Oh, I Need Thee!

"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance." (Matthew 9:13)

During this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Althea shared with us that there is a danger in thinking that our years of faith in Christ are sufficient reason for us not to need Him anymore. She said (and I paraphrase), if we think we're okay "on our own", then there's no room left for Jesus to do anything for us.

Our Lord says, "I have not come to call the righteous." Those who have declared themselves healthy have declared themselves exempt from experiencing God's power. Where does healing begin? It begins with the evidence and admission of need: a need that can only be supplied by God Himself.

God is eternally here. Let us draw near to Him, with all sorts of prayers, for all sorts of healing.

Check, Please!

"But when Jesus heard this, He said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.'" (Matthew 9:12)

It is interesting to note that, although the Pharisees addressed their inquiry to the disciples of Christ (in Matthew 9:11), it was not the disciples who responded. Christ Himself stepped in to speak on behalf of His followers.

We who live life in the community of faith are so blessed! We have been called to follow Jesus, and we have answered the call. We have traded out our traditional employ and have submitted ourselves to the Lord, and as a result we have this privilege of being protected and defended by Him. There is no longer any need for us to defend ourselves: our Defender knows best what to say in any and every situation.

Lord God, place a guard on my lips that You might be free to speak.

Induction. Period.

"The Pharisees noticed this and they inquired of Jesus's disciples, 'Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?'" (Matthew 9:11)

About twenty years ago I was at a church as a guest concert participant. Before the program started, I ran into an old friend. We greeted each other with a hug, did a little catching up, then parted ways. An audience member then urged me to come over to where she was sitting. She said, "You should not be so close to that person, he is not well. He is very sick." I knelt down so that I could look her in the eye, and I said, "I know he is sick. And I also believe that God has the power to heal him. Do you believe that?" As I walked away, I suddenly realized that her first statement was an indication that, whether she believed or not, she was not in a healing mindset: she was in an isolationist mindset.

In titling her sermon "Outsiders", Pastor Althea captured the crisis of the church. She reminded us that we who are now "in" were once out, but at some point we were touched by the grace and power of Christ. We were converted, healed, and delivered. But, sometimes, we forget our past. We carry on our love-fest with Jesus without concern for the lost souls who need Him as desperately as we do. Such is the epitome of hoarding: denying the Balm of Gilead to the sin-sick soul.

The Pharisaical indictment rings as loudly now as it did in Matthew 9:11: Why associate with outsiders? The answer? It is what our Teacher did for us. None of us were born into the kingdom of God by our physical birth or pedigree. Someone reached out to us. We were offered a chance at spiritual birth, and we said yes to Jesus. Amen! Let us make room for countless others to hear the gospel and to have opportunity to respond to the call of Christ.

Is there any person on the planet undeserving of the opportunity to be introduced to our Lord Jesus?

Intentional Invitation.

"As Jesus was having a meal in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners arrived and began eating with Jesus and His disciples." (Matthew 9:10)

During this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Althea made a salient point (paraphrased here): There is no real accolade in self-boasts of being a Christian forty years, when in deed one is still conducting their spiritual life as if they are a selfish infant. Conversely, there are those in the community of faith who have only been Christians a short period of time, but who are faithful, evangelism-minded, and maturing rapidly.

We see the latter in the life of Matthew. Canon asserts that he, at some point after his conversion and call, invited Jesus to dinner. It seems that Matthew was intentional in including other tax collectors and persons deemed sinners by the local community. According to Matthew 9:10, "many" of these people came to the home for food and fellowship.

What does it mean to be called by Jesus? There is the aspect of leaving where we are in order to follow where He leads (discussed in yesterday's post). There is also the aspect of not keeping good news to ourselves, but being open and eager to include as many persons as possible. The Christian faith is grounded in community. Matthew understood this.

One drawback of the hymnody and lyricism of the past two hundred years is that it has reinforced focus on the Christian walk as individual experience, yet not as much focused on individual salvation as a gateway to salvation for families and communities. God so loved the world. Let us heed the example of Matthew, who bore the cost of feeding the "many" so that they, too, could access the saving presence of Jesus.

Lord God, help us to understand that You take interest in the souls of the lost. Give us grace to introduce them to You, by whatever means You allow.

The Apex Of Employ.

In yesterday's sermon, Pastor Althea spoke from Matthew 9:9-13. Today, let's reflect on the first verse in the passage.

"As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector's booth; and He said to him, 'Follow Me!' And Matthew got up and followed Him." (Matthew 9:9)

Our Lord has the right to interrupt our workday. Jesus did not wait until Matthew was on a break from the tax collection booth; He addressed Matthew as he was seated in his workplace- a place despised by ancient Jews because taxes were collected in service to Rome. There are instances when Jesus chooses to call followers not from the staid, secure community of faith, but from the arenas assumed least likely to produce viable candidates. Matthew, you are sitting in the place of sell-out, but I know your heart. You are worth calling.

Our Lord has the right to intercept our career track. Even as I type this I know that some readers will have a problem with this point, but here is the truth: Our brilliance at a particular task or skill is not sufficient proof that God wants us to spend a lifetime in that task. Take a look at Bronx Bethany's pastoral staff: lawyer, teacher, scientist, business professional, et cetera, all called by God to leave their secure/well-paid/academically appropriate employment in order to proclaim the word of God full-time.

We have to respond immediately to the call. Matthew, according to Scripture, responded to the Lord by getting up from his place of employ and leaving it to follow Christ. There is nothing in the canon that suggests there was a discussion, nor a gap in time, nor hesitation, nor regret. Matthew, by his actions, indicated to Jesus that the answer to the call was yes. Yes, Lord, You have called me and I will walk with You, right now.

The interesting thing about the call of Christ is that the one called is free to say yes or no. Sadly, not everyone was like Matthew. Some, like the rich young ruler, walked away from the call of Christ. Others responded to His call with requests to delay following.

Fast-forward to 2013. Jesus has stopped by your desk, and mine, with a two-word request: "Follow Me." I told Him yes. What is your response?

A Prism Of "Ism"s.

A blessed Saturday to my readers who remain in the faith! Here are a few "Pastor Joy-isms" for today (paraphrased from this past Sunday's sermon). May her words- which flow from the word of God- be a source of reflection, contemplation, and assurance for you.

• God caused unlearned men to become linguists.
• Are we broken over our brokenness?
• The first public appearance of the apostles started a Christ Revolution.
• Reluctance to take risks is replaced with reliance on God.
• Victory is assured when we remain in Christ.

Beyond The Sing-Sway-Shout.

As we wrap up our reflections on Pastor Joy's sermon, let's take away an alliterative reminder of "Prerequisites for the Power of Pentecost":

• The disciples were penitent. They were sorry for their own sins, they understood the painful but prophetic role that Judas played, and they procured his replacement in obedience to Scripture.
• The disciples were positioned. They took measures to be on one accord, resting in holy interpersonal relationships, and they remained unified in prayer and purpose as they waited for the promise of the Father.
• The disciples went public. After they were filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples immediately began a ministry of preaching, healing, and speaking the truths of Christ to everyone from pauvres to sociopolitical powers.

Who embraces Pentecost? Ordinary people walking in obedience to our extraordinary God. May we be found in their company.

The Look Of Acts: Is It Seen In You?

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Joy noted an important evidence of the power of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life. She said: “When the Holy Spirit is in control, we are moved from cowering and complaining to conquering.”

We see this in the life of the disciples. Prior to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they were found bickering over position (see Mark 9:33; Luke 9:46) and hiding in fear of man (see John 20:19). In contrast, the apostolic experience in Acts was marked by fearless, victorious action (see Acts 4:13).

Scripture exhorts us to live in the same way.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Then you will be pure and innocent children of God. You live among people who are crooked and evil, but you must not do anything that they can say is wrong. Shine as lights among the people of the world.” (Philippians 2:14-15)

“In everything we are more than conquerors through Christ, who loves us.” (Romans 8:37)

Lord Jesus, give us the grace of Your Spirit, so that we might walk unencumbered and unafraid. We anticipate victories this day because of Your work in us and through us.

Accord That Cannot Be Broken.

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Joy noted that the people who were waiting for the Father’s promised Spirit were “in one accord” (see Acts 1:14). Their oneness in spirit and purpose was necessary before the Holy Spirit came.

What were the evidences of the oneness of the community? Our pastor used the examples of stewardship of self and of personal relationships.

Stewardship of self. God sends His people as gifts to to the world. Our love for ourselves, if solid, will facilitate our love for our neighbors.

Stewardship of interpersonal relationships. The Acts 1 passage indicates that the gathered community was on one accord. There was no indication of  hidden agendas, posturing for position, or disagreement over the process by which they would wait.

The disciples had been through extreme crisis. They saw their Lord Jesus falsely accused and crucified, they experienced the shock of His resurrection, and they experienced the emotion of watching Him ascend to heaven and leaving them to wait for the Holy Spirit. But, in spite of their personal emotional upheavals, they chose to band together in agreement. They understood that Jesus’s word to them was true, and they followed through on His word by endeavoring to remain in oneness of spirit.

What about us?

Pastor Joy shared that if we are struggling while we are waiting, or if we are in strife-filled and fractured relationships, then there will be an absence of the spirit of unity which is necessary for the Holy Spirit to dwell in and among us.

Today is a good day for us to do a self-check concerning our relationships. “As much as it is up to you, be in peace-filled relationships with everyone you know.” (see Romans 12:18)

Amen. Lord God, we long to live in unity with Your people. Give us grace, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, to be and become a community on one accord.

Power Trip.

In her “introduction to the sermon introduction”, Pastor Joy shared a wonderful statement concerning the power of God:  No iPhone or iPad alarm woke us up this morning. The I Am woke us up.

As we contemplate Pentecost, we must be in a position to acknowledge that, as Psalm 62:11 says, “power belongs to God.” This is what God has said concerning Himself. And Jesus said to His beloved disciples, Wait for the Father to give you the Holy Spirit…the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power (see Acts 1:4 and 1:8).

Our pastor noted that Pentecost, for Christians, is an evidence of unstoppable, God-led, God-infused power. It was God who empowered unlearned men to become linguists. It is God who empowers us to become what we were not. Why? Not for us to show off “our skills” for our own glory (because in fact these are not “our skills” if it took a miracle of God to set them in motion), but for us to speak of His wonderful works in order that others might be drawn in to His glorious kingdom.

Today is a good day to thank the Lord for His promise of power, the glory of His kingdom, and the privilege of participation in His Divine work.

Lord God, thank You! Continue to awaken us, by Your power, to Your power.

Acts, Naturally!

As yesterday was Pentecost Sunday, several churches took time to reflect on various passages in the book of Acts. Here at Bronx Bethany, Pastor Joy spoke on Acts chapter 2, verses 1 through 13.

For today, let us re-visit the Scripture passage with the following questions in mind:

• Am I willing to wait, patiently and prayerfully, until God delivers on His promise to me?
• Between the Resurrection and the Ascension Jesus was seen by several hundred people, but on the day of Pentecost (according to Acts 1:15) there were approximately 120 persons waiting for the promised Holy Spirit. Why do you think there were so few witnesses waiting for Him?
• The passage tells us that those who received the Holy Spirit were able to declare the wonderful works of God in languages they had never previously studied. Do you have a testimony of God’s Spirit equipping you to say (or do) things that you, on your own, did not have the knowledge to say (or capacity to do)?

Acts 1:1-13 (NET Bible)

Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a violent wind blowing came from heaven and filled the entire house where they were sitting. And tongues spreading out like a fire appeared to them and came to rest on each one of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven residing in Jerusalem. When this sound occurred, a crowd gathered and was in confusion, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 

Completely baffled, they said, “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that each one of us hears them in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and the province of Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs – we hear them speaking in our own languages about the great deeds God has done!” All were astounded and greatly confused, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others jeered at the speakers, saying, “They are drunk on new wine!”

"Rich" Memory.

As we close out our reflections on this past Sunday's sermon, let's take a few moments today to remember a few of the things Pastor Richie shared with us.

• In Ephesians 5:1-20, we are encouraged to "live wise lives".
• Proverbs 31:1-9: King Lemuel's mother could exhort him to godliness because she was a godly woman. We cannot tell people to go where we have not been.
• Psalm 90 and Ephesians 5 teach us to make the most of the time we have.
• There is no middle ground: God does not deal with grey areas. Either we are with Him or we aren't.

Lord God, how we thank You for Your word of truth, poured out to us faithfully by the men and women You have called to lead us. Please help Bronx Bethany so that we might always be found in the center of Your will.

Lifestyles Of The Rich And Righteous.

Instead of using a traditional Mother’s Day text, such as Proverbs 31:10-31, Pastor Richie instead focused on a rarely-read Scripture passage: Proverbs 31:1-9.

In that passage, King Lemuel is given advice by his mother. At the heart of her counsel is a caveat that our pastor summarized (paraphrased here): either we can focus on exercising our rights, or we can focus on doing what is right.

