pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: love


by Leave a comment

The Good Shepherd

Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16

Verse 12: “I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered.”

Photo credit: Patrick Schneider

We begin this week with Ezekiel. The prophet lived about 600 years before Jesus was born. His ministry began as a temple priest in Jerusalem. But with the invasion and subsequent exile imposed by the Babylonians, Ezekiel experienced and lived through the disaster that he foretold earlier in his ministry. Yet even while living in exile in a foreign land, far away from the temple, Ezekiel speaks a word of hope today.

Speaking to the scattered flock of Israel, through Ezekiel God says, “I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.” God doesn’t wait for Israel (or us) to come to God. The all-present and ever-loving God will go out to the scattered. God will care for them even in their exile and in their separation. God will provide as a shepherd provided for the sheep. These words of hope remind the scattered flock that God is with them even in the foreign places. Our God continues to be with us in all aspects of life – in the good and in the bad and in all places in between.

Reading on, the promise becomes even greater. God gives this greater promise: “I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered.” Not only will God be with them in their exile, but God will regather the community of faith. God will bring them home to Israel where God will tend to them in “good pastures.” Within this promise there is a word that may be some need to hear today. God will “bind up the injured and strengthen the weak.” Maybe you or someone you know is hurting or is worn down. Maybe grief or isolation has set in heavy upon the spirit. If so, remember that the good shepherd seeks you and desires to love and care for you. Step into this good news. Share it with someone in need of this good news.

Prayer: Lord God, wherever we are today, draw us closer to you. Whether in sorrow or in joy, whether in want or in plenty, may we grow closer to you today. And if we have the capacity, Lord, use us to remind others of your love and care for them. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Bold Faith, Deep Trust

Reading: Matthew 25:19-30

Verse 21: “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!'”

Photo credit: Nathan Dumlao

Today we continue with Jesus’ parable about the gifts and abilities that we are entrusted with. Yesterday’s implication that we should use these gifts and talents to build the kingdom of God becomes a crystal clear expectation today. The master returns home and settles accounts with the three servants. He has entrusted them with something very valuable. Now he wants to see what they’ve done with it.

Two of the servants double what was entrusted to them. Both receive the same praise: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Whether it was doubled or quadrupled or whatever is not the point here. The point is that they acted, using what they were entrusted with. The third servant hid away what he was given. He receives a very harsh rebuke and consequence for not using the gifts and talents that he had been entrusted with. This third servant’s fear prevents him from taking even the most basic action. Other than fear, what keeps us from acting or from using the gifts and talents that God has entrusted to us?

The two servants who received praise (and more blessings) were willing to use what they were entrusted with. They took a risk. It might have gone south. Whatever they tried could’ve failed. The same is true for us. Whatever gift or talent it is – whether love or grace or salvation, whether a teaching or parenting gift – sometimes when we try and use that to build the kingdom of God, it will require us to risk, to step outside of our comfort zone. And sometimes we’ll even fail. We’ll be rejected or ridiculed or… Offering our gifts and talents in our broken and hurting world takes bold faith and deep trust in God. Keeping these things to ourselves will one day draw a harsh rebuke. May we live out our faith boldly, using the blessings and gifts from God to be a blessing and gift to others. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for preparing me and for equipping me to share my gifts and blessings with others. You call me to be alert and to be ready to use these for the building of your kingdom here on earth. Today you remind me to take the next hard step – to actually use these in the world. Encourage and empower me to act today. I trust these actions to your blessings. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Actively Using our Gifts

Reading: Matthew 25:14-18

Verse 14: “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.”

This week’s parable begins, “Again, it will be like…” The ‘again’ refers to Jesus’ continuing teaching on the kingdom of heaven. That’s the ‘it’ in these opening words. The prior parable was all about keeping awake and being prepared. That is step one in our Christian journey. As Jesus continues, we get to step two.

In today’s text a man is “going on a journey.” Jesus is offering words of instruction to his followers. Right now the disciples are mostly watching Jesus. One day he’ll go and they will be the ones tasked with sharing the good news, healing a broken world… This task falls to each new generation of Christ followers.

