pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!


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Know His Voice

Reading: John 10:1-6

John 10:4 – “Whenever he has gathered all of his sheep, he goes before them and they follow him, because they know his voice.”

Photo credit: Hans Heiner Buhr

Today and tomorrow we delve into John 10. Here we find yet another of Jesus’ teachings that are counter-cultural. In the Old Testament, writers spoke of shepherds and of God as shepherd in positive and encouraging ways. By Jesus’ day something had changed. When Jesus spoke these words, shepherds existed on the edges of society. It was a job at the very bottom of the ladder. They were ceremonially unclean because of their occupation, so they were looked down upon, excluded, avoided. Jesus claims this role for himself. Sit with that for a second.

John 10 begins with Jesus establishing the idea of a gate. It is the only true way into the sheepfold. Today it is easy to call oneself a Christian. But many do not enter through the gate. They make their own way, their own walls, their own gate. They do not know the voice of the true shepherd. If they did, they would not act and speak as they do. No, there is only gate that opens the path to one way, one truth, and one life.

Kristin and I are wrapping up our time in Laragh, a small Irish village. There are sheep on the property. When we walk over to the fields with the goats or the donkey, they come to see us. But when we walk near the field that the sheep are in, they run away. They do not know our voices. Protective mommas call out to curious babies, warning them, keeping them safe. Jesus tells us that his sheep know his voice.

In verse 4 we read, “Whenever he has gathered all of his sheep, he goes before them and they follow him, because they know his voice.” We are living in the middle of this verse. Jesus has begun to gather those who know his voice. He now leads us in Spirit, going before us, inviting us to follow, calling us to walk in his ways. Those that know Jesus’ voice walk in the way of love, grace, mercy, and peace. May it be so for you and for me this day and every day.

Prayer: Lord God, there are so many voices today. Each claims truth. Each promises the way to “life.” But there is only one voice that matters for this life and for the life to come. Thank you for opening the gates of our hearts to your son, Jesus. By the power of your Holy Spirit, keep us faithful to the way of Jesus. Help us to always hear his voice above the din of this world. Lead us to follow always in the footsteps of our good shepherd. Amen.


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An Example to Follow

Reading: 1st Peter 1:19-25

1st Peter 1:24 – “He carried in his own body on the cross the sins we committed. He did this so that we might live in righteousness.”

Peter begins our passage for today with a reality check. He is reminding his readers then and us today that to walk steadfastly in the faith can sometimes be difficult. When we stand for our faith and for what is right and just in God’s eyes, then we might suffer. This is so because almost always, in cases of unjust suffering, we are standing or speaking against someone or something that runs contrary to the will and way of God. Those creating or maintaining these injustices and evils are doing so for personal gain in this world. Now, choosing to stand or speak for what is just and right is not a one-off or a “thing” we do when it is convenient. It is who we are because it is who Jesus was. Of this Peter writes, “You were called to this kind of endurance, because Christ suffered on your behalf.” The cross was and is very much a statement against the ways of this world.

Peter then reminds us of Jesus’ example. He did not insult those who insulted him. He did not “threaten revenge.” Jesus trusted God’s will and way in all times and situations. In the end, this led Jesus to endure the greatest possible suffering: “He carried in his own body on the cross the sins we committed. He did this so that we might live in righteousness.” Taking on our sin, paying the atoning price with his life, Jesus made it possible for our sin to be healed. Though we stray, yes, we always have Jesus Christ, the “shepherd and guardian of your lives.” We have an example to follow. And when we fall short, we have one who redeems and saves us. Thanks be to God for the Savior of our lives and of our world.

Prayer: Lord God, to what do you call us today? Is it to the simple and humble walk of a servant of the king? Is it to a place of suffering alongside those dealing with injustice or oppression or violence or…? Lord, to the people and places that you call us today, may we live well the example set by Jesus, our shepherd and guardian. Living faithfully, use us to help build your kingdom of love here on earth. Amen.


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Every Moment of Every Day

Reading: Psalm 23:5-6

Psalm 23:6 – “Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life.”

As we return to Psalm 23 today we do so with the key thought once again front and center: “You are with me.” As this week’s Disciplines devotional writer Magrey deVega notes, these four words are literally the center of the psalm. There are 26 words before this phrase and 26 after it. The psalm begins with rest and God’s provision, guidance, and protection. It then enters dark valley. It is here that we are often most aware of God’s intimate presence and deep love. Climbing out of that place, we turn to verses 5 and 6.

In verse 5 we see the depth and scope of God’s love. A table is set right amongst enemies. So complete is God’s protection, there is no fear even when surrounded. Blessings come too, even there, as the head is anointed and the cup overflows. Signs of God’s love assure us even in moments of threat or danger or fear. In this situation, like in the valley, the psalmist realizes, “Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life.” God isn’t there just when we call on God. No, God is always there. Yes, our awareness of this can rise and fall with our own perceived need, but when we reflect back on our relationship with God, we too see God’s steadfast and constant presence in our lives. From this place of assurance, we know as David knew: “I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live.” Every moment of every day, God is with us. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, as I sit and look out the window upon the hedge and woods beyond, you are there. As I look around the cottage, you are here. Wherever and whenever I go, you will be there too. Thank you, Lord, for your abiding and loving presence in the highs and lows and in everything in between. You are an awesome, awesome God. Amen.


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Always There

Reading: Psalm 23:1-4

Psalm 23:1 and 4 – “The Lord is my shepherd… you are with me.”

Today and tomorrow we turn to the most well-known Psalm. David’s words are similar to the Lord’s Prayer in this way: someone starts saying the words and it is easy to join in. In verses 1-3 David writes about God as shepherd. He begins with a declaration: “The Lord is my shepherd.” When I read these words, it is the word “is” that gets the emphasis. What follows happens because God IS our shepherd. We don’t lack anything that we need. We find rest and we find nurture beside still waters and in grassy meadows. God keeps us alive and guides us along the “proper paths” – all to glorify and bring honor to God. Within the shepherd metaphor is an implication: when we listen to and when we follow the shepherd and his voice, it is then that we dwell most intimately in God’s presence. This idea connects to the past two day’s focus: the daily practice of our spiritual disciplines. Study, prayer, fellowship, and worship atune us to God’s voice and align us with God’s will and way.

In verse 4 there is a shift. The “he” of verses 1-3 becomes “you” and “your.” David shifts from telling about God and starts talking to God. He shifts from the every day of life to the moment of need. When David finds himself in the “darkest valley” there is no fear. In the moment when it is easiest and most likely to feel fear, David declares that there is no fear because “you are with me.” David trusts God. He believes that God’s “rod” and God’s “staff” will protect him. The rod, the offensive tool, will protect us against attacks from without. The staff, the defensive tool, will defend us from attacks from within, when we are the ones who have or are tempted to wander into darkness. In all ways, God is with us and will protect us. O Lord, thank you.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for being with us in the day to day of life, providing our daily bread and our moments of rest. Thank you for your word that guides and for your Spirit that directs and convicts and restores. And thank you, O God, for your presence in the hard moments of life – no matter what. However we find ourselves in the dark valley, you are always there. Yes, Lord, thank you. Amen.


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Every Day…

Reading: Acts 2:46-47

Acts 2:46-47 – “Every day, they met together… shared food… they praised God… and demonstrated God’s goodness…”

Photo credit: Spencer Davis

Returning to Acts 2 today, Luke emphasizes the importance of all four spiritual practices or disciplines. He also focuses on the intended communal nature of these practices. Luke first notes that the believers met “every day.” The main purpose of their gathering was to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. This often happened in worship. Today, in our busy, rushed world, not too many of us gather daily with other believers. Yes, we might all read the same devotional asynchronously, the Upper Room for example, but imagine how our faith would change and grow if we gathered each day to proclaim and celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ!

The believers also gathered daily to share meals. This was most likely an extension of their worship or study time. In our church and in many others we gather after worship for fellowship time. Around the tables we have a coffee or lemonade and a nibble or two and we catch up on one another’s lives. We celebrate the joys of life and we learn of one another’s needs. This enables the body of Christ to “demonstrate God’s goodness” through acts of love. Sometimes, at the table, we learn of a neighbor’s need or of a need in the larger community. This allows the love of Christ and the goodness of God to extend out into the world.

These four practices should be the core activities of all believers and of all communities of faith. Without one of these, the others are less than God intends them to be. When all four practices are healthy and vital within the life of the believer and within the life of the body of Christ, then the Lord will again do what God did in Luke’s day. Then, God “added daily to the community those who were being saved.” O Lord, stir up in us and in our communities this kind of faith, this kind of revival!

Prayer: Lord God, there is a call within these words of Luke to gather regularly. This feels almost impossible in our day and age. Yet it also feels like your intention for all believers. It’s what Jesus modeled and lived out every day. So Lord, open our eyes, widen our hearts, and bend our wills towards making this more of a reality in our lives and in our communities of faith. Stir us up, O God, so that faith is more than a Sunday morning event. Amen.


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Devoted?

Reading: Acts 2:42-45

Acts 2:43 – “A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles.”

Today and tomorrow we walk with the early, early church. The Holy Spirit has just come upon the apostles and other believers. In the opening verse we see what the first “church” was like. They studied the word of God and the example of Jesus. They gathered regularly to be in fellowship and to share meals. They spent time in prayer. To all of these practices of faith, “they devoted themselves.”

Before pressing on in the passage, we must ask ourselves a few questions. Does this sound like your church or community of faith? Are the people in your community of faith devoted to these practices? And are you, an important part of the body of faith, are you personally devoted to giving daily and regular attention to these practices of the faith? Devotion to the spiritual disciplines, as individuals and as a community of faith, it is a necessity if verse 43 is to be realized in and amongst us.

In verse 43 we read, “A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles.” The sense of awe and the signs and wonders – these are the actions of God. We cannot in any way manufacture these things. The awe, signs, and wonders are, if you will, God’s “response” to our faithful devotion. When we are faithful to the practices of our faith, we open ourselves up to God working and acting in our lives and in our faith communities. The Spirit at work then leads to unity, to caring well for one another, and to the revelation of God’s goodness in the world. These faith practices will, in turn, lead to adding to the community “those being saved.” So, again, the questions: Are you and is your faith community devoted to these regular practices of the faith?

Prayer: Lord God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us, upon our faith communities, and upon our neighborhoods. Filled with your Spirit, increase our devotion: to you, to the example of Jesus, to the community of faith, and to the unsaved world. Draw us day by day closer to you so that you may use us and our communities of faith in more and more transformational ways. Amen.


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Eyes Opened, Hearts Warmed

Reading: Luke 24:30-35

Luke 24:32 – “Weren’t our hearts on fire as he spoke to us along the road?”

As we continue in Luke 24, Jesus takes a place at the table with his two disciples. They have been on a seven mile journey, so they’re likely ready to eat. When Jesus takes and breaks the bread, blesses it and gives it to them, “Their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” In the movement and words of communion, recognition comes to these disciples. Presence becomes real. Eyes are fully opened. And then Jesus disappears.

After this encounter the two disciples say to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire as he spoke to us along the road?” Something was stirring, something was at work. We too feel this at times. The Holy Spirit tries to stir us to action or tries to open our eyes or heart or mind to something or someone. We feel a nudge to go to that place. We hear a whisper calling us to visit or text or call that person. And when we are willing, brave even, and take that step of faith, we too encounter the risen Christ as our hearts blaze with love for God and for the other.

But this is a step that we can initially struggle to take. Once in a while we’re lucky like the two disciples were. Jesus makes himself present. After each of these encounters and after the moments when we did take a step of faith, we become more and more empowered to do as these two disciples did. We tell others our Jesus story. Some of the time it is literally telling others about our Jesus. Most of the time, though, it is allowing that encounter or that experience to change us, to fill us with the good news, equipping us to live out our faith more boldly. Doing so, others come to know Christ’s love for them. In all that we say and do, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, we rejoice in those encounters with you, in those times when you open our eyes and warm our hearts. These encounters are powerful and transforming. Keep our eyes open and our hearts willing, O God. Then send us out. Use us to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world. Amen.


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Encounters

Reading: Luke 24:13-29

Luke 24:25 – “Then Jesus said to them, ‘You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about.'”

Photo credit: Josh Calabrese

Today and tomorrow we walk with the Emmaus road disciples. This story is found only in Luke’s gospel. This encounter takes place on that first Sunday, on the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Two of Jesus’ disciples are walking to Emmaus. It might be “home.” They were talking about recent events: Jesus’ arrest and all that followed. They share all of this with Jesus as he joins them, noting that they had hoped that this Jesus was the one to redeem Israel. They do not recognize this stranger that they walk with as Jesus.

Jesus admonishes them, saying, “You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about.” He reminds them that these recent events were necessary. Jesus then unpacks the scriptures for them, starting with Moses, working his way through the prophets. What a Bible lesson this must have been! Today’s reading ends with the disciples inviting Jesus to stay the night with them.

We might wonder how the disciples could walk with Jesus and not recognize him. Yet, how many times did I encounter Jesus yesterday and fail to recognize him? Was it in the words of that tour guide? Was it in the smile of that older woman? Was it in the welcome clearly present in that gathering spot? Jesus is present to us in so many ways. Where did you encounter Jesus yesterday?

Prayer: Lord God, first, thank you for the many ways that you are present to us. You come alive in the red letters. Your Spirit moves us and speaks into our hearts and minds. But we also miss you here and there, sometimes everywhere. So, Lord, open our eyes and hearts to see you in the world around us – in the people, in the signs, in the encounters. Eyes and hearts open, touch our lives. Amen.


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Foundation, Future, Present

Reading: 1st Peter 1:17-23

1st Peter 1:19 – “You were liberated by the precious blood of Christ.”

Photo credit: Shane

Our passage today begins with a call to “conduct yourselves with reverence” as we live out our days in this “strange world.” This is a very accurate description of our time and it is an important reminder. Sometimes it can be hard to live with reverence. We often live in a spin cycle, doing the same things day after day. A brief break comes on the weekend, but then we’re right back at it. If we are to live with reverence for God in the day to day, then we must daily remember our foundation and our future.

Peter reminds us that we are not “liberated” or set free or saved by the “perishable things” of this world. Yes, we can get caught up chasing after gold and other worldly things, living that “empty lifestyle.” Instead, though, Peter reminds us, “You were liberated by the precious blood of Christ.” We were freed to live differently, to be set apart from the things of the world. Jesus was chosen before creation began to be the perfect sacrifice to free us from sin and death, the two great powers of this world. Freed from these powers, our faith and hope can rest in God. Resting here, Christ is our sure foundation and our promise of a future in God’s glory.

There is also a “present” to Peter’s words today. The charge Peter gives is very much like the response called for in Psalm 116. The charge is to be obedient to Jesus’ example, having “genuine affection” for one another. We are to love one another “deeply and earnestly.” This should be our response to God’s “life-giving and enduring word,” Jesus Christ. Living as love and with love, we share our foundation and we invite others into a future with hope. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, as we live out our moments on this earth, daily remind us of our place with you. Reminded, guide us to live daily as Christ lived: loving one and all. Living as love, use us to draw others to the living word, Christ Jesus. Secure our hope in your love, our rock and redeemer. Day by day, walk with us, guiding us towards our true and eternal home. Amen.


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To Keep Our Promises

Reading: Psalm 116:12-19

Psalm 116:14 – “I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lord.”

Returning to Psalm 116 today, we hear the psalmist expressing thanksgiving for “all the good things” that God has done in his or her life. To give thanks – this is such an important part of life. Whether or not one believes in God or in any higher power, giving thanks as a daily practice in life naturally makes life better. To be intentionally thankful reminds us that we are not the center of the universe. This practice builds up both gratitude and humility, empowering us to live as good and decent human beings in this world.

For the psalmist and for the believer today, to give thanks also fosters a response. This begins in verse 13. The faithful will celebrate God’s acts of salvation. For Christians, we formally do this whenever we celebrate communion. Informally, we do this whenever we praise God for mercy, grace, guidance, protection, forgiveness… The faithful also regularly communicate with God through our prayer practices. Then, in verse 14, the psalmist professes, “I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lord.” We too, as followers of Christ, strive to keep our promises to God.

As a follower of Jesus, I believe keeping the promises centers on keeping the two great commands: to love God with all that we are and to love our neighbors as Jesus first loved us. Jesus himself taught that all of the other commandments in scripture hang on these two commands to love. These intertwined commands lead us to live as Jesus lived in the world. As we daily strive to keep our promises to God, may love ever be at the center.

Prayer: Lord God, when we begin our days with thanks, it places us in the right space of heart and mind to love you and to love others. O Lord, lead us there. Humility calls us to place self last and gratitude leads to generosity and kindness. O God, make us thankful for your many blessings. With all that we are, Savior and Lord, use us to be your love lived out in the world today and every day. Amen.