pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: God


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Assurance and Trust

Reading: Psalm 16:1-6

Verse 2: “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

Photo credit: Eugene Zhyvchik

Psalm 16 presents the choice we all face. David begins with a request to be kept safe and for God to be his refuge. A refuge is a place that we can go to be safe, to be protected from things that threaten us. David then makes a declaration: “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” This reveals David’s intention to allow God to reign in his life and it also acknowledges the blessings of God in his life. I’d guess most of us would pray this verse each day, fully hoping to live into and to live out these words.

To me verse 4 is a bit of a reality check. Contrasting with the saints in whom David delights, here he notes those who chase after false gods. From his perspective, this brings sorrow to life. David declares that this is not for him. I’d guess most of us would also like to make this declaration. But for me, and maybe for you, I do find myself chasing after false gods – probably more than I’d like to admit. The desires for recognition and success, for security and for comfort most readily come to mind.

Turning to verses 5 and 6, although David is speaking, I hear God whispering, “I got you.” David recognizes that he is God’s child and that God’s plans and ways do guide his life. This has hemmed his life into “pleasant places.” Yes, we stray, but we live mostly in those green pastures beside still waters. Walking this path of faith and hope, David trusts in his “delightful inheritance.” His journey with God has brought David to a place of assurance and trust. He knows that a beautiful eternity awaits one day. May our journey of faith lead each of us to the same place of assurance and trust.

Prayer: Lord God, I desire to find refuge in you. Protect me from the temptations and pitfalls of this life. Focus me again and again on all of the good things that you pour out into my life and over me. Here, build my trust. And in moments when I doubt or waiver, bring to mind the inheritance that I too know I have as a child of the king. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Holy Spirit. Amen.


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A Quiet Death

Readings: John 18 and John 19

Ch. 19, verse 30: “Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Today’s long Good Friday reading takes us from the arrest of Jesus to the burial of Jesus. Along the way, Jesus is questioned and abused by the religious leaders, is questioned and found innocent by Pilate, and is crucified by Roman soldiers. Jesus acknowledges that he is a king, extends care for his mother, and dies a quiet death. False accusations and lies and intimidation fuel what happens to Jesus. Several times John reminds us that what happened to Jesus was to fulfill the scriptures.

Jesus claims that his kingdom is not of this world in John 18:36. He is speaking to one whose kingdom is of this world. In the flesh, Jesus bridges these two kingdoms. In the incarnation the kingdom of heaven came to earth. During his ministry and life Jesus revealed the core elements of the kingdom of God: love, healing, compassion, forgiveness, grace, welcome, mercy, peace, restoration, joy, hope. All of these are wrapped up in today’s 2 chapters. Some appear again and again.

Towards the end of chapter 19, in verse 30 we read: “Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” As all is completed just as the scriptures had detailed this event, Jesus dies a quiet death. On this day, it feels so appropriate. All that was to be accomplished by the human one was finished. With grace the spirit of Christ returned to God.

Prayer: Lord God, there is so much sadness this day. We feel it as those who loved Jesus then must’ve felt it. Yet Jesus did not. There was a steadiness and a peace about him. There was an assurance and a deep trust. Help us to remember that this was exactly as you planned it to be. Amen.


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As I Have…

Reading: John 13:1-17 and 31-35

Verse 34: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Today is Maundy or command Thursday. That’s what the Latin word mandatum translates to: command. Today’s “new command” is really an extension or an elevation of a very old command. Deuteronomy 19:18 comes at the end of a long list about how to treat and not treat our neighbors. It summarizes this teaching with these words: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” While practical and logical, these words did need amended. We don’t always love ourselves very well.

