chop it off?

38 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone throwing demons out in your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn’t following us.” 39 Jesus replied, “Don’t stop him. No one who does powerful acts in my name can quickly turn around and curse me. 40 Whoever isn’t against us is for us. 41 I assure you that whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will certainly be rewarded. 42 “As for whoever causes these little ones who believe in me to trip and fall into sin, it would be better for them to have a huge stone hung around their necks and to be thrown into the lake. 43 If your hand causes you to fall into sin, chop it off. It’s better for you to enter into life crippled than to go away with two hands into the fire of hell, which can’t be put out. 45 If your foot causes you to fall into sin, chop it off. It’s better for you to enter life lame than to be thrown into hell with two feet. 47 If your eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out. It’s better for you to enter God’s kingdom with one eye than to be thrown into hell with two. 48 That’s a place where worms don’t die and the fire never goes out. 49 Everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good; but if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? Maintain salt among yourselves and keep peace with each other.” (Mark 9:38-50, CEB)

How many people do you see with one hand, or one foot or one eye because they chopped it off or tore it out?

Does this mean that we aren’t sinning? I doubt it…

We get so caught up on saying that other people are sinning, Jesus is telling us here that we should really focus on our own sin rather than the sins of others.

And we shouldn’t stop someone from helping others because they worship a little different than us or they aren’t doing the healing the way we think they should.

We are all in this together. And just because I sin different than you do doesn’t mean you don’t sin. And it also doesn’t mean that we aren’t following the same God.

Let us light up the darkness by getting along and not trying to tear each other apart.

Love People. Love God.

Salty light

13 “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. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden. 15 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. 16 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. 17 “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. 18 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. 19 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. 20 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)

You really can’t dim your light. Doing this is not being true to yourself and to the grace and mercy you have been given.

We can’t dim our light to match the darkness around us, we need to let our light shine and light the place up.

We don’t light a lamp and put it under a basket, because that would dim the light and probably catch the basket on fire. So not really helpful.

We need to share as we have been given. Grace and mercy sprinkled through out our lives so that all may come to see and know the love that God has for them.

So go into the darkness and shine your light and season the place up.

Love People. Love God.

glory

20 Herod had been furious with the people of Tyre and Sidon for some time. They made a pact to approach him together, since their region depended on the king’s realm for its food supply. They persuaded Blastus, the king’s personal attendant, to join their cause, then appealed for an end to hostilities. 21 On the scheduled day Herod dressed himself in royal attire, seated himself on the throne, and gave a speech to the people. 22 Those assembled kept shouting, over and over, “This is a god’s voice, not the voice of a mere human!” 23 Immediately an angel from the Lord struck Herod down, because he didn’t give the honor to God. He was eaten by worms and died. 24 God’s word continued to grow and increase. 25 Barnabas and Saul returned to Antioch from Jerusalem after completing their mission, bringing with them John, who was also known as Mark. (Acts 12:20-25, CEB)

Who gets the glory for the things that happen in your life?

The Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach wrote the initials “S. D. G.” at the end of all his church compositions and also applied it to some, but not all, his secular works. Soli Deo gloria is a Latin term for Glory to God alone. Bach said that the glory for his compositions was to be given to God alone, and not him. The things we do in our lives are because of the grace we have been given by God.

And so we need to let everyone know that the reason we live and love is because of God.

Love People. Love God.

We can’t stop

13 The council was caught by surprise by the confidence with which Peter and John spoke. After all, they understood that these apostles were uneducated and inexperienced. They also recognized that they had been followers of Jesus. 14 However, since the healed man was standing with Peter and John before their own eyes, they had no rebuttal. 15 After ordering them to wait outside, the council members began to confer with each other. 16 “What should we do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem is aware of the sign performed through them. It’s obvious to everyone and we can’t deny it. 17 To keep it from spreading further among the people, we need to warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.” 18 When they called Peter and John back, they demanded that they stop all speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus. 19 Peter and John responded, “It’s up to you to determine whether it’s right before God to obey you rather than God. 20 As for us, we can’t stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 They threatened them further, then released them. Because of public support for Peter and John, they couldn’t find a way to punish them. Everyone was praising God for what had happened, 22 because the man who had experienced this sign of healing was over 40 years old. 23 After their release, Peter and John returned to the brothers and sisters and reported everything the chief priests and elders had said. 24 They listened, then lifted their voices in unison to God, “Master, you are the one who created the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. 25 You are the one who spoke by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant: Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand and the rulers gathered together as one against the Lord and against his Christ. 27 Indeed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with Gentiles and Israelites, did gather in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and plan had already determined would happen. 29 Now, Lord, take note of their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with complete confidence. 30 Stretch out your hand to bring healing and enable signs and wonders to be performed through the name of Jesus, your holy servant.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking God’s word with confidence. (Acts 4:13-31, CEB)

