pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: faith


by Leave a comment

Are We Willing?

If you set your calendars by the stores, Easter is over.  But the season of Easter lasts 50 days.  We are in the space between resurrection and ascension.  It is a season of life, surprise, delight.  Nature participates too.  I do not think it is coincidence that flowers are blooming and trees are starting to leaf out.

Instead of savoring this season, we allow ourselves to return to everyday life.  We too easily write off encounters with God’s grace and mercy and the Spirit’s activity in the world as odd occurences or coincidences instead of the faith moments they are.  If we are not tuned to the small and quiet workings of God, perhaps we miss them all together.

In Acts 3 the apostles perform an act in God that others cannot miss of ignore.  They heal a man who had been lame for as long as anyone around could remember.  Certainly the man healed was excited.  The religious leaders were confused.  Peter let them know that the man was healed in the power of and in the name of Jesus, the one they killed but God resurrected.  But the apostles deflected all the glory to God – they were just ordinary people serving a risen Christ. An event like this today would draw our attention as well.

Evidences of God’s grace, mercy, and love still abound today.  In our community a high school senior recently lost his life.  Both the faith community and the family of the boy killed gathered around the driver of the car and his family and prayed over them and offered them forgiveness.  It was and is a tremendous example of God being alive and well in our world today.  For us, we need to remember that they are just ordinary people living out the faith that He gives.  We too are ordinary people through whom God wants to do a mighty work.  Our question is: are we willing?

Scripture reference: Acts 3: 12-19


by Leave a comment

Resurrection Faith

As Christians we are called to walk in the light of Christ and to share that light with those in darkness.  Sometimes we ourselves wander off the past and into darkness but Jesus is faithful – He always calls us back to the light.  The path we are to walk is lit by the love of Christ.  When we are on track and living as a disciple of Jesus, in that light we have fellowship with Him and with one another.

We live in a world that is increasingly in darkness.  We live in a world where less and less of each successive generation is involved in a faith community.  Roughly 30% of the current millennial generation is part of a community of faith.  Only 50% of the previous generation is part of such a community.  This is the world in which we live.  Many, many people do not know Jesus; some have never even heard the name.

It is into this world of darkness that we are called to cast His light.  We cast the light by offering unexpected love and kindness.  We share the light by offering unlimited forgiveness.  We bring light into people’s lives through acts of extreme service.  In other words, we do the things that Jesus did.

People in our world who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus do not want to hear about our faith.  They want to see it lived out.  They want and need to see how this Jesus makes a difference in our lives and how He can make a difference in their life.  Once people see and experience our resurrection faith – a faith that is willing to do whatever is needed – then they too will be drawn to the light and the Spirit will begin to work in their lives as well.  It is the Spirit that does the real work. Our call is simply to share our resurrection faith.

Scripture reference: 1 John 1:5 to 2:2


by Leave a comment

Christ Alone

Television, alcohol, work, Facebook, drugs, internet, books, hobbies, texting, shopping.  The list could go on and on.  Transparency, honesty, vulnerability, commitment, trust, openness.  The list could go on and on.  These two lists are related.  The first list contains some of the ways we try to replace genuine community.  The second list is both our fears of and the reasons to be in an authentic faith community.

Being together in an authentic faith community allows us to feel connection to God and to each other.  In community we can experience hope, love,mercy, forgiveness.  In community our faith comes alive.  From this strength gained in community, we can see the Word of Life alive in our world.

We can see Christ alive in many ways.  We can taste it in the meal lovingly prepared for a family in need.  We can hear it in the laughter of a small child who has found joy in a gift.  We can touch it as we accept the hand extended in friendship or in the hand reaching out for forgiveness.

To be fully alive in Christ and to see Him actively engaged in our world. we must at times et aside the lures and cares of the world to invest both in our personal faith and in the community of faith.  We must be willing to risk ourselves as we enter into genuine community with one another as the body of Christ.  We must be willing at times to give or serve when we really do not feel like it or think it an inconvenience.  But the more we choose to be alive in Christ, the greater our joy and love becomes.  Jesus Christ overcame the world with love.  This too is the path we are called to walk.  Christ alone is the way, the truth, and the life.

