David Bahn - Reflections

What's going on here? Is God orchestrating all this just so that Luke has something interesting to report? Is this just the makings of a Christian cinema offering? No. And no. Luke will write about it; we're reading his book even now. And this would make a great movie. But this isn't about books or movies - plotline or not. This is about the grace of God and his desire for all people t...

When we were facing some grave medical concerns over our youngest child, I would often go into the sanctuary of the church I served. I'd get there early and pray and sing hymns. I came to love the hymn,  Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart. Now, when I wake up in the middle of the night I'll sing the Agnus Dei or Kyrie (in my heart-not outloud!). I'll silently pray the Lord's Praye...

There are times for the show of great power. And there are times for the witness of faith in the face of suffering. Servants of the Most High God will have occasion to express both. But work of the Most High God is done in the frailty of his Son. Jesus on the cross draws us all to himself. And he is the true servant of the Most High God.

The Holy Spirit brings people to faith, unites us into one body, and keeps them in the faith. We see all three of these things in this passage. Paul and Silas travel to far away places sharing the Gospel and planting churches. Timothy sees what they are doing and joins them in their travels. He eventually becomes a pastor. Lydia is brought to faith and supports these servants in their calling. The...

Lydia was a person of peace - as Jesus described to his disciples in Luke 10:5-6 . She welcomed these disciples. She offered them food and shelter. She received their message. Paul, Timothy, and Silas will visit her following their escape from prison.  I want to be like Lydia. I want to be a person of peace. I consider hospitality a privilege to offer. I want to pay attention to what God's ser...

Next time you take a trip, and you get stuck in traffic, experience a flight delay, or have car trouble, let those moments remind you of how God brought the message of Jesus to people throughout the ages. Thank God for his faithful love, and for those who have endured challenges of many kinds over the years so that the word of God would be spread also to us. This is a record of a vitally important...

What if we made more of an effort to make our choices each day based on how it might impact or impede our Christian witness. I'm thinking of the way we drive, the public political stances we take, the entertainment we seek, our choices on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. There are times to hold fast and times to bend, and the decision to do either should be made based on how it adorns our...

Perhaps you’re facing closed doors in your life. Desires that cannot be fulfilled. Careers that have hit a dead end. Hopes that will not be fulfilled. Take heart! God does have a path forward for you. It may be challenging. It may require a major reset. But God leads us toward a better tomorrow. When we follow the new paths of his choosing we may be confident that he is also preparing open hearts...

You can call me by whatever name or title you wish. Paul was respected and held in high regard. But we must never lose sight of the One to whom all honor is due. Our Lord Jesus Christ is due all praise, honor, respect, faith, and love. He is the One Paul preached and risked his life for. He is the One who will receive "blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and mig...

We overestimate what we can do in the short term and way underestimate what God can do in the long term. Ahh...that's where patience comes in. The Christian faith is not a microwave religion. The growth of the church - while occasionally experiencing miraculous multiplication (think Pentecost) - is a long process. And the long view here requires that such questions about the future place of th...

We'll never obey God's Law perfectly, but we have been saved by the grace of Jesus Christ - along with all others who believe in him. A life of mercy and justice rather than mere ritualistic external obedience is testimony to the Holy Spirit's work in us. There are many things we cannot do, but God can do great things through those who believe in him.

When we hear of the amazing growth of the church in Ethiopia, Uganda, South America, or down the street the example of the early church is one we should follow. This is good news. Let it bring great joy to your heart. And pray that more people will hear and believe this Good News. It’s not only for those who need to be converted. It’s for you and me.

God cleanses hearts. He saves us not by works of righteousness, but by the grace of the Lord Jesus. We're all the same here. Our standing is one of grace and faith. It's based on God's mercy and love. It's secured in Jesus' death, and guaranteed by Jesus' resurrection. We'll experience this fully only on the Great Last Day when Jesus returns and we are brought into his...

Sadly, I have seen and been brought into church fights. I've seen church leaders resign in disgust. I've heard people say things I can hardly believe I've heard from the mouths of those claiming the name of Christ. Perhaps these behaviors were not of that character. But there was no doubt some real energy behind the conversations.  The solution, however, was not arrived at by fisticuff...

I'm all about grace. I know and believe that truth is essential to understanding grace fully. I believe wholeheartedly in truth. Thankfully truth is embodied in Jesus who is full of both grace and truth. But in the end, I default to grace. I love how Paul speaks of this in Romans 5, "Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more" (Romans 5:20).

Through pain God calls us away from self-reliance to faith and trust in him. God has shown that such faith and trust is well placed by two things. First of all, he came to our rescue in Jesus of Nazareth who taught and did good, ushering in the kingdom of God, and ultimately sacrificing himself for us lost sinners. That shows God’s good will toward us. But he also rose from the dead. God’s intent...

The issue is not whether sinners are welcome in the church. We know they are. We’re all sinners. We all need grace. It is a matter of whether we lean toward protecting the church or seeing the church as a place of encouragement, refreshment, and sending. I’m all for good stewardship, care for people - especially the vulnerable. And I’m also all for being in mission. Sometimes that can be dangerous...

Jesus taught his disciples that they should be persevere in prayer and not lose heart ( Luke 18:1-8 ). The basis of that persistence is the character and nature of God. He is good and gives good gifts to his children. But the implied urgency is that Satan is evil and dedicated to our destruction.  So just as Satan never gives up, neither should we. Ours will be the victory in the end. Ours will be...

God sends "rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” It's not just that God exists. It's not merely that he is the Creator. There is evidence of his goodness, grace, love, provision, and protection all around us. Will we ignore it? Or will we recognize him as the giver - given the evidence he has left for us? Martin Luther wrote in his cat...

"Who's on First" (Link) The world needs more Barnabases: people who don't care who gets the credit as long as the kingdom of God is manifest and the mission of God is advanced. Is there someone you can encourage this week so that happens as well? I'm guessing there may be. I hope you find a way to do so - no matter who gets first billing, or  who's on first!

Paul and Barnabas are saying, "It isn't us. We're not the ones doing these miracles. God is doing them through us. We are not worthy of your worship. We are servants of the living God." That takes a lot of pressure off of us. But it's not a cop out. It's just a salutary acknowledgement that we are not in charge. We have only borrowed power. God gets the glory and praise....

Jesus is true God and true man. He has come down to redeem us. He calls us to turn from the vain idols "to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them."

Perhaps there is someone in your personal orbit on whom you must not give up. Until it becomes clear that they have no desire to hear from you about God, keep preaching the gospel. And when rebuffed, what do you do? Keep on sharing the good news of Jesus.

If we believe that faith in Jesus will bring peace we are correct - in the ultimate end of all things . But until that time we live in a fallen world. Not everyone loves Jesus. Not everyone believes in him. I wish it was not so. But I'm thankful for Jesus' willingness to hold to both grace and truth, and for those who maintain that powerful balance - even at the cost of their personal comf...

We are the light for those who live in darkness. We have the privilege and honor of bearing Jesus' light to others. It's not ours. It is borrowed. We are like the moon which shines with borrowed light. Let the light of Christ reflect from us to others! Be the moon!