Friday Men’s Group 8/27/21

MIM CONFERENCE: “WHOSE JOB IS THE MINISTRY?”
AUGUST 21, 2021

 

The ministry was NEVER meant for the
Vocational Christian Worker (VCW)
But for YOU!

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
(1 Peter 2:9) 

Hi Men:

Do you truly believe that you have been called “into” His marvelous light?  If you are unsure, take the verse above and “own it.”  Memorize it and take the next month asking Almighty God to reveal the depth and riches of this amazing truth.

Did you know that:  “90% born in the church, raised in the church, saved in the church, married and buried in the church, will never share Jesus with another person.”

Unless men see the truth of the scriptures that the ministry belongs to them, this trend will continue…….. and there will continue to be little to almost no “true” discipleship.  Remember, “making disciples” is a command from the final few words of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt 28)

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THANK YOU!  –  It was your prayers that made all the difference for our Ministry in the Marketplace (MIM) Conference

Last Saturday, approximately 120 men gathered at the Faith Lutheran Performing Arts Center from churches across the valley to understand at a deeper level, “Whose Job is the Ministry?”  Our dear brother Robin Joyce (photo below on right) made all the arrangements for us to use Faith Lutheran’s wonderful facility.  We are so grateful.  You can see a few of the men fellowshipping prior to the beginning of the conference.

Our half-day conference started at 8am and ended on time at noon with a break in the middle.  The speakers did an excellent job with their presentations.  You will see below the men that were involved: Clockwise, Judge Bill McCurine, (Ret) of San Diego,  Trevor McDowell of Scottsdale and Chris Martin of Lancaster, PA.  Both Trevor and Chris did a role play on how to effectively use the “Step to Peace With God” gospel tract (see attached PDF).  You can order these tracts here:  Click Here

There were numerous comments from the men that attended.  Here are just (2) of them:

 It was a pleasure attending the Ministry in the Marketplace conference on Saturday.  I was delighted and encouraged to see the front of the auditorium fill with men who came early in the morning to learn how they can be effective in fulfilling the Great Commission.  The program exceeded my expectations.  Important issues were raised that I’ve never heard from the pulpit and I was encouraged and emboldened to enhance my walk with the Lord and share the Good News.  I sincerely hope there can be an encore performance of this conference, perhaps even the “next chapter”

The Ministry in the Marketplace Conference was edifying! Being able to be in fellowship with brothers from across Southern Nevada and listening to messages of mission and purpose from our speakers was life changing. I know a number of brothers I spoke with felt it really took them to “next level” thinking about their Kingdom role and contribution. Understanding that ministry and discipleship is my responsibility (not my pastor’s) is key to my growth in my relationship with God and key to my effectiveness as an ambassador for Christ.

The men filled out comment cards at the end of the conference.  100% of the men checked the box that they want to notified of future evets.  The MIM Committee will be discussing upcoming conferences in the days ahead.  We covet your continued prayers for His wisdom.  By the way, the spiritual attacks leading up to this conference were intense, but we all confidently know Who sits firmly on the Throne!  It was so comforting to hear Bill McCurine make mention in his talk that God often uses failures, like the apostles, to accomplish His work.  The perfect condition of a Christian man is a perpetual state of brokenness and dependence………….

Much Love in Christ,
Dan
(Galatians 2:20) 


 

Men:  A must read…. This week’s devotional drives home what is going on right now, even though Walt wrote it back it 2012!

Evil Men – Day 238 Red Book To order this devotional: Click Here

The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically

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

 


If anyone would like to attend the 2021 Southwest Men’s Retreat in Arizona, below is the registration information!

OCTOBER 1st @ 5:00PM – OCTOBER 3rd @ 11:00AM

COST: $200 / person

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE

   CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO PRINT AND MAIL YOUR REGISTRATION


Watch Some of the Best Video Microscopy in the World
Scientific American

Even though this is a secular video, you will see God’s Amazing Micro-Universe.
(YouTube 4.5 minutes)

 


Facts of the Matter

DEALING WITH SUFFERING (5 of 5)

In last week’s Facts we dealt with the question, How are we to respond to suffering?  (1) Don’t blame God, (2) Rejoice in our suffering, and (3) Grasp the fact that God’s presence is with you  amidst your suffering. We continue:

Exercise patience and perseverance:

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Rom. 5:3-5). (See Psa. 37:7; I Pet. 2:20)

View your afflictions in light of eternity

We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Cor. 4:16-18). (See Job 19:25-27; Matt. 5:12; Jms. 5:7, 8)

Use your present affliction as an opportunity to develop a deeper relationship with God

The Lord is inviting you – and me to come home, to come home to where we belong, to come home to that for which we were created.  His arms are stretched out wide to receive us.  His heart is enlarged to take us in.  For too long we have been in the far country; a country of noise and hurry and crowds, a country of climb and push and shove, a country of frustration and fear and intimidation.  And He welcomes us home: Home to serenity and fellowship and openness, home to intimacy and acceptance and affirmation. 1

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young  Jesus:  “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate (Isa. 40:11; Matt. 23:37, 38). (See Psa.  46:1; 62:8; 91:1-9; Pro. 18:10; Lk. 13:34)

This week, may you experience His grace, peace, and protection.

     ~Dwight Hill~

 Richard Foster, Prayer: Finding the Hearts True Home (San Francisco, Harper Publishing, 1992) p. 1


Meet Baby Olivia

A Never Before Seen Look at Human Life in the Womb

Stunning life within the womb
(YouTube 3 minutes)

 


FOLLOW-UP FROM LAST WEEK

As promised, I said I would give you a few Bible verses from our reflection on God’s Sovereignty from last week.  Again, this is what I shared with the pastors in India some years ago.  It created quite a bit of discussion.  Yet, it’s pretty difficult to argue with the fact that…….. “ALL Scripture is God-breathed……..”  (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Do you believe the following about God?
  • The nations are under His control
    • Psalm 2:1-4; Psalm 33:10
  • Nature and animals are under His control
    • Mark 4:41; Psalm 135:7; Psalm 147:18; Psalm 148:8
    • 2 Kings 17:25; Daniel 6:22; Matthew 10:29
  • God is Sovereign over Satan and evil spirits
    • Matthew 4:10; 2 Cor 12:7-8; Mark 1:27
  • God uses wicked people for His plans
    • Job 12:16; John 19:11; Genesis 45:8; Luke 22:22; Acts 4:27-28
  • God hardens hearts
    • Exodus 14:7; Joshua 11:20; Romans 9:18
  • God sends trouble and calamity
    • Judges 9:23; 1 Samuel 1:5; 1 Samuel 16:14.; 2 Samuel 24:1; 1 Kings 22:20-23; Isaiah 45:6-7; Isaiah 53:10*; Amos 3:6; Ruth 1:20; Ecclesiastes 7:14
  • God puts people to death
    • 1 Samuel 2:6; 1 Samuel 2:25; 2 Samuel 12:15; 2 Chronicles 10:4,14; Deuteronomy 32:39
  • God does what He pleases and His purposes cannot be thwarted
    • Isaiah 46:9-10; Daniel 4:34-35

God guides all our steps and works all things after the counsel of His will 

    • Proverbs 16:33; Proverbs 20:24; Proverbs 21:2; Jeremiah 10:23; Psalm 139:16; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11

 


 

Hard Truth!