Friday Men’s Group 6/14/24

The Frozen Wood Frog of Alaska

“Is anything too difficult for the Lord…..?”
(Genesis 18:14)

Hi Men:

I hope you had a good week “in” the Lord.  As we look out across the horizon, it should be quite evident that it is more important now than ever we keep our eyes fixed on Christ.  Most of you will recall the verse in Hebrews 12:
“……….let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith………….”
In light of what’s going on right now, it would be very easy to get entangled in areas that we may have no business getting involved in which could easily take our eyes off Jesus.  Remember Chief Master Sgt Koester from last week? This is what the Bible says about entanglement:

“No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”  (2 Timothy 2:4)

As believers, we are soldiers for Christ, guarding oneself to not get overly involved in the in the affairs of this world, so we can bring glory to the One that called us into service.  It might also be good to reflect on 1 John 2:15, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”  That verse is pretty clear and can be connected with Romans 12:2.  We have a lot to pray about………

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ZION Boot Camp – Update

December 6-8, 2024

Not only do we have Jerry Bangert, Bill McCurine and Winston Parker returning, but we have Trevor McDowell and Chris Martin giving talks on Discipleship and Whose Job is the Ministry? Start talking to your serious church buddies. The teachings this year will get these guys out of their cushioned pews and into those ripe fields ready for harvest…………. BE PRAYING – START TALKING – AND CALENDAR TODAY!

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FROG PHOTO ABOVE

Ok, what’s with the frozen frog above? I run across a lot stuff, but this one caught me off guard. Simply put, the Wood Frog of Alaska freezes solid during the winter. It stops breathing, its heart stops beating, no pulse, no brain activity – no nothing. When spring arrives, it thaws, wakes up and hops away.
Biologists’ studies have shown that the Wood Frog can freeze solid for up to (8) months each year and accomplish what would seem to be biological miracle, but as you and I know, it is actually intelligent design. This is one miracle that scientists and biologists have yet to explain……. good luck with that!

Watch this short 2 min video by National Geographic

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IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD & NEIGHBORHOOD

I was talking to Chip, my brother-in-law. Ok, I’m convicted! We both have lived in our respective neighborhoods for many years. Chip started putting together a list of his neighbors that he has known over the years. Now he is taking that list and putting it into action – HE’S CONTACTING THEM AND INVITING THESE GUYS TO LUNCH …… on his dime – or more accurately, God’s dime! (See Photo Above)
Chip is taking the neighborly relationship to a whole new level and then he will have one-on-one conversations with each of them. Just hearing Chip tell me about this, I could hear the excitement in his voice as he is obedient to the opportunities in front of him and trusting Lord for the results. Reminds me of this verse:

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.” ~~ JESUS

Below is a photo of Lee Yih and Chip at Zion Boot Camp – 2009. As some of you know, both Lee and his wife Miltinnie received Christ due to their neighbors, a husband & wife that God used as they kept inviting them over for dinner.

Remember men, no person is too old or too hardened. Jesus can remove that heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh. I saw it happen before my eyes with my 95 year old mother!
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Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
THOU mine inheritance, now and always……..
Dan

Listen to “Be Thou My Vision” by Fernando Ortega (4 Min)

 


 

Men:
The quote below reminded me of that one BIG problem in the church today: People want to serve God on “their” terms on on His! See how that works out for you on “That Day”

“God does not want you to modify or improve on His commandments. What He asks of you may appear to need refining, and you may have compelling reasons for doing so, but it is this attitude that He will not tolerate.”

Rebellion – Part One – Day 167 Red Book

The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he”


Discipleship in Odisha, India
You Must Watch This! So Encouraging!

 

Men:
I have referred several times that what started in India over 18 years ago, is bearing much fruit. It is a modern day “Book of Acts.” Years back, Daniel Janagam purposed in his heart to take the words of Jesus from Matt 28:19 seriously: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…..” Not only has the Lord used Daniel extensively throughout India, but he had peeled open discipleship in places like, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Bali and now he and his wife Hephzi are headed to So. Africa later this month.
The brother in the video, Bala, has been serving the Lord for 15 years in the State of Odisha. It has been one of the most violent areas in India for Christians (I know, because I was there in 2012. Both Larry Morris and I worked alongside many of the brothers there).
Bala had been longing to learn systematic discipleship. It was brought into his life by Daniel Janagam. Bala’s testimony is amazing.

Watch Bala’s Short Testimony (YouTube 2 Mins)

If you would like a piece of the action, here is the link
Make sure to note that it is for: Daniel Janagam’s Ministry


 

And They Crucified Him

Several years back, 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. 

Make sure you listen to this message……… it will definitely set you back in your chair.  Pass it on to your family and friends
And They Crucified Him  (YouTube 6 min)

To know nothing but Christ and Him crucified

Here is a link to a short biography on him:
ArtKatzMinistries.org/About-Art-Katz


“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.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17

Men: Schedule time this weekend to listen to Jerry’s talk. You will walk away  enriched for sure. You can follow along with a PDF copy of Jerry’s Power Point.

End of Christendom Part I

Listen To Audio Message Here


 

It’s Easier to Tear Down than Build Up

Men:
I wasn’t going to put this article by Tim Challies in the Friday letter, but while I was finishing the article, the sentence below grabbed me. I flashed on Alistair Begg (most all of you remember the controversy earlier this year). Alistair has been a faithful pastor for almost 50 years and the Senior Pastor at Parkside Church in Cleveland for 35 years. A man who has a legacy of solid Biblical teaching. Were so many indomitable pastors correct in condemning him so quickly?

“Be warier still of those who consider it their ministry and who conflate discernment with destruction.”

If interested in reading this 3 min article, Go To The Challies.org Website

I thought this video on the “Begg Controversy” by Todd Friel was well done.
Here It Is, if you would like to watch it.  (YouTube 23 min) 

 


 

SEEK THE COUNCIL OF PROVEN MEN

Men:
As I re-read the paragraph below from Walt’s devotional, I couldn’t agree more. The times I didn’t get the council of “proven men”….. I was doing things outside God’s perfect will. I had already made my mind up and was moving forward. Sure….. I told a few brothers how excited I was about a certain “God” project, but it was “after-the-fact.” I was doing good things based on “my will” and not His! So often our own insecurities keep us from seeking “The Counsel of Proven Men.” Never Forget: Good is the Enemy of Great. Seek the counsel of proven men and watch what God can do through you!

A business man once said, “The best bargain in the marketplace is the advice of experts.” People usually get into trouble when they try to function outside their expertise; they fail to follow the counsel of proven men. Most will agree that the decisions they made and later regretted would never have been made in the first place if they had submitted to the counsel of proven men.

[From: Day 163 – Seeking God’s Council – Blue Book]