Tuesday, March 27, 2012

"HALF-HEARTED"


Good morning everyone. I pray you had a weekend that you will remember for a long time to come and that all of those memories are good ones.

Today, I want to talk about the heart. What do you think of when you hear that word? Maybe you think of a shape we use to cut out of construction paper. Maybe you think of the place love comes from. Maybe you think of the actual blood pumping muscle it is.

In the New King James Version Bible, the word heart, is used over 775 times. Do you think it is mentioned so many times because of it's importance? I do. Have you ever heard someone say, "my heart just isn't in it"? Or have you heard someone say, "I just don't have the heart to do this or that"? Have you ever been around someone at a function and you could just tell that person would rather be anywhere, but there? Has someone ask you to go somewhere or do something and you did, but you really didn't want to and the whole time you were with them, you really were somewhere else? We have all done that before. Today, we should see what God has to say about this subject and how He looks at us.

Proverbs 27:19 says, "As in water face reflects face, So a man's heart reveals the man". When David was chosen above all his brothers to lead, the Lord said in 1 Samuel 16:7 "But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Psalm 111:1 says, "Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation". Mark 12:33 says, "And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." Colossians 3:23 says, "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men". Jeremiah 24:7 says, "Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart".

You maybe saying, "What does all this scripture mean?". I'm glad you want to know. God is reminding us that the heart, the real you and I, is completely open to Him. We can put on a show for all to see, but God sees and knows the real us. We are to love, honor, serve and live our lives totally sold out to Him. Anything we do, whether it be working, helping a friend, listening to someone who needs to talk, church service, opening a door for someone we don't even know, cleaning a house, school work and the list is without end, we are to do it "heartily, as to the Lord and not to men". And finally, if we are not where we should be, to be able to accomplish these things, we are to "return to Him with our whole heart".

You see, the next time someone needs a ride and you really don't want to take them, or someone calls and wants to talk, but you really don't feel like listening, or you go to church and you really don't want to be there, these scriptures should come to mind and remind us that in all we do, we need to put our whole heart into it and God will bless us for doing so. Half-hearted = you - genuine love, caring devotion and compassion. You + God = whole hearted service in all of life. I challenge each of you to seek out at least one opportunity of service this week with your whole heart.

Until next time, pray for each other and me, as I continue to pray for each of you. Love in CHRIST,

Brian Hanvey
Associate Pastor
Bethel Baptist Church

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

"EYES WIDE SHUT"


Good morning. I want to start this week off right by lifting up praises to God and giving glory and honor to who deserves it and that is my Lord and Savior. Everyone who knows me, knows that I love my Lord, my family, my church, sports and having a good day when I can. Well, I give all the glory to God for giving me the strength and health to enjoy this weekend. I received the best blood work results Friday, that I have had since my wreck. We had a wonderful Unity breakfast Saturday and then a great Bible study afterwards. We were able to be in church Sunday morning and then He allowed me to wake up this morning and be able to face another week.

While in church Sunday morning this weeks topic came to me and the thought of Thomas. Have you ever known someone who believed nothing unless they saw it for themselves? Or, have you ever heard or maybe even said yourself, "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it"? Or maybe you know someone who fooled themselves into believing that if they ignored something, it would go away or was not there. I have seen a lot of people like that, that feel if they don't see it, face it or admit to it, "it" is not real and/or never happened. Hence the topic, "Eyes wide shut", and the thought of Thomas. In chapter 20 of the book of John, we see Thomas, one who spent time with Jesus, was hurting and in pain over the loss of Jesus and yet even though Jesus had told him these things would happen, that He would rise again, he did not believe that the others had seen Jesus. Thomas wanted a sign. "Prove it to me!". Even though Thomas had seen with open eyes the works of Christ, His teachings and heard His prophecy, Thomas' eyes were closed to the possibility of what Jesus had foretold being true now.

God's Word warns us against such complacence. Matthew 13:15 says, "For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them". Mark 8:18 says, "Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? Revelations 3:3 says, "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will
come upon you".

