"The One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these."
(Isaiah 45:7)
"Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both good and ill go forth? Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins?”
(Lamentations 3:37-39)
Hi Men:
There’s not a one of you that doesn’t know about Hurricane Florence. The satellite photo above was taken Thursday evening, EST. Even though it is only a Cat 2 currently, this storm is immense. It will probably dump in excess of 18 trillion gallons of water. To put that in perspective, 18 trillion gallons would fill (4) Great Salt Lakes in No. Utah or the entire Chesapeake Bay or even fill half of Lake Tahoe. Now that’s crazy! By the way, this next photo was taken tonight by my son John in So. Lake Tahoe……….God is Amazing!
Those verses above from Isaiah and Lamentations should give all of us pause. You will hear of messages from pulpits across the country that a good God doesn’t send destructive hurricanes into cities and chewing up coastlines. Really? Then what do you do with those verses and the many others? You may want to refresh your memory and review a past handout on God’s Sovereignty, “All Things Come From His Hand” (Kevin DeYoung – The Good News We Almost Forgot).
I was talking to a dear buddy tonight and he has friend whose younger brother at age 33 died of an overdose and a co-worker whose son committed suicide. I’m not sure how many of you paid attention to Walt’s devotion on 9/11 (Sept 11th). Of course Walt wrote that devotional several years before the September 11 attacks where almost 3 thousand people died that morning.
Let’s make sure we keep our eyes on the eternal and not the temporal. Remember in the “Establishing Your Purpose” booklet, our universal purpose is to, “To glorify God as we participate with Him in the process of becoming prepared for an eternity in heaven.”
This life is a vapor, please don’t try to make it your home………… we’re not home yet. Give yourself some time reflecting on this devotional from Walt Henrichsen’s Blue Book.
Please keep praying for all the men, wives and children. I was at a Christian luncheon today and as the men went around the table, ALL the prayer requests were either for marriages or children. A very common issue in these times we’re in…………..
See you at noon…………….
Broken and Dependent in Him,
Dan
(Gal 2:20)
ZION REGISTRATION COMING THIS WEEKEND!!!
It Will Cost You Everything!
I can’t tell you how much listening to this 11 minute YouTube message by Steve Lawson helps me. As most of you know, I have sent this link out a number of times. Maybe it’s just me, but listening to it every other week or so, truly centers me on what my mind should be focused on. Christian men that like fluff, may want to pass on pass on this video…………
Does this message by Dwight Hill describe you?
Facts of the Matter
WHAT DOES A TRUE DISCIPLE OF CHRIST LOOK LIKE?
Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations. (Matt. 28:18-20) But what does a true disciple of Christ look like? How do I know I am on the right track in my efforts to make disciples? Is there a way to measure such a person?
Does it have to do with standards of performance? Or a certain degree of church involvement? Or the length and intensity of ones prayer life? Who decides the criteria? Following are several Scriptural definitions of a disciple. We are on safe ground in our definition of a disciple if we stay with these basic, yet profound meanings:
A Disciple of Christ has forsaken all to follow Christ: “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” (Lk. 14:33) (See Lk. 14:26-33) (Also see Luke 18:22,28-30; Phil. 3:7,8; 1 Jn. 2:15,16)
QUESTION: Has your disciple, in his quest to follow Christ, surrendered control of his rights?
A Disciple of Christ is a serious adherent of God’s word: “…Jesus said, If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (Jn. 8:31,32) (I Sam. 12:14; Matt. 7:24-27; Jms. 1:22-25)
QUESTION: Has your disciple made the decision to build his life on the authority of Gods word?
A Disciple of Christ loves others unconditionally and sacrificially as Christ loves us: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Jn. 13:34,35) (See Jn. 15:13)
QUESTION: Is the life of your disciple characterized by selfish indulgence or sacrificial service?
A Disciple of Christ is growing in Christ likeness: “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” (Lk. 6:40) (See Jn. 15:20; 2Cor. 3:18)
QUESTION: Is the fruit of the Spirit increasingly operative in the life of your disciple? (Gal. 5:22,23)
A Disciple of Christ bears much, lasting fruit: “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples… You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last…” (Jn. 15:8,16) (See Prov. 11:30)
QUESTION: Are the lives of people being changed into Christlikeness through the influence of your disciple?
What are you willing to die for?
