Can you believe 2013 is here!  If you haven't already done so, you will soon be putting out the new year's calender and planning for upcoming events, scheduling appointments etc.  I'm sure you can think back on 2012 and reflect on all the plans that you made some of which came to fruition and some that did not.   There are so many things that we put on our "to do" list.

Thinking back over this past year, one thing some of the ladies at The Bible Church of Beebe put on their list was memorizing Scripture.  Those who have been following this blog may remember previous posts on memorizing Scripture.  One of the recent Scripture passages was Psalm 1.  We started out memorizing the first few verses and then decided to memorized all of Psalm 1 because the picture that it paints of the blessed man is worthy to be emulated.  Psalm 1 reads:

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish. (NASB)

As followers of Jesus Christ, we do want to delight in His law and meditate on it day and night.  As we meditate on God's Word, apply the truths to our minds, the Holy Spirit works in our thinking to transform us into the likeness of Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 12:2)    

So as we begin planning for 2013, let's all have on our calender to be like the blessed man in the Psalm 1!  May our LORD bless you as you seek to be like Him.

After the Accident

Our Pastor at The Bible Church of Beebe was in a serious auto accident about a month ago.  He sustained a broken neck, fractured skull, 2 broken arms and exeptionally large hematomas on both hips, which had to be drained.  The Lord provided a wonderful team of medical doctors to literally put his broken body back together.  Throughout this whole process, Pastor Brian Rickett has asked everyone to, "pray that God would be glorified through these circumstances and to remember that God ultimately has a good plan for all suffering.  And we know that is is only in Christ that suffering has true meaning, significance and value.  (Romans 8:28-30, 1 Peter 1:6-7, James 1:2-3)."

While Pastor Rickett was still in the hospital, he addressed the church body via a wonderful tool called facetime.  We would like to make his address to our church family available to you as well.  Just click the following link:
Address from hospital

Nobody Ever Listens to Me!

Really?  Is the statement, "Nobody ever listens to me" true?

A question we must pose to ourselves - where do you/I seek counsel and with whom do you/I seek counsel?  There is so much information being shared with us every day from our family, friends and co-workers to various media outlets.  And this "information" is more powerful than you may first think.  As one well-known Christian author writes in his book Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands, 

"We are always interpreting and always sharing our interpretations with one another.  This 'sharing' ultimately amounts to advice or counsel about how to respond to life.  The bottom line is that you cannot have a relationship without being a person of influence.  You give and receive counsel every day... You and I receive wise and foolish counsel every day.  The different voices compete for your attention.  They influence your thoughts, desires, choices, and actions.  The counsel comes to you in the words of a friend, the content of a TV show, and the Sunday sermon.  There is counsel in the rebuke of a parent and the opinion of your spouse.  People counsel people.  It is inescapable.  
We should be concerned about the thousands of hours of formal counseling that are not based on God's Word.  But we should also be concerned about the far greater amount that goes on every day between people who do not know what they are doing and people who do not know how much they are being influenced.  If you are alive on this planet, you are a counselor!  You are interpreting life, and sharing those interpretations with others.  You are a person of influence, and you are also being influenced.  There are people in your life who have your ear.  Perhaps without even knowing it, they will shape your thinking, direct your desires, and influence your plan of action.  The issue is not who is counseling.  All of us are.  The core issue is whether that counseling is rooted in the revelation of the Creator." IRH , pg 46


Next, we will look at some passages from Scripture that talk about counsel.

Please see the link below for details on

The Bible Church of Beebe's 

Marriage Conference!

BCBEEBE Marriage Conference 2012

Don't Let Me Lose the WONDER

The most wonderful time of the year is upon us ... CHRISTMAS!  Everyone whether Christian or not, enjoys this time of the year.  But shouldn't the Christian be the one to truly celebrate this gift of Christmas?  As  you plan how you will spend your time this Christmas, ask God to help you not lose the Wonder of the most amazing gift Jesus Christ, the one "who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)

THE WORD BECAME FLESH, AND DWELT AMONG US, AND WE SAW HIS GLORY, GLORY AS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN FROM THE FATHER, FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH. - John 1:14

The 5 Solas of the Reformation

Sola Fide (by faith alone)

Sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone)

Sola Gratia (by grace alone)

Solo Christo (through Christ alone)

Soli Deo Gloria (to God alone be the glory)

The Little Things Matter

Do Everything by Steven Curtis Chapman

You’re picking up toys on the living room floor

for the 15th time today

Matching up socks and sweeping up lost

Cheerios that got away

You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips

and head out the door

And while I may not know you I bet I know you

Wonder sometimes does it matter at all

We’ll let me remind you it all matters just as long as you

Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you

Cause He made you to do

Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face

And tell the story of grace

With every move that you make

And every little thing you do

OOoh ooooh oooooh

Maybe you’re that guy with the suit and tie

Maybe your shirt says your name

You may be hooking up mergers, cooking up burgers

But at the end of the day

Little stuff big stuff in between stuff

God sees it all the same

And while I may not know you I bet I know you

Wonder sometimes does it matter at all

We’ll let me remind you it all matters just as long as you do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you

Cause He made you

To do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face

And tell the story of grace with every move that you make

And every little thing that you do

Well maybe you’re sitting in math class

Maybe anekatips on a mission in the Congo

Maybe you’re working at the office

Singing along with the radio

Maybe you’re dining at a five star

Or feeding orphans in Myanmar

Anywhere and everywhere you are

Whatever you do it all matters

So do what you do and don’t ever forget

to do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you

Cause He made you to do

Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face

And tell the story of grace as you do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you

Cause He made you to do

Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face

And tell the story of grace with every move that you make

And every little thing that you do

Ooh oooooh

Every little thing you do

The Book of Titus ~ Being Fleshed Out

Interview with Elisabeth Elliot (click to read complete interview)

Elisabeth Elliot, "I really do believe that every experience, if offered to Jesus, is our gateway to joy. The experience may be taking care of a sick grandfather or taking care of the child who is perhaps going to be lame for life, washing the dishes, and, of course, every now and then the dishwasher or stove or something else goes on the blink. You just want to throw your hands up and think, “How did I ever get into this mess?”
There’s something about laundry and godliness, the willingness to do the humble, ordinary thing, which needs to be done. Why shouldn’t it be done by me?
The older I get, the more I appreciate the privilege of having laundry to do, dishes to wash, houses to clean. If we could only realize that all of these which are incumbent upon us and required, when they’re offered to Jesus, they really are transformed. There’s something totally transforming about it."
Taken from Nancy Leigh DeMoss’ Aug. 31, 2011, radio transcript. www.ReviveOurHearts.com.

Titus 2:1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. 6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. 9 Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. 15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

A Life of Brokenness

Lord, High and Holy, meek and lowly,

Thou has brought me to the valley of vision,

   where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights:
   hemmed in by the mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox

   that the way down is the way up,

   that to be low is to be high,

   that the broken heart is the healed heart,

   that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,

   that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,

   that to have nothing is to possess all,

   that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,

   that to give is to receive, 

   that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,

and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness,

   thy life in my death,

   thy joy in my sorrow,

   thy grace in my sin,

   thy riches in my poverty,

   thy glory in my valley.

- from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan

  Prayers and Devotions

Wonderful, Merciful Saviour

Wonderful, merciful Saviour
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would've thought that a Lamb could
Rescue the souls of men
Oh, You rescue the souls of men

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost our way
Oh, we've hopelessly lost the way

CHORUS

You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for

Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we're falling before Your throne

Precept Bible Study

Today is God's Day

Every day is God's day and though our hearts are heavy at times, we still Praise Him.  We praise the One who knows all things... He is with us!

Psalm 46
For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. 10 "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

Hiding God's Word in Your Heart Take 3

Here is the third Quiz given for Lesson 3 of a biblical counseling study done by a couple of our church ladies.  We are sharing it today so you can give it a go!

COUNSELING WOMEN

QUIZ 3

 Colossians 3:16 Let the _________________ of Christ _________________   ___________within you, with all ________________ teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with __________________ in your hearts to God.

 Proverbs 27:5 Faithful are the __________________ of a _______________, But __________________ are the kisses of an enemy.

1 Peter 3:8&9 To sum up, let all be harmonious, _____________________, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; ⁹ not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a _______________________ instead; for you were __________________ for the very ____________________ that ____________ might inherit a blessing.

1 Corinthians 10:13 _________   ____________________ has overtaken you but such as is ____________________ to man; and ________________ is faithful, who will not allow you to be __________________ beyond what you are able, but with the ____________________ will _____________________the way of escape also, that you may be able to _______________ it.

Philippians 2:3-4

Do nothing from ­__________________ or empty conceit, but with ____________________of mind _________________ one another as _______________  _________________ than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own __________________ interests, but also for the ______________ of others.

 

Hebrews 4:12

 

1 Peter 2:1-3  Therefore, putting aside all _____________  and all guile and hypocrisy and ____________  and all slander, 2 like newborn babes, ___________ for the pure milk of the  ____________  , that by it you may _____________ in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the ________________  of the Lord.

Love & Modesty

Recently, A teenage gal at our church shared that she was going through her collection of shorts because she had decided to get rid of some.  This sounded interesting and I was then curious to know why.  She said she had come to realize that some were too short.  She didn't want to cause any unwanted attention to herself.  It is also important to note that her mother was not making her do this but it was something she had decided to do on her own. 

The following article speaks to this topic with love & biblical insight... 
Love & Modesty

See, What a Morning

See, what a morning, gloriously bright,
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem;
Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light,
As the angels announce, "Christ is risen!"
See God's salvation plan,
Wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,
Fulfilled in Christ, the Man,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

See Mary weeping, "Where is He laid?"
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb;
Hears a voice speaking, calling her name;
It's the Master, the Lord raised to life again!
The voice that spans the years,
Speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us,
Will sound till He appears,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

One with the Father, Ancient of Days,
Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty.
Honor and blessing, glory and praise
To the King crowned with pow'r and authority!
And we are raised with Him,
Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered;
And we shall reign with Him,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

"See, What a Morning" (Resurrection Hymn)
Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2003 Kingsway Thankyou Music

"Were You There"

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?

Jubilant Sykes  singing "Were You There"

Were You There
By: Negro spiritual

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge

It is always a good time for a little challenge, don't you think?  Especially after attending our week-end marriage conference with Dr. John Street from The Master's College. 
See the following link:
30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge

Copyright Revive Our Hearts. Written by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com.

If you have already given this a try or if you are looking at it for the first time, feel free to leave your comments below!

A Breath of Fresh Air...

Like a breath of fresh air are those who speak truth in love, are peacemakers and build others up in their faith.  Do you have someone in your life who brings life?  Although you know she is not perfect because God's Word tells us we are all sinners.  You can discern that she chooses her words carefully in order to edify the hearer.  You find that you are motivated to pursue the same kind of love for others after you have spent time with her.  If you find these qualities in your friend, be sure not to let it go unnoticed.  These are qualities that bring God glory and bring life to others! 

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." 

 Proverbs 27:17

Ephesians 4:29

Hebrews 10:24

Galatians 5:22-24

What Does It Look Like to Receive the New Testament for the First Time?

Please click link:
What Does It Look Like to Receive the New Testament for the First Time?

Upcoming Marriage Conference

If you live in the area, we would love to have you attend our Marriage Conference.