pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: love


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With and Not For

Do you ever wonder what pleases God? Have you ever considered what truly helps us to grow in our relationship with Him?

Just because I go and occupy a pew for an hour on Sunday morning, does it necessarily mean my faith grows. Just because I go and help serve a meal at the Cornerstone Rescue Mission does it mean that I am loving and serving the needy. Just because I read the Bible does it mean I am growing in my faith. We can do lots FOR God but if it is not WITH God. Herein lies a huge difference.

A fast is not a fast simply because we skip a few meals. That is just a diet. A fast starts to become a fast when we feel the hunger and turn to God to admit our weakness and to seek His strength. When we declare our inability to do it on our own and call out to God, then we are building that relationship with Him. The physical need leads to and reveals our need for spiritual strength as well.

Similarly, when we read or hear the Word proclaimed and we take it in and claim it as our own, then we are making it a part of our lives and growing in our faith. When we sit down with someone at the Mission and share a meal with them, then we are beginning to know and understand the needy and how to make a difference in their lives. When we connect we are seeing through God’s eyes and not our own. Then our relationship with Christ grows as well.

When we choose to be a part of doing things with God instead of simply for God, then that makes a huge difference in our lives. And equally important it makes a difference in the lives of those around and with us. Ever worshipped with that guy who just seems so into it, so plugged into the Spirit? Be that guy. Ever served alongside that lady who seems that she would rather be there that anywhere else in the world? Be that lady. Ever marvel at how Jesus could love the least and the lost as if they were the only one that mattered in the world? Be that follower. Today.


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Shining the Light

 

At the end of the Beatitudes Jesus reminds us that when we share the light and love, we may be insulted, persecuted, and falsely accused. This mirrors what Jesus faced His last few days as he faced the religious leaders, Pilate, and Herod. Jesus chose to endure insult, persecution, and false accusation so that He could walk to Golgatha and bear death on the cross for our sins. In verse 12 He also reminds us why He walked that road – He knew that great is the reward in heaven!
When we chose to share the light and love of Jesus in our world, sometimes we cast that light and love into and upon the darkness that some people live in. And when we cast that light upon the darkness, sometimes people recoil and react. They respond by hurling insults, by falsely accusing, and/or by persecuting. But they have heard and seen the word revealed. The soil may be rocky and the seed will not bear fruit, but they have heard the word.

When we chose to endure the insults… we are also shining a light upon Jesus. They expect a reaction from us and when we make the choice not to engage, we shed more light. Others that do not recoil and react but have now seen the light and heard the word will be drawn both to these and to our non-reaction. This soil is a little more fertile so these seeds may begin to take root. For in being willing to model love and mercy in the face of insults, accusations, and persecution, we are modeling the Jesus that we seek to share with the lost and the broken in our worlds!!


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Supreme Blessing for All!!

The Sermon on the Mount begins with the Beatitudes. ‘Beatitudes’ mean supreme blessings or happiness, according to Webster. For some of the beatitudes, they are certainly a blessing. But for some the blessing comes in how we live them out. In the Beatitudes we see some ways for us to draw near to God, some ways to share our God, and some ways God draws near to us.

When we are poor in spirit we see our need for God and move towards deepening our relationship with Him. To me this is like when I am starting to get hungry – I can begin to sense my need for food. The perceived feeling of missing something draws us near to what we need. When we are humble we acknowledge that there is a need. Then we can begin to walk toward Him that fills us. As we seek righteousness with a pure heart, God is happy to meet us in the journey and to fill us up. And thus our relationship with gains depth.

Out of these internal things and the relationship with God that forms and grows, we can allow God to flow forth from us, into the lives of others. Because we are filled with His peace and mercy, we can offer peace and mercy to those we meet who need to come to know God. The hands and feet of God become our hands and feet as we meet someone in their place of need. Their walk begins or is helped along.

And because of His great love for us, at times God draws near to us. When we mourn, He enters in to bring us comfort. When we are persecuted, He enters in to bring us the strength we need to face the trial. Through His presence with us in our times of need, we gain a depth of relationship with God that allows us to be there for others in their time of need. This too can become a way that God flows out of us and into the lives of others.

As we seek out ways to live out the beatitudes, God will be there with us. Some of the opportunities will be obvious and some will require us to see them not through our eyes but through God’s eyes. Some will become only obvious when we feel with God’s heart and not our own. As we draw closer to God in our relationship with Him, our vision for our own faith and the faith of others becomes clearer as well.

Zephaniah 3:17: “The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you singing.”


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Make Some Room!

“Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.” (1 Corinthians 1:22-23) In today’s world isn’t it much the same? Don’t some people look for answers that are both impressive and tangible and don’t some seek to see some amazing feat that awes them? Only then do they consider something.

God chose those who were lowly to carry out his work. God chose the weak and the non-powerful to share the message. Why? So that the world could see that this amazing power and love came not from human hands but from the one true God. It is like when that kid in class that never says anything spouts out the most amazing insight – all just turn and look at them in awe. It is like when that Nazarene carpenter brought that young man back from the dead or when he gave a man back his sight or when he confounded the intelligence of the Pharisee who was trying to trip him up.

Today the power of the cross comes not from displays of power but through displays of self-emptying service. It comes not from flexing muscles in the academic, athletic, or corporate world but from stepping into someone’s world who needs a helping hand and serving them like Christ would have. It comes not from punishing another for their mistake, but in reaching out a hand of forgiveness and seeing with eyes of understanding and compassion. We are called to empty ourselves of self – ever wonder why? So that there is more room for Jesus!!!


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Where to Go?

Do you have a ’cause’ that is special to you? Do you have something that you are involved in and passionate about? Is it always easy to serve or give?

If we truly love something we are often willing to risk much for it. We are willing to invest in and support it in spite of it sometimes being difficult or have a ‘cost’. Yet making a difference in our world is what we are called to do. Through our faith we are called to be involved in the world as we share the love of Christ with those in need and with those who are lost.

Psalm 15 begins by asking the questions: “Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?” Well… those who love God, right? That is certainly part of it. But there is more. He who is blameless and does what is righteous. He who speaks truth and does not slander. He who does his neighbor no wrong. He who keeps his oath even when it hurts. This is just a partial list from Psalm 15. And the end line: “He who does these things will never be shaken.”

For those things that you maybe aren’t so passionate about, is it always easy to give? For those causes that you don’t jump in line to support, is it always a joy to serve? Are we supposed to be involved in every cause and to support every need? No. And that is okay. We cannot be involved in everything and we cannot support every need or cause.

But there is something out there that we can each get behind and support. Maybe it is with our time. Maybe it is with our finances or other gifts. Maybe it is through our prayers. The world is so full of need and we are called to be in the world. God leads us where we need to be – when we are listening and are attentive to His call. It is so easy to let the world drown out that still, small voice. But when we look at the world through Jesus’ eyes and when we walk where God leads, then we can dwell with God. And He will be there beside us and we will not be shaken.


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Justice and Mercy – Room to Grow!

The lectionary readings for this week are centered around the idea of living a life that reflects what is important to God and not centered on what the world says is important or powerful or to be sought after. Living in God’s economy may be the way to look at it – investing ourselves into the people we encounter seeking ways to make their lives better when we can.

In Micah 5 the people of Israel are accused of the various economic injustices that exist. They have transitioned from oppressed to oppressor. It is a hard line to cross and not be vengeful or abusive of the newfound power. Micah 6: 2b reads: “For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel.” In the days of Micah, Israel was the Jewish people. In our times, we are Israel.

In a corporate sense, God can still make a pretty compelling case against His people. If the question were to be: “Do we do ALL we can to help the poor and oppressed living in various places around the world?” then my answer would be a loud ‘No’. As I pondered this I thought about the clothes I wear that were made by barely-paid people working in unsafe conditions. I thought about all the food I eat that came from the hands of over-worked and under-paid people. Part of me knows that slowly things are improving for people, but part of me wonders what else I could do.

If the question got more personal and became: “Do I do ALL I can to help the poor and oppressed in the community in which I live?” then I would have a hard time defending my case or my position. True, my calling is not to just work with this segment of our society, but at times I do have an opportunity to be justice and mercy for someone. And do I always extend these when I can? Mostly, but not always. So in the week ahead, it will be on my heart and mind to seek ways to better answer these questions. It is my hope and prayer that you will join me as well!


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Light of the World

As followers of Christ we are transformed. We enter into a relationship with Christ and thereafter we are ever-changed and ever-changing. As we seek to follow the light of the world, we become light in our worlds. Isaiah 9:2 says “those walking in darkness have seen a great light.”

As we grow in our relationship with Christ we are surely changed on the inside. This process is one that should be constant and on-going. As Christians we are never ‘there’ because Jesus is always working to make us more loving, more compassionate, more giving… As we allow Christ to permeate our lives we see the world and those around us in new ways. We seek to share what Jesus gives us through acts of mercy, kindness, love, …

The people we encounter should see the light within us. This changes our relationship with them. As people watch us in action, they should either be lifted up and encouraged (if they are a fellow Christian) or they should be drawn to the light and want to know where this love of neighbor comes from. Our light begins to dispel the darkness in which they walk. Our light draws them to the light of the world – Jesus.

