pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: obedience


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Abram – A Model Faith

Readings: Genesis 12, Genesis 13, Genesis 14

‭Genesis‬ ‭12:4-5 – “Abram left just as the LORD told him… Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all of their possessions.”

As we begin chapter 12 the stories become more personal. We explore the relationships between God and Abram and between various human characters. The relationship between Abram and God reveals the ideal human relationship with the divine. All of the relationships between the human characters run the gamut from faithful and true to selfish and power-hungry. In many ways these human relationships mirror our relationships today.

Chapter 12 begins with God directing Abram to leave Haran to go to “the land that I will show you.” Abram doesn’t know the destination or the time frame. Yet in verses 4-5 we read, “Abram left just as the LORD told him… Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all of their possessions.” Living out a radical faith and obedience, Abram heads out. Abram leaves everything to follow God’s word. He is the model of faith in the Old Testament and beyond.

But Abram isn’t perfect. That’s another thing that character after character reveals in the Bible. Famine forced Abram and family to Egypt. He lies about who Sarai is to save his own life. She becomes part of Pharaoh’s house. This brings plagues on Pharaoh and his house. Abram is figured out and expelled from Egypt. While living there, however, God has abundantly blessed both Abram and Lot. This becomes a problem when they get back to Canaan. Splitting up is necessary and Abram graciously gives Lot the first choice. He greedily chooses the best land. It is near Sodom, a place of sin and evil.

Lot then becomes a victim of a local war. He and all he has is taken away as plunder. A survivor tells Abram who goes and rescues Lot. On the way home they meet Melchizedek, who blessed them in the name of El Elyon – the God of heaven and earth. Abram returns the blessing by giving the priest a tenth of the plunder.

The question I’m left with today is this: Do my relationships with God and others seek to emulate the relationships modeled by the good and faithful Abram?

Prayer: Lord God, were I to be as obedient and faithful as Abram, how my life and faith would change! When I lean towards being selfish or sinful, bend me back to your will and ways. When you bless me, O God, turn me to others so that I may bless them in turn. Amen.


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In Love and in Grace

Readings: Genesis 6, Genesis 7, Genesis 8, Genesis 9:1-17

Genesis 6:9b: “Noah was a moral and exemplary man; he walked with God.”

Today’s readings center on the great flood. God sees that humanity has become “thoroughly evil.” Every thought was “completely evil.” The world was so bad that God even regrets making human beings. This situation leaves God “heartbroken.” Things are almost as bad as they can get. Almost. There is Noah. In Genesis 6:9b we read, “Noah was a moral and exemplary man; he walked with God.” At least there is Noah. At least there is one person that is worth saving.

Today our world is not perfect. It is far from it. Noah was an Old Testament example of piety. I wonder, as God looks down on the earth today, who are the Noahs? Specifically, are you and I modern day examples of an exemplary relationship with God?

In obedience to God, Noah builds an ark and gathers up his family and the animals – a pair of some, seven pairs of others. This gathering up insures not just Noah’s salvation, but the salvation of all of creation. God then shuts the hatch and the rains come down and the “springs of the deep sea” open up. In 7:22 we read, “Everything on dry land with life’s breath in its nostrils died.” The loss of all life is catastrophic, horrific, complete.

Eventually the waters recede. Noah sends out a dove to test the earth’s readiness for life. The third time the dove does not return. God tells Noah to exit the ark. Noah’s first acts on dry land are to build an altar and then to offer a sacrifice to God. This pleases God and moves God to make a covenant. There will never be another flood “to destroy the earth.” God placed “his bow” in the sky – it will be a frequent reminder to God of God’s commitment to stay in relationship with humanity. This is a gift that we rejoice in yet today.

Prayer: Lord God, what a horrible place the world became. Humanity broke your heart. Things deteriorated to the point that your justice required action. Thanks be to you, O God, that we had Noah – an example of faithful living. In your love you provided a way for the world to continue. In your grace you committed to us and to creation forever. Thank you, God. Amen.


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Generously and Graciously

Reading: 2nd Corinthians 9:6-15

Verse 13: “Men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ.”

On this Thanksgiving Day we read Paul’s words about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ “generously.” I wonder, is that how others would describe the way you and I live out the great commission to make disciples of all peoples?

Paul used a farming analogy to encourage how we answer that question about how we share the good news. He begins by telling us that if we sow sparingly, we will reap sparingly. A seed here and a seed there may produce a few plants. But we’re looking for a crop. A seedling here and there soon withers and dies. A crop grows to produce a harvest. Half-hearted or lukewarm or reluctant sharing of the good news will not result in a bumper crop. Non-believers must feel the intensity of our Jesus relationship. They must come to know that Jesus is the source of the love and grace and hope and peace and… that they feel and see when they encounter you and me.

We’re also reminded that we do not work alone. God supplies all that we need to sow seeds of faith generously in the world. Equipped by God, our task is to “abound in every good work.” When we live out our faith in this way, then “Men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ.” This can be our truth every day.

May we generously and graciously share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all that we meet. Doing so we will draw others to Christ. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, as we respond to your call to be sharers of the gospel, may your hand nurture the seeds we plant. As we bear witness to your love and grace with our lives, may your power produce an abundant crop for the transformation of the world. Amen.


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Sow Seeds

Reading: Matthew 13:18-23

Verse 23b: “This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Today we read Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the sower. Unpacking it for his disciples, Jesus covers the gamut of belief. He begins with those who hear the word of God but do not understand it. It does not even begin to take root, so it falls away quickly and easily. Then Jesus moves on to the three “soils” who hear and understand the word of God. Some, after receiving it, fall away because of the trouble or hardship caused by their faith. And others fall away because the cares and concerns of the world are stronger than their faith. Lastly, Jesus tells us that some will hear and understand and apply the word to their lives. These go out and do what Jesus says to do, leading others to faith by their witness. This is the crop yielded from their faith: new believers.

These various soils were the reality of Jesus’ day. People heard and accepted his teachings to various degrees. Some were all-in for the long haul. Many others were not. This has remained true throughout the ages. Even so, the task laid out in the parable remains the task of the disciple: sow seeds and trust that God will be at work, sprouting seeds into faith that lasts.

There is also a personal application to this parable. Our receptivity and obedience rises and falls. Some days, for example, we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and we respond in faith. Other days we are deaf or lazy or… and the word is not responded to. And God the sower continues to scatter seeds of faith into our soil, looking for us to be good soil that produces a crop. May we do all we can to be good soil.

Prayer: Lord God, today I ask that you would use me to sow seeds of faith in other people’s lives as you sow seeds in my soil. Use me as you see fit. Amen.


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A Choice

Reading: Psalm 119:97-104

Verse 101: “I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.”

Our Psalm for this week comes from the longest chapter in the Bible. Psalm 119 is a mix of praise and thanksgiving as well as pain and lament, as are many of the Psalms. There is a hope that obedience to God’s law will bring peace to Israel and identity to them as God’s chosen people. The Law was the curriculum for all of life in Israel and there was an understanding that obedience brought blessing. In the New Testament this belief is reflected in how the Jews saw lepers, the blind… as sinners. Their infirmities were ‘proof’ of sin in their lives or family.

Our passage today opens with a great declaration of praise and thanksgiving: “Oh how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.” Although I do not sit and study the word of God all day long, I would 100% agree that God’s word brings me joy and lights my path. In the next verse we get a bit of reality. The psalmist recognizes that enemies are “ever with me.” Figuratively and sometimes literally enemies lurk. Sin and temptation seem ever ready to seize an opportunity. And at times our faith may even draw the enemies out as others bring abuse or persecution to us because of our faith.

There is an effort required to this walk of faith. In verse 101 we read, “I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.” We make choices and decisions. Hopefully most lead to life and joy. Some lead to shame and death. We do have a choice. May we too seek to keep from the evil path, choosing instead the word of God, the sweet honey to our lips, the way that leads to life abundant.

