Reverend Joel gave a wonderful example of someone who was praying for him during a television broadcast, but the person didn't realize that the event they were "praying for" had ended several hours before it aired... they were wasting time praying in an attempt to change a dialogue that had already occurred!
When we pray, are we led by what we see in front of us? Perhaps we should instead engage the idea of solely being led by the Holy Spirit. Here's an example. Some time ago the Lord prompted an individual to pray on a Sunday for a worship service that was scheduled to occur the following Tuesday. The person prayed on the Sunday, then stopped praying on the Monday. Why? Because the Holy Spirit had assured that the prayer was heard and responded to: in other words, any additional prayer for that event would have been redundant at best.
How hard this can be. We live in a world where much of our decision-making is based not on the leading of the Holy Spirit, but instead based on what we see, hear, or read. That's a hard thing to change... but not impossible. I pray that each of us will be courageous and submit our entire wills to the Spirit of Jesus- to see what He sees, hear what He hears, say what He says. When we "pray in sync" (Rev. Joel's phrase) with the Spirit, we can be sure that our prayer is in accordance with the will of God.
Have a wonderful weekend my friends, and remember to pray- according to the will of God.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Total Eclipse.
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth..." (John 16:13a).
During our revival services, Reverend Joel reminded us that the Holy Spirit is the one who reveal the truth of who Jesus is. As is stated later in John 16:13, the Holy Spirit "speaks what he hears": he testifies of Jesus (see John 15:26).
Are you at a point in your life where the truth of who Jesus is eclipses every other claim, every other thought, every other argument? Yes, there are opportunities to ponder a myriad of mysteries. But, as Reverend Joel implied, what's the use of imagining how many angels can sit on the head of a pin? Can such a fact save a soul from destruction? Can such a fact encourage us to stay faithful to the point of death?
The writer to the Hebrews said it well: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2a).
Lord Jesus, as we gaze into your glorious Light, please cause everything else to dissipate, vanish, fade away. Yes, Lord, all we really want is You. Grace us with Your Presence. Amen.
During our revival services, Reverend Joel reminded us that the Holy Spirit is the one who reveal the truth of who Jesus is. As is stated later in John 16:13, the Holy Spirit "speaks what he hears": he testifies of Jesus (see John 15:26).
Are you at a point in your life where the truth of who Jesus is eclipses every other claim, every other thought, every other argument? Yes, there are opportunities to ponder a myriad of mysteries. But, as Reverend Joel implied, what's the use of imagining how many angels can sit on the head of a pin? Can such a fact save a soul from destruction? Can such a fact encourage us to stay faithful to the point of death?
The writer to the Hebrews said it well: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2a).
Lord Jesus, as we gaze into your glorious Light, please cause everything else to dissipate, vanish, fade away. Yes, Lord, all we really want is You. Grace us with Your Presence. Amen.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Paterson, Raging Against The One Who Stills The Storm.
Friends, you may recall that earlier this year I issued a call to prayer and fasting concerning New York Governor David Paterson's attempt to legalize marriage between homosexuals. You may also recall that the New York State Senate experienced what amounted to a coup, and the Senate never voted on the proposal.
Well, Governor Paterson recently announced at a Gay Pride dinner (held in New York City last week) that he again intends to call a special session for the Senate to vote, and his belief is that he and the gay lobby have sufficient votes to pass the bill into law. Some commentators have stated that the Governor is in a hurry to pass the law before 2010, so that marriage between homosexuals will not be a debatable issue in the 2010 state elections.
I don't know much about politics. But I do know that I have friends who are homosexual, whom I love dearly, and I know that I have an ultimate Friend, Jesus, who I would die for.
Reverend Joel spoke on this dynamic during the Leadership Symposium:
-Everyone has the right to express their opinions.
-It is not realistic to expect non-Christians to live according to the word of God.
-Whatever the law is, we all must obey as good citizens.
-The voice of Christianity should be defined not by protest alone, but by love and service to the community.
So, in light of these things, I continue to love and not judge.
So, in light of these things, I continue to exercise the basics of Matthew 6: fasting, praying, and giving.
So, in light of these things, I urge you to do the same.
Well, Governor Paterson recently announced at a Gay Pride dinner (held in New York City last week) that he again intends to call a special session for the Senate to vote, and his belief is that he and the gay lobby have sufficient votes to pass the bill into law. Some commentators have stated that the Governor is in a hurry to pass the law before 2010, so that marriage between homosexuals will not be a debatable issue in the 2010 state elections.
I don't know much about politics. But I do know that I have friends who are homosexual, whom I love dearly, and I know that I have an ultimate Friend, Jesus, who I would die for.
Reverend Joel spoke on this dynamic during the Leadership Symposium:
-Everyone has the right to express their opinions.
-It is not realistic to expect non-Christians to live according to the word of God.
-Whatever the law is, we all must obey as good citizens.
-The voice of Christianity should be defined not by protest alone, but by love and service to the community.
So, in light of these things, I continue to love and not judge.
So, in light of these things, I continue to exercise the basics of Matthew 6: fasting, praying, and giving.
So, in light of these things, I urge you to do the same.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
In Dialog With The Prophet Joel.
Friends, I've been wondering how to blog on the revival services and leadership symposium. Part of my challenge is that our guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Joel Edwards, shared some material that is in his book (that is, it's copyrighted). So I cannot go into detail about each of the sermons and discussions, but will instead try to give a broad overview that pulls together some of the major concepts we reflected on over the past week.
Today, let's just reflect on one thing from last week, which I'll address in the form of questions regarding Bronx Bethany's English-speaking ministry:
-In light of Bronx Bethany being called by God to reach the nations, how does a majority Jamaican church successfully cross cultural and national boundaries?
-In the book of Acts, we see 12 Galileans that successfully preached the Gospel for the saving of souls from many nations. Then, as the first-century church increased, God built a multicultural, multinational staff to move His work forward. Can our all-Jamaican pastoral and administrative staff do the same thing in the 21st century- preach the Gospel, win souls, and embrace the diversity in leadership that God intends to build?
-What about you? Are you ready and willing to be used by God in His strategy of reaching the nations, or would you prefer to sit back and just let the pastors do all the work? Remember, we are each called to a form of service in God's vineyard.
This last point was echoed by Pastor Cole in Sunday's service: FIND YOUR PLACE. On Sunday, less than five minutes before the first service was supposed to start, an usher asked me to pin a corsage on Pastor Sam's lapel. Which I attempted... somewhat nervously, reluctantly, and fully aware that the persons best suited to the task were nowhere to be found. (I hope I didn't ruin his suit with pinholes.) I was out of place. Trying to help but not being much help.
Prior to the corsage crisis, I was outside sweeping leaves off of the front walkway of the church. No one asked me to sweep. I just saw that many leaves were on the walk, some of them were still wet from Saturday's rain, and I knew someone might slip on the wet leaves. And I knew where the broom was. Ah, then I was in my place. Successfully sweeping, with the joy of the Lord: no audience but Him, no accolades from man. What a wonderful experience that was.
Have you taken time to consider what you can do for the Lord? Maybe you can skip church one Sunday and go share the love of Christ by taking your non-Christian friend to breakfast or lunch. Since they don't come to church, you bring the church to them. Be present and influential in their space. Or maybe there is some other thing that, when you do it, you experience the joy of the Lord. You would do it for free. You would do it with no one watching. You wouldn't mind it no one notices. Do you know what that thing is for you?
Lord, show us what things You have made us to do for You and for the establishment of Your kingdom here on earth. And give us courage and grace to do those things.
Today, let's just reflect on one thing from last week, which I'll address in the form of questions regarding Bronx Bethany's English-speaking ministry:
-In light of Bronx Bethany being called by God to reach the nations, how does a majority Jamaican church successfully cross cultural and national boundaries?
-In the book of Acts, we see 12 Galileans that successfully preached the Gospel for the saving of souls from many nations. Then, as the first-century church increased, God built a multicultural, multinational staff to move His work forward. Can our all-Jamaican pastoral and administrative staff do the same thing in the 21st century- preach the Gospel, win souls, and embrace the diversity in leadership that God intends to build?