People will go to great lengths to stop a person from doing something that goes against their power. The leaders here knew they couldn’t do anything to John and Peter and yet still told them not to talk about God. But Peter and John said, you can not talk about God if you like, but we have to tell people about what we have seen. We can not be quiet because God has moved in us to tell the people of the love and mercy that flows freely to all.

You see, no one can take away from you the love God has given.

No one can take away from you the grace that God has given.

We are filled with the Holy Spirit and moved in God’s love to share the love, grace and mercy we have received and seen poured out on the masses.

Share the love you’ve been given and live in the light if God’s grace.

Love People. Love God.

short memory?

21 Jesus continued, “I’m going away. You will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I’m going, you can’t come.” 22 The Jewish leaders said, “He isn’t going to kill himself, is he? Is that why he said, ‘Where I’m going, you can’t come’?” 23 He said to them, “You are from below; I’m from above. You are from this world; I’m not from this world. 24 This is why I told you that you would die in your sins. If you don’t believe that I Am, you will die in your sins.” 25 “Who are you?” they asked. Jesus replied, “I’m exactly who I have claimed to be from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say in judgment concerning you. The one who sent me is true, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” 27 They didn’t know he was speaking about his Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When the Human One is lifted up, then you will know that I Am. Then you will know that I do nothing on my own, but I say just what the Father has taught me. 29 He who sent me is with me. He doesn’t leave me by myself, because I always do what makes him happy.” 30 While Jesus was saying these things, many people came to believe in him. 31 Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They responded, “We are Abraham’s children; we’ve never been anyone’s slaves. How can you say that we will be set free?” 34 Jesus answered, “I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 A slave isn’t a permanent member of the household, but a son is. 36 Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you really will be free. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s children, yet you want to kill me because you don’t welcome my teaching. 38 I’m telling you what I’ve seen when I am with the Father, but you are doing what you’ve heard from your father.” (John 8:21-38, CEB)

Do we have a short memory?

I admit I walk into a room or pick up my phone and unlock it and then I’m sitting or standing there wondering, why did I unlock my phone or walk into this room. I know there was a reason and I was looking for something but what?

But the Jewish leaders say they have never been slaves of anyone. But they were led out of Egypt when God freed them under Moses from Pharaoh. Have they forgotten their own history?

And when we sin and put that between us and God we are not free but slave to that thing we so dearly think we love and need.

But when Jesus brings us in and gives us sandals for our feet, a ring for our hand and a robe from the Father’s closet, then we are free and a part of the household.

So know whose you are and follow Jesus and know God’s word and be set free to love the world as God loves you.

Love People. Love God.

a bigger table

Pay attention, you wealthy people! Weep and moan over the miseries coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted. Moths have destroyed your clothes. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous one, who doesn’t oppose you. (James 5:1-6, CEB)

Your riches have rotted and moths have destroyed your treasures.

We need to not amass treasures here. We can’t take anything with us, so there isn’t a need to have more than we need.

When we satisfy ourselves with everything we want, we have received our reward.

When we use what we have to help others, then we are doing what God has called us to do.

If you have more than you need, build a bigger table, not a taller fence.

Love People. Love God.

Who are you?

8 Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Cry out in sorrow, mourn, and weep! Let your laughter become mourning and your joy become sadness. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. 11 Brothers and sisters, don’t say evil things about each other. Whoever insults or criticizes a brother or sister insults and criticizes the Law. If you find fault with the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge over it. 12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, and he is able to save and to destroy. But you who judge your neighbor, who are you? 13 Pay attention, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such-and-such a town. We will stay there a year, buying and selling, and making a profit.” 14 You don’t really know about tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for only a short while before it vanishes. 15 Here’s what you ought to say: “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast and brag, and all such boasting is evil. 17 It is a sin when someone knows the right thing to do and doesn’t do it. (James 4:8-17, CEB)

But you who judge your neighbor, who are you?

