Follow me…

43 The next day Jesus wanted to go into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law and the Prophets: Jesus, Joseph’s son, from Nazareth.” 46 Nathanael responded, “Can anything from Nazareth be good?” Philip said, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here is a genuine Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” 49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are God’s Son. You are the king of Israel.” 50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these! 51 I assure you that you will see heaven open and God’s angels going up to heaven and down to earth on the Human One.” (John 1:43-51, CEB)

Have you ever judged someone because of where they are from?

We have preconceived notions about people based on where they are from. We also judge people based on their history.

We judge people based on what we know, not what we don’t know. But that is a limited amount of material to make a complete judgment of a person. We don’t know their thoughts, or the motives of their hearts. Their motives, their secret battles, the great things they have done for others.

We need to be open to God and follow where God leads. Knowing that God’s way is way better than our ways.

Love all and share light as you go.

Loving People. Loving God.

Open minds

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul took a route through the interior and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. 2 He asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you came to believe?” They replied, “We’ve not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 Then he said, “What baptism did you receive, then?” They answered, “John’s baptism.” 4 Paul explained, “John baptized with a baptism by which people showed they were changing their hearts and lives. It was a baptism that told people about the one who was coming after him. This is the one in whom they were to believe. This one is Jesus.” 5 After they listened to Paul, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in other languages and prophesying. 7 Altogether, there were about twelve people. 8 Paul went to the synagogue and spoke confidently for the next three months. He interacted with those present and offered convincing arguments concerning the nature of God’s kingdom. 9 Some people had closed their minds, though. They refused to believe and publicly slandered the Way. As a result, Paul left them, took the disciples with him, and continued his daily interactions in Tyrannus’ lecture hall. 10 This went on for two years, so that everyone living in the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the Lord’s word. (Acts 19:1-10,CEB)

Here is another look at baptism. These believers were baptized into John’s baptism, which is different than the baptism we as Christians do. So Paul told them about Jesus and they were baptized and then received the Holy Spirit. But some had closed their minds because they knew the best way and that this new thing could not possibly be what God wants us to do.

If we are not open to new things then we have closed our minds and are unwilling to be moved, changed, or grow. We all need to grow into the faith and trust of God and follow where God leads us.

So always be open minded.

Loving People. Loving God.

Baptized

44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone who heard the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 They heard them speaking in other languages and praising God. Peter asked, 47 “These people have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. Surely no one can stop them from being baptized with water, can they?” 48 He directed that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited Peter to stay for several days. (Acts 10:44-48, CEB)

So which comes first?

Water Baptism?

Or Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

In our service, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we have a spot after the water baptism where the person presiding says, “Name , child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” Which I always had issues with. Because this reads to me like at that point when the cross is drawn on the head of the baptized with oil the Spirit enters in. And how are we so bold to say that is when the Spirit comes?

Here in the reading, the Gentiles have received the Holy Spirit, and the disciples then ask, what is to keep them from being baptized with water? So the Holy Spirit comes when the Holy Spirit wants to. We do not control that. It could happen at the point above in the baptismal service, but to say that is when it happens for certain is not what we can do.

So go and know that God is in control and not you.

Loving People. Loving God.

heal

38 After leaving the synagogue, Jesus went home with Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a high fever, and the family asked Jesus to help her. 39 He bent over her and spoke harshly to the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and served them. 40 When the sun was setting, everyone brought to Jesus relatives and acquaintances with all kinds of diseases. Placing his hands on each of them, he healed them. 41 Demons also came out of many people. They screamed, “You are God’s Son.” But he spoke harshly to them and wouldn’t allow them to speak because they recognized that he was the Christ. 42 When daybreak arrived, Jesus went to a deserted place. The crowds were looking for him. When they found him, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of God’s kingdom in other cities too, for this is why I was sent.” 44 So he continued preaching in the Judean synagogues. (Luke 4:38-44, CEB)

Jesus healed many people, and in the morning he went off to be alone, but the crowds were looking for him because they wanted to be healed. They wanted him to stay because they wanted to be healed.

Don’t we all want to be healed? But sometimes healing isn’t what we think it will be. And we can’t be selfish and keep others from healing too. We need to let Jesus be where Jesus needs to be and allow all people to be healed.

And Jesus says he was not sent to heal, but to preach good news. And this is something we can all do. Share the good news of God’s mercy everywhere we go.

Loving People. Loving God.

Grow

2 Make room in your hearts for us. We didn’t do anything wrong to anyone. We didn’t ruin anyone. We didn’t take advantage of anyone. 3 I’m not saying this to make you feel guilty. I’ve already said that you are in our hearts so that we die and live together with you. 4 I have every confidence in you. I’m terribly proud of you. I’m filled with encouragement. I’m overwhelmed with happiness while in the middle of our problems. 5 Even after we arrived in Macedonia, we couldn’t rest physically. We were surrounded by problems. There was external conflict, and there were internal fears. 6 However, God comforts people who are discouraged, and he comforted us by Titus’ arrival. 7 We weren’t comforted only by his arrival but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your desire to see me, how you were sorry, and about your concern for me, so that I was even happier. 8 Even though my letter hurt you, I don’t regret it. Well—I did regret it just a bit because I see that that letter made you sad, though only for a short time. 9 Now I’m glad—not because you were sad but because you were made sad enough to change your hearts and lives. You felt godly sadness so that no one was harmed by us in any way. 10 Godly sadness produces a changed heart and life that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets, but sorrow under the influence of the world produces death. 11 Look at what this very experience of godly sadness has produced in you: such enthusiasm, what a desire to clear yourselves of blame, such indignation, what fear, what purpose, such concern, what justice! In everything you have shown yourselves to be innocent in the matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it wasn’t for the sake of the one who did wrong, or for the sake of the one who was wronged, but to show you your own enthusiasm for us in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 7:2-12, CEB)

Sometimes we need to be pushed beyond our comfort zone to be the people we were created to be. And when we are discouraged we know that God will be there to comfort us.

Sometimes we are pushed to the limit and that causes us to grow.

Never over look a moment you can grow.

Loving People. Loving God.

Speak so others hear

Pursue love, and use your ambition to try to get spiritual gifts but especially so that you might prophesy. 2 This is because those who speak in a tongue don’t speak to people but to God; no one understands it—they speak mysteries by the Spirit. 3 Those who prophesy speak to people, building them up, and giving them encouragement and comfort. 4 People who speak in a tongue build up themselves; those who prophesy build up the church. 5 I wish that all of you spoke in tongues, but I’d rather you could prophesy. Those who prophesy are more important than those who speak in tongues, unless they are able to interpret them so that the church might be built up. 6 After all, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I help you unless I speak to you with a revelation, some knowledge, a prophecy, or a teaching? 7 Likewise, things that aren’t alive like a harp or a lyre can make a sound, but if there aren’t different notes in the sounds they make, how will the tune from the harp or the lyre be recognized? 8 And if a trumpet call is unrecognizable, then who will prepare for battle? 9 It’s the same way with you: If you don’t use language that is easy to understand when you speak in a tongue, then how will anyone understand what is said? 10 It will be as if you are speaking into the air! There are probably many language families in the world, and none of them are without meaning. 11 So if I don’t know the meaning of the language, then I will be like a foreigner to those who speak it, and they will be like foreigners to me. 12 The same holds true for you: since you are ambitious for spiritual gifts, use your ambition to try to work toward being the best at building up the church. (1 Corinthians 14:1-12, CEB)

Paul is talking about speaking in tongues, which some denominations do today. This is seen as a wonderful thing and I would agree, but Paul says unless it is interpreted or done in a way that others understand, it is not a gift for the church.

But I think we still do this today. Our language about worship and the things we do in the church are our own. We have a narthex and sanctuary. A chancel and chalice and paten. Sometimes the language we use gets in the way of others knowing what we are saying.

How do we talk in a way that those with ears will hear, so that God’s light will shine in the darkness of the world?

Loving People. Loving God.

