I WANT

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.

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.

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, "1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 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; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 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." 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God."

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."

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

Remember: "I want", no, it is what He wants and we will be the better for it.

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

Brian Hanvey

Associate Pastor

“EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT CHURCHES ARE DYING!!!”

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.

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.

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.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 say, “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.”

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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?

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?

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

Brian Hanvey

Associate Pastor

Bethel Baptist Church

"THE COST OF STUMBLING BLOCKS"

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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".

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."

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 "after" we die.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

Brian Hanvey

Associate Pastor

Bethel Baptist Church

“VOWS”

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?”

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.

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?

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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

Brian Hanvey

Associate Pastor

Bethel Baptist Church

“TRADITIONS”

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Remember: A tradition without the proper meaning, is like a newspaper without any ink.

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

Brian Hanvey

Associate Pastor

Bethel Baptist Church

"I’VE HEARD ENOUGH"

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.”

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."

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.

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.

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.

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

Brian Hanvey

Associate Pastor

Bethel Baptist Church

"HALF-HEARTED"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brian Hanvey

Associate Pastor

Bethel Baptist Church

"EYES WIDE SHUT"

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

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

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

come upon you".

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

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

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

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

Brian Hanvey

Associate Pastor

Bethel Baptist Church

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brian Hanvey

Associate Pastor

Bethel Baptist Church

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

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

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

Psalms 4:3 says, “But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him.” Jeremiah 1:5 says, “"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." Acts 20:32 says, “ So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says, “ 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” John 17:14-18 says, “

14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love in CHRIST,

Brian Hanvey

Associate Pastor

Bethel Baptist Church