Witch’s Broom – Veil Nebula
“The most universally awesome experience that mankind knows
is to stand alone on a clear night and look at the stars.
It was God who first set the stars in space;
He is their Maker and Master . . . such are His power and His majesty.”
J.I. Packer
Hi Men:
I pray you have found peace “in” Christ this Week……….
It was crazy, yesterday I saw the Witch’s Broom Nebula on my screen saver. Perfect timing to get more information on this spectacular nebula. 
What you are looking at above is the Witch’s Broom located inside the Veil Nebula. It’s in the Cygnas (The Swan) Constellation. This nebula is the result of a star, 20 times larger than our sun, that went supernova. The Witch’s Broom is only a small section of the entire Veil Nebula. At the right is the whole enchilada (Veil Nebula). The nebula is an amazing 130 light-years across. If you look closely at the thin red filaments, their thickness is 4 billion miles (roughly the distance from Earth to Pluto). Because Hubble took images of this nebula back in 1997 and 2015, it has determined that this nebula is expanding 1 million MPH.
“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
What is man that You take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?”
(Psalm 8:3-4)
I have been thinking about the devotional in the Red Book below…. “Finding Peace.” Back in 2007 my son and I were getting ready to depart to India for the first time (that is a story for another time). Prior to the departure there was a significant spiritual onslaught. To name just a few, my controller had a heart attack at age 46, my bookkeeper’s brother was shot and killed with 3 shots from a shotgun and other major attacks. But to make my point let me share this segment. Years prior I hired an employee to work in my group benefits department. He was a solid Christian man, knew the Bible well and had even held a pastoral position at a church he was connected to. He was a good employee and learned the business well and eventually became my benefits manager making a six figure income. Just a week before my departure to India, he dropped a bombshell and told me that he was going to work for a competitor in direct competition with me and even started contacting my clients. With everything else going on, this almost shot me over the cliff…………..
I called my mentor, Walt Henrichsen, and explained what was going on. When I got to this employee (we will call him Bob), Walt said the following:
“Dan, may I have permission to ask you three questions?” Of course I said, “Yes”
- “Dan, do you think God is completely Sovereign?” I didn’t even pause, and said, “Yes”
- “Dan, if God is completely Sovereign, did he send Bob to your office?” I hesitated in answering, then said, “Yes, He sent Bob to my office”
- Walt concluded by asking, “Well then, if God is Sovereign and He sent Bob to your office, is your problem with Bob or with God?” After a great pause and in a breaking voice, I said, “God”
I didn’t even want to contemplate this answer. It scared me. I had been complaining about Bob to anyone that would listen. But in due time it brought these issues to a whole new level. God was completely in control and orchestrating everything perfectly. I even started to have peace concerning the attacks from the Enemy, because Satan can’t do anything without a “divine appointment.” I began reflecting on things that I was complaining about or had other issues with. If it was my wife, then I better get right quickly, because that’s the woman God selected for me, so if I have a problem with her, I have an even BIGGER problem with God.
Men, you can [……….fill in the blank……..] whether it be a someone who defrauded you or a politician you think is ruining the country. You may even be harboring resentment and unforgiveness. If so, may I remind you again of the words Jesus said right after the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:
“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”
(Matt 6:14-15)
Question: “Do you think you’ll be welcomed into Heaven by Jesus, if God Almighty doesn’t forgive your sins?
As you begin to address these significant issues, that is when you will start to “find peace” only in Christ!
Dan
Men: Are you lacking inner peace? Read and Reflect……..
Finding Peace – Red Book Day 66
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he”
1- Luke 2:14
Two Questions: 1) What is Truth 2) What is Freedom?
Read: When Are you Free
MIMworldwide.com/When-You-Are-Free
Also, If you haven’t registered for these articles, you can at:
MIMworldwide.com/Create-An-Account
If you missed reading Daniel’s Prayer (Daniel 9), click on it and make sure you find time to reflect on it.
DANIEL’S PRAYER
Men: Attached is a meditation about obedience (See Attached PDF)
“Come and you will see…..” – Bill McCurine
If you would like to hear Bill’s testimony at the YBL in Birmingham, click here:
An Event with Bill McCurine
Men: If you would like to see how to model one-on-one discipleship with another man, register here:
Introduction to One-on-One Discipleship
Facts of the Matter
MAN-TO-MAN
In my mid-twenties, Al singled me out by coming along side and communicating gentle compassion. He saw I was troubled and in need of help. Over the next several months he guided me to plumb the depths of crushing pain derived from childhood experiences. We dealt with deep-seated bitterness and denial. In time I experienced joyful liberation from my bondages, because Al cared enough to take the time and effort. Over the ensuing months, we hunted together, sought to reach collegians for Christ together; hung out together. Rather than preaching or pushing his pet values on me (Bible study, daily “quiet time”, discipleship, etc.), Al just lived them. And…I caught them.
Man-to-man – one person separating out another with the intention of affecting his life toward spiritual maturity – can be an effective tool in helping to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission to “make disciples”. (Matt. 28:18-20) When we focus in on an individual, in effect we are saying, “You are of great worth to God…and to me!” Powerful stuff indeed!
Man-to-man (or person-to-person) involves:
Modeling : Providing your “disciple” with an authentic example to emulate: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1) (See Pro. 23:26 I Cor. 4:16; Phil. 3:17; 1Thes. 1:6; 2 Thes. 3:9)
Sensitivity : Seeking to understand who this person is, and where he is in his life. Attempting to grasp what God is presently doing in him. Asking God whether He wants you to participate at this time with Him in his maturing process. Sensitivity also has to do with getting to the meaning behind his words. Asking, “what are the implications of what he/she is not saying?” “He who answers before listening–that is his folly and his shame.” (Prov. 18:13)
Serving : As opposed to impressing, manipulating, or exploiting. No hidden agenda. Just sacrificially giving of yourself to him. “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Cor. 4:5) (See Matt. 20:25-27; Jn. 13:14; Rom. 15:1,2; 1 Cor. 9:19-23; 2 Cor. 1:24; 2 Tim. 2:10)
Transparency : Simply being real. Vulnerable. Sharing your life. “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings–what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ” (2 Tim. 3:10,11)
Encouraging : Beseeching, imploring and entreating him in his walk with God . “…[Paul and Barnabas] returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’” (Acts 14:21b, 11) (See Pro. 12:25; 25:11)
Instructing : Offering truth and practical help that is timely and relevant toward his spiritual growth. .“…Jesus…said, “…Go and make disciples…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matt. 28:18b,19a,20a)
Confronting : Caring enough to pinpoint and help him change in problematic/sin areas of his life. “Preach the Word…rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Tim 4:2a,c) (See 1 Thes. 2:7,8,11,12)
Equipping : Furnishing him with the tools to grow, walk with God, and minister to others. “… Prepare (literally: equip) God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Eph. 4:12) (See 1Thes. 5:11-14)
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
R. Dwight Hill
