tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7472935768292995012024-03-13T18:12:16.243-05:00Bethel Baptist Church"Striving to Make an Invisible God Visible"Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-43827317063811903892012-09-03T13:03:00.001-05:002012-09-03T13:03:23.934-05:00“YOU MATTER!”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Good morning everybody. This is the
beginning of an exciting week for me. I sent out a challenge a week or so ago,
and ask people to study a part of scripture and give me some feedback on it.
Well, so many enjoyed it, that I was asked to start an online Bible study. After
some thought and much prayer, we, (God and I) launched the study today on
facebook. I am excited and am looking forward to what God is going to do in this
and through it. To God be all the glory.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I have posted some devotions in the
recent past, attempting to bring some back down to earth as to how and what we
think of ourselves. Considering this, and always being reminded of John 3:16, I
feel as though God would have me to take this path this week. Let me go ahead
and share some scripture that is being given to me.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="joh3-16"></a><a href="" name="lu15-4"></a><a href="" name="lu15-5"></a><a href="" name="lu15-6"></a><a href="" name="lu15-7"></a><a href="" name="jas2-5"></a><a href="" name="1pe2-9"></a><a href="" name="1pe2-10"></a><a href="" name="1pe2-24"></a><a href="" name="1pe2-25"></a><a href="" name="i"></a><a href="" name="re17-14"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>John 3:16 says, “
</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life.” Luke 15:4-7 say, “ 4 "What man of you, having a hundred
sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the
wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he
has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me,
for I have found my sheep which was lost!' 7 I say to you that likewise there
will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine
just persons who need no repentance.” James 2:5 says, “Listen, my beloved
brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and
heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” 1 Peter 2:9-10
say, “ 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His
own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out
of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now
the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” 1
Peter 2:24-25 say, “24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree,
that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you
were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to
the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” Revelations 17:14 say, “These will make
war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and
King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and
faithful."</b></span></span> </div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>So
what are we to harvest from the above scripture? We start off with arguably the
best known scripture to man and see that God loves us enough to give His One and
only Son. We could stop right there and not say another word and have proof
enough that we matter. How many of you out there would give your child for
anyone else? Not to mention the fact that He foreknew some would still hate Him,
turn their backs on Him and would never come to the saving grace He paid for
with His life's blood.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>We
digress from John 3:16 and read on to see that, IF there was only 1 lost lamb,
Jesus would have come to find us and bring us back to the fold. This helps to
illustrate how valuable each ONE of us are to the Lord of
everything.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>The
next few verses remind us that we are the </b></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>CHOSEN of God. Do
you really understand what that means? God has picked you and I to give His
heaven, His peace, mercy, wisdom, knowledge, understand, grace and love to.
</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>It is through the suffering, death of Christ, that
He willingly endured, that He provided you and I with everlasting life, if we
choose to accept it.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>I assimilate these devotions with things I see in
life. When I thought of this devotion, I thought about a conversation I often
have with my wife when I see what I consider to be an ugly vehicle. For
instance, I might see the Cube automobile painted some shade of brown. I often
wonder, and ask my wife,” who in their right mind would've “picked” that thing
new?”. [not to offend any cube owners] You see, someone, somewhere, felt like
that was just what they wanted. It was their heart's desire, the apple of their
eye. What was strange and ugly to me, was just what someone else was looking
for.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>What some look at, and label as strange, God values
enough to send His One and only Son to die for. Those who may be picked last to
be on a team or to be invited to the “hip” parties, God says He will make them
the first in heaven.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>When you feel down, discouraged, downtrodden,
worthless, alone and of little to no value, be encouraged and re-read the above
scriptures and KNOW that God loves you.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Remember: To the world, you may not mean anything,
but to God and your loved ones, you mean the world.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time, please pray for our country, the
elections, as well as those running, each other and me, as I continue to pray
for each of you. Love in CHRIST,</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Associate Pastor</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Bethel Baptist Church</b></span></div>
</div>
Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-20145108412672676662012-09-03T13:01:00.001-05:002012-09-03T13:01:59.699-05:00“BOTANY 101”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><strong>Good morning. I
have to say, the past few days have been just wonderful. I pray you have been
able to enjoy some of this unusually cool August weather and that you have taken
advantage of the opportunity to be in church, go fishing, take a child to the
park, have a picnic or whatever you like to do when the weather is not so hot.
God has really given us a great break from the normally hot and very humid days
of August.</strong></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><strong>Botany. Do you know
what Botany is? What about Dendrology? I feel like Regis Philbin, and I'm asking
you questions on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Before I lose you altogether,
please just bare with me for a few minutes and you will see where I am going
with this. I am going to jump straight into the
scriptures.</strong></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="mt7-15"></a><a href="" name="mt7-16"></a><a href="" name="mt7-17"></a><a href="" name="mt7-18"></a><a href="" name="mt7-19"></a><a href="" name="mt7-20"></a><a href="" name="mt13-24"></a><a href="" name="mt13-25"></a><a href="" name="mt13-26"></a><a href="" name="mt13-27"></a><a href="" name="mt13-28"></a><a href="" name="mt13-29"></a><a href="" name="mt13-30"></a><a href="" name="mt25-33"></a><a href="" name="mt25-34"></a><a href="" name="mt25-41"></a><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Matthew 7:15-20 say,
</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in
sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them
by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17
Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A
good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every
tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20
Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Matthew 13:24-30 say, “24 Another
parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who
sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed
tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and
produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner
came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then
does it have tares?' 28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants
said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' 29 But he said,
'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30
Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say
to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to
burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn." Matthew 25:33-34 say, “ 33 And He
will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the
King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:” Matthew
25:41 says, “41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from
Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his
angels:”</span></span> </strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="mt25-42"></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><strong>When I was in the eighth grade, I had a
science teacher named Mrs. Irwin. She was 106 years old and as far as I was
concerned, I could do nothing to please her. So, when I saw I was going to fail
her class if I didn't do something quick, I decided to seek the help of a friend
of mine that had been in her class the year before and get some help on the
final project that would account for a big part of my final grade. The project,
complete a leaf collection, identifying each one. I had no idea where to start
from. Where to gather such a variety. How to identify them. Once I was given a
little guidance, I got underway and ended up getting my only A+ in her class
ever and passing by the skin of my teeth.</strong></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><strong>My point to all of this is, I did not know
what Botany was, (the study of plants), or what Dendrology was, (the study of
trees). My eyes had to be opened and I needed the help of
another.</strong></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><strong>God, through His holy inspired word, is giving
us the help we need to be able to discern the good from the bad, the wheat from
the tares and the sheep from the goats. But, herein lies the problem. To gain
this knowledge, we must spend time with God and His word to grow in wisdom and
understanding. Just as I had to seek the help of someone with experience, we
also must seek out pastors, deacons, Sunday school teachers or other godly
saints to help us find our way so that we will not be like sheep led to the
slaughter.</strong></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><strong>Don't be confused by big words, the lack of
understanding or the trickery of man's doctrine. Read God's word. The Bible says
that there is a comfort in a multitude of counselors. </strong></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><strong>Remember: To know what you are talking about,
you have to know what you're talking about.</strong></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><strong>Until next time, please pray for our elections
and all those running, for each other, and me, as I continue to pray for each of
you. Love in CHRIST,</strong></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><strong>Brian Hanvey</strong></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><strong>Associate Pastor</strong></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><strong>Bethel Baptist Church</strong></span></div>
</div>
Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-46882191147144049892012-08-12T14:09:00.001-05:002012-08-12T14:09:54.247-05:00“NEVER HAD IT, NEVER WILL!”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Good morning everyone. I hope you had
a wonderful weekend and a blessed worship service Sunday. Our church celebrated
our 26<sup>th</sup> annual homecoming this Sunday. We had a great service, a
large crowd, an abundant lunch buffet and a talented group of guys to perform a
concert to cap off our celebration. We are so blessed.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Our pastor preached on sin, and our
need to repent of that sin. While meditating on this, an old commercial jingle
came to mind. It was for the soft drink 7up. There use to be a man, who would
come on TV and he would say, “never had it, never will”, referring to artificial
flavorings. I thought how marvelous it would be if we as humans, could make the
same declaration as related to sin, “never had it, never
will”.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Indulge me for a moment to consider
this. Almost all of us know the story of Adam and Eve. Adam was created by God
from the dust of the earth and brought to life by the very breath of God, to
have fellowship with God. To have rule over the earth. When God saw that Adam
needed a helper, God caused a sleep to come over Adam and He took a rib from
Adam and created Eve. These two were in a garden, the kind of beauty we can only
imagine, created to fellowship with God and given only one rule. Had they kept
that rule, how different life would be today.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The reality is that Adam and Eve did
not keep the one rule they were given and sin entered the world at that point
and has been running rampant ever since. I think about how we are created in
God's image. We are God's children, whether you choose to accept Him as a Savior
or not, we were still created by Him, thereby we are His. I think about how we
choose to continue to break His rules to this very day. We sin everyday. Sins we
know about and sins we don't even realize. Let's allow the scripture to shed
some light on the subject.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="ro3-23"></a><a href="" name="ro6-23"></a><a href="" name="eph4-30"></a><a href="" name="heb12-6"></a><a href="" name="heb12-5"></a><a href="" name="heb12-7"></a><a href="" name="a"></a><a href="" name="b"></a><a href="" name="heb12-8"></a><a href="" name="heb12-9"></a><a href="" name="heb12-10"></a><a href="" name="heb12-11"></a><a href="" name="1jo1-9"></a><a href="" name="ps103-12"></a><a href="" name="ps103-13"></a><a href="" name="ac26-19"></a><a href="" name="ac26-20"></a><a href="" name="ro10-13"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Roman 3:23
says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” James
4:17 says, “ So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him
it is sin.” Romans 6:23 says, “ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of
God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 4:30 says, “ And do not
grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of
redemption”. Hebrews 12:6-11 says, “6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And
scourges every son whom He receives." 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with
you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if
you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are
illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who
corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in
subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days
chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be
partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the
present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of
righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” 1 John 1:9 says, “If we
confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness.” Psalms 103:12-13 say, “As far as the east is from
the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father
pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.” Acts 26:19-20 say,
“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but
declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the
region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God,
and do works befitting repentance.” Romans 10:13 says, “For "whoever calls on
the name of the Lord shall be saved."</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Well, what did we learn from this? First, we all
have sinned, whether we knew it or not, meant to or not, we have. If we knew of
a right thing to do and did not do it, that is sin. Next we see that the wages
of sin is death. It only takes ONE sin to demand the payment of death. Then we
see that our sin grieves God, just as our children's sin hurts us. Now God opens
our eyes some. The scripture tells us why we go through some of what we are
going through. Sometimes, it is God chastening, (disciplining) us. Just as we
have had to use discipline to guide our children, God has to do the same with us
from time to time. Next we see that God is faithful, to forgive us of our sins,
if we ask Him. God will remove them from us as far as the east is from the west.
Then in Acts 26 we see that when we repent of our sins, we are to turn away from
the sin and toward God, and do works proving, (one translations puts it) our
repentance. Then, the last scripture could have been the first also, comforts us
by telling us that , “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved”.
