Friday Men’s Group 10-2-26

Jupiter Revisited

NASA Juno Probe 2026

Hi Men:
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)

As many of you know, this verse has been on my mind a great deal lately, especially because it is the theme verse for Zion Boot Camp 2026. Think about what Paul is saying: we are God’s workmanship. He created us “in” Christ for good works, and those works were prepared for us beforehand. The question for each of us is: Are we actually walking in them?

Four years ago I shared a message by Scottish minister Ian Hamilton on the life of Amy Carmichael, born in Northern Ireland in 1867. Amy understood Ephesians 2:10 and lived it. She gave more than five decades of her life serving in India, particularly ministering to vulnerable children. Her life is a powerful reminder that following Christ is not about seeking a comfortable life, but faithfully walking in the work God has placed before us.

One of Amy Carmichael’s prayers has stayed with me:

“God harden me against myself,
The coward with pathetic voice
Who craves for ease, and rest, and joy.
Myself, arch traitor to myself;
My hollowest friend, my deadliest foe,
My clog, whatever road I go.”

Sobering!

PHOTO ABOVE

Men:
Four years ago I wrote about Jupiter. When I saw that new image, I just had to revisit Jupiter. Since then, NASA’s Juno spacecraft has continued to peel back the clouds of this enormous planet, and what scientists now know is simply jaw-dropping. In fact, discoveries published just this year have even forced scientists to revise Jupiter’s size and shape. Here are a few things Juno has revealed that I think will give us pause:

Jupiter is so vast that even its size was still wrong. Juno’s 2026 measurements forced scientists to revise the planet’s official dimensions. It could hold 1300 earths.
At Jupiter’s north pole sits a giant cyclone surrounded by eight more massive cyclones —> over 3,000 miles across with 220-mph winds
Jupiter’s polar atmosphere is brutally cold and violent. Juno measured a polar cap about 20°F colder than its surroundings, about 166°F below zero.
Jupiter’s gravity is 2½ times stronger than Earth’s. A 180-pound man would weigh about 450 pounds there, and Jupiter has no solid surface to stand on. You would just keep falling deeper into this bizarre gas giant.
Jupiter is a radiation monster. Its magnetic field hurls charged particles at nearly the speed of light. NASA says Juno has endured radiation equal to more than 100 million dental X-rays, so intense that the Juno needed a 400-pound titanium vault just to keep its electronics from being fried.
Jupiter’s four moons actually make the planet glow. As they orbit, they create electric currents that leave glowing footprints in Jupiter’s auroras, like our Moon lighting up the Northern Lights.

Men, isn’t it amazing that God would create something so vast, so powerful, and still so mysterious? The more scientists discover about Jupiter, the more questions seem to emerge. It is as though God has built into creation an endless reminder of how small we are — and how great He is.

Side note: This is such a cool question…. Wow! Watch On YouTube (1:00 Min)

IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

Our brother, Jorge Hernandez, sent this short video (1:30 Min) of a Sophomore at Foothill High School. She shared a bold testimony for Jesus Christ to over 100 students. She also made this powerful statement:

“Why do we seek validation from a world
that crucified the most perfect Man?”

She is one young worker in the harvest field. Faithful to the opportunity given to her. Who knows who Jesus is impacting in that room….

“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.’” (Matthew 9:37–38)

The workers may be few, but she is one of them. Watch Her Video (YouTube 1:30)

Thank you Lord for everything the way it is “Right Now”
Dan
(Galatians 2:20)

TIME TO REGISTER FOR ZION

E2Vegas.org/Zion-Boot-Camp-2026

Men: This was written 14 years ago. Our narcissistic society is even worse today…..

“In our narcissistic society it is rare to find people with this attitude. Even mothers are often too busy with their own lives and concerns to spend themselves for their families. Their careers and personal needs are paramount. Fathers are no better in that under the pretext of providing for their families they give vent to their covetous ambitions by trying to excel in the marketplace.”

Paul the Nursemaid – Day 276 Red Book

The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he”

PDF

Staying Your Mind

by Chris Martin | Sep 15, 2026 | Articles, | Mentors Corner |

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3)

Men:
Make sure you take a couple minutes and read this article from our brother Chris Martin. Here are just 2 thoughts:

God’s peace is not the absence of trouble. The man who keeps his mind fixed on God can experience peace even when circumstances are anything but peaceful.
What occupies your mind reveals where your trust really is. Little faith produces little “staying” and little peace; mature faith produces a mind that consistently rests on God, and therefore a life marked by consistent biblical peace.

Read Chris’ Article

GLIMPSES OF GOD

John 10:10 Project

GLIMPSES OF GOD is a fascinating collection of short videos (3 minutes or less) that explore the Lord’s presence and creative brilliance as revealed to human beings through everything he has made.

Men, we spend an amazing amount of time watching “stuff.” Think about how many minutes you can burn watching the same news clip (like DubaiAir), sports highlights or viral video over and over. Here is something far better. The John 10:10 Project has produced a collection called Glimpses of God. There will be a total of 30 spectacular short videos when all uploaded that point us toward God and His creation. Grab your kids or grandkids, watch one together, and then talk about it……

What was your favorite thing you saw?
What do you think that teaches us about God?
If God made that, what does it make you want to say to Him?

GLIMPSES OF GOD – Watch the playlist on YouTube

DAWSON TROTMAN

Men: If you haven’t heard this classic and profound message by the founder of the Navigators, I encourage you to bookmark it and take some notes. Listen to it this weekend before game time. If you have listened to it, what a great refresher to re-focus the (3) areas we ask often: 1) Who Am I? 2) Why Am I Here? 3) What Am I Supposed to Do? And if you haven’t figured out #3, let me give you a hint: Jesus’ familiar parting words in Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and _____ __________ of all the nations…” and no……. Jesus does not say, go and plant churches. Jesus said, “…….I will build My church…..” When you get the correct answer, does it appear to be a command? Why do so few men engage in this?

“Emotion is no substitute for Action”
“Action is no substitute for Production”

In the church today we see a lot of activity, but little production!
YouTube (48 Minutes)

PRAY AND SEND THIS YOUTUBE TO SOMEONE GOD PUTS ON YOU HEART

Words Worth Pondering

“The Scriptures were not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.”
— D. L. Moody

“To be a soul winner is the happiest thing in the world. And with every soul you bring to Jesus Christ, you seem to get a new heaven here upon earth.”
— Charles Spurgeon

“When men earnestly seek the Lord and are in earnest about their salvation, they will soon find Christ. You do not need to go up to the heights to bring Him down, or down to the depths to bring Him up, or go off in some distant city to find Him. This day He is near to every one of us.”
— D. L. Moody