For The Sake Of His Servant

But the Lord was unwilling to destroy Judah. He preserved Judah for the sake of his servant David to whom he had promised a perpetual dynasty. (Second Kings 8:19)

Now King Hazael of Syria oppressed Israel throughout Jehoahaz’s reign. But the Lord had mercy on them and felt pity for them. He extended his favor to them because of the promise he had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has been unwilling to destroy them or remove them from his presence to this very day. (Second Kings 13:22-23)

Long after Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David had died, the Lord continued to honor His word concerning them and their households. The evil acts of some of their descendants, heinous as they were, did not have the power to nullify the covenant God had made with these men of old.

Are you seeing your children or grandchildren living in a way that dishonors God? Pray for them, and take heart. Though there may be seasons in which it’s difficult to watch family members drifting from the faith, you can be sure that God will uphold His word to you. If He has given you a word concerning your descendants, then don’t be swayed by what you see happening in front of you. Hold fast to His word.

Our God keeps His promises!

On-Time Delivery.

Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel. (Daniel 6:16-17)

Daniel spent the night in the lions’ den. Was Daniel delivered? Yes. However, let’s take a few minutes to consider Daniel’s plight. From a sunset to a sunrise, he was placed in a dire situation that could not be changed.

We are sometimes tempted to believe that the process of deliverance is a preventing process that keeps us from experiencing situations like Daniel’s. We think that we are saved from crises. Daniel’s experience reminds us that, sometimes, we are saved through crises. Our great testimony is not that we avoided unjust actions; it is that we have experienced unjust actions, survived, and were vindicated.

King Darius’s words and actions in Daniel 6:16-17 may have seemed contradictory, but they were not. The king knew that he could not alter the laws of the land, and he knew that God had the power to supersede the laws of men. So, even though the king had to use signet rings as proof of a binding law, the king also used his own mouth to testify to the truth: God will deliver.

Has your faith caused you to be punished under a binding law? Have no fear. The law can be upheld, as it must, and the Lord God can deliver His people. “He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:27) Be at peace in the den. The lions won't harm you. Evening will become morning, and you will be vindicated.

A Psalm And A Prayer

Psalm 126

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.

Lord God, thank You. You give us the power to sow, even as we sow in tears. Today some of us are walking back and forth, weeping. Some of us are captive to the consequences of past sin and error. Our prayer is that we will stay faithful to You, the Faithful One. We will keep praying, and thanking, and giving, and serving, because we have Your assurance that there will come a day when we will rejoice. Though we long for the days of harvest, we also long to be found trustworthy in the days of sowing. So we thank You for the bag of seed, and we thank You for the fruit that has not yet appeared. We know that Your promise still stands: seedtime and harvest will not cease. We believe You, Lord. Thank You for being with us in every moment of the cycle. Please receive our praise today, in Jesus’s name. Amen.

Pray-Tell.

And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him (Luke 9:18a)

Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; (Luke 9:28 and 9:32a)

Some of us are incredibly privileged regarding our access to ministry resources. We can hear Christian broadcasts, or we can read books written by Christian authors. Some of us attend seminars from time to time; some of us are studying in seminaries. Some of us get to hang out with amazing ministry leaders, learning from their years of experience. But there is no greater connection than when we, led by the Spirit of God, are able to participate in the process and mystery that is prayer.

Like the disciples in Luke 9, we may find that challenges show up when we seek to engage the ministry of prayer. There is the risk of merely being a spectator, watching and listening to others’ Spirit-led prayers without adding our voice of agreement (Luke 9:18). There is the risk of falling asleep (Luke 9:32). There is the risk of entering into worship and service paradigms that are out of line with God’s desire (Luke 9:33-35).

There are these risks, and yet we are drawn to be with our Lord daily in the place of prayer. Let’s embrace the opportunities we’ll have today to pray. It is our privilege.

Lord, help us to pray.

Retrieval System

Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Behold now, the place before you where we are living is too limited for us. Please let us go to the Jordan and each of us take from there a beam, and let us make a place there for ourselves where we may live.” So he said, “Go.” Then one said, “Please be willing to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I shall go.” So he went with them; and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float. (Second Kings 6:1-6)

There are times in our lives where we need a miracle, or where we know of someone else who needs a miracle. In those moments, we can take encouragement in the testimony of Scripture. In the Bible we see that the power and anointing of God can cause the miraculous to occur. In the Second Kings 6 passage, the response of iron in water was transformed: the thing that would normally sink was made to float.

What is our “axe head”? What are the things in our lives that have been lost? Things borrowed? Things owned? Lost dreams? Lost desires? Expectations that fell so far that we assumed they were irretrievable?

“Then the man of God said, ‘Where did it fall?’” (Second Kings 6:6a)

Today, let’s appeal to God for deliverance. Let’s petition Him regarding the places where we have lost things that we need to recover. Let’s be open to His leading, trusting that He has not lost the power to do what seems impossible. Let’s even be open to His using people as instruments of His power, just as He used Elisha. Who knows? He might even use us.

Lord, we are Your people. Please see us, please hear us, as we point to the places where we’ve lost things of value. God, have mercy on us: restore to us our property, our dreams, our longings, things we had borrowed, and things we have owned. Equip us with a believing faith in You. We know that You still have people on the earth who, like Elisha, believe and execute the miraculous. Lord, we thank You for the chance to see Your power at work. And, Lord, we stand ready to participate. Axe head, we call you to submit to the power of God: float to the surface today. We pray in the name of Christ Jesus, our Deliverer. Amen.

Understandably.

Then David gave to his son Solomon the plan of the porch of the temple, its buildings, its storehouses, its upper rooms, its inner rooms and the room for the mercy seat; and the plan of all that he had in mind, for the courts of the house of the Lord, and for all the surrounding rooms, for the storehouses of the house of God and for the storehouses of the dedicated things; also for the divisions of the priests and the Levites and for all the work of the service of the house of the Lord and for all the utensils of service in the house of the Lord; “All this,” said David, “the Lord made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, all the details of this pattern.” (First Chronicles 28:11-13 and 28:19)

Whether we are constructing a building, or writing a song, or preaching a sermon, there is the possibility of our experiencing God as our Divine Director—the One guiding every step we take.  

Like King David of old, we may have things that we want to accomplish for God: things we want to do for Him and for His kingdom, just because we love Him so much. In David’s case, the Lord did not permit him to build the temple, but He did allow David to receive the plans and to prepare all the supplies needed for the work (see First Chronicles 22:5-10).

It’s an incredible privilege to be directed by the Lord. It is He who reveals to us what we can do, and what we must delegate to others. When we experience the desire to do something for the glory of God, let’s pray for God to help us and to show us His plan for transforming our desire into His reality.

O Lord God, Source of Divine direction,

Grace me to receive Your pure instruction;

Make me understand Your prescribed pattern.

Guide my hand, that I might build a temple,

Or perhaps to leave raw material,

The next generation to build withal:

The gift of everlasting legacy.

Lord, write Your heart-desire into me.

-G.A.R.

Tell What God Has Done: It Is The Better Story (by Rev. Ronald A. Benjamin)

Everyone is telling something. Talk shows; social media, news networks, texting, magazines, periodicals, mobile apps, news alerts…there is no scarcity of news. In addition to those who are telling there are those who are listening…there is a desire to know what is happening, what is being said or what’s not being said. I have watch several persons whose attention is constantly on their mobile devices catching up on the latest tweets. There is no scarcity of news…good and bad.

For over two years I have been conducting a weekly Bible study on Wednesdays in the Gospel of Luke. We began the study on Ash Wednesday intending to do it for the Lenten season. So we started our study in chapter 9:51 which informs us of Jesus’ deliberate decision to go to Jerusalem knowing that He was going to be crucified. Since then, we have completed the book and we resumed our study at chapter one. We are now in chapter eight.

Our recent study was the account of the deliverance of the Gerasenes demoniac (8:26-39).

That whole account actually began with Jesus telling the disciples to sail to the other side of the lake, 8:22. While on their way they encountered a storm which threatened their lives. Jesus was sleeping in the boat (I cannot imagine where He found a place to sleep on such small vessel) during the storm. In their fear, the disciples woke Him up and pretty much accused him of not caring that they were going to die. (If anyone was in danger of dying it would have been the sleeping passenger). Jesus spoke directly to the storm and it ceased. They did not abort the trip. They continued to the other side.

Upon arriving on the shores, Jesus was met by a man who was possessed by demons…legion. A legion could include between four to six thousand troops. Through direct command again, Jesus delivered the man from this severe case of demonic possession. There was some loss to valuable assets in the process because an entire herd of pigs were drowned in the lake due to the demons that came out of the man and entered them.

Now comes the time of reporting. The swineherds went to the city and reported what had happened. The citizens came out to see what had happened. They saw the man who was healed. He was sitting down at the feet of Jesus; he was clothed and he was in his right mind. The response of the people was fear. A human, a person was made well. The people saw the healed man. But his healing meant nothing to them. Instead of celebrating the amazing healing of the man, they became fearful and most likely concerned that there could be the possibility of more economic loss should any more demons got into more pigs. So they asked Jesus to leave their region.

The man who was healed was now begging Jesus to allow him to leave the area with Him. Instead of allowing him to leave with Him, Jesus told him to go home and report of the great things that God had done for him. At that very moment, there were several things that could be reported. But Jesus’s instructions to the man was very specific: “…describe what great things God has done for you”. The man could have reported about the drowning of the pigs; he could have reported the actions and request of the people. However, he was told to report what God had done for him. Jesus knew that it would be of greater worth to talk about what He had done than what the people or the demons had done.

Not everything needs to be reported. Some reports only stir up strife; some stir up anger; some endanger our souls because they make us gossipers and tale bearers. When we choose to report what God has done for us we become messengers of hope and blessings. Isaiah describes the beauty of the feet of the one who spreads good news: “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings news of happiness, who announces salvation and says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’”, 52:7.

The decision not to report some things may displease some people because they take pleasure in negative things. By being intentional to make known only what God has done places us on the Highway of holiness. It takes away the opportunity from Satan to breed discord and dissension. The next time you give a report, make sure it is about what God has done for you. You can’t say the wrong thing in talking about what God has done.

"Post" Script.

Well, it’s been three months since my last blog post. There have been certain temptations offered to me during this season of dormancy, in particular the temptation to write posts just for the sake of writing. But I have also felt a burden for silence, a burden that has trumped that temptation. So I have been, at least in terms of my blogging life this autumn, quiet. A sort of blogosphere sabbatical, perhaps.

Shortly before my non-blogging season began, I spent some time writing a small group study. I’m really grateful that Bronx Bethany’s small groups are now immersed in the study, titled “Arrayed in Hope”. It has been able to do, in print, what I have struggled to do in person: it crosses boundaries to minister encouragement to people of God from all walks of life. Men and women, older people and younger people, new Christians and seasoned saints, have shared with me testimonies of how God is speaking to them through the study. If you're in Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene but not in a small group (Care Group), I encourage you to get connected with one. (If you're a pastor or small group leader at another church and have an interest in checking out this ten-lesson study, I'd love to send it to you! You can connect with me via Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.)

Lately the Lord has been nudging my heart about writing again. What will the writing be? I don’t know yet. In keeping with the nature of the Advent season we’re in, I am waiting with expectancy. I’m excited to see what the Lord will do. My ears are open to hear Him. I hope that everyone reading this, too, is waiting on God with expectancy and excitement and ears open to hear.

Is the Lord nudging your heart about anything?

Make Space. Embrace.

Today, let’s consider another thought Pastor Richard shared in this past Sunday’s sermon (paraphrased here): We are called to keep our focus not on the principles, but on the Paraclete. Our Christian journey is not about us doing our best, but rather about our making space for God to manifest His perfect work in and through us.

As I’ve reflected on this, I’ve been asking myself: “Who, or what, am I focused on?” And I’ve been thinking of Simon Peter, who once asked Jesus to command him to walk on the water. I’ve contemplated the water-walking miracle before, but today I’d like us to contemplate Simon Peter’s moment of amazing insight before he got out of the boat.

Peter said to him, “Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28, New English Translation)

“Lord...” – Peter made his address not to Jesus’s position as his Teacher, but to Jesus’s authority as Lord.

“…order me to come to you on the water.” – Peter understood that he had an opportunity to engage an act of obedience that would produce something miraculous.

Now, we might not need to walk on water in a literal sense, but Pastor Richard noted that there are other things we might need today (that are equally miraculous). We might need God’s help to reject old habits and deep-seated character traits that run counter to the will of God. We might need to courageously step into the purpose for which God created us.

Here’s my own take-away: I need to take the leap of faith necessary to move from the “default setting” of knowing Jesus as my teacher, and instead learn to see Him first and foremost as my Lord. If my focus is there, then I will not have a problem when He commands me to do things that are seemingly impossible. I know that if the Lord is present, then He will make sure I don’t “drown” in my attempts to obey His commands.

Some years ago there was a song I learned. It began with the line, “The Spirit of the Lord is great and mighty.”** Yes. Jesus has made His Spirit available to us, and has given us the promise that we too can engage greater works (see John14:12). How I pray that we in the church, who embrace the work of His Spirit, will go the next step and embrace the work of His Spirit in and through us. It’s not just a call for the pastors and leaders: it’s for everyone who has chosen to walk this Christian journey.

A quotation and a question for today:

“Many people have not even stepped into their purpose yet, and they are on the way out.” (Rev. Richard Griffiths)

In considering this quote from our pastor, can you say with confidence that you are exactly where the Lord wants you to be, and that you are doing exactly what His Spirit has commanded you to do?

**From "The Spirit of the Lord" by Billy Funk. Copyright (c) 1992, Integrity's Hosanna! Music.

Copy That.

Let’s reflect on this thought paraphrased from Sunday’s sermon: Some look at Scripture and try to imitate what they have seen. Over time, though, people find that it is difficult (and even impossible) to do what Jesus has done. We can only do His works by the help of His Spirit.

Pastor Richard noted that we sometimes make the mistake of “benchmarking” ourselves against the people we see around us, instead of looking to Jesus as the example and model for Spirit-filled living. But the Bible gives us a benchmark for living a godly life: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (Ephesians 5:1-2, New American Standard Bible)

How did Jesus love? Ephesians uses the analogies of an offering and a sacrifice. If we follow the lead of our Lord, then there are things we will give, and things we will do, that may prove costly. Jesus demonstrated His love by going to the cross on our behalf. In our faith tradition, we have the opportunity to show sacrificial love as we "take up our cross" every day (see Luke 9:23).

How did Jesus walk? His walk was determined by the word of His Father and by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. If we walk like Jesus walked, then we will be people immersed in the word of God and led by the Spirit of God.

It's important to remember that this level of love and obedience cannot be demonstrated without the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. When we surrender ourselves to His leading, then the Spirit of the Lord will move us from the life of selfishness into the life of self-sacrificing love.

Imitate God today.

Walk in love today.

By Your Word

On this past Sunday, Pastor Richard offered a prayer in which he shared various truths about the word of God. Our pastor said to God, and of God:

“It is by Your word that things come into being;

It is by Your word that transformation and creation happen;

It is by Your word that You said “Let there be light.”;

It is by Your word that You said “Sea, you go here.” and “Land, you stop here.”

We serve the living God, who is creative and authoritative. There is no one like Him! The Bible is filled with accounts of the greatness of God and the power of His word. As we consider what Pastor Richard prayed, we can be assured that God takes care with each of us just as He takes care with creation. If we are hearing the word of the Lord, then we will be instructed on where to go and where not to go; what to do and what not to do; who to be and who not to be.

It's a blessing to know God; it is wisdom to trust and obey Him. The God who formed lands and seas and their boundaries is the God who formed you. He has a word for you. My prayer is that you are hearing Him.

Oh God, creative God, authoritative God, please, form us. Inform us. Transform us. Amen.

Hand In Hand

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30, NASB)

Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message to no one but Jews. But there were some men from Cyprus and Cyrene among them who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks too, proclaiming the good news of the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. (Acts 11:19-21, NET)

When Pastor Sam referred to these verses during his sermon, I felt such a reassurance from God. The references touched my heart because we live in a time where the overt, systemic persecution of Christians is no longer only “over there” in the Eastern Hemisphere, but is also firmly ensconced here in the Western world. But, anyone who reads Scripture carefully will assert that persecution of Christians is nothing new. After all, it was the reality of religious intolerance that caused believers in the first-century church to be scattered from Jerusalem into other regions of the earth.

Fortunately, there is an overarching reality that Jesus has told us: “No one has the power to snatch you out of My hand.” That is the reality in which, and by which, we Christians must function. It is the reality that supersedes sufferings and death, because we who believe in Christ have been granted eternal life in Him. It is the reality that causes us to continue preaching and teaching even in the face of persecution.

The hand of the Lord was with the early church.

The hand of the Lord is with His people today.

Rejoice in the reality. Rest in the security.

“Lord, I pray for all who witness for you in this world:

ministers, priests, and bishops,

men and women who have dedicated their lives to you,

and all those who try to bring the light of the Gospel

into the darkness of this age.

Give them courage, strength, perseverance, and hope;

fill their hearts and minds

with the knowledge of your presence,

and let them experience your name

as their refuge from all dangers.

Most of all, give them the joy of your Spirit,

so that wherever they go and whomever they meet

they will remove the veil

of depression, fatalism, and defeatism

and will bring new life to the many

who live in constant fear of death.

Lord, be with all who bring the Good News.

Amen.” (a prayer of Henri J.M. Nouwen)

I'm Walking On The Desert Road.

Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) (Acts 8:26, New English Translation)

During Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Sam shared with us that we should be prepared to accomplish God’s will in non-traditional ways, being directed by God’s voice, and doing what has never been done before. We see an example of this in the life of Philip the Evangelist.

After the martyrdom of Stephen, Philip went into Samaria and preached the gospel. During his ministry there, Philip heard a directive from the Lord to head towards the south. And we read the amazing response of Philip: “So he got up and went.” (Acts 8:27a)

That’s it. No debate. No discussion. In the middle of a thriving evangelism ministry, with the Spirit of God confirming the word of God with signs and miracles, Philip walked away from it all. Philip didn’t even know what he was walking into. But, he obeyed the directive he received from heaven.

Well, that is radical... and that is mission. The heart of mission goes way beyond our post-modern, safe, regimented “mission trips” to build random houses or put a choir’s show on the road for a week or two. Now, before some of you get offended or send me caustic email, let me say that there is certainly a place for such things in the work of the kingdom. We do all things in the hope that something will turn a person's heart to God. But I’m just wondering if there’s anybody out there that is ready to obey God in the way that Philip did. Are we willing, like Philip, to walk away from a spiritual activity that is authentic and thriving, and instead take a walk with God into the unknown, unregimented future?

It's a new season. You are called to a new mission. God is asking you to do something nontraditional. How will you respond?

Lord God, You spoke to us on Sunday and You gave the call for us to embrace the new thing. You have called us to do things we have never done before. Please make us ready to leave the thing that is thriving, trusting You to keep it, and to give us Your joy and peace as we walk on our mission road “towards the south”. We love You; we hear You; we are obeying You. Let it be. Amen.

Representing...

As Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene continues in its fifty-first year of ministry, we who worship here are called to be a representation of God’s holiness in the city.

In Sunday’s sermon we were reminded that there are many churches in our city. As our pastor noted, there are some areas in the Bronx where you can pass by three churches on the same block! In spite of these many churches in the Bronx, though, we still can walk through our neighborhoods and see that there is a dearth of people that concern themselves with living a life of holiness.

Sadly, some of the people who eschew holiness claim to be Christians. And perhaps the greatest indictment of Christendom is that we have kept a tradition of service while failing to heed the word of the Lord. In fact, it is the indictment that Jesus Himself will address. We see it explained by our Lord in Matthew chapter 7:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. (Matthew 7:21-29, New American Standard Bible)

If the litmus test of kingdom fitness is not signs and wonders, but rather obedience to God (“he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven”), then let us pray for the will of God to be made manifest in us. This is God, our King, who has instructed us to care for widows, orphans, the poor, and the strangers within our gates. This is God, who has instructed us to be holy because He is holy. This is God, who has instructed us to love one another, to bless those who curse us, and to pray for those who despitefully use us (see Matthew 5:44). This is the only true God, whose words will never pass away.

So, a question for today: are you an authentic representative of the kingdom of God?

“God is our foundation; the Word of God is our standing. We are here to glorify God.” (Smith Wigglesworth)

Welcome To Your New Season.

Last year Bronx Bethany, with much fanfare and celebration, celebrated its fiftieth year of ministry. But, what about our fifty-first year? On Sunday, Pastor Sam shared with us that year fifty-one is a time to begin again, to start anew, and to do something new.  

In this fifty-first year of ministry, we are believing that people will make the shift from being consumers to being participants in the plan and program of God. However, our belief is not based on having done a survey to measure the interests and abilities of those who call Bronx Bethany their church home. Rather, it is a belief that is initiated, supported, and carried by our prayers.

What are we praying to see in this new season?

• Competence (the skills that God was pleased to give to us); and
• Character (the thoughts and actions we demonstrate that are pleasing to God)

Doing a new thing will involve us moving, as Pastor Sam exhorted us, “from the back to the front” in terms of our ministry roles. There will be a shift in which the men and women who have labored for years will find partnership and assistance from those men and women who heretofore have known what to do, and who have solid Christian character, but who had previously been content to watch from the sidelines. But, the past is past: it’s year fifty-one, and the season of “sideline” consumerism is over. It's the season for new ministries, new strategies, new visions, and new people to join in the battle for souls.

I will be doing some new things this season. How about you?

"So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields." (Matthew 9:38, New Living Translation)

Son Burn?

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam spoke on the parable many of us know as "The Prodigal Son" (Luke 15:11-32).  But, as our pastor shared, we see that the story is the narrative of actions and interactions of a younger son, an older son, and a father.

Today, let’s consider the older son. What does the narrative reveal about him?

Disinterest in the well-being of his brother. The older son, who had remained at home the entire time that the younger son was gone, reacted in anger when he heard the reason for the household's music and dancing (see Luke 15:25-28). The father, however, had consistently been looking for the younger son and was overjoyed to see him return home (see Luke 15:20).

Disrespect for his own position as a son. The older son held incorrect, inappropriate heart-attitudes about his place in his father's house. As Pastor Sam noted on Sunday, the older son spoke as if everything he had was due to the hard work he had done rather than it being due to his status as a son, even going as far to describe himself in terms of servitude: "All these years I've been slaving for you..." (Luke 15:29) In the narrative, we see that the father had to remind the older son, “Everything I have is yours!” (see Luke 15:31)

Pastor Sam shared a phrase with us: “The older brother was in the house, but he was not at the party.” For those of us who have been in church-life a long time, this is a call for us to remember that we are beneficiaries. We did not earn our salvation; our Father provided it through the sacrifice of Christ. We did not purchase our spiritual gifts; our Father provided them by His Spirit. We have the privilege of celebrating all that our Father is and all that He does in and through us. Further, we have the privilege of interceding for “younger brothers”—those in our community who have wandered from the fold. May these lost ones return to find a family waiting with forgiveness, love, and joyous celebration.

How do you respond when wayward sons return home?

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.

In View Of This,...

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Bobby shared with us that we are called to view life with eternal eyes: eyes that comprehend not just the nuances of the physical realm, but eyes that “see” what God has revealed by His Holy Spirit. As Christians, our mandate is to live by faith. Second Corinthians 5:7 is a short verse that many of us have memorized: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Today, let’s consider a larger section of the passage, so that we might benefit from the context in which this truth was given to us.

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (Second Corinthians 5:1-10)

Pastor Bobby noted that our Christian journey is not a fun walk: it is a walk for soldiers. How do soldiers walk? They walk with purpose. They walk with the intent to carry out the orders they are given. And, yes, they walk by faith, because their individual orders are only a small part of a big plan. They don’t know the whole plan, but they are faithful in carrying out their part of the plan. Some of us, today, are guilty of having reneged on our responsibility to carry out our small part of God’s big plan. Why? Because we have laid down our shield of faith; because we have told God we won’t act until He tells us what everyone else is doing; because we have grown weary of laboring in our corner of the kingdom vineyard.

If you have laid down your shield of faith, if you have decided to delay obeying God because you want more details of His plan, I would encourage you to get back into the battle for souls. One day, we will be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, and all will be well, and all will be made clear. Until we reach our heaven-life, though, we are called to live our earth-life in a manner pleasing to God, living and acting in obedient faith. “We make it our goal to please him…” Amen. May Paul’s words be ours today.

Lord God, may everything I do be a confession of my faith in You.

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

Clause-Way.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

This past Sunday, we were blessed to have as our guest speaker Pastor Bobby Wilmot. Pastor Bobby was called by God to plant seeds of righteousness and holiness in a community in Jamaica that held a history of lawlessness. Pastor Bobby’s faithfulness in ministry, and particularly his ability to see transformation and change by faith, are an inspiration to those of us who are living in our own regions of crisis, whether geographical or spiritual.

Pastor Bobby based his sermon on Romans 15:13. The middle of this verse contains an important thought: “…as you trust in Him.”

• Do we understand that the infilling of joy and peace walks in tandem with our sure faith? Do we really trust God?
• Do we approach our belief in God not as a one-time assertion of His Lordship, but as a continual confession of our belief in His power to act on behalf of His children?

Today, as we pray and work, let us affirm and re-affirm our trust in God.

Lord God, we love You, and we trust You. Thank You for pouring joy and peace into our hearts.

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

Wisdom Of The Ages...

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (First Timothy 4: 12)

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Shane asked a question: What example are we setting? And it is not a question solely for children and teenagers: it is a question for everyone who professes to be Christian. As followers of Jesus, we are watched by the world. Our desire ought to be that those who see us will see the love and power of Christ manifested in us.

First Timothy chapter 4 shows the apostle Paul’s concern for Christians who have abandoned the faith. As Paul instructs Timothy to preach and teach, Paul adds a two-part mandate: 1) do not permit others to disrespect Timothy's ministry because of his age; 2) allow others to see Timothy’s example, captured in a five-fold structure of external actions reflective of his internal beliefs. Let’s dive in to First Timothy 4:12:

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young...” In Paul’s context, as in ours today, there is the notion that young people are not as gifted or anointed as their older counterparts. However, God has indicated throughout Scripture that His anointing and the gifts of His Spirit are not distributed according to age; rather, He anoints and gifts people according to His pleasure (see First Samuel 16:10-12; Ephesians 4:7). Timothy, a church elder, was charged to address and correct those who dismissed his anointing because of his youth.

“Set an example for the believers...” Paul gives Timothy five areas in which to live as a godly example to others. As we consider these, let us pray that God will empower us to be living examples in our day as Timothy was in his.

v  Speech: Do our words express godly comfort and encouragement? Do we impart the wisdom and counsel of God as we interact with others?

v  Conduct: Do our personal and professional practices model the commands and counsel of God?

v  Love: Are we in love with God? Do we show His love to everyone we meet?

v  Faith: Do we believe God’s word and fully expect that He will accomplish all He has said?

v  Purity: Are our sexuality, inner thought life, and outward behaviors bringing pleasure to the heart of God? Are we obeying His call to holiness?

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

See... And Hear.

On this past Sunday, Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene's morning services were led by our children and teenagers.

We are blessed to be in an environment where the act of worship, the art of worship, and the heart of worship are not novelties in the lives of the young people who attend our church. Though much of the adult population never sees it, our children and youth regularly experience authentic worship and community. Every Sunday, as the adults are in the main sanctuary, the next generation is in different areas of our campus. For our teenagers, their experience of God is not relegated to just a couple of hours on a Sunday. They meet corporately on Friday nights, and they hold the advantage of being encouraged and held accountable daily through the use of social media. Our children are learning to worship, and they are leading in worship. But, most importantly, they are in love with the living God.

The power of God was present as our teenagers encouraged us through a spoken word presentation. They exhorted us to appropriate the power of God, to rest in His promises, and to trust Him even as we experience difficulties along our Christian journey. My prayer is that we who are older will be wise enough, and humble enough, to take note and learn from this next generation of believers.

Will we, publicly, fearlessly, speak of the power of God to heal and deliver?

Will we engage in authentic, exuberant, extravagant worship and praise of our King?

Will we rest in God’s promises, unshaken by the storms that may rage around us?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:1-4)

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