The point I am trying to make is, just because we don't see something, don't understand something or see something the same way someone else sees it, does not mean it is not real, did not happen or is not exactly like how the other person sees it to be. Just because we choose to close our eyes, turn our heads and close our ears does not make something less real, painful or non-existent. There are many people today living lives like this. They believe that because they never see a lady or child abused, it doesn't happen anymore. They believe because they have plenty of food and medicine, everybody has plenty, after all that only happens to those kids you see in other countries. They believe the jobless rate and number of homeless are dropping, because that is what the TV or computer tells them and because they themselves and their friends have jobs and homes. They believe that there is no such thing as sin or a need for a Savior, after all, they live a pretty good life and try not to do anybody wrong. Maybe you know someone like this. Maybe you yourself, as I have been in the past, are like this.

The reality is that people are abused, hungry, in need of medicine they cannot afford, without jobs, without a warm place to rest in the winter or a cool place in the heat of the summer and most importantly, sin is running rampant and we are more now than ever in need of a Savior and His peace. You may say, "What can I do about this?". I'm glad you ask. James 4:17 says, "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin". You can open your heart, eyes and ears. Open your heart to the leading of the Holy Spirit, to do what God would have you to do, be where God would have you to be. Open your eyes to see what God has done, what He is doing and what He can do, if you will only let Him. Open your ears to the needs of others and their trials. I promise yours and mine won't be as bad as we thought they were, when we hear what others have to endure. And always, pray, pray, pray

Remember: Eyes wide shut, or open to the will, work and love of Jesus Christ?

Until next time, pray for each other and me, as I continue to pray for each of you. Love in CHRIST,

Brian Hanvey
Associate Pastor
Bethel Baptist Church

Monday, March 12, 2012

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?”


Good morning. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who take time out of your busy schedules to stop and read these. It is an honor to be able to share with you what God has laid upon my heart. Just to be able to speak a word for or about our Lord and Savior is a blessing.

Today's topic is one of those where people say something like “not again”. We don't like being reminded of what we haven't done. So many today are looking for a pat on the back and as long as you are doing that, they will stand around all day long and soak that up, but if you point out somewhere someone is falling short or missing the mark, they turn you off like muting a TV show. I cannot do that. I have to do my best to listen to God and share what He wants disseminated. So, here goes. We are going to see some of what God's word has to say on the issue.

Matthew 9:37-38 says, “37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." John 9:4 says, “ I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” 1 Corinthians 3:14 says, “ If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.” 1 Peter 1:17 says, “ And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;” Matthew 25:19-21 says, ' 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' 21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' James 4:14 says, “ whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” Revelations 22:12 says, ' "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”

Well, there it is from the word of God. We are told that there is much work to do, but the “laborers” are few. We are told that we must be busy working now, while we have day light, for night is coming when no man can work. We are told that if we do a work for our heavenly Father, that it will endure and He has a reward in store for us. We are told that God will reward us according to our work, or lack there of. We are told that God expects us to use the talents He has given each of us to do His will and if we do, He will reward us for that, but if we do not, He will take that talent away and give it to someone who will. Then we see that God reminds us that our time here on earth is very short and that we may never see tomorrow, so we must have a sense of urgency and do whatever it is that we are going to do for God today. Finally, we see God's promise that He is going to come quickly, and His reward will be with Him, to give to everyone according to his or her work.

Now, with God's word revealed to us and then broke down to us, we have to conduct a self evaluation and do a thorough honest examination of our “works”. What have you done lately? What have you done for God today? Can you think of anything? What did you do yesterday? You see, so many of us may have done something for Him in the past and we think, “well, at least I have done something”, and we tend to rest on those laurels and feel like we are in good shape because at least we've done something. Many cannot even make that claim of doing something in the past. The real fact is, what was done yesterday and before are in the past. God knows of them and He will address those when the time comes, but God gave you life today, to be doing something more today.

Let me put this in relational form. If you are married or dating, and you told your significant other that you loved them, or they told you that they loved you, but neither of you did anything to show it, how long do you think the relationship would be healthy and stay in tact? When we first date, we bring flowers, candy, write little love notes, we give back rubs and take the time to do something special here and there. Then after the honeymoon is over, we tend to stop these things and then before you know it, it has snowballed into a divorce. If we are truly saved, and one of God's children, there can be no divorce, but if the “courting” process stops, God has to chasten us and get us back in line. Some of us are “thicker headed” than others and it takes a little longer to get through to us, but be assured that God will get our attention and draw us back, one way or the other.