Jesus is an excellent teacher. He first demonstrates what he is going to talk about. He first takes off his outer clothing. This would’ve certainly focused the disciples’ attention as they wondered what in the world is going on. With their full attention Jesus begins to wash their feet. One by one, kneeling at their feet, Jesus begins to make his way through the 12. Part way through he deals with Peter’s objections and Jesus hints at a betrayal. He finishes up the task and asks, “Do you understand what I have done for you?” Yes, the Lord and teacher has knelt and served. Jesus wraps up the teaching moment with these words: “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Jumping to verse 34 we read the new command: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Jesus has demonstrated humble service. “As I have loved you” is the key part of this command to love. Jesus’ love is perfect and unconditional. It is pure and selfless. It is a love that never falters, never wavers. It is a love totally worth striving for. Giving our all for. “By this all men [and women] will know that you are my disciples.” May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, when my limited, selfish love begins to falter, fill me with your unlimited, pure love. When I want to make my love conditional, attaching strings to it, remind me of the gift so freely and abundantly given to me. Over and over, again and again, whisper these words: “As I have loved you.” Thank you, Jesus. Amen.


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Seeds and Soil

Reading: John 12:20-36

Verse 24: “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.”

In today’s passage Jesus speaks of life and death. There are layers to these words that Jesus shares. He is speaking personally as his own death looms just days away. In verse 24 we read, “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.” Christ, the single seed, must die so that the Holy Spirit can come, empowering more than one person to produce fruit for the kingdom of God. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus will be present in spirit in the hearts of all who believe.

Jesus is talking to Andrew and Peter, to all the disciples, and to all the disciples who will one day read these words. Like Jesus we too must be willing to surrender self to God – to hate this earthly life. Once we surrender then we become that kernel of wheat that dies so that it can produce other seeds. These seeds that we plant in the hearts and lives of others are what the Holy Spirit can work with to build the kingdom of God.

There is another connection, another layer here too. In Luke 8, in the parable of the sower, Jesus spoke of the soil and of sowing seeds. The parable discussed 4 “soils,” from the hard path to the fertile soil. Part of the Lenten journey has been to look within, to reflect on the condition of our soil. Our soil must be good in order to help produce a crop 100 times what was sown for the kingdom. The parable also addresses how to sow. Abundantly is the answer. We are to share the light and love of Jesus Christ with all people – even the ones who appear hard-hearted. There is no limiting the power of the Holy Spirit!

To close, a John Wesley question: How is it with your soul?

Prayer: Lord God, day after day help me to surrender self to you. Help me to lay my pride, my judging, my self-doubt at the foot of the cross. Lead me from there to live a life that shines the light and love of Christ on others, planting and nourishing the seeds of faith in their soil. Amen.


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Be Present

Reading: Matthew 26:36-46

Verse 38: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Photo credit: Kyle Johnson

Today we fast-forward in the story line. Tomorrow is Palm Sunday yet in our reading for today we find ourselves in the garden, just before Jesus’ arrest. Today is an invitation to remember what lies ahead, to choose to be present on the holy days that lie just ahead.

Jesus, feeling very emotional, takes the disciples to the garden to pray. He is doing some deep wrestling in his soul and he wants his friends to be with him, to pray for him, to offer their strength in this trial. Inviting Peter, James, and John to go even a little deeper, he says to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” When our lives have touched on a place of sorrow such as this, we too have longer for others to be present, to pray, to listen. We can relate to Jesus’ need here.

As he prays and wrestles with the task before him, Jesus surrenders again and again and again to God’s will. After each time of intense prayer, he finds the disciples sleeping. I’d guess that you too have endured a time of wrestling with your faith as well as times of deep sorrow when you’ve found yourself feeling alone, as Jesus did. So the invitation today is to stay awake, to be present. Yes, celebrate the palm parade tomorrow. This too is part of the week ahead. But don’t just skip ahead to the “He is risen!” of Easter morning. Be present. Walk with Jesus through the hard days of the coming week. In spirit, sit and feel, experience and connect, pray. Be present to Jesus Christ in the week ahead.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminder and the invitation to draw near, to connect in. Lead and guide me in the coming week to stay awake, to be present. In these moments, encounters, and experiences, bring me closer to you. Amen.


