pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Christ with Us

Reading: Isaiah 63:7-9

Isaiah 63:7 and 8 – “God treated them compassionately and with deep affection… God became their savior.”

On this Christmas day we turn to Isaiah 63. On a day when we open gifts and enjoy time with family, the opening verses to this “prayer of yearning” draw us to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The prayer begins by recounting past gifts from God: “the Lord’s faithful acts… all the Lord did for us.” We too can remember God’s faithful acts in our lives. This remembering causes gratitude to well up in our hearts and souls. It deepens our connection to and faith in God.

In the middle of today’s passage we read, “God treated them compassionately and with deep affection… God became their savior.” When God has brought Israel home from exile in Babylon, this was a physical return to the Promised Land. The compassion and affection of God then worked for a spiritual return. In love, God became their savior. Today we celebrate the day that God became the whole world’s savior, our Savior. Again moved by love, God entered this broken world, taking on flesh. And after setting for us the example of love, our Emmanuel promised the gift of the Spirit, continuing to be God with us, dwelling in our hearts. This gift can be received by all who call on Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The presence of the Holy Spirit is a gift. Because of this gift of presence in our hearts, God saves us from the inside out. When we are drawn to the ways of the world, the Spirit draws us back to the way of Christ. When we doubt or fear or wander, the Spirit draws us back into relationship, reminding us that we are loved, are worthy, are forgiven. As we open gifts today and celebrate time with family, we pause now and thank God for the gift of the Spirit, Christ with us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for coming to us again and again. Thank you for the compassion and love that led you to set aside heaven to be with your creation. Thank you for teaching us what love lived out every day looked and felt like. Thank you for the sacrifice that allows us to return to your presence again and again. And thank you for the gift of your presence, our constant reminder of your great compassion and unconditional love for each of us. Amen.


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God with Us

Reading: Matthew 1:20-25

Matthew 1:21 – “She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

As the story continues in Matthew 1, Joseph has a dream in which an angel visits him. At first I wondered, did Joseph first have to decide if an angel really visited him or if it was just a dream? But as I thought about it, I came to realize that when the divine is present, you just know it – like when Jesus called the first disciples. They left everything, just like that, and followed him. His divine presence led to their response. The same is true of Joseph. He wakes up and does as God commanded him to do.

The angel tells Joseph not to fear. God is at work. The angel then says, “She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” This extraordinary birth will produce the Savior of Israel, the long-awaited Messiah. Being a righteous man, Joseph surely knew the Hebrew scriptures and the prophesies of a coming Messiah. And like all of Israel, Joseph longer for the one who would redeem Israel.

Matthew’s voice reenters the story in verse 22. Perhaps he is giving voice to Joseph’s inner thoughts or perhaps he is reminding his Jewish audience of the connections between Jesus and the scriptures. As we read these words of Isaiah, we are reminded that in Jesus, God chose to be with us, to come and dwell among us. For this blessed gift we say, thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, just as Joseph was faithfully obedient, lead us to be the same. When your continual, constant presence whispers to us or nudges us, may we know the divine is once again present and may we hear and respond faithfully. As we are obedient to your call and direction, use us to make the long-awaited Savior known to all the world. Amen.


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Share the Gift of Life

Reading: John 6:25-35

John 6:35 – “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry… will never be thirsty.”

Leading into today’s reading, Jesus has just fed the 5,000 (a corporate miracle) and, after some time in personal prayer, has walked on the water to catch up to the disciples (a personal miracle.) The crowd follows Jesus to Capernaum, his home base for much of his public ministry. Jesus acknowledges that they are looking for him because they want more food. The crowd missed the miracle.

Jesus attempts to redirect the crowd’s focus. He points out that they are now chasing “food that doesn’t last.” Like most of the world most of the time, we can at time spend inordinate amounts of time and energy chasing after all kinds of “food” that doesn’t last: possessions, status, power, popularity. All of these things that feed our human ego and desire sadly leave our spiritual soul hungry and empty. Jesus encourages the crowd (and us) to seek “food that endures for eternal life.” In order to find this “food,” they (and we) must choose to “believe in him who God sent.” Belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior yields sustenance for our journey to eternal life.

Today is a day when many are thankful for the blessings in their lives – home, health, family, friends… Gathered around the table with family and friends, we who claim faith in Jesus also offer thanks to the Lord. We have found and believe in the one who proclaims, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry… will never be thirsty.” Just as we share food and drink around the table today, may we each day share the one who brings eternal life.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you today for the abundant blessings in our lives, some temporal but many eternal. May we live each day as a celebration of the gift of life that you offer and give – here and now with you and one day in the age to come with you. Through our daily living may others come to know your Son, the gift of life. Amen.


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Today? Yesterday? Last Thursday?

Reading: 2nd Thessalonians 3:6-10

2nd Thessalonians 3:7 – “You need to imitate us because we were not undisciplined when we were with you.”

Photo credit: Aaron Burden

As is often the case at the end of Paul’s letters, he closes 2nd Thessalonians with general exhortations. Today and tomorrow we focus on Paul’s words about living a disciplined faith and life. There are some do’s and don’ts and examples to follow.

Paul begins by telling these communities of faith to “stay away” from those choosing to live an undisciplined faith. In essence, Paul is advising these followers of Jesus to exclude those who are not contributing to the community. This is a simplistic example but imagine if this Sunday, as we were preparing to go into Fellowship Hall to enjoy some coffee, lemonade, and treats, if I clearly invited ONLY those who had brought treats in the past two years to join us.

Continuing, Paul writes, “You need to imitate us because we were not undisciplined when we were with you.” Paul reminds those in these churches of how he and his companions worked and pulled their own weight when they were among them. In a community where much was pooled for the common good, Paul was drawing a firm line. If you didn’t add to the pool, you shouldn’t dip into the pool.

Today’s words draw me to the vows we take at baptism and/or when we join the community of faith. As United Methodists we commit to support the church with our “prayers… presence… gifts… service… and witness.” I believe these should apply to all faith communities. So I ask, Did you pray for your community and its leaders today? And yesterday? Will you tomorrow? Who did you witness to yesterday and the day before? How and when were you present in a time of need or during a celebration? What gifts and service did you offer on Monday? And how about last Thursday?

Prayer: Lord God, you call us daily to an active and living faith. You invite us into community so that we can encourage and build up, so that we can give and receive. Open our spirits to both generosity and to humble service, O God. Lead us to pour ourselves out for you and for others, all for your glory. Amen.


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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.


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Stewarding Well

Reading: Luke 16:1-9

Luke 16:2 – “Give me a report of your administration because you can no longer serve as my manager.”

Today’s parable follows another parable about wasting what we’re given. In chapter 15 a young man wasted his place in the family and then wasted his inheritance. He does eventually recognize his selfish and sinful behavior, coming home to receive grace and forgiveness. In today’s parable a rich man finds out that his household manager “was wasting his estate.” He was not stewarding well what he had been entrusted with. I wonder, how often does God look at us and see that we are wasting the good gifts and blessings that we have been given by our heavenly Father?

Knowing his time as mangager was limited, the man acts quickly – “cleverly.” One by one he calls in those who owe his master oil or wheat or whatever. The manager treats wealth as if it had no intrinsic value, benefiting others in the present moment so that he will be benefited in the future. The master recognizes how well the manager has stewarded his gift, just as others who belong to this world do in the present.

Jesus then encourages his followers to use their wealth (and gifts) in the same way – to do good for others in the present world. He tells them that doing good in this world, using well what they’ve been given, will one day reap a future welcome into “eternal homes.” For us, maybe wealth is a blessing that we can steward well here and now. Or maybe we have a gift for teaching or caring for others or a talent in music or administration… These gifts are things that we can steward well to benefit others in this present age. If we choose to waste (or to hoard) what we’ve been given by God, then we too will one day hear, “Give me a report of your administration because you can no longer serve as my manager.”

Prayer: Lord God, give us pause today and lead us to look within, to reflect on how we are using the gifts and blessings that you have given to each of us. Guide us to steward well these talents or wealth to benefit others now, building your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Finding Contentment and Peace

Reading: Philippians 4:10-14

Philippians 4:12b – “I have learned the secret to bring content in any and every circumstance.”

Photo credit: Eugene Zhyvchik

Today’s words from Paul speak of a topic that many find elusive today. This is especially true when we are younger or are not yet mature in our faith. At these stages we are still very much concerned with or even infatuated with the things of this world. When in love with the things of this world, almost all of us live on the “treadmill” – better jobs, more money, newer and bigger houses, boats… – seeking the next “success” over and over again.

As our passage for today begins, Paul expresses his thanks for the collection that the church in Philippi took up for him. It is a way that they can show their concern for Paul. While he appreciates the gift and the thought, it wasn’t necessarily needed. Since coming to faith in Jesus, Paul’s life has been transformed. In his “old life” Paul had doggedly pursued success and recognition in his chosen field: Pharisee. In his “new life in Christ” these things do not matter. Through times of need and abundance, through times of blessing and poverty, Paul has not tried to rely on his own gifts and talents. He has learned to trust in God to provide.

Because of this humble trust in God, Paul can write, “I have learned the secret to bring content in any and every circumstance.” No matter what this world gives or takes, no matter what this world throws at him or against him, Paul has come to believe that all will be well through “the power of the one who gives me strength.” In Christ, Paul has found the source of peace and contentment. That’s the secret! May it be so for us all.

Prayer: Lord God, as we consider how to find contentment and peace, we recognize first that we all battle envy or jealousy or pride now and then. So we all ask for your power and presence in our lives. Second, Lord, we all ask that you would mature our faith, building up our trust, our humility, and our belief in your love, care, and provision. Relying not on our own strength but on yours, we can be children of your kingdom, O God. Amen.


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The Source of Life

Reading: Romans 11:17-23

Romans 11:18 – “If you do brag, be careful: it’s not you that sustains the root, but it’s the root that sustains you.”

Photo credit: Emma Gossett

Paul is writing to Gentile Christians. There was a great struggle in the early church around their place in the family of God. It was believed that the Messiah would first come to all Israel. Once the Jews accepted the Messiah, then the outside world would stream to Israel, coming to faith in the Christ. When most Jews rejected Jesus, alive and then resurrected, the church began to spread into the Gentile world.

In today’s text the branches broken off represent the Jews who rejected Jesus, choosing to not connect to the “root.” The branches grafted in are the Gentile Christians. Paul warns the believers in Rome not to brag about this role reversal. It can be tempting to feel superior or even to act arrogantly when you have supplanted the ones who were chosen first by God. This can happen when the outsiders become the insiders.

Paul seeks to counter this human tendency, writing, “If you do brag, be careful: it’s not you that sustains the root, but it’s the root that sustains you.” This reality check reminds the early church that Christ remains the source of life, his Spirit giving them the power to remain faithful. Paul warns that they too can be cut off if they get this relationship backwards. All of this remains true for us today. Therefore, through the kindness of God, may we daily walk humbly with Jesus, our source of life.

Prayer: Lord God, when we are tempted to feel special or to brag about our place in the family of God, remind us that faith is a gift. When we are tempted to judge those who have not yet chosen Jesus as Lord, remind us that we were once there too. With gratitude and joy, lead us to live faithfully and to witness generously, drawing others to the source of life. Amen.


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Claim and Proclaim

Reading: 1st Timothy 1:5-10

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

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Paul’s second letter to Timothy focuses on the character of a faithful pastor. It is the follow-up to the first letter, which focused on the character of a faithful church. Paul’s goal in this personal letter is to encourage a timid but gifted young pastor. As we focus on facing our fears this week, a key idea is faith over fear. Today in our reading, Paul seeks to build up Timothy’s faith so that he can minister faithfully in Ephesus. These words also offer encouragement to us as we seek to minister to our communities.

Paul begins by reminding Timothy of his “authentic faith.” It is a faith rooted in his family upbringing. It remains in him but is also present in his family that is close by. Paul reminds Timothy of the blessing he was given by God through Paul’s laying on of hands. The gift of the Spirit came through this blessing. Of this Spirit Paul writes, “God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled.” We too receive this gift and its power when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

In times of suffering and other hardship (when our fears usually rise up,) Paul encourages Timothy to “depend on God’s power.” Trust the faith and Spirit within – not on your own power. That will not be enough in the trials. Timothy is reminded that he was saved by grace (not by anything he did or can do) and that he has a “holy calling,” a purpose given him by God. We are all gifted by this sane grace and are all called according to our gifts. This is God’s purpose for us all, one body with many parts. Paul closes this section with a reminder that Jesus Christ brought life eternal through his death and brought true live now through the good news that he taught. May we claim and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, both for these days and for the life to come.

Prayer: Lord God, what encouraging reminders Paul offers to Timothy in today’s verses. These words and therefore this encouragement belong to us as well. Build up in us our faith through the Spirit. Fill us with power, love, and self-control as we strive to live out our faith in this world. Amen.


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Professing Faith

Reading: John 19:38-42

John 19:42 – “Because it was the Jewish preparation day and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus in it.”

Even though the disciples, the 11 men who had spent three years with Jesus, were hiding behind closed doors for fear of the Jewish religious leaders, two men step up in faith. The first is Joseph of Arimathea. He was a man of wealth. He was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He was a man of status and power. Up to this point he was a “secret disciple” of Jesus. In a profession of faith, Joseph goes to Pilate and asks for Jesus’ body.

Nicodemus was also there. He also has wealth, status, power. Nicodemus first met Jesus back in John 3, when he came under cover of night. Then he did not want to risk much, but he was drawn to Jesus. Although he left that conversation likely more confused and conflicted, Jesus must’ve continued to work on Nicodemus’ heart. Here he is now, in the light of day, professing his faith in Jesus as he brings myrrh and aloes to begin to prepare the body for burial. 75 pounds is extravagant – a gift fit for a king.

Beginning the process for a proper Jewish burial, Joseph and Nicodemus wrap the body in linen clothes, along with myrrh and aloes. Time was an issue. Sunset and the start of Sabbath were drawing near. Joseph and Nicodemus laid the body in a nearby tomb, planning to return on Sunday to finish the burial process. Two men, recently declaring their faith in Jesus, did what they could in the moment to honor their Jesus.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the brave witness of Joseph and Nicodemus. They risked much as they stepped forward to care for Jesus’ body. Joseph has the platform to gain an audience with Pilate. Nicodemus has much to lose too. May we see in these men an example of faith without fear of the world, of faith filled with trust in you. Lead and guide us, O Lord, to live out loud this kind of faith. Amen.