pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Stewarding Well

Reading: Luke 16:1-9

Luke 16:2 – “Give me a report of your administration because you can no longer serve as my manager.”

Today’s parable follows another parable about wasting what we’re given. In chapter 15 a young man wasted his place in the family and then wasted his inheritance. He does eventually recognize his selfish and sinful behavior, coming home to receive grace and forgiveness. In today’s parable a rich man finds out that his household manager “was wasting his estate.” He was not stewarding well what he had been entrusted with. I wonder, how often does God look at us and see that we are wasting the good gifts and blessings that we have been given by our heavenly Father?

Knowing his time as mangager was limited, the man acts quickly – “cleverly.” One by one he calls in those who owe his master oil or wheat or whatever. The manager treats wealth as if it had no intrinsic value, benefiting others in the present moment so that he will be benefited in the future. The master recognizes how well the manager has stewarded his gift, just as others who belong to this world do in the present.

Jesus then encourages his followers to use their wealth (and gifts) in the same way – to do good for others in the present world. He tells them that doing good in this world, using well what they’ve been given, will one day reap a future welcome into “eternal homes.” For us, maybe wealth is a blessing that we can steward well here and now. Or maybe we have a gift for teaching or caring for others or a talent in music or administration… These gifts are things that we can steward well to benefit others in this present age. If we choose to waste (or to hoard) what we’ve been given by God, then we too will one day hear, “Give me a report of your administration because you can no longer serve as my manager.”

Prayer: Lord God, give us pause today and lead us to look within, to reflect on how we are using the gifts and blessings that you have given to each of us. Guide us to steward well these talents or wealth to benefit others now, building your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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An Intent to Obey and Honor

Reading: Luke 15:13-19

Luke 15:16 – “He longed to eat his fill from what the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything.”

Photo credit: Mitchel Lensink

The parable of the lost son is well-known. In his youthful pride the younger son demands his share of the inheritance. He is ready to be his own man. As our reading begins the young man gathers all he has and travels to a land far away to make his mark on the world. But the lost son was not ready. He quickly wasted his wealth in selfish and extravagant living. Far from home, with no resources, the young man suffers during the famine that strikes the land.

The lost son finds work feeding pigs, an unclean animal according to Jewish law. He is low as low can get. In verse 16 we read, “He longed to eat his fill from what the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything.” In deep trouble and in great need, the prodigal son comes to his senses. It may be tempting to tsk-tsk the young man, but we’ve all likely been there. For some of us, more than once or four times. We have tried everything we can think of. We’ve tried bargaining with God. At rock bottom, alongside desperation, humility begins to kick in. A willingness to offer apologies and to seek forgiveness replaced the pride that led us astray.

The young man resolves to go home, to admit his sin against his father and against God, and to ask to simply be a hired hand. This place of mind and heart reminds me of a line from John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer: “I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.” It is a prayer of surrender and humility. These words declare an intent to obey and honor God in all things. May this intent be revealed in all we do, say, and think.

Prayer: Lord God, pride is so dangerous. Not only does it place self first, it also places others below our judgment seat. When we enter this dangerous place, O God, lead us to a place of surrender. Maybe through suffering, maybe by another means, draw us back into relationship, back to a place where your will and way become our will and way. Thank you for your patience and for your grace. Amen.


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All Things New

Reading: Amos 5-9

Amos 5:24 – “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

Concluding the book of Amos we read words of lament and doom mixed in with words of hope and restoration. Ultimately, Amos closes with words of promise and blessing for God’s people. We too walk through this mix in our lives, holding onto God’s promises that will one day eternally be ours. Thanks be to God.

Amos 5 begins with a song of lament for the great losses soon to come and then encourages people to seek the Lord. The prophet then condemns those who are crushing the weak, taking bribes, and refusing to help the poor. Amos presents the correct choice: seek good and not evil. But the leaders choose evil. Therefore God rejects their worship and sacrifices. They are meaningless. God then presents the correct choice, saying, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

Chapters 6 and 7 contain warnings and visions from Amos. Those “resting comfortably” while drinking “bowls of wine” – they will be the first to go into exile. God promises to “shatter the great house [Israel] into bits… and pieces.” God’s people do not measure up to God’s plumb line. All will be laid to waste. These words lead to a confrontation with Amaziah the priest. He tells Amos to go home to Judah, to prophesy there. In response, Amos declares that it is Amaziah who will be going away, into exile, losing family and land as well.