-What about you? Are you ready and willing to be used by God in His strategy of reaching the nations, or would you prefer to sit back and just let the pastors do all the work? Remember, we are each called to a form of service in God's vineyard.
This last point was echoed by Pastor Cole in Sunday's service: FIND YOUR PLACE. On Sunday, less than five minutes before the first service was supposed to start, an usher asked me to pin a corsage on Pastor Sam's lapel. Which I attempted... somewhat nervously, reluctantly, and fully aware that the persons best suited to the task were nowhere to be found. (I hope I didn't ruin his suit with pinholes.) I was out of place. Trying to help but not being much help.
Prior to the corsage crisis, I was outside sweeping leaves off of the front walkway of the church. No one asked me to sweep. I just saw that many leaves were on the walk, some of them were still wet from Saturday's rain, and I knew someone might slip on the wet leaves. And I knew where the broom was. Ah, then I was in my place. Successfully sweeping, with the joy of the Lord: no audience but Him, no accolades from man. What a wonderful experience that was.
Have you taken time to consider what you can do for the Lord? Maybe you can skip church one Sunday and go share the love of Christ by taking your non-Christian friend to breakfast or lunch. Since they don't come to church, you bring the church to them. Be present and influential in their space. Or maybe there is some other thing that, when you do it, you experience the joy of the Lord. You would do it for free. You would do it with no one watching. You wouldn't mind it no one notices. Do you know what that thing is for you?
Lord, show us what things You have made us to do for You and for the establishment of Your kingdom here on earth. And give us courage and grace to do those things.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Vivified!
Last Wednesday during prayer meeting Pastor Sam requested that we fast and pray for BBCN's Revival Services & Anniversary Sunday which run from October 18 through October 25, and also the November 1st music event being held at Evander Childs High School.
So, for those of you who weren't at church to hear Pastor Sam's impassioned announcement, let me reiterate it here. I strongly encourage as many of us as possible to fast and pray. If you aren't familiar with fasting as a spiritual discipline, I'd recommend that you read "God's Chosen Fast" by Arthur Wallis. It's a short book packed with Biblical support for the engagement of this discipline, along with important practical information so that people new to fasting will learn to do so safely.
It is important to add fasting to our prayers because of the seriousness of the battle we are in. We are not interested in people flooding the altar with tears or dancing their socks off at a gospel concert. What we long for is to see lives that have been transformed by the power of God. What we need is to see people respond to the wooing of the Holy Spirit: not just for a week, but for a lifetime.
We have had too many years of people engaging in external rituals with no corresponding internal change of heart and mind and spirit. Bronx Bethany, let's get real. Fast and pray, and watch God as He reveals who has been made alive and who has not.
So, for those of you who weren't at church to hear Pastor Sam's impassioned announcement, let me reiterate it here. I strongly encourage as many of us as possible to fast and pray. If you aren't familiar with fasting as a spiritual discipline, I'd recommend that you read "God's Chosen Fast" by Arthur Wallis. It's a short book packed with Biblical support for the engagement of this discipline, along with important practical information so that people new to fasting will learn to do so safely.
It is important to add fasting to our prayers because of the seriousness of the battle we are in. We are not interested in people flooding the altar with tears or dancing their socks off at a gospel concert. What we long for is to see lives that have been transformed by the power of God. What we need is to see people respond to the wooing of the Holy Spirit: not just for a week, but for a lifetime.
We have had too many years of people engaging in external rituals with no corresponding internal change of heart and mind and spirit. Bronx Bethany, let's get real. Fast and pray, and watch God as He reveals who has been made alive and who has not.
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Gospel Truth.
In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Benji reminded us of two important principles concerning the content of the gospel:
What Christ offers: Jesus pours out His grace to us, and gives us the privilege of apostleship. We are a forgiven, prophetic community.
What Christ requires: Jesus mandates that His people walk in obedience to Him, which is obedience to the will of the Father.
The outpouring of the grace of God is not license for disobedience.
The outpouring of the grace of God is not excuse for rebellion.
