Friday Men’s Group 10/7/22

Photo: Outer Banks of North Carolina – 2016

“When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this:
Fear God and obey His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13

Hi Men:

I pray you have had a great week. Isn’t it amazing that as we were baptized into Christ, we are now clothed with Christ (Gal 3:27). We are God’s children and one in Christ. With this great news, why on earth do we allow ourselves to get so easily distracted in worldly matters?

Yesterday just before noon on the Las Vegas Strip, some man took out a long knife and started stabbing people walking on the sidewalk. Of the eight persons stabbed, two are dead and six hospitalized. What a tragic and heartbreaking event. If we serve a Sovereign God that’s 100% in control, which we do, just how do we get our mind around something so senseless? Can we still give thanks in all circumstances? It’s easy to pray for the victims and their families, but what about the assailant? Can we pray for him with the same passion that we pray for the victims/families? As I left last night to attend a high school alumni function, my wife said for me to be careful….. which I certainly appreciated her concern. As I was reflecting on all this, I asked myself, “Do I fear my circumstances or do fear God?”

I have had the photo above for some time. I embedded the verse from Ecclesiastes in the photo. Lightning is such a mystery. The word awesome doesn’t even begin to describe it. Here are just (3) facts of many about lightning:

There are over 3 million lightning strikes every day around the world.
A lightning bolt is 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun
Guess what the average thickness of a lightning bolt is? Yup, you guessed it….. 2-3 cm. About the width of your thumb. No kidding!

Let’s be praying that that Ecclesiastes 12:13 becomes embedded in our heart & mind.

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And They Crucified Him

A dear brother sent me this 6 minute audio message. I had never heard it. Art Katz, a born-again Jew, wrote it and narrates it. He died in 2007. Here is a link to a short biography on him:
ArtKatzMinistries.org/About-Art-Katz

And here is the message that will set you back in your chair. Pass it on to your friends

And They Crucified Him (YouTube 6 min)

To know nothing but Christ and Him crucified,
Dan
(Gal 2:20)

ZION

Testimony:
“The Zion Boot Camp helped move me from a lukewarm new believer to a life-long disciple of Christ. What brings me back each year is the time spent with other men, of all walks and denominations, as we grapple with the deep questions of our Faith. The Zion Boot Camp is a consistent highlight of my year.”
Doug Taber, CCIM
San Diego

Zion Boot Camp 2022
Men, please register today

Men: The two devotionals below can’t be emphasized enough. That’s why 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is not well received by many Christians today:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

From time to time, I get emails from men disagreeing with the harsh content of my emails. “Very Few” over the years have any desire to walk through the scriptures to be corrected. They would rather hold on to their error (pride) than be “trained in righteousness……….equipped for every good work.” How crazy is that! Most of the time they say, “remove me from your email list.”

Years ago I called up Walt Henrichsen and said, “Walt, I continue to be accused of the harsh content in my emails. What is your advice to me?” [Note: Walt read every one of my emails]. Walt answered me by stating, “Dan, am I correct that they are saying you are harsh?” I said, “Yes.” Walt replied, “Then I have news for them……. Jesus is harsher!”

Please take some time reflecting on the two devotionals below. Due to what the culture is throwing at us these days, it is imperative that we live and define our lives through the lens of the Bible.

Are You Teachable? Day 282 Red Book ——— Teachability Day 306 Blue Book
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically

Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he”

Red Book: ¹ Matthew 21:26-27
Blue Book: ¹ Isaiah 53:6; ² Ps 130:3; ³ Ps 34:18; ⁴ Isaiah 59:1

Men:
From time to time I will try to include one of Walt’s monthly letters that he sent out to his network…………

Men: Make sure you take time to read this and the attached PDF (R12.2 September 2022 Blog – One Life) from the men with R12.2 … It is excellent! Go through the application on page 3. Suggestion: For those that have a men’s group, discuss this blog.

[ Note from the men]

Jesus says that He will bring rewards with Him when He returns (Revelation 22:12).

Our motivation for what we do is important (1 Corinthians 10:31). Paul encourages believers by making it clear that God has an eternal reward for those who are motivated to serve Christ: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23–24).

When we live life serving others, by direction of Jesus, we gain by storing up treasure in heaven. Even seemingly small acts of service do not go unnoticed by God. “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward” (Matthew 10:42).

The Lord will be faithful to reward us for the service we give Him (Hebrews 6:10). Our ministries may differ, but the Lord we serve is the same. “The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor” (1 Corinthians 3:8).

This is a key concept for our endurance while on earth. We have only one life to live. What is our motivation in how we live it? This blog approaches this question. If you have questions or disputes, please let us know.

Good reading and good life.

In His name,
Gayle, Chris, Arthur, Steve, and Bob

PS. As always, you can find this and past blogs at the R12.2 Conference.org Blogs page on our website.

“Persecution or a Great Awakening” – Paul Washer

“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
2 Timothy 3:12

Men:
Listen to this 3 ½ minute comment by Paul Washer (Click Here). This was recorded over 14 years ago!
I was thinking about church-going Christians. How many really believe Washer’s message?
How much time have you set aside reflecting and praying about 2 Timothy 3:12?

Click Here: (YouTube 3 ½ minutes)