The Bethany Blog
are you ready?
Nov 09, 2009
Isn't it hard thinking about the end times? It seems unreal that these prophesies are going to happen, but we know they are! Have you prepared yourself for the battle ahead?
ARE YOU READY?
Revelation 3:11-12
[11]I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, in order that no one take your crown. [12]He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.
We need to be on guard, alert, and ready for the battle ahead. I would like to say I'm ready, but if I'm going to be honest I'd have to say that I don't think I am. I don't know if you are anything like me, but I can procrastinate...even with my walk with the Lord. "Tomorrow" is a word that is used a lot. But what if today is our last day? Are our hearts ready for the coming of the Lord? Will we be ready for the Tribulation, to be tested and persecuted for what we believe? I know that I still need a ton of work done in my life. I don't spend enough time talking with Jesus, or studying His word, or defending my faith. I get caught up in the day-to-day life and don't make the necessary time for my Lord. How selfish of me! He has done everything for us...why is it so hard for us to give back? But if we start today, instead of putting it off till tomorrow, we will be that much more ready! If you need to take baby steps, do it! If you need to dive in and be hardcore, that's awesome...do it! There's no better time to start then RIGHT NOW! And why put it off, when Jesus is waiting...knocking at the door of our hearts.
Revelation 3:19-22
[19]Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent. [20]Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me. [21]He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. [22]He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
We need to prepare ourselves for a spiritual battle! God has told us everything we need to know in advance [Mark 13:23] so we have no excuses! There will be false christs and false prophets, wars, earthquakes and famines, family fighting, religious persecution, the antichrist, and a tribulation like never before!
We need to be on guard, stand strong and not be misled, ready to preach the gospel and defend our faith, and persevere! The tools have been provided, let's gear up and get ready for battle!
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 (read the whole chapter if you have time)
[13]But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. [14]And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. [15]So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. [16]Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, [17]comfort and stregthen your hearts in every good work and word.
BE READY!!!!!
Baja 2009
Oct 19, 2009
Casita...Chicas
Casita...Chicos
We had great accomodations! I was surprised how nice it was! The casita was a bit disorganized with bunkbeds all scattered throughout, but we got it organized before we hit the hay, spiders killed, moths shooed, beds moved, airmattresses blown up, sleepings bags out, and our heads hit the pillow. Ahhhh, sleepy time!
Morning arrived and it was time to get moving. We quickly got up, got ready for the day ahead, had some yummy breakfast cooked by the Prostlers...
and then we were on our way to start working.
We had two jobs while there: [1] to lay a sidewalk so there was clear wheelchair access for Marco and [2] to paint a room in the guest house from green to white. The boys started measuring things out and framing, while Thiam and I headed up to the guest house to start the painting project. We cleared the room, cleaned the walls, mixed the primer, and were ready to start...when two of the boys walked in ready to help. Very nice! Josh and Mike stepped in and we got things done. However, Mister Joshua suggested not priming and I don't know if I can let him live it down that it was a mistake! LOL 
Three coats later and it still wasn't the best job we could've done. But it was done...so that was good!
The boys worked hard on the sidewalk and did a great job. They slaved away lifting heavy bags of concrete, they lugged wood for framing, they dug out some old concrete and the area to be framed, heavy barrels with the mixed concrete to the worksite, and more. They worked their booties off!
They actually let Thiam and I help out too...and I loved it! We helped move the concrete around when they poured it in the framing, and then we got to smooth it out for the finish.
The finished product...
When all the work was done, we were able to have an ice cream social for the kids there. It was sad though, because quite a few of the kids had the Swine Flu and were confined to their dorms. So a handful of kids came and we enjoyed serving them, and watching them enjoy this special treat.
They had a ton of fun having the whipped cream sprayed in their mouth...that made them giggle and laugh so hard, it was great!
We also played some volleyball with them...
Here is an aerial view of the orphanage...
View of our lil casitas that we stayed in...
Random photos of our team:
Photos around the orphanage:
I had a great time on this trip! It had been years since I've been on a mission trip down to Mexico. I went on a few while I was in High School, but nothing after that. So this was nice. I have always wanted to go on one where we use our hands, building something. I was happy the boys let us ladies do some of the concrete work. I also enjoyed the little time we had with the kids, watching those sweet smiles on their faces while eating ice cream! Even though there was a language barrier, you could see the joy they felt! I feel so blessed to have been able to go on this trip. Great teamwork, hard work and dedication, compassion for those in need, and able to serve our awesome God! A job well done in deed.
The team, atop our finished sidewalk
NINJA!!! lol
are you a vine-grower?
Oct 11, 2009
Pastor Josh Matlock's sermon this week was titled
Stewards of the Kingdom
Mark 12:1-12
This passage of scripture discusses the Parable of the Vine-growers. The Vineyard represents the Kingdom of God, and those who have put themselves under God's rule are the Vine-growers.
God Entrusted His Kingdom to Israel
* What is their future?
Romans 11:25-29[25] For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in; [26] and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob. [27] and this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins." [28] From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; [29] for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Matthew 21:43 Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and be given to a nation producing the fruit of it.
The Vine-growers are those that are under God's rule and:
- Follow Him
- Obey His commandments
- Are a priesthood, a blessing to all nations
The Kingdom is Now Entrusted to Us
* What kind of tenants are we being?
Honestly, statistics are showing that we [protestants] are doing a bad job. For the first time, Protestants will be the minority by the end of the year!!!
Americans...
50% Rarely or never attend worship services
59% Say all religions are equally valid
The number of Christians has declined 12% since 1990, and is not 76%
Nearly a quarter of Americans in their 20's profess no organized religion
Athiests and Agnostics are at less than 1% each
Young people raised in the church...
64% Believe Christ came to earth to teach bad people to live better
63% Do not believe Jesus is the Son of God
58% Believe all faiths teach equally valid truths
57% Do not believe Jesus rose from the dead
70% Believe there is no absolute moral truth
74% Say they do not have life figured out (There's Hope!!!)
Jesus is the Cornerstone of the Kingdom
* Are you a Christ-follower?
* Does your heart break for what His did?
If we hang with Jesus will we have His passion? And will our passion rub off on others?
What are you doing to make a difference in the lives of others? Your life is a witness to those around you...are you living righteously? Are you striving to live Christ-like? I know that I fail constantly, and don't always live like I should. Its hard sometimes. But I do realize that my life is an example to those around me, and if I make bad choices and unbelievers see that, how will that look? Will they see Jesus living through me, or will they see the world? We need to be reminded daily, when we wake up in the morning, to live each day to glorify God! Let His light shine through you!! Make wise choices, follow Him, obey His commandments, and be a blessing to those around you!
We will grow and see great things in America if we find that passion and share it with others!!!
This reminds me of a song I sang as a child (shortened version)...
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushal, NO! I'm gonna let it shine
Won't let satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Psalms 103:19The Lord has established His throne in the heavens; and His sovereignty rules over all.
we don’t deserve it
Sep 14, 2009
Yesterday at church, Pastor Josh Matlock spoke on Mark 10:46-52. The passage explains how Bartimaeus, the blind man, was healed because of his faith. He didn't care about what the crowds of people thought...he was persistent and Jesus heard his plea for mercy and answered with healing.
What faith this man had...blind faith! He didn't have to see Jesus to believe, which is what many people struggle with. He called out to the "Son of David", the Messiah, with no concern for judgement from others around him, asking for something he knew he didn't deserve but had faith that Jesus would hear him. And Jesus did...using the crowd [to teach them], He sent them to bring Bartimaeus to Him. Although the crowd initially shunned B and tried to quiet him down as Jesus was on His journey towards Jerusalem, Jesus showed them the faith of a poor blind beggar, teaching them the need for:
1. Persistance: Bartimaeus persists in faith, in prayer. He continued to cry out for Jesus. Learn to rely on Jesus and not on your own accord. The more you go to Him, the more you will rely on Him.
