who I am

Mary said,
“With all my heart I glorify the Lord!
    In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.
He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.
    Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored
        because the mighty one has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
    He shows mercy to everyone,
        from one generation to the next,
        who honors him as God.
He has shown strength with his arm.
    He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations.
    He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones
        and lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away empty-handed.
He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
        remembering his mercy,
    just as he promised to our ancestors,
        to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”
(Luke 1:46-55, CEB)

Mary sang how the glory of God was what made her be who she was.

That God was her savior and that she was lifted by God.

God shows this same mercy to everyone. God gives strength to those who need it. God helps those who need it and fills the hungry with good things.

God is always there for you. And we, like Mary, need to hold in the depths of our hearts a rejoicing in God. For God made us who we are, and that is a beautiful thing.

Be proud of who I am. God made you, and God is proud of you.

deceive

But you have paid attention to my teaching, conduct, purpose, faithfulness, patience, love, and endurance. You have seen me experience physical abuse and ordeals in places such as Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I put up with all sorts of abuse, and the Lord rescued me from it all! In fact, anyone who wants to live a holy life in Christ Jesus will be harassed. But evil people and swindlers will grow even worse, as they deceive others while being deceived themselves. But you must continue with the things you have learned and found convincing. You know who taught you. Since childhood you have known the holy scriptures that help you to be wise in a way that leads to salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:10-15, CEB)

Who is deceiving us today?

Or who deceives you?

Deceive means “to cause to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid.” Many are saying, “You can’t make this up,” while making things up and passing them off as facts. The current leader of the United States said they were going to lower drug prices by over 100%. This means we would be paid to take those drugs, but this has not happened and drug prices along with many other items costs are going up. We are being deceived to believe that we are doing great when we are not.

Lies do not make a person great. Being a person of integrity is what makes one great. Do not be deceived.

Live a life that honors God by being a person of integrity and do not deceive others.

obvious…

Understand that the last days will be dangerous times. People will be selfish and love money. They will be the kind of people who brag and who are proud. They will slander others, and they will be disobedient to their parents. They will be ungrateful, unholy, unloving, contrary, and critical. They will be without self-control and brutal, and they won’t love what is good. They will be people who are disloyal, reckless, and conceited. They will love pleasure instead of loving God. They will look like they are religious but deny God’s power. Avoid people like this. Some will slither into households and control immature women who are burdened with sins and driven by all kinds of desires. These women are always learning, but they can never arrive at an understanding of the truth. These people oppose the truth in the same way that Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. Their minds are corrupt and their faith is counterfeit. But they won’t get very far. Their foolishness will become obvious to everyone like those others. (2 Timothy 3:1-9, CEB)

What is obvious?

Merriam-Webster defines obvious as “easily discovered, seen, or understood.” But this is still vague. There are people who say something is obvious when others do not see it or understand it. For instance, a lot of people are saying you can’t make this stuff up on the internet while saying things that are completely made up. It is obvious to them what is correct, but to me, it is obvious that they are not seeing things clearly, so which of us do not get it?

People need to do research and be open to learning things that are different from what they think is right to expand their understanding and grow into a better human for all of society, rather than just cling to what they were taught and not let go regardless of facts or new ideas.

Do not be stuck in what you were taught; be open to learning and growing.

if it is your will…

Jesus left and made his way to the Mount of Olives, as was his custom, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived, he said to them, “Pray that you won’t give in to temptation.” He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed. He said, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.” Then a heavenly angel appeared to him and strengthened him. He was in anguish and prayed even more earnestly. His sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. When he got up from praying, he went to the disciples. He found them asleep, overcome by grief. He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation.” (Luke 22:39-46, CEB)

How many of us use prayer for a time, as my seminary professor, Dr. Vitalis-Hoffman, told us not to do, “put all of our begs into one ask it?” We ask God to give us what we want. What we desire.

And here Jesus knows what is going to happen tomorrow, he is going to go to trial, and be convicted and murdered, lynched. And his ask of God is not do not let this happen, even though he asks for the cup to be removed, but yet, not that if your will is for this to happen. Jesus asked for the will of God to be done.

When was the last time you prayed to God and asked for God’s will to be done?

Maybe we need to change the way we pray…

patient

Therefore, brothers and sisters, you must be patient as you wait for the coming of the Lord. Consider the farmer who waits patiently for the coming of rain in the fall and spring, looking forward to the precious fruit of the earth. You also must wait patiently, strengthening your resolve, because the coming of the Lord is near. Don’t complain about each other, brothers and sisters, so that you won’t be judged. Look! The judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of patient resolve and steadfastness. Look at how we honor those who have practiced endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job. And you have seen what the Lord has accomplished, for the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Most important, my brothers and sisters, never make a solemn pledge—neither by heaven nor earth, nor by anything else. Instead, speak with a simple “Yes” or “No,” or else you may fall under judgment. (James 5:7-12, CEB)

Be patient.

Patient, as we wait for the coming of Jesus, as farmers are patient in waiting for water to feed their crops.

For we know that Jesus is coming back, and it will happen soon. And soon, of course, is a relative term, because disciples and prophets have been saying for over 2000 years that Jesus was coming back soon.

But as we wait, patiently, we must love all. Show compassion and mercy in all we do, so that we are preparing the way of peace and making God’s love known, so we are ready when Jesus returns.

