pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: faithful


by Leave a comment

Pass Love On

Reading: Psalm 116:1-2 and 12-19

Psalm 116:12 – “What can I give back to the Lord for all the good things he has done for me?”

Psalm 116 begins with a declaration of thanksgiving for God’s mercy. This gift of God is something freely given. It is something we cannot earn or buy. God’s mercy is rooted deeply in God’s love. To receive mercy and the grace and forgiveness that follows simply by asking God for it, this is truly worthy of our praise and thanksgiving!

Jumping to verse 12, we see the natural response to this gift of mercy. This is not something required by God. Instead, it is our natural response to God’s love. The psalmist asks, “What can I give back to the Lord for all the good things he has done for me?” He or she has been moved to respond out of a place of deep gratitude in his or her heart. This response reminds me of the words found in the chorus of the song “Pass It On.” We’re reminded that once we have experienced God’s love ourselves, we want to “spread his love to everyone, we want to pass it on.”

The psalmist lifts up the “cup of salvation” and calls on God’s name. These acts of worship are a means of sharing God’s love with others. The author also commits to keeping the promises he or she made to God. At a minimum, this would be to keep the two great commands to love God and neighbor. Years later Jesus also lifted up these commands as essential to living faithfully in this world. When love becomes the core of who we are and it leads and guides all that we say, do, and think, then our very lives reveal the love of God to the world. Living and loving faithfully, we pass on God’s love to all people.

Prayer: Lord God, your love and mercies never end. They are poured out over our lives again and again. Our hearts are warmed as we receive these abundant gifts. Set us afire, Lord. Make your love blaze in our hearts so that all we encounter can feel and experience your love moving in and through us and out into the world, out into their lives. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Chosen and Blessed

Reading: Psalm 33:1-12

Psalm 33:5 – “The Lord’s faithful love fills the whole earth.”

Photo credit: Eugene Zhyvchik

Psalm 33 celebrates God both for God’s control over the earth and for the created world that God has made. The initial response to our God is to worship God – to shout joyfully and to give thanks as we sing praises. The response is partly because of who and what God is: good, faithful, righteous, and just. The response is also partly because of what God has done. “God spoke… There it was!” Creation was spoken into being. To take in our world, in all of its creativity and diversity, is to understand an all-powerful God. This understanding brings us humility as we stand in awe of our God.

The psalmist speaks of God’s plan and control in verses 10-12. Nations can plan and scheme. We can plan and scheme. But it is God’s plans that “stand forever.” Set in place since the beginning of creation, it is the plans of God that will endure. This is so because God is good and just and righteous… Within God’s plans we do not find greed or envy or any of the other selfish or sinful desires that tend to doom our plans and schemes.

In verse 5 we read, “The Lord’s faithful love fills the whole earth.” God’s love is all around us. It is there for the taking. It has the power to fill your heart and my heart. When we surrender to God’s love, when we allow ourselves to be and live as “people whom God has chosen,” then we are blessed and are “truly happy.” Surrendered and filled, we pour God’s love back out into the world. May it be so for you and for me, this day and always.

Prayer: Lord God, we, like all of creation, are the work of your hands. We can be as you are in the world – good, faithful, righteous, just… We can live as your chosen ones, aligned with your will and way. Lord, draw us again and again to that place of surrender, over and over to that place of humility. From this place of the heart, we offer our whole lives to you, all for your praise and glory. Amen.


by Leave a comment

A Big Step of Faith

Reading: Genesis 12:1-9

Genesis 12:1 – “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you.”

Today we read from Genesis 12. This continues a long walk in Genesis that began last week with the creation story. The journey will culminate in mid-August with the Israelites beginning their move to Egypt. During June, the story will focus on Abram (later he becomes Abraham) and his faithful obedience to God. His radical obedience to God will become the model of faith in the Old Testament. His example continues to bear witness to us, even today. His call story is but one of many examples of Abram/Abraham’s willingness to follow God’s plans.

In verse 1 we read, “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you.” The call to leave is a call into the unknown. Abram has lived in Ur and then Haran for 75 years. He is deeply connected to Terah, his father. As the patriarch, Terah’s home would be Abram’s religious, social, and economic hub for all of life. God calls Abram to leave all this – all he’s ever known – to go to a “land that I will show you.” With a promise of blessing and presence, Abram packs up all that is his and leaves for this unknown land. God leads. Abram follows. He worships and God confirms that Canaan is the land. It is promised to Abram and his descendants.

This is one of the stories in the Bible that makes us ask a simple question: Could I? Very few of us go someplace without any planning. We want to know the route, the distance… We plan stops and we research where we’re going and what we’ll do when we get there. Imagine hearing the call of God to pack it all up and to head down the road in the U-haul, without knowing where, how long…? What would it take for you or for me to take such a step of faith?

Prayer: Lord God, what a powerful example of faith! Hearing your voice, we hope that we’d go. Yet we do hear your voice all the time. In the whispers and shouts of the Holy Spirit we hear the call to this person or to that situation. Call by call, build our faithful response. Step by step, continue to work in us, O Lord, bringing us closer and closer to Abram’s example. Thank you for your patience and your steadfast guidance, God. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Doubt

Reading: Matthew 28:16-17

Matthew 28:17 – “When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted.”

Photo credit: Kim West

Turning to our gospel lesson to end the week, Jesus has some final words for the eleven disciples. They meet Jesus one last time, on a mountain in Galilee – the place that the woman who had been at the tomb told them to go. The disciples worshipped Jesus, “but some doubted.” Maybe you are wondering how they could doubt. These disciples spent three years with Jesus, hearing his teachings, seeing the miracles. Stacked on top of that, there have been multiple encounters with the risen Christ over the last forty days. Yet some – maybe most – doubted.

Well, here’s the truth: I’ve walked with Jesus way longer than three years and forty days and there are still times of doubt. There are moments and even seasons when I question my faith or the  things I believe or don’t believe. There are times when I question my worthiness or when I question God’s love for me. Yes, these times lessen as I walk longer and longer with Jesus, but they don’t fully disappear. My faith will never be 100% sure, 100% of the time.

And a second truth: doubt is not all bad. In one of my greatest seasons of doubt, I wrestled hard with my faith. God in Spirit walked with me, leading and guiding, refining and strengthening my faith. The times of doubt and the questions that often follow usually work this way – if we turn into God instead of away from God. So when doubt arises, and it will, may we turn to the Lord our God, to the one who is faithful in all situations and at all times.

Prayer: Lord God, while we would never invite seasons of doubt into our journeys of faith, we do thank you for these times of questioning and growth. We also thank you for your steadfast love that never leaves us in our doubt. Out of your great love, you answer our doubt, increasing our faith. Thank you, O God. Amen.


by Leave a comment

If Only!

Reading: Numbers 11:24-34

Numbers 11:29b – “If only all the Lord’s people were prophets with the Lord placing his spirit on them.”

As we lead up to Pentecost Sunday we turn to Numbers 11. A little context first, though. Moses led the people out of slavery in Egypt and they have been wandering in the desert. Not too long after God provided manna – an amazing miracle that came in response to the people’s grumbling – the “riffraff” stir up more complaining, this time about a lack of meat. This is not the first or second or even third time they’ve grumbled against Moses’ leadership and against God’s provision. The weight of leading crashes down on Moses. The grumbling angers God. A depleted and frustrated Moses cannot bear the burden any longer. If things are going to be like this, he says to God, “please kill me.” Moses is done.

We’ve all been in situations where we’ve been doing what God asks of us, walking faithfully, and the road gets bumpy. If the bumps don’t level out but instead get worse, we can feel defeated and frustrated. We can cry out to God in desperation as the weight begins to feel too heavy to bear. We want to give up. As with Moses, God has a plan. We are not left alone in the valley. For Moses, God passes some of Moses’ leadership spirit on to seventy elders. They will help him lead, guided by the spirit. In our valleys, God walks with us in Spirit and often sends a friend to walk with us to lift our burdens.

Two men outside the gathering at the tent of meeting also receive the spirit and start to prophesy. A concerned Joshua alerts Moses, concerned for Moses’ power. Moses does not see it this way. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Moses pines, “If only all the Lord’s people were prophets with the Lord placing his spirit on them.” Indeed, if only all of God’s people were filled with the Spirit. Indeed, indeed. May it be so, O God. Fill us all with your Holy Spirit!

Prayer: Lord God, first, thank you for never leaving us alone in the valley or in other times of trial. Thank you for your loving faithfulness. Second, Lord, fill us with your Spirit – both so we can walk faithfully as we bear one another’s burdens and so we turn to you, our ultimate companion, in our times of need. Be with us all of our days, O God. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Faithful Suffering

Reading: 1st Peter 5:6-11

1st Peter 5:10 – “The God of all grace, the one who called you into his eternal glory in Jesus Christ, will himself restore, empower, strengthen, and establish you.”

