pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: hope


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Filled with Faith, Love, and Hope

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 1:1-6

1st Thessalonians 1:3 – “As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonian church opens with greetings from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. These three traveled together for much of Paul’s second missionary journey. Paul and Silas had recently been to Thessalonica, where they founded this new church and started to encourage them in word and deed. But some Jews had stirred up trouble, forcing Paul and Silas to flee in the night. Wanting to check in on these new believers, Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica. He found them faithful and unified, even in the face of suffering and persecution.

After the greeting and expression of thanksgiving and prayers for the church in Thessalonica, Paul adds, “As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Thessalonians are living out their faith in active ways, holding onto hope, trusting in Jesus Christ. Reading on we discern how and why these new Christians can be shining lights of faith. Yes, they heard the good news and, yes, they had Paul and Silas’ example. But even more importantly, they received the power of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Spirit in their hearts brought both assurance and joy – even in the sufferings.

The indwelling presence and constant power of the Holy Spirit is what fills the Thessalonians with the faith to do good works, with the love to practice good deeds, and with the hope to endure sufferings and trials. It is the Spirit that fills each believer with faith, love, and hope. In their everyday lives and in the times of great need, the Spirit is right there with them. We who believe have this same Spirit in us. May faith, love,and hope overflow from our lives as well!

Prayer: Lord God , thank you for the work of Paul and others that first shared the good news and opened hearts to receive Jesus Christ and his Holy Spirit. Thank you for the work of those that did the same in our lives. In turn, O Lord, may Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit lead and guide us in faith, love, and hope, using each of us to build the kingdom of God in our time and place. Amen.


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Stories of God

Reading: Psalm 78:12-16

Psalm 78:13… 16 – “God spilt the sea… led them… split rocks… made streams flow.”

Photo credit: Felipe Correia

Today’s verses from Psalm 78 focus on some of God’s “wonders” that happened during Israel’s time in the wilderness. Yesterday’s call was to remember the stories of God and to tell and retell them so that the next generation will know the stories too. For the people of God, to know that “God spilt the sea… led them… split rocks… made streams flow” is to know God and to trust in God’s continuing presence, power, and provision. These miracles are evidence of God’s love for God’s people.

There are times in our lives when God works in miraculous ways. Sometimes we are aware of them in the moment and other times these are things we see when we are looking back. Both are ah-ha moments – moments when we feel and know God’s love for us.

The moments and miracles often come in times when things beyond our control are creating suffering, trial, and/or hardship. Because it is beyond our control, God becomes present and acts on our behalf. About seven years ago our denomination was filled with tension around the inclusion of LGBTQ+ folks. My personal understanding of the scriptures and of God’s love for all people did not align with a small but powerful group at the church I was serving. As meetings and events unfolded, I felt like Israel up against the sea. In the darkest moment, God parted the troubled waters and brought light and peace to my heart. God guided my prayers, thoughts, actions, and conversations. God provided hope and light and strength when I needed it most. And God’s blessings flowed as my appointment changed and ministry became a joy once again.

What stories of God splitting seas… do you have to tell? And who will you tell them to?

Prayer: Lord God, we read of rescue and provision and presence in the wilderness and throughout the scriptures. We also experience your presence and miracles in our lives. Lead and guide us to be good storytellers, helping others to know you and to see how you move and act in their lives too. Amen.


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Living for Jesus

Reading: Romans 14:7-12

Romans 14:12 – “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”

Pressing on in Romans 14, Paul declares that we do not live or die for ourselves. While this becomes truer and truer the longer we walk with Christ, there was a time in my life and probably in your life when this was not the reality. Even though I grew up in the church, during my late teen and college years I lived for self. My time, energies, and priorities were focused on pleasure, desires, and other things of this world. Over time, though, God drew me back into relationship and reoriented my focus. Yes, there are still days when that old self rises up and I become less than God created me to be. But now I am quicker to hear the Spirit that has always been there, drawing me back to God.

