Power

Jesus came down from the mountain with them and stood on a large area of level ground. A great company of his disciples and a huge crowd of people from all around Judea and Jerusalem and the area around Tyre and Sidon joined him there. They came to hear him and to be healed from their diseases, and those bothered by unclean spirits were healed. The whole crowd wanted to touch him, because power was going out from him and he was healing everyone. Jesus raised his eyes to his disciples and said: “Happy are you who are poor, because God’s kingdom is yours. Happy are you who hunger now, because you will be satisfied. Happy are you who weep now, because you will laugh. Happy are you when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and condemn your name as evil because of the Human One. Rejoice when that happens! Leap for joy because you have a great reward in heaven. Their ancestors did the same things to the prophets. But how terrible for you who are rich, because you have already received your comfort. How terrible for you who have plenty now, because you will be hungry. How terrible for you who laugh now, because you will mourn and weep. How terrible for you when all speak well of you. Their ancestors did the same things to the false prophets. (Luke 6:17-26, CEB)

It is interesting that this is the sermon in Luke where the beatitudes come and they are a little different than Matthew, but the interesting thing to me as I read this passage this time was, “The whole crowd wanted to touch him, because power was going out from him and he was healing everyone.”

They all wanted to touch him because power was going out of him.

They wanted to be healed or get the mojo.

Don’t we all want power?

And sometimes we will do things we wouldn’t normally do to get that.

But we do not have to. If we just believe and follow, then we get the power.

Be who God created and know you are loved.

Loving People. Loving God.

Pay attention

Pay attention, you wealthy people! Weep and moan over the miseries coming upon you. Your riches have rotted. Moths have destroyed your clothes. Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you. It will eat your flesh like fire. Consider the treasure you have hoarded in the last days. Listen! Hear the cries of the wages of your field hands. These are the wages you stole from those who harvested your fields. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of heavenly forces. You have lived a self-satisfying life on this earth, a life of luxury. You have stuffed your hearts in preparation for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous one, who doesn’t oppose you. (James 5:1-6, CEB)

Do you have stores of wealth?

Do you have treasures you will never use?

Do people around you want for basic needs while you sit in luxury and count your wealth?

This is not how God has called us to live. Share what you have with those in need.

You are blessed to be a blessing.

Pay attention and love the world.

Loving People. Loving God.

Owe or appeal

From Paul, who is a prisoner for the cause of Christ Jesus, and our brother Timothy. To Philemon our dearly loved coworker, Apphia our sister, Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church that meets in your house. May the grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Philemon, I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers because I’ve heard of your love and faithfulness, which you have both for the Lord Jesus and for all God’s people. I pray that your partnership in the faith might become effective by an understanding of all that is good among us in Christ. I have great joy and encouragement because of your love, since the hearts of God’s people are refreshed by your actions, my brother. Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to command you to do the right thing, I would rather appeal to you through love. I, Paul—an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus— appeal to you for my child Onesimus. I became his father in the faith during my time in prison. He was useless to you before, but now he is useful to both of us. I’m sending him back to you, which is like sending you my own heart. I considered keeping him with me so that he might serve me in your place during my time in prison because of the gospel. However, I didn’t want to do anything without your consent so that your act of kindness would occur willingly and not under pressure. Maybe this is the reason that Onesimus was separated from you for a while so that you might have him back forever— no longer as a slave but more than a slave—that is, as a dearly loved brother. He is especially a dearly loved brother to me. How much more can he become a brother to you, personally and spiritually in the Lord! So, if you really consider me a partner, welcome Onesimus as if you were welcoming me. If he has harmed you in any way or owes you money, charge it to my account. I, Paul, will pay it back to you (I’m writing this with my own hand). Of course, I won’t mention that you owe me your life. Yes, brother, I want this favor from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. I’m writing to you, confident of your obedience and knowing that you will do more than what I ask. Also, one more thing—prepare a guest room for me. I hope that I will be released from prison to be with you because of your prayers. Epaphras, who is in prison with me for the cause of Christ Jesus, greets you, as well as my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (Philemon 1-25, CEB)

Here we have the book of Philemon.

