pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: relationship


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Aligned

Reading: Exodus 33:17-23

Verse 17: “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

Today we continue in the conversation between God and Moses that we began on Monday. Just a quick review – in verses 12-16 Moses seeks for God’s presence to be with him and with the Israelites. Today God responds, saying, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” There are two pieces that drive God’s positive response. First, God is pleased with Moses. Although far from perfect – like us – Moses has sought out and grown in his personal relationship with God. In this process, Moses has revealed himself to God. This is the second reason that God agrees to share God’s presence with Moses and with the people. Who and what Moses is and does is pleasing to God. It opens the door for God to be more present in his life.

Moses next asks for even more of this presence. Presumably Moses is in the “tent of meeting” talking to God. Moses wants more. He wants to see God’s glory. He is asking to see God live and in person. God responds positively again. God will allow Moses to see as much of God as is humanly possible. This response is first because Moses asked and, second, because Moses is pleasing to and known by God.

The first question that comes to mind today is this: Do I want to see God’s glory? And, if so, two more questions: Is my life pleasing to God? And, am I fully known by God? God is all-knowing. So the last question is more a question of whether or not I am revealing myself to God humbly and honestly?

Heart and will aligned with God, may we see God’s glory.

Prayer: Lord God, I say I want to know you and to be known by you. Lord, move me from these easy words to tangible action. Work in me, Holy Spirit, to bring me closer to God, to stand more fully in the divine and holy presence. There, empty me of myself and then fill me up with God’s glorious presence. From there, use me to reflect God’s glory out into the world. Amen.


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Striving as Light and Love

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 1:1-3

Verse 3: “Your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope.”

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians begins much as his letters to the Colossians or Ephesians or to Timothy or Philemon. He greets them and then offers words of thanksgiving for their faith and for the ways that they are living out their faith. This usually connects them back to when they were physically present to one another. This reminds them of their relationship with Paul and of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

After thanking God “for all of you” and letting them know that they are in his prayers, Paul mentions three things that he thankfully remembers as he prays for the Thessalonian church. Paul first mentions “your work produced by faith.” This is the tangible outreach to their brothers and sisters in Christ and to the world beyond the church. This is the humble service offered to the other, modeled first by Jesus. Next Paul mentions “your labor prompted by love.” If the work produced by faith was the “what,” then this is the “why.” Love is the driving force of our Christian life and of our community of faith. God’s love drove Jesus, just as it drives and prompts us to labor for God as our joyful response to God’s great love.

Paul closes this verse by mentioning “your endurance inspired by hope.” This is the “how.” In a world that assails and persecutes the church and their faith, it is their hope in Christ that allows them to faithfully press on. They know the end of the story so they can work and labor for and with Christ, assured of their salvation. May it be so for us as well as we too strive to live as light and love in a dark and hurting world.

Prayer: Lord God, through the power of faith, love, and hope, use me today to make your love known. Through your power, help others to know the light and love that you bring into my life. Amen.


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Praise the Lord!

Reading: Psalm 99

Verse 6b: “They called on the Lord and he answered them.’

As I read Psalm 99, two parts stand out to me. Parts of the Psalm speak of God’s character and this draws us to worship God. The other parts speak of God’s call upon our lives and of how this draws us into a relationship with God.

The psalmist reminds us that God is supreme over all the earth. He or she also reminds us that God is mighty and that God loves justice. Yet God is also a forgiving God. Yes, at times God has some consequences for our “misdeeds.” Because this is who and what God is, we are drawn to worship and exalt God. This is the entry point into a relationship. As our relationship with God begins we are able to call on our God who hears and answers our prayers.

The psalmist provides a few examples of those who called upon the Lord: Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. Before they could call on God, though, they too had to respond to God’s call on their lives. They had to accept the call and make the choice to enter into a relationship with God. The same God continues to reign over all of creation. As we experience God’s character in many different ways we too are drawn into relationship. As this grows we come to trust that God will answer our prayers and cries. This is because God is a God of relationship.

So today and every day may we humbly come before the almighty and all-powerful God of all creation, the personal and intimate God who wants to be in a relationship with each of us. Coming before God, may we worship and praise the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, in power and might you sit enthroned over the nations. In love and grace you reach out for a relationship. You are holy and righteous. And you want to walk daily with me, a sinner saved by grace. I am overwhelmed by your desire to be in this personal and intimate relationship with me. All I can do is praise and worship you for this great love. Thank you, God. Amen.


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Go with Us, O God

Reading: Exodus 33:12-16

Verse 15: “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”

Photo credit: Ruthson Zimmerman

In our Old Testament text this week we once again find Moses interceding on behalf of the people. The golden calf incident has just occurred and God is upset with this “stiff-necked people.” God’s words about potential punishment and destruction have gotten the people’s attention and Moses’ attention. Moses’ intercession focuses in on God continuing to be with him and with the people.

Moses begins by reminding God that God once said, “I know you by name and you have found favor with me.” Moses wants to re-establish their relationship as the starting point for the continuing conversation. It is like saying, “Since we’re good friends…” before getting to the heart of the conversation. Moses begins by asking God to continue to teach him God’s ways so that he can know God and find favor moving forward. Moses wants the relationship to grow and develop. And then Moses reminds God that “this nation” (yes, this stiff-necked people) is (are) God’s people. This nation that God has asked Moses to lead? Yes, God, they are your people. The implied question remains this: Will you go with us, God?

God affirms their relationship, saying, “My presence will go with you.” Moses is relieved. Making sure that this is the promise, Moses says, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” Don’t send us on if you’re not going with us God. Moses knows that without God, the Israelites are just like all the other people. The same is true for us, for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, just as you went with Moses and the Israelites, be present to us and go with us. Through your presence, distinguish us from all the other people of this world. Going with us, help us to be different in the best ways possible. Use us to be love amidst the hate, to be peace amongst the violence, to be healing for the broken and suffering. Go with us, O God, as we seek to live as your light and love in this world. Amen.


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Wedding Clothes

Reading: Matthew 22:11-14

Verse 12: “How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?”

Jametlene Respk

The wedding hall has been filled with guests – “both good and bad.” All we’re invited to come. As we continue in Matthew 22, the king comes and begins to mingle with the guests. Soon he noticed a man who was not dressed properly. The king says to the man, “How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?” While we might be puzzled by this question, Jesus’ audience would’ve known good and well that you dress (and act) for the occasion, especially if you’re invited by the king!

The man in question is bound and tossed into the darkness, where he will weep and gnash his teeth. This harsh metaphor is the reality that some people will face when they meet the King of kings. Then comes the point of the parable: “Many are invited but few are chosen.”

It can be tempting to respond to God’s invitation as this man did. He thought that he could just show up and be acceptable. Here is where some context is really important. Jesus is saying that there is a big difference between being called and being chosen. We are all called into a relationship with Jesus. Matthew’s audience would also understand that the wedding clothes were a metaphor for clothing oneself in Christ. To accept and live out Christ’s invitation into relationship was to put on Christ’s love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, compassion, hospitality… Understanding this, we can turn to our important question for today: Are you dressed in the proper attire for the great banquet of Christ?

Prayer: Lord God, day by day, as you call me into humble service, may I make the very intentional choice to clothe myself in Christ. Help me to soak in your word, to open my eyes and ears and heart to your Holy Spirit, and to find the strength and courage to live faithfully and righteously each day. Amen.


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Interceding

Reading: Exodus 32:11-14

Verse 13: “Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel…”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

As we continue in the Exodus passage for this week Moses seeks God’s favor, interceding on behalf of the people. This is not the first or last time that Moses will do this. Nor is he the first prophet to do this. This practice is not limited to prophets either. The practice of interceding on behalf of one another is at the core of the community of faith.

Using the same language as God, Moses doubles down, asking, “Why should your anger burn against your people?” Moses reminds God that it was actually God who brought the people out of Egypt. This is a type of prayer that we pray too. We remind God of what God has done in the belief that God will do it again. Moses wants God to rescue them not from Egypt but from their sin this time. Moses also reminds God of the relationship and its foundations. First, Moses says, “Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel…” Moses then reminds God of the promises. Yes, we too pray both of these prayer types too. We invoke our relationship (or another’s relationship with God) and we recall the promises found in the scriptures both as a reminder to ourselves and to God as well.

Can we change God’s mind with our prayers? Perhaps? Is God just using such prayers to reinforce our faith and trust? Maybe? While we do not know the answers to these questions, we do know that we are brought before God regularly and divinely. The Spirit interceded for us, often in groans and always in ways aligned with God’s will (Romans 8:26.) Christ himself also intercedes for us as he sits at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34.) I believe the content of these prayers comes from his time on earth.

May we too choose to stand in this long line of faith, interceding for one another, lifting one another before the throne of God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for being for us. Thank you for the ways that you, the three-in-one, intercede on our behalf – evidence of your great love for us. We know that you have good plans for us and that you seek to work these out. Help us to be a part of this today. Empower us to be a part of this great prayer effort today, both for ourselves and for one another. Amen.


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Resisting the Urge

Reading: Exodus 32:1-10

Verse 7: “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt.”

Moses was the Israelite’s connection to God. God spoke to Moses and he spoke to the people. The people spoke to Moses and he spoke to God. The speaking sometimes was crying out; it was sometimes grumbling; it was sometimes quarreling. The relationships between God and Moses, between Moses and the people, and between God and the people all had their ups and downs.

Way back in chapter 24 God calls Moses up the mountain after leaving Aaron and Hur in charge. Moses spends 40 days on the mountain, receiving instructions and the Ten Commandments from God. In today’s passage the people approach Aaron. They wonder what has happened to Moses. He has been gone a really long time. Without Moses, the people’s relationship with God has a missing part. So they take matters into their own hands, saying to Aaron, “Come, make us gods who will go before us.” Aaron collects jewelry and makes an idol shaped like a calf. The people worship this idol. Looking down upon the scene, God says to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt.” The Israelites are now “your people.” If they were truly God’s people, there would be no idol, right?

When I’ve gone to God asking for some guidance on a project or for relief from some situation or for healing for a loved one and the answer seems like a long time coming, I want to take matters into my own hands. I want to just fashion my own solution. I can be tempted to think that I know best. I can ponder becoming my own person, not God’s person. In these moments, may we remember today’s lesson. Even though it may not feel like it, God is right there. May we hold onto the relationship, resisting the urge to quickly abandon our God. And may we trust into our relationship with God, leaning even deeper into God’s love and care.

Prayer: Lord God, when I am tempted to elevate self or some other idol above you, remind me of the lesson learned in this Exodus story. Use that to remind me of your constant love and your sure care. Guide me to turn once again to you. Amen.


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Back to Verse 2!

Reading: Exodus 20:12-17

Verse 12…: “Honor your father and your mother… you shall not… you shall not… you shall not…”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

We began the week with the first part of the Ten Commandments. These first four related to our relationship with God and centered on the declaration, “I AM the Lord your God.” This same declaration arcs over today’s 6 commandments. These deal with our relationships with others.

Verse 12 calls us to “honor your father and your mother.” This 5th commandment is a bridge of sorts. On the surface it calls us to honor, respect, and treat our parent(s) well. This relationship begins with our total dependence on them and this changes as we mature and become more and more independent. The temptation here is to leave them behind, to quit relying on them, or to see them as equals (or less than that during our teen years). This commandment is a bridge because this can be how our relationship with God plays out too. Initially we yearn for God and we have a longing to know God more and more. Quite often, though, that fire cools and we don’t think that we need God as much. We pull out God now and then – as needed.

The remaining 5 commandments all begin with the words “you shall not…” These words come with an implication. They say that we are prone to these things. This is the humanity in all of us. Self rises up and can do so to unhealthy or dangerous levels, leading to murder, adultery… This is why it is so necessary to return again and again to verse 2: “I AM the Lord your God.” This return keeps our relationship with God in the right perspective. This key relationship affects all of our other relationships. When we live daily with the Lord as our God, then we honor not only our fathers and our mothers, but we also honor all of our brothers and sisters too. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, draw me first and foremost to you and to your will and ways. From this connection of love, send me out into the world. Guide me to interact with, treat, and see others as I would treat, see, and interact with you. Amen.


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Pleasing to God

Reading: Psalm 19:7-14

Verse 14: “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord.”

As we turn to the second part of Psalm 19 we turn to the second way that our relationship with God is strengthened and deepened. In verses 7-14 David writes about “the Law of God.” For David this was the Torah – the first five books of our Bible. It was all they had at this point in history. We have many more books and because all of these are also the inspired word of God, the words of Psalm 19 apply to it all.

David describes God’s word as “perfect… trustworthy… right… radiant… pure… sure.” God is all of these things so God’s word must be as well! David writes of the “value” of God’s word: “more precious than gold… sweeter than honey.” And David shares the affects or impact of God’s word. It revives our soul and it gives light to our eyes. It gives joy to our heart and “in keeping them there is great reward.” All of this is true about living life according to God’s word! David loves God’s word. It brings so much life to him. The same is true for us and for our lives. Time in and with God’s word brings strength and depth to our faith.

The Psalm closes with some familiar words: “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord.” Most preachers offer these words at the start of the sermon. Yet these words aren’t just for Sunday morning. These words can be our prayer every morning. As we strengthen and deepen our relationship with God, our desire to live according to the word grows. As this desire grows, our passion for living a life that is pleasing to God also grows. What a journey! Lord, in your mercy, be our rock and our redeemer.

Prayer: Lord God, your word is a lamp unto my feet and a joy to my heart. It leads and guides me in the way that I should go. It defends me from evil. Through the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and discernment make your word even more a part of my life. And, yes, may all I do and say be pleasing to you, O God! Amen.


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Love and Relationship

Reading: Exodus 20:1-4 and 7-10

Verse 2: “I am the Lord your God.”

Our Old Testament reading for this week contains the Ten Commandments. This list of “rules” seeks to define the relationship of God with the people and to define our relationships with one another. At their core they are about how we love God and one another. After all, love is at the core of our relationships. Today we look at the commandments that apply to our relationship with God. Later in the week we’ll look at the commandments that deal with our relationships with each other.

The Ten Commandments begin with “I am the Lord your God.” “I AM” was the name that God gave Moses many years ago to use when he first went to free the Israelites from slavery. Ever since then, I AM has been their guide, protector, healer, provider… In the wilderness the people depended on I AM. (This should be the case with us too!) The relationship is further defined as God prohibits idols and other gods. It is to be an exclusive relationship. I AM is the Lord their God. There is no need for anything else. The same is true for us. Yet we pursue so much else – the latest this, that position or title, that ideal vacation… We try and create our own joy, peace, contentment… instead of turning to the true source of all of this: I AM.

Verses 7-10 are about keeping perspective as we seek to live in right relationship with our holy God. Honoring God’s name is important. It shows that we value our relationship. To dishonor or misuse God’s name reveals a lack of commitment to the relationship. And, lastly, we are called to honor the Sabbath. To build our love for God and to strengthen our relationship with God, we must spend dedicated and intentional time with God. And we must rest – rest from the business and grind of life. This renews us for the work of relationship and love. In all we say and do, may our lives reflect the truth of verse 2: “I am the Lord your God.”

Prayer: Lord God, I love you and desire a deep and intimate relationship with you. I want you to be my all in all. You are absolutely committed and totally willing. My flesh is weak and my heart falters at times. Day by day help me to grow in my love of you, thereby deepening my love for humanity. Amen.