pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: presence


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A Big Step of Faith

Reading: Genesis 12:1-9

Genesis 12:1 – “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you.”

Today we read from Genesis 12. This continues a long walk in Genesis that began last week with the creation story. The journey will culminate in mid-August with the Israelites beginning their move to Egypt. During June, the story will focus on Abram (later he becomes Abraham) and his faithful obedience to God. His radical obedience to God will become the model of faith in the Old Testament. His example continues to bear witness to us, even today. His call story is but one of many examples of Abram/Abraham’s willingness to follow God’s plans.

In verse 1 we read, “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you.” The call to leave is a call into the unknown. Abram has lived in Ur and then Haran for 75 years. He is deeply connected to Terah, his father. As the patriarch, Terah’s home would be Abram’s religious, social, and economic hub for all of life. God calls Abram to leave all this – all he’s ever known – to go to a “land that I will show you.” With a promise of blessing and presence, Abram packs up all that is his and leaves for this unknown land. God leads. Abram follows. He worships and God confirms that Canaan is the land. It is promised to Abram and his descendants.

This is one of the stories in the Bible that makes us ask a simple question: Could I? Very few of us go someplace without any planning. We want to know the route, the distance… We plan stops and we research where we’re going and what we’ll do when we get there. Imagine hearing the call of God to pack it all up and to head down the road in the U-haul, without knowing where, how long…? What would it take for you or for me to take such a step of faith?

Prayer: Lord God, what a powerful example of faith! Hearing your voice, we hope that we’d go. Yet we do hear your voice all the time. In the whispers and shouts of the Holy Spirit we hear the call to this person or to that situation. Call by call, build our faithful response. Step by step, continue to work in us, O Lord, bringing us closer and closer to Abram’s example. Thank you for your patience and your steadfast guidance, God. Amen.


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Go, Disciple, Baptize, Teach

Reading: Matthew 28:18-20

Matthew 28:19-20 – “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… teaching them to obey.”

Yesterday we pondered doubt. But what if the doubt wasn’t about God or Jesus? What if the doubt was about themselves, about their ability to carry on the work of Jesus? Perhaps the disciples sensed that this was the last time they’d see the risen Christ. Like Joshua staring down the fears of what lay ahead in the Promised Land, maybe all of these disciples of Jesus were questioning their place in the building of a kingdom here on earth. This is a doubt that we frequently feel and face too.

In verse 18 Jesus declares, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth.” All things are under Jesus’ authority, power, and control. The fears of the authorities? The doubt within? The unsurety of what comes next? Surrender it all to Jesus’ authority. Trust it all to his power. And believe that his authority is your authority because he lives in you.

Next comes the Great Commission, the marching orders. Jesus says, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… teaching them to obey.” Go and disciple others, revealing Jesus’ light and love, using words when necessary (thanks St. Francis of Assisi.) As people come to know Jesus and to believe in him as Lord and Savior, baptize them “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Baptism is the entry point for the Spirit’s presence in the heart of a new believer. This presence brings with it Jesus’ authority. The last step is to teach them more and more about Jesus so that their obedience grows and grows. As we live out these steps, we too continue to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your constant presence and your unconditional love. Reassure us when we doubt ourselves, reminding us of your power and presence within us. By that same Holy Spirit within, lead us and guide us to disciple others, growing ourselves in the process. Empower us with the authority of Jesus, trusting that nothing in this world can ever defeat the power of your love. Amen.


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Four Directives

Reading: 2nd Corinthians 13:11-13

2nd Corinthians 13:11 – “Finally… Put things in order, respond to my encouragement, be in harmony with each other, and live in peace.”

Photo credit: Aaron Burden

Today we read from the very end of Paul’s second letter to the believers in Corinth. It is a very personal letter, revealing his deep connection to and love for these people. Paul’s life was lived tenuously – there seemed to always be folks ready to stone or otherwise harm Paul. This was because of his deep faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, expressed in Paul’s daily living and in his words and letters. Reading the last lines of this letter, one can sense all of this in Paul’s words.

In verse 11 Paul gives four directives. In many ways, this is a summary of the letter to the Corinthian church. Here we read, “Finally… Put things in order, respond to my encouragement, be in harmony with each other, and live in peace.” Put things in order – in both your worship and in your personal lives of faith. Align both with the will and way of God as revealed in and through Jesus Christ. Respond to my encouragement – stand firm, hold fast, be true to your identity and inheritance in Jesus. In all you do and say, be like Jesus to the world.

Be in harmony – live and act and move and be in the church and in the world as one body, gifted and united by God’s Spirit. Honor and uplift one another’s gifting. Recognize that all are needed and that all are necessary for each of you and for the church to be all that God created you to be. Live in peace – both within the church and in the world. Be bold in your faith, minister to those in need, define your life in love, be people of forgiveness and reconciliation, and trust in and rely on the one who is always with you, especially in the trials and storms of life. Do all of this, and then you will know God’s peace.

These words from Paul still speak to us today. As followers of Jesus Christ and as members of the body of Christ, may we too live into these four directives of Paul. Filled with the Holy Spirit, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, draw us to you. Through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, lead and guide us to order our lives after the example of Jesus Christ. Whisper words of encouragement into our hearts in times of trial and weakness. Fill us with a spirit of love and grace, enabling us to live and love as Christ did and does. In all these ways, use us as grace and love lived out in our churches and in our world. Amen.


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Whole Being Praise

Reading: Psalm 104:24-35

Psalm 104:33 – “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I’m still alive.”

Our reading from Psalm 104 begins in the created world. The psalmist praises God for this earth that is “full of your creations.” From the dirt to the sea, from the valleys to the sky, God created our earth. In all of the earth’s beauty and diversity – from desert to rainforest, from rugged mountains to endless plains – God “made them all so widely” and filled these spaces with life abundant and diverse. The earth and all that are in and on it are amazing, like our God.

The psalmist then turns to these creatures that inhabit the earth. These “countless creatures” are another example of God’s creative nature at work. And we are reminded of God’s care and provision for all of creation. God gives food and each is filled. God gives life and breath. But when God “hides,” creation is terrified. In the end, the breath of life leaves and each returns to dust.

Without naming it, the psalmist is also describing humanity. We are scientifically one race yet are very diverse and unique. Seven billion of us are the same in almost endless ways, yet none are exactly alike. We can see great beauty in the canvas of humanity. And we also depend on God for life and blessing, given to us until we too return to dust.

In verse 31 the psalmist begins to praise God. He or she rejoices in creation – in all of it. The psalmist recognizes God’s power still at work. And they declare, “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I’m still alive.” Lifting voice, may our whole being praise the Lord, creator and sustainer for all.

Prayer: Lord God, you remain present in creation and in us. Open our eyes to see you and your fingerprints – in the sunrise or sunset, in the infant and in the elder. Fill us with wonder and awe, praise and rejoicing. Use us to help those who don’t see and don’t have a relationship with you to recognize your presence in and through us and all of creation, drawing them closer to you. Amen.


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With Authority (and Grace and Gentleness)

Reading: Acts 2:13-21

Acts 2:21 – “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Turning to the second half of our Acts 2 reading, Peter takes center stage. This is not even the same Peter that spoke with and saw the risen Jesus ascend into heaven ten days ago. No, this Peter has been filled with the Holy Spirit. All of the believers gathered there that day have been indwelled by God’s Spirit. It’s not just the leaders. It is all people that have been filled with the Spirit. It is with this new power and presence within that Peter and the other eleven disciples stand up to address the surprised and bewildered crowd. Peter is ready to do what he encourages all believers to do: defend your faith with grace and gentleness.

Peter begins by inviting all present to hear his words. Claiming authority, he declares, “Hear this! Listen carefully to my words!” With his audience’s attention, he dismissed the simple explanation of wine. Drunk? It is 9 am. “Rather,” he says, what has happened is what the prophet Joel spoke of long ago. Quoting Joel is wise. The people gathered there would be very familiar with the prophet Joel. Peter states that what has just happened right there is the fulfillment of Joel’s prophetic words. He then reminds them of Joel’s words. God has poured out the Spirit. They have just witnessed it. Those in the house – sons and daughters, young and old, and even male and female servants – they have been filled with the Spirit and have spoken in languages they do not know. Yes, God is clearly at work here. Verse 21 is both closer and invitation: “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

You and I, my friends, are filled with the same Spirit, the same power, the same presence. Through these indwelling gifts we are equipped and empowered to speak of God’s love for all people, telling our story of faith as a witness to God’s love. May we speak as Peter spoke: with authority and with grace and gentleness.

Prayer: Lord God, fill us with your Spirit and with your power and presence. Filled, guide us to trust in you, to step into the opportunities you present, knowing that we are both equipped and empowered to share the good news that changed our hearts and lives. Move in and through us, O Lord, drawing others into your saving and life-changing love. Amen.


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Spirit Empowered

Reading: Acts 2:1-12

Acts 2:4 – “They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.”

Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday! On this Sunday we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. In a way, this is like a second coming of Jesus. As we begin the week in Acts 2 today and tomorrow, we see how the Spirit empowers believers as they and we seek to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world.

Pentecost began on Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks. This Jewish celebration that was 50 days after Passover started as a harvest festival then morphed into a time to remember the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. The Law was what guided a devout Jew’s life. The Holy Spirit functions much in the same way for the followers of Jesus.

On the first Pentecost a mighty wind announced the coming of the Holy Spirit. This noise drew a crowd, through which the power of the Spirit was demonstrated. As “flames of fire” alit on the believers that were gathered together, “They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.” For the disciples, this indwelling Spirit gave them the authority of Jesus Christ. Empowered, they soon became apostles – “sent ones.”

For some of those who heard the good news in their native tongues, the Spirit began to woo many, to draw them towards Jesus Christ. Later in Acts 2, many respond to this call. They are like us. We one day heard the call of God upon our hearts. Opening our hearts, we received Jesus as Lord. Receiving Jesus, we then received the Holy Spirit into our hearts too. Like those first disciples, we are empowered to tell the story of our faith in Jesus Christ. Each in our own way, may we share our good news stories with others.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit! Your Spirit gives us so much: guidance, direction, courage, comfort, conviction, hope, power… Fill our hearts today with a desire to share our faith with others, so that they too may receive Jesus into their hearts, opening the door for the Holy Spirit to dwell in them. Amen.


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One

Reading: John 17:6-11

John 17:11 – “Holy Father, watch over them in your name… that they will be one just as we are one.”

Photo credit: Wylly Suhendra

Returning to John 17 today, Jesus’ prayer continues. The focus shifts to those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus refers to all believers as “the people you gave me from this world.” Those who “belong” to Jesus – and this includes you and me – are those who keep God’s word as the rule of life. We have received God’s words, some of them from Jesus, and we understand that Jesus was sent by God. Sent as God incarnate (in the flesh) we understand Jesus as the revelation of God on earth.

In verse 9 Jesus states, “I’m praying for them.” We are part of “them.” Jesus prayed then for all who believed in him as Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit continues to pray for all believers. Your name and my name are lifted into God’s presence. As this prayer of Jesus continues, he prays, “Holy Father, watch over them in your name… that they will be one just as we are one.” Because we are not of this world once we become a new creation in Christ, we need watching over. We become targets of Satan once we declare belief in Jesus. The spiritual battle amps up once we declare that we belong to Jesus. This is our reality. This is why Jesus prays for unity.

As the body of Christ we are called to mirror the unity that we see between Jesus Christ and God. This unity, this intimate connection, is grounded in and empowered by love. The love of Christ in our hearts guides us to also pray for one another and at times to be the answer to those prayers. This love leads us to keep one another safe, cared for, provided for, comforted, encouraged, connected… Walking together with Jesus Christ, may we be one as Jesus and God are one.

Prayer: Lord God, unity is often hard. This world and its ruler are constantly seeking to pull us away from you and back into our old selfish ways. Christ in Spirit seeks to counter this, building our connection with you. Open our hearts to continue to receive your word, your love, your presence. And receiving, may we in turn live out these gifts in our faith communities, bring you the glory. Amen.


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All the Glory

Reading: John 17:1-5

John 17:3 – “This is eternal life: to know you [God], the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.”

Photo credit: Uta Scholl

John 17:1-11 is this week’s gospel reading. Today we read verses 1-5 and tomorrow we read verses 6-11. Today’s reading is about glorifying God and Jesus Christ. Jesus begins by acknowledging “the time has come.” His time on earth is soon to end. In John’s gospel, Jesus is arrested in chapter 18, beginning the short journey to the cross. Jesus asks God that this would be a time of glorification for God and himself. God will be glorified through Jesus’ grace and obedience lived out in these final moments. Christ will then be glorified in the resurrection. After rising from the grave, Jesus will return to the place of glory in heaven that he has shared with God since “before the world was created.”

We too will one day experience this “glorification.” Jesus thanks God for those given to him – all believers – and for their gift of eternal life. It is interesting how Jesus defines eternal life: “to know you [God], the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.” To know God is to love and obey God’s will and way. Jesus modeled this throughout his ministry – especially on the cross. This example of love and obedience is what Jesus is talking about in verse 4 when he says he finished “the work you gave me to do.” Jesus came to reveal God to us.

My friends, this is our work too. Our task (or work) as Christians is to reveal God (and therefore Jesus) to the world. Through our example, through our witness, through our words and actions, we are called to show our love of and obedience to God. Living this out, we will in turn love our neighbors as Christ first loved us. Doing so, we bring God in Christ all the glory. May it be so for you and for me today and every day.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for choosing us. Thank you for drawing us into your family and into an eternal relationship with you. Lord, help us to realize our call and our “work’ and to live into both each day. In our words, in our actions, and in our presence, may others experience your love, grace, forgiveness… In these ways, use us to bring all the glory to you. Amen.


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Overwhelming Power

Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23

Ephesians 1:18 – “I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see… the overwhelming greatness that is working among us believers.”

Today is known as “Ascension Day” in the church world. It is the day the Lord ascended back into heaven. Forty days after Easter, the risen Christ returned to the Father. In ten days we will celebrate Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the first believers. Our passage today reflects the effects of this outpouring upon the believers in Ephesus. Paul begins his prayer by thanking God for their faith in the Lord and for how their love of Christ is being lived out in the world. Paul then asks for a spirit of wisdom and revelation to be given so that these believers can know God even more. This would empower the church to live as an even more powerful witness to God’s love.

Then, in verse 18, we find an encompassing prayer. It is both request and reminder: “I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see…” To first see the hope that comes through God’s calling upon their lives. This hope rests in who and whose they are in Christ. Second, to see and know the “richness” of their place in God’s calling on their lives – an inheritance that is both now and eternal. This is to know love, yes, but also grace, mercy, salvation, peace… And third, to see “the overwhelming greatness that is working among us believers.” The power of God is in the love that overwhelms hate, division, oppression… The power is alive and moving in and through the followers of Christ. This power enables all believers to continue the mission of Jesus.

We have this Holy Spirit power in our hearts too. Therefore we can tap into this same overwhelming power. Our question is this: Are we willing to “see” the hope… the inheritance… the love of God so that we can channel these gifts out into the world? Believing in the power of God’s Spirit, we can unleash it in our lives. This is our call and our mission. May the eyes of our hearts be opened!

Prayer: Lord God, we pray for the same spirit of wisdom and revelation to be poured out upon us. Through this outpouring, transform us more and more into the image of Christ. May your presence fill us with the overwhelming power of your love. With this power within us, use us to transform the world, changing it to better reflect your kingdom of love here on earth. Amen.


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Only You, Lord

Reading: Psalm 68:1-10 and 32-35

Psalm 68:9 – “You showered down abundant rain, God; when your inheritance grew weary, you restored it yourself.”

Credit: Rebecca Gelaney

Psalm 68 offers words of hope. Attributed to David, much of the song remembers how God has acted in the past. These words also call for praising God. But when we dig deeper, reading the actual words, we see that the present isn’t very good. In verses 1 and 2 David invites God to show up, to scatter the enemies present, to drive them away now. As a means of trusting that God will show up, David then recalls times when God did show up.

God has been a father to orphans and a defender of widows. God has brought the lonely into community and has set the prisoners free. God has led the people through the wilderness. God has provided for the poor. God has lifted up the nation of Israel before: “You showered down abundant rain, God; when your inheritance grew weary, you restored it yourself.” In all of these ways and more, God has been good and loving. This is what we need to remember too, especially when it feels as if we are surrounded by enemies.

I do not know about you, but for me our world often feels heavy and dark. There is war and violence. There is a prevalent us versus them divide. Chaos and hatred seem to overshadow order and love. Harsh rhetoric has replaced civil conversation and discourse. Under this weight, I long for God to pour down love and grace, healing and wholeness. In this outpouring, the orphans, widows, prisoners, and lost would be blessed. True and full redemption and restoration begins here, on the edges.

The Psalm closes with a call to praise God. David invites us to sing praises to our strong and majestic God. He reminds us that it is God who gives us strength and power. O God, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, oh how we need you. While life feels fine in my little world, I know many are struggling – emotionally, financially, relationally. So, Lord, pour out your presence, your Spirit, your love and grace. Bring healing and wholeness to our society and to our world. Only you, O Lord, can heal the brokenness. Only you can redeem and restore. Amen.