"Post" Script.

Well, it’s been three months since my last blog post. There have been certain temptations offered to me during this season of dormancy, in particular the temptation to write posts just for the sake of writing. But I have also felt a burden for silence, a burden that has trumped that temptation. So I have been, at least in terms of my blogging life this autumn, quiet. A sort of blogosphere sabbatical, perhaps.

Shortly before my non-blogging season began, I spent some time writing a small group study. I’m really grateful that Bronx Bethany’s small groups are now immersed in the study, titled “Arrayed in Hope”. It has been able to do, in print, what I have struggled to do in person: it crosses boundaries to minister encouragement to people of God from all walks of life. Men and women, older people and younger people, new Christians and seasoned saints, have shared with me testimonies of how God is speaking to them through the study. If you're in Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene but not in a small group (Care Group), I encourage you to get connected with one. (If you're a pastor or small group leader at another church and have an interest in checking out this ten-lesson study, I'd love to send it to you! You can connect with me via Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.)

Lately the Lord has been nudging my heart about writing again. What will the writing be? I don’t know yet. In keeping with the nature of the Advent season we’re in, I am waiting with expectancy. I’m excited to see what the Lord will do. My ears are open to hear Him. I hope that everyone reading this, too, is waiting on God with expectancy and excitement and ears open to hear.

Is the Lord nudging your heart about anything?

Make Space. Embrace.

Today, let’s consider another thought Pastor Richard shared in this past Sunday’s sermon (paraphrased here): We are called to keep our focus not on the principles, but on the Paraclete. Our Christian journey is not about us doing our best, but rather about our making space for God to manifest His perfect work in and through us.

As I’ve reflected on this, I’ve been asking myself: “Who, or what, am I focused on?” And I’ve been thinking of Simon Peter, who once asked Jesus to command him to walk on the water. I’ve contemplated the water-walking miracle before, but today I’d like us to contemplate Simon Peter’s moment of amazing insight before he got out of the boat.

Peter said to him, “Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28, New English Translation)

“Lord...” – Peter made his address not to Jesus’s position as his Teacher, but to Jesus’s authority as Lord.

“…order me to come to you on the water.” – Peter understood that he had an opportunity to engage an act of obedience that would produce something miraculous.

Now, we might not need to walk on water in a literal sense, but Pastor Richard noted that there are other things we might need today (that are equally miraculous). We might need God’s help to reject old habits and deep-seated character traits that run counter to the will of God. We might need to courageously step into the purpose for which God created us.

Here’s my own take-away: I need to take the leap of faith necessary to move from the “default setting” of knowing Jesus as my teacher, and instead learn to see Him first and foremost as my Lord. If my focus is there, then I will not have a problem when He commands me to do things that are seemingly impossible. I know that if the Lord is present, then He will make sure I don’t “drown” in my attempts to obey His commands.

Some years ago there was a song I learned. It began with the line, “The Spirit of the Lord is great and mighty.”** Yes. Jesus has made His Spirit available to us, and has given us the promise that we too can engage greater works (see John14:12). How I pray that we in the church, who embrace the work of His Spirit, will go the next step and embrace the work of His Spirit in and through us. It’s not just a call for the pastors and leaders: it’s for everyone who has chosen to walk this Christian journey.

A quotation and a question for today:

“Many people have not even stepped into their purpose yet, and they are on the way out.” (Rev. Richard Griffiths)

In considering this quote from our pastor, can you say with confidence that you are exactly where the Lord wants you to be, and that you are doing exactly what His Spirit has commanded you to do?

**From "The Spirit of the Lord" by Billy Funk. Copyright (c) 1992, Integrity's Hosanna! Music.

Copy That.

Let’s reflect on this thought paraphrased from Sunday’s sermon: Some look at Scripture and try to imitate what they have seen. Over time, though, people find that it is difficult (and even impossible) to do what Jesus has done. We can only do His works by the help of His Spirit.

Pastor Richard noted that we sometimes make the mistake of “benchmarking” ourselves against the people we see around us, instead of looking to Jesus as the example and model for Spirit-filled living. But the Bible gives us a benchmark for living a godly life: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (Ephesians 5:1-2, New American Standard Bible)

How did Jesus love? Ephesians uses the analogies of an offering and a sacrifice. If we follow the lead of our Lord, then there are things we will give, and things we will do, that may prove costly. Jesus demonstrated His love by going to the cross on our behalf. In our faith tradition, we have the opportunity to show sacrificial love as we "take up our cross" every day (see Luke 9:23).

