2 Corinthians 6:6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
I am a child of God who believes
that we are all children of God
and we are all part of each other.
May we all know peace.
Thich Nhat Hanh
The love of God, created the world, if we listen closely to Holy Spirit who abides within us will give hope to all nations and all the peoples of this earth. Today we need the full amor of Christ to discern the will of God and protect ourselves in these troubling times. Carla
Romans 12:2-9 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Instead of being molded by the values of this world, the believer should be transformed, that is, changed by the renewing of the mind.
Spiritual transformation starts in the mind and heart. A mind dedicated to the world and its concerns will produce a life tossed back and forth by the currents of culture. But a mind dedicated to God’s truth will produce a life that can stand the test of time. We can resist the temptations of our culture by meditating on God’s truth and letting the Holy Spirit guide and shape our thoughts and behaviors.
A renewed mind begins with thinking soberly about oneself. The first step in changing behavior is self-observation.
God has given everyone one or more gifts that can be used in His service. These gifts are not the result of intense prayer or spirituality. Instead, God simply gives everyone certain gifts so each person can strengthen the church. As the human body is a unity with many members, each having its own function, so is the body of Christ. The church is a unified body under the headship of Christ, but the members have different functions.
Seven serving gifts are named: helps, mercy, faith, discernment of spirits, leadership, managing, and giving. The NKJV Study Bible
This age refers to the present evil age the time prior to Christ’s return. Renewal of your mind refers to mental conformity to the truth of God. This renewal results in a transformation in the life of the believer. Israel had failed to recognize God’s will and purposes—that He was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19).
The Greek word used here, paraklēsis, for exhortation refers to encouraging people to live as Jesus taught and in accordance with the gospel It also can refer to bringing general comfort.
One who gives probably refers to people who share their wealth, including possessions and food. For Paul, the use of this gift is to be characterized by generosity.
One who leads indicates the ability to manage something well and out of love. Paul stresses that those gifted with leadership are called to preside over other people with eagerness and diligence.
Who shows mercy refers to demonstrating kindness to those in need, such as the sick, poor, and elderly. Although this is expected of all followers of Christ, some people are particularly gifted by the Spirit to show mercy. NKJ Bible
1 Corinthians 12:4–14 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord…
1 Peter 4:10–11 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Corinthians 12:27–28 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
1 Corinthians 10:17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
Today, the distractions from darkness are real—with real pain and real sadness. And the noise from headlines (including today’s unfolding story in Venezuela)–all making it not so easy to stay grounded. And connected.
So. Where do we begin?
Can we remove our blinders?
Can we choose to make a difference?
Can we choose to be instruments for what is possible?
Can we be springs of mercy and tenderheartedness?
Where there is darkness, can we sow light?
Here's the deal: The answer is yes.
Because of a belief system? No. Because we can choose. And let us remember: We are not at the mercy of—assumptions, labels, intolerance, bias, fear or power.
This is about the choices we make, to determine the path forward.
Or, as my hero Mr. Roger’s reminds us, “It's not so much what we have in this life that matters. It's what we do with what we have. The alphabet is fine, but it's what we do with it that matters most. Making words like ‘friend,’ and ‘love.’ That's what really matters.”
I resonate with what writer Oyinkan Braithwaite said recently, “I am a Christian-in-walking. I do my best to follow the teachings of Christ.”
That at my core, I touch the capacity to grieve and to give, to tremble and to be courageous, to doubt and to be faithful, to be uncomfortable and to love, to be watchful and to be generous.
To be fully human and fully alive.
To be compassionate, patient, resilient, kind, unselfish, responsible, spirited, with a listening heart. Easy? No. But here's the good news. This reality—that we are indeed broken people—does not dishearten me. It motivates, animates and emboldens. To live with a soft heart keeps my hope alive. Knowing that the gift of my own fragile heart is the best gift I can give.
“Well, nobody else can live the life you live,” Mr. Rogers reminds us. “And even though no human being is perfect, we always have the chance to bring what's unique about us to live in a redeeming way.”
Of course it is always easier to believe this affirmation about others, than it is to believe it about ourselves. And that light inside does dim from time to time. And if we're honest we know how easy it is to live small or to be diminished; by shame or exhaustion or discouragement. And we are no longer dispensers of grace and light. In other words, we live with armor.
Why do I write Sabbath Moment? Because I want to live with a soft heart. And I need a reminder to set my armor down. Sabbath Moments
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