Battle, Meant...

When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” (Deuteronomy 20:1-4)

David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. (First Samuel 17:22-24)

In the book of Deuteronomy we read the laws given by Moses to ancient Israel. Chapter 20 begins with a directive concerning warfare. The directive can be broken down into seven points:

v  The people were not to fear their enemies;

v  The people were to remember that God delivered them out of Egypt;

v  The people were to know that God would be with them in the war;

v  The priest was to announce Israel’s entry into battle;

v  The priest was to remind Israel not to be afraid;

v  The priest was to reassure Israel of God’s presence and role in the war;

v  The priest was to declare Israel’s victory before they began to fight.

The army of Israel, concerning Goliath and the Philistine army, failed to do what their law provided as standard protocol for warfare… but we see that David was not affected by Israel’s failure to keep the law. Let’s take a minute to consider the source of David’s success as a warrior. Pastor Sam shared two things about David that can encourage us today:

1. David had experienced the power of God. As a shepherd, David had received God’s power: to rescue his father’s sheep, and to avoid being killed by wild animals. First Samuel 17:37 gives us David’s mindset: “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

2. David had experienced the presence of God. First Samuel 16:13 shows us that David had an encounter with the Spirit of God: “So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.”

Our modern-day warfare may not seem as dramatic as that of a boy defeating a giant, but in fact you and I may have to do some serious battling in the realm of the spirit. We face relatives who have given themselves over to deep evil. We hear the voices of prominent people, sometimes even those who claim to be people of God, and their words are full of fear. These who we love, and who are “the sheep of God’s pasture” (see Psalm 100:3), need to be rescued. And if we have experienced the power of God and the presence of God in our personal lives, then we are equipped to fight and win.

Today is a good day to take your experience onto the battlefield. The LORD is with you. Fight fearlessly.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Fight Card: Genise vs. Goliath.

Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. (First Samuel 17:10-11)

In Sunday's sermon Pastor Sam spoke of a grace for giant-killing. The message reinforced a kairos moment for Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, as we stand between the victory of completing our building extension and the continuing battle for the souls of people who have not yet come to Christ.

In First Samuel 17, we read that King Saul and his army were fearful of Goliath, a Philistine warrior who stood about nine feet tall. Scripture informs us: "For forty days the Philistine came forward morning and evening and took his stand." (First Samuel 17:16) Though Israel's army was skilled, not one man stepped up to fight against Goliath. Instead, they spent more than a month listening to Goliath's rants against them and against God.

What did God do in the face of this army's delay? He sent a boy to fight a giant.

Young David, though untrained, had a huge advantage over everyone else on the battlefield: He knew the power and the grace of God. And as our pastor shared (paraphrased here), If a giant kills a boy, that is not news. But if a boy kills a giant...

I wonder if we in our current context have some "giant"-sized issues that have been taunting us for forty days, or six months, or several years. On Sunday we were reminded that if we serve the living God, then we have access to His graces. Pastor Sam noted that we may know of God's saving grace, His keeping grace, and His grace to heal and deliver. All these graces bless us. But there is also a grace that empowers boys to kill giants. This grace of God is available to empower us, in our frailty and in our weakness and with our unqualified selves, to go out and do great exploits in the name of the LORD.

We know the power of our God, and we know that He imparts His grace to His people. If we are walking with the LORD, then there is no need for us to fear. We can face, and overcome, any challenge.

Do you have a Goliath? Don't fear. Today is a good day to slay a giant.

Lord God, we love You. You know the struggles each of us face. Please help us to remember that You are the God of grace and glory! Give us Your grace so that we can overcome obstacles and win the war for souls. Thank You for standing with us and empowering us to fight: not in our own strength, but in Your strength and through Your strategies. Glorify Your name in and through us. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Beneficiary.

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Sam spoke of the abiding benefits of grace. These benefits include:

v  Forgiveness of sin

v  Transformation of character

v  Fellowship and partnership with God and God’s people

Our pastor also noted that in Psalm 126, the expression of joy comes before the restoration of fortunes. The passage reads:

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev. (Psalm 126:3-4)

As we reflect on the goodness of God and are filled with joy, we are able to endure hardship. We understand that the God who loves us is the God who frees us. We are confident that the God who changes our character is the God who changes our circumstance. And though it may take a miracle for our circumstance to change, we still rejoice because we know God’s track record of doing the miraculous.