</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Folks, this is not hard. We are made in God's image
Our children are made in His and our images. We correct our children to teach
them to do right and so God does the same to us. It would be nice if when the
subject of sin came up, we could say, “never had it, never will”, but we cannot.
So, we have to take steps to make things right between us and God, and then do
our best to stay on the straight and narrow, confessing and repenting as we go
along.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Remember: When old man death comes knocking at your
door, and eternity hangs in the balance for you, I pray Jesus will be able to
tell him, that the devil, never had you, and never will. </b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time, please continue to pray for each
other, our elected officials and government, and me, as I continue to pray for
each of you. Love in CHRIST,</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Associate Pastor</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Bethel Baptist Church </b></span></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-84781260623360354232012-07-24T17:26:00.002-05:002012-07-24T17:26:35.473-05:00“COUNT THE COST”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Good morning. I pray your week has
started off with a bang. We are in the last week of July already and this year
like the past, is just zooming by. I also wish all of you had the Spiritual
boost I am running off of today. I was able to attend two nights of revival at
Crossland Ave. Baptist and then church at Bethel Sunday morning and now I am
about to bust. LOL.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Today I want to talk to you about “The
Cost”. I am talking about the cost of your life and your afterlife. With the
prices of everything skyrocketing, do you ever stop to count the cost of your
life? Has anyone ever told you that you will either suffer later from what you
do now, or you will be rewarded later for the things you do now? Do you live a
life with these thoughts in mind, or do you think you will think about it later,
you have plenty of time to deal with that? Let me show you some scripture that
comes to mind when I ponder this subject.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="heb9-14"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="heb9-22"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="1co7-23"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="1co6-19"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="1co6-20"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="c"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="ga6-7"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="ga6-8"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="mt16-24"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="mt16-23"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="mt16-25"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="mt16-26"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="lu14-26"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="lu14-27"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="lu14-28"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Hebrews
9:14, 22, say, “ 14 </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>how much more
shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself
without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living
God?” “22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood,
and without shedding of blood there is no remission.”</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> 1 Corinthians 7:23 says, “
</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>You were bought at a price; do not become
slaves of men.” 1 Corinthian 6:19-20 says, “ 19 Or do you not know that your
body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and
you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God
in your body and in your spirit, which are God's” </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Galatians 6:7-8 says,
“</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for
whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will
of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit
reap everlasting life.” Matthew 16:24-26 says, “24 Then Jesus said to His
disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take
up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose
it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is
it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a
man give in exchange for his soul?” Luke 14:26-28 say, “ 26 "If anyone comes to
Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and
sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever
does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of
you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost,
whether he has enough to finish it--” </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>In
the beginning, to be forgiven, you use to have to take animals to a priest and
have them killed and their blood to make an atonement for your sins. After many
years of this, God saw that it was going to take something more, and grace,
(Christ) entered the picture and then His blood was required to cleanse all
man's sin. You see, money couldn't pay this price. It took blood, and not that
of some farm animal, but it had to be much more. See in the beginning if you
sinned a little, you could bring a goat. Then the bigger the sin, came in lambs
and then bulls. This is my paraphrasing by-the-way. But now, we are talking the
sins of the world, not one man or his family, but the world. What blood could be
worth so much to cover all the sins of mankind? Only the blood of a King and not
any ordinary king, but that of a King who would live a perfect sinless life. The
blood of Christ. It is the only blood valuable enough to pay for you and I, and
Christ willingly shed it to purchase all those who would be bought. There is no
other blood so valuable. There is no other Christ</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Have
you ever told someone you would die for them? Has someone ever told you that,
and if so, did you believe them? I want you to stop for a moment and consider
this. Christ did not just “die” for you and I, He willingly SUFFERED before He
could even die. Does that change your mind? Would you tell the one you told you
would die for before, now that you will suffer first, and then die for
them?</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>We
see that we were bought by the suffering blood of Christ. This is the price of
our souls and it has been paid for those who choose to be bought. Once we have
chosen to accept God's gift of salvation, we become His. The point I'm trying to
make is our salvation cost you and I nothing, but it cost Christ His suffering,
blood and life.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Now
we see what it cost Christ to purchase our souls. The next thing to consider is
what we are to do now. The Bible tells us that once we have accepted God's gift
of salvation and His invitation to be part of His family, we are to deny
ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him. This is the part where most of
us draw the line. We want God's “fire insurance”, to keep us out of hell, but to
deny ourselves and do what He wants instead of what we want, I don't think so.
Herein lies the problem. </b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Many
of us have the false sense of security that just because we believe in God, or
because we walked an isle and “accepted” Christ, or because we have been
baptized, or because we try to live a good life, or because we try to treat
others with respect, we are saved and on our way to heaven. This is not always
true. Even the devil believes in God, but he will not be in heaven. The Bible
teaches that it take more than lip service to be saved, it takes a change of
heart. It take a real, everyday relationship with Christ where we “deny”
ourselves and do what He wants us to do instead of what we want. You and I were
not created to be happy, or to please ourselves or those around us. We were
created to serve God and have fellowship with Him. If we do this, we will find a
happiness like we've never known. Salvation is free, being a servant cost. ARE
YOU WILL TO PAY THE PRICE?</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Remember: God counted the cost of your soul and
gave His Son to pay the price for you. Have you counted the cost of being a
servant, and are you paying up?</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time, please pray for each other, and
me, as I continue to pray for each of you. </b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Love in Christ,</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Associate Pastor</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Bethel Baptist Church</b></span></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-22534942708619271312012-07-22T21:35:00.002-05:002012-07-22T21:35:41.000-05:00“FASTING”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Good morning everyone. I pray you had
a wonderful weekend. We were able to enjoy a bit of cooler weather, if you can
call the 90's cooler. At least we weren't in the 100's again and we got a little
rain that was much needed.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Fasting. What comes to mind when you
think of this? Do you automatically think you have to starve yourself? Do you
think that fasting is solely devoted to going without food? Have you ever
fasted? Do you know how to fast, or what you might fast
for?</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>It is ironic that God would lead me to
this subject. This past Saturday we had our monthly men's prayer breakfast. Here
is how this ties together. While we ate a wonderful meal, we were meeting to
pray, but the Bible teaches that prayer and fasting go together like peanut
butter and jelly. Let's look at some scriptures.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Isaiah 58:5 says, “ You humble yourselves by going
through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the
wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call
fasting? Do you really think this will please the Lord?
Matthew 4:1-2 says, “ 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.2 For forty days and forty nights he
fasted and became very hungry.” Matthew 6:16-18 says, “16 “And when you fast,
don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and
disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth,
that is the only reward they will ever get.17 But when you fast, comb your hair
and wash your face.18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your
Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything,
will reward you.” Joel 2:12 says, “12 That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me
now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and
mourning.” Ezra 8:23 says, “ So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God
would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.” SCRIPTURES FROM THE NLT BIBLE
</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Bible should be our ultimate
authority for all of life. Anything and everything we will face in life, can be
solved by the scriptures. Prayer and fasting are two things that some people
seem to take lightly. I don't think any of us fully grasp the seriousness of
what we are doing, or we all would melt into shame, realizing that we are
calling on the most Holy of holy s, the Creator of everything. In old testament
times, a priest would have a rope tied around his leg so that if he went into
the holy of holy's, in God's presence to pray, and was unclean himself and died,
he could be pulled out.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>How and why do we, or should we fast?
Some people cannot go without food due to medical reasons or maybe because of
medications they may be taken. In these cases, you can choose to fast from
something else. Maybe you will skip one meal a day. Maybe you will skip the news
for so many days. Maybe you will give up reading the newspaper for a period of
time. Maybe you will give up all electronic devices for a period of time. The
point of fasting, is to give up something you will miss, and replace that with
time with God. </b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>If you skip lunch everyday for a week,
you would use that time to read God's word and pray. If you decided to skip the
nightly news, you would use that time to find quiet time for just you and God.
You have to remember that communing with God is not just us always going to Him
with this long laundry list of “stuff”, it is also reading His Word and giving
Him time to speak to us and show us things that we may never otherwise realize.
Most of us miss out on so much because we fail to give God His time with us. A
time of silence, away from the TV, phone, computer, cell phone, tablets, IPod,
mp3 players, video games and so on and so on. We try to squeeze Him in for a
minute here or there and instead of giving Him our best, we give Him what's
left.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>For a successful fast you need to
remember a few things. You should only do this if you are feeling led by the
Holy Spirit to do so. First, you must seek the Spirit's leading to clarify what
it is you are fasting for. Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for
someone else? He will enable you to pray more specifically. Remember, through
prayer and fasting we humble ourselves before God so the Holy Spirit can stir
our souls and awaken our churches. Second, you should start reasonably. Don't
set your goal too high. Do not rush into a fast. Prepare yourselves for what you
are going to do, so that you will succeed rather than fail. Third, stay
committed. Don't give up. See it through to the end and God will reveal things
to you, like you have never known. Forth, start your fast with resolve. Keep
God's Word open, listen, give Him the opportunity to show you things. Fifth,
stopping your fast. If you have given up food, ease back into eating again.
Don't binge eat. If it is something other than food, ask yourselves if you
really need to spend the time doing what you fasted from. Finally, if you
sincerely humble yourselves before the Lord, repent, pray and meditate on God's
Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence, (John 14:21).
You will find yourself to be mentally, physically and spiritually renewed,
(Romans 12:1,2).</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ultimately the key to prayer and
fasting is a sound confidence in the Word of God. Making the study of God's Word
a priority will enable you to pray effectively. </b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Remember: Fasting is between you and
God. If you expect to get something from Him, you have to do it His way, and
that is private.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Until next time, please continue to
pray for each other, and me, as I continue to pray for each of you. </b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Love in
CHRIST,</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Brian
Hanvey</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Associate
Pastor</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bethel Baptist Church</b></span></span></span></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-75779853576790889832012-07-22T21:34:00.005-05:002012-07-22T21:34:40.855-05:00"OPEN EYES"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Good morning. I pray this finds each of you cool on
this hot summer day, feeling well and enjoying all the blessings God continues
to pour out on us. It is the time of year when many churches are planning to
have, or are having spring revivals. I ask you to keep them in your prayers. Our
church is participating in a “cluster” revival this week that combines several
denominations and we covet your prayers as well.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>This weeks topic is "Open Eyes". Why is it, that so
often we refuse to see things that are right in front of our face? It's like, if
we keep our eyes closed, and pretend something is not there, or going on, then
maybe it isn't. Well, just because we don't acknowledge something, doesn't make
it more or less real.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Let's take a look at what the scripture says.
Matthew 7:13-20 says, "13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide
and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter
through it. 14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life,
and there are few who find it. </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>15</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> "Beware of the false prophets,
who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
</b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>16</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> "You will know them by their
fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are
they? </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>17</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> "So every good tree bears good
fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>18</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> "A good tree cannot produce
bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>19</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> "Every tree that does not bear
good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>20</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> "So then, you will know them
by their fruits. 1 John 3:4-10 says, "</b></span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>4</b></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> Everyone who practices sin
also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>5</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> You know that He appeared in
order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>6</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> No one who abides in Him sins;
no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>7</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> Little children, make sure no
one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He
is righteous; </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>8</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the
devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose,
to destroy the works of the devil. </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>9</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> No one who is born of God practices sin, because
His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
</b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>10</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> By this the children of God
and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice
righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his
brother.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>The Bible
tells us how to recognize those who really are God's. The world's response to
Christians calling things black and white is "you're judging me". In Matthew
7:20 we are told, "So then, you will know them by their fruits". We don't have
to guess, or as some say, "judge". The Bible tells us we will know them by the
good, God's good, or the bad, the world's way. 1 John 3:10 makes this clear, "By
this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who
does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his
brother". 1 John 3:4 says, "sin is lawlessness. Lawlessness is used here in its
broadest sense--defection from any of God's standards. </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Verse 6 of
1 John 3 helps us to understand that the lifestyle of the believer who keeps
God's commands (abides) will be obedience, not sin. The lifestyle of the one who
keeps on sinning demonstrates that he does not know God. Verse 8 says,
"practices", one who continually practices, sins as a regular way of life. In
verse 9 we should understand that God's people cannot sin habitually. Habitual
actions indicate one's character, and if God's seed abides in us, this nature
prevents the Christian from habitually sinning.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>In no way
am I inferring that a Christian is perfect, or that his actions will be without
wrong doing. What I am saying, and what God's word is telling us is, that many
claim to be children of God and choose to continually practice sin, (committing
the same sins over and over) proving that they really don't know God and His
seed does not abide in them. Those who have accepted the gift of salvation and
have a genuine relationship with God, will learn from their sins and grow and
overcome and have victory and be able to stand and face other sins in their
lives. We will grow, learn and know these things if, we have open eyes.
</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next
time, please pray for each other and me, as I continue to pray for you. </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Love in
CHRIST,</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Associate Pastor </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Bethel Baptist Church</b></span></span></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-35211102613929541512012-07-08T16:50:00.000-05:002012-07-08T16:50:25.069-05:00"BROKEN HEARTED"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Good morning to all of you out there
in cyber land. I hope you were in the house of God Sunday and that you can say
you had a true encounter with the Holy Spirit. If you are not attending a house
of God where you can feel Him as soon as you drive up on the grounds, you need
to find a new place of worship, or you need to ask yourselves if you are going
with an open heart to experience Him, or if your heart is filled with so many
other things you cannot hear Him anymore.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Broken Hearted” Have you ever had your
heart broken? Have you ever broken the heart of another? Do you remember what
that felt like to have your heart broken? Have you ever said, I would never wish
that pain on anyone?</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I really feel like God is wanting
someone out there to take a good look at me and my situation. This is the third
week in a row, He has given me a message to share with you, that kind of relates
to me. This week I'm referring to the loss of use of my legs. The reference is,
you don't miss something until you don't have it.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>By this point, you are probably asking
what is he talking about. This Wednesday I was able to attend church. While
sitting there, I was beside a man in his 80's. This man of God, has never missed
Sunday's church in over 50 years. As I looked at him, I was overcome with
emotion. Here sat a man, with so much knowledge, so much wisdom. He has taught
Sunday school. He has been a deacon for I don't know how many years. He has
loved his Lord and served Him for decades. Now the years have caught up to him
and his shell is giving out on him, yet here he sits, with a giant print Bible,
trifocal glasses and a super magnifying glass with a light that will only show
about one word at a time, trying to read his Bible. He is going blind. His eyes
are going fast.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I am broken hearted. I am sure this
man has read his Bible forward, backward and any other “ward” you can come up
with, and still he hungers for God to speak to him, so he “works” at reading
God's holy word. You see, he is trying to use what sight he has left to get all
of God's word in he can, before the light of his eyes is turned off. He will be
unable to read his Bible and that is what he will miss the most. The loss of his
eyes, even at his age is devastating him. He is already regretting what he will
no longer be able to do for God. Just as I think often of all that I would be
doing if I could walk. I think about this man that cannot get enough of God's
word and soon will no longer be able to read it, and how many leave it on the
shelf to collect dust and and don't realize what they are missing. If you were
told you sight was failing would His word be important to you then? What if God
treated you like Paul and took your sight instantly?</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="jas4-13"></a><a href="" name="f"></a><a href="" name="jas4-12"></a><a href="" name="g"></a><a href="" name="jas4-14"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>James 4:13-14 says, “13 Come now, you who
say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there,
buy and sell, and make a profit"; 14 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.” </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="ro12-3"></a><a href="" name="eph4-30"></a><a href="" name="ge6-6"></a><a href="" name="2ch7-14"></a><a href="" name="ps34-17"></a><a href="" name="ps34-18"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Romans 12:3 says, “For I say, through the grace given to me, to
everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”
Ephesians 4:30 says, “ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you
were sealed for the day of redemption.” Genesis 6:6 says. “And the Lord was
sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” 2
Chronicles 7:14 says, “if My people who are called by My name will humble
themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I
will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Psalms
34:17-18 says, “ 17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them
out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.” </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Where is your heart today? Is it harden by this
world we live in? Has circumstances caused you to build a wall around your heart
so no one, or nothing can touch it? How long has it been since you have given
thought to what the sins in your life are doing to the heart of God? Does it
matter to you? The next time your child does something that makes your heart
ache, stop for a moment and reflect on how God feels about the things you have
done that day, week and so on.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="la3-21"></a><a href="" name="la3-22"></a><a href="" name="la3-23"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Lamentations 3:21-23 says, “ 21 This I recall to my
mind, Therefore I have hope. 22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your
faithfulness.”</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>While my heart breaks for my friend and brother in
Christ, I know that one day soon, he will meet his Heavenly Father face to face
and not need glasses of any kind. He will be in the presence of the Word and the
Word will be with him. Praise His Name.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Remember: If your heart breaks, the best one to fix
it, is the One who made it. Seek the Lord and He will never fail
you.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time, please pray for each other, our
country and me, as I continue to pray for each of you. Love in
CHRIST,</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Associate Pastor</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Bethel Baptist Church</b></span></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-86611518552868372862012-07-02T00:57:00.000-05:002012-07-02T00:57:02.301-05:00"SPIRITUALLY PARALYZED”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Good morning to everyone. I hope you
are enjoying some of the activities available to you during the summer times
without getting too hot. The temperature is climbing and I pray you take the
necessary steps to avoid the damage of too much sun or
heat.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Today's topic, “Spiritually
Paralyzed”, has hit me hard this week. While I wait on the Lord to reveal His
thoughts to me, so that I may share them with you, I try to discern which ideas
are His and which are mine. It is my pray and heart's intention to first and
foremost serve my Lord and then to feed you His word.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>This past week, the need arose to find
volunteers to assist one of the widows of our church. The event had been
announced for a few weeks, so there was plenty of time for others to plan for
it. Because of a lack of volunteers, I was ask to seek out those who might help.
I made <u>many</u> calls. I had ONE to commit to help.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Last week I used myself as an example
and I am going to do that again. I can feel nothing below about four inches
above my bellybutton. From that point down I am still alive, blood flows,
toenails grow but I feel nothing. My point is, God is showing me that many of
our heart's are the same way. They are pumping blood, beating and doing their
jobs, but dead. Let me show you what God is telling me.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="eph2-10"></a><a href="" name="re1-5"></a><a href="" name="a"></a><a href="" name="2co5-14"></a><a href="" name="2co5-15"></a><a href="" name="mt15-8"></a><a href="" name="c"></a><a href="" name="mt15-19"></a><a href="" name="joh8-47"></a><a href="" name="jas2-17"></a><a href="" name="jas2-18"></a><a href="" name="d"></a><a href="" name="e"></a><a href="" name="jas2-19"></a><a href="" name="1co1-17"></a><a href="" name="1co1-18"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ephesians 2:10 says,
“</b></span></span>For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Revelations 1:5 says, “and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the
firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who
loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood “ 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
says, “14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One
died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should
live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”
Matthew 15:8, 19 says, “ 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And
honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me” “19 For out of the
heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false
witness, blasphemies.” John 8:47 says, “He who is of God hears God's words;
therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." James 2:17-19 says, “17
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone
will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your
works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is
one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!” 1 Corinthians
1:17-18 says, “ 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the
gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no
effect. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>So,
let's review what we have read. God created us for “good works”. He washed our
sins away with His own blood. If we have truly accepted Him as our Savior, we
are to STOP living our lives to please ourselves, and seek to please Him. We
talk a good talk but God, the One who looks at the heart, knows that while we
offer good lip service, our hearts are truly far from Him and His. From our
hearts. God sees what is really important to us and why we do the things we do.
</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>He
knows our intentions, sees our loyalties and all the things that go on behind
closed doors. Again, if you are truly His, you will hear His word and want to do
His will. Faith without works is dead. The Bible tells us even the demons
believe, but that doesn't mean they are children of God, or that they will get
to heaven.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>With
all of this knowledge, what does that say about you and I? We cannot argue that
God created us. And if we have been saved, asked forgiveness for our sins and
ask Christ to come and live in and through us, then we were bought by and washed
in His blood. We were created to do His “good works”. Not to do anything and
everything that pleases us. Don't throw stones at me, I'm just sharing His word,
not my own. I am not saying God expects us to be miserable, I'm saying if we are
doing what He has called us to do, we will find a satisfaction, a gratification,
like we've never known. We can talk all day until we are blue in the face about
God and how much we believe in Him, but if we are not doing the things He wants
us to do, we are just putting on a show. </b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>If
you frequent a convenient store and run into the same man each afternoon and he
has paint on his clothes, you can surmise he is a painter. You don't need to
hear him tell you he is, there is evidence. The Bible tells us you can tell a
tree by the fruit it bears and by their fruit we shall know them. If you are a
true child of God, there should be fruit, evidence. We should be able to
recognize each other without having to make some proclamation of who and what we
are.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>The
intent of this writing, is to get you to look into the mirror and examine your
spiritual health. Is there evidence that you are a child of God? If God followed
you around for a day, for what would you be ashamed of? If He called you home
today, what regrets would you have over lost opportunities? </b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>You
may say none of this pertains to you. I want to challenge you to be 100% honest,
and for one day, make a journal of everything you do, For one day, other than
Sunday, write down what you spend your time doing. Then I challenge you to be
honest enough to message me back and say either yes, I am doing more of what God
would have me to do, or no, I am failing God and spending more time pleasing me.