The man in our parable gives each servant some talents or money. The amounts varied – “each according to his [or her] ability.” While there are no instructions given, the implication is that they will use this gift in accordance with their ability or giftedness. There are a few layers to this part of the parable. When Jesus departed this world he gifted the disciples with the Holy Spirit. This indwelling presence leads and guides and teaches his followers. As we enter into a relationship with Jesus, we too receive this gift. The second gifting comes in the love, hope, peace, joy, forgiveness, grace… that we receive from the Lord. Our third gifting is our particular talents as nurses, teachers, parents, accountants, coaches… The implication of the parable applies to us in all of these layers. We are to use all of these gifts for the building up of the kingdom of God. So the question is this: Are we actively using our giftedness for God’s glory?

Prayer: Lord God, you’ve given me much – unconditional love, unending grace, undeserved forgiveness… As I know these more and more, guide me to use and share them more and more. You’ve blessed me with the gifts of teaching and serving. Employ these too to build your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


by Leave a comment

The Cycle

Reading: Judges 4:1-3

Verse 1: “Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord.”

This week we turn to the book of Judges. The judges were individuals, both men and women, that God raised up for relatively short periods of time. Their tasks were to lead, guide, and judge disputes. God would raise up a judge to get the people back to faithful living. This raising up was usually in response to their cry for help. This cry was most often a response to the consequences of their sin.

As today’s passage begins, we read, “Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord.” This is a very familiar refrain throughout much of the Old Testament. The cycle of sin-consequence-cry out-repent-restoration is an oft-repeated cycle. In today’s instance, they are nearing the end of a 20-year consequence. They have experienced cruel oppression at the hands of a foreign power. That is a long time. It shapes and forms that generation much like the Depression and world wars shaped our grandparents and our great grandparents. This same shaping and forming recently happened during the COVID pandemic. While this event was not shaped by a nation’s sin, the impacts were not unlike what Israel suffered under Sisera many years ago. The fabric of community was torn, death and loss and other hardships were a daily reality, loneliness and isolation took their toll. It often felt more like surviving than living. We can relate to Israel crying out to God because we too cried out to God. Why?

Israel cried out to God because of the cycle. They knew that in spite of their sinful choices, God showed up again and again. They knew that God’s love would never fail and they trusted that God’s mercies would be new every morning. In our next crisis or hardship or time of separation from God, may we too cry out. God is faithful.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your enduring patience with me and with us. Sometimes I think we fail more often than we please you. Oh how we would quickly wear thin on one another if we were in your role! But you never tire of us or weary of our sin. Your love is ever steadfast, your grace ever true. Thank you, O God. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Living Together with Christ

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 5:6-11

Verse 10: “Jesus died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.”

Photo credit: Sophie Walker

Thessalonica was a city under Roman control. The political leaders and many of the religious leaders were trying to curry favor with the Romans. This upstart church refused to play this game. The tension created by this eventually sept into the church, creating division there too. They began looking at one another, questioning the other’s faith. The polarization of the world was beginning to creep into the church. The “us” and “them” mentality was negatively affecting the church and its witness, both from the outside and from the inside.

Paul begins to address this by encouraging the church to not be like those who are asleep – those without faith in Jesus Christ. Instead, he encourages them to “be alert and self-controlled.” Notice when the world is creeping in, keep the focus on Jesus. Make the choice to control your tongues and your bodies. To help these efforts, Paul invites them to put on “faith… love… and the hope of salvation.” Putting on and living out faith, hope, and love will allow them to be light in the dark world and peace in a world of division. These actions, of course, must begin within and then spread outside the church. We must first practice and model what we believe before we can preach or share these things with the world.

Paul closes with a reminder and then with an encouragement. First, in verse 10, he writes, “Jesus died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” Christ died for all – for those inside the church and for those still outside the church. The mission remains to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Second, Paul invites the church to “encourage one another and to build each other up.” Support and love one another, lift each other up. Being hope, love, and faith in the world is not often easy. We need one another. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, draw us together. Make us one in you and one with each other. Let love and hope and faith guide all that we do and say, especially within the family of God. After we’ve learned to do this well, send us out to share these blessings with the world. Amen.


by Leave a comment

How God Does It

Reading: Joshua 24:16-25

Verse 24: “We will serve the Lord our God and obey God.”

After declaring that he and his house will serve the Lord, Joshua turns the focus to the people. In today’s passage the people respond to Joshua’s declaration with a recounting of God’s power and presence among them. This recounting ends with “We too will serve the Lord because he is our God.” Joshua challenges this statement. Maybe you’ve done this too with that friend who is less than stellar about walking the walk. They’re maybe quick to volunteer but seldom show. They’re great at committing to things but not so good on following through.

Joshua bluntly tells the people that they are not able to serve God. He tells them that God is jealous and holy. He tells them that God will not again and again forgive their rebellion and sin. The people say, “No! We will serve the Lord!” His challenge to their original commitment raises the bar. He is saying they can’t just talk the talk. That’s easy. Joshua then calls them as witnesses against themselves. He is doubling down, asking them if they’re really, really, really sure. Joshua then once more commands them to “throw away” their idols. In turn the people commit to God once again, saying, “We will serve the Lord our God and obey God.”

As I read this passage and note how Joshua questions their commitment again and again, I wonder how God does it. When I’ve struggled with a difficult sin, I come to God again and again with words of confession and repentance. Each time, yes, I’m a little more committed to actually changing. Each time God’s Spirit convicts me a little quicker, a little more deeply. Each time the Spirit increases my resolve, helping me to better walk the walk. How does God do it? Through unconditional love and unending grace. What an awesome God we serve.

Prayer: Lord God, as I consider the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites and as I think about my own wanderings, I am amazed at your continued presence. In my human understanding it is hard to fathom, hard to comprehend. So great is your love for us, so deep is your mercy, so wide is your forgiveness. I am humbled. I bow before you and say thank you, thank you, thank you. Amen.


by 1 Comment

Love God AND Neighbor

Reading: Matthew 22:34-40

Verses 37 and 39: “Love the Lord your God… love your neighbor.”

Photo credit: Greg Rakozy

As we turn to our gospel text for this week once again the religious leaders are testing Jesus. They view Jesus as an adversary and try again and again to discredit him, to bait him, to trap him… Today in the text it is framed in a question about the Law: “Which is the greatest commandment?”

Jesus answers as even the most nominal Jew would answer, quoting from the Law of Moses. Reciting from Deuteronomy and then from Leviticus, Jesus basically says, “Love the Lord your God… love your neighbor.” Here Jesus is combining these two commands, in essence making them one command. Let us note “how” Jesus says to follow these commands. Jesus reminds us that we are to love God “with all your heart… soul… mind” – love God with all that we are, with our whole selves. Then Jesus says we are to love our neighbors “as yourself.” Love as you would hope to be loved. Connecting the two, love your neighbor as God loves you: with all of God’s heart, soul, and mind. That is how we are to love our neighbors, which, of course, to God and to Jesus means all people.

In today’s Disciplines devotional, author Sophia Agtarap sums up a recent sentiment found on shirts, bumper stickers… this way: “Love your neighbor who doesn’t look like you, think like you, love like you, speak like you, pray like you, vote like you.” This is a pretty inclusive list of folks that we can surely want to exclude from our “neighbor” definition. Yet if we are to really live God with all of our heart, soul, and mind, then we must truly love such as these. May it be so today and every day for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, do what you need to do in my heart to enable me to really live out these commands. Thank you. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Love Lived Out

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 2:1-8

Verse 8: “Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”

Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica is the focus of today’s passage. Paul, Silas, and Timothy preached the good news of Jesus Christ “with the help of our God.” In spite of opposition they spoke boldly. While the fruit of their faithfulness was converts to Christ, Paul clearly states that their ministry was offered to please God alone. And in order to best minister there, in order not to be a “burden,” Paul’s habit was to find work in each community, allowing him to care for them in the best way possible.

