Welcoming and Affirming

John 12.20-26 NRSV

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

“We are a welcoming and affirming church.” The communities whose mission statement makes this declaration want newcomers to know that theirs is a place of love and welcome. They want newcomers to know that the walls of exclusion that kept them out of other communities do not exist here.
As Philip and Andrew walk with Jesus through Palestine, they watch Jesus chisel at walls of exclusion. They witness Jesus’ interaction with Nicodemus, a Pharisee. They stumble upon Jesus’ mid-day bible study with a Samaritan woman. They watch Jesus heal an official’s son. Jesus doesn’t distinguish between any of these people. Instead, he affirms their value, welcomes them fulfills their need.

When the Greeks approach Philip and Andrew explaining that they “wish to see Jesus,” Philip and Andrew don’t distinguish either. There are no walls separating them from these Greeks, these newcomers. These two disciples have learned something from following Jesus’ example and they know what to do. They go right to Jesus to tell him that the world has come to their door. Jesus’ response? The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. It is time for the mission to move forward.

Do we know that we are the closest thing to God people will ever see? Not only are there people who stand outside the doors of the church who wish to see Jesus, there might be somebody sitting right next to us on Sunday morning who wishes to see Jesus. The forward move of Jesus’ mission requires us to make our hearts and spiritual homes places of love and welcome for the world. Show them Jesus.

Kymberly McNair
New York, New York

REJOICE!

John 12: 9-19

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” "Blessed is the King of Israel!" - John 12:13 (NIV)

Growing up I was always excited about Palm Sunday. We would go to the early mass so that we could get our palms. Everyone waved their palms, sang hymns, prayed and had a good time. We would take our palms home and shape them into crosses. We had a reminder of what Christ did for us. I often wondered what Jesus thought or felt as he rode that young colt and the people laid down palm branches as he entered the city. To hear them yell “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel.”

Palm Sunday was a day to rejoice. We should allow Christ into our lives. Wave your palms and rejoice in the Lord. Shout Hosanna and bless the name of the Lord. Christ is real and he is waiting to enter into our hearts now and forever. To God be the glory!

Prayer: “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.” (Psalm 9:1-2 KJV)

Thought for the Day
“God is good!”

Beverly Douglas
Antioch, TN

Is Your House a House of Prayer

Matt 21:12-17

I like a man who can handle his ‘bidness and Jesus is my kind of man! He walked into the House of God, saw that things were kind of shady, and wrecked up the place. He was hot! Once he disrupted the status quo, he immediately set things in right order and began to operate according to purpose. Whata’ man, whata’ man, whata’ man, what a mighty GOOD man! Yes he is!

Let me ask you something…is your house a House of Prayer? I am not just referring to your house of worship; in fact I am NOT referring to your house of worship at all. I am speaking of your personal house, your actual body/being and the place where you dwell. Simply put, we are the church. We are called to be “temples” where the Holy Spirit dwells; therefore we can take the leap and say that just as the physical temple is to be a House of Prayer, our physical beings and households should be as well.

Ask yourself the following questions: Do you spend more time pursuing the things of the world rather than the things of God? Is your heart tender towards meeting the needs of others, asking nothing in return, or do you help, believing that you are owed something, even if that something is just a thank you? Is your focus on freely ministering the healing love of Jesus to those who are blind and lame or do you think they somehow owe something for such services?

Upon examination, if you find that there are things out of order, what can you do? Turn it over! Follow Jesus’ example and overturn those things that are out of order and when you are done, ask the Lord to help you establish His order. From there, whatever he says do, you do. So if God says start that healing ministry, get you some oil and start praying! It’s time to feed those who are hungry, go grab some pots! Whatever is needed to turn your house into a House of Prayer, get it done and do not delay!

Prayer: Father in the name of Jesus we repent for those times when our focus gets off and we do not honor you by being who you have called us to be. Help us to establish ourselves as the “House of Prayer” needed in this hour, understanding that our obedience will lead the way to great change in the Body of Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.

Tracey Bowen, Associate Minister
Bethel Apostolic Temple
Miami, Florida

What To Do in a Cold, Stiff, Stinky Situation

John 11:28-44

We enter this text at verse 28 after a terrible thing has happened. Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha, and dear friend of Jesus has died. Martha, in her grief, tells Jesus, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died”, and she has a point. Imagine the pain she and her sister suffer with. Mary and Martha are not skeptics. Much like us, they know Jesus and know who to call when trouble comes. But four days have already passed since Lazarus’ death. As a matter of fact, Jesus waited two whole days after hearing of Lazarus’ sickness to go see his dear friend. How, at such a time as this, could Jesus not come?

But Jesus grieved. Verse 33 tells us that Jesus, “groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.” Many light-heartedly reference this scripture as the shortest verse in the Bible, but indeed it was Lazarus, for whom “Jesus wept.”

So by the time Jesus comes asks for the stone where Lazarus had been laid to be rolled away, Martha reminds Jesus that after all this time, Lazarus surely “stinketh.” In response, Jesus does two very important things in verses 41-43. First, Jesus thanked the Father for hearing him. Second, he spoke the will of God, to which he had been in tune. When Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth” what do you think Lazarus did? Lazarus, bound by hand and foot, came forth!

I want you to know that if Jesus had come when Mary and Martha had first called for him, the rows of skeptics and unbelievers would have said, “Oh! Lazarus wasn’t really sick.” If he had come immediately after Lazarus’ death, they would have said, “Oh, Lazarus wasn’t dead. He must have been in a coma.” So Jesus waited until Lazarus must have been cold and stiff, bound and wrapped in “graveclothes” to show up and restore Lazarus’ life. Had Jesus come any earlier, the skeptics would have had “reasonable doubt” and God would not have gotten His glory.

If ever you find yourself in a situation that is “cold and stiff”, in a situation that “stinketh” and it appears that the time for restoration has long passed, remember this passage and do as Jesus did. Give thanks to the Father, and speak God’s will.

How can you know God’s will? Fast and pray, just as we are doing now. Believe that Jesus will show up, and get the glory.

We are His people, and now is our time.

Tracy Evans
Atlanta, Georgia

Intimate Expression of Extravagant Love

John 12:1-10

We’ve all witnessed various expressions of love - hugs, kisses, holding hands. Some are endearing - a parent steadying a toddler’s steps or a grandparent’s calming touch. Others are universal - a certain look that passes between a couple or the first marriage kiss.

But there are some expressions of love that make folk uncomfortable. Perhaps it’s a secret desire for a loving relationship. Maybe it’s because the observer doesn’t feel the behavior is appropriate. Feelings of envy, jealousy, inadequacy - any could be the basis for the discomfort.

Mary offered intimate expressions of her love to Jesus - she offered the contents of alabaster jar to anoint her Master and King, she uncovered her hair in public (unheard of for a Jewish woman), and she then used her hair to wipe His feet (a deeply personal act). Mary’s love couldn’t be hidden; it was evident in all she did.

Breaking down the word “Intimacy” could be “Into-Me-See” in that it speaks to a closeness, a honesty and a clarity that leaves no room for duplicity, guile or deceit.

Judas, who was incapable of such intimacy, reacted as many who neither have a healthy nor growing relationship with Christ. He was critical, disdainful and just downright hateful. Judas’ lack of love and intimacy helped propel him to his destiny with 30 pieces of silver and his betrayal of our Savior.

Prayer: Lord, open my heart to seek intimacy with You. Let me never be reserved nor reticent to express my love for You. During this season of Lent, please remove those barriers, both internal and external, to my drawing close to you. Amen.

Rev. Jill Day-Foley, Associate Minister
Payne Chapel AME Church
Nashville, Tennessee

Inbox Full?

John 10:19-42

Main Text: John 10:27

I have two Yahoo email addresses and Facebook and MySpace accounts. If left unchecked, my inbox can fill up rather quickly with messages from family, friends, preachers, associates, businesses/companies, unknown people, annoying people, etc. Sometimes I do not check messages for days, or sometimes weeks. If you do not check your messages, your inbox can easily fill up with unanswered, important mail; junk mail, or possible internet cams/hoaxes. I missed several good opportunities and blessings because of such carelessness. Also, when I check my inbox, I do not hesitate to use the delete button liberally! With SPAM on the increase, having a Junk mail folder has become an essential element in managing my eLife. Filtering out the unwanted, and processing the good.

Are you doing that with your life? Guarding your heart and mind? When was the last time you checked your spiritual inbox? When was the last time your spiritual inbox was full? Was it full of God’s presence or Satan’s mess? “My sheep recognize my voice; I know them and they follow me.” As believers in Christ Jesus, we can recognize good or bad messages in our spiritual inboxes. The Holy Spirit reveals to us Satan’s spam messages and with that knowledge avoids damages. This type of discernment requires a close relationship with Jesus. You cannot identify Jesus’ voice correctly unless you know him personally. When you draw near to God, he will draw near to you. If you want to be attentive and responsive to God’s will in your life, listen for his voice. That means checking your spiritual inbox and seeking God’s face for guidance.

Prayer
Lord, you are the Great Shepherd. Grant us the peace and direction we need this day. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Fedrick Wilson, Youth Minister
Williams Chapel AME Church
Orangeburg, SC

Embrace God, Not Things: The Power of an Abundant Life

John 10:1-18

Main Text: John 10:10

During the holy season of Lent, each of us is called to re-examine who and what has first priority in our hearts. In whom or what do we take delight? If it is in the perceived stability of “man-made” systems and material things, then an honest assessment of current conditions might lead to despondency. Our world is in a state of unrest with unending wars, sectarian strife, racism, divisiveness and intolerance among neighbors, and collapsing global economies. Unprecedented greed and the lack of governance at all levels have simply overwhelmed many of the societal systems we have come to rely upon. However, we find solace in knowing there is One who wants to be our constant, unmovable support in this ever-changing world. Jesus the Chief Shepherd said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

As we sojourn through Lent, God is calling us to seek His face in the midst of uncertain circumstances. We may not understand God’s silence or delay, but it is God’s way of teaching, molding, developing, and purging us for greater works. God wants us to enjoy the abundance of his glory, but we must rely on him when it is easy and difficult. When we embrace the fullness of God’s liberating power in our weaknesses and moments of vulnerability, His strength is made perfect in us. Jesus gives life. The life he gives now is abundantly richer and fuller. It is eternal, yet it begins immediately. Life in him is lived on a higher level because of his overflowing compassion and grace. It’s the good news of our faith! God says to us, “In case of an accident or a broken heart, remember I love you, and I will see you through.”

Prayer
O Lord and Shepherd, come into our hearts afresh, and help us to live abundantly through you. We pray this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen

Fedrick Wilson, Youth Minister
Williams Chapel AME Church
Orangeburg, SC