sprinkled

2 Keep on praying and guard your prayers with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray for us also. Pray that God would open a door for the word so we can preach the secret plan of Christ—which is why I’m in chains. 4 Pray that I might be able to make it as clear as I ought to when I preach. 5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight so that you may know how to respond to every person. 7 Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will inform you about everything that has happened to me. 8 This is why I sent him to you, so that you’ll know all about us and so he can encourage your hearts. 9 I sent him with Onesimus, our faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will let you know about everything here. 10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, says hello to you. So does Mark, Barnabas’ cousin (you received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him). 11 Jesus, called Justus, also says hello. These are my only fellow workers for God’s kingdom who are Jewish converts. They have been an encouragement to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. He’s a slave of Christ Jesus who always wrestles for you in prayers so that you will stand firm and be fully mature and complete in the entire will of God. 13 I can vouch for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas say hello. 15 Say hello to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, along with Nympha and the church that meets in her house. 16 After this letter has been read to you publicly, make sure that the church in Laodicea reads it and that you read the one from Laodicea. 17 And tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the ministry that you received in the Lord.” 18 I, Paul, am writing this greeting personally. Remember that I’m in prison. Grace be with you. (Colossians 4:2-18, CEB)

Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insights…

Is your speech always gracious?

I know I struggle with this. I have feelings and sometimes they get hurt and I speak before I think and therefore my speech is not always gracious. And sometimes, honestly, my speech is sprinkled with something other than insights…

We need to stand firm in be fully mature in God and know that God is always there for us. We need to focus on God and completing God’s will.

Let us focus on what God has done for us and be led to help others see the love we have received. And be gracious in our speech.

Speak with God and let God’s love flow through you.

Love People. Love God.

for all

I want you to know how much I struggle for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who haven’t known me personally. 2 My goal is that their hearts would be encouraged and united together in love so that they might have all the riches of assurance that come with understanding, so that they might have the knowledge of the secret plan of God, namely Christ. 3 All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in him. 4 I’m telling you this so that no one deceives you with convincing arguments, 5 because even though I am absent physically, I’m with you in spirit. I’m happy to see the discipline and stability of your faith in Christ. (Colossians 2:1-5, CEB)

My goal is that their hearts would be encouraged and united together in love.

That they would have the assurance that comes with understanding.

We struggle for all who have and who have not met us. We share the love, mercy, and grace we received so that all may come to the assurance of understanding that Jesus made a way and showed us what it means to love.

All need to hear and know, and understand that they are loved.

All need to hear and know, and understand that they are accepted.

We need to make our goal to let all hearts know they should be encouraged and united, because that is what God sent Jesus to tell us, and God is sending us to tell the world the same.

Understand you are loved, as you are, and we need to be there for all.

Love People. Love God.

My time

After this Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He didn’t want to travel in Judea, because the Jewish authorities wanted to kill him. 2 When it was almost time for the Jewish Festival of Booths, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee. Go to Judea so that your disciples can see the amazing works that you do. 4 Those who want to be known publicly don’t do things secretly. Since you can do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 His brothers said this because even they didn’t believe in him. 6 Jesus replied, “For you, anytime is fine. But my time hasn’t come yet. 7 The world can’t hate you. It hates me, though, because I testify that its works are evil. 8 You go up to the festival. I’m not going to this one because my time hasn’t yet come.” 9 Having said this, he stayed in Galilee. (John 7:1-9, CEB)

Several times in John Jesus says, “my time has not yet come.” He says it here. He said it when his mother asks him to fix the wine issue at a wedding. But what does he mean, “my time hasn’t come yet?”

The disciples wanted to go to the festival and let everyone see and know what Jesus is doing. But Jesus knew that the authorities in Judea wouldn’t accept him, as they were already working to get rid of him. And Jesus knew the things he was doing would push the authorities even further away. Plus it is interesting that this passage says the disciples wanted him to go and show the world because they didn’t believe in him. As if a bigger spectacle or show would make them believe. As if Jesus doing miracles in Judea would make the world believe.

Sometimes we need to do what we know is the right thing to do even when the rest of the crowd wants to do something different. We need to follow God and know when God’s timing is in place. We are not the ones who know the full plan. God does, we need to trust God and follow the plan.

So live in God’s time.

Love People. Love God.

Wait

7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, you must be patient as you wait for the coming of the Lord. Consider the farmer who waits patiently for the coming of rain in the fall and spring, looking forward to the precious fruit of the earth. 8 You also must wait patiently, strengthening your resolve, because the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Don’t complain about each other, brothers and sisters, so that you won’t be judged. Look! The judge is standing at the door! 10 Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of patient resolve and steadfastness. 11 Look at how we honor those who have practiced endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job. And you have seen what the Lord has accomplished, for the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 12 Most important, my brothers and sisters, never make a solemn pledge—neither by heaven nor earth, nor by anything else. Instead, speak with a simple “Yes” or “No,” or else you may fall under judgment. (James 5:7-12, CEB)

I have a hard time waiting for things. I see something I want and I want it now.

this makes me think of one of my daughters, well two of my daughters. One is just like me impulsive and sees something and wants it and really doesn’t wait on it and when she has the money she buys it. Another daughter asked for something for her and her best friend and it was just a little too expensive, so we kept watching it and seeing if we could find a deal and after about a year or more of her asking for this item, she said, I’m buying the thing for me and my friend. I have wanted them for a long time and that has not changed and I have the money. She was right. She had the money saved, so she bought them. She waited and her desire didn’t change. She persisted in looking for a deal and didn’t find it.