Living (or dying) for Christ is the focus of a life lived in faith. All that we think, say, and do becomes focused on pleasing God and bringing God the glory. As Paul continues to work to combat the judging going on in the church in Rome, he reminds them and us that “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” While this is very true, as we walk with Christ, we find that our “motivation” is not fear of condemnation, but is the joy and peace, the hope and contentment found in living for and serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With these as the outcomes of living for Jesus, the temptations of this world fade. So when judgment or desire or another sin rises up, the Spirit that lives within us has greater voice and more power. Thanks be to God for the power and presence within us!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your grace that brings us back into your presence when we fall short. Thank you for your love that pursues us when we are lost in our sin. And thank you, Lord, for your steadfastness. You are always there for us. Amen.


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God at Work

Reading: Psalm 114:1-4

Psalm 114:4 – “The mountains leaped away like rams; the hills leaped away like lambs!”

Psalm 114 celebrates the exodus from Egypt and the entry into Canaan – the Promised Land. The Israelites were immigrants in a foreign land, enslaved by a cruel Pharaoh. But even then, the people belonged to God. They were “God’s sanctuary… territory.” Through the plagues, God led the people out of Egypt and into the wilderness. And when the Egyptians pursued them, God went to work. Rescuing Israel from fear, meeting their need for protection, God made a way, instilling faith and hope. At times our story holds these elements too: fear and need. When we turn to God, we find hope. The story of God at work in our lives is very different from the self-sufficient image we like to portray to the world.

There are times when life is hard, when we feel insecure, when there are many obstacles. At a point in each of these difficulties, we come to the end of ourselves. We cannot part the sea. We cannot climb the mountain. We cannot navigate the twists and turns of the path. So we turn to the one who has been present all along, patiently waiting. And as we surrender to God, God goes to work. God makes a way. The sea parts. “The mountains leaped away like rams.” God walks the hard path with us. God leads us through, even carrying us some of the time. These memories become the fuel that empowers us to live fully as a child of God, living into who and what we were created by God to be. In the moments of these first steps of faith, we are covered in grace. What a sweet place to be!

Prayer: Lord God, how good life would be if you were always our first thought, our first place to turn. When you are and when we do, peace and joy and contentment are ours. But too often we turn to ourselves, to our desires, wants… Soon we’re underwater, overwhelmed, defeated. Thank you for always being there. Thank you for always making a way. You are an amazing God. Amen.


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God Is Always…

Reading: Psalm 105:1-6 and 23-26

Psalm 105:4-5 – “Pursue the Lord and his strength; seek his face always! Remember the wondrous works he has done.”

Psalm 105 celebrates God’s actions on behalf of Israel in the past. Looking back, it is good to recall all of the ways that God has led and provided, rescued and guided Israel. This is a good practice for us too. Remembering develops gratitude and humility and it strengthens our faith. And we must remain aware of this: we look back so that we can move forward with more trust and faith. We do not look back hoping to return to the past. It is dangerous getting stuck in the past. Once stuck we are unable to envision a new future with hope.

Psalm 105 reminded Israel and it reminds us that God is faithful and steadfast and true always, from generation to generation. As we remember God’s actions in the past, we can rely on more of the same in the future. This is the psalmist’s advice: “Pursue the Lord and his strength; seek his face always! Remember the wondrous works he has done.” Pursue – an active and engaged seeking, done with intent. Is that how you enter God’s presence with your prayers and in your worship? Is this the “face” you always seek in the good, bad, and in between?

We all wish our answers to these questions were both “YES!!!” But, alas, our answers are probably “Some of the time” or maybe “Most of the time.” No, we don’t always seek God. But even so, God always seeks us, pursues us, woos us. Why? Because God is always faithful, true, steadfast… God does not change. God’s love endures forever. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, draw us to you again and again – both to the past and in the present. Infused with a trust and faith in you, guide us through our present moments assured of your love and care. From this place, empower us to face the future not only without fear, but also filled with hope. Thank you, O God. Amen.


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Faith Over Fear

Reading: Exodus 1:8-14

Exodus 1:13 – “The Egyptians enslaved the Israelites. They made their lives miserable.”

Today’s passage of power is one where fear guides the new Pharaoh’s thoughts and actions. This is not an uncommon reaction. Fear often distorts our perception of reality and leads us to think and do things we would not do otherwise. In today’s passage, this is the case with the new king. There is no personal connection to Joseph or to the Israelites. Therefore they have no value or worth as a people. This allows Pharaoh to treat them as things or as property: “The Egyptians enslaved the Israelites. They made their lives miserable.” While we do not literally enslave people we fear, we as a society can treat those that we see as “less than” in similar ways, making life miserable. Even though their life became miserable, God remained with the Israelites. The same is true for people groups today who are negatively impacted by our fears.

