Bethany Home Ministry

05/06/2023

Good morning, everyone.

Read the Bible in a year - Luke 7- 8

"Thought for today."

Better late than never.

We know the saying better late that never, so well don't we. Growing up in my early work life, the saying was turned around a little. " never late."

It has stuck with me ever since. And most of you who know me well, know I never like being late for anything.

But it gets me thinking - in our walk with God, how often we get frustrated with God about bring attentive to our needs.

We let frustration build up to become angry, and from anger comes bitterness. And it often alienates us from God.

Yet scripture teaches us clearly patience and from patience comes endurance and from endurance comes blessing.

2 Peter 3: 8 - 10

8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.

9The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

10But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

We need to accept God's time is always perfect, not from our point of view but in God's perfect timing. Never late or early.

Romans 5:6-8

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

What a faithful God we have, then to grasp this is quite powerful.

Psalm 31:15

My times are in thy hand: Deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

Oh I pray God reveals Himself afresh to you today and bless you abundantly

Yours in Christ Pastor Paul

03/06/2023

Good morning, everyone!

Read the Bible in a year -Proverbs 1

"Thought for today."

"Anyone for coffee."

Anyone for coffee, is such a welcoming voice, when you are on a training course or in a place of work when it's break time..

I have been a lover of coffee for years, and thoroughly enjoyed every mouthful..now coffee comes in all shapes and sizes with flavours beyond your wildest dreams.

Then you can have decaffeinated coffee. I know why but never seen or felt the need till lately..

We could go on, but the aroma of coffee is something else isn't it.

But coffee means a lot more to me than just a drink.

Christ
Offers
Forgiveness
For
Everyone
Everywhere

So when I hear of coffee, what sweet aroma it is to know of the grace of God in the gift of Christ..that is ours when we trust in christ.

Remember 2 Corinthians 2:15 - 17

15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.

16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?

17 You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.

This is an exhortation from an old study book..

For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing: To the latter it is an aroma [wafted] from death to death [a fatal odor, the smell of doom]; to the former it is an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh].

So coffee means so much to me as a witness of Christ's salvation wherever I go.

Will you be that sweet smelling aroma for God today?

Yours in Christ Pastor Paul

02/06/2023

Good morning, everyone!

Read the Bible in a year - Psalm 63 - 65

"Thought for today."

"What is your first love."

We all have a love for this or that in our lives. I'm not talking of the person you fell for first. But what is the first love on your life, today.

There are so many things that barter for our attention day in and day out.

From daily things on TV Radio, books, newspapers, sport, cars, homes, gardens, celebrities and even work.

I'm not here to advise on love, 1 Corthians 13 will help with this.

I'm more interested in what it is that drives your love.

Don't be fooled by the world, for they are games the devil plays around with us to tempt us away from God.

Jesus was very specific on this matter of love in John 12: 25 - 27

It is a message that must not be missed but be learnt well.

25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.

26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honour anyone who serves me.

27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!

Jesus is the purpose to drive our lives in a mixed up world.

Jesus should be our first love day by day.

There is a song we sing - Jesus be the Centre. That the word's are so precious.

Jesus, Be The Centre
Be My Source, Be My Light, Jesus
Jesus, Be The Centre
Be My Hope, Be My Song, Jesus

Be The Fire In My Heart
Be The Wind In These Sails
Be The Reason That I Live
Jesus, Jesus

Jesus, Be The Centre
Be My Source, Be My Light, Jesus
Jesus, Be The Centre
Be My Hope, Be My Song, Jesus

Be The Fire In My Heart
Be The Wind In These Sails
Be The Reason That I Live
Jesus, Jesus

Yours in Christ Pastor Paul

01/06/2023

Good morning, everyone!

Read the Bible in a year - 1 Kings 1 - 4

"Thought for today."

"What Keys are important to you,"

Our key ring can tell us so much about us. We have charms on it or a certain memorable item. That helps us to find them.

Have you ever lost your keys, rather daunting, isn't it. I remember being at church one day, and we were clearing up to lock up. When I put my keys down by the collection plate.

Knowing after all the work, the treasurer would remind mind me. Low and behold as time went by. We were nearly finished when the treasurer shriked has any one moved the plate. To our surprise, it had gone with my keys as well.

Our hearts sunk. Fortunately, Claire had a second set of keys. But it meant us having to change locks on so many things.

There is a set of keys in Scripture that we read are secure in the Saviour's hand and grasped with His love. What a hope is ours.

It is found in Revelation 1:17 - 20

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last.

18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

19 “Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen.

20 This is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

This is our assurance and great comfort, for we no longer have to be concerned or fearful of what lies ahead. But know for sure Christ holds the keys of death and the grave.

And in Him, we have eternal life secured when we trust in Christ as both Saviour and Lord of our lives.

The hymn writer puts it like this

1 He holds the key of all unknown,
And I am glad;
If other hands should hold the key,
Or, if He trusted it to me,
I might be sad,
I might be sad.

2 What if tomorrow's cares were here
Without its rest?
I'd rather He unlocked the day
And as the hours swing open say,
“My will is best,”
“My will is best.”

3 The very dimness of my sight
Makes me secure;
For, groping in my misty way,
I feel His hand; I hear Him say,
“My help is sure,”
“My help is sure.”

4 I cannot read His future plans,
But this I know;
I have the smiling of His face,
And all the refuge of His grace,
While here below,
While here below.

5 Enough; this covers all my wants,
And so I rest;
For, what I cannot, He can see,
And in His care I safe shall be,
Forever blest,
Forever blest.

Yours in Christ Pastor Paul

31/05/2023

Good morning, everyone..

Read the Bible in a year- Exodus 33 - 36

"Thought for today,"
"What's your problem?"

Have you ever been asked What's your problem?

I remember as a young apprentice carpenter, I have been on the works bus going to a site to work on.

You know the bus that had an open with steps no door.

It was quite a rickety old thing even for the 1970s.

A worker came over to me and asked, What's your problem, you don't swear? I replied rather sheepishly, "because I'm a Christian."

At that, he grabbed hold of me and pulled me out of my seat, through me to the flour of the bus, screaming at me to swear. My head was hanging out of the bus and as I recall, there were about 4 workmates trying to pull him off me.

It was scary - but it all ended OK.

When one of my friends asked the guy, "What is your problem?"

He never replied.

But that question is often posed, if someone is feeling a little under the weather or not functioning on all cylinders. It's quite a judgmental question, I heard yesterday in an interview.

And put everyone on edge.

Joshua was faced with a similar situation early in his life which has always been a great comfort and assurance to me.

When he was confronted by a raging mass of people.

In Joshua 24:14-15 we read his reply.

14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Dare to be a Daniel is another account we know of well.

Today if you hear "What's your problem." Consider the Lord Jesus Christ and how He calls us to be His dear followers and never be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the Power of God to bring salvation to everyone who believes.

Yours in Christ Pastor Paul

30/05/2023

Good morning, everyone.

Read the Bible in a year - Galatians 1 - 3

"Thought for today,"

"Truth or Lie"

We live in a society where it is much easier to believe a lie because the truth has been so spun out of all context that we can't recognise it.

Think of politics and the cases that are still rumbling on about how behaviour was compromised during Covid.

Think of the theory of evaluation our understanding of the development of everything in our world. Certainly not God's account of how He created everything. And inspired writers to record it.

Brexit - Truth or lie ?????..

Ukraine - Russia Spin the truth and have hoodwinked many in their own country and abroad to believe they do no wrong.

We live in quite a mind-blowing society, which is why it is so important to go back to scripture and grasp the truth.

Paul writing to the church at Galatia records some clear facts for them and us today.

Galatians 1 : 1-7

1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.

2 All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia.

3 May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.

5 All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News

7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

Don't be Scamed by people or the Devil. Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.

Believe this, the truth will set you free.

Yours in Christ Pastor Paul

29/05/2023

Good morning, everyone..

As we read the Bible in a year together, here is the layout for today until next Monday, 5th June.

Today - Luke 5 - 6
Tuesday Galatians 1 - 3
Wednesday Exodus 33 - 36
Thursday 1 Kings 1 - 4
Friday Psalm 63 - 65
Saturday Proverbs 1
Sunday Jeremiah 47 - 52
Monday Luke 7- 8

"Theme for today"

"The anthem of heaven."
we hear an awful lot of what folk think of heaven, what language will be spoken.

Being Welsh, I grew up hearing the language in heaven would be Welsh.

Ministering away from home, I hear of poeole calling Yorkshire God's own county.

We sing and did those feet in ancient times walk upon England's land.

The answer is to all of these, of course, no, but it makes us feel good.
But what we do know for sure is that thus world is not our home, we are just a passing through.
And we can only imagine what heaven will be like. We get a glimpse in the book of Revelation, but who can truly know?

We can only imagine..

But there is an anthem, and we all love anthems, don't we.

The Anthem of heaven won't be man oriented but God focused .

It is echoed in the triune of God

Holy - Holy - Holy

And you can almost hear all heaven rejoice - worthy is the Lamb.

Here on earth, we get into all types of difficulties at times - I know I do
And all I cry out is hold me - hold me - hold me - when I should be proclaiming Holy - Holy - Holy is the Lord God Almighty..

Revelation 4 8 & 11

Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

Oh, don't you long to be a part of that heavenly anthem. I do.

Yours in Christ Pastor Paul

27/05/2023

Good morning, everyone!

Read the Bible in a year - Job 41 - 42

"Thought for today."

"In the garden alone'

Spending time in a garden is great therapy. It helps our mindset and shapes our feelings.

Doctors and therapists tell us how good it is for us, and when we walk through a garden experience the the beauty, the smells and outcome of of our labours it is so thrilling and uplifting.

I remember an old minister walking home from church one Sunday morning, and he met a neighbour doing work in his garden. He said to the gardener, "Isn't God's creation beautiful in all is bloom. God gives us great blessings. Doesn't He. The gardener replies yes, quite true, but it was rather a mess before I took charge of it.

Two lessons come out of this story

1. God is the creator of everything
2. We have to look after it..

The garden is a wonderful place to be for reflection and relaxation.

I remember an old hymn

1 I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

Refrain:
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

2 He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing. [Refrain]

3 I'd stay in the garden with Him
Tho' the night around me be falling;
But He bids me go; thro' the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling. [Refrain]

In Scripture we find great awareness of the importance of the garden. I'm creation and before the crucifixion if Christ.

Isaiah 51:3

3 The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

Then

Song of Songs 5:1

1 I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice. I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey; I have drunk my wine and my milk. Eat, friends, and drink; drink your fill of love.

Finally

An Ordered and well-watered, garden can symbolise the abundance that God offers to human beings, the quiet care that can produce fruitfulness in our lives and in the world around us and the hope that what is buried in death can produce great beauty.

Let God's Word engulf you this morning and spend time in the garden alone with God and be blessed.

Yours in Christ Pastor Paul

26/05/2023

26/05/2023

Good morning, everyone!

Read the Bible in a year - Psalm 60 - 62

"Thought for today,"

"What's your mindset."

Our mindset often controls our behaviour and speech.

It drives our lives in every way, whether we like it or not.

And when challenges us and form our lives is how our mind grasps the situations we encounter.

What comes to mind is when we put our heart into something.

It comes from a change of mindset, and we put our whole effort into it.

When we look at Kevin Sinfield what a hero he has become to so many. With his friendship with Rob Burrows. Is an example all.

He set his mind to demonstrate his commitment and love for his best friend and all who live with MND.

What a mindset.

As Chrustians we have and example in Christ to follow or adopt.

When Paul reminds us in Philippines 2:5

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

We are to have the same minset as Christ. Wow, I could give you so many examples of Christ, but you only need to read the gospels of Matthew Mark Luke or John. You will find a wealth of guidance to focus our mindset.

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.

This is our God - this is our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Colossians 316-17

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Yours in Christ Pastor Paul

25/05/2023

Good morning, everyone!

Read the Bible in a year - 2 Samuel 20 - 24

"Thought for today."
"And now breathe."

Coming through a nasty bout of aspiration pneumonia, breathing easier is a great feeling. Just to take a deep breath and relax, with that feeling of lungs full of air is so refreshing.

That gets me thinking.

Anyone who has trouble breathing knows what I mean.

There is a song we love singing in church that brings so much meaning at this time.

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word
Spoken to me
And I... I'm desparate for you
And I... I'm lost without you
This is air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word
Spoken to me
And I... I'm desparate for you
And I... I'm lost without you

Do you gasp for Jesus Christ if not, you will never know how sweet the freshness of breathe flowing through you.

Scripture reminds us.

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. – John 20:21-22

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. – Acts 17:24-25

Yours in Christ Pastor Paul