pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: God


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God Knows

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 2:1-4

1st Thessalonians 2:4b – “Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.”

Who we really are tends to rise to the surface when we are tested. It is easy to create a certain image on Facebook or TikTok or even on a television channel. We can report only what we want to report, doing so in ways that paint the picture that we want to reveal. And yet at our core we know who and what we are. God knows too. We can pretend. We can “believe” the lies that we tell ourselves. We can be different people in different settings. Deep down we know who and what we are – if we’re honest with ourselves. God always knows.

Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians shifts in chapter 2. The first chapter was all about the faithfulness of this new community of believers. In chapter 2 Paul reminds them of his visit. It was successful. The fruit of their faith is both evident and well-known. (See chapter 1.) Paul then reminds them of the courage it took to continue preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. He and Silas had been put to the test. They were persecuted and put into prison in Philippi. Released, they did not retreat. No, they moved forward, on to Thessalonica, where they preached boldly. There was no deceit or trickery. Even those in the church today can paint the picture or tell the story in ways that cater to a certain audience or soften the red letters in the Bible, making Jesus something he’s not.

Not Paul. He has been tested. He has suffered. And still he proclaims the good news of Jesus Christ. Why? The reason is found in verse 4b. Here we read, “Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” God knows why Paul preaches. God knows Paul’s heart. Paul always keeps the first thing first: Jesus. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to be real – mostly real with ourselves because then we are more likely to be real with others. You know us inside out. You wove us together in the womb. You designed us with certain purposes in mind. Examine our hearts and shape our motives so that who and what we are aligns with your plans and purposes for our lives. Give us courage and strengthen us for the day ahead. Amen.


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Love Poured Out

Reading: Psalm 90:13-17

Psalm 90:14 – “Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy at the end of our lives.”

Credit: Rebecca Gelaney

Continuing in the Psalm of Moses, we jump to verses 13-17. These verses reveal the ebb and flow of connection to God. In the opening verse Moses asks a question we often ask in times of hardship or suffering: How long? This question is fueled by the feeling that God is not present or, worse yet, is absent. Moses cries out for God to act and, by doing so, to become tangibly present. In reality, God is always with us. God is always present.

Hope and presence return to Moses in verse 14, where he writes, “Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy at the end of our lives.” This is a request for daily presence with proof: joy. Every morning, joy. It is good to awaken each morning, to connect into and to sense God’s presence, to allow the joy to well up within us. To seek this joy and to hold tight to God each day keeps us walking in faith. And it works against us yearning for or returning to our former years, to a time of misery and evil. Those “old self” things pull at us even as we are walking in faith. Yes, Lord, fill us with joy and gladness and good!

Moses closes with an eye to the future. He wants the children, the next generation, to see God’s hand at work. This builds their foundation of faith. The prophet closes with a double request to “make our efforts successful.” God has walked with Moses and with the Israelites. He desires to see this continue, so that Israel will be blessed with joy and gladness and faith. We also desire for faith to grow in our children and one day to be passed on to the next generation. O Lord, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, pour your love into our hearts every morning, filling us with joy and presence, with hope and trust. Take that love and all that comes with it, O God, and pour it out into others – our children, our brothers and sisters in Christ, our friends, and, yes, even into the stranger on the street. Amen.


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Forever… and Daily

Reading: Psalm 90:1-6

Psalm 90:2 – “Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.”

The first part of our Psalm for this week celebrates God’s eternal nature. Enfolded within God’s eternity is our human existence. The psalmist rejoiced in this reality in verse 1, where Moses writes, “Lord, through all generations you have been our home!” Since Adam and Eve first walked the earth, God has sought us out for relationship and connection. While not everyone chooses to step into this relationship, God’s eternal love seeks to draw all people into a relationship. It is through this relationship that God becomes our “home,” our place of refuge, peace, belonging.

Reflecting deeper on God’s forever nature, Moses writes, “Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.” Before the creation story began to unfold, God was. And now God is. And God will always be. God is eternal! As we turn to verses 3-6, though, we’re reminded that we are not. At some point, we will all “return to dust.” Moses compares our lives to grass that springs up in the morning and withers by evening. To be reminded of our fragile, short-term existence draws us to God, the one for whom “a thousand years are as a passing day.” This God seeks to continue to walk in relationship with us once we are turned to dust, bringing each of us into eternity.

Moses knew a God who walked with him daily, leading and guiding his 120 years. We too know a God who desires to walk with us each of our days. May we lean into God each day, seeking to walk faithfully in this life. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, your love shaped and formed the earth and it shaped and formed each one of us. Within creation and within each of us, the spark of the divine is present. Your love continues to create, to refine, to make things new. Guide us each of our days, however many we are blessed with. Lead us to walk closely with you, O Love, during this life and into the next. Amen.


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Transitions

Reading: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Deuteronomy 34:9 – “Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him.”

Moses has led the people of God to the very edge of the Promised Land. He has stood before Pharaoh and brought the plagues that led to release from slavery. He parted the sea, brought water from the rock, and was the conduit for the provision of manna and quail. Moses spoke often with God and taught the people all of what God instructed. Moses was a great leader. He was not without his faults, but “there never has been another prophet in Israel like Moses.” As Moses stands on Pisgah, overlooking the Promised Land, he is 120 years old yet still with clear eyesight and with good physical strength.

God has brought him to this place to show Moses the land – the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The land that Moses has been leading the people towards for 40 years. The people are different physically and spiritually. Besides Moses, Joshua and Caleb are the sole survivors of the exodus from Egypt. God and Moses have shaped the people to be the people of God during 40 years in the wilderness. But the time has come for new leadership. Moses dies in Moab and is buried there.

Joshua will lead the Israelites through the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. Moses has prepared him well for this transition. In verse 9 we read about the culmination of this preparation: “Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him.” Moses has finished strong so that Joshua can begin strong. Moses has finished well, blessing Joshua and doing all that he could to ensure Joshua’s success as a leader. As we consider and walk through transitions and changes in our lives, how can we lead well and finish strong, especially in matters of faith?

Prayer: Lord God, we can struggle at times of letting go, of moving on, of change. Our humanity – our pride, our ego, our need to be in control – they can get in the way of your next thing. Open our eyes and hearts to your working in and amongst us. Help us to trust your plans and your goodness for our lives. Use us as you will. Amen.


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Seeing God

Reading: Exodus 33:18-23

Exodus 33:18 – “Moses replied, ‘Then show me your glorious presence.'”

On Tuesday this week we read of Moses petitioning God to remain present to him and to Israel. God relented from the plan to send them on to the Promised Land without God’s presence. But Moses wanted some proof. He says to God, “Then show me your glorious presence.” God’s answer is “Yes, but…” God will reveal the fullness of God’s glory, sort of. God knows that the full glory of God is more than Moses or any human being can take in at one time. God graciously comes up with a plan for Moses to see as much of God as is humanly possible.

God places Moses in a crevice of a rock and shields Moses’ eyes as God passes by. As God walks away, the hand is lifted and Moses sees God’s back. Because of God’s tender compassion, God found a way to grant Moses’ request. It would have been easier to just say “no” and offer a reason why. Instead, God found a way to say “yes” to Moses.

There are times when we’d really like to see God. Sometimes our faith is wearing thin and we need reassurance. Some of the time we are really upset or even angry and we want to have it out with God. Other times we feel like we just need to be in God’s actual presence. God is present to us in each of these situations, just as God was with Moses – in Spirit. But once in a while, God is more present, in a tangible way – as we look in the mirror one day, as another person is present to us, as we are awed by a sunset or by ocean waves. God graciously meets us where we are at, giving us just what we need in that moment. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your presence in our lives. Your Spirit is a constant presence with us as you lead and guide, direct and assure, convict and refine, restore and redeem. And thank you for the glimpses, for your tangible presence that we do experience from time to time. Continue to be present to us in all ways, O God. Amen.


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Exalt the Lord!

Reading: Psalm 99

Psalm 99:5 – “Exalt the Lord our God! Bow low before his feet, for he is holy!”

The first five verses of Psalm 99 remind us of God’s majesty, power, and greatness. These verses remind us of God’s holiness and of God’s love of justice and all that is right and good. At the end of this section, we too hear the invitation: “Exalt the Lord our God! Bow low before his feet, for he is holy!” God is definitely worthy of our praise and worship. We bow before the Lord our God in humble awe when we pause to recognize the one who causes the whole earth to quake.

And just when it begins to feel like God is way up there somewhere and we are way down there somewhere, the psalmist reminds us that God is present with us. Moses, Aaron, and Samuel had intimate, personal relationships with God. They cried out. God heard and answered. There is hope for us! Long ago, God spoke through the clouds on mountain tops and through the prophets. God continues to speak through the Holy Spirit within each of us. The prophetic voice has not been lost. It has been multiplied many, many times over. It is within us all.

Verse 8 offers a bit of a reality check. Moses, Aaron, Samuel… also sinned and fell short of the glory of God. God forgave and restored them. We too walk this path, in spite of the Holy Spirit’s best efforts. God continues to forgive and restore. Yes, may we worship and exalt the Lord our God! God is holy. And God is with us. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, you are amazing, awesome, wonderful! You deserve all of the glory and praise. All of it! And yet you are right here with us. Your Spirit dwells in us always. Please continue to walk with us, to lift us back up when we fall down. Hold us daily in your love. Amen.


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“I know you by name.”

Reading: Exodus 33:12-18

Exodus 33:17 – “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”

As chapter 33 begins, God tells Moses and the people to “get going,” to head to the land promised to their ancestors. Today’s portion of this week’s Exodus reading is Moses’ response to this directive along with God’s response to Moses. Moses and the people are not comfortable pressing on without God going with them. So Moses asks God to allow him to know God even more, to “understand you more fully… to enjoy your favor.” God tells Moses that, yes, God will go with him. That is not enough for Moses.

Pressing God, Moses speaks for the people, asking for God’s presence to be with the people too. This presence is what sets them apart from all other people. God responds, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.” God will go with the people too. As assurance, Moses asks to see God’s “glorious presence.” We will unpack this request and God’s response at the end of the week.

What does this exchange between God and Moses reveal to us? Moses is modeling what Paul later wrote about in Philippians 4. He is taking his worry and anxiety to God. Moses honestly talks with God, revealing his faith and trust in their relationship. In turn, God is patient and assures Moses that God will continue to be with him and with the people. God is faithful. And through this presence, God will give Moses rest. God is a provider. As we go to God again and again, with our worries and with our thanksgiving, our relationship with God will grow and deepen. God will look upon us and say, “I know you by name.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us to come to you with all that is on our hearts and minds – the praise and thanksgiving, the worries and the fears – all of it. Draw near to us in these moments, assuring us of your presence and love. Deepen our connection to you. Amen.


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Practice, Practice, Practice

Reading: Philippians 4:8-9

Philippians 4:8 – “Focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true… holy… just… pure… lovely… and worthy of praise.”

Concluding our Philippians 4 reading for this week, we end with Paul’s guidance on how to “stand firm in the Lord.” It begins with fixing our eyes and our heart on the things that are excellent and admirable, that are life-giving and soul-lifting. These things are the core characteristics of a lived life of faith. In verse 8 Paul calls us to this task: “Focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true… holy… just… pure… lovely… and worthy of praise.” Paul invites us to think about these things always. Doing so, our thoughts will guide our words and our actions.

The core beliefs of our faith are what is true. Salvation, grace, love, mercy, humble service, generosity, one God – core beliefs. All that is holy is the will and way of God. Central and foundational are the great commands: love God and love neighbor. To be just is to live in right relationship with both God and neighbor and to redeem and restore these relationships when they are broken or damaged. To be selfless is to be pure. To not think of our wants but of other’s needs starts with a pure heart. The lovely in our life and in the world are those things touched by God. It is a sunrise and a kind word, a meal shared and a gentle embrace. These and other blessings are worthy of our praise and thanksgiving.

To focus our thoughts on what is true, holy, just, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise and to live these out daily is a tall order. Paul’s guidance: practice. Daily remember what we’ve “learned, received, heard, and saw” from Paul and from Jesus. And then practice, practice, practice these things. And as we practice, practice, practice, the peace of God will be with us. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, walk closely with us today and every day. Open our ears and hearts to the whispers and nudges of your Holy Spirit. Echo the words and example of Jesus in our hearts and minds. Send us out, thusly equipped and prepared, to be always true, holy, just, pure, and lovely, bringing you all the praise and the glory and honor. Amen.


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Joy and Peace

Reading: Philippians 4:1-7

Philippians 4:6 – “Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks.”

Photo credit: Hannah Skelly

Turning to Paul’s letter to the Philippians today and tomorrow, we close out a week of hard passages with hopeful words about standing firm in the faith. Reminding us of how hard this can be, in verse 2 Paul calls for reconciliation between Euodia and Syntyche. Following Jesus’ conflict resolution guidance, Paul invites a mediator and other members of the church to get involved to heal this broken relationship.

In verses 4-7 Paul then encourages us to be glad or to rejoice in the Lord and he gives us guidance on how to always have joy in the Lord. In verse 6 Paul writes, “Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks.” There is much in this life and in our world that can make us anxious or afraid or angry or worried or… Paul invites us to hold onto joy even in the difficult times of life. Step 1 is prayer. Bring our petitions and our pleadings to God. Why? Because God is near and because God hears and responds. How do we know this? We turn to the next step.

We cannot miss step 2: “along with giving thanks.” Prayer cannot be just about asking God for this or that. Prayer must also include praising and giving thanks for God’s presence in our lives. This step is an act of gratitude that builds our humility and leads to a willingness to surrender our lives and all situations to the Lord. It is through these actions that we experience “the peace of God that exceeds all understanding.” It is a peace that allows us to rejoice in the Lord always. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, as we daily offer our thanksgiving and praise in our prayers, build up our memories of your presence. The times when you have been there, when you rescued or redeemed us, when you led or guided us through the valley – they build our trust and faith. From this firm foundation, walk daily with us in the good, in the bad, and in the in-between, filling us with your joy and your peace. Amen.


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They Forgot

Reading: Psalm 106:19-23

Psalm 106:21 – “They forgot the God who saved them, the one who had done great things…”

Returning to Psalm 106 today, we read of the incident that happened in Exodus 32. It is the sin of the writer’s “ancestors” that was referenced in verse 6. It is the remembering of how their great grandfathers or great, great grandmothers “acted wickedly.” It is a reminder of how capable the current Israelites are of going down this same path. And it is a warning about how quickly we can turn to idols and sinful behaviors.

As we walk daily with God, we might wonder how this could happen to Israel. God has done so much for them lately: the plagues, the Passover, the parting of the sea, the manna and quail, the water from a rock… If we are tending to our faith, one of our daily habits is thanking God for the blessings, guidance, direction, protection… in our lives. We too should be able to quickly come up with a list of what God has done for us. With this in mind, we do wonder how they ended up worshipping an idol, “a bull that eats grass.”

The answer comes in verse 21: “They forgot the God who saved them, the one who had done great things…” They forgot God. We do this too. We allow temptation to become sin. We turn to our own devices and means instead of to God. We grasp control and seek power instead of surrender. And I am pretty sure that God has gotten ready a time or two to smite us. Or maybe that number is closer to four billion.

In the second part of verse 23, the psalmist reminds Israel of how Moses interceded and of how God’s anger subsided as love and mercy won the moment. This same love and mercy pours out over us when we are less than we are created to be. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminder that even when we chase after promotions and possessions and pleasures, you are nearby, waiting to reconnect with us, ready to pour out your great mercy and love. We are grateful for your Spirit that works and works within us and for your Son who intercedes for us. You are an awesome and amazing God. Amen.