Bethany Baptist Church, Lubbock, TX

Prayer reveals what we truly believe about God. If we believe God is sovereign and powerful, our prayers will reflect it. The early church faced opposition, threats, and uncertainty, yet instead of retreating in fear, they prayed with boldness and confidence in God. The question for us tonight is simple: Does the word bold accurately describe your prayer life?

We naturally admire stories of victory and success, and that way of thinking can influence how we view the Christian life. Many assume that faith always leads to favorable outcomes, but Hebrews 11 shows us a different picture. Some believers experienced great victories, while others endured great suffering, yet God commended both. These closing verses remind us that faith is not measured by our ci...

Excellence never happens by accident. In every area of life, growth and maturity require intentional effort, yet many believers assume that spiritual maturity comes automatically with time. The truth is that no one drifts toward godliness. Spiritual growth is cultivated through a life intentionally surrendered to Christ. In 1 Timothy 4, Paul reminds Timothy that God desires to use believers who ar...

America's greatest need is not political, economic, or social reform. America's greatest need is spiritual revival. In Exodus 32, Israel had turned away from God and deserved judgment, yet Moses stood in the gap and pleaded for mercy. Today, our nation needs Christians who are willing to do the same. As we look at Moses' example, we will see how we should pray for our nation with both earnestness...

One of the greatest obstacles to spiritual growth is procrastination. God speaks, leads, and opens doors, yet too often we delay instead of obey. Following the completion of the Temple, nearly fifty-eight years passed before another major group returned from Babylon to Jerusalem. Many had grown comfortable where they were and were unwilling to take the next step God had for them. Ezra, however, mo...

One of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is believing that a fresh start is all we need. Good intentions may begin the journey, but they will not sustain a lifelong walk of faith. Ezra understood this as he prepared to lead God's people on a difficult journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. Before taking another step, he stopped at the River Ahava because he knew that preparation determines pe...

One of the greatest ways we influence others is by seeing what God can make them before they see it themselves. This lesson emphasizes the power of encouragement, expectation, and godly vision in the lives of those around us. Whether in the home, the church, the workplace, or our friendships, every person is still becoming. Our words, prayers, example, and expectations can either discourage growth...

By the time 2 Kings 19 begins, Hezekiah is facing one of the greatest crises of his life. The mighty Assyrian Empire had already conquered much of Judah and now stood at Jerusalem's doorstep. Their king, Sennacherib, not only threatened God's people but openly mocked the God of Israel. Though Hezekiah had faithfully sought to honor the Lord, he discovered that living for God does not exempt anyone...

Bethany’s own missionary, Bro. Kolin Hendrix, gives a detailed report of the mission work he and his family are performing in Liskeard, a small town located in Cornwall, England.

Imagine if God came to you today and said, “Ask what I shall give thee.” What would you choose? Wealth? Success? A long life? When God gave Solomon that opportunity, he asked for wisdom instead. His request reveals a powerful truth: what we ask for often reveals what we value most. As we look at his choice, we’ll discover why wisdom was worth more than anything else and how we can seek it in our o...

Our lives are often shaped by a few critical decisions. Looking back, we can usually identify moments when one choice changed the course of everything that followed. In our text, we meet a man whose life was marked by such decisions. Moses repeatedly chose faith when other options seemed easier, safer, and more attractive. His story reminds us that every believer must choose whether to trust God a...

How many of us can point back to a single week that changed our life forever? Most weeks pass quietly, but every so often one comes that marks a turning point, when life is redirected in a way that is only fully understood in hindsight. Tomorrow, a group of teenagers and sponsors will leave for youth camp with different expectations and hopes, but the possibility remains that this could be one of...

Many people have different ideas about what it takes to please God. Some believe God is pleased by good works, religious activity, effort, or sincerity. But Hebrews 11:6 makes it clear: “But without faith it is impossible to please him...” Faith is not simply optimism, emotion, or wishful thinking; it is confident trust in God and in what He has said. There are really only two ways to live: by sig...

People often believe things about God simply because they have heard them repeated enough times. Statements may sound spiritual or convincing, but that does not necessarily make them true. That is why it is so important for believers to know what God’s Word actually says. What we believe about God shapes the way we live. False teaching often sounds spiritual and may even contain elements of truth,...

Prayer is not meant to be a shallow routine or casual habit. In Romans 15:30, Paul describes prayer as something we are to “strive” in together. That word speaks of effort, labor, and spiritual struggle. Real prayer is spiritual work. And not only are we called to pray, we are called to pray together. Prayer was never meant to be only an individual practice, but something God’s people engage in co...

Faith is a part of every person’s life. Every day, people place their trust in something or someone, whether in the physical world or in matters of eternity. The issue is not whether a person has faith, but where that faith is placed. The Bible makes it clear that faith is only as trustworthy as its object, and salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone.