pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: grace


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Actively Using our Gifts

Reading: Matthew 25:14-18

Verse 14: “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.”

This week’s parable begins, “Again, it will be like…” The ‘again’ refers to Jesus’ continuing teaching on the kingdom of heaven. That’s the ‘it’ in these opening words. The prior parable was all about keeping awake and being prepared. That is step one in our Christian journey. As Jesus continues, we get to step two.

In today’s text a man is “going on a journey.” Jesus is offering words of instruction to his followers. Right now the disciples are mostly watching Jesus. One day he’ll go and they will be the ones tasked with sharing the good news, healing a broken world… This task falls to each new generation of Christ followers.

The man in our parable gives each servant some talents or money. The amounts varied – “each according to his [or her] ability.” While there are no instructions given, the implication is that they will use this gift in accordance with their ability or giftedness. There are a few layers to this part of the parable. When Jesus departed this world he gifted the disciples with the Holy Spirit. This indwelling presence leads and guides and teaches his followers. As we enter into a relationship with Jesus, we too receive this gift. The second gifting comes in the love, hope, peace, joy, forgiveness, grace… that we receive from the Lord. Our third gifting is our particular talents as nurses, teachers, parents, accountants, coaches… The implication of the parable applies to us in all of these layers. We are to use all of these gifts for the building up of the kingdom of God. So the question is this: Are we actively using our giftedness for God’s glory?

Prayer: Lord God, you’ve given me much – unconditional love, unending grace, undeserved forgiveness… As I know these more and more, guide me to use and share them more and more. You’ve blessed me with the gifts of teaching and serving. Employ these too to build your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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How God Does It

Reading: Joshua 24:16-25

Verse 24: “We will serve the Lord our God and obey God.”

After declaring that he and his house will serve the Lord, Joshua turns the focus to the people. In today’s passage the people respond to Joshua’s declaration with a recounting of God’s power and presence among them. This recounting ends with “We too will serve the Lord because he is our God.” Joshua challenges this statement. Maybe you’ve done this too with that friend who is less than stellar about walking the walk. They’re maybe quick to volunteer but seldom show. They’re great at committing to things but not so good on following through.

Joshua bluntly tells the people that they are not able to serve God. He tells them that God is jealous and holy. He tells them that God will not again and again forgive their rebellion and sin. The people say, “No! We will serve the Lord!” His challenge to their original commitment raises the bar. He is saying they can’t just talk the talk. That’s easy. Joshua then calls them as witnesses against themselves. He is doubling down, asking them if they’re really, really, really sure. Joshua then once more commands them to “throw away” their idols. In turn the people commit to God once again, saying, “We will serve the Lord our God and obey God.”

As I read this passage and note how Joshua questions their commitment again and again, I wonder how God does it. When I’ve struggled with a difficult sin, I come to God again and again with words of confession and repentance. Each time, yes, I’m a little more committed to actually changing. Each time God’s Spirit convicts me a little quicker, a little more deeply. Each time the Spirit increases my resolve, helping me to better walk the walk. How does God do it? Through unconditional love and unending grace. What an awesome God we serve.

Prayer: Lord God, as I consider the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites and as I think about my own wanderings, I am amazed at your continued presence. In my human understanding it is hard to fathom, hard to comprehend. So great is your love for us, so deep is your mercy, so wide is your forgiveness. I am humbled. I bow before you and say thank you, thank you, thank you. Amen.


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Love Lived Out

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 2:1-8

Verse 8: “Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”

Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica is the focus of today’s passage. Paul, Silas, and Timothy preached the good news of Jesus Christ “with the help of our God.” In spite of opposition they spoke boldly. While the fruit of their faithfulness was converts to Christ, Paul clearly states that their ministry was offered to please God alone. And in order to best minister there, in order not to be a “burden,” Paul’s habit was to find work in each community, allowing him to care for them in the best way possible.

While we may feel like we live in a much different time than Paul and company lived, the principles and practices shared in today’s passage are very relevant to our faith and to our witness. Paul’s primary focus was to share Jesus. All he did and said and thought was aimed at this focus. Do we use all that we are and all that we have to share the good news? They spoke boldly, not fearing whatever opposition that may come. Do we speak boldly of our faith or do we worry more about what others might think or say about us? Do we allow the “cost” to sway how we go about witnessing to our faith?

And, perhaps most importantly today, are we “gentle” and caring with all of those that we encounter and engage? In a world that often sees Christianity in a negative light, do our words and actions always help people to experience the love and grace of Jesus Christ? Do those we witness to feel that we are doing our “job” or do they feel what people felt when they met Paul or Jesus – our desire to be in relationship, to share our lives as well?

Prayer: Lord God, may we truly be your love lived out today. When others look at us, when they talk with us, when they spend time with us, may they feel like they have been in your presence. Guide us, Lord, to be gentle and kind with all we meet. And empower us to be bold in our sharing of the good news. In all of these things may others come to know your love and our love. Amen.


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The Work of Our Hands

Reading: Psalm 90:13-17

Verse 17: “Establish the work of our hands for us.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

As the words of Moses continue on from verse 6, he petitions God for right living and for a heart of wisdom. Moses notes that whether we live to 70 or 80, our days “pass quickly.” It is with this quick review that we turn to today’s verses. Moses begins with a plea for compassion coupled with his plea for God to relent. Perhaps these words came after the incident with the golden calf (or some other sin). Moments when we are reminded of our sinful nature and of our mortality tend to lead to somber thoughts and to some good inner reflection.

Continuing, Moses asks for God’s “unfailing love” to satisfy them so that the people can be joyful. Moses then asks God to reveal God’s splendor so that they may be glad. He closes by asking for God’s favor to be upon Israel and then connects this thought to a request to “establish the work of our hands.” Taken all together, Moses is asking for God’s presence to fill them with gladness and joy so that they can live a life that is pleasing to God. Moses modeled this life for the people. Sure, he had his moments. In Deuteronomy we read that he could not enter the Promises Land because of one of these moments. We too have our moments. Yet we are still called to live out a life of joy and gladness – plus hope, love, peace, mercy, grace… – and to bless God and others through the work of our hands. So, what does this look like for us today?

I ask this because Moses lived in a time and situation that was very different from ours. To find a more relevant example, let us turn to Jesus. He lived in a world much like ours. Jesus lived among everyday people, loving and obeying God. This was reflected in how Jesus engaged and ministered to all sorts of folks, meeting them and loving on them right where they were. May this too be the work of our hands.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to model my daily living after Jesus’ example. Establish the work of my hands today. Make it work that is pleasing to you. Make it work that builds the kingdom of heaven here on earth. Fill me with gladness and joy each day. Fill me so that it overflows into the lives of all that I meet today. Amen.


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Wedding Clothes

Reading: Matthew 22:11-14

Verse 12: “How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?”

Jametlene Respk

The wedding hall has been filled with guests – “both good and bad.” All we’re invited to come. As we continue in Matthew 22, the king comes and begins to mingle with the guests. Soon he noticed a man who was not dressed properly. The king says to the man, “How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?” While we might be puzzled by this question, Jesus’ audience would’ve known good and well that you dress (and act) for the occasion, especially if you’re invited by the king!

The man in question is bound and tossed into the darkness, where he will weep and gnash his teeth. This harsh metaphor is the reality that some people will face when they meet the King of kings. Then comes the point of the parable: “Many are invited but few are chosen.”

It can be tempting to respond to God’s invitation as this man did. He thought that he could just show up and be acceptable. Here is where some context is really important. Jesus is saying that there is a big difference between being called and being chosen. We are all called into a relationship with Jesus. Matthew’s audience would also understand that the wedding clothes were a metaphor for clothing oneself in Christ. To accept and live out Christ’s invitation into relationship was to put on Christ’s love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, compassion, hospitality… Understanding this, we can turn to our important question for today: Are you dressed in the proper attire for the great banquet of Christ?

