It is a privilege to be with you this evening as we start this exciting Fall Semester. Bethel Bible Institute is one of the premier learning centers, for people who want to study the Word of God, situated in New York; and because of COVID, we we able to expand our borders greatly and now it's international in its scope, reaching people and equipping them to do the work of the ministry. I consider that to be a tremendous blessing. As we embark on this journey together, let's please try to remember that this is more than spiritual growth, it is really giving us an opportunity to get entrenched in the Word of the Lord so that we can rightly divide the Word of Truth and impact the lives of other people along the way. 

Proverbs 4:7 says wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and as we are doing this, we're not simply acquiring knowledge for ourselves, but we're seeking God's wisdom to shape our lives and the ministry that God has entrusted us with; so I want to encourage you as you study and engage God's Word, please remain open to His voice. You may hear His voice through the voice of many of your instructors and even divinely-inspired through the Holy Spirit; and what He's doing is He's preparing you for more than just exams, He's really equipping you for the call that He has upon your life. 

I'm praying for you that this semester will be one of discovery,  one of discipline, one of transformation, and one that gives you an opportunity to greatly expand the ministry to which you have been called; so let us together work and press toward the path of knowledge, increasing day by day through the power of the Holy Spirit. Let me also say that we start well because we are inspired and encouraged to begin something, but it takes fortitude and determination to go the distance, so let's make up our minds that we're not going to go through this just for the beginning process; we're going to see it to the end and the end is going to be that which brings glory and honor to God, because it is God who works within us to will and to do His good pleasure. He wants to make us meet for the master's use.  I'm encouraging you to stay the course regardless of the obstacles that will stand in your way, and wait until the conclusion when you see the award and the reward of your labor and it will better equip you to do the work of the ministry because we are saved to be salt and light to a lost and dying world; giving others an opportunity to know that it's Christ in us who is our hope of glory. 

So God bless you, let's begin together, let's endure together, let's finish together, and let's celebrate together. God bless you.