pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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How God Does It

Reading: Joshua 24:16-25

Verse 24: “We will serve the Lord our God and obey God.”

After declaring that he and his house will serve the Lord, Joshua turns the focus to the people. In today’s passage the people respond to Joshua’s declaration with a recounting of God’s power and presence among them. This recounting ends with “We too will serve the Lord because he is our God.” Joshua challenges this statement. Maybe you’ve done this too with that friend who is less than stellar about walking the walk. They’re maybe quick to volunteer but seldom show. They’re great at committing to things but not so good on following through.

Joshua bluntly tells the people that they are not able to serve God. He tells them that God is jealous and holy. He tells them that God will not again and again forgive their rebellion and sin. The people say, “No! We will serve the Lord!” His challenge to their original commitment raises the bar. He is saying they can’t just talk the talk. That’s easy. Joshua then calls them as witnesses against themselves. He is doubling down, asking them if they’re really, really, really sure. Joshua then once more commands them to “throw away” their idols. In turn the people commit to God once again, saying, “We will serve the Lord our God and obey God.”

As I read this passage and note how Joshua questions their commitment again and again, I wonder how God does it. When I’ve struggled with a difficult sin, I come to God again and again with words of confession and repentance. Each time, yes, I’m a little more committed to actually changing. Each time God’s Spirit convicts me a little quicker, a little more deeply. Each time the Spirit increases my resolve, helping me to better walk the walk. How does God do it? Through unconditional love and unending grace. What an awesome God we serve.

Prayer: Lord God, as I consider the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites and as I think about my own wanderings, I am amazed at your continued presence. In my human understanding it is hard to fathom, hard to comprehend. So great is your love for us, so deep is your mercy, so wide is your forgiveness. I am humbled. I bow before you and say thank you, thank you, thank you. Amen.


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Newsworthy

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 1:4-10

Verse 8: “Your faith in God has become known everywhere.”

Photo credit: Vanilla Bear Films

Continuing in our Epistle text for this week, Paul recognizes that the Thessalonians have been chosen by God. The gift of the Holy Spirit and the deep conviction by which they live their faith is the proof that God has indeed chosen them. His words alone do not have that power. It is the power that comes through the Holy Spirit of God that changes hearts and lives.

Paul then commends them for becoming “imitators of us and of the Lord.” They lived out their faith joyfully just as Paul, Silas, and Timothy has: boldly even in the face of suffering. These disciples and this church were being Jesus to the world. They were sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. They model for us what it looks like to follow Jesus. Because of this, Paul is able to write, “Your faith in God has become known everywhere.” Wow!

Paul sees that their faith has “rung out” far and wide. What would it look like for your faith to “ring out?” How could your church engage the world in such a way that the church’s witness “rings out” in the community? This is what happens when we joyfully live out our faith and when we boldly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. Our faith really can impact our world. It should impact our world.

For the church in Thessalonica, their faith was told of by others far and wide. Stories of turning from idols and of living for Christ were newsworthy. This is the end result of “work produced by faith… labor prompted by love… endurance inspired by hope.” May it be so for us.

Prayer: Lord God, enable and empower us and our churches, leading and guiding us to make your name known. Through our joy and through our boldness, may others come to experience the power of your Holy Spirit at work in their lives. May this be the witness that the Lord receives. Amen.


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Roles

Reading: Exodus 2:1-10

Verse 3: “But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch.”

Today we continue in the exodus story. We are yet many years from Pharaoh letting the people go. In today’s passage, though, God begins to work that plan. A Hebrew baby is born and the mother cannot bring herself to obey Pharaoh’s law that says to kill the baby boy. After 3 months she is led to a plan: “But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch.” The basket is strategically placed in the reeds right by where the Egyptian women bathe. The older sister keeps watch from a distance. As the basket and baby are found, she swoops in to offer to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby. Just like that the baby is back at home, where he will remain until weaned. At that time he is given to Pharaoh’s daughter to raise as her own. She names the baby Moses. He will grow up and one day liberate his people from slavery.

The three main women in this story all play important roles. Each follows their hearts and allows love to guide their actions. The prompting of their hearts is God at work. Moses is a pretty big name in the storyline of the Bible. Yes, the three women play a much smaller role in comparison to Moses. But without any of their roles we wouldn’t have a Moses. We all can also play relatively small roles in God’s unfolding plan. Like these three women, what we do and say also impacts the kingdom of God. We too have the power to change lives. Following God’s promptings, may we choose to love as we are led out into the world and into people’s lives.

Prayer: Lord God, guide me today to step into the plans that you have for me. Give me a confidence to go where you lead. Help me to trust into your plans for building a kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Restore, Reconcile

Reading: Genesis 45:1-4

Verse 3: “His brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.”

In chapter 45 of Genesis, Joseph finally reveals who he is to his brothers. In the previous 3 chapters he has demonstrated his power and might. Joseph has used his position of authority to both provide for and to test his brothers’ hearts. The brothers have felt totally powerless before this man who is second in command in all of Egypt. As chapter 44 closes it is Judah (the one who came up with the idea to sell Joseph to the traveling merchants) who begs for mercy, offering himself up in place of Benjamin. Judah tells Joseph that losing a second son would kill his father.

The willingness to sacrifice self for others finally breaks Joseph. He clears the room and sobs wildly before his brothers, so overwhelmed is he by this act of courage and love. Joseph then reveals his identity to his brothers. In the text we see their reaction: “His brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.” How they must’ve feared for their lives. What revenge would he seek? What justice would he extract from them?

Joseph does not want to punish. He wants to restore and reconcile. He wants a new relationship with his brothers. This type of love and mercy and grace and forgiveness is modeled for us almost 1,600 years later as Jesus offers these gifts from the cross. Even to those who treated him so, Jesus offers grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness. These are the first steps towards a new and right relationship. Through Christ, God desires a relationship with you and with me. Through Christ we are offered restoration and reconciliation. May these, in turn, be offered outward as we strive to truly love our neighbors today and every day.

Prayer: Lord God, what love and grace are modeled for us first in Joseph today and then ultimately in Christ Jesus. What depth of mercy and forgiveness that you offer to me, a sinner. As you continue to change my heart, O God, use me more and more to spread abroad your love and grace, your mercy and forgiveness. Amen.


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Learning to Trust

Reading: Psalm 86:1-7 and 16-17

Verse 7: “When I am in distress, I call to you because you answer me.”

In the Psalm this week David prays to God. It is a prayer for help in times of trouble. These are prayers that we pray often. Life can be challenging and difficult at times. Unwanted change, loss, illness, broken relationships, death, failure – these and many more drive us to God in prayer. The psalmist is no stranger to these challenges and difficulties. David certainly has his share of these times of trouble.

As revealed in the Psalm, David also knew who to turn to in these times. David chose someone who was trustworthy, merciful, forgiving, good, loving, and responsive. All of this is summed up in verse 7: “When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.” Hear the confidence and faith in these words. As each challenge arose, as each difficulty came, David turned to God and God answered. Was it always the answer he wanted? No. But David knew that God’s ways were higher and better than his ways. This too was learned over time. This trust and faith was built through a steady and disciplined walk with God.

God invites us into this kind of a relationship. God invites us to be open and honest, vulnerable and trusting. When we are in need, God wants us to call out. When we feel overwhelmed, God yearns for our prayers. When we are worn out or dried up, God longs for us to kneel in prayer. God desires a relationship with us. In these personal and intimate moments of prayer we learn to trust into God, deepening our faith and our relationship. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, you are faithful and true. May you be where I turn to first. You are compassionate and forgiving. In humility and trust may I bring all that I am and all I am not to you. Day by day deepen our relationship, O God. Amen.


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What Great Love

Reading: Romans 5:6-8

Verse 8: “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

As we turn to Romans 5 again today we begin with the fact that Jesus “died for the ungodly.” It was “when we were still powerless.” We like to think that we’d die for our spouse or child, that we’d sacrifice ourselves for someone innocent or in the line of duty. While this is likely true for most of us, it is also highly unlikely that we’d die for an abuser or for a career criminal or for a person who has failed or wronged us again and again. Christ did both. He died for us, for his brothers and sisters in the faith. And he died for that other us – the one who abused his love and grace, the one who sins over and over, the one who fails to keep his commands again and again and again. “While we were still sinners…”

Perhaps even more amazing is the fact that God initiated this action. We were powerless to save ourselves. We still are. Usually one waits for the offensive or harmful behavior to change. Usually one waits for the other to come grovelling back. Have you ever offered forgiveness before the other changed their ways, before they could get “I’m sorry” out of their lips? God did this, modeling for us the power of unconditional love and undeserved reconciliation. And if that were not enough, consider this. God knew that Jesus’ death would not put an end to sinning. God sent Jesus to the cross anyway. God did so because in the death and resurrection we find the way to living in right relationship with God. What great love God has for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, when one considers the depth of your love for sinners like me, it is hard to fathom. Your love is so great and your sacrifice so selfless, it is difficult to grasp. I am left to offer a simple and humble thank you. Thank you. Amen.


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Praise, Worship

Reading: Psalm 33:1-5

Verse 4: “The word of the Lord is upright, and all God’s work is done in faithfulness.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Today the psalmist calls us to praise God. We’re called to “sing joyfully” and to “make music” and to “shout for joy.” We are invited to praise and worship God because “the word of the Lord is upright, and all God’s work is done in faithfulness.” While this is most certainly true, it isn’t always easy to live these things out.

Sometimes (or often) life is hard. Bad or sad news about this or that is received. Unwanted change comes. Evil exists and it touches our lives. We battle depression or insecurity or guilt or shame. It is not always easy simply to “praise the Lord.” And yet we are called to do this.