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How far…?

Reading: Philippians 2:5-11

Verse 5: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

Before we delve into today’s writing from Paul, sit with the opening verse for just a minute. How far can that go? How far should it go?

To me there are four key phrases in verses 6-8 that we are called to emulate as followers of Jesus Christ. First, “he made himself nothing.” This is not to think that we are worthless. Instead it is to see the worth in others, to think of self last, to consider others in depth before taking into account our wants and needs. Second, “taking the very nature of a servant.” This is putting these first thoughts into real action. It is responding to the need you see, it is stepping into the opportunity to help and serve the church, your family, the community. Third, “he humbled himself.” This is the dual action of surrender and then looking to God alone from this place of humility. And, fourth, Jesus “became obedient to death.” Jesus’ cross was literal. Ours could be but is much more likely to be figurative. Our greatest death is to self. That’s really what the first three are about. It is a hard death and one that comes daily. The swath of evil and destruction that self cuts is broad: pride, ego, lust, envy, greed, jealousy, hate, judgmentalism…

So why should we have the attitude of Christ? Why should our heart and mind be conformed to Christ’s? To me there are three basic reasons. First and perhaps least important: our life is better. Focusing not on self but on God and others brings a joy, a peace, a contentment that the world cannot bring. Second, it helps our relationships flourish both with God and with the community of faith. It leads to collaboration and generosity, to cooperation and genuine love. And third and most importantly, it leads others to “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Living with the heart and mind of Christ draws others into this relationship and into new life through our Lord and Savior.

Rethink the opening questions for just a moment: How far can that go? How far should it go?

Prayer: Lord God, I believe you told us how far: “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” May it be so in my life, O God. Amen.


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Unfailing Love

Reading: Psalm 31:9-16

Verse 9: “Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress.”

Today’s reading comes from the middle of Psalm 31. David cries out to God: “Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress.” He is in a time of hardship and trial. The Psalm opens and closes with praise and adoration. Our verses today are about a time that wasn’t good: “I have become like broken pottery.” That’s pretty low. Yet we all have these days or seasons sprinkled throughout our lives too. We have times when “our strength fails,” when we are “weak with sorrow,” when we feel “terror on every side.” In these times we too cry out, “Be merciful…”

David shifts gears in verse 14, where he writes, “But I trust in you, O Lord.” Yes, it is bad. Yet David chooses trust. Trusting that his days are “in your hands,” David asks God for deliverance. He wants God to rescue him, to restore him. We can all relate to this desire. In our valley and on our dark days/seasons, we long for God to deliver us from the trial. David’s trust is what leads him to believe that God will come through. This trust is built. It is built on David’s past experiences with God. David has learned that the trial doesn’t last forever – joy comes with the morning. He has learned that God is always right there with him – the rod and the staff, they comfort and guide. As we learn into God again and again, our trust will be built. Doing so we too will come to know and trust into God’s faithful and steadfast love.

As we invest in our relationship with God and as God invests in our life, we too will come to say with confidence and assurance: “Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.”

Prayer: Lord God, the trials and the hard days are never welcomed. They are never easy. It’s when Satan whispers loudest. Yet these times refine us, they shape us. In these difficult experiences we learn to cling to you even more. Today, Lord, I thank you for even the hard and painful days. Amen.


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Begin with God

Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9

Verse 4: “God wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.”

The section that today’s verses come from is titled “Israel’s Sin and the Servant’s Obedience.” This title contrasts the 2 choices all of us have to make: the world or God? When we choose to live by the ways of the world, this often leads to sin. When we choose to live by the ways of God, we experience life very differently, even though it is still lived in the world. I believe that the key to this choice lies in verses 4 and 5. In verses 6-9 we see the outcome or results of the commitment encouraged in the first two verses.

