WOW

21 and submit to each other out of respect for Christ. 22 For example, wives should submit to their husbands as if to the Lord. 23 A husband is the head of his wife like Christ is head of the church, that is, the savior of the body. 24 So wives submit to their husbands in everything like the church submits to Christ. 25 As for husbands, love your wives just like Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. 26 He did this to make her holy by washing her in a bath of water with the word. 27 He did this to present himself with a splendid church, one without any sort of stain or wrinkle on her clothes, but rather one that is holy and blameless. 28 That’s how husbands ought to love their wives—in the same way as they do their own bodies. Anyone who loves his wife loves himself. 29 No one ever hates his own body, but feeds it and takes care of it just like Christ does for the church 30 because we are parts of his body. 31 This is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two of them will be one body. 32 Marriage is a significant allegory, and I’m applying it to Christ and the church. 33 In any case, as for you individually, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and wives should respect their husbands. 6 As for children, obey your parents in the Lord, because it is right. 2 The commandment Honor your father and mother is the first one with a promise attached: 3 so that things will go well for you, and you will live for a long time in the land. 4 As for parents, don’t provoke your children to anger, but raise them with discipline and instruction about the Lord. 5 As for slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling and with sincere devotion to Christ. 6 Don’t work to make yourself look good and try to flatter people, but act like slaves of Christ carrying out God’s will from the heart. 7 Serve your owners enthusiastically, as though you were serving the Lord and not human beings. 8 You know that the Lord will reward every person who does what is right, whether that person is a slave or a free person. 9 As for masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Stop threatening them, because you know that both you and your slaves have a master in heaven. He doesn’t distinguish between people on the basis of status. (Ephesians 5:21—6:9, CEB)

There is so much in this text that is taken out of context today by so many.

Wives submit to your husbands…

How many people still hear those words at weddings? I have, and I’ve seen the look in the eyes of the spouse.

Marriage is supposed to be 50/50 right? Nope marriage is 100/100. We need to give all to the other person all the time. It isn’t about being only 50% of the relationship. It is about all of us being committed to the spouse as Christ is committed to the church. We are invested in the relationship and give 110% all the time!

We are all a part of the body and connected to each other. We need to love others as Christ loves us.

Love others and do not control them because control is not love, but love is trust and allowing others to do and be who God has created them to be. There is no control in love, but freedom. God loves us as God created us, not as God wants or needs us to be.

So do not control, but love.

Love People. Love God.

Where would we go?

56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in them. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me lives because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. It isn’t like the bread your ancestors ate, and then they died. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. 60 Many of his disciples who heard this said, “This message is harsh. Who can hear it?” 61 Jesus knew that the disciples were grumbling about this and he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What if you were to see the Human One going up where he was before? 63 The Spirit is the one who gives life and the flesh doesn’t help at all. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 Yet some of you don’t believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning who wouldn’t believe and the one who would betray him. 65 He said, “For this reason I said to you that none can come to me unless the Father enables them to do so.” 66 At this, many of his disciples turned away and no longer accompanied him. 67 Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” 68 Simon Peter answered, “Lord, where would we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We believe and know that you are God’s holy one.” (John 6:56-69,CEB)

This is a hard teaching who can hear this?

Who can do this?

Do you want to leave?

Well, actually yes, but there isn’t any place else we can go. You are giving us the things we need to live.

Let’s be honest, If you were in the place of the disciples that is the answer you would have given. And if not that is the answer I would have given if I was there.

Jesus we don’t get it, but I want to stick around and try to understand it.

So read the hard teachings, and wrestle with them.

Ask questions.

Live in the doubt.

God is big enough for it.

And help others see the love.

Love People. Love God.

Here we go again…

5 He also said to them, “Imagine that one of you has a friend and you go to that friend in the middle of the night. Imagine saying, ‘Friend, loan me three loaves of bread 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has arrived and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7 Imagine further that he answers from within the house, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ 8 I assure you, even if he wouldn’t get up and help because of his friendship, he will get up and give his friend whatever he needs because of his friend’s brashness. 9 And I tell you: Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 Everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. To everyone who knocks, the door is opened. 11 “Which father among you would give a snake to your child if the child asked for a fish? 12 If a child asked for an egg, what father would give the child a scorpion? 13 If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:5-13, CEB)

Seems like we just had this verse in a different gospel. Ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened.

