Hey guys! I know it has been a while since I wrote. But I have been thinking about this question of "How much is enough?".
As I have been pondering this I found myself loosing the value that I had placed in many things. The more I really thought about it I realized that I already had more than enough.
If you listen to the voices around you everyday you will be told that you need more. The world tells you this through advertisement and all sorts of media. Even a lot of teachers will tell you a similar message under a banner of Christianity that is really all about self glorification. We seem to have an inner need as people to gain more. More money, more power, more stuff, more relationships, more fun, more experiences, more learning, more more more .... we are always striving for more.
I believe that God wants us to first find contentment in Him. In our relationship with God we are to find peace, rest, joy, fulfillment, contentment, everything we need we are to find in Him. The only striving we should be doing is the striving to honor and glorify Jesus Christ as our savior and Lord.
All our human striving is useless. The only way to have true fulfillment and purpose in this life is through Jesus, then whatever we do, do it all to the Glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 says "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
Let us live that way, not as those who are seeking our own gain, our own pleasure, our own purpose. Let us live to glorify God.
"beyond our reach ... but within His grasp"
Preacherman
It all started with Fellowship Baptist Church HIT Men ministry. Honesty Integrity Transparency is what it is about. No holds barred, we will walk together through this life, challenging and encouraging each other in our faith!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Forgiveness
A topic that the Lord has been impressing on my over the last few weeks is the one of Forgiveness. In Matthew 18 verses 21 & 22 there is a very important teaching on this matter. Here is the Word from the ESV
- 21Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
I think most of us are like Peter and believe that forgiving a handful of times or maybe a little more is pretty good. However Jesus teaches us that forgiveness needs to be much larger and deeper than that. I do not believe that Jesus taught us this so that we can "keep count" and stop forgiving at 490 times. Rather I believe that He is instructing us that we are forgive and forgive and forgive again and again ... etc... Part of the markings of our faith should be a forgiving heart and spirit.
So why is this on my heart? Because I often see and hear of people who are holding grudges and harboring bad feelings about their brothers and sisters in Christ. This is wrong. No matter how righteous you feel, no matter how justified you feel you position is ... we are called to forgive. This is not some optional teaching but it is instruction from our Lord.
Some people believe that they can forgive but still they mis treat the other person. We must learn about forgiveness from the One who forgave us of so very much. When God forgave you of your sins, did He hold you at a great distance? No He grabbed you and held you in His arms. Did He continue to remind you of all your wrong doing and make sure that you always felt bad about it? No He brought you freedom and peace and joy, He washed you clean. Did He forgive you once and after that hold a grudge because you are a "repeat" offender? No, He continues to forgive us and to hold us and walk with us so that we might be transformed by His grace.
Does this mean that there is no consequence for the transgression? No there is always a consequence for sin. In the spiritual realm, Jesus paid the price, took our punishment so that we can freely have a relationship with God. In the earthly realm we need to choose to forgive others and then to help them to learn so that they do not continue to hurt people. Sometimes there needs to be punishment for part of that process. Not only to help the offender to learn but to help others learn and avoid the same road. The first half of Matthew 18 talks of this in a context that we call "Church Discipline" . I think it could easily be talked of as "how to deal with problems between Christians".
Our lack of forgiveness shows a heart of sinful pride. Our lack of repentance shows a heart of sinful pride. We are called to break our pride and be humble before our God and to live that out with one another. So REPENT quickly and Forgive fast. This will be honoring to God and help to build healthy community in our Churches and homes.
MAN UP!
Preacherman
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Time is now!
" 25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Men, the time is NOW! ... yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come. Do not waste you day. I am not talking about spending more time working. No, not at all, rather spend more time with God and making a difference in His kingdom. We as men need to STOP playing around with our lives. Instead of being the men we are called to be, we have settled for a life that is enslaved to work, money, power, addictions, fear, routine, depression, or whatever it is that is driving us.
We are called to be more than what we have been. We are called to stop worrying about the things of this world so much and to emphasize the things of God's and His kingdom. Funny how things as simple and easy as a high quality men's conference coming to town can show us the complacency. Really it is true. We have some guys that have stepped up to the plate, but so many more that are still on the fence.
