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Small Group Men’s Bible Studies Forming!!

November 12, 2011 by 2 Comments

 Have you desired to just be around a few good friends that know you?  You might share a joke,  or something your kids are going through, or anything in between.  Then you’ve come to the  right place.

We are establishing small groups for the new year.  Small groups are the essence of this ministry and they are what allows us to ‘do life together’.  The setting might be different but we always spend some time in fellowship, Bible study, and prayer.

Interested?  Well, let us know by adding a comment to this post!

Image courtesy of: http://www.clovisevfree.org/

Filed Under: Bible Study, Christian friends, Christian Men, encouragement, Fellowship, ministry, Prayer, Small Groups, Westchester NY Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
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Casting Crowns – Courageous (Official Music Video from the Movie)

October 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Filed Under: Christ, Christian, Christian Fathers, Christian Men, Christianity, courage, Dying to yourself, Faith in action, Husbands, MENTOR, Prayer, trials Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
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In Jesus’ Name

August 28, 2011 by 1 Comment

A Prayer from Jesus; He gets the Credit

    It isn’t uncommon today for someone to donate money to a cause on another’s behalf.  This could be done as a gift or to celebrate / mourn an event.  They may have said “I have made a donation to this organization in your name“.   Of course you would thank them, especially if you have strong feelings for the organization or its purpose.  The fact the money was given in your name means you get the credit for the donation rather than the giver.

   I was thinking the other night that this isn’t that different from a prayer said in Jesus’ name.  When we say “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer, we’re saying that this prayer should be treated as if it came from Jesus directly.  Also He will get the credit for any good thing that comes from it. 

 

Authority

   There is a difference though.  Unlike donating to a charity, a prayer said in our own name will not be accepted.  It’s not because God doesn’t love us but because we aren’t righteous (sinless) and therefore have no ability or authority to ask on our own behalf.  Think about it this way, although this isn’t a perfect analogy, if you needed a favor from someone but you recently had a bad argument with them, it isn’t likely that they would go out on a limb to help you.  They may not even want to talk to you.  You would need someone else who they respect and possible love, to go on your behalf and ask them.

   When we pray in Jesus’ name, we are asking Jesus to be the conduit with God.  To advocate for us because He is the only one who can.  We are also following the direction He gave us in John 14:13-14.

His Will

Now, if we were to take the anology about donations above a little further, we can attempt to explain the last point on this topic.  If someone said that they would like to donate money or time to an organization in your name, and the organization had a purpose/mission that you strongly opposed, you would refuse.  Or you might recommend a different organization. 

In the same way, when we pray in Jesus’ name our prayers must align with God’s will.  If we ask for something that doesn’t glorfiy God, than we shouldn’t expect the prayer to be answered.  Actually if we are truely open to God’s will, many times we know this before we even complete the prayer.  One of the hardest aspects of prayer, is the letting go of our will.

Of course Jesus says in John 14:12 that we must also pray with faith.  We must believe.  If God is worth praying to, He’s worthy also of our expectations that our prayer will be answered.  Isn’t He?

May God bless your reading of this blog entry, in Jesus’ very precious name!

Filed Under: Faith, God, Jesus, Prayer, Uncategorized
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Repentance

August 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Heard a great sermon yesterday by James MacDonald on Repentance.  Definitely worth a listen.  Let us know what you think below!

  Pastor James explains, when you get specific about what God wants to change, God provides no shortage   of opportunities to work on it. God loves us so much that He doesn’t want to leave us the way we are. Learn the importance of repentance in the process of change.

