Tuesday Refocus: August 29

"Be so preoccupied with good that you have no room for ill will." - E. Stanley Jones

Right worship leaves no preoccupation for self in the same way that filling our minds, hearts, and lives with good leaves no room for ill:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” - Philippians 4:8

May our minds, words, actions, and lives be marked with nothing other than a preoccupation with the only One who is good. “You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.” - Psalm 119:68

Father, fill our minds and mouths with things that are good, beautiful, and true. May our hearts be an overflowing cup of life-giving love in response to the love we have received through you, in Christ’s name, amen.

Preoccupied,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: August 22

“Worship is the strategy by which we interrupt our preoccupation with ourselves and attend to the presence of God.”- Eugene Peterson

There is a story I have seen online, perhaps it is true, or perhaps it’s a bit of a parable. Either way, it communicates something true: a person walks up to the pastor following a Sunday service and says, “Pastor, I didn’t like worship today.” The pastor responds, “That’s okay, we weren’t worshiping you.”

Worship is the default setting of every human heart. But right worship only occurs when in His kindness God reveals himself, and we respond with our whole lives: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” - Romans 12:1-2

If our worship is right - worship fueled and informed by the person of God - there will be no self-preoccupation. 

Come, Holy Spirit, lift our eyes to the person and work of Jesus. May our worship be right, and may our lives be laid down. In Christ’s name, amen.

Worshiping,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: August 15

“Lament will not allow us to revert to the easy answers.” - Soong Chan-Rah

Our church has been studying the Gospel of Mark this year. Throughout the book we see glimpses of the humanity of Jesus grieved over sin and death. Jesus weeps, groans, and sighs as he encounters the brokenness wrought by sin in the world and on people made in the image of God.

We are so quick to avoid pain and suffering. We numb, distract, ignore, and brush past the brokenness of the world. And when we are left without option we even use Scripture to shield ourselves: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Of course this passage is true. But isn’t it interesting that Jesus never settles for Bible bandaids? We see in Scripture that he enters into the suffering of others, even though he knows he will heal, restore, and reconcile people. Jesus - though fully God and fully man - gives voice to the pain of the world, and people.

People are limited in our ability to heal, but by entering into the suffering of others (rather than avoiding, or Bible-bandaiding) we can give presence and peace that glimpses Christ for others. And as we enter in, we can celebrate that Christ has come to enter into the suffering of the world by taking our sin upon Himself at the cross (1 Peter 2:24). And we can look with hope, longing, and expectation to the day where he will return to wipe every tear, and set all things right (Rev 21:1-4).

Jesus, give us the courage to enter into the suffering of the world. In Your name we pray, amen.

With,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: August 8

“Receive the gospel with gratitude, marveling that there is a God who loves us so much as to allow Himself to be devoured by death so that we might live.” - D.J. Marotta

The Gospel is not just for the moment of salvation but for every moment in the life of a believer. The person and work of Christ, the beauty and wonder of God’s saving work is something no mind can fully grasp. The gospel is something in which angels long to look and understand, and it will be the song of heaven for all eternity - but does it move you to marvel today? Has the gospel become commonplace - remembered in a prayer of thankfulness - but nothing that reorients our gaze, our affection, our attention, or our time? 

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” - 1 John 2:15-17

Father, may we marvel today at the gospel. Your life laid down so that we may live. And may our song echo the Psalmist: “I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD (Psalm 118:17).” Amen.

Marveling, 

AB

Tuesday Refocus: August 1

“For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
    evil may not dwell with you.

The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
    you hate all evildoers.

You destroy those who speak lies;
    the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
    will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
    in the fear of you.”

“Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
    because of my enemies;
    make your way straight before me.

For there is no truth in their mouth;
    their inmost self is destruction;
their throat is an open grave;
    they flatter with their tongue.

Make them bear their guilt, O God;
    let them fall by their own counsels;
because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,
    for they have rebelled against you.” - Psalm 5:4-10

While an abundance of transgressions casts us out, the abundant love of God welcomes us in. 

His love is steadfast and immovable. The welcome and love of God mean that we no longer bear the guilt we rightfully deserve, but instead, it has been cast out so that we can be welcomed in.

Father, thank You for Your abundant love greater than the abundance of transgressions we have to offer. Jesus, we are grateful, Spirit help us remember, in Christ’s name, amen.

Amen,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: July 25

“O Lord… You know me more deeply and fully than I know myself. You love me with a greater love than I can love myself. You even offer me more than I can desire… Take my tired body, my confused mind, and my restless soul into your arms and give me rest, simple quiet rest.” - Henri Nouwen

Before a word is on your tongue, it is fully known (Psalm 139:4). Because you are fully known.

Nothing will separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:31-39) - because God’s love has no ending, and no beginning (Geerhardus Vos).

We want enough grace for this moment, God gives us grace upon grace upon grace upon grace (James 4:6).

Father, may these truths be as animating as they are restful. For Your glory in our good, in Christ’s name, amen.