She is like a farmer that waits for rain and then sets up irrigation.

We all need to be tenacious like this. Wait on the Lord. The Lord will always follow through on promises.

Love People. Love God.

Comparison

16 I repeat, no one should take me for a fool. But if you do, then allow me to be a fool so that I can brag like a fool for a bit. 17 I’m not saying what I’m saying because the Lord tells me to. I’m saying it like I’m a fool. I’m putting my confidence in this business of bragging. 18 Since so many people are bragging based on human standards, that is how I’m going to brag too. 19 Because you, who are so wise, are happy to put up with fools. 20 You put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone places themselves over you, or if someone hits you in the face. 21 I’m ashamed to say that we have been weak in comparison! But in whatever they challenge me, I challenge them (I’m speaking foolishly). 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? I’m speaking like a crazy person. What I’ve done goes well beyond what they’ve done. I’ve worked much harder. I’ve been imprisoned much more often. I’ve been beaten more times than I can count. I’ve faced death many times. 24 I received the “forty lashes minus one” from the Jews five times. 25 I was beaten with rods three times. I was stoned once. I was shipwrecked three times. I spent a day and a night on the open sea. 26 I’ve been on many journeys. I faced dangers from rivers, robbers, my people, and Gentiles. I faced dangers in the city, in the desert, on the sea, and from false brothers and sisters. 27 I faced these dangers with hard work and heavy labor, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, and in the cold without enough clothes. 28 Besides all the other things I could mention, there’s my daily stress because I’m concerned about all the churches. 29 Who is weak without me being weak? Who is led astray without me being furious about it? 30 If it’s necessary to brag, I’ll brag about my weaknesses. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, the one who is blessed forever, knows that I’m not lying. 32 At Damascus the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to capture me, 33 but I got away from him by being lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall. (2 Corinthians 11:16-33, CEB)

Have you ever compared yourself to someone else?

Thought they had a better life?

Wish you got to write the book like they did?

Think that they are doing a better job following God than you?

Well here Paul goes off about how many times he was beat, almost killed, held down for the gospel. And to be honest when I read it this passage this time I was really just laughing the whole way through. It is as if Paul is making fun of himself to make a point.

You see we all have things we can do better than someone else and they can do something better than us. It really isn’t about who is the best. It is about playing our part and working together to let the world know God loves them.

Work together and don’t compare yourself to others.

Love People. Love God.

Past

Jesus left that place and came to his hometown. His disciples followed him. 2 On the Sabbath, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were surprised. “Where did this man get all this? What’s this wisdom he’s been given? What about the powerful acts accomplished through him? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t he Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” They were repulsed by him and fell into sin. 4 Jesus said to them, “Prophets are honored everywhere except in their own hometowns, among their relatives, and in their own households.” 5 He was unable to do any miracles there, except that he placed his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 He was appalled by their disbelief. Then Jesus traveled through the surrounding villages teaching. 7 He called for the Twelve and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8 He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a walking stick—no bread, no bags, and no money in their belts. 9 He told them to wear sandals but not to put on two shirts. 10 He said, “Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place. 11 If a place doesn’t welcome you or listen to you, as you leave, shake the dust off your feet as a witness against them.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should change their hearts and lives. 13 They cast out many demons, and they anointed many sick people with olive oil and healed them. (Mark 6:1-13, CEB)

I always found this passage interesting because Jesus couldn’t really do anything in his hometown because everyone was saying who they remembered him as and wasn’t seeing him for who he is now. Even though who he is now is who he was then, even though they didn’t see that then.

But as I read the passage today, I was reminded of something I saw a few days ago.

We judge people by how we knew them. And we wonder how they can be doing these things.

We need to stop looking at people like we know them. Only God truly knows them and how they have changed.

So do not judge a person by their past, and see for them for who they are today. And share God’s love along the way.

Love People. Love God.

Foxes have holes…

18 Now when Jesus saw the crowd, he ordered his disciples to go over to the other side of the lake. 19 A legal expert came and said to him, “Teacher, I’ll follow you wherever you go.” 20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens, and the birds in the sky have nests, but the Human One has no place to lay his head.” 21 Another man, one of his disciples, said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:18-22, CEB)

As I read this passage it reminds me of a song one of my pastors wrote and I played on with him. It is based on this passage.