Verses 4 and 5 contain the “how” or the “why.” The psalmist reminds us that God’s word is “faithful and true.” We’re reminded that God is “faithful in all God does.” In the next verses we are reminded of God’s “unfailing love” that fills the earth – especially for “righteousness and justice.” When one begins to accept and stand upon and live into these truths, then praise and worship become possible – no matter what life brings.

God is with us. God is for us. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are with us and for us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you are with me, you are with us. Your love never fails and it never ends. May righteousness and justice mark our lives, revealing you to others as we live a life of praise and worship. Lead and guide us, O Lord. Amen.


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The Two “Greats”

Reading: Matthew 28:18-20

Verse 19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Today’s text contains what is known as the “Great Commission.” It is Jesus’ charge to the disciples to continue the work that he started. As we read or hear these words, the same charge applies to us today. Jesus says to all who believe in him as Lord and Savior: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

These powerful words call us to action, to movement, to going out into the world to witness to and to share the good news of Jesus Christ. At times, as Christians, as we have sought to live out these words, we have forgotten the intent and we have set aside the model that Jesus gave us for living out these words. At times we have sidestepped the Great Commandment – to live God with all that we are and to love neighbor as self – as we have sought to “make disciples.” In many cases we have sought to transform them into our expected image or standard instead of into Jesus’.

When Jesus says, “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” he is calling the disciples and us to live first and foremost. Love does not coerce or manipulate; it does not force or overpower. Love changes hearts and lives through relationship and connection. It changes people into disciples by teaching them kindness, grace, forgiveness, mercy, compassion… As we seek to live out both the great commandment and the great commission, may we hold tightly to both.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to cling to both “greats” each day and with each person I meet. Use me to reflect Christ’s love into the world and into people’s lives. Use me to make disciples even if I do not speak a word. Amen.


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In the Power

Reading: Acts 2:14 – “Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and addressed the crowd.”

Today’s verse is the start of a long sermon by Peter that culminates with tomorrow’s passage. Pentecost had just happened, drawing a large crowd of Jews from all over the world. This miracle has prepared hearts and minds to hear what Peter has to say. The Holy Spirit fills Peter with power as he shares about Jesus and how he was revealed through the Hebrew scriptures and through the “miracles, wonders and signs” done during Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Peter is bold and fearless as he stands up, raises his voice, and begins to address the crowd. What a contrast to the Peter who ran from the courtyard in tears, filled with shame and regret. He couldn’t even claim his faith in Jesus to a few people standing around a warming fire and now he dives in full of confidence standing before thousands. What has changed in Peter and in the other disciples?

The primary change has come through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Soon after his resurrection, Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon them. The living, powerful presence of Jesus Christ now dwells in their hearts and minds. The Holy Spirit empowers them to act and speak on behalf of God, just as Jesus himself did. Standing together as one, Peter tells the good news of Jesus Christ. It could’ve been James or John. It could’ve been Matthias. If born in a different time, it could’ve been you or me. You see, all who call on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are filled with the same Holy Spirit that empowered Peter this day. May we too live and act and speak with boldness and confidence, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord God, today, when I have the opportunity that Peter had, fill me with your Spirit power and use me to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Whether in word, action, or example, may my faith and trust in you be evident to all. Amen.


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Divine Moments

Reading: 2nd Peter 1:16-21

Verse 18: “We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Jesus on the sacred mountain.”

Today we connect the dots that reveal what the transfiguration meant to Peter. Years after the actual event, Peter writes about it in the passage that we read today. It is clearly a powerful memory for Peter. Recalling that day Peter begins by stating, “We were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” He remembers the “honor and glory” that God placed upon Jesus that day. Peter testifies, “We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Jesus on the sacred mountain.” In this context today he is retelling the story for the benefit of his audience, which includes us today. Yet we also know that recalling the story builds Peter’s faith too. Recalling this event and other encounters with Jesus, Peter finds courage when he needs that, assurance when he needs that… This moment on the mountain, it changed Peter forever.

We too have moments that change us forever. We may not always hear the audible voice of God speaking from “the Majestic Glory,” but we do have moments when we feel a tangible presence, when we feel a little nudge, when the Spirit whispers a thought into our heart. These are moments when the divine becomes just as present to us as it was to Peter on the mountain.

Our stories of these moments are powerful. As Peter did, we recall them, we relive them in times of need. These memories bring us a faith boost, a calm in the storm, a strength in the trial… Our stories can be powerful when told to others too. Our moments with the divine provide a great witness to the power of God at work in our lives and in the world. Like Peter, may we share our stories of faith – sometimes in our own hearts and minds, sometimes with one who needs to hear a story of faith.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for each of the moments that have become a part of my story of faith. In love, you touched my life in these ways. May I love others by sharing my personal witness of your power and love. Amen.