pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: humility


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Joy and Peace

Reading: Philippians 4:1-7

Philippians 4:6 – “Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks.”

Photo credit: Hannah Skelly

Turning to Paul’s letter to the Philippians today and tomorrow, we close out a week of hard passages with hopeful words about standing firm in the faith. Reminding us of how hard this can be, in verse 2 Paul calls for reconciliation between Euodia and Syntyche. Following Jesus’ conflict resolution guidance, Paul invites a mediator and other members of the church to get involved to heal this broken relationship.

In verses 4-7 Paul then encourages us to be glad or to rejoice in the Lord and he gives us guidance on how to always have joy in the Lord. In verse 6 Paul writes, “Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks.” There is much in this life and in our world that can make us anxious or afraid or angry or worried or… Paul invites us to hold onto joy even in the difficult times of life. Step 1 is prayer. Bring our petitions and our pleadings to God. Why? Because God is near and because God hears and responds. How do we know this? We turn to the next step.

We cannot miss step 2: “along with giving thanks.” Prayer cannot be just about asking God for this or that. Prayer must also include praising and giving thanks for God’s presence in our lives. This step is an act of gratitude that builds our humility and leads to a willingness to surrender our lives and all situations to the Lord. It is through these actions that we experience “the peace of God that exceeds all understanding.” It is a peace that allows us to rejoice in the Lord always. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, as we daily offer our thanksgiving and praise in our prayers, build up our memories of your presence. The times when you have been there, when you rescued or redeemed us, when you led or guided us through the valley – they build our trust and faith. From this firm foundation, walk daily with us in the good, in the bad, and in the in-between, filling us with your joy and your peace. Amen.


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To Love and Sacrifice…

Reading: Philippians 2:5-13

Philippians 2:7 – “But he emptied himself by taking the form of a slave and by becoming like human beings.”

Photo credit: Jean Wimnerlin

As we read on in Philippians 2 today, Paul uses an existing Christian hymn to illustrate what Jesus’ humility was like. This kind of humility is what we are to imitate. Jesus was fully God and therefore could have used his power to do anything. Placing himself on the throne and/or wiping away the Romans and the Jewish religious leaders would be examples of how Jesus could have exploited his power. It is how many in positions of power today would exploit or wield their power.

In verse 7 we read, “But he emptied himself by taking the form of a slave and by becoming like human beings.” Jesus emptied himself of his divinity to become fully human, to become like you and me. He stepped away from heaven and glory, setting aside the throne beside God, in order to give himself for us. Jesus became a “slave” to God’s will and way, revealing what true obedience to the Father looks like. In his ministry, he gave and gave and gave and gave himself away, always thinking of others, always “watching out for their own good.” And at the end of his earthly life, Jesus poured himself out even further, going to the cross to open the way of salvation to us. The depth of this pouring out is hard to understand. Why would Jesus pour himself out so completely? Love. The answer is love.

As hard as it is to wrap our heads around this depth of love and sacrifice, we are asked to imitate it. We’re charged with the task of loving and being like Jesus. Add to this challenge the fact that some days we simply do not feel like we can love at all, and it feels nearly impossible to love and sacrifice like Jesus did. Turning to verse 13, though, we get the good news: “God is the one who enables you both to want and to actually live out his good purposes.” Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, what great love you have for us that you would set aside the glory of heaven to come to this earth. And to take on flesh. We’d be deeply upset with these changes. But you lived into them, loving and giving of yourself in all ways possible. Walk with us, live in us, lead and guide us as we strive to imitate you, your love, and your sacrificial life. Amen.


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God Will Rescue

Reading: Exodus 14:19-21

Exodus 14:20 – “The cloud remained there, and when darkness fell it lit up the night. They didn’t come near each other all night.”

Photo credit: Paul Garaizar

Following the Passover and the death of the firstborn, Pharaoh practically kicks Moses, Aaron, and the Israelites out of Egypt. They left in haste – 600,000 men plus women and children. But soon Pharaoh changed his mind and began to pursue God’s people with his army. The Egyptians caught up with Israel as they were camped alongside the sea. Terror spreads among God’s people. Moses offers words of assurance – God’s rescue is coming. After giving Moses escape instructions, God’s messenger and presence – the column of cloud and fire – moved from leading Israel to standing between Israel and the Egyptians. In the last part of verse 20 we read, “The cloud remained there, and when darkness fell it lit up the night. They didn’t come near each other all night.”

At times in our lives we feel fear and maybe even terror. While it is not caused by a literal army seeking to return us to slavery in Egypt, we’ve had situations rise up that make us feel trapped. Fear, worry, stress… begin to rise up. We have experienced threats against our health, well-being, safety, security… We’ve watched a powerful force approaching from afar, fear and dread growing as our depression or addiction or loneliness or… grows in power. In those moments, we are not alone. God stands between us and that which threatens us or causes us fear. Light grows in the darkness, keeping the enemy at bay.

Moses raises his hands and God parts the waters. Dry land appears as the waters are split in two. Rescue is on the way. When we raise our hands in surrender, humbly acknowledging our need for God and our inability to defeat the “army” on our own, then our God will make a way. Without fear, we can walk right through. Without worry, we can trust where God is leading. God will rescue. God is with us.

Prayer: Lord God, in those hard moments, guide us to a place of surrender. When life feels too big for us, may we give it to you, O Lord. With humility and trust, help us to turn to you, trusting in your power and might. Lead us through, part the sea, make a way. Thank you, 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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Growing in Love

Reading: Romans 12:3-8

Romans 12:5-6 – “We are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. We have different gifts.”

Photo credit: James A. Molnar

Finishing this week’s Romans 12 passage today, we unpack what Paul wrote about in verses 1 and 2. Today’s verses are “how” we offer ourselves as “living sacrifice,” how we live into God’s “good and pleasing and mature” will for our lives. Both of these are rooted in humility. In verse 3 today, Paul writes, “Don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think.” He adds to this, reminding us that we are all given “a portion of faith.”

Paul next compares the body of Christ to our human bodies. In our physical bodies there are many parts with many functions, yet they are all one body. Applying this idea to our communities of faith, Paul writes, “We are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. We have different gifts.” I love the way Paul describes our connection: “we belong to each other.” Therefore we are to live in ways that show this. A willingness to serve one another, to be generous to one another, to sacrifice for one another – that is belonging. This is the first “how.”

While we are one in Christ, we each have varied gifts. Paul lists a few in verses 6-8: “prophecy… teaching… serving… encouraging.” There are many more gifts. This is the second “how” – using our gifts. We are to give our gifts to the body of Christ, humbly serving one another and God “with no strings attached.” To attach strings would be to conform to the ways of the world. No, we should offer ourselves joyfully and completely, growing in our love of God and one another day by day. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for gifting each of us abundantly. Reveal all of our gifts to us, O God, and put us to use in the building up of the body of Christ. Strong within, send us out into the world to bring the kingdom of heaven here to earth. Amen.


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Faith and Persistence

Reading: Matthew 15:21-28

Matthew 15:25 – “But she knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, help me.'”

Photo credit: Ben White

After clashing with the religious leaders, as our passage continues in Matthew 15, Jesus travels to the region of Tyre and Sidon. This is in Phoenicia, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Jesus is west of Mount Hermon, a site in Psalm 133. Given the way Jesus initially interacts with the woman, perhaps this trip was intended for some time set apart. But even outside of Israel, Jesus’ reputation proceeds him.

A Canaanite woman from this area shouts out to the “Son of David,” seeking mercy. Her daughter is possessed by a demon. The title she uses for Jesus is a traditional Jewish confession of faith. Jesus is silent. She persists. The disciples want Jesus to address her – so that he can send her away. Maybe directed to the disciples, but certainly loud enough for the woman to hear, Jesus declares that he was sent “only to the lost sheep” – to Israel. Remaining persistent, she kneels right in front of Jesus. From this position of humility, she pleads, “Lord, help me.”

Insulting and/or testing her faith and persistence, Jesus says, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” Acknowledging the insult – “Yes, Lord” – she persists: “But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” She acknowledges Jesus as “master,” as her Lord. Because of her great faith and persistence, Jesus is moved and he heals her daughter from afar. May we have such great faith and may we be so persistent with our trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, you alone are Lord. You alone have the power to meet all of our needs. To you alone may we turn. To you alone may we look to be our all in all. Amen.


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To Be So Bold

Reading: Psalm 139:23-24

Psalm 139:23 – “Examine me God! Look at my heart! Put me to the test. Know my anxious thoughts.”

Yesterday in Psalm 139, David acknowledged that God surrounded him always. There was never a time that David could escape from God’s presence. God was always with him. As we jump to today’s verses, it is almost as if David is challenging God. It is important to note that this comes after several verses where David has questioned why God has not killed off his enemies. At times I play this game too. God – look how faithful I am… Why don’t you deal with so and so?

In verse 23, David writes, “Examine me God! Look at my heart! Put me to the test. Know my anxious thoughts.” If I were to be so bold as to say these words to God, I’d bet there had been some pretty serious self-examination, followed quickly by some profuse confession and repentance. Then again, to be honest, I’d be surprised if the humility created by such an intimate and personal experience would allow me to be so bold with God.

To lay oneself bare before God, to invite God to examine and test and know me in a most personal way, this would certainly affirm my commitment to God. To go through this process periodically – maybe even daily – it is healthy and life-giving. May this be a regular practice for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, oh to be so bold as to invite such examination and evaluation. To have the faith to offer these words! Move me in this direction, O God, closer to honesty, closer to transparency, closer to authentic relationship. Amen.


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Chosen and Blessed

Reading: Psalm 33:1-12

Psalm 33:5 – “The Lord’s faithful love fills the whole earth.”

Photo credit: Eugene Zhyvchik

Psalm 33 celebrates God both for God’s control over the earth and for the created world that God has made. The initial response to our God is to worship God – to shout joyfully and to give thanks as we sing praises. The response is partly because of who and what God is: good, faithful, righteous, and just. The response is also partly because of what God has done. “God spoke… There it was!” Creation was spoken into being. To take in our world, in all of its creativity and diversity, is to understand an all-powerful God. This understanding brings us humility as we stand in awe of our God.

The psalmist speaks of God’s plan and control in verses 10-12. Nations can plan and scheme. We can plan and scheme. But it is God’s plans that “stand forever.” Set in place since the beginning of creation, it is the plans of God that will endure. This is so because God is good and just and righteous… Within God’s plans we do not find greed or envy or any of the other selfish or sinful desires that tend to doom our plans and schemes.

In verse 5 we read, “The Lord’s faithful love fills the whole earth.” God’s love is all around us. It is there for the taking. It has the power to fill your heart and my heart. When we surrender to God’s love, when we allow ourselves to be and live as “people whom God has chosen,” then we are blessed and are “truly happy.” Surrendered and filled, we pour God’s love back out into the world. May it be so for you and for me, this day and always.

Prayer: Lord God, we, like all of creation, are the work of your hands. We can be as you are in the world – good, faithful, righteous, just… We can live as your chosen ones, aligned with your will and way. Lord, draw us again and again to that place of surrender, over and over to that place of humility. From this place of the heart, we offer our whole lives to you, all for your praise and glory. Amen.


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What if?

Reading: Psalm 8:5-9

Psalm 8:5 – “You’ve made them [humanity] only slightly less than divine, crowning them with glory and grandeur.”

Yesterday as we read the first verses of Psalm 8, we were reminded of humanity’s smallness relative to God’s power and majesty. This realization is humbling, maybe even sobering. Then, in verse 5 we read, “You’ve made them only slightly less than divine, crowning them with glory and grandeur.” Reading these words can shatter that humility. In our competitive world, nobody really likes to be #2. Our fleshy part can take the reality that God is indeed almighty and all-powerful and… then say to ourselves, ‘Well, no one can be like God, so it’s almost like we’re #1!’ From that perspective, we’ll be utter failures with the role God gives us in the next verses in Psalm 8.

David writes of one of God’s biggest expectations of humanity in verses 6-8. Created in God’s image, “slightly” less than God, we’ve been tasked to “rule over your [God’s] handiwork” – that which was “very good.” Other translations use words like ‘dominion’ and ‘in charge of.’ In newer translations we begin to read words like ‘steward’ and ‘care for.’ These words better reflect the “created in God’s image” part of our story.

A few years ago, the WWJD bracelets… drew our minds and hearts to make Jesus’ life and example more a part of our daily life and decisions and actions. Those little “What Would Jesus Do?” silicone bands… caused us to pause before speaking, acting, or doing. What if we wrapped our care of creation – both the natural world and all of humanity – in WWGD thinking? What if?

Prayer: Lord God, yes, what if we treated the world and one another as you do? What if we loved it all as you love it all? The earth would not cry out. People would not be oppressed nor suffer violence. Nations would not wage war and quarrel. What if we ruled over this world as you would, O God? It is a beautiful and glorious thought. So Lord, use us, your children, to live and be in the world as you call us to live and be in the world. Amen.


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Majesty and Glory

Reading: Psalm 8:1-4

Psalm 8:1 – “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name throughout the earth!”

Photo credit: Greg Rakozy

Moving from Genesis 1 and 2 to Psalm 8, we stay within the framework of God’s power and creative presence. The Psalm begins with a familiar refrain about God’s majesty and glory. This line is found in other Psalms as well as in hymns and contemporary Christian music. It is natural and just feels right to pronounce, read, and sing about the majesty and glory of the Lord our God.

In verse 2 the psalmist recognizes the breadth of God’s power. The cries of “nursing babes” are heard by God, motivating God to stop Israel’s “vengeful enemies.” God’s attention to the least of these is a testament to both God’s love for humanity and to the special place that the vulnerable and lowly hold in God’s heart.

Instead of leading to pride, though, this thought leads David to a moment of humility. Looking upward into the night sky, seeing the moon and the vast array of stars, David reflects, writing, “What are human beings that you pay attention to them?” In the expanse of creation, a space that reaches beyond the furthest star, God’s power and majesty and glory are fully revealed. This thought makes David feel oh so small. Maybe you have felt this too at times as you gaze upward to the stars or outward across an endless ocean.

While it is good to feel our smallness at times, the reality is that God is mindful of us – of you and of me. God knows each of us intimately and personally. This too is a testament to God’s majesty and glory. All praise and honor are yours, O God!

Prayer: Lord God, thinking of the vastness of the universe and realizing that you created it all, we are awed and amazed. Recognizing that like the stars, you know each of us by name, we are humbled. In this place, we offer up a word of praise and a simple “thank you.” As almighty and all-powerful as you are, you still know us down to the detail of the hairs on our head. Wow. Thank you, Lord. Amen.