The post Are You Better Off Than You Were Four Years Ago? appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.بقلم Bethel Mennonite Church

The post Are You Better Off Than You Were Four Years Ago? appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.بقلم Bethel Mennonite Church

To believe Jesus depends on knowing who Jesus is, and we learn who Jesus is in the stories of Scripture. According to John 1:7-13, to receive Jesus is to believe in Him. God gives those who believe Him the authority to become children of God. A person becomes a child of God by receiving Jesus. The phrases “God gave” and “born of the will of God” in…

To believe Jesus depends on knowing who Jesus is, and we learn who Jesus is in the stories of Scripture. According to John 1:7-13, to receive Jesus is to believe in Him. God gives those who believe Him the authority to become children of God. A person becomes a child of God by receiving Jesus. The phrases “God gave” and “born of the will of God” in…

Jesus states that He works as His Father works, and has come to do the Father’s will, not His own. Jesus’ sacrificial life shows that He is completely authentic and trustworthy; His life never provided a basis for suspicion that He had a hidden agenda or mixed motives. The Jesus of the Gospels is who God is; to see one is to see the other. Disciple…

Jesus states that He works as His Father works, and has come to do the Father’s will, not His own. Jesus’ sacrificial life shows that He is completely authentic and trustworthy; His life never provided a basis for suspicion that He had a hidden agenda or mixed motives. The Jesus of the Gospels is who God is; to see one is to see the other. Disciple…

Jacob had a lot of challenges in his life. His first challenge was with Esau, but then he left home and faced a similar challenge with Laban. It seems that God’s intention was to bless Jacob, but since Jacob didn’t seem to know that, he connived and deceived people in an effort to get ahead. In Genesis 32, after Jacob left Laban, we have the story …

Jacob had a lot of challenges in his life. His first challenge was with Esau, but then he left home and faced a similar challenge with Laban. It seems that God’s intention was to bless Jacob, but since Jacob didn’t seem to know that, he connived and deceived people in an effort to get ahead. In Genesis 32, after Jacob left Laban, we have the story …

History of Anabaptist/Mennonite singing: Some early Anabaptist/Mennonites expressed negative views of congregational singing, but by 1900, four-part acapella singing and singing schools were common among Mennonites, except for Old Colony Mennonites, Old Order Mennonites, and Amish. My early memories of singing and singing at Bethel: My earliest mem…

History of Anabaptist/Mennonite singing: Some early Anabaptist/Mennonites expressed negative views of congregational singing, but by 1900, four-part acapella singing and singing schools were common among Mennonites, except for Old Colony Mennonites, Old Order Mennonites, and Amish. My early memories of singing and singing at Bethel: My earliest mem…

Genesis 31 opens with Jacob hearing Laban’s sons discussing how Jacob was stealing from their father. Jacob’s flocks had become very large, so he must be stealing. And Jacob also notices that Laban is not feeling kindly towards him like he did when he first came. Jacob has a dream, and in this dream, the Lord tells him to return to the land of his …

Genesis 31 opens with Jacob hearing Laban’s sons discussing how Jacob was stealing from their father. Jacob’s flocks had become very large, so he must be stealing. And Jacob also notices that Laban is not feeling kindly towards him like he did when he first came. Jacob has a dream, and in this dream, the Lord tells him to return to the land of his …

I Corinthians 11:24 reads, “This is my body which is broken for you,” but in the Gospels, Jesus’ statement reads something like, “This is my body which is given for you,” and has the idea, “This is my body which is for you.” Hebrews 9 and 10 say that one difference between the Old Testament offerings of bulls and goats and Christ’s offering is that…

I Corinthians 11:24 reads, “This is my body which is broken for you,” but in the Gospels, Jesus’ statement reads something like, “This is my body which is given for you,” and has the idea, “This is my body which is for you.” Hebrews 9 and 10 say that one difference between the Old Testament offerings of bulls and goats and Christ’s offering is that…

What kind of person was Jacob? In comparing him with Job, they were both very wealthy. Job was also very invested in his family and in his relationship with God. In comparison, Jacob seems more invested in material gain. He doesn’t seem to be around much with his family. The story as told in Genesis 29-32 tells us more about his wives and their fee…

What kind of person was Jacob? In comparing him with Job, they were both very wealthy. Job was also very invested in his family and in his relationship with God. In comparison, Jacob seems more invested in material gain. He doesn’t seem to be around much with his family. The story as told in Genesis 29-32 tells us more about his wives and their fee…

