Bethel Presbyterian Church

09/07/2026

Today’s devotional: “This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm118:24).

Michael J. Fox has confronted Parkinson’s Disease for decades in many ways, including raising over $2 billion for research. In a recent article in People he describes how each day when he wakes up he listens to his body, determining what it will and won’t do today, and planning the day accordingly.

Whether or not we’re dealing with something as serious as he is, his procedure strikes me as sound. Each morning begins as a new day. Each day is a new beginning, a new start, a new opportunity. What will it be like? What will be the best things we can do in it?

If we begin each day by asking that question prayerfully, then we can give God the opportunity to guide us each day to the best results. God knows where we’re going today, and God knows how to get there.

- Kirk Woodward

“I Will Call Upon the Lord”

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

09/06/2026

Today’s devotional: …when the cloud was lifted up from the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out on all their journeys; but if the cloud was not lifted up, then they would not journey farther until the day it was lifted up. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, but fire would be on it at night, in plain view of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys ― Exodus 40:36-38

In Egypt, the Hebrews wondered if The Lord cared…if He heard their wailing. After 400+ years of bo***ge, The Lord directs Moses to bring His people out of Egypt and return to the Promised Land. Their feet did not take them far before they wondered if things as they were in Egypt were better than traversing the wilderness. They wanted to follow Moses and follow God, but temptation was great to look back.

The Lord instructs Moses to build the Tabernacle where God’s presence would reside while the Hebrews journey toward the Promised Land. And when the Tabernacle was dedicated, a cloud filled the Holy of Holies. At night, the cloud became a flame. So, whether during the day or by night, all could see those two items in plain view. And, this was so until the Israelites crossed the Jordan and returned to the land that God had promised Abraham and his descendants.

…for all to see throughout the 40 years journey! God’s presence and His leading!

- Linda Van Kampen

09/05/2026

Today’s devotional: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105)

Recently I was in a store looking for a gift for someone. And I saw something that might do the trick. The only problem was there was no price on the item. However, there was a sign by the item that’s said that I could find out the price by scanning the QR code on the sign. Good grief.

Sometimes I think that’s what the Bible is like for us. The book can sit on our shelf for years without our eyes actually scanning the content to find out more. How can we know what God wants for us if we don’t actually open the Bible?

Why not open up the Bible (or a Bible app) today? As 2 Timothy 3 says:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

- Martha Day

Thy Word:

Thy Word by Amy Grant is a timeless classic. This song lifts the Wo...

09/04/2026

Today’s devotional: “Live in harmony with one another” (Romans 12:16).

A friend of mine, Steve Culbertson, conducts the orchestra of the Society of Musical Arts, which performs at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Westfield, New Jersey. Recently I watched a video of an intricate and fascinating concerto by the French composer Francis Poulenc.

As I watched I thought about what an astounding metaphor for life at its best an orchestra is. Everyone is working together for the good of all; each has an individual contribution to make; each is important, even vital to the success of the whole, and yet is unique!

“There are different gifts of the spirit,” Paul says (1 Corinthians 12:4-5), “but the same spirit, and there are variety of services but the same Lord.” Like the members of an orchestra, each us has been created by God as part of an important whole, and yet each and every one of us is a unique individual, important and special to God.

An orchestra in harmony is a wonderful thing. So is a life in harmony.

- Kirk Woodward

“They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love” (“We are one in the spirit”)

We are One in the Spirit - THEY'LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS. Perform...

09/03/2026

Today’s devotional: When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer went up to You, into Your holy temple —Jonah 2:7

God told Jonah to go to the Assyrian city of Nineveh to tell the pagans to repent and turn to God.

Jonah might have said, “Say, what? Are you crazy! They’ll kill me!”

Thus starts Jonah’s great escape. Instead of traveling by donkey or camel across land, he boards a ship for Tarshish…opposite direction! A torrential storm comes because Jonah is fleeing. He’s dumped overboard and swallowed by a huge fish. In its belly alive for three days: dark and smelly!

Then Jonah remembers the Lord and calls out. Jonah is saved and preaches a huge revival in Nineveh!

Learn from Jonah. Do as the Lord says, first thing. And, if you weakly take a different path, quickly call out to God in repentance! The Lord God Almighty hears our prayers and longs to see us doing the work He has called us to do.

- Linda Van Kampen

Jonah and the Big Fish:

Sing along with this fun and engaging Bible song that tells the sto...

09/02/2026

Today’s devotional: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27)

There is a tree in Brookdale Park that is one of the most special trees I’ve ever seen. It stands with enough room around it to grow naturally without being hindered by other trees or altered by human tree trimming. That tree is full and healthy.

I see that tree as a metaphor for how God created each of us to be. Each of us is on a spiritual journey to fully become whom God wants us to be.

May you grow and thrive today as you learn more and more about who God created you to be.

- Martha Day

I Sing the Mighty Power of God:

For more acappella Christian hymns:http://www.youtube.com/user/ses...

09/01/2026

Today’s devotional: They ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved” (Psalm 78:29).

Gracie and her mother were street dogs. When Gracie first came into our house, she was food-centered. She ate everything, didn’t miss a meal, scrounged whatever she could. After a few years of living at our house, however, she had become confident that she’d always be fed. Actually she became rather blasé about food!

The same can happen to us as we dwell on the word of God. We hunger for “spiritual food,” and when we read the Bible, pray, live with love, and listen for Jesus’ guidance, God’s word feeds us and satisfies us. We become more confident that God is always with us and always loves us. It takes some effort, but it’s worth it.

And let’s not become blasé about it!

- Kirk Woodward

“Break Thou the Bread of Life”

Gospel hymn by Mary Artemesia Lathbury.Music – Calvary, Free Pres...

08/31/2026

Today’s devotional: For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ ― 2 Corinthians 1:20

No! There are times in life when it is wise to say no. Say “No” when your schedule is already full; keep away from over-commitment. Say “No” when someone approaches you with a deal too good to be true; they are a con-artist or scammer. Say “No” to unhealthy habits that rob you of nutrition and exercise. These are a few examples of times when it is okay to say “No.”

Yes! On the other hand, there are times when it is appropriate to say “Yes.” Would you like your coat as you approach the door while the temperatures outside are on the 30’s. Say “Yes” to a glass of water when you’ve been laboring outside in scorching weather.

All the promises in Scripture are available through Jesus, God’s Son. Need more patience, ask in His name and God will say “Yes”. Need comfort at a time of loss; God says “Yes” I will walk beside you. Whatever He has promised that He Will do, He is faithful to that promise and says “Yes.”

“Yes” is a two-way street. When God calls you by name unto Himself, say “Yes.” When God lays it upon your heart to do a deed of kindness, may your response always be “Yes.”

- Linda Van Kampen

Yes, Lord, Yes:

Provided to YouTube by DistroKidYou Are My Hiding Place (feat. Jo...

08/30/2026

Today’s devotional: He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8)

My second cousin recently posted on Facebook that he had just passed a church billboard that said:

“The life lesson we live is the life lesson we teach!”

What life lesson will your neighbor learn from how you live your life today?

- Martha Day

For Everyone Born:

CCS 285 - For Everyone BornFor everyone born, a place at the tabl...

08/29/2026

“Put on the whole armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10).

Scripture is always speaking to us, if only we’ll listen. Put on the whole armor of God, Paul says (the Greek word for “whole” is panoplia, meaning both active and defensive) – don’t omit anything. Dr. Peale describes what Paul is saying this way:

· The breastplate of righteousness, to protect the heart.
· The shoes of peace, to guide us into harmonious relationships.
· The shield of faith, to ward off “the fiery darts of the wicked.”
· The helmet of salvation, to protect the mind against destructive
thoughts.
· The secret weapon of constant prayer.
· And above all, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” to help us take the offensive against evil and negativism, and to win the battle.

The gifts of God, for the people of God!

- Kirk Woodward

“Fight the Good Fight with All Thy Might”

'Fight the good fight with all thy might' was written by John Samue...