pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!


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Ever Present

Reading: Matthew 10:24-31

Matthew 10:27 – “What I say to you in the darkness, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, announce from the rooftops.”

Closing the week with the first half of our gospel passage from Matthew 10, we hear more on the call to discipleship. The passage begins with a humble call for disciples to be like their teacher. Our implication here is to be like Jesus. All that we do and say and think should be aligned with and reflect the example and teachings of Jesus.

Starting in verse 24, Jesus encourages us to be bold in our faith. If we walk in faith, we can trust that all will be brought into the light. What is hidden and secret will be revealed. Therefore, with trust in him and with confidence in our faithful God, Jesus declares, “What I say to you in the darkness, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, announce from the rooftops.” To help us live out this invitation, Jesus points to the long game. Those who can kill the body? No need to worry about them. Eternity awaits. But, yes, “be afraid of the one who can kill body and soul.” Be aware of and cautious of Satan. The evil one is always lurking. Be alert and stand firm.

Jesus reminds us that God is right there too. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without God’s knowledge. Therefore, the Lord says, “Don’t be afraid.” We are much more important to God. Our worth to God is immeasurable. God is intimately aware of our needs. God is ever present. As we seek to be like Jesus, may we ever remember that God is always with us.

Prayer: Lord God, as we seek to walk as disciples of Christ, fill us with your presence. Remind us again and again that you are with us and within us. By the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, lead us to boldly proclaim our faith in both word and action. Amen.


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Alive for God

Reading: Romans 6:6-11

Romans 6:11 – “You should also consider yourselves dead to sin but alive for God in Jesus Christ.”

Coming back to Romans 6 today, we go a bit deeper into Paul’s thoughts on our new life in Christ. I love Paul’s word choice for describing the change from old to new self. He writes of our old self being “crucified.” This conveys the magnitude of dying to sin and the power that it can have in our lives. This word speaks of commitment. It also helps us understand the finality of leaving behind “the corpse that has been controlled by sin.” Crucified with Christ, our new self is freed from sin’s power.

Because we are set free from the power of sin, we can fully live a new life in Christ. In the same way that death has no power over Christ, sin holds no eternal power in our lives. Through his sacrifice, the price was paid so that we can be forgiven and restored back into right relationship with God. The power of sin to trap us in the guilt, shame, and regret was broken forever. Because Christ “died to sin once and for all,” forgiveness is always available to us.

Given the ability to be made right with God again and again, we are freed to live for God just as Christ lived for God. In verse 11 we read this great reminder: “You should also consider yourselves dead to sin but alive for God in Jesus Christ.” Since sin has no power in our lives, all of our focus, energy, and love can go to living for Christ – instead of fighting the power of sin. Alive for Christ, we walk in the newness of life, bringing all of the glory to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for making a way for us to walk daily with you. Without the sacrifice of your son, we’d be forever lost in our sin. But because of your great love, we can come back into right relationship with you again and again. Each time, O Lord, refine us more and more each time, recreating us each time just a little closer to the image of your son, Jesus. Amen.


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Crosses of Love

Reading: Matthew 10:32-39

Matthew 10:38 – “Those who don’t pick up their crosses and follow me aren’t worthy of me.”

In the second half of this week’s gospel lesson, Jesus is addressing our public witness. Verses 32-33 offer an invitation of sorts: reflect Jesus out into the world, be welcomed one day into heaven. If one chooses not to accept the invitation to reflect Jesus to the world, then one will be denied a place in heaven. Jesus is reminding us how important it is that our faith is evident in all that we say, do, and think – everywhere, all the time.

Verses 34-39 reveal the challenges, the cost, and the difficulty of living a life fully committed to following Jesus. Acknowledging the battle between the ways of the Lord and the ways of the world, we’re reminded that Jesus did not come just to bring peace. The full commitment to Jesus requires that we love Jesus more than anything – more than family, more than self. The second is being addressed when Jesus says, “Those who don’t pick up their crosses and follow me aren’t worthy of me.” Our crosses are to be like the cross that Jesus died upon. He died for a purpose: to defeat the power of sin – all that holds us captive, all that keeps us from fully loving God and neighbor.

Today we celebrate a holiday. 161 years ago the last slaves in the US were freed. That unjust system was officially brought to an end. Many bore crosses of love in the fight to end slavery. People of faith led the way in this fight. Today there are many unjust systems that our faith calls us to fight against. The social justice issues of our day include racism, poverty, homelessness, unequal access to education and healthcare – just to name a few. The way of Jesus is centered on love – loving God and neighbor more than self. What cross of love are you feeling led to carry on behalf of those Jesus loves?

Prayer: Lord God, as we celebrate the steps taken many years ago to end an unjust, oppressive system, open our eyes and hearts to the unjust systems that are in practice today. Spark in us a love for the other that emboldens us to stand, to speak, to fight for and alongside the voiceless, the powerless, the suffering. Bearing that cross of love, may all come to experience life abundant in this world. Amen.


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More and More

Reading: Romans 6:1-5

Romans 6:4b – “Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too can walk in newness of life.”

In today’s reading Paul argues that grace transforms our lives. Yes, it is grace that leads to the forgiveness of sins. Some in the Roman church, however, have argued that more sinning equals more grace, so sin away! In response to this idea, Paul writes, “Absolutely not!” In fact, Paul adds, it should be just the opposite because “All of us died to sin.” When we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we commit to live as he lived. This leads to a death to sinning. But the reality is that this is not a final death. Yes, as we walk with Christ, we mature in our faith. Yet the reality is always this: we sin less as we grow in Christ, but we are never sinless.

The process of dying to sin is an ongoing process. As we mature, we come to realize that this thing we’ve always done, well, it is in fact sin. It never felt like it before, but suddenly we realize that is. And then we must die to that thing, letting go of a part of ourselves. We then walk a little closer to Christ. The good news is that we can do this again and again. Paul emphasizes the ongoing nature of this process in verse 4, where he writes, “Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too can walk in newness of life.” Dying to sin, again and again, we will be raised to new life over and over.

There is a transformation, a healing, that occurs in our soul when we are forgiven and made new. As we are made more and more like Christ, we gradually learn to let go of the guilt and shame of our sin. We learn to trust God’s love and grace more and more. And as we repeat the process, sinning less, growing in Christ, we learn to love and extend grace to others more and more. Doing so, we better reflect Jesus’ light and love to the world, drawing others to the goodness of God. Day by day, may it be more and more so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for walking with us daily on this long and often slow journey of faith. Thank you for your patience and steadfastness that draws us back to the well of grace again and again. Each time we drink of it, O God, shape us more and more into the image of Christ. Use us day by day, Lord, to be light and love in and to the world. Amen.


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Steady and Consistent

Reading: Psalm 86:1-10 and 16-17

Psalm 86:2 – “Guard my life because I am faithful. Save your servant who trusts in you – you! My God!”

Psalm 86 is attributed to David and is a “servant’s prayer for protection.” David mixes together a range of emotions and of faith. At times he affirms God’s certain response and at other times David reminds God (and himself?) that he is indeed faithful to God. Sometimes it feels like David is trying to motivate God to act on his behalf because is suffering and sometimes because David’s enemies need to be put to shame! When I am troubled and pray to God, my emotions and my faith can range far and wide too. Maybe you’ve experienced this as well.

Verse 2 is a great example of this range of faith and emotion. Here we read, “Guard my life because I am faithful. Save your servant who trusts in you – you! My God!” David petitions God’s guarding and saving while reminding God how faithful and trusting he is in God. I can slip into the same “How can you let this happen God – don’t you know how…?” prayer. In the end, these thoughts and prayers really come down to our questioning the status of our relationship with God. This questioning is most present when I’ve been neglecting my daily time with God.

In seasons of my life I’ve treated God like a vending machine. I’ve come to God when I need or want something, but when life is good or even just okay, I’ve let my relationship slide. I’ve come to realize that when I think I need to remind God how faithful and trusting I am, it’s really me that needs reminding that I haven’t been these things lately. This realization often draws me back to the God who has been present all along, just waiting for me to do the same. Lord, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to walk a more steady and consistent faith. Even though the day always begins with you now, I can still drift away during the everyday of life. In moments when other things begin to creep in, lessening my connection to you, touch my heart and draw me close. Thank you, God, for your faithfulness. Amen.


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People of God?

Reading: Genesis 21:15-21

Genesis 21:18 – “Get up, pick up the boy, and take him by the hand because I will make of him a great nation.”

Photo credit: Wylly Suhendra

As we move along in the story Abraham and Sarah, the focus shifts to Hagar and Ishmael – to and God. For Abraham and Sarah, seeing Hagar and Ishmael walk away, heading out into the desert to die, to them that was the end of the story. But for Hagar and Ishmael, the story gets worse. Soon they are out of water – the death knell in the desert. Hagar places Ishmael under a shrub and walks away a short distance – far enough not to hear his cries. She cannot bear to watch her son suffer and die. Hagar weeps and cries out too.

Sitting alone in the desert, waiting to die, Hagar felt unseen and unheard. Most of us experience feeling unseen and/or unheard at times. Maybe it is because of our age or our gender or our newness to a situation. Or maybe it is because we are like Hagar in this moment – alone, powerless, vulnerable. It is at this moment that the God who sees becomes the God who hears. Their cries have fallen upon God’s ears. In response, God’s messenger encourages Hagar and tells her, “Get up, pick up the boy, and take him by the hand because I will make of him a great nation.” God will watch over, protect, make a way, and one day prosper Hagar and Ishmael.

Today there are people and people groups who live in the place that Hagar was – alone, powerless, vulnerable. As I ponder our call to see, hear, and respond, I think of the tragedy that recently unfolded in Minneapolis. Innocents were arrested, detained, and held for long periods. Community groups were afraid to leave their homes or to send their children to school. And I think of how the people of God led the way, rallying around, supporting, and standing for the targeted. While the scale of abuse and oppression may not be as visibly present in our communities today, there are certainly people who are alone, powerless, and vulnerable. How will we as the people of God respond?

Prayer: Lord God, open our eyes to see the Hagars and Ishmeals among us. Seeing, open our hearts to respond – coming alongside, standing against injustice, risking self for others. Forming community, use us to welcome in the lonely, to give voice to the powerless, to provide safety and resources for the vulnerable. In and through your love and power, made present by the people of God, may all people flourish. Amen.


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Many Hagars and Ishmeals

Reading: Genesis 21:8-14

Genesis 21:14a – “Abraham… took some bread and a flask of water, and gave it to Hagar. He put the boy in her shoulder sling and sent her away.”

Continuing in chapter 21 this week, Isaac has grown out of infancy. He is no longer nursing. No longer dependent upon just Sarah, Abraham throws a big party to celebrate. Abraham’s other son, Ishmael, is about 14 years old. Sarah sees him enjoying himself at the party and she makes a decision: he must go. Ishmael will not share in her son’s inheritance. While we might be shocked by her decision, it has been a long time in the making.

Soon after Ishmael was born, tension and strife arose between Sarah and Hagar. Sarah became jealous and envious. So, using her power over Hagar, Sarah severely mistreated Hagar. It was so bad, Hagar ran away. But God saw Hagar and her suffering. The Lord guided her back into Abraham’s household. Hagar continued to experience and endure harsh treatment from Sarah. Similar things happen today in situations where a person or group has power over others. Immigrants are mistreated by employers. The working poor are taken advantage of by payday lenders, greedy landlords, and others eager to exploit them. Non-whites are targets of unjust systems, profiling, and discrimination. Yes, there are many Hagars and Ishmeals in our day.

Abraham is greatly upset by Sarah’s decision. God offers assurances and a promise, making Abraham feel better about his role in the abuse. But what about Hagar and Ishmael? In verse 14a we read, “Abraham… took some bread and a flask of water, and gave it to Hagar. He put the boy in her shoulder sling and sent her away.” Bearing and raising his child all these years, enduring abuse from his wife all these years – and this is the result? Ishmael is old enough to understand what is happening too. Abraham has been “Dad” for 14 years, treating Ishmael as an only child, a gift in old age. And now this? Sent into the desert to die?

Let us sit with the emotions of the abused and discarded for a while. We finish the story tomorrow. Feel the feels for a day.

Prayer: Lord God, oh how we feel for Hagar and Ishmael. Fourteen years of feeling less than, always powerless and voiceless. Fourteen years of putting one’s head down, enduring abuse, just getting through. And now this: abandoned, sent away, evicted. God, don’t let the feels be limited to this story. Open our eyes and hearts to the Hagars and Ishmeals in our own communities. And move us beyond seeing. Move us to action. May we be the voice and strength for the voiceless, the powerless, the weak. Amen.


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Open Hearts

Reading: Matthew 10:5-23

Matthew 10:7 – “As you go, make this announcement: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.'”

Photo credit: Paz Arando

Having named and empowered the twelve, moving forward in chapter 10, Jesus gives the disciples instructions for when they go out into the world. The first is this: “As you go, make this announcement: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.'” We recall how Jesus did this in the ordinary, daily living of his life. In all that he said and did, Jesus proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God. His vocation was prophet, preacher, and healer. For some of us, ministry may be our vocation too. But for many it is not. Many are bankers or construction workers or nurses or stay-at-home parents or… Yet make no mistake, all who call on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are called to proclaim and to bring near to others the good news with our lives. While I do offer a message on Sundays and teach a small group here and there, much of the work of my witness to the world occurs outside of the physical church building.

As the passage continues to unfold, we note how Jesus tells us to go. Don’t take a bunch of stuff with you – all you need is in your heart. Don’t expect everyone to instantly commit their lives to Jesus Christ – maybe a few will but it is a process for most. Expect to be harassed and maybe even abused. The good news convicts sin. Change is hard. Move from place to place, person to person. Be present and meet needs – physical, emotional, spiritual… Trust that the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say in the moment. Trust that your compassion and love will touch many hearts, opening the door for Jesus to enter those hearts. As we work to bring near and to build the kingdom in our time and place, may the Lord bless the harvest!

Prayer: Lord God, open our hearts to your presence. Fill us with your Spirit and open our eyes to see those you place in our lives. Seeing, give us the words to say and show us the steps to take so that the list may be drawn to you. Use us today to bring the good news to the world. Amen.


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Compassion and Love

Readings: Matthew 9:35-39 and 10:1-4

Matthew 9:37 – “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers.”

Photo credit: James A. Molnar

Our gospel passage opens with Jesus doing what Jesus did. He is going here and there, to villages and cities, preaching and healing. Jesus is proclaiming the “good news” of love and grace and forgiveness. He is healing “every disease and every sickness.” All that Jesus does and says is driven by compassion. Merriam-Webster defines compassion this way: “sympathetic consciousness of other’s distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” Jesus saw the needs and brought hope and healing and wholeness to the “sheep without a shepherd.”

In response to the needs, Jesus invites the disciples – then and now – to do as he is doing in this passage. In verse 37 we see why he invited them and why he invites us into this work: “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers.” The harvest is the saving of souls through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Just as it was in Jesus’ day, there are many people today who do not believe in Jesus. The harvest remains huge. So we do as Jesus asked, pleading with the Lord to send out more “workers.” As we plead, though, we realize that we are often the answer to our prayers.

Moving into chapter 10, Jesus gives the disciples authority to do as he has been doing. Empowered to heal, the disciples will find opportunities to share the good news. The twelve are then named: Peter, Andrew, James… They are filled with compassion and love for the lost sheep of Israel, just as Jesus was filled. We too can be filled with compassion and love. We too can be sent to the lost sheep of this world. O Lord, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, as I sit at my desk, as I walk my loop in just a little while, I see and will walk past many houses, past home after home. Some know you but many do not. The harvest is plentiful. The same is true for us all, Lord, no matter where we live. Fill us with compassion, fuel us with love, empower us through the Holy Spirit. Then send us out to share the good news and to invite others into the healing and wholeness found in you. Amen.


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Weak, Ungodly, Sinners No More

Reading: Romans 5:6-8

Romans 5:6 – “While we were still weak, at the right moment, Christ died for ungodly people.”

Photo credit: Nick Fewings

In the first part of this week’s Romans 5 passage we were reminded of the hope, love, and peace that are ours in and through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Yesterday we were also reminded that we don’t just endure but also grow and are refined as the Holy Spirit guides us through the troubles and problems that are just part of living in this world. Looking back, these times can feel like a small miracle. Today, in verses 6-8, Paul turns to the work of Jesus that made and makes all of this possible.

In verse 5 Paul reminds us of this truth: “While we were still weak, at the right moment, Christ died for ungodly people.” There are three parts to this statement. First, Christ died for us while we were still weak. Before his death, all people everywhere were powerless in the battle with sin. Our human flesh is far too weak to stand against the evil one. But with Christ we are strong. Second, Jesus’ death occurred at just the right time. His birth, life, death, and resurrection – all parts of God’s plan. All solidly in God’s control. Jesus’ example, witness, and teachings – all placed exactly when and where they needed to be along the spectrum of God’s unfolding plan to redeem all of creation.

And lastly, Jesus died for the ungodly. This is not bound by time, place, or any other human construct. It is not bound by ethnic or social or even religious constraints. All of humanity are ungodly. Without a saving faith in Jesus Christ, we all live as ungodly, wretched creatures. Without belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we live in a state of separation from God. Without Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, we would live in this state forever. However, Paul reminds us, “while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Why? Because God loves us. Yes, God loves us.

Prayer: Lord God, it is true that some might die for a good person or for a just cause or even for the right reason. But for the ungodly, for the blind, for the ones lost in sin? Only Jesus and only through love divine. Thank you, O God, for sending your Son, knowing this was his human fate. Thank you, O God. Amen.