Friday Men’s Group 5/7/21

Hi Men:

I pray you’ve had quiet time “in” Christ this week.  I was thinking about the very first verse in the “Steps To Peace With God” tract (see 4/23/21 email).  Here is the verse in the tract:  “……..We have peace with God though our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)  That is a jaw-dropping verse, because most people I run into have little or no true peace.  It was interesting to me that the word “through” was used instead of “from.”  I’m certainly no English major, but I did a minor study on these words.  Without confusing myself, the word “from” usually denotes an origin when it starts, like from point A to B.  “Through” (Greek διά …dia) can have a meaning to continue in time throughout the completion of a process or period.  So as He increases and we decrease (John 3:30) and as we deny ourselves and die daily (Luke 9:23; 1 Cor 15:31) we will live more “in” Christ.  In that process we will have more and more peace because our daily circumstances will be of lesser concern.  As we have said so often, the more fear God the less we will fear the world and its disconcerting surroundings.

ZION:  We now have our dates confirmed.  We will be having more information in the days ahead.  Please pray about it and if you think you might be interested, mark your calendars.  For those that paid previously and had to cancel due to the Utah lockdown, we can easily apply those 2020 funds to this year’s retreat.

Next time:  “The Heart” …… you know, that 10 oz meat pump in our chest that will pump non-stop for about 80 years without a new set of bearings or batteries.   

Don’t forget:  This life is a vapor and eternity is forever.  Where is your focus?

Dan
(Galatians 2:20)

Please pray for the brothers and sisters in India.  As you all know the COVID situation is severe.
Below are the pastors in the Hyderabad area that have already died from the virus.

Men:  When Jesus comes back, “…… will He find faith on the earth?”  That is one “scary” verse!  The devotional below may give some heartburn, so this is where we plead with the Lord that we always be teachable.

Cultural Promises – Red Book Day 125
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically

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

“………..nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh……….” (Romans 7:18)

MIM Mentors Corner  As I reflected on this meditation, it gave me more comfort as I thought more deeply on Psalm 37 (inserted at the top of the email)

Do I Want What He Wants? (Click Here)

Note:  The author of this devotional mentions Bill McCurine’s talk on, The Gospel and Racial Reconciliation.
To refresh your memory, go to E²Vegas.org/FridayMensGroup-1-22-21 and scroll down.

…….May I view all things in the mirror of eternity, waiting for the coming of my Lord…..

Men:  This is a great morning devotion from the Valley of Vision sent to me yesterday by one of the brothers

Morning Dedication

Almighty God, as I cross the threshold of this day I commit myself, soul, body, affairs, friends, to Thy care. Watch over, keep, guide, direct, sanctify, bless me. Incline my heart to thy ways. Mould me wholly into the image of Jesus, as a potter forms clay. May my lips be a well-tuned harp to sound Thy praise. Let those around see me living by Thy Spirit, trampling the world underfoot, unconformed to lying vanities, transformed by a renewed mind, clad in the entire armour of God, shining as a never-dimmed light, showing holiness in all my doings.  Let no evil this day soil my thoughts, words, hands. May I travel miry paths with a life pure from spot or stain. In needful transactions let my affection be in heaven, and my love soar upwards in flames of fire, my gaze fixed on unseen things, my eyes open to the emptiness, fragility, mockery of earth and its vanities. May I view all things in the mirror of eternity, waiting for the coming of my Lord, listening for the last trumpet call, hastening unto the new heaven and earth. Order this day all my communications according to Thy wisdom, and to the gain of mutual good. Forbid that I should not be profited or made profitable. May I speak each word as if my last word, and walk each step as my final one. If my life should end today, let this be my best day.

May 2021 – From Leette Henrichsen.

Below is a quote by Walt from Leette’s Letter.  It reminds me of the teaching Walt did on “Striving for Obscurity.”  I too have been guilty of this.  That’s why we need faithful brothers in our lives; not shy about confronting and correcting us.  Pastors are especially vulnerable to this and often falling into the trap of the “Glorification of the Worm Ceremony.”  Remember what Jesus said in John 15:5  “………….for apart from Me you can do nothing.”  And He means NOTHING!

[From:  Seeking to Understand the Christian Life]  If you don’t have this devotional, you can click on the hyperlink.

“If I, after having exposited Scripture to an audience, mingle with the people in the hope of receiving approbation from them, I forfeit the approbation of God. The audience may not even know what I am doing. God does. If you don’t play to an audience of One, you will find yourself doing in secret what you would never do before others – the exact opposite of what Jesus said when He warns you to do all you do for God only.” 

Are You Addicted To Your Smart Phone?
Take This Quiz to Find Out 

Question:  Do you want to succeed in something that is totally trivial?  Meaning, something that will reveal if we are defined by the temporal vs. the eternal. 

A good test:  Show me your calendar and your checkbook.