1 Corinthians 13:1–13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing…
Out of our mouth flows the intentions of our heart for God. Our words our powerful for good when we allow Holy Spirit to direct them.
Colossians 3:12-17 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. The New King James Version
It is hard right now in the world that we live in to keep hope alive. But in Christ and through Holy Spirit we can and we must be a safe haven of love for all of God’s creation no matter how misdirected we see them. He loves all people…all nations, all genders, all religions. The Father wants no one to live without Him in their lives. He wants everyone to accept that the veil that separated us from Him was removed through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He wants everyone to have access to Him and be in a relationship with Him.
God alone is all powerful, all knowing and He is in all things. Whether we acknowledge that spark of the divine in others is our choice. But in the manner that we forgive and love others we are forgiven and kept in His love and in His peace. Carla
Originally, God chose the nation of Israel to be His people (Deuteronomy 14:2; Romans 9:4–5). However, because such distinctions are rendered irrelevant in Christ (Colossians 3:11), Paul affirms the Colossian believers as being among God’s chosen people.
Believers must have patience with one another, even while enduring difficult situations. Even in the community of believers, the actions of some offend or hurt others; how believers respond is critical. Experiencing God’s forgiveness shows that believers must forgive one another (Luke 7:47).
The Greek word used here for peace, eirēnē, refers to wholeness or the absence of conflict in a relationship.
Let the Peace of Christ Rule in Your Hearts.
Paul commands the Colossians to express gratitude for the things they have and the people in their lives. Gratitude is a safeguard against grumbling and complaining, both of which can ruin a community. Faithlife Study Bible
fullness of the Godhead (Gk. plērōma tēs theotētos) (2:9) Strong’s #4138; 2320: The Greek word plērōma indicates “plenitude” and “totality.” The Gnostics used the word to describe the totality of all deities. Both Paul and John used the word to describe Christ, who is the fullness, the plenitude of God, for all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him bodily (1:19; 2:9). Since all of God’s fullness resides in Christ, every spiritual reality is found in Christ. In Him, we lack nothing. The Greek word theotētos for Godhead is used only here in the NT and designates the totality of God’s nature and person. All the fullness of the Godhead “dwells” or “permanently resides” in the body of Jesus, the God-man.
In the Roman Empire a person who did not speak Greek was despised. Greek … Jew … slave … free: This list is similar to the list in Galatians 3:28. In both places the point is not the functions of the persons in the body of Christ, but equal acceptance of all the groups into God’s family. The NKJV Study Bible
Ephesians 4:1–16 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love…
Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
2 Corinthians 6:6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
Everywhere I go these days, people tell me their anxiety is real. About disquiet because of uncertainty. I get it. And many talk about unease, because they see or know people who are very afraid. And I understand that too.
“Afraid to speak, afraid to be misunderstood, afraid of saying the wrong thing. They’re afraid of losing their jobs, their friends, their communities, even their families. Fear can silence us, but it can also close our hearts to one another.” (Thank you, Maria Shriver)
My friends, we do live in a real world. With real, often unimaginable pain. And in a world where exhaustion is real, apathy can be very close behind. And at times, at our core we say, “Sorry, I just don’t know how to care.”
So. Let us pause. And let us begin here: We still do need one another. Because no one of us is on this journey alone. And in small steps we can continue to grow and learn and rebuild and heal.
Someone asked me the other day. “So, this ministry you have, what’s the purpose?”
I smiled because that always sounds like a test question. But my answer is from my gut: Sabbath Moment is about the business of filling our cups with replenishment and renewal and restoration. The invitation to let our souls catch up with our bodies. Ahhh yes, embracing the power of Sabbath.
And more than ever, I write SM because I want to live with a soft heart; to create a place for sanctuary, empathy, inclusion, compassion, and kindness. A space where we are refueled to make a difference.
Plato’s reminder, “What is honored in a culture gets cultivated there.” Yes, it is about the choices we make.
So, yes, life does provide us the cup, but we choose how to fill it. Today, can we fill our cups with gratitude, forgiveness, joy, kindness, gentleness, resilience, and with emotional and spiritual hydration?
We are all wired to be replenished. And care of any kind begins with self-care.
I stand by that, more than ever.
In today’s society we’re constantly inundated with negative news stories leaving us to wonder how or if things will ever get better. It also only takes us hearing or seeing an act of grace or kindness from one person to another to remind us that no matter how dire circumstances may appear – or how distant hope may seem to be – we have not completely abandoned our human responsibility to one another.
The Art of Responsibility then, is essentially The Art of Humanity. Our conceptual idea of our world and how we show up within it are not just thoughts in our heads, but behaviors that we’re constantly playing out. Instead of simply telling us what to do, ‘responsibility’ persistently asks questions of us. It asks, ‘Who we are?’ ‘What do we value?’ This responsibility compels us to consider if how we respond is in alignment with who we say we are. Every second of every day – but especially in moments of tension and conflict – it asks us, ‘How are you practicing your humanity?’ The more we build the habit of continually asking that question of ourselves – and exercise the courage to be honest in our response – the more we will be able to show up as the best versions of who we say we are.” “Sabbath Moments”
“How would you describe what we need at this collective moment in our history? Positive change. A shift to common sense and reason. The retreat of chaos. The return of steady leadership and respectful diversity. How many different ways can we name what is on our heart? We know what we hope for, but we don’t know how to make it happen. That is why I pray for the means to our end. I ask the Spirit to not only hear what we pray, but show us how to turn our hope to reality. Give us the catalyst, Great Spirit, and we will work to accomplish what must be done.” Rt Rev Steven Charleston
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
We can trust God with every situation in our lives because where He leads, He always provides.
When you and I depend on our limited understanding, we often lack the discernment we desperately need, which is grounded in God's Truth. Only when we humbly submit our human reasoning to God can we gain clarity for our minds and find rest for our souls.
Trusting in our Provider brings us peace.
Deciding to fully trust God means we determine to "acknowledge" Him in all our ways (Proverbs 3:6). In the original Hebrew text, this rich word is yada, which implies more than merely perceiving God; it includes learning His character and walking in intimate relationship with Him. When we acknowledge the Lord in this way, we know Him personally. He provides the confidence and the security we lack, and we learn that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (Proverbs 9:10).
God promises to "make straight [our] paths" when we fully rely on Him with wholehearted faith (Proverbs 3:6).
The word "straight" does not necessarily mean our path will be uncomplicated, but we can trust that God's plans for us are right and pleasing to Him. We may face adversity as we move forward in faith, but the Lord will teach and lead us on the "level ground" of His will (Psalm 143:10). God has called us to Himself for a purpose, and He will establish our steps when we walk with Him (2 Corinthians 5:9; Proverbs 16:3).
October
When we turn to God's Word and humbly rely on Him to direct our path, we know He will guide us. Our trust and obedience to Him will lead to spiritual tranquility even in troubling circumstances. Instead of losing sleep over what might happen, let's focus on His Truth and rest assured that our all-knowing God will provide the wisdom we seek. First5
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