pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: heart


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To Keep Our Promises

Reading: Psalm 116:12-19

Psalm 116:14 – “I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lord.”

Returning to Psalm 116 today, we hear the psalmist expressing thanksgiving for “all the good things” that God has done in his or her life. To give thanks – this is such an important part of life. Whether or not one believes in God or in any higher power, giving thanks as a daily practice in life naturally makes life better. To be intentionally thankful reminds us that we are not the center of the universe. This practice builds up both gratitude and humility, empowering us to live as good and decent human beings in this world.

For the psalmist and for the believer today, to give thanks also fosters a response. This begins in verse 13. The faithful will celebrate God’s acts of salvation. For Christians, we formally do this whenever we celebrate communion. Informally, we do this whenever we praise God for mercy, grace, guidance, protection, forgiveness… The faithful also regularly communicate with God through our prayer practices. Then, in verse 14, the psalmist professes, “I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lord.” We too, as followers of Christ, strive to keep our promises to God.

As a follower of Jesus, I believe keeping the promises centers on keeping the two great commands: to love God with all that we are and to love our neighbors as Jesus first loved us. Jesus himself taught that all of the other commandments in scripture hang on these two commands to love. These intertwined commands lead us to live as Jesus lived in the world. As we daily strive to keep our promises to God, may love ever be at the center.

Prayer: Lord God, when we begin our days with thanks, it places us in the right space of heart and mind to love you and to love others. O Lord, lead us there. Humility calls us to place self last and gratitude leads to generosity and kindness. O God, make us thankful for your many blessings. With all that we are, Savior and Lord, use us to be your love lived out in the world today and every day. Amen.


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Forgiveness

Reading: Acts 2:14 and 36-41

Acts 2:38 – “In the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.”

Returning to Acts 2 today, we read the whole story. Peter first asserts Jesus’ place as God’s creation. He then reminds the crowd that “they” crucified Jesus. The crowd becomes “deeply troubled.” When we see one another this way, I believe our misdeeds have the same effect on us. When I truly see all people as created in the image of God – my wife, my kids, my parents, my co-workers, the stranger on the street, the grumpy neighbor… – it greatly impacts how I treat and am tempted to mistreat them. Seeing all as truly created in the image of God holds me accountable when I “crucify” or speak harshly or… Seeing others as Jesus saw them makes me “deeply troubled” when I sin against someone and, therefore, against God.

The crowd asked Peter what to do. We did once too. We sensed we did something wrong or we damaged a relationship. In time we learned the next steps: confess, repent, live better. We learned to apologize and to commit to better and then to live it out in all of our relationships. Doing so we change hearts and lives – primarily our own. Living as Jesus lived, loving as he loved, we come to receive forgiveness in his name and to extend forgiveness in his name. This restores and reconciles our relationships. As we receive and extend the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, we build the kingdom of God here on earth. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your endless grace that brings forgiveness again and again – a thousand thousands over and over. And thank you teaching us grace too. Help us to practice the grace we receive. Guide us to practice it as you give it – unconditionally and endlessly bringing healing and wholeness to our lives and to our world. Amen.


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To Live As Love

Reading: Acts 2:38-39

Acts 2:38 – “Change your hearts and lives… be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ… receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

This week our readings focus on God’s promises to us and our response to these promises. The promises are centered on God’s love for us. Our responses are centered on our love for God. This love is expressed in the sacraments of baptism and communion and in the ways that God’s love is faithful, especially in our times of trial and suffering. Our response is our faithful living as we daily seek to love God and others, building the community through love.

In Acts 2, our focus today and tomorrow, Luke covers the basics of entering the Christian faith. It begins with the prophetic call heard anew in the words of John the Baptist: “Change your heart and lives.” This involves our choice not to live for self but for Jesus Christ. In love, it is placing God and others ahead of and above self. This step of surrender and humility opens our hearts to truly loving God and neighbor.

This step often leads to a profession of faith. For many in the church, this first happens in baptism, an outward sign of an inner faith. Infant baptism has become the “norm” in many faith communities. In these cases, the parent(s) commit to raising the child within the community of faith. Later, whether through a formal process like confirmation or through membership vows in a local church or through a gradual warming of the heart, we confirm or profess our faith in Jesus Christ as “adults.”

The Holy Spirit, God’s indwelling presence, is a piece of this equation. Becoming a part of our lives, whether through the waters of baptism or through the profession of faith, the Holy Spirit works within us, changing hearts and lives, drawing us deeper and deeper into a relationship with Jesus Christ. This ongoing process continues, hopefully each day of our lives, empowering us to live as love in the world. May this be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you today for calling us into your family. Thank you for your patience and for your grace. Fueled by your love, these allow us to remain in right relationship with you. From this place, filled with your love, send us out into the world to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Amen.


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Power with Us

Reading: Acts 2:14 and 22-32

Acts 2:32 – “This Jesus God raised up. We are all witnesses to that fact.”

As we begin the Easter season, we join Peter and the other disciples as they start to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. In the timeline of Acts, the first Pentecost has just occurred. The Holy Spirit has fallen and taken up a place in the hearts of all who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Spirit fills Peter as he powerfully and convincingly speaks to the crowd. You and me – we have this save power in us.

Peter begins by reminding the crowd drawn by the Pentecost moment that God proved Jesus’ “credentials” through the miracles, wonders, and signs that Jesus offered. Even though credentialed, Peter next reminds the crowd how Jesus was killed. Quoting from Psalm 16, which we’ll read tomorrow, Peter speaks of the foretelling of the resurrection of Jesus. Using David’s words, Peter reminds his audience that the grave has never held power over Jesus. From this understanding, Peter declares,“This Jesus God raised up. We are all witnesses to that fact.” At the end of Peter’s speech, about 3,000 people come to a saving faith in Jesus.

The power and presence of the Holy Spirit in Peter gave him the confidence, the courage, and the words to speak. The same Spirit was at work in the hearts of those hearing Peter’s words. When we tell our stories of faith, we can trust that the Holy Spirit will empower, equip, and guide our words. And we can trust that the Spirit will work in the hearts of those receiving our words of faith. God’s power is in us. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, help us to trust as Peter did. When opportunities arise to witness to our faith, to tell our Jesus stories, fill us with your Holy Spirit’s power too. And, Lord, use our words to draw others to you, building the kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Seeing into the Heart

Reading: 1st Samuel 16:1-13

1st Samuel 16:7b – “God doesn’t look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the Lord sees into the heart.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

In our Old Testament reading we go with Samuel to Bethlehem. God is sending the prophet there to anoint Israel’s next king. Saul is still king, but God is no longer pleased with Saul. It’s dangerous to anoint the next king while the current king is ruling. God is with Samuel, though. Following God’s instructions, Samuel arrives at Jesse’s house. Jesse’s line will bring Israel its next king.

Eliab, the oldest son, stands front and center. Looking at him, Samuel thinks he’s the one. Eliab’s appearance and stature must’ve impressed Samuel. But God informs Samuel, “God doesn’t look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the Lord sees into the heart.” Ah, the heart – that is what truly matters. Samuel gets it. It is Samuel that passes over the next six sons. None have the heart to be a great king. So he asks if there are any more sons. The one out tending the sheep is brought in – the youngest. God says, “That’s the one.” David is anointed as Israel’s next king. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him.

Considering the lesson in today’s passage, we must first ask ourselves: Who do we overlook? To get at the root of it, we must also ask: Who do we judge by appearance or reputation or position? From this place of reflection, we must next ask: To really accept and practice God’s invitation to see into the heart, what needs to change in us? And, lastly, again reflecting on our own heart, we must ask: Who is missing in our churches, on our leadership teams, at our fellowship tables that should be there for our communities of faith to truly reflected our neighborhoods and the kingdom of God?

Prayer: Lord God, the Eliab’s of this world are easy to see – they usually make sure of it. The David’s are harder to see. The right heart, the one humbly doing what needs done – they are the ones we often have to look for. So, Lord, open our eyes and guide our hearts to see these servants. Then, Lord, remove our preconceived notions and ideas. Send us out into the fields and streets and marketplaces, seeking to include all people in our communities of faith and in your beloved kingdom. Amen.


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Loved, Seen, Heard

Reading: John 4:4-42

John 4:14b – “The water that I give will become in those who drink it a spring of water that bubbles up into eternal life.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

In this week’s gospel lesson, Jesus meets a woman at the well. They are different in many ways. Some of these differences typically create barriers between folks like them. The man-woman and Jew-Samaritan distinctions that creates division in most cases is not present for Jesus. This woman is seen by Jesus and is loved by Jesus. He draws her into conversation, hearing her express the differences that have been barriers in her life. Jesus works past these barriers that she brings up and is aware of. He offers her the gift of abundant life: “The water that I give will become in those who drink it a spring of water that bubbles up into eternal life.”

The woman at the well is drawn to Jesus – love and welcome and invitation will do that. She returns to town and offers an invitational question to the townspeople: “Could this man be the Christ?” Could this man be the one Jews and Samaritans have been waiting for? Could this man be the one with the power to change your life? Her “come and see” question is an invitation, an evangelistic prompting.

In this story Jesus sets for us an example to follow. He treats this woman as a friend, building a relationship with her. There is no flashy miracle or amazing parable or teaching. Jesus makes her feel loved, seen, and heard. May this be the pattern and example we follow as we meet folks. Doing so, may others come to believe in the Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us today to truly live with open hearts, open minds, and open doors. Open our eyes to see the belovedness in all people. Open our hearts to love all of those created in your image. Open our lives to relationships and conversations that draw people into your love for them. Amen.


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Keep, Rest, Trust

Reading: Psalm 95:1-7

Psalm 95:4-5 – “The earth’s depths are in his [God’s] hands… the mountain heights… the sea… the dry ground.”

Psalm 95 is a call to worship God with heart and voice. We are encouraged to “sing out loud… make a joyful shout… to the rock of our salvation.” On days when it is sunny and bright, on days when we feel good, it is pretty easy to worship the Lord our God. On these days we readily sense God’s goodness and presence in our lives and in our world. Verses 4-5 speak of God’s presence in our world: “The earth’s depths are in his [God’s] hands… the mountain heights… the sea… the dry ground.” The extension of this list is found in Genesis 1. The creatures of air and sea, the plants and animals – all created by and held in God’s hands.

The psalmist then takes the next step, completing the Genesis creation story: “He is our God, and we are the people of his pasture… the sheep of his hands.” We are included in God’s creative works. This too is a reason to sing out with joyful shouts. In communion with God and in community with one another we find love, relationship, belonging, purpose, meaning… Yes, thanks be to the Lord our God, our shepherd, our maker.

There are times, days, and seasons when we need to remember these verses, when we need to remember that God has the whole world in God’s hands – including you and me. When war rages, when oppression is great even in the streets of our land, when leaders seem more focused on personal gain than on the common good, when a loss feels crippling, when mother nature deals a devastating blow – God is still present, God still holds us all in the divine hands of our maker, God still deserves our praise and worship. In these times, days, and seasons, may we is keep the faith, resting in God’s goodness, trusting in God’s love and promises and presence.

Prayer: Lord God, walk closely with us at all times and in all situations. In the highs and lows, in the joys and sorrows, be near to us. In our minds, yes, we know you are all-powerful and ever-present. So when our hearts falter or doubt or question, remind us again. And again. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Ever with Us

Reading: Matthew 4:8-11

Matthew 4:9 – “I’ll give you all of these if you bow down and worship me.”

We return today to where we began the week: Matthew 4. On Monday we spent time with Satan’s first two temptations of Jesus. Today we turn to the third temptation in the wilderness. The devil brings Jesus to a very high mountain and shows him “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.” Their glory would be their power, their riches, their fame. Showing Jesus all that the world has to offer, Satan says, “I’ll give you all of these if you bow down and worship me.” While it is hard for us to imagine ourselves actually bowing down and worshipping Satan, the truth is that we do this in many ways. Every time I allow jealousy over what someone else has to lead me to act in ways to attain that thing, I’m worshipping the prince of this world. When I allow angry thoughts to fester, eventually bursting forth as angry words, I’m giving in to the ways of the world. If I ponder doing something unethical or unjust to gain that job or that promotion or recognition, I’ve begun to walk the devil’s path.

