Humble

As I study God’s word more the more I realize just how different HIS kingdom is from the world’s. There is such a vast difference in literally everything such as views and perceptions! What we consider great here on earth God could see as garbage and what we don’t give much attention to, God could see as precious.

Think for a second. Who is the Godliest person that you know? Man or woman. Think again for a second. What brought you to that conclusion? What characteristics or gifts does this person have that would cause you to think that?

If your answer wasn’t humilty then maybe we need to think again what true Godliness or greatness is. According to Jesus your answer may be a good one but not the best on HIS grading scale. Let’s look to see what the greatest in the Kingdom of God must possess.

“So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:4)

Humble-
1. not proud or arrogant; modest

2. having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.

3. low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly: of humble origin.

4. courteously respectful

If we aren’t becoming more “childlike” and humble then are we truly becoming great in God’s Kingdom? Are we truly becoming more like Jesus Christ? If we are continually on the defensive and percieved as arrogant how far we really are from becoming great according to Jesus’ standards! We all could probably use a big slice of humble pie!

Lord, humble us!

Great Start to a New Year!

Have you ever been to one of those services that linger on just to linger on? We try so hard to "make something happen" or that someway we can manipulate the Holy Spirit to do what we want Him to do? Well...that wasn't one of those services this past Wednesday night. Yes, the service did "linger" on but it wasn't because man constructed it! God came in the house during our student ministry service and moved upon our students in a mighty way. What a joy to see our students getting free and allowing God to break free the unhealthy habits that try to control and put in bondage a teenagers life. We dismissed the service for those that needed to go but many of our students continued to worship God past 9 o'clock. What a great job the worship team did in following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

It was a great first service for a new year! Thank you God!

Got a Light?

“The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” (Genesis 1:1-5)

What a moment it must have been when the darkness that covered the deep waters fled when God said, “Let there be light!” When light comes darkness flees! There has to be a distinction between “Light” and “Darkness”, “Night” and “Day”. God separated the two. God created the sun, moon, and the stars that give off “Light” so that there is not constant “darkness.”

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

As believers we are the light of the world! There should be a dinstinct difference between us and the world. A separation of “light” and “darkness.” Do our lives give off “light”? Can people see if difference in us? Can people living in darkness see the light of Christ shining in and through you? God has called us to be the light of the world-don’t hide the light! People need to see hope!

Life is exciting...when it once was a dread!

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10)

Imagine crying yourself to sleep at night because you saw no hope for your life. Imagine becoming a person you never intended to become. Imagine living in regret and wondering why your life turned out a way you had never planned. Imagine living with hurt, anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness. Imagine having something else control you and hold you in bondage. Imagine dreading getting out of the bed and facing the dreary day that was ahead.

Maybe some of you can imagine that and experienced some of the things I mentioned above. That was my life just over ten years ago. Life was such a dread then but now-life is exciting to me! I can’t wait to get up and take the day on! I can’t wait to spend time with the God who changed my life, gave me hope, and cleansed me of my sin! I see light now and definitely have hope! God is using me and has blessed me with a family of my own! Now, I get to preach the gospel that set me free to others that they too may be set free!

My wife told me the other day, “Beck, you are always in such a good mood!” While, that is a bit of an exaggeration what difference there is in my life now than there was in my past! When depression used to have me by my throat, God’s power broke the chains! It’s not a good mood, its joy! Joy I thought I could never obtain, and never would have without Christ!
Life. To so many it is ritualistic, boring, and dull. But with Christ, it is exciting! Sure, as Christians we face trials, difficulties, and hard times but boy, it sure is better walking through those things KNOWING that Christ is on the throne of your heart!

Have a great New Year!

Jambalaya Fundraiser a Success!

Woke up at 4 A.M. yesterday morning to meet some folks at the Nolan Gym to start cooking some Jambalaya at 6 A.M. for the Olinde Adoption. Tom Waller from Healing Place Church (Nicki Olinde's dad) had everything ready to go. He is apart of the Cooking for Christ ministry HPC has in Baton Rouge. The Olinde's were able to raise over $2400 yesterday! A HUGE thank you to the individuals, families, and business' who supported the cause.

You are investing in Lillie's Life!

www.BringingHomeLillie.com

Olinde Adoption Jambalaya Lunch/Dinner

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." (James 1:27)

I met the Olindes over 10 Years ago when I was at the lowest point of my life. I wasn't serving God and was desperately looking for answers to my miserable life. Chad and Nicki Olinde were apart of Claiborne Christian School and Family Church. They cared enough about my soul that they took the time to reach out to me. That year I gave my heart to Jesus Christ and was never the same!

This same couple who reached out to me is now reaching out across the globe to reach someone else-their daughter. The Olindes desire to adopt "Lillie" a little girl from Hong Kong. Adoption for the Olindes will cost between $14-$15 K so the Olindes are doing many practical things to help raise the money. This Tuesday December 30th we will be having a jambalaya lunch and dinner on the grounds of Family Church. You can pick up your lunch from 10:30-12:30 or from 5:30-7:30. It is only $6 and all the money goes to bringing Lillie home!

I believe adoption is at the heart of God! It "kills me" when I hear people say wow, "$15,000 for adoption" when we spend $20, 000 plus on pieces of metal and plastic! (vehicles). We are talking about a priceless soul in which Christ died for! Help bring her home!

Go check out thier website at www.BringingHomeLillie.com for more details.

If you have any questions please email me at beck@familychurch.org

God Bless!

Fully Devoted Hunters

I believe being a "fully devoted hunter" is part of becoming a "fully devoted disciple of Christ". Why? Because it's biblical! We are just trying to carry out ALL of God's commands. For any of you animal right activists out there I give you Genesis 9 starting with verse 1.

"All the animals of the earth, all the birds of the sky, all the animals that scurry along the ground, and all the fish in the sea will look on you with fear and terror. I have placed them in your power. I have given them to you for food..." (Genesis 9:1-2)

By good buddies Lee Taylor and Michael Fox did a little deer hunting last weekend. We started off on my place with a little morning hunt followed by a fabulous breakfast by my beautiful bride in our home. We then took it to Columbia, LA where Lee Taylor took his first deer kill ever! Lee is getting his masters at Regent University and will also be speaking at Family Church this Sunday!

E3 Christmas Party!

We had a packed room of 137 students and youth workers ready to celebrate Christmas! We kicked the night off with some Christmas songs followed by announcing that the Student Ministry had chosen Jordan Carter as this years person/family to bless! We had him come up to give him his gifts then everyone surrounded him in prayer! Jordan has been through an awful lot of trials with his health his whole life and especially this past year. We wanted to let him know how much we love and care for him!

We then split the Junior High and High Schools up sending them each to games and food! We rotated three different games in the R.D. Center Gym (crazy games!) and then had food and more games in the Food Court.

We a great night! We have such a wonderful group of youth workers to help make the night go great!

Merry Christmas!

Turkeys, Christmas Trees, and Preachin!

There is nothing in the world quite like a good-ole fried turkey for Thanksgiving! I spent most of the morning (after my morning hunt) frying a turkey out in the front yard for my family and guests. We hosted Thanksgiving this year at my home for the first time in our newly renovated house. Another "1st" this year was everyone around the table said what they were thankful for. It was great!

That afternoon we went to Peppers Tree Farm out where we live to pick out our Christmas Tree. This is something Jodi and I have done the past 6 years. We spent that evening putting it up and the next morning decorated the tree with Gracen, my daughter.

I'm up at the church this Saturday morning doing some praying and prep for tomorrow mornings message, "Staying Engaged in the Battle". I have the wonderful opportunity to speak to the body here at Family Church during this Sunday's Service. Please pray for me as a share what God has placed on my heart!

Blessings!

Turkey Time!

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (I. Thessalonians 5:18)

The word of God says that it is the will of God for us to be thankful in all circumstances. Even with uncertain times and a down economy we have so very much to be thankful for! I encourage you to sit down and meditate on God's goodness and give Him thanks!

By the way, I'm frying a big 14 pound gobbler tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Slingin Paint!

We had a great time yesterday (other than getting shot!) slingin some paint with a few of our 7th Grade boys from the Student Ministry. Check out the pics!

Joy

Joy. Something that is not talked about or even actually seen manifested in so many people’s (even Christians) lives today. Nehemiah 8:10c says, “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Satan knows that if he can “zap our joy” he can weaken us. So if the joy of the Lord is to be our strength how do we obtain this joy? Joy isn’t something we can buy or posses without God. It is something the world cannot give or take away!

Psalm 112:1 says, “Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.”

The Bible says that those that are joyful will fear God and delight in obeying Him!
The Psalmist says people are joyful when #1 they fear the Lord, and #2 who delight in obeying his commands.

So what does it mean to “fear the Lord”?

Well, Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” In verse 9 of Psalm 19, we read that "the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever." Proverbs 8:13 says, “To fear the Lord is to hate evil…”

So if we are to become wise we are to fear God, hate what is evil, so that we can have a pure heart.

So what does it mean to “delight in obeying his commands”? Well, Jesus himself said, “If you love me you will obey my commands.” I. John 5:3 says, “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.”

The Bible says in Psalm 1:1-2, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.”

What a joy, honor, and blessing it is to serve God today with a joyful heart! Lord, it is a priviledge to serve you, love you, and obey you!
Fill us today with your joy God!

"Mystery Night" Service

I apologize for the tardiness of this post but better late than never right?

We had our "Mystery Night" the last Wednesday Night in October. What is "Mystery Night"? It is a night where our teens don't know what we are going to do or where we are going to go. After a month of speaking on "Eternity", "Heaven", and "Hell" we decided to "take it a little closer to home" in having a "service" in a local cemetery. Why? Because death is a reality and unless Jesus doesn't come in our life our bodies will be put in a ground six feet under. The Bible says, "It is appointed unto man once to die then comes judgement". None of us know when we are going to cross our "finish line". Some in that graveyard crossed it as teenagers, some in their mid forties, and others at a ripe old age. We must be prepared! We took two bus loads of Junior High and High Schools out for the evening!

Attached are some pics complements of one of the best youth workers in the world-Elaine Fox.

A Gossip Proof Life

“A Gossip Proof Life”


I am continually amazed at just how many scriptures there are in God’s word about OUR words. The Bible says what comes from our mouths have come from our hearts. “What you say flows from what is in your heart.” (Matthew 6:45b) So you can tell a lot about a person by simply listening to them. Their words will reveal what is in them. The Bible also says that we are either speaking life or death. “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” (Proverbs 18:21)
How is it that so many times we love to point out the very “obvious” sins of others like adultery, drunkeness, sexual immorality, homosexuality, abortion, but we fail to see gossip as it truly is-evil!
“Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. (Romans 1:28-39)
I agree it is no easy task sometimes to watch our mouths (James 3) but the word of God commands us to! “If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.” Wow! We can talk all we want (no pun intended) but if we don’t control our tongue the word of God says our religion is worthless!
What can gossip do?
1. Separate close friends
“A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.” (Proverbs 16:28)
How many friendships have been wrecked and ruin because of someone planting seeds of strife? Maybe it was someone who planted seeds of doubt, disrespect, unneccesary words into anothers ears and it literally stripped the other person’s reputation from them? How many times has someone offended us and instead of going directly to that person to make peace we went to three or four other person’s first (to get their opinion of course and to pray for them) and causing division in the midst before ever getting around to the person with whom we were offended?

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again…” (Matthew 18:15-16)

2. Tell secrets
“A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.” (Proverbs 20:19)
How many times has someone entrusted something to you and you betrayed that trust? Or maybe you have entrusted a struggle, sin, or something very close to your heart with someone only to find out they told your “secret”?

“A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.” (Proverbs 11:13)

The Bible commands us not to hang around with chatterers.


What can holding our tongue do?

1. Keep us from ruin and give us long life.
“Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.” (Proverbs 13:3)

2. Become wise
“Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.” (Proverbs 17:28)
“A truly wise person uses few words.” (Proverbs 17:27)

3. Put out fires
“Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.” (Proverbs 26:20)
A fire cannot continue to burn without wood. It’s the same that gossip can’t continue if we don’t feed it and/or refuse to listen to it.

4. Acquit us

“And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgement day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” (Matthew 12:36)

Since we must give an account of every idle word that has come out of our mouth it’s no wonder James said below…

“You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19)

Lord, help us to control our tongues!

The Fall Festival and a White-Tailed Deer

What a great weekend we had! We kicked it off by having our annual "Family Fall Festival" at Family Church. The R.D. Center was literally packed out as we ate Gumbo, played games, and listened to a little "Big Al" bust off some Rhymes!

Saturday morning I slept in a little later than usual to eat breakfast with my wife. After breakfast I headed off to my deer stand with my rifle in hand. As I turned the corner there were already a few does in my food plot. I laid flat on my chest as I waited for them to give me a good shot then I took it! My shot was a bit low but when you are packing a 300 Magnum Rifle with ballistic tips it's usually not a problem! My trusty Yellow-Black Mouth Cur "Champ" sniffed him down for me. Fried Deer Steak! YUM!

Check out the pics from the weekend!

It's a Girl!!!

So yesterday my wife and I went to the doctor for her ultra sound to determine that the baby in her womb was first, was healthy then determine gender. Well, it looks like more pink will be sported in our home as we found out it is a girl!

Many people are surprised when I tell them of my wanting another girl instead of a boy. What they don't understand is "The King Doctrine" What is the "King Doctrine"?I was taught by Billy Hornsby years ago, "If you treat your wife (or daughters) like a queen they in turn will treat you like a king!" Now, that's what I'm talking about! So for now, I am able to hold to my supremacy in the home and not have to struggle for dominance with another male around! (at least for now)

So, I'm going to go out and enjoy this gorgeous Louisiana fall weather today and get back to providing meat for my home as I will lure off in the woods tomorrow morning to down a white-tailed deer ole school style with a smoke pole! (muzzle loader for you city folks)

Have a great weekend!

I will not be shaken

“Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, and we sent Timothyto visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep youfrom being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know we were destined for such troubles. Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come-and they did, as you well know.That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong.” I. Thes. 3:1-6

Verse 7-8, “So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord."

The believers in Thessalonica were experiencing persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ that was bringing “troubles and hardships” to their life.

“So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you.” (I. Thes. 1:6)

One of the concerns Paul had was whether or not the believers here would be “shaken” by these troubles and hardships. He was encouraged to find out that they had not!

We are living in a day where it seems “troubles and hardships” are surrounding us. With what seems to be the brink of one of the greatest financial crisis this nation has ever seen lurking on the horizon people are in panic and fear. People are seeing there IRA’s and 401(K)s literally being swallowed up overnight! It seems more and more ungodly people are openly speaking out against the faith with no shame whatsoever. With uncertainty of the future and the unknown of what lies ahead it has many people being tested to the core in their relationship with Jesus Christ!

We have to wonder as Paul did, “Will believers faith stand firm”? “Will people of the faith be shaken by what we see happening in the world?” Or will believers in spite of what is going on around us, stand firm in the faith and know that our trust is not in the things in the world but in the very one who created it!

David said in Pslam 16:8, “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Why was it that David would not be shaken? It was because he knew that the Lord was always with him and right beside him! He knew that no matter what was going on in his life or around him that the God of the universe would “never leave him nor forsake him” so therefore there was nothing that could come his way in which he would be shaken!

Guys, as we get closer and closer to the coming of Christ and as we see evil becoming more rampant I encourage you to stand firm in the Lord and let not your faith be shaken by the troubles and hardships we were destined for!

“In this world you will have troubles but take heart I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

KMCT "Fully Alive"

Seth Spillers and myself will be on KMCT's "Fully Alive" tonight airing at 7 P.M.

Seth is a student in our youth ministry and also a senior at Claiborne Christian School.

We will be talking about what all God is doing in the student ministry, school, and in our lives. Tune in tonight at 7 P.M.

Hope Street Ministries

"If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord-and he will repay you!" (Proverbs 19:17)

I just added a blog site to my blogroll to the right of this blogsite. Ricky Nolan and Hope Street Ministries (www.hopestreetministries.org) is a ministry that has been serving the poor both practically and spiritually faithfully for over twenty years!

Ricky Nolan has been leading this ministry that meets in downtown Monroe every Sunday afternoon at 4 PM.

I have served with this ministry on the street for many years in the past and still as I can help with the prison ministry as well. I cherish the relationship I have with Ricky Nolan (he was in my wedding as well). Part of who I am today is because of what I've learned serving and preaching with "Bro. Rick". He is a big man with a big heart!

Will you pray for this ministry and see what God would lead you to do to be apart?

"Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him." (Proverbs 14:31)

Fifth Quarter Fury!!!

We had 174 warm bodies in the R.D. Center of Family Church for this past Friday's E3 Student Ministries "Fifth Quarter Event" We had the craziest fear factor games in the world, ping pong, video games, dodge ball, walleyball, pizza, and of course-football! We shared Christ with them as a whole then had some chaos from about 8:30 PM to Midnight! (man, I'm getting old).

It is so exciting to see what God is doing with these Junior High and Senior High Students! We want to see these young people grow towards full-devotion!