pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: power


by Leave a comment

Restore, Reconcile

Reading: Genesis 45:1-4

Verse 3: “His brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.”

In chapter 45 of Genesis, Joseph finally reveals who he is to his brothers. In the previous 3 chapters he has demonstrated his power and might. Joseph has used his position of authority to both provide for and to test his brothers’ hearts. The brothers have felt totally powerless before this man who is second in command in all of Egypt. As chapter 44 closes it is Judah (the one who came up with the idea to sell Joseph to the traveling merchants) who begs for mercy, offering himself up in place of Benjamin. Judah tells Joseph that losing a second son would kill his father.

The willingness to sacrifice self for others finally breaks Joseph. He clears the room and sobs wildly before his brothers, so overwhelmed is he by this act of courage and love. Joseph then reveals his identity to his brothers. In the text we see their reaction: “His brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.” How they must’ve feared for their lives. What revenge would he seek? What justice would he extract from them?

Joseph does not want to punish. He wants to restore and reconcile. He wants a new relationship with his brothers. This type of love and mercy and grace and forgiveness is modeled for us almost 1,600 years later as Jesus offers these gifts from the cross. Even to those who treated him so, Jesus offers grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness. These are the first steps towards a new and right relationship. Through Christ, God desires a relationship with you and with me. Through Christ we are offered restoration and reconciliation. May these, in turn, be offered outward as we strive to truly love our neighbors today and every day.

Prayer: Lord God, what love and grace are modeled for us first in Joseph today and then ultimately in Christ Jesus. What depth of mercy and forgiveness that you offer to me, a sinner. As you continue to change my heart, O God, use me more and more to spread abroad your love and grace, your mercy and forgiveness. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Opportunities, Servants

Reading: Matthew 14:13-21

Verse 19c: “Then Jesus gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.”

Photo credit: Kate Remmer

Today we return to the feeding of the 5,000. Yesterday we looked at how we often have a scarcity mentality. We avoid or we dismiss the opportunity to serve that God places before us either because we don’t think that we’re enough or because we don’t think that we have enough. Today, let’s focus on the power of Jesus Christ and on the potential results of trusting into that power.

Disregarding the realities that the disciples saw – a meager meal for 5,000+ people – Jesus instead sees the possibilities. He has the people sit down. This is the first sign of something happening. He does just the opposite of the disciples’ request to send them away. Sit and stay a while. Sit and be in community. It is Jesus’ abundance versus the disciples’ scarcity. Then Jesus looks to heaven and blesses the food. Jesus knows the source of true and life-changing power. He breaks the loaves. Maybe a half for 10 of the disciples? Maybe the other 2 get the fish?

“Then Jesus gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.” Jesus includes those who doubted, those who just wanted the people to go away. Jesus empowers the 12 to be a part of the miraculous feeding. Imagine what it would’ve been like to go to group after group, handing out bread and more bread (or fish), and never running out. Imagine how the awe of Jesus’ power grew as the disciples continued to hand out food.

God will give us opportunities, maybe even today. And Jesus will be present, the Holy Spirit empowering us. May we take what we have – what Jesus Christ has given us – and may we be willing servants in the kingdom of God.

Prayer: Lord God, the opportunities will be there. Jesus in Spirit is always there. Lead me to trust in your guidance and in your provision. Through me may others experience the power of your love. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Anyone? Someone?

Reading: Romans 9:1-5

Verse 2: “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.”

Photo credit: Nathan Dumlao

This week’s Epistle reading comes on the heels of one of the greatest passages about the power we find when we choose to live our life in Jesus Christ. Paul has passionately built the case for faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Romans 8 is one of the most convincing and moving arguments for choosing Jesus as Lord that can be found in the New Testament.

After completing this passage, I bet Paul felt drained. He poured his heart and soul into those words. Concluding that section, I can picture him letting out a big sigh, accompanied with a “Phew!” It was truly a monumental effort. And then his heart and mind turned to the great number of Jews who refused to see Jesus Christ as the Messiah, who refused to believe anything about having a saving faith in Christ.

In verse 2 he writes, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” Paul is heartbroken over the peoples’ refusal to even consider Jesus Christ as the Messiah. His compassion for his own people is so great that Paul would gladly be “cursed and cut off from Christ” if the people of Israel would just come to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, as the Son of God. That is a deep compassion.

Is there anyone in your life that you long to see come to Christ? Is the someone for whom your soul aches and your heart longs for because of their refusal to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? For most of us, the answer to both questions is “yes!” Through our prayers and through our witness may we bring these before Christ.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be more intentional about how I am Christ to those who don’t quite know you as Lord and Savior. Use me in whatever ways necessary to draw these to you. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Always

Reading: Psalm 13

Verse 6: “I will sing the Lord’s praise, for God has been good to me.”

