pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: spirit


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Praise for Their Labors

Reading: Matthew 25:14-23

Matthew 25:21 – “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done good and faithful servant.”

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In this week’s Matthew 25 parable, a master is preparing to go on a long trip. He calls together his three servants to give them some responsibilities while he is away. The master entrusts his money with them, “in proportion to their abilities.” The master saw talents in each servant. One received five bags of silver, another two bags, and another one bag. Giving the three their task – invest the money – the master departs on his trip. He trusted that each servant would use their talents to grow his money.

We are not given talents directly from an in-person master. Instead, we are given talents by the Spirit of Christ. In the same way, though, we are entrusted with talents to build on Jesus’ initial investment that began to establish the kingdom of God here on earth. We are to take the plan he modeled and to use the talents that we have been given to build the kingdom of God. These were the instructions left by the Master.

The servants given five and two bags of silver use their talents, investing and doubling the money. The third servant dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money. Which servant is more like you? Do you use the gifts and talents that the Spirit has given you to grow the kingdom of God? Or do you hide your talents, refusing to risk for your faith? Or do you wonder if you have any talents?

When the Master returns, we will be evaluated or judged on how we used the gifts and talents that we have. In our parable, the ones given five and two bags of silver are praised for their labors, hearing from the master, “Well done good and faithful servant.” May it be so one day for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the gifts and talents that you have given to us. Help us to realize each and grant us the courage to invest in the building of your kingdom. In the times when we are unsure – unsure of how to labor or unsure of our talents – open our eyes to see our gifts and assure us that you are right there, guiding us as we strive to build the kingdom here on earth. And, Lord, bless the fruit of our labors. Amen.


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The Power to Transform

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 2:9-13

1st Thessalonians 2:12 – “We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy.”

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In the week’s Epistle reading, the call is to live a life worthy of God’s call. As we witness to our faith, our words, actions, and thoughts should reflect God’s love and our calling to the world. In the first four verses, Paul reminds the Thessalonians of the example that he and his co-workers set for them. They were bi-vocational, working a job so that they did not burden these new believers. Paul and friends were “devout… honest… faultless” towards the believers. They treated those new to the faith as a father would treat their children. In this role, Paul and his fellow workers “pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy.” They walked alongside the Thessalonians until they were ready to walk on their own.

Paul wrote this letter to the church in Thessalonica. God’s plan went far beyond that. The words he wrote and the example he set have given guidance to generations of countless believers. We stand in that line of faith. We too are to live out our call to make disciples of Jesus Christ by being devout, honest, and faultless. We are charged with walking alongside new believers, encouraging, challenging, and urging them on in their walk of faith. We are to lift them up, not to place burdens on them.

In the last verse of today’s reading, Paul gives thanks to God for the fruit of their ministry in Thessalonica. There is fruit because the believers heard Paul’s words and his co-workers’ words not as mere human words but as the word of God. Yes, the words came out of human mouths but the Spirit of God gave the words the power to change hearts and lives. And the Spirit continued to work in the new believers, empowering them to live out their faith. This is a good reminder to us. As we seek to live out our call and to witness to our faith, we too can trust that the power to transform lives comes not from us or from our efforts. The same Spirit of God will be at work, moving hearts and transforming lives. For this we say, thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, strengthen and encourage us. Lift us and prod us on. Fill us with the words to speak. Guide us in the actions to take. In all things, may our lives and our witness bring you the glory. Amen.


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Seeing God

Reading: Exodus 33:18-23

Exodus 33:18 – “Moses replied, ‘Then show me your glorious presence.'”

On Tuesday this week we read of Moses petitioning God to remain present to him and to Israel. God relented from the plan to send them on to the Promised Land without God’s presence. But Moses wanted some proof. He says to God, “Then show me your glorious presence.” God’s answer is “Yes, but…” God will reveal the fullness of God’s glory, sort of. God knows that the full glory of God is more than Moses or any human being can take in at one time. God graciously comes up with a plan for Moses to see as much of God as is humanly possible.