Judgment continues in chapter 8 and the first half of chapter 9. God judges Israel’s immoral business practices, their greed, and their dishonesty. Feasts will become sad affairs. But the days are coming when there will be a thirst for hearing God’s word. There will be a day when broken places are rebuilt, when blessings flow, when God’s people will be planted upon their land. God will make all things new. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, your justice and righteousness will prevail. They will indeed flow like water in a never-ending stream. You will remove all evil and establish your new kingdom here on earth. Worship will be pure and true. All will focus on your love, flowing from your heart into our hearts. What a day that will be! In between them and now, Lord, guide us to be justice, righteousness, and love here and now, as we seek to bring your kingdom to this earth. Amen.


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Where We Belong

Reading: Psalm 107:33-37

Verse 36: “There God brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle.”

As we continue in Psalm 107 we find a sharp contrast in the two parts of our passage. In the first two verses there is an evil that leads to negative outcomes. In the last three verses this is reversed and good things come to the faithful. We are not sure exactly what this evil/good situation connects to – the flood? a failure in the wilderness? something else? In any event, as is often the case with the living word, we find application for our lives today.

In verses 33-34 there is a “wickedness” present. Because of this, the earth dries up and the crops turn to waste. That which once flowed with life is now dry and thirsty. At times and even in seasons our life can mirror this situation. Because of our sin or busyness or idol chasing we can find ourselves far from God. In this place our soul becomes dry and fruitless. We feel empty as nothing satisfies in this wasteland.

The scene changes drastically in verses 35-37. God’s blessings and presence once again flow as the parched land welcomes flowing springs. In turn, the crops and vineyards yield a plentiful harvest. A return to walking with God brings a blessing – “a city where they could settle.” When we choose to turn from wickedness, when we choose to walk in accordance with God’s will and ways, then our life becomes more abundant, more fruitful. Life is not perfect – there will still be trials and hardships and we will still stumble at times. But walking with God we find hope and strength, peace and forgiveness. It is where we belong. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, at times I do allow my faith to become dry, to become consumed by the things of the world. Help me to realize this more quickly, to turn back to you more promptly. Once there, Lord, lead and guide me by the power of the Holy Spirit. Keep me true to you. Amen.


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Building God’s Kingdom

Reading: Jeremiah 4: 22-28

Verse 22b: “They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good”.

These verses for today are downcast. God laments that Israel does not know God, that they are fools. God notes, “They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good”. The nation of Israel has become exactly the opposite of what God intended. God’s response? Lay all its towns to ruin. Verses 23-25 are reminiscent of the beginning of the Bible – formless and void, no light, quaking mountains. These verses also feel similar to the day that Jesus drew his last breath. Yet God was not without hope. God knew the larger plan that was at work.

In Jeremiah’s day he was not the only faithful person around. With a quick glance it might have looked like it. This is why, in verse 27, God says that the destruction will not be complete. Even in exile leaders and people will rise up to keep the nation connected to God and to their faith. The towns laying in ruins and the time living in a foreign land will be a hard time. But it will also be a refining time for the Israelites.

The exile will end and a faithful people will rebuild. The nation will grow and flourish. But then the leaders will lead the people astray and the Romans become the new Babylon. Israel keeps some faith but the poor are oppressed, sinners become less welcome, religion becomes more exclusive and somewhat legalistic. In essence Jesus will raze the same criticism that we read today in verse 22, calling the religious leaders “whitewashed tombs” and hypocrites (Matthew 23).

This time God’s response is not exile but sacrifice. After Jesus sets us an example of what God’s love looks like when lived out in practical, tangible ways, he goes to the cross and grave to establish a new covenant. After rising from the grave, Jesus also fulfills his promise, sending the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit lives and dwells in all who profess Jesus as Lord, a presence that helps us to walk as Jesus walked. As we do so, following Jesus, we help that remnant to grow as others come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior too. As we share our faith, we help in building God’s kingdom here on earth. In all we do and say and think today, may we bring God the glory.

