pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Monthly Archives: February 2015


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Our Call

Today is Ash Wednesday.  Today Lent begins.  Lent is a time designated as a time of preparation.  Spiritual disciplines such as self-examination and repentance, self-denial, and fasting couple with practices such as prayer and reading and meditating on God’s Word to help us prepare ourselves for Easter.

Lent is often a time we choose to give something up.  This is a form of self-denial.  When we crave or notice what we chose to give up, we should draw close to God in prayer.  We are reminded that we are dependant on Him.  Fasting is another way we can deny self and draw closer to God.  In the same way, when we feel the hunger we draw close to God in prayer and seek His strength.  In one of the devotionals I read, the author wrote, “Fasting is an offering to God to overcome being and doing what we want so that we may be and do what God wants.”  We become less so that He can become more.

Lent should also be about other things we choose to do for God.  In today’s reading from Isaiah God calls us to feed the hungry, to care for the poor, to loosen the bonds of injustice, to free the oppressed.  God is seeking a just and fair world, a world where all are loved equally and where all have enough to meet their needs.

You and I have a role to play in this world that God wants to see.  Both personally and corporately we must be involved in healing our world.  Us as individuals and our churches as a whole can do much to restore this world.  Whether one person at a time or one issue at a time, God’s people must make a difference in this world.  It is our call.

Scripture reference: Isaiah 58: 1-12


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Imperfect Yet Loved

As imperfect people we are prone to sin.  Temptation is around us all day, from the leanings to think unkind thoughts all the way up to the more serious actions we may ponder.  In the mix, pride and rationalization toy with us and society tells us anything is okay, just go for it.  Yet an innate part in all of us also senses when we are about to do something wrong, whether to self or another, and it cautions us.

Even though we can admit to all of this, at times we are still reluctant to admit our sins, to bring our faults out into the light.  Often sin is also seen as a shortcoming or a weakness – things we are unlikely to admit to as well.

But perhaps the biggest thing that holds us back from admitting our sins is the idea that once we confess our sin before God, then it is out there and we are called to repent, to begin to battle that sin in our life, to turn away from it.

In Psalm 51, David writes, “Against you, you only, have I sinned.”  Our sins too are between us and God alone, for He alone can offer the mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing of our soul that we so need.  David goes on to ask God to “create a pure heart within” – something we all need as well.

We are imperfect.  We all sin.  Our God of steadfast love and unending mercy knows this.  When we come with a broken and contrite heart, His love washes over our sin and He renews our spirit.  In turn, may our lips sing His praises!

Scripture reference: Psalm 51: 1-17


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Taking Stock

In 2nd Corinthians 5, Paul writes a long list of the things believers endure and a long list of the ‘rewards’ that make it worth enduring those things.  He proceeds the list with the warning not to accept God’s grace in vain.  If we accept the invitation to relationship with God, we must be prepared to endure now and then.  Paul is preparing us for a journey.

All believers have times or seasons where we feel a bit distant from God.  All believers go through trials and hardships that cause us to question God.  All believers wrestle with temptations that are not of God.  When we succumb to them, afterwards we question our strength of faith or wonder why we stumbled.  All part of the journey.

As we continue along the journey, we don’t only find these challenges, we also find growth and a deepening of our relationship with God.  The good things that Paul writes of are in essence the ‘why’ of staying on the journey.  We grow in patience, kindness, purity, knowledge, holiness of spirit, love, truthful speech, and the power of God.

In the midst of trial it sure is easy to see what we are facing or wrestling with.  But when life is ‘normal’, when things are sailing along, sometimes it is hard to identify progress and growth in our faith.  As we edge up to Lent, may we take a few minutes to take stock – to see where we have grown and drawn closer in our relationship with God.  Once an accounting has been made, give Him thanks!

Scripture reference: 2 Corinthians 5:20b – 6:10


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Seeking to Continue

When Peter, James, and John see Jesus transfigured and Moses and Elijah appear, they are frightened.  This experience is far beyond anything they have been through or that they could imagine.  Almost without thinking, Peter offers to build three shelters, perhaps seeking to make this experience last.

One cannot blame him.  In our own God moments – those special times when we experience His presence in our lives – it is a little frightening but it is also something that we want to make last.  We want that moment and that experience to continue.

To add to it all, a cloud descends and God actually speaks to them.  In a reaffirmation of Jesus’ baptism and as a sending forth proclamation, God again declares who Jesus is and what that entails for the disciples.

Just like Peter, James, and John, we too are to acknowledge Jesus’ divinity and we are to listen to Him.  As the transfiguration experience comes to an end, they head back down the mountain and back to real life.  We do the same when our God moments end.  We are thankful and blessed and forever changed, but the world is still there and it still awaits us.

Like the disciples, we too must deny ourselves and take up our cross, seeking to continue the work of Jesus in building the kingdom here.  Being changed ourselves, may we go forth seeking to bring change and hope to our very real worlds.

Scripture reference: Mark 9: 2-9


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Justice with Love and Mercy

Justice in society today generally has to do with one of two things.  One is the criminal justice system where people are punished for their crimes.  The second is the idea that our laws are fair and equally applied to all.  In both cases we can easily be detached from these concepts of justice.  They can be seen as simply functions of the larger society.

God’s justice and the justice we are called to stand for as Christians does have to do with these two concepts of justice, but there is much more to it as well.  As Christians we do need to stand for equal treatment of all under the law and we do need to stand up to correct matters where this is not the case.  God’s justice takes the earthly concepts and adds mercy and love to the equation.

For some in our midst the world is an unfair and unjust place.  Because of a variety of circumstances, they find themselves in a situation where they are struggling to survive.  They may be lacking food or shelter or clothing or transportation or income or ..  Most often it is a combination of these needs.  How they got to this point is a mystery for some of them.  But not one got up and decided to make ‘poor’ decisions all day every day.  They each try to do what they think is best for their present situation.

For those struggling, society’s justice does provide some aid and assistance, but it is limited.  God’s justice is much more encompassing.  God’s justice includes love and mercy that not only seeks to meet needs, but also walks alongside people to teach and encourage them.  Through faith we are called to partner with people, to invest in their lives, to share their burdens, to guide their steps, to love unconditionally.  It is a hard path to walk.  Yet Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors.  May we learn to love without conditions, to offer God’s justice and love and mercy to all.

Scripture reference: Psalm 50: 1-6


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Always Right There

At times the veil of unbelief is drawn over our eyes and the light is dimmed.  Our choices and decisions land us in a place away from God and we sense the separation.  Many things can get us to the place where we feel like we have lost our connection with God and all of these things are our own doing.

In these times of doubt or unbelief or spiritual dryness, it is the gods of this world that are ruling our life.  Allowing something or someone other than God to rule is a bad thing.  Yet even out of this bad place, we can grow closer to God and we can strengthen our faith.

Even when we have separated or disconnected from God, He is working to bring us back.  Whether through a person, through something we read or hear, through an experience we have – He is always seeking us.  God never gives up on the children He loves so dearly.

No matter what is separating us, we can always sense that God is still there.  Once we have come to know God and His love, that feeling is in our minds and is always something that we sense is missing when we are away from God.  The instant we reach out to reconnect, He is right there to gladly welcome us home.

In those moments or seasons, help us God to remember this simple prayer offered to Jesus: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

Scripture reference: 2 Corinthians 4: 3-6


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Come to the Light

What is a ‘Christian’?  Is it someone who goes  to church on a Sunday morning or someone who wears a Jesus t-shirt or someone who frequents the Christian coffee house?  Is it someone who volunteers once a week at the local mission or at the thrift store?  The answer can be yes – and it can be no.

It can be a fine line between living as Christ and doing things that are ‘Christian.’  One can certainly check off the boxes, but if it is to say “Look at all I do for Christ” then it is misguided.  The focus and attention is on us and not on Him.  It is an easy line to cross.  We often are, by our nature, self-centered and selfish.

To live as a “little Christ”, or Christian, we first must be humble – always He and never I.  Our actions need to be for the purpose of sharing the light of Christ.  We can do many things for Jesus.  We must do things with Jesus.  In humility we must always point towards Jesus.  When we love others we must always point to Jesus first loving us.

Humility also requires transparency.  In admitting our brokenness, we can point to the One who heals.  In confessing our sin, we can point to the One who forgives.  In sharing our struggles, we can point to the One who carries us when we cannot walk on our own.

When others always see us turning to Christ in our need, they will see their way too.  When see Jesus Christ as our center, they too will hone in on Him.  When we live as Christ lived, others will come to the Light.

Scripture reference: 2 Corinthians 4: 3-6


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The Light

Light is pretty cool.  Have you ever watched the light creep across the land as the sun slowly rises in the morning?  As it rises slowly above the horizon, the light flows across objects, illuminating them and making them visible.  In time, all is bathed in the light.

Psalm 50 speaks of God gathering His faithful people to Him.  It also reminds us that His light will shine forth as He judges all people.  One day we will all stand before our God.  On that day, will we be found faithful?

Each and every day God seeks to shine forth in our hearts.  His light and love desire to fill us.  His Spirit seeks to guide and lead us.  Both God and the Holy Spirit cast light into our lives.  Just like the sun as it creeps up, His light shines into all of our bumps, cracks, and crevices.  And what is revealed?

Sometimes we like to think that we still have our hidden spots – those things we cling to and try to convince ourself that God does not know about.  But all is bathed in His light.  God sees and knows all.  We are only fooling ourselves.

As we come to understand this, we become more willing to admit all to God.  Our lives become more honest and transparent.  Our lives align more with His will and purpose for us.  Soon our light begins to shine brighter, for others to see.  As we grow to walk more and more in His ways, may our light dispel the darkness both within and around us.  May the light guide us and those around us closer and closer to our God.

Scripture reference: Psalm 50: 1-6


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Answering “Yes”

Elisha is a most faithful friend to Elijah.  As the time has come for Elijah to be taken into heaven, Elijah and many other prophets tells Elisha to not follow along.  But Elisha remains close to his friend right up to the very end.  He held no fear for himself.  He gave no thought to his own well-being.  It is a truly sacrificial relationship.

How many of our relationships have this sacrificial component to them?  Maybe those relationships with your spouse or children?  Maybe those with a really close friend?  Maybe with Christ?

We are not often asked to walk into a dangerous situation on our own accord.  We may find ourselves in the midst of a good friend’s emotional or relational crisis that is uncomfortable, but we are in no danger.  In our earthly, personal relationships we seldom find ourselves in a place where we are called to truly sacrifice for another.

But there are opportunities to sacrifice.  We could forego sitting with our friends at lunch and instead sit with the one who always eats alone.  We could give of our time to the one who is hard to love yet still needs a friend.  We could assist the fiercely independent one who is really struggling at work.  God provides us with chances to sacrifice if we have open eyes and willing hearts.  May we be able to answer ‘yes’ when Jesus asks, “for the least of these?”

Scripture reference: 2 Kings 2: 1-12


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His Presence

Have you ever had an experience or a moment where you felt God’s presence unexpectedly?  Most of our encounters tend to be either in worship during a song or sometimes during an intense time of prayer.  But have you ever had a visit from God outside of these cases?

At times maybe you have been moved by God from something in nature – a beautiful sunset or a powerful thunderstorm.  Maybe it was in a moment of tragedy or in an experience with an act of heroism where you could sense His presence.

In all of these cases where suddenly God is in our midst, how do we respond?  Are we like Peter, scrambling for something to do, or do we move on quickly, made uncomfortable by the unfamiliar?  Or is yours a different reaction?

When God is present in a song or time of prayer during worship, I hope the moment never ends, that the song or prayer just goes on forever.  I find the same desire to extend His presence during a storm or other event in nature, but that too always ends.  Although all of these experiences come to an end, there is no denying that God has been intimately present.

And what is our repsonse?  What do we do with this amazing divine encounter?  Immediately after the expereience, our common feeling is awe – sometimes we are hardly able to express what we feel in words and sometimes we feel as if we cannot believe what we just experienced.  As the feeling of awe passes we usually move to thanksgiving and often to praise.  It is the natural response of a grateful heart.  It is essential that we always offer our thanksgiving and praise, for we have been directly blessed by the living God.  Today, may you be blessed by our living God!

Scripture reference: Mark 9: 2-9