"Wait" Room.

"There is a time when people realize... that there is nothing more important than to seek the Lord until He comes" (Pastor Sam, during the first service's sermon this past Sunday.)

The disciples went to Jerusalem, as they were told, and they prayed. They did not put God under a time constraint, nor did they give Him a deadline. They waited, and they prayed.

My friends, remember the admonition from the sermon: we dare not attempt to handle the things of God without first waiting on Him in prayer! There are many instances where persons have "ministered" through preaching, music, teaching, or serving, but it has been done without the anointing of the Holy Spirit- and in the ensuing years there has been the indictment of no fruit resulting from the work that was done.

First Corinthians reminds us that all our work is tried by fire: "the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is" (see First Corinthians 3:10-15). The third chapter reminds us of the necessity of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the importance of humility, and the danger of engaging in a "cult of personality" situation where we are exalting men instead of exalting Jesus.

As Pastor Sam said on Sunday, "prayer is the proof of dependence on God, not ourselves": a concrete, obvious expression. When we approach God through prayer, in a spirit of humility, and with an understanding that we cannot place God on a timetable, we experience this grace of intercession. We come to God, we 'ask, seek, and knock' (Matthew 7:7), and we remain in His presence until His Spirit equips and empowers us to do the work of His choosing.

Friends, let us not end our days with the realization that our work was nothing but wood, hay, and stubble. I pray we will all wait patiently, and pray earnestly, to the glory of God.

If You Knew, What Would You Do?

Pastor Sam asked a thought-provoking question in both services, which we would do well to reflect on today.

If you knew that Jesus was going to return five minutes from now, what would you do? Or, to put it another way, where do you want Him to find you?

If we are conscious of the Lord's return, then our behavior should be consistent with our consciousness. Scripture informs us, through the word of Christ Himself, that no man knows the day nor the hour when He will return.

He might return while you're in the Bronx Bethany prayer room.
He might return while you're at the board meeting.
He might return while you're maligning your boss, your brother, or your pastor.

As we were reminded on Sunday, Matthew 24:45-51 warns us of the fate of those who live as if their Master is never returning. As Pastor Sam said, "your eschatology will determine your ethics".

There are only two options: either you believe what Jesus says or you don't. If you're a Christian, you're wearing a label that says "I am a follower of Christ". Let's pray that, if someone follows you through your day, they'll see Jesus in you at every step.

Oh, and remember what Pastor Sam shared? We don't know the time of Christ's return, but we do know the truth of His return... He Is, and He's returning.

You do know.

No Powerpoint, Just Power Points.

On Sunday we were so blessed to again experience the presence and power of God in our services. Pastor Sam brought a clear, timely word from Acts 1. In the service he mentioned the possibility of expanding on this sermon in some alternative format, and it's possible that Pastor Sam's sermon will become a full-fledged School of Christian Maturity course this fall. For that reason, I won't be digging too deeply this week- let's pray that we get to revisit this subject in the fall. In the meantime, though, let's recap the 6 major points of the sermon:

-Be convinced of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead;
-Be clear about the rule and kingdom of God;
-Be conversant concerning the role of the Spirit;
-Be conscious of the return of Christ;
-Be committed to real dependence on God through prayer;
-Be cautious, careful to remember the warning of Judas's apostasy.

Pastor Sam used the term "structurally different", and it's a good place for us to start as we reflect on Acts 1: do you have a longing to see something structurally different in the body of Christ? Do you want to experience a church like the one we read of in Acts? We learned from the sermon that it doesn't happen randomly: Jesus teaches us His reality, and as we move into an understanding of His truth He is able to cause us to experience His presence and power in a way that transforms us, and also makes us agents of transformation.

Tomorrow we'll revisit the hard question from the sermon.

On Hiatus

My friends, I won't be blogging for the next few days. God's hand is heavy on me about some things and I need to give more time to prayer.

There are plenty of "leftovers" for you to eat, just click on any of the months/years in the left hand column- you'll find all my previous blogs there. (If you click on the little triangles, a drop-down list will show you the individual blog titles. Then you can click the title & that blog will appear.)

