The Bethany Blog
helping hands
Mar 25, 2010
This week, the youth kids from Bethany Baptist Church went out into their city and gave a helping hand.
Their "Mission to Montclair" lasted four days, with four locations worked. They painted over graffiti, pulled weeds, dug up tree stumps, cleaned up an abandoned store and an old shack, and shared God's love with their city by giving of their time during spring break.
Their helping hands were used by God to help clean up Montclair. You go guys! Great work this week!
Thankful Hearts
Nov 29, 2009
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on what God has done for us, and give thanks back to Him for all His provisions. This week's service was geared towards our thankful hearts. Everyone was given a chance to stand up and say what they were thankful for this year. Of course, I was too chicken to stand up in front of everyone. But there were some very wonderful words spoken by some very special people in the congregation today. Its such a blessing to be a part of a church family that loves God as you all do! This year I was blessed by being welcomed into the Bethany family. This church, you wonderful people, have been such an encouragement in my life. God led me to you, and you showed His love through your welcoming arms. I thank each and every one of you for being the friend I needed this year. The words of encouragement, the inclusion in the Sunday night Bible study, boot camp, the women's ministry, and the young adults group...I haven't had a church feel like a family like this since I was in high school! I am so thankful! This family of believers is exactly what I needed in my life! Without all of you, and without my Rock, my Savior Jesus Christ...I would be lost right now! So THANK YOU! Thank you for loving me and giving me this precious family that I needed in my life!
God’s grace is sufficient
Nov 22, 2009
A few verses that spoke to me today during the sermon...
1 John 5:18-20
[18]We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him and the evil one does not touch him.
[19]We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
[20]And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Satan cannot touch you if you are born again to God. So it is important to know where you stand with God! For when it comes time to be tested, He can hand you over to Satan! I'm just so thankful to have salvation and a personal relationship with God. And that even though I've made mistakes and have betrayed Him over and over again in sin, He loves me and continues to draw me closer to Him. We are responsible for how we live our lives, for our actions. God will allow us to faulter and make bad choices, but He can use even our mistakes for good.
Romans 8:28
[28]And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Even when we go off course, if we confess it, He will redeem it and use it for good. So God can use my (your) life and the mistakes made and use them for His plan! He can use the pain to increase our faith!
God chose us and loves us...let's live for righteousness, not sin!
break the vial
Nov 15, 2009
Mark 14:1-11
How do you love God?
Is your love for God extravagant? Does it cost you anything?
This passage of scripture shows us that extravagant love is good (vs.6). The woman broke her very expensive vial of perfume for Jesus. Some thought that she was wasting it and should've sold it and gave the money to the poor. But Jesus told them to stop, that she had done a good deed. Her love was costly, it wasn't rational or calculated. She knew that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be with Jesus and she took advantage of it, and loved Him extravagantly. Isn't that true for all of us? We won't always have the opportunity to worship Jesus or show Him our love (vs.7). We don't know the days or hours we have in this world. We always just assume there's a tomorrow. But what if there isn't? Are we loving God with all we have? We need to have extravagant love and worship...break the vial, don't just give a few drops!
What does your worship of God cost you?
What will you be remembered for?
Women’s Lunch
Nov 15, 2009
Today the Bethany ladies got together for lunch at Vince's. About once a month, the women at our church get together to spend time getting to know one another better and to have fun! This time we spent a couple hours enjoying each other's company over some yummy Vince's Spaghetti. I was able to meet some new ladies, visit with some old friends, and have a wonderful afternoon. I always enjoy it when the girls get together! For those of you who weren't able to join us this time, be sure to join us for the next event. It really is a nice time when we can all get together and fellowship with one another!