David Bahn – Reflections

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

Faith does things

Hebrews 11:23-31

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

Whether it is a misguided attempt to proclaim the absolute necessity of Jesus’ redemption and our total inability to save ourselves, or a fear that we not become self-righteous (impossible nonetheless to prevent), we sometimes make faith a purely mental/spiritual thing. We simply believe; we embrace the inner conviction and trust of the heart. But while it is true, faith in its essence is the evidence of things not seen and the conviction of things hoped for, it is also true that faith does things.

Faith moves people to obedience to the wild and radical call of God (Abraham). Faith entrusts the most precious things to God’s care (Moses). Faith grasps the true identity of a child of God (Moses). Faith looks to the treasures of God rather than the benefits of worldly wealth and power (Moses). Faith sees Christ 1500 years before Jesus is born as the true manifestation of God (Moses, again). Faith moves us to worship in rich image-filled ways, cross impossible seas, see walls crumble after a seven-day circuit of marching.

Faith does things. If you believe, you will act. What will your faith do today? How will your trust in Christ, your belief in his promises, and your holding to the goodness of God impact your actions today? If you take those things seriously, your life will be impacted. And your life will impact others. Thank God for his faithful love in Christ. Thank him that through faith you can do things to his glory!

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2 responses to “Faith does things”

  1. Eddie Avatar
    Eddie

    Thanks for the blogs Pastor. This one and the last one in particular have hit the nail on the head for me anyway. Maybe they’ve hit ME on the head. I believe that we as Lutheran’s in particular can fall into that mindset of not doing anything because we know we are saved. (although, it’s interesting to note that obviously Luther himself ACTED big time). Anyway, it’s a nice wake-up call to see that faith also brings about action. But that action also requires strength to do things which you normally wouldn’t do and so one typically puts those things off and doesn’t do them. Which is one reason my last memory verse and the current one I’m working on were picked…and one reason they align with your last two blog postings. They are Phillipians 4: 6-7 and James 1: 2-4. The Phillipians one to remind myself to bring everything I come up against to God so I may obtain His peace through whatever it is…and the James one to see all the storms and trials through joyful eyes. Reminding myself of those two verses really helps to push through the fear of acting. That doesn’t mean I’m always successful at acting on something. Baby steps I guess. At least I’m aware of it now and how to move forward. There are still things I hesitate on doing. God Bless, and Thanks again for your blog insights!

    Reply
    1. dlbpandp Avatar
      dlbpandp

      Thanks for the comments and encouragement. We all need to take baby steps. It’s better that we know that and take them rather than try to take giant leaps. Let’s both continue along the way!

      Reply

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