pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: salvation


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Good News

Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10

Isaiah 52:7 – “How beautiful… are the feet of a messenger who proclaims peace… brings good news… proclaims salvation.”

Our Old Testament passage begins with Isaiah celebrating the long-distance runners who carried important news from place to place. Some think, however, that Isaiah is talking about himself here. Either way, the important part is the message: God is present to God’s people and offers peace, salvation, and much more. Whether in the words of scripture, in a Sunday morning message, or in a devotional, this good news brings hope, comfort, encouragement, strength… to all people seeking to walk in right relationship with the Lord our God. The faithful rejoice when we see “our God’s victory” over the things of this world.

This good news and these victories are not heard or received the same way by all people. When God redeems and restores and saves, this is bad news for those who have enslaved, oppressed, and taken advantage of others for their own gain. When God brings peace and strength to those experiencing violence and war, this is not good news to the aggressors and others who seek to exert power over others. When God proclaims and brings salvation, it is not good news to dealers of illicit drugs and other vices that keep people imprisoned. When God works to end injustices and to right other systemic wrongs, it is not good news to those benefiting from these evil ways. God’s good news is not good news to those seeking to live by the ways of this world.

Just as Isaiah and others spoke of God’s power, justice, and love for all people, we too are called to be messengers of God’s good news. With eyes wide open may we strive to bring good news to all people as we seek to build God’s kingdom here on earth.

Prayer: Lord God, sharing good news with people who are eager to hear and receive is such a joy. Guide us to always do so. In other situations, where your good news challenges or calls for good change, encourage and empower us. Strengthen us, Lord, so we can faithfully walk that hard road of justice and love for all people. Amen.


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So Welcome ____

Reading: Romans 15:7-13

Romans 15:7 – “So welcome each other, in the same way that Christ welcomed you, for God’s glory.”

Photo credit: James A. Molnar

A leper, a tax collector, a prostitute, a demon-possessed man, a blind man, a foreigner, a crippled man, a criminal. A homeless person, a recovering alcoholic, a single mom, an ex-con, a transgender person, a refugee, an immigrant. Which list would be welcomed by Jesus into his presence? Which list would Jesus offer grace, love, mercy, welcome to? “Both” would be the answer for the Jesus that we see and read about in the gospels. Is it the same for you and for me?

In Romans 14 and 15 Paul is addressing how the church should welcome each other as Christ would. Since the beginning of the Christian movement the call has been to be like Jesus. Love like Jesus, forgive like Jesus, welcome like Jesus, extend grace, mercy, hope, peace… like Jesus. Fighting this call is the whole “we’re God’s chosen people” thing. This implies “you are not” to many people. Now, Paul, he was once a Pharisee amongst Pharisees. Back then, he drew the in/out line thick and with permanent marker. Through his conversion experience Paul knows that Jesus removed the line. Jesus welcomed Paul. That line? Seeing through Jesus’ eyes, you can’t even tell that there ever was a line.

Our reading today begins with “So welcome each other, in the same way that Christ welcomed you, for God’s glory.” Pretty clear. But the church still sees the line. So Paul quotes from four Hebrew scriptures that show that the Gentiles (all people outside the old line) are included in God’s plan of salvation. All people. All people.

Go back to the two lists at the start of this devotional. Which one(s) made you pause? Now, insert that name into verse 7. For example ,”So welcome the immigrant in the same way…” Repeat this line again and again for any name that you paused at. Again and again. Do so until “the God of hope” fills you with “all peace and joy” through “the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Prayer: Lord God, help me to understand that Jesus welcomes one and all just like he once welcomed me. Whatever lines I’ve been taught, whatever in/out ideas I’ve derived – erase them, obliterate them. Fill me to overflowing with your hope, love, peace, and joy. Then, by the power of the Holy Spirit in my heart, guide me to welcome all people into your family. Amen.


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Radical Love

Reading: Luke 23:33-38

Luke 23:34 – “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”

Our readings today and tomorrow focus on Jesus’ crucifixion. The way of Jesus stands in very sharp contrast to the ways of the world. This contrast begins in verse 33. The Romans crucify three people. Two crucifixions are just and one is unjust. All three accomplish the same goal: eliminating those who challenge your power. This remains the way of the world.

Those present at the crucifixion, all three groups named in today’s reading, they all equate power with strength, control, wealth, status. The religious leaders and the soldiers and the Roman governor sneer at and mock Jesus. They all want (or say they want) Jesus to exert some of his power to come down off the cross: “Save yourself.” That’s what we’d try to do. We’d try to save ourselves. Many there that day that utter these words have seen the miracles and heard the unearthly wisdom of Jesus’ teachings. Pilate’s sign above Jesus’ head mocks him too. A king? Surely he would save himself if that were true. Today we continue to mock and sneer at things and at people that do not meet our expectations and/or that we do not understand.

Jesus’ power runs counter to all of these ways of power and of the world. As he is physically being nailed to the cross – large spikes being driven through his palms and his feet – Jesus says, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” As John Wesley noted in a sermon, Jesus ignores this incredible pain because he is more worried about the salvation of all involved in the crucifixion. Forgiving others always, this is power. The way of love for God and neighbor triumphs over all things. Thanks be to God for this most excellent way of love.

Prayer: Lord God, what great power we see in your radical way of love. It was unaffected by the things of the world going on around you. It was an unconditional love that reached out to those harming you and taking your life. Lord, fill us with this powerful love. Filled, send us out as your radical love lived out in the world. Amen.


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All We Need

Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Jeremiah 23:5 – “He will rule as a wise king. He will do what is just and right in the land.”

Photo credit: Hans Heiner Buhr

Chapter 23 of Jeremiah is titled “Promise of Restoration.” The promise begins with a warning and then adds God’s solution. In verse 1 the prophet declares, “Watch out, you shepherds…” Jeremiah is specifically referring to the kings of Judah but also to the religious leaders. While the king is ultimately responsible for the well-being of the people, the priests also had a prominent role to play in helping the people remain faithful to God. All of the shepherds, however, have become inwardly focused. Instead of tending to the needs of the flock, the selfish behaviors of the leaders has, in effect, “scattered my flock and driven them away.” God declares to these bad leaders, “revenge” is coming.

Verse 3 shifts leadership back to God. God will act, gathering the sheep, making them fruitful and numerous again. God will “place over them shepherds who care.” Under good shepherds, there will be no fear or worry. Needs will be met. All will be well cared for. Jeremiah’s words get more specific in verses 5 and 6. These messianic words point to Jesus, the one who will rule as a “wise king.” Guided by the Spirit, the wisdom from on high, Jesus’ kingdom will be one of justice and righteousness. He will offer salvation to all people.

When Jesus arrived in Israel, they needed a Savior. The people longed for someone to save them from the Romans. Jesus longed to save them from their sins and lack of abiding faith. Jesus taught and healed, inviting the people back into an intimate, dependent relationship with their God. He then died, offering self as the sacrifice, offering salvation to the world. This Jesus, he continues to save us from self and to give us all that we truly need. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, we can long for things we do not need. We can wish that you would wipe away our problems and our enemies. Remind us again and again that you love us so much. Remind us that you always provide just what we need. Help us to abide in you, trusting in your will and way. Open our eyes to see that your way is always the best way. Amen.


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Wonderful Things

Reading: Psalm 98:1-3

Psalm 98:1a – “Sing to the Lord a new song because he has done wonderful things!”

Psalm 98 is a song of praise for God’s victory. These words of joy come from deep within the psalmist’s soul. His or her joy simply exudes from these words of praise. It pours forth especially from the first line: “Sing to the Lord a new song because he has done wonderful things!”

When have you felt this kind of joy in your life? When have you felt completely blessed to be in God’s presence? For me, great joy has come in moments both big and small, at times anticipated and at other times totally unexpected. From moments in worship when suddenly tears of joy are streaming down my face to times when holding a newborn child in my arms, these experiences fill my heart, reminding me that God is present in our lives.

The psalmist rejoices first in victories won by God’s “strong hand… his holy arm.” These might be great military victories or they might be triumphs over sin in our lives. I’d lean towards the second because the author next expresses joy in God making salvation and righteousness known to “all the nations.” Today’s portion of Psalm 98 closes with the psalmist celebrating God’s love for and faithfulness to God’s people. This has helped spread salvation to “every corner of the earth.” What joy the psalmist has!

What is the source, what fuels this joy? It comes from time in two ways. First, it comes from time spent with God: practicing a daily quiet time of prayer and study, investing in our relationship with God. Second, our joy builds each time we experience the hand of God touching our lives. These “touches” also deepen our relationship with God, opening our eyes to see joy, widening our hearts to be filled with joy.

