 In his letter to the Galatian churches, Paul quotes from the incredible scripture of Isaiah 54. I share the whole passage in its entirety below to highlight its importance, especially now in these pivotal times of rapid change. The previous verse, (Galatians 4:26) reads as follows: "But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother." This verse tells me that even though I do not like many things that are going on & would have chosen differently if I was able to, I am free in my response. Isaiah 54 is God's bold declaration of assurance that its all going to be more than alright. Knowing this inspires me to keep noticing what's more than alright, right now. Noticing gives me courage & momentum to keep sharing God's eternal covenant of peace, amen.  The verse: "For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband" reminds me of Paul's advice regarding marriage in 1 Corinthians, chapter 7. While it is good to marry & devote oneself to God in service of spouse & children, one's attention will be divided. Paul encourages whoever is able, to remain as he is, single-celibate with undivided devotion upon the Lord. That said, having both options as honorable paths, means having "children", real ones, as being optimized & symbolically as "spiritual fruitfulness", maximized.  This is a principle shared with other religions, such as Hinduism as can be understood by Nityanada's statement: "As is your devotion, so is your liberation." Christ, thank goodness, doesn't just leave it up to us alone. Spiritually, He saves & sanctifies everyone who opens the door of their heart to Him. Tim Keller said: "We are all spiritually barren. We need supernatural intervention from God to be what we ought to be." In Galatians 4:6-7, Paul explains: "...God sent the Spirit of his son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father'. So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir." So, who is the "barren" woman that's having so many children, she must 'enlarge the place of her tent'? The Jews persecuted, scattered & in exile; Jews & gentiles coming to Jesus' Covenant & the Church, especially prior to the return of Christ, as in right now. In sum, those who know fragility & depravity first hand & thus are in desperate need of God (see Matthew 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit...") & those who have eyes to see & ears to hear. Who is "the one who has a husband?" Israel - those considered favored/ prosperous & safe/protected but under the works-based law of the Old Testament. While God of the Old Testament is our Husband, Maker & King, Jesus, God of the New Testament is our bridegroom - soon to be spouse! These quotes from Tim Keller came from this sermon: The Maker is your Husband
Thank you God for keeping your word; for telling us your promises & for working with us to bring about their fulfillment, amen!
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 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. defined power as the ability to achieve purpose & the strength required to effect change. Power doesn't always look how we think it should. It's not necessarily obvious or forceful. Sometimes, it’s what goes unsaid that’s most powerful. Like when Jesus remained silent while being questioned & accused by authorities & crowds of people shouted: "Crucify him!"  and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. (1 Peter 2:8) Why is Jesus 'a stone of stumbling' & 'a rock of offense'? He was not the king people were hoping for. As it turns out though, His gift of grace, is far better than many can even imagine! He is much greater & beyond all earthly kings & exactly who we need. Lord, please help us see through your eyes & feel with your heart while being doers of your word, amen.  This is a painting I just completed at my friend Suzanne's place to welcome in the new year. Happy New Year!  The wheel in this photo came from my family's farm house from over 50 years ago in Ontario where I was born. 1 Corinthians 12:27 comes from Paul's letter to the Corinthian church about how Christians are to function & cooperate in harmony, like the billions of parts of a physical body. While the body's many parts do different jobs, they all have one unifying purpose: survive & sustain life. From this analogy, a question comes to my mind. It has a seemingly obvious answer, but its still worth raising: What is the overall, unifying purpose of 'the church'? A few of the previous verses in this passage of scripture, gives us important context & highlights even more of its beautiful truth! 24-26: "But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." Like the body, a wheel, shows us, in a simplified way, how all its parts are connected & how each part, although different, is very needed for the whole to function optimally. And so it is with 'the church', which is not just a building or denomination, but it is everyone who has & will believe in Jesus Christ as God, their Lord & Savior (see What is the Church?). Phew! That is amazing to think about, considering: "For the Scriptures say, "As surely as I live,' says the LORD, 'every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.'" (Romans 14:11, NLT). "For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:9  This is another wheel art image I made, depicting how 'good works' (represented by the colorful diamonds) come with the Holy Spirit from salvation/belief that Christ is God (represented by the yellow center) as Holy Spirit expands throughout one's soul (the 'spokes' of the wheel), body (the outer part of wheel) & eventually beyond. In chapter 3 of Corinthians, Paul explains to the church members to remain humble, no matter one's function or purpose: "So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (1 Corinthians 3:7) True Christ-like 'doings' (e.g. good works) are only possible by Him, either: 1). Through 'the body' because of sincere belief, as Holy Spirit-led obedience flows from that belief. And, 2). 'Good works' also happen as part of God's perfect will for the good of those who love him, to inspire belief in unbelievers & to bring back those who have gone astray. Therefore, God works through believers & unbelievers (see: https://www.bridges.church/does-god-ever-use-unbelievers-to-accomplish-his-will/). Lord Jesus I pray, as your 'field or building,' thank you for guiding us, the church, to be open & receive Holy Spirit in service of love - to you & our neighbors. Help us grow in humility, endurance, compassion & worthiness as your body & lead us to be quick to repentance when we are in error. In Jesus name, amen.
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