Simply be a person of integrity, having compassion, mercy, and love for all.

against

When someone in your assembly has a legal case against another member, do they dare to take it to court to be judged by people who aren’t just, instead of by God’s people? Or don’t you know that God’s people will judge the world? If the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to judge trivial cases? Don’t you know that we will judge angels? Why not ordinary things? So then if you have ordinary lawsuits, do you appoint people as judges who aren’t respected by the church? I’m saying this because you should be ashamed of yourselves! Isn’t there one person among you who is wise enough to pass judgment between believers? But instead, does a brother or sister have a lawsuit against another brother or sister, and do they do this in front of unbelievers? The fact that you have lawsuits against each other means that you’ve already lost your case. Why not be wronged instead? Why not be cheated? But instead you are doing wrong and cheating—and you’re doing it to your own brothers and sisters. Don’t you know that people who are unjust won’t inherit God’s kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Those who are sexually immoral, those who worship false gods, adulterers, both participants in same-sex intercourse, thieves, the greedy, drunks, abusive people, and swindlers won’t inherit God’s kingdom. That is what some of you used to be! But you were washed clean, you were made holy to God, and you were made right with God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:1-11, CEB)

What do you have against a brother or a sister? Why can you not decide this in the church? And why do you want to cheat your brother or sister?

We should decide our differences among ourselves and show the world love.

Do not worship false gods or get caught up in wanting more than God has already provided. Love and give mercy.

Love like Jesus and have nothing against a brother or sister.

Will he find faithfulness?

Jesus was telling them a parable about their need to pray continuously and not to be discouraged. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him, asking, ‘Give me justice in this case against my adversary.’ For a while he refused but finally said to himself, I don’t fear God or respect people, but I will give this widow justice because she keeps bothering me. Otherwise, there will be no end to her coming here and embarrassing me.” The Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. Won’t God provide justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he be slow to help them? I tell you, he will give them justice quickly. But when the Human One comes, will he find faithfulness on earth?” (Luke 18:1-8, CEB)

Jesus said that God will give you justice if you cry out to Them day and night, and They will be quick to help. But will that make us faithful?

Will we actually follow God because we got justice, or just use God as a cosmic vending machine to get our needs fulfilled?

Does faithfulness come from getting justice?

What would you ask?

Jesus and his followers came into Jericho. As Jesus was leaving Jericho, together with his disciples and a sizable crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, Timaeus’ son, was sitting beside the road. When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy!” Many scolded him, telling him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, show me mercy!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him forward.” They called the blind man, “Be encouraged! Get up! He’s calling you.” Throwing his coat to the side, he jumped up and came to Jesus. Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see.” Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.” At once he was able to see, and he began to follow Jesus on the way. (Mark 10:46-52, CEB)

If Jesus called you over and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” What would you ask for?

Is this like a genie? Is it three wishes? Can I ask for more wishes, or bring someone back from the dead, or have someone fall in love with me?

Probably not. But what would you ask?

What do you need to be healed from?

What, if it were not a part of your life, would make your life better?

What would you ask Jesus?

pursue…

Remind them of these things and warn them in the sight of God not to engage in battles over words that aren’t helpful and only destroy those who hear them. Make an effort to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker, who doesn’t need to be ashamed but is one who interprets the message of truth correctly. Avoid their godless discussions, because they will lead many people into ungodly behavior, and their ideas will spread like an infection. This includes Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have deviated from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already happened. This has undermined some people’s faith. God’s solid foundation is still standing with this sign: The Lord knows the people who belong to him, and Everyone who confesses the Lord’s name must avoid wickedness. In a mansion, there aren’t just gold and silver bowls but also some bowls that are made of wood and clay. Some are meant for special uses, some for garbage. So if anyone washes filth off themselves, they will be set apart as a “special bowl.” They will be useful to the owner of the mansion for every sort of good work. Run away from adolescent cravings. Instead, pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace together with those who confess the Lord with a clean heart. Avoid foolish and thoughtless discussions, since you know that they produce conflicts. God’s slave shouldn’t be argumentative but should be kind toward all people, able to teach, patient, and should correct opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will change their mind and give them a knowledge of the truth. They may come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap that holds them captive to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:14-26, CEB)

What do you pursue?

Are you seen as a tried-and-true worker of God?

Our lives should show forth God’s love in everything we do and say. We can not show up for worship on Sunday and then badmouth people and take away their rights or work for their removal from the places we are Monday – Saturday, and think we are actually doing what God has called us to do and to be. By working against systems that help people, we are not pursuing God or God’s ways.

Pursue God’s love and giving that away in everything you do and with every fiber of your being. When we look out for others, we are doing what God has asked us to do and to be, and that is pursuing God.

in God

Paul stood up in the middle of the council on Mars Hill and said, “People of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. As I was walking through town and carefully observing your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: ‘To an unknown God.’ What you worship as unknown, I now proclaim to you. God, who made the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth. He doesn’t live in temples made with human hands. Nor is God served by human hands, as though he needed something, since he is the one who gives life, breath, and everything else. From one person God created every human nation to live on the whole earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands. God made the nations so they would seek him, perhaps even reach out to him and find him. In fact, God isn’t far away from any of us. In God we live, move, and exist. As some of your own poets said, ‘We are his offspring.’ “Therefore, as God’s offspring, we have no need to imagine that the divine being is like a gold, silver, or stone image made by human skill and thought. God overlooks ignorance of these things in times past, but now directs everyone everywhere to change their hearts and lives. This is because God has set a day when he intends to judge the world justly by a man he has appointed. God has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” When they heard about the resurrection from the dead, some began to ridicule Paul. However, others said, “We’ll hear from you about this again.” At that, Paul left the council. Some people joined him and came to believe, including Dionysius, a member of the council on Mars Hill, a woman named Damaris, and several others. (Acts 17:22-34, CEB)

The only way we exist is in God. In God we live, move, and exist. We were created through Adam and now live in God.

God is in all things and works through all things to make their love known.

We all need to hear about God and speak about God so all will know who and where their existence comes from and is from.

Live in God and allow God to live in you.

Share God’s love in everythign you do.