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.