pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: presence


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A Sacred Encounter

Reading: Genesis 32:22-24

Genesis 32:24 – “But Jacob stayed apart by himself, and a man wrestled with him until dawn broke.”

Photo credit: Mitchel Lensink

As we begin, some context from the start of chapter 32. Jacob is returning home. He is doing as God directed. As he gets close he hears that Esau is approaching with 400 soldiers. Esau is the one who had his birth rite stolen by Jacob. When Jacob fled, Esau was threatening murder. In fear and terror Jacob comes up with a plan. If Esau can’t be bought off, maybe some will escape while the rest are captured or killed or… Then Jacob prays for safety, even as he tries to barter with God. He then adds a level of security for himself. As we turn to our reading for today, we see that Jacob places all that is his – wives, children, servants, livestock – across the Jabbok River and retreats back across – alone.

Alone – just where he needs to be right now to encounter God. In verse 24 we read, “But Jacob stayed apart by himself, and a man wrestled with him until dawn broke.” This is much more than a physical struggle. Likely in response to Jacob’s prayers, wheeling and dealing, and scheming, God has come to wrestle with Jacob spiritually. In the wrestling, God confronts Jacob’s fears, lack of faith and trust, and his prideful, sinful ways. In the end, after transformation, Jacob refuses to let go of God. The physical and spiritual have come together. Once blessed, renamed “Israel,” he will face the day knowing that God is with him.

When we find time and space to be alone with God, to lay our fears, doubts, and worries before God, we too will find that God is ready to wrestle with us. God will meet us at our point of need and will help us to wrestle through, transforming us and our faith. Making time and space for a sacred encounter, we can count on our faithful God to show up and to work in us. May we trust in our faithful, loving God.

Prayer: Lord God, draw us into times and places where we can encounter your presence. Still our racing, often fearful, minds and hearts so that we can receive what you have to say and give. With open hearts and minds, transform us, bringing us to a place of deeper faith and greater trust. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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The Kingdom of Heaven

Reading: Matthew 13:31-33

Matthew 13:31a and 33a – “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed… is like yeast.”

Beginning our gospel reading today we find two parables that tell us about the kingdom of heaven. Tomorrow we will read three more parables that speak of the kingdom of heaven. I think, in general, when most people hear the phrase, “kingdom of heaven,” they think of a place in the clouds with angels and streets of gold. While some version of this might be the kingdom of heaven some day, today and tomorrow, Jesus is speaking of the kingdom of heaven here on earth – right here and right now.

In verses 31-33 Jesus speaks of two very small things that have large impacts. The teacher says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed… is like yeast.” The smallest seed becomes a large plant, giving rest and a home to the birds. Yeast, a tiny organism, works its way through a whole bushel of flour, causing it to rise so that it can feed many people.

The kingdom of heaven is found today in our small acts of faithful witness. It is found in that visit to a sick friend, in the meal brought to a struggling family, in the money used to pay a single parent’s water bill. The kingdom of heaven is found in the time given to help at VBS and in the monthly donation to a child in a far away country. It is found in the way you walk through a hard situation with peace and in the way you handle another’s anger or insults with grace. The kingdom of heaven is found everywhere that Jesus’ light and love are made real. Be the kingdom of heaven today.

Prayer: Lord God, instill in us a sensitivity to the kingdom-building opportunities that you bring our way. Make us willing servants, ready to give generously of our time, talents, resources, prayers, and presence. Open our eyes to see how small acts of faith hold tremendous power – the power to change lives and to change our world. Amen.


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Benefits

Reading: Romans 8:12-17

Romans 8:14 – “All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters.”

In Romans 8:11, Paul reminded us that all who are led by the Spirit will one day be raised as Jesus Christ was raised – to eternal life. Turning to this week’s passage from Romans 8, Paul begins verse 12 with “So then…” Since the Spirit lives in us and promises us resurrection, Paul declares that we have an obligation. So then, that obligation is to live a certain way. It is not the way of selfishness and sin. This way of life leads to death, not to life. The way that leads to life is the way of the Spirit.

In verse 14 Paul states, “All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters.” To be a son or daughter is to have a place in the family of God. To have a place brings benefits, if you will. The primary one is God’s unconditional love. This no-matter-what love is what pours out grace when we fall short and it is the mercy that carries our sin far away, making us pure and holy in God’s sight. This love keeps God close to us at all times. God’s ear is attentive to our desires and God’s heart is attuned to our needs. And, oh yes, there is eternal life one day. For the God who loves us beyond our understanding, we offer our praise and worship today!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for taking us into your family. Thank you for a love that we cannot understand, but dwell fully in. And thank you for your Spirit’s guidance, presence, and direction. Amen.


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To Be So Bold

Reading: Psalm 139:23-24

Psalm 139:23 – “Examine me God! Look at my heart! Put me to the test. Know my anxious thoughts.”

Yesterday in Psalm 139, David acknowledged that God surrounded him always. There was never a time that David could escape from God’s presence. God was always with him. As we jump to today’s verses, it is almost as if David is challenging God. It is important to note that this comes after several verses where David has questioned why God has not killed off his enemies. At times I play this game too. God – look how faithful I am… Why don’t you deal with so and so?

In verse 23, David writes, “Examine me God! Look at my heart! Put me to the test. Know my anxious thoughts.” If I were to be so bold as to say these words to God, I’d bet there had been some pretty serious self-examination, followed quickly by some profuse confession and repentance. Then again, to be honest, I’d be surprised if the humility created by such an intimate and personal experience would allow me to be so bold with God.

To lay oneself bare before God, to invite God to examine and test and know me in a most personal way, this would certainly affirm my commitment to God. To go through this process periodically – maybe even daily – it is healthy and life-giving. May this be a regular practice for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, oh to be so bold as to invite such examination and evaluation. To have the faith to offer these words! Move me in this direction, O God, closer to honesty, closer to transparency, closer to authentic relationship. Amen.


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Faith in Difficulty

Readings: Psalm 119:109 and Genesis 25:19-26

Genesis 25:23a – “Two nations are in your womb; two different people will emerge from your body.”

In today’s verse from Psalm 119, the psalmist expresses a commitment to God’s will and way, even when life is unsure and feels unsafe. This is not always an easy thing to do. Too often we can try to take matters into our own hands. We then only turn to God when we have failed and/or made matters worse.

Turning to Genesis 25, we are reminded that Isaac and Rebekah were married. We recall that this marriage had God’s fingerprints all over it. The relationship felt blessed. But Rebekah is barren. Soon, Isaac begins praying to God about this concerning situation. This is a departure from his parents’approach. Sarah and Abraham took matters into their own hands, producing Ishmael. Because Isaac remains faithful to God during this difficult time, God is moved by his prayers and Rebekah becomes pregnant – 20 years into Isaac’s praying.

Rebekah’s pregnancy is not easy. There is violence within her womb. This is a foretaste of the unrest and conflict that will overshadow Jacob and Esau’s relationship. They are not the first brothers like this, nor will they be the last. Before them were Cain and Abel, then Isaac and Ishmael. Jacob emerged from the womb gripping Esau’s heel. He is already at odds with the customs of firstborn privilege. Tomorrow we will see how this plays out further, creating two nations.

Prayer: Lord God, at times things in this life can be challenging. Life can be hard and we can want a way out. In these moments, Lord, turn us towards you and not towards self. Remind us of the psalmist’s trust and of Isaac’s faithfulness. With these examples, may we seek your guidance, your plans, and your power and presence. Amen.


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Receiving Christ

Reading: Matthew 10:40-42

Matthew 10:40 – “Those who receive you are also receiving me, and those who receive me are receiving the one who sent me.”

Turning to this week’s gospel lesson, Jesus is preparing his disciples to be sent out into the world. All of chapter 10 is a teaching lesson, preparing and equipping the twelve to go out to preach the good news and to heal the sick. As this too is our mission, chapter 10 is always good review material! Jesus closes this teaching with some words about “rewards.” Leading into this, he tells them, “Those who receive you are also receiving me, and those who receive me are receiving the one who sent me.” There is a connection here. It is the same for us when we share the good news and someone turns to Christ as Lord and Savior. If someone receives us and the good news of what Jesus has done in our lives, they also receive Jesus and, in turn, they receive God into their life.

