pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Faithful, Joyful Living

Reading: Psalm 100

Psalm 100:1 – “Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth!”

Joy in the Lord flows throughout Psalm 100. Unlike happiness that comes and goes, joy is a state of being. It is a state of being that becomes our “norm” as we spend more and more time walking with the Lord. It is from this state of being that the psalmist declares, “Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth!” This declaration invites all of creation to praise God. This invitation is not limited to the psalmist’s community of faith. It is quite the opposite. All people and all of creation are the work of God’s hands. All are invited. This concept is also echoed in verse 3. We are all the “sheep” of God’s pasture.

The Psalm is filled with action. It calls us to a living faith. We’re invited to serve God with celebration, to offer shouts of joy, to thank God often, and to bless God’s name. This open invitation to active, faithful living and worship creates a place of welcome and community. This kind of living breaks down walls and barriers. Joyful worship draws others in.

Faithful living and joy as our state of being are not rooted in ourselves. We find the source in the last verse. We can be faithful and we can be joyful because of who and what God is. We are made in the image of God – the one who is good, who is loyal in love, who is always and forever faithful. God is our source of joy. God gives us the power to be faithful. God is with us. We are God’s. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, we celebrate our place in your pasture. We are your family and you are our God. What joy! From our place of belonging, help us to extend invitation to others. From our place in community, guide us to make all feel included. All for your praise and glory! Amen!


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Treasure in Heaven

Reading: Matthew 19:16-22

Matthew 19:22 – “But when the young man heard this, he went away saddened, because he had many possessions.”

Photo credit: Falaq Lazuardi

In verse 16 a man approached Jesus and wanted to know what “good thing” must he do to get him into heaven. What must I do? The good part of this question is that the man has a concern about eternal life. In reality, I think everyone wants to go to heaven. But there are two issues here. First, the man believes it only takes so much to enter heaven. No, it requires surrendering our whole life to the will and way of God. Second, he thinks getting into heaven is about doing something good or even doing a lot of good things. No, there is no great balance scale that determines our merit for entry into eternal life. Living an earthly life worthy of eternal life is much more about being than doing. We are called to be Christ to the world.

Jesus responds by telling the man to keep the commands. Revealing the depth of issue one from above, the man asks, “Which ones?” In other words, keeping how many of the 600+ commands enables entry into heaven? Jesus lists six. The young man has kept these six commandments. But sensing there must be more to this than Jesus is letting on, he asks, “What still am I missing?” Addressing the reality of issue one in the man’s life, Jesus begins with, “If you want to be complete…” If you really want to surrender your life to God, then here is what you, in particular, must do.

Jesus tells the man, “Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor.” This kind of life surrender will store up treasure in heaven. Not money in the bank, but humility and generosity and compassion in the heart. These are the treasures of heaven – in this life and the life to come. But, alas, the man’s love of his “stuff” is too great. In the last verse we read, “But when the young man heard this, he went away saddened, because he had many possessions.”

For the man in this teaching, his possessions were on the throne of his heart. Maybe the same is true for you. Maybe this story felt convicting. Or maybe possessions are not your struggle. If it were me, for example, Jesus would say something along these lines: “John, give up that need to be in control, surrendering your pride as you trust others more.” Empowering others to be in service, building up their gifts, would be treasure in heaven. What is it that you need to work on surrendering in order to draw closer to being Christ in the world?

Prayer: Lord God, I ask that you would continue to work in me, chipping away at my pride, chiseling away at those other things that keep me from fully surrendering all of who I am to you. Do the same, O God, refining and transforming the hearts of all who desire to walk more closely with you. Empower each of us to more fully be Jesus’ hands and feet and hearts in the world. All for your glory. Amen.


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Faith Always

Reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Deuteronomy 6:6 – “These words that I am commanding you today must always be on your minds.”

Photo credit: Milo Weiler

Today’s verses begin with a call to attention: Listen! This is followed by the ‘great commandment’ to love God with all of one’s “heart… being… strength.” The words of reminder that we read today are set within the giving of the Law. The Ten Commandments and the rest of the Law were given to govern all aspects of the personal and social lives of the Israelites. Many years later, as he worked out the core tenets and practices of Methodism, John Wesley would call these two ‘sides’ of our faith personal and social holiness.

In verse 6 we feel the completeness of the call to love God: “These words that I am commanding you today must always be on your minds.” As implied in the great commandment, faith is to guide all areas of our lives. Faith is not just part of our life, lifting up a prayer now and then, loving God or neighbor when it is convenient… Faith is to be lived out 24/7, to be “always” on our minds and in our hearts.

‘How’ we do this is unpacked in verses 7-9. We are to teach the way of faith to our children. We are to talk about our faith when we get up, when we lie down, and in between. We are to write key verses here and there. Today we do so with sticky notes, bookmarks, posters, wall art, mugs… All are ways to remind ourselves to live out our faith always.

Why is all of this necessary? To be honest, we by nature are selfish and inwardly focused. Left on our own or even practicing a sometimes faith, things like greed, power, jealousy, control, lust… begin to guide our lives. In this constant battle we need reminders of who and what we are called to be: people who live God with all that we are.

Prayer: Lord God, when we become tempted, whisper your love into our heart. When the temptation leads to sin, pour your grace, mercy, and forgiveness over us. In our daily lives, Lord, remind us again and again of your truths and if your call to walk in your ways. Amen.


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Love Lived Out

Reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Deuteronomy 6:5 – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength.”

Today and this week is all about staying in love with God. This is John Wesley’s third simple rule. This last “rule of life” empowers one’s efforts to keep the first two rules: “do no harm” and “do good.” These two encapsulate the command to love neighbor as oneself. Our love of neighbor is rooted in our love of God.

In verse 4 we are reminded that there is only one God. Our God is not one of many gods. This too is how God looks at you and at me and at everyone. Each of our relationships with God is supremely important to God. I’m reminded of a line from the book The Shack. Each time Mac asks God about this person or that person, God says, “I’m especially fond of that one.” Every time.

We read one of the two great commands in verse 5: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength.” Love was a word used in ancient covenants. In this Near Eastern context this kind of love implied total obedience and faithfulness to the covenant. But because our God is a relational God, this concept of love extends far beyond our expected external and ethical behaviors. Within the faith context, there is an added depth of internal devotion. Hence the charge to love God with all that we are: heart, being, and strength.

Verses 6-9 reveal how this internal, comprehensive love of God is meant to impact all of communal life. We are to remind ourselves and our children to love God and neighbor, “talking” about it all the time. We are to “write” this command to love on the hand and forehead, on the doorframes of our houses, and in the gates of our cities. We are to talk and write about the love of God in our homes, in our neighborhoods, and in our communities. We talk and write by being love lived out in all aspects of life. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, this call to love is comprehensive. May it begin in our heart and soul, growing our love of you through worship, study, meditation, and prayer. Then may it grow from this place, moving out into all of our relationships, allowing each person we encounter to experience your great love for them. Amen.


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The Banquet

Reading: Matthew 22-23

Matthew 22:21 – “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

Chapter 22 begins with a parable about God’s kingdom. The scene is a wedding party for the king’s son. Proper guests are first invited. But they refuse to come. Then all people are invited – the good and the bad. The banquet hall is filled. But one enters who isn’t prepared to be there. He is removed and thrown into the deepest darkness. Those who were invited first represent the religious leaders and all Jews who refused to accept God’s son as Lord and Savior. The man represents those who say they follow Jesus but really live for self.

Jesus is asked about paying taxes. After examining the coin he declares, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” We are to be good and responsible citizens and faithful followers of God. Jesus clarifies the order when asked about the greatest commandment. First, we are to love God with all that we are. The second is to love neighbor as self. We are to first be faithful followers of God and then to be good and responsible neighbors.

In chapter 23 Jesus condemns the hypocritical ways of the legal experts and the Pharisees. They pile Law upon Law, rule upon rule, on the people but don’t lift a finger to help them in their walk of faith. By contrast, we recall Jesus’ yoke is easy and the burden light. The legal experts and Pharisees love to be seen and noticed. But the “greatest among you” will become the servant. They give a tenth of their spices but ignore justice, peace, and faith. They look great and righteous on the outside but are “full of pretense and rebellion” in their hearts. They refuse to come to the wedding banquet.

There is lament to close out today’s reading. Just as their ancestors abused and killed the prophets, so too will they abuse and kill Jesus, the disciples, the apostles… Jesus longs to gather Jerusalem as a “hen gathers her chicks.” They refuse. They too will not enter the wedding banquet.

Prayer: Lord God, as we read these words today we reflect now on the condition of our hearts. Do we love you with all our being? Is this reflected in how we love neighbor, in how we practice justice, peace, and mercy? Have we truly become part of your kingdom? Or do we just have one foot inside the banquet hall? Lord, help us all. Amen.


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Fully Poured Out

Readings: 2nd Kings 22, 2nd Kings 23, 2nd Kings 24, 2nd Kings 25

2nd Kings 25:21 – “So Judah was exiled from its land.”

Photo credit: Mukund Nair

Today’s reading begins with Josiah. While repairing the temple, the instruction scroll is found. Hearing its words, Josiah rips his clothing in anguish and sends folks to inquire of the Lord. He recognizes how far Judah (and Israel) had wandered from the Lord. Disaster is coming soon, says the Lord. And yet Josiah sets out to love God with all his heart, being, and strength. The covenant is restored. All of the shrines, altars, temples, poles… are removed. They celebrate the Passover. And Josiah dies in a battle with Pharaoh Neco.

Jehoahaz’s short reign in followed by Jehoachin. Fulfilling God’s word to Josiah… King Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon’s army arrives. In addition, raiding parties from many local tribes damage Judah. After three months, Jehoachin surrenders. All of the temple and palace treasures are hauled off, the temple items are cut up, and most of the people are taken into exile. A handful plus the poor are left behind to manage the crops. Newly renamed Zedekiah is left to rule. After 11 years, he rebels against Babylon. A new siege leads to a severe famine in Jerusalem. Zedekiah tries to escape but is caught. He watched his sons die and then is blinded, chained, and hauled off to exile in Babylon.

Guard commander Nebuzaradan oversees the burning of the temple, palace, and homes of Jerusalem. He oversees the Chaldeans tearing down the entire wall. The poor are left to farm the land. In 25:21 we read, “So Judah was exiled from its land.” All is in ruins. God’s anger has been fully poured out.

2nd Kings closes with a small happy note. After 37 years in prison in exile, Jehoachin is paroled by new king Awil-merodach. He allows Jehoachin to eat at his table.

Prayer: Lord God, perhaps the high point in Judah since the days of David and Solomon are followed by the great fall of Judah and the ruin of Jerusalem. This brings with it feelings associated with Holy Saturday. Today is a solemn day of final introspection and reflection as we close the season of Lent. It is much like the time in exile will be. Lead and guide us, O Lord, meld and mold us, remake us even, so that we can walk faithfully in ways. Amen.


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Bridge the Gap

Reading: Psalm 91:1-6

Verse 2: “God is my refuge and fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

As we begin two days with Psalm 91, these words of trust and faith can elicit 2 (or more) responses. These responses might also be different in different places around the world. These responses will differ greatly depending on our relationship with God.

Today’s six verses speak of God’s love and care for us. In verse 2 the psalmist declares: “God is my refuge and fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” God is our fortress, our place of refuge and protection. We dwell in God’s presence and we find rest there. God will save us and be our shield. Our God will be with us in the fear, plagues, and pestilence. These are wonderful and awesome words of trust and faith in the Lord God. They are a confession of all that we need from God.

But to those living outside of a relationship with God, these words sound like weakness, like failure. Raised in our culture, some learned to stand tall, to fight hard. They have learned to not ask for help and to never show your emotions. “I’m fine” is the requisite response when the storms of life come. And they will come. They come to us all. And the bad storms break us all.

As ones who rejoice in confessing the words of Psalm 91, our question is this: How do we bridge the Gap when suffering or trial befalls one who doesn’t know God and thinks they don’t need God? We begin gently and lovingly, revealing the compassion and love that we find in Christ. We open our hearts and lives to be places of refuge and rest. We show a strength that is not our own but that we can share. We quietly trust in the Lord our God. Loving and caring for one without Christ begins by simply being like Christ. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, when I cross paths with someone who is hurting behind the walls they’ve built, help me to speak and love into the cracks, pouring your love out into the lives of the lost, the broken, and the hurting. Guide me, use me. Amen.


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All Good

Reading: Genesis 1:1 to 2:4a

Verse 25: “And God saw that it was good”.

