pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: affection


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Christ with Us

Reading: Isaiah 63:7-9

Isaiah 63:7 and 8 – “God treated them compassionately and with deep affection… God became their savior.”

On this Christmas day we turn to Isaiah 63. On a day when we open gifts and enjoy time with family, the opening verses to this “prayer of yearning” draw us to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The prayer begins by recounting past gifts from God: “the Lord’s faithful acts… all the Lord did for us.” We too can remember God’s faithful acts in our lives. This remembering causes gratitude to well up in our hearts and souls. It deepens our connection to and faith in God.

In the middle of today’s passage we read, “God treated them compassionately and with deep affection… God became their savior.” When God has brought Israel home from exile in Babylon, this was a physical return to the Promised Land. The compassion and affection of God then worked for a spiritual return. In love, God became their savior. Today we celebrate the day that God became the whole world’s savior, our Savior. Again moved by love, God entered this broken world, taking on flesh. And after setting for us the example of love, our Emmanuel promised the gift of the Spirit, continuing to be God with us, dwelling in our hearts. This gift can be received by all who call on Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The presence of the Holy Spirit is a gift. Because of this gift of presence in our hearts, God saves us from the inside out. When we are drawn to the ways of the world, the Spirit draws us back to the way of Christ. When we doubt or fear or wander, the Spirit draws us back into relationship, reminding us that we are loved, are worthy, are forgiven. As we open gifts today and celebrate time with family, we pause now and thank God for the gift of the Spirit, Christ with us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for coming to us again and again. Thank you for the compassion and love that led you to set aside heaven to be with your creation. Thank you for teaching us what love lived out every day looked and felt like. Thank you for the sacrifice that allows us to return to your presence again and again. And thank you for the gift of your presence, our constant reminder of your great compassion and unconditional love for each of us. Amen.


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A Holy Kiss

Reading: Psalm 85:8-13

Verse 10: “Faithful love and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.”

Our second half of Psalm 85 with promises of peace, salvation, and the glory of the Lord. What wonderful words for the people to hear. God has felt absent for a while now. To beg for God’s presence and to hear these words in response – what hope! Embedded in these words are also things that the people must live out. They must return to being God’s people, fearing the Lord by living lives that honor and adhere to God’s will and ways. The relationship is not one-way.

The Psalm pivots in verse 10. Here we read, “Faithful love and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.” The coming together of these four qualities of God are sealed with a kiss. In our time, this is no longer a common practice or gesture. This kiss, one gentle expression of friendship, love, and peace, was a greeting between close friends and family. This kiss was tender and vulnerable. This kiss expressed genuine affection and it welcomed both parties back into intimate relationship.

Today’s equivalent may be the handshake and the hug. My wife and I went to a reunion of sorts last night. It was folks who had taught and worked together at a school that closed at the end of 2012. There were some folks I waved to and smiled at from across the room. Some I shook hands with and then we shared in small talk. A side hug was the greeting that was used. We shared in a bit deeper conversation about our lives. For many, the hug was embracing and lasted a few seconds. The conversation thereafter was genuine and deep, bringing us right back to 2012 and then up to last night. In today’s text, that is the holy kiss shared between God and God’s people. May that be how we greet God as we open our Bibles, as we bow our heads, as we worship, and as we engage God’s world.

Prayer: Lord God, each time that we draw near to you, may it be filled with genuine affection and deep love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace. And as we go from our time together, may these be the fragrance and outpouring of our lives, drawing others towards you. Amen.


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God Chooses…

Reading: John 15: 16-17

Verse 16: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit”.

Photo credit: Mikhail Alexandrov

“You did not choose me, but I chose you”. These words bring a range of reaction and emotion. It is empowering, uplifting, encouraging… to understand that God chose you and me to be a part of building the kingdom of God. Wow! It is at the same time intimidating, scary, overwhelming… to understand that God chose you and me to be a part of building the kingdom of God. Wow!

When I was much younger I had a crush on a young lady. At first she appreciated my attention but soon realized that she was just not interested in me. Many times in my younger days love was in the air but would soon fade away. Just because I chose someone to be the recipient of my affections did not mean that they would reciprocate. Try as I might, things often went nowhere.

God has not only chosen you and I to receive his love, grace, peace, forgiveness… God has chosen all of humanity. Some appreciate God’s affection but choose not to reciprocate. They do not want a relationship with God. Still others don’t even know that God is reaching out. For those of us who have chosen to walk with Jesus Christ, we are “appointed” to go and seek both of these groups out so that they can experience God’s love, grace, peace, forgiveness… – some for the first time, some once again.

God will never force anyone to be in a relationship with him. That is not love. We cannot force or argue anyone into faith in Jesus Christ either. Our task is to go forth in the name of Jesus to love others, bearing good fruit for the kingdom of God. Sharing God’s love, grace, peace, forgiveness… is how we bear good fruit. May it be so for you and for me this day and every day.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for choosing me. I can’t imagine life without you. Use me today to share your light and love with all I meet. Amen.