I will not share with anyone, anything that any of you send to me, I am just
looking for honest answers and whether you are honest with me or not, God
already knows. </b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>If
we are not being the Holy Spirit filled people God created us to be, what are we
teaching our children? If we are teaching them to be slack and to compromise a
little here and there, how much more will they teach their children to do the
same and more? </b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Remember: If you are suffering from Spiritual
Paralysis, seek God's R-E-H-A-B. Repent—Evict all the bad—Hold to the
good—Accept responsibility—Be ye a doer of His will.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time, please continue to pray for each
other, and me, as I continue to pray for each of you. Love in
CHRIST,</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Associate Pastor<br />Bethel Baptist Church</b></span></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-64694274373712830782012-07-02T00:54:00.001-05:002012-07-02T00:54:28.446-05:00"IT'S TIME TO PUT UP, OR SHUT UP!”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Good morning to everyone out there
today. It was so nice to get out on this father's day and make it to church. I
talked with my son by phone 5 or 6 times, (he lives in GA.) and felt very much
appreciated and loved. Our pastor delivered a powerful sermon, relevant to the
day and the music was just what was needed to prepare our
hearts.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>It's Time To Put Up Or Shut Up”. Have
you ever said that, or maybe heard someone say it to you? What do you think of
when hearing this? Would the statement offend you if someone said it to
you?</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I have been in my chair five years and
nine months. I have not, am not and will not ever complain about being in this
chair. The alternative was death and while I am ready for that trip, I am
thankful for each day that I have to spend with my family and to do my best to
serve my Lord. I am on borrowed time and maybe that is why I think of this
statement to much. But, I am not the only one, on borrowed
time.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="jas4-13"></a><a href="" name="g"></a><a href="" name="jas4-14"></a><a href="" name="mt9-37"></a><a href="" name="mt9-36"></a><a href="" name="mt9-38"></a><a href="" name="joh9-4"></a><a href="" name="a"></a><a href="" name="mt6-19"></a><a href="" name="mt6-20"></a><a href="" name="mt6-21"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>James 4:13-14 says, “</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>13 Come now,
you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year
there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; 14 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” 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.” Matthew 6:19-21 says, “ 19 "Do not lay up
for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves
break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also.”</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="jas2-15"></a><a href="" name="jas2-16"></a><a href="" name="jas2-17"></a><a href="" name="jas2-18"></a><a href="" name="d"></a><a href="" name="e"></a><a href="" name="jas2-19"></a><a href="" name="jas2-20"></a><a href="" name="jas2-21"></a><a href="" name="f"></a><a href="" name="jas2-22"></a><a href="" name="jas2-23"></a><a href="" name="g1"></a><a href="" name="g2"></a><a href="" name="jas2-24"></a><a href="" name="jas2-25"></a><a href="" name="jas2-26"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>James 2:15-26
says, “ 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and
one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not
give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus
also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will
say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works,
and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God.
You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O
foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father
justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see
that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made
perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God,
and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of
God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25
Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the
messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit
is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>So, what have we read from God's word? Our lives are but a vapor, so
don't plan to do things tomorrow, do them today. There is more than enough work
to be done. We must work now, because death is coming and then the time for work
will have past. We need to be doing the work for which we were created so that
we store up our treasure in heaven, not here. And we need to stop giving lip
service about what we were “going to do” , what we “meant to do”. We don't get
brownie points for intentions. The Bible tells us, “faith, without works is
<u>DEAD</u>”.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Why do you think God told Abraham to
take Isaac up the mountain to be sacrificed? God wanted to see that the child He
had promised him for so long, was not more important to Abraham than service to
God. I say this, to pose the question to you, what are you allowing to prevent
your service to God? How many times have you felt God lead you to do something,
or seen a need with your own eyes, or had someone contact you with an
opportunity to do a service for God, and you put ___________, in front of Him.
What do you think matters more to God, that you spent all four Saturdays of the
month cutting your grass, of if you missed one to cut the grass of one of the
church's elderly? Do you think it will matter more to God that you signed up
your child to play ball every Wednesday, teaching them to skip church or that
you take a stand and show your family that being in church is more beneficial
and pleasing to God?</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Think for a moment about all the good
and things you see that need to be done in your church and around you. Now, ask
yourself, what is preventing me from doing this. I'm not saying you should leave
your family out. Include them. Get your spouse, your children or your friends to
help out. Instead of allowing others to pull you from His service, pull them
into service with you. I tell you, I sit in a chair knowing what I use to do,
and seeing what needs to be done and I know it grieves God at the lack of
commitment and enthusiasm from those who have no physical limitations to please
Him. We were never created to please self. I'm going to close this weeks thought
with a poem. Enjoy.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Today, upon a bus, I saw a lovely girl with
golden hair, I envied her…she seemed so gay…and wished I were as fair. When
suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle; She had one leg and
wore a crutch; But as she passed…a smile! Oh, God forgive me when I whine, I
have two legs. The world is mine!</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="contentAreaCliff">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I stopped to buy some candy. The lad who sold it
had such charm. I talked with him He seemed so glad. If I were late ‘twould do
no harm. And as I left he said to me, “I thank you. You have been so kind. It’s
nice to talk with folks like you. You see,” he said, “I’m blind.” Oh, God,
forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes. The world is mine.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Later, while walking down the street, I saw a
child with eyes of blue. He stood and watched the others play. He did not know
what to do. I stopped a moment, then I said, “Why don’t you join the others,
dear?” He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear. Oh,
God forgive me when I whine. I have two ears. The world is
mine.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">With feet to take me where I’d go, with eyes to
see the sunset’s glow, With ears to hear what I would know…Oh, God forgive me
when I whine. I’m blessed indeed. The world is mine.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span dir="ltr" id="_atssh" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: medium none; height: 0.02in; padding: 0in; position: absolute; width: 0.02in;"><span class="sd-abs-pos" style="left: 0in; position: absolute; top: 0in; width: 2px;"><img height="2" name="Object1" src="wlmailhtml:{794AE42D-0B92-44FF-9378-F718179698CD}mid://00000004/" width="2" /></span>
</span></div>
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Remember: When it comes your time to go home, it won't matter what you
meant to do, but what you've done.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Until next time, please continue to pray for each other and me, as I
continue to pray for each of you. Love in CHRIST.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Associate Pastor<br />Bethel Baptist Church</b></span></span></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-3238127425562607182012-06-17T13:21:00.001-05:002012-06-17T13:21:13.694-05:00"TOPIC OF CONVERSATION"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Good morning. I pray you are as
enthusiastic and excited about God and this week as I am. I just finished
filling in for our vacationing pastor for the past two weeks and am planning a
signing ceremony for the group who completed the “Honor Begins At Home” Bible
study, for this Sunday. God is great and any time I get to do something for Him
I feel more alive than ever.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Today's topic, “Topic Of
Conversation”, is one that hits close to home for me. I really don't know if it
would have six years ago, but I see it almost daily now, and wish I could do
something about it. </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>When you see a person with a
limitation, what do you do or say? Do you look away? Do you say to whoever may
be close something like, “don't look now, but so and so is coming”? Do you turn
quickly and go the other way, hoping you were not noticed? Why is it when we see
someone blind, deaf, on a cane or a walker or in a wheelchair, we tend to think
they are contagious, or somehow of less value than the rest of us? We don't want
to include them in things with us for fear they will not be able to keep up. We
don't want to talk to them because we think they have enough problems of their
own. Let me share a bit of scripture that comes to mind when I think of
this.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="joh3-16"></a><a href="" name="mt15-30"></a><a href="" name="mt15-31"></a><a href="" name="1sa16-7"></a><a href="" name="a"></a><a href="" name="ex4-10"></a><a href="" name="ex4-11"></a><a href="" name="php2-3"></a><a href="" name="php2-4"></a><a href="" name="php2-5"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>John 3:16 say, “</b></span></span>For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes
in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Matthew 15:30-31 say, “ 30
Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute,
maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus' feet, and He healed
them. 31 So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed
made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God
of Israel.” 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “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." Exodus 4:10-11 says, “10 Then Moses said to the
Lord, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to
Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." 11 So the Lord said
to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing,
or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?” Philippians 2:3-5 says, “3 Let nothing be
done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his
own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you
which was also in Christ Jesus,” </div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>So,
what have we learned? The Bible tells us that God came to save us all. Whether
we are blind, deaf, mute, lame, slow of speech or just not pretty, God came to
save us all. But the last of the scripture is probably the hardest for us, “let
each esteem others better than himself”. That is the last thing we want to hear
in this very self-centered, selfish world we live in today. You want me to
esteem other better than me, and to look out for their interest also? But, “I
know so and so, and I know I am better than they are”. This is something Jesus
could have said, but didn't. Then you say, why should I? No one else is doing
it. But the last verse seals it for us, “let this mind be in you which was also
in Christ Jesus. Isn't He suppose to be the example we follow? Your friends may
not be doing this. Your church, your Sunday school teacher, maybe even your
pastor is not following this scripture, but we will not answer for what they do
or do not do, only for ourselves.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>You
see, God is looking on the inside. He is not looking at our limitations, but our
capabilities. He sees how we can be of use just the way we are, and then He
looks to see if we are willing to let Him use us like we are or if we are
whining about our infirmities.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>God
can and will heal us all, of whatever we suffer from, whether it is a physical
limitation or a mental limitation, when the time is right for Him. Whether it is
on this side of the Jordan, or the other, God is the same God and has not
weakened over the years. He can do the same in either world and works in His
time frame and not ours.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>The
point I am trying to make is, don't shun people with limitations. Think of us as
you would anyone else. We just want to be treated like everyone else and we want
to be given the same opportunities to help, serve, work and take part in all the
things that anyone without limitations can do. We want to be friends to you and
you with us, not just a “Topic of conversation” at the lunch
table.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Remember: If you are listening to someone talk to
you about someone else, that same person is probably talking about you to others
as well. Be accountable, stop the gossip bug at you.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time, please pray for each other, and
me, as I continue to pray for each of you. Loving in CHRIST,</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Associate Pastor</b></span></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-2919280998936896172012-06-03T16:23:00.003-05:002012-06-03T16:23:51.819-05:00I WANT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Good morning. Once again, I would like to thank you
for taking the time to allow me to share what God has laid on my heart. I pray
that you had an excellent weekend and that if you work, you are one of the lucky
ones to have today off. Sunday is that one day a week when everything is suppose
to stop, our focus is to turn to the Lord and worshiping Him and fellowship with
other believers. O what the majority of the world is missing by choosing to to
observe this Holy day.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Today's topic comes from something I heard at a
singing sometime back and I still hear the man on the radio say it form time to
time. IF, God answered everyone of my prayers for the last six months, how would
the world be different. It made me stop and think of areas in my own life where
I am lacking to please God, and that it's not all about
me.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>In the book of Acts, chapter 3 we read about a
beggar, lame from birth, who was sat daily at the gate of the temple to beg for
alms (or money) for his support. He had been doing this for many years. On this
particular day, Peter and John were on their way into the temple to pray at the
appointed time when they saw this beggar and this is what the scriptures tell
us. Acts 3:1-8 says, </b></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>"</b></span></span><em><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>1</b></span></span></em><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> Now Peter and John went up together to the temple
at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. </b></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>2</b></i></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> And a certain man lame from
his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple
which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;
</b></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>3</b></i></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the
temple, asked for alms. </b></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>4</b></i></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said,
"Look at us." </b></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>5</b></i></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> So he gave them his attention, expecting to
receive something from them. </b></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>6</b></i></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have,
but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up
and walk." </b></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>7</b></i></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> And he took him by the right hand and lifted him
up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
</b></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><b>8</b></i></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b> So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered
the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God."
</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>You see, this beggar thought he knew what he wanted
and/or needed, money. But God knew he needed healed. James 4:3 says, "You ask
and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your
pleasures."</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>I challenge you today to examine your prayer life,
your wants, needs and request that have been made lately. Then I want you to
think of what you have done for Him lately, or what excuses have you made for
not doing what God would have you do. Now, I wonder, what kind of shape we would
be in, if when we went to God with our long laundry list of "wants and needs",
He gave us back some of the excuses, we pawn off on Him. </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>PRAYER: "Lord please help me with my rebellious
child?" GOD: "Not today, I'm too tired from hunting yesterday, maybe next week.
PRAYER: "Lord help me with my finances?" GOD: "Maybe in a week or two, but right
now I'm just too busy enjoying this beautiful weather." PRAYER: "Lord help my
mom or dad past this trial they are going through please?" GOD: "I would, but I
didn't realize it was Sunday already and I have made some other plans. You
understand don't you? Maybe later." PRAYER: “Father please spend some time with
Mr. Smith, he is so lonely?” GOD: “I was going to do that, but it is baseball,
softball, football, basketball, soccer season and I just have to many irons in
the fire right now.” </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>You say, "this is ridiculous" right? But it is the
same bologna we give God daily. Now before you start throwing stones at me, I am
not saying that you have to do for God, for Him to do for you, but what I am
saying is how can we go to Him and "expect" action and results, when we give
little to nothing in return.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Just as God knew and provided that lame man what he
needed through Peter, He will do what is best for us. So let's make a commitment
today to seek God's will and what pleases Him, and as we are told in Matthew
6:33, "these things shall be added to you". It is not about what " I want", but
what He knows is best, and we will be the better for it. </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Which do you think the lame man would rather have
looking back, a coin or two, or his body whole? Do for God because you love Him,
and see how He blesses you. </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Remember: "I want", no, it is what He wants and we
will be the better for it. </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time, please pray for each other, and
me, as I continue to pray for each of you. Love in CHRIST,</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Associate Pastor</b></span></span></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-81766496549485940982012-05-06T15:56:00.002-05:002012-05-06T15:56:45.022-05:00“EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT CHURCHES ARE DYING!!!”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Good morning to all. I pray this finds
you happy, healthy and prosperous. I hope you were able to take advantage of the
beautiful weekend we had and attend the church of your
choice.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>If you are like me, you probably are
not quite old enough to remember when people use to stand on the street selling
newspapers and shouting “Extra, Extra, Read All About It”. Their purpose was not
only to draw attention to themselves, but to draw our attention to some specific
news. </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Well, the news today is, “Churches are
Dying”. Does this surprise you? Did you know this was happening? Have you been
out driving and passed a building that use to once house the church? How do you
feel about this news? Does it effect you in any way? Once again, I am going to
look to the scriptures for some help on this topic.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="2th2-3"></a><a href="" name="b"></a><a href="" name="2ti4-2"></a><a href="" name="2ti4-3"></a><a href="" name="2ti4-4"></a><a href="" name="eph4-14"></a><a href="" name="eph4-15"></a><a href="" name="eph4-16"></a><a href="" name="2ti3-12"></a><a href="" name="2ti3-13"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>2 Thessalonians 2:3 say,
“</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>3 Let
no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling
away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,” 2
Timothy 4:2-4 says, “2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own
desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves
teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned
aside to fables.” Ephesians 4:14-16 says, “14 that we should no longer be
children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by
the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but,
speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the
head--Christ-- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what
every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part
does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” 2
Timothy 3:13 says, “13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse,
deceiving and being deceived.” </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>This topic saddens me greatly, as I'm sure it does our Lord. The
church is the people, not the buildings, but the buildings are closing up shop
and dropping of the face of the map because the people are leaving in droves. I
know of two country churches on the same road within a mile or two of each other
that have been closed for a long time now. One was sold to a biker gang and is
now painted black and has skulls and cross bones on it. The other church has
been remolded and now has someone living in it. Some churches are trying to hard
to please congregations and are cutting Wednesday night and Sunday night
services. Somehow we have condoned the transition from the Sabbath Day to only
needing to celebrate the Sabbath Hour. This is not, was not and never will be
God's plan, yet we just smile and roll along with the flow.</b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Does
reading this trouble you? Are you one of those that has left the church? Do you
know of some that have decided to leave the church?</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>People are fleeing in flocks. Is it because God has
changed? Has His rules, commandments, law or judgments changed over the years?
Has the bar been elevated higher than it use to be? The answer is NO. It is we
who have changed and cluttered up our schedules to the point that we have no
time to fit God in.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>We
are too concerned that God or church may interfere with baseball, football,
soccer, basketball, softball, cheer leading, dance class, our favorite TV show
and the list could go on and on. Tell me, when we meet God face to face, do you
think He is going to be impressed by any of the time spent or accolades earned
by these activities that took time away from Him?</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>How
did we lose so much ground in just two or three generations? Two or three
generations back, people went to church and not because they were drug or
because they were being punished somehow, but because they wanted to. Because
they loved God, knew that all good things come from Him and wanted to not only
spend time with Him, but to give back to Him a little for all He had done for
them through the week. A few generations back, people planned their schedules
around the church. Now we think we should take God and force Him to come to us
and melt into the cracks of time where we may have a few minutes here or there
throughout the week.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>To
tie all this in with the subject title and scriptures mentioned, I want you to
look around. God's churches are closing doors at an alarming rate, while men are
opening doors and calling them churches. God's word above tells us that when
people are no longer willing to endure the truth of sound doctrine, they will
find people who will tell them what they want to hear, follow them, make up
their own rules as they go along so that everything is tolerated and condoned
and in so doing they become deceived and deceive others as well, all in the name
of “church”. People are choosing places of entertainment, where they can be made
to feel good about themselves and the lives they live, where there are
activities to keep themselves and their children occupied rather than a place to
learn and hear the real word of God preached and taught. We have no trouble
finding 15-20 people to make up a softball team, but cannot get three or four to
go out on visitation. Do you not think this is grieving the Holy
Spirit?</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Somewhere we have forgotten what a privilege it is
to be able to go to a house of God and worship without the threat of death as
some in this world still have. We have forgotten that it is our duty to work the
activities of life into the “life” God has given us, not to ask Him to
accommodate our schedule. We are told in the Bible that we are to love God with
all our heart, soul and mind. This means He is to be our first love. Is the life
you're living showing God that He is your first love? Are you one of the ones
responsible for a church closing?</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Remember: There are two types of people, leaders
and followers. Look at yourself and decide which one you are and what results
that has on those around you. Living and dying, are you helping or
hurting?</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time, please continue to pray for each
other and me, as I continue to pray for each of you. Love in
CHRIST,</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Associate Pastor</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Bethel Baptist Church</b></span></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-54189047029092450592012-04-24T17:58:00.001-05:002012-04-24T17:58:48.135-05:00"THE COST OF STUMBLING BLOCKS"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Good morning to each of you. I want to take this
opportunity, to once again thank you for allowing me to come into your home,
work or where ever computer, and share what God has branded my heart and mind
with for this week. I also want to send up praises for the answered prayers and
for a couple of needs we had met out of the blue for us. Thank you to all who
had a hand in what was done and thank You to my Lord for allowing me to be in
church yesterday. I will be thankful for what I do have and can
do.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>This was a very trying week for us. We learned
during the week that one of our churches' member's mother passed away, we have
had another member in the hospital and another member was told that his daughter
was dying. We have the promises and rely on the assurances of seeing her again
one day in heaven. It is very hard to know that because of stumbling blocks,
people are dying and going to hell every minute of every day. This hurts my soul
deep. </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>This brings us to the topic of the day, "the cost
of stumbling blocks". Do you ever wonder why preachers seem to be so repetitive?
Does it seem like Christians seem to continue to say the same things over and
over? Do you read the Bible and say to yourself, "I just read that sermon a few
pages or chapters or books back"? Are you one of those people that see a "Bible
thumper" coming and quickly try to look away, act busy or try to go in the
opposite direction to avoid the coming conversation? </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>The reason for the repetition is that the question
is the same today as it was hundreds of years ago. Are you saved, and if so, are
you sharing Christ with others, so that they might be saved? If the answer to
either of, or both of, these questions is no, then we need to examine the
stumbling blocks and the cost.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Stumbling blocks can be as different as people can.
For some it may be a turnoff to a certain denomination, a vice you don't want to
stop, pride, a concern about what others might think of you, worrying about
others expectations and this list could go on and on with no end I'm sure. Let's
take a look at some scripture covering what we are discussing.
</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hosea 14:9 says, "Who is wise? Let him
understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the
Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them".
1 Corinthians 1:27 says, "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to
put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to
shame the things which are mighty;" Mark 9:42-43 says, "42 "But whoever causes
one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for
him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.
43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter
into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire
that shall never be quenched". James 2:10 says, "For whoever shall keep the
whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all".
</span></b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Now comes the time to do what most of us, almost
will never do, and that is look into the honesty mirror. What is your stumbling
block to accepting God's free gift of salvation? What would it cost you to
accept this gift. More importantly, what will it cost you if you do not accept
this gift? I'm sure there are many young people that have the attitude of, "I
will deal with that when I get older, when I am finished sowing oats and living
the life I have to live. It is just not for me right now."
</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>We are given a warning to this type of thought in
Matthew 24:42-44. The scripture says, "42 Watch therefore, for you do not know
what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house
had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed
his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man
is coming at an hour you do not expect." None of us know the exact time we will
die and risking eternity on doubt, selfishness and pride is like playing Russian
Roulette with a fully loaded gun. There is no second chance <u>"after"</u> we
die.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>If you are saved, then what are the stumbling
blocks preventing you from sharing Christ's gift of salvation so that everyone
you know and come into contact with has the chance to go to heaven with you? Are
you worried you may lose a friend? Are you worried others may talk behind your
back and make fun of you? Or maybe you are living a double life, you know, one
person at church and around other Christians, and then another person who blends
into the crowd and environment to be sociable and liked. The cost of those
stumbling blocks are the difference in heaven or hell, eternity in the presence
of God and paradise, or eternal damnation, pain and suffering. There is no gray
area. This is not just what I think, or some denominational doctrine, but what
the HOLY BIBLE SAYS. </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Maybe you are saved. Maybe you are sharing Christ
with some from time to time, but you feel God is wanting more from you and your
life. What stumbling blocks are keeping you from serving Him in whatever area He
is leading you. Think about the things you do in your everyday life. Do those
things have any eternal values? Will you be given crowns of rewards, or will
rewards be taken away because you ignored the Holy Spirit's
leading?</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>I am here at the computer most of the day. If you
cannot reach me here, you can call me at 931-648-3252 or 931-624-2442 anytime to
discuss what I write about, what is on your heart and mind and any other area
that I might be of some help in. I love you guys and girls and pray this has
provoked everyone to thought about our stumbling blocks and their cost.
</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Remember: Sin will take you further than you want
to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you can
afford to pay.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time, pray for each other and me, and I
will continue to pray for you. Love in CHRIST,</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Associate Pastor</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Bethel Baptist Church</b></span></span></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-92035838193839278432012-04-24T17:57:00.001-05:002012-04-24T17:57:57.211-05:00“VOWS”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Good morning. I pray this writing
finds you well and prospering today. As I sit here, I hear the birds singing
outside my window and I am reminded how very blessed I am to be able to hear and
enjoy these sounds. Oh how good God is to us.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Today I want to talk with you
about “vows”. What do you think of when you hear the word vow? Do you
automatically think of weddings? What other uses may there be for the word vow?
Would you agree that a promise could be called a vow? What about when someone
says, “you have my word”, would that be a form of a
vow?</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>In today's world, we tend to put
very little creditability or reliability in our “vows”. You disagree with me?
Look at how many divorces we have every day in America. In each wedding, the man
and woman exchange vows, not only unto each other, but unto the Lord, and yet
they discard those vows almost as easy as they made
them.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>You maybe asking me, “well what's
the big deal? Maybe I changed my mind.” Well, it is a big deal and I would like
to show you what scriptures have to say about the
issue.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="ps56-12"></a><a href="" name="nu30-2"></a><a href="" name="de23-20"></a><a href="" name="de23-21"></a><a href="" name="de23-22"></a><a href="" name="de23-23"></a><a href="" name="ec5-4"></a><a href="" name="ec5-5"></a><a href="" name="ec5-6"></a><a href="" name="a"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Psalms 56:12 says, “ Vows made to You are
binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You,” Numbers 30:2 says, “If a
man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some
agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that
proceeds out of his mouth.” Deuteronomy 23:21-23 says, “21 "When you make a vow
to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the Lord your God will
surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you. 22 But if you abstain from
vowing, it shall not be sin to you. 23 That which has gone from your lips you
shall keep and perform, for you voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you
have promised with your mouth.” Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 says, “4 When you make a vow
to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you
have vowed-- 5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. 6 Do not let your
mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was
an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your
hands?”</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Thanks to a recent Bible study some of us at our
church just completed, I have been reminded of the fact that once God's Word has
been read or heard, then we are held double accountable to do what we know. With
this knowledge, let us reread the above scriptures.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Now,
knowing what God expects of us concerning our “word” or “vow”, I want you to
think back over the day, past few days or weeks and think about how many times
and to whom you have given your word or vow to, and ask yourselves if you have
kept your word or vow. Have you told someone you would pray for them or told
someone you would do something for them, and then allowed other things to cause
you to break your word or vow? Do you speak with God and ask for Him to act for
you by fulfilling some need you may have and tell Him you will do something for
Him in return and then you don't or you stop for some reason?</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Another word for vow, is covenant. A vow, like a
covenant, are both like contracts. The difference between a contract and a vow
or covenant, is a contract has an ending and “loop holes”. A vow and a covenant
don't. Both, vows and covenants, have requirements and they are binding till
death. Does that scare you? Looking back at some of the things you may have told
others you would do, or vows you have made, are you recalling some things you
didn't fulfill? </b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>God's Word tells us that it is better not to vow,
than to make a vow and not pay it. God does not except excuses and does not like
to be put in second place, or any other place rather than first.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>So,
I ask the big question. Where is God on your priority list? When you ask God
into your heart and to come and live inside of you, you made a vow, and a
covenant with Him to make Him first in your life. No other place is worthy of,
or of interest to Him. Is He? Realizing now that you have a covenant with God
for Him to be first, a marriage vow, if you will, if you were to die today, what
would the life you have lived reveal to God? Does He come first? Did you let the
job come before Him? Did you let recreational activities come before Him? Did
you let relationships come before Him? Did you let yard work come before
Him?</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>When
it comes to our relationship with God, our marriage vow, nothing or no one
should come in between us. If we allow anyone or anything to be of more
importance to us, then we are breaking that vow we made with God to allow Him to
be first in our life. </b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Other activities, family members and things can be
fun, needed and enjoyed, but when we allow them to circumvent our relationship
and responsibility to God and His plan, we are breaking our vows to God. When we
know that the church doors are open we should be fulfilling our vow to God and
His people to be supporting and encouraging our brothers and sisters. When we
allow our spouses, children, grandchildren, friends, football, softball,
baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, TV, parents and whatever else to come in
front of God, we are teaching all those whom God has put us in a position of
influence over, that these things have more importance to us than does
God.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Remember: In the good ole days a person's word and
handshake were every bit as binding as a contract. Where did we lose our
integrity?</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time, please pray for each other, and
me, as I continue to pray for each of you. Love in CHRIST,</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Papyrus;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Brian
Hanvey</span></b></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Associate
Pastor</span></b></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Bethel Baptist Church</span></b></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-13503893379983018902012-04-15T12:59:00.002-05:002012-04-15T12:59:20.593-05:00“TRADITIONS”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Good morning. I pray you have been the
recipient of some of this beautiful weather we have been having and were able to
take advantage of it for your Easter celebrations. I also pray you were able to
be in church and that you had a wonderful Easter filled with love, family and
the presence of God.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Today, I want to talk to you about
“Traditions”. We all have them for different times and seasons. Some of us go
crazy worrying about Friday the 13ths, like the one coming up this Friday. But
what about Easter? What are your traditions?</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>God established many traditions in the
Old Testament for those to follow. Times for those to come together and
celebrate different feast and to celebrate the times of harvest. But, none is
more important than the time of the Holy Week.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Gospel writers devoted much of
their material to the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. The final
week of His earthly ministry began with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and
the “Hosannas” from the crowd that changed to cries of “Crucify Him” before the
week was over. Jesus apparently spent most of the week teaching in the temple
area during the day. His evenings were spent in the home of Mary, Martha and
Lazarus in Bethany. Significant events during this week included the plot of the
Sanhedrin, Jesus' betrayal and arrest, the trials of Jesus, His journey to
Golgotha down the Jerusalem street known today as the Via Dolorosa, and the
Resurrection. After His resurrection, Jesus ministered another forty days before
His ascension. </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>There is no way in the limited space I
have in one of these to adequately portray the events of this weekend. I am
going to try to condense as much as I can, and depend on you to look up the
scripture when you can. Judas Agrees to betray Christ, Luke 22:1-6. The Passover
is celebrated, Luke 22:14-18. The Lord's Supper is instituted and Christ
predicts His betrayer, Luke 22:19-23. Christ predicts Peter's denial Luke
22:31-34. Christ prays in Gethsemane, Luke 22:39-46. Judas betrays Christ, Luke
22:47-53. Peter denies Christ, Luke 22:54-62. Christ is beaten, Luke 22:63-65.
Christ goes through the trials of the Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod and Pilate again,
Luke 22:66-23:25. Christ is crucified, Luke 23:26-49. Christ is buried, Luke
23:50-56. Then THE RESURRECTION, Luke 24:1-12 </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>You may be saying, “what is the point to all of
this and how does “traditions” play a part in this?”. Well, again, I'm glad you
ask. Many people practice the “tradition” of the Easter Bunny. Coloring eggs and
hiding them for all the little children to hunt and find. They have big
elaborate baskets filled with all kinds of candy and toys. They put on their
very best dresses and suits and head off to church and then enjoy a nice big
family meal. You may be saying, “this describes our Easter Sunday's to a tee”.
</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>If I have described your typical Easter
celebrations and that is the end of it, then herein lies the problem. Many
adults today cannot tell you the REAL reason for this celebration weekend.
</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>If the adults cannot recall the reason for the
celebration, then you know the children will not be able to and then the
“tradition” of the “bunny” lives on forever, while the story of sacrifice, God
in the flesh, willing to die, be brutally beaten, nailed to a cross and then die
and rise on the third day, becomes some scarcely known fable.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>What is wrong with this picture? It is the same
thing that we are allowing to go on all over the world. We are becoming too busy
to be able to sit down with our families and children and teach them of the
“truths” of what Jesus has done for us and continues to do for us every day.
</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Then we have those who can tell you part of the
story but not all of it. It is good to be able to tell our children that, “the
stone was rolled away and nothing but the grave clothes were found”. But as they
get older, they need to know what it took for Jesus to get to that point. How He
chose to live a sinless 33 years so that He could be the sacrificial lamb,
without blemish. How He could have called thousands of angels to come to His
rescue, but He didn't. He chose to be abandoned, convicted while innocent,
beaten beyond His own families' recognition, nailed to a cross like a common
criminal, have His Father turn away from Him, die, be buried and then arise so
that your sins, my sins and the sins of the whole world could be forgiven, and
to prevent us from having to face such a death.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Take the time to establish good family traditions
that include God and what He has done for us and will continue to do for us. The
bearded man and a bunny are ok, but they have no eternal value, and after all,
isn't that the most important tradition, (that God loves us and how we can spend
eternity with Him), that we can pass down?</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Remember: A tradition without the proper meaning,
is like a newspaper without any ink.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time, please continue to pray for each
other, and me, as I continue to pray for each of you. Love in CHRIST,
</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Brian Hanvey</span></b></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Associate Pastor</span></b></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Bethel Baptist Church</span></b></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-38353385636000596642012-04-03T00:14:00.003-05:002012-04-03T00:14:33.704-05:00"I’VE HEARD ENOUGH"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Good morning. I pray you have been one of
the blessed ones to be able to be outside enjoying some of this beautiful spring
weather we have been having. I love this time of year when the pretty colors are
all busting forth out of the ground. See the wonders of God that we take for
granted. Would you miss the spring colors if they never came
again?</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Today, I am going to ask for a few moments
of your undivided attention. I realize that at any moment you have the choice to
stop reading, or even not open this at all. But, if you have taken the time to
open this and have a heart opened to His Word, I believe you and I both are
going to receive some valuable pearls from the Lord.</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The title says, “I’ve heard enough”. Have
you ever made that statement? Do you make that claim when you are at church? I
have heard people say, I haven’t been to this church in a year, and I come back
today, and that preacher is preaching the same thing today he was a year ago.
How many times have you told your children, or someone else, I’ve heard enough?
In what other areas of your life, have you decided that, you have heard enough,
and stopped listening?</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>A sweet sister in Christ reminded me this
week of a sermon I gave some years ago, where I shared with the congregation
that we must remain “moldable” for God to be able to accomplish His work in us.
Pondering on this conversation, I began thinking of people I have known or come
into contact with who have become hard, cold and given up the ability to learn
or grow any further. Are you one of these? Before you give me a quick snap
answer, look down deep and really evaluate your spirit. Do you go to church
every time looking for a message from God, or do you think, “I’ve heard a sermon
like this before? Do you read His Word really expecting Him to speak to you, or
do you say, “I’ve read that before and didn’t really get anything out of it”?
Would you say that you have a teachable spirit? Do you know someone who you just
cannot tell them anything they don't already know? Are you the type, or know
someone who is the type that when you try to share something with them, or they
ask you a question, and you give them the answer, they say, “yeah, I know but, “
or “yeah I knew that”? Let's see how God feels about some of
this.</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="" name="jer26-2"></a><a href="" name="jer26-3"></a><a href="" name="jer26-4"></a><a href="" name="jer26-5"></a><a href="" name="jer26-6"></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>John 8:43 says, “Why do you not
understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.” Jeremiah
26:2-6 says, “2 "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand in the court of the Lord's house,
and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord's house,
all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word. 3
Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent
concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of
their doings.' 4 And you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord: "If you will
not listen to Me, to walk in My law which I have set before you, 5 to heed the
words of My servants the prophets whom I sent to you, both rising up early and
sending them (but you have not heeded), 6 then I will make this house like
Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the
earth.”</b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="" name="1co3-18"></a><a href="" name="1co3-19"></a><a href="" name="1co3-20"></a><a href="" name="a"></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Romans 12:3 says, “For I say, through the grace given to me, to
everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” 1
Corinthians 10:12 says, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest
he fall.” Romans 1:22 says, “Professing to be wise, they became fools,” Matthew
11:25 says, “At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of
heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent
and have revealed them to babes.” 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 says, Let no one deceive
himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool
that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with
God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; 20 and
again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are
futile."</b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I know I had a bit of a
bigger opening today than normal, but I wanted to get your mind to thinking
about the issue before we got into the Word. The point to all of this is that
just when we think we know all we can know about a subject, God's Word reminds
us that what we think we know is like a drop of water into the ocean of what He
still can teach us,,,,,, if we are open to instruction. I am amazed how I still
can learn from a child. God uses the lost to teach me valuable things that will
help me the next time I come into contact with someone who is lost. Sitting
outside today, a limb fell from the tree above me, teaching me and reminding me
that “useless limbs” are pruned and cast into the fire.</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>God wants to spend time with
us, but if we have the attitude that's “what's the use in reading the Bible,
I've already read it”, then you are right, you will get nothing out of it. The
next time you go to church and think, “wow, the preacher is preaching on this
again”, it probably is because no one got it the first 20 times he preached it,
and God has moved him to bring it to us again. God does not force Himself on
anyone and He will not go where we will not allow. </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Remember: God is the potter,
and we are the clay. But if the clay hardens up and is no longer workable, the
potter has to wipe the board clean and start over.</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Until next time, please pray
for each other, and me, as I continue to pray for each of you. Love in
Christ,</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Associate Pastor</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bethel Baptist Church</b></span></span></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-79541091674299242332012-03-27T21:44:00.001-05:002012-03-27T21:44:10.406-05:00"HALF-HEARTED"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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".</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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".</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time, pray for each other and me, as I
continue to pray for each of you. Love in CHRIST,</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Associate Pastor</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Bethel Baptist Church</b></span></span></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-71849621147712106792012-03-20T18:03:00.000-05:002012-03-20T18:03:26.491-05:00"EYES WIDE SHUT"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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 </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>come upon you". </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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. </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Remember: Eyes wide shut, or open to the will, work
and love of Jesus Christ? </b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time, pray for each other and me, as I
continue to pray for each of you. Love in CHRIST, </b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Associate
Pastor</span></strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Bethel Baptist Church</span></strong></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-43668808342447439232012-03-12T17:55:00.003-05:002012-03-12T17:59:30.395-05:00“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>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.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>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.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="mt9-37"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="mt9-38"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="joh9-4"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="a"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="1co3-14"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="1pe1-17"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="mt25-19"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="mt25-20"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="mt25-21"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501" name="jas4-14"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Matthew 9:37-38 says,
“</b></span></span>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.” <br />
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Papyrus;"></span></strong><strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Papyrus;"></span></strong><strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Papyrus;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Papyrus;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Papyrus;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Papyrus;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Papyrus;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Papyrus;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time, please continue to pray for each
other, and me, as I continue to pray for each of you. Love in
CHRIST,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Papyrus;"></span></strong></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Associate Pastor</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Bethel Baptist Church</b></span></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-22053196043247823012012-03-06T18:13:00.000-06:002012-03-06T18:13:01.655-06:00“WILL THE REAL “your name here” PLEASE STAND UP”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>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.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>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.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="ps4-3"></a><a href="" name="a"></a><a href="" name="jer1-5"></a><a href="" name="ac20-32"></a><a href="" name="1co6-9"></a><a href="" name="a2"></a><a href="" name="a1"></a><a href="" name="1co6-10"></a><a href="" name="1co6-11"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Psalms 4:3 says, “</b></span></span>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, “ </div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="joh17-14"></a><a href="" name="joh17-15"></a><a href="" name="joh17-16"></a><a href="" name="joh17-17"></a><a href="" name="joh17-18"></a>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.” </div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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.</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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?</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>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. </b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Until next time, please continue to pray for each
other, and me, as I continue to pray for each of you. </b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Love in
CHRIST,</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Brian Hanvey</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Associate Pastor</b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Bethel Baptist Church</b></span></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-20741957467134526782012-02-27T18:41:00.001-06:002012-02-27T18:41:21.155-06:00“STORMS” “STORMS”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>Good morning. I pray you all are
doing well and this finds you wrapped in the arms of Jesus. It is a beautiful
day and I am thankful God allowed me to see one more. Can you say that it is a
beautiful day no matter what the weather outside is doing?</strong></span></div>
<div class="western">
<br /></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Today’s topic is something
that we all are either in, has been in, or is going through now. I’m not talking
about just the weather. I am talking about the storms of life. You know, the
bank messes up your account and a check bounces. Or, you are all dressed up and
on your way to work and you have a flat tire. Storms come in many shapes, sizes
and categories. What is a storm for you may be nothing to me, and vise versa.
Let’s take a moment to see how God’s Word encourages us. </b></span></div>
<div class="western">
<br /></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">John
16:33 say, “</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">These
things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you
will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Matthew
14:24-32 says, ‘</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">24</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> But the
boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was
contrary. </span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">25</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Now in the
fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">26</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> And when the disciples saw Him walking
on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for
fear. </span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">27</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> But
immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be
afraid." </span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">28</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> And Peter
answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the
water." </span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">29</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> So He said,
"Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to
go to Jesus. </span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">30</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> But when he
saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried
out, saying, "Lord, save me!" </span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">31</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> And immediately Jesus stretched out His
hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you
doubt?" </span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">32</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> And when
they got into the boat, the wind ceased.” Mark 4:37-41 says,
“</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">37</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> And a great
windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already
filling. </span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">38</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> But He was
in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher,
do You not care that we are perishing?" </span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">39</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and
said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great
calm. </span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">40</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> But He said
to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"
</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">41</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> And they feared exceedingly, and said to
one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey
Him!"</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;">So, what storms are you facing today?
Are your storms so sever that they have you torn up inside and seeking for some
place to just crawl into a hole? </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;">We all have storms going on all
around us. Our churches are experiencing a large reduction in attendance and
this is causing great turmoil in the body of Christ. Families are facing the
storms of financial issues; trust issues, relational issues as well as faith
issues. Unemployment is at an all time high. People have not only lost their
jobs, but they have lost their careers. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;">People are losing their homes, their
insurance and their vehicles. Retirement funds that took years to build up have
vanished in a seemingly matter of days.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;">Storms are all around us. God knew
that we would face these and that is why He reminded us in His Word that in this
world, we would have trouble and trails, but He has overcome this world, and if
our faith and trust is in Him then we will overcome as well. We must always
remember that we serve and are under the protection of a God that speaks to the
wind, to the sea, to our neighbor, to our boss, to our vehicles and to us. There
is nothing that God does not have control over, or is greater than He. We must
remember to tell our storms how big our God is.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;">Have you ever been in a plane flying
high above the land and looked out to see how small things are? Just imagine how
much smaller the view looks from God’s height. What maybe a mountain to us, is
nothing more than a bump to Him.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;">Remember: The next time a storm brews
up, hand it over to the Lord and watch Him say, “Be of good cheer, it is I, do
not be afraid. Peace, be still.”</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;">Until next time, please continue to
pray for each other, and me, as I continue to pray for you. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;">Love in
CHRIST.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;">Brian Hanvey</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;">Associate Pastor</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;">Bethel Baptist Church</span></span><br />
<br />
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-83507517991403744202012-02-20T16:27:00.002-06:002012-02-20T16:29:02.997-06:00“CAN I HAVE A WORD?”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Good
morning friends. I pray you are having a
wonderful weekend and were not hampered be the frozen liquid that was coming
into our area. We are showing the movie
Courageous at church Sunday night and are praying that the weather does not keep
people from coming.</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong> <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Today’s topic is a real issue that is common with a
lot of people. I want you to stop for
just a moment and think about what you have talked about today. From the time you got up, until you went to
sleep yesterday, what did you have to say?
Do you ever think about what seems to be the most common topic of what
you have to say from day to day? Are you
the type that has a hard time starting a conversation? God’s word has an answer for everything we
face in life and this is not an exception.
Let’s be enlightened.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says,
“</span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; display: none; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/deuteronomy/#fn-descriptionAnchor-a" title="Exodus 3:8"></a></span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma;">4</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma;">
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! <span style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/deuteronomy/#fn-descriptionAnchor-b" title="Or The Lord is our God, the Lord alone (that is, the only one)"></a></span></span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma;">5</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma;">
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and
with all your strength. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma;">6</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma;">
"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
</span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma;">7</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma;">
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when
you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you
rise up. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma;">8</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma;">
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets
between your eyes. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma;">9</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma;">
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Romans 3:31 says “Do we then make void the
law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law” Matthew
12:36 says, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will
give account of it in the day of judgment” Ephesians 4:25 says, “Therefore,
putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," <span style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/ephesians/#fn-descriptionAnchor-e" title="Zecaraiah 8:16"></a></span>for
we are members of one another.” Titus
2:15 say, “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one
despise you.”
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="versetext8"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Well, now that you have had
a bit of time to think about your recent conversations and read a few
scriptures, what are you thinking about talking about
now?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h1>
<div>
<span class="versetext8"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;">Why is it we can talk
about the last few seasons of CSI, or Survivor or NCIS, like it is some common
knowledge? We talk about sports and whom
we are supporting and how bad the other teams are. We talk about politics and how bad the
politicians are. We talk about our pets,
our neighbors, the grass, our cars, the pot holes in the road, the traffic, our
bosses, how bad our jobs are, our co-workers, our homes, the best movies we’ve
been to lately, and the list goes on and on.
But, when it comes to God, we are scared to death to open our
mouths.</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">When
it comes down to it, almost everything most of us spend so much time talking
about has no eternal value. Think about
it, when our time is up here on earth, and God calls us home, do you think God
will ask us if we watched the last episode of CSI Miami? No.
That would be ludicrous. What God
will be asking us is, when I had you meet John, did you share Jesus with
him. Or, did you pray over the lady who
lived next door to you when she lost her husband? Did you take the lady down the road some
groceries to help her feed her children?
What about the single older man that lived across the street from you
that needed a ride to the doctor, did you offer to take him? What about the man that worked with you
suffering from loneliness, did you tell him that I, (God) loved him and am here
for him? </span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong> <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">How many opportunities can you think of over the
past little bit were there, where you could have shared Jesus, the plan of
salvation or what He has been doing in your life? What keeps you from doing this? Are you afraid of what others will
think? Are you afraid of how others will
treat you? Are you ashamed? Mark 8:38 warns us that if we are ashamed of
Jesus and His words, then when He comes into His Father’s glory, He will be
ashamed of us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Now, I want you to think about the people you spend
the most time talking to and ask yourself, “are they saved?” I’m not saying that you have to be spending
24/7 talking about nothing but God, I’m just saying we should be devoting more
time sharing God, His love for us all and be as bold, open and as eager to speak
about God as we are about everything else.
When it comes down to it, don’t you want everyone you come into contact
with to go to heaven? The only Jesus
they may ever hear of or see is the one they see in
you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Remember:
The next time you have an opportunity to have a word with someone, try
sharing the Word of God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Until next time, please pray for each other, and me,
as I continue to pray for each of you. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Love in CHRIST,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Brian Hanvey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Associate Pastor<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Bethel Baptist Church</span></b></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-16919442283253968212012-02-19T20:55:00.002-06:002012-02-19T20:55:36.802-06:00“UNANSWERED PRAYERS”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Good
morning to everyone. I pray that you had
a wonderful weekend and am pumped and ready to face the new week with courage
and boldness. Just think, with God in
us, what power can match us or hold us down.
