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We at Bronx Bethany remain grateful to God for the life and ministry of Reverend David Slinger, his family, and his ministry colleagues. As we wrap up our reflections from Pastor David's sermons last weekend (Genesis 12:1-5), let's remember a few statements he shared (paraphrased here):

• When God speaks, His problem becomes our problem. He calls us to compassion and accountability.
• Are we prepared to do whatever it takes to satisfy God?
• Do we trust God in every endeavor?
• The source of our livelihood is Christ Jesus. 
• The Spirit of God is continually having conversation with us. We are made for His pleasure, not for the pleasure of the church or the pastor or anyone else.
• Whatever God says, we do. He is in control.
• When God says we need to go, we don't go alone. The Triune God goes with us.

Lord, You have called us not only to hear Your word, but to act upon Your word. Give us ears to hear, minds to understand, hearts to obey, hands to work, feet to go where You send us, and grace to endure. Amen.

Consider Abram's Example.

During last week’s Saturday night service, Pastor David shared that God calls us, then He prepares us for His kingdom: it is a call for each of us, not just pastors.

This is a repeated theme in Scripture. Canon records a long parade of ordinary, untrained people called to be prophetic voices in their time. We are surprised at God’s demonstration of favor to men and women we would be inclined to dismiss as unqualified (or undeserving) of His commendation.

And, this is a repeated theme in modern life. God, true to His character, continues to call the ordinary and the untrained to step into His grand plan for the world’s salvation, healing, and deliverance. For those of us who have said yes to Him, we have the constant joy of marveling at His ability to work in and through us.

The call of God experienced by Abram (Genesis 12:1-5) can also be experienced by us: God has called you, and me, to support His agenda. He has promised to train and equip us for His projects. And, amazingly, He then commends us for the work that was only made possible by His presence and power. It’s a sweet deal.

Will you say yes to Him?

Wait. Gain.

Our guest speaker for last weekend, Reverend David Slinger, shared an important thought with us: “When God speaks, then we do.”

In postmodern church culture, we often throw this clause into reverse. We first decide to do a number of projects (without having asked God to help us know what to do), then we ask God to speak a word of approval over the things we have set into motion.

Have we lost the art of listening for the instructing voice of God? Have we lost the desire to wait on Him?

Pastor David noted that it is likely Abram was already familiar with the voice of God. When faced with the instruction to leave his hometown, Abram immediately obeyed and left (Genesis 12:1-5). Canon does not record any sort of debate between Abram and the voice of God. It seems that Abram knew God’s voice well, and was therefore quick to trust and obey His word.

On this side of the cross, some of us are fortunate to have the written word of God readily available. We are able to read what God has said concerning much of our day-to-day living, and therefore we are without excuse in the moments we move without considering what God has already said. We hear God’s voice as we read His word.

In addition to reading, though, we can be hearers of God’s voice by listening for the promptings and direction of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said: “When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all that is true. He will not speak of His own will, but he will speak whatever He hears and He will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13) We hear God’s voice as His Spirit speaks to our hearts.

I am listening to what God is saying! He speaks shalom to His people if they convert to Him wholeheartedly and refuse to relapse into foolishness. (see Psalm 85:8)

Gainfully Employed!

Our guest speaker, Pastor David, shared a thought regarding Genesis 12:1-5 that I’d like us to consider for today:

God saw that Abram had potential. But God moves us beyond just having potential. He wants us to go out and do what He has equipped us to do. It is why He sent us the Paraclete.

Pastor David pointed out the fact that God had options. God could have chosen one of Abram’s siblings. He could have bypassed Abram’s entire clan and chosen some other person or household to carry His agenda. But, God chose Abram, and Abram chose to obey the call. Guess what? God still has options.

God has chosen us. And, like Abram, we have a choice. We can choose to obey, trusting God, or we can choose to do nothing concerning His call on our lives.

God wants us to do something. The curse of the church universal is the practice of maintaining a community and culture of enthusiastic spectators. What was the appeal of Christ? “Pray the Lord of the harvest, that He might send workers.” (see  Luke 10:2)  There is a particular condemnation reserved for the soul who, in the face of being supplied and equipped by God to work, subverts His work by doing nothing (as noted in the parable of the talents).

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? (James 2:14-16)

Lord, hear us as we worship You… see us as we obey You... help us as we work for You.

Pack Your Bags!

What a weekend! The Bronx Bethany community was blessed with a return visit from Reverend David Slinger and his family, who came to us all the way from Cape Town, South Africa. Pastor David was the guest speaker for all four of our weekend services.

Pastor David spoke on a passage that is familiar to many of us: Genesis chapter 12:1-5, in which we find the account of the call of Abram. For today, let us take time to re-read the verses:

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go out from your country, your relatives, and your father’s household to the land that I will show you. Then I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great, so that you will exemplify divine blessing. I will bless those who bless you, but the one who treats you lightly I must curse, and all the families of the earth will bless one another by your name.” So Abram left, just as the Lord had told him to do, and Lot went with him. (Now Abram was 75 years old when he departed from Haran.) And Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they left for the land of Canaan. They entered the land of Canaan.

• "Go out from your country... then I will make you into a great nation": Do you think Abram would have received the promise if he had not obeyed God's command to go? Why or why not?
• Is there something the Lord has asked you to go and do? Have you obeyed Him?