Thanks for your love, your encouragement, and your prayers. Lord willing, I'll be back with new blogs starting next Tuesday.

Love,
Genise

God Bless You, My Enemy.

As we continue our reflections on the sermon, let's spend today considering one of the comments Pastor Benji made: the idea of "what matters most".

For Rahab, what mattered most was that she and her family be saved from the impending destruction of their hometown. You know, I wonder if she might have had some relatives that didn't visit her home because of her profession. I wonder if they were able to put aside their differences because there was a greater issue at stake: survival.

To bring Pastor Benji's comment into our personal lives, we might need to ask a question that he asked some time ago: are we content in our own salvation and uninterested in the salvation of others? Are you okay with the idea of going to heaven and your mother's not there, your father's not there, your brother's not there? What do you think?

Listen, these people are adults and they can do as they choose...
Well, if we don't say anything God will send someone else to speak life to them...

But shouldn't we at least try to say something?

Some years ago I met a prophetess in a church (not Bronx Bethany, you don't know her, don't try to guess) who shared with me her testimony of leading her ex-husband to the Lord. What a story of triumph! God had healed her of hurt and animosity, and she was able to share the gospel out of a heart of love, and the Holy Spirit opened the eyes of her ex-husband, and he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Did the couple remarry? No. But God did make a way for emotional healing and salvation.

Perhaps some of you have the same testimony. Or perhaps some of you would like to have that testimony, but you're still reeling from hurts of the past and you don't want to risk re-opening old wounds. If you'll be super-honest, some of you might even say that you don't care if some people end up in hell.

I don't know your story. I don't know your pain. But I do know that, while we were still sinners, Jesus died for us. Jesus didn't wait for us to "come around", He made the ultimate sacrifice knowing that we would ignore Him and malign Him. He loved us, and loves us, knowing that we sin and fall and make Him sad with our lies and our double-mindedness. He pours out graces upon us and speaks tenderly to us. Friends, we didn't earn it. He gave... and He gives.

And here we are, we claim the name "Christian"- "Christ-like". I dare you to really be like Him. Love those who hate you and use you. Pray for their salvation and deliverance. Tell them the good news of Jesus Christ. Who knows? Perhaps the Lord will shower mercy on them as He has for you.

I Spy For The Most High.

This past Sunday, we heard another installment of Pastor Benji's sermon series. As we spend a few days reflecting on the importance of salvation for the entire household, we'll take a look at the story of Rahab and the two spies (Joshua 2).

Joshua was familiar with the idea of sending out spies prior to engaging a whole army or a whole community in the process of transfer, conquest, and change. After all, it was he and Caleb who, with ten other men, served as spies under the leadership of Moses. And it was Joshua and Caleb who stood as the only surviving members of the original group of Israelites that had left Egypt.

So, two young men were sent by Joshua to investigate the city. Presumably they would have sought out information that would be helpful in a military sense: the layout of the city, the main roads, the sources of water or food, the level of security inside the city gates, and so forth.

We are not told the specific answers regarding any of the spies' investigations in the Rahab story, but we do know that there was some sort of counter-spy network already existing in the city of Jericho. How do we know? Because the king was aware of the last known location of the young spies from Israel, and the king took the information seriously. Essentially, in today's terms, he sent officers who showed up at Rahab's house with a verbal arrest warrant: "Bring out the two men..." (Joshua 2:3).

I wonder if we, in this twenty-first century, would be "caught" if someone were scoping this city on the lookout for the people of God. Would an arrest warrant be put out for us, or have we so blended into mainstream society that no one would point us out as being Christians?

Graces Given Generate Gifts.

I would like to encourage the Bronx Bethany family to participate in the next Christian education course. For the next four weeks, beginning the week of April 19, we will be learning together about the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

For some of you this might be dangerous, because obtaining knowledge about the gifts God has given you does imply that you will be expected to operate those gifts in support of the body of Christ. Yes, it's the end of you coming to church late, sitting down and being a spectator for two hours, and going home without having done anything to build up the body of Christ. We need you to identify your gifts and faithfully use them for God's kingdom.

For others of you, obtaining knowledge will demand a shift of responsibilities. For example: there's nothing inherently wrong with singing in a choir, but it's a sin for you to be singing in a choir when you know that God has clearly called you to leave that choir and work for Him as a minister in another part of His vineyard. Say good-bye to your life of being "out of alignment" with God's intent for you.

In addition, we'll learn about the dangers of misusing the gifts we've been given. The exercise of spiritual gifts is never for self-promotion, but is always for the benefit of the local body of Christ- the community in which He has placed you. As we embark on this journey, we would do well to remember the warning we have from the life of Judas Iscariot: a man who was a full participant in the ministry of Jesus Christ, yet who proved to be unfaithful even as he worked alongside his colleagues (see Acts 1:16-17). Gifting of the Spirit without obedience to the Spirit always leads to disaster.

As preparation, you may want to read the following Scripture passages: Romans 12; First Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4; First Peter 4. You'll notice that there is no discussion of gifts without a discussion of love, and perhaps that is the key to engaging in this process without falling into pride or misuse of the gifts God has given by His Spirit.

Please pray for Bronx Bethany as we continue these courses in obedience to the mandate of God.

Inexpressible Light!

We are so blessed to have Bibles. Most of us have not one, but several copies. Some of us have so many in our possession that we actually aren't sure of the total number. And we are free to read them anytime we want, anywhere we want, without fear of persecution.

We are even more blessed to have an intimate relationship with Jesus. As we read our Bibles, as we pray and fast, as we give, as we seek His face, we encounter Him and are immersed in His love. Because we have experienced His love, we are glad to experience His discipline and chastening. And even if the day comes where we are persecuted and our Bibles are taken away, nothing will ever separate us from the love of Jesus (see Romans 8:35-39).

This Jesus, the One we read of in Scripture, the One we love intimately, has revealed Himself as the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25). Because of Him, we are brought back from the deadness and decay of our old sinful life. Because of Him, we have the promise of living with Him in eternity. And as we live out our days on earth in this love relationship, we find ourselves becoming increasingly like Him. We reflect His truth, His compassion, His heart for justice, His love and patience, His mercy.

My friends, that is the ultimate compliment: when people see us, they see Him. I pray that's true for each one of us. God, help us to reflect Your glorious, inexpressible Light, so the Bronx and the world will know You.

I Am, Not Kidding.

I exist.
I was.
I become.
I continue.
I happen.
I accomplish.

In John 11:25, Jesus's statement begins with a profound concept expressed in the tiniest of words: "I am".

Do you believe I am?

(I suppose the only answer I can give is "Yes, I believe you Jesus: You're the I Am, the Holy One, the Lord.")

Do you believe I know what's best for you?

(It shouldn't be too hard to agree with that: after all, Jesus knows everything- surely He knows what's best for me. "Yes, God.")

Do you believe I am incapable of error?

(Uh-oh. If Jesus makes no mistakes, then I'd better not make the mistake of ignoring what He says.)

What reason can you give for not doing what I have asked you to do?

(How dare I say no to the Lord of everything? What am I still afraid of? Why can't I just say yes and really mean it?)

Friends, let's get bold about our total obedience to Jesus. It might cost us love, relationships, jobs, convenience, reputation, whatever... but what greater experience can we have than the joy of being on the same page as our Lord?

Do you really love Him? Don't be found in opposition to His plan for you. He Is, and He's not kidding.

True For Who?

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies..." (John 11:25)

Yeah, we've all heard it so many times. Every Easter, every funeral, there's that verse again. And there it was on Sunday, plastered on the front page of the bulletin. No surprise there.

But what does that verse mean? Is your day-to-day living any different because Jesus made that statement?

Let's pull out a few words from John 11:25 to reflect on.

