Men of Prayer

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 

- 1 Timothy 2:8 (ESV)

Brothers, do you ever read the Bible and just get so convicted about your life?  I do.  I read passages like this one from first Timothy and the Holy Spirit convicts me that I am not the man of prayer that I am supposed to be.  Don't get me wrong, I pray but this verse and the surrounding verses challenge me about who I am.  Lets look at it together ...

The first part of this challenges me because the language used is quite universal.  It is not just directed to a certain Church family or community or place or time, rather it is every where, every place, every day, every situation.  The men should pray.  This hits me hard.  "THE MEN" should pray.  Guys this means that we are supposed to be involved in prayer, not just alone at home, but together as a part of the local Church body.  I would suggest that this could infer that we as men are to be leaders inn prayer as well, not necessarily in an exclusive manner, but in an inclusive manner.  What I mean by that is if the Apostle Paul is directing that "all" men in "every place" should pray then at least "some" of those men should be involved in leading the prayer ministry.

Do you lift your hands?  I do sometimes and I know some people just don't go there. But it seems that Paul wants us to use our physical stance in prayer.  The lifting of hands is a form of displaying humility and surrender to our Lord as we pray. Our body language can be a physical representation of what is going on inside of us.

But probably the biggest challenge in this passage is to be doing this without anger or quarreling.  Too often I see, I hear, I have been a part of, anger and quarrels in the Church family.  This is not a healthy place to be.  I believe there is room for disagreement and lots for discussion but too often we allow anger and arguments to rule the day.  I believe that the teaching here on prayer for us as men is that if we are these men of prayer then we should not be known for our anger and quarreling, especially among the community of Faith.  

So being men of prayer becomes not just a personal walk in the Faith discussion.  Not only a prayer together and lead prayer in the Body discussion.  But also a leadership issue.  As leaders we are to lead in prayer together, as a larger community in surrender to our Lord, this will help us avoid conflicts.  IF we find the conflicts are still looming with greater force, then we need to gather the brothers to pray more.  We must be willing to call together those we feel hurt by and those we have hurt, to forgive and restore so that we can pray together.  Being men of prayer can bring healing to the Church family.

Men I would encourage you to learn and grow as men of prayer.  If you are not sure how to do that then feel free to contact me.  Also both strategic renewal and the 6:4 fellowship have some great resources.

When we feel conviction by the Holy Spirit about what we read in the Bible, then we must take action in response to that conviction.

Let us walk on together!


Preacherman

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Steadfast

Isn't it interesting how easily we get distracted,  how easily we get discouraged?   I find it way to easy to not bother continuing with something because it got difficult.   Yet so often as the Spirit of God prompts me to keep going,  it is often hard but it helps me grow.   The more I push and am moved by the Spirit and I obey, the easier it is to do the same next time.   And there always is a next time.

As I was reading today in James chapter one, the Lord reminded me that the trials and difficulties I face will produce steadfastness.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4 ESV

I am reminded to have joy in my troubles and to stay the course or be steadfast in the situation and that this is actually key to how we grow as Christian men.

So let us not shy away or run away or stop what we know we are supposed to do but instead hold on to the joy of the Lord and press on in His strength.   If life was meant to be easy and focused on us,  then it would be of no real value or consequence.  Life is about Jesus, we follow Him casting off  sin and pressing on through difficulties.

But brothers you are not called to walk the path alone.   The Spirit is in you,  but also you need to be connected to other brothers to walk along the journey with you.

Let's walk together.

Preacherman 

Being a Christian Man

As I was reading this morning in first corinthians I ended up in chapter 16,partly because that is the last chapter and partly because these verses are a great reminder about being a Christian Man.
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. -1 Corinthians 16:13-14 ESV

As the apostle  reminds us to be "watchful", this is an instruction to be on our guard,  to be aware of what is going on, around us but also inside of us.   So we are to be watching for the false teacher.  We are to be watching for those who are our brothers and sisters who are wandering away,  so that we can strive to bring them back.   We are to be aware of our own sinful selfish tendencies that would drag us down with sin, so that we can draw close to our God for His strength to overcome.

Then he reminds us to "stand firm".  This is not just about some kind of male stubbornness.   Though that may be something that your wife or your mother have told you is a gift you have,  this is not advocating you being stubborn.   No this is about being well grounded in the Faith.   There are 4 things that help us do this well  in our lives.   The first is Spirit led Christ focused prayer.   Be a man of prayer.   The second is to be a man of the Word.   Get into the Bible it is God's  very Word and is used to build and strengthen you.   The third is fellowship of the community of Faith.   Walking with other brothers who will challenge you and encourage you,  we are always stronger together,  this is one reason why we gather in local communities as the Body of Christ.   The fourth may seem odd to you at first but it is Serve.  Get involved,  use your gifts and abilities,  lead where you are gifted and led to by the Spirit,  humbly care for and serve others,  share your Faith,  your testimony,  the Gospel.  Being active in your Faith will help you to stand firm in it.

As we are reminded to act like men and be strong,  I think this is counter cultural in an extreme way in our current culture.   This means we are not to be those who cannot take the pressure,  we are not to be complainers, we are to be those who show or character and strength in the commitments we make and how we carry them out. This means have the guts to lead in your home and at work and in the community.   Be willing to serve,to lead, to extend care, to protect, to provide comfort.  Be ready to face the things that may scare you,  but don't back down.

Lastly but certainly not least,  we are reminded that all of this is to be done  with a motivation and a display of love.   This love is to be in the same spirit add the love we were shown by Jesus.   This is essential because as men we often will default to function and neglect the feelings or emotion of others.   We are called to love like Jesus,  and He functionally  loved in action and also in words and emotional engagement.   Who you might "naturally" be is someone who leans more to action or more to emotion etc. .. However we are not being told to be who we naturally are,  we are told to become who God had made us to be and to follow the example of our Lord Jesus.  So do not allow yourself to become strong and harsh as this is sinful,  but so is being a pushover who is sensitive to the emotions of others.   Be strong and sensitive to those you interact with.   Love love love ....like Jesus.

OK guys let's move forward following the Lord

Preacherman

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Remember ...

Every year November the eleventh rolls around and we are reminded to "remember".   All too often we are not told enough what we are to be "remembering".  Sure for me I have to remember that day is a wonderful day that God blessed me with an amazing wife (my wedding anniversary).  It is true that if I forget that reason for the day that it may affect world peace.  But for most of you that is not what you think of on "remembrance day".

Remembrance day is when we are to remember the cost of the peace and freedom we enjoy.  As limited as we may feel those things are at times, we must understand that if many people had not sacrificed then things would be much worse.  So remember those who heroically went to battle for you, even before you were ever born, they went to war for you.

But also remember those who sacrifice everyday for your continued safety and freedom.  Remember those who cast aside their own needs, wants, comforts and safety for the sake of those in need or those at risk.  Remember those who take a stand for what is True, for what is right.

Remember that Jesus came and suffered and died for you, enduring shame and torture for you.  Then He rose from the grave and lives for you.  One person can make a difference ... all the difference in the world.

And may WE remember these things and more not just as a memorial but as motivation that we too will be those who make a difference in the lives of others and in this world, for today and for future generations.

Remember the value of your life is shown in how selflessly you live.  Remember that we are called to stand together, walk together, fight together and even if required we will die together all serving our Lord.

Let us remember so that we never forget!

Preacherman
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