pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: proclaim


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Open Hearts

Reading: Matthew 10:5-23

Matthew 10:7 – “As you go, make this announcement: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.'”

Photo credit: Paz Arando

Having named and empowered the twelve, moving forward in chapter 10, Jesus gives the disciples instructions for when they go out into the world. The first is this: “As you go, make this announcement: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.'” We recall how Jesus did this in the ordinary, daily living of his life. In all that he said and did, Jesus proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God. His vocation was prophet, preacher, and healer. For some of us, ministry may be our vocation too. But for many it is not. Many are bankers or construction workers or nurses or stay-at-home parents or… Yet make no mistake, all who call on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are called to proclaim and to bring near to others the good news with our lives. While I do offer a message on Sundays and teach a small group here and there, much of the work of my witness to the world occurs outside of the physical church building.

As the passage continues to unfold, we note how Jesus tells us to go. Don’t take a bunch of stuff with you – all you need is in your heart. Don’t expect everyone to instantly commit their lives to Jesus Christ – maybe a few will but it is a process for most. Expect to be harassed and maybe even abused. The good news convicts sin. Change is hard. Move from place to place, person to person. Be present and meet needs – physical, emotional, spiritual… Trust that the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say in the moment. Trust that your compassion and love will touch many hearts, opening the door for Jesus to enter those hearts. As we work to bring near and to build the kingdom in our time and place, may the Lord bless the harvest!

Prayer: Lord God, open our hearts to your presence. Fill us with your Spirit and open our eyes to see those you place in our lives. Seeing, give us the words to say and show us the steps to take so that the list may be drawn to you. Use us today to bring the good news to the world. Amen.


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Compassion and Love

Readings: Matthew 9:35-39 and 10:1-4

Matthew 9:37 – “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers.”

Photo credit: James A. Molnar

Our gospel passage opens with Jesus doing what Jesus did. He is going here and there, to villages and cities, preaching and healing. Jesus is proclaiming the “good news” of love and grace and forgiveness. He is healing “every disease and every sickness.” All that Jesus does and says is driven by compassion. Merriam-Webster defines compassion this way: “sympathetic consciousness of other’s distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” Jesus saw the needs and brought hope and healing and wholeness to the “sheep without a shepherd.”

In response to the needs, Jesus invites the disciples – then and now – to do as he is doing in this passage. In verse 37 we see why he invited them and why he invites us into this work: “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers.” The harvest is the saving of souls through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Just as it was in Jesus’ day, there are many people today who do not believe in Jesus. The harvest remains huge. So we do as Jesus asked, pleading with the Lord to send out more “workers.” As we plead, though, we realize that we are often the answer to our prayers.

Moving into chapter 10, Jesus gives the disciples authority to do as he has been doing. Empowered to heal, the disciples will find opportunities to share the good news. The twelve are then named: Peter, Andrew, James… They are filled with compassion and love for the lost sheep of Israel, just as Jesus was filled. We too can be filled with compassion and love. We too can be sent to the lost sheep of this world. O Lord, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, as I sit at my desk, as I walk my loop in just a little while, I see and will walk past many houses, past home after home. Some know you but many do not. The harvest is plentiful. The same is true for us all, Lord, no matter where we live. Fill us with compassion, fuel us with love, empower us through the Holy Spirit. Then send us out to share the good news and to invite others into the healing and wholeness found in you. Amen.


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Only through Surrender

Reading: Acts 17:22-31

Acts 17:27-28 – “In fact, God isn’t far away from any of us. In God we live, move, and exist.”

Photo credit: Greg Rakozy

Returning to Acts 17 today we focus on God’s presence with us. To get the people of Athens to understand this, Paul begins where they are at. After walking around the city, Paul noticed that they are very “religious.” There are idols to many, many gods. He even finds one “To an Unknown God.” The Athenians are covering all the bases, just in case they missed one. This is Paul’s opening. He tells the council and others gathered to listen, “What you worship as unknown, I now proclaim to you.” Paul then begins to tell them about God, creator of everything. God is the giver of “life, breath, and everything else.” Paul is working towards God’s omnipresence – God everywhere, all the time.

In verse 27 Paul proclaims that God created humanity with a natural desire to seek him, “perhaps even reach out to him and find him.” This thought resonated with many of the Athenians just as it does today. We all want to understand life and to find meaning and purpose in this life. Paul speaks to this, saying, “In fact, God isn’t far away from any of us. In God we live, move, and exist.” God is near to us. In God we find all that we need. As he continues, Paul touches on an important aspect of faith in God. One cannot chase after this god and that god, seeking this here and that there. This has been the call to worship the one true God since the days in the wilderness. In verse 30 Paul tells the audience that God “directs everyone everywhere to change their hearts and lives.” To be in relationship with God, to experience God’s presence in Spirit, one must be willing to surrender one’s life to the Lord. Only through surrender do we experience the fullness of God’s love and grace. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to seek your presence today. Lead us to reach out to you. Guide our hearts to rest in your heart. In your presence may we experience the fullness of life – not only breath and existence but also meaning and purpose rooted in humility and service. Here we surrender all of ourselves to all of you. Receive us and change our hearts and lives each day, shaping us more and more into the image of your son Jesus. Amen.


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Faithful, to the End

Reading: Acts 7:55-60

Acts 7:59 – “Lord Jesus, receive my life!”

Photo credit: Alex Woods

Soon after Jesus’ death, the church began to form and grow. The apostles and disciples of Jesus began to meet, to worship, to care for others, and to share the good news. The gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost empowered the community of faith. Many were coming to a saving faith in Jesus. One of those filled with the Holy Spirit was Stephen. He spoke boldly and healed people in the name of Jesus. For this he was brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. Instead of backing down or recanting or being silenced, he boldly proclaimed Jesus as Lord to them. Fueled by the Spirit, Stephen looked up and saw heaven opened with Jesus standing at God’s right side. This proclamation triggers his death by stoning.

Facing this horrible death, Stephen prays, “Lord Jesus, accept my life!” His trust in Jesus is complete. His belief in his eternal destination is sure. In both of these ways, he offers one more powerful witness to Jesus. Trust and surety in the face of death remains a powerful witness today. In times present to those nearing death, I’ve seen people’s faith shine and I’ve heard their trust in the destination. There is a calm, a strength, a peace evident in those with faith.

In addition to all of this, Stephen showed grace. As he was dying, he shouted, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” One last, powerful witness to God’s love and grace. Stephen served his Lord faithfully, right to the end. May it be so for us all.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for Stephen’s faithful witness. Move us by the same Holy Spirit. While we may never face death for our faith, Lord empower us to be strong and bold when needed. In ways small and perhaps large, guide us to profess our faith in you and to stand for all that is good and just and right and holy. Amen.


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Every Day…

Reading: Acts 2:46-47

Acts 2:46-47 – “Every day, they met together… shared food… they praised God… and demonstrated God’s goodness…”

Photo credit: Spencer Davis

Returning to Acts 2 today, Luke emphasizes the importance of all four spiritual practices or disciplines. He also focuses on the intended communal nature of these practices. Luke first notes that the believers met “every day.” The main purpose of their gathering was to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. This often happened in worship. Today, in our busy, rushed world, not too many of us gather daily with other believers. Yes, we might all read the same devotional asynchronously, the Upper Room for example, but imagine how our faith would change and grow if we gathered each day to proclaim and celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ!

The believers also gathered daily to share meals. This was most likely an extension of their worship or study time. In our church and in many others we gather after worship for fellowship time. Around the tables we have a coffee or lemonade and a nibble or two and we catch up on one another’s lives. We celebrate the joys of life and we learn of one another’s needs. This enables the body of Christ to “demonstrate God’s goodness” through acts of love. Sometimes, at the table, we learn of a neighbor’s need or of a need in the larger community. This allows the love of Christ and the goodness of God to extend out into the world.

These four practices should be the core activities of all believers and of all communities of faith. Without one of these, the others are less than God intends them to be. When all four practices are healthy and vital within the life of the believer and within the life of the body of Christ, then the Lord will again do what God did in Luke’s day. Then, God “added daily to the community those who were being saved.” O Lord, stir up in us and in our communities this kind of faith, this kind of revival!

Prayer: Lord God, there is a call within these words of Luke to gather regularly. This feels almost impossible in our day and age. Yet it also feels like your intention for all believers. It’s what Jesus modeled and lived out every day. So Lord, open our eyes, widen our hearts, and bend our wills towards making this more of a reality in our lives and in our communities of faith. Stir us up, O God, so that faith is more than a Sunday morning event. Amen.


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Point to Christ

Reading: John 1:35-42

John 1:41-42 – “He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah.’ He led him to Jesus.”

As we continue in John 1, John the Baptist continues to do what he has done since going out into the wilderness: he points people to Jesus. He declares to anyone who will listen: this is the “Lamb of God.” Two of John’s disciples listen and they follow along behind Jesus. He notices and asks them what they’re looking for. It’s a ‘who’ really. So Jesus invites them to “Come and see.” Spending some time with Jesus, they know that he is the one who has come to save Israel.

Andrew then goes and finds Simon, his brother. He proclaims Jesus as the Messiah to Simon and “He leads him to Jesus.” Andrew witnesses and then walks alongside, bringing Simon Peter to the Christ. From John the Baptist’s simple proclamation, three disciples are made, three souls start on the road to salvation. In these simple steps we have a model to follow. Following these steps we can accomplish the main task of our faith. We too are called to tell others about Jesus and to walk with them so that they can know the Messiah. In these ways, we too point others to Christ, Savior and Lord. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, put us to work today. In the encounters we have with others, may our words and actions reveal the Christ in us. Revealed, use our witness to draw others so they too may know the Savior. In all we do and say, may we bring you all the glory. Amen.


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A “Song” to “Sing”

Reading: Psalm 40:1-4

Psalm 40:3b – “Many people will learn of this and be amazed; they will trust the Lord.”

Photo credit: Matt Botsford

David’s Psalm 40 is a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s salvation in his life. As we read the passages today and tomorrow, we will see how God’s rescue instills in David hope for the future. While we do not know the exact nature of this particular rescue, we too have experienced rescue by God. Whether from a poor decision or from a sin, whether from an illness or from an unwanted change, whether from suffering caused by another or from grief over a loss, we have all been in the “pit.” From these depths we’ve all cried out to God. And we have all experienced God leaning down, listening, lifting us up, steadying us, and putting a “new song” in our hearts. We’ve all been saved. We all have a “song” to “sing.”

David was an accomplished musician. As a youngster his music calmed a troubled King Saul again and again. Over his lifetime, he wrote many songs to God. Almost half of the 150 Psalms in our Bibles are credited to David. You too may be musically talented. If so, let your song of salvation be proclaimed in music. But maybe music isn’t your thing. Maybe it is creative writing or poetry or painting. Maybe it is story telling or having good conversations. Maybe it is prayer. We all have a “song” to “sing” to God and to one another. Our call is to “sing,” so that “Many people will learn of this and be amazed; they will trust the Lord.” May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, first we thank you for your steadfast love that draws near, that hears our cries, that rescues us – often from ourselves. Lord, turn these experiences into our “songs” of faith. However we express our testimony, God, use it to bring others to a saving faith in you. Amen.


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Readying Hearts and Lives

Reading: Matthew 3:1-6

Matthew 3:2 – “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!”

Photo credit: Kelly Sikkema

Advent is a season of longing and waiting. There is an anticipation that builds as we await the coming Messiah. Entering into Matthew 3 today, the people of God have been waiting, longing deeply for the Messiah to come. About 400 years before John the Baptist was born, the prophet Malachi called the people of God back to holy living. Channeling his inner Isaiah, in 3:1 Malachi writes, “Look, I am sending my messenger who will clear the path before me.” A few verses later God speaks these words through the prophet: “Return to me and I will return to you.” These words and others from prophets including Isaiah have hung in the air and in the peoples’ hearts for many, many years. The most recent occupation, this time by the Roman empire, has heightened their longing and anticipation.

John the Baptist arrives onto this scene and steps out into the wilderness, proclaiming, “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!” Out in the desert, dressed as he was, both mark him as the “Elijah” who was to come. John struck a chord with the people of God. Identified as the one of whom so many prophets have spoken, John drew large crowds. They confessed their sins and were baptized in the Jordan. The people were committing themselves to living holy lives, readying themselves for the coming Messiah and the kingdom of heaven that was drawing near. As we read this passage and hear John’s call to repent and prepare ourselves, may we ready our hearts and lives anew to welcome the coming Jesus and his kingdom here on earth.

Prayer: Lord God, draw us near, hear our confessions, receive our repentance, and guide our hearts and lives. Ready us to welcome the Christ child and all that he offers: joy, peace, hope, love, mercy, grace. As we prepare ourselves O Lord, use our voices to proclaim the one who rescues, redeems, saves, and sets free. Use us as heralds and bringers of your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Claim and Proclaim

Reading: 1st Timothy 1:5-10

1st Timothy 1:7 – “God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Paul’s second letter to Timothy focuses on the character of a faithful pastor. It is the follow-up to the first letter, which focused on the character of a faithful church. Paul’s goal in this personal letter is to encourage a timid but gifted young pastor. As we focus on facing our fears this week, a key idea is faith over fear. Today in our reading, Paul seeks to build up Timothy’s faith so that he can minister faithfully in Ephesus. These words also offer encouragement to us as we seek to minister to our communities.

Paul begins by reminding Timothy of his “authentic faith.” It is a faith rooted in his family upbringing. It remains in him but is also present in his family that is close by. Paul reminds Timothy of the blessing he was given by God through Paul’s laying on of hands. The gift of the Spirit came through this blessing. Of this Spirit Paul writes, “God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled.” We too receive this gift and its power when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

In times of suffering and other hardship (when our fears usually rise up,) Paul encourages Timothy to “depend on God’s power.” Trust the faith and Spirit within – not on your own power. That will not be enough in the trials. Timothy is reminded that he was saved by grace (not by anything he did or can do) and that he has a “holy calling,” a purpose given him by God. We are all gifted by this sane grace and are all called according to our gifts. This is God’s purpose for us all, one body with many parts. Paul closes this section with a reminder that Jesus Christ brought life eternal through his death and brought true live now through the good news that he taught. May we claim and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, both for these days and for the life to come.

Prayer: Lord God, what encouraging reminders Paul offers to Timothy in today’s verses. These words and therefore this encouragement belong to us as well. Build up in us our faith through the Spirit. Fill us with power, love, and self-control as we strive to live out our faith in this world. Amen.


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One Focus

Reading: Acts 15:22-17:34

Acts 16:31 – “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved – you and your entire household.”

The Jerusalem Council sends a letter to the church in Antioch, explaining their decision concerning circumcision… The church receives the letter with joy. Paul then decides to revisit places that he and Barnabas went to check in on and to encourage the believers. Paul and Barnabas part ways over John Mark’s inclusion. Paul and Silas head one way, Barnabas and Mark another way. Both go with the same mission, scattered more broadly into the world.

Paul becomes the main focus as we continue reading Acts. In Lystra, Paul meets Timothy, a young disciple with some promise. He joins Paul and Silas as they travel and encourage the believers. In a vision, Paul is called to Macedonia. In verse 10 we find Luke’s first “we” as he becomes part of the mission team. Paul and company travel to Philippi, where they meet Lydia and others at “a place of prayer.” She embraces Paul’s message and Lydia and her household are baptized. She welcomes Paul and his fellow missionaries into her home.

In Philippi, Paul and company also meet a slave girl possessed by a demon. For data she follows them proclaiming them to be servants of God who offer “a way of salvation.” Paul grows tired of her and casts out the demon. This leads her owners to stir up trouble. Paul and Silas are stripped, beaten, and thrown in jail. Through prayer and worship God comes and intervenes, leading to rescue and salvation for the jailer and his household. Moved toward faith, Paul tells the jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved – you and your entire household.” Doing so, all are baptized into a saving faith. Paul and Silas are released.

As they travel to Thessalonica, Boroea, and eventually to Athens, a pattern emerges. Paul teaches in the synagogue (and sometimes other places), some people come to faith, the Jews get jealous and stir up trouble, and Paul and company flee to the next place. Paul adapts his message to his audience, develops relationships with some, drawing them to Christ. Some are jealous or angry or reject his message. Overall, God is at work and the church grows and spreads further out into the world.

Prayer: Lord God, as we read, we come to see Paul’s one focus: sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. He adapts, he pivots, he pushes on, he perseveres. His one focus led and guided all that he did and said. Fill us with the Holy Spirit; lead, guide, and empower us to keep the proclamation of the gospel as our one focus. Amen.