“If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV)
Greetings & blessings to the Bethel Family! We certainly are still in awe of God by the impacting services, both on Wednesdays & Sundays, we have experienced. Truly the Lord is blessing us and we must always give Him praise!
Today is our Family & Friends Sunday as we welcome all our guests to Bethel. The scripture reminds us that “A man that has friends must himself be friendly…” (Proverbs 18:24 NKJV).We consider you part of our church family because it’s been said and it’s true… “You Belong Here!’
I want to especially thank all those who not only invited, but brought someone with them to service. You see, not only must we benefit from the blessings of being in right relationship with God; but we have a responsibility to bring others to Christ! And the first ones we want to see delivered are our family & friends! I can recall in the scripture when Andrew had his initial experience as a believer with Jesus Christ that his first instinct was to let his brother, Simon, know he had found the Messiah. “He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ…” (St. John 1:41-42) And consider Andrew’s conviction. He not only told his brother about Jesus, but “…he brought him to Jesus!” We are bound to tell others of this wonderful message of the gospel and lead family & friends to Christ!
I want everyone to know that “You Do Have a Friend!” Having a friend or companion is so important because when you stumble and fall, a friend will be there to pick you up! In times of trouble, a friend will be there to help you. And if you should ever feel that you are forsaken… that your family has left you and friends cannot be found, the scripture assures you, “…there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) THAT FRIEND IS JESUS! You can not only know him as your God, but also as your friend!
In addition, this week we will begin our Daniel Fast & Spring Consecration. The theme is “The Consecration of Renewal!” The Psalmist declared, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) We all must take time to understand that the first priority for our lives is to be in right relationship with our Lord & Savoir! This consecration promises to be an exciting and impacting time where we reconnect and move with God to a greater place with Him! Listen for more details.
Be blessed knowing that this is the “Year of Abundance!” Lady Angela and I, along with our entire family, have you in our prayers.
Pastor A. Glenn Brady