You never know what people will notice. Is it that you go out of your way to extend kindness and love to that person at work that no one else really talks to or wants to be around? Is it that you are willing to pitch in and give a hand even if it is not on your job description? As Christ grows in us, our light in the world grows. Allow your light to be that hook that dangles just in front of the fish, enticing it to come a little closer, enticing it to be caught by the love of God almighty!


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Build the Kingdom Together

Paul opens the first letter to the Corinthians with a reminder that they are to be united in the faith, in mind, and in actions. What a great world that would be!!

At times everyone has disagreements. If you think back over your last few days I am willing to wager that you were in a disagreement with someone over something. It may have been something small, but… By our human nature we have opinions and we like to be right. Which also naturally makes somebody else ‘wrong.’ But in cases of opinion often both sides are ‘right’ but fail to acknowledge this fact.

I am also willing to wager that all of us have experienced a couple arguing out in a public space like a restaurant or have seen a parent come unglued over what seems like a minor offense that the child has committed in the store. We are all human, we all err. But we all probably agree that there is a time and a place to argue.

Like in Paul’s day, the world that was so torn apart by so many things so desperately needed a church that was unified. Like the church of Corinth, as soon as we start focusing on some issue or matter that divides us, then less of our energy goes toward being Christ’s love in the world. The color of the paint on the walls in the Parlor does not really matter (unless it is a hideous color! – just kidding) and how and when a church chooses to baptize does not really matter. The only things we should argue about inside our churches should be about how we are going to make a bigger difference in our world as we seek to grow His kingdom. Between churches the only thing we should argue about is who is going to the rescue mission and who is going to serve at Habitat or the thrift store or…

All of the churches and all of God’s people are under the same two commissions. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. What a great world that would be!!


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Being a Light in the Darkness

Isaiah 9:2 – “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” And in verse four these words speak out to us: “you have shattered the yoke that burdens them.”

Can you see yourself in these verses? Can you see someone you work with, go to school with, someone you encounter each day? Or it could be a person you meet for the first time ever! At times we all find ourselves on both sides of this reality. The passage and the light it refers to has often been seen as Jesus. But as we extend this passage and its ideas out into the time beyond the Old Testament and beyond Jesus, we are called to take up and be that light.

I want to ask you a question. It is the same type of question I asked the young people at Youth last night.

If you think back over your week, when and how were you the light of Christ to someone in your world?

Their question was actually about taking a risk for their faith. But when we step out and seek to make that difference in our world – one person at a time, one moment at a time (thanks again Keihwan Ryoo!) – we are often taking a risk. But when we do we rest assured that God’s grace always go before and that the Holy Spirit is always with us.

Today, yes – today, we will probably all have an opportunity to be God’s light to someone walking in the darkness. They may be dealing with an illness or there may be some other struggle going on in their life. They may be carrying the heavy weight of past baggage upon their backs. They may just have never seen the true Light. Today we can be that difference. It may be through your prayers, presence, gifts, service, or witness. It might even be a combination of these!!

As we go forth today, may we seek to have the eyes to see and the heart to love those in need. We may not be able to ‘fix’ everything for that person, but we can let them know we care and that God loves them and we can begin to point them towards that light. We can be the beginnings of hope in their life. Through the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit we can do much. Good luck fishing today!!

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Come and See

In the Gospel lesson for today, John the Baptist sees Jesus and proclaims him the Lamb of God. As Jesus passes by two of John’s disciples follow Jesus. As they do Jesus asks them what they want but instead of answering they ask him where he is staying. His response isn’t an answer either, but an invitation: “Come and see.”

This is what Jesus says to us too: ” Come and see.” It is what we are called to say to others as well. We are called to evangelize – to share the good news. For many this is a scary word. But we need to realize that our call is not to sell Jesus or to convince someone they have to go “all in.” We must simply enter into people live’s and say, come and see.

It may be saying, “Hey, can I tell you about Jesus and what he has done for me?” Or it may be stepping into a need and loving your neighbor. It may simply be living your life as an example of what it means to be a Christian. Ultimately, it is about drawing people in so that they can come and see who Jesus is.

In the devotional I read this morning there was a great analogy. It spoke of our relationship with Jesus as a series of concentric circles. Each layer a bit closer to Jesus. When we invite others to ‘come and see’ we are asking them to step one circle closer, not to leap all the way to the middle. May our words, actions, and deeds today help people to come and see Jesus, to draw closer to the Savior of the world.