“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)
Wonderful greetings to the Household of Faith! We can say of certainty that God is faithful. He has been better to us than we’ve been to ourselves! I thank God for the continual favor and blessing that has been bestowed on Bethel as evident by the overwhelming presence of God’s Spirit in our services. The scripture is so true, “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side…” (Psalm 124:1) We know where our help comes from! And I will forever give Him the praise that is due!
Today, we celebrate the 69th church anniversary of the New Bethel Church! The remembrance and recognition of anniversary is so important because it causes us not to forget… #1) how good God has been, #2) where God has brought us from, and #3) what we yet much achieve! You see there is a consequence for forgetting. It causes us to take for granted what has been done for us and “de-sensitizes” us from realizing we need God! The Psalmist reminds us, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:17). We are warned not to forget! Specific directions were given to Israel in Deuteronomy that once they possessed the promise land and began to multiply & be blessed… don’t forget how this happened! “But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. If you ever forget the LORD your God…. you will surely be destroyed.” (Deut 8:18-19 NIV)
To insure we do not forget, we pause & celebrate a day to bring back to our remembrance the blessings & favor of God! When the enemy, through his diabolical stratagem, thought this church was destroyed… God said NOT SO! Today, we can look back and wonder, “How I got over?” It’s because the Lord has been good to us! David declared, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13)
Today with so much turmoil and despair happening throughout the world, the Saints of God can take solace in this fact, “Our God is Still on the Throne!” Because as long as our God is still on the throne… that means He is still in control and… everything is going to be alright!” The prayers of the saints of old, many who have gone to their place of rest, are still working for Bethel.
Great things are before us. Believe and know that this is “The Year of Abundance!” Be blessed,
Pastor A. Glenn Brady