Psalm 36:7-9 – God wants to satisfy us with the fullness of His house, but we are often interested in a lot less. In the John 4 story of the healing of the nobleman’s son, Jesus was concerned about the shallow faith of the people of Galilee. The nobleman, however, exhibited the kind of faith that Jesus is looking for. In the John 5 story about the …

Psalm 36:7-9 – God wants to satisfy us with the fullness of His house, but we are often interested in a lot less. In the John 4 story of the healing of the nobleman’s son, Jesus was concerned about the shallow faith of the people of Galilee. The nobleman, however, exhibited the kind of faith that Jesus is looking for. In the John 5 story about the …

The post Better to Be Wronged: Valuing Relationships Over Rights appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.بقلم Bethel Mennonite Church

The post Better to Be Wronged: Valuing Relationships Over Rights appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.بقلم Bethel Mennonite Church

Jacob was fleeing from his home, traveling to his Uncle Laban’s place in Haran. Officially, he was going to find a wife, but he was also fleeing from his brother’s anger. He stopped for the night under the stars, with a stone for a pillow, and as he slept, he had a dream. In his dream, he saw a ladder with angels going up and down. The Lord spoke t…

Jacob was fleeing from his home, traveling to his Uncle Laban’s place in Haran. Officially, he was going to find a wife, but he was also fleeing from his brother’s anger. He stopped for the night under the stars, with a stone for a pillow, and as he slept, he had a dream. In his dream, he saw a ladder with angels going up and down. The Lord spoke t…

Life is filled with challenges; what kind of person does well during a crisis? James 1 tells us that those who have faith grow through trials, but those who are double-minded cannot rely on God. Daniel is an example of James 1 applied—he faced trials and received wisdom and strength. Daniel’s hymn of praise in Daniel 2 shows his personal experience…

Life is filled with challenges; what kind of person does well during a crisis? James 1 tells us that those who have faith grow through trials, but those who are double-minded cannot rely on God. Daniel is an example of James 1 applied—he faced trials and received wisdom and strength. Daniel’s hymn of praise in Daniel 2 shows his personal experience…

If you knew your life was about to change, would it make a difference? Matt 24:36-46. We don’t know when Jesus is coming again, but we’re told that normal life will be going on… and then the unexpected happens, and He returns! If we knew when Jesus was coming, would we do anything different? In James 4:13-15, we see that life is routine and mundane…

If you knew your life was about to change, would it make a difference? Matt 24:36-46. We don’t know when Jesus is coming again, but we’re told that normal life will be going on… and then the unexpected happens, and He returns! If we knew when Jesus was coming, would we do anything different? In James 4:13-15, we see that life is routine and mundane…

Why do we do what we do? People around us may think we are weird. Even if the culture around us changes, that does not mean that we need to change. We must never elevate our practices to be equivalent with the Bible, but they can still be beneficial. Some Biblical mandates for Biblical practices: A Biblical style of worship which would include pers…

Why do we do what we do? People around us may think we are weird. Even if the culture around us changes, that does not mean that we need to change. We must never elevate our practices to be equivalent with the Bible, but they can still be beneficial. Some Biblical mandates for Biblical practices: A Biblical style of worship which would include pers…

The book of Nehemiah is the account of the Jews rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem 280 years after the Assyrians had deported the 10 northern tribes and scattered them over the known world. Nehemiah was a cupbearer for the king of Persia when he heard about the challenges his people were experiencing in Jerusalem, so he asked the king for permission…

The book of Nehemiah is the account of the Jews rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem 280 years after the Assyrians had deported the 10 northern tribes and scattered them over the known world. Nehemiah was a cupbearer for the king of Persia when he heard about the challenges his people were experiencing in Jerusalem, so he asked the king for permission…

A good question to ask ourselves is: Why do we attend our church? Hopefully, it’s not just because it’s where we grew up, but because we see something worthwhile here. The emphasis of the Great Commission is discipleship, not just conversion. Our focus shouldn’t be on what is the bare minimum to get to heaven or only doing the things that make sens…

A good question to ask ourselves is: Why do we attend our church? Hopefully, it’s not just because it’s where we grew up, but because we see something worthwhile here. The emphasis of the Great Commission is discipleship, not just conversion. Our focus shouldn’t be on what is the bare minimum to get to heaven or only doing the things that make sens…

How can we, as a church, bless and be an encouragement to each other? Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians, commends them for their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope. He also thanks God for them and prays for them. It is extremely important that a body of believers should be known for speaking good and not evil of each other. S…

How can we, as a church, bless and be an encouragement to each other? Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians, commends them for their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope. He also thanks God for them and prays for them. It is extremely important that a body of believers should be known for speaking good and not evil of each other. S…

