Who are you thankful for?

3 I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers. 4 I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy. 5 I’m glad because of the way you have been my partners in the ministry of the gospel from the time you first believed it until now. 6 I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus. 7 I have good reason to think this way about all of you because I keep you in my heart. You are all my partners in God’s grace, both during my time in prison and in the defense and support of the gospel. 8 God is my witness that I feel affection for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 This is my prayer: that your love might become even more and more rich with knowledge and all kinds of insight. 10 I pray this so that you will be able to decide what really matters and so you will be sincere and blameless on the day of Christ. 11 I pray that you will then be filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes from Jesus Christ, in order to give glory and praise to God. (Philippians 1:3-11, CEB)

Who are you thankful for in your life? And how do you show that you are thankful?

There are many people who are a part of my life that I do not see every day. And yet when I stop and spend time with God, I think about them and thank God for allowing them to be a part of my life. So many times we get hung up on all the bad things in our lives if we just stop and think about all of the wonderful people God has surrounded us with we can be thankful for the rich blessings God has given us.

And wouldn’t it make the world a better place if we all prayed for all of those who were a part of life everyday? And if we all prayed Paul’s pray, “This is my prayer: that your love might become even more and more rich with knowledge and all kinds of insight.” How much brighter would the world be?

Pray for all people especially those who blessed you, so they might be a blessing to others.

Love People. Love God.

Prayer

6 “I have revealed your name to the people you gave me from this world. They were yours and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 This is because I gave them the words that you gave me, and they received them. They truly understood that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 “I’m praying for them. I’m not praying for the world but for those you gave me, because they are yours. 10 Everything that is mine is yours and everything that is yours is mine; I have been glorified in them. 11 I’m no longer in the world, but they are in the world, even as I’m coming to you. Holy Father, watch over them in your name, the name you gave me, that they will be one just as we are one. 12 When I was with them, I watched over them in your name, the name you gave to me, and I kept them safe. None of them were lost, except the one who was destined for destruction, so that scripture would be fulfilled. 13 Now I’m coming to you and I say these things while I’m in the world so that they can share completely in my joy. 14 I gave your word to them and the world hated them, because they don’t belong to this world, just as I don’t belong to this world. 15 I’m not asking that you take them out of this world but that you keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They don’t belong to this world, just as I don’t belong to this world. 17 Make them holy in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 I made myself holy on their behalf so that they also would be made holy in the truth. (John 17:6-19, CEB)

This is part of Jesus’ high priestly prayer from John where he prays for himself, the disciples, and then for those who will believe. This is the section on the disciples.

Jesus thanks God for the disciples and asks that God protect them.

You see we are in and not of this world, so the world will not understand us. Yet we need to share the love we have with the world.

Sometimes we are called to stand against the things of this world and we will not be accepted, yet we must always stand in love, knowing that God has sent us to share love.

So be bold and live in the world sharing the love God has shared with you, knowing that God goes with you.

Love People. Love God.

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.