The psalm uses a particular phrase that I’d like us to reflect on today: streams in the Negev. Pastor Sam spoke of the wadi: a wadi is a channel or ravine that is dry until the rainy season comes. The soil in the wadi is so dry and hard that when the rain finally arrives, the soil is not able to absorb the water: the rain travels along the wadi as a raging river.

Maybe you are in a dry season, where nothing you’ve planted has grown. I pray that you will rejoice today: not because your circumstances have already changed, but because you have full assurance that God will work in you and through you, even as you wait for His blessings to overtake you like a flood.

This is Advent, the season of expectation. Expect God to show up in your Negev. 

God, our Father and Lord and King, thank You! We are forgiven… and we are transformed... and we rejoice in our relationship with You and Your people. May the world see You in us as we wait for deliverance and restoration.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

With Soul And Voice, Rejoice...

When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. (Psalm 126:1-3)

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47)

Verses 1 and 2 of Psalm 126 acknowledge the stunned joy of the ancient Israelites who were released from captivity: “…we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter.” Later, in verse 3, the psalm shifts to the present tense: “The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Sam shared a point that we can reflect on today: that which happened in the past has a present abiding significance. And in this present Advent season, we are encouraged by this truth: God, who has done great things for others, is here to do great things for us. Ancient Israel saw His mighty hand at work and they celebrated. Mary received His word from an angelic messenger and she celebrated. And we, who have read the stories of those who rejoiced in God, can ourselves break out into a psalm of joy!

Ancient Israel, your exile will end. Rejoice.

Mary, you will give birth to the Savior. Rejoice.

Reader, God will answer your faithful prayer. Will you rejoice in Him today?

O Lord, our Lord, You brought deliverance to people in the past, and You are here to bring deliverance to us now. We wait in anticipation, and we rejoice as we wait, believing that You will do great things for us.

All Scripture references from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Best Place To Live Is In A "Walk-Up".

As we begin reflection on Sunday’s sermon, let’s read the key passage shared by Pastor Sam. He pointed out that Psalm 126 is “a song of ascents”—one of several psalms that were traditionally sung as men walked up the hilly terrain to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem.

In today’s context, what does God find us doing as we proverbially “walk up the hill” to worship Him? Are we singing? Are we sighing? Are we so distracted that we forget Scripture’s protocol for how an individual ought to approach the King of kings?

Lord God, as we read Your word, please plant a song in our hearts. Remind us that as we sing praises to You, Your Spirit comes to help us climb every steep hill of life. We walk through our days anticipating entrance into Your Presence. Thank You for walking with us!

Psalm 126: A song of ascents.

King James Version:

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

New International Version:

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

Passion. Prayer. Patience. Privilege.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (Second Peter 3:9)

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Althea shared that God is patient. He waits. And our pastor, speaking as God’s oracle in a nation of impatient people, gave us an important word to remember: The waiting is salvific. God is giving us a chance to get it together.

Oh, how quickly we forget. There was a time when you and I were separated from God by our sin. Our unwillingness to surrender our lives to the One who specializes in forgiveness of sin kept us in a state of wickedness. But, praise God, a day came when our eyes were opened, we realized our deep need for Jesus, and we asked Him to save us.

Perhaps we who are Christians now can tell stories of past days when we were hell-bent on promoting evil, or engaged in aberrant acts, or had hearts full of pride and jealousy-- but Jesus transformed us, and is still transforming us, by the power of His Spirit at work in us.

Shouldn’t we want the world to have that same transformation experience?

Shouldn’t we want our enemies to taste and see that the LORD is good?

Sadly, that’s the scary part of this salvation thing: sometimes, after we get saved, we refuse to extend the patience of God to those who are standing where we once stood. We refuse to labor in prayer for the deliverance of others because, somewhere along the way, we decided that they aren’t worth the effort… or that we don’t like them… or that they’re “too far gone” for even God to reach. And there are plenty of “isms” that fuel the feelings. We may have been victims of racism, ethnocentrism, gender bias, or other systems in which the hurts were so deep that we cast a net of indifference over individuals, communities, and people groups. As for me, though, I’m glad that God found a few people on this planet who prayed for me when other believers thought I was “too far gone.”

