pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Every Day…

Reading: Acts 2:46-47

Acts 2:46-47 – “Every day, they met together… shared food… they praised God… and demonstrated God’s goodness…”

Photo credit: Spencer Davis

Returning to Acts 2 today, Luke emphasizes the importance of all four spiritual practices or disciplines. He also focuses on the intended communal nature of these practices. Luke first notes that the believers met “every day.” The main purpose of their gathering was to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. This often happened in worship. Today, in our busy, rushed world, not too many of us gather daily with other believers. Yes, we might all read the same devotional asynchronously, the Upper Room for example, but imagine how our faith would change and grow if we gathered each day to proclaim and celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ!

The believers also gathered daily to share meals. This was most likely an extension of their worship or study time. In our church and in many others we gather after worship for fellowship time. Around the tables we have a coffee or lemonade and a nibble or two and we catch up on one another’s lives. We celebrate the joys of life and we learn of one another’s needs. This enables the body of Christ to “demonstrate God’s goodness” through acts of love. Sometimes, at the table, we learn of a neighbor’s need or of a need in the larger community. This allows the love of Christ and the goodness of God to extend out into the world.

These four practices should be the core activities of all believers and of all communities of faith. Without one of these, the others are less than God intends them to be. When all four practices are healthy and vital within the life of the believer and within the life of the body of Christ, then the Lord will again do what God did in Luke’s day. Then, God “added daily to the community those who were being saved.” O Lord, stir up in us and in our communities this kind of faith, this kind of revival!

Prayer: Lord God, there is a call within these words of Luke to gather regularly. This feels almost impossible in our day and age. Yet it also feels like your intention for all believers. It’s what Jesus modeled and lived out every day. So Lord, open our eyes, widen our hearts, and bend our wills towards making this more of a reality in our lives and in our communities of faith. Stir us up, O God, so that faith is more than a Sunday morning event. Amen.


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Devoted?

Reading: Acts 2:42-45

Acts 2:43 – “A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles.”

Today and tomorrow we walk with the early, early church. The Holy Spirit has just come upon the apostles and other believers. In the opening verse we see what the first “church” was like. They studied the word of God and the example of Jesus. They gathered regularly to be in fellowship and to share meals. They spent time in prayer. To all of these practices of faith, “they devoted themselves.”

Before pressing on in the passage, we must ask ourselves a few questions. Does this sound like your church or community of faith? Are the people in your community of faith devoted to these practices? And are you, an important part of the body of faith, are you personally devoted to giving daily and regular attention to these practices of the faith? Devotion to the spiritual disciplines, as individuals and as a community of faith, it is a necessity if verse 43 is to be realized in and amongst us.

In verse 43 we read, “A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles.” The sense of awe and the signs and wonders – these are the actions of God. We cannot in any way manufacture these things. The awe, signs, and wonders are, if you will, God’s “response” to our faithful devotion. When we are faithful to the practices of our faith, we open ourselves up to God working and acting in our lives and in our faith communities. The Spirit at work then leads to unity, to caring well for one another, and to the revelation of God’s goodness in the world. These faith practices will, in turn, lead to adding to the community “those being saved.” So, again, the questions: Are you and is your faith community devoted to these regular practices of the faith?

Prayer: Lord God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us, upon our faith communities, and upon our neighborhoods. Filled with your Spirit, increase our devotion: to you, to the example of Jesus, to the community of faith, and to the unsaved world. Draw us day by day closer to you so that you may use us and our communities of faith in more and more transformational ways. Amen.


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Help and Hope

Reading: Psalm 146:5-10

Psalm 146:5 – “The person whose help is the God of Jacob… whose hope rests on the Lord their God – is truly happy!”

Psalm 146 celebrates God’s activity on behalf of those in need. The psalmist declares that those who seek help from God and who place their hope in God, they will be “truly happy.” When God is the one we turn to, hope in, trust… then our focus becomes our relationship with the God “who is faithful forever.” We can rejoice even in our trials and sufferings because we know that God will triumph over all these things one day.

In verses 6-8 the psalmist speaks of the Lord’s activity in specific ways. We could re-write these verses, substituting in ways that God has acted in our lives. We could name a time when God brought justice to a time when we were being mistreated. We could write of the time when the Lord freed us from a prison of our own making. Just as the psalmist rejoices in the ways that God feeds the hungry, opens blind eyes, lifts the lowly, and protects the vulnerable, we too can celebrate moments when God has done these very things (and more) for us.

Daily remembering that we are “the person whose help is the God of Jacob… whose hope rests on the Lord their God,” we can daily draw upon the power and presence of our God. Drawing upon, leaning into, trusting in God, we can find and live out the happiness and contentment found in Psalm 146. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, you reign forever, over all the earth! Your presence is constant, your love is neverending. Daily you desire to walk with each of us, from the least to the greatest. Open each of our hearts to receive you, to surrender to your will and ways, to be your hands, feet, and love in the world. Daily use each of us to draw all people into your help and hope. Amen.


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Long and Steady

Reading: Luke 16:27-31

Luke 16:31 – “If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, then neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.”

In a rare moment for the rich man, he thinks of someone else. So great is his torment in hell, he begs Abraham to send Lazarus to his five brothers. Perhaps this warning will save his brothers from “this place of torment.” More importantly, hearing Lazarus’ story might change their hearts, shifting some of their focus away from self to those in need.

Abraham reminds the rich man that his five brothers have Moses and the prophets to listen to – just as the rich man had. The rich man knows that just as he did not, his brothers are not listening to the word of God. If he did, he would not be suffering in hell. This is why the rich man begs for “someone from the dead” to go to them. Maybe Lazarus will scare them into faith. It might – for a season. To walk the long walk of faith, that requires a steady diet of the word, not just one powerful moment.

Abraham says it this way to the rich man: “If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, then neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.” Many in Israel encountered one who would rise from the dead. The miracles did attract many followers. But when Jesus got down to the hard teachings, to the call to daily pick up one’s cross in order to be his disciple, then the crowd got a lot thinner. The powerful moment, yes, it can get our attention. And that moment can lead to a sustained change in one’s life. It is only so, however, when we daily choose to follow Jesus, placing his way of love and humble service ahead of our desires to please self.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you the powerful moments when we do feel or sense your presence in our lives. But Lord, don’t allow us to think that these moments are the foundation of our faith. Instead, teach us to walk the long and steady road of faithful discipleship, daily encountering you in small but transformative ways. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Protected and Safe

Reading: Psalm 27:1-5

Psalm 27:1b – “The Lord is a fortress protecting my life. Should I be frightened of anything?”

In Psalm 27:1-5 we find a song of confidence in the Lord. As a whole, though, the Psalm is a hopeful prayer offered in the midst of a time of suffering in David’s life. It is optimism and trust in the midst of a storm. These words speak of a security found in the protection of the Lord. The hope, trust, and assurance are not found simply in the moment of need but are built in the daily walk of faith, a walk taken regularly and steadfastly on the good days, on the hard days, and on all the days in between.

In verse 1 David declares that God is his light and salvation, his fortress of protection. Because of this belief David can ask, ‘Who or what should I wear?’ The answers are ‘no one’ and ‘nothing.’ Those evil doers? They will be the ones who stumble and fall. That ‘army’ that comes against me? I will trust in the Lord. My friend, God is our light and salvation, our fortress. We can trust in our God.

David expresses the one thing he asks God for, the one thing that he seeks in verse 4. It is “to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life.” David us not talking about actually living in the temple. He is talking about walking and talking daily with the Lord, about being in a constant relationship and, therefore, always in God’s presence. In this ‘place,’ God will shelter David and will shelter us. In the presence of God, David is kept safe. So too will we be kept safe. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, give us the dedication and the stamina to walk with you each and every day. When it’s easier to skip time with you, whisper words of love into our hearts. Bless each time that we give to you so that we are drawn more and more to enter that space once again. Thank you for your unfailing and sure love. Amen.


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Our Daily Choice

Reading: Daniel 6:4-16

Daniel 6:10c – “Daniel knelt down, prayed, and praised his God three times a day, just like he always did.”

Photo credit: Noah Silliman

Today’s small peak into Daniel’s story reminds us of how hard it can be at times to choose to stay in love with God. Daniel has consistently chosen to do good in his role as an administrator. His work is without fault. Even though he is living in exile, along with most of Israel, Daniel has made an intentional choice to “stay in love with God.”

As our reading begins we see that the other administrators and officials – all 122 of them – are trying to find a way to do harm to Daniel. They are jealous and want to take him down. Finding no fault with his work, they sink to trying to use his faith against him. Tricking the king into writing a law about praying only to the king, these men find a way to possibly be rid of Daniel.