Seriously, whatever I ask for I’ll get. And whatever I look for I will find. And whenever I knock the door will be opened.

I don’t know about you but this is not how things have happened in my life. I have had the door slammed in my face, figuratively, way too many times to count.

All of this for me hinges on the word good, and how that plays into God’s will.

If it is good for us, then it could happen, but if it isn’t even if we think it would be the best thing for us it will not happen.

So follow after God and seek God’s will. Then you will get the things God has in store for you.

And all the while shine God’s love to the world.

Love People. Love God.

Live for Christ

11 As you do all this, you know what time it is. The hour has already come for you to wake up from your sleep. Now our salvation is nearer than when we first had faith. 12 The night is almost over, and the day is near. So let’s get rid of the actions that belong to the darkness and put on the weapons of light. 13 Let’s behave appropriately as people who live in the day, not in partying and getting drunk, not in sleeping around and obscene behavior, not in fighting and obsession. 14 Instead, dress yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t plan to indulge your selfish desires. (Romans 13:11-14, CEB)

Why do you do the things you do?

Is it for self gratification?

I found this meme and thought it was great.

If our religion is about controlling others and not ourselves, ten we got it wrong. We need to control our own thoughts and actions.

How do we do this?

How do you live your life, in the expectation of the coming of Christ? Not focused on Christ’s return, but on helping others see the love God has for them?

Live your life so Christ shines through.

Love People. Love God.

When?!?

We don’t need to write to you about the timing and dates, brothers and sisters. 2 You know very well that the day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night. 3 When they are saying, “There is peace and security,” at that time sudden destruction will attack them, like labor pains start with a pregnant woman, and they definitely won’t escape. 4 But you aren’t in darkness, brothers and sisters, so the day won’t catch you by surprise like a thief. 5 All of you are children of light and children of the day. We don’t belong to night or darkness. 6 So then, let’s not sleep like the others, but let’s stay awake and stay sober. 7 People who sleep sleep at night, and people who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 Since we belong to the day, let’s stay sober, wearing faithfulness and love as a piece of armor that protects our body and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 God didn’t intend for us to suffer his wrath but rather to possess salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 Jesus died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with him. 11 So continue encouraging each other and building each other up, just like you are doing already. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, CEB)

Are you concerned with when Jesus is coming back?

Or when the end times will be?

This should not be our focus as followers of Christ. Do not get me wrong, Christ’s return will be great, but it should not be our focus.

We need to be focused on living the way Jesus told us to live. Living Love out lout. Loving our neighbor as God loves us.

Allow the love of Christ to shine though your life.

Love People. Love God.

And you still don’t understand?

14 Jesus’ disciples had forgotten to bring any bread, so they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 He gave them strict orders: “Watch out and be on your guard for the yeast of the Pharisees as well as the yeast of Herod.” 16 The disciples discussed this among themselves, “He said this because we have no bread.” 17 Jesus knew what they were discussing and said, “Why are you talking about the fact that you don’t have any bread? Don’t you grasp what has happened? Don’t you understand? Are your hearts so resistant to what God is doing? 18 Don’t you have eyes? Why can’t you see? Don’t you have ears? Why can’t you hear? Don’t you remember? 19 When I broke five loaves of bread for those five thousand people, how many baskets full of leftovers did you gather?” They answered, “Twelve.” 20 “And when I broke seven loaves of bread for those four thousand people, how many baskets full of leftovers did you gather?” They answered, “Seven.” 21 Jesus said to them, “And you still don’t understand?” (Mark 8:14-21,CEB)

And you still don’t understand?

Do you understand?

I know I struggle to get it. But he really isn’t talking about yeast. Jesus is referring to bad teaching, and how a little bit gets in and spreads, just like yeast does. Once you ad a little yeast in, the whole batch of flour is now leavened.

We need to guard our hearts and minds so the wrong teachings do not take hold and get a space.

We need to focus our lives so on Jesus, when the world sees us, they really see Jesus.

Love People. Love God.

Your-story

9 “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him into slavery in Egypt. God was with him, however, 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. The grace and wisdom he gave Joseph were recognized by Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and over his whole palace. 11 A famine came upon all Egypt and Canaan, and great hardship came with it. Our ancestors had nothing to eat. 12 When Jacob heard there was grain in Egypt, he sent our ancestors there for the first time. 13 During their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family. 14 Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives—seventy-five in all—and invited them to live with him. 15 So Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our ancestors died. 16 Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had purchased for a certain sum of money from Hamor’s children, who lived in Shechem. (Acts 7:9-16, CEB)

This is a part of the speech Stephen gives before he is stoned.

But it is really just him telling his story, the story of Jesus. You see the history that leads to Jesus coming and what Jesus did is all a part of your family story.

How well do you know the story?

Can you tell it to others?

Know it, and be able to tell others, because it shows how much God loves each of us.

Love People. Love God.

Stephen ministers…

About that time, while the number of disciples continued to increase, a complaint arose. Greek-speaking disciples accused the Aramaic-speaking disciples because their widows were being overlooked in the daily food service. 2 The Twelve called a meeting of all the disciples and said, “It isn’t right for us to set aside proclamation of God’s word in order to serve tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, carefully choose seven well-respected men from among you. They must be well-respected and endowed by the Spirit with exceptional wisdom. We will put them in charge of this concern. 4 As for us, we will devote ourselves to prayer and the service of proclaiming the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the entire community. They selected Stephen, a man endowed by the Holy Spirit with exceptional faith, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 The community presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 God’s word continued to grow. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased significantly. Even a large group of priests embraced the faith. (Acts 6:1-7, CEB)

This passage tells us that there are some among us who are meant to preach and teach, and other meant to serve, or do other tasks. We all do not have the same gifts, but we are all needed to perform the functions of the body.

The twelve were dealing with all of the administrative tasks and teaching and preaching and it was too much.

So they appointed the 7 to over see the administration and care/service to those around so the twelve could focus on teaching and preaching.

We all have a place and a gift to use.

Love People. Love God.

eat and live

51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” 52 Then the Jews debated among themselves, asking, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 Jesus said to them, “I assure you, unless you eat the flesh of the Human One and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 My flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in them. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me lives because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. It isn’t like the bread your ancestors ate, and then they died. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:51-58,CEB)

Now imagine hearing this when you don’t know what communion is…

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life. Seriously Jesus you want us to eat your flesh and drink your blood?

The bread your ancestors ate is subpar compared to me. They ate the Manna and died, but whoever eats this bread will live forever.

I can see why there is concern over what Christians do. But we know the whole story and not just this snipit.

We know what Christ did for all of us and what he gave us.

We know the grace we get through the meal.

The promises are real. Eat and live.

Love People. Love God.

What would you do?

7 A Samaritan woman came to the well to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me some water to drink.” 8 His disciples had gone into the city to buy him some food. 9 The Samaritan woman asked, “Why do you, a Jewish man, ask for something to drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (Jews and Samaritans didn’t associate with each other.) 10 Jesus responded, “If you recognized God’s gift and who is saying to you, ‘Give me some water to drink,’ you would be asking him and he would give you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you don’t have a bucket and the well is deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave this well to us, and he drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks from the water that I will give will never be thirsty again. The water that I give will become in those who drink it a spring of water that bubbles up into eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will never be thirsty and will never need to come here to draw water!” 16 Jesus said to her, “Go, get your husband, and come back here.” 17 The woman replied, “I don’t have a husband.” “You are right to say, ‘I don’t have a husband,’” Jesus answered. 18 “You’ve had five husbands, and the man you are with now isn’t your husband. You’ve spoken the truth.” 19 The woman said, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain, but you and your people say that it is necessary to worship in Jerusalem.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you and your people will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You and your people worship what you don’t know; we worship what we know because salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—and is here!—when true worshippers will worship in spirit and truth. The Father looks for those who worship him this way. 24 God is spirit, and it is necessary to worship God in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one who is called the Christ. When he comes, he will teach everything to us.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I Am—the one who speaks with you.” (John 4:7-26, CEB)

What would you do if you met a person and they told you all about your life, even things nobody else knew?

I would be scared out of my mind. I would wonder how they knew those things about me.

But here a Samaritan woman, not even named, meets Jesus and Jesus tells her all about her life. Remember Samaritans were not liked by Jewish people, even though the Samaritans were also Jewish, they didn’t live on the right side of the tracks.

And Jesus made it a point to go through Samaria. To find this well, and meet this woman, so she could be a witness to her community.

Sometimes the people we think shouldn’t be included will make the best witnesses and for every person we think shouldn’t be included there are two – three people that think we shouldn’t be included.

God came for all, and we are all invited.

Let us be like God and love as God loves.

Love People. Love God.