Acts 1–5 is a picture of a vibrant, healthy church. These events took place within 4–6 months of Christ’s resurrection. Acts 2 describes the coming of the Holy Spirit “as of a rushing mighty wind” and “divided tongues, as of fire” that sat on each person, and “they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spiri…

Acts 1–5 is a picture of a vibrant, healthy church. These events took place within 4–6 months of Christ’s resurrection. Acts 2 describes the coming of the Holy Spirit “as of a rushing mighty wind” and “divided tongues, as of fire” that sat on each person, and “they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spiri…

Historically, cynics were thought to be crazy since they didn’t seem to care much about the necessities of life or doing work that was productive. Cynics today seem to be selfish and only interested in themselves. They are sure that nothing will work out well and everything in life is discouraging or depressing. Older people tend to be more cynical…

Historically, cynics were thought to be crazy since they didn’t seem to care much about the necessities of life or doing work that was productive. Cynics today seem to be selfish and only interested in themselves. They are sure that nothing will work out well and everything in life is discouraging or depressing. Older people tend to be more cynical…

The reason people struggle to stop doing the bad things they say they want to stop is that their choosing capacity is not an independent part of them that lives in a separate room of their house and can just choose the right thing no matter what is going on in other rooms of their house. What this means is that will alone cannot carry us to change …

The reason people struggle to stop doing the bad things they say they want to stop is that their choosing capacity is not an independent part of them that lives in a separate room of their house and can just choose the right thing no matter what is going on in other rooms of their house. What this means is that will alone cannot carry us to change …

I John 2:6 – When we read the Gospels, we should ask ourselves if we have any resemblance to Jesus. John 4 – Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman can challenge us in several ways. 1) First challenge: Do I engage with people the way Jesus did? Jesus did not avoid this potentially awkward conversation. He showed interest and concern and made the…

I John 2:6 – When we read the Gospels, we should ask ourselves if we have any resemblance to Jesus. John 4 – Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman can challenge us in several ways. 1) First challenge: Do I engage with people the way Jesus did? Jesus did not avoid this potentially awkward conversation. He showed interest and concern and made the…

Jesus is the light of the world. The opposite of darkness is light. You can hide in the darkest closet, light a candle, and the darkness is gone. Many people live in darkness because they are afraid of light. Light exposes sinful deeds. Things that we are trying to hide will eventually be made known. Light also shows us the way along a dark path so…

Jesus is the light of the world. The opposite of darkness is light. You can hide in the darkest closet, light a candle, and the darkness is gone. Many people live in darkness because they are afraid of light. Light exposes sinful deeds. Things that we are trying to hide will eventually be made known. Light also shows us the way along a dark path so…

In the first few verses of 1 Corinthians 5 we see that the Corinthians had a poor response to sin in the church. A man, who “has his father’s wife,” is being allowed to continue to participate in the life of the church (v. 1). Rather than mourning the sin of this man, the Corinthian believers are puffed up and arrogant (v. 2). Paul provides instruc…

In the first few verses of 1 Corinthians 5 we see that the Corinthians had a poor response to sin in the church. A man, who “has his father’s wife,” is being allowed to continue to participate in the life of the church (v. 1). Rather than mourning the sin of this man, the Corinthian believers are puffed up and arrogant (v. 2). Paul provides instruc…

Steve began his sermon with the story of Robert Reid, who, though afflicted with cerebral palsy, graduated from Abilene Christian University and then, though severely handicapped, traveled to Portugal where he found someone to feed him, someone to wheel him to a park, and spoke to people for hours every day! He learned fluid Portuguese and, over th…

Steve began his sermon with the story of Robert Reid, who, though afflicted with cerebral palsy, graduated from Abilene Christian University and then, though severely handicapped, traveled to Portugal where he found someone to feed him, someone to wheel him to a park, and spoke to people for hours every day! He learned fluid Portuguese and, over th…

Proverbs 14:1 – A wise mom is a builder, and creates something that will bless a lot of people for a long time. II Timothy 1:5 – Timothy’s mom and grandmother played a major role in his spiritual development. Faith isn’t passed on to the next generation unintentionally. See II Timothy 3:15. Luke 1:28-38 – Jesus needed a good mom, and Mary was one b…

Proverbs 14:1 – A wise mom is a builder, and creates something that will bless a lot of people for a long time. II Timothy 1:5 – Timothy’s mom and grandmother played a major role in his spiritual development. Faith isn’t passed on to the next generation unintentionally. See II Timothy 3:15. Luke 1:28-38 – Jesus needed a good mom, and Mary was one b…