Living Like A King.

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me. Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.” (Matthew 5:11-12)

In the face of persecution, we experience blessing.

“But Peter and John replied, ‘Whether it is right before God to obey you rather than God, you decide, for it is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.’” (Acts 4:19-20)

In the face of threats, we present the Gospel.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. This I command you – to love one another. If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you do not belong to the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they obeyed my word, they will obey yours too. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.” (John 15:16-21)

In the face of hatred, we show love.

'Story Tellers.

"If we're not careful, history can become 'this thing that just happened'." (Pastor Althea)

In reflecting on the celebration of Black History Month/African-American Heritage Month, Pastor Althea noted that we are now at a point in time where many in our population were not alive to personally experience the struggles of the Civil Rights movement between the 1950's and 1970's. For such persons, the "History" in Black History Month is all they know; it's a number of stories read in books, or passed down through oral tradition, but not embraced as real or relevant.

Similarly, there are many in our population whose experience of faith in Jesus is not a personal experience, but a history lesson. They can point to their parents and grandparents and speak of God's love for past generations, but they themselves have not experienced God. During the prayer before the second service this past Sunday, our pastor said that, like Moses, our experience of the glory of God carries evidence: God's glory is reflected in our faces. Something happens to us and in us that causes others to recognize that we have met the Lord of glory.

It is a sad thing to meet people who, though in attendance with the community of believers, have opted not to experience God for themselves. It is also a dangerous thing to behold. As we learned in Pastor Joy's sermon a couple of weeks ago, the kingdom of God has no use for branches that are not connected to the Vine (see John 15) and such persons are on the road to destruction.

Pastor Althea, using the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as an example, implored us to embrace the love of God, righteousness of God, and peace of God that is central to our Christian faith. And, here, we are particularly blessed: we might have missed out on certain historical events, but we still have an opportunity to be drawn in to the beauty of Christ and the strength of membership in His kingdom. It is something we can do today, tomorrow, and every day for the rest of our lives.

I pray that we all will become participants in His Story.

Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it TODAY, when a long time later He spoke through David, as was said before: TODAY, IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS. (Hebrews 4:7)

Spirit-Led Leadership.

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Althea noted that popular culture and media have given the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a label-- “Civil Rights leader”—but they have failed to acknowledge that it is the Spirit of God who compelled him to speak concerning the need for authentic righteousness, holiness, and justice.

Our pastor, in taking time to share Dr. King’s crisis of faith and the means by which he navigated that crisis, has opened to us important questions concerning our own spiritual development: “Why do we do what we do? What are we not doing that we should be doing? And, is our doing prompted by the leading of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us?”

In Dr. King’s lifetime, the church (and, the Black church in particular) had a keen understanding of the link between righteousness, holiness, and justice. If the Spirit of Christ resided in a life, then there were to be some external evidences of His residence: 1) the capacity to love; 2) the urgency to speak truth to powers and principalities; 3) the choice to live one’s life in accordance with Biblical values; 4) the necessity for one to personally take action in support of God’s expectations and desires for His people.

How does this look in our present-day world? Our pastor gave the example of the disparity in medical care, where the speed of care and the measure of compassion varies by zip code. What do we, as Spirit-filled Christians, do? Is our role to simply say “Well that’s just the way things are”, or is our role to seek the face of God concerning His desire for our local church’s role in addressing such inequities?

It is so appropriate that Bronx Bethany’s theme for this year (Pursuing Holiness…Promoting Healing) emerges after years of themes devoted to the issue of transformation. When we have been infilled and empowered by the Spirit of God, then it is He who equips us to experience His peace and power, to pray according to His will, and to act according to His word. It is not hard to long for holiness if one has been seeking the transformative presence and power of God.

What can we do today in pursuit of holiness and in promotion of healing? Let’s ask God to show us.

(Forty Minus One) Times Two.

"What does faithfulness of the church-community of Christ mean here other than calling out into this furious raging again and again-- unto exhaustion, unto humiliation, unto martyrdom-- the words of Christ that there should be peace, that there should be love, that there should be blessing, and that He is our peace, and that God is a God of peace? And the more they rage, the more we should call out." (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

When I think of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I often find myself also thinking of Bonhoeffer. Both were, in their day, young men who noticed injustices in their communities. Both entered ministry at a young age. Both found themselves compelled by the Spirit of Christ to speak out to their communities, urging their congregants and constituents to live according to the complete, true word of God. Both men experienced imprisonment and martyrdom. Both men died at the age of thirty-nine. Both men continue to live and speak through the written words they left behind.

Both men carried a similar message to the Christian churches of their day. Their message remains. It is encapsulated in a question that was reinforced by Pastor Althea during this past Sunday's sermon: How can one claim to have love for God, yet at the same time show such disdain and hatred for one's brothers in the faith?

There is an old saying that, in the United States of America, Sunday at eleven o'clock is the most segregated hour. The face of "corporate" worship is colored by culture, class, ethnicity, education, music, and more. And we, each doing our own thing in our own corner, are quick to say that we love God deeply and exclusively. But somehow, the love wears thin when our Lord challenges us to love our brother who is unlike us. We rage over temporal things. We ignore the call to become agents of blessing. And, from time to time, our raging drives out the very people whom our Christ died to save.

Rev. Dr. King said it succinctly: It's not that people don't know how to love; it's that they lack the power to love. If we are not transformed by the Spirit of Christ, we will continue to rage over carpet colors, sermon lengths, and music volumes. Our eyes and ears will not be sensitive to the cry of the lost souls who are desperate for an encounter with the living God. And, ultimately, we will be expected to give an account of the deeds we have done. May God help us to reflect His goodness in the community, the nation, and the world.

Lord, give us the grace of Your Spirit, that we might be beacons of Light drawing others to You.

A Holy Love.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believeth in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

"The church [during the Civil Rights era] understood that it was called out to do something for God." (Pastor Althea)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Althea spoke of the writings of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a practical example of the work of holiness in the life of the Christian. As we draw near to God in pursuit of holiness, God speaks to us concerning our life and the life of our community, state, nation, and world. And, as He speaks to us, we experience the crisis of faith concerning the authenticity of our love for God and each other.

Our pastor asked us the same question Dr. King asked himself: "How do I love the person who has assaulted me?" In and of ourselves, we cannot. It is only the power of God, the grace of God, and the love of God operating in us that can bring us to a place of authentic love for the unlovely.

One of the astounding aspects of the love of God for the world is that He made provision for our deliverance even though we, in our sinful state, had no desire or interest in being delivered. God made the provision first, then gave us the opportunity to accept what He had already done.

For those of us who have accepted His offer of deliverance, God has empowered and called us to be a prophetic presence in the Bronx and in the world. We express His goodness by loving as He loved. That is, we take the initiative; we lead the way; we demonstrate to the community what it means to love the unlovable; we love in accurate reflection of our great God, who is Love.

There is a particular Power resident in us which gives us the capacity for such a love. It is the power that raised Jesus from the dead. It is the power of the Holy Spirit. He is the power that is so desperately needed by the people of the world, so that our world of hatred and self-centeredness can be transformed into a world of authentic love for God and for one another.

Yes, holiness is what we long for. Lord, it is only by Your Spirit that we can love the unlovely: pour Your grace into us, that we might live this life of love.

Is This Seat Taken?

In considering Pastor Joy's statement "The Lord wants us to involve Him in every thing we're doing", it is good to reflect on the truth revealed in Psalm 25:14. The NET Bible notes translate the Hebrew text as follows: "The advice of the LORD belongs to those who fear Him; and His covenant, to make them know."

Who gets to hear the advice of God? Those who fear Him.
Who gets to know God? Those who are in covenant with Him.

The good news, which our pastor shared with us, is that our Lord wants us to enjoy true intimacy with Him. The Lord wants us to be aware of the ways of His kingdom. He is ready to embrace us and reveal Himself to us. He is prepared to answer the deep questions in our hearts.

