#tpinkthings devotions

Daily Devotion.

Sermon on the Mount, part 2. Chapter 6

Here, we pick up on being the Salt of the earth. More on the character of a disciple. This one is pretty straight forward in its message. It more tells how we should be acting versus how we shouldn't in our deeds to our neighbors.

When you see that the need are in need, give to them; but silently. Do not make a grand show or boast about it, like the Pharisees. They do it not to glorify their god, but themselves. "I did this great thing today. May the trumpets sound for me!" Be secret about your goodness. Do not boast of it for glory, but do it because it's the right thing to do (verses 1-4).

Same thing with prayer. Do not make it a grand show to others as the Pharisees. Their reward they have: attention. But for you, pray quietly and privately. Do not be wordy, empty, or lengthy with your prayers. The Pharisees do it for their glory. They aren't really asking for anything. You just need to keep it simple. Remember, I know what you need even before you ask. I am your father in heaven (5-13).

Be merciful to others, too. If you withhold it, why should you receive it? Forgive because it brings peace in your life. Life is too short. Mercy lasts longer than judgement (14-15).

If you decide to fast, don't make that a show. "Look, I fast. Look at my face and body. I am such a good disciple." The hypocrites again do it for glory. Be secretive with your fast so that others may not see. It is between you and your god. You do it for your lord, not the public (16-18).

Do not become overtaken by the Green Eyed Monster. Greed spoils the body. Look for treasure that will not pass away, not in treasure that rusts or gets moth-eaten. You can't serve both god and money. You will then love one and hate the other (19-24).

Anxiety comes to us all the time. It takes a hard toll on our lives. When it comes to food, clothing, money, academics, love life, employment; we can't help but become stressed out. I am here to tell you, be at peace. I clothe the earth, I feed the animals, I hear your prayers. I will repay you. If I tend to nature, how much more I will tend to you, my Salt of the earth. Worrying about something will not make it done. We just have to move forward. Remember, I am your father in heaven. I hear you and I know your fears. Seek me first. Everything else will fall into place. Don't worry about tomorrow's problems today. They will be bad enough tomorrow. Focus on today. Get through that first. One day at a time. Do not put more on yourself than you already do (25-34).

Daily Devotion.

The Sermon on the Mount, part 1. Chapter 5

He opens his sermon giving an exaltation. Do not be afraid, blessed are you who are kind-hearted, seekers of peace, down trodden, persecuted, oppressed, depressed, and forgiving. For your end is that of blessings and joy and great reward. Your lamenting and trials will end and happiness will come your way (verses 1-12).

It is these kinds of people that are the Salt of the earth. They give life much joy, taste, and meaning. They are the light of the world, who emulate their lords by their kind deeds. They give others hope, comfort, and kindness. They give them things that make them praise and speak well of their lords (13-16).

Jesus even tells us that even if you can't do it, don't worry. I come to fulfill it for you. Yet, still go forth and do the good works for your fellow humans. Don't slack because I do it, too. You are the Salt of the earth, right? Well, keep being it. Be honest and filled with your good deeds, not empty and vain like the religious leaders who do it boastfully (17-20).

I understand that there are folks that make you pissed off. Let us not give into anger and hatred. Unless there is just cause for the anger, do not be filled with it. Instead, be reconciled, both sides. Anger leads to a dead end when it's not called for. Be reconciled before it becomes too late, when the angry one could take you to court or worse. Let go of anger, for it will benefit your health and sanity (21-26).

Do not look upon someone as just a hot catch. Do not be filled with lust.Have some self control and respect. They are a person, not a piece of meat to gawk at. Be faithful to your significant partner(s). Don't just give up when it get boring. Now if there is unfaithfulness or even abuse, then you have the right to divorce. I care about you too much to put up with BS like that (27-32).

You don't have to make something a big deal. If you saw something amazing, just keep it simple and civil. No need to swear by my name to make your point. Just saying you saw it is enough. Now in court, you may have to swear. In that case, do it that your testimony may be concrete and honest. But if it is not needed, then don't do it. That's all, folks (33-37).

If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other one also. It will bring forth equality between the two. Do not refuse those who ask for your favors. Do not bear grudges, but become the bigger person (38-42).

