pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: presence


by Leave a comment

The Shepherd

Psalm 23 is probably the most well-known psalm.  It is so well-known because of its content.  It speaks so beautifully of the relationship we have with God.  In the words of the psalm we hear how fully David trusts in God because he knows God is always there.

In the psalm God is in the role of the shepherd.  David, and later Jesus, will come to play the role of shepherd as well.  In all of these cases the people are the sheep under the loving shepherd’s care.  This care is spelled out so so richly in Psalm 23.  Today we are the sheep as well.  In this care we find our needs are met.  We find times of rest when we refresh our souls.  We find both guidance and protection.

Beyond these basics, we also find care that extends to our spiritual and emotional needs.  The Good Shepherd prepares for us a table and blesses us with oil.  With Him we are assured that goodness and mercy will be with us all of our days.  Within this relationship we come to see that we do indeed dwell in the house of the Lord all our days.

When we get to this place in our relationship with the Shepherd, the fears, doubts, and other concerns of life do not have a grip on us.  We trust in His care. We rest in His love.  When we know our Shepherd is walking with us through all of life, then we begin to live life to the fullest.  Not only do we live in and enjoy the abundance of God’s grace and love, but we begin to share Him with others.  Our cup overflows into other’s lives.  Through sharing how the Shepherd cares for and loves us, we help others to come into His care as well.

Scripture reference: Psalm 23


by Leave a comment

In or Out?

People look like to be a part of things.  Even when we didn’t really want to go to something, we like to be invited.  Even when we are not a lead part of a conversation we still like to feel that our presence and input is welcomed.  When we go somewhere new we like to be greeted and made to feel at home.  We are social beings.

For some, simply being by oneself is hard.  At times, when we find ourselves alone, we feel compelled to turn on the TV or radio or to pick up a book or a device with a social media connection.  Instead of enjoying a little quiet, relaxed time or some extra time with God, we try to fill the space.

Often in these times we feel we must be missing some event or some “thing”.  And if we come to realize we are missing “it” for some reason, we become agitated, upset, moody, hurt.

Such is the case with Thomas today.  For whatever reason he was not there when Jesus first visited the disciples.  And Thomas is not happy about it.  I can see him with hands on hips, stomping his foot as he says, “Unless I see…”. We too can react this way.  When we miss out we can become defensive, angry, hurt.

But Jesus visits a second time, and Thomas is there.  After Jesus says, “Peace be with you” I can imagine a soft smile on His face as He warmly, lovingly looks upon Thomas.  Thomas is invited to come see, to touch.  In a sense they are the only ones in the room, alone in a crowd.  Thomas connects to Jesus and declares, “My Lord and my God”.  Today may we too connect whether in prayer, reading, or word.  Connect often today.

Scripture reference: John 20: 24-31


by 1 Comment

We Know the Answer

Tomorrow is Easter.  Tomorrow we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ – we praise Him for our deliverance from sin and death.  We are grateful for the freedom He offers as a gift, generously poured out upon us by God.

But today, let us step back.  Let us ‘pretend’ if you will.  Today may we enter into the day the disciples and followers of Jesus must have experienced.  I imagine some did not sleep that night – the shock of Jesus’ death was simply too much to bear.  Some probably awoke in disbelief, not totally sure what happened yesterday and culminated at Golgotha.  Other woke in a daze, totally confused and searching for answers.

As the sleepiness wore off and the true reality set in, some began to pray.  Some of the prayers begged God to roll back the clock, to return Jesus to them as He was.  Other prayers sought a different return, to see Christ come again in glory and in final victory.  some prayed for strength, peace, comfort, presence.  Others surely sang praises and were thankful for their time with this man Jesus.  Some thought back on His teachings and miracles, wondering how they would continue to affect and change lives now that He was gone.  A handful probably pondered when the authorities would come for the rest of the believers.  And all, at some point or another, wrestled with the big question of “What now?”

We know the answer to that question.  We know what the morning will bring.  But today, today, may we step into the shoes of the disciples and followers.  May we feel the sadness of the day, may we seek God’s presence, may we remember what Jesus did and taught.  Remembering and experiencing is important.  Tomorrow will come soon enough.

Scripture references: Psalm 114 and Mark 16: 1-8


by Leave a comment

In the Pain, Suffering… Love

On the cross Jesus cries out, “My God, my god, why have you forsaken me?”  In His anguish and pain Jesus is using the psalms as a prayer to God the Father.  Most of this psalm is a song of lament – full of pain, anger, suffering.  Surely on the cross Jesus felt all of these emotions.  Today, as we remember what He did for us on that cross, may we too allow ourselves to feel the pain, the suffering, the loneliness.

We all have experiences that were painful.  There are and will be times in our lives when we hurt physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  There will be times when we cry out the same prayer, “My God, my god, why?”  In these moments, know Jesus is interceding for you.  IN those times and places, allow Him to come and minister to your hurts, your pains, your suffering.

Sometimes we want to remain in the hurt.  Sometimes it is hard to get past it.  Because He died, He was able to rise.  Because He rose there is always hope.  The psalm goes on.  In the last third we are reminded of that hope and the promises and our call.  We are called back out of our hurts to praise His name, for in the praise we connect back to God.  We are called to care for others, for the poor and the afflicted, for in caring we are also connected back to God.

We are called to praise Him, to cry out to Him, to walk in the hurt with Him, to remain confident in His abiding love, to trust in Him.  Our creator and sustainer is always near, always present.  In the pain, suffering, and loneliness of today, remember His promises.  Remember His love.  The next psalm has some familiar words as well.  “The Lord is my shepherd..” and “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”  It too concludes with hope: “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Thanks be to God for his abiding love and presence.

Scripture reference: Psalms 22 and 23


by Leave a comment

Filled to be Emptied

Jesus calls us to believe in the light so that we can become the light ourselves.  Darkness is powerful – only the light can overcome it.  After teaching the people all day, Jesus takes some time in solitude to pray.  It is a hard week ahead.  Even the Son of God needs to spend time alone with God in order to face what lies ahead.

Psalm 71 begins with the encouragement to take refuge in God.  In the midst of the trial and adversaries that surround all around the psalmist, they seek refuge, protection, and safety in time alone with God.  There is the admission that we cannot manage on our own but need time alone with God to find the strength and the ability to face the day or week ahead.

In both of these cases and in our case too our enemies pursue us.  The messages of the world shout out things to chase after and interests to develop that are not the things of God.  These things and people in our lives will challenge our faith.  And like Jesus and the psalmist, we too must take time alone with God.

Today, where will you find the time to be alone with God?  Where will you go to hide from the world as you seek help, protection, and love from God?  It is important to make sure we are full of His presence before we go out into the world to be the light and love that dispels darkness and fills it with Christ’s presence.  After being filled up, go out and give it away.

Scripture references: Psalm 71: 1-14 and John 12: 20-36


by Leave a comment

We Must Share

Sometimes we find ourself in a season where we feel distant from God.  Even though this is uncomfortable, we struggle to reconnect.  Even when we try, we feel empty.  Worship just doesn’t rouse anything in us and when we pray we feel alone.  It is a hard place to be.

We must remember that even in these times, God is near to us.  We too must remember that the Holy Spirit and a great cloud of witness – both our present faith community and those who have gone before – are praying for us.  We are always covered in prayer, so we are never truly alone.  God is always near.  Through faith we must also continue to pray, to seek Him, to worship.  And soon we will feel God’s presence all around us again.

Yet there are people who have never known God’s presence.  Life is lived without true meaning and without a higher purpose.  Think back to a time when you were in a ‘desert place’ and remember what that felt like.  Now imagine life being lived like that all the time.  This is why Christ commissioned us all to make disciples of all nations, to connect people to our God.

Many try to walk through grief, loss, loneliness, and such all alone.  As a child of God and as a follower of Jesus Christ, we know how great it is to walk in His love, mercy, and grace, to find strength in Him, to rest in His presence.  It is something we simply must share.

Scripture reference: Ephesians 2: 1-7


by Leave a comment

Steadfast and Constant

Hardships are a part of life.  At times we suffer because of choices we make but at other times our trials are simply part of life.  When we are in the midst of a struggle, it can feel like we are out in the wilderness or are lost at sea.  We feel alone and become tired and worn down.  And then, in the middle of the struggle, we cry out to God.

