pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Rejoice? Yes, rejoice!

Reading: Philippians 4:1-4

Verse 4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Today we turn to our Epistle reading. After a word of encouragement – “stand firm in the faith” – and some pleading to end a little in-fighting, Paul gives us verse 4. The directive is straight forward: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” He says it twice for reinforcement. After a worship service when God was in the house – easy to rejoice! After some really good news – easy to rejoice! After a beautiful walk in the woods – easy to rejoice. Paul adds in a word, though: “always.”

When the stress of work begins to really weigh us down? Yes. When the worries about having or being enough mount up? Yes. When we are being attacked or abused for our faith? Yes. When the diagnosis is grim? Yes. When chained up in prison, sitting on death row? Yes. Oh, that last one? That’s Paul’s situation as he pens these words about rejoicing always.

Is it always easy to rejoice? Well, obviously, no. There are times when it is downright hard to rejoice. Paul would say, rejoice anyway! And do it again – make it a habit. We might not yet be able to rejoice in the stress or worry or abuse or… but we can rejoice in God’s love for us, in the gifts of forgiveness and salvation, in that time that God carried us through, in that time when God made a way when we saw no way, in that time when… Slowly but surely we will move from rejoicing for what God has done into rejoicing because God is there in the midst of our current stress, worry, fear, hurt… And, soon enough, we will be able to rejoice in the Lord always. May it be so!

Prayer: Lord God, the long walk of faith yields a heart rejoicing. Continue to walk with me, helping me to the place where I can rejoice in the lows and valleys of life, knowing you are there with me. Build up my trust and confidence and faith in you. Amen.


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Words of Life

Reading: Jeremiah 15:15-21

Verse 19c: “Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.”

Chapter 15 begins as a dual lament. God laments the disobedience and hard hearts of the people. Jeremiah laments where he finds himself – cursed and rejected, abused and alone. This leads him to wonder if God even cares. Our passage today begins with Jeremiah asking for God’s care – via revenge on his enemies. That’s a snapshot into his current emotional state. He laments how taking in and proclaiming God’s word has led him to being an outcast. He asks God why his pain – both physical and emotional – is unending. And then he questions God’s reliability, equating God to “a spring that fails.” His pity party has him spiraling deeper and deeper.

God takes no offense. God understands how hard it is to speak truth to a people bent on evil. God understands how frustrating it is to offer true and abundant life to a people refusing these gifts to chase after the things of this world. God understands because God has been here before and because God is once again torn up about the people’s choices. In grace, God invites Jeremiah back to the task, back to right relationship, back to speaking “worthy” words, back to holy living. This is a great challenge to Jeremiah, to live in the world but not of it. We too wrestle with this challenge.

Much of life is spent living in the world. We too are called to a holy life. God promises to be with us too, to “rescue and save you.” In those moments of doubt and questioning, may we recall these words of truth: “Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.” We know the words of life. We know God is with us. May we ever stand upon these truths.

Prayer: Lord God, when the steps are hard, whisper your words of love. When the temptation to lessen who I am to fit in or to avoid conflict arises, whisper your truths. Strengthen and encourage me for all that living in this world brings. 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.


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God Will Deliver

Reading: Exodus 1:8-22

Verse 11: “They put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor.”

Time in Egypt rolls on. Joseph, his brothers, and all of their generation passes on. A new ruler comes to power. There is no connection to Joseph or his family or his people. All the new leader knows is that the Israelites are growing in number. Fear rises up. The Egyptians enslave the Israelites. In verse 11 we read, “They put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor.” But the more they worked them, the more the Israelites grew in number. The labor ramped up and “made their lives bitter.” The Pharaoh then tries to force the midwives to kill the baby boys. God guides them. The Israelites increase in number. A new law is passed as fear continues to rise. Even through this, God will deliver God’s people.

At times we can experience negative attention. It can be because of our faith or simply because of how we act. Both can be seen as a threat to the powers that be or to people we know. Other times our faith calls us to stand up for someone or to call out an injustice. These actions will surely draw fire as well. In these moments, God’s presence remains with us. The Spirit leads and guides us; it gives us courage and the words to speak. In Spirit, God walks with us. If we, like the people of God in Egypt, choose to trust into God’s plan, then the Lord will deliver us again and again. May it be so for us all.

Prayer: Lord, in this life you said we would find trouble. Our faith – when lived out loud in the world – it will draw fire. You promise to always be with us, to never forsake us. You’ve walked a long, long time with your children. Continue to walk with us. Amen.


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Sing a Song

Reading: Psalm 105:1-6 and 16-22

Verse 2: “Sing to God, sing praise to God; tell of all God’s wonderful acts.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Psalm 105 encourages us to sing. The psalmist encourages us to sing as our vehicle for remembering God’s wonderful acts, for finding strength, and for seeking God’s face. On days when life is good, a song will lift our spirits. On days when life is hard or challenging, a song will shift our focus back to the Lord, also lifting our spirits.

The middle section of today’s Psalm reading deals with Joseph’s life – from the time he was sold into slavery to the point when he was made second in command in all of Egypt. The psalmist acknowledges the hard days, the days of slavery. They are part of the story. But then “the word of the Lord proved true.” Joseph’s dreams were fulfilled. The rest of the Psalm details the exodus from Egypt. It again includes both the challenges and the times when God provides and is true to the promises and covenants.

Later in God’s story, when life was again hard or challenging, the Israelites could sing Psalm 105 to find hope, strength, and encouragement. While we may not know the tune, we can read these words and be reminded of God’s steadfast love and care. Or we can sing other songs that remind us of God’s love, care, rescue, provision, redemption… Even when life gets hard, we can sing a song, refocusing our spirit on God, being lifted up and encouraged.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for music and for song. In times of challenge the right song speaks to my heart, bringing hope to my soul. In my times of need, Lord, bring me your song. Amen.


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Even So

Reading: Psalm 13

Verse 3: “Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes.”

Psalm 13 begins with four sentences that all begin “How long…?” David is asking how long will this horrible situation last? How long will God take to bring relief, comfort, healing, resolution? Although we do not know if this is a personal prayer or a corporate prayer from David, we do know that we’ve prayed these “how long” prayers again and again, for ourselves and for others.

David continues in verse 3, writing, “Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes.” He is begging for, pleading for God to respond. He wants light to see the way through. We note that David is not praying for an answer already in mind. He is praying for God to light the way forward, trusting in God’s light and direction. The rest of verse 3 reveals the depth of the situation: “or I will sleep in death.” The end of the rope has been reached. The grip is failing. O God, answer!

Verses 5 and 6 are “even so” verses. The answer hasn’t come. He feels all alone. David cannot yet see the light. But even so he declares trust in God’s “unfailing love.” He rejoices in the salvation that he knows is secure. And David chooses to sing a song to the God who has been good again and again and again. As we wait upon the Lord may we do so with such trust and faith. From that place, may we praise our good, good God.

Prayer: Lord God, in moments when I cannot sense your presence, give me the strength to trust and the heart to praise you. When the dark feels too much, bring a sliver of light, prompting me to choose faith over fear. Amen.


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Sit Faithfully

Reading: Genesis 21:19-21

Verse 19: “Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.”

Picking up again in Genesis 21, God acts on behalf of Hagar and Ishmael, making good on the promise given in verse 18. God opens her eyes to the provision of water. God blesses Ishmael with a skill to live in the desert and then leads Hagar to find him a wife, the next step in becoming a “great nation.”

We all find ourselves in the desert at times – fear rising up, feelings of loneliness and helplessness close behind. We too cry out to God. Our prayers are heard just like Hagar’s were heard. And God provided a way when there seems like there is no way. For Hagar and Ishmael the way was through and in their desert experience. With little or maybe no choice they walked forward into God’s good plans for their lives. Here is where we often struggle. Most of us are not slave girl single parents with no resources.

The abundance and blessings of our lives can get in the way of how God wants to open our eyes and of seeing how God is making a way. We just want to get out of the desert. We want the pain or grief removed. We want light to shine into our darkness. So we marshall our resources and head off on our own way. When God wants us to stay put in that desert place a bit longer, we try and make a way out. It is hard to trust God in these moments. Yet it is there that we likely will see the hand of God at work.

May we learn to sit faithfully in these places, assured that God is with us and is working for our good, confident in God’s love and care for us.

Prayer: Lord God, guide me to walk faithfully, to trust in your good plans for me, especially in those hard moments and places. When tried and true faith is needed, may I lean deeply into you. Amen.


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Praise, Worship

Reading: Psalm 33:1-5

Verse 4: “The word of the Lord is upright, and all God’s work is done in faithfulness.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Today the psalmist calls us to praise God. We’re called to “sing joyfully” and to “make music” and to “shout for joy.” We are invited to praise and worship God because “the word of the Lord is upright, and all God’s work is done in faithfulness.” While this is most certainly true, it isn’t always easy to live these things out.