Love the enemy. If you just love your ally, what have you gained? Even the tax collectors do that much. Everyone loves those who love them. It is of greater power when you show mercy to the oppressor. It sends a powerful message. Have compassion on them, for they don't know what they are doing. Be patient with them. Be friendly with them that they may see your mercy and change their attitudes to you. Be perfect like our father (43-48).

No where did Jesus mention "the sanctity of marriage", sexuality, gender, who you believe in, which religious building you go to, your political party, ethnicity, age, race, or anything like that. His message was sharing, caring, giving, and accepting. He focused on feeding the hungry, hydrating the thirsty, welcoming those who are different than you, clothing the naked, visiting the imprisoned, and assisting the sick. That was the point. Folks may wonder, "When have we done this to our lords?" Whoever does this to the least of my people, they do it to me.

Daily Devotion

When reading John's First Epistle, it reminds me of James' letter. It is focusing on walking the talk. To again, be doers of our beliefs, not just hearers. It echos out self-sacrificing love for our human beings; the same love Jesus showed.

We often hear, "I do love you. That's why I do this." And it is mostly when we discipline in ways that are not healthy, so to speak. Or trying to change something that cannot be changed. Or shunning someone in hopes they repent and come back (Chapter 2). But that isn't the kind of "love" talked about here.  No, it talks about self-sacrificing love (Chapter 3, verse 16). Giving yourself for your neighbor. If your neighbor has need, give it to them. Do not just close your heart to them (verse 17-18). Similar to "Go in peace and be filled and warmed" that James told us. Walk the talk.  By doing this, you do dwell in the Light (Chapter 1).

By abiding in this selfless love, we also abide with our God, whoever it may be (Chapter 4, verse 16). "If our god loved us so, we should love our fellow humans, too (verse 11, 19-21). To not love is to not abide with your god (verse 20-21). Love is unifying. That is why it is important. It is life giving. By abiding in selfless love, we abide with our god (Chapter 5).

We have testimony to this. Just as Jesus showed unconditional love to everyone, so should we (Chapter 5). Where there is love, there is life. There is birth. There is hope. There is joy.

Daily Devotion.

I am thinking of discontinuing my tpinkthings devotions.

"He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." - Luke 18: 9-14 ---------------------------------------------------

This is one of the most familiar parables of Jesus. What does it tell us. I think it tells us many things. Some attribute this parable to how one is to pray to their lord. I can see that. Even in the beginning of the chapter, Jesus talks about prayer itself. But I think there is more to this parable than that. What is being talked about here:  1. The character of the persons involved. 2. The form of prayer used by them. 3. Who was justified to their lord.

We see that the parable was told to those who "trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt." These people had a "holier-than-thou" attitude to others. And they were quite boastful about it, very egotistical and narcissistic. "I fast 2 times a week, i give 10%, I am not like others. I have not robbed, cheated, been unfaithful, or even evil to others." The Pharisee, who is supposed to be one who knows the law of their lord, thought himself to be very righteous and holy. Look at all the good things I do. I am not as other men are, not even like this tax collector. The tax collectors in Jesus' time, were hated people. They were seen as traitors to the Jews. They worked for the Romans who were oppressing the Jews at the time. So they were not looked upon with favor, not did the people even associate with them. They were the untouchables, heathen, godless, and disgusted people. But here, we see the tax collector not even looking to their lord, but simply stating "Have mercy on me. I am a sinner." That sounds like a more humble attitude than the Pharisee. Now that we see their character and bios, what about their prayers?

The Pharisee was very full of himself in his prayer. He elevated himself above everyone else. His character even tainted his own prayer. Again, boastful and full of self righteousness. "I thank you that I am not like others."This isn't even a prayer. It's just a statement. A prayer is when we ask for something. The Pharisee was not asking his god for anything. He just wanted to show himself as holy and better than others. The tax collector, however, stood in the dark and was quiet with his request. "Please have mercy. I am a sinner." He was asking for mercy. He didn't boast of anything in his prayer, like the Pharisee. He wasn't proud of how he was being to others. Unfair taxes, hurting his people, similar to what Matthew did before he was called. Now what his sins were, we don't know. It's none of our business. That's between him and his lord. He was being humble. Even if he had great qualities, he even didn't boast of them. He was humble in his prayer.

So who was justified here? We are told the vile tax collector instead of the holy Pharisee. We are told, "Whoever exalts themself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles themself shall be exalted." In short, do not elevate yourself when it is not your place to do so. We all have faults, whether you are a Pharisee or tax collector, we all have faults. The worst thing we can do is elevate ourselves. Instead, be humble about your accomplishments. For no one like a boaster, a holier than thou person.