What's done is done, as I said before. God will address that when the time comes. We do not get credit, for what we intended to do tomorrow, next week, next month or in a year or two. All we have is today, the hear and now. We must look around us and discern what it is God would have us to do and be doing it, while there is still day. For night is coming when no man can work.

Remember: What is done for God, earns eternal rewards. What is done for the world will do nothing for us when we stand before the King of kings, Lord of lords and Judge of judges.

Until next time, please continue to pray for each other, and me, as I continue to pray for each of you. Love in CHRIST,

Brian Hanvey
Associate Pastor
Bethel Baptist Church

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

“WILL THE REAL “your name here” PLEASE STAND UP”


Good morning. I would like to take a moment and extend my thoughts and prayers to any and all who may read this that have been touched in some way by the recent wave of tornadoes to come through our area. I want you to know that I, as are others, are praying for those of you who suffered the loss of loved ones and the loss of property. I pray God's hand of peace and comfort will rest upon you and that you will feel our prayers and love.

I am going to show my age a bit and tell you that today's topic reminds me of a TV game show that my grandmother use to watch and love called “Truth or Consequences”. The object of the game was to listen to 5 or 6 people make statements as to who they were and for you to try to decide which one was the person. As I grow older, I see this more and more in so many people today. We have “Christians” trying to fit into the world, and we have people who dress up all pretty and nice and come to church and trying to pass themselves off as Christians. Do you know some like I have mentioned? I know God has something to say on this issue, so let's take a look.

Psalms 4:3 says, “But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him.” Jeremiah 1:5 says, “"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." Acts 20:32 says, “ So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says, “ 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” John 17:14-18 says, “
14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”

You know preachers, pastors and others who stand on the word of God sometimes have to confront issues that the world would rather us not. 1 Corinthians 9:16 says, “woe is me, if I do not preach the gospel”. The issue above is one of those issues that others would rather be left alone. It is the issue of “posing”, it is the issue of giving into self and compromising your beliefs to allow yourself to “act” a certain way to fit in with those around you.

One instance of what I'm talking about is homosexuality. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard someone say,”I was born like this”. God does not make mistakes. His word tells us that He made them both male and female and that the one is not to lay with his or her own kind. Homosexuality is a choice, unless you are calling God a liar.

I could say that I was born to kill people and because I feel that I was born to do this, I should be allowed to kill anytime I want. This statement is as absurd as is the first one. Both are choices we make and are considered habitual sins that will not be forgiven and will have to be answered for on the day of judgment.

The next group I must mention is the group who come to church on Sunday and act “Christ like” while at church, and then leave the church and as soon as they walk out the doors, they are as worldly as anyone. You know the kind I'm talking about, those who come to work on Monday and tell those “little lies” or those “little dirty jokes”. They gossip about everyone, complain about everything and always have a negative attitude. Then come Friday night, you'll find them out at the “club”, “just having fun”. You know who I'm talking about. They are the same ones you saw in church Sunday and they are the ones smoking, drinking, cussing up a storm, flirting with someone's wife or husband because they think the grass is greener on the other side. God's word tell us that “My sheep hear My voice”, and “if you love Me, you will keep My commandments”. God's word also tells us that we can tell a tree by it's fruit, a good tree will not bare bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bare good fruit.

Let me ask you a question. If you knew of a judge who worked in the courts where you live, and he or she was the “hang them high” type judge when it came to P.I.'s or D.U.I.'s and gave everyone who came in front of him or her the maximum sentence, but was seen leaving local bars under the influence, would you want that type of judge, or would you have any respect for them? This is why God has to maintain the measuring stick so high, so there is no question about His integrity. It is this type of hypocrisy that is causing the great falling away churches today are experiencing.

So, do you know who you are? Have you been acting like all those around you so long that you have lost your identity? Have you tried to blend in with the world so long that you have forgotten all about God? Have you forfeited the gifts, favor and blessings of God to make someone else happy? Are you so caught up and deafened by the world that you can no longer hear that still small voice of God?

Remember: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. And all we have to do is come back to Him and He will make all things better and right.

Until next time, please continue to pray for each other, and me, as I continue to pray for each of you. 

Love in CHRIST,

Brian Hanvey
Associate Pastor
Bethel Baptist Church