In verse 10 we read that Daniel is fully aware of this new law. As we press on we read, “Daniel knelt down, prayed, and praised his God three times a day, just like he always did.” Daniel chose to continue doing what he always did. The crowd bursts in and catches Daniel praying to God. Despite the king’s best efforts, Daniel is thrown into the lion’s den. (The story does not end here!)

In that moment, when choosing God really mattered, Daniel chose to do what he did every day to nourish his faith, to deepen his relationship with God. In our moment, when practicing our faith might place us in harm’s way, will we make Daniel’s choice? If our daily choice is the same – taking time every day to invest in our faith and in our relationship with God – then we are likely to find the courage and faith to trust God and to step forward in faith. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, how beautiful is Daniel’s slow and sure walk of faith. Again and again you proved worthy of his trust and devotion. First, Lord, guide us to such a place of deep faith as we daily invest in our own relationship with you. And then, in the moment, give us the courage to continue to walk the walk. Amen.


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Service and Sacrifice

Reading: Mark 9-10

Mark 10:24 – “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

The transfiguration of Jesus begins today’s readings. On a mountain top with Peter, James, and John, Jesus becomes “amazingly bright.” Elijah and Moses come and talk with Jesus. God speaks, saying, “This is my Son, whom I dearly love. Listen to him!” These words echo God’s words at Jesus’ baptism. Coming down the mountain Jesus finds a hubbub. The disciples were unable to cast out a demon. Jesus laments the lack of faith. The father begs Jesus for his son’s healing and admits his own lack of faith. Jesus casts out the demon. How do you think this affected the father’s lack of faith?

Jesus tells the disciples once again of his coming death. They, in turn, argue about who is the greatest among them. Jesus gathers the disciples and reminds them that the first will be the least, the servant. He explains that there is a cost to being a follower. It might cost a hand or foot or eye if that leads one into sin. Jesus is telling them to do anything to avoid sin and disobedience to God.

A rich man comes and asks about obtaining eternal life. He has kept the commands faithfully. After Jesus “looked at him carefully and loved him,” he is instructed to sell all that he has. The man goes away sad. Jesus goes on to say, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!” Much can get between us and Jesus. It’s not just our wealth or our possessions. When Jesus looks carefully at our hearts, what does he see that vies for the throne of our hearts?

Once again Jesus tells of his death. This time he is very clear. James and John come with a request: to sit at Jesus’ left and right in heaven. Power is their struggle. Jesus, with great patience, again tells the 12 that the greatest will be the servant and the first will be slave to all. Jesus again reminds them – and us – that he came not to be served but to serve and to give his life “to liberate many people.” May we too choose service and sacrifice.

Prayer: Lord God, humble servant, slave to all, keeping you #1 in our hearts – no, discipleship is not easy. We must first die to self – the greatest barrier to walking humbly and obediently. Guide us in this necessary and daily act of surrender. Grant us the faith and trust, the strength and courage to do so each day. Amen.


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Trust, Faith… Each Day

Reading: Matthew 6

Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters.”

Photo credit: Wesual Click

As Jesus continues the Sermon on the Mount he addresses showy religion, prayer, and fasting. To give to the poor or to pray or to fast in ways to be noticed by others – then that recognition will be our only reward. Jesus advises us to do these things in private or in secret. Then our reward will come from God. When we pray, Jesus cautions against “a flow of empty words.” He gives us a simple and humble prayer, one grounded in loving God and neighbor. We know this prayer as “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Jesus then addresses our tendency towards our “treasures.” Today he’d caution us against collecting homes, cars, the latest gadgets, bigger bank accounts… Instead he encourages us to collect treasures in heaven. Some examples of how to do this were given in verses 1-18. In verses 22-24 Jesus connects this struggle into the common Old Testament, Jewish understanding about good/evil, light/dark. In first century Palestine the eye was seen as the window or door to the heart (or soul for us). Jesus clearly believes the best choice is light. He then states, “No one can serve two masters.” God and wealth is the example Jesus gives. While probably the biggest struggle for most of us, there are many other things that we can prioritize over our relationship with God.

Chapter 6 closes with perhaps one of our greatest adversaries in our battle to trust God: worry. We can worry about so many things, big and small. Jesus points to the birds and lilies – examples of parts of creation that God cares wonderfully for. He points out that we are worth much more than these to God. We are told to “desire first and foremost God’s kingdom.” Keep God #1 in your life, Jesus says, and “all these things” will be given to you by God as well. Jesus concludes, “Stop worrying about tomorrow… Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Trust God each day, believing that our “daily bread” will come from our God who loves us.

Prayer: Lord God, you call us to a simple faith, to a day by day walk with you. To focus on the day, to live each moment, we have a chance to notice the opportunities and ways you call us to love completely. To stay in the moment, it focuses our heart on you and in your presence in our lives each day. Help us to live a simple and honest faith today, O God. Amen.


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Truth and Contentment

Reading: Proverbs 30

‭Proverbs 30:5 – “All God’s words are tried and true; a shield for those who take refuge in him.”

Today’s words of wisdom come from Agur, an otherwise unknown man. He was likely not an Israelite. Massa is connected to Assyria. In the first few verses he admits that he had no knowledge of God. He was tired and exhausted. Questions about creation drew him towards God. Finding God, he can now declare, “All God’s words are tried and true; a shield for those who take refuge in him.” Agur recognizes God’s power and might. This is a first step in gaining wisdom and understanding.

Agur has two requests of God. First, may he be a man of truth. He asks God to keep fraud and lies far away. Second, he seeks contentment. He doesn’t want to be rich or poor. “Give me just the food I need.” We reflect this idea in the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Truth and contentment are two core pieces of our faith.

This is then contrasted with foolish behavior. Fools curse mother and father, they are arrogant and greedy – ready to devour the poor and needy. Agur then writes of power that are never satisfied, perhaps analogies for the greed and lust of the fool. The grave and the barren womb always long to be filled. The desert and fire consumes all before them. In the next verses he recognizes things large and small that amaze him. He finds pleasure in God’s creation. Is this not an extension of truth and contentment?

Agur closes by calling out to the foolish and arrogant. He invites them to cover their mouths, ceasing their evil words and behaviors. May we too guard our words, offering good words, silencing the evil.

Prayer: Lord God, open our eyes to your presence and guidance in our lives. Bring for a contentment in you and a trust in your word. Fill our hearts and mouths with your truths. Lead us to walk in the way that leads to life eternal. Amen.


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Theological Concerns

Readings: Deuteronomy 17, Deuteronomy 18, Deuteronomy 19, Deuteronomy 20

Deuteronomy 18:15 – “The LORD your God will raise up a prophet like me from your community… He’s the one you must listen to.”

Chapter 17 deals with a variety of topics: capital punishment, legal disputes, and future kings. In capital punishment cases, multiple witnesses are necessary. If these cases or other legal disputes are too hard, they are to be brought to the priests and judges in the city God will choose. These decisions must be followed exactly. Then God gives guidelines for future kings. They will be different from other earthly kings – not too many horses or wives. And they will personally make a copy of the Law that they must read daily. God’s theological concern is for a theocracy.

Chapter 18 ensures that the basic needs of the Levites are cared for. It lays out what portions of what offerings belong to the priests. This chapter concludes with God’s concern about future religious leaders. God says, “The LORD your God will raise up a prophet like me from your community… He’s the one you must listen to.” Of all the voices that can speak into people’s lives, God’s prophet is the one that they need to listen to.

As we turn to chapters 19 and 20 the underlying focus shifts to the sixth of the Ten Commandments: do not kill. Chapter 19 focuses mostly on the cities of refuge. Three are to be established in the Promised Land. They are places for those who “kill a neighbor accidentally.” These cuties will prevent the shedding of more innocent blood. The end of the chapter, “life for life, eye for eye…” also limits revenge. The punishment must fit the crime.

Chapter 20 deals with a theological concern too – the command not to kill during times of war. The chapter begins with the priest’s role to remind the troops that God goes before them and that God will fight for them. Then it defines the official’s role next. Permissions are given to leave the battle front. Then we get two sets of guidelines for war in the Promised Land and for war outside the Promised Land. Close to home, no peace terms are offered, and all living things are killed. This is all about the theological threat of idolatry. “The ban” removes even the possibility of influences that could lead to the sin of idolatry.

Prayer: Lord God, there are many ways that we can honor those who are older and those in power. They all involve justice, integrity, and obedience to you. Guide us in these situations and also teach us how to be people in these places. We see that these same principles apply to our living in community. Lead us here too. Amen.