pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Great and Awesome, Complete and Total

Reading: Revelation 15-17

Revelation 15:3 – “Great and awe-inspiring are your works, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, king of the nations.”

Photo credit: Diego Gennaro

As we return to the story that we departed from at the end of chapter 11, we see those who gained the victory standing around the “sea” singing the songs of Moses and of the Lamb. They declare, “Great and awe-inspiring are your works, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, king of the nations.”

Then the seven angels with the seven bowls of God’s wrath emerge from the temple. The first bowl is poured out upon the earth, causing “nasty and terrible sores” to appear on those who follow the beast. The second bowl is poured out on the sea, turning it to blood, killing all living creatures in the sea. The third bowl does the same to the rivers and springs. The angel of the waters proclaims God’s justice. The followers of the beast had poured out the blood of the saints…

The fourth bowl is poured out on the sun, allowing it to burn people with its fire. People cursed the name of God but did not change hearts and lives. The fifth bowl is poured out on the throne of the beast, bringing darkness. People bit their tongues and cursed God – but didn’t turn from their evil ways. The sixth bowl is poured out on the Euphrates, drying it up, paving the way for the final battle. Unclean spirits come out of the mouths of the dragon, beast, and false prophet. They gather the kings of the world for battle.

The seventh bowl is poured into the air, bringing a great earthquake and huge hail stones. The people cursed God. Then an angel shows John, in a Spirit-led trance, the fate of “Babylon.” The woman, the source of all evil, sits on a beast with seven heads and ten horns, all representing various kings. They will turn on her, devouring and burning her. This carries out God’s purposes. Looking ahead, John sees these kings will make war on the Lamb. Christ will emerge victorious. The great fall is next.

Prayer: Lord God, you are indeed great and awesome, just and true. There is no place for evil in your coming kingdom. The end of this age will be horrible and the victory in Christ will be complete and total. Thanks be to God! Amen.


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The Lord Gives Light

Reading: Proverbs 27-29

‭Proverbs 28:13 – “Those who hide their sins won’t succeed, but those who confess and give them up will receive mercy.”

The value, weight, and power of our words is a major focus today. To brag, that’s dangerous because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Pride lays people low, but humility gains honor. A good word holds power as iron sharpens iron. Bruises (correction) from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy (flattery.) Correcting someone (in love) brings favor. Flattery is just “a net for their feet.”

Good and wise words have little effect on fools. Even grinding them in the mortar won’t drive out their foolishness. The simpleton sees and rushes towards evil and receives punishment. The wise see evil and hide from it. Fools are stubborn. The warning: after many corrections they will suddenly be broken. The wise? “Those who confess and give them up will receive mercy.”

There are certainly outcomes to our choices. One can be wealthy and walk a crooked path. Or one can be poor and walk in innocence. Fools trust their own understanding and suffer. Walk in wisdom and be safe. Work the land and have plenty to eat. Spend your energy on “worthless pursuits” and have plenty of poverty.

Lastly, the sage touches on care for the poor. If we give to the poor we will lack nothing. But if we turn a blind eye, then we will be “greatly cursed.” The righteous know the rights of the poor because they listen to God’s Instruction. The fools do not understand. They won’t listen. Yet the sage also reminds us that the poor and the oppressor have this in common: “The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.” Wisdom calls out to all of humanity. Will we have eyes to see and ears to hear?

Prayer: Lord God, guide us in our walk as we choose between wise and foolish, between good and evil, between you and the world. Fill our hearts with your instruction, with your wisdom. Steer us clear of the crooked path and the lies of folly. Pour words of healing and truth into our hearts. Guard us against speaking words that harm or oppress. May your light and love flow from each of us, flooding this world with your presence. Amen.


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Paths Diverge Sharply

Readings: Proverbs 3

‭Proverbs 3:34-35 – “He mocks mockers, but he shows favor to the humble. The wise gain respect, but fools receive shame.”

Today’s reading first invites us to hold onto loyalty and faithfulness, to bind them on our necks, to write them on “the tablet of your heart.” In later years the Jews would write scriptures on pieces of paper and would place these in small boxes that they strapped to their forearms and foreheads. They knew that wisdom came through a relationship with God that was founded on God’s word. These phylactery boxes were visible reminders of God, much like the crosses and tattoos many Christians wear today.

Solomon reminds us, the sons and daughters, that wisdom brings happiness, long life, wealth, and honor. With wisdom, our work and our sleep is pleasant and peaceful. We are encouraged to hold onto sound judgment and discretion. Wisdom gives us the ability to think through things, to make good decisions. Wisdom also builds up in us humility as we learn more and more about trusting in God and not in self. These practices will bring “life” to our “whole being” – heart, mind, body, and soul.

In verses 27-35 we find some warnings followed by the outcomes of choosing evil or of choosing wisdom and of walking in a relationship with the Lord. The warnings: don’t harm your neighbor, don’t accuse for no reason, don’t envy violent people. Those who choose these paths are cursed, detestable, mocked, and shamed. Those who choose the path of wisdom are close friends with God, are blessed, shown favor, and gain respect. The best choice is clear. The two paths diverge sharply. “My son, [my daughter,] don’t forget my instruction.”

Prayer: Lord God, your ways are good, just, right. Your heart is full of love, grace, compassion, mercy. You give provision for those in need, peace for those who are troubled. Lord, fill us with your wisdom so that we too can be these things lived out in the world today. Amen.


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To What Extent? How Far?

Reading: Romans 9: 1-5

Verse 2: “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart”.

Have you ever been in a situation where you wished you could take someone’s place? Or have you ever been in a situation where you’d give anything to change the final outcome? Maybe someone you love lost a child and you’d take that child’s place in a heartbeat if you could. Perhaps things could have been done or said differently and that person wouldn’t be estranged from the family. I’d guess that almost all of us have been in these situations or have heard stories of others who were in these or similar situations.

Paul is right there with us. In verse two we read, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart”. You can feel his pain. Paul grew up in a Jewish home and became a Pharisee, a scholar of the Jewish faith. Paul knows what all of “my own race” know – the covenants and prophecies, the law and temple worship. They have the faith that has been longing for the Messiah. They know the stories and scriptures that point to Jesus as the Messiah. But they will not recognize him as the Savior, as the one, as the Messiah. To one who does accept Jesus as Lord, it is hard for Paul to understand how the Jews do not. Paul believes in Jesus Christ so strongly that he is willing the be cursed to hell, to trade away his salvation for the sake of the Jews believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Paul is willing to take the place of that child. Paul is willing to do anything to change their unbelief.

Paul’s willingness should be our willingness. Like the men with the treasure in the field or the pearl of great worth from last week’s Matthew 13 passage, we should be willing to give up anything or to do anything to see another come to Christ as Lord and Savior. As we ourselves ponder those we know and perhaps love who are living outside of a relationship with Jesus, to what extent are we willing to go so that they may be saved? How far?

Prayer: Lord, we know that at times the cost of faith might be high. The question I wrestle with is how far am I willing to go to bring another to Jesus Christ. Work within me to expand the range of what my answer truly is. Ever push the boundary, Lord. Thank you Jesus. Amen.