what he is…

Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead and descended from David. This is my good news. This is the reason I’m suffering to the point that I’m in prison like a common criminal. But God’s word cannot be imprisoned. This is why I endure everything for the sake of those who are chosen by God so that they too may experience salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. This saying is reliable:

“If we have died together, we will also live together.
        If we endure, we will also rule together.
        If we deny him, he will also deny us.
If we are disloyal, he stays faithful”
    because he can’t be anything else than what he is. (2 Timothy 2:8-13, CEB)

“because he can’t be anything else than what he is.”

Jesus will never be like us. We need to be like him.

When we turn away, Jesus never will.

When we do wrong, Jesus is there to pick us up.

Jesus is always what he says he is.

If only we could be like that.

Loving People. Loving God.

Reign of Christ

“Now when the Human One comes in his majesty and all his angels are with him, he will sit on his majestic throne. All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them from each other, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right side. But the goats he will put on his left. “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ “Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me, you who will receive terrible things. Go into the unending fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels. I was hungry and you didn’t give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me anything to drink. I was a stranger and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked and you didn’t give me clothes to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment. But the righteous ones will go into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46, CEB)

Surprise, surprise, surprise…

The thing about this text and both groups of people is they are surprised. Both the sheep and the goats. It’s as if they were looking for Jesus. The goats to make sure they treated him better than everyone else for sure.

But isn’t that really what we should learn all along, it isn’t about us loving everyone and looking out for everyone regardless of who they are or what they can do for us?

The point of this is to say, love God, and love others. Period. Don’t look for who to treat differently, treat everyone the same.

Loving People. Loving God.

Who is family?

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers stood outside trying to speak with him. Someone said to him, “Look, your mother and brothers are outside wanting to speak with you.” Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” He stretched out his hand toward his disciples and said, “Look, here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven is my brother, sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50, CEB)

A couple days ago was Thanksgiving, and you may have spent that with family.

Family that can be challenging sometimes.

Family that doesn’t accept you as you are.

But who is our family?

Family is blood related. Those you do not choose as your relatives. These people might not be what you would consider family.

Family is also chosen. I have family in Grand Rapids, Coleman, Victoria, Bismark, and many other places I will forget to name. These are the people who have come into my life and made a difference and no matter where I go will always be a part.

And that is what Jesus says here. Family is not related. Family is blood. Jesus’ blood and those who follow the way of Christ. Those who are doing and loving as Jesus did are family. People who will always be there.

Loving People. Loving God.

Kindom

Then the angel showed me the river of life-giving water, shining like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb through the middle of the city’s main street. On each side of the river is the tree of life, which produces twelve crops of fruit, bearing its fruit each month. The tree’s leaves are for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more. They won’t need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will shine on them, and they will rule forever and always. Then he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place. “Look! I’m coming soon. Favored is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy contained in this scroll.” I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I’m a servant just like you and your brothers and sisters, the prophets, and those who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” (Revelation 22:1-9, CEB)

The world is a mess.

Violence every where and people looking out for only themselves. We are hyper focused on us getting what we deserve even at the cost of someone else’s life.

When the kindom is fulfilled and we are all together worshiping God, love will reign.

Maybe Jesus is waiting for us to get it and love each other before he comes back.

Maybe we should love.

Loving People. Loving God.

Whose mark?

Then I looked, and there was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion. With him were one hundred forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. I heard a sound from heaven that was like the sound of rushing water and loud thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. They sing a new song in front of the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders. And no one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. They weren’t defiled with women, for these people who follow the Lamb wherever he goes are virgins. They were purchased from among humankind as early produce for God and the Lamb. No lie came from their mouths; they are blameless. Then I saw another angel flying high overhead with eternal good news to proclaim to those who live on earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people. He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” Another angel, a second one, followed and said, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She made all the nations drink the wine of her lustful passion.” Then another angel, a third one, followed them and said in a loud voice, “If any worship the beast and its image, and receive a mark on their foreheads or their hands, they themselves will also drink the wine of God’s passionate anger, poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will suffer the pain of fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. The smoke of their painful suffering goes up forever and always. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, and those who receive the mark of its name.” (Revelation 14:1-11, CEB)

Are you one of the 144,000? Or do you bear the mark of the beast?

