Let’s join Jesus in the book of Mark this semester at the Beacon Campus Ministry.

This semester we are going to get to know Jesus and his work better by studying the book of Mark. Mark focused on what Jesus did, his work, his miracles. We’ll take about half a chapter each week and focus on what Jesus did and how it impacts our lives today. Feel free to read ahead.

9/12                 Mark 1                          Followers of Jesus

9/19                 Mark 2:1-12                   Who is Jesus? The Healer

9/26                 Mark 2:13-17                 Who is Jesus? Friend of Sinners

10/3                 Mark 2:18-3:6                True Rest

10/10               Mark 3:7-35                   The Sin Against the Holy Spirit

10/17               Mark 4:1-20                   HOW Does God Work?

10/24               Mark 4:21-41                 Jesus Calms the Storm

10/31               Mark 5:1-20                   2000 Demons, No Match for My Savior

Devotional thoughts from a student:

At a recent campus Bible study, a young women had an especially helpful insight for Christians on a college campus. She noted the stress and anxiety of being a college student. In every class, grades are taken, evaluations are being made. You work really hard to pass classes and impress teachers, to carry your weight on group projects, to work enough hours to pay your bills. So much depends on you. For her it was so refreshing to come to Bible study and be reminded of the one thing that doesn’t depend on her at all. Her faith in Jesus wasn’t her decision, it was a miracle of the Holy Spirit through water and the word. Her redemption doesn’t depend on her, she was set free from sin and Satan when Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. The ability to share Jesus with her friends doesn’t even really depend on her, she is simply joining Jesus on his mission - the same Jesus who promised to be with his people always as they share his comfort, hope, and peace. We sighed, we smiled, we agreed. In a world, where it seems like so much depends on how dedicated you are and how hard you work, it is refreshing to hear again how everything needed for us to have peace with God forever has already been done by Jesus. The pressure is off. 

Do you have friends that could appreciate that concept too? Without being a pushy “Jesus salesperson,” this might be one way for you to share the peace that comes from Jesus in a world full of stress and anxiety.

Hang in there my friends!

In Christ,
Pastor Nelson

The topics of spirituality and God's plan for your life are popular. How many times a day do you see memes flash before your eyes with interesting quotes about being #blessed, or #JesusCalling or sharing reminders for you not to swipe God's pen when he's writing your story? Perhaps friends are exploring different ministries that seem more spiritual, relational, energetic, make a bigger impact, or just "get it?" How do you know which of these Christian trends are solid gold and useful for growing your faith? How do you discern when an idea might end up undermining your confidence in the gospel and your relationship with Jesus? This semester, we will take a look both at spirituality and the will of God. What does the Bible say on these topics? Thankfully, Jesus knew there would be times when spiritually themed myths would have great appeal (2 Timothy 4) and has told us exactly what we need to navigate these situations.

"If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples. 32 You will also know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” -Jesus in John 8:31-32

Let me begin with one important insight into the "will of God," an insight into the heart of God. God tells us this about himself: God our Savior wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3,4). It's God's will, his deepest desire, that everyone hears the beautiful truth of his word, his love, his forgiveness, and that they are saved and free with him forever! It is God's will that you are his. No doubt about it. 

See you soon,
Pastor Nelson

Dollar Dinner and Chapel start up on January 17th

Join us for dollar dinner at 5:30 pm and stay for chapel at 6:15 and bible study around 7. Our chapel and bible study are both focused on 1 Corinthians. The chapel series is called, “What does it mean to be spiritual?”

What Does it Mean to be Spiritual?

“I’m spiritual, but I’m not religious.” You have probably heard people say this before. Often it means that they don’t follow a set system of religious teaching, but they allow for the existence of a spiritual realm and attempt to interact with it. We know that Christianity is so much better than a system of rules to follow or teachings to memorize. Christianity is true spirituality. God himself, through the Holy Spirit, tells us what it means to really be spiritual. God, who is spirit, became a person to live for us, die for us, and save us! Now he gives us a new relationship with him that changes who we are, where we are going, and how we interact with each other. The spiritual truths of Christianity have life changing implications for our spiritual and physical lives here on earth.

So what does it mean to be spiritual? Does it mean that we go off on our own to meditate and ponder the meaning of life or try to get in touch with God through nature or deep breathing exercises? No, not really. Does it mean that we work ourselves into an emotional state of mind so that we can feel the presence of the Spirit? That’s not what Paul tells us either.

In this chapel series from 1 Corinthians. We will see what it means to be spiritual. We’ll especially see how the Holy Spirit works among a whole community of believers to build us up, so that we can encourage others.