Resurrection: something (or someone) was alive, then died, then was brought back to life again. This word comes from Latin and French origins which suggest the idea of rising: an implication of not just death having occurred, but also burial. In other words, the assumption was that this thing (or person) was permanently dead and disposed of- even decaying- but was then brought back into existence.

Life: something (or someone) is breathing, interacting, responding, growing.

Believe: accept a statement as true, and subsequently engage in action(s) based upon that truth.

SO, getting back to your day-to-day living:

-if I see you with an umbrella, I would say that you believe it might rain, and you've made preparation so that if rain comes you will not be drenched in the storm.

-if I see you making faces and complaining when you're asked to sing to the LORD, or to give to His work, or to pray, I would say that you believe He's not worth your time, talent, or tithe. Sort of a strange place to find yourself in, since He's the One who gave it all to you...

Oh, I would love to follow you around for a week, because your Monday through Saturday life says so much more than your few hours with me on Sunday.

Really, do you believe what He says?
Are you prepared for His reign, or are you about to be drenched in the storm?

From Once A Year To Once A Week.

[Friends, I am awaiting a copy of Sunday's sermon to review for the blogs. In the meantime, while I'm waiting, the blogs will be general commentaries on the offsite experience.]

This past Sunday, Bronx Bethany held its first "offsite" Easter service. We rented space in a local high school, we rented audio equipment, and we appealed to our congregants to give generously towards defraying the costs of the offsite service.

Because the auditorium was large, we were able to hold just one service- a big difference from the past two years, where our leaders conducted three services to accomodate the Easter crowds. (I should mention here that I'm only referring to the English-speaking congregation for the high school: our Latino Ministries simultaneously held one service for Easter, in our own Bronx Bethany sanctuary.)

I missed both the English and Spanish sermons because I was with my husband at a different church (his other part-time church job): the start time of the services were too close together, and there was no way we could be in three places at one time. I got back to the high school just in time to experience the altar call.

As I stood in the back of the high school auditorium, I marvelled at seeing over a thousand people gathered in one place for worship. As Pastor Sam prayed, I and others prayed along with him: though we are already Christian, we long for more of Jesus. And that's when I started feeling the holy discontent ("Holy Discontent" is the title of a book by Bill Hybels- you might want to read it if you haven't already).

There are churches in the world that have tens of thousands of members, and they might find it laughable that I am sitting here brooding about our comparatively tiny band of one thousand. But I am brooding.

What if it was like that every week?

We pray for revival, we pray for the transformation of the community, we are embarking on a campaign for one thousand new converts in the neighborhood. We are doing this believing God for the space and resources to serve higher numbers of people.

What will we do when they come before we've gotten our new space?

It reminds me of a fisherman whose boat wasn't strong enough to handle the catch of fish, and who had to call to his fellow fishermen for help (see Luke 5:4-11). Are our ushers able to withstand the pressure of serving each Sunday? I mean, in a crowd of a thousand they wouldn't have the privilege of being on rotation: it would be all hands on deck every week.

When we call for help, who will help us? Who are "the partners in the other boat"?

After the service, I and about four other people walked through each row of the high school auditorium. We picked up candy wrappers; gum; water bottles; crushed cookies; straw wrappers; used facial tissues; and yes, even a few bulletins. Seems some of our sheep were hungry and messy. And that's okay, because in a crowd of a thousand these things happen. But how do we sustain our joy in the midst of their messiness?

At Bronx Bethany, we've gotten used to serving between 300 and 400 congregants per service. Can we, together, begin to pray for the strength to serve 1000 to 1200 per service?

It's not so far away.

Jesus First, Yourself Last, Others In-Between.

(Today we continue reflection on the sermon preached by Pastor Sam at the Church of the Good Shepherd, as part of the series of ecumenical services held in the Northeast Bronx for Holy Week.)

The joy of the LORD.

In Tuesday night's sermon, Pastor Sam noted that in the midst of the exhortation for remaining in the vine, Jesus presents the promise of joy for those who obey His commands (see John 15:11). He says, I have told you this so that My joy may be in you.

