pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: accept


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Worthy of the Call

Reading: Ephesians 4:1-7

Ephesians 4:2 – “Conduct yourselves with all humility, gentleness, and patience. Accept each other in love.”

Chapter 4 of Ephesians begins with Paul’s call to “live as people worthy of the call” of God. We can see this as the summary statement for what follows in the next few verses. Paul’s focus overall is the unity of the body of believers. The “church” should reflect to the world the love, grace, mercy… of God. To fail to do so greatly damages the church’s ability to witness to the world. If the world cannot see God and Christ in the church and in her actions, then the world will never listen to her words.

With these thoughts in mind, Paul gets down to specifics: “Conduct yourselves with all humility, gentleness, and patience. Accept each other in love.” Practicing these four virtues or behaviors on a regular basis will work to bring unity to the body of believers. Humility works against pride and judging – two primary dividers of any group of people. Gentleness guides our words, our thoughts, our actions, steering them away from gossip, critiquing, and harsh words and actions. Patience raises our levels of understanding concerning our differences in thought, belief, and practice, and it makes us take pause before speaking words that might cause harm or hurt. These first three virtues guide us to accept one another in genuine love, bringing peace and unity to the body of Christ.

When we as individuals and we as the church live out these Christ-following virtues, the oneness that Paul speaks of becomes evident in our lives and in our churches. This draws others towards Christ. Living a life and a faith worthy of our calling matters for us personally and it matters for the watching world. Therefore, in all things may we lift high the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, living out these virtues – humility, gentleness, patience, acceptance – can be challenging. So, Lord, when we’re tempted to be less than you call us to be, whisper your words of love and grace, peace and unity into our ears. Bring before our hearts and hands the example of Christ. Empowered by these reminders, use us to build your kingdom in our hearts and here on earth. Amen.


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Afflictions

Reading: Psalm 6:3-9

Psalm 6:3 – “How long will this last? Come back to me, Lord! Deliver me!”

Photo credit: Falaq Lazuardi

David cries out to God in Psalm 6 much as we cry out to God over the courses of our lives. In this Psalm, David is “completely terrified.” Perhaps you have felt this way. Or maybe you have felt utterly hopeless or totally defeated or absolutely alone or beyond grief. Maybe it is a chronic illness that has settled in, disrupting your life. In each case and many more we’ve all uttered words similar to David’s: “How long will this last? Come back to me, Lord! Deliver me!”

David must feel close to death. He lifts the idea that no one praises God from Sheol, a place between death and eternity. As the Psalm continues, David expresses his sorrow and pain. He feels worn out. Each night his bed is soaked with tears. His vision has become unclear – perhaps physically but more likely emotionally. The feeling of not being able to see or think straight has effected all of us during difficult times in life.

The affliction of David appears to be caused by others. David tells the “evil doers” to get away. There is a reason besides simply wanting relief or healing. David declares that God has heard his cries, that God has listened, that God accepts his prayer. The light and love of God has permeated David’s darkness. Of this, David is sure. He feels it in his heart. In our times of suffering and trial, may it be so for us as well.

Prayer: Lord God, sorrow, pain, suffering, grief – they are all part of this life. All will come upon us at times. Lead us to you in these moments and seasons – you are our rock and our hope. Guide us to trust in you alone – you are our strength and our redeemer. Amen.


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Stay Strong, Trust God

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 2:9-13

1st Thessalonians 2:13 – “When you accepted God’s word that you heard from us, you welcomed it for what it truly is.”

Paul rejoices in the work that God allowed him and his companions to do in Thessalonica. With great courage and deep love they shared the good news of Jesus Christ. Not only that, but they also shared life together. They lived in and amongst the people. As we turn to verse 9 Paul reminds them of how they worked, supporting themselves, so as not to be a burden to those that they shared Christ with.

Not only did Paul and companions share the words of Jesus with the people of Thessalonica but they also lived out the example set by Jesus. These missionaries were “holy, just, and blameless.” They treated the people as a father treats his very own children. Setting the example, Paul reminds them of how he and his fellow servants of Jesus Christ “appealed to… encouraged… pleaded” with the Thessalonians to “live lives worthy of the God who is calling you.”

Paul then reminds them of their initial response: “When you accepted God’s word that you heard from us, you welcomed it for what it truly is.” Paul is thankful for this acceptance and for how the life of faith then worked itself out in the lives of these new believers. These reminders, these words of encouragement, they are meant to help the Thessalonicans to stay strong in the faith and to continue to trust God. May these words of Paul remind and encourage us to as we reflect on our profession of faith and on our journey with Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, we too once received the word and made the decision to follow Jesus. We too can think of those who were part of this decision and can think of others who have walked with us on our ongoing journey. This day, Lord, we ask you to keep the fire burning, to strengthen and encourage us to live lives that are holy, just, and blameless. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.


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Hear the Invitation

Reading: Ezekiel 34:20-24

Verse 22: “I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another.”

Continuing with the prophet Ezekiel today he first addresses those who are harming the flock. In verse 20 God declares that there will be judgment of “the fat sheep and the lean sheep.” The fat sheep are bullying the lean sheep. They shove and goad those with less power, less voice, less everything. In New Testament terms, the fat sheep are not loving their neighbors. They are, in fact, doing just the opposite. The rich and powerful are plundering the weak. God promises, though, to save the whole flock – the fat and lean alike.

Yes, God’s promise is to all the sheep. God promises both salvation and rescue. God foretells a time of judgment to come. These gifts from God are for all people. Some have accepted God’s grace and have entered into a personal, saving relationship with the Lord. Others sense God’s presence and can feel God reaching out to them but haven’t yet accepted the invitation. The open invitation remains there today. Our question is this: Who do we know that needs to once again hear the Invitation that Christ offers to all people?

Our Old Testament passage closes with the promise of a new king, of one from the line of David. Ezekiel isn’t speaking of the actual King David – he lived about 400 years before Ezekiel. He is speaking of one who will come from David’s line, from the root of Jesse. Ezekiel is speaking of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is speaking of the hope of all the world, the Messiah.

Prayer: Lord God, you are ever reaching out, ever seeking to walk in relationship with your creation. Thank you for the connection we have, for the relationship that daily guides our living. Use us to help others to know you as Lord and Savior, coming to know the power of salvation and the gift of grace. Amen.


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Wedding Clothes

Reading: Matthew 22:11-14

Verse 12: “How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?”

Jametlene Respk

The wedding hall has been filled with guests – “both good and bad.” All we’re invited to come. As we continue in Matthew 22, the king comes and begins to mingle with the guests. Soon he noticed a man who was not dressed properly. The king says to the man, “How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?” While we might be puzzled by this question, Jesus’ audience would’ve known good and well that you dress (and act) for the occasion, especially if you’re invited by the king!

The man in question is bound and tossed into the darkness, where he will weep and gnash his teeth. This harsh metaphor is the reality that some people will face when they meet the King of kings. Then comes the point of the parable: “Many are invited but few are chosen.”

It can be tempting to respond to God’s invitation as this man did. He thought that he could just show up and be acceptable. Here is where some context is really important. Jesus is saying that there is a big difference between being called and being chosen. We are all called into a relationship with Jesus. Matthew’s audience would also understand that the wedding clothes were a metaphor for clothing oneself in Christ. To accept and live out Christ’s invitation into relationship was to put on Christ’s love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, compassion, hospitality… Understanding this, we can turn to our important question for today: Are you dressed in the proper attire for the great banquet of Christ?

Prayer: Lord God, day by day, as you call me into humble service, may I make the very intentional choice to clothe myself in Christ. Help me to soak in your word, to open my eyes and ears and heart to your Holy Spirit, and to find the strength and courage to live faithfully and righteously each day. Amen.


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Revival

Reading: Romans 9:1-5

Verses 4b and 5a: “Theirs is the adoption… Theirs are the patriarchs…”

Paul himself had a very radical and powerful conversion experience. He encountered the living Christ and was struck blind. Three days later he experienced a miraculous restoration of his sight. His life changed forever as he now saw with fresh eyes. Most of us do not have a “lightning” type conversion experience. For most of us, faith comes slowly, over time, with many small steps leading to our intentional choice to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.

In the last two verses of our Epistle reading Paul speaks of his people, of “the people of Israel.” He lists the many things that they have that could lead them to also accept Jesus as Messiah: adopted as God’s chosen people, receivers of the Law and covenants and promises, worshippers in the temple. He adds that they also have the patriarchs. These are the greats of the faith – Abraham, Moses, Elijah… From Paul’s perspective and new understanding all of this points to Jesus as the Messiah. It all adds up for Paul. But for most of the Jews, it does not. They do not have an encounter or experience that has moved them across the line of belief.

Today there are many people who were raised in the church as children and youth but are not part of a church anymore. This is not to say that they don’t believe in Jesus Christ. Many do. Yet active participation in a church community does not add up for a lot of people. They have the Bible, they know Jesus’ teachings and promises… Just as it did for Paul, my heart and soul aches for these folks. We long for a revival in our communities and in our nation. May it begin with you and me as we seek to minister to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Prayer: Lord, use my hunger and hurt for the disconnected, for the hurt, for the disenfranchised to rebuild connections, to rekindle fires for you. In love use me to help folks re-cross the line of active belief. Show me the way to rebuild this part of your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Anyone? Someone?

Reading: Romans 9:1-5

Verse 2: “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.”

Photo credit: Nathan Dumlao

This week’s Epistle reading comes on the heels of one of the greatest passages about the power we find when we choose to live our life in Jesus Christ. Paul has passionately built the case for faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Romans 8 is one of the most convincing and moving arguments for choosing Jesus as Lord that can be found in the New Testament.

After completing this passage, I bet Paul felt drained. He poured his heart and soul into those words. Concluding that section, I can picture him letting out a big sigh, accompanied with a “Phew!” It was truly a monumental effort. And then his heart and mind turned to the great number of Jews who refused to see Jesus Christ as the Messiah, who refused to believe anything about having a saving faith in Christ.

In verse 2 he writes, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” Paul is heartbroken over the peoples’ refusal to even consider Jesus Christ as the Messiah. His compassion for his own people is so great that Paul would gladly be “cursed and cut off from Christ” if the people of Israel would just come to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, as the Son of God. That is a deep compassion.

Is there anyone in your life that you long to see come to Christ? Is the someone for whom your soul aches and your heart longs for because of their refusal to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? For most of us, the answer to both questions is “yes!” Through our prayers and through our witness may we bring these before Christ.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be more intentional about how I am Christ to those who don’t quite know you as Lord and Savior. Use me in whatever ways necessary to draw these to you. Amen.


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The Foundation: Love

Reading: John 14:18-21

Verse 20: “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”

Jesus continues to offer words of reassurance and promise as we press on into the second half of this week’s gospel lesson. Reassuring the disciples that their connection to him, that their relationship with him, will not end in his death. He states, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” While this will not be in the earthly physical sense it will be in a tangible, real, spiritual sense. The presence of the Holy Spirit is something that we can feel, sense, and connect to.

Jesus then says, “You will see me.” As the Spirit works in the hearts and minds of the disciples it will remind them of Jesus. It will bring back memories of his actions and words, bringing guidance, direction, encouragement, strength… In this way, they will see Jesus. Along these lines, because Jesus lives in them, they will in turn live as his hands, feet, words, and actions in the world. No, they will never be orphans. They will forever be connected to Jesus Christ and to the kingdom of God. We too experience this living presence when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

In verse 20 we read, “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” Indeed so! On the day that the Holy Spirit becomes a part of our lives we realize this indwelling of Christ in us and of us in Christ. In the Biblical story, the disciples will soon experience this as the risen Christ breathes the Holy Spirit upon them. In the last verse, Jesus speaks again and again of love. This is the foundation of our relationship with the Lord and with one another. Each day may we live into this love and may we pour it out into the world.

Prayer: Lord God, your Spirit is a wonderful gift. It connects us 24/7 to you. It is a constant guide and companion. Through the power and presence of your Spirit lead me in love – for you, for others, for the world. Amen.


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A Heart Turned to God

Readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Matthew 5:23-24

Verse 19: “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death.”

In Deuteronomy 30 Moses presents a choice: God or not God? It is a choice all people must make. Most people in our modern world come across God. They hear of or know of God and faith. Some are drawn in and accept faith and others reject it. And then there are those who live and die without ever hearing about God or Jesus. Some of these folks sense good within and in the world and they live reflecting this spark of the divine within them. Others in this situation reject the good and choose to live for self. All people choose between life and death, between good and evil.

Moses is presenting this choice to the people of God. They clearly know and understand who and what God is. Moses makes it clear that it is a choice: “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death.” The choice that Moses lays out is more about the way we choose to live day in and out rather than checking off more of the boxes that represent us keeping each and every law. Faith is not a giant balance scale. It is not a grand race to become “perfect.” Faith is about a heart turned to God. In verses 20 Moses describes the outcome of such a heart: “that you may love the Lord your God, listen to God’s voice, and hold fast to God.” These words ooze covenant love and presence and relationship.

Turning to the Matthew text for today, Jesus connects our relationships with one another into what it means to choose God. In verses 21-37 Jesus uses “But I say…” statements to guide us to look within, to look at what drives our choices, our actions, our inactions. In today’s 2 verses Jesus hones in on the importance of living in right relationship with each other. He places this as a prerequisite to coming before God. He tells us that we cannot be in a place of brokenness or sin with one another and think it okay to come before the Lord in that state. Jesus says, “First go and be reconciled… then come.” Made right with one another then we can come before God. This is a powerful statement. It reveals how much God values community and living in right relationship with one another. Both are revealed in a heart turned to God. May this be our heart.

Prayer: Lord God, where and when I struggle to offer reconciliation, help me. Lead me and guide me past self. Make my heart to better reflect yours, O God. Amen.


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Stretching, Widening

Reading: Romans 15:4-13

Verse 7: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”

Paul speaks to us today and tomorrow about living out our faith. He begins by pointing us towards scripture, saying, “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us.” God’s wisdom and guidance is found in the written word. Insights and lessons are given. Through these words, Paul says, we have hope.

Paul then prays that the endurance and encouragement that comes from God will “give you a spirit of unity” as they strive to follow Jesus Christ. The unity and the strength found therein were needed for Christians living in a largely hostile world. Speaking and praising God with “one heart and mouth” not only spoke to the world, it also spoke to their own hearts. “Together” is always better than “alone.”

To that point, Paul says, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Unity does not mean homogeny. Unity does not mean an exact same understanding of the scriptures or of the faith. With Christ at the center and as their example, acceptance of one another would build unity and strength as the body of faith.

Coming back around to where he began, Paul quotes from the same scriptures in verses 9-12. Here he is working to expand their understanding of the word “accept.” Paul is asking the church in Rome to open up to the Gentiles, all outside the Jewish faith. He is asking them to see unity in a new way. It is a stretching of the circle. The hope they find in Christ can be a hope for all people. The church in Rome will begin to grow as these seeds begin to bear fruit. May it be so for each of us as well.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your word today. It is a word with challenge – unity, acceptance, welcome. Sometimes these are hard to practice. So I turn to you and ask for a widening of my heart. May the spirit of Christ be in me. Amen.