Prayer: Lord God, your salvation and righteousness continue to pour forth into the world. Your love and joy pours out from your heart into our lives. We join the psalmist in celebrating the wonderful things you do in our lives and in the world. Hallelujah and amen!


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Stand Firm, Hold On

Reading: 2nd Thessalonians 2:13-17

2nd Thessalonians 2:15 – “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions we taught you.”

Photo credit: Emma Gossett

Reading the second part of this week’s passage from 2nd Thessalonians, we encounter Paul’s prayer for these churches. This prayer begins with thanksgiving. Paul is first thankful that these churches are loved by God. This love is revealed in their being chosen by God to be “the first fruits of the harvest.” Paul is thankful that God’s plan included these churches as early models of the faith. From their witness, more fruit is surely to come. Their faith, along with belief, has brought salvation to the followers who accepted and are now living out the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul is thankful for their connection to Jesus that empowers their faithful living.

Moving into verse 15 we see Paul inviting those in these churches to remember why all of these things matter. In verse 15 we read, “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions we taught you.” These things that Paul is thankful for? Hold onto them, use them to help you stand firm in the faith. The false teachers? The persecution and abuse? All the other noise that the world makes? Hold fast to the good news of salvation, trust in God’s love, stand firm on all that you have been taught and have come to believe.

Paul closes by reminding the believers that in love and grace God has given them “eternal comfort and a good hope.” These blessings cannot be taken by the world. They were not given by the world. Therefore, Paul says, be encouraged and receive strength for all that you do and say. Standing on and holding fast to our faith in Jesus Christ, may we do the same.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminders today that we are loved by you, chosen by you, and saved by you. In this place of love and care, encourage and strengthen us to live faithfully amongst the noise and challenges of this world. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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A Long Line

Reading: Ephesians 1:11-23

Ephesians 1:13 – “You too heard the word of truth in Christ, which is the good news of your salvation.”

Photo credit: Anne Nygard

Paul first reminds us in today’s passage that we who believe have “received an inheritance in Christ.” Paul sees this outcome as a part of God’s plan for all people. If God were to have God’s way, all people would be disciples of Jesus Christ. That is God’s plan for all people as we are created in the womb. But we do have a choice in the outcome. Sometimes people choose to live by their own way and not God’s way.

For those who have chosen God’s way, choosing to follow Christ, we are called to bring God glory through the living out of our faith. We do this by living as Christ lived. In this living we take our place in a long line of disciples who have shared the faith with others. On this All Saints’ Day we recall those who have lived as Christ, teaching and modeling for us what living a life of faith looks and feels like. In turn, we teach it to and we model it for others – in our homes, in our church, in our workplace, in our community…

We can do so because we have “heard the word of truth in Christ, which is the good news of your salvation.” Accepting this good news we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Paul describes this constant presence of the Spirit as a “down payment on our inheritance.” This is a foretaste of being in glory in eternity. The Spirit in us keeps us connected to God. Deposited in our hearts, we are empowered by God. Through this power at work in and through us, we can pass on the faith to others, to the next generation of saints. May it be so!

Prayer: Lord God, today we pray for one another as Paul prayed for the church in Ephesus. Lord, give us “a spirit of wisdom” so that we can know you more and more. Open the “eyes of our heart” so that we can live out the hope that we find in Christ Jesus. Lead us to spiritually kneel before Christ, the head of all things. Amen.


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Power and Presence

Reading: Psalm 65:1-8

Psalm 65:5 – “In righteousness you answer us, by your awesome deeds, God of our salvation.”

Photo credit: Diego Gennaro

Psalm 65 is a song of praise for all of God’s works. The psalmist intertwines and connects God’s works in creation and in our lives. In the first two verses we are reminded that God is the God of all living things. God is in the created world just as much as God is in you and me and in all of humanity. In response we praise God by being faithful in our living and in our praying. And, the psalmist reminds us, when we fall short, God forgives our sins. For David and for us, in drawing close to God we encounter happiness, goodness, and holiness. These traits of God become ours when we choose to enter God’s presence.

The focus shifts to God’s acts in verses 5-8. In verse 5 we read, “In righteousness you answer us, by your awesome deeds, God of our salvation.” God’s power and presence is evident in many ways. God holds all things, even to the “far edges of the sea.” In strength God established the mountains. In power God calms the storms and will calm the “waves” and “noise” of the nations. God’s power brings the morning and evening, day after day, giving us more reasons to praise God.

