A Revisit A Reminder A Refresher

Guys, I know that I have used this passage often with the HIT men but I really feel we need to Revisit it, so here we go.

Psalm 133 (ESV)
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity
It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!
It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

Really it is just 3 verses but there is such a great Reminder for us there.  At the Core of the HIT men ministry is that we are called to live as "brothers" because of of common faith in Jesus Christ.  It is Jesus that gives us such a bond and as such has given us the ability and the command to live in unity.  This is not just about us feeling better about life because we have friends, rather it is about the glory of God and our obedience to who He has called us to be.  

When men come together with this type of heart and attitude, God seems to work in powerful ways.  Men who are seeking to walk together in their faith want to be used by God, they do not want to sit on the "bench", they want to get into the game.  We are to be these men.  We are to be men who get into action.

So this is a bit of a Refresher for us.  You see the HIT men is a great idea and a great group.  But like anything, we need to make sure we are being intentional with moving forward in the mission we have been given.  We need to make sure we are always seeking to grow and to bring other men onto the team.  

Last night we were especially reminded through a video clip about how important it is for the men to be intentionally leading and investing in the younger generations.  Should all our men be involved in youth or children's ministry?  No not necessarily, but I would suggest a lot more need to be involved in those areas than we have now.  And more than those who are so young, we need to also be investing in the guys who are 5 or 10 years younger than us.

Anyway I would challenge you to take time today with the Lord.  Ask Him to help you to be who He has made you to be.  Ask God to place a fresh passion inside you to be a leader, to be a man who wants to grow and move forward to make a difference.  Then as you do that, start bringing other guys with you, influence them through your relationship and your example.

Fight on!

Preacherman

Men should Pray

First Timothy chapter 2 and verse 8 says "I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;" (ESV) - Men we are called to be people of Prayer and Worship. Often times I hear of prayer ministries that are led by women in the local Churches. While it is good that women are praying, because we are all called to pray, often times the women are leading these ministries because there are almost no men involved in prayer.

I am thankful for friends like Daniel Henderson from Strategic Renewal International, who spend their time challenging pastors and Churches about their prayer emphasis. As men we are to be praying, not just alone in the quiet of our bedrooms, but "everywhere" and with hands raised. The everywhere needs to have an emphasis on community and public in nature. We are called to pray not just in secret but with others. We are called to raise hands, not because that is some exalted physical ritual, but because we are to be worshipful in our prayer.

So men, this week I want to challenge you. Please consider getting out of your comfort zone and being a man of prayer. A Biblical man of prayer. We will have a day of fasting and prayer tomorrow and we will have a worship based prayer time tomorrow night. this is a great opportunity for you to grow in your prayer life. To be a man of prayer takes effort and intent, it does not just happen. I believe you are up to the challenge.

at FBC we have regular men's prayer times - Tuesday mornings at 7am and the first and third Saturdays of the month at 8am. Of course our Monday night Men's Bible study and Wednesday night HIT Men groups have a prayer component as well, so please make the commitment to become a man of prayer and join with other men to enjoy a community of worship in prayer.

Press on toward the goal

Preacherman