Unclaimed Reservations...

Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses.” (Luke 14:16-18a)

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mark 8:36)

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Shane noted “many have not taken their seat at God’s table” and have instead presented God with excuses for their absence. It’s interesting that the Luke 14 passage does not take time to discuss whether or not the excuses are valid. The parable ends with the final pronouncement of the Inviter: I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet. (Luke 14:24)

During the sermon our pastor showed a cartoon picture of a frog in a pot of water. The pot of water was on a stove, warming to the boiling point. The frog was leaning back, smiling, and appearing as if it had no worries in the world. It seemed to have no consciousness of the perilous position that its life was in. Pastor Shane shared that those who reject the invitation to come to the banquet of the Lord, too, are living in peril of losing their souls: they aren’t aware that the time they have for joining the banquet is limited, and they don't realize the spiritual danger that is part and parcel of a life lived without Christ.

We are finite beings. Time moves on. Each of us has the opportunity, right now, to sit and dine as invited guests of our Lord. He has already made provision for us. All we have to do is show up. Why wait?

The table of the Lord is set for you today! Will you respond to His invitation right now?

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.

I Saved A Seat For You.

"God has graced us with a seat at His table..." -Pastor Shane Burt-Miller

"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.'" (Luke 14:23)

The passage for Sunday's sermon was Luke 14:15-24, a parable in which we read of a man who sent his servant out to announce that the banquet was ready. What was relayed in the parable is still a reality today: God sends His servants to proclaim what God has prepared. 

At the start of Sunday's sermon, Pastor Shane noted that having a seat at the table of God is a privilege. Pastor Shane made mention of Pastor Richard, who had invited him to the youth retreat that changed his life. We as a church are blessed to have both these men as examples of the process God uses in evangelism: The servant of God, speaking the word of God, announces the banquet of God; and the invited guest, who comes to the table, is then fed by God. As time progresses, the invited guest grows in strength and maturity, and becomes empowered to serve God.

Today, let's reflect on some questions:

1) Who was the servant that made the announcement to you?
2) Have you come to eat at the table of God?
2) Are you, as a servant of God, willing to announce to others that His banquet is ready?

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.

Follow-Up Appointments

“About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied.” (Acts 22:6-8)

During the revival services at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, we have spent some time in the book of Acts. Our guest minister, Dr. Deirdre Brower Latz, noted that the acts of the Holy Spirit have not stopped: what was real for the disciples of old is just as real for us today.

This week we have reflected on Saul, who had an encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus; Ananias, who was led by God to go to Saul; Cornelius, who had an angelic encounter; and Peter, whose vision paved the way for his ministry to Cornelius' household. (see Acts chapters 9 and 10)

Dr. Brower Latz encouraged us to be aware of the presence of the Lord in our everyday lives, and to recognize that the Spirit of God is not bound-- not even by a person's error or ignorance. The Lord spoke to both Saul and Cornelius while they were still unconverted men, and then He sent Ananias and Peter to follow up on the work He had already begun.

What would our evangelism look like if we were to approach ministry not as a thing we initiate, but as a thing God uses to supplement what He is already doing? Dr. Brower Latz shared an anecdote about a Christian who feared that she would lose her job because her supervisor overheard her praying with someone. Upon being called in to her boss's office, the woman was surprised to learn that her supervisor, too, longed for prayer. Instead of losing her job, the woman became God's instrument for bringing a new convert into the kingdom of God.

We serve the God who spoke to Ananias, and also to Saul.

We serve the God who spoke to Peter, and also to Cornelius.

Our God speaks to those who know Him, those who seek Him, and even those who persecute Him.

Lord, speak to us today.

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.

From Hater To Brother

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:10-17)

During Sunday evening's revival service at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, Dr. Deirdre Brower Latz reflected on a term that reveals the astounding love of God at work in His people:

Brother Saul.

Dr. Brower Latz asked us to consider whether we, upon hearing that our enemy has come to faith in Christ, would extend the same grace as Ananias-- especially in these times. We live in a context of global terrorism. We live in a context where Christians are ridiculed, fired from their jobs, arrested, and killed as a matter of course. It was only a few days ago that several Coptic Christians were beheaded for their faith in Christ. Things are not much different now than they were in the days of the early church; we suffer greatly for the sake of the faith we hold. And, though Scripture constantly exhorts us to 'fear not', we may in fact be afraid of encountering people who have spent years filled with hate.

We were asked a difficult question on Sunday evening: What if the men who beheaded these Coptic Christians also become Christians? Will they be welcomed into Christian communities, or will they be forever ostracized because of the sins they amassed prior to encountering Christ? Scripture records the response of the faith community to Saul's conversion:

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:26-27)

I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me. (Galatians 1:22-24)

The God who saved us is the same God who saved Saul of Tarsus... and He is the same God who can save every person, even those who are currently devoted to the destruction of God's people. Can we pray that our Lord Jesus does a transforming work in the hearts of our haters, and that we reflect the love He has for every soul?

Lord God, give us the grace that You imparted to Ananias and to Barnabas. Help us to be supporters of Your plan to transform our haters into our brothers. Cause us to love them in the way that You love us.

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.

Incidentals...

We are in the midst of revival services at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene. Our guest minister is Dr. Deirdre Brower Latz, who has come to us from England with a word from the Lord.

During Sunday morning's message, Dr. Brower Latz shared that there was a period of time where she was reluctant to travel to a particular area of the United States. Her negative feelings about that area stemmed from an incident that had occurred. She noted that, although the incident only occurred once, and although the incident was not necessarily representative of the community at large, it had such a strong impact on her that it even affected her decision on whether to travel there again.

The advantage that Dr. Brower Latz had, and the advantage that all believers have, is an open heart to receive the word of the Lord. As the Spirit of God showed her the way in which she had distanced herself from that community, she repented and He brought healing to her. Her negative feelings were replaced by His love.

What about us? Are we harboring feelings of anger, disappointment, or ill will towards certain regions or people? Are we holding onto bad experiences, ruminating about negative incidents instead of allowing God to heal our hurts? Our Lord is present to bring us into a place of wellness, wholeness, and peace. Let's give our hurts to Him.

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.
(Negro Spiritual)

Three-Two-One: Countdown Done.

“Listen. One more year to plow it around.” – Pastor Richard

“God is giving you all of 2015 to get into a right place with Him.” – Pastor Allison

Though their sermons were grounded in different passages of Scripture, our speakers in our English-language and Spanish-language services both declared the same rhema word as the services transitioned from preaching to prayer: 2015 is the year that we are called to respond to the mercy of God.

Pastor Richard noted that we sometimes try to employ pretense in the presence of God, gathering for worship while continuing to harbor secret sins. Our pastor shared the analogy of a person who not only hides things in a back closet, but also has built a trap door into the closet to hide things even more securely. However, we know that nothing is hidden from God: His word declares that He is the one who will bring all hidden things to light.

For today, let’s reflect on a few verses that encourage us to engage the process of drawing nearer to God and submitting our desires and motives to His will. Lord God, give us grace to hear and obey You.

Psalm 119:54-56: Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. In the night, LORD, I remember your name, that I may keep your law. This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.

Ecclesiastes 12:14: For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Luke 13:6-9: Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

First Corinthians 4:5: Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

Second Corinthians 10:5: We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

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.

It's Crumbled To Dust, Baby.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (Second Corinthians 10:4)

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Richard made the point that the word demolish carries a particular finality. He said, and I paraphrase here, We are not talking about just making a dent. Demolition means complete destruction, to the point that people will walk by and be unable to remember what used to stand in that location.

Here at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, we demolished an area of our property in order to build a new ministry space dedicated to the children and youth of our community. And our pastor reminded us of the demolition process that took place here a few years ago: once the old buildings were demolished, there was no way they were coming back. Every bit of concrete, metal, wood, and wire was broken to pieces and removed from the premises.

In Second Corinthians 10:1-5, the apostle Paul shares an apparent paradox: Though I make this appeal to you in a spirit of gentleness and meekness, be aware that God has given me the power to completely demolish every argument and pretense that is not in line with the word of God. And, this testimony of Paul ought to be the testimony of every believer. God has empowered us to fight: not with our fists, but with our confession of His word. The word of God is the weapon we carry that has the power to demolish strongholds, releasing people from the bondage of sin and sickness.

On Sunday Pastor Richard was empowered by God to make specific declarations, and in doing so he demolished strongholds. People were released from their bondage. We must understand that this is not an action reserved solely for pastors and apostles: it is an action every believer can take.

Are you facing situations that stand in opposition to what God has indicated in His word? Don't despair. Make your appeal in a spirit of gentleness. Pick up your weapons of warfare. Speak the word of God. Demolish the strongholds.

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.

Impartation, With Implications.

Sunday was a full day of outpouring at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene. I had the privilege of attending three of the four services in person (7:45 a.m. in English, 4:00 p.m. in Spanish, and 7:30 p.m. in English), and I spent much of yesterday reflecting on what I saw and heard.

Although we've scheduled revival services for next week, God has not waited for our guest speaker to arrive. He has already placed the spirit of revival into our church community this year, from the first Sunday of January forward. God desires to restore us to Himself; He calls us to complete obedience; He has promised to bring back everything that the devil has stolen from us. Further, God has anointed our pastors and leaders with a greater impartation for speaking His rhema word, pointing the way to salvation, healing the sick, and delivering the oppressed.

This past Sunday, in our English-language and Spanish-language services, we saw our pastors hearing and obeying the voice of the Lord. Pastor Richard, who preached in all the English-language services, shared with us that God instructed him to go into the pulpit without notes, and to trust the Lord to give him the word for the people. During the Ministerio Latino service our guest speaker, Pastor Allison, shared with us that the Lord told her not to preach the sermon she had prepared, but instead to speak to the people about the grace of God and the importance of obeying His word. The obedience of these pastors opened the door to a move of God that brought words of knowledge, healing, and deliverance.

As I was thinking about these things yesterday, a question came into my heart: Are we taking God seriously? On Sunday Pastor Richard shared with us the concern voiced over the years by our pastor emeritus, Pastor Cole, and our senior pastor, Pastor Sam: After all our preaching, after all our diligence in obeying God and saying what He has instructed us to say, are our congregants hearing and obeying His voice? Have they opened their hearts to Him, or are they still resisting Him? 

The Bible is clear in noting that seasons of greater impartation are to be taken very seriously. Our God is gracious and loving and forgiving, but we must also remember that He is holy and sovereign and just. And, whether Moses and Aaron in the Old Testament or Ananias and Sapphira in the New Testament, there is a hefty penalty when God's people disobey, misrepresent, or resist Him-- especially when they do so in an atmosphere where His glory is present.

Sunday was amazing.

Sunday was a warning.

Are you taking God seriously?

The Walk-Through

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:1-4)

I  want Jesus to walk with me, all along my pilgrim journey;
In my trials, Lord, walk with me, when the shades of life are falling;
In my sorrows, Lord, walk with me, when my heart is almost breaking; 
In my troubles, Lord, walk with me, when my life becomes a burden;
I want Jesus to walk with me.
-"I Want Jesus To Walk With Me" (Author unknown)


Near the close of Sunday's sermon, Pastor Althea shared a video featuring the Negro spiritual "I Want Jesus to Walk With Me." In reflecting on the lyrics of the spiritual, I was reminded of a reference to the Christian walk shared by Bishop Robert Stearns. He used dance as an analogy of our walk with the Lord: "In this dance, the Bridegroom leads, and the bride obediently follows."

Do we understand that our walk with Jesus is evidenced by His leading us and our following Him? Psalm 23:4 informs us that this process of walking with Jesus even includes a "walk through the darkest valley"-- and we can indeed walk through it, unafraid, because our Lord walks with us.

In the video shown on Sunday we were told of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, who faced discrimination and danger as they toured the southeastern United States. There was deep injustice in those times. There is deep injustice in our times as well. Yet, in the face of injustice, Jesus presents His people an offer: "I want to walk with you. Will you agree to walk with Me?" Pastor Althea noted that our walk with Jesus causes us to experience shalom, the peace and justice of God, even in moments when we suffer.

Do you want Jesus to walk with you?

Lord Jesus, whether You lead us beside still waters, or whether You lead us through dark valleys, we will obediently follow You. We want You to walk with us!

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.

My Mix Master.

During Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Althea shared a music montage. The theme carried through the music was a call for justice. Our pastor noted an important point: the music clips spanned a period of almost fifty years, but today we appear to be no closer to experiencing justice for all in our society. She then shared something that I’d like us to reflect on for today: If God is not “in the mix”, then we won’t see anything change.

In the face of Jesus’s teaching, preaching, and healing ministry, the assessment of the listening crowd was this: “… they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36b). We are reminded that even in modern Christian circles we experience this gap: "the crowd" has some knowledge about God, some interest in being in the places where His works are manifest, and perhaps even some personal experience of the miraculous, and yet the crowd never takes the step of truly opening their hearts to God as their Lord and Master.

Have you and I made room in our hearts for the One who is righteous and just? Do our countenance and lifestyle reflect the peaceful, victorious reign of God, or are our life-lyrics a soundtrack of harassment and helplessness?

Are you willing to be shepherded?

Is God in your mix?

Savior, like a Shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;

In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare.

Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

We are Thine; do Thou befriend us, be the Guardian of our way;

Keep Thy flock; from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray.

Blessed Jesus, hear Thy children when they pray.

Early let us seek Thy favor, early let us do Thy will;

Blessed Lord and only Savior, with Thy love our bosoms fill.

Blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still.

(hymn Attr. to Dorothy A. Thrupp, 1779-1847)

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.