pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: humility


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Followers and Practicers

Reading: Matthew 5:1-12

Matthew 5:5 – “Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth.”

The Beatitudes are our focus today. This list mostly of “Happy are…” sayings lay out Jesus’ desires for his followers. As I read this list over and over, trying to settle on a key verse, to be honest, it was hard to pick one. In our current world, there is not only a great need for humility but also for righteousness, mercy, peace, hope.

Jesus begins with spiritual matters. Happy are those who are without hope and who recognize their need for Jesus. Also very likely poor economically, trusting in God will bring a joy or happiness to their lives. Those who grieve the spiritual condition of the nation, they will be made glad (or will be comforted) as they come to recognize that God is in control.

Happy are the humble because they are part of the kingdom now and will one day be part of the new creation. Those who seek and long for righteousness will be filled with faith. Yes, God is faithful and true! Living with a pure heart, one will be closely and intimately connected to God.

Those who practice mercy will receive mercy. Those who are makers of peace will be known as children of God. Definitely happy places to be. But all will not be “easy.” In verses 10-12 Jesus acknowledges a reality. Living in these ways are counter-cultural. Therefore, followers and practicers of the way of Jesus will be harassed, insulted, slandered… here on earth. Take heart though! In the end, the kingdom of heaven will be yours. Hallelujah!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the joy and blessing we receive walking faithfully with you. In all ways, help us to be obedient and steadfast, even in the trials and sufferings. Fill us with your word and Spirit. Fill us with your peace, mercy, and love. Guide us to walk in the humble servant’s footsteps of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.


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Humility and Love

Reading: 1st Kings 3:3-14

1st Kings 3:5b – “Ask whatever you wish, and I’ll give it to you.”

In our reading today God comes to Solomon in a dream. He has just become king, succeeding his father David. While David has set a great example for Solomon, all wasn’t perfect. The temple had not yet been built so people are sacrificing at local shrines. As we begin our reading we see that this is also Solomon’s practice. We also see that Solomon loved God and sought to walk according to the Law. Solomon goes to Gibeon and offers a very large sacrifice to God. Gibeon was the location of the Tabernacle. The ark of the covenant, however, was in David’s tent in Jerusalem.

That night God appears to Solomon in a dream. God says to Solomon, “Ask whatever you wish, and I’ll give it to you.” What an open-ended question! Before pressing on in our passage, we pause to ask ourselves: What would be my response to this question? Solomon’s response demonstrates both humility and his love of God. After thanking God for walking with David and for passing the kingship on to him, Solomon acknowledges his youth and inexperience. Accordingly he asks for “a discerning mind in order to govern your people” and for the ability “to discern good from evil.” Solomon also recognizes the impossibility of leading Israel without God’s help.

The Lord is pleased and grants Solomon’s requests. These requests were aligned with God’s will and plans for Solomon and for Israel. In addition, God grants Solomon wealth, fame, and the possibility of “a very long life.” This last part is contingent upon Solomon’s continued faithfulness to God.

Solomon sought to honor God with his request. His humility and Love of God drove his petition. May it be so with us as we lift our petitions to the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, guide us to walk in humility, recognizing our need for your direction on our lives. Lead us to see with honest and clear eyes and hearts, recognizing our own weaknesses. Fill us with your presence, empowering us to bring you the glory in all we say, do, and think. Amen.


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Come Near

Reading: James 4:1-12

James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and God will lift you up.”

Photo credit: Kyle Johnson

James 4 addresses the conflict in the early church. In general, conflict over the things of this world are normal in the world. It should not be so in the church. In the opening verses of chapter 4 James identifies the issue: “cravings that are at war.” He then names want and jealousy as the primary drivers of these cravings. Our human natures focuses on self and our desires for power, status, possessions. These desires, left unchecked, lead us down evil paths. On this path we “struggle and fight,” we gossip and judge and slander, and even “commit murder” in extreme cases

James chooses language such as “hostility… enemy…” because there is a battle within us. Echoing Jesus’ teaching about our inability to serve two masters, James pits friendship with the world against friendship with God. He then offers the Christian choice: “Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you.” When we make this choice it leads us to repent of our sins, to purify our hearts. Continuing, we read, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and God will lift you up.” Humility – thinking less of self and more of God and neighbor – is one of the key practices of an authentic faith and is absolutely essential in this battle. Walking in humility works against those worldly lures that tear apart community and fellowship.

Our prayer life is where much of this battle is fought. It is in prayer that we offer humble confessions and commi to repentance. It is in prayer that we find strength to resist the lures of this world. It is in prayer that we offer thanks for God’s blessings, provision, and grace. It is in prayer that we “Come near to God” so that “God will come near to you.” May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, the walk of faith is not an easy walk. The voices of the world are loud and powerful. But you are far greater. Your Spirit places us within your power. In that place, fill us with strength today, O God, so that we can walk faithfully with you and with one another. Amen.


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Blessings and Peace

Reading: Luke 19:28-39

Luke 19:38 – “Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord.”

As our passage begins, Jesus prepares to enter Jerusalem. He is just east of the city itself. He gives instructions to two disciples to go and get a colt. Following Jesus’ directions, all unfolds just as Jesus said it would. Even this is a demonstration of his power.

In verses 35-38 we see the actions of others taking over. It is the disciples who place their coats and then Jesus on the colt. It is the disciples who place clothes on the road and rejoice as they near Jerusalem. The crowd begins to praise God because of the “mighty things they had seen” Jesus do. They begin to shout, “Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord.” Why do they do and say all of these things?!

The disciples, the crowd, the Pharisees, and even Jesus – they knew the scriptures, the words of Isaiah, the Psalms written for such a day as this. Prophecy was being fulfilled. Their actions, their words – they were following the script. These events, this fulfillment brought joy and excitement to the people.

Another entry also occurred, on the other side of the city. Each year, at the Passover and other major festivals, Herod would ride into Jerusalem. He would ride in on a mighty warhorse with an entourage of Roman soldiers. This demonstration of force was a reminder to Jerusalem and its leaders: Rome is the power. The counterpoint is Jesus. He brings blessings and peace. What a contrast between the ways of the world and the way of Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the way of Jesus – the way of joy and blessing, of humility and peace. This stands in such stark contrast to the ways of the world: force and power and might. This divide continues today. O God, give us the courage and the faith to go into places of darkness and evil, empowered by the light of Christ, challenging these harmful and destructive ways. May our light be fueled by love, bringing blessing and peace. Amen.


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A Heart Tuned

Reading: Micah 6:6-8

Micah 6:7 – “Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with many torrents of oil?”

“What does the Lord require?” That is the title for the section of scripture that we read today. We learned yesterday, from Luke 10, that a good answer is to love your neighbor. It becomes a great answer when we understand that our “neighbor” is anyone in need. Loving God with all that we are was the other part of the legal expert’s “correct” answer to the same basic question. Today we read Micah’s thoughts on this question. The prophet focuses on both sides of the love God, love neighbor concept.

Micah begins with the “religiously correct” answer. Sacrificial offerings were the culturally acceptable response to your God/god, whether you were Hebrew or Moabite or Canaanite. Although Israel’s understanding was not quite as transactional as this process was with pagan gods, there was certainly an element of checking the box at this point in Israel’s history. Their going through the motions disgusted God. That is why Micah, tongue-in-cheek, asks, “Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with many torrents of oil?” Speaking to the pagan practices and to the point he is making, he next asks, “Well, then, how about my oldest child instead?”

The real answer to the title question comes in verse 8. It is a heart tuned fully to God. That is what is “good.” That is what God “requires.” This is because a heart tuned to God will naturally be a heart tuned to our neighbors. In the last part of verse 8 the prophet reveals what this heart looks like: “to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.” To work to make things right, to be faithful in our relationships with God and with one another, to humbly allow God to transform us, day by day, more fully into God’s image. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, we are much like the people of Micah’s day. Just tell me when I have to show up for church, just take my offering, just let me check the box. We want the easy. That leaves more for us. Yet you want so much more. Yes, worship and giving are important. But you want our heart, not our things. You want our unconditional love, not our passing attention. Lord, tune our hearts to yours. Lord, teach us what humility and justice and faithful love truly look like. Remind us of Jesus. Amen.


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In the Name of…

Reading: Colossians 3:12-17

Colossians 3:17 – “Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

In chapter 3 of Colossians Paul is encouraging the church to clothe themselves with the attitudes and practices of Jesus Christ. Verse 12 reminds the church that they are “God’s choice, holy and loved.” This is quite the status to have! The apostle goes on, inviting the church to “put on” Christ’s attitudes: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These attitudes (and others Christ exemplified such as welcome, mercy, grace…) should be lived out in all of life, 24/7.