Prayer: Lord God, you have ever been at work leading us away from sin and back into right relationship with you. Continue to do so in my life. Show me today how to best be your light and love so that others can come to know you or can come closer to you today. Amen.


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Unfailing Love

Reading: Psalm 32

Verse 1: “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered”.

When we confess our sins to the Lord and seek to earnestly repent of them, we are washed clean, made new once again. This is what David is writing about in the opening verses of Psalm 32. In verse 1 he writes, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered”. When we walk honestly with the Lord we are blessed.

But we do not always walk honestly and righteously. Sometimes we sin. We are called to confess and repent whenever we feel the conviction of our sin. But we do not always do that. Sometimes we tell ourselves that God doesn’t really know. Sometimes we can try and justify our sins. David tries to hide from God. In verse 3 he writes, “when I kept silent… my bones wasted away”. He felt God’s “heavy hand” upon him and his strength was gone. We have all been there, drained by the efforts to keep up our charade. We know that we are sinning and we know that we need to confess and repent, but we just cannot quite get there. The power of sin is just a bit too much.

With renewed trust and confidence in God’s love, David pushes through. In verse 5 he writes, “Then I acknowledged my sin to you”. David confessed and knew God’s love and mercy: “you forgave the guilt of my sin”. He confessed and was made right with God. David encourages all to pray to God so that they can experience what he did: protection and presence. In verse 8 we read about this as God instructs and teaches, counsels and watches over. We will be surrounded by God’s love.

This Psalm is a great reminder to us. If we are struggling with a sin in our life, it reminds us that life is better when we are honest with God. When we confess and repent, the guilt and shame fall away and we are restored into God’s presence, protection, and peace. Living honestly, not having to hide, is liberating and joyful and leads us to be glad and to sing of God’s love. Psalm 32 is also a great passage to share with those we know who are stuck in their sin. If offers a view of the Lord’s “unfailing love” that we experience when we are made right with God and it offers a view of the life of joy and peace and security we find when we walk with the Lord. Thanks be to God for His unfailing love for all people!

Prayer: Lord, when I find myself in sin and feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit, help me to quickly confess, repent, and turn back to you. When I don’t quite see my sin as sin, reveal it to me by the same power of your Holy Spirit. Give me compassion and love and gentleness when I seek to help another to be freed from their sins. Let your unfailing love shine through. May all I do and say and think reveal your unfailing love to a world in need. Amen.


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Broken

Reading: Luke 15: 1-3 & 11b-32

Today’s parable is familiar and allows for interesting perspectives.  One can easily see the story from multiple character’s views and can easily relate to each because most of us have filled all three roles at points in our lives.  If not us personally, we have been privy to others playing these roles.  The age-old question is always: who do you best relate to?  To me, the answer can vary at different times and maybe at times it can be all three that we relate best to.

Generally the older son is seen as the responsible son, at least at the beginning of the story.  He stayed and worked faithfully.  Like a good soldier he has been trudging along all these years.  One can easily envision the scorn and disgust he felt as the younger brother walked away from the family.  Once he returns we see that the older brother has not been serving happily all these years.  He reminds me of that coworker who has been on the job five years too long.

Generally the younger brother is seen as the rebel, as the selfish one.  In that day he was essentially saying, “Dad – you are as good as dead to me – can I have my money now”?  After going off and spending his third of the estate in “wild living”, he comes to a place of brokenness, repents, and heads for home to live as one of his father’s hired hands.  But the apology script he has practiced over and over isn’t really needed.  I’d guess the father never even heard the words his youngest son was trying to offer.

For the father and in our relationship with God, the words do not matter.  What matters is the condition of our heart.  God does not need to hear our confessions.  He does desire for us to come to Him with a broken and contrite heart, a heart that knows our deep and great need for Him.  This day may we come to admit our brokenness and may we seek Him in a real and deep way, connecting to God as we express our absolute need for Him.