God places Moses in a crevice of a rock and shields Moses’ eyes as God passes by. As God walks away, the hand is lifted and Moses sees God’s back. Because of God’s tender compassion, God found a way to grant Moses’ request. It would have been easier to just say “no” and offer a reason why. Instead, God found a way to say “yes” to Moses.

There are times when we’d really like to see God. Sometimes our faith is wearing thin and we need reassurance. Some of the time we are really upset or even angry and we want to have it out with God. Other times we feel like we just need to be in God’s actual presence. God is present to us in each of these situations, just as God was with Moses – in Spirit. But once in a while, God is more present, in a tangible way – as we look in the mirror one day, as another person is present to us, as we are awed by a sunset or by ocean waves. God graciously meets us where we are at, giving us just what we need in that moment. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your presence in our lives. Your Spirit is a constant presence with us as you lead and guide, direct and assure, convict and refine, restore and redeem. And thank you for the glimpses, for your tangible presence that we do experience from time to time. Continue to be present to us in all ways, O God. Amen.


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Filled with Faith, Love, and Hope

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 1:1-6

1st Thessalonians 1:3 – “As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonian church opens with greetings from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. These three traveled together for much of Paul’s second missionary journey. Paul and Silas had recently been to Thessalonica, where they founded this new church and started to encourage them in word and deed. But some Jews had stirred up trouble, forcing Paul and Silas to flee in the night. Wanting to check in on these new believers, Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica. He found them faithful and unified, even in the face of suffering and persecution.

After the greeting and expression of thanksgiving and prayers for the church in Thessalonica, Paul adds, “As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Thessalonians are living out their faith in active ways, holding onto hope, trusting in Jesus Christ. Reading on we discern how and why these new Christians can be shining lights of faith. Yes, they heard the good news and, yes, they had Paul and Silas’ example. But even more importantly, they received the power of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Spirit in their hearts brought both assurance and joy – even in the sufferings.

The indwelling presence and constant power of the Holy Spirit is what fills the Thessalonians with the faith to do good works, with the love to practice good deeds, and with the hope to endure sufferings and trials. It is the Spirit that fills each believer with faith, love, and hope. In their everyday lives and in the times of great need, the Spirit is right there with them. We who believe have this same Spirit in us. May faith, love,and hope overflow from our lives as well!

Prayer: Lord God , thank you for the work of Paul and others that first shared the good news and opened hearts to receive Jesus Christ and his Holy Spirit. Thank you for the work of those that did the same in our lives. In turn, O Lord, may Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit lead and guide us in faith, love, and hope, using each of us to build the kingdom of God in our time and place. Amen.


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They Forgot

Reading: Psalm 106:19-23

Psalm 106:21 – “They forgot the God who saved them, the one who had done great things…”

Returning to Psalm 106 today, we read of the incident that happened in Exodus 32. It is the sin of the writer’s “ancestors” that was referenced in verse 6. It is the remembering of how their great grandfathers or great, great grandmothers “acted wickedly.” It is a reminder of how capable the current Israelites are of going down this same path. And it is a warning about how quickly we can turn to idols and sinful behaviors.

As we walk daily with God, we might wonder how this could happen to Israel. God has done so much for them lately: the plagues, the Passover, the parting of the sea, the manna and quail, the water from a rock… If we are tending to our faith, one of our daily habits is thanking God for the blessings, guidance, direction, protection… in our lives. We too should be able to quickly come up with a list of what God has done for us. With this in mind, we do wonder how they ended up worshipping an idol, “a bull that eats grass.”

The answer comes in verse 21: “They forgot the God who saved them, the one who had done great things…” They forgot God. We do this too. We allow temptation to become sin. We turn to our own devices and means instead of to God. We grasp control and seek power instead of surrender. And I am pretty sure that God has gotten ready a time or two to smite us. Or maybe that number is closer to four billion.

In the second part of verse 23, the psalmist reminds Israel of how Moses interceded and of how God’s anger subsided as love and mercy won the moment. This same love and mercy pours out over us when we are less than we are created to be. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminder that even when we chase after promotions and possessions and pleasures, you are nearby, waiting to reconnect with us, ready to pour out your great mercy and love. We are grateful for your Spirit that works and works within us and for your Son who intercedes for us. You are an awesome and amazing God. Amen.


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Faithful and Obedient

Reading: Matthew 21:28-32

Matthew 21:31 – “Which one of these two did his father’s will?”

Continuing their conversation on authority, Jesus tells the religious leaders a story. A father has two sons. He tells each son to go and work in the vineyard. A good son would surely obey his father. The first son says “No.” But later he goes and works in the vineyard. The second son says “Yes,” but never goes to work. Jesus asks the leaders, “Which one of these two did his father’s will?” The first son, of course. He actually did what the father commanded.

In our journeys of faith, we play the role of both sons. At times God asks us to do something or places someone or something upon our heart. We tell God and maybe even ourselves that we will do it, but then we don’t. Some of the time we genuinely plan on doing it. Other times it is just lip service or we say “yes” because others are in earshot. And then some of the time we say “no” or we try and ignore God or the Holy Spirit. Yet in the end we do God’s will, being obedient in our faith.

As Jesus’ story continues, he lets the religious leaders know that they are like the second son. They’ve said “yes” to God and now they say the right things, but they don’t do them. Jesus then points to the tax collectors and prostitutes – those who said “no” initially with their lives. But then they heard John’s call and changed their lives, saying “yes” to God’s call. When the religious leaders saw this happening, they still refused to change their own hearts and lives.

When we are obedient to God, we find again and again that we are blessed. When we feed a neighbor or comfort a friend, yes, they are blessed. But we too are blessed by our obedience to God. After each experience, we feel joy because we said “yes” to God. In those moments when we hesitate or even feel like denying God’s call, may we remember how we grow in our faith and in our love of God when we are faithful.

Prayer: Lord God, work in our hearts and lives, placing a deeply rooted faith and trust in our spirit. When you call, O God, move us to a faithful and obedient response, loving others as you love us. Fill us with joy each time we serve you and others. Amen.


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Authority

Reading: Matthew 21:23-27

Matthew 21:23b – “What kind of authority do you have for going these things? Who gave you this authority?”

As we delve into our gospel reading today and tomorrow, we begin with some context. We are in the last week of Jesus’ earthly life. The triumphal entry that we know as “Palm Sunday” started off the week. Large crowds cheered and shouted praises, identifying Jesus as “the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus proceeds to the temple, where he tips over tables and chairs, causing a ruckus in this “hideout for crooks.” Jesus then heals the blind and the lame right there in the temple. The children run around, continuing the excitement of the palm parade, shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

The next day, as Jesus entered the temple, the religious leaders asked him, “What kind of authority do you have for going these things? Who gave you this authority?” Jesus sees right through their hypocrisy. They’re more concerned about maintaining their place of authority, the status quo, and the side hustle selling and buying in God’s house. Jesus turns their question back on them, substituting John the Baptist as the focus of where true authority comes from. The religious leaders are afraid to answer. Either answer will take away some of their earthly authority. So they act like politicians, saying what they need to say to maintain their status and power.

Even against those with real earthly power, Jesus stood on the power and truth of God. The religious leaders were not willing to accept Jesus for who he was because it would cost them socially, politically, and economically. When our faith and the actions that it leads us to cause us to be questioned, challenged… may we too stand firmly on God’s power and truth. This is the source of true authority.

Prayer: Lord God, when our faith has led us to stand or speak against an injustice or to give voice and power to the oppressed and marginalized, encourage and strengthen us when those with power over question or move against us. Be present to us in Spirit. Fill us with the words to speak and with the conviction to stand. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Together

Reading: Philippians 1:21-30

Philippians 1:27 – “Most important, live together in a manner worthy of Christ’s gospel.”

Paul writes the letter to the Philippians from prison in Rome. He awaits trial before Caesar. He has found opportunities to share Christ even there. His example of faithful witness has led other believers to speak more boldly and with greater courage. Paul hopes that this continues to be the case for him and for his ministry. And in this dire situation, there is no fear of death. There is no desperation to continue living this life. There is hope.

