pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: faith


by Leave a comment

A Deeper Faith

Reading: Psalm 66:1-4

Psalm 66:1-2 – “Shout joyfully to God, all the earth! Sing praises to the glory of God’s name!”

Psalm 66 is a celebration of God’s mighty acts amongst the people of Israel. In the opening verses the psalmist invites us to “shout joyfully” and to “sing praises” so that God is glorified. In our walks of faith, gratitude and praise are two essential practices. Often in our life of faith, it is gratitude that leads to praise. In the first verses of Psalm 66 the gratitude comes from seeing God’s strength rescue Israel from “your enemies.” Being saved leads Israel to praise and glorify God. While it is a good habit to praise God, our relationship with God is about more than God thanking God for saving us. We’ll explore some other practices a bit today and throughout this week that can deepen our walk of faith.

In this week’s Disciplines, Rev. Dr. Mark Wethington shares insights into an ancient spiritual discipline established by Ignatius of Loyola called the Examen. This regular practice looks back and reflects on a period of time, usually a day. A modern take on this 16th century practice offers us the five R’s as a means to remember the steps: request, relish, review, repent, resolve. The practice begins with requesting God’s presence during this time of reflection and introspection. One then relishes God’s presence and blessings in the day. This is followed by a review of one’s day – what sins and failures were there? The movement turns next to repenting of the ways that one fell short and, lastly, one resolves that through God’s grace one will strive to live more like Christ in the next day.

As we work through this week’s lectionary readings we will do so with the five R’s in mind. There is not always a linear pattern in the scriptures. For example, Psalm 66 begins with “relish,” but will turn to “request” as we read the next verses later this week. As we close today, please take a moment to work through the five R’s. Each day this week, following the example given in the Disciplines, we will add depth to our practice of this ancient spiritual discipline.

Prayer: Lord God, guide us this week as we practice this ancient way of drawing closer to you day by day. Work within our hearts to form us more into the image of Christ. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


by Leave a comment

There Is a Plan

Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-4 and 2:1-4

Habakkuk 2:2 – “I will keep watch to see what the Lord says to me, and how he will respond to my complaint.”

Photo credit: Aaron Burden

The prophet Habakkuk receives a vision from God. He then has a dialogue with God that mostly centers on the age-old question: Why does God allow the righteous to suffer while the wicked prosper? Habakkuk wonders how and even why God would use Babylon as a part of God’s plan. This wondering leads the prophet to question how the righteous might face and live faithfully under evil’s domination.

Our reading begins with, “How long…?” This frequent refrain questions why God is not listening to Habakkuk’s cry for help. The violence, devestation, and injustices are all around. God’s instruction is ineffective. The wicked act unjustly, warping justice. From his human perspective, what is happening to Israel makes no sense. What is perhaps worse is the fact that God seems to be orchestrating all of it. At times we can feel this way too when we are in the midst of a season of trial or suffering.

Jumping to chapter 2, God has responded to Habakkuk and he has again questioned how a good and just God could use an evil, pagan nation to save Israel from its sins. Following this interchange, the prophet declares that he will wait for an answer. There is a trust in his decision. In verse 2 we read, “I will keep watch to see what the Lord says to me, and how he will respond to my complaint.” In spite of all that is going on around him, Habakkuk will wait for God to make sense of the present reality. God then offers a vision. There is a plan. Evil will not reign forever. God says to Habakkuk and to us, “wait for it; for it is surely coming…” God is in control. Trust God. And while you wait, God adds, “the righteous person will live honestly.” Even in the midst of evil and injustice, walk the walk of faith. Yes, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, when we find ourselves where Habakkuk was, deep in the valley, darkness and evil all around, remind us that you are forever and that you are in control. We know that you are eternally good and just. Help us to trust into, to lean into, to live out these truths. Empower us to always be faithful to you alone. Amen.


by Leave a comment

A Simple Walk

Reading: Luke 17:5-10

Luke 17:10 – “When you have done everything required of you, you should say, ‘We servants deserve no special praise. We have only done our duty.'”

In the opening verses of chapter 17 Jesus calls the disciples to live in a community of faith that both holds one another accountable and forgives a repentant brother or sister in Christ again and again and again and… Hearing this call to really love well, the disciples think themselves incapable of being this faithful. In response to this feeling, they say to Jesus, “Increase our faith!” In verses 6-10 Jesus gives two responses to their request. In both responses the bottom line is clear. The disciples have enough faith – they just need to act on the faith that they already have. The same can often be said for most of us who profess faith in Jesus Christ.

Faith, like the roots of a tree, are our “unseen” foundation. Claiming faith in Jesus establishes those roots in our hearts. As we live out our call to be light and love in the world, our roots develop and grow stronger. Growth that is visible begins to emerge in small ways – helping a neighbor, standing against an injustice, feeding the hungry. While the idea of doing these kinds of things may feel outside of our comfort zones at first, Jesus tells us that if we just had “faith the size of a mustard seed” and if we put that faith to work, then we could do all these things and so much more. If we would trust the power of the faith that is already in our hearts, then we will experience God moving in and through us.

The small, incremental acts of faith are what lead to a greater and greater application of our faith. The path Jesus calls us to walk, though, is quite simple at its core: love God, love neighbor. This is everything required of us. It is our duty, it is our call, it is our means to share the good news of Jesus Christ with a world in need of love and hope and peace.

Prayer: Lord God, at the dawn one can sense that the sun is about to poke through. It is simply what happens every time. At the moment of opportunity, when we are in a place to love well, may our faith poke through. Lead and guide and empower us daily, Lord, so that as we grow in our faith, loving well is simply what happens all the time. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Finding Hope and Strength

Reading: Psalm 137

Psalm 137:5 – “Jerusalem! If I forget you, let my strong hand wither!”

Photo credit: Wylly Suhendra

Psalm 137 wrestles with holding onto faith during a time of deep grief. This is a struggle we’ve all faced or will face at some point in life. The emotions of the Psalm are real and honest, especially in verses 7-9. If grief we feel these emotions too, but usually choose not to give them voice. The psalmist and fellow Israelites find themselves in Babylonian exile, grieving alongside a river. They have put away their musical instruments, thinking, who could sing at a time like this? In grief we too can set aside certain practices or activities that we used to do with the departed loved one. It feels too painful for these things in the midst of grief. The departed loved one for Israel is God, personified in Jerusalem. While God is still present, it doesn’t feel like it for Israel. When their “tormentors” mockingly call for a song, the Israelites wonder, “How could we sing a joyful song at a time like this?!”

Yet there is something in the psalmist that knows they must maintain a connection with God. In verse 5 we read, “Jerusalem! If I forget you, let my strong hand wither!” Verse 6 offers a similar pledge. For the psalmist, hard as it might be, music is a way to remember and to honor and to be connected to God. Music brings the Israelites into the presence of God and it brings them into community. In times of grief, we often just want to be alone. It feels like that would just be easier. Frankly, it is. But healing comes most often in community, in being with others, in being reminded of God’s presence with us. Here one finds the beginnings of those seeds of hope and the strength to ponder next steps. In their grief, with the gifts of hope and strength, the Israelites began to step forward in faith. May it be so for you and for me in our times of grief.

Prayer: Lord God, sometimes life is hard and it rains down grief, feelings of disorientation, moments of withdrawal. When this happens to those we know, send us into their lives, being your light and love, your hope and strength. And when we find ourselves in this hard place, guide us into community – with you and with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Faith, Calling, Trust

Reading: 2nd Timothy 1:8-14

2nd Timothy 1:14 – “Protect this good thing that has been placed in your trust through the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”

As we continue in 2nd Timothy 1 today, the call to trust into God and to rely on the indwelling power and presence of the Holy Spirit remains front and center. Paul encourages Timothy to do these two things and to keep the faith, even when suffering for doing so. He reminds young Timothy to depend on God, “the one who saved and called us with a holy calling.” This call was not from anywhere or anyone other than God, so it is backed with God’s purpose and grace as revealed in Jesus Christ. This call, this purpose, this grace – all of this applies to you and to me as well.

In verse 11 Paul shows Timothy how this has worked in his life. Paul was called by God as a messenger, apostle, and teacher. Paul has suffered for answering the call, but he is not ashamed. He is living out his holy calling. He knows the God in whom he trusts. Paul is convinced that God is powerful enough to protect his trust and his faith. All of these truths are universal. Paul wants Timothy to know that they apply to him. They are truths for us too.

