David Bahn - Reflections

Maybe you've seen or felt the rescuing hand of God. Maybe you've not. But the angels of God watch over his people. And sometimes circumstances unfold that can only be the providential care and rescue of a loving God who wishes none to be lost, for all to be found and be saved from eternal doom.

Let no one misunderstand what Jesus did when he died on the cross. He stood the devil down. He did not give in - even when forsaken by his Father. He did not let their jeers, taunts, and torture dissuade him from his perfect love for God and lost sinners reaching its pinnacle. He died in faith, sacrificing himself for the sake of sinners. And he destroyed the power of the devil. We may wish for a...

A life of gluttonous indulgence of any kind certainly does not honor God. And pride in any sort of lifestyle that does not honor God is idolatry of the worst kind. I have no doubt that the most obvious sin of Sodom seen here is a lustful homosexual desire. But I know from my own heart that sin too easily deceives. And warnings that we might dismiss as excessive and unnecessary ought not to be take...

We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We can have a positive impact in the world. We can enlighten people about the reign and rule of God. And in the process, perhaps we can prevent the catastrophic consequences of sin from having free reign and destroying our communities and us. There are times we need to stand in the gap for loved ones and difficult situations. Abraham, Moses,...

Nothing less than 100% purity is sufficient for our standing before God. James 2:10 tells us clearly that, "whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." And Paul tells us, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all the things written in the book of the Law, and do them" (Galatians 3:10). Jesus himself tells us that our righteousness must excee...

We have been told by God of his intent for the future of the whole world. We've learned of this through his word. This is no trivial factoid. There is a weight that goes with this knowledge. As we think on that, it might even shape our desire to know of our neighbor's latest bit of gossip. Knowing of our neighbor's need brings the weight of acting in love toward that neighbor. Helping him. Praying...

Look at Abraham! He is not only willing to speak out,  he's willing to speak out to God!  He stands before the Lord: "Abraham still stood before the Lord." That's bold. That's brave. That's gutsy! Or maybe, just maybe that's what bold faith looks like. It's called  Fides Heroica (Heroic Faith). And the Father of Faith (Abraham is known by that name) is exercising it here. Heroic Fai...

God may let us know of things so that we may be warned. It could be that his intent and even his revelation of that intent (consider the book of Revelation for example), is so that we may be warned. It might also be so that we are prepared. In other words, as we read the prophecies of Scripture (think again of Revelation), those ought to prepare us for the challenges we may face, and remind us of...

The timing of God is an elegant and marvelous thing. He is seldom in a hurry. Never late. Never early either. And while we wait for his promises to become reality we must do all we can to live into them, and act on those things over which we do have control...all the while imagining how wonderful it will be to experience the fullness of their fulfillment. And experience them we will. For that is G...

God is over all things. And while that is not the center of my theology, it is a immutable truth connected to the central hub of God's grace. And the translation of the NASB helps get at that. I believe, more than anything else, that God is gracious and merciful. He is forgiving and good. God is love. And he has all the power needed to do the good things he has in mind for Abraham. And for you. An...

Today we took our granddaughters to the Children's Museum in downtown Houston. Then we went to the " It's my pleasure ," place (Chick-Fil-A) for lunch. I don't know who came up with that idea. Try it sometime...say thank you to a Chick-Fil-A worker and you're sure to get, "It's my pleasure," in return. I wonder whether we need to be more like those workers. More like Abraham. More like the best Ho...

Sometimes God shows up in power and might. Think Elisha and the prophets of Baal. Or Isaiah in the year King Uziah died. Or God talking straight with Job. Think the crossing of the Red Sea. There can be no mistaking the power, majesty, glory, and dominion of God in those moments. But think, too, of the still small voice. Remember Jesus' silence before Pilate. Call to mind God walking in the Garden...

There's something about real people communicating real truth to real people. On this occasion the angels assume all the properties of real people. And their message is a message from God. We may think of angels as winged creatures with etherial appearance. But the message makes the angel. For the word angel itself means messenger. How many times have we heard a message from God and not recognized...

Whether child or adult, the blessings of baptism come from God through the word. And whether adult or child, they remain in the water apart from faith. Martin Luther rightly says, "Baptism is the water comprehended in God's command and connected with God's word." It offers the blessings of God: forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. And it does all this because the word of God is connected with...

And God is gone. We don't have a clear expression of God's omniscience at this point in the biblical narrative. God has not revealed himself as redeemer. God has not necessarily even revealed his name. There is no threat either. No, "or else." No, "if you don't..." Just a promise and a command. You will have a son. Circumcise all the males of your family. Perhaps here we need to read "family" as "...

Perhaps you are an Isaac: a child of God with whom God has established his covenant. Maybe you are a Sarah, one who will yet deliver a gift to the world. Are you a laughing boy, the child of promise, the fruition of your parents' hopes and dreams? If so, fulfill your destiny and become all God intends for you to become - under his gracious favor - no matter what your name may be. You might be an I...

Maybe you've thought as I did that it was Sarah who first laughed and who therefore triggered the naming of Isaac (his name means,  he laughs ). Funny thing (pun intended!). I had it wrong. Abraham laughs first. So did Abraham. Sarah will have her time later, and will be called on it. God's word will be accomplished. What he says happens. From, "Let there be light," to "You will have a son,"...

Is there a promise of God that would invite your faith? Your tears? Your laughter? Believe this: God's promises are absolutely reliable, good, profound, and life-saving. That's no laughing matter.

Do you believe, trust, hope in, and wait for the eternal blessings of Jesus? Do you believe he is your righteousness? Are you baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Do you repent daily and daily drown the old nature? Do you rely on God's grace in Jesus? It's that simple. Faith in Jesus gives eternal life. Without faith it is impossible to please God. 

...God wins! That's good news for all who yearn for God's grace in Jesus. 

The more aware we are of our identity as children of God through baptism, perhaps the more aware we will be of others who share that identity.

The idea of God’s grace is no new idea, originating even in the times of Abraham. It springs from eternity, from the heart and character of God. And this covenant of grace is eternal in its consequences: God’s grace impacts every aspect of our lives throughout all eternity.

What does it mean to live by faith? It is a beautiful braid of waiting, hoping, and trusting in God’s promises.

God has a claim on us because of his love. He calls us to​ a life of faithful obedience. The more we learn about God’s character, the better we will be able to express that in our daily lives.

God has a claim on us because of his love. He calls us to​ a life of faithful obedience. The more we learn about God’s character, the better we will be able to express that in our daily lives.