pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: faith


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The Natural Response

Reading: Psalm 105:1-11

Verse 8: “God remembers the covenant forever, the promise God made, for a thousand generations.”

Photo credit: Rainier Ridao

Psalm 105 calls us to praise God as we remember, recall, and celebrate God’s promises and God’s actions in the past. The psalmist is writing the people of God – to the Israelites – and inviting them to remember all of their great stories of faith. Stories about the parting of the sea or river, stories about the walls coming down, and stories about God’s presence in the hardest of times would be remembered and retold as a means to reassure themselves, to rekindle their faith and trust in God, and to pass these treasures along to the next generation. The natural response would be to praise God.

All of the Israelites stories were based upon the covenants – especially the one given to Abraham. This covenant promised descendants as numerous as the stars (or sand in the beach), the land in and around Canaan, and God’s presence with the people of God. Much of the rest of Psalm 105 speaks of the exodus out of Egypt and the journey to the Promised Land. This epic journey is filled with story after story detailing God’s love, care, provision, and presence. Again, as these stories are told and the covenants are remembered, praise is the natural response offered to God.

We too journey in faith, using our own stories of God’s love, care, provision, and presence to encourage and reassure ourselves. We also connect to and lean into the promises and covenants to continue walking in faith, especially on those hard days. As we recall our stories today, may we praise the Lord. And as we recall the covenants and promises may we raise a joyful song!

Prayer: Lord God, your love and care for your children began in the garden and it has continued right through to this day. Our scriptures are filled with examples and our lives are filled with accountings of your love and care, of your provision and presence. Thank you for being the God who so deeply loves us. All praise and honor to you, almighty God! Amen.


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Sacred Places and Spaces

Reading: Genesis 28:18-19

Verse 19: “He called that place Bethel,” [which means ‘house of God’].

Jacob has had a powerful encounter with God. In a dream he has witnessed “the gate of heaven.” He sees the holy angels coming and going. He sees and hears God speaking words of blessing over him. Jacob awakens early the next morning and he builds a pillar or altar, anointing it with oil. He names the place “Bethel,” which translates to ‘house of God.’ Out in the middle of the wilderness, in a place so desolate that he has to use a rock for a pillow, Jacob names the place the ‘house of God.’

Some might think that just the temple in Jerusalem, for example,or the sanctuary in which we worship can be called the house of God. While these holy places certainly can be and often are filled with God’s presence, God is not limited to these buildings or places. For some a holy space might be that campfire ring at that camp – that’s where I gave my life to Jesus Christ. For some it might be that hospital room, the time when they gathered with ___’s family – there they saw the Spirit’s presence. For others it might be in that prayer room at a Promise Keeper’s event in Denver – that’s where a vision about my life was shared with me. For others…

While sacred places and spaces can sometimes be marked by a pillar or returned to periodically, others can only be marked in our memories. We revisit these places – physically or mentally – to remember when God touched our lives. Before reading the prayer, take a quick mental tour of the places and spaces that God touched your life and faith. Then thank God for these blessings.

Prayer: Lord God, there are many places that you have become ‘real’ to me, spaces where you have touched my life and my faith. Each is a touchstone moment – a particular experience when the holy drew close. Thank you for each of these experiences. Continue to be present in my life. Continue to bless me with these God moments, strengthening and encouraging my faith. Amen.


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Sow Seeds

Reading: Matthew 13:18-23

Verse 23b: “This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Today we read Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the sower. Unpacking it for his disciples, Jesus covers the gamut of belief. He begins with those who hear the word of God but do not understand it. It does not even begin to take root, so it falls away quickly and easily. Then Jesus moves on to the three “soils” who hear and understand the word of God. Some, after receiving it, fall away because of the trouble or hardship caused by their faith. And others fall away because the cares and concerns of the world are stronger than their faith. Lastly, Jesus tells us that some will hear and understand and apply the word to their lives. These go out and do what Jesus says to do, leading others to faith by their witness. This is the crop yielded from their faith: new believers.

These various soils were the reality of Jesus’ day. People heard and accepted his teachings to various degrees. Some were all-in for the long haul. Many others were not. This has remained true throughout the ages. Even so, the task laid out in the parable remains the task of the disciple: sow seeds and trust that God will be at work, sprouting seeds into faith that lasts.

There is also a personal application to this parable. Our receptivity and obedience rises and falls. Some days, for example, we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and we respond in faith. Other days we are deaf or lazy or… and the word is not responded to. And God the sower continues to scatter seeds of faith into our soil, looking for us to be good soil that produces a crop. May we do all we can to be good soil.

