pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Abiding Presence, Ongoing Work

Reading: Genesis 32:25-31

Genesis 32:31 – “The sun rose as Jacob passed Peniel, limping because of his thigh.”

Photo credit: Timo Volz

Continuing in Genesis 32 today, the “man” cannot defeat Jacob, who refuses to quit. Even after God injures Jacob’s hip, he wrestles on. Jacob must sense some purpose in this encounter. So as dawn nears and God again asks Jacob to let go, he responds, “I won’t let go until you bless me.” God blesses Jacob with a new name, symbolizing the change within. All of his life, Jacob has struggled with God. After this personal encounter, seeing God “face-to-face,” Jacob has been “saved.” Saved from selfishness and pride, Jacob can see and live beyond himself. As our passage closes, we read, “The sun rose as Jacob passed Peniel, limping because of his thigh.”

The band I AM THEY wrote a song called “Scars.” The first two verses read, “Waking up to a new sunrise, Looking back from the other side, I can see now with open eyes… Darkest water and deepest pain, I wouldn’t trade it for anything, ‘Cause my brokenness brought me to You, And these wounds are a story You’ll use.” These words remind us that, like Jacob, God works in and through our struggles. Sometimes there is deep pain and hurt. But afterwards, looking back, we can see how God changed us, transformed us. For Jacob, his limp was a tangible reminder, yes of the wrestling, but more so of the transformation. Our scars, whether physical or emotional or spiritual, remind us too of God’s abiding presence and ongoing work in our lives. As the lyrics of the chorus thank God for the scars and the reminders of who God is, may we also rejoice in God’s deliverance, victory, and transformation through the struggles.

Prayer: Lord God, while we’d never choose the struggle while in the middle of it, we can look back and see your plan, your purpose, at work. We can also see how we were changed and how we grew in our relationship with you. Thank you for your faithfulness, especially as we are often less than we should be in the struggle. And thank you for never leaving us there when we need you most. Amen.


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Focus on the Good

Reading: Matthew 13:36-43

Matthew 13:43 – “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their father’s kingdom.”

Moving forward and inside the house, the disciples receive Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the weeds. Jesus (and now the Holy Spirit) plants good seeds in the hearts of Jesus’ followers. The evil one plants bad seeds that produce weeds. At the end of this “present age” the angels will come and harvest from the world “all things that cause people to fall away and all people who sin.” For these people, there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” in the “burning furnace” (hell.) “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their father’s kingdom.” The redeemed will exult in glory.

The disciples asked Jesus for an explanation because they did not get what he was saying. Jesus offers guidance and answers. At times we need guidance and direction. We don’t understand or we don’t know the next step to take. Jesus invites us to come to him, to ask him our questions. In prayer, we take them to the Lord. God responds to our prayers and through the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, we grow in our faith and in our trust in God. As we grow in these ways, we will “shine like the sun” in this present age, even as we wait with longing for our final redemption. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, focus our hearts and eyes on you and on the good in our world. It can be easy to get distracted, to focus on the evil all around us. So, Lord, keep us out of the weeds. Lead us to focus on being the good in the world, on shining your light into this world. Amen.


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Light and Love

Reading: John 1:1-14

John 1:5 – “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.”

On Christmas Eve day we turn to John 1. While not a birth story in the sense of Matthew 1:18-25 or Luke 2:1-20, our reading today is very much a “birth” story – the birth of our world, the birth of light, the birth of welcome and belief, the birth of God in the flesh, the birth of glory, “full of grace and truth.” Throughout the passage, John uses the image of light again and again. This light is Jesus Christ, God in the flesh.

Each time I read and study and meditate on this passage, something new is learned, applied, realized. This is often the case when we return to a passage. God’s word is alive and active. It meets us where we are at and takes us where we need to go each time we engage a passage. Today as I read and reread these verses, this one stood out: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.” My first thought centered on the idea that the light enters the darkness, pushing it away, so to speak. My second thought focused on the idea that light goes as far as its power allows it to go. A small light like a candle will light up a small space. A big light like our sun will light up whole worlds. The light of Christ can make the sun seem like a candle. The light of Christ will shine everywhere and forever, if we allow it to do so.