In King Lemuel’s time, it was the right of kings to amass wealth and women, to live in excess, and to oppress their subjects. But the mother of King Lemuel had a different ethic, and she passed it on to her son. Although sexual promiscuity and alcohol consumption were present in many king’s palaces, Lemuel’s mother warned him that such behaviors would actually serve to ruin his rule. Specifically, such behaviors would lead the king into a lifestyle of oppression and subjection of the disenfranchised.

Those of us who are authentically Nazarene (not just attending a Nazarene church, but in fact subscribing to its tenets) can say, Well, I don’t drink alcohol, and I’m not a king, so this really doesn’t apply to me. But what other rights are we holding to that, though legally sound, are not ethical? Are we harboring anger and resentment towards others? Are we reluctant to give of ourselves and our substance to the work of the Lord? Have we, especially in these times, chosen to hoard our resources instead of helping those who are in worse situations than we?

What behaviors are we clinging to which, though within our rights, might serve to ruin our testimony?

Lord, help us to relinquish our "rights", so that we might do what is truly right and good.

One Richard. One Pour-er.

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Richie shared (and I paraphrase) an allusion to Second Kings 4:1-7:

God can pour out His Spirit. Do we bring empty jars?

There is no debate as to whether God is capable of releasing His presence and power into a community of faithful believers. He is, and He does, and He shall. Our Lord Jesus has promised the Holy Spirit to us as the Person who would 1) remind us of His word and His will and 2) empower us to do His works.

In that regard, is there such a thing as being “too full” of the Holy Spirit? Can there be too many reminders of the word of God, or too many encouragements to submit to Him, or too much of His power to heal and save lost souls?

Questions to reflect on:

• Why does the Bible call for us to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:15-21)?
• Why does Scripture admonish us to not quench the Holy Spirit (I Thessalonians 5:19)?
• Does your life and lifestyle indicate that you are filled with the Holy Spirit, or that you are filled with selfish ambition (Galatians 5:19-25)?

Like that widow, here we are

With every borrowed empty jar.

Our deep need: Your complete filling.

Our consolation: You are willing.

Rich. Soil. Water. Growth.

“Sometimes we don’t cultivate the environment in which the Spirit can come.” – Pastor Richie

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Richie reminded us that we play a role in the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Our heart thoughts and actions have a direct correlation with our corporate experience of the Spirit of Christ in the midst of us.

Jesus says, “I promise you that God in heaven will allow whatever you allow on earth, but He will not allow anything you don’t allow. I promise that when any two of you on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you. Whenever two or three of you come together in My name, I am there with you.” (Matthew 18:18-20, Contemporary English Version, emphasis mine)

A question for today: When we gather together as a community of faith, are we gathered together in the name of Jesus? It’s a tough question, because often we have a myriad of reasons as to why we’re “showing up.” There is the dreaded phrase, “I have to…” – I have to sing, I have to dance, I have to drop off this package to so-and-so, I have to set up Communion… Are we surprised that when we view corporate gatherings as obligatory exercises, the Holy Spirit of Christ is not experienced in His fullness?

The name of Jesus is a source of salvation, healing, deliverance, and power (see Matthew 1:21; Acts 4:7-10; Mark 16:17-18). In the moments when we gather with no other agenda but the praise and worship of our glorious Savior, an environment/atmosphere is set in which the Spirit of the Lord can be with us. His presence [as our senior pastor (Pastor Sam) shared with us some years ago] is an indicator that He is present to act, working wonders in our midst to the glory of His name.

That's the place where I'd like to be: with His people and in His presence. How about you?

Lord Jesus, forgive us for our treating time in Your house, and time with Your people, as pained obligation instead of privileged honor. Help us to re-frame our understanding of what it means to gather together for corporate worship and prayer.

Glossa Presses Pause: Saying Goodbye To The Gracious Lady.

Dear Readers,

I am sorry to announce the passing of my mom, who died in her sleep very early on May 3rd at the age of 83. Arrangements are:

Funeral:

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Gethsemane Baptist Church

771 Fairmount Place

Bronx, New York 10460

Viewing: 9:00 a.m. and Service: 10:00 a.m.

My mom was a gracious, generous woman whose life poured forth compassion and justice. She was down-to-earth and had a witty sense of humor. She deeply loved the Lord and was a committed instructor of His truths. I and my family miss her, yet we are (at the same time) so happy that she is now in the presence of the Lord she loved... and loves.

