A Moment With Your Minister…
The old year of 2006 is rapidly drawing to a close. As we contemplate that fact, each one of us would do well to ask ourselves: “Am I more spiritually-minded than I was at the outset of the year?” If I cannot answer in the affirmative, then I need to determine why. As I look into my heart, do I find a great desire to be more mature in the faith and more active in my service to God and my fellowman? Without that kind of desire in our hearts, we will not put forth the effort required to become more spiritual.
I really believe that most of us here at Bethel want to be more spiritual and more active. I also am convinced that the living word of God has the power to transform our hearts and to provoke us unto involvement in the work that He would have us to do. Consequently, as we contemplate the end of 2006 and the beginning of the New Year of 2007, I want to encourage every member here to really become involved in an indepth study of God’s word. Oh, I’m not asking you to withdraw from the world and become like a monk in a monastery! I’m asking you to set aside time for God each day—time to read and study His word—time to meditate upon it and to pray. Psalm 1 & Psalm 119 certainly show the value of meditating upon the word of God. In Luke 18:1-7, Jesus indicated the importance of prayer.
Dear brothers and sisters, here at Bethel we have some of the best people upon the face of the earth! We have all the talent that is needed to accomplish some great things for God, and we will when we develop the attitude that Paul displayed in Philippians 4:13.
When we develop that type of spiritual attitude, we will then look for opportunities to serve God and our fellowman. We will not withhold ourselves, our funds, or anything else that is needful for advancing the cause of Christ. We will be more spiritually-minded and genuinely concerned about losts souls. Amen? Amen!!!
Carl
THE GUEST
Someone has listed the Devil's beatitudes and number ONE on the list is this: "Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own congregation, for he is an important member." If this weren't so true of a lot of members of the church it would be funny. There are far too many who regard themselves as honorary members, rather than active members.
Are you one of those who expects to be invited personally to all the services of the church? Do you expect people to treat you as an honored guest all the time instead of feeling that you are one of the hosts?
Far too many members of the church today have the "guest" attitude. They are always expecting the church to do something for them, instead of their doing something for others as a part of the church. All of us are a part of the body and we must be functioning parts, if we are to please God. What have you done lately for Christ and His church?
Can you imagine Peter staying away from the church because somebody did not invite him to prayer meeting? Do you believe James would have refused to come back because a dozen people didn't really make him "feel welcome"? Of course not! I am sure that these early Christians were all on the visitation and welcoming com-mittee. Too many of us are like the deacon, who when asked to greet a visitor said, "This is not my month to welcome people."
--By: Jimmy Wood, Northern Light
The old year of 2006 is rapidly drawing to a close. As we contemplate that fact, each one of us would do well to ask ourselves: “Am I more spiritually-minded than I was at the outset of the year?” If I cannot answer in the affirmative, then I need to determine why. As I look into my heart, do I find a great desire to be more mature in the faith and more active in my service to God and my fellowman? Without that kind of desire in our hearts, we will not put forth the effort required to become more spiritual.
I really believe that most of us here at Bethel want to be more spiritual and more active. I also am convinced that the living word of God has the power to transform our hearts and to provoke us unto involvement in the work that He would have us to do. Consequently, as we contemplate the end of 2006 and the beginning of the New Year of 2007, I want to encourage every member here to really become involved in an indepth study of God’s word. Oh, I’m not asking you to withdraw from the world and become like a monk in a monastery! I’m asking you to set aside time for God each day—time to read and study His word—time to meditate upon it and to pray. Psalm 1 & Psalm 119 certainly show the value of meditating upon the word of God. In Luke 18:1-7, Jesus indicated the importance of prayer.
Dear brothers and sisters, here at Bethel we have some of the best people upon the face of the earth! We have all the talent that is needed to accomplish some great things for God, and we will when we develop the attitude that Paul displayed in Philippians 4:13.
When we develop that type of spiritual attitude, we will then look for opportunities to serve God and our fellowman. We will not withhold ourselves, our funds, or anything else that is needful for advancing the cause of Christ. We will be more spiritually-minded and genuinely concerned about losts souls. Amen? Amen!!!
Carl
THE GUEST
Someone has listed the Devil's beatitudes and number ONE on the list is this: "Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own congregation, for he is an important member." If this weren't so true of a lot of members of the church it would be funny. There are far too many who regard themselves as honorary members, rather than active members.
Are you one of those who expects to be invited personally to all the services of the church? Do you expect people to treat you as an honored guest all the time instead of feeling that you are one of the hosts?
Far too many members of the church today have the "guest" attitude. They are always expecting the church to do something for them, instead of their doing something for others as a part of the church. All of us are a part of the body and we must be functioning parts, if we are to please God. What have you done lately for Christ and His church?
Can you imagine Peter staying away from the church because somebody did not invite him to prayer meeting? Do you believe James would have refused to come back because a dozen people didn't really make him "feel welcome"? Of course not! I am sure that these early Christians were all on the visitation and welcoming com-mittee. Too many of us are like the deacon, who when asked to greet a visitor said, "This is not my month to welcome people."
--By: Jimmy Wood, Northern Light
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