pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: presence


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Happiness – God’s Gift

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).  When God created the world He knew there would be both love and hate, planting and uprooting, peace and war, and so on.  The existence of good and evil, pleasure and pain, joy and sorrow,… was necessary for free will to be a part of our world.  If all was only good we would not really be choosing to love and obey God.  Yet God’s intent is still for good – for good in our lives and for good in the world.  In the end, God’s goodness and love will reign.  As we come to our end, we can enter His glory and experience nothing but good in heaven.  As this world comes to and end, there will be a restoration of all things and God will once again dwell among humanity.

“I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.  That everyone may eat and drink and find satisfaction in his toil – this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3: 12-13)  God desires for us to also be the good in the world.  We are to go forth and to bring the love of Christ with us to all that we meet in the world.  When we do good in the world, when we live following Christ’s example, then we are able to find true happiness.  This is one of God’s gifts to us.

God’s gift to us is also to find satisfaction in our toil.  Our efforts, our job, our work is meant to bring us joy.  God’s intent is for me to love my job and to serve Him with all I can as I work.  In others areas of toil, I must do the same.  In shoveling the driveway or serving the meal at the mission I can experience and encounter God in nature or in the faces of those I serve.  God is all around me.  God is all around everyone.  Thanks be to God for His presence in our lives and for these gifts that He brings.

Scripture reference: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-13


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Surrounded by Love

Wrapping the baby Jesus in swaddling clothes was the common practice of the time.  It is still the common practice in many places.  By wrapping the baby head to toe, it is kept warm and its delicate skin in protected.  Being laid in a manger, maybe Jesus even needed a little extra protection.  All one could see of the baby was their little face, gazing up at them.

In the culture of Jesus’ day and in many places still today, at the end of life the body is again wrapped in a cloth.  This time it is called a shroud and it covers all of the body.  The body is wrapped with fragrant spices and laid to rest in a protetcive little coccoon.  The cycle is complete.

Tonight the communion will be covered by a cloth except when being served.  The elements are representative of Jesus’ body and blood, so it is appropriate and respectful to cover them.

In our Christian walk, God’s love continually surrounds us much like the swaddling clothes do a baby.  God wraps His love and protection around us as He walks through the ups, downs, and middles of life with us.  As we walk we will stumble and we will sin.  But God is present then too for His love never fails.  In these moments we also receive His love and grace as well.  They surround us too and make us new and clean and whole.  Through Jesus’ work on the cross, we are forgiven and restored to walk again in God’s loving presence.  Thank you Jesus.

Scripture reference: Luke 2: 1-20


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The Journey

Our journey of faith draws us ever closer to God.  We are, however, not constantly growing each and every day.  Our growth is sometimes like that second cousin that you only see at the occassional reunion, wedding, or funeral.  You see him and marvel at how he has changed since you last saw him, but his growth has been gradual.

This journey of faith has its valleys and moutain tops as well as its wrong turns. There are moments when we connect powefully to God or the Holy Spirit and feel a growth spurt.  There are also times when we turn aside and stumble in our sin.  As we walk through the times of sin and repentance, looking back we can also see signs of overall growth.  Things we once did not see as sin are things we now wrestle with and our cycles of repeating the same sin has greater intervals in between.  We can see God and the Holy Spirit at work within us.

Our journey will also have seasons like the one described in Psalm 80.  We will have times when we cry out to God followed by what feels like silence.  We will have times when it feels like we are subsisting on the ‘bread of tears.’  In these times we long for His presence, for the touch or the whisper of the Holy Spirit.  The Good Shepherd is always near.  He never is far from His sheep.  So in these seasons we must continue to pray, to read His word, to seek His face.  In response to our faithfulness, suddenly He will be there.  It will seem like God never left.  All will be well.

Scripture reference: Psalm 80: 1-7


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Christ’s Peace

“And he will be their peace.”  Many people in our community and around the world would love for peace to reign in their lives.  People do not expect life to be perfect.  We all know life naturally has its ups and downs, its joys and trials.  But people need peace in the midst of it all.  People need a rock upon which to weather the storm and also upon which they can share their joys with others.  People need Jesus.

Micah spoke to a people in the midst of a trial.  It was one of many times that the people of Israel had turned from God and were feeling the consequences of their choices.  Yet even in the midst of this trial, God was present.  He was never gone.  The people waited and longed for God to act and restore them.  God remained their hope and peace.  Knowing that made the trial endurable because there is light at the end of the tunnel.  No matter how far away, light is still there.

