Monday, October 3, 2011


WEEK ONE: ABSTRACT
Reading: Genesis 1-11; John 1:1-3; Psalm 8, Psalm 104, Psalm 12

This week we read Genesis 1-11. Our reading began well:
-          THE GRAND STORY OF CREATION (Genesis 1-2); God first cause of all things. Man, imbued with dignity, purpose, and companionship.
What started out so well began a downward spiral that gathered momentum with every generation; not exactly the best way to inspire our reading!
-          THE FALL (Genesis 3): Rebellion; Shame; Judgment; Murder; Polygamy (Genesis 4:19); However, Seth is born and people began to call upon the name of the Lord (Gen. 4:26)
-          THE FLOOD  (Genesis 6-9):  God is grieved; The flood destroys all but Noah’s family; God establishes His covenant with Noah and gives as a sign of his promise the rainbow.
-         THE NATIONS (Genesis 10-11) The children of Noah populate the earth, forming the early nations; The people rebel and God confuses the language of the whole world at The Tower Of Babel.
John 1:1-3 was included in our reading in order to provide additional insight into the creation account. This text reveals the role that Jesus played in Creation and that His arrival marks a new beginning.
John 1:1–3 (NIV84) — 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

In the beginning was the Word . . . Jesus is eternal
and the Word was with God . . . Jesus is distinct in personality from the Father and the Spirit
and the Word was God . . . Jesus is Divine

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Read the Bible For Life: SERIES INTRODUCTION

READ THE BIBLE FOR LIFE

I know a young woman from Oregon who started a tee shirt company, Red Letter Tees. The idea came to her one day as she read the words of Jesus, which appeared in red letters in her New Testament: Fear Not”; “Go and Do likewise”; “Repent and Believe”.

Every Sunday at Bethany Church is a “Red Letter Day”. As a part of our Service of Worship we open the scriptures in order to reflect on the wisdom of God revealed within its pages. We take our cue from the actions of Jesus, who turning to two disciples traveling along a road to Damascus, said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:44–49). The very foundation for our faith is laid from scripture. The impact of the word of God on our lives cannot be over-stressed.  Let me give you two reasons.

First, the best research supports this conclusion. The REVEAL SPIRITUAL LIFE SURVEY is a research-based view of spiritual growth. It began in 2004, and has continued over the past six years (www.revealnow.com). It’s latest book, MOVE:What 1,000 Churches Tell Us About Spiritual Growth, presents verifiable, fact-based findings from the latest REVEAL research  from over a quarter million people in more than 1,000 churches. This data was collected from churches of every size, denomination, and geographic area. What it uncovered was that reflection on scripture is the number one personal spiritual practice to accelerate spiritual growth. In fact, in spiritually mature people it is twice as catalytic as any other factor. Prayer was a strong second.

Second, the bible itself makes its own claims:  2 Timothy 3:16-17 , 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The will of God for all mankind is revealed in the scripture. The will of God for all mankind is revealed in Jesus. Play the attached video and listen closely to the role Jesus played in every book of the bible.

God is Good . . . All the time
Pastor Bruce




For a full recording of this message click here

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Intro to Read The Bible For Life

Hi.  I shot this video as a short introduction to the Read the Bible for Life initiative that we have just started at Bethany Church.


-bb

Monday, September 19, 2011

Take a look at this short video to get an overview of the Read The Bible For Life plan.



- BB