But, are we ready to sit with Him? I pray that we are.

In John chapter 15, we see the incredible privilege the Eleven disciples had (as we mentioned earlier this week, Judas Iscariot was not present for the discourse): what an honor to be able to receive counsel from God. For those who long for intimacy with God, the cost of the counsel is high but sweet. Joyful obedience to God. Authentic repentance. Continual renouncing of self and sin. Happy endurance of sufferings. As Pastor Joy said, "Nobody's perfect, but our faces must be perfectly turned towards the living God."

Amen. Let us turn to Him, that we might learn from Him.

Lord, I love You and reverence You. Lord, I am in full agreement with all that You say and do. Lord, I have no other agenda but Yours. Lord, You have no competitor, no rival dividing my heart. So here I sit. Fill me with Your Presence, speak Your mysteries to me, tell me Your secrets. I will hear; I will heed.

Advisory, In Effect...

Here in New York we have had a Wind Advisory in effect between Wednesday and today. It is an event where the general public is notified of potentially damaging winds, and advised on what to do and what not to do.

We as believers are under an advisory of sorts: not a temporary one like the high winds we've experienced, but a permanent one that has eternal consequences. Pastor Joy shared with us this past Sunday, and I quote, two related advisories:

1) "There is no love where there is no obedience."

2) "How will we know the experience of overflowing joy if we're not obedient?" 

It is a profound thing to reflect on. The discourse found in John chapter 15 is not given to the masses, but to the few who have devoted themselves to participation in Jesus's ministry. And what did He say to them? He said, in essence, "Guys, do what I tell you. Love like I love you." (see John 15:10-14)

The implication is that we, the ones who claim closeness to Christ, are just as prone to disobedience as the Judas Iscariots of the world. If nothing else, this reality should keep us anchored in humility and desperately petitioning God for His grace and mercy.

Isaiah foretold it. Like sheep, we have all gone astray; we have all wandered off to do our own thing; and the Sovereign Lord has poured our sinfulness onto the Sinless One, our Lord Jesus. (see Isaiah 53:6) We are in need of the constant redemptive work of Christ in us, through His Spirit.

What can we bring to the table? Obedience. To the obedient soul, our Christ pours out the fruit of His Spirit. That is, we love the unlovely; we display joy even in our greatest hour of darkness; we exude peace in the midst of a chaotic world. 

Yes, Lord! As we say "Yes" in grateful, loving, joyful obedience to You, we beg You to fulfill Your word in us. Cause us to exclusive love of You. Cause us to be exceedingly joyful in You. Cause us to experience peace from You. And cause us to demonstrate these attributes as a testimony of Your greatness, so that the world will be drawn in to Your saving life. Amen.

Time Piece.

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Joy shared that there is an analog clock in the main office that does not work. That is, it shows the correct time twice per day, but at any other time the clock is inaccurate. However, despite its inaccuracy, it's a beautiful clock.

She used the story of the clock as an example of what we sometimes experience in the community of faith. There are those persons who, if caught at the "right" time of day, appear to be firmly connected to the vine, who is Christ. However, a closer inspection over time reveals that the persons are not connected, but are actually branches that have not remained in Him; they are withering, and their ultimate end is to be gathered up as deadwood and cast into the fire (see John 15).

In referring to the office clock, Pastor Joy said: "It is decorative, but not productive." And her comment bears reflection. When we hear that someone or something is unproductive, we tend to think of analogies related to sloth or laziness or poor performance. But in Christendom, we are saturated with beautiful people and bustling programs. Like the disconnected branch lingering near the vine, everything looks great.

But our sense of "production" is not measured in activity, nor is it measured in performance. It is measured in produce: the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which was mentioned in yesterday's blog post. We hear the command of Jesus: Remain in Me. It is not a call to the knowing of intellect; it is a call to the knowing of intimacy. Intimacy with Christ is proven by the fruit we bear.

Our pastor reminded us that, according to John 15:7 and 15:8, intimacy with Christ is accomplished through consistent closeness to Him and total dependence on Him. He alone is the means through which we can experience abundant life and eternal life. His Spirit is the only means by which we, having sown in intimacy, reap in true productivity.

Lord, give us grace to experience intimacy with You, so that our lives might show the fruit of Your Spirit at work in and through us. Help us to be truly productive: not just every once in a while, but consistently, every moment of the day, to the glory of Your name. Amen.

Staying Put.

In John 15, Jesus uses the analogy of a vine and branches to describe our optimal relationship with Him and His Father, our God. God, as Gardener, is the One who has provided expert care. In His great love He has given us Jesus, the Only Son, so that we might experience abundant life in and through Him. In turn, Jesus has given us His Spirit, the One through which we are encouraged in the faith, reminded of the Truth, and warned not to falter nor wander.

Our pastor shared with us that, as Christians, our residence is in Christ through His Spirit. It is the place where we are fed and trained and pruned for optimal growth. Our role in the process is to be obedient, fully submitted to the will of God. What has He said through our Christ? "Remain in Me and I will remain in you." (see John 15:4)

Pastor Joy spoke of the passage in Galatians 5 where we find a list of the fruit of the Spirit, those character traits that demonstrate our connection to Christ. These are traits that the believer expresses to friends, enemies, and strangers. Why? Because we love in the same way that our Lord loves.

It is the act of remaining in Christ that gives us courage and power to live like Him even when in an environment that shows Him hatred and distrust. Pastor Joy gave the example of persons who, though they work and live in difficult circumstances, faithfully display the fruit of the Spirit as a testimony of God's goodness and greatness. Our remaining in Christ does not mean that life will be easy, but in the midst of challenges it is still a life of rest in Him.

Pastor Joy also noted that, in classic demonic fashion, there are those who linger in the vineyard though their lives indicate that they are not connected to Christ. That is, there is no evidence of His character in them. This was reflected upon in yesterday's blog, but I'd like to remind us that Galatians 5 also contains a second list of characteristics: the traits of those who do not display the fruit of the Spirit. As has been said many times, there is no grey area: either we are in Christ, supporting His agenda with our whole beings, or we are subverting His agenda and purpose through our choice to live by ourselves instead of living in Him.

For today, then, let us reflect on the Galatians passage prayerfully, asking the question our pastor asked us: "Where do I reside?"

Lord, help us to cling to You, our True Vine. Help us to authentically renounce the works of the flesh and to remain attached to You, that we might authentically display the fruit of the Spirit. Amen.

Galatians 5: 13-26

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. 

But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 

Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.

Hearing Versus Heeding.

“If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned.” (John 15:6)

 In yesterday’s sermon, Pastor Joy spoke on John chapter 15. It is a familiar text to many Christians, perhaps so familiar that we hear it without hearing it. It is the loving explanation and warning that Jesus gives not to the multitude, but to eleven of His disciples (Judas Iscariot, who had already left the Passover dinner to betray Jesus, was not part of the conversation).

What has Jesus said to His closest friends? I call you My friends because I have let you in on the knowledge of who I am and what I am doing. But if you choose to ignore My commands to you, then your mere friendship will not be sufficient for entry into heaven. If you don’t personally obey My commands, then My kingdom will have no use for your presence.

Pastor Joy made a profound analogy about the behavior of untrained branches. When they wander, they never wander alone. They pull adjacent branches with them; they ruin the aesthetic beauty of the entire plant; they take the nutrients that were intended for growth in the right direction and use them to induce growth in the wrong direction. This is the prophetic picture of those of us in the Eleven, the specially called who sit for years at the feet of Jesus, but who for some reason decide that disobedience is a viable option.

Our pastor brought up the fact that God, throughout time and in multiple ways, keeps sending the same message to Bronx Bethany. Why? Because He is kind and compassionate and patient. But be assured, He is the great God who keeps His word. If He warns of destruction and we ignore Him, we do so to our own peril.