These natural human emotions – greed, envy, lust, want – they are centered on self. All of these emotions seek to elevate self over others. While we face these things on a regular basis, we are most susceptible when we are weak, tired, feeling unloved… Satan came to Jesus at his weakest point: forty days alone, without food in the wilderness, sleeping under the stars, with rock-for-a-pillow accomodations. Yet even in these difficult emotional and physical conditions, Jesus called on God again and again, finding the strength and power he needed to “worship… and serve him [God] only.” Yes, in the end God became fully present, angels caring for Jesus. But in reality, God was present all along, giving Jesus the words to speak to defeat temptation again and again. The same will be true for us. When we need God, God will be right there. God is ever with us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your constant and abiding presence. In our wilderness moments, remind us of that presence. When we’re tempted to push through, to fight it out, to go it alone – gently touch our heart. When we’re teetering on giving in, on going the way of the world, mercifully guide us back to the power and strength that we find in you. Keep us wholly yours. Amen.


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Walking the Walk

Reading: Psalm 32:8-11

Psalm 32:10 – “The pain of the wicked is severe, but faithful love surrounds the one who trusts the Lord.”

Continuing in Psalm 32 today, God speaks in verses 8 and 9. These words assume that the confession and repentance spoken of in the previous verses has occurred. To those with a clean heart, God promises to “instruct you and teach you about the direction you should go.” God is talking about helping us to walk the walk of faith, to journey faithfully moving forward. To help in that process, God will “advise you” and God will “keep my eye on you.” Some of this occurs as we study the word and as we worship. Some happens as the Holy Spirit leads and guides, corrects and convicts. Our efforts are supported, strengthened, and encouraged by God’s indwelling presence.

Being honest with David and with us, God says, “Don’t be like some senseless horse or mule.” These animals are led by bit and bridle. To be forced to walk the walk of faith – that is not the way of love. As reinforcement David declares, “The pain of the wicked is severe, but faithful love surrounds the one who trusts the Lord.” We’ve all felt the pain caused by sin, whether it was our sin or the sin of another. And we have all felt the joy and gladness when our heart has been made right with God or when a broken human relationship has been reconciled. We have all felt the hope and peace of God’s love surrounding us. These are moments and experiences that we must witness to the world. With a humble servant’s heart, may our lives “sing out in joy!” May it be so!

Prayer: Lord God, our will is weak but you are strong. Our walk becomes unsteady and misguided at times. You are always steadfast and true. Our obedience wavers and sometimes even fails. Your love always calls us back and your grace and mercy guide us back into right relationship with you and with one another. As we walk the walk of faith, lead us into a closer and closer connection to your will and way, to your heart and your love. Amen.


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Deeper Work

Readings: 2nd Corinthians 5:20-21 and 2nd Corinthians 6:1-10

2nd Corinthians 6:1 – “We are also begging you not to receive the grace of God in vain!”

Photo credit: Rainier Ridao

Our reading today begins with Paul begging the Corinthians to “be reconciled to God!” This too is our ongoing call, especially as we begin the season of Lent today. Throughout Lent we are invited to look within, to reflect on the condition of our soul, and to make the needed changes so that we are ready to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Paul touches on the source of our salvation, the one who took on sin for us so that we could be “the righteousness of God.”

Through God’s grace we can be forgiven and made new again. Paul begs the Corinthians “not to receive the grace of God in vain!” To do so would be to receive forgiveness and then to not follow through on our pledge of repentance. Paul reminds us that keeping true to our faith isn’t always easy. Paul lists many trials and sufferings he and his fellow believers endured. We can experience some of these too when we choose faith over the ways of the world. Yet with the same purity, hard work, genuine love, and Holy Spirit power, we too can endure and faithfully witness to the grace and love of God.

Our passage closes with many word pairs: fake and real, pain and happy, poor and rich… The first word is a surface level thing and the second word holds a deeper truth. We find this relationship to be true when we engage in the spiritual practice of fasting that becomes more prevelent in Lent. Going without and feeling that “hunger” is the surface level thing that we endure. The change that the Spirit works in us as we grow closer to Christ is the deeper truth at work in us. In the same way, confessing our sin is the surface level action. Working out our repentance and changing our hearts and lives is the deeper work of God going on within us. This Lent, may we be willing to go deeper, doing the hard work of faith.

Prayer: Lord God, prepare our hearts to go deeper this Lent. Give us the strength and courage to look deep within ourselves and to bring our full self before you. In grace and love, purify and refine us. Loosen our grips on that which pulls us away from you. Strengthen our hold on faith, hope, trust, and love. Amen.