Who Threw That Glove?

I own a small (very small!) collection of scripture memorization cassettes. At the time I bought them (back in the 1980s), the "praise and worship" music genre was still relatively new and radical, and some brave composers turned dozens of Bible verses into catchy choruses in order to facilitate the memorization process. But time marched on, the "new" became the "archaic", and my cassettes were relegated to a shrine-like clear plastic box, occasionally taken out for the sake of nostalgia.

On a recent road trip, I pulled those cassettes from the shrine so that I and my husband could listen to them as we traveled. This time, though, my nostalgia was interrupted with two questions from the Spirit of God: "Why did you stop memorizing My word? Why not start memorizing it again?"

As much as I want to say "I don't know", I do know the answer to the first question. I stopped memorizing because no one was challenging me to memorize, and I didn't have enough passion to engage the process outside of a dare.

The second question has brought me to a kairos moment. God has painted me into a corner. I cannot think of any reason why I should not re-embrace the work of hiding God's Word in my head. My prayer is that as I memorize and meditate on these timeless truths, His Word might miraculously be transferred from my head to my heart.

Perhaps the Lord has also asked you to draw closer to Him in some fashion: Scripture memorization, prayer, silent retreat, increased giving, community service, or some other form of devotion. If He has, I hope that your answer to Him will always be a quick, joyful, authentic yes.

Lord, give us the grace to be and do as You direct.

Mission Of Mercy.

Pastor Althea noted, perhaps prophetically, that the criticism poured against Jesus often originated from the community members deemed most wise and holy: the Pharisees. In Matthew 9:13, Jesus gave them a directive: Those of you who teach and lead others, guess what? Your hard work is falling flat; you have chosen to ignore the very ones who God wants you to rescue. Go back to study hall and reflect on what it means to be merciful.

Has the twenty-first century church, awash in technology, education, and performance, forgotten the value of mercy over sacrifice? Are we willing to go back to study hall and learn?

Matthew was doing a necessary work. Taxes had to be collected, and there had to be tax collectors who knew the language and culture of the people. But when Jesus passed by his desk, Matthew left the tax collection business in favor of the Jesus business.

On next Saturday, Reverend Linda Braaten will be at Bronx Bethany to share with us in fellowship and ministry. Here is a quote from her concerning her ministry:

"God confirmed His call on my life to Africa only after I resigned from my position as executive director of the charitable organization serving the victims of Chernobyl in Belarus to simply sit at the feet of Jesus."

Pastor Linda was doing a necessary work... a sacrificial work... and Jesus passed by her desk. She followed Him.

Where are you on the mercy-sacrifice continuum?

Oh, I Need Thee!

"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance." (Matthew 9:13)

During this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Althea shared with us that there is a danger in thinking that our years of faith in Christ are sufficient reason for us not to need Him anymore. She said (and I paraphrase), if we think we're okay "on our own", then there's no room left for Jesus to do anything for us.

Our Lord says, "I have not come to call the righteous." Those who have declared themselves healthy have declared themselves exempt from experiencing God's power. Where does healing begin? It begins with the evidence and admission of need: a need that can only be supplied by God Himself.

God is eternally here. Let us draw near to Him, with all sorts of prayers, for all sorts of healing.

Check, Please!

"But when Jesus heard this, He said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.'" (Matthew 9:12)

It is interesting to note that, although the Pharisees addressed their inquiry to the disciples of Christ (in Matthew 9:11), it was not the disciples who responded. Christ Himself stepped in to speak on behalf of His followers.

We who live life in the community of faith are so blessed! We have been called to follow Jesus, and we have answered the call. We have traded out our traditional employ and have submitted ourselves to the Lord, and as a result we have this privilege of being protected and defended by Him. There is no longer any need for us to defend ourselves: our Defender knows best what to say in any and every situation.

Lord God, place a guard on my lips that You might be free to speak.

Induction. Period.

"The Pharisees noticed this and they inquired of Jesus's disciples, 'Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?'" (Matthew 9:11)

About twenty years ago I was at a church as a guest concert participant. Before the program started, I ran into an old friend. We greeted each other with a hug, did a little catching up, then parted ways. An audience member then urged me to come over to where she was sitting. She said, "You should not be so close to that person, he is not well. He is very sick." I knelt down so that I could look her in the eye, and I said, "I know he is sick. And I also believe that God has the power to heal him. Do you believe that?" As I walked away, I suddenly realized that her first statement was an indication that, whether she believed or not, she was not in a healing mindset: she was in an isolationist mindset.

In titling her sermon "Outsiders", Pastor Althea captured the crisis of the church. She reminded us that we who are now "in" were once out, but at some point we were touched by the grace and power of Christ. We were converted, healed, and delivered. But, sometimes, we forget our past. We carry on our love-fest with Jesus without concern for the lost souls who need Him as desperately as we do. Such is the epitome of hoarding: denying the Balm of Gilead to the sin-sick soul.

The Pharisaical indictment rings as loudly now as it did in Matthew 9:11: Why associate with outsiders? The answer? It is what our Teacher did for us. None of us were born into the kingdom of God by our physical birth or pedigree. Someone reached out to us. We were offered a chance at spiritual birth, and we said yes to Jesus. Amen! Let us make room for countless others to hear the gospel and to have opportunity to respond to the call of Christ.

Is there any person on the planet undeserving of the opportunity to be introduced to our Lord Jesus?

Intentional Invitation.

"As Jesus was having a meal in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners arrived and began eating with Jesus and His disciples." (Matthew 9:10)

During this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Althea made a salient point (paraphrased here): There is no real accolade in self-boasts of being a Christian forty years, when in deed one is still conducting their spiritual life as if they are a selfish infant. Conversely, there are those in the community of faith who have only been Christians a short period of time, but who are faithful, evangelism-minded, and maturing rapidly.

We see the latter in the life of Matthew. Canon asserts that he, at some point after his conversion and call, invited Jesus to dinner. It seems that Matthew was intentional in including other tax collectors and persons deemed sinners by the local community. According to Matthew 9:10, "many" of these people came to the home for food and fellowship.

What does it mean to be called by Jesus? There is the aspect of leaving where we are in order to follow where He leads (discussed in yesterday's post). There is also the aspect of not keeping good news to ourselves, but being open and eager to include as many persons as possible. The Christian faith is grounded in community. Matthew understood this.

One drawback of the hymnody and lyricism of the past two hundred years is that it has reinforced focus on the Christian walk as individual experience, yet not as much focused on individual salvation as a gateway to salvation for families and communities. God so loved the world. Let us heed the example of Matthew, who bore the cost of feeding the "many" so that they, too, could access the saving presence of Jesus.