Sometimes (or often) life is hard. Bad or sad news about this or that is received. Unwanted change comes. Evil exists and it touches our lives. We battle depression or insecurity or guilt or shame. It is not always easy simply to “praise the Lord.” And yet we are called to do this.

Verses 4 and 5 contain the “how” or the “why.” The psalmist reminds us that God’s word is “faithful and true.” We’re reminded that God is “faithful in all God does.” In the next verses we are reminded of God’s “unfailing love” that fills the earth – especially for “righteousness and justice.” When one begins to accept and stand upon and live into these truths, then praise and worship become possible – no matter what life brings.

God is with us. God is for us. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are with us and for us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you are with me, you are with us. Your love never fails and it never ends. May righteousness and justice mark our lives, revealing you to others as we live a life of praise and worship. Lead and guide us, O Lord. Amen.


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Gather and Remember

Reading: Matthew 27:15-26

Verse 18: “For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.”

Today is known as both Palm and Passion Sunday. We celebrate the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus’ disciples and followers were joined by many others who cheered and praised God as Jesus entered the city, “gentle and riding on a donkey” – a symbol of peace. But the day does not end with a small, private party rejoicing in the day’s triumphal entry. No, it draws to a close with Jesus tipping over tables, declaring that the religious leaders have made the temple into a “den of robbers.” This sets the tone for the rest of the week. The tension rises and rises, culminating in what we read about today.

Pilate, like almost everyone else in power, knows that Jesus is innocent of any crime deserving even a flogging, nevermind a crucifixion. Pilate “knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.” So he tries to release Jesus. But the religious leaders are ready. They’ve assembled their crowd. Even though Pilate asks, “What crime has he committed?” the crowd continues to shout, “Crucify him!” Washing his hands of innocent blood, Pilate hands Jesus over to die.

From palms to the cross – what a journey! It is an eventful week, one with many connections. The longer journey also began with a connection. Old, dried palms became ashes that we wore on our hands or foreheads as we began Lent. Since then we’ve walked with Jesus as he ministered to the least and the lost. We’ve heard the call to live our faith inside out. And now we are called to this week, to gather and to remember the events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, to be present and to soak up Jesus’ passion for all the world. It is not easy being present this week. Yet, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, strengthen me for the week ahead. Energize me today with the palms and the celebration. May the triumphal entry help me through the days ahead. Through it all, may I remember that Jesus is Lord. Amen.


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Rend Our Heart

Reading: Joel 2:1-2 and 12-17

Verse 12: “Even now, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

Photo credit: Kelly Sikkema

We turn today to the book of Joel. In our reading today he is encouraging the people of God to throw themselves on God’s mercy. In chapter 1 Joel laments over the invasion of locusts that recently came upon Israel and Judah. Then he calls the people to repent and to fast and to pray. Another swarm is on the horizon. This is what Joel announces in verses 1-2 of today’s passage. The prophet calls on them to “blow the trumpet… sound the alarm.” He warms, “It is close at hand.” And he defines “it” – “a large and mighty army comes, such as was never of old.” You’d think this warning would scare Israel and Judah into obedience to God. It won’t. Their hearts are very hard.

Turning to verses 12-17, Joel lays out what the peoples’ response should be. All is not lost. God is merciful. The prophet emphasizes this in verse 12: “Even now, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” He encourages them to “rend your heart” – to tear their hearts away from the hardness and away from the evils that have led God to bring an army against them. Joel calls on them to turn to God, to God who is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love.” This is a God who wants to relent, who wants nothing more than to be in a good and righteous relationship with the people of Israel and Judah. Joel calls them all to a “holy fast,” to a “sacred assembly.” Paired with this gathering, he implores the priests to cry out to God, to beg for God to spare them. To be spared, they must fast, pray, repent, and turn to God. Joel calls for an all-out and total effort.

This passage sets a great tone for Lent. During these 40 days we are called to rend our heart, to turn away from evil, to turn to God. We are called to fast and to pray and to repent. We are called to draw near to God’s grace and compassion, to God’s abundant love. May it be so in this holy season of Lent.

Prayer: Lord God, in humility I come, recognizing that I love a lot of the things of this world. Help me to rend my heart from these things that separate me from you. Torn from them, guide me deeper into your love and grace. Strengthen me for the journey ahead. Amen.