pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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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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Time, Time, Time

Reading: Psalm 31:15-16

Psalm 31:15a – “My future is in your hands.”

Returning to Psalm 31 today, the psalmist turns to time and to how we spend our days. In verse 15 he or she declares: “My future is in your hands.” Another way to say this idea is this: My life is in your hands. In both cases we are speaking of our being resting in God’s hands. But as humans, we can struggle with this way of being. Our humanity wants to measure time quantitatively. This is the way of the world. We will all one day live our last day. In this understanding of time, we strive to have “enough.” So we gather and store up and save. The felt need to do these things leads to wanting to cram more and more into each day so that we can accumulate more and more just to…

The other way to measure time is in moments, in experiences, in encounters with the holy. In this construct of time we are able to live into God’s plans for our lives. We can experience life this way when we slow down. Not rushing from thing to thing allows us to watch the sunrise, to linger in the conversation, to notice the smile of the stranger, to relish the flavor of the food. Not focusing on accumulating for self, one is freed to be generous with our resources and time. Living this way, we deepen relationships with God and with one another. We encounter God in the small things and in the large. We find meaning and purpose in life. And, somehow, as life slows down, it gets richer, fuller, more abundant. May this be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, our future and our days are really in your hands – whether one moment or one day or 100 years. Open our eyes and hearts to your presence and purpose in all of life. Make us fully aware of how and when and why your Spirit moves. Draw us in. Deepen our lives. Amen.


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Every Moment of Every Day

Reading: Psalm 23:5-6

Psalm 23:6 – “Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life.”

As we return to Psalm 23 today we do so with the key thought once again front and center: “You are with me.” As this week’s Disciplines devotional writer Magrey deVega notes, these four words are literally the center of the psalm. There are 26 words before this phrase and 26 after it. The psalm begins with rest and God’s provision, guidance, and protection. It then enters dark valley. It is here that we are often most aware of God’s intimate presence and deep love. Climbing out of that place, we turn to verses 5 and 6.

In verse 5 we see the depth and scope of God’s love. A table is set right amongst enemies. So complete is God’s protection, there is no fear even when surrounded. Blessings come too, even there, as the head is anointed and the cup overflows. Signs of God’s love assure us even in moments of threat or danger or fear. In this situation, like in the valley, the psalmist realizes, “Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life.” God isn’t there just when we call on God. No, God is always there. Yes, our awareness of this can rise and fall with our own perceived need, but when we reflect back on our relationship with God, we too see God’s steadfast and constant presence in our lives. From this place of assurance, we know as David knew: “I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live.” Every moment of every day, God is with us. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, as I sit and look out the window upon the hedge and woods beyond, you are there. As I look around the cottage, you are here. Wherever and whenever I go, you will be there too. Thank you, Lord, for your abiding and loving presence in the highs and lows and in everything in between. You are an awesome, awesome God. Amen.


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Moments to Share

Reading: John 20:19-29

John 20:27 – “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side.”

Photo credit: Priscilla du Preez

We return today to the story of Jesus’ first two visits to the disciples. The incredible story of Jesus’ first visit is met with great skepticism about what “supposedly” happened. Didymus wants proof. He wants to see and touch to believe that it really is Jesus. We will meet people like this. Yes, cute Bible stories and even some good moral lessons, but…

If you think back over your journey of faith, what were the moments that made your faith real? The stories in the Bible are powerful and provide us with a foundation. In this way they are part of what John Wesley called “prevenient grace” – that grace of God that draws you towards God before you believe. Moments from worship, conversations in Sunday school or youth group, a nugget from a sermon – more of that prevenient grace.

All of these things pull us towards God, deeper into the story, closer to a saving relationship. But those moments in the balcony or at the graveside or in the ER or… the tangible touches of God, the moments when we’ve figuratively been close enough to touch the nail scars, these are our moments. These touches become our stories. These personal stories of when God draws near are the stories that can make Jesus more real for others. They still must have their own moments, but our stories can be part of God’s prevenient grace at work in other’s lives. What are your stories? How will you share them with others?

Prayer: Lord God, remind us of the times when you drew near, when we could feel and almost touch you. Deepen our memories of these encounters so that they become part of the stories that we tell. And as we tell them, work in others to draw them closer to you and to a relationship that will change their lives. Amen.


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A Word to Share

Reading: 2nd Peter 1:19-21

2nd Peter 1:21 – “No prophecy ever came by human will. Instead, men and women led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

As we read the second half of this week’s 2nd Peter 1 passage, we first encounter an admonition from Peter. We recall from Wednesday’s reading that what he has to say is not some “crafty myth.” It is not something he heard from a friend of a friend of an acquaintance either. This is Peter’s personal eyewitness account of the experience and words that came from God. So, readers, “you would do well to pay attention to it.”

The transfiguration of Jesus was prophesied long ago. Both Daniel and Malachi foretold this moment. Both were speaking and then recording words that God gave them. Peter connects this to his experience on that mountaintop and to his life as he writes, “No prophecy ever came by human will. Instead, men and women led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” This remains true. We cannot generate a word from God on our own. A word from God is a gift revealed by and through God and the Spirit. As we are given the words (or nudges…) and are given divine direction or understanding, it is then that “the morning star [Jesus] rises in our hearts” too.

These encounters with the divine hold great power. Often we do not fully understand or see how God was speaking or working in the moment. Only with a bit of time do we comprehend how God’s spirit gave us the words or guided the event, the conversation, the journey. On Tuesday morning a women shared her story with me and two friends at a coffee shop. She lost most of her roof in a 100+ mph wind storm one night – all but the roof over her bedroom. She then recounted piece by piece the ways that God has been present that night and in the days that followed. The Spirit opened her eyes to see God’s hand at work. There was joy and power in her story. Her faith was alive and bursting forth. What story or word of God do you have to share?

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your word spoken in scripture and for your presence in our lives yet today. Continue to reveal your glory to us in powerful ways, fueling our witness to the world. Open our eyes and hearts to these moments, big and small, when you become present in our lives and in our world. Open our minds to understand and to share our faith stories and encounters. Amen.


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The Moment of Connection

Reading: Matthew 19:29-34

Matthew 19:32 – “What do you want me to do for you?”

The scene is Jericho. This is the place that the walls came tumbling down almost 400 years ago. It was Israel’s entry point into and first victory in the Promised Land. The presence of the Lord was there as Joshua led the army around the city and the Lord’s presence is there as two blind men cry out.

As our passage opens, Jesus, the disciples, and a large crowd are leaving Jericho. From here Jesus will turn towards Jerusalem, entering the city for the final week leading up to the cross. In Matthew’s gospel this healing is followed by Jesus’ triumphal entry we celebrate as Palm Sunday. Is this Jericho crowd the same crowd that will cheer and shout “Hosanna…” as Jesus rides into Jerusalem?

Knowing all that lay ahead Jesus must’ve had a lot on his mind and heart. Imagine how you would be if you knew you had one week to live and you had much to accomplish in that week. As Jesus… is passing by, two blind men shout out, “Show us mercy, Lord, Son of David!” The crowd tries to hush them, but they just shout louder. Jesus hears them. He “stopped in his tracks.” We cannot miss this detail. All else becomes totally unimportant to Jesus. Focusing on these two blind men, Jesus asks them, “What do you want me to do for you?” They want to see. Jesus restores their sight. They follow Jesus.

May we do as Jesus did. May we notice the cry of the one in need, ignoring the noise of the crowd. May we stop and turn our whole focus to the one God places in our path. May we clarify what they say they need. And then may we work to meet their need, either personally or through connecting them to those who can meet their need.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for this example of empathy, presence, and compassion. Enable and empower us to do as Jesus did. Lord, stop us in our tracks when we hear the cry for help. Guide us to be Christ’s presence in the moment of connection. Use us then to meet the need, however we can. In all things, may you be glorified and lifted up. Amen.


