pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: connect


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Lenten Journey

Lent begins today!!  Lent is a season when we prepare ourselves for celebrating Easter, the day of Christ’s resurrection and victory over sin and death.  It is a season when we go to work so that we are ready to celebrate His victory.  Lent is a season when we look within more often.  We spend time in self-reflection to evaluate our faith.  In this process we repent of all that separates us from or keeps us from being closer to God.  We make sacrifices to draw closer to God.  Some fast to draw closer to God.  All of our practices in Lent must serve to draw us closer to God and to create in us that clean heart that will be acceptable in His sight.

The model we follow for Lent was established by Jesus.  At the beginning of His ministry, after being baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus went into the wilderness for a period of forty days.  In this time He fasted and prayed in order to prepare Himself for the testing that Satan would bring.  This period of prayer and fasting strengthened His faith and relationship with God so that He could withstand the temptations of the devil.  In our forty day journey to the cross, we too will be tempted.

In Isaiah 58 it speaks of fasting for the wrong reasons and lays out the correct reasons.  In Lent, each practice can be done for impure reasons.  All must be done to better connect to God and to prepare ourselves.  At the start of Lent we must examine our inner being to determine if there are things in our lives we need to repent of and let go.  In this period of self-reflection, sometimes we see that there is something we need to attend to more often as well.  Maybe this entails taking on a special Lenten devotional or prayer study.  Perhaps this means finding one more time to pray during each day.  Maybe it means fasting once a week during Lent.  Whether it is setting something aside or adding a new discipline, this sacrifice must draw us closer to God.

In Lent, as we go to work to draw closer to God, we must also draw closer to our fellow man.  It is an inevitable consequence of drawing closer to God.  As we grow in our love of God, our love of all He loves grows as well.  Isaiah 58 speaks much of loving those in need.  May our light too break forth as we seek to love those in need and to break the chains of oppression.  May we too be pleasing in His sight on our Lenten journeys.

Scripture reference: Isaiah 58: 1-12


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Presence

Psalm 99 opens with, “The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble.”  This line evokes a powerful God.  goes on to speak of how God is holy and mighty and that we should worship at His footstool.  These words and images indicate a God that is far above mankind in status and place.  The psalmist almost makes God so far above us that we can barely connect to Him.  At times, particularly when I have sinned, it can be easy to see God in this manner.

But beginning in verse six, we are reminded that God connects with mankind in personal ways.  We are reminded of how Moses, Aaron, and Samuel all called on God and of how He answered them as He spoke directly with them.  Our mighty and holy and powerful God desires the same intimacy with us.  He longs for this on a daily, moment-by-moment basis, not just once a week or once in a while.

Often when we gather for worship, we begin by inviting God’s presence to be among us.  The words of the prayers, liturgies, sermon, and songs are all meant to help us connect to God and to feel His presence in our time of worship.  Our praise builds out of this sense of connection and relationship.  Our mighty and holy and powerful God desires a one-on-one connection with each of us.

As in the psalm, God desires to be our defender, our redeemer, and our champion of justice.  This desire is for all of the time, not just on a Sunday morning.  May we begin each day by inviting God to be present in our lives that day.  Throughout the day may we reach out and connect to Him, continually inviting Him into our lives.  And at the end of the day, may we thank God for His constant presence with us throughout that day.  May the Lord God be with you!

Scripture reference: Psalm 99


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Praise the Creator

Yesterday we celebrated the gift of Jesus Christ to us and to our world.  The psalm today celebrates all of God’s other gifts that we find in our world.  God clothed creation in amazing beauty – from the stars, sun, and moon to the snow, frost, and rain.  He also created much that is also beautiful.  From the birds and animals to the mountains, trees, and flowers, we find much beauty in our world.

God created much with an amazing amount of diversity and creativity.  We do not see just roses, but tulips and daffodils, and morning glories.  We don’t just see red roses, but white and pink and…  There is not just one type of mountainscape.  Some are beautiful in their rugged splendor and others are pine-covered and inviting.

Today at my house it is very cold and windy and snowy.  In a few months the grass and plants will burst forth with beautiful green and young birds will chirp.  In just a few more months the hot sun will bring forth growth and the occasional thunderstorm to remind me of God’s power and might.  And soon thereafter the leaves will turn a variety of yellows, reds, and oranges and cool evenings will return.

Today may we connect to the many incredible ways that God has created the earth and all that is in and on it.  As we consider and marvel at the work of His hands, may we praise and thank our loving and amazing Creator God.

Scripture reference: Psalm 148


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Drawing Near to Rest

Many people today still do not think they can approach God.  For some, they feel they need a “middle man”, a priest to intercede on their behalf.  For some, they feel too unworthy to approach God.  For some, they feel God is too mighty and is therefore simply unapproachable.  All of these come out of the Old Testament and the rules and ways in which the Israelites interacted with God.

As time moved along, though, God saw the need for a new way, for a new covenant.  In order to draw us close to Himself, there needed to be a new way based upon a personal, direct relationship.  The old way could not be changed.  God had to make a totally new way.  This new covenant was established through Jesus, who opened a ” new and living way” for us to connect directly with God.

As the one perfect sacrifice, Jesus opened the curtain that had separated Jews from the Most Holy Place – the space in the temple where the presence of God dwelt.  Through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice on the cross, the curtain was torn and, once and for all, He made a way for us to draw near to God.  Through Jesus all can be in relationship with and can draw near to God.

In Hebrews we are promised that through Jesus we can draw very near to God.  At times we can feel His presence surrounding us.  In this presence, Jesus calls us to rest.  Just as Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father to rest, we too can draw near to God and rest.  For this, thanks be to God.

Scripture reference: Hebrews 10: 11-22


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Through Prayer

Jesus went to God in prayer.  Sometime He went in “reverent submission”, seeking to align the will of His human mind and body with the will of God.  In the garden, as He faced torture and death on the cross, Jesus came before God with His human concerns but ultimately said, “Not my will but Yours.”  At other times Jesus prayed to reconnect to His Father.  In times up on the mountain or out in the wilderness, He drew near to God to be renewed and refreshed.  And some of the time Jesus prayed for others.  Even on the cross, Jesus interceded for those who were crucifying Him.

Our great high priest invites us to live a life of prayer that is obedient to the will of the Father, that connects to God, and that lifts up one another – even those who persecute us. For Jesus, prayer was always the first step.  It was never the last result.  At times we have this backwards.

Through prayer Jesus stayed connected to God and remained unblemished.  In this perfectly obedient state, Jesus went to the cross, bore our sins, and became the source of our eternal salvation.  We too connect to our God through prayer.  although we too come in all the ways Jesus came to the Father, we are no perfect.  We are blemished; we are sinners.  But because of Jesus, we also can come before God seeking to be washed clean, to be made new.  In those moments we are made new, unblemished and pure.  Jesus prayed often and set for us the example.  May we too take all to the Lord in prayer.

Scripture reference: Hebrews 5: 7-10


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In or Out?

People look like to be a part of things.  Even when we didn’t really want to go to something, we like to be invited.  Even when we are not a lead part of a conversation we still like to feel that our presence and input is welcomed.  When we go somewhere new we like to be greeted and made to feel at home.  We are social beings.

For some, simply being by oneself is hard.  At times, when we find ourselves alone, we feel compelled to turn on the TV or radio or to pick up a book or a device with a social media connection.  Instead of enjoying a little quiet, relaxed time or some extra time with God, we try to fill the space.

Often in these times we feel we must be missing some event or some “thing”.  And if we come to realize we are missing “it” for some reason, we become agitated, upset, moody, hurt.

Such is the case with Thomas today.  For whatever reason he was not there when Jesus first visited the disciples.  And Thomas is not happy about it.  I can see him with hands on hips, stomping his foot as he says, “Unless I see…”. We too can react this way.  When we miss out we can become defensive, angry, hurt.

But Jesus visits a second time, and Thomas is there.  After Jesus says, “Peace be with you” I can imagine a soft smile on His face as He warmly, lovingly looks upon Thomas.  Thomas is invited to come see, to touch.  In a sense they are the only ones in the room, alone in a crowd.  Thomas connects to Jesus and declares, “My Lord and my God”.  Today may we too connect whether in prayer, reading, or word.  Connect often today.

Scripture reference: John 20: 24-31


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Praise His Holy Name!

There are many ways to worship God.  It can be in song, lifting our voices in praise and adoration.  It can be found in reading and meditating on His Word.  It can be found in our prayers to our God.  It can be found in dance or a movement offered to God.

There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to worship our creator.  Music, for example, can vary widely.  It can be a pure and simple as a group of monks chanting a psalm.  It can be a wonderful hymn sung only with voices.  It can be a talented choir accompanied by a powerful organ.  It can be a praise team with guitars, drums, keyboards, and vocals.  It can be a single person walking along the beach humming a tune.

All of our worship is pleasing to the Almighty.  In tune or out of tune, in rhythm or not – when we connect with God and offer Him our praise and adoration, He is pleased.

Worship also lifts us up.  There are physical and emotional benefits to singing.  We are made stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually when we worship our heavenly Father.  So, today sing a song.  Hum a tune.  Draw close to our Lord and He will draw close to you.

Scripture reference: Psalm 29: 1-2 and 11


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Praise

Psalm 148 is joyous and makes me smile as I read it.  It is about how all of nature praises God and about how we too praise God and extol His holy name.  Sometimes it is good to just step back and catch a full glimpse of His glory.

In the early winter of this post-Christmas time it can be hard to praise God.  The joy of the holidays are past and sometimes we just feel like we are done celebrating for a bit.

It is precisely this situation which calls us to sit down and spend some time with a good psalm.  It refreshes the spirit and renews the soul.  It connects us to a larger faith as we join nature and other souls in praising God.  In our praise we are never alone.

Praise be to God today!!  Praise be to God.

Scripture reference: Psalm 148


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There to be Found

At times we all enter into periods when it seems God is not around.  It can be for just a short time or it can be for a season.  About the time we start to question God’s whereabouts, we realize that it was us who was missing because God is always present.  Maybe it is our choices that have led us away.  Maybe it is because we have allowed ourselves to become too busy with life.

Sometimes it is a challenge to stay connected to God during a busy time like Advent.  Seems counterintuitive, but it happens.  A famous theologian once said, “Today looks like a very busy day.  I better pray for two hours instead of one.”  His attitude is so spot on.  Advent calls us into a deeper relationship and commitment despite the increased business of the season.

God desires to speak peace, comfort, love, and strength into our lives.  He desires a close daily relationship with us.  And what does it require of us?  Simply time, an ear turned toward heaven, and a faithful heart.  He is there to be found.  May we each connect with Him this Advent season!

Scripture reference: Isaiah 40: 1-5


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Allow Him

Think about a time when you felt trapped in a situation or when you felt that you were being treated unjustly.  If it got desperate you were looking for any way out.  At that point you would have taken a hand or a piece of good advice from about anyone.We’ve all been there.  And if we cried out to God for help, He was right there to share the burden or to maybe send relief or show a way out.  In need, we seek Him.

Yet in our day to day, how often we simply go it alone.  Even when it gets a bit hard, we put our head down – not to pray but to barrel through, to try and do it on our own.  God so wants us to seek Him, to be our all in all.  God will even send people across our paths that can offer a hand or a good counsel, but how often we miss them.  It is sometimes hard to look up when our head is bent down.

If we come to God each day with all of our thanks and with all of our needs, then we are more open to seeking His presence and allowing Him to lead in our lives.  The more we choose to honestly connect, the better the connection, the more in touch with God that we are.  Allow Him to draw near and to help carry that burden.

Scripture reference: Judges 4: 1-9