21 Day Challenge

How to experience the life of Jesus in just 21 days.

Each day read a chapter of John and while reading
each chapter ask the following questions;

1) What does this chapter tell me about Jesus ?

2) What does Jesus want me to believe ?

3) What does Jesus want me to do ?

4) What promise does Jesus offer me ?

“ On The Road Again ”

Willie Nelson sang, “On The Road Again”.
Just cannot wait to get on the road again.
I love making music with my friends.
Going places I have never been.

But, when "I" get down life’s highway the question "I" must ask;
“ Where Will "I" Be? When "I" Get To Where "I" am Going . “
Just take a moment to consider that thought for yourself.
“When "I" Get To Where "I" am Going, Where Will "I" Be? “

Rev. Bruce Larson offered a series of sermons based on his book;
“Where Will You Be When You Get Where You Are Going ?”
If you accept life as a journey, Rev. Larson offers some choices
and I offer some suggestions for life's journey

First choice; what you’re going to leave behind ?

Get rid of all those things you do not need, lighten your burden.
Do not waste your life’s time on things you do not need.

Second choice; who will you travel with ?

Find other Christian men who will meet with you on a regular
basis for encouragement and to share life’s journey.

Third choice; how will you get your directions ?

Christian men have Jesus as a guide and the Bible as our guide
book. Have faith and trust your guide, Jesus says follow me.

Fourth choice; what will you choose to be your journey’s goal ?

I believe the journey’s goal should be a good relationship with God.

Warren Buffet one of America’s wealthiest men was once asked;
What is your goal? He replied, “To be the nation’s oldest man.”
I believe Mr. Buffet and Mr. Gates have now found a higher goal.
They found their journey as "friends of humanity." They are
leaving behind most of their personal wealth to helping others.

To take the journey God has marked out for us, we must strip
off the excess weight that slows us down. How can we do that?

Choose friends who are also committed to the Christian journey.
Wrong friends have values and activities that will lead you away
from your goal.

Drop those go nowhere entanglements that hinder your journey
with God. Try dropping them; then check the results in your life.

Get help for addictions that will disable you. If you have a secret
“weight" such as pornography, gambling, drugs or alcohol, admit
that weight now, confess that baggage, ask God's forgiveness and
get help today.

Brothers, most of us have some extra weight. Rom.3:23 NIV
Paul said,“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Don't underestimate "little" weights or overrate the "big" weights.
They are all sins and separate us from God, all can be forgiven.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us
our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NIV

Confession involves a commitment not to continue in sin. Prayer
for strength to defeat the specific temptation, the substitution of
a worthy activity, when tempted call a Christian Brother for prayer.

Right now let us all bow our heads and in the name of Jesus we
call on our Heavenly Father to hear our request for protection
against that specific temptation. Father God, I will call for Your
shield of protection whenever this temptation occurs. I thank
You for Your Love, Forgiveness and the Deliverance from that
burdensome temptation. Amen

The Finding of “Real Friendship”

By brother george

If John Wayne were here, he would probably say;
“Men become Men in the company of Men”
Well, Men here we are, let’s get to it; Do we want to project the
John Wayne image “ I do not need anybody ” or do we want to
improve our lives and man up to get better connected with God.
It is your choice, do it on your own and travel around in circles
with the lost or read the directions God gave you.

I have made study notes on a few Scriptures that reveal; what
is real friendship, why God wants us to have real friendships,
and how do we become real friends. God’s directions are like
bricks to be placed one by one for you to build upon. You must
do the hard part of building “Real Friendships”.

Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.

“love at all times” is loyalty and that is the greatest proof of a
real friendship. Loyalty is being a real friend available to help
a brother during a difficult time.

Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a
friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Many people are those fair weather companions around for their
enjoyment, but leave when they are not benefiting. We need a real
friend who will stick close as a brother and be there for us if needed.

John 13:34-35 (NIV)
34 "A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples,
if you love one another."

Jesus says our Christ- like love will show that we are His disciples.
We show we are Jesus followers by helping a brother when it
is not easy, sharing when it hurts, giving time for his welfare,
by taking a hurt without complaint. Our actions will speak loudly
to others. Be aware that the only Bible being read by some men
is you.

John 15:12-15 (NIV)
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for
his friends.
14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know
his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for
everything that I learned from my Father I have made known
to you.

Jesus laid down His life with love for us. We are told to love
each other as Jesus loved us. There are many ways for us to
demonstrate our love by; listening, praying, sharing, helping,
and encouraging. Jesus called His disciples friends and thus
by extension all His followers are His friends. We as followers
are called to be His friend, to love Him and to love one another.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward
love and good deeds.
25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit
of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more
as you see the Day approaching.

Fellowship is a gift from Christ it helps us grow in faith, overcome
doubts, improves our connection with God and encourages one
another. Let Christ’s love motivate you to care for your brothers.
To neglect Christian meetings is to give up encouragement to
your brothers. We come together to share our faith and strengthen
one another in the Lord. We should never consider excuses for not
attending Christian meetings. If difficulties occur we should make
greater effort to overcome and be faithful in our attendance. Your
attendance demonstrates the value you place on your brothers and
their friendship.

Romans 12:10 (NIV)
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another
above yourselves.

Brotherly Love is devotion to other Christian men with a family
type of love not based on our personal attraction. Men do not
deprive yourself and your brothers of real friendship. Look
around and you will find a brother who needs your friendship.
Ask God to reveal one to you and take the challenge of being a
real friend. Stop wishing you could find a real friend, become one.
Increase your opportunities by placing yourself in situations
where friendships can develop. Place yourself in the way of
friendship with an activity such as a church ministry.
Christianity is not meant to be a spectator sport, get on the team,
get off the bench and get in the game.

Heavenly Father, our prayer is for your help for inward changes
that will increase our capacity for friendship, and for the
opportunities to develop real friendships. This is asked for as it
is in your word and in the name of Jesus, amen.

Castaways are by Choice

Sometimes, “Do you feel as though you are alone on an island?”

Today, more people are feeling isolated than any time in our history.

People are not really getting connected for any meaningful purpose.

Men are still projecting I am "OK" or I don't need anybody image.

Sure, we have casual friends and we have busy lives, maybe too busy.

Some of us pursue relief and comfort outside of God’s plan,
that only provides a greater division in our relationships.

As examples; some of us busy ourselves in work, or sports,
or a hobby that avoids dealing with life’s disappointments.

These diversions are not helping anyone spiritually or relationally.

Most men are not connecting on an honest level with other men.

Brothers relating to brothers, that is how God wants us to be.

Caring about a brother and feeling that a brother cares about you.

Buddy System; watching each other’s back, praying for your buddy,
encouraging your buddy, and sharing some activities together.

Brothers helping each other to be the man, God wants us to be.

When one brother shows he cares about a another brother,
this encourages that brother to care more for his brothers.

What goes around comes around and the more we reach out to our
brothers the more we will receive from God and from our brothers.

You can develop good bonding between brothers through team work
in a church activity or an outreach project or offer to help a brother.

A few examples are church ushers, housekeeping, ride sharing,
painting, repair projects or any shared worthwhile activity.

This bonding between two or more brothers sharing their time
with each other is a great morale booster to all the brothers.

This is what a congregation family is about, caring about each
other and be forgiving of your brothers rough spots with love.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love;
give preference to one another in honor. (Rom. 12:10 NASB)

Brotherly Love is too be devoted to other Christians with a family
type of love, that is not based on our personal attraction.

Too show genuine appreciation for fellow believers by serving them.

Who has got your back? Reach out until you’re a brother’s buddy!

Just spend a little time with a brother and find a really good friend.

“Do not become an island or a Castaway, be God's connection."

JOY

by Sister Joan

On some days every women knows, it is hard to be cheerful.
Recently while praying; the Holy Spirit gave me “just one word” “JOY”.
I was puzzled; Did God want me to be more joyful? I’ll try to do that.
The Holy Spirit impressed upon me to share "Joy" with my sisters.

”For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but
of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”(Romans 14:17)

God wants us, not only to love Him with all our hearts and to love one
another, but to also be full of His joy. God has made it very clear:
He intends that His Joy should become our joy.
God wants believers to share His love with His joy in their hearts.

God’s glorious and inexpressible joy can be ours.
“and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you

do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly Rejoice with Joy

inexpressible and full of Glory.” (1 Peter 1:8)

How does God define Joy?
God defines Joy as an attitude, a choice from within us.
So then, what is Gods Joy?
Joy is the heart of God’s plan and Joy is our strength.
When we draw strength from joy, it makes us less likely to be tempted.
God’s aim is for us to be filled with joy – that His Joy will be in us.
Joy is also necessary for Spiritual life. Your joy is your responsibility.
If you miss out on joy, you miss out on the reason for your existence.
Rejoice in every moment of life, because every moment is a gift from God.
Every day is God’s day, so rejoice in it.

If we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, then one of the results is
supposed to be “ Joy”. The Bible says, Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.
Then what prevents this precious Spiritual fruit from growing ?
Many different weeds can choke it. Like neglect & inattention can stunt it.
Carelessness can wither it before it has a chance to thrive.
A healthy, happy joyful soul does not grow without tender diligent care.
Having an abiding attitude of thanksgiving regardless of circumstances.

How, then, is it possible to become a joyful person in a pain filled world ?
We can because; God’s way allows us to hold on to our joy no matter

what heart breaks we face. It is a way that has nothing to do with us and

everything to do with HIM. Whatever you are facing, you need not let your

fear dictate feelings and actions. Your big stuff may be big, but God is bigger.

Jesus told us in this world you will have trouble, but take heart !

I have overcome the world.

Remember; God wants us to be joyful children and to share that joy with the world and each other. When you see a sister down, upset, discourage, what- ever state she is in, lift her up in prayer, comfort her, encourage her to help restore her joy. Realize she is under attack. The enemy would like nothing better than to take her joy away.

Without Love, there is no Joy.
Help us Father to be joyful Christians, help us to claim your joy, and
knowing that your joy is in us you will use it to reach others, amen.

“Just Imagine, Your Destination”

by brother george

Imagine, this world without God, and there would be only evil.
Imagine, how horrible this world would be with only evil.
Thank you, God for balancing evil with your goodness.
Thank you, God for providing us with a choice.
Imagine, this world without evil, and there would be only love.
Imagine how wonderful this world will be with only love.
Our Bible tells us, that wonderful world will come.
God has provided everyone a choice before that day.
The final day of choice has already come for many.
Life’s journey is short, have you made that choice?

You can right now make that choice, through prayer.
The prayer of faith, if you proclaim; “Jesus is Lord” and
believe in your heart that God raise Him from the dead,
you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

Lord, I know that I need your grace, and I ask for your mercy.
I ask forgiveness for all my sins. I believe that Jesus died on
the cross for my sins and rose again. I ask for the Holy Spirit to
come into my life and into my heart. All this I ask in Jesus’ name,
amen.