pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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One Small Step

At the very beginning of the story in Mark, Jesus was just a rabbi.  The news of who he really was wasn’t out yet.  In Mark, he began his formal ministry teaching in the synagogue, where he also cast an evil spirit out of a man.  What stood out to the people was the authority by which Jesus taught.

That day Jesus also went to Simon’s house, one of the first disciples.  There he healed Simon’s mother-in-law.  News of the man Jesus began to spread because by night many people from the town were brought to Jesus for healing and others were brought so that he could cast out their demons.  Someone more than a good teacher was present.  But Jesus would not let the demons speak – they knew who He really was.  As the day wore on, people must have been wondering just who or what this Jesus was.

For some today this is still Jesus – a nice person who had good teachings and maybe healed and did a few other amazing things.  Some call them ‘miracles’ but…  They like and respect him but do not commit to Him.  They may even follow some of his teachings but are not all-in for Him.  They are not quite willing to surrender their lives to this man Jesus.

Yet this step of knowing about Jesus is a first step.  It is a beginning.  It is the start of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives.  It is the first evidence of seeds planted and starting to take root.  As believers we must be sensitive to the curious and the seekers among us.  We must share our stories and experiences, to help faith become more ‘real’ for them.  We are just one small step along their journeys of faith.  May we be a good step for all.

Scripture reference: Mark 1: 29-34


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Be Like Paul

Paul went to Corinth to share the gospel with any who would hear it.  He adapted his approach to the audience he was working with at that time.  The message or central truths did not change, but his techniques, styles, and approaches did.  He became like his audience each time to best reach them.

Paul also chose to not receive a salary for his apostolic efforts, instead laboring as a ten maker to pay his way.  By choosing to do this he was free to preach how he wanted and to whom he wanted.  This approach allowed him to be all things to all people so all could best hear the gospel. Paul only answered to God.

One of the old pastors at church liked to go to bars to shoot pool with the regulars.  As they shot pool he’d drink a Coke and they would talk about God and faith.  He did this on his “day off.”  Even then some in the congregation questioned it. I think that is sad.  Maybe you do too.

But… how often do you choose not to engage someone in a faith conversation or choose not to go ‘there’ because of what others might think or say?  We too mush be like Paul – totally unashamed of the gospel and willing to share it on their level and in their place with whomever we meet.  May we too be so bold for the gospel!!

Scripture reference: 1 Corinthians 9: 16-23


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A Good Love

Love is not something that we instinctively know and understand.  Love and the ability to love others is something developed, nurtured, taught.  We all learn to love because others first loved us.

When a baby is born it first stays close to his or her mother, soaking up both her physical presence and her emotional presence.  As a baby grows it is showered in love.  Almost all children’s first word is ‘momma’ or ‘poppa’ or some version of one of these.  As the young child grows they learn what love is and how to express love.  But alas, not all homes are the same, so for some ‘love’ is distorted or hard to understand or difficult to express.

At some point in life, most often in early childhood but not always, one begins to learn what God’s love looks and feels like.  Through the stories we read in the Bible, through the messages we hear in church, and through how we see Christian love lived out we begin to see what pure and perfect love looks like.

This evolving relationship with God becomes personal at some point.  We realize how much Jesus loved us to die on a cross for our sins and we offer our lives to Him in response.  We begin to know pure and perfect love not because of anything we did or do, but because He first loved us.  This love continues to grow ad develop as we deepen our understanding of and commitment to Christ.  As this love consumes us it begins to spill out into our other relationships – both to those we love and to the stranger on the street.  It is a good love.  It is a love that must be shared.  It is a love that grows as we offer it to others.  It is a good love.  Thanks be to God!

Scripture reference: Psalm 147: 7-11 and 20c


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Walking in Love

God loves all people.  He especially loves those who love Him.  God loves all that He created.  He calls the stars by name and counts the hairs on our head.  His love is do vast that it is hard to comprehend.

God calls the broken to himself.  He calls those suffering physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially to find healing and rest.  Sometimes the healing and rest come directly from God, sometimes He uses one of us.  God’s love is vast.

As we grow in faith and in relationship with God, we come to love and know Him more and more.  As our connection to God deepens, we come to trust Him more and more as well.  As our trust in Him grows, we become increasingly used as a vessel to bring God’s love, mercy, and healing to those in need.

In Jesus we see God’s deep, deep love for the poor, the sick, the downtrodden, the outcast.  In Christ we see how we are to love those in need.  As our trust in God grows, our love for Him begins to extend to all of our brothers and sisters.  May we walk in His love each day, seeking opportunities to be His hands and feet, bringing light and love to a world in need.

Scripture reference: Psalm 147: 1-6 & 20c


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One Day We Will Know

In my daily walk with Christ there are two things I wrestle with: how to explain why God allows tragedy to occur and why we continue to be tempted.  I wrestle with these two especially because they are things that cause one to question or doubt God.

God loves us as His children.  He provides for our needs as our Father.  God even offered His only Son on a cross for our salvation.  There is no question that He loves us and wants the very best for us.

Maybe part of the necessity for these things that we wrestle with is to remind us that daily we must make the choice to live that day for Christ.  Once we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, there is an overarching peace and presence that permeates our lives, a sense of knowing that where our eternity rests is secure.

Another part of the wrestling comes from our inability to fully comprehend God.  We know He loves us, just not how much.  We do not know why tragedy occurs or why we are tempted often, but by faith we trust that God knows.  Sometimes, after a time has passed, we are blessed with some understanding or insight into ‘why’ but not always.  Sometimes we must simply trust into Him who loves us more than we can understand.  In faith we live into this, fully confident that one day we will know the fullness of His love.

