Wrong

4 But I have said these things to you so that when their time comes, you will remember that I told you about them. “I didn’t say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I go away to the one who sent me. None of you ask me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Yet because I have said these things to you, you are filled with sorrow. 7 I assure you that it is better for you that I go away. If I don’t go away, the Companion won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will show the world it was wrong about sin, righteousness, and judgment. 9 He will show the world it was wrong about sin because they don’t believe in me. 10 He will show the world it was wrong about righteousness because I’m going to the Father and you won’t see me anymore. 11 He will show the world it was wrong about judgment because this world’s ruler stands condemned. (John 16:4-11, CEB)

The world is wrong. The world is wrong about sin, righteousness, and judgement.

They are wrong about sin because they don’t believe in Jesus. If the world believed in Jesus they would know that love is the answer. That we need to love people and let God handle the rest. We do not help people by pointing out what we think they are doing wrong, we help people by loving them and showing them that God loves them. Because none of us are able to stand before God they way we are, it is only because of Jesus that we are able to approach the throne. So if you are telling someone they can not be in God’s presence because of their sin, remember you are in the same place.

The world is wrong about righteousness because they did what they did to Jesus.

The world is wrong about judgement because the rulers of the world are in it for power and not to help the people.

Remember we are called not to be served but to serve, and to love the world as God loves us.

Love People. Love God.

Vision

9 I, John, your brother who shares with you in the hardship, kingdom, and endurance that we have in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and my witness about Jesus. 10 I was in a Spirit-inspired trance on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice that sounded like a trumpet. 11 It said, “Write down on a scroll whatever you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” 12 I turned to see who was speaking to me, and when I turned, I saw seven oil lamps burning on top of seven gold stands. 13 In the middle of the lampstands I saw someone who looked like the Human One. He wore a robe that stretched down to his feet, and he had a gold sash around his chest. 14 His head and hair were white as white wool—like snow—and his eyes were like a fiery flame. 15 His feet were like fine brass that has been purified in a furnace, and his voice sounded like rushing water. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword. His appearance was like the sun shining with all its power. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. But he put his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I was dead, but look! Now I’m alive forever and always. I have the keys of Death and the Grave. (Revelation 1:9-18, CEB)

Have you ever been in a spirit inspired trance? I can honestly say I haven’t.

This vision we get from John here is very interesting. It is loaded with imagery that is intense and vivid. It makes us wonder what it all means. And we then try to say this is what it means.

Here is my take on the vision. It was a vision given to John that can give us insights into what God was trying to tell John, but may not translate to us today. And the way we see it, may not be the way it was intended for John or the way John actually saw it.

We can learn something from this but shouldn’t put all our eggs in that basket.

See the vision, and follow God knowing God will always be there.

Love People. Love God.

Understand

44 Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46 He said to them, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 Look, I’m sending to you what my Father promised, but you are to stay in the city until you have been furnished with heavenly power.” 50 He led them out as far as Bethany, where he lifted his hands and blessed them. 51 As he blessed them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 They worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem overwhelmed with joy. 53 And they were continuously in the temple praising God. (Luke 24:44-53, CEB)

I would love to have been there for verse 45. Then Jesus opened their minds to understand the scriptures. Now remember the scriptures at that point in time were the Hebrew Scriptures. The New Testament had not been written yet. But to have your mind opened so you understood the scriptures!

I would love to say that I understand the scripture and what they say and how they impact my life. But when I open the Bible and read a passage I think I have figured out something new hits me and I’m back at square 1. It is frustrating and hard to try to say I get it, when it seems like I hardly ever do.

But we have the power of the Spirit living in us and God will continually guide us to know how to live.

So go into the world loving as you go.

Love People. Love God.

Added on

19 After the Lord Jesus spoke to them, he was lifted up into heaven and sat down on the right side of God. 20 But they went out and proclaimed the message everywhere. The Lord worked with them, confirming the word by the signs associated with them. (Mark 16:19-20, CEB)

They went out proclaiming the message everywhere. Do you know this was added on to the end of Mark? The original ending to the gospel of Mark was, “Overcome with terror and dread, they fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.” And scribes or followers of the Way thought this wasn’t a good ending to the gospel of Mark, so they added on. Mark didn’t want his gospel to end though in my opinion. Mark was telling us that the story of Christ continued the story from the chosen people of God and now the story continues through us.

We are adding on to the story every day. By living out lives out loud and living love out loud in the world.

We are sharing God’s love with he world as we go, and are continuing the story.

Love People. Love God.

Pursue Holy Living

13 I command you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and Christ Jesus, who made the good confession when testifying before Pontius Pilate. 14 Obey this order without fault or failure until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 The timing of this appearance is revealed by God alone, who is the blessed and only master, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 16 He alone has immortality and lives in light that no one can come near. No human being has ever seen or is able to see him. Honor and eternal power belong to him. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:13-16, CEB)

Obey this order without fault or failure until Christ comes again.

This command was the command from yesterday, pursue holy living. And what is Holy Living?

Being righteous, faithful to God. Sharing love with the world. Not seeking fame or fortune. But sharing love that was showered on you with the world. Do that until Christ comes again. Easy enough.

Love People. Love God.

Grab hold

11 But as for you, man of God, run away from all these things. Instead, pursue righteousness, holy living, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12 Compete in the good fight of faith. Grab hold of eternal life—you were called to it, and you made a good confession of it in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:11-12, CEB)

Run away from all these things… What are all of these things?

The verse right before these two is “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some have wandered away from the faith and have impaled themselves with a lot of pain because they made money their goal.”

We are supposed to pursue righteousness, holy living, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness over becoming rich. In the verses before this the author says that we came into this world with nothing and we will leave with nothing, we should be content with food and clothing, and not seek for more than we need.

Because eternal life is ours to grab hold of, we were called to it and it is ours to have, now. Not in the future.

Grab hold of life eternal with God and be faithful to God and show the love God has showered on you to the world.

Love People. Love God.

Commandment

9 “As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 17 I give you these commandments so that you can love each other. (John 15:9-17, CEB)

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love. What are the commandments?

We could say they are the 10 commandments, or the Laws of the Torah. Or maybe it is the commandment Jesus gives us in just a little bit here.

This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends.  So we need to love each other, just as Jesus loves us. Meaning we need to love people when they are doing what will keep them from being in relationship with us, because that is how God loves each of us.

We were chosen by God to share the love God has given us with the world.

You see if we get unhung up on keeping all of the Levitical Laws or the 10 commandments, which according to the twist Jesus gave them are impossible for any of us to keep, we will be in a deep dark place because of our lack of upholding the commandments. But if we focus on love. Loving everyone. God will continue to fill our cup as we pour it out for others.

Love People. Love God.

Servant

42 Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the ones who are considered the rulers by the Gentiles show off their authority over them and their high-ranking officials order them around. 43 But that’s not the way it will be with you. Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. 44 Whoever wants to be first among you will be the slave of all, 45 for the Human One[a] didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.” (Mark 10:42-45, CEB)

We are not to lord our leadership over others. We are to be servants of all.

Remember, Jesus washed Judas’ feet. We are called to serve, not be served.

Love all and fight for them to be who they were made to be by God.

Love People. Love God.

Acceptable

34 Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. 35 Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 This is the message of peace he sent to the Israelites by proclaiming the good news through Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all! 37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism John preached. 38 You know about Jesus of Nazareth, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit and endowed with power. Jesus traveled around doing good and healing everyone oppressed by the devil because God was with him. 39 We are witnesses of everything he did, both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him up on the third day and allowed him to be seen, 41 not by everyone but by us. We are witnesses whom God chose beforehand, who ate and drank with him after God raised him from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:34-43, CEB)

Have you ever met a follower of God you did not agree with? If you haven’t you need to expand your bubble!

I have met a lot of people who follow God but do not believe the same things I do. I have lost friends because they thought I was not doing what God called me to do, when I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that I was following God. How can this be?

