pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: chose


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Do as I Do

Reading: John 13:12-17 and 34-35

John 13:15 – “I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do.”

Photo credit: Felipe Correia

After washing the disciples’ feet, all twelve pairs, Jesus returns to the table. He asks them, “Do you know what I’ve done for you?” Jesus is not going for “washed our feet.” Acknowledging his role as Teacher and Lord, he calls them to also be willing to wash each other’s feet. A disciple was to model the sacrifices made by their teacher, to follow their example. Jesus reiterates this cultural norm when he says, “I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do.” Do as I do.

Now, this is just an example. Foot washing isn’t the only act of service Jesus calls his disciples to. He intentionally chose the lowest, most menial task in their present setting to illustrate his call to serving one another. We will all face unpleasant, menial, low-level tasks and situations. Will we humbly and willingly choose to serve or will we look around to see who we can force to do said task…? Jesus says: do as I do.

Jesus then elevates the call as we get to verses 34-35. I, you, we can go through the motions. We can do the hard thing when others are watching. Here Jesus calls his disciples to an always command to “love one another.” Fleshing this command out, he says, “Just as I have loved you, so you must love one another.” His love was unconditional covenant love. It is a love that remains committed and obedient no matter what. Of this kind of love, Jesus says, do as I do. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, it would be easier to just kinda love like you love. Maybe we could pick and choose? Oh, but you loved Judas. You washed his feet, just like the rest. And Peter’s too. If there were any not to pick that night… Lord, help us to do as you do, to love as you love. Guide us to live out the love that you modeled 24/7. Help us to love this way. Amen.


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Trust and Honor the Lord

Reading: Malachi 1-2

Malachi 2:8 – “But you have turned from the path. You have caused many to stumble… You have corrupted the covenant of Levi.”

Photo credit: Daniel Hooper

Throughout Malachi we hear a call to holiness. The people’s holiness should be reflected in all areas of their lives: in worship practices, in service, in marriage, in interactions with one another. Unfortunately, God’s people are far from holy. So Malachi calls for repentance, for changed hearts.

Chapter 1 begins with the people questioning God’s love for them. They are struggling along while neighbor Edom is doing well. God reminds them that God chose Jacob, not Esau. In turn, God asks them, “Where is my honor?” The priests despise God, accepting blind, lame, and sick animals for the sacrifices. God takes no delight in this and goes so far as to suggest closing the temple doors. “Nevertheless” God says, God’s name will be honored among the nations. Just not at home. God will curse those who bring impure offerings when there are healthy males in the flock. This conversation with God makes me wonder: when do we bring impure or less than our best as offerings to the Lord our God?

Chapter 2 begins by addressing the priests. God threatens a curse on them. Then maybe the covenant with Levi will be honored. To live within the covenant is life and peace. There would be true instruction on their lips. If only. God declares, “But you have turned from the path. You have caused many to stumble… You have corrupted the covenant of Levi.” We too are called to hold one another accountable, to help one another to walk daily in faith. How are we doing with this calling or charge?

Turning to the people, God asks, “Isn’t there one father?” God is reminding them that they’re one family. God then asks why they all cheat each another. God uses their marriages to foreign wives as an example. The men are breaking the covenant with their wives. God tells them to cover the altar with “tears, weeping, and groaning” – signs of repentance. This chapter closes with a declaration that God is tired of the people’s words. The people are questioning God’s goodness and justice. This is something that we continue to do. May we instead choose to trust and Honor the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, you continue to call us today to holiness in all of life. You desire pure hearts that seek to be your light and love, your grace and kindness in the world. When temptations arise, when we become half-hearted, send your Holy Spirit to revive us, to strengthen our faith. Empower us to walk your path. Amen.


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Hope, Yes, Even Then

Ezekiel 20:33 – “As surely as I live, with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, I will be your king!”

Good and evil 1

We begin today with a riddle. The great eagle is Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. He planted Zedekiah, but he rebelled, trying to form an alliance with Egypt. But Pharaoh wouldn’t help. Zedekiah went into exile. In chapter 18 God clarifies the consequences of their sin. Contrary to popular understanding, sins and their consequences are not carried on through the generations. Through a three generation example, God reveals that the righteous will live. The sinful will die. God states in verse 30, “I will judge each of you according to your ways.” The chapter concludes with a plea from God: choose life.