Prayer: Lord God, your ways bring true life. Walking with you brings joy and hope, peace and contentment. Fill me with your Spirit, that I may walk with the righteous and not with the wicked. Guide me and guard me, O Lord. Amen.


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From the Heart

Reading: Romans 4:13-17

Verse 16: “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring — not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham.”

Paul was born and raised a Jew. He grew up under the Law. As he matured he became a student of the Law, rising to the office of Pharisee. In that part of his life, as Saul, he was very zealous for the Law. Saul was a very devout and strict follower of every letter of every law. He understands being a rule follower. Maybe you are a ruler-follower. Most of the time, I am too.

But then Saul met one of the authors of the Law. In a life-transforming encounter, Saul met the resurrected Christ. In Christ Paul learned that, yes, the law is good – unless it trumps love or mercy or grace or forgiveness or… This was hard for Jews to understand. It was hard for most non-Jews to understand. For devout Jews, it was law, law, law. Healing on the Sabbath? No! Eating with sinners so that they could know grace? Absolutely not!

To show that the Law is not necessary for righteousness or salvation, Paul points back to one of the greats of the Jewish faith: to Abraham. As one of the most revered patriarchs, Abraham lived before the Law was given. His faith was based upon a trust in God. His righteousness was from his obedience to God’s voice. Paul is saying to the Jews and to us that following the Law is not the only way to God. The Law, in and of itself, is a good thing, yes. But simply following a set of rules is not a guarantee of salvation. Love and grace and mercy and forgiveness must first flow from the heart – from the heart of God and from our heart. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, even as we seek to understand and follow and apply the Law, help us more so to understand the life and example of Jesus. He demonstrated when love, mercy… needed to trump the Law. Help us to understand and practice this “law” of Christ. Amen.


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God at Work

Reading: Acts 1:6-11

Verse 6: “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

As we begin in Acts 1 this week, let us first step back to the gospel of Luke. At the end of Luke’s gospel Jesus’ last words are: “But stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” The gospel closes with Jesus’ ascension into heaven. In Acts, Luke backtracks slightly, sharing a story that happened “on one occasion.” Perhaps it is a retelling of the story at the end of Luke. During this encounter, Jesus instructs them to stay in Jerusalem until they are “baptized with the Holy Spirit.” It is from these statements that the disciples ask, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

In their three years with Jesus they had witnessed his power – the teachings, the miracles, the everyday steadfast obedience to God alone. And then they witnessed his power over even death. They heard him saying something about receiving power from on high. It is not illogical to think that maybe now Jesus will establish the kingdom here on earth, restoring Israel along with all of creation. Jesus answers their question in typical Jesus fashion: not yet, just wait.

Jesus first tells them that it is not for them to know the ‘when.’ That’s up to God. He’s clear though that it’s not yet. Jesus then tells them to focus on the task that he is giving them. Jesus clarifies the “power from on high” concept. The power is so that they can “witness in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Just wait, there is much work to do. Jesus calls them to continued faithful discipleship, leaning into and trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit that is coming soon. Then just wait to see how God is at work in your lives and in the world.

We have received the Holy Spirit. We too have the same task. May we be good and faithful witnesses, empowered by the Holy Spirit, blessed as we experience the working of God daily in our lives.

Prayer: Lord God, in those days it was so much for the disciples to take in, to process, to begin to understand. The same can be true for us. So, Lord, help us to lean into and to trust in the power and in the working of the Holy Spirit. Thank you. Amen.


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Begin with God

Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9

Verse 4: “God wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.”

The section that today’s verses come from is titled “Israel’s Sin and the Servant’s Obedience.” This title contrasts the 2 choices all of us have to make: the world or God? When we choose to live by the ways of the world, this often leads to sin. When we choose to live by the ways of God, we experience life very differently, even though it is still lived in the world. I believe that the key to this choice lies in verses 4 and 5. In verses 6-9 we see the outcome or results of the commitment encouraged in the first two verses.

In verse 4 Isaiah acknowledges that he has been instructed by God and that he is sustained by the word of God. These two are available to us all. The “how” comes as we continue in verse 4: “God wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” If our cell phone or the remote control is the first thing we begin our day with, then we are connecting ourselves to the world. At that point we are already stepping on the treadmill of life before filling ourselves with what really matters. There is no better way to begin one’s day than to turn our ear and heart to God’s voice and to God’s word.

When we begin our day with God, then we are empowered to live out our faith. We, like the prophet, will not back down or hide our face. We will choose to live and speak faithfully, knowing that “the sovereign Lord helps me.” To the world and those that live by the ways of the world, we will say in confidence: “Let us face each other!” With God beside, before, behind, and within us, we can live as children of the light. May it be so for us all this day and every day.

Prayer: Lord God, day by day, as I awaken, draw me first and foremost to you. Fill me with all that you have for me so that I can live fully for you. Strengthen and encourage me when temptation comes. By the power of the Holy Spirit, remind me of the power and truth that I find in you. Amen.


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Choose Obedience

Reading: Exodus 24:12-18

Verse 12: “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain and stay here.'”

Photo credit: Paul Pastourmatzis

As we begin the week that culminates on Transfiguration Sunday, when Jesus glory is fully revealed, we start by going up the mountain with Moses. He chooses to be present to God on the mountain. Our passage today begins with an invitation. In verses 12 we read, “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain and stay here.'” It is not a “swing by for a moment” invitation. It is a “come and rest a while” invitation. It is an invitation that calls Moses to come and receive important information from God.

Moses is obedient. He goes up the mountain. In order to go, though, he had to entrust leadership to Aaron and Hur. That done, Moses goes up, entering the cloud of God’s presence that covered the top of the mountain. What happens next is so important. Moses spends 6 days there, just being in God’s presence. Too often we rush in and want God to speak right away so that we can quickly get back to our lives. A good friend who goes on weeklong spiritual retreats shared that it always takes 2-3 days to center, to focus, to really be present, to hear God’s voice. God is never in a rush. As we seek God’s presence, may we add a heap of patience to our obedience to the call to draw near to God.

Moses spends 40 days and nights with God. It is a long conversation filled with much information. When we choose obedience, yielding to God’s call to come away from the world for a while, we too will get to know God (and ourselves) a whole lot better. In those moments in God’s presence, we are changed. We return to the world filled with a presence and a Spirit that empowers us to live a life of service to the Lord our God. When the invitation is extended, when God calls, may we trust and obey. Doing so, God will fill us with all that we need to walk as a faithful disciple in the world.

Prayer: Lord God, moments alone in your holy presence are powerful, wonderful, amazing, scary. Give me the courage to walk into your invitation, to pause life so that I can rest in and be filled by you. O God, fill me up, send me out. Amen.


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Back to Community

Reading: 1st Corinthians 3:1-9

Verse 9: “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

This week has largely focused on the law and on living in obedience to God’s commands. Today we add a little humility to the mix. Paul, who had as much authority as anyone at this point in the early church, makes the intentional choice to point the Corinthian church back towards God. In doing so, he is trying to lessen the division in the church.

One source of the division comes from which preacher they prefer. We do not know for sure if this is just personal preference or if there is a theological difference creating division. We can assume the first is the case as Paul speaks of Apollos building upon what he started. Paul planted the church and taught Christ crucified. Apollos watered or continued to teach these new Christians about the faith.

The second source of division comes from spiritual immaturity. Paul began simply, reminding them that he “gave you milk.” They were not and apparently are not ready for “solid food.” The quarreling and jealousy are evidence of this immaturity. These would be humbling words to hear. This is an invitation to look in the mirror.

Our passage closed with Paul calling them back to community, back to one another, and back to God. In verses 9 he writes, “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” Paul reminds them of the partnership, of the connection to God. He reminds the Corinthian church that they belong to God and that God has brought them together. These are good reminders for all churches and for all Christians everywhere. May we too hold fast to these humbling, truthful words.

Prayer: Lord God, draw us together, build us up. Through your Holy Spirit and through one another may we mature in the faith, becoming more and more who you created and designed us to be. Over and in and through all of this, spread your love. Amen.