Being prepared

There is a reality of living in Northern Indiana that we all must face from time to time which is the possibility of a major winter storm. At the time of this writing we are only under a watch but most people are still preparing some things just to make sure everything will be OK in event this storm disrupts our normal life routine. This is a very good thing because those who are not prepared are not able to coup with severe weather conditions nearly as well as those who are prepared. While this is true on a physical basis I wondered this morning of how true this is on a spiritual basis. Here are a couple of questions to consider. Are you prepared to go to heaven? Now no one knows when that might be but it is a little too late to prepare oneself when you meet your Creator. Jesus told us how to prepare for that in John 3:3 "Unless a man is born again you cannot enter the Kingdom of God." And in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, the life, no man comes unto the Father except through me." Jesus told us how to be prepared to get to heaven. I encourage you to take a little time to make sure you are prepared to get to heaven. Are you prepared to the temptations and difficulties of life? Revelation 12:11 "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony" I prepare myself by speaking forth my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. By recognizing that through Jesus Christ and His shed blood on the cross that I have victory over the things that want my defeat. I need to speak it and confess it on a continual basis in order to benefit by the power that this relationship with Christ gives me. One last question: Are you prepared to love God? Jesus told us the greatest commandment is to love God with all my heart, soul, strength and mind. This means that loving God cannot be an after thought but I most give my all to love God. I will not be effective in doing this if I do not prepare my life in such a manner so I can love God. For me this happens by giving God the first hour of everyday when I get up. I love to read books that will help me to love God and to help with to understand God's ways so that I can act in a manner pleasing to Him. I look forward to Sunday Worship because it is that time of the week that I get a chance with my fellow believers to express my love for God. In order to be prepared for this I will prayer extra on Saturday night and Sunday morning so that I am properly prepared to worship and serve God on the day of worship. Let us not only be prepared to face the winter storms of Indians but be prepared to face the spiritual storms of life as well. Enjoy the snow.

Pastor John Backes

Snowing again today.

Just a short blog today but reminder for us who live in snow country. The prophet Isaiah said "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." Isaiah 1:18 May the snow remind us today that we have forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. I John 1;9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Though I do not want anymore snow I thank God for the reminder that I have been forgiven much. Thank You Lord for forgiving me and granting me another chance to live a life pleasing to You. Help me no to take for granted all that You have done for me and the price that You paid that my sins could be wipe away and I could be white as snow. May he snow today remain you of God's forgiving power in your life.

Things to look forward to.

What do you look forward to? The answer to that question will vary greatly because of different interests and backgrounds. Now that we are in midst of a cold winter many people are looking forward to Spring. I am looking forward to vacation the first two weeks of March because we are headed South for warmer weather. On a spiritual note; what are you looking forward to? The answer to that question for me is our Sunday morning worship service. I look forward seeing everyone, to the worship singing, to our prayer times around the altar, to being able to share God's Word with the people and knowing that I will be in His presence. This is clearly the best time of the week for me. There is another aspect of the service on Sunday that I am looking forward to which is we are having another water baptismal service. It is always exciting to participate in a person's journey of faith. Water baptism is a great event in the life of a disciple of Jesus. I trust you are looking forward to this service coming this week. It will be a great day in the Lord and I know that God's presence will surround those who are being baptized.
May that Lord grant to you an ever increasing anticipation of what He is going to do in our midst this Sunday.

Pastor John

Do not give up

During the Sunday morning worship service we had a great time of prayer. Many people were pouring out their hearts to God and receiving encouragement from the Spirit. Towards the end of that time of prayer I sensed the words "Do not give up". There is often a delay from the time of the prayer to when the prayer is answered. Here are a couple of things I do know. One: God hears our cries. There are many verses that establish that truth, Psalm 141:1. Two: God is faithful to all His promises. Hebrews 10:23 is just one of many verses that express His faithfulness. Three: God has won the victory which means I can be victourious. Romans 8:32 expresses the thought of being more then a conquerer. Four: with God there is nothing too difficult or impossible. Jeremiah 32:17 expresses that thought and Jesus also said that with nothing is impossible. Hebrews 6:12 "We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." Let us continue in our faith that God is able to bring about that which I am believing Him for in 2011. Do not give up!!!! It is through faith and patience that we receive what has been promised. Let's stand upon the character of God and hold on to His promises until we received that which we are believing God for. The God of wonders will grant to you wonderful answers to prayer if you believe and do not give up.

Pastor John

Trusting God in 2011

On Sunday, Jan. 2, I encouraged the people to write down what they were believing God for in 2011. I am very encouraged by the hunger and thrist in the hearts of the people at Bethel. There are going to be some mighty miracles happening in the lives of Bethel family this coming year. Though you may not know all the needs in the prayer bowl I encourage you to prayer that God hears our cries and answers our prayers. Here are some of the most frequent requests that were given.
1. Salvation of family and friends, especially husbands.
2. Restoration within families & marriages and relational healing.
3. Find a new job and freedom from debt.
4. Growth in their faith, spiritual growth.
5. Growth at Bethel A/G.
6. Establishment of Celebrate Recovery and breaking of addictions.
7. More water baptisms and Holy Spirit Baptisms, an increase of spiritual gifts, of signs and wonders and healing in the church.

God is going to answer these prayers. Let us approach the throne of grace with boldness with a heart of faith, expecting to hear of great and mighty things that God is doing in our midst. Let us be devoted to prayer, Colossians 4:2.

Pastor John