Glossa Water Year In Review: "When Presence And Power Are Not Enough"

(originally posted November 7, 2008)

Some time ago we talked about the indictment against "the many" (see Matthew 7:22-23), and today I'd like to revisit that in light of this past Sunday's sermon.

There are some churches that are full of bench-warmers. People come in, they listen, and at the end of the service they go home. But during the week there is no evidence to support their claim of faith in Jesus Christ: they are tyrants at work and at home, they don't pray or read scripture or engage in spiritual disciplines... yet there they are, back the next Sunday, sitting in that same row, as if the act of being in church once a week is sufficient to save their souls.

Being present is not enough.

To compound matters, the Matthew passage indicts not the bench-warmers, but the first-string players. The ones who have prophetic giftings. The ones who can exorcise demons. The ones who can do miracles. The ones who have won the respect and love of the congregation because of the marvelous gifts being used among God's people. What does Jesus say? Get out of My sight; you are not on My team.

Being powerful is not enough.

What is God looking for?

Growth. Growing in grace, being submitted to the Holy Spirit who teaches us to say no to ungodliness (see Titus 2:12), learning to recognize the voice of God and be swift to obey Him.

Love. Our demonstration of love for God and love for each other points the world to Jesus, and prevents us from stumbling into sin (First John 2:10). Additionally, our increased love for God leads us to obey Him, and to reject any love for the things of this world (First John 2:15-17).

Certainly there are other things God expects of His children, but for today let's just reflect on these: to grow in the grace of God, and to demonstrate God's unconditional love. Two acts of humble obedience that far surpass our presence and power in ministry.

Glossa Water Year In Review: "Family Yes, Society Yes, Deity No... You Lose"

(originally posted November 5, 2008)

Today we continue our journey through the parables mentioned in this past Sunday's sermon. Let's dig in to the parable of the rich young ruler, which is found in three of the four gospels (Matthew 19:16-26; Mark 10:17-27; Luke 18:18-27).

This is my condensed version:

The ruler: "Lord, what must I do to obtain eternal life?"
Jesus: "Keep the commandments."
The ruler: "Which ones?"
Jesus: "The ones relating to family and society."
The ruler: "Been there, done that. What else?"
Jesus: "We have to have a talk about idolatry. You can't be complete until you sell your earthly riches. They've become a stronghold in your life and you need to let them go."
The ruler: (walks away)

My friends, let's talk about idolatry.

The scandal of the rich young ruler was that his love of wealth and property was a violation of God's commandments relating to Himself: do not place any gods before the Almighty God (ordination); do not make a physical representation of an idol (creation); do not bow down to an idol (veneration); do not worship an idol (adoration) (Exodus 20:1-6).

Keep in mind that the ruler's wealth, in and of itself, was not the problem. Scripture informs us that it is God who gives us the power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18), so if He equips us to be wealthy then that's great, we thank God for it. However, the apostle Paul warns us that the love of money is the root of all evil; the desire for riches opens the door for temptation and snares (First Timothy 6:9-11).

The temptation surfaces in the identification: the rich young ruler. Do you hold identifiers that are snares to your soul? Your school... your socioeconomic status... your home... your church affiliation... anything that has captured your heart and dulled your ears to the voice of God? Do you know what it is? Are you willing to let it go?

Glossa Water Year In Review: "Prophetic Warning #6: The Cessation Of Intercessory Prayer"

(originally posted November 1, 2008)

"Do not pray for them; do not cry for them; do not intercede for them; I will not hear you" (Jeremiah 7:16, paraphrase mine).

God promises to punish wickedness and idolatry, and we see that scenario played out over and over again throughout scripture. This passage in Jeremiah, however, reveals another side of God's process of punishment: the call for intercessors to stop interceding.

For an intercessor, this is the worst sign to encounter. When God says stop praying, it's an indication of a set decision. Destruction is coming, and the man in the gap is relieved from his prayer assignment: It's over.

Jeremiah 7:16 gives us a summary of the prayer process of the intercessor:

Pray. We seek the face of God concerning a situation we may not have direct knowledge of, but that we sense God wants us to bring before Him.

Cry. As we understand the nature, gravity, and urgency of the prayer need, our prayer shifts from mere intellectual exercise and is joined by an emotional response: we feel the need, and we cry out to God because we know that if God does not step in, then disaster will result.

Intercede. Intercession involves a deep identification with those who are the subjects of the prayer. The book “Rees Howells: Intercessor” contains excellent examples of the lengths to which an intercessor goes in identifying with the subject and/or prayer need. A shorter text, “Daniel Nash: Prevailing Prince of Prayer” chronicles the work of Daniel Nash, an intercessor who was part of the prayer power behind the ministry of Finney. I highly recommend both texts.

Sometimes the work of intercessory prayer is accompanied by fasting. Sometimes it's accompanied by watching (choosing to deny ourselves sleep in order to wait before God in prayer). But, at the end of the day, it's always God who has the final decision on matters. We can't guarantee that our fervent prayers will change God's mind... but we still pray. That is, we pray until God says stop.

There are some who continue to live as if life has no deadlines- as if they can always get an extension granted from God and continue to defy His mandates. What does God say? It's over. No more extensions.

But if we plead, who knows if God might hear us and delay our punishment (see Second Samuel 12:22)? Bronx Bethany, keep praying- perhaps our prayers can hold back the judgement that sits at our doorstep. Pray, cry, intercede...

Glossa Water Year In Review: "The Sincerest Form Of Flattery"

(originally posted October 15, 2008)

After three and a half years at Bronx Bethany I am noticing that my husband and I have, unintentionally, begun to behave more like Pastor Sam. And I think each of you could say the same thing about someone that you work with every day, or that you see every week, or that you are close to.

It seems that part of our human nature is this phenomenon of imitation. We see children imitate their parents all the time. We see teenagers model their emerging selves after favorite performing artists or teachers. We compliment married couples using phrases like "they've been together so long, they are starting to look alike" or "they are so close they can finish each other's sentences".

This past Sunday's sermon reminded us that we can choose to let go of our own nature, and take on the nature of God. Pastor Sam noted that this is not simply participation in community, but participation in the essential nature of God.

The old story is a true story: God is love. In fact, God is Himself a community of love. You may recall Pastor Sam's referencing of Saint Augustine, who perceived the expression of God's love in His creation of community even with Himself: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. He Himself, at once both Lover and Beloved, sharing love. We would do well to imitate Him in our relationships here on earth.

However, in light of that love expressed in community, I will need to warn you. Part of the primary indictment of God against Bronx Bethany is that some of us believe that the mere assembling of believers is sufficient to gain entrance into heaven, and have therefore chosen not to be a living expression of the love of God. Listen. What good does it do you to sit in church, then go home and continue to live in a way that is completely contrary to the nature of God? Dichotomous behavior like that is reminscent of the parables in Matthew 25, which we have already dealt with in earlier blogs. But the warning still sounds: don't put yourself in a position where Christ Himself can only declare, "Truly, I don't know you" (Matthew 25:12).

As we heard on Sunday, ordinary people that struggle with human nature can instead choose to become engulfed in the divine nature. Let's imitate our glorious God today.

Glossa Water Year In Review: "This Is Risky!"

(originally posted October 10, 2008)

I don't enjoy taking risks, but I am very quick to do things that might be perceived as risky. Why? Only because God says so. So, when God told me to go back to school and my boss told me she would not approve my vacation days that I was planning to use to attend school, I sided with God and resigned the job. Some people thought I was crazy. Guess what? They're right. In the kingdom of God, logic doesn't always work. There are times we are crazy enough to ask Jesus to prove who He is, and He responds by telling us to get out of the boat and brave the winds (Matthew 14:22-33).

Pastor Art gave a wonderful analogy in Sunday's sermon which we can reflect on today: are we a church on the move, or are we a museum?

The effective church is the "moving" church. It is a church that has broken free from the need to preserve tradition. It is a church that is willing to throw away programs that don't meet the needs we have in this twenty-first century. It is a church that does not wait for people to come in: its members go out into the world and win souls for Christ. It is a church that has learned how to fight and prevail in enemy territory. The moving church takes risks.

The failing church is the "museum" church. Museums are notorious for minimizing risk, and some churches have become museums. The praise and worship must be no longer than (fill in the blank) because church must be over by "x"o'clock. "Decently and in order" has become a blanket excuse for ignoring the prompting of the Holy Spirit, who occasionally asks to be placed in the order of service even though He was not scheduled to appear. The museum church, like a real museum, often is full of beautiful displays, gets lots of visitors, and enjoys a huge endowment. But it is not willing to budge when Jesus says 'get out of the boat', and an atmosphere of disobedience hangs over its sanctuary.

Bronx Bethany, how we must pray! "Here I am, send me!" May God give us courage and strength to keep moving, to His glory.

Glossa Water Year In Review: "Excuse Me, You're Blocking My View"

(originally posted October 7, 2008)

This past Sunday's sermon text was Isaiah 6:1-8. It is a challenge to consider this text. I find it a challenge because I cannot approach it abstractly; it forces me to confront and renounce my weaknesses and propensities. I hope the passage does the same for you.

"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne..." (6:1). Who is your King Uzziah? Perhaps your mom, your pastor, your favorite singer? Sometimes we meet people whose personas are so overwhelming that we find ourselves watching them instead of watching the Lord. Our gaze rests on them, our thoughts linger on them, our first response in crisis is to call on them... and we leave our true Sovreign in the background. Jesus' words still speak: "He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me..." (Matthew 10:37). Sometimes God mercifully shifts King Uzziah out of the way, so that the ultimate King might be seen.

"...and the train of his robe filled the temple" (6:1). As Pastor Art noted on Sunday, when the train of the Lord fills the temple there is no room for anything else. Competing voices and competing agendas cannot stand in the presence of God. King Uzziah was good, but the Lord of hosts (6:3) is great. As we examine ourselves, are there good things that we are embracing at the expense of great things? Are we ready to renounce the good for the sake of the great?

My Lord, God of the armies of earth and heaven, I will not blame my "King Uzziah" for blocking my view of You. I'm the one who chose to keep staring at him instead of gazing into Your beautiful face. Forgive me. Jesus, help me to drop my agendas and just allow You to consume me. Holy Spirit, fill me and keep filling me until there is no room for any other. Thank You, God, for reminding me that You do not entertain competitors. Help me to be authentic in my "yes": yes, I'm here. Send me.

Glossa Water Year In Review: "Snatching Destruction From The Jaws Of Salvation"

(originally posted September 9, 2008)

Do you know what bothers me? Sometimes when Pastor Sam is preaching, and he is preaching about something serious, there are certain persons who will laugh out loud. They are not engaging in a 'Toronto blessing' laugh, and they are not suffering from any medical condition as far as I know- it doesn't happen during other components of the service. And they are not holding side conversations with their friend. They appear to be laughing as a direct response to what has been said. If someone out there has a plausible explanation for this phenomenon I'd love to hear it, because I really don't understand how a soul headed for hell can be a comical subject.

Today's title is adapted from a comment made during Sunday's sermon. In reflecting on Noah's neighbors ignoring his years of "carpentry evangelism" and Lot's hesitation and excuses in the face of angels imploring him to flee the impending destruction of the cities Sodom and Gomorrah, Pastor Sam gave the following insight: when God makes a way of escape, there are some who snatch destruction out of the jaws of salvation. God always has a rescue plan, and in His gracious way He does not force it onto us. He calls us to embrace it. But the Scripture gives us numerous examples of men and women who cast aside the rescue option and choose to remain in an environment that is slated for destruction.

If you'll forgive me for not being spiritual, allow me to just appeal for a moment to your logical, rational mind. If you were living in Noah's time, and you and your children have spent the past ten years laughing at Noah's 'radical obedience' as he built this strange uber-container in a land that never knew rain, wouldn't you have picked up on the cue when you saw two of every living creature, one male and one female, walking down to the ark? Would you not have wondered when you saw the seven pairs of all clean animals and birds trekking to take their place in the ark? Ah, and we hear Jesus: if you don't believe based on what I say, at least believe based on the demonstrated signs and wonders. It's the last-chance demonstration of the spectacular power and provision of God before He breaks out in judgement.

Lot, and Lot's wife, still live in the hearts of those who see God at work and yet resist His call to flee from destruction. What does it mean when you have seen the angels of God strike a community with blindness (Genesis 19:1-14), and the angels of God say "Destruction is coming- you must hurry", and your response is "No, I will hesitate"? It means that you are snatching destruction from the jaws of salvation. It means you are sitting comfortably in the fourth row, laughing out loud while humble sons of God are making an appeal for you to run to Jesus while you still have a chance. Would you still laugh if I told you that you only have thirty days left? Unfortunately, history suggests that the answer is yes. So we appeal to the mercy of God and ask Him to take your hand and lead you out (Genesis 19:15-16).

Redemption, rescue, reconciliation, rejoicing. We pray that everyone will be caught and secured in the salvation of God. We pray especially for the four people that God has placed as special prayer requests at this time, as we prepare to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of our denomination. Celebrating the denomination is nice, but it is nothing compared to the celebration of souls coming to Christ. We are looking for, and expecting, a community that is safe in the ark.

Glossa Water Year In Review: "And Your Name Is...?"

(originally posted September 1, 2008)

It's not hard to live a dichotomous life. If we just keep saying no to the agenda of God, He will stop striving with us and will allow callouses to form on our reprobate hearts. And, strangely enough, He does not cancel the promises. We tithe and see the windows of heaven opened. We can pray and see people healed. We can even be effective in evangelism. I know this because I have lived this. And I appreciate the plaintive inquiry: what good is it if a man gains the whole world but loses his soul?

Oh, the dreaded fear of not being recognized by Jesus. As we heard in Sunday's sermon, and as we have read for ourselves in Matthew 25, this is a reality of the kingdom of God. If the LORD had returned in 1990, I certainly would have been 'cast into the darkness'... the consequence of embracing my own agenda and using God as a personal candy machine. To quote Reverend Darryl, I was saved but not surrendered. God, in His graciousness, has allowed me to live long enough to wake up and happily abandon my agenda for His.

What is God seeking? Not just trimmed lamps, but a supply of extra oil; not just talent, but immediate and aggressive investment of the talent with the intent to produce a substantial return; and not just 'all my work is for the Master', but a heart to embrace 'the least of these'. Reflecting on these three parables has led me to consider, deeply and with excitement, how I can support God's agenda in a way that brings Him returns worthy of commendation.

Glossa Water Year In Review: "Casting Call"

(originally posted October 1, 2008)

In Sunday's sermon we learned that the fate of those whose names are not found written in the book of life is that they will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the second death (Revelation 20:14-15). God Himself lists the characteristics of those who will suffer this fate. We have His criteria recorded in Revelation 21.

God begins, though, with a commendation to those who have been faithful to Him: He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!... To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son" (Revelation 21:5-7). For the company of the righteous, there is the joy of receiving God's commendation.

The wicked, who God will consign to the lake of fire, are found in the following companies (Revelation 21:8):

The cowardly. As the popular verses state, God has not given us a spirit of fear (Second Timothy 1:7) and God expects that we will demonstrate faith in Him and His word (Hebrews 11:1-6). Failure of faith is an affront to God.

The unbelieving. God speaks through His word, His pastors and leaders, and through His bride the church. The question is not whether we hear, but whether we believe what we hear. Unbelievers are succumbers, not overcomers, and as such will not receive God's inheritance.

The vile. Back when I was younger, we used to use the term "depravity". The vile are those who are corrupt in heart, and that corruption expresses itself in their behavior.

The murderers. In God's economy murder is not just an action, but also is expressed in intention. Matthew 5:21-26 indicates that the spirit of murder is present in angry reactions and unreconciled relationships.

The sexually immoral. My friends, this should be a no-brainer but I will say it anyway. If you are filling your mind with pornography and spending your time chasing other people's spouses, if you are sexually involved with someone that is not your spouse, if you are sitting at home plotting your next illicit liaison, then you are making your bed in hell. You need to repent.

Those who practice magic arts. Some of you have gotten caught up in secret societies and do not realize that it is NOT normal to be sitting in a big chair channeling demons that are pretending to be dead monarchs. Astrology, freemasonry, and even interactive games that require you to assume the identity of spirit characters are things that we as believers need to steer clear of: they are tickets to destruction.

The idolaters. It is never a good idea to place anyone or anything ahead to God. He Himself has told us that He is jealous (Exodus 20:4), and in fact He Himself gave the directive that we are not make, bow to, nor worship idols. In distinguishing these three things- creation ("make"), adoration ("bow"), and exaltation ("worship"), God warns us quite clearly.

All liars. I believe this includes not only lying to other people, but also lying to ourselves and lying to the Holy Spirit of God. Acts 5:1-11 is an excellent illustration of God's perspective on lying.

These are those who will be thrown, or as we used to say, cast into the lake of fire. And this is a "casting" call that none of us should be signed up for.

Christus Victor!

Towards the end of his sermon, Pastor Brian shared an encouraging word: victory is possible for all Christians running the race of faith.

Are you burdened, or do you feel that you have lost all chance of living a victorious life? Don't despair! We have obtained victory through the work of Jesus Christ- the One who humbled Himself and became obedient to death on a cross; the One who confounded the devil and made an open show of him; the One who was fit to suffer on our behalf.

Lord, help us to remember that it is You who works in us and through us. Help us to drop our personal agendas and fully embrace Your program and plan for our lives.

Resource Room!

On this past Sunday, Pastor Brian summarized some of the resources we engage as believers in Jesus:

• Reliance on the Holy Spirit
• Reading God's Word
• Putting our faith in to action
• Focusing on Jesus Christ

And, because each of us in Christ has been given spiritual gifts, we also have the benefit of our spiritual siblings as resources.

With these invaluable tools, we can run the race of faith successfully!

A Day To Pray VI

Please pray for our pastors:

Pastor Sam, Pastor Benji, Pastor Joy, Pastor Martha, and Pastor Richie.

Serious Race. Serious Gear.

On Sunday Pastor Brian shared with us that we are all "running the race of faith". As we reflect on this analogy, we must keep in mind that there are certain characteristics of the sport and industry of running. Let's look at just one.

The sport of running requires certain equipment. Anyone who has spent time in a sporting goods store knows that footwear worn by runners is distinct and different from other sports footwear. Clothing, too, is specialized. No runner would show up at the starting line wearing swimming goggles or soccer cleats!

The race of faith requires certain equipment. Yes, we hear the echo of Hebrews 11: "Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). What is the "serious gear" for the people of faith? Praying to God. Hearing from God. Believing what Goad has said. Acting on that belief. And, like runners exercise their muscles, we can exercise our faith by continually using it in the situations we face in life.

So, friends, do you have on the right gear?

On Your Mark...

On Sunday our guest speaker, Pastor Brian, spoke on First Corinthians 9:24-27. It was an interesting continuation of the sermons we have heard over the past two weeks. God's theme remains constant, shared through the words of pastors who literally are from all over the world:
"Church, you have work to do!"

For the next few days we'll reflect on the analogy found in First Corinthians 9: runners in a race, seeking to win the prize. Today, I'll just leave you with a few questions to think about for yourself:

• How do you prepare for engaging in the work of the Lord?
• Are you willing to risk everything for the sake of the kingdom of God?
• If someone else were to evaluate you, would they say you're "giving your best" to God?

"Hasta La Bye-Bye!"

"Hasta la bye-bye!" is a direct quote from Pastor Benji's sermon during the second service. Amidst the roars of laughter, though, we realized he was absolutely right.

If God has given you a clear and direct promise that He intends to fulfill (contingent upon your obedience to Him), and you are in the company of people who tell you that God is not going to fulfill His promise, then you need to get away from those people.

Even the secular world follows this rule. The reason rock stars have an entourage is so that they are constantly surrounded by people who support them. If a professional sportsman is not working well with a team, then the team owners trade him for someone else who shares the vision and goals of the team.

For them, it's just business. For us, it's a spiritual truth. The Bible is chock-full of verses warning us to stay away from wicked people. What is the spiritual definition of wicked? Those who don't fall into line with God's program (Psalm 106:25-26). Those who are not joyful and generous in their support of God's program (Second Corinthians 9:7). Those who grumble against the leadership that God has set into place (Proverbs 24:22).

Friends, what has God said? Are you keeping company with others who are in full agreement with what God has said to you? Who's in your entourage?

First Things First.

On this past Sunday Pastor Benji shared a point found in Genesis 18:19: the blessing of Abraham was embedded in the proper management of his children and his household. In fact the verse shows a conditional clause: "For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."

In other words, the promise is brought about in the context of a family and household that keeps the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. How do they know to do what is right and just? They are directed by the head of the household.

Pastor Benji made a powerful statement: "Do you want to be a pastor? Pastor your household!" Sometimes we get very excited about things outside of the home, not fully understanding the influence we have on those closest to us. His statement echoed First Timothy 3:5: "If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?".

LORD, help us to do the right thing by keeping the family first. You set up family as the first institution on earth, and we know it is of paramount importance to you. Help us to live in a way that shows the world that Your prerogatives are our prerogatives too. In Jesus's name, Amen.

Who Blessed Who?

What's going on in Genesis 18?

• Abraham sees three strangers. He implores them to allow him to bring water to wash their feet, rest for a while, and have something to eat. They agree, and Abraham blesses them with a meal.
• Afterwards, the LORD tells Abraham that his previously barren wife Sarah will bear a son the next year, Abraham will become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on the earth will be blessed through Abraham. The LORD states that He chose Abraham, and He will bring about for Abraham what He promised.

I wonder what would have happened if Abraham didn't stop to bless those strangers.

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2).

Assigned Territory!

Well, it got VERY quiet in church when Pastor Benji was explaining that Abraham's promise of land was not figurative, but literal. I'm not sure why people weren't responding- after all, the Genesis 18 passage is crystal clear in indicating that God promised to give Abraham land. We looked at Genesis 22:17 in yesterday's blog, and the idea is there too: "Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies". Friends, it doesn't get more plain than that.

Maybe some people were upset because Pastor Benji called their bluff. Sometimes we claim to have great plans, but then there is no preparation to support the plan. How can we promise to care for five grandchildren when we are just sub-letting a room?

Maybe we get mad because we think this is a subtle way for the church to ask for more support. But, the text indicates that it was not the church who made the assignment. GOD assigned territory to Abraham, and Abraham was expected to be obedient to GOD in how that territory was managed. What do we see? Even in the state of wandering, Abraham demonstrated hospitality (see Genesis 18:1-10).

Pastor Benji shared a wonderful example. The South African pastors who visited us recently had come to General Assembly, but did not have lodging for the week after the assembly. A pastor from another church had offered to allow one of the pastors to sleep in the basement of his church. When our church found out, we asked the South African group to come to us. Each pastor and family was able to be hosted in the homes of some our our BBCN congregants. Like Abraham, our congregants stopped what they were doing and made provision for the guests who were passing through.

But, to host several guests, we have to have more than a rented bedroom. We need sufficient physical space.

Has God given you a heart to help others in need of housing? If you have the space, don't be stingy! You can be a blessing just like Abraham was!

And what about people like me who are living in a one-bedroom apartment? PRAY! Surely God would not put within you a heart to host without also providing the space to host (that means sleeping quarters, food, and maybe even time and means to take your guests to see some of the sights of New York). In the meantime, let's do what we can. Last month I invited someone over for tea. All I had was tea and crackers, but we shared that and had great conversation about the love and ministry of Jesus in our lives. I'm believing God that as we are faithful with the little we have, He will give us more.

The days of "Bronx Bethany, the singing church" really need to be over. How I pray that our reputation will shift:

Bronx Bethany, the community-serving church.
Bronx Bethany, the missionary-supporting church.
Bronx Bethany, the pastor-preparing church.

Yes, it can happen. God gives territory for His children to possess in obedience to His desires!

Iron Fences, High Hedges, And Cultural Microaggressions.

"Jamaican Christians within the tri-state area are being invited to fast and pray for Jamaica from 6:00 am - 6:00 pm culminating with special prayer services at designated prayer centers throughout the tri-state area." (This, unfortunately, is from a real ad. Keep reading to see why I said "unfortunately".)

Here is the way I, as someone who's not a Jamaican, interpret the ad:

"If you are a Jamaican, you're invited to fast and pray with us. If you're not Jamaican, don't bother. We don't need intercession from outsiders. We don't want you to know our deep prayer needs."

This ad stands in stark contrast to the sermon shared by Pastor Benji this past Sunday. Pastor Benji focused on the need for Christians to shift from a mentality of individualism to one of universalism: we represent the message and mandate of Christ to all nations of the earth. The sermon was perfectly in line with the mission of BBCN- to be a redemptive influence in the Bronx, and in the world, to the glory of God. I believe that a huge part of that influence takes place in the intercessory prayers of Christians around the world.

So, I remain a non-Jamaican praying for Jamaica. And though I was not invited by the ad, I think that God would be cool with it if I fasted and prayed along with the Jamaican Christians. I'm tempted to say something about the use of the term "Jamaican Christians", but I'll hold my thoughts on that for now.

Let's make the shift from self to world! Please visit the blog for the rest of this week as we park in Genesis 18, reflecting on God's assessment of Abraham. Here's a verse to consider in preparation:

I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me. (Genesis 22:17-18)

Deon Won't Be Here When It Happens.

Pastor Deon, in the middle of his sermon during the second service, gave a prophetic warning: "We can fool one another. We can come to His presence with a reverent mask. But I'm telling you- the day God will unmask you... I don't want to be around."

Let's close this week with the warning of the LORD from Ephesians 5:

• Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (verse 2);
• Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality (verse 3);
• Obscenity, foolish talk, and coarse joking are out of place (verse 4);
• No immoral, impure, or greedy person has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God (verse 5);
• God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient (verse 6);
• Have nothing to do with the deeds of darkness (verse 11);
• Be very careful how you live (verse 15).

Lord, You know how we need Your help in all these areas, so that our lives are true reflections of our authentic relationship with You. Please help us to obey Your word and live in such a way that everyone will know we are serious about our relationship with You. In Jesus' Name, let it be so.

Apparo, Comparo, Instruo: Get Ready To Fight.

Pastor Deon shared with us regarding the necessity for Christians to be prepared for the spiritual battles we will face every day. "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes" (Ephesians 6:11).

The indictment expressed by our guest pastor, which I will elaborate on here, is that there are many who call themselves Christians but they seem to be allergic to the battlefield. If there is food being served, then a multitude shows up (see John 6:26-27). If singing is going on, then Bronx Bethany sings loud and strong. If it's time to pray, or witness, or stand up for Jesus, then no one shows up. It seems we would rather eat or sing than pray. In fact, if you take an inventory of the amount of time Bronx Bethany spends in food preparation and music rehearsals in comparison to the amount of time spent in actual corporate prayer (that means the amount of time praying- not singing, not listening to other people preach, not asking your friend how their week has been), you will be shocked at the ratio.

Life on the battlefield, authentic Christian life, is not about food and music. It's about prayer, confession, submission, and obedience to God. If we are not about life on the battlefield, then we can never claim to be an imitator of Christ.

So, my friends, are you ready to fight?

Oh, Positive.

Pastor Deon reminded us of the importance of maintaining a positive attitude in our relationships and in our responses to situations that we encounter as a natural part of life. He recalled the initial response of Job, who upon hearing the news of multiple crises befalling him simultaneously, worshiped the LORD (see Job 1:20).

I will ask the same question Pastor Deon asked on Sunday, though my wording is a little different: what happens to your worship when life happens to you?

In times of plenty, do you forget the One who blessed you?
In times of famine, do you resent the LORD for withholding provision from you?

There is a basketball player who I will not name here, but over the past several years I've noticed a pattern: when things are going his way, he seems very amiable and personable. But when a call is made against him, he immediately becomes belligerent and angry. Many "Christians" are, unfortunately, just like that. We love the blessings of God, we're so happy to receive them, but then we suddenly go deaf in the moments He calls us to suffer for His name's sake. And we act as if Christianity is an 'exemption card' that keeps us from experiencing pain and loss. Friend, if that's you, wake up. The rain falls on the righteous and the unrighteous (see Matthew 5:43-45).

What do we do in the midst of suffering? Perhaps we should follow the example of Jesus: love, forgive, pray for our enemies. If we are indeed Christians, then imitating Christ shouldn't be that hard!

The "Worship" Cabaret.

Pastor Deon's first sermon point was not as simple as it sounded. I believe it is the foundational, root cause of the failure of Christianity to impact the world as it did in the early church.

