Thankful. Always.

"It is not you doing it yourself when you can look back and say, like Joseph to his brothers, 'You meant it for evil but God meant it for good.' It's not you. That is not normal and that is not natural. You have to be under something in order to be able to say that." -Rev. Dr. Samuel Vassel

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20)

When we are under the influence of the Holy Spirit, we exhibit behavior which is produced by the presence of the Spirit. It is a behavior that confounds the enemy of our souls and confuses those who are not in relationship with Jesus Christ. Even when we are marginalized or persecuted, we do not seek rescue. Instead, we rest in the fact of our having been reconciled to Christ. That rest produces a heart filled with thanks and praise.

How is that we can be singing in the midst of evil days? The person under the influence of the Holy Spirit understands that God is able to use even the worst of situations in order to glorify His own name. Pastor Sam referenced Romans 5:1-5 (click here to link to the passage): we glory in our sufferings because we know that God is doing something. I encourage us all to take time today to read and meditate on the Romans passage, recognizing that we do not have to wait for rescue before we break out in shouts of rejoicing. There is much to be thankful for, even in the midst of crisis, and so we give thanks to our great God.

Lord God, today we do not seek rescue, and we do not seek revenge. We are simply resting and rejoicing. May You find our hearts always thankful.

Thankful. Really.

"If you are finding that thanksgiving is not an integral part of your reality and your experience, maybe I will be bold enough to say you're not really promoting healing." -Rev. Dr. Samuel Vassel

Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?" (Luke 17:17-18)

In this past Sunday's sermon introduction, Pastor Sam briefly made reference to the account of the healing of ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19 (to read the account, please click here). Our pastor noted Jesus's response as one man of Samaria returned to thank Him: "Where are the other nine?"

It seems that Jesus has this expectation of His people: be thankful. If we have been touched by the healing hand of Jesus, then there should be a spirit of thankfulness resident in we who were healed. In addition, that spirit of thankfulness should not be kept silent; it should be expressed outwardly.

Exude thankfulness on the inside.
Express thankfulness on the outside.
Be thankful.
Say "Thank You."

Are we genuinely thankful for all that God does for us, or do we take His grace for granted?
How does our spirit of thankfulness affect those who hear our testimony?

Thankful For The Spirit Of Christ.

We want to avoid the trap of what we call moralism: in other words, there is a danger, when you are pursuing holiness, that you hear the call to holiness as a call to do better and try harder. It is a trap where people find it easier to pretend than to actually experience. -Rev. Dr. Sam Vassel (paraphrase mine)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam reminded us of the good news: holiness is not about trying harder. "The good news of holiness... is that people here and now can experience God's Spirit. And what we are about, in this community, is to announce the possibility and the necessity of experiencing the Holy Spirit."

Our pastor shared with us that we are not a community convicted by our inability to accomplish holiness in our own strength. Rather, we are a community converted, renouncing any attempts at delivering ourselves, and submitting ourselves to the Spirit of Christ. It is His presence and power that free us to obey His word.

Are you submitted to the Spirit?
Are you aware of His presence?
Are you empowered by Him?

Lord God, I recognize that I am not strong enough to live a life of holiness by my own means. Today, once again, I submit my entire being to You. Live in me! Work in me! Move through me! No part of my life is off-limits to You. Do as You will; shine Your perfection through my imperfect frame. 

Thankful For The Word, Part Two.

Today we continue our devotional reflections by reading the second passage Pastor Sam referred to on Sunday: Galatians chapter 5.

I pray that our lives will be authentic demonstrations of the freedom we have in Christ Jesus.

I once was bound, but now I'm free:
Free to embrace God's grace;
Free to love Him exclusively;
Free to serve Him faithfully.

Galatians 5 (NIV)

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Thankful For The Word, Part One And A Half.

Yesterday I posted Ephesians chapter 5 as a devotional reading. At Pastor Sam's request I am re-posting the same chapter today using the NIV translation, and will move on to Galatians chapter 5 on Wednesday. I pray that the reinforcement of this word will be a profound blessing to you, and that the Lord will give you new insights as you read.

