Jesus spoke often of the “Kingdom of God”. One of the most famous verses about the kingdom is in Matthew where Jesus says “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”. In this section, Jesus is telling the people not to worry about the daily … Read more
We are so easily insulted. We take offense at the smallest of things. We use the word “hurt” for our feelings as much as we do for bodily injury. Our automatic response to being insulted, offended or hurt is almost always self-defense. We must defend our pride. We must not let them get the upper … Read more
News at Bethel! Bethel Banner – July 2013 In this issue: 1. Bethel LAMP Mission Trip July 26-August 3 2. Athens Vacation Bible School July 22-26 3. 2013 Rummage Sale Results
The cause is worthy and we must succeed. The enemy is powerful and enjoys a great numerical advantage. We hold the key to victory which no one can take away, yet we often succumb to the enemy, key in hand, without ever using it. I appeal to you today to join the resistance. Who are we resisting? … Read more
We are encouraged in Scripture to do good. We are charged by Christ to love in the face of hate and to repay evil with good. Here in 1 Peter we are told to “revere Christ as Lord” in our heart. What does it mean to revere Christ as Lord and what does it have … Read more
The more I read God’s Holy Word, the more I realize that love is God’s supreme attribute. And behind every dealing, God has with us His perfect love. It was love that made Him create us, and it was love that caused Him to send His Son to redeem us. His love pursues us and … Read more
Israel was in exile. God’s people were taken out of Zion and now lived in Babylon. They wondered “How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?” Though they lived in Babylon their allegiance was still to the Lord. They were strangers in a land that was not their own. … Read more
Brothers and sisters in Christ. Listen. When a solder submits to the authority of his commanding officer, he obeys what that officer tells him to do. If a patient submits to a doctor’s treatment, he or she will do what the doctor says to do. And when we submit ourselves to the King of Kings … Read more
At the trial of Jesus, Pontius Pilate famously exclaimed, “What is truth?” Good question! Pilate lived in a world filled with so many competing claims to truth it would make your head spin. Sound familiar? The competing truth claims of our culture cause even the strongest Christian to wonder how to sort through it all. … Read more
News at Bethel! Bethel Banner – June 2013 In this issue: 1. Confirmation 2. 2013 Rummage Sale – June 12-15 3. 2013 Summer VBS & LAMP Mission Trip