“Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Galatians 6:9-10
Hi Men:
Did you see God’s hand in your life this past week? Can you look back on something that just overwhelmed you? As we die to ourselves, even in the mundane, which is the vast majority of our days, we should be seeing Christ everywhere. Why? How about these Bible verses for starters:
“ ………. Apart from Jesus, we can do NOTHING” John 15:5
“ For from Him, and though Him, and to Him are ALL THINGS……” Romans 11:36
In other words: “Everything comes from God; everything exists by his power; and everything is intended for his glory.”
“The earth is the Lord’s, and ALL it contains, the world, and THOSE WHO LIVE IN IT.” Psalm 24:1
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift IS FROM ABOVE …..” James 1:17
“For the earth is the Lord’s and ALL it contains” 1 Corinthians 10:26
So tell me again why you haven’t been seeing Jesus everywhere?
BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS – Part 1
I started writing about Pocket Gophers, since I just found a huge colony living under all my Texas Ranger bushes, eating all their roots. But I will save that for another day. I will say this, if you don’t know a lot about them, they are Master Excavators and one pocket gopher can excavate over 1 ton of dirt in 1 year. Pretty amazing since they only weight ½ lb.
Photo above: I rested one of my memory verse cards on the flower of a crape myrtle tree in my back yard. I just haven’t been able to get that verse out of my mind.
There are so many people out there that are experiencing such great burdens. From struggling marriages dealing with hopelessness, anger and exhaustion, to children that have disconnected from the family, rebellious and acting in destructive ways. Just this week I visited with a mother that has been facing great medical challenges that have depleted almost all her resources because she has been in and out of hospitals and rehab facilities since the beginning of the year. More on her in my next Friday letter………
When people are hurting, why do we tend to avoid them? Does it make us uncomfortable? Are we at a loss for words? Are we thinking about our own morbidity or mortality? What gives? God’s word couldn’t be more clear: We are to bear one another’s burdens, thus fulfilling the law of Christ. And…… we are back to the (2) greatest commandments: Love God and Love your Neighbor as yourself! Maybe we need to get out of our ourselves….. are we too self-focused and self-absorbed? Maybe we are too busy?
Joni Eareckson Tada is one of my heroes. Many of you saw the profound 13 minute video I put in the Friday letter last year: E²Vegas.org/Friday-Mens-Group-8-12-22 Scroll down to “Songs of Suffering” In light of her suffering for the past 55 years, even in her mind-boggling medical condition and chronic pain, she continues to “bear one another’s burdens.” She has encouraged and helped untold thousands. Talk about a “Sacrifice of Thanksgiving” (see article below)
IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD …… and down the street
Brief Update: You remember Leo, my landscape guy. A lot is happening in his life, but one thing that’s a huge blessing, before he departs, he has been asking that I pray for him…….. and when he is having a tough day, he is now calling me. What a privilege from the Lord.
On Wed, I finally got an appointment to see my audiologist, because my hearing aids are not working properly. The gal I see is wonderful and goes out of her way to take care of me, but has been on maternity leave 
and just returned recently. I mentioned to my wife that she just had a baby and said it would be great to get her a card and maybe a little baby gift. Jane said, let me make a little stuffed bear and you can bring that to her with a card. So as you can see by the photo, my audiologist is holding the bear that Jane made. When she opened the gift, she was surprised and amazed. I didn’t ask her, but I don’t think too many of her patients brought gifts for her newborn. At the bottom of the gift bag, I had the Million Dollar Book of John and Steps To Peace with God. This time in her office, I got to share my testimony and the reality of Christ in my life. I also told her about the Zion men’s conference and possibly her husband might be interested. She was super gracious and considered everything I shared with her. When my hearing aids come back from the manufacturer, I hope to see her again. The opportunities we have to represent our King are unlimited…….
Grateful to be working in His Vineyard,
Dan
(Gal 2:20)
“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.” Psalm 128:1
Men: Does the devotional below make you feel uncomfortable? If it doesn’t, you’re in trouble!
“The Savior only accepts as His own those who renounce all rights to themselves and completely surrender themselves to His leadership in their lives”
“If Jesus is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all” (Read the last sentence – 3rd Paragraph!)
Surrender – Red Book Day 202
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he”
A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving
by Trevor McDowell
Men: Take 2 minutes and read this MIM article. Very convicting and needs to be a deep-seated truth in our lives.
I believe this is what the Bible refers to as a “Sacrifice of Thanksgiving” when we thank Him for something we wish did not happen to us or our loved ones.
Read attached PDF or Read it on the MIM website.
VOM Live Stream
Men: My wife and I watched this live last week. Talk about a “Sacrifice of Thanksgiving.” You will be inspired by testimonies from four courageous women who showed incredible conviction and commitment to Jesus Christ in the face of opposition and suffering. In addition, you will enjoy uplifting worship music from Michael W. Smith. This would be a powerful video to watch with your family. Jane and I were truly humbled!
Watch The Video On the Hearts Event Website (1hr 55min)
Walking in the Light
by Jim Wilson
Men:
This was a great article passed on by one of the brothers. This is what he said concerning the article:
“Most of this was a good reminder for me, plus I am aware that the cry for “equality” is shouted from the rooftops by almost all interest groups these days, but I have to confess I had never really thought about “fairness” as being humanistic, though in retrospect I should not have been surprised.”
See attached PDF or Read it on the Community Christian Ministries website
To Seek and Save the Lost
Quote from below: “There is only one reason the Lord allows his church to remain on earth: to seek and save the lost, just as Christ’s only reason for coming to earth was to seek and save the lost.”
Take your time reading this:
Exactly! Galatians 2:20