Lord God, help us to understand that You take interest in the souls of the lost. Give us grace to introduce them to You, by whatever means You allow.

The Apex Of Employ.

In yesterday's sermon, Pastor Althea spoke from Matthew 9:9-13. Today, let's reflect on the first verse in the passage.

"As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector's booth; and He said to him, 'Follow Me!' And Matthew got up and followed Him." (Matthew 9:9)

Our Lord has the right to interrupt our workday. Jesus did not wait until Matthew was on a break from the tax collection booth; He addressed Matthew as he was seated in his workplace- a place despised by ancient Jews because taxes were collected in service to Rome. There are instances when Jesus chooses to call followers not from the staid, secure community of faith, but from the arenas assumed least likely to produce viable candidates. Matthew, you are sitting in the place of sell-out, but I know your heart. You are worth calling.

Our Lord has the right to intercept our career track. Even as I type this I know that some readers will have a problem with this point, but here is the truth: Our brilliance at a particular task or skill is not sufficient proof that God wants us to spend a lifetime in that task. Take a look at Bronx Bethany's pastoral staff: lawyer, teacher, scientist, business professional, et cetera, all called by God to leave their secure/well-paid/academically appropriate employment in order to proclaim the word of God full-time.

We have to respond immediately to the call. Matthew, according to Scripture, responded to the Lord by getting up from his place of employ and leaving it to follow Christ. There is nothing in the canon that suggests there was a discussion, nor a gap in time, nor hesitation, nor regret. Matthew, by his actions, indicated to Jesus that the answer to the call was yes. Yes, Lord, You have called me and I will walk with You, right now.

The interesting thing about the call of Christ is that the one called is free to say yes or no. Sadly, not everyone was like Matthew. Some, like the rich young ruler, walked away from the call of Christ. Others responded to His call with requests to delay following.

Fast-forward to 2013. Jesus has stopped by your desk, and mine, with a two-word request: "Follow Me." I told Him yes. What is your response?

A Prism Of "Ism"s.

A blessed Saturday to my readers who remain in the faith! Here are a few "Pastor Joy-isms" for today (paraphrased from this past Sunday's sermon). May her words- which flow from the word of God- be a source of reflection, contemplation, and assurance for you.

• God caused unlearned men to become linguists.
• Are we broken over our brokenness?
• The first public appearance of the apostles started a Christ Revolution.
• Reluctance to take risks is replaced with reliance on God.
• Victory is assured when we remain in Christ.

Beyond The Sing-Sway-Shout.

As we wrap up our reflections on Pastor Joy's sermon, let's take away an alliterative reminder of "Prerequisites for the Power of Pentecost":

• The disciples were penitent. They were sorry for their own sins, they understood the painful but prophetic role that Judas played, and they procured his replacement in obedience to Scripture.
• The disciples were positioned. They took measures to be on one accord, resting in holy interpersonal relationships, and they remained unified in prayer and purpose as they waited for the promise of the Father.
• The disciples went public. After they were filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples immediately began a ministry of preaching, healing, and speaking the truths of Christ to everyone from pauvres to sociopolitical powers.

Who embraces Pentecost? Ordinary people walking in obedience to our extraordinary God. May we be found in their company.

The Look Of Acts: Is It Seen In You?

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Joy noted an important evidence of the power of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life. She said: “When the Holy Spirit is in control, we are moved from cowering and complaining to conquering.”

We see this in the life of the disciples. Prior to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they were found bickering over position (see Mark 9:33; Luke 9:46) and hiding in fear of man (see John 20:19). In contrast, the apostolic experience in Acts was marked by fearless, victorious action (see Acts 4:13).

Scripture exhorts us to live in the same way.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Then you will be pure and innocent children of God. You live among people who are crooked and evil, but you must not do anything that they can say is wrong. Shine as lights among the people of the world.” (Philippians 2:14-15)

“In everything we are more than conquerors through Christ, who loves us.” (Romans 8:37)

Lord Jesus, give us the grace of Your Spirit, so that we might walk unencumbered and unafraid. We anticipate victories this day because of Your work in us and through us.

Accord That Cannot Be Broken.

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Joy noted that the people who were waiting for the Father’s promised Spirit were “in one accord” (see Acts 1:14). Their oneness in spirit and purpose was necessary before the Holy Spirit came.

What were the evidences of the oneness of the community? Our pastor used the examples of stewardship of self and of personal relationships.

Stewardship of self. God sends His people as gifts to to the world. Our love for ourselves, if solid, will facilitate our love for our neighbors.

Stewardship of interpersonal relationships. The Acts 1 passage indicates that the gathered community was on one accord. There was no indication of  hidden agendas, posturing for position, or disagreement over the process by which they would wait.

The disciples had been through extreme crisis. They saw their Lord Jesus falsely accused and crucified, they experienced the shock of His resurrection, and they experienced the emotion of watching Him ascend to heaven and leaving them to wait for the Holy Spirit. But, in spite of their personal emotional upheavals, they chose to band together in agreement. They understood that Jesus’s word to them was true, and they followed through on His word by endeavoring to remain in oneness of spirit.

What about us?

Pastor Joy shared that if we are struggling while we are waiting, or if we are in strife-filled and fractured relationships, then there will be an absence of the spirit of unity which is necessary for the Holy Spirit to dwell in and among us.

Today is a good day for us to do a self-check concerning our relationships. “As much as it is up to you, be in peace-filled relationships with everyone you know.” (see Romans 12:18)

Amen. Lord God, we long to live in unity with Your people. Give us grace, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, to be and become a community on one accord.

Power Trip.

In her “introduction to the sermon introduction”, Pastor Joy shared a wonderful statement concerning the power of God:  No iPhone or iPad alarm woke us up this morning. The I Am woke us up.

As we contemplate Pentecost, we must be in a position to acknowledge that, as Psalm 62:11 says, “power belongs to God.” This is what God has said concerning Himself. And Jesus said to His beloved disciples, Wait for the Father to give you the Holy Spirit…the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power (see Acts 1:4 and 1:8).

Our pastor noted that Pentecost, for Christians, is an evidence of unstoppable, God-led, God-infused power. It was God who empowered unlearned men to become linguists. It is God who empowers us to become what we were not. Why? Not for us to show off “our skills” for our own glory (because in fact these are not “our skills” if it took a miracle of God to set them in motion), but for us to speak of His wonderful works in order that others might be drawn in to His glorious kingdom.

