Bethel Lbc Podcast

This week we had a special event. We left our country church and had services at "The Shack", a local gathering place north of the little town of Antler, very near the Canadian Border. Since we didn't have the luxury of the recording equipment, this episode was recorded in my office. The topic was "Discipline" and how God disciplines us as His very own children. The reading is from Hebrews 12:4-11.

Most all of us look up to certain people in our lives, we look up to our heroes. Whether it's a TV character, a sports figure or a close friend or relative, we love to look up to certain individuals as role models. Did you realize that there's a list of "Faith Heroes" in the Bible? Here's a list of people that we can look up to, and we realize that they are ordinary, imperfect people, but heroes nonetheless. This week's reading comes from Hebrews 11:17-31, 12:1-3. We also refer to Genesis 15:6, Ephesians 2:8, Hebrews 11:1, Romans 4:9 and Galatians 3:6.

Pastor Craig is on vacation this week, so our good friend, Pastor Dave Heintzleman from Newburg, ND fills in and refers to the gospel of John 20:30-31 for today's lesson. God has a purpose for our lives, and it's summarized in this passage. 

In the last of our Three-Part series of messages from the Book of Colossians, Pastor Craig tells us how to take the garbage out. Using a fun poem from the 1970's as a backdrop, taking out the bad things in our lives is something we usually do not like to do. Here's the answer to why we should. . . . Take The Garbage Out.  The Old Testament reading is from Ecclesiastes 2:1, 12-14, 2:18-26, and the main reading for Pastor Craig's message is Colossians 3:1-11.

We all encounter various signs along the way when we travel on roads and highways. It's important for us to read the signs, but it's even more important to know what the signs are telling us and what they mean. This week, Pastor Craig compares highway and street signs with the warning signs the Apostle Paul was giving to the Colossian church, warning signs that we ought to take notice of when it comes to our faith. Listen for this week's message and find out what the warning signs are, and also, what they mean. The reading comes from Colossians 2:6-15. The first reading in the program is from the Old Testament book of Genesis 18:20-33.

This special edition of the podcast is excerpts from the funeral service for Delores Mattern. Delores was a lifetime member of our church, and recently passed away to be with the Lord.  You'll note that only the spoken portion of the service is included since copyright laws forbid us from publishing performed music, which is unfortunate because the music was a highlight of the service. Please enjoy this special edition of the podcast. 

In this first of a three-part series from the book of Colossians, Pastor Craig relates a childhood story of making a wrong connection, and the unfortunate consequences of that connection. We need connections of all kinds in today's world, and we especially need connection with our Creator God. Listen to the amazing lessons we learn about what we have to do to get connected with God. The answer will surprise you. Our main reading comes from Colossians 1:21-29, and we also refer to these passages from the Bible: Romans 12:2, 2Timothy 2:15, James 1:26, Matthew 12:36 and 1John 1:3.

This week we take a little step back and look at the TV crime dramas that were so popular in the 1970's. Each detective had their own approach, each private eye had their own style, but every one sought after the real truth. Borrowing Colombo's favorite line "Just One More Thing" we compare and contrast Paul's letter to the Galatians where he adds just one more thing at the end to wrap up a very powerful point. The main reading is from Galatians 6:1-10, 14-8. We also refer to Galatians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 10:1, 9, 17 and John 1:3.

Using the idea of a simple road trip as a background, Pastor Craig reminds us that we tend to want to take the fastest route when we go most anywhere. But it just might be a good idea to slow down and enjoy the experiences along the way. So it goes with our faith. During this Independence Day Holiday, maybe we should consider what it is we have true independence from, and Who we still need to depend upon. The reading comes from Galatians 5:1, 13-25. We also refer to 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20

Pastor Dan Chell fills the pulpit as Pastor Craig takes a week off. Pastor Dan's scripture readings come from Deuteronomy 33:27 and Psalm 40:1-3

This week, Pastor Craig is at the West Region Convention, but things were still happening back in Antler. Our guest speaker is Gideon, John Harvey. John has quite a testimony of how God lifted him out of a life in drugs, to a life in eternity. God has a plan for all of us, and John tells us how God's plan became evident in his life. 

Can you name the three things that happened on Pentecost? What does each thing mean to us today? Are you required to speak in tongues to be a real Christian? These issues are all addressed as Pastor Craig brings a simple and practical message so you can "get your bearings" about Pentecost. The main reading comes from Acts 2:1-21, and we also refer to these Bible passages: Genesis 11:1-9, Deuteronomy 31:12-13,  Matthew 18:20, Hebrews 10:25, Colossians 3:16, 1Corinthians 14:26 and Matthew 12:30. 

As we conclude this Easter season, we refer to the conclusion of the Bible. This week, Pastor Craig helps us meditate through some of the most incredible verses in all of Scripture, the time "When the Lord Comes" again as He promised He would. Our reading is from Revelation 22:1-6, 12-20. We also refer to these passages, John 4:14, Genesis 3:17, Ephesians 2:10.

For this Memorial Day weekend, Pastor Craig gave each person in attendance at stone to hold in their hand. It is a powerful demonstration of the great gift that is given to us, the gift of choice. What will you choose to do? Will you honor those who died for your freedom? Or will you condemn? The decision of what to do with your stone is up to you.

This week's message reflects some thoughts after our congregation received the results of a Church Health Survey that we recently completed. Interestingly, Pastor Craig used some familiar pop-culture lyrics to illustrate the point of what our "Traditional Small Rural Church" faces as we move forward. It is clear, our church is exactly what the survey said, and it is clear, God is working in it. Our reading comes from Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27. We also refer to these Bible passages: Deuteronomy 30:19-20, 1 Peter 4:8, Luke 6:37 and 1 Corinthians 9:19-22.

Pastor Craig uses some personal examples of a lunchbox and a baseball game to illustrate what the great final assembly will look like. This being Mother's Day, we learn a little bit more about what life was like when Mom made our lunch. The lesson this week is from Revelation 7:9-17.

It's a special day at our church. Our confirmation students were asked a series of faith questions that based on our confirmation curriculum and is the topic of today's podcast. The beginning reading was from Deuteronomy 4:9-10, 6:5-9, 12-15. 

For the Second Sunday of Easter, Pastor Craig makes a comparison: how our perception of a journey looks different before we go, than it does after we return home. It's the same with Jesus. We see our Lord in a different way now that He is risen from the dead. The Bible says that the Lord is coming, but now it looks more credible after Easter. Our reading is from Revelation 1:4-18, and we also refer to Daniel 7:13.

On this Easter Sunday edition of the podcast, Pastor Craig uses a different passage of scripture than is normally used on Easter morning. True to our series on the "I Am" statements we focus on the resurrection of Jesus' friend, Lazarus. This is when Jesus said, "I Am the Resurrection". The reading is from John 11:17-27, but we also refer to Mark 13:35-36, 1 John 2:15-16 and James 4:17. 

This year we did a unique service for Good Friday evening, and Pastor Craig includes some of his personal experiences, as well as a short history lesson on what the true and personal meaning of Easter is to us as individuals, as portrayed in various rites, rituals and practices of the church. Keep in mind, this service was conducted in a church that was almost completely dark, and all the items that we often equate with church were removed from sight. There were less than a dozen people there that evening. Enjoy the recording, because it's message is powerful.