In verses 41 and 42 Jesus speaks of rewards: receive a prophet (or righteous person) and receive their rewards. The primary reward is a relationship with the Lord our God. To be intimately connected, to be indwelled with the Spirit’s presence, this is the primary reward. This leads to many secondary rewards. To walk daily with the Lord brings love, joy, hope, peace, grace, patience, forgiveness, self-control… These are what we receive when we seek to daily live a holy life. This is what Paul was writing about in Romans 6 this week. As we seek to reflect Christ and his love to the world, may the Spirit open doors and hearts for the glory of the Lord to be revealed!

Prayer: Lord God, use us today to be sharers of the good news. Fill us with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit and send us out into the world to shine Jesus’ light and love. As others hear our good news stories, open their hearts to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Amen.


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Ever Present

Reading: Matthew 10:24-31

Matthew 10:27 – “What I say to you in the darkness, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, announce from the rooftops.”

Closing the week with the first half of our gospel passage from Matthew 10, we hear more on the call to discipleship. The passage begins with a humble call for disciples to be like their teacher. Our implication here is to be like Jesus. All that we do and say and think should be aligned with and reflect the example and teachings of Jesus.

Starting in verse 24, Jesus encourages us to be bold in our faith. If we walk in faith, we can trust that all will be brought into the light. What is hidden and secret will be revealed. Therefore, with trust in him and with confidence in our faithful God, Jesus declares, “What I say to you in the darkness, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, announce from the rooftops.” To help us live out this invitation, Jesus points to the long game. Those who can kill the body? No need to worry about them. Eternity awaits. But, yes, “be afraid of the one who can kill body and soul.” Be aware of and cautious of Satan. The evil one is always lurking. Be alert and stand firm.

Jesus reminds us that God is right there too. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without God’s knowledge. Therefore, the Lord says, “Don’t be afraid.” We are much more important to God. Our worth to God is immeasurable. God is intimately aware of our needs. God is ever present. As we seek to be like Jesus, may we ever remember that God is always with us.

Prayer: Lord God, as we seek to walk as disciples of Christ, fill us with your presence. Remind us again and again that you are with us and within us. By the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, lead us to boldly proclaim our faith in both word and action. Amen.


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Radical Hospitality

Reading: Genesis 18:1-8

Genesis 18:2b – “As soon as he saw them he ran from his tent entrance to greet them and bow deeply.”

Turning to Abraham and Sarah’s story today and tomorrow, we do so with some context. It has been about 25 years since Abram listened to God’s call, leaving almost all behind to go where God would lead him. We recall that as he left, he did so with a promise: through Abram many nations would be blessed. For his radical obedience, Abram was declared righteous by God. As years passed, patience waned. Abram and Sarai took matters into their own aged hands, producing an heir through their Egyptian servant Hagar. God then reiterated the covenant, telling the newly renamed Abraham that nations and kings will come from him. Thirteen years later, three men visit Abraham.

One day, sitting outside the entrance to his tent, the Lord appears to Abraham. There are three men standing near him. In verse 2 we read, “As soon as he saw them he ran from his tent entrance to greet them and bow deeply.” Abraham’s hospitality is just as radical as his obedience. Or is it the same thing? He invites the three men to stay a while, to be refreshed. My mind goes to Peter offering to build three shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. These three men accept Abraham’s invitation and soon a meal is placed before them. The strangers have been well cared for.

Now, Abraham had a sense that the Lord was present in or through these men. Perhaps, like Peter, he wanted to hold onto this moment. This scripture raises some questions for us. First, do we do the same? When the presence of God shows up in an unexpected way, do we make room and time to be in that presence? And, second, whether in the form of a person or in the form of the Holy Spirit, do we offer radical hospitality in the moment? When we do, friends, we often receive great blessing. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, how will you show up today or tomorrow? The question is not “if” but “when” and “how.” Knowing that, prepare our hearts and spirits to receive your unexpected presence generously and abundantly. Lead us to offer our best to you, O Lord. Amen.


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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.