Home

14 Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news about him spread throughout the whole countryside. 15 He taught in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. On the Sabbath he went to the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read. 17 The synagogue assistant gave him the scroll from the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed, 19 and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. 20 He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the synagogue assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on him. 21 He began to explain to them, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it.” (Luke 4:14-21, CEB)

What would you do if a person you grew up with came back to your home town after being away for a while and read holy scripture in your temple and said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it.” You would probably say, “isn’t that Joe who we use to go to the creek with, what has gotten into him?”

We get so hung up on a person’s past because we think we know them, we don’t allow God to make changes we have no clue about. We make the past reign supreme and don’t allow God to be God.

Can we move past what we think we know and let God be God?

Loving People. Loving God.

Lost a child?

39 When Mary and Joseph had completed everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown, Nazareth in Galilee. 40 The child grew up and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him. 41 Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When he was 12 years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to their custom. 43 After the festival was over, they were returning home, but the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t know it. 44 Supposing that he was among their band of travelers, they journeyed on for a full day while looking for him among their family and friends. 45 When they didn’t find Jesus, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and putting questions to them. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed by his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were shocked. His mother said, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Listen! Your father and I have been worried. We’ve been looking for you!” 49 Jesus replied, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they didn’t understand what he said to them. 51 Jesus went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. His mother cherished every word in her heart. 52 Jesus matured in wisdom and years, and in favor with God and with people. (Luke 2:39-52, CEB)

Have you ever lost a child? In a store, or at a park, or anywhere?

It is a feeling you never forget when your child is not to be found and you worry you will never see them again. It is a sinking feeling of loss and remorse. How did I let this happen?

Mary and Joseph traveled a full day looking for Jesus and when they couldn’t find him among the family, they went back to Jerusalem to look. And there he was.

And like any good parent, they flip the blame on the child, how could you do this? I told you to stay with me! Maybe if we always try to love, and not blame, we would grow more into who God has made us to be.

Love as you go and share the light of Jesus. Knowing you will not always get it right, but don’t blame others for our own shortcomings, and show we are trying to be who God made us to be.

Loving People. Loving God.

Spiritual Worship

So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. 2 Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature. 3 Because of the grace that God gave me, I can say to each one of you: don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Instead, be reasonable since God has measured out a portion of faith to each one of you. 4 We have many parts in one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function. 5 In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. 6 We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith. 7 If your gift is service, devote yourself to serving. If your gift is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. 8 If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful. (Romans 12:1-8, CEB)

I remember this verse from the NRSV, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Here above it is your appropriate priestly service. I was always confused by spiritual worship and to be honest priestly service doesn’t really make it any better. Unless…

The rest of the passage talks about gifts we get and how we should use them. Whatever we are good at we should do for the world. Not for recognition, but to make the world better. And we are all a part of the priesthood of all believers, gifted for the body of Christ. So our spiritual worship or priestly service is to use the gift God gave us to make the world a better place.

How can you make the world a better place?

Love more.

Follow the Spirit.

Be a person of integrity.

Loving People. Loving God.

Spirit

Brothers and sisters, I’m talking to you as people who know the Law. Don’t you know that the Law has power over someone only as long as he or she lives? 2 A married woman is united with her husband under the Law while he is alive. But if her husband dies, she is released from the Law concerning her husband. 3 So then, if she lives with another man while her husband is alive, she’s committing adultery. But if her husband dies, she’s free from the Law, so she won’t be committing adultery if she marries someone else. 4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you also died with respect to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you could be united with someone else. You are united with the one who was raised from the dead so that we can bear fruit for God. 5 When we were self-centered, the sinful passions aroused through the Law were at work in all the parts of our body, so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now we have been released from the Law. We have died with respect to the thing that controlled us, so that we can be slaves in the new life under the Spirit, not in the old life under the written Law. (Romans 7:1-6, CEB)

Only the living are held to the law. We have died in Christ and are new creations. We are not subject to the law but are subject to the Spirit.

Now does that mean we can do whatever we want? No, it doesn’t. The law does not affect us, but the law would never have gotten us what being dead in Christ has. The Law shows us how we are separated from God, but the Spirit brings us new life.

Live in the Spirit and love out loud.

Loving People. Loving God.