Beth AK

Do you know what the first act of hospitality was in New Testament times when a traveler came into a man’s house? Mostly they traveled by foot, they wore sandals and the very first act of hospitality was to draw a container of water so the guest could wash his feet. In the Bible days the people came to people’s houses, not by limousine or by car. They came by foot path. And they walked on the same foot path as the cows. And so, every now and then, when they stepped down, you know what they stepped in. And this was evening. And usually, that’s why people would wash one another's feet. It was customary to wash your feet. Simon didn’t do that that night. You can read it in all four of the gospels. And Jesus feet were not washed. And also the welcome kiss was withheld. And the anointing oil was withheld. You know, that anointing oil was perfumed. So it was sort of like a deodorant, and people that came in from the heat of Palestine, they smelled good. That’s why they did that. B...

JJj JThe holiest man in human history, judged as the worst man in Hebrew history, died a shameful and painful death. He wrote no letters, he appointed no scribes, he started no committees, he never made a schedule to be kept, he never announced a meeting in advance, he never promoted or joined any organization, and he left behind no manual as to how his disciples were to proceed. He did everything against what human wisdom would demand for success, yet, by becoming a broken vessel, he became the author and finisher of salvation for all those who believe. Jesus was a broken vessel! God can only work through those who have waited long enough to be broken. God cannot operate through people, even the most dedicated, who follow their own ideas and pursue the path of convenience. God is looking for a people who have become nothing so he can become everything! No matter what you’ve done, no matter what condition you’re in right now, God wants you. The starting point is to let go of your...

There are times when God takes things from us and other times when we pray for things we think we need and God does not give them to us. God’s best is not something to fear; He not only knows what is best for you, He wants you to have His best! If we truly believed this it would produce such rest, peace and joy in us! We would not grieve over letting go of things; we would know we’ve been set free from all bondage! We would say, “Lord, if You are taking this from me, it must mean You have something much better for me. So take it—You can have it!” And, in most cases, what we believe is best for us actually would ruin us! Never in the history of mankind has God taken anything from one of His children without bringing in something better, more beautiful, more fulfilling. Beloved, we need to rest in the loving hand of our Father! We need to come to the point of trust where we say, “I have a loving Father who wants the very best for me. He knows it all!” How did Job finally come to ...

Do you need Me? I am there. You cannot see Me, yet I am the light you see by. You cannot hear Me, yet I speak through your voice. You cannot feel Me, yet I am the power at work in your hands. I am at work, though you do not understand My ways. I am at work, though you do not recognize My works. I am not strange visions. I am not mysteries. Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know Me as I am, and then but as a feeling and a faith. Yet I am there. Yet I hear. Yet I answer. When you need Me, I am there. Even if you deny Me, I am there. Even when you feel most alone, I am there. Even in your fears, I am there. Even in your pain, I am there. I am there when you pray and when you do not pray. I am in you, and you are in Me. Only in your mind can you feel separate from Me, for only in your mind are the mists of “yours” and “mine.” Yet only with your mind can you know Me and experience Me. Empty your heart of empty fears. When you get yours...