I have always wondered, marveled, and questioned the 144,000. If it is a literal number, that number was filled up a long time ago, or does God replace people when better people come along? Can I lose my spot if someone who lives after me is better than me and follows more closely? And what if I’m not a virgin, and what if I am a woman? This says they were virgins, who “weren’t defiled with women.”

So how does that work really? And the number 144,000 is 12 times 12 times 1000. It is a lot of the number 12. 12 tribes, 12 disciples. 12 is an important number in the bible. When I taught Confirmation and asked a number question I told the confirmands that good possible answers to number questions from the bible are 3, 7, 12. Maybe 6 if we are talking bad things. So is it a literal number or a really big one we aren’t supposed to count?

And whose in and whose out? I mean as Lutherans we kind of say we are part of the 144,000 while we bear the mark of the beast. Now according to Revelation that is not possible, but as we are simultaneously saint and sinner, we are both in and out.

Know you are in, and don’t question that.

Love as you are loved.

Loving People. Loving God.

integrity

“Who then are the faithful and wise servants whom their master puts in charge of giving food at the right time to those who live in his house? Happy are those servants whom the master finds fulfilling their responsibilities when he comes. I assure you that he will put them in charge of all his possessions. But suppose those bad servants should say to themselves, My master won’t come until later. And suppose they began to beat their fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunks? The master of those servants will come on a day when they are not expecting him, at a time they couldn’t predict. He will cut them in pieces and put them in a place with the hypocrites. People there will be weeping and grinding their teeth. (Matthew 24:45-51, CEB)

My biggest complaint and worry is people are different depending on who is around or if it is real life or online. I strive to be a person who says what I believe online and in person and to not have two personas.

We need to love unconditionally, not because God is watching, or anyone else for that matter, but because it is the right thing to do.

If you are like the bad servants and treat people one way because you know you can get away with it, then that is the true feelings and the underlying person you are. Jesus said it is not what goes into a person that defiles them, but what comes out. And that is the real you, defiling you.

Integrity is what this world needs. People who actually love all the time no matter who is looking or who can see.

Loving People. Loving God.

everyone

Brothers and sisters, we ask you to respect those who are working with you, leading you, and instructing you. Think of them highly with love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are disorderly. Comfort the discouraged. Help the weak. Be patient with everyone. Make sure no one repays a wrong with a wrong, but always pursue the good for each other and everyone else. Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-18, CEB)

Be patient with everyone.

Comfort the discouraged.

Help the weak.

Repay no one a wrong for a wrong (that means don’t get revenge…)

Pursue good for everyone!

Love unconditionally.

Loving People. Loving God.

God does not have favorites.

So every single one of you who judge others is without any excuse. You condemn yourself when you judge another person because the one who is judging is doing the same things. We know that God’s judgment agrees with the truth, and his judgment is against those who do these kinds of things. If you judge those who do these kinds of things while you do the same things yourself, think about this: Do you believe that you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you have contempt for the riches of God’s generosity, tolerance, and patience? Don’t you realize that God’s kindness is supposed to lead you to change your heart and life? You are storing up wrath for yourself because of your stubbornness and your heart that refuses to change. God’s just judgment will be revealed on the day of wrath. God will repay everyone based on their works. On the one hand, he will give eternal life to those who look for glory, honor, and immortality based on their patient good work. But on the other hand, there will be wrath and anger for those who obey wickedness instead of the truth because they are acting out of selfishness and disobedience. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. God does not have favorites. (Romans 2:1-11, CEB)

God does not have favorites.

Everyone has their picture and their drawings on God’s refrigerator. There was a time our youngest said there was not a picture of her on our fridge and it was true. There was a picture of the oldest and the middle child, but there was not one of the youngest. Now we joke about that but to some that is wrong. And on God’s refrigerator everyone has a picture and a place, even those you think don’t belong, because guess what, there is someone (probably many someones) who think you don’t belong there.

It is not about if we think someone is worthy, God has already said they are.

So love without condition.

Loving People. Loving God.

Use what you have

“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who was leaving on a trip. He called his servants and handed his possessions over to them. To one he gave five valuable coins, and to another he gave two, and to another he gave one. He gave to each servant according to that servant’s ability. Then he left on his journey. “After the man left, the servant who had five valuable coins took them and went to work doing business with them. He gained five more. In the same way, the one who had two valuable coins gained two more. But the servant who had received the one valuable coin dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. “Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five valuable coins came forward with five additional coins. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained five more.’ “His master replied, ‘Excellent! You are a good and faithful servant! You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’ “The second servant also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained two more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done! You are a good and faithful servant. You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’ “Now the one who had received one valuable coin came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man. You harvest grain where you haven’t sown. You gather crops where you haven’t spread seed. So I was afraid. And I hid my valuable coin in the ground. Here, you have what’s yours.’ “His master replied, ‘You evil and lazy servant! You knew that I harvest grain where I haven’t sown and that I gather crops where I haven’t spread seed? In that case, you should have turned my money over to the bankers so that when I returned, you could give me what belonged to me with interest. Therefore, take from him the valuable coin and give it to the one who has ten coins. Those who have much will receive more, and they will have more than they need. But as for those who don’t have much, even the little bit they have will be taken away from them. Now take the worthless servant and throw him out into the farthest darkness.’ “People there will be weeping and grinding their teeth. (Matthew 25:14-30, CEB)

This passage is not about prosperity and those who have more will always get more. If this is true, then who is God in the parable? Normally we can look at parables and say God is one of the characters, but I am really uncomfortable saying that the master is God, because the servant with one talent says the master reaps where he doesn’t sow, so the master is crooked, and God is not crooked.

God could be the servant with one talent. But I am not sure how that works either.

So what is this about?

All of us are gifted with something for the betterment of the kindom. Do we use it or do we hide it?

Do you use the gifts God has given you or are you afraid to?

One of my biggest fears is leading people astray. Luke 17:2 says, “ It would be better for them to be thrown into a lake with a large stone hung around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to trip and fall into sin.” And I worry as a pastor what I say will be wrong and will lead people astray. It is not a fear that keeps me from doing what I have been gifted to do, but it is something that I am aware of and know could happen.

But in that, I am compelled by loved. If by loving more deeply than I should I lead someone astray I am willing to take what comes. If by loving more deeply than I should I help someone not commit suicide and that causes issues for me I am willing to take what comes.

I believe we are called to love more deeply and love the world and not just those like us.

Do you use you gift or hide it?

Loving People. Loving God.

What?!?!

“When an unclean spirit leaves a person, it wanders through dry places looking for a place to rest. But it doesn’t find any. Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the place vacant, cleaned up, and decorated. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself. They go in and make their home there. That person is worse off at the end than at the beginning. This is the way it will be also for this evil generation.” (Matthew 12:43-45, CEB)

Ok, Jesus what does this mean?

An unclean spirit leaves the person and wanders to find a new place and when not finding one it returns to where it left and finds it unacceptable for it, so it finds seven other spirits and they all move in. So now the person is inhabited by 8 spirits, 7 of which are more evil than the first one.

That is how it is for this evil generation. What is generation? In an earlier devo, I commented how Jesus said this generation will not pass away until the kingdom comes, but many generations have passed away. So what does this mean? And like the previous devo, I have no answer.

We need to be prepared to follow Jesus and know no matter what happens that God is always with us. Even when we feel alone, we are not. God is always with us.

Loving People. Loving God.