The Society Of Professional Bench-Warmers.

Minister Vivian Talbot took a moment from sharing his testimony to exhort us, as a community, to be fully engaged in the work of the Lord: "God did not save you in order for you to 'warm bench'."

Brother Vivian, you hit the nail right on the head.

For those of us at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, this was not a new word. Several of our pastors, over the past few years, have been led by God to exhort us to live out the mission and vision of our church in practical ways.

Our example is Christ Himself, who did not spend His earthly years seated in a room waiting for people to come to Him. Instead, He went to them. He walked miles upon miles, bringing hope, healing, and salvation to the people He encountered on the roads. He went to peoples' homes for meals and conversations. He attended weddings and religious festivals.

In light of our mission, Bronx Bethany cannot justify simply coming to church and warming the benches when God has called us to "respond practically and compassionately to human need in the name of Christ." The question of ministry has never been concerned with whether to go, because every believer of Christ Jesus is called to go (see The Great Commission, noted in Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-18). The question is, Where does God want me to go, and what does He desire for me to do?

We note in the book of Acts that the early church engaged in various ministry opportunities. Some people were itinerant preachers. Some were table-waiters, ensuring that local widows were fed. Some worked miracles of healing and deliverance. Some extended hospitality by opening their home to travelers. Some transacted in real estate and other sales, donating the proceeds to the church. Some were immersed in cross-cultural ministry. The early church was a dynamic, vibrant, moving church, and people served Jesus within the bounds of their specific callings and spiritual gifts.

Scripture warns each of us against being the type of person who, in light of the goodness and gifts our Master bestows, opts to do nothing (see The Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30). The parable notes that bench-warmers are not only lazy, but also wicked, and have no place in God's eternal kingdom. Our loving God sent Brother Vivian to remind us, because we needed to be reminded: there is work for us to do.

Are you a worker, or a bench-warmer?

Lord, we long to be found living in joyful obedience to Your word. Inspire us to be glad doers of the works You have called us to do.

"Brethren, I Want To Know That God."

"We're talking about the saving grace and the miraculous hand of God into the life of anyone who will dare to trust Him... There's no rocket science to it, you know. Because that's where I was when I couldn't even read and write." -Minister Vivian Talbot

In this past weekend's sermons, Minister Vivian Talbot shared with us how he was miraculously delivered from being killed by a group of dozens of fellow inmates. Although he was not adept at reading or writing, he had cultivated a relationship with God that allowed him the privilege of praying. Brother Vivian conversed with God as his dear Friend, not worrying about finding "the right words" to pray to the Lord. In moments of crisis, our concern is not to sound good or look good. As our brother told us, "God is not impressed with our intellects. God is impressed with our hearts."

Brother Vivian had no ministerial education. All he had was a love relationship with God and a trust in Him, and that was sufficient for God to hear and answer the prayer of his heart. And, true to His nature, our great God answered above and beyond the original prayer. A fellow inmate, who Brother Vivian had in past time prayed for God to destroy, was instead brought to salvation because of the miraculous way in which God rescued Brother Vivian from the gang that conspired to kill him. What was supposed to be a day of death became the day that Jesus poured life into a prison community.

Do you know the God who saves lives?
Do you know the God who can turn enemies into friends?
Do you know the God who can pull joy out of devastating situations?
Do you know the God who redeems hopeless cases?

I know Him. I have a love relationship with Him. I trust Him. How about you?

Trusting Our Trustworthy God.

Over this past weekend's English-language services, Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene had a guest speaker. Minister Vivian Talbot, who was recruited into gang activity when he was only twelve years old, was miraculously saved by God and is now a living witness to His power. We at Bronx Bethany had the privilege of hearing his testimony.

Brother Vivian shared with us that while it is fine to laugh and hear nice stories in church, the key is to recognize and comprehend the action of God in the story. When we by faith "see" God's divine action in the lives of His people, we can also by faith "hear" His divine speech to us as individuals. The Lord uses circumstances, our own and others', to speak to our hearts. Minister Vivian Talbot shared: "I am trusting God to speak to your hearts." "If we become one with God's Spirit, then we will understand God's heart."

And, just as he trusted God to speak to us, Brother Vivian encouraged us to trust God in our individual circumstances.

"The only responsibility we have, and it's so easy-- can you imagine that?--, is to trust Him... once you trust God, prayer will line up; praise will line up; reading the Word will line up; faith will line up; everything will fall in line once you trust God."

In saying this, Brother Vivian brought out a concern of our individual faith-walks: some of us are engaging in external spiritual disciplines, but the disciplines are being exercised apart from the necessary element of trust in God. As we are instructed in Scripture, trust is the key that opens our hearts to recognize and understand the counsel of God. Without trust, we will not see; we will not hear; we will not know.

Do you trust Him today?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)