Do you really love Jesus? Do you really believe His claims concerning His divinity, His lineage, His conquest of death and the grave? Then, to quote Pastor Benji, "desist from your evil ways". As we live lives of obedience, others will see and know the grace of God.
Are you ready to be a living letter, a walking Gospel?
What Christ offers: Jesus pours out His grace to us, and gives us the privilege of apostleship. We are a forgiven, prophetic community.
What Christ requires: Jesus mandates that His people walk in obedience to Him, which is obedience to the will of the Father.
The outpouring of the grace of God is not license for disobedience.
The outpouring of the grace of God is not excuse for rebellion.
Do you really love Jesus? Do you really believe His claims concerning His divinity, His lineage, His conquest of death and the grave? Then, to quote Pastor Benji, "desist from your evil ways". As we live lives of obedience, others will see and know the grace of God.
Are you ready to be a living letter, a walking Gospel?
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Love of God.
How is it that God loves us so much?
In Romans 1, we are confronted with the awesome, unavoidable, incomprehensible love of God. We see the love of God expressed in the humanity and the divinity of Christ, and we experience His grace as He pours out His Spirit into our very selves: yes, the Spirit of the LORD, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD (see Isaiah 11:2).
As Pastor Benji said on Sunday, this reflection upon the humanity and divinity of Christ is not merely an intellectual exercise. In fact, we cannot fully comprehend this way in which God has demonstrated His love for us. We accept the mystery of this amazing love, and we believe that Jesus is fully God and fully man.
Back in my Salvation Army days, we would say it this way: "We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man."
So, in the face of this cool weather, we consider the thought that warms our hearts: Yes, God loves us!
In Romans 1, we are confronted with the awesome, unavoidable, incomprehensible love of God. We see the love of God expressed in the humanity and the divinity of Christ, and we experience His grace as He pours out His Spirit into our very selves: yes, the Spirit of the LORD, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD (see Isaiah 11:2).
As Pastor Benji said on Sunday, this reflection upon the humanity and divinity of Christ is not merely an intellectual exercise. In fact, we cannot fully comprehend this way in which God has demonstrated His love for us. We accept the mystery of this amazing love, and we believe that Jesus is fully God and fully man.
Back in my Salvation Army days, we would say it this way: "We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man."
So, in the face of this cool weather, we consider the thought that warms our hearts: Yes, God loves us!
Monday, October 12, 2009
A Marathon Weekend.
Friends, welcome back! It's been a "Marathon" weekend. On October 10 Pastor Brian ran on behalf of BBCN's Afterschool Program, finishing the Hartford Marathon in a little over 5 hours. He looked great, ran with a purpose, and has inspired us in numerous ways: some of us will give more to BBCN; some of us will renew our commitment to exercise and care for our bodies in a way that honors God; and some of us will reflect on Brian's testimony and take up the challenge to say yes to God, even in the face of discouragement, fatigue, and outright opposition.
On October 11, we had two "marathon" services at BBCN. We had a "perfect storm" of factors that pushed each of our services to the 3-hour mark: a guest singer performing a couple of selections from her demo CD, Pastor Richie sharing a very important devotional thought preceding the choral selection by Chosen, and some very serious preaching from Pastor Benji. And, of course we couldn't go home without congratulating Pastor Brian and seeing some pictures from the marathon!
So, this week it's quite appropriate that we'll be looking at Romans, the letter written to Christians in the city that put marathons on the map. Stay tuned!
-G.
On October 11, we had two "marathon" services at BBCN. We had a "perfect storm" of factors that pushed each of our services to the 3-hour mark: a guest singer performing a couple of selections from her demo CD, Pastor Richie sharing a very important devotional thought preceding the choral selection by Chosen, and some very serious preaching from Pastor Benji. And, of course we couldn't go home without congratulating Pastor Brian and seeing some pictures from the marathon!
So, this week it's quite appropriate that we'll be looking at Romans, the letter written to Christians in the city that put marathons on the map. Stay tuned!
-G.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Brake. Break.
Friends and Loved Ones, my dissertation proposal is very close to being finished. I appreciate you continued prayers as my goal is to hand in the proposal to my sponsor this week.