Today is a good day to thank the Lord for His promise of power, the glory of His kingdom, and the privilege of participation in His Divine work.

Lord God, thank You! Continue to awaken us, by Your power, to Your power.

Acts, Naturally!

As yesterday was Pentecost Sunday, several churches took time to reflect on various passages in the book of Acts. Here at Bronx Bethany, Pastor Joy spoke on Acts chapter 2, verses 1 through 13.

For today, let us re-visit the Scripture passage with the following questions in mind:

• Am I willing to wait, patiently and prayerfully, until God delivers on His promise to me?
• Between the Resurrection and the Ascension Jesus was seen by several hundred people, but on the day of Pentecost (according to Acts 1:15) there were approximately 120 persons waiting for the promised Holy Spirit. Why do you think there were so few witnesses waiting for Him?
• The passage tells us that those who received the Holy Spirit were able to declare the wonderful works of God in languages they had never previously studied. Do you have a testimony of God’s Spirit equipping you to say (or do) things that you, on your own, did not have the knowledge to say (or capacity to do)?

Acts 1:1-13 (NET Bible)

Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a violent wind blowing came from heaven and filled the entire house where they were sitting. And tongues spreading out like a fire appeared to them and came to rest on each one of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven residing in Jerusalem. When this sound occurred, a crowd gathered and was in confusion, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 

Completely baffled, they said, “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that each one of us hears them in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and the province of Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs – we hear them speaking in our own languages about the great deeds God has done!” All were astounded and greatly confused, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others jeered at the speakers, saying, “They are drunk on new wine!”

"Rich" Memory.

As we close out our reflections on this past Sunday's sermon, let's take a few moments today to remember a few of the things Pastor Richie shared with us.

• In Ephesians 5:1-20, we are encouraged to "live wise lives".
• Proverbs 31:1-9: King Lemuel's mother could exhort him to godliness because she was a godly woman. We cannot tell people to go where we have not been.
• Psalm 90 and Ephesians 5 teach us to make the most of the time we have.
• There is no middle ground: God does not deal with grey areas. Either we are with Him or we aren't.

Lord God, how we thank You for Your word of truth, poured out to us faithfully by the men and women You have called to lead us. Please help Bronx Bethany so that we might always be found in the center of Your will.

Lifestyles Of The Rich And Righteous.

Instead of using a traditional Mother’s Day text, such as Proverbs 31:10-31, Pastor Richie instead focused on a rarely-read Scripture passage: Proverbs 31:1-9.

In that passage, King Lemuel is given advice by his mother. At the heart of her counsel is a caveat that our pastor summarized (paraphrased here): either we can focus on exercising our rights, or we can focus on doing what is right.

In King Lemuel’s time, it was the right of kings to amass wealth and women, to live in excess, and to oppress their subjects. But the mother of King Lemuel had a different ethic, and she passed it on to her son. Although sexual promiscuity and alcohol consumption were present in many king’s palaces, Lemuel’s mother warned him that such behaviors would actually serve to ruin his rule. Specifically, such behaviors would lead the king into a lifestyle of oppression and subjection of the disenfranchised.

Those of us who are authentically Nazarene (not just attending a Nazarene church, but in fact subscribing to its tenets) can say, Well, I don’t drink alcohol, and I’m not a king, so this really doesn’t apply to me. But what other rights are we holding to that, though legally sound, are not ethical? Are we harboring anger and resentment towards others? Are we reluctant to give of ourselves and our substance to the work of the Lord? Have we, especially in these times, chosen to hoard our resources instead of helping those who are in worse situations than we?

What behaviors are we clinging to which, though within our rights, might serve to ruin our testimony?

Lord, help us to relinquish our "rights", so that we might do what is truly right and good.

One Richard. One Pour-er.

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Richie shared (and I paraphrase) an allusion to Second Kings 4:1-7:

God can pour out His Spirit. Do we bring empty jars?

There is no debate as to whether God is capable of releasing His presence and power into a community of faithful believers. He is, and He does, and He shall. Our Lord Jesus has promised the Holy Spirit to us as the Person who would 1) remind us of His word and His will and 2) empower us to do His works.

In that regard, is there such a thing as being “too full” of the Holy Spirit? Can there be too many reminders of the word of God, or too many encouragements to submit to Him, or too much of His power to heal and save lost souls?

Questions to reflect on:

• Why does the Bible call for us to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:15-21)?
• Why does Scripture admonish us to not quench the Holy Spirit (I Thessalonians 5:19)?
• Does your life and lifestyle indicate that you are filled with the Holy Spirit, or that you are filled with selfish ambition (Galatians 5:19-25)?

Like that widow, here we are

With every borrowed empty jar.

Our deep need: Your complete filling.

Our consolation: You are willing.

Rich. Soil. Water. Growth.

“Sometimes we don’t cultivate the environment in which the Spirit can come.” – Pastor Richie

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Richie reminded us that we play a role in the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Our heart thoughts and actions have a direct correlation with our corporate experience of the Spirit of Christ in the midst of us.

Jesus says, “I promise you that God in heaven will allow whatever you allow on earth, but He will not allow anything you don’t allow. I promise that when any two of you on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you. Whenever two or three of you come together in My name, I am there with you.” (Matthew 18:18-20, Contemporary English Version, emphasis mine)

A question for today: When we gather together as a community of faith, are we gathered together in the name of Jesus? It’s a tough question, because often we have a myriad of reasons as to why we’re “showing up.” There is the dreaded phrase, “I have to…” – I have to sing, I have to dance, I have to drop off this package to so-and-so, I have to set up Communion… Are we surprised that when we view corporate gatherings as obligatory exercises, the Holy Spirit of Christ is not experienced in His fullness?

The name of Jesus is a source of salvation, healing, deliverance, and power (see Matthew 1:21; Acts 4:7-10; Mark 16:17-18). In the moments when we gather with no other agenda but the praise and worship of our glorious Savior, an environment/atmosphere is set in which the Spirit of the Lord can be with us. His presence [as our senior pastor (Pastor Sam) shared with us some years ago] is an indicator that He is present to act, working wonders in our midst to the glory of His name.

That's the place where I'd like to be: with His people and in His presence. How about you?

Lord Jesus, forgive us for our treating time in Your house, and time with Your people, as pained obligation instead of privileged honor. Help us to re-frame our understanding of what it means to gather together for corporate worship and prayer.

Glossa Presses Pause: Saying Goodbye To The Gracious Lady.

