pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: love


by Leave a comment

Power and Might, Love and Mercy

Reading: Exodus 32:11-14

Exodus 32:12 – “Calm down your fierce anger. Change your mind about doing terrible things to your own people.”

Yesterday we read about the creation of the golden calf. The Israelites were quick to return to what they learned during 400 years in slavery: the golden idols of their enslavers. To return to the familiar was easier than trusting in a God who called them “chosen.” God was furious. God was ready to destroy them all – except Moses.

Turning to today’s reading, Moses first pleads with God on behalf of the people of God. Moses reminds God of the relationship that far exceeds their time in slavery. He reminds God of the ways that God has just begun to rebuild and renew the relationship through the revelation of “great power and amazing force.” Then Moses’ pleading turns to direction as he says to God, “Calm down your fierce anger. Change your mind about doing terrible things to your own people.” Moses invites God away from the feelings of anger and rage. From a better place of heart and mind, Moses reminds God again of the long relationship and of the promises that God made to these people. God relents. God will not destroy the people of God.

This is the first of four times that Moses will intercede on behalf of God’s people. As Moses has walked closely with God, he has come to know not only God’s power and might, but also God’s love and mercy. This second part is what Moses appeals to in today’s text. At times, this is the role that we are called to play. Sometimes through prayer, sometimes through words and/or action, we intercede on behalf of others. Sometimes it is on behalf of those who do not yet know God and sometimes it is on behalf of the powerless or downtrodden. Sometimes it is on behalf of a brother or sister in Christ. Whatever the case, may we always be people who call upon God’s power and might and upon God’s love and mercy as we stand for and with others. Lord, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, in the immediate moment of need, give us the courage to pray or to speak or to act. Guard our hearts against judging or wanting to fix the situation first. There will be time to learn and grow and maybe even to change later. But in the moment, use us to intercede for others, relying upon your power and might and upon your love and mercy. Amen.


by Leave a comment

False Gods and Idols

Reading: Exodus 32:1-10

Exodus 32:7 – “Hurry up and go down! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, are ruining everything!”

Photo credit: Ricardo Gomez Angel

In our Old Testament reading today and tomorrow, Moses is up on the mountain receiving instructions from God. Starting in chapter 25, God gives Moses detailed instructions for the tabernacle and for observing the Sabbath. Moses has been with God for forty days. So at the start of chapter 32 the people come to Aaron, unsure about ever seeing Moses again, and ask Aaron to make them a “god.” The one left in charge gives in to the crowd and forms a golden calf. Two of the popular deities in Egypt were represented by a bull. Aaron does try to turn their focus to God by holding a festival to the Lord. But in the end, the people worship the golden idol. With their only connection to the one true God gone forever, the people turn to a false idol – one they can see and touch and can shape or manipulate with their own hands.

God sees what is happening and says to Moses, “Hurry up and go down! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, are ruining everything!” God’s plan is harsh. We find a hint as God calls them “your people.” With these words, God is rhetorically rejecting Israel. God’s plan is to allow the fury to burn and to devour these stubborn and faithless people. Then God will start all over with Moses!

I wonder if God ever feels this way in our day. I wonder if God ever looks down at our way of living and feels anger rising up inside. Do the false gods and idols that we chase after when we’ve lost our connection to God make God feel like “devouring” us? In these moments I remember that, like Israel in the wilderness, we are still a work in progress. We are yet becoming who God created us to be. In tomorrow’s reading, Moses will intercede for the people. For you, for me, for our world today – we too have an intercessor. The risen Christ stands between us and God, interceding on our behalf. Jesus walked among us. He understands our struggles and temptations. Thank you, Jesus.

Prayer: Lord God, when we drift and our connection with you feels lost, the things of this world seem brighter, shinier, more attractive. In these early moments, when we’re looking towards other “gods,” draw us back to you. Whisper in our hearts, reminding us of your love. May this be what captures our attention, our focus, our worship. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Great Reward

Reading: Psalm 19:7-14

Psalm 19:11 – “No doubt about it: your servant is enlightened by them [God’s law]; there is great reward in keeping them.“

Moving into the second half of this week’s Psalm we move into David’s love of God’s word. Through the instruction, guidance, and commands found in the Bible, God seeks to order human behavior in ways that are loving, just, compassionate, kind, merciful, and joyful. Earlier this week we spent time with the Ten Commandments. These ten laws are amongst the best known commands in the scriptures. These words of God and the rest of God’s words found throughout the scriptures seek to lead and guide us to live day by day in right relationship with God and with one another.

For David, God’s laws are “perfect… right… pure… correct… true… more desirable than gold.” It is so for David because of how following God’s laws affect him and his life. For David, God’s laws are “reviving… gladdening… giving light… sweeter than honey.” David offers this great summary statement in verse 11: “No doubt about it: your servant is enlightened by them [God’s law]; there is great reward in keeping them.” When we delve into God’s word, when we mine the scriptures for wisdom, strength, comfort, grace, guidance, direction… we too are “enlightened” and we also find “great reward.” The reward magnifies when we strive to live out these instructions in our daily lives. It is good and it is a blessing because God’s word leads us to live in right relationships with God and with one another.

Psalm 19 closes with a prayer that is offered regularly in worship, maybe in a slightly different translation or phrasing. But the spirit of these words remains. This can also be a prayer that we offer over each of our days. We close today with these words: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, while there are many laws and many different examples of faithfulness in the scriptures, all hinge on a simple idea: love. So lead us to make love our first thought. May it begin with a deep love for you and your ways. And then may it extend to one another. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Love… Neighbor or Self?

Reading: Exodus 20:12-20

Exodus 20:17 – “Do not desire and try to take your neighbor’s house… wife… servant, ox…”

As we wrap up our time with the Ten Commandments, we shift to the commands that provide guidance for our relationships with one another. These six commands seem relatively straight forward. But there is nuance and depth to these commands. In the New Testament, Jesus unpacks many with his “You’ve heard it said… but I say to you” statements found in Matthew 5.

The fifth command is to “honor” our parents. These words aim at intergenerational righteousness – treating one another in just and good ways. This leads to honoring the wisdom and the experience of those who have walked longer with God. This, in turn, leads to a long walk for their children.

Commands six through nine are short and easy to understand – again, at least on the surface. “Do not kill… commit adultery… steal… testify falsely.” Yet each command extends far beneath the surface. When Jesus delves deeper, we come to see and understand this reality. For example, Jesus explains that adultery begins long before the sexual act occurs. He explains that the sin begins with a simple look that generates lust in our hearts.

The tenth command leans into this idea. It is the only interpersonal command that deals explicitly with our inner thoughts. This command begins with “Do not desire…” Desire is the root of many sins. The list that follows the outward action of taking ends with a catch-all “anything.” Almost anything can cause desire and selfishness to rise up in our hearts.

The passage ends with Moses explaining that these commands are to “test” the people, keeping them from sin. The testing begins in our hearts, where we weigh the way of God against the way of the world. Here we decide if we will love God and neighbor or if we will love self. One leads to life and one leads to death – first in our relationships and then in our hearts.

Prayer: Lord God, breathe life and love into our hearts. Through your Spirit’s presence, lead and guide us to walk in your ways. Guard our hearts and minds against the selfishness and pride that leads to sin. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Faithful and Obedient

Reading: Matthew 21:28-32

Matthew 21:31 – “Which one of these two did his father’s will?”

Continuing their conversation on authority, Jesus tells the religious leaders a story. A father has two sons. He tells each son to go and work in the vineyard. A good son would surely obey his father. The first son says “No.” But later he goes and works in the vineyard. The second son says “Yes,” but never goes to work. Jesus asks the leaders, “Which one of these two did his father’s will?” The first son, of course. He actually did what the father commanded.

In our journeys of faith, we play the role of both sons. At times God asks us to do something or places someone or something upon our heart. We tell God and maybe even ourselves that we will do it, but then we don’t. Some of the time we genuinely plan on doing it. Other times it is just lip service or we say “yes” because others are in earshot. And then some of the time we say “no” or we try and ignore God or the Holy Spirit. Yet in the end we do God’s will, being obedient in our faith.

As Jesus’ story continues, he lets the religious leaders know that they are like the second son. They’ve said “yes” to God and now they say the right things, but they don’t do them. Jesus then points to the tax collectors and prostitutes – those who said “no” initially with their lives. But then they heard John’s call and changed their lives, saying “yes” to God’s call. When the religious leaders saw this happening, they still refused to change their own hearts and lives.

When we are obedient to God, we find again and again that we are blessed. When we feed a neighbor or comfort a friend, yes, they are blessed. But we too are blessed by our obedience to God. After each experience, we feel joy because we said “yes” to God. In those moments when we hesitate or even feel like denying God’s call, may we remember how we grow in our faith and in our love of God when we are faithful.

Prayer: Lord God, work in our hearts and lives, placing a deeply rooted faith and trust in our spirit. When you call, O God, move us to a faithful and obedient response, loving others as you love us. Fill us with joy each time we serve you and others. Amen.


by Leave a comment

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.


by Leave a comment

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.


by Leave a comment

Telling and Retelling

Reading: Psalm 78:1-4

Psalm 78:4b – “We’ll tell the next generation all about the praises due the Lord and his strength – the wondrous works God has done.”

Photo credit: Priscilla du Preez

Psalm 78 begins with words intended to draw readers into the Psalm and its teachings. It begins with “Listen, my people… tilt your ears…” This is a call to active and engaged listening. It says to us and to other readers, “Pay attention, I have a good story to tell.” The drawing in continues: “I’ll declare riddles from long ago.” The story itself is interesting, maybe even intriguing. It’ll draw readers in even deeper as it progresses. I wonder, do we tell others about our God with such energy and passion? Is there excitement generated in the ways that we share our stories of faith with others?

In verse 4 the psalmist leans into the importance of telling the next generations. We too are called to pass on the stories of faith to our children and to the children in our communities of faith. In the last part of this verse the author declares, “We’ll tell the next generation all about the praises due the Lord and his strength – the wondrous works God has done.” In the telling and retelling of God’s wondrous works we help those new to the faith to understand the power and might of God. Learning all about the things that God has done for Israel begins to build trust and faith in new believer’s hearts.

The telling and retelling also impacts the hearer in another important way. Hearing the stories of what God has done opens their eyes to see what God does in their lives. This step makes God personal and intimate – another wonderful side of God. This realization further moves trust and faith from head to heart. And let’s not forget the teller. We too are impacted. As we tell and retell God’s story and our story, our faith grows and deepens too. Our eyes and hearts become more aware of and sensitive to the God moments in our lives. And our story widens and deepens. May it be so for us all.

Prayer: Lord God, open our eyes – both to see your presence in our lives and to see the opportunities that we have to share these experiences. Open our hearts too, O God. Opened wide we can better take in your love and strength, and we can then pour these things out, building up others’ faith and trust in you. Thank you. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Generous

Reading: Matthew 20:1-16

Matthew 20:16 – “So those who are last will be first. And those who are first will be last.”

Returning to the parable of the workers in the vineyard, today we focus on the landowner’s response to the grumbling of those who thought they were first. The landowner reminds them first of their agreement. They are asked to take what is theirs and to go. The landowner asserts that it is their right to give as they want to give. The parable itself ends with this question: “Or are you resentful because I’m generous?” As I read this ending today, I am reminded of connections to these stories of Jesus: the story of the rich man and Lazarus and the story of the thief on the cross.

Shifting from story teller to teacher, Jesus says, “So those who are last will be first. And those who are first will be last.” The ones who think they deserve more grace, more of God’s love, a better place at the table… will be and often are upset, disappointed, saddened when someone who hasn’t been as faithful, who hasn’t served as much, or who is clearly a greater sinner receives the same grace, love, forgiveness… from God. It is hard to reckon in our human hearts and minds that such as these might need to be lifted from “last” more than those who already know and receive God’s love…

There is also a call for us to be more like the landowner. In this life there are times when we can be generous with our money or with our time, talents, and other resources. Surely we’ll help a good friend in a time of need. But are we as quick to help that grumpy neighbor or that ornery co-worker? These who we see as “last” maybe should be “first” when it comes to the living out of our faith. And this would not primarily be for their benefit.

Prayer: Lord God, we are quick to receive when you love, forgive, encourage, or lift us up. We’re even grateful when a family member or good friend receives from you. Help us to be at least as grateful when one considered the least is also blessed. And with this gratitude, lead us to be generous with our love, grace, forgiveness… Thank you, Lord. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Comparing and Contrasting

Reading: Matthew 20:1-16

Matthew 20:12 – “These who were hired last worked one hour, and they received the same pay as we did even though we had to work the whole day in the hot sun.”

We end our week with the parable of the workers in the vineyard. The story begins with a landowner hiring workers at 6 am. It is harvest time, so extra workers are needed. He agrees to pay them a denarion for a day’s labor – 12 hours. As work progresses throughout the day, the landowner keeps thinking he needs a few more workers to complete the harvest. So at 9 am, noon, 3 pm, and even at 5 pm he hires more workers. The landowner agrees to pay each group “whatever is right.” Some will work 9 hours, some 6, some 3, and some will work just 1 hour.

The work day ends and the landowner instructs his manager to give the workers their wages – starting with those who worked one hour. They and everybody else receives a denarion. Only the workers who actually agreed to work for a denarion are upset about their pay. They grumble against the landowner, saying, “These who were hired last worked one hour, and they received the same pay as we did even though we had to work the whole day in the hot sun.” This seems so unfair, so unjust in their minds.

At times we too can struggle with the grace, generosity, love… that God gives to others. By comparison we think we are more faithful, harder working, and, therefore, are more deserving of these free gifts from God. We grumble – always to ourselves and sometimes to God – about how unfair or unjust it all is. In these moments, may we remember that we are all on our own unique journeys of faith and that we all receive just what we need from our loving, generous, good God.

Prayer: Lord God, in those moments when we are tempted to compare and contrast ourselves with others, remind us first that we have an audience of one: you. And then remind us, O God, of the abundant love, grace, mercy, and more that you abundantly pour into our lives. Amen.