The Pharisee was self absorbed, he didn't even thank his god for anything. The tax collector looked to his own lord and asked for some mercy. The Pharisee made himself exalted and pious with his attitude about him and others. The tax collector humbled himself because he didn't feel proud in his attitude at all. He didn't even bad mouth the Pharisee, while the Pharisee bad mouthed him in his presence. We walk in life with this a lot. We meet people who go to church all the time, confirmed, being in good graces with their families, god, and such; yet they fail in the character. They look down on others. "I am a virgin. You are a slut sleeping with that guy." Even if they don't say the words, "I am better than you." the attitude is clear that you think that.

This story is telling us that the character we should have is that of humility and compassion to other people, not boastful and proud in ourselves and judging of others. And if we are prayerful people, do not use it as opportunity to talk about how you are so great, but be like the tax collector and ask for compassion in your short comings. Be humble and loving. The Pharisee is proud, egotistical, vain, and sees no need to better himself. The tax collector feels remorse, humility, and asks for mercy and compassion from his lord.

Do not think that you are better because you have credentials. Or even if you have Abraham to your father, as John the Baptist said to the Pharisees. Be humble in your life to others, your worship to your god/goddess, and look not on others with contempt when your god can easily do the same to you. The gods chose mercy and to give compassion. Why not show that same compassion to the tax collectors of the world? For no one is better than the other. We are all the same. Judge not. We are all one. Do not think yourself righteous when you are not. Do not condemn others when you don't have the right or place to do so. Instead, be like the tax collector in your life and prayer. But do be careful that in your own humility, you do not become like the Pharisee in attitude.

"To those on his right, he spoke. Come, blessed of the father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was a prisoner, and you visited me. I was sick, and you came to me. You will ask, 'When did we do this for you?' Whoever does this to the least of my people, they do it to me. To those on the left, he spoke. Depart from me, cursed. For I was hungry, and you did not give me food. I was thirsty, and you did not give me drink. I was a stranger, and you did not welcome me. I was naked, and you did not clothe me. I was a prisoner, and you did not visit me. I was sick, and you did not come to me. You will ask, 'When did we not do this for you?' Whoever does not do this to the lease of my people, they do not do it to me." - Matthew 25:34-46 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is one of my favorite lines, especially from Jesus of Nazareth (only the first half is spoken, but that is my favorite part). What is Jesus talking about here? He is talking about character, or how one lives their faith. To the people on the right, he tells them what they have done for their neighbors and fellow humans on earth. They actually wonder, "But Jesus, when did we do this for you?" He then tells them that by doing these good things to others, you were also doing it to me.

Now, he also talked to those on the left side. He told them that they hadn't done these good things to the least of his people. Yet they say, "Lord, when did we not?" They may have said things like, "I will pray for you. I wish you luck. This is sin, and I am to judge you for it that you'd see it." Some of us, including me, have been raised to think like that. That our duty is to tell the law to people and then, only then, the gospel. In short, we become the judges of God, which is not our duty. Even in our civil attitudes, "Leech, get a job. Go to a shelter, do not get me involved. Go to a food pantry. Go to Goodwill for clothes. Do not give them money, they will just spend it on drugs, wine, and such." We let go of our responsibility to every one. We let others take care of them. Even if our neighbor is in need, we call the cops, we wish them well, and we send good energy. But that's as far as it goes usually. We even give our reliance to God, when we can easily help out as well. Maybe that's why we are here: to be the hand of God, to make things happen.

The way I see it, these are ways on how one can show their love to their god/goddess and to their neighbor. It also shows that we have a responsibility to them, too. We can even see our unity with our deities: whoever does this to the least of my people, they do it to me." So if given the chance, how would you treat your own god/goddess? If so, how then would you treat your neighbor? It is not our duty to judge and condemn people. It is not our duty to just throw the responsibility onto someone else when we have ability and opportunity to help. It is our duty to help our fellow human beings.

Only by helping others can we see the light of love come into the world. Only by helping others can we see a brighter tomorrow. Do not wait for others to help. It may not come. Do not wait for the change to happen. You must be the one to help and you must be the change. "By love, serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in this: love your neighbor as yourself." Think even to the Good Samaritan.