Bethel Christian Center

This is now the second time He returned to Nazareth, and in the meantime, He had been doing what Isaiah had prophesied, He had been preaching the gospel to the poor, and healing the broken hearted. He had been preaching deliverance to the captives and had healed the blind and all manner of sicknesses. He had even raised the daughter of Jarius from the dead.

God's power is revealed and experienced in His Word. The actual words of the Bible are anointed by the Holy Spirit Himself – and they have the full ability to completely change and transform you. Isaiah tells us that just as precipitation is sure to cause plants to grow, God’s Word accomplishes its purposes (Isaiah 55:10–11).

Ahitophel is an example of how bitterness can destroy a person. Watch this week as Antoinette delivers a powerful message from God's Word for today!

Repent: The nearness of God’s reign, confronting the people with an inescapable decision, explains the urgency of John’s message of repentance. Repentance is a decision that results in a change of mind, which in turn leads to a change of purpose and action.

By bringing their children for dedication, parents signify their faith in God. They, also, indicate their desire that their children come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, and to serve the Lord all of their lives. The act of dedication will not make this child a Christian, but is only a starting point from which to teach him of Christ. Jesus demonstrated His acceptance and love for the little children (Mark 10:14).

“The Sabbath is for the purpose of altering our usual pattern in order that something regenerative, renewing, and re-creative would take place in us physically, mentally, and spiritually. That we would be restored to the wholeness God intends for us-in relationship with Him, in our behavior, in our bodies and minds, and in everything we do. That incorporates the need to be in His presence, it incorporates what we think of as worship expressions, and it incorporates time in His Word. It could incorporate “church,” but we don’t need to be in church for 24 hours in order to fulfill the Sabbath.” -Jack Hayford This rest is not salvation, but victory in the Christian life. Let’s look at God’s true intent for the Sabbath.

There is not a more powerful witness to the world and our culture than unity within the local body of believers. Unity is defined as being in harmony or in one spirit. Unity can be a challenge since we all have different opinions on various issues within the church and Bethel is no exception. However, if we keep our focus on the eternal and not the temporal, we are more likely to dwell in the unity that the Bible so often commands.

When we are doing the work of God we are not doing this to advance ourselves. It's not about us. When you can worship God for who He is, you will experience the greatest blessing, in spite of any tangible blessings you may or may not experience!

From most forms of fatigue we cannot escape. Physical fatigue is a daily reality. Mental fatigue consistently visits those who know real life requires reflection. Emotional fatigue invades our inner world when life becomes too heavy. But there is a weariness we must avoid! Soul fatigue is the most dangerous form of exhaustion. It tempts us to quit on who we need the most, God. It entices us to quit on what we need the most, God’s will, God’s plan, God’s best.

Jesus would die on the cross to redeem men from the curse of sin, enabling them to be saved eternally, and to restore the fellowship with God, broken such a long while before by the disaster in Eden. The victory came through death itself. The cross cast Satan out, dethroned him; he is now a usurper and shall finally be cast into the lake of fire.

The crowd brought a speechless boy to Jesus. Jesus asked the father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. The spirit has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us." Jesus said to him, "If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief!"

Jesus imparted all power and authority, first to his disciples as He commissioned them in Luke 10:18-19 and Matthew 28:18 and then to the church in Acts 2 when the Promise of the Holy Spirit was released. We have all the power and authority of God through the Holy Spirit. Reasons we fail to utilize both the authority and power that is available.

Authority for ministry. Whom Christ commissions He sufficiently endows. In Luke 9:1-2 Jesus gives the disciples the authority to use the power He transfers to them. You can have Kingdom authority available to you, but never use it.

Immediately after taming the wild sea, Christ tames a wild man. This is not just a tall tale. Legion is the picture of Satan's finished product, the destruction of the image of God in man. Satan desires to keep us in bondage; Jesus came to set us free.

Jesus did not leave behind a powerless church when He ascended back to heaven. To the contrary, He imparted divine authority to those who follow Him, along with Holy Spirit power to accomplish great things for Him on this earth. Every Christian, every disciple of Christ, has authority in this world. However, many believers either do not realize that they have this authority, or they simply do not operate in it.

The adventure, excitement, and challenges we encounter as we explore the wildlife of VBS. We visit the Israelites as slaves for the Egyptians. We look with amazement as God sends plagues on Egypt. Then we journey with the Israelites as they enter the wilderness. As we look into the New Testament, we behold as Jesus dies and comes back to life. Then with lesson 5, we watch the Israelites build a memorial to remember God’s goodness. Throughout the week we see the goodness of God, no matter the circumstances.

The peace that passes understanding is a strong, resolute faith and confidence, that no matter what circumstances you encounter, God is faithful, God is good, God will keep you, God will provide for you, and God will bless you. It's a faith that looks pat circumstances to the God who works all things for your good and his glory. As we look into God's Word, we discover God's Peace in a chaotic world.

Humanity can never be satisfied with what it has, because of this man's cup is always running dry or on empty. Is our cup dry or overflowing? Maybe our view of what God can do has been narrowed by poor theology or unbelief. Possibly we have become dry because we have removed our cup from the "fountain of life" (Psalm 36:9). For the Christian who trusts in the Lord rather than the world to supply his needs, he has a cup that overflows with blessings, joys and miracles. We do not just have enough, we have more than enough. An overflowing cup means an overflowing life.

I’m profoundly amazed with the unlimited resources of the God of the Bible. 1. He makes an ocean, makes it so deep no man can fathom it. 2. He makes a mountain, makes it so large no one can measure or weigh it. 3. He makes a flower, scatters multiplied millions, no one to admire but Him. 4. He “makes” grace; makes it without sides or bottom and leaves the top off. 5. He pours salvation forth like a river. Unknown Author

Dan Saldana presents us with a challenge to ward off complacency in our lives and cultivate the hunger and thirst for God.