Today, do you know of any cases that seem hopeless? Pray. It’s your privilege.

Lord God, our almighty King, we need Your passion and patience. Give us grace to continue bombarding heaven on behalf of those who need salvation and deliverance. This is Advent: You will show up; You will save. Hear us as we pray, and help us as we wait.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Passing Of The Peace?

In liturgical churches, this past Advent Sunday carried the theme of "Peace"-- a theme made ironic, and perhaps even confusing, in light of the recent experience of many Americans in these United States. While it is important to note that not all systems of justice are racist, we must acknowledge that the recent events in Missouri and New York have implied that Black lives are insignificant and expendable, that persons in law enforcement are free to act without regard to law, and that due process is not afforded to all communities.

In the midst of our prayers for justice and our outrage at the apparent prosperity of wickedness, God sent a clear word to Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Althea reminded us of our 'modus operandi' as Christians: We don't look at the storms. We look to our Lord who reigns above every storm and trial of life.

Our pastor reminded us of the tyranny of Herod, whose lust for power led him to kill his own sons as assurance that no one would usurp his throne. Upon hearing of the prophecy of a Messiah being born, Herod conducted a targeted act of infanticide. Every male child in his region aged two and under was killed. (see Matthew 2:16)

Then, and now, a question emerges: How do we conduct ourselves in the midst of so much chaos and despair? Pastor Althea gave us the answer at the start of Sunday's message: This is Advent... and Advent is a season of expectancy. We are anticipating that God will show up to save, heal, and deliver us.

Today, let's re-read the Isaiah passage that Pastor Althea referenced on Sunday. As we read, let us pray that God will remove disappointment from our hearts and reinstate excitement. It is Advent! This is the Advent of Peace! Our Lord will come to institute His shalom!

Lord God, we believe Your word. We anticipate Your advent. We experience Your peace.

Isaiah 40:1-11

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain, You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”

See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

This Is A Message To You...

The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.” (Luke 1:19-20)

Zechariah was engaged in ministry work when he was met by the angel Gabriel. Scripture tells us that Zechariah was startled. It had been hundreds of years since any man had received a prophetic word from the LORD, and Zechariah found himself in this strange position of not only hearing the word of the LORD, but also seeing the angel God had sent to deliver the message.

What does it mean for us as Christians when we've spent our time and effort in prayer, but then react with astonishment when God responds? After all, isn't prayer a dialogue? Shouldn't we anticipate that we won't be the only one talking, but that God will make Himself known and heard?

Sadly, in the face of this amazing experience, Zechariah responded with his rationale for not believing Gabriel's message. And there is a part of me that doesn't even want to write this because someone might take offense, but I really need to ask the question: What does it mean for us when God responds to our prayer, but we then rebuff His response with our limited experience and our myopic vision of who God is and what He is capable of doing?

Zechariah's response to the word of the Lord was shocking and disgraceful. This aged minister said, in effect, Gabriel, God's message is wrong. My wife and I are too old and it's too late. But, on what authority could Zechariah stand to say that God was too late? Didn't Zechariah have knowledge of the Law and the Prophets? Didn't Zechariah undergo decades of learning the history of God's dealings with the nation of Israel? Didn't Zechariah know that he served the same God who parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River, who sent prophets to heal the sick and raise the dead, and who even sent angels to inform Abraham and Sarah that they would have a child in their old age?

There it is. And that is why Zechariah's response was so wrong.

God had done the “miraculous childbirth to aged parents” thing before, and the account of Abraham and Sarah was common knowledge for any priest. So, in essence, Zechariah's response was a double denial: he discredited the spoken report of Gabriel, and he dismissed the Abrahamic precedent which was written in the books of the Law.

But, enough about Zechariah. What about you and I?

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Andy noted that it is dangerous to become accustomed to routine, particularly in ministry work. When the vehicle of God's grace and instruction becomes a chore (or, worse, a bore), we run the risk of becoming dulled to the truths we so carefully maintain as a service to others. As a result, when God shows up on our doorstep and speaks to us personally, we summarily dismiss Him.

Gabriel responded to Zechariah's denial with disciplinary action: Zechariah, because you spoke against the verbal and written message, you will not speak again until after your son is named. Perhaps some of us are not being heard today because of a word we spoke against God's messages and messengers. Perhaps some of us have lost our influence because we dismissed a God-ordained opportunity as if it were nonsense. But we are blessed to serve a God who specializes in forgiveness and reconciliation. If we repent, he will restore.

This morning God reminded me of part of a prayer that someone once prayed before a worship service: “God, deliver us from routine.” It's my prayer for today. I pray it's yours as well.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Welcome To Month Five.

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days He has shown His favor and taken away my disgrace among the people." (Luke 1:21-25)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Andy noted that sometimes we are called to seclusion as God does His work in us. Elizabeth experienced this. Our pastor reminded us that Elizabeth, at the start of her pregnancy, did not share a public testimony of what God had done. Instead she waited until she was near the end of her second trimester, at which point her pregnancy would be visible to all who saw her.

Some Christians are spiritually "pregnant." God has begun to do astounding, miraculous things for them, but no one can see the process that God has set into motion. And our community, just like the community in ancient times, continues with the logic they've always used:

Elizabeth and Zechariah aren't able to have children.
It seems that God didn't give them an heir.

But, behind the scenes, God is speaking a different narrative:

I gave Elizabeth and Zechariah the ability to have children.
I have given them an heir.

The Luke passage is an encouragement and a warning: Don't be bound by what you see. You might be making assumptions based on Month Two... and your God may reveal a completely different view in Month Five.

Nevermind your logic, and put your commentary on hold. God is working on seemingly barren situations behind the scenes.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Have A Luke-See.

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4)

Pastor Andy took time at the start of Sunday's sermon to note that Luke was a diligent researcher. Luke's source material was gathered from “those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.” (Luke 1:2, emphasis mine)

Just as Luke was blessed to know people who knew the Lord, we too are blessed. During Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene's fiftieth anniversary events our church took time to honor pastors, leaders, and members, some of whom have served in our local church for decades. They are our modern-day “eyewitnesses and servants” who have been in our faith community “from the first.” They know our Lord Jesus, and have lived in a way to make Him known to us.

We are privileged to have a living history book at Bronx Bethany! We thank God for a community in which longtime members are neither privileged nor pushed aside, but are present to hand down stories of God's faithfulness. It is their presence that allows newer members to have the same resources that Luke accessed before writing Theophilus: eyewitnesses and servants of the word, careful investigation of all things, an orderly account left as a legacy, and a certainty of what has been taught.

Lord God, thank You for those You spoke to in times past. Thank You for their diligence and their joyful obedience. Help us to be like Luke: give us grace to learn, compassion to teach, and patience that empowers us to share You with the generations to come.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

I Notice The Service Is Different Today....

Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." (Luke 1:18)

Luke's gospel starts the Advent story with the account of an elderly couple: Zechariah and Elizabeth. The presence of this couple in this narrative encourages us to remember:

God has heard the petitions we've prayed. The angel Gabriel said to Zechariah, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah: your prayer has been heard." (see Luke 1:13)

God can send a "sneak preview" of the supernatural. As an assurance of the miraculous birth of John, God sent a preview of another miracle-- Zechariah's silence. Gabriel said, "And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this happens..." (see Luke 1:20)

God alone receives the credit for His actions. Luke's gospel says that the people knew Zechariah had received a message from God because of two unusual events:

The interruption of action- Zechariah was taking too long to come out of the temple after the customary offerings and prayers had been made. (see Luke 1:21)
The interruption of speech- Zechariah was rendered incapable of pronouncing the priestly blessing, which was an expected component of his temple duties. (see Luke 1:22)

Have you prayed a prayer that seems to have gone unanswered for years?
Take heart. God has heard. He will send an answer.
Take care. Believe the messenger and the message.

"Weight" List.

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam shared with us a very sobering checklist. The scary thing about the checklist is that it does not refer to those who had no encounter with God, but rather those who claim to be Christians who love the Lord. We Christians, then, have a question to wrestle with: We say we know what Scripture says. Are we doing what it says we ought to do?

