BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH
 Wednesday January 11, 2017
To Fight or fall back- Why neither may be the right call!
Welcome back! I received a note from a friend recently. He has experienced a series of setbacks in his life that have brought him no small amount of physical pain and more than his share of emotional suffering. In evaluating the situation from my vantage point it appears that much of his pain can be traced to the hands of others who may have acted inappropriately in their understanding of his situation and their over reach in attempting to "solve" it their way. In the end, their way left him hurt, embarrassed and vulnerable, if not angry, and seeking some retribution. But what should he do?

We have all been there; sometimes as a result of our own doing, and other times, a result of a course of action we deemed prudent, and other times, it comes out of the blue and threatens to fell us where we stand.

So the question remains; how do we protect ourselves, gain the victory over the temptation to retaliate, and experience the growth and maturation that the Lord wants us to enjoy? Maybe these suggestions are a good fit.  
  1. First, we must remember that most initial responses, given without the proper prayer and thought, will most likely be shortsighted, emotionally driven, and may prove harmful to us in the long run. Here, Paul's admonition to the Ephesian Church is well placed; Be angry, but don't sin. Specifically, email and texting as a medium have not helped us as it is just too easy to fire off an angry response without the benefit of the time to think through the response. Best advice, think and pray before you hit send. 
  2. Secondly, the "Job 1" work most needed is that in our own soul. The Psalmist reflects often on the hurts and harm leveled against him by others and laments it- but he does so in the quietness of his own closet; allowing the full range of his emotions to be expressed and in full view of the Lord's hearing. In my own devotions this morning, the Psalmist noted, "In the Lord I take refuge," (Ps.11.). Over and over the psalmist works out his own issues of anger and sorrow, even depression while asking the Lord to give him a fresh vision of himself and of God (Psalm 42-43). Now, there's some real "self help". 
  3. Thirdly, our attitude is the only aspect of any painful situation that we can control. We can't control what others do or say, but we can control what happens next, specifically as it comes out of our mouth or from our pen. Our attitude is influenced by our understanding of God, his character, and his attitude even as he faced the stinging barbs of his detractors ( Phil. 2:5-11).
  4. And then, the battle must always be the Lord's. He is sovereign and as the psalmist said in Psalm 11, "For the Lord is righteousness, He loves righteousness, the upright will behold his face." (Ps.11: 7) God is the final avenger and can deal with those who have set their minds to our hurt, even destruction. And if not their destruction is required, then maybe their own repentance or reclamation may come. 
  5. Ok, so one more thought seems helpful. There may come a time for a response on our part. It may come in the form of a rebuke, a response, or an explanation, but by then, we may be more prepared to calmly and precisely deliver truth and by then, we may have come to see that the final chapter of our life was not written in that moment, but reserved for a better day. Joseph had it right, " You meant evil against me, but God meant it for God." (Gen.50:20 ESV)
Blessings:
MJC

The Work at Bethel Matters
AWANA is on this week at 5:15. Not too early to be thinking about the Grand Prix
 
Next Up: Sanctity of Life observances are usually in January to coincide with the Roe v Wade decision legalizing abortion in 1973

Its not too early to begin thinking about Valentine's Day
On the Calendar
WEDNESDAY: Small Group study and prayer. 6:00-7:00 pm: This week: Holy Spirit 101: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Teaching

FRIDAY: Men at Work: 6:30 am. Cousins Restaurant.  Men fellowshipping, sharing in the importance of God's Word: KNOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE by Paul Little: Our subject shifts to the topic of "people and sin: Chapter 5)

SUNDAY :This Sunday's title: "An equal and opposite Reaction."

COMING SOON: A TOPICAL STUDY ON THE HOLY SPIRIT: Who He is and what He does.  

People always matter
The Local church should be the best place for building relationships and establishing a network of prayer for one another. It's here where a FAMILY OF THE WEEK , can find a friend who will i ntercede for their needs, join you in confession of sin, and stand with you in the challenges that are "life".  And we all need those kinds of friends, even you! Whether it's Wednesday night, or Friday morning, we need this interaction. It's just not healthy for the "body" to go without. 

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For Further Review:
Our focus this year... What are You Reading? 
The following links (resources) may help you pursue a better relationship with the Lord, Between the Ends.

Books to consider
I've included a button to connect you directly to Amazon to search for these books

Impossible People: Os Guinness: A call for the church to come alive in the crisis that is crippling our witness.

Know What You Believe: Paul Little: a readable review of the "important stuff" of our Faith.

Know Why You Believe: The companion to the above title with an in-depth explanation into the critical areas of belief facing Christians. 

Quotes of the week!
"I should be sorry if I only entertained them. I wish to make them better." 

"What a wonderful thing it is to be sure of one's faith! How wonderful to be a member of the evangelical church, which preaches the free grace of God through Christ as the hope of sinners! "

" I shudder to think of, that God would do something like that through me...." 

George Frideric Handel.
Composer of "The Messiah"

 
Pastor Mark Congrove
Bethel Baptist Church 
 616.546.0292 
 6633 Blue Star Highway
South Haven, Mi. 49090 

Between the Ends is a weekly update from  Pastor Mark Congrove  and Bethel Baptist Church. it stresses the days between Sunday and Sunday- between one weekend and the next, as a priority for the believer .