Memorial Day Weekend

I pray that everyone has a great Memorial Day with their family. I am truly thankful for family and I cherish the uninterrupted times I have with them.

I'm also thankful for the country in which we live in and the people that have fought to keep it free. Thank you Jesus!

We were blessed to have my family rent out a room at the newly built Hilton here in West Monroe. My wife and I were honored to have the opportunity to stay the night in the room. We will enjoy some good ole' BBQ with the rest of my family and enjoy the time we have together today.

Identity Crisis

I had the honor of ministering to the Junior High teens of E3 Student Ministries of Family Church last night. We spoke on "Identity Crisis" and learned a few points on identity from John the Baptist. I read a disturbing online article not long ago about a man who thought he was a woman trapped in his body. Now although you may not be having a "gender crisis" you may have an "identity crisis". Do you know who you are? Do you know who you are to become?

We can learn three things from the gospel of John 1:19-23.

1. John the Baptist knew who he was not.

• "I am not the Christ. They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah? He said, " I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No."

2. John the Baptist knew who he was.

• "Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?" John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, "Make straight the way for the Lord.'

3. John the Baptist knew who he was to become.

Firstly, He knew he was not the Messiah or Eliajah. You know you and I can't glorify God by acting like someone else...other than Christ. God made us special and unique (as he did John the Baptist). We reveal our insecurities when we begin to talk like other people, dress like other people, and behave like other people whom we normally wouldn't. When temptation comes your way you better know what you are not anymore! I'm not like that! I've been changed! I've been delivered! That is not me anymore!

Secondly, John knew who he was. What about you? Do you know who you trully are? I've been looking in the mirror alot lately and I will say, "My name is Beck Payne. I am a man of God. Today, I will talk like a man of God, look like a man of God, behave like a man of God, and live like a man of God!!! Why? Because that is who I am! I am a child of the most high God! I am an instrumen of his love! I am a voice of truth to preach the whole gospel of Christ! Some of us don't know who we are anymore? We've followed other "things" and "ideas" and we don't even know who we are, who God has called us to be!

Thirdly, John knew who he was to become! He was to prepare the way of the Messiah! So what are you becoming? What has God called you to do? Are you doing it? Are you becoming what he is calling you to?

Be blessed!

Beck

Guard your heart

“Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)

What does it mean to “guard your heart?” When someone is boxing he or she is constantly on guard. Their intentions are to not allow the opponents gloves to come through and land a punch. Because if a punch is landed it causes damage and can eventually destruct the fighter.

So when the Bible tells us to “guard our hearts” we are to have our spiritual gloves up. Why? We don’t want the enemy getting through to our hearts! Why? It is the wellspring of life! If we allow sin in our hearts it embitters the water. What kind of sin embitters the water? Jesus tells us in the gospel of Matthew.

"Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man." (Matthew 15:17-20)

None of us are absent from things that can and will contaminant our hearts if we aren’t constantly on guard by the Holy Spirit. So keep your “gloves” up and be watchful!

To see Jesus-The story of Zacchaeus

“And he entered and was passing through Jericho. And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the crowd, because he was little of stature. And he ran on before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.” (Luke 19:1-6)

Remember the song you sang in Sunday school about Zacchaeus and the sycamore tree? There is a lot to learn from that song.

Before I even crawled out of bed this morning for my time with the Lord He placed the above passage on my heart so I felt I must look deeper into it.

We read above about Jesus passing through the city of Jericho. There was a tax collector by the name of Zacchaeus who was “seeking” Jesus. Because the man was short and there was a large crowd in the way he climbed up into a sycamore tree. Now I need to stop right there.

Here was a man that had obviously heard of Jesus or he wouldn’t have taken the measures he did to see him. Maybe he heard about how he had forgiven prostitutes, sinners, and other tax collectors. Maybe he heard about the Lord Jesus performing miracles and healing the sick. Maybe he heard about Jesus commanding devils out of people and seeing them set free. Whatever the case, Zacchaeus had to see this Jesus and see him for himself! He couldn’t just go by what everybody else said. He had to make it personal! As Zacchaeus was trying to see the Lord there were obstacles in his way but he didn’t allow these obstacles from keeping him from seeing the savior. He did what he had to do and climbed up in a dirty sycamore tree. This rich tax collector humbled himself and climbed into a tree to see Jesus.

Now this man was a sinner and yet he went the desperate route. How much more should the righteous find him!? So what about you and me? What obstacles are in your way today that would try to keep you from Jesus? Is it time management or priorities? Is it excuses? Is it the hordes of hell? Is it criticism? Is it condemnation? Is it man-made traditions? Is it religion?

“And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house.”

We read that when Jesus was passing by he took notice of Zacchaeus. Certainly so. Everyone else was on the ground but only Zacchaeus took such desperate measures to see Jesus and he (Jesus) took notice! Let me encourage you, when you take desperate measures to seek Jesus he will take notice! He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Maybe you have felt like you have “climbed trees”. Maybe you have prayed and prayed and fasted and fasted and nothing seems to be working. Be encouraged, Jesus is walking down the road and will see your faith, persistence, and heart for Him! He will reward you! Don’t climb down yet, Jesus is coming by!

Does the devil know your name?

“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?
Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds.” (Acts 19:13-18)

Not long ago I heard my pastor tell of a few stories about some attacks he had experienced during the past 30 years of his ministry. In one instance the devil called him by his name as he tried to intimidate the man of God. I know we do not talk much about spiritual darkness this day in time but we’d better wake up and smell the coffee because it is very much there. YOU DO HAVE AN ENEMY, HE IS REAL, AND HE PROWLS AROUND LIKE A ROARING LION SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR! He is the one that is fighting your very soul! He is the one who is trying to split your marriage! He is the one who is trying to bring division within the body of Christ! He is the one who is trying to distort the word of the living God! He is the one who is trying to lead your children astray! He is the one in the church who is masquerading as an angel (minister) of light (word of God)! Oh yes, it is out there! Well aren’t you giving the enemy glory talking about this? As I heard a wonderful man of God say once, “You first must know your enemy before you can defeat or fight him!”

If there were wanted posters in hell would your name and picture be found amongst them? There is no doubt my pastor has experienced these things because of the great threat he is to the kingdom of darkness but what about you and I? Does the enemy fear the man or woman that only whispers the name of Jesus over coffee each day? Does the enemy fear the person who spends a little time with Jesus here and there? Does he know and fear the one who is half- hearted and only obedient when it is convenient? Or does hell tremble when your eyes pop open in the morning because of the “hell” you will bring in the name of Jesus this day!

We read in the above passage about some men who were “toying around” with the name of Jesus provoking a demon-spirit. One day when the evil spirit had enough he answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” After beating them severely the men ran away like whipped puppy dogs. When darkness comes our way you and I better know Jesus Christ! He had better be Lord in our hearts!

The Bible says we are “hidden in Christ.” It isn’t us obviously the enemy is afraid of but the Christ that is living within us whom he (the enemy) greatly believes and trembles! He fears the one who knows how to understand and obey the word of God. He fears the one who realizes the power he has in the name of Jesus! He fears the one who will submit no matter what to Jesus Christ! He who is faithful! He who is obedient!

I encourage you to get to know Christ today! With everything that is within you get to know him! Live and obey the word of the living God no matter what! Yes you will experience attacks! Yes darkness will come at you! But be encouraged my brothers and sisters “greater is He that is in us that he that is in the world”. Take heart, you and I are “more than conquerors” in Christ Jesus! We will have the victory! His name be praised!

Spiritual Complacency

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev. 3:15-22)

We have all gone through times in our walk with Christ where we have become tired, weary, and yes; complacent. Sometimes it’s hard to move out of that place because it is so easy to stay there. It doesn’t require any effort. It doesn’t require any work. It doesn’t require any faith. The battle isn’t intense there because Satan is not concerned. He has us where he wants us; complacent. Spiritually lazy and spiritually content is where he would like us to stay. Sad to say, that is where a lot of us are; complacent. We are complacent in our prayer life, complacent in our worship, complacent in the church and just happy where we are and not concerned about going any deeper in our walk with Christ. We have been satisfied with internet preached sermons instead of “pulling something out of heaven” to equip the saints with.

One of the most dangerous places we can camp out at in our lives is in the area of complacency. God hasn’t called us to complacency but consistency. He hasn’t called us to fizzle out but to burn with passion. He hasn’t called us to allow our hearts to become cold but to burn with the love of Christ.

Saints, now is not the time to become complacent in your walk with Christ! Yes, the world runs 100 mph all around us and would try to choke out our vital time seeking the Lord but you must not allow it! Christ must remain King in your life! Christ must remain King of your time! Christ must remain King in your marriage! Christ must remain King of your thoughts!

There are things going on now that is of great concern to me. I see things going on within the body of Christ that are of great distractions. It causes one to turn their eyes off of Jesus to the things of the world. Before you know it, it doesn’t bother you anymore to only spend 5 minutes a day with Jesus. Oh, you used to spend hours seeking him but somehow, someway, you’ve justified your complacent state. The spirit of Delilah has “lulled you to sleep” slowly but surely. You are afraid to forsake all to follow Christ because of the great war you know you will enter into. You know you will face demon powers that will come against your life, your marriage, your finances, your relationships and it would cause you to “stay at a distance.”

I encourage you in Christ; take up the full armor of God and join in! Fight the enemy with the help of the Holy Ghost and the word of God! Seek the face of Jesus Christ like you’ve never done before! Refuse to remain in complacency! Even if others around you are complacent, refuse to remain there! Now is the time to move out of the land of complacency! The kingdom of God is on a forceful advance! Move forward and be the men and women of God he has called you to become!

Help or Hinder?

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it." (Proverbs 3:27)

This past Monday night as I watched seniors from a local high school participate in their graduation ceremony I noticed a young man with down syndrome. As this young man walked up to get his diploma the entire senior class rose to their feet in applause. This so touched my heart as I stood and watched these young seniors help make this special day even more special by helping someone who was “less fortunate” embrace his moment on the stage.

I couldn’t help but think to myself, “You know, why can’t we as human beings do more to help each other than to hinder one other?” We are all trying to make it victoriously through this journey we call life and it would be much easier for one another if we helped one another out. So many times we hinder each other rather than help. We become jealous of another persons good fortune instead of joyful. We talk bad about others instead of trying to find something good in them. We tear others down instead of building them up. We give up on others too easily instead of being optimistic. We doubt each other instead of giving one another a chance. We hold people back instead of helping them move forward!

So who is in your life right now that needs you? Who has God placed in your path that you could help take another step in life? Who at this time point needs a timely word of encouragement and you have that word? Who needs you to believe in them? Who needs you to give them a second chance? Who needs your prayers? Who needs your support?

Help…not hinder!

Be blessed in Jesus name!

Family First

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. (John 1:40-42) Italics mine

John the Baptist had just spoken the words, “Behold, the lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world” while Andrew was near by. Being given the revelation that Jesus was the Christ Andrew had followed him. Notice that one of the first things Andrew did was to go and find his brother to tell him, “We have found the Messiah.”

One of the greatest responsibilities we have is to bring those closest to us-our family-to Jesus. Many a families have been “lost” in the name of Jesus. What I mean by that is this, so many times we do so many things in the name of Christ and yet we end up losing our own home. We cram our schedules with “religious” activity while neglecting our marriages. We spend hours counseling others while neglecting our own kids. I’ve known great preachers who have literally traveled the world but none of their kids are following Christ! God has given us both the blessing and responsibility to reach our homes for Christ first! What good would it be for me to reach the world for Christ and yet lose my own marriage or kids in the process?

Today, God has surrounded you with family. Father, are you bringing your wife and kids closer to Christ? Mother, do you reflect Christ in your home? Man of God, is what you are preaching in the pulpit backed by your lifestyle at home?

We need to do like Andrew did for Simon Peter (who became one of the greatest men of God to ever walk the face of the earth) and bring our family to Jesus!

Is anyone in trouble?

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Notice in the above verse it says, “In this world you will have trouble.” It didn’t say you might have trouble. It didn’t say you won’t’ have trouble if you stay close to Jesus. In this world you will have trouble! There is a lot of popular teachings out there today that will lead you to believe that as long as you are “right” with God trouble will escape you. That couldn’t be further from the truth. As a matter of fact, being “right” with God will bring you trouble many times in the world! We don’t have to get into what all Paul went through by being “right” with God.

So what shall we say when trouble strikes? Let’s see what James tells us in James, chapter 5:13 “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.” Here is a great idea. When we are in trouble what shall we do? How about pray!? Not complain. Not blame it on God. Pray! Now let’s be honest, I know a lot of us think we are much more spiritual than we actually are but how many of us would really seek God like we are suppose to seek God if trouble never came our way? Doesn’t “trouble” so many times drive us to our knees in prayer? Thank God for it! If it causes us to fall to our knees and seek Him like never before than so be it!

So what kind of “trouble” do you find your self in today? Pray!

E3 Student Ministry

It was an honor to share my heart last night with E3 Student Ministry, the student ministry of Family Church. It was refreshing to see all of their student ministry leaders in prayer prior to service. We must realize prayer must not only go before us but with us. We can come up with all the man made agenda's but if it is not bathed or birthed in prayer and led by the Holy Spirit then it is empty and void.

Steve Hubbard is doing a wonderful job leading this ministry into full devotion starting by reaching those closest to us-the family.

I will be posting the next few days on "The Passion to Pray".

The Lord bless you today! Remember, He is Lord!

He came to set the captives free

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised..".(Luke 4:18)

Last night we had the honor to go once again into U.P.D.C. to preach Christ to the captives. We come in the name of Jesus to preach the truth in love because it is the truth, and I do mean the whole truth, that will set them free; not a half-truthed, half-efforted, ear-tinkling message that will minister to their flesh. When you are dealing with captives they need freedom not psychology. We minister to their spirit not their flesh. We would do them a grave injustice if we did that. We love them and want to see Christ reign in their lives.

Three of us ministered the word as the spirit of God lead us and then about half the room responded for prayer. The Holy Ghost activated the gift of prophecy upon one of our minister's who ministered to those whom the Lord pointed out.

We appreciate your prayers and ask that you remember the inmates on a consistent basis. Faithfulness in prayer!

Have a wonderful week and the Lord bless you!

To heal the brokenhearted

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19)

When Jesus left the desert in the demonstration of the power of the Holy Ghost he made his way into the synagogue as was the custom. When Jesus stood up to preach out of the book of Isaiah the prophet it came forth much differently than the norm of the day. Jesus preached as one who had authority not like the religious leaders of his day. You see a message can be “good” but not anointed. Did you catch that? The anointing is what teaches us and sets us free! Jesus was anointed by the spirit of God to do many things but one I’d like to point out is that he came to heal the brokenhearted.

There are people you and I come across every single day of our lives with broken hearts. Some have been broken by sin. Some have been broken by a failed marriage. Some have been broken by reckless words. Some have been broken by gossip. Some have been broken by people who have ignorantly said false things about them. Some have been broken by past hurts and pains. Some have been broken by disappointments and let downs. Some have been broken by misguided trust. Some have been broken by the loss of a loved one.

If you and I don’t allow the Holy Spirit to deal with our hurts and pains it affects our being and our life. It hinders our fellowship with others and with God. We allow our present hurts to dictate our future and Christ wants to set us free!

For instance, if your heart has been broken by relationships gone bad ignoring the hurt and acting like it isn’t there isn’t going to solve anything! You will only allow anger and offense to spring up in your heart like a poisonous weed! But if you bring your broken heart before Christ and honestly say, “Lord, my heart is broken and I need you to heal it”, I believe he will! He was and is anointed to do that! He alone can do that! No person can do that! Nobody can lay there hands on you and fix that! You can’t go through a 7 step program to recovery to fix that! Christ alone is the answer! He is sufficient! He is enough! There is healing in his word! There is healing in his presence! There is healing in his hands! Allow Christ to touch you because he came to heal your broken heart!

Resting in Christ

I pray that you will read and meditate upon these scriptures over the weekend. May they minister to your soul in Jesus name.

Blessings,

Beck

"Resting in Christ"

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." (Pslam 91:1)

"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16)

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." (Pslam 91:1)

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Read Hebrews 3 7-19; 4:1-11

Search my heart Oh God

Psalm 24:3-4 - Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. (RSV)

During my prayer time I was prompted to not only guard my heart but also to ask the Lord to search it. The worse kind of deception is self-deception; to think we are something when we are not or think we are not something when we are. I try to keep a pure heart before the Lord but especially before times of ministering the word of God I tend to really “dig deep.” After preaching to others I myself do not want to be disqualified.

The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

Above all things the Bible says the heart can be the most deceitful! Who can know it? Who can truly see what is in your heart? Not others and certainly not ourselves at times but only God can! With that statement we must continually be asking God to search us and when things are revealed, ask him to cleanse us of all unrighteousness! We must continually offer ourselves as clean vessels unto God!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me... and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23