Bethel
Phone 717.359.4675
  • Home
  • About
    • What We Believe
    • Meet Our Team
    • Services
    • Contact
    • Facilities
    • Monthly Newsletter
    • Community
    • Inclement Weather Policy
  • Prayer
    • Adopt-A-Street Littlestown
    • Personal Healing Prayer Ministry
    • Sunday Prayer
  • Discipleship
  • Ministries
    • Children >
      • Background Checks
    • Men's Ministry
    • Moms On The Line
    • Students
    • Young Adults (18-30ish)
    • Senior Adults & Women's Ministry
    • Missions >
      • New Hope Ministries
      • Creation House
      • HCO.compassion
  • Events
    • Calendar
  • Giving
  • EnCOURAGEment

DO YOU KNOW WHAT GOD'S FAVORITE SCENT IS?

5/19/2015

 
Heavenly authenticity is present in worship when the fragrance of Christ is diffused upon worshippers, as introduced and carried forth by the Holy Spirit. It overwhelms every other sense and meets believers at the most intimate level.

The scent of Christ is associated with the revelation of His person and as the Holy Spirit fills the atmosphere with that revelation the church is transformed not for an hour or two, but also for the other six days of each week.

The fragrance of Christ is brought forth in the fruit of the Spirit. 
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." - Galatians 5:22-26

To the discerning, the fragrance of Christ is not rested upon those "doing church" but upon those in whom Christ is being formed - those being transformed into the likeness of Christ.

The fragrance of Christ is supernatural, church without Christ is merely synthetic. Another words the scent produced by Christ is Heavenly and aromatic among others and before the Father. Jesus in His church never stinks.

2 Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

Tools used in ministry

5/11/2015

 
There are many wonderful tools available to God's church for use in ministry. Those tools can be like newly sharpened blades that make the efforts more efficient and far reaching. Tools in the hands of one having a servant's heart accomplishes much in the kingdom. Technology, the arts, and creative development are endowments for use in the kingdom of God. We must always keep in mind that these are tools to glorify Christ. They only operate well when Christ centered, and anointed by the Spirit of God. Tools cannot build God but if we lose scriptural perspective and spiritual direction, they can be used to build an idol. The best HD experience, the best of entertainment while very powerful cannot supplant or substitute for a genuine moving of the Holy Spirit.

I thank God for the many advancements that have come along. There are great tools to be developed and employed in this 21st century church.

Let's grow together. Let's have the heart and mind of Nehemiah and those inspired to rebuild Jerusalem. "And I told them of the hand of my God that had upon me for good, and that the king had spoken to me. And they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work." Nehemiah 2:18 ESV

Be Prayerful
Be Christ Centered
Be Scripturally grounded
Be Spirit filled
Be passionate
Be Compassionate
Be Sensitive
Be Purposeful
Be Humble
Be Expectant

Handle the tools with understanding and purpose and make sure that they are sharpened by the hand of God and well-oiled by the Holy Spirit. The church led by the Spirit leads, it does not simply imitate the world around it.

Always keep in mind that when our efforts are less than what we strive for, and when technology fails (and it will), there is no outage with God. His presence is Glorious and His multi-dimensional operation among us transcends human brilliance.

Psalm 139:8

5/5/2015

 
One may think that God's presence is more profoundly experienced on mountain tops but I have found that His undiminished presence fills the valleys below. He reigns on mountain Heights and in valleys below. 

If I go up to heaven, you are there;

    if I go down to the grave, you are there.

Psalm 139:8

    Pastor Rick Ritenour
    Lead Pastor

    Archives

    August 2018
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Real Relationship with Church, Community, and Christ
About
- Overview
- Meet Our Team
- Facilities
- Community
- Online Giving
- Newsletter
Ministries
- Overview
- Children
- Students
- Adults
- HCO.compassion
- Missions
Services/Directions
Featured Events
Calendar
Contact
Online Tools
- Online Giving
- eNewsletter Signup
Bethel Assembly of God
1125 Frederick Pike
Littlestown,  PA 17340