THE
FMI REPORT– APRIL 2004
WORSHIP WARS, HAZEL HOUSTON, SEAN HANNITY AT NJFPC DINNER, NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S PASTOR
"WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE OF GOOD REPORT...
THINK ON THESE THINGS" PHIL. 4:8
Welcome! What
a pleasure it is to be in touch with you again. The FMI Report always
documents the previous month's activities. We would like to thank
all those of you who have been forwarding these messages to
your
friends and family.
In This Month's Report:
* Editorial - "Worship Wars"
* Feedback - great testimonies of God's power at work
* April
Events - some of the events we were involved with
* April
Ministry - our ministry activities over the last month
* Tips and Resources - Unshackled!
* Products - order "Watch What You Worship" DVD (see link below)
* Partnership - invest in God's program for the Northeast of
America
We would love to hear from you, so send us your feedback today. Don’t
forget the ever-popular 'GOD THOUGHTS' at the end of this report. Enjoy!
JB
JEFF BEACHAM'S EDITORIAL – Worship Wars
GOLD FEVER
On January 24, 1848, James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill, touching off the California gold rush. Thus began one of the largest human migrations in history, as a half-million people from around the world descended upon California in search of instant wealth. 'Gold fever' drove this frantic 'rush.' This precious metal was the prime natural commodity at the time. The demand, all around the world, was greater than the supply.
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
The stimulation of 'supply and demand' results in an exchange of 'goods' that someone needs from someone else who has them. In this swapping, both parties receive gratification. This basic business principle does not stand alone but mimics the very principles of the generation of life. Physical life comes as a result of some kind of mutual exchange.
SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY
Our western mindset, based on the Greco-Roman
culture, conditions us to think in a compartmentalized fashion, separating the
different aspects of our being. However, Hebraic thought, even though it
allows for defining spirit, soul and body as being distinct, does not
separate these but sees them as inextricably intertwined. If this holds
true, then the principles of life in the natural world must have
spiritual counterparts that cross over at some point. Therefore, we have
something that spiritual forces deeply desire, the 'gold' of the unseen
realm; our
worship!
THE PRIME COMMODITY
If worship is the prime commodity in spiritual dimensions, then the war over it has been going on since the fall of Lucifer. He was relieved of his post as prime worship leader in Heaven because of jealousy and pride over all the worship being focused on God. Created beings, Lucifer included, are not capable of handling worship when it is directed at them.
Paul and Barnabas knew this when they healed a crippled man in Lystra. They were horrified when the locals began to worship them, "When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they yelled out in the language of Lycaonia, 'The gods have turned into humans and have come down to us!' The people then gave Barnabas the name Zeus, and they gave Paul the name Hermes, because he did the talking. The temple of Zeus was near the entrance to the city. Its priest and the crowds wanted to offer a sacrifice to Barnabas and Paul. So the priest brought some bulls and flowers to the city gates. When the two apostles found out about this, they tore their clothes in horror and ran to the crowd, shouting: 'Why are you doing this? We are humans just like you. Please give up all this foolishness. Turn to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.'" (Acts 14:11-14 Contemporary English Version)
FOR HIS PLEASURE
The 'Eternally Existent One' is the only one Who is able, and entitled, to receive the worship He expects from His creation. Only a perfect being cannot be corrupted by the attention that worship brings, and the Lord is the only one, in all dimensions and in all times, Who can claim perfection. He created the universe for His pleasure, and His pleasure is worship. "...Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power [worship]: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Rev. 4:11 KJV).
THE PRIMARY WAR
All war began with the war over worship in Heaven that caused Lucifer to be cast down into the Earth, becoming Satan. However, his jealousy against God continued, competing for our hearts, from the Garden until today. Even the present war on terror, the culture war, the war against drugs or any other war, is ultimately over who will be worshipped. "Our leisure, even our play, is a matter of serious concern. There is no neutral ground in the universe: every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan." - C. S. Lewis.
But ultimately, we know that the 'father of lies,' and arguably 'the
father of wars,' has already been defeated 2000 years ago and that, in
the end, we win!
PROMOTIONS…
Hazel Houston
- On April 28, 2004. Hazel, beloved wife of Frank, founder of Sydney
Christian Life Centre (now the Hillsong Church), went to be with the
Lord. She was 82 years old. Hazel was also the cherished mother and
mother-in-law of Maureen and Brad, Graeme and Carolyn, Brian and Bobbie,
Beverley and Marcus, Judith and Stephen and their families.
Hazel was also a 'mother' and 'grandmother' to our family. She and Frank, whom I served
for many years in Australia before coming here to America, visited us
twice since we arrived in the USA five years ago. Hazel began her
ministry as a Salvation Army officer in New Zealand, where she met and
married Frank, who was also in the Army. After many years of ministry in
New Zealand, they moved to Australia in 1977 and founded Sydney
Christian Life Centre, a church that today has about 15,000 members.
Frank and Hazel were on their way to church on Sunday, April 25th when
they stopped at a local McDonalds, as they usually did, for coffee and a snack.
It was there that Hazel suffered a major heart attack from which she
never recovered. She passed on several days later. Our deepest
condolences to the Houston Family.
Our loss is Heaven's gain..... She will be
greatly missed.
APRIL EVENTS...
NJFPC Annual Defenders of the
Family Dinner - On Monday, April
27th, the New Jersey Family Policy Council held its annual fundraising
dinner. Among the guest speakers this year were Sean Hannity, one
of America's most popular radio and TV hosts, and Brett Schundler,
former mayor of Jersey City and candidate for New Jersey Governor.
This year's theme focused around the family and traditional marriage.
New Jersey is a key state on the battle front of the culture war, which
currently focused on traditional marriage, which is being challenged by the gay lobby.
The vision of the New Jersey Family Policy Council is to build New
Jersey into one of the best places in the world to raise a family by
exhorting our state to encourage, support, and uphold traditional
families. Our efforts will inspire our state to work toward having one
of the highest success rates in the nation of families that stay
together and go the distance. For more information go to:
http://www.njfpc.org
APRIL MINISTRY…
Last month,
we were at the following churches and events:
Frid 2nd & Sun, 4th – “The Power of His Love” Drama/Musical,
The Church of Grace and Peace, Toms River NJ
Sun 4th – Resurrection Church, Brooklyn, NY, Pastor Joseph Mattera
Sun 11th - The Church of Grace and Peace, Toms River, NJ, Pastor
Walt Healy
Sun 18th – Glory Tabernacle, Washington, DC, Pastors Dennis and
Donna Pisani
Frid 23rd - Game of Life Foundation, Bill Carlucci
Sun 25th - Abounding Grace Christian Center, Manhattan, NY, Pastor
Richard Del Rio
Frid 26th – Defenders of the Family Banquet, New Jersey Family
Policy Council
Thurs 28th - City Covenant Coalition's Annual Conference - Master
Strategies: ‘Becoming a World-Class Leader,' Calvary Cathedral of Praise,
Brooklyn, NY
"Not Your Grandmother's Pastor,"
so said the April 2004 edition of Charisma Magazine. "With his tattoos
and earring, New York City preacher, Rick Del Rio, has redefined what it
means to be Pentecostal. Navigating his classic Harley Davidson
motorcycle along congested streets in the East Village of lower
Manhattan, Rick Del Rio, senior pastor of Abounding Grace Ministries,
doesn't look like your grandmother's pastor. At 51, he sports a gold
earring, goatee, black leather vest, and tattoos on each arm and doesn't
apologize for any of them. The tattoos are a living sermon, proclaiming
'Jesus Christ Is Lord' and 'The Lion of Judah Has Conquered.'" I
ministered at Abounding Grace during the month of April. It is a vibrant
urban congregation with an average age of about 30. Their responsiveness
to the ministry was really encouraging. This church truly is a
contradiction to the Northeast's reputation for spiritual dryness.
TIPS AND RESOURCES…
Unshackled
- The popular radio program Unshackled, which shares real-life
testimonies through dramatization, is available online using Real
Audio. Listen to the life changing experiences of people such as
former Mafia members and professional baseball players.
http://www.botcw.com/cgi-bin/se/jump.cgi?ID=1818
Journey of Faith - An online way
to read the entire Bible in one year. There is no better time than
today to make a commitment to read the entire Bible
in one year.
http://www.botcw.com/cgi-bin/se/jump.cgi?ID=12
Leadership University - One place
to find resources to strengthen a biblical worldview - and to equip us
to teach others - is Leadership University. The best way to keep in
touch with the rich range of apologetic-type material, some
specifically for non-Christians, at LeaderU.com ("Truth on Demand") is
to sign up for their occasional update newsletter edited by Byron Barlowe:
http://www.leaderu.com/subscribe
A LIFE-CHANGING MESSAGE AVAILABLE THROUGH FMI...
WATCH WHAT YOU
WORSHIP
Few people know what
worship really is. Even in Christian churches, worship can be a
battleground marked with confusion, misconception and prejudice.
Most of us come to a church service with personal preferences and
expectations. Few of us have any clear idea of what the Lord expects
from our gatherings. When people don't know Who the true object of
their
worship should be, they will worship anything!
Learn how to be a true worshipper in spirit and in truth!
Available on DVD,
Video, CD, and audio cassette
Order online at: http://www.firepowerint.com/products.htm
BECOME A PARTNER WITH FMI...
FMI is a 'not for profit' organization which operates purely by faith. Please consider supporting
this great vision for spiritual awakening
in America and beyond. Donations are tax deductible.
BECOME A PARTNER WITH US IN ONE OF THE
FOLLOWING WAYS:
* CREDIT CARD (Print and mail this
form) * MAKE A DONATION AT A SECURE SERVER:
Name on Card: __________________________ Go to:
www.firepowerint.com and click on:
Full Address: ____________________________ "Secure Credit
Card Giving" or direct at:
City/Zip: _______________________________
http://www.firepowerint.com/donations.htm
State/Country: __________________________
Card Number: ___________________________
* MAIL: You can mail a monthly check to:
Visa, Mastercard, Discover _________________ FMI, 2 Route 37
West, Toms River, NJ 08753, USA
Expiration Date: ________ Ph # ____________
E-mail: ________________________________
* PHONE: (732) 349-1550, ext 205 to make a
Signature: ______________________________ donation using a
credit card (secure voice mail)
Check Jeff Beacham's schedule at: http://www.firepowerint.com/jeffsitinery.htm
I hope you will seriously consider joining us in this great adventure for Christ!
JEFF BEACHAM
Pastor
/ Evangelist
Firepower Ministries International
2 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08753
Ph.(732) 349-1550, ext. 205 Fax (732) 286-6311
Email:
info@firepowerint.com
Website:
http://www.firepowerint.com
REPRINT AGREEMENT: Duplication and re-transmission of original material in this report is permitted provided that complete source and website information is included.
©2004 - THE FMI REPORT IS THE MONTHLY COMMUNICATION OF NEWS FROM FIREPOWER MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL, THE MINISTRY OF JEFF BEACHAM top