David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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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.”

Perfect Love…a Beauty to Behold!

And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first. – 1 John 4:13-19

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One of the beautiful large flowers we saw while in Anchorage, Alaska

When I was in college my dad suffered a series of panic attacks. He would hyperventilate, get light headed, and become emotionally distressed. Some very simple physiological coping tool helped: he would lie down and breathe into a paper bag until the episode would pass. But another thing helped him even more, and helped him eventually conquer these attacks. He memorized various Bible passages; especially 1 John 4:18, “Perfect love casteth out fear.” (He used the King James Version.)

The perfect love of Jesus for sinners casts out fear. Embraced in Jesus’ love we do not fear Jesus’ judgment. Bolstered by his love, we do not fear praying to him (worried that he will find further fault with us if we admit our need to him in prayer). When we embrace Jesus’ love for us we need not fear a what he might bring into our life; it will be good.

The perfect love of Jesus also helps us relate to others in courageous kindness. Motivated by Jesus’ love we are able to switch our focus from our own failures, weaknesses, shortcomings, and deficiencies to the needs of others, and ways in which we can show love to them.

All this is from God. He is the source of love. He is the demonstration of Love. His Spirit points us to God’s love. This power of Jesus’ love is established in Jesus’ identity as the Son of God, and those who believe in him carry that love into their prayers and life. That combination is a powerful antidote to fear, and a beautiful thing to behold.

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2 responses to “Perfect Love…a Beauty to Behold!”

  1. Martha Warnasch Avatar
    Martha Warnasch

    I especially like “abide” (ESV) or “dwell” (KJV) in these verses.
    Thanks for your BLog. I look forward to it daily!

    Reply
    1. dlbpandp Avatar
      dlbpandp

      Thanks Martha. I am using the NLT to make me think through these verses rather than going on auto pilot. Dwell or abide are indeed rich words/thoughts.

      Abundant Blessings! David Bahn

      Jesus says, “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that you may have life in abundance.” (John 10:10)

      Reply

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