Romans 8:23-27 Our Hope is in You Lord!

 Romans 8:15–16

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 

If I seek first the Kingdom of God all things will be added to me. Holy Spirit intercedes for me when I do not know what to pray. When I seek God in the Bible I  find  Him  by His guidance He is my teacher. In my search for God’s will in my life He will use me to be His loving arms to those who need it most. I know that faith, hope and love are attributes given to me by God and the greatest of these is His love in my life. Carla

Romans 8:23-27

Not only that, •but we also •who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why •does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

26 •Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. •For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (NKJV)

The firstfruits of the Spirit may refer to the first workings of the Holy Spirit (8:9–11), which is a pledge of more work to come, like the redemption of our body. Otherwise, the expression firstfruits may be in apposition to the word Spirit; thus firstfruits is the Spirit. The firstfruits of a harvest was a foretaste of the harvest to come. So the Spirit, or His work, is God’s assurance of the greater blessings to come. Elsewhere the Spirit is called a “guarantee of our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:14).

Hope is a constant expectation of an unseen reality. We are saved by faith, but our hope is in the return of Christ in all His glory and our complete deliverance from our sinful natures.

If we are expecting something unseen, we wait with perseverance; that is, we are willing to endure the present. Though more may be involved in the concept of weaknesses, the primary reference here is to mental ignorance. The contrast offered by Paul in this verse is between our inability to know how to pray and the effective prayers of the Spirit Himself. The emphasis indicates that the Spirit Himself prays for us. He intercedes on our behalf before the throne of God (1 John 2:1). But His intercession cannot be uttered, which means it is “unexpressed, unspoken.” No language is in view here, only the inner groanings of the Spirit.

As children of God, we do not always know what to pray for or how best to pray (verse 26), but we can know the purpose of God which the Holy Spirit desires to accomplish. 

We work together for good. The primary reference of all things is the “sufferings of this present time” (verse 18). All circumstances will work together in cooperation for the believer’s good—that is, the believer will be conformed to Jesus Christ now and reign with Him later. Those who love God are in fact those who are the called by God. Our love is our response to the work of the Holy Spirit in us. We are called according to His purpose. God does everything, including redemption, in order to accomplish His overarching plan. The NKJV Study Bible

First fruits is an Old Testament expression referring to the first part of the harvest, which God designated for Himself and His priests (Leviticus 23:10; Deuteronomy 18:4). Here, its usage refers to God’s initial transformative work in His people, which will result in resurrection glory.

To groan expresses frustration with the present evil age and the anticipation of complete redemption.

In the New Testament, hope is not wishful thinking; it is a confident expectation in the fulfillment of God’s promises. Paul described Abraham as an example of hope in God. Present troubles are manageable when living in hope of future redemption.

Our weakness refers to people’s limited capacity and susceptibility to sin and death. Paul encourages the Roman believers that the Spirit does not condemn them in their weakness. Spirit himself intercedes for us.  Even with the assurance of future hope, believers who patiently endure suffering may, at times, face troubles that exhaust their strength and try their faith. Paul urges such believers to find encouragement in the intercession the Holy Spirit makes on their behalf in these circumstances. This is one aspect of how the Holy Spirit serves as an advocate (paraklētos) for followers of Christ. Unexpressed groanings may refer to the groaning of the Holy Spirit or the groaning of the believer (Psalm 1:1).

The one who searches our hearts is an expression of God’s omniscience. Paul tells the believers that God continues to work on their behalf, especially when they do not know what to pray for. Faithlife Study Bible

Galatians 5:5

For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 

Ephesians 6:18

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Jesus wanted the children to come to Him!

 I’ve heard a lot of sermons (homilies) in my life. A handful are still with me. And one or two made me very glad—grateful—to be alive.

Gratitude does that for every one of us. It brings you back to what is real, and to what really matters. It brings you back to the people and moments that remind you why you are here.

And this past week, I read a “speech” given to children (5-year-olds) at their pre-K graduation. Maria Shriver had attended her granddaughter’s graduation ceremony. She writes, “These children were full of hope, full of joy, full of friendship. They reminded the adults sitting in that yard what really matters in life.”
The speaker was teacher, Oscar Casillas.
And the speech? Well, it is for every one of us to take to heart.

“When you walked into our classroom last September, some of you were a little nervous. Some held your parents' hands extra tight. Now look at you, walking tall and proud.
This year, we didn't just learn letters and numbers. We learned how to be amazing people. Let's celebrate everything you accomplished together:
You learned to take responsibility for your actions, your belongings, and your work. When something went wrong, you stepped up and said, ‘That was me.’ That takes courage.
You practiced compromise—finding ways for everyone to be happy. You used your words instead of letting small problems become big ones. You learned to calm your body and mind and to ask for what you needed with kind, strong voices.
You grew in compassion. You realized every friend in our class is working on something, just like you. You took turns, waited patiently, listened when others spoke, and cheered for your classmates.
You became bucket fillers, not bucket dippers. You learned to include others and understood that whispering in someone's ear can make others feel left out.
You learned to let loose and have fun! Our dance parties reminded us how wonderful it is to move, laugh, and celebrate together. You used your imagination, turned ideas into creations, organized games, tried brand-new things, and found your big voices. You stood in front of your friends and spoke with confidence—and that is something to be very proud of.
You became mathematicians with clever strategies of your own. You asked thoughtful questions. Some of you started reading; others learned to spell or tried brave spelling. You learned to persevere because you now know that mistakes are okay and that failing is part of learning and growing. You embraced challenges because you discovered they are secret gifts that help us become better.
Most importantly, you learned that we are all in this together.
My dear graduates, you are now kinder, braver, smarter, and more confident than when you first walked through our gate. These lessons will travel with you into your new school and far beyond.
So as you move on to new adventures, remember:
Be responsible.
Be kind.
Have fun.
Use your words and your big voice.
Keep asking questions and never stop being curious.
Fill buckets every chance you get.
And always, always be yourself.”
(Thank you, Oscar Casillas)

“Gratefulness is not a feeling; it is a practice.” Rabbi Shefa Gold

Sabbath Moments

Amos 6:3-8 God will not be mocked.

Amos 3:10–13

For they do not know to do right,

‘Says the LORD,‘

Who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.’

“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD:

“An adversary shall be all around the land;

He shall sap your strength from you,

And your palaces shall be plundered.”…

What does God require of us? As His hands and feet we are to deliver justice for the marginalized and the poor, we are to forgive easily and to always, always walk  humbly with Him. When we hold up Christ and Him crucified for the sins of the world others will be drawn to Him and the love of God. God will not be mocked He hates pride and arrogance. Carla

Amos 6:3-8

3 Woe to you who put far off •the day of doom,

•Who cause the seat of violence to come near;

4 Who lie on beds of ivory,

•Stretch out on your •couches,

Eat lambs from the flock

And calves from the midst of the stall;

5 Who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments,

And invent for yourselves musical instruments like David;

6 Who drink wine from bowls,

And anoint yourselves with the best ointments,

But are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

7 Therefore they shall now go captive as the first of the captives,

And those who recline at banquets shall be removed.

8 The Lord God has sworn by Himself,

The Lord God of hosts says:

“I •abhor the pride of Jacob,

And hate his palaces;

Therefore I will deliver up the city

And all that is in it.” NKJV)

You who put far off the day of doom refers to those who insisted that Israel was too strong for destruction to fall upon the nation any time soon.

This passage describes the extravagant living indulged in by the rich, and paid for with the wealth stolen from the poor. 

Meat was a luxury for most families of the ancient Middle East, consumed only on special occasions. Meat on a daily basis was the privilege only of the rich and powerful. The upper classes of Israel were so engrossed in their own privileges and luxuries that they cared nothing for the affliction of their fellow Israelites, though it was their transgressions that had caused it.

God’s judgment would be both fitting and ironic. Those who had fancied themselves the leaders of the nation would lead their nation into exile.

If God takes an oath, He takes it by Himself, for there is none greater than He. In his oracles against the seven nations Amos had prophesied the destruction of their palaces. Now it was Israel’s turn. Luxurious palace strongholds represented both the pride of Jacob in their own strength and the oppression of the powerless, whose stolen wealth had financed the construction of these palaces. God personally would see to the destruction of Samaria and its proud inhabitants. The NKJV Study Bible

This is a woe oracle (Amos 6:4–7) criticizing the sloth, gluttony, and drunkenness of the wealthy. According to Assyrian records, a couch with ivory inlay was part of the tribute the Judaean King Hezekiah delivered to Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:13–16). More than 500 ivory fragments dating to the ninth and eighth centuries bc have been found in excavations at Samaria. 

The leaders are consumed with self-indulgent pleasures. They ignore the rampant injustice and impending national disaster. Israel’s sin leads to inevitable judgment. Yahweh’s wrath will bring a total end to Israel.

Israel’s self-sufficient attitude and refusal to repent are signs of the great pride that will lead to their downfall.

Faithlife Study Bible

Amos 9:10

All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword,

Who say, ‘The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.’

Amos 5:23

Take away from Me the noise of your songs,

For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.

This week, we’re remembering that embracing gratitude, and spilling good brings clarity, especially in times of uncertainty.
Isak Denison’s reminder that, “Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever.”
Gratitude brings us back to what is real, and to what really matters.
It brings us back to the people and moments that remind us why we are here.