While we may feel like we live in a much different time than Paul and company lived, the principles and practices shared in today’s passage are very relevant to our faith and to our witness. Paul’s primary focus was to share Jesus. All he did and said and thought was aimed at this focus. Do we use all that we are and all that we have to share the good news? They spoke boldly, not fearing whatever opposition that may come. Do we speak boldly of our faith or do we worry more about what others might think or say about us? Do we allow the “cost” to sway how we go about witnessing to our faith?

And, perhaps most importantly today, are we “gentle” and caring with all of those that we encounter and engage? In a world that often sees Christianity in a negative light, do our words and actions always help people to experience the love and grace of Jesus Christ? Do those we witness to feel that we are doing our “job” or do they feel what people felt when they met Paul or Jesus – our desire to be in relationship, to share our lives as well?

Prayer: Lord God, may we truly be your love lived out today. When others look at us, when they talk with us, when they spend time with us, may they feel like they have been in your presence. Guide us, Lord, to be gentle and kind with all we meet. And empower us to be bold in our sharing of the good news. In all of these things may others come to know your love and our love. Amen.


by Leave a comment

The Work of Our Hands

Reading: Psalm 90:13-17

Verse 17: “Establish the work of our hands for us.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

As the words of Moses continue on from verse 6, he petitions God for right living and for a heart of wisdom. Moses notes that whether we live to 70 or 80, our days “pass quickly.” It is with this quick review that we turn to today’s verses. Moses begins with a plea for compassion coupled with his plea for God to relent. Perhaps these words came after the incident with the golden calf (or some other sin). Moments when we are reminded of our sinful nature and of our mortality tend to lead to somber thoughts and to some good inner reflection.

Continuing, Moses asks for God’s “unfailing love” to satisfy them so that the people can be joyful. Moses then asks God to reveal God’s splendor so that they may be glad. He closes by asking for God’s favor to be upon Israel and then connects this thought to a request to “establish the work of our hands.” Taken all together, Moses is asking for God’s presence to fill them with gladness and joy so that they can live a life that is pleasing to God. Moses modeled this life for the people. Sure, he had his moments. In Deuteronomy we read that he could not enter the Promises Land because of one of these moments. We too have our moments. Yet we are still called to live out a life of joy and gladness – plus hope, love, peace, mercy, grace… – and to bless God and others through the work of our hands. So, what does this look like for us today?

I ask this because Moses lived in a time and situation that was very different from ours. To find a more relevant example, let us turn to Jesus. He lived in a world much like ours. Jesus lived among everyday people, loving and obeying God. This was reflected in how Jesus engaged and ministered to all sorts of folks, meeting them and loving on them right where they were. May this too be the work of our hands.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to model my daily living after Jesus’ example. Establish the work of my hands today. Make it work that is pleasing to you. Make it work that builds the kingdom of heaven here on earth. Fill me with gladness and joy each day. Fill me so that it overflows into the lives of all that I meet today. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Paying It Back

Reading: Matthew 22:15-22

Verse 20: “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

Today we return to the teaching about paying taxes. In our time together yesterday we considered how we ourselves bear and reflect the image of God. The question we ended with was: How do we give to God what is God’s? This question asks us to wrestle with how or what we give back to God, drawing from the time, talents, and resources that God has given to us. Our response to this question either deepens or lessens our relationship with God. But it also affects our relationships with one another. That is our focus today.

To hear and understand that we are created in and bear the image of God leads us to the realization that this is true for others too. It is true for our parents, for our spouses and significant others, for our children… It is also true for that difficult neighbor, for that busybody coworker, for that stranger on the street corner… Often it is harder to treat those such as these the same way we would treat our family or close friends.

Yet the reality is that these too bear the image of God. They too were woven together in the womb by God’s hands. So when we next encounter that neighbor or coworker or stranger or… we will once again have a choice. We can treat them as the world does – ignoring, fighting back, getting even. Or we can treat them as God treats us. We can take the blessings of love, kindness, humility… and pay them back to God by paying them forward to that neighbor, coworker, stranger… May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, when I encounter the other, may I first see you in them. Through that lens, help me to be generous and welcoming, compassionate and caring. And, then Lord, help me to see me – the old me. Through this lens, help me to then offer the love and grace poured out so abundantly in my life. Amen.