Pastor Gary Beal's Thoughts

God's Favor

2010-08-04T11:04:00.004-05:00

Proverbs 8:35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

There isn’t one of us that doesn’t desire favor. We want favor with people, family, jobs and most of all favor with God.

We have instruction in God’s Word on how to go about it.

Proverbs 3:1-6

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Favor isn’t “good luck” but it is a Devine intervention of God to accomplish His perfect will for your life.

Favor will cause you to get a job you never thought possible, find the companion of a lifetime, live a long and peaceful life.

God will shield you, comfort and preserve you all the days you live. God will make the impossible –possible!

Are you seeking the favor of God?

Acts 17:26-27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

Pastor

Keep your Joy!

2010-06-11T11:09:00.001-05:00

Summertime – How Great!!!

Everyone seems happy -

Happy to be out of School,

Happy for that vacation about to come,

Happy to be outdoors,

Happy for Ice Cream, swimming, boating,

There is a difference in Happiness and Joy. Happiness is determined by our circumstances and Joy comes from within. Happiness is temporal; have you ever noticed someone or possible yourself that you began in Happiness but lost it during the course of the day. Happiness seems to be controlled by our circumstances and emotions.

Psalms 30:5b weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Joy comes from knowing our sins have been washed away by the Blood of Jesus Christ and we have Eternal Life. What more could we want? What Joy that brings! That Joy continues to flow in all life’s confusion. It is Eternal!

The Bible says in Nehemiah 8:10 – {The Joy of the Lord is our Strength.}

We can remain in His Joy because we remember all He has done for us. Give God the Praise for not only saving us but keeping us.

Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.

So there is no place in grumbling and complaining. That attitude gives the devil a place to come in and rob us of our joy.

Give God a place to work in you and through you.

John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

So, Keep the Joy of the Lord.

John 16:21-22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Mothers and Women of God

2010-05-03T23:26:00.005-05:00

All Mothers deserve recognition and appreciation all year long but especially on “Mother’s Day”. It’s a command of God in Deuteronomy 5:16
Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

A day in the life of a Mother is filled with family needs, household duties, errands and last minute interruptions.

This is nothing new it has been going on for a long time. We read in
Proverbs 31:10-31

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

What an excellent wife and mother! She has strong character, great wisdom, many skills and great compassion. We could all learn from her example.

One thing is quite clear her strength and dignity didn’t come from her amazing achievements but her reverence to God. Surprisingly her appearance is never mentioned.

What a difference from today’s thinking where physical appearance counts for much.

The question is asked—“who can find a virtuous woman?” There is a great need for exceptional women of God today. Grandmothers, Mothers, Daughters striving to be better, not satisfied with a hum drum average life. That takes qualities of a virtuous woman – hard work, respect of spouse, foresight, encouragement, care of others, concern for thempoor, wisdom in handling money and most of all the fear of God. These qualities lead to enjoyment, success, honor and worth.

It would be hard if not impossible to do all the things the woman in scripture fulfilled, there are not enough hours in our day. But we can be the best we can be.

We can live our lives not an imitation of someone else’s. We can honor the Lord by living a life pleasing to Him and productive for the Kingdom of God.

Verse 30 - Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

In His Amazing Love,

Nan

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

2010-03-04T21:49:00.001-06:00

Make a difference Mondays!

We go through this life in our daily routine and don’t see how we can make a difference or do any good. God has promised us whatever we have done to even the least; we have done it unto Him.

Matt 25:34-40 (KJV)

³⁴ Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
³⁵ For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
³⁶ Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
³⁷ Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
³⁸ When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
³⁹ Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
⁴⁰ And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Jesus is reminding us the acts of kindness we do are things we should be doing everyday to those around us. These acts do not depend on our wealth, ability or intelligence. They are simple acts of mercy and kindness to meet the simple needs of others. Jesus is asking us to get personally involved in caring for others.

We want to change the world! What are we waiting for? Let’s get started NOW before it is too late. It can start with one person. Will you be the ONE?

This is March Make A Difference Mondays. We are asking you to find a need and meet it, every Monday in March. We can start with Mondays in March and enlarge our vision to make a difference every day. Acts of kindness and giving are particularly pleasing to God. They may go unnoticed by others but never by Him.

Heb 13:16 (TLB)

Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to Him.

Make a difference in some one’s life!

Pastor

LOVE

2010-02-06T23:08:00.002-06:00

There is a 4-letter word that is always associated with our happiness—and in February on Valentine’s Day.

LOVE

Isn’t it great when we love and we get love back? But that doesn’t always happen, even when we are speaking of God.
Oh, not on His part He is always giving His love to us but unfortunately we don’t always show our love to God or to others.

I John 4:9&10 says---------------In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten
Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent
His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Such a Great Love for us!!! He goes on to say in verse 11------------Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one
another.

So, it’s up to us to show that love to those around us. Not just on Valentine’s Day but every day. Let’s make a habit of not
only saying “I LOVE YOU” but showing “I LOVE YOU”.

The next time someone mistreats you respond with LOVE.
The next time something unfair happens to you respond with LOVE.
The next time you are rejected respond with LOVE.

We all want LOVE so let’s start giving it and showing it. Then we will experience GOD’S LOVE in its fullness.

Pastor

NEW BEGINNINGS

2010-01-07T21:36:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year!!!

We are starting a new season and a new year.

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

¹ To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
² A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
³ A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
⁴ A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
⁵ A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
⁶ A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
⁷ A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
⁸ A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Timing is important. God has a plan for all of us. HIS time and purpose for everything.

As we go into another season, year or cycle of our lives, we can know God is with us.

We may face many different circumstances or problems in this coming year. These

are opportunities to discover God is there to provide solutions and the help we need.

We can learn to accept and appreciate GOD’s perfect timing.

I hope and pray you will get God involved in everything in your life, all the time.

Pastor

CELEBRATE!!!

2009-12-01T13:54:00.003-06:00

CELEBRATE!!!

It’s official we’re right in the middle of one of the greatest Holiday Seasons of the year. It’s time to Celebrate that God in all HIS MAGESTY and MYSTERY would send HIS SON wrapped in humanity and bring JOY TO THE WORLD!!!

Throughout these next few weeks, I hope and pray you can keep your focus on the real meaning of CHRISTMAS.

Everything should seem a little bit brighter, better, beautiful and blessed!

Just as JESUS CHRIST came into the world and brought light and life------

Let HIM come with that same Spirit and fill your heart this CHRISTMAS SEASON!!!

Pastor

Give Thanks

2009-11-18T17:43:00.004-06:00

Hebrews 13:15 - By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Continually-means just that-continually!!! We usually give God thanks for our food before we eat and we may even thank Him for the clothes we wear and the home we live in. Sometimes we thank Him for the bright sunshine and the air we breathe. Around Thanksgiving we count our Blessings and think of all God has done.

We need to realize every good thing in our lives comes from God and He deserves our praise - Not only for what He has done and given us but because of who He is!

Psalms 100 - ¹ Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

² Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

³ Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

⁵ For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

A poet once wrote “Thou hast given so much to me, Give one thing more-a grateful heart.”

Gratefulness is the root of Contentment and Peace.

We should be like David and say—“His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

God Bless and Keep you and have a “Happy Thanksgiving”.

In His Amazing Love

Pastor

SEEING CLEARLY

2009-11-04T15:40:00.007-06:00

I had my eye surgery yesterday and all went well. Praise the Lord!

Prior to my eye surgery, I saw everything in a blur (out of focus).

After the surgery, everything is clear (in focus).

Just like in life, many things can cause us to be out of focus.

When we have wrong motives, selfishness, lusts, situations

And circumstances we can’t see the way through blind us.

The world has caused Christian views and values to become

blurred. We must bring things into focus.

My vision was made clear in the natural and spiritually

our vision can be made clear too.

We can ask God to open our eyes to see as He sees.

Willing to open our eyes and our hearts to His Will.

Get our focus off us and on God and those around

us that need our Help, Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness.

In His Amazing Love,

Pastor

2009-10-27T20:29:00.000-05:00

I’m Going On Praying

This Sunday we will continue the series

“I’m Going On --- No Matter What people might say.”

Daniel was faced with a life threatening choice to continue to pray to God or obey the command of men.

Daniel 6:10

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house, and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Daniel chose to keep on praying to God no matter what. Like Daniel we also faced with same decisions today.

We must choose a life commitment to prayer. Stand and say, “There is NO government, organization, media, or group of people that can stop us from praying to Jehovah our Heavenly Father!”

Keep praying no matter what you are facing this week. God will bring you through for His Glory.

In His Amazing Love – Pastor Gary

Let's Get Started!

2009-10-13T15:04:00.004-05:00

Greetings in the Love of Jesus Christ our Lord!

We are beginning something new here at ALM. It’s about time we caught up with everyone else in this “blogging world”.

Just wanted everyone of you to know we have some new ways to communicate and hopefully get some answers to questions you may have.

Every week I’ll be posting some thoughts - both Spiritual and Personal . . . so please send me yours!

We seem to be living in a very upside down society – where good is evil, right is wrong, and morality is corrupt - but God is still on HIS Throne.

He never changes. Styles, hair, clothing, and weather may change but there is one constant – Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever!

So, no matter what is going on around us, we have that assurance.

My series this month is “Going On No Matter What People Might Say”.

Hope and pray you have a blessed week in the Lord!

In His Amazing Love – Pastor Gary