Chapters 19 and 20 lament Israel’s leaders and history, respectively. In chapter 19 poor leadership has resulted in Israel and Judah being planted in the desert – in exile – in a “parched and thirsty land.” God then reviews Israel’s long, long, long history of disobedience. Again and again and again God is ready to “pour out my wrath” on Israel and again and again and again we read that “for my name’s sake” God gives Israel another chance. Whether literally or figuratively it was again and again, “one more lap around the desert” as God tried and tried to bring Israel into a lasting covenant relationship. Finally, in 20:33 we read, “As surely as I live, with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, I will be your king!” There will not be another lap, another “again.” Yet even as disaster looms, God speaks hope. After the doom, God will regather the small remnant. God will “bring you into the covenant bond.”

Chapter 21 describes the disaster soon to come. The guard will strike all – left and right, twice and three times. Reminded of their guilt, they will be laid low. “A ruin, ruin, ruin, I’ll make it!” declares the Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, these words of death and loss and devastation and disobedience can be hard to read. They are hard to wrap our heads around. Yet we also must acknowledge that just as you laid out the way to live, the people chose to walk the other way. We too face the same choice: life or death. Guide us to choose life, to choose to walk in your ways of love and grace, of justice and righteousness. Amen.


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The Family of God

Reading: Ephesians 1: 3-10

Verses 4-5: “[God] chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight… adopted as sons [and daughters] through Jesus Christ.”

As Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians, he reviews the blessings one receives in and through Christ. The first blessing is inclusion in the family of God. As Saul, Paul sought to exclude people from the family. As Paul he was one who saw and lived out the wideness of God’s love. Paul widened the circle. Even so, it is expressed within the context of his day. Therefore I added the [ ] to the key verse for today.

In our key verse there are four main points. The first is that God chose us. Humanity was and is created in God’s image. God created humanity to be in relationship with the Godhead. God created thousands and thousands of creatures with the breath of life in them. Only one was chosen to live in relationship with God. Second, this decision was made before day one. God’s plan was set before the first word was spoken to begin the creation process. God always planned with us in mind.

Third, God’s intention for us was to be holy and blameless. Once in a while we dabble in this realm. We have moments when the heavens look down and smile, lifting songs of praise and joy. Because we live in a fallen world, we do not remain holy and blameless. Lastly, we have been adopted into the family through Jesus Christ. The first family – the Jews – lived under the old covenants. But even set aside and set apart from the world they wandered often from their relationship with God. God needed to be written on our hearts. Instead of laws handed down from on high, God incarnate came down and lived a holy and blameless life, setting an example for us. Becoming the new covenant, Jesus opened a new and personal way to be in relationship with God. Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit on all who believed and has done so ever since that first Pentecost. The constant presence of the Spirit writes God on our hearts, drawing us to God and into the family. For our adoption into this family of God, we say thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for choosing us, for choosing me. Although our fickle love makes it easy to give up on a person, your perfect love never does. You so desire holiness in us that you were willing to send Jesus to die so that our sins did not keep us separated from you. At times we are a ragtag bunch. But you knew we would be. And you chose us anyway. What love. Thank you. Amen.


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Pure and Steadfast

Reading: Psalm 51: 10-12

Verse 12: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me”.

We return to Psalm 51 today. The Psalm comes from the messiness that has just occurred in David’s life. This is something we all experience. We cannot totally avoid sin – we are human.

Sometimes I think I could be less sinful if I lived an isolated life. If I were a monk or hermit maybe I’d sin less. But then I realize that my humanity would creep in. I’d get jealous of that monk who was recognized. I’d be angry that this other monk didn’t do his fair share in the garden. I’d long to be the one asked to lead this or that. Even in that monastic lifestyle I’d still struggle with sin. There too I’d have times when I failed to act, when I chose not to offer kindness, when I’d keep my gifts and talents to myself. I’d not escape these sins either.

David’s prayer for God to “create in me a pure heart… a steadfast spirit within me” needs to be my prayer too. Being pure and steadfast are always things I struggle with. Our section of Psalm 51 closes with these words: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me”. This verse follows David’s plea to not be “cast” away. Yes, our sin is ever before us. But so is God. Out of our repentance God will ever be right there to redeem and restore us. Yes, Lord, give us a willing spirit; sustain us all in this journey of faith.

