"BROKEN HEARTED"

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.

“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?

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.

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.

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?

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.”

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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

Brian Hanvey

Associate Pastor

Bethel Baptist Church

"SPIRITUALLY PARALYZED”

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.

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.

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 many calls. I had ONE to commit to help.

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.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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

"IT'S TIME TO PUT UP, OR SHUT UP!”

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.

“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?

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.

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” 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.”

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.”

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 DEAD”.

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?

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Remember: When it comes your time to go home, it won't matter what you meant to do, but what you've done.

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

"TOPIC OF CONVERSATION"

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.

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.

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.

John 3:16 say, “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,”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Brian Hanvey

Associate Pastor

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