Have you ever been called or felt called to do something but because you didn’t want to undertake the assignment or know how to begin it you tried to ignore it or even run from it. I’ve been reading about Jonah and it’s quite interesting. I won’t tell you the whole story but...
Listen to the song written by Chicago’s own Christopher LeMark dedicated to Derrion Albert who was brutally killed in Chicago. Listen as he talks about the senseless violence and sends a message of change to young people involved in those activities.
I’ve been to and in over 12 weddings in the last year and a half and I’m very happy for all my friends. I pray them great favor over their lives and marriages. First let me state that I think marriage is a wonderful thing. I have the rare privilege to state that I’ve had the best example of a successful marriage I could ever imagine, my parents. They’ve been married 30 years and although everything hasn’t been perfect they have have been a perfect example of a God-centered relationship between a husband and wife.
I guess that’s why I have taken my time and will continue to do so. I want God to lead and direct me in all my decisions including this one. I understand that a wife, for me, will be the key component in me achieving a large part of God’s purpose over my life so I definitely don’t want to rush it. I walk by faith; God has always been very specific in the moves he’s wanted me to make. So I’m certain that this too will happen in His time and at His discretion.
Most people have assumed that because of my past relationships I would have been married by now and when women meet me they usually wonder why I’m not already married (like 29 is old or something, lol) but I operate in faith and when you do that you truly try not to make any decision without God’s guidance especially life altering ones. I think people have taken God out of this decision. Many have put temporal constraints on marriage like it’s a rent-to-own lease. You know, “we’ve dated for 2 or 3 years so now it’s time” but it doesn’t work like that if you operate faithfully. I don’t think it takes forever but there are outside circumstances that make the relationship development progression different from couple to couple. If you are in a relationship don’t let any outside source convince you that you should progress to marriage without prayer and a Word from the Lord.
Obviously there is a component missing in marriage and that decision to get married. That’s why so many end in divorce. I truly believe we allow the emotion of love and sometimes even infatuation interfere with the spiritual guidance of the holy spirit. That must change. We have to rely on God to move us in this important covenant with another person.
Personally, almost all of my close friends’ parents have been married for 30-45 years and they have been great examples of making it work through trials, triumph, and tribulation.. I want that.
A picture of hope
Have you been in a holding place lately? You know, a place where it just doesn’t seem like much is happening and you’re struggling to be patient because you want something new to happen in your life immediately. I think we’ve all been there. I know recently I’ve felt like I’m just not using all the gifts God has given me at work and I’ve questioned whether or not I’m operating in His purpose or running a rat race. I’ve just felt like a change must be on the way because life can’t be this mundane. Well this week I’ve had friends speak to my life in this area and I felt it necessary to share.
One friend found a lost family member after many years. A few weeks earlier this same friend spoke of the desire to find the lost family member but had no clue how. My friend had done the internet searches and had just about lost hope that finding the lost family member would ever occur. Just when my friend thought it may be a lost cause my friend received a call the phone rang and it was someone who had located the long lost family member. When I was a kid it used to amaze me how when God decides to perform a miracle He does so in a manner that you know it was only him. You see my friends lost family member had only got online 4 days ago and that it only took four days from that step for a family to find it’s lost member who had been looking for years But God!
I have a cousin who many years ago lost contact with the family. Growing up she was the cousin I looked up to the most. She was a few years older, smart (matter-of-fact the 1st to graduate from a 4 year University in my family), funny and had one of the kindest spirits you could encounter. Many things went on in the family and we lost contact with her. Yesterday she found my sister and added her as a friend on Facebook and last night I added her as a friend on Facebook. Our uncle passed away in March and at the funeral I actually told my mother that I missed my cousin and wished she was there. My mother told me to pray and continue to pray and that in time God would make it happen. Yesterday after nearly 8 years He did. But God!
Today I met for lunch with a young man who has a vision to change the city of Gary Indiana. We met to talk about initiatives I could help him with and in doing so, we sat across the table exchanging ideas of vision and ways to execute things to change lives. We talked about God and how the divine architect builds on top of solid foundations. We talked about how he allows people to cross paths at particular times after going through specific things to help each other accomplish His purpose. We talked about waiting on God and being patient. We talked about hope and ways share our message with people in our communities. Needless to say it was a great lunch but from it again I witnessed God doing a work. My friend talked with me about how to maximize my effectiveness as a leader. It was a Word I needed and received. But God!
These are only three examples but their are numerous examples of God operating in lives of those who have faith. Hebrews 11:1 says “NOW faith is being sure of what we have hoped for and certain of what we do not see. “Webster’s defines faith as simply belief. So, God is operating in the lives of those who believe.
I know that this faith thing seems so complex at times. I think we make it much more difficult then it needs to be. We complicate it with doctrine, rules, and denomination when God just wants us to believe in him blindly and his son Jesus. I choose to live a life based in hope and assuredness. I choose to live one that resides in the fact that God is alive and this because he sacrificed his son Jesus Christ for our sins and he rose from the dead. I am committed to traveling this road of hope and faith and I don’t want to take any other path. I choose this road because it’s along this path that you see God’s miracles big and small. It’s along this road that you meet people who refuel you, give you tools you need down the road, and encourage you to continue on your journey. The road of hope is one not littered with the pot holes of doubt and insecurity. I encourage you to travel this road. God Bless You
I used to get frustrated when I was under attack. You know, when you get to that “throw in the towel point” but now I understand that it’s the enemy trying to throw me off track. We all have a preordained purpose that God has uniquely equipped us to accomplish. Your skill set can be used in kingdom building. God needs promoters, accountants, IT people, organizational developers and ministers all the like! When I feel that way now I have to bunker down and lock myself away with God and pray harder because I know that means I’m close to walking through the door of God’s favor.
Let me share something with you… recently I’ve been really struggling at work. I’m in sales and of course with the economy being down people are hesitant to buy anything or make any changes that they think will cost them money. I sale advance diagnostics to doctors and it’s been rough the last few months. It was starting to seem as if no matter how hard I tried I just wasn’t able to bring in business like I was when I started. It had even gotten to the point where I’d heard rumors of my effort being scrutinized and my skill-set being criticized. The week before last we did a week long fast as a family (my parents, sister, and myself) for new provision for the visions and things God has given us to do individually and as a family. We agreed that God has a great work in us and that we would be granted the things (health, finances, strength) we needed to accomplish that work soon. Sure enough yesterday I closed an account valued at about 60k a month. Soon after they told me that they would soon be purchasing another clinic of equal size. In 1 day I went from being questioned about performance to being praised for my diligence and effort. Today I got a call about a aptitude test I took at work. I was told I did extremely well and that they want to review the results with me and define what I want to do at the company. (he will make your enemy your footstools)
I learned all over again that we just have to trust him. I know it’s difficult. I know the many distractions of work, family, friends, stress, life, and etc come in our lives and make it very noisy at times. I’ve been getting numerous messages of confirmation that if you can be still in all that noise and wait on God he will faithfully provide an abundance. A good friend sent me an email about Luke 1:13. The story talked about Zecharia and Elizabeth before the birth of John the Baptist.
- Before their need is mentioned, their character is defined.(verse 6) This goes hand in hand with James 5:16… The effective fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much.
- God hears your petitions and when he answers them, he magnifies your expectations (verse 7) He can do exceedingly and abundantly more than we ask him to do.
- Zechariah was chosen to burn the incense which was an exclusive honor. He thought that would be the highlight of his life until the angel came to tell him about the baby he would have who would prepare the way for the Savior.
He didn’t understand his ways (choices and things he perceived would be the best of his life) were not God’s ways. Don’t underestimate God’s ability. (verse 8-10)
- Zechariah had to be “gripped with fear” in order for God to get his attention (verse 12) Sometimes he uses adversity to get our attention
- The baby was named John, the name given to him from heaven. We should not want anything in our lives that God didn’t name (verse 13)
- Zechariah had to be silenced because his voice/lack of faith could have jeopardized his blessing (verse 20) SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO SIT BACK BE QUIET AND LISTEN FOR HIM!
For Zechariah it took silence for him to experience the manifestation of God’s blessing and favor.. the birth of his son his greatest honor and blessing!… Sometimes God is waiting on us to quiet our lives down enough for him to do the same for us.
Sorry for the length of this but I just wanted to share. Hope it blesses you.
Jeff Beckham
To Whom Much is Given
Jeff Beckham
I woke up this morning and I thought about writing a blog about many different things. I wanted to write about forgivness or God’s call on our lives but when I began typing I kept hearing him say, “To Whom Much is Given Much is Required.” Today was one of those days where everything tried to prevent me from going to church. My clock didn’t go off, then my clothers weren’t ironed, and finally I even told myself that it was ok to miss today because I go every week. You know about those days, those days where you wake up and nothing is wrong you just struggle to find the motivation to go.
Then I heard God say, “get up and go even if you’re late.” He said, “haven’t I provided for you, haven’t I given you all you needed and you won’t go hear the word I have for you.” I got up and got dressed and made it in time to sit in the overflow room.”
When I arrived the preacher asked the congregation to open their bibles to 1 Samuel 25. It’s the story of David and the greedy man Nabal. David had been protecting Nabal’s men and his land. When David sent his servants to ask for food and water Nabal cursed David’s men and sent them back empty handed. When David heard he was incensed and gathered all his men to head down to kill Nabal and his household. Abigail, Nabal’s wife, got word and gathered a great feast. She got on the road and met David. When she met David and his army who were armed and ready to kill Nabal’s entire house including his servants and their family, she spoke wisdom to David. She kept him from shedding innocent blood and told David to let God handle Nabal. David’s anger subsided and he took her offering and went home. When Abigail went home Nabal was sloppy drunk having a great feast. She waited until the next morning to tell him what she had done. When she told him that she took food and offerings to David the Bible says Nabal’s heart turned to stone instantly and ten days later he died.
Giving is a Godly act. It’s something God asks us to do as people who believe in His Word. Whatever you sow that shall you also reap.
I must admit that for years I would rationalize giving. I would say Lord I have these bills and mortgages and God I just can’t afford it. As I grow in faith I understand that as long as I continue to rationalize my giving, God will ration His. You see he wants to see what we do with what we have now before he gives us our 3000 sheep, 30, 60, 100 fold blessings, or our millions. We pray for abundance but if we aren’t spiritually mature in the area of giving God will not give us the abundance we ask for. I know what you’re thinking though, “when I have more I can give more” but my life is a testimony that the more you get the more expenses you have and that unless you buckle down and begin to be obiedient in what God has asked of you the “more” won’t be enough either. I’ve seen it personally as God has tripled my salary in just 6 years yet on a persentage basis I was giving the same as I did when I was fresh out of college in 2003. Ten percent of out time, our resources, and our money is all God asks for. God will give it back to you. Don’t live with a heart of stone because tomorrow’s not promised. Make the most of today.