As the story of God’s people continues to unfold, fear and its cousins – anger, doubt, worry, anxiety… – continue to impact their story. Moses’ anger leads to murder. Fear leads him to flee. Jumping forward, Saul’s fear of David leads to attempted murder. Fast forward again. The Pharisees’ fear of Jesus leads to his death. These are but a few of the Biblical stories where fear alters perception and leads to people using power over others in evil and harmful ways.

Fear is not an uncommon visitor to our lives. Our own fears affect us and others’ fears can impact us. Fear can come from an unexpected diagnosis or from another unwanted change. Fear can rise up from misunderstandings and stereotypes. Fear can rise up when we feel threatened or in danger. Faith is the antidote to fear. Faith allows us to hear God’s voice in the unknown. Faith leads us to see the true reality and to trust it to God. Faith keeps us in the present moment, grounded in love and hope. We have the power to choose. May we choose faith over fear.

Prayer: Lord God, faith is a choice. When fear rises, our human nature wants to jump to fight or flight. Instead, Lord, bring us to a place of trust and faith, to a place of peace and presence. From there, walk us through the hard moment. Guide us to lean into your love for us. Amen.


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Our Chosen Walk

Reading: Genesis 37:1-4

Genesis 37:4 – “When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of his brothers, they hated him and couldn’t even talk nicely to him.”

Returning to the opening verses of our Genesis 37 passage, we focus today on the larger picture. Overall, the Old Testament is the story of God’s chosen people – the descendants of Abraham, the Israelites, the Jews. Within this story, Joseph is like many others: the chosen among the chosen. Others also suffered at times because of their chosen status: Moses, David, Elijah… Whether an individual or the nation, at times each could relate to verse 4: “When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of his brothers, they hated him and couldn’t even talk nicely to him.” When the people grumbled against Moses, when Saul hunted David like an animal, when Elijah fled into the wilderness, when Edom attacked Israel, when Joseph was sold into slavery or was thrown into prison – the chosen suffered on God’s behalf.

This story line continued into the New Testament. The Christians were singled out, harassed, stoned, beheaded, crucified. It begins in the story with John the Baptist losing his life. Then Jesus suffers the cross. Stephen was the first of many followers to die for their faith in Jesus. This story line has continued down through the ages. The chosen people of God, whether Jew or Christian, are still persecuted, targeted, and even killed for their faith. To be the Father’s favorite can be a hard path to walk – individually and as a nation.

We are invited to walk this path. We’ve chosen to be called a Christian, to live a life of following Jesus’ words and example, picking up a cross at times. Now and then, we will be hated by the world and by people living in the ways of the world. In these moments, may the Holy Spirit give us the strength, faith, and hope to walk in Jesus’ footsteps.

Prayer: Lord God, “chosen” has always carried a weight with it – whether in faith or in athletics or politics or family. In our chosen walk of faith, O Lord, be close to us in the difficult moments, when that weight becomes a cost. And when we need it, please shoulder some of that weight. Amen.


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Glory, Hope, Joy

Reading: Romans 8:18-25

Romans 8:22 – “We know that the whole creation is groaning together and suffering labor pains up until now.”

Turning to the second part of this week’s Romans 8 passage, Paul makes a powerful statement: the suffering of this age is nothing compared to the glory to come. The glory we will one day experience in heaven will make our suffering in this world seem meaningless. Paul uses birth pains as an analogy. There are a couple of levels to this. As it relates to Paul’s opening statement, when holding a newborn child, those recent birth pains seem a distant and meaningless event.

The present reality of living faithfully in this world can be like birth pains in another way. Almost all mothers experience intense and undeniable birth pains. Some fathers experience is vicariously by being fully present in the birthing moment. Paul would argue that all of creation experiences these same birth pains. In verse 22 he writes, “We know that the whole creation is groaning together and suffering labor pains up until now.” All of creation longs to be set free from this suffering. Creation groans as it waits to be set free.