Prayer: Lord God, today I ask that you would use me to sow seeds of faith in other people’s lives as you sow seeds in my soil. Use me as you see fit. Amen.


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Always

Reading: Psalm 13

Verse 6: “I will sing the Lord’s praise, for God has been good to me.”

Photo credit: Daniel Hooper

Returning to Psalm 13 today we are again reminded of a time of suffering and hardship that David writes about. We all have them – both as individuals and as a part of a family, group, organization… In these times we’ve felt alone and we’ve felt abandoned by God – or at least that God is not present in the difficult circumstance. We have walked where David walks. We will likely walk there again. And again.

Last night in our discipleship class we talked about worship. We read Revelation 4-5 and Isaiah 6:1-8 – two visions of worship in heaven. What John and Isaiah see is powerful, reminding us of the majesty and glory of God and the praise and adoration that will occur continually in heaven. We enter spiritually into this place when we enter the sanctuary for worship. The Spirit of God becomes present and draws us into this sacred time with God. We trust and rejoice and sing to the Lord in worship.

We also talked about informal worship. One example was the praise and adoration that can come with a beautiful sunset. There are many other ways that God can touch us in our daily living. Our response can truly be worship. In the Psalm we can see that David praised and worshiped God even in the storm. What if we too choose to do the same in the dark valley and in those times of suffering or pain? It is a powerful witness to our faith when we choose to worship the Lord in these challenging moments. May we, like David, always sing with our lives and praise the Lord with our whole being.

Prayer: Lord God, you are ever present and your love never fails. Even when we feel alone, we know that you are there. In these moments or seasons like David was having, bolster our faith so that we too may sing of your love and care for us, especially in the storm. Amen.


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Even So

Reading: Psalm 13

Verse 3: “Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes.”

Psalm 13 begins with four sentences that all begin “How long…?” David is asking how long will this horrible situation last? How long will God take to bring relief, comfort, healing, resolution? Although we do not know if this is a personal prayer or a corporate prayer from David, we do know that we’ve prayed these “how long” prayers again and again, for ourselves and for others.

David continues in verse 3, writing, “Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes.” He is begging for, pleading for God to respond. He wants light to see the way through. We note that David is not praying for an answer already in mind. He is praying for God to light the way forward, trusting in God’s light and direction. The rest of verse 3 reveals the depth of the situation: “or I will sleep in death.” The end of the rope has been reached. The grip is failing. O God, answer!

Verses 5 and 6 are “even so” verses. The answer hasn’t come. He feels all alone. David cannot yet see the light. But even so he declares trust in God’s “unfailing love.” He rejoices in the salvation that he knows is secure. And David chooses to sing a song to the God who has been good again and again and again. As we wait upon the Lord may we do so with such trust and faith. From that place, may we praise our good, good God.

Prayer: Lord God, in moments when I cannot sense your presence, give me the strength to trust and the heart to praise you. When the dark feels too much, bring a sliver of light, prompting me to choose faith over fear. Amen.


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How Might I Respond?

Reading: Genesis 22:1-14

Verse 12: “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

We begin this week with Genesis 22. I marvel at Abraham’s faith and commitment to God. In the last chapter he cast out his firstborn son into the wilderness. In today’s text God once again challenges Abraham, asking him to sacrifice Isaac. I look at Abraham’s faith and wonder how I would respond if I had to stand in his shoes.

In our text today God asks Abraham to do the unthinkable. Abraham cuts and gathers the wood. He prepares for the journey, taking with him the fire and the knife. Abraham journeys with Isaac and two servants towards the mountain. Leaving the servants behind as they near the mountain, Abraham and Isaac continue on. Each action and each step is a step in faith and trust.

When Isaac notes the wood and the fire, but asks about the lamb, Abraham responds, “God himself will provide the lamb.” Reaching the place, Abraham builds an altar, arranges the wood, and then binds and places Isaac on the altar. Knife in hand, Abraham is ready to follow through on God’s directive. It is here that an angel of the Lord intercedes, saying, “Do not lay a hand on the boy.”

Continuing, the angel says, “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham has proven his faith. Put to the ultimate test, Abraham demonstrates his full trust in God. Again I wonder, how might I respond?

Prayer: Lord God, what an example of faith and trust in you! What a model of obedience. Lord, build up in me a faith and trust that would respond as Abraham responded. Amen.