And yet, difficult times can feel too big sometimes. We all have felt Undone. At wit’s end. (Or at the least, uncertain or disbelieving.)

Here's the deal: Hope sees the sacred in the ordinary moments of every day... even in those moments that may break our hearts. The ordinary, the hiding place for the holy.
Awareness: the permission to embrace life as it is, with all of its challenges and risks, to see beauty and wonder regardless of the vessel.

Gratitude does that for every one of us. It brings you back to what is real, and to what really matters. It brings you back to the people and moments that remind you why you are here.

Now, instead of shutting down (“I can’t”), I open (“I can”).
I can spill that astonishing light.
I can be a place of sanctuary, kindness, inclusion, mercy, acceptance, healing and forgiveness. Sabbath Moments

Matthew 6:31-34 God cares for us and He never leaves us on our own without Him.

 1 Peter 5:7

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Life is complicated and it can be messy. Invite God into every area of your life. He is good and He cares for you. In the end all that matters is Jesus and Him crucified for our sins. Abide in Him and the cares of this world all get a little bit smaller. Carla

Matthew 6:31-34

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (NKJV)

Gentiles refers to non-Jews or to the heathen—those who do not know God (3 John 7). The Jewish people, because of God’s revelation to them, were supposed to think differently than the Gentiles. To seek … the kingdom of God and His righteousness means to desire God’s righteous rule on this earth (verses 9, 10). The NKJV Study Bible

Jesus presents two further reasons to avoid worrying about food and clothing: Such concerns are the prerogative of the Gentiles (verse 7), and God in His omniscience already knows the needs of His people. Members of the kingdom should not be concerned with these things since their heavenly Father is already aware of them.

When people make God’s kingdom their primary object of their desire, they find the ability to trust Him to meet their needs. Jesus is not telling people to postpone their worrying for a day; He is instructing them to stop worrying altogether and to rely on God’s gracious provision (Philippians 4:6).

There is no sense in adding additional worry. Trusting in the Father’s provision serves as an antidote to anxiety. Faithlife Study Bible

Matthew 6:7–8

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 

Philippians 4:6

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 

1 Titan 4:8

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 

Matthew 6:25

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

 I often write Sabbath Moment in my mind, long before I put pen to paper. It allows me to let the words mingle and dance.
And I’m “writing” this with the sun on my face, enjoying a Seattle Mariners’ baseball game on Father’s Day, with my son, Zach. And no, it doesn’t get any better. And I whisper my favorite grounding prayer, “Thank you.”
A day saturated with the sustaining gift of gratitude.

I remember this from Isak Denison, “Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever.”

So, yes. Spilling good and embracing gratitude, brings clarity, maybe especially in times of uncertainty.

Gratitude does that for every one of us. It brings you back to what is real, and to what really matters. It brings you back to the people and moments that remind you why you are here.

It takes courage to pray for a miracle.

When I focus on what is missing, I do not see my capacity of enoughness, inside. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s reminder, “It takes three things to create a sense of significant being: God, a soul, and a moment. And the three are always present.”

Meaning that the ordinary moments of every day (even those that confuse us, unnerve us, or break our hearts) are hiding places of the holy. Where the sacred is alive and well. Where hope and gratitude grow.

John O’Donohue does my heart good. “Despite all the darkness, human hope is based on the instinct that at the deepest level of reality some intimate kindness holds sway. This is the heart of blessing. To believe in blessing is to believe that our being here, our very presence in the world, is itself the first gift, the primal blessing. As Rilke says: ‘to be here is immense.’”

Anxiety and vulnerability are real, yes. But the answer is not to chase vulnerability away. It’s the opposite. My vulnerability is the signal that I am human, with the capacity to be stretched, to give my heart, to be broken, to cry with those who break, to spill good. And I don't ever want to lose that.

“I know that when you feel deeply valued, deeply loved, deeply seen, deeply understood, and deeply heard, then you are able to move through the world completely differently. When you feel that way, you intrinsically desire for everyone else to feel that way as well. You will do whatever you can to make it possible for others, one person at a time.” Thank you, Maria Shriver 

Sabbath Moments

2 Corinthians 3:12-18 The veil was lifted in the sacrifice of Jesus. He is the only truth that matters.

 John 8:32

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Precept by precept we are being transformed in the unity of Holy Spirit into the character of His Son, Jesus. Our hope is in Him alone to do what is impossible for us on our own. He reveals the deep things of God. The wisdom of God changes us and we are never the same. It is revealed in the freedom that is given by God to those who believe in the sacrifice of Jesus. In the measure that we allow our teacher into our lives is the measure that we can receive guidance. Although here we only see in part one day we will see the whole upon His return. True freedom only comes from above. Jesus is the only truth that matter. Carla

2  Corinthians 3:12-18

Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech—13 •unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 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. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when •one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (NKJV)

Paul used boldness of speech, a phrase that means “freedom of speech” or “frankness.” Instead of being fearful or reluctant, Paul was frank and courageous.

