pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Monthly Archives: June 2015


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Shine the Light

Christians live in this world as a people set apart.  Although we are physically in this world, we long for our eternal home.  What guides our words, actions, and choices is foreign to the world in general.  The world does not understand the ways of God, so we live in this world trying to share God with those who do not yet know Him and His saving grace.

Being different sometimes brings negative attention.  Sometimes it is as simple as not fitting in because our faith prevents participation in something.  Sometimes it is not being invited because of how we are seen.  In other parts of the world it can be much worse.  The beatings and deaths that early Christians endured still happen in many places around the world.

Paul certainly experienced his share of trials, hardships, and tribulations.  In today’s reading is quite the list.  But he always kept sight of his hope.  He wrote, “Now is the day of salvation!”  No matter what life would bring his way, he knew that each day brought a new reconciliation with God.  Paul knew his calling in life: to share this Jesus Christ who was his all in all, his Lord and savior.

As a Christian we should stand out – in a good way.  Paul reminds us in this passage to not be a stumbling block to anyone.  In our words, actions, and choices may we shine the light and love of Jesus on all in our day today.

Scripture reference: 2 Corinthians 6: 1-13


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May He Be Present

Suffering and pain exist in our world.  Some is personal and close to home.  Some is far away and makes us shake our heads and lift up a prayer for those being afflicted.  And then there are tragedies like the shootings in South Carolina.  My heart aches, tears well up in my eyes, and a lump forms in my throat.  Prayers are offered at a deeper level as I feel connected to my brothers and sisters in Christ who are hurting so much right now.  Thoughts will often turn to those who are hurting often over the next days and prayers will continue to be lifted up.

It is hard for me to understand how one could take another’s life so easily.  It is hard to understand and come to grips with the beliefs and emotions that could lead one to do something like this.  But there must be a deeper level to the basic explanation that will emerge.  Something was going on there that we will probably never really comprehend.  Yet we must also be faithful to the faith we claim and offer prayer for the shooter and his family.  This is hard but God’s redeeming mercy and grace are for all people.  We are saved and loved not because of what we have done.

May God surround the families and friends immediately touched by this tragedy with all of His love, strength, and compassion.  May our Lord wrap this church and community tightly in His mighty arms.  May our Father bring healing to the strife that too often separates us. May He be present.


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Perfect Creations

Bullying has many forms.  It can be blatant or subtle and can lead us to act differently.  The act of bullying occurs at all levels of life and in all places.  It can happen at work, at school, at home, and even at church.  A bully’s main desire is to be on top.  In modern times, social media has taken bullying in a whole new direction.  You no longer have to be present to bully someone.

Goliath is a classic bully – physically intimidating, hurls insults with his words, seeks to be the alpha male.  We’ve all faced this type of bully.  Saul’s bullying is a little more disguised.  He wants David to wear his armor, to don his tunic.  In short, he wants David to be like him.

David counters both.  Against Goliath David calls on God’s name to defeat his enemy.  David knows he cannot face the giant alone so he calls on the one, true source of our strength – God.  Against Saul he says this is not who I am.  David goes out to face the giant just as God created him and using the skills with which God has gifted him.  He knows how God created him and David trusts this.  We find great examples here in David.

When faced with a challenge, we too need to turn to the source of all we have and are – God.  He promised to be with us and to strengthen and encourage us.  And we also must remember that God created us just as we are and that we are perfect in His sight.  We must not bend or break but must remain true to who God created us to be.  We are each His perfect creation, a child of God.  If we live each day and face the challenges that life brings as a child ofn the one, true king, life cannot defeat us.  God is on our side.

Scripture reference: 1 Samuel 17: 32-49


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Step to the Line

The Israelite army is pretending to be in battle.  Each morning they put on their armor, gather up their weapons and form up in position.  They shout the battle cry and march out into position opposite the Philistine army.  Goliath shouts out his challenge and the Israelites look at the ground, at th birds in the air, off into space.  They do everything except face their enemy or each other.