In verse 4 Isaiah acknowledges that he has been instructed by God and that he is sustained by the word of God. These two are available to us all. The “how” comes as we continue in verse 4: “God wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” If our cell phone or the remote control is the first thing we begin our day with, then we are connecting ourselves to the world. At that point we are already stepping on the treadmill of life before filling ourselves with what really matters. There is no better way to begin one’s day than to turn our ear and heart to God’s voice and to God’s word.

When we begin our day with God, then we are empowered to live out our faith. We, like the prophet, will not back down or hide our face. We will choose to live and speak faithfully, knowing that “the sovereign Lord helps me.” To the world and those that live by the ways of the world, we will say in confidence: “Let us face each other!” With God beside, before, behind, and within us, we can live as children of the light. May it be so for us all this day and every day.

Prayer: Lord God, day by day, as I awaken, draw me first and foremost to you. Fill me with all that you have for me so that I can live fully for you. Strengthen and encourage me when temptation comes. By the power of the Holy Spirit, remind me of the power and truth that I find in you. Amen.


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Going on Ahead

Reading: Matthew 21:1-11

Verse 1: “As they approached Jerusalem… Jesus sent two disciples.”

The big focus this week is on the palm parade that brought Jesus triumphally into Jerusalem. This joyous and celebratory event stands in sharp contrast to many of the events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. It bookends Jesus’ triumphal exit from the grave and his joyful re-entry into paradise. Today, though, we delve into one small step in the palm parade. It is covered in verses 1-6.

In verse 1 we read, “As they approached Jerusalem… Jesus sent two disciples.” The simple but key phrase is the second part: “Jesus sent two disciples.” The two are sent with specific instructions and they follow these. The scene in the village unfolds just as Jesus said it would. A simple “The Lord needs them” releases the donkey and colt. Imagine for a moment what this whole experience would’ve been like. To go and do as instructed, to find all exactly as Jesus said you would. There was a trust and a faith required to go as sent. How both must have grown through this experience.

Jesus has given us instructions too. In the surface level they are as easy as the ones given to the disciples in today’s text. Jesus tells us: love as I have loved you… love God and love neighbor… go and make disciples for the transformation of the world… As it was in our passage, Jesus continues to send disciples, telling us to go into the world to witness to the good news of Jesus Christ. In the gospels we find example after example of Jesus modeling these things for us. Given instructions and many examples to follow, the question for us is this: Do we go on ahead of Jesus, preparing the way so that he may enter in?

Prayer: Lord God, guide me to be faithful to your call. I know that you have given me all I need and I know that you go with me in Spirit. In faith and trust may I too go where you send me. In hope and love may I faithfully follow where you lead. Amen.


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This Is THE Day

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

Verse 24: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118 is a great place to begin the week that leads to Palm Sunday. The bookend verses found in verses 1 and 29 capture the spirit of the palm parade: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” This is the spirit of those lining the parade route as they quoted from verse 26 as Jesus entered Jerusalem. This coming Sunday is also known as Passion Sunday. It reflects the passion of Christ for you and me that leads Jesus to the cross on Good Friday. In verses 21-22 we read, “You have become my salvation. The stone the builders have rejected has become the cornerstone.” Savior to some, enemy to others. This is one of the main narratives of the weeks ahead.

Today we focus on the palms. In his own way, Jesus will echo the words of the psalmist found in verse 19: “Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.” Jesus, as always, will continue to walk in righteousness, all the way to the grave. He will do so thanking God all the way – so great was his love for us. In verse 24 the psalmist celebrates with these words: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” These words must’ve echoed in Jesus’ heart as he rode into Jerusalem, even though he knew what lay ahead. You see, he knew the truth of verse 1 and 29. This spirit of joy, it carried Jesus along the parade route, through the last week of his life, and on through the grave to resurrection. It will carry you and me too, each day and every day. May we choose joy. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Prayer: Lord God, just as the words of this song echoed that first Palm Sunday in the voices of those there, a song echoes in my heart today! “In every high and every low… Lord, you never let go of me.” How true, how true! This day I rejoice in your daily and constant presence with me. Praise be to the Lord Almighty! Amen.