Can you hide?

“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? It’s good for nothing except to be thrown away and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven. “Don’t even begin to think that I have come to do away with the Law and the Prophets. I haven’t come to do away with them but to fulfill them. I say to you very seriously that as long as heaven and earth exist, neither the smallest letter nor even the smallest stroke of a pen will be erased from the Law until everything there becomes a reality. Therefore, whoever ignores one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called the lowest in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps these commands and teaches people to keep them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. I say to you that unless your righteousness is greater than the righteousness of the legal experts and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:13-20, CEB)

If you truly believe that Jesus is the son of God and came to teach us to love and live in grace then we can not not share this. We need to light the light and put it on a table and shout it from the mountains.

We need to season the world with the love God has given us.

We need to not worry about the rules and love as we have been told to do, God and everyone.

Love out Loud and let your light shine!

Loving People. Loving God.

rules

The Pharisees and some legal experts from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus. They saw some of his disciples eating food with unclean hands. (They were eating without first ritually purifying their hands through washing. The Pharisees and all the Jews don’t eat without first washing their hands carefully. This is a way of observing the rules handed down by the elders. Upon returning from the marketplace, they don’t eat without first immersing themselves. They observe many other rules that have been handed down, such as the washing of cups, jugs, pans, and sleeping mats.) So the Pharisees and legal experts asked Jesus, “Why are your disciples not living according to the rules handed down by the elders but instead eat food with ritually unclean hands?” He replied, “Isaiah really knew what he was talking about when he prophesied about you hypocrites. He wrote, This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from me. Their worship of me is empty since they teach instructions that are human words. You ignore God’s commandment while holding on to rules created by humans and handed down to you.” (Mark 7:1-8, CEB)

I often hear people say they have given up on organized religion. Another way people say this is I’m spiritual but not religious.

And this passage is one of the reasons why. We get so hung up on the rules and what we have to do to be a part we lose sight of what God actually told us to do, love.

Rules are good and give us order. But rules that hinder love or cause people to have to do things they can’t are not loving.

Jesus said the law and the prophets can be summed up in two commandments. The law and the prophets is the sum total of the Hebrew Scripture. Those commandments are love God and love neighbor. Love. The only rule you have to follow.

Do not put on appearances and look like you are doing good by keeping the rules. Love.

Love out Loud.

Loving People. Loving God.

wisdom from above

Are any of you wise and understanding? Show that your actions are good with a humble lifestyle that comes from wisdom. However, if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, then stop bragging and living in ways that deny the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is from the earth, natural and demonic. Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and everything that is evil. What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, and genuine. Those who make peace sow the seeds of justice by their peaceful acts. (James 3:13-18, CEB)

Jealousy and selfish ambition is a denying of the truth of God. These bring disorder and evil and get in the way of community and grace.

When we see others for the beauty that God sees in them and for the wonder they bring to the world. There will be purity and peace. We will abide together and see how we work together in one community, one body.

Use the wisdom from above and do not be jealous of others, but see how they compliment the gifts you bring.

Loving People. Loving God.

Presentation of our Lord

When the time came for their ritual cleansing, in accordance with the Law from Moses, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (It’s written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord.”) They offered a sacrifice in keeping with what’s stated in the Law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. A man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He was righteous and devout. He eagerly anticipated the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple area. Meanwhile, Jesus’ parents brought the child to the temple so that they could do what was customary under the Law. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He said, “Now, master, let your servant go in peace according to your word, because my eyes have seen your salvation. You prepared this salvation in the presence of all peoples. It’s a light for revelation to the Gentiles and a glory for your people Israel.” His father and mother were amazed by what was said about him. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “This boy is assigned to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that generates opposition so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your innermost being too.” There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, who belonged to the tribe of Asher. She was very old. After she married, she lived with her husband for seven years. She was now an 84-year-old widow. She never left the temple area but worshipped God with fasting and prayer night and day. She approached at that very moment and began to praise God and to speak about Jesus to everyone who was looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Mary and Joseph had completed everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown, Nazareth in Galilee. The child grew up and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him. (Luke 2:22-40, CEB)

What would you do if you took your child to do what your religion said must be done and you were greeted by two people you had never met praised your child and told all those around about all the things he would do? Take your child and run. That is what I would do.

But Mary and Joseph heard the words and completed their tasks and went home.

They did their religious duty, knowing full well what was coming. Simeon and Anna just confirmed what they already knew.

Jesus was something different and was going to make a change in the world.

Mary and Joseph did their duty under the law and in the religion.

And Jesus did his and changed the world.

How do you present Jesus to the world?

Loving People. Loving God.

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.