2. Specifics: Jesus asked Bartimaeus to be specific. He told Jesus he wanted mercy, but Jesus wanted him to be specific about what he wanted. And B answered and said he wanted to see again...and he was healed! Even though Jesus already knows the desires of our hearts, He still wants us to ask, because we learn through asking. We learn by relying on Him, but also because once we hear our own prayers we can refine them. He's helping us to get a better understanding of what we really need, instead of what we think we need. Have you ever wanted something and then prayed and asked God for it, and as you're asking realize how silly it sounds? Geez, I do it all the time.
3. Following Jesus: No matter what the crowds were saying or doing, Bartimaeus believed and sought after the Messiah.
Do we really understand God's love for us like Bartimaeus did? Do we have his blind faith? Or are we more like the crowds of people that didn't understand those three concepts of how to receive God's love?
When you go to pray this week, take a moment before you start to really think about who you are praying to, and think about what it is you are asking for...and see if things change when you bow your head to pray to God. Are you seeking God and His Will for your life as you go to pray? Are you relying on Him by being persistent and specific with your prayers? And are you following Him as you walk through life this week, listening and waiting for Him to answer?
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found
T'was blind, but now I see
Just for fun...[this was shown at the beginning of the service]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BisEQzL6geY
Youth Camp-Out @ Camp Pendleton
Sep 08, 2009
This past Labor Day weekend was spent down south in Camp Pendleton at San Onofre Beach with the Bethany Baptist Youth Group.
The trip got off to a late start, but we made it down to the campgrounds with no holiday traffic so we were pleased. We arrived and set-up camp. Everyone showed great teamwork and helped get the tents up and luggage in. Then we headed up to the site where all our meals would be and devoured some scrumptious hot dogs! It was late, about 10:30pm...we were all tired and hungry, so the dogs went fast! I think a few boys ate between 3 and 4 of them! Them grow'n boys need lots of food I guess! heehee!! Tim and Charley enjoyed a few dogs themselves! That was about it for the first night. Since we had a late arrival, the kiddos had a little while left for free-time and then had to be in the tents by midnight...then off to sleepy land for us all!
Everyday started with breakfast at 8am and then morning "devo's" (group devotionals) shortly after. Charley led the group in a devo and then had them spend about 15 minutes on their own, alone with God where they could dig deeper into the Word and apply the lesson to their lives. They learned that 'Sin is Real', 'Love is Real', and 'Hope is Real'...We reap what we sow: the things we allow in our lives do affect what comes out of our lives! If we allow bad things/sinful things in, then bad things will grow and flourish in our lives and we will live in sin. But if we plant good things and use God's Word to feed us, then we will produce good fruit.
After devos, it was beach time. We all had so much fun playing in the water, boogie boarding, laying out, playing beach volleyball, shell hunting, lobster finding, eating, hanging out together, running away from bees, playing with Charley and Thiam's kiddos, and just being in fellowship with one another.
The High Schoolers and Leaders had a great time camping outdoors in tents and sleeping bags, with dirt, sand, burns, bugs, lobsters, and all! That's right, lobsters! There were a few practical jokes made, one in particular being a lobster in Anna's sleeping bag! It was gross, but she was a good sport! The lobster got passed around a few times and I think it ended up in one of the ice chests to scare those going in for a refreshing water bottle! hahaha, good times!! I'm just glad that no one ever put it in my sleeping bag...I think I would've cried! I don't like sea creatures all that much!! And then a discusting bug was found in the girl's tent, but one of the boys rescued us!
I found camping to be a great way to get to know the teens. Spending time outdoors with them goof'n around encourages not only them, but us as leaders to take time to raise up the youth right, as they will be the leaders in the future! They are such great kiddos, I'm so glad I was able to help out and be one of the leaders on this trip.