pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Holy Spirit


by Leave a comment

Compassion and Love

Readings: Matthew 9:35-39 and 10:1-4

Matthew 9:37 – “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers.”

Photo credit: James A. Molnar

Our gospel passage opens with Jesus doing what Jesus did. He is going here and there, to villages and cities, preaching and healing. Jesus is proclaiming the “good news” of love and grace and forgiveness. He is healing “every disease and every sickness.” All that Jesus does and says is driven by compassion. Merriam-Webster defines compassion this way: “sympathetic consciousness of other’s distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” Jesus saw the needs and brought hope and healing and wholeness to the “sheep without a shepherd.”

In response to the needs, Jesus invites the disciples – then and now – to do as he is doing in this passage. In verse 37 we see why he invited them and why he invites us into this work: “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers.” The harvest is the saving of souls through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Just as it was in Jesus’ day, there are many people today who do not believe in Jesus. The harvest remains huge. So we do as Jesus asked, pleading with the Lord to send out more “workers.” As we plead, though, we realize that we are often the answer to our prayers.

Moving into chapter 10, Jesus gives the disciples authority to do as he has been doing. Empowered to heal, the disciples will find opportunities to share the good news. The twelve are then named: Peter, Andrew, James… They are filled with compassion and love for the lost sheep of Israel, just as Jesus was filled. We too can be filled with compassion and love. We too can be sent to the lost sheep of this world. O Lord, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, as I sit at my desk, as I walk my loop in just a little while, I see and will walk past many houses, past home after home. Some know you but many do not. The harvest is plentiful. The same is true for us all, Lord, no matter where we live. Fill us with compassion, fuel us with love, empower us through the Holy Spirit. Then send us out to share the good news and to invite others into the healing and wholeness found in you. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Weak, Ungodly, Sinners No More

Reading: Romans 5:6-8

Romans 5:6 – “While we were still weak, at the right moment, Christ died for ungodly people.”

Photo credit: Nick Fewings

In the first part of this week’s Romans 5 passage we were reminded of the hope, love, and peace that are ours in and through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Yesterday we were also reminded that we don’t just endure but also grow and are refined as the Holy Spirit guides us through the troubles and problems that are just part of living in this world. Looking back, these times can feel like a small miracle. Today, in verses 6-8, Paul turns to the work of Jesus that made and makes all of this possible.

In verse 5 Paul reminds us of this truth: “While we were still weak, at the right moment, Christ died for ungodly people.” There are three parts to this statement. First, Christ died for us while we were still weak. Before his death, all people everywhere were powerless in the battle with sin. Our human flesh is far too weak to stand against the evil one. But with Christ we are strong. Second, Jesus’ death occurred at just the right time. His birth, life, death, and resurrection – all parts of God’s plan. All solidly in God’s control. Jesus’ example, witness, and teachings – all placed exactly when and where they needed to be along the spectrum of God’s unfolding plan to redeem all of creation.

And lastly, Jesus died for the ungodly. This is not bound by time, place, or any other human construct. It is not bound by ethnic or social or even religious constraints. All of humanity are ungodly. Without a saving faith in Jesus Christ, we all live as ungodly, wretched creatures. Without belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we live in a state of separation from God. Without Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, we would live in this state forever. However, Paul reminds us, “while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Why? Because God loves us. Yes, God loves us.

Prayer: Lord God, it is true that some might die for a good person or for a just cause or even for the right reason. But for the ungodly, for the blind, for the ones lost in sin? Only Jesus and only through love divine. Thank you, O God, for sending your Son, knowing this was his human fate. Thank you, O God. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Radical Hospitality

Reading: Genesis 18:1-8

Genesis 18:2b – “As soon as he saw them he ran from his tent entrance to greet them and bow deeply.”

Turning to Abraham and Sarah’s story today and tomorrow, we do so with some context. It has been about 25 years since Abram listened to God’s call, leaving almost all behind to go where God would lead him. We recall that as he left, he did so with a promise: through Abram many nations would be blessed. For his radical obedience, Abram was declared righteous by God. As years passed, patience waned. Abram and Sarai took matters into their own aged hands, producing an heir through their Egyptian servant Hagar. God then reiterated the covenant, telling the newly renamed Abraham that nations and kings will come from him. Thirteen years later, three men visit Abraham.

One day, sitting outside the entrance to his tent, the Lord appears to Abraham. There are three men standing near him. In verse 2 we read, “As soon as he saw them he ran from his tent entrance to greet them and bow deeply.” Abraham’s hospitality is just as radical as his obedience. Or is it the same thing? He invites the three men to stay a while, to be refreshed. My mind goes to Peter offering to build three shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. These three men accept Abraham’s invitation and soon a meal is placed before them. The strangers have been well cared for.

Now, Abraham had a sense that the Lord was present in or through these men. Perhaps, like Peter, he wanted to hold onto this moment. This scripture raises some questions for us. First, do we do the same? When the presence of God shows up in an unexpected way, do we make room and time to be in that presence? And, second, whether in the form of a person or in the form of the Holy Spirit, do we offer radical hospitality in the moment? When we do, friends, we often receive great blessing. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, how will you show up today or tomorrow? The question is not “if” but “when” and “how.” Knowing that, prepare our hearts and spirits to receive your unexpected presence generously and abundantly. Lead us to offer our best to you, O Lord. Amen.


by 1 Comment

Four Directives

Reading: 2nd Corinthians 13:11-13

2nd Corinthians 13:11 – “Finally… Put things in order, respond to my encouragement, be in harmony with each other, and live in peace.”

Photo credit: Aaron Burden

Today we read from the very end of Paul’s second letter to the believers in Corinth. It is a very personal letter, revealing his deep connection to and love for these people. Paul’s life was lived tenuously – there seemed to always be folks ready to stone or otherwise harm Paul. This was because of his deep faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, expressed in Paul’s daily living and in his words and letters. Reading the last lines of this letter, one can sense all of this in Paul’s words.

In verse 11 Paul gives four directives. In many ways, this is a summary of the letter to the Corinthian church. Here we read, “Finally… Put things in order, respond to my encouragement, be in harmony with each other, and live in peace.” Put things in order – in both your worship and in your personal lives of faith. Align both with the will and way of God as revealed in and through Jesus Christ. Respond to my encouragement – stand firm, hold fast, be true to your identity and inheritance in Jesus. In all you do and say, be like Jesus to the world.

Be in harmony – live and act and move and be in the church and in the world as one body, gifted and united by God’s Spirit. Honor and uplift one another’s gifting. Recognize that all are needed and that all are necessary for each of you and for the church to be all that God created you to be. Live in peace – both within the church and in the world. Be bold in your faith, minister to those in need, define your life in love, be people of forgiveness and reconciliation, and trust in and rely on the one who is always with you, especially in the trials and storms of life. Do all of this, and then you will know God’s peace.

These words from Paul still speak to us today. As followers of Jesus Christ and as members of the body of Christ, may we too live into these four directives of Paul. Filled with the Holy Spirit, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, draw us to you. Through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, lead and guide us to order our lives after the example of Jesus Christ. Whisper words of encouragement into our hearts in times of trial and weakness. Fill us with a spirit of love and grace, enabling us to live and love as Christ did and does. In all these ways, use us as grace and love lived out in our churches and in our world. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Life-Giving and Abundant

Reading: John 7:37-39

John 7:38b – “Rivers of living water will flow out from within him.”

Turning to John 7, Jesus stands and shouts on the “last and most important day” of the Festival of Booths (or Feast of Tabernacles.) The weeklong festival was spent in make-shift booths celebrating God’s presence during the time in the wilderness. Water played a key role during those 40 years. It began with God parting the waters, leading Israel to safety. It closed with God again parting the waters, leading Israel into the Promised Land. In between God again and again provided water – life-giving and abundant. Into these thoughts Jesus offers an invitation for all who are thirsty to come to him, to believe in him, and to drink from his “living water.”

As he did with the woman at the well, Jesus offers himself as the answer to all of our human “thirsts.” Like Moses at the rock of Horeb, it will not be a trickle or a slow drip of water. No, Jesus’ living water will gush forth, flowing like a mighty river. As it did with Moses’ spirit at the tent of meeting, Jesus’ Spirit will flow into our hearts and lives, bringing life-giving, abundant faith.

On this Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the first coming of the Holy Spirit. It gave life to the church and it continues to do so, even today. The living water flows from Jesus, into us, and then out into the world. As we are led and guided by the Holy Spirit, others experience love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness… hearing the invitation themselves to come and drink, to satisfy their thirsts, to find abundant life in Christ. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, come today, Holy Spirit, come. Fill our hearts and unleash our love, so that all may come to know the source of living water – abundant, free, life-changing. May your love and presence well up in our hearts, and being unbound, overflow into the lives of all we meet. Amen.


by Leave a comment

For the Common Good

Reading: 1st Corinthians 12:7-13

1st Corinthians 12:7 – “A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

Continuing in 1st Corinthians 12 today we move to the gifts of the Spirit that we receive as followers of Jesus Christ. First, Paul is clear about who and why we receive gifts: “A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good.” Each person is given a gift (or gifts.) Although some people will try and tell you otherwise, we all have a gift or gifts from the Holy Spirit. Along those lines, we should note that the list in today’s reading is a partial list. Paul is also clear about the purpose of our gifting: for the common good. Sadly, we can use our gift(s) for selfish gain. This is not the intent for the gifts of the Spirit.

In verses 8-10 Paul gives us a partial list of the gifts of the Spirit. Each of these gifts – wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing… – are given to us and are manifested through the Spirit. We do not or cannot, for example, decide to be wise today. No, at times and in situations, the Spirit “activates” our gift of wisdom so that we can contribute to the common good and bring God the glory through the manifestation of wisdom.

Paul shifts gears in verses 12 and 13. This was to address a problem that we too can struggle with. As we can do with everything from sports to vocations to colleges to opinions, we can compare or elevate our own gift(s) of the Spirit. This human tendency was causing division in the church in Corinth. The ability to speak in tongues was the gift to have. Paul uses the human body as his analogy to break down this human tendency towards comparison. While many parts, they and we, Paul declares, are one body in Jesus Christ. We are all gifted and baptized by the one Spirit, unified by Christ’s Spirit, each uniquely gifted, all working together for the common good. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us as we serve you and one another, using our gifts of the Spirit as we are empowered, seeking to bring about the common good here on earth. Help us understand that what is “good” might require sacrifice. Help us to discern what is “good” according to your will and way, aligned with your plans and purposes. You alone, O God, are truly good. Use us to reveal and to be about the work of building your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


by Leave a comment

One in and Through the Holy Spirit

Reading: 1st Corinthians 12:3-6

1st Corinthians 12:4-6 – “There are different spiritual gifts… different ministries… different activities but the same God who produces all of them for everyone.”

As we turn to 1st Corinthians 12 today and tomorrow, we focus on the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of all believers. Paul’s words echo the beautiful diversity found in creation and balance that with a unity as the body of Christ. In verses 3-6 we look at the general use of spiritual gifts in the church and world.

The first work of the Spirit addressed by Paul is the ability to declare Jesus as Lord. Understanding Paul’s missionary zeal, I do not think he is referring to whispering our profession of faith or using our faith in quiet, behind-the-scenes ways. Yes, there are places for both. But in general we are called to live out a public witness, bold and confident in Christ.

In verses 4-6 we read these words: “There are different spiritual gifts… different ministries… different activities but the same God who produces all of them for everyone.” We will delve into our varied gifts tomorrow, but today we focus on our diversity or uniqueness and on our unity. Each person is given a unique set of gifts from the Holy Spirit. This leads one to this ministry or to that activity. Another’s unique gifting leads them to this activity or to that ministry. Where would the church be if we all had the same gifts and all did just one thing?

Yet there is unity in God’s design too. We see this in the last words, “the same God who produces all of them for everyone.” The gifts and the ways we use our gifts? All to be the one body of Jesus Christ seeking to accomplish God’s plans and purposes for our lives and for our world – not just for the church – “for everyone.” May it be so!!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for making each of us just as you need us to be. Thank you for my gifts and for the gifts of each person in the body of Christ. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, put us to doing and being, each in our own unique ways yet united under Jesus’ lordship. Build our connectedness and our effectiveness, all for your glory and for the transformation of this world. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Spirit Empowered

Reading: Acts 2:1-12

Acts 2:4 – “They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.”

Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday! On this Sunday we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. In a way, this is like a second coming of Jesus. As we begin the week in Acts 2 today and tomorrow, we see how the Spirit empowers believers as they and we seek to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world.

Pentecost began on Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks. This Jewish celebration that was 50 days after Passover started as a harvest festival then morphed into a time to remember the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. The Law was what guided a devout Jew’s life. The Holy Spirit functions much in the same way for the followers of Jesus.

On the first Pentecost a mighty wind announced the coming of the Holy Spirit. This noise drew a crowd, through which the power of the Spirit was demonstrated. As “flames of fire” alit on the believers that were gathered together, “They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.” For the disciples, this indwelling Spirit gave them the authority of Jesus Christ. Empowered, they soon became apostles – “sent ones.”

For some of those who heard the good news in their native tongues, the Spirit began to woo many, to draw them towards Jesus Christ. Later in Acts 2, many respond to this call. They are like us. We one day heard the call of God upon our hearts. Opening our hearts, we received Jesus as Lord. Receiving Jesus, we then received the Holy Spirit into our hearts too. Like those first disciples, we are empowered to tell the story of our faith in Jesus Christ. Each in our own way, may we share our good news stories with others.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit! Your Spirit gives us so much: guidance, direction, courage, comfort, conviction, hope, power… Fill our hearts today with a desire to share our faith with others, so that they too may receive Jesus into their hearts, opening the door for the Holy Spirit to dwell in them. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Overwhelming Power

Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23

Ephesians 1:18 – “I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see… the overwhelming greatness that is working among us believers.”

Today is known as “Ascension Day” in the church world. It is the day the Lord ascended back into heaven. Forty days after Easter, the risen Christ returned to the Father. In ten days we will celebrate Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the first believers. Our passage today reflects the effects of this outpouring upon the believers in Ephesus. Paul begins his prayer by thanking God for their faith in the Lord and for how their love of Christ is being lived out in the world. Paul then asks for a spirit of wisdom and revelation to be given so that these believers can know God even more. This would empower the church to live as an even more powerful witness to God’s love.

Then, in verse 18, we find an encompassing prayer. It is both request and reminder: “I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see…” To first see the hope that comes through God’s calling upon their lives. This hope rests in who and whose they are in Christ. Second, to see and know the “richness” of their place in God’s calling on their lives – an inheritance that is both now and eternal. This is to know love, yes, but also grace, mercy, salvation, peace… And third, to see “the overwhelming greatness that is working among us believers.” The power of God is in the love that overwhelms hate, division, oppression… The power is alive and moving in and through the followers of Christ. This power enables all believers to continue the mission of Jesus.

We have this Holy Spirit power in our hearts too. Therefore we can tap into this same overwhelming power. Our question is this: Are we willing to “see” the hope… the inheritance… the love of God so that we can channel these gifts out into the world? Believing in the power of God’s Spirit, we can unleash it in our lives. This is our call and our mission. May the eyes of our hearts be opened!

Prayer: Lord God, we pray for the same spirit of wisdom and revelation to be poured out upon us. Through this outpouring, transform us more and more into the image of Christ. May your presence fill us with the overwhelming power of your love. With this power within us, use us to transform the world, changing it to better reflect your kingdom of love here on earth. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Daily in Christ’s Spirit

Reading: John 14:15-21

John 14:16 – “I will ask the Father, and he will send another Companion, who will be with you forever.”

Photo credit: Diego Gennaro

Chapter 14 begins with Jesus explaining that he is the way, the truth, and the life. There is a promise of presence both now and in heaven in these words. Jesus is preparing the disciples for life after his death and resurrection. As we turn to this week’s gospel lesson, Jesus defines this promised presence. In verse 15, Jesus states, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” The coming gift of this presence begins with living in right relationship with God. Jesus centers the relationship on keeping his commands. He lifted just two. The first is to love God with all that we are: heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second is to love one another just as Jesus loves us: unconditionally, humbly, completely, sacrificially.

Verse 16 feels conditional, based on verse 15. In verse 16 we read, “I will ask the Father, and he will send another Companion, who will be with you forever.” As we press on we see that “knowing” Jesus leads to knowing the “Companion” or Holy Spirit. Reading on, knowing Jesus is again tied to keeping his commands, which is tied to knowing the Spirit. To “know” Jesus is to follow him, to walk in his footsteps, to model our lives after his example. This forms a relationship with Jesus. Through this relationship, the Spirit will “live with you and will be with you.” Receiving this presence, we have Christ in our hearts. In us and loving us, Jesus tells us that he will “reveal myself to them.”

The Spirit – the counselor, comforter, advocate, companion – will be with us and will make Jesus known to us. The Holy Spirit empowers, leads, and guides us to keep the love commands. It teaches us and reminds us and convicts us, leading us to grow in our relationship with Jesus. With Christ’s eternal presence in our hearts and lives we are far from “orphans.” In fact, it is just the opposite. Through the Holy Spirit’s presence, we have Christ with us always. May we choose to walk daily in that presence and love.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for Jesus’ love. It is a love that conquers sin and death. It is a love that conquers hate, pride, greed, lust, selfishness… It is a love that calls us in, that fills us, that sends us out to be love in the world. Following Christ’s example, use us today to make others feel loved – by us and by you. Thank you, O God. Amen.