pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Category Archives: Uncategorized


by Leave a comment

Faithful Pursuit

What is God’s call upon your life?  God has a plan for all of us.  The plan He has for each of us is a part of His overall plan to redeem mankind and the earth.

Each of us are gifted with skills and abilities to accomplish what God has called us to (or will call us to).  Some people know their gifts, know God’s intent for their lives, and are working the plan.  Others wonder what their gifts are and haven’t heard God’s call yet.  Others remain in between – some questioning the gifts and/or the call and others knowing gifts and call, yet hesitant to begin the work for a variety of reasons.

In His pursuit of us, God asks that we remain open to His guidance and direction.  If we are faithful, He will reveal the plan.  If you are getting along in years and wonder when the plan will finally be revealed – remember, God used some people that were ‘advanced in years’ to do His work.  (See childbirth at almost 100?!)  Keep faithful.  And if you are young and wondering ‘now?” remember, He used some teens in the Bible to accomplish His work too!  (David anyone?)  Be faithful!

If we look for opportunities to share our faith story, to serve others, to offer love where needed, then we will come to know both our gifts and God’s call upon our lives.  Faithfully pursue God and He will use you just as He has always intended to use you!

 

Scripture reference: Genesis 25: 19-34


by Leave a comment

A Prayer-Full Life

During our faith journey, we have many opportunities to pray for others.  Hopefully this is at least a daily occurence for each of us, as we lift up family and friends in prayer.  At other times we are a part of a larger group prayer for a specific person or a specific concern.  There is a sense of a burden being lifted when it is lifted to God in prayer.  These times in prayer also connect us to God.

Prayer matters.  I know I am more blessed because of the people praying for me.  You are too!  Prayer lifts us up to God and also makes us more aware of God.  Prayer makes a difference in our lives and in the lives of others.  We are told to pray without ceasing, to have a constant conversation with God.  God calls us to stay connected.

Prayer is also a gift we can offer.  It may be this morning at church to someone who seems to be hurting.  It may be to our frazzled waiter at the restaurant or to the overwhelmed clerk at the store.  It may be for the police officer who we drive by.  Prayer opportunities abound.

Today, yes today, may we seek out an opportunity to pray with someone unexpected.  May we be aware of the needs around us and may we have the courage to step in to lift another to God.  You will lift another up in many ways when you offer to pray with them.  Through this we will be both blessed and a blessing!

Scripture reference: Matthew 11: 25-30


by Leave a comment

Maintainer or Builder?

As a Christian, our ultimate call is to make disciples of all nations.  We are called to share God’s love and to teach His ways for the transformation of the world.  We believe there is only one way, truth, and life – and that is found in Jesus Christ!

In may of our churches, we need to first make disciples of those in the pews.  Many people in worship on Sunday morning are Jesus-sharing, God-loving people who serve others. Sadly though, some are one-hour-on-Sunday and serve-cookies-once-a-year Christians.  Our task to spread the Good News does indeed start within our own walls.  For each and every person sitting in the pew to see the whole world as their parish is where we need to begin.

Once we can shift our main focus from maintaining the institutional church to working together to build the kingdom of God on earth, then revival begins.  Today, may we all look within and honestly determine where we are along this continuum.  Are we more of a maintainer or more of a builder?  And then may we each seek ways to be better kingdom builders!

Scripture reference: Matthew 11: 16-19


by Leave a comment

In Our Struggle

Inside of us is an almost constant tug-of-war between God and Satan.  We face choices and decisions every day that either draw us closer to God or pull us away from Him.  All the while the Holy Spirit is trying to guide us to do what is right.  On our other ‘shoulder’ sits Satan, bringing in temptations.

Paul knew this battle well.  I thin in His time here on earth, Jesus caught a glimpse of it.  Although Jesus was without sin, I like to think that He felt the pull of our human condition enough that He fully intercedes for me (and you) before God.  Maybe this is wishful thinking!

Paul also tells us in Romans 8:26 that the Holy Spirit “intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”  It is amazing that we are being prayer for in ways that we cannot even understand!  But we can rest assured that we are being wrapped in prayer by the Spirit.

In our struggle we too have a role.  Through disciplines such as prayer, study, scripture reading, worship, meditation, and fasting we can build up our spiritual muscles t better fight off Satan’s attacks.  Bu it is still good to know that the HS has our back too.  Thank you God!!

Scripture reference: Romans 7: 15-25a


by Leave a comment

Thank you Jesus!

When you ask a friend or a child to do something, would you rather have them say ‘yes’ and then no do it or would you rather have them say ‘no’ and do it anyway?  Neither is the ideal situation, but which do you prefer?  Does intention or completion matter more?

When we first say ‘yes’ to a personal and intimate relationship with Christ, it does not include any ‘but’ or ‘if’ or ‘when I’ statements.  At first it is just a big ‘YES!’  Soon enough though sin, or at least temptation, rears its ugly head.  Sin is almost a constant presence in our life.  Paul writes beautifully about this struggle in Romans 7.  The sin can be as small as an unkind thought or word or it can range to jealously eyeing your neighbor’s possessions.  In spite of our inner desires to live a life wholly pleasing to God, sin is always nearby.

Bluntly put, we cannot do it on our own.  Thankfully, through His time on the earth, Jesus empathizes with our human condition.  Though Jesus was without sin, in the time on earth He came to see our struggle.  So now, in heaven, He intercedes for us before God.  Without Christ we would be lost.  But thanks be to God for the gift of His Son!!  As constant as the struggle with sin is in our lives, more steady is the presence and love of Christ.  Thank you Jesus!!