Dear Readers,

I am sorry to announce the passing of my mom, who died in her sleep very early on May 3rd at the age of 83. Arrangements are:

Funeral:

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Gethsemane Baptist Church

771 Fairmount Place

Bronx, New York 10460

Viewing: 9:00 a.m. and Service: 10:00 a.m.

My mom was a gracious, generous woman whose life poured forth compassion and justice. She was down-to-earth and had a witty sense of humor. She deeply loved the Lord and was a committed instructor of His truths. I and my family miss her, yet we are (at the same time) so happy that she is now in the presence of the Lord she loved... and loves.

Because of my role in working through final arrangements concerning my mom, I have chosen to pause from uploading sermon reflections for a short period of time. While I am away from Glossa Water you are welcome to look at my older posts, which go back as far as 2008. With the Lord's help, I will be back to blogging soon.

Thank you for your prayers.

Love,

Genise

The Oil Is Still Pouring.

This is my concept of the widow in Second Kings 4:1-7: She is an unseen resourceful woman nearing the end of her resources. She is the good steward of the little, remaining diligent while slipping into expiration. Hers is a household abundant in faith, yet in desperate need of God's miraculous presence and power. Her oil cruse is not a new one, but an old container whose oil she has been rationing for a very long time.

May I speak prophetically? She is you. I am she.

We are diligent and careful. But we are nearly empty, and needing to be filled again: not from our own storehouses, but from the supply of our Prophet, Priest, and King.

Holy Spirit of Christ, eternal Supplier, pour Your oil into us.

(Image Copyright 2000, Genise Reid.)

"Cruse"-ing...

One of the points made by Pastor Joy in this past Sunday's sermon was (and I paraphrase), The widow knew something about the prophetic community; she did not ridicule Elisha's instructions.

What was the widow asked to do? A few things that seemed odd:

• She was to acquire jars from all of her neighbors.
• She was to close the door behind herself and her sons.
• She was to pour oil from her small jar into every container she had acquired.

What happened as a result of her doing what was asked of her?

• Her obedience transformed her from a widow buried in debt to a local businesswoman.
• Her obedience saved her sons from slavery.
• Her obedience served as proof that she trusted the counsel of God through Elisha.

Pastor Joy noted, The widow trusted God for a miracle, and she had to do her part. If the widow had not carried out the prophetic instruction, nothing would have happened.

Fast-forward to 2013.

What crisis situation(s) are we facing?
Have we sought the counsel of God through His Word?
Is the Lord asking us to act on behalf of the miracle we need? If so, what has He asked us to do?
Are we obeying His word to us, or are we dismissing His counsel as ridiculous?

Problems As Promptings.

What do we do when a problem arises?

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Joy shared (and I paraphrase): Problems are promptings from the Holy Spirit to pray: they are opportunities to appeal to our God, who does the impossible.

Here is where we find the dividing line between mature and immature Christians. The immature Christian, in the face of crisis, will engage a number of actions before "getting around to" prayer. Persons who claim to be Christian, but who routinely choose to address crisis situations through every means but God, should not be surprised that their crises continue.

Jesus has said that with God, nothing is impossible. There is no better option we hold than to talk to Him, hear Him, and obey Him. He is the Problem-Solver.

Who are you talking to? Who are you listening to? Who are you appealing to?

Land Of A Thousand Sound Bites!

One of the joys of hearing Pastor Joy preach is that there are usually at least a dozen "sound bites" to chew on for the week. So, today, I am happy to share a few quotes, Pastor Joy-isms, from this past Sunday's sermon (Second Kings 4:1-7). May they be a blessing and encouragement as we go through the day.

• "Sometimes the prayer doesn't go through because we don't know the Word." 
• "Position yourself in Word-instructed prayer."
• "We can live on Miracle Avenue."
• "The flow depends on the capacity."
• "The Lord has given us unlimited power to be overcomers."

Amen!

Blessings and Peace,
G.

Alliteration Station.

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Joy shared four things that God does on behalf of His people:

• We experience God's providence.
• We experience God's provision.
• We experience God's protection.
• We experience God's promises.

As I have been reflecting on these glorious gifts we receive from the hand of God, the word that has come to mind is bliss. We experience profound spiritual joy as beneficiaries of the grace of God.

Bliss in the midst of crisis. Some years ago, Don Moen wrote and produced the song "God Will Make A Way". It was a song birthed out of deep pain and sorrow. In modern Christianity we tend to associate the goodness of God with the absence of troubles... but He is good even in our troubles, even in our crises, even in our losses. One of the distinguishing features of the mature Christian is that he is able to rejoice before seeing the manifestation of God's promises, protection, provision, and providence.

In order to experience providence, there must be desire.
In order to experience provision, there must be lack.
In order to experience protection, there must be danger.
In order to experience promise, there must be loss.

During the sermon Pastor Joy noted that, in desperate situations, our inclination is to first go to whom we know best. I pray that, for all of us, God remains our first, best, and sole resource.

May we experience Him today, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves.

Speaking Of Prophetic...

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Joy shared prophetic words at the beginning and at the end of the sermon.

[Now, for those of my readers who are Nazarene and are getting nervous, please relax and remember that the roots of our denomination are firmly planted in the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Prophecy is a promised gift, released to men and women, in order to make plain the word of the Lord to His people. The Bible indicates that, in a community of faith, there are people equipped to exercise this gift in order to build up the body of Christ. They do it under the direction of God, just as my fingers type these words under the direction of my brain.]

Two of the words our pastor shared were (and are):

1) "I want My people to know that nothing is impossible."
2) "The provision has already been made for the breakthrough."

These are prophetic words that we all need to hear. In a world of uncertainty, fear, and loss, our God has never lost His ability to do amazing things.  In an atmosphere of obedience, we trust that God will step in to our situations.

With God, nothing is impossible. There are numerous examples in Scripture of God causing seemingly impossible scenarios to be experienced: the parting of the Red Sea, physical healings, and even the transformation of weights and measures (as we see in Second Kings 4:1-7 and Second Kings 6:1-6). God is free to adjust the laws of nature in order to save and deliver His people.

*Do we believe that these accounts are true?
*Do we believe that our Lord is capable of performing miracles today?

The provision has already been made for the breakthrough. One of my favorite things about the ministry of Jesus is that, from time to time, He would tell His disciples what would happen before it happened. "Go to such-and-such a place and you will find..." (see Matthew 21:2 and 26:18). In other words, "I have already done all that needed to be done. You just go at My word, and You will find what I have done when you reach the place where I am sending you."

*Do we believe that our Lord knows our needs before we ask Him?
*Do we believe that God is able to provide?

Pastor Joy boldly proclaimed the word of the Lord to His people at Bronx Bethany.
I boldly proclaim that I am more mature today, because of that word.

What are you boldly proclaiming?

The Bounds Of Prophetic-Faith Exchange.

Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind  you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” (Second Kings 4:3-4)

Last year I wrote some posts on the concept of prophetic-faith exchange (see The Prophetic-Faith Exchange and Shuna-Might), and in yesterday’s sermon Pastor Joy reminded us of one of the key aspects of prophetic-faith exchange: the working relationship between the prophet and the lay person, without intervention from others.

Elisha said to the widow, “Shut the door behind you and your sons.”

Pastor Joy said to us, “Obedient action is not a spectator sport.”

There are instances in which acts of God, miracles, are executed in private. We see this occurring periodically in the ministry of Jesus (see John 9:1-7; Matthew 9:23-25; Mark 8:22-25). The careful Christian, whether congregant or clergy, will always be listening to hear from the Lord regarding how He wants them to act.

Pastor Joy spoke briefly on the aspect of sensationalism, noting that God has not called His people to be sensational in the process of executing the miraculous. The indictment against the Pharisees was that they demanded to see particular signs from Jesus as “proof” that He was the Messiah (see Matthew 16:1-4), while hardening their hearts to the teachings and miracles occurring right in front of them. Jesus was not obligated to put on a show then, and He is not obligated now.

Here is where we must be very careful. In our weakness, pain, and desperation, we may have longings to see a particular sign from Jesus… sent in the way we choose… sent at the time we desire… sent so that everyone else can see God bless us. I urge you, and myself: Reject those immature longings and live in maturity.

Crave the secret place of God, where amazing things happen just between you and Him.

God does not call us to sensationalism.

Watch Me Walk! (We Won't Be Needing That Boat Anymore.)

Dear Glossa Water Readers,

You can now find me on social media!

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeniseReid
Friend me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GeniseAriaReid

Glossa Water, Lord willing, will continue to be published here on Blogger. There are "UpTweet" and "FacebookShare" buttons at the bottom of the blog page, which you can use to share Glossa Water with others.

Blessings and Peace,
Genise

Where I Am Buoyed (A Love Poem based on Matthew 14:24-29)

WHERE I AM BUOYED

Wild waves,
Choppy current,
Whistling winds.
Is that a ghost?... wait.
I think I know that gait.

How can... is that the Son of Man?
Jesus? Are You near us?

Lord, if it's really You showing up in our struggle,
Then cause me to be a participant in the impossible.
Let me join You in the middle of a miracle.

Yes, Yours is the Voice I know!
You have called. How can I say no?
Now, as all my comrades stay, 
I ditch the boat and walk Your way.
You and me, walking free,
Standing on the raging sea!

Pure safety in my Lover's gaze...
Waves? What waves?

(G.A.R.)

Water-Walker!

During this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Shane made a profound statement about water-walking (paraphrased here): Peter was walking towards Jesus, and Peter was walking with Jesus.

In the sermon we were reminded that we are dependent: dependent on God's grace, dependent on Christ's work, dependent on the Holy Spirit's presence. Pastor Shane used the analogy of a car: without fuel, the car will not function properly. To paraphrase our pastor again, the Holy Spirit fuels us for the journey through life and gives us the ability to stay focused on Christ.

One of the common indictments against the church is that we talk a lot about Jesus, but we don't open ourselves to be influenced by His Spirit in our everyday lives. We try to journey through life on our own... and we fail. To extend the car analogy, our car radios may indeed be blasting Christian music, but our spiritual gas tanks are empty. And, as time progresses, the empty gas tank becomes evident to all. We sink into doubt, despair, idolatry, and debauchery. We speak of Christ not as our intimate Lover, but as an abstract concept. We rail and strain against winds we can neither pinpoint nor control.

In other words, we revert to what we were before we met Jesus: sick individuals filled with the smell of death.

Where is life? It is in authentic prayer, received by our Lord as a fragrant offering (Revelation 5:8). It is in knowing and trusting the word of God (Proverbs 3:5-6). It is in loving Jesus and believing in Him (First John 5:12).

Jesus, Conqueror and Overcomer and Lover, my life is in You. My gaze is fixed on You. You have my full attention and complete adoration, always. In the midst of the winds and waves, I walk towards You and with You. Holy Spirit, help me to stay fixed on Christ, so that I might never revert to what I once was. I ask this in Jesus's name. Amen.

Water? Feet Sure.

The word of God tells us in Philippians 2 that, in coming to earth as our Redeemer, Christ chose to live on earth in human frailty, subjecting Himself to the things we go through (hunger, thirst, temptation, fatigue, et cetera).

In Matthew 14 we see that Jesus, after feeding a multitude, dismissed the disciples and sent them on a boat ride across the sea. He then spent the remainder of that afternoon, evening, and night in an awesome prayer session with His Father. Then Jesus, the 'laid-aside-His-glory' Jesus (see Philippians 2:5-7), took a struggle-free walk on the sea to catch up with His disciples.

Bold, brash, impulsive Simon Peter also engaged in a few moments of water-walking... and, based on Jesus's comment (Matthew 14:31), the implication is that Peter could have walked further had Peter not traded faith for doubt. I wonder what the disciples' boat ride would have been like had they all engaged in hours of sweet, faith-filled communion with God prior to their journey.

What about us in 2013? Pastor Shane mentioned some strategies that are helpful in keeping our minds fixed on the Lord:

• Daily prayer;
• Full devotion;
• Engagement in the word of God (reflection);
• Being fully grounded in Scripture (memorization);
• Engagement in Christian community.

What things might we be capable of doing if our full attention is kept on our Lord... if we are fully obedient... if we are fully engaged in the word and in prayer?

We might become agents of grace... agents of healing... agents of encouragement.
We might become carriers of the miraculous nature of God.

Water feat? Sure.

Winds Against Me. Jesus For Me.

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Shane shared insights from the account of Jesus walking on the water (Matthew 14:22-32). Today, I'd like to remind us of a comment that was shared by Pastor Shane during the sermon, then echoed by Pastor Richie during the altar call. In essence, our pastors pointed out that we Christians sometimes "begin to sink" just as Peter did: while we are in the middle of experiencing a miracle, we make the mistake of taking our eyes off of Jesus. We instead focus on the winds blowing around us. We sink not because our Lord is absent, but because we have directed our attention away from Him.

Oh, do you feel the remorse I feel? I, like Peter, have often turned my eyes from the Savior and looked around, as if my turning and squinting would allow me to see the wind and chart its path. But why should I be concerned about that? What sense does it make to try and analyze the wind? It is far better to fix my gaze on the Christ, whose word rules the winds I hear, and whose word controls the waves He has empowered me to walk upon.

Winds, blow on. Watch me walk.

Just Short Of Fourteen...

Yesterday was the Annual Women's Fellowship Tea (a ministry of First Baptist Church in New York City). We reflected on Romans 8:35-39, a classic passage of encouragement to the persecuted.

God's love for us remains even though we are continually challenged by personal, professional, or other circumstances. God's word to us: "I love you so much! Experience My love for you even in the midst of your great suffering."

It is a hard message because we associate God's loving presence with God's power to act, and we are indeed perplexed as to why He has not brought us out of difficult situations that have dragged on for years. But Scripture shows us that we are not alone. Joseph spent the bulk of his young adult life, about thirteen years, as a slave and prisoner. Sarah went through decades of childlessness in a culture that highly valued children... thirteen of those years in the face of Ishmael.

(Can we wait thirteen years for a breakthrough?)

I am not sure what will happen to any of us in the next thirteen years, but here is the question: Will we continue to be conscious of (and joyful in) God's incredible love for us even if we remain unemployed, suffer more sickness, and continue to bear ridicule from those who think we should be "doing better" given our level of faith and years of faithfulness to the Lord?

My answer? Yes! It's okay! Rejoice in the season of suffering. Our LORD is the King of Love... And He will move in power, when He chooses.

Job's wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Why don't you just curse God so you can die?" But Job replied, "You're talking like a godless woman! Should we only receive the things of God that produce joy, and not also receive the things from God that produce pain?" In all this, Job did not sin by what he said. (see Job 2:9-10)

Freed Speech!

Pastor Richie shared a wonderful “if-then” statement this past Sunday (paraphrased here):

If we are being the light with no duplicity, then we don’t have to speak; God speaks through us.

It is a wonderful thing when we are freed from the sense of personal obligation to “look good” or “sound good” based on our own assessments. If we will simply seek to be good, if we will joyfully embrace and embody the goodness of God, then His Spirit will guide our speech and actions.

“We don’t have the right to claim that we have done anything on our own. God gives us what it takes to do all that we do. He makes us worthy to be servants of His new agreement, this new covenant that comes from the Holy Spirit and not from the written law. After all, the law brings death, but the Spirit brings life.” (Second Corinthians 3:5-6)

Lord, we are interested in Your agenda for the Bronx and the world: help us to keep our agendas out of Your way. May Your glorious light always shine, obliterating our darkness.

Under Weight.

 In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Richie shared with us some points concerning our role/responsibility as carriers of the glory of God:

• We live in a society where people are perishing; our opportunity/obligation is to serve the people of the world, so that they might be saved from the jaws of spiritual death.
• We have an enemy who has blinded people from seeing the glory of God; our assignment/aspiration is to live as consistent reflections of God’s glory, so that the eyes of man might be opened to His lovingkindness.
• We have a ministry to house and illuminate the treasure of God; our privilege/prerogative is to show the world that, in spite of our personal weaknesses, it is possible to walk in the strength and power of the living God.

“God has been kind enough to trust us with this work. That is why we never give up.” (Second Corinthians 4:1)

Lord God, thank You for allowing us to serve as co-laborers with Christ. We will gladly bear the burden of Your glory on us and in us, so that people might be drawn to Your goodness and grace.

Emergency "See" Section.

Between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, I spent about nine hours in the emergency room at a local hospital here in the Bronx.


Left brain: If it's so cool outside, why is my coat open?
Right brain: I'm too warm. By the way, I'm a little off-balance, so I also need to straighten up before I fall down.
Left brain: No! My legs are straight. I'm walking normally, this is how I walk. If I change position I'll fall down.
Right brain: No! That's incorrect. I feel like I'm going to fall... or pass out... Legs and feet, stop walking-- let me just lean on the building here and get my bearings.
Left brain: Hands, button my coat. It's cold. Something's not right here.
Right brain: Something's not right here.
Holy Spirit: Genise, go to the hospital now. I'll go with you.


So He and I went to the hospital, and my husband joined us there. Every test came back negative: the machines said that nothing was wrong with me. But the Holy Spirit spoke through the medical staff and through my dear husband. I was dehydrated. I was stressed out. I was overextended mentally and physically. I was sleep deprived. And, even though my vital signs were well within the bands of normalcy, the Lord was sending a message: The machines say you can go; but I say to you, Stop. Rest. Replenish.

Sometimes things look okay when they are not... and sometimes things look bad, but they are not so bad after all. Pastor Richie shared with us the wonderful verses that speak to our state as believers in a fallen world:

God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts. He gives us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, but we have this treasure in jars of clay. He has done this so that the excellency of the power will be seen and known as God's power, not ours. We are troubled on every side, yet we are not distressed. We are perplexed, but we are not in despair. We are persecuted, but we are not forsaken. We are cast down, but we are not destroyed. In our bodies, we continually carry the dying of our Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will also be made a reality in our bodies. (Second Corinthians 4:6-10)

The Lord is sending a message: The machine of the world says you are in trouble; but I say to you, Peace and Victory. Live in this fallen world through My overcoming power. Let My light shine through you regardless of the hardships that come your way.

A trip to the eye doctor on Wednesday afternoon revealed that my forty-six-year-old eyes have changed quite a bit, and my feelings of being off-balance are partly due to my eyeglasses. The lenses, once "perfect", are now too strong a prescription for the current state of my sight. I am seeing in a new way.

Hallelujah! As children of God, we get to grow up in Him. And, as we get older in the faith, the Lord reveals new perspectives to us. The crucifixion of Jesus might have looked like the end of a movement, but it was actually the key to our freedom and the means by which the Church would be established. The loss of job or loved ones may look like the end of all joys, but the Lord has the power! He can make such events the turning points in our lives that draw us to His side, making us more effective witnesses and agents for His glory to shine in the world.

Lord God, give us new lenses. Cause us to see things Your way.

"Mas" Instruction.

A few years ago, I happened to walk in to a Spanish-language service at Bronx Bethany. The guest speaker spoke no English. And I, who speak very little Spanish, was listening to her pray with no clue as to what she might be saying... but then, she said something that I understood.

"Mas! Mas!" (More! More!)

More. It's a word that shows up every now and again in corporate worship. We sing something like, Lord, we want more of You, less of us, et cetera. Second Corinthians 3:18 says, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." God expects that His children will grow in ever-increasing glory, because growth is a normal part of spiritual development.

This past Sunday, Pastor Richie asked a challenging question. It is worth asking again.