As believers we also wait with longing and groaning, eager to be adopted into the new creation, to be set free from bondage and decay. And as we wait, we do so in hope. And with patience. To wait with patience, we must have discipline. To know that glory will be amazing and wonderful helps in this regard. So we wait in hope, living daily in joy, looking forward to our final adoption. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, suffering is never easy. We do not do it alone though. And we do not suffer without the knowledge and promise of the life to come. Walk with us, strengthen and encourage us, carry us in our greatest moments of need. Fill us with joy and hope each day, O Lord. Amen.


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A Bit of Hope

Readings: Psalm 119:107 and Matthew 13:1-9

Matthew 13:3 – “A farmer went out to scatter seed.”

Here at the parsonage we have three raised bed garden boxes and a handful of large planters for tomatoes and peppers. Each year I plant many different types of seeds and some plants from the local greenhouse. After a couple of weeks I start to look for green shoots breaking the surface of the soil. It is usually a hopeful endeavor. Excitement comes with each new seed type sprouting to life. But this year, the carrots didn’t germinate. So I planted again a month later. Nothing. Although very insignificant in the grand scope of life, it feels disappointing and even a little defeating.

It seems the psalmist feels defeated. He or she recognizes the suffering in their life. The author petitions God to “make me live again according to your promises.” God promises to be present to us in all of life, to lift us up when needed, and to bring us joy, peace, and hope. When we feel alone or like we are without life, it is pretty hopeless.

Turning to our gospel lesson, Jesus says, “A farmer went out to scatter seed.” To scatter seed – an interesting thought. You carefully plant and space each seed. You do not scatter. This word choice would’ve caught the attention of Jesus’ audience. It catches our attention. Sometimes, though, seed does scatter. There is the chamomile growing in the grass – seeds blown by the wind. There is the random arugula plant in with the broccoli – a seed dropped by mistake. There are a few “volunteer” basil plants here and there – seeds that lay dormant from last year, suddenly springing to life. Yes, there are the carrots. But how these other surprises bring joy to my heart! And, yes, even a bit of hope.

Prayer: Lord God, there will be times when hope feels thin – in our lives, in the lives of those we live, in the life of a stranger that we meet. In these times, when we feel it, remind us of your love and help us to feel your abiding presence. Or, when hope feels distant to others, use us to bring these things to bear in their lives . In all things, may we trust in you. Amen.


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The Life We Choose

Readings: Psalm 119:105-106 and Romans 8:1-5

Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp… a light for my journey.”

Romans 8:4b – “Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness.”

Light and dark

In this week’s Disciplines devotional, Reverend Bruce Reyes-Chow connects a verse or two from Psalm 119 with another lectionary passage each day. As I like the connection, I will follow his example this week. In Psalm 119, we read this today in verse 5: “Your word is a lamp… a light for my journey.” In church yesterday, we sang the hymn “Thy Word.” Today’s verses and this familiar song identify God’s word as our guide in this life. Within the scriptures we find the Word. In the gospels we see Jesus’ light and love as the example of how to live faithfully in this sinful world.

In Romans 8 this week, Paul contrasts living in the Spirit with living in the flesh. As is the case with much of Paul’s writing, this contrast is presented as a clear choice: Spirit or flesh? Good or evil? Life or death? But as we learned last week in Romans 7, this is a “war” that is constantly ongoing. One simply doesn’t choose to live by the Spirit and that’s that. As Paul wrote in Romans 7:25, “evil is right there with me.” The fleshy part of us never fully dies.

Based on Jesus’ example and empowered by the Holy Spirit, Paul offers this declaration: “Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness.” While our Spirit-flesh decision is not a “one-and-done” decision, the side we choose and intend to stand on matters. Choosing the Spirit, we are guided towards a life of love and light, of humble service, and of generous compassion. This life is the opposite of the selfish, inwardly focused way of the world. May we, as Paul encourages, choose to live a life “based on the Spirit.” In this life we find love, peace, hope, joy, contentment, and meaning. May this be the life we choose today, tomorrow, the next day, and the day after that day…

Prayer: Lord God, while the war truly rages on day after day, where we take our stand matters. Each day, Lord, empower us to choose you and a life lived in the Spirit. Strengthened and encouraged, light our path and show us the way of love. Amen.