https://www.bethelbaptistplainviewtx.org/

Bethel Baptist Church, 1700 N I27, Plainview, TX (2026)

09/09/2026

In God We Trust
"Don't let this throw you. You trust God, don't you? Trust me.” John 14:1 MSG
On a recent trip to Washington D.C., we toured the Mall and I was so moved by all the references to God. Especially at the Jefferson Memorial. In his general plan quote on the wall of the memorial included, “God who gave us life, gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?”
So much of our Founding Fathers’ writings were centered on the need to trust in God! We pledge allegiance to the flag with the words, “One nation under God…” We look at any denomination of our money and read, “In God we trust.” But we cannot see that God has so blessed this country and desire to retreat from what we were founded upon.
Israel was set apart by God to be His children. But they began to put their trust in other gods. As a result, it brought agony upon them with wilderness wandering, oppression of other nations or empires, and captivity by other nations and empires.
Trust for most humans is a very difficult thing. Even most Christians struggle with their trust in God. We want to take control, and we also place our trust in mankind. If we continue to seek leadership for our nation among those who do not trust and believe in Jesus, we will not remain secure in our liberties!
Jefferson asked the question, “Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?” The resounding answer is NO! The history of this world proves that it is God who blesses nations. It was a promise to Abraham that the relationship of mankind to God would be the source of blessings.
Listen to the words of God to Abram (Abraham), “"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all people on earth will be blessed through you."
But for this to happen there must be “Trust in God.” There must be a relationship with God through the blood and covenant of Jesus Christ for the blessings to be on a nation. Once that relationship suffers so does the nation. I have often said, “As the church goes so goes the community.” I believe that to be true of a nation as well.
How can trust in God ever become a reality without the church proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ? The Greek word for church means to be set apart. We are not to be like the other nations of the world. We have been set apart by God to be a blessing not only to the citizens of this nation but also the other nations of this world as we lead others into the relationship with God through the blood of Jesus!
But that takes the church to show that the world can trust in God. Without the leadership of the church in a nation there will be no trust. "Don't let this throw you. You trust God, don't you? Trust me.” As we approach the Day of Independence, reflect on the history of this nation and the words of our Founding Fathers.
“God who gave us life, gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?” Thomas Jefferson.
Grace and peace, Eddy

09/08/2026

O Lamb of God, I Come
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16
I awakened this morning with a song stuck in my head. Do you do that? I am sure that I am not crazy! At least that is my opinion. The song this morning is “Just as I Am.” The words have just echoed in my mind for a couple of days now, “O, Lamb of God I come!” This invitation song brings many memories from days long gone but not forgotten. The revivals that I have attended in my youth were closed many times with this invitation to respond to the call of God. I remember the song leader directing us through all 5-6 verses of this song. It was not to drag out the invitation but to give time for the evangelist and the pastor to hear the confessions of those who came forward.
Jump forward to today and we see no need to do more than one verse of songs like this. The days of people responding to the call of Jesus from the Word of God is limited. Many reasons for this I suppose. I remember a service not too long ago that a son of one church member came to visit. It was a day that I preached an evangelistic message. When the son and the church member got home the son asked, “Why did he preached a message like that? Aren’t all that were there Christians?” My answer would have been, “God only knows!”
I have had people tell me that they should have responded to the invitation but were too embarrassed to respond. Then there are those who think there is no need to respond publicly, that it just between them and God. In this passage above we seem to like the last part but pay no attention to the first part; “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other…” Church is family which means we are close to each other as well as with the Holy Trinity; Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. There should be no fear within the family of God to respond with sorrow to the family. There is a reason to respond to the altar call. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. There is no shame in confession but there is shame in unconfessed sin.
Now to go on to the last of that verse, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Where are the righteous praying for the lives of others? Are you broken hearted for the lost in your family or your friends and neighbors? The invitation is not only for those we think should go but for those who think like that. Just as I am…O Lamb of God I come, not a sad thing to know and do!
In the middle of this verse is, “so that you may be healed.” The healing we need to pray for is the healing of the spirit within those who have faltered or have never confessed Jesus as Lord. The sinner and the righteous should respond to the call of God so that people are not just healed but saved—a healing of the spirit within.
We do not need to be cleaned up to come before almighty God, He does the cleaning! It is not a job we are capable of. Only through the conviction of the Holy Spirit can we even know how wretched we are. And it is with the filling of that Spirit that we know we should respond to the invitation of God.
The words, “Just as I am,” begins every verse of this invitation hymn. Have we forgotten that God accepts us right where we are, but He continues to work on us to not leave us there? He loves us too much to do that! The song states that we need to respond as we sing the words, “Fightings within and fears without, O Lamb of God I come! I come!” It is a battle, but the victory has been won, we just need to answer the call, and He will heal the spirit within us! Respond to the invitation of God!
Grace and peace, Eddy

09/07/2026

Focus on the Lamb
Say to the Israelites, “You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.” Exodus 31:13
When I was about 10 years old, I had a music leader in our church that was also the pastor’s wife. She worked with all the choirs of the church. As we were about to perform a musical for the church, she had us seated in the practice room. She asked each of us to close our eyes and try to see Jesus in our minds as we prepared to share songs about Jesus. At first, I thought she was expecting something we could not begin to imagine but the young innocence brought a picture of Jesus in my mind. Even then as I began to think about what Jesus was looked like I saw a vision of white, of purity with no soil on His robe. He was a vision of holiness in my mind. I am so blessed to have had the Sunday school teachers and other leaders in my young life that gave me that vision of Jesus. I really do not remember what I thought His face look like but the vision of white impressed me so that I can still close my eyes and envision Jesus and see the white glow around Him. Thank you, Mrs. Lawrence!
We have a savior that has not only demonstrated holiness but has left us with a vision of holiness to follow. He was the perfect example of holiness for us to follow. In the letter to the church at Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7 Jesus greet this church with these words, “These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” “The words of Him who is holy and true,” stick out to me as Jesus had John write this letter to this church in Philadelphia.
To be holy is to be without sin. There has only been one who was truly holy that has walked this earth and that was Jesus. He was truly holy in spirit and in the flesh as He was without sin. As the Apostle John saw the scene in heaven recorded in the Book of Revelation and saw Jesus, all of heaven sang out, "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Jesus was referred to by John the Baptist as the Lamb of God.
Peter also confirms to us the holiness of Jesus in 1 Peter 1:18-19, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” “A lamb without blemish,” describes the holiness of Jesus as He came to earth to redeem all who would believe. He was presented to God as the perfect sacrifice for our sin. There is no need for the animal sacrifice of the Old Testament because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world.
It has been God’s desire to a people of holiness from the very beginning of separating a people for Himself. Here in this verse in Exodus God tells the people, “You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.” We cannot make ourselves holy. Only the Father and the Son can do that. But as we believe in Jesus as the Son of God for our salvation Jesus will make us holy. Remember the definition of holy? It is to be without sin. Jesus came not to make us exempt from sin, to give us an excuse to sin, but to make us sinless, HOLY!
We may think that is impossible but with Christ all things are possible. It is when we take our focus from Jesus that we begin to sink like Peter in the sea into sin. Continue to seek holiness and the example is the spotless Lamb of God! He has the authority to make us holy and white like crimson.
Grace and peace, Eddy

09/06/2026

Bethel Baptist Church

09/03/2026

Let Your Faith Be Known
How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Romans 10:14

For a believer what is the proof of your belief? In this passage in the KJV it says how can they believe without a preacher. In the Greek preacher is a public crier, not in the sense of tears but one that alerts everyone to the time and conditions of the time. You might hear one cry out, it is 10 o’clock and all is well as he walked down the street.

A town crier would not have lasted very long at his job if he were giving out information that was not truth. If he cried out all is well, he had to believe that all is well. Especially in times of turmoil for a community or even a nation, people depended on the town crier for accurate information; information that they could trust. If that town crier ever spoke something that was not correct and people were caught unaware, the town crier would never be believed again. This would be like crying, the wolf is coming in Peter and the Wolf.

Even though people in the world today have a problem with absolute truth, they still want to hear the truth. Truth is a necessity in life. There must be something that we hold fast to in order to have some security in life. Two things that every person needs in their lives are significance and security. That can be summarized by saying every person needs to know they are loved and to love.