Imitators of Christ must have a personal experience with God.

We have somehow come into a notion that church attendance is sufficient for individuals to claim that they are Christian, and that is wrong. Christianity begins and is sustained not by sitting in a worship service, but by confessing our sins and asking the Lord Jesus Christ to live in us and rule over us.

If I may add an addendum to this, I would argue that most people who claim to be Christian are not- because their lives do not adhere to the above definition. They have never made confession of their sins, and they have never asked God's opinion concerning the way in which they live their lives from day to day.

Friends, who do you rely on? And what is your proof for that reliance?

If you tell me that you rely on God, yet you have no idea where your Bible is (because you don't read it), you only pray when you're in a crisis, and your church attendance is done out of routine rather than out of a love for God, then perhaps you're not really relying on God. I would say you're kidding yourself. You can sing and shout and dance all you like, but your physical expressions don't make Him your Lord: your obedience and submission to Him do.

Lord, help us to stop putting on a show every Sunday, and to really demonstrate our personal experience with You: we will obey You, and we will submit to You. In Jesus' Name, let it be so.

Not-So-Foreign Exchange.

This week our reflections will be based on this past Sunday's sermon, which was preached by Pastor Deon. He and several other clergy and friends have been visiting us over last week, and they will be returning to their homes in South Africa this week. It has been a great blessing to meet them and to receive spiritual instruction from them.

Pastor Deon spoke from Ephesians 5:1-7, on imitating Christ. Let's begin with a recap of some of the insights he shared as a pre-sermon mini-message.

• One of the key problems of the church around the world is that we have a form of godliness, but lack the power that is present in authentic relationship with Christ.


• The mandate is not merely to believe in Jesus, but to live out our beliefs in a way that draws others to Him.


• We are called to shift our behavior: Christianity is not a venue for spectators. Authentic Christianity is accomplished in our participation in the work of Christ.

Pastor Deon, in many ways similar to our own Pastor Sam, used alliteration to help us with remembering the message. Please join us as we spend the next three days reflecting on his sermon points.

Let The Work Go Forward: A Testimony On The Audacity Of God.

Audacity: Boldness, without regard for apparent restrictions.

During the second service, I went to the altar to pray. In the midst of the voices around me and the voice of Pastor Sam praying from the pulpit, the voice of God spoke clearly: "Build your business." Now, mind you, I'm an underemployed doctoral candidate carrying six-figure student loan debt. At the time I'm writing this (July 7) I have five dollars in my personal checking account. I have no prior business experience.

You know, God has said things throughout Scripture that seem audacious. He asked Noah to build an ark in a land that never knew rain. He told Abraham to leave his father's household, and Abraham left without a clue as to where he was going. I'm sure you could add several other examples of God's audacious commands.

Apparently, God doesn't have a problem with my student loan debt, my lack of savings, and my lack of experience in the business realm. He is seeing a bigger picture. And that, my friends, is the heart of the exilic experience. We have to hear and obey Him without regard to what we see. Or, to quote Scripture, we walk by faith and not by sight, so we make it our business to please God (see Second Corinthians 5). He is pleased when we joyfully do what He says.

• In the face of unfamiliar territory, become engaged in the community.
• With your hands full of strange seeds, dig up the foreign soil and do some planting.
• When God says "do not decrease", make it your business to increase.
• If God made the plan, then the plan must come through.

I'm a little slow, but I am learning to hear God and to obey Him by doing what He says.

What has God said to you? Keep Pastor Sam's summary of Jeremiah 29 close by: Relax in God's plan. Rest in God's promises. And, most importantly, remember God's principles.

See you next Tuesday, my friends.

Remember.

Well, it seems that not one week goes by without God graciously warning us of the consequences we will face if we are disobedient to His word. This past Sunday was no exception.

Pastor Sam, paraphrasing C.S. Lewis, said it well: in considering the image of Christ as the Lion of Judah who is also the Lamb of God, we would do well to remember that our Lord cannot be domesticated. He is God, and though His mercy is great His judgements are final. Ignoring His word leads to eternal death.

What Was The Problem In Jeremiah's Time?

• False prophets ignored God's word. In their desire to please the people, they insisted that Jeremiah was wrong and that he had not heard from the LORD, but was a madman deserving of removal from ministry.
• False prophets imparted their own word. They insisted that the Babylonian exile would be short-term, and in doing so they encouraged the people to not become engaged in the life and times of the community in which they lived.

You know, it seems we have the same problem in our time. Television and radio are full of men and women who are happy to sell lies to the people of God. Men and women who claim to love the LORD, but who are bound to their own self-interest, are sitting ducks for the lies of those who promise a life of ease and comfort in a context where God has clearly indicated that we should expect to live the life of an exile.

Friends, we are exiles on the earth. We have built homes and our children are in schools and we are engaged in community, and we are going to be here for a while. Our true home is heaven, but we cannot lay down in our beds and beg God to take us out of this world. He has placed us here to represent Him in every area of life, and we are responsible to fulfill the calling He has placed upon us.

So, plant your gardens of political influence. Build your homes as study halls in which family and neighbors can experience a taste of heaven's protocol. Forgive freely and live in love and peace, so that those around you can see the difference Jesus makes. Show the world that Christians are in the game, not on the sidelines. And watch God work.

Rest.

"For I know the plans I have for you..." (Jeremiah 29:11)

It is truly a blessing to have a pastor who is not afraid to read Scripture. In hearing Pastor Sam read the entire chapter of Jeremiah 29, we were given a real sense of the context in which the famous Jeremiah 29:11 exists. It is not just a generic promise! It's a promise given to the exiled, to those who have been uprooted and re-planted in cities and situations they are unfamiliar with.

What Has God Said? Rest.

• We must first embrace God's plan, which involves moving us into new situations.
• We must also experience God's presence. Knowing that we are in His will gives us strength to say yes when He calls us to move from our comfort zones.
• And, we must express God's purpose. As Pastor Sam shared, there is nothing more powerful than the persons who know who they are in Christ, and who subsequently make life decisions based on that knowledge.

We'll close today with one more comment from Pastor Sam: if God made the plan, then the plan must come through! Isaiah 55:10-11 echoes in the distance: God's Word will not return to Him void, but will accomplish the purpose for which He sent it.

Tomorrow we'll reflect on the third "R": Remember.

Relax.

Friends,
Let's continue our reflections on Jeremiah 29.

Pastor Sam shared a wonderful alliterative means by which we can remember the main points found in Jeremiah 29. For today, tomorrow, and Friday, we'll look at each "R" and get ourselves reacquainted with the insights we learned on this past Sunday.

First Point: Relax.

God gave a specific directive to the exiled Jews, and their error was that they chose instead to embrace false prophets whose agendas seemed more palatable. How do we avoid destruction? By doing what God says.

What Did God Say Through Jeremiah?

• Buy property.
• Raise family.
• Embrace community.
• Influence policy.
• Pray for the city's prosperity.

In other words, relax. You live here, so live here. As we used to say in the 1980s, "Get a life!" Be involved in community, in church, in politics. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior then you are an Ambassador of the kingdom of heaven, and we need you to make your voice heard while you're here on earth.

Tomorrow we'll continue with the second "R".

Bronx Bethany, Get Ready For A Showdown.

Showdown: an event, especially a confrontation, that forces an issue to a conclusion. (American Heritage Dictionary)

Well, it's been two weeks, but the blogs are back! This week we'll park in Jeremiah 29. Pastor Sam wrapped up our Fourth of July weekend with a dynamite sermon, and I'll be sharing a few of his points (as well as lighting a few firecrackers of my own) over the next five days.

In card games, a "showdown" is when all players have to lay their cards on the table, face up, so that everyone reveals what they have been holding. In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet reveals the plan of God concerning the exile of Jews, who are carried by force from Palestine to Babylon. In contrast, a company of false prophets reveal their counterfeit prophecies, lying to the people and causing them to believe that their exile would only last for a short period of time.

Pastor Sam compared this scenario to the state of those persons who, in the face of God's relocating them to new places and situations, refuse to accept that it is God who placed them where they are, and it is they who must adjust to the modern version of "exilic" life.

Has God placed you in academia? In corporate America? In New York? In Russia? Remember the prophetic utterance of Jeremiah 29, where the LORD reiterates His role: "I sent them into exile". Not chance, not conspiracy, but the decision of one: the Eternal One, the Holy One, the Perfect One.

If the Perfect One has placed you where you are, don't waste your time longing or scheming to be somewhere else. Such a move by you could have deadly consequences!

Lord, in looking back, I see clearly that You are the One who has placed me where I am. Please help me to obey You by remaining, in a spirit of joy and peace, where You have placed me. I promise to flourish in the place You have planted me.

"God? At General Assembly?": The Sequel.

Friends,

This week I will not be blogging on this past Sunday's sermon. I am asking that all of us pray earnestly, every day this week and especially Saturday, for the presence and power of God to be evident at General Assembly (the international gathering of the Church of the Nazarene). I am also asking that we pray specifically for Pastor Sam.

As delegates from all over the world come together for worship, praise, prayer, services, and administrative sessions, let's ask God to show mercy and pour out His grace on the planners and participants in this event.

General Assembly and Conventions will be held from June 24 through July 3rd in Orlando, Florida.

Pastor Sam is scheduled to speak at the "All the Nations" multicultural service which will be held on Saturday June 27. The service begins at 9:00 a.m., and he is one of two featured speakers for the service.

There are TWENTY-ONE overlapping or conflicting events occurring at the same time that the All Nations service is scheduled to be in session. My prayer is that the power of God will be so manifest that His Spirit will engage everyone at the convention center, regardless of what room they are in (see Numbers 11:25-30). I am also praying specifically that He will manifest His power even before Pastor Sam finishes speaking, just as we read in Acts 10:44.

Thank you for your prayers!

Sinning Against The Spirit: A Prophetic Warning.

Jesus says:

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. (Matthew 12:31-32)

Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: but he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. (Mark 3:28-29)

And whoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. (Luke 12:10)

Jesus said this in response to the accusation of the religious leaders of His day, who falsely claimed that Jesus was empowered to cast out demons by "the prince of demons" (see Matthew 12:22-37; Mark 3:22-30; Luke 11:14-23).

My friends, watch yourselves.

As we move forward into a critically important time in the life of Bronx Bethany, be very careful how you speak and how you react. "Do not despise prophesyings" (First Thessalonians 5:20). And, above all, take care that you do not falsely attribute the work of God's Spirit to the enemy of your soul.

Connotation.

Yes, we have more notes on Pastor Joy's sermon! I hope that you are able to seriously reflect on the implications of these phrases. I encourage you not just to read these blogs as information, but to think and pray about the undertones and implications these points have in relation to your life.

• If God is so important, what message are we sending when we are over-saturated in extracurricular activity that excludes God?
• How do we create a colony of heaven in our home? By being obedient to the Spirit of God!
• Do the people around you have an experience of your prayer life? Do they see you pray? Do they know that you are praying for them?

Let's embrace the spiritual disciplines: prayer, fasting, faith, obedience, waiting on God, confessing and renouncing sin... these simple things that create a healthy spiritual atmosphere for us and for those around us.

"Note"-orious!

Today we continue with our notes from Pastor Joy's sermon:

• A life of secrecy denies the power of transparency
• Does God get your firstfruits or your leftovers?
• Our behavior and lifestyle indicate what has priority in our lives
• We cannot raise our children in carnality and expect them to produce godly character

So, what's important to you? What are you modeling? What imprint are you making? Are your words and your actions congruent or divergent?

Lord, help us to live in the way of truth, to please You and to guide others into Your great salvation!

Duly Noted.

Here are a few more notes from Pastor Joy's sermon, "Secondhand Smoke, Sin, And The Spirit":

• "Involuntarily Inhaled": if it's in the air, you can't avoid it. What are we putting into the spiritual atmosphere of our homes?
• What are our children getting "secondhand" from us? What have we exposed to them that will affect them long after the event has occurred?
• "They're not listening"/"They don't understand" is not true. Children hear, know, and comprehend when their caretakers are engaged in a life of sin.
• Are you courageous enough to confess your shortcomings?

As we reflect on our roles in our households, let's pray for the courage to be obedient to God, so that our lives are a testimony of His love and grace.

Note Worthy.

This past Sunday we had the privilege of hearing a sermon from Pastor Joy. Over this week, we'll reflect on several of the points made during the sermon.

• Just as there is no risk-free exposure to secondhand smoke, in the same way there is no risk-free exposure to the sin of others in our household.
• Spiritual "secondhand smoke" is more dangerous because the consequences are eternal.
• Is life about what we don't do (don't drink, don't smoke, etc.), or about what we consistently do that still displeases God (lying, cheating, etc.)?
• We say our body belongs to God: does that include our mouth? Our mind? Our motives?

Tomorrow we'll continue with more thoughts from this powerful sermon.

Out Of 700, Can God Find One?

The book of Acts provides us a picture of the early church. The early church had the following among its characteristics:

-It was a saving church: the word of God was preached, and thousands came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
-It was a sending church: the Spirit of God spoke, and men left their regions of origin to engage in missions work, in obedience to the Lord.
-It was a signs church: God confirmed His word and His presence through signs, wonders, and miracles.
-It was a suffering church: men and women experienced persecutions and executions because of their unwavering loyalty to the Lord Jesus. They were ready to suffer and die for the sake of Christ.

Let's close this week with two appeals: one from Sunday, and one from Wednesday.

First, is anyone thirsty? On Sunday Pastor Sam reminded us of the passage in John chapter 7, where Jesus presents Himself as the living water and speaks of the role of the Holy Spirit as One who fills us to overflowing with the love and the power of God. (This is the same passage that inspired the title of my blog site.)

Second, is anyone hearing? During Wednesday evening's service I had the privilege of hearing a prophetic prayer in our small group concerning the dearth of African-American and Caribbean-American missionaries: Surely there must be one that God can send to fulfill Bronx Bethany's mission statement, "a redemptive influence in the Bronx and in the world to the glory of God".

Yes. I believe God, and I believe His prophets whom He has sent. "Believe in the LORD your God, so shall you be established; believe His prophets, so shall you prosper" (see Second Chronicles 20:20).

Yes, God. Out of 700 in Bronx Bethany, surely You can find one.

In The Mouth Of Two Or Three...

God is so good! He sent a prophet to confirm the words we heard (from Pastor Sam this past Sunday, and from the video we saw two Sundays ago).

Linda, a missionary who sits behind a desk and coordinates Church of the Nazarene media ministry in Africa, was our guest speaker this past Wednesday night. She came to Bronx Bethany all the way from Johannesburg, and what did she speak on?

Acts chapter 2.

Here are a few of the points she shared:

The Acts 2 Church was:

• bold;
• honest;
• in tune with the Holy Spirit;
• obedient to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit;
• obedient to the law of the land;
• knowledgeable in Scriptures;
• not afraid to suffer.

In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word is established (Deuteronomy 17:6; Matthew 18:15-16; Second Corinthians 13:1).

Babel, Glossolalia, and "3 Days To Pray": Acts In The 21st Century.

Friends,

You may recall that back on May 20th, in the blog "3 Days To Pray", I called for a three-day fast specifically geared against the prospect of New York State legalizing "marriage" (civil unions) for homosexuals. My concern in this was for the upholding of Scripture, which reveals God's definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

On Tuesday of this week, we began hearing news reports of confusion in the New York State Senate. Republicans in the State Senate have declared a political coup, and are stating that they have wrested control from the Democrats. In turn, the Democrats are indicating that they will not permit the Republicans to effect this change. On Wednesday afternoon reports flew back and forth regarding whether the Republicans would be permitted to even enter the Senate floor.

I see this strange turn of events as a manifestation of the hand of God moving in answer to earnest prayer. And it is no accident that these reports began to surface twenty-one days after our prayer began (see Daniel 10:12-13).

In this past Sunday's sermon Pastor Sam spoke of the relationship between the Tower of Babel incident (Genesis 11) and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). In Babel, God used a multiplicity of languages to bring confusion and put an end to a project that men designed in an attempt to reach heaven on their own strength. In Jerusalem, God used a multiplicity of languages again: not to scatter the masses, but to declare to each man their need for God through the saving work of Jesus Christ. Pastor Sam succintly described this as "the reversal of Babel", and perhaps that is a good way to remember this point:

-In Babel, where people sought to make a name for themselves, God moved and the varied languages brought confusion.
-In Jerusalem, where people sought to exalt the name of Jesus, God moved and the varied languages brought cohesion.

And here we are in the twenty-first century, among people who still make attempts to bypass God in their decision-making process. But guess what? God is still God, and He still has the power to confound the works of the enemy. God sends confusion and scatters the proud (see Luke 1:51). It seems He is doing that now, and we continue to pray for His divine intervention to keep our state leaders from falling into error. Please don't stop praying.

This Is Your Captain Speaking!

"We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away... how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will" (Hebrews 2:1,3,4).

Pastor Sam reminded us of a moment in the Old Testament where God showed Israel a key characteristic of the Holy Spirit: He is not confined to space and time. In Numbers 11, the LORD takes seventy men and shares with them the powerful Holy Spirit who was on Moses. In that transfer of power, the Lord spoke and the elders around the Tent of Meeting prophesied (Numbers 11:25). The Scripture specifically informs us that Eldad and Medad, two of the seventy elders, were not present at the location where Moses and the other sixty-eight elders were. But, Eldad and Medad were apparently exhibiting some sort of behavior that made it apparent that the Holy Spirit rested upon them- the report came from a young observer, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp" (Numbers 11:27).

The presence of the Holy Spirit was obvious.
The power of the Holy Spirit was observable.

The Hebrews 2 passage (above) reinforces this fact of the work of the Spirit as a phenomenon that is not private, but public. I said it last week, and today I will say it again. The Bible declares that God's testimony of salvation comes by signs, wonders, and miracles.

What would the world be like if every Christian believed what the Bible says? What would our services be like if every attendee at Bronx Bethany believed what the Bible says? What behavior do you exhibit while God is speaking? Do you prophesy, or do you just run around telling on people?

Meet The Real Time-Keeper.

As we continue reflecting on Acts 2, we'll spend the next few days remembering some of the points from Pastor Sam's sermon this past Sunday.

Perhaps we should call it God's sermon through Pastor Sam, because there were moments when the Lord caused Pastor Sam to say things that were not originally part of the planned sermon. Those moments were clear, obvious, prophetic warnings against those who regularly come to services and hear the word of the LORD, but who have made the decision to ignore the pleadings of God. As we have heard before, and this Sunday we heard it again, the day will come when God stops pleading: those individuals who continue to disobey God will be left to themselves.

My friends, can you hear the cry of Jesus? "You did not recognize the time of God's coming to you" (Luke 19:44). And, my friends, there is such a thing as "too late". The prophetic moments in the sermon brought to remembrance the "hall of shame", those men and women who missed their opportunity: people like Esau (Hebrews 12:15-17); the five foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13); and of course Judas (Matthew 27:3-5).

What's that I hear? Must be God's watch ticking.

Adding Thorns To The Nest.

