pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Christ


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Walk in the Light and Love

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 5:4-8

1st Thessalonians 5:8 – “But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of salvation.”

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As we continue in our Epistle reading, Paul differentiates between the believers and those who live by the ways of the world. Those without faith will be caught off guard, surprised by Christ’s return. But the believers? They won’t be surprised because they will be ready to meet Jesus. They are the “children of the light and the day.” Those who follow Jesus “live in the light.” This light – Jesus – allows them to always be on guard, alert, and clearheaded. They are not to “fall asleep” on their faith. These words of Paul also apply to us and to our walk of faith. These words also reiterate the call we heard last week in the parable of the ten bridesmaids: be prepared, be ready, always have oil for your lamp.

In verse 8 Paul offers these words: “But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of salvation.” Paul is beginning to develop his thoughts on the “armor of God.” He will flesh this idea out fully about ten years later in his letter to the Ephesians (see chapter 6.) With these words, Paul emphasizes the importance of faith and love and of our confidence in God. These words invite us to clothe ourselves with Christ – to allow our faith and love to guide us, our words, our actions. They also invite us to allow Christ to protect us and to guard us – especially our minds. This is where those thoughts that lead us into darkness begin to form. If we allow Christ to guard our minds, then we will walk in the light and love of Jesus Christ. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, while we live daily knowing that Jesus Christ will return, the darkness can creep in, slowly. Because of this, our walk in the light can be challenging. We get busy or distracted and then we look out the window of our mind, and that darkness has enveloped us. Lord, guard and protect us. Remind and encourage us. Through your Holy Spirit’s presence, lead us to walk daily in the light and love and hope of Christ. Amen.


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Each Day: Love

Reading: Matthew 25:7-13

Matthew 25:13 – “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”

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Continuing today in the parable of the ten bridesmaids, we see that they react well to the shout that woke them up. All ten bridesmaids tend to their lamps, trimming the wicks and relighting their lamps. The five foolish ones quickly realize their problem. They ask to borrow some oil. Connecting to the final day of judgment, some people will suddenly wake up and realize too late that they never claimed a faith of their own. In that moment, someone else’s faith will not be able to save them.

The five wise bridesmaids will not lend any oil to the foolish ones. In reality, they cannot: the faith that they have is their own. The bridegroom arrives and they follow him, lamps lit, into the wedding feast. The door is shut and locked. Later, the five foolish bridesmaids knock on the door, seeking admission. They even call out, “Lord, Lord…” In response, the Lord says, “Believe me, I don’t know you.” The “oil” that they bought is not true oil. There will be some folks that go to church or do other “religious” things but do not have a personal saving relationship with Jesus.

Stepping out of the parable and talking to his followers – then and now – Jesus says, “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.” We must always keep watch for Jesus. We must keep awake, tending to our faith so that we always have “oil” in our “lamps.” We must be alert and attentive to the ways that Jesus becomes present to us in the face of a stranger or in our brothers and sisters in Christ. While we do not know the day or hour, we do know what is required of us as followers of Jesus Christ. Each day, every day, may our love of God and neighbor be revealed in all that we do and say and think.

Prayer: Lord God, when we are tempted to go to sleep on our faith – even for a little nap – stir up our hearts by the power of your Holy Spirit. When we’re tempted by a “next time” or “later” attitude, rattle our awareness of your charge to always love here and now. Help us to always shine your love out into the world. Amen.


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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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Need ___, go to ___.

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 1:7-10

1st Thessalonians 1:8 – “And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to all people everywhere.”

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Returning to Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, we read about the results or impact of their faithful works, loving deeds, and enduring hope in Jesus Christ. In a day when there was no mass media, nevermind the Internet or cell phones, this small group of believers was becoming “an example to all the believers in Greece.” A whole region was being influenced. Paul gives evidence of this impact in verses 8 and 9. In verse 8 he writes, “And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to all people everywhere.” Through the Thessalonians’ witness, faith in Jesus Christ is growing all over the place. The word is ringing out!

Imagine for a moment if the people in your community were talking this way about you or about your church! Imagine if this was how your neighbors spoke of you. Nevermind your whole state or nation – just think about your immediate sphere of influence. What if someone at the grocery store or at the soccer field or in an online space were to naturally encourage a person in need to go to you or to your church? Need help with ___, go to ___. Want someone to walk with you through ___, go to ___. What would it feel like for the average person in your local community to naturally talk about you or your church in these ways?

Yes, it would feel great. It should be this way. And if it is not, we must ask: Why isn’t this our reputation?

Prayer: Lord God, oh to be known as people who love, care for, walk alongside, stand for, lift up, serve… This is your desire, Lord, for all who call on you as Savior. So stir up in each of us an active and passionate faith, one that is noticeable, one that stands out, one that makes a positive difference. Amen.


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Filled with Faith, Love, and Hope

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 1:1-6

1st Thessalonians 1:3 – “As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonian church opens with greetings from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. These three traveled together for much of Paul’s second missionary journey. Paul and Silas had recently been to Thessalonica, where they founded this new church and started to encourage them in word and deed. But some Jews had stirred up trouble, forcing Paul and Silas to flee in the night. Wanting to check in on these new believers, Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica. He found them faithful and unified, even in the face of suffering and persecution.

After the greeting and expression of thanksgiving and prayers for the church in Thessalonica, Paul adds, “As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Thessalonians are living out their faith in active ways, holding onto hope, trusting in Jesus Christ. Reading on we discern how and why these new Christians can be shining lights of faith. Yes, they heard the good news and, yes, they had Paul and Silas’ example. But even more importantly, they received the power of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Spirit in their hearts brought both assurance and joy – even in the sufferings.

The indwelling presence and constant power of the Holy Spirit is what fills the Thessalonians with the faith to do good works, with the love to practice good deeds, and with the hope to endure sufferings and trials. It is the Spirit that fills each believer with faith, love, and hope. In their everyday lives and in the times of great need, the Spirit is right there with them. We who believe have this same Spirit in us. May faith, love,and hope overflow from our lives as well!

Prayer: Lord God , thank you for the work of Paul and others that first shared the good news and opened hearts to receive Jesus Christ and his Holy Spirit. Thank you for the work of those that did the same in our lives. In turn, O Lord, may Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit lead and guide us in faith, love, and hope, using each of us to build the kingdom of God in our time and place. Amen.


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On the Edges

Reading: Matthew 22:1-14

Matthew 22:9 – “Therefore, go to the roads on the edge of town and invite everyone you find to the wedding party.”

Continuing his response to the religious leaders’ questions about his authority, Jesus tells a third parable. This one is more directly about Israel and the kingdom of God. The “king” sent servants to invite people to a wedding banquet for his son. But the people ignored Elijah, Jeremiah, and others. Some were beaten and some were killed. So God sent others – Daniel, Amos, Micah… The people of God continued to ignore and sometimes abuse God’s servants. The Assyrians and then the Babylonians destroyed cities, setting much on fire. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, both calling the people of God to the great wedding banquet. The chosen people mostly ignored and eventually killed these prophets too.

The focus of the king’s invitation shifted as the people of God proved unworthy of the call: “Therefore, go to the roads on the edge of town and invite everyone you find to the wedding party.” Stepping outside the circle of those who thought themselves already chosen, the apostles and disciples of Jesus went to the edges – to Samaritans and other Gentiles, inviting them to the party. Many came. They were mostly good and genuine but not all were. Yet today some show up every Sunday morning but one wouldn’t know it if one observed their Sunday afternoon through Saturday night. Those who refuse to truly clothe themselves in Christ will one day be tossed into the eternal darkness.

Many are invited but few are chosen. Following the way of Jesus is hard and requires sacrifice and humble service to God and neighbor. To practice grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and kindness is to live out our faith. To love, welcome, draw in, include, and invite is the call of our faith. May we daily clothe ourselves in Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, for many people the allure of “fields” and “businesses” is great. At times we too are drawn to the things of this world. In these moments we ignore your word and the Spirit. Come and meet us on the edges, invite us back to the table again and again. And as we experience your neverending invitation, may we become truly invitational – inviting, welcoming, and including all people. Amen.


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Power and Might, Love and Mercy

Reading: Exodus 32:11-14

Exodus 32:12 – “Calm down your fierce anger. Change your mind about doing terrible things to your own people.”

Yesterday we read about the creation of the golden calf. The Israelites were quick to return to what they learned during 400 years in slavery: the golden idols of their enslavers. To return to the familiar was easier than trusting in a God who called them “chosen.” God was furious. God was ready to destroy them all – except Moses.

Turning to today’s reading, Moses first pleads with God on behalf of the people of God. Moses reminds God of the relationship that far exceeds their time in slavery. He reminds God of the ways that God has just begun to rebuild and renew the relationship through the revelation of “great power and amazing force.” Then Moses’ pleading turns to direction as he says to God, “Calm down your fierce anger. Change your mind about doing terrible things to your own people.” Moses invites God away from the feelings of anger and rage. From a better place of heart and mind, Moses reminds God again of the long relationship and of the promises that God made to these people. God relents. God will not destroy the people of God.

This is the first of four times that Moses will intercede on behalf of God’s people. As Moses has walked closely with God, he has come to know not only God’s power and might, but also God’s love and mercy. This second part is what Moses appeals to in today’s text. At times, this is the role that we are called to play. Sometimes through prayer, sometimes through words and/or action, we intercede on behalf of others. Sometimes it is on behalf of those who do not yet know God and sometimes it is on behalf of the powerless or downtrodden. Sometimes it is on behalf of a brother or sister in Christ. Whatever the case, may we always be people who call upon God’s power and might and upon God’s love and mercy as we stand for and with others. Lord, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, in the immediate moment of need, give us the courage to pray or to speak or to act. Guard our hearts against judging or wanting to fix the situation first. There will be time to learn and grow and maybe even to change later. But in the moment, use us to intercede for others, relying upon your power and might and upon your love and mercy. Amen.


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False Gods and Idols

Reading: Exodus 32:1-10

Exodus 32:7 – “Hurry up and go down! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, are ruining everything!”

Photo credit: Ricardo Gomez Angel

In our Old Testament reading today and tomorrow, Moses is up on the mountain receiving instructions from God. Starting in chapter 25, God gives Moses detailed instructions for the tabernacle and for observing the Sabbath. Moses has been with God for forty days. So at the start of chapter 32 the people come to Aaron, unsure about ever seeing Moses again, and ask Aaron to make them a “god.” The one left in charge gives in to the crowd and forms a golden calf. Two of the popular deities in Egypt were represented by a bull. Aaron does try to turn their focus to God by holding a festival to the Lord. But in the end, the people worship the golden idol. With their only connection to the one true God gone forever, the people turn to a false idol – one they can see and touch and can shape or manipulate with their own hands.

God sees what is happening and says to Moses, “Hurry up and go down! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, are ruining everything!” God’s plan is harsh. We find a hint as God calls them “your people.” With these words, God is rhetorically rejecting Israel. God’s plan is to allow the fury to burn and to devour these stubborn and faithless people. Then God will start all over with Moses!

I wonder if God ever feels this way in our day. I wonder if God ever looks down at our way of living and feels anger rising up inside. Do the false gods and idols that we chase after when we’ve lost our connection to God make God feel like “devouring” us? In these moments I remember that, like Israel in the wilderness, we are still a work in progress. We are yet becoming who God created us to be. In tomorrow’s reading, Moses will intercede for the people. For you, for me, for our world today – we too have an intercessor. The risen Christ stands between us and God, interceding on our behalf. Jesus walked among us. He understands our struggles and temptations. Thank you, Jesus.

Prayer: Lord God, when we drift and our connection with you feels lost, the things of this world seem brighter, shinier, more attractive. In these early moments, when we’re looking towards other “gods,” draw us back to you. Whisper in our hearts, reminding us of your love. May this be what captures our attention, our focus, our worship. Amen.


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God’s Upward Call

Reading: Philippians 3:4-14

Philippians 4:14 – “The goal I pursue is the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus.”

Photo credit: Pablo Heimplatz

Our Epistle reading begins with a list of accolades and accomplishments. These are the titles and things that would impress the religious people of Paul’s day. Modernizing the list, it might read: “I’m a Christian… an American… an elder at my church… I do no wrong…” Outside the church, one might say, “I’m a billionaire… I’m the CEO of ___… I’m an All-Star… I won a Grammy…” These status symbols matter in certain circles. But for Paul, when Jesus found him, he “wrote them off as a loss for the sake of Christ.” As Paul walked with Jesus, the things of this world became unimportant. Paul’s identity was in Christ.

Paul came to understand that because Christ was in him, his righteousness was “not my own.” It had been before. In his old life, Paul knew an outward righteousness based upon what he did. In and with Jesus, Paul came to know an inward righteousness – one based on faith alone. Because it is grounded in Christ’s faithfulness, this inward righteousness is not tied to the things of this world. With Christ in his heart, Paul strove to live in right relationships with God and with his fellow human beings. Through faith in Christ, we can strive to live this way too.

In the last few verses, Paul lifts his spirit and his thoughts heavenward. First recognizing that he has not yet “been perfected,” Paul declares that he is still pursuing eternal life. Forgetting his past, Paul looks forward and upward. In verse 14 we read, “The goal I pursue is the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus.” Living faithfully day by day, loving God and neighbor, trusting in the power of Jesus Christ, Paul presses on for the prize: perfect fellowship with Jesus in glory. Day by day, may we press on for the prize.

Prayer: Lord God, through the power of your Holy Spirit in us, lead and guide us to live a good and just and righteous life. Fill us with your love so that love guides all of our thoughts, words, and actions. As we walk in faith each day, drawing ever closer to eternal glory, use our life and witness to bring more of heaven to earth. Amen.