Five Years, Five Months...

For the first two services at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene tomorrow (7:45 and 11:15 a.m.), our guest speaker will be Dan Bohi. We count Dan as a friend and brother in the Lord, and we look forward to hearing what God has placed on his heart. We continually pray for God's abundant blessings on Dan, his wife Debbie, and their beloved family.

The last time Dan spoke at Bronx Bethany was the weekend of March 28-29, 2009. Much was shared, but I'd like to remind us of just one small part of what we learned back then. I pray these words will edify and encourage us today.

What must we do if we want God to perfect our heart?

v  We must cut off all ties with sin.

v  We must be filled with the Holy Spirit.

v  We must have faith.

v  We must have perseverance.

v  We cannot attempt to defend ourselves.

v  We cannot claim to own anything.

v  We cannot take any glory for ourselves.

Lord God, we give ourselves to You completely. Choose our boundaries and the places we go. Move us, by Your Spirit, to live in total obedience to You. Cause us to rest in Your love and walk in Your truth. Amen.

Can You Please Remind Me?

As we close out our reflections on the series An Invitation to Hope in the Face of a Time of Despair, here are a few thoughts from the sermons we’ve heard.

[If you would like to hear these sermons in their entirety, please view “BronxBethany Church of the Nazarene” on livestream.com, where these archived services can be viewed for a limited time.]

August 3, 2014 (Part One):

v  Our God is incomparable. Though we live in a pluralistic society, there is no one and nothing that can be compared with God.

v  As Christians, we operate on the premise that God is in complete control.

v  We serve God, who has no match or rival in His ability to redeem.

August 10, 2014 (Part Two):

v  When covenant people ignore the covenant, there are consequences.

v  The God of judgement is also the God of salvation.

v  The word of the LORD gives us a hope and a future in the face of despair.

August 17, 2014 (Part Three):

v  God is distinguished by His creative power (ex-nihilo- He made everything out of nothing).

v  God is omnicompetent: nothing is impossible for Him.

v  God’s strategy is that we look not at our circumstances, but at Him.

August 24, 2014 (Part Four):

v  The name of God, “I Am” (Exodus 3:14-15, Revelation 1:8), reveals His permanent existence.

v  There is no problem that is too great for God to bear or address.

v  We, like Paul (Second Corinthians 12:8-9), can be strengthened by God even when our situation does not change.

Lord, our God, how great You are! Though our circumstances seek to derail us, we choose to look to You. We worship You in spirit and in truth. Inhabit our praise; speak to our hearts; reveal Your sovereignty and love to us. Thank You for keeping us anchored in You. In the face of despair, You have given us grace and power to live in hope! Thank You Lord.

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

I Can Run For Miles And Miles And Miles...

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Sam noted that one aspect of God’s incomparably great character is that our Lord has inexhaustible stamina.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” (Isaiah 40:28)

Pastor Sam shared something that I would like us to consider today: God has no need to relent or resign.

God cannot be exhausted. He cannot be bewildered. And, further, He has imparted His amazing, inexhaustible stamina to His people! Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Are you in the middle of a situation that seems as if it might wear you down, make you ill, or even plunge you into despair? Take heart. Remember who you are and Who you serve. Place your hope in our Almighty God-- the Creator, the Lord of Life, the Ruler over every circumstance, the Lover of our souls. Whether He changes your situation, or whether He glorifies Himself in the midst of your challenges, remember that He is present to renew you, to keep you strong, and to cause you to soar in faith and grace.

Hope in the Lord. Soar. Run. Walk.

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

"I Am"... With You.

The name by which God revealed Himself is not a common name like the names of men; rather, it is an indicator of His permanent, eternal existence: “I Am.”

Pastor Sam noted that the character of God is conveyed in this name. The apostle John records the words of our Lord in Revelation 1:8:  “'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.'”

We should never feel as if God has abandoned us. God is forever present, and God is all-powerful, and God transcends time. We can be assured that He is always with us, even in the moments where our circumstances are dire.

Lord God, You are the Everlasting God. Cause us to remain conscious of Your eternal Self-existence. Cause us to recognize that You are always present.

Are you in a dire situation? Take heart. God is present! He knows, He cares, and He will be with you. Rest in Him today.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you... The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31, verses 6 and 8)

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

Power, Steering.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)

In this past Sunday’s sermon, we learned that we can rejoice and rest in God’s character traits. One of the traits Pastor Sam spoke of is God’s amazing grace. It is a grace that keeps our minds and souls secure in the face of despair.

Our pastor referenced Second Corinthians 12. It is a fascinating chapter that captures Paul’s sense of security in God, even in the face of suffering. As Pastor Sam noted, Paul is strengthened in a situation that will not change. Paul says:

“…in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (Second Corinthians 12:7b-9)

As we continue reading the chapter, we see that Paul was not merely speaking theoretically. Paul had personally experienced the power of God at work in and through him as he continued in ministry:

“I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.” (Second Corinthians 12:12)

God’s amazing grace is not simply a grace that keeps us content in Him as we go through trials. It is a grace that helps us, even in our weak state, to be mighty in His power. We see this theme reflected in Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10) The strength is not contingent upon our personal circumstances. Rather, it is the power of God at work in us.

As I prepared to write today the Lord reminded me of an incident that occurred last year, in August 2013. A woman, who had received devastating news in her personal life, then had the extreme challenge of encountering a gunman who had come to shoot the staff and students in the school where she worked. Antoinette Tuff, in her weakness, was able to save lives because of the power of God at work in and through her. I encourage you to watch excerpts of an interview where Ms. Tuff credits God as the source of her hope. Click here to view the interview excerpt.

Lord God, Your grace strengthens us! Your grace empowers us! Cause us to demonstrate the marks of a true apostle: signs, wonders, and miracles, all done in Your name and by Your power. Amen.

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

The Closer.

During the sermon series An Invitation to Hope in a Time of Despair, Pastor Sam has encouraged us to reflect on God’s control, compassion, competence, and character. In yesterday’s services we spent time focusing on the final segment of the series: God’s incomparably great character.

Today, let’s re-read the key passage of the series. As we continue through the week, we will reflect on various points shared in the sermon.

Isaiah 40:27-31 (NIV)

Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God”?
Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

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

The Shadow Of Death; The Song Of Life.

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Sam encouraged us to remember the good things God has done for His people. As we remember our experiences of God in the past, we can be hopeful even in the face of present trials. Our pastor exhorted us to continue reflecting on the greatness of God as we live “in a world that is the valley of the shadow of death”. Our God, who is with us in exile, is the God who has poured His life into us: he can cause our hearts to rejoice!

Today let us read and consider Psalm 126, a psalm Pastor Sam referenced towards the end of the sermon. Some of us may even want to memorize it, so that as we go through our difficult days we can recall these encouraging words.

Lord God, we remember Your track record. You have done great things in our past; there is nothing that can hinder You from doing great things in our future. We praise You even as we see and experience the hardships of life in a fallen world. We trust You in full expectation of Your word and Your will being fulfilled in the earth. We love You and thank You for hearing the prayer of our hearts.

Psalm 126 (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.

I Don't Mind If You Stare.

“I don’t see how…”

In our frailty, we often wonder how our situations are going to be resolved. Like Job, we may spend our days and weeks utterly perplexed at the calamities that have come upon us.

What should we do? In this past Sunday’s sermon Pastor Sam reminded us of what to do when our trials threaten to plunge us into doubt, despair, or depression: “Let us look on the face of Jesus, the resurrected King in the kingdom of God.”

After church on Sunday I was able to speak with a gentleman for a few minutes. He had gone through severe trials in his life, and God rescued him (even as “well-meaning Christians” were asserting that this man’s case was hopeless). The man recalled the story of the ancient Israelites who were afflicted with snakes as they wandered through the wilderness. In the narrative, Moses was directed by God to cast a bronze serpent on  a pole, then God told Moses to instruct the people to look upon the icon if they had been bitten. Those who focused their attention on the icon were healed. (see Numbers 21:8-9)

The gentleman I was speaking with said, “Now, if something bites me, the first thing I’m going to do is look down to see what bit me, or look down at the bite. It takes serious re-training to look up instead of looking down! I’m not there yet, but I’m trying.”

