pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: eternal


by Leave a comment

Our Eternal God

Reading: Mark 13:31 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Photo credit: Tyler Milligan
https://bible.com/bible/2016/mrk.13.31.NRSV

Returning to Mark 13 today on the first Sunday of Advent, time remains a theme. Jesus reminds us today that very little in this life is permanent – “heaven and earth will pass away.” Passings or losses are part of our life. They are a reality of our finite human nature. Even this world, although eons and eons old, is in a steady state of decline. One day even our sun will give off its last warmth and light. This impermanence can give us feelings of instability and fear. If this 58 or 80 or 40 or even 100 years was all there was to life, then no matter how great our years and life, death would only bring deep sadness.

Set over and against this temporary life and world is our eternal God. Although even heaven as we think we know it will one day be no more, the one who created it and sustains it will go on and on and on. Although our substance will likely change, God and God’s words, those words of hope and promise and resurrection and eternity – “my words will never pass away.”

Our eternal God is present with us in the future of this life. The Holy Spirit walks with us daily, guiding us through the highs and lows and all else in between. Our God who was and is and always will be is with us, God’s beloved. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, what hope and promise you bring to our finite and limited lives. What peace and love you bring to our hearts. What joy you bring to our souls. Thank you for your everlasting presence with us. Amen.


by Leave a comment

No Jew or Gentile, No…

Reading: Romans 10:5-13

Verse 12: “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.”

Paul writes in chapter 10 of the Lord who is Lord of all. For the Jewish Christians in Rome, they still clung to the Law of Moses. They saw faith as living out the Law. The Jewish Christians thought the new Gentile believers should adhere to all of the Law as well. Paul is calling for a faith based upon living out Jesus’ teachings and example. Paul invites those in the church in Rome to a faith that is “in your mouth and in your heart.” He is inviting them all to live a faith driven and guided by the Holy Spirit – the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ within each of them.

Paul continues, emphasizing that faith in Jesus comes not from the Law but from confessing and living out “Jesus is Lord.” Faith is ‘finalized’ with the belief that because Jesus rose, one day the faithful will rise too. Put another way, one day our justification will lead to our sanctification. Put yet another way, faithful and righteous living here will one day lead to eternal glory. For both groups in the Roman church, this was the hoped-for outcome of their faith in Jesus Christ. It is all believers hoped-for outcome of faith.

There was a division in the Roman church and it was getting in the way of their moving towards this desired outcome AND it was getting in the way of their witnessing to non-believers. So Paul uses some strong language in verse 12: “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.” Paul does not say “Christian Jews and Gentile believers.” He goes a step wider. He wants the church to understand that their little squabble affects more than just them. He says all Jews and all Gentiles (which, in the language of the day, means “all people”) can call on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. All people can call on Jesus to be saved.

As we seek to share and live out our faith and righteousness, may our eyes and hearts also be wide open, loving and witnessing to all people as the beloved children of God.

Prayer: Lord, in your kingdom there will be no Jew or Gentile, no Methodist or Catholic, no slave or free, no black or white, no rich or poor, no this or that. All people are the creation of your hands. All people are beloved by you. Lead me and use me to build that kingdom here on earth. Open my eyes and heart wide open. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Life or Death?

Reading: Romans 8:1-11

Verse 6: “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”

Photo credit: James A. Molnar

Turning to our Epistle reading today and tomorrow, Paul writes about “Life in the Spirit.” He begins with an important truth: there is no condemnation for those who believe in Jesus Christ. Yes, we still sin. But – thanks be to God – our sin does not have the final word. Christ’s love and grace and mercy has the final word. And it has already been spoken. Because of his death and resurrection, one day Jesus will “give life to your mortal bodies” as all who believe in Jesus will join him eternally.

In our passage Paul juxtaposes the will of the flesh and the will of the Spirit. In Paul’s actual words and in his way of thinking, “flesh” is our fallen human condition. It is our proclivity to sin. It is our tendency to idolatry – both to the things of this world and to self. It is not the physical body. These words and others like them have been misused to judge and enslave and marginalize those who were not white males. Sadly this continues to be some people’s reality today. Prayers for us to all see all people as equally beloved by God.

To help us move away from this harmful, destructive, distorted viewpoint, let us turn to verse 6. Here we read, “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” This verse places the battle between sin and life squarely in our minds. It removes the physical and emotional and places the battle solely in the spiritual realm. The mind controls our words, thoughts, actions, and inactions. We make choices. Sin or God? Love or hate? Welcome or exclusion? Life or death?

Prayer: Lord God, raise up and give strength to the will of the Spirit in my life. In your love, help me to die to self and to the sin it so easily leads to. Day by day, occupy more and more of my mind, more of my heart. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Choose Life

Reading: Romans 6:15-23

Verse 22: “Now that you have been set free from sin… the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”

As we continue today in Romans 6, Paul uses the term “slave” often. Paul is using this term to emphasize one’s total commitment and belonging to someone or something. In our passage, one is either a slave to sin or a slave to God. For each of these choices, there is an outcome. If you belong to sin, the outcome is death. If you belong to God, the outcome is righteousness. Paul rejoices that the Christians in Rome have obeyed the teachings of Christ, becoming slaves of righteousness. The rejoicing continues today. As Jesus taught, the angels in heaven rejoice when someone who was lost is found, when someone without Christ becomes saved.

