pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: change


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Forgiveness

Reading: Acts 2:14 and 36-41

Acts 2:38 – “In the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.”

Returning to Acts 2 today, we read the whole story. Peter first asserts Jesus’ place as God’s creation. He then reminds the crowd that “they” crucified Jesus. The crowd becomes “deeply troubled.” When we see one another this way, I believe our misdeeds have the same effect on us. When I truly see all people as created in the image of God – my wife, my kids, my parents, my co-workers, the stranger on the street, the grumpy neighbor… – it greatly impacts how I treat and am tempted to mistreat them. Seeing all as truly created in the image of God holds me accountable when I “crucify” or speak harshly or… Seeing others as Jesus saw them makes me “deeply troubled” when I sin against someone and, therefore, against God.

The crowd asked Peter what to do. We did once too. We sensed we did something wrong or we damaged a relationship. In time we learned the next steps: confess, repent, live better. We learned to apologize and to commit to better and then to live it out in all of our relationships. Doing so we change hearts and lives – primarily our own. Living as Jesus lived, loving as he loved, we come to receive forgiveness in his name and to extend forgiveness in his name. This restores and reconciles our relationships. As we receive and extend the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, we build the kingdom of God here on earth. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your endless grace that brings forgiveness again and again – a thousand thousands over and over. And thank you teaching us grace too. Help us to practice the grace we receive. Guide us to practice it as you give it – unconditionally and endlessly bringing healing and wholeness to our lives and to our world. Amen.


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To Live As Love

Reading: Acts 2:38-39

Acts 2:38 – “Change your hearts and lives… be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ… receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

This week our readings focus on God’s promises to us and our response to these promises. The promises are centered on God’s love for us. Our responses are centered on our love for God. This love is expressed in the sacraments of baptism and communion and in the ways that God’s love is faithful, especially in our times of trial and suffering. Our response is our faithful living as we daily seek to love God and others, building the community through love.

In Acts 2, our focus today and tomorrow, Luke covers the basics of entering the Christian faith. It begins with the prophetic call heard anew in the words of John the Baptist: “Change your heart and lives.” This involves our choice not to live for self but for Jesus Christ. In love, it is placing God and others ahead of and above self. This step of surrender and humility opens our hearts to truly loving God and neighbor.

This step often leads to a profession of faith. For many in the church, this first happens in baptism, an outward sign of an inner faith. Infant baptism has become the “norm” in many faith communities. In these cases, the parent(s) commit to raising the child within the community of faith. Later, whether through a formal process like confirmation or through membership vows in a local church or through a gradual warming of the heart, we confirm or profess our faith in Jesus Christ as “adults.”

The Holy Spirit, God’s indwelling presence, is a piece of this equation. Becoming a part of our lives, whether through the waters of baptism or through the profession of faith, the Holy Spirit works within us, changing hearts and lives, drawing us deeper and deeper into a relationship with Jesus Christ. This ongoing process continues, hopefully each day of our lives, empowering us to live as love in the world. May this be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you today for calling us into your family. Thank you for your patience and for your grace. Fueled by your love, these allow us to remain in right relationship with you. From this place, filled with your love, send us out into the world to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Amen.


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When Challenges Rise

Reading: Psalm 16

Psalm 16:3 – “Now as for the ‘holy ones’ in the land… let their suffering increase because they hurried after a different god.”

There are certainly times in our lives when we will pray as the psalmist prays: “Protect me, O God, because I take refuge in you.” This prayer may be uttered as a natural disaster unfolds. It may be lifted up during a “storm” in our lives – an unwanted diagnosis, an unexpected change, a battle with depression or addiction… And sometimes we lift just such a prayer as we see or experience man-made chaos, violence, injustice, oppression, war…

As I read verse 3 – “Now as for the ‘holy ones’ in the land… let their suffering increase because they hurried after a different god.” – I couldn’t but help think of those who declare war the work of God and those who would rather rage and point a finger than offer a hand of cooperation or a word of compromise, claiming some religious high ground. God is not a God of war nor one who operates on the high ground. God is a God of peace and wholeness, of community and lifting the downtrodden and lowly. Too often the “religious” are far away from the Jesus we know from the scriptures.

When the challenges rise, when the world chases after “different gods,” may we first turn to the words of the psalmist: “You, Lord, are my portion, my cup; you control my destiny.” God is in control. Our inheritance is secure. Confident in these truths, may we then open our hearts so that God can “teach me the way of life.” Empower and equipped by the will and way of God, may we then be about the work of bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth. Through us, may peace and love and justice flow down like a mighty river.

Prayer: Lord God, much is broken in our world. Many people are hurting and suffering and feel alone. Draw us deeply into your love, O God, filling us up so that we can overflow that love out into the world. Through the power of your love, build the kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Wait in Hope

Reading: Psalm 130:1-6

Psalm 130:5 – “I hope, Lord. My whole being hopes, and I wait for God’s promise.”

Psalm 130 is one of the Psalms of Ascent. These songs would be sung as people made their way up to Jerusalem for a religious festival or for worship. Jerusalem was built on a hill, so the journey was always up, no matter where one approached from. The psalmist’s emotions match this physical reality. The writer cries out to God “from the depths.”

While we do not know the details of the psalmist’s current trial, we’ve all spent time in the depths. It might have been during a season battling a physical illness or emotional challenge. Maybe it was a time of unwanted change – moving to a new city or going through a divorce. Perhaps is was the time walking with someone toward death. There are many times in life when we cry out to God from our own depths.

The psalmist cries out, “I hope, Lord. My whole being hopes, and I wait for God’s promise.” Sometimes in the darkest valley, in the deepest depth, all that we have is hope. We hope in God’s promises yet remain in the depths. And like the night watch, we wait. We wait for the dawning of God’s love, light, healing, comfort, strength, redemption, rescue. We wait in Hope for the Lord our God. We trust that God is faithful.

Prayer: Lord God, be with us in the depths. In those moments when we’d do anything to escape the pain, the suffering, the hurt… enable us to hope in you and in your promises. As we linger in that moment and with those emotions, empower us to trust in you, to hold onto hope in you. Walk with us in the valley. Transform us as we go. Amen.


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Seeing into the Heart

Reading: 1st Samuel 16:1-13

1st Samuel 16:7b – “God doesn’t look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the Lord sees into the heart.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

In our Old Testament reading we go with Samuel to Bethlehem. God is sending the prophet there to anoint Israel’s next king. Saul is still king, but God is no longer pleased with Saul. It’s dangerous to anoint the next king while the current king is ruling. God is with Samuel, though. Following God’s instructions, Samuel arrives at Jesse’s house. Jesse’s line will bring Israel its next king.

Eliab, the oldest son, stands front and center. Looking at him, Samuel thinks he’s the one. Eliab’s appearance and stature must’ve impressed Samuel. But God informs Samuel, “God doesn’t look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the Lord sees into the heart.” Ah, the heart – that is what truly matters. Samuel gets it. It is Samuel that passes over the next six sons. None have the heart to be a great king. So he asks if there are any more sons. The one out tending the sheep is brought in – the youngest. God says, “That’s the one.” David is anointed as Israel’s next king. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him.

Considering the lesson in today’s passage, we must first ask ourselves: Who do we overlook? To get at the root of it, we must also ask: Who do we judge by appearance or reputation or position? From this place of reflection, we must next ask: To really accept and practice God’s invitation to see into the heart, what needs to change in us? And, lastly, again reflecting on our own heart, we must ask: Who is missing in our churches, on our leadership teams, at our fellowship tables that should be there for our communities of faith to truly reflected our neighborhoods and the kingdom of God?

Prayer: Lord God, the Eliab’s of this world are easy to see – they usually make sure of it. The David’s are harder to see. The right heart, the one humbly doing what needs done – they are the ones we often have to look for. So, Lord, open our eyes and guide our hearts to see these servants. Then, Lord, remove our preconceived notions and ideas. Send us out into the fields and streets and marketplaces, seeking to include all people in our communities of faith and in your beloved kingdom. Amen.


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Loved, Seen, Heard

Reading: John 4:4-42

John 4:14b – “The water that I give will become in those who drink it a spring of water that bubbles up into eternal life.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

In this week’s gospel lesson, Jesus meets a woman at the well. They are different in many ways. Some of these differences typically create barriers between folks like them. The man-woman and Jew-Samaritan distinctions that creates division in most cases is not present for Jesus. This woman is seen by Jesus and is loved by Jesus. He draws her into conversation, hearing her express the differences that have been barriers in her life. Jesus works past these barriers that she brings up and is aware of. He offers her the gift of abundant life: “The water that I give will become in those who drink it a spring of water that bubbles up into eternal life.”