In today’s Disciplines devotional, Rev. Dr. Dottie Escobar-Frank shared these words: “The true light shines into our hidden spaces, our dirty places, our wounded spots, and illuminates them so that healing and wholesome can be ours.” Christ’s light will shine into our souls, if we allow it in. Christ’s love will make us whole again, if we allow it in. May we say again and again, ‘Come, Lord Jesus, come.’ May it be so. Shine your light and love deep into our hearts and lives.

Prayer: Lord God, so much of who we are desires to walk always with you. This is who you created us to be. The Spirit always leads and guided us in this desire. But the darkness is ever there, too, ready to seep back in. So, Lord, we ask you to fill us with your light and love. Filled, the darkness is held at bay. Thank you, God. Amen.


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What Days They Will Be

Reading: Revelation 8:6-11:19

Revelation 11:18 – “The time came to reward your servants, the prophets and the saints, and those who fear your name, both great and small, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

Much of our reading today tells of the destruction that follows six trumpet blasts. With the first three blasts, hail/fire, a fiery mountain, and a blazing star fall from heaven. One-third of the earth is burned, one-third of the sea turns to blood, and one-third of the rivers turn to wormwood. The fourth blast darkens one-third of the sun, the moon, and the stars. An eagle flies over and decries, “Horror! Horror!” concerning the next trumpet blasts. The fifth opens the abyss and locusts terrorize the earth’s people, making them suffer for five months. Those with the seal of God on their foreheads are spared. The sixth blast releases the four angels and God’s army, two million strong. Another third of the earth’s population is killed. Yet the people refuse to change hearts and lives.

A powerful angel then comes to earth and announces that the time is up. The angel gives John the scroll, which he eats. He will prophesy using the words on the scroll. He then measures the temple, altar, and worshippers. Next, two powerful prophets appear. Armed with great power, they witness to God for 1,260 days. A beast then arises from the abyss and kills the two prophets. The people of the earth rejoice over the dead bodies for three and a half days – until God breathes life into them and takes them up into heaven. The people give glory to God.

The seventh trumpet blasts and it is announced: the kingdom of the world is becoming the kingdom of the Lord. The 24 elders worship, declaring, “The time came to reward your servants, the prophets and the saints, and those who fear your name, both great and small, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.” The temple in heaven opens and the chest of the covenant is revealed. What a day this will be!

Prayer: Lord God, as I read demonstration after demonstration of your power, I am amazed at how stubborn and hard-hearted we human beings can be. Signs and wonders, detestation and death – nothing can move hearts and change lives. O Lord, move our hearts and lives with the simplest of acts, attuning us to your presence in our lives. Amen.


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Struggles and Promises

Reading: Revelation 1-2

Revelation 1:8 – “I am the Alpha and Omega… the one who is and was and is coming, the Almighty.”

Photo credit: Noah Silliman

Today we begin Revelation, a vision given to Christ’s servant John. It is to the “seven churches” and is from Jesus Christ, the “firstborn from among the dead.” John writes that when Jesus comes in the clouds, all will see him and the nations will mourn. The Lord God then declares, “I am the Alpha and Omega… the one who is and was and is coming, the Almighty.”

John shared that he also suffers hardship, exiled on Patmos, an island where political opponents were sent. In a “Spirit-led trance,” John receives these words for the seven churches. He receives these words from Jesus Christ, whose appearance is “like the sun shining with all its power.” Jesus directs John to write down these words and to send them to the seven churches.

In today’s reading Jesus addresses the churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. There is good to be found: good works, endurance in suffering, faith in hardship, service to others. Some have rooted out false teachers but others have fallen to their lies, following them into sin. Ephesus has forgotten her “first love” – Jesus. To the faithful, promises are made. The faithful and those who change hearts and lives will “eat from the tree of life,” will receive the “crown of life… the hidden manna… the white stone… authority over the nations… the morning star.”