Ephesians 5 (NIV)

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Thankful For The Word, Part One.

The Lord brought a powerful word to Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene through Pastor Sam yesterday. This week we will reflect on his message Pursuing Holiness, Promoting Healing, As Thanksgiving.

Early in the sermon our senior pastor recommended that we read Ephesians chapter 5, as well as the book of Galatians (giving special attention to Galatians chapter 5). For today and tomorrow, let’s take time to read God's Word. Below is Ephesians chapter 5 as today’s devotional exercise.

Ephesians 5 (NET Bible)

Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

 

Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth –  trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:

“Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!”

Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Out Of Office.

Yet Jesus Himself frequently withdrew to the wilderness and prayed. (Luke 5:16)

In last Sunday’s sermon Pastor Andy shared with us that Jesus knew when to be fully engaged in ministry, and He knew when to step away from the crowds. He knew the importance of staying in close communion with His Father.

I wonder how many of us are immersed in ministry, and as a result have become “too busy” to step away and reconnect with God. For some of us, the prospect of taking a day off (or even half a day) is met with a frown and a litany of reasons why we can’t break away from our ministry assignments.

Guess what? The canon indicates that Jesus frequently took time to engage the discipline of solitude.

A few years ago, a pastor I interviewed said that he intentionally reserved one day per week as a day of solitude. He did no work on that day. He answered no inquiries. He was unavailable to anyone except God. His intent was to enjoy fellowship with God, joyfully sacrificing a full day and seeking to grow closer to the Lord he so lovingly served.

The Lord is worthy of our praise. Is He also worthy of our time?

Let Them Talk.

Then He ordered the man to tell no one, but commanded him, “Go and show yourself to a priest, and bring the offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But the news about Him spread even more, and large crowds were gathering together to hear Him and to be healed of their illnesses. (Luke 5:14-15)

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Andy shared commentary on the above verses. Let’s reflect on some of those comments today.

v  Go and show yourself to a priest. In biblical times, the priest was the only person in the community who could make an official pronouncement of healing. Jesus told the man to remain in obedience to the community’s protocol for determining whether healing had taken place.

v  Bring the offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded. The role of tithes and offerings was to ensure there was “food in God’s house” (see Malachi 3:10), God’s designated means of supporting the priesthood and maintaining the physical plant in which His presence resided.

v  A testimony to them. Jesus knew the man was healed. The man knew that he was healed. Yet Jesus, though Lord and King of all the earth, encouraged the man to continue in submission to the earthly authorities and structures that were set into place. It was not enough that the man have a private awareness of his healing; there had to be witnesses to this testimony of healing. The priest, in seeing the man’s healed body and receiving his offering, would stand as witness to the miraculous power of God (see Deuteronomy 19:15).

v  The news about Him spread even more. Pastor Andy succinctly said, “News spreads.” Indeed. It is the nature of news, good or bad, false or true, to travel quickly. Though Jesus had told the man to be discreet and not talk about the healing, the community quickly became aware that something amazing had happened.

v  Large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their illnesses. Our pastor shared the heart-narrative of the person who has heard of a miracle occurring in their midst: If Jesus healed that man’s leprosy, then He can heal my depression; He can heal my cancer. Let me go to this Jesus.

At Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, we are blessed to be witnesses to the testimonies of healing in our local faith community. Some of us have even been blessed to be the recipients of God’s healing of our bodies and minds. We do not intend disrespect to those of the faith who believe Diving healing ended with the first-century church. However, we bear the testimony: we assert that our God is our Healer. He has not changed. His abilities have not vanished. We are witnesses of these things. We are spreading the news.

No Lines, No Waiting.

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came to Him who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed down with his face to the ground and begged Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” So He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing. Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. (Luke 5:12-13)

Immediately.

