pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Steadfast Presence

Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-9

Jeremiah 31:9 – “With tears of joy they will come… I will lead them by quiet streams and on smooth paths so they don’t stumble.”

Photo credit: Lili Popper

Jeremiah proclaims a glorious future for the people of God in chapter 31. We pick up today in verse 7, where the prophet calls on the “remaining few” to sing with joy because God will save them. Speaking to those scattered during the time of exile, God declares that they will be brought back “from the ends of the earth.” For a nation living in exile, grieving all that has been lost, sorrowful over their present but seemingly unchangeable reality, the promise of God acting to redeem and restore them offered great hope.

Life will make us feel like the exiles felt. At times we will grieve – over the loss of a loved one or a career, over the ending of a relationship, over the changes caused by aging… We feel scattered and often all alone during these seasons. It is good to be reminded that God’s plan is to save us, to restore us, to redeem us, to bring healing and wholeness back to our lives.

Turning to verses 8b and 9, we see that God will bring back all of the people of God, including the blind, the disabled, the pregnant… By naming those on the margins and those who are most vulnerable, by including them specifically, God is emphasizing that “all” means ALL. This is good news for the “least of these” and it is for us when we feel this way too. Tears of joy and prayers of thanksgiving will both flow freely. God “will lead them by quiet streams and on smooth paths so they don’t stumble.” God will guide the way, making the return peaceful and safe, two essentials when healing from grief and loss. God will comfort Israel as a parent comforts a child. In our seasons of need, God will bring us peace and safety, comfort and healing too. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, we rejoice in your steadfast presence in the past, with us now, and in the future. Your love never fails. Your mercy and compassion always meet us in our times of need. Your grace brings us peace. Your strength lifts us up and guides our journey. Thank you for being with us always, especially in our times of grief and sorrow. Amen.


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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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Together with One Voice

Reading: Romans 15:4-6

Romans 15:4 – “Whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction so that we could have hope through endurance.”

Photo credit: Fredrik Ohlander

As we enter Romans in chapter 15, Paul is in the process of elevating the community over the individual. For example, in chapter 12, Paul argues that individuals are given gifts by the Spirit for the benefit of the community (not for individual gain or glory.) In chapter 14 Paul emphasizes pleasing God and loving neighbors more than self. At the start of chapter 15 Paul encourages patience with those who are less mature in faith. As Christ did, Paul invites those who are able to build up their neighbors.

Today in verse 4 we read, “Whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction so that we could have hope through endurance.” Paul and his theology are deeply rooted in the Old Testament and in the Law in particular. But his understanding and application of the scriptures changed radically through his relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul saw and understood how Jesus came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. There is no better example of this than in the Sermon on the Mount, beginning in Matthew 5. Again and again Jesus unpacks the Law through his use of the sayings, “You have heard that it was said… But I say to you…” In each of these examples and in how he lived out his faith, Jesus was demonstrating what love of God and love of neighbor truly looked like. Paul looks at these examples and encourages the church to emulate Christ’s attitude in their lives.

The early church needed hope so that they could endure the trials and persecution of their day. We too need hope to faithfully love God and neighbor in the midst of a culture that elevates self above all else. Like the early church, may we find strength in the scriptures, in Christ, and in our community of faith, all to “glorify God… together with one voice.”

Prayer: Lord God, we pray for daily strength and encouragement, for hope and peace. Draw us deeper into your word, deeper in our relationship with Christ, and deeper into our communities of faith. In these things we find support, help, and the power to love you and to love neighbors as Christ first loved us. Lord, use our daily living to glorify your name and to build your church. Amen.


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Unity Yields Justice and Peace

Reading: Psalm 122

Psalm 122:9 – “For the sake of the Lord our God’s house, I will pray for your good.”

Photo credit: Wylly Suhendra

The Psalm of David that we read today rejoices in worshipping God in Jerusalem. The city is both the seat of power for the kings of Israel and it is understood to be the seat of grace for the King of Kings. This song would be sung by many people each time they journeyed to Jerusalem to visit the temple, to offer sacrifices, to celebrate their holy days.

Themes of unity and justice and peace are woven into this Psalm. Unity is found in the people of God coming together to worship the Lord. This is both in actual worship in the temple and it is in the way that they lived their daily lives. God is the thing that unites. The unity found in and through God gives the people of God strength and power. This power is so different from the world’s power. The strength and power that comes from unity with God and with one another leads to justice and peace in the land and in the peoples’ lives.

David writes these words in verse 9: “For the sake of the Lord our God’s house, I will pray for your good.” He prays this prayer with unity and justice and peace as his goal. When the people of God are faithful to the will and way of God centered on Jesus’ example and teachings, then unity with God and with one another will yield justice and peace in our homes, in our communities, and in our world. May it be so for us all.

Prayer: Lord God, be the king of our hearts. Sitting on the throne of our hearts, guide us to a unity that brings justice and peace to our hearts and to our lives. Centered on the love of Christ as our guide, make us people who stand for and work for justice for all and for peace in all places. O God, may it be so. Amen.


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Worthy with Christ

Reading: Colossians 1:10-14

Colossians 1:10-12 – “We’re praying this so that… being strengthened through his glorious might… you endure everything and have patience, and by giving thanks with joy.”

Photo credit: Diego Gennaro

We back up a bit in Colossians 1 today, looking at the prayer that leads into yesterday’s hymn of praise. The prayer begins with Paul asking God to help those in these churches to “live lives worthy of the Lord.” This is an expression that Paul and other New Testament writers used frequently. It was a call to live like and act like and speak like and treat others like Jesus did. While there was and is an understanding that one could never be exactly like Jesus because he was perfect, the charge was and is to get as close as possible. This idea reminds me of the 90’s, when many aspiring basketball players wanted to play and be like Michael Jordan. Athletes worked hard at emulating the six time NBA champ’s moves, style… Although no one is or was exactly like Christ (or MJ) many have and do walk faithfully in his footsteps, bearing fruit and growing in faith.

Daily faithful living creates a connection with Jesus that becoming sustaining, yielding what Paul prays for. Through the Spirit of Christ within us, we receive strength from Jesus. This strength empowers us to endure and to have patience. When our faith places us in a difficult spot or leads us into a hard situation, we do have to endure at times. In these times, this strength brings us a patience to endure, trusting as God leads and guided according to God’s plans and purposes. When we are faithful, striving to live a life worthy of Jesus’ example and teachings, then his strength helps us through. Often, from the other side of the trial or suffering or…, we can look back and see how God in Christ was at work in our lives. This usually leads to joyfully giving thanks to the one who is faithful and true. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, in our day we don’t face the same persecution and threats that Jesus’ first disciples faced. But our culture, with its focus on power over and on personal gain, creates at least as great of a challenge to faithful living. So Lord we ask for strength and endurance and patience. Help us to be faithful in this secular, selfish world. 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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Worthy in His Power

Reading: 2nd Thessalonians 1:11-12

2nd Thessalonians 1:11 – “We are constantly praying for you for…”

Turning to our second part of this week’s passage from 2nd Thessalonians 1, we read Paul’s prayer for these model churches. For Paul, this is like the many prayers that we lift up each day. As an example, every morning I pray for my whole family, each by name. Paul’s prayers for these churches are like our prayers in another way: he prays for specific things.

Paul first prays that “our God will make you worthy of his calling.” In these faithful and enduring churches, each person has been called by God to follow Jesus. Without God’s call being felt in their hearts or heard in their spirits, they would still be wandering in the darkness of this world. Without this call they would be lost in their sin. All who come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ have received this call from God. At one point we each heard or felt the call and responded by committing to walk in a personal relationship with Jesus.

Next Paul prays that God will “accomplish every good desire and faithful work by his power.” Paul reminds the believers in these churches (and us today) that these things will be accomplished only by and through God’s power. It is not by our power that we move a mountain or comfort a grieving neighbor.

When we live lives that are worthy of the call of God, it is then that Christ is honored, as Paul prays. Note that Paul adds a second honoring: “you will be honored by him.” Christ living in us will honor our faithful walk, bringing us hope, joy, peace, strength, courage… May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, we submit to your will and way, to your presence and power. In humility we ask that you would lead and guide us to live faithfully this day, seeking all that you desire for us and for our world. Bless our works towards this goal, empowering us to share the good news with those who don’t yet know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Amen.


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The Glory Forever and Always

Reading: 2nd Timothy 4:16-18

2nd Timothy 4:18: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil action and will save me for his heavenly kingdom.”

Our reading today begins with Paul sharing a challenging time in his life. In verse 16 he shares that when he had to stand trial before the Roman judge (likely Caesar,) he had to stand alone. No one stood by his side. He felt abandoned, much as Jesus must’ve felt as the disciples fled into the night as he was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. There have been, maybe are, and will be times when we feel abandoned by our friends and perhaps even by our families. We can relate to what Paul felt as he stood trial.

But Paul wasn’t alone. He shares, “The Lord stood by me and gave me strength.” God entered into his aloneness and encouraged Paul. This was so Paul’s witness to the gospel could be fully shared. In his final hours, God walked with Jesus too, empowering him to walk faithfully through a very difficult time. The Lord will do the same for us. When we seek to draw near to God in our times of need, God will draw near to us.

Turning to the long game of a steady walk with God, Paul writes, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil action and will save me for his heavenly kingdom.” Paul knows that another court date lies ahead. It might be his last trial in this life. Maybe more will come. Whatever the case, Paul knows that at the end, heaven awaits. As we face trials in this life, may we too choose to trust in God’s present and eternal promises, assured that the Lord our God will save us. Living with this trust, our lives will declare as Paul’s did, “To him be the glory forever and always!”

Prayer: Lord God, when we are abandoned by everyone who should stand by our side, remind us that you are still right there. Guide us to turn to you, the one who will never abandon or forsake us. In your presence and strength, use our witness to bring you all the glory. Amen.


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A New Covenant

Reading: Jeremiah 31:27-34

Jeremiah 31:33 – “I will put my instructions within them and engrave them on their hearts. I will be there God and they will be my people.”

The prophet’s words that we read today brought great hope to a people living in exile. Just as God had watched over a time of digging up, pulling down, and overthrowing, soon God will watch over a time of planting and growth. The season of experiencing the consequences of the previous generation’s collective sin is coming to a close. The proverbial taste of “sour grapes” will no longer be in their mouths. There is a personalization, an individualization, that will soon occur. Each person will be responsible for their own sins. While there can be great power – for better or for worse – in the collective, the true strength lies within the individuals that are a part of that collective or group or community of faith.

Beginning in verse 31 God speaks of a “new covenant.” It will be very different than the old covenant. The difference is found in verse 33: “I will put my instructions within them and engrave them on their hearts. I will be there God and they will be my people.” Imagine how God’s people, living in exile, would hear these words of hope. God’s will and way will be internalized, “written” on our hearts. Within God’s people, the voice of the Spirit will guide us, lead us, convict us, teach us… We will not have to say to one another, “Know the Lord!” Living within us, we will walk daily in a close, intimate, personal relationship with the Lord our God. What words of hope!

The hope and promise of the new covenant felt by the exiles has been realized in and through Jesus. His teachings and example are what work to “engrave” God on our hearts. His death and resurrection wash away the “sour grapes” of our sin and shame. Jesus’ ongoing presence through the Holy Spirit living in our hearts allows us to walk daily with the Lord our God. For this new covenant, we shout, thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, what a gift, what a friend we have in Jesus! Your living presence in us, showing us the way to go, forming our will to your will – what a personal, loving, powerful way to connect to you, to dwell in your presence, to live out the new covenant. Thank you, Lord, for being our God and for having us as your people! Amen.


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Finding Hope and Strength

Reading: Psalm 137

Psalm 137:5 – “Jerusalem! If I forget you, let my strong hand wither!”

Photo credit: Wylly Suhendra

Psalm 137 wrestles with holding onto faith during a time of deep grief. This is a struggle we’ve all faced or will face at some point in life. The emotions of the Psalm are real and honest, especially in verses 7-9. If grief we feel these emotions too, but usually choose not to give them voice. The psalmist and fellow Israelites find themselves in Babylonian exile, grieving alongside a river. They have put away their musical instruments, thinking, who could sing at a time like this? In grief we too can set aside certain practices or activities that we used to do with the departed loved one. It feels too painful for these things in the midst of grief. The departed loved one for Israel is God, personified in Jerusalem. While God is still present, it doesn’t feel like it for Israel. When their “tormentors” mockingly call for a song, the Israelites wonder, “How could we sing a joyful song at a time like this?!”

Yet there is something in the psalmist that knows they must maintain a connection with God. In verse 5 we read, “Jerusalem! If I forget you, let my strong hand wither!” Verse 6 offers a similar pledge. For the psalmist, hard as it might be, music is a way to remember and to honor and to be connected to God. Music brings the Israelites into the presence of God and it brings them into community. In times of grief, we often just want to be alone. It feels like that would just be easier. Frankly, it is. But healing comes most often in community, in being with others, in being reminded of God’s presence with us. Here one finds the beginnings of those seeds of hope and the strength to ponder next steps. In their grief, with the gifts of hope and strength, the Israelites began to step forward in faith. May it be so for you and for me in our times of grief.

Prayer: Lord God, sometimes life is hard and it rains down grief, feelings of disorientation, moments of withdrawal. When this happens to those we know, send us into their lives, being your light and love, your hope and strength. And when we find ourselves in this hard place, guide us into community – with you and with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.