Paul then invites the church to be tolerant and forgiving. These are ‘response attitudes.’ When someone is different from you or sees things from another perspective or when someone hurts or harms you or someone you love, respond with tolerance and forgiveness. How countercultural this invitation is, especially in our world today! Our human instinct, our gut-level reaction is to ignore or ridicule or exclude those who are different, to get even with those who hurt us. These are selfish responses. Christ was not selfish.

As our human nature is to be selfish, Paul encourages the church to put love over all of these attitudes – see everything, speak every word, through the filter of love. From the framework of love, God’s peace will fill our hearts. Christ’s word and Spirit will dwell richly in us. And one last piece of encouragement: “Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” This is Paul’s early version of the modern slogan, WWJD? It is choosing to filter all that we say and do and even think through the example of Jesus, he who was love lived out. It is the place that we must begin if we are to do good and not harm in our world.

Prayer: Lord God, clothe us this day and every day in Christ. Clothes thusly, empower us to live our compassion, kindness… When life challenges us in our efforts to follow Jesus, when others seek to harm or negatively influence us, raise up the voice of the Holy Spirit. Call us back to the way of Jesus. Whisper tolerance, forgiveness, grace, acceptance, and understanding into our hearts. In all things, use us to reveal the love of Christ to the world. Amen.


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Not My Will

Readings: Luke 22:39-42 and Matthew 21:18-22

Luke 22:42b – “However, not my will but your will must be done.”

Photo credit: Falaq Lazuardi

As Jesus enters his final days on earth he goes to the Mount of Olives to pray. In the first verse we read “as was his custom.” Jesus Christ was a person of prayer. Even though he was God in the flesh, as a man he was also human. Perhaps his admonition to his disciples to not fall into temptation was also a reminder to himself. Jesus knows what lies ahead. This is the “cup of suffering” that he prays about. It is a cup that the human Jesus would rather not have to drink at this moment. At its core this is a “if there’s another way, God” kind of prayer. We’ve all prayed this kind of prayer – in many forms, in many situations. Then, from a place of humility and faith and surrender, we’ve prayed as Jesus prays, “Not my will but your will must be done.”

Our Matthew passage for today also comes from Jesus’ final week. It’s a few days earlier – on Monday instead of Thursday. Returning to the city, Jesus is hungry. He sees a fig tree but finds nothing but leaves. This tree is symbolic of Israel’s fruitless faith. With a word from Jesus, the tree dries up. The amazed disciples are told, “If you have faith and don’t doubt” then they will do this and more. They will even be able to move a mountain with their words. Extending the idea of the power of faith without doubt, Jesus adds, “If you have faith, you will receive whatever you pray for.”

If we combine the core teaching of these two lessons from Jesus, we find a key practice of our prayer life: pray in faith, aligned with God’s will. We do not always know God’s will. In these cases, we are to pray as Jesus prayed in the garden, with humility and surrender, “Not my will but your will must be done.”

Prayer: Lord God, as we walk through this life, seeking to be faithful and true to you, strengthen our faith and our trust in you. By your Spirit, lead us to grow in our faith, aligning ourselves more and more with your will and way. And using Christ’s example, guide us to humbly bend our will to your will. Amen.


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Sincere Love

Reading: 1st Peter 3-5

1st Peter 4:7-8 – “Be self-controlled and clearheaded so you can pray. Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins.”

1st Peter 3-5 is mostly about the ways to conduct ourselves as followers of Jesus Christ. In chapter 3 Peter writes about having an inner beauty that can win over non-believers and also about honoring those who are weaker. He encourages all believers to be of one mind (Christ’s), to be compassionate, and to be modest. When someone asks about our hope, be ready to speak with “respectful humility.”

Peter also addresses suffering. He begins with a reminder that Jesus Christ “suffered on account of sins, once for all.” This was so a believer can enter into the presence of God. Peter encourages us to “arm yourself with his way of thinking.” He invites us to rejoice when we share in Christ’s suffering because then one day we will rejoice when his glory is revealed. If we suffer in Christ’s name, Peter declares we are blessed because “the Spirit of God rests on you.”

Christian behavior receives much attention in these chapters. Don’t pay back evil or insults with evil or insults – give blessings. Don’t waste time doing what unbelievers do. Instead, “Be self-controlled and clearheaded so you can pray. Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins.” Open your homes and serve one another using the gifts God has given. Humble yourselves. Throw your anxiety on God. (He cares about you.) Keep alert – the devil is on the prowl. Resist and stand firm in the faith, knowing that others are also enduring suffering. And in the end, “the God of all grace will himself restore, empower, strengthen, and establish you.” Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, build up in each of us obedience, compassion, and a humble servant’s heart. Walk with us, bringing strength and encouragement during the trials and suffering. In those moments, remind us of the way of Christ, he who suffered for each and every one of us. Daily help us to model a genuine faith, standing firm in your love and grace. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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The New Nature

Reading: Colossians 3-4

Colossians 3:9-10 – “Take off the old human nature… and put on the new nature… by conforming to the image of the one who created it.”

Today we read about living the Christian life. Paul begins this portion of the letter reminding us that being raised in Christ should lead us to thinking about “the things above.” He encourages us to “put to death” the earthly parts of ourselves – corruption, greed, lust, anger, slander, foul language… Laying aside these behaviors, we “take off the old human nature… and put on the new nature… by conforming to the image of the one who created it.” This new nature is Christlike. Therefore, earthly distinctions also fall away. In Christ there is no Greek or Jew… “Christ is all things and in all people.”

The new nature is characterized by compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, and love. Love arches over all the others, forming “the perfect bond of unity.” This is yet another way of saying that the greatest of these is love. Paul also elevates the peace of Christ. This peace is rooted in love along with being thankful. An attitude of gratitude brings contentment, which yields peace in our hearts. Paul then once again grounds our relationships – husband/wife, slave/master – in Christlike terms. Summarizing this part Paul writes, “Whatever you do, do it from the heart and not for people… You serve the Lord Jesus Christ.” This too is an invitation into the new nature of Christ.

As he closes, Paul again uplifts the power of prayer: prayers of thanksgiving and prayers for his ministry. He sends Tychicus with the letter to encourage them and he offers greetings from and to many people. There is a feeling of family and community as he closes, a unity among the believers. May this be our spirit too.

Prayer: Lord God, help us this day to put on Christ, to be like him in every way. May these qualities be evident in our lives as we seek to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world. Plant in our hearts love and peace, contentment and joy. In all that we do and say, may we shine light into the darkness of our world. Amen.


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God’s Plan, Our Role

Reading: Ephesians 3-4

Ephesians 4:1 – “Therefore, as a prisoner of the Lord, I encourage you to live as a people worthy of the call you received from God.”

In today’s reading Paul shares God’s plan for the church and then unpacks how followers are to be a part of that plan. In chapter 3 Paul shares that it has been God’s plan all along to include “every ethnic group” in the body of Christ. Paul declares that this “secret plan” has always been to include the “Gentiles” – a term often used by Jews to describe ALL non-Jews. This plan was accomplished through Jesus, who gives every believer “bold and confident access to God through faith” in Jesus. Paul then prays for the church, asking God to strengthen them through the Spirit and to reveal the power and enormity of God’s love. In these ways the believers “will be filled entirely with the fullness of God.”

In chapter 4 Paul unpacks what it means to be a part of the body of Christ. With chapter 3 in mind, he begins, “Therefore, as a prisoner of the Lord, I encourage you to live as a people worthy of the call you received from God.” Paul calls the church to be people of humility, gentleness, patience, and love. He reminds them of what unites them: there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God.” Paul also reminds them that each was gifted to be a part of “the working and building up the body of Christ.” Each has a role to play. We each have a role to play in this task.

Paul then calls the believers to a mature faith, away from living like the Gentiles (now meaning all those outside the faith) and into living as a “new creation” in Christ. Paul invites them to “clothe yourself” in the image of God. He is connecting here to their baptism, where they literally de-robed and then rerobed, symbolically taking off their old self and clothing anew in Christ. Paul closes the chapter with the call to be “kind, compassionate, and forgiving,” modeling what Christ did for them. This too is our role. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, we rejoice in your love that reaches out to all people. We celebrate your grace that has no limits. Fill us with your presence this day and employ each of us for the building up of the body of Jesus Christ. Amen.