Sometimes in our lives or in our churches we can take the same approach.  We can sense that something needs done but we are unable or unwilling to see or do anything about it.  Good examples would be a lack of baptisms and fewer or no new professions of faith.  We are aware that these are signs of a dying church but investing the time and energy into young families and into unchurched people in new ways is scary and intimidating.  We stay right where we are.  And we line up each Sunday morning in our pews and see the same familiar faces.

In our own lives we can also get stuck.  In a really busy season of life we allowed our daily discipline of reading and meditating on God’s word to slip to the back burner.  That extra fifteen minutes of sleep or the extra time in front of the television sure is nice and prevents us from giving our time to our faith. Maybe we play the ‘next week’ game – next week I’ll get back to daily time with God.  We somehow think we are not ready to face that giant today.

God is ready every day.  He calls to us every day to die to self and serve Him alone.  He is present each day, waiting for us to engage.  It is up to us to step up to the line with a willing servant’s heart and to say, “Here I am Lord.”  With God on our side, who can stand against us?  What giant is ready to fall today?

Scripture reference: 1 Samuel 17: 19-23


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An Awesome God

Think for a moment about the awesome and amazing things God has done in your life.  Think of all the miracles and ways you have seen God at work in the world.  Think of all the times you have felt His presence or have been guided by the Holy Spirit.  God is alive and well.  Our God is an awesome God!

Goliath, the Philistine champion, came out and challenged the Israelite army to send forth a man to do one-on-one combat.  He was over nine feet tall and wore heavy armor.  For sure he was an intimidating presence.  It’s not a wonder no one stepped forward.

Think for a moment of those times when you faced a crisis or struggle and your friends and family surrounded you with prayers and presence.  Think of a time when together your church has overcome a challenge.  Think of a time when you have come alongside another in need.

Goliath instilled fear and trembling in all of the Israelite army.  Day after day after day he came and called them out.  Day after day after day the army of God cowered in fear.  So many time God had brought Israel victory, often against the odds.  So often God had been right there with them.

Today we have a few Goliaths.  We have them in our own lives – priorities askew, addictions calling, busyness…  We have them in our churches – declining numbers, the question of relevance…  Today we have the same God that allowed David to face Goliath and win.  We have the same God who will help us win, even against the odds.  He is still an awesome God.  Call on Him and see.

Scripture reference: 1 Samuel 17: 4-11


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Facing Our Enemies

The Philistines gathered up a large army to do battle with Israel.  They were longtime adversaries.  The Philistines assembled all of their troops to do battle.  Surely Israel must respond.  Emotions running from fear to anger, from insecurity to valor must have been running through Israel’s common psyche.  Often each side assumes victory but one does not truly know until the battle has been fought.

In our lives we too face things that gather on the borders.  Things we fear or dread can sometimes be seen coming and we can watch the trouble brewing.  Sometimes trouble is a recurring issue.  It can be with a person at work or school or it can be with a thing such as alcohol or pornography.  In our bones and in our hearts we can sense these ‘enemies’ drawing near.

These familiar problems or common heartaches can cause fear and intimidation.  They can even be paralyzing at times.  Some days we just know what lies ahead at school or work and we just want to stay in bed!  Our ‘enemies’ can make us fearful, anxious, discouraged, …

But before we give into our fears, before we surrender before the battle has even begun, let us remember who is on our side.  Our ally comes with promises to never fail us, to always love us, to never forsake us, and to always be present in our lives.  Our God is a mighty God.  No enemy can stand against Him.  He is on our side.  Call on Him.  Feel His strength inside of you.  At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, even the enemy.

Scripture reference: 1 Samuel 17: 1a


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The Gift of Life

In the realms of science and technology we are pretty advanced.  We can study a seed and learn the exact amounts of each component of the seed and ‘make’ an exact replica of the seed.  But when we place it in the ground, it does not sprout.  There is no life in the man-made seed.  Only the seeds created in nature by God have the mystery of life inside.

Life itself is a mystery.  By it we are drawn to God.  How life is created is just one of the mysteries of God.  All of this points to the kingdom of God.  Jesus Christ is the seed of this kingdom.  It was planted in Mary and grew to be our example of how to love God with all we are and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Through Jesus’ death and resurrection we witness another mystery of God and have the promise of new life, of life eternal.

