A=Attracting Men, Women, And Youth

"This is not a social club. This is warfare." (Pastor Sam)

As we continue our review of Bronx Bethany's vision statement, we now turn to the fourth point: Attracting men, women, and youth to a nurturing and healing fellowship.

A few days ago I posted, without commentary, Isaiah chapter 58. Pastor Sam mentioned this chapter during his sermon, asking us to read it on our own. In the chapter, the Lord lists various things that are preventing the people of God from experiencing healing in their community:

• Rebellion and sin (verse 1);
• Forsaking God's commandments (verse 2);
• Self-serving behavior and exploitation of others (verse 3);
• Quarreling, strife, and fighting (verse 4);
• Reducing fasting to mere external exercise, absent of internal commitment to God (verse 5).

God also details His criteria of things that must exist in the community in order for healing to occur:

• The freeing of people who are oppressed, and the addressing of injustice (verse 6);
• Compassionate provision for the poor, the hungry, and the naked (verse 7);
• The avoidance and rejection of gossip and malicious talk (verse 9);
• Joyful honoring of the Lord's command to engage Sabbath rest (verse 13).

Our pastor appealed to us, "Do not be content with religious ritual when you can experience the reality of being the people of God." May we all be earnest in our desire to experience that reality.

Lord, turn our hearts away from routine... give us the wisdom to shift from fighting one another to fighting our true enemy, the devil... move us into the place where Your healing can break forth.