pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: God


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Where to Go?

Do you have a ’cause’ that is special to you? Do you have something that you are involved in and passionate about? Is it always easy to serve or give?

If we truly love something we are often willing to risk much for it. We are willing to invest in and support it in spite of it sometimes being difficult or have a ‘cost’. Yet making a difference in our world is what we are called to do. Through our faith we are called to be involved in the world as we share the love of Christ with those in need and with those who are lost.

Psalm 15 begins by asking the questions: “Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?” Well… those who love God, right? That is certainly part of it. But there is more. He who is blameless and does what is righteous. He who speaks truth and does not slander. He who does his neighbor no wrong. He who keeps his oath even when it hurts. This is just a partial list from Psalm 15. And the end line: “He who does these things will never be shaken.”

For those things that you maybe aren’t so passionate about, is it always easy to give? For those causes that you don’t jump in line to support, is it always a joy to serve? Are we supposed to be involved in every cause and to support every need? No. And that is okay. We cannot be involved in everything and we cannot support every need or cause.

But there is something out there that we can each get behind and support. Maybe it is with our time. Maybe it is with our finances or other gifts. Maybe it is through our prayers. The world is so full of need and we are called to be in the world. God leads us where we need to be – when we are listening and are attentive to His call. It is so easy to let the world drown out that still, small voice. But when we look at the world through Jesus’ eyes and when we walk where God leads, then we can dwell with God. And He will be there beside us and we will not be shaken.


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Build the Kingdom Together

Paul opens the first letter to the Corinthians with a reminder that they are to be united in the faith, in mind, and in actions. What a great world that would be!!

At times everyone has disagreements. If you think back over your last few days I am willing to wager that you were in a disagreement with someone over something. It may have been something small, but… By our human nature we have opinions and we like to be right. Which also naturally makes somebody else ‘wrong.’ But in cases of opinion often both sides are ‘right’ but fail to acknowledge this fact.

I am also willing to wager that all of us have experienced a couple arguing out in a public space like a restaurant or have seen a parent come unglued over what seems like a minor offense that the child has committed in the store. We are all human, we all err. But we all probably agree that there is a time and a place to argue.

Like in Paul’s day, the world that was so torn apart by so many things so desperately needed a church that was unified. Like the church of Corinth, as soon as we start focusing on some issue or matter that divides us, then less of our energy goes toward being Christ’s love in the world. The color of the paint on the walls in the Parlor does not really matter (unless it is a hideous color! – just kidding) and how and when a church chooses to baptize does not really matter. The only things we should argue about inside our churches should be about how we are going to make a bigger difference in our world as we seek to grow His kingdom. Between churches the only thing we should argue about is who is going to the rescue mission and who is going to serve at Habitat or the thrift store or…

All of the churches and all of God’s people are under the same two commissions. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. What a great world that would be!!


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Finding the Courage to Step Out

As we are called into the world to bring Christ to the world, sometimes we are faced with difficult situations. In these cases it may require courage to step out in faith. The Bible is full of encouraging words that remind us that when we follow the call God places upon our heart, He will be there as well. In Psalm 27 we are reminded that “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” (verse 1)

This Psalm goes on to remind us that God will keep us safe, that He will set us upon the high rock. In turn we sing our praises to Him and seek His face. Psalm 27 ends with these words: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

What in your life right now requires courage and bravery? Is it talking with that person you would rather not? Is it standing up for something that is not right – something that may be unpopular? Is it praying for that person who is a thorn in your side? Is it engaging the person that everyone else shuns? Often God calls us to step out in courage, to be the light and love where others are afraid to go.

But take courage for He has overcome the world! Jesus did not find defeat but victory. If we keep our eyes and hearts focused on doing God’s will and working in this world to bring peace, justice, and love, then He will be with us. We serve a mighty God!! He will go with you wherever He leads you today! May we go forth with a heart and mind bent on God, seeking opportunities to step out into the places where His courage is required, knowing that His hand will guide!


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Come and See

In the Gospel lesson for today, John the Baptist sees Jesus and proclaims him the Lamb of God. As Jesus passes by two of John’s disciples follow Jesus. As they do Jesus asks them what they want but instead of answering they ask him where he is staying. His response isn’t an answer either, but an invitation: “Come and see.”

This is what Jesus says to us too: ” Come and see.” It is what we are called to say to others as well. We are called to evangelize – to share the good news. For many this is a scary word. But we need to realize that our call is not to sell Jesus or to convince someone they have to go “all in.” We must simply enter into people live’s and say, come and see.

It may be saying, “Hey, can I tell you about Jesus and what he has done for me?” Or it may be stepping into a need and loving your neighbor. It may simply be living your life as an example of what it means to be a Christian. Ultimately, it is about drawing people in so that they can come and see who Jesus is.

