pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: believer


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All Who Believe(d)

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 4:15-18

1st Thessalonians 4:17-18 – “Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.”

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Reading the second part of this week’s Epistle passage, Paul connects what they know and believe about Jesus’ life to the believers’ lives. Jesus died and was resurrected to new life. We were reminded yesterday that this will be true for all believers. In verses 15-18, Paul unpacks this promise.

Verse 15 begins with a statement of authority: “We tell you this directly from the Lord.” This could mean that it was spoken by Jesus to the disciples and then was passed on to Paul. Or, more likely, it was something that the risen Christ revealed directly to Paul. In either case, Paul declares that Jesus’ return will begin with a shout and trumpet call. Following this, the faithful who have died will be raised up to new life. Lastly, those believers that are alive will be raised up to be with Jesus too. Paul concludes with these words: “Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.” All who have believed and all who believe – with Jesus forever! What great encouragement and hope.

Paul speaks these words into the Thessalonians’ worry, anxiety, fear, and doubt. They can trust that Aunt Rose and cousin Steven and grandma Lois and nephew Anthony will one day be raised to new life. We too can trust in this promise – for those we love and for ourselves. We too find great hope and encouragement in knowing that all who believe will be like Jesus: resurrected and eternal. For this truth we rejoice and say, thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for Jesus, the one who was and is and always will be. Thank you for the way that he made through death, opening for us the path to eternal life. Let us not forget, O God, that the way is predicated on faithfully walking the path in this life. Strengthen and encourage us in the day to day living of our faith. Amen.


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Hope for Today and for Every Day

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 4:13-14

1st Thessalonians 4:14 – “For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.”

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As we turn to 1st Thessalonians 4 today, Paul turns to a question that Timothy brought back with him after his check-in visit with the Thessalonians. The belief in the early church was that Christ would return very soon after his death and resurrection – certainly within their lifetimes. But then friends and family members who were believers began dying. This created an anxiousness in these new believers. It raised many questions.

What will happen to their friends and loved ones? And perhaps an even more stressful question: Had they missed Jesus’ return? With all of these questions and worries, they were like those we know who “grieve without hope.” Paul wants them to have hope. He wants us to have hope. So he writes to them, offering words of assurance and of hope. He writes, “For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.”

Jesus was the first of many brothers and sisters who will die and be raised to new life. There is great hope in this belief and understanding. Jesus’ victory over sin and death is the victory that all believers will one day experience. May this be our hope, today and every day!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for making a way for all who believe. We know that Jesus was the first of many brothers and sisters to enter new life in eternity. Walk with us daily. Lead us to be true to you alone. Guide us to live faithfully in this life. Bring us home one day into your eternal glory. Amen.


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Overwhelming Power

Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23

Ephesians 1:18 – “I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see… the overwhelming greatness that is working among us believers.”

Today is known as “Ascension Day” in the church world. It is the day the Lord ascended back into heaven. Forty days after Easter, the risen Christ returned to the Father. In ten days we will celebrate Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the first believers. Our passage today reflects the effects of this outpouring upon the believers in Ephesus. Paul begins his prayer by thanking God for their faith in the Lord and for how their love of Christ is being lived out in the world. Paul then asks for a spirit of wisdom and revelation to be given so that these believers can know God even more. This would empower the church to live as an even more powerful witness to God’s love.

Then, in verse 18, we find an encompassing prayer. It is both request and reminder: “I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see…” To first see the hope that comes through God’s calling upon their lives. This hope rests in who and whose they are in Christ. Second, to see and know the “richness” of their place in God’s calling on their lives – an inheritance that is both now and eternal. This is to know love, yes, but also grace, mercy, salvation, peace… And third, to see “the overwhelming greatness that is working among us believers.” The power of God is in the love that overwhelms hate, division, oppression… The power is alive and moving in and through the followers of Christ. This power enables all believers to continue the mission of Jesus.

We have this Holy Spirit power in our hearts too. Therefore we can tap into this same overwhelming power. Our question is this: Are we willing to “see” the hope… the inheritance… the love of God so that we can channel these gifts out into the world? Believing in the power of God’s Spirit, we can unleash it in our lives. This is our call and our mission. May the eyes of our hearts be opened!

Prayer: Lord God, we pray for the same spirit of wisdom and revelation to be poured out upon us. Through this outpouring, transform us more and more into the image of Christ. May your presence fill us with the overwhelming power of your love. With this power within us, use us to transform the world, changing it to better reflect your kingdom of love here on earth. Amen.


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Love Revealed

Reading: John 14:8-14

John 14:9 – “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”

Photo credit: Milo Weiler

Moving to the second half of our John 14 reading, Jesus responds to Philip’s request to be shown God with this truth: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus reminds Philip, the other disciples, and us that all the words he spoke came from God. All the miracles or works that Jesus has offered – they are done through God who dwells in Jesus. In Jesus, we see and hear our best example of God. Yes, God is fully present in the Old Testament and in the rest of the New Testament, but the person of Jesus found in the gospels is our fullest and clearest revelation of God. In Christ we see the heart of God – the love – lived out here on earth.

Jesus then explains that those who believe in him will have more than an example to follow. Jesus tells the disciples then and now that believers “will do the works I do.” Through these works, God will be glorified through the name of Jesus. As we care for others, as we provide for those in need, as we comfort the ill and the grieving, as we speak words that heal broken relationships, as we extend a hand of welcome and belonging to all people, we model Jesus’ and God’s love for all of creation. As we bring peace to a storm, as we give voice to the powerless and marginalized, as we stand against injustice, as we free the prisoners, we model to others the love of God in Christ. In these ways and more, we reveal the love of God that dwells in us. This day, may the love of God in us reveal the Father’s love to all that we meet.

Prayer: Lord God, in Jesus you showed yourself to us. In his words and works we get a glimpse into who and what you are. At the core of it all is love. So, God, this day, use us as love lived out in the world. Amen.


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Moved Forward

Reading: Acts 2:32

Acts 2:32 – “This Jesus God raised up. We are all witnesses to that fact.”

Today we return to Acts 2 and focus on the last verse of this week’s passage. Peter is addressing a crowd of people who have been drawn to the disciples by the sound of the Holy Spirit descending at Pentecost. There is a Thomas-esque feel to this scene. The people cannot wrap their heads around what has happened. At first many want to just dismiss the whole thing. Maybe you’ve been there too.

Many years ago I was a one-hour-a-week Christian. I attended church regularly, at first at a small Lutheran country church and then at a larger United Methodist church when we moved to a larger town. It was there that God started trying to push me past my one-hour limit. At first, I wanted to dismiss that push. But voices added to the feeling and the Spirit persisted. First it was couple’s group and then men’s group. It was teaching Sunday School to volunteering at youth group. Then it was the call past volunteering to leading youth group. All along the call of the Holy Spirit grew and grew. Voices of encouragement grew. Would I trust this feeling and the words of those close to me to take a leap of faith, away from a 23-year teaching career and into the ministry?

As other voices spoke into my life, the question was this: Did I trust these voices? Would I trust the voice of the Spirit? Long ago, Peter spoke these words to some people asking these questions: “This Jesus God raised up. We are all witnesses to that fact.” Words alone do not make believers, even words whispered from God. The power of Peter’s testimony was the same as what led me to take a leap of faith: I could feel the words. I could feel the Holy Spirit moving me, pulling me forward in faith. As trusted voices speak and as the Spirit moves in your life, may you too step forward in faith, witnessing to the power of God.

Prayer: Lord God, more than words on a page or spoken by a friend, the Holy Spirit moves, whispers, nudges. It is a force, a fire, a tangible feeling. Stir this in each of us, making the words come alive, making our faith come alive. Amen.


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The Church As Love

Reading: Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2:44 – “All the believers were united and shared everything.”

