Brazil’s Gabriel Medina – 2024 Olympics
“Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
only what’s done for Christ will last”
C.T. Studd (1860 – 1931)
Hi Men:
I pray this week you have reflected on the “Exchanged Life” you now have in Christ….. His life now residing in you! Amazing……..
“But as for me, the nearness of God is my good……….” Psalm 73:28
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Photo Above
I’m sure all of you have seen this photo. Someone sent me what this surfer posted on social media, “Tudo posso naquele que me fortalece” Filipenses 4:13. Of course it’s the very familiar verse from Philippians 4:13
In light of C.T. Studd’s quote above, I’ve been thinking about stuff……..
Do I take Paul’s words in Philippians 3:7-8 to heart?
- “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.” (Note: the Greek word for “rubbish” is skubla…. Direct translation is refuse, manure, etc.)
- What about TV, Internet, Social Media ….. even the Olympics? Even though we have Christian liberties, do any of those interfere with your time with Christ? If so, what should you be praying about?
- Recently I have been discussing with some of the men, the inordinate amount of time spent discussing politics and world events. I have asked a few people that were discipled by Walt Henrichsen if they ever remember him “initiating” a conversation regarding politics. In the years Walt discipled me (1993-2016) I can NEVER remember him bringing the subject up. I got the same response from the men I asked that were also discipled by Walt. I guess he took 2 Timothy 2:4 to heart:
- “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.” Do we believe this verse? Are you one of those guys that is getting too wrapped up in current affairs?
- The list is long, but I will stop here…….
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IN YOUR OWN BACK YARD
Meet Adrian, Leo’s son. He will be a senior in high school. As most of you know, Leo is my landscaper and Adrian has been helping his dad. When they arrive on Thursday mornings, Adrian mows the grass (and does a great job). Most of you know What God Did In Leo’s life and we continue to pray and throughout the summer, all 3 of us (Leo, Adrian and me) pray together before they leave. Here are just 2 amazing things that just happened:
- We have been praying that Adrian would find a job and be able to work part-time even when school starts. Last week Adrian was “super excited” to tell me that he had been reading in a small New Testament he has and then prayed to God, asking Him to help him find a job. The next morning he got a call from a tire shop and they said they were gong to hire him. Answered prayer from God’s hand!
- Yesterday was going to be Adrian’s last day at my home. I gave him an Evidence Bible (Ray Comfort – Living Waters). It is a super Bible, and Adrian was really grateful. Later that morning Adrian sent me a text message that brought tears to my eyes. He gave me permission to share it with all of you:
Hey Dan, its Adrian, I just wanted to say thank you for everything that you brought into my life, I don’t think it was a coincidence that my dad met you. God planned this all and now I can gladly say you both changed my life. Working on your house has been nothing but a blessing and I will keep in touch with you as my life goes on because if it wasn’t for you I’m not sure where I would be. You brought such a good spirit into my life and really opened my mind. As you know school starts next week so I’m not sure when i will be back at your house. But i just want you to know how much i appreciate you, and how grateful i am for every prayer you’ve said for me.
God continues to overwhelm me…………. Please pray for Adrian
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Thank you Jesus!
Dan
(Gal 2:20)
“God never promised to meet our expectations, but He does promise that there will be eternal accountability for temporal behavior.”
The Hypocrisy of Narcissism – Day 221 Red Book
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he”
Men:
I thought this was pretty amazing. I especially loved the verses engraved at the base of the statue: John 3:16 and John 14:6
Billy Graham Statue Dedication – U.S. Capitol
This was outstanding:
When House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the crowd, he held up a copy of Billy Graham’s study Bible, and read aloud Galatians 6:14, a passage that Mr. Graham had underlined in red in his personal Bible. The same verse is also engraved on the pages of the Bible in the statue: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
READING: MARK 8
Like the other gospels, Mark is not a biography but a thematic narrative that approaches the life of Christ from a specific perspective. The theme of this gospel is evident in Christ’s clear purpose statement in 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” The 18 miracles in Mark demonstrate not only the compassion of the Lord but also His power and authority, and they authenticate His teachings which are interspersed throughout.
Jesus responds to mounting opposition by intensifying His teaching and preparation of His disciples so that they will be prepared for His departure. In the period between Mark 8:27 and 10:52 (approximately six months), Jesus tells His disciples of His coming death and resurrection with increasing frequency as He turns His steps to Jerusalem.
Prayer: Lord, may I be willing to come after Jesus by denying myself, taking up my cross, and following Him. May I find life by losing it for Your sake and the gospel’s.
Meditation passage: verses 2, 27–29, 34–38
DWELL ON THESE THINGS
John 10:10 Project
Men:
You will like this……..
Watch On YouTube (4:30 min)
Men:
As some of you know, I was in the Life Insurance business for over 43 years. I visited hundreds of my clients that were hospitalized (Why? Because all my clients became friends and I cared about them). Over the years I saw things in the hospital setting that would curl your toes…….. even my own dad had drugs prescribed to him that had severe interactions…… So, you need to be an advocate, not only to your family members, but to your friends.
My wife sent me this short 8 minute video.
You all need to watch it. His advice is “spot on!” 
PLEASE tell anybody OVER-65 in your life:
LIFE SAVING advice if HOSPITALIZED
These are crucial for you and your family to remember, when that day comes
Watch On YouTube (8:31 minutes)
By the way, in many situations, you will have the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Remember my friend Dave?
