pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Aligned

Reading: Exodus 33:17-23

Verse 17: “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

Today we continue in the conversation between God and Moses that we began on Monday. Just a quick review – in verses 12-16 Moses seeks for God’s presence to be with him and with the Israelites. Today God responds, saying, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” There are two pieces that drive God’s positive response. First, God is pleased with Moses. Although far from perfect – like us – Moses has sought out and grown in his personal relationship with God. In this process, Moses has revealed himself to God. This is the second reason that God agrees to share God’s presence with Moses and with the people. Who and what Moses is and does is pleasing to God. It opens the door for God to be more present in his life.

Moses next asks for even more of this presence. Presumably Moses is in the “tent of meeting” talking to God. Moses wants more. He wants to see God’s glory. He is asking to see God live and in person. God responds positively again. God will allow Moses to see as much of God as is humanly possible. This response is first because Moses asked and, second, because Moses is pleasing to and known by God.

The first question that comes to mind today is this: Do I want to see God’s glory? And, if so, two more questions: Is my life pleasing to God? And, am I fully known by God? God is all-knowing. So the last question is more a question of whether or not I am revealing myself to God humbly and honestly?

Heart and will aligned with God, may we see God’s glory.

Prayer: Lord God, I say I want to know you and to be known by you. Lord, move me from these easy words to tangible action. Work in me, Holy Spirit, to bring me closer to God, to stand more fully in the divine and holy presence. There, empty me of myself and then fill me up with God’s glorious presence. From there, use me to reflect God’s glory out into the world. Amen.


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Go with Us, O God

Reading: Exodus 33:12-16

Verse 15: “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”

Photo credit: Ruthson Zimmerman

In our Old Testament text this week we once again find Moses interceding on behalf of the people. The golden calf incident has just occurred and God is upset with this “stiff-necked people.” God’s words about potential punishment and destruction have gotten the people’s attention and Moses’ attention. Moses’ intercession focuses in on God continuing to be with him and with the people.

Moses begins by reminding God that God once said, “I know you by name and you have found favor with me.” Moses wants to re-establish their relationship as the starting point for the continuing conversation. It is like saying, “Since we’re good friends…” before getting to the heart of the conversation. Moses begins by asking God to continue to teach him God’s ways so that he can know God and find favor moving forward. Moses wants the relationship to grow and develop. And then Moses reminds God that “this nation” (yes, this stiff-necked people) is (are) God’s people. This nation that God has asked Moses to lead? Yes, God, they are your people. The implied question remains this: Will you go with us, God?

God affirms their relationship, saying, “My presence will go with you.” Moses is relieved. Making sure that this is the promise, Moses says, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” Don’t send us on if you’re not going with us God. Moses knows that without God, the Israelites are just like all the other people. The same is true for us, for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, just as you went with Moses and the Israelites, be present to us and go with us. Through your presence, distinguish us from all the other people of this world. Going with us, help us to be different in the best ways possible. Use us to be love amidst the hate, to be peace amongst the violence, to be healing for the broken and suffering. Go with us, O God, as we seek to live as your light and love in this world. Amen.


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Room to Grow

Reading: Exodus 16:1-5

Verse 3b: “There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted.”

Just 3 days after witnessing the amazing miracle at the Red Sea, the grumbling begins. The first instance is because the water is bitter and they’re thirsty. Through yet another miracle, their thirst is quenched. A short while later, in today’s passage, the grumbling returns. This time they are in the Desert of Sin. I wonder if that is an actual physical place or if it is just a metaphor.

The Israelites are hungry. They are without food in the desert. They grumble to Moses: “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt!” Are they longing to live once again under heavy oppression? Do they want to return to slavery? No, no, and no! When there is a want gnawing at us, we too can grumble. Yet the Israelites still say to Moses (and to God), “There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted.” When we look at that shiny new car next to our 2021 model or when we long for the good old days when the pews were full, we too can grumble in ways that don’t really make a lot of sense.

God doesn’t smite us down. God doesn’t say to the Israelites, ‘Fine, then, just go ahead and die out there in the desert.’ Just the opposite! God says, “I will rain down bread from heaven.” It’s not just a morsel. It’s not just enough to tide them over. God rains down bread. It is God’s loving and generous response to the peoples’ grumbling. There are some instructions too – a “test.” God has been faithful. Now that they have been provided for, will they too be faithful? This too is a question that we frequently wrestle with. The Israelites aren’t the only ones with room to grow.

Prayer: Lord God, in my heart of hearts I know that you are faithful. And loving and generous. Yet in my mind, I can go where the Israelites went. Wants and desires can creep in and I find myself grumbling – or complaining. My inner Eeyore rises up – woe is me! In these moments, whisper into my heart how much you love me. With these whispers, lead me back to a place of faith and trust. Amen.


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Wrestling with God

Reading: Genesis 32:22-31

Verse 28: “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

Photo credit: Rainier Ridao

In this week’s Genesis account we find the most intimate and humanly personal encounters with God that we have recorded in the scriptures. Yes, many in the Bible have intimate and personal conversations with God. But none have this close, intimate, physical encounter with God.

Often when we wrestle with God or with our faith we emerge feeling as if we’ve gone a few rounds with a worthy opponent. After intense prayer sessions we can feel drained. Leaving a worship space after a moving and powerful experience can remind us of a good physical workout too. Wrestling with who and what we are as followers of Jesus Christ is something that requires effort and energy and commitment.

In the literal sense we know that this is what was required of Jacob as he wrestled with God (or with the “man of God” in many translations.) I imagine a conversation running throughout this bout. Spiritual points would be made at strategic shifts in the actual wrestling match. This move and counter-move flow is not atypical of our relationship with God.

As God works in our lives the Holy Spirit acts as our guide and as our advocate, as our disciplinarian and as our corrector. We wrestle with things like giving up that dear sin and with dying to self. The Spirit holds on, not giving up, not letting go, not giving in. When faithful, we do the same. It is then that we emerge a bit closer to God. In these wrestling matches, like Jacob, we grow. For this we too can say, thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, what a battle we have some days. My spirit wanting to go this way or to do this thing, your Spirit trying to lead me a better way. When I try to run, when I try to avoid the match, hold onto me. Don’t let go until you’ve accomplished your purposes, your vision, your goal for me. Draw me deeper into relationship. Make me more willing. Change my heart, O God. Conform me today closer to who you made me to be. Amen.


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Faith Is Like…

Reading: Matthew 13:31-33

Verses 31 and 33: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed… is like yeast… worked all through the dough.”

Photo credit: Lidia Nikole

Today and tomorrow we work through a series of “the kingdom of heaven is like” statements from Jesus that are found in Matthew 13. These short bursts, when taken alone, are small truths about our faith. Taken as a whole, though, they paint a bigger picture than we can see and understand from just any one of these mini-parables.

The first parable tells us that “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed.” This bush begins as a tiny seed that is planted in the garden. With good sunlight and soil, with adequate water, the tiny seed grows into a large plant. Once mature, it provides a place for birds to perch, offering rest and shelter. Once upon a time someone planted a tiny seed of faith in our heart. Others nurtured our faith and others tended to it, helping it to grow. As we mature in our faith, we too become seed planters. And we also become able to give to others, offering and helping them to find rest and to find shelter in the storms.

The second parable tells us that “The kingdom of heaven… is like yeast… worked all through the dough.” Yeast is also a very tiny organism. A packet that we add to the dough contains hundreds of yeast. Once mixed in it is almost hidden – too small to easily see amongst the flour, sugar, eggs… And yet it is still there. As the yeast matures it affects the dough, causing it to rise. Our faith is also like the yeast. It is not just one seed planted but many. As our faith grows, we learn this here, we experience that there, we overcome an obstacle or struggle. Hope or peace or strength or trust rises up in us. Our faith, like the yeast in dough, works through all of our life, in the highs, lows, and everything in between. Thanks be to God for the many workings of faith.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for those who planted seeds in my faith life and thank you for those who have nurtured and taught and encouraged my faith over these many years. Use me in the these ways too, O God, helping your kingdom to grow and rise up in our world. Amen.


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Love and Power

Reading: Acts 2:42-47

Verse 44: “All the believers were together and had everything in common.”

This week’s passage in Acts 2 paints a beautiful picture of the early church in Jerusalem. These words represent the church at its best. In a world where division and argument seem to be the norm, maybe one wonders if this is still possible. We must remember that the world was far from perfect for these early Christians. They lived in an occupied land that was primarily populated by a majority religious group that was against their religion. Even so, this beautiful community existed and thrived.

The early church was built first and foremost on Christ’s love. Because of this great love, they wanted to know Jesus more and to grow more like him. They “devoted themselves” to his teachings and to his example. The Spirit was alive and well in this community – “wonders and miraculous signs” were happening. Generosity and mutual care were the norm. Being selfish and inwardly focused – these were absent from this community. Needs that arose were me by the faith community. The early church both worshipped and fellowshipped together. This way of living in community attracted attention: “the Lord added daily to their number.”

Yes, the political and social atmosphere today certainly work against such a community. And, yes, the culture and society that we live in can make it hard to practice a spirit of love and generosity and compassion. But the power to live and be such a community didn’t and doesn’t come from the body itself. It comes from the love of Christ in us and through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and amongst us. Here is the love and power to sustain and nourish and grow such a beautiful community of faith. Day by day may we connect to this love and power.

Prayer: Lord God, at her best, the church is a place of love and welcome, acceptance and support, generosity and connection. Guide us to rely on your love and power to enable us to truly be such a community of faith. May it be so, O Lord. Amen.


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The Change Within

Reading: Matthew 17:1-9

Verse 4: “Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here.'”

Upon the mountaintop Jesus changes. He is transfigured – he is given a new and exalted appearance. Right before their eyes, the holiness and divinity of Jesus is revealed. In that moment, “Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here.'” He recognizes the blessing of standing in the very presence of God.

What if we were to encounter this Jesus more often? When we enter into a time of prayer, when we sit down to read and study our Bibles, when we enter the sanctuary for worship – do we enter with a sense of expectation, with a sense that the divine might show up, with a longing to encounter the presence of God? My friends, the divine shows up 100% of the time. It might not be in dazzling light that is beyond words, but God is ever present to us. What needs to change in us that would allow us to encounter the holy more regularly?

Peter, James, and John were changed by their encounter with the divine. Entering into that space with Moses and Elijah, clearly for a purpose, Jesus was changed. We too will be changed when we allow ourselves into the divine that is always there, ready and willing. Change can be hard but it is definitely part of our faith journey. If we are not changing, if we are not growing, then we are not on a journey. Growth is often incremental, yet it is still growth. And these inner changes, they should affect our outward appearance too. Time spent in the presence of the divine will be reflected in our lives.

The change in Jesus on the mountaintop was amazing and powerful. It was a reflection of the power of God. It was a glimpse into the kingdom of heaven. The change that God desires to work in each of us is amazing and powerful. It is a reflection of the power of God in the world. May you and I be a glimpse of God’s kingdom here on earth.

Prayer: Lord God, please continue to work in me, day by day, moment by moment. In small ways, in big ways, in all ways, change me into who you designed and created me to be. Lead me to boldly follow and courageously step where you call me to go. Amen.


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Back to Community

Reading: 1st Corinthians 3:1-9

Verse 9: “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

This week has largely focused on the law and on living in obedience to God’s commands. Today we add a little humility to the mix. Paul, who had as much authority as anyone at this point in the early church, makes the intentional choice to point the Corinthian church back towards God. In doing so, he is trying to lessen the division in the church.

One source of the division comes from which preacher they prefer. We do not know for sure if this is just personal preference or if there is a theological difference creating division. We can assume the first is the case as Paul speaks of Apollos building upon what he started. Paul planted the church and taught Christ crucified. Apollos watered or continued to teach these new Christians about the faith.

The second source of division comes from spiritual immaturity. Paul began simply, reminding them that he “gave you milk.” They were not and apparently are not ready for “solid food.” The quarreling and jealousy are evidence of this immaturity. These would be humbling words to hear. This is an invitation to look in the mirror.

Our passage closed with Paul calling them back to community, back to one another, and back to God. In verses 9 he writes, “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” Paul reminds them of the partnership, of the connection to God. He reminds the Corinthian church that they belong to God and that God has brought them together. These are good reminders for all churches and for all Christians everywhere. May we too hold fast to these humbling, truthful words.

Prayer: Lord God, draw us together, build us up. Through your Holy Spirit and through one another may we mature in the faith, becoming more and more who you created and designed us to be. Over and in and through all of this, spread your love. Amen.


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Growing and Encouraging

Reading: Psalm 40:6-11

Verse 10: “I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.”

The Psalms tell the story of faith – from the good to the bad. There are laments and there are songs of joy. In our faith we experience highs and lows plus a whole lot in the middle. And God is there in and through it all. Almost all the Psalms speak of God’s activity (or apparent lack thereof) with the people of God. In this week’s Psalm David expresses a desire to bring glory to God, both personally and corporately. In verses 6 David recognizes that simply offering sacrifices, just going through the motions of flopping down a hunk of meat on the altar, is not what God desires or requires. In the same way God does not require or desire us to show up to worship just to daydream through worship.

In verses 8-10 David shares how he brings God glory. He does so by sharing his faith. Following the desires of his own heart, David has sought to fill his heart with God’s law. Not his head but his heart. This empowers David to proclaim his faith. In verse 10 we read, “I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.” David shares how God has been and is and will be faithful. He speaks of the salvation that he has received and that God offers to all who believe. David is reflecting on what God has done in his life. That bolsters his faith. By speaking aloud, David is also encouraging others. He is helping others to see how God could work in their lives. He closes by asking for God’s mercy and for God’s protection.

May we too reflect and grow in our faith. May we too proclaim and help others to grow in faith. May we speak of God’s faithfulness and righteousness and of the salvation and protection that we receive from God. May our proclamations bring God the glory as we grow in faith, encouraging others to join us on the journey of faith.

Prayer: Lord God, you are awesome and wonderful. You are compassionate and gracious. You hem me in and you go before and behind me. You bless and protect. You forgive and you offer life. Each day may I proclaim these truths as I express my thanksgiving for your presence in my life. Amen.


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Relationships

Reading: 2nd Timothy 1:1-7

Verse 5: “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois… and now lives in you also.”

Photo credit: Wylly Suhendra

Today and tomorrow’s passage from 2nd Timothy 1 is a great example of one of the things I love about the Bible: it is real. It’s not just a story of God’s love and nice miracles that Jesus performed. Yes, it is partly this but there is real life in there too. There is adultery and betrayal and murder. There is sin and falling away. There is denial and dishonesty too. And today we begin a passage that speaks of the hard realities of faith and of the means that God provides to continue walking faithfully through the trials. We’ll delve into the trials tomorrow. Today we’ll look at the means that God provides to get us through the hard things of life.

Paul begins by reminding Timothy of the relationships in his life. He encourages Timothy by telling him that he prays for him. Paul then recalls the closeness of their relationship and the tears that bore evidence of this at their parting. He next lifts Timothy up by saying, “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois… and now lives in you also.” His grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice have both poured into Timothy and have helped him to grow in his faith. Paul encourages Timothy to “fan into flame” his faith, this “gift of God.” His mentor Paul and his family have planted and nurtured this gift in Timothy. Who comes to mind for you as we consider these relationships and how they guided Timothy? Who mentored and nurtured your faith?

Paul backs this relationships up with another vital relationship. In verse 7 he reminds Timothy that “God did not give us a spirit of timidity.” No, the Holy Spirit is not timid. Quite the opposite. The Spirit is a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. The Holy Spirit, the spirit of Christ living in us, fills us with all we need to walk faithfully in and through the times of trial and suffering. The constant presence of Christ walks with us always. Reflect upon this too. When has the Holy Spirit given you power or love or self-discipline or whatever it was that you needed to get through a difficult thing?

Prayer: Lord God, you fill my life with vital relationships for my walk of faith. Thank you for the people in my life that teach and encourage and support me. Thank you for those who hold me accountable. And thank you for the Holy Spirit, my constant friend and guide. Amen.