As we reflected on Psalm 100 and the importance of engaging worship in a manner that pleases God, we learned that it is God who knows the motives and intents of our hearts. He calls each of us to draw near to Him. But, though He calls, He has given us the freedom to answer according to our own will and inclination.

Our pastor noted that the inclination of our heart is typically demonstrated by our response to God's instructions. Let's review the list from the end of Sunday's sermon and take inventory of our own standing with God.

The Checklist: Where is your worship-life today?

• I know what God has said, but I don't care about doing what God has said.
• I know what God has said, but I fail in my attempts to do what God has said.
• I do what God has said, but only because I fear the consequence of not doing what God has said (Hell).
• I do what God has said, but only because I want to be compensated for doing what God has said (Heaven).
• I know what God has said, and the knowing has informed my doing: I am joyful in worship and joyfully obedient to Him.

Lord God, help us to move from mere reading and recitation of Your word; move us into a life of obedience to You, with the help of Your Holy Spirit. Cause our worship-life to be an authentic expression of joy and gladness, for the glory of Your Name. Amen.

Singing With An Attitude... Of Joy!

In his sermon on Psalm 100, Pastor Sam noted that the adjectives define the attitude with which we are to enter into worship. The psalm begins with the following directives:

v  Shout for joy;

v  Worship with gladness;

v  Come with joyful song;

v  Enter with thanksgiving and praise.

I wonder what our corporate worship would become if every person expressed joy, gladness, joyful song, thanksgiving, and praise in the presence of the LORD.

Interestingly, the psalm does not place any condition nor rider on this worship protocol. It does not toss in any disclaimers like, “Well, if you had a really rough day, if someone bumped into you on the subway, if you had to walk for an hour in the rain and mud, then it’s excusable to stand in the presence of the King of kings with a sour face.” No. We are called to express joy, even in the most trying of circumstances, when we worship our LORD. We are called to thank and praise Him.

Our God is the One who reigns above every inconvenience, every circumstance, and every tragedy. He can bring glory to Himself by forming our characters through crises. We may think we have nothing to rejoice about with regard to what we are suffering in life, but we have everything to rejoice about when we acknowledge who God is, what He says, and what He does.

The LORD is in our company. We are in His presence. Shout for joy!

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

In My Head And In My Heart...

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam spoke on Psalm 100. This particular psalm is familiar to our Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene family, as it is one that many of us memorized in childhood.

Let's review Psalm 100 in the King James Version (the way many in our community memorized it) and also in the New International Version. As we read each line, let us take inventory of our present standing with God:

v Are we aware of what God has said in His word?

v Are we doing what He has asked us to do?

v Is our relationship with Him characterized by our joyful obedience to His commands?

Psalm 100 (King James Version and New International Version)

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he who hath made us, and not we ourselves: we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Know that the LORD is God; it is he who made us, and we are his [see footnote a]; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless His name.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues throughout all generations.

[a] or and not we ourselves

It's More Than Skin Deep.

In Sunday’s sermon Pastor Richie referenced the story of Miriam, who was stricken with leprosy for a week. She was stricken with leprosy as God’s public response to her private sin: a discussion she’d had with her brother Aaron, in which she instigated hateful speech against Moses.

Today, we live in a time where we can do wrong on the inside and still look great on the outside: instant manifestations of God's reprimand are rare nowadays. But as Pastor Richie shared, if God were to strike us today with leprosy as punishment for our sins, we’d all be lepers-- our God has been gracious to us, and He astounds us with His patient love. That said, though, we remain aware that our sins have consequences, and we appeal to our Lord to help us live in a way that is pleasing to Him. We seek His intervention and deliverance not because we want to avoid the embarrassment of being stricken with leprosy, but because we love our Lord and long to hear His commendation.

Numbers chapter 12 contains the account that our pastor mentioned. Let’s take time to read the entire chapter, keeping the following questions in mind:

v  Have I been harboring biases and ill will against the people of God—whether related to their families, their spiritual gifts, or the decisions they have made?

v  Have I been seeking to bring others into agreement with my private sins?

v  Have I asked God to forgive me and cleanse my heart from sin? 

Numbers 12

Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this. (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

At once the Lord said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them went out. Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, he said, “Listen to my words:

“When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them.

When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous—it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, and he said to Moses, “Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away.” So Moses cried out to the Lord, “Please, God, heal her!”

The Lord replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.” So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back. After that, the people left Hazeroth and encamped in the Desert of Paran.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Testimony Mine.

Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. (Mark 1:45a)

“When you’ve experienced something real, it’s not a chore to share.” –Rev. Richard Griffiths

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Richie noted that we must decrease the need for apologetics and instead grow in our own experience.

Our church “mode” is often to spend lots of time talking about what other people have written or said about the power of Christ Jesus. And while it’s not a sin to reference great writers and speakers, it is nonetheless a sign that perhaps we have not had our own profound experience with the Lord.

In Mark 1:45, the man who had been completely healed of leprosy couldn’t contain his gratitude. He had to tell people about what Jesus had done in him, and for him.

This week, let’s take inventory of our conversations. Are all our references to Jesus mediated through the experiences of other people? Or, do we have something to say about what He has done for us personally?

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Speed-Reading.

Today, let's re-read the passage from Sunday's sermon:

Mark 1:40-45 (New International Version)

A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."

Jesus was indignant [See footnote a]. He reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

[a: the Greek of this phrase can also be understood as "Jesus was filled with compassion". As Pastor Richie noted on Sunday, there is the dual sense of being angry at injustice while also being in a position to compassionately address the injustice.]

Let My People Go, Version 2.0.

If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and sell themselves to you, do not make them work as slaves. They are to be treated as hired workers or temporary residents among you; they are to work for you until the year of Jubilee. Then they and their children are to be released, and they will go back to their own clans and to the property of their ancestors. (Leviticus 25:39-41)

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry. (Psalm 34:14-15)

In Sunday's sermon Pastor Sam reminded us that all human life belongs to God. It is a reminder that we need to revisit every now and then, because sometimes we forget: that is, sometimes we act as if we own other people. This belief finds expression in our comments, our behaviors, and our responses when people fail to live up to our personal expectations.

The entrance of Jubilee is our signal to let people go. In ancient Israel, the Jubilee was marked by an exodus: workers left their communities of employ and returned to their own lands and clans. The people of God who had fallen on hard times, times so difficult that they sold themselves into servitude, could hang on to the hope of the Jubilee year. They knew that even if they did not live to experience the Jubilee for themselves, their children would one day be released.

But for us, in these modern times, what does it mean to be released?

Here at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, our Care Groups are reading and studying about the grace of God. And we are learning that, in today's context, we are called to release people spiritually. Though we do not own slaves in a literal sense, we may have been a figurative "slave-holder" in our hearts. We are called to forgive those who have wronged us. We are to walk in love, even though we live in a world where hatred is often the order of the day. We are to, as the Psalm says, "seek peace and pursue it" so that others will experience God's grace in our presence. We are to release people, because God in His mercy has released us from our bondage.

Perhaps the Lord has reminded you of a person or persons who have been abusive to you. Perhaps He has reminded you of a person or persons that you have been abusive towards. Perhaps your heart is breaking over the hardships of relatives or friends that are challenged with how to forgive, release, and rest in God's authority to love and judge His people as He sees fit.

Take heart. Jubilee has come.

Lord God, You offered freedom to us even before we understood the depth of our bondage. You loved us even though our lives were so unlovely. Please give us Your grace as we seek to follow You in this act of Jubilee. We speak the word of release and freedom over the lives of Your people. We know that You have heard our heart-prayers and we thank You for Your loving intervention.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Land LORD.

"The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers." (Leviticus 25:23)

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam shared that God is the ultimate Owner of all property. It is the word of the LORD revealed in Scripture. In the Leviticus passage above, we see that God explained to Moses (and, by extension, to us) the reason for redeeming and returning properties in the Jubilee: it was never ours to keep. It's God's property.

King David reiterated God's ancient mandate in this way: The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Psalm 24:1).

Like ancient Israel, we in today's context recognize that we are strangers in this land. God has allowed us to live, and He has placed us in particular families and in particular regions of this planet, and we may even (like Israel of old) hold title deeds and legacies, but as we read Scripture we are cautioned to hold on to these distinctions loosely.

