Orville R. Beckford Ministries Podcast: "CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE-NO EXCEPTIONS!"

Join my conversation with Patricia Cheung as we talk about Christian suffering and persecution in North Korea and China. This is a conversation for everyone to listen. There is so much to learn. I have learned a lot especially finding out that in the 20th century the capital of North Korea "Pyongyang" was called the "Jerusalem of the East" because of how Christianity had taken hold of the area. It is incredible to know that it could move from then to now with this strangle hold on Christianity. You have to listen to get a grasp of what I am trying to tell you.

There are at least two ways that God will adjust himself for you. One, if he made you a promise, nothing can prevent him from bringing it to pass. He will adjust himself to make it happen. He honors his word above his name. Two, if you are faithful to him, he rewards faithfulness. That means, you can come to him with confidence and a clear conscience when you are making your requests known. Stand still and watch him work!

Jesus spoke to his disciples in parable about a sower who went to sow seeds, and he described four types of surface that the seeds fell on. He spoke to them in parables because it was given to them to understand parables. Unfortunately some were not meeting the requirement. Then he explained to them that the seed represented the word of God, and the results or consequence of the soil. Listening to that thought, the question we must answer is, what type of soil is our heart when the word of God falls on, or in it.

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort: who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). The apostle encourages us to find comfort for ourselves in God's power and ability, and use that experience and confidence to comfort others. The key is, we must prove it first and then share it.

Wouldn't it be great if when we need God for a specific purpose we could identify the appropriate name to address him? I believe that would make it more personal. It's like communicating with someone that you know and can address him with his name. There is nothing wrong with calling God what you want, or by a familiar name we all use. However, knowing some additional names of God and what they stand for will allow us to call him by that name for specific reasons or needs. That's what this podcast addresses.

Where do you have the word of God, in your heart, or on your heart? That's where this thought is focused. There is a vast difference in the two positions or places. It is paramount that the word of God is in our hearts because, if it's not, it will have no effect or impact on our lives and conduct. When we look at what David said in Psalm 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Not only that hiding God's word in our heart prevents us from sinning against God, but it also gives us strength in battles, hope in despair, faith in times of doubt. It helps us to be patient, tolerant, and keeps our hearts sanctified.

Sometimes we feel like the odds are against us even when God has made us a promise. If that is how you feel you are not alone. We have seen many instances in the Bible that we can draw from to learn never to underestimate God's ability to execute what he has promised. My hope is that this podcast will inspire you to keep holding on to God's promises even when it seems like it's too late and odds are too high against you. If you are blessed and inspired, share it with a friend. You might be the one to give them hope and confidence that God is not through with them yet.

Are you still fighting? Well, if you are still fighting, guess what? You have not lost the battle. And if have not lost the battle, there is not reason to stop fighting. Remember, winning is not for quitters, but for the brave. It doesn't matter who, what, where, why, and for how long you have been in the fight. If punches are still being thrown, the fight continues, and you have equal opportunity to win. Sometimes we exhaust our resources and cry that we cannot do anymore, but often is at that point God steps in and pull us through, reminding us that the battle does not belong to us. Listen and share!

If we are going to be strong, effective, and able to encourage ourselves at this time, we need a good understanding of the philosophy of Christianity and the philosophy of the culture that drives this generation, an dhow we may break through some of the rejectionist approaches to the truth of Christianity. There is no one-size-fits-all in presenting the gospel to a vast multicultural and perverse generation. Therefore, Peter encourages us to "Sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, and be ready to give an answer to every man who asks us the reason of the hope we have with meekness and fear..." 1 Peter 3:15-17

This is reintroducing my podcast with a new branding "Caught In The Middle." According to C.S. Lewis, "No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good. A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is." The discussion of being Caught In The Middle is applicable to every human being with the cognitive ability to make decisions, pick sides, or choose between good and evil. Stay tuned to the journey of many episodes of Caught In The Middle.