pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Turning and Returning

Reading: Psalm 80:17-19

Psalm 80:18 – “…then we will not turn away from you!”

How often have you pled with God as Asaph does on behalf of the people of God? Just send us a good king, one able to end these threats, to keep us safe and make us great, “…then we will not turn away from you!” God, just get me out of this mess… just heal this person… just fix this relationship… just keep me out of jail… and I’ll follow you faithfully every day for the rest of my life. In our desperate moments, yes, we too cry out to God.

We are sinful by nature, exposed daily to the temptations of this world. When we fall to the tempting, we sin and fall short of the glory of God. In this fallen state, we are separated from God. But we don’t remain there. We seek forgiveness and restoration. We pledge repentance – to turn away and never return to that sinful life. We are well-versed in the turning from God and seeking to return to God, to be made whole and new again.

Like the people of Asaph’s day, we long to be whole, to live in right relationship with God and with one another, to feel safe, to belong. This too is part of our human nature. Created in the image of the divine, we long for connection and community. We long to be loved. And we have a longing to love God and one another. Here we reflect our creator, the one who is love.

Psalm 80 closes with words that are very similar to the words we looked at yesterday. “Restore us… make your face shine so that we can be saved.” Be with us, O God, shine your face upon us so that we can be saved – from temptation and sin, from this broken world, from ourselves. May it all be so.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for who and what you are: unconditional love, endless mercy and grace, neverending forgiveness. Thank you too for creating us with these things in our hearts as well. Practicing and receiving these ways of being and living in the world, we find our place of belonging with you, with one another, with creation. Lead and guide us, walk with us daily, empowering us to be your hands, feet, and presence in this world. Amen.


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Tears of Grief

Reading: Jeremiah 8:18-9:2

Jeremiah 8:21 – “Because my people are crushed, I am crushed; darkness and despair overwhelm me.”

Photo credit: Rainier Ridao

In today’s passage from Jeremiah it is difficult to determine if God is speaking or if it is Jeremiah speaking. Our verses today seem to be a mix of the two, with both God and prophet expressing their grief over Judah’s fate. For many years, God’s people have been unfaithful to their God. Their choice to abandon God has led to God’s choice to abandon them to their sin. At times we too can choose to separate ourselves from God. We too grieve God’s heart this deeply.

God seems to be the speaker in verses 19-21. The people are asking a question and implying another that are common in times of loss and pain and grief. Directly they are asking where the Lord is: “Isn’t the Lord in Zion?” This is a question often asked in grief. The second question is implied: Why, why is this happening to us? This is a question that we can ask when lost in our sin as well. When our sin that consumed us leads to a place of pain and suffering, we can forget that our choices brought us to this place. In the disorientation of grief, we do ask “Why?”

For God’s people , the answer is given: idol worship has led to this place. As the prophet that worked to turn Judah back to God, Jeremiah grieves too. In verse 21 we read, “Because my people are crushed, I am crushed; darkness and despair overwhelm me.” The tentacles of grief surround the prophet. He laments alongside the people who are far from God. This is a place we will also find ourselves. Walking alongside others in grief, feeling and taking on some of their pain and sorrow. Our tears join their tears as we offer love and comfort in the midst of their hurt and despair. Doing so, we bring God’s presence into the darkness and despair.

Prayer: Lord God, times of grief and suffering are sure to come – to ourselves, to those we love, to our neighbors. In these times, may we sense your presence and may we lean into your love and strength, whether for ourselves or as we walk with others. Be with us in our tears, O God. Amen.


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New Again

Reading: Psalm 51:7-10

Psalm 51:8 – “Let me hear joy and celebration again; let the bones you crushed rejoice once more.”

Continuing today in Psalm 51, David recognizes his separated state. Yes, God has seen his sin and sent the prophet Nathan to break through to David, leading him to see his sin. David knows that God alone can make him “clean.” In verse 7 David asks for this cleansing – for God to purify and wash him so that he is “whiter than snow.” On his own David would remain in his sin and would struggle with the guilt and shame that often accompanies our sin. The same is true for us. We need God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness to once again be back in right relationship with God.

