pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: painful


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Peaceful Fruit

Reading: Hebrews 12:7-15

Hebrews 12:11 – “No discipline is fun while it lasts… however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

In Hebrews 12 the author encourages the believers to run the race of faith with discipline. The author calls the church to first remember Jesus and the example he set. Using Proverbs 3:12 he or she reminds the believers that “the Lord disciplines whomever he loves.” With all of this in mind, we read, “Bear hardship for the sake of discipline.” When we experience hardship, our faith is refined and it is strengthened too.

The author then reminds the believers of how their earthly parents disciplined them “as it seemed best to them.” While not “fun” and while perhaps painful at the time, in the end we respect our parents for loving us enough to discipline and correct us. Through this process we grow and mature. The writer then asks, “How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live?”

As we are disciplined – as we experience hardships, trials, and suffering – we are sharing in God’s holiness. In the end, because God is with us, “yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” With this encouragement, the author invites the believers to be strengthened and to “make straight paths.” Doing so they will pursue peace and holiness as they witness to God’s saving grace. Living this way counters the “root of bitterness” that weakens the faith. Living this way, we too can keep our eyes focused on Jesus, “faith’s pioneer and perfecter.”

Prayer: Lord God, in the moments of trial and testing, remind us of the outcome when we start faithful to you: we grow in these times in ways that build our endurance and our commitment. Surround us with the Holy Spirit’s presence, encouraging us and guiding us as we seek to walk the path that leads to peace and joy. Amen.


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Living as Immigrants and Strangers

Reading: 1st Peter 1-2

1st Peter 1:3 – “On account of his vast mercy, he has given us a new birth… born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Written by the apostle Peter, 1st Peter was originally written to house churches scattered across the Roman empire. They were experiencing conflict and persecution because their faith often ran counter to the norms of the culture. Peter encourages the believers to persevere, even in their suffering. Luke Christ, through this they too will accomplish their mission to witness to God’s love and mercy.

Peter begins his letter with a wonderful statement of faith: “On account of his vast mercy, he has given us a new birth… born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” This living hope is our inheritance, “kept safe in heaven.” He calls these in diaspora to rejoice in this hope, even if distressed now by these trials. Their “genuine faith” in the one they’ve never seen yet love and trust will result in their “praise, glory, and honor” one day. Instead of being conformed to their former desires, Peter declares, “You must be Holy in every aspect of your lives, just as the one who called you is holy.” Be like Jesus, the one who liberated you by his blood.

Peter calls the faithful to “set yourselves apart” because they’ve been given this new birth. According to John Wesley, this new birth was “the commitment to a daily journey of intentional, painful, and sacrificial work of character formation.” This echoes Christ’s call to die to self – again and again and again… This results in believers becoming “living stones… a royal priesthood.” Built upon the capstone that others stumble over, believers have become “God’s possession.” As such, living as “immigrants and strangers,” Peter urges them to avoid worldly desires and to live faithfully, even in suffering. Endure in faith, just like Christ. Be healed by his wounds and walk with “the shepherd and guardian of your lives.” May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your love and mercy, that which calls us to your living hope, Jesus Christ. In the highs and lows, in the trials and in the joys, build up in us a genuine faith and an endurance that yields fruit for your kingdom. Empower us to be conformed into the image and example of Christ. Equip us to walk faithfully, inviting others to join us on the journey to salvation. Amen.


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Pruning for Fruit

In the spring it is natural to clean, to prepare for a season of growth, to unclutter.  This week I uncovered and set out the patio furniture and rototilled the garden.  The lawn was mowed for the first time and I noticed that the rhubarb is almost ready to be picked.  Other plants are springing to life as well.

Down by the shed my grape vines are a mess.  An early storm last Fall toppled over the poles and wired that had supported the vines due to all the weight of the snow on the thick leaves.  I attempted a ‘fix’ last Spring, but it was largely unsuccessful.  I’ve come to realize hat I must tear out all the support and wires and really trim back the vines to be able to rebuild and start over.  It will mean that the grape crop this summer may be pretty minimal.

In today’s passage Jesus speaks of God pruning the fruitful branches and cutting off those bearing no fruit.  All this is done so that the whole plant can bear more fruit.  Energy goes more fully into what is fruitful.  With my grapes, I know this is true in the long run as well.

As I think about what I must do with my grape vines next week, I also come to realize that maybe I need to look at my life as well.  Are there things in my busy schedule that are not as fruitful and should go?  If I purge this or that, will newly available energy go into more fruitful pursuits?  This analysis may be a bit hard and maybe painful too, but God calls for my best.  Today’s question is where is God calling me to be invested.

Scripture reference: John 15: 1-8


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Making Change

Change can be hard.  Sometimes we are forced to make a change due to circumstances and often those circumstances are beyond our control.  Usually, though, change must be made in order to continue on.  And almost always, change is for the better, even when it is hard to go through or when it is painful.  Once in a while we don’t see the change is good until some time has passed.

As we sense change is needed a common reaction is to long for the ‘good old days.’  We pine for a time when all was well in our institution or relationship.  But that time has passed.  Yet some may still staunchly want to hold onto something that once was but is no longer.  In these cases, the dying process that has begun simply continues along.

In many churches we find ourselves here.  The place isn’t quite what it used to be.  There is much great ministry that still goes on, but it is not quite what it once was.  People remember when things seemed much ‘better’ but are resistant to seeking God’s new direction and guidance.  It is Biblically clear that God directs us to share the good news and to help people grow in their faith.  These things occur in and through the church.  Our churches need to be alive and energetic places of welcome and love.  Yes, they may look different than they did yesterday, but as long as Christ is the center, the unquestioned reason for a church’s existence, then all will be well if we trust God and His leading.  Change is scary.  Change is hard.  But sometimes it is also necessary.

Scripture reference: Numbers 21: 4-9