It is Paul writing to Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church that meets in their home. really though it is to Philemon.

Onesimus was a slave of Philemon’s? Somehow they were connected and Onesimus went to be with Paul and Paul is now sending him back to Philemon and saying that Philemon should accept him as a brother in Christ, and if Onesimus owes Philemon anything Paul will pay it.

Do we do things for people because we owe them or because it is the right thing to do as brothers and sisters in Christ? Do we do things for others so they will owe us or because it is what God leads us to do?

We should love all and give them love and compassion because that is what God calls us to do not for what we will get.

Love because you are loved, not so you get something.

Loving People. Loving God.

Happy?

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain. He sat down and his disciples came to him. He taught them, saying:
“Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
“Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad.
“Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth.
“Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full.
“Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy.
“Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God.
“Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.
“Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
“Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me. Be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven. In the same way, people harassed the prophets who came before you.
(Matthew 5:1-12, CEB)

Happy are you when you are:

hopeless
greiving
humble
hungry and thirsty
showing mercy
pure of heart
making peace

Now some of these I can see would make you happy and the hungry and thirsty I left of for righteousness, which could make one happy. But when you are hopeless and when you are grieving you are happy?

Seems a little backwards, but then God never told us faith would be logical.

We are happy because we are following and living the life God has placed before us, which is probably contrary to what the world says we should be doing.

Be happy and follow God and not the world.

Loving People. Loving God.

This is how…

When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Human One has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify the Human One in himself and will glorify him immediately. Little children, I’m with you for a little while longer. You will look for me—but, just as I told the Jewish leaders, I also tell you now—‘Where I’m going, you can’t come.’ “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.” (John 13:31-35, CEB)

This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples:

By the way you point out someone else’s shortcomings…
By the way you say others are going to hell because they do not act like you…
By the way you say people shouldn’t be welcome in worship gatherings because the are sinners…

Uhm no none of these. When you love. People will know you follow me when you love.

Love like God does and accept them as they are. God didn’t make you be perfect before God accepted you, why do others have to be?

Love each other, as God loves you.

Love Out Loud.

Loving People. Loving God.

without bias

Elders who lead well should be paid double, especially those who work with public speaking and teaching. The scripture says, Don’t put a muzzle on an ox while it treads grain, and Workers deserve their pay. Don’t accept an accusation made against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. Discipline those who are sinning in front of everyone so that all the others will be afraid. I charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to follow these practices without bias, and without playing favorites. Don’t rush to commission anyone to leadership, and don’t participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself morally pure. Don’t drink water anymore, but use a little wine because of your stomach problems and your frequent illnesses. The sins of some people are obvious, and the sins are judged before the people must face judgment, but the sins of other people show up later. (1 Timothy 5:17-24, CEB)

I have to say I have issues with this passage and getting a title for the devotion was a little difficult.

Elders who lead well should be paid double. Well, who decides if they lead well, and why two or three witnesses? I get we need to make sure that an accusation is correct but sometimes there are not witnesses and it is a credible accusation.

And discipline those who sin in front of everyone so they will get in line because they are afraid. Seriously? Fear is a motivator but never a good one. Why would we say this and why would we want this in scripture?

Maybe most of this is good and I jumped the gun with issues, but fear is never a motivator to choose. Maybe we discipline those sinning in front of all so that the community can help them live a life that shows the love of God to the world, not so the community is scared to do anything because they will be the next to be before the community. If we as a community lift each other up rather than condemn love will abound more.

Love everyone without bias and help others follow God.

Loving People. Loving God.

shun evil and do good

Finally, all of you be of one mind, sympathetic, lovers of your fellow believers, compassionate, and modest in your opinion of yourselves. Don’t pay back evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, give blessing in return. You were called to do this so that you might inherit a blessing. For those who want to love life and see good days should keep their tongue from evil speaking and their lips from speaking lies. They should shun evil and do good; seek peace and chase after it. The Lord’s eyes are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord cannot tolerate those who do evil. (1 Peter 3:8-12, CEB)

Do you want to love life?

Then you need to:

keep your tongue from evil speaking and your lips from speaking lies.
you should shun evil and do good;
you should seek peace and chase after it.

We should be of one mind and sympathetic of others.

We need to bless the world and not repay evil with evil.

When we love the world, then God’s love will be made known.

Loving People. Loving God.

John

John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,

“Bless the Lord God of Israel
    because he has come to help and has delivered his people.
He has raised up a mighty savior for us in his servant David’s house,
    just as he said through the mouths of his holy prophets long ago.
He has brought salvation from our enemies
    and from the power of all those who hate us.
He has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
    and remembered his holy covenant,
        the solemn pledge he made to our ancestor Abraham.
He has granted that we would be rescued
        from the power of our enemies
    so that we could serve him without fear,
        in holiness and righteousness in God’s eyes,
            for as long as we live.
You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High,
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
You will tell his people how to be saved
    through the forgiveness of their sins.
Because of our God’s deep compassion,
    the dawn from heaven will break upon us,
    to give light to those who are sitting in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,
        to guide us on the path of peace.” (Luke 1:67-79, CEB)

You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High and will prepare the way for the Lord!

John came months before Jesus and prepared the people for Jesus’ message of love.

You too are a prophet of the Most High, a herald of the Good News of Jesus Christ and the love of God given to and shared with all people.

Do not shy away from sharing the love you have been given, for that prepares the way for the Lord to be a part of the lives of the people of the world.

Love Out Loud!

Loving People. Loving God.

integrity

Therefore, my loved ones, just as you always obey me, not just when I am present but now even more while I am away, carry out your own salvation with fear and trembling. God is the one who enables you both to want and to actually live out his good purposes. Do everything without grumbling and arguing so that you may be blameless and pure, innocent children of God surrounded by people who are crooked and corrupt. Among these people you shine like stars in the world because you hold on to the word of life. This will allow me to say on the day of Christ that I haven’t run for nothing or worked for nothing. But even if I am poured out like a drink offering upon the altar of service for your faith, I am glad. I’m glad with all of you. You should be glad about this in the same way. Be glad with me! (Philippians 2:12-18, CEB)

Be who you are regardless of who is watching.

Live your life the same way online as you would in person and do what you would do if your mother is watching when she isn’t.

The issue today is most people are at least 3 or more people.

They are:

Someone online
Someone who pleases their mother
Someone in person

Also, there could be more. Are you a different person with different people?

You should always be the same person regardless of who you are with and wether of not you are in person or behind a keyboard. That is being the person God created.

Walk the walk and talk the talk and do it without grumbling.

Loving People. Loving God.

stupid ideas

Nobody should deceive you with stupid ideas. God’s anger comes down on those who are disobedient because of this kind of thing. So you shouldn’t have anything to do with them. You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, so live your life as children of light. Light produces fruit that consists of every sort of goodness, justice, and truth. Therefore, test everything to see what’s pleasing to the Lord, and don’t participate in the unfruitful actions of darkness. Instead, you should reveal the truth about them. It’s embarrassing to even talk about what certain persons do in secret. But everything exposed to the light is revealed by the light. Everything that is revealed by the light is light. Therefore, it says, Wake up, sleeper! Get up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. (Ephesians 5:6-14, CEB)

No one should deceive you with stupid ideas.

It seems like a lot of people should read this and learn about not being deceived by stupid ideas.

We should test everything to make sure it is of God.

Follow after Jesus. Love all but test all.

Do not be decided by stupid ideas.

Loving People. Loving God.