pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!


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The Three R’s

Reading: Judges 4:1-7

Judged 4:1-2 – “The Israelites again did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord turned them over to King Jabin of Hazor.”

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This week we focus on the joy that we find in the Lord. Often this joy comes from God’s presence in our world and in our lives – a sunrise, a kind word, a spider web, a loving act, an opened door. Some of the time, this joy comes through God’s rescue, redemption, and restoration. We sin and create separation in our relationships with God and with one another. We turn back to God, admitting our failure, pledging to do better, and our God of great mercy forgives our sin. We then experience rescue, redemption, and restoration. We rejoice in God’s mercy and love. This pattern is repeated frequently in our lives. It has always been the case throughout history. In the opening verses of Judges 4 we read, “The Israelites again did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord turned them over to King Jabin of Hazor.”

The Israelites, like us, knew better. Sin is almost always an intentional choice. And when a poor choice is made, there are usually consequences. In today’s passage, it was oppression from a pagan people that Israel let live. Israel failed to follow God’s command to remove all of the Canaanites from the Promised Land. The group around Hazor sought to re-establish their power in the land. God used them to humble Israel. It took twenty years of cruel oppression. Hopefully our cycles of sin, confession, and repentance don’t last that long!

Deborah, who was leading and judging for Israel at that time, calls out for Barak, inviting him to gather troops to defeat Sisera, Jabin’s commander. Sisera had 900 chariots – the most powerful weapon of the day. Deborah relayed God’s promise to Barak: “There I will give you victory over him.” This promise of presence and victory is ours too. God is with us. God wants to rescue, redeem, and restore us. With humbled hearts, may we cry out to God for mercy.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to identify the things that we let hang around, in spite of your warnings and instructions. Then lead us to work at removing these things from our lives. The pride, the ego, the desire for more – all must go. And when we lose the battle, which we do again and again, call us to confession and repentance. Rescue us from our sin. Pour out your mercy. Redeem us. Heal our brokenness. Restore us to right relationship with you and with one another. Amen.


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Each Day: Love

Reading: Matthew 25:7-13

Matthew 25:13 – “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”

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Continuing today in the parable of the ten bridesmaids, we see that they react well to the shout that woke them up. All ten bridesmaids tend to their lamps, trimming the wicks and relighting their lamps. The five foolish ones quickly realize their problem. They ask to borrow some oil. Connecting to the final day of judgment, some people will suddenly wake up and realize too late that they never claimed a faith of their own. In that moment, someone else’s faith will not be able to save them.

The five wise bridesmaids will not lend any oil to the foolish ones. In reality, they cannot: the faith that they have is their own. The bridegroom arrives and they follow him, lamps lit, into the wedding feast. The door is shut and locked. Later, the five foolish bridesmaids knock on the door, seeking admission. They even call out, “Lord, Lord…” In response, the Lord says, “Believe me, I don’t know you.” The “oil” that they bought is not true oil. There will be some folks that go to church or do other “religious” things but do not have a personal saving relationship with Jesus.

Stepping out of the parable and talking to his followers – then and now – Jesus says, “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.” We must always keep watch for Jesus. We must keep awake, tending to our faith so that we always have “oil” in our “lamps.” We must be alert and attentive to the ways that Jesus becomes present to us in the face of a stranger or in our brothers and sisters in Christ. While we do not know the day or hour, we do know what is required of us as followers of Jesus Christ. Each day, every day, may our love of God and neighbor be revealed in all that we do and say and think.

Prayer: Lord God, when we are tempted to go to sleep on our faith – even for a little nap – stir up our hearts by the power of your Holy Spirit. When we’re tempted by a “next time” or “later” attitude, rattle our awareness of your charge to always love here and now. Help us to always shine your love out into the world. Amen.


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“Oil” in our “Lamps”

Reading: Matthew 25:1-6

Matthew 25:6 – “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!'”

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Today and tomorrow we read the parable of the ten bridesmaids. It is the first of three parables in chapter 25 that speak of what the kingdom of God is or will be like. All three carry warnings. These three parables, read over three weeks, will challenge us and our faith.

