John 10:11-16 We are loved!

John 11:52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.

Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. We are weak but He is strong! We must come to Him as a child totally trusting in God to do what we cannot.

John 10:11-16 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son so that we could be reconciled to Him.No longer bound by sin we can choose to love Him and trust only in Him. Thank You, Jesus. Carla

I am the good shepherd Jesus fulfills the messianic role of the shepherd. This role in Ezekiel is depicted as fulfilled by God; Jesus makes the claim that He (as God in flesh) is the one fulfilling it (Ezekiel 34:23).  

Evoking imagery of the young shepherd, David, risking his life to keep his sheep safe (1 Samuel 17:34–37). In addition to fulfilling God’s role with His people as shepherd, Jesus fulfills David’s role as their king.

The Father knows me gives Jesus the authority to make the claims He does. 

I have other sheep alludes to the Gentiles and the ultimate universal scope of salvation via Christ’s atoning death. One flock—one shepherd compares  Ezekiel 34:23. The flock includes all believers, both Jews and Gentiles. Faithlife Study Bible

Jesus is the good shepherd who gives His life for the sheep (3:16; 1 John 3:16), as opposed to the wicked thief who takes their lives. While life in verse 10 refers to eternal life, life here refers to physical life. Jesus laid down His physical life in order to give us eternal life.

The hireling is a hired shepherd, a mercenary, who tends the flock for his own interest. When a hired shepherd sees a wolf coming he flees, not caring about the sheep.

The other sheep were not Jews in heathen lands, but Gentiles. The Jewish people had asked if Jesus would go and teach the Gentiles (7:35). Jesus now declared that He had sheep among the despised heathen. One flock anticipates the salvation of the Gentiles and the formation of the church, in which converted Jews and Gentiles would form one spiritual body (1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:16). The NKJV Study Bible

Ezekiel 34:23

I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. 

1 Peter 2:25

For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Ezekiel 34:11–16

‘For thus says the Lord GOD: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day…

John 10:17–18

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

I am frequently asked, “What specifically can we do to keep sane in a world that too often feels upside down?”

Here’s my answer. “Let’s give ourselves the permission to let our soul catch up.”

We don’t need another assignment. Or test to pass. 

Sometimes, without even knowing it...

We need times and places to decompress.

We need times and places to let our soul catch up.

Savor your moments this season, for Christmas and Hanukkah. (To my Jewish brothers and sisters, “Happy Hanukkah”, which begins at sundown Sunday.)

And say thank you to those who make your life richer. Sabbath Moments

Spiritually speaking, without faith in Jesus, our lives are like sin-stained clothes. Except we only have one set. And if heaven is like a wedding (Revelation 19:7), we'd never get in dressed as we are. We've all acted in ways that are unfaithful to our loving and holy God, and there is nothing we can do on our own to make peace. The only miracle that could save us is a brand-new set of clothes.

Thankfully, Jesus came not just to wash our clothes white but to give us His own garments that have never been stained (2 Corinthians 5:21). During this second week of Advent, we remember that the arrival of Jesus was the arrival of peace with God.Today's key verse prophesies about this very thing: "Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place" (Daniel 9:24).

Daniel was a prophet who lived through Israel's exile in Babylon and oppression in Persia. His book is divided into historical narrative and prophecy, and this particular prophecy is among the most debated in Scripture. Bible scholar Stephen Miller notes that it's perhaps the most difficult verse in the book of Daniel, as many question the meaning of "seventy weeks."

But the time period actually isn't the most important part of this scripture. Let's look at what is promised: the end of sin, atonement for iniquity, and the arrival of everlasting righteousness. These phrases point to the Day of the Lord, when Jesus' return will permanently make peace and set all things right.

Until that day, sin still remains in the world. But when we read Daniel 9:24 through a gospel lens, it invites us to pause and remember that even now, Jesus has already "appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Hebrews 9:26).So in part, Daniel's prophecy has been fulfilled! According to Hebrews, we are living in the end of the ages. Jesus is our peace and "everlasting righteousness" (Daniel 9:24).

Jesus is also the true "holy place" of Daniel 9:24; the temple of His body was torn down and raised up again in three days (John 2:19-21), and His Spirit now dwells within believers (Galatians 2:20). Though He will ultimately "seal both vision and prophet" in eternity to come (Daniel 9:24), God's Word is also complete and sufficient now as we wait for Jesus' return.

During Advent, let's remember that Jesus' first arrival began the work of atonement for sin, bringing peace between God and humanity.And let's also eagerly anticipate His second coming, which will bring everlasting peace for believers because there will be absolutely no more sin ever, in us or anyone else, to the praise of His glorious grace. First5

Psalm 85:10-13 Together in God’s mercy and truth we live.

James  1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Jesus is truth and God’s mercy is offered to all who accept Him.  All good comes from our Father and is offered in salvation.  In the tender care of Holy Spirit we dwell. We abide in the righteousness of Jesus and not in ours.

Psalm 85:10-13 

10 Mercy and truth have met together;

Righteousness and peace have kissed.

11 Truth shall spring out of the earth,

And righteousness shall look down from heaven.

12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good;

And our land will yield its increase.

13 Righteousness will go before Him,

And shall make His footsteps our pathway.

Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father. Carla

The words mercy and truth often appear together in the Scriptures to express one concept. Here they are viewed as separate entities that come together, in the same way that righteousness and peace have kissed. The union of God’s mercy and truth and His righteousness and peace describes the way things ought to be, or the state of peace spoken of in verse 8. The blending of the ideals of truth and righteousness in verse 11 suggests a vision of the kingdom of God (Isaiah 11). The fact that the word righteousness appears three times in the last four verses of this psalm alludes to the holiness of the coming kingdom of God and the sinlessness of the Savior and King who will rule over it. The NKJV Study Bible

Loyal love and faithfulness will meet one another. The psalmist portrays mutual faithfulness between Yahweh and Israel. God’s chesed (“steadfast love”) is His defining characteristic (Exododus 34:6).

Israel’s unfaithfulness has made it impossible for righteousness and peace to exist together because Yahweh’s righteousness could not tolerate Israel’s waywardness (Psalm 85:8). Israel’s unrighteousness offended God and caused injustice within the nation.

God cares for Israel.

Righteousness will go before him. This phrase may have an intentional double meaning: God’s righteousness (tsedeq in Hebrew) enables Israel’s faithfulness and Israel’s righteousness and makes it so that Yahweh can express His love without violating His character ( verses 10–11). Faithlife Study Bible

Psalm 89:14

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;

Mercy and truth go before Your face.

Psalm 72:2–3

He will judge Your people with righteousness,

And Your poor with justice.

The mountains will bring peace to the people,

And the little hills, by righteousness.

Psalm 84:11

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

The LORD will give grace and glory;

No good thing will He withhold

From those who walk uprightly.

Isaiah 45:8

“Rain down, you heavens, from above,

And let the skies pour down righteousness;

Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation,

And let righteousness spring up together.

I, the LORD, have created it.

All changes, all growth, all improvements in the quality of our lives flow out of our vision of God. And when our vision of God is one of a God of relentless tenderness, we ultimately become tender ourselves.
(Thank you Brennan Manning, The Wittenburg Door, Oct–Nov 1986)

Even so. I can be easily derailed. And I fall back under the spell of angst. And that unnerves me.

But even there, I’m invited to participate in this life. To bring all that I am (without letting the unsettled parts dictate) to the table of this moment. To invest my whole heart. What Barbara Kingsolver calls a conspiracy with life.

My friend Phil Volker used to say that it takes one kind of hope to show up for life, and another kind to partake. I don't think we are supposed to be casual observers here with our precious—and often precarious—time.

This can be transformative. Embraced by a God of relentless tenderness, gratitude empowers us to spill the incarnation. And embracing beauty allows us to practice the sacrament of the present moment. And that which we have buried—mercy, gentleness, kindheartedness, tenderness—comes to life. Let us never forget that. Sabbath Moments

Psalm 132:11 (ESV) "The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: 'One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne. '"

God's Word is true, and His promises never fail. 

Even in seasons of difficulty and disappointment, when life is hard and we feel forgotten like God's people did in exile, we can remain hopeful and find peace in this promise: He reigns. Today we know Christ has come, and He is on the throne.

Centuries after Psalm 132:11 was written, God's promise was fulfilled. The angel Gabriel, sent by God, greeted Mary with this announcement of a new covenant of peace: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:30-33).

As we remember Christ's birth, let's rejoice in His fulfillment of God's promises and find peace in His enduring reign. Our true and faithful God is worth celebrating all year, in every season. First5

Isaiah 7:13-16 God is With Us!

Isaiah 8:10

Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing;

Speak the word, but it will not stand,

For God is with us.”

Immanuel, God with us! The glory of God manifested in flesh to save those who choose to believe in Him as their Savior. God loves all of His creation and everyone is invited to His table. 

Isaiah 7:13-16 Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. 15 Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that you dread will be forsaken by both her kings. 

All the attributes of our triune God is manifested in Jesus Christ. Carla

The Hebrew term here, almah, indicates a young woman of marriageable age. In the ancient world, a young unmarried woman who had reached puberty could reasonably be assumed to be a virgin because of the close social and familial restrictions on her activities.

“God with us.”

The concept that God is present among His people is prominent in the Old Testament. The symbolic name Immanuel can be understood as an affirmation of trust in Yahweh, as it is in 8:10. Such affirmations of trust are common in divine promises and prayerful statements of faith (Psalm 46:7). God’s presence among His people was an important theological symbol for Israel (the presence of Yahweh enters the temple in 1 Kings 8:10–11). The people’s sinfulness puts that privilege in jeopardy. The sign of Immanuel should remind Ahaz that—at least for now—God’s presence remains with Israel.

The name Immanuel symbolizes the full restoration of Yahweh’s broken relationship with His people. While the immediate context of the sign itself points to a short-term fulfillment the larger context of Isaiah heavily stresses the future time of redemption and reconciliation between Yahweh and Israel. The coming salvation is depicted in the royal role of the Messiah in 9:2–8 that weaves divine titles into the description of the ideal righteous ruler—the Davidic messiah. The close relationship between messianic and divine roles and titles supports the understanding of Immanuel as a messianic figure. In 11:1–10, the Messiah is given the divine right to judge the nations; His reign inaugurates an era of worldwide peace. 

The suffering, death, and destruction that entered the world through sin will be replaced with peace, justice, and righteousness as predator and prey live together in harmony (11:6). The time of Immanuel will reflect the perfection of creation as originally formed in the garden of Eden.

To reject the evil and to choose the good is the sign for Ahaz meant to indicate that the threat from Aram (Syria) and Ephraim is short term and will pass within a few years. By the time the boy has been born—but before he knows right from wrong—Aram and Ephraim will be out of the picture. Faithlife Study Bible

The pronoun you is plural here. Thus in this verse, Isaiah is speaking to the entire royal line of David. God responded to Ahaz in indignation. This petty and arrogant king dared to refuse the Lord; he would not trust in God even when his enemies surrounded him (verse 12).

Isaiah turns from the king whom he has dismissed in judgment and addresses all who are present. The sign is for many. The word Lord speaks of the sovereignty of God, of His great control over all of His creation. The pronoun Himself adds an absolute certainty to the impending sign. The Hebrew word rendered virgin means “a young woman of marriageable age.” But the word also connotes the idea of virginity, for the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible made in the second century b.c., translates the Hebrew word with a Greek word that specifically means “virgin.”

Curds and honey contrast with “bread and wine” from cultivated lands and symbolically represent the Judean’s simple diet after the Assyrian invasion. Thus the Child, similar to Isaiah’s son Shear-Jashub (verse 3), would be identified with the remnant.

Israel and Syria would be destroyed before this child would reach maturity (8:4 where Syria is referred to as Damascus and Israel as Samaria). The NKJV Study Bible

Matthew 1:23

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Isaiah 7:22

So it shall be, from the abundance of milk they give,

That he will eat curds;

For curds and honey everyone will eat who is left in the land.

Isaiah 8:4

for before the child shall have knowledge to cry ‘My father’ and ‘My mother,’ the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be taken away before the king of Assyria.”

Isaiah 8:8

He will pass through Judah,

He will overflow and pass over,

He will reach up to the neck;

And the stretching out of his wings

 fill the breadth of Your land, O Immanuel. 

What a strange web we weave. We hate (well, let’s just say we are downright uncomfortable with) our "brokenness." Our woundedness. Our imperfections.

You know, those parts of our self that are flawed, skewed, damaged, beat up, wearing the marks of a full life... that feel not quite "together."

I guess if we 'fess up, "woundedness" is the curse of ordinary folk. For the rest of us (the educated and mature and enlightened), we can "get a handle" on this, "figure it out" or somehow "rise above." Lord knows there are plenty of people who offer us solutions and secrets and illumination. (For a small donation, of course.)

But what if?

What if weakness, woundedness, brokenness is not a "fixable problem," but an opportunity for love, passion, ministry, reconciliation and restoration?

An opportunity for grace?

We are all, wounded healers.

No, this is not a strategy.

This is a fact.

It spills from those parts of our life that have been broken open, from those parts of us flawed and imperfect. And this I do know... I will bring my wounded self to the table, to find space for sanctuary, healing, empathy, mending, compassion and grace. Sabbath Moments

Micah 5:2 (ESV) "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days."

Tucked into this "second act" of Micah's prophecy was a promise from the Lord that changed everything: A new Ruler was coming. Not just any leader but one appointed by God Himself, "whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days" (Micah 5:2).

This wasn't just a political prophecy. It was personal. God was declaring, I am coming for you. I will again redeem you and lead you. 

The Ruler "from ancient days" would be eternal in nature (Micah 5:2). And God's Son, Jesus, was with God and was God from the very beginning of time (John 1:1; Colossians 1:15-17). Although Israel had dealt with foolish, selfish, and unjust human kings for generations, Micah assured that the true King was still coming. The throne of God was not lost; it was being prepared.

God also declared through Micah that the King would rise from Bethlehem Ephrathah, a small, overlooked village 6 miles south of Jerusalem. Bethlehem is mentioned about 40 times in the Old Testament, so it wasn't unheard of. But for comparison, the major city of Jerusalem is mentioned more than 600 times. Bethlehem was seemingly "too little" to matter (Micah 5:2). Still, this small town held a big promise. While people may have questioned its significance, God never did. He has a track record of using the unexpected to reveal His glory (1 Corinthians 1:27; Isaiah 55:8-9).

Today we still can look for His miracles hidden in small places. God has a pattern of working miracles in the minors, so let's not miss the peace He offers in the mundane, tiny moments. May we not overlook evidence of His intervention just because we were expecting something bigger. Instead, like the ancient Israelites clung to Micah's words, may we hold fast to the promised Messiah, Jesus, who has now come and will come again.

His promises are trustworthy. His care is consistent. He sees what is coming and prepares a way for restoration long before we arrive in need. God is intimately involved in the minor details.

As we look toward Christmas, let's remember that peace and hope did not come in a spotlight but in a manger. Not a palace but a stable. And that same peace and hope meet us still, quietly and steadily, even in the small moments that fill our days with God's faithfulness. First5

It slowly dawned on me that biblical time was less like an Advent calendar of countdown and more like an Advent wreath of verdant reprise. Not so much ticking off the days toward an event as a spiral of anticipatory wisdom. We live in what is not yet.

Perhaps the “fullness of time” is less of a line and more a nimbus, a halo. Somehow time and light meet — in the stars, through the cosmos in the words of the Gospel of John, and visible in candles of the wreath….

Diane Butler— from “The Fullness of Time”