 Process of Change – Step 1 Repentance

Filed Under: Forgiveness, Persistence, Prayer, Repent, Salvation, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,
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Listening to God’s Word

March 23, 2011 by 1 Comment

 

“Did not our hearts burn within us?” – Luke 24:32

From “My Utmost for His Highest” for March 22nd

“… the only test we should use to determine whether or not to allow a particular emotion to run its course in our lives is to examine what the final outcome of that emotion will be. … if it is something God would condemn then put a stop to it immediately …(but) if the Spirit of God has stirred you, make as many of your decisions as possible irrevocable, and let the consequences be what they will …

We can not kindle when we will the fire which in the heart resides, the Spirit bloweth and is still, In mystery our soul abides; But tasks in hours of insight willed, Can be through hours of gloom fulfilled.”
– Oswald Chambers

I’ve been journaling through Lent and I’m in a dry spot.  I have been amazed by God’s word and upset that I haven’t written it down earlier.  Then my oldest brother died and things changed.  Over the last few days, it has been very hard to hear God.  It seemed clear that I had piled my concerns, anxieties, list of tasks, and many other things on top of God’s word, crowding Him out.

The last sentence of this entry really got to me.  We can’t control when God will inspire us and talk to us but we can control our faithfulness even when we can’t hear him “hours of gloom”.

God Bless!

image courtesy of: developingyourspirit.blogspot.com

Filed Under: Discernment, Prayer Tagged With: , , , , ,
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>Lent: Don’t Give Up!

March 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment

>(Sorry for the long delay between posts)

Hey guys! I know that’s a weird subject for this blog entry but it was inspired!

Did you guys make a resolution for lent? Something you will either stop or start doing for the next 40 (now 39 days). If you were thinking of something but didn’t do it (or stop doing it) yesterday, don’t give up. Why not start today. We are imperfect, we know that (and guess what – so does God). So why not start today?!

I’ve decided to meditate/journal every day through Lent. I’m hoping I can build discipline and start to enjoy it. To let you know how much of a stretch this is for me, I’ve been journaling about once a month. And I’ve been satisfied with that because that was once more than I was doing before.

Why not share your resolution so we can pray for you and cheer you on!

Filed Under: Christian Men, encouragement, Fellowship, Lent, mens ministry, Persistence, Prayer
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How to Ascertain the Will of God

September 27, 2010 by Leave a Comment

From “Answers to Prayer from George Müller’s Narratives”Prayer

1.  I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter.  Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here.  Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord’s will, whatever it may be.  When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.

2.  Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression.  If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.

3.  I seek the Will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God.  The Spirit and the Word must be combined.  If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also.  If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.

4. Next I take into account providential circumstances.  These often plainly indicate God’s Will in connection with His Word and Spirit.

5. I ask God in prayer to reveal His Will to me aright.

6. Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgement according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly.  In trivial matters, and in transactions involving more important issues, I have found this method always effective.


George Müller


Filed Under: communing with God, Discernment, Persistence, Prayer, wisdom Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Can You Lose Your Salvation

April 26, 2010 by 1 Comment

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been debating the question ‘can one lose their salvation?’ in our small group.  My opinion has leaned always towards ‘no’.  Not in order to assure myself that my actions couldn’t cause my demise but that they couldn’t cause my salvation.  I do believe that the devil is constantly in the ear of those that have given their life to Christ saying “Are you really sure you are saved?” while God is in the other ear saying “I will never leave you nor forsake you”.

To think that our actions, I argued could keep us saved devalues Christ’s sacrifice.  He paid it all and died so we might live.  I’m not arguing that we need to work out our sanctification but all we bring to our justification is our sins (sorry forgot who originally said this).

Today, I heard a sermon from Chuck Swindoll on Disqualification.  He made a compelling point.  Not that our disciplines or actions assure our salvation but that the state of our heart will be judged.  Can we love God with all our heart and desire Him over everything, and than slowly fall in love with the things of the world and forget God.  I believe we can.

It’s not a quick action like the slip of the tongue.  ‘Oh no, there goes my salvation, let me work to get back in right relationship with God.’  No, it’s more like deciding not to accept the gift we once accepted.  Jesus’ death paid the price and this is a gift we need to receive.  He doesn’t force it on us.

As Chuck so eloquently described putting something else before God is subtle, very subtle.  We test the boundaries, we rationalize our actions, we continue to push the limits.  Until we say “I don’t care the cost, I want …”  and the blank space is anything but God.

But their is hope.  Chuck mentions Samson and how his ego led to his demise but he didn’t mention the end of the story.  In Judges 16:28, Samson prays to God “O sovereign Lord, remember me.  O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes”.  Some say Samson’s hair had grown back and therefore his strength had returned but then he wouldn’t need to pray.  No, it’s clear that he put God back in His right position, as the sovereign Lord, and therefore took himself off the throne of his life.  God answered Samson’s prayer and if you turn back to God he will answer yours.

Please listen to Chuck Swindoll’s sermon here:
Insight for Living – April 26, 2010

* Image courtesy of http://www.howstuffworks.com/

Filed Under: Christian Men, Disqualification, Justification, Lost, Prayer, Salvation, Saved Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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Recommitting to Prayer

March 21, 2009 by Leave a Comment

About three weeks ago, we discussed prayer (see below post) and multiple people committed to trying to pray 3 times a day throughout Lent.  Many have mentioned that they, just like me, have struggled to get into this rhythm of stopping, breathing, and spending time with God.  Therefore since we are nearly exactly in the middle of Lent, we decided to recommit ourselves to this effort for the second half of Lent.  Why not join us and let us know your thoughts by adding comments below.

(Image courtesy: www.treasureschristianbooks.com)

I thought I would share a few comments that I have shared with others over the last few weeks with the hope that they may be an encouragement to you as you attempt to get into the practice of communing with God.  God Bless!


About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ – which means, ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’  – Matthew 27:46

 

Jesus was on the cross for 6 hours at this point.  He had already been flogged, had nails put through his hands and feet, and has been insulted all throughout.  Why would Jesus make this proclamation at this time and be silent through everything else?  Have you ever wondered this? Well it is important to note that in Jewish tradition, the Passover lamb was slaughtered at the 9th hour.  So you see, Jesus is our Passover lamb.  So at the ninth hour he became sin for us and was cut off from God.  For the first time (in all time), he couldn’t commune with God and the loneliness and abandonment he felt made him yell out. I think this gives us some appreciation for the blessing we have in being able to commune with God.  Jesus was cutoff so we wouldn’t have to be.  I know I want to value that.

This hymn is from Claudia Hernaman:

“Lord, who throughout these forty days for us did fast and pray,
Teach us with you to mourn our sins, and close by you to stay.

As You with Satan did contend and did the victory win,
O give us strength in you to fight, in you to conquer sin.

As you bore hunger and your thirst, so teach us, gracious Lord,
To die to self, and chiefly live by your most holy Word.

And through the days of penitence, and through your Passion-tide,
Yes, evermore, in life and death, Jesus! With us abide.

Abide with us, that so, this life of suffering over-past,
An Easter of unending joy we may attain at last!”

Filed Under: Discernment, Lent, mens ministry, Prayer Tagged With: , , , ,
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Temptation of Christ Study

February 8, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Christ Tempted, obedience

LaShawnBarber.com

Christ Tempted

§         Three Categories of temptations: 

  1. Hunger (physical) and in Jesus case the misuse of power
  2. Power and wealth
  3. Instant acclaim

§         Fully God and fully man, Although “God cannot be tempted by evil…” – James 1:13; but Jesus “Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—        even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8

  • Why was he tempted? – To sympathize and to save
    1. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” – Hebrews 4:15
    2. Righteous Jesus, died not for his sins but ours.  He was the perfect lamb.

“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” – Romans 5:19.

Our Temptations

  • We too like Jesus are tempted in many of the same ways.
  • Some allowed by God to sanctify us; some brought upon ourselves (James 1:14)
  • God doesn’t allow us to be tempted beyond what he has equipped us to bare

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”  – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Our Response

  • Prayer  – commune with God (strength to withstand the evil ones advances)
  • Knowledge and Obedience to God’s Word      – Knowing your are God’s adopted son and responding to the knowledge of that Love by obedience to his Word.
  • Community – with others that model and encourage
  • Repentance – when we do fail, we must understand that we are not accepted because of our actions but because of His.  Turn and follow Him.
On Repentance, Dick Weidenheft gave a very timely sermon this morning.  You can find it here within the next few days:
Filed Under: Christ, Prayer, trials Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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