pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: connection


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The Commitment

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 2:5-8

1st Thessalonians 2:8 – “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s good news but our own lives, too.”

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Moving on today to the rest of this week’s Epistle reading, Paul continues to review his visit to Thessalonica. He is doing so as a way to refresh these new believers’ understanding of how to disciple others. Because we read these words today they are instructive to us as well.

Paul and his co-workers did not try flattery as a means to bring people to Jesus. Their words and actions stayed focused on the truth revealed in and through Jesus Christ. Speaking the good news honestly and directly, Paul and his companions earned the Thessalonians’ trust. To further this trust and to deepen their connections to these new believers, the apostles did not seek financial gain or human praise. Without any hidden agendas, Paul and his co-workers could keep the focus on God’s message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

To the Thessalonians, Paul and his companions were gentle and caring, “like a mother feeding and caring for her children.” The intimate nature of this family relationship is what Paul and his co-workers for Christ sought to build with these new believers. In verse 8 we learn more about this effort and about true discipleship. Here we read, “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s good news but our own lives, too.” The commitment begins with love. It is the foundation of all relationships. The apostles’ commitment went far beyond preaching or sharing God’s message. It got down into the day to day living of life, to an intertwining of lives. Paul and his companions were there, sharing all of themselves with these new believers. The apostles lived out the words that they were preaching. When life gets hard, when the valley gets dark, when tragedy or hardship strike, are we right there with those we are sharing the good news with? May that be the commitment we make as we seek to bring others to Jesus’ saving love and grace.

Prayer: Lord God, as we share our faith with others, may they first sense our love for them. Help us to reveal it in the ways that we keep showing up and keep engaging in the struggles as well as in the joys. Reveal it in the ways we walk alongside others through all of life and in the ways that we pour ourselves into their lives. Through our love may others know your love. Amen.


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Forever… and Daily

Reading: Psalm 90:1-6

Psalm 90:2 – “Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.”

The first part of our Psalm for this week celebrates God’s eternal nature. Enfolded within God’s eternity is our human existence. The psalmist rejoiced in this reality in verse 1, where Moses writes, “Lord, through all generations you have been our home!” Since Adam and Eve first walked the earth, God has sought us out for relationship and connection. While not everyone chooses to step into this relationship, God’s eternal love seeks to draw all people into a relationship. It is through this relationship that God becomes our “home,” our place of refuge, peace, belonging.

Reflecting deeper on God’s forever nature, Moses writes, “Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.” Before the creation story began to unfold, God was. And now God is. And God will always be. God is eternal! As we turn to verses 3-6, though, we’re reminded that we are not. At some point, we will all “return to dust.” Moses compares our lives to grass that springs up in the morning and withers by evening. To be reminded of our fragile, short-term existence draws us to God, the one for whom “a thousand years are as a passing day.” This God seeks to continue to walk in relationship with us once we are turned to dust, bringing each of us into eternity.

Moses knew a God who walked with him daily, leading and guiding his 120 years. We too know a God who desires to walk with us each of our days. May we lean into God each day, seeking to walk faithfully in this life. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, your love shaped and formed the earth and it shaped and formed each one of us. Within creation and within each of us, the spark of the divine is present. Your love continues to create, to refine, to make things new. Guide us each of our days, however many we are blessed with. Lead us to walk closely with you, O Love, during this life and into the next. 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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Present Always

Reading: Matthew 18:18-20

Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them.”

Continuing in Matthew 18 today, Jesus emphasizes the power of his presence. We experience Christ’s presence when we gather in his name, working together to reconcile a broken relationship. We are extending Christ’s presence when we seek to rebuild connection and when we continue to pursue wholeness even when the other person is resistant. In today’s reading we learn that because Jesus is with us in the reconciliation process, our decisions and actions are guided by the Holy Spirit’s presence. There is divine support for our decisions made and for our actions taken under the guidance and direction of Christ’s Spirit.

Jesus assures us that these things decided upon and prayed over in his name will be done by God. God will do God’s will reflective of our thinking, speaking, acting, and praying according to God’s will. When our efforts at conflict resolution include holy conferencing, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and a desire to restore and redeem what was broken, then God will work in and through us to bring healing and wholeness to our relationships and to our communities of faith. Unity is God’s plan.

Jesus reminds us of this unity in verse 20, saying, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them.” As we undertake the holy work of reconciliation, Jesus is present in Spirit. And Jesus is present when we gather for worship, when we come together in fellowship, when we enter into a time of study or prayer as a small group, when we serve a meal to a school staff or to folks struggling with poverty… Yes, Jesus is always present to us when we gather in his name. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, we are grateful for your Spirit that leads and guides us in all of life. We are especially grateful for the Spirit’s presence in our times of conflict and hurt. In these uncomfortable and often tense situations, lead and guide us to be people of love and grace, mercy and forgiveness, kindness and compassion. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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An Act of Salvation

Reading: Exodus 12:1-10

Exodus 12:2 – “This month will be the first month; it will be the first month of the year for you.”

We begin in Exodus 12 this week. Moses has arrived in Egypt, along with Aaron. To this point in the story, nine plagues have occurred. Pharaoh has pondered letting the Israelites go, but God has hardened his heart. This tenth plague is the climax of the story, the final plague. Our story begins with these words: “This month will be the first month; it will be the first month of the year for you.” So important is the Passover, God reconfigures the calendar. From this time forward, the most important act of salvation in the Old Testament will be tied to the beginning of each new year.

Through Moses, God gives instructions to the Israelites. Each household or small group is to take in a perfect lamb and to keep “close watch” over it for four days. On the fourteenth day of the month, they will all slaughter the lamb and place some of its blood around the doors of their homes. This will be a sign for God. The lamb should be roasted and eaten with “unleavened bread and butter herbs.” There will be no leftovers, nothing left behind. All will be burned up. This meal will prepare the people, strengthening them for the journey ahead.

This first Passover meal had a practical side to it. All elements played a role: the perfect lamb, the careful watch, the sign on the doorframes, the physical sustenance, the communal nature of the celebration. Each had meaning in the moment and each had purposes in God’s plans – present and future. As we continue in the story tomorrow, we will develop these connections and purposes.

Prayer: Lord God, there is no other god. You alone are our God. In days of old you freed your people so that they could worship you and walk in your ways. Free us too from all that binds us and keeps us from loving you with all that we are. Thank you for our salvation. Amen.


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Growing in Love

Reading: Romans 12:3-8

Romans 12:5-6 – “We are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. We have different gifts.”

Photo credit: James A. Molnar

Finishing this week’s Romans 12 passage today, we unpack what Paul wrote about in verses 1 and 2. Today’s verses are “how” we offer ourselves as “living sacrifice,” how we live into God’s “good and pleasing and mature” will for our lives. Both of these are rooted in humility. In verse 3 today, Paul writes, “Don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think.” He adds to this, reminding us that we are all given “a portion of faith.”

Paul next compares the body of Christ to our human bodies. In our physical bodies there are many parts with many functions, yet they are all one body. Applying this idea to our communities of faith, Paul writes, “We are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. We have different gifts.” I love the way Paul describes our connection: “we belong to each other.” Therefore we are to live in ways that show this. A willingness to serve one another, to be generous to one another, to sacrifice for one another – that is belonging. This is the first “how.”

While we are one in Christ, we each have varied gifts. Paul lists a few in verses 6-8: “prophecy… teaching… serving… encouraging.” There are many more gifts. This is the second “how” – using our gifts. We are to give our gifts to the body of Christ, humbly serving one another and God “with no strings attached.” To attach strings would be to conform to the ways of the world. No, we should offer ourselves joyfully and completely, growing in our love of God and one another day by day. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for gifting each of us abundantly. Reveal all of our gifts to us, O God, and put us to use in the building up of the body of Christ. Strong within, send us out into the world to bring the kingdom of heaven here to earth. Amen.


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Faith Over Fear

Reading: Exodus 1:8-14

Exodus 1:13 – “The Egyptians enslaved the Israelites. They made their lives miserable.”

Today’s passage of power is one where fear guides the new Pharaoh’s thoughts and actions. This is not an uncommon reaction. Fear often distorts our perception of reality and leads us to think and do things we would not do otherwise. In today’s passage, this is the case with the new king. There is no personal connection to Joseph or to the Israelites. Therefore they have no value or worth as a people. This allows Pharaoh to treat them as things or as property: “The Egyptians enslaved the Israelites. They made their lives miserable.” While we do not literally enslave people we fear, we as a society can treat those that we see as “less than” in similar ways, making life miserable. Even though their life became miserable, God remained with the Israelites. The same is true for people groups today who are negatively impacted by our fears.

As the story of God’s people continues to unfold, fear and its cousins – anger, doubt, worry, anxiety… – continue to impact their story. Moses’ anger leads to murder. Fear leads him to flee. Jumping forward, Saul’s fear of David leads to attempted murder. Fast forward again. The Pharisees’ fear of Jesus leads to his death. These are but a few of the Biblical stories where fear alters perception and leads to people using power over others in evil and harmful ways.

Fear is not an uncommon visitor to our lives. Our own fears affect us and others’ fears can impact us. Fear can come from an unexpected diagnosis or from another unwanted change. Fear can rise up from misunderstandings and stereotypes. Fear can rise up when we feel threatened or in danger. Faith is the antidote to fear. Faith allows us to hear God’s voice in the unknown. Faith leads us to see the true reality and to trust it to God. Faith keeps us in the present moment, grounded in love and hope. We have the power to choose. May we choose faith over fear.

Prayer: Lord God, faith is a choice. When fear rises, our human nature wants to jump to fight or flight. Instead, Lord, bring us to a place of trust and faith, to a place of peace and presence. From there, walk us through the hard moment. Guide us to lean into your love for us. Amen.


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The Life We Choose

Readings: Psalm 119:105-106 and Romans 8:1-5

Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp… a light for my journey.”

Romans 8:4b – “Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness.”