This past Sunday was an unusual one in the life of Bronx Bethany, and it is so exciting to see that God is free to speak to His people in any way He chooses. It's especially exciting to have a pastoral staff that is not afraid to obey God, even if it means pushing themselves out of the "comfort zone" and doing church differently.

I was personally challenged by the Acts 2 reading: a passage we read pretty much every year on Pentecost, but this year I feel more of God's weight pressing on me in this matter of complete abandonment to God. Yes, I was obedient and resigned my full-time job in 2007 to go back to school- God said it, I did it. And I was obedient and said yes when He called me into full-time ministry. There is no doubt in my mind that, in time, God will make that a reality on earth just as it is in heaven. But today I had to ask myself the question: Have I really given up every bit of my personal agenda for the sake of the cross of Christ?

Apparently not. There are still traces of self-protectiveness, self-promotion, fear of what other people might be thinking... as if the word of God is not sufficient. I guess it's an every day battle, this dying to self.

Will you reflect on this question with me? Erase your job, your family, your pastors, and approach your Savior and Lord one-on-one. Find time to get alone with Him and get His assessment of what's really going on inside of you. Are you really engaged in the work of the Acts 2 church? You might be surprised by what you discover.

Apostle-Appropriate Accreditation.

Today let's reflect on some verses that give us a picture of the gifts and characteristics of those who hold the office of apostle.

"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know" (Acts 2:22).

"The things that mark an apostle- signs, wonders, and miracles- were done among you with great perseverance" (Second Corinthians 12:12).

"To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed" (First Peter 5:1).

"So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders" (Acts 14:3).

Miracles. Signs. Wonders. Appropriation of God's glory. It's all part of the work of the apostle.

Text. Message.

Luke, the converted physician who wrote Luke and Acts, works hard to describe the indescribable event of Pentecost- the moment many scholars describe as "the birth of the church". Let's consider some of the things Luke shares in Acts 2.

Like wind. No, not a wind, but a sound like wind. More specifically, a sound from heaven like a "rushing mighty wind" (King James Version) or like a "violent wind" (New International Version) (Acts 2:2).

Like fire. I am hoping for someone, someday, to preach on this: the connection between the sight of something like tongues split in half and on fire, and the subsequent experience of the disciples' manifestation of speaking in tongues (Acts 2:3-4).

The sound filled the house. One hundred and twenty people experienced this amazing sign: the sound of a violent wind, but no feeling of wind blowing as they sat indoors (Acts 2:2).

The Spirit filled their hearts. As the Holy Spirit allowed, men and women began to proclaim the works of God in languages they had never learned. The crowd outside did not hear the wind of God, but they certainly heard the word of God.

What a blessing that Luke's letters to Theophilus are part of Scripture, to instruct billions of men and women about the work of Christ and the ministry of the Spirit!

Apostles Against Apathy

"And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles" (Acts 2:43).

If I may paraphrase Scripture, there's a time to speak up, and a time to be quiet (see Ecclesiastes 3:7). I think today is a good day to speak up about the implications of Acts 2:43, the verse that makes the connection between the fear of the LORD and the manifestation of God's power.

Here in the western hemisphere, where many of us enjoy a comfortable existence, it's hard to find churches that still preach about the fear of the LORD. The word "fear" has gone out of vogue. But I think we would do well to have a sense of fear, awe, and holy reverence in the presence of God.

In the eastern hemisphere, particularly in nations that suffer extreme poverty and/or persecution, there seem to be more reports of the type of miracles we read about in Acts. A man prays earnestly for water and God answers by providing a lake in the middle of a drought-stricken land. A woman prays for healing and experiences the tumor on her face being instantly dissolved by the power of God.

And what do we Westerners do, over here in our nice sanctuaries? We complain incessantly and demonstrate indifference to the messages that are designed to educate and equip us.

I would like to propose a corollary: if there is an atmosphere filled with awe, holy reverence, and the fear of the LORD, then it will naturally follow that men and women will be witnesses to the kind of miracles, signs, and wonders that were common in the time of Acts.

But, it doesn't make sense to expect God to show up and demonstrate His mighty power where He's not welcomed. Warren Wiersbe says in his commentary that on five separate occasions, religious leaders asked Jesus for a sign that would verify whether He was in fact the Christ. Wiersbe notes, "the Pharisees and Sadducees did not lack evidence; they lacked honesty and humility" (from The Bible Exposition Commentary).

Well said, Warren.

God? At General Assembly?

What a tragedy.


In obedience to the law of Moses, which was given to Moses by God Himself, Jews from all over the world returned to Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks (also known as Pentecost). These men were specifically showing up for a religious event, one of three that Jewish law required them to attend every year (see Deuteronomy 16:16). They brought their sacrifices and offerings, they came to the temple of God where the presence of God rested, and it seemed like just another "general assembly"... but then an amazing thing happened:


God showed up.


In the face of God showing up, what was the response of some?


These guys must be drunk. (see Acts 2:13)


How can it be that, in the midst of the community of God, there is no understanding of the presence and the power of God? It seems as if the people didn't recognize God because He showed up in a way that they were not accustomed to.


Fast-forward to 2009.


Guess what? We still have the same problem. There are some who associate themselves and align themselves with others in the community of faith, but they have not had the Upper Room experience. They have not taken on the garment of praise in preparation for Pentecost (Luke 24:53). They have not heard from the Lord (Acts 1:4). They have not prayed (Acts 1:14). They have not reorganized themselves in obedience to God's roster and God's template (Acts 1:20-26). So when God shows up and does something radical and powerful, they dismiss the activity of God as drunken foolishness.


In the Acts 2 passage we see that God graciously used Simon Peter to speak to the people and alert them to the prophetic significance of the events they were witnessing, and about three thousand of the listeners believed and were saved. But the crowd was more than three thousand people, and there were some in the crowd whose goal was to stop the apostles in their tracks. Throughout the book of Acts we read of the persecutions endured by the early church as they stood for Christ in the midst of a community that, after having crucified Jesus, sought to silence His followers as well. This is a long way of saying, "don't worry about the persecution you're enduring- it's part of the package" (thanks to Pastor Benji for the 'package' metaphor).


Where do you stand? I really wonder how you received this past Sunday's events. Were you able to see the hand of God in the events of the day, or did you just dismiss it all as foolishness?

Fruit Basket Turnover!

As we finish this week of reflections on Pastor Richie's sermon, I'd like to share a few final thoughts drawn from Luke 13:1-9.

Every tree has leaves, so leaves are not the barometer for measuring the productivity of a fruit tree. As Pastor Benji shared last year, there is a difference between horticulture and agriculture: the fig tree is only useful if it produces edible figs. (There's a wonderful passage in Deuteronomy 20:19-20 that illustrates God's directive to Israel concerning the treatment of fruit-bearing trees- I encourage you to check it out.)

"Kairos" ("opportune time", in Luke 13:1) is a word that every Christian should be conscious of. There is an appointed time, an opportunity, when we are called to act swiftly and decisively, or else the chance will be lost forever. When God places us in environments where we are given His attention and care, it behooves us to recognize the kairos moment and seek to bear fruit for the kingdom of God.

The call to cut down the tree came unexpectedly. In our culture we use the phrase "out of the blue"- implying that it's just another beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in the sky, not a care in the world, and all of a sudden destruction comes. It was the experience of those at the tower of Siloam (Luke 13:4) and those whose end came at the hand of Pilate (Luke 13:1-2). And, if we get comfortable in our lack of productivity, we too will find ourselves suddenly cut off (Luke 13:7-8).

The gift of Christ's intercession: we are grateful for His intervening grace, expressed in the request for "one more year" (Luke 13:8). Though He has the right to judge us immediately, He extends His mercy and gives us ample opportunity to bear fruit.

Blessings and peace to each of you, my friends. Lord willing, we'll be back on Tuesday.

Busy But Barren.

As we continue our thoughts on this past Sunday's sermon, let's unpack one of the points Pastor Richie made: There is either real fruit or no fruit.


Luke 13:1-9 is one of those passages that makes you pause and think about your own standing in Christ. Its refrain, "Unless you repent you likewise will perish" (see verses 3 and 5), is a serious warning for all of us who claim to be in the center of Christ's will. Like the fig tree in the parable, we learn that it is possible to be in the middle of everything, in the best possible location for productivity, yet still not produce any fruit for the kingdom of God.


On of the challenges we face is that some believers think they can produce, out of their own merits, an artificial "fruit-like" substance that makes it appear as if they are walking in obedience to the mandate of God. They show up in church every Sunday, they are active in choirs or classes, they are deeply expressive and knowledgeable about the word of God, and they might even be quick to volunteer for service activities. But when God checks on them, they are found to be lacking: all leaves, no fruit. They are on the road to being cut down.


Scripture informs us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). When the Spirit is present, when He dwells in us, His fruit is manifested. The soul who lives in anger, impatience, recklessness, and selfishness is not demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit.


Pastor Richie said it well: there is no fake fruit, and there is no "almost" fruit. God is the caretaker in the garden of our lives: He knows what He has poured into us, and He knows what we are releasing into the world. My friends, I pray that each of us who claim to know Him will be found living for Him, looking like Him, and loving through Him.

Freed To Feed.

As we continue our reflections on this past Sunday's sermon, let's take some time today to think about the value of bearing fruit (Luke 13:1-9). Pastor Richie shared some key points with us:

Fruit is undeniable evidence. It is a manifestation, a proof, that something has occurred. A change has taken place, and the tree has been transferred from barrenness to life.

Fruit is always a verifier. If you aren't sure what sort of a "tree" you're dealing with, just wait a few months: the fruit it bears will speak and not lie.

