pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: promises


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With Abandon

When we choose Christ we become a new creation.  We choose to set aside our old ways and to walk a new path.  The old self dies and we are born again a whole new creation.  Wonderful as this is, there is better news: God is not done with us.  And there is better news still: He is never done with us!

As this new creation in Christ develops, we need some guidance and nourishment.  We find this in His Word.  This is both the Bible and the Holy Spirit, both of which speak into our lives.  God’s Word is living and active.  God’s Word is full of meaning for us and for our lives.

The Bible is past, present, and future.  In it we find what was.  These roots of our faith are important.  They are the sustainers of our faith.  The past ties to the present in the form of Jesus.  He is the living example of God’s love.  Through Him we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, keeping Jesus Christ very much in the present.  In the Word we also find promises.  These promises help us in the present by giving us encouragement and support.  In them we also see into those things eternal life brings.

This new creation that we become is one filled with love, hope, and enthusiasm for God, Jesus, and one another.  May we live with abandon for our Jesus, who was and is and will always be.

Scripture reference: 2 Corinthians 5: 11-17


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Active Faith

Faith leads to transformation.  Faith, at its roots, is an active trust in the One who created us, the One we come to know.  Faith moves beyond belief.  It is in the space beyond belief that faith works in and through our lives to change us within.

We have many examples in the Bible of people who allowed faith to be their guide.  For example, once Abraham and Sarah encountered God there was no looking back, only trust in the One who called them forward.  The same was true for many others – Gideon, Esther, the disciples, Paul, Timothy – just to name a few.

Our faith is also a saving faith.  Once we have personally encountered God, our faith rests on His grace.  His grace saves us from our mistakes and reconciles us to Him.  His grace always welcomes us back into relationship with our creator and king.

Like the many who came before, once we start to live into this trust, life will never be the same.  In faith we begin to live into God’s promises, trusting His plan for our lives, seeking to be a part of the opportunities He places before us.  In faith we allow His love to flow through us and into the lives of others.  Our active faith leads us on a journey.  The journey is always towards God presnce and perfection, living into all He has to offer for our lives.

Scripture reference: Romans 4: 13-17


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Home Again

It is a little amusing how God and Moses play the game we play as parents.  Sometimes, when a child does something especially good (or wrong), we often recognize them as MY son or daughter (or as YOUR son or daughter when it is something wrong).  In Exodus 32, the Israelites are Moses’ children because they have sinned and created an idol.  God is intent on destroying them.  It is easier when they are someone else’s children!

But Moses draws God back, reminds Him that they are His children.  He connects them to God through Abraham, Isaac, and Israel and the promises and covenant made with them.  And God remembers, softens, and relents.

Do you think God and Jesus do this with us?  When we sin or create distance between God and ourselves, does God look toward Jesus and say, “Look what you brother/sister is doing”?  When we repent and draw near to God again, does Jesus look to God and point out what good children God has?  In reality they are like good parents – sad when we do wrong and proud when we do right.  Like good parents, they love us unfailingly through it all, always pleased when we return home again.

Scripture reference: Exodus 32: 7-14