Today, I ask that we reflect on our great God by looking upon the face of Jesus. This Jesus, whose sacrifice on the cross had been prophetically shown in the wilderness icon thousands of years prior, has promised us life and peace if we look to Him.

We may not see how our circumstances will change. That’s okay. God never told us to look at our circumstances anyway.

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross], in order that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him] may not perish, but have eternal life and [actually] live forever! (John 3:14-15, Amplified Bible)

Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2, Amplified Bible)

Just Sign Here.

In this past Sunday's sermon we were reminded to reflect on God as our incomparably great Deliverer. Pastor Sam shared a few points that I'd like us to consider today:

• The God of the resurrection can do anything; nothing is impossible for Him.
• Sometimes deliverance requires that God re-creates; He is the God who can make all things new (see Revelation 21:5).
• Our dark situation may not change, but if we look to God we will change.
• God may choose to deliver us from circumstances, or He may choose to re-create our mindset; in either scenario, our hearts will shift from despair to peace.

Do you need deliverance today? Ask the Lord to address your trial. He has done it for countless others, and He can do it for you.


Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me? (Jeremiah 32:27)

The Ultimate Creative.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10, Amplified)

In the past few weeks I have been privileged to meet a few writers and designers. These men and women have been gifted by God to create. Whether the final product is a poem or a pantsuit, each person has been given the ability to do something new by working with pre-existing materials. The poet puts old words together in a new way, and people extol her ability to turn phrases. The designer adds his personal style to a long-standing trend, and as a result people clamor to purchase his designs.

During this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam pointed to our God as the ultimate Creative. While some of us on earth have been blessed with the ability to make things out of other things, our God has distinguished Himself by the ability to make things out of nothing. Our pastor noted the term ex-nihilo ("out of nothing"): our God does not need to gather raw materials. He simply speaks, and what was previously non-existent comes into existence.

The account of creation in Genesis 1 encourages me today, and I hope it will encourage you as well. The God who created everything out of nothing is our God. The God who created everything by His word is our Creator. What need can we face that He cannot address?

God, great Creator, take me in my nothingness and speak Your creative word into my life and circumstances. Cause me to walk in the power of new life in You: risen life, holy life, joyful life, through the work of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Taking Notes

Yesterday we heard Part 3 of the sermon series An Invitation to Hope in the Face of a Time of Despair. Pastor Sam noted that in moments of despair, our strategy is not to look at our circumstances; instead, we look to Jesus.

An interesting phenomenon in Scripture is that, for those who look to the Lord in times of crisis, a song often emerges. We see this pattern in several of the psalms: the writer begins with expressions of lament or hardship, but then reminds himself of God's greatness.

Today, let us read Psalm 147. This particular psalm, like Isaiah 40, focuses on the greatness of God as revealed in His creative power. As the focus was shifted from life's crises to God's creativity, the exiles were called to hope in this great God. In moments where personal issues threatened to derail them, these exiles could simply look at nature and be encouraged.

The God of the exiles, the same God who made this whole world, is our God-- and He has not lost His ability to create. The same God who created order in the universe can create order in our hearts and lives, often through means we can't even imagine.

I will focus on God's greatness today. Will you?


PSALM 147 (NIV)

Praise the Lord.

How good it is to sing praises to our God,
    how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the exiles of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars
    and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
    his understanding has no limit.
The Lord sustains the humble
    but casts the wicked to the ground.

Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;
    make music to our God on the harp.

He covers the sky with clouds;
    he supplies the earth with rain
    and makes grass grow on the hills.

He provides food for the cattle
    and for the young ravens when they call.

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
the Lord delights in those who fear him,
    who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Extol the Lord, Jerusalem;
    praise your God, Zion.

He strengthens the bars of your gates
    and blesses your people within you.
He grants peace to your borders
    and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.

