2 Corinthians 4:3-4 The power of God is revealed in our faith.

No human can understand the totality of salvation in Jesus. He suffered, who knew no sin, giving up His life in our place. The blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles through faith alone. This gift of God shows His agape love and no greater love exists.

Galatians 4:4-7 when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son,  born    of a woman,  born under the law, 5  to redeem those who were under the law,  that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth  the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out,  “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son,  and if a son, then an heir  of God  through Christ.

Everything that Jesus did in His first coming was according to the Law and to the Israelites. It was revealed to Apostle Paul after His resurrection that in Him the world could be saved by grace and not by the law so that no one could boast of his own good works.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Galatians 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 

We were once slaves under Satan and pawns in his slave market. Now,  in Christ,  we are redeemed. Freed from the power of sin into His glorious light of salvation.

Peter 1:18-21 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Jew or Gentile, Peter addressed all believers we are saved by the blood of Christ alone. Jesus is the sinless lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He who had no sin died for us who were slaves to it. 

Matthew 4:8-11 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Christ in the flesh, totally man and totally God, was tempted to share in the  power of Satan, the god of this fallen world. We worship the Lord our God and serve only Him. Without Christ we are lost without the power to overcome sin and we have no protection from it. In Christ we are freed from sin and live in the righteousness of Jesus and not our own. We are changed precept by precept into the image of the One who saved us!

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 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.

The gospel of grace is hidden from those who do not believe. It is only revealed by faith in Jesus Christ.  Satan only wants to kill, steal and destroy those created by God for His glory. 

Revelation 5:1-7 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”

6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

No human has the power, nor is worthy, to pay the price of salvation. Only Jesus the Christ, all man/all God, has the power to overcome sin and death. Only the  sacrifice of the Lamb of God can save those enslaved to it. Jesus is the name above all names! Carla

Have you seen the documentary, War Dance?  I recommend it.

The film centers on three children (Rose, a 13-year-old singer; Nancy, a 14-year-old dancer; and Dominic, a 14-year-old xylophone player). They are members of the Acholi ethnic group, living in the remote northern Uganda refugee camp under military protection from the Lord's Resistance Army, a group that has been rebelling against the government for the past two decades.

In 2005, the camp's primary school won its regional music competition and headed to Kampala to participate in the annual National Music Competition which included performing the Bwola, the dance of the Acholi. Over the course of three months, the film's creative team observes the three youngsters as they prepare for the event and gain their confidence enough to have them discuss the horrors they have experienced and express their individual fears, hopes, and dreams.

Nancy says, "When I dance my problems vanish. The camp is gone. I can feel the wind. I can feel the fresh air, I am free and I can feel my home. I feel proud to be an Acholi when I dance. You have to be fearless, like a warrior. In my heart, I am more than a child of war. I am talented. I am a musician. I am Acholi."

In a world heavy and uncertain, more than ever, dance and music are an essential part of our immune system for a healthy heart and soul and spirit. For hopes and dreams. They create a space for engagement, or more precisely, reengagement. I do know that I can let down my guard, my armor, which helps me (allows me) to remember and embrace a tender heart, and the capacity to embrace connection, empathy and compassion. All of which is alive and well inside. These are gifts that we have forgotten, or gifts that are too easily buried.

John Lewis’ reminder, “You are a light. You are the light. Never let anyone—any person or any force—dampen, dim or diminish your light.”

Let’s give St. Catherine of Siena the last word; and take it to heart...

I won't take no for an answer,

God began to say

to me

when He opened His arms each night

wanting us to

dance. Sabbath Moments

…we all need godly friends. And even more, we need God. He is the "friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). Friendships are important, sometimes lasting for a season and sometimes for a lifetime, yet our relationship with God is forever. Through the blood of Christ, we can draw near to God, and He can help us find friends to walk alongside as we pursue Him wholeheartedly. First5

The hand of God is shown in the lives of His creation!

We study to stand approved…not saved. Salvation is the free gift of a loving Father. His story in Scripture is for us to have insight into the wonderful inclusion of God in our lives.

Genesis 37:19 Then they said to one another, “Look, this  dreamer is coming! 20  Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, ‘Some wild beast has devoured him.’ We shall see what will become of his dreams!” 21 But  Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, “Let us not kill him.” 22 And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him”—that he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father. 23 So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they  stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. 24 Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it. 25  And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of  Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices,  balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt. 26 So Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and  conceal his blood? 27 Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and  let not our hand be upon him, for he is  our brother and  our flesh.” And his brothers listened. 28 Then  Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit,  and sold him to the Ishmaelites for  twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. 29 Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he  tore his clothes. 30 And he returned to his brothers and said, “The lad  is no more; and I, where shall I go?”

Joseph in a dream was prophetically told of his future in God’s plan for the Israelites. His brothers did not like his dream but little did they know that their actions would bring about the reality of that very dream. What the sons of Israel meant for harm God turned for his good and the good of the Israelites.  Our lives , as believers,  are in the very capable and loving hands of God. Will the path be without trouble…no. But it will always work out for our eternal good in His will for those who believe in Him.

