pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Jehovah Jireh

Reading: Genesis 22:9-14

Genesis 22:9b – “Abraham built an altar… arranged the wood… tied up his son Isaac… laid him on the altar…”

Abraham, Isaac, the wood, the knife, and the fire arrive atop the mountain as we continue in Genesis 22. In the rest of verse 9 we read of Abraham’s resolute faith and steadfast obedience: “Abraham built an altar… arranged the wood… tied up his son Isaac… laid him on the altar…” I wonder, was he so faithful and so resolute that all of his emotions were on mute? How else could Abraham will himself through these steps of readying the sacrifice?

As Abraham raises the knife to shed blood and take life, a messenger calls out to him, “Abraham? Abraham?” Was the messenger pulling Abraham back into the reality of this scene? Pausing the action, the messenger acknowledges Abraham’s reverence for God, demonstrated through his willingness to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. Looking up, Abraham sees a ram, ready to be taken and offered as the sacrifice. Jehovah Jireh – the God who provides – “sees to it,” as Abraham told Isaac earlier.

Flashing forward in Israel’s history, to a moment when the plagues have reached their climax in Egypt, again God provided a way. This time the blood of the lamb marked their houses. And, again, the hand of death passed over the firstborn. The Israelites were faithful and obedient to God and God provided. In our walks of faith, the God who provides will be with us as well. Jehovah Jireh will give us the words to say, the actions to take, the resources to meet needs, the strength to stand… Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for these reminders of your faithfulness to us, your children. As we walk with you, you show us the way, you lead and guide, you equip and resource us – all to bear your light and love, your hope and peace to a world in need. Thank you, God. Amen.


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More and More

Reading: Romans 6:1-5

Romans 6:4b – “Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too can walk in newness of life.”

In today’s reading Paul argues that grace transforms our lives. Yes, it is grace that leads to the forgiveness of sins. Some in the Roman church, however, have argued that more sinning equals more grace, so sin away! In response to this idea, Paul writes, “Absolutely not!” In fact, Paul adds, it should be just the opposite because “All of us died to sin.” When we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we commit to live as he lived. This leads to a death to sinning. But the reality is that this is not a final death. Yes, as we walk with Christ, we mature in our faith. Yet the reality is always this: we sin less as we grow in Christ, but we are never sinless.

The process of dying to sin is an ongoing process. As we mature, we come to realize that this thing we’ve always done, well, it is in fact sin. It never felt like it before, but suddenly we realize that is. And then we must die to that thing, letting go of a part of ourselves. We then walk a little closer to Christ. The good news is that we can do this again and again. Paul emphasizes the ongoing nature of this process in verse 4, where he writes, “Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too can walk in newness of life.” Dying to sin, again and again, we will be raised to new life over and over.

There is a transformation, a healing, that occurs in our soul when we are forgiven and made new. As we are made more and more like Christ, we gradually learn to let go of the guilt and shame of our sin. We learn to trust God’s love and grace more and more. And as we repeat the process, sinning less, growing in Christ, we learn to love and extend grace to others more and more. Doing so, we better reflect Jesus’ light and love to the world, drawing others to the goodness of God. Day by day, may it be more and more so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for walking with us daily on this long and often slow journey of faith. Thank you for your patience and steadfastness that draws us back to the well of grace again and again. Each time we drink of it, O God, shape us more and more into the image of Christ. Use us day by day, Lord, to be light and love in and to the world. Amen.


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Changed

Reading: 1st Peter 4:12-14

1st Peter 4:14 – “If you are mocked because of Christ’s name, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory… rests on you.”

Photo credit: Robert Linder

In 1st Peter 4 we are encouraged to stand firm in our faith. Today we look at “why” this is necessary. The “how” and the “what” will come on Friday as we turn to 1st Peter 5. In our first Epistle reading, Peter focuses on the reality of suffering for one’s faith. For Peter and the early Christians, suffering included verbal abuse, social exclusion, physical threats, and, for some, beatings and even death. In these ways, the earliest believers faces what Christ himself has faced. The world remained hostile to this new faith. But it is this connection to Jesus that leads Peter to write, “rejoice as you share in Christ’s suffering.” It was a sign of genuine faith.

Suffering in any form is not easy to endure. But it must’ve caught some in the early church off guard. Peter reminds them of the reality of suffering, saying, “don’t be surprised by the fiery trials.” I love how Peter states that these trial are not “strange happenings.” He’s almost implying that they are or should be the norm. What would it take for that to be the norm for you and for me?!

Peter also reminds his readers that the suffering is not the end of the story. “Overwhelming joy” awaits those who remain faithful until Christ is revealed again. Lastly we turn to a verse that feels more like our time and place. In verse 14 we read, “If you are mocked because of Christ’s name, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory… rests on you.” Mockery can certainly be a form of suffering. Sadly, the mockery today comes not just from non-Christians.

When the “spirit of glory” rests upon us, we have been changed. We are a new creation in Christ. As Abby K. Norman pointed out in today’s Disciplines reading, “so maybe the world has changed because I am in it.” Yes, the world has changed and is changing because we are in it. May it increasingly be so day by day!

Prayer: Lord God, while we wouldn’t pray for suffering, persecution, and the like, we do pray for a bold faith. While we wouldn’t pray for a pedestal, we do pray for ways to influence and change our world, shining light and love into the darkness and hate. Pour out your Spirit upon us, O Lord. Then use us to build your kingdom here, making the world better in all ways. Amen.


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We Must Choose

Reading: Psalm 66:18-20

Psalm 66:18 – “If I had cherished evil in my heart, my Lord would not have listened.”

Photo credit: Nadine Shaabana

Continuing in Psalm 66 today, the psalmist hits on a reality. We can easily fool ourselves into thinking all is okay with God. We can rationalize unkind thoughts, harsh words, and even unethical behavior. We can pretend that maybe God didn’t notice. We can tell ourselves that if it’s just once in a great while, it’s probably fine. But the psalmist reminds us of this reality: “If I had cherished evil in my heart, my Lord would not have listened.” In all of these cases of maybe’s and what-if’s, we are cherishing the world.

With God, there is no gray area. The psalmist, the prophets, Jesus, Paul, and the other apostles all painted the black and white reality. Love God or love the world. Walk in the light or dwell in the dark. Choose life or death. Even the ancients understood this clear choice. Framed long ago as good versus evil, for the faithful it still comes down to living by God’s will and way or living by the ways of the world.

Day by day and moment by moment, this is the choice: Will we live for God or for the world? Will we do what is good and just and loving? Or will we do what is selfish, greedy, and evil? When we choose God, we walk in relationship with the Lord. We hear God’s voice and God hears our voice. When we choose the world, self becomes the sole focus. Walking with God, in right relationship, we daily experience God’s faithful love for us. Day by day, moment by moment, may we choose love.

Prayer: Lord God, so often we must choose. You or the world? One way is filled with pleasures and all we could ever want. Or so it is said. The other way is filled with peace, joy, love – all we really need. It is true. You are true. Lord, guide us to choose your will and way. There we find life to the full. Amen.


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Living Stones

Reading: 1st Peter 2:4-10

1st Peter 2:9 – “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s possession.”

Returning to 1st Peter 2 today, we turn to the image of building. Peter reminds the early Christians and us today that we are “living stones.” This is a unique phrase. We are to be active in our faith. We are to live as a “royal priesthood” in the world. This is not a privilege thing. We are part of a “chosen race.” All of humanity is one chosen race. God hopes all people will find a saving relationship through Jesus Christ. Since we have found that relationship, we are charged with offering up “spiritual sacrifices” bringing hope and healing and redemption to the brokenness of this world. In these actions and images, Peter is connecting to the example of Jesus.

For the faithful, Jesus is the “cornerstone.” This is the firm foundation stone, the one upon which all else is built and stands. But for the non-believer, Jesus is the “capstone,” which causes people to stumble and fall. This is why many non-believers reject Jesus. His light and truth exposed darkness, bringing discomfort. But for the believer, light and truth build up our faith.

In verse 9 we read, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s possession.” First, we are chosen by God. Along with all of humanity, we are intended to be children of God. Faith is not a random occurrence. We are chosen to be holy, living just and righteous lives. But we are holy not on our own. We are holy because Christ is holy. Because of this, we belong to God, not the world. This allows us to follow and live out God’s will and way. Part of this living is our witness or testimony.

In the next verse Peter describes this as speaking of the “wonderful acts” of God that redeemed us as we were called “out of darkness into his amazing light.” In turn, our stories of faith help others to see how they can experience God’s life-changing mercy, grace, and love. As living stones, may we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ so that he is good news to all people everywhere.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you first for Jesus, our sure foundation. And thank you for pulling us up out of the mire and filth of this world, washing us clean in your mercy and grace, redeeming us so that we can live our faith out in the world. Send us out today, O God, empowered by love to tell others of our Jesus, the one true cornerstone. Amen.


