pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: conquer


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Be Encouraged!

Reading: John 15 and 16

John 15:19 – “I have chosen you out of the world, and you don’t belong to the world. This is why the world hates you.”

“I am the vine; you are the branches.” We live in connection with Jesus. Without this connection we cannot produce fruit. Without connection we are trimmed and thrown into the fire. With connection we are nourished and fed and are able to produce much fruit, doing acts of love, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, generosity… – actions that grow the kingdom and make new disciples.

These actions are guided by the new commandment: “Love each other just as I have loved you.” Chosen by Jesus, filled with his Spirit, we are promised whatever we ask in his name. Yet following is not easy. There is a cost. In 15:19 Jesus says, “I have chosen you out of the world, and you don’t belong to the world. This is why the world hates you.” Because we are not of this world, we will be harassed, abused, persecuted. But we are not alone.

The Companion or Holy Spirit comes to us and speaks truth unto our hearts. It reminds us that we belong to God. These things empower us to speak words of truth to the world. Jesus promises that the Spirit will “take what is mine and proclaim it to you.” When the world harasses… the Spirit will strengthen and encourage us. This process will bring us joy.

The Spirit will come because Jesus is leaving. One’s physical presence will be replaced by the all-present Spirit. Yes, a time of desertion will come when the world strikes the shepherd and the sheep scatter. We too have times when we wander. So we too need to hear verse 33: “In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.” Because this is so, we too can conquer all things. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, empower us to remain in you. By the power of the Holy Spirit, defend and protect us from the lures and temptations of the world. With that same power, send us out into the world to share your love, building the kingdom, bearing much fruit. Amen.


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Consequences of Choices

Reading: Jeremiah 39-45

Jeremiah 40:2-3 – “The LORD your God declared that a great disaster would overtake this place. Now the LORD has made it happen.”

Our reading begins with the fall of Jerusalem. After a siege that lasts about a year and a half, the Babylonians conquer the city. Zedekiah tries to escape but is caught. His officials and children are slaughtered before him. He is then blinded and taken into exile. The palace and houses are burned down. The walls come down. All but the poorest (and a few who are in hiding) are taken into exile.

Jeremiah is rescued. He is known by Nebuchadnezzar. He sends the captain of the special guard to find Jeremiah. Once he does, he says to Jeremiah: “The LORD your God declared that a great disaster would overtake this place. Now the LORD has made it happen.” Jeremiah is respected by the Babylonians. He’s given the choice to stay or to go. He chooses to stay, living under the care of Gedaliah, the Babylonian appointee. Most of the Judeans left in the land rally around him. Johanan, an army officer, warns Gedaliah of a plot. He ignores this warning – to his own peril. Ishmael and his men murder Gedaliah and flee with some prisoners.

Johanan hears of the murder and he rescues the captives. Ishmael and eight men escape to Ammon. Johanan and the remaining Judeans fear what Babylon will do in response to Gedaliah’s murder. They ask Jeremiah to inquire of the Lord: should we stay or go? After ten days, God tells them to stay put. God will build them up and will protect them from the king of Babylon. They are warned: refuse to listen, go to Egypt, and the war they fear and the famine they dread will strike them in Egypt. They accuse Jeremiah of lying. Baruch put him up to it!

Jeremiah warns them of the consequences of their choice to go to Egypt. He reminds them of their past sins and of the consequences of those sins. Jeremiah and Baruch are hauled off to Egypt. Once there, Jeremiah builds a stone platform in front of Pharaoh’s palace, declaring that Nebuchadnezzar will place his throne there. The people remain stubborn and disobedient. The hand of death is coming.

Prayer: Lord God, how can your people run to you, asking for guidance, only to turn against your response. But wait. We do that too. We allow fear and insecurity to drive our decisions now and then. Lord, build up our faith, guiding us to listen to your guidance, choosing life over death. Amen.


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A Plumb Line

Reading: Amos 7:7-17

Verse 8: “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.”

