Apr. 26

WHAT WATER ARE YOU DRINKING?

“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:13 (NASB)

During the time of Jeremiah’s writing, Judah was guilty of committing two sins: leaving and cleaving. They were leaving God and cleaving to idols. God’s people were guilty of turning away from the only true living God, Yahweh, and becoming addicted to other gods who were, in reality, not gods at all.

Contrary to what many may think, we do not live in a vacuum. If you forsake one way of living or believing you will always adopt another way of living or believing. In Jeremiah 2, God spoke to Judah through His prophet and painted an unforgettable picture to help them see and understand how they turned their backs on God and put idols in His rightful place as first. Jeremiah proclaimed to them that they had dug their own cisterns. A cistern was a reservoir into which rainwater could drain from a tunnel, roof, or courtyard. Cistern water was less than satisfactory. Everyone in the Middle East at this time would have understood this profound analogy. In today’s vernacular, they were drinking contaminated creek water instead of Poland Spring’s bottled water. Jeremiah contrasted the cisterns with the springs that produced clear, pure water that only God can offer.

What fountain are you drinking from? Have you exchanged God’s living fountain for man-made cisterns that cannot hold water?

I remember having a conversation with one of my pastoral colleagues and he told me that he was experiencing a spiritual “dry spell.” Saints, there should never be “dry spells” in the Christian life. God said that He would be like an artesian well in the life of a believer. Artesian wells constantly bubbled forth with a fresh, cold, never-ending supply of water from the depths of the earth, quenching any thirst and always satisfying. If you have given your life to Jesus The Christ this spiritual refreshment is available to you in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit. If you say that you are experiencing a “dry spell” you are essentially saying that the Lord ran out of water. How can that be? Artesian wells do not dry up. Broken cisterns do.

During this pandemic if you are experiencing spiritual dryness because you can’t attend church, or Bible study, or perform religious activities, it may be because you have been attempting to find your source of spiritual refreshment from man-made sources—which will fail you every time. It should never cross your mind that the fountain of living waters residing within you (God the Holy Spirit) should ever be reduced to a trickle.

It is common for many Christians to run all over the country to try to quench their thirst. But Jesus has now dried up the cisterns of conferences, retreats and annual revivals. These things are not bad in and of themselves, but if you are a Christian the source of living water already resides within you. If you feel like you are alone and experiencing spiritual dryness, Jesus is extending an invitation to you right now! In the Gospel of John 7:37b, Jesus said, “…If any man/woman is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’” (NASB)

Today, right in the comfort of your home, if you call on Jesus you can be refreshed by the living water that He provided to all believers, the gift of the Holy Spirit. He is the greatest unused power in the world.

In Service to the Risen King,

Rev. Lee T. Boddie Sr. Senior Pastor
Roslindale Baptist Church

Apr. 19

Do You See the LORD Jesus?

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”
John 12:32

These are trying times, indeed. Social distancing separates us. Anxieties about COVID-19 plague us. Our national healthcare system is suffering. And our economy is failing. But if we simply focus on the difficulty without seeing God’s glory, we are doing a disservice to ourselves, and more importantly, to our LORD. This is not a time to mindlessly act—i.e. finding ways to do what we normally do because it’s comfortable, and yes, that includes church. It is a time to see. Not to see the effects of the COVID-19 virus, rather to see Him—Jesus. He’s moved our obstacles out of the way so that we are able to see Him more clearly.

God has always commanded the world to see Him. In the Old Testament He said, “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:22) That was the LORD’s invitation to the people of Israel to turn away from idols and turn toward Him. To see that He is the God of salvation, true to His promises and righteous — for everyone from all ends of the earth.

In the New Testament, John tells us his purpose of writing the Gospel of John was “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31). John’s entire gospel is written to show the truth: Jesus is the Son of God. Therefore, Jesus is God—same DNA. And believing the truth leads to life.

What does it mean to believe? Belief is the acceptance of truth. It is putting one’s entire confidence in someone or something. Belief shapes our entire worldview, which determines how we interact with the world. But if we consider our modern world, we have to acknowledge that something is missing. Although many polls (at least in America) suggest most people “believe in God.” What does that mean? Are they talking about the Almighty, Sovereign, Alpha and Omega? Are they talking about Jesus the Christ, the Messiah who was born into flesh to die? The One who then rose up three days later, conquering sin and death? Because if so, it’s hard to tell by the way most live. Believing voices are seldom heard outside of churches. Our world is filled with false idols. And it begs the question: Are we really believing Jesus?