To that end, I will not be sermon-blogging for a while. But I continue to take notes during the services, and I promise you that there will be blogs on the message Pastor Sam shared on Sunday... in fact, that message might well become a book... it just won't be happening this week.
Speaking of Pastor Sam, please keep him in prayer as he preaches the final sermon tonight at the Holiness Summit in Olathe, Kansas.
Take Care!
-Genise
To that end, I will not be sermon-blogging for a while. But I continue to take notes during the services, and I promise you that there will be blogs on the message Pastor Sam shared on Sunday... in fact, that message might well become a book... it just won't be happening this week.
Speaking of Pastor Sam, please keep him in prayer as he preaches the final sermon tonight at the Holiness Summit in Olathe, Kansas.
Take Care!
-Genise
Saturday, October 3, 2009
I Saw You.
Nathanael saith unto Him, "Whence knowest Thou me?" Jesus answered and said unto him, "Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee." (John 1:48)
Oh, how is it that we live our lives without sensing the watchful eye of God? He sees us, "under the fig tree", in those moments where we are completely unaware of His presence and His knowledge of who we really are.
You true Israelite, in whom there is no guile. (John 1:47)
You true prophet, who I can count on to speak My word in season. (Jeremiah 1:5)
You mighty man of valor, whom I have chosen to destroy the Midianites. (Judges 6:12-16)
What is He saying about you?
Oh, how is it that we live our lives without sensing the watchful eye of God? He sees us, "under the fig tree", in those moments where we are completely unaware of His presence and His knowledge of who we really are.
You true Israelite, in whom there is no guile. (John 1:47)
You true prophet, who I can count on to speak My word in season. (Jeremiah 1:5)
You mighty man of valor, whom I have chosen to destroy the Midianites. (Judges 6:12-16)
What is He saying about you?
Friday, October 2, 2009
Veni. Vidi.
Jesus saith unto them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. (John 1:39)
In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Benji reminded us of two important points regarding the recognition of Christ:
We have to be willing to spend time with Him. This was a point reiterated on Wednesday night, as Reverend Gabbidon said essentially the same thing during the School of Prayer course. The Psalms speak of the need for communion with God (see Psalm 1), Jesus Himself lived a life of communion with the Father (see Matthew 14:23), and the lives of men like Daniel Nash, Charles Finney, and others showed the spiritual power that came as a result of the investment of hours alone in the presence of God.
We have to embrace Him as a person, not a concept. Yes, my friends, this raises the bar. How do we relate to the personhood of God? It's through Jesus. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (see John 1:14). There is a relationship in place! Not some abstract notion of God-ness in the earth, but the real presence of the Spirit of Jesus, teaching us to love as He loved and to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions (see Romans 8 and Titus 2).
LORD God, You are my Lord. Do whatever it takes to cause me to come to where You are, and to work in the same way that You are working. I want to live like You.
LORD God, You are my Lover. Do whatever it takes to cause me to see You, and help me to reflect the image of Your goodness and glory in my relationships with others. I want to love like You.
In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Benji reminded us of two important points regarding the recognition of Christ:
We have to be willing to spend time with Him. This was a point reiterated on Wednesday night, as Reverend Gabbidon said essentially the same thing during the School of Prayer course. The Psalms speak of the need for communion with God (see Psalm 1), Jesus Himself lived a life of communion with the Father (see Matthew 14:23), and the lives of men like Daniel Nash, Charles Finney, and others showed the spiritual power that came as a result of the investment of hours alone in the presence of God.
We have to embrace Him as a person, not a concept. Yes, my friends, this raises the bar. How do we relate to the personhood of God? It's through Jesus. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (see John 1:14). There is a relationship in place! Not some abstract notion of God-ness in the earth, but the real presence of the Spirit of Jesus, teaching us to love as He loved and to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions (see Romans 8 and Titus 2).
LORD God, You are my Lord. Do whatever it takes to cause me to come to where You are, and to work in the same way that You are working. I want to live like You.
LORD God, You are my Lover. Do whatever it takes to cause me to see You, and help me to reflect the image of Your goodness and glory in my relationships with others. I want to love like You.