He sends his command to the earth;
    his word runs swiftly.
He spreads the snow like wool
    and scatters the frost like ashes.
He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
    Who can withstand his icy blast?

He sends his word and melts them;
    he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

He has revealed his word to Jacob,
    his laws and decrees to Israel.
He has done this for no other nation;
    they do not know his laws.

Praise the Lord.

"Read-Letter" Day.

[For those completing the book of Isaiah:

Morning reading: Isaiah chapters 37-46.

Midday Reading: Isaiah 47-56.

Evening Reading: Isaiah chapters 57-66.]

Final thoughts from last Sunday’s sermon:

v  God is in control.

v  We must lean on the Lord completely. There is no plan B, C, or D.

v  Psalm 23:5 testifies to God’s provision: not of subsistence, but of abundance.

v  We look away from idols; we look to our incomparable Christ.

v  God is eternal; God is Holy; God is unique.

Lord God, thank You for reminding us of Your amazing love and watch-care. We find our rest and our hope in You!

The Unlimited.

[For those completing the book of Isaiah this week: Reading: Isaiah chapters 37-50]

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Sam noted that reflection on God’s compassion gives us strength.

What did this strength look like to ancient Israel? It was not found in military, political, nor economic power, because these were the people whose LORD had warned them of impending exile. These were souls on the verge of losing all they knew to be familiar: their homes, lands, and their worship center. Isaiah’s prophetic writings pointed to their finding strength as they sought the presence of God. God Himself would serve as their anchor of hope. God was their comfort. God would be their source of abundant living: a prosperity sourced not through earthly means, but through the visitation of God’s own presence.

Isaiah 40:28-31 was a word of hope to the exiles, and I pray these words will bring hope to our hearts as well. The Spirit of God is present, and He is present to dwell in us. Even if we lose everything that our world deems relevant, we can find our strength in the Lord our God. Our King will renew us! This is the hope we embrace.

God bless you today as you wait on Him.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is an eternal God, the creator of the whole earth. He does not get tired or weary; there is no limit to his wisdom. He gives strength to those who are tired; to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy. Even youths get tired and weary; even strong young men clumsily stumble. But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired. (Isaiah 40:28-31, NET)

I Am One Happy Sheep.

[For those completing the book of Isaiah this week: Reading: Isaiah chapters 25-36]

You prepare a mesa – a table for me—

A plateau in the sight-line of my enemies.

The haters witness the blessing and seethe,

But their wicked hands

Cannot stop Your plans.

You anoint my whole head with oil,

Picking off the gnats and ants,

Clearing off the dry, caked soil

That once dirtied my face, my ears, my nose.

Your sovereign mighty hands

Provide so much more than mine can hold.

You pour Your grace; I’m held, secure,

Drenched in Your love from head to toes:

How my cup overflows!

(Paraphrase of Psalm 23:5; poetry mine)

In this past Sunday’s sermon, as Pastor Sam spoke on God’s compassionate care of His people, he referred to Psalm 23-- a passage in which we see God’s love in action.

What does our Lord do for us?

v  He provides for our needs.

v  He causes us to rest.

v  He feeds us.

v  He leads us.

v  He satisfies our thirsty souls.

v  He stands with us in our trials.

v  He comforts and corrects us.

v  He protects us from predators and enemies.

v  He blesses us beyond measure.

v  He shields us by the strength of His own character.

This is our Shepherd, our King, our God. As we go through our day today, let us praise Him for His watch-care over us.

Give thanks to the Lord our God! He is good! He has done great things!

Job And Joseph And You And I.

[Reading: Isaiah 12 through 24]

“ ‘Look full in His wonderful face’; not just a glance, but a full look that is strategic.” –Rev. Dr. Samuel Vassel

“To whom can you compare me? Whom do I resemble?” says the Holy One. Look up at the sky! Who created all these heavenly lights? He is the one who leads out their ranks; he calls them all by name. Because of his absolute power and awesome strength, not one of them is missing. (Isaiah 40:25-26)

In Sunday’s sermon we were reminded that we are to reflect on God’s control, compassion, competence, and character. This is what gives us confidence in our Lord. Pastor Sam referred to the lives of two prominent Old Testament men: Job and Joseph.

The book of Job has many chapters where the focus is on circumstances rather than God. Job’s friends, instead of focusing on God, continued to insist that Job must have done something wrong in order to have suffered such calamities. Job, instead of focusing on God, continued to insist that he was innocent. Towards the end of the book, we see that God instructs Job to consider the majesty and power and creativity of the LORD. Job, even before his goods and household were restored, gave testimony to his change of focus: “My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You.” (Job 42:5)

The narrative of Joseph, found in Genesis 37 and 39 through 50, reveals to us that Joseph kept his focus on God. He shared his prophetic dreams with his family. He remained in favor with God. His captors and overseers recognized and rewarded his abilities. Joseph’s seasons of suffering did not move him to bitterness nor self-defense; instead, he continued to point to God as his source of strength and wisdom.

Pastor Sam shared with us that we start with the knowledge that God is in control. Can we walk in this knowledge that saved Job and kept Joseph? Are we ready to turn our focus from our circumstances, however challenging, and instead turn our eyes to the One who rules over all?

What are you reflecting on today? Where is your focus? Who are you watching? 

Lord God, give us grace to keep our eyes fixed on You!

I Am Close To His Heart!

[For those completing the book of Isaiah this week: Reading: Isaiah chapters 1 through 11]

As noted by pastor and author Phillip Keller, a huge challenge for our modern-day culture is understanding Biblical metaphors that relate to agriculture and animal husbandry. There are some people who have never even seen a sheep, let alone a shepherd, and they are therefore unable to appreciate the depth of the analogy found in Isaiah 40:11. In that passage, Isaiah speaks of the love and compassionate care of God in this way: "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."

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam made a point that bears repeating: A shepherd is not a hireling. Shepherds do not 'clock in' and 'clock out' of work. They are fully devoted to the care of their sheep. We catch a glimpse of this devotion in the Christmas narrative: "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night." (Luke 2:8) The shepherds didn't "go home", because their home was with their sheep. Their watch-care of their flocks was constant and consistent.

Take note: for a shepherd, it is never "the sheep"; it is "my sheep". And just as the shepherds of the Christmas narrative opted to live in the fields with their sheep, our God has opted to make His home in our hearts! Those of us who have asked Him to dwell in us can be fully assured of God's presence. God will never leave us alone. So, even in the face of exile and suffering, there is no need for us to be afraid. God is with us (see Deuteronomy 31:6).

Troubles come. Like the sheep in the fields, we may have proverbial gnats and flies and wolves and thieves seeking to harm us. But we take comfort, and we remain at peace, because our Shepherd is present to feed, guide, and protect us.

The LORD is my Shepherd! I have everything I need! (Psalm 23:1, paraphrase mine)

Double, Intended.

In yesterday's sermon, we heard the second installment of Pastor Sam's series An Invitation to Hope in the Face of a Time of Despair. Our pastor began with the same request he shared in Part One of the series: Let us read Isaiah 40 at home, on our own.

So, as I did with last Monday's post, I also do this Monday: Isaiah 40 is printed at the bottom of this post, and I request that we all read it.

But wait, there's more: Pastor Sam added a second request yesterday. Let us read the entire book of Isaiah on our own. Our pastor reminded us of the three main sections of the book:

• chapters 1 through 39 contain prophetic pronouncements of impending judgement;
• chapters 40 through 55 are filled with promises of God's unfailing love;
• chapters 56-66 reveal God's instrument of hope and salvation: the Messiah.

So, for those who wish to read the book of Isaiah over the course of this week, the blog posts for Tuesday through Saturday will each include a link to several chapters of Isaiah.

This is a lot of reading, but it is well worth the time and effort. Some of us may even want to take a fast from watching television this week, and instead devote the time to reading the word of God. For our readers who prefer to listen to the book of Isaiah, there are several websites that offer audio Bibles. The point of this exercise is not to brag about having met the challenge, but to learn of God's justice, love, and provision as revealed through the writings of the prophet Isaiah.

As we read, let us be encouraged. The God who loved ancient Israel is the same God who loves us. Lord God, we rejoice and rest in Your love!


Isaiah 40

“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak kindly to Jerusalem, and tell her that her time of warfare is over, that her punishment is completed. For the Lord has made her pay double for all her sins.”

A voice cries out, “In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord; construct in the desert a road for our God. Every valley must be elevated, and every mountain and hill leveled. The rough terrain will become a level plain, the rugged landscape a wide valley. The splendor of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it at the same time. For the Lord has decreed it.”

A voice says, “Cry out!” Another asks, “What should I cry out?” The first voice responds: “All people are like grass, and all their promises are like the flowers in the field. The grass dries up, the flowers wither, when the wind sent by the Lord blows on them. Surely humanity is like grass. The grass dries up, the flowers wither, but the decree of our God is forever reliable.” Go up on a high mountain, O herald Zion! Shout out loudly, O herald Jerusalem! Shout, don’t be afraid! Say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”

Look, the sovereign Lord comes as a victorious warrior; his military power establishes his rule. Look, his reward is with him; his prize goes before him. Like a shepherd he tends his flock; he gathers up the lambs with his arm; he carries them close to his heart; he leads the ewes along. The Lord is Incomparable!

Who has measured out the waters in the hollow of his hand, or carefully measured the sky, or carefully weighed the soil of the earth, or weighed the mountains in a balance, or the hills on scales? Who comprehends the mind of the Lord,or gives him instruction as his counselor? From whom does he receive directions? Who teaches him the correct way to do things, or imparts knowledge to him, or instructs him in skillful design?

Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales. He lifts the coastlands as if they were dust. Not even Lebanon could supply enough firewood for a sacrifice; its wild animals would not provide enough burnt offerings. All the nations are insignificant before him; they are regarded as absolutely nothing.

To whom can you compare God? To what image can you liken him? A craftsman casts an idol; a metalsmith overlays it with gold and forges silver chains for it. To make a contribution one selects wood that will not rot; he then seeks a skilled craftsman to make an idol that will not fall over.

Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told to you since the very beginning? Have you not understood from the time the earth’s foundations were made? He is the one who sits on the earth’s horizon; its inhabitants are like grasshoppers before him. He is the one who stretches out the sky like a thin curtain, and spreads it out like a pitched tent. He is the one who reduces rulers to nothing; he makes the earth’s leaders insignificant. Indeed, they are barely planted; yes, they are barely sown; yes, they barely take root in the earth, and then he blows on them, causing them to dry up, and the wind carries them away like straw. “To whom can you compare me? Whom do I resemble?” says the Holy One.

Look up at the sky! Who created all these heavenly lights? He is the one who leads out their ranks; he calls them all by name. Because of his absolute power and awesome strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you say, Jacob, Why do you say, Israel, “The Lord is not aware of what is happening to me, my God is not concerned with my vindication”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is an eternal God, the creator of the whole earth. He does not get tired or weary; there is no limit to his wisdom.

He gives strength to those who are tired; to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy. Even youths get tired and weary; even strong young men clumsily stumble. But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired.

Six-Shooter.

As we close out this week of reflections on Isaiah 40, let's take another look at six of the verses in this chapter. Pastor Sam described these verses as a ‘resumé’ of God's sovereign control: our LORD, who needs no help from anyone, is ever present to help us. He is supremely qualified to do what others consider impossible.

v  We serve the God who does the miraculous.

v  We serve the God who empowers martyrs to demonstrate His grace and peace in the face of extreme sufferings.

v  We serve the God who extended His mercy to ancient Israel, even as they lived through the consequences of their sins.

v  We serve the God who sees all, knows all, and judges rightly.

This God, miraculous, loving, merciful, and wise, is here for you and I today. Let us rest in His word, bask in His love, and hope in His faithful promises.

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.

Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
    they are regarded as dust on the scales;
    he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.

Before him all the nations are as nothing;
    they are regarded by him as worthless
    and less than nothing.

He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
    and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
    and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
He brings princes to naught
    and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
No sooner are they planted,
    no sooner are they sown,
    no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
    and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. (Isaiah 40:10, 15, 17, 22-24, NIV)

"God runs things. Things don't run God." -Rev. Dr. Samuel Vassel

He Knows My Names...

Why do you say, Jacob, Why do you say, Israel, “The Lord is not aware of what is happening to me, My God is not concerned with my vindication”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is an eternal God, the creator of the whole earth. He does not get tired or weary; there is no limit to his wisdom. (Isaiah 40:27-28)

During this past Sunday's sermon, the Lord had our pastor pause at Isaiah 40:27 to explain the reference to “Jacob” and “Israel”. We learned that the two names refer to one person. Jacob was known as a swindler and con artist, a man whose very name meant “supplanter”—a man who we would probably not choose to engage any work for God, because he had a track record of living solely for himself. But our God had a different view! Time passed by, and eventually Jacob encountered the presence and power of God. God gave the man a new name: You are no longer Jacob, but Israel – the man who has God on his side, fighting for him, and who prevails (see Genesis 32:28; Genesis 35:10).

In Isaiah 40, then, this small reference to Jacob carries heavy weight. God’s message of hope is offered not just to the “Israels” of the world who have submitted to His will, but also to the “Jacobs” of the world who still attempt to make their own way in life. What is the message? It is this: I am the LORD your God. My wisdom is unlimited, and I am eternal. I know everything that is going on in your life. Don’t think that I am unaware or unconcerned.

Even in our faltering attempts at self-sufficiency, God stands ready to save and transform us! I am grateful. Are you?

Lord, You see, You hear, and You know. Thank You for reminding us of Your eternal presence. Thank You for offering Your strength to our weary frames. Give us grace to rest and trust in You.

Examen Nation: Home Edition

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? (Job 1:8, KJV)

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam reminded us of God's response to the plight of Job. Job and his friends spent much time in reflection and discussion of Job's life after Satan received permission to afflict him. The friends insisted that Job must have sinned in order to have suffered such extreme calamity, while Job insisted that he had done nothing to deserve the losses he'd suffered.

Enter God.

In Job chapters 38 through 41, God speaks to his servant Job. But God's response did not address Job's sufferings. And as Pastor Sam pointed out, Job was never even told about the dialogue between God and Satan that brought about the sufferings he'd gone through. Instead, God called Job to consider the greatness, majesty, and power of God. Our pastor reminded us that we too, like Job, are called to focus on the goodness and greatness of God.

There are some Christians who daily engage in the discipline of examen, and it is a useful discipline for us to adopt if we aren't already involved in this practice. In examen, one takes time to reflect on the day's experiences. But the focus is not merely on the ups and downs of the day. The focus is on: a) recognizing the presence of God in our lives throughout the day, and b) being thankful for who God is and what He does, even as we seek His forgiveness and grace to help us look more like Him every day.

Are you suffering? Look to the Lord. Today let us choose to turn our eyes away from our challenges, and instead turn our attention to our God, the One who remains in complete control.

Lord God, we praise You for Your sovereignty!
You are great and mighty!
There is none on earth like You.

You see and know all things;
You are fully aware of our sufferings,
And You are touched with the pains we go through.

We stand, we kneel, we worship, we praise
on beds of affliction, or in church with hands raised;
We engage in what You have commanded us to do.

Though life is bitter, You, Lord, are sweet.
Though we want to run, we rest at Your feet
and rejoice
at the sound of Your voice:
"Behold, I make all things new..."

(G.A.R.)

Incomparable!

To whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him? (Isaiah 40:18, NIV)

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam noted that we live in a society that tends towards pluralism. We are expected to maintain a "level playing field" in which our God is deemed no higher than, say, Buddha or Krishna. There is a social pressure to submit not just to the concept of all gods being equal, but an added pressure to deify certain social systems and cultural expectations. In some regards, our lives today are not much different than the lives of the ancient Jews who were exiled to Babylon. And though we laud the accounts we read in the book of Daniel, particularly those where he and his three friends (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) stood boldly for the God of Israel, we must also remember that there were many more young men who acquiesced to the pressure and bowed in worship to false gods. When threatened with suffering, those unnamed men lost their boldness.

But what about us? When we are threatened, what do we say about the God we serve? Our pastor gave us a word to stand on: Our God is incomparably great. He cannot be put into a box with the other gods of this world. He cannot be equated to any earthly philosophies or systems. As we read in Isaiah 40:18, there is no comparison.

Pastor Sam said something else that I would like us to reflect on today: The God of the exiles is our God. We must abandon the notion that God is somehow less powerful if His people are found to be 'in exile'. Our sufferings do not diminish God's power. In fact, our periods of hardship are often moments in which the power of God breaks forth in ways no one could have imagined.

What is your response to exile? What is your response to suffering? I pray that our response will always be to worship our great God, and to recognize that He is incomparable.

"LORD God of Israel, there is no god like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath..." (First Kings 8:23a)

Be Ye Comforted.

Isaiah 40

“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak kindly to Jerusalem, and tell her that her time of warfare is over, that her punishment is completed. For the Lord has made her pay double for all her sins.”

A voice cries out, “In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord; construct in the desert a road for our God. Every valley must be elevated, and every mountain and hill leveled. The rough terrain will become a level plain, the rugged landscape a wide valley. The splendor of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it at the same time. For the Lord has decreed it.”

A voice says, “Cry out!” Another asks, “What should I cry out?” The first voice responds: “All people are like grass, and all their promises are like the flowers in the field. The grass dries up, the flowers wither, when the wind sent by the Lord blows on them. Surely humanity is like grass. The grass dries up, the flowers wither, but the decree of our God is forever reliable.” Go up on a high mountain, O herald Zion! Shout out loudly, O herald Jerusalem! Shout, don’t be afraid! Say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”

Look, the sovereign Lord comes as a victorious warrior; his military power establishes his rule. Look, his reward is with him; his prize goes before him. Like a shepherd he tends his flock; he gathers up the lambs with his arm; he carries them close to his heart; he leads the ewes along. The Lord is Incomparable!

Who has measured out the waters in the hollow of his hand, or carefully measured the sky, or carefully weighed the soil of the earth, or weighed the mountains in a balance, or the hills on scales? Who comprehends the mind of the Lord,or gives him instruction as his counselor? From whom does he receive directions? Who teaches him the correct way to do things, or imparts knowledge to him, or instructs him in skillful design?

Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales. He lifts the coastlands as if they were dust. Not even Lebanon could supply enough firewood for a sacrifice; its wild animals would not provide enough burnt offerings. All the nations are insignificant before him; they are regarded as absolutely nothing.

To whom can you compare God? To what image can you liken him? A craftsman casts an idol; a metalsmith overlays it with gold and forges silver chains for it. To make a contribution one selects wood that will not rot; he then seeks a skilled craftsman to make an idol that will not fall over.

Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told to you since the very beginning? Have you not understood from the time the earth’s foundations were made? He is the one who sits on the earth’s horizon; its inhabitants are like grasshoppers before him. He is the one who stretches out the sky like a thin curtain, and spreads it out like a pitched tent. He is the one who reduces rulers to nothing; he makes the earth’s leaders insignificant. Indeed, they are barely planted; yes, they are barely sown; yes, they barely take root in the earth, and then he blows on them, causing them to dry up, and the wind carries them away like straw. “To whom can you compare me? Whom do I resemble?” says the Holy One.

Look up at the sky! Who created all these heavenly lights? He is the one who leads out their ranks; he calls them all by name. Because of his absolute power and awesome strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you say, Jacob, Why do you say, Israel, “The Lord is not aware of what is happening to me, my God is not concerned with my vindication”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is an eternal God, the creator of the whole earth. He does not get tired or weary; there is no limit to his wisdom.

He gives strength to those who are tired; to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy. Even youths get tired and weary; even strong young men clumsily stumble. But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired.