pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: come


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Focus on the Good

Reading: Romans 16:17-20

Romans 16:19 – “But I want you to be wise about what’s good, and innocent about what’s evil.”

As Paul closes his letter to the Romans, he returns to a familiar topic: Christian unity. On one level, in our age where the church has split into literally 100’s of denominations, this passage applies to individual churches. Yet on the larger level I can’t help but think that all these divisions grieves the heart of God. At what point do genuine theological differences divide and at what point is it personal preference or opinion that leads to division?

Taking broad strokes today, Paul warns us to “watch out for people who create division and problems against the teaching you heard.” Paul is talking about a core set of theological understandings about Jesus and what it means to truly follow him. My mind goes to the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) bracelets… that we used to wear. This question still makes a great filter for Paul’s warning. Paul continues to advice concerning these folks, writing, “Keep away from them. They are serving their own feelings.”

We all know and see people and leaders who regularly choose selfish ambition over humble service to the common good. We see people in positions of power using “smooth talk” to justify the things they are doing and saying that would make Jesus cry and weep if he were present today. In the midst of all this Paul turns to the individuals that make up the church, saying, But I want you to be wise about what’s good, and innocent about what’s evil.” In the midst of a world focused on self, you focus on the good. Love God and love neighbor. Let that be your guide. Be well aware of the evils and stay innocent of these things. And trust. Yes, trust that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan.” Lord Jesus, come soon. Come soon.

Prayer: Lord God, as churches and as believers, we have so much in common in our theologies and understandings. Use these primary matters to create more unity in the family of God. Help us to understand that secondary and tertiary matters do not have to divide us. Lead us to make better choices, to model Jesus’ love better. Gather your church to be the witness that you desire us to be. Amen.


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It Will Happen

Reading: Daniel 2:40-45

Daniel 2:44 – “The God of heaven will raise up an everlasting kingdom that will be indestructible… It will stand firm forever.”

Today’s reading holds Daniel’s interpretation of one part of one of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams. At the start of this dream, Daniel tells the king that his mighty kingdom will fall. In time, the Medes will overthrow Babylon. Then a third kingdom (Persia) will rule for a time. This kingdom too will fall. Starting in verse 40 Daniel begins to prophesy a fourth kingdom, “mighty like iron.”

This fourth kingdom will be powerful and will smash all in its path. But it will also be a divided kingdom. Under Alexander the Great, Greece will rule the known world, including Palestine. Parts of the kingdom will be mighty, remaining loyal to Greece. Other parts will be fragile, turning away from Greece. The fragility will eventually bring down this mighty empire too.

The dream and interpretation suddenly jumps to the time when “The God of heaven will raise up an everlasting kingdom that will be indestructible… It will stand firm forever.” Unlike the Babylonians, Medes, Persians, Greeks, and the Romans… God’s kingdom is not of this earth. This eternal kingdom will be built upon “the stone,”one cut “not by hands.” This stone will be a “mighty mountain” and will fill “the entire earth.” The story line has jumped to the time when all things will be made new. In our frame of reference, this will be the time of Jesus Christ’s return.

To later read these words – during the reign of the Greek or Romans or during our present time – these words offer hope. Then and now, as people suffer under “power over” leadership, these words remind us of a kingdom yet to come, of a kingdom of love and grace, of mercy and reconciliation. As we read today, it “will happen in the future.” Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, today there is much division and hate, great fear and suffering. Power is loaded over those who are ‘different’ or are perceived as ‘outsiders.’ In response to this reality, we pray, come, Lord Jesus, come. Be that in your second return or in sending us out to stand for you, may it be so. Amen.


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Ripe for Harvest

Reading: John 4

John 4:35 – “Open your eyes and notice that the fields are already ripe for the harvest.”

Photo credit: Paz Arando

As Jesus travels from Judea to Galilee, he passes through Samaria. Stopping at a well to rest, he encounters a Samaritan woman. Jesus shocks her by asking for a drink. Eventually he offers her “living water” – a water that satisfies and that “bubbles up to eternal life.” She desires this water. Jesus reveals that he is a prophet and then as the Messiah. The woman goes back to town and says to all, “Come and see… Could this man be the Christ?” Many do come and see and others encounter Jesus as he stays and teaches for two days. Many believe that Jesus “is truly the Savior of the world.”

In the moments when the woman is in town, Jesus tells the disciples that he is “fed by doing the will of the one who sent me.” Turning to their call to be sent, he invites them to “Open your eyes and notice that the fields are already ripe for the harvest.” Jesus encourages them to “gather fruit for eternal life.” The disciples will see and experience this at the well and in the town of Sychar.

Chapter 4 closes with Jesus traveling to Cana. Along the way he meets a man who asks Jesus to heal his dying son. In faith this man has sought out Jesus. Jesus says, “Go home. Your son lives.” On the way back home the man meets his servants, who tell him the son was healed at the very moment Jesus spoke the words. The man and his entire household come to believe in Jesus.

In each encounter people experience Jesus’ power to change hearts and lives. Many come to believe. Jesus still has the power to change hearts and lives. May this power be revealed in and through you and me. With eyes wide open, may we faithfully enter the harvest field.

Prayer: Lord God, with a word you change hearts and lives. Through the Spirit, plant your words in our hearts. Place your words of life upon our tongues. Use us each day to draw others to you, changer of hearts and lives. Amen.


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Wisdom’s Path

Readings: Proverbs 8 and 9

‭Proverbs 8:4 – “I cry out to you, people; my voice goes out to all of humanity.”

As we turn to chapter 8 we learn of wisdom’s authority and foundation. Wisdom cries out to “all of humanity.” All people are meant to live according to her ways. All people are to learn to fear the Lord. Kings and rulers govern by wisdom. Her “fruit is better than gold.” She walks the path of righteousness and justice, providing for those who love her. The prideful and the arrogant? There is no place for them on the path of wisdom.

Beginning in verse 22 we learn of the origin of wisdom: “The Lord created me at the beginning.” Before anything else was – before the watery depths were formed, before the mountains, earth, or fields were formed – God brought forth wisdom. She was God’s architect. She was part of the creative process. Therefore she smiles upon and delights in the human race. She invites us to listen, to find in her life and favor from God.

Chapter 9 compares Wisdom and Woman Folly. Wisdom sets the table, prepares the meal, and invites the naive to come and eat. At her table the naive learn to abandon their simple ways. They learn to live and walk in the way of understanding. Walking this way, one gains knowledge of “the holy one.” Woman Folly offers the same invitation. But dining at her table leads to “the depths of the grave.” This sharply contrasts with choosing wisdom. Wisdom’s path leads to the heights of joy and hope, of peace and contentment. May we choose this path.

Prayer: Lord God, how we love your ways! You are the source of all that we need, of all that is good and just and right. Teach us to delight in you just as you delight in us. Shine your light on our path, strengthen our walk. Amen.


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Drawn Back

Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9

Verse 8: “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

Photo credit: Rainier Ridao

In ‭Isaiah‬ ‭64, God seems absent to Isaiah and to the people of God. The prophet longs for God to “rend the heavens and come down.” Isaiah longs for the people of God to once again know the God who “acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” When God has been known and then feels absent or withdrawn, one feels that. Life seems abnormal. We’ve all experienced this.

Isaiah recalls that God has indeed “come to help those who gladly do right.” When one lives faithfully and obediently, God is definitely active and present in one’s life. When we are aligned with God’s will and ways, it feels like we are walking closely with God. We too have experienced this.

Continuing on, Isaiah recognizes that the people have remained in their sin. They are “unclean” and right now “no one calls on God’s name.” They are out of alignment with God. They are not even seeking God. It is no wonder that God feels distant and disconnected. We too have experienced this.

Turning to verse 8, we find hope. Isaiah holds to a sure truth: God is present and just waiting to act. God does not abandon us ever. Speaking with hope and confidence Isaiah says, “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” God is yet there, ready and willing to shape and form the people back into who God created them to be. The prophet asks God to look upon them once again. Isaiah longs for restoration and reconnection. God is faithful. The people will be drawn back to God. We have experienced this too. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, when life leads me to question your presence or your love, when my choices or actions create a feeling of separation – draw me back to you. May the Holy Spirit call out my name; may my faith be rekindled, drawing me back to the only source of true life. Amen.


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Step Forward and See

Reading: Joshua 3:10-17

Verses 15-16: “Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests… reached the Jordan… the water from upstream stopped flowing.”

If yesterday’s lesson from the first part of Joshua 3 was “come here and listen,” then today’s lesson is “step forward and see.” In verses 10-13 of today’s passage, Joshua tells the Israelites what is about to happen: God will be ahead of you, 12 men will pick up stones for a memorial, the water will be cut off. What is implied is this: we will cross through into the Promised Land. Then, in verse 14, they break camp and the priests, with the ark, lead the way. The ark of the covenant is God’s presence going ahead of them. As they step forward towards the Jordan we learn that “now the Jordan is at flood stage during the harvest.” There is potential in this realization to falter, to doubt, to question moving forward.

We can come to this place in our journeys of faith. We’ve heard the voice or felt the nudge. We’ve been beckoned and have drawn near to hear, to be invited into the plan that God has placed before us. And then that challenge or obstacle appears and it seems huge – “at flood stage.” We can give up or can turn back. Or we can return to what we heard when we drew near, trusting in God’s plan, continuing to move forward in faith.

In the next verse we read, “Yet as soon as the priests… reached the Jordan… the water from upstream stopped flowing.” Yes, see the power of God at work! That step of faith opened the door for God to do an amazing thing. This too is our promise. When we are faithful to draw near and to listen to God, when we step forward in trust, then we too will see the power of God at work. That huge obstacle or giant challenge – nothing to God. With this assurance, may we boldly move forward in faith in the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, you plant seeds and you whisper visions and dreams. You open my heart to acts of mercy, to people and places in need of your experiencing your love and grace. As I draw near and hear your heart for those in need, guide me to step forward, to move out into the world, assured that you go with me and before me in power and might. Amen.


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Come and Listen

Reading: Joshua 3:7-9

Verse 9: “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.”

Photo credit: Terry Vlisidis

As we begin the first of two days in Joshua 3, we start with God speaking to Joshua. God assures him of God’s power and presence in this transition of leadership. These words must have been very assuring and encouraging to Joshua: “I will begin to exalt you… so they may know that I am with you.” As important as it is for Joshua to hear these words, it is at least as important for the people to experience these words being lived out. They need to know and trust that Joshua is indeed God’s next chosen leader.

In Joshua 3:9 he gathers the people with these words: “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” The first part is an invitation into God’s presence – come here, draw near, enter into holy space. The second part is an invitation into an attitude of readiness and expectation. The call to listen is more than a call to notice that someone is talking. It is a call to pay attention, to be ready to receive these words, to be expectant and ready for what the words call us to. In this proper attitude and posture Israel is ready to receive God’s word as spoken through Joshua.

These two practices are essential elements of our relationship with God. They are essential because without these two practices, God remains a distant buzz somewhere in the periphery of our lives. Step one is to draw near. Whether that is making quiet time each day, bowing one’s head in intentional prayer, or entering the sanctuary for worship, we must make the effort to step into God’s presence, inviting the holy to draw near to us. Next we must quiet ourselves and be attentive to the voice of God. This voice may be revealed in the scriptures, in the nudge or whisper of the Holy Spirit, or in a myriad of other ways that God uses to lead and guide us.

This day and every day may we choose to draw near to God, seeking holy presence and guidance for our daily life.

Prayer: Lord God, kindle in me a fire to know you more, better, deeper. Pour out your love into my heart, breaking it wide open to receive your word. Fill my hands and feet with that overflowing love, making you known to the world. Amen.


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God Hears and Comes

Reading: Genesis 21:8-18

Verse 17: “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid.”

Photo credit: Felipe Correia

Today’s Old Testament passage contains one of the uglier episodes in the story of Abraham and Sarah, the father and mother of Judaism. The roots of today’s story are found in the couple taking God’s promises into their own hands, using a slave girl to produce a child. Even then, way back in chapter 16, we can see the pattern of marginalization and abuse already being established. Today’s ugly story is not an isolated event.