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Learning to Trust

Reading: Psalm 86:1-7 and 16-17

Verse 7: “When I am in distress, I call to you because you answer me.”

In the Psalm this week David prays to God. It is a prayer for help in times of trouble. These are prayers that we pray often. Life can be challenging and difficult at times. Unwanted change, loss, illness, broken relationships, death, failure – these and many more drive us to God in prayer. The psalmist is no stranger to these challenges and difficulties. David certainly has his share of these times of trouble.

As revealed in the Psalm, David also knew who to turn to in these times. David chose someone who was trustworthy, merciful, forgiving, good, loving, and responsive. All of this is summed up in verse 7: “When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.” Hear the confidence and faith in these words. As each challenge arose, as each difficulty came, David turned to God and God answered. Was it always the answer he wanted? No. But David knew that God’s ways were higher and better than his ways. This too was learned over time. This trust and faith was built through a steady and disciplined walk with God.

God invites us into this kind of a relationship. God invites us to be open and honest, vulnerable and trusting. When we are in need, God wants us to call out. When we feel overwhelmed, God yearns for our prayers. When we are worn out or dried up, God longs for us to kneel in prayer. God desires a relationship with us. In these personal and intimate moments of prayer we learn to trust into God, deepening our faith and our relationship. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, you are faithful and true. May you be where I turn to first. You are compassionate and forgiving. In humility and trust may I bring all that I am and all I am not to you. Day by day deepen our relationship, O God. Amen.


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Shared with Joy and Laughter

Reading: Genesis 21:1-7

Verse 6: “Sarah said, ‘God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.’”

Returning to Genesis we see the outcome of the promise made in chapter 18. God is “gracious to Sarah.” Very late in life she “became pregnant and bore a son.” Sarah and Abraham’s son is named Isaac, which means “he laughs.” With this name they are inviting others to laugh and to share in their joy. In verse 6 Sarah says, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” This wonderful thing that God has done is now part of her story of faith.

While none of us will become first-time parents at 90 or 100, in our lives we all do have wonderful things that God has done. If we are intentional about seeing God’s hand at work, we can see fingerprints all over our lives. Through a name Sarah and Abraham were inviting others into one of their God moments. This was a moment impossible without God. It was a moment so incredibly wonderful that they could not but smile from ear to ear.

So we must ask: When have we ourselves experienced God in such a way that we were left with joy and laughter? What “well, I’ll be” moments has God given you? What surprising turn of events has God blessed you with? This is part of our faith story to share with others. The joy-filled, you-wouldn’t-believe-it stories also tell of God’s power and might, of God’s love and grace. May our faith be shared with Joy and Laughter, helping others to know this side of God too.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the times you’ve filled my heart with joy, when you’ve plastered a smile on my face. Thank you for the unexpected times that came out far better than I ever could’ve imagined. This too is part of how you touch our lives. Thank you, God. Amen.


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Stories

Reading: Matthew 9:18-26

Verse 24: “But they laughed at him.”

In today’s second half of this week’s Matthew 9 reading two miracles happen. It might even be more. The passage begins with a ruler from the synagogue coming to Jesus for help. “Come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” We are not told if this request is driven by faith or by desperation. Both lead us to seek Jesus.

Verses 20-22 contain a story within this first story. It is the story of faith. This woman has been ill for 12 years. Yet she seeks Jesus out with this faith: “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” She has faith great enough to believe that proximity to Jesus and her touching his clothing will bring her healing. Jesus confirms this, saying, “Your faith has healed you.”

Moving on and arriving at the synagogue leader’s house, Jesus first tried to send the professional mourners home, saying the girl is just asleep. They know death. They are professional mourners. “But they laughed at him.” Faith in Jesus is non-existent in this group. It does not deter Jesus. Clearing the house Jesus then goes to the girl. He simply takes her hand, restoring her to life with his touch. We see Jesus demonstrate great faith in God here. News of the miracle spreads “through all that region.”

Perhaps this spread is the third miracle. Maybe the woman or the synagogue leader or the daughter become powerful witnesses to the power of God in Jesus to change lives. Maybe their story drew people to faith. Like these we too have stories of what Jesus has done for us. We may be laughed at, dismissed. Let us persevere. Our stories have the power to change lives. May these stories of faith be told and may they draw others to Jesus. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, you’ve touched my life again and again. Use me and my stories of faith to draw others towards the power found in relationship with Jesus. Amen.


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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.