Sure there are excuses, "I have to work", "I am busy", "I will be away". some of them are even reasonable. Yet I know guys who will take time off work to go to a game or take a trip that has way less value to add to their lives than this conference does. I know a lot of guys who will clear their busy schedule to hang out with their hunting buddies and to play on a team. I know plenty of guys who have adjusted trips to make sure they did not miss their favorite activities.
The harsh reality is that these men do not realize that they have the opportunity to make a difference. The need to get passionate about their faith and begin to sacrifice to make a difference today! Work and trips will come and go but opportunities to see God work in your own life and to help you make a difference in the lives of others seems to be not so common for most men.
I know that sometimes you just can't change your schedule, sometimes you cannot get time off, sometimes the trips cannot change. But sometimes we choose to take the easy road. It is a sad day when that happens. As Men we know we need to have God make a difference in our lives today. It won't happen if you always run from it.
So, Men, start living for today! Free your lifestyle up so that you can make a difference. Make the choices for tomorrow that make a difference so that when that day is your new "today" you can use it to the fullest as well. We seem to be great at planning careers, trips, finances etc... but not so good at planning spiritual growth.
Men! Press on!
Preacherman
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
Men, the time is NOW! ... yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come. Do not waste you day. I am not talking about spending more time working. No, not at all, rather spend more time with God and making a difference in His kingdom. We as men need to STOP playing around with our lives. Instead of being the men we are called to be, we have settled for a life that is enslaved to work, money, power, addictions, fear, routine, depression, or whatever it is that is driving us.
We are called to be more than what we have been. We are called to stop worrying about the things of this world so much and to emphasize the things of God's and His kingdom. Funny how things as simple and easy as a high quality men's conference coming to town can show us the complacency. Really it is true. We have some guys that have stepped up to the plate, but so many more that are still on the fence.
Sure there are excuses, "I have to work", "I am busy", "I will be away". some of them are even reasonable. Yet I know guys who will take time off work to go to a game or take a trip that has way less value to add to their lives than this conference does. I know a lot of guys who will clear their busy schedule to hang out with their hunting buddies and to play on a team. I know plenty of guys who have adjusted trips to make sure they did not miss their favorite activities.
The harsh reality is that these men do not realize that they have the opportunity to make a difference. The need to get passionate about their faith and begin to sacrifice to make a difference today! Work and trips will come and go but opportunities to see God work in your own life and to help you make a difference in the lives of others seems to be not so common for most men.
I know that sometimes you just can't change your schedule, sometimes you cannot get time off, sometimes the trips cannot change. But sometimes we choose to take the easy road. It is a sad day when that happens. As Men we know we need to have God make a difference in our lives today. It won't happen if you always run from it.
So, Men, start living for today! Free your lifestyle up so that you can make a difference. Make the choices for tomorrow that make a difference so that when that day is your new "today" you can use it to the fullest as well. We seem to be great at planning careers, trips, finances etc... but not so good at planning spiritual growth.
Men! Press on!
Preacherman
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Stand Up! MEN! Stand Up!
Men,
Once again I am reminded of an important thing... not just reminded like I "remembered" something, but reminded like I received a big SMACK in the head. As men we are called to stand up for what is right. We are to stand up for the helpless and defenseless. We are called to take a stand when we see injustice and wrongdoing. Men are made to stand as warriors and enter the battle with their faces forward chasing fear.
As Christian men this is our calling all the more. As Christians we know God. We know what is Truth. We know how we are to treat other people. We know about what God sees as being wrong and sinful and what is right. We are called to stand for these things. We are called to be God's warriors and enter into the battle for His cause and His Kingdom. Men we are called to STAND UP!
Yet we find ourselves sitting. We find ourselves quiet and subdued. Instead of standing and fighting we lie down and rest. We refuse to enter into the battle and live with passion, because we are afraid. We are afraid of what we have been taught. Too many of us have listened to lies. Lies that we were told about who God wanted us to be. Lies about what was good. We were told it is better to be "nice" than to stand for Truth. We were told is is better to be soft and easy to get along with than for us to do battle for our God. We need to stop this weak thinking and become who God has called us to be.
You have a purpose and a calling and God has given you a job to do. We need to stop listening to people and begin listening to our God. We need to get into the game, enter the battle and fight.
Let's get into the fight and enjoy the battle together, we may not be perfect as people but we can be obedient warriors. Join me and let's follow our calling.
STAND UP MEN!!!
Once again I am reminded of an important thing... not just reminded like I "remembered" something, but reminded like I received a big SMACK in the head. As men we are called to stand up for what is right. We are to stand up for the helpless and defenseless. We are called to take a stand when we see injustice and wrongdoing. Men are made to stand as warriors and enter the battle with their faces forward chasing fear.
As Christian men this is our calling all the more. As Christians we know God. We know what is Truth. We know how we are to treat other people. We know about what God sees as being wrong and sinful and what is right. We are called to stand for these things. We are called to be God's warriors and enter into the battle for His cause and His Kingdom. Men we are called to STAND UP!
Yet we find ourselves sitting. We find ourselves quiet and subdued. Instead of standing and fighting we lie down and rest. We refuse to enter into the battle and live with passion, because we are afraid. We are afraid of what we have been taught. Too many of us have listened to lies. Lies that we were told about who God wanted us to be. Lies about what was good. We were told it is better to be "nice" than to stand for Truth. We were told is is better to be soft and easy to get along with than for us to do battle for our God. We need to stop this weak thinking and become who God has called us to be.
You have a purpose and a calling and God has given you a job to do. We need to stop listening to people and begin listening to our God. We need to get into the game, enter the battle and fight.
Let's get into the fight and enjoy the battle together, we may not be perfect as people but we can be obedient warriors. Join me and let's follow our calling.
STAND UP MEN!!!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Your Decisions Count!
Men! Today we will be reading Psalm 1. I will be quoting parts of it here from the ESV but feel free to read it in which ever translation you prefer.
Men today I want to challenge you to look at your decisions and your sources for decision making. Often we find ourselves receiving counsel from those who really are in opposition to God, yet we see value in their words. We need to decide to follow counsel that honors God first. We need to be reminded to reach out to the lost and develop relationships with them in order to share the gospel with them but we must be careful to not become a part of their lifestyles that move against God. We need to be careful that as we have issues or concerns we do not become a scoffer. Your best defense is the Word of God. Get into the Word. Decide to be a man of the scriptures and allow God to use them to break you and shape you into who He wants you to become.
Your decisions count, they are an important statement to the people around you about what God has done in your life. The way we live and the choices we make reveal who we are inside. Do not allow that "old man" to be shown, decide to reveal the "new man" in Jesus Christ that resides in you.
Reminder guys, get your Promise Keepers registrations in as the conference is less than a month away now. Go to www.promisekeepers.ca to register or if you need any assistance call us at the Church office @ 780-743-3747. Also Wed night we have RCMP Member Lance Hawker talking to us Internet predator protection, a great opportunity to invite people out, meet at the Church at 7pm.
Live out your faith this week!
Buy your soup kitchen banquet and auction tickets here - April 17th is the event date & tickets are $30
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Verses 1&2 of Psalm 1 in the ESV)
Men today I want to challenge you to look at your decisions and your sources for decision making. Often we find ourselves receiving counsel from those who really are in opposition to God, yet we see value in their words. We need to decide to follow counsel that honors God first. We need to be reminded to reach out to the lost and develop relationships with them in order to share the gospel with them but we must be careful to not become a part of their lifestyles that move against God. We need to be careful that as we have issues or concerns we do not become a scoffer. Your best defense is the Word of God. Get into the Word. Decide to be a man of the scriptures and allow God to use them to break you and shape you into who He wants you to become.
Your decisions count, they are an important statement to the people around you about what God has done in your life. The way we live and the choices we make reveal who we are inside. Do not allow that "old man" to be shown, decide to reveal the "new man" in Jesus Christ that resides in you.
Reminder guys, get your Promise Keepers registrations in as the conference is less than a month away now. Go to www.promisekeepers.ca to register or if you need any assistance call us at the Church office @ 780-743-3747. Also Wed night we have RCMP Member Lance Hawker talking to us Internet predator protection, a great opportunity to invite people out, meet at the Church at 7pm.
Live out your faith this week!
Buy your soup kitchen banquet and auction tickets here - April 17th is the event date & tickets are $30
Monday, January 18, 2010
Start Today!
Ok guys, I have been thinking about a lot of things. One of the challenges that keeps returning to me is that we need to start today. If there is something you need to do, start today. If there is a change you need to make, then start today. If you need to stop doing something ... then start "stopping" today. What ever it is, you have no guarantees about tomorrow.
Also think about what you are giving to others. I mean did you realize that you are leading others? You are an example to others? You may not realize it but you are. Your friends watch you and know you. Your family sees you and knows you and follows you. Those that you influence will become like you. Yes like you. I am so very convicted about this. I believe it to be essential to how we are to change our homes, our families, our Church, our community.
If you were an apple tree you would produce apples, but if an apple tree produced lemons that would be a miracle or at least not normal. People are a lot like that, we produce what we are. So MEN take a good look at yourself and start today, making a few changes. The person you are will influence those who are close to you. Do your part and humble yourself and repent. God will forgive you and make you new. You may not be perfect, but even your broken repentance is a good example.
Start today and be the influence you are called to be for those around you. Live for Christ and follow Him fully!
Also think about what you are giving to others. I mean did you realize that you are leading others? You are an example to others? You may not realize it but you are. Your friends watch you and know you. Your family sees you and knows you and follows you. Those that you influence will become like you. Yes like you. I am so very convicted about this. I believe it to be essential to how we are to change our homes, our families, our Church, our community.
If you were an apple tree you would produce apples, but if an apple tree produced lemons that would be a miracle or at least not normal. People are a lot like that, we produce what we are. So MEN take a good look at yourself and start today, making a few changes. The person you are will influence those who are close to you. Do your part and humble yourself and repent. God will forgive you and make you new. You may not be perfect, but even your broken repentance is a good example.
Start today and be the influence you are called to be for those around you. Live for Christ and follow Him fully!
Friday, January 1, 2010
LIVE IT! LOVE IT! LOSE IT!
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) says "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." This year i want to put out the challenge to all the men to live this verse out.
As Christian men we are called to follow Jesus Christ first and foremost. This is what our lives are meant to be above all else. Because of Jesus you are who you are, and are being transformed into who He has called you to be. Do not be misled about your career or your wealth generation for retirement. These things are not what your life is meant to be about. Careers will come and go, money will be made, spent and lost. Our calling to the works of the kingdom of God will be for this life and then on to eternity.
LIVE out your faith this year, be the Christian Man you are called to be in all situations. LOVE God, worship Him, celebrate His goodness, then show His LOVE to other people. Cherish your wife and children if you have them. Put your priorities in the right order "GOD, WIFE, KIDS, REST".
LOSE yourself and everything else. Yes that is right, LOSE it all. Whoa ... hold it Preacherman! What are you talking about?!?
Mark Chapter 8:34-38 (ESV) says "34And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
Men, we need to be prepared to LOSE, everything for the sake of Jesus Christ. Now I am not talking about some vow of poverty and quitting your job to live on faith. Rather I am talking about NO COMPROMISE! We need to be willing to lose everything in the face of those who would oppose our Lord. We need to be who we are called where we are and in everything we do. If that means we have less "friends" because they choose to not follow God and are offended by the Gospel, then so be it. If that means that your boss who is not a believer decides to lay you off instead of the next guy because then he will not have to hear about your faith, then so be it.
We need to press froward with the cause of Christ and not allow ourselves to "sell out" because it is easier. Set your standard for this year, do it now and keep it.
Our Standards!
Your relationship with God needs to be #1
- Do not forsake going to church to worship Him
- Do not forsake reading His Word
- Spend time with the Lord
Your relationship with your wife needs to be #2
- Spend time with her
- Learn how to love her more and more
- Cherish her and treat her as "special"
- If you are single then you need to live like you are married to protect your integrity and purity. Live as one who is learning and seeking a wife, you just have not met her yet.
Other People are #3
- This includes your children
- This includes your friends and other family
- Make sure to spend the right time with those who need you the most, like your children. Whether you know it or understand it, they need you a lot.
Everything Else
- This means your Job
- This means your volunteering
- This means your sports and hobbies
If you put the first 3 in the right order, the rest will fall into place. Be who you are called to be.
Looking forward to 2010 being a year of Transformation. May the Lord continue to make us into who He wants us to be.
Preacherman
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