What?!?

However, a man named Ananias, along with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. With his wife’s knowledge, he withheld some of the proceeds from the sale. He brought the rest and placed it in the care and under the authority of the apostles. Peter asked, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has influenced you to lie to the Holy Spirit by withholding some of the proceeds from the sale of your land? Wasn’t that property yours to keep? After you sold it, wasn’t the money yours to do with whatever you wanted? What made you think of such a thing? You haven’t lied to other people but to God!” When Ananias heard these words, he dropped dead. Everyone who heard this conversation was terrified. Some young men stood up, wrapped up his body, carried him out, and buried him. About three hours later, his wife entered, but she didn’t know what had happened to her husband. Peter asked her, “Tell me, did you and your husband receive this price for the field?” She responded, “Yes, that’s the amount.” He replied, “How could you scheme with each other to challenge the Lord’s Spirit? Look! The feet of those who buried your husband are at the door. They will carry you out too.” At that very moment, she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men entered and found her dead, they carried her out and buried her with her husband. Trepidation and dread seized the whole church and all who heard what had happened. (Acts 5:1-11, CEB)

So here is a story of a couple who sold their land and agreed to tell everyone they sold it for a price less than they sold it for and gave that amount to the shared holdings of the group. And the disciples found out, and God struck the couple dead.

Now, we should not be dishonest. We should not say we do not have something we have or in any way portray what/who we are as different than what/who we are, but should these two be struck dead because of this?

This story makes a point of always being honest. I say you be honest because then you don’t have to remember what you said because it is always the truth. Liars have to have good memories, but those who always tell the truth don’t need to worry about remembering.

Love like Jesus and be honest.

Loving People. Loving God.

tied up…

Don’t be tied up as equal partners with people who don’t believe. What does righteousness share with that which is outside the Law? What relationship does light have with darkness? What harmony does Christ have with Satan? What does a believer have in common with someone who doesn’t believe? What agreement can there be between God’s temple and idols? Because we are the temple of the living God. Just as God said, I live with them, and I will move among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among them and be separated, says the Lord. Don’t touch what is unclean. Then I will welcome you. I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. My dear friends, since we have these promises, let’s cleanse ourselves from anything that contaminates our body or spirit so that we make our holiness complete in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, CEB)

We should not be equal partners with people who don’t believe but that doesn’t mean we do not still live with them and interact with them.

We should separate ourselves from things that keep us form God and live our lives as an example for all to see God’s love in the world.

Do not be tied up to evil, but be tied to love.

Love like Jesus.

Loving People. Loving God.

Come and see

The next day Jesus wanted to go into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law and the Prophets: Jesus, Joseph’s son, from Nazareth.” Nathanael responded, “Can anything from Nazareth be good?” Philip said, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here is a genuine Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are God’s Son. You are the king of Israel.” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these! I assure you that you will see heaven open and God’s angels going up to heaven and down to earth on the Human One.” (John 1:43-51, CEB)

How easy is that? Come and see…

Did you know that most people visit a place of worship because a friend invited them?

It isn’t because they saw/heard an ad. It isn’t because the pastor asked them.

Usually, it is because a friend invited them to come and see.

And it is easy for us to say come and see a sporting event, or a movie, or an amusement park, so why not worship?

Invite a friend to worship and see what happens.

Love like Jesus.

Loving People. Loving God.

Be prepared…

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten young bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. Now five of them were wise, and the other five were foolish. The foolish ones took their lamps but didn’t bring oil for them. But the wise ones took their lamps and also brought containers of oil. “When the groom was late in coming, they all became drowsy and went to sleep. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Look, the groom! Come out to meet him.’ “Then all those bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. But the foolish bridesmaids said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps have gone out.’ “But the wise bridesmaids replied, ‘No, because if we share with you, there won’t be enough for our lamps and yours. We have a better idea. You go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were gone to buy oil, the groom came. Those who were ready went with him into the wedding. Then the door was shut. “Later the other bridesmaids came and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us.’ “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore, keep alert, because you don’t know the day or the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13, CEB)

Every time I read this passage I think about the Boy Scout motto be prepared.

Keep alert is kind of the same thing right? If you are prepared for what may come you can be alert to what is happening around you and be ready to act in a way that is needed.

However, as a follower of Christ, I also know that there are times I may not be prepared, even if I am alert, and at those points, I need to rely on Christ and the Spirit to lead me and guide me to do what needs to be done. But if we can be prepared we should be.

God calls us and equips us to be in the world and we should be ready to follow where God is leading us.

Be prepared, and love like Jesus.

Loving People. Loving God.

His Story…

Standing up, Paul gestured with his hand and said, “Fellow Israelites and Gentile God-worshippers, please listen to me. The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors. God made them a great people while they lived as strangers in the land of Egypt. With his great power, he led them out of that country. For about forty years, God put up with them in the wilderness. God conquered seven nations in the land of Canaan and gave the Israelites their land as an inheritance. This happened over a period of about four hundred fifty years. “After this, he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. The Israelites requested a king, so God gave them Saul, Kish’s son, from the tribe of Benjamin, and he served as their king for forty years. After God removed him, he raised up David to be their king. God testified concerning him, ‘I have found David, Jesse’s son, a man who shares my desires. Whatever my will is, he will do.’ From this man’s descendants, God brought to Israel a savior, Jesus, just as he promised. Before Jesus’ appearance, John proclaimed to all the Israelites a baptism to show they were changing their hearts and lives. As John was completing his mission, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I’m not the one you think I am, but he is coming after me. I’m not worthy to loosen his sandals.’ (Acts 13:16-25, CEB)

The bible is merely a story. His Story. But not only His Story, your story.

Paul is seen in Acts and in his letters telling the story of the Hebrew Scriptures, and of stories of the gospels. Paul tells the story so people will know who Jesus is and that he was foretold for a long time before he was born. We should learn this story not just so we know who Jesus is, but so we know our story.

This is our story, our history.

We are a part of the family of God and so Jesus’ story is part of our story.

Know who you are. Know whose you are.

Love like Jesus.

Loving People. Loving God.

destruction of fortresses

I, Paul, make a personal request to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ. I’m shy when I’m with you, but I’m bossy when I’m away from you! I beg you that when I’m with you in person, I won’t have to boss you around. I’m afraid that I may have to use that kind of behavior with those people who think we live by human standards. Although we live in the world, we don’t fight our battles with human methods. Our weapons that we fight with aren’t human, but instead they are powered by God for the destruction of fortresses. They destroy arguments, and every defense that is raised up to oppose the knowledge of God. They capture every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Once your obedience is complete, we are ready to punish any disobedience. 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. 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. I don’t want it to seem like I’m trying to intimidate you with my letters. 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.” 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 10:1-11, CEB)

Destruction of fortresses!

They destroy arguments and every defense that rises against God.

They oppose the things that battle the knowledge of God.

We do not fight on our own when we are a child of God. God intercedes.

We just need to be and love in the world and know we are never alone.

Love like Jesus.

Loving People. Loving God.

Look!

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one about whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is really greater than me because he existed before me.’ Even I didn’t recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be made known to Israel.” John testified, “I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it rested on him. Even I didn’t recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and testified that this one is God’s Son.” (John 1:29-34, CEB)

Behold! How many times do we tell people to look at Jesus?

John knew his place and knew who he was. One who pointed to Jesus, not Jesus.

He helped people understand who God was and how God was moving in this place.

Do you do that?

Do you shine a light on the love God has given to all the world?

Does your life point to Jesus?

Loving People. Loving God.

God calls

When they heard him address them in Aramaic, they became even more quiet. Paul continued, “I’m a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia but raised in this city. Under Gamaliel’s instruction, I was trained in the strict interpretation of our ancestral Law. I am passionately loyal to God, just like you who are gathered here today. I harassed those who followed this Way to their death, arresting and delivering both men and women into prison. The high priest and the whole Jerusalem Council can testify about me. I received letters from them, addressed to our associates in Damascus, then went there to bring those who were arrested to Jerusalem so they could be punished. “During that journey, about noon, as I approached Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven encircled me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice asking me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?’ I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are harassing,’ he replied. My traveling companions saw the light, but they didn’t hear the voice of the one who spoke to me. I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ ‘Get up,’ the Lord replied, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told everything you have been appointed to do.’ I couldn’t see because of the brightness of that light, so my companions led me by the hand into Damascus. “There was a certain man named Ananias. According to the standards of the Law, he was a pious man who enjoyed the respect of all the Jews living there. He came and stood beside me. ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ he said. Instantly, I regained my sight and I could see him. He said, ‘The God of our ancestors has selected you to know his will, to see the righteous one, and to hear his voice. You will be his witness to everyone concerning what you have seen and heard. What are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins as you call on his name.’ (Acts 22:2-16, CEB)

Who are we to judge who God calls to be a part of God’s ministry?

Saul was a persecutor of the way. He arrested and harassed people who followed Jesus, and yet Jesus met him on the road to Damascus and changed his life, and then Saul was an apostle for Jesus.

And who are we to judge?

Just because you knew someone does not mean you know what has happened in their life so to keep someone captive because of their past is not loving.

Love like Jesus.

Loving People. Loving God.

not earned…

So what are we going to say? Are we going to find that Abraham is our ancestor on the basis of genealogy? Because if Abraham was made righteous because of his actions, he would have had a reason to brag, but not in front of God. What does the scripture say? Abraham had faith in God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Workers’ salaries aren’t credited to them on the basis of an employer’s grace but rather on the basis of what they deserve. But faith is credited as righteousness to those who don’t work, because they have faith in God who makes the ungodly righteous. In the same way, David also pronounces a blessing on the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from actions: Happy are those whose actions outside the Law are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Happy are those whose sin isn’t counted against them by the Lord. Is this state of happiness only for the circumcised or is it also for those who aren’t circumcised? We say, “Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” So how was it credited? When he was circumcised, or when he wasn’t circumcised? In fact, it was credited while he still wasn’t circumcised, not after he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that comes from the faith he had while he still wasn’t circumcised. It happened this way so that Abraham could be the ancestor of all those people who aren’t circumcised, who have faith in God, and so are counted as righteous. He could also be the ancestor of those circumcised people, who aren’t only circumcised but who also walk in the path of faith, like our ancestor Abraham did while he wasn’t circumcised. (Romans 4:1-12, CEB)

Faith is not earned.

Abraham did not earn his righteousness, it was gifted to him by God.

That is grace.

We do not earn righteousness. We do not lose righteousness. It is given by God, not for what we have done, but because God loves us.

Not because we earned it or did anything to get it.

God loves you as you are and makes you righteous.

Love like Jesus.

Loving People. Loving God.

Baptism of our Lord

John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” About that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. While he was coming up out of the water, Jesus saw heaven splitting open and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him. And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.” (Mark 1:4-11, CEB)

As we start the season of Epiphany and the Wise People found Jesus by following a star and the world knows the coming glory, it is interesting to me that the story of Jesus’ birth is only in two gospels. The visit of the Magi is only in one gospel, yet all four gospels record the baptism. Which is more important? The birth, the magi visit, or the baptism?

And this version only has Jesus seeing the dove, and hearing the voice. So is it for the people he is baptized or for himself?

I posted a meme the day I wrote this: “There will always be someone who can’t see your worth. Don’t let it be you!” Maybe even Jesus needed the reminder of who he was.

Baptism makes you God’s child. You are a part of the family, not because of what you have done, but because God says so. Nothing you do can break that relationship either.

Know whose you are and how much you are loved.

And share that love with all the world.

Loving People. Loving God.