When people watch us over a period of time, do they see that we are growing to look more and more like Jesus?

Somebody's Watching G.

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Richie spoke on Second Corinthians chapters 3 and 4 (with supporting Scriptures from the books of Exodus and First Samuel).

During the sermon, our pastor made the point that the old covenant model is a fading model. The apostle Paul made reference to Moses's experience: the glory of God was seen in Moses's face, but it was not permanent. And, as the glory faded, Moses would cover his face so that the people would not be able to watch the glory disappear (see Second Corinthians 3:13).

Pastor Richie encouraged us to consider our own lives in light of Moses's experience. Spiritually speaking, what does Bronx Bethany's face look like? Do our lives consistently reflect the glory of our great God, or does His glory appear only intermittently?

Lord, as we speak Your word of life to a watching community, cause us to be accurate reflections of Your glory. We ask this in the name of Jesus our Lord and King. Amen.

Old Scar. New Day.

"The day of God's mercy had dawned, and the night was over. Jacob was standing in the promised land, for he had found God and his soul was restored. But, of course, the signs of the night, which remind him of new nights to come, were still there. He limped because of his hip, says the Bible. That means he could not forget his past. It had cost him a great deal to enter the promised land, to receive God's blessing. One doesn't go into God's land without scars..." (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 1932)

It's Right There On The Table.

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Althea reminded us that long before Jesus walked the earth, the prophet Isaiah spoke of His scars.

But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him; and by His wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

It is significant that Isaiah uses the past tense when describing the work of our Lord and Christ: He was wounded, He was crushed, He was punished. The Messiah was the only One uniquely qualified to endure this suffering on behalf of the world, and Isaiah prophetically described the work of Christ as a completed work even though Jesus's birth would not occur for several hundred more years.

Early in Jesus's earthly ministry, He said: "My food is to do the will of God, who sent Me, and to complete His work." (see John 4:34) Jesus understood that He was on the earth as a fulfillment of prophetic statements made by Isaiah and others, and He "endured the cross" (see Hebrews 12:2) so that we might experience healing.

It is also significant that Isaiah uses the present tense when describing the benefit we receive from the work of Christ: we are healed. The healing blood of Jesus reached back to touch Isaiah, and it also reaches forward to touch us. What an encouragement to know that our Lord has presented this opportunity for our healing and deliverance.

The One who was, and is, and is to come, offers Himself for persons who were, and are, and are to come. Will you say yes to His loving offer of healing?

How'd You Get That?

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Althea shared four points about the scars of Jesus.

The scars of Jesus are:

• Evidence of His victory
• Testimony of who He is
• Authentication of His experience
• Signs of His triumph

For those of us who have chosen to accept Jesus as our Lord and King and Master, we can rejoice in His scars. What was our Lord's response to Thomas's doubt? "Look at My scars and believe in Me." (see John 20:27)

Are you also a doubting disciple? Do you have days or moments when you feel like your dreams have been cast to the ground? Jesus says, Nevermind what you feel. I have scars. I carry the proof of ultimate victory in My body. Look and believe.

Peel Off Labels.

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Althea shared with us that scars can become unhealthy when we label them and hold on to them.

We have no reason to focus attention on past pains and injuries when Jesus Christ has come to save and heal us.

The Lord has promised us in Isaiah 43: Yes, you were once bound, but I have done away with your captors. Look! I am doing a new thing. Nevermind the old days; I am helping you now, making roadways in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. I am making your impossible dreams become stark reality. Watch Me do great things for My people. (See Isaiah 43:13-20)

Yesterday I suffered deep injury;

Yesterday I was steeped in iniquity;

Yesterday I was chained in captivity;

Yesterday is a distant memory.

Today, thank God, I am free.

(G.A.R.)

Scar Borough.

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Althea spoke on the subject of scars.

We were encouraged to reflect on the importance of scars as evidence: that is, the scars are proof that, at some point in the past, some injury occurred… and, at some later point in time, the wound healed.

How blessed we are! We serve the Lord God, who has promised us that He is present to heal our wounds. And Bronx Bethany is particularly conscious of this fact as we continue in our year’s theme of Pursuing Holiness, Promoting Healing.

“Why do you cry out over your injury? Your pain is incurable because your iniquity is great and  your sins are numerous: I have done these things to you. But those who devour you will be devoured; those who plunder you will be plundered; those who spoil you I will spoil. I will restore health to you and heal your wounds,” declares the LORD, “because they have called you an outcast, saying, No one cares for Zion!” (Jeremiah 30:15-17)

Thank You, Lord, for caring for spiritual Zion even as we stand wounded and plagued by iniquity. We turn from our sin to pursue a life of holiness, and we open our hearts to receive Your healing. Thank You for transitioning us from wounds to scars.

God's Counsel.

Today, we end our contemplation of God's word concerning marriage, family, and sexual behavior with a look at First Corinthians 6 and 7.

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God. Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. “All things are lawful for me” – but not everything is beneficial. “All things are lawful for me” – but I will not be controlled by anything. “Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food” - but God will do away with both. The body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Now God indeed raised the Lord and He will raise us by His power.

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that anyone who is united with a prostitute is one body with her? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But the one united with the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality! “Every sin a person commits is outside of the body” – but the immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body. 

Now with regard to the issues you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of immoralities, each man should have relations with his own wife and each woman with her own husband. A husband should give to his wife her sexual rights, and likewise a wife to her husband. It is not the wife who has the rights to her own body, but the husband. In the same way, it is not the husband who has the rights to his own body, but the wife. Do not deprive each other, except by mutual agreement for a specified time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then resume your relationship, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

(First Corinthians 6:9 through 7:5, NET Bible)

God's Charge.

Today we continue our reflection on marriage, family, and sexual behavior with a look at Ephesians 5.

Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident.

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – He Himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that He may present the church to Himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of His body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:1-13 and 5:22-33)

God's Constancy.

Today, we continue our contemplation of God’s word concerning marriage, family, and sexual behavior. We began this week with Old Testament Scriptures, and we now transition to the New Testament with a look at Romans chapters 1 and 2.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness, because what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones, and likewise the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed in their passions for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do the things that are improper. They are filled with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice, filled with envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, contrivers of all sorts of evil, disobedient to parents, senseless, covenant-breakers, heartless, ruthless. Although they fully know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.