These struggles remain in our churches and in our lives. The promises remain for those who are faithful. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, today we are first reminded of your eternal power and mighty. All glory and honor are yours! We are also reminded that faith is not easy, that trials will come, and that temptations are aplenty. Lead and guide us, O God, to remain faithful to you alone. Thank you. Amen.


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Present in All of Creation

Reading: Psalm 19:1-6

Verse 1: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Psalm 19 speaks of two sides of God. They are different aspects of God in some ways yet work in unison to draw us deeper into our relationship with God. Today’s portion points us to the created world, where God’s power, might, and design are revealed. Tomorrow we turn to the second portion of Psalm 19. Here David rejoices in God’s word. Although very different from nature, the word also reveals God’s power, might, and design.

The opening verse sets the stage for today’s passage: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” To step outside right now, to gaze up at the stars dotting the sky – it moves me to awe and wonder. The stars that God knows by name paint a picture of beauty and grandeur. Soon enough the sun will rise and the “champion” will move across the sky, bringing light and warmth and life to all. Clouds will form and float across the sky, sometimes bringing rain to water the earth, sometimes being part of the water cycle in other ways. Plants, animals, and the earth receive the water and are blessed. All of this displays God’s power and might and it reveals God’s attention to the finest detail. Our response should be to worship God the creator.

At times we can lose this perspective. Driving east last summer, headed to camp, the sun was really hot pouring in through the windshield. I grumbled about it. Then I spent a week at camp, surrounded by God’s amazing creation, blessed by the sun and the water. In this place set apart, God was present. Today I am reminded that God is present in all of creation – in the hot sun and in the waves that break in the beach and in all things in between. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, I praise you for the created world and for the many ways in which you are revealed in it. Your infinite design awes me. Your creative power draws me to worship you. Thank you for this world and all that is in it. Amen.


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The Beauty and Wonder

Reading: Psalm 19: 1-6

Verse 1: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands”.

Photo credit: Ryan Hutton

Walking home from our high school small group last night I paused part way up the hill. My gaze was drawn upward. As I looked up, I saw the expanse of stars shining in the dark sky. I was filled with a sense of awe and wonder. God must have been preparing me for this morning’s reading.

As I look out the window that faces west the sun is slowly rising in the east, just beginning to bathe the houses at the foot of the hills in light. The pines and snow that covers the hills become clearer and clearer as the sun continues to rise. This daily rhythm also connects me to God and reminds me of his love and care for our world.

The psalmist rejoices in the work of God’s hands in our passage today. The sun, moon, and stars speak of God’s glory throughout the world. Just as I am drawn into God’s presence by the rising of the sun, at the same moment someone on the other side of the world is being amazed by the sun’s setting. The “voice” of God is constantly speaking, making humanity ever aware of God’s presence, of his design, of his love and care for you and for me and for all of creation.

As we go through our day today, may we pay attention, may we notice God’s handiwork. In those moments, may we too pause and worship God for the beauty and wonder if creation.

Prayer: Lord God, you speak to me in so many ways. Thank you for the small ways in which you take my breath away and for the slow moments when your light and presence reveal the world to me. Amen.


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Bearing the Light

Reading: Psalm 8

Verse 4: “What is man that you are mindful of him”?

Psalm 8 begins and ends with the same words: “O Lord, our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth”. For David, God was an active and vibrant part of his life. If we are looking, if we are seeking it, we too can and will see God’s majesty all around. Like David, we can see it in the glory of the heavens and in the “work of your fingers”. For example, as I write the sun is creeping up, casting a beautiful light on the ridges west of the house. God’s beauty and majesty are all around us if we but have eyes to see.