During this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Andy shared with us that the leprous man received an instant healing through the ministry of Jesus. The instant healing of a leper was a radical, previously unheard-of event. As we recall the details of Leviticus 13 and 14, the characteristics of skin diseases were such that the priests needed weeks to determine whether a healing had occurred. For the unnamed leper in Luke 5, his covering of leprosy was immediately and completely eradicated.

Have you had an experience of “immediately” in your household? Do you long for an experience of “immediately” for your community? We serve a great and loving God who is eager to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him and Him only (see Second Chronicles 16:7-9).  Ask God for help. Who knows? He may turn your circumstance today, in a profound way, to the glory of His name.

Raise The Standard!

 “Holiness has an object: the object of holiness is God.” –Reverend Andy Rubin

In the year of King Uzziah’s death, I saw the sovereign master seated on a high, elevated throne. The hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs stood over him; each one had six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and they used the remaining two to fly. They called out to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord who commands armies! His majestic splendor fills the entire earth!” (Isaiah 6:1-3, NET Bible)

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Andy took a few minutes to remind us of our theme for this year: Pursuing Holiness, Promoting Healing. He shared with us some points that I’d like us to reflect on for today:

v  God is absolutely holy: when we pursue holiness, we pursue Him.

v  When we pursue the holiness of God, we will be changed into the image of Christ.

v  When we are changed into the image of Christ, our actions will be reflective of His character.

Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene is in the middle of its autumn Care Group cycle. Our small groups are learning a great deal about the character of the Spirit of Christ, based largely on Galatians 5:22-23. But let us remain cognizant of the other list: Galatians 5:19-21, in which we see a checklist of the works of the flesh that run counter to the fruit of the Spirit.

Our pastor noted that if we have been on board with our church’s theme since January of this year, then by now we should be better reflections of Jesus than we were ten months ago. I would like to encourage all of us to read Galatians 5:13-26 today. As we take inventory of the areas of our lives where the character of Christ is (or is not) present, let us appeal to our great God to help us live according to His standard: the standard of holiness.

Isolation Station.

"As for the diseased person who has the infection, his clothes must be torn, the hair of his head must be unbound, he must cover his mustache, and he must call out 'Unclean! Unclean!' The whole time he has the infection he will be continually unclean. He must live in isolation, and his place of residence must be outside the camp." (Leviticus 13:45-46, NET Bible)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Andy suggested to us that we read Leviticus 13 and Leviticus 14 for information on the way diseases were diagnosed and treated in the communities of ancient Israel. Our pastor noted, in particular, that lepers were required to make public announcement of their sickness. Because skin diseases were highly contagious, the community's response to an announcement of "Unclean!" was to stay far away from the sick person.

Our pastor shared with us that in today's church culture, we see a type of modern-day leper. Some in our community are carriers of spiritual disease: but, rather than coming close to experience the grace of Christ's Spirit, they instead remain far off. The convoluted message? "I'm sick. I need someone to help me. I'm here in this faith community. But I don't want anyone to come near me. Stay far away."

Oh, how we need a recognition of the power of our great God, who calls us to draw near for healing. In the New Testament, we see the account of a leper who understood the power of God at work in the person of Jesus Christ. That leper chose to draw near to Jesus, and experienced healing. Over this week we will take time to reflect on this amazing story of compassion and care.

"While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came to Him who was covered with leprosy." (Luke 5:12a) Guess what? Jesus is in your town. Will you come to Him?

Lord Jesus, where else can we go? When we are well, we will celebrate in Your community. When we are sick, we will cry out in Your community. You have made us to be the church: we are Your body, custodians of Your gifts and graces. Give us Your compassion so that we might become authentic agents of healing, to the glory of Your name. Amen.

Do You Have A Few Minutes?

Today's post is a reflection on Acts chapter 8: I encourage you to read the entire chapter today. Click here to read Acts 8.

In this past Sunday's sermon, Dr. Donovan Case shared a wonderful insight concerning the first-century church: The conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch brought the gospel from the Middle East to Africa, and this happened before the apostle Paul was brought to salvation.

The Ethiopian eunuch was introduced to the Lordship of Jesus by the deacon Philip. Philip, along with other ordinary servants of God, ran for his life after the zealot Saul consented to the stoning death of Philip's colleague Stephen. Although there is nothing wonderful about having to run away from home, Philip and other early church members did a wonderful thing: they continued to speak of the good news of Jesus Christ, sharing His love and truth with those they met on their journeys.

Let's consider three aspects of Philip's evangelistic moment with the Ethiopian official:

Philip's evangelism was Spirit-led, not research-based. Philip did not casually pick the official's chariot based on his own intellect or intuition, neither on socio-economic or regional factors; it was God who led Philip to speak to the eunuch.

Philip's evangelism was spontaneous, not rehearsed. There was no booklet, no pre-set speech. Philip simply asked, "What are you reading?", and from there he preached the simple message of Jesus Christ and His love for the world.

Philip's evangelism was shared, not remunerated. After Philip's ministry work was done, the Lord did not leave the official in a position to compensate Philip: the evangelist was supernaturally moved by God to another location. Though he was materially wealthy, the only "remuneration" the Ethiopian could give was to share the salvation story with others, just as it had been freely shared with him. And, interestingly enough, the act of sharing his new-found faith proved far more valuable.

• Do you have any stories of men, women, or children who shared their faith with you?
• Have you ever taken time to share the story of Jesus with someone else?
• Is your approach to evangelism based on culture, convenience, the leading of the Holy Spirit, or a combination of things?

Imperfect Attendance.

“In church every Sunday for twenty years, but still ‘shacking’.” –Dr. Donovan Case

How can the twenty-first-century church operate with first-century principles? By knowing and doing the will of God.

When our guest speaker, Dr. Donovan Case, made the statement about shacking, he took a bold step to point at the gross, sick, diseased underbelly of the church—not just our local body, but the sickness of church communities across the globe. We are eager and zealous to do some great things for God, but we have neglected to take the time to sit still and allow God to do some miraculous things in us. It seems that in spite of our spending time every day with the Healer, we’d prefer to stay sick.

In reflecting on Bronx Bethany’s 2013 theme Pursuing Holiness, Promoting Healing, we have had almost a year’s worth of sermons, seminars, and community events designed to help people move towards complete healing. There has been much discussion on healing pertaining to physical, mental, and financial areas of life. But, are we as a community also committed to full pursuit of the healing of lifestyles? Are we ready to admit to God (and ourselves) that some of our lifestyles are deeply damaged, and are damaging to the faith community we claim to love?

For those of you who are not familiar with the term shacking, it refers to the pursuit and maintenance of sexual relationships with one or more persons to whom an individual is not married. In some cases, shacking also includes the sharing of a household and finances. For persons who claim to be solid Christians, shacking is a sin that stands in stark opposition to God’s word concerning how we are to live (see Genesis 2:21-24; Matthew 19:3-12; First Corinthians 6:12-7:17).

Dr. Case’s statement, though, goes beyond the issue of an anonymous individual’s choice to ignore God’s commands. It moves all of us to reflection, each holding a mirror to our own faces. We all can take inventory of our lives, and we may see one or more areas in which we have repeatedly failed to walk in obedience to the One we claim as our Lord and Master. What grief have we caused the Spirit of God when we have chosen to spend years, or decades, engaged in actions that He abhors? Whether those actions are as blatant as murder or as subtle as self-righteous pride, the Lord has given us a wake-up call through Dr. Case. It is time to repent.

Lord, You see us engaged in a worshiping community, and You speak to each of us individually. Speak to our hearts today. Give us ears to hear You. Give us hearts that are happy to obey You. Give us wisdom to renounce and reject everything that pulls us away from Your gracious presence. Give us courage to say no to the sins that seem to be satisfying us, when in fact they are destroying us. Spirit of God, we need Your help. Form and reform us: make us reflections of Your glorious image.

Class: Acts.

On this past Sunday, Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene was privileged to have Dr. Donovan Case as our guest speaker. He spoke from the book of Acts, sharing with us the theme "Just Ordinary Saints."

Let's read Acts 11:19-26 as a reminder of Dr. Case's main text:

So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Today, let's consider the question Dr. Case asked at the start of his sermon:

How can the twenty-first-century church operate with first-century principles?

The Society Of Professional Bench-Warmers.

Minister Vivian Talbot took a moment from sharing his testimony to exhort us, as a community, to be fully engaged in the work of the Lord: "God did not save you in order for you to 'warm bench'."

Brother Vivian, you hit the nail right on the head.

For those of us at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, this was not a new word. Several of our pastors, over the past few years, have been led by God to exhort us to live out the mission and vision of our church in practical ways.

Our example is Christ Himself, who did not spend His earthly years seated in a room waiting for people to come to Him. Instead, He went to them. He walked miles upon miles, bringing hope, healing, and salvation to the people He encountered on the roads. He went to peoples' homes for meals and conversations. He attended weddings and religious festivals.

In light of our mission, Bronx Bethany cannot justify simply coming to church and warming the benches when God has called us to "respond practically and compassionately to human need in the name of Christ." The question of ministry has never been concerned with whether to go, because every believer of Christ Jesus is called to go (see The Great Commission, noted in Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-18). The question is, Where does God want me to go, and what does He desire for me to do?

We note in the book of Acts that the early church engaged in various ministry opportunities. Some people were itinerant preachers. Some were table-waiters, ensuring that local widows were fed. Some worked miracles of healing and deliverance. Some extended hospitality by opening their home to travelers. Some transacted in real estate and other sales, donating the proceeds to the church. Some were immersed in cross-cultural ministry. The early church was a dynamic, vibrant, moving church, and people served Jesus within the bounds of their specific callings and spiritual gifts.

Scripture warns each of us against being the type of person who, in light of the goodness and gifts our Master bestows, opts to do nothing (see The Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30). The parable notes that bench-warmers are not only lazy, but also wicked, and have no place in God's eternal kingdom. Our loving God sent Brother Vivian to remind us, because we needed to be reminded: there is work for us to do.

Are you a worker, or a bench-warmer?

Lord, we long to be found living in joyful obedience to Your word. Inspire us to be glad doers of the works You have called us to do.

"Brethren, I Want To Know That God."

"We're talking about the saving grace and the miraculous hand of God into the life of anyone who will dare to trust Him... There's no rocket science to it, you know. Because that's where I was when I couldn't even read and write." -Minister Vivian Talbot

In this past weekend's sermons, Minister Vivian Talbot shared with us how he was miraculously delivered from being killed by a group of dozens of fellow inmates. Although he was not adept at reading or writing, he had cultivated a relationship with God that allowed him the privilege of praying. Brother Vivian conversed with God as his dear Friend, not worrying about finding "the right words" to pray to the Lord. In moments of crisis, our concern is not to sound good or look good. As our brother told us, "God is not impressed with our intellects. God is impressed with our hearts."

Brother Vivian had no ministerial education. All he had was a love relationship with God and a trust in Him, and that was sufficient for God to hear and answer the prayer of his heart. And, true to His nature, our great God answered above and beyond the original prayer. A fellow inmate, who Brother Vivian had in past time prayed for God to destroy, was instead brought to salvation because of the miraculous way in which God rescued Brother Vivian from the gang that conspired to kill him. What was supposed to be a day of death became the day that Jesus poured life into a prison community.

Do you know the God who saves lives?
Do you know the God who can turn enemies into friends?
Do you know the God who can pull joy out of devastating situations?
Do you know the God who redeems hopeless cases?

I know Him. I have a love relationship with Him. I trust Him. How about you?

Trusting Our Trustworthy God.

Over this past weekend's English-language services, Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene had a guest speaker. Minister Vivian Talbot, who was recruited into gang activity when he was only twelve years old, was miraculously saved by God and is now a living witness to His power. We at Bronx Bethany had the privilege of hearing his testimony.

Brother Vivian shared with us that while it is fine to laugh and hear nice stories in church, the key is to recognize and comprehend the action of God in the story. When we by faith "see" God's divine action in the lives of His people, we can also by faith "hear" His divine speech to us as individuals. The Lord uses circumstances, our own and others', to speak to our hearts. Minister Vivian Talbot shared: "I am trusting God to speak to your hearts." "If we become one with God's Spirit, then we will understand God's heart."

And, just as he trusted God to speak to us, Brother Vivian encouraged us to trust God in our individual circumstances.

"The only responsibility we have, and it's so easy-- can you imagine that?--, is to trust Him... once you trust God, prayer will line up; praise will line up; reading the Word will line up; faith will line up; everything will fall in line once you trust God."

In saying this, Brother Vivian brought out a concern of our individual faith-walks: some of us are engaging in external spiritual disciplines, but the disciplines are being exercised apart from the necessary element of trust in God. As we are instructed in Scripture, trust is the key that opens our hearts to recognize and understand the counsel of God. Without trust, we will not see; we will not hear; we will not know.

Do you trust Him today?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)

Build And Keep Building.

"Don't stop at the building. As much as we need it, and we need it, don't stop there, because that's only a launching pad for what God is going to do..." -Reverend Art Alexander

One of the things I appreciate about Reverend Art Alexander is that he doesn't have a problem with being prophetic. As District Superintendent, and as our brother in the Lord, he came to us last Sunday and told us what we needed to hear. Today, let's consider the implications of the above quote.

The physical building is a necessary means of adhering to our mission. We recognize that God has placed us in the Bronx, and we have a responsibility to serve the community in which our main properties exist. Part of our strategy in having "a place for everyone" is to create spaces where everyone can be served. For years now, our community children and youth have been relegated to spaces that are inadequate; today, we are on the threshold of opening new spaces of service for the youngest in our faith community. With our donations and our construction, we are going beyond words and moving into actions that fulfill our mission and vision.

"Don't stop at the building." Pastor Art noted that the building is only one of several steps our church must take in fulfillment of mission and vision. There are some actions that have already begun, as evidenced by our Summer Serve initiatives. We are showing the love of Jesus to our community not merely through providing food, but also through connecting with local community leaders and politicians. Being "practical and compassionate" goes beyond Bible study. We are cleaning sidewalks. We are informing residents of educational and civic concerns. We are getting out of the church buildings and into the neighborhood, because the neighborhood also needs to be built up.

The launching pad. Pastor Art, in tagging our new building as a launching pad, hinted at our Christian responsibility to not just serve, but also to send. Our Lord allowed us to see a glimpse of this last summer as several people from our church went on their first missions trip to Colombia, South America. In its first few decades of existence, Bronx Bethany was known as "the singing church". Today, we are moving into being identified as a serving church. Our future, if we are to be "a redemptive influence in the Bronx and in the world", must involve a significant number of persons being sent from our church to the far reaches of the world as true ambassadors of Christ. Let us pray that over the next few decades, we will be identified as a sending church.

"... for what God is going to do." Over all these things, Pastor Art reminded us that any work "we" accomplish must be made manifest by the work of God's Spirit in and with us. God has graciously allowed us the privilege of participation in His project. We must never forget that without God's hand upon us, Bronx Bethany cannot do anything of merit. Let us continually submit ourselves to the Lord, giving ourselves completely and exclusively to Him, so that He can freely do His works through us.

Yes, Lord, we submit individually. We submit corporately. We serve faithfully. Please teach us and position us to be sent as Your ambassadors locally and globally. Thank You for the physical and spiritual buildings You have spoken into being. We look forward to the future You have planned for Your people. We love You, Lord Jesus.