pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Category Archives: Uncategorized


by Leave a comment

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


by Leave a comment

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


by Leave a comment

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


by Leave a comment

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


by Leave a comment

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


by Leave a comment

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


by Leave a comment

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


by Leave a comment

God > world

Sometimes God picks people we least expect.  God sees in a way that we usually do not.  His vision for all that could be far exceeds our limited vision for the future and for the possibilities that could be.  His practice is also to develop those He selects.  He did not choose David and make him king immediately.  Over time God slowly developed this young shepherd.

Although God does not call you or me to be a great king, He calls us as surely as He called David, Moses, Abraham, Noah, Saul, Peter…  And He will continue to call us.  He will call as many times as it takes.  God has a purpose for our lives.  It may just to affect and witness to one person or it my be to many.  Maybe it is just to our family and a few friends.  We will never know until we faithfully respond to the call and step out in a faith that shows we know God is in control.  In a willing servant, the Holy Spirit can and will do a mighty work.

God also calls groups of people.  This could be a family, a small group, or a church.  The promise is that where two or more are gathered in His name, He will be present.  God has visions and plans for each of the groups we are in and especially for our churches.  While God desires our praise and worship, that is certainly not all that He calls the church to.  If it ends there our churches are just a shell of what they could be.  A faithful response is all the God seeks.  It is all He needs.  Like with David and many others, God will lay the groundwork, raise up and develop the right leaders, and will take us to great new ministries.  Holy Spirit come.  Lead us and our churches.  Come!

Scripture reference: 1 Samuel 16: 8-13


by Leave a comment

See Like God

Have you ever stopped short of giving someone a chance because you could not get past their appearance?  Have you ever made a decision about someone before you exchanged conversation?  Have you ever…

The sad answer to these types of questions is all too often ‘yes’.  We tend to be quick to judge and slow to give those who we see as different from us much of a chance.  Part of this is because we are more comfortable around what we know.  Part of it is also fear of the unknown.

The sad reality though is that once we move past ou comfort and extend God’s love, we usually find that we are more alike than different.  God created each person to be in relationship with others and with God.  For those we do not have these relationships in their lives, it is ou call to share the good news of Jesus Christ and to extend a hand in love.

All of Jesse’s handsome, strong sons passed before Samuel except one.  With each Samuel thought ‘this is the Lord’s choice’ but he wasn’t.  Finally they waited while David was fetched from the fields and he too passed by Samuel.  God declared that David was the chosen one and instructed Samuel to anoint him with oil.  Samuel was reminded that God does not look at the things that man sees, but He looks at the heart.  This is how we are to see as well.

Answer the call to look past the surface.  Find that child of God in each you meet today.  Extend that hand.

Scripture reference: 1 Samuel 15:34 to 16:13


by Leave a comment

Yes, No, Maybe

Yes, no, and maybe.  Like all those questions we asked our parents, these too are the answers to the prayers we lift up to God.  The ‘yes’ answers tend to make us happy and draw us closer to God.  Often God is referred to as a loving father.  Jesus speaks often of how God the Father loves to give his children good things.

The ‘no’ answers have a finality much in the same way a solid no from our parents was usually the end of the discussion.  Sometimes we do not like to hear or be told ‘no’.  It can feel like we are not being loved or are being held back in some way.  Yet loving parents weigh the situation and the possible consequences and often choose to say no out of genuine love and care for us.  God operates much the same way.  He has a bigger picture in mind than our limited understanding can sometimes grapple with.

And then there are the ‘maybe’ answers.  Receiving no answer can be the hardest answer of them all.  To be left in limbo is hard.  Often we would rather have a ‘no’ than to be left hanging.  When we receive a maybe from our earthly parents, we ramp up the pleading of our case.  With our heavenly Father we do the same with our prayers.  We do not sit and wait well.

No matter what the answer, we must remember a few things.  First, God loves each of us deeply and unconditionally.  Second, God has a plan for our life and that plan is for our good, for us to prosper.  Third, God can be a mystery at times.  When we believe and live into the first two, we can more easily live with the third.  Through faith we come to trust our Father.

Scripture reference: Psalm 20