Award Winning Live It Live!

Posted: October 30, 2007

This week TV Ministry personnel Alf Sauvé, Scott Sauvé, Glen Bailey and Matt Sheren attended the WFX Conference here in Atlanta. Also attending was Judy Green, Gale Koven, Vaughn Stafford and John Ellis. This technology conference is for Churches with production capabilities that includes 60 instructional sessions and features a 400 vendor expo floor. It was attended by 5,000 + members nationwide. During the conference WFX House of Worship (HOW) Awards were announced . The HOW Awards, presented by Church Production Magazine and Worship Facilities magazine, provides churches across the nation with recognition for their excellence in church growth, management and production. The awards are divided into two primary categories, worship facilities and audio-visual production for church services. Multiple awards were given per category based on church size.

I’m proud to announce that “Live It Live!” has won the top award for “Most Innovative Production.”

Congratulations to all those involved in creating this, now “award winning,” worship service!

God is Good!

Alan

How Could Anyone Abuse a Child?

Posted: October 26, 2007

Mt. Bethel received spontaneous offerings after the 9:30 & 11:00 worship services in the Sanctuary. The sermon’s topic was “How Could Anyone Abuse a Child?” The offerings totaled $133,000. The disbursement is as follows:

  • Murphy Harpst Children’s Home — $30,000
  • North Georgia Conference’s Children’s Home — $10,000
  • St. Philip UMC’s Children Ministry — $66,000
  • Camp Hope — $10,000
  • East Cobb Youth — $20,000

May God bless each contributor and may each of you know that God has blessed some of His most special children through your generosity.

Randy

Fasting (Part II): Fasting Changes Us

Posted: October 24, 2007

[be sure to read the first part of this series - "Fasting (Part I)"]

Jesus didn’t say “if you fast” he said, “When you fast.” In this statement Jesus put fasting up there with praying and giving to the needy. Fasting is the physical way in which we can change our inner personality. As Christians we understand from scripture that our “old nature” or “our flesh” is always at war with the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This is not just our physical nature, but rather all of who we are in mind, will, and emotions. This is all the stuff we inherited from Adam, our first father, way back in the Garden of Eden.

Through salvation our lives are transformed, and we receive a “new nature.” This new nature is the Spirit of God present and at work in us. Unfortunately, the old person is always trying to come back in and take over our lives. Salvation doesn’t mean that magically all of our old nature is washed away, and we never have to deal with it again. There is always a struggle between these two sides as we try to live the Christian life. The power that makes the Christian life possible is the power of the Holy Spirit. On our own, it is impossible for the Christian to live the life God calls us to live. It just can’t be done in our own strength. It can only be accomplished when we walk in full dependence of the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 5:16-17, Paul says:

16) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17) For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. (NASB)

The key for successful Christian living is walking in the Holy Spirit. That’s easy enough –right? The problem is how does this “walking in the spirit” happen? The “real key” is how to release the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, so we can live the life that we can’t live in our own strength.

Paul, in Ephesians 3:20 states, 20) “Now to him [God] who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us…”

Paul is saying that we can do more than we can ever dream possible and that we can live the life God calls us to live, but it depends on God’s supernatural power being released in us and through us. The “key” again is to know how to release that power. Our “old nature” can be summed up like this: our mind says “I think;” our will says “I want;” our emotions say “I feel.” At a very base level, these are the expressions of man’s ego that controls our thoughts. This is how our “old nature” operates. So the “key” to walking in the spirit is to bring the “old nature” into submission to the Holy Spirit. According to God’s pattern, found in the scripture, this is accomplished by fasting. Jesus and Paul both accomplished it through fasting, and today you and I are expected to do it through fasting.

Read 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (NIV) and think about these questions.

What are you controlled by? Are you led by your own desires (mind, will, and emotions) or are you led by the Spirit?

I once heard a preacher say, “Your body makes a wonderful servant but a terrible master.”

Jody

Any Soldier

Posted: October 23, 2007

Two of our Mt. Bethel members, Ed and Mary Ettel, will be recognized in Washington D.C. on November 6 by U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss. The time is to be determined.

The reason for this recognition is for the time and effort this couple has spent in their basement compiling care packages for troops in the Middle East.

View their website to see what a tremendous effort this couple has made along with scores of volunteers from all over the community:  http://ettel.typepad.com/anysoldier

Judgmental?

Posted: October 18, 2007

How many times have we looked at someone and made a judgment about them before we even know who they are or what they are about? I know I am guilty of it and I am sure you are too. Sometimes we can get so self righteous like we are better than anyone else. We feel we have more knowledge, a bigger house, nicer clothes, smarter kids etc. We get so self confident that we look down on everyone else who is not up to our standards. Who do you look down on? I am sure if you think about it you can come up with a list.

Read Luke 18:9-14. Do you see a little of yourself in the Pharisee? The Pharisee was so puffed up with pride and self righteousness. He thought he was so above everyone else. The Pharisee did not reach out to the ones who were hurting and give them hope. However, Jesus did. When the Tax Collector prayed, he prayed for God to forgive him and have mercy on him. He was so ashamed that he looked down and the ground. Have you ever felt like that? God welcomes the humble. We need to humble ourselves and be thankful for the grace of God. We must not pass judgment and look down on others. There maybe those in the world who are doing the wrong things with their lives, but they are all forgiven if they ask. God’s forgiveness saves us, not our goodness and pure and prefect lifestyle. God accepts those who are separated by sin from him but His forgiveness brings us back to Him. Faith and humility are what we need to reflect in our lives. Not self righteousness. So change your heart today. Ask for forgiveness for things that are keeping you separated from God and get rid of your pride and your judgmental ways.

“This Tax man not the other, went home right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more then yourself. ” Luke 18:14

Deone

Good to Great in the Eyes of God – Taking Great Risks

Posted: October 15, 2007

As we look at doing great things for God through His Spirit there is one unmistakable necessity that keeps many people from every doing those great things.  God is looking for risk takers.  People who will go out of a limb with Him.  Many people see the Christian life as being good, responsible, moral, wise people.  Although God wants us to live to a high standard and do the right thing, often doing the right thing requires great risk.  When Martin Luther challenged the church with the idea that faith is where salvation comes from and not a list of works set out by the church it was at great personal risk.

Risk taking doesn’t mean being careless or dangerous, instead it means listening intently for the voice of God and when you hear it obeying in spite of outward situations or circumstances that to others may make your actions look irresponsible.

What we are really talking about here is faith.  Faith is always following what God has revealed to you or taught you through His word (by the way the two will always be consistent with each other)  without all the information or understanding that only He has.

Why is this so important?  Why does God want us to be risk takers?  Because when we take a risk based on His revelation or His word, especially when other factors make it seem unwise, then God is shows that he is God, a God who is faithful despite anything and everything else.  When people see God moving in ways that only seem possible if God is the one doing it, it witnesses to an unbelieving world that He is God.

So I want to invite you to take a risk this week.  Not just any risk, but go to God’s word, listen for His voice and do something that you can’t do on your own.  Then God will show himself faithful and as you grow through your risk taking, others will be drawn to the God who does the impossible.

Carey

“Jesus…bring the rain”

Posted: October 15, 2007

As I walked the halls on Sunday morning checking on children, Sunday School Teachers and classes I overheard a little girl say during prayer, “Jesus…bring the rain”.  That sweet voice replayed over and over in my head throughout the day, “Jesus…bring the rain”.   It was a simple prayer that brought a nugget of wisdom my direction in the midst of my normal Sunday morning travels.  The drought had been a topic of many conversations with adults during the week and you could sense the anxiety.  The media is telling us we have only a few months before water rationing may be a reality.  “This is serious, it affects our way of life, we need to start stocking up on water” seemed to be the consensus.  I too began to start thinking of ways to provide water for my family if water rationing became a reality.  Then what, what do I do when my supply runs out? 

Uh ah…it is not MY supply that will sustain me, my family, my neighbors, my friends, my community, the earth…it is GOD’s!  “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens.  From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise…” Psalm 8:1-2.  God used the prayer of a young child to remind me only HE can supply and provide the living water that sustains life.  “Jesus…bring the rain”.

Sherri Juliani

Children’s Ministries

How do I pray?

Posted: October 10, 2007

So many of us struggle with prayer. When do I find time to pray? What is the right way to pray? How often should I pray? Jesus made it so simple for all of us to understand and if we were to sit down and ask him a few questions about prayer, I believe the conversation would go something like this: How do I pray?

Just start a conversation with your Father in heaven. Ask, seek, and receive.

Where do I pray?

Anywhere and anytime. I can always hear you. In fact your father in heaven knows what you need even before you ask.

When do I pray?

I am here for you anytime just like a Father and a Mother are there for you. Talk to me. I am always listening to you for you are my child. Jesus made it so simple. Just talk to your Father in heaven. He is your best friend. And then listen for His voice. It’s really not that complicated It’s Simple

Miss Deone

Raising Kids in a XXX Culture

Posted: October 10, 2007

On November 7, Rick Schatz is going to be here to speak on “Raising Kids in a XXX Culture.”  He will be addressing the dangers of iPods, cell phones, hand-held game devices, TV, and Internet and what we as parents need to do.  As a parent of young children who can potentially be exposed to so many unnatural and unhealthy things, this event is an absolute must for me and my husband.  I will be inviting my neighbors too.  Read more about Rick on our website.

Johnna

What’s in your hands?

Posted: October 10, 2007

As a child I remember getting caught with toys in my hands during Sunday school or with cookies in my hands before dinner. The question, “What’s in your hands?”, was usually a confrontation that led to a reprimand. In God’s same question to Moses in Exodus 4:1-5 it is a confrontation that led to new life and blessing. Moses is struggling with whether or not people will believe he has had an experience with God. He is questioning himself and God. God doesn’t rebuke him, but reinforces him as the shepherd’s staff turns from what was once alive, in Moses hands, to new life, when it is laid down for God. This theme is carried forward throughout the Old and New Testaments and throughout the lives of Saints alive today. Whether we are nervous observers with Abraham and Isaac on the mountain or grateful participants watching the little boy bring his loaves and fishes in the Gospel account, it is clear that God wants to use that which is in our hands for greater good than we can imagine.

This past week I heard many great messages at the Catalyst conference. The message that really hit me like a ton of bricks was Rick Warren‘’s message on this very Scripture. I sat there amazed as I heard him share how he was a reverse tither (giving 90% of his earnings back to God)! He shared how he was using his influence and affluence to further the kingdom with leaders, nations and causes around the globe. After a long time of rationalizing my way through his message with comments like “yeah, but that’s Rick Warren” or”sure, but he has more money than Midas”. I heard God’s voice whisper in my ear. My heart was humbled and impassioned as I listened to God ask “that’s fine Vaughn, but What’s in your hands”? I pray that you will join me this Sunday as I share a message at Encounter that pushes each of us to consider the content of our hands.

In Christ,
Rev. Vaughn Stafford
Minister over Contemporary Worship