Man Of God

Matt Walsh wrote an inciteful blog about men in our culture. He says the Evil One’s campaign against men and boys has been successful. We have been bad mouthed diminished, dismissed, and forsaken. Men have become reprobate: condemned and unworthy. Seventeen million families live today in homes without their fathers. The mother is now the leader of the families and the head of the home. Men and boys learn masculinity from their mothers and from TV shows. Manhood has been described as toxic, dangerous, demoralized. Boys are emerging from school damaged and degraded. Sixty percent of college students are women. Our culture is having its way with men as men buy into the popular culture’s demoralized view of manhood.

What’s the answer for men? It’s a spiritual battle. Men’s ministry in the churches is an uphill climb. Men in our culture have earned many of the negative stereotypes. Alpha-male “chauvinists” are considered privileged, abusive, and arrogant. As Ecclesiastes says, “there is nothing new under the sun.” In the Old Testament culture, most of the Kings of Israel and Judah were corrupt. Many men can bear up under pressure, but to know a man’s true character, put him in a position of power.

The pendulum in our culture has swung in favor of women. As in today’s world, Jesus stepped into a culture of fallen men. He turned down the zealots who wanted him to throw off the oppression of the Roman government. Jesus declined their offer when they wanted to make him their leader.

God always raises up men of God “for such a time as this.” The term “man of God is used 70 times in scripture. It’s only used twice in the New Testament: Once in 1 Timothy and once in 2 Timothy. The phrase “man of God” is the “genitive of possession.” A man of God is God’s man. It’s not about who we are but rather whose we are.

According to 1Timothy 6:3-5, “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4. He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”

These are the things that Paul exhorts Timothy to flee from. In verse 11, as a “man of God,” he says instead to pursue godliness.
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”

Pete recalls that he met with his fraternity brother who questioned whether his life has been worthwhile. Although he built a successful business and accumulated wealth and property, he had sacrificed his family on the altar of worldly success.

In 2 Timothy Paul lists characteristics of men in “the last days.” They will be lovers of self and lovers of money. They will be abusive, unloving, and unforgiving, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Having a form of godliness but denying God’s power. Therefore do not sign a “peace treaty” with such men.

The adversary will tempt men to sin and then shame them when they fall. He appeals to a man’s pride and “macho” sense of revenge in the guise of “just retribution.”

One of the devil’s biggest lies is that financial, monetary gain is great success. However, the love of money is the root of all evil. What is it that you love? What you love, you will gladly serve.

To win the battle, we must seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Paul says that contentment with what you have is great gain. The exhortation is “take heed and beware of covetousness, for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of things that he posesseth.

Therefore humble thyself under the mighty hand of God. To walk in fellowship with our lord, is to acknowledge that Father knows best. God is the one who pursues us to make us his own. He is the “hound of heaven.” All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone unto his own way. Jesus himself leaves the flock of 99 sheep to pursue the one lost sheep.

Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:13-14 says, “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus… That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Are we willing to “put one one the scoreboard” for our Lord Jesus Christ? As Romans 12 says, quit ye (conduct yourselves) like men, be strong in the lord. Our identity is in Christ. For I was crucified with Christ nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me. And the life that I now live, I live by faith in the one who loved me and gave himself for me.

Therefore fight the good fight of faith. May our prayer be, Lord make me a man of God. Your man who lives to glorify you and to represent you as a living epistle in a world of darkness among whom we shine as lights. That our lives may be to the praise of the glory of your grace.

May God richly bless you,
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

Saul’s Conversion

Pete just returned from an extended trip back to Alabama and Auburn where he attended a reunion of his old Auburn baseball team. At the reunion dinner, one of his old Fraternity brothers confined in Pete. He said, “I’ve spent my whole life trying to become a success in what the world defines as success. I’ve accumulated wealth and worked hard and accomplished everything that I thought would be the American Dream. However, I’ve lately been questioning, “Is it all worthwhile?” Pete is looking forward to meeting with this man to discuss what’s really important in life. Christianity is a rescue effort for desperate men.

Nothing makes sense in life unless we meet our Lord at the foot of the cross. Life is so much more than checking off our “Christian checklist.” Christianity is not about what you’ve done, but rather whether you’ve born good fruit. Jesus said, “by their fruit you shall know them.”

The book of Acts is the record of the early church and how the Word of God moved. It didn’t take long before the devil began to disrupt the movement of the Word. The apostle Peter was arrested for preaching the gospel and for healing a lame man. Jealousy, power, insecurity and pride are the devil’s tools to pervert the hearts of men from the truth of the Word. If you’re not extremely intentional and careful when serving within the church, the devil will have his way with you.

In Acts 6, there was a complaint from the Hellenistic Jews who had left Jerusalem. They spoke Greek instead of Aramaic like the “pure” Jews whose ancestry remained in Jerusalem. Acts 6:2 is the first record of the calling of “deacons” to serve tables and to do the groundwork of the church. Stephen was the first devout believer who was chosen to serve as a deacon. Act 6:8-9 says, “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
9. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.”

According to verse 3, Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom. However, those who opposed Stephen were filled with jealousy and pride. Their charge against Stephen is in verses 10-14.

10, “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake 11. Then they suborned (secretly instigated) men, which said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.”
12. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, 13. And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
14. For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.”
“And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”

The charges that they brought against Steven are the same charges that the Devils’ minions charge men of God today. Darkness is not compatible with the light of the truth of the Word of God and men who represent truth.

Stephen answered their charge in Acts chapter 7. He concludes his answer with verse 51, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers.
53. Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
54. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
55. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56. And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”

Steven while he was being persecuted didn’t even see the people who were against him. He could only see the glory of God and Jesus standing on God’s right hand. This riled up the crowd because darkness cannot tolerate the light of the truth of the Word of God.

57. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58. And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
59. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

The word of God never returns void. The powerful witness of Stephen planted a seed of truth in the mind of Saul, the young man at whose feet the witnesses laid their clothes. Saul became a leader of the Christian persecutors. Acts chapter 8 is the record of the rise of Saul’s hate group against the followers of Jesus. “AND Saul was consenting unto his (Stephen’s) death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.”

According to Acts 9, “AND Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the”“synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:”
4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”

Saul had been a man who was in complete control. He was a Hebrew of Hebrews who had the right worldly credentials. He had a unique encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. From the moment of this dramatic conversion experience, Saul listened to the Holy Spirit and the voice of the Lord. The power of God changed the leader of the Devils’ minions and completely turned him around. Likewise our prayer should be that God would change the hearts of men who are power brokers. Men who self-righteously rage against the truth of the Word of God. God has a way of humbling a man whose heart is ready to turn from darkness unto light.

7. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9. And he was three days without sight, and nei”“neither did eat nor drink.”
10. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16. For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

God chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. He took the worst sinner the world could find to turn his life around. God chooses men who are ready for repentance…those ready to be broken. A changed life is a powerful witness for Christ. Jesus said, “I am come to open the eyes of those born blind.” God will bring along a “Barnabus” like Ananias to encourage and shepherd those whom God has called unto repentance.

Those we knew before we met Jesus on our “road to Damascus” will marvel how our lives have been changed. We who have been grabbed by his nail-pierced hands bear the testimony of him who has called us from darkness unto the glorious light of the gospel of truth.

May God richly bless you!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

When God Says No

What do you do when God says “no?” When you want to move ahead, sometimes God will say “wait.” Those are the times when we discover that our thoughts are not God’s thoughts and our ways are not God’s ways. Who’s Sovreign, me or God?

In Matthew 26, Jesus had just shared the “Last Supper” with his disciples. He told them what would happen over the next few days… That he would be crucified and then be resurrected from the dead. Jesus went to pray in the Garden of Gethsamane. In verses 26 and following:

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.”

When we face the fires of life, we need our brothers for comfort, encouragement and the fellowship of like minded believers. Men need to bond face to face for edification and encouragement.

Jesus’ soul was deeply grieved. The devil and his minions had arrayed against him. Jesus prayed to his father, “if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” The cup was the wrath of God for the sin of the world. It is he cup of sin and death which is separation from God.

When he returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping. Jesus had brought Peter, James and John so that they could be bound together in fellowship. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. He returned three times to find them sleeping. The warning is “watch and pray.”

Sometimes God’s answer when we pray is not what we want to hear. When Pete asked God to allow him to take his wife on their 50th anniversary river cruise, God’s answer was “no.” When God asked Pete and Suzan, “can I trust you with a brain tumor,” they needed to come to an understanding of what it meant to Trust God. God does so many things when he says “no” to teach what’s really important in this life.

The Apostle Paul said that because of the abundance of the revelation that God had given him, God sent him a “thorn in the flesh” a messenger of Satan to keep him humble. God allows thorns in the flesh to keep us broken so that we will come to him with a contrite heart. Only then can we will learn that “thy strength is made perfect in my weakness, thy grace is sufficient for me.”

Trials of life teach us what’s really important in life. When faced with trials, is our response “grumbling and complaining?” If this is our response, then this is our calling to repent. All God asks is a heart of awe and gratitude. Like the song says, “thank God for unanswered prayer.”

In the Garden of Gethsamane, Jesus as the “son of man” asked the question, “if there be any other way, let this cup pass from me.” Jesus knew the answer to the question before he asked it. He knew the purpose for which his Father had called him. Prayer is not aligning God’s will with my will. Rather, it’s aligning my will with God’s will. The answer to Jesus’ prayer is in the book of Hebrews: “he for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down upon the right hand of the throne of God. The joy set before him was your salvation and mine. What amazing grace!

If God has you in a holding pattern, thank him for teaching you what it means to “wait upon the Lord. May our pray be, “nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.”

May God richly bless you!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

Saul’s Conversion

Pete just returned from an extended trip back to Alabama and Auburn where he attended a reunion of his old Auburn baseball team. At the reunion dinner, one of his old Fraternity brothers confined in Pete. He said, “I’ve spent my whole life trying to become a success in what the world defines as success. I’ve accumulated wealth and worked hard and accomplished everything that I thought would be the American Dream. However, I’ve lately been questioning, “Is it all worthwhile?” Pete is looking forward to meeting with this man to discuss what’s really important in life. Christianity is a rescue effort for desperate men.

Nothing makes sense in life unless we meet our Lord at the foot of the cross. Life is so much more than checking off our “Christian checklist.” Christianity is not about what you’ve done, but rather whether you’ve born good fruit. Jesus said, “by their fruit you shall know them.”

The book of Acts is the record of the early church and how the Word of God moved. It didn’t take long before the devil began to disrupt the movement of the Word. The apostle Peter was arrested for preaching the gospel and for healing a lame man. Jealousy, power, insecurity and pride are the devil’s tools to pervert the hearts of men from the truth of the Word. If you’re not extremely intentional and careful when serving within the church, the devil will have his way with you.

In Acts 6, there was a complaint from the Hellenistic Jews who had left Jerusalem. They spoke Greek instead of Aramaic like the “pure” Jews whose ancestry remained in Jerusalem. Acts 6:2 is the first record of the calling of “deacons” to serve tables and to do the groundwork of the church. Stephen was the first devout believer who was chosen to serve as a deacon. Act 6:8-9 says, “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
9. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.”

According to verse 3, Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom. However, those who opposed Stephen were filled with jealousy and pride. Their charge against Stephen is in verses 10-14.

10, “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake 11. Then they suborned (secretly instigated) men, which said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.”
12. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, 13. And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
14. For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.”
“And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”

The charges that they brought against Steven are the same charges that the Devils’ minions charge men of God today. Darkness is not compatible with the light of the truth of the Word of God and men who represent truth.

Stephen answered their charge in Acts chapter 7. He concludes his answer with verse 51, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers.
53. Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
54. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
55. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56. And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”

Steven while he was being persecuted didn’t even see the people who were against him. He could only see the glory of God and Jesus standing on God’s right hand. This riled up the crowd because darkness cannot tolerate the light of the truth of the Word of God.

57. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58. And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
59. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

The word of God never returns void. The powerful witness of Stephen planted a seed of truth in the mind of Saul, the young man at whose feet the witnesses laid their clothes. Saul became a leader of the Christian persecutors. Acts chapter 8 is the record of the rise of Saul’s hate group against the followers of Jesus. “AND Saul was consenting unto his (Stephen’s) death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.”

According to Acts 9, “AND Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the”“synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:”
4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”

Saul had been a man who was in complete control. He was a Hebrew of Hebrews who had the right worldly credentials. He had a unique encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. From the moment of this dramatic conversion experience, Saul listened to the Holy Spirit and the voice of the Lord. The power of God changed the leader of the Devils’ minions and completely turned him around. Likewise our prayer should be that God would change the hearts of men who are power brokers. Men who self-righteously rage against the truth of the Word of God. God has a way of humbling a man whose heart is ready to turn from darkness unto light.

7. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9. And he was three days without sight, and nei”“neither did eat nor drink.”
10. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16. For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

God chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. He took the worst sinner the world could find to turn his life around. God chooses men who are ready for repentance…those ready to be broken. A changed life is a powerful witness for Christ. Jesus said, “I am come to open the eyes of those born blind.” God will bring along a “Barnabus” like Ananias to encourage and shepherd those whom God has called unto repentance.

Those we knew before we met Jesus on our “road to Damascus” will marvel how our lives have been changed. We who have been grabbed by his nail-pierced hands bear the testimony of him who has called us from darkness unto the glorious light of the gospel of truth.

May God richly bless you!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael