pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: glory


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All of the Glory

Reading: 1st Timothy 1:12-17

1st Timothy 1:13 – “I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and without faith.”

Photo credit: Matt Botsford

Paul, as Saul, was one of those anti-Christian people. As he recollects in the first part of verse 13, he used to speak against Jesus and used to attack Jesus’ “people.” Saul was proud of his religion – Judaism. Connecting to yesterday’s idea of “practical atheists,” this is how the early Christians would have seen Saul. He did not understand or even accept Jesus. Saul’s actions and words strongly opposed Christ and his disciples.

Then Saul had his “come to Jesus” moment. In his words, “I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and without faith.” Christ changed his heart. Looking back on his past life as a Pharisee, Paul now sees himself then as “the biggest sinner of all.” This view is from Paul’s new understanding of what faithful living is. He recognized how Jesus came, lived, and died both to set and example of how to live a faithful and righteous life and to save people from their sins. Christ’s “endless patience” was demonstrated in Paul’s life and conversion. Now he lives to be an example of Christ so that others will come to believe in Jesus.

Paul is very grateful that Jesus saved him. This is what leads Paul to offer these words of praise: “honor and glory to him forever.” The gift of relationship that Paul now knows, the gift that that leads to eternal life, is offered to all people. To the Saul’s of the world and to the practical atheists – even those inside of us at times – Jesus Christ still offers new life. As disciples of Jesus Christ, may we bear witness as Paul did, bringing the Lord our God all of the glory.

Prayer: Lord God, as we seek to walk in relationship with you, work in our hearts so that we live in ways that bring you glory and honor. Use us as conduits of grace and mercy, opening others to the possibility of new and eternal life. Amen.


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The Condition of Our Heart

Reading: Romans 2:5-11

Romans 2:9 – “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil.”

Paul contrasts two kinds of living in today’s passage. First he addresses those who are “stubborn.” Their hard hearts refuse to change. They persist in doing evil. They are selfish and disobedient. God’s judgment will fall on these people. Paul writes, in verse 9, “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil.” Final judgement will come on “the day of wrath,” when the good and evil will be eternally separated.

Our passage also addresses the fate of those who do “patient good work.” Paul is not arguing for a works-based salvation here but is pointing out that the fruit of a heart set on God will be evident. Instead of trouble and distress, those whose hearts are set on God will experience “glory, honor, and peace.” On the day of judgment, the righteous will receive “immortality,” or the salvation of their souls.

Paul and most others in the Bible portray the choice between good and evil, between righteous and unrighteous living, in black and white terms. The reality, however, is that no one is good all the time or evil all the time. All of us certainly tend one way or the other. We are either seeking to follow Jesus and to reflect his will and way or we are living for self, reflecting the will and way of the world. In the end, all will face final judgment. As Paul writes, “God does not have favorites.” We will be judged by the whole of our life. This will reveal the condition of our heart. May our hearts be filled with love of God and neighbor.

Prayer: Lord God, in the daily walk of life, keep us focused on doing and being love in the world. May the world of our hands and the words of our mouths be pleasing in your sight. May our hearts reflect your heart for all of creation. Amen.


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Suffering, Hope, and Patience

Reading: Romans 8:18-25

Romans 8:19 – “The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation of God’s sons and daughters.”

Today’s passage is titled “Our Suffering and Our Hope” in my Bible. Verse 18 really sums this up nicely. Paul reminds his readers and us that our present suffering is “nothing” compared to the glory that will one day be revealed. While Paul is looking forward to heaven here, the glory of God is present in this world as well.

In verse 19 we read, “The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation of God’s sons and daughters.” All of creation is subjected to decay and to the impact of sin. All of creation longs to be set free from these things. Paul describes this longing using the birthing process – the groans and labor pains of a mother are like those of creation. Most of us have been in the spot that Paul is connecting to hear, breathlessly waiting, anticipating that first cry, longing to experience the joy of new life. In Paul’s mind this new birth hinges on the revelation of God’s sons and daughters. Paul understood his role and the role of all believers as active participants in God’s work of redemption and restoration. Paul understands that all of creation is waiting for the church to be the church, actively working to bring wholeness and new life to all of creation.

Paul also speaks of a believer’s longing to one day be set free from this body and from this world. While we long for this we do so with hope and with patience. Our hope is set on Christ, the first of many to be set free. We wait with patience, trusting in God’s promise to one day make all things new. We wait with this sure hope. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, guide us to live our our faith day by day, seeking to partner with you in bringing healing, wholeness, and new life to all of creation. Lead us by the Spirit. While our eyes and hearts are set on the glory to come, also enable us to see the suffering and pain of this life. Seeing, move us to respond. Amen.


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Reality Check

Reading: Daniel 4:34-37

Daniel 4:37 – “All his [God’s] works are truth, all his paths are justice, and he is able to humble all who walk in pride.”

At the start of Daniel 4 King Nebuchadnezzar praises God as powerful and everlasting. God has just rescued Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace. Yes, they were thrown into the furnace because they refused to worship the 90′ statue made in the king’s likeness. God then brings Nebuchadnezzar a dream. None of the king’s sages, diviners… can interpret it. But Daniel can – “because the breath of the holy gods is in you.” The dream reveals that God will drive the king into the wilderness, living as an animal. He will live in this state until he acknowledges that “heaven rules all” – including him.

A year later the king is walking in the palace roof. He says to himself, ‘Isn’t Babylon great… this city built by MY mighty strength and by MY majestic glory?’ The words hadn’t left his mouth before God pronounced judgment on him. We see here how pride is ever there, often just below the surface. There are times when we’ll think how talented or beautiful we are or how wonderful that thing I did was or ___. You fill in the blank. We all can, many times over. Pride is something almost all of us battle with. And thinking too highly of oneself is not the only way pride is revealed.

Nebuchadnezzar’s sentence is immediately carried out. He lives as an animal in the wild for “seven periods of time.” We don’t know how long this was but we do know it was long enough for Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge God’s authority. In humility he says, “All his [God’s] works are truth, all his paths are justice, and he is able to humble all who walk in pride.” When we get too full of ourselves, when we start judging and playing the comparison game, when we refuse to do a menial task, when we… we too will get a reality check. It might not be immediately, but it will come. The way to avoid this? Walk humbly with God each and every day, acknowledging God’s power and strength over all things. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, how often we see pride leading to words, actions, and behaviors that are far less than you call us to be. When we fall into the sun of pride, open our eyes as we look in the mirror. Humble us when needed, returning us to the worship of you instead of self. To you, O God, is all the glory, honor, and praise. Amen.


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Rejoice in Hope

Reading: 1st Peter 1:3-7

1st Peter 1:3c – “You have been born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

1st Peter was written to several house churches scattered across the Roman empire. The faith of these early Christians brought them into conflict with the social norms of the empire. This conflict often led to persecution and suffering. Peter writes to encourage these faithful followers and to call them to holy living, especially during trial and hardship.

After the greeting, Peter writes, “May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed!” The ‘how’ will be unpacked in the next verses. He begins with a reminder that they have been born again. This spiritual birth connects them to God and makes them part of the family. In the last part of verse 3 Peter writes, “You have been born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” This hope is present and real. It carries them through trials and hardships. It offers us the same reality.

Their new birth also leads to an “enduring inheritance.” This inheritance is “pure” and therefore “cannot perish.” It is “kept safe” by God in heaven. This protection also extends to this life. Peter tells these early believers that they are “guarded by God’s power” so that they can one day receive their salvation. This builds their living hope.

In verse 6 Peter shifts to their present reality. He acknowledges the “various trials” that they are suffering. This is what Jesus faced and endured too. These trials will result in a more “genuine faith.” And, one day, this will bring them (and us) praise, glory, and honor when Jesus returns again. Yes, we too rejoice in this hope! Thanks be to God for our living hope, Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for these now and then promises and truths. In you we find hope and joy in this present life. Although we would never invite hardship, we do know that the testing and refining matures our faith. In the trials, Lord, draw us into your presence, reminding us of the glorious day when all things will be made new. Amen.


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Everywhere All the Time

Reading: Revelation 21:10 and 22-27

Revelation 21:24 – “The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.”

Just as we did in Ezekiel, we enter into John’s visionary experience towards the end. John’s vision in Revelation speaks of the culminating work of the risen one, Jesus Christ. His visionary experience is broken down into four encounters guided by the Holy Spirit. In verses 10 of today’s reading, the fourth encounter begins “in a Spirit-inspired trance.” John is taken to a high mountain where he can see “the Holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven.”

In the verses leading up to verse 22, John describes the beauty and brilliance of the new Jerusalem. Then, in verse 22, there is a departure from Ezekiel’s vision of the new heaven and earth. In Revelation there is no temple. Instead of a physical building, the “temple” is the presence of “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb.” While we often still try to limit God’s presence to our church buildings, this vision matches the actual reality: God is everywhere all the time.

In the new Jerusalem there is no night or day. God’s glory is the light and Jesus’ light is the lamp. Inside or outside, again, God is everywhere all the time. In verses 24 we read, “The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.” All who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior will enter the city whose “gates will never shut,” bringing God all the glory, honor, and praise. In the new city, the faithful will dwell with God. The unclean and vile will be nowhere to be found. These cannot be in God’s holy presence. What a beautiful day this will be when all things are made new in Jesus’ final kingdom!

Prayer: Lord God, yes, what a day it will be! The beauty and brilliance of the new heaven and earth will be spectacular. But they will pale greatly in comparison to your glorious presence. All will walk in your all-encompassing light and love. And all that we say and do will bring you the glory, honor, and praise. What a new day it will be! Amen.


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We Are All Called

Reading: Luke 1:42-55

Luke 1:52 – “He [God] has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.”

Photo credit: Fuu J

Our passage today begins as Elizabeth welcomes Mary into her home. She “blurted out” a greeting, so moved was she by what is stirring inside of her. Moved by the child she carries and by the Spirit, Elizabeth celebrates God’s blessings upon Mary. She ponders aloud why she is honored to be visited by the one carrying the Lord in her womb. Elizabeth rejoices that Mary said “yes” to God’s invitation to bear the Savior of the world.

In verses 46-55 we find what is often called the “Magnificat.” This Latin word translates “magnify” and that is what Mary does in her praise song to God. Mary rejoices over finding God’s favor, in being lifted from low to high. She also rejoices in the opposite reality that is also part of God’s upside-down kingdom, singing, “He [God] has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.” As Mary continues she notes that the hungry are filled and the rich are left empty-handed. With eyes of faith Mary sees that through this unfolding, miraculous birth story, God is coming to Israel, just as promised in the covenants of old.

Both Elizabeth and Mary represent people who heard and felt God’s call upon their lives. Both willingly stepped forward in faith, humbly offering their lives to bring God the glory. While we may not receive an angelic visit (or we might,) God still clearly speaks by the whispers and nudges of the Holy Spirit. We are all called, in one way or another, to humbly offer our lives for God’s glory. May it be so when we’re called.

Prayer: Lord God, draw us deeper into our daily walk with you. Open our souls and our spirits to your story of faith that has been unfolding down through the generations. Engaged in the story, give us a willing heart to step into the story as you call us forward. Enable us to hear the calls and empower us to say “yes.” In all things may our lives bring you the glory and the praise. Amen.


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Standing on Promises

Reading: Acts 28:1-10

Acts 28:5 – “Paul shook the snake into the fire and suffered no harm.”

Photo credit: Markus Spiske

Entering Paul’s story at the end of Acts, he is on his way to Rome. This will be his last physical missionary workplace. Over the next two years, as he awaits trial before Caesar, Paul will write letters, have faith conversations, and witness to God’s power and love. On the way to Rome, Paul is shipwrecked, along with 275 others. Today’s passage picks up this story.

The rain from the storm continues. The inhabitants of the island of Malta welcome them and build a fire. Paul, in typical fashion, joins in the work, gathering dry sticks for the fire. As he puts them in the fire, a poisonous snake bites him. The locals assume he’ll die but Paul isn’t bothered at all, just as he wasn’t when the ship was falling apart. Why?! An angel of the Lord has assured Paul, saying, “You must stand before Caesar” (Acts 27:24.) Trusting God’s word, Paul does not fear shipwreck or venom. He’s standing on this promise.

As the story continues, a wealthy man provides lodging. Once there, Paul heals Publius’ sick father. Word gets out and, soon enough, Paul heals all the sick people on the island. Here too Paul is standing on God’s promises. In Acts 9:15 Paul is identified as the one “chosen to carry my name to Gentiles, kings…” Paul heals these Gentiles in Jesus’ name, bringing glory to God, carrying the name and power of Jesus to the island of Malta.

God will call and equip each of us too, just as God did with Paul. The call is a promise; equipping is the proof. As we are given opportunities to share our faith and Jesus with others, may we too claim our call as we stand on God’s promises to us.

Prayer: Lord God, as you call into our hearts, inviting us to witness to our faith, encourage and empower us to stand in your promises and our call to share you with the world. Go with us in the Spirit, giving us the holy confidence to draw others into your love. Amen.


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Power Under, Not Over

Reading: Mark 10:32-45

Mark 10:45 – “The Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and give his life to liberate many people.”

As Jesus makes his way towards Jerusalem, Mark makes an observation. The disciples are amazed with Jesus, but the others following him were afraid. The “insiders” – the disciples – have no clue what potentially lies ahead. For the third time in Mark’s gospel Jesus tells them that he will be handed over and condemned, will be killed by the Gentiles (Romans,) and will rise after three days. The “outsiders” following Jesus understand that going to Jerusalem is a risky and dangerous place for Jesus.

Continuing the journey, James and John demonstrate the blindness of the disciples. Jesus has just told them what’s about to happen. Instead of being sad or reflecting somberly on this news, these brothers ask to sit at Jesus’ right and left hand in glory. They envision Jesus “coming in glory” with a powerful army to defeat the Romans. They want to be #1 and #2 in Jesus’ chain of command. Jesus tells James and John that they will indeed “drink the cup” and will one day experience suffering. But right now they are blind. One day they will see and understand the words Jesus speaks. Their request maddens the other disciples. Are they made that they didn’t think to ask first? A patient and kind Jesus gathers them up for a lesson.

Jesus tells them that they will not be “power over” leaders. They will not be like the current rulers who dominate others with their power. No, that’s not God’s plan or way. True power comes from service. This is “power under” – power that lifts others up. It is so with Jesus: “The Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and give his life to liberate many people.” May it be so with us too.

Prayer: Lord God, today we are reminder that although Jesus held all the power in his hands, he chose the path of humble servant. When we are tempted to grab for power or to use the powe that we do have to lord it over others, remind us of Jesus’ words and example. Lead and guide us to be “power under” people, lifting others up, bringing you the glory and praise. Amen.