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Our Daily Choice

Reading: Daniel 6:4-16

Daniel 6:10c – “Daniel knelt down, prayed, and praised his God three times a day, just like he always did.”

Photo credit: Noah Silliman

Today’s small peak into Daniel’s story reminds us of how hard it can be at times to choose to stay in love with God. Daniel has consistently chosen to do good in his role as an administrator. His work is without fault. Even though he is living in exile, along with most of Israel, Daniel has made an intentional choice to “stay in love with God.”

As our reading begins we see that the other administrators and officials – all 122 of them – are trying to find a way to do harm to Daniel. They are jealous and want to take him down. Finding no fault with his work, they sink to trying to use his faith against him. Tricking the king into writing a law about praying only to the king, these men find a way to possibly be rid of Daniel.

In verse 10 we read that Daniel is fully aware of this new law. As we press on we read, “Daniel knelt down, prayed, and praised his God three times a day, just like he always did.” Daniel chose to continue doing what he always did. The crowd bursts in and catches Daniel praying to God. Despite the king’s best efforts, Daniel is thrown into the lion’s den. (The story does not end here!)

In that moment, when choosing God really mattered, Daniel chose to do what he did every day to nourish his faith, to deepen his relationship with God. In our moment, when practicing our faith might place us in harm’s way, will we make Daniel’s choice? If our daily choice is the same – taking time every day to invest in our faith and in our relationship with God – then we are likely to find the courage and faith to trust God and to step forward in faith. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, how beautiful is Daniel’s slow and sure walk of faith. Again and again you proved worthy of his trust and devotion. First, Lord, guide us to such a place of deep faith as we daily invest in our own relationship with you. And then, in the moment, give us the courage to continue to walk the walk. Amen.


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Trust, Faith… Each Day

Reading: Matthew 6

Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters.”

Photo credit: Wesual Click

As Jesus continues the Sermon on the Mount he addresses showy religion, prayer, and fasting. To give to the poor or to pray or to fast in ways to be noticed by others – then that recognition will be our only reward. Jesus advises us to do these things in private or in secret. Then our reward will come from God. When we pray, Jesus cautions against “a flow of empty words.” He gives us a simple and humble prayer, one grounded in loving God and neighbor. We know this prayer as “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Jesus then addresses our tendency towards our “treasures.” Today he’d caution us against collecting homes, cars, the latest gadgets, bigger bank accounts… Instead he encourages us to collect treasures in heaven. Some examples of how to do this were given in verses 1-18. In verses 22-24 Jesus connects this struggle into the common Old Testament, Jewish understanding about good/evil, light/dark. In first century Palestine the eye was seen as the window or door to the heart (or soul for us). Jesus clearly believes the best choice is light. He then states, “No one can serve two masters.” God and wealth is the example Jesus gives. While probably the biggest struggle for most of us, there are many other things that we can prioritize over our relationship with God.

Chapter 6 closes with perhaps one of our greatest adversaries in our battle to trust God: worry. We can worry about so many things, big and small. Jesus points to the birds and lilies – examples of parts of creation that God cares wonderfully for. He points out that we are worth much more than these to God. We are told to “desire first and foremost God’s kingdom.” Keep God #1 in your life, Jesus says, and “all these things” will be given to you by God as well. Jesus concludes, “Stop worrying about tomorrow… Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Trust God each day, believing that our “daily bread” will come from our God who loves us.

Prayer: Lord God, you call us to a simple faith, to a day by day walk with you. To focus on the day, to live each moment, we have a chance to notice the opportunities and ways you call us to love completely. To stay in the moment, it focuses our heart on you and in your presence in our lives each day. Help us to live a simple and honest faith today, O God. Amen.


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The Royal Family

Readings: Esther 1,  Esther 2, Esther 3, Esther 4

Esther 4:14: “Maybe it was for a moment like this that you came to be part of the royal family.”

Today we begin the book of Esther. It is set in the city of Susa – the city where Nehemiah served King Artaxerxes. Esther’s story unfolds under the next king, Ahasuerus (or Xerxes I.) He was the 4th king that reigned in Persia during the 120 years that it took to rebuild the temple and the wall around Jerusalem. Almost all of the Israelites sent into exile are still living in the provinces of Persia.

Right away we learn that Ahasuerus likes to show off his wealth and power. After a seven day party he wants to show off his beautiful queen. Vashti refuses to be paraded around. This opens the door for a new queen. Esther is one of hundreds yet is chosen as the next queen. Throughout the story, Esther finds favor with others. Mordecai, a Jew who works at the King’s Gate, was like a father to Esther. About that time, he overhears a plot to kill the king. He reports it through Esther and the event is noted in the royal record.

Meanwhile, back in the palace, Haman is made the #1 official, the king’s right hand man. All people are supposed to bow down to Haman. Mordecai, a devout Jew, will only bow down to God. A very angry Haman gets the king to write a decree calling for all Jews to be killed on the 13th day of the 12th month. This date was chosen by casting dice (or purim) and it falls the day before the Jews would celebrate the Passover, their greatest day of deliverance.

Mordecai hears of the decree and he fasts and mourns. Esther hears of this and, through a back and forth through Hathach, she finds the courage to go to the king on behalf of her people. She finds courage in these words from Mordecai: “Maybe it was for a moment like this that you came to be part of the royal family.” We too are a part of a royal family – God’s. When might we be called upon to risk for our faith? And in that moment of truth and testing, how will we respond?

Prayer: Lord God, your hand is ever guiding and leading. Most of our days are routine. But sometimes we come to where Esther is: a single moment when we are put to the test. We must decide: do we trust you? Lord, in these moments, speak into our hearts, reminding us of your sure presence and of our assured place in your family. Amen.


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This Happened So That…

Readings: Joshua 4, Joshua 5, Joshua 6

Joshua 4:24 – “This happened so that all the earth’s peoples might know that the LORD’s power is great and that you may always revere the LORD.”

Photo credit: David Clode

After Israel crosses over, 12 stones are gathered from where the priests carrying the ark stood. Joshua then sets up 12 other stones right there as a memorial marker. As the priests and ark exit the riverbed, the water starts to flow again. Soldiers from the tribes of Reuben and Gad, plus the half tribe of Manasseh go before Israel in battle formation. Joshua then sets up the 12 stones at Gilgal. When children ask about the stones, parents will tell the story of the miraculous crossing. This crossing has instilled fear in the hearts of the Amorite and Canaanite kings.

Joshua, following God’s command, then circumcises all the males. Those born in the desert had not yet been marked as belonging to the Lord. Israel then celebrates the Passover. In these two rituals they are reclaiming their identity as the holy people of God. Readied as a nation, Joshua next meets the commander of God’s heavenly armies. Sandals come off, bookending Moses’ “holy ground” moment with God. Instructions are given for the battle of Jericho. Israel’s army and the ark will march around the city once for six days. On the seventh day they will march around Jericho seven times. All of this is done in silence. After the seventh circling on the seventh day, the trumpets will sound and the people will shout… and the walls will come tumbling down. This strategy is to test Israel’s faith and trust and obedience to God.

All goes as planned and Jericho falls. The gold, silver, bronze, and iron are holy to the Lord and are to go into the temple treasury. All else – save Rahab and her family – all else is wiped out “without mercy.” Joshua pronounces a curse on anyone who rebuilds Jericho. What great victory the Lord has brought to Israel! Like the crossing, there is the same “why” – “This happened so that all the earth’s peoples might know that the LORD’s power is great and that you may always revere the LORD.”

Prayer: Lord God, what moments of faith and obedience, what experiences of your power and might! What faith and identity building times these were for Israel. Lord, help us to claim these as part of our faith story too. And, God, help us to claim and to see and to keep our own faith moments in our hearts. May these faith encounters build up and encourage who we are in you. And, like Israel, guide us to tell these stories of faith, encouraging others who are on the journey with us. Amen.