In the devotional I read this morning there was a great analogy. It spoke of our relationship with Jesus as a series of concentric circles. Each layer a bit closer to Jesus. When we invite others to ‘come and see’ we are asking them to step one circle closer, not to leap all the way to the middle. May our words, actions, and deeds today help people to come and see Jesus, to draw closer to the Savior of the world.


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Self-Sufficient or God-sufficient?

As a kid growing up I learned that if I worked hard and followed the rules, there would be rewards. If I did really well at work, on the team, or in school there would even be praises and maybe even recognition. Sound familiar?

When things got tough the message was just to work harder. The underlying implication was that I wasn’t trying hard enough. Just do more and it’ll get better.

As we grew older we learn that our job is important. We learn that others notice our position and our possessions. We come to think the who and what we are is pretty important. Being self-sufficient and independent tend to become valued commodities in our lives.

Somewhere along the line some of us hear this small voice saying, “Hey, I’m still right here.” And we realize that we have lost sight of God for it is Him calling. For others it is life crashing in around them at the sudden onset of cancer, or the company’s downsizing, or …Then they wonder where God is. As they seek to make sense, God is there.

In Isaiah 1, God’s strength and grace are promises to those who live in fellowship with Jesus. His presence in our lives allows us to release the need to be in control because we can rest in His wisdom and grace.

I admit it is a struggle. I like to be in control. I like to hear praises and be recognized for my efforts. It is important to come before our Lord each day and to ask Him to be that – the Lord of our life. It is important to remind ourselves that He is in control when we start to drive the car. May the giver of grace give us the weakness today to rest in Him who loves us far more than we could ever imagine!!


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Always Calling Our Name

“You are my strength when I am weak,
You are the treasure that I seek.

Seeking you as a precious jewel,
Lord to give up I’d be a fool.”

These words from an old Dennis Garrigan song came to mind as I read Psalm 40 this morning. No, the song above is not based upon this Psalm (For that honor, I think that’d be Jesus, Lover of My Soul!) In the Psalm, David seeks God. He allows God to fill his heart and this leds him to desire to do God’s will. David sings of God’s love and salvation in the assembly and rests assured that God will protect him.

When we look at our lives, we will see times that we wander from God. We may go for long stretches where God is central in our lives, but occassionally go through a valley. In the Upper Room today the author told a childhood story about when he ad his brother were lost in the woods during a snowstorm. Just when they felt all was lost, they heard their Dad’s voice calling out to them. When we are in our valleys and feel lost from God, we just have to pause and we will hear Him calling our name.

Yet for some, lost is where they are. Many people feel that they can do just fine on their own. Problems can be solved, errors can be fixed. Life hums along with its slight ups and downs. No need for God. Until something comes along tht they cannot solve or fix. In the times of desparation they cry out to God. And God does NOT turn a deaf ear to them. For in their time of need or loss is when He comes to them – still full of love and grace and mercy. For He always loves us. All of us!

“Taking my sin, my cross, my shame,
Rising again I bless your name.

When I am down you lift me up,
When I am dry you fill my cup.”

As we grow in our faith we learn to walk more faithfully and more steadfastly with the Lord. We begin to know Him in our hearts all the time and begin to desire to do His will as a result. We come to rely on Him in the good and in the bad. As we are called to be God’s light in this dark world, hold your light up for all men to see. Let the world know what the song proclaims: You are my all in all!!


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Temptation and THE Key to Standing Firm

After Jesus is baptized and God speaks proudly of his son, Jesus does an intriguing thing. Instead of launching into his public ministry, he heads into the desert. His childhood is long past and his days of being a carpenter are apparently over. Yet he chooses to take off 40 days before getting started. I wondered why.

God has clearly markedJesus as his son. God is in Jesus and Jesus is full of God. SO, again, why the 40 days? Now this is just a thought, so if you have another idea (or know something you read from a scholar…), please share!!

I think Jesus was truly the Son of God but he was also in a human body. So I think Jesus felt all the hunger, the thirst, the sadess, the joy, the jealousy, etc. that we all feel and struggle with at times. Sure, a big part of his 40 days was prayer and time with God. But part of it was also spent with Satan, the great tempter. Why did Jesus get a personal visit? I think he knew who was tempting him, so might as well go in person. Jesus faces three tests. Two were temptations – food after 40 days in the desert and power over the kingdoms of the earth. The third was a kind of temptation also – to test God. In his humanity Jesus needed to face and pass these tests.

These are things we too face. It may be clothes or company or sickness we face instead of lack of food. It may be position or wealth or ‘things’ instead of power. And it may be deals or bargains we try to make instead of testing God. Jesus faced them so that He can help us when we face them. He has felt the desire for these things yet passed the tests – for he was without sin. But He had to be there so when we struggle He can say, “I understand” and can intercede for us. Jesus WANTS to stand in the gap for us, so let Him!! When tempted, turn to the one who understands. When tempted, seek Him in prayer. When tempted, run into His arms.