pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: compassion


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Sing Mary’s Song

Mary’s song is a beautiful song of hope, compassion, and faith.  It is a song that connects all of Israel’s past yet speaks at the same time of things to come.  Mary sings of a Jesus that she is only just beginning to carry in her womb.

Mary is full of joy and gives all the glory to God.  She knows how special her role is and also that she was selected out of many possible mothers, yet she is still humble.  She is glad for the role God has given her, knowing she is blessed.

Her song speaks so well of the role Jesus will play.  She sings of him offering mercy to those who fear him.  She sings of how he will minister – scattering the proud, bringing down rulers, lifting the humble, feeding the hungry, sending the rich away.  Only through the presence of the Holy Spirit could she sing such a song.

During this holy season may we also sing Mary’s song.  But may we also blend it with our story as we allow the Spirit’s presence into our story too.  May we share the story of what Jesus has done for us as we also bring the good news of Jesus Christ to others.

Scripture reference: Luke 1: 46-55


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A “Can Do” Day

In my current church setting, we are a ‘downtown church.’  Those in need call and stop in on a fairly regular basis.  Our outreach center next door does a wonderful job meeting needs and providing services.  There and at the church itself we meet people and form relationships with some.  It is a neat thing to see those relationships grow and develop.

One of the realities is that the poor – both financially and in spirit – are near every church.  It could be the family down the street or gravel road.  Maybe the dad lost his job and they are struggling to pay the mortgage and put food on the table.  Maybe the weather wasn’t so good this year and the crop just did not pan out like they had hoped.  We just don’t know unless we are involved and engaged in the world around us.  Teresa of Avila said, “Yours are  the eyes with which Christ looks with compassion on this world.”  None of us has to look to far to find someone in need of a little compassion.

Oh for a few million dollars!  The reality is that we cannot help everyone and fund every need.  We cover a rent when we can, give out food or warm clothes when we can, and so on.  Once in a while we are blessed when we can meet a holy need too.  So we go on, as John Wesley said, doing all the good we can in all situations we can when we can.  May we each be blessed with a ‘can do’ moment today!

Scripture reference: Matthew 25: 31-46


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Good, Love, Mercies – Praise!

God is good.  His love endures forever.  Praise be to God for His unfailing compassion and mercy.

We sin.  Our faithfulness is prone to wander, to ebb and flow.  We weve in and out of our relationship with God.  We are human; we are imperfect.

But there is nothing we can do to cause God to stop loving us, nothing we can do that  He will not welcome us home.  In the midst of those times when we find ourselves in our own little wilderness, God is always calling, always seeking to redeem us.  Just as Jesus welcomed sinners into His life so that He could minister to them, we too enter God’s presence and find cleansing and healing.

At times we may feel too unworthy or that we are too far away to be found.  Yet there is no depth too deep for God’s love.There is no east or west too far for God’s redemptive power.  He always hears our cries and our prayers.  God is good.  His love endures forever,  His mercies are new every morning.  His compassions never fail.  Praise be to God.

Scripture reference: Psalm 107: 1-7 and 33-37


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God Is…

God is like… a king!  No – no king has ever loved their people as much as God loves us.  God is like… a president!  No, God is absolute and forever – leaders come and go on a pretty regular basis.  God is like… a dictator!  No, God overflows with mercy and compassion and kindness.  God is like… God!

In many ways we fail to understand God and His ways.  But this is mostly when we try to “figure God out”.  Too grapple with why this happens or why that doesn’t happen is next to impossible.  Yet in very tangible and real ways we can feel God’s presence, sense His love, feel truly forgiven and cleansed of our sins, and so on.  God is certainly a God we can experience.  Our worship and praise is our outpouring of love back to the God who reigns over all.

In Christ we come to know God in the flesh and we see how we are to live out God’s love, mercy, forgiveness.. with our fellow man.  With our holy Lord, we stand for justice, we meet the needs of our brothers and sisters, and we share our faith with each other and with the lost.  God is a God we can share.

Scripture reference: Psalm 99


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Joining the Mission

In Philippians 2 we read that Jesus was compassionate, comforting, tender, and joyful.  We are to be these things too.  We are also called to be humble and to consider the interests and needs of others over our own.  Christ’s ultimate example of humility came in being obedient to death on the cross – for you and me, for everybody.

In our faith journey we grow more and more into who God called us to be.  As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we become more like Him.  Whereas it used to be easy to say ‘no’ to someone in need, it now becomes harder as we grow to see them as He did – as a fellow child of God.  In light of this, we seek to bring justice, dignity, and compassion to those in need.  We begin to share in the work of He who loved us enough to die for us, joining Christ in His mission to bring all to the Father.

Scripture reference: Philippians 2: 1-13


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Even in the Wilderness

After Jesus hears of the death of John the Baptist, He withdraws by boat to a solitary place.  But the people follow Him out into the wilderness.  They are seeking.  As they come to Him, Jesus is filled with compassion and heals many.  At the end of the day, out in the wilderness, some of the people find hope and love.

Out in the wilderness, as night begins to settle in, many are vulnerable.  They all have a basic need for food.  Once again (but after an interesting exchange with the disciples!), Jesus feels compassion for the people.  Again He responds out of love.  The people are seated and, from little, 5000 men plus the women and children all eat their fill.  In the wilderness the people encounter a loving God who meets their need not just with what satisfied but with abundance.

At times we to are in the wilderness.  In these times we often feel alone and vulnerable.  And Jesus comes to us too.  In His compassion and love we find healing and comfort for our souls.  In His presence our strength is renewed.  As He walks with us, our wilderness begins to fade.  We come to know that no matter where we are, His love and compassion will always help us through.  His mercies are new every morning and His love never fails!

Scripture reference: Matthew 14: 13-21