We say that tomorrow I will go to this place, and do we know what will happen and when?

Only God truly knows what will happen in the future. We need to say, if the Lord wills it I will go to this place tomorrow.

We should not judge ourselves or others. We merely need to live and trust the lord.

Let us love others as we have been loved and live our lives for the Lord.

Love People. Love God.

Welcome.

30 From there Jesus and his followers went through Galilee, but he didn’t want anyone to know it. 31 This was because he was teaching his disciples, “The Human One will be delivered into human hands. They will kill him. Three days after he is killed he will rise up.” 32 But they didn’t understand this kind of talk, and they were afraid to ask him. 33 They entered Capernaum. When they had come into a house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about during the journey?” 34 They didn’t respond, since on the way they had been debating with each other about who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be least of all and the servant of all.” 36 Jesus reached for a little child, placed him among the Twelve, and embraced him. Then he said, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me isn’t actually welcoming me but rather the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:30-37, CEB)

Why do you serve God?

Why do we do what God asks us to do of loving others?

Is it to get seen and get noticed here on Earth?

Is it to impress God?

Well if it is to be noticed here, that is your reward, and if it is to impress God, you can’t.

We need to welcome the ones that everyone else wants to push aside. Here Jesus welcomes a child into the midst of the disciples. A child who would not be welcome, and was to not be seen or heard. Children were no more than property at this time, males more valuable than females, but still just something you didn’t want around. And Jesus says we must welcome children in Jesus’ name. And when we do that is isn’t in Jesus’ name but God.

So welcome those who others say don’t belong, because that is really what God calls us to do.

Love People. Love God.

Who do you serve?

29 “How terrible it will be for you legal experts and Pharisees! Hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 You say, ‘If we had lived in our ancestors’ days, we wouldn’t have joined them in killing the prophets.’ 31 You testify against yourselves that you are children of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead, complete what your ancestors did. 33 You snakes! You children of snakes! How will you be able to escape the judgment of hell? 34 Therefore, look, I’m sending you prophets, wise people, and legal experts. Some of them you will kill and crucify. And some you will beat in your synagogues and chase from city to city. 35 Therefore, upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been poured out on the earth, from the blood of that righteous man Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the temple and the altar. 36 I assure you that all these things will come upon this generation. 37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You who kill the prophets and stone those who were sent to you. How often I wanted to gather your people together, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you didn’t want that. 38 Look, your house is left to you deserted. 39 I tell you, you won’t see me until you say, Blessings on the one who comes in the Lord’s name.” (Matthew 23:29-39, CEB)

God wants us to gather us together as a mother hen gathers her chicks, but are we willing?

Do we actually serve God and know God is calling us?

We say if we had been there we would not have killed Jesus, but would we have stood up for Jesus? Would we?

It seems easy to think that we would not have followed the crowd, but remember that the crowd was also the same people who shouted Hosanna as Jesus entered Jerusalem. We would have turned and followed those who were wanting him dead because they thought it was what God wanted.

Make sure you are focused on God and where God is leading. Follow and know that may lead you against the crowd.

But in everything you do:

Love People. Love God.

Disobedience

25 I don’t want you to be unaware of this secret, brothers and sisters. That way you won’t think too highly of yourselves. A part of Israel has become resistant until the full number of the Gentiles comes in. 26 In this way, all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The deliverer will come from Zion. He will remove ungodly behavior from Jacob. 27 This is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins. 28 According to the gospel, they are enemies for your sake, but according to God’s choice, they are loved for the sake of their ancestors. 29 God’s gifts and calling can’t be taken back. 30 Once you were disobedient to God, but now you have mercy because they were disobedient. 31 In the same way, they have also been disobedient because of the mercy that you received, so now they can receive mercy too. 32 God has locked up all people in disobedience, in order to have mercy on all of them. (Romans 11:25-32, CEB)

God has made sure that we all know and understand our disobedience, so that God can have mercy on all of us.

God knows we have messed up, and in spite of that still loves us and wants to show us mercy.

We need to not be held captive by our sin, but know that no matter what God always loves us and calls us home.

Love People. Love God.