Jesus himself offers this same light.  As His time on earth drew near to a close, He offered these words to His disciples: “My peace I leave you.”  He knew the struggle ahead as they adjusted to His physical absence.  Jesus also knew the light was coming.  He knew this peace would be restored with the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ promise of peace is to us as well.  We can claim this peace as His followers.  His promise was not short-term, but to the end of this age.  Many in our worlds are seeking peace.  As His followers, we are called to share this peace.  As Christ reigns in our lives, may we allow His light and love to shine forth, bringing Christ’s peace to those in need.

Scripture reference: Micah 5: 2-5a


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Trust

In our passage today Mary goes to visit her relative Elizabeth.  Elizabeth is much older and is yet also with child.  The angel Gabriel had told Mary of this and maybe she took it as a hint to go see Elizabeth.  But maybe Mary’s head was swimming with the angels’ visit and time away seemed like a good idea.  Mary finds herself in an uncomfortable place – a young, unwed, pregnant teenager.  But as is always the case when one listens to God, He guides Mary to just where she needs to be so that she can hear just the words that she needs to hear.

In Elizabeth, Mary is seeking an older, wiser woman who is also amazingly pregnant.  After years and years of waiting and shame, Elizabeth is now with child.  As a family member, Mary surely knew of Elizabeth’s struggles to have a child.  So Mary would know how amazing Elizabeth’s preganacy was as well.  Once Mary arrives, God wastes no time in showing the connection between these two babies – John and Jesus – and in prompting Elizabeth to pour out her Spirit-given words of blessing upon both Mary and the baby she carries.

Can you see yourself in this story?  Are you like Mary – inexperienced, unsure, needing the presence of one who may have some wisdom to share?  Or are you like Elizabeth – one who has some experience and knowledge and is willing to pour into the life of another?  Mary and Elizabeth give us a great example of Christian fellowship and support.  Their witness in trusing in the voice of God, whether through an angel or the Holy Spirit, is also one we should follow.  May we be willing to seek another when led to, to offer of ourselves when God presents an opportunity, and to trust that God will be present to guide and lead the encounter.

Scripture reference: Luke 1: 39-45


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God’s Presence and Promise

Jeremiah was writing from a prison cell.  At times he must have felt like the situation was hopeless.  Yet in the midst of this bad situation, he heard God’s promise to send a just and righteous ruler to lead Israel.  In his time of trial, God brought Jeremiah a word of hope.

As Advent nears, our longing builds for the coming of Christ, which we celebrate on Christmas Eve.  Advent calendars count down the days for children and visions of school vacation and presents dance in their heads.  To be honest, as adults we looked at the vacation schedule long ago as we too anticipate some time off.  But it is also undeniable that as we wait, in Advent, the longing builds within us for the night to arrive when we all gather together, when we sing the familiar songs, and when we celebrate our Lord and Savior’s birth.

While almost all have a sense of waiting, many feel this sense of longing as well.  But for some, there is also a sadness hanging over this season of joy and hope and love.  If within the last year trauma or loss has occurred, then the Advent season brings struggle as well.  If it is the first Christmas after the loss of a loved one or after a divorce or job loss or after a serious illness, then there is pain, grief, and hurt as well.  In these times and with these emotions, God can feel distant.  It is important for those struggling to be reminded of God’s presence and His promises.

For some battling these sad emotions, they can connect to God and find hope and love and peace.  For those that are struggling may we be aware and may we find ways to come alongside them and to bring God’s presence and promises to life through our words, actions, and presence.

Scripture reference: Jeremiah 33: 14-17


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Christ’s Witnesses

On our bulletin we have a box listing the staff of the church and on the first line it reads: “Ministers…. The Congregation.”  It is important to define the body of Christ as those whose ‘job’ it is to go forth in ministry to the world.  All Christians everywhere have the charge to go forth into their world to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.

The idea that all Christians are part of this work of the church first originated during the Reformation and was referred to as the ‘priesthood of all believers’.  It is not the role of just the pastor or priest, but the role of all believers to be priests in their world by being the witness and presence of God to those in their midst, to their neighbors.

Clergy do have a role to fill.  Those calls to formal ministry must offer the sacraments and must lead, teach, guide, and equip the people of God to be minnisters to their neighbors.  These clergy and the whole body of Christ prays for one another, encourages one another, hold one another accountable, supports one another, and works alongside one another.  All of us together help build the kingdom of God here on earth.

Jesus Christ was and is and is to come.  We, as the priesthood of all believers, must carry His message of love and grace and forgiveness out into a world living in darkness.  As believers we must all be Christ’s witnesses and presence in the world through our words, actions, and deeds.  Today may we represent well.

Scripture reference: Revelation 1: 4b-8


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For the King

Our world has seen many great leaders.  From men like King David to men like JFK and MLK, Jr., we have seen many great men.  They lived for a period and lead well, but they passed on and history rolled on.  Only one leader has established himself as an eternal leader: Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ example lives on not only in the words of a Bible.  The words of David live on there too.  But through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Jesus remains  alive and present to each of us.  This indwelling of the Holy Spirit allowed His followers to risk all as they moved out into the world to boldly proclaim this risen Son as the way, the truth, and the life.  Only death could silence them and many made this choice.

For His followers today, we still experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  The same Spirit leads and guides and nudges and whispers to us.  It pushes us to live out our faith in the world as a living witness to what Jesus does in our own lives.

We too live with the warning – there may be a little suffering.  Maybe it is a little harassment, maybe a little rejection.  In all cases, God remains present.  The Holy Spirit continues to intercede in heaven and to work within us.  All to share our King with the world.  All to prepare ourselves for seeing Him face to face.  All this for a King!

Scripture reference: Mark 13: 5-8


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Gather Together

In Hebrews we are reminded to gather together for spurring one another on to love and good deeds.  When we gather the author also implores us to encourage one another.  There must have been a division or some friction that was causing some to stay away from the church’s gatherings.  At times we still see this issue today.

A few recent trends in society have led some to this isolated approach as well.  The prevalence of a me-first, consumer mentality is a primary factor.  If it does not make us totally happy and meet our every need and demand, well it is not for us then – we’ll just stay home.  A second trend that leads some to not gather as the body is the general anti-institutional vibe – anti-government, anti-establishment, and even anti-church. A third change is the depth or level of our friendships.  People have tons of friends on Facebook but almost no one to sit down and have a real, heart-felt conversation with.  We would rather e-mail, text, or personal message because a call demands one-on-one time right then.  In the old days we would always pick up the phone when it rang.  Now we look to see who it is first.

It is nice to read a warm, fuzzy story on social media, but it is a whole different experience to hear a person’s powerful testimony or story as we gather together as the body of Christ.  In the same way it is powerful and moving to lift our voices together in prayer or word or song.  You can read the words at home or listen to the song on the radio or device, but it is not the same as when together.  One can text or message a friend a smiley if we know they are down or struggling, but it is so much more meaningful to put our arm around them and to pray over them.

Jesus saved us to be in fellowship together loving, encouraging, supporting, praying for one another.  We do all of this best when gathered together – whether on Sunday morning, in a small group, or just one on one.  By our prayers, presence, witness, words, and service, may we gather together each day.

Scripture reference: Hebrews 10: 23-25


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Drawing Near to Rest

Many people today still do not think they can approach God.  For some, they feel they need a “middle man”, a priest to intercede on their behalf.  For some, they feel too unworthy to approach God.  For some, they feel God is too mighty and is therefore simply unapproachable.  All of these come out of the Old Testament and the rules and ways in which the Israelites interacted with God.

As time moved along, though, God saw the need for a new way, for a new covenant.  In order to draw us close to Himself, there needed to be a new way based upon a personal, direct relationship.  The old way could not be changed.  God had to make a totally new way.  This new covenant was established through Jesus, who opened a ” new and living way” for us to connect directly with God.

As the one perfect sacrifice, Jesus opened the curtain that had separated Jews from the Most Holy Place – the space in the temple where the presence of God dwelt.  Through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice on the cross, the curtain was torn and, once and for all, He made a way for us to draw near to God.  Through Jesus all can be in relationship with and can draw near to God.

In Hebrews we are promised that through Jesus we can draw very near to God.  At times we can feel His presence surrounding us.  In this presence, Jesus calls us to rest.  Just as Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father to rest, we too can draw near to God and rest.  For this, thanks be to God.

Scripture reference: Hebrews 10: 11-22