Well, it's interesting. Jesus didn't say "so that joy may be in you", He said "so that My joy may be in you". It begs the question, what is His joy? How is His joy distinct from regular human joy? Pastor Sam gave an example that is indicative of the joy of the LORD, and it's a great one for us to reflect on at this time.

In the New Testament, we find in Acts 16 the account of Paul and Silas. They had delivered a slave girl from a demonic spirit of divination, and the owners of that slave were furious that they could no longer make money off of the girl. As a result of that healing act Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten, and put into the innermost prison cell with their feet in stocks.

What did Paul and Silas do?

They prayed and sang praises to God.
They preached and brought salvation to the jailer and his whole household.

Oh, my friends, and in particular my friends that are pastors and leaders, the joy of the LORD is indeed our strength. We live in a world that criticizes us for bringing deliverance to the captives. We live in a world that subsidizes sickness, and some people don't want to be fully healed because it means they won't get that monthly check anymore. Our obedience to God might well land us in prison.

So, if you should find yourself in prison, I'd like to encourage you to follow the example of Paul and Silas. Pray, praise, preach. Keep saving the lost.

Oh, and I'd like to also encourage you to remember that Jesus's promise of His joy is not a global promise. It is only promised to those disciples who obey His commands.

Remain in Jesus.
Remain in His love by obeying His commands.
Obey Him by loving each other as He has loved you.
Jesus has appointed you to go and bear fruit: be sure to carry out your assignment.

The blessings of Christ, and His joy, to each of you.

Just Between Us...

On Tuesday night of this week, Pastor Sam was the guest speaker at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Today's blog is based on the sermon he gave at that service.

In John 15:1-17, we read of the allegory likening our relationship with Christ to "the vine and the branches": that is, Jesus is the vine, we are the branches, and the implication is that if we are in Him we will bear fruit. The fruit is the evidence of our connectedness with our Lord.

Pastor Sam pointed out that, in the sharing of this allegory, Jesus gives a clear warning: "If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned" (John 15:6). Yes, it's still true: Jesus is the only way to heaven.

And let's remember who Jesus was talking to. This was not an address to the crowd: this was a private conversation between Jesus and His eleven faithful disciples. (Judas, who had demonstrated himself to be unfaithful, had already left the room and was not party to this final discourse.)

What is Jesus saying, privately, to you and me?

My son, remain in Me.
My daughter, it's to My Father's glory that your bear much fruit.
My children, you are My friends if you do what I command.
My friends, I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last.

Friends, are you remaining in Him?
Have you gone to the places He has sent you?
Are you bearing lasting fruit?

The implication is that some of us are not remaining in Him, and are therefore withering away; some of us have not gone to where Jesus wants us to go, and perhaps we don't even realize that in doing so we have detached ourselves from the vine; some of us, like the fig tree Jesus cursed (see Mark 11:12-25), are showing off a display of huge healthy leaves but there is nothing in us that will feed and sustain the people who come to us expecting to receive something that will nourish their spirits. And, as Pastor Sam read first from the John passage, then reiterated again (twice) in his sermon, the unatttached branch is only good for fire. It's a triadic warning given in love, an appeal to ask you to make sure you are completely in Christ.

Friends, remain in Jesus. There is no value in being near the vine; we must be in the vine. Make sure and be sure of where you stand.

Would You Take A Bullet For Pastor Sam?

As we continue our reflections on Pastor Sam's sermon, let's consider the actions of Simon Peter in the story of Christ's passion.

Peter was not like Judas; that is, Peter did not have a love that was divided between Christianity and consumerism. Peter's challenge was that, in the shadow of his bravado, he was gripped by the spirit of fear. Ultimately, his fear put him in the awful position of denying that he ever knew Jesus.

It's a dangerous thing to tell a friend something like "I would take a bullet for you!"... because the day might well come where you are witness to a gun pointing at your friend's head, and then you will see whether or not your word was truth.