But, our lack of ownership does not exempt us from caring for God's earth and the things in it. Our pastor noted that, though we are not owners, we are called to be stewards of the things God has given us. The way in which we manage God's property reveals the passion, enthusiasm, disdain, or indifference that resides in our hearts.

Today, let's reflect on a few Scripture verses that pertain to stewardship.

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (First Corinthians 4:1-2)

To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Yet the LORD set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations-- as it is today. Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. (Deuteronomy 10:14-16)

"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand." (First Chronicles 29:14)

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. (First Timothy 6:6-8)

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

"Cease" The Day...

"The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields." (Leviticus 25:11-12)

"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." (Genesis 2:2-3)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam brought up a point concerning God's design for human beings (paraphrased here): In the beginning the Lord created man on Day Six, and then He instituted Sabbath rest on Day Seven. The first lesson taught to man, then, was not the mandate to work: it was the mandate to periodically and intentionally cease from work.

This is a mandate that was also given concerning the working of lands, supported in Scripture by the miraculous signs promised by God to the Israelites. In Leviticus 25 we see God's assurance of His provision being poured out into the lands that adhered to the cycle of rest and labor: "You may ask, 'What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not plant or harvest our crops?' I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years. While you plant during the eighth year, you will eat from the old crop and will continue to eat from it until the harvest of the ninth year comes in." (Leviticus 25:20-22)

An old crop that feeds a household for three years?
An old crop that remains edible through the seasons' weather changes?
An old crop that does not succumb to the habits of insects and creatures known to invade farmlands?

Well, God promised to make abundant harvest a reality for those who demonstrated obedience by letting their lands rest. Let's take Him at His word.

Questions for reflection:

• Are we okay with taking a break from "doing our own planting"?
• Will we rest and make room for the miraculous to occur?
• Do we trust that God, who created us with the ability to work, is also the God who can sustain us in our rest?

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

This Ability.

As we continue our reflection on Exodus 3 and 4, let’s consider a statement made by Moses:

Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” (Exodus 4:10)

Though we often hear commentary on Moses’s slowness of speech and tongue, I’d like us to reflect on what Moses said just prior to his self-assessment of his speaking ability. He said, in essence, God, even though You’ve spoken to me, I still lack eloquence. This encounter with You has not affected my speech impediment.

If God created the worlds out of nothing, and if God could cause a bush to burn without being consumed, and if God could cause a staff to transform into a snake, then surely He would have no problem with imparting eloquence to a man… yes? Or no?

Moses’s statement might be our statement as well. We may have seen profound miracles happen around us, but no miracle has yet happened in us. We continue to walk in weakness. And perhaps we, like Moses, are wondering how we could have encountered God and still carry a trait that exposes our weakness to the world.

God says some amazing words to Moses in reply:

The LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (Exodus 4:11-12)

What an awesome gift Moses received from God! Although Moses’s speech and tongue were still slow, Moses had God’s assurance of Divine help. Moses, I made your mouth; I know what you bring to the table. Don’t be concerned! When it’s time for you to speak My word to others, I will do more than just give you the words to say. I will do a miracle in you that allows your very speech pattern to be aided by My Spirit in you. I will not remove your slowness of speech: I will override it.

I can think of specific moments where God did not remove the limitations in me, but He instead overrode them so that His message could be shared. Maybe you’ve had moments like that too. Maybe you’re having a moment like that right now. Remain encouraged! Our God, who made us as we are, is the same God who can use us, as we are, for the sake of His glory.

Lord God, we stand in gratitude of the choices You have made concerning our frame and our nature. We are available to You! We are ready to go anywhere for You! Override our frailties. Override our speech and tongue. Be ever glorified in us. Amen.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Throwdown!

Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”

Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

“A staff,” he replied.

The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” (Exodus 4:1-3)

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Reverend Dr. Carla Sunberg spoke from Exodus chapters 3 and 4. Though her message was one of encouragement to us, she also imparted this challenge: Throw down whatever it is that you’re holding in your hand.

Reverend Carla reminded us that Moses was given this directive by God. The shepherd’s staff in Moses’ hand was a symbol of his role, his expertise, and his comfort zone. When Moses obeyed the directive and threw the staff on the ground, God caused it to transform into a snake. Moses saw, firsthand, that God held the power to do what was impossible for man.

Later in the narrative, we find that a group of Egyptian magicians was able to perform the same miracle through the power of sorcery. But God, who had instructed Moses and Aaron to throw down Aaron’s staff in the presence of Pharaoh, caused a second miracle to occur: the staff thrown down by Aaron swallowed up every other staff that had been thrown down by the magicians  (see Exodus 7:8-12). The false was swallowed up by the true.

This word of God to us, “Throw it down,” is a word that we are called to obey wholeheartedly. When we let go of the skills and accomplishments we have carried by our own power, and when we walk away from our comfort zone, we make room for God to transform our work into something that can only be attributed to His miracle-working power. And, His miraculous power will overcome every false god and false sign manufactured by those who have devoted themselves to counterfeit works.

What’s that in your hand? Throw it down, and watch God do the miraculous.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Crowd. Sourced?

Well, it’s about 2:00 in the morning here in the Bronx as I record these thoughts.

I was privileged to be in attendance at the banquet commemorating the 50^th anniversary of Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene. There were wonderful moments in the evening—great music, great worship arts, great speakers, and the spirit of joy that is characteristic of the atmosphere generated when Bronx Bethany members, friends, and allies are together. But, sadly, there were moments that were not so wonderful. As the evening progressed, one of our members became ill and had to be taken by ambulance to a local hospital. And we were caught off-guard by the challenges of the venue, which did not have sufficient resources to manage table service. Some tables were fed promptly, while others waited a very long time for their main course to arrive.

Though I work very hard to focus on the positive aspects of any given situation, God is teaching me a hard lesson from the two negative things I mentioned above. My lesson is still in process, and because I’m “in-process” this lengthy post is actually incomplete—but I want to share what the Spirit of God has put on my heart thus far.

The first lesson was the lesson of the sick guest. When she became ill, it quickly became apparent that there were several people in attendance who were qualified to assist her. Bronx Bethany’s nurses and doctors, emergency service personnel, and other medical professionals were quick to give aid. In the midst of this crisis of health, several of us prayed.

The second lesson was the lesson of the under-resourced staff at the venue. In the midst of laughter, picture-taking, and celebration, people were hungry. We pondered the strange reality of a food service venue that found itself so challenged in its effort to serve food. In the midst of this crisis of service, the few who prayed were outnumbered by the several who critiqued.

And as I’ve been thinking of these lessons, the Lord has been speaking to my heart. He says to me, “You keep praying for things to happen—healing, revival, provision, salvation—but are you really equipped to handle the flood that will come through your doors? Do you really have the spiritual resources that are necessary to feed My people, to bring healing to the sick, and to maintain an atmosphere of worship and praise even when things seem to be out of order? Are you really ready for Me to sweep through this place?”

Well, I am not ready. Just as I didn’t have the training needed to help the woman who became ill, and just as I didn’t have the skills needed to help with food service management, I don’t have what it takes to handle all that God is sending to Bronx Bethany. I know we have carved out more space on 227^th Street as a means of meeting more needs. But I also know, deep in my own heart, that I’m not cut out for the task.

During the banquet, the Governor-General of Jamaica spoke about the importance of having more volunteers lend their aid to the work of ministry. What does volunteering look like for those of us who, though wanting to help, are convinced of our own frailty and convicted by our own inadequacy? It looks like this: me, and you, and all who claim Jesus as their Lord, on our knees, crying out for the Spirit of the Living God to teach us all that is necessary to love one another as Christ Jesus has loved us. And God, who we confess as Faithful, will be faithful to His word. He still says, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things that you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3, New King James Version) He will help us to know His ways, and to do His will, and to be used by Him in bringing about the things that the world will call amazing.

But I wonder: what will we do when our own crisis moment comes? Will we be able to respond in a strength of training and equipping granted by God, and developed over time? Or will we be caught short-handed and underprepared?

Are we really ready for the next wave of ministry at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene?

“Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35, New International Version)

Let us pray.

Spirit of Christ, be our Immanuel, God in us, though we falter and fail. Draw us in to the life of prayer and patient waiting as You do Your work in us. Give us the boldness that only comes when we have submitted all we are, and all we own, to You. Teach us. Train us. Equip us. We want to be ready to serve at all times. Please help us, Lord Jesus. Amen.