pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: bombshell


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Moses’ Truths -> Our Truths

Reading: Exodus 3:4-15

Exodus 3:10 – “So get going. I’m sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”

As we continue in Exodus 3, God sees that Moses has noticed the burning bush. “Moses! Moses!” comes from the bush. Moses engages, “I’m here.” A conversation has begun. God establishes the presence of holiness – “take off your sandals” – and of relationship. God is the God of Moses’ father and is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

After introductions, God gets to the matter at hand. God has heard the cries of God’s people. God has seen the oppression and injustice. God feels the Israelites’ pain. Moses can relate to all of this. After all, this is what led him to kill that Egyptian many years ago. It is why he is hiding out in Midian. God promises a return to the Promised Land, to the Israelites’ home. Then the sudden bombshell: “So get going. I’m sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” Moses reacts as we would. Say what? Who, me? Are you sure?

Getting to the most important detail, God says, “I’ll be with you.” It is not by Moses’ power that the people will be freed. No, it is by God’s power alone. “I AM” will be with Moses as he responds to God’s call upon his life. That is all that matters.

So… What is God’s call upon your life? Into what ministry, into whose life, into what situation? While we seldom have “burning bush” moments, God definitely calls, most often through the nudges and whispers of the Holy Spirit. And Moses’ truths are our truths. It is God’s plan. God will go with us. God will equip us for the mission ahead. God’s power will do the heavy lifting. With these truths in mind, may we be willing to hear and accept God’s call upon our lives.

Prayer: Lord God, first, remind us of your faithfulness in the scriptures and in our lives. You call, you show up, you remain present. You equip and lead and guide. Second, help us to trust in these truths and in the things we’ve experienced ourselves. Lastly, lead us into your call, using us to free people from all that entangles them. Amen.


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More Than Enough

Reading: 2nd Samuel 11:26 – 12:13a

Verse 8: “If all this had been too little, I would have given you even more”.

Photo credit: KMA

In our passage from 2nd Samuel we see God at work in David’s life. God sends Nathan the prophet to tell David a story. Although David has just committed some pretty horrendous sins, there is still a part of David that quickly recognizes injustice… I think we are all a bit like this. Outside of ourselves we quickly see when things are wrong.

Nathan tells David the story of a rich and powerful man who takes what he wants from a poor and insignificant man. David is outraged at the injustice. He rails against the actions of the rich man. He wants justice done. And then Nathan drops the bombshell: “You are the man”. Nathan goes on to remind David of how God has blessed and blessed and blessed David. At times we need this reminder too. When we get a bit of a woe-is-me attitude over some trivial thing, we too need to remember how blessed we are.

Verse eight is a wonderful reminder of God’s love for David and for you and me. It is also an invitation to contentment. This trait can be hard to live into in our culture that pontificates often about more, bigger, and better. Through Nathan God says to David and to us: “If all this had been too little, I would have given you even more”. God desires good and blessing for his children. God’s care and provision for us reveals his love for us. God might not give us the winning lottery ticket but God does want to fulfill the true desires of our heart. May we learn to trust into God. For with God, we have more than enough.

Prayer: Lord God, when I am tempted to see the greener grass or the shinier thing, remind me of my place in the center of your love. Remind me of the depth of your love for me. You are my all in all. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Trust…

Reading: John 14: 1-7

Verse 1: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me”.

The encouragement to not be troubled (or worried or afraid) is one made often in the Bible. There are many things that can trigger fear to arise in us. In today’s passage the disciples fear what lies ahead. In John’s gospel Jesus has just predicted his death, paused to wash the feet of the disciples, and then predicted the betrayal by Judas and the denial by Peter. All of this must have been so much to take on in such a short time. It is no wonder Jesus says to them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled”.

On our journey of life we too receive such bombshell news. It can range from a threatening medical diagnosis to the unexpected loss of employment. It can range from the ending of a significant relationship to the unwanted relocation to a new state or country. These and many more life events can suddenly skyrocket our levels of fear and stress and anxiety. In each of these cases we too need to hear Jesus’ voice as he whispers, “Do not let your hearts be troubled”. Perhaps you need to hear these words today. If so, Jesus wants to speak them to you.

Jesus continues on, telling the disciples and you and me to “trust in God; trust also in me”. The ability to trust comes from the words that Jesus speaks next in verses two through four. Yes, he is physically leaving the disciples. Yes, that is bombshell news. But. But. But he is leaving “to prepare a place for you”. We can each place our name in the phrase: “to prepare a place for John“, “to prepare a place for Sue”, “to prepare a place for ___”. He is doing so with a promise: “I will come back and take you to be with me”. We are not will not ever be left alone. This cuts through our fear. The assurance that Jesus gives calms the disciples’ hearts. It allows them to dial back the fear and doubt and worry. Only then can they hear the rest of Jesus’ words.

As our passage closes, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. No matter what life brings, these words bring hope, they build trust, they fight fear. Each day may we cling to them as we seek to walk in faith with our Jesus. As we do so, know that Jesus walks with us every step of the way. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Living hope, be present to each facing fear today. Assure each first of your presence. Then fill these with your love and peace. Surround us all with your light. In your light there is no darkness. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.