Oh, Peter, I heard you... 'Jesus, I won't leave You'; 'Jesus, even if everyone else bails out You can count on me'; 'Jesus, I'll die with You'... Peter, here comes Judas with the soldiers. What are you going to do now, Peter?

And Peter took out his sword and cut off a soldier's ear. But in the following moments, as Jesus willingly submitted to His Father's will, Peter and all the other disciples ran away. I guess we could empathize with Peter. I mean, he had a wife back at home. Might have had kids. Couldn't afford to be associated with Jesus.

I hear you, Simon Peter: "Sorry, Jesus, I lied. I won't go all the way to the cross. It costs more than I'm willing to pay."

Oh, friends, don't do it! Don't hesitate in your faith! Strive for a full and complete immersion in the Spirit! We hear the warning from Peter, recorded in Second Peter 2:21: "It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them."

Ah, Peter, I've read your letter and I see you've learned from your experience... and you are graciously warning the rest of us.

My friends, are you sure you love Jesus exclusively? Will you live only for Him? And will you die for Him? The only way is the way of the cross. Don't run away from it.

Judas Rising, The Sequel: Messiah In One Hand, Mammon In The Other.

Today we continue our reflections on this past Sunday's sermon, "What Went Wrong Between Sunday and Friday?"

Judas had the task of handling the finances for Jesus' ministry. In that regard, Judas had a fairly prominent position among the Twelve. It really gives the impression that this man was trustworthy. But, as Pastor Sam noted on Sunday, Judas's love for money led him to a series of decisions that resulted in his self-destruction.

Decision 1: To steal. Although Judas was the one in charge of the money, it was apparent that at least one other disciple knew what was supposed to be in that fund, because John was able to record that Judas was stealing from the fund (John 12:6). You know, that's one of the interesting things about sin: you are doing something, and you think that you're under cover because no one has said anything to you directly, but the reality is that other people know. It's not a secret to everyone. And it's certainly not a secret to God.

Decision 2: To sell out. Judas, because of his love for money, had an extremely negative reaction to the "nard" incident where Mary Magdalene poured out her retirement fund as an offering to Jesus (see February 25th's blog "Mary: Misconduct Misconstrued" for more). Judas was not focused on the love of Christ, but on the loss of capital. And when circumstances presented an opportunity to increase the money in his pocket, Judas went for the cash. It didn't matter that the trade-off for the cash was the betrayal of Jesus.

Decision 3: To solo. One of the distinctives of Jesus's earthly ministry was that, when disciples were assigned to tasks, He would never send them alone. They would go two by two (Luke 10:1), or as a small group (Mark 9:2, 9:14-28). Judas, in his quest for financial gain, had gone out alone to meet with the religious leaders who desired the death of Jesus (Mark 14:10-11). And days later, in the middle of a meal, Jesus made a public confirmation of what had already occurred in the shadows of secrecy: Judas's agreement with Satan to betray Christ. Jesus dismissed Judas from the table, and Judas went out alone (John 13:21-30), never to return. It was over.

It is possible, sometimes for years, to be engaged in the work of Christ and simultaneously be quite busy supporting the kingdom of darkness. But in the economy of the kingdom, duplicity is disobedience.

What are your motives? Why do you do what you do? Do you really love Jesus?

Why are you still embracing the thing I have called off-limits? Be warned: like Cain, your desire will destroy your life and ministry if you don't stop it now. Kill your unholy desire before it kills you.

"Inner" Sinner.

On this past Sunday Pastor Sam spoke on the classic irony of Palm Sunday: the realization that the people who hailed Jesus as King would, only a few days later, be crying out for His death. Pastor Sam put Simon Peter and Judas under a microscope, and we reflected on the situations of these two disciples who had key roles in the story of Christ's passion.

Back on February 27, I shared a few comments about Mr. Iscariot in "Judas Rising: Indignation and Insurrection". And we'll reflect on this Judas thing some more this week. But in order to talk about Judas, we first need to talk about the inner circle. [Our brother Bob Adams (http://27gen.blogspot.com) has also recently blogged about "the inner circle"- I'd encourage you to check out his site if you have time.]

The Bible makes distinctions between the individuals Jesus ministered with:

the Seventy (KVJ) or Seventy-two (NIV) (Luke 10:1);
the Twelve (Matthew 10:1);
the Three- Peter, James, & John (Matthew 17:1)
the One- John (John 19:25-26).

The Twelve, hand-picked by Jesus Himself, were on the front lines of ministry. They had a front-row seat and witnessed miracles, healings, deliverance from demonic possession... they saw it all. And Judas was there with them, in his rightful place on the ministry team.

Do you see Judas ministering in the inner circle? I do. And there is the potential for "Judas" in all of us: that part of us that is unwilling to abandon everything for the joy of knowing Jesus. Yet, in that unwillingness, we still retain the capacity to work the works of God for a season. We heal the sick, cast out demons, and do 'good things', but in our heart we know that we are not fully engaged in relationship with Jesus.

Judas, what is it that still has a hold on you? In the face of miracles and healings, how is it that you can still hang on to that pet sin that you know is grieving the Holy Spirit? Why won't you let go?

Well, Judas won't let go because he has another love. We'll talk about it tomorrow.

Pam's Left Hand, Pointing to Ananias and Sapphira.

For those of you who were not in the second service this past Sunday, Pam was a recipient of God's divine healing. This healing occurred while Dan was preaching, and it occurred at the point Dan was explaining the phenomenon of the healing power of God being manifested as a heat or a burning sensation. As he spoke, Pam felt something happening in her left hand. Later in the service, she testified of God's healing and she exhorted Bronx Bethany to be humble before the LORD, so that the LORD would graciously move in the lives of others who are in need of healing.

From January 2006 through December 2008, I was in adult dance ministry with Pam. Frequently Pam and I would meet together to practice outside of rehearsal time, because we both were challenged in maintaining our mental and muscle memory of the choreography. It was during one of these extra practices that Pam, who is left-handed, explained to me about her accident and why she was not able to fully extend her left hand. And I had heard her say, many times, "I have to go home and take my meds".

Last month, for the first time since we've known each other, I stopped by Pam's house one Friday on the way home from Bronx Bethany. I saw what seemed to be a drawer full of pills, and said nothing about it. But I was a little caught off guard, because although I knew she was "on meds" I had not realized that she had so many medications for the pain she experienced.

And, this past Sunday, I saw Pam's left hand... but it was fully open. It was extended. I saw undeniable evidence of the healing power of God. This was not some abstract, Third-World, second-hand recounting. This was my friend and sister in the Lord. The woman I see in church every week. The woman I pray with. My friend was smiling and doing something I knew she could not do: she had every finger of her left hand spread apart. God has healed her.

Now what?

Keep praying and fasting. We have not arrived, Bronx Bethany. Many are skeptical of the supernatural works of God. Many are content in their sin and are refusing to repent. A number of people were absent from church last week and they have no idea that we have experienced the inbreaking of God.

In Acts, particularly chapters 2 through 7, we see the Holy Spirit at work in the early church. And we can expect to see the same work of the Holy Spirit here at Bronx Bethany:

1-The preaching of the whole gospel;
2-The conversion of sinners to the way of Christ;
3-The divine increase of baptisms and church membership;
4-The documented healing of the sick;
5-The dramatic judgement of the wicked;
6-The controversy with spiritual leadership;
7-The persecution of the godly.

We have seen the first four occur at Bronx Bethany. The fifth is next. Please pray.

Warnings From God Through Dan: Hebrews 3:7-13

So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known My ways.' So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'" See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Warnings From God Through Dan: Deuteronomy 29:18-21

Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison. When such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself and therefore thinks, "I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way." This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. The LORD will never be willing to forgive him; His wrath and zeal will burn against that man. All the curses written in this book will fall upon him, and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven. The LORD will single him out from all the tribes of Israel for disaster, according to all the curses of the covenant written in this Book of the Law.

Warnings from God Through Dan: Luke 13:23-30

Someone asked Jesus, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.' But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last."