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Faithful, Loyal Love

Reading: Psalm 36:5-11

Psalm 36:6 – “Your righteousness is like the strongest mountains; your justice is like the deepest sea.”

Photo credit: Freestocks

As I read the first few verses of today’s passage, I could hear the words of Third Day’s “Your Love Oh Lord” in my mind. Hearing these words reminds me that the Psalms are really songs. They are expressions of an array of emotions: joy and defeat, praise and lament. Expressing one’s emotions opens the doors of communication with God. Today’s reading is an expression of praise for God’s faithful and loyal love.

The psalmist rejoices that God’s faithful love is everywhere. David then celebrates the character of God’s righteousness and justice. They are “like the strongest mountain… like the deepest sea.” There is an unshakable and unending quality to God’s love, justice, and righteousness. This is why they flow like a river into our lives and world. David then proclaims that God’s love is “priceless.” Humankind finds “refuge” in God, and in God we find “the spring of life.” Walking in God’s light and love, we know the way to abundant life here and now. Oh how great is the Father’s love for you and for me!

In verse 11 David asks God to “extend your righteousness” to those whose heart is right with God. When we know God’s faithful love in our hearts, we experience it in our lives. This love dwells in us and flows out of us, into the world. In this way, we are living extensions of God’s loyal love. As we live each day, may we bear God’s faithful and loyal love into the world around us, bringing light and joy, justice and refuge, life and hope. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, may our love be like your love, reaching to the furthest corners of our lives, working down into the deepest darkness of this world. May your justice break forth, being poured out for all people everywhere. In and through your love, may all come to experience the joy of your salvation. Amen.


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Called and Sent

Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9

Isaiah 42:6b – “I, the Lord, have called you… I will grasp your hand and guard you, and give you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations.”

Isaiah 42 is about “God’s servant.” These words come from what is known as “Second Isaiah,” written during Israel’s time in Babylonian exile. It is likely that the original “suffering servant” was Isaiah. Later, in another Servant Song, it is the nation of Israel who are the servants. The earliest church and the New Testament writers identified Jesus as the servant. Read today, you and I, we are the servants of God.

Let’s look at the qualities and behaviors of the servant described in Isaiah 42. As we do, think about how each applies to Isaiah, to Israel, to Jesus, and to you. The servant is chosen by God and has the Spirit of God upon them. The servant is called to bring justice and light to the world. The servant is not forceful or violent. He is she won’t even “break a bruised reed.” In verse 6 we read, “I, the Lord, have called you… I will grasp your hand and guard you, and give you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations.” Given as the covenant of love, the servant partners with God to bring healing and wholeness to the world, opening blind eyes, setting people free from sin and brokenness.

Just as Jesus was and is our light, calling and leading us out of our own sin and darkness, we are called to do this for others. Bringing the light of Christ into the darkness of this world, we seek to bring healing and wholeness, justice and peace to our world. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, just as you called Isaiah and Israel, you call us and the community of faith. And just as you sent Jesus, so too do you send us into the world to be light and love. Empower us with the presence of the Holy Spirit, leading us to bring healing and wholeness to the darkness and brokenness of our world. Amen.


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Awake Sleeper!

Reading: Ephesians 5:12-14

Ephesians 5:14 – “Therefore it says, ‘Wake up, sleeper! Get up from the dead, and Christ will shine in you.'”

Reading verse 12, perhaps you too had a person or a situation come to mind. We live in a world and time when I watch or read the news, when I scroll social media, or when I hear a conversation or presentation and I shake my head in sorrow or sadness or disbelief. Disgust and anger are felt often too. Many times I wonder how those in power can be okay with what our world has become. “Embarrassing” is a good word for our day too.

Paul reminds us, as he did on Friday when we read the first part of this passage, that the light reveals the truth about the darkness. Our call as followers of Jesus is to expose the darkness to the light. To that end Paul writes, “Therefore it says, ‘Wake up, sleeper! Get up from the dead, and Christ will shine in you.'” He is quoting from Isaiah 29 and 60. We recall that the prophet spoke to a people who worshipped the idols of this world, forgetting the Lord their God. 70 years in exile served as their wake-up call. While we may not worship Baal or other ancient ‘gods,’ there are certainly no shortage of false gods that create evil and darkness in our world today.

What might God be calling us to wake up to today? What are the evils and darkness of our time? In my little part of the world, poverty, hunger, and homelessness first come to mind. If the circle expands a bit wider, the list grows quickly. As followers of Christ, we are charged with caring for “the least of these,” as Jesus called them. We should do so in practical ways, feeding and clothing and housing those in need. But we should also shine a light on those in power who allow and often times create, defend, and sustain unjust systems that lead to these evils. We should speak, work, and be socially active in ways that seek to dismantle these systems and to disempower those who strive to maintain the “status quo” – all for personal gain. In these ways we will shine the light of Christ into the darkness of the world, bringing God’s goodness, justice, and truth to the world. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, the task at hand feels huge. In our own power, we are weak. But in and through you, we are strong. So, Lord, first open our eyes to the suffering, need, and darkness of our world. Then fill our hearts with compassion and love for the marginalized, the powerless, the voiceless. From there, use our hands, feet, and voices to provide for and to meet basic, physical needs. Then empower us to speak, to stand, and to work to create a more just and fair world. In all these ways, may Christ shine in us and out into the darkness of our world. Amen.


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Living as Light

Reading: Ephesians 5:8-11

Ephesians 5:9 – “Light produces fruit that consist of goodness, justice, and truth.”

Paul begins today’s passage by reminding those in the churches in Ephasus and those in the church today that although we were once in darkness, living as people of the world, we are now in “the light of the Lord.” Our old, sinful, selfish ways have been laid aside so that we can now live as “children of the light.” The apostle paints this change as black and white terms: light and darkness. While we strive to live in the light, the reality is that we sometimes stray into the darkness and often times we live in the gray.

The journey of faith and the work of the Spirit draws us to the light end of this spectrum. As we mature in faith, we tend to sin less. Even so, we never remain sinless for long. As Peter says in his first letter, the lion always prowls. Because of this, our faith growth is not strictly linear. While we are imperfect, we also seek to be more and more like Christ. Paul reminds us, in verse 9, of why we strive to live faithfully: “Light produces fruit that consist of goodness, justice, and truth.” When our lives yield these outcomes, we witness to God’s love and care and power, drawing others to the light.

While we seek to keep away from “the unfruitful actions of darkness,” they are all around us. Paul encourages us to allow the light within us to “reveal the truth” about the evil inside ourselves and in the world. Concerning others, we must prayerfully discern when and how and where to speak truth. At times we will be led to “call out” injustice, oppression, and other evils. And at times we will be led to take a more gentle and kind “calling in” of those who have started from the faith. In both ways, we a living faithfully as the light of Christ in the world.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us to walk as children of the light. Open our eyes and hearts to the ways you provide for us to be goodness, justice, and truth first to ourselves and then to the world. As we focus on our own faith, help us to mature and to trust in you more and more. From this solid foundation, guide us in our efforts to reveal truth to the world and to our fellow believers. Guide us to always lead with love and grace. Amen.


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Healing Brokenness

Reading: John 9:1-17

John 9:2 – “Rabbi, who sinned so that he was born blind, this man or his parents?”

Photo credit: Kelly Sikkema

Today’s gospel reading begins with an important question and an even more important answer. The disciples ask Jesus about the root causes of a man’s blindness. It is a question wrapped in that culture’s understanding of disease and illness. Because medicine had not yet provided explanations for blindness, skin disease… the assumption was that sin or some other brokenness in the community caused the illness, disease, plague… To be healed or cured was to be restored to community or for the community to return to wholeness.

In answer to their question, Jesus responds that neither the man nor his parents sinned. It was not a grandparent or great grandparent either. The blindness (and its healing) are an opportunity for “God’s mighty works” to be displayed. Being light to the world and to this particular man, Jesus makes some mud, puts it on the man’s eyes, and sends him to wash in the pool of Siloam (which means “sent.”) The man is healed – he can see. There is some disagreement over the healing. There is concern over when the healing happened. We delve into all of this tomorrow as we press on in John 9.

But today, within the context of the community’s wholeness, we wrestle with the brokenness of our world today. In a world that produces enough food to feed itself many times over, why do many go hungry? What sins cause this? In a nation with the best possible medical care, why do many go untreated? What sin causes this? In a place where there are abundant resources and space, why do we refuse to welcome some in? What sins cause this?

Prayer: Lord God, heal our hearts, heal our nation, heal our world. The sins of some cause many to suffer or to live in scarcity. The desire for the pleasures and riches of this world lead some to turn their backs on the sufferings and injustices of our time. Our own sins of omission result in silence and inaction, allowing evil and darkness to reign. Lord, pour your healing love into our hearts. Use us to engage in healing the brokenness of our world, of our communities, and of our lives. Amen.