We recall that we are a child of God – like it were some long lost truth – and we begin to cling to Him.  We acknowledge our inability to calm the storm on our own and we begin to trust in God.  Maybe we had been praying all along, but when we cry out to God, when we offer total surrender, when we are turning fully to Him, then His presence is greatest.

When the storm ends, we want to kiss the ground. Once our feet return to solid ground and life becomes good again, we look back to God with a new sense of thanksgiving in our hearts.  In our inner being we know the struggle could not have been won on our own.  We realize God’s unlimited love for us as we come to know our dependence on Him was and is a really good thing.

We thank God for His constant and unfailing love and learn to turn quicker to Him when the next storm clouds gather on the horizon.  Thank God for His steadfast love and constant presence.

Scripture reference: Psalm 107: 17-22


by Leave a comment

Our Promises

In many churches the words, “God is good!” draws the response “All the time.”  Then the call, “And all the time,” draws “God is good!”  In our churches we are sure to spread the word that God loves us.  As just one means of responding to God’s vast love for us, we are drawn to give back to God through our churches and their work in the world.

In my denomination we promise to support the church with our “prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness” when we join.  It is much the same in any church for these are the things Christ did when He set us the example of how to live our lives.

I think the list goes from easiest to hardest for most people.  A time of prayer each day or a few prayers here and there is easy to offer up to God.  Being present in church on a regular basis takes a bit more effort but is not really that hard.  Giving back some of the gifts that God has blessed us with is OK for most.  When one begins to speak of tithing it takes a bit more and here is where we begin to see some delineation in what commitment really looks like.  Service requires a higher commitment that basic giving.  It is more that the hour on Sunday morning and often requires some effort to serve.  Here we see more separation.

But that last word – witness – is the most challenging.  It is the promise that takes risk, the one that requires us to really put ourselves out there. It also calls upon us to trust in God and to seek the Spirit’s lead.  His promise is to give us the words we need, when we need them.  When we offer our witness or testimony, God will be fully present with us if we acknowledge our need for Him.  Trust and obey, for God really is good all of the time.

Scripture reference: Psalm 107: 1-3


by Leave a comment

Words and Without

“Use your words.”  How many times have you said or heard this?  We tend to be very auditory in our learning and in our communication.  In our worship services we require words for everything we do.  Even in the silence of prayer run through our minds.

Must people of faith are people of the books.  The Jews and Christians each have their Bible and Muslims have the Qaran.  The words contained in the Bible are the teachings and stories that guide our life.  Before any were written down they passed on by word of mouth.

We can also worship and draw close to God without words.  Late at night we can sense God’s presence in the majesty of the stars.  On a walk in the woods we can find a bird’s song draws us to a time with God.  A piece of music can weave its way into our consciousness and can become a holy experience.  Something as simple as sitting and watching a campfire can lead us to a time with our savior.

God is all around us.  He is always seeking us, always waiting time with us.  At times we use words in a variety of ways to draw close to God.  Sometimes we do not use words but find ourselves close to God anyway.  Today, may we choose to draw near in a variety of ways.

Scripture reference: Psalm 19


by Leave a comment

Idols

Is there a commandment we struggle with more than the commandment against idols? Today the idea of an idol has grown to represent a wide variety of things: money, possessions, job, position or status, physical beauty, authority, time…  Our own ‘idol’ can really be anything we place before or above God.

It is a fine line sometimes between providing for our families and accumulating wealth or between doing a good job at work and pouring oneself into the job in the pursuit of a promotion.  But when one is in a right relationship with God, then one knows in their hearts when they are nearing or have crossed that imaginary line.

The command against idols is the only command that also has a punishment attached.  Perhaps God knew people would wrestle with this one!  God warns that He will punish out to a person’s fourth generation if one bows down to idols.  However, God also promises that He will love your family for a thousand years if you love Him and follow His commands.  Quite a difference!  Must be important.

In this holy season of Lent, may we spend a little extra time looking at the idols we have in our lives.  May we seek God’s strength and presence so that our idols become less and He becomes more.

Scripture reference: Genesis 20: 4-6