Fruit is never "for" the tree. Do farmers plow pureed fruit into the soil to feed their trees? No, the tree's fruit is designed to be given away to those "other than" itself.

Our mission is to show the world that God has transformed us by His Spirit.
Our mission is to be living demonstrations of the truth and power of God.
Our mission is to give ourselves away, sharing the gospel of Jesus with those who are unlike ourselves.


The fig tree without figs is a picture of pure selfishness: taking up space and energy, but offering nothing in return. And God has warned us that there is no place in His kingdom for those who are unproductive.


So, what are you doing? Are you producing fruit, or just pretty leaves?

"Fig"-ure Of Speech.

"Sir, the man replied, leave it alone for one more year..." (Luke 13:8)

In this past Sunday's sermon Pastor Richie made some insightful comments about the parable of the fig tree in Luke 13. Here are a few thoughts for us to reflect upon today:

• Why would a fig tree be planted in a vineyard?

Pastor Richie shared that the vineyard, with its propensity for round-the-clock supervision and care, would be the ideal place for the fig tree to be planted, cared for, and observed.

• There is a difference between growth and productivity.

The fig tree, in its specially chosen location, had an abundance of leaves, but no fruit. We learn in Luke 13:7 that the tree was taking up space and using up soil, but giving nothing in return.

• Not uprooted, but cut down.

The tree, if it did not produce fruit, was to be cut down. Pastor Richie noted that there is a difference between being cut down, in which there is an evidence of the tree having once existed, versus being uprooted where there is no trace of the tree having once flourished there. As he shared on Sunday, sometimes we are mistakenly believing that we are displaying a trunk, branches, and leaves, while those around us recognize that there is nothing left but a stump.

Where are you today? Are you bearing fruit that is useful to the kingdom of God? Or are you displaying lush leaves with no fruit to be found anywhere? Or have you been outside of God's will for so long that He has already cut you down, but you don't even realize it?

Lord, help us to obey You, to produce lasting fruit, to benefit Your kingdom.

Grace, Period.

This week we'll reflect on this past Sunday's sermon, in which Pastor Richie spoke on Luke 13:1-9.

I think it might be good for us to begin at the end. Pastor Richie did not give his sermon title until the sermon was nearly over, and it was a title that reminded us of the prophetic warnings we have heard from both home and guest preachers: "One More Chance To Live".

There is something to be said for the mercy and grace of God, the One who has chosen to be patient with us and allow us extended periods of time for confession of sin, repentance from works that lead to death, and continued growth and development in our faith journey. God has been more gracious to us than we could ever deserve. I hope we all know that.

But, in this experience of grace, there is the warning of judgement to come. The grace of God is here so that we might heed His word and fall in line with His mandates concerning our life. The grace of God is here in super-sized measure, because the day will soon come when it's too late to change. We've reflected on the significance of Noah's ark in previous blogs, and it bears repeating: when God closes the door, it's all over. And God leaves the door open as long as possible, wooing us to come into His safety before the "rains and floods", the punishment for our sins, comes to pass.

Let's take Pastor Richie's question seriously: How long should God have to wait for you to obey Him?

Ceding Cornwall, Part Two: Deliverance From Reputation.

Friends, by now you will have noticed that I always refer to pastors and speakers by their first name (or nickname) when I'm blogging. I think there is some relief, some peace, in the presence of informality. Additionally, I really don't want to have one set of blogging rules for pastors who are my friends and a different set of rules for pastors who are visitors.

I blog on a first-name basis because when I give up my family name, I give up the rights and privileges and associations that come with it. I'm just Genise. There is no reason for you to care about who I belong to or what "great" things my family is known for. My hope is that you will love me because of the love of Christ Jesus working in and through you. My hope is that you'll hear me and read my work not because of personal or denominational connections, but because the Lord is gracing us with His presence.

In Philippians 3, as well as in Acts 26, Paul reminds us of his past: I had a great reputation. You all know how I grew up. Ah, but then Christ appeared! And in Christ's appearing to Paul on the road to Damascus, an amazing thing happened: nothing else mattered. Dr. Kirkpatrick used the term "tectonic shift": the power of Jesus appears, transforms us, and liberates us. And we are never the same. We can't go back to what we used to be. The fame, the accolades, the attention... it's all worthless. It can't compare to the joy of abiding in Christ.

Friends, are you abiding in Christ? If you are, then don't worry about people knowing your name. In fact, let's pray that they forget your name, and that only Jesus will shine forth in their hearts. People of great reputation carry the risk of being turned into idols, and as was shared in a sermon some months ago (and, ironically, I have to call a name because I'm quoting Pastor Sam directly), "God has a way of making competing idols fall on their faces" (see First Samuel 5).

Jesus made Himself of no reputation (see Philippians 2:7). What about you?

3 Days To Pray: An Urgent Prayer Request For Our State

(This blog post will be up for three days: May 20, 21, and 22. Part Two of "Ceding Cornwall" will post on Saturday.)

Friends, the Lord has really impressed upon me the need for us in the body of Christ to fast and pray against New York Governor David Patterson's intent to allow same-sex couples to marry in New York State.

Governor Patterson has already stated that New York State agencies must recognize same-sex marriages that were performed in other states where such unions are legal. Just last week the New York State Assembly passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, and that is the same bill that is currently being addressed by the State Senate. In previous years the New York State Senate has never had enough votes to pass same-sex union bills, but the Governor is being very aggressive in his efforts to pass this bill through the State Senate before they leave for summer break.

Please pray that God will show mercy to our State, and that He will intervene and prevent this bill from becoming law. If you are also able to fast, please fast from at least one of your meals each day over the next three days (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday). If you have the strength, remain in prayer over these remaining six weeks before the close of the 2009 legislative session. As we learned in our Back to Basics classes, God allows us this privilege of participating with Him: our prayers do make a difference in the events of the world. Please pray.

-Genise

Ceding Cornwall, Part One: Deliverance from School Spirit.

This Sunday's sermon was taken from Philippians 3, and our guest speaker (Dr. Kirkpatrick Coholl, Lenox Road Baptist Church) spent some time looking at the life of Paul: his cultural heritage, his education, his call to ministry, and his understanding that to embrace Christ meant that he must consider his cultural heritage and his educational accomplishments to be worthless.

What irony, to preach such a sermon in the face of a band of men whose affiliation is not Christ, but Cornwall College. I will even go out on a limb and say that if Pastor Sam had not attended that high school, his former classmates probably would not have been in our church this past Sunday.

Please hear me out, and don't send me hate mail- you know I love Pastor Sam and any friend of his is a friend of mine, just as we who are in Christ are all siblings in the kingdom of God. I'm simply making the observation that, in light of Paul's letter to the Philippians, we all have some soul-searching to do concerning the supramundane power known as "school spirit". (That's a task for all of us, even those of us who never attended school, because of the way we act and respond when certain institutions are being discussed.)

I've gotten to the point where I can't stand telling people what school I'm in. I've experienced that when they find out, they treat me differently. It smacks of favoritism, elitism, all those "isms" that create division and stratification. I dread the prospect of ever having to preach in my doctoral robe, and am in fact praying that Tina Scott remains alive and healthy so that, when that day comes, she can make me a nice clergy robe that can't be tracked to any particular educational institution.

What is the prize? Education is not the prize! Cultural heritage is not the prize! Talk to us, Paul: "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things" (Philippians 3: 7,8). In the glorious light of God, even the greatest learnings "at the feet of Gamaliel" are nothing (see Acts 5 and Acts 22).

Cornwall, you are nothing in the face of Jesus.
KC, you are worthless in the face of Jesus.
Ivy League, you are a complete loss in the face of Jesus.

At the end of the sermon Dr. Kirkpatrick left us with an amazing thought: Jesus frees us to give up our contacts.

Friends, are you ready to give up your academic connections for the sake of knowing Christ?

One. Ordinal. Ordinand.

Today we'll close out our thoughts on Pastor Benji's sermon.

In ecclesiastical language, "ordinal" is a book of instructions for conducting services, or a book of the forms used for the ordination of ministers.

In secular language, "ordinal" refers to order, rank, or position.

Before the fall, Adam and Eve were both number one on the earth.
After the fall, Adam was number one and Eve was number two.

Well, let's fast-forward to 2009 and ask ourselves some questions:

How do I respond to the authorities God has placed over me?
How do I respond to God's authority?
How do I treat God's book of instructions? Am I reading it? Am I living it?

In our fallen state, let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (see Hebrews 12:2).
In our fallen state, let us recognize that God is in heaven, and we are on earth: we can trust Him because He is in the highest position (see Ecclesiastes 5:2).

One day, we will reign with Him.
Today, we wait patiently and joyfully.

New Game. New Rules. New Jerusalem.

Let's continue our reflections on Pastor Benji's sermon.

After the fall, Eve was served three judgements for her role in disobeying God's command:

Physical- she would experience pain in childbirth;
Psychological- she would experience desire and longing for her husband;
Political/Social- she would experience being demoted from her position of shared leadership.

We have a gracious God, and He is able to fully restore all the things that were lost in the fall. We are promised an eternity with Christ, and His word speaks of heaven- the place where there is no pain, the place where we have no other longings because Christ Himself is our sustenance, the place where there is no "battle of the sexes" because we have all become one in Christ (see Revelation 21:3-7).

Oh Lord, how we long for that day! We hear You say, "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:12).

Yes, we wait in faith. And we work honestly. And we walk in the way that pleases You.
Yes. We will see You soon.

Before The Fall...

• the creation of man in the image of God
• shared leadership/rulership
• responsible stewardship
• divine blessing
• abundant resources
• relational harmony

WOW, that could preach all by itself. Let's pause here and think about these amazing gifts God gave, knowing that we would turn from Him... Oh, how we love You God!

Banished. Burdened. Bereaved. Blessed.

One of the salient, encouraging points from this past Sunday's sermon was that of the amazing grace of God. Pastor Benji shared with us that, in spite of the losses and sufferings Eve experienced, she still credited God for bringing joy to her heart once again: "God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him" (Genesis 4:25).

In the face of having one son murdered and one son an exiled murderer, Eve received the gracious gift of a third son to be in the household. We don't have too many direct quotes from Eve in scripture, but this we do have: her testimony of God's role in the children she bore. The beginning of Genesis 4 has the same testimony as its end. Eve says, "With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man" (Genesis 4:1).

Eve. Banished from the garden, burdened by the curse of pain in childbirth, bereaved of two sons, yet still able to praise God for one blessing: the life of the third son Seth. We often comment on Eve having been deceived by the serpent, but this past Sunday we were reminded of her more noble characteristic: she gave God the praise that was due to Him.

Friends, in spite your sorrow over what was lost, I hope you'll find a way to praise God for what you've gained.

Closed For Inventory.

Pastor Benji spoke on Genesis 2 this past Sunday, and we'll begin this week's blogs considering some thoughts from the sermon.

It is God's presence that sustains us. God is our provider, healer, and friend.

But God is also our judge. In the early chapters of Genesis we see how He responds to the disobedience (and subsequent excuse)s of Adam, Eve, and their firstborn son Cain.

Sometimes, in the midst of abundant provision, wholeness, and love, we live as if God's not watching. We embrace the thing He has told us not to touch. And, when He calls us to Himself, we run and try to hide from the only One who can save us.

What about you? Are you walking with Him, or hiding from His presence?

Attitude Adjustment

"We must live the lifestyle of humility, brokenness, yieldedness, and surrender." -Reverend Julius

Friends,

There are people I pray for constantly, people I pray for regularly, and people I pray for occasionally. Today I want to tell you about someone I had never prayed for. I first met him last year and was taken aback by his hard attitude and overt lack of love for pastors. I did not pray for him in 2008, not even once. You know the old saying about first impressions? This individual made a lousy first impression. He reflected negativity, and I refused to be bothered with him.

But, he is my brother in the Lord. The greatest, most loving thing I can do is pray for him. I believe that as I pray, God intervenes. And, whether through counsel or crisis, God will make His voice heard. Three days ago I added this man to my prayer list. Better late than never! I and my brother are in the same boat: we desperately need Christ to transform us from glory to glory. God, help us all.

Special thanks to Reverend Julius for reminding us of the need for humility, brokenness, yieldedness, and surrender- the attitude adjustment that pays off in untold blessings.

I love you! See you on the blog next Tuesday, Lord willing.

Genise

It's A Wrap.

(with apologies to the "midnight" crew for the late post...)

Here are the blessings from Reverend Julius's sermon, "The Blessings Of Obedience".

1. Mercy & covenant
2. Spiritual & physical prosperity
3. Protection & provision
4. Passing the test of faith
5. Exaltation & removal of the fear of death
6. Grace
7. Learning to suffer
8. Sanctification
9. Cleansing
10. Peace
11. Friendship with God

And here are corresponding Scripture references: I encourage you to take time today to read and reflect on these passages.

Deuteronomy 4:30-31
Joshua 1:7-8
Psalm 37:4
Matthew 6:33
Genesis 7:5
Genesis 22:1-2
Philippians 2:7-8
Romans 1:5-6
Hebrews 5:8-9
Philippians 4:6-7

God bless you, my friends.

Praise God, I'm Having A Crisis!

"At best, we are fragile." -Reverend Julius (first service)

Let's meditate on a few more things from this past Sunday's sermon. These were not officially "sermon points", but they bear repeating.

When God is working, a crisis is created. God has a private agenda, which He may or may not choose to reveal to us. Since we sometimes aren't able to see situations through His eyes, we must make the decision to continue following Him by faith.

The self-contained have no need to pray. An understanding of our total dependence upon God should result in spiritual disciplines that serve to draw us ever nearer to Him. Scriptures such as Psalm 1 and Matthew 6 teach us of the acts of humility and obedience: honoring God by giving, fasting, praying, studying, and meditating in accordance with His word.

When God is in charge, He calls the shots. Reverend Julius reminded us of the example of Noah, a man who walked in obedience to God with amazing results: Noah built something that had never been built before. Noah prepared for rains and floods, something that had never been seen before. And Noah did not attempt to counter or modify anything that God said.

What about us? Are we allowing God to call the shots? Are we aware of our dire need to exercise the discipline of prayer? Are we able to step back, take a deep breath, and see the hand of God in the midst of our crisis?

Yes, God, I see You.

Stand Clear of the Closing Door, Please.

The latest installment of the "Ananias and Sapphira" warning has come to us from our guest speaker this past Sunday. In the first service Reverend Julius told us of a Christian who sought the Lord concerning a matter, and received a clear response from the Lord. But, rather than obeying God, the man sought counsel from a member of the prophetic community in his area. The person he asked gave him the same response as God had.

The man chose to do his own thing anyway. Three months later, he was dead.

It's pretty easy to rationalize this story into insignificance. You can say everybody dies, you can say the timing of his death was coincidental... but I think we should keep in mind that this story is just one of several indicators sent to us by God. Speakers from Barbados, Jamaica, Kansas, California, Washington D.C., along with our beloved pastoral staff here in the Bronx, each under the weight of God's pressing, have in essence said the same thing: Time is running out. Get your act together. Obey God and stop seeking to gratify your sinful nature.

We have grown accustomed to experiencing the mercy of God, and perhaps some of us have interpreted that mercy as license to continue in sin. A quick read of Romans will refute that assumption (see Romans 6:1,2).

We have grown accustomed to experiencing success in the operation of our spiritual gifts, and perhaps we have made the mistake of thinking that the success is an indicator of "good standing" with God. But the Bible reveals cases where men and women spoke God's truth and demonstrated His power, but at the same time their lives were in opposition to His desire for them. Remember Samson?

Friends, a line has been drawn in the sand.

The "Amen" Corner.

On Sunday our guest speaker, Reverend Julius, spoke on "The Blessings of Obedience". Today we'll reflect on a few points from the beginning of his sermon.

God will not force us... He has given each of us free will, and it is our choice whether we obey Him or not.

God will not forsake us... He does not walk away from His creation. However, if we choose to remain in disobedience to Him, if we walk away from Him, then we have consigned ourselves to the punishment that awaits those who walk contrary to the mandate of God (see Revelation 21:8).

God will not forget us... He is known to keep His covenants. As we heard on Sunday with the example of Noah, God sees our situation and will step in to provide a place of safety, security, and rescue.

What has your response been when God asks you to do something?

The Domine Effect.

Let's end this week with a few more notes from Pastor Sam's sermon, "Preparation For Pentecost... And Beyond".

-We experience the presence and power of God every day. As all creation worships Him, we are made conscious of His activity in the earth. However, there are occasions when He reveals Himself in ways that have an effect on the human community, creating what Pastor Sam termed "a colony of heaven": that is, we experience God's grace in such a way that our lives are transformed, and we also become "change agents" who are able to bring transformative change to others in the community.

-The Pentecost experience of enduement with power by the Holy Spirit gave the disciples of Jesus a boldness to obey God even in the face of death, and also gave them "beyond belief" actions that were clear manifestations of God's power at work in and through them. This experience of Pentecost was not random, but was "tediously prepared" by Jesus who made His disciples the custodians and the conveyors of the Pentecost experience.

-The Holy Spirit has given each of us gifts individually, but there is also the concept of "corporate giftedness", where change is effected by the act of an entire community of believers operating their spiritual gifts in humility and meekness and love.

-The spiritual gifts we have received are not a right; they are a privilege. If we choose to continually say no to God's promptings, He will bypass us and use someone else to get His work done. Remember the warning of Judas, who abandoned his apostleship and embraced arrogance and apostasy.

WOW! God is so amazing! My friends, I hope you have been blessed this week as we've reflected on this past Sunday's sermon. Lord willing, I'll be back with new blogs starting next Tuesday.

Love,
Genise

Judas Rising, Part III: From Apostle To Apostate

"And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place" (Acts 1:24-25, italics mine).

"For he (Judas Iscariot) was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry" (Acts 1:17).


Well, in the mouth of two or three witnesses everything is established.

We've already had two blogs concerning Judas: "Judas Rising: Indignation and Insurrection" (February 27, 2009), followed by "Judas Rising, The Sequel: Messiah in One Hand, Mammon in the Other" (April 8, 2009). I thought we were finished with the Judas thing. Guess what? I was so wrong. Judas resurfaced at the end of Pastor Sam's sermon this past Sunday, and there is no doubt that God is warning us!

You can't see me while I'm typing this, but there are occasions when I just have to stop and cover my mouth with my hand because of the shocking implications of revealed Scripture. This Judas Iscariot, this betrayer, is described by Peter. Peter, what's that you say?

Peter said that Judas was an apostle. Peter said that Judas had a ministry.

Judas, you healer, you preacher, you chief financial officer! Judas, you with the curious gift-mix that would have made you the darling of the postmodern church age! Judas, you thief and conspirator! You who operated in the gifts God gave you, then turned around to look for opportunity to betray the one and only Beloved Son!

Friends, let's heed this warning: a man who was a full participant in the work of Christ lost his place in the Kingdom of God because of his own desire for power and position.

God help us all to live for Him only, so that we might avoid falling into error.