Scripture reference: 1 John 1: 1-4


by Leave a comment

Resurrection Faith

It was said billions of times in churches and posted trillions of times on social media yesterday: “He is Risen!”  And after most times it was said or read, it was followed by, “He is Risen, indeed!” or “Amen.” Easter Sunday is full of celebration and joy over the resurrected Christ.  It is a wonderful day when we celebrate God’s gift of salvation.

On the day after Easter and each day forward the question is: how do I live out my resurrection faith?  Each day how do I experience and share the incarnation of God in Jesus and the resurrection that leads to eternal life?  On the first day of the week, Jesus appeared to His disciples and showed them His hands and side.  He gave them the Holy Spirit and sent them out into the world to continue His work.  In resurrection faith the disciples went out and rocked the world.

We too are empowered by the same Holy Spirit, called to share the good news of Jesus Christ so that all may come to know Him as Lord and Savior.  This is done in mostly small, personal ways: talking with our neighbor, listening to a co-worker at lunch, taking time to get to know the stranger in need.  It is about hearing another’s story and sharing our faith story.  It is all about developing a relationship with another so that we can share the relationship we have with Jesus Christ.

We are called and sent out by the same Christ that called and sent out the disciples.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit we too can rock the world.  This day and in the days ahead, may we each find ways to live out our resurrection faith.

Scripture reference: John 20: 19-23


by Leave a comment

Counted?

At the end of a log day Jesus and the disciples are gathered around the table for a meal.  The evening had begun with Jesus, their teacher and leader, washing their feet.  He set for them the example of how to follow.  In this humble gesture, He illustrated that being a follower of Christ must include a willingness to serve.

As they are relaxing and taking this teaching in, Jesus announces that one of them reclining there at the table will betray Him.  Can you hear the awkward silence fall over the group?  I imagine some looking down and inwardly questioning if it will be them.  They honestly face their doubts.  Others at the table would be quick to dismiss such a thought and would begin looking around the table, wondering who else it could be, sure of themselves that it would not be they who betrays Christ.

Jesus quickly identifies Judas Iscariot and he slips off into the night to do the deed.  But the conversation quickly turns to Peter – the bold one, the one willing to step out on the water, one of the inner three.  Jesus tells Peter that soon even he will deny Christ – not once but three times!  At this all of their minds must have been swimming.  All must have questioned themselves and their faith in this Jesus if Peter, the rock-solid one, would deny Jesus.

On this day of betrayal and denial, may we too honestly look within and examine the strength of our own faith.  Each of us will probably have an opportunity today to identify ourselves publicly with Christ.  Will we boldly stand for Him or will we let the opportunity quietly slip by?  If not today, then surely tomorrow.  May we be prepared to stand and be counted as one ready to bring glory to our Lord and Savior.

Scripture reference: John 12: 21-32


by Leave a comment

Together

As we move toward Holy Week, we must have a sense that we need to be prepared to walk with Jesus through the trials of the last week of His life.  At times on that journey, the forces of evil were in full force.  It is at times physically painful, at times emotionally painful and at times it is even spiritually painful.

Psalm 118: 24 reads, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  This verse can apply to each day in the week ahead.  Every morning when we begin our day, we can use this verse to garner strength for whatever may come personally and for being present in the events of the week as we walk with Jesus.  Every day God has made.  All things of that day too.  It is a mater of attitude to give each day to God.

It is also a matter of company.  The ‘let us rejoice’ is plural.  We are all in this together. All Christians should walk through Holy Week together with Jesus.  Whether your community is your small group, your church, or the group that reads this today, there is power in practicing our faith together.  There is unity and there is strength.

Holy Weeks is a week of highs and lows.  At times the forces of evil seem to rule the day and at times God is clearly triumphant.  It is as important to celebrate the highs together as well as to walk through the tough stuff together.  May our faith draw us together as we prepare to journey with Jesus through Holy Week.

Scripture reference: Psalm 118: 19-24

 


by Leave a comment

Following Along

In John 12 Jesus parallels our faith with that of a seed.  If a single seed remains sitting on the counter or in the package, then that is all it is.  In a similar way, if we just believe in God then that is all our faith is: just belief.

When the seed is placed in the soil though, it can produce much more.  But in order to produce a crop, the seed itself must die and grow into a plant.  The old is gone and the new goes on to produce a crop.  In a similar way, our old self must be given up so that our new self can grow to live our life for Christ instead of for self.

