pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Present

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 5:16-24

Verses 16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.”

Light and dark

The nine verses that come to us today at the end of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians are jam-packed. Originally, of course, there were not verses in the letter. They were simply sentences that followed one after another. And these eight sentences have a lot in them! It was as if Paul had lots left to say but only had a little room left on the back side of his last piece of parchment.

In the first sentence, or in verses 16-18, Paul offers these words: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.” Yes, this is God’s will for our lives. Each phrase could easily be a couple of paragraphs. And Paul, above all people, should know that life can be really hard. There are many times when joy is hard to find, when prayer feels like a non-option, when gratitude is just not happening. But Paul is not asking us to be joyful or whatever for the hardship… He is reminding us that we can be joyful, prayerful, and even grateful in the hardship… because God is with us in the hardship… We do not go through life on our own. God is always present.

Being present is the thought that carries on through the letter’s closing. To keep the Spirit’s fire, to hold to the scriptures, to hold everything up to God’s light, to do good and not evil – these are the ways that we remain present to and with the God who is ever present to us. Paul closes with the outcomes of a deeply personal and intimate relationship with God: we will be sanctified (made holy) and we will live righteous lives. Yes, God is faithful. May we be too!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminder today that you are always with us. In the good, in the bad – in all of it – you are with us. Immanuel, help us to stay connected, dependent, and committed to our relationship with you. There is no other way. Amen.


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The Saints!

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 2:9-13

Verse 10: “You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.”

Today is All-Saints’ Day. This church holiday focuses on both the saints who have gone onto heaven and upon the saints who are still serving Jesus Christ here and now. Those who we can call “saints” run a wide gamut – from people like Mother Teresa and MLK, Jr., to people like your 3rd grade Sunday School teacher. There are a great many more saints that fall into the second category.

In our passage today Paul is writing to the church. He is talking about his ministry among them, not as a way to brag but as a way to remind and encourage. This is why we celebrate today’s holiday too. Paul begins by reminding them and us of the toil and hardship inherent in ministry. Ministering to others certainly has moments that are difficult and challenging. Next Paul unpacks the traits or characteristics of a minister of the gospel. It begins with how one conducts oneself: holy, righteous, blameless. He then moves onto the actions needed: encouraging, comforting, and urging the believers to “live a life worthy of the gospel.” This is, of course, circling back around to holy, righteous, and blameless. For Paul and for all other saints past and present, this life of faith is built upon the word of God. A close, personal, intimate relationship with God is the starting point for all believers, saints included.

On this All-Saints’ Day remember the saints who shaped and formed and walked with you in faith. Remember those who are living saints, still guiding you on your journey of faith. Bring your praise and thanksgiving to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the many saints that have blessed my life and encouraged my faith. Some led by example long before I was born. Others have poured into me in my youth and have passed on to glory. And others still lead and guide and walk with me in adulthood. We are a community, connected together with you and with one another, all for the building of the kingdom of God. Praise be to God! Amen.


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Again and Again

Reading: Psalm 17:1-7 and 15

Verse 6: “I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.”

Photo credit: Diego Gennaro

When you go to the Lord God, how do you pray? Do you pray with boldness and confidence? Or do you pray with humility and meekness? Or do your prayers typically fall somewhere in between these parameters?

We often think that prayers have to be a certain way. They don’t. We often think that we should leave the praying aloud stuff to the professionals. We shouldn’t. We often think we need to hold back our emotions. Uh, no. We often think that we are bothering God with our little requests. Never ever.

Looking at Psalm 17 we see one model for our prayers. But Psalm 17 is not the one right way to pray. There are many other Psalms and many other models of prayer that we find littered throughout the Bible. In this Psalm we can find elements that are worthy of noticing and emulating. First, David’s heart is right when he comes to God. There is no deceit or sin. He has been walking faithfully with God. Second, there is a trust in their relationship. They are not strangers. In verse 6 David prays, “I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.” David is confident and bold. This is built up on their steady relationship and upon David’s experience with God. David goes to God in prayer again and again. God answers again and again.

Again and again… That’s the way to pray. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, your presence never fails. You are always there to hear my prayers. Thank you for your faithful heart. Thank you for desiring such a close and personal relationship with me. Guide me and help me to walk in your way of love, seeking righteousness and holiness and my foundations. Amen.


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Credited with Righteousness

Reading: Romans 4:18-25

Verses 20-21: “He did not waver… but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”

Our passage begins with these words: “Against all hope.” I bet Abraham could have felt that way later in life. At 75 he was called by God. He was faithful and departed Haran, making his way to Canaan. Upon arriving he again heard God’s blessing to be a “father of many nations.” It is 25 years later and Sarah is still barren. Abraham himself was 100. He was certainly in a position where he could have felt it was “against all hope.”

And yet… “He did not waver… but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” He continued to keep the faith. He continued to choose to believe that God was good and faithful and true. Paul reminds us that his faith grew. When most of us would waver, when most of us would doubt, Abraham doubled down. Because he believed, he gave glory to God. He trusted that God would do what God said would be done. Because of this, Abraham is credited with being righteous.

In verse 23 Paul includes us in this scenario. If we believe in Jesus Christ as Lord of our life, we too will be credited with righteousness. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins and that he was raised from the dead, we will be made right before God. We will be credited with righteousness. This is our promise too. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the great example set by Abraham. His sure and steady faith is a model for us to follow. And thank you for Jesus Christ, the one who died for our sins , the one who opens the way to life eternal. Amen.


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Day by Day

Reading: 1st Peter 1:17-23

Verse 23: “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”

Photo credit: Javardh

This week’s Epistle reading is a call to be “holy.” God alone is holy – perfect, pure, just, good, righteous… Last week Peter reminded us that although we receive an inheritance that is imperishable and unfading, our journey of faith is one that will take us again and again through the refining process. Each time we are refined we become holier, more righteous, more just… but we will never be holy, perfect, pure… as God is holy, perfect, pure…

Our passage today begins by calling us to live in “reverent fear.” Because we call on a just God, the call is to live lives that honor God, that demonstrate our awareness of God’s holiness, perfection, justice… Peter then returns to the idea of the imperishable. He reminds us that we were not redeemed with gold or silver but with the “precious blood of Christ.” Although he was human for 30ish years, Jesus is eternal, imperishable, forever. Because Christ is these things, so too is our forgiveness and our salvation. Once we have been “born again” we are living in and under the “living and enduring word of God.” It is through the word of God, the working of the Holy Spirit, and our obedience to this call to holy living that we grow into Christ more and more and more.

The refining, the growing and maturing, the struggles, the highs, the trials – these are all at work on our journey of faith. Together they continue to make us into who God created us to be. This is the story of our faith. Day by day may we open ourselves to the living and enduring word of God, to the workings of the Holy Spirit, and to the path that God invites us to walk each day.

Prayer: Lord God, you invite us on a powerful, amazing, transforming journey. You are ever at work to make us holy, to form us into who you created us to be. May we be willing and faithful participants in this process. Amen.


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Fully Surrendered

Reading: Psalm 23:1-4

Verse 1: “The Lord is my shepherd.”

Photo credit: Alex Woods

Psalm 23 is very familiar. Its words remind us of how deeply God can love and care for us. It speaks of the relationship that we can experience. David writes these words as one fully surrendered to God. In order to claim and to fully experience the relationship detailed in this Psalm, we too must be fully surrendered to God.

David chooses the shepherd analogy. He is drawing from years and years of being a good shepherd to his family’s sheep. In verse 1 David declares that he “shall not be in want.” God will provide for our daily needs. God will also provide for our emotional and spiritual needs. Not “might” – will! When we are surrendered to God, rest and restoration in green pastures and beside still waters is not optional. Surrendered fully, God will guide us in all righteousness. Sabbath is part of this.

God is also our shepherd when life gets difficult. Verse 4 reminds us that God will be fully present in the valleys – in those times when “the shadow of death” has fallen over our lives. When we lose a loved one, God is there to both comfort and protect us. God comforts us in our pain and also protects us against the evil one. In moments of loss, we are most vulnerable to the lies and manipulation of Satan. God protects us. Physical death is not the only deaths we experience. God is there in the loss of relationship, in the loss of a job or dream, in the loss of health… In all these, God comforts us and protects us. It is a provision so strong that we need not fear evil in any of these circumstances either. This fear can be fully surrendered to God too. Doing so, we find rest and restoration even in the valley of death or loss.

Psalm 23 reminds us of God’s presence and love and care in all of life. If we choose daily to surrender to and to walk in the presence of God, we are never alone. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, your love and care for me is so amazing and wonderful. You guide me and lead me in what is right. You lead me to times and places that restore my soul. Help me, Lord, to surrender daily so that I can experience the fullness of your love and care. Amen.


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Reflections

Reading: Psalm 15

Verse 1: “Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?”

Psalm 15 begins by posing a general question and then proceeds to unpack the answer. David begins by basically asking who is able to stand in God’s presence, day by day, moment by moment. This is a deep question of faith. David’s brief answers revolve around how we live out our faith in both our relationships with God and with each other.

Verse 2 addresses both relationships. David identifies those who are blameless and righteous and truthful as those who are able to abide with God. These three qualities should apply to all of our earthly relationships as well. In the next three verses David gives us some examples and counterexamples of how one who abides in God reflects or reveals these qualities. Such a person does not slander or speak slurs against others. Such a person despises evil and honors the faithful. Such a person keeps his or her word and does not take advantage of others. These are but a few insights into holy living. This is a limited list. There are many other ways that being blameless, righteous, and truthful are lived out in our lives.

The Psalm concludes with this verse: “He [or she] who does these things will never be shaken.” David is referring to these core qualities – being blameless, righteous, and truthful. How we live these out in all of our relationships reflects the condition of our relationship with Jesus and it reflects our faith out to the world. Do these reflections reveal you to be one who abides in the presence of the Lord?

Prayer: Lord God, how do my words and actions reflect my relationship with you? In those times when I am less than you call me to be, help me to hear the Holy Spirit’s voice and to respond well. In the moments when I am faithful, please shine through me, out into the world, out into the lives of others. Amen.


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Growing and Encouraging

Reading: Psalm 40:6-11

Verse 10: “I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.”

The Psalms tell the story of faith – from the good to the bad. There are laments and there are songs of joy. In our faith we experience highs and lows plus a whole lot in the middle. And God is there in and through it all. Almost all the Psalms speak of God’s activity (or apparent lack thereof) with the people of God. In this week’s Psalm David expresses a desire to bring glory to God, both personally and corporately. In verses 6 David recognizes that simply offering sacrifices, just going through the motions of flopping down a hunk of meat on the altar, is not what God desires or requires. In the same way God does not require or desire us to show up to worship just to daydream through worship.

In verses 8-10 David shares how he brings God glory. He does so by sharing his faith. Following the desires of his own heart, David has sought to fill his heart with God’s law. Not his head but his heart. This empowers David to proclaim his faith. In verse 10 we read, “I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.” David shares how God has been and is and will be faithful. He speaks of the salvation that he has received and that God offers to all who believe. David is reflecting on what God has done in his life. That bolsters his faith. By speaking aloud, David is also encouraging others. He is helping others to see how God could work in their lives. He closes by asking for God’s mercy and for God’s protection.

May we too reflect and grow in our faith. May we too proclaim and help others to grow in faith. May we speak of God’s faithfulness and righteousness and of the salvation and protection that we receive from God. May our proclamations bring God the glory as we grow in faith, encouraging others to join us on the journey of faith.

Prayer: Lord God, you are awesome and wonderful. You are compassionate and gracious. You hem me in and you go before and behind me. You bless and protect. You forgive and you offer life. Each day may I proclaim these truths as I express my thanksgiving for your presence in my life. Amen.


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Righteous and Compassionate

Reading: Matthew 1:18-21

Verse 19: “Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”

Photo credit: Elena Mozhvili

Matthew’s gospel begins with the genealogy of Jesus. He begins with Abraham and includes David. After pausing to mention the exile, he continues on to Joseph. Next comes today’s text. The story begins with Joseph learning that Mary is pregnant. They are “pledged” or engaged but this news arrives “before they came together.” Joseph knows without a doubt that he is not the father.

In verses 19 we read, “Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” There is a lot to learn about Joseph in this verse. First, he is righteous. Joseph is upright, devout, a follower of God’s law. Second, he is compassionate. Joseph does not want to bring public embarrassment upon Mary. Being righteous, he would understand the various ways that this engagement could legally end. He chooses the least impactful to Mary. Third, Joseph is practical. He follows the law with compassion. Joseph decided to divorce her quietly.

But God has other plans. In verses 20-21 we learn that an angel comes to Joseph in a dream. The angel speaks to “Joseph son of David.” Wait! Joseph’s dad is named Jacob. Matthew is connecting Joseph to the prophecies, to the line of David. The angel continues, informing Joseph that the baby has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. Encouraged to move forward without fear, Joseph will take Mary as his wife. A righteous and compassionate man steps forward in trust and faith. What an example for us all!

Prayer: Lord, guide me to be both righteous and compassionate. Show me how to balance and intertwine these two qualities that can be in conflict. Through the power of the same Holy Spirit, let both work together, striking a balance that reveals your glory and love to the world. Amen.


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Reign of Christ

Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Verse 5: “I will raise up a righteous branch, a king who will rule wisely and do what is right and just in the land.”

Photo credit: Milo Weiler

As we begin this week that culminates on “Christ the King” Sunday, we begin with our only Old Testament reading. Jeremiah begins this passage with a brief word of warning. He proclaims, “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” In the next two verses we see that this will not go unpunished. Because God is faithful, though, God will regather the sheep.

Beginning in verses 3-4 God speaks of restoration. God will “gather the remnant of my flock” and will “place shepherds over them who will tend them.” God will begin to rebuild the flock, to restore the people of God. The culmination of this process comes in verse 5. Here we read, “I will raise up a righteous branch, a king who will rule wisely and do what is right and just in the land.” This branch will be Jesus. He will bring justice and righteousness and salvation. He will be the King of Kings and will be “the Lord our righteousness.” All this has come to be. Today all believers seek to live under the reign of Christ the King.

The question for us as we begin this week of “Christ the King,” leading into the season of Advent, is this: How do we reflect the reign of Christ upon the throne of our heart? This is a challenging question. Because we are sheep, we wander. So we need the Good Shepherd to rule in our lives. Living in our heart, Christ calls us to reflect his love, his mercy, his compassion, his justice, and his righteousness to the world. Living as children of salvation, may we faithfully reflect the reign of Christ in our hearts this week.

Prayer: Lord, shepherd me this week, each day, as I strive to reflect you as the king of my heart. When you give me the opportunity may I reflect you well to a world in need. May the light of Christ in my heart shine into the darkness, sharing the path of salvation with all. Amen.