OUR HIDING PLACE
“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
(Colossians 3:2–3)
Hi Men:
I pray your life has been hidden with Christ in God this week. Actually the first 4 verses are so profound and deserve some serious reflection.
“If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”
My wife and I are currently in So. Lake Tahoe spending time with our son John, daughter-in-law Paige and our 3 month old grandson, Ezra. Last week was pretty hot in Las Vegas, so this was a nice break along with the excitement of fire, wind and bears. Providentially the fires were quickly contained, the wind has died down and the bear eventually left after he polished off the neighbor’s bird seed. The photo I took yesterday morning (far left) is Mr. Bear thinking if he should give me a run for my money. Fortunately he went the other way and decided to check out the big garbage containers…… he was out of luck as they are “Bear Proof.”
Other than having a great time with our grandson, I took the photo of Lake Tahoe through the trees at the top of this email for a specific reason. I read a great article I think we can all relate to……. “Where is our true hiding place?” Please take the time to read C. J. Williams thoughtful message.
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Before I begin, I need to ask you, “Are you teachable?”
Last week Friday Men’s Group 6-4-21 I challenged you to find the difference between the 2 versions of the Ten Commandments. Well, what did you find out? You’re right…………….. in the second version of the tablets, the 2nd Commandment (“Thou Shall Not Make Unto Thee Any Graven Image”) was removed by the Roman Catholic Church and the 10th Commandment was split into 2 parts. Why? Think about it for a moment. How in the world is the Catholic Church going to perpetuate the veneration of relics, saints, Mary, etc, if the verse 4 of the Book of Exodus is to remain intact? And being the kid that wanted to be a Catholic Priest, I do know most all of the reasoning behind the arguments. On this one issue, Catholic apologists will take the word “venerate” and say it’s not the same as worship. These are just mental gymnastics. Some of the synonyms for venerate are: adore, reverence, revere, and worship.
Take for example the severed forearm of St. Francis Xavier. Catholics venerate his arm because it is said that he baptized over 300 people with it. Here is a photo of his hand and arm:
Check out this short 53 second video when the arm toured Canada:
St. Francis Xavier’s arm visits St. John’s
Let me make an important comment, I love my fellow Catholics, my problem is with the church. Years ago I spend many late hours researching Catholic dogma and doctrine. Here are some of the main reasons I no longer recognize the Catholic Church as Biblically legitimate:
- To the work of Christ it adds the work of Mary.
- To the intercession of the Savior it adds the intercession of the saints.
- To the authority of the Bible it adds the authority of tradition.
- To the free gift of salvation it adds the necessity of human effort.
- In place of the finished work of Christ on the cross it demands the ongoing sacrifice of the mass.
- In place of the permanent imputation of Christ’s righteousness it substitutes the temporary infusion of works righteousness.
- In so many different ways it explicitly and unapologetically denies truth and promotes error.
- The Roman Catholic gospel is a false gospel.
Remember last week, in the latest statistics from George Barna’s CRC Study, only 1% of Catholics have a Biblical worldview. We must help our precious Catholic friends to critically think over what remains of their Catholic background in the light of Biblical teaching.
Jesus said, “……..If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
(John 8:31-32)
In Christ Alone,
Dan
Avoiding Bad Decisions – Red Book Day 164
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he”
OUR HIDING PLACE
Excerpt from attached article:
Weariness: This may be another pandemic around us. People are busy – too busy – and too tired from being too busy. We need to do better at focusing on what is truly important, but the fact is that if you seek to be faithful and diligent in your calling you will have a busy life. God designed it that way, but also gave us himself as a hiding place. If you ever find yourself feeling just plain tired, hide yourself in Christ.
Please take the time to read the attached PDF to find where our true hiding place resides……………….
** PRAYER REQUEST **
MINISTRY IN THE MARKETPLACE
Presents
WHO’S JOB IS THE MINISTRY?
Who: Christian Men of Southern Nevada
What: Men that desire a deeper and more significant walk with Jesus Christ
When: Saturday, August 21st 2021 from 7:30am – 12 Noon
Where: Faith Lutheran Performing Arts Center
The Steering Committee for this event is an amazing group of brothers from various “non-related” churches that are totally “like-minded” as we pursue the truth of Ephesians 4:11-12 “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ.” Relating to our conference, the “saints” are the laymen in the congregations and when they understand that the ministry belongs to them…………this can be life changing. Many will get excited as their God-given purpose is revealed and start to “look up” as they are discipled and see God’s plan for their life.
In the days ahead, I will keep you updated. Currently we have Chris Martin coming in from Pennsylvania to share the “Priesthood of the Believer.” Judge William McCurine, Ret., of San Diego will be speaking and Trevor McDowell of Phoenix will do a wrap-up for the men explaining where they go from here…..
I’m asking you all to please pray for the men God sends to this conference, the speakers and the logistics involved.
Thank you…………..
You have 86 billion of them inside you
Ain’t Evolution Something? Click Here: You have 86 billion of them… (4 min)
