pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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The Good Fight

Reading: 1st Timothy 4-6

1st Timothy 6:12 – “Compete in the good fight of faith. Grab hold of eternal life – you are called to it, and you made a good confession of it.”

In chapters 4-6 Paul addresses spiritual leadership, caring for the family of God, and holy living. These three are very much interconnected and one supports the other. For example, holy living is essential for good leadership and it drives how we care for one another. Likewise, good leadership empowers holy living and caring well for each other.

Chapter 4 begins with the recognition that some will turn away from the faith. They will be deceived. Paul encourages young Timothy to be a “good servant of Jesus Christ.” He implores him to “train in holy living.” Paul invites Timothy to “set an example” for the believers through his own speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and sexual purity. He also asks Timothy to keep working on his own faith growth and development. All of this gives Timothy solid ground to stand upon as he leads the family of God.

Paul turns to caring for the family next. He encourages Timothy to show respect to the older men and women and to treat the younger ones as brothers and sisters. Paul directs Timothy to care for the older widows who are truly in need, who have been faithful, and who are alone. If a widow has family, they are to care for her. Timothy is instructed to publicly deal with sinners, without bias or favoritism. Paul warns Timothy about false teachers who are creating jealousy and conflict as they try to profit from the believers. Paul declares that this love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. Instead, Paul encourages these men to “do good… to be generous… to share with others.” This will store up a foundation for the future, allowing them to “take hold of what truly is life.”

Paul then returns to holy living. He encourages Timothy to pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love… Paul implores young Timothy, “Compete in the good fight of faith. Grab hold of eternal life – you are called to it, and you made a good confession of it.” Paul tells him to do this “without fault or failure” until the Lord appears. May it be so for you and me too!

Prayer: Lord God, may we truly hear and put into practice these guidelines for holy living. Lead us daily to pursue faith, righteousness, holiness, and a servant’s heart. In turn, guide us to use these to lead well when given opportunity and to care well for our brothers and sisters in Christ always. Empower us to fight the good fight of faith today and every day. Amen.


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The Armor of Love

Reading: Ephesians 5-6

Ephesians 5:8 – “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, so live your life as children of light.”

As we close out Ephesians today, Paul continues to explain how to live as followers of Jesus Christ. He begins by encouraging us to “imitate God” by “following the example of Christ.” Paul reminds us next of what this is not. It is not sexual immortality or greed or obscene language. These are not kingdom-worthy behaviors. Paul tells them, “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, so live your life as children of light.” Here Paul uses darkness and light as states of being, not as adjectives that describe something that changes with the time of day. This sharp contrast is intentional. This is why Paul encouraged us to “test everything” to see if it is pleasing to God. More recently the idea to test everything was carried on WWJD bracelets…

Paul encourages us to be filled with the Spirit as we worship and praise God, as we offer our thanksgiving to God, as we submit to one another “out of respect for Christ.” Paul is continuing his “follow the example” thoughts here. He calls on us to love one another just as Christ loves us. In this way we will build up one another and the church, bringing each into a deeper holiness and into a stronger faith. Paul also applies these ideas to parents and children then to slaves and masters, a reality given up long ago. Today we could apply the latter to business owners and employees.

Ephesians closes with a well-known passage about the armor of God. He first acknowledges the spiritual battle that is always going on. He uses a Roman soldier’s armor as the analogy but underneath it all are the core tenants of our belief: truth, justice, the good news, faith, salvation, the Holy Spirit. These allow us to stand and to win the battle. With this “armor” may we too hang in there and pray for one another.

Prayer: Lord God, it comes down to love. To follow the example of Christ is to love you with all that we are and to love others as Christ loves us. To love, therefore, means to do no harm. To love means to give all of self to you and to others. To love means to do and be good. May it be so. Amen.


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Everything in Love

Reading: 1st Corinthians 13-16

1st Corinthians 16:13-14 – “Stay awake, stand firm in your faith, be brave, be strong. Everything should be done in love.”

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In chapter 13 Paul reveals the “even better way.” It is the way of love. One can demonstrate gifts of the Spirit or one can have faith big enough to move a mountain or can give everything away – but if not done in love, all is worthless. Paul lists love’s attributes: patient, kind, truthful, understanding, trusting, hopeful, enduring. Prophecies, tongues, knowledge – all will cease. Love is what will reveal Christ face to face. Love is what makes us fully known. Faith and hope – they are of this world. Love is for this world and for the world to come. As John Wesley notes, “Love us the sum of perfection in heaven.”

In chapter 14 we read about Paul’s response to a question. But we don’t have the question! Paul is offering corrections to their way of worship. It was disorderly, with many people speaking at once with others shouting out questions all the time. All should be done to build up people’s faith. Speak on at a time; ask the questions at home. Worship should be done “with dignity and in proper order.”

Paul reviews the main points of his preaching in chapter 15: Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose on the third day, and appeared to lots of people. Some people are questioning the resurrection. Paul notes, in fact, Christ was raised – “the first crop of the harvest.” He then used a seed to illustrate. Just as a seed goes into the ground and something new emerges, so too will our “rotting bodies” emerge as new spiritual beings.

After encouraging an offering and speaking longingly of visiting again, Paul gives this final greeting: “Stay awake, stand firm in your faith, be brave, be strong. Everything should be done in love.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us to practice and walk in the way of love. May our walk mirror Jesus’ walk. May we hold fast to the hope that we find in you. May we stand firm in our faith, knowing that your Spirit stands with us. Amen.


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The Foundation: Jesus Christ

Reading: 1st Corinthians 1-3

1st Corinthians 1:18 – “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved.”

Paul writes this letter to the church in Corinth to address problems and misunderstandings in the church. Paul begins by giving thanks for their knowledge of Christ and for the spiritual gifts evident in the church. He reminds them that they are in partnership with Jesus Christ.

Paul then turns to the first issue: division in the church. Little subgroups are following different voices: Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ. He reminds the church that they were baptized and came to faith in Jesus Christ. To forget this would empty the cross of its meaning and its message. In 1:18 Paul writes, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved.” The idea of Christ crucified is “a scandal to Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles” (to the world.) To believers, though, it is salvation.

Paul then lifts up God’s wisdom, which was disclosed in Christ’s crucifixion. God chose and chooses “what the world considers low-class and low-life” to reduce what is important to the world to “nothing.” God did this so that faith would depend not on “human wisdom” but on “the power of God.”

God’s wisdom and power are revealed through the Spirit. Once a believer receives the Spirit they can interpret and understand “spiritual things.” But this is a learning and growing process. These Corinthian believers are yet “babies in Christ.” They are still “drinking milk” instead of eating “solid food.” For Paul, this is evident because of the division and infighting in the church. Paul points them to their true foundation: Jesus Christ. He reminds them, “You belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.” May this be our foundational truth as well.

Prayer: Lord God, open our minds and hearts to your wisdom and to your will and way. By the power of the Holy Spirit, give us guidance and direction as well as understanding. In all things, may all that we are belong to you alone. Amen.


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Life to the Full

Reading: John 10 and 11

John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life – indeed, so that they could have life to the fullest.”

In today’s reading we really see the division created by Jesus’ words and ministry. It is first revealed in the healing of the blind man. The “light of the world” ends the man’s darkness, restoring his sight. There is division amongst those who now see him. Some say it is the blind man and others say it just looks like him. This question is answered as the man is brought to the Jewish leaders. Calling in his parents, they testify that he is their son who was born blind. They say they don’t know how he sees. Even though he has already told them, the leaders ask again. He asks them, “Do you want to be his disciples too?” They insult him. In response he reminds them that God doesn’t listen to sinners but to those who are devout and do God’s will. The man is expelled from the synagogue.

The story transitions next to spiritual blindness. Jesus centers this teaching on the shepherding metaphor. The shepherd enters through the gate, the sheep know his voice, he leads them out. Jesus declares, “I am the gate.” Others come to “steal, destroy, and kill.” The good shepherd, Jesus, “came so that they could have life – indeed, so that they could have life to the fullest.” Life to the fullest. What an image! What a reality for those who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The metaphor continues with Jesus telling the Pharisees that he will “lay down his life for the sheep.” Unlike the hired hands now listening to the story, Jesus cares about the sheep – and about the sheep not if this pen too! More division reveals itself as they argue about Jesus having a demon. Others ask, how then could he heal this man?

As chapter 11 closes, Jesus tells the “Jewish opposition” that the signs he does should testify to his being one with the Father. He invites them to see this, to believe in him. But they are ready to stone him. As Jesus’ time has not yet come, he escapes, going out to Bethany to minister there.

Prayer: Lord God, reading these stories we so clearly see that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Yet when we step away, going out into that world, we can become blind to needs, to our own sin, to injustice. Lord, help us to live with eyes wide open, living and enjoying the fullness of life that you give to all who believe. Amen.


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The Spirit Gives Life

Reading: John 6:22-7:10

John 6:51 – “Whoever eats this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give for the life of this world is my flesh.”

After feeding the 5,000, the crowd realizes that Jesus is “missing.” They follow the disciples by boat to Capernaum and find Jesus already there. They ask how he got there. Ignoring their question he implies they are looking for more bread. Jesus encourages them to work for “food that endures for eternal life” – the food that he will give. The crowd wants to know what to do to receive this bread. Just believe in the one sent by God. The crowd, though, wants a sign, something like the manna. Their hearts and minds are stuck in the concrete and tangible. Jesus tries to get them to understand the spiritual.

Jesus first reminds them that it was not Moses who gave the manna. He says that in the same way God has once again sent bread from heaven. The crowd desires this bread. To them Jesus says, “I am the bread of life.” Eat and never be hungry. Believe and have eternal life. Their ancestors are manna and died. Eat from Jesus and never die. He declares, “Whoever eats this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give for the life of this world is my flesh.”

The crowd is lost. How can one literally eat his flesh and drink his blood? Jesus says this is necessary to remain in him and for him to remain in them. They are stuck in the literal. They grumble. This is a hard teaching. Jesus reminds them that the Spirit gives true life. He’s inviting them to think spiritually. The flesh cannot do this. God must enable people to believe in and to receive Jesus. Many cannot hear what Jesus is saying. Many turn away and no longer follow him.

Jesus asks the 12 if they want to leave too. Peter asks, “Where would we go?” Peter declares that Jesus holds the words of eternal life and is the one sent by God. The 12 believe. Jesus’ brothers struggle. They want him to go to Judea, to “show yourself to the world.” Jesus tells this his time has not come yet. Or has it come?…

Prayer: Lord God, sometimes we too get stuck, get hung up on something, fail to understand. Here we too can struggle with belief. In these moments, Lord, may the Holy Spirit lead and guide us, opening our hearts and minds to your will, your way, your plan, your purposes. You are truly the word of life. Thank you. Amen.


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Human Wants

Readings: Nehemiah 5, Nehemiah 6, Nehemiah 7

Nehemiah 6:16 – “The nations around us were afraid and their confidence was greatly shaken. They knew that this work was completed with the help of our God.”

Internal unrest almost derails the building process. Taxes had gone up due to Persia’s growing war with Greece. A famine has set in. As is almost always the case, these factors hit the poor the hardest. And is often the case, the wealthy and powerful take advantage of the most vulnerable. How little things have changed in 2,000+ years. The poor (roughly 95% of the population) find themselves indebted to the small landowning class. The poor are losing what little they have. Some children have become slaves and more are on their way. The righteous Nehemiah intervenes on behalf of the poor. Land and homes and interest and slaves are returned or freed. The work continues.

External opposition attempts to strike next. Sanballat and Geshem try to lure Nehemiah away to a quiet secluded place… Their human want is for power. They want to eliminate this political rival. After Nehemiah refuses four invitations, they send a letter accusing him of treasonous acts. He replies, “You are simply inventing this.” Tobiah and Sanballat try hiring an Israelite to sullen Nehemiah’s reputation. But God helps him to see and avoid this trap as well.

The wall is finished – in 52 days! This is so amazing that “The nations around us were afraid and their confidence was greatly shaken. They knew that this work was completed with the help of our God.” The gate doors are built and hung. The priests and Levites are appointed to their roles. Hanani and Hananiah are appointed to rule over Jerusalem. This should be easy – it’s almost uninhabited at this point. No homes have been rebuilt. Nehemiah then registers all the families that returned from exile. This list is almost an exact match to the one in Ezra 2 – except there are more singers. The people return to their towns and villages. The spiritual work on the people’s hearts begins in tomorrow’s reading.

Prayer: Lord God, you walk faithfully with Nehemiah and with your people. Yet some forget. This leads to the human tendency to want to accumulate. This want resides in us too. When that tendency surfaces – whether for things or for power – when that desires calls, remind us that we are to be stewards not hoarders, caretakers not overlords. Remind us of our call to love all of your children. Amen.


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Faith Rises Up

Reading: Matthew 14:24-33

Verse 27: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

As Jesus sent the disciples off across the lake all seemed well. Jesus often went away to pray. But what began as a simple journey across the lake became a scary and dangerous situation. “Life” can happen like this to us too. We’re sailing along and all of a sudden we’re in the middle of a storm. The storms of life can be physical, relational, emotional, spiritual, or a combination of these. As it was with the disciples, fear and doubt and worry often arise in our storms.

Late into the night, when the wind and the waves have been against them for a long time, the disciples first see Jesus as a ghost. He has not been their focus so far. If he was, they’d have recognized him. Speaking into their storm, Jesus says, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” He encourages them with his presence. With him they can find courage – and hope. Both come with Jesus’ presence. So they do not need to fear or doubt or worry. Once again in his presence, their faith rises up against the storm. This allows Peter to step out onto the waves.

In the midst of our inevitable storms, when will we choose to look for Jesus? He will be there from the start because he is always with us. When we choose to look past the wind and the waves, when we choose to look beyond our fears and doubts and worries, we will instantly be in Jesus’ presence. There, our faith will rise up. In his presence we too can step out onto the waves, knowing that we are not alone. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, in my storms may I choose to turn to you as the wind and waves rise up. Lead me to look to you before the fears, doubts, worries… climb high. Grant me the courage to trust into your presence and to reach out to you. Amen.


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The Foundation: Love

Reading: John 14:18-21

Verse 20: “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”

Jesus continues to offer words of reassurance and promise as we press on into the second half of this week’s gospel lesson. Reassuring the disciples that their connection to him, that their relationship with him, will not end in his death. He states, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” While this will not be in the earthly physical sense it will be in a tangible, real, spiritual sense. The presence of the Holy Spirit is something that we can feel, sense, and connect to.

Jesus then says, “You will see me.” As the Spirit works in the hearts and minds of the disciples it will remind them of Jesus. It will bring back memories of his actions and words, bringing guidance, direction, encouragement, strength… In this way, they will see Jesus. Along these lines, because Jesus lives in them, they will in turn live as his hands, feet, words, and actions in the world. No, they will never be orphans. They will forever be connected to Jesus Christ and to the kingdom of God. We too experience this living presence when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

In verse 20 we read, “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” Indeed so! On the day that the Holy Spirit becomes a part of our lives we realize this indwelling of Christ in us and of us in Christ. In the Biblical story, the disciples will soon experience this as the risen Christ breathes the Holy Spirit upon them. In the last verse, Jesus speaks again and again of love. This is the foundation of our relationship with the Lord and with one another. Each day may we live into this love and may we pour it out into the world.

Prayer: Lord God, your Spirit is a wonderful gift. It connects us 24/7 to you. It is a constant guide and companion. Through the power and presence of your Spirit lead me in love – for you, for others, for the world. Amen.


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Born of the Spirit

Reading: John 3:1-10

Verse 3: “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

In our passage for today and tomorrow, Nicodemus comes to Jesus “at night.” He is a Pharisee, an expert in the Law. All of who and what Nicodemus is comes from his knowledge of the Law and from his strict adherence to the Law. Nicodemus’ religion is all in his head. It is all through his own efforts that he is ‘holy.’ Yet he is drawn to Jesus. Jesus too was an expert in the Law, just in a much different way. Jesus was an expert at living out the heart of the Law.

The conversation begins with a polite compliment: “Rabbi, we know…” We? Jesus and the Pharisees are at odds with each other. The “we” likely refers to a very small group within the Pharisees who do actually believe what Nicodemus says. As if answering the question that Nicodemus was afraid to ask, Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Caught totally off guard, Nicodemus attempts a joke. Jesus does not laugh. He presses on. In Jesus’ way of saying it’s not about strictly following all of the rules, he tells Nicodemus, “No one enters the kingdom of God unless he [or she] is born of the water and the Spirit.” Yes, we are all born from the water of the womb. This is what gives us life – here on earth. (And maybe Jesus is referring to John’s baptism – which the Pharisees looked down their noses at.)

Jesus is saying to Nicodemus and to all people that we must also experience a second birth, a spiritual birth, if we want to be a part of God’s kingdom – both here and one day in eternity. To experience this new life one must be “born again” – born of the Holy Spirit. Accepting Jesus as the Messiah, as our Lord and Savior, this invites the gift of the Holy Spirit to come into our heart. Jesus compares this Spirit to the wind. One doesn’t know where the wind comes from and one does not know where it might blow you. There is unknown and there is a lack of control. For a man of great knowledge and of strict control, this must’ve been a very scary thought. It is for most of us.

Prayer: O God, indeed your Spirit leads and guides in ways we don’t often understand. So we try and reign it in. We try and limit it. Free me from my fears and doubts. Enable me to be more in tune, more in step with the Spirit of Christ alive in me. Amen.