pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: harvest


by Leave a comment

Heed the Warning!

Reading: Luke 12:13-21

Luke 12:15 – “Watch out! Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. After all, one’s life isn’t determined by one’s possessions.”

In today’s text Jesus addresses money – a frequent topic in his teachings. In the story a presumably younger brother asks Jesus to tell his brother to give him what is due to him. Jesus declares that he’s not the judge or referee – or the relationship counselor. Good thing because we all want what we think should be rightfully ours. This often includes money or possessions but can also include our time, our talents and gifts, and even our prayers and worship.

Jesus then tells a story to illustrate the gravity of his warning. Often we have to figure out which person we are in the story – or who we hope to be. Today’s story, however, has just one character. A rich man has a bountiful harvest. We get a bonus at work or that commission on the big account comes through. The man’s barns are not big enough to take in the wonderful harvest, adding to what’s already stored up. While there is always more “room” in the bank, we’ll rent storage units for our new stuff. Finding himself at the crossroads between generosity and self-indulgence, the man decides to tear down his current barns to horde more stuff in bigger, newer barns. The man thinks he’s all set – there’s plenty in the bank. Oops – in the barns. He thinks that he can now “Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” Life is good!

Alas, Jesus says, the man will die that night. He horded and was not “rich toward God.” He was storing up treasures in earth, not in heaven. The truth of Jesus’ warning is realized: “Watch out! Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. After all, one’s life isn’t determined by one’s possessions.” May we hear the lesson and heed the warning.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the warning and good story to back it up. Really, God, we all struggle with some kind of greed. Yet we read the story and almost all of us ask the question, “How much is enough?” Even this question betrays our trust in you to provide all that we need. Lord, teach us to be content with what you provide and guard our hearts against the hunan desire to strive for more. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Grace, Blessing, and Presence

Reading: Psalm 67

Psalm 67:1-2 – “Let God grant us grace and bless us… so that your salvation becomes known among the nations.”

This week we focus on God’s blessings – some physical and some spiritual. Our readings will culminate in Revelation with the tree of life that provides food and healing for the nations. Ezekiel 47 will also connect to this gift of God. Other readings this week focus on the peace, grace, and salvation offered by the Lord. We begin today with Psalm 67.

In the opening verses of Psalm 67 the writer invites God’s grace, blessing, and presence to be upon Israel. This is not just a request for Israel. These gifts from God will draw other nations to Israel so that they too can know the salvation that God offers. Our faith and our churches should function the same way. A quote often attributed to Francis of Assissi encourage us to preach the good news always, using words when necessary. God’s presence and love should be revealed in and through our lives, drawing others towards Christ and salvation.

Israel’s response and the response of those who receive salvation should be thanksgiving, celebration, and joy. God is just and fair and will guide all people to receive abundant life here and one day in the life to come. The physical joins these spiritual blessings in verse 6, where the psalmist acknowledges God’s hand at work. Here he or she writes, “The earth has yielded its harvest.” This too is a blessing from our creator God. It is how God designed and created this world. While this is yet to be realized, we pray for a time when all people experience the abundance that God intends for all the earth. This is God’s plan and design. With hope we join our voices with those in the far ends of the earth as we rejoice and say, thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you today for the many ways in which you bless our lives. Here you are our provider and guide, our encourager and sustainer, our hope and our light. You call us to abundantly and graciously share these blessings with others, opening their hearts to receive from you. This is just the beginning though. You also offer eternity in your glorious presence through the salvation of our souls. For all of this, O God, we too thank you. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Endure and Remain Faithful

Reading: Revelation 12-14

Revelation 12:12 – “But oh! The horror for the earth and sea! The devil has come down to you with great rage, for he knows that he only has a short time.”

Photo credit: Micah Tindell

In today’s chapters the story of God’s people is retold – this time from a cosmic perspective. It begins with a woman giving birth to a son. Her crown has 12 stars (tribes of Israel) and her child is saved from the dragon (evil), snatched up (resurrected) into heaven. A battle is waged in heaven. Michael and his angels defeat Satan and his angels, who are thrown down to earth. In 12:12 we read, “But oh! The horror for the earth and sea! The devil has come down to you with great rage, for he knows that he only has a short time.” Woe to the earth. Woe to us.

Satan chases the woman but cannot catch her. So Satan makes war on her children (the church.) Next a beast emerged from the sea. It is a parody of the Lamb. The head that was slain is healed, awing the whole earth, drawing followers. The beast then makes war on and defeats the saints. Verse 10 speaks into John’s readers’ present reality of arrest and martyrdom, calling on them to remain faithful and to endure.

A second beast emerged from the land. It deceives many and forces them to worship the first beast. People are made to wear the number of the beast. Without this they cannot buy or sell. This beast is a parody of the Spirit. The Lamb then appears in heaven with the 144,000. They are pure and blameless. A series of angels comes next. They announce the “eternal good news” and the downfall of Babylon (evil.) The earth is harvested – first the righteous and then those who end up in “the great winepress of God’s anger.” The end is drawing near.

Prayer: Lord God, as the story unfolds from the heavenly perspective, the choice to live for you or for the world becomes clear. Evil continues to tell lies in attempts to deceive and draw us away from you. By the power of the Holy Spirit, help us to endure and to remain faithful. Amen.


by Leave a comment

For the Good of All

Reading: Galatians 5-6

Galatians 5:24 – “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the self with its passions and its desires.”

Photo credit: Nathan Lemon

Chapter 5 begins with a call to “stand firm” in the freedom found in Christ. As the chapter unfolds, it is standing firm in the law of love, not in circumcision or in the Law of Moses. Paul declares that the last two do not matter. What matters is “faith working through love.” Later, in verse 13, Paul encourages the Galatians to “serve each other through love.”

In verses 16-26 Paul unpacks “two different ways of living.” The first is living for self. This is the opposite of loving and serving one another. Paul provides a very lengthy list of selfish behaviors – yet we could each add to the list. Paul follows this with a list of the “fruit of the Spirit” – what John Wesley called “the essence of embodied Christianity.” A life lived for God and for neighbor would evidence “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” May this list typify us and our lives lived out in the world!

Chapter 6 opens with encouragement to hold one another accountable, to help one another, and to do a good job ourselves. Paul then reminds the church that we harvest what we plant. Plant selfishly, harvest devastation. Plant for the benefit of the Spirit, harvest eternal life. The body of the letter closes with the charge to “work for the good of all whenever we have the opportunity.” May it be so!

Prayer: Lord God, fill us with your presence and your love. Allow these to be what guides our thoughts, words, and actions. In this way, use us to reflect you into the world. Plant your words and your love in our hearts, using us to reap a harvest for your kingdom. Fill us, Lord, and lead us to be good in the world. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Everything in Love

Reading: 1st Corinthians 13-16

1st Corinthians 16:13-14 – “Stay awake, stand firm in your faith, be brave, be strong. Everything should be done in love.”

Photo credit: Freestocks

In chapter 13 Paul reveals the “even better way.” It is the way of love. One can demonstrate gifts of the Spirit or one can have faith big enough to move a mountain or can give everything away – but if not done in love, all is worthless. Paul lists love’s attributes: patient, kind, truthful, understanding, trusting, hopeful, enduring. Prophecies, tongues, knowledge – all will cease. Love is what will reveal Christ face to face. Love is what makes us fully known. Faith and hope – they are of this world. Love is for this world and for the world to come. As John Wesley notes, “Love us the sum of perfection in heaven.”

In chapter 14 we read about Paul’s response to a question. But we don’t have the question! Paul is offering corrections to their way of worship. It was disorderly, with many people speaking at once with others shouting out questions all the time. All should be done to build up people’s faith. Speak on at a time; ask the questions at home. Worship should be done “with dignity and in proper order.”

Paul reviews the main points of his preaching in chapter 15: Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose on the third day, and appeared to lots of people. Some people are questioning the resurrection. Paul notes, in fact, Christ was raised – “the first crop of the harvest.” He then used a seed to illustrate. Just as a seed goes into the ground and something new emerges, so too will our “rotting bodies” emerge as new spiritual beings.

After encouraging an offering and speaking longingly of visiting again, Paul gives this final greeting: “Stay awake, stand firm in your faith, be brave, be strong. Everything should be done in love.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us to practice and walk in the way of love. May our walk mirror Jesus’ walk. May we hold fast to the hope that we find in you. May we stand firm in our faith, knowing that your Spirit stands with us. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Ripe for Harvest

Reading: John 4

John 4:35 – “Open your eyes and notice that the fields are already ripe for the harvest.”

Photo credit: Paz Arando

As Jesus travels from Judea to Galilee, he passes through Samaria. Stopping at a well to rest, he encounters a Samaritan woman. Jesus shocks her by asking for a drink. Eventually he offers her “living water” – a water that satisfies and that “bubbles up to eternal life.” She desires this water. Jesus reveals that he is a prophet and then as the Messiah. The woman goes back to town and says to all, “Come and see… Could this man be the Christ?” Many do come and see and others encounter Jesus as he stays and teaches for two days. Many believe that Jesus “is truly the Savior of the world.”

In the moments when the woman is in town, Jesus tells the disciples that he is “fed by doing the will of the one who sent me.” Turning to their call to be sent, he invites them to “Open your eyes and notice that the fields are already ripe for the harvest.” Jesus encourages them to “gather fruit for eternal life.” The disciples will see and experience this at the well and in the town of Sychar.

Chapter 4 closes with Jesus traveling to Cana. Along the way he meets a man who asks Jesus to heal his dying son. In faith this man has sought out Jesus. Jesus says, “Go home. Your son lives.” On the way back home the man meets his servants, who tell him the son was healed at the very moment Jesus spoke the words. The man and his entire household come to believe in Jesus.

In each encounter people experience Jesus’ power to change hearts and lives. Many come to believe. Jesus still has the power to change hearts and lives. May this power be revealed in and through you and me. With eyes wide open, may we faithfully enter the harvest field.

Prayer: Lord God, with a word you change hearts and lives. Through the Spirit, plant your words in our hearts. Place your words of life upon our tongues. Use us each day to draw others to you, changer of hearts and lives. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Worthy of the Kingdom

Reading: Matthew 9-10

Matthew 10:22 – “Everyone will hate you on account of my name. But whoever stands firm until the end will be saved.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Chapter 9 is mostly about the healings that Jesus brought to people. There is the calling of Matthew too and the questioning of why Jesus ate with “tax collectors and sinners.” Chapter 10 shifts first to the calling and sending of the 12. The chapter ends with the realities of the cost of discipleship. This was and still is a reality for the followers of Jesus.

Chapter 9 begins with the healing of a paralyzed man. Jesus begins by forgiving his sins. This is just a means to draw in the “legal experts,” to prove that Jesus has the power to forgive sins and to heal sicknesses. Jesus then calls Matthew, saying, “Follow me.” Later, at dinner, the Pharisees question Jesus’ choice of table mates. He declares, “I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners.” As the chapter continues, Jesus heals five more people and Matthew closes with a summary of Jesus’ early ministry. Jesus taught and healed, announcing the good news of the kingdom. The chapter closes with a lament: the harvest is huge but the workers are few. Jesus encourages his disciples to “plead” with God for workers.

Chapter 10 begins with God’s response. The 12 are called and given authority to cast out demons and to heal diseases. They are then sent out to “the lost sheep… of Israel.” The disciples are to go without anything, relying on worthy people to take them in. They will bless these homes. If no one is found worthy in a place, the disciples will move on.

Starting in verse 16, Jesus begins to detail the cost of discipleship. The 12 go out as “sheep among wolves.” They will be arrested and beaten. But the Spirit will be with them and in their words. Jesus says, “Everyone will hate you on account of my name. But whoever stands firm until the end will be saved.” Families will come apart and turn on one another because Jesus did not “come to bring peace but sword.” The disciples are encouraged to “pick up their cross” as they follow Jesus. Doing so, they will be counted as worthy in the kingdom of God. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, send us out as workers, fully cognizant of the cost of discipleship and fully aware of your Spirit’s presence with us. Lord, use us to bring healing and wholeness to others, encouraging them with the good news of your kingdom through us and our ministries. Strengthen and empower us as we too seek to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Sense It

Reading: Isaiah 17-23

‭Isaiah 22:11 – “But you didn’t trust its maker; you didn’t consider the one who planned it long ago.”

Today’s seven chapters hold the remaining oracles against the nations around Judah as well as against Judah itself. Our readings begin with the fall of Damascus and Ephraim. Their attempt at an anti-Assyrian alliance angered God. In response, God will “harvest armfuls at a time.” God then proclaims, “They will be a wasteland because you forgot the God who saves you, and didn’t remember the rock who shelters you.” There is a sadness that we can feel in God’s voice. We can sense it because at times we too create the same sadness.

The oracles against Cush, Egypt, Babylon, Tyre, and even Judah herself follow. The foreign nations will be cut down and pruned, will be naked and barefoot and humiliated, will be defeated and trampled, will be destroyed and prostituted. The consequences for their sin will be great. Judah too will suffer. Judah and its leaders relied on self instead of on God. When God called for prayer and fasting, there was “fun and frivolity.” God declared, “But you didn’t trust its maker; you didn’t consider the one who planned it long ago.” Again, we can sense the sadness in God’s voice. And, yes, it is so because we too fail to trust in God at times.

We also hear words of hope in today’s reading. At the end of chapter 19 Isaiah speaks of God’s blessing on all who “swear loyalty to the Lord.” God will hear their cries and will “send them a Savior and a defender to rescue them.” In response, the faithful will “worship with sacrifices and offerings, making promises to the Lord and fulfilling them.” We can sense the joy for God in this faithfulness. May we too bring this joy to the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, forgive us when we forget your gifts of salvation and shelter. Forgive us when we try to go it on our own, forgetting the one who created and planned our world and our lives. Remind us and draw us once again to our Savior, defender, friend. Thank you, God. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Complete and Correct

Readings: Deuteronomy 21, Deuteronomy 22, Deuteronomy 23, Deuteronomy 24, Deuteronomy 25

Deuteronomy 24:13b – “They will bless you, and you will be considered righteous before the LORD your God.”

While today’s readings might feel like a fire hose of disjointed and maybe unrelated laws and case studies, one can make sense of these passages by looking at them within the framework of unpacking the Ten Commandments. Today’s passages deal with commandments 6-9, laws that deal with how we are to live in right relationship with one another. This focus laid over all of these laws gives us structure to understand and even apply many to our lives and culture today.

Chapter 21 and most of 22 unpack the law “do not kill.” Chapter 21 begins with a process to remove blood guilt for unsolved murders. We then shift to foreign wives, oldest sons, and parents. These laws work against “killing” reputations and the rights of the firstborn. Chapter 22 deals mostly with caring for property and reputations. Helping others and defending a woman’s virginity are ways to love instead of harm.

22:23 through 23:18 deal with adultery – against one another and also against God. The topics range from literal adultery to who and what can (and can’t) be in God’s presence. There is even a protection in here about slaves who escape from cruel masters. Abuse, in this sense, is a form of adultery. The focus then shifts to “do not steal.” This section greatly expands this commandment way beyond simply taking something off the shelf at the store. Interest and oaths and pawning and kidnapping are included here as ways that we can steal from one another.

Beginning in 24:8 we turn to #9: “do not testify falsely.” Loans and worker pay and harvesting are regulated to protect the poor and the vulnerable. In this section we find a verse that in spirit arches over all that we read today: “They will bless you, and you will be considered righteous before the LORD your God.” This section closes with rules for honest business dealings. Weights and measures must be “complete and correct.” This is a wonderful way to look at how we should love our neighbors too. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, today we work through unpacking such simple commands – do not kill, steal… and see that these simple commands affect so much of life. To love neighbor is a vast and wide ranging charge. Guide us each day to place the other before self. Lead us to live as humble servants of your great love. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Generously and Graciously

Reading: 2nd Corinthians 9:6-15

Verse 13: “Men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ.”

On this Thanksgiving Day we read Paul’s words about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ “generously.” I wonder, is that how others would describe the way you and I live out the great commission to make disciples of all peoples?

Paul used a farming analogy to encourage how we answer that question about how we share the good news. He begins by telling us that if we sow sparingly, we will reap sparingly. A seed here and a seed there may produce a few plants. But we’re looking for a crop. A seedling here and there soon withers and dies. A crop grows to produce a harvest. Half-hearted or lukewarm or reluctant sharing of the good news will not result in a bumper crop. Non-believers must feel the intensity of our Jesus relationship. They must come to know that Jesus is the source of the love and grace and hope and peace and… that they feel and see when they encounter you and me.

We’re also reminded that we do not work alone. God supplies all that we need to sow seeds of faith generously in the world. Equipped by God, our task is to “abound in every good work.” When we live out our faith in this way, then “Men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ.” This can be our truth every day.

May we generously and graciously share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all that we meet. Doing so we will draw others to Christ. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, as we respond to your call to be sharers of the gospel, may your hand nurture the seeds we plant. As we bear witness to your love and grace with our lives, may your power produce an abundant crop for the transformation of the world. Amen.