Verses 1-13 begin with the context: “Then the kingdom of God will be like…” To be honest, to be up front, initially this story might not feel at all like what we think the kingdom of God should be like. In the first part of the parable we learn that there are five wise and five foolish bridesmaids. The wise ones brought extra oil. That is the only difference. All ten fall asleep as the bridegroom is really delayed.

The oil in the lamp is often thought of as faith. As we read on, today and in the next two weeks, we will discover that it is more about keeping oil in our lamps. If we are tending to our faith, if we are working on our relationship with the Lord, then when we are roused by a shout or when we are suddenly beset by a storm or trial, then we will have faith to carry us through.

The sleeping bridesmaids are awakened suddenly. In verse 6 we read, “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!'” Remember the last time that you were woken unexpectedly in the middle of the night? Disconcerted, confused, discombobulated. In the unexpected and sudden moments of life, if we have not been attentive to our faith and to our present relationship with God, we might just turn to something or someone else. May our “lamps” ever be full.

Prayer: Lord God, in the ordinary of life, it can be easy to cruise along. But when we cruise, our faith can grow thin, almost like it evaporates. Keep us actively tending to our faith in good times, in bad times, and in the ordinary of life. Tending to our faith, Lord fill our “lamps”  – our hearts – with you and your presence – the “oil.” Then, when the shout comes, when the storm crashes down, remind us to let our faith shine, lighting the way through the darkness. Amen.


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All Who Believe(d)

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 4:15-18

1st Thessalonians 4:17-18 – “Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.”

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Reading the second part of this week’s Epistle passage, Paul connects what they know and believe about Jesus’ life to the believers’ lives. Jesus died and was resurrected to new life. We were reminded yesterday that this will be true for all believers. In verses 15-18, Paul unpacks this promise.

Verse 15 begins with a statement of authority: “We tell you this directly from the Lord.” This could mean that it was spoken by Jesus to the disciples and then was passed on to Paul. Or, more likely, it was something that the risen Christ revealed directly to Paul. In either case, Paul declares that Jesus’ return will begin with a shout and trumpet call. Following this, the faithful who have died will be raised up to new life. Lastly, those believers that are alive will be raised up to be with Jesus too. Paul concludes with these words: “Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.” All who have believed and all who believe – with Jesus forever! What great encouragement and hope.

Paul speaks these words into the Thessalonians’ worry, anxiety, fear, and doubt. They can trust that Aunt Rose and cousin Steven and grandma Lois and nephew Anthony will one day be raised to new life. We too can trust in this promise – for those we love and for ourselves. We too find great hope and encouragement in knowing that all who believe will be like Jesus: resurrected and eternal. For this truth we rejoice and say, thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for Jesus, the one who was and is and always will be. Thank you for the way that he made through death, opening for us the path to eternal life. Let us not forget, O God, that the way is predicated on faithfully walking the path in this life. Strengthen and encourage us in the day to day living of our faith. Amen.


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Hope for Today and for Every Day

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 4:13-14

1st Thessalonians 4:14 – “For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.”

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As we turn to 1st Thessalonians 4 today, Paul turns to a question that Timothy brought back with him after his check-in visit with the Thessalonians. The belief in the early church was that Christ would return very soon after his death and resurrection – certainly within their lifetimes. But then friends and family members who were believers began dying. This created an anxiousness in these new believers. It raised many questions.

What will happen to their friends and loved ones? And perhaps an even more stressful question: Had they missed Jesus’ return? With all of these questions and worries, they were like those we know who “grieve without hope.” Paul wants them to have hope. He wants us to have hope. So he writes to them, offering words of assurance and of hope. He writes, “For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.”

Jesus was the first of many brothers and sisters who will die and be raised to new life. There is great hope in this belief and understanding. Jesus’ victory over sin and death is the victory that all believers will one day experience. May this be our hope, today and every day!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for making a way for all who believe. We know that Jesus was the first of many brothers and sisters to enter new life in eternity. Walk with us daily. Lead us to be true to you alone. Guide us to live faithfully in this life. Bring us home one day into your eternal glory. Amen.


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Hope

Reading: Psalm 78:1-7

Psalm 78:4 – “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord.”

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Asaph begins Psalm 78 by introducing the audience and the purpose of this Psalm. He is going to instruct the people of God. It should be noted that he is writing to a very small fragment of the former kingdom of Israel. As detailed in the rest of the Psalm, the nation divided into the northern and southern kingdoms. The north’s ten tribes continued in their sin one too many times. God sent the Assyrians, who laid waste to the north and took many people into exile. Only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained in the south. It was during this time period that Asaph writes, “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord.”

In today’s verses, Asaph emphasizes telling the next generation the truth – the good and the bad. Lessons can be learned from both our successes and from our failures. To paint only a rosy picture does a great disservice to our children. It creates a false hope. From each failure, we learn lessons and we learn that God is faithful and good. It was true for Israel and it is true in our lives. God does not leave us in our sin. When we are repentant, God rescues, redeems, and restores. This builds true hope. And, yes, it is sometimes after learning a hard lesson. A necessary but hard lesson. In verse 8, that is Asaph’s hope. Here he writes, “Then they will not be like their ancestors – stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.” Ah.

Asaph’s writing was promoted by wrestling with questions like these: How did we get here? Why are we here? Who is responsible? Who and what do we want to be? How do we get to that preferred future? This questioning is the next step in truth-telling. May we teach our children this next step too. O Lord, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, how we need you. On our own, we quickly become less than you created and intend us to be. Selfishness leads to sin and division. There we lose hope. Lead and guide us to tell the whole story and to wrestle with the searching questions and with the truth that they tell. Guide us to work for a future with hope for all people. Amen.


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A Witness, Choosing to Serve

Reading: Joshua 24:16-25

Joshua 24:22 – “You are a witness to your own decision,” Joshua said, “You have chosen to serve the Lord.”

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As we continue in Joshua 24, we hear the Israelites answer to Joshua’s question about whom they will serve. Will it be idols or God? Their choice is to serve the Lord. They tell Joshua that they would never abandon God and that they would never serve other gods. Under Joshua’s great leadership and faithful example, the Israelites have been true to God. The Lord has done so much for the people of God. They have seen and experienced it. They will serve the Lord their God.

But in verses 19 and 20, Joshua questions their ability to serve God. He reminds them that God is a “holy and jealous God.” If they sin or rebel, there will be problems. Big problems. The people again declare their commitment to the Lord. In response Joshua says, “You are a witness to your own decision. You have chosen to serve the Lord.” Yes, they have spoken and, yes, they know what they are getting into. They agree again with their commitment. It is then that Joshua asks for a tangible action that tests their commitment.

In verse 23 Joshua says, “All right then, destroy the idols among you.” Joshua does not want the temptation lying on the shelf in the corner cupboard or tucked under the edge of the bed. Out of sight is not good enough. In the same way, our own commitment to the Lord must be all-in, complete, wholehearted. We must be solid in our choice. When we let our idols hang around, when we pretend they are not there, we’re in for big trouble. The desire for recognition and approval, the need to be in control or in charge, the longing for material gain and possessions – we must be quick to destroy these idols. It is the only way to faithfully serve the Lord our God. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, it is easy to say that we have chosen you, to say that you are the Lord of our life, to show up on Sunday mornings. That’s the easy part – when the focus is on you. But there are many times and places when the focus shifts away from you. Be with us in the harder places and times, especially when no one else is looking. Use the Holy Spirit to guide our walk, to keep our choice pure and genuine. Alone we cannot remain faithful. Be with us. Thank you. Amen.


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Choose Today

Reading: Joshua 24:1-3 and 14-15

Joshua 24:14 – “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped.”

Photo credit: dreamstimes.com

As we turn to the last chapter of the book of Joshua, God has established Israel in the Promised Land. Joshua has led the conquest of the land as God has driven out “great and powerful nations.” Each tribe of Israel has been allotted land. And there are survivors in the land and there are neighboring nations all around them. Danger lies here. Joshua tells the people to not even mention the names of these people’s idols and false gods. He points the Israelites towards God’s Law and invites them to remember how God has kept all of the promises that God has made.

Turning to chapter 24, Joshua seeks to renew the people’s covenant with God. Now that Israel is secure and established in the land promised to Abraham, Joshua challenges the people to make a conscious decision to always serve the Lord. In verse 14 Joshua says, “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped.” Joshua calls for a healthy respect of the Lord and for an all-out dedication. The call is to love God with heart, soul, and mind. Those idols – the ones that have dogged them even as God defeated enemy after enemy in the wilderness and in the Promised Land – they are still around. Be wary. Put them away forever.

Joshua makes his choice known in the last part of verse 15, where we read, “But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” While encouraging, the people – each person – must make a choice. Joshua is committed. But how will each Israelite decide? As a whole, will they choose the Lord their God? Will they fear and serve the Lord? Will they forever put away the idols and false gods of this world?

Prayer: Lord God, oh how familiar we are with this choice. Daily the idols and false gods of this world come and go from our consciousness. Daily we feel their pull. We have chosen you, O God. We want to walk as a child of God, as a brother or sister in Christ. Encourage us. Strengthen our commitment. Walk with us in Spirit, leading and guiding us to walk the walk that we have chosen. Keep us faithful and true. Amen.


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Children of God

Reading: 1st John 3:1-3

1st John 3:1 – “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!”

Photo credit: Patrick Schneider

On this All Saints’ Day we celebrate the saints who have gone on to their eternal home during this past year. For some of us, the day holds grief as their loss is recent and still painful. For others, the day holds joy as the grief has begun to recede and the celebration of a life well-lived gains more of the focus. For all those who gather and name the saints, it is a reminder of our connectedness, of the great cloud of witness, and of John’s words today: “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!”

We who believe are the ones that John calls the children of God. Technically, all people are children of God. Just as some do not recognize that we who believe are children of God, they and others do not recognize themselves as a child of God. They do not see or understand or find their worth and identity in God’s love. We do. We know that we are loved and that we belong to God. As we celebrate the saints today, we also celebrate our place in the great cloud of witness.

While some long for the day and others look forward to the day, it will be glorious when we see Jesus face to face because we will see him “as he really is.” In the resurrection we will fully know Jesus. That experience of love will be grand! As that day draws nearer for each of us, may we seek to be pure and holy, just and loving, just as Christ was, is, and always will be. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, we are grateful for those who we will name today as we celebrate the saints who have joined you this past year. We can also name other saints – those who shaped and formed us, who walked with us, and who encouraged us. We ask, O God, that you would use us in these ways, walking with each other and with future saints. Amen.


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Humble Servant

Reading: Matthew 23:8-12

Matthew 23:11 – “The greatest among you must be a servant.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

In the second half of this week’s gospel lesson, Jesus stresses the equality we share as children of God. Each and every one of us is created by God, made as God intends us to be. God loves us all exactly the same. There is nothing we can do or not do to change that reality.

The rabbis in Jesus’ day were much like Jesus. They gathered to themselves a group of disciples, and they taught them their interpretation of the scriptures. Most young Jewish boys wanted to be a rabbi when they grew up, like many today who want to grow up and play in the NFL or NBA or… The thinning out process was much the same. Many dreamed of being a rabbi but very, very few ever made the grade. Speaking into this hierarchical system, Jesus reminds his disciples that they have “only one teacher.” He is not speaking of himself, but of God. Jesus is reminding them of the supremacy of God. This is also what he is getting at as he tells the disciples not to call anyone else “Father.” He is not talking literally here. Because God’s love and mercy never fail, God will always be elevated above all earthly figures.

Verses 11 and 12 connect back to verses 1-7, where Jesus addressed the words, actions, and behaviors of the religious leaders of his day. In verse 11 we read, “The greatest among you must be a servant.” Jesus is not saying that people can’t be “great.” He is saying that even the great must be servants too. A servant focuses on loving God and neighbor. They serve without regard for themselves. Jesus modeled this. He is our example of humble service. Jesus calls us to walk in his footsteps. When we do serve others in humility, we too will be exalted by God, just as Jesus was exalted. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, open our eyes to see the people and the opportunities that you bring our way today. Eyes opened to see, move our hearts to action. Put into action, use us to serve others, sharing your love and our love with them. Amen.