Back To The "Draw"-ing Board.

“So seek the face of God, despite what may be happening around us; and engage Him in prayer, because that is what brings breakthrough.” –Rev. Martha Fajardo

Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. (Psalm 50:14-15)

On Sunday, Pastor Martha noted two aspects of the process of prayer:

Seek the face of God. When we seek the face of God, we are acting in obedience to the word of God. It is God who has placed within us the desire to seek Him out. Psalm 27:8 says, “My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, LORD, I will seek.”

Engage Him in prayer. When we pray, our prayers move beyond supplying God with a list of the things we think we need. Our prayers are not monologues, but dialogues. The God we seek is the God who speaks. We have to privilege to petition Him, and we have the privilege of waiting patiently for His response. “I will listen to what God the LORD says.” (Psalm 85:8a)

In the midst of crisis, people are often tempted to withdraw from God and from the community of faith. However, those crisis moments are when we need to draw even nearer to our Lord. Let’s make our relationship with Him our utmost priority.

Have you sought after Him today?

Have you talked with Him today?

Have you listened to Him today?

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Right... From The Start.

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Martha shared in her introduction something we can reflect on today:

2015 is a year in which:

~ we will see God return everything to its rightful place;
~ we will experience the harvest of what we have faithfully sown in years past;
~ we will receive back all that the devil had stolen from us.

If we were to discuss our current challenges, there would be several areas where we would hear of longings for God's intervention: health concerns, family dynamics, employment needs, housing challenges, and the list goes on. For some, the challenges are not external but internal, like having the simple faith to follow God regardless of how we feel or what we see. For all of us, our pastor's word stands as a prophetic encouragement: 2015 is a new season. We have moved from the season of waiting to the season of receiving.

Are we ready to receive?

I have a colleague who carries a negative narrative of God. This person once said the following to me: "God doesn't know what I'm going through. He's forgotten about me." It broke my heart, because this individual is doing well enough financially to even assist another family; has excellent health and the freedom to travel; and is well-respected in the community. This individual believes that God has "forgotten" one prayer that remains unanswered to date, and that one thing has been the focus rather than the many blessings.

Maybe you have one prayer that God hasn't yet answered, and maybe that's keeping you from seeing His incredible love and provision. Today, know that He loves you, and know that He's aware of the years you've been waiting. Trust Him. As our pastor shared on Sunday, we can praise Him now, because we know that He has already heard and responded to the prayers we've prayed. My prayer is that we will move through 2015 positioned to receive. How do we receive? Not by complaining about what we haven't seen God do, but by rejoicing in all that He is.

We love You, Lord God.
You are perfect in all Your ways.
We walk through 2015 praising You for all that You are.
We thank You again for all that You have done.
We are fully assured that You have heard our prayers.
We believe You will allow us to see and know Your response to our requests.
We expect to experience recompense and restitution and return.
We walk through 2015 in light of that expectation.
Yes, Lord, may it be on earth as You have already decreed in heaven.
We ask this in the name of Jesus.
Amen.

Anxiety Has No Place In Me.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Sam shared a comment that I’d like us to reflect on today. He noted that in looking back at his own life experiences, and recalling the many ways in which God has helped him, it would be a shame if he were to approach any future life situations in a spirit of anxiety.

During Sunday’s sermon we were reminded of Daniel chapter 3, in which we have the testimony of three young men. Exiled from their homeland along with other Jews, they had lost all that was familiar to them—that is, everything except their faith. Though their circumstances had a high potential for producing anxiety, these three remained calm. Here is their response to the threat of being burned alive, a situation the world would perceive as one that would produce extreme anxiety:

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)

I wonder if any of us today are being threatened with a modern-day “furnace” situation. In the face of losing our jobs, our homes, or our lives because of our faith in God, what will we do? My prayer is that we will trust in God, and that we will be sustained by His presence, His power, and His peace. My prayer is that anxiety will never find a resting place in me, nor in you.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psalm 46:1-3)

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Forecast: Peace.

Yesterday was an unusually difficult weather day; streets and sidewalks became skating rinks. Here in New York City we had hundreds of car and pedestrian accidents, and at least five confirmed deaths directly related to the rain that froze on contact with the ground.

The Chorale, too, was having a rough day. Our choir arrived at church well before the rain began to fall, but within its ranks were individuals and families struggling with storms of illness and hospitalizations.

But through the challenges, God spoke to our congregation. One choir member shared a testimony on God's faithfulness in the face of trials, and another shared a prophetic word on the importance of praising God even while in the midst of physical pain. Though we did not realize it at the time, God used these words as a "preview" of the word that was to come.

God graciously allowed Pastor Sam to arrive at church safely, and his message was from Philippians 4:4-7-- a reminder for some, a new word for others-- and we were encouraged to appropriate the grace of God that brings us the peace of God.

Before we begin our reflections this week, let's spend today reading the Scripture passage. [Pastor Sam has encouraged us to memorize these verses, as they are useful for us to have planted in us for those moments when we are in the midst of trials.]

Lord God, thank You for Your gift of peace in the midst of storms!

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

New Narrative. New Name.

Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:3-5)

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Richard made a point that I’d like us to reflect on today. He noted that, in changing the name Abram to Abraham, God indicated that this man of faith was to be a father of many nations. However, the name change occurred before Sarah bore a child.

Our pastor shared with us that this name change was an expression of God’s view, God’s reality, concerning who Abraham was. In the eyes of the world, Abraham and Sarah remained a childless couple struggling with the dynamic of Hagar and Ishmael in their household. But in the eyes of God, Abraham was a man who had a legacy of generations numbered through his yet-unborn son and grandson, Isaac and Jacob.

What is God’s reality concerning us today?

What is His name for us?

What do we say about ourselves in light of what God has said about us?

People, even Christian people, will have plenty to say concerning what is seen. They can see whether a person is young or old. They can sometimes perceive whether a person has had basic education or advanced studies. They can perhaps notice a particular family dynamic or personal crisis that an individual is dealing with. And they can speak based on what they’ve perceived.

But is our perception a reflection of heaven's perspective? Sometimes we fall into the trap of speaking based on what we’ve seen instead of speaking in line with what God has declared. It’s a dangerous trap, because our desire as Christians is to live as authentic representatives of God’s kingdom, declaring God’s agenda.

So let’s endeavor, today and every day, to wait on God’s declaration concerning ourselves, our households, and the legacy we will leave. It’s not about what we see; it’s about what He says.

Lord God, we want to walk through each day with an awareness of Your agenda. Help us to seek Your face and to wait for Your voice, so that we might know Your desire for our lives. Help us to block out the other voices that can only speak from a worldly perspective. Help us to overcome the Hagars and Ishmaels who stand ready to remind us of our past errors. Please help us to hear the name You have given to us: the authentic expression of who You have called us to be, even as we go through the process of becoming who You say we are. Thank You for speaking to our hearts today.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Walking And Waiting

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” (Genesis 17:1-2)

So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. (Galatians 3:9)

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Richard pointed out that in Genesis 17, God instructed Abraham in how to live before informing Abraham of the covenant God would establish. We, though, live in a time where it is normal to hear people, even people of God, bargaining for covenant: God, if you do such-and-such for me, then I will love you more/serve you more/give to your kingdom more. But that isn’t God’s way. The agenda of God is launched with a mandate: God wants us to believe His word, and God wants us to walk in His truth. The mandate is a call to faithfulness long before we receive the specifics concerning God’s covenant with us.

This is what we see in Abraham. Years passed between the moment of God’s initial revelation to Abraham and the moment of Abraham seeing his son Isaac, and through those years Abraham believed while waiting to see. Abraham was not a perfect man, but he nonetheless held a particular commendation that has remained unblemished through the ages: Abraham believed God.

We are not perfect. For some of us, many years have passed and we still await some tangible evidence of what God has promised. We've made some mistakes while in this waiting phase. But as we wait, we live as Abraham did: faithful to our Lord. It is this faithfulness to God that opens the door to knowing and living God’s agenda. My prayer for us today is that we, like Abraham, will believe and do what God has said.

Lord God, thank You for speaking to us! We believe Your word. We are grateful to embark, every morning, with Your agenda ruling our lives. We have faith. We speak in faith. We live by faith. Give us the grace to always walk faithfully before You.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

I "Kid" You Not.

I recall that when I was in my early twenties, one of my neighbors (who was in her late nineties) would never refer to me by my name. She would always say, "Little girl...", which I found interesting. Of course, with an age gap of seventy-plus years, she was free to call me whatever she liked. But as quaint as the moniker was, it wasn't true. I was dealing with bills and illness and the harsh consequences of poor decisions. The stereotypical "little girl" concerns of toys and games and dolls and dreams had long left my personal narrative.

On Sunday Pastor Richard Griffiths preached. It's not the first time he's preached. And, it's not the first time God has had him to depart from convention and follow the Holy Spirit's lead. But our expressions of surprise and astonishment at what God did through him seem to betray what's in the depth of our corporate heart: we are still expecting to see the Richie of twenty years ago, or even of ten years ago.

One of the drawbacks of serving in the same church one attended in youth is that others often retain the "old" narrative of who a person used to be, and they fail to notice when a shift in narrative has occurred... that is, they fail to perceive who the person has become. And the funny thing is that we know narratives shift, because our own narratives have shifted as well, but we're still blown away when we see what God has done in our pastor.

I'm not in a position to proclaim a corporate apology, and even if I were, that's not really what this blog is for. But I do think it makes sense to start this week's posts with a personal apology before I begin any discussion of Sunday's sermon. So, Pastor Richard, and I am feeling like I ought call you Richard and not Richie, I apologize for every time I've been surprised at how God uses you. I apologize for every time I've forgotten that you're an ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. I apologize for ignoring that your ordination activated a particular impartation that is no longer unusual, but is now the norm-- a thing I've known in my head for some time, but until yesterday failed to embrace with my heart. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me for hanging on to a Richie that no longer exists.

To the rest of my readers, particularly those who are connected to Bronx Bethany, let's remember that God's been doing a "new thing" for the past few years, and we need to get on board. As we go through this week we'll reflect on a few of the things Pastor Richard shared concerning God's Agenda. My prayer is that all of us will release ourselves from all of our old narratives, so that we can clearly hear and know what God is saying in this new season.

Are You Trapped In The Gap?

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. (Romans 2:7-8)

These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. (Second Peter 2:17-21)

“The observation of convention is not necessarily an indicator of depth of relationship, nor of understanding.” –Dr. Genise Aria Reid

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Sam noted an extremely important aspect of grace as a process. I’ll call this aspect the convention-commitment gap. Below is our list from earlier this week, with the gap added:

Ø  Sensitizing Grace

Ø  Saving Grace

~The convention-commitment gap~

Ø  Sanctifying Grace

Ø  Serving Grace

Ø  “Setting-Free” Grace

As our pastor shared, this gap occurs when a person has responded to the grace of God for the experience of salvation, but then rejects the grace of God that moves one along the path of spiritual growth and development. These are they who regularly attend church for years, or even decades, but show zero evidence of spiritual growth. Their words, and their lives, reveal nothing of the Spirit of God who desires to work in them (see Galatians 5:13-26)-- though they are in church, and though they are reconciled to Christ through salvation, they are not demonstrating Christ-likeness. And as we see in the Second Peter passage above, persons who fall into this gap are a serious danger to themselves, as well as a serious detriment to the body of Christ.

How is it that Christian ministries can endorse all sorts of wickedness, without remorse? They’re trapped in the gap. How is it that Christian individuals can share worship experiences with a fellow believer, then pay a practitioner of dark arts to attempt to curse him? They’re trapped in the gap. And we dare not gloat at those who have stopped (or stunted, or reversed) their Christian growth by remaining in this gap; rather, we grieve.

Those of us who have bridged the gap between saving grace and sanctifying grace must show love and compassionate care to these, our siblings in the faith, who have set themselves up for a most severe judgement from God by rejecting the call to bridge the gap. Our Lord Jesus declared the consequences of a life lived in the gap:

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:47-48)

We have been given much. We are recipients of the grace of God. We know the Master's will! He has caused us to recognize our need for Him, and He has empowered us to find our way to Him. Our great God always has our best interests at heart, because He loves us. Out of love, He calls us to draw ever nearer to Him, growing in our relationship with Him, so that we can become more like Him. If you, dear reader, have been resisting the call to sanctification, I pray you will cease resisting.

The LORD of all glory, the Lord who loves us, has made provision for us to grow in our relationship with Him. Thank You, Lord, for Your grace.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Return Ticket.

“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” (Hosea 6:1-3)

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21)

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Sam shared with us about sensitizing grace (prevenient grace). He reminded us that God created man to be in fellowship with Him as Creator: instead, man chose to be selfish, placing his own desires above the relationship with God. Our pastor noted (paraphrased here) that as a result, the world we live in suffers the agony of being ‘out of sync’ with the God who made it.

God, though, remains gracious. Though we do not have the capacity to recognize our need for Him, we nonetheless have the benefit of His prevenient grace. God has stepped in to do what we cannot do for ourselves. Pastor Sam gave a succinct explanation that waxes creedal, that we can perhaps even memorize: God gives us the realization that what we are doing is not what we should be doing. That is the essence of sensitizing grace: it is a kick-starter, a first pass at rescue, for persons who have no idea that they are in danger.

As with most creedal thought, though, there is an undercurrent of warning in this ocean of love from God. If we continue to ignore God after having been made aware of our need for God’s love and God’s leading and God’s law, then His grace will be withdrawn. I would encourage us to take time today to re-read Romans chapter 1, which we reflected on during the sermon. As we read, let us pray that those who have been made aware of God’s sensitizing grace will not resist it, but will respond in obedience to His word.

The LORD of all glory, the Lord who loves us even though we wandered far from Him, has made provision for us to return to Him. Thank You, Lord, for Your sensitizing grace.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Process Of Grace

At Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, we ended the last Sunday of 2014 with a sermon on giant-killing grace... and we began the first Sunday of 2015 with a sermon on four other aspects of grace:

Ø  Sensitizing grace (prevenient grace);

Ø  Saving grace;

Ø  Sanctifying grace;

Ø  Serving grace.

Though we spent last week reflecting on the way in which God empowers us to bring deliverance to our homes and communities, this past Sunday's sermon made clear that we cannot operate in giant-killing grace (which, for the purpose of maintaining alliteration with Sunday’s message, I’ll temporarily re-name “setting-free” grace) until we have experienced the other aspects of grace. 

Later in the week I'll try to share in more detail, if I can—I’m still thinking about the things that Pastor Sam said-- but here is a draft overview of what I’m still trying to comprehend. Our first step in the process is to experience God as the One who makes us aware of our need for Him; the second step is to experience salvation through God in Christ Jesus; the third step is to grow in Christ-likeness as the Holy Spirit works on us and in us; the fourth step is to lovingly serve others with the desire to see them come into a knowledge of Christ as their Lord and Savior; and the fifth is to minister deliverance so that those we serve will grow in faith, being transformed from clients of the faith to colleagues in the faith.

For today, let's pray for ourselves, our loved ones, and even those who do not love us: Where are we in the process? How can we pray effectively so that we, and others, progress from spiritual infancy in God to spiritual maturity in God?

The Little One Is The Strong One.

The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. (Psalm 27:1-2)

During the New Year's Eve sermon at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, Pastor Sam quoted from Psalm 27. It is a powerful psalm. Many of us have memorized portions of it, and some of us have memorized all of it. But, as Pastor Sam noted on New Year's Eve, we may be challenged with a disconnect between our knowledge of what is true and our complete devotion to the Word of truth, who is Jesus our Lord.

If we serve the One who is our light and our salvation, then we need not fear.

David had no disconnect. He knew what God could do for him personally. As we reflect on the narrative from last Sunday, First Samuel chapter 17, we recognize that the David who wrote Psalm 27 is the same David who lived Psalm 27. David went into battle fearlessly, fully expecting that the Lord was with him.

The Israelite army endured forty days of talk from Goliath, but then a boy named David showed up and did some talking of his own. What a contrast it must have been to see David, a young man who didn't even own proper fighting attire, running to fight Goliath-- while the army of Israel, in full battle array, stood back in fear.

I think this post today is directed towards those of us who know about Psalm 27 and First Samuel 17, and who have tons of head knowledge about the presence and power of God, but who find ourselves in 2015 scared. We're decked out in full battle array, and yet we're afraid to take on the Goliaths in our lives. I would like to encourage us today with the conversation between David and Goliath (printed below). If we know who our God is and what He can do, then we have no need to fear.

Don't run away scared. Run to the frontlines... and fight.

First Samuel 17:41-51

Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Battle, Meant...

When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” (Deuteronomy 20:1-4)

David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. (First Samuel 17:22-24)

In the book of Deuteronomy we read the laws given by Moses to ancient Israel. Chapter 20 begins with a directive concerning warfare. The directive can be broken down into seven points:

v  The people were not to fear their enemies;

v  The people were to remember that God delivered them out of Egypt;

v  The people were to know that God would be with them in the war;

v  The priest was to announce Israel’s entry into battle;

v  The priest was to remind Israel not to be afraid;

v  The priest was to reassure Israel of God’s presence and role in the war;

v  The priest was to declare Israel’s victory before they began to fight.

The army of Israel, concerning Goliath and the Philistine army, failed to do what their law provided as standard protocol for warfare… but we see that David was not affected by Israel’s failure to keep the law. Let’s take a minute to consider the source of David’s success as a warrior. Pastor Sam shared two things about David that can encourage us today:

1. David had experienced the power of God. As a shepherd, David had received God’s power: to rescue his father’s sheep, and to avoid being killed by wild animals. First Samuel 17:37 gives us David’s mindset: “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

2. David had experienced the presence of God. First Samuel 16:13 shows us that David had an encounter with the Spirit of God: “So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.”

Our modern-day warfare may not seem as dramatic as that of a boy defeating a giant, but in fact you and I may have to do some serious battling in the realm of the spirit. We face relatives who have given themselves over to deep evil. We hear the voices of prominent people, sometimes even those who claim to be people of God, and their words are full of fear. These who we love, and who are “the sheep of God’s pasture” (see Psalm 100:3), need to be rescued. And if we have experienced the power of God and the presence of God in our personal lives, then we are equipped to fight and win.

Today is a good day to take your experience onto the battlefield. The LORD is with you. Fight fearlessly.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Fight Card: Genise vs. Goliath.

Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. (First Samuel 17:10-11)

In Sunday's sermon Pastor Sam spoke of a grace for giant-killing. The message reinforced a kairos moment for Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, as we stand between the victory of completing our building extension and the continuing battle for the souls of people who have not yet come to Christ.

In First Samuel 17, we read that King Saul and his army were fearful of Goliath, a Philistine warrior who stood about nine feet tall. Scripture informs us: "For forty days the Philistine came forward morning and evening and took his stand." (First Samuel 17:16) Though Israel's army was skilled, not one man stepped up to fight against Goliath. Instead, they spent more than a month listening to Goliath's rants against them and against God.

What did God do in the face of this army's delay? He sent a boy to fight a giant.

Young David, though untrained, had a huge advantage over everyone else on the battlefield: He knew the power and the grace of God. And as our pastor shared (paraphrased here), If a giant kills a boy, that is not news. But if a boy kills a giant...

I wonder if we in our current context have some "giant"-sized issues that have been taunting us for forty days, or six months, or several years. On Sunday we were reminded that if we serve the living God, then we have access to His graces. Pastor Sam noted that we may know of God's saving grace, His keeping grace, and His grace to heal and deliver. All these graces bless us. But there is also a grace that empowers boys to kill giants. This grace of God is available to empower us, in our frailty and in our weakness and with our unqualified selves, to go out and do great exploits in the name of the LORD.

We know the power of our God, and we know that He imparts His grace to His people. If we are walking with the LORD, then there is no need for us to fear. We can face, and overcome, any challenge.

Do you have a Goliath? Don't fear. Today is a good day to slay a giant.

Lord God, we love You. You know the struggles each of us face. Please help us to remember that You are the God of grace and glory! Give us Your grace so that we can overcome obstacles and win the war for souls. Thank You for standing with us and empowering us to fight: not in our own strength, but in Your strength and through Your strategies. Glorify Your name in and through us. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Beneficiary.

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Sam spoke of the abiding benefits of grace. These benefits include:

v  Forgiveness of sin

v  Transformation of character

v  Fellowship and partnership with God and God’s people

Our pastor also noted that in Psalm 126, the expression of joy comes before the restoration of fortunes. The passage reads:

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev. (Psalm 126:3-4)

As we reflect on the goodness of God and are filled with joy, we are able to endure hardship. We understand that the God who loves us is the God who frees us. We are confident that the God who changes our character is the God who changes our circumstance. And though it may take a miracle for our circumstance to change, we still rejoice because we know God’s track record of doing the miraculous.

The psalm uses a particular phrase that I’d like us to reflect on today: streams in the Negev. Pastor Sam spoke of the wadi: a wadi is a channel or ravine that is dry until the rainy season comes. The soil in the wadi is so dry and hard that when the rain finally arrives, the soil is not able to absorb the water: the rain travels along the wadi as a raging river.

Maybe you are in a dry season, where nothing you’ve planted has grown. I pray that you will rejoice today: not because your circumstances have already changed, but because you have full assurance that God will work in you and through you, even as you wait for His blessings to overtake you like a flood.

This is Advent, the season of expectation. Expect God to show up in your Negev. 

God, our Father and Lord and King, thank You! We are forgiven… and we are transformed... and we rejoice in our relationship with You and Your people. May the world see You in us as we wait for deliverance and restoration.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

With Soul And Voice, Rejoice...

When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. (Psalm 126:1-3)

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47)

Verses 1 and 2 of Psalm 126 acknowledge the stunned joy of the ancient Israelites who were released from captivity: “…we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter.” Later, in verse 3, the psalm shifts to the present tense: “The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Sam shared a point that we can reflect on today: that which happened in the past has a present abiding significance. And in this present Advent season, we are encouraged by this truth: God, who has done great things for others, is here to do great things for us. Ancient Israel saw His mighty hand at work and they celebrated. Mary received His word from an angelic messenger and she celebrated. And we, who have read the stories of those who rejoiced in God, can ourselves break out into a psalm of joy!

Ancient Israel, your exile will end. Rejoice.

Mary, you will give birth to the Savior. Rejoice.

Reader, God will answer your faithful prayer. Will you rejoice in Him today?

O Lord, our Lord, You brought deliverance to people in the past, and You are here to bring deliverance to us now. We wait in anticipation, and we rejoice as we wait, believing that You will do great things for us.

All Scripture references from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Best Place To Live Is In A "Walk-Up".

As we begin reflection on Sunday’s sermon, let’s read the key passage shared by Pastor Sam. He pointed out that Psalm 126 is “a song of ascents”—one of several psalms that were traditionally sung as men walked up the hilly terrain to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem.

In today’s context, what does God find us doing as we proverbially “walk up the hill” to worship Him? Are we singing? Are we sighing? Are we so distracted that we forget Scripture’s protocol for how an individual ought to approach the King of kings?

Lord God, as we read Your word, please plant a song in our hearts. Remind us that as we sing praises to You, Your Spirit comes to help us climb every steep hill of life. We walk through our days anticipating entrance into Your Presence. Thank You for walking with us!

Psalm 126: A song of ascents.

King James Version:

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

New International Version:

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

Passion. Prayer. Patience. Privilege.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (Second Peter 3:9)

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Althea shared that God is patient. He waits. And our pastor, speaking as God’s oracle in a nation of impatient people, gave us an important word to remember: The waiting is salvific. God is giving us a chance to get it together.

Oh, how quickly we forget. There was a time when you and I were separated from God by our sin. Our unwillingness to surrender our lives to the One who specializes in forgiveness of sin kept us in a state of wickedness. But, praise God, a day came when our eyes were opened, we realized our deep need for Jesus, and we asked Him to save us.

Perhaps we who are Christians now can tell stories of past days when we were hell-bent on promoting evil, or engaged in aberrant acts, or had hearts full of pride and jealousy-- but Jesus transformed us, and is still transforming us, by the power of His Spirit at work in us.

Shouldn’t we want the world to have that same transformation experience?

Shouldn’t we want our enemies to taste and see that the LORD is good?

Sadly, that’s the scary part of this salvation thing: sometimes, after we get saved, we refuse to extend the patience of God to those who are standing where we once stood. We refuse to labor in prayer for the deliverance of others because, somewhere along the way, we decided that they aren’t worth the effort… or that we don’t like them… or that they’re “too far gone” for even God to reach. And there are plenty of “isms” that fuel the feelings. We may have been victims of racism, ethnocentrism, gender bias, or other systems in which the hurts were so deep that we cast a net of indifference over individuals, communities, and people groups. As for me, though, I’m glad that God found a few people on this planet who prayed for me when other believers thought I was “too far gone.”

Today, do you know of any cases that seem hopeless? Pray. It’s your privilege.

Lord God, our almighty King, we need Your passion and patience. Give us grace to continue bombarding heaven on behalf of those who need salvation and deliverance. This is Advent: You will show up; You will save. Hear us as we pray, and help us as we wait.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Passing Of The Peace?

In liturgical churches, this past Advent Sunday carried the theme of "Peace"-- a theme made ironic, and perhaps even confusing, in light of the recent experience of many Americans in these United States. While it is important to note that not all systems of justice are racist, we must acknowledge that the recent events in Missouri and New York have implied that Black lives are insignificant and expendable, that persons in law enforcement are free to act without regard to law, and that due process is not afforded to all communities.

In the midst of our prayers for justice and our outrage at the apparent prosperity of wickedness, God sent a clear word to Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Althea reminded us of our 'modus operandi' as Christians: We don't look at the storms. We look to our Lord who reigns above every storm and trial of life.

Our pastor reminded us of the tyranny of Herod, whose lust for power led him to kill his own sons as assurance that no one would usurp his throne. Upon hearing of the prophecy of a Messiah being born, Herod conducted a targeted act of infanticide. Every male child in his region aged two and under was killed. (see Matthew 2:16)

Then, and now, a question emerges: How do we conduct ourselves in the midst of so much chaos and despair? Pastor Althea gave us the answer at the start of Sunday's message: This is Advent... and Advent is a season of expectancy. We are anticipating that God will show up to save, heal, and deliver us.

Today, let's re-read the Isaiah passage that Pastor Althea referenced on Sunday. As we read, let us pray that God will remove disappointment from our hearts and reinstate excitement. It is Advent! This is the Advent of Peace! Our Lord will come to institute His shalom!

Lord God, we believe Your word. We anticipate Your advent. We experience Your peace.

Isaiah 40:1-11

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain, You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”

See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

This Is A Message To You...

The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.” (Luke 1:19-20)

Zechariah was engaged in ministry work when he was met by the angel Gabriel. Scripture tells us that Zechariah was startled. It had been hundreds of years since any man had received a prophetic word from the LORD, and Zechariah found himself in this strange position of not only hearing the word of the LORD, but also seeing the angel God had sent to deliver the message.

What does it mean for us as Christians when we've spent our time and effort in prayer, but then react with astonishment when God responds? After all, isn't prayer a dialogue? Shouldn't we anticipate that we won't be the only one talking, but that God will make Himself known and heard?

Sadly, in the face of this amazing experience, Zechariah responded with his rationale for not believing Gabriel's message. And there is a part of me that doesn't even want to write this because someone might take offense, but I really need to ask the question: What does it mean for us when God responds to our prayer, but we then rebuff His response with our limited experience and our myopic vision of who God is and what He is capable of doing?

Zechariah's response to the word of the Lord was shocking and disgraceful. This aged minister said, in effect, Gabriel, God's message is wrong. My wife and I are too old and it's too late. But, on what authority could Zechariah stand to say that God was too late? Didn't Zechariah have knowledge of the Law and the Prophets? Didn't Zechariah undergo decades of learning the history of God's dealings with the nation of Israel? Didn't Zechariah know that he served the same God who parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River, who sent prophets to heal the sick and raise the dead, and who even sent angels to inform Abraham and Sarah that they would have a child in their old age?

There it is. And that is why Zechariah's response was so wrong.

God had done the “miraculous childbirth to aged parents” thing before, and the account of Abraham and Sarah was common knowledge for any priest. So, in essence, Zechariah's response was a double denial: he discredited the spoken report of Gabriel, and he dismissed the Abrahamic precedent which was written in the books of the Law.

But, enough about Zechariah. What about you and I?

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Andy noted that it is dangerous to become accustomed to routine, particularly in ministry work. When the vehicle of God's grace and instruction becomes a chore (or, worse, a bore), we run the risk of becoming dulled to the truths we so carefully maintain as a service to others. As a result, when God shows up on our doorstep and speaks to us personally, we summarily dismiss Him.

Gabriel responded to Zechariah's denial with disciplinary action: Zechariah, because you spoke against the verbal and written message, you will not speak again until after your son is named. Perhaps some of us are not being heard today because of a word we spoke against God's messages and messengers. Perhaps some of us have lost our influence because we dismissed a God-ordained opportunity as if it were nonsense. But we are blessed to serve a God who specializes in forgiveness and reconciliation. If we repent, he will restore.

This morning God reminded me of part of a prayer that someone once prayed before a worship service: “God, deliver us from routine.” It's my prayer for today. I pray it's yours as well.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Welcome To Month Five.

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days He has shown His favor and taken away my disgrace among the people." (Luke 1:21-25)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Andy noted that sometimes we are called to seclusion as God does His work in us. Elizabeth experienced this. Our pastor reminded us that Elizabeth, at the start of her pregnancy, did not share a public testimony of what God had done. Instead she waited until she was near the end of her second trimester, at which point her pregnancy would be visible to all who saw her.

Some Christians are spiritually "pregnant." God has begun to do astounding, miraculous things for them, but no one can see the process that God has set into motion. And our community, just like the community in ancient times, continues with the logic they've always used:

Elizabeth and Zechariah aren't able to have children.
It seems that God didn't give them an heir.

But, behind the scenes, God is speaking a different narrative:

I gave Elizabeth and Zechariah the ability to have children.
I have given them an heir.

The Luke passage is an encouragement and a warning: Don't be bound by what you see. You might be making assumptions based on Month Two... and your God may reveal a completely different view in Month Five.

Nevermind your logic, and put your commentary on hold. God is working on seemingly barren situations behind the scenes.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Have A Luke-See.

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4)

Pastor Andy took time at the start of Sunday's sermon to note that Luke was a diligent researcher. Luke's source material was gathered from “those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.” (Luke 1:2, emphasis mine)

Just as Luke was blessed to know people who knew the Lord, we too are blessed. During Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene's fiftieth anniversary events our church took time to honor pastors, leaders, and members, some of whom have served in our local church for decades. They are our modern-day “eyewitnesses and servants” who have been in our faith community “from the first.” They know our Lord Jesus, and have lived in a way to make Him known to us.

We are privileged to have a living history book at Bronx Bethany! We thank God for a community in which longtime members are neither privileged nor pushed aside, but are present to hand down stories of God's faithfulness. It is their presence that allows newer members to have the same resources that Luke accessed before writing Theophilus: eyewitnesses and servants of the word, careful investigation of all things, an orderly account left as a legacy, and a certainty of what has been taught.

Lord God, thank You for those You spoke to in times past. Thank You for their diligence and their joyful obedience. Help us to be like Luke: give us grace to learn, compassion to teach, and patience that empowers us to share You with the generations to come.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

I Notice The Service Is Different Today....

Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." (Luke 1:18)

Luke's gospel starts the Advent story with the account of an elderly couple: Zechariah and Elizabeth. The presence of this couple in this narrative encourages us to remember:

God has heard the petitions we've prayed. The angel Gabriel said to Zechariah, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah: your prayer has been heard." (see Luke 1:13)

God can send a "sneak preview" of the supernatural. As an assurance of the miraculous birth of John, God sent a preview of another miracle-- Zechariah's silence. Gabriel said, "And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this happens..." (see Luke 1:20)

God alone receives the credit for His actions. Luke's gospel says that the people knew Zechariah had received a message from God because of two unusual events:

The interruption of action- Zechariah was taking too long to come out of the temple after the customary offerings and prayers had been made. (see Luke 1:21)
The interruption of speech- Zechariah was rendered incapable of pronouncing the priestly blessing, which was an expected component of his temple duties. (see Luke 1:22)

Have you prayed a prayer that seems to have gone unanswered for years?
Take heart. God has heard. He will send an answer.
Take care. Believe the messenger and the message.