To see is to believe. To believe is to see.

Jesus has offered many visible signs and wonders, giving the world enough reasons to believe. Consider the height of a Redwood tree, the vastness and depth of the world’s oceans, the birth of a newborn, the majesty of a mountain or a life-saving revival when death seemed so near. How could you not believe after seeing those things? How could you hear the gospel message that tells of His many wonders and not say, “What must I do to be saved?”

But it’s not until that belief is lived out and walked in, that we are able to truly see Him. It is what should draw us nearer to Him, it should leave us craving for more of Him. We should desire to share our time with Him, our lives with Him, much like how we are drawn to love. Because He is love. Belief should enable us to not need great signs and miracles, but to simply trust Him because we know Him. These are times to draw near to God. And know Him.

In Matthew 5:8, Jesus in his sermon says, “The pure in heart shall see God.” Translation: people who go all out in their belief—all out—shall see God. This purity is not rooted in form and function; it is not ceremonial. The purification comes by faith. Purity in heart is a desire for God. Our desire for a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ will draw Him near. Ah! so when we draw near to Him, He draws near to us.

If your life has made you preoccupied by other things, then those things are drawing you away from God. If you don’t desire more of Jesus, it’s because you much prefer being your own god, calling your own shots. If our faces are always turned toward idols we render ourselves blind to God. We stop seeing Him. He has shut down our world’s most obvious idols (you know them: business and wealth, economy, sports, entertainment, other people, etc.) — blinded us to them…because He wants us to see Him.

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”
John 12:32

In John 12:32, this verse told Jesus’ followers by what death He was to die. His death is signified by his being "lifted up from the earth,” raised on the cross. But that cross would become His throne by which He draws all men unto Him — the gathering of the elect to him, and in him, as their head and representative, because He was crucified for them.

Do you see the LORD Jesus? Are you spending time developing and growing your relationship with Him. If you are, this COVID-19 crisis has not been in vain. In Jesus’ name!

Christ is all,

Donita Boddie
First Lady, Deaconess
Roslindale Baptist Church

Apr. 12

WE SERVE A LIVING GOD: JESUS THE CHRIST

Mark 16

God sent His Son
They called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives

Do you remember that hymn? If so, you are probably still singing it right now. As Christ followers, we must remember that we serve the living God. Resurrection Sunday is the day that Jesus fulfilled His gospel mission by rising from the dead. The Gospel writer Mark tells us in Mark 16:1 that when the Sabbath was over around 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening, three women, the same three women who were mentioned at the crucifixion of Jesus in Mark 15:40, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, wanted to anoint Jesus’ body with spices that they had purchased. This was significant because during this time in history, anointing a body with spices was necessary to reduce the smell of a decomposing body in such a hot climate as Palestine.

On their way to the tomb they had a discussion about who would roll away the extremely large stone for them so they could enter the tomb. As they approached the place of Jesus’ burial they realized to their amazement that the stone had already been removed. Upon entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe, and the text says that the women were amazed. [Note: Luke’s Gospel mentions two men, but Mark records them as one.] This was an angelic messenger sent by God. He told the women that Jesus had risen; that He was not in the tomb. He then directed them to tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus would be in Galilee and they would see Him. And here is the part of the verse that caught my attention: “just as He said to you.” (v. 7)

We are then told in v. 8 that they fled from the tomb trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. After His resurrection (v.9), Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, the lady from who Jesus had cast out seven demons. She then quickly met the disciples as they were mourning and weeping because they thought Jesus was dead, and she told them He is alive and that she saw Him with her own eyes. But v. 11 says, “they refused to believe it.”

Why did they not believe?

Why did Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome not believe that Jesus was resurrected?

Why did the disciples not believe when they were told that He was risen and not dead?

Why after walking with Jesus, talking with Jesus, learning from Jesus, watching Jesus perform miracles, healing the blind and lame, turning water to wine, and feeding 5,000 people with a fish and a loaf of bread did they not believe that He was resurrected and alive?

In Luke 23:49 he tells us that the disciples and the women were standing at a distance, watching the crucifixion of Jesus. They were there! He went on to record in Luke 24:6 the Angel telling them that Jesus was not in the tomb. They reminded the women of what Jesus told them when He was still in Galilee, where He said, “the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

Saints they should have known but they did not believe it even when Jesus Himself told them so.

What is stopping you from believing?

If you have not given your life to Jesus The Christ, what is stopping you from doing so?

Is it some hardship that you have endured? A tragedy in your life that you can’t find answers to. A dysfunctional upbringing? A physical abnormality? How about your status? Your wealth or health? Do you feel like you just don’t need God? Or has no one ever explained to you the saving grace of Jesus Christ? The birth, life, death and resurrection of the Savior of the world. Has anyone presented to you the fact of the resurrection?

To become a Christ follower, a born again Christian, is as easy as it is hard. The Bible says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Christ followers believe that Jesus was in the beginning. We believe one God is revealed in three eternally distinct persons—God the Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit.

To become a Christ follower you must—by faith—believe that the Bible is the Word of God. That Jesus (born of the Virgin Mary), lived a sinless life on earth, fully God and fully man. He died on the Cross at Calvary (Good Friday) for the sins of the world. It is because of His shed blood on the Cross for the remission of sin that we are saved—not by our works. And finally you must believe that three days later (Resurrection Sunday) He rose again and is in heaven seated at the right hand of God the Father. You must admit that you are a sinner in need of the Savior. If you ask Jesus to come into your heart by faith believing He is who He says He is, you can be saved.

Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.”

Will you receive this free gift from God?

Free to us but it cost Him His only begotten Son. God loves you no matter how bad you think your life is. Jesus loves you and He is calling you to live a victorious life in Him today, right now!

The Fact of the Resurrection

For years now, death has been our relentless enemy. No one, regardless of wealth, stature, strength or worldly rank has been able to escape death. The death rate is one per person and we all are going to make it. The minute after our birth, death becomes our destiny. There is no antidote for death. But the great news of the resurrection of Jesus The Christ is that death has been defeated. It is no longer our relentless enemy.

Jesus conquered death completely on Resurrection Sunday. Now, He assures His followers that we, too, will share in His victory. As a Christ follower, a born again Christian we no longer need to fear death. As the Hymn goes, “Jesus paid it all and all to Him we owe.”

Death frees us to experience the glorious, heavenly presence of God. No illness can defeat us. Nothing can rob us of eternal life with our Savior. Death now transfers us into the presence of the One who loves us most. Death will one day be the door by which you gain access to all that is yours in heaven. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Corin. 15:55)

The biggest most important decision you will ever have to make is whether to receive or reject the saving grace of Jesus Christ. “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved, but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

The choice today is yours. I pray you choose Jesus. Because if you do, your life will never be the same.

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

In Service to the Risen King,

Rev. Lee T. Boddie Sr. Senior
Pastor Roslindale Baptist Church

APRIL 4

WHAT WATER ARE YOU DRINKING?

“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:13 (NASB)

What fountain are you drinking from? Have you exchanged God’s living fountain for man-made cisterns that cannot hold water?

In Service to the Risen King,

Rev. Lee T. Boddie Sr. Senior Pastor
Roslindale Baptist Church

MARCH 29

AN OPPORTUNITY TO ABIDE

JOHN 15:1-7

Our theme for the year 2020 at Roslindale Baptist church is: The Year of Abiding. The greek word for abiding is meno, which means to remain, stay or dwell. The passage of scripture we studied on the first Sunday of this year was John 15:1-7. In this passage Jesus taught his disciples what it means to abide in him by using an illustration of a vine and its branches. Jesus saw a graphic lesson that the disciples and his jewish audience needed to learn—the great lesson of the vine and the branches. This is the relationship of Jesus to the people of the world.

In John 15:1, Jesus said,``I am the true vine, and my father is the gardener.” This is the last of seven great “I AM” statements made by Jesus in John’s gospel. Israel was God’s choice vine on which he lavished care and attention. This truth is found in Jeremiah 2, Ezekiel 15 and 19. God longed for fruit, but back then the vine (Israel) became degenerate and produced rotten fruit. Therefore Jesus, as “the true vine,” fulfills what God had intended for Israel. Jesus said, “I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser (or your Bible version might say gardener).” The word for gardener is georgos, the common word for farmer, a role retained by the Father himself.

As the vinedresser, God is the one who carefully planted the vine (Christ) and waters and feeds the vine. He is the one who cares for, looks after, and watches over the vine and the branches. The vine, with which these disciples would have been familiar, was Israel (described in some detail in Psalm 80).

God is the one who prunes and purges, cleans and protects the vine and its branches. Christ—not the church—is the true vine. And from the vine, come the branches. Branches that are not rooted in Christ are false branches.

What is this fruit that Jesus is talking about? Saints! Fruit is mentioned eight times in this chapter alone and a logical progression is seen here—fruit, more fruitful and much fruit. These three types of people are named or inferred in this first part of the chapter.

Which one are you? Those who bear no fruit, those who bear some fruit or (later in verse 5) those who bear much fruit. The fruit which God desired from Israel—and us today—is loving obedience, righteousness and justice. What an opportunity we have during this Covid-19 pandemic to bear much fruit. But you cannot bear fruit if you are not abiding in Jesus Christ.

Fruit is symbolic with character. As we abide in Christ, believers should display the character of Jesus to a dying world. John 15 is so rich and packed with insight; he said fruitful branches are pruned. Are you a fruitful branch? If so, then expect some pruning. When God prunes don’t complain. As a matter fact, thank Him for pruning you even when it hurts. All bad spots, useless buds, misdirected shoots and discolored leaves are pruned off. Even fruitful believers have spots, buds, shoots and leaves that are bad, useless, misdirected and discolored. None of us has arrived at 100 percent spiritual maturity. Believers have things in their lives that must be cleaned away and cleared up—areas of thought, attitude, commitment, behavior, relationships, and motives.

Jesus said the motive/purpose for pruning is one-fold: to prepare the branch to bear more fruit. Not to punish, not to hurt and damage the branch, but to prepare. If God is pruning you right now, thank him and rejoice in his love. When Jesus talks about fruit, He’s talking about our becoming more like Him. God promises to transform you from your own image into the image of Christ.

So, during this time of home confinement because of the Covid-19 virus, use this opportunity to abide in Christ. Use this time to pray, read, and study God’s holy word. Don’t fill this time with television shows, music videos and movies. Use this time to train up your children in the ways of the Lord. During this pandemic, Jesus has given us the opportunity to break down the idols in our life and to abide, remain, dwell and stay in Him. For some people it is a call to repentance and to trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and follow him as Lord. For believers in Christ it means to continue or persevere in believing with loving obedience and to be a witness of God’s saving grace.

Take note saints, the more a branch abides in the vine, that is, the closer the branch abides to the heart of the vine, the more nourishment a branch draws from the vine and the more fruit it bears.

Jesus is the true vine, God is the gardener and we are the branches. Will you Abide in him during this pandemic? In Jesus Name, Amen!

In Service to the Risen King,

Rev. Lee T. Boddie Sr. Senior
Pastor Roslindale Baptist Church

MARCH 20

“DO YOU HEAR ME NOW?”

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:3

God’s word to the Israelites rings true for us today. After delivering them from slavery in Egypt, He directed them to never put anyone or anything in His rightful place. When we do, that person or thing becomes our god.

In the midst of this tragedy called COVID-19 (Coronavirus), I’m convinced that one of the reasons God has allowed this virus is to get the attention of the world. “Do you hear me now?” This world idolizes people in power, athletes, movie stars, entertainers, doctors, money, and materialism. God, in his divine plan to draw all mankind to Him, has brought this world to a halt. The stock market has crashed like never before. There are no athletic events to consume. No concerts to attend or new movies to watch.

I believe that God is asking all of us the questions: Do you hear me now? Will you continue to deny Me—or worship Me when you get around to it? Am I first?

No one has an answer for how to stop the Covid-19 virus. While they search for an answer God says in His Word, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” Psalm 50:15.

Now that He has our attention, will we all call upon Him to deliver us? Do we believe that God can handle this pandemic? He stated to the prophet Jeremiah, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?”

The only solution to the COVID-19 virus is Jesus! He wants us to worship Him and not worry. Saint Luke recorded the words of our Savior when He said, “which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his life?”

So, will you worship Him or worry about this virus? Let this be the day that we wake up, repent, run to Jesus, cry out to Him for deliverance and witness His saving power, mercy and grace.

In Service to the Risen King,

Rev. Lee T. Boddie Sr. Senior
Pastor Roslindale Baptist Church

Apr. 26

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