which means that being a witness goes hand in glove with renewal.
In other words, we find replenishment and we choose to be a witness. This is not a pep talk. This is not a test to pass. Or a list I check off for God’s thumbs up. This is permission; the invitation and the affirmation to be and to live, wholeheartedly, softheartedly, and kindheartedly, the truth of who I am.
Please know this my friends: it is from this self—the broken or wounded self—that compassion and kindness and tenderness and empathy and healing and reconciliation can flow.
And let us carry this with us, into the New Year. Sabbath Moments
Hosea 12:8 (ESV) "Ephraim has said, 'Ah, but I am rich; I have found wealth for myself; in all my labors they cannot find in me iniquity or sin. '"
Our society puts so much emphasis on marketing, acquiring and consuming. But have you ever sat down and made a list of things you can't buy? Love, friends, family and all genuine relationships are not for sale. We can't "add to cart" things like character, contentment or forgiveness. College tuition doesn't guarantee we receive wisdom or purpose. All the money in the world can't buy us more days of life or more life in our days.
Still, though we cannot go shopping for these things, we can find what our hearts deeply long for ... if we just know where to look.
Similar to us, the Israelites of Hosea's time had been told and sold the lie that wealth could get them anything they needed. In Hosea 12:8, Ephraim said, "Ah, but I am rich; I have found wealth for myself; in all my labors they cannot find in me iniquity or sin." Not only did the people feel secure with their possessions, but they believed their wealth gained them right standing with God, or at least an expensive illusion of righteousness, weighed in "false balances" they thought He wouldn't notice (Hosea 12:7).
God countered these false claims with His powerful Truth: "I will again make you dwell in tents" (Hosea 12:9). Long ago, the Israelites had lived in tents in the wilderness after the Lord delivered them from slavery in Egypt (Numbers 1:52; Deuteronomy 1:32-33). Today's verse in Hosea was a powerful reminder that they would find themselves in similarly humble circumstances once again.
The same is true for us: Anyone can go from pride to humility in the blink of an eye. Everything in this world that we try to use to fill the deep longings of our hearts, from our money to our jobs, possessions and even people, all are temporary. They can vanish in an instant.Stripped of everything worldly, all we truly have is complete and utter dependance on God.
Friend, the beautiful news is: He alone is more than enough. First5
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