yield

That day Jesus went out of the house and sat down beside the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he climbed into a boat and sat down. The whole crowd was standing on the shore. He said many things to them in parables: “A farmer went out to scatter seed. As he was scattering seed, some fell on the path, and birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on rocky ground where the soil was shallow. They sprouted immediately because the soil wasn’t deep. But when the sun came up, it scorched the plants, and they dried up because they had no roots. Other seed fell among thorny plants. The thorny plants grew and choked them. Other seed fell on good soil and bore fruit, in one case a yield of one hundred to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of thirty to one. Everyone who has ears should pay attention.” “Consider then the parable of the farmer. Whenever people hear the word about the kingdom and don’t understand it, the evil one comes and carries off what was planted in their hearts. This is the seed that was sown on the path. As for the seed that was spread on rocky ground, this refers to people who hear the word and immediately receive it joyfully. Because they have no roots, they last for only a little while. When they experience distress or abuse because of the word, they immediately fall away. As for the seed that was spread among thorny plants, this refers to those who hear the word, but the worries of this life and the false appeal of wealth choke the word, and it bears no fruit. As for what was planted on good soil, this refers to those who hear and understand, and bear fruit and produce—in one case a yield of one hundred to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of thirty to one.” (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, CEB)

What does the word yield in your life?

It is interesting that Jesus tells the parable to a crowd and then something else happens, and then the disciples ask him, what did the parable mean?

We hear and don’t understand, that is the devil. Rocky ground is the word having no root in our lives and they fall away when everything isn’t always great. Thorny plants are the worries of life that keep people from believing the promises and having faith, and good soil produces a bumper crop. For those who know that life will be hard and Jesus never said that life would be easy or without pain, but his burden was light and his yoke would help. When we know that God is always with us we can produce love and mercy to share in a world that needs love and mercy.

Let us all be beacons of grace, mercy, and love. Knowing that God is always with us.

Loving People. Loving God.

judge

Jesus shouted, “Whoever believes in me doesn’t believe in me but in the one who sent me. Whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I have come as a light into the world so that everyone who believes in me won’t live in darkness. If people hear my words and don’t keep them, I don’t judge them. I didn’t come to judge the world but to save it. Whoever rejects me and doesn’t receive my words will be judged at the last day by the word I have spoken. I don’t speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me regarding what I should speak and say. I know that his commandment is eternal life. Therefore, whatever I say is just as the Father has said to me.” (John 12:44-50, CEB)

It seems that a lot of people are set on judging people who sin differently than them. Like saying those who live a lifestyle of homosexuality are not following after God, and yet here in John, Jesus says, “If people hear my words and don’t keep them, I don’t judge them.” Jesus doesn’t judge them because they don’t follow what he said, which is actually good for those judging as I said above, because Jesus never said anything about homosexuality. Jesus continues, “I didn’t come to judge the world but to save it.” Jesus didn’t come to judge the world. And if Jesus didn’t come to judge, I am pretty sure God didn’t send you to judge either.

Judging only makes you look self-righteous because all of us fall short of God’s glory. So do not point out the ways you think people are not living up to God’s standards, just love.

We are called to love. We all will stand in judgment on the last day by the words Jesus spoke.

You nor I will be the judge. But we will both be judged, and I would rather be excluded here for who I include instead of excluded than for not loving as God loves me.

It really is that easy. Don’t judge. Love!

Loving People. Loving God.

Share Christ

My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and are able to teach each other. But I’ve written to you in a sort of daring way, partly to remind you of what you already know. I’m writing to you in this way because of the grace that was given to me by God. It helps me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I’m working as a priest of God’s gospel so that the offering of the Gentiles can be acceptable and made holy by the Holy Spirit. So in Christ Jesus I brag about things that have to do with God. I don’t dare speak about anything except what Christ has done through me to bring about the obedience of the Gentiles. He did it by what I’ve said and what I’ve done, by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit. So I’ve completed the circuit of preaching Christ’s gospel from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. In this way, I have a goal to preach the gospel where they haven’t heard of Christ yet, so that I won’t be building on someone else’s foundation. Instead, as it’s written, Those who hadn’t been told about him will see, and those who hadn’t heard will understand. (Romans 15:14-21, CEB)

Paul here is trying to convince the Romans to let him use their congregation as a jumping-off point for a mission into Spain and parts of the world that have not heard the news of Jesus. He writes them, “I have a goal to preach the gospel where they haven’t heard of Christ yet.” And shouldn’t that be all of our goals?

To share Christ through our lives?

To have every word we speak and every action we do to proclaim the love of God?

St. Francis of Assisi is often attributed with the quote, “Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.” It is a great thought, but it really can not be traced to St. Francis. And yet, it is a way we should all choose to live.

That every action we do points to God. Our lives will just ooze God’s love and show that mercy and grace abound.

Live a life that can not be doubted and shows God’s love. It is a life of integrity. Say what you mean and mean what you say and show God’s love in everything you do.

Loving People. Loving God.

heart

Those who have sinned outside the Law will also die outside the Law, and those who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law. It isn’t the ones who hear the Law who are righteous in God’s eyes. It is the ones who do what the Law says who will be treated as righteous. Gentiles don’t have the Law. But when they instinctively do what the Law requires they are a Law in themselves, though they don’t have the Law. They show the proof of the Law written on their hearts, and their consciences affirm it. Their conflicting thoughts will accuse them, or even make a defense for them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the hidden truth about human beings through Christ Jesus. (Romans 2:12-16, CEB)

You don’t need to know the law to live by the law. We can be morally correct and follow God’s law and still not have heard it.

God said in Isaiah that the law would be written on the hearts of all people and we would not teach about God anymore. We will all know what we need to do and follow where God is leading. Not because we are following rules, but because we know it is the way to live and treat others.

Love everyone unconditionally.

Loving People. Loving God.

power…

Before the Festival of Passover, Jesus knew that his time had come to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them fully. Jesus and his disciples were sharing the evening meal. The devil had already provoked Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew the Father had given everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God. So he got up from the table and took off his robes. Picking up a linen towel, he tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he was wearing. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but you will understand later.” “No!” Peter said. “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t have a place with me.” Simon Peter said, “Lord, not only my feet but also my hands and my head!” Jesus responded, “Those who have bathed need only to have their feet washed, because they are completely clean. You disciples are clean, but not every one of you.” He knew who would betray him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you is clean.” After he washed the disciples’ feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. He said to them, “Do you know what I’ve done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you speak correctly, because I am. If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do. I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them. Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them. (John 13:1-17, CEB)

Power is a thing that people crave and is yielded in ways that keep people oppressed and systems in place.

But in this passage, where Jesus, the master, washes the feet of his disciples, the power structure is turned over.

Jesus should be the one who gets his feet washed by the disciples, not Jesus washing their feet. And yet, Jesus explains that the servant is equal to the master and the master is equal to the servant. All of us are on the same level, no exception. We all must be ready to serve each other.

Do not yield power to keep people in line, but use power to show love and service to all.

Loving People. Loving God.

promise

So what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Or what’s the benefit of circumcision? Plenty in every way. First of all, the Jews were trusted with God’s revelations. What does it matter, then, if some weren’t faithful? Their lack of faith won’t cancel God’s faithfulness, will it? Absolutely not! God must be true, even if every human being is a liar, as it is written: So that it can show that you are right in your words; and you will triumph when you are judged. But if our lack of righteousness confirms God’s justice, what will we say? That God, who brings wrath upon us, isn’t just (I’m speaking rhetorically)? Absolutely not! If God weren’t just, how could he judge the world? But if God’s truth is demonstrated by my lie and it increases his glory, why am I still judged as a sinner? Why not say, “Let’s do evil things so that good things will come out of it”? (Some people who slander us accuse us of saying that, but these people deserve criticism.) (Romans 3:1-8, CEB)

Have you ever gotten a promise from someone? And then they didn’t follow through on it?

I am sorry to say I have promised things and failed. I told my children I would build them a treehouse and I never have, and yes they remind me of this. And I say I am sorry. I am a failed human. I do not always keep my promises even though I try to keep them all. I am sinful and fail to do what I should.

And yet God never does. The promise to the Jewish nation is that they are God’s chosen people and always will be. The fact they do not follow God doesn’t take away God’s promise.

God’s promise to us will never fail.

Loving People. Loving God.

honor or thank

God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodly behavior and the injustice of human beings who silence the truth with injustice. This is because what is known about God should be plain to them because God made it plain to them. Ever since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—God’s eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, because they are understood through the things God has made. So humans are without excuse. Although they knew God, they didn’t honor God as God or thank him. Instead, their reasoning became pointless, and their foolish hearts were darkened. While they were claiming to be wise, they made fools of themselves. They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images that look like mortal humans: birds, animals, and reptiles. So God abandoned them to their hearts’ desires, which led to the moral corruption of degrading their own bodies with each other. They traded God’s truth for a lie, and they worshipped and served the creation instead of the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:18-25, CEB)

When was the last time you woke up and thanked God for allowing you to live another day?