In today’s passage we see Sarah tells Abraham to send away or cast off Hagar and Ishmael. A conflicted Abraham does so after God assures him concerning both Isaac’s and Ishmael’s futures. Forced into the wilderness, Hagar and Ishmael are soon out of food and water. Surrendering to the harshness of being cast off and ostracized, Hagar prepares for death. But God intervenes, sending an angel who says, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid.” God sees her and responds. God encourages her and again reiterates the promise made in Genesis 16:10.

Most of us have never been used to produce a baby. And most of us have not been cast off by “family.” Most of us have not come face to face with dehydration and starvation as our demise. Yet in a very, very small way we can relate. We’ve all lost relationships. We’ve all felt alone. We’ve all feared death. And, like Hagar and Ishmael, God has met us in these wilderness places. God has said to us: “What is the matter ___? Do not be afraid.” God hears our cries and comes near. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you are our ever-present help in our times of need. Thank you for never marginalizing us or ignoring us or abandoning us. You are always nearby. You always hear and respond. Thank you, O Lord. Amen.


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Choose Obedience

Reading: Exodus 24:12-18

Verse 12: “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain and stay here.'”

Photo credit: Paul Pastourmatzis

As we begin the week that culminates on Transfiguration Sunday, when Jesus glory is fully revealed, we start by going up the mountain with Moses. He chooses to be present to God on the mountain. Our passage today begins with an invitation. In verses 12 we read, “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain and stay here.'” It is not a “swing by for a moment” invitation. It is a “come and rest a while” invitation. It is an invitation that calls Moses to come and receive important information from God.

Moses is obedient. He goes up the mountain. In order to go, though, he had to entrust leadership to Aaron and Hur. That done, Moses goes up, entering the cloud of God’s presence that covered the top of the mountain. What happens next is so important. Moses spends 6 days there, just being in God’s presence. Too often we rush in and want God to speak right away so that we can quickly get back to our lives. A good friend who goes on weeklong spiritual retreats shared that it always takes 2-3 days to center, to focus, to really be present, to hear God’s voice. God is never in a rush. As we seek God’s presence, may we add a heap of patience to our obedience to the call to draw near to God.

Moses spends 40 days and nights with God. It is a long conversation filled with much information. When we choose obedience, yielding to God’s call to come away from the world for a while, we too will get to know God (and ourselves) a whole lot better. In those moments in God’s presence, we are changed. We return to the world filled with a presence and a Spirit that empowers us to live a life of service to the Lord our God. When the invitation is extended, when God calls, may we trust and obey. Doing so, God will fill us with all that we need to walk as a faithful disciple in the world.

Prayer: Lord God, moments alone in your holy presence are powerful, wonderful, amazing, scary. Give me the courage to walk into your invitation, to pause life so that I can rest in and be filled by you. O God, fill me up, send me out. Amen.


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Come and See

Reading: John 1:35-42

Verse 41: “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah.'”

As we turn again to John’s gospel today we see that two of John the Baptist’s disciples leave him to follow Jesus. After hearing John declare Jesus “the Lamb of God,” Andrew and another disciple follow Jesus down the road. Noticing someone is tailing him, Jesus asks them what they want. They ask where he is heading – this is a polite way to ask if they can join him. Jesus responds by saying, “Come and you will see.” Jesus invites them to join him – and not just for the day.

Andrew then exhibits a practice that we all should emulate. Knowing in his heart that Jesus is the Messiah, he goes and finds his brother. Simon comes and sees Jesus too. Without introduction, Jesus identifies Simon by name and informs him that he will be called Cephas (or Peter in Greek).

A few questions come to my heart as I reflect on this passage. First, how regularly do I come and see Jesus? This can be going to church, reading the Bible, praying, fasting… Second, who is our Simon? Who is our brother or sister, our neighbor or friend, stranger, or relative that needs to come and see Jesus too? And, third, how will we connect the two? We can pick them up and bring them to church or Bible study. We can take them to coffee or to lunch…

In our hearts we know that Jesus is the Messiah. May we invite and help others to come and see the Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, you are my all in all, my rock and my redeemer, my Savior and my friend. This day use me so that others may come and see the Christ. Amen.