Here are the lyrics:
Not so long ago – in a not so glorious birth
The King of all creation suffered
As a servant here on earth
He spoke about a Kingdom
And He said it was at hand
What they saw, they couldn’t perceive
And though they heard, they didn’t understand

(Chorus)
Foxes have their holes
And the birds, they have their nests
The Son of God had nowhere
To lay His head to rest
But the stone that they’ve rejected
Has become the Corner stone
He was sin who knew no sin
Then He ascended to the throne of God

Though I look through eyes of faith
It’s still hard to believe
That the Son of God would die
Upon that cross between two thieves
One would think that when God came to earth
He would have a more majestic plan
But His ways are so mysterious
And will still don’t understand.

Jesus came here and knew what was going to happen. He stepped of the throne and became a human, and suffered. He lived to show us how to love and did it by dying the most gruesome death possible. Knowing this place wasn’t his home and what would happen, he chose to come and show us how to love.

So love. Love like Jesus.

Love People. Love God.

Integrity

7 Look at what is right in front of you! If anyone is sure about belonging to Christ, that person should think again. We belong to Christ just like that person. 8 Even if I went on to brag about our authority, I wouldn’t be ashamed of it. The Lord gave us that authority to build you up and not to destroy you. 9 I don’t want it to seem like I’m trying to intimidate you with my letters. 10 I know what some people are saying: “His letters are severe and powerful, but in person he is weak and his speech is worth nothing.” 11 These people need to think about this—that when we are with you, our actions will show that we are the same as the words we wrote when we were away from you. (2 Corinthians 10:7-11, CEB)

Integrity.

It is a word many today have seem to forgotten.

I can not be one person online and another person in real life. We are one and the same.

When I write something I own it.

When I say something I own it.

I am who I am in writing and in person and you will not see a difference.

We need to walk the walk and talk the talk.

Christ did that.

And God wants us all to be conduits of God’s mercy, grace and love to the world. And you can not do that by being two faced.

Be a person of integrity.

Love People. Love God.

fools for Christ

8 You’ve been filled already! You’ve become rich already! You rule like kings without us! I wish you did rule so that we could be kings with you! 9 I suppose that God has shown that we apostles are at the end of the line. We are like prisoners sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle in the world, both to angels and to humans. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise through Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, but we are dishonored! 11 Up to this very moment we are hungry, thirsty, wearing rags, abused, and homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are insulted, we respond with a blessing; when we are harassed, we put up with it; 13 when our reputation is attacked, we are encouraging. We have become the scum of the earth, the waste that runs off everything, up to the present time. (1 Corinthians 4:8-13, CEB)

We are fools for Christ!

Do you make a spectacle of yourself to show others God’s Grace?

Paul tells the Corinthians about being harassed, insulted, and abused. But they took it and put up with it. We need to follow through with the mission God has given us regardless of the positive or negative reactions we get.

When you are attacked know that God is still behind you.

Be a fool for Christ.

Love People. Love God.

Lack of faith!

14 When Jesus, Peter, James, and John approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them and legal experts arguing with them. 15 Suddenly the whole crowd caught sight of Jesus. They ran to greet him, overcome with excitement. 16 Jesus asked them, “What are you arguing about?” 17 Someone from the crowd responded, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, since he has a spirit that doesn’t allow him to speak. 18 Wherever it overpowers him, it throws him into a fit. He foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and stiffens up. So I spoke to your disciples to see if they could throw it out, but they couldn’t.” 19 Jesus answered them, “You faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I put up with you? Bring him to me.” 20 They brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a fit. He fell on the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been going on?” He said, “Since he was a child. 22 It has often thrown him into a fire or into water trying to kill him. If you can do anything, help us! Show us compassion!” 23 Jesus said to him, “‘If you can do anything’? All things are possible for the one who has faith.” 24 At that the boy’s father cried out, “I have faith; help my lack of faith!” 25 Noticing that the crowd had surged together, Jesus spoke harshly to the unclean spirit, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you to come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 After screaming and shaking the boy horribly, the spirit came out. The boy seemed to be dead; in fact, several people said that he had died. 27 But Jesus took his hand, lifted him up, and he arose. 28 After Jesus went into a house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we throw this spirit out?” 29 Jesus answered, “Throwing this kind of spirit out requires prayer.” (Mark 9:14-29, CEB)

How many of us are right there with this father?

I have faith, help my lack of faith!

Many of us probably know this verse as I believe, help my unbelief. The word in the Greek is the same word. In fact πίστoς means faith, trust, believe. So usually when you see one of these in the English translation of your Bible you can sub one of the others.

So then why were the disciples not able to cast out this demon, Jesus says because casting out this kind requires prayer, but could it be a lack of faith, belief, or trust? Had the disciples cast out other demons?

What are we not able to do because we don’t believe?

What are we not able to do because we don’t trust?

What are we not able to do because we don’t have faith?

Always know yo are more powerful than you think.

Love People. Love God.