The woman at the well is drawn to Jesus – love and welcome and invitation will do that. She returns to town and offers an invitational question to the townspeople: “Could this man be the Christ?” Could this man be the one Jews and Samaritans have been waiting for? Could this man be the one with the power to change your life? Her “come and see” question is an invitation, an evangelistic prompting.

In this story Jesus sets for us an example to follow. He treats this woman as a friend, building a relationship with her. There is no flashy miracle or amazing parable or teaching. Jesus makes her feel loved, seen, and heard. May this be the pattern and example we follow as we meet folks. Doing so, may others come to believe in the Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us today to truly live with open hearts, open minds, and open doors. Open our eyes to see the belovedness in all people. Open our hearts to love all of those created in your image. Open our lives to relationships and conversations that draw people into your love for them. Amen.


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Surrendering Control

Reading: John 3:1-3

John 3:3 – “I assure you, unless someone is born anew, it’s not possible to see God’s kingdom.”

Today and tomorrow we dive into Nicodemus’ conversation with Jesus. In verse 1 we learn that Nicodemus is a Pharisee, a leader amongst the Jews. As a Pharisee, he is set apart from others Jews. He knows the Law inside out and keeps it devoutly. He is also a part of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. Nicodemus is a powerful man by cultural standards. Nicodemus would appear to be “on top of the world” when viewed through the lens of “success” in his day. And he comes to Jesus at night.

Nicodemus calls Jesus, “Rabbi” – a term for Jesus that in John’s gospel always implies incomplete faith. He acknowledges that Jesus is “one who comes from God.” The Pharisee is not referring to this in terms of a Jesus being the Messiah but a prophet. Yet he must be wrestling with this distinction. Nicodemus must be questioning his own faith somehow. Why else would he come under cover of night to ask Jesus some questions? Perhaps Nicodemus is sensing that there may be something more than a faith that is well within his control. Maybe he has seen from afar how following Jesus has changed people’s lives.

Jesus opens the conversation with this earth shaker: “I assure you, unless someone is born anew, it’s not possible to see God’s kingdom.” With these words, Jesus resets the direction and tone of the conversation. Jesus is the one with power and authority. Being “born anew” has nothing to do with following the letter of the Law or any other moral guideline. It has everything to do with surrendering the control of one’s life and faith to God. It is the only way to see God’s kingdom from the inside.

Prayer: Lord God, faith is so much easier when it is on our terms. Doing what we think is required is manageable. It is safe, comfortable. This happens when we think we’ve somehow “arrived” spiritually. And it falls short of seeing and being your kingdom here on earth. Open our hearts to the power of your love, mercy, and grace. Guide us out of our easy, gentle, static faith into a place where we are transformed daily, born anew again and again, each time closer to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Make it so, O God, make it so. Amen.


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Deeper Work

Readings: 2nd Corinthians 5:20-21 and 2nd Corinthians 6:1-10

2nd Corinthians 6:1 – “We are also begging you not to receive the grace of God in vain!”

Photo credit: Rainier Ridao

Our reading today begins with Paul begging the Corinthians to “be reconciled to God!” This too is our ongoing call, especially as we begin the season of Lent today. Throughout Lent we are invited to look within, to reflect on the condition of our soul, and to make the needed changes so that we are ready to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Paul touches on the source of our salvation, the one who took on sin for us so that we could be “the righteousness of God.”

Through God’s grace we can be forgiven and made new again. Paul begs the Corinthians “not to receive the grace of God in vain!” To do so would be to receive forgiveness and then to not follow through on our pledge of repentance. Paul reminds us that keeping true to our faith isn’t always easy. Paul lists many trials and sufferings he and his fellow believers endured. We can experience some of these too when we choose faith over the ways of the world. Yet with the same purity, hard work, genuine love, and Holy Spirit power, we too can endure and faithfully witness to the grace and love of God.

Our passage closes with many word pairs: fake and real, pain and happy, poor and rich… The first word is a surface level thing and the second word holds a deeper truth. We find this relationship to be true when we engage in the spiritual practice of fasting that becomes more prevelent in Lent. Going without and feeling that “hunger” is the surface level thing that we endure. The change that the Spirit works in us as we grow closer to Christ is the deeper truth at work in us. In the same way, confessing our sin is the surface level action. Working out our repentance and changing our hearts and lives is the deeper work of God going on within us. This Lent, may we be willing to go deeper, doing the hard work of faith.