How did Jesus walk? His walk was determined by the word of His Father and by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. If we walk like Jesus walked, then we will be people immersed in the word of God and led by the Spirit of God.

It's important to remember that this level of love and obedience cannot be demonstrated without the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. When we surrender ourselves to His leading, then the Spirit of the Lord will move us from the life of selfishness into the life of self-sacrificing love.

Imitate God today.

Walk in love today.

By Your Word

On this past Sunday, Pastor Richard offered a prayer in which he shared various truths about the word of God. Our pastor said to God, and of God:

“It is by Your word that things come into being;

It is by Your word that transformation and creation happen;

It is by Your word that You said “Let there be light.”;

It is by Your word that You said “Sea, you go here.” and “Land, you stop here.”

We serve the living God, who is creative and authoritative. There is no one like Him! The Bible is filled with accounts of the greatness of God and the power of His word. As we consider what Pastor Richard prayed, we can be assured that God takes care with each of us just as He takes care with creation. If we are hearing the word of the Lord, then we will be instructed on where to go and where not to go; what to do and what not to do; who to be and who not to be.

It's a blessing to know God; it is wisdom to trust and obey Him. The God who formed lands and seas and their boundaries is the God who formed you. He has a word for you. My prayer is that you are hearing Him.

Oh God, creative God, authoritative God, please, form us. Inform us. Transform us. Amen.

Hand In Hand

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30, NASB)

Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message to no one but Jews. But there were some men from Cyprus and Cyrene among them who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks too, proclaiming the good news of the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. (Acts 11:19-21, NET)

When Pastor Sam referred to these verses during his sermon, I felt such a reassurance from God. The references touched my heart because we live in a time where the overt, systemic persecution of Christians is no longer only “over there” in the Eastern Hemisphere, but is also firmly ensconced here in the Western world. But, anyone who reads Scripture carefully will assert that persecution of Christians is nothing new. After all, it was the reality of religious intolerance that caused believers in the first-century church to be scattered from Jerusalem into other regions of the earth.

Fortunately, there is an overarching reality that Jesus has told us: “No one has the power to snatch you out of My hand.” That is the reality in which, and by which, we Christians must function. It is the reality that supersedes sufferings and death, because we who believe in Christ have been granted eternal life in Him. It is the reality that causes us to continue preaching and teaching even in the face of persecution.

The hand of the Lord was with the early church.

The hand of the Lord is with His people today.

Rejoice in the reality. Rest in the security.

“Lord, I pray for all who witness for you in this world:

ministers, priests, and bishops,

men and women who have dedicated their lives to you,

and all those who try to bring the light of the Gospel

into the darkness of this age.

Give them courage, strength, perseverance, and hope;

fill their hearts and minds

with the knowledge of your presence,

and let them experience your name

as their refuge from all dangers.

Most of all, give them the joy of your Spirit,

so that wherever they go and whomever they meet

they will remove the veil

of depression, fatalism, and defeatism

and will bring new life to the many

who live in constant fear of death.

Lord, be with all who bring the Good News.

Amen.” (a prayer of Henri J.M. Nouwen)

I'm Walking On The Desert Road.

Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) (Acts 8:26, New English Translation)

During Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Sam shared with us that we should be prepared to accomplish God’s will in non-traditional ways, being directed by God’s voice, and doing what has never been done before. We see an example of this in the life of Philip the Evangelist.

After the martyrdom of Stephen, Philip went into Samaria and preached the gospel. During his ministry there, Philip heard a directive from the Lord to head towards the south. And we read the amazing response of Philip: “So he got up and went.” (Acts 8:27a)

That’s it. No debate. No discussion. In the middle of a thriving evangelism ministry, with the Spirit of God confirming the word of God with signs and miracles, Philip walked away from it all. Philip didn’t even know what he was walking into. But, he obeyed the directive he received from heaven.

Well, that is radical... and that is mission. The heart of mission goes way beyond our post-modern, safe, regimented “mission trips” to build random houses or put a choir’s show on the road for a week or two. Now, before some of you get offended or send me caustic email, let me say that there is certainly a place for such things in the work of the kingdom. We do all things in the hope that something will turn a person's heart to God. But I’m just wondering if there’s anybody out there that is ready to obey God in the way that Philip did. Are we willing, like Philip, to walk away from a spiritual activity that is authentic and thriving, and instead take a walk with God into the unknown, unregimented future?

