David Bahn - Reflections

The Lamb who was slain has now begun his reign. Whatever shame and ignominy he suffered is now put to rest. His humiliation is now turned to glory. All the insults, the suffering, the derision, the dishonor is now replaced with praise. Those who know Jesus' steadfast and redemptive love, grace, truth, and mercy delight to see this scene. Whatever dishonor we must endure in his name will one day be...

Praise puts our problems in perspective. Praise puts us in our proper perspective toward God. That's good to remember, for hope in our trials and humility in our approach to God.

If you want to read the book of Revelation in any truly meaningful way, read it with a view from a prison cell or severe hardship and fear because you are a Christian. Then you'll get past the apocalyptic imagery and symbolic numerology and hear a message of hope and comfort for the people of God. This book is not for fanciful speculation, but for comfort and courage to Jesus followers as we see t...

Way One, The Way of the Thief: Whatever is yours is mine and I'll do anything I can to get it. Way Two, The Way of the Selfish: Whatever is mine is mine and I'll do everything I can to keep it. Way Three, The Way of Compassion: Whatever is mine is a gift of God and I'll do whatever I can to share it. Thanks be to God, Jesus lived and died as the perfect expression of Way Three. His story of the Go...

Paul had gone to war with several people whom he names here in these closing thoughts of this letter. It is significant that he ties his relationship to them with some of the troubles they had endured together. These experiences had forged a bond that was deeper than being next-door-neighbors, or even members of the same family. They had suffered together. And they continued to serve the cause of...

Brothers and sisters in Christ ought always seek to be reconciled. Jesus makes that point when he speaks of giving an offering and remembering that someone has something against you. When that happens, you are to leave your offering, first go be reconciled and then give your offering. Restoration of broken human relationships is more urgent even than giving an offering. Paul’s attitude toward thes...

We may receive an employee of the month award. Perhaps we'll be recognized for having the best yard in the neighborhood. We might have been voted most likely to succeed in high school. Or you might have been elected president of your neighborhood association. All those are great accomplishments. They should not be taken lightly. But to be named by anyone as a faithful and beloved brother or sister...

More than 100 pastors and spouses are attending year two of PLI International training. Our focus is Leading Change for the Sake of Christ’s Mission. Here’s our most recent email about this trip. Thanks to Diane for putting most of this together. She’s a great partner in mission! We celebrated her birthday here complete with a birthday cake that they provided, and some joyous singing of Happy Birt...

We were on the way to the airport in Houston and Aliou, our Uber driver, asked where we were going. “Tanzania,” we said. “No kidding!?!” he replied. “I’m from Mali!” Our conversation went on from there. We shared a little about our trip two years ago to dedicate the school in Mwanza, and now that we are going to teach pastors and their spouses about Leadership and Change for the Sake of Christ’s M...

Who knows what such divine appointments will lead to? God does, and he wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth of Jesus Christ. Pray for us to have open doors...and for yourself...and for the people in your life who know and love Jesus too.

Please pray for us that we may be sensitive to people's feelings, fears, and impatience (also a problem with those who are more ready than others to change!) as we encourage these Jesus followers to lead change for the sake of the mission. I'm wondering whether you are being led to consider changes you need to make for the sake of Christ's mission. You can pray about that as well. Then listen care...

Please pray for us that we may be sensitive to people's feelings, fears, and impatience (also a problem with those who are more ready than others to change!) as we encourage these Jesus followers to lead change for the sake of the mission. I'm wondering whether you are being led to consider changes you need to make for the sake of Christ's mission. You can pray about that as well. Then listen care...

Last time I checked, everything means every thing. So no matter what you are called upon to do today, do it as unto Jesus, in his name, as his ambassador, to his glory, and in his loving grace. For God has an incredible inheritance prepared for us who are his. And if we're his, we will surely want to serve him well - he who served us perfectly and completely, and saved us: Our Lord Jesus Christ.

I try, once in a while, to listen to talk radio, or top 40, pop, or (don't judge me!) even easy listening music. I enjoy movie soundtracks and highly regard John Williams' incredible movie soundtracks. But I come again and again to classical (with many religious/faith roots and allusions) or Christian contemporary music. These bolster my spirits and shape my soul. How about you? What's on your pla...

Diane and I celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary today. Some reflections on that, with special application to the thoughts of Colossians 3:12-19

What is your station in life? Are you husband, wife, child, mother, worker, employer, teacher, student, customer or vendor? You will likely have an opportunity to express the unique manner in which Jesus' love and calling takes shape in your life. And no matter who you are, Jesus' command to love God first and love your neighbor as yourself is perfectly fitting.

There are many troubling things in the world. They vie for our attention, concern, and even prayers. We are not to close our eyes to others' suffering. Nor are we to shut our hearts to the pain we feel in the face of loss. But we do not grieve without hope. We do not despair of God's goodness in the face of evil. Sometimes, however, we do need to shift our focus to the eternal blessings of God. Ev...

We’re called to truth-telling, and truth living. We need never pretend. We must not deceive ourselves, but confess our sins, and acknowledge our need for our Savior. We certainly ought never boast in anything other than the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Cf. Galatians 6:14 ) And that’s no lie.

God's words to those who realize their sin, and turn to him in repentance are words of mercy and grace that heal sin-sick souls. He says, "I do not condemn you. I forgive you. You are mine. Now, go and speak truth to your neighbor in kindness, gentleness, humility, and love. Those are words that heal.

Language is a powerful tool to bless and heal, or to hurt and offend others. God's calling to truth telling is not just a matter of being polite, but a matter of giving witness to his character. How will you honor him today with your words? Let's speak the truth in love!

From my blog, DavidBahn-Reflections.com.   When Jesus hung on the cross he cried out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" This is the cry of anguish when we experience the wrath of God. His abandonment creates a void that absorbs our very soul. This is wrath of the worst kind: God takes his hands off of us. If he is chastising us, and his hand is heavy on us, there is hope of his pres...

Jesus had tons of spiritual capital. He had wisdom, power, and authority beyond all comparison. He healed diseases. He raised the dead. He walked on water. He confounded his enemies. He had "all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Jesus was and is the source of incredible power for us today as well. Paul prays that we know "the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believ...

We live in a very individualistic society and time. Everyone wants to define for themselves what is good or evil; what is praiseworthy or abhorrent. We climb on the latest scandal (and, Lord have mercy, there are many many lamentable things happening in the world today!). We beat up on the latest villain - too often of our own personal reasons. Somehow we've lost the more complete understanding of...

Paul here is predating Newtonian and Einsteinian thinking. Newtonian: I'm hard pressed, suffering, and agonizing for you because I want you to realize just how important this message is. Einsteinian: This message is important because only in Christ is true hope, life, salvation, knowledge, and wisdom. OK...I realize this may not be the best analogy for understanding this passage. But it is good to...

We might want to make a hero of Paul. Surely he would serve well as a hero of the faith. His life and complete dedication to spreading the gospel are heroic and emulatable. Sometimes Paul does seem to dance on the fine line of showing how important the message is and of showing how dedicated he is to delivering that message. But these words here point me toward believing that Paul is making the po...