Do you honor God in the way you live?

Do you put others before yourself?

Do you love like God?

When we focus on our needs and desires and do what is best for us, we do not honor God in the way we live.

We need to seek the needs of others and love as God loves us, unconditionally.

Loving People. Loving God.

struggle

“To what will I compare this generation? It is like a child sitting in the marketplaces calling out to others, ‘We played the flute for you and you didn’t dance. We sang a funeral song and you didn’t mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ Yet the Human One came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved to be right by her works.” Then he began to scold the cities where he had done his greatest miracles because they didn’t change their hearts and lives. “How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible it will be for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done among you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have changed their hearts and lives and put on funeral clothes and ashes a long time ago. But I say to you that Tyre and Sidon will be better off on Judgment Day than you. And you, Capernaum, will you be honored by being raised up to heaven? No, you will be thrown down to the place of the dead. After all, if the miracles that were done among you had been done in Sodom, it would still be here today. But I say to you that it will be better for the land of Sodom on the Judgment Day than it will be for you.” At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you’ve hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have shown them to babies. Indeed, Father, this brings you happiness. “My Father has handed all things over to me. No one knows the Son except the Father. And nobody knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wants to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:16-30, CEB)

Come to Jesus, all who are struggling and carrying heavy loads and you will find rest. Jesus will put his yoke upon you and you will learn how to move.

You see the yoke is a device that distributes the weight of the load to you and Jesus. Jesus’ burden is light and he is ready and willing to take on your load.

So know that the promises are true and Jesus is waiting for you to take his yoke and release yourself from the burdens of life. You don’t need to do this alone.

You are never alone.

Loving People. Loving God.

Joy

At that very moment, Jesus overflowed with joy from the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you’ve hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and shown them to babies. Indeed, Father, this brings you happiness. My Father has handed all things over to me. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wants to reveal him.” Turning to the disciples, he said privately, “Happy are the eyes that see what you see. I assure you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see and hear what you hear, but they didn’t.” (Luke 10:21-24, CEB)

Jesus is overjoyed because those who think they got it didn’t and those who shouldn’t get it do.

Those who acknowledge they do not know and need help are the ones who really get what God is doing. When you are puffed up and assume you have been taught all the answers and know everything about God you will never actually get it until you step back and acknowledge you really don’t know and need help.

Make Jesus jump for joy and say you need help.

Loving People. Loving God.

desire

So what are we going to say? That the Law is sin? Absolutely not! But I wouldn’t have known sin except through the Law. I wouldn’t have known the desire for what others have if the Law had not said, Don’t desire to take what others have. But sin seized the opportunity and used this commandment to produce all kinds of desires in me. Sin is dead without the Law. I used to be alive without the Law, but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life, and I died. So the commandment that was intended to give life brought death. Sin seized the opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and killed me. So the Law itself is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good. So did something good bring death to me? Absolutely not! But sin caused my death through something good so that sin would be exposed as sin. That way sin would become even more thoroughly sinful through the commandment. We know that the Law is spiritual, but I’m made of flesh and blood, and I’m sold as a slave to sin. I don’t know what I’m doing, because I don’t do what I want to do. Instead, I do the thing that I hate. But if I’m doing the thing that I don’t want to do, I’m agreeing that the Law is right. But now I’m not the one doing it anymore. Instead, it’s sin that lives in me. I know that good doesn’t live in me—that is, in my body. The desire to do good is inside of me, but I can’t do it. I don’t do the good that I want to do, but I do the evil that I don’t want to do. But if I do the very thing that I don’t want to do, then I’m not the one doing it anymore. Instead, it is sin that lives in me that is doing it. (Romans 7:7-20, CEB)

Human desire is self-preservation.

Human desire is to take care of self first.

This is sinful behavior because it focuses our attention on ourselves and not on God and others.

I think Paul is making a point here that the law shows us what is turning us away from God, but I also think that we do not need the law to know that we focus on ourselves.

Know that good is in you and you can focus on God and others. Allow God to live through you.

Know that you do not need to worry about yourself, because when we focus on God and others, then others are focusing on you.

Show love and mercy in everything you do.

Loving People. Loving God.