Young Adults' Group

Time To Celebrate!

by Pastor Mark
September 04, 2014

A month of celebrations

This is a very special month for all of us. It is a month of celebrations for there are a number of events for us to rejoice in. Next week, we will be celebrating Bethel’s 20th Anniversary. Some of us from Bethany are flying over to Perth to join our Australian brethren in this significant milestone. Also, at the end of the month, Bethany will be celebrating its 40+1 Anniversary. It will be a wonderful time for us to celebrate not just another year of the Lord’s blessing but the first year of the next forty years. We thank God for the next generation who are being taught and trained – this augurs well for the future of Bethany. There is much indeed for us to rejoice in and to celebrate in the month ahead.

Significant historic moments

In the Old Testament, many of the feasts or celebrations that Israel celebrated were all based on significant historical moments. The Passover feast was based on the historic moment when God delivered Israel out of Egypt. There was also the feast of the Tabernacle, where the people of Israel would remember the time when their forefathers had to dwell in tents as they journeyed through the wilderness.

In the same way, Bethany celebrates three significant events each year. Both Easter and Christmas are celebrated based on historic events such as the birth of Christ and His death and Resurrection. As for our Anniversary, the significant events remembered are not just one but many.  God saw us through two major building projects (Bethany and Bethel) and helped develop our missions work. These significant moments are cause for us to celebrate.

Important perspectives concerning our festive celebrations

What are some important perspectives to have as we celebrate this month?

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,  “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.” (Leviticus 23:1,2)

1. The feasts of the Lord

The feasts or celebrations are the Lord’s. They were ordained by Him and it is meant for the Lord. He is to be honored and to be given glory. It is good to see our celebrations as the Lord’s too. Our anniversary is really about the Lord. Let’s seek to honour the Lord’s name.

2. Holy convocation

The feasts were considered as holy convocations. When we gather together, it is not just a social gathering. The Lord sees it as a holy gathering. We should have a sense of reverence for the Lord. It is in holiness that we gather together to celebrate and to give holy worship to the Lord.

3. Giving an offering

The giving of an offering is always a vital part of each feast. We should plan to give an offering to fit each occasion. As we celebrate Bethany’s Anniversary, there is much for us to rejoice in and to give thanks for. Let’s seek to give an offering in thanksgiving of the Lord’s blessings. Let’s be challenged to have a good understanding of our celebrations that they truly are the Lord’s and that He deserves our holy reverence and our offering of true worship.

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