pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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One Person at a Time

Reading: Exodus 1:15-22 and 2:1-10

Exodus 1:17 – “Now the two midwives respected God so they didn’t obey the Egyptian king’s order.”

Coming back to Exodus 1, we read the rest of the story today. The Israelites continue to grow in number, in spite of Pharaoh’s attempts to lessen them. In today’s reading Pharaoh calls in two Hebrew midwives and tells them to kill all babies born male. They do not follow orders: “Now the two midwives respected God so they didn’t obey the Egyptian king’s order.” Called back in and questioned, Shiphrah and Puah outsmart Pharaoh. They trusted in God’s power and God made a way.

Pharaoh comes up with a new plan: incite the Egyptians against the Israelites. He instructs his people to throw every Hebrew boy baby into the river. Pharaoh counts on those feelings of disgust and dread, stirring them up and giving them an outlet with his cruel edict. For at least one Hebrew baby boy, this plan fails too.

At the start of chapter 2 a boy is born. His mother hid him for three months. No longer able to do so, she places him in a tar-coated basket and puts it in the river. His sister watches over it and when Pharaoh’s own daughter sees the baby, Miriam offers to find someone to nurse the baby. She risks much, offering a plan that goes against the edict. The princess, moved by compassion, agrees to the plan, also risking much. Moses’ life is saved. These women who used the power available to them stood for life. Through their bold actions, they thwarted Pharaoh’s plan – at least for one boy. In most of our lives, this is how we use our power too. With our words and actions we can make a great difference – one person at a time. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for these examples of women who risked much for what was right and good. Give us the same faith, the same compassion. Help us to see the opportunities you give us to stand and speak for all that is good and right and just. Empower us just as you empowered these women. Amen.


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Shaping and Reshaping

Romans 12:2 – “Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.”

Reading: Romans 12:1-2

As we begin in Romans 12, today we read what I would consider a “Top 10” verse for our time. Paul’s argument, however, begins back in chapter 11, where he writes of God’s great mercy. It is so great, he writes, that even Israel will be saved one day. At that point in time, the Jews felt like and were acting like the “enemies” of Jesus and his newly forming church. Even so, God’s mercy is great enough to one day draw Israel into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

With that in mind, Paul writes, “So… I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God.” Paul encourages the believers in Rome to live like they have been saved. He is inviting them to serve God and others even if there is a personal cost. Paul deems this “appropriate priestly service” for the great love and mercy that they have received from God.

Next we turn to the key verse: “Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” Another translation writes of not being so well-adjusted to the culture that we fit right in without even thinking about it. The patterns and ways of this world are tempting and powerful. They are portrayed as “success.” They promise us “happiness.” Greed, want, the desire for power, the need to satisfy self – these things are endless cycles that only draw us downward. There is no rest or peace or contentment. We only find these blessings when we confirm our hearts and minds to Christ. Jesus then renews and transforms our hearts and minds, shaping and reshaping us into someone who is “good and pleasing and mature.” This is where we want to be. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, the call of the world is constant – a neighbor’s new side by side, a friend’s new cell phone, a coworker’s stories of their amazing vacation… These things tug at us, pulling us towards the ways of the world. In our moments of temptation and trial, O God, draw us into your love and care. Remind us of the peace, contentment, and rest that we find in you alone. Hold us in that place, changing our focus, renewing our hearts and minds, drawing us deeper into our relationship with you. Amen.


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What Truly Contaminates

Reading: Matthew 15:10-20

Matthew 15:18 – “What goes out of the mouth comes from the heart. And that’s what contaminates a person in God’s sight.”

Heart in Fire and Water Isolated on Black Background. Computer Graphics.

Leviticus 11 through 15 contain the laws of Moses that deal with being clean (or unclean if you break a law.) Many of the laws in these five chapters were concerned with keeping healthy. Eating certain foods, for example, in a time without refrigeration often led to illness. So… do not eat pork. Since five chapters worth of dietary and other cleanliness laws were not enough, the religious leaders added more over time.

“Wash your hands before eating” was one of them. This rule is not found anywhere in the Law. But this manmade rule had power in Jesus’ day. His disciples had just eaten without washing their hands, breaking “the elder’s rules handed down to us.” Jesus responds to the Pharisees’ criticism by quoting from Isaiah 29, where the prophet speaks about “empty worship.”

In verses 10-20 Jesus addresses and explains what truly contaminates or makes a person “unclean.” To be unclean is to be separated from God. He declares that it is NOT what we put into our mouth that matters. Food just comes out and goes into the sewer. However, “What goes out of the mouth comes from the heart. And that’s what contaminates a person in God’s sight.” What comes out of our mouth matters. And that all comes from the heart. It is in the heart that one finds the sources of sin: “evil thoughts… sexual sins… false testimony… insults.” These are some of the things that have the power to “contaminate” or to make us unclean before God.

Jesus is talking about what John Wesley would later call “personal holiness.” If we practice personal holiness (or holiness of the heart,) then we walk in right relationship with God. And if we walk in a right relationship with God, then we tend to walk in right relationships with one another. Living out our social holiness, we do not harm others. Instead, we do good and practice love, mercy, grace, compassion… And what flows from the mouth is good and pleasing to the Lord our God. May it be so for us all.

Prayer: Lord God, empower us to look deep within our own hearts. Give us the strength and the courage to root out those things that can separate us from you, leading us to then treat others as “less than.” Transform our hearts and lives, O Lord, filling us with love and grace and compassion and mercy. Then, may these flow from our hearts and may they be upon our lips. Amen.


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Good and Pleasing

Reading: Psalm 133

Psalm 133:1 – “Look at how good and pleasing it is when families live together as one!”

Psalm 133 is short – only three verses long. But it lifts up one of the most important aspects of faith: unity. This song celebrates the community of faith and the ultimate blessing of living in a community of faith: “everlasting life.” In verse one we read, “Look at how good and pleasing it is when families live together as one!” Step back and look at your community of faith. Is it good and pleasing to God and to the world around it? Does it reflect unity in the body of Christ?

We must be careful not to mistake unity for conformity. That is a common mistake. Our unity is centered on Jesus Christ and following his teachings and example. Around this, yes, there is conformity. But Jesus certainly did not minister to and include only people like him. He included fishermen and a tax collector and a zealot. And that was just in his “church.” Jesus welcomed children and women and outcasts and even “sinners.” To one and all, Jesus extended love and created a sense of belonging. He found sacred worth in everyone he met. This fostered unity and community in the early church.

In the Psalm, this is described as anointing oil and life-giving dew. The psalmist envisions both flowing freely, pouring down. There is a joy and an abundance in these images. It should be this way in our lives and in our communities of faith. Love and grace should flow freely. Mercy and forgiveness should pour down. Sharing life and what we have should bring joy. These things should be the primary marks of a Christian community. May it be so as our communities of faith – our “families” – strive to be good and pleasing to the Lord and to the world around us.

Prayer: Lord God, our world tends to separate us into categories. It feels like the natural thing to do is to label – so we can divide and define. May it not be so in our churches and lives, O God. All are created in your image. All have sacred worth. All have a place at the table of grace. Shape and form us into people who see you in others, who draw others into our communities of faith so that they can know love, mercy, grace, belonging – both ours and yours. Amen.


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Justice, Goodness, Righteousness

Reading: Psalm 17:1-2

Psalm 17:2 – “My justice comes from you; let your eyes see what is right.”

In Psalm 17 David names injustice and trusts that God will make things right. This is summed up in verse 2: “My justice comes from you; let your eyes see what is right.” God is the source of justice… and of goodness and righteousness, of mercy and compassion, of empathy and forgiveness… In God’s world, all of these things are interconnected and intertwined. When one stands against oppression, for example, it is driven by empathy and compassion for the victim(s) and it is fueled by one’s sense of justice.

Our reading begins with David imploring God to listen. Listen to what’s right. Listen to my prayer. He feels he can come before God in this way because is living a righteous life – his lips don’t lie! When we live a devout and holy life, we too feel like we have standing before God. In turn, our alignment with God guides our sense of justice…

It is easy to name injustices in our world. The treatment of marginalized and vulnerable populations comes to mind. The high cost of living and limited access to health care are creating hardship for many. The ways that “power over” is exerted and abused, leaving people broken and hurting, needs to be addressed. Systems that increase the gap between the haves and have-nots continue to churn along, oblivious to the negative impact on many people’s lives.

The more challenging step is to take action, to give voice and power to those without, to stand for what is just and right and good. When we allow our faith to guide our way, when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead our words and actions, then we can declare as David did: “My justice comes from you; let your eyes see what is right.” May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, I know that my list is missing many injustices that tear at your heart. You see them all. But this list is my list. We all have our own list. Begin here, O God, in us all. Work in each of us so that we stand and speak for justice, goodness, and righteousness. Use us to fight for a better and more just world. Amen.


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The First of Many

Reading: Romans 8:26-30

Romans 8:29b – “That way his Son would be the first of many brothers and sisters.”

Photo credit: Hans Heiner Buhr

As we begin the Romans 8 reading for this week, Paul offers this: “the Spirit comes to help our weakness.” This help comes in many forms, but today Paul is talking about intercession. The Spirit prays for us when our words don’t come or when they fall short or when they are misguided. At times our situation is so overwhelming or so distressing, we cannot form the words to pray. And some of the time we pray greedy or selfish or spiteful prayers. In all cases the Spirit steps in and prays for us “consistent with God’s will.” Through groans and pleadings, the Spirit intercedes for us, always seeking to conform us to the Son.

These Holy Spirit prayers help us to live as God calls us to live. When we do so, loving God and neighbor, then God “works all things together for good.” This is always God’s intended outcome simply because God is good. Yes, we can foil God’s plans and we can even work against them at times. Yet God is faithful. The Spirit keeps praying for us. And we’re drawn again and again to become who and what God created us to be: a child of God.

To be confirmed to the Son, to be a child of God, this is God’s good plan for us all. This plan was decided before we breathed our first breath. Created in God’s image with the spark of the divine within us, we are invited to step into God’s will for our lives. Doing so, we fulfill God’s purpose: “That way his Son would be the first of many brothers and sisters.” As a brother or sister in Christ, we strive to be righteous in our daily living. In the end, we will be glorified as Christ was glorified. But in the here and now, we also bring glory to God when we reveal Christ to the world. My friends, may it be so!

Prayer: Lord God, we rejoice that you are on our side in so many ways. Attune us to the Spirit’s presence, guiding us to pray as we should pray, to do as we should do, to be as we should be. In all ways, draw us closer and closer to conformity with Christ. And in all things, may we be Christ to the world. Amen.


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Thanksgiving and Praise

Reading: Psalm 105:1-6

Psalm 105:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make his deeds known to all people!”

Photo credit: Pablo Heimplatz

Psalm 105 is a call to worship. Yes, it was a call to worship long ago for the Israelites. And it is a call to us today to worship God in the ways that we live out our faith in the Lord our God. The Psalm begins with this invitation: “Give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make his deeds known to all people!” There are three parts to this invitation. First, give thanks. Whether through prayer, a journal, or both, daily thank God for your blessings, large and small. This practice of gratitude is good for our soul. Second, call on God’s name. This could be calling on God’s name in prayers and petitions. And it could be seeking God’s guidance and direction in our lives. And third, witness to your faith. Share the story of what God has done and is doing so that others might be drawn to our Lord and Savior.

These basic invitations are echoed in verses two and three: Sing, give praise, rejoice in the Lord! In verse four we’re invited to pursue or seek God’s presence and strength. While God is ever present and ever willing to be a part of our lives, God will not barge in or force the issue. God waits for us to “open the door,” and then God enters in. Invite God in!

Verses five and six invite us into acts of remembering. These are both personal and corporate. Remember God’s wonderful and marvelous works in your life and in the world around you. Remember through thanksgiving and praise. Recall God’s acts of justice – in your life and in our world. Offer thanks and sing! And remember who and whose you are: “children of Jacob… chosen.” For our place in the family of God, may we lift a celebratory and joyous word of prayer or a song of praise to the Lord our God!

Prayer: Lord God, we pause and offer our thanks for all you do in our lives to lead and guide us, to strengthen and encourage us, to forgive and redeem us, to restore and save us. You are an amazing, awesome, wonderful God! Thank you for choosing us and for being our God. Amen.


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Focus on the Good

Reading: Matthew 13:36-43

Matthew 13:43 – “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their father’s kingdom.”

Moving forward and inside the house, the disciples receive Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the weeds. Jesus (and now the Holy Spirit) plants good seeds in the hearts of Jesus’ followers. The evil one plants bad seeds that produce weeds. At the end of this “present age” the angels will come and harvest from the world “all things that cause people to fall away and all people who sin.” For these people, there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” in the “burning furnace” (hell.) “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their father’s kingdom.” The redeemed will exult in glory.

The disciples asked Jesus for an explanation because they did not get what he was saying. Jesus offers guidance and answers. At times we need guidance and direction. We don’t understand or we don’t know the next step to take. Jesus invites us to come to him, to ask him our questions. In prayer, we take them to the Lord. God responds to our prayers and through the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, we grow in our faith and in our trust in God. As we grow in these ways, we will “shine like the sun” in this present age, even as we wait with longing for our final redemption. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, focus our hearts and eyes on you and on the good in our world. It can be easy to get distracted, to focus on the evil all around us. So, Lord, keep us out of the weeds. Lead us to focus on being the good in the world, on shining your light into this world. Amen.


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If So… If not…

Readings: Psalm 119:108 and Matthew 13:18-23

Psalm 119:108 – “Please, Lord, accept my spontaneous gifts of praise. Teach me your rules!”

Today’s verse from Psalm 119 expresses gratitude and a desire to know God more. The psalmist offers praise as an expression of thanksgiving and worship, which leads to a request for God to respond by revealing more of God to his or her heart. This is a great example of what it means to love the Lord with all of one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength. To love this way – it always seeks to deepen that love. With this example in mind, we turn to Matthew 13.

In verses 18-23 Jesus explains the parable that we read yesterday. Each soil type relates to both a person’s readiness to accept Jesus and to the outcomes of each type of “soil.” Considering the psalmist – at least in today’s verse – he or she would be “good soil.” They are grateful for their relationship with God and are eager to grow that connection deeper and stronger. Knowing God more, in turn, leads to making God more known. This is the bearing of fruit that Jesus refers to.

Are you like the psalmist? Do you thank God each day for all that God has done? Do you daily seek to know God more? if so, alleluia and amen! If not, what is the condition of your soil? And, even more important than honest assessment, how are you going to work the soil of your heart to better love God with all that you are? Maybe it begins with some spontaneous praise and thanksgiving. Maybe it includes a little more study, meditation, and prayer. Decide and act. It’s your soul!

Prayer: Lord God, each kindness, each blessing, each brush with the divine – all potential fertilizer for our faith. Lord, help us to realize this potential: slow us down, help us to pause and reflect on your presence in our lives. Lead us to rejoicing and thanksgiving, to awe and to praise. Ready our hearts to receive more and more of you. Amen.


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Always Seeking to Deliver

Reading: Romans 7:15-25

Romans 7:21 – “So I find that, as a rule, when I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me.”

At the end of chapter 7, Paul describes his own struggle to do and be good in the world. He often does the things he hates to do. In his mind, he knows God’s Law is just and good and right. If it were up to his mind, he’d do all the good stuff: worship God, love neighbor, meet the needs of the poor… But he just can’t quite…

In verse 21 Paul writes, “So I find that, as a rule, when I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me.” Have you found this to be true in your life? That fleshy part of you – that part that just wants pleasure, that part that easily turns to pride and judging, that part always seeking to elevate self to the throne – that fleshy part is always pulling you away from holy, God-pleasing living. Paul chooses the word “war.” And in those moments when he feels like he is totally losing the “war” – it is then that Paul feels like a “miserable human being.” Ever felt this way? Ever allowed sin to win and you instantly see how it hurt someone you love?

Paul correctly realizes two things in verses 24 and 25. First, on his own, his fate is “dead corpse.” Ouch. Second, and most importantly, he realizes that Jesus Christ is his deliverer. Jesus is always with us too, always fighting for us in Spirit, always seeking to deliver us from temptation and sin. Through Jesus Christ, we will have the victory over sin and death. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, the power of evil is strong and pervasive. It runs rampant in our world. All sorts of messaging, people, and situations draw us to sin. We need you Lord. Desperately. Be the constant voice too, calling us to good and holy living. Empower and equip us, O God, to live by your will and ways. Amen.