pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Monthly Archives: December 2023


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Glorify and Magnify

Reading: ‭Luke‬ ‭1:46‭-‬55‬

Verses 46-47: “Mary said, ‘With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.'”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Mary is at Elizabeth’s house as she offers these words, called ‘Mary’s Song’ or the ‘Magnificat.’ She has stepped into her role, called by God to bear Jesus, the Messiah and Savior of the world. Elizabeth’s response and the Holy Spirit’s response have confirmed all that has happened and together they inspire these words. They begin with this: “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.” These are words that exclaim, ‘What a great thing God has done and I’m so HAPPY to be a part of it!’ Mary overflows with love and praise.

After recognizing the blessed and special role that she has been chosen to play, Mary praises the one who both called her and fills her. These words foreshadow Jesus’ ministry. This makes perfect sense as Jesus will be God in the flesh. The proud are scattered and the lowly are lifted. The hungry are filled and the rich are sent away empty. Those who think that they know it all and/or have it all find it difficult to receive from God. Humility and grace are necessary to receive. To those who know their need, the Lord fills them abundantly.

In this Advent season, what is our attitude? Do we seek to be filled by God? Or are we filling ourselves? Do we offer food to the hungry and lift the downtrodden? Or are we only concerned with our own belly and our own spirits? Like Mary, may we choose to glorify and magnify the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to think of others first this holiday season. Keep my focus outward instead of inward. May abundant love and spirit flow from my soul! Amen.


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The One True God

Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

Verse 6: “And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Photo credit: Diego Gennaro

Just over a week ago at youth group, one of our kids asked about the difference between God and the gods of the Greeks, Romans… It is a good place to begin today’s thoughts on Isaiah 9. The gods were limited and they were flawed. Each god was a god of something – war, love, rain, fertility… The gods fought with one another, played cruel tricks on humanity, sometimes had evil intents. These false gods, however, did not cease to exist with the Romans or whoever. They have new names today – wealth, popularity, beauty… – but they continue to lead us away from the one true God. Pursuing these gods limits our ability to fully be who we were created to be. Allowing these gods to drive our decisions and actions yields flawed results in our lives.

God is unlimited and is perfect. In God there is no darkness or evil. God has only good plans for us. God is everywhere and is always present. In today’s passage Isaiah identifies the coming son as “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” God incarnate, in the flesh, is all of this and so much more. In our times of indecision and struggle, God gives us wonderful counsel and guidance. In our times of weakness and uncertainty, God gives us mighty strength and holy wisdom. In our times of frailty and humanity, God reminds us that he who was and is and always will be is right there with us in that moment. And in the storms and valleys, God covers us in peace and hope and walks right there by our side.

Today we rejoice in our God who upholds and establishes us. Thanks be to our God who both reigns forever and is present right here in our hearts.

Prayer: Lord God, these titles that we find in Isaiah are so true in so many ways. Yet they are just a small part of who and what you are to and for us. Thank you for your total love and for your complete care for us, your children. Amen.


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A Child Is Born

Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

Verse 6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.”

Photo credit: Ben White

Chapter 9 begins by speaking of one who will “honor Galilee of the Gentiles.” While this verse is not in today’s passage, it is important to recognize the messianic implications given in the lead-in into today’s prophecy from Isaiah. Jesus will minister to and connect to the Gentiles – which was considered anyone outside of the Jewish faith.

The prophecy begins, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” There are many ways that one can walk in the darkness. The primary way is living outside of a relationship with the Lord. Living in the world and following the ways of the world provide ample opportunities to be selfish, greedy, prideful… To know Jesus is to know the light. His light exposes these evils and lights our path, drawing us into a personal relationship with him.

In verse 4 we read that “you have shattered the yoke that burdens them.” There are many ways that the Lord can do this. We often first think of Jesus breaking the chains of sin and death. He certainly does that! But Jesus shatters other yokes too – some are the lies that the world and Satan tell us about things like success, power, status, beauty… Others are struggles like loneliness, poor health, anxiety, doubt… Our friend and Savior and redeemer Jesus wants to walk with us through all of life, bringing peace, hope, joy, and love into our lives not just during Advent but all the time.

Isaiah’s prophecy states, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” To us and for us, God took on flesh and came into the world. God laid aside heaven to be with us. What a gift this is. This action opened the door for a more personal and intimate relationship with God. Through dwelling with us, Christ opened the door to dwell in us in Spirit. What a friend, guide, Savior, and redeemer we have in Jesus. What a gift!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for fulfilling these words that you long ago gave to Isaiah – for coming as a child, for being light in our darkness, for being our Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, our Everlasting Father, our Prince of Peace. Reign and rule in our hearts this day and forevermore. Amen.


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Lift Our Praises!

Reading: Psalm 96

Verse 7: “Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!”

