David Bahn – Reflections – Page 311 – Light from the Word and through the lens

Evidence of True Prayer

September 8, 2015

Psalm 119:154 (NKJV)

Lord, plead my cause and redeem me; revive me according to your word.

2 Timothy 1:13

Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

The psalmist makes an interesting request, asking that God would plead his cause. Before whom would God plead our cause? Is there a higher court of appeal than God himself? Is there one before whom God would plead a cause? This is a remarkable thought. Not only will the King of the Universe would take up my cause, but that he would stand before any other authority in doing so.

In Jesus Christ, however, that is just what happened. And that is the only explanation that truly holds in the face of this mystery. Jesus Christ humbled himself and pled our cause before God. He redeemed us, and revived us by his word of grace and truth.

If we are to make the prayer for God to vindicate us, we will need to hold strongly to the truth and promises of God’s word. Praying for God’s help is a good thing to do. Holding to his word in faith and love centered in Jesus Christ is the clearest evidence that our prayers to God are true.

As Jesus suffered and died he took the penalty and punishment for us who asked for God’s help yet did not stand firm in God’s word. That is why we must cling to his gifts of faith and love.
True Might vs. Banty Bluster

September 7, 2015

Zechariah 9:9 (NKJV)

Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey.

Philippians 2:6–7

He, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave.

When a person has true power and great confidence, there is no need for bluster. You don’t have to strut if you really are the most powerful and mighty. Some people don’t seem to know that. Mohamud Ali pronounced, “I am the greatest!” Superstars, celebrities, politicians, and self-important people will have their people go before and get things ready for them. The most popular bands have their warm-up band play first.

But that’s not how God works. When God became a man, he took himself down to the point of being a slave. God became not only a man, but an extremely humble man. Jesus’ life shows what fear, love and trust in God can do: it can make you able to endure all manner of hardship and suffering even death, with a confidence that spans the chasm of shame and suffering, and sin.

Jesus didn’t have to prove anything. He didn’t have to convince people of who he was; in fact he refused to do so! But he came to us in humility, empty of all self-importance, but bringing us eternal salvation. What an incredible gift!

The next time you are tempted to be self-important, why not reconsider, take the role of a slave, and in faith and fear of God see how he will vindicate you.
Loving, Trusting, and Fearing God

September 4, 2015

Psalm 67:7

May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him.

Revelation 4:11

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.

Our love for God and our trust in him are not the fullest expression of a full relationship with God. There is another proper dimension or facet to our relationship with God; that of fear. Indeed, “We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things,” [LSC] if we are properly to relate to the God of creation, redemption and sanctification.

Loving God is at least somewhat of a challenge – though apparently appropriate. Trusting God is not natural; but again something we should do. When it comes to fearing God, however, we might draw up short. Fear God: Really?!? But the Bible is filled with calls to fear God. Jesus himself said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Peter urges us to conduct ourselves with fear throughout our life on earth.

Fear, however, seems a lost art. When I post “Today’s Psalms” on Sunday mornings, I choose verses that speak of God’s faithfulness, love, goodness and mercy. I avoid the verses that describe God’s judgment, vengeance, and holiness. The world seems little ready for a call to fear God. But look even closer: God’s blessings to his people are at least in part to cause the world to take note and fear God.

Fear comes not only from terror at God’s glory, might power and majesty. It comes also from his grace. That means that fear is not just a negative emotion; it is part of the acknowledgement of God’s grace and our utter loss if we do not have it. Fear makes love precious. Love makes trust inviting. Trust demands fear. This is the foundation of a rich relationship with our God.
In Praise of Bricks & Mortar

September 3, 2015

Ezra 3:11

And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

Acts 2:46–47

Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.

St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas – Worship Center

It’s rather in vogue these days among some to decry the waste of money spent on bricks and mortar for church buildings. The real church, they say, is people, gathered around the word of God, and scattered into the world to spread the gospel. Indeed the marks of the church are the word of God and the sacraments. Only a few select groups attach any meaning or necessity to a specific building.

While that is true, Jesus himself gathered in the synagogue in Capernaum. He and his disciples were in the temple courts. And even though Jesus prophesied that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed, such destruction was the judgment of God on a wayward people and a sign of God’s displeasure of how it was used. The problem isn’t the building, the problem is how the building is used. God seems to care quite a bit about how buildings dedicated to his glory aid or distract from our worship of him.

I can identify very well with the people of Ezra’s day. As our worship center building took shape I was excited and thankful. Today when we walk into our worship space, I am inspired. The design and aesthetics of the space remind me of God’s grace and goodness. The building isn’t an end in itself. It is a place for people to gather to encourage each other and glorify God. It is a place from which we go to join Jesus on his mission of grace. It is a space for education and edification. It is a place to which we may point people as a location for ministry.

I don’t really want to praise the bricks and mortar. I really am thankful, however, for the way bricks, mortar, wood, and steel have been combined to give us place and space to glorify God and serve our community, and from which we may go into the broken world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Praising God in the Throng

September 2, 2015

Psalm 109:30

With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

Luke 2:38

Anna came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

It’s one thing to gather in worship with fellow believers to sing God’s praises. Easter Sunday brings out the strong voices and confident praises. The larger the church, the stronger the songs will likely be. But when the throng gathers for reasons other than to praise God, the call to praise him is a bit more challenging. In the rush of everyday life, or the throes of wayward pursuits, praise seems so out of place.

Tell that to the Psalmist. Explain that to Anna. Make that argument with God. For, even though those may be challenging times, it is never out of place to give praise to God. The nature of our praise may vary from one moment to another, but the reality of God’s glory, goodness, love, grace, truth, holiness, mercy, forgiveness and salvation is the constant to which we must pay attention.

When a loved-one dies, our praises will be different than when a child is born, but God’s nature is no different. He is worthy of praise. When we are in the midst of the throng, and there is no apparent desire for his glory, it is good to praise God. Even when people are seeking godless ends God deserves to be praised.

That was the attitude of the Apple of His Eye director Steve Cohen attended a recent Gay Pride march in Austin, Texas. The full report of his experience, along with the handout he offered at the event is available by in the link below. While his actions would be considered by many to be rather extraordinary, the tenor of his communication is gracious, and seeks to honor God.

The Child has been born. Salvation has come. Jesus reigns on high in truth and grace. May we sing his praises…even in the midst of the throng!

Apple of His Eye Report & Handout: http://files.ctctcdn.com/72708238001/6a350991-6152-4bdb-bd64-52239438eceb.pdf
When God’s Work is Revealed

August 31, 2015

Exodus 34:10

The Lord said to Moses, “All the people among whom you live shall see the work of the Lord.”

Mark 6:2–3

Many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?”

It is a great privilege to be a servant of God: one through whom God works. Sometimes those such persons, such as Moses and Jesus, are outstanding in their accomplishments. Moses holds out his staff and the Red Sea is parted and the children of Israel travel safely through to their freedom. Jesus heals a man born blind so that the people could see the work of God (cf. John 9:3).

But you don’t have to lead a nation, heal the blind, or raise the dead, to be one in whom the work of God is displayed. A more careful look at the healing of the blind man (John 9) reveals that he is not only the one healed, but the one in whom the work of God is revealed. That, of course, is a great privilege as well. To be healed, helped, blessed, redeemed is to be one in whom the work of God is revealed.

The only question in this regard is: Who gets the credit? When the blessing comes, the disease is healed, the impossible situation handled, the forgiveness received: does the glory go to God?

People were astonished when they saw Jesus teaching; he was a nobody in their eyes, but his teaching and miracles pointed beyond himself. Moses needed Aaron to speak in his behalf, and a staff as his symbol of power and authority. To some extent, it is better to be weak and less charismatic if you are to be one in whom the works of God are clearly seen. That might give hope to us all. Common folk who give God the glory are those in whom the work of God is revealed.
Music to God’s Ears

August 30, 2015

Jeremiah 3:12–13

I am merciful, says the Lord; I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the Lord your God.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

One of the “Painted Churches” near Schulenburg, Texas

Some things are easy to do: Saying thanks to God in times of plenty for his blessings and gifts; Doing a good deed for a nice person whom we know and like; Forgiving a friend who is genuinely sorry and aware of how he has hurt you; Acknowledging God’s awesome majestic glory at the site of a beautiful sunset: these are all easy to do.

But what about the not-so-nice neighbor who is in need? What of forgiving a close family member who never admits her wrong? In times of scarcity and suffering, thanking God is not so easy. We are more inclined to fret and complain.

God stands as a stark contrast to our situationally-based thankfulness, forgiveness, kindness, and mercy. For him it is not a matter of coming through when the path is easy or forgiving only the sincerely sorry. God showers blessings on the just and the unjust. Even while we were sinners, Christ died for us.

But God has a hope deep in his being. He is yearning and hoping that you and I will acknowledge our guilt, confess our sins, repent and believe the Good News of his grace and love. Nothing else will satisfy him. We can never do enough to make up for our sins, repay him for his mercy and benefits. We can only repent, believe, and praise his holy name.

God is patient. He delights in our repentance and rejoices when one sinner repents. When we sing the songs of redemption that is music to his ears!
Thankful for the Hope of the Resurrection and the Promise of Eternal Life through Jesus

August 28, 2015

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believed in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Robert E Dolan
October 1, 1926 – August 26, 2015

We got the sad and unexpected news yesterday: Diane’s dad had died probably sometime on Wednesday. He was 88 years old. Dad was a true gentleman. He always looked out for the needs of women and children. He was courteous and thoughtful. He held the door for people, dropped people off at the door, was keenly aware of potential dangers especially to children, and always had a solicitous attitude…except when his temper got the better part of him. That didn’t happen often, but it was at least a part of his personality.

Most often he was smiling, planning some fun escapade, or practical joke, playing pinochle, joking with the residents and staff at the Lutheran Senior Services apartment where he lived. He was quite independent and often enjoyed trips and outings that were organized there. More than anything, however, he loved his family. The photo above was taken at the reception following the funeral for his wife who died June 19, 2013. They had been married more than 60 years.

Memories of him with our children are very precious. He made something like a Flintstonemobile for them to play on when we visited, complete with tree-trunk wheels and rope steering. He loved little babies and came and spent time with us in Arkansas after our fourth child was born – taking over for Diane’s mom who had spent a week or more with us before he came. He would “steal” our boys’ plates or a morsel of food at the dinner table, or play croquet while he barbequed chicken. He had three wonderful daughters – Diane being the middle-born, Debbie, the oldest, and Gail the youngest. He took Diane to see Stan Musial play at the old Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis, instilling a love for baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals in her.

He could look into your eyes with a look that revealed an intensity of faith, values, belief, and conviction that said, “Don’t you ever do that again!” He served in the US Army in WWII, and was on a ship ready to invade Japan right before the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles, MO for many years, sending their three girls to the Christian Day School there through 8th grade. He did projects around the church and school, having served as a Trustee there. He loved his family deeply and was very proud of each of them for their own particular accomplishments.

His death hit me harder even than my own dad’s death (which we had seen coming for 7 months prior, some 30 years ago).

As good as he was, honorable, faithful, loving, and a man of conviction, he nevertheless needed a Savior – which he would never deny. He wanted to have Holy Communion more often at the LSS chapel where he lived. He was a regular at the weekly worship services there. He read Portals of Prayer or Living Hope daily – proud of his daughter Diane who regularly contributes devotions for the latter publication. The truth offered in each of those devotions, springs from the profound message of John 3:16. He believed in Jesus, and for that we are deeply thankful. For through faith in Jesus he now lives, and is with Jesus.

We will gather as a family for a memorial service later next month. We will sing hymns, read Scripture, pray, and rejoice in the hope of the resurrection and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. One thing will surely not happen – which I have not seen in person, but could certainly believe. We will not witness him slamming closed the hymnal because he can’t sing the tune or provide the harmony he loved if the organist varied from the standard four-part accompaniment!
Remembering Kathy and Jesus

August 27, 2015

Proverbs 14:31

Those who oppress the poor insult their maker.

Galatians 4:14 (NIV)

[Paul wrote] Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.

Several years ago as Diane and I were on our way home we drove through an intersection we saw a woman who was begging for money. It was late and dark. She was alone. She appeared to be about 40 years old. Oftentimes when we see people like that we will say a prayer for them. Sometimes we simply pass on by. That night, even after we had turned the corner and gone a couple of blocks I felt compelled to turn around. Diane was in total agreement: we needed to see what she needed.

When we went back we discovered that she was not alone; she had a dog. And she was asking for money for dog food. We asked several times whether we could provide anything else: food or a place to stay. No, just money for dog food.

I then did something I’ve been doing for some time since. I asked her to tell me her name. “Kathy” was her reply. Kathy: that was the name of my sister who at the age of 8 had died nearly 40 years earlier. I had to take a breath, shake my head, and imagine: this woman could have been my sister, had she lived.

I don’t always stop and help people who are begging on the street corner. I get aggravated by those guys who hang out at intersections accosting people for money for some supposed charity. I’m sure I have been taken by some scamsters to whom I’ve given money along the way. But when I think of Kathy I am reminded that we are more closely related to the poor than we might imagine.

If we insult the maker of the poor when we abuse them, then we may honor their maker when we love and respect them. That’s not always easy. But when I think of Kathy, I am inclined to make the effort. If that is so, how much more motivation is it to give to when we realize that our gifts to the poor honor God and are received by Jesus himself as tokens of our love for him?
Cherry Picking and Other Wayward Pursuits

August 26, 2015

2 Chronicles 18:4

Inquire first for the word of the Lord.

Mark 4:20

These are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit.

W.C. Fields was famously an atheist. He owned several theology books, and near the time of his death was reportedly caught reading his Bible. When asked about why he was reading the Bible, he said, “Looking for loopholes.” The price evil pays to good is the effort to justify itself, or find a way to call itself good.

In the story recorded in 2 Chronicles 18, kings Ahab and Jehoshaphat are conspiring to go to war against Ramoth-gilead. Before they fully agree to go, Jehoshaphat requests that Ahab, “Inquire first for the word of the Lord.” Sadly, however, there were false prophets urging them to go to war. But Micaiah refused to agree with them. He revealed the true word of God, saying that they would be defeated if they went to war against Ramoth-gilead. He was ignored, however, and Ahab was ultimately killed in the battle.

If we are willing to listen to the true word of God – neither looking for loopholes, nor seeking justification for the things we want to do – we will not be mislead. In fact, we will bear God-honoring fruit. Such is our calling as God’s people: not to seek out favorite words that allow us to do as we please, but to honor God with our lives by bearing fruits of righteousness, grace, peace, and love. If we truly do inquire first for the word of the Lord, hear God’s true word, and let that word shape our hearts and lives we will bear fruit that honors him. That is far better than looking for loopholes or finding pet passages for self-serving beliefs.