Photo credit: Daniel Hooper

Returning to Psalm 13 today we are again reminded of a time of suffering and hardship that David writes about. We all have them – both as individuals and as a part of a family, group, organization… In these times we’ve felt alone and we’ve felt abandoned by God – or at least that God is not present in the difficult circumstance. We have walked where David walks. We will likely walk there again. And again.

Last night in our discipleship class we talked about worship. We read Revelation 4-5 and Isaiah 6:1-8 – two visions of worship in heaven. What John and Isaiah see is powerful, reminding us of the majesty and glory of God and the praise and adoration that will occur continually in heaven. We enter spiritually into this place when we enter the sanctuary for worship. The Spirit of God becomes present and draws us into this sacred time with God. We trust and rejoice and sing to the Lord in worship.

We also talked about informal worship. One example was the praise and adoration that can come with a beautiful sunset. There are many other ways that God can touch us in our daily living. Our response can truly be worship. In the Psalm we can see that David praised and worshiped God even in the storm. What if we too choose to do the same in the dark valley and in those times of suffering or pain? It is a powerful witness to our faith when we choose to worship the Lord in these challenging moments. May we, like David, always sing with our lives and praise the Lord with our whole being.

Prayer: Lord God, you are ever present and your love never fails. Even when we feel alone, we know that you are there. In these moments or seasons like David was having, bolster our faith so that we too may sing of your love and care for us, especially in the storm. Amen.


by Leave a comment

None Like You

Reading: Psalm 86:8-10

Verse 8: “Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

David declares that there is no god like our God. In David’s day, pagan cultures and tribes were all around. There were literally many different gods. While some cultures and tribes continue to be polytheistic, most of the modern world has found other gods to worship. We’ve replaced Baal and Asherah and Zeus with power, popularity, possessions, beauty, wealth… There is no shortage of gods that humankind worships.

As a believer I agree with David: “there is none like you.” Our God is full of love and compassion and forgiveness. Our God is merciful and gracious. Our God loves all people – saints and sinners, outsiders and insiders, believers and agnostics. Our God came to serve the least, the lost, the marginalized. Our God came to care for the orphans, widows, prisoners, tax collectors, prostitutes… Our God gave up his only Son so that we could be forgiven and restored and so we could live with God in eternity. David is right: “no deeds compare” to God’s.

David also writes about our response to our God. We are to “come and worship” and we are called to “bring glory to your name.” Our call is to worship God with our lives, bringing glory to God alone as we seek to be the words and actions of Jesus Christ in the world. May it be so for you and for me each day. To God be the glory!

Prayer: Lord God, there is none like you. All other gods fall short. They may satisfy momentarily but their luster fades, their appeal dies. Only you bring enduring hope, lasting contentment, pure joy. You alone fill and complete us. In all I say and do and think may I bring you the glory. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Great Cost

Reading: Matthew 10:32-39

Verse 38: “Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

Returning to Matthew 10 today Jesus gets crystal clear concerning the cost of discipleship. He begins by reminding the disciples of the eternal reality: deny me here and I’ll deny you in heaven; acknowledge me here and I’ll acknowledge you in eternity. He’s asking them if they are all in.

In verses 34-37 Jesus directly addresses the cost of discipleship. He starts by telling them that he “did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Faith is a comfort; it is not meant to be comfortable. Jesus challenges us to be more like him, not more like the world. In a world where most people have wealth and possessions and power and status as their gods, to be a follower of Jesus will put us in conflict with family, friends, and neighbors.

Then, in verse 38 Jesus drives it home. Here he says, “Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” To take up one’s cross is to stand against those in power, against those with wealth, against the world’s success standards. In Jesus’ day this was the Romans and the Jewish religious leaders. It was risky, dangerous, costly. That is the path of discipleship.

Jesus closes our passage for today once again speaking of true life. When we find life in this world comfortable, easy, safe – we lose our heavenly connection. But when we are willing to die to the things of this world, we gain true life. It comes with a great cost. May we be willing.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to walk the walk each day. Give me the courage and trust to shed the things of this world, instead putting on your love and grace and mercy and compassion. Use me to invite others into the life that you offer – the beautiful, hard, joyful, challenging life of a follower of Jesus. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Shared with Joy and Laughter

Reading: Genesis 21:1-7

Verse 6: “Sarah said, ‘God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.’”

Returning to Genesis we see the outcome of the promise made in chapter 18. God is “gracious to Sarah.” Very late in life she “became pregnant and bore a son.” Sarah and Abraham’s son is named Isaac, which means “he laughs.” With this name they are inviting others to laugh and to share in their joy. In verse 6 Sarah says, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” This wonderful thing that God has done is now part of her story of faith.

While none of us will become first-time parents at 90 or 100, in our lives we all do have wonderful things that God has done. If we are intentional about seeing God’s hand at work, we can see fingerprints all over our lives. Through a name Sarah and Abraham were inviting others into one of their God moments. This was a moment impossible without God. It was a moment so incredibly wonderful that they could not but smile from ear to ear.

So we must ask: When have we ourselves experienced God in such a way that we were left with joy and laughter? What “well, I’ll be” moments has God given you? What surprising turn of events has God blessed you with? This is part of our faith story to share with others. The joy-filled, you-wouldn’t-believe-it stories also tell of God’s power and might, of God’s love and grace. May our faith be shared with Joy and Laughter, helping others to know this side of God too.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the times you’ve filled my heart with joy, when you’ve plastered a smile on my face. Thank you for the unexpected times that came out far better than I ever could’ve imagined. This too is part of how you touch our lives. Thank you, God. Amen.


by 1 Comment

Holy Spirit Power

Reading: Matthew 10:16-23

Verses 19-20: “When they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it… for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

As we continue today with the story of Jesus sending out the disciples, Jesus addresses the difficulty of the journey and the help we receive along the way. In today’s text we see one of the qualities of Jesus that I find most refreshing: honesty. Our section today begins with these words: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” Oh boy coach, sign me up, right?!

The 12 disciples knew and lived this difficulty out. As a whole, the Jewish religious leaders were never supporters of Jesus and as his 3 years of ministry went on they became more and more adversarial in their relationship with Jesus. Jesus wanted the disciples to know that this would continue as they went out now and as they continued the mission after his death, resurrection, and ascension. The idea that people and powers will oppose the faith is still very much a reality today.

Into this honest assessment of discipleship Jesus offers this hope and promise: “When they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it… for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Not “if” but “when” they oppose, persecute, arrest, abuse… God in Spirit will be there, giving you words to speak. This is a powerful promise. As we seek to be followers of Christ in a post-Christian landscape, may we be faithful to our call and may we ever trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to lead and guide our every step and our every word.

Prayer: Lord God, give me the courage to seek out the lonely, to stand up for the oppressed and marginalized, to speak against injustice and evil. Fill me with your Holy Spirit power. May it guide all of my words and deeds. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Love Creation

Reading: Psalm 8

Verse 4: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”

Photo credit: Falaq Lazuardi

Psalm 8 is a song of praise that calls us to praise God. It begins and ends with the refrain, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.” In between these bookends David recognizes both the amazing creation all around us and the connection that we have to that creation.

David identifies God’s handiwork in the heavens – “the work of your fingers.” Staring up on a clear night, taking in the cast array of stars each known by name, one is awestruck, moved, amazed. This is just one way that we can and do connect to God through creation. It can also come in the intricacy of a spider web or in the beauty of a flower or waterfall or in the power of a thunderstorm or… God is present in so many ways in the creation.

Then, in verse 4, David asks an awesome question: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” This question makes me pause. It brings to mind both times when I have been 1 in a crowd of a million and times when I’ve been the only 1 in a million acres – both remind me of God’s power and might, both call forth the humility of this question. It is good to ponder this question, to be humbled.

David answers this question in the next few verses. God does “crown with glory and honor” humankind. God did make us “ruler over the works” of God’s hands. Here we must be careful. If we carry the humility generated by the question with us, then we see a great responsibility and a great privilege in these roles. If not, it easily becomes all about me. May we choose to love creation as God loves creation.

Prayer: Lord God, what a world you have made and continue to make! There are so many ways that I see your fingerprints in all of creation. As I interact with your creation, may my fingerprints look like yours. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Power and Authority

Reading: John 20:21-23

Verses 22-23: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven.”

Continuing in John 20 today, Jesus offers the disciples peace once again and then he sends them into the world – just as God had sent him. This means that they go with all of the power and authority of the one who sent Jesus. Just as he ministered, taught, and healed through the power of God, so too would the disciples. So too can we.

“And with that” – with the command to go into the world, Jesus breathes on them the Holy Spirit. There is a connection here. It is the Spirit within us that connects us to God and to God’s power and authority. Jesus says to the disciples, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven.” This gift comes with some responsibilities. The first and most obvious is the mission to go into the world to represent God and Jesus. Filled with the Spirit, we are to be Christ to the world.

The second responsibility is helping people in their sin. For most of us, at first at least, this is an uncomfortable thought. Sin feels private, personal. That’s the way Satan wants it. But Jesus knew how important community was. He lived and practiced community. Not just for worship or fellowship, but also for support and encouragement and accountability. In this second role we help one another to be freed from our sins. In a similar way we can walk with non-believers, helping them to find freedom from the trappings of this world. Both of these actions are fulfilling the command to represent Jesus as ones sent into the world.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, filled with God’s authority, may we go into all the world, bringing forth the good news of Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Lord God, fill me and send me out! Guided by the Spirit within, may the words I speak be your words. And may the actions of my hands and feet mirror those of Jesus. Amen.