“The council then threatened them further, but they finally let them go because they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyeone was praising God for this miraculous sign-the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years.” (Acts 4:21-22)
In Acts 3 Peter and John prayed for a man in the name of Jesus Christ to be healed-it worked. When I read in Acts 4 verse 22 the statement that amazes me is this; “the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years.” More than forty years! For forty years this man could not walk! For forty years this man had to beg! For forty years this man didn’t know what it was like to take a walk outside. For forty years this man didn’t know what it was like to take a jog in the park! He had been crippled and in this state for a long, long time. I wonder if this man had gotten “use” to his condition. I wonder if this man thought to himself “I will always be like this-nothing will ever change.”
Sometimes like the man who had been crippled for more than forty years we think our situation will never change. We say, “I’ve struggled with this all my life and I probably will always struggle with it.” “My marriage has been rocky for a long time and it will never get better.” “I’ve been praying about my families salvation and nothings changed.” We get into this mentality that just because it’s always been like this or that so it will always be. Well, Jesus proved that wrong. He stepped into a man’s life that had been crippled for over forty years and changed that man’s situation!
Well, what situation have you been in and seem like you will always be in? Your marriage? Your ministry? Your finances? It doesn’t matter if it’s been like that for five, ten, or even forty years, God can and will step in!
Trust Him with it!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Have you been with Jesus?
“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)
This was a statement that followed an amazing event that took place in the Acts of the apostles. In Acts 3 Peter and John were on their way to a prayer meeting when they were confronted by a man who had been lame from birth. After Peter prayed for the man and he was healed he took that opportunity to preach Christ to them. His preaching caused such a stir that Peter and John were taken before the Council to be threatened to stop preaching in Christ’s name.
Back in Acts 3 the lame man was begging for money and Peter and John made this statement; “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” (Acts 3:6)
Peter and John may have not had much money but money is not what the man really needed-he needed Christ! You see we have to give people (students) not what they may want or think they may need but only what they truly need. Peter and John gave them what they had-Christ! We read in Acts 4 that the people recognized them as, “men who had been with Jesus.” These men had spent time with Christ so when the time came to “give Christ” to someone they were ready. They couldn’t have given the man what they had not had or experienced. So when you suddenly have the opportunity to minister to someone in need will you be ready?
Question. Have you been with Christ these past few weeks? Have you been in His word? At His feet? In His presence? We can’t give what we don’t have. If we are not “being with Christ” on a daily basis it will only leave us “spent”, “empty”, and always serving on what is hardly left. Guys, just having fun with these students is not enough. We have to give them what can change their lives-Jesus Christ.
I pray you will take advantage of these “off weeks” so to speak and spend time with Christ. When people look at you will they say, “this person has been with Jesus?”
This was a statement that followed an amazing event that took place in the Acts of the apostles. In Acts 3 Peter and John were on their way to a prayer meeting when they were confronted by a man who had been lame from birth. After Peter prayed for the man and he was healed he took that opportunity to preach Christ to them. His preaching caused such a stir that Peter and John were taken before the Council to be threatened to stop preaching in Christ’s name.
Back in Acts 3 the lame man was begging for money and Peter and John made this statement; “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” (Acts 3:6)
Peter and John may have not had much money but money is not what the man really needed-he needed Christ! You see we have to give people (students) not what they may want or think they may need but only what they truly need. Peter and John gave them what they had-Christ! We read in Acts 4 that the people recognized them as, “men who had been with Jesus.” These men had spent time with Christ so when the time came to “give Christ” to someone they were ready. They couldn’t have given the man what they had not had or experienced. So when you suddenly have the opportunity to minister to someone in need will you be ready?
Question. Have you been with Christ these past few weeks? Have you been in His word? At His feet? In His presence? We can’t give what we don’t have. If we are not “being with Christ” on a daily basis it will only leave us “spent”, “empty”, and always serving on what is hardly left. Guys, just having fun with these students is not enough. We have to give them what can change their lives-Jesus Christ.
I pray you will take advantage of these “off weeks” so to speak and spend time with Christ. When people look at you will they say, “this person has been with Jesus?”
Thursday, February 14, 2008
One year later...The Miracle Story of how God moved.
(pictured from top left to right is the renovation process, faith sign found in daughters old room during renovation, new dining room, wife's new kitchen, and the church that continues to change my life-Family Church!)
It was February 16th, 2007 and I had just resigned from where I had served on staff at a local church for almost four years. We had just been on a 21 Day Fast as a church and I was seeking God for three miracle requests. God had made it clear to my wife and I that we were to leave and that would be all that He would show us at that point.
That night I recieved a prophetic word from a man I had known for over 7 years. He told me "One year from now you will look back and be amazed at what God has done." At that time, I honestly couldn't see that happening but one year has come and gone and to say that I am amazed would be very much an understatement.
I wish I could say it was easy but it wasn't. Victories without test's and trials aren't near as sweet. We went months without "earned" income but God provided by using someone to pay us every month until His (God's) word came to pass. When we arrived at Family Church in March of 2007 I had no idea or not if that was where we would be (especially on staff!). It was a much larger church (1,200 people call home) so it took some getting use to. All I new was the whole counsel of God's word was preached here and the value placed on family was tremendous. Without getting into detail God placed a "package" together that would get us out of the insurance business and into ministry full-time.
Meanwhile, our "house" situations was getting worse as we had no central heat/air and the mice problems were magnified. In a desperate attempt I was going to have our home either destroyed or moved and have a trailer house placed there. When a good friend in the church heard what our plans were he intervened and three months later we are in our "miracles house". During that time the hand of God moved yet again and I was placed as the youth pastor over all student ministry in November. Wow.
We had a scary moment at the end of November when my baby suddenly went into a seizure that lasted over 35 minutes. The result-there were absolutely no effects whatsoever on her body. God had protected her.
Here is my "Impossible" prayer list from one year ago in which God miraculously answered both and in order. Only HE could recieve glory for this! No man could have self-fulfilled these things only the very hand of God! We are full-time at Family Church and are now living in our new and safe home!
January 21-February 16th of 2007
Believing God for the “Impossible”
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)
"And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27).
Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. (Luke 18:1)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)
“The Possibilities”
I. Believe God for full-time ministry
II. Believe God to provide us with a newly built home on our land
III. This last one I cannot share just yet because of the very personal request it is. We are still awaiting God's answer and will give Him praise when it is fulfilled.
Believing God for the “Impossible”
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)
"And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27).
Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. (Luke 18:1)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)
“The Possibilities”
I. Believe God for full-time ministry
II. Believe God to provide us with a newly built home on our land
III. This last one I cannot share just yet because of the very personal request it is. We are still awaiting God's answer and will give Him praise when it is fulfilled.
Check out this insert from my journal the last day of our fast.
“21 Day Fast (Day 21)
Break Fast
Lord, these last 21 days have been some of the best spiritually I have had in many, many years. With that being said, I have also experienced some of the most demonic attacks against my life and family as well.
We had many request we lifted to you and believe you will answer everyone of them for your glory! We have them recorded and written and will give you the praise when they come!
Lord, this morning in prayer I believe your spirit impressed on my heart to, “Obey Jesus, no matter the cost.” Lord, you obeyed the Father, regardless of the price you had to pay!
Lord, as we break this fast, thank you for giving us the strength and commitment to finish it.
May my wife, Gracen, and myself always be willing to serve and follow you regardless of the price or the cost! Now be glorified Lord as we follow you! Please move quickly Jesus! We need you! We love you! In Jesus name! Beck
Break Fast
Lord, these last 21 days have been some of the best spiritually I have had in many, many years. With that being said, I have also experienced some of the most demonic attacks against my life and family as well.
We had many request we lifted to you and believe you will answer everyone of them for your glory! We have them recorded and written and will give you the praise when they come!
Lord, this morning in prayer I believe your spirit impressed on my heart to, “Obey Jesus, no matter the cost.” Lord, you obeyed the Father, regardless of the price you had to pay!
Lord, as we break this fast, thank you for giving us the strength and commitment to finish it.
May my wife, Gracen, and myself always be willing to serve and follow you regardless of the price or the cost! Now be glorified Lord as we follow you! Please move quickly Jesus! We need you! We love you! In Jesus name! Beck
I wish I had the time and space to write all the details of the literal documented fulfilled prophecies, prayers, and miracles God has done for us in a year's time.
Let me encourage you, never, ever stop believing and praying for what God has placed in your heart and never, ever shy down from being obedient to Him! He is faithful!To everyone who has walked with us and witnessed the miracles thank you for your prayers!Thank you Jesus!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
A Radical Faith
"Faith, Family, and Future"-Man, I'm I pumped up about our Generations Campaign here at Family Church! We are smack dab in the midst of our "Generations" stewardship campaign and having been studying alot on faith. Faith is not just something that has been brought up and talked about recently here at Family Church but something that has been lived out the past 30 years. Family Church is a church of faith, family, and miracles.
Last night in E3, our student ministry, we talked about, "A Radical Faith." I read out of II. Corinthians 13:5 and challenged our students to examine thier faith-where do you stand in your walk with God? What's your spiritual condition?
"Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you, if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith." (II. Cor. 13:5)
Last night we had loads of students fill the altars in prayer. Tears and weeping could be seen and heard as we gathered together to pray. The Holy Spirit of God is something else! You don't have to rely on hype and you don't have to drum things up. When the Word of God goes forth that is sufficient! Let the Holy Spirit do the work in the hearts of people. We plant, we water, but God causes the growth to take place! To Him be the Glory!
Last night in E3, our student ministry, we talked about, "A Radical Faith." I read out of II. Corinthians 13:5 and challenged our students to examine thier faith-where do you stand in your walk with God? What's your spiritual condition?
"Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you, if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith." (II. Cor. 13:5)
Last night we had loads of students fill the altars in prayer. Tears and weeping could be seen and heard as we gathered together to pray. The Holy Spirit of God is something else! You don't have to rely on hype and you don't have to drum things up. When the Word of God goes forth that is sufficient! Let the Holy Spirit do the work in the hearts of people. We plant, we water, but God causes the growth to take place! To Him be the Glory!
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