Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread
Overcoming Envy
In the film Amadeus, aging composer Antonio Salieri plays some of his music on the piano for a visiting priest. The embarrassed priest confesses he doesn’t recognize the tunes. “What about this one?” Salieri says, playing an instantly familiar melody. “I didn’t know you wrote that,” the priest says. “I didn’t,” Salieri replies. “That was Mozart!” As viewers discover, Mozart’s success has caused deep envy in Salieri—even leading him to play a part in Mozart’s death.
A song lies at the heart of another envy story. After David’s victory over Goliath, the Israelites heartily sing, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7). The comparison doesn’t sit well with King Saul. Envious of David’s success and afraid of losing his throne (vv. 8–9), Saul begins a prolonged pursuit of David, trying to take his life.
Like Salieri with music or Saul with power, we’re usually tempted to envy those with similar but greater gifts than we possess. And whether it’s picking fault with their work or belittling their success, we too can seek to damage our “rivals.”
Saul had been divinely chosen for his task (10:6–7, 24), a status that should’ve fostered security in him rather than envy. Since we each have unique callings too (Ephesians 2:10), maybe the best way to overcome envy is to quit comparing ourselves. Let’s celebrate each other’s successes instead.
How to Find Us
How to find us
Bethany Evangelical Church – A God Who Rescues Us from Our Enemies
Bethany Evangelical Church – A God Who Rescues Us from Our Enemies by pastor Daniel Mihet
Bible reading: Esther 3:8-15
“Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. (Esther 3:13)
Sunday 18 July 2021
Weekly Services
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: SUNDAY SERVICES RESUME ON SUNDAY 28 MARCH 2021 @11.00 AM Let's stay in touch and please don't hesitate to contact us. SUNDAY Communion Service & Bible Message 11.00 am - 12.00 noon NO House Groups at this moment TUESDAYOPEN DOORS PRAYER...
Bethany Evangelical Church – The Battle is the Lord’s
Bethany Evangelical Church -The Battle is the Lord’s by Rev. Vincent Smith
Bible reading: Judges 7:1-25
“During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands.” (Judges 7:1-25)
Sunday 11 July 2021
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.
(Psalm 145:18-19)
Please come in and have a look around. If there is anything else you would like to know about our church please contact us here, or call the phone number above.
SUNDAY SERVICES RESUME ON 28 MARCH 2021 @ 11.00 AM
The Lord’s Supper is found in the Gospels (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:17-25; Luke 22:7-22; and John 13:21-30). The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 : “Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). What really means to partake of the bread and the cup “in an unworthy manner.” It may mean to ignore the true meaning of the bread and wine and to forget the tremendous price our Savior has paid for our salvation. Or to allow the religious ritual to become a dead and formal habit, nothing more and to come to the Lord’s Supper with sin in your heart (gossip, malice, anger, etc.)
What Paul is clearly saying is that we should examine ourselves before eating the bread and drinking the cup, taking them with reverence and gratitude, not out of habit or as a religious ritual.
The Bible Message follows the Communion and will be delivered by the church pastor, elders and other visiting speakers on relevant & faith-building topics for the benefit of the congregation.
THESE INFORMAL MEETINGS RESUME ON 30 MARCH 2021
TUESDAYS 10.00 – 11.00
Open Doors is our way of saying ‘Welcome to Bethany – you are important for us! ‘
This is just a relaxed time around a cup of tea/coffee for anyone who needs a break from the hustle and bustle of this life to think about their soul, pray and ponder on what really matters in life.
Come and go as you like, but do come back next week again!
ALL THE MID-WEEK SERVICES ON WEDNESDAYS @ 7.00 PM ARE CURRENTLY ON ZOOM!
Please contact us for the access link, if you would like to join us for these midweek prayer and Bible study services
Why should we interact together and study the Bible? What is our goal? What are we after?
We lead Bible studies to learn about the Bible, to develop more theological insight or biblical understanding, to grow in faith as Christians, to get to know people better, to introduce others to Jesus (Acts 17:2-3), etc.
Above all, we attend Bible studies to find eternal life by getting to know God, His Son Jesus Christ (John 17:3) and comprehend the work of the Holy Spirit. God has revealed Himself through Jesus and we meet here in Bethany to study His word and have a personal encounter with the Living Word.
Come along every Wednesday evening from 7.15 to explore various books of the Bible and get better acquainted with the Author!
SUNDAY SERVICES RESUME ON 28 MARCH 2021 @ 11.00 AM
The Lord’s Supper is found in the Gospels (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:17-25; Luke 22:7-22; and John 13:21-30). The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 : “Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). What really means to partake of the bread and the cup “in an unworthy manner.” It may mean to ignore the true meaning of the bread and wine and to forget the tremendous price our Savior has paid for our salvation. Or to allow the religious ritual to become a dead and formal habit, nothing more and to come to the Lord’s Supper with sin in your heart (gossip, malice, anger, etc.)
What Paul is clearly saying is that we should examine ourselves before eating the bread and drinking the cup, taking them with reverence and gratitude, not out of habit or as a religious ritual.
The Bible Message follows the Communion and will be delivered by the church pastor, elders and other visiting speakers on relevant & faith-building topics for the benefit of the congregation.
THESE INFORMAL MEETINGS RESUME ON 30 MARCH 2021
TUESDAYS 10.00 – 11.00
Open Doors is our way of saying ‘Welcome to Bethany – you are important for us! ‘
This is just a relaxed time around a cup of tea/coffee for anyone who needs a break from the hustle and bustle of this life to think about their soul, pray and ponder on what really matters in life.
Come and go as you like, but do come back next week again!
Bethany Evangelical Church is a Christian charity registered in Scotland.
Charity registration number is SC015761