Wednesday’s reading from 1st Peter 4 was about the “fiery trials” we face on our walk of faith. Today’s reading is first about how to get through these trials and then is about the end results of staying faithful. Peter offers four steps to help us remain faithful. The first is to “humble yourself under God’s power.” Maybe you’re like me though. My first thought in a time of trial often revolves around how do I get out of this trial, how do I stop the suffering, how do I… But I’m slowly learning that when I do surrender control to God, my time in the trial involves less suffering, less scaring, less hardship. And it always works out better.

We find the second step in verse 7: “Throw all your anxiety into him.” If you’ve followed step one, this step is SO much easier. When I’m trying to do it on my own, I tend to hold onto the anxiety, stress, fear, worry… It’s still about me. But when I place the control in God’s hands, it is much easier and more natural to give up all the anxiety… too.

Verse 8 turns to a reality that we don’t always recognize. Satan is ever “on the prowl,” seeking to tempt us into sin. The whispered lies, the half-truths, the distortions of facts… – just a small sampling of Satan’s bag of tricks. Yes, we certainly need to be clear-headed and alert. This helps us to resist the evil one and to see his temptations.

Peter closes with the outcome of faithful suffering: “The God of all grace, the one who called you into his eternal glory in Jesus Christ, will himself restore, empower, strengthen, and establish you.” The end game is glory in eternal life. The present game is a deeper, more devout walk with the Lord. It is true. You and I have experienced it. Looking back at a trial or time if suffering, we can see how God restored, empowered… This is part of our story of faith. May we learn to tell it well so that others in a similar trial or time of suffering may find hope. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, how we need you! While you are ever-present and all-powerful, the evil one is always right there too, tempting, pulling, trying to separate us from you. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, guide us to humility and surrender. Only then do we stand a chance in these battles. Lead us through, O Lord, refining and restoring, strengthening and empowering us for the next inevitable battle. Thank you for your faithful love and unending grace. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Faithful, to the End

Reading: Acts 7:55-60

Acts 7:59 – “Lord Jesus, receive my life!”

Photo credit: Alex Woods

Soon after Jesus’ death, the church began to form and grow. The apostles and disciples of Jesus began to meet, to worship, to care for others, and to share the good news. The gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost empowered the community of faith. Many were coming to a saving faith in Jesus. One of those filled with the Holy Spirit was Stephen. He spoke boldly and healed people in the name of Jesus. For this he was brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. Instead of backing down or recanting or being silenced, he boldly proclaimed Jesus as Lord to them. Fueled by the Spirit, Stephen looked up and saw heaven opened with Jesus standing at God’s right side. This proclamation triggers his death by stoning.

Facing this horrible death, Stephen prays, “Lord Jesus, accept my life!” His trust in Jesus is complete. His belief in his eternal destination is sure. In both of these ways, he offers one more powerful witness to Jesus. Trust and surety in the face of death remains a powerful witness today. In times present to those nearing death, I’ve seen people’s faith shine and I’ve heard their trust in the destination. There is a calm, a strength, a peace evident in those with faith.

In addition to all of this, Stephen showed grace. As he was dying, he shouted, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” One last, powerful witness to God’s love and grace. Stephen served his Lord faithfully, right to the end. May it be so for us all.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for Stephen’s faithful witness. Move us by the same Holy Spirit. While we may never face death for our faith, Lord empower us to be strong and bold when needed. In ways small and perhaps large, guide us to profess our faith in you and to stand for all that is good and just and right and holy. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Faithful, Loyal Love

Reading: Psalm 36:5-11

Psalm 36:6 – “Your righteousness is like the strongest mountains; your justice is like the deepest sea.”

Photo credit: Freestocks

As I read the first few verses of today’s passage, I could hear the words of Third Day’s “Your Love Oh Lord” in my mind. Hearing these words reminds me that the Psalms are really songs. They are expressions of an array of emotions: joy and defeat, praise and lament. Expressing one’s emotions opens the doors of communication with God. Today’s reading is an expression of praise for God’s faithful and loyal love.

The psalmist rejoices that God’s faithful love is everywhere. David then celebrates the character of God’s righteousness and justice. They are “like the strongest mountain… like the deepest sea.” There is an unshakable and unending quality to God’s love, justice, and righteousness. This is why they flow like a river into our lives and world. David then proclaims that God’s love is “priceless.” Humankind finds “refuge” in God, and in God we find “the spring of life.” Walking in God’s light and love, we know the way to abundant life here and now. Oh how great is the Father’s love for you and for me!

In verse 11 David asks God to “extend your righteousness” to those whose heart is right with God. When we know God’s faithful love in our hearts, we experience it in our lives. This love dwells in us and flows out of us, into the world. In this way, we are living extensions of God’s loyal love. As we live each day, may we bear God’s faithful and loyal love into the world around us, bringing light and joy, justice and refuge, life and hope. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, may our love be like your love, reaching to the furthest corners of our lives, working down into the deepest darkness of this world. May your justice break forth, being poured out for all people everywhere. In and through your love, may all come to experience the joy of your salvation. Amen.


by Leave a comment

You Are My God!

Reading: Psalm 118:1-2 and 19-29

Psalm 118:28 – “You are my God – I will give thanks to you! You are my God – I will lift you up high!”

We turn to Psalm 118 today. It is a psalm about a person who comes to the temple to gives thanks to God for deliverance – even in the face of current distress and trouble. At times we pray this way, thanking God for past deliverance, hoping it comes again during our current trial. The psalm begins and ends with a declaration of praise for God’s goodness and faithful love. Like the psalmist, we too give thanks for these blessings from God.

Turning to verses 19 and 20, we hear a request to enter the temple, to come into God’s presence. For the psalmist, the presence deepens in verse 27, where he or she is invited to come to the altar. Thanks is given in verse 21 for the author’s presence in the temple. Verses 22-27 are thought to be the choir’s response to the psalmist. These verses celebrate God’s rescue and salvation. Verses 22-29 are often connected to Jesus in the New Testament: the cornerstone rejected, the blessedness of the one who comes in the name of God, the one who is present to us.

The gift of being in God’s presence is a gift that we enjoy and celebrate too. This presence is strongest and most assured when we open our hearts and lives to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit guides us to walk in God’s will and way. It brings us to the altar of forgiveness when we fail. It keeps us on the narrow way when the world calls us to the wide way that leads to death. Following the path of God, with this presence within, we find life abundant now and are assured of it in the life to come. Because of these blessings, we can join the psalmist as we too declare, “You are my God – I will give thanks to you! You are my God – I will lift you up high!”

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the open door into your presence. In our times of distress, you are there with us, bringing peace, assurance, guidance. In the times of worship and praise, you are there within us, drawing us closer, refining and teaching us, filling us with joy and love, lifting us high. Thank you for being our God. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Called, Guided, Protected

Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9

Isaiah 50:9a – “Look! The Lord God will help me.”

Turning to Isaiah 50, the prophet describes his work. This section is subtitled “The faithful servant.” As we read these words they are both a description of Isaiah’s ministry and a reminder of who and what we are called to do and be as disciples. This passage is known as the “Third Servant Song.” These three songs all connect to Jesus in the Christian tradition, adding to our call to live out and to share God’s word.

In our passage today the faithful servant begins the day with God. During what we might call “quiet time with God,” the prophet receives God’s word and guidance on how to apply and share it. While this early morning option is my preference too, God is present and available 24/7, ready and willing to “open our ear” anytime and anyplace.

Verses 6-8 reveal the “cost of discipleship.” The prophet experiences attackers and those who insult him and even spit in his face. The word of God is not always well-received. With trust in God – “Look! The Lord God will help me” – Isaiah remained true to his calling. He was determined and unafraid. He knew that the one who “will declare me innocent” was right by his side. This belief and trust allowed and empowered him to walk forward in faith.

If we are being faithful to God’s call upon our lives, we too will likely face rejection and perhaps abuse. It can be tempting to be quiet or to turn from our task. In those moments of temptation, may we first remember that God calls us to witness to our faith. Second, may we remember that God goes with us too, our ever-present guide and protector. May we go forward in faith this day and every day, proclaiming God’s kingdom here on earth.

Prayer: Lord God, each day, as we come to you, fill us with your word, your wisdom, your guidance and direction. As we seek to minister to the world, encourage and strengthen us, especially when we are attacked and rejected. Lead and guide us to joyfully and willingly count the cost of discipleship, knowing that we are serving and glorifying you. Amen.