Prayer: Lord God, day by day, as you call me into humble service, may I make the very intentional choice to clothe myself in Christ. Help me to soak in your word, to open my eyes and ears and heart to your Holy Spirit, and to find the strength and courage to live faithfully and righteously each day. Amen.


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Honest, Generous, Righteous

Reading: Matthew 20:1-16

Verse 4: “You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.”

Returning to the parable today we first recognize that the scenario played out in the market was very familiar to Jesus’ audience. Men hanging around hoping to be hired for seasonal work was the norm. Having people to fill this role was a necessity in their agrarian culture, much as it is today in that sector of our economy.

For those hired earliest, they agree with the owner on the usual daily wage. One denarius was the coin used to pay a Roman soldier and it was enough to feed a family of four for a few days. These day laborers would hope to work 2-3 days a week to provide for their families.

The owner offers a different deal to the rest of the workers. They accept his offer to pay them “whatever is right.” Although it turns out well for these workers, there is some trust required in this open-ended offer. Right is objective. One denarius is not. These workers choose to entrust their lives to the character or reputation of the vineyard owner. He is honest and generous and righteous. This sounds like someone that I’d like to work for. How about you?

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for being kind and generous and righteous with us. You do not demand a strict adherence to an agreed-upon set of rules. As it was impossible to keep the list in Jesus’ day, so too is it in our time. So thank you for your grace and mercy too. Amen.


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A Manner Worthy

Reading: Philippians 1:27-30

Verse 27: “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

In the second half of our Epistle text, Paul encourages the Philippians and us to represent Christ and one another well. He begins by challenging us all to “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” What does it mean to live a life that is “worthy” of Jesus and the gospel? In a general sense it means to live as Christ lived – obedient to God; generous with love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness; and, overflowing with humility and care for the needy.

Paul focuses on 3 more ways in today’s passage. First he calls us all to “stand firm in one spirit.” The unity of spirit was very important in Paul’s day. These early Christians were living in a pagan world as members of a small minority group. Sticking together in body and in spirit was essential to survival. The same is true today for us.

Paul then tells us not to be afraid of those who oppose us. These ‘opponents’ were many in Paul’s day (he was in prison, right?) and there are no less today. To have confidence in our eternal God battles the fear of these temporal threats. Lastly Paul encourages the Philippians and us to step into what has been “granted” to us as a privilege – to suffer for and with Christ. Nothing without cost is worth much. If we are not suffering a bit for our faith, then we aren’t fully conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of Jesus Christ. If we are blending in and living like the world around us, let us return to the actual gospels for a refresher on the life of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to be a person of peace and unity. Use me to build connection and community – two things at the heart of faith. Remove any fears that I have and empower me to be bold in my faith. And as John Wesley said, put me to doing, put me to suffering. May it all be for your glory. Amen.


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People of Forgiveness

Reading: Matthew 18:28-35

Verse 33: “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?”

As we continue today in the gospel lesson for this week, we see that the servant now goes out, fresh from being forgiven a huge debt. But instead of being filled with joy and good will he latches onto a fellow servant who owes his a small sum. Demanding payment and refusing to be patient, he has the man thrown into jail, where he will remain until the debt is paid.

Other servants see what has happened. Knowing how great a debt this man has been forgiven, they are “greatly distressed” by how he treats his fellow servant. They go to the king to right this great wrong. It all is so unfair. I don’t know about you, but I have and I can act this way at times. I know that God and others have forgiven me for things big and small and every place in between. I did not deserve to be forgiven some of the time. Yet I was. Even knowing all this and being so grateful for such mercy and grace, I can struggle to forgive someone for the smallest thing. I get stubborn or arrogant or prideful and it becomes hard to let something go, to get to the place of forgiveness. At times I’m not so unlike this forgiven servant.

The king (God, right?) is so upset with this man that he says, “You wicked servant.” He reminds the man (us) of how much was forgiven. Then he asks this pointed question: “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” It is a great reminder for us. The man is then thrown into prison (hell). Jesus closes the parable by reminding us all that God will treat us this way too if we refuse to forgive one another. Each Sunday we pray for the ability and strength to do just this. May this passage and our weekly prayer reminder help us to be people of forgiveness always and without condition or limit. This is what God offers us. May we go and do likewise.

Prayer: Lord God, without your grace and mercy that leads to forgiveness, I would face a most dreadful future. Without practicing your model of grace, mercy, and forgiveness, my relationships would be a shambles. Thank you for showing me the way to truly live and love. Empower me to live it out daily. Amen.


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As We Receive Mercy…

Reading: Matthew 18:21-27

Verse 23: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.”

After Jesus’ teaching about how to solve conflicts in the church, Peter wants to define the expectations. On second thought, no, Peter wants to limit the expectations, much like the expert in the law did when he asked Jesus to define his ‘neighbor’ (Luke 10). Yes, Peter is generous in offering to forgive 7 times. He is going way past the current cultural norm of 3. As it was with the parable of the Good Samaritan, in this week’s gospel passage Jesus blows the doors off of somehow trying to limit God’s love, grace, and mercy.

In verse 22 Jesus tells Peter, “I tell you, not 7 times, but 77 times.” Jesus is not, however, playing Peter’s game. He isn’t really setting 77 as the magic number. His point here is simple: quit counting. Counting wrongs is an exercise in patience, not forgiveness. When we keep a count of wrongs against us, we are just asking, ‘How long do I have to put up with this person?!”

Jesus then launches into a parable, beginning with, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.” In the parable the king represents God and we are the servants. The debt is our sin. The first servant owes a HUGE debt. He begs for forgiveness. The king is moved; he forgives the debt. The servant is set free. Now, what if this is really the king’s (God’s) goal in calling in the servants (us)? The king (God) doesn’t want to punish or extract payment. No, the king (God) wants to grant mercy to the servant (us). God desires that as we receive mercy, not 7 or 77 or 7,777 times, that we then, in turn, extend it to others. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, help me, O font of mercy, to model your heart for mercy, reconciliation, and forgiveness. Above all, you want a relationship with us. You’ll go to almost any length to achieve that. Lead me to do the same, both with you and with all those in my life. Amen.


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Prayer, Patience, Joy

Reading: Romans 12:9-21

Verse 12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12 begins with a call to be “living sacrifices.” This term and the words that Paul uses to flesh it out bring to mind Christ’s example and his instructions on loving one another well. In today’s passage we receive some specific and direct examples on how to love one another well. As was the case in verses 1-8, so is the case in verses 9-21: these ways of living are possible only through the power and grace of God.

Paul’s primary audience here is the church. This letter is written to the believers in Corinth, addressing some of the issues they’re facing. It is in the Bible because it has application for all believers. Most make perfect sense: “cling to what is good… honor one another above yourselves… share with those in need…” Some are a little harder: “keep your spiritual fervor… mourn with those who mourn… do not be proud… live at peace with everyone.” And then there are a few, to be honest, that make us pause: “bless those who persecute you… do not repay anyone evil for evil… do not take revenge…” All of these are interwoven and mixed together – just like in life. I think that’s because “easier” ones like “share with those in need” become a whole lot harder right after they’ve abused or persecuted you.

Today the key verse that stood out to me was verse 12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” These three call us to God and to relying on God’s power and grace. Practically speaking, I think we need to work these backwards. Pray, pray, and pray some more. In difficult times, allow prayer to build your patience. Practice patience again and again. Then, through these two practices, we can be joyful in hope. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, Paul tosses us quite the list. Even on a good day some can be quite challenging. Yet we are not called to this faithful way of living and loving just on good days. It has to be a 24/7 lifestyle. Lord, we need you. Pour out your power and grace over and over, filling us up again and again so that we can live daily as faithful examples in this world. Amen.