In today’s passage, Luke describes the early community of faith. The community acts this way because of and through God’s presence with them. Verse 42 lists four practices of the early church. They were devoted to learning about Jesus. They were committed to one another. The community shared meals together. And they prayed together. The level of connection to and care for one another, both empowered by God’s Spirit, brought a “sense of awe” to this community of believers.

God’s power was also evident in other ways. The apostles “performed many wonders and signs,” doing as Jesus had taught them to do. In verse 44 we read, “All the believers were united and shared everything.” There was a deep feeling of connection, rooted in love. This led to compassion and generosity being evident in the community. Those in the community were willing to sell their things to have the means to provide for other’s needs. All of this was guided by their faith in Jesus.

Daily worship reinforced and strengthened their connection to the Lord. Daily meals did the same for their connections to one another. Outside of the community, the believers “demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone.” Outside the “walls,” the church was Jesus’ hands and feet and heart.

Because of their faith and the ways they lived together and out in the world, “the Lord added daily” to their community. People were coming to a saving faith in Jesus each day. The love of God was transforming lives. May this be the kind of faith that we live out and practice daily.

Prayer: Lord God, what a beautiful picture of what it means to be the community of faith. As we live out our faith daily, O God, empower us to witness to the world this kind of love. Inside and outside the church, may we be living witnesses to your love for all of humanity. Amen.


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Focus on the Good

Reading: Romans 16:17-20

Romans 16:19 – “But I want you to be wise about what’s good, and innocent about what’s evil.”

As Paul closes his letter to the Romans, he returns to a familiar topic: Christian unity. On one level, in our age where the church has split into literally 100’s of denominations, this passage applies to individual churches. Yet on the larger level I can’t help but think that all these divisions grieves the heart of God. At what point do genuine theological differences divide and at what point is it personal preference or opinion that leads to division?

Taking broad strokes today, Paul warns us to “watch out for people who create division and problems against the teaching you heard.” Paul is talking about a core set of theological understandings about Jesus and what it means to truly follow him. My mind goes to the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) bracelets… that we used to wear. This question still makes a great filter for Paul’s warning. Paul continues to advice concerning these folks, writing, “Keep away from them. They are serving their own feelings.”

We all know and see people and leaders who regularly choose selfish ambition over humble service to the common good. We see people in positions of power using “smooth talk” to justify the things they are doing and saying that would make Jesus cry and weep if he were present today. In the midst of all this Paul turns to the individuals that make up the church, saying, But I want you to be wise about what’s good, and innocent about what’s evil.” In the midst of a world focused on self, you focus on the good. Love God and love neighbor. Let that be your guide. Be well aware of the evils and stay innocent of these things. And trust. Yes, trust that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan.” Lord Jesus, come soon. Come soon.

Prayer: Lord God, as churches and as believers, we have so much in common in our theologies and understandings. Use these primary matters to create more unity in the family of God. Help us to understand that secondary and tertiary matters do not have to divide us. Lead us to make better choices, to model Jesus’ love better. Gather your church to be the witness that you desire us to be. Amen.


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Faithful Actions

Reading: James 2:14-24

James 2:24 – “So you see that a person is shown to be righteous through faithful actions and not through faith alone.”

As we come to a close reading scripture and applying is to John Wesley’s “Three Simple Rules,” we turn to James 2. This short passage works well to illustrate how doing no harm, doing good, and staying in love with God should work together in the life of a believer.

Our passage begins with a question: What good is it to say you’re a Christian if you don’t act like one? To claim to have faith does nothing. James points to wishing well someone in need without meeting those needs. You are, then, in fact, doing harm to the image of Christ.

As he continues, James argues that one cannot separate faith from your actions. Yes, he says, to believe is good. But our faith cannot stop there. It must flavor or impact all areas of our lives. James cites Abraham as an example of one whose faith was “made complete” by his actions. Nearly sacrificing his only son Isaac, Abraham’s obedience to God through faithful actions brought him to the place of righteousness. To faithfully follow God’s word, nudges, whispers… leads us to do good for the image of Christ.

Woven into Abraham’s example is one who stays in love with God. Abraham listened to the voice of God. He chose to worship God alone – elevating his love of God over his love for his own son. In summary, James writes, “So you see that a person is shown to be righteous through faithful actions and not through faith alone.” May this be what the world sees through our faith as well.

Prayer: Lord God, interweave into our lives these three practical pieces of faith. Guard us against doing harm and lead us to do good. Fuel both of these practices through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. May our love for you arch over all we say, do, and think, drawing others into the great love that you have for us all. Amen.


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Sincere Love

Reading: 1st Peter 3-5

1st Peter 4:7-8 – “Be self-controlled and clearheaded so you can pray. Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins.”

1st Peter 3-5 is mostly about the ways to conduct ourselves as followers of Jesus Christ. In chapter 3 Peter writes about having an inner beauty that can win over non-believers and also about honoring those who are weaker. He encourages all believers to be of one mind (Christ’s), to be compassionate, and to be modest. When someone asks about our hope, be ready to speak with “respectful humility.”

Peter also addresses suffering. He begins with a reminder that Jesus Christ “suffered on account of sins, once for all.” This was so a believer can enter into the presence of God. Peter encourages us to “arm yourself with his way of thinking.” He invites us to rejoice when we share in Christ’s suffering because then one day we will rejoice when his glory is revealed. If we suffer in Christ’s name, Peter declares we are blessed because “the Spirit of God rests on you.”

Christian behavior receives much attention in these chapters. Don’t pay back evil or insults with evil or insults – give blessings. Don’t waste time doing what unbelievers do. Instead, “Be self-controlled and clearheaded so you can pray. Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins.” Open your homes and serve one another using the gifts God has given. Humble yourselves. Throw your anxiety on God. (He cares about you.) Keep alert – the devil is on the prowl. Resist and stand firm in the faith, knowing that others are also enduring suffering. And in the end, “the God of all grace will himself restore, empower, strengthen, and establish you.” Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, build up in each of us obedience, compassion, and a humble servant’s heart. Walk with us, bringing strength and encouragement during the trials and suffering. In those moments, remind us of the way of Christ, he who suffered for each and every one of us. Daily help us to model a genuine faith, standing firm in your love and grace. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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God’s Plan, Our Role

Reading: Ephesians 3-4

Ephesians 4:1 – “Therefore, as a prisoner of the Lord, I encourage you to live as a people worthy of the call you received from God.”

In today’s reading Paul shares God’s plan for the church and then unpacks how followers are to be a part of that plan. In chapter 3 Paul shares that it has been God’s plan all along to include “every ethnic group” in the body of Christ. Paul declares that this “secret plan” has always been to include the “Gentiles” – a term often used by Jews to describe ALL non-Jews. This plan was accomplished through Jesus, who gives every believer “bold and confident access to God through faith” in Jesus. Paul then prays for the church, asking God to strengthen them through the Spirit and to reveal the power and enormity of God’s love. In these ways the believers “will be filled entirely with the fullness of God.”

In chapter 4 Paul unpacks what it means to be a part of the body of Christ. With chapter 3 in mind, he begins, “Therefore, as a prisoner of the Lord, I encourage you to live as a people worthy of the call you received from God.” Paul calls the church to be people of humility, gentleness, patience, and love. He reminds them of what unites them: there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God.” Paul also reminds them that each was gifted to be a part of “the working and building up the body of Christ.” Each has a role to play. We each have a role to play in this task.

Paul then calls the believers to a mature faith, away from living like the Gentiles (now meaning all those outside the faith) and into living as a “new creation” in Christ. Paul invites them to “clothe yourself” in the image of God. He is connecting here to their baptism, where they literally de-robed and then rerobed, symbolically taking off their old self and clothing anew in Christ. Paul closes the chapter with the call to be “kind, compassionate, and forgiving,” modeling what Christ did for them. This too is our role. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, we rejoice in your love that reaches out to all people. We celebrate your grace that has no limits. Fill us with your presence this day and employ each of us for the building up of the body of Jesus Christ. Amen.