pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!


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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.


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God Really Loves Us

Reading: Psalm 116:1-4

Psalm 116:2 – “I’ll call out to him as long as I live, because he listens closely to me.”

Today and tomorrow we turn to Psalm 116. In the opening verse, the psalmist declares love for God. This love is founded on God listening to prayer requests. The psalmist then declares, “I’ll call out to him as long as I live, because he listens closely to me.” Walking in faith, we too can feel this way. As the days go by and we study our Bibles and spend time in prayer, we feel like God is close and that God is listening to our prayers. Our relationship with God feels solid. Our human relationships develop this way too. Time and effort invested in these relationships builds depth, trust, and, yes, love.

Turning to verse 3, we see that the psalmist came to a difficult time in life. Death felt close at hand. Trouble and grief rose up. We have had these moments. Either we were ill or someone we loved was ill. In these times, prayer is our natural go-to. As we cry out to God, we pray as the psalmist did: “Lord, please save me!” (Or my Mom or…) In our walks of faith, we trust God to answer. At times, God answers as we hoped. And faith grows, our relationship deepens, our love of God increases.

But some of the time, our prayers are not answered as we had prayed. The illness or whatever persists. Death wins. The unwanted change happens. We question and we doubt. We maybe even reconsider our relationship with God. Over time, though, we come to see or understand God’s answer. Our relationship grows as love and trust deepen. We realize, yes, God is faithful and good. We come to know, yes, God really loves us. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, you are always present, always faithful. You are steadfast and true. Even when we are not all these things, still you are. Still you are. Thank you, Lord. Strengthen and encourage us for the daily walk of faith. We love you, Lord. Amen.


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Forgiveness

Reading: Acts 2:14 and 36-41

Acts 2:38 – “In the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.”

Returning to Acts 2 today, we read the whole story. Peter first asserts Jesus’ place as God’s creation. He then reminds the crowd that “they” crucified Jesus. The crowd becomes “deeply troubled.” When we see one another this way, I believe our misdeeds have the same effect on us. When I truly see all people as created in the image of God – my wife, my kids, my parents, my co-workers, the stranger on the street, the grumpy neighbor… – it greatly impacts how I treat and am tempted to mistreat them. Seeing all as truly created in the image of God holds me accountable when I “crucify” or speak harshly or… Seeing others as Jesus saw them makes me “deeply troubled” when I sin against someone and, therefore, against God.

The crowd asked Peter what to do. We did once too. We sensed we did something wrong or we damaged a relationship. In time we learned the next steps: confess, repent, live better. We learned to apologize and to commit to better and then to live it out in all of our relationships. Doing so we change hearts and lives – primarily our own. Living as Jesus lived, loving as he loved, we come to receive forgiveness in his name and to extend forgiveness in his name. This restores and reconciles our relationships. As we receive and extend the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, we build the kingdom of God here on earth. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your endless grace that brings forgiveness again and again – a thousand thousands over and over. And thank you teaching us grace too. Help us to practice the grace we receive. Guide us to practice it as you give it – unconditionally and endlessly bringing healing and wholeness to our lives and to our world. Amen.


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To Live As Love

Reading: Acts 2:38-39

Acts 2:38 – “Change your hearts and lives… be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ… receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

This week our readings focus on God’s promises to us and our response to these promises. The promises are centered on God’s love for us. Our responses are centered on our love for God. This love is expressed in the sacraments of baptism and communion and in the ways that God’s love is faithful, especially in our times of trial and suffering. Our response is our faithful living as we daily seek to love God and others, building the community through love.

In Acts 2, our focus today and tomorrow, Luke covers the basics of entering the Christian faith. It begins with the prophetic call heard anew in the words of John the Baptist: “Change your heart and lives.” This involves our choice not to live for self but for Jesus Christ. In love, it is placing God and others ahead of and above self. This step of surrender and humility opens our hearts to truly loving God and neighbor.

This step often leads to a profession of faith. For many in the church, this first happens in baptism, an outward sign of an inner faith. Infant baptism has become the “norm” in many faith communities. In these cases, the parent(s) commit to raising the child within the community of faith. Later, whether through a formal process like confirmation or through membership vows in a local church or through a gradual warming of the heart, we confirm or profess our faith in Jesus Christ as “adults.”

The Holy Spirit, God’s indwelling presence, is a piece of this equation. Becoming a part of our lives, whether through the waters of baptism or through the profession of faith, the Holy Spirit works within us, changing hearts and lives, drawing us deeper and deeper into a relationship with Jesus Christ. This ongoing process continues, hopefully each day of our lives, empowering us to live as love in the world. May this be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you today for calling us into your family. Thank you for your patience and for your grace. Fueled by your love, these allow us to remain in right relationship with you. From this place, filled with your love, send us out into the world to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Amen.