Author:

Higher Lord!

by Pastor Doc Adkins

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Back on the farm in Summers County there was a huge pasture field beside the old farm house. It gradually got steeper the further out you went and after a time you’d come to a huge knoll near the backside of the field. From there it was a long hill that went downward for a hundred yards or so. You get the picture? The great thing about this knoll was that it was a perfect place to fly a kite. March is kite flying weather because of the wind. March is also unpredictable. It can be sunny, raining, snowing and lots of wind all in the same day if not in a same hour.

Wind is a powerful thing and a must for kite flying. Without a good strong blowing wind, you’re just wasting your time. Prayer is a lot like an amazing wind. To know that we as Christians can tap into the almighty power of God just because we are His children is such a wonderful thing. Think about God’s power for a few moments.

We see it in creation, in the plagues of Egypt, in Daniel in the lion’s den, in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walking in the fiery furnace, in the miraculous story of Joseph’s safety, and in Noah and the flood. We pray to the same God and that should be exciting to us as Christians.

The power of prayer can lift us to new heights and we begin to fly like kites. We can sail along because we know we can bring our petitions and situations to an Almighty God who loves and cares for us, yet has the power to change things.

We can fly because God has the power to change our lives.
Think about Paul. Before he met Christ his name was Saul, and he went around persecuting Christians, but God changed him. Paul’s whole life was changed. His thoughts, attitudes, his whole mission in life changed for God’s glory. It’s the same God that has power to change us as well.

We can fly because God has the power to change those around us.
Is there someone you know whom you are concerned about in the area of salvation? Keep praying. Is there someone around you such as a family member or maybe even co-worker who seems to constantly bug you and get you down? Make them a matter of prayer. God can change the people around us.

We can fly because God has the power to change our circumstances.
Ever felt like your kite of life has hit a tree? I’ve been through my share of circumstances and I know first-hand that circumstances can knock the wind right out of your sails. With a few bad circumstances your kite can come tumbling down. You might not be able to do anything about those circumstances on your own but God can do something about them.

Look at how the circumstances changed in Joseph’s life. Remember how Joseph was put into a pit by his brothers and sold into slavery? He even ended up in prison, but God had a way of changing the circumstances for Joseph till he became the ruler over all that Pharaoh had.

That’s our God that did that. The same one we pray to is able to change the circumstances we face.

We can fly because God has the power to heal.
We have several examples in the bible of how Jesus healed the sick and lame. We have that same power available to us through prayer. Not only can Christ heal physically but He has the power to heal our hurts and feelings as well.

Maybe you feel like your kite has a big hole in it where someone wronged you or you’re going through a situation that is leaving you just torn apart and a little ragged inside. Your life may seem to be heading down in a spiral motion. Make it a matter of prayer and let that wonderful healing power of Christ lift you back up into the air again.

We can fly because God has the power to sustain.
Maybe you feel like your kite of life got stuck in the telephone wires somewhere along the way and you’re absorbing just a little bit too much shock. God has the power to lift you above that and sustain you. I think of Joseph again. He endured a lot but God brought him through it.

Look how David relied on God’s strength when Saul was seeking to kill him. David prayed and cried out continuously to God and God brought him through all of that. We still have the same God to sustain us as we fly through life. He gives us the strength and courage to keep flying along.

Look at Paul and his ailment that seemed to just be a continual bother to him. What did God show him?

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Conclusion: It really encourages me to think about these things that God has the power to do in our lives, in our circumstances, and in the lives of others around us.

When we think all we can do is float down, down, down, we need to tap into that awesome power of God by way of prayer. With prayer we can be lifted to new heights. BUT! The only way to reach these heights is to loosen the strings that binds us and let God take us where His wind leads us.

So, how’s your prayer life flying?

Glow Kids are Meeting Again!

a note from Jim Adkins

Greetings Church Family!

We are excited to begin ministering again to the children in our communities. Debbie King, Melissa and myself will begin the GLOW Kids ministry on Wednesday night, February 6th! We are now making contacts with kids and their parents. I will be driving the BIG WHITE VAN and picking kids up every Wednesday night! Will you join with us and begin praying for this ministry outreach? And would you pray about more workers – we know, the more kids we reach, the more adult workers are needed. Debbie King, Melissa, Pastor Doc and several others have been working on the THIRD floor, getting the rooms set up and prepared for kids, ages Kindergarten to 5th grade! We are so blessed with a great building to serve the community and minister to our children.

Here are the details:

  • Ages K-5th Grade.
  • 6 PM every Wednesday night.
  • VAN pick up available for transportation.
  • Our passion is to love these kids, share God’s Word with them, have fun and create a safe place for them!

If you know any kids that need picked up, please call/text, Jim Adkins (209) 890-5326 (or you can also call the church office).

Illuminate

by Rev Tim Mitchem

2019 has brought change to our student ministries. But we serve a God of change, that makes all things new. With Ryan’s resignation and call to another ministry, God worked on my heart to step back into a passion I have, youth ministry. Since coming in June, I have enjoyed being a part of the family at First Baptist, and have slowly begun to use the gifts given to me. I enjoy being with my best friend Doc and supporting his ministry, but I believe one reason I came to Beckley First was for this time!

I am so excited to see what this year brings to the students of Illuminate. We are continuing with Sunday school each week, we have a lesson and plan some time to talk and fellowship as well. Sunday night is being branded as 4th Floor Worship; we have live student led worship, and a sermon that I am working on each week for the students. We also will have fellowship time and allow them to express their relationship with God, and encourage each other. We also meet for a Tuesday night bible study. Currently we have been at the Chocolate Moose, but may also go to a few other places including the New Chick-Fil-A on Harper Road. This bible study is currently going through the book of James and discussing growing our faith and accepting the challenges that the book holds.

We are also planning some activities such an escape room, bowling, skating, movies, lock ins, scavenger hunts, and lots of social and fun things. I want to help our youth see that God cares about every side of them; physical, spiritual, emotional, social, and mental. I also want to help them see they are a part of the body of Christ and the Beckley First Baptist Church. I hope to plan some things where different generations can share with each other and that you can get to know the awesome people with in our group. I will have events planned better for March to put in next month as well.

We also want to get parents and grandparents involved! We will be having a meeting to lay out a vision for our group and get some feedback. We also would love any help and volunteers to help carry out what God wants us to do. We will have a schedule in next month’s Beam to let you know of more events, until then, pray for our students, us, and that God is glorified.

The Month of Love

by Helen Greene

February is thought of as a month of love. I think of our backpack kids and wonder if they are loved as all children should be. I certainly hope they are.

God’s love causes us to care about others especially children. God has blessed our Backpack Ministry. He blesses us through your donations of food and money. He blesses us with willing volunteers who give their time to pack and deliver the food. He blesses us when he hears our prayers for these children.

May God bless each of you for your help making this ministry possible. If you feel led, we could also use your help packing these backpacks. We usually meet on Wednesday morning’s and it only takes about an hour or so. Please see Helen if you can lend a hand.

Please donate cans of pasta with meat for the month of February.

Grace Undeniable

by Robert A Wendell

“Do Not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings; for it is well for the heart to be strengthened by grace. But, grow in the knowledge of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (Meanwhile), God, himself, will restore, support, strengthen and establish you.” (Hebrews 13:9, 2 Peter 3:18, I Peter 5:10 NRSV).

Grace seems to be the one word in a Christian vocabulary that unlocks the necessity and the power of the relationship between the Almighty and humankind. Still, there are those moments when we doubt that unique connection.   I may not be doing the most exciting things with my days, but in the middle of those highs and lows and downright monotonous chores, one thing remains true:  I am here for a purpose – a mission.  And the mission is to glorify God.  God in all I do.  God in all I say – and in every word I write.

Grace provides ‘the wind beneath my wings.’  Grace is the oil that makes everything run smoothly and gently.  Having a graceful flow to the day or the week doesn’t just come from having a laid-back attitude.  It comes from understanding that grace is God – generated and heaven – sent.

Grace is flexible.  Grace trumps fear and worry with the sure notion that the Lord is at the spiritual helm of our lives.  After all, each one of us is a reflection of God’s all-intelligent control.  Even in pressure-packed times, it’s wise to wait on our Maker.  Feeling grace helps me pursue what seems the right move for that moment.

Grace means there is nothing I can do to make God love me more.  He invites me to sit at His table.  Grace also helps me feel more gracious, looking outward toward others first.  As we actively run toward the Divine and make room for grace, order and pace can ‘flow like a river.

Jerry Bridges, author for the Navigators Discipleship Organization wrote, “Our worst days are never so bad that we are beyond the reach of grace.  And our best days are never so good that we are beyond the need of God’s grace.”

Things You Might Not Know About Beckley First Baptist

  • We have a very active prayer chain ministry.  Call the church office at 304-253-4252 if you have a prayer concern or if you wish to be added as a prayer warrior to one of our three prayer chains.
  • We have a birthday list and birthdays are listed every month here in the BEAM as well as receiving a birthday card from Pastor Doc. If you would like your name added, please contact the church office.
  • We have a mass email messaging system for cancellations or other important events as well as reminders of board and committee meetings.   If you would like to be included, drop an email to the church at [email protected] with your name and email address and we will be glad to add you to the list. 
  • If for any reason church services are cancelled, it will be shown on WVVA TV’s closing announcement that usually scroll at the bottom of the TV screen. 
  • We also collect used printer ink cartridges to be recycled at Staples.  We receive $2.00 for each cartridge and this helps in purchasing office supplies.   They can be left in the church office on the long counter. 

ABW February Update

The Lizzie Lewis Circle meets the first Thursday of each month at 1:00 pm here at the church. They are an active group of ladies who carry on the mission of the American Baptist Women by being involved in various mission projects through the ABW Ministries as well as mission projects right here in Beckley.  They are also involved in a project of collecting used postage stamps. So save your used postage stamps and leave them in the church office in the container on the counter.

Join these ladies on the first Thursday of the month at 1:00 p.m. and see what all the fun is about.

Helping Hands Continues Its Mission

We continue to need toilet paper, bar soap and winter clothing.  Donations can be either delivered to Helping Hands Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 until noon or left in the large black container outside the church office.  We are still in need of volunteers to help out.  Contact them at 304-253-3467 if you can donate even a few hours a week.  If you shop at Kroger, check out their Community Rewards page at Kroger.com. You can select Helping Hands and a portion of our purchase is donated to them.  Contact the church office if you have any questions on this program.

As always, please keep us in your prayers as we continue to minister to the less fortunate in Raleigh County.  

Operation Christmas Child 2019

by Debbie Vanaman

Well the month of January certainly was a snowy and cold month.  So for the month of February we will continue to collect bar soap and washcloths.  Collection boxes will be in Fellowship all and the Welcome Center for your your donations.

Once again, as always, I ask you to keep this mission in your prayers as they continue to spread the love of Jesus Christ through something as simple as a shoebox.  God bless you all.

America for Christ Offering 2019

Our goal is $1,500

The America for Christ Offering is the American Baptist response to the needs of home missions within and beyond the local congregation in witness and service for Christ as mandated by the Great Commission.

The Lord Jesus Christ intends for every member of the church to do the work of the ministry. The intention of ministry is to build up each other’s faith and love. God’s design is to use human support and encouragement to sustain the faith of God’s children and to lighten the burdens they bear in the service of love for their community.

American Baptists minister as God’s heart and hands, healing the broken and the downtrodden. Congregations and individuals serve on the front lines of local communities, opening wide our doors, intervening amid the messiness, healing the broken-hearted, and caring for others amid disaster and devastation.

There are contribution envelopes located in the pew racks in the sanctuary for your donation.