Peter tells us here. “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. 35 Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to God.” If I am worshipping God and doing what I feel is acceptable to God at this point in time, then I am beloved by God. We should not judge another for not being where we are in faith, for we are all on a journey to deepen our lives and relationship with God. If you believe you receive forgiveness. And your belief can be different than mine and we still both believe in God.

You see we are all uniquely created by God and so we will not have the same faith.

So love as God loves you and make sure the world knows they are loved by God and let God work.

Love People. Love God.

Forbidden

There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion in the Italian Company. 2 He and his whole household were pious, Gentile God-worshippers. He gave generously to those in need among the Jewish people and prayed to God constantly. 3 One day at nearly three o’clock in the afternoon, he clearly saw an angel from God in a vision. The angel came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Startled, he stared at the angel and replied, “What is it, Lord?” The angel said, “Your prayers and your compassionate acts are like a memorial offering to God. 5 Send messengers to Joppa at once and summon a certain Simon, the one known as Peter. 6 He is a guest of Simon the tanner, whose house is near the seacoast.” 7 When the angel who was speaking to him had gone, Cornelius summoned two of his household servants along with a pious soldier from his personal staff. 8 He explained everything to them, then sent them to Joppa. 9 At noon on the following day, as their journey brought them close to the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted to eat. While others were preparing the meal, he had a visionary experience. 11 He saw heaven opened up and something like a large linen sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners. 12 Inside the sheet were all kinds of four-legged animals, reptiles, and wild birds. 13 A voice told him, “Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!” 14 Peter exclaimed, “Absolutely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” 15 The voice spoke a second time, “Never consider unclean what God has made pure.” 16 This happened three times, then the object was suddenly pulled back into heaven. 17 Peter was bewildered about the meaning of the vision. Just then, the messengers sent by Cornelius discovered the whereabouts of Simon’s house and arrived at the gate. 18 Calling out, they inquired whether the Simon known as Peter was a guest there. 19 While Peter was brooding over the vision, the Spirit interrupted him, “Look! Three people are looking for you. 20 Go downstairs. Don’t ask questions; just go with them because I have sent them.” 21 So Peter went downstairs and told them, “I’m the one you are looking for. Why have you come?” 22 They replied, “We’ve come on behalf of Cornelius, a centurion and righteous man, a God-worshipper who is well-respected by all Jewish people. A holy angel directed him to summon you to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 Peter invited them into the house as his guests. The next day he got up and went with them, together with some of the believers from Joppa. 24 They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Anticipating their arrival, Cornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in order to honor him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Get up! Like you, I’m just a human.” 27 As they continued to talk, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders. However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean. 29 For this reason, when you sent for me, I came without objection. I want to know, then, why you sent for me.” 30 Cornelius answered, “Four days ago at this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon, I was praying at home. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me. 31 He said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayers, and your compassionate acts are like a memorial offering to him. 32 Therefore, send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is known as Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, located near the seacoast.’ 33 I sent for you right away, and you were kind enough to come. Now, here we are, gathered in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has directed you to say.” 34 Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. (Acts 10:1-34, CEB)

What is forbidden? Or what is unclean?

According to the Law, there are things we can not eat. And things we can not do.

But here Peter has a vision of a sheet with all the unclean animals and is told to eat. But he says nothing unclean has ever touched my lips. And the response is that what God has made is not unclean.

As I write this devotional Arkansas just passed and then over turned a veto of the governor on HB1570 which prohibits trans people under 18 from getting medical treatments to help their gender dysphoria. And North Carolina is starting the talks on Senate Bill 514 which will do the same there. These lawmakers are calling what God has made unclean. And everything that God has made is clean.

Maybe you think this is a stretch for this set of verses, but in Peter’s day, as Peter said, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders.” Greeks and Jews could not associate because of the Law. But Peter was told by God that this is not the way.

We need to love everyone even if we don’t agree with them or their lifestyle. We are called to love and share God’s love, not try to make everyone like us.

Love People. Love God.