Amos was a prophet sent by God during the reigns of Uzziah in Judah and Jeroboam in Israel. God’s people had already divided into two kingdoms and their ungodly living has continued this downward spiral. As Amos came and began to speak God’s words, he condemned many of their actions and behaviors. As our passage begins, God shows Amos a plumb line. It is a tool used to build walls true and square.

In verse 8 God says, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.” As God compares the true line revealed by this simple tool, it reveals that Israel has gotten askew. The nation has wandered from God. From the king on down through the priests and on down through the people, walking in the ways of God is a distant memory. God declares that this will not be tolerated any longer. The high places and sanctuaries will be torn down. The land will be conquered and divided. Many will die and many others will be carried off into exile.

It strikes me that this reading falls on a day when we celebrate our nation’s independence from England. If God were to send Amos to our nation today, plumb line in hand, would God have a different judgment upon us? And to turn it more personal, if the plumb line were held up against our life, what would it reveal?

Prayer: Lord God, I know I am not what you desire me to be. I fail more often than I faithfully live out my faith. I don’t always act justly. I don’t always practice mercy and kindness. I don’t always walk humbly with you or with my fellow human beings. Reveal to me the times and ways that I am askew. By your love, draw me closer to what you desire of me. Amen.


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Who and What

Reading: John 6: 1-21

Verse 2: “A great crowd of people followed Him because they saw the miraculous signs He had performed on the sick”.

The crowds came. They came not to hear Jesus preach but to be touched, to be healed by Jesus. Today we read, “A great crowd of people followed Him because they saw the miraculous signs He had performed on the sick”. They came in droves for the miracles. After briefly testing a few of the disciples, Jesus has the people sit down and then He proceeds to turn five loaves and two fish into enough to feed thousands. And almost as a witness to His power, the disciples collect twelve baskets full of leftover bread. Not only can Jesus heal the sick and injured, He can also produce food. It is no wonder that they wanted to make Jesus be their king. What a king He’d be!

But Jesus is not this kind of king, so He withdraws from them. Yes, the miracles are evidence of Jesus’ power, but the miracles themselves are not the essence of who and what Jesus is. He did not come to conquer an occupying army and to restore Israel to power. Jesus came to conquer our hearts, one person at a time, to build a new kingdom here on earth. It is a kingdom of love and compassion and mercy and grace. It is a much different kingdom than the politically oppressed were looking for. So Jesus withdrew.

This passage makes me wonder how often I try and make Jesus something He is not. How often do I try and fit Jesus into the mold I need at the time because it suits my needs or desires? One does not have to ponder very long to find examples where this has been the case. I suppose to fully know who and what Jesus is would require fuller surrender on my part. I would have to kill the miracle-seeking and accept who and what Jesus really was – love lived out in the world.

Jesus was love of God and love of other lived out on a daily basis. May this be my purpose too, day in and day out. Through His power and presence, may it be so.


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Conquering

Today’s passage is about love.  If we love God, we are His children and we will obey His commands.  If we obey His commands, we will love our fellow man.  The passage even tells us that God’s commands are not burdensome.

They may not be burdensome but they are not always easy either.  To love ALL of my fellow man is hard at times.  Friends and family can put this to the test at times too.  To really live into the command to love others as Jesus first loved us is difficult.

In today’s passage the Greek word used for overcome or conquer is a word usually used in reference to athletic contests.  To succeed in an athletic contest usually suggests victory over someone or something.  In terms of obeying God’s commands, this battle is most often between my flesh that pulls me one way and my relationship with jesus Christ that pulls me another way.In me, this battle often wages.

In looking at loving one another as a struggle that requires conquering, other examples of an athletic contest are involved.  You do not just show up on the day of the contest on your first day.  For many days before the contest you train and practice and test yourself.  You want to be prepared.  Living out our faith is analogous.  One cannot fight Satan’s temptations without the power of the Word of God.  One cannot join Jesus in overcoming the world without putting in the hard work all along the journey of faith.  But through faithful dedication we can conquer.  It is possible to love our fellow man as Jesus first loved us.

Scripture reference: 1 John 5: 1-6