In verses 19-21 Paul speaks of the weakness of our human nature and of the “benefit” of living in sin. He summarizes by stating: “These things lead to death!” He ends this section by contrasting this to living as ones belonging to God: “Now that you have been set free from sin… the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” What a contrast! Instead of death we find holiness and eternal life. Living a holy life bears witness to the world. It reveals the love and grace of God available to all people. Living a holy life brings an assurance of eternity lived within the love and light of the Lord. Freed from sin, we live as disciples of Jesus Christ, loving God and loving neighbor with all of our being. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, what a stark contrast: life or death? It seems such a simple choice. Yet the flesh is weak and the power of sin is strong. Lord, how I need you. Only with you can I choose life. Only with you can I be holy. Be present in my heart, O God, leading me to walk in the way that leads to life. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Holy Spirit. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Great Cost

Reading: Matthew 10:32-39

Verse 38: “Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

Returning to Matthew 10 today Jesus gets crystal clear concerning the cost of discipleship. He begins by reminding the disciples of the eternal reality: deny me here and I’ll deny you in heaven; acknowledge me here and I’ll acknowledge you in eternity. He’s asking them if they are all in.

In verses 34-37 Jesus directly addresses the cost of discipleship. He starts by telling them that he “did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Faith is a comfort; it is not meant to be comfortable. Jesus challenges us to be more like him, not more like the world. In a world where most people have wealth and possessions and power and status as their gods, to be a follower of Jesus will put us in conflict with family, friends, and neighbors.

Then, in verse 38 Jesus drives it home. Here he says, “Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” To take up one’s cross is to stand against those in power, against those with wealth, against the world’s success standards. In Jesus’ day this was the Romans and the Jewish religious leaders. It was risky, dangerous, costly. That is the path of discipleship.

Jesus closes our passage for today once again speaking of true life. When we find life in this world comfortable, easy, safe – we lose our heavenly connection. But when we are willing to die to the things of this world, we gain true life. It comes with a great cost. May we be willing.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to walk the walk each day. Give me the courage and trust to shed the things of this world, instead putting on your love and grace and mercy and compassion. Use me to invite others into the life that you offer – the beautiful, hard, joyful, challenging life of a follower of Jesus. Amen.


by 1 Comment

Credited with Righteousness

Reading: Romans 4:18-25

Verses 20-21: “He did not waver… but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”

Our passage begins with these words: “Against all hope.” I bet Abraham could have felt that way later in life. At 75 he was called by God. He was faithful and departed Haran, making his way to Canaan. Upon arriving he again heard God’s blessing to be a “father of many nations.” It is 25 years later and Sarah is still barren. Abraham himself was 100. He was certainly in a position where he could have felt it was “against all hope.”

And yet… “He did not waver… but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” He continued to keep the faith. He continued to choose to believe that God was good and faithful and true. Paul reminds us that his faith grew. When most of us would waver, when most of us would doubt, Abraham doubled down. Because he believed, he gave glory to God. He trusted that God would do what God said would be done. Because of this, Abraham is credited with being righteous.

In verse 23 Paul includes us in this scenario. If we believe in Jesus Christ as Lord of our life, we too will be credited with righteousness. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins and that he was raised from the dead, we will be made right before God. We will be credited with righteousness. This is our promise too. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the great example set by Abraham. His sure and steady faith is a model for us to follow. And thank you for Jesus Christ, the one who died for our sins , the one who opens the way to life eternal. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Life to the Full!

Reading: John 10:1-10

Verse 4: “When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

Photo credit: Daniel Sandvik

The teaching that we read today is Jesus’ further response to what happened in chapter 9. It is the story of the healing of the blind man and the Pharisees’ reaction. At the end of this event the blind man sees Jesus as Lord and professes faith in him while the Pharisees remain spiritually blind, bound up in their strict adherence to the Law. They cannot see how the need for healing could ever supercede the Law.

Today’s illustration shows the difference between living the spirit of the Law and living out the letter of the Law. In one there is love and grace. Jesus declares that those who follow him know his voice. They hear the truths that he preaches… He calls to these and leads them out into the world. And “When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” The sheep continue to follow Jesus because they can discern his voice from all the others. By contrast, the Pharisees cannot hear Jesus’ teachings. They are instead trying to climb into the fold by means other than the gate. Instead of hearing the word of God revealed through the teachings and example set by Jesus they’ve turned the Law into an extensive code to follow that has no room for things like healing on the Sabbath. Those who use religion as power are they who “come only to steal and kill and destroy.”

What Jesus offers is radically different. He invites people to live a life of faith, found through entering a relationship with him. He proclaims that these “will be saved.” As wonderful as that is, the offer isn’t just a way into heaven. It’s not about strict adherence to a code of Law that leaves one devoid of love and grace. No, Jesus states, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” A life filled with love and grace and blessing. This thought evokes the overflow of abundance found in the 23rd Psalm. Life to the full! Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, open my eyes to see all that you place before me. Open my ears to hear all that you have to share with me. Open my heart to respond to you and others in love and grace as I seek to serve you alone today. Amen.


by Leave a comment

The Path of Life

Reading: Psalm 16:7-11

Verse 8: “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

Our passage today begins as yesterday’s began, with praise to the Lord. David celebrates God’s presence in his life just as Peter did. In verse 8 David writes, “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Here he expresses that faith is a choice. David chooses to receive counsel and instruction from God day after day. He chooses to keep God front and center – “always before me.” Because David chooses God again and again, his faith is assured and strong. He trusts that God will always be there for him.

David rejoices again in the next verses. His “heart is glad” and he knows God’s protection is his: “my body also will rest secure.” For David, his faith is holistic – mind, body, and soul. David’s faith involves all of his life, both in the present and in the future. Mirroring the inheritance that we read about yesterday, David rejoices that the Lord has “made known the path of life” and filled him “with joy in your presence” now and “with eternal pleasures” that are sure to come one day. His faith is not just holistic, it is total and complete. David practices a faith that rests on the Lord’s presence here and now and it trusts into God’s eternal promises for his future.

The God that David connected to, walked daily with, and trusted with all of his being is the same God that seeks to be in the same relationship with you and with me and with all people. Setting the Lord ever before us, we will not be shaken. May we choose the path of life, rejoicing daily in the living hope that comes through faith in the Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, draw me to you morning by morning, keeping me ever before you. Fill me daily with your presence, growing my faith and trust day by day. Turn me to you in all circumstances, for there I can stand secure and strong. Amen.


by Leave a comment

A New Birth

Reading: 1st Peter 1:3-9

Verses 3-4: “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.”

Peter writes to “God’s elect” who are spread throughout the known world. These scattered Christians are experiencing an uptick in persecution under Emperor Nero. They are afraid and they are questioning the living of their faith in the public arena. Their suffering is driving these thoughts.

Today’s 7 verses pack a powerful punch. Peter begins his encouragement with these words: “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” Through their faith in Jesus Christ these exiles have received the promise of salvation and with it the gift of eternal life. They have been born anew, now living with hope as brothers and sisters of Christ. This new relationship and connection with Jesus brings with it an inheritance. Peter reminds them that this inheritance will “never perish, spoil, or fade.” It is eternal. It is “shielded by God’s power.” There is nothing more powerful. Living as elect exiles , as Christians in a pagan world, this reminder of Christ’s living presence and of God’s power over them would have been great encouragement to these believers.

In verse 6 Peter touches on another part of their inheritance. Here he writes, “though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” While this may make some consider going underground with their faith, Peter is being honest. Trials will come. Testing is assured. Living as hope and light in the world will draw fire. But, take heart, Peter says this will refine our faith so that it “may be proved genuine.” This too is a new birth. Although uncomfortable and often painful, this refining yields a stronger faith now and one day will result in “praise, glory, and honor” when we come face to face with Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, what a great reminder of the power and presence that you offer to us in this life. Though the trials come, we are always under your shield. Though the suffering may be painful and hard, it works for our good now and for glory to come. You are the God of all time, of all places, and of all situations. Praise be to you, O Lord! Amen.


by Leave a comment

Who Is Our Woman at the Well?

Reading: John 4:5-26

Verses 13-14: “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.”

Our passage in John 4 begins with Jesus alone at the well. A woman comes alone to the well to draw water in the heat of the day. There are a few cultural reasons that this encounter should not happen, but it does anyway. All that matters to Jesus is ministering to this woman, to this lost soul.

After feeling each other out a bit, Jesus says to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” In the first part Jesus is saying that this water – the things of this world – they never truly satisfy. This connects into his statement about having had five husbands and now a boyfriend. Significant others are one way we can try and find satisfaction and happiness. Some collect cars or other forms of wealth. Some turn to alcohol, drugs, pornography, gambling, working out… None of these things satisfy our inner thirst for joy, peace, contentment…

Jesus continues, offering her the greatest gift ever: “whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” In Christ she can find something the world cannot offer: everlasting love, an eternal relationship, a place to always belong, to always have worth. These are the things that the woman needs at her core. These are things we all need. We try and fill our hearts and souls with many things. But only God in Christ can make us complete and whole. There we find the joy, the hope, the peace, the contentment, the meaning and purpose we all need.

The question that sticks with me today is this: Who is the woman at the well in your life, in my life? This was not a chance encounter in today’s passage. Jesus was at the well, waiting just for her. How will you and I make connection with that lost soul that we know?

Prayer: Lord God, by the power of your Holy Spirit, lead and guide me to the well, to connect, to enter into relationship, to draw another closer to you. Amen.