It's a new season. You are called to a new mission. God is asking you to do something nontraditional. How will you respond?

Lord God, You spoke to us on Sunday and You gave the call for us to embrace the new thing. You have called us to do things we have never done before. Please make us ready to leave the thing that is thriving, trusting You to keep it, and to give us Your joy and peace as we walk on our mission road “towards the south”. We love You; we hear You; we are obeying You. Let it be. Amen.

Representing...

As Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene continues in its fifty-first year of ministry, we who worship here are called to be a representation of God’s holiness in the city.

In Sunday’s sermon we were reminded that there are many churches in our city. As our pastor noted, there are some areas in the Bronx where you can pass by three churches on the same block! In spite of these many churches in the Bronx, though, we still can walk through our neighborhoods and see that there is a dearth of people that concern themselves with living a life of holiness.

Sadly, some of the people who eschew holiness claim to be Christians. And perhaps the greatest indictment of Christendom is that we have kept a tradition of service while failing to heed the word of the Lord. In fact, it is the indictment that Jesus Himself will address. We see it explained by our Lord in Matthew chapter 7:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. (Matthew 7:21-29, New American Standard Bible)

If the litmus test of kingdom fitness is not signs and wonders, but rather obedience to God (“he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven”), then let us pray for the will of God to be made manifest in us. This is God, our King, who has instructed us to care for widows, orphans, the poor, and the strangers within our gates. This is God, who has instructed us to be holy because He is holy. This is God, who has instructed us to love one another, to bless those who curse us, and to pray for those who despitefully use us (see Matthew 5:44). This is the only true God, whose words will never pass away.

So, a question for today: are you an authentic representative of the kingdom of God?

“God is our foundation; the Word of God is our standing. We are here to glorify God.” (Smith Wigglesworth)

Welcome To Your New Season.

Last year Bronx Bethany, with much fanfare and celebration, celebrated its fiftieth year of ministry. But, what about our fifty-first year? On Sunday, Pastor Sam shared with us that year fifty-one is a time to begin again, to start anew, and to do something new.  

In this fifty-first year of ministry, we are believing that people will make the shift from being consumers to being participants in the plan and program of God. However, our belief is not based on having done a survey to measure the interests and abilities of those who call Bronx Bethany their church home. Rather, it is a belief that is initiated, supported, and carried by our prayers.

What are we praying to see in this new season?

• Competence (the skills that God was pleased to give to us); and
• Character (the thoughts and actions we demonstrate that are pleasing to God)

Doing a new thing will involve us moving, as Pastor Sam exhorted us, “from the back to the front” in terms of our ministry roles. There will be a shift in which the men and women who have labored for years will find partnership and assistance from those men and women who heretofore have known what to do, and who have solid Christian character, but who had previously been content to watch from the sidelines. But, the past is past: it’s year fifty-one, and the season of “sideline” consumerism is over. It's the season for new ministries, new strategies, new visions, and new people to join in the battle for souls.

I will be doing some new things this season. How about you?

"So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields." (Matthew 9:38, New Living Translation)

Son Burn?

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam spoke on the parable many of us know as "The Prodigal Son" (Luke 15:11-32).  But, as our pastor shared, we see that the story is the narrative of actions and interactions of a younger son, an older son, and a father.

Today, let’s consider the older son. What does the narrative reveal about him?

Disinterest in the well-being of his brother. The older son, who had remained at home the entire time that the younger son was gone, reacted in anger when he heard the reason for the household's music and dancing (see Luke 15:25-28). The father, however, had consistently been looking for the younger son and was overjoyed to see him return home (see Luke 15:20).

Disrespect for his own position as a son. The older son held incorrect, inappropriate heart-attitudes about his place in his father's house. As Pastor Sam noted on Sunday, the older son spoke as if everything he had was due to the hard work he had done rather than it being due to his status as a son, even going as far to describe himself in terms of servitude: "All these years I've been slaving for you..." (Luke 15:29) In the narrative, we see that the father had to remind the older son, “Everything I have is yours!” (see Luke 15:31)

Pastor Sam shared a phrase with us: “The older brother was in the house, but he was not at the party.” For those of us who have been in church-life a long time, this is a call for us to remember that we are beneficiaries. We did not earn our salvation; our Father provided it through the sacrifice of Christ. We did not purchase our spiritual gifts; our Father provided them by His Spirit. We have the privilege of celebrating all that our Father is and all that He does in and through us. Further, we have the privilege of interceding for “younger brothers”—those in our community who have wandered from the fold. May these lost ones return to find a family waiting with forgiveness, love, and joyous celebration.

How do you respond when wayward sons return home?

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.

In View Of This,...

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Bobby shared with us that we are called to view life with eternal eyes: eyes that comprehend not just the nuances of the physical realm, but eyes that “see” what God has revealed by His Holy Spirit. As Christians, our mandate is to live by faith. Second Corinthians 5:7 is a short verse that many of us have memorized: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Today, let’s consider a larger section of the passage, so that we might benefit from the context in which this truth was given to us.

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (Second Corinthians 5:1-10)

Pastor Bobby noted that our Christian journey is not a fun walk: it is a walk for soldiers. How do soldiers walk? They walk with purpose. They walk with the intent to carry out the orders they are given. And, yes, they walk by faith, because their individual orders are only a small part of a big plan. They don’t know the whole plan, but they are faithful in carrying out their part of the plan. Some of us, today, are guilty of having reneged on our responsibility to carry out our small part of God’s big plan. Why? Because we have laid down our shield of faith; because we have told God we won’t act until He tells us what everyone else is doing; because we have grown weary of laboring in our corner of the kingdom vineyard.

If you have laid down your shield of faith, if you have decided to delay obeying God because you want more details of His plan, I would encourage you to get back into the battle for souls. One day, we will be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, and all will be well, and all will be made clear. Until we reach our heaven-life, though, we are called to live our earth-life in a manner pleasing to God, living and acting in obedient faith. “We make it our goal to please him…” Amen. May Paul’s words be ours today.

Lord God, may everything I do be a confession of my faith in You.

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

Clause-Way.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

This past Sunday, we were blessed to have as our guest speaker Pastor Bobby Wilmot. Pastor Bobby was called by God to plant seeds of righteousness and holiness in a community in Jamaica that held a history of lawlessness. Pastor Bobby’s faithfulness in ministry, and particularly his ability to see transformation and change by faith, are an inspiration to those of us who are living in our own regions of crisis, whether geographical or spiritual.

Pastor Bobby based his sermon on Romans 15:13. The middle of this verse contains an important thought: “…as you trust in Him.”

• Do we understand that the infilling of joy and peace walks in tandem with our sure faith? Do we really trust God?
• Do we approach our belief in God not as a one-time assertion of His Lordship, but as a continual confession of our belief in His power to act on behalf of His children?

Today, as we pray and work, let us affirm and re-affirm our trust in God.

Lord God, we love You, and we trust You. Thank You for pouring joy and peace into our hearts.

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

Wisdom Of The Ages...

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (First Timothy 4: 12)

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Shane asked a question: What example are we setting? And it is not a question solely for children and teenagers: it is a question for everyone who professes to be Christian. As followers of Jesus, we are watched by the world. Our desire ought to be that those who see us will see the love and power of Christ manifested in us.

First Timothy chapter 4 shows the apostle Paul’s concern for Christians who have abandoned the faith. As Paul instructs Timothy to preach and teach, Paul adds a two-part mandate: 1) do not permit others to disrespect Timothy's ministry because of his age; 2) allow others to see Timothy’s example, captured in a five-fold structure of external actions reflective of his internal beliefs. Let’s dive in to First Timothy 4:12:

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young...” In Paul’s context, as in ours today, there is the notion that young people are not as gifted or anointed as their older counterparts. However, God has indicated throughout Scripture that His anointing and the gifts of His Spirit are not distributed according to age; rather, He anoints and gifts people according to His pleasure (see First Samuel 16:10-12; Ephesians 4:7). Timothy, a church elder, was charged to address and correct those who dismissed his anointing because of his youth.

“Set an example for the believers...” Paul gives Timothy five areas in which to live as a godly example to others. As we consider these, let us pray that God will empower us to be living examples in our day as Timothy was in his.

v  Speech: Do our words express godly comfort and encouragement? Do we impart the wisdom and counsel of God as we interact with others?

v  Conduct: Do our personal and professional practices model the commands and counsel of God?

v  Love: Are we in love with God? Do we show His love to everyone we meet?

v  Faith: Do we believe God’s word and fully expect that He will accomplish all He has said?

v  Purity: Are our sexuality, inner thought life, and outward behaviors bringing pleasure to the heart of God? Are we obeying His call to holiness?

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

See... And Hear.

On this past Sunday, Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene's morning services were led by our children and teenagers.

We are blessed to be in an environment where the act of worship, the art of worship, and the heart of worship are not novelties in the lives of the young people who attend our church. Though much of the adult population never sees it, our children and youth regularly experience authentic worship and community. Every Sunday, as the adults are in the main sanctuary, the next generation is in different areas of our campus. For our teenagers, their experience of God is not relegated to just a couple of hours on a Sunday. They meet corporately on Friday nights, and they hold the advantage of being encouraged and held accountable daily through the use of social media. Our children are learning to worship, and they are leading in worship. But, most importantly, they are in love with the living God.

The power of God was present as our teenagers encouraged us through a spoken word presentation. They exhorted us to appropriate the power of God, to rest in His promises, and to trust Him even as we experience difficulties along our Christian journey. My prayer is that we who are older will be wise enough, and humble enough, to take note and learn from this next generation of believers.

Will we, publicly, fearlessly, speak of the power of God to heal and deliver?

Will we engage in authentic, exuberant, extravagant worship and praise of our King?

Will we rest in God’s promises, unshaken by the storms that may rage around us?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:1-4)

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

This Is Major!

Over the past several weeks we at Bronx Bethany have heard our pastors speak on the theme of the resurrection of Christ, and on what His resurrection has procured for us.

This past Sunday, Pastor Sam reminded us of the Day of Ascension. Ascension Day often comes and goes quietly. In many denominations the day is not highly celebrated: after all, it falls on a Thursday, and we live in a culture that rarely engages corporate church life on a Thursday. In addition, we live in a church culture that pours its energies into “major” events, and at this time of year Easter and Pentecost tend to capture more of our attention. But, this year, we have the opportunity (and the privilege, and the responsibility) to reflect on Ascension, a day as relevant as the Easter which precedes it and the Pentecost which follows.

Today, let’s read some of the Scripture passages from Sunday’s sermon. As the week progresses, Lord willing, we will take time to reflect on additional Scriptures, as well as the points shared by our pastor.

Hebrews 1:1-4

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Philippians 2:1-11

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Acts 1:1-11

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

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.

"Certain" Call.

Pastor Althea referenced Second Timothy chapter 1 in her sermon this past Sunday, and I’d like us to read the chapter today as we close out our few days of reflection. In this chapter, we see that Paul’s words to Timothy are helpful in giving us a “road map” of how faith works in us:

Faith empowers us to use our spiritual gifts.

Faith empowers us to testify.

Faith empowers us to suffer.

Faith empowers us to live the life of holiness.

Faith empowers us to believe that Jesus Christ was raised from death.

Faith empowers us to trust God.

Faith empowers us to partner with the Holy Spirit.

Faith empowers us to speak the truth in love.

Faith empowers us to recognize those God has sent to support the ministry.

As we read, let us pray that we will be people of faith.

Second Timothy 1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

To Timothy, my dear son:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

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.

Work Stoppage?

In Sunday’s sermon Pastor Althea made the point that we cannot produce our own faith, but we can hinder it from growing.

Let’s re-visit one of the verses from yesterday’s post: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Romans 12:3, emphasis mine)

In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25) we see an example of the graciousness of our God. He has given us the faith necessary to work for Him, using whatever gifts He has given to us. He knows our capability to operate in faith, to the glory of His name, and we can choose to joyfully obey His call... or summarily dismiss it. Let’s read this parable today, absorbing its encouragement, and heeding its warning.

Are you growing in faith, or are you hindering faith from growing?

Matthew 25:14-30

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

“The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

“Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

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.

Steady As She Grows...

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Althea said something I'd like us to reflect on today: "Faith is taking a measured risk."

Our pastor reminded us of our tendencies to demonstrate measured risk in our everyday lives. We expect that when we travel, we will reach our destination. We expect that the chairs we sit in will be strong enough to bear our weight. These are measured risks, and these are expressions of the faith we carry in our hearts. We take these risks every day because of what we believe, and we respond with surprise when our expectations are not realized.

We who are Christians have subscribed to a life of faith. Our faith is grounded in what God has said. We dare to risk because we believe His word. We dare to expect. We go through our days anticipating that God will act on behalf of His people, that He will keep His word, and that He will cause us to see and experience every promise He has poured into our hearts.

As we consider our life of faith, let us also remember that our faith is not solely for our personal benefit. Our faith can serve to build up every member of the body of Christ. If we have faith that God will act on behalf of His people, then we can also have faith that God will allow us to participate in His process.

Today, will you take the measured risk of acting in faith, in whatever ways God has gifted you to do so?

Romans 12:3-8

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

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.

Son!

Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. (First Timothy 1:18-19)

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. (Second Timothy 1:5)

On Sunday, Pastor Althea spoke to us about having and leaving a legacy of faith. We took time to reflect on Paul’s second letter to Timothy, in which we see Paul testify to a generational pattern on the maternal side of Timothy's family. Paul says, in effect, Your grandmother had a certain way of living; your mother had a certain way of living; and you, Timothy, are conducting your life in the same way they did... the way of faith.

Our pastor also made mention of Acts chapter 16. In that chapter we see that Timothy’s biological father was identified not by faith-walk, but only by culture:

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. (Acts 16:1-3)

Perhaps we are not too far from this narrative. We may have come to faith in households where some family members were believers in Jesus and others were not. Some of us may currently be in situations where we are the only Christian in the home. But, we serve a gracious God! In these letters from Paul to Timothy, God has revealed that He can add a spiritual layer to our family tree. For Timothy, the lack of testimony concerning his biological father’s spiritual health was overridden by the apostolic covering of Paul. The Lord who caused Paul to adopt Timothy as a “son in the faith” (First Timothy 1:2) is our Lord, and He still has people of faith living today.

Are you a person of faith?

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

Starving To Death

On Sunday, Pastor Martha made an observation (paraphrased here) that we as Christians must wrestle with: We have become accustomed to the absence of the presence of God.

Our pastor noted that we live in a time and season where Christians permit themselves to be absorbed in media, technology, entertainment, and labor. However, the attention to a consistent, regular devotional practice is typically nonexistent. The standard response of the overworked (or overbooked) is "I don't have time for devotions." But Pastor Martha countered this excuse with these realities:

We have time to log in to social media.
We have time to take showers and baths.
We have time to choose clothing and get dressed.
We have time to purchase, prepare, and eat food.
We have made time for other things: some necessary, some frivolous.
There are some basics that we have decided will not be absent from our daily lives.
Why is it that we have absented the basics of our faith?

Our pastor shared that if we don't eat spiritual food, we are going to die. Our souls must be nourished... and perhaps that is a key reason why many believers never move into the realm of discipleship. Their souls are famished, and have been famished for so long that they've grown comfortable with the emptiness. In the light of Christ, who has modeled for us the importance of being connected to God through meaningful spiritual disciplines, the response "I'm too busy" is a demonic mantric that no Christian should be comfortable saying.

But, there is hope: we can be filled with the presence of God today! We can draw closer to Him today! My hope, my prayer, is that the Lord will renew in all of us a deep desire to eat at His table and drink from His well. Pastor Martha noted that Jesus first called His disciples to be with Him-- to follow Him and to observe His consistent devotion in ministry and in prayer, so that they might be empowered to model His example. If we long to be disciples of Christ, then let us model His example. Love God. Love spending time in God's word. Love communing with God in prayer.

Can we pour out God's love if we're spiritually empty?

Lord, cause us to hunger and thirst for You. Give us grace and courage to make whatever changes are necessary in our schedules, and in our mindsets, so that we might be nourished by Your word every day and transformed by Your presence every day. We thank You for helping us. Amen.

Matthew 7:24-27

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

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 Real Confidence Monitor.

But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. (Matthew 13:6)

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Martha said something that I’d like us to reflect on today. She said (paraphrased here), It’s not our complaints that move God. It is when we declare the word of God that God responds. She then asked us: How can we declare the word of God if we’ve never read it, or if we aren’t sure of what it says?

As we learn the word of God by reading Scripture, rehearsing it through meditation, and declaring it with our mouths, we can be confident that our Lord will fulfill His word in the earth. However, if we don't learn His word, we won't grow in faith and we won't increase in our knowledge of God. We must remain aware that our depth of devotion to God impacts the confidence with which we can declare His word.

Let's consider the parable of the sower, found in the books of Matthew and Mark. We see in the narratives that the process of seeds developing into mature plants could be cut short by various things: the soil, the sun, the roots, the rocks. Seeds grounded in deep, fertile, rock-free soil had a better end result than those that fell along the path. We also see in these narratives that Jesus used the parable to describe the ways in which people develop spiritually (see Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20).

How are we doing in terms of our spiritual development? Do you and I carry, in our hearts and minds, a knowledge of what God’s word says? Do we live in obedience to His word? Do we rejoice in the expectation that God will fulfill His word? Are we committed to being “deeply rooted” in the word of God? Are we willing to extract and discard the things that are harming, stunting, or otherwise blocking our spiritual development?

Recitation. Meditation. Declaration.

Isaiah 55

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”

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.

Are You In The "D" League?

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Martha shared with us the need for every believer to be committed to discipleship.

Our pastor noted that, for many Christians, there is a tendency to ignore or postpone spiritual disciplines that ought to be central to our lives. If we are not devoted to personal development as disciples, it becomes virtually impossible to effectively disciple others.

Pastor Martha reminded us of Jesus’s words: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19a). And, in reminding us, our pastor also cautioned us. She said (paraphrased here), We were not told to go and make believers. We were called to go and make disciples.

So, as we continue our faith-life, let us be diligent in obeying our Lord. If we are aware that our current state of spiritual development is not where it should be, we have an opportunity today to draw nearer to God.

Read the word of God, every day.

Pray, every day.

Look for opportunities to share His love, every day.

Will you, believer, live the life of a disciple?

Lord God, please forgive us for having drifted away from Your presence. Renew in us the desire to do Your will in the simple, basic, necessary acts of the Christian faith. Help us to connect with You: not merely in times of crisis, but every day. Help us to be true disciples, so that we can make true disciples. We ask this in Jesus’s name. 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.

Clarion Call

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. (Luke 24:50-53)

Pastor Sam shared with us that Jesus responded to the disciples’ doubt with a clarifying mandate. The mandate was to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19a). The Luke account of the disciples’ commission describes how the disciples returned to Jerusalem: “with great joy” (Luke 24:52b). Their ministry was launched not in fear of the Pharisees and religious leaders of the time, but with praise to their Lord.

We, too, are called to go and make disciples. It is not solely a call to those who hold the ministry office of apostle, evangelist, or pastor. Every Christian holds this call to share the gospel.

Let us approach our evangelism mandate with great joy.

Let us praise God, completely freed from the fear of man.

Let us share, everywhere, the truth of the gospel.

Lord God,

You have called us;

You have saved us;

You have sent us.

We praise You!

We rejoice in You!

God, search our hearts and find no fear.

Find in us pure adoration of Your Grace.

Find in us pure desire to do what makes You smile.

We love You… and we will go wherever You send us.

Empower us to draw the world to You.

We ask this in Jesus’s name. 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.

Thomas And “Them”…

When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. (Matthew 28:17)

On Sunday, Pastor Sam gave us an encouraging word: there can be authentic worship even in the face of doubt.

When we think of the word “doubt” in Scripture, most Christians familiar with their Bibles tend to default to Thomas, the disciple who had missed the first post-Resurrection meeting between Jesus and the other ten disciples. Thomas was very vocal about his unbelief concerning the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. But Thomas was present for the second encounter, and he believed. These eleven disciples then met the Lord in Galilee, having walked about 90-100 miles from where they had seen him in Jerusalem (see John 20:19- 21:14).

So, we have this curious post-Resurrection situation: Thomas had seen Jesus twice. The other ten disciples had seen Him three times. And, in the face of these multiple appearances, there was still doubt… and not just in the heart of Thomas. Other disciples felt it too.

What about you? Do you feel it? Have doubts clouded your discipleship? Do you have things happening in your life that make you question whether you've really had an encounter with the living God?

The prescription for doubt is authentic worship. Pastor Sam said (paraphrased here), If you are obediently worshiping instead of disobeying by staying away, if you are doing your best even in the face of doubts, if you are engaged with God through sincere worship of Him, then your doubts will be addressed by the resurrected Christ.

We serve an amazing Lord. In the Matthew 28 account, Jesus responded to the doubt with a declaration of His power and with a dispatching of His disciples: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:18-19a). In other words, doubt could not disqualify the disciples from service so long as they were found obedient in worship.

Is there doubt in your heart today? Don't let it deter you from your devotion.

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.