“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18
Hi Men:
I pray you have had extended time reflecting on the goodness of the Lord. I am continually astonished that not only does Jesus live in us (Gal 2:20), but He gives us the the power to operate in this temporal life we have (Eph 3:20)……. and without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). I guess the question we need to ask, “Do we really believe it?”
PHOTO ABOVE
You guys know by now that I take a lot of photos of sunrises and sunsets. The one above I took a couple days ago out near the sand pile in my back lot. Also, some of the guys send me their photos which I really appreciate. Here is one I just received from one of the bothers that was sent to him by his friend in Northern Utah:
That photo could be one right out of a movie. Amazing!
Why did I put that verse under the sunset photo? As majestic as some of the sunsets and sunrises are, they will pale in comparison to God’s glory in eternity. I love to sit outside and reflect on Psalm 19….. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” I try not to race back inside, but stay outside long enough to see the colors change minute by minute. They give us a tiny glimpse of coming attractions. Whether it be a snow covered mountain, a pristine lake, a lightning storm or full moon rising over the horizon, ask the Lord for His help to use all these glorious creations to keep your eyes on eternity, which is only a vapor away (James 4:14)
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“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
(Phil 3:20)
Dan
Men: Pay attention to this one…….
Sin Is Like a Drug – Day 20 Red Book
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he”
1-Genesis 19:4, 2-Genesis 19:14, 3-Cf Matthew 12:36
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Also, we need to consider the last sentence from Day 21 in the Red Book:
“The only safe posture with God is surrender coupled with perpetual brokenness and dependence.”
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“SIN” by Tim Challies
“Sin is never simple. Sin is never harmless. Sin is always selfish, always an occasion of harm not only to the sinner but to the whole church. And the sin of those who have been elevated to positions of prominence is particularly destructive, for the higher their platform the greater the force of their collapse, the wider their reach the more visible their downfall. And surely this puts the call on every well-known pastor, every high-demand conference speaker, every bestselling author, to see their popularity as sacred, to see their integrity as essential, to know the importance of battling hard against the first stirrings of the least sin. For they must know that the destruction that would come with their fall would be far greater than all the good they ever did in their rise.”
Many Aspire Few Attain
Men: If you don’t have time to listen to his now, make sure you bookmark it for later. It is one of my favorites that impacted my greatly when I first listened to it. Jim Gustafson is the point guy for the Great Lakes Men’s Conference in Ohio. Many Aspire Few Attain was a teaching by Walt Henrichsen.
Listen on Spotify
or
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Please be praying for the Men’s Winter Retreat in Halifax, PA – Feb 2-4
Pray for the speakers and the men attending….. Thanks!
Truth In the Inward Parts
by Ron Hocutt | Jan 15, 2024
I was recently the recipient of an incredibly painful truth about myself. Specifically, God showed me with stark clarity how much I crave the approval of men rather than Him. The way He revealed it to me left no room for argument; I was guilty as charged. It was then, however, that I felt the desperation that comes with increased knowledge of ourselves.
How was I to do anything about this? It’s not as if I could simply will myself to be better – self reformation is always doomed to failure. This sort of sin in particular is difficult to overcome as it is a hidden sin of the heart rather than one of action.
I was fearful that there was nothing I could do or stop doing to change anything. For half an hour I sat and prayed, completely undone by this revelation of my own dark soul. I had always known I had this tendency, but I worked hard to convince myself it wasn’t severe. It’s as if my entire walk with Christ led up to this moment of realization, and I had nowhere to go.
It was at that moment, however, that the Spirit reached down into my heart and pulled out a memory verse I had learned years before from Psalm 51:
(5) Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
(6) Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
(7) Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
These words poured over me like life itself and I recalled the three fundamental truths hidden within:
- I am a sinner at my core, I am just not fully aware of how complete my depravity is.
- God desires truth in the “inward parts” – I need to be honest with myself and Him regarding this sin. Call it what it is.
- If we are honest with ourselves and God regarding our sin, He is the one that will make us clean if our desire is to be so. It is by His power alone.
How thankful I am that that verse was buried deep within me to be used at that moment. If you are struggling with a sin and failing at self-reformation, admit to God your complete inability to fix yourself and your desire for Him to create in you a clean heart of obedience. Then watch carefully as you walk, listen closely to what the Spirit is saying, and commit to obey.
Go to the Ministry In The Marketplace website to read the article
SATANIC INVOCATION in Reno, Nevada – Board of Commission Meeting
Men: With the way the world is heading, I guess this shouldn’t have shocked me, but it did. His prayer makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck!
Watch on YouTube (1 min 45 sec)
A terrifying day is coming……
“His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:12
Note: These are some of the first words John the Baptist said about Jesus. Interesting that he didn’t start out with words like, grace, forgiveness, love, gentle as a lamb, a friend, etc. Ponder that for bit……..
This Preacher Shocks The Whole Church With THIS Sermon…
Men: I think you will like this 17 minute clip from John Henry where he takes some key points from this old preacher (Richard Owen Roberts) who made a presentation at the G3 Conference. Just so know know, some of the presenters at G3 are men like: Steven Lawson, Voddie Baucham, Joel Beeke, Conrad Mbewe, MacArthur, Paul Washer, etc.
Watch on YouTube (17 min)
John 1:19-28
A Few Words by J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)
It is a solemn thought that John the Baptist’s words in this place apply strictly to thousands in the present day. Christ is still standing among many who neither see, nor know, nor believe. Christ is passing by in many a parish and many a congregation and the vast majority have neither an eye to see Him nor an ear to hear Him. The spirit of slumber seems poured out upon them. Money and pleasure and the world they know, but they know not Christ. The kingdom of God is close to them, but they sleep. Salvation is within their reach, but they sleep. [Daily Readings – January 12]
It is not enough to be near to Christ, to listen to Him and to admire His words and works. We must believe in Him (Luke 13:24-27)
Men: What do you think?