The last two verses turn the focus to Timothy (and to us.) Paul first encourages Timothy to hold fast to the pattern of teaching modeled by Paul. Timothy is told to use the love and faith found in Jesus as the means to hold onto good teaching. We have Paul’s model to hold to. And we also have Jesus’ model recorded in the gospels. In verse 14 we read, “Protect this good thing that has been placed in your trust through the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” Call on the power and strength of the Holy Spirit within. Allow the power and presence of the Spirit to protect your faith, your trust, and your calling to serve God and neighbor in love and grace. Relying not on self but on the power and presence of the Spirit, may we too be used to share the good news.

Prayer: Lord God, guide us to open ourselves to your calling and purpose for us and for our lives. We’ve all been called to be messengers of the good news of Jesus Christ. We’re all created with your spark within – with the ability to love and care for one another. Fan that spark into flame, Lord, as we learn to apply the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to our own walk of faith. Amen.


by Leave a comment

A Spirit Within

Reading: 2nd Timothy 1:1-7

2nd Timothy 1:7 – “God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled.”

In the greeting of his second letter to Timothy, Paul drops in a reminder of one of the core teachings of the faith: “the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.” Paul subtly reminds Timothy of a truth that he knows and claims but maybe doesn’t live out all of the time. This can happen to us too. In the difficult times and even in times when the daily routine gets rut-like, we can temporarily lose or drift from our faith. This happens most often for me when I bypass God – when I don’t stop and pray about something and when I just try to do whatever on my own.

Timothy is a gifted young pastor who is also too timid and too easily intimidated. Paul spent time with him, modeling what it looked like to preach the gospel with power and authority. Paul expresses gratitude for this time. He also celebrates the family legacy of faith that Timothy received from Lois and Eunice. Paul is “sure that this faith lives in you [Timothy].” Timothy is also reminded that Paul prays “day and night” for him and that he and his ministry was blessed by Paul’s “laying in of my hands.” Timothy has all he needs to faithfully serve the Lord.

The same is true for us. While we might not have had a Paul or Lois or Eunice in our lives and while preaching might not be our gift, we all have what we need to faithfully serve God. Paul writes of it in verse 7: “God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled.” When we claim the love, power, and self-control available through the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence in us, then we can serve God and neighbor faithfully. Doing so, we do “preach” the good news of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, fill us with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Through that presence make us aware of both the gifts that you’ve given us and of the call that you’ve placed on in our lives. With the Spirit’s presence, lead us out in bold service to your kingdom. Through this service and through the power of the Spirit at work in and through us, may others come to know, claim, and live into the promise of eternal life found in Jesus Christ. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Wait For It

Reading: Lamentations 3:19-26

Lamentations 3:22 – “Certainly the faithful love of the Lord hasn’t ended; certainly God’s compassion isn’t through!”

Photo credit: Nathan Dumlao

Moving ahead two chapters in Lamentations, the voice we now hear is that of the writer. In the opening verses of chapter 3 he or she recalls how the fall of the city and the temple has personally impacted him or her. This is summarized in verse 19 where the author recalls suffering and homelessness as “bitterness and poison.” On the theological level these events and their outcomes are incomprehensible to the people of God. What has happened feels totally beyond God’s will and character. This disorientation is forcing new understandings of God and faith as God’s plan for Israel is being worked out in real time.

There have been times in my life and likely in your life when the difficult time itself has ended. As the dust settles, so to speak, we can take a breath and look around. Hopefully, like the author, we wait. We wait to see what’s next. In Lamentations 3 the waiting begins with this thought: “Certainly the faithful love of the Lord hasn’t ended; certainly God’s compassion isn’t through!” Hope begins to rise up. The writer then remembers that God’s love and compassion are “renewed every morning” because of God’s faithfulness. Trust starts to rebuild as the author declares, “The Lord is my portion.” Hope and trust are present as the writer proclaims, “I’ll wait for him.”

In verse 25 we’re reminded that God is indeed good to those who “hope in him… who seek him.” To wait upon the Lord, to trust and hope in God’s plan for us – sometimes this is all we can do. Often it is what we should do. And this is good. The writer will wait in silence. This too is good. We can hear God better. Yes, the Lord’s deliverance is coming. May we wait for it.

Prayer: Lord God, after the immediacy of the trial or loss or suffering it can be tempting to do or say something. To do so feels like relief, like a return to life. But we’re often still scattered or we’re just groping for something we really can’t identify. In these moments, still our spirits. Calm our tendency to “do.” Guide us to wait upon you, to seek your voice and direction, to trust and hope in your great faithfulness. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Our Faithful God

Reading: Lamentations 1:1-6

Lamentations 1:5b – “Certainly the Lord caused her grief because of her many wrongs.”

Lamentations is a vivid and emotional account of the destruction of Jerusalem and her temple at the hands of the Babylonians. Jeremiah is likely the primary author. The prophet worked long and hard trying to call the leaders and the people back into right relationship with God. But they chose to ignore his words of warning, instead choosing to trust in idols and foreign nations. Lamentations primarily deals with the consequences of these sinful choices but also offers hope in God’s love and faithfulness.

Lamentations personifies Jerusalem as a woman, present in the great destruction, sitting in the ruins. In the first verse we read, “She sits alone, the city that was once full of people.” When I first read this line, my brain read “promise” instead of “people.” Then I thought, yes, once Judah relied on and trusted in God’s promises. Their choice to trust in their own power and efforts has led them to become “slaves” sent away into exile. Maybe my brain read it this way because sadly at times this is our choice too. We choose self over God and/or neighbor, becoming a “slave” to our sin, exiling ourselves from God’s presence.

The author believes that Judah’s tears and mourning and grief are the direct result of her sinful behaviors. In verse 5 we read, “Certainly the Lord caused her grief because of her many wrongs.” While we do not subscribe to the ancient Jew’s understanding of faith as “do good, be blessed… do evil, be cursed,” we do experience tears, mourning, and grief at times as the practical outcomes of our sinful and selfish choices. While we do exile ourselves at times, God always remains present. Our faithful God listens to our painful laments while allowing us to be refined and to grow in faith because of our hard lessons. In this we find hope – as the author of Lamentations does as we turn to chapter 3 tomorrow.

Prayer: Lord God, while we are far from perfect, your perfect love never wavers, never fails. While we wander and separate ourselves from you, your steadfast presence is always right there, ready to redirect, to teach, to forgive, to welcome us back into right relationship. Thank you God!! Amen.


by Leave a comment

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.


by Leave a comment

Take Hold of True Life

Reading: 1st Timothy 6:17-19

1st Timothy 6:17-18 – “Tell people who are rich… to do good, to be rich in the good things they do, to be generous, and to share with others.”

Photo credit: Shane

Continuing in 1st Timothy 6 today, Paul instructs Timothy on how to minister to those Christians who do have wealth, power, status… There were and are people that God has blessed with gifts and talents and legacies that has and have allowed them to be rich in the things of this world. Paul first addresses the dangers of this place in life. One can easily become prideful and arrogant. This often leads to isolating oneself from those who are seen as “less than.” From this place of heart and mind one can place their hope in their worldly riches instead of in God. Some falsely think, “Who needs God when I have all of this?”

Paul’s instruction to Timothy is this: “Tell people who are rich… to do good, to be rich in the good things they do, to be generous, and to share with others.” To do good and to be rich in good works is to engage the world around you. This counters the choices to isolate and to look down on those without wealth, power, status… To do good for others draws us into relationship and here we find our commonality, which leads to unity. To be generous and to share what we have lifts up those without and it grows one’s compassion and empathy, deepening one’s desire to practice generosity. To do good and to be generous draws us closer to God and to one another.

In verse 19 Paul states that these actions lay a “good foundation for the future.” This foundation is an ever-growing compassion and love for neighbor and a continual growth in one’s relationship with God. Living out our faith in these ways allows us to “take hold of what is truly life.” This is loving God and neighbor with all that we have and are. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, lead us to be people of love and compassion. Guide us to people and places that need to experience these things. Open our hearts and hands to serve you through serving those in need. In these ways, use us to draw others closer to you. Amen.