Because of my role in working through final arrangements concerning my mom, I have chosen to pause from uploading sermon reflections for a short period of time. While I am away from Glossa Water you are welcome to look at my older posts, which go back as far as 2008. With the Lord's help, I will be back to blogging soon.

Thank you for your prayers.

Love,

Genise

The Oil Is Still Pouring.

This is my concept of the widow in Second Kings 4:1-7: She is an unseen resourceful woman nearing the end of her resources. She is the good steward of the little, remaining diligent while slipping into expiration. Hers is a household abundant in faith, yet in desperate need of God's miraculous presence and power. Her oil cruse is not a new one, but an old container whose oil she has been rationing for a very long time.

May I speak prophetically? She is you. I am she.

We are diligent and careful. But we are nearly empty, and needing to be filled again: not from our own storehouses, but from the supply of our Prophet, Priest, and King.

Holy Spirit of Christ, eternal Supplier, pour Your oil into us.

(Image Copyright 2000, Genise Reid.)

"Cruse"-ing...

One of the points made by Pastor Joy in this past Sunday's sermon was (and I paraphrase), The widow knew something about the prophetic community; she did not ridicule Elisha's instructions.

What was the widow asked to do? A few things that seemed odd:

• She was to acquire jars from all of her neighbors.
• She was to close the door behind herself and her sons.
• She was to pour oil from her small jar into every container she had acquired.

What happened as a result of her doing what was asked of her?

• Her obedience transformed her from a widow buried in debt to a local businesswoman.
• Her obedience saved her sons from slavery.
• Her obedience served as proof that she trusted the counsel of God through Elisha.

Pastor Joy noted, The widow trusted God for a miracle, and she had to do her part. If the widow had not carried out the prophetic instruction, nothing would have happened.

Fast-forward to 2013.

What crisis situation(s) are we facing?
Have we sought the counsel of God through His Word?
Is the Lord asking us to act on behalf of the miracle we need? If so, what has He asked us to do?
Are we obeying His word to us, or are we dismissing His counsel as ridiculous?

Problems As Promptings.

What do we do when a problem arises?

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Joy shared (and I paraphrase): Problems are promptings from the Holy Spirit to pray: they are opportunities to appeal to our God, who does the impossible.

Here is where we find the dividing line between mature and immature Christians. The immature Christian, in the face of crisis, will engage a number of actions before "getting around to" prayer. Persons who claim to be Christian, but who routinely choose to address crisis situations through every means but God, should not be surprised that their crises continue.

Jesus has said that with God, nothing is impossible. There is no better option we hold than to talk to Him, hear Him, and obey Him. He is the Problem-Solver.

Who are you talking to? Who are you listening to? Who are you appealing to?

Land Of A Thousand Sound Bites!

One of the joys of hearing Pastor Joy preach is that there are usually at least a dozen "sound bites" to chew on for the week. So, today, I am happy to share a few quotes, Pastor Joy-isms, from this past Sunday's sermon (Second Kings 4:1-7). May they be a blessing and encouragement as we go through the day.

• "Sometimes the prayer doesn't go through because we don't know the Word." 
• "Position yourself in Word-instructed prayer."
• "We can live on Miracle Avenue."
• "The flow depends on the capacity."
• "The Lord has given us unlimited power to be overcomers."

Amen!

Blessings and Peace,
G.

Alliteration Station.

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Joy shared four things that God does on behalf of His people:

• We experience God's providence.
• We experience God's provision.
• We experience God's protection.
• We experience God's promises.

As I have been reflecting on these glorious gifts we receive from the hand of God, the word that has come to mind is bliss. We experience profound spiritual joy as beneficiaries of the grace of God.

Bliss in the midst of crisis. Some years ago, Don Moen wrote and produced the song "God Will Make A Way". It was a song birthed out of deep pain and sorrow. In modern Christianity we tend to associate the goodness of God with the absence of troubles... but He is good even in our troubles, even in our crises, even in our losses. One of the distinguishing features of the mature Christian is that he is able to rejoice before seeing the manifestation of God's promises, protection, provision, and providence.

In order to experience providence, there must be desire.
In order to experience provision, there must be lack.
In order to experience protection, there must be danger.
In order to experience promise, there must be loss.

During the sermon Pastor Joy noted that, in desperate situations, our inclination is to first go to whom we know best. I pray that, for all of us, God remains our first, best, and sole resource.

May we experience Him today, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves.