What A Proposal!

We serve an awesome God! Last night's New Year's Eve service, which ended this morning (shortly after midnight), was a love letter from our Savior to us.

We began the evening with several baptisms. Men and women spoke of their love relationship with Jesus, recognizing the sacrifice He made and publicly affirming their commitment to Him.

One of our young adults presented in spoken word, with an emphasis of the love of God for His people and the opportunity we have to experience His love, and to respond with a love that obeys, serves, and submits to His Lordship.

The video presentation, a modernized account of the Prodigal Son, emphasized the way in which our Father, God, longs to have us "home": secure in Him, satisfied in His presence, saturated in His love.

Divine Mime's ministry was a classic anthem of modern Black American gospel. We are saved and secure because "God blocked it"-- in His love He has protected us from the snares and traps of the devil.

The Bronx Bethany Chorale sang a song based on Revelation 19: praise to God for the fall of Babylon, and praise to God for the marriage of the Lamb to His Bride, the Church.

Bronx Bethany's Chosen sang two songs: one an exclamation of desire to love God and please Him, and the other a declaration that those who truly come to God ought never go back to their old life of sin.

Throughout the evening we heard music and testimonies of God's love, faithfulness, protection, and provision.

Pastor Sam's message focused on the plea of Moses: "Lord, if Your presence does not go with us, we will not go." Our pastor reminded us that as we grow in our love relationship with Jesus, He shows us what our purpose is in the earth.

God is so good. Our Lord capped off the night by allowing us to see a practical example of His extravagant love, as one of the young men in our church proposed to his girlfriend-- who is now his fiancee.

God, through Christ, has proposed to us! He longs to be in relationship with us. Pastor Sam reminded us of Revelation 3:20. Jesus is standing and knocking, and knocking, and knocking. Further, our pastor reminded us that in some cases our Lord has been knocking on the door of our hearts for many years. We can join in the promises given to the churches in Revelation: Jesus is ready to stand with us in our joy, pain, suffering, and hope.

Jesus loves you. This you know.