Therefore you are without excuse, whoever you are, when you judge someone else. For on whatever grounds you judge another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge practice the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment is in accordance with truth against those who practice such things. And do you think, whoever you are, when you judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you have contempt for the wealth of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, and yet do not know that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourselves in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed! He will reward each one according to his works: eternal life to those who by perseverance in good works seek glory and honor and immortality, but wrath and anger to those who live in selfish ambition and do not obey the truth but follow unrighteousness. (Romans 1:18 through 2:8)

God's Command.

As we continue our contemplation of God's word concerning marriage, family, and sexual behavior, let us turn to Leviticus 18.

The Lord spoke to Moses: “Speak to the Israelites and tell them, ‘I am the Lord your God! You must not do the deeds they do in the land of Egypt where you have been living, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan into which I am about to bring you; and you must not walk in their statutes. You must observe My regulations and you must be sure to walk in My statutes. I am the Lord your God and you shall keep My statutes and My regulations; anyone who does so will live by keeping them. I am the Lord. No man is to approach any close relative to have sexual intercourse with her. I am the Lord. You must not expose your father’s nakedness by having sexual intercourse with your mother. She is your mother; you must not have intercourse with her. You must not have sexual intercourse with your father’s wife; she is your father’s nakedness.

“ ‘You must not have sexual intercourse with your sister, whether she is your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she is born in the same household or born outside it, whether you grew up together or not; you must not have sexual intercourse with either of them. You must not expose the nakedness of your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter by having sexual intercourse with them, because they are your own nakedness. You must not have sexual intercourse with the daughter of your father’s wife born of your father; she is your sister. You must not have intercourse with her. You must not have sexual intercourse with your father’s sister; she is your father’s flesh. You must not have sexual intercourse with your mother’s sister, because she is your mother’s flesh. You must not expose the nakedness of your father’s brother; you must not approach his wife to have sexual intercourse with her. She is your aunt. You must not have sexual intercourse with your daughter-in-law; she is your son’s wife. You must not have intercourse with her. You must not have sexual intercourse with your brother’s wife; she is your brother’s nakedness. You must not have sexual intercourse with both a woman and her daughter; you must not take as wife either her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter to have intercourse with them. They are closely related to her – it is lewdness. You must not take a woman in marriage and then while she is still alive marry her sister as a concubine, to have sexual intercourse with her. You must not approach a woman in her menstrual impurity to have sexual intercourse with her. You must not have sexual intercourse with the wife of your fellow citizen to become unclean with her. You must not give any of your children as an offering to Molech, so that you do not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord!

“ ‘You must not have sexual intercourse with a male as one has sexual intercourse with a woman; it is a detestable act. You must not have sexual intercourse with any animal to become defiled with it, and a woman must not stand before an animal to have sexual intercourse with it; it is a perversion. Do not defile yourselves with any of these things, for the nations which I am about to drive out before you have been defiled with all these things. That is why the land has become unclean and I have brought the punishment for its iniquity upon it, so that the land has vomited out its inhabitants. You yourselves must obey My statutes and My regulations and must not do any of these abominations, both the native citizen and the resident foreigner in your midst, for the people who were in the land before you have done all these abominations, and the land has become unclean. So do not make the land vomit you out because you defile it just as it has vomited out the nations that were before you. For if anyone does any of these abominations, the persons who do them will be cut off from the midst of their people. You must obey My charge to not practice any of the abominable statutes that have been done before you, so that you do not defile yourselves by them. I am the Lord your God.’ ”

God's Controversy.

As we continue our contemplation of God's view of marriage, family, and sexual behavior, let us consider Genesis 18 and 19.

The Lord said, "Should I hide My imminent actions from Abraham? After all, Abraham will undoubtedly become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations of the earth will pronounce blessings using his name. I have a special relationship with him; he will command his children and household, and they will keep the command of the Lord by doing what is right, and then the Lord will bring on to Abraham all that He spoke to him." Then the Lord said, "The outcry against Sodom is so great, and their sin is so heavy, that I must go down according to the outcry of their wickedness that has come to Me, to see if it is as blatant as the outcry suggests: if not, I will know." (Genesis 18:17-21)

While Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom, two angels arrived. When Lot saw them he got up to meet them, then bowed his face to the ground. He said, "Here, my lords, please stay at your servant's house for the night, wash your feet, and you can be on your way early in the morning." "No," they replied, "We will spend the night out here in the street." But Lot insisted, so they turned aside with him and entered his house. He prepared a feast for them, including unleavened bread, and they ate. Before they could go to sleep, all the men-- young and old, from every part of the city of Sodom, surrounded the house. They shouted and said to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them!" Lot went outside, shutting the door behind him. He said, "No, my brothers! Don't act wickedly! Look, I have two daughters who have never had sexual relations. Let me bring them out to you and you can do according to what is good in your eyes. Only don't do anything to these men; they have come under the protection of my roof." "Stand back!" they cried in response. "This man is living here as a resident alien, and now he dares to judge us! We will hurt you more than them!" They kept pressing in on Lot, drawing close enough to break down the door. So the angels inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house as they shut the door. Then they struck the men at the door with blindness, from the youngest to the oldest. The men, blinded, wore themselves out trying to find the door. The two angels said to Lot, "Who else do you have here? Do you have a son-in-law, sons, daughters, or any other relatives in the city? Get them out of this place, because we are going to destroy it. The outcry is so great before the Lord that He has sent us to destroy it." (Genesis 19:1-13)

When they had brought the family outside, the angels said, "Run for your lives! Don't gaze behind you and don't stop anywhere in the Jordan Valley! Escape to the mountains or you will be destroyed!" The Lord rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the sky, sent from the Lord from the heavens. The Lord overthrew those cities and the Jordan Valley, including all the inhabitants of the cities and the vegetation of the ground. But Lot's wife turned and looked back with longing; she was turned into a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:17, 19:24-26)

God's Commentary.

In recent days, the United States news media has given much attention to the question of same-sex marriage.

It is important to note that, for Christians, this is not really a debate of what states or nations deem as legal. Our contemplation must be fully grounded in what our God has said about marriage, family, and sexual behavior.

Over the next several blogs I will share Scriptures that cover this topic. Today, let us begin with Genesis 1 and 2.

God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, after our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, cattle, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move upon the earth.” God created human beings in His own image; in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them. God blessed them and God said, “Be fruitful and multiply! Fill the earth and subdue it!” (Genesis 1:26-28a)

The Lord God said, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make him a complementary companion, kÿnegdo (according to the opposite of him).” And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and the man slept. God took part of his side and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the part He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man. Then the man said, “At last, this one is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; of this one it will be said, ‘woman’, for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and unites with his wife, and they become one flesh. (Genesis 2:18, 2:21-24)