In light of the beauty and majesty of creation that David celebrates in Psalm 8’s opening verses, he poses a question in verse four. Here David asks, “What is man that you are mindful of him”? It is a great question to ponder, especially when we consider that God made you and me in his image, like the incarnate Jesus, just “a little lower than the heavenly beings”. David speaks of the works of God’s hands, of all things, being under his rule. Is David here talking of humanity or of Jesus? Or is he referring to both?

The pine tree outside my window is now bathed in a golden light. There is a glow as the light spreads over the tree. I believe “both” is the correct answer to the question above. You are I were created in God’s image to be like Jesus, to bear his light into the world, just as Jesus witnessed to God’s light in the world. May each day of our lives be a part of helping the whole world to see God’s light and love, leading all people everywhere to declare, “O Lord, our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth”.

Prayer: Lord of all, how majestic is your name! Use me today and each day to bear witness to the light. Through me may others come to know your love. Amen.


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When You See…

Reading: Mark 13: 24-29

Verse 29: “When you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door”.

In Mark 13, verses 1-23, Jesus forewarns the disciples about the difficult times ahead. The temple will be destroyed; wars and natural disasters will come. There will be persecution and many false teachers. Families will be split over the faith and “the abomination that causes desolation” will come. The false Christ will use miracles to deceive many. Jesus warns his disciples to be on guard. As bad as it sounds in these opening verses, though, it gets worse in our passage for today. For generations we have looked at the world and the horrible events happening around us and have wondered if this is the time.

Beginning today in verse 24, things get catastrophic. The sun and moon will go dark and the stars will fall from the sky. All natural light will be gone. The earth will be as dark as it has been since the day God said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). The evil, the dread, the fear will be at their climax. Then the heavens will shake – Christ is breaking forth in power and might. Those alive will look up and see Christ coming on the clouds in “great power and glory“. He will send out his angels to gather all believers “from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens”. What a great cloud of witness that will be!

Then Jesus pauses and draws their attention to the fig tree. It too gives signs concerning the times. Even this little tree is a part of God’s grand plan. Year after year the branches get tender as the leaves form and come out. This is a sign that summer is near. It is simply how God designed the tree. Jesus then parallels this thought to the end times – they too will occur and unfold just as God designed them. In verse 29 Jesus says, “When you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door”. At just the right time, God will send Jesus into the world. At just the right time, he will come again. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Dear God, we do not know the exact timing, but we know the signs. They will be unmistakable – darkness and evil will be at their greatest. These days will pale in comparison. As I wait, keep my eyes open, Lord. As I wait, keep my faith strong. Amen.


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How Majestic!

Reading: Psalm 8

Verses 3 and 4: “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers… what is man that you are mindful of him”?

David’s words in Psalm 8 echo our reading from the beginning of Genesis. David’s response to God’s creation is one of praise, one of awe and wonder. David recognizes both the grandeur – “you have set your glory above the heavens” – and the most basic – “from the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise”. There is also a recognition of our place, of humanity’s place, in the world. David juxtaposes the magnificence of the heavens against the insignificance of humanity. In verse four he asks, “what is man that you are mindful of him”? Compared to the stars and moon and sun that seem endless, almost timeless, humanity is finite, our lives are fleeting, our bodies are fragile.

But when David reflects on his own question, we are also reminded of the extraordinary role that God has given us. In verse five we are reminded that we are just a little less than the “heavenly beings” and then, in verse six, that “you put everything under his feet”. These words call us again to the awesome responsibility we have to act in God’s image. David’s Psalm aims our focus back upon the created world and towards our fellow creatures – flocks and herds, the wild animals, and the birds and sea creatures. It is an awesome responsibility to live in harmony with and to care well for all of these.

The Psalm opens and closes with the same line: “O Lord, our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth”. Yes, the name of the Lord is majestic and wonderful. May our decisions and actions, our words and thoughts, reflect the majesty and wonder of the Lord our God.

Prayer: O Lord, our God, you are such an amazing and loving God. The works of your hands stop me in wonder. Today, may I be mindful of your creation, of the beauty of your hands. In that place may I praise and worship you alone, O God. Amen.