pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: presence


by Leave a comment

Good and Perfect

Reading: Revelation 21:1-5

Revelation 21:3 – “Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people.”

Revelation 21 begins the third major section of John’s book and it recounts the new creation – a new heaven and earth. In many ways this vision bookends Genesis 1, where God walked and talked daily with humankind in a perfect and good world created by God. In Revelation, the new creation comes down out of heaven and settles on earth. John names this city of God “the New Jerusalem.” It is magnificently described in verse 2 as “a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” There is intimacy in these words.

In verse 3 we read, “Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people.” God’s constant presence will be with all who dwell in the new creation. Because of this presence, there will be no tears, no death, “no mourning, crying, or pain.” These are the things of the old world and they will pass away, establishing a new creation where life, joy, love, and peace will reign.

The one on the throne speaks, declaring, “Look! I’m making all things new.” The divine presence is doing what was done in Genesis 1. Through the power of God, all will be made anew, good and perfect. Our role in this new creation will be to worship our God. What a beautiful vision of what will one day come into being.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the hope found in these words. These are words we always need to remember and often need to hear. Lead and guide us to walk faithfully all of our days. Draw us towards the new creation. And use us to help manifest it here on earth. Amen.


by Leave a comment

A Choice to Make

Reading: Ephesians 1:3-10

Ephesians 1:7 – “We have been ransomed through his Son’s blood, and we have forgiveness for our failures based on his overflowing grace.”

Paul opens his letter to the Ephesians with a beautiful and clear declaration of salvation by grace through faith. These are wonderful words to turn to as we are living in unsettling and uneasy times, giving us an actor to God’s unchanging and unmoving character and promises.

Today’s reading begins with a double blessing. Paul offers a blessing to God for the blessing that believers have received from Christ. Jesus set the example for holy and blameless living. Because God loves us all, we are all chosen to be adopted as God’s children, opening the door to living holy and blameless lives. This is God’s plan for all people. Whether or not people step into this destiny – that is a choice we each must make for ourselves.

From God’s perspective, there are no barriers. Grace is freely and generously given through Jesus Christ to one and all. In verse 7 we read of this: “We have been ransomed through his Son’s blood, and we have forgiveness for our failures based on his overflowing grace.” Christ died for us all, “while we were still yet sinners.” His grace is poured out upon us while we are imperfect so that we can be made perfect. We experience this state of perfection momentarily in our lives. We are holy and blameless and then we stumble and fail again. But no matter how many times we repeat this cycle, God is always there offering love and grace.

In verse 10 Paul reveals the end game. At the climax of all time, God will bring all things together in Christ. Heaven and earth will be made new again. Holy and blameless in his presence, we will forever worship the Lord, our Savior. What a glorious day that will be!

Prayer: Lord God, your plan of salvation is intended for us all. You created each of us to live in relationship with you. You would choose us all if it were up to you. But because we are free to choose, some don’t choose to surrender to your plan, to your love and grace. Use us, O God, as living examples of your love and grace, of your mercy and forgiveness, drawing others towards a saving relationship with you. Amen.


by Leave a comment

A Good, Good Plan

Reading: Genesis 1:1, 27-28, 31

Genesis 1:31 – “God saw everything he had made; it was supremely good.”

As we consider and ponder this week’s theme of being restored and made new, we turn back to the beginning of it all. Because God is good, all that was created was good. As the creation process unfolds – water, light, land, plants, animals – God’s goodness can be seen in the order. Each next step dependant and built upon the step before. Turning to verse 27, God creates humanity. Humankind is created in the divine image of God. Connecting the dots, God’s goodness can be seen in humanity. We are born good. We have to be taught hate, prejudice, jealousy, pride…

God blesses the humans and then tasks them with caring for the creation. A good God charging good humans to care for a good creation – the plan as God designed creation. As the sixth ‘day’ of creation draws to a close, we read, “God saw everything he had made; it was supremely good.” In its original state, all of creation was simply good. One element provided for and cared for another, all in a good and healthy balance.

We turn here today because this was and is the vision for our world. One day this will again be the reality as God restored and makes all things new at the second coming of Christ. It is good to remember the plan of God, to know both the promise and the hope that we find in our good, good God. May this plan and vision ever guide our way.

Prayer: Lord God, your goodness is revealed to us in so many ways, but especially in creation. In the order and beauty and goodness of creation we see your plan for our lives. Lead and guide us to live into who and what you created us to be. Use us to begin the restoration process. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Choices Remain

Reading: Jeremiah 4:13-18

Jeremiah 4:18 – “Your own conduct, your own deeds have done this to you.”

As we turn to Jeremiah, the Assyrians have given way to the Babylonians. Jerusalem was miraculously saved from the Assyrian siege but soon returned to their evil ways. In verse 13 Jeremiah acknowledges the coming disaster – advancing “like a tempest, horses swifter than eagles.” Horrible doom draws near. Yet even then God says through the prophet, “Cleanse your hearts of evil, Jerusalem, that you may be saved.” God is ever ready with grace and mercy.

We find ourselves in this place at times. We’ve created a mess of our lives and we get to a point where we can see that things are about to come crashing down. Whatever wrong or sin we committed is about to catch up with us. We ponder what we could do to avoid the destruction. Sometimes there is nothing we can do. Other times we are like Judah, hoping for a miracle but unwilling to do anything to provoke God to act on our behalf.

God’s declaration against Judah sounds very similar to the judgment brought against Isaiah’s generation: “she has rebelled against me.” That is what we do when we decide to commit that wrong or that sin. Continuing on, in verse 18 we read, “Your own conduct, your own deeds have done this to you.” The payment is bitter. It pierces deep in the heart. It is true for Judah; it is true for us. Our choices remain clear: God or self? Blessing or curse?

Prayer: Lord God, without you, without your guidance and direction, on the one hand, we soon find ourselves in places we can hardly believe we got to. On the other hand, we can see how our selfish and sinful choices led us to the time of atonement. Gracious God, pour out your forgiveness. And loving God, by the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to walk closer with you each day, keeping to the path that you have laid out for us to walk. Thank you. Amen.


by Leave a comment

God of Truth

Reading: Psalm 52:1-5

Psalm 52:3 – “You love evil more than good; you love lying more than speaking what is right.”

Psalm 52 is from David. These words he writes tell of a time when a powerful man spoke lies against him. It was during a time when King Saul was struggling – mentally and to hold onto the kingship. Doeg the Edomite saw an opportunity to better his own situation. David was caught in the cross hairs. In life we may find ourselves here. At the very least we see this kind of behavior at work in the world.

In verse 1 we learn that Doeg is powerful. And evil. The words he speaks are meant to bring destruction to David. Doeg’s tongue causes deception. In verse 3 we read, “You love evil more than good; you love lying more than speaking what is right.” Through lies and deceit Doeg seeks favor with Saul at David’s expense. His words create chaos and problems for David. Maybe in our lives and certainly in our world, spoken words hold power. When someone chooses to use lies for dishonest gain it can have very negative impacts on us or on those we know.Finding himself in a messy situation, instead of retaliating or seeking revenge, David trusts in God. He believes that his good God will deal with this evil. Choosing faith and righteousness, David relies on the God of Truth, the one who will “uproot” evil from “the land of the living.” God is in control. God is with David. God will be with us in the trials of this life. Thanks be to God.Prayer: Lord God, when evil, false accusations, lies… assail us and our reputations, remind us of your love and your all-powerful protection. Even though life can be messy, when we trust in you, we can be assured that good will triumph over evil, truth over lies. Empower us to trust you always. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Don’t Be Afraid

Reading: Matthew 10:26-31

Matthew 10:31 – “Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”

Photo credit: Saad Chaudhry

Today’s passage begins with “Therefore,” a great connecting word. Jesus has just finished talking to his disciples about standing firm, even though they will be persecuted for their faith. While persecution in this sense is not a true reality for most of us, there are costs to following Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Choosing the path of discipleship means choosing not to live according to the ways of the world. While not usually physical, the costs to being a follower can be felt in other ways – financial, social, political…

Jesus begins by telling us not to be afraid of “those people” – the ones who persecute. We are reminded that in the end, all things will be brought into the open. In the final accounting, good and evil will be sifted. Encouraging us to be bold in our faith, we’re invited to be light in the darkness of our world, announcing our faith “from the rooftops.” Here we are being invited to live a life of faith that all can see and hear.

Returning to the final accounting, Jesus tells us not to fear earthly powers but to fear heavenly powers. This life is temporary. Our “soul” is eternal. Our passage closes with a reminder of our all-powerful, ever-present God’s love. Not a sparrow dies without God knowing it. Each hair on our head is counted. This is Jesus’ personal and intimate way of saying, ‘God’s got you… “Don’t be afraid.” Thank you Lord!

Prayer: Lord God, when we wander towards the bright and shiny tempting things of this world, draw us back to you. Remind us once again of your eternal love – one that will never fade or rust. Guide us to live a transparent and living faith, being truth and love and light in our broken world. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Protected and Safe

Reading: Psalm 27:1-5

Psalm 27:1b – “The Lord is a fortress protecting my life. Should I be frightened of anything?”

In Psalm 27:1-5 we find a song of confidence in the Lord. As a whole, though, the Psalm is a hopeful prayer offered in the midst of a time of suffering in David’s life. It is optimism and trust in the midst of a storm. These words speak of a security found in the protection of the Lord. The hope, trust, and assurance are not found simply in the moment of need but are built in the daily walk of faith, a walk taken regularly and steadfastly on the good days, on the hard days, and on all the days in between.

In verse 1 David declares that God is his light and salvation, his fortress of protection. Because of this belief David can ask, ‘Who or what should I wear?’ The answers are ‘no one’ and ‘nothing.’ Those evil doers? They will be the ones who stumble and fall. That ‘army’ that comes against me? I will trust in the Lord. My friend, God is our light and salvation, our fortress. We can trust in our God.

David expresses the one thing he asks God for, the one thing that he seeks in verse 4. It is “to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life.” David us not talking about actually living in the temple. He is talking about walking and talking daily with the Lord, about being in a constant relationship and, therefore, always in God’s presence. In this ‘place,’ God will shelter David and will shelter us. In the presence of God, David is kept safe. So too will we be kept safe. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, give us the dedication and the stamina to walk with you each and every day. When it’s easier to skip time with you, whisper words of love into our hearts. Bless each time that we give to you so that we are drawn more and more to enter that space once again. Thank you for your unfailing and sure love. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Fully Trusting in the Lord

Reading: 1st Samuel 17:32-37

1st Samuel 17:37 – “The Lord who rescued me from the power of both lions and bears will rescue me from the power of this Philistine.”

During Saul’s reign as King of Israel, the Philistines and Israelites assembled for battle. The two armies gathered on hills opposite each other with a valley in between. A champion from Gath came out on day one to challenge the Israelites. He was huge, fierce, and strong. Early in chapter 17 Goliath is described in powerful detail: really tall, armor weighing 125 pounds, a spear with a shaft strong as the bar on a weaver’s loom. Each day for forty days Goliath would stride down into the valley and challenge Israel to send out a champion to face him man to man. Saul and the Israelites “were distressed and terrified.” Great fear surrounded Goliath and his challenge.

Sent by his father to bring food to his three older brothers and to gather news of the battle, David hears Goliath’s challenge. Instead of feeling fear, David is upset that this Philistine is “insulting the army of the living God.” The young shepherd boy knows none of the fear that has been immobilizing Israel’s king and army. Filled with God’s presence, David declares, “I, your servant, will go out and fight him!” Saul protests, noting David’s youth. Undeterred, David says to Saul, “The Lord who rescued me from the power of both lions and bears will rescue me from the power of this Philistine.” David trusts in the Lord. He will fight Goliath. With the Lord, David will be victorious.

As we remember this well-known and beloved story, we ask ourselves: What ‘Goliath’ currently has us bound up in fear? Is it the situation in our world? Is it a difficulty at work? Is it a health issue? Is it something else? No matter what it is, no matter how big it feels, God is bigger and is totally capable of leading us to victory. May we, like the shepherd boy, fully trust in the Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, there are many different ‘giants’ that we face. Often it is fear that grips us too. In those moments, whisper your love and your power into our hearts. With your presence and assurance, guide us to surrender our fears, worries, challenges… to you, trusting in you alone for the victory. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Our Sure Foundation

Reading: Isaiah 28:14-17

Isaiah 28:17 – “I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line.”

The prophet Isaiah spoke to the southern kingdom of Judah. Today’s passage comes from “First Isaiah” (chapters 1-39) where the prophet reminds Judah of God’s sovereignty and holiness. Isaiah also reminds Judah of the consequences of relying on self and on the things and powers of this world.

In the opening verses Isaiah calls out Judah’s leaders, the “scoffers” who do not think that God is mighty enough to protect them from looming Assyria. Instead of turning to and trusting in God, they have made an alliance with Egypt, with “death.” Judah’s leaders have told themselves that the flood won’t reach them, that their hiding place will keep them safe. No, Isaiah says, these will be swept away. The flood of Assyria will overflow the land. The “rushing flood… you will be annihilated by it.”

God has another plan – one of restoration and redemption. Through Isaiah, God declares, “I’m laying in Zion a stone… a valuable cornerstone… a sure foundation.” The invitation is to trust in the stone, in Jesus Christ. In a time to come, upon this solid foundation, faith will center again on the way of the Lord: “I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line.” This call to Holy living remains our call today. May it be justice that flows like a flood across the land. May it be righteousness that wells us within us, flowing out to bring healing and wholeness to our land.

Prayer: Lord God, when we too decide that we can handle it, when we tell ourselves that our power or wealth or another earthly thing will save us, remind us of what and what you are: all-powerful, ever present, always seeking our good. Humble us; drive away our arrogance and self-assurance. Raise up in us a longing for justice and a craving for righteousness. In all things, draw us again and again to stand upon Jesus Christ, our sure foundation, our true cornerstone. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Because God Loves Us…

Reading: 1st John 4:7-21

1st John 4:12b – “If we love each other, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us.”

Photo credit: Shane

Our passage begins with John imploring us, “dear friends,” to love one another. The foundation for this charge is built upon two things. First, love is God. Love comes from God. God is love. Second, those who practice love are born from God and know God. There is a relationship formed as a believer professes Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This relationship is grounded in God’s love.

All relationships are two-way. The apostle John first establishes proof of God’s love for us in the fact that God sent Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. John also reminds us that God has given us the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This is the second proof. This is how God’s love remains in us and enables the relationship to be two-way. We next read about how we offer proofs of our love of God through our love for one another.

In verse 12 we read, “If we love each other, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us.” John Wesley picks up on this idea in what he called ‘going on to perfection.’ Wesley understood the Christian faith as a process of unending growth. Loving more and wider changes the believer for the good, maturing and deepening our faith. Now, this call to love and the process of maturing in our faith – they are not easy.

John reflects this as he writes these words of encouragement: “Perfect love drives our fear.” To love one another as God loves us will call us to risky places, to challenging conversations, to situations where we lie self on the line. Yet we do not go alone nor do we do these things by ourselves. Because God loves us, God goes with us into these places, situations, and conversations where we are called to be love and light, hope and peace, trust and justice, grace and forgiveness. Through God’s unconditional and faithful love, may we seek and strive to love all of our brothers and sisters just as God loves us.

Prayer: Lord God, emboldened by your love, guide us to step out in faith, without fear and without concern for self. Bring us into all the places and lives that need to know your love. Empowered and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, lead us to practice your love well so that others may come to experience and know your love in their hearts. Amen.