Scripture reference: Romans 7: 15-25a


by Leave a comment

The Low and Downtrodden

In our world there are many kinds of leaders – kings, presidents, premiers, dictators, and so on.  In most cases their primary focus is maintaining control or to stay in power.  They seek the favor of those who will re-elect them or who help the stay in power.  In these systems, there is no need to be concerned with the low and the downtrodden.

What a contrast to what God taught the Jews and to what Jesus taught the disciples and now teaches us.  The idea of ‘love your neighbor’ had no caveats or asterisks.  All people are to be loved and cared for – especially the low and downtrodden.  Yet these are the people who can only offer thanks in return for kindness and love.  Their vote is minimal at best.

Can we meld the two and have a viable leader?  Is it possible to govern well and to defend the oppressed, to stop injustice, and to care for the needy?  Is it possible to care for the low and downtrodden while being loving and fair to the high and mighty as well?  The key is the same: love your neighbor.

Scripture Reference: Psalm 72


by Leave a comment

Faith and Trust

The invitation to Rebekah to go and marry Isaac runs so counter to our culture today.  On a day like every other day, Rebekah goes to the well to draw water.  Only on this day she meets a stranger who asks her to move many miles away to marry a man she has never met.  And she says yes and is married by the end of the chapter.

How clearly Rebekah must have sensed the hand of God at work in the scene playing out.  How in tune with God she must have been!   Her submission to God shows great inner strength.  Her faith in God is of the mountain-moving variety.

On the one hand she is an awesome and inspiring example.  On the other hand, she humbles me when I see how far I fall short of her faith and trust in God.  If someone were to come up to me today and ask me to move away to ‘x’ to help plant a church or to start a mission, I’d falter.  I’d hesitate.  What would you do?

In Psalm 100, we hear what our answer should be: “Know that the Lord, He is God!  It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”  We are His.  All we have belongs to Him.  We are in the care of God as we roam His pasture.  May I learn to trust and obey my one and only savior, Jesus Christ!

Scripture reference: Genesis 24: 34-38, 42-49, 58-67


by Leave a comment

Coincidence?

Just got back from our mission trip to Seattle yesterday.  It was an adventure!!  Bus 1’s radiator started going out on the second day of the trip and they needed to get it replaced.  The bus company lined up a replacement bus to help drive us to our work sites in Seattle.  On Monday morning we walked onto the ferry to Seattle as two of our buses lined up to load onto the ferry.  Due to low tide they would not allow the buses onto the ferry.  So we set off to serve in Seattle with our lunches and water on the buses.  Yet the replacement bus was already at the ferry depot, waiting to provide rides.  Coincidence?

Abraham sent his servant to a far away land to find a bride for his son Isaac.  He sought a woman from God’s people living in a distant land.  There was no previous arrangement of connections – just go and find a willing bride.  A woman willing to leave her family and homeland, to go to a far land and marry a man she has never met.  Sounds easy, huh?  No wonder the servant doubted.  Bot, lo and behold, the first woman he meets at the well in Rebekah and she is willing to go and marry Isaac.  And her family is willing too so they bless her and the rest is history.  Coincidence?  I think not.

There were many other instances on our mission trip where we were able to look back and see God’s hand at work.  I’m sure there are many instances in your life where you can see the hand of God at work also.  If you think not – look harder – they are there.  God is a part of our lives.  The more open and inviting we are to His presence, the more we come to know that presence.  Hear His promise: “I will not forg et you!  See, I have engraved you on the palm of My hands.” (Isaiah 49: 15-16)

Scripture reference: Genesis 24: 34-38, 42-49, and 58-67


by Leave a comment

Receive the Blessing

When the 72 are sent out by Jesus, they take next to nothing with them.  They head out to share Jesus with others and are trusting that those they encounter will care for them.  If not, they will simply move on.

I wondered if I could d this – just head off and trust God to provide.  Could you?  To me it would be hard to rely on the welcome and care of total strangers for my basic needs.

And for some of us, it is hard to be the receivers.  We can give and provide for others and even for those in need.  But t be the one in need is doubly difficult in our independent, self-reliant society.  For some it is even hard to take in a compliment!

Yet our willingness to accept the gift or the hospitality allows someone else to offer the presence of Christ to us.  At times, we just need to receive it and spend a little time in the blessing.

Scripture reference: Matthew 10: 40-42


by Leave a comment

Practicing Presence

At the Passover meal, Jews today still set an empty (or extra) place at the table in hopes that Elijah will come.  In some Christian homes and communities we set a ‘Christ plate’ with the same basic idea.  Both long for the presence of the King.

During his ministry, Jesus often chose to engage and spend time with the least.  He was all about providing that space at the ‘table’ for them.  He welcomed all shapes of life into His world and continues to do so.  Jesus knew that God loves all equally and fully, so He treated all that way.

As we return from a week of mission work in Seattle, I am full of memories of Youth and adults alike who chose to engage people in need.  It is easier to do so on a mission trip because it is ‘expected’ but by practicing hospitality, generosity, and love each of us are now better prepared to extend these things in our normal, everyday lives.

In our encounters this week and in the weeks ahead, we will encounter Jesus in some we meet.  In other encounters people will experience Jesus through us.  What a blessing it is to be in and to share the presence of our living savior, Jesus Christ.

Scripture reference: Matthew 10: 40-42