The redemption of the Israelites is a shadow of the coming redemption in Jesus Christ. In His resurrection we are freed. By His shed blood the world, through Him, could be saved. John 3:17

Exodus 11:6-11 Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. 4 And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. 7 And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. 8 Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire—its head with its legs and its entrails. 10 You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. 11 And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.

Without the shedding of blood there is no redemption. Out of death comes life. In Jesus, in His birth, death and resurrection there is abundant life. 

Exodus 12:13 the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Exodus 12:26-28 26  And it shall be, when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27 that you shall say,  ‘It is the Passover sacrifice of the Lord, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.’ ” So the people  bowed their heads and worshiped. 28 Then the children of Israel went away and  did so; just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.

Exodus 14:10-15 And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel  cried out to the Lord. 11  Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12  Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people,  “Do not be afraid.  Stand still, and see the  salvation  of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall  see again no more forever. 14  The Lord will fight for you, and you shall  hold  your peace.”

Nothing in history is left to chance it is always under the direct intervention of God in His plan. The power of God was revealed in the Passover and in the Exodus. How much more the power of God was revealed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Everything needed for salvation was finished in it. His final judgement is delayed because of His mercy and grace. God wants no one to perish but all to accept His gift of salvation. Carla

In the soil of showing up and being present, compassion is grown. And there, we make a difference. Yes, compassion is born from big hearts that are fully alive, hearts that are grateful, hearts that see how we are all connected to one another.

And that connection matters.

And that connection makes our world a better place.

Gifts of compassion show up in delightful and surprising ways. Surprising because they can be unexpected, because they don’t always fit in the mental box we’ve made for love—for compassion and kindness and empathy. That’s why compassion will always break down barriers, and defenses, and walls, and injustice, allowing us to embrace the gift of vulnerability.

Coretta Scott King’s reminder, “Love is such a powerful force. It’s there for everyone to embrace—that kind of unconditional love for all of humankind. That is the kind of love that impels people to go into the community and try to change conditions for others, to take risks for what they believe in.” Sabbath Moments

Prayer for Justice

Grant us, Lord God, a vision of your world

as your love would have it:

a world where the weak are protected,

and none go hungry or poor;

a world where the riches of creation are shared,

and everyone can enjoy them;

a world where different races and cultures

live in harmony and mutual respect;

a world where peace is built with justice,

and justice is guided by love.

Give us the inspiration and courage to build it,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Author Unknown

Obstacles don't mean God isn't at work. Knowing this, we keep pressing forward even when the way seems uncertain.We take note of the spiritual fruit God is growing in us, trusting He has a plan we can't always see. As His children, we lean on Him and into His love, no matter what comes. First5

Romans 3:22-26 The precious blood of the Lamb.

God’s plan was always to buy back what was lost.  Jesus bought back mankind which was lost to God in the fall of Adam and Eve. Through HIS story God has brought forth the Redeemer King and in faith in Him we are redeemed.

Genesis 1:27-28 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

God’s personality was placed in man upon creation. The mind, will and emotions of His character  were manifested in the body of Jesus but without sin. We also are born into a temporary body that will pass but our mind, will and emotion live forever.  The whole of earth was put under the care of mankind. 

Genesis. 2:16-23 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” 18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. 21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

After the earth was established and named God saw that Adam did not want to be alone. So he was given a helpmate. They were created to help each other through life.  They walked with God until they lost their favored position by their disobedience. 

Genesis 3:8-11 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” 11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”

Grace originated that day. In His mercy and grace He sought them out. Adam and Eve were made aware of their sin and from that time until this day we seek to hide from the very One who created us. The fellowship which they had shared with God and themselves was broken. 

Genesis 1:17-24 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.” 20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. 21 Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. 22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—23 therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

Adam named the woman Eve because she was the mother of all who would be born. By faith they would reproduce and they accepted that they would live not knowing the plans of God. 

Without faith it is impossible to please God. 

God clothed them with the blood of an animal. It would be symbolic that without the shedding of blood there is no redemption. It was a shadow of the coming of Jesus the Christ the Redeemer King. He is the Savior of the world!

Isaiah 61:10-11 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

The same mercy that God extended to Adam and Eve by faith in Him He gave to Israel.  That same grace was extended to all of humankind by faith in Jesus and the salvation that only He could give. 

Romans 3:22-26 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 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. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

We are clothed, not in our righteousness, but in the righteousness of Jesus. God sees Him in us and we are redeemed in the precious blood of the Lamb. Carla

The Greek phrase here could mean “faith in Jesus Christ” or “the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.” Paul could have had both meanings in mind. All who believe emphasizes  the inclusive nature of the gospel message.  Paul uses the circumstances of Abraham’s life to describe the nature of faith. The gift of righteousness applies to all who have faith in Christ, without any distinction between Jews and Gentiles. Many Jews believed there was a distinction between Jews and Gentiles. Because Gentiles were not “under the law” Jews regarded them as unclean. The Apostle Peter shared this perspective when he arrived at the house of a Gentile named Cornelius (Acts 10:27–28). However, once he saw that God had given the Spirit to Gentiles, just as He had to Jews, he realized that God did not make distinctions based on race (Acts 10:34, 45). 

Both Jews and Gentiles have failed to live up to God’s standard; sin is universal. As a result, God’s provision of righteousness by faith, as opposed to law or race, relates to all people. In Jewish tradition, God created humanity in His likeness to reflect His glory. But when Adam sinned, humanity lost the reflection of God’s image. To be justified means to be set right or declared righteous. It refers to both the acquittal of all charges and the provision of right status before God. Justification stands in contrast to condemnation (verse 7). 

The Greek word used here for mercy seat, apolytrōsis, refers to the act of freeing a slave or prisoner by payment. People were enslaved to sin (6:16–17, 20), so God offered His Son as the payment to “redeem” them (verses 25; 8:32; Isaiah 53:12). Paul’s understanding of redemption probably was shaped by two paradigmatic acts of redemption in Israel’s history—the exodus and the return from the Babylonian exile. The Greek word used here for mercy seat, hilastērion, refers to the lid of the ark of the covenant (Leviticus 16:15–16; Hebrews 9:5). Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the Jewish high priest would apply animal’s blood to this lid (Leviticus 16:14). 

Paul’s description suggests that Christ functions as the locus of atonement in the new covenant. Atonement Identifies Jesus’ blood as the means for dealing with sin. Elsewhere, references to the blood of Jesus signify His violent and sacrificial death. 

Through the crucifixion of Christ, God showed Himself righteous. He judged sin but also provided righteousness for those who have faith in Christ (Isaiah 53:11). 

God had left the sins of previous generations unpunished. This demonstrates His kindness toward humanity, not indifference toward sin. The forbearance of God refers to the patience God displayed when delaying punishment for sin. Just refers to an attribute of God’s character. In verses 5–6, Paul’s hypothetical conversation partner raised a question about the legitimacy of God’s character in relation to human sin. Paul argued that sin is universal and God’s condemnation is therefore just (verses 9–18). The apostle now explains that Christ’s death showed that God was not indifferent to sin. He is just. If God is just, then He is the only one who can justify. Faith is the means by which God justifies a person. Faithlife Study Bible

God revealed to people how they should live, but no one can live up to God’s perfect way. No one can live up to what God created us to be; we all fall short of His glory. We cannot save ourselves because as sinners we can never meet God’s requirements. Our only hope is faith in Jesus Christ. 

Those who believe are justified, that is, “declared righteous,” freely, without cost, by God’s grace, or “favor.” Christ Jesus died to provide redemption, which means He died to pay the price required to ransom sinners. By paying the penalty of their sin through His death, Jesus can free people from their sin and transfer His righteousness to those who believe in Him. On the basis of Christ’s righteousness alone, believers can approach God’s throne with praise. Through God’s initiative, they have been restored to a proper relationship with Him. 

By His death, Christ satisfied the justice of God. He paid the penalty of sin in full. Paul cites two reasons why the righteousness of God comes through Christ’s death. The first is to demonstrate that God Himself is righteous, and did not judge the sins committed prior to the Cross. The second reason for the Cross is that God wanted to show that He is both righteous and at the same time the One who can declare sinners righteous. Because of Christ’s death, God does not compromise His holiness when He forgives a sinner. The NKJV Study Bible

Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 

Romans 4:3–5 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed

 God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt…

Romans 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 

Colossians 1:14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

“You are a light. You are the light.” John Lewis wrote, “Never let anyone—any person or any force—dampen, dim or diminish your light.”

Rev. Steven Charleston (Choctaw elder and retired Episcopal bishop) helps us carry these truths. "It is not for me to tell you who you are, but please let me share this small insight. The beauty of your life is contained in its simplicity. You were born to be an agent of grace, sharing kindness into the world. You are an unconscious healer, restoring hope into the world. These two simple definitions are a spiritual job description. They represent the core of your calling. I believe they describe all of us, uniting us into a shared purpose. Beyond all of the differences we construct among ourselves, we have a common task. Agents of grace. Sources of hope. If we see ourselves in this way, the complexity we imagine becomes the simplicity we are."

We easily forget, don't we... the grounding and cathartic power of grace?

Yes, the power to shine the light on shame and fear and paranoia.

To invite us to bear the beams of love, to be agents of grace.

To invite us to be at home in our skin.

And we forget the power and life-giving restoration and repair from simple gestures of compassion.

Here’s the deal: Today, let us remember who we are.

And let us remember, compassion is real.

“Compassion is at the heart of every little thing we do. It is the dearest quality we possess. Yet all too often it can be cast aside with consequences too tragic to speak of. To lose our compassion, we lose what it is to be human.” (Anon) SabbathMoments 

This offers some key lessons we can learn about conflict:

1. Believers choose God's glory over our own. 

2. Believers choose God's story over our own.

In God's sovereignty, godly division can multiply His purposes when we trust Him and let Him lead us through our differences. Conflict is never fun, but both conflict escalation and conflict avoidance can cause us to miss God's direction. Instead, let's keep God's purposes in mind in our relationships, remembering that how we handle differences matters most. Sometimes we might even have to say goodbye to a relationship, whether temporarily or permanently. But even in this, God has purposes we often cannot see. First5