Fear not the path of truth for the lack of people walking on it. - Arab proverb

INTRODUCTION
There's a popular maxim these days that says, 'what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." True Christianity can be defined in similar terms when it maintains that we are here on earth to overcome the tempting ease of the flesh, and that can only be accomplished by discipline, dedication and resolve. 

Much of our human creativeness and ingenuity has been aimed at serving humanity and making life easier, but there’s another proverb that says, ‘technology is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master.’ This is not to say that technology in itself is bad or evil. As always, it is the use of these things that determines their moral stance. But a growing by-product of our dependence on our ‘devices’ is that we have become soft.

Here in America we are losing our resolve and witnessing a generation arising similar to that which existed when the Roman Empire began to decline. A generation saturated and seduced by a culture of distraction. For the Romans it was the brutal spectacle of the Games in the Coliseum. Now the brutality is ‘virtual’ with violent video games, or contrived wrestling matches, which even though they are far from reality, still desensitize young minds.

UNDER LOCK AND KEY
The ethical and moral shifting sands promoted as ‘normal’ today will be a ‘Pandora’s box’ opened tomorrow, if current trends continue unabated. In this regard, Paul Valery recently made these succinct remarks; ‘A man who is of sound mind is one who keeps the inner madman under lock and key.’ It takes effort and resolve to learn to control ourselves, but our ‘it feels good, so do it’ generation has been encouraged not to make the investment. William Morrow put the same thought another way; ‘What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us!’ 

The inner unredeemed man is a spiritual ‘couch potato’ who will do anything to avoid any effort that might propel him higher towards a realm of greater spiritual strength. He innately knows what is right but is a slave to the flesh and never can find the resolve to go upward. He eventually looses his spiritual appetite and moral collapse soon follows. His flesh is continually pounded by persuasive ‘truths’ that spin him around so fast that he becomes giddy and can no longer stand up for righteousness. 

BITTER SWEET
Has the social upheaval in America over the last forty years produced any different result than what Adolf Hitler wrote about in his book ‘Mein Kampf’ (My Struggle) in the 1930s; "By means of shrewd lies, 
unremittingly repeated, it is possible to make people believe that heaven is hell – and hell heaven. The greater the lie, the more readily it will be believed." And yet Isaiah 5:20 says, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" 

WIDE IS THE GATE!
The easy way is not always the right way! These days, taking a stand for biblical truth can be like swimming up-stream. Sometimes people find it easier to go with the flow of the shifting sands of popular opinion. The contemporary idea of truth is like building a house on those same shifting sands. But Matthew 7:13-14 declares another way; ‘Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.’ It is precisely because a diminishing number walks the road of truth and righteousness, that true Christianity has the best chance of becoming a new counter-culture movement amongst today’s young radicals. It will be up to them to keep the lid on the box, to keep the genie in the bottle and to squash the enemy’s plans. #

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FEEDBACK...

"...Jeff, I just had a great conversation over lunch with a guy the other day and thought of you. He is graduating this December and I always wanted to tell him the gospel.  So I tracked him down for lunch and we talked for about 2 1/2 hours. We covered everything from philosophy to subjectivism to relativism to absolutism to you name it.  It was great, because though there are many similarities as far as great principles and  nuggets of wisdom to live by, from both my side (the bible, Jesus) and every philosophy he had been taught here at JMU, nothing could compare to my offer of an intimate love relationship with God, Himself... out of which  our very purpose of life stems from. So that was cool. I thought of you  because you always stress the importance of us young Christians to be up on our game... to have the ability to talk soundly about those philosophical things. Over my four years here, I've learned a great deal about all that, especially through my philosophy class in Costa Rica. God's also beginning to give me direction as far as my calling - just some pieces to the puzzle, I guess you could say. That's always exciting. I pray that God blesses you all this season with His love... I really hope to see you when I'm home. Lots of love, MELISSA LEONETTI"

"The focus of our 'New England Aflame' Conference was revival in our region.  We believe that the international mix of our speakers - Jeff Beacham originally from Australia and Arne Rudshaugen from Norway was a prophetic picture.  When revival breaks out in New England it will touch the nations of the earth because the nations have touched New England. Jeff Beacham’s testimony of how the revival in Australia began was a key to unlocking hope in many people’s hearts. Another key to seeing us breakthrough was acted upon that weekend. We believe that New England will have a significant role in financing this coming Jesus Revolution. We had the awesome opportunity to have an offering for the Israel Relief Fund which will send ship loads of food, clothes etc. to the poor in Israel.  Saturday night $24,000 was raised. Lord Jesus Be glorified in all that we do…JENNIFER DAVIS, RECEPTIONIST, GATEWAY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP"

 

"Dear Jeff, I'm not sure if you remember me from the conference just held at Gateway in New Haven, CT... I was really impressed with your capability to communicate with the humor the way you did.  I gained so much from that conference, I have always been very very spiritual even as a young child, but I needed to get the fire burning stronger within me and I feel you helped me to accomplish this and I want to thank you so much. God bless you, DIANE HEBERT, CONNECTICUT"

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DECEMBER  EVENTS

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ICA GATHERING, DALLAS TEXAS - The annual International Coalition of Apostles gathering took place in Dallas Texas early December. Some 350 key leaders from the US and many other nations attended. Hosted by Dr Peter Wagner, Chuck Pierce, John Kelly and others, it proved to be one of the most stimulating conferences I have attended in many years. I had a chance to catch up with several Australians who were present, including David and Marie Cartledge, Alan Langstaff and Tony Fitzgerald.

Dr Peter Wagner presided over four forums for three days dealing with such issues as: Historical Milestones on the Path to the Apostolic Reformation, Apostolic Ministry among Native Americans, Deliverance Ministries in The Apostolic Paradigm, Apostolic Power in Nigeria and Apostolic Covering and Sin in The Camp. Those taking part in the forums and discussions included: Cindy Jacobs, Bill Hamon, Alan Langstaff, David Cartledge, John Eckhart, Ted Haggard and Bart Pierce.

One of the most moving moments of the conference was a special but spontaneous time of reconciliation during the forum on 'Apostolic Ministry Among Native Americans.' Jay Swallow lead his panel of other Native American spiritual leaders to not only offer forgiveness but to also ask it of the white man for wrongs committed by Native Indians. Tears were flowing for everybody, including us Australians, who had no problem identifying with this issue due to similar circumstances with the Aboriginals of Australia.

Of note was the recognition by the conference that the only hope for the future of the American church is to adopt the new wineskin of Apostolic and Prophetic Leadership. Christianity is exploding in many parts of the world, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere ( Africa , South America and  Southeast Asia ) but is declining in the West ( Britain , Canada and the USA ). Western Democracy is perhaps the best form of secular government that humanity has produced but it must stop at the doorway to the church. The Kingdom of God is not run according to the principals of democracy but in line with the wishes and commands of the King.

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DECEMBER MINISTRY... 

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Last month we visited or ministered at the following places: 

 

Sun 1st - Gospel Fellowship, Plainsboro NJ, Pastor Margaret Clarke
Mon 2nd – Frid 6th - International Coalition Of Apostles, Dallas TX
Sun 8th - Resurrection Church, Brooklyn NY, Pastor Joe Mattera
Wed 11th -City Covenant Coalition Ministerial Forum, Resurrection Church Brooklyn NY, Pastor Joseph Mattera
Sun 15th - Abundant Life Worship Center, Whippany NJ, Pastor Joe Arminio
Sun 29th - Evangel Christian Church, Little Ferry, NJ Pastor Charles Miller

 

I had a wonderful time at Abundant Life Worship Center in Whippany NJ, with Pastor Joe Arminio. This key church of 800 is having a powerful impact on the north Jersey area. One affective outreach project they have is a gym that offers free membership to the whole community. Currently there are well over 400 members. On the Sunday we ministered here, I felt to speak on my message "Passing The Baton" which according to all reports, had a great impact particularly on the young people and their leaders.

 

 

 

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OTHER RESOURCES...

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JEFF BEACHAM  
  Pastor / Evangelist
  Firepower Ministries International 
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GOD THOUGHTS: "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world..."  - C.S. Lewis

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THE FMI REPORT IS THE MONTHLY COMMUNICATION OF NEWS AND EVENTS FROM FIREPOWER MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL,

THE MINISTRY OF JEFF BEACHAM