David Bahn - Reflections

God's will may not always be harsh or difficult. Sometimes it can be pleasant. He wills that his children love and honor one another. He wills that children are treated with love and compassionate care. He wills that all people be saved. When we see these things happening, we can rejoice in the goodness of God's will. But even when God's will takes us to difficult places, we can be sur...

Agabus' message of Paul's impending trouble was not intended to confront him, or call him to repentance. But it was a message that others needed to hear, along with Paul. This is an echo of what God told Ananias when he was sent to pray for Saul and restore his sight. “I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name,” God said of Saul. Paul didn’t just lose his Hebrew name...

When Paul leaves Tyre, heading to Jerusalem, the people there kneel on the beach in prayer. Luke was there with them. Note the "we" he uses to describe their action. It seems to me that this was an act of humility, foreshadowing the words of the disciples in Caesarea who say, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” Their prayers were urgent, tearful, seeking comfort from God, and protection...

Luke's travelogue of Paul's journey recounts not only places, but people along the way. He connects with disciples in Tyre and stays there seven days. But then he's away again, heading toward Jerusalem. There he will be arrested. At the news of his impending arrest, binding, and being handed over to the gentiles (echoes of Jesus' treatment!), he will not be dissuaded. He says, “Wha...

Today marks 45 years since my ordination as a Lutheran pastor. I am deeply aware of the incredible privilege I've had over the years. Serving churches in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas, and now Texas has been a journey of joy, tears, challenges, breakthroughs, and deep and lasting relationships. We still occasionally connect with friends from those congregations. Some have stood by us in great stres...

The elders at Ephesus knew he had acted faithfully, ethically, and morally. They knew that jealousy and lack of faith drove the attempts at discrediting Paul's ministry. They knew that people were seeking to have their influence over the people in the churches Paul had planted. And they knew that Paul wouldn't be there to defend the true faith - though he would write letters to the Ephesia...

We might want a better car, a nicer home, or even a backyard pool. But we never need to seek these things at the expense of others, or let them get in the way of seeking God's kingdom. A friend of mine decided several years ago to forego building a summer home in Colorado. They had all the money saved. They had the lot picked out and purchased. But they decided that if they built that place he...

Paul commends the Ephesian elders to God and to the word of his grace.  This gift is not earned. It is a gift freely given. It builds us up and grants us an eternally rich and glorious inheritance.  Paul's words are appropriate for me today for any number of reasons. I am deeply thankful for his grace,. I need it constantly. And God's supply is rich and deep. As Paul says in Romans 5: &quo...

In the earliest days of the Christian church there were many dangers within and without. The message of the Gospel of Jesus was very different from the then-common religious beliefs - pagan or Jewish. There was every danger of reverting to old ways of thinking and believing. Paul's warnings were not over emphasized.

Reflection based on Acts 20:28-38 It's good for pastors to be reminded, as it is also for you, dear reader, to take good care of yourself so you can offer care, kindness, grace, and mercy to those in your life for whom you have care. Be it a husband, wife, child, grandchild, or friend. Take good care so you can give good care to those in your life who need your care.

We who serve God’s people do well to remember that they are precious to God, bought with the precious blood of Jesus, and worth whatever burden we must bear in order to serve them well. That’s true no matter where we go and whether that path takes us to green pastures and still waters, or through the valley of the shadow of death. Thankfully God is with us through the journey wherever we go. 

This gospel is the good news of God's redemption of a fallen and lost world through Jesus' suffering and death. It's the good news of this redemption's gifts of life and salvation for all people. It's the good news that God wants all people to be saved and will not wait idly by for people to come to him and seek his mercy. He sends people to tell the good news. He comes to them...

I believe in the One who became man to save us all, pointing us to repentance and faith in God. I trust him. I love him. I entrust my life to him. Such is the stuff of faith. But the most essential element of faith is simple trust. Like a child. Looking to Jesus in anticipation of his favor, blessing, and good will.  Repentance, then, is a matter of turning away from any way in which I fail simply...

When Luke speaks of Paul going on ahead without the rest of the group, and then joining them later at Assos, he is giving us a picture of how the mission of God best proceeds. Paul will not only meet up with Luke and the others, he will pour out his heart to the Ephesian elders. God never intended that mission and ministry would be a solo performance. Jesus’ modeled that in his earthly ministry. W...

Gathering with other believers for worship and the Lord's Supper is a blessing too easily and often ignored by Christians today. Too often we treat gathering for public worship to be an add-on to life, rather than a springboard of grace into the week ahead. Covid certainly put a dent in people's appreciation and practice of public worship and sacrament. But it is not only a mystery and mir...

Injury by friendly fire is a casualty of war. But friendly fire that isn’t really so friendly is so very sad. Wounds of a friend can be trusted. Let’s do all we can to wound others only for their good, only when absolutely necessary, and only with the kindest heart. Correcting and disciplining a brother or sister must be done gently, as Paul counsels so graciously in Galatians 6:1, “If anyone is c...

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well it takes a team - the body of Christ - to propel God's mission. You may think of someone who has helped you along the path of faith active in love. Thank God for them. Do it now.

Falling asleep in church isn't the most grave danger. I've done it a couple times in years gone by. Nor is falling out the window - embarrassing as that might be. The greatest danger is being asleep to the word of God, trading the truth of God's word comfort of the pillow, and remaining unaware of God's presence in our lives - in a church service, or a Tuesday afternoon commute.

Luke records that Gaius and Aristarchus accompany Paul as he continues his mission. They are listed in Acts 20:1-6 along with Timothy and others in that journey. He is listed in Romans 16:23 as a gracious host to Paul. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:14 that Gaius was one of the people he baptized. In 3 John 1:1 , a man named Gaius is mentioned as a beloved brother in Christ. But the name was appar...

When the city clerk quieted the crowd it ultimately aided the mission of God. Paul was not caught up in the mob. He would make his way to Jerusalem, and on to Rome eventually. But when the crowd was not silenced, and the people continued to shout, "Crucify," it also aided the mission of God! Jesus' crucifixion was part and parcel of God's plan for our salvation. This is akin to L...

The message of Jesus is one of peace. Although people will get up in arms against Jesus' followers, we do not represent him well by mob action, boisterous demonstrations, or chaotic comotion. Our best witness is the powerful soft whisper of grace, mercy, and love. Shown in Christ. Empowered by the Spirit. Honoring the Father.

Faith working in love, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and anchored in God's word and promise is a beautiful and magnificent thing. Jesus has done the work that needs to have been done. He is truly great and worthy of our worship.

Martin Luther is credited to having said that there are three conversions. He is quoted as saying, “People go through  three conversions : The  conversion of their head, their heart, and their pocketbook. Unfortunately, not all at the same time.” He says that we need to have our purses or pocketbooks baptized. This conversion had decidedly not been the case with Demetrius and the silversmiths of E...

Always forward - in the Spirit. There are times when God's Holy Spirit takes us along paths we had never seen coming. There are times when we propose but God disposes in a different direction. We make our plans. But if we wish to be faithful we will say, as James warns us if it is God's will we will go to this or that place... " (cf. James 4:13-15 ). Always Forward Ministries : https:...

This nor the book burning recorded here were acts of censorship. These were acts of repudiation. They were not saying, "You cannot read these books," per se. But they were saying, "We won't read these books any longer. We repudiate our practice of magic arts and divest ourselves of all that was involved in that practice. These people had a profound change of heart. They were dra...