Light and dark

In this week’s Disciplines devotional, Reverend Bruce Reyes-Chow connects a verse or two from Psalm 119 with another lectionary passage each day. As I like the connection, I will follow his example this week. In Psalm 119, we read this today in verse 5: “Your word is a lamp… a light for my journey.” In church yesterday, we sang the hymn “Thy Word.” Today’s verses and this familiar song identify God’s word as our guide in this life. Within the scriptures we find the Word. In the gospels we see Jesus’ light and love as the example of how to live faithfully in this sinful world.

In Romans 8 this week, Paul contrasts living in the Spirit with living in the flesh. As is the case with much of Paul’s writing, this contrast is presented as a clear choice: Spirit or flesh? Good or evil? Life or death? But as we learned last week in Romans 7, this is a “war” that is constantly ongoing. One simply doesn’t choose to live by the Spirit and that’s that. As Paul wrote in Romans 7:25, “evil is right there with me.” The fleshy part of us never fully dies.

Based on Jesus’ example and empowered by the Holy Spirit, Paul offers this declaration: “Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness.” While our Spirit-flesh decision is not a “one-and-done” decision, the side we choose and intend to stand on matters. Choosing the Spirit, we are guided towards a life of love and light, of humble service, and of generous compassion. This life is the opposite of the selfish, inwardly focused way of the world. May we, as Paul encourages, choose to live a life “based on the Spirit.” In this life we find love, peace, hope, joy, contentment, and meaning. May this be the life we choose today, tomorrow, the next day, and the day after that day…

Prayer: Lord God, while the war truly rages on day after day, where we take our stand matters. Each day, Lord, empower us to choose you and a life lived in the Spirit. Strengthened and encouraged, light our path and show us the way of love. Amen.


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Receiving Christ

Reading: Matthew 10:40-42

Matthew 10:40 – “Those who receive you are also receiving me, and those who receive me are receiving the one who sent me.”

Turning to this week’s gospel lesson, Jesus is preparing his disciples to be sent out into the world. All of chapter 10 is a teaching lesson, preparing and equipping the twelve to go out to preach the good news and to heal the sick. As this too is our mission, chapter 10 is always good review material! Jesus closes this teaching with some words about “rewards.” Leading into this, he tells them, “Those who receive you are also receiving me, and those who receive me are receiving the one who sent me.” There is a connection here. It is the same for us when we share the good news and someone turns to Christ as Lord and Savior. If someone receives us and the good news of what Jesus has done in our lives, they also receive Jesus and, in turn, they receive God into their life.

In verses 41 and 42 Jesus speaks of rewards: receive a prophet (or righteous person) and receive their rewards. The primary reward is a relationship with the Lord our God. To be intimately connected, to be indwelled with the Spirit’s presence, this is the primary reward. This leads to many secondary rewards. To walk daily with the Lord brings love, joy, hope, peace, grace, patience, forgiveness, self-control… These are what we receive when we seek to daily live a holy life. This is what Paul was writing about in Romans 6 this week. As we seek to reflect Christ and his love to the world, may the Spirit open doors and hearts for the glory of the Lord to be revealed!

Prayer: Lord God, use us today to be sharers of the good news. Fill us with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit and send us out into the world to shine Jesus’ light and love. As others hear our good news stories, open their hearts to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Amen.


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Four Directives

Reading: 2nd Corinthians 13:11-13

2nd Corinthians 13:11 – “Finally… Put things in order, respond to my encouragement, be in harmony with each other, and live in peace.”

Photo credit: Aaron Burden

Today we read from the very end of Paul’s second letter to the believers in Corinth. It is a very personal letter, revealing his deep connection to and love for these people. Paul’s life was lived tenuously – there seemed to always be folks ready to stone or otherwise harm Paul. This was because of his deep faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, expressed in Paul’s daily living and in his words and letters. Reading the last lines of this letter, one can sense all of this in Paul’s words.

In verse 11 Paul gives four directives. In many ways, this is a summary of the letter to the Corinthian church. Here we read, “Finally… Put things in order, respond to my encouragement, be in harmony with each other, and live in peace.” Put things in order – in both your worship and in your personal lives of faith. Align both with the will and way of God as revealed in and through Jesus Christ. Respond to my encouragement – stand firm, hold fast, be true to your identity and inheritance in Jesus. In all you do and say, be like Jesus to the world.

Be in harmony – live and act and move and be in the church and in the world as one body, gifted and united by God’s Spirit. Honor and uplift one another’s gifting. Recognize that all are needed and that all are necessary for each of you and for the church to be all that God created you to be. Live in peace – both within the church and in the world. Be bold in your faith, minister to those in need, define your life in love, be people of forgiveness and reconciliation, and trust in and rely on the one who is always with you, especially in the trials and storms of life. Do all of this, and then you will know God’s peace.

These words from Paul still speak to us today. As followers of Jesus Christ and as members of the body of Christ, may we too live into these four directives of Paul. Filled with the Holy Spirit, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, draw us to you. Through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, lead and guide us to order our lives after the example of Jesus Christ. Whisper words of encouragement into our hearts in times of trial and weakness. Fill us with a spirit of love and grace, enabling us to live and love as Christ did and does. In all these ways, use us as grace and love lived out in our churches and in our world. Amen.