These are David’s observations and experiences of God’s power and presence in his life and in the world. We certainly experience some of these. In what other ways have you and do you see and feel God’s power and presence in your life and in the world? May these be a source of praise today.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your love and care. It is all around us. Open our eyes and hearts to see you in both the wonders of creation and in the daily ways that you work in our lives and in the world. For all of this we praise you! Amen.


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“Preach” Always

Reading: 2nd Timothy 3:14-4:5

2nd Timothy 4:2 – “Preach the word. Be ready to do it whether convenient or inconvenient. Correct, confront, and encourage with patience and instruction.”

Paul’s encouragement to Timothy begins with an invitation to stay focused on the word of God. Timothy began learning the word as a young child and has grown in his understanding of the scriptures. Paul reminds him that all scripture is useful – sometimes for teaching, other times for correcting, sometimes for training, other times for showing mistakes. As our guide to faith, scripture will equip the faithful “to do everything that is good.”

Shifting to chapter 4, Paul commissions Timothy “in the presence of God and if Jesus Christ.” The heart of his commission falls mostly in verse 3, where we read, “Preach the word. Be ready to do it whether convenient or inconvenient. Correct, confront, and encourage with patience and instruction.” While the formal preaching most often happens on Sunday morning, the most impactful sharing of the good news occurs outside of that 15-20 minutes. The bold and powerful witness, the sure and steady faith – this is how we “preach” our faith. Putting heart, voice, hands, and feet to service in the kingdom of God is the best possible way to preach the good news.

Paul warns Timothy that there will be challenges and suffering. He speaks of a time when people will “collect teachers who say what they want to hear.” Truth will be sacrificed for personal comfort and personal gain. In the midst of this, Paul emphasizes the importance of Timothy’s choices, advising him to “keep control of yourself in all circumstances.” Don’t engage in the ugly, don’t get caught up in the division. Prudent advice for our day too!

The apostle’s closing advice to Timothy is complete: endure suffering, do the work of sharing the good news, serve fully. Give God all that you are and all that you have. May this be our daily goal.

Prayer: Lord God, you ask for all of us – our energy, our resources, our time, our gifts and talents, our prayers, our love – given in witness to the good news of salvation found in Jesus Christ. Guide us, Lord, to preach always. Strengthen us when we’re weak. Encourage us when we’re challenged. Comfort us when we’re suffering. In all ways and at all times, use us to build the kingdom of God. Amen.


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Disciplined Faithfulness

Reading: 2nd Timothy 2:8-15

2nd Timothy 2:15 – “Present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker… one who interprets the message of truth correctly.”

Photo credit: Aaron Burden

In today’s reading Paul is encouraging Timothy to pass on the message of the good news faithfully and correctly. In verses 8-10 Paul reminds Timothy of the example that Paul has set. Paul’s focus is on Jesus. This focus has led to suffering (he is in prison) yet Paul endures so that others “may experience salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” Paul’s faithfulness has allowed others to know the good news of Jesus Christ.

Verses 11-13 present the reality of our faithfulness when held up against Christ’s. When we do live faithfully – dying to ourselves, enduring suffering – then we live and rule with Christ. When we deny these things, living for self, then Jesus denies us too. In sin, we create this separation. Hope comes in the last verse: even when we are disloyal, Christ is faithful – that’s just who Jesus is. This is why Jesus is always there, always present to us.

Verse 11 engages the fourth step of Ignatuis’ Examen: repentance. Paul appeals to Timothy and to readers of this text to “die together” with Jesus Christ. This involves making the choice to die to those sins, both words and actions, that deny the Christ within us. Confession and repentance naturally flow out of step three (review) and they bring forgiveness, which brings us back into living faithfully with Jesus. To this end, Paul encourages Timothy to “not engage in battles over words” that cause harm. Such good advice for today! Paul then says, “Present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker… one who interprets the message of truth correctly.” This connects back to Paul’s words in verses 1-7, where he offers examples of disciplined faithfulness. This faithful daily living allows us to not only interpret the message correctly, but it also helps us to live it correctly, bringing God the glory and honor and praise.

Prayer: Lord God, on the good days, we are able to live faithfully, witnessing to your love and grace. But when life gets hard or when we suffer, the walk is more difficult. In these times, make your power and presence known in our hearts. Empower us to the disciplined faithfulness that allowed Paul to endure all things. Amen.