He is the Vine, God is the gardener, we are the branches. Lord God, we are happy and honored to submit to Your will. Subject us to Your training and pruning, for the glory of Your name.

A Pitch For Perfection.

In this past Sunday's sermon Pastor Richie gave a wonderfully clear explanation of Christian perfection. It is not that we do all the right things; it is not that we adopt a set of external behaviors in an effort to "look" holy. It is that we have completely surrendered our entire beings to the Spirit of God, and He therefore has complete freedom to work in and through us as He sees fit. And, as He works in and through us, He causes us to look and act more like Christ.

It is so important, too, that we continue reflecting on the aspect of Christian love in relation to perfection. What has our Lord said? "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15, italics mine). In other words, we do not keep His commandments because we are trying to avoid hell. We don't keep His commandments with a sour and grudgeful attitude. We do what He says because we love Him.

About thirty years ago I met a singer named Pete Carlson, whose ministry God used as a chisel to start chipping away at my stony heart. As I recall some of his lyrics now, I see in them a call to pursue holiness based on an incredible love relationship with Jesus. As we continue in our pursuit of holiness, let us chase after perfection and love: perfect (complete) surrender to our God, and perfect (exclusive) love towards Him.

Show me what's inside
By showing me your life.
You can't hide or deny;
'Cause if there's really love there, within,
It will show its face by how you choose to live.
Is it showing in your life?
Is it more than just a smile? (P. Carlson)

Permanent Markers.

During the night Jacob quickly took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream along with all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone. Then a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he could not defeat Jacob, he struck the socket of his hip so the socket of Jacob’s hip was dislocated while he wrestled with him. Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” “I will not let you go,” Jacob replied, “unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” He answered, “Jacob.” “No longer will your name be Jacob,” the man told him, “but Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked, “Please tell me your name.” “Why do you ask my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. So Jacob named the place Peniel, explaining, “Certainly I have seen God face to face and have survived.” (Genesis 32:22-30)

Pastor Richie reminded us that, in the encounter with the angel of the LORD, Jacob experienced profound change. We, too, can experience profound change. To paraphrase our pastor, "We keep pressing until God leaves a permanent mark."

A protracted engagement with God. The Scripture passage above tells us that Jacob wrestled through the night until daybreak. This theme of engagement with God through the night is also demonstrated in the life of Jesus (see Luke 6:12).

A petition "enforced" by action. Jacob said "I will not let you go unless you bless me," and Jacob followed through on the petition by not letting go. His desire to receive a blessing empowered him to continue holding on, even though the wrestling match had gone on for several hours.

A personality change explained in nomenclature. In biblical times, it was not unusual for a person's name to describe their nature. So, the change of name from Jacob (supplanter) to Israel (prevailer) was a permanent testimony of the work that God had done.

A physical challenge experienced openly. When the angel of the LORD touched the socket of Jacob's hip, Jacob's walk was changed permanently. Anyone who saw him from that day forward would know, even without Jacob's speaking, that something profound had happened to him.

LORD, give us grace to spend countless hours in communion with You.

LORD, give us strength to tarry in prayer for the promise of Your blessing.

LORD, give us character that lines up with the special name You call us.

LORD, give us wisdom to know that we can't even walk without Your help.

The Lane, The Pace, The Life-long Race.

I'm praying loud; Lord, I'm praying, trying to make a hundred
Ninety-nine and a half won't do... (E. Floyd/W. Pickett/S. Cropper)

During this past Sunday's sermons, Pastor Richie spoke on the analogy of running a race. One point he mentioned was that, as runners, we don't run to beat the other runners: we run our best time with the goal of winning the race.

Another point our pastor mentioned was that the apostle Paul frequently used footrace analogies in his letters. In Philippians 3, we have the following:

"My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways. Nevertheless, let us live up to the standard that we have already attained." (Philippians 3:10-16)

Our pastor shared with us that, in essence, Paul is saying: Guys, I am still running, I am still pushing myself, I am focused on the finish line. I want to end this race well... I want to win. I don't want to fall back, I don't want to slack off. I've run a lot of miles and have seen some gains, but I want to see myself looking more and more like Jesus. I love Him so much, and I long to know Him in increasing intimacy.

What is your goal? Sometimes we emulate certain musicians or ministers who live lives of holiness, but they are not the benchmark of holiness. Paul says, "I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Jesus, full of the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus, perfect picture of grace in the midst of sufferings.

Jesus, our Royal High Priest and Intercessor.

Jesus, help us to look more like You.

Pursued... Pursuing.

Pastor Richie shared some things during this past Sunday's sermon that gave us a glimpse of God's amazing love. While I will not recount the specific incidents he referred to, I will summarize the outcome of those incidents.

A correcting love. At times, God gets our attention and speaks to us in love concerning our standing with Him. In a season where we are not giving Him any attention, He nonetheless attends to us, reveals our fallen state, and points us to the way of holiness.

A choosing love. Our God holds the option concerning who does what in this world. And, for some of us, moments come in which He floods our soul with His glorious Presence. He tells us what we are destined to do for the advancement of His kingdom.

A captivating love. Whether expressed through His correction of error or His choosing of someone for a particular work, the love of God captivates us. When we become aware of the depths of His love, it becomes impossible to continue embracing and emulating things, people, or systems that stand in opposition to His Word.

If we truly and deeply love the One who loves us, then we will respond to His love with gratitude and joyful obedience.

Do you love Him? Does it show?

I passed by you and saw you polluted in your own blood. I spoke to you: "Live, live." I blessed you with life and growth and development. When you came of age I washed you clean and anointed you. I clothed you. I gifted you. I entered into covenant with you. I blessed you with prosperity and fame. I pursued you: it is now for you to pursue Me. Do not reject My love. Do not ignore My word. Do not forsake My way. (see Ezekiel 16)

Love Lives Here!

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Richie made mention of the late Mildred Bangs Wynkoop (d. 1997), a theologian who described holiness as not merely the absence of sin, but the presence of love.

In considering our walk with the Lord, we are reminded that He desires perfect love from us. Our pastor referred to Psalm 27:4: "I have asked God for one thing, my constant desire, the one thing I keep craving, the desire that rules me: to remain in the LORD's house every day of my life, to be found gazing on His beauty, asking Him questions and seeking His answers in His Temple."

An interesting thing about Psalm 27:4 is that David makes reference to a temple, but the temple of Solomon had not yet been constructed. Perhaps we, in this verse, see a flash of David's faith and passion, a hint of his desire to see a permanent place designated for the worship of his great God (see First Chronicles 17).

I think that is a good analogy for us to reflect on. In the lifetimes of Moses and David, the tabernacle was portable. The wood and curtains would be set up, taken down, set up, taken down. But, early in the reign of King Solomon, a beautiful temple was constructed-- a structure designed for permanence.

The Scripture says that, now, we are the temple of the living God, the place designed for His Spirit to dwell (see First Corinthians 6:19). But, are we treating our bodies like a temple, His permanent place, or are we treating our bodies like a tabernacle, where we at will opt to set up a temporary space for God (then hours later deconstruct it while wandering off to pursue other loves, then re-set it when we want or need something that only He can give, then deconstruct it again...)?

Pastor Richie shared with us that a sign of holiness is that we have a singleness of heart. God has no competitor, no rival. God has found a permanent dwelling place in those of us who have completely given ourselves to Him. We are perfected in love because we have agreed with God: "I am the LORD your God... you shall have no other god beside Me." Amen.

Lord, grant us a deep desire to be found in perfect love: an exclusive desire for You that signals to the world that it is possible, and necessary, to live lives of holiness.

Love, Letters, And A Run Around The Block.

In yesterday's sermon, Pastor Richie shared an observation: many Christians, though claiming to love God, don't read His word.

His comment reminded me of my younger days, when part of the Sunday School experience included memorizing blocks of verses, and even chapters, of Scripture. Although we as children did not have a deep comprehension of the words we were learning, we were engaged in an exercise that would be part of our "keeping" process as adults. As the Psalm says, "Make my footsteps steady in Your word; do not let any sin control me" (see Psalm 119:133).

His comment was reinforced at the end of the service, as we celebrated the accomplishments of some of our children who won awards for Scripture verse memorization. We applaud those who engage the word of God in their youth.

What hinders us from absorbing and obeying the word of God as adults? Perhaps it is that we have abandoned our first love, and therefore we do not long to read the letters He has written us. Perhaps it is that we are not concerned about sin's insidiousness, and therefore we do not seek to escape its control. Perhaps we are consumed with other things, and therefore the spiritual discipline of Scripture reading is not on our "short list" of what to accomplish in a given day.

Below is Philippians chapter 3, which was read in its entirety at the start of the sermon. May I encourage us all to take a verse, or a block of verses, and "run" with it today?

Keep it in your mind; write it down and read it while stuck in traffic or standing on line; go for broke and memorize some or all of it. (See Joshua 1:8)

The Lover of our souls has written us a Book of love. Let us read it and fall in love with Him again.


Philippians 3

Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! To write this again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh! For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, exult in Christ Jesus, and do not rely on human credentials – though mine too are significant. If someone thinks he has good reasons to put confidence in human credentials, I have more: I was circumcised on the eighth day, from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. I lived according to the law as a Pharisee. In my zeal for God I persecuted the church. According to the righteousness stipulated in the law I was blameless. But these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ.

More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things – indeed, I regard them as dung! – that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ’s faithfulness– a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ’s faithfulness. My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways. Nevertheless, let us live up to the standard that we have already attained.

Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example. For many live, about whom I have often told you, and now, with tears, I tell you that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, they exult in their shame, and they think about earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven – and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself.

"Taylor"-Made.

It is always a treat when I get the chance to hear the sermon in all three English-language services at Bronx Bethany. Although the scripture references and the outlines are the same, God has a way of adjusting what our pastors say, thus tailoring the message for each service.

That said, below are a few quotes and notes from Pastor Althea's message at The Key, our service held on Saturday nights. (Some of these points were reinforced at the Sunday services, others were not.)

• "There's nothing we can do to merit how good You are to us."
• "The holiness piece is the crux of the matter."
• What does "winning" look like?
• We accept that Jesus came to renew the image of God in us.
• Holiness is a lifelong process.
• God protects us in love; God enables us to live in moral uprightness; God empowers us to serve.
• Our lifelong goal is Christ-likeness in every thought, word, and deed.
• Second Corinthians 3:18: we move into ever-increasing glory.
• "In Christ, we get over the hurdle and keep moving."
• The thing we are pursuing eventually grabs hold of us... what are you pursuing?

Lord God, thank You for sending Your word to encourage us. Give us a deep desire to demonstrate joyful obedience to Your word. We love You and thank You for continuing to save, keep, fill, and teach us. May You be glorified. In Jesus's name we pray and ask Your help. Amen.

Depth Wish.

"Are you jealous on account of me?" Moses asked in reply. "I wish all of the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!" (Numbers 11:29)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Althea mentioned several ways through which Christians are continually transformed into the likeness and image of God:

The work is accomplished in Christ. Hebrews 10:19-23 reminds us that since Jesus already knows everything about us, we don't have to pretend around Him. We can approach Him with transparency and honesty. His work on the cross has shown the world His faithfulness and obedience to the Father: He can help us to fully obey, even as He did.

The work is bolstered in community. Although our conversion experience and our crisis experience are worked out individually, we are reminded that the body of Christ is a corporate entity. Growing up in the faith requires a corporate commitment (see Hebrews 10:24-31).

The work is continued in faith. We are dependent upon God's grace and mercy as He increases our faith. He is powerful and capable to sustain us through the trials that come as part of the Christian growth process. We believe what Jesus has said concerning Himself, and we believe that His Spirit will sustain us just as He sustains all who have lived by faith through the ages (see Hebrews 10:32 - 11:2).

Lord, help us to grow up in You.

Case Study: Simon Magus.

Reading: Acts 8:9-24

8:9 Now in that city was a man named Simon, who had been practicing magic and amazing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.

8:10 All the people, from the least to the greatest, paid close attention to him, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called ‘Great.’”
8:11 And they paid close attention to him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic.
8:12 But when they believed Philip as he was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they began to be baptized, both men and women.
8:13 Even Simon himself believed, and after he was baptized, he stayed close to Philip constantly, and when he saw the signs and great miracles that were occurring, he was amazed.

[NOTE: The Philip mentioned here is not Philip the apostle, but Philip the deacon (see Acts 6:1-6)]

QUESTION 1: Was Simon Magus a real Christian? What is the evidence of his faith in Jesus? (see Acts 8:12-13)

8:14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
8:15 These two went down and prayed for them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit.
8:16 (For the Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
8:17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on the Samaritans, and they received the Holy Spirit.

QUESTION 2: What does Acts 8:15-16 mean to you?

8:18 Now Simon, when he saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, offered them money,
8:19 saying, “Give me this power too, so that everyone I place my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”
8:20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could acquire God’s gift with money!
8:21 You have no share or part in this matter because your heart is not right before God!
8:22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that he may perhaps forgive you for the intent of your heart.
8:23 For I see that you are bitterly envious and in bondage to sin.”


QUESTION 3: Peter mentions five indictments to Simon Magus: 1) a heart that is not right before God; 2) attempting to buy God's free gift; 3) wickedness; 4) envy; 5) bondage to sin (see Acts 8:20-23). Do you think there is a relationship between these indictments and Simon's self-proclaimed greatness (see Acts 8:9)? If so, what is it?


8:24 But Simon replied, “You pray to the Lord for me so that nothing of what you have said may happen to me.”

QUESTION 4: What does Simon Magus's prayer request indicate to you about the effectiveness of apostolic prayer (see Acts 8:24)?


QUESTION 5: Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed in Jesus?

Really A Road Less Traveled.

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (James 2:19)

Pastor Althea shared her own story of the crisis experience that changed her life. For those of us who embrace Wesleyan-Holiness doctrine, we believe that there comes a point in the life of a believer where he says, “I believe in Jesus but I am noticing that there is no real distinction between the way I live and the way non-Christians live. I recognize that I need to pray for God to help me, by the power of His Spirit, so that I can look more and more like Him every day.”

Yesterday I was looking at a website of a church which was a strong supporter of the legalization of same-sex marriage for New York State residents. Throughout their web pages was a recurring theme: When you come to our church, you’re guaranteed to find people here who are just like you. We’ll accept you as you are and you are welcome to remain just as you are. Hmm. I have been looking for references to Jesus on their web pages. I have not found Him there yet.

No, friends, do not go to church looking to find “people”. And do not enter into the Christian faith with an expectation that you will remain “just as you are.” We come to Christ as we are, but as we learn of Christ’s character we’re encouraged to step onto the path of becoming who He is. As our pastor noted, there is a gradual, measurable, noticeable change in character that accompanies the walk of the believer who is submitted to the Spirit of God.

The book of James, a letter to the scattered diaspora of Jewish believers, is filled with exhortations asking the believers to move from mere assent of Jesus as Lord to engagement of a lifestyle that reflects His character. James says:

• Be joyful when trials come your way.
• Ask God to give you wisdom.
• Remember, all good gifts are from the Father.
• Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry.
• Get rid of all moral filth.
• Humbly accept the word that was planted in you; it can save you.
• Don’t just listen to the word; do what it says.
• If you’re religious and a slanderer, your religion is worthless.
• God is interested in how you treat the poor.
• God wants you to keep yourself from being polluted by the world.

And, those ten urgings are only from the first chapter of James. The remaining chapters contain many more urgings: again, not written to pagans, but to persons who have already made a confession of faith in Jesus Christ.

So, what sort of a life are you living? And who are you living for?