As The Spirit Leads

Go easy on the "Jesus talk"

2011-12-22T22:12:00.003-05:00

I was reading a blog today, by Dave Brown, on the NCMM web site about Tim Tebow.

The link is below.

http://ncmm.org/tebow-warner-plummer-and-jesus-talk/

It seems two Christian quarterbacks think that Mr. Tebow should stop talking about and praising God.

I was led by the Holy Spirit to comment on that blog. While my comment was inspired by Dave Brown's blog, it fits in with things I have heard a few Christians say about other Christians.

Below is my comment:

The Bible tells us to follow Jesus, to emulate Him, be like Him. So how did Jesus do it?
Jesus spoke to the people about salvation, He gave glory to the Father, and Jesus lived the Holy lifestyle.

• To tell people the “Good News”, then remove ourselves from this “evil” world and go home or to church and study God’s word does not seem to match what Jesus did.

• To only speak of God (praising Him) when something good has happened to us, and then continue on our way does not seem to match what Jesus did.

• To say we should only let our actions show we are Christians, and speak the Gospel only if / or when we are questioned does not seem to match what Jesus did.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit we all have the ability to do all these things. As different parts of the same body each of us is stronger in some of these areas than in others.

In the case of Tim Tebow, I believe he is listening to the Holy Spirit. He is sharing the “Good News”, giving all the glory to God the Father, and as far as I can tell, living a Christian life style.

A final thought. All true Christians should be thankful to our Father in Heaven that the media is actually focusing on a true believer this time and not someone who is a Christian in name, but not in word and deed.

All for the glory of God

My Way/God's Way

2011-03-21T07:25:00.002-04:00

Are your men experiencing rest and peace or restlessness and dissatisfaction?

St Augustine said; "My heart will be restless until I find my rest in Thee."

That rest comes from the confident assurance that God truly is working out all things for your good.

(Patrick Morley-Equipping The Man In The Mirror, March 18)

That would mean giving up control...

The amount of control we give away is directly proportional to the amount of trust we have in who we are giving it to.
Trust is built through relationships.
Relationships come from knowing someone.
How do we come to know Jesus?
His Word and the working of the Holy Spirit!

The more time we spend studying Bible, the more rest and peace we will have, even during challenging times.

Jesus, Martin Luther, Today’s Men’s Discipleship Leader.

2011-03-10T08:29:00.002-05:00

I can't think of any other time in history where there were so many ways to communicate. As men, called by our Lord Jesus to disciple men, it is our task to communicate the Gospel to as many men as possible. But not all men communicate the same way.

Face-to-face; hand-written "snail mail"; phone; email; texting; instant messaging; social media. Our challenge is how we use these media to get the Good News to men. The men we are trying to reach are using one or more of the above; we need to use them all.

Some of us are completely resisting the new ways of communicating, using only the phone or face-to-face (writing letters was never a strong suit for us men). Some of us are way to connected to our "tech toys", stressing when our smart phone battery dies or we are stuck where there is no internet available.

Here are my thoughts on the effective use of all the current methods of reaching men:

Use social media (Twitter, Facebook, websites, etc) to get a message to lot of men when a respone is not needed.
If a response is not needed for a week or more, suprise them with a hand-written letter. I think it would be nice to receive mail that was not a bill or junk mail.**
If a response is needed in 48 to 72 hours, send an email.**
If 24 hours is your limit, phone, text, or instant message, depending on the recipient's technology level.
Face-to-face always has the most impact.

** I feel it is critical to follow up #2 and #3 with a phone call, if for no other reason than to let them know you sent something.

Remember Jesus used the most effective form of communication of the time, town-to-town, face-to-face. Martin Luther used the newest technology to spread God's Word, the printing press. Now it is our turn. If you don't know how to use one or more of these media you should learn. You do not have to be a wiz kid or have the newest an most expensive, just know how and when to use what.

Technology is not evil, it is a tool. The enemy is using it to its fullest. We need to use it to its fullest to grow the Kingdom of God, while bringing glory and honor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Step out and trust the Lord. His word will not come back void, see Isaiah 55:11, it will fulfill His purpose regardless of which method(s) we use, but we need to be heard!

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I command you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

Together with you in the battle for men's souls,

Bill

Fire & Trust

2011-01-20T19:57:00.001-05:00

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10

In today’s lesson from Equipping the Man In The Mirror, Pat Morley talks about the refining process that God puts us through. Pat reminds us that the refining process that precious metals go through removes the impurities. Our God works the same way. The Bible talks about this in several places including in James 1:2-4: Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Applying the heat.

Over the past couple of years I was in a situation that made me angry and bitter. I prayed often for the situation to change, yet day after day it continued. My only refuge seemed to be when I was at home or at church.

Removing the impurities.

As I look back on the events during that time I can see the Lord “skimming the impurities” from me. On a regular basis Jesus would send witnesses to me to comfort me and remind me who was in control. During that time I also witnessed to the grace of God to those who were in much worse situations than I was.

The next step.

At just the right time He removed me from that furnace. On January 3, 2011 I was laid off from my primary job. My response? “OK Lord, I trust you. I know you will take care of my family and me.” I have put my trust 100% on my Lord and Savior Jesus. He is faithful. There are several employment opportunities in the works. I can also see the foundation He has been laying over the last year.

I am still not sure of the new direction Jesus is leading me, I am sure it will continue to remove the impurities from me. I know I will struggle (I am still on this earth), but Jesus has again removed the doubt that His enemies have planted in my sinful mind.

Lord Jesus, I am your eyes, your hands, your feet, and mouth piece. Send me!

When something in our life goes is a bad direction, how do you respond?

Please let us know.

All for the glory of God

Learning to Trust

2010-03-22T21:57:00.001-04:00

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Galatians 2:20

The following question is from my February 19^th devotional: “Rate your trust in Jesus on a scale of 0-10, with 0 representing no trust at all, and 10 representing total trust.”

In the devotional, written by Patrick Morley, Mr. Morley relates faith to driving a race car. When you first get into a new car you are very careful because you don’t trust how the car is going to handle. The more time you spend with the car, the more you come to trust it. The same is true with being a disciple. As you spend time with Jesus you will learn His ways, and you will find yourself trusting Him more and more. Paul spent time “hanging out” with Jesus in community with other believers. As Paul says in the above verse, he learned to “live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Paul had passed from knowing to believing – living by faith – because he spent time with Jesus and found Him to be trustworthy.

I wondered if I trusted Jesus completely would I take on so many things? I guess it would depend on why I am taking them on. I should be sure to pray before saying yes to any new project or task. Of course prayer is one thing, listening for and accepting the answer is another.

I had a men’s ministry event coming up the next day. The number of people who knew about the event was huge – the number who signed up was 2. Did I trust that Jesus will fill the event? No. Did I trust that His plan would be accomplished? Yes.

I was afraid the event would not be a success, but there was a peace in me that can only come from God. So I knew that through the Holy Spirit His will was going to be accomplished.

So my answer to Pat Morley’s question on how I rate my trust in Jesus, in this instance, is 8.

So was the event a success? Most definitely. I strengthened the relationship I had with the 2 men who had signed up, but a third man attended because his church is very interested in what I can offer.

Two weeks later I became painfully aware that I had meetings every night during the coming week. For the past 6 months I was making sure I would be home spending time with my family at least 3 nights during the week, in addition to most of Saturday and all of Sunday. The stress began to build. I prayed all day Sunday for God’s guidance. Monday morning during my prayer and devotion time these words started going through my mind over and over; “Feed My sheep, build My kingdom, do everything to the glory of the Father.”

When I get overwhelmed, I tend to do things just to get them done. What Jesus was telling me was just do what He had called me to do. He would take care of me. My trust that week, and from then on, will be a 10. The week turned out great.

Now I ask you… rate your trust in Jesus on a scale of 0-10, with 0 representing no trust at all, and 10 representing total trust. Be honest…God knows your heart. If you are not at 10, how can you move closer to a “10”? Consistently attend church on Sunday, get involved in a couple of corporate (group) bible studies per week, read your Bible and devotions every day, and pray and talk to God all day every day.

And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. Mark 8:34

The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:23-26

A message to satan & the world.

2009-10-12T20:59:00.001-04:00

This message is for satan, the world, and those who would knowingly or unknowing assist them in their attempt to distract or dissuade me from doing the will of God.

(My pastor used this statement of few months ago, and I don't think he will mind if I use it as well).
I know who I am, I know who's I am, and I know why I am here!
I am a sinner who has been redeemed by the blood of my Savior Jesus Christ; I am a disciple and bond servant of Jesus Christ my Lord, and I will follow Him BECAUSE of what He did for me out of His love for me.
I belong to God, our heavenly Father, who has called me out of the darkness.
I am here to let people know who Jesus is and what He has done for them, to share the good news of the Gospel. With a specific calling to reach out to men, as well as help those who are called to disciple men.

Through the word of God and the working of the Holy Spirit through that word, I will see you for who you are, and you will find it difficult to distract me.

To all my brothers and sisters in Christ who have totally given themselves to our Lord and Savior Jesus; hang in there, the more they attack, the more they fear what we ARE going to accomplish through our God. Jesus defeated them with His death and resurrection. With Jesus as our Commander and Chief we too will have the victory.

All For The Glory Of GOD

Who Do We Aim To Please?

2009-09-25T19:35:00.002-04:00

When we write something, people only see what they want to see. When we say things, people only hear what they want to hear. When we do things people will interpret what we do the way they want. So... All we write, say, and do should be done to please the Lord our God and no one else. What do you think?

Gregoreo

2009-08-24T20:11:00.004-04:00

I just listened to a blog written by the best friend and witness to the accident that took the life of a 15 year old boy. I don't know where the 15 year old was in his faith, but the the young man who tried to help his friend said he had never been in a church before. I listened to the sorrow and the pain he is feeling. I am sure we would all feel that hurt and pain if we had been there. What saddens me to the point of tears is that he feels he has no hope. He does not know that God sent His only Son to die for us on a cross so that we might have hope. So many churches today are worried about keeping their doors open because of lack of money. Their open doors are not saving this young man! It is time for those who claim Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior wake up and do what Jesus told us to do. TELL OTHERS THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. If we do that then HE WHO PROVIDES EVERYTHING will supply us with EVERYTHING we need. If we need a building He will provide the means to keep it open.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33

These are refining times!

2009-04-19T17:35:00.002-04:00

Brothers in Christ,
As we are now well into the new year, and there is still uncertainty in the economy, we need to find some quiet time to pray and truly examine our lives.
“Yea right!” you say. “I am scrambling trying to figure out how to make ends meet. I have to work twice as many hours to make the money I need to support my family, and you want me stop and examine my life? I’m exhausted and I’m stressed out!”
Perfect! It sounds like you are having your world rocked, things are heating up, and you are under a lot of pressure! Over the last few years we all started accumulating things that were not part of God’s plan for us. Now those things are being shaken loose. The more we try to hold on to them, the rougher the ride is going to be. Precious metals are purified with heat. We refine gold and silver by heating them up so the impurities fall away. And finally, let’s think about a lump of coal. When lots of pressure is applied it becomes a diamond. Not only are diamonds valuable (we are valuable to God) they are also very strong.
Remember, God is in control of EVERYTHING! This mess our world is in didn’t surprise Him. He didn’t cause it to happen, that is the fault of sin in the world. God will however, work all things to the good of those who love Him, so that we may bring glory and honor to Him.
First pray for our Savior’s guidance, and then check your priorities;
God, Spouse, Family, Personal Ministry, Job. In that order.
We are all Men Alive In Christ.
Through God we shall do valiantly, And it is He who will tread down our adversaries.
Psalm 60:12

Use it or lose it!

2009-01-09T16:08:00.004-05:00

On Monday at our men's Bible study on King David, my Pastor asked us if we always had God's Word in front of us. Since I am a lay leader in our congregation, I was disappointed in myself when I realized it is not there all the time.
Work is were I am the worst at keeping it in front of me. I work at a retail job in the construction industry, a "worldly" place to say the least. I seem to fall so easily into the type of person I was before I answered Jesus' call. I know this is not just my problem. Many Christian men I talk to have the same problem. All we can do is continue to lean on our God. When we stumble, pick ourselves up (with His help), repent, and move on.
One thing I have noticed, the more time I spend studying His Word, the less I stumble and the faster I recover when I do. When I haven't been in His Word I stumble the most and the worst.
What's the old saying? If you don't use it you lose it...

New location...

2009-01-08T19:31:00.000-05:00

The original "As The Spirit Leads" blog is at http://matthew2819-bill.blogspot.com/ that blog is still there if you want to check it out, but I won't be working there anymore.