Tuesday Refocus: November 28

“There is nothing I dread more than having my heart drawn away by earthly objects.” - George Whitefield

Our hearts are more easily tempted than we would like to admit. 

Our desires are warped and shaped by sin more than we are aware. 

Our feet run after other gods more than they keep to the narrow road.

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” - James 1:14

“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.” - 1 John 2:16

How do we combat this reality? With a new heart, a transformed mind, and renewed affections. But no amount of striving or effort is sufficient to accomplish and sustain this kind of change. No, these realities are a gift of God.

”Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” - James 1:17

Father, may you accomplish what only You can accomplish in us and through us. By the power of the Spirit, for the glory of the Son, in Christ’s name, amen.

Amen,

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 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: January 24

“The day is coming when there shall be a congregation that shall never break up, and a Sabbath that shall never end, a song of praise that shall never cease, and an assembly that shall never be dispersed.” - J.C. Ryle

On this side of eternity, we see everything in part. Everything is as though looking through a dim glass (1 Corinthians 13:9-12). This is the place where familiarity and ache collide as we recognize our citizenship is another kingdom (Philippians 3:20). 

This is the place where we say ‘Come quickly, Lord Jesus.’ 

This is the place where we cry ’Save us!’

Here all things are fractured and yet still reflect a sense of glory - a sense of what has been and what will be.

So we give ourselves to the Bride knowing that the Groom will soon return. We rest knowing that one day our labor will be joy and fulfillment. We sing today knowing that one day there will be a new song, an everlasting song of praise to our God. We stand shoulder to shoulder week after week with those against whom we sin, and who have sinned against us knowing that one day our lives will no longer bear the marks of pain we have experienced or inflicted.

God, for that day we live with expectation and hope. May we practice now what will give us a glimpse, and a taste of what will one day be. Hallelujah, amen.

With expectation,

AB

April 26: Tuesday Refocus

“All joy comes through encountering beauty. The richest is found in Christ.” - Mike Reeves

Joy is more than happiness. Beauty is more than beholding. It is in the presence of God that we encounter beauty and experience joy. “Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth… (Psalm 50:2)” as more beautiful, because, “splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary (Psalm 96:6).”

We can only encounter this beauty because Christ became as one who “…had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him… (Isaiah 53:3).” We can only experience this joy because Christ “…for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).” Now we can declare with the Psalmist “…in Your presence, there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).”

“One thing I have asked fo the LORD, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD al the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple (Psalm 27:4).” Amen.

Encountering,

AB

April 14: Tuesday Refocus

'Consider how many are my foes,

and with what violent hatred they hate me.

Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!

Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You.

May integrity and uprightness preserve me,

for I wait for You.

Redeem Israel, O God,

out of all his troubles.’

Psalm 25:19-22

Let there be no doubt we have an enemy, a schemer, a soul-accuser, who - as the hymn reminds us - takes pleasure in our harm (Eph 6:11, Rev 12:10). But for the follower of Christ, we ‘…do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul (Matt 10:28).’ For we have already died ‘…with Christ, and we know that we will also live with Him (Rom 6:8).’

Two days ago we celebrated in the midst of confusion and chaos that ‘the last enemy to be destroyed is death (1 Cor 15:26).’ We mocked our accuser, and his schemes by declaring that Christ is alive forevermore, and He holds the keys of Death and Hades (Rev 1:18).

Yes, even in the midst of sorrow, suffering, isolation, and death itself, we can find life. At the end of a cul-de-sac on Easter Sunday, I saw neighbors dressed for worship, standing at the edge of driveways singing together. At the edge of driveways and a global pandemic Christ is still building His Church - and the gates of hell shall not prevail (Matt 16:18). He has and will redeem us out of all our troubles.

Take heart,

AB

March 31: Tuesday Refocus

Good and upright is the LORD;

therefore He instructs the sinners in the way.

He leads the humble in what is right,

and teaches the humble His way.

All the paths of the LORD are steadfast

love and faithfulness,

for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

Psalm 25:8-10

I can search out my own way and find it only leads to death (Prov 14:12). Or I can follow His narrow road and run in the way of steadfast love and mercy. On this narrow road, He leads, and He teaches, He goes before, He comes behind, and He walks beside.

For Your name’s sake, O LORD,

pardon my guilt, for it is great.

Who is the man who fears the LORD?

Him will He instruct in the way that He should choose.

His soul shall abide in well-being,

and His offspring shall inherit the land.

The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him,

and He makes known to them His covenant.

My eyes are ever toward the LORD

for He will pluck my feet out of the net.

Psalm 25:11-18

My guilt is great but it holds no hope against the steadfast love and mercy of God (Lam 3:22). I know the way of the Lord always leads to the kind of life I truly seek. A life where I abide in well-being, enjoy His friendship, know His ways, and look toward Him - my Rescuer.

God, thank You that Your Word is true. Teach us Your ways that we may walk in Your truth, help us know Your friendship, Your mercy, and Your kindness. In Christ’s name, amen.

Walking,

AB

December 17: Tuesday Refocus

‘God hides His most precious treasures in our most difficult and painful experiences.’ - Jon Bloom

Over the last several years I have more closely followed the rhythms and seasons of the Church calendar.  As a worship leader, it has been helpful in my planning and preparation, as a Christ-follower it has helped me experience the connection to a diverse, global, eternal body of believers. (1 Pet 2:9, Rev 7:9, Is 9:7)

The older I get the more I see and experience the pain of living in a broken, fallen world.  And that is why I love Advent - because I have often asked God, ‘Do You know how hard it is down here?  Do You see how painful it is?’  And Advent reminds me that not only does He see the pain and difficulty, He answers it with Himself. ‘But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.’ (Gal 4:4-5)

Sin and brokenness do not just affect humanity - it is as offensive as it is painful for God.

He pursued relationship, we chose death (Gen 1:26, 2:17, 3:6-7).

We hid, He covered us (Gen 3:8, 3:21).

He came to His own, we did not receive Him (Jn 1:11).

We deserve death, He gives us His life (Rom 6:23).

The One who knit Mary together in the womb of her mother became humanity knit together in Mary’s womb (Ps 139:13, Lk 1:30-33).  The One who saw the sorrow we experience did not stand far off but became the Man of Sorrows - acquainted with all our grief (Is 53:3).  The One who saw us in our sin became sin so that we might become His righteousness (2 Cor 5:21).

Advent is the continuing story of a God who has never had a ‘plan B,’ but has always sought His Son’s greatest glory, and His children’s good.  ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…’ this is the joy and pain of God Himself experienced (Jn 3:16, Is 53:10, Heb 12:2).

This is the joy and pain of Advent.

’Everything sad is going to come untrue and it will somehow be greater for having once been broken and lost.’ - Tim Keller

Lord, thank You that You do know our sorrow and pain.  From the groans of ‘it’s not supposed to be this way,’ to pain that is soul-piercing, You know and You have experienced it all.  Allow us to approach this Advent season with gratitude, wonder, and worship.  In Your name, amen.

Waiting,

AB