In verse 8 David is not yet there – not yet redeemed and restored. He longs for these things. We can hear this longing as we read, “Let me hear joy and celebration again; let the bones you crushed rejoice once more.” When we are in this place we too can feel this way. For David, the sacrificial system and the giving of an animal’s life would provide the “means” or payment for forgiveness. For us today, however, Jesus interceded on our behalf. He paid the price, offering himself as that needed sacrifice. In communion we remember this gift formally. But we don’t need to take the bread and cup to be redeemed and restored. Forgiveness comes through a simple prayer of confession and repentance. Jesus then creates a “clean heart” in us, once again walking with a “faithful spirit” within us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, we experience times when we are separated from you because of our sin and its impacts. Sometimes we tarry, wrestling with the guilt or shame. In these times, O Lord, call out to us, pull us into your grace and mercy. Drawn close to you, make us new again, O God. Amen.


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Walking Closer

Reading: Psalm 51:1-13

Psalm 51:12 – “Return the joy of your salvation to me and sustain me with a willing spirit.”

In this Psalm David circles his need for forgiveness and cleansing. This need has been brought on by Nathan’s confrontation around David’s sins with Bathsheba. Many were his sins: lust, deceit, adultery, conspiracy, murder… It is the realization of and the weight of these sins that are driving the depth of David’s pleas for mercy…

We also circle our need for forgiveness and cleansing – often. Our sin is like David’s in that it separates us from God. Whether lust or gossip, deceit or a little white lie, adultery or pornography… all sin separates us from God. No matter the sin, to be made right with God, we too must seek mercy, compassion, cleansing, and forgiveness.

To receive these graces of God we must begin where David began: confession. He admits his sin and acknowledges that God is justified in seeing him as guilty, as unclean. David then longs to be cleansed and purified, to be made whole again. Then he can rejoice in God’s presence. David knows, as we do, that God alone is capable of this restoration and redemption.

David also pledges repentance. This is the necessary second step if being made right with God. Confession is not worth much at all if not accompanied by a commitment to walking in a new way. David longs to know God’s truth and wisdom. He wants to have a willing heart. In verse 12 David asks this if God: “Return the joy of your salvation to me and sustain me with a willing spirit.” From this place of contrition and commitment, David will help others to walk closer with God. May this be the path that we seek to walk daily.

Prayer: Lord God, lead us to a time each day when we can reflect on our lives and the heart within. By the power of your Holy Spirit reveal our sins and failures. Guide us to a place of humble confession and genuine repentance. In that place, cleanse us and restore us, equip and encourage us to walk closer with you. Amen.


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A Clean Heart, A Faithful Spirit

Reading: Psalm 51:1-17

Psalm 51:10 – “Create a clean heart for me, God; put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me!”

Today’s Psalm is believed to be David’s response to Nathan confronting him about his great sins around Bathsheba. When he realized the depth of his sin, David became deeply remorseful. While adultery and murder are serious sins, we must keep in mind that any and all sin separates us from God. There are no levels or degrees of separation from God’s view.

David seeks God’s mercy and cleansing. Only God can offer these means of grace and newness. David longs to be made clean so that he can “hear joy and celebration again.” He wants to be restored. And he wants to be able to teach others – so they can return to God as well.

In the Psalm we see an acknowledgement of our human condition. David admits “my sin is always right in front of me.” Sin is ever knocking at the door of our heart. While our sins can certainly affect others, sin primarily affects our relationship with God. It is God alone that has the power to change our hearts and, in turn, to create the praise that comes from a heart tuned to God.

Because God desires truth and wisdom in “the most hidden places” (in our hearts,) David invites God to “create a clean heart for me, God; put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me!” God alone empowers us in our battle with sin. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can our “broken spirit” become a “faithful spirit,” the sacrifice that God desires. Dying to our old self, breaking that worldly pull, we open ourselves to living as a child of the light. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, bring us again and again to the place where David is at in this Psalm. Bring us to the place of honesty with ourselves and with you, to the space where we can lay all of our sin before you, begging to be made new again. Walk forward from there with us, O God, encouraging and empowering us to be Spirit-filled creations, living joy, bringing you glory and praise. Amen.


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Communion = Community

Reading: 1st Corinthians 11:23-32

1st Corinthians 11:28 – “Each individual should test himself or herself, and eat from the bread and drink from the cup in that way.”

Photo credit: Geda Zyvatkauskaite

We seek to “stay in love with God” through various means of grace. One of these is Holy Communion. This sacrament first reminds us of Christ’s loving sacrifice on our behalf. The giving of his innocent blood in place of ours made atonement for our sins, paying the price for forgiveness. We approach this gift with a deep sense of awe and reverence.

Sometimes we do something for a while and it becomes just going through the motions. Perhaps you’ve felt that before with something like the Lord’s Prayer. For the church in Corinth, the Lord’s Supper had become one of those things. It was now causing more harm than good. It was creating division in the church. At this point it was more like what we’d call a “love feast” than what we recognize as a communion with its liturgy and formality. In Corinth, it had become a “private meal” with the rich getting drunk and stuffed while the poor were left hungry and thirsty. The church has forgotten that love, sacrifice, service, and community were at the heart of the Lord’s Supper.

Paul addresses this situation by reminding the church that the Lord’s Supper is centered on and celebrates the new covenant made by Jesus Christ. He also reminds them, though, that this communal celebration begins with individual preparation: “Each individual should test himself or herself, and eat from the bread and drink from the cup in that way.” Each person must come before God, humbling confessing and repenting of their sins. This necessary step prepares each to be made “new” again as the blood of the Lamb washes away their sin. To not take this step is to hide or hold onto one’s sin. This brings judgment and condemnation instead of forgiveness and grace.

For each person to come before God, to confess and repent, it levels the playing field. It places us all equally before the table of grace, all sinners redeemed by his blood. In this way, community is restored. It brought one body to the one bread, one blood. That was Paul’s goal. It should be our goal. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, draw us to our knees, to the place of confessing and repenting of our sins. Open up our hands and hearts to release all that separates us from you and from one another. As we come clean, thank you for making us clean. Thank you for your great love that washes away our sins and failures. Thank you for your redeeming love. Amen.


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The True Gospel

Reading: Galatians 1-2

Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

Paul writes to the church in Galatia to assure them that they are saved by following the “law of love” not by adhering to the Law of Moses. False teachers have tried to push circumcision and other tenants of the Law upon these mostly Gentile Christians.

Paul’s introduction and blessing is much shorter than normal. He seems to want to get right to the point. He tells the church that he is “amazed” at how quickly they have deserted the gospel that he taught. Paul reminds them that what he taught them came through a revelation from Jesus himself. After a brief review of his years preaching salvation through faith in Christ alone, Paul recounts his meeting in Jerusalem with James, Peter, and John.

The church leaders approved “the gospel I preach to the Gentiles.” They recognized that Paul was sent to the Gentiles by God’s grace. Soon thereafter Paul encountered Peter (or Cephas) in Antioch. Peter has separated himself from the Gentile believers and appeared to be siding with the pro-circumcision crowd.

Paul called Peter (and Barnabas) out for hypocrisy. They said one thing in Jerusalem and now were acting another way in Antioch. Paul reminded Peter and Barnabas that they were made righteous by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ and not by the Law. He reminds them, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Paul closes by reminding Peter and Barnabas that faith comes through God’s Son, “who loved me and gave himself up for me.” Paul recounts this confrontation and these truths in his letter to remind the Galatian church of the true gospel. Paul is reminding us too. May we live and believe in the law of love, in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, we are called to live by faith alone. Through faith we receive love, grace, mercy, forgiveness… We cannot follow any Law or rules, we cannot check off any required number of boxes to earn our salvation. It comes through faith in your Son. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.


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Trusting, Confessing

Reading: Romans 8:18-10:21

Romans 10:10 – “Trusting with the heart leads to righteousness, and confessing with the mouth leads to salvation.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

As we continue in Romans 8 today we find great hope. First Paul reminds us that this present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory. With hope we await being “set free” as we who have the Spirit become the “first crop.” Today these words remind me of the rapture imagery found in Revelation.

Paul then speaks of the Spirit’s role in our lives. The Spirit intercedes for us, praying for us, “consistent with God’s will.” Accordingly, God works all things – us included – towards the good. God is good. To work this process out, we are increasingly conformed to Christ’s image. In this process we become less and less like the world. Therefore nothing worldly – trouble, harassment, famine… death, rulers… – nothing can separate us from God’s love that we find in and through Jesus. Hallelujah!

The apostle shifts gears in chapter 9. Paul laments Israel’s rejection of Christ. He would give up his salvation to see Israel turn to Christ. Yet Paul also recognizes that this is God’s plan unfolding, not his. This is a good reminder to us. It is God who shows mercy and compassion to whom God chooses. This is why it is the Gentiles who came to faith that leads to righteousness. The Jews instead sought to “establish their own righteousness.” But keeping all of the Law proved impossible. The righteousness that leads to salvation comes only through faith. Paul summarizes in 10:10 – “Trusting with the heart leads to righteousness, and confessing with the mouth leads to salvation.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, faith, trust, hope, obedience, surrender – such simple concepts in many ways. In an ideal world, so easy. Yet our world is not easy or ideal. Many things can challenge or assault our faith – real things like death, harassment, famine… Lord, may your Spirit intercede for us always and may it walk with us, strengthening and encouraging us in our walk of faith. As ones who are conformed to your Son, and therefore to you, use us as love and mercy and compassion in your world. Amen.


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In All These Things

Reading: Romans 8:31-39

Verse 37: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Our passage today begins with one great line! “If God is for us, who can be against us?” This is a great reminder once again that God is on our side. In the eternal sense we know this statement is true. But in our temporal, fragile, earthly state of being, we can question this at times. That is why these words from Paul are so vital to our faith and to our trust in God’s good plans for our lives.

Paul also reminds us that God “did not spare God’s own Son.” God actually gave Jesus up on the cross – for us. Paul then rhetorically asks, “How then will God not… also graciously give us all things?” If God loved us enough to sacrifice Jesus for our sins, won’t that great love also bless us in all other imaginable ways? Yes!

In response to a question about who or what could possibly separate us from God’s love Paul muses, “Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” It is quite the list, but we could easily add to it: loss, disease, poverty… Paul really adds to it in verses 38-39. To all this and more he states in faith: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Yes, more than conquerors, more than survivors. Through Christ we are victors over this life and over all of its trials and struggles. We are victors because Christ has shown the way and because God loves us unconditionally. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, your love is so great that it reaches far beyond the deepest grief, far past the most powerful loss, through the darkest times of our souls. It is a love so deep and wide that I cannot fully grasp its vastness, yet I can choose to stand upon your love. Thank you for this love, O Lord. Amen.


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Well, have you?

Reading: Matthew 13:44-52

Verse 49: “This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous.”

Today we turn to 3 more parables. All 3 fall into the “kingdom of heaven is like…” category. Jesus continues to string together thoughts that paint a broader and deeper understanding of what God’s kingdom and our faith is like.

In our first parable Jesus compares faith to a treasure hidden in a field. Faith is often something that we “discover.” Suddenly one day we claim a faith of our own. In the parable a man finds it and in joy sells all that he has just to attain the treasure. In a like way we joyfully give up the things of this world – pride, greed, ego, possessions… – in order to attain a relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior.

In our second parable a merchant is searching. Perhaps at a point you were searching – looking for meaning and purpose beyond the simple things of this world. When you found it – your faith – you were willing to give up all else so that you could walk faithfully with Jesus.

And then the third parable. It gives meaning and even consequences to the first two parables. Jesus speaks again of a time when the good will be separated from the bad. The good – those who sold all that this world could offer, giving it all up to walk with Jesus – they will be saved. The bad – those who chose the things of this world – they will suffer in the eternal fires. And then Jesus asks the disciples, “Have you understood all these things?” Well, have you?

Prayer: Lord God, in the day to day, in the small things, I can struggle. Help me to choose you. It’s easy to get lost in what seems important at the moment – until I realize where it’s led. I’ve given all for you. Remind me again and again of this decision. Amen.