Prayer: Lord God, so often I fail and yet your mercy remains. So often I harm our relationship or my relationships with others, yet your grace always abounds. Your love is so great. Thank you for loving me beyond myself. Amen.


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Wondrous

Reading: Ephesians 1: 1-10

Verse 4: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight”.

Today we begin a journey through Ephesians. I love the opening line: “To the saints in Ephasus, the faithful in Christ Jesus”. It is such a hopeful line! If someone began a letter to you or me with that line we’d be pretty happy, wouldn’t we? Well, Paul goes on to explain that God does choose all of humanity to be recipients of his love, mercy, grace… While this specific letter is written to the churches in and around Ephasus, the themes and truths apply to Christians everywhere.

In verse four we read, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight”. Not only does God bless those who hope in Christ, he has chosen us to be like him. Being created in God’s image we were made to be holy and blameless. Living in a fallen and broken world, we often fail to live up to this image. Paul addresses this too. Knowing the limitations of humanity, in love God planned for the coming of Jesus, the one who offers us “redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins”. God knew we would stumble and fall. So God lavished upon us his grace found in Jesus Christ. In his deep and abundant love God made a way for us fallen and imperfect beings to live in relationship with him and with one another. What wondrous love is this. May we share this love with all the world.

Prayer: Lord God, you chose me. You created me to be in relationship with you. You are holy and blameless. I am far from these things. Yet you love me and call me back into relationship over and over. What love. Thanks be to you, most wondrous God. Amen.


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Fit for Service??

Reading: Isaiah 6: 1-8

Verse 5: “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips… and my eyes have seen the King”.

Photo credit: Michal Matlon

Today and tomorrow we read of God’s call on Isaiah’s life. In the opening chapters of the book of Isaiah the case is laid out for why the Israelites desperately need a prophet to speak God’s word to them. They are the “people of unclean lips” that Isaiah lives among.

As the story of his call opens in chapter six Isaiah finds himself face to face with God Almighty. The Lord is on the throne and “the train of his robe fills the temple”. The Lord is a very big presence in Isaiah’s vision. All around the Lord are seraphs, amazing creatures with six wings. Covering their faces and their feet in reverance to the Lord, they sing of God’s holiness and glory. Their worship is so powerful that the heavens shake and smoke fills the temple. Isaiah’s response is honest and raw. He is both humbled and afraid to be in God’s presence.

In verse five we hear Isaiah’s response: “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips… and my eyes have seen the King”. If I were to come face to face with God, I don’t think my reaction would be much different. When the imperfect encounters the perfect, when the limited encounters the limitless, it is natural to want to shrink back, to want to become invisible. The contrast is just so great. And yet God chose to bring Isaiah into his presence. God saw Isaiah not as imperfect or limited or as sinful but as one worthy of service in the kingdom of God.

Like Isaiah, you and I are people of unclean lips. You and I live among a people of unclean lips, in a nation that has drifted from the Lord. God does not look at us and see failure or sin or imperfection. He looks at you and me and sees another fit for service in building the kingdom of God. Draw into his presence, how will we respond?

Prayer: Lord God, I marvel that you can use even me. Long a man of unclean lips and one that still stumbles now and then, you still chose me. You drew me into your presence, you began to work in me. Thankfully you saw more within me than I did and you’ve been drawing that out. Please continue to work in me and to use me as you will. Amen.


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God Chooses…

Reading: John 15: 16-17

Verse 16: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit”.

Photo credit: Mikhail Alexandrov

“You did not choose me, but I chose you”. These words bring a range of reaction and emotion. It is empowering, uplifting, encouraging… to understand that God chose you and me to be a part of building the kingdom of God. Wow! It is at the same time intimidating, scary, overwhelming… to understand that God chose you and me to be a part of building the kingdom of God. Wow!

When I was much younger I had a crush on a young lady. At first she appreciated my attention but soon realized that she was just not interested in me. Many times in my younger days love was in the air but would soon fade away. Just because I chose someone to be the recipient of my affections did not mean that they would reciprocate. Try as I might, things often went nowhere.

God has not only chosen you and I to receive his love, grace, peace, forgiveness… God has chosen all of humanity. Some appreciate God’s affection but choose not to reciprocate. They do not want a relationship with God. Still others don’t even know that God is reaching out. For those of us who have chosen to walk with Jesus Christ, we are “appointed” to go and seek both of these groups out so that they can experience God’s love, grace, peace, forgiveness… – some for the first time, some once again.

God will never force anyone to be in a relationship with him. That is not love. We cannot force or argue anyone into faith in Jesus Christ either. Our task is to go forth in the name of Jesus to love others, bearing good fruit for the kingdom of God. Sharing God’s love, grace, peace, forgiveness… is how we bear good fruit. May it be so for you and for me this day and every day.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for choosing me. I can’t imagine life without you. Use me today to share your light and love with all I meet. Amen.


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You Chose Love

Reading: John 3: 14-18

Verse 17: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”.

Our passage today begins with Jesus referencing an Old Testament story. When the Israelites grumbled against God and Moses, God sent poisonous snakes. In response to their cries for help, God had Moses fashion a serpent and place it high on a pole. By looking up to this symbol, the people who had been bitten were saved. Jesus parallels this story with belief in him. If one looks to the “lifted up” or risen Christ, we too are saved.

Verse sixteen details the depth of God’s love: “he gave his one and only Son” so that we could be saved. God incarnate loved us enough to take upon himself the sin of the world and to die on a cross. His loving sacrifice saves us from the consequences of our sins and from the finality of death. Sin and death no longer reign. The cross speaks the final words: you are loved. The Old Testament God who quickly judged the people’s sin and sent snakes as the consequence instead chose to send his Son. The God who judged and condemned the Israelites turns to love.

In verse seventeen we read, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”. God chose to love us as we are and as we always will be on this earth. God chose to save us because of his great love for us. God chose to enter our broken and hurting and messy world in order to save us. Instead of tossing in the towel and giving up on us, Jesus wrapped himself in a towel and knelt at the disciples’ dirty feet. Washing their feet was a symbol not only of humble service but also of the way his death on the cross would wash away our sin.

In many ways Jesus said, ‘You are loved’. As we continue to walk deeper into Lent and to draw closer to the cross may we seek to reveal to one and all that they are loved. May Jesus’ love be our love as we strive to draw the kingdom of God near.

Prayer: God of grace and power and love, you sent Jesus to save. Thank you for the depth of your love. You gave a willing sacrifice. You chose to love when condemning would have been so much easier. Thank you for choosing love. Amen.


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The Family

Reading: Ephesians 1: 3-14

Verse 13: “You also were included in Christ… Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit”.

The opening section of Ephesians is all about God’s plans to include us all in the family of God. Paul begins by declaring that God chose us to be in Christ “before the creation of the world”. It is in “accordance with his pleasure and will” that all people are “adopted as his sons [and daughters] through Jesus Christ”. God desires for all people to be a part of the community of faith.

Starting in verse seven Paul moves on to why and how God wants us in the family. First, only then do we receive redemption for our sins. Out of love God provided a way for us to be freed from the bonds of sin. Without Christ we remain trapped in the guilt and shame. Second, God lavishes us with wisdom and understanding. The ways of God are not the ways of the world. This gift allows believers to live and see and love the world differently. Created anew in Christ, we pursue the things and ways of God instead of the world. Third, in relationship with Christ we become a part of the fulfillment of all things. Living holy lives we are a part of bringing “all things in heaven and earth together under one head, Jesus Christ”. As part of the family, we seek to help bring others into the family of God.

About three years ago I was serving a church in a small rural community. The hospital called and asked if I would come visit an elderly woman who was nearing death. Soon after arriving I learned from her daughters that she wanted to be baptized. As I left to get the needed supplies, I asked if she wanted to receive communion after being baptized. She nodded “yes”. When I returned we had a short baptism service for a 93-year-old. She had come to know Jesus as Lord later in life but had never been baptized. She knew of Paul’s words: “you were marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit”. Feeling a new sense of belonging, this deposit “guaranteeing her inheritance” led to celebrating holy communion in a new way too.

Taken together, all of the signs and symbols, all the wisdom and knowledge, all the blessings and graces – they reassure us of our place in the community of faith. Thanks be to God for the love that is big enough to want all of us to be saved. To the praise of his glory, amen!

Prayer: Loving God, you so want to include all people in your family. Use me today to move someone a little closer to being a part of the great community of faith. Amen.