Prayer: Lord God, prepare our hearts to go deeper this Lent. Give us the strength and courage to look deep within ourselves and to bring our full self before you. In grace and love, purify and refine us. Loosen our grips on that which pulls us away from you. Strengthen our hold on faith, hope, trust, and love. Amen.


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Mender and Restorer

Reading: Isaiah 58:9b-12

Isaiah 58:12c – “You will be called Mender of Broken Walls and Restorer of Liveable Streets.”

Continuing in Isaiah 58 today, we find some conditional statements: “If you…” These are not givens. They are choices. These are choices that the people of God need to make every day. If you remove the yoke of oppression and injustice… If you stop the finger-pointing, the name-calling, the blame shifting, the spin cycling… If you “open your heart to the hungry,” to the naked, to the lonely, to the abused… If you “provide abundantly” for the afflicted, the abused, the imprisoned, the lonely… “If you…”

If you choose to do all of these things, then “your light will shine in the darkness.” If you choose to do all of these things, then God will “guide you continually and provide for you in parched places.” If you live as God calls you to live all of the time, then the world will change. We cannot live as we are called to live just some of the time. We cannot live as God calls us to live when it’s easy or convenient, when it is personal, when it’s affecting us. The tide of evil is too great for us to pick and choose when we’ll live as God’s people. With this in mind, notice the shift in verse 12. This too is conditional. If we today live as God calls us to live faithfully and steadfastly, then one day “they” will rebuild and restore. Our example of holy living has the power to change the world.

These words of healing and hope are so needed for our broken world. The establishment of a world without brokenness, of a world where peace and justice are the norm – this world will not come through violence or coercion or power over others. The hard work of restoration and repair, of rescue and redemption will come through small acts of love, lived out again and again. These small acts of love will, one by one, change people’s lives and hearts. Standing against an injustice done to a stranger, speaking words of peace on behalf of the threatened, telling truth amidst the spin and false narratives, owning our part when we are complicit, mending a relationship that is broken, sharing a meal with the poverty-stricken, caring for a sick neighbor… These small acts of love are how our light shines in the darkness. May your light shine today.

Prayer: Lord God, there are many broken walls and many unlivable streets in our world today. How these unjust systems and evil practices must grieve your heart! Lord, may they grieve our hearts too. And then, Lord, with compassion and righteousness, use us to be your love and your light in the world, bringing healing and wholeness and peace and justice to our world. Amen.


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The Power of Love

Reading: 1st Corinthians 1:18-25

1st Corinthians 1:23 – “We preach Christ crucified, which is a scandal to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.”

In this week’s Epistle reading, Paul addresses most people’s struggle with the cross of Jesus Christ. On the logical level, many people then and today struggle with the idea that a man would willingly die for others. On the religious level, many struggle with what happened next – that Jesus rose from the grave, thus ending sin and death’s hold on humanity. To many yet today the cross is scandal at best, foolishness at its worst.

Paul addresses three “crowds” in his writing. The first two are the Jews and the Gentiles. The Jews were looking for a Messiah who would rise up over the Romans, taking back control of Israel. To willingly submit to a horrific death – a scandal. The Gentiles – all non-Jews – were non-religious and therefore sought to use wisdom and logic to understand and make sense of the world around them. The giving and sharing of wisdom would end with death on the cross – foolishness.

These two basic “crowds” exist yet today. There are many who seek to make Jesus into their own image, seeking to control their version of Jesus for their own gain – politically, economically, socially. And there are those who will try and argue away who and what Jesus was and is. Atheists and others will try to “disprove” Jesus, elevating their own wisdom above all else.

Paul also writes of a third “crowd.” This crowd exists today as well. Those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and give their lives to follow him see and understand the cross differently. They see the power and wisdom of the cross and of faithful living today as rooted in love. Love led Jesus to the cross to save us and love leads us out into the world so that others may be saved. Led in love, may we go forth, sharing God’s love with all people.

Prayer: Lord God, use us today to change the world. Just as love broke down the power of sin and death, send us out in love to break down the power of injustice, oppression, power over, greed, lust, prejudice… – the evils of our day. Love can defeat them all. So pour us out in love today, O God. Amen.