The veil on the face of Moses reminded Paul of another veil. As Moses’ veil concealed the fading glory of his ministry, so there is a veil on the hearts of people concealing the fading away of the old covenant.

Whenever Moses turned to the Lord, he took off the veil (Exodus 34:34). Likewise, we find freedom in Christ by looking to Him. The Holy Spirit is God Himself, like the Father and like the Son. The Spirit gives us freedom from sin, death, and the condemnation of the law (verses 7–12).

All believers behold the glory of the Lord in the Scripture and are transformed into the image of God. Christ is the image of God. It is an ever-growing glory. As believers behold the glory of God in the Word of God, the Spirit of God transforms them into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This is a description of the gradual process of sanctification. The NKJV Study Bible

Paul bases the boldness of his apostolic ministry in the permanence of the new covenant (2 Corinthians  3:11) and the hope it provides in the resurrection of Jesus (4:13–18).

To place a veil over his face refers to Exodus 34:33–35. The veil covered the radiance of the glory, but it also concealed its fading quality. The transitory nature of the glory corresponds to the transitory nature of the old covenant.

Minds were hardened represents God’s judgment. He hardens the minds and hearts of those who suppress His truth and revelation (Exododus 32:9; 33:3; 34:9; Romans 1:28).

Many Israelites rejected God’s word in the law and the prophets (Isaiah 6:9–10; Jeremiah 5:21–24; Romans 11:7–8, 25). Paul encountered opposition from Jews who denied the gospel message as the fulfillment of the old covenant. He concluded that their hearts were hardened (Acts 28:26–27; Romans 15:21). Jews typically heard the Law read every week in the local synagogue (Luke 4:16–17; Acts 13:27; 15:21; 17:2–3). 

Moses is read aloud refers to the law that God gave to Moses (Exodus 24:12).  A veil Moses covered his face because of the radiance of God’s glory (Exodus 34:33–34). This veil represents the Jews’ hardened hearts and their inability to grasp the gospel message and refusal to obey God. As one turns to the Lord is in reference to conversion and the reception of the Spirit.

The veil is removed signifies that nothing stands between believers and God. Through Christ, God has reconciled the world to Himself, bringing freedom and forgiveness (2 Corinthians 5:18–21).

Paul may be identifying Christ with the Spirit—particularly in terms of their roles—while also distinguishing between them. Jesus and the Spirit are elsewhere identified with each other (Romans 8:9; Philippians 1:19; 1 Peter 1:10–11). It also is possible that 2 Corinthians 3:17 clarifies verse 16, where “the Lord” refers to God the Father. In this case, Paul’s point is that the Lord of the Old Testament narrative mentioned in verse 16 (Exodus 34:34) is the Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 3:3, 6, 8). Either way, the Spirit’s role in lifting the veil is central to Paul’s message. 

The ministry of the Spirit (verse 8) brings freedom from the power of sin and death—those things that the law could not free people from. Unveiled face represents freedom and confidence to enjoy God’s presence.

The same image refers to the image of Christ that believers bear (Colossians 3:10; Genesis 1:26–27). Faithlife Study Bible

2 Corinthians 4:4–6

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. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake…

Exodus 34:29–35

Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him…

Romans 11:23

And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 

1 Corinthians 13:12

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

I know this for certain: it doesn't take much to nurse resentment or regret. There are times when whatever we are doing seems not enough (no doubt a miasma of guilt or shame and the vagaries of public opinion).
Over the years I have heard, “I’m just a volunteer (or just a member, or catechist, or teacher, or aid, or worker, or helper, or employee, or friend, or mother or father or fill in the blank).”
To each I say, No.
You see, “just a” creates a label and tells us what we are not. And when we label, we dismiss. (Regardless of the label. Dorothy Day once scoffed, “Don’t call me a saint. I don’t want to be dismissed so easily.”)

So, how then do we make a difference?
Here’s the deal: Your work (labor) is your turf of responsibility. Which is only part of our DNA. Because no matter where we labor or toil, our calling is to spill the light.
And the good news? For this we don’t have to pass a test, or qualify, we have only to be willing.
Jesus made it simple, "Let your light shine."
Not, when you get your act together.
Not, when you feel noble.
Not, when you find a specific vocation.
Not, after you've chased all the gloom away.
Just let it shine. Because the light is already there. Inside of you. Now.
What we do—how we “choose”—and who we are, touches lives, plain and simple.
This matters more than ever, in a divisive world, a world on edge, a world where a kind word or gesture makes all the difference. We need a reset on making a difference. Sabbath Moments