Ephesians 6:23-24 His grace is with those who walk in His truth!

This morning I prayed for Gods protection on the immigrants living in our country. With tears and a heavy heart I ask for His divine protection on them…especially on the children. This is not the America that I grew up in…or was it and I was like the ostrich in the Bible who hid their head in the sand? Every human born has the spark of the  Almighty God in them and how we treat them is how we treat Him. Jesus offered up His life, as a living sacrifice, that in Him the world could be saved. John 3:17

Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

How we, as a nation, treat the foreigner, the poor and the marginalized of the world is the way that we can expect our nation to be treated. We were born for a time such as this.  Without love behind our actions we are making a mockery of His love for all of His creation. Carla

The last verses of Ephesians reveal Paul’s appreciation of the ministry of others, especially the ministry of Tychicus (Colossians 4:7). The fact that this letter does not conclude with personal greetings as Paul’s other letters do (Romans 16) may indicate that this was a circular letter, one intended for a number of churches around Ephesus. 

Sincerity may also be translated “without corruption.” The NKJV Study Bible

Tychicus a companion of Paul during his ministry; is the courier for this letter, as well as Colossians and likely Philemon (Colossians 4:7–9).

Tychicus was a Gentile  (non-Jewish) believer from the Roman province of Asia, he is mentioned throughout the New Testament as one of Paul’s ministry partners (Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12). According to Acts, Tychicus accompanied Paul during his third missionary journey through Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Achaia (Acts 20:4). Paul appears to have trusted Tychicus greatly and commissioned him to carry some of his letters to various Christian communities.). Faithlife Study Bible

Titus 2:7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 

Ephesians 6:21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you;

When we see with our heart, we are grounded. We are conscious—present—and no longer numbed. And tender hearts create sanctuaries for those left out and for those mistreated. So, if ever there was a time for the soft- and tender-hearted courageous women and men to step forward, it is now.

Indifference is not an option.

And I wonder. What if today is the day to make a difference in our world?

“I believe in person to person,” Mother Teresa said. “Every person is Christ to me, and since there is only one Jesus, that person is the one person in the world at that moment.”

“Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” Martin Luther King Jr.

This week, stories about the permission to serve, with soft hearts, full of grace. Not one of these people woke up one morning, and said to themselves that they were about to do something heroic. It’s just that, when they had to, they did what was right. And indifference wasn’t an option. “Sabbath Moments”

Psalm 34:18 (ESV) "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

When our hearts are breaking, we might question, God, where are You? But He is most certainly present here. In whatever trial we are facing, for however long we must endure, we can rest assured that the Healer of broken hearts is near to us (Psalm 147:3). First5 

Having a soft heart is a gift from God!

 

I have a soft heart. And too often, I’m afraid to say so. I have been sitting at my computer for some time, waiting for a Sabbath Moment topic. But in my mind and spirit are two searing images, and the tears fall. Very young children zip-tied by armed soldiers, on the streets at midnight, separated from their parents. And very young children on the verge of starvation, held close by their mothers in the remnants of bombed buildings in Gaza. I have two choices. I can close my eyes. Somehow hoping to stay insulated and “safe”. Or, I can open my eyes, and let the tenderness of my heart be an instrument for healing and sanctuary and restoration and humanity. (“Lord make me an instrument of your peace.”) Embracing Pope Francis’ reminder, “Tenderness is the path of choice for the strongest, most courageous men and women.” Yes, and Amen. I do indeed want to embrace, and make choices—to give and to invest—from that grounding. Because here’s the deal: in embracing my tender and open and soft heart, I’m not incapacitated or paralyzed, meaning that I am not at the mercy of the fear, or the anxiety. Let us embrace this together, and help create a world where sanctuary and restoration and healing and grace are touchable for the most vulnerable among us. The images—of people in pain, people being abused, people suffering—give us a choice. This is why I have always resonated with the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan. A man is laying in a ditch, having been beaten, and left to die. Two pious men pass by, a priest and a Levite, seeing the man, but they continue to walk, without stopping. The Samaritan stops. Why? Because he knew what it was like to be wounded too. “He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.” (Gospel of Luke) You see, once we are open to a soft heart... ...we can give up our expectations and demands, ...we can have our stereotypes contradicted, ...we can embrace our brokenness and tender heartedness, ...and we find "There is a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter." (Mother Teresa) When we see with our heart, we are grounded. We are conscious—present—and no longer numbed. And tender hearts create sanctuaries for those left out and for those mistreated. So, if ever there was a time for the soft- and tender-hearted courageous women and men to step forward, it is now. I like Thomas Merton’s take, “Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody’s business. What we are asked to do is to love.” I talk a lot about the need for a paradigm shift. Think of paradigm as the glasses through which we see, and choose. Jesus was very intentional about paradigm shifts. Consider the word, Kingdom. We know that Jesus spoke extensively about the “Kingdom of God”. But it’s our paradigm (glasses) that determine the way we interpret it. And Jesus threw his disciples (and us), a curve. Jesus invited his followers into a new way of life—what could be called “The Upside-Down Kingdom”—where society's values of power and top-down are reversed, highlighting the dignity of all people, especially the marginalized. A Kingdom that emphasizes love and generosity, responding to injustice with compassion, treating everyone with dignity, even those who have wronged you. A Kingdom that opens paths for reconciliation. A Kingdom where (in the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu), "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor". I loved what Pope Leo XIV said today: "Brothers and sisters, those boats which hope to catch sight of a safe port, and those eyes filled with anguish and hope seeking to reach the shore, cannot and must not find the coldness of indifference or the stigma of discrimination!" 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. Today, I choose to honor the light. Today, I choose to say  No to indifference. One of my heroes, who did not choose indifference, is John Lewis. He wrote, “You are a light. You are the light. Never let anyone—any person or any force—dampen, dim or diminish your light. Study the path of others to make your way easier and more abundant. Lean toward the whispers of your own heart, discover the universal truth, and follow its dictates… Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won. Choose confrontation wisely, but when it is your time don't be afraid to stand up, speak up, and speak out against injustice. And if you follow your truth down the road to peace and the affirmation of love, if you shine like a beacon for all to see, then the poetry of all the great dreamers and philosophers is yours to manifest in a nation, a world community, and a Beloved Community that is finally at peace with itself.” (Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America) Our well-being is grounded in grace. Let me repeat that… Our well-being is grounded in grace. And grace is a voice much bigger than all the other attachments where we may park value or significance. We see that dignity alive in the hearts and souls of those around us. Now, courage takes on a new meaning. Giving us the permission to say yes to choices that invite more soft hearts in a world that needs them. When we see with our heart, we know that, regardless of our differences, we are on this journey together. A tender heart affirms the inherent value in others, and asks, “What’s next?” A sunny and windy Autumn Day here in the PNW, and I am mesmerized by the dried leaves doing circle dances on our patio, and in our driveway. My Oh My. You know, the crispy leaves, that crunch under your feet when you walk. Great memories from my Michigan childhood. Quote for our week… “So we turn a blind eye when we think it is 'easier', or in our 'best interests' to do so and because the consequences of taking action are felt as frightening or unpleasant. It is painful to have your beliefs shaken or your position threatened and none of us are immune from making life simpler for ourselves. But the words of the philosopher Edmund Burke: 'the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing', are well worth taking note of.” Sue Cowan-Jenssen “Sabbath Moments” Terry Hershey

Mark 1:14-15 By faith in our salvation we redeem our souls.

Ephesians 1:10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him

Jesus, King of the Jews, came to the world in fulfillment to the promises given to the forefathers in the Old Testament. It was finished. 

Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

After their refusal to accept Jesus as their Redeemer King the world and all of its inhabitants were given redemption. It is now up to us to choose who we will serve! By faith in Him we are redeemed. Carla

As soon as John the Baptist is arrested, Jesus emerges from the wilderness to declare the arrival of God’s kingdom on earth. In this context, the Greek word used here for time, kairos, indicates a period of time predetermined by God. The Greek word used here for kingdom, basileia, can denote a geographical territory or the reign of a particular monarch. 

The kingdom of God refers to God’s reign over all of creation and humanity. Jesus’ teaching in Mark reveals that members of the kingdom of God are marked by childlike humility (Mark 9:33–37; 10:13–16), concern for the poor (10:21–31), sacrificial service (10:42–45), and love for God and neighbor (12:28–34). 

The language Mark uses to describe God’s rule demonstrates its dynamic character: The kingdom comes (verses 15; 9:1;15:43), it grows like a seed (4:26, 30), and people can enter it, but only by responding to God’s will (9:47; 10:15, 23–25; 12:34). 

The Old Testament often speaks about God’s everlasting and worldwide rule (Psalm 9:7; 47:8; 145:11–13). Yahweh is described as enthroned in heaven and in His temple in Jerusalem (Psalm 9:11; 11:4; Isaiah 24:23; Ezekiel  20:33–40; 43:1–7; Micah 4:7–8; Isiah 66:1–2). It is this reign that Mark’s Gospel affiliates with Jesus. Jesus’ ministry involves the cleansing of Yahweh’s temple (the symbol of His earthly presence), and Jesus Himself is the epitome of that presence: His body is described as God’s temple (Mark 11:15–19; 14:58; John 2:19–22). 

The Old Testament also affiliates God’s reign with the Davidic dynasty (1 Chronicles 28:5) in parallel, later in Mark’s Gospel, a crowd proclaims that Jesus has inaugurated David’s kingdom (Mark 11:10; 2 Samuel 7:13–16). 

There are obvious examples in history before this time of Yahweh reigning on earth, such as when Israel was established in the promised land or when Yahweh’s temple was built in Jerusalem. However, God’s full reign—as seen in the garden of Eden shortly after creation—had not existed since sin entered the world (Genesis 2:4–9, 3; Revelations 22:1–5). 

Jesus’ proclamation suggests that the time of God’s full reign on earth is near. God’s presence on earth has arrived in the flesh in Jesus. Jesus is saying that since that has occurred, it is only a matter of time until the justice and order that mark God’s reign are in place over all the earth (Isaiah 9; 66:15–24). 

The kingdom of God is described as near (present) but not fully arrived because its full arrival on earth takes place upon Jesus’ second coming (1 Corinthians 15:20–28). Since Jesus announces the advent of a new kingdom, belief in the gospel entails allegiance to the new king, Jesus. Faithlife Study Bible

Mark begins his account of Christ’s ministry with events after John was put in prison, as do the other synoptic Gospel writers. John is the only writer who informs us of a number of events that took place before John the Baptist’s imprisonment (John 3:24). 

Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God. It was the subject of much Old Testament prophecy, and the theme was familiar to Jesus’ listeners. 

Repent, and believe are both acts of faith. When a person accepts the only true and worthy object of faith, that person readily turns from inferior substitutes. The NKJV Study Bible

Matthew 3:1–2 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 

Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. 

Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 

Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 

Here’s the deal: We do live in the real world, where many choices, and behaviors go off the rails, and real people pay the price.

A real world, where pain and cruelty and anguish are very real, and where the gift of hope has a mighty and restorative healing power.

And, speaking of witnesses and hope, Jane Goodall—UN Messenger of Peace and world-renowned ethologist, conservationist, and humanitarian—died yesterday. And I was grateful for a column from José Andrés today, “She was a very positive person to be around,” José said, “and she didn’t think hope is wishful thinking, she thought it was about action.”

“I see us as a species,” Jane told me on a podcast we did together, José goes on, “which is at the mouth of a very long, very dark tunnel. And right at the end, there’s a star shining, and that’s hope. But we can’t sit at the mouth of the tunnel and wonder when that star will come! No, we have to roll up our sleeves and we have to crawl under, climb over, work our way around all the obstacles that lie between us and the star.”

Yes. Hope fueled by intention and choice. And presence. To be a witness. “Sabbath Moments”

Romans 12:2 (ESV) "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

The Apostle Paul also understood the gospel's ability to radically change lives. Paul went from persecuting the Church to pastoring it (Acts 8:3; 1 Timothy 2:7). But this didn't happen automatically. Transforming into the likeness of Christ happens not by chance but by choice: God choosing us by His grace and us choosing Him by faith. 

Romans 12:2, also highlights how we can choose to pursue "the renewal of [our] mind."

When Paul wrote to the church in Rome around A. D. 57, the city's culture was mainly pagan and polytheistic, worshipping false gods.Though the church was in a relatively peace-filled season, societal influence was pressuring Christians to compromise their faith. And in A. D. 64, Emperor Nero would begin persecuting Christians.

Paul therefore taught believers to "discern what is the will of God" (Romans 12:2) instead of caving to cultural pressures, following his previous exhortation "to present your bodies as a living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). This implies dying to sin and laying down our lives as an offering to our world-saving God.

Our lives reflect Jesus' greatness as we are "transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Since this is a supernatural change, we need supernatural help! God provides this abundantly through the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to believe and live out a biblical mindset. Scripture tells us "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16): the God-given ability to think what Jesus would think. We can purposefully allow the Spirit to teach us His way to process our thoughts and internalize gospel Truth.

By God's grace, He will meet us on our renewal journey. As God transforms our minds, His Spirit flows into our hearts, purifies our thoughts, and pours out into the way we live. 

Everything God does is good because He is good (Romans 8:28).

Everything God does is acceptable because He is wise and all-knowing (Proverbs 2:6).

Everything God does is perfect because He is holy and above reproach (1 Peter 1:15-16).

In a beautiful connection, as we allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds in accordance with God's will, we become walking testimonies of God's grace and never-ending faithfulness. This will always be a part of His good purpose. First5

2 Corinthians 3:14-18 The truth is now ours to accept or reject.

John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

In the sacrifice of the Cross, Jesus removed the veil  that separated us from God, it was torn in two. We can now stand in His righteousness in the presence of the Father. All who believe in Him  have our eyes opened, allowing Holy Spirit to reside in us, to shine the light of His truth into the darkness.

2 Corinthians 3:14-18 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.

It is finished in Jesus. The truth is now ours to accept or reject. He fulfilled all the requirements and promises of the Old Testament. We can now live and abide in the freedom that only He can provide. Precept by precept we are changed. Carla

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 (4:4). 

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

The minds hardened represent God’s judgment. He hardens the minds and hearts of those who suppress His truth and revelation (Exodus 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).  Mose is read aloud refers to the law that God gave to Moses (Exodus 24:12). Moses covered his face with a veil 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.

One turns to the Lord refers  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). 

Similarly, when Moses returned to speak with Yahweh, he removed the veil from his face (Exododus 34:34). 

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). 

Paul suggests that believers will progress through ever-greater degrees of glory (doxa in Greek). This may mean that they will learn and grow more in their relationship with Him over time. Alternatively, this progress may begin with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and culminate in the transformation of the physical body into a glorious one (1 Corinthians 15:50–54). 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 34:34  But whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would take the veil off until he came out; and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel whatever he had been commanded. 

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.

This week, our invitation: to be a witness. To be present, and let grace and healing and kind-heartedness—“This little light of mine”—spill.

And we can do this because, in the life-giving words of John Lewis, “Every human personality is something sacred, something special. We don’t have a right, as another person or as a nation, to destroy that spark of divinity, that spark of humanity, that is made and created in the image of God.”

It is no surprise that I am frequently drawn to the story of the good Samaritan. And I like Thomas Merton’s take, “Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody’s business. What we are asked to do is to love.”

I choose to be a witness.

I choose to be a peacemaker.

I choose to be a bridge-builder.

“Here's to the bridge-builders, the hand-holders, the light-bringers, those extraordinary souls wrapped in ordinary lives who quietly weave threads of humanity into an inhumane world. They are the unsung heroes in a world at war with itself. They are the whisperers of hope that peace is possible. Look for them in this present darkness. Light your candle with their flame. And then go. Build bridges. Hold hands. Bring light to a dark and desperate world. Be the hero you are looking for. Peace is possible. It begins with us.” L.R. Knost. “Sabbath Moments”

Today's passage addresses how to handle anger in a way that honors God and respects others. When Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, "Be angry and do not sin" (Ephesians 4:26), he echoed words from Psalm 4:4 to reorient their hearts toward obeying God even in frustrating or unjust situations. This phrase informs us that we are not to rage with outbursts, nor are we to repress our emotions.Instead, we can process the anger we feel in a healthy way "and give no opportunity to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27).

From a biblical perspective, there are two types of anger:

1. Righteous anger comes from a hatred of sin, not a hatred of people (Psalm 59:12-13; Isaiah 66:15). When we act in righteous anger, our goal is to lead others to repentance and obedience to God. We confront sin while demonstrating love, honor, and grace to the sinner.

2. Unrighteous anger, on the other hand, is not about justice but about personal revenge and resentment. Paul warns us to be careful of behaviors such as slander, malice, and unforgiveness that come from an offended heart (Ephesians 4:31-32). Unrighteous anger breeds sin and hurts others, causing tension and forging a path for the enemy to enter into our relationships. 

Satan will use our anger to harm our relationships because he himself is wrathful (1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:12). When we resist revenge, our actions display the love of Christ to the world. First5