If we are willing to set aside self and to live for and with Christ, we too can bear much ‘fruit.’  And here too Jesus gives insight.  He tells the disciples and us that whoever serves Him, must follow Him.  Whoever follows must go where He goes.

Here Jesus is calling us past belief.  He is calling us to action: follow, serve, go.  In order to bear fruit in our lives, it requires us to put God and others ahead of ourselves.  This means we cannot ask “Go where?” or “Now?” or “With whom?”  Jesus ministered to anyone, anywhere, anytime.  If we are to follow, we must do the same.

Scripture reference: John 12: 20-26


by 1 Comment

Suffering and Faith

For many, many years most images of Jesus show his miling and gentle.  Art generally depicted Jesus’ life and rosy and carefree.  But in recent times, we have begun to see a different side of Jesus’ life.  Most notably in the movie “The Passion of the Christ” we saw a suffering Jesus.  Other movies and television shows have allowed the public to see the sacrifice and pain Jesus experienced.

Jesus did have a lot of pain and suffering in his life.  He wept when Lazarus died, he was sorrowful when John the Baptist was killed, shed tears like blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, lamented over the lost children of Israel, and personally endured the pain and suffering of being beaten and crucified.

All of Jesus’ suffering was for us.  Because He experienced these emotions and feelings, Jesus can have empathy for us and can intercede more directly when we suffer trials and pain.  He has walked through these things and can relate to us.

He also suffered to give us an example. Jesus could have chosen to not suffer by calling in angels or exerting power himself.  Instead He gave us the example – be obedient to God, pray through our trials, trust in God’s big plan, lean into His love.

Although no one chooses to suffer, it is often in the trials that our faith grows the most. As we follow Jesus’ example, we learn that we can only make it through some things with God’s help.  Our relationship then grows, deepens, becomes more trusting.  God will carry us through.  We just need to call upon Him and follow Christ’s example.

Scripture reference: Hebrews 5: 5-10


by Leave a comment

Go Forth

When asked, Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love God with all our heart, soul, mind,  and strength.  He quickly added a second that was like the first: love neighbor as self.  These two are alike in two ways.  First, they both involve love, arguably the highest human emotion.  Second, they both involve a two-way relationship.  God’s love for us is unfathomable yet Jesus calls us to love Him back as close to this as we can.  In essence, with every fiber of our being.  In the second, our neighbor are also called to love us back.

Jeremiah 31 speaks of a time when God’s ways and laws do not need to be taught anymore because they will be written on all of our hearts. In our church communities we start to see what this looks like.  In these microcosms people know God and strive to obey His teachings.  People who gather together for worship, fellowship, and so on are known by God and are connected together through this relationship.  Once each is in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then their relationship with each other is changed.  All are loved equally by God.  Loving each other in the same way is the basis for this new community.

But… clearly not all are part of these loving communities.  In fact, the majority of people live their lives outside of a church family, outside of a relationship with Jesus.  I believe that if asked, Jesus’ third greatest commandment would be the great commission: go forth and make disciples (Matthew 28:19).  Jesus didn’t say to always stay in our churches.  He didn’t say to closely guard our little communities.  He said go forth.  Into the world.  The great love of and for God compels us to share it with others.  Is not the highest form of loving neighbor to share what is most important to us?  Go forth.

Scripture reference: Jeremiah 31: 33-34


by Leave a comment

Buffet Grace

Do you like buffet restaurants?  I do.  But there is a good and bad.  I really like the variety you find at a good buffet.  The inherent danger is eating way too much.  In both of these senses it is like a good church potluck!

God’s grace is like a buffet in a few ways.  The most obvious way is that His grace never runs out.  Christ’s sacrifice was not a one-time pass to the table of God’s grace – it is unlimited.  God’s grace is not limited in variety either.  Our sins are varied and of all types.  His grace covers them all.

The buffet and God’s grace differ as well.  No matter how many times you go back for more grace, you walk away feeling great.  You can never get enough.  Most important difference: His grace is free.  God’s grace is a gift freely given.  It has no cost and requires only that we accept it.

God’s grace and the buffet line are also alike in one last, very important way.  When you have had your fill of both, you walk away sensing that you must do something.  It is not required, but boy does exercise feel good!

We exercise our faith by doing good works.  Once we are filled with God, we are compelled to share Him with others.  It is our grateful response to His free gift. Today, drink deeply and exercise well!!

Scripture reference: Ephesians 2: 8-10