Today we read the story of creation. It is a summary of how our world was created. Within the account there is a beauty and an order. These two enduring characteristics of God leap out of his creative acts. One thing at a time is created – night and day; sky, land, and seas; vegetation and trees; sun, moon, and stars; sea and air creatures; and, land creatures. Once all the groundwork is created, God makes human beings in his own image. Their task, our task, is to watch over and care for what God has made.

As God gets into the third day on, the creation explodes. On day three, for example, all the vegetation and trees are created, each “according to its kind”. This is a vast amount of life forms. It speaks of the power and might of God. The same is true when we think of the different species of the sea and air creatures and of all the land creatures – not to mention the unthinkable number of stars and planets and moons in the universe. The sheer greatness of God is revealed in all of creation. It is a greatness that is hard to even begin to wrap our minds around. And, yes, it was all good! Let us praise the Lord our God for all of the created world.

Prayer: Father of all, thank you for the diversity and beauty of your creation. Each and every thing has your fingerprints upon them. Because of that, all things have sacred worth. Thank you for that reminder today, O God. Amen.


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A God to Know

Reading: Acts 17: 22-31

Verse 28: “For in him we live and move and have our being. We are his offspring”.

Arriving in Athens Paul familiarizes himself with his surroundings. Athens is filled with philosophers and the people love to learn and to discuss ideas. Paul also notices a high level of religiosity. He senses fertile ground for sharing the gospel. In his opening statement, Paul shares that he found an altar “to an unknown god”. Although most of their many gods had names, this inscription would apply to all of the gods they worshipped. To the Greeks, the gods were distant and impersonal. Paul knew that the one true God was just the opposite: close and very personal.

As was the case with the people of Athens, all human beings want to belong and to be loved. All of us have a desire for meaning and purpose in life. Paul knew that God could fill all of these needs. He begins though by telling them of God’s power and greatness. This is how the Athenians saw gods. Paul then tells them that God made the heavens, the earth, and everything else too. In our world today people still look at the created world and marvel at the beauty, intricacy… but stop short of believing in the Creator. The evidence is abundant but they refuse to believe. Like many we encounter, Paul’s audience is open to knowing. They seek connection. Maybe they might come along to belief.

Next Paul establishes a connection point with God. In verse 28 he says, “For in him we live and move and have our being. We are his offspring”. There is not only a close and personal relationship there, but there is an intimate one too: “we are his offspring”. To think that the God who gives “life and breath and everything else” is a God that is “not far from each of us” implies a personal and loving God. For many this is a God to get to know. Paul is drawing the people of Athens into the story of faith.

Just as was the case with Paul, we too will meet people who are searching and longing for an “unknown god”. Like Paul, may we seek to meet them where they are at as we seek to take them a step or two closer to the God who wants to be fully known. May it be so today.

Prayer: Loving God, you are the author of all life. Your hand touches every living thing. Today may my words and actions warm that touch again. May those I meet sense your presence and love once again in their lives. May I be love lived out. Amen.


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The Gift

Reading: Romans 5: 12-19

Verse 16: “The judgment followed one one and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification”.

At times I have known people who take the time to be present. After an unexpected loss many years ago my old youth pastor was that person for me. We spent hours together as I worked out my grief. To me it felt like he would’ve sat and listened and talked forever. He made me feel like I was all that there was in the world to him. God seemed to reside in his very being. Have you ever been in the presence of someone like that?

The process that we are invited to walk through in Lent leads us to become more of who God created us to be. Jesus was one who focused right in on whoever was before him and they became all that mattered. In Lent we are called to look within and to search out those parts of ourselves that are selfish and that are focused on the things of this world. These parts of each of us prevent us from being able to truly focus on the other. When we seek to rid ourselves of these things we become more like Jesus and then we will begin to see the other.

In the garden, Adam turned and focused on self. In a moment he stepped outside of a right relationship with God. Sin became part of humanity’s struggle. In verse sixteen we read, “The judgment followed one one and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification”. God did not leave us dead in our sins. The gift of Jesus Christ was given to us so that sin and death would not be the end. Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ, he who gifts us the victory.

Prayer: Father God, you are so, so good to me. I deserve much less but you are so much more. Thank you for your grace, your love, your mercy, your forgiveness – all to make me new again. I love you Lord! Amen.