For God so loved the world that He gave us truth, as Jesus Christ came full of grace and truth. When Jesus came and begin to cry out on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, “The kingdom of God is near” it was truth. It was a truth that many believed because it came with love and authority. Many commented many times how Christ spoke with authority. That authority came by way of the love of the Father for His son and for us.

The proof of our believing in Jesus Christ comes with us speaking with love and authority the truth and the grace of the Father in Heaven like the town depended upon us as the town crier and it does! It was not long after Christ walked down that shore of the Sea of Galilee crying out, the truth of the kingdom of God being near that people began to believe. Peter believed even before the day was over.

When Peter experienced the coming of the Holy Spirit, he was able to preach, cry out, to Jerusalem the truth of Jesus Christ. There were three thousand who believed that day because He preached the truth, a truth filled with grace, authority, and love.

The last part of the next verse in Romans 10 says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” I do not know about you, but I believe that our world could use some good news. If you are a believer, it is time to cry out with truth, grace, love, and authority that the kingdom of God is near.
The love of the Father is here for everyone who believes. Now is the time for all believers to have beautiful feet and bring good news to a world that desperately needs to hear truth. Let your faith be known!
Grace and peace, Eddy

09/02/2026

The Expression of Faith
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor un-circumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6
Have you ever asked yourself the question, “Who am I?” In my lifetime I have been an athlete, a coach, a teacher, a youth minister, a farmer and now a pastor. That is not to forget husband, father, and grandfather. Somewhere in there I was a college student and a laborer. You see sometimes it can get confusing as to who I am. I wear many different hats now in my role as pastor. Sometimes I am a preacher, sometimes I am a teacher, and sometimes I am the gardener and even at times janitor to name just a few.
One thing I think that I have always been is a person of faith expressing that faith through love. The Apostle John in 1 John wrote, “How great is the love that the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are.” One thing I know for certain is that I am a child of God! What profession or job that I may have tomorrow is dependent upon God that would enable me to put my faith into action by loving people and having a desire that they know Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Now just as standing in the middle of your garage does not make you a car, going to church alone does not make you a follower of Christ. There must be an action expressing itself through our faith in love. Church attendance is not all there is to being a child of God. The Father has lavished His love on us. I just love that word lavished as an adverb for the way God loves us. He has held nothing back of His love for mankind. Even King David in Psalm 8 asks the question, “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?”
Sometimes it is unbelievable that God in His infinite glory would even care about us, but it is God who defines us. We are all sinners in need of a savior. Paul confirms that when he says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” That great verse that most all of us know that Jesus spoke to Nicodemus one evening tells us just how much God loves us even though we do not deserve His love. “For God so loved the world…” The Father demonstrates His love for us through the death burial and resurrection of His precious Son, Jesus Christ.
We are to be that same expression of love today as we allow our faith to express itself through actions of love. One of the laws of physics is that for every action there is a reaction. It holds true for those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. It becomes imperative for us to react in helping others find that redemption and to minister to the needs they have to show them the love of the Father.
Jesus warned the disciples about the yeast of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were Pharisees mostly because of who their father was and not so much by their relationship to God. Just because they stood in the courts of the Temple though did not make them priests. Their position among men was more important to them then the Son of God. In verse 9 of this chapter of Galatians it states, “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” There are those who have you to believe that simply coming to church one day a week is all you need and then there are those who think they can worship just as well in the middle of a pasture. One day a week a worshipper does not make! Worship is to be our lives and that worship is faith expressing itself through love. It is the only thing that has value according to Paul. Who am I? A child of God lavished by His love now it is time to react to that love!
Grace and peace, Eddy

09/01/2026

Faith Expressed in Love
For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love. You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? This detour doesn't come from the One who called you into the race in the first place. Galatians 5:6-8 MSG
I do not believe that I have ever seen a Super Bowl game that most of the football fans did not want either team to win. But how after the game as the players and coaches were giving the glory to God for their victory, I at least am glad the victors showed themselves for who they are in Christ.
So many times, I hear people talk about their favorite teams as if they were a part of that team playing every game day. They may have the jersey they bought at the sporting goods store, but they have never hit the blocking dummy with the team! Or gone through their conditioning drills. They certainly have not felt the pain the day after game day!
Some would treat church in the same way. They can place signs in their front yard. They can wear shirts with the church’s name on it but never ever lift a finger to further the cause of Christ within that church or their community. That is when they become fans and not a member of the team.
Church attendance alone is nothing but religion. Religion as this passage of scripture discusses or even the disregard for religion does not amount to anything. It is a relationship with Jesus that leads to a circumcised heart. The removal of the flesh and the submission to the will of God that is imperative for us.
We cannot sit in the stands or before the TV and be a part of the Jesus team. It takes the hard work of those who love Him and know the gift that God has given to them of salvation. Many times, we lose our fervor and drop out of the race to cheer on those who have not instead of doing our part of the run.
“What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love.” The driving force of our teamwork for the glory of God is love. The love of Christ for us that he shed His blood for our salvation and life anew in Him. The love we have as He lives in us should keep us in the race. Doing what God has prepared for us in advance to do is a result of this love.
“Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? This detour does not come from the One who called you into the race in the first place.” We must stay on the path that God has laid out for us as individuals and as a church as we work to complete the task that God has given to us.
No doubt that Satan s going to throw up detour signs in front of us. But remember that those detour signs from Satan are lies. He speaks no truth. When the Father tells us that He will not forsake us nor leave us, depend on His leading and not the lies of Satan. For God is faithful even when we are not.
“Faith expressed in love,” is the task that awaits everyone who believes and trust in Jesus as Lord of their lives. No exceptions!
Paul continues in the next verse, verse 9, “And please don't toss this off as insignificant. It only takes a minute amount of yeast, you know, to permeate an entire loaf of bread.” Be a part of the team that always provides victory. The Champions not just of this world but the next as well!
Grace and eace, Eddy

08/31/2026

Blessings of Faith
That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, `Go,' and he goes; and that one, `Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, `Do this,' and he does it." 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. Luke 7:7-10
As my thoughts of been of the commendable faith of Enoch this week I have thought of people I know who have had commendable faith. There have been people in my life that I have seen their faith, and it is commendable. It is especially true in these days of skepticism and cynicism. We have many different theories of life that bombard us in our society and culture today. So, to have a commendable faith in our world today is rare.
I suspect that it was true in Jesus’ time of ministry here on earth in the incarnate flesh as well. As we read in the gospels of Jesus’ encounters with the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees, we read of their doubt that Jesus is the Messiah. Even to the point of death on the cross. The lack of faith in Israel was evident in the crowd who shouted, “Crucify Him.”
In this passage the Roman centurion showed a faith to Jesus that amazed Jesus! The centurion did not consider himself to be worthy of Jesus coming to his house. This is much like Peter’s reaction to Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Galilee when Peter said, “Go away from me, for I am a sinful man. One of the greatest tr4aits of having faith is humility. In light of who Jesus is and that He died for me I am humbled. Such great love deserves a most humble heart. Without this humility it is impossible to have faith in God!
As the world thinks you may ask, “What is in it for me?” While that is not the reaction that is called for, I can tell you what is in it for you! Blessing after blessing! As I recall the scripture from Hebrews 11:6, I recall the phrase of, “He rewards those who earnestly seek His face.” I so want to put an exclamation point at the end of that phrase! We must believe that He is who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do! That my friends is faith! Even though no man has ever truly seen God He does exist and there is great evidence to prove it. The faith of those who genuinely believe but also in the fact that there were hundreds of people who saw Jesus ascend into heaven.
The testimony of those whose faith has brought forth miracles that we know shows the reward of such commendable faith. His existence is evident in creation that surrounds us each day. The stars in the sky stand as a testament to the work of the one true God! The evidence of the faith of one such as this centurion whose servant was healed shows that faith brings reward.
As I write this today, I think of the miracle that God has worked in my life as I trusted Him with the prayers lifted up for me thirty-five years ago when I received a second chance at life to see my children grow up and have families of their own.
Grace and peace, Eddy

08/29/2026

By what name are you known? The renown name of God is our message for tomorrow August 30, 2026. Isaiah 52. Come join us as we celebrate the Lord's Supper.

Bethel Baptist Church

09/09/2026

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