Psalm 96 begins with a call to sing to the Lord, to praise his name and to declare his glory. This call fits well with this season of Advent. In our carols and praise songs we find much joy in our singing this time of the year. The next stanza is a reminder. The psalmist warns of the idols of other nations. This too is a good reminder in this season when we can overspend and overindulge.

In verse 7 we read, “Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!” To ascribe is to “regard a quality as belonging to.” Glory and strength, splendor and holiness – certainly qualities that are central to God’s character. It is always a good thing to praise God for these qualities and to offer our thanksgiving for the ways that we can reflect these to the world. This too is an act of worship and praise.

The remainder of the Psalm mostly focuses on rejoicing and praising the Lord who reigns. The heavens, the earth, the seas and all in them, the fields, the trees – they all join in the celebration and worship. All of creation joins the chorus! Tucked within these last four verses are also reminders of God’s judgment. Yes, one day God will judge us all in equity and truth. These things too are part of the Advent season.

This day may we lift our praises to God. May we rejoice in our God who reigns over all of creation!

Prayer: Lord God, we praise you first because we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We rejoice in your goodness and grace, in your love and mercy. Guide us to live these out today and every day as one of our acts of worship. Amen.


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Sure and Steady

Reading: Luke 1:26-38

Verse 38: “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

In today’s Luke passage we receive the foretelling of the birth of Jesus. Our text is proceeding with the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist. Through these angelic visits the lives of Elizabeth and Mary are intertwined, as are the lives of their sons. Continuing on in the text after today’s passage, Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth.

As we begin in the text for today the angel Gabriel comes to Mary. He tells Mary that she is “highly favored” by God and that God is with her. This is no random visit. Mary is troubled. And probably a bit afraid too as Gabriel next says, “Do not be afraid.” I wonder how I would feel if an angel of the Lord appeared to me. Would I be afraid too? Or would I be filled with joy and excitement over what was about to happen? How about you?

Gabriel explains much of what will happen. It is not “might” but “will.” Huge difference here. Mary will be with child – a child conceived by the Holy Spirit – and she will give birth to Jesus – the Son of God. To perhaps add assurance, maybe to let her know she’s not alone in all of this, Gabriel shares that Elizabeth is pregnant. Old and barren, now with child: “For nothing is impossible with God.”

Mary’s response is sure and steady: “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Mary’s response comes from a place of deep trust and faith in God. Indeed, God knew exactly who Gabriel was being sent to. So if God sends an angel – or the Holy Spirit – to you or to me, may we too respond surely and steadily. God knows exactly who we are.

Prayer: Lord God, I am humbled and amazed by Mary’s response. Her faith and trust in you are awesome. When you call, may I answer as she did. Amen.


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The Gift We Live For

Reading: Titus 2:11-14

Verse 11: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.”

We begin this week in Paul’s letter to Titus. It is a short letter of instruction and encouragement. Titus was a co-worker of Paul’s who was left on Crete to work with the newly forming church. Today’s passage comes from the section titled “What Must Be Taught to Various Groups.” Our small portion of this section comes as something to teach to all people and groups.

In verse 11 Paul writes, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.” The starting place of this passage is in the past. Jesus Christ has come, bringing grace that leads to salvation to all people. This is what we will celebrate in six days – the coming of Immanuel, God with us! In the next verse Paul shifts to the present, to what the gift means now. Paul encourages Titus to teach the believers to live Christ-like lives. Say “no” to the things of this world, living upright, godly, self-controlled lives now. The next verse looks to the future – “while we wait for the blessed hope” – waiting for the return of Jesus Christ.

These words fit so well in the Advent season and in the week in which we turn to Mary and then to Christmas Eve. Mary was a humble servant who obediently received God’s call. She bore the gift that Paul lives for and encourages Titus and all the believers in Crete to live for. May this too be the gift that we live for – Jesus Christ, who was and is and always will be.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for coming to us, revealing the depth of your love and grace for all people. We rejoice in the salvation that you bring to all who call on the name of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Guide us to turn that rejoicing into living each day so that others can receive the gift of your son. Amen.


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I Am a Follower

Reading: John 1:16-28

Verse 22: “Who are you?… What do you say about yourself?”

Photo credit: Felipe Correia

In the second part of our gospel reading priests, Levites, and Pharisees are sent from Jerusalem, out into the wilderness, to question John the Baptist. They are sent to John not out of genuine curiosity but to assess the situation and to evaluate the opposition. It is odd to me that the religious leaders are somehow opposed to someone preaching repentance and drawing people back to God. John the Baptist is outside of their system. As this week’s Disciplines devotional writer Carol Covin-Dillon puts it, “Often the coming of God into the world does more to disrupt the status quo than it does to reinforce it” (page 415.)

The representatives of the temple ask John, “Who are you?… What do you say about yourself?” In essence they want to know who he thinks he is and just who gives him the authority to do what he’s doing. John’s indirect answer draws from the Old Testament. Just as his father Zechariah did in Luke 1:76-77, John connects to Isaiah’s words. He is the messenger sent by God to prepare people to receive the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

As we close on this third Sunday in Advent, let us personally reflect on these questions. To begin, I ask, do people even ponder these questions about you and me? Are we living in such a way that we stand out, in a way that Jesus shines through in ways people actually notice? We too must live out our faith in ways that are radical and counter-cultural. We must love and tend to the least of these with such depth of generosity and compassion that we are asked, “Who are you?” This starter question will lead us to answer in a way that covers the second question too: I am a follower of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. May it be so!

Prayer: Lord God, help me to be disruptive as Jesus was. Use me to counter the ways of society and the church that tells others they are “less than,” that build walls instead of bridges. Lead me to bring your love and grace to bear in ways that tell others that they too are a child of God. Amen.


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Witness to the Light

Reading: John 1:6-8

Verse 7: “He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.”

The first half of this week’s gospel lesson focuses on John the Baptist’s ministry. We’ve been walking with John the Baptist these past two weeks. These readings have been primarily about the bigger picture and implications of his ministry. Today’s passage feels more personal and more relatable to our lives and ministry. Proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins out in the Judean wilderness feels like a lot for me and my life. Maybe the same is true for you.

We first read today that John was sent by God. This average person was called to fill a role, to play a part in God’s plan. While from the big picture perspective John’s ministry was amazing and powerful, in verse 7 we read, “He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.” To witness to the light so that others can come to know Jesus, to believe in him – this sounds and feels like a role that we could all live out.

John the Baptist was not the light. That is Jesus. John wasn’t pointing to himself. He was pointing to Jesus. John always kept the focus on Jesus and on helping others to be ready to receive Jesus. This feels like something that we can do day in and day out. Also being sent by God may you and I witness to the light of the world through the words we speak and through the actions of our hands and feet.

Prayer: Lord God, in this version and in this way, it feels possible to live out our faith in ways that point others to Jesus. Empower us to be witnesses to the light of Christ so that those living outside of a relationship with Jesus may be drawn towards him. Amen.


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Present

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 5:16-24

Verses 16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.”

Light and dark

The nine verses that come to us today at the end of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians are jam-packed. Originally, of course, there were not verses in the letter. They were simply sentences that followed one after another. And these eight sentences have a lot in them! It was as if Paul had lots left to say but only had a little room left on the back side of his last piece of parchment.

In the first sentence, or in verses 16-18, Paul offers these words: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.” Yes, this is God’s will for our lives. Each phrase could easily be a couple of paragraphs. And Paul, above all people, should know that life can be really hard. There are many times when joy is hard to find, when prayer feels like a non-option, when gratitude is just not happening. But Paul is not asking us to be joyful or whatever for the hardship… He is reminding us that we can be joyful, prayerful, and even grateful in the hardship… because God is with us in the hardship… We do not go through life on our own. God is always present.

Being present is the thought that carries on through the letter’s closing. To keep the Spirit’s fire, to hold to the scriptures, to hold everything up to God’s light, to do good and not evil – these are the ways that we remain present to and with the God who is ever present to us. Paul closes with the outcomes of a deeply personal and intimate relationship with God: we will be sanctified (made holy) and we will live righteous lives. Yes, God is faithful. May we be too!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminder today that you are always with us. In the good, in the bad – in all of it – you are with us. Immanuel, help us to stay connected, dependent, and committed to our relationship with you. There is no other way. Amen.


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Restore Us, O God

Reading: Psalm 126:4-6

Verse 6: “He [or she] who goes out weeping… shall come home with shouts of joy.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Turning to the second half of Psalm 126 today we bump up against reality. Life happened to Israel and it happens to us. At times our humanity and our tendency towards selfishness and sin gets us to a place of exile, either from God or from one another or from both. And sometimes the actions or decisions of others negatively affect us. And… at times we get sick or a natural disaster impacts us or… In all of these circumstances and situations we too can cry out to God, “Restore our fortunes, O Lord!”

In verses 5-6 comes the promise and the hope. The reality of our times of sorrow or grief or sadness is that life goes on. As the Israelites continued to sow, even with tears in their eyes, we too must continue to keep moving. As we become able to, we need to resume living. The promise is that eventually we will “reap with songs of joy.” God will be at work, will walk with us through our sorrow…, and will bring joy back into our lives. It is this hope that enables us to work through our sorrow, grief, sadness…

Through tear-filled eyes and with heavy hearts the Israelites trusted in God to restore them. They knew that God was and is loving, faithful, and steadfast. Their trust rested upon these things. May we too recall the “great things” that God has done in our lives, trusting that “He [or she] who goes out weeping… shall come home with shouts of joy.” May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, in those moments of doubt and fear, when sadness and grief are about to win the battle, whisper your hope into our hearts. When it is difficult to take that next step, grant us courage and bring us the strength to step forward. When our hearts fill with sadness, wrap us in your love. And when loneliness sets in, send a brother or sister in Christ our way. Walk with us always, O God. Amen.