Scripture reference: Isaiah 40: 21-31


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Hard to Wait

Our God is an everlasting God.  All that was and is and ever will be is in His hands.  God is the sole creator of all that has life.  He loves all of His creation with a love so big it is unfathomable.

At times we can feel lost and insignificant.  At times we can feel like God is distant.  At times life can be hard and we can question why something is happening or wonder where God is in the midst of a struggle we are having.

When we find ourself here, it is hard to wait for God.  In the tension and uneasiness we want God to fly in and fix it all instantly.  But sometimes we do have to wait.  Waiting for God to act is hard.

Back in Isaiah 40 we hear these words: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak…. those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”  In the midst of it, hold onto this hope.  In the midst, be faithful.  Read His word, meditate upon it, go to Him in prayer, seek His presence.  Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.

It is hard to wait.  It is hard.  But we must trust in God and in His plan.  He is faithful and He loves all of His creation.  All of us.  Wait in the Lord, rest upon this hope, soak Him up, and He will strengthen you.

Scripture reference: Isaiah 40: 21-31


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Able and Strong

Evil exists in our world in many forms.  It can be in the actions of people who have come to believe all of Satan’s lies.  It can be in the emotions that rise up in us: greed, envy, lust…  It can be in the unkind thoughts we have and in the cutting words we spew.  In many ways Satan is trying to turn us away from God, to divert our attention.

What can we do?  To whom can we turn?

As Jesus taught in the synagogue the people sensed His authority.  The demon in the man called out and acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God.  In our own battles with the forces of evil, do we turn first to Jesus Christ and make the same acknowledgement?  We must, for only He can save.  Our only chance in this battle is to call upon His name and to claim the power and protection that He brings.

Whatever our hurt, whatever battle we are fighting, whatever temptation is pulling at us – it matters not.  Jesus is able.  Jesus is strong.  Jesus is waiting for us to turn to Him and to admit our need because we cannot do it alone.  Then we too can call on the powerful name of Jesus and find healing, comfort, relief.  Step into His presence today and find rest.

Scripture reference: Mark 1: 21-28


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All Who Come

Jesus taught with authority. People could recognize there was something special about Him. The disciples dropped all the were doing at a simple call to come and follow. People brought the sick and afflicted to Jesus – simply for a touch of His hand.

This phenomena was occurring at the beginning of the Gospel of Mark. Jesus was teaching in the temple and all who heard were amazed. Even a man with an evil spirit in him recognized Jesus and his authority. After Jesus cast out the demon people were even more amazed at His authority.

He was one with authority. Jesus often used this authority to question the religious establishment. He questioned their treatment of those on the edges of society. Or maybe it was their lack of treatment. Either way, if Jesus were to look around our sanctuaries tomorrow, would he see a very homogenous crowd? A lack of a segment of our community or neighborhood would indicate what Jesus often critiqued about the establish religion.

In the example Jesus set for us, He loved all who came to Him. How open are we to sitting next to the lost and marginalized in worship or by us at the potluck? Jesus took all who came. This is or call too – to love neighbor as self, to reach out to those who are alone, to share His light for all to see.

Scripture reference: Mark 1: 21-28


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Jesus as Center

Idols are all of those things that we invest our time in, that we put our trust in, and that, in the end, draw us away from God.  Our idols can include our possessions or money, our job or position, our looks or our body.  It is all that we place ahead of or before God.  Idols are stumbling blocs in our relationship with God.

In times of need, when we are struggling or suffering and need strength or comfort, our idols can do very little for us.  For a time we can think our chosen idol is helping as it masks the pain or hardship for a time, but it cannot take is away.  Only God can do that.  Only through a relationship with Jesus Christ do we find true peace, comfort, rest, and contentment.

Our idols can also harm others, drawing their attention away from God.  One new to the faith may see you as an example to follow.  If we choose an idol over God, they too may make a similar choice for themselves.  The same is even more true for our children.  Their little eyes are watchful and their small ears are attentive.  What they observe in our lives, they mimic in theirs.

As our lives silently speak out about what we value and where we put our trust, does your life reveal Jesus as your center?  All in our life must fall under His authority.  It is a daily struggle to put God first in all we do, but we can have Jesus as our rock if we make a conscious choice to take our stand upon Him each day.  He is our firm foundation.  Thanks be to God!

Scripture reference: 1 Corinthians 8: 1-13


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Fact or Opinion?

In today’s reading Paul is writing to a church that is in conflict.  The issue is to eat or not eat food sacrificed to idols.  Today we do not have this particular issue in our churches, but we have others.  Paul’s advice to the Corinthians still applies to our churches today, many years later.

In our churches we all have facts and opinions.  Facts are the basic tenets of our faith – one God, Jesus resurrected, forgiveness of sins, love one another – and rules or laws that govern our church or denomination.  The tenets of our faith are unchangeable, universally true throughout time.  The second set can be changed through whatever process the church has in place.  Some of the laws and rules of a church tend to change over time, to better reflect the society and times in which the church exists.

And there are opinions – those things not explicitly explained in the Bible (like how to perform baptism) or are not in the Bible at all (like when to hold worship).  In these things we find all sorts of ways to find differences.  But arguing amongst ourselves or causing another to sin because of our actions is not living as a Christian.

Paul reminds us to let love be our guide and to be open to others.  He reminds us to always be building relationships.  He reminds us to find unity in our common ground.  Paul also reminds us to be aware of how our behavior influences others so that we are not a stumbling block.  Paul was wise.

Scripture reference: 1 Corinthians 8: 1-13