Mt. Bethel UMC » Bible http://www.mtbethel.org/blog Located in Marietta, GA Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:35:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Go? Go! http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2008/05/08/go/ http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2008/05/08/go/#comments Thu, 08 May 2008 18:28:43 +0000 diane http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/?p=167 Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples…”  Any questions?  To me it’s a simple directive.  We who have sat at the feet of Jesus, allowing Him to fill our brains, senses, spirits… we who have sat and have been made full are then to do this… “GO, and NOW MAKE DISCIPLES.”  Our responses?  Which ones identify you?

Gee, Jesus, I’d like to but, I have these kids to raise…
Gee, Jesus, I’d like to but, I have this job that keeps me busy 24/7
Gee, Jesus, I’d like to but, wouldn’t it be better to send someone else?
Gee, Jesus, I’d like to but, I’m not good when it comes to talking about faith.
Gee, Jesus, I’d like to but, go ahead, fill in the blank…

To me it’s simple.  Any questions?  None?  Then why aren’t we going?

Rev. Diane Parrish

]]> http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2008/05/08/go/feed/ Judgmental? http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/18/judgemental/ http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/18/judgemental/#comments Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:43:11 +0000 deone http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/18/judgemental/ 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

]]> http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/18/judgemental/feed/ Good to Great in the Eyes of God - Taking Great Risks http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/15/good-to-great-in-the-eyes-of-god-taking-great-risks/ http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/15/good-to-great-in-the-eyes-of-god-taking-great-risks/#comments Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:53:46 +0000 carey http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/15/good-to-great-in-the-eyes-of-god-taking-great-risks/ 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

]]> http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/15/good-to-great-in-the-eyes-of-god-taking-great-risks/feed/ How do I pray? http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/10/how-do-i-pray/ http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/10/how-do-i-pray/#comments Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:18:38 +0000 deone http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/10/how-do-i-pray/ 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

]]> http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/10/how-do-i-pray/feed/ What’s in your hands? http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/10/whats-in-your-hands/ http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/10/whats-in-your-hands/#comments Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:32:48 +0000 vaughn http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/10/whats-in-your-hands/ 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

]]> http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/10/whats-in-your-hands/feed/ Forgiveness http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/09/forgiveness/ http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/09/forgiveness/#comments Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:06:14 +0000 diane http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/09/forgiveness/ God said that we are to forgive. Matthew wrote in Chapter 6, verses 14-15, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

So does that mean EVERY person? Does that mean EVERY instance – where is the wriggle room? Or is there any? Well?

Rev. Diane Parrish

]]> http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/10/09/forgiveness/feed/ Listening to God http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/09/18/listening-to-god/ http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/09/18/listening-to-god/#comments Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:44:28 +0000 deone http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/09/18/listening-to-god/ God made Abraham a promise. Sari had a problem with believing God’s promise. She even laughed out loud when God told Abraham that they would have many children. She laughed because they were old and past the age of having children. She kept saying to herself, “How can that be possible?” There are so many times in our life where we say, “How can that be possible?” We can not explain why. As our faith grows stronger in Christ we need to understand that all things are possible with God. Sometimes we can’t explain why certain things happen or do not happen in our lives. If you will pray and listen and follow God’s instructions not your own you will come to realize that God has a plan in everything he does. Believe in Him and have faith in Him and God will show you how all things are possible with Him.

Join us this Sunday as we talk more about how to listen to God in the Fellowship Hall @ 11:00 or watch ION network Saturday mornings at 8:00.

Miss Deone

]]> http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/09/18/listening-to-god/feed/ What matters? http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/09/17/what-matters/ http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/09/17/what-matters/#comments Mon, 17 Sep 2007 07:12:52 +0000 carey http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/09/17/what-matters/ It’s late right now. I am getting ready to go on a quick trip to the Gulf, early in the morning to see one of our Katrina Relief Service Projects. I had a wedding of one of my original youth from my youth ministry days this past weekend. When I get back I have family and friends, meetings and ministry that all need and expect my attention. So in the midst of juggling my schedule, in the same way you juggle your schedule, this question came to me. What matters? And so my mind began to race to order my life by my priorities and then what was urgent and even by my interests, but after a few moments my mind began to clear and a word came to my mind, one simply word,…….. GOD.

I know that is the easy way out, the pat answer, but not this time. This time sometime else came to my mind when the answer came up God. God said to me, I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end.(Rev. 21:6) God has always been important to me and sure, we know He is the most important of all, but God calls us not to live as if He is important, but instead as if He is IT! The beginning of every day and end of every thought, the beginning of my longings, the end of our brokenness that leads us back to him.

What I am trying to say, is that He is not the most important part of life, but in fact He is life. Remember, I am the way, and the truth and the life. God is not the most important thing in my life, He is the only thing that truly matters. All other things flow from Him. Now, before you start to thinking this is more of a philosophical concept to be discussed by philosophers let me make it a little more practical. When I try to make a decision, when I set my schedule, when I have a meeting, when I interact with people at work and in the world, when I spend time with my family, when I serve in church, when I go to Africa, when I do anything without Jesus Christ from the beginning to the end of it, then I have done something that doesn’t matter. Wow! How can I say that? When I go on mission trips or serve in my church or spend time with my family, then that should matter whether God is in the middle of it at that particular moment or not, right? Well, not according to Jesus, In John 15:5 He simply says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” In other words what you do apart from Him amounts to nothing. It doesn’t matter. Although that may sound extreme or maybe even harsh the reason it is true is because you were meant for God. He designed you that way. When He fills you, whatever you are doing matters, whenever He is with you, your life becomes what it was intended to be. Now, here is even the greater news! If He become all that matters, He will beginning to arrange your life and create your schedule and remove your unnecessaries, but more than that simply having his Spirit alive within you, will make everything matter! It will matter because He is in it, bringing about His will, His purposes, even His Kingdom. Then your life will be a life that matters. Tell me what you think!

Carey

]]> http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/09/17/what-matters/feed/ How can I be obedient to those who care about me? http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/09/10/how-can-i-be-obedient-to-those-who-care-about-me/ http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/09/10/how-can-i-be-obedient-to-those-who-care-about-me/#comments Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:15:29 +0000 deone http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/09/10/how-can-i-be-obedient-to-those-who-care-about-me/ Being obedient to our parents and others can be very hard. When we are told to do something and it sounds like fun we have no problem doing what we are told. However, when we are told to do something that is hard, difficult, or no fun at all, we find it hard to be obedient. It’s the same way with God sometimes. It is easy to follow God and listen to God when we have our agenda and our plans. But when we listen to God and He has another plan for us or something He wants us to do that may seem difficult, hard and no fun, we want to do it our way and not be obedient to God.

Noah was a righteous man. He was a man who walked with God. When God called Noah to build the ark and gave him instructions on what he was to do, Noah listened. Noah followed God and did not whine and complain and say,”Do I have to? People will make fun of me.” He did what God asked of him and in return God promised Noah and his family he would never flood the earth again. He placed a rainbow in the sky to remind us to be obedient to Him but also how much He cares and loves each of us.

How can you learn to be more obedient to God and your parents and those who care about you? Read your Bible, daily prayer and attending Live it Live or watch on the ION network at 8:00 Saturday morning.

Join us this Sunday at Live it Live at 11:00 in the Fellowship Hall when we learn about what happens if we do not listen to God.

Miss Deone

]]> http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/09/10/how-can-i-be-obedient-to-those-who-care-about-me/feed/ If God Forgets - Why do WE remember? http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/08/30/if-god-forgets-why-do-we-remember/ http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/08/30/if-god-forgets-why-do-we-remember/#comments Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:21:13 +0000 diane http://www.mtbethel.org/blog/2007/08/30/if-god-forgets-why-do-we-remember/ God spoke through the prophet Isaiah, “It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more.”

I was in a counseling session the other day with a woman named Sally. She posed this question, “Diane, so if God forgives me of my sins - why can’t I? How is it that HE can forgive, then forget them and yet I can’t do either!?”

What do YOU think? Why is it that when God forgives us of our sins - WE still remember them? What is the purpose and what is the LESSON God wants from us in the great scope of things? Well?

Rev. Diane Parrish

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