In verse 21 Paul expresses his wrestling with life, faith, and death: “Because for me, living serves Christ and dying is even better.” Yes, part of Paul longs to go to heaven, to see Jesus Christ face to face once again. As he unpacks this tension, Paul comes to understand that it is better for him to “stay in this world for your sake.” Through his ministry, the gospel is spreading. He is still effective. People in Rome, Philippi, and other communities are “progressing” in their faith and are finding joy in Christ.

Paul then shifts from himself to his fellow believers in verses 27-30. His summary statement comes in verse 27: “Most important, live together in a manner worthy of Christ’s gospel.” Paul is referring here to living like Jesus in their/our public, visible life. He is encouraging believers to allow their faith to be evident – not just in church but everywhere, all the time. The apostle is also stressing the importance of unity in the community of faith. We are to be unified with “one mind and spirit” (of Christ.) Living a connected faith, they and we are able to “stand firm” and together to experience the “privilege” of both believing in and suffering for Christ. The walk of faith is not always easy. But together – with Jesus Christ and with one another – we can experience the joys and the growth in our faith that come with striving forward side by side, day by day. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminder to live a public, active faith. It is in community that we find the opportunity to practice grace, mercy, forgiveness, welcome… Work in and through us, O God, drawing others into a relationship with Jesus and into our communities of faith, where support, encouragement, connection, and accountability are found. Amen.


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Living for Jesus

Reading: Romans 14:7-12

Romans 14:12 – “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”

Pressing on in Romans 14, Paul declares that we do not live or die for ourselves. While this becomes truer and truer the longer we walk with Christ, there was a time in my life and probably in your life when this was not the reality. Even though I grew up in the church, during my late teen and college years I lived for self. My time, energies, and priorities were focused on pleasure, desires, and other things of this world. Over time, though, God drew me back into relationship and reoriented my focus. Yes, there are still days when that old self rises up and I become less than God created me to be. But now I am quicker to hear the Spirit that has always been there, drawing me back to God.

Living (or dying) for Christ is the focus of a life lived in faith. All that we think, say, and do becomes focused on pleasing God and bringing God the glory. As Paul continues to work to combat the judging going on in the church in Rome, he reminds them and us that “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” While this is very true, as we walk with Christ, we find that our “motivation” is not fear of condemnation, but is the joy and peace, the hope and contentment found in living for and serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With these as the outcomes of living for Jesus, the temptations of this world fade. So when judgment or desire or another sin rises up, the Spirit that lives within us has greater voice and more power. Thanks be to God for the power and presence within us!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your grace that brings us back into your presence when we fall short. Thank you for your love that pursues us when we are lost in our sin. And thank you, Lord, for your steadfastness. You are always there for us. Amen.


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Present Always

Reading: Matthew 18:18-20

Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them.”

Continuing in Matthew 18 today, Jesus emphasizes the power of his presence. We experience Christ’s presence when we gather in his name, working together to reconcile a broken relationship. We are extending Christ’s presence when we seek to rebuild connection and when we continue to pursue wholeness even when the other person is resistant. In today’s reading we learn that because Jesus is with us in the reconciliation process, our decisions and actions are guided by the Holy Spirit’s presence. There is divine support for our decisions made and for our actions taken under the guidance and direction of Christ’s Spirit.

Jesus assures us that these things decided upon and prayed over in his name will be done by God. God will do God’s will reflective of our thinking, speaking, acting, and praying according to God’s will. When our efforts at conflict resolution include holy conferencing, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and a desire to restore and redeem what was broken, then God will work in and through us to bring healing and wholeness to our relationships and to our communities of faith. Unity is God’s plan.

Jesus reminds us of this unity in verse 20, saying, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them.” As we undertake the holy work of reconciliation, Jesus is present in Spirit. And Jesus is present when we gather for worship, when we come together in fellowship, when we enter into a time of study or prayer as a small group, when we serve a meal to a school staff or to folks struggling with poverty… Yes, Jesus is always present to us when we gather in his name. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, we are grateful for your Spirit that leads and guides us in all of life. We are especially grateful for the Spirit’s presence in our times of conflict and hurt. In these uncomfortable and often tense situations, lead and guide us to be people of love and grace, mercy and forgiveness, kindness and compassion. Thank you, Lord. Amen.