Hodge 007

(Pictured above eating some crawfish with my "bud" B.J. Whitton and also with Hodge Church Student Pastor Keith Landrum)

*So far we've seen six teengers Friday night recommit their lives to Christ and two more as of this mornings service give their hearts to Jesus.His name be praised!

We kicked off the weekend in Hodge, LA with some dynamic worship from a band out of Texas and then I brought a word entitled, "Crisis in the Home." You know the Bible says in Matthew 12:25 that, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." The family was designed and ordained of God (even before ministry to the church). The family unit is very close to the heart of God and I see a tremendous meltdown occuring in the home. Divorce is the "norm" now and we are seeing "family" being tainted like never before. I believe Hell has launced an all out assault against the home. Why? Because strong families build strong churches which in turn will touch communities, states, and nations for Christ!! It is amazing to see what our teenagers are growing up in these days. I spoke Friday night out of Genesis 37 and spoke about how Joseph's family life affected him. Of course he didn't allow it to embitter him! The Lord used it for the good of His glory!

This morning we switched gears and I challenged the teenagers to do something a bit different. Look in the mirror! We are our biggest obstacle! We need to quit blaming our parents, grandparents and the rest of the family tree for our problems! Yes, we may of had it tough but are we doing our part at home? Billy Graham said, "The true test of a Christian is the way he lives at home."After Jesus delivered a demon-possessed man he told him, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." (Matthew 5:18-19) In John 21:20 after Jesus had revealed to Peter the kind of death he would experienced Peter said speaking of John, "Lord what about him?" Jesus replied, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." In other words, don't worry about what everybody else is suppose to be doing, you do your part! So are we doing our part at home? For the kingdom?

Tonight, is "The Gathering" which is a church-wide function across the area. Churches from all over and from different denominations will be coming tonight to worship the Lord and hear from His word. We are ministering to them out of the love of Christ but with the only thing that can save, heal, deliver, and set them free; the unchained, uncompromised, word of the living God!

Tonight I will be ministering out of Matthew 12:46-50 when Jesus was told his "family" was outside he replied by saying, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Some of these teenagers dont' have flesh and blood family but they are indeed apart of a family; the family of God! Father God is their Father! We will also be ministering out of Luke 15:11-32 which tells the story of the Prodigal's Son. We are calling those who have "left home" to come back to the Father!

After we minister to both morning services tomorrow we will be heading back to West Monroe. Please pray for these services and for our safety driving home.

God Bless,

Beck