Bethlehem United Methodist Church

Bethlehem United Methodist Church FOLLOW JESUS, MAKE DISCIPLES, CHANGE OUR WORLD
Bethlehem UMC is an inclusive congregation with a heart for missions. Partners in ministry with Stoney Knoll CME.

We are located at 253 School Road,Mill Spring, NC. Worship Sunday 10am Thursday Table 5pm Bethlehem UMC is open to everyone. We provide a free meal and a food pantry on Thursday Nights from 5-6:45, pick up curbside at Friendship House beside the church, 235 School Rd. Mill Spring NC) and have regular worship services on Sunday mornings. Worship is from 10am -11am. We also provide wedding facilit

ies, funeral and memorial services. For more info or to reach the pastor for counsel please text or call 980-363-5644.

05/31/2026

Menu for Thursday Table June(can you believe it?) 4th, 2026: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, roll, dessert. See you there!

DAILY SHORT Defeating your giants6. The Real Battle Begins InsideThe greatest battle was not with Goliath — it was insid...
05/30/2026

DAILY SHORT Defeating your giants

6. The Real Battle Begins Inside

The greatest battle was not with Goliath — it was inside the hearts of the Israelites who had already surrendered to fear.

David conquered fear before he conquered the giant.

Lesson:

Many giants win before the battle even begins because fear convinces us to quit.

Courage is not the absence of fear.
Courage is moving forward while trusting God.

DAILY SHORT Defeating your giants5. Giants Often Fall One Step at a TimeGoliath. Kept stepping forth and taunting the pe...
05/29/2026

DAILY SHORT Defeating your giants

5. Giants Often Fall One Step at a Time
Goliath. Kept stepping forth and taunting the people.

“For forty days straight the Philistine came out and took his stand, both morning and evening.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭16‬

David accepted the challenge. He prepared himself shared his intentions and then ‭acted.
But David still had to:

* walk into the valley
* pick up stones
* aim carefully
* take action

Faith is not passive.

Lesson:
Some giants fall through:

* daily prayer
* counseling
* forgiveness
* healthy habits
* asking for help
* taking the next faithful step

Victory usually comes through persistence, not instant miracles.

Prayer,
Almighty God. Show me how to prepare.
Fill me with the desire to do your will.
Grant me, O Lord, victory over my perceived Giants that have held me back.
The battle belongs to you, O Lord! Amen

I am so very blessed to be Bethlehem’s pastor!
05/28/2026

I am so very blessed to be Bethlehem’s pastor!

DAILY SHORT - Defeating Giants4. Use What God Has Already Given You“Then Saul dressed David in his own gear, putting a c...
05/28/2026

DAILY SHORT - Defeating Giants

4. Use What God Has Already Given You

“Then Saul dressed David in his own gear, putting a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David strapped his sword on over the armor, but he couldn’t walk around well because he’d never tried it before. “I can’t walk in this,” David told Saul, “because I’ve never tried it before.” So he took them off. He then grabbed his staff and chose five smooth stones from the streambed. He put them in the pocket of his shepherd’s bag and with sling in hand went out to the Philistine.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭38‬-‭40‬ ‭CEB‬‬
Saul tried to place his armor on David, but it did not fit.

David fought with a sling, stones, and the skills he already possessed.

Lesson:
You do not need to become someone else to overcome your giant.

God often works through:

* ordinary gifts
* simple acts of faith
* consistency
* compassion
* courage
* perseverance

What seems small in your hand may become powerful in God’s hands.
What tools will you use today to defeat your Giant?

DAILY SHORTDefeating Your GiantsSometimes we get bogged down in regrets. We focus on our failuresHow can we stop this cy...
05/27/2026

DAILY SHORT
Defeating Your Giants

Sometimes we get bogged down in regrets. We focus on our failures
How can we stop this cycle of negativity?
We can intentionally cultivate memories of joyous and successful times.

3. Remember Past Victories

Before facing Goliath, David remembered how God had helped him defeat the lion and the bear.

““Your servant has kept his father’s sheep,” David replied to Saul, “and if ever a lion or a bear came and carried off one of the flock, I would go after it, strike it, and rescue the animal from its mouth. If it turned on me, I would grab it at its jaw, strike it, and kill it. Your servant has fought both lions and bears. This uncircumcised Philistine will be just like one of them because he has insulted the army of the living God.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭34‬-‭36‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Past faithfulness builds present courage.

When facing today’s battles, remember:

* prayers God answered
* storms you survived
* doors God opened
* strength God already gave you
*pause and pray for positive memories
*create a “Joy File” containing joys, gratitudes, that you can visit. Thank God for each reassurance and victory.

Sometimes courage grows by remembering what God has already done.

Prayer
Almighty God, giver of wisdom and courage, flood me with memories of your grace and love in my life that help me to focus on you. You have led me through many challenges in my life. Remind me and lead me through whatever I am fearing now. Amen

DAILY SHORT - Defeating Your GiantsI Samuel 17:32-372. Don’t Let Other People Define YouSometimes we fear that we just c...
05/26/2026

DAILY SHORT - Defeating Your Giants
I Samuel 17:32-37

2. Don’t Let Other People Define You

Sometimes we fear that we just cannot win, so why try. Voices around us and within us provide discouragement. Today we observe another way that David shows us how to conquer our giants.

David was underestimated by nearly everyone:

* His brothers mocked him.
* King Saul doubted him.
* Goliath laughed at him.

Yet David refused to let others decide who he could be
Many giants are strengthened by voices saying:

* “You’ll never change.”
* “You’re too weak.”
* “Your best days are over.”
David teaches us not to build our identity around criticism or fear

““The LORD,” David added, “who rescued me from the power of both lions and bears, will rescue me from the power of this Philistine.” “Go!” Saul replied to David. “And may the LORD be with you!””
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭37‬

Prayer
Lord, when others discourage me and I begin to feel helpless, lean into the ears of my heart and head, speaking reminders that I am yours and I CAN do all things to which you call me when I trust in you who created and gifts me. Amen.

DAILY SHORTGiants. As promised, each day this week I will share one of the lessons we learn from David about facing our ...
05/25/2026

DAILY SHORT
Giants. As promised, each day this week I will share one of the lessons we learn from David about facing our giants.

Monday: David did not pretend Goliath was small. The giant was intimidating, experienced, and terrifying.

But while everyone else focused on the size of the giant, David focused on the greatness of God.

“The battle is the Lord’s.” — 1 Samuel 17:47

Lesson:

Your giant may be:

* fear
* grief
* addiction
* loneliness
* failure
* debt
* illness
* discouragement
* Pain

(Feel free to add your current giant to the list)

When our giants threaten to overwhelm us, here is our verse reminding that it is not about our weapons, war plans, tactics, spiritual muscle powers, etc. we really CAN do all things THRU CHRIST who will provide what we need. Instead of focusing on how awful it is let us recall that the battle belongs to the Lord. We are not in charge. God is
Prayer
Almighty God, we face challenges every day but some days they feel overwhelming. I ask you to remind me, when I forget, to pause and put the battle into your hands. Amen.

Wrestling with gigantic life issues? Do you feel overwhelmed, like you are expected to accomplish BIG things when all y...
05/20/2026

Wrestling with gigantic life issues? Do you feel overwhelmed, like you are expected to accomplish BIG things when all you really wanna do is walk away, declaring that you are “done”? Join us at Bethlehem for Sunday Conversations at 10am as we we figure out how to defeat the giants in our lives and regain purpose and fulfillment.

YOUR STORY ISN’t OVER!
KILLING THE GIANTS

Address

253 School Road
Mill Spring, NC
28756

Opening Hours

Thursday 4:30pm - 7pm
Sunday 9:30am - 11:30am

Telephone

+19803635644

Website

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