Christ dwelling in us and through our words, actions, and deeds is the continuing sign that the kingdom of God is alive and growing.  We live as the light of the world, shining our faith in God and Jesus out into the world.  Through this they are offered life and eternal hope.

Today many will gather in worship.  A big part of this is to offer our praise and thanksgiving for the gift of eternal life that we have in Christ.  Each day as we go out into the fields of life, may we live each day as an act of worship as well, sharing this amazing and wonderful gift with all who cross our paths.

Scripture reference: Mark 4: 26-34


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Trust It to God

The seed we scatter falls to the ground and rests in the soil.  We know that with some sun and water seeds sprout and new life is born.  Yet not all seed sprouts, some remains and dissolves into the soil.  That moment though, when the first green pokes up, is one of excitement.  It is also one of mystery.

As we live out our lives we also plant seeds of faith.  Whether through word, deed, or action, God is revealed in and through us.  And much like the seeds planted in the garden or field, these little seeds of faith need nourishment as well.  Some of the seeds we offer will sprout up too and we will be so happy to see another beginning new life in Jesus Christ.  In this is also a mystery.  We cannot understand here either what causes that new life to begin.  We cannot because it is God’s kingdom being grown, not ours.  The faith mystery belongs to God alone.

Our role in His kingdom was defined by His Son: go and make disciples.  Although we do not understand this mystery of faith, we do have our role.  We are called to go forth, to share the good news of Jesus Christ, and to teach new believers God’s ways.  This is the nourishment piece.

We are called to faithfully sow seeds and to trust in God to take it from there.  In this we can trust it to God and know that seeds will sprout.  Other seed may not sprout right away, but God continues to work in these fields too.  He may even send us back again and again to bear witness.  Be faithful.  Share the faith.  The seeds will grow.

Scripture reference: Mark 4: 26-34


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With Abandon

When we choose Christ we become a new creation.  We choose to set aside our old ways and to walk a new path.  The old self dies and we are born again a whole new creation.  Wonderful as this is, there is better news: God is not done with us.  And there is better news still: He is never done with us!

As this new creation in Christ develops, we need some guidance and nourishment.  We find this in His Word.  This is both the Bible and the Holy Spirit, both of which speak into our lives.  God’s Word is living and active.  God’s Word is full of meaning for us and for our lives.

The Bible is past, present, and future.  In it we find what was.  These roots of our faith are important.  They are the sustainers of our faith.  The past ties to the present in the form of Jesus.  He is the living example of God’s love.  Through Him we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, keeping Jesus Christ very much in the present.  In the Word we also find promises.  These promises help us in the present by giving us encouragement and support.  In them we also see into those things eternal life brings.

This new creation that we become is one filled with love, hope, and enthusiasm for God, Jesus, and one another.  May we live with abandon for our Jesus, who was and is and will always be.

Scripture reference: 2 Corinthians 5: 11-17


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Walking by Faith

Paul reminds us that we walk by faith and not by sight.  Envision with me, just for a moment, your feet walking along a stony path.  See just the bottom of your legs and your feet and the path.  Hear the sound of the rock underneath your feet.

What is it that you see and hear?  Are your feet moving right along, steadily crunching the gravel as you stride?  Or are your feet skipping along making a scuffling sound in the stones?  Or are they moving haltingly and unsteadily, offering up an uneven pattern of noise?  Or are your feet still, making no sound at all upon the rocks?

Depending on how our lives are at the present moment, we may be breezing along the path, at a standstill, or somewhere in between.  For a season our walk of faith might be steady, but at other times it is not.  Life can distract us, disruptions can halt our progress.  Peaks and valleys come and go, but we always must keep moving forward in faith.

In faith we do continue to walk forward, ever seeking to draw nearer to He who stands at the end of our path – Jesus Christ.  By keeping our eyes on Christ, we can always move closer whether we run, jump, skip, walk, or barely move forward.  At times the next step may seem unclear or unsure, but we know by the faith in our heart that He is there, ever calling us along our journey of faith.

Scripture reference: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10