Near

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, there will be dismay among nations in their confusion over the roaring of the sea and surging waves. 26 The planets and other heavenly bodies will be shaken, causing people to faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world. 27 Then they will see the Human One coming on a cloud with power and great splendor. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is near.” (Luke 21:25-28, CEB)

We all want signs. We want to know when the end is coming, but should we be concerned with the end?

We already have eternal life and the end will come when the end will come.

We need to be focused on sharing love and making sure people understand the love God has for everyone.

That should be our focus. Sharing love with the world.

Love People. Love God.

Are you ready?

After we tore ourselves away from them, we set sail on a straight course to Cos, reaching Rhodes the next day, and then Patara. 2 We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, boarded, and put out to sea. 3 We spotted Cyprus, but passed by it on our left. We sailed on to the province of Syria and landed in Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 We found the disciples there and stayed with them for a week. Compelled by the Spirit, they kept telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem. 5 When our time had come to an end, we departed. All of them, including women and children, accompanied us out of town where we knelt on the beach and prayed. 6 We said good-bye to each other, then we boarded the ship and they returned to their homes. 7 Continuing our voyage, we sailed from Tyre and arrived in Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers and sisters there and spent a day with them. 8 The next day we left and came to Caesarea. We went to the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who were involved in the work of prophecy. 10 After staying there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 He came to us, took Paul’s belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In Jerusalem the Jews will bind the man who owns this belt, and they will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the local believers urged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Paul replied, “Why are you doing this? Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I’m ready not only to be arrested but even to die in Jerusalem for the sake of the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 Since we couldn’t talk him out of it, the only thing we could say was, “The Lord’s will be done.” 15 After this, we got ready and made our way up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and led us to Mnason’s home, where we were guests. He was from Cyprus and had been a disciple a long time. (Acts 21:1-16, CEB)

Paul is on his way to Jerusalem, where people think bad things will happen to him. They are urging him not to go, but he knows that God needs him to go there.

Have you ever thought something was going to go badly? I have. I have been there and seen the signs a number of times, like people were out to get you and would do anything to make sure you are done for. Been there, done that. And I have stood my ground. I have spoken the truth in love and knew that no matter what happened, that God was with me.

That is where Paul is in this reading. He knows that God is with him. He knows that no matter what happens that God is never going to leave him. He is ready to be killed for what he believes. Paul is ready to stand his ground and speak the truth in love.

Are you ready?

Love People. Love God.

How long?

When the riot was over, Paul sent for the disciples, encouraged them, said good-bye, and left for the province of Macedonia. 2 He traveled through that region with a message of encouragement. When he came to Greece, 3 he stayed for three months. Because the Jews hatched a plot against Paul as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided instead to return through Macedonia. 4 He was accompanied by Sopater, Pyrrhus’ son from Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 They went on ahead and waited for us in Troas. 6 We sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread and met them five days later in Troas, where we stayed for a week. 7 On the first day of the week, as we gathered together for a meal, Paul was holding a discussion with them. Since he was leaving the next day, he continued talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we had gathered. 9 A young man named Eutychus was sitting in the window. He was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell from the third floor and died. 10 Paul went down, fell on him and embraced him, then said, “Don’t be alarmed. He’s alive!” 11 Then Paul went back upstairs and ate. He talked for a long time—right up until daybreak—then he left. 12 They took the young man away alive, and they were greatly comforted. 13 We went on to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we intended to take Paul on board. Paul had arranged this, since he intended to make his way there by land. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15 The next day we sailed from there and arrived opposite Chios. On the day after, we sailed to Samos, and on the following day we came to Miletus. 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he wouldn’t need to spend too much time in the province of Asia. He was hurrying to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by Pentecost Day. (Acts 20:1-16, CEB)

I have heard it said there is a fine line between a long sermon and a hostage situation…

I can definitely say I have never preached so long that someone fell asleep and out of a window. That is not to say I haven’t put someone to sleep with a sermon!

But those people were gathered and they knew they only had this night to talk, so they talked, and talked about how the church was moving. They were emblazoned by the passion they have for Christ and for making the message of grace and mercy known.

Are you emblazoned by the story, to stay up all night and talk about all that God has done in and through your life?

Share the story.

Love People. Love God.

Produce

43 “A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit, nor does a bad tree produce good fruit. 44 Each tree is known by its own fruit. People don’t gather figs from thorny plants, nor do they pick grapes from prickly bushes. 45 A good person produces good from the good treasury of the inner self, while an evil person produces evil from the evil treasury of the inner self. The inner self overflows with words that are spoken. (Luke 6:43-45, CEB)

You will produce what is naturally in you. Your inner self will always flow from you.

It is always interesting that those who lie have to have a great memory to remember what lies they have told to who.

Always be truthful and let the love that lives in you flow through your life.

Love People. Love God.

Which side?

22 I didn’t see a temple in the city, because its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb. 23 The city doesn’t need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because God’s glory is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 Its gates will never be shut by day, and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 27 Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is vile and deceitful, but only those who are registered in the Lamb’s scroll of life. 1 Then the angel showed me the river of life-giving water, shining like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb 2 through the middle of the city’s main street. On each side of the river is the tree of life, which produces twelve crops of fruit, bearing its fruit each month. The tree’s leaves are for the healing of the nations. 3 There will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will be no more. They won’t need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will shine on them, and they will rule forever and always. (Revelation 21:22—22:5, CEB)

This is a part of the vision of John from Patmos, the Revelation.

It is interesting because it says there was no temple because God already resided there, so there was not need of a house for God. And it is always open because there is no night. (So side note, do the gates have hinges and locks? Like buildings here that are open 24 hours, why do they have locks on the doors? But I digress.)

But the interesting thing to me in this text is “On each side of the river is the tree of life”. The river of life runs through the place and on each side of the river is the tree of Life. 1 tree that is on both sides of the river!

But in my feeble understanding I don’t get that, but that is what heaven is like. The unimaginable. The things we think that can’t happen, happening.

With God all things are possible.

Love People. Love God.

What matters?

11 Look at the large letters I’m making with my own handwriting! 12 Whoever wants to look good by human standards will try to get you to be circumcised, but only so they won’t be harassed for the cross of Christ. 13 Those who are circumcised don’t observe the Law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised, so they can boast about your physical body. 14 But as for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except for the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through him, and I have been crucified to the world. 15 Being circumcised or not being circumcised doesn’t mean anything. What matters is a new creation. 16 May peace and mercy be on whoever follows this rule and on God’s Israel. 17 From now on, no one should bother me because I bear the marks of Jesus on my body. 18 Brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (Galatians 6:11-18, CEB)

Being circumcised or not being circumcised doesn’t mean anything. It doesn’t matter what your body looks like. The outward appearance of who you are doesn’t show what really matters, and that is the place and shape of your heart.

We can modify our bodies but that doesn’t modify our actions.

I remember when I got my ear pierced for the first time and my mom was so upset, but my brother told her that I was still the same person she raised, I just had an earring. It didn’t change who I was, only how I looked.

It doesn’t matter if you look the part, are you a changed person?

Some of the people I know who follow Jesus closest, would scare people by their tattoos and piercings, but they are doing what God has called us to do, more than someone who sits in a pew and pretends to be a follower of Christ.

Let you life show who you are.

Love People. Love God.

How?

26 Then Jesus said, “This is what God’s kingdom is like. It’s as though someone scatters seed on the ground, 27 then sleeps and wakes night and day. The seed sprouts and grows, but the farmer doesn’t know how. 28 The earth produces crops all by itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full head of grain. 29 Whenever the crop is ready, the farmer goes out to cut the grain because it’s harvesttime.” 30 He continued, “What’s a good image for God’s kingdom? What parable can I use to explain it? 31 Consider a mustard seed. When scattered on the ground, it’s the smallest of all the seeds on the earth; 32 but when it’s planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all vegetable plants. It produces such large branches that the birds in the sky are able to nest in its shade.” 33 With many such parables he continued to give them the word, as much as they were able to hear. 34 He spoke to them only in parables, then explained everything to his disciples when he was alone with them. (Mark 4:26-34, CEB)

How does a seed grow?

you plant it, water it, and make sure weeds don’t kill it. Then it grows and becomes whatever the seed is supposed to be. Now we know that the seed splits open and sprouts and grows when the right nutrients and conditions are there.

But really do we know how this happens?

Jesus never spoke clearly, but explained everything to the disciples, who still seemed to not get it.

So know if you don’t get it, you are in good company.

But even without understanding, we can show the love God has for each of us and all of the world. Share love every where you go.

Love People. Love God.

Understand?!?!

Jesus began to teach beside the lake again. Such a large crowd gathered that he climbed into a boat there on the lake. He sat in the boat while the whole crowd was nearby on the shore. 2 He said many things to them in parables. While teaching them, he said, 3 “Listen to this! A farmer went out to scatter seed. 4 As he was scattering seed, some fell on the path; and the birds came and ate it. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground where the soil was shallow. They sprouted immediately because the soil wasn’t deep. 6 When the sun came up, it scorched the plants; and they dried up because they had no roots. 7 Other seed fell among thorny plants. The thorny plants grew and choked the seeds, and they produced nothing. 8 Other seed fell into good soil and bore fruit. Upon growing and increasing, the seed produced in one case a yield of thirty to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of one hundred to one.” 9 He said, “Whoever has ears to listen should pay attention!” 10 When they were alone, the people around Jesus, along with the Twelve, asked him about the parables. 11 He said to them, “The secret of God’s kingdom has been given to you, but to those who are outside everything comes in parables. 12 This is so that they can look and see but have no insight, and they can hear but not understand. Otherwise, they might turn their lives around and be forgiven. 13 “Don’t you understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? 14 The farmer scatters the word. 15 This is the meaning of the seed that fell on the path: When the word is scattered and people hear it, right away Satan comes and steals the word that was planted in them. 16 Here’s the meaning of the seed that fell on rocky ground: When people hear the word, they immediately receive it joyfully. 17 Because they have no roots, they last for only a little while. When they experience distress or abuse because of the word, they immediately fall away. 18 Others are like the seed scattered among the thorny plants. These are the ones who have heard the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the false appeal of wealth, and the desire for more things break in and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. 20 The seed scattered on good soil are those who hear the word and embrace it. They bear fruit, in one case a yield of thirty to one, in another case sixty to one, and in another case one hundred to one.” (Mark 4:1-20, CEB)

“Don’t you understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?”

If you didn’t have the explanation, would you understand the parable?

I think sometimes we give the disciples too much grief over not getting it. I mean, yes they did walk with Jesus and live with him and see everything he did, but they still didn’t get it. And I bet had I been one of them I would have been just as dense. Jesus spoke in parables so people wouldn’t understand and some would. But we get the author to explain them to us, so I wonder if we would have gotten it.

How do we really understand if it is in code and we don’t have the decoding ring?

Where do I need to go to buy the cracker jacks to get my decoder? Or is there one included that I just don’t know about?

Maybe the Spirit moves in and through us to help us understand what Jesus is saying and how God is moving in our lives.

Yes living in faith is confusing and filled with unknowns, but the one thing we do know is that God is always with us. God will never leave us nor forsake us.

God’s love will always be with us, even when we don’t understand.

So go into the world and share the love you have been given.

Love People. Love God.

by faith…

4 By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice to God than Cain, which showed that he was righteous, since God gave approval to him for his gift. Though he died, he’s still speaking through faith. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he didn’t see death, and he wasn’t found because God took him up. He was given approval for having pleased God before he was taken up. 6 It’s impossible to please God without faith because the one who draws near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards people who try to find him. 7 By faith Noah responded with godly fear when he was warned about events he hadn’t seen yet. He built an ark to deliver his household. With his faith, he criticized the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes from faith. (Hebrews 11:4-7, CEB)

By faith…

How do you live?

As I read this passage of scripture I thought of the song Hold it up to the Light by David Wilcox. You can watch a video of this song below.

One of the verses of this song I love is:
God will you bless this decision.
Cause I’m so scared, is my life at stake?
But now I see, if you gave me a vision
I would never have reason to use my faith.

Faith is when we believe that no matter what, God is with us, because God’s word tells us God will be. Faith is trust in those things we have not seen. Faith is taking the first step when you don’t know the step is there.

Faith is what grounds us in God.

Live in faith. And know the promises are true.

Love People. Love God.

God’s grace

5 God didn’t put the world that is coming (the world we are talking about) under the angels’ control. 6 Instead, someone declared somewhere, What is humanity that you think about them? Or what are the human beings that you care about them? 7 For a while you made them lower than angels. You crowned the human beings with glory and honor. 8 You put everything under their control. When he puts everything under their control, he doesn’t leave anything out of control. But right now, we don’t see everything under their control yet. 9 However, we do see the one who was made lower in order than the angels for a little while—it’s Jesus! He’s the one who is now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of his death. He suffered death so that he could taste death for everyone through God’s grace. (Hebrews 2:5-9, CEB)

Jesus was made lower than the angels for a little while.

This was so he could taste death for all of us. Jesus died so we would obtain eternal life. Not sometime in the future but now. Jesus did this for all of us.

God’s grace flows through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Love People. Love God.