</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong> <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Today, I want to talk about prayers. What are some of the things you pray
about? When you pray, do you really
expect an answer? How is your prayer
life? Do you pray about small things,
big things or everything? The Bible has
much to say about this issue so let’s take a look at some of these
scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ephesians
3:20 says, “</span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">Now
to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works in us,” Matthew 6:8 says, “Therefore do not be
like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask
Him.” Matthew 7:7-8 says,
“</span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">7</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will
be opened to you. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">8</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it
will be opened.” Matthew 18:19-20 says,
“</span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">19</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">
Again I say <span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/matthew/#fn-descriptionAnchor-c" title="NU-Text and M-Text read Again, assuredly, I say."></a></span>to
you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will
be done for them by My Father in heaven. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">20</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst
of them." Matthew 21:22 says, “And
whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” John 14:12-14 says, “"Most assuredly, I say
to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater
works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">13</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be
glorified in the Son. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">14</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">
If you ask <span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/john/#fn-descriptionAnchor-c" title="NU-Text adds Me."></a></span>anything
in My name, I will do it.” John 15:7
says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will <span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/john/#fn-descriptionAnchor-b" title="NU-Text omits you will."></a></span>ask
what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
James 1:6 says, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who
doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” James 4:2-3 says, “You lust and do not have.
You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet <span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/james/#fn-descriptionAnchor-a" title="NU-Text and M-Text omit Yet."></a></span>you
do not have because you do not ask. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">3</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your
pleasures.1 John 3:22 says, “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we
keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” 1 John 5:14 says, “</span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">14</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything
according to His will, He hears us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="versetext8"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;">So,
how is your prayer life? How often do
you pray? Do you really believe in the
power of prayer? Did you know that in
the 66 Psalm that we are told that if we regard iniquity in our hearts, God WILL
NOT HEAR us? Have you ever prayed for
something for a long time and felt like you were never answered? Or maybe have you prayed for something to
work out one way or the other, and the problem did just the opposite? Did you feel that God was not listening? 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us we are to
“pray” without ceasing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="versetext8"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">So, what are we to get from all of this
information? First and foremost, the
very first prayer God is waiting for is for our prayer for salvation, and if we
make that prayer with a sincere, repentive heart, He is sure to forgive us and
that prayer will be answered on the spot.
If we have made that prayer and you are now a child of the King, then we
have a 24/7 straight line to the Savior of this world. But, we have to remember that the Bible tells
us that if we regard iniquity in our hearts God will not hear us. Maybe you have been praying for things that
just haven’t happened. Could it be that
you have some sin between you and God that is preventing you from receiving an
answer? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Prayer was never meant to be some big complicated
mathematical equation. After salvation,
prayer really is as easy as 1,2,3. 1>
Get right with God. Do your best to seek
Him and live a life of obedience. 2>
Ask God to remove any sin that maybe between you and Him. 3> Then pray in His will, expecting
something to happen. Remember the
scripture above says “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we ask
or think”. I can think of a lot. Prayer is just a conversation between two
people. Don’t make it more than
that.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">When you pray, you should remember that prayers are
answered in one of three ways: 1>
Yes. 2> No and 3> Not right
now. Sometimes it is His will to give
you what you ask for when you ask for it.
Other times He says no because He knows what is best for us. And sometimes, the answer comes at a later
time when He knows it will be better for us.
Don’t be discouraged if you feel like there is no one on the other end of
the prayer line. Just ask God if there
is some sin standing between you and Him, and if so, confess it and walk
on. If sin is not the problem, then have
faith and know that God is at work and will answer when He is ready, and in the
way that is best for us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Remember:
The next time you feel you have unanswered prayers, re-evaluate, it maybe
that He answered in a way you didn’t expect and you just missed
it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Until next time, please continue to pray for each
other, and me, as I continue to pray for each of you. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Love in CHRIST<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Brian Hanvey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Associate Pastor<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Bethel Baptist Church</span></b></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-65391443007865932952012-02-06T23:19:00.002-06:002012-02-06T23:19:50.308-06:00“SEPARATED”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Good
morning to everyone. Last week the sun
was shinning and the weather was warm and this week it is cold and dreary, but
either way, it is the day the Lord has made and we are to rejoice in it. I am thankful to be able to see one more day
and that the Lord allowed me to be in His house and around His
people.</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong> <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Our pastor preached on separation today and this has
sparked some thought on my part and the topic for our devotion this week. What do you think of when you think about
separation? Is it always a bad thing to
be separated? Are we to be lonely during
a separation? What does God expect of us
when He says we are to be separated?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Leviticus
20:26 says, “</span><span class="versetext8"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">And
you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the
peoples, that you should be Mine.”
Numbers 16:9 says, “Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has
separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to
do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation
to serve them;” Romans 1:1 says, “Paul,
a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel
of God” John 17:13-20 says,
“</span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">13</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">
But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have
My joy fulfilled in themselves. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">14</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">
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. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">15</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">
I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should
keep them from the evil one. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">16</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">
They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">17</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">18</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">
As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
</span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">19</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">
And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the
truth. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">20</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will <span style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/john/#fn-descriptionAnchor-e" title="NU-Text and M-Text omit will."></a></span>believe
in Me through their word;” 2 Timothy
2:20-21 says, “</span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">20</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of
wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">21</span></span><span class="versetext8"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">
Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for
honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” Hebrews 2:11 says, “For both He who
sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason
He is not ashamed to call them brethren,”
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="versetext8"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="versetext8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 7pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Separated.
Does that word scare you? For
many it does. Just the mere thought of
being alone or by oneself, scares the daylights out of some people. When we read God’s word, we see God
instructing His children to be sanctified, separated. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Does God expect us to be all alone? No.
God’s word is teaching us to be separated from the world and all that is
unholy. We are to congregate in
fellowship with other believers in Christ.
God doesn’t expect us to hold up in some closet and avoid the world, that
would be unrealistic and God knows that.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">We should live a life that if we were arrested for
being a Christian, there would be enough evidence to completely convict us in a
court of law. There should be no doubt
about where we stand. This means if you
are standing by the water cooler and someone starts to tell an off color joke,
you either try to stop them or you walk away.
If you are at the copier and someone tries to share a little gossip with
you, you tell him or her you don’t want to hear that mess. If you are flipping through the TV channels
and you see someone half dressed or worse, you don’t stop and fantasies, you
move on. If you are on the Internet and
something pops up inappropriate, you X out of it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">How ashamed would you be, if your pastor came to
your house and turned on your computer and researched your history? What if he were to look through all your
movie collection? What if he looked at
your cable and or phone bill and your text messages?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">You may say, “What difference can I make?”. Well one man was separated for you and His
name was Jesus. All those who followed
Him and swore allegiance to Him abandoned him.
Even His Father had to turn away for a moment, but He allowed Himself to
be separated and sanctified for you and for me.
So, one person can make a difference.
You may say, “I’m not Jesus”, and that is true, but God used Moses to
lead thousands out of Egypt. You may
say, “I’m not Moses”, and this is true, but God is using me to share this with
you. Just think What God can do through
you, if you will allow Him to sanctify you and separate you for a holy
purpose<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Remember:
Separated and sanctified may mean you are set apart from the world, but
it means you are closer to the maker of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Until next time, please continue to pray for each
other and me, as I continue to pray for each of you.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> Love in CHRIST,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Brian Hanvey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Associate Pastor<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Bethel Baptist Church</span></b></div>
</div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-747293576829299501.post-77881914685920859972012-01-30T00:20:00.003-06:002012-01-30T00:20:30.515-06:00“I’M NOT HURTING ANYBODY”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span lang="EN"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>Good morning. As I write this today, I can sit here
and look outside my front door and see beautiful blue skies and the sun shinning
so bright. It is giving me this false sense of spring time and warm weather. If
I am not careful, I will catch spring fever. But not everyone feels this way.
Some, during this time of year, deal with severe depression. On which side of
the scales, (happy or sad) do you rest upon?<br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>This weeks topic is one that all of us have said at
one time or another, and I’m sure you know someone who either has or does make
the same claim. “I’m not hurting anybody”. Have you ever heard someone say,
“it’s my life”? Well, what makes it, our life? Did we create ourselves? Do we
give ourselves breath? Did we wake up one morning and program our hearts to beat
and our lungs to breath, our legs to walk and our arms to move? What about our
attitudes, do you think they matter? When others are around you, would they say
you were positive to be around or negative? Does it really matter?<br /></strong>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “</span>19 Or do you not know
that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have
from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore
glorify God in your body <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=747293576829299501"><span lang="EN">and in your spirit, which are God's</span></a><span lang="EN">.” 1
Corinthians 3:16-17 says, “16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and
that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God,
God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”
Ephesians 4:29-32 says, “29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but
what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day
of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be
put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” Mark
9:41-42 says, “41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name,
because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose
his reward. 42 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to
stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck,
and he were thrown into the sea.”<br /></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">
“I’m not hurting anybody”. Some do not care about themselves and have
convinced themselves that the way they live and the way they treat others is of
no effect. Have you ever walked up to a pond, or a lake, and the surface of the
water appear to be perfectly smooth? Have you ever taken a rock and tried to
skip it across the water, or just thrown a rock in it? If you have done this,
did you notice how the ripples seemed to continue to roll until they reached the
water’s edge? You may say, “well I don’t see what relevance pond ripples has to
my attitude and my life”. Let me try to express my point like this. Have you
ever been in a boat and had a barge or houseboat come by and throw those big
waves at your little boat? Those big waves can sometimes sink smaller boats, if
they are not navigated properly.<br /><br />
Our lives, and our attitudes have an effect on those around us. Whether we
want to admit it or not. We try to tell ourselves and others that this is not
true, because we don’t want to feel any guilt, but none the less, it is true.
Have you ever had a bag of potatoes that had one bad potato in it, and the next
thing you know, it has made all the potatoes around it bad? We can have the same
effect on those we come into contact with as well.<br /><br />
Do you know someone who is always down, his or her glass is always half
empty? You know the type I’m speaking of. The kind that if you have a cold, they
have pneumonia. If you have had a rough week, they have had a terrible week. If
you are having a little trouble just making ends meet, they are worse off
because they had to go to Shoneys instead of O’Charleys. These types of people
tend to bring others down with them.<br /><br />
As a child of Christ, we are not going to have perfect days or a perfect
life, but we are going to have someone with us to see us through the hard times.
Because of this, it is our duty to show others the positive difference Christ
makes in our lives and let some of the happy in us rub off on those around
us.<br /><br />
We can be a sour puss and make all those around us sour pusses, and grieve
the Holy Spirit, or we can be excited and happy to have Jesus in our lives and
know that the trials and valleys we face down here cannot compare to the heaven
God has made for us. Which way have you been influencing those around you, and
will you continue to influence them the same way from now on?<br />
Remember: The next time you think, or hear someone say, “I’m not hurting
anybody”, that you are somebody that may be hurting.<br /><br />
Until next time, please continue to pray for each other, and me, as I
continue to pray for each of you. <br /><br />Love in CHRIST,<br /><br />
Brian Hanvey<br />
Associate Pastor<br />Bethel Baptist Church</span></b></div>Bethel Baptist Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14113923804162755997noreply@blogger.com0