Known,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: July 18

“The more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer, because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you, in proportion to your fear of being hurt. The one who does most to avoid suffering is, in the end, the one who suffers most.” - Thomas Merton

It was for the joy set before Jesus, that He endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). The Author, Finisher, and Perfecter of our faith suffered, why would we believe that our lives would - or should - look any different?

Suffering feels unnatural because it was never intended to be a part of our world and our lives - and one-day suffering will cease to exist. But if we suffer with Christ as children and heirs, we will also be glorified with Christ (Romans 8:17)! Suffering feels unnatural in a world and culture of instant gratification. Suffering is counterintuitive because it says that there can be future joy, and eternal pleasures only in part today, but forever more on that day.

Father, may we experience Your comfort in our suffering? May we glimpse You joy now? Fill us with endurance, oh, Lord. In Your eternal and enduring name, amen.

Amen,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: July 11

“The grace of God means something like: ‘Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are, because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid. I am with you.’” - Frederick Buechner

I heard a pastor once articulate grace as undeserved favor, in the face of deserved wrath. Every person on the planet is a recipient of God’s common grace - breath, relationships, beauty, all of these speak to God’s common grace. Those who have a relationship with God through Jesus are recipients of God’s saving grace - because grace is not just a thing, but a person. Christ embodies undeserved favor toward humanity, the face of the wrath our sins deserved (Romans 6:23). And every follower of Jesus is sustained, and perseveres not in our own effort - but through the sustaining grace of God.

In this world, beautiful and terrible things can, will, and do happen. But for followers of Jesus, we never need to be afraid because Christ became forsaken on the cross so that we might never be left or forsaken by Him (Isaiah 53, Hebrews 13:5).

Father, we thank you for the common, saving, and sustaining grace you give in the face of deserved wrath. May we be aware of this beauty in a new fresh way today, in the name of Jesus, amen.

Grace,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: July 4

“Oh Lord our God… steer the ship of our life to yourself, the quiet harbor of all storm-stressed souls. Show us the course which we are to take. Renew in us the spirit of docility. Let your Spirit curb our fickleness; guide and strengthen us to perform what is for our own good, to keep your commandments and ever to rejoice in your glorious and vivifying presence. Yours is the glory and the praise for all eternity.” - Basil the Great

We think we know the way, and we plot the course, but it is the Lord who directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9). We attempt to blaze a trail, but ‘All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies (Psalm 25:10).’ It is only through the glorious and vivifying presence of God that we can say ‘my steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped (Psalm 17:5).”

He goes before us, follows after us, and is walking beside us. He makes known to us the path of life, in His presence there is fullness of joy; and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).

Father, may we walk in your paths today. Would you illuminate the way we should go? Would we be aware of your presence, in us and around us, in Christ’s name, amen.

Walking,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: June 27

“Christianity discerns that beyond the night the dawn already glows. The hope that does not fail is carried in the heart. Christ goes with us!” - Oscar Romero

To the end of the age…

To old age and grey hair…

Through the valley of the shadow of death…

We are never left, and never forsaken (Matthew 28:20, Isaiah 46:4, Psalm 23, Deuteronomy 31:6).

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” - Hebrews 11:1

Lord, may our hope be in You all our days. In Your name, amen.

Hoping,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: June 20

“If we do not make formation in Christ the priority, then we’re just going to keep on producing Christians that are indistinguishable in their character from many non-Christians.” - Dallas Willard

Humans are meaning-makers and culture shapers. But we have also been shaped by our culture more significantly than we realize or recognize. Our thoughts, priorities, affections, preferences, expectations, tastes, and desires all bear the marks of the time, place, and people into which God has sovereignly placed our lives. Some of these realities need to be celebrated, some need to be redeemed, and some need to be outright rejected. Because what we know as followers of Jesus is that we have been adopted into the family of God (Galatians 4:4-7). We have been given a new heart, and a new identity (Ezekiel 36:26, 2 Corinthians 5:17). We are not of this world, but citizens of another country (John 17:16, Philippians 3:20).

To be formed into the image of Christ is not to be a cleaned-up version of the culture we represent, but to represent Christ in our cultures. “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one (John 17:15).” 

Father, may it be so. Amen.

Amen,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: June 13

“The human heart is exquisitely fragile. Our judgments need to be gentle, our understanding deep, and our forgiveness wide.” - Ronald Rolheiser

When I know that I am bound to God by His unending love, I am freed. When I know that there is nothing that can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus, I can love in response. When I recognize the steadfast love of God toward me, I do not have to trade the love of God for the affection and admiration of people. When God’s love is real to me, I do not have to hoard the love I give to others.

When I realize how deeply I have been forgiven, I become quick to forgive. When I have some shadow sense of the cost of forgiveness offered to me by a sinless God, how sad when I seek vengeance for the smallest offense. When I thank God for the completeness of His continual forgiveness toward me, why would I ever allow corners of unforgiveness in my own heart?

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” - Lamentations 3:22-23

Father, the cost of